Tag: Religion Spirituality

Daily Feng Shui Tip of the Day for December 7th

While all the kids are writing theirs to Santa, you might want to take advantage of ‘Write A Letter Day’ as well. Feng Shui says that you can address this letter to a being or a powerful presence that you believe in, and that you should also ask for a gift that you would like to see come present in your life. You’re highly encouraged to clearly and plainly spell out what you want. Then put that letter away for exactly 49 days. This philosophy says that you must detach from the outcome but not before imbuing them with pink light from your heart and telling those words how much you love them and thank them for making your dreams come true. Remember that gratitude and acting ‘as if’ are both critical components for manifesting this effort. Write your letter today as your wish in the Universe’s command, especially when those words are written in letter form to a deity, god, goddess, guru, saint, Ascended Master, angel or avatar that you faithfully believe will hear and answer you. Santa Schmanta, today you’re writing a letter that your Higher Power will check twice, and that’s pretty darn nice!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Today’s Tarot Card for December 7th is The Fool

The Fool

This Tarot Deck: Chinese

General Meaning: Pamela Coleman-Smith’s artful rendition of an “innocent Fool” archetype (Rider-Waite deck) is often used to represent Tarot in general. Early classical versions of the Fool card, however, portray quite a different character — a person driven by base needs and urges, who has fallen into a state of poverty and deprivation.

In some instances, he is made out to be a carnival entertainer or a huckster. In others, he is portrayed as decrepit and vulnerable — as the cumulative result of his delusions and failures. Not until the 20th century do you see the popular Rider-Waite image of the Fool arise — that of an innocent Soul before its Fall into Matter, as yet untainted by contact with society and all its ills.

Modern decks usually borrow from the Rider-Waite imagery. Most Fool cards copy the bucolic mountainside scene, the butterfly, the potential misplaced step that will send the Fool tumbling into the unknown. Don’t forget, however, that the earlier versions of this card represented already-fallen humanity, over-identified with the material plane of existence, and beginning a pilgrimage towards self-knowledge, and eventually, wisdom. The Fool reminds us to recognize the path of personal development within ourselves — and the stage upon that path where we find ourselves — in order to energize our movement toward deeper self-realization.

The Magical Tool for Your Sun Sign

The Magical Tool for Your Sun Sign

  • Annie B. Bond

While most of us know that a good sun-sign horoscope can teach us about our characteristics, and even our soul-task in life, did you know that we were each given a magical tool at birth to help us?

We could all use a little help. Find out what the magical tool is that can help you achieve your spirit-goals, here:

Aries, March 21-April 19: Your magical tool is the ROD. The rod expresses the active and enthusiastic masculine principle. Rod power enables creative form and dynamic self-assertion. The rod represents enterprising and pure spirit, action, growth, life energy, identity, and direction. The rod is the symbol of building from a spring of passion. Heat flows through the body and causes an action that regenerates the cells. It is comparable to sun energy. Rod energy needs constant change and takes initiative when new thought is put into action. Self-trust believes that every obstacle can be surpassed. The path that ROD takes: All challenges and obstacles can be transformed.

Taurus, April 20-May 21: Your magical tool is the PENTACLE. The pentacle is the combination of all previous symbols. It is the material of earth–real and solid. The pentacle represents humanity, duality, outer life, work, and the experience of the body. It is also material success and practical health as well as home and earth connections. It represents the knot of endless love. The pentacle is the most human of all the geometric forms. The pentacle energy is faultless in the five senses, the five fingers, and five pure virtues of faithfulness (cleanliness, compassion, courtesy, fellowship, frankness). It is the symbol of balance. Its foundation is feminine wisdom. It is the everlasting fountain of creativity. Pentacle energy anchors every individual in the real world. It recognizes what needs to be done. The magic of earth resides in the pentacle as well as the capacity to survive. It is magical because it survives. In nature, it is earth, soil, and all life. Pentacle energy is active and creates consciousness. It lives in love of harmonious change. It mediates in “win or lose” situations. To sum up the path pentacle energy takes: It lives single and free, like a tree on the prairie. At the same time it is a kindred spirit living in the forest.

Gemini, May 22-June 20: Your magical tool is the SWORD. The sword represents light and clarity. It is power and the fairness of a triumph where mistakes are permitted. Problems are removed. The sword helps to recognize the connection between personal experience and the condition of the world. It is like a butterfly, the completion of the cycle by way of metamorphosis. The word represents willpower, understanding, enthusiasm, courage, and passion. It is a strong mental energy allowing insight and decision-making. It represents language, intellect, and the world of thoughts. The sword is the symbol for strict discipline aimed at constructing without the losses that may occur. This energy recognizes the logic of things. Any deceptions are penetrated in order to uncover the truth. In nature, it may be seen as the whirlwind or the movement of air. In the mind, it causes the subconscious to work through any structures that create the manifest world. It gains its strength through experiencing difficulties. The sword cuts through opposition in an attempt to end all differences. Sword energy will sacrifice itself and forget itself., so it needs to be given a direction. To sum up the path the sword takes: To be strong without being hard is an acrobatic act.

