Tag: Religion and Spirituality

Wiccan Samhain

Wiccan Samhain

 

SAMHAIN (pronounced saw-an), commonly referred to as Halloween, is a religious holiday celebrated by Wiccan and witch. The festival traditionally is a feast for the gathering of the family in love and remembrance. All the family including one’s ancestors.
Wiccans do not regard physical death as an end but merely one more event in a continuing progress of the soul’s in its path toward fulfillment of divine destiny. Because of these beliefs, it is only natural at this time of year to invite our beloved ancestors to remember and to celebrate with us.
If you do not find these beliefs in conflict with your own personal beliefs, please join us in the following ritual of thanksgiving and remembrance.
Whether you join with us or not, May you walk in the Light of the Lady and know the Wisdom of the Lord.
Blessed Be.
The clergy and members of the United Wiccan Church.
***

After you have shared the bounty of your harvest with the children of your neighborhood (candy, etc) and the house has settled down for the night, disconnect or turn off your telephone so that this state of serenity will continue uninterrupted.
Prepare a special feast of whatever foods reminds you of a special departed friend or family member, or of past family gatherings. While you are preparing this feast think of all of the good times you had with them.
When the feast is prepared, set your holiday table with a special place of honor for the departed friend or family member.
Decorate the table and room as you would for a holiday dinner with the family, add those special things that are important to you and your family (flowers, candles,etc.) If you have a picture of the loved one, it is nice to place it at their place at the table.
Speak to that special person and invite them to join you in this celebration and time of remembrance. It is completely appropriate to say grace or offer any prayer that you feel is fitting.
THE FOLLOWING IS DONE IN COMPLETE SILENCE:
Serve the meal remembering to serve your honored guest (or guests) first. If wine or other alcoholic beverages are served, it is recommended that they be kept in moderation as you and your guests need to have a clear head.
Now sit down to the table with your loved ones and enjoy your feast. When you address them in your mind, always see them as well. (Try not to say in your mind, “if you can hear me…”, etc.). After the meal, the time of silence is over. Do whatever you normally do at a family holiday gathering (clear the table, play games, sing songs, etc.). Enjoy the companionship.
When the evening is over, or in the morning if you wish to make it an all night party, thank your invited guests for being with you and for making your celebration a special one.
*** There are a few words of caution that we will offer.
1. If this ritual does not feel right for you, do NOT do it. Follow your instincts.
2. Remember that crossing over does not necessarily change a person, so if you could not get through a meal in peace with them while they were alive, you will probably have the same problem with their spirit.
3. Do not ask your guest to grant you wishes or do you favors. It is rude to invite a guest and then make it obvious that a favor is the reason they were asked, not because of love and respect. Spirits do NOT like rudeness! Besides, spirits often forget that you are limited in ways that they are not. If you ask them for $1,000, it may come as an insurance settlement after a painful break in your water pipe with all the delight in cleaning up the mess from ensuing water damage.

TO KNOW – TO WILL – TO DARE – TO KEEP SILENT

TO KNOW – TO WILL – TO DARE – TO KEEP SILENT

To Know, To Will, To Dare and To Keep Silent, make up the four principles to
what is known as The Witches’ Pyramid. These principals are very important to
successful spell working. But what do they actually mean?

1. To Know
Know your correspondences. Research what kind of spell you are going to
perform. What the spell requires. Why you need a certain candle color or oil,
or why you are using a particular herb. Different Traditions do have
different correspondences for color, plants, oils etc. Learn the moon phases
and timings. The more you learn the more focused your energy will become,
adding to the power of your spell work.

2. To Will
This relates to you. You must have confidence in your spell for it to work.
You must believe that magick does work. You need to be focused on what you
are doing totally. Your spell needs your energy to work. If you do not
provide your spell with the right energy, then your spell may not work, even
backfire. Just having the props, without the will, will give you
unpredictable results.

3. To Dare
Make a list, before doing the spell, on exactly WHY you are doing the spell.
Are there mundane ways of reaching your goal. Will the spell actually
accomplish what you want. If you have mixed emotions or purpose, than this
can compromise your spell working. Know exactly why you are doing the spell.
Be very clear in your own mind why you believe a spell will achieve the
result you require.

