Author: ladyoftheabyss

Banishing and Binding Spells c2012

Banishing & Binding Spells From: “SpiritWolf”

Banishing and binding spells are a hot topic for ethical debates within the
Wiccan community. Some believe these spells should not be done at all. There
are however some situations that may warrant a banishing or binding spell:

1) You or a family member is being harassed or threatened by a person, group
of people or even an entity of some kind.

2) A spell backfires and you need to undo something that was done
unintentionally.

3) You own a piece of jewelry or other object that seems to be radiating
negative energy to anyone who wears or comes in contact with it. The most
famous case of this is of course the Hope Diamond.

4) To perhaps release someone who seems obsessed with someone or something.

The simplest banishment is to draw a pentacle in the opposite manner than
normal. Meaning you would start at the bottom left side of the star and
begin drawing upward away from you. This can be used to use to protect
yourself from strange people. Put up a defensive shield, then make the sign
of the banishing pentacle in front of me in the air, and push/throw it at
the person with your hand. Envisioned the pentacle having a burst of white
light behind it. So when we talk about banishment, it doesn’t always have to
be an involved process. It can be that easy. Another banishment that is
simple and effective if someone is making your daily life miserable, is what
can be called iron binding. Place something of the person, a gift they may
have given you, or something that you associate with them, inside a small
iron cauldron, on your altar. As you do this, simply say something like
“Name of person (or sigil of name), I am putting up an iron wall between me
and thee. No more will you upset me. No more be done, So Mote It be” The
only problem with this type of spell is that you have to leave the item in
the cauldron, for once it is removed the spell is broken. So if you need to
use it for someone you never want to have any contact with again, you would
have to bury the cauldron with the item in it, or perhaps burn the item in
the cauldron to finalize the spell. But if you just want a break from
someone at work, who is making you miserable, then it works well.

A Word About Binding Spells c2015

A Word About Binding Spells

Bindings should only be done when all other avenues have been exhausted. Try to work things out with the other person, as honest communication can often solve many problems. If the person in question is someone you’d rather not deal with, try as hard as you can to stay away from him or her. Bindings are one of those “last resort” spells — something to be done only when absolutely necessary to prevent harm from coming to you or your family. Always remember the Rede and the Law of Three when doing spells of any kind. And NEVER wish anyone harm — do all spells for “the highest good of all.” If you cannot do a binding from a place of peace, don’t do it at all.

Binding and Cursing Spells c2015

Binding and Cursing Spells

 

Binding and cursing are often frowned upon in magickal circles. Many people like to believe they’ve been bound or cursed, but the truth is that very few people can do a decent binding or curse and those who can, even fewer would bother.

In binding, the idea is to prevent another person from doing something. Binding them from doing harm is a popular concept thanks to the 1996 movie The Craft. Binding someone to prevent them from telling a secret is another. It seems simple enough and well-intentioned too. However you must not forget that you will be bound along with them as you are the channel for the magic. You must be absolutely certain that you are right. There can be no doubt. The love spells that focus on a particular person are a binding. You want that one person, so you do a spell to make him or her come to you and love you. Then you’re stuck with them. They might be a total prat, might not be all that they seemed, or as my friend found, they might be violent and abusive. Unfortunately because of your binding, you’ve bound them to you and it’s not that easy to get rid of them.

For best results, a personal link is required for a successful binding. A photograph will suffice but hair, blood, nail clippings, clothing or a signed document work better. A doll or poppet can be stuffed with these, along with herbs or other materials. Baptise the doll with their name, every name for that person that you might know— full name, nicknames, online alter-egos, as many ways of clearly identifying that person that you can come up with. Then bind them with anything you desire; cord, chain, or even a piece of barbed wire. After they’re bound, seal it and deal with it as you will.

Paper cutout figures can work just as well. Write the person’s name in the middle and what you are binding them from and fold it up tightly. It can be secured with paperclips if you like.

Cursing is ill-wishing someone. Again, there is a chance that you will suffer alongside them, so be very careful before trying this. In the past, I have been somewhat creative in my cursing. I cursed someone to feel compassion for the victims of their actions. For me this wasn’t a problem, I am fairly compassionate by nature, but for him, it was a curse. Another person I’ve used this curse against committed suicide. I struggled with it for a day or two, but after thinking it through and processing things I came to the realisation that I was not responsible for her death. I wanted her to realise what she’d done and take responsibility for the damage she’d caused. How she chose to cope with that was completely on her and from what I hear, the consequences of her actions were catching up with her in other ways that were even less pleasant for her.

If you are going to curse, you first need to be sure that you mean it. You might want someone to have a nasty car crash, but if you aren’t also prepared to see them die slowly and horribly from cancer then you don’t really mean it. Even if you have the power to perform a curse of this magnitude, you need to think about a few things before you consider it. Working with dark energy is one thing. Cursing death is tantamount to murder. It’s no different from the person who chooses to use a gun, only this time your weapon is magic.

A family member of a friend was receiving death threats from someone. While she has cursed him, she has done it in such a way that the curse will only take effect if he crosses a boundary that she’s set around that family member and others that are close to him.

I’ve been accused of curses that I haven’t performed. My partner’s ex-wife believed that I was going to curse her when she started making trouble for him. In all honesty, why would I bother? She was doing it all to herself without me wasting any of my time and energy, what was the point?

Most of the time, if left to their own devices, people that you would consider binding or cursing manage to do it to themselves quite nicely. Some will suddenly realise that they’ve driven everyone away and maybe it was something they’re doing, some won’t. It’s never their fault as they’re perpetual victims. Cursing someone like this will only reinforce their mindset and behaviour. It won’t teach them a lesson so there’s no point wasting your energy.

There’s one last thing I want to say on this topic. In the Craft there is a saying, “if you can’t curse, you can’t heal”. Effectively what this means is that you need to destroy the illness in order for the healing to begin. You need to be balanced and work with both sides.

Source: The Common Sense Spell Book by Debbie Dawson

Code of Ethics for Spiritual Guides c2014

Code of Ethics for Spiritual Guides

Preamble
People have long sought to enrich their lives and to awaken to their full
natures through spiritual practices including prayer, meditation, mind-body
disciplines, service, ritual, community liturgy, holy-day and seasonal
observances, and rites of passage. “Primary religious practices” are
those intended, or especially likely, to bring about exceptional states of
consciousness such as the direct experience of divinity or of cosmic unity.

In any community, there are some who feel called to assist others along
spiritual paths, and who are known as ministers, rabbis, pastors, curanderas,
shamans, priests, or other titles. We call such people ‘guides’: those
experienced in some practice, familiar with the terrain, and who act to
facilitate the spiritual practices of others. A guide need not claim exclusive
or definitive knowledge of the terrain.

Spiritual practices, and especially primary religious practices, carry risks.
Therefore, when an individual chooses to practice with the assistance of a
guide, both take on special responsibilities. The Council on Spiritual Practices
proposes the following Code of Ethics for those who serve as spiritual guides.

1.[Intention] Spiritual guides are to practice and serve in ways that cultivate
awareness, empathy, and wisdom.

2.[Serving Society] Spiritual practices are to be designed and conducted in ways
that respect the common good, with due regard for public safety, health, and
order. Because the increased awareness gained from spiritual practices can
catalyze desire for personal and social change, guides shall use special care to
help direct the energies of those they serve, as well as their own, in
responsible ways that reflect a loving regard for all life.

3.[Serving Individuals] Spiritual guides shall respect and seek to preserve the
autonomy and dignity of each person. Participation in any primary religious
practice must be voluntary and based on prior disclosure and consent given
individually by each participant while in an ordinary state of consciousness.
Disclosure shall include, at a minimum, discussion of any elements of the
practice that could reasonably be seen as presenting physical or psychological
risks. In particular, participants must be warned that primary religious
experience can be difficult and dramatically transformative.

Guides shall make reasonable preparations to protect each participant’s health
and safety during spiritual practices and in the vulnerable periods that may
follow. Limits on the behaviors of participants and facilitators are to be made
clear and agreed upon in advance of any session. Appropriate customs of
confidentiality are to be established and honored.

4.[Competence] Spiritual guides shall assist with only those practices for which
they are qualified by personal experience and by training or education.

5.[Integrity] Spiritual guides shall strive to be aware of how their own belief
systems, values, needs, and limitations affect their work. During primary
religious practices, participants may be especially  vulnerable to suggestion,
manipulation, and exploitation; therefore, guides pledge to protect participants
and not to allow anyone to use that vulnerability in ways that harm participants
or others.

6.[Quiet Presence] To help safeguard against the harmful consequences of
personal and organizational ambition, spiritual communities are usually better
allowed to grow through attraction rather than active promotion.

