Tag: Earth

Cobwebs

Cobwebs

Author: Brewan Blacksmith

A little while back, while driving around with, a friend I asked a simple question. “Is an artist still an artist if she loses her hands?” After a brief moment of pause she replied, “Yes.” I knew this was to be her answer and it was the same for me when the question first arose in my mind a while ago. It was easy for the both of us to answer being we are both artists. We understand that the underlying beauty in an artist is what resides in her mind and heart. At the same time, we both thought of the hardships that would come should an artist lose their outlet of expression. Painters paint and sculptures sculpt, but what if they no longer did? They would still see and think as they once had, but without physically doing what calls to them, what kind of an artist would they actually be?

For me, the thought later crossed over into another subject matter. “Is a Pagan still a Pagan if he no longer practices?” I asked myself. It was uncomfortable to think about as it pertained specifically to how my life hit me. For ten years I have been a Pagan, but since the recent recession a few years ago, day-to-day living removed the comforts of past practices. I wasn’t celebrating lunar rites, esbats, or sabbats like I used to. What once were coven celebrations amongst friends were now a lit candle and a prayer of thanks at best.

No more smudging, no more spell casting, no more divining and no more creating sacred circles for me. Good jobs became very sparse, living conditions changed, and disposable income disappeared. The time I once had for sharing with my coveners was removed, and all I was able to do was keep in connection with my gods through short prayers and silent conversations. The old ways of practicing the Old Ways were gone. The same held true for my coven friends.

While in this state of staleness I pondered briefly a few scenarios in which I wouldn’t be affected as much by these sudden changes in the way I lived my new life. Perhaps if I were a materialist I could cope by buying new things. Or maybe if I were of a more mainstream religious belief it would be easier as society makes time for it. If I were working a job that actually paid well, that would solve most of my problems. But, I’m no materialist, I’m devout Pagan until the end, and my job was a dead end. I always kept in mind that many people have it worse. I always kept in mind the beauty of my family and the smiles that they bring. But still, there was a void inside me. A great part of me remained dormant without my coven and all the great things we did. Within me there was a shadow, a lack of motion, a death.

Death, however, is often a misunderstood thing. People fear death because it is a physical end to what they know to be true. Death is a removal of what we see and that with which we are familiar. It is change, and it is inevitable and because of these it is something feared. Yet if you truly think upon death, which can be perceived as a lack of growth or motion, you will find that even in this state of stillness there is a spiraling of energy. Like the winter months when the trees shed their leaves and cold blankets the soil, beneath the snow there is life. In shadow there is gestation, evolution, transformation, and change. All of the energy witnessed during the warmer parts of the year trickle down the roots of the trees and plants and gather in the dark earth below.

The caverns of the Underworlds are filled with this energy. The realms of shadows and death are filled to the brim this time of year with the same energy the spurs us along when the sun is bright in the warm sky. So in death there is life, and also change.

When a mythic hero would die and enter into the Underworld, a place where one would never return, he in fact would eventually return. How is this so? The hero would escape death by embracing change. Through transformation he evades the clutches of death, but upon his return he is no longer the same person. He returns to the realm of the living, but at the same time he does not. Had he accepted his new place in dreary shadows in a void of timelessness? Only then would he truly have died.

It was this lesson that I learned during my college years that helped me get through a couple somber periods of my life, including this recent recession. At some point my inner, Sagittarian optimist took hold of it and I was altered by these life changes. Whether it’s making lemonade out of lemons, or always doing the best you can with what you have, death is not an enemy but a teacher about living. It is about transforming who you are to move unhindered with the ebb and flow of each incarnation.

We are given but a few decades with which to learn as much as we possibly can before we must start over again. Yet even within the span of a single life we can experience minor “deaths” which we can either submit to and become lethargic, or emerge from and become something more than we originally were. Within in each life we can mimic the life-death-rebirth cycle much like one year of Sabbats symbolizes the life’s journey of the Goddess and God. These murky times that shall strike our stable existences over and over are cosmic challenges, or tests, that help forge who we become. They bring sadness, depression, struggle, fear, and often hopelessness. But through them we become great, and that is one of the tasks this Earth is designed to do for us. So long as you do not succumb to stagnation and ignorance, even the darkest moments can strengthen you on your journey through each life.

It is through this wisdom that I tread forward. I feel no guilt any longer when I brush the dust off my old texts on Paganism. The cobwebs that have gathered on my robes and oils and tarot cards are wiped away free of sadness. I have missed my old tools that have gone years without use. But here they are now awaiting me once again. Little by little I get back into the habit of practicing as I once did. Yet every act now is different, improved, changed from my changed perspective.

I spent the last few years with my hands cut off. No Arte did I make. Yet within my inactivity my mind still churned, and many lessons were learned. And in many cases, epiphanies pertaining to Paganism came to me only through temporarily leaving behind my familiar Pagan rituals. Various mysteries are solved beyond texts and temples. Many require you to step outside your comfort zone and take with you only what you once knew.

It may seem through this that sometimes the Path of the Wise trails beyond our sights or that we lose our footing. But often it remains right under our feet as we walk upon it the entire time despite feeling otherwise. Rites and spells may be what a Pagan does, but in the mind and heart is where a Pagan resides. In my humble opinion I believe this as true, and with this I eternally move forward through every obstacle without regretting facets of the past. So long as I change for the better from every dark struggle, I can never consider those moments a waste of time. Learning keeps you moving forward no matter which direction life takes you.

My hope is that these words can bring a little comfort and understanding to those who have gone through recent hardship.

Grounding, Centering and Balance

Grounding, Centering and Balance

Author: Nita

Over the years I have told people hundreds of times to ground their energies, center their energies, and balance their elements. It is supposed to be taught everywhere and be common knowledge. Yet most people do not know how to do this properly. I have had an experience recently that has proven how important this is in life. It is important to relax, unwind, and do many things. I will give a few simple methods.

Grounding:

Grounding is essential to clearing out negativity when you have an off day or during the day when you feel spacey or not quite here. It is especially important with all of the exercises everyone does to elevate himself or herself. We live on this earth and when you elevate yourself with out grounding any energy can be picked up because the person is wide open.

Method 1- Grounding and Centering:

Stand with your feet apart and your hands in the air. Place your feet different distances until you feel comfortable and balanced. There is a point in your solar plexus that centers you. It completes the circuit so to speak where you can ground yourself properly.

Raise your arms in the air and see yourself as reaching all the way into heaven. Next put energy spikes through out your feet and visualizes the spikes reaching to the center of the earth. Pull the golden energies down from above and have the energies fill every molecule, cell, and part of your energies. Push all energies that are not colored gold out through your feet into the center of the earth. Pull your spikes back up to the earth around you and circulate the gold energy around you in circles until you feel cleansed and purged of all energies that are not in harmony with your higher self.

Say-“I ask my higher self to help me to center, ground, and purge and cleanse all energies that are not for my higher good. So be it.”

After you are done, picture yourself buckling a gold belt around yourself and say may I be sealed and safe from all energies not for my higher good.

This method will help with illnesses or any sort of energies that push you off center. They will ease up any psychic attacks or problems occurring with energy fluctuations.

Method 2- Grounding and Centering:

Go to a relaxing place such as a park or into your back yard. Pick out a tree that seems friendly to you that you like. I always like oaks and willows but different people respond to different types of trees.

Go to the tree and hug the tree, and try to energetically feel the tree. You can do this a couple of different ways. I like trying to join with the tree until I feel tingly energies in my hand from feeling the life of the tree flowing into me. We have minor chakras in the hands, which can receive energies, and the experience is great for developing your ability to feel energy changes. If you feel rejection or not friendly energies then you should move to a different tree.

If you are a pagan you might do this prayer:

“I ask that the Divine Mother of Creation link me to the spirit of this tree. May I have all my negativity drawn into the tree to fertilize it and to release me to grow strong and powerful. May all the energies of life be drawn into me to help me be happy, healthy and grounded to the earth through the energies of life. May I be centered, and accepting of all challenges that will bring knowledge, change and joy in my life. So Be it.”

Angelic Version:

“I ask that the divine Father Adonai link me to the angels of trees and creation. May I have all my negativity drawn into the tree to fertilize it and to release me to grow strong and powerful. May all of the energies of life be drawn into me to help me to be happy, healthy and grounded to the earth. May I also be grounded to the divine Father Adonai and all his shapes so that I will know his will, accept my challenges and enjoy my life. May I be centered and grounded in the divine energy of creation and the creator.”

I always tell people to modify my prayers in any way that they wish to do so. It will make them work better for each person and their belief system. I have found that if you are severely ungrounded where the normal exercises do not seem to help it is essential that you ground. I have helped many people with problems that did exercises that pushed them into the upper planes too quickly.

If you have life problems that have not healed, have been abused, or other issues it will stick you open and in an unbalanced and ungrounded state. To close the levels down is not easy. I received such a huge burst of grace in one of my cases for the work I did to help a whole country. It unbalanced me because I have been a person who has been abused through out my entire life. I knew nothing they said was right or true and would ignore vicious cruel people. Yet it hit my soul with the way they treated me and made it so I was held back. I had worked on major abuse but not the cruelties that insecure people do to make others feel just as bad as they do.

I tried to explain to the people I was around that I was trying to ground. All the bad habits you hear mentioned are grounding. People who say that humans do not need to eat meat may be incorrect in that there are many times meat is useful and grounding is one of them. Beer with the herb hops in it is grounding also. You pray over the food and ask it to ground you so you can exist on this earth.

The next thing is sex. Sex is grounding and ties you to this earth. I mentioned this to the people and you would think I was suggesting that I run around and pull men’s pants off. They had been studying Indian methods with gurus and all of that was about evolving to where they do not reincarnate. They were taught celibacy was the only way to do that in this life.

It made me realize that most people only know what they read and then they filter it through their own opinions and it comes out warped. Sex is not evil or it would not be created to bring people into existence. Lust might not be good if it is all you do and do not care about the person. Yet healthy love and sex is not wrong. If you were to be put under medications because you could not deal with reality or have sex, which would you chose? I would choose sex without thought on that question. Love is never wrong and just loving someone can keep you going in cruel upsetting circumstances more than anything else in this world.

The question is what works for you. I found that what works for me is charity, kindness, unconditional love for the divine, and prayer. I have never worked to evolve but to do a good job to please the divine. I found out years ago each of us has our own path and cannot judge anyone else’s path.

So recognize your priorities and do whichever ones work for you as long as you do not overdo anything. Excess is more of the enemy to evolving than anything else. You are meant to live on this earth and learn not to cut yourself off and just work for evolving.

Method 3-Balance:

I always ask for help from either specific angels or my higher self.

I ask that Archangel Michael help me to balance myself. May the elements of air, fire, water, earth and spirit be balanced in my body, mind and soul and on all levels of spirit. May the energies of the divine be balanced and place me in complete equilibrium. May I be grounded, centered, balanced and focused to live today and every day in the light of the divine.

You can ask the Divine Mother or any other form of the divine that you worship and have as what makes your spirit sing to do this for you. I hope that these methods will be helpful to you. I know that staying in balance has helped me many times in the stressful situations that I get into doing work for others who are suffering.

Daily OM for December 14th – As Good as Your Word

As Good as Your Word
Promises

 

 

We forget how powerful our words are and when make promises it is up to us to make sure we keep our words sacred. 

Ever since human beings could speak to one another, they have been making promises and keeping them or not keeping them. Those who keep their promises are regarded as people of integrity, while those who don’t keep their promises are regarded as people who at best can’t be taken seriously and at worst can’t be trusted. Sometimes we forget how powerful our words are, and we use them haphazardly or unconsciously, creating expectations that are never fulfilled, leaving disappointment and distrust in our wake.

On an even deeper level, there are promises we may have made to ourselves that we don’t remember because they have slipped into our unconscious. An early heartache may have been followed by a promise never to trust love again. Without realizing it, we may be fulfilling that promise and wondering why our love life looks so grim. At an even deeper level, many people who recall past lives become aware that they made a promise lifetimes ago that they are still keeping. For example, a vow of poverty taken in a lifetime as a monk may be holding someone back from fulfilling his earning potential now. Upon realizing that we have made a promise we no longer wish to be beholden to, we can perform a ritual of requesting release from that bond. In doing so, we clear ourselves of outmoded connections and patterns, returning ourselves to a clean slate. Then we can resolve to remember that our word is sacred and to be very conscious of any promises we make to ourselves or to others.

We may ask to be released from any promises made to ourselves or others in our present, past, or future lives, consciously or unconsciously, that are holding us back from fulfilling our greatest good. We may ask that love, light, and healing be sent to any souls who have suffered from our inability to be true to our word, including ourselves. We can ask for the wisdom to do our best and from this point forward to be true to our word, promising only what we truly intend to deliver. The resulting clear conscience and liberated energy will illustrate this truth: We are only as good as our word.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for December 14th

The admonition about Mercury – mentioned in yesterday’s calendar entry – is an important one. New students in astrology or those people who only have a smattering of knowledge of how astrology really works seem to believe that signing key documents, dealing with crucial legal papers and making agreements suddenly becomes simple and easy once Mercury is no longer in reverse – as though it was Mercury’s reversal that was the main impediment to success. The reality is that whether Mercury is forward or backward, all major transits and progressions need to be examined – relative to a person’s complete horoscope – if giant decisions are to come out favorably. Mercury does have much to do with signing a piece of paper, but all the celestial bodies are influential, too, and any or several of them can be detrimental to a significant cause, plan or goal in the works. The best alignment going on during this 24-hour time-period is a Sun-Venus parallel (3:27PM PST). Love vibrations increase in wavelength and social activities look promising. A reminder about parallels as well as contra-parallels is that they are calculated by watching cosmic bodies move north and south of the Celestial Equator. The zodiacal aspects usually reported on occur by noting the main aspects of celestial bodies relative to the Ecliptic – the Sun’s apparent path in the sky, based on our view from the Earth. Later today, Mars forms a tense contra-parallel with Saturn (10:27PM PST). The bright and comforting energy-field ushered in seven hours earlier by the Sun and Venus becomes extinguished as Mars and Saturn act as rowdy mischief-makers. Keep your wits about you overnight and avoid major decision-making to the best of your ability.