4. To Keep Silent
Once you have performed your spell, you should not mention it or dwell on
whether your spell has met it’s objective. Let the spell, do its work. Don’t
waste energy worrying if a spell is going to work or not. That energy can be
better used elsewhere. Don’t talk to another about your spell either. This
may weaken the strength of the spell if the other person questions or
undermines your ability or whether the spell will work.

These principals may differ from tradition to tradition, but basically what
it boils down to, is having the confidence in the power within you. Believing
in your magick. Follow the basic principals and your spell work will succeed
every time.

ALL ABOUT SPELLS

ALL ABOUT SPELLS

The spell is at the heart of folk magick. it is simply a ritual in which various
tools are purposefully used, the goal is fully stated (in words, pictures or
within the mind): & energy is moved to bring about the needed result.

Spells can be as simple as reciting a short chant over a fresh rose while
placing it between 2 pink candles in order to draw love; forming & retaining an
image of the needed result in the mind; or placing a quartz crystal in a sunny
window for protection purposes.

To perform effective magick – 3 necessities must be present: The Need, the
Emotion & the Knowledge.

It has been said that magick was the first religion, & that if you lovingly
utilize the forces of nature to cause beneficial change, you also become one of
them.

It is these powers that have been personified as Goddesses & Gods. Attuning with
them is a spiritual experience & is the basic of all true religion.

COMPOSE THE RHYME OR WORDS OF POWER

Clearly state your need.

Clearly state all dimensions of your need (enduring love, rather than just love;
complete protection, rather than just physical protection; etc.).

If possible, mention some of the tools that you’ve decided to use in the spell
in your words of power or magickal rhyme. Indeed, for some spells, these words
may help you to structure the entire rhyme or chant.

Use hypnotic words (those beginning with ‘s” or containing a “z”) for psychic-
awareness, love, healing spells; Use potent, strong words for protection spells.
match the words to the type of ritual you’re composing.

Don’t expect the words to simply flow from you. Work at it & work with them.
Your psychic mind knows what you need.

EXAMPLES:

“I ask in the name of (Goddess & God or The All) that I, Morgan, be granted
(state desire)…I ask that this be correct & for the good of all people. So
mote it be. In no way will this spell reverse, or place upon me any curse.”

“In this night & in this hour, I call upon the Ancient power. O Goddess Bride &
Consort Bright, I ask thee now to bring your light.”

“I have a need that must be met. I ask thee (name of deity) that I obtain the
perfect (whatever it is) for (reason).”

“I ask the Universe to lend the power of all the correct astrological
correspondences so they may enter this circle now to obtain my desire.”

“Therefore, I specifically draw toward myself the (desire) without affecting the
free will of all & harming none.”

“I now proclaim this spell is done. The (desire) is mine! In no way will this
spell reverse, or place upon me any curse! As I will, so mote it be!”

“In this sacred space & time, We call now the Old Ones; the Goddess of the moon,
seas & rivers; the God of the rayed Sun, of valleys & forests; Draw near us
during this, our circle.
——————————————————————————–

BREAKING A SPELL

First Saturday after Full Moon or on a Full Moon; One white & One black candle
for balance; Props: protective nature (amethyst, apache tears or smoky quartz)

– Say:

“One the Eve of ( ) I cast a spell & the effect I created I must now quell.
Specifically ( ) May this spell be lifted & I now be gifted Specifically with
( )”

——————————————————————————–

SPELLS TO BIND
A binding spell is the act of grasping the negative energy that is propelling a
person or thing & stopping it. In a way, you are negating the unhealthy energy.

The most important thing to remember when conducting a binding spell is that you
must control your own violent emotions of hatred or fear. The binding spell is
for protection only, not for harm. This is not easy. The Goddess to be employed
is Aradia, Queen of Witches. Be sure you are honest in your intentions. Aradia’s
symbol is the red garter. If you desire justice call upon Maat, she who balances
the scales. However, you must be sure that your own hands are free from violence
& hatred, lest she weighs the scales for you as well! Her symbol is the pure
white feather.

The binding itself is a very simple matter. A poppet can be sewn to represent
the malicious person. Fill it with earth (grave dirt if you can find it),
rosemary, sage, a piece of smoky quartz & a piece of amethyst. Also enclose a
piece of the person’s fingernails, a lock of hair, or another personal item.
Handwriting can be enclosed if you have nothing else. Photos can be used also.
If your intention at any time during the ritual is to harm that person, remember
that you will only bring harm upon yourself – so be very, very careful.