7.[Not for Profit] Spiritual practices are to be conducted in the spirit of
service. Spiritual guides shall strive to accommodate participants without
regard to their ability to pay or make donations.

8.[Tolerance] Spiritual guides shall practice openness and respect towards
people whose beliefs are in apparent contradiction to their own.

9.[Peer Review] Each guide shall seek the counsel of other guides to help ensure
the wholesomeness of his or her practices and shall offer counsel when there is
need.

———-

This draft for public comment was released 17 October 1998. The current version
is available on the Internet at http://www.csp.org.

Copyright © 1995 – 1998 Council on Spiritual Practices

Box 460820 csp@c…
San Francisco, CA 94146-0820 http://www.csp.org
USA

Permission is hereby given to reprint this Code, provided that the text is
reproduced complete and verbatim, including the CSP contact information,
copyright, and this notice of limited permission to reprint.

Spirit Message of the Day – Speak With Your Spirit Guides c 2018

 

Spirit Message of the Day – Speak With Your Spirit Guides

 

TEACHING
“Ancient myths and legends tell of the Faery or Elven race. In many tales they are allies of mystics, witches, and shamans, and other seekers of the inner mysteries. Traditionally the doorways between the world of mortal kind and the faery realm open at the equinox and solstice periods. These kindred beings aer sKindred by Mickie Muellerpiritual allies who willingly work with mortals in order to ensure the balance between the worlds. What happens in one dimensional realm affects all others, and the state of the material world can have significant impact on non material realms.”

“This is why the kindred first came to teach mortals the ancient arts, and to establish certain secs as the caretakers or custodians of the material world. Among these sects are the pagans, druids, witches, occultists, and shamans. The card depicts four faery or elven beings. They appear in the light that emanate from their mystical realm. Each wears a circlet upon the forehead, denoting their office as teachers and guides to the inner mysteries.”

THE SHADOW’S EDGE
“The Kindred reveals that we are not alone in the Universe. Beings exist beyond and outside of the material realm. Spiritual fellowships exist that serve beings in earlier stages of evolution through the planes of existence. They spiritual beings within such groups are sometimes called spirit guides, guardians, and allies. Communication and interaction with these beings is possible through dreams and meditations. Forming rapport and relationships with spiritual beings is an aid to our spiritual evolution.”

Today’s message comes from The Seeker’s Guide To The Hidden Path by Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor with art by Mickie Mueller.

Published on Spiritblogger’s Blog

Spirit Guides c 2014

Spirit Guides

Author:   Mar-Garet   

My Creative Writing teacher (about 20 years ago) had just assigned to us: ‘Imagine an entity who would symbolize to you great wisdom.’ Then we were to write a dialogue with that entity in our journals. My ‘entity’ turned out to be a Porpoise by the name of Rosa! I enjoyed our journal dialogues so much… .I could ask her anything, and she’d always end up give me good (if sometimes quite hilarious) advice!

One day, I was dialoguing with her when she said to me, ‘Wait, I must assume another form in order to answer that question.’ What was going on? She changed form into a beautiful and wise female ‘presence’ who has been with me since I was a very young child. The name of this ‘presence’ I called ‘Saji.’

It turned out that Rosa was simply one aspect, or form, of Saji. I had always wondered why a porpoise would be named after a Rose… .then I remembered that the Rose was one of Saji’s ‘symbols.’ Saji, I finally comprehended, is one of my Life Guides (I have two of them, one female — Saji — and one male). Saji has always been there for me, through all my good times and bad times, to comfort me when I was young, and to guide me as I grow older. Her presence is total love, and I love her with all my heart. To me, she is the voice of the Goddess in my soul.

As I continued my journal dialogues, I found that Saji was there for me whenever I needed her. Sometimes, my male guide, Zohar, would come through—a completely different energy than Saji, but still full of love. I knew they were my Spiritual Guides because they seemed to embody my ‘ideal’ Self, and they never steered me toward any kind of negativity, always toward love and positivity. And they never demanded that I ‘obey’ them. They simply communicated their perspective to me… and it was and IS a much wider perspective than I am usually able to see! And it was then up to me to decide whether to follow their advice or not. When I DID follow their advice, I always found a positive experience.

My Creative Writing teacher was interested in hypnosis as a creative writing tool, and he asked for volunteers to participate in his experiment. I readily agreed to be a volunteer. For 32 hypnosis sessions, we explored the world of my Guides, and met other Spirits also.

These Spirits included: Many of my own past selves, writers and other historical figures who had lived in the past and who we admired, extra-terrestrials, nature-spirits and elementals, dragons, unicorns, etc. Once Spirit called itself (it was beyond gender) my ‘Oversoul, ‘ and mostly showed itself as a bright light! I met Saji’s teacher and was told that his name was Carrefour. I was curious about this and found that in the Vodu religion, Carrefour means ‘crossroads’ and is the Moon God.

I was a little concerned about Carrefour, as I had read that he sometimes has a negative aspect. Eventually, I came to realize that what is important is how *I* relate to him, because I feel that every Spirit I meet reflects something within my own soul. The Carrefour that I know is a Trickster spirit, and yet he is so full of love and compassion that he practically overflows with these qualities!

My subsequent research into Vodu has brought me a lot of interaction with that pantheon. I am learning a very positive path, but always there is much struggle against the prejudices associated with this ancient way. That is part of the challenge I have chosen in this particular incarnation. To me, these ‘Lwa’s’ (as they are called in their own language — also called Loa’s) are ancestors who have progressed to the point of merging with world-Archetypes as interpreted through their own tribal mythology.

My own Past Lives often come to me and inspire me with creative ideas and projects. Some of them teach me (or, more accurately, remind me) what I have forgotten! They also help me recognize certain spiritual qualities in other people, which can come in handy when I am doing a reading or a healing. And they always bring with them Spiritual contacts that harmonize with the culture, mythology, and worldview of those past lives. Working with past life selves is simple — as long as you remember that the PRESENT is where power resides. The purpose and work of the PRESENT LIFE is the most vital and most important.

Certain of my Guides and Past Lives also serve as ‘Gatekeeper’ when I am searching psychically for information and communication from other spirits. They keep it positive, healthy, and filter out any negative vibes.

One book that I found helpful in ‘discerning’ Spirits (and Lwa’s) is Initiation: A Woman’s Spiritual Adventure in the Heart of the Andes by Elizabeth B. Jenkins. In this book, Ms. Jenkins describes her spiritual quest in the Andes, and how she progressed from a worldview that was dominant/submissive to one that was more egalitarian. As a family therapist herself, she had a unique view of Spirit-Human relationships and she had a ‘feel’ for when they became dysfunctional. She explains her own spiritual lessons and how she went from a child-level to an adult-level in functioning on the spiritual plane.

In Ms. Jenkins’ perspective (as well as mine) one becomes a member of a FAMILY of both human and spiritual beings. A family works together for the good of all, and Spirits assist only if invited and welcomed. As the Spirits participate and prove themselves as allies, they become part of the family, too. (You may substitute ‘coven’ for ‘family’ here, also.)

James Redfield, in his book The Tenth Insight: Holding the Vision, describes ‘Soul Groups’ that contain all the past selves of each individual human. These ‘Soul Groups’ contain all the knowledge that the individual has gleaned from life so far! As we move into the Aquarian Age, we find that groups are becoming more and more important in our spiritual evolution. Working with groups is challenging, but promises a great leap forward in our consciousness. As we work ‘for the good of all, according to free will’ (Thanks, Marion Weinstein!), we learn the meaning of spiritual cooperation, without the loss of individuality.

I enjoy groups that form themselves ‘organically, ‘ and just come together in a natural way. As such, families can be defined as a group of entities who are have come together related to each other in intimate ways. Families have something intrinsic in common. And the families we create are connected by love.

Families do not always get along, nor are they always in the same mood. However, they ARE always close to each other, whether they are in group-formation or not. They experience kinship; that is, they recognize each other as ‘my kind.’

In spiritual pantheons like Vodu, or in shamanic paths, one can be called by, adopted by, mentored by, and even married to, a Spirit or a Lwa. This is a more intimate connection and requires a greater level of commitment than just working together. One becomes, essentially, a priest or priestess of that Spirit or Lwa’s specialty. This doesn’t cancel out one’s HUMAN parent, mentor or mate. However, it does require a certain amount of time that must be dedicated to the relationship between the person and the Spirit or Lwa. During this special dedicated time, the person and the Spirit/Lwa learn from each other and cooperate in channeling specialized energy through that archetype.

I have considered being a Priestess of a certain Spirit/Lwa, but have decided that I like to keep things more flexible. I like being able to have a variety of Spirits/Lwa’s to relate to! This is similar to the way I like to relate to my human family and friends. I like a large variety, to bring out the different aspects of myself. (My Venus and Jupiter are in Aquarius, for those astrologically inclined!) I have had many varied incarnations, and I think that I am a very international person!

Other people may have kept to one culture during a lot of their incarnations and, therefore, relate with a smaller number of Spirits/Lwa’s, in a closer and more intimate way. There is nothing wrong with that inclination, either. There are many ways to relate, and many ways to group. There are many kinds of families, but the ones we CHOOSE to create need to be those that encourage us, bring out our talents, support us emotionally, and merge with our own individual style!

Meet Your Spirit Guides c2014

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.

Animal Spirit Guides Associated with the Element Air c 2018

Air Element

BAT: transition; rebirth; at home in the dark. End of a way of life, beginning
of the new. Gracefully allowing the old to leave one’s life. Finding a way through the process of change. Navigating through dark times. Knowing that dark timesnbring new opportunities. Facing one’s shadow side. Healing old, unresolved issues. Ability to see hidden things. Trusting one’s ‘other’ senses and intuitions.

BLACKBIRD: finding one’s voice, clear communication. Singing. Using sound and voice to heal or to clear energy. Calls one to wake up and see the magic around one. Noticing the spiritual in the mundane. Increases connection with nature. Ability to remain grounded whilst walking a spiritual path. Aids in shamanic journeying and channelling. Pathfinder to the middle and lower worlds.

BUTTERFLY: going with the flow; joy; lightening up. Not taking life too
seriously. Graceful and joyful change. Realizing change does not have to be heavy and traumatic. Transmutation. Moving on. Not being bogged down. Lightening ones load. Enjoying the dance of life. Keeping moving and changing. Trusting to the winds.

CONDOR (VULTURE): death; rebirth; purification. Transformation.
Transmutation and renewal. Making new life out of the old. Clearing out what is dead and finished. Trusting that we will be provided for. Knowing how to use what is provided. Going with the flow. Resourcefulness and patience. Effortless movement. Working with the environment. Calmness. Soaring above our limitations and everyday life.

EAGLE: higher perspective, soaring above earthly concerns. Gaining clarity
and perspective. Transcending the mundane. Rising above attachments and petty concerns. Seeing the bigger picture. Focusing on what is really important in a situation, and in life generally. Rising above judgements and prejudices. Piercing through to the truth of a situation. Spiritual vision. Connecting with Spirit. Awakening to ones spiritual nature.. Patience and acceptance.

FALCON: effective action, perfect timing. Mental quickness. Speed. Agility.
Decisiveness. Precision. Grace. Control of speed and movement. Watching.
Waiting. Patience. Recognizing opportunities. Knowing when to strike. Success through quick, decisive and well-timed action. Seeking out and obtaining the things that you need and desire. Clarity of mind.

GOOSE: finding one’s way; direction and purpose. Call to search out new
worlds and dimensions. Spiritual quest and journeying. Breaking free from home and the familiar; setting off on one’s quest. Travel – either in body or in mind. Expanding one’s horizons. Cooperation and group exploration. Togetherness. Companionship and fidelity. Looking out for others. Compassion. Knowing when to lead and when to follow. Taking one’s place in the community. Harmony with seasons and cycles.

GROUSE: return to the spiritual centre. Travelling to the Still Centre of all
things; returning revitalised and with insights. Seeing the energetic and spiritual nature of all things. Seeing through the illusion of separation. Clarity of vision. Healing through (spiral) dance and movement. Joyful reconnection to: others; community; real self; spirit. Creative union of opposites. Sacred marriage. Fertility.

HAWK: clear vision and perspective; spiritual integrity. Seeing the overview. Awakening to one’s higher truth and spiritual consciousness. Ripping out what does not honour one’s integrity. Movement between the realms. Ease of travel to the upper worlds. Alertness to messages and omens. Mental and spiritual strength, clarity and energy. Discrimination. Seeing with clarity. Piercing through illusions. Prophetic insight.

HERON: patience; dignity; self-esteem. Self-reliance. Maintain balance and
focus. Moving with slow, deliberate action. Persistence when others would give up. Waiting patiently for what one needs. Taking the time necessary to reflect. Seeing through emotions (water), picking out what is important. Refusing to be hurried. Enjoying own company. Independence. Ability to stand alone. Being clear about boundaries. Knowing the right time to act. Decisive action. Assertiveness. Claiming what is ours. Strength of convictions.

HONEYBEE: sweetness; abundance; productivity. Fertility. Remembering to
enjoy the sweet things from work and life. Making one’s lives fertile and
productive. Fulfilment from pursuing one’s dreams. Purpose and motivation. Knowing one has to go out and get what one wants. Knowing when to move on without lingering or regret. Finding one’s ‘honey’.

HUMMINGBIRD: joyful living; finding magic in life. Wonder and delight.
Celebration of life. Seeing the magic and beauty around one. Lightening up. Finding the joy in situations. Ease in facing unresolved issues. Clearing away heaviness, emotional residues, and unfinished business. Space clearing. Ease during transitions and travel. Understanding the use of flowers in healing. Connection to nature spirits and the fairy realms.

MOTH: Finding one’s way in the dark; messages from the otherworlds.
Comfortableness in the dark. Ability to find a way from the darkness back to the light. Ability to go into the unconscious and other realities to bring back messages. Psychic sensitivity and abilities. Telepathy. Intuition. Ease with solitude. Camouflage. Lack of ego. Discretion in speech. Working behind the scenes. Hidden beauty and talents.

OWL: accessing and acting upon one’s highest wisdom. Navigating through dark times. Finding one’s way through to wisdom and light. Facing things that need attention. Clairvoyant and clairaudient. Enhances intuition. Ability to know things that are hidden to others. Hearing not just what others say, but the meanings behind the words. Enhanced clarity of mind. Seeing and knowing the truth. Speaking truth with a compassionate voice.

PEACOCK: confidence; self-esteem; knowing one’s beauty and worth.
Authenticity and authority. Walking with dignity. Comfort in the spotlight. Ensuring one is heard and noticed. Finding one’s voice. Getting the recognition we deserve. Clairvoyance. Seeing things clearly. Voicing one’s own truth and viewpoint.

PIED WAGTAIL: reassurance and comfort; soothing. Protector of lost
children, of the lost inner child, and of those who care for children. Letting go of fearful thoughts. Keeping grounded and close to the earth. Connection to earth and ancestral kin. Healing one’s relationship to family and the earth. Knowing one belongs, and is loved and cared for.

ROBIN: optimism; recovery from trauma. Rebirth and renewal.Springtime, new growth and beginnings. Sowing new seeds for the future. Changing areas of life that are stagnant and outdated. Making changes with joy in our hearts. Letting go of one’s personal dramas. Growing up. Being able to be a loving parent, to oneself or others. Joy and new hope. Restoring faith within one’s heart. Moving forward with self belief, confidence and courage.

RAVEN: knowledge of the other realms. Understanding the deeper significance of signs, signals and synchronicities. Exploring the unconscious and hidden areas. Developing awareness by making the darkness conscious. Mysticism and magic. Death of the old self. Rebirth. Shapeshifting. Seeing through the illusion of surface appearances. Understanding how the self and the universe are multidimensional. Stepping outside time. Moving between the realms. Transmutation. Waking up to spiritual reality.

SPARROW: joyfulness; optimism; self-esteem. Knowing your innate own self-worth. Not being intimidated by authority. Pride in just being oneself. Nobility in simplicity. Celebrating one’s ‘ordinariness’. Pluckiness. Happiness. Taking joy in everyday life. Friendliness. Optimism. Spiritedness in adversity. Freedom From worry. Trust in own abilities. Knowing one will survive. Knowing that things will be alright.

WREN: knowing that small is beautiful. Self-esteem in one’s smallness.
Discovering the power of one’s voice. Fearlessness. Not being intimidated because one is small. Brings gift of song and cheerfulness. Being able to get on quietly with one’s own life. Being able to be unobtrusive when one wants. Slipping easily through obstructions. Mythical…

AIR DRAGON: clarity; insight and awareness. Clarifies thoughts and ideas.
Uncovers hidden thoughts, buried messages and denied knowledge. Frees the mind from dogma, delusion, judgements, prejudices and faulty thinking. Liberates imagination. Stimulates the intellect. Frees the breath.

