Month: January 2014

ANIMAL GUIDES

ANIMAL GUIDES

Do I Have an Animal Guide? Some believe that each person has one and possibly
more (one guide being the most commonly held belief), personal animal guides
that they can rely on. Most also believe that they can access other animal
guides for help in areas where their personal guide(s) are not as strong.
However there are also some who believe that anyone can access guides for help,
but each person does not have a specific one. Believe whatever feels right to
you. Before you decide that this is a wonderful idea and that you should have
365 personal animal guides, one for each and every day of the year, and want to
run out and meet them all, think about this. I was once told that those who meet
many personal animal guides in their life are not to be envied for they are the
ones who need the most protection and guidance. However that does not mean that
you cannot call on different guides for help when you need the specific type of
help they can offer you. It also does not mean you can can’t have more than one
personal guide. I just wanted to throw in a word of warning; too much candy can
make you sick after all. So if you suddenly find a flock of animal guides at
your side at all times, look at what you are doing and where you are going in
your life. Perhaps you have some decisions to make.

How Do I Meet My Animal Guide?

Patience, patience, patience… Animal guides are not owned by anyone, even if
some might be called pets. It is their choice whether or not to make themselves
known to you at any particular time. You may ask nicely, but you can never force
a meeting. Most often your guide will reveal itself in its own time. Just
because they do not appear the first time you try to contact them doesn’t mean
you should give up. Keep trying every so often and when they feel the time is
right they will show themselves. There are three ways you can meet your power
animal or discover which animal medicine is right for you. First, you could just
wait until the guide decides that it is time for it to show itself. Second, you
could write and perform a ritual to call and ask for the assistance of the
animal that would best assist you in your present magical workings or be of help
in resolving a conflict in your life or simply ask that a guide make itself
known to you.  Finally you could opt for the method of entering a meditative
state (for example ashamanic trance, astral travel or lucid dreaming) and meet
the animal in the spirit world. When the ritual technique is used, you will most
likely see the animal in its natural form or it may appear in your life through
seeming coincidences sometime after the ritual. There may be a synchronistic
conversation where the topic is of the animal, or you find a book about the
animal, images of it keep popping up, etc. When you catch that first glimpse of
that particular medicine, you will know it in your heart. If you meet the animal
in the meditative astral state, converse with it and ask its help. Anything is
possible in the astral, so ask questions and get to know your new partner. If
you have seen the animal after a ritual, plan sometime to go into the meditative
state to cement your relationship, get to know the animal and the wisdom it
represents. It is important to remember that in many cases, we are chosen and
not the one making the choices when it comes to the alliance with an animal
spirit. We may wish to seek the wisdom of a particular guide but others will
show up instead. Remember to be receptive to any or all who appear because they
all have important lessons or wisdom to impart. It is also possible that before
we can progress to our next level of understanding, we must first resolve or
overcome some underlying issues that we may not be fully aware of or are denying
within ourselves. Once you have met and began your relationship with an animal
spirit, what do you do with it? Power animals are great advice givers, often
representing aspects of our higher selves that we haven’t been paying close
enough attention to.  In a meditative state you can ask for their assistance on
problems that have been nagging at you. At times, it is also necessary to seek
the assistance of more than one power animal at the same time to maintain
balance, as is the case between Badger and Deer.

How to Discover Your Guide:

One way of starting to discover your animal guides by examining the animals you
have been most interested in and the times of your life that interest was
piqued. Also examine the animals that have appeared in your dreams or in your
everyday life, especially the ones that have appeared over and over and at odd
times. The following questions can help you determine which animals might be
guides in your life. Has a specific creature or specific creatures, be it
animal, bird, reptile, Amphibian, insect or mythological beast, always
fascinated you? We are drawn to that which most resonates with us. Those
animals, which fascinate us or the ones that we fear the most, have something to
teach us. Animal guides are not always those that we have the most similarities
with. Often they are in our lives to help us learn what we are lacking. When you
visit the zoo, which animal do you wish to visit first? This is especially true
with children and this question is easy for them to answer since they are often
more receptive than teens or adults. What animal or animals do you see most
frequently when you are out in nature? The animals we encounter in their city or
wild environments have significance for us. We can learn from them about
survival within their environment and often much more. Of all the creatures,
which are you most interested in now? Our interests in animals change. Yes, we
usually have one or two that are lifetime power animals, but others become
prominent in our lives when there is something of importance to learn from them.
Do any animals frighten you? That which we fear is often something we must learn
to come to terms with. When we do that, the fears then become power. Some
Shamans believe that fears will take the shape of animals, and only when we
confront them without fear do their powers/medicine work for us instead of
against us. Such an animal then becomes a shadow totem. Have you ever been
attacked or badly wounded by an animal? Historically, if a Shaman survived
an attack, it was believed that the animal was the Shaman’s spirit totem and the
attack was the totem’s way of testing the Shaman’s ability to understand and
handle its power. Do you have dreams with animals in them or are there animal
dreams you have never forgotten? This is especially important if the dreams are
recurring or if a specific animal image keeps popping up in your dreams.
Children often dream of animals and attention should be given to these animals.
They will often reflect specific animal guides of the child or areas of weakness
where the parents can help in their child’s growth.

Meet Your Spirit Guides

Before retiring, or going to bed, spend a few minutes in bed relaxing. Just
focus on being relaxed. Be relaxed…
While relaxed, imagine a Veil in front of your eyes. A curtain, or a wall.
Imagine the Veil, or the wall, as being void, black. Accept the Veil, or the
wall. Do not be threatened by the Veil, because you are relaxed, and because
you know the Veil is an illusion, and serves purpose. You are still relaxed.
Then, you visualize the Veil (or wall) slowly lifting. You see the Veil lifting,
and you see stars, you see lights. You know you can see things you haven’t seen
before. You are still relaxed. When you are ready, you ask for Spirit to join
you. You ask Spirit to touch you, and to embrace you, because you are ready to
embrace Spirit. You know that Spirit is Divine Love, you know you are safe, you
know you are loved. You know you are ready to meet Spirit. Hold your hands out.
Let your fingertips feel the touch of Spirit. Know that when you are ready, you
can ask Spirit to embrace your arms; ask for Spirit to give you a huge hug. You
will feel it. Accept the love that is given to you, and know that you have
earned it, that the love is yours. You may feel many things. Electricity, and an
urge to cry, is what I felt, and great joy. There are many methods regarding
meeting your spirit guides. I met my guides in delayed stages. I had two human
guides and three critter guides. This is not “common” but is also not unheard-
of. What is common is for people to have two human guides. For those who study
critter-paths, I believe that they also have two human guides, but that they are
working more consciously with critter-wisdom, and therefore it is likely that
they have “critter-medicine”, and may actually have critter guides, as I do.
Names? Gender? These are generally the first two issues we would like to
distinguish within our guides. What I would recommend, as a matter of deduction,
is that you ask your inner voice, if your entity is Male or Female. You WILL
receive a definite impression. Lesson number one – learn to trust yourself. (I
like to ask the gender question first, as it’s an easy one-two, this or that
approach, and helps to distinguish our own emotional responses.) When it comes
to names, let your mind be open to receive impressions. When I first met Elmo,
my bear, I had a hard time believing that was his name, because I am a “serious”
person, I associated “Elmo” as being playful, and therefore antithetical to what
I thought his name should be. (Yet, I’ve learned a lot from Elmo, including “not
being so uptight” I also learned more about not judging a person – or entity –
by their name.) When I first met Garulf, as a spirit, I thought he had a
fascinating name. Weird name, dynamic personality. This was the label I hanged
on him. How was I to know Garulf was a fairly common, respectable name several
hundreds of years ago, in Denmark? How was I to know Garulf was actually a Soul
name, befitting him perfectly as a spirit, and as a person? So, in other words,
whatever name you get in meditation, or whatever, really is their name?
Sometimes, the names of your spirits will help you bust up your own
preconceptions of what names mean – or what roles people should play in your
lives. What it all really comes down to is trusting your impressions. If you can
do that (we salute you!), but more, you are already on a healthy journey of
rediscovery. Your spirits will help you find the way.

