Tag: God

Consecration of Chalice, Athame or Other Tool

Consecration of Chalice, Athame or Other Tool

Before these assembled spirits I bring (name type of tool) to be dedicated to the service of  the Lady and Lord.

(Pass tool three times through smoke of the incense.)

By the power of air, be thou purified. Be thou dedicated to purity of thought and to  harmlessness that all intentions for which thou art used may harm none and be for the good of  all.

(Pass tool three times through or over the flame of the fire candle.)

By the power of fire, be thou purified. Be thou dedicated to purity of desire and to harmlessness that all goals which thou doest help achieve may harm none and be for the good of all.

(Take a few drops of water and sprinkle or dab on instrument.)

By the power of water, be thou purified. Be thou dedicated to purity of emotion and to  harmlessness that all that thou shalt be used in a spirit of harmony, harming none and for the  good of all.

(Touch instrument to the stone or salt in north quarter)

By the power of earth, be thou purified. Be thou dedicated to steadfastness and purity of  purpose, that my will be achieved without wavering, with harm to none and for the good of all.

(If this is a chalice, present it first to the Lady, then to the Lord, if athame, reverse  order. All other instruments use personal preference, but it is courtesy to present them to Her  first.)

PRESENTATION FOR CHALICE:

Lady Freya, Keeper of Femininity, bless this chalice. Let it be as Thy cauldron, a vessel of  productivity that it may be worthy to dispense Thy bounty. Let it be used in Thy service and in  the service of humanity. Let it be so bound that no harm may come of it to any being, but let it  rather be an instrument of goodwill and understanding; of loving harmony. To Thy sacred self I  dedicate this vessel, (name of vessel), that it and I may long be of service to Thee.

Lord Thor, companion to the Lady, champion of the Gods, bless this chalice and keep watch  over it. Guard the works which come forth from it, that they ever be in the service of Thee and  Thy Lady, that they be of service to humankind, and that they abide by the laws of harmony. To  Thee I vow I shall use it for Her sacred purposes, and for no other.

So mote it be.

PRESENTATION FOR ATHAME:

Lord Thor, thunderer & hammer wielder, bless this athame. Let it be as the spring rains  which fall upon the Earth to cause Her to bring forth Her bounty.

Let it quicken my hopes and dreams, yet keep them from causing harm. Let it guide them in the  harmony of the seasons, bringing forth only good for all. Lord Thor, bless this athame, (name of  athame), that it be used ever in the worship and honor of the Gods.

Lady Freya, companion to the Thunderer, lover of the Gods, bless this athame that it shall  bring forth joy, and shall cause no pain nor disharmony to any. I dedicate this athame (name  athame), symbol of the Defender and Rain Maker, to Thy service. May it ever bring Thee joy and  pride.

So mote it be.

(This ritual, with suitable changes, may be used to dedicate other tools as well as these.)

Calendar of the Sun for August 31

Calendar of the Sun

31 Weodmonath

Frey’s Blot

Colors: Green and golden
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of green and gold set a sheaf of grain, a golden cup of mead, a plate of bread and honey, the figure of a carved phallus, the figure of a boar, and an empty sheath.
Offerings: Mead. Those who partake in ritual sex should do so tonight, in his honor.
Daily Meal: Mead. Bread and cheese. Vegetables from the garden.

Invocation to Frey

Hail Frey, Lord of the fields!
Lord of the Vanir,
Golden of hair as the fields of wheat,
Bringing riches of heart and hearth
To noble and common folk alike,
We hail you with the corn that springs forth
And falls again to nourish us.
We hail you, mighty boar in flight,
Lord of the phallus that gives life,
Lord of Love that is bound to land,
Love that is bound with commitment,
Love that does not come easily,
As one must toil for the harvest.
Teach us that love is worth working for,
And that work is worth loving,
And that neither lives long without the other.
Lord Frey, Corn God,
Husband of Gerda the etin-bride,
You who can warm the cold heart,
Warrior without a weapon
Who gave your sword for love,
You who make the grain spring forth,
Show us faith in every springtime.

Song: Frey’s Gold

(Pass the mead around, and pour the remainder out as a libation. Those who wish to honor Frey with ritual sex may do so during the first work-hour, or later in the evening if the Hesperis ritual is not inappropriate.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Daily Motivator for August 30 – Let go of your ego

Your ego won’t solve any problems. Your ego won’t convince anyone of  anything.