If you can’t do the ritual right away, store the doll (with the head still open)
in a white cloth. During the ritual, you will sew up the head while connecting a
psychic link. Then you will proceed to sew arms & legs of the doll together. You
will finish by wrapping the doll mummy-fashion with a black ribbon. Bury the
doll when you have completed the ritual.

A person can also be bound using mental capabilities.

Placing a sample of a person’s handwriting & copper tightly in an old bell jar
is a way of stopping malicious gossip. When the danger is over, burn the
handwriting.

——————————————————————————–

WORKSHEET FOR SPELLS & FORMULAS

* Type of Spell or Formula:
* Date & Time Made:
* Reference:
* Astrological Phase:
* Specific Purpose:
* List Of Ingredients &/or Supplies Needed:
* Specific Location Required:
* Date, Time & Astrological Phase When Used:
* Results:
* Deities Invoked During Preparation &/or Use:
* Step By Step Instructions For Preparations &/or Use:
* Additional Notes:

——————————————————————————–

RITUAL RECORD SHEET

* Type of Ritual:
* Date & Time made:
* Moon Phase & Astrological Correspondences:
* Weather:
* Physical Health:
* Purpose of Ritual:
* Tools & Other Items Required:
* Deities Invoked:
* Approximate Length of Ritual:
* Results of Ritual:
* Ritual Composition:
* Additional Notes:

——————————————————————————–

Living The Life Of The Witch – Dedicate to the Craft

Dedicate to the craft

 

Your Magickal Name

When you are ready to dedicate to the craft you will be asked for a Magickal name.  Do not take this lightly.  Toy name speaks volumes about you.  Your  mundane name may be as common as John or Mary, but your magickal name will be unique to you.  As you progress in the magickal community, this is the name you  will be known by.

How do you go about getting you magickal name?  It will come to you.  Perhaps in a dream you will hear the Goddess call you by your name.  A friend may  see a quality about you can give you your name.

Don’t worry too much about your name – it will come.

When you dedicate it is the first step in changing your life path.  It is like you are being reborn.  With the new birth you are entitle to a new  name..

Dedication

How this ceremony is done will depend if you will be self dedication as a Solitary or as a member of a coven.  In either case the dedication is similar.

You will take a ritual bath.

Prepare you circle

Close the circle

Dedicate to the Goddess

Take your magickal name

Light silver candle

Dedicate to the God

Light gold candle

Drink wine and eat cakes

Release the Lord and Lady

Open the circle

Take remaining wine and some of the cakes outdoors and return some of it to the Earth.

Remember

Remember, you magickal name is who you are and who you hope to become

Your magickal name is Special.  Usually only yourself and members of the magickal community will know it.

By dedicating you are inviting the Lord and Lady into your life.  This is a very special moment.  Savory it.

If all you get out of the dedication experience are words – reconsider you actions.

 

 

 

More Fantasy Comments

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 10

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – October 10

“I think that’s what unity is – knowing one another and coming together and working with no conflict.”

–Chief Alan Wilson, HAIDA

When we are aligned with spiritual values, we cannot be in fear or conflict. When we are aligned to spiritual values, we have the Creator whispering solutions in our ears. Unity is one of the spiritual values. When we value unity we value solutions. If we think this way, then we have no conflict within ourselves.

Great Spirit, let me see through Your eyes.

Feng Shui Tip for Oct. 10 – ‘Bring Your Teddy Bear to….’

On ‘National Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work and School Day’ let’s look at what Feng Shui says can happen when you leave any symbol of a bear at home. This philosophy states that any symbol of a bear can be used as an energetic protector of your home, especially if placed immediately inside the main entrance. Bears symbolize strong energies, courage and potency. Secret Shui says you can prevent your home from being broken into or robbed by keeping a representation of a bear in your ‘Helpful People’ area. Other secret Shui says that positioning an image or symbol of a bear in the ‘Children’ area can promise the birth of a strong and healthy boy. So if you don’t bring your Teddy to work or school today, leave them at home to protect your hearth.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com