Several Different Account of Animals In Witchcraft

ANIMALS IN WITCHCRAFT

ANIMALS IN WITCHCRAFT-ANIMALS ON TRIAL

Witches and Cats

Locust on Trial

The Animals of Salem

The Animals of Finnish Witchtrials

The Trials of Familiars

Familiars of the Chelmesford witches
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WITCHES AND CATS

“The rise of Christianity in Europe heralded a fundamental shift in attitudes to
cats.  During the Middle Ages, the cat’s links with the ancient, pagan cult of
the mother goddess inspired a wave of persecution that lasted several hundred
years.  Branded as agents of the Devil, and the chosen companions of witches and
necromancers, cats, especially black ones, were enthusiastically tortured and
executed during Christian festivals all over Europe.  It was also believed that
witches disguised themselves as cats as a means of traveling around incognito,
so anyone encountering a stray cat at night felt obliged to try and kill or maim
the animal.  By teaching people to associate cats with the Devil and bad luck,
it appears that the Church provided the underprivileged and superstitious masses
with a sort of universal scapegoat, something to blame for all of the many
hardships and misfortunes of life.  Fortunately for cats, such attitudes began
to disappear gradually during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries with the
dawn of the so-called Age of Enlightenment.  However, not until the middle of
the nineteenth century did cats eventually begin to regain the popularity they
once enjoyed in Ancient Egypt.”

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LOCUST ON TRIAL

The discussion so far has put me in mind of a terrific book I once read on
European animal trials, which were conducted up until I think the 17th century.
One example especially pertinent to the topic at hand:  if a plague of
caterpillars or locusts or whatever infested an area, the local legal community
would put the swarm on trial.  A locust would be captured and taken to the
courthouse.  It would become the “defendant” , and would in effect stand-in for
the whole swarm.  The trial would be conducted with all pomp and circumstance,
with a lawyer appointed to represent the swarm and etc. There were a number of
standard defensive strategies, and sometimes the swarm was even judged innocent
if their lawyer was especially able.  If judged guilty, however, the locusts
were ordered to get out of town.  If the infestation abated, the trial was given
credit.  If the infestation continued, this does not appear to have been seen as
an argument against conducting animal trials in the future.  I trust the
resemblance to the raindance ceremony is fairly clear here.

The author of the book (I cannot recall the title or author; I remember that it
was published in the early 1900s and the cover shows a reproduction of an old
print, portraying the public execution of a pig by hanging) argues that such
trials are an attempt by the human community to intervene in the natural order,
to exert its will over the world.  I think this is a pretty insightful comment.

“Exerting human will over the world” could serve as a definition of the goal
of science.  Bacon sometimes describes science as the human “conquest” of
nature, and certainly many modern critiques of science (feminist, for example)
have taken this to be the self-defined goal of scientific inquiry.  I’m not
arguing for the ultimate truth of this particular position, but on the other
hand if you look at things along these lines than certain aspects of religious
and scientific thought seem to be closely related, at least in their purpose.
Bacon’s studies of heat are supposed to yield a (universal) process for making
heat, the shaman leading a raindance is trying to make it rain, the animal trial
is an attempt to bring the plague to an end etc.

Note that the various rituals used for bringing about these interventions don’t
have to work very well in each case for the ritual to be accepted within the
community.   The community may simply accept that human powers are limited in
what they can accomplish.  I believe that within alchemical studies this was a
common view; even if all the processes were carried out correctly, you might
still not create gold from lead or whatever, and in fact usually would not.
Note also that the ritual might have multiple functions within the community.
The rain-dance both be used for bringing rain and bringing about group
solidarity.  These are not mutually exclusive.  Again, I have read something
similar with respect to alchemical procedures; that the alchemist “purifying”
metals with his various tools is also going through a process of spiritual
purification.  And certainly the animal trial, even if it does not drive out the
infestation, makes the community feel better.  The community is “doing
something” about its situation, even if its acts are ineffective.

I also like the animal trial example because it muddies the waters here in
interesting ways.  The conversation to date has concerned itself with
comparing/contrasting religious/scientific thought.  Yet here we see legal
institutions using their procedures in a way that suggests a religious ritual.
Conversations on the distinctions/similarities between legal and religious
thought, and legal and scientific thought, would also be good to have.

************************************************************
THE ANIMALS OF SALEM

Salem Story:  Reading the Witch Trials of 1692  by Bernard Rosenthal Cambridge
University Press 1993

p.18  John Hughes, while testifying about seeing beast transform into Sarah
Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, also mentions that on March 2 “a great white
dog followed him and then disappeared, and then that night in bed he saw a great
light and a cat at the foot of his bed.”  (from Narratives of the WC Cases 1648-
1706 ed. G. LO. Burr)

p.21  Tituba’s testimony included many animals…black dog/hog/man/yellow bird
told her to serve him; yellow bird was accompanying Sarah Good (who had already
given accusers legitimacy); also said she saw a cat with Good on other occasions

p.22  T. saw 2 cats, black and red.  “What did the cats do?  Tituba did not
know.  Had the cats hurt or threatened her?  They had scratched her. What had
they wanted of her?  They had wanted her to hurt the children. They had forced
her to pinch the children.  Did the cats suck Tituba? No, she would not let
them.”

p.82  Bridget Bishop (owner of shuffle-board and cider teenage hangout) was
testified against by Wonn, slave of John Ingerson.  He “told a story of
frightened horses, the vanishing shape of B.B. (at the time B. Oliver), the
appearance of an unknown cat, and mysterious pinchings and pain.”

p.124  Martha Carrier:  7 yr. old daughter Sarah was induced to confess that “a
cat, identifying itself as M. C., had carried Sarah along to afflict people when
her mother was in prison.”

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THE ANIMALS OF FINNISH WITCHTRIALS

I have studied over 1200 finish witch trials 1520-1700 (with PD Marko Nenonen)
and there is a certain role of animals.  “Para”  was a small “cat-like” animal,
used  to  steal  milk  and a butter called cow  lucky especially in swedish
speaking west coast in Finland.  The “Para” was not found out by judges, but it
had a long folk tradition.  There are many examples  where  a  neighboug  was
accusing  another by stealing “butter lucky” with “para”.

“Para” is just the same “trollcat”  as it  was in  Sweden and Norway. You can
find  “Para”  in court  protocolls in  western part (Swedish speaking part) in
Finland (1520-1600),  but not  in finnish speaking parts on  the  country.   So
“Para” can’t  be shamanistic (Lappland) phenomenom, but it surely is known all
parts of Scandinavia.

As time goes, You could  find “Para”  in finnish  speaking areas too, but in in
1500-1700.   So  we have  learned it  from swedish speaking people.

But, as we are dealing with animals, you can find  other animals than “trollcat”
too.  We have cases with “trolldog” which I mean the Devil with a shape of a
dog.  Some of our accused had meet the devil with a shape of a dog (and a coat).

We have at least one case with a “metapmorphose”, where people have been accused of being  “werewolves”. In Estonia the tradition of those being wolves in night time was strong.   There  were many cases like that.

I think, the idea of “trollcats” is not shamanistic, it is surely
Scandinavian!

There is quite a lot of articles abou “Para” (Trollcat)  but only few of them
would be available in english.

But, there is one point we have to keep in mind.  People were ACCUSED of having  “Para” and  they were  CONVICTED to  using witchcraft, but they were never CONVICTED TO HAVING  PARA!   The matter  of trial was not, is there really animal shaped “butter stealing” para, but it was a question of practicing
witchcraft or superstition!

In Scandinavia  we  have  very old  “lore”, written  by one historian about
1200-1300, were a man was killed by “Mara”  (bad dream animal?) because he had not kept his promise to his Finnish wife.