Cancer, June 21-July 22: Your magical tool is the CUP. The cup mainly expresses the feminine or passive principle. It represents the world of feelings, compassion, and receptivity. The cup represents happiness, love, beauty, and righteousness. It is the subconscious or the soul. The feelings of loss and grief find expression here. Cup energy lives in the world of feelings. It is receptive. It listens to the inner voice. It expresses a deep happiness of the heart. In nature, it is renewal and productivity. It is the place sexuality is birthed. It is the sensuous expression of life, as in a soft flowing landscape of hill covered in wildflowers. Feelings come to the surface in order to allow nature to take its course. The cup’s truth is to be what it is, when and how it wants to show itself. This energy is compassionate with a basic optimistic outlook. To sum up the path the cup energy takes: All things are flowing and my toughness is subdued.

Leo, July 23- Aug 22: Your magical tool is the ROD. The rod expresses the active and enthusiastic masculine principle. Rod power enables creative form and dynamic self-assertion. The rod represents enterprising and pure spirit, action, growth, life energy, identity, and direction. The rod is the symbol of building from a spring of passion. Heat flows through the body and causes an action that regenerates the cells. It is comparable to sun energy. Rod energy needs constant change and takes initiative when new thought is put into action. Self-trust believes that every obstacle can be surpassed. The path that ROD takes: All challenges and obstacles can be transformed.

Virgo, Aug 23-Sept 22: Your magical tool is the PENTACLE. The pentacle is the combination of all previous symbols. It is the material of earth–real and solid. The pentacle represents humanity, duality, outer life, work, and the experience of the body. It is also material success and practical health as well as home and earth connections. It represents the knot of endless love. The pentacle is the most human of all the geometric forms. The pentacle energy is faultless in the five senses, the five fingers, and five pure virtues of faithfulness (cleanliness, compassion, courtesy, fellowship, frankness). It is the symbol of balance. Its foundation is feminine wisdom. It is the everlasting fountain of creativity. Pentacle energy anchors every individual in the real world. It recognizes what needs to be done. The magic of earth resides in the pentacle as well as the capacity to survive. It is magical because it survives. In nature, it is earth, soil, and all life. Pentacle energy is active and creates consciousness. It lives in love of harmonious change. It mediates in “win or lose” situations. To sum up the path pentacle energy takes: It lives single and free, like a tree on the prairie. At the same time it is a kindred spirit living in the forest.

Libra, Sept 23-Oct 22: Your magical tool is the SWORD. The sword represents light and clarity. It is power and the fairness of a triumph where mistakes are permitted. Problems are removed. The sword helps to recognize the connection between personal experience and the condition of the world. It is like a butterfly, the completion of the cycle by way of metamorphosis. The word represents willpower, understanding, enthusiasm, courage, and passion. It is a strong mental energy allowing insight and decision-making. It represents language, intellect, and the world of thoughts. The sword is the symbol for strict discipline aimed at constructing without the losses that may occur. This energy recognizes the logic of things. Any deceptions are penetrated in order to uncover the truth. In nature, it may be seen as the whirlwind or the movement of air. In the mind, it causes the subconscious to work through any structures that create the manifest world. It gains its strength through experiencing difficulties. The sword cuts through opposition in an attempt to end all differences. Sword energy will sacrifice itself and forget itself., so it needs to be given a direction. To sum up the path the sword takes: To be strong without being hard is an acrobatic act.

Scorpio, Oct 23-Nov 21: Your magical tool is the CUP. The cup mainly expresses the feminine or passive principle. It represents the world of feelings, compassion, and receptivity. The cup represents happiness, love, beauty, and righteousness. It is the subconscious or the soul. The feelings of loss and grief find expression here. Cup energy lives in the world of feelings. It is receptive. It listens to the inner voice. It expresses a deep happiness of the heart. In nature, it is renewal and productivity. It is the place sexuality is birthed. It is the sensuous expression of life, as in a soft flowing landscape of hill covered in wildflowers. Feelings come to the surface in order to allow nature to take its course. The cup’s truth is to be what it is, when and how it wants to show itself. This energy is compassionate with a basic optimistic outlook. To sum up the path the cup energy takes: All things are flowing and my toughness is subdued.

Sagittarius, Nov 22-Dec 21: Your magical tool is the ROD. The rod expresses the active and enthusiastic masculine principle. Rod power enables creative form and dynamic self-assertion. The rod represents enterprising and pure spirit, action, growth, life energy, identity, and direction. The rod is the symbol of building from a spring of passion. Heat flows through the body and causes an action that regenerates the cells. It is comparable to sun energy. Rod energy needs constant change and takes initiative when new thought is put into action. Self-trust believes that every obstacle can be surpassed. The path that ROD takes: All challenges and obstacles can be transformed.

Capricorn, Dec 22-Jan 19: Your magical tool is the PENTACLE. The pentacle is the combination of all previous symbols. It is the material of earth–real and solid. The pentacle represents humanity, duality, outer life, work, and the experience of the body. It is also material success and practical health as well as home and earth connections. It represents the knot of endless love. The pentacle is the most human of all the geometric forms. The pentacle energy is faultless in the five senses, the five fingers, and five pure virtues of faithfulness (cleanliness, compassion, courtesy, fellowship, frankness). It is the symbol of balance. Its foundation is feminine wisdom. It is the everlasting fountain of creativity. Pentacle energy anchors every individual in the real world. It recognizes what needs to be done. The magic of earth resides in the pentacle as well as the capacity to survive. It is magical because it survives. In nature, it is earth, soil, and all life. Pentacle energy is active and creates consciousness. It lives in love of harmonious change. It mediates in “win or lose” situations. To sum up the path pentacle energy takes: It lives single and free, like a tree on the prairie. At the same time it is a kindred spirit living in the forest.

