Tag: Health

Meditation to Meet Your Earth Guide

Meditation to Meet Your Earth Guide

 

Set up a simple altar with a green or brown candle and herbal incense. You may wish to use a green altar cloth and your pentacle. Cast your personal circle. Take several slow, deep, cleansing breaths and relax your whole body. Close your eyes. Allow your breathing to show and become regular. Take deep, slow breaths. Visualize the gateway to earth. Make the gate as elaborate as you wish, using any material that you desire. To open, does it swing wide? Does it lift up? Does it dissolve? Keep focused on your breath, and allow the gate to open. Relax. Walk through the gateway and down the path. Take a moment to observe the world around you. The grass is a beautiful emerald green. There are flowering tees and shrubs everywhere you look. The nearby hillsides are covered with flowers and green healthy grass. As you walk, you notice a figure in the distance. Walk toward it. Stay focused on your breath. Standing in front of you is your guide for exploring the elemental realm of earth. It could be an animal, a human or a mythical creature. Greet your guide. Listen to what he has to say. When you have heard all you wish, thank him. Always respect your guide, as he will be with you a long time. Slowly walk back up the pathway to the gate. Focus on your breath. Walk through the gate and see it close. Allow yourself a few more deep breaths and then open your eyes. Write down what you learned in a journal for safekeeping. Close your circle.

Today’s Rune for Monday, June 13 is Blank/the Unknowable

Odin/ the Unknowable

 

Blank is the beginning and the end. Surrender and total trust are the only aids when phoenix is burning and rising from the ashes. The circle of life is valid for humans as it is for all of nature. Accept your fate, the work of self-change is progressing in your life.
The empty rune is a challenge for your faith.

Making The Tree a Place of Power

Outdoors, your tree will be naturally cleansed and empowered by the weather, and if some of the items gets battered, don’t worry. However, you may wish initially to cleanse and empower the tree and any artefacts on it at the first full moon after it has been created. You can do this by smudging thound the tree with a smudge stick made of a bundle of tied and dried herb sticks.

You can use the technique below, if you like:

  • Light one end of the smudge stick and let the flames die down, then gently blow on the end until it glows red and you have a stream of smoke. You can use your other hand to fan the smoke. Smudge sticks are generally held in your power hand.
  • If indoors, be careful about sparks and ventilate the room. Also try to stand where you can see the moon or at least the sky through the window. Indoors, you can substitute a sage or pine incense stick if you wish.
  • To cleanse and empower the tree, stand facing the tree at about five paces distance. Raise your smudge stick upwards to the sky and downward to the earth.
  • Walk nine times clockwise round the tree, making alternate clockwise and  anticlockwise spirals of smoke., high and low, stamping your feet as you move and chant.
  • Relax and enjoy the experience. Let your feet carry you, often in a spiralling step movement, as you connect with earth energies and your hand weaves smoke patterns. Work barefoot if possible as you have sensitive energy center or chakras in the soles of your feet.
  • Chant continuously until you have made nine circuits:
  • “Empowering me, be for me, strengths and healing. Keep away harm, guard what is dear, and keep love near.”
  • You can repeat this ritual whenever you add something new to the three or before using it aaaas the focus for a personal spell or chants. Re-empower every third full moon.

 

Incense of the Day for June 10 is Dark Lady’s Incense

Dark Lady’s Dreams Incense

1/2 palmful Cinnamon
3 whole Allspice
1/2 palmful Sweet Dittany of Crete
1 pinch Cedar
1 pinch Fennel
6 drops Hyancith Oil,
2 pinches Rosemary
6 drops Cinnamon oil
1 1/2 pinches Mullein
2 pinches Benzoin
1 palm Witchhazel
4 pinches Saltpeter — more or less to suit

This incense recipe is for burning on a charcoal tablet.

Crystal of the Day for June 10th is Agates

Crystal of the Day

AGATE

Moss Agates considered to be most powerful. Aid in restoration of energy,
used in healing, and believed to bring wearer happiness, wealth, health, and
long life. Increases ability to ward off self-induced anger and inner
bitterness. Carnelian- gives protection and energy. Moss green-balances
emotional energy. Moss red-balances physical energy. Blue lace-gives
tranquility.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for June 10th is 33:Retreat

33: Retreat

Hexagram 33
 
General Meaning: All worthy goals meet resistance of some kind. When negative forces predominate, a well-timed retreat is a good way to stay on the path to ultimate success. Tibetans know this.

Strategic retreat is not to be confused with escape or surrender. Successful retreat demands quick and nimble movement — taking up a new position before you are damaged by the current situation. You are not admitting defeat by temporarily retreating, but simply increasing your options, and preserving your resources. Sometimes it is necessary to slow down, let go or move back in order to develop countermoves for the future. Timing is critical, as is how well you position yourself after realignment. Considerations of personal security are critical.

Periods of withdrawal or retreat call for cool-headedness. It is necessary to keep your wits about you. Attend to small details while allowing yourself time to contemplate the whole picture. Be creative; not all progress follows a straight line. Self-confidence is also essential; small setbacks can easily become defeats if we allow ourselves to become mired in self-doubt or self-pity.

Waves of progress are, by their nature, short-lived. Learn to attune yourself to the up-and-down cycles of life. When the wave is behind you, ride it in; when it’s not, lie low. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can ‘fix’ any situation whenever you feel like it. Some things are bigger than you are. Hold your pride in check and you will be better prepared to find creative openings.

A Tale of Being Reborn

 
Author: Raventalker

As I drift off to sleep this cold, winter night in March underneath the full moon, the Storm Moon, I see a young native Indian man. He is very strong and wise beyond his years. He is a healer, what some might call a medicine man. I lay before him in a trance like state as he begins his ritual. He starts off with chants and a bit of a dance.

With leaves of some sacred plant tucked into his ear lobes he dances about my body, cleansing my soul and the air that surrounds me so that the healing process may begin. Blessing the area once cleansed, he continues his mystic chants. I see myself laying there, now bound by the feet and ankles …

A white horse I see, this horse is there to carry me on my journey. A ritual of unbinding my legs now begins. Large knives or blades are heated by the blazing fire that roars in the circle, then used to cut away what ties me down.

A white wolf appears. By my side he takes a protective stance and with his eyes of pale blue he holds his position at my side to protect my spirit as the ritual continues through the night. My head is then wrapped with some sort of large, green leafy plant anointed in the native medicines, my eyes are then covered as well with the same.

Pink blossoms are then places over my eyes. Not sure what the flower is but it is fragrant, not strong but a gentle scent and the petals are long and oval shaped much like a star but with many more points. As I am being healed I am also being given certain gifts. At this time I do not question all that goes on, I accept the healing and welcome the gifts.

Natives at both my sides chanting and dancing all around me, I am then adorned with white seeds that are placed down the center of my stomach, from my breasts to my navel. I reach down to touch the ever faithful wolf that still stands guard at my side. As I stroke his fur, he leans in to my touch and yet maintains his stance to re-affirm that he remains to be my protector and shall not, under any circumstances leave my side. …

To each side of me there are natives painting my body with ointments and healing colors. They paint on symbols of healing and rebirth… my insides are being healed for the next stage of the ritual. Now below my navel a large area is painted. This is where my womb lies. Oh yes, I see, now it is clear that I am about to give birth. Birth to who or what I ask…

Once the adornment is complete the medicine man and his fellow natives begin to chant at a stronger, louder, more intense pace. The birthing has begun and I see and image emerging from my own stomach. A figure cloaked in white. What’s this I see? I am giving birth to my own self!

Slowly I rise from within myself. A long laboring task. Once I am fully born I look back to have a look back at the body I have just come from. Now nothing more than an empty shell. It looks as though all the useful bits were taken out and now all that is left is a thick skin of a shell. A tough thick skin, for that person that I came from had grown tough from many lifetimes of pain and suffering. I see I have taken the heart with me and yet left the brain behind.

Maybe this is telling me that the old way of thinking is no longer needed and that new thinking is now possible. … Leaving behind also all the painful memories that cluttered the mind and held me back from truly progressing.