Your ego won’t make you stronger or more skilled or more capable or more  knowledgeable. Mostly, your ego will just get in the way of your true essence.

So choose to tap into your authentic power by choosing to let go of the  concerns of your ego. Step purposefully beyond those superficial concerns and  step up to a dramatically higher level of effectiveness.

Let go of your ego, and many of your fears and anxieties dissolve. Let go of  your ego, and the positive possibilities become more numerous, more powerful and  more accessible.

Without ego constantly dragging you down, you can focus on what truly  matters. You’ll find that one of the most powerful things you can do for  yourself is to get past your concerns for yourself.

Let go of your small ego and see life’s big, wonderful, valuable picture. Let  go of your ego, and let your true beauty and goodness soar.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Happy & Blessed Thursday, my dearest friends!

Happy Thursday, guys! How ya’ll doing today? I see how you are now. I put up the post about being over at The Apothecary for awhile. You ought to have seen the likes that came in on that post. Yeah, I know how you are now, lol! Just kidding! I am hoping you liked the post because you are anxious to get some goodies (fingers crossed).

Thank goodness, I am not running that late. But still late. I had to get into some html codes and that runs into time. That is why I get to do anything involving html. Everyone around claims they don’t know a thing about them. I am beginning to wonder, huh?!!? I might start teaching them. That would blow their minds, lol!

Anyway, enough bull, let’s get down to business. What’cha say?

 Have a terrific & blessed day,

Luv & Hugs,

Lady A

More Thursday Comments

Casting A Circle

Casting A Circle

The first thing you must do is find and create your sacred space. A secluded spot outdoors is preferable. If you must do your ritual indoors, have enough space to set up your altar and to be able to comfortably walk around without bumping into anything. An indoor area should also be cleansed of any negative energy. I physically clean the area by sweeping or vacuuming, and then smudge the entire space with white sage. I usually set up my altar facing North. What you place on your altar depends on what type of ritual you are doing. Here are the basics:

North – Earth ~ a dish of dirt

East – Air ~ dish of salt, censer, bell, feather

South – Fire ~ a red candle

West – Water ~ a dish of water, chalice

On the left side of the Altar, place a white candle or Goddess symbol. On the right side place a white candle or God symbol. The candles do not have to be white. I prefer to place my wand, athame, cauldron and spell tools in the middle of the altar. I place candles in each of the four Elemental quarters just at the edge of the circle I am about to cast. Green for Earth, yellow for Air, Red for Fire and Blue for Water. Once you have these items set up, it is time to “Raise Energy”. I usually play Celtic music to get in the spirit of things; dancing, drumming, chanting and clapping are all appropriate ways to raise energy. Next, stand and face the Altar and recite a general Blessing or Invocation chant. This is the one I use:

“I call upon the eternal Power of the One, source of all that is;
I call upon the Goddess, glorious Lady of the Moon;
I call upon the God, glorious Lord of the Sun
Mother and Father of all living creatures.
I call upon the Spirits of Earth, Air, Fire and Water
Join me now and bless this sacred space and all that dwells within.”

Next I call the quarters:
You can light each candle as you call the the Elements, or have them already lit. You can also use your wand or hand in creating the circle.

Go to the North and say:

“Spirit of the North, Ancient one of Earth
I call upon you to attend this circle.
Thru your roots, bring your powers of
fertility,endurance and stability
to bless and protect this sacred space.”

Go to the East and say:

“Spirit of the East, Ancient one of Air
I call upon you to attend this circle.”
Thru your breeze, bring your powers of
intelligence, optimism and joy
to bless and protect this sacred space.”

Go to the South and say:

“Spirit of the South, Ancient one of Fire
I call upon you to attend this circle.
Thru your light, bring your powers of
strength, courage and willpower
to bless and protect this sacred space.”

Go to the West and say:

“Spirit of the West, Ancient one of Water
I call upon you to attend this circle.
Thru your flowing stream, bring your powers of
purification, peace and love
to bless and protect this sacred space.”

Stand before the altar and call the Goddess:

“O Gracious Goddess, Lady of the Silvery Moon
I call upon you to attend this circle
Bless and protect this sacred space
with your wisdom, guidance and love”

Call the God:

“Oh Gracious God, Lord of the Fiery Sun
I call upon you to attend this circle.
Bless and protect this sacred space
with your wisdom, guidance and love.”

“The Sacred Circle is cast,
May only positive energy dwell within;
May only positive energy emerge from within
So Mote It Be!”

You are now ready to perform your ritual or Esbat, magical workings, etc. When you have finished, celebrate the Simple Feast.

Hold up a cup of juice, wine, beer (your beverage of choice) and say:

“Gracious Goddess of the Earth and Sky,
Bless this wine with your love.
In the presence of the Mother Goddess and the Father God
This wine is blessed.”

Hold up a plate of cakes (bread, cookies, etc.) and say:

“Gracious God of the Sun and Wilderness,
Bless this bread with your love.
In the presence of the Mother Goddes and the Father God
This bread is blessed.”

(For more elaborate rituals, all of the food may be blessed at one time in a similar manner.)

Release the circle.

Go to each of the Elemental quarters and say:

“I bid farewell to the Spirit of the North, (East, West, South)
Thank you for your presence in this Sacred Circle.
Go now with bright blessings and spread your power.”

Thank the Goddess and the God in a similar manner.

Then say:

“The Circle is open, but not unbroken.
Merry Meet and Merry Part
Until we meet again
Blessed Be!!!”

Please remember that ritual tools are just props. And there will be occasions when you will want to cast an impromptu circle and you don’t have any tools with you. While they can help put you in the right frame of mind for creating rituals, your *magic* is within you. You have the ability to manifest wonderful energy, whether you have a magic wand or not. This is the basic circle casting that I use. Words and altar setups change depending on the type of circle you are casting and the ritual you are performing. Read books and practice writing your own rituals often and discover the spiritual soul that resides within.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for August 29 is 56: The Wanderer

56: The Wanderer

Hexagram 56

General Meaning:  A seasoned traveler knows that a special kind of decorum is called for when one ventures far from home. He or she must develop a yielding nature outwardly, so that the ‘local contact’ or host can open doors and prevent unseemly errors. But inwardly, the wanderer knows that it is sometimes impossible to discern the true intentions of strangers — are they hostile, friendly or merely opportunistic?

The twin houses of mystery and discovery rule any journey. Each new day is launched on a fresh landscape, one that reaches out to grab our full attention. Though new adventures are a great teacher — and often a great equalizer — there is an art to living lightly in a strange land. Mindfulness and discernment become the keys not only to success, but also to survival.

If you are entering a new environment of any sort attempt to be sincere, flexible and undemanding, rather than obstinate. Let go of old attitudes and habits that could encumber you, or make you overly conspicuous. The onset of a great journey is not a favorable time to enter into binding agreements, or to start new enterprises.

Daily Motivator for August 28 – Effort is opportunity

Effort is opportunity

Every effort, no matter how small or tedious or seemingly insignificant,  builds value in your life. Every effort is an opportunity.

With every effort, you make a difference in the world. With every effort, you  express your ability and your influence.

Give joy to each effort, and you add joy to your life. Give your attention  and focus and gratitude to the efforts, and they produce meaningful, lasting  value.

Seek out efforts, perform the efforts, and what you get is achievement. What  you get is the experience of life lived in a truly fulfilling and satisfying  way.

With effort, problems are solved, obstacles are transcended, and dreams come  true. With effort, you can change the world in accordance with your highest,  most authentic vision.

Fill each day with positive, purposeful efforts. And you’ll fill your world  with great meaning and joy.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Elemental Banishing

Elemental Banishing

 

Elemental banishing is a little more complex way to clean an area of the negative influences that reside there. It should only be done within a cast circle. This is an ideal way to prepare a new living space before you move in. It will take away any remnants of the old tenants that were there before you and let you move into a fresh, new space.

Cast a circle as you normally would. Before you call the elements to attend, take your athame to the west side of the circle and face outwards. Draw a banishing pentagram (point downward towards the earth) and then re-center the athame into the middle of it. Push the athame slowly outward while pushing outward with your own energy, ordering, “Go, or be cast into the depths of the flood!”

Move to the south and repeat your actions, saying, “Go, or be cast into the flames!”

Move to the east and pause to gather yourself and close the circle before drawing the final pentagram and saying, “Go, or be rent by the grinding earthquakes!”

Move to the north and repeat your actions, saying, “Go, or be torn apart by the whirlwind!”

Turn back into the center and yell, “I (we) banish you! I banish you! I banish you! BEGONE!” while clapping and clattering and making a great deal of noise.

At this point, you can proceed with the rest of the ritual that has been planned, starting with invoking the elements to bless the circle

August 24 – Daily Feast

August 24 – Daily Feast

Nothing saves the day so much as a good word. And nothing has been misused as often. There is power in a word, whether we read it, speak it or hear it. And we command and are commanded by the word. We scatter, we call forth, and we comfort. Words are tools, weapons, both good and bad medicine – but very beautiful when used lovingly. The word, or ka ne tsv in Cherokee, is power to help heal, or make sick people sicker by negative talk around them. The word gives confidence when it builds rather than destroys. Relationships have been shattered beyond repair by a runaway mouth. Prosperity has been dissolved by talking lack. Until we listen to our own voices and how we talk, we would never guess how we use our words.

~ I am opening my heart to speak to you….open yours to receive my words. ~

COMO

“A Cherokee Feast of Days” by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for August 24 is 15: Humility

15: Humility

Hexagram 15

General Meaning:  Humility is often rewarded in human affairs, just as the erosion of a great mountain fills the valley. It is the way of nature to fill the empty cup. Regardless of your position, humility is a positive and deceptively powerful attribute. If you are in a high position but are still humble, people will be drawn to you and the causes you espouse. If your position is lowly, humility will endear you to those of higher status. True humility is a virtue to which all should aspire.

The most successful and happiest people are those who know how to bring each situation into balance by reducing that which is too great, and adding to that which is too little. Such a person craves not power, but balanced and stable relationships. Humility is the virtue that supplies the balancing power, as humble people are not prey to the many illusions that grow out of self-importance. If humility is not natural to your disposition, make a conscious effort to develop a strain of self-effacing humor.

Daily Motivator for August 23 – Living your purpose

Living your purpose

The way to have a full and happy life is to live it every chance you get. The  way to get beyond the excuses is to stop believing them and to start living your  purpose.

Decide to see the obstacles as steps along the path rather than blockades.  Let the challenges strengthen you, and let the disappointments inspire you to  push more purposefully forward.

Whatever the objective, whatever the dream, there is always a way. You can  find it and you can live it by thinking and acting from the perspective of  purpose.

You will never be truly satisfied by superficial trinkets and shallow  pleasures. Remind yourself, again and again, to put your energy into what really  matters.

You deserve much better than to constantly wallow in the distractions. You  deserve the exquisite experience of bringing your beautiful, unique purpose to  life.

Live today, and every day, and your whole life, like you mean it, and like it  is the best you can imagine. Because when you do, it is.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Your Animal Spirit for August 23 is Green Man

Your Animal Spirit for Today
August 23, 2012

 

Green Man

Green Man peers out of the foliage to remind you that not all of life’s mysteries have logical solutions. Be open to magical opportunities, spirit allies, and unconventional paths. Get out into the wilderness, ground yourself in meditation, and listen for Green Man’s wisdom. You may just catch sight of him eyeing you in his leafy camouflage.

The Wicca Book of Days for August 23 – Virgo, the Virgin

The Wicca Book of Days for August 23

Virgo, the Virgin

 

The sun now relinquishes its astrological rulership of the heavens and cedes it to Mercury, the ruling planet of Virgo, the sign whose zodiacal month begins today. The planet whose namesake is the quick-witted Roman messenger God will impart an intelligent, curious, and communicative flavor to the coming days, along with adaptability, sociability, and a lively contrariness that may be redoubled by Virgo’s mutable, or changeable, quadruplicity. By contrast, the element of earth is a  practical, productive, and grounding influence, while a feminine (negative or passive) polarity provides receptiveness, thoughtfulness and supportive tendencies.

Fend off Fire

Do as they did in ancient Rome today and observe the Volcanalia by dedicating your day to Vulcan, the smithy God of Fire. The Romans hoped to placate Vulcan by burning fish on his altar. Replicate this offering with a barbecue!

Good Afternoon, dear friends! I Hope You Are Having A Blessed Day!