Aquarius, Jan 20-Feb 18: Your magical tool is the SWORD. The sword represents light and clarity. It is power and the fairness of a triumph where mistakes are permitted. Problems are removed. The sword helps to recognize the connection between personal experience and the condition of the world. It is like a butterfly, the completion of the cycle by way of metamorphosis. The word represents willpower, understanding, enthusiasm, courage, and passion. It is a strong mental energy allowing insight and decision-making. It represents language, intellect, and the world of thoughts. The sword is the symbol for strict discipline aimed at constructing without the losses that may occur. This energy recognizes the logic of things. Any deceptions are penetrated in order to uncover the truth. In nature, it may be seen as the whirlwind or the movement of air. In the mind, it causes the subconscious to work through any structures that create the manifest world. It gains its strength through experiencing difficulties. The sword cuts through opposition in an attempt to end all differences. Sword energy will sacrifice itself and forget itself., so it needs to be given a direction. To sum up the path the sword takes: To be strong without being hard is an acrobatic act.

Pisces, Feb 19-March 20: Your magical tool is the CUP. The cup mainly expresses the feminine or passive principle. It represents the world of feelings, compassion, and receptivity. The cup represents happiness, love, beauty, and righteousness. It is the subconscious or the soul. The feelings of loss and grief find expression here. Cup energy lives in the world of feelings. It is receptive. It listens to the inner voice. It expresses a deep happiness of the heart. In nature, it is renewal and productivity. It is the place sexuality is birthed. It is the sensuous expression of life, as in a soft flowing landscape of hill covered in wildflowers. Feelings come to the surface in order to allow nature to take its course. The cup’s truth is to be what it is, when and how it wants to show itself. This energy is compassionate with a basic optimistic outlook. To sum up the path the cup energy takes: All things are flowing and my toughness is subdued.

 

Wishing You A Very Beautiful & Blessed Wednesday!

Days Of The Week Comments
It is a beautiful day here. The sun is finally shining and I woke up again feeling like a human. Yahoo! I don’t know if I have mentioned it or not but here goes…..I don’t talk much about myself personally. My experiences and life tales, yes. But me, personally no. I have a reason for posting this late every day. I get up around 7:00 a.m. I always think, “yes, I am going to get on that computer and get everything done early, surprise them all.” Then I take my morning medication and it knocks me back out. You see I take a handful of medication every morning and it is for my back. I have a three level fusion in my back. In case you don’t know, a fusion is where they take all your remaining discs out and replace them with rods, screws, cages (all metal). Then they take a bone mixture and spread over the top of all that mess and make the fusion hold. I guess I was an experiment. When they did the three level fusion, they told me I had a 90% chance it wouldn’t hold. Thank the Goddess I was in the 10% that the fusion held. I had already had one back surgery and it was a total screw up. So the second was to repair the first. I was in surgery 14 hours, when I came out I looked like I had been in a car wreck. I got to come home in three days. I remember the pain from that surgery and it was indescribable. Pain I had never experienced before in my life. I remember crying out for pain to leave my body. I found the strength to get up and start moving. I called my neurologist and told him what kind of surgery I had done. He adjusted my medicine. The pain was leaving my body. After I got on my new medicine and with the fusion, I am now pain-free. I don’t tell you this because I want your pity or for you to think I am half a human. If you was to see me on the street, you could never tell I had anything wrong with me. Thanks to an excellent surgeon and a fabulous neurologist, I know feel like a human. So you see when I say, “I feel like a human, YES!” It is definitely a good thing, lol! 

 Before we get started today, I want to share something else with you. I don’t know how many of you read the post I made the other night. The one entitled “On a very serious note.” We have had some very weird crap going on around here. The familiars were acting very strange. The one that picks up on spirits and other worldly things that might appear, has been going absolutely nuts. I have had these super bad vibes and in the corner of my eye, I had seen something moving very quickly. This morning I was sitting in the floor and about half in and half out of a meditative state. I just happened to look up and I saw a swoosh of a very small ghostly image moving into the bedroom at the far end of the house. I got a good enough look at it that I knew exactly what it was, it was a small, evil, little demon. Yes, you heard right, a small demon. You see in the old group I use to have, I told you there was a mixture of all kinds of Practitioners. Some of them would send demons after others just for the fun of it. Some fun, huh! But there was a time, I had two members that did nothing but send one demon right after another after the other one. They were vicious in their demon choices. They never bothered me because they knew better. Now I have this little demon show up in my house (I admit with the Yule season, I have been lax on warding and blessing the way I should). The demon wasn’t an evil demon just a mischievous one. And needless to say, I believe it was a calling card from one of those old witches that called me friend. Ha, with friends like those who needs enemies. I would imagine this is her way of letting me know she has found me on the internet again and saying “hello, old friend!” Anyway, after seeing what room the demon went in, I went to the kitchen and grabbed what I could quickly. With my emergency supplies I went to the bedroom and started drawing my line across the doorway and then worked my way around the room. I wanted to contain the demon in the room. I didn’t want it escaping to another part of the house. Next step to banish him from the house, QUICKLY! I did banish him and in the process of banishing him, I also sent a message back to the sender. I was very anger, upset and down right pissed. The nerve of anyone invading my home, just for the fun of it. Now that a cooler head is prevailing, I probably sent the sender too strong of a message. But I don’t play with demons and I don’t want them around me. What even strikes me stranger is that all this happens after the post I had. Definitely makes me think it is one of my old “friends” from the group. I guess they think I have grown soft in my old age (remember I am not that old). Also in the group, I had a bunch of witches that protected me. Why I don’t know? I kept telling them it was totally unnecessary, I could take care of myself. And believe me you, I can. But do you see my point now about the Dark Arts, the hexes, and the curses. I don’t practice the Dark Arts. I was sitting at home minding my own business and out of the clear blue a demon appears. What do you think would have happened if I hadn’t studied the Dark Arts? What would have happened if I didn’t know how to defend myself? You see in the world of magick, you never know what is going to happen. NEVER!. So it is best to arm yourself with everything you can. Because believe me now, you never know what is going to happen.  

Now on to the Magick…….  

 

Wednesday

Magickal Intentions: Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear,Loss, Travel and Money Matters

Incense: Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea

Planet: Mercury and Chiron (though this is a moon of Pluto)

Sign: Virgo

Angel: Raphael

Colors: Orange, Light Blue, Grey, Yellow and Violet

Herbs/Plants: Fern, Lavendar, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle

Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite

Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalytus, Lavender

This day is governed by Mercury. Wednesday’s vibration adds power to rituals involving inspiration, communications, writers, poets, the written and spoken word, and all matters of study, learning, and teaching. This day also provides a good time to begin efforts involving self-improvement or understanding.

 

Spellcrafting of the Day

 

BANISHING AND CLEANSING RITUAL

 

Point your Athame at the sky, and then at the earth. Then pointing Athame horizontally
either spin 360 or walk around the perimeter with the Athame held out in a threatening manner.

“Spirits of evil, Unfriendly beings
Unwanted guests, Be gone!
Leave us leave this place, leave this Circle,
that the Goddess and the God may enter.
Go, or be cast into the outer darkness!
Go, or be drowned in the watery abyss!
Go, or be burned in the flames!
Go, of be torn by the whirlwind!
By the power of the Mother and the Horned One
We banish you! We banish you! We banish you!”

 

Sprinkle the perimeter with salt and water.

 
Magickal Graphics

Today’s Tarot Card for November 30th is Temperance

Temperance

This Tarot Deck: Palladini

General Meaning:What is traditionally known as the Temperance card is a reference to the Soul. Classically female, she is mixing up a blend of subtle energies for the evolution of the personality. One key to interpreting this card can be found in its title, a play on the process of tempering metals in a forge.Metals must undergo extremes of temperature, folding and pounding, but the end product is infinitely superior to impure ore mined from the earth. In this image, the soul volunteers the ego for a cleansing and healing experience which may turn the personality inside-out, but which brings out the gold hidden within the heart. (This card is entitled “Art” in the Crowley deck.)

Wishing You A Very Happy & Blessed Wednesday, dear friends!

Days Of The Week Comments

I will make this quick and painless as possible, lol! I wanted to let you know that we have started our Sponsor Program. The holidays are coming and our money is tight, really tight. This is why we have opened the Sponorship Program. I know everyone’s money at this time of the year is tight and with the economy the way it is, money is tight everywhere. But you don’t have to donate a huge amount. You would be amazed at how a $1 or $2 quickly adds up. 

 

Our most important concern right now is paying our Server bill. We want to stay on the internet and continue the Goddess’ work. Right now (knock on wood) everything is going great. The truth about our Religion is spreading and we are attracting interested and curious individuals to the blog. The word about the blog is spreading, as it spreads so does the truth. We don’t want to have to stop everything in midstream. We and this includes you too, have accomplished too much to stop now. So we need your help! 

 

This Yule Season as you are giving gifts, please remember the WOTC. It doesn’t have to be a huge donation, any amount will help out. Also as a tokn of our appreciation, you will receive a hand-made gift from Lady A. We believe one good turn deserves another that is why we are sending our Sponsors tokens of our affection and gratitude. A Sponsors’ list is up and we have our first sponsor, Miss Stephanie Keys (thank you so much). We hope we will be adding to this list. Remember we need your help and any amount will be greatly appreciated.  

 

WEDNESDAY IS RULED BY MERCURY 

 

Wednesday, the day of Woden, whose name is also pronounced Odin, a Norse God of poetry, resourcefulness and all things mystical. Attune with these energies this day and you find Odin’s power will be with you. Other correspondences for Wednesday are: 

 

Ruling Planet: Mercury 

 

Rituals: Career 

 

Element: Air 

 

Colour: Orange 

 

Number: 0  

 

Magickal Graphics

Purification Ritual for New Magical Tools

Purification Ritual for New Magical Tools
by Jame Kambos

Whenever you buy a new tool for magical workings it is important that the tool is purified. This is a simple purification ritual that I use to cleanse my new magical tools:

Ingredients:
caldron or any heat-proof dish
dandelion leaf
wormwood
sage

Ignite the herbs and let them smolder awhile. As the smoke curls about you pass your tool through the smoke and say:

“Smoke rise,
Let me be wise.
This (name of tool) is cleansed.
I will use it only for good.”