PEGASUS: humility; wisdom; spiritual perspective. Ability to fly over any
situation. Rising above one’s stuff (ego, prejudices, anger, fears, judgments, attachments etc). Spiritual inspiration. Purity of thought. Right action. Seeing the spiritual and goodness in situations and in all beings. Bridges the mundane and the spiritual realms. Aids travel in to the upper worlds

 

SOURCE

Power Animal Essences, A new approach to ancient healing PDF

Animal Spirit Guides Associated with the Element Fire c 2018

Fire Element

BLACK PANTHER: sensitivity to energy; shapeshifting. Ability to see the light hidden in the dark. Understanding of the energy behind forms. Ability to transmute energy. Shape shifting. Healing on a molecular level. Understanding death and rebirth. Sensitivity to touch and vibration. Embracing sexuality and sensuality. Penetrating sight and insight. Complete control of one’s body. Suppleness and swiftness. Ability to be still, silent and move unseen. silent. Perseverance. Ability to draw others to one. Reclaiming one’s power. Comfort with solitude.

CAT: independence; inquisitiveness; getting what one wants. Healthy
balancing of independence with love and affection. At home in the darkness. Moving through fears. Seeing the unseen. Exploring new vistas. Knowing how to rest and relax. Patience. Ability to observe and wait before acting. Protection. Ability to absorb and neutralize negative energy.  Fearless. Ability to fight when cornered.

CHEETAH: speed; efficiency; focus. Accomplishing tasks. Overcoming
procrastination and stuckness. Moving on. Getting going. Acting on decisions. Efficient use of time, resources and energy. Flexibility. Ability to respond and adapt quickly; to move with speed and precision and modify plans quickly. Knowing when to put effort in, and when to stop and rest. Recovery after bouts of hard work and activity. Comfort with solitude.

DOG: loyalty; companionship; spiritedness. Willingness to serve. Working well with people and in groups. Devotion. Faithfulness. Ability to give and receive love. Protection and defense. Protection of loved ones. Guide to safety. Ability to find things and sniff things out. Unbreakable spirit.

FOX: independence of thought and action. Discretion. Confidence in one’s own ideas. Clever solutions for difficult situations. Breaking out of conditioning. Finding one’s own path and solutions. Making wise decisions. Claiming one’s own authority. Thinking for oneself. Independence without drawing unwanted attention. Ability to go unnoticed. Getting out of unpleasant situations quietly and without aggression. Camouflage. Shape shifting. Moving between the realms.

FERRET: ‘Ferreting out’ what is hidden. Tenacity. Ingenuity. Intelligence. Keen observation. Focused and centered on goals. Incisiveness. Stealth. Not giving up. Ability to see hidden reasons behind things. Discovering hidden parts of the self. Agility. Flexibility. Creating safe haven for the self.

LION: Strength through cooperation. Benevolent leadership. Using power well. Inner authority. Respect for others. Living in harmony in group situations. Dealing with group conflicts with grace and efficiency. Working cooperatively. Resolving anger, jealousy and selfishness. Patience. Contributing to group well-being. Courage to do what is right and best for others as well as for self. Allowing help from family and tribe. Doing one’s part to help group relationships. Take pride in family and ancestors. Caring for the young with gentleness and patience. The good parent. Clear boundaries. Fearless protection of the group. Knowing how to relax in the group.

LIZARD: Evaluating the present. Changing when needed. Moving on when
needed. Attention to intuitions and subtle messages. Paying attention to
messages from dreams. Understanding dream meanings. Listening to one’s own inner self and knowing. Objective detachment. Letting go of what is no longer serving one. Leaving the old self behind. Knowing how to break from the past and separate from others when needed. Moving on with confidence and purpose.

LYNX: knowing the truth. Seeing through lies, deceptions and facades. Keenness of sight. Divination. Developing psychic senses. Keeper of secrets and mysteries. Movement through time and space. Patience. Willingness to wait to achieve goals. Independence. Ease with solitude. Protection from psychic attack, invasions and intrusions.

MONKEY: self-acceptance; shamelessness. Freedom from self consciousness, shyness and social inhibition. Ease with social gatherings.
Self-expression. Valuing one’s self, as one is. Harmonious community. Playfulness. Curiosity. Inquisitiveness and great inventiveness. Lively intelligence. Connection with ancient wisdom. Openness to change and new ideas. Agility and adaptability.

MOUNTAIN LION: integrity; walking the talk. Decisive use of personal power, intention and strength. Manifesting goals. Asserting self without aggression. Purity of heart and purpose. Staying true to ones ideals and aims. Focused action. Self-confidence. Teaching, leading or facilitating wisely and without ego. Quietly taking control of situations. Freedom from shame.

SNAKE: deep transformation; embracing change. Shedding old ways and
habits. Death of the old self. Unwavering willingness to face changes. Rebirth. Renewal. Awakening to spiritual energy. Initiation. Spiritual wisdom and insight. Transmutation. Sexual power. Sexuality as a spiritual path. Creation. Fertility. Awakening kundalini. Cellular regeneration. Deep healing. Sexual healing.

SPIDER: integration; connection; unity; transmutation. Understanding the
web of life. Seeing the energy behind surface forms. Sensing underlying
connections and patterns. Making a whole of the parts. Piecing things together. Understanding the threads. Knowing how the past shaping the present, and how the present shapes the future. Understanding how one weaves one’s own reality and destiny; how to weave the web one wants. Empowerment. Becoming the weaver, not the fly. Mending the past. Healing the future.

TIGER: independence and confidence. Fearlessness. Comfort with solitude.
Supreme confidence in being able to act alone. Focus, patience and surprise. Unwavering focus on the present. Great awareness of the here and now. Utter belief in one’s own strength and power. Fearing nothing and no one. Regeneration and vitality. Quick healing. Passion. Vigour. Sensuality. Mastery of one’s body. Sharpness of all senses.

WOLF: healthy relationships. Balance between independence and being with others; between honouring own needs and those of others. Loyalty without losing personal integrity. Faithfulness. Capacity to bond. At ease both in a group and when alone. Finding freedom in relationship. Friendliness and sociability. Sense of community. Cooperation. Keeping clear boundaries with others, whilst still honouring commitments and relationships. Truthfulness. Sincerity. Joyfulness. Strength of character and spirit. Stamina. Determination.

Mythical…

FIRE DRAGON: vitality; courage; power. Guardian of the fire element. Gate
keeper of the fire chakra. Guardian of powerfulness and anger. Protector from shame. Protector from over-expansion. Empowerment and self-protection. Assertiveness. Liberator of energy, confidence, drive, leadership and enthusiasm. Clarity of vision, purpose and direction. Accomplishing tasks. Ability to digest things and transmute toxins.

GRIFFIN: combining strength with discretion. Penetrating to the truth. Ability to look deep into one’s soul to find answers. Ability to feel with every bit of the soul. Ability to look deep into one’s soul to find answers. Soaring above the fray. Knowing of the balance within nature. Protector of the natural realm. Making daring leaps of faith. Connection to Fire. Physical protection. Protector of young children.

PHOENIX: transformation; renewal and rebirth. Overcoming impossible odds. New life from apparent desolation. Hope from the midst of despair. Strength when facing trials and when feeling ‘burnt’. Reincarnation, death and rebirth. Rising from the ashes. Cleansing energy of fire. Burning off of the past, and becoming purer. Spiritual growth and regeneration.

Animal Spirit Guides Associated with the Element Water c 2018

Water Element

CRAB: protection; at home in oneself, wherever one is. Being aware of all
that is around one (not only what is straight ahead). Expanding perceptions. Able to shift direction quickly. Dancing. At home in the water element (emotions). Working with the ebb and flow of emotions. Staying grounded with emotions. Grounding self in emotional environments. Protection in emotional storms. Feeling at home in one’s body. Protection of home space and one’s body.

DRAGONFLY: emotional clarity and spiritual perspective. Traveling between the dimensions. Seeing through the mists of illusions, to the spiritual. Open up to spiritual energies. Balancing emotions with thought (moving between air and water). Seeing through emotional ‘fog’. Changing habits that need addressing. Transformation. Letting go, relaxing, calming down and resting after busy or emotionally-charged times.

DOLPHIN: knowing the value of play. Inquisitiveness. Joyfulness. Not taking things too seriously. Enjoyment of movement. Delight in the company of others. Laughter and humour. Sociability. Compassion for others. Empathic communication. Telepathic communication. Working with breath and sound. Being able to call what you want to you.

DUCK: ease with emotions in self and in others. At home in the water
element (emotions). Heightened awareness of emotions, and emotional
sensitivity. Seeing clearly through emotions. Gentle release of emotions.
Honouring emotions. Being gentle with self. Empathic. Affectionate. Community oriented. Sociable. Fertility and abundance. Nourishing self adequately.

 

FROG: new beginnings; metamorphosis. Ability to transform self. Evolution,growth and regeneration. Refreshing and renewing. Easy transition through stages. Being able to let go of the old and move on. Ease with change. Courage to accept change. Leaping swiftly from one level of consciousness to another; from this world to the Otherworlds. Sensitivity to others.