Today’s Affirmation for Thursday, Aug. 23

“I rest in tranquility and divine grace. In this moment, I am calm, happy and fulfilled.”

 Today’s Thought for Thursday, Aug. 23

“Keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.”

Thomas A. Kempis

(c. 1380 – 1471)

Today’s Meditation for Thursday, Aug. 23

The Lake Of Calm

Visualize a beautiful mountain lake, its surface smooth as glass. Feel a breeze come up sending ripples across the water. Then, as the breeze dies, watch the ripples subside and the water become calm. Throughout the day, whenever a disturbance ruffles the surface of your mood, recall the image of the lake; feel the ripples of emotion settle into calm.

More Thursday Comments

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’ for August 22

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

If you’ve ever been alone in a strange place, you’re bound to know how wonderful it is to have someone make you feel welcome.

Many people have the knack for being at home in whatever place they find themselves. And in this gift they find no loneliness to tug at them, but more often than not most of us feel like strangers. And in doing so we set ourselves apart, or make it sometimes questionable as to the wisdom of asking us into a friendly circle.

A friendly face and a friendly voice can make the most timid souls feel welcome. It can make them feel at home. For in the midst of many there is loneliness. Perhaps it is because our feigned look of self-sufficiency made someone question our need for help.

Many a door has opened, and many a sound friendship won when someone said, “We’re glad to have you….” The very atmosphere can be charged with concern when we see others who cannot find their way. The warmth of divine love is for daily use in making someone feel welcome.

We should not forget nor fail to see the wisdom of Hebrews 13:2: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.”

There must be no stronger feeling in the hearts of most people than the desire to belong. To belong to something, to someone, and in a place where the feeling is warm and friendly. The most blessed children in town are the ones born and raised in the same neighborhood, who have the tightly knit sense of belonging to everyone. Suddenly these children are not just the children of their parents, but the children of everyone in the church, in school, and anywhere where there is warmth and love and peace.

War rages within so many, disallowing them any connection or any strand of love that would tie them to anything that gives them a sense of security. And when people become insecure they become demanding. And in demanding they lose the most essential part – the ability to attract love to themselves simply by loving first.

In the words of William Blake: “Love seeketh not itself to please….Nor for itself hath any care….But for another gives its ease….And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.”

Some of my most productive moments are not when I consider how evil the world is, but how powerful is my God.

Some of the best times are not all when I’m enjoying life, but when those I love are knowing happiness.

The highest peak of wealth comes when the joy within surpasses anything I can create out here.

The bloom of good health is felt more richly when I let it flow through me rather than dwelling on the possibility of sickness.

Friendships are strongest and most true when I don’t worry about giving more than I receive.

In order that others forgive me, I must also learn to forgive.

I must never forget that negative thoughts feed on fear and starve on faith.

One of the greatest mistakes I can make is to believe myself to be without friend or faith or opportunity.

These personal proverbs belong to all thinking persons who want their lives to have more meaning, know more happiness and feel more richly the love that is the medicine for the sickness of the world.

*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*

Available online! ‘Cherokee Feast of Days’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler.

Visit her web site to purchase the wonderful books by Joyce as gifts for yourself or for loved ones……and also for those who don’t have access to the Internet:

 

http://www.hifler.com
Click Here to Buy her books at Amazon.com

Elder’s Meditation of the Day
By White Bison, Inc., an American Indian-owned nonprofit organization. Order their many products from their web site: http://www.whitebison.org

Daily Feng Shui Tip for August 22 – ‘Be An Angel Day’

I feel particularly heavenly today, a blessed feeling that could be caused by today’s ‘Be An Angel Day’ energies! So today, take a look at someone or something around you who could stand a little extra angelic care. You could wrap your wings around them or just forward them this prayer for miracles. This powerful and effective appeal is considered an invocation to a band of angels called the Virtues who have the job of fulfilling all requests for miracles. They are most potent if they are invoked in times of trouble. Then they kick into high gear and provide peace of mind and a protective blanket of comfort, all the while remaining committed to making your miracle come true. After invoking the intercession of the Virtues three times, say this: ‘I am God’s Faith. I believe in the Divine Plan for my life. I am still and strong. My strength is infinite. I am mercy and I live my love.’ Soon you will be living your miracle too. I told you I was feeling particularly heavenly today. Hopefully now you are too!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com