Another instance of using “para”, other than trying have luck in stealing
butter,  was a “Finnish way” to use a bear as a helper for  killing someone’s
cattle.  People believed that some (almost always a man) people had  ability to
force bears to kill enemy’s horse or cattle.  But I  have no  idea, if the
bear wanted some price of it’s doings (nourishment or protection).

Even in the  oldest witch  trials (before  people had  any idea about satanistic
pact with devil) witches were believed to use some animals as a helper of their
maleficium.  So, this belief must be older than the christian theory of pact.

The bear  cases  seems  to  be  common way  to do  harm among finnish speaking
people.  In some rare cases the helper was a wolf. In some cases (1670s) the
helper was a dog, but it seems that the dog was not really an animal, but it was
a Devil with a shape of a dog.

Some ladies used cows (or even  a pig)  to ride  to “Bl=E5kulla” (the Sabbath),
but  those  animals   were  usually   “borrowed”  for  some neighbour and they
were not acting like a helper –  they were forced to do so.

Lapplanders who  had  long shaman  traditions used  to use “animal spirit
helpers” to do things, but they were not accused of forcing real animals to do
any harm, as far as I know.

There is  one  big  difference  between  using  a “Para”  and a bear. “Para” was
supernatural  familiar,  but  bears  were  really  acting animals whom could be
seen.  Damage made by para was a loss of butter or milk lucky, but a damage made by bear was real.   Anyone could see the damage.

In some  cases  there  was  so  called  “tonttu”  (tomptegubben or rgubbe in
swedish).  They were not used as helpers, but You should give them  some
presents  for  getting rid  of harms  they could do. People believed,  that
“tonttu” was  living in  particular place and people living in same area were
disturbing the tonttu.  So You had to do something  to  keep tonttu  in good
mood.   Tonttu was spiritual, because no one had never catch one.   Tonttu  was
not  an animal, but small human kind of creature.

Then there was “Nekki” or “Nacken”.   It  was a  creature living in lakes and
killing people by taking them under the water.  Nekki was not a real animal and
it did not acted like a helper for  anyone – it did what  it wanted  to do.

First little  more  about “para”.   The  belief of  “para” helping to steal cows
must be very old, because in one finnish church there is a painting of para.
The painting is older than the belief that a Witch have a pact with the devil,
the devil then  giving a  “spiritum” to a helper for  the  witch (This  belief
was  not known  in Finland until 1660s.)

Secondly, I think too, that a  witch-hare (para)is  common in Sweden. Probably
Finnish  speaking  people  have  borrowed  in  from  Sweden, because there are
no witch-hares in our oldest mythology as  far as I know.  The witch-hare (para)
was mentioned  in trials  some times in the Swedish speaking area of Finland
(west coast), but not in Finnish speaking Karelia, suggesting it is borrowed.

Thirdly, I have  to check  my papers  to find  out is  there any “pet
connection” in  finnish witch  trials, but  without doing  so I can’t remember
any cases where pet animals had  some part  of being helpers and neither did PhD Marko Nenonen as we discussed today.

But I could find at least one case where a man was killed  by his own dog.  The
victim,  Antti Yrjonpoika  Paivikainen, was  a customer of famous witch  Antti
Lieroinen  who did  all kinds  of maleficium for salary.  After their contact
Paivikainen was found dead and the cause for that was  his own  dog.   So
Lieroinen  was thought  to cause the death by using victim’s own dog to  kill
him.   This  was not proved, but Lieroinen was executed for  other witchcraft
he had  done.  This happend in 1643.

Fourthly, 27.3.1641 witch Erkki Juhonpoika  Puujumala (“Treegod”) was convicted in Turku Supreme Court.  He was sentenced to death for many reasons –  for killing  people with  witchcraft etc.   He  has had an arguement with other
people and he had said that he  was going change those people into wolves with
his maleficium.  This was not proved to happen, but it was one prosecution among many.   By  the way, Treegod said that he was 120 years old.

Fifthly, we have some cases where a witch has used a snake to do some crime.
One witch  argued with  his wife  and then  separated.  Later that ex-wife get
pregnant from a snake, and later gave  birth to some snakes.  In one another
case the  snake had  gone inside  of a woman (and they used a lappish healer to
try to get it out).

Snakes had also a  strong part  of shamanism,  but I  don’t know what really was
the function of shamans snake-shape belongings(??instruments??).  Finnish
folkloristics  seem to believe that the snake was for the shamans protection.

We had few cases where a snake’s head  was used  by magical meanings.

Sixthly, in  1732  court  was  dealing  with  a   case,  where  Lauri
Heikinpoika Tervo accused his neighbor “of  sending a  bird with fire on its
head (nose)” to burn his house, which  burned.   Due to losses of protocols, we
don’t know how  the case  was handled,  but I’m sure the court did not  find
neighbor  guilty.   Birds have  been known to used to carry fire in saami
tradition (says  finnish folklorist Aune Nystrom).

Seventhly, we have found one case  where a  woman gave  birth to some frogs, and one case where a frog was put in  a box  and buried inside of a church.  The box was just like those boxes they  used with human bodies.

Eigth, we have a case where they used a  fish to  heal sick person. The idea was
that the “Grande mal” (falling sickness)  would be moved from people to fish.
So they did it, but  unfortunately one innocent person touched  the fish  and
got  himself sick.   And  of course the sickness was grande mal.

Ninth, I have a strong feeling, that finnish courts  did not tried to found  out
if  the  accused had  animal helper  or not.   The law mentioned nothing about
animal imps or  spirituals, so  they were not needed as  evidence.    Maleficium
was  maleficium  and  it could be proofed without any animal helpers or spirits.

10th According  the  old folk  tradition the  bear will  not harm the cattle if
one takes a blind puppy dog and  buries it  with some rites in the land on area,
where the bear  lives.   But I  have no evidence that this has ever been done.

11th In Finland was  believed, that  milking others  cow, would steal not only
the  milk but  the further  milk lucky  too.   I think this believe is common in
whole Scandinavia.

12th A bear  could be  sent to harm neighbour’s cattle.  But at least in one
case (1746)  shows, that it could also to sent back to harm the original witch.

13th  I have no reason to believe that the animal (exept  the bear or wolf
sended  to  do  harm) were  real ones.   If  it was  so that the helpers were
real pets, why they did not execute the pets too?

I think that the judges  has sent  the animals  to death  as they did with cases
where humans  had sexual  intercourse with  animal.  They executed both!  One
reason to not to do so could be,  that the animal was not “guilty” for anything
because it  could not  differ the right and the wrong from each other.  But so
did the raped animal neither.

14th The worms.  At least in one case the witch used worms to destroy a pig.  He
used some magical technique and  the victims  pig get “full of worms”  as  they
found  out when  they slaughtered  the sick pig. Worms could be sent to a human
being too.

15th The lycanthropy.  Werewolves had no part of  finnish trials, but they had
one in Estonia.  Why?  The Finnish people  have common roots with Estonian
people and  our languages  are still  guite similar. Our oldest  pre-christian
religion  is  common,  and   there  is  no werewolves in  that  tradition,  as
far  as I  know.   So, where the estonians got  the  idea about  werewolves?   I
think  that they have adopted it  from  germans.    Estonia  has  been  under
strong german influence, but Finland hasn’t.   So, I  believe, that  they must
have copied the idea from German “Werewolffe”.

According Maia Madar (Estonia I:  Werewolves and  poisoners, in Early Modern
European  Witchcraft  ed.     Bengt   Ankarloo  and  Gustav Henningsen,
Clarendon Press, Oxford 1990).