NARWHAL: clarity of purpose and direction. Moving through feelings without being lost in them. Cutting through distractions, addictions or compulsions. Always moving forward. Purposeful movement. Empathy with others feelings. Telepathic communication. Awareness of where others are. Ability to be sensitive to others without losing one’s own focus and direction. Moving forward harmoniously as a group.

OCTOPUS: ability to recover deep memories. Prising open and absorbing
locked in emotions, memories and knowledge. Utterly at home in the water element. Moving easily and comfortably through deep feelings. Peacefulness. Ability to reach goals. Tenacity. Gentle persistence. Fluidity. Lack of rigidity. Flexibility. Intelligence. Emotional intelligence. Evading danger when needed (by movement, camouflage or smoke screen). Association with Water Dragon.

OTTER: laughter; playfulness; curiosity. Interest in everything. Taking joy in
what is around one. Enthusiasm for life and exploring. Approaching life a joyful game. Playing with others. Accessing one’s inner, playful child. Nurturing and joyful parenting. Delight in company. Lightening up. Letting go of worries. Knowing how to turn work into play. Going with the flow. Gliding through emotional ups and downs with ease.

SALMON: courage to face the past; determination. Gaining Spiritual wisdom by returning to our beginnings – history, childhood, heritage and lineage. Recapitulation – recovering one’s past to become free and reborn. Finishing unfinished business. Absolute, unwavering determination to face whatever needs to be faced; to overcome whatever needs to be overcome to achieve the goal. Death of the old self. Freedom from the past. New cycles and beginnings.

SEA EAGLE: retrieving lost soul parts and memories. Overseeing soul retrievals. Piercing insight through emotions. Ability to penetrate emotions and grasp what is needed. Ability to rise out of emotions. Emotional perspective. Soaring spirit. Freedom of spirit. Able to move with ease between all the worlds. Psychic awareness. Spiritual awareness.

SEA HORSE: flexibility; freedom from rigid gender roles. Embracing one’s
inner feminine side if male, and one’s inner masculine if female. Teamwork, communication and cooperation between the sexes. Sharing r responsibility. Respect between the sexes. Willingness to be flexible and compromise. Lack of ego. Being content with where one is, and secure with who one is. Monogamy and commitment. Good parenting. Patience. Gentleness. Being aware of what is around one. Intelligence. Balance between effort and letting life flow. Moving through live with ease and grace. Enjoyment of one’s body. Positive body image. Releasing worries. Working with the flow. Enjoying life. Ease in exploring one’s emotional life and inner world. Comfortableness with one’s emotional ebbs and flows. At home with feelings. relationships. Honouring commitment to partner. Enduring love. Owning one’s projections. Relationship as a path of personal development. Relationship as a mirror. Harmony. Balance. Self-reflection. Self-awareness. Understanding and processing emotions. Tranquility. Moving gently and gracefully through life. Purity of spirit. Integrity. Slow but steady. Tirelessness when pursuing goals. Fidelity.

TURTLE: slowing down; sense of calm and safety. Taking one’s time.
Calmness. Being unperturbed. Knowing it will be alright. Navigating through emotional waters. Safety and protection when facing stormy situations and environments. Focusing on the present. Slowing down. Carrying with one a deep inner peace and sense of safety. Wisdom of age and experience. Older, wiser, calmer head. Ease with solitude.

WHALE: expanded consciousness; communication over distance.
Transcending limitations of perception. Expanded consciousness – planetary, interspecies, and inter-dimensional. Awareness of the vastness of existence. Experiencing all existence as being alive. Communication with other beings and entities. Expansion of perception of space and time. Meditative awareness.

Mythical…

WATER DRAGON: guardian of memories and feelings. Protection from
overwhelming feelings. Awareness of emotions. Remembering and facing deepest feelings. Seeing through the denial or suppression of feelings. Resolving unfinished emotions and sexual issues. Freedom from compulsions and addictions. Releasing guilt. Embracing sexual energy. Emotional depth. Releasing toxins from fat and fluids.

Animal Spirit Guides Associated with the Element Earth c 2018

Earth Element

ANT: team work; persistence; focus. Order, Discipline. Industrious. Tireless.
Planning and seeing future needs. Seeing plans bear fruit slowly over time. Not being discouraged or daunted by the task. Patience. Knowing how to work with others. Community-minded. Co-operation. Working for the common good. Not letting one’s ego get in the way of the group. Being patient with one’s own and others’ efforts. Appreciating being in a team. Looking out for others.

BADGER: safe base; determination; assertion. Persistent working towards
achieving goals, especially in creating a home and safe base. Digging in. Getting down to it. Getting the job done. Overcoming apathy. Organizing one’s home. Orderly environment and day-to-day living. Managing time efficiently. Protecting privacy. Protecting the home. Self defense. Not being overawed by others; standing one’s ground. Willing to fight for what one wants. Knowledge of healing herbs. Persisting to find a cure.

BEAR: introspection; protection whilst healing. The energy of the cave; going deep within to renew and heal. Ability to hibernate. Healing oneself, or nursing others. Grounding and protection whilst one heals. Knowing that time heals. Knowing the value of silence and solitude. Finding the answers within oneself. Inner resources. Caution and reflection. Knowing when to withdraw and when to fight.

BEAVER: building one’s dreams; making it happen. Remembering what one wants. Believing one can do it. Acting on one’s plans. Being able to create the environment one wants. Using the resources that are available. Getting what one wants without aggression. Gentle persistence. Teamwork. Industrious energy. Taking on big jobs in bite-sized chunks. Living and working in harmony with the environment.

BUFFALO: gratitude and abundance. Overcoming poverty-consciousness and feelings of isolation. Appreciating how the earth supports and provides. Giving thanks. Feeling part of the herd, tribe and ancestors. Clearing the path for our success and prosperity. Appreciation of the sacred. Feeling connected to (mother) Earth and (father) Sky. Grounded spirituality. Respect for all life. Living in harmony with nature and spirit. Generosity of heart.

DEER: gentleness and sensitivity. Knowing how to be gentle with others. Open hearted. Loving kindness. Empathic understanding. Emotional sensitivity. Compassion. Appreciation of the wounded child. Vulnerability. Humility. Building trust. Moving with great peacefulness, calmness, care and patience. Keen perception. Clairvoyant and clairaudient abilities.

DONKEY: shouldering responsibility; knowing when to say ‘no’. Perseverance. Determination. Tireless work. Willingness to accept
responsibilities and burdens when necessary. Carrying burdens with ease.
Willingness to help others when needed. Knowing when to not take on too much, or be led against one’s will. Strong sense of self and boundaries. Not allowing oneself to be pushed beyond one’s limits. Knowing when we can or cannot handle something.

ELEPHANT: ancient wisdom; connection to kin and ancestors; grounding. Strength. Power. Recovering memories and ancestral wisdom. Knowledge of lineage. Respect for elders. Telepathic communication over distances and across time. Communication with ancestors. For remembering what
is important. Inclusive leadership. Concern with the welfare of all. Loyalty.
Affection. Respect for others. Concern for others welfare, especially the elderly, vulnerable and children. Right action. Responsibility.

GIRAFFE: perspective on the past, present and future: dignity. Being able
to sense what lies over the horizon. Farsightedness. Clear sense of where one is going, where one has come from, and where one is now. Realising how far one has come. Setting sights on the path ahead. Taking stock of one’s life from all angles. Grounded, yet spiritual, perspective. Holding ones head high. Moving forward with grace and poise. Calmness. Serenity. Gentleness. Not stooping to gossip.

GORILLA: strength; gentleness; groundedness. Accepting responsibility.
Caring for family and friends. Loyalty to loved ones. Respect. Empathy.
Selflessness. Generosity. Compassion. Sensitivity. Using one’s strength and power only for the good of the group. Defending the family. Good parenting. Nobility. Intelligence. Knowledge of plants and herbs.

HEDGEHOG: healthy balance between openness and defence. Knowing
when to withdraw and when to be vulnerable. Caution when needed; being open when appropriate. Overcoming prickliness and unapproachablness. Being completely safe in oneself when under attack. Being open but knowing when to draw boundaries. Defending self without being aggressive. Knowing how to honour and protect one’s personal space. Psychic protection.

HORSE: freedom: travel; friendliness; joyfulness. Exploring new directions.
Moving on. Overcoming constrictions and limitations. Courage to break free. Getting to where one wants to be. Running free. Sense of adventure. Safe and confident traveling. Free-spiritedness. Self-empowerment. Stamina. Individuality. Big hearted. Warm hearted.. Sociability. Enjoying connection with others. Loving contact. Sense of belonging and connection. Open-heartedness.