Body-Wisdom: Grounding

Body-Wisdom: Grounding

by Erika Ginnis

 

This is the beginning of a series of articles that will appear in various issues of the paper. My goal in this series is to put in print some simple energy working techniques that I have learned and taught over the years in my own practice. I thought it might be fun and also helpful to provide some instruction in a format that was available to people regardless of where they lived and whether they had a group to practice with.

These techniques are not bound to any one tradition or pantheon and I have seen them used in a number of different circumstances with very positive results. Take them and add then to your tool kit if you like them or leave them if you don’t. However you respond to them remember, as with any magickal or energy working tool, “They will only work for you if you actually practice them.”

I am going to present the ideas in a specific order because I have found the techniques work best when they build on one another. I intend to add a brief review of some necessary steps at the beginning of each article so that it will be easy to catch up if you have missed earlier ones. Some of these tools will be second nature to many of you, and to some they will be a different twist on an old favorite. There are many many great techniques out there, and these are just a few that I enjoy.

I will offer possibilities, use them as a springboard. It is my hope that, for many of you, these techniques will become a new doorway to your inner self, and that they will assist you to become more aware and present in your magical and spiritual work.

Grounding:

Grounding is usually the first technique that I teach anyone. This is because it is the foundation upon which everything else is built. It is very simple and very powerful. I also think it is extremely important I imagine that many of you have heard of grounding or have practiced it in some way. Most of the rituals that I have attended use this technique in some form. Since there are various ways to ground, let me start with some explanation about what I mean when I say “grounding.”

Grounding is the act of consciously creating an energy connection as spirit (sometimes visualized as a cord) from your body into physical reality/Mother Earth. You are a spiritual being, and by your nature have a great deal of power and energy. Your vibration is rapid and can be intense. You have a body (yippee!!) which is an expression of you that exists in mundane reality (hopefully), but since it is made of matter the energy moves at a slower vibratory rate. (Hmmm, this sounds like a public television physics program!!) In any case when you bring your spiritual energy into the physical body more fully it can be quite a shock to the system.

Grounding helps keep the body (your sacred temple) a safe place for you to inhabit and experience life through, prevents it from becoming overly stressed. It helps to keep your energy system safe when you are doing magic or other spiritual work. It acts kind of like an “electrical ground” ( keeps you from getting “zapped” by an overload of energy). The act of grounding also brings power to your work because it aligns you as spirit with your physical body, so that you can be present and attend to what needs to be done. In addition to all of this it increases spiritual and energetic awareness.

Have you ever been at a ritual and felt slightly nauseous afterward or had a headache? Many times this is a reaction of the body to the more intense energy moving through it and not having quite enough grounding to shunt off the excess flow. This brings me to the next aspect of grounding that is important. Grounding is a technique that assists you to release energy! This is a wonderful thing. When you ground you release unwanted or excess energy, and it gets transformed within this amazing living planet, our Mother Earth, and it returns to you renewed. It reminds me of recycling in a way; you let go of what you are done with and you get it back transformed. Also, if you are releasing someone else’s energy that you took on for some reason, that energy gets returned to them as well. It works out well all around.

It is my opinion that the whole energy system of Earth (which I see as our larger body, our Sacred Mother) is set up to run in this way. I believe it to be a connecting web of moving and shifting energy, of which we are meant to be a balanced part. I also feel that as more people remember and use their grounding, it will begin to revitalize the whole system as the energy begins to flow again.

I have spoken briefly about grounding as it relates to ritual, but what I want to emphasize here is that you can be grounded anytime. I highly recommend grounding while playing, eating, making love, shopping, working, driving, etc., as well as during ritual, or while meditating. Grounding brings you more fully present and conscious in your life, so that you can respond to situations rather than reacting from past experiences (many of which might be unpleasant). It will enhance whatever you are experiencing, assist you to be aware of your path, and also assist you to move through uncomfortable times more rapidly.

Something that people sometimes notice when they ground for the first time, is that they become aware of aches or pains that they could swear weren’t there moments before. The reason for this is simple, if you think about it. If you come into the body more fully, you are going to start to become aware of what your body is actually feeling. If you spend most of your time with your mind in fantasy or off in the future somewhere you aren’t going to be very present to what your body is going through. The minute you ground, though, you align with the body and begin to tune in to what’s actually going on.

You might ask why anyone would want to feel tightness in their shoulders if they didn’t have to? My answer is this: if you know what is happening and know how you feel, you can begin to take steps to release and heal whatever is causing the problem. The body has much wisdom to teach us if we will but listen. If you ignore the body it will get louder and louder in an effort to get your attention. I see many people who have begun their spiritual work because some physical ailment caused them to stop and pay attention. You do not have to wait, you can begin the process beforeyou are “forced” to by circumstance.

The good news is: when you are grounded things that are pleasurable are even more pleasurable. You also begin to raise the vibration in the body by grounding it and being more consciously present in it; this will allow an even greatercapacity for experiencing the wonders of this planet. It will in turn increase your power and awareness, making you more effective in where you choose to direct your energy.

One of the examples I always tell my classes is this: “Think of all the different books and techniques out there, all the things you can do as being like a great wall of expensive stereo equipment. It has all the bells and whistles, the CD player and the VCR and the cool speakers. It looks great there on the wall but none of it will do you a bit of good if you don’t plug it in!! It really doesn’t matter how much you acquire, how many components you buy, if you can’t access it. It will just collect dust. Grounding is analogous to taking the power cord and plugging it into the outlet. Then you can use the system. Grounding gives you a way to access your power, because it brings youas spirit (which is the power source) into the picture. None of the techniques will do you much good if you aren’t grounded.”

There are many good ways to ground. I will not be touching on all of them by any means. I will pass on to you one form of grounding I personally use and enjoy. I hope you enjoy it as well. I teach grounding from the first chakra because that is the energy center that relates to physical reality. The first chakra contains information on how to survive and thrive in this reality, and since this is where we have our physical experience and where we want our healing and magic to manifest, I have found it to be a sound practice. Enjoy your exploration with connecting into this planet by grounding. Remember, as with anything, that the experience will change with time. Bring your willingness to explore and allow yourself to be open to your own deepening awareness.

Technique:

Sit comfortably in a straight back chair or on the couch (as long as you don’t tend to nod off to sleep) have your hands and feet apart and feet flat on the floor.

Close your eyes (this helps you to focus inward).

Take three nice deep breaths, breathe down into your belly and soften your belly as you breathe. It can be helpful (although not essential) to breathe through the nose, while keeping your tongue resting lightly on the roof of your mouth. This is from certain Yoga traditions and is said to help encourage the flow of energy through your system.

Relax as you breathe, noticing how you feel, how your body feels.

Be aware of your first chakra. This is simply an energy center (vortex) that is located in the general area near the base of the spine. For women the center is usually near the area between the ovaries (note: the chakra positioning doesn’t change if you have had your ovaries removed for any reason). For men the location is slightly lower in the body because the chakra placement is associated with the testicles.

Be aware of this area, and allow a cord of energy to flow downward from your body: Through the chair you are sitting in. Through the floor and down through the building you are in. Through the foundation and into the deep earth beneath. Allow your grounding to flow down into the earth past all the rocks and layers of the planet, past the water, deep deep into the earth, into the heart of the Mother. Until it reaches the center of the earth.

Allow your grounding cord to connect securely into the center of the planet. Be aware of your grounding cord being securely connected also to your first chakra.

Breathe and relax and experience your grounding, your spiritual connection to this beautiful planet.

Notice how your body responds to you grounding and becoming more present in it. Release tension and discomfort down your grounding, allow it to simply drain away.

Your grounding belongs to you and you can create it in any form you like.

Change your grounding into a waterfall, flowing and cascading from your first chakra down through all of physical reality to the center of the earth.

Experience this, release and relax, breathe. Take your time.

Next change your grounding into a supple and strong root of a tree, allowing it to grow from your first chakra to the center of the earth.

Notice how this changes your experience. Breathe. Enjoy.

Now shift your grounding so that it is a laser beam of light, shining though everything straight down to the center of the earth.

How does this feel? Be with this for a moment or two. (Remember you can use any of these groundings at any time, they are simply different ways to experience this connection.)

Now change your grounding once again. This time create you own grounding flowing from your first chakra to the center of the earth. It can be any one of the three you used before, or something completely unique, it’s up to you. This is your very own grounding.

Breathe, relax, and experience.

Use your breath and release down your grounding cord, any tension, distractions, or discomfort. Notice how you feel as you do this.

Be still, as you ground and relax. If you have questions this is the time to ask and listen for the answers. Or simply allow yourself to be.

When you are done, open your eyes, bend forward and touch your hands to the floor, as you relax your neck, and release any built up energy around the head and shoulders into the earth. Slowly sit back up. If you journal this would be a great time to record your experience. If not, then you’re ready to go on to the rest of your day or evening. Blessed be.

Five Elements Charm

Five Elements Charm

 
 
If you prefer, try this Feng Shui-style elemental charm for consecrating and blessing your natural magickal workspace.
 
Repeat three times; the closing line is already worked into this charm.
 
“For some, there are five elements of magickal power,
Come metal, wood, fire, water and earth, in this hour.
Positive energy will flow, and darkness does now flee.
Bless this Witch’s home, with the power of positive chi.”
 
“Cottage Witchery”

Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Ellen Dugan

A Charm To Drive Away Evil

A Charm To Drive Away Evil

 
Take an iron nail, red-rusted by time and rain, and forged by hand in the ancient form (if such can be found); on a dark night, moonless and cloudy, set down this nail upon a smallish flat stone, and with an iron hammer strike it thrice, at each stroke saying this:
 
Clavus ferreus
Malleus ferreus
Ferrum rufulum
Ferrum nobilis
 
Score the stone thrice across with the nail’s point, then take the stone away quickly and bury it in the Earth far from your house. The nail should afterwards be carried with you always, as a charm against evil influences and emanations.
 
Crone’s Book Of Charms & Spells
Valerie Worth
ISBN 1-56718-811-7

A Tree Blessing Charm for Happy Homes

A Tree Blessing Charm for Happy Homes

 
This charm will work for any tree that you plant on your property; just adjust the opening line accordingly. The best time to plant a tree is the waning moon phase. Once the tree is planted, enchant the tree for healthy growth and to encourage it to add its magick to your home—and don’t forget to keep it water.
 
The magnolia brings fortitude and fidelity,
Little tree, send happiness and harmony to me.
Grow strong, straight and true where you now stand,
Your magick spreads out across my land.

Dieter’s Magickal Bath

Dieter’s Magickal Bath

 
2 parts Rosemary
2 parts Fennel
1 part Lavender
1 pinch Kelp
 
For best results, repeat this bath morning and night. While in the tub, visualize yourself as possessing complete control over your eating habits. See yourself eating sensible foods in sensible quantities. For symbolic associations, begin this bath regime two days after the Full Moon and continue until the New Moon. On the last day of the two-week period, visualiz yourself as you wish to be-slim, fit, healthy.

Mother Holle’s Cleansing Bath

Mother Holle’s Cleansing Bath

Mother Holle, Germanic Queen of Witches, leads the Wild Hunt. These herbs are traditionally gathered on Midsummer’s Eve and used for intensive cleansings between winter solstice and January 6th.
Blend the following herbs:
Avens
Chamomile
Elder
Elecampane
Heartsease
Mint
Mugwort
Mullein
Saint John’s Wort
Southernwood
Vervain
Yarrow
Sage
Make an infusion by pouring boiling water over the herbs. Let it steep, then strain and add to the bath. For maximum spiritual cleansing and happiness, float heartease(wild pansy) blossoms in the water.

Free Will And Reincarnation: Who Ever Said Anything About Earth?

Free Will And Reincarnation: Who Ever Said Anything About Earth?

Author: Zula

When the idea of reincarnation versus free will is addressed, nonbelievers often ask, “Why would anyone want to come back to this miserable dirtball of a planet, with all the wars and famine and violence here?” or variations of the question along those lines. I counter this question with yet another question: who says we must return to Earth?

Consider for a moment, if you will, the immensity of the universe. In our galaxy alone there are over two hundred billion stars, and Sol, our beloved sun, is only one little star in this relatively dense clump of cosmic matter. Scientists also estimate that there are one hundred billion galaxies in the entire universe. If one assumes that the Milky Way is an average-sized galaxy, as most astronomers do, that means that there are about 2 x 1022 stars in the entire universe. That is a two with twenty-two zeroes after it. I don’t even know what to call a number that big! How can anyone honestly believe that, of all those stars and all the planets orbiting those stars, Earth is the only one with life on it? The chances of such a thing are just too slim. In my opinion, it is the epitome of arrogance, ignorance, or both to claim that we have the sole privilege of life in this vast universe.

I think it is a general consensus that the spiritual realm is not bound by physical ideas like “distance,” so it is just as easy for a spirit to be on one side of the universe as the other. If that is the case, then when a soul is ready to return for another foray into the physical world, it is just as likely to end up on Earth as it is on Xar*** VII or some equally alien planet – assuming, of course, that a soul does not have a particularly strong attachment to one planet or another and chooses to return to that same planet again and again.

And even then, no one ever said we must be reincarnated in the same dimension. There is a relatively new way of thinking called the quantum theory. One aspect of this theory is called the multiverse theory, which states that every time there is a variable, the universe splits so that each possibility is realized in a different dimension. Now considering that there are variables all the way down to the atomic level, such as where an electron will be at any given point in an electron cloud; that means there are essentially an infinite number of parallel universes coexisting side by side.

Since this division of realities has gone on since the beginning of time, this means that there are universes completely different from our own. There is a universe where Hitler won World War II. There is a universe where the Aztecs are the dominant culture on the planet. There is a universe where dinosaurs never went extinct. There is a universe where Earth was never formed – this can go on and on ad infinitum. In the same way that psychic beings are not bound by distance, I believe that they are not constrained by the concept of reality as we know it. After all, if they have no bodies, why should they be stuck to move in four dimensions – back and forth, left and right, up and down, and forward (and possibly backward) in time – like the rest of us?

Of course, this is assuming that the multiverse theory is true. This, unfortunately, has not quite been determined yet. However, the fact still remains that the number of possibly inhabited planets is huge, and the number of life forms in the universe is even bigger.

Now, I will freely admit that I am a neophyte – I have known about quantum physics longer than I have known about Paganism. I would not be surprised if I made some glaring mistakes on the whole concept of reincarnation, free will, the gods and the spirit world, et cetera. If I have, I apologize for any offence right now. However, from what I know and what I have experienced, it makes sense when one thinks about it.

If one were to be reincarnated as all the types creatures on Earth, one would still get a rather limited experience. After all, all living things that we know of are carbon-based, oxygen-breathing (or carbon dioxide-breathing, in the case of plants), with only five or so senses of varying degrees of sharpness. Our mental capacities are also somewhat limited, regardless of what form we assume. Imagine how different a perspective one would get as, say, a creature made of pure energy that glided serenely through space, a species that had mastered time travel, or even a super-intelligent shade of blue! The lives of these creatures must be completely different than anything that we can possibly experience on Earth; I doubt anyone could even imagine it with any sort of accuracy.

The purpose of reincarnation, if I understand correctly, is to allow a soul to gain wisdom from its physical experiences. The only way to gain true wisdom, in my opinion, is to come in contact with as many different ideas, sensations, etc. as possible. Only then can one develop a truly informed philosophy. Considering the vastness of the universe, and considering that Earth and what we experience here is just a tiny speck of all the possibilities, then the only possible way for the soul to gain true wisdom is to traverse the expanse of the universe and experience all different possible forms of life there are to be had.

With that in mind, free will takes on another level of significance. When one dies, one has the entire universe at one’s metaphysical fingertips. One can literally become anything in one’s wildest dreams. Ever wondered what it’s like to be a velociraptor? To travel through space at the speed of light? To have twelve arms? All the curiosities, all the musings that one has ever had can be answered – if one chooses to find out.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Sunday, December 11th

Yesterday’s Full Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse may seem like ancient history, but their vibrations remain potent. The 48-hour time-period after any solar-lunar polarity represents an opportunity to distribute the illuminating energy-field that has just activated the Earth and humanity. How do you sign up to be an erstwhile distributor? There is no group to join – only the awareness of what is happening in the sky just before, during and after every Full Moon. Helping you send out revelations to dear ones and colleagues is a Moon-Neptune flowing trine in air signs (2:25AM PST) followed by a Sun-Chiron 72-degree link (4:35AM PST) and Venus-Uranus 72-degree connection (5:45AM PST). Both 72-degree aspects – based on dividing the 360-degree zodiacal circle by 5 – are high-level, empowering sky patterns. The only challenge partially holding back your efforts this morning is a 3-hour void lunar cycle happening from 2:25AM PST to 5:27AM PST (when the Moon enters its natural abode of watery Cancer). However, once the Moon is swimming happily in the fourth sign of the zodiac, home and family interests rise to the top of the totem pole. Nurturing loved ones is reinforced as the Moon makes a supportive, 60-degree rapport with expansive Jupiter (6:50AM PST) while also forming a harmonious trine of 120-degrees with shaman-like Chiron (7:35AM PST). While communications are somewhat constrained when Mercury forms a frictional, 45-degree tie with Venus (4:57PM PST), Vesta in Aquarius is helping you increase the value of your investments and assets by making a fairly rare trine to Saturn in Libra (11:57PM PST). Learn more about how stock, bond, precious-metal, currency and commodity markets work.

Protective Invocation to Hecate

Protective Invocation to Hecate

 

Wise Hecate, bless me please
And all that does belong to me.
Bless my work and my endeavors
Protect and keep me safe forever
From every hex and negative thought,
From every place that harm is wrought,
From every evil that’s allowed,
Protect me, Wise One. Guard me now.
Help me to walk in harmony
With every stone and bird and tree,
With every creature on this Earth.
Let me live in joy and mirth
That I may always be their friend
And gain their protection ’til this life ends.
Oh, Wise Hecate, watch over me
Until my soul, at last, is freed.

Chant To Cleanse Magickal Space

Chant To Cleanse Magickal Space

Incense, air of high refine, purify this space of mine.
purged and purified be this place that I have chosen as magickal space.
Herbs of Mother Earth give blessings here to me, this rite, this sacred sphere.
Protect and cleanse this sacred place Hallow it now as my magickal space.
Walk around the space you’re cleansing with the lit incense chanting this,
hands up to the moon/sun/sky moving clockwise in a circle.
Do this at least 3 times or until you feel all energy is positive.

Full Moon Ritual

Inspired by Rituals and Practices with the Motherpeace Tarot, by Vicki Noble (Inner Traditions, 2003).

Tonight is the night of full moon, a time of beauty and magic. Ever since people began to notice the waxing and waning of that silver orb in the night sky, they honored its connection to women, with their monthly cycles. Full Moon Night is a favorite night for women to reconnect with their ancient birthright of mystery, remembering a time when women were sacred embodiments of a life-giving goddess.

This simple ritual is meant to be performed on the night of the full moon, but you can do it any time you need a reminder of your ancient nature (and men can do it, too). Read the ritual here:

If you like, you can prepare for this ritual by taking a special candlelit bath and dressing in clothing that feel especially beautiful to you.

1. Find a time when you will not be disturbed. Turn out the lights where you are. Notice the light entering the room from the moon, if it is visible. Take a moment to remember a time when the full moon made night travel easier, so people gathered on this night to celebrate community and to honor the great healing Mystery.

2. Stand or sit in front of a mirror. Can you see your face? Allow yourself to pause in your busy life as you gaze. Take a moment to listen to the sounds where you are. What do you hear? Now bring your conscious attention down from the place behind your eyes, down through your throat, down into your heart. Let your attention pause there. As you allow yourself to become aware of your heart, keep looking in the mirror. Allow your gaze to soften and become more loving. See yourself with the eyes of love. Ask yourself, “Who am I?”

3. Now bring your attention down from your heart to your solar plexus, your will center. See yourself with the eyes of courage and will. Ask yourself, “Who am I?”

4. Now bring your attention down into your belly, the place of gut-knowing. See yourself with the ancient eyes of the deep self. Ask yourself, “Who am I?”

5. Give some time to imagining the self you might have been in another time, in the mists of time, in the beginnings of time. Imagine the beauty and majesty of the full moon reflected in your eyes. See yourself with the eyes of the glorious, magical full moon. Ask yourself, “Who am I?”

6. Now gently bring your awareness back up through your solar plexus, back through your heart, back through your throat, back into the place behind your eyes. See yourself with new eyes. Say to yourself, “I am I.” Bring yourself gently back into ordinary reality with gratitude for what you have seen and learned.

Ritual to Overcome Addiction

Ritual to Overcome Addiction

 
 
Items needed:
 
paper and pencil
wide-tipped black marker
green candle
matches or lighter
orange calcite or quartz
fireproof dish or small cauldron
cloth bag (optional)
chrysoprase
hematite
 
Write your addiction on a piece of paper, then mark through it with a heavy black line. Put it aside.
 
Inscribe the candle with your name. Light the candle and say:
 
Healing Ancients, I ask of Thee
Take this pain away from me.
Remove any trace of this addiction,
And heal me of all related afflictions.
 
Hold the hematite to your forehead and say:
 
Grant courage now and healing power
Strengthen my will hour by hour.
 
Place this stone on the right side of the candle. Lift the chrysoprase to your forehead and say:
 
Stone ofjoy and happiness
Put my urges now to rest.
 
Place this stone on the left side of the candle.
 
Hold the orange calcite or quartz to your forehead and say:
 
Amplifier of energies
Magnify their powers, please.
 
Place this stone in front of the candle.
Stand in front of the altar and turn your hands palms up. Say:
 
Powers of the Earth unite
Bind the powers of this addiction right
So it will have no hold on me
As I will, so mote it be!
 
Take the paper in your hand and say:
 
Chains that bind me, now break free
I am power, strength, and resiliency
I have the courage to overcome
This addiction–go now–run!
Begone from me! Do not return!
Your power over me, I burn!
 
Light the paper with a match or lighter, then burn it in the fireproof dish, saying:
 
By flame of Fire, I’m purified
Of your delusionary lies.
I’m free of you and all the strife
That you once cast upon my life.
I am healed now I am free
As I will, so mote it be!
 
When the candle has completely burned out, carry the stones with you either loose or in a cloth pouch. Repeat the ritual as often as necessary to get control of the problem.

Morning Ritual for Learning Acceptance and Tolerance

Morning Ritual for Learning Acceptance and Tolerance

 
This ritual works well for granting you acceptance of matters that you cannot change, and for increasing your tolerance of others’ beliefs and opinions. It is also effective against racist attitudes.
 
Upon rising each morning, light a white candle. Sit down in a comfortable position facing the candle and focus on the flame. Say:

Gracious Lady, hear my plea,

Grant me tolerance that I might see
The need for diversity on the Earth
And see its value and its worth.
Help me find the harmony
In accepting what is meant to be,
And replace my negative attitude
With perfect love and fortitude.
Gracious Lady, Hear my plea.
As I will, so mote it be!
 
Watch the candle flame for ten minutes while concentrating on your desire to become more accepting then snuff the flame.
 
Perform this ritual every morning for seven consecutive days.