“Belief in werewolves was widespread.  At eighteen trials, eighteen women  and
thirteen men  were accused  of causing damage while werewolves.  At Meremoisa  1623, the  defendant Ann testified that she  had been  a werewolf  for four  years, and  had killed a horse as well as some smaller animals.  She had later hidden the wolf skin under a stone in the fields.”  (page 270)

Maia Madar tells other examples, too.  And in one  case where 18-year old Hans
had  confessed  that he  had hunted  as a  werewolf for two years, “when asked
by the judges if his body  took part  in the hunt, or if only his soul was
transmuted, Hans confirmed that  he had found a dog’s teeth-marks on  his own
leg, which  he had  received while a werewolf.  Further  asked wether  he felt
himself to  be a  man or a beast while transmuted, he told  that he  felt
himself  to be beast.” (page 271)

Madar writes:  “It was acknowledged  that people  could be transmuted not only
into werewolves, but also into bears.”

So as a lawyer I  must ask  why they  were confessing  that they were hunting as
werewolves  in  Estonia.    The  answer  must be torture. Torture was  widely
used in  Estonia ecen  it was  under the Swedish jurisdiction, where torture was
forbidden.

16th The devil in a shape of a dog.  All over the  Scandinavia we had trials
where the accused said, that the devil they’ve met had a shape of a  dog.   Why
the  dog?   Danish witchhistorian  Jens Christian V. Johanssen writes (in book
mentioned above), that  the popular culture (peoples believes) borrowed ideas
for wall-paintings in the church.

“In Ejsing church, Christ is tempted in the desert by the  devil – in the shape
of a  ferocious-looking dog!   Popular  imagination was so vivid that  on  given
occasions  the devil  came to  take his form”. (Johansen:  Denmark:  The
Sociology of Accusations in Early Modern European Witchcraft..  page 363-364).

Well, so and so.  But surely the popular culture appointed ideas from elite’s
culture.

17th The shamanism.  I have not specialised about  shamanism, so I’ll now follow  the  ideas  that  finnish  shamanism expert Anna-Leena Siikala writes  in   her  book   “Suomalainen  samanismi”  (Finnis Shamanism), Hameenlinna 1992.

Siikala writes about moving the  demon from  someone to  another.  In finnish
folklore it is usuall to remove a disease from  patient to an animal or  some
idol, like  wooden puppet.   This  is common between Middle- and  East-Siperia
shaman  too.   She remind,  that even Jesus removed demon from a man to some
pigs.  (page 187)

There is  information  about  this kind  of “removing”  in German and Estonia
too.  In Finland  this was  usually done  by soothsaying, but this was not
common in Middle-Europe or Scandinavia.

Siikala guesses, that this habit has  very old  shamanistic roots and that the
churhes middle-age tradition  has forced  this old religion. (pages 188-189)

In these cases animals are  shamans helpers  and they  carry the evil demon
away.    Shamans  (spiritual)  animal  helpers  are also spyes, Shaman can  send
them  far  away  to  collect  information  what  is happening.  Helpres  also
carry  the  information  from  here to the “heaven”.  “Because  shamans helper
animal do  not only  to take the disease to themselves,  but carry  it to
“heaven” (or  “to the other side” as shamans say), they are=20  not usuall
(real) animals” (page 191).

Siikkala says,  that middle  age church  adopted these  old ideas and they used
the idea to their rituals (to carry out demons).

Shamans used to call their helpers for instance by singing (and using the drum).
In my opinion it is surely understandable that shaman was all the  time
demonstrating  to  the  audience,  that  he  has  very important helpers.

The shaman uses his  helpers to  fight agains  other shamans helpers, too.  So
when shaman is healing a patent,  he first  find’s out where the disease has
become, and then force it to go back.  If the disease is caused by demon, you
have to fight against demon.  If it is caused by other shaman with his helpers,
so the helpers must fight together. (as Carlo Ginzburg’s “benandati” did).

The idea about shamans fighting together is old  and it  is common in Northern-
Asia, too.  In Siperia tradition the  fighning shamans could take a shape of
animals.

But I could not find any  reason to  believe that  the helper animals were real
animals in Siikalas book either.

According to Joan’s Witch Pages  they executed  a dog  in Salem Witch trials.
This is something I had  not pointed  out earlier.   If they really executed the
dog, so I’ll have to reuse my argument:  why they did not executed other
suspected “pets” too  (if the  “pet theory” is right)?

************************************************************

THE TRIALS OF FAMILIARS

One reason why they may not have executed pets is  because the  law assumed
that these creatures were supernatural beings  – by  definition.  If the animals
had  been  captured,  brought to  court, examined by authorities, etc.,  it
would  have  been difficult  to avoid the conclusion that the witch’s cat or dog
was, in fact, no different from any other cat  or dog.  In addition,  according
to folklore, these animals could not be killed by ordinary  means because they
were spirits. We have found one account, for example, of a suspected familiar (a
poodle dog called Boye, belonging to Prince Rupert) being killed by a silver
bullet fired by  a ‘soldier skilled in necromancy’  at  the battle  of Marston
Moor in  1642.  Also, perhaps it was assumed that the familiars would perish as
soon as the witch  was  executed,  since they  were assumed  to depend on
her/him for  nourishment (coincidently, of course, the animals probably didn’t
survive  for  long  once their owners were incarcerated and executed).  However,
I  agree with  you that the fate of these animals is somewhat mysterious.  My
guess would be that the  witch’s  neighbours  dealt  with  them swiftly and
discretely, but I have no evidence either way. I wasn’t aware of the Salem dog
execution but will now look into this. In the bestiality trials, the animals
were not generally executed as criminals.  Rather they seem to have been
regarded as polluted creatures which might have a corrupting influence on public morality if allowed to remain alive. Thus, there was a particular incentive to identify these (real) animals and kill them.

——————————————————————————–

Our Animal Allies: Power Animals

OUR ANIMAL ALLIES: POWER ANIMALS

As humans, we each have one or more animal guardians that have come to us at the time of our births to protect us, whether we are conscious of it or not.
Generally, these guardians, or power animals, are our spirit allies that have
volunteered to do us service. Their job is to keep us healthy-physically,
emotionally, mentally and spiritually. A person may have many different power
animals during his or her life. These animal beings may be any type of animal:
of the Earth, of the Sea, of the Air, extinct in this realm, seemingly
“mythological” etc., though they generally are not insects or domesticated
animals. Though a power animal can have a distinct gender, age and personality,
it is representative of the entire genus or species. For example, if your animal
guardian happens to be Bear, the spiritual power and guidance comes not only
from that one specific bear, but from the entire genus or species of Bear. Also,
there is no hierarchy of power animals. No particular animal is more power-full
or more beneficial than another.

Power Animals are only helpful and never bring harm, no matter how fiercely they may present themselves. They are here to help us. Though your animal ally is available to help you in times of crisis, illness and/or danger, they can also
offer guidance and support in your day-to-day life. Power animals often awaken
our creativity as well as the ability to perceive the beauty and magic that
surrounds us. Shamans may call upon their power animal(s) for many reasons: in the diagnosis of an illness, to assist the shaman in spiritual journeys through
other realms of reality, to bring power to a ceremony or to provide needed
information and teaching.

Calling upon your animal can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. However,
the most important ingredient is your intent and focus. You can call out with
your voice or quietly in your heart. You can simply repeat its name or recite
many beautiful words of welcome. Whatever you do, be sincere and not frivolous
in your request. There is a story of a poor Tibetan man that spent much of his
day turning the prayer wheels of a monastery as he circled the complex repeating
the prayers of a certain female deity. From the monastery, the monks could see
that as the man prayed, the deity followed behind him. One day, a monk overheard the man’s prayers. Realizing the man had some of words wrong, he promptly corrected him. The next day, the monks saw the man as usual but no longer did the deity follow behind. Acknowledging the error, the monk returned to the man and instructed him to recite his prayers as before. Because, though the man now said the correct words, his heart was no longer in it.

