Category: Articles

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 Spells: A Commonsense Guideline

Binding Spells: A Commonsense Guideline

If you don’t like the idea of using poppets and have decided to work a binding, and you have a handle on your emotions, then here are some commonsense guidelines that I suggest you follow:

* Bindings are best performed on a Saturday.

* Work the binding at sunset and you pull into the spell the closing energies of not only the day, but of the entire week.

* Work with black candles; they coordinate with Saturn’s energies and they are the classic magickal color for this type of witchery.

Finally, to be crystal clear, a binding is the act of psychically restraining a harmful person or criminal so that their actions cannot harm anyone else. The goddess to call on is Hecate, and she is a mighty magickal force. Consider your words and actions carefully when you call on her. How you choose to work a binding is up to you. At this point, I suggest that you take a moment and draft out your binding spell on paper. Go carefully, and remember to harm none.

You may experience some dramatic special effects when working with Hecate. Don’t be taken aback if the wind picks up….if you candles flicker and snap…..or if you begin to notice barking or howling dogs. The animals sense when Hecate is near. Yes, we have gotten very serious all of a sudden. That’s because a binding is a serious matter. Surprised? Don’t be. Just because I tend to look at things from a humorous perspective doesn’t mean I am not serious when the situation calls for it.

This invocation includes some of the correspondences for Hecate. If you choose, you can add these to your spellwork. (This would also be a fine addition to the opening of poppet magick). A general invocation for Hecate follows.

Source: Book of Witchery Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week Ellen Dugan

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

(One Person’s View Point) August witchcraft is All About Harvesting, Vitality, and Appreciation.

We reap what we have sowed at this time of the year, when the sun is still hot but we are entering the liminal energy of autumn.

I am trying to work more closely with the energies that already surround me.

For that reason, I am working with seasonal, monthly, and lunar energies.

If you are like me, and trying to work with the energy around us instead of against it, I hope that these correspondences will help you in that endeavor.

In the end, tuning our spells and rituals to be appropriate for the season we are in can only make our magick stronger.

And isn’t that exactly what we all want?

August Witchcraft Correspondences

The magickal keywords of August witchcraft are harvest, appreciation, vitality, health, friendship, power, courage, and strength.

Keep these keywords in mind when scheduling your magick for the month.

Consider how you can improve your health or friendships, or build your own personal power with witchcraft.

If you have found your courage or strength waning in the previous weeks, now is the time to revitalize those essential elements of life.

The energy of August is very strong, and lends itself well to self improvement.

August is also the month when we celebrate Lammas or Lughnasadh, one of the 3 harvest festivals of the wheel of the year.

Theme August Correspondences
Spirits Dryads, phoenix, sphinx, dragon
Herbs Basil, mints, yarrow, meadowsweet, ground ivy, mugwort, elderberries, chamomile, St. Johns wort, bay, fennel, rue, orange, corn, wheat
Colors Yellow, gold, red, orange
Flowers Sunflower, marigold, calendula
Scents Frankincense, heliotropeCrystalsPeridot, sardonyx, spinel, cat’s eye, carnelian, jasper, fire agate, garnet
Trees Hazel, alder, cedar
Animals Lion, crain, falcon, eagle
Deities Lugh, Ganesha, Thoth, Diana, Hecate, Vulcan, Mars, Nemesis, Hathor, Thor
Full Moon Name Sturgeon moon, green corn moon, grain moon, red moon
Keywords Harvest, appreciation, vitality, health, friendship, power, courage, strength

If you’d like to add this post to your book of shadows, I have a simplified PDF available in my store! The PDF is also great for saving this post to use when you don’t have internet available. Source: eclecticwitchcraft.com

Full Sturgeon Moon Magic Ritual (August)

Sturgeon Moon is the name of August’s Full Moon. Indigenous tribes of North America knew that in August, the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes were most readily caught. The sturgeon is a very large, prehistoric-looking fish that has changed very little in over 100 million years. It is truly a “living fossil.”

Having entered the second half of the year, we begin to notice things that need to be removed. In your life, what habit would you like to see go the way of the dinosaurs? What is hindering you or holding you back?

Here is a simple candle-burning ritual for banishing a bad habit from your life with Magic. 🕯️

How does this spell work?

The time of the Sturgeon Moon is an ideal time for getting rid of “old dinosaurs” that continue to weigh you down. This powerful moon occurs towards the end of the Summer, signaling that all seasons must come to an end.

Black is a color that dissolves negative energies. The black candle will assist you in truly getting rid of whatever is holding you back from becoming your best Self.

When you banish something from your life, it leaves a gap in your daily routine. It is therefore essential to fill the space left by the banished behavior with a conscious intention. The strength of the Full Moon will lend power to a positive statement, to help give you the Will to create your new reality.

The best day for this ritual is a Tuesday but you can do this spell on any of the three nights in August when the Moon is full.

Before you begin, make sure you have set an intention for this ritual. It can be anything from quitting smoking / snacking / social media, to severing an unhealthy relationship. This is the time to be bold, clear, and strong in your determination.

Full Sturgeon Moon Magic Ritual

Recipe by Francisco Huanaco

Full Moon banishing ritual with the strength and magic of the Sturgeon Moon (August). This spell of positive witchcraft can help you get rid of a bad habit.

Ingredients

  • 1 black candle of any size

  • Pen or pencil

  • Cauldron or fireproof container

  • 2 strips of paper

  • Purifying incense (lavender, cinnamon, sage, palo santo, rosemary)

How to cast the spell

  • Light the candle and incense on your altar. Relax and take three deep breaths. As you breath out, see yourself expelling the negativity from your body and your space.
  • On a strip of paper, write down the habit you wish to break.
  • Make sure there’s an adult in the room for this part. Light the paper using the candle’s flame and quickly place it in your cauldron.
  • Watch the paper burn as you chant this spell:Full Sturgeon Moon Ritual of Magic
  • Take the second strip of paper, and write a new description of yourself in the present tense. For example, “I am a non-smoker.”
  • Say the statement three times. Paste the strip of paper on your book of shadows or your journal and leave it there.
  • Everyday until the next Full Moon, repeat the statement when you wake up, making eye contact with yourself in a mirror. This will strengthen the spell daily.

Click here to read the rest of this article for more information Source: spells8.com

5 Full Sturgeon Moon Rituals to Harness Depth and Wisdom (Aug 2025)

By August, the year’s light and energy is beginning to shift.

The sun softens, the nights start to stretch out a little longer, and somewhere beneath it all, a quieter rhythm stirs. The Sturgeon Moon, rising this year on August 9, is the full moon of deep waters and ancient knowing.

This isn’t a flashy moon. It’s a moon of depth – of sitting with the first glimpses of your shadows, tapping into the whispers of your intuition, and listening for the messages that only silence can reveal

Named for the great sturgeon fish, a creature that has lived in Earth’s waters since prehistoric times, this full moon carries themes of resilience, emotional endurance, and ancestral memory. It reminds us that wisdom isn’t loud – it’s patient, rooted, and earned.

Energy of the Sturgeon Moon: Depth, Stillness & Sacred Listening

While the Buck Moon in July is bold and wild, the Sturgeon Moon is more subtle, and quiet, urging us to tap into a deeper current moving under the surface of life. It calls you to slow down, go inward, and look beneath the obvious.

This is a time for reflection, shadow work, and intuitive clarity.

In Native American cultures (where the name of this full moon originates) the sturgeon symbolises survival, sacred cycles, and ancient wisdom. These fish have outlived ice ages, mass global pollution, and centuries of change. They represent what endures – what lasts even when the surface world transforms.

Spiritually, this moon asks:

    • What truths have you been avoiding?
    • What are you finally ready to face?
  • What guidance could be waiting in the quiet places you usually ignore?

There is no rushing required by the sturgeon moon. Just presence, practice, and the deep gift of seeing clearly – maybe even for the very first time.

5 Rituals to Try Under the Sturgeon Moon

Let this moon guide you gently inward. These rituals are designed to help you connect with the Sturgeon Moon’s watery, emotional, and intuitive energy. They’re ideal for deep soul work, emotional healing, and honouring the wisdom within.

  1. Moonwater Mirror Gaze
  2. Deep Depths Journalling Ritual
  3. Blue Smoke Shadow Release
  4. River Stone Intuition Grid
  5. Ancestral Offering to the Deep

Click here to read the rituals in this article Source: themoonschool.org

(One Person’s View Point) What Is the Spiritual Meaning of the August Full Moon?

The August full moon marks a key turning point in the July/August moon cycle (which began with the New Moon on 7/25). It illuminates the effort you’ve poured into your life this year — and brings insight into what’s ready to ripen. Energetically, this full moon asks us to both recognize how far we’ve come, and surrender to the pace of nature’s unfolding.

✨The Sign of Aquarius

Astrologically, this moon falls in Aquarius — the sign of visionary truth, collective wisdom, and emotional clarity. Aquarius brings perspective. While Leo (where the sun currently sits) wants to shine individually, Aquarius pulls us back to see the big picture. This full moon is a moment to reflect not just on your personal growth, but how your gifts support something larger.

Questions to reflect on under this full moon:

  • What am I offering the world through my growth?
  • What truths are being illuminated for me now?
  • How can I root deeper into trust and allow things to unfold in their own time?

Seasonal Energy: The Time of Ripening … Click here to read the rest of this article Source: /theseasonalsoul.com

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.

 

(One Person’s View Point) 16 Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials

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

A list of 16 Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials That Every Witch Should Have Source: wakeup.unhypnotize.com

These common witchcraft spell casting essentials are not listed in any particular order. They are listed in the order in which they came to me for the purpose of writing this article.

These are not the only common witchcraft spell casting essentials, however, they are some of the ones that I feel are the main ones.

THE most important witchcraft spell casting essential is intent. Without intent, you have nothing but words and actions, and not really a spell cast at all.

In no particular order, a list of Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials

1. Salt

Used for cleansing and banishing. It is also used for protection during cleansing and banishing spells. Salt is a natural antiseptic. Salt is commonly used for circles for standing or sitting in while casting. It also ensures a clean spell.

2. Broom

Brooms are highly symbolic. Brooms symbolize the sweeping away of anything unwanted. They are used physically, as well as symbolically. You would use a broom to physically sweep away in a cleansing spell, banishing spell, also in some protection spells (ones that would rid unwanted energy from your home to keep it out).

3. Candles

Candles are used for focus and mood. Candles should be readily available in as many colors as you can get a hold of. Different colored candles hold symbolism for a variety of spells. Colors are chosen based on the nature of the spell and what feels right. White can be substituted for any color in the absence of the chosen color.

For example, some people like to use the color Red for love spells, or the colors Green or Gold for money spells, or Blue for healing spells, etc.

You can choose what colors feel right for you for any spell of your choosing. You do not have to go with the commonly used color associations if you feel another color will work better for you in a certain spell or ritual.

4. Crystals and Stones…

5. Incense…

6. Anointing Oils and Essential Oils…

7. Silence…

8. Isolation…

9. Book of Shadows (Spell Book)…

10. Intent…

11. Focus…

12. Confidence…

13. Altar…

14. Herbs and Flowers…

15. Cauldron…

16. Instinct…

This is not a complete list of everything that you will ever need or that you will ever use in your spells and rituals, and it is not meant to be. It is simply a list of some of the most common witchcraft spell casting essentials that are important to ensure a great spell. You don’t need all of these things for each spell. You want to use any combination of the essentials (and anything else that you feel is necessary) in each individual spell.

(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

(One Person’s View Point) Wicca, Witchcraft or Paganism?

As you study and learn more about magical living and modern Paganism, you’re going to see the words witch, Wiccan, and Pagan pretty regularly, but they’re not all the same. As if that wasn’t confusing enough, we often discuss Paganism and Wicca, as if they’re two different things. So what’s the deal? Is there a difference between the three? Quite simply, yes, but it’s not as cut and dried as you might imagine.

Wicca is a tradition of Witchcraft that was brought to the public by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s. There is a great deal of debate among the Pagan community about whether or not Wicca is truly the same form of Witchcraft that the ancients practiced. Regardless, many people use the terms Wicca and Witchcraft interchangeably. Paganism is an umbrella term used to apply to a number of different earth-based faiths. Wicca falls under that heading, although not all Pagans are Wiccan.

So, in a nutshell, here’s what’s going on. All Wiccans are witches, but not all witches are Wiccans. All Wiccans are Pagans, but not all Pagans are Wiccans. Finally, some witches are Pagans, but some are not – and some Pagans practice witchcraft, while others choose not to.

If you’re reading this page, chances are you’re either a Wiccan or Pagan, or you’re someone who’s interested in learning more about the modern Pagan movement. You may be a parent who’s curious about what your child is reading, or you might be someone who is unsatisfied with the spiritual path you’re on right now. Perhaps you’re seeking something more than what you’ve had in the past. You might be someone who’s practiced Wicca or Paganism for years, and who just wants to learn more.

For many people, the embracing of an earth-based spirituality is a feeling of “coming home”. Often, people say that when they first discovered Wicca, they felt like they finally fit in. For others, it’s a journey TO something new, rather than running away from something else.

Paganism is an Umbrella Term… CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE