Tag: Health

Preparing for Summerland During Samhain

Preparing for Summerland During Samhain

Author:   Crystal T.  

During the Sabbat of Samhain, many of us think it is the time when we need to remember our ancestors. Many of us set out photos of our relatives, friends and other loved ones that have passed. Some of us may set the table one night this month for a “Dumb Supper”. The veil is considered to be at its thinnest, and yet during this time one topic is rarely ever discussed:
Death. Yes, you read it correctly, death. More importantly, this is about your death!

Remembering the past is indeed a beautiful thing, but what about a topic that not a lot of people think about during this time… how would YOU want to be remembered when your time comes?

No matter if you want to be buried, cremated, or otherwise, one thing will most likely happen: An obituary will be written in your name. In some cases, someone who has never met you writes it. Your local newspaper editor is simply putting together words about you from a standardized form that was supplied to them by the funeral home that handled the processing of your physical body. I don’t mean to seem cold; it is something I don’t want to happen to me. I want to be remembered for what I accomplished in my lifetime, the things I loved, as well as the people I loved. Granted, the paper may not always honor final your wishes, but there are some things you can do to insure that your directives are followed.

Back in 2008, my father passed away. This motivated me to start researching on what I wanted when my time came. I began to research various things from “Pagan funeral” to “Green Burial”. I met a wonderful woman and Death Midwife, Nora Cedarwind Young as a result of my research. Throughout the past few years, she has become a mentor and friend. I have also learned from Nora to be pro-active in planning what I want to happen when my time comes to return to Gaia. Nora has taught me that there are six essential documents a person should have prepared and ready for when their time comes. They are:

1. A Will: A will is a legal document that states what you want to happen after you die. It includes naming a person or persons in charge of handling your estate, distribution of any property, and naming care for any minor children such as guardianship.

2. A Living Will: A Living Will is the document that will distinguish your wishes regarding medical treatments in prolonging your life when you are unable to do so for yourself. This may also be called a Health Care Directive or Advance Directive. A Living Will is also only good when your medical prognosis is deemed unrecoverable such in cases of a terminal illness.

3. Power of Attorney – Health: This paper names a person who would be in charge of your health and make decisions for you in the case you are not able to make them for yourself. This is also known as a Health Care Proxy.

4. Power of Attorney – Finance: This is the document where you would name someone to take charge of your finances when you are unable to do so yourself. Normally it will be your spouse, parent, adult child, or person you deem worthy of the responsibility.

5.Disposition of Body: This is the paper where you state your desire for burial, cremation, organ donation, etc. Please note that in some states, your spouse or next of kin has more rights to determine what is done with your body after you die more so than you do. This is where communication of your desires and wishes are discussed with your family.

6.HIPAA: This form is not to be confused with a HIPPA, which is something else. For a HIPAA you will need to complete and sign a HIPAA Privacy Authorization Form if you want a person beside yourself to have access to your medical records while you are competent.

If you are financially able, prepare these forms as soon as you can. I personally update my records every Samhain just in case something has changed. If you are not able to prepare these forms with a lawyer, there are some computer software applications available for a small amount available at your local office supply store, Best Buy, or available on the internet. Dependent on which state you live in, you might need to determine if the computer software “do it yourself” versions are legal.

Recently this past year, I was diagnosed with kidney disease. This began a journey for me into the many cases of “what if”. I am in no way ready to use any of these six essential documents, but I do however want my husband to be prepared on what I want to happen should something happen to me. I have everything written down in a notebook. We are in the process of drafting paperwork with a lawyer after saving up to prepare it for the welfare of our children should something happen to the both of us for guardianship of our minor children. I want him to know what I want as regarding funeral rites right down to the articles of clothing I want to wear. I have certain items that I wish passed on to (or returned to original person that gifted them to me) others that I have purchased or received over the years.

All these items are very important. One last thing you might want to consider writing during this time of year is your own obituary. Now your version may not make it to the newspapers, but it could be a valuable gift to those you love. This document would be the story of your life.

What do you want to be remembered for? What accomplishments did you achieve over your lifetime? What were your favorite foods, songs, television show, movies, etc? Give them the details that you want them to have. Throw in a fact or two they may not even know. Make them laugh; make them cry.

They will be glad that you gave them this last gift. In essence, this would be writing your own biography. Give them a piece of your history with this document. By simply writing the story of your life and then updating it each and every Samhain as our lives change and grow, it will make it easier on your family in the long run… knowing what your final wishes are and how you want to be remembered.

If you need more information about any of these things, I urge you pay a visit to Nora Cedarwind Young’s website. It is called Thresholds of Life (www.thresholdsoflife.org) and contains much valuable information.

I wish each and every one of you a “Spellbound Samhain”!

Sincerely,
Crystal LunaRouge

_____________________________________

Footnotes:
http://www.thresholdsoflife.org

Let’s Talk Witch – The People and Pets In Your Home

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The People and Pets In Your Home

The people and pets who share your living space contribute to the overall feeling texture of your home. If you have a roommate or someone else in your home with whom you don’t get along or who is mostly negative, then you need to take measures to rid the rooms of that negativity. This may call for a sage smudging at a regular intervals: Do so once a week for a month, then once a month after. Other remedial adjustments might be in order. You can include a piece of onyx or burn a black candle in or near the person’s room to absorb the negative energy. If you burn a black candle, let it burn all the way down, then toss it out. You don’t have to throw out the onyx; just bathe it in sea water (or water with some sea salt in it if you don’t live near an ocean) and then set it in the sun for a few minutes to charge it.

If you have a pet who is hostile toward you or other people, you might try a little feng shui magick. Locate the family area of your home. This area lies in the eastern part of the house or, in the Western feng shui, the farthest left-hand side of your home when you stand inside your front door. Add a tabletop fountain to the family area, a couple of jade plants and something black. Don’t forget to give your pet plenty of love.

If you have children, the best area in feng shui lies in the western part of the house or, if you’re standing in the front door, directly opposite the family area. If your kids are hostile or angry, use anything yellow in that area–flowers(with round leaves), curtains, linen, quilts, whatever feels right. Symbols for children and creativity are also good here, as are music, bells, and lights.

Once the negativity in the children’s area is purged, put a white crystal and white flowers somewhere in the room. It helps to balance emotions.

 

The Witches Magickal Correspondence for October 27th

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The Witches Magickal Correspondence for October 27th

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightenment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money
Incense: Lemon, Frankincense
Planet: Sun
Sign: Leo
Angel: Michael
Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange and White
Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak
Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate
Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary

The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success. Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.

 

Crone Chant for Good Judgment

Goddess Comments & Graphics
Ancient Hag, Wise Grandmother,

You of Wisdom, like no other,

Help me weigh choices with precision,

To make a good and fair decision

Show me what I need to see,

Shed some light on what should be.

And should I turn a deafened ear

Open it so I can hear

Help me feel what I should know.

Show me now which way to go.

Guide me in what I just do.

This, Old Crone, I ask of You.

So Mote It Be

Calendar of the Sun for October 25th

Calendar of the Sun

25 Winterfyllith

Selket’s Day

Colors: Bronze and Black
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of black place a bronze figurine of a scorpion, and four black candles.
Offerings: Help someone who is a troublemaker.
Daily Meal: Lentils, flatbread, millet, pomegranates.

Invocation to Selket

Lady of the Scorpion’s Whip,
Implacable one, hardest of the Four Deaths,
Sun of the unforgiving desert at high noon,
You blast down upon all wrongdoing
And show those wrongs in their true light.
Lady of the Poison Tail,
You are entrusted with those souls
Who have not done what they should do,
Who have spurned the path they were meant to walk,
Who have struggled and lashed out,
Who have caused hurt and pain to others.
Your firm hand takes them in, guides them
To see what they have done through eyes
Unclouded by their own pain,
And leads them to a place of understanding
And perhaps repentance. And yet,
There is something of this is all of us,
Some part of each that needs your guiding hand
Lest we think ourselves too perfect
And become uncompassionate in our pride.
Lady of the Scorpion’s Whip,
Sting us to the heart, and show us
That poison still within us,
That we may better learn to ride its strike,
That we may better learn to heal its wounds.

(Each comes forward, one at a time, and touches the tail of the Scorpion, which should be sharp. Each tells Selket, aloud or silently, where the poison is in them which makes them hurt others, and asks for her help in controlling it.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’ for October 24th

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

To so many, getting up in the morning is the worst way to begin a day. To them every morning is the morning after, a time to feel nervous anxiety and regret in the deepest sense, while to others morning is a new world. Yesterday ceased to be with sleep last night.

How much better off we’d be if only for a few hours we could put out of our minds every painful thought and every unpleasant person until the mind and body could find enough new life to begin again.

“The early morning hath gold in its mouth,” wrote Franklin. But it has things more precious than gold. It has life as fresh and sweet as the shimmering, clinging dewdrops in the first rays of golden sunlight. It has the grace of mimosa leaves rippling in the gentlest breeze. It has the songs of the birds and the love of a new awakening.

And in this breathless creation is something more. A new opportunity, another chance, a challenge to walk on, more strong, more forgiving, more loving.

Sleep deep and rest sweet, but rise glad. Don’t let one joyful second be lost in dead oblivion. This is a vision of newness awaiting even the least to arise and accept the best – a new beginning.

Morning need not be a jury trial for oneself. Dawn and sleep can be a miraculous cleansing to set us out on our feet ready to begin again and in a friendlier atmosphere. We must feel friendly toward ourselves before we can possibly find morning good to anyone else.

An unknown writer once wrote, “Every morning lean thine arms awhile upon the window sill of heaven, and gaze upon thy Lord, then, with the vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet thy day.”

We need to be strong to meet the day with self control, to find out reason and purpose, but, more important, to leave behind us the heavy and darkened thoughts that kept us from seeing the breathtaking beauty of the most important time – this morning.

___________________________________________

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

The Daily OM for October 24th – Emerging from the Grey

Emerging from the Grey

Ways We Numb Ourselves

by Madisyn Taylor

Numbing yourself prevents you from confronting your issues and keeps you from ever finding resolution or peace.

We are born equipped to experience a complex array of diverse emotions. Many of us, however, are uncomfortable confronting our most powerful emotions. We may shy away from delight and despair and deny life’s colors by retreating into a world of monotone grey. We may numb ourselves to what we are truly feeling. It’s easier to suppress our emotions than to deal with them, so we may momentarily turn to pleasures such as alcohol, food, sugar, shopping and too much television. We may even numb our hearts. While it’s normal to temporarily seek distractions as a means of coping with intense emotions, numbing yourself prevents you from confronting your issues and keeps you from ever finding resolution or peace. When you are numb, there is no pain or powerlessness, but there can also be no joy or healing.

The activities that numb you may seem harmless or pleasurable, but using them to numb yourself diminishes the quality of your life. Numbing yourself so that you don’t have to feel intense emotions can often satisfy a surface need while blocking your awareness of a deeper need. You may find solace in food or shopping when what you really need is spiritual nourishment. The less you feel, the less alive you feel. Your feelings add vividness to your experiences and serve to connect you to the world around you. It is possible to disavow yourself of numbing behaviors a little at a time and once again taste life’s rich flavors. When you sense that you are engaging in a particular behavior simply to deaden your emotions, stop and ask yourself why. Examining the feelings that drive you to numb yourself can help you understand what is triggering your desire to emotionally fade out.

With each numbing activity that you cut out of your life, you’ll find yourself being more aware and experiencing a greater emotionally acuity. Senses once shrouded by the fog of numbness become sharp and acute. Traumas and pain long hidden will emerge to the forefront of your consciousness and reveal themselves so that you can heal them. You’ll discover a deeper you—a self that is comfortable experiencing and working through intense emotions with courage and grace.

The Daily OM

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, October 24th

The power of positive thinking helps us start the day with a heightened sense of confidence. Nevertheless, we are overly sensitive to anything that might go wrong since the emotional Moon slipped into contemplative Cancer last night at 11:35 pm EDT. Although we may try to keep up appearances, there is trouble brewing beneath the surface as revolutionary Uranus inches toward its dynamic square to evolutionary Pluto that’s exact on November 1.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

There may be a lot of positive movement in your life and you’re probably quite enthusiastic about what’s happening. You appear to be forthcoming with your feelings, yet you’re so smooth now that you might even fool yourself. Step back from the fun and games long enough to look beyond all the distractions. Once you get past the noise, you can reconnect with your emotions and speak directly from your heart.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Responsibility is calling your name, even if you’re visiting an amusement park. You want to jump off the ride before it ends in order to get back to your obligations. Unfortunately, you may have to wait since the controls are out of reach — so you might as well relax and just enjoy yourself. Being open to pleasure today is a challenge surely worth pursuing.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

You can’t help but be thrilled if someone tempts you with a wonderful invitation. However, you aren’t sure if you can say yes now. Normally, you would have to pass on the fun if your previous commitments were not yet fulfilled. Luckily, the cosmos has given you the gift of gab, enabling you to talk your way around most obstacles and to pursue the adventure you seek. Proceed with caution because you may feel the stress later on if you don’t deliver what you promised today.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Your ever-changing moods might make others impatient with you now that the evocative Moon is back in your sign. But you are in charge of your own destiny, and you can choose to keep your more serious feelings to yourself. This behavior is not dishonest; it simply creates a temporary boundary that allows you to work on your self-esteem. You don’t have to share every thought with everyone. Wait until your emotions settle down and then disclose whatever seems right.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You aren’t operating under any false illusions now, yet you may be even more optimistic than before. Part of your exuberance comes from the fact that you know what you are worth and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t lose faith, even if it’s been a long, hard haul. Your destination really could be within reach if you just keep believing in yourself.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

A family member or close friend may come through for you now in a way that touches you deeply. You’re more aware of what others say today, especially if they inspire you with their words. But even if it feels like you’ve taken a step backward, there’s no need for major concern at this time. Although you still might need to practice patience for a while longer, your momentum is building and the rewards will follow.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

It feels good to be needed at work and you are more than eager to go out of your way today to help others. This sense of camaraderie can be a wonderful opportunity to give even more than is expected, but be careful about committing to so much now that you can’t deliver on your promises. Good intentions are not enough if you spread yourself too thin; true success comes from knowing your limits