In building a relationship with your power animal, it is also beneficial and
important to often honor your animal in some way. Once again, this can be as
simple or elaborate as you want. In general, gifting the animal with your
attention is a way to honor and  respect it. The simple act of silently greeting
your animal in the morning as you wake and, for a few moments, opening yourself to being receptive to any information your animal may have for you can be a transformative experience. Giving thanks to the animal for Big Dreams you may have, drawing or creating images of the animal as well as physically exercising your animal by inviting it into your body as you hike or swim are also ways to honor your animal guardian. In this way, the power animal has the pleasure of experiencing the material world. It is important that the animal feel welcome and appreciated. Shamans often honor their animal allies by singing of the animal andor inviting the animal into their body and dancing the animal. This is not mere imitation, but transformation.

So, how can you know if you have a power animal and what it may be? I invite you to look about your home. Are there pictures or figures of a particular animal
that occur throughout your home that you feel an emotional connection to? Is
there an animal that comes  to you in dreams or meditations that provides you
with guidance or answers to questions? These are valuable observations and worth investigating further. All things are significant in some way. One way a shaman can discover whether or not an individual currently has the help of a particular guardian animal is to undertake a spiritual journey into non-ordinary reality, and ask the spirits.

How They Communicate With Us

In ancient times, there was unity between the animal beings and the human
beings. We conversed freely and easily with one another. Now, however, this
unity is lost in this physical world of limitation. Though the shaman is able to
journey to realms where this unity continues, it is important for all to be
aware of when an animal ally is communicating with us and what information they are bringing.

Power animals are not the only animals that can and do communicate with us. Any animal can bring us a teaching at any time. An animal may come for an extended period of time to help us with a particular issue, or it may appear only to bring a timely  message or teaching and then be gone. Most helpful in building
relations with the animal beings and opening yourself to their assistance, is to
see them as sacred beings worthy of your attention and respect, rather than
viewing them as objects, inferior, or stupid.

There are some practical steps you can take in learning to understand an
animal’s message. Observe the animal. What does it look like? How is it moving?
How is it relating to its environment? Perhaps most importantly, how are you
feeling as you observe the animal? What thoughts or memories are you having?
Where is your attention drawn? Often, animals will attract our attention in some
way before they offer us the message. Be patient. Use all of your senses.
Silently ask the animal what it has for you and then be receptive to what comes
to fill the space after your question. Some people worry that they are ‘making
up’ the information. It is possible that in that moment you may fill the space
with mind chatter rather than hearing any message the animal has for you. Even
so, this is also an important message to you. Perhaps it is a teaching about the
importance of truly listening to others, or perhaps an awareness that your
mental chatter is blocking you in some way. There is no pretend, all things are
significant and meaningful. Sometimes all that is needed is a view from a
different perspective.

There are books available that can help in deciphering the message or gifts of a
particular animal. Some of these books are quite insightful. Above all, pay
attention to how the visit from the animal felt to you. For example, if you were
to search in a book for the meaning of a visit by Bee, you may learn about the
importance of productivity or the value of community. However, Bee came to me
with some unexpected information, information that I’d not seen in any book.
During a time when I was doing research on the nature of prayer, I was
approached by Bee during one of my journeys. She told me that all Bees live
their life as a prayer. She went on to share with me much information about
prayer and how to pray. Recently, during a time of loss, I was again visited by
Bee. She asked that I ask the Bees to pray for me and also to go out into my
gardens. Sitting beneath the Spring blooming trees, my attention was drawn to
a loud humming. I looked up to see a cloud of Bumble Bees among the branches of the trees. I began to hum along with them and felt a peace settle over me. For
months after that day, I encountered Bees in the most unlikely places. Reminders for me that they continued to pray, and also that I was not alone. Neither are
you.

Celtic Animal BirthSigns (See What Critter You Might Be)

CELTIC ANIMAL BIRTH SIGNS

Date of Birth:  December 24 – January 20
Animal:  Stag
Gaelic Name:  Damh (Approximate pronunciation: Dav)
Ruling Planet:  The Sun
Key Words: Independence, Majesty, Integrity, Pride
Gift Quality or Ability:  Sensitivity to other worlds, shape shifting,
initiation, journeying
Birthstone: Crystal
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of adder and salmon.
Will also relate well to the signs of seal, otter & goose. Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: January 21 – February 17
Animal: Crane
Gaelic Name: Corr (Approximate pronunciation: Corr)
Ruling Planet: Uranus
Key Words: Secret Knowledge, Eccentric, Patient
Gift Quality or Ability: Crane people are unusually clever people with
specialized skills and talents, with a progressive outlook on life.  Sense of
the evolving spirit.  Sensitivity to the other world, journeying, magick.
Birthstone: Peridot
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of bee and swan.  Will also
relate well to the signs of bear, owl and cat.  Difficulties may be expected in
relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: February 18 – March 17
Animal: Seal
Gaelic Name: Ron (Approximate pronunciation: Ron)
Ruling Planet: Neptune
Key Words: Spiritual, Loving, Super-sensitive.
Gift Quality or Ability:  Seal people tend to have great compassion and are
highly adaptable folk.  They are also the romantics and dreamers of life.
Artistic and emotional.  Sensitivity to the other world.  Shape changing and
connection with the Faerie folk.
Birthstone: Coral
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of otter and goose.  Will
also relate well to the signs of salmon, stag, and adder. Difficulties maybe
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: March 18 – April 14
Animal: Bear
Gaelic Name: Art (Approximate pronunciation: A as in cat, R as in English, T as
in English Chin. AiRCH)
Ruling Planet: Mars
Key Words: Achieving, Primal Power, Instinct.
Gift Quality or Ability:  Bear people are very connected to their ancestral
roots.  Filled with courage and a sense of adventure.  Extremely physical,
extroverts.  Protection, journeying, and sensitivity to the other world.
Birthstone: Ruby
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of cat and owl. Will also
relate well to the signs of crane, bee and swan.  Difficulties may be expected
in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: April 15 – May 12
Animal: Adder
Gaelic Name: Nathair (Approximate pronunciation: na-CHair.  N, a in cat, T as in Chin, h – silent, air.)
Ruling Planet: Moon
Key Words: Transformation, Healing, Life Energy.
Gift Quality or Ability: Adder people have a virtue of resourcefulness, that is
one of their greatest strengths. Strong interest in family.  Excellent memory.
Drawn to natural methods of healing.  Healing, magick, shape shifting and
initiation.
Birth Stone: Moonstone
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of stag and salmon.  Will
also relate well to the signs of seal, otter and goose.  Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: May 13 – June 9
Animal: Bee
Gaelic Name: Beach (Approximate pronunciation: beh-ach.  B, E as in gEt, A as in cAt, CH as in German iCH.)
Ruling Planet: Vulcan
Key Words: Organization, Community, Analytical.
Gift Quality or Ability:  Bee people are very charismatic and full of new ideas.
Lively spontaneity and the ability to communicate on every level.  Influential
and very social. Fertility and creativity.
Birth Stone: Topaz
Compatibility:  Harmonious relations with the signs of crane and swan.  Will
also relate well to the signs of bear, cat and owl.  Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: June 10 – July 7
Animal: Otter
Gaelic Name: Dobhran (Approximate pronunciation: dav-rhan.)
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Key Words: Family, Helpfulness, Intuitive.
Gift Quality or Ability: Otter people are enterprising with a wide breadth of
vision.  Very optimistic with a personal magnetism.  Protection, shape shifting,
and journeying.
Birth Stone: Diamond
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of goose and seal.  Will also
relate well to the signs of salmon, adder, and stag.  Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: July 8 – August 4
Animal: Cat
Gaelic Name: Kati (Approximate pronunciation: ka-Chi.) Ruling Planet: Earth
Key Words: Creative, Sensual, Nobility
Gift Quality or Ability: Cat people have a strong sense of personal integrity
and a firm set of values.  Loyal and trustworthy.  Deep devotion to family.
Affectionate.
Protection, shape shifting and sensitivity to the other world.
Birth Stone: Red Carnelian
Compatibility:  Harmonious relations with the signs of owl and bear.  Will also
relate well to the signs of the crane, bee, and swan. Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: August 5 – September 1
Animal: Salmon
Gaelic Name: Bradan (Approximate pronunciation: bra-TAN.)
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Key Words: Wisdom, Inspiration, Rejuvenation
Gift Quality or Ability: Salmon people have knowledge of the arts and science as
well as good reasoning powers.  Perceptive and clever.  Keen observers.
Initiation, shape shifting, connection with Faerie.
Birth Stone: Amethyst
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of adder and stag.  Will also
relate well to the signs of otter, seal and goose.  Difficulties may be expected
in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: September 2 – September 29
Animal: Swan
Gaelic Name: Eala (Approximate pronunciation: ellah.) Ruling Planet: Venus
Key Words: Beauty, Love and Soul.
Gift Quality or Ability:  Swan people are kind and gentle, adept in love and the
social arts.  Calm and serene with a strong domestic sense.  Connection with
faerie, shape shifting, and creativity.
Birth Stone: Emerald
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of crane and bee.  Will also
relate well to the owl, cat and bear. Difficulties may be expected in relation
to all other signs.

Date of Birth: September 30 – October 27
Animal: Goose
Gaelic Name: Geadh (Approximate pronunciation: Gia-gh.) Ruling Planet: Moon
Keywords: Veiling, Direction, Vigilance, Stamina
Gift Quality or Ability: Goose people are generous providers but also thrifty
savers and investors regarding their future security.  They have a sharp
intellect as well as a wit.  Artistic.  Protection, fertility, and
creativity.
Birth Stone: Opal
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of seal and otter.  Will also
relate well to the signs of adder, stag and salmon.  Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: October 28 – November 24
Animal: Owl
Gaelic Name: Cailleach-oidhche (Approximate pronunciation: Kall-eeck Oheeche.)
Ruling Planet: Pluto
Keywords: Wisdom, Change, Detachment.
Gift Quality or Ability: Owl people have a powerful presence and personal
magnetism that can both attract and overpower sensitive people.  Highly
imaginative and passionate.  Initiation, sensitivity to the other world, magick.
Birth Stone: Jasper
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of cat and bear.  Will also
relate well to the signs of bee, swan and crane.  Difficulties may be expected
in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: November 25 – December 22
Animal: Raven
Gaelic Name: Bran (Approximate pronunciation: Bran.)
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Birth Stone: Lapis Lazuli
Gift Quality or Ability:  Raven people have a constructive approach to life.
They will continue a struggle that would defeat most people.  They are very
self-disciplined and patient.  Shape shifting, sensitivity to the other world,
connection to the Faerie.

—-contributed by Red Wolf

A Little Humor for Your Day – Signs That You Drink Too Much Coffee

Signs That You Drink Too Much Coffee……… 

You answer the door before people knock.

Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.

You ski uphill.

You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.

You haven’t blinked since the last lunar eclipse.

You lick your coffeepot clean.

You’re the employee of the month at the local coffeehouse and you don’t even work there.

Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.          Y

ou chew on other people’s fingernails.

Your T-shirt says, “Decaffeinated coffee is the devil’s blend.”

You can type sixty words per minute… with your feet.

You can jump-start your car without cables.

No-Doze is a downer.

You don’t need a hammer to pound nails.

Your only source of nutrition comes from “Sweet & Low.”

You don’t sweat, you percolate.

You buy half-and-half by the barrel.

You’ve worn out the handle on your favorite mug.

You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.

You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it’s not plugged in.

You forget to unwrap candy bars before eating them.

Charles Manson thinks you need to calm down.

You’ve built a miniature city out of little plastic stirrers.

People get dizzy just watching you.

You’ve worn the finish off your coffee table.

The Taster’s Choice couple wants to adopt you.

Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.

Your taste buds are so numb you could drink your lava lamp.

Instant coffee takes too long.

When someone says “How are you?”, you say, “Good to the last drop.”

You want to be cremated just so you can spend the rest of eternity in a coffee can.

Your birthday is a national holiday in Brazil.

You’re offended when people use the word “brew” to mean beer.

You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.

You can thread a sewing machine, while it’s running.

You can outlast the Energizer bunny.

You short out motion detectors.

You don’t even wait for the water to boil anymore.

Your nervous twitch registers on the Richter scale.

You think being called a “drip” is a compliment.

You don’t tan, you roast.

You can’t even remember your second cup.

You help your dog chase its tail.

 

Turok’s Cabana

Current Moon Phase for Jan. 8th – First Quarter

First Quarter Moon

(waxing/54% of Full)

Emotions begin to stir coupled with recognizing that the new beginnings you are making must also increase personal security to be worthwhile over the long haul. This is a time when it’s appropriate to get in touch with your gut instincts and begin to guide your life more deliberately, with an awareness of using your “sixth sense” as well as your enthusiasm. Obstacles may emerge that require you to reevaluate how to better integrate yourself into your immediate environment.

Daily Feng Shui News for Jan. 8 – ‘Bubble Bath Day’

On today’s ‘Bubble Bath Day,’ let’s take a look at a negativity-clearing soak that can make magic and miracles happen. If you’re looking to purge your problems and your propensity to dwell on them, then look no further than your bathtub. You will need nine oranges and an attitude of optimism for this bath. First, cut a small circle out of the rind of each orange. It should be about the size of a quarter and should be the peel only. Fill a tub to halfway and add the nine pieces of orange. Let the peels soak for twenty minutes before filling the tub to full. Now it’s your turn to soak for twenty minutes or more. This bath will lift your spirits, draw toxins and negativity from your body and allow you to wash all your worries down the proverbial drain. Once done, squeeze the juice from a half a fresh lemon down the drain to ensure that every last bit of stuck or stalled chi has been washed away, leaving you with a brand spanking new clean slate.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Charm for Jan. 8th is The Serpent

Your Charm for Today

The Serpent

Today’s Meaning:        

This aspect will be affected by someone’s illness being shed. Their healing will cause positive changes within this aspect for you.       

General Description:        

In primeval days the Serpent deeply appealed to man’s imagination, and owing to its length of life was used as the emblem for wisdom and eternity. It was a household god in ancient Rome, and sacred to their god of medicine. The Romans believed that the Serpent renewed its youth by casting its skin, and it became their symbol for long life and vitality. In India the Serpent symbolizes the infinite duration of time and wisdom. Serpent rings were worn to ensure health, strength, and long life. The rings were also believed to possess great protective and enduring virtues. The Serpent was a mark of royalty in Egypt, and worn as a head dress or UR.AEUS.

Your Animal Spirit for Jan. 8th is The Owl

Your Animal Spirit for Today
January 8, 2014

Owl

Many cultures associate Owl with death, while others see Owl as the “night eagle”—the bird that embodies shamanism. Owl has exceptional hearing, and his medicine is one of clairaudience—the ability to hear spirit. If Owl has silently glided into your life today, he is asking you to face your own fears, and listen to the messages spirit is sending you.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Jan. 8th is The Hawk

YourAncient Symbol Card for Today

The Hawk

High flying and courageous Hawk uses his sharp vision to see all aspects of the world below him in minute detail. He is gifted at taking in all he sees and quickly creating a powerful plan of action. The Hawk suggests that while a broad view of the situation should be taken, the details cannot be overlooked. The Hawk calls for authoritative action based upon a thorough understanding of the circumstances.

As a daily card, The Hawk indicates your vision may be too limited from your current vantage point. You should step back far enough from the situation to see the “big picture.” Then study the details and act commandingly on what you have learned.

Your Rune For January 8th is Thurisaz

bw-thurisaz

bw-thurisazYour Rune For Today        

Thurisaz       

Thurisaz embodies the polarity of life and death and the struggle to keep them in balance. Expect conflict, hardship and obstacles, but be assured that remaining focused and in touch with your inner strengths will see you through whatever comes your way. This Rune may also represent protection from your enemies, which is never a bad thing.

Your Horoscopes for Wednesday, January 8th

It seems as if people are buzzing with excitement today but we may base our judgments on our own emotions instead of anyone else’s. The enthusiastic Aries Moon encourages us to engage life fully, even if we don’t have a plan. Fortunately, we can make it up as we go along because action-hero Mars dynamically squares exuberant Jupiter, pumping up our adrenaline. However, the intensity settles down when the Moon enters calm Taurus at 9:23 pm EST.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Although the discomfort you were feeling with someone close to you begins to dissipate today, the underlying cause doesn’t automatically disappear. You might want to take the easy way out and simply move on. However, even if the pressure subsides you will just have to deal with this problem again, unless you face your denial. However, don’t blow everything out of proportion; sticking with the facts is the best antidote to whatever ails you now.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You won’t likely agree with the direction that’s being suggested today, yet you still could go along for the ride anyhow. Actually, you might do your best work if you step back now and let others take the lead. Remember, your retreat is not a permanent change, but just a temporary modification to ensure optimum results.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Your confidence may increase throughout the day because you assume that you’re off the hook from a recent melodrama. Your elevated self-esteem enables you to face your problems head on, even if you still feel a little scared. You’re not one to eagerly sink into the darker mysteries of human emotion, but now your enthusiasm helps you go there with greater ease. Fortunately, your courage to explore beyond your comfort zone pays off sooner than you expect.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Your current lack of fear in an emotional interaction might get you into complex entanglements that raise old issues. You may start out with a light and easy attitude; however, feelings could quickly escalate and draw you in over your head. Your first impulse is about self-protection, but it’s better to stand your ground instead of retreating. Fortunately, you can gain a whole new perspective by stretching beyond your limitations. You’ve waited long enough; it’s time to go after whatever you want, within reason, of course.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Your mind is brimming with new ideas and each one may sound better than the previous. Unfortunately, you might not have very clear judgment now as the Sun aligns with confusing Neptune, making everything appear enticing. Although you are eager to blast ahead with one-too-many projects, slowing down is the best strategy today. If the opportunity is as fantastic as it first seems, it will still look as good tomorrow.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Everything seems to be telling you that you can take it easy today — but your demeanor grows more serious as the day wears on. You think that part of your job is to sort out what is most significant from the increasing amount of noise in your life. You might feel as if you can’t hide from the barrage of data. Don’t sever any connections now, for a gem of truth may be waiting in the piles of information coming your way.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your colleagues probably know what’s going on in your life now without you having to say a thing out loud. Although you may not volunteer any clues about your emotional process, you’ll still get your message across without even opening your mouth. Fortunately, your actions speak louder than anyone’s words. Don’t hold back; demonstrate who you are with your authentic behavior.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

A heightened state of anxiety might be exactly what you need now in order to propel you into action. But be careful not to overextend your energy because you may be in a state of accentuated alert. Everything seems equally pressing but, of course, you cannot do it all. This is an important growth phase, even if you’re having difficulty maintaining a balanced perspective. Just remember, it’s best to err on the side of caution today, for you can always do more tomorrow.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Lofty ideals combined with big dreams motivate you to set your goals high now that red-hot Mars is square giant Jupiter. Unfortunately, you might discover that your aspirations are out of place in your external world. Rather than giving up on your desire for fun and adventure, you may just relegate it to the realm of fantasy, where you are free to go any place you want. And although this is one way to keep your dreams alive, it’s still fulfilling to share your vision with others when the time is right.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Some of the resistance you recently faced is finally beginning to subside. The stormy waves seem to be settling back down and your confidence is returning. And although your attitude may not be completely realistic, you still stand to benefit from the power of positive thought. However, it’s not wise to act until after checking out your best ideas with your friends or associates. They will likely be encouraging, but they can also be the voice of reason that you now need.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Recognition is given to you now, especially if you have been working diligently. As recently as last week you might have felt slighted, but finally others applaud your unique contribution. But don’t be cavalier; accept the appreciation with humility. On the other hand, there’s no need to just dwell on your past efforts. This is a great time to start a new project as long as you don’t spread your energy too thin.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your balloon may not actually pop today, but it might not be able to grow any larger. The smartest way out of your dilemma is to make a plan that allows you to deflate the tension before it actually explodes. You had a role in creating the current conditions and now you must participate in the resolution. Instead of avoiding your responsibility, be the leader that you would want to follow. This is the stuff that heroes are made of

Today’s Tarot Card for Jan. 8th is The Chariot

The Chariot

Wednesday, Jan 8th, 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditionally, the card usually entitled the Chariot points to a triumphal feeling of freedom, as if the charioteer is being paraded through the streets as a hero (or heroine). The card reflects congratulations for high achievement, and serves as a sign of empowerment.

Huge wheels and frisky steeds speed the rate at which the driver’s willpower can be realized. This kind of charge makes more of the world accessible to anyone ambitious enough to seize the Chariot’s reins. But there is danger in this feeling of freedom, because of the increased rate of change and its power to magnify mistakes in judgment. As a seasoned warrior, the Charioteer is called upon to be extra attentive to the way ahead.

Herb of the Day – Aconite

Herb of the Day – Aconite

Aconite

(Aconitum Napellus)

Also called wolfsbane, monkshood, blue rocket *POISON* Don’t ingest.
Gender: Feminine

Planet: Saturn

Sign: Capricorn

Element: Water

Deities: Hecate, Medea

Protection, Invisibility. Use this herb with great caution to consecrate the athame or ritual knife. Make an infusion with the leaves or root to banish prior energy from magickal blades and to infuse it with protection. The root or leaves may be burned as incense for the same purpose. Gather the fresh flowers to make a tincture to refresh the power of the knives. Use an infusion as a magickal wash for ritual tools or sacred space. Brings protection and magickal watchfulness against negative energies in ritual. Wash a new cauldron in the infusion or burn aconite in its first fire. Used to invoke Hecate. Wrap the seed in a lizard skin and carry to become invisible at will. Used to poison arrow tips in early times. Also as protection from and a cure for werewolves

Gem of the Day – Tigers Eye of the Day – Tigers Eye

Gem of the Day – Tigers Eye

Tigers Eye (also known as Tiger Eye) draws upon the best qualities of a Tiger allowing you to absorb them into your being to get the most benefit from them.

1) Patience: A tiger can wait patiently for hours or even days until the right opportunity presents itself. In business and in life, patience is a virtue. Often we run head long into a project without doing the proper research or learning and we find ourselves having to backtrack. Allow the tiger eye to bring you clear thinking and insight in to the situation. Listen to the tiger and bide your time is our first tiger eye meaning.

2) Focused: A tiger will stay focused on the object he desires for as long as it takes. In business, if we allow ourselves to lose focus, we allow our competition to gain a foothold and we miss opportunities to grow and increase our businesses. A tiger eye rock will keep you focused if you allow it to. This Tiger eye meaning warns you to stay focused on your goal. 3) Determination: A tiger is totally determined to get what he wants and needs. You must be also to be successful in your business. If you are not determined to succeed, it will not happen. Learn from the tiger and allow the tigers eye gemstone to help maintain and increase your determination is all aspect of life and business. Listen to this tiger eye meaning and stay determined to reach your goal.

Tigers Eye healing properties

A Tiger Eye can assure the correct use of power, courage, grace and the ability to see clearly and without illusion. All of which clears the way before you to allow success to enter your life.

A tiger eye makes an excellent healing stone for adults with ADD or any type of emotional disorder as it gives strength, restores balance, relieves doubt and helps you make decisions with vision and clarity. Especially helpful if you’re feeling drained, overwhelmed, or unfocused.

Does your mind flit from one thought to another, making it hard to concentrate, impossible to meditate. Use Tiger Eye to ground yourself. It stills the mind and helps you move deeper into meditation. It can also create harmony in your life and is especially suited for anyone seeking peace and calm in their life.

Tigers Eye attracts money

Too often, those that come into money after a long lack of money in their life, tend to become abusive with the power that money brings. They tend to shun those they knew most of their life and tend to be obnoxious to servants. Tigers Eye helps prevent the abuse of power, leaving you better able to get along with everyone involved, which makes relationships with those that work for us much smoother.

