Category: Articles

(One Person’s Viewpoint c 2015) Celebrating May Day – Beltane History

Celebrating May Day – Beltane History

 

The Fires of Tara:

Beltane kicks off the merry month of May, and has a long history. This fire festival is celebrated on May 1 with bonfires, Maypoles, dancing, and lots of good old fashioned sexual energy. The Celts honored the fertility of the gods with gifts and offerings, sometimes including animal or human sacrifice. Cattle were driven through the smoke of the balefires, and blessed with health and fertility for the coming year.

In Ireland, the fires of Tara were the first ones lit every year at Beltane, and all other fires were lit with a flame from Tara.

Roman Influences:

The Romans, always known for celebrating holidays in a big way, spent the first day of May paying tribute to their Lares, the gods of their household. They also celebrated the Floralia, or festival of flowers, which consisted of three days of unbridled sexual activity. Participants wore flowers in their hair (much like May Day celebrants later on), and there were plays, songs, and dances. At the end of the festivities, animals were set loose inside the Circus Maximus, and beans were scattered around to ensure fertility. The fire festival of Bona Dea was also celebrated on May 2nd.

A Pagan Martyr:

May 6 is the day of Eyvind Kelda, or Eyvind Kelve, in Norse celebrations. Eyvind Kelda was a Norwegian martyr who was tortured and drowned on the orders of King Olaf Tryggvason for refusing to give up his Pagan beliefs. A week later, Norwegians celebrate the Festival of the Midnight Sun, which pays tribute to the Norse sun goddess.

This festival marks the beginning of ten straight weeks without darkness.

The Greeks and Plynteria:

Also in May, the Greeks celebrated the Plynteria in honor of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle, and the patroness of the city of Athens (which was named after her). The Plynteria includes the ritual cleansing of Athena’s statue, along with feasting and prayers in the Parthenon. On the 24th, homage is paid to the Greek moon-goddess Artemis (goddess of the hunt and of wild animals). Artemis is a lunar goddess, equivalent to the Roman moon-goddess Diana – she is also identified with Luna, and Hecate.

The Green Man Emerges:

A number of pre-Christian figures are associated with the month of May, and subsequently Beltane. The entity known as the Green Man, strongly related to Cernunnos, is often found in the legends and lore of the British Isles, and is a masculine face covered in leaves and shrubbery. In some parts of England, a Green Man is carried through town in a wicker cage as the townsfolk welcome the beginning of summer. Impressions of the Green Man’s face can be found in the ornamentation of many of Europe’s older cathedrals, despite edicts from local bishops forbidding stonemasons from including such pagan imagery.

Jack-in-the-Green:

A related character is Jack-in-the-Green, a spirit of the greenwood. References to Jack appear in British literature back as far as the late sixteenth century. Sir James Frazer associates the figure with mummers and the celebration of the life force of trees. Jack-in-the-Green was seen even in the Victorian era, when he was associated with soot-faced chimney sweeps. At this time, Jack was framed in a structure of wicker and covered with leaves, and surrounded by Morris dancers. Some scholars suggest that Jack may have been a ancestor to the legend of Robin Hood.

Ancient Symbols, Modern Rites:

Today’s Pagans celebrate Beltane much like their ancestors did. A Beltane ritual usually involves lots of fertility symbols, including the obviously-phallic Maypole dance. The Maypole is a tall pole decorated with flowers and hanging ribbons, which are woven into intricate pattern by a group of dancers. Weaving in and out, the ribbons are eventually knotted together by the time the dancers reach the end.

In some Wiccan traditions, Beltane is a day in which the May Queen and the Queen of Winter battle one another for supremacy. In this rite, borrowed from practices on the Isle of Man, each queen has a band of supporters. On the morning of May 1, the two companies battle it out, ultimately trying to win victory for their queen. If the May Queen is captured by her enemies, she must be ransomed before her followers can get her back.

There are some who believe Beltane is a time for the faeries — the appearance of flowers around this time of year heralds the beginning of summer and shows us that the fae are hard at work. In early folklore, to enter the realm of faeries is a dangerous step — and yet the more helpful deeds of the fae should always be acknowledged and appreciated. If you believe in faeries, Beltane is a good time to leave out food and other treats for them in your garden or yard.

For many contemporary Pagans, Beltane is a time for planting and sowing of seeds — again, the fertility theme appears. The buds and flowers of early May bring to mind the endless cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth that we see in the earth. Certain trees are associated with May Day, such as the Ash, Oak and Hawthorn. In Norse legend, the god Odin hung from an Ash tree for nine days, and it later became known as the World Tree, Yggdrasil.

If you’ve been wanting to bring abundance and fertility of any sort into your life — whether you’re looking to conceive a child, enjoy fruitfulness in your career or creative endeavors, or just see your garden bloom — Beltane is the perfect time for magical workings related to any type of prosperity.

 

Source: Article found on & owned by About.com  Author:

(One Person’s View Point) Paganism 101: Basics of Pagan Spirituality c. 2016

Paganism 101: Basics of Pagan Spirituality Author: Cu Mhorrigan

Introduction:

Paganism has received a lot of attention in recent years with the increased use of the internet, television shows like Charmed, Buffy: the Vampire Slayer, Angel and movies like The Craft, Harry Potter, as well as cartoons like Sabrina the Teen-Aged Witch.

Nowadays, it has become fashionable to announce oneself to be a Pagan, or Neo-Pagan, Wiccan or Witch – especially for teenagers, wishing to attract attention, adults trying to follow the latest fad in spirituality, or just as an excuse to justify weird or aberrant behavior.

However, calling yourself a Pagan is one thing; actually following the spiritual path is something else. It is my hope with this ‘class’ that I might explain in practical terms what it actually means to be a Pagan in our modern age and to assist those who wish to implement the following of this spiritual path.

Definition of the word “Pagan”:

The Word Pagan is derived from the Latin word ‘paganus’, which is loosely translated to mean “of the country”. It should be noted however that the usage of ‘paganus’ within the Roman Empire (Where they spoke Latin. Duh!) was always meant to be a slur meaning “hillbilly, redneck, hick, trailer trash, or white trash”. Much in the same way we would talk about guests on the Jerry Springer Show.

Later, when the Christian faith took over the Roman Empire under Charlemagne, it was used to describe those outside of the Christian faith and those in need of conversion. Not an improvement, because paganus was still pretty much of an insult.

Turning a negative into a positive:

It wasn’t until recently that the term ‘Pagan’ gained a more positive use with the resurgence of Pagan beliefs within the European and American Cultures. Those who sought spirituality closer to that of their “ancestors” adopted it. Eventually, it came to mean ‘those who follow the Old religions’ or ‘those who follow a spiritual path outside of the big three Abrahamic religions’. (What are the big Three Abrahamic religions?)

What DO Pagans Believe?:

An it harm none Do as thou wilt.

Speaking in general terms, Paganism is an earth-centered spirituality, which believes in the sacredness of all things, equality of all persons regardless of gender, sexual, and spiritual and social practices. The practices within Paganism are extremely diverse and open-ended allowing individuals to incorporate whatever rituals and belief systems they feel comfortable with.

Since there is so much diversity within our spiritual path, we stress personal liberty, and responsibility for one’s own actions. That as long as a person does not cause physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual harm to others or himself, he/she is free to pursue one’s physical, mental and spiritual development as he/she sees fit.

Which brings me to my next point: Pagans, in general, do not proselytize! That means you aren’t going to get a call from us at three o’clock in the morning asking us if you are going to ritual or not. There is no High Priestess going around smacking people over the head if they haven’t worked on their Book of Shadows or if they bought the wrong candle for a personal ritual. Aint gonna happen.

Why? We are assuming that if you are here, you want to be here. We’ll give you information, let you know your options, and the rest is up to you. We aren’t going to stand on a street corner and scream at folks for not worshipping Athena nor at women/men who chose not to go around sky clad (That’s ‘nekkid’ for those of us who are really new to this).

The Law of Return (or sowing and reaping):

There are no true “sins” within our spiritual practices. There are only things that cause harm (or, as I like to call them, “Stupid Ideas”) and things that are helpful (Or as I like to call them, “Good Ideas”).

When you do good things, good things tend to happen to you (Eventually). When you do bad things, bad things tend to happen to you (Eventually). Of course, since we do not live in a static environment, and people tend to interact with one another, sometimes things get a little ‘fa-kakhed’. However, the Universe always balances Itself out in the end.

This concept is called, karma and it’s a relatively complicated matter, which I have here boiled down to its lowest common denominator. Of course, there are differing views of Karma, one of which is the Three-Fold Law What you do comes back three-fold, or three times, back at you. (If you are not sure as to whether an act will have some kind of repercussion, ask yourself, how much would I really like this done to me?)

(The self-defense caveat: Like all “Laws”, there are loopholes. If someone else is out to cause you harm in some way it would be a really STUPID (Bad Karma) idea not to protect yourself, or your family, or your friends. However, make sure you have as many facts as possible (like the guy is holding a knife and threatens to cut you up) before beating the oneness of all things back into these individuals.

Pantheons, Divinities, Spirits, Energies:

Okay this is where it gets a little tricky, but stay with me. The most common (and extremely annoying) question we as Pagans get is, “Don’t you folks worship Satan?” (Everyone roll his or her eyes here.)

The answer to that is a resounding, “NO!” For the most part, you need to keep in mind that Paganism is a separate religion from Christianity. Hence Satan (Whom I call, the Christian God of Evil and Nastiness) is not a part of our pantheon. Sorry…

For the most part (depending on the tradition you follow) the Pagan concept of Divinity falls under one of the following expressions:

Duo-Theism: (Duo=Two or Dual, Theos=Divinities):

The Worship of a Co-Equal God and Goddess, each having unlimited power, compassion, wisdom, energy or what-have-you, but maintaining different roles and functions.

The God is aggressive, powerful, sexual adventurous, skillful. He handles the Male side of fertility.

The Goddess is nurturing, passionate, creative, sensual and artistic. She oversees the power of creating life through birth and the Female side of fertility.

This belief is widely held by the Wiccans and Wicca-like factions of Paganism.

Poly Theism: (Poly=Many, Theos=Divinities) The belief in multiple Gods and Goddesses.

Many folks see these Gods as extensions of the God and Goddess (i.e. Monism) with each one taking on different aspects at the time of their encounter with the worshipper. Others (like myself) believe that They are actually separate entities with Their own personalities, quirks and motives.

Not every god or goddess is a real people person nor does every god and goddess have a laid back attitude. If you are going to get involved with a particular deity, you had better make sure you do a LOT of research as to what they like, don’t like, and if a particular god or goddess is right for you. Otherwise your life will get extremely interesting in a bad way.

The third school of though in polytheism is the idea of the gods and goddesses being archetypes within a person’s own psyche. This is sort of like a piece of our own subconscious wrapped up in a costume and a mask in order to teach our conscious minds lessons they need.

Of course, there is more than those three Schools of thought, but I’m just giving the basics here.

Pantheism:

Simply put, this is the idea that the Divine is in everything; hence all things are a part of the energy we call god. Since all things are a part of god, all things are sacred and are expressions of the divine in some way, shape or form. When I worship a tree, I am worshipping the Divine; when I give food to a hungry stray, I am feeding the Divine; when I am hurting someone, I am hurting the Divine.

Then there is the Fourth Category:

I-have-no-Friggin-Clue-ism:

For the beginner, this is the best spiritual idea I can suggest. The idea is essentially, “I have no friggin’ clue if there is a Divinity or not, therefore unless I am shown otherwise, I will not say that the Gods are this way or that. I will respect the Power behind the name, but I will not pledge myself to him/her/it unless I have an absolutely good reason to.”

This is actually one of the safest belief systems to take as a new student of the Pagan path because you are open enough to receive enlightenment, but at the same time, you do not run the risk of making a total, complete ass out of yourself. The Gods will instruct you as They see fit.

Now of course, Pagans will usually incorporate not only one, but perhaps two or three of the ideas listed above. This usually comes from personal experience and cannot be learned any other way.
Keep in mind that it’s okay to shift from one idea to another or even to incorporate two or more of these ideas…it’s all good. Just find out what works best for you.

So How the Hades do I Become a Pagan? (Or stupid questions that are commonly asked)

Well, for the most part, it’s a matter of doing a lot of reading and a lot of self-exploration. It took me at least two years of studying online and reading books and attending classes to even consider myself a Pagan. A lot of the traditions under the banner of Paganism will have different views on training and initiation (think of it as baptism), and how one becomes a member of that tradition.

The best way is to start out attending Pagan gatherings, visiting bookstores and such, and talk to other Pagans. Eventually, you will either find a religious path that works for you or you will throw your arms up in dismay and run screaming back to your religion of birth. And there is nothing wrong with that. NOT AT ALL! We realize that the Pagan spiritual path is not for everyone, and we will not be offended. Just make sure you don’t tell people we sacrificed your cat and you’ll be cool with us.

Do I Need to Buy Special Clothes and Dress in Black?

The answer is: Only if you really want to. Yes, there are special robes some folks wear, but unless your coven says otherwise, you can pretty much wear what you want.

Just some basic suggestions: Wear something comfortable and wear something you won’t mind getting dirty. Most of our rituals take place outdoors and, while you may look really good in an Armani suit and Gucci shoes, there is a good chance your clothes will get messed up and your shoes scuffed.

Loose, light clothes in summer and spring is always a good idea, and warmer clothes in the fall are really smart. Most winter rituals will be held indoors, depending on the weather. If it makes you comfortable to wear black Witch clothes and pointed hats and cloaks… Knock yourself out…You’ll be getting lots of stares and odd looks (mostly from us), but all-in-all, if it makes you comfortable, then that is all that matters.

Do I Need to Buy Special Jewelry?

Again, only if you want to and if you enjoy it. Jewelry is a personal matter to the people who wear it. And it’s usually best to find a piece that says, “HEY! I LIKE YOU. WEAR ME AROUND YOUR NECK!” Otherwise, No special jewelry is required to be a Pagan.

Do I Need to Kill Something (like a kitten) and Drink its Blood?

No, you don’t have to kill an animal to be a Pagan. For the most part, we are animal friendly and don’t believe in killing a critter in order to work our rituals. Yes, there are some Pagan groups that practice animal sacrifice and it is left alone…but fear not, the only thing usually killed has already been slaughtered and put on the feasting table in a sacred bucket marked, KFC.

Do I Need to Become a Vegetarian?

Nope, being a vegetarian is a matter of personal preference and what you feel in your heart. While many of us are vegetarians, a lot of us aren’t. It may be a good idea to eat a little healthier, but no one is going to come down on you for eating meat or using meat-based products. However, you might want to do your own research and come up with your own choices.

So, What DO I Need to Do?

Excellent question. One, as I suggested before, do a lot of research, a lot of reading and, when in doubt, do more research. A lot of Pagans keep what is called a “Book of shadows”, which is just a fancy name for a Journal. Write down everything you learn in that book and when you get a chance, read it. If you see a cool article on the net, feel free to print it (for your personal use only, please).

To create a book of shadows, I would suggest buying a loose-leaf binder and fill it half-way with paper. It’s also a good idea to invest in a three hole punch. That way, you can put articles that you printed from the net and use them for later reference. Do not worry about using blood and special things to “make it official”. It is your study guide — your book — and so, make sure you personalize it to suit your needs.

When you feel you are ready, and you have found a religious tradition you feel comfy with, take that Book of Shadows and attend any class you can afford. A lot of places have very reasonable rates for their classes. The Learning Annex is one source, but so is your local Pagan bookstore. Just make sure you talk to the person running the store to make sure he knows what he/she is talking about. If you are not entirely comfortable in studying there, consider looking for another teacher. Remember, this is about YOUR spiritual growth and enrichment and you need to be in an environment conducive to YOUR learning.

Holidays, and Rituals:

There are eight major Holy Days during the Pagan year that a lot of us agree upon. There are also rituals that are held on the New Moon and the Full moon depending on how often your coven (A group of Pagans you worship with) meets.

The Eight Major Holidays are listed in the order they fall on:
Imbolc (February)
Spring Equinox (March 21)
Beltaine (May 1)
Summer Solstice (Litha) (June 21)
Lughnassadh or Lamas (August)
Autumn Equinox (Mabon) (September 21)
Samhain or Halloween (October 31 to Nov 1)
Winter Solstice (Yule) (December 21)

Each Holy Day represents a certain mythological event in our religion, which will be discussed by the High Priest (ess) in advance.

It’s usually a good idea to find out what you would need to bring so that you can best participate in the ritual.

Now most likely you are going to have a hard time pronouncing the names of the days when you first start out, so don’t be afraid to ask stupid questions; it’s the only way you are going to learn.

Tools For Rituals:

Energy: This is the most important, and since I am assuming people know Jack about Paganism, I’m going to make this explanation brief: When we perform rituals and cast spells, we are attempting to gather energy. This energy comes from the universe and ourselves. Depending on what we are trying to do, we use certain rituals, and tools. Think of it this way: It’s like gathering up a whole bunch of snow together. We eventually gather enough to make a snowball and then we pack it in and send it off to impact your friend. It’s basically the same thing. When we perform these rites, they help our minds to focus on gathering this energy and tell it what we want done. Energy is the most important part of any ritual, and without it, we are just looking stupid.

Cauldron: This is basically a black, three-legged pot to be used for burning incense and for other things. They range from tiny to huge and can be used to burn incense, burn paper, and make potions. Now cauldrons tend to be rather expensive, so if you are a bit “Price Sensitive” like me, find yourself one of those old fashioned iron pots that Mom uses to make rice. Make sure you clean it before and after use. If you have one of these in your own home and have had it for a long time, you are pretty much used to it and it is used to you. So, you really don’t have to “charge” it with energy.

Athemae: Essentially, this is a knife or a really small sword. This is used to direct energy raised up during rituals. THESE ARE NOT USED TO CUT PEOPLE (of any species). It can be used for cutting vegetables. Most traditions prefer a double sided blade, small enough to conceal. (You would be amazed how many cops will stop you for carrying a broad sword.) If you’re unable to get an athamae, it’s totally cool to make yourself a wand or use your index finger to direct energy.

Wands/Rods: Okay, these are wooden or crystal sticks also used to direct energy as well as to draw it to yourself. Wands tend to be no longer than your arm, while rods can be longer. Best way to get a rod is to go out on little walks in the park and look for a stick. Once you find a stick you like and that screams out for you to take it, take it home, and sand it and decorate it until you are totally comfortable with it. Viola! You have a wand or rod. If you have as much mechanical aptitude as a slug, ask around your local occult bookstores. Keep in mind they are going to be slightly expensive and you will have to charge it once you get it home.

Candles: Candles are used in rituals to help get your mind into the practice of Magic (No, I am not spelling magic with a K or a J…I’m keeping this as simple as possible. If you want to use the funky spellings in your own notebooks, knock yourself out. You’re not being graded here). Candles are lit in order to help get the mind into a state where it’s easier to put the patterns in for the energy to flow. I would strongly suggest getting candles of all colors and sizes and as many as you can afford. (Usually one of each color.) You can pick them up anywhere.

Incense: Like candles, incense helps the mind get energy together to cast spells. It’s a good idea to make your own incense or to purchase them from a botanica, or occult bookstore. Incense sticks may be colored, but it’s usually a good idea to purchase them based on their smells. Pungent or spicy incense is normally used to send stuff away. (Mainly because they are offensive.) Sweet incense is used to bring stuff to you. Earthy smells help to facilitate healing and to strengthen you.

Divination tools: Things like Tarot Cards, Runes and what not. These are mainly used to help you to make decisions or to gain some kind of insight as to what is going on around you. Keep in mind, these items themselves are not magical in and of themselves, but are based on your own intuition interpreting what you are seeing.

Books, books and more books: Like I said earlier, it is suggested you read religiously. It’s best to keep a library of things you have read or are about to read. Don’t just pick books only by one author, but of different ones. Some people may know a lot about what they are talking about; others are complete and utter horse feces. However, the only way you are going to find out is if you look for yourself and keep your Book of Shadows nearby while you read. If something sounds like nonsense, or if you aren’t sure about whether or not what is true within a book, do some research. It sounds like a lot of work, but this is your spirituality we are talking about here.

It is a good idea to question everything and find out if there is an agreement between the authors you have read. Another thing to keep in mind is that some folks are completely full of fluff and bluster while others deliberately water stuff down to keep from divulging too much about their path. And some are completely straightforward about the things they are writing about.

One of the best ways to learn about an author is find out when they are going to be doing a book signing near you. Get to meet them (Most book signings are free and most will give a short lecture about their book just to whet your appetite for it.) Some of the most intense learning experiences I gained were in attending some of these lectures; it’s also a great way to actually see the person who is writing.

Use your intuition…and don’t be shy about picking their brains. That is what they are there for. In fact, I would suggest doing the same thing at the store where you get your tools and books. It helps you learn a lot faster; especially when you ask Stupid questions. Yes you will get looks. Yes, you will even get the occasional shake of the head, But if you don’t ask, you wont know. It’s worth it.

Suggested Things to do:

Check out different groups that meet in your area. You can do this by attending open (public) circles or classes. Use them as a way to meet other Pagans and eventually find a group that you feel comfortable studying with. If you are Solitary Pagan, it helps to “meet and greet” other Pagans.

Look around for Pagan shops, botanicas and other places where you can get supplies. Most botanicas are devoted to Santeria or Voudu, but you can get some really good equipment at cheap prices.

Check out the local library, as well as the bookstore for things you can read about your particular pantheon.

Ask a lot of questions. Even stupid ones. It’s one of the chief tenets of Paganism to question everything you come across. If you get an answer that sounds like horsesh*t, then verify, verify, verify.

Things Not To Do:

Don’t panic; this seems like a lot of information, but it really isn’t. This is just the primer for your own research.

Don’t sweat if you cannot find a teacher right away, Nine times out of ten, they usually show up when you are ready to learn more about a particular aspect of your tradition.

Don’t start off calling yourself a High Something of a particular tradition. Most systems within Paganism have their own methods of teaching and credentials for clergy and what not. No faking!

Don’t be afraid of getting criticized; it’s going to happen. Learn to grow a thick skin, and if someone points something out to you, listen and check out your own motives and conscience. If the shoe fits, wear it. If it doesn’t, then don’t.

Don’t take everything at face value…Learn how to question what you hear and not be a total jerk about it.

Don’t try and convert people, It rarely works just put out information let people know where you stand and end it there.

Recommended Websites:

http://pantheon.org — A great place to learn about the Gods of your chosen pantheon. It doesn’t have all the information, but enough for you to get your feet wet and do some research.

Yahoo.com — They have a plethora of Pagan groups and places where you can talk to people of different walks of life. It’s also a great way to meet Pagans in your area.

Google and other search engines — Another great website with links to thousands of Pagan websites.

Recommended Books:

The Truth about Witchcraft Today: Scott Cunningham
Urban Primitive: Tannin Silverstein and Raven Kaldera
The Book of Shamanic Healing: Kristin Madden
The Celestine Prophecy: James Redfield (Yes, it’s a novel but it helps to get an idea about energy-work and how energy can be gathered and stolen.)
The Wiccan Warrior: Kerr Cucuhain
Witchcraft Theory and Practice: Ly de Angeles
When I see the Wild God: Ly de Angeles
Drawing Down the Moon: Margot Adler (of NPR)
The Spiral Dance: Starhawk
Buckland’s Complete Witches Handbook: Raymond Buckland

________________________________________

Footnotes:
Listed in the article…

Correspondences for the Sun c 2016

 

Correspondences for the Sun

Sun Attributes: success, power, growth, leadership, pride, ambition, health, family, confidence

Element: Fire

Herbs: cinnamon, orange, frankincense, cloves

Stones: carnelian, tiger eye, amber

Day: Sunday
Source: A Spell Crafter’s Compendium by Terri Paajanen

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