The item is now ready to use!

Full Moon Scrying Ritual

Full Moon Scrying Ritual

The upcoming summer months are the perfect time for Full Moon Scrying and I’d like to pass on an old, time honored scrying ritual originally written by D.J. Conway that I have used many times during the long summer nights:

Items Needed:
1 bright, shiny silver coin
1 small, black cauldron or scrying bowl filled with water

Perform this ritual outside where the rays of the Moon can fall directly onto the water in the cauldron. If you cannot go outside, stay in a darkened room near a window that the Moon shines through. Place the coin in the water and take the cauldron in both hands. Gaze up at the Moon and say:

“Lovely Lady of the night,
Mysteries old and futures bright,
Give me a glimpse of that to be
And as I will so mote it be.”

Look down at the coin shimmering in the cauldrons water. With your eyes half closed, adjust your vision as if you were looking into and through the coin. Don’t try to analuze anything you might see or that might come into your mind. Just accept it. Some people, rathar than seeing actual pictures within the cauldron, will have mental impressions, feelings or pictures. When you have finished, bow to the Moon and say thank you. Pour the water out on the ground. You’re done!

BLACK CORD BINDING

BLACK CORD BINDING


Use this to bind someone from hurting others and themselves. ONLY do
this if there are no other options available to you.
You need:
Black cord- long enough to tie 3 knots in, A photo of the person harming others
First of all sit and cast circle.
Explain to the universe what you are about to do and ask if it is the right thing.
Think about how the person is hurting others and let the anger build up.
Then all at once say loudly:
(person’s name) I bind you from hurting others!
Then quickly tie a knot tightly in the cord.
Repeat the process three times or as many times you feel necessary.
When done, say:
Three times three, I bind you (person’s name)!
Hide the cord and photo in a safe place where the knots won’t_come undone.
Or better still, burn the cord so the knots never_come undone.
(you don’t really need a photo, but it helps make the Magick stronger)

RELEASING THE CIRCLE

RELEASING THE CIRCLE

Once the rite is ended, face North, hold aloft the wand and say:

Farewell, Spirit of the North Stone.
I give thanks for your presence here.
Go in power.

Repeat this same formula to the East, South and West, substituting the proper
direction in the words. Then return to the North and hold the wand aloft for a
few moments.
Lay the wand on the altar. Take up the athame. Standing in the North, pierce
the circle’s wall with the blade at waist level. Move clockwise around the
circle, visualizing it’s power being sucked back into the athame. Literally pull
it back into the blade and handle. Sense the circle dissolving, shrinking; the
outside world slowly regaining its dominance in the area. When you arrive at
the North again, the circle is no more.

How To Design a Nature Ritual

How To Design a Nature Ritual

Adapted from Connecting with Nature, by John R. Stowe (Findhorn Press, 2003).These four guidelines can help you to design simple, personal rituals that honor your own connection with the living world of nature.

The benefits of intentional connection are threefold. First, it helps to antidote the alienation that comes from believing in separation. Second, by focusing your attention–and your creative energy–on your positive relationships with the living world, you make them stronger. Finally, through your practice, you feed the living world around you. If your practice fills you with gratitude, appreciation, respect, and beauty, you and all of life are so much richer.

Find out how to create your own satisfying rituals of connection with nature:

1. Set your intention. To begin, choose a simple action to indicate that you intend o focus your full attention on whatever follows. It could be a short prayer–especially if you follow a religious tradition–or annunciation to the energies of Spirit to join you. It might be a simple gesture like reaching down to touch the Earth, turning to each of the four cardinal directions, or taking three slow, deep breaths. You could light a candle, sing, ring a small bell, touch your heart, or whatever else feels right to you.

Setting your intention establishes the tone for the whole ritual. It reminds you that you’re creating a space that is special, outside the flow of normal activity. You’ll find that the more you repeat a certain opening gesture, the more comforting and familiar it becomes. In time, just repeating it will help you calm your mind and focus your attention quickly and easily.

2. Communicate. When you’ve opened your ritual, how you proceed depends on your intention. What are you here to honor? What would you like to express? The possibilities are endless–and entirely up to you. Some people make a ritual to honor the sunset, or the full moon. Others may want to honor a specific natural event (the first snowfall, thunderstorms, moonrise) or a particular animal.

Give your imagination free rein. Ask yourself what you’d like your ritual to communicate, which connection with the living world you’d like to honor, which of your companions you’d like to thank. Then, ask yourself how to make a statement as simply and eloquently as possible. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to come up with simple, enjoyable rituals. Start simply, focus on one thing at a time, and let your experience lead you onward.

3. Completion. Just as you opened the ritual with a gesture, mark its closing in the same way. These two gestures–even if they’re as simple as a focused breath–reinforce your intention that everything between them be special. Your closing gesture could be a repeat of the opening one or something different–whatever feels appropriate. Choose one that helps you to honor your intention and then let yourself return to normal awareness.