Since ancient times, tiger eye stones have been used to stimulate wealth by attracting money into the life of the wearer. At the same time, it helps you keep the wealth you have and it prevents you from becoming abusive with your money or greedy.

Take a Tiger Eye outside on the night of the full moon, hold it to the moon and ask that She Bless it to draw money into your life. Allow it to sit in the moonlight as long as possible, then take it in and keep it in your pocket or purse along with your money to draw more into your life.

Miscellaneous Fact about Tigers Eye

A times it can be hard to find information on Tiger Eye Gemstones because of the various spelling of the name. Tiger Eye, Tigers Eye and Tiger’s Eye all are speaking of the same stone, which is also occasionally listed as Cat’s Eye. Cats eye however can be any one of a variety to gemstone types which when cut properly, displays a band of light across the top of the stone which looks similar to the slash of reflected light in a cats eye.

Tigers Eye stone comes in a few different colors, the most common of which are gold, blue and red tiger eye. All have the flash of color that resembles the flash you see in a tigers eye when the light hits is at night and this is where the name Tiger Eye comes from.

Tiger eye rock is a good choice to use while meditating as they help you to calm your emotions and mind so you can enter the meditative state.

Feeling out of sorts lately, stressed from your job or life in general? Tiger eye stone is a great stone for you to wear or carry. They correct the problems that leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed, confused, or unfocused.

If your home or office is a high stress area where tempers can easily get riled, try placing a large tiger eye gemstone (or several smaller ones) in the room to sooth the tensions.

Have a job in which you have to drive at night? Carry a tigers eye as it helps improve night vision.

Main Chakra: Solar Plexus Chakra

Planet: Sun

Vibrates to the number: 4

Element: Fire & Earth

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

—-Gemstone Dictionary

Deity of the Day – Ishtar

Deity of the Day – Ishtar

Ishtar

Dual-aspected Assyro-Babylonian Goddess. She is a warrior Goddess but also the Goddess of Love. She is the patroness and protector of prostitutes (sacred prostitution formed part of her worship) and when she descended to the earthly plane, she was almost always in the company of “courtesans, harlots and strumpets”. If a working girl or exotic dancer is in trouble, she can call on Ishtar for protection and Ishtar will provide it in her warrior Goddess form. As Goddess of Love and voluptuousness, Ishtar can help you if you wish to attract a lover or increase your sexual attractiveness. Beware though, she does have an irritable, violently passionate side to Her Nature.

The Witches Magick for Jan. 8 – Tarot spell to enhance your sexual attractiveness

A Tarot spell to enhance your sexual attractiveness

This spell uses some of the images from the Tarot deck to enhance your attractiveness and charm. It helps draw potential lovers to you.

Ingredients:

A Red Candle
A  Red Rose
A  deck (or the cards from this page, hand-coloured)
or Aphrodisia or Jasmine Incense

It is important to set the right mood for this spell. Take a ritual bath by candlelight and wear something that makes you feel really attractive and sexy

Remove the following cards from the deck:

The Star
-which symbolizes great beauty and radiant charm

The Lovers

– which represents magnetic sexual attraction

The Magician

–whichrepresents you, able to tap into the great power present in the Universe and bring it to bear in your own life.

Light the incense. Aphrodisia and Jasmine are associated with love, sensuousness and attraction.

Then light the red candle—red represents passionate love.

Now set down The Star—meditate on the image of the beautiful person glowing from within. Imagine yourself as this person filled with the radiance and beauty of a star. Imagine yourself as a star, the centre of attention lit from within by a magickal light.

Then leaving a space next to the star, lay down The Lovers. As you study this card, visualize yourself giving and receiving passionate love. See yourself as a magnet for love, as simply irresistable.

Finally lay down The Magician between The Star and The Lovers. You are The Magician. All the power in the universe is within you and all around you.

Now raise both hands above you, fingertips extended. Draw energy from the Cosmos, especially from the stars. As you draw down the energy, you will feel yourself glowing, radiant like a star, exuding charm and attractiveness.

When the time seems right incant:

I am one of the star people.
I glow with the beauty of their light.
All those who see me are struck with the beauty and magnetism that flows through me and from me.
I am beautiful.
I attract desire.
I am irresistable.
I attract love.
So mote it be (clap your hands)
So mote it be (clap your hands)
So mote it be (clap your hands)

Source:

Ms. Shelia O’Sullivan, The Electric Witch

Let’s Talk Witch – Analysis Your Chakras

Let’s Talk Witch – Analysis Your Chakras

Directions: Answer each qestion honestly. Score 1 point for column

one, 2 points for column two, 3 ponts for column three, and 4 points

for column four. Add up the points for each Chakra before proceeding

to the next one.

Chakra One: Earth, Survival, Grounding

How often do you go for a walk in the woods, park, ect? Never /

Seldom / Often / Always

How often do you exersize? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

How is your financial situation? Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent

How would you rate your diet? Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent

Do you consider yourself well grounded? Never / Seldom / Often /

Always

Chakra Two: Emotions, Sexuality

How would you rate your ability to express your emotions? Poor /

Fair / Good / Excellent

How would you rate your sex life? Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent

How often do you show nurturing for others? Never / Seldom / Often /

Always

Do you allow yourself to relax and seek pleasure in the form of

movies, hot tubs, sensial pleasures or food in a nonaddictive way?

Never / Seldom / Often / Always

How would you rate your physical fexibility? Poor / Fair / Good /

Excellent

How would you rate your emotional flexibility? Poor / Fair / Good /

Excellent

Chakra Three: Fire, Power

How would you rate your sense of personal power? Poor / Fair / Good /

Excellent

How would you rate the effectiveness of your will? Poor / Fair /

Good / Excellent

How would you rate your daily energy level? Poor / Fair / Good /

Excellent

How would you rate your metabolism? Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent

Do you accomplish what you set out to do? Never / Seldom / Often /

Always

Do you feel confident? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Chakra Four: Air, Love

How often do you feel happy? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

How would you rate your ability to make friends? Poor / Fair / Good /

Excellent

Do you love yourself? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Do you feel connected to the world around you? Never / Seldom /

Often / Always

Do you have successful long term relationships

? Never / Seldom /

Often / Always

Do you feel in harmony with your present situation? Never / Seldom /

Often / Always

Chakra Five: Sound, Communication

How would you rate your ability to communicate your ideas? Poor /

Fair / Good / Excellent

Do you listen well to others ideas? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Are you creative? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

How would you rate the resonance of your voice? Poor / Fair / Good /

Excellent

Do you harmonize well with others? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Do you engage in an art form (painting, music,dance, writing, ect)?

Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Chakra Six: Light, Clairvoyance

Do you notice visial details in your surrondings? Never / Seldom /

Often / Always

Do you have vivid dreams? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Do you have psychic expieriences, i.e.,precognition, clairvoyance,

uncanny coincidence? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

How do you rate your abiity to visualize? Poor / Fair / Good /Excellent

Do you make use of your imagination? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Do you like bright colors? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Chakra Seven: Thought, Understanding

Do you meditate? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Do you have strong spiritual expeirences? Never / Seldom / Often /Always

Do you spend alot of time intellectualizing? Never / Seldom / Often /Always

Do you spend time gathering information, research, study, ect?

Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Are you consciously aware of your thoughts, actions, motives, ect?

Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Do you like taking tests like these? Never / Seldom / Often / Always

Scores 21-24 indicate a very strong Chakra; scores of 6-12 indicate aweaker chakra. However; it is the distribution that is important.

Compare your scores between different parts. Aside from the strongest and weakest chakras, is there a distribution pattern, e.g., higher scores in lower chakras, or higher scores in upper or middle chakras?

Does this pattern concide with your own views and how you precieve yourself?

——Chakra Analysis Quiz By Zolkalf