My eyes I see I have taken as well, but they have been cleansed and renewed so that I may have a fresh, untainted look at the world around me. With new eyes, new visions emerge. and with new visions come new hopes, new dreams, new goals and a whole new life.

As I am now fully free from my old self, I go to the white wolf to thank him for the devotion and protection he has given to me during this time of renewal. I kneel before him and look into his eyes and tears begin to fall from my newly reopened eyes. I am overcome with so much emotion for when our eyes met, I saw the heart and soul of this wolf. Strong and pure, full of love. A love so true that no sacrifice was too big. For I saw that the wolf would give his own life for my protection.

As I gather myself, I am told to rise and hold my head up high. For now I am to see myself as a priestess and I needed to start living the part. I was told to recognize my gifts and embrace the new me that has emerged this cold March night. This would be my next great task in life, for I have never seen myself in such a position of stature. I was told that by accepting my new position was to truly love myself and it was less of a title that others would know me by and more of one that would be known to myself.

Knowing who you are and accepting that and embracing it with love is the only way to inner peace and with your own inner peace you can now finally begin to help others heal. For your inner self is like your home and if your home is not in order you cannot expect to help others get their own in order.

As I agree to accept the new life that has been given.. I begin my journey.. Walking down life’s path again, with a new perspective and new look at what the world has in store and what magic lies ahead.

With the white wolf at my side we begin down the path and I see myself transform into a wolf as well and we run off into the shadows of the night. Side by side we run off to start anew. Not in front or behind but at the side of my protector, my partner.

There was also at some point in the vision a red star that was given to me. Placed in my right hand. The star was a symbol of a gift being given to me. It would be a gift of touch. Now to help others heal. I must use my hands in some way. In a way that touches them. Not necessarily physically but spiritually, emotionally.

Another star is seen – purple/blue on the outside tips and an orange- yellow in the middle and then a bright red light in the center casting a bright red light into the heavens. This part of the vision is unclear. No idea what this last image means … anyone have any insight?

Magickal Intentions – Lust

Herbs have been used for centuries to create a sexual desire in those near them. Not surprisingly, they are commonly used to arouse another person’s lust, perhaps against their will.

However they are also used as love herbs are to attract others who desire sexual contacts, and this a certainly less manipulatory than the former use.

Magickal Intentions – Protection

From the overwhelming number of herbs used for this purpose it is obvious that protection is (and has been) of the utmost concern for many people. Most of the protective herbs are  general in their effects; they guard their bearer against physical and psychic attacks; injury; accidents, poison, snake bite, lightning strikes, wicked spirits, the evil eye and so on. In other words they are protective in a general way.

Naturally they won’t do you much good once something  has happened–protective herbs should be a preventative. This doesn’t mean that if you wear a protective root or carry a sachet you’ll breeze through life unfettered with annoyances. But carrying some of those herbs will certainly help screen out potential harmful situation.

In today’s world we should guard ourselves with every available means. Protective herbs are one of these.  They create a type of force field around your home, possessions, or self. When carried they also increase the effectiveness of your body’s natural defenses.

An ounce of prevention, after all, is worth a pound of cure.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for June 3 is 39: Temporary Obstacles

39: Temporary Obstacles

Hexagram 39

General Meaning: Have temporary obstacles been blocking your way? In the course of trying to reach a goal or to fulfill a personal ambition, obstructions inevitably present themselves. This is not always a bad thing. Obstacles, difficulties and even setbacks that are eventually overcome often turn into assets. Without irritating grains of sand, oysters would never make pearls.

The obstacles pointed to here are not permanent, yet they are in the way. As when a large boulder falls in the road, the best course of action is usually to go around it, rather than to try to move it out of the way. Temporary obstacles must be seen for what they are — temporary — and should not be allowed to take on too much significance.

A positive aspect of even the most difficult obstacle is that it may cause a person to turn inward, and gain greater depth and character. While the ignorant bemoan their fate and seek to blame their problems on others, the wise seek the cause of the problem within themselves. Through this type of introspection, obstacles become a means for personal growth and self-discovery.

Without air resistance, no plane would ever fly.

If you are facing temporary obstacles, try not to be overly concerned. Obstacles are a part of achieving every goal and furthering every undertaking. Setbacks and reverses can affect morale, but keeping up your self-confidence in the face of challenges is part of a successful solution to many of life’s problems. Obstacles of short duration are best handled with a yielding attitude. Go around the rock, don’t put your shoulder to it.

Smudge Sticks

Smudge sticks are tied-up or braided bundles of dried herbs that care carried and burned like incense around a room or area in order to create energetic shifts with the magickal power of the smoke.

You can purchase smudge stick online or at many health and metaphysical stores,  or you can make your own. To make your own sage smudge stick simply cut fresh sage and tie firmly into a wand like bundle with hemp twine or  cotton . Then  hang it up to dry. For sweetgrass braids you’re on your own–I’ve never made on of the ssweetgrass braids, but I would imagine it’s pretty easy if you know where and how to find fresh sweetgrass.

Personal note: I prefer to use sage. I know most spells that use sage call for the use of white sage. But I have found that every type of sage works. I planted a garden full of sage. In my opinion, you can never have enough sage. You use it to cleanse and you also use it in your spells. So the more sage you have, the better off you are.

 

Sunshine Brew

This amazing formula has many uses! The liquid can be added to soaps and floor washes and the dried herbs can be included in your own incense recipes or burned alone on an incense charcoal tab. I created the formula to vibrate to good health, wealth, and success. Be sure to empower the finished brew with your magickal bell. (tuning forks) and your own special prayer.

2    tablespoons dried chamomile

2    tablespoons dried bergamot

2    tablespoons dried ginger

2    tablespoons dried rosemary

      Mortar and pestle

1    up distilled water

1    paper coffee filter

1    clear glass bottle or jar

Grind the herbs with mortar and pestle just enough to break them up and release their aroma, not enough to pulverize them. Boil one cup of distilled water. Take one half of your herbal mixture and place to center of a paper coffee filter. Twist filter tightly. Place filter in the cup of hot water. Remove after one hour; throw soaked herbs away. Refrigerate sunshine brew and be sure to label DO NOT DRINK. To use, empower at sunrise or at noon. Add a crystal to the brew for more power.

Sunshine Brew Glycerin Body Soap

4    cups melt and pour glycerin soap base

2    tablespoons sunshine brew

       Ground sunshine brew herbs (dried)

      Yellow soap dye (optional, but if you do not use dye for this recipe, your

       soap will appear a faint, murky yellow-green)

      Soap molds or square Pyrex dish

4    vitamin E gel capsules

Grind sunshine herbs into a finer mixture-especially the ginger, this should be powdered. Follow soap-melting instructions as given on the package. Once soap has melted, with ladle, transfer soap to your Pyrex measuring cup. (If you melted the soap in the cup in the microwave, transfer won’t be necessary.) Whisk in desired amount of color and scent by following instructions given with those products. Add the two tablespoons of sunshine brews, and whisk. Add desired amount of herbs. Some individuals like very few herbs in their soaps, where others like a more generous amount–just remember that herbals can clog your drain if they are too large or you use too much. Break vitamin E gel capsules and add the liquid to your soap mixture. Vitamin E will help to preserve the chamomile. Makes approximately ten 6-ounce soaps.

Body-Safe Dried Herbs for Soaps

There are a large number of body-safe dried herbs that you can include in your soaps, although some of them such as chamomile, sage, and teas, will blend over time. This doesn’t hurt the soap but may make your soaps unsightly. Adding 1/4 teaspoon of vitamin E to each pound of your soap mixture will help to retard this process by preserving the herb. Although some individuals add rose petals to their soaps, others don’t recommend it because rose petals have a tendency to turn black over time. Her’s a list of herbs you can include in your magickal soaps!

  • Allspice

  • Almond

  • Barley

  • Basil

  • Bergamot

  • Bladderwrack (sea kelp)

  • Brown sugar

  • Calendula (marigold)

  • Cardamom

  • Chamomile

  • Chocolate

  • Cinnamon (just a bit!)

  • Coffee

  • Coriander

  • Cornmeal (for garden and deep grime removal soaps)

  • Dill

  • Eucalyptus

  • Ginger

  • Ginseng

  • Green tea

  • Juniper berries

  • Lemongrass

  • Lemon peel

  • Lemon verbena

  • Lime peel

  • Mints

  • Neem

  • Nutmeg

  • Oatmeal

  • Oregano

  • Patchouli

  • Rose hips (purchase only those sold for health and beauty products)

  • Rosemary (finely ground)

  • Safflower

  • Sage

  • Thyme

  • Note: Take special care when making soaps for allergy-sensitive individuals. Ingredients like almonds, cinnamon, and honey may have adverse effects on some individuals.

 

Basic Melt-and-Pour Making Instruction

In soap making, timing is essential. If you whisk too long, then your soap will begin to get in the measuring cup to the point where you won’t be able to pour it. If this occurs, it must be re-melted before pouring. Re-melting soap with fragrance can destroy the integrity of the aroma. Expect to make a few mistakes when first learning to make your own soaps; however, you will quickly get the feel of this super-simple process! Goat’s milk, coconut and shea butter bases do not have good suspension and require that you whisk your formulas until they thicken but are still warm enough to pour.

Basic Melt-and-Pour Soap-Making Instructions

  • Heat your soap base as indicated by manufacturer. (Be careful not to overheat or you will destroy the integrity of the soap based.)

  • Add color per manufacturer’s instruction.

  • Add fragrance or essential oils per manufacturer’s instructions. Hint: For every pound of soap use three teaspoons of fragrance (this does not apply for essential oils).

  • Add herbs.

  • Add any other inclusions-water for handmilled, jojoba carrier or other oils; vitamin E (a preservative), etc.

  • Whisk mixture until it begins to thicken.

  • Pour into molds.

  • Spritz each soap while still warm with alcohol to remove bubbles.

  • Allow to cool completely in mold.

  • Remove from mold.

  • Air-dry (length of time depends on what type of base you are using). Glycerin can be packaged after one hour.

Funny Thought for the Day – Inner Strength

 

  • If you can start the day without caffeine.
  • If you can get going without pep pills.
  • If you can always be cheerful ignoring aches and pains.
  • If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles.
  • If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it.
  • If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time.
  • If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when through no fault of yours something goes wrong.
  • If you can take criticism and blame without resentment.
  • If you can ignore a friend’s limited education and never correct him.
  • If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend.
  • If you can face the world without lies and deceit.
  • If you can conquer tension without medical help.
  • If you can relax without liquor.
  • If you can sleep without the aid of drugs.
  • …..Then you are probably the family dog!

Your Daily Number for June 1: 9

 

Today brings with it a grand opportunity for healing your mind and body. Get rest, and treat yourself to a massage or some other rejuvenating ‘time out.’ You may have a conversation later in the day that helps you strengthen your bond with another.

Fast Facts

About the Number 9

Theme: Encompassing a love for all, Compassion, Patience, Selfless
Astro Association: Virgo
Tarot Association: Hermit

Your Daily Number for May 31: 4

Today could be demanding and somewhat frustrating as you find yourself engaged in routine affairs. Focus on organizing your world and opportunity will follow. It’s a great day to consider investing in long-term endeavors. Don’t let disagreements with a loved one regarding money ruin your day.

Fast Facts

About the Number 4

Theme: Form, Work, Order, Practicality, Discipline

Astro Association: Aries

Tarot Association: Emperor

Female Tonic

This tonic builds vitality, beautiful skin and regulates the female reproductive system. It is mildly sedative and beneficial for women of all ages.

1  small root (1 ounce) or 1 thin slice tang kuei

2  slices white peony root

3  pieces bupleurun

2  jujube red dates

1  piece licorice or ginger root

In 2 -3  cups of water, simmer herbs for one hour. Strain and drink up to one cup daily. Use 2 cups of water to produce a stronger estrogenic brew.

NOTE: Omit tang kuei if estrogen blockers have been prescribed or consult your physician first,.