4. Action. Using the outline you just created, find a time to perform your ritual. Choose an appropriate setting. Take your time. Proceed with intention and as much clarity as you can. When you complete your ritual of intentional connection, take a few moments to notice how you feel. What was your experience? What have you learned? If you were to perform this practice again, is there anything you’d change? How else might you like to observe your connections with Nature?

MIND/HEART/SPIRIT HEALING RITUAL

MIND/HEART/SPIRIT HEALING RITUAL


To quiet a troubled mind, mend a broken heart, or heal a wounded spirit, you will
need the following items:
1 DOVE FEATHER (preferably one that crosses your path by chance, but definitely
one which has NOT been plucked, but has fallen naturally.)
2 BLUE CANDLES (for healing, tranquillity, peace and forgiveness)
LAVENDER BATH SALTS OR OIL (for love, peace, happiness, purification and protection)
1 CINNAMON STICK (OR CHIPS) (for spirituality, success, healing, power, love and protection)
ALTAR BELL
On the night of a NEW moon, gather the items and place them on your altar
(or, if you have the privacy, outside on a tree stump or other earth area).
Take one blue candle and the lavender bath salts or oil and bathe in the lavender
by the light of the blue candle, concentrating on that which requires healing.(If you
cease bathing before the candle is completely burned out, do NOT extinguish the
flame by blowing it out, but do extinguish it.) Once at your altar (or earth place), light
the blue candle and recite the following:
It is time to awaken to the cry of the dove,
Hearken to the chimes of the bells of love,
Spirit rise and soul take flight,
Into the halls of endless night
Where shadows ceases to fall upon
The brilliant light of endless dawn.
The fire, cold, burns radiant
Consuming all in sweet content.
The joy a pain, the peace a wound,
The pain a peace, the joy a boon.
Next, light the cinnamon stick or chips (the stick works best) with the candle flame.
Pass the dove feather through the flame (quickly, so as not to set it afire) then the
cinnamon smoke, in that order, three times. While still holding the feather, ring your
altar bell three times. Leave the cinnamon burning in your censure ’til it goes out on
its own, and leave the candle burning ’til it does the same. Take the feather outside
and place it under a tree (elder, preferably, but any will do) — place it under a different
tree if you are performing this spell near a tree outside. This will set it free, freeing you
as well. DO NOT touch the feather again, let it leave on its own!

Ritual for Letting Go and Taking Stock

Ritual for Letting Go and Taking Stock  
By Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air (SkyLight Paths, 2003).Early autumn is the traditional time for taking stock: what do we need to release so we won’t feel burdened in the months ahead? What do we keep in our spiritual larders to sustain us? We can take a gentle lesson from nature as we witness the trees and their graceful letting-go, and the busyness of squirrels as they gather the stores of food that will ensure a secure winter.Here is a simple ritual designed to help you free yourself from the burdens of the past, and to help you identify the skills, strengths, and gifts that will be your wise companions this winter. Read it here:

1. Take a little time where you will not be disturbed. Sit comfortably with a small pad of paper and a pen or pencil and close your eyes. Take a moment to feel how gravity keeps you firmly here on this planet. Take comfort in your weight. Now take note of all the places where your body is touching something solid: the chair, the floor. Feel how you are cradled by these places. Take a moment to feel grateful for your life.

2. Now gently bring into your awareness anything you carry that makes you feel weighed-down, heavy, sad, or angry. Perhaps a relationship issue or a negative pattern of thinking. Perhaps worries about not having enough of something. With compassion for yourself, write these things down on your paper.

3. Now, still keeping your eyes closed, turn over a new leaf in your pad. Give yourself a few moments to think of any important lessons you learned from these burdens–any skills you gained from having carried them. (For example, if a relationship did not work out as you had wished, you may have learned to be more self-reliant and independent.) If you release the sadness or anger associated with each burden, what are the gifts that remain? Write these gifts down on the fresh piece of paper.

4. Now give some thought to your personal talents, skills, and qualities of character. These are things that nothing can take away; they are part of the great gift to the world that you are. Write down as many as you can think of on the same piece of paper.

5. When you are ready, open your eyes. Take the list of burdens and, without looking at it, tear it into small pieces. These may be burned, buried, or released into the air or water. (One friend took a chair outdoors, stood on it, and released her paper bits like autumn leaves, enjoying the sight of their gentle drifting-down.) Now read the list of gifts. Fold the paper and put it in a safe place. Whenever you need a reminder, take it out and reread it.

According to Feng Shui – Five Gifts You Should Never Give

Five Gifts You Should Never Give

Giving and receiving gifts is a wonderful exchange that shows we care. One would think that any gift that is given from the heart is good. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. An inauspicious gift is bad news no matter how noble your intentions are. Taken in a Feng Shui perspective, some things are worse compared to others. Here are the top 5 gifts you should never give to anyone.

1. Never Give Sharp Objects

Gifts of sharp objects are actually more popular than one would expect because most people don’t see them as such. Examples of sharp objects that are unsuitable as gifts include the following: blade, chainsaw, dagger, hunting knife, letter opener, penknife, scissors, Swiss Army knife, sword, etc (see anything familiar here).

There are a couple of reasons that make sharp items objectionable. Giving sharp objects as a gift will literally sever the friendship. As sharp objects are a natural source of malicious “killing breath” or Shar Chi, such gifts will result in you unintentionally sending bad luck to your friend.