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You want to maintain a positive attitude, but it’s challenging to trust logic today if you’re not in touch with your feelings. Speaking from your heart can be a tricky maneuver, but you are better off acknowledging your emotions at work, even if they are not directly connected with your performance. Don’t try to make anyone else responsible for your reactions; just respond authentically and then move on.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Everything appears to be coming up roses today. Nevertheless, you can’t seem to shake off a bad feeling about something that’s just below your radar. You think you’re missing an important piece of the puzzle but you don’t know where to search for it yet. For now, consciously let go of your attachment to the mystery and simply enjoy yourself in the present moment.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Someone may ask for your help today, but there really is nothing you have to do other than listen. The greatest gift you can give another person is to accept him or her as is, without any further demands. Ultimately, your unconditional support could turn into a spiritual gift that returns to you as you learn something special about yourself. Although your altruistic intention is to be of assistance, surprisingly, you stand to benefit the most from the process.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Although relationship dynamics may be a bit confusing these days, a new wave of clarity is on the horizon. Instead of putting a relationship into a box by defining it with your specific goals, try being more open-minded in your approach. You can bring out the best in others now if you engage them without too many expectations. True love is an unchained melody.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may be ready to put extra time into a romance during the days ahead. However, your creativity might also be channeled toward playing with children. Either way, your current tenderness leads you to be extra-protective of those closest to you. Remember, however, that fostering freedom can also be an empowering way to demonstrate your love. Balancing supervision with independence enables you to nurture all of your relationships now.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 23

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 23

“We do not walk alone. Great Being walks beside us. Know this and be grateful.”

–Polingaysi Q”yawayma, HOPI

Many religions have different names for these Beings. Some are called angels, some are called spirits. These Spirit Beings are helpers. They guide us, protect us and will help us during our times of need. Sometimes they give us dreams. We need not be afraid when these Spirit Helpers come. We need to understand they are the Creator’s helpers.

Great Spirit, send me the helpers to guide my path as I seek to walk in Your service.

Daily Motivator for Oct. 23 – Something for something

Something for something

Plenty of people will promise you something for nothing, yet those are always  empty promises. Even when you can manage to get something for nothing, it does  not bring any real joy to your life.

The point of life is not to figure out how to get something for nothing. The  real fulfillment in life comes not from merely consuming, but from creating.

You cannot be truly rich simply by having a certain set of material  possessions. The richness that matters is genuine inner richness, and the  satisfaction that comes from knowing that you’re making a positive difference in  life.

Don’t waste your time wishing, hoping, demanding or begging to get something  for nothing. Joyfully put your energy into creating new, useful and beautiful  value out of the unique abundance with which you’ve been blessed.

The great thing about being alive is that you can, through your creative  endeavors, transform whatever you have into whatever you desire. That amazing,  limitless opportunity presents itself every moment of every day.

If you wish to have something of value, then work to create something of even  greater value. That’s the reliable way to be truly rich in all matters small and  large.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Balancing Ourselves

Balancing Ourselves

Author:   Moonspider   

“Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.”

So says the line from the Charge. Does this mean we are wishy-washy? Quite the contrary. It indicates a balance that we all must come to deal with everyday of our lives, magickally and mundanely. If we don’t we become unbalanced and unhealthy.

Because of this, we must recognize a lack of balance in others we come in contact with daily. They have their own sh*t to deal with, and they can be off too. And, from time to time, people do need sympathy and understanding. Given appropriately this can be very helpful and therapeutic. It is when compassionate people go overboard and enable the suffering to go on that it is inappropriate.

I will share another segment of my own experience with this. Some of you may know that in 1998 my world got turned upside-down with emergency brain surgery. Parts of that are in other essays here on The Voice, so I won’t rehash it all.

In a nutshell, a sinus infection traveled (yes, infections can move), it jumped the protective blood-brain barrier. Not a good thing since blood and its products are caustic to brain tissue. This caused an abscess (simply a puss-ball). So, I took ill at work while talking to a colleague, lost consciousness, woke up 2 1/2 days later with what resembled half a yarmulke on my head. Plus my head felt like it had been run over by an 18-wheeler.

I definitely needed compassion. I received it. Friends (and at times like these you find out who they really are) were great during the healing process. Much magick was done for me, and folks were understanding. Best of all, they treated me like me. Which is probably the most helpful in all healing situations.

Some friends, well-intentioned, kept after that, how are you, you know what I mean. Well that was fine for a while, but it’s over. I am not my abscess. We are not our illnesses. These times are tools to learn with. And yes, I did learn a great deal about myself during this period. As I should have. You can’t have an experience like this and not.

Can I ever forget it? No. I mean I have a j-hook shaped scar crowning my head to remind me of it. Life does go back to normal, whatever normal is. After years of working with mental health related areas, normal is relative.

I will always be grateful for the compassion bestowed on me by the community. It was necessary. It has also helped me be compassionate to people who need it. I’ve also been able to help others who’ve had brain surgery, seizure activity and stroke, since many experiences have related aspects.

So, my compassion is not limited to this community alone. As it shouldn’t. We are a Witch always, not just at Sabbats and Esbats. This comment likened to the Sunday, or Christmas Christian. Though I found true compassion from many communities, Pagan and not, during my healing process. I was dealt with as a person who needed help.

And, I got it. My healing was very rapid. Within less than a week I was out of the hospital. Because I was now prone to seizure activity I could not drive for 3 months. People were wonderful at keeping in contact however they could. Picked me up and took me places I wouldn’t have been able to get to otherwise. I try and remember this as I work.

Actually it fits in perfectly with the work that I do as a librarian for a state agency. My customers have problems, that need to be solved with information. Because of the work our agency does, I need to be aware that the customer needs the information to help a client. They are compassionate to the client. I in turn, need to be compassionate about both needs, since what I will provide will ultimately effect both of them. And, myself to a certain degree. I can’t handle all the information that I come in contact with, without being affected by it.

I need to be compassionate to my own needs too. This does not mean feeling sorry for ones’ self. Just a realistic understanding of what you can reasonably deal with.

Remember the flip side to compassion is power as we utter the Charge. We have to understand both. My own experience certainly has made me more powerful as a person. Understand this, you can face anything. And, I do mean anything.

In my own healing process, I had to face every single demon I had. Real or imagined. I took power back from them. They had been leeching off vital energies from me. It was the most terrifying, exhilarating, and easy thing I’d done.

Terrifying, because who really likes confrontation of anything, much less your own demons? Why do we create such monsters for ourselves? Growth, I suppose.

Exhilarating, because of the freedom it gave me. Now I am unencumbered by nonsense that had been hanging on—some of it for a lifetime.

Easy, yes, easy. Ultimately it was the easiest thing in the world for me to do. What else did I have to do? I was in the hospital for a week, drugs kept me awake for half of that, probably hallucinating for half of that. Great breeding ground for demons. One by one they came. When you face a demon squarely in the eye, it usually dissolves. You may have to talk to it, hit it, or, laugh at it. Demons don’t know what to do with laughter. Laughter is great healing medicine.

What did this leave me? A much more powerful person. Things that used to bother me don’t. Oh, do I get annoyed, sure, especially at stupidity. I’ve become much more cognizant of our internal power. For remember this. No matter how much others want to help, the only one who can truly help you is you. With others being compassionate, especially at trying times, it makes that process easier.

Please remember that power is knowing just the right amount of energy to use. A truly powerful person rarely exerts much energy. They simply know how to tap the source. The power is within. Be sympathetic to those in need, for you never know when you will need it, too. Both, power and compassion, are achieved, not owned¹.

1. Kerr Cuhulain, Wiccan Warrior (St. Paul, MN : Llewellyn Publications, 2000), pp. 22, 84, 117.

Mark MoonSpider Sosnowski

For The Beginner – Witchcraft 101 – Lesson Four

Lesson 4

Beginning Shadows

Meditation Meditation is important in ritual work. Listen when a spell calls for any sort of meditation. It is used to calm the body, cleanse the soul and remove any unwanted energies from the body before ritual is performed. It can cleanse the mind. Try different meditation positions. Many people can meditate while sitting, but I have trouble and must lie down on my back. Others cannot lie down at all to meditate. Try meditation to different types of music or to cassettes of nature sounds. You can incorporate chanting and drumming into your meditations as well as they produce a mind-numbing effect.

A Meditation I have read many books and  articles on different types of meditations and I have found one meditation in  particular very useful. Begin by lying or sitting in a comfortable position. You  may wish to play some type of soothing music or nature sounds such as ocean  waves, water running or a rainstorm. Once you are comfortable, close your eyes.  Let your entire body relax beginning with your toes. Feel your toes slack. Let  it move up your legs. Feel your legs relax, then your thighs, then your stomach.  Let your arms relax, your neck and then your face and head. Slowly, you will  find yourself surrounded by light. This light will spread until you seem to  float in a void of white light. Reach out before you and grab some of the light.  Tear it open and step through the hole. You find yourself in the middle of a  wood. The white hole remains open behind you. You are standing on a little path.  Look around you. Is it night? Day? Are there birds singing? Paying attention to  detail during meditation will help you get better in your astral travel. Follow  the path. After a while you will see an old moss-covered bridge. Step onto the  bridge. A small burbling stream flows beneath it. As you look over into the  stream, you will notice that your pockets feel weighted with stones. These  stones are your worldly troubles, worries and problems. You cannot take them  with you where you are going. Pull the stones from your pocket and drop them  into the stream. Watch the water bubble over them. If you feel any more stones  in your pocket, keep emptying it until it is empty. Continue across the bridge  to the path on the other side. Soon, the wood will open up into a large  clearing. There are mountains in the distance and before you is a small hill  with a single tree. Grassy hills with wildflowers stretch off into the distance.  This is the astral plane. Once you get proficient in visiting this area, you can  go anywhere you wish. You might meet people here, or animals. Talk to them and  listen to what they have to say. Get to know your surroundings. Explore a little  but don’t get lost. Confusion on the astral may cause you to leave part of  yourself behind when you leave. After you have finished your business on the  astral, be sure to leave the way you came. Go back across the bridge and enter  back through the hole. Seal it up behind you. Let the light die around you and  feel yourself return to your body. Open your eyes.

There are some troubles that you can run into on the  astral. Remember that there are dangers there the same as anywhere else. If you  meet a being that makes you feel in any way uncomfortable, just surround  yourself in a bubble of light. They will soon leave.

Visualization Visualization is very important in spell work. In order for your spells to work well, you must be able to conjure up images of people and objects in very great detail. This will help to make your magic stronger. There are a variety of techniques used to practice visualization. My favorite is the candle method.

Begin in a quiet, dark room. Light a candle and sit comfortably with the candle in front of you. Do not stare  directly into the flame, but choose a place near the base of the flame that is  not painful to look at. The blue area near the bottom is good for this. Stare at the frame and let the image imprint itself into your mind. When you feel that you have stared at the candle long enough, close your eyes and imagine the image of the candle burning there. See the flame flickering and note the color of the candle and the way the wax is dripping or how it melts into a clear liquid at the base of the wick. Envision the candle until you cannot envision it anymore and do it a second time. Do this as many times as you like (at least twice) for one week.

After the first week, try and envision the candle without it in front of you. You can do this in meditation or any time that you have free time in a quiet place. Once you can envision the candle, try envisioning other objects. Try, for example, an apple. Without having one in front of you, imagine an apple in your mind. Hold the apple in your hand. feel the weight of it and smell it. What kind of apple is it? What color is it? What does it feel like? Once you get the hang of fruit, try the same with people. You may want to begin with a photograph. Then work with people you see around you. If you are sitting on the bus, look at someone across from you. Close your eyes and see how long you can envision them before you loose the image. Try becoming different things. Try envisioning being an animal, say a bird. Feel yourself flying and landing. Try being a fish and swimming or a horse and running. Try being an ant. What does the world look like from where you are? After a short time, you will get quite proficient at this.

Dreaming Dreams are very important. Witches learn to pay attention to dreams. Sometimes they are prophetic and can tell the future or they allow one to astrally travel to another time or dimension. At other times, dreams are just the mind’s way of sorting out the day’s events or dealing with a problem that you have been thinking over. Whatever the reason, dream recording should become an important practice.

I keep a dream journal by my bed. I have practiced remembering my dreams since I was a child and so I have not trouble recording them later or remembering the dreams years after I dream them. Many of my childhood memories were dreams.

Once when I was about five years old, I dreamt that I was a grown woman, probably in my twenties. I was lying in a hospital bed when suddenly, I began to float out of my body. I sort of hung on the ceiling looking down at myself. The room was grayish white and there was a television in the corner. There was a door, but no windows. Some doctors were looking over my body and talking, but I could not understand what they were saying. I floated up through the ceiling and then woke up. I can’t help but think now that I must have been experiencing something from a past life or that I was having a prophecy of my own death. I could not have known at five years old that people who have come back from death described death as being the same way.

My dream journal is just a blank journal with lines. Every morning, as soon as I wake up, I open my eyes and blurt out whatever I can that I dreamt about. This helps me remember. Then as soon as I get my contacts in, I take up the book and record my dreams.

Once your dreams are recorded, you can try interpreting them. I do not use dictionaries as definitions for certain symbols can be different for different people. For example, if a woman who is terrified of rats dreams that she is covered in rats, she might interpret that as being an nightmare in which she was being warned not to take on something that will be too difficult for her so that she is in over her head. I, on the other hand, have had and love rats. To me they are symbols of curiosity, cleanliness, and play. If I had the same dream, I would interpret that I was going to have great fortune.

Try practicing determining the meanings of your dreams. Notice what happens that day and see if it has anything to do with what you thought the dream was about. You can get quite good at this. Dreams can be your mind’s way of telling you what you need to do.

Heal Thyself You can heal yourself simply by paying attention to your chakra centers. When  you are looking at your chakras in meditation, you may notice that some appear  dull or might have black spots on them or areas where no light shines through.  Sometimes dark or mottled spots may appear. This is a manifestation of a problem  with your health dealing with whichever chakra has been affected. Silver  Ravenwolf describes one way of healing yourself and bringing your chakras back  into balance by using what is known as a “vacuum ball.” Visualize a ball before  you that is devoid of light, much like what you might imagine a black hole to  be.  Visualize this vacuum ball sucking in things around it from the  spiritual plane such as light and dust. Open the chakra that has been affected.  For example, if you have a sore throat, open the throat chakra. Visualize the  vacuum ball sucking all of the spots off of the chakra until it is clean. Close  the chakra and allow the vacuum ball to sink into the ground. If you are very  ill or your symptoms are more apparent, it may take many cleanings to get your  chakras back in tune with each other.

The Temple Or the Altar Space. Most witches prefer to work out of doors, but sometimes this cannot be accomplished. Wherever you work, the rules are generally the same.

The room or space should be large enough to house the sacred circle: the circle of power in which a witch works. The circle is usually six or nine feet in diameter, but if neither of these sizes can be accomplished, then you can improvise. The altar sits in the center of the circle facing east – the direction of birth and beginnings. A candle or colored lamp or bonfire sits at each of the four Airts or directions. Blue for west, yellow for east, red for south and green for north. These will represent the four powers of the elements that are called on to protect the circle. One should always enter the circle from the east, the place of new beginnings. The altar is also set up to face east. Depending on your path, the altar may face a different direction. Wiccans, however, have the altar facing the sunrise.

Your sacred space should be a space in which you feel comfortable. A clearing in the woods or a clearing in your living room are both fine places to work as long as you are alone or it is quiet. If a coven is working, the entire coven stays within the circle. Usually, each member has their own job to do within the circle to keep it in good working order. Do not allow children in the room or pets other than cats that are free-roaming as they may cross the boundaries of your circle and inhibit your working. Cats do not seem to have an effect on the power of a circle and can easily cross between the worlds. You will learn about circles in a later chapter.

Cleanse your ritual space by sweeping. Sweep out the bad energies. Chant something like:

Sweep, sweep, sweep this place By powers of Air, I cleanse this space.

Carry a lit candle around the area, making sure to thrust it into all corners and closets. Do the same with salt water and burning incense. You may want to wash the area with holy water as well. Draw a pentacle over the area with your finger for protection.

 

Witchcrafted

The Witches Spell for October 23 – ‘White Light Ritual’

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WHITE LIGHT RITUAL

　

Best time to do this spell:

In the early morning-to make the spell even stronger – do it as the sunshine’s on you!

As the sun rises in the morning – get somewhere it can shine on you (even laying in bed is okay for this one!) as you feel the warmth of the sun shining on you – see in your mind’s eye a bright light – pure and white surrounding you and outlining your body -leaving NO openings = completely surrounding you in light and warmth (you will FEEL it too) as you surround yourself in this warm and wonderful light say to yourself out loud or merely in your head

“May the white light surround me

and protect me from all harm

this is my WILL so MOTE it be.”

　

Then simply go about your day – you can also send white light to others by simply surrounding them with white light in your mind’s eye and substituting the person’s name for me in the incantation above. you will notice immediately a change – as you walk past – people will try to catch your eye and smile – try it – it works!  You may do this as often as you like !

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 22

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 22

“Growth is a painful process.”

–Wilma Mankiller, CHEROKEE

Whenever we grow, we usually need to let go of emotional attachments. Letting go can be painful. Sometimes growth allows us to deal with fear. All fear can fit into two categories: one, we’re going to lose something we have, and two, we’re not going to get something we want. Both of these categories can cause pain. The best way to grow is to pray to the Great Spirit and ask Him to guide and protect us. All growth is guided by God.

My Creator, guide my growth today and give me Your love and courage to help my pain.

Daily Feng Shui News for Oct. 22nd – ‘Seasonal Allergies’

Leaves of many blazing colors now cloak the trees as autumn glows in full glory. But even with all this natural beauty, the shifting seasons can often have you feeling like a slave to seasonal allergies. If you find that you’re shedding as many tears as there are leaves on the ground, then try a simple aromatherapy remedy. Add ten drops of pure eucalyptus oil to six drops each of true lavender oil and chamomile and drop this mix into a bowl of steaming spring or distilled water. When diffused into your immediate environment, this synergistic blend should stop the wheezing and sneezing and even help dry those eyes.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

A Little Humor for Oct. 21st – The guide for women

The guide for women

A WOMAN’S GUIDE TO WHAT A MAN IS REALLY SAYING:

I’M HUNGRY.
I’m hungry.

I’M SLEEPY.
I’m sleepy.

I’M TIRED.
I’m tired.

I’VE GOTTA GO.
Get out of the way and stay away until it clears.

WHAT’S WRONG?
I don’t see why you’re making such a big deal out of this.

WHAT’S WRONG?
What meaningless self-inflicted psychological trauma are you going through now?

YES, I LIKE THE WAY YOU CUT YOUR HAIR.
I liked it better before.

YES, I LIKE THE WAY YOU CUT YOUR HAIR.
$50 and it doesn’t look that much different!

YES, I LIKE THE WAY YOU CUT YOUR HAIR.
For $50 they should have GIVEN YOU hair!

LET’S TALK, HONEY.
I’m trying to impress you by showing you that I am a deep person, and maybe then you’d like to have sex with me.

WILL YOU MARRY ME?
I want to make it illegal for you to have sex with other guys.

WILL YOU MARRY ME?
I might as well get tax benefits for going through these talks.

Daily Feng Shui News for Oct. 21st – ‘Information Overload Day’

Coming right after yesterday’s ‘Information Overload Day’ is another day that suspects that you have your head in the clouds. It’s ‘National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day’ and I’m sensing a clutter theme — in this case, tech clutter like unreturned emails and voice messages, undeleted texts and old bookmarks. All this clutter can have the same negative effect as physical clutter. Take some time today to clean up your virtual mess and you’ll feel much more confident and clear.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 20

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 20

“As Elders, it is our place to show respect to our young people in order to gain respect.”

–Grace Azak, NISGA’A

The attitude of our leaders will be the attitude of the people. The attitude of the parents will be the attitude of the children. If respect is shown from above, respect will be developed below. If the Elders show respect, the younger people will be respectful. As above, so below. This happens because of interconnectedness. The heart of the Elders is connected to the heart of the youth.

Great Spirit, in the fall season let me respect both the Elders and the youth.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Oct. 20th is The Sun

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Sun

The Sun is our Cosmic Nurturer. Life flourishes under its radiant beams. It provides the illumination to find Truths and lights one’s path so we do not get lost. To stand in the rays of The Sun is to shine. To absorb its energy promotes growth, exceptional physical and mental health, and good fortune. The Sun is empowering, elevating and fills those who bask in it with confidence and sense of self-worth. While The Sun certainly doesn’t promise a life’s path without some bumps in the road, The Sun indicates all will be well.

As a daily card, The Sun indicates a time when you should be at your zenith. At moments like this all should be very clear to you. Solutions to dilemmas that have confounded you will become obvious. The opportunity to take giant steps towards attaining your goals is upon you.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Sunday, October 20th

An intense cosmic drama impacts relationships this month, yet the sensible Taurus Moon reminds us to keep our feet on the ground. However, change is inevitable as the dynamic square between revolutionary Uranus and transformational Pluto culminates on November 1. The action is heating up and we must focus our attention on our long-term goals, even if mischievous Mercury’s retrograde turn tomorrow slows down our progress for the next three weeks.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may resist any form of constraint today, but practicing self-discipline is a very effective strategy, even in small doses. It’s not that you are out of control; it’s just that you might agree to deliver more than you can handle now. Unfortunately, you could ruin a good thing if you accept too much responsibility without setting clearly defined boundaries. At least, think twice before saying yes.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Trying to simultaneously juggle too many chores might impress someone at first, but everything changes if you can’t complete what you start. Effectively breaking down a large task into manageable components enables you to concentrate on each one separately. Although a major project may be overwhelming, you can accomplish more than you expect if you just take it one piece at a time. Inch by inch it’s a cinch; yard by yard it’s hard.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Your playful approach to serious issues can be too much for someone else to handle today. A friend or partner might even complain that you aren’t working hard enough to hold up your end of the bargain. Nevertheless, you believe that you’re actually doing more than your fair share. If anyone comments on your lack of productivity, shrug it off. Don’t let a battle of dueling egos take over your day. Put forth your very best effort and your actions will speak for themselves.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You could be so blunt with your opinions today that you accidentally hurt someone’s feelings. You’re a bundle of extremes now as you push out beyond the old limits. You imagine a variety of possibilities where others only see obstacles. You can explain exactly where they have gone off track, but being critical of everyone else won’t help anything at all. Sharpening your skills and improving your productivity enable you to lead by example, instead.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You might take the idea of being busy to a whole new level today, but secretly you would rather be relaxing. You want to have fun but you intuitively realize that the current temptations are acting as one big test of your willpower. It’s not wise to just give in to your irresponsible inner child now; you will feel better about yourself when you behave like a grown-up, instead. Whistling while you work inspires everyone around you to do the same.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Regaining control of your finances and getting a handle on your spending might be tricky business today. There’s no need for impulsive behavior, especially if you are considering the purchase of a luxury item in order to add more beauty to your life. Unfortunately, buying something special may still leave you feeling emotionally empty now. Look beyond the material world to discover the fulfillment you seek. The most precious things in life are free.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Taking pride in your appearance comes as second nature to you and you like to look your best, no matter what you are doing. However, you could push vanity too far now as the radiant Sun in your 1st House of Personality aligns with unrelenting Pluto. You can inadvertently set up a power struggle if you don’t rein in your ambitions early on. It’s better to show support for your team today than to run out ahead of the pack.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

It doesn’t matter much if your dreams are unrealistic; you’re not ready to give up on them just yet. Paradoxically, you’re quite optimistic about your future even if your progress has been delayed. You believe that your logic is clear, but it’s challenging to be productive now if your perspective is warped. If you ask your closest supporters for advice, make sure that you actually listen to what they say. A simple reality check may be all that you need to get back on track.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Speculating about money and power is likely to be high on your agenda today. You might have an opportunity in front of you that’s hard to resist. Someone may offer to give you something for nothing, but rest assured that same person will return to collect on a debt or promise. If you don’t inflate your expectations now, you won’t have to deal with any disappointments later. Follow your intuition but keep your common sense close at hand.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You can feel your emotional intensity building up again, but today you are unsure whether to trust your instincts or your logic. Unfortunately, you may still be smarting from a recent run-in with an authority figure, yet you have enough new ideas now to turn a previous setback to your advantage. Don’t worry about winning or losing; honoring your intentions and doing your absolute best is good enough.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You want to examine both sides of a complicated issue now, but this mental exercise won’t bring you any closer to a solution. Fortunately, finding a lasting compromise isn’t nearly as important today as you believe. Just drawing everyone’s hidden agendas out into the open is enough mischief for one day since it clears the air of any residual tension. Turn on the light of awareness and let nature take its course

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Believing in yourself brings untold benefits because you realize you can’t always count on others to support you and your work. It might surprise you today if an associate takes the time to help you without expecting anything in return. Let down your guard; this isn’t the moment to prove how independent you are. Instead of feigning self-sufficiency and pushing others away, accept their generosity with an open heart and a smile.