MOLE: exploring hidden parts of the self. Skilfully moving and
exploring below the surface of things. Unearthing what is hidden in the subconscious that keeps one from being truly happy and well. Getting to
the root of problems or issues. Guardian of the lower realm. Caretaker of the earth. Profound ease with, and understanding of, the earth element. Knowledge of, herbs, roots, seeds and minerals. Introspection. Keeping to oneself. Pathfinder and path maker. Finding ways round obstacles.
Sensitivity to touch and vibration. Healing touch. Clairsenscience.

MOUNTAIN GOAT: climbing over obstacles; scaling the heights. Surefooted. Independent. Diligent. Knowing pathways to new realities. Sticking to life challenges. Reaching for the stars whilst staying grounded. Bringing dreams into reality by perseverance and keeping focused on the prize. Establishing resources needed to attain goals. Keeping momentum going even when things seem difficult or impossible. Protection in difficult times. Flexibility. Scaling the heights, spiritual, mental, emotional or material. Ability to land on one’s feet. Receiving rewards and recognition for ones life’s work.

MOUSE: attention to small details; scrutiny. Understanding details.
Discovering things that may otherwise be overlooked. Thinking out a strategy before acting. Making a journey step by step. Attaining large things by working on the little things. Always assessing the environment. Moving extremely quickly when needed. Organizing things. Ability to be unseen and unheard. Quietness. Ability to hide in times of danger. Cycles of 4 to 6 weeks.

RABBIT: gentleness; abundance; fertility; bounty. Creating abundance in life. Sense of bounty and plenty. Confidence in one’s ability to manifest what one needs. Taking advantage of opportunities. Knowing the earth will provide. Trust in gentle ways. Non-violence. Thriving without aggression, ego, or drawing attention to self. Not being paralyzed by fears. Knowing where safety lies. Contact with the fairy realms.

SALAMANDER: power of regeneration and healing. Cellular re-patterning.
Renewal and re-growth. Help with transformation and transmutation. Delving below the surface. Finding what needs to be changed. Restructuring old patterns, and ways of being, from the unconscious. Shape shifting. Being able to move between the worlds. Help through dreams. Lucid dreaming.

SQUIRREL: preparing for the future; integrating work and play. Storing
resources. Putting things in order. Being prepared. Foresightedness. Being
productive. Gathering only what is needed. Discard the unnecessary. Discovering new things. Resourcefulness. Balancing work with socializing. Ability to solve puzzles. Awareness of surroundings. Quick changes of direction. Knowing when to run. Ability to hide.

WILD BOAR: finding a way through; making a path. Finding a way through
difficulties, breakdown or madness. Fearless guide through trials and tribulations. Knowing that one can face life-problems and emerge triumphant. Ferocious self protection when needed. Discovering self-reliance and spiritual strength. Connection to the earth and nature. Fertility and abundance. Tapping into one’s wild, primal power.

TORTOISE: grounding; patience; slowing down. Staying centered despite
distractions. Moving with slowness, deliberation and focus. Calmness. Focus. Refusing to be hurried or flustered. Efficiency and economy of movement. Patient persistence. Perseverance. Self-reliance. Stability. Knowing that true stability lies within oneself. Inner security. Feeling at home and safe wherever one is. Strong connection to the earth.

ZEBRA: transcending preconceived ideas; tolerance: open-mindedness.
Overcoming, rigid, black-and-white thinking. Questioning group beliefs and  prejudices. Seeing the truth beyond social or family conditioning. Letting go of projections. Being comfortable with shades of meaning and ambiguity. Integration of complexity and contradiction within oneself. Ability to balance opposites. Maintaining individuality in group settings. Tolerance of other views and opinions. Harmonious social interaction. Togetherness, positive regard and cooperation.

Mythical…

EARTH DRAGON: feeling safe and at home on the earth. Guardian of riches and abundance. Self-discovery. Discovering the riches at one’s core. Discovering one’s deepest power and true inner beauty. Awakening one’s latent possibilities. Finds the parts of the soul that have been hidden. Self-actualisation. Taking one’s rightful place in the world. Self-worth.  Becoming fully-grounded. Manifesting one’s potential in the world. Being at home with earth. Knowing the power of the land. Bridge to elders wisdom.

GREEN MAN: The power of regeneration, renewal and rebirth. The spirit,
energy, presence, life-force, that is inherent in every cell of the plant realm. Transmitted to the animal/human realms through the foods we eat, the flowers we smell, the grass we walk on, the trees we hug, the herbs we use. Being able to take energy from the sun. Strong connection with the plant world. Re-growth after too much ‘civilization’. Reconnecting with the wild. For city-dwellers, and those who have lost touch with the natural world

Animals as Spirit Guides c 2012

Animals as Spirit Guides

 

(excerpted from Animal Spirit Guides by Dr. Steven  Farmer)

Those spirits that are in animal form that teach us, guide us, empower us,  and help us heal are called animal spirit guides or spirit  animals. In shamanic and indigenous cultures they’re usually called  totem animals or power animals. Often these terms are used  interchangeably, although there are subtle differences in meaning.

The term totem animal has two meanings. First, a totem animal is  typically one that is shared by a family, clan, or group. In indigenous  cultures, the family you were born into all have a totem animal in common. In  modern societies, various groups also have communal totems, such as sports teams  or clubs that identify with a totem animal. A second meaning of totem animal is  a representational object of a particular animal, like a small tortoise, owl,  raccoon, or hawk figurines. We often give our children totem animals, like teddy  bears or bunny rabbits to give them comfort.

The term power animal has its origins in shamanism. This is a  specialized animal spirit guide the shaman or shamanic practitioner acquires  early in their initiation into their practice. Their power animal travels with  them whenever they go on a shamanic journey, which is an altered state of  awareness in which the practitioner sends his soul or consciousness into  non-ordinary reality—another term for the spirit world—to receive teachings,  guidance, and healings. You can, however, have a relationship with a power  animal even if you’re not a shaman or shamanic practitioner. They may come to  you in meditations, visions, dreams, or shamanic journeys. It’s a highly  personal and specialized relationship with an animal spirit guide, one where the  personality and characteristics of the particular power animal that you have  attracted to you are reflective of your own personality and characteristics.

Although every creature on the planet can be an animal spirit guide, in some  traditions domesticated animals can’t be power animals because they’ve lost much  of their wildness and are removed from the natural world. Likewise, some  traditions believe that insects are to be excluded from being power animals  because of their size and nature. I have, however, included both domesticated  animals and some insects such as butterfly and dragonfly my book, and even two  mythological animals, dragon and unicorn, to account for those who have enough  of a special relationship with them to call them power animals.

However to experience the tremendous value of working with animal spirit  guides you don’t need to be a shaman, have any interest in shamanism, nor be  associated with an indigenous culture. For most purposes you don’t even need to  be concerned as to whether an animal spirit guide is a totem or power animal.  Instead, consider these wonderful beings as spiritual allies that want to reach  out to each and everyone one of us who are open to their guidance and, when  called with sincere intent, will respond.

One of the great advantages of working with animal spirit guides is that the  actual animal is physically and symbolically present in so many ways throughout  every society and culture on earth. Because of their abundant representations in  third-dimensional reality, they’re continually in our consciousness. Depending  on how and in what way they show up in the material world, whether in the flesh  or as a symbol, their appearance can be  a representative of the spirit of  that animal. When an animal shows up in an uncommon way or repetitively as  spirit guide, that animal isn’t just the single animal, but is representing the  entire species. The hummingbird that flits about and then hovers for several  seconds directly in front of you isn’t just a hummingbird but is carrying with  her the essence of all hummingbirds, and is therefore Hummingbird with  a capital “H.” That’s also why when we speak of an animal spirit guide, we leave  out the “a” or “an” as a way of recognizing and honoring that spirit animal. The  hawk that visited me wasn’t only a hawk, but in those instances was representing  the essence of all hawks, and was therefore Hawk.

Not only do these spirit animals help us in many ways, but another positive  effect is that you’ll deepen your appreciation for the magic and mystery of all  animals, whether they are of the air, water, or the land. Every being on this  beautiful and majestic planet has its place in the web of life, and as we  develop our consciousness and awareness of the unique quality of animal spirit  guides, we enhance our relationships with all of our animal brothers and  sisters.

 

Disposal of Ritual Offerings c2016

 

Disposal of Ritual Offerings

A common question that comes up is the matter of how to dispose of offerings made during a ritual once the ritual has concluded. Disposal methods may vary, depending on a few things. For instance, does your particular magical tradition require you to dispose of offerings in a certain way? Also, what is the offering? Organic materials can be disposed of in different ways than non-organic offerings. Finally, does the spell or ritual itself include a method of disposal? Consider all of these factors when you’re deciding on how to dispose of a magical offering.