2. Never Give Timepieces

In the West, timepieces are, in fact, quite well-liked as gifts. These include: alarm clock, wall clock, pocket watch, wristwatch, etc.

Timepieces measure the passage of time and this indirectly suggests a limited lifespan, which is very inauspicious. In Chinese (Cantonese), to give a clock or soong joong sounds exactly like the Chinese term for attending a funeral, which is naturally very taboo.

3. Never Give Red Roses

Did you know that you should never give red roses? Long stemmed red roses with sharp thorns are terrible as gifts. The longer the stem and the sharper the thorns … the more the relationship will suffer. If you send your lover a bouquet of red roses – romantic and all – it will be the beginning of the end of the relationship.

It is better for you to give cream or pink roses. Feng Shui-wise, yellow roses work even better to help enhance that loving feeling. Remember to have the thorns removed before you deliver them to your lover.

Never send red and white roses to a loved one who is in hospital. These are so inauspicious that in hospitals all over UK, there is the tradition with regards to floral gifts from well-wishers. If bunches of red and white roses or any variety of flowers arrive for anybody, they throw the flowers away immediately and make sure none of them reach the patients. A gift comprising a bunch of red and white blooms are considered to be a DEATH WISH.

4. Never Give Shoes
In Chinese (Cantonese), the word for shoes, ‘hai’, sounds very much like a sigh. This is very inauspicious as it suggests much unhappiness. A gift of shoes to your friend would be akin to sending bad luck his/her way.

5. Never Give Handkerchiefs

Gifts of handkerchiefs are also traditionally frowned upon. This is because a handkerchief is used to wipe away sweat and tears, which suggests a lot of sadness and frustration. Giving handkerchiefs as gifts suggest that you anticipate him/her to be doing much crying in the future. This generates such an inauspicious chi.

Remedy For Your Predicament

What do you do if you have a really fantastic gift? Something that you know your friend will be truly ecstatic about? Well I have some good news for you. The Chinese have a simple remedy for sharp metal gifts that belong to the first category.

Ask for a coin or some change (make sure it is metal) before you present your gift to the recipient. This simple exchange symbolizes a “purchase”, instead of a “gift”. Since your friend symbolically “paid” for the item, it is no longer considered a “gift”. This uncomplicated remedy works only for sharp metal items.

The WOFS

Your Daily Number for November 29th: 2

Sensitivity and a feeling of self-consciousness pervade the day. Stress levels may be high due to deadlines and commitments; if possible, take some time off to relax and focus on your personal life, as romance is highly favorable.

Fast Facts

About the Number 2

Theme: Adaptable, Tactful, Gentle, Cautious
Astro Association: Moon
Tarot Association: High Priestess

General Guidelines for Casting Spells

Witchy Comments

General Guidelines for Casting Spells

1.  Set aside a room for your magical work. Decorate it with things that

put you in a magical mood. Remember to use things that stimulate all

five of your physical senses. Some obvious things would be the use of

appropriate colors for sight, incense for scent, music for hearing,

wines for taste, and textures for feel.

2.  If you do not have a room you can set aside exclusively for your

magical work, then choose a room that can be locked while you do your

work. This will allow you to work undisturbed. In any case, you

should clean your work area periodically with a purifying

powder/floorwash to keep away negative vibrations.

3.  Set up an altar to be used as your worktable. It’s size and shape

should be those that appeal to you. Placing candles and other items

that assist you to concentrate on the work at hand is a good

practice. Some people like to cover their altar with a white cloth

and place fresh cut flowers on it every day.

4.  Always use the best candles, oils, and incenses that you can afford,

or make your own, for scrimping on materials has a negative effect on

the subconscious. Don’t forget that the subconscious is very good at

making do with raw materials that it can shape to its own use.

5.  Never cast a spell until you have a clear and concise picture of what

it is you wish to accomplish. This ties in with the saying “Be

careful what you wish for, you just might get it.”

6.  Always ground out any extra energy you raise for the spell, and bind

the spell so that it expires within the pre-determined amount of

time. Once you have cast the spell, do not discuss it with any one

until after it has worked. Most spells peter out because the person

who cast it boasts about it to so many people, that the spell is

robbed of power before it has a chance to work. The ancient bond

placed on the magician was to dare, to know and to keep silent.

7. Above all, at all times, remember the Rede: “An ye harm none, do what

you will.” You do not know all the effects of your spell, therefore,

use magick sparingly, if at all.

    ~Magickal Graphics~

Feng Shui Tip of the Day for November 28th

I know you might think that I would offer some sort of prosperity cure on ‘Cyber Monday,’ a day that encourages online holiday shopping. But when I think ‘cyber’ I think computer, and that’s where I’m investing my efforts today. Feng Shui says that hanging a clear quartz round and faceted crystal ball (with a red ribbon, in a multiple of nine inches or longer) will not only create an overall benefit for your profession and career, but will also protect you from any sort of attack, cyber-related or not. This adjustment also aids in stimulating an expansion of your inspirations and ideas, including clearer, uncluttered thinking, better decision-making and a brighter outlook for your future. As if all of those attributes aren’t enough, the crystal also keeps the computer safe from breaking down or any other harm. With all that said, how you should spend your ‘Cyber Monday’ is crystal clear to me.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Meditation Technique to Clean and Heal the Eyes

Goddess Comments & Graphics

 

Meditation Technique to Clean and Heal the Eyes

By Natalya Podgorny, Yoga+

If you’ve ever been transfixed by a candle flame and felt your mind clear, you may have been tapping into a yogic focusing practice called trataka. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika defines trataka as “looking intently with an unwavering gaze at a small point until tears are shed.” This simple technique has a purifying, invigorating effect on the mind and improves concentration, paving the way for a deeper meditation practice. Because it is one of the shat kriyas, or six cleansing actions, trataka also cleans and heals the eyes.