Let’s look at some of the different ways that you can get rid of an offering you’ve made:

Earth & Water

If your offering is an organic item, such as blood, fruits and vegetables, tobacco, or other plant material, you may want to consider burying it. A garden is a good place to do this, particularly if you have a compost bin, because the nutrients will go back into the soil as the offering biodegrades, continuing the cycle of life.

Some people choose to bury non-biodegradable items as well, such as candle stubs and incense remnants, but if you do this, you should make sure you do it in your own yard. Disposal of organic items into a moving body of water, such as a river or the ocean, is acceptable in many traditions as well – make sure, though, that you’re not putting any non-organic materials in the water. Use your best judgment here.

The Power of Fire

Nearly any ritual offering can be disposed of by burning. In some hoodoo traditions, burning an offering is considered part of the ritual itself – for example, Cat Yronwoode says that to destroy an item’s influence, it can be burned in the ceremony. You can also burn ritual offerings such as meat, bread, and other foods.

Sharing With Wildlife

Got a pile of seeds and nuts you used in your ritual? As long as they haven’t been tainted with anything toxic, you can feel free to scatter them outdoors for the local critters to snack on. One Indiana Pagan named Apollonia says, “My coven does a lot of rituals that make offerings to grain gods, so we always have a lot of bread left over. Typically, the day after the ritual, I’ll take it to a local pond and leave it out for the ducks and geese. They consume it, and the life cycle of the grain continues on.”

Also, don’t discount the science of nature itself. Some offering items can be left out until they go away on their own. For instance, if you make an offering of consecrated water in a bowl, eventually it’s going to evaporate. If you do an outdoor ritual and you’ve offered herbs and flowers, those are going to blow away at some point, and find their way to a new home.

What About Icky Things?

Sometimes, let’s face it, we do a working that involves something negative. Maybe you’re trying to banish a pesky former lover, or you’re trying to get that crazy fundamentalist lady down the street to leave you alone. In cases like this – particularly if you’ve created a poppet – you may want to get the item as far away from you as possible. In cases like this, simply because of the nature of the ritual, you may want to go ahead and find a place such as a landfill, a port-a-john, or some other foul place to be rid of the items. Just make sure you’re not putting anything into the ecosystem that is going to cause damage down the road.

In the matter of spell components, you may not always want to permanently dispose of the items right away. Depending on the purpose of the spell, you may choose to hide the item in someone’s home, bury it in your own yard, or tuck it into a tree. Obviously, your disposal methods are going to vary depending on the ritual or working itself, and on the nature of the ritual offerings that you need to be rid of. Use common sense, think outside the box, and find a way to adapt to each situation as needed.
Source: Article originally published on & owned by About.com by Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert

Offerings to the Air Element c2016

Offerings to the Air Element

 

When  we  make  offerings  to  the  air  we  are  thanking  the  universe  for  our  breath. Each  moment  we  are  held  by  this  element  and  at  the  moment  of  death  it’s  our  last   breath,  which  heralds  our  departure  from  the  mortal  body.

 

The  air  is  also  our  First   breath  when  we  are  born  so  honour  this  element  by  getting  outdoors  and   spending  time  in  high  places,  feel  the  wind  on  your  body  and  rejoice  with  song,   laughter  and  dance,  which  are  all  part  of  this  element.  The  air  is  what  carries  sound,  music  is  what  nurtures  our  soul  and  we  can   see  that  the  two  combined  into  one  exceptional  union.  Music  has  the  power  to   heal  and  transform  us.  Think  about  how  many  times  you  have  put  on  your   favourite  tracks  to  change  your  mood.  Mellow  music  chills  us  out  and  reduces  our   stress  and  more  uplifting  music  gets  us  into  a  place  when  we  want  to  move  and   express  ourselves.  All  this  is  the  expression  of  the  air  element  and  by  being  aware   of  such  things  brings  a  greater  clarity  to  our  daily  activities.

 

Simple  offerings  can  be  thrown  into  the  air  or  left  tied  to  trees  so  that  they   Flutter  in  the  winds.  But  make  sure  whatever  you  leave  in  nature  can  be  broken   down  easily  such  a  paper,  incense,  cotton  or  silk  cloth,  food  and  liquids,  things   found  such  as  feathers  and  rocks.  Never  leave  anything  that  will  affect  the  flow of  the natural world,  to do that will only create blocks and hinder your path towards growth.

Offerings to the Fire Element c 2016

Offerings to the Fire Element

 

Without  a  beating  heart  we  have  no  Gire  within  us,  it  is  the  blood  that  pumps   around  our  bodies  that  generates  heat  and  gives  us  the  power  to  illuminate.  Deep   within  our  heart  is  a  place  that  is  eternal,  an  inner  sun  that  burns  with  a  light  so   bright  it  connects  us  to  the  very  core  of  infinity.  It  is  our  innate  nature  that  burns   with  wisdom  and  allows  us  to  embrace  life.  When  we  align  ourselves  with  the   gods  and  with  the  path  of  The  Craft  we  burn  with  fire,  we  burn  with  a  yearning  to   know  our  soul’s  destiny.  That  is  what  drives  us  on  towards  the  source  of  all   knowledge,  it  allows  us  to  heal  bits  of  ourselves  and  others  because  when  we  get   just  one  single  glimpse  of  the  fire  within  the  heart  it  is  enough  to  illuminate  the   entire  universe.

Although  we  have  an  inner  fire  there  is  nothing  more  beautiful  to  be  sat   round  a  camp  fire,  how  many  times  have  you  looked  deep  into  the  flames  and  let   them  speak  to  you,  they  lull  you  to  a  place  which  allows  visions  to  arise,   transporting  us  inwards  to  the  deep  seat  of  knowing.  The  Craft  has  always  been   the  place  where  those  who  follow  it’s  path  burn  with  the  passions  of  nature.  To  be   alive  with  the  fire  of  wisdom  means  that  you  have  opened  yourself  up  to  the  face   of  creation  and  allowed  yourself  to  become  enfolded  in  the  arms  of  the  Gods.  They   burn  with  the  same fire,  which  is  in  your  heart,  they  are  made  from  the  same  seed fire that  you  have  within.  The  Gods  burn  with  the  same  eternal  flame  that   illuminates  our  own  being  and  to  know  the  flame  within  means  you  come  to  know   the  face  of  the  Gods.  Fire  burns  away  ignorance  just  like  it  clears  the  dead  wood  of   the  forest  allowing  new  shoots  to  germinate  bringing  forth  new  growth.  We  all   have  dead  wood  within,  our  internal  struggles  and  our  ever-­‐conflicting  emotions   are  what  keep  the fire from  burning  bright.  But  when  we  get  a  glimpse  of  the fire  we  fan  the  f flames  and  they  start  to  burn,  they  burn  so  bight  that  they  produce  a  source  of  all  light,  without  fire  there  would  only  be  darkness  and  with  total   darkness  no  life  would  exist.  Fire  is  the  source  of  all  life,  without  our  sun  this   earth  we  live  on  would  be  a  dead  rock  floating  around  a  burnt  out  sun.  Devoid  of   any  life  there  would  be  no  consciousness  to  illuminate  itself.  We  are  the  universes   knowing  itself,  and  it’s  through  this  element  we  come  to  understand  these   wisdoms.

Offering to fire can be anything that can be consumed by flames or even a simple votive candle.

Offerings to the Water Element c2016

Offerings to the Water Element

 

Water  is  a  vital  element  for  our  survival,  we  are  within  water  while  we  are  in  the   womb  of  our  mother  and  we  die  very  quickly  without  it.  Because  water  is  in  such   abundance  on  our  planet  we  have  little  attachment  to  it.  Water  is  fluid  and  free   and  over  time  it  can  reduce  the  hardest  material  into  dust.  It  cuts  through  valleys   like  a  knife  through  butter  and  bursts  forth  from  the  ground  in  healing  springs.  It   is  the  lifeblood  within  our  bodies  and  upon  the  earth  it  is  abundant  and  Glowing,   unfortunately  we  pollute  it  with  toxins  that  are  now  bringing  us  close  to  poisoning   all  life.

 

We  should  always  try  to  keep  our  waters  pure,  they  are  what  carry  the   trace  nutrients  that  our  body  needs  for  survival.  There  is  nothing  more  stirring   that  to  sit  next  to  crashing  waves  on  beach  or  more  restful  than  laying  next  to  a   babbling  brook.  Water  out  of  all  the  elements  has  the  most  power  to  heal.  Our   ancestors  knew  this  knowledge  and  dedicated  many  springs  to  cures.  Even  in  our   modern  world  we  prefer  bottled  water  to  that  from  the  tap  thinking  it  has  a  purer   quality  to  it.  It’s  our  internal  emotions  that  draw  us  close  to  water  as  a  source  of   all  healing  and  I  often  wonder  if  it’s  because  we  floated  for  nine  months  in  the   waters  of  our  mothers  womb.  There  we  felt  safe  and  secure,  it  was  a  primordial   state  before  they  burst  issuing  us  into  the  world  of  duality  we  know  as  life.  How   many  of  us  enjoy  the  relaxing  comfort  of  a  bath  or  the  invigorating  power  of  a   shower.  Both  these  daily  functions  connect  us  deeply  to  the  element  of  water  and   draw  us  close  to  its  energetic  qualities.  I  love  nothing  better  than  swimming   outdoors  in  the  summer  in  open  pools  and  rivers,  feeling the power of nature enfold me in the waters of life.

 

A  daily  offering  of  water  can  be  made  on  your  own  personal  shrine;  it  is   something  very  easy  to  do  and  connects  us  to  a  source  of  connection  many  take   for  granted.  Water  is  the  best  substance  as  a  daily  offering  because  it’s  one  of  the   things  we  have  no  attachment  to,  we  don’t  in  any  way  covet  it  because  it  seems  to     be  around  us  in  abundance.  That  way  we  give  it  freely  and  that’s  the  spirit  which   should  be  nurtured  when  making  any  offering.  To  be  able  to  give  without  any   attachment  at  all  allows  the  offering  to  have  the  purest  quality  within  it  and   becomes  a  great  source  of  connecting  us  to  the  source  of  creation. Items  you  can  offer  include  water,  milk  and  wine.

 

You  could  even  collect   different  waters  to  offer  such  as  Sea  Water,  Lake  Water,  Spring  Water,  Rain  Water,   Snow  Water  and  Dew,  be  guided  by  your  intuition and may the hand of the gods always lead you towards your souls purpose.

Offerings to the Earth Element c 2016

Offerings to the Earth Element

 

When  we  make  offerings  to  the  earth  element  we  are  honouring  our  body,  without  this   vehicle  we  would  not  be  able  to  experience  the  world  in  all  its  beauty.  It  gives  us  the   chance  to  find  happiness  and  joy.  It  is  the  very  vessel  that  is  filled  with  the  light  of   creation  and  inhabiting  it  for  a  lifetime  means  we  have  a  chance  to  awake  to  that  inner   light.  It’s  incredible  when  you  stop  to  think  about  it,  but  that’s  the  problem,  few  do.   When  we  walk  a  spiritual  path  it  allows  us  to  move  forward  on  a  journey  upon  the   earth,  this  planet  is  a  living  body  like  our  own.  But  how  many  people  actually  treat  it  as   such?

 

Because  we  have  disconnected  from  the  earth  we  have  become  disconnected   from  our  bodies  and  look  at  the  amount  of  self-­‐loathing  we  see  in  western  cultures.  The   Craft  has  always  told  us  to  love  our  bodies,  they  are  sacred  and  that’s  why  from  time  to   time  we  take  off  our  clothes  and  walk  into  nature.  When  we  meet  nature  naked,  we  are   free,  we  are  totally  beyond  the  trappings  of  culture  because,  once  again,  we  have   entered  paradise.  The  Craft  has  always  held  ritual  nudity  to  be  a  profound  act,   unfortunately  because  of  our  modern  culture  few  these  days  feel  comfortable  disrobing.   This  is  because  we  live  in  a  highly  sexualized  society  that  has  used  sex  and  sexual   images  to  sell  almost  everything,  the  images  which  have  been  used  have  been  very   limiting  and  exaggerated  leaving  many  with  a  sense  of  inferiority  about  their  own   bodies.  Remember  we  are  born  into  this  world  naked  and  when  we  are  free  from  the   trappings  of  clothes  we  also  have  the  opportunity  to  free  ourselves  from  our  ridged   identities.

 

Offerings  to  the  earth  can  include  stones,  salt,  soil  and  food,  go  into  nature,  take   your  clothes  off  in  the  warmer  months  and  feel  the  sun  on  your  body,  feel  the  wind   caress  you  like  a  lover  and  embrace  the  natural  world.  Make  your  offerings  to  this   element  and  thank  it  for  giving  you  such  a  beautiful  gift,  your  body  the  vehicle of your awakening.

Basic Spell Template – Crafting The Spell

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY CORRESPONDENCES POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER)

Crafting The Spell

  • Identify your goal or desire

  • Examine the context of the situation

  • Evaluate the repercussions

  • Refine the specifics of your need or desire

  • Decide on a time

  • Decide on a method

  • Choose correspondences and components

  • Create central symbolic action

  • Write the text of the spell

  • Write the complete list of required materials.

(One Person’s View Point) Witchcraft 101: Naked c.2016

Witchcraft 101: Naked

There is a simple word that can strike fear into the heart of the bravest Witch: skyclad.

Skyclad is the word we use to mean, well, nude. As in, “This month’s full moon ritual will be done skyclad.”

Starkers, as the Brits say. In your birthday suit. Sans clothing. In your altogether. In short, buck-naked. Or as my dad used to say, “stark, nuked nade.”

Either way, it means you are out there under the moon with the breeze blowing through your, er….everything.

Some Witches are very comfortable practicing skyclad. Others wouldn’t do it on a bet. Still others save such dedication for their solitary rituals and prefer to wear garb when gathering with their fellow Witches.

All of the above is fine. There is no rule that says you have to perform Witchcraft naked (thank the Goddess), although there are some traditions where that is the norm. And although in the Charge of the Goddess it says “ye shall be naked in your rites,” this doesn’t mean that you have to stand outside at midwinter freezing your whatsits off.

As with most things witchy, you should use your own judgment and do what feels right to you. If you’re comfortable being naked, by all means do your rituals skyclad. If you’re not, you would probably find your nakedness so distracting that you wouldn’t be able to concentrate on your magick anyway, so there’s not much point to it.

The important thing to remember is that in the case of group rituals, you should discuss such things ahead of time and make sure that everyone agrees. There isn’t much that is more disconcerting than showing up at a ritual to find out that you are expected to disrobe when you weren’t planning on it.
Source: Everyday Witch A to Z Deborah Blake

Different Traditions of Witchcraft c 2011

Different Traditions of Witchcraft

By Patti Wigington

In the Pagan community, there are a number of different spiritual traditions that fall under the umbrella of Wicca or Neowicca. Here are some of the most commonly discussed groups that you may find as you meet people of different Wiccan or Neowiccan traditions. There are different types and styles of Wiccan traditions — some may be right for you, and others not so much. Learn about the variations in spiritual paths even amongst Wiccans and NeoWiccan — some of the differences may surprise you!

Alexandrian Wicca

Founded by Alex Sanders and his wife Maxine, Alexandrian Wicca became a popular tradition during the resurgence of modern Paganism. Heavily influenced by Gardner and his tradition, Alexandrian Wicca uses a degree system and has ties to ceremonial magic systems.

Blue Star Witchcraft

The Blue Star tradition is one that is modeled on Gardnerian Wicca, but still manages to be different. Learn more about the Blue Star tradition of Witchcraft.

British Traditional Wicca

British Traditional Wicca is a term often used by Pagans in the U.S. to describe a specific set of covens in Britain. Find out what BTW is, and who qualifies to be part of it.

Circle Sanctuary

If you read much about Wicca and witchcraft, you’ve probably heard of Circle Sanctuary. But who are they, and why are they important?

Correllian Nativist Tradition

The Correllian Nativist Tradition is a well-known tradition of witchcraft today – find out who they are, and what they do.

Covenant of the Goddess

Covenant of the Goddess is a name that comes up often in discussion of Wiccan groups. Who are they, and what do they do?

Dianic Wicca

With origins in the feminist movement, Dianic Wicca has been embraced by many women trying to find an alternative to oppressive, patriarchal religion. One branch of the Dianic movement centers around the writings of Z Budapest, while other groups tend to be more eclectic. One facet they all have in common is a celebration of the Goddess only, instead of the dual God/Goddess practice often found in Wicca.

Eclectic Wicca

The phrase “eclectic Wicca” is a commonly used one, but it can have different meanings depending on who’s using it. Find out what Eclectic Wicca is, and who practices it.

Gardnerian Wicca

When Gerald Gardner founded Wicca in the 1950s, he set the wheels turning for countless other traditions to form. Many of today’s Wiccan covens can trace their origins back to Gardner, but the Gardnerians path itself remains initiatory and oathbound.

Is Christian Wicca a Valid Tradition?

A reader writes in asking about whether or not she can be both Christian and Wiccan. We also discuss that whole Biblical injunction about “thou shall not suffer a witch to live.”