Though many objects can be used to focus your gaze during trataka, the most common is the flame of a candle. Assume a comfortable meditative posture with your head, neck, and trunk aligned. Set a candle two feet in front of you, with the flame positioned at eye level. Make sure the room is dark and draft-free.

STEADY YOUR GAZE

Begin with your eyes closed, surveying the body and watching the breath until it becomes calm, regular, and even. Then open your eyes and rest your gaze on the middle part of the flame, right above the tip of the wick. Keep your eyelids slightly more open than usual, and maintain your gaze without blinking or blurring your vision for as long as possible. Observe any thoughts that arise, watching them come and go without becoming engaged.

Close your eyes only when they begin to strain and water, and you can no longer sustain the gaze. (You can cup your palms and place them gently over the eyes to ease the strain, but do not rub the eyes; because the tears you have shed are carrying away impurities, wipe them gently with a tissue.) Then find the afterimage of the flame in your mind’s eye, resting your awareness at the ajna chakra, or eyebrow center. If the image moves up and down or side to side, stabilize it by bringing it back to the center, and continue to fix your gaze until the impression disappears. To delve deeper into the mind, you can follow this practice with meditation.

HEALTHY GLOW

According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Trataka eradicates all eye diseases, fatigue, and sloth, and closes the doorway creating these problems. In addition to improving concentration and memory, trataka cleanses both the eyes and the cerebral cortex, balances the nervous system, and relieves depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Another yogic text, the Gheranda Samhita, states that the practice cultivates clairvoyance and inner vision.

Because sight, mental discrimination, and the fire at the manipura chakra are intricately interwoven, trataka also nourishes the subtle flame at the navel center, promoting vitality and inner health. In its more advanced form, as the Himalayan master Swami Rama said, “The practice of trataka eventually merges into surya sadhana, meditation on the solar energy.”

STARING AT THE SUN

Under the guidance of a teacher, you can learn how to use a variety of auspicious objects or symbols as the focus of your gaze during trataka, such as a yantra (a symbolic geometric representation of aspects of Divinity), the symbol Om, the form of a deity, lightning, the moon, your own shadow, or the glowing orange orb of the rising or setting sun. So steady your gaze, and follow the light all the way to your inner self.

Natalya Podgorny is the editor of Yoga + Joyful Living

Meditation on Thinking and Believing

Meditation on Thinking and Believing

In a world as fast paced and technological as this, it is sometimes hard to come face to face with something that we do not understand. Even this book is a modern miracle. It was created on a PC, typeset on a different PC, send off to the publisher where it was loaded onto still other machinery, and copied at an incredible rate of speed. Someone created the cover picture and loaded it into a form that computerized machinery could use, and it was printed off nearly as fast.

Finally, the cover and the book were bound on still more machinery and the books were packed and placed onto a truck for delivery to your local bookstore. We exist outside of natural time. Instead of rising with the dawn and working until it is dark, we set our alarms to wake us, dash off to work, come home, and continue to work long into the night under the glaring false light of technology.

We can see tiny cells that are far to small to see with the naked eye, and fall victim to high tech crime and other problems. Every day brings new discoveries of still smaller and smaller particles and creations. We analyze everything until we understand it in the smallest detail possible. Why? So that we can think we understand it. We fool ourselves into believing that everything can be rationally explained.

But what about the things that we can’t explain? What about the things we can explain but that words just do not describe well? The birth of a child is a miracle in action. Through our research, we can describe what is physically happening throughout the entire development from fertilized egg to human. Yet, those same words cannot hope to ever express the miracle of two single cells coming together to create the marvelously complex beings that we call people. It cannot describe what a soul is or how it comes to be there. It cannot describe the bond that exists between mother and child, or the wonder in the eyes of that child as it learns about its new world.

Thinking and believing have a place in the world. We could not get along without it. However, it is far from sufficient to strive to explain everything there is through this process. Some things should be left as what they are. Miracles. Faith. Mysteries.

(Meditate on these ideas for several days in succession)

Copyright © 2000, Jet Blackthorn

Meditation on the Pentacle and Earth

Meditation on the Pentacle and Earth

Into a dark world comes the dawn, the start of a new day coming from the East. The powers of Earth spring from the same source. Buds burst forth into new growth. Animals come out to look at the world as it blooms again and fill their bellies once more, the starvation and hunger of winter at an end. The Earth is our foundation and our stability as we learn to frolic and play.

The powers of Earth are vast and abundant. When she is angry, the ground shakes and trembles, warning us to change our actions and helping to shake us free from standing around and watching life pass us by. The gifts she gives are boundless.

If this element were to be placed on the face of a clock, following the path of the sun, it would be in the east, at dawn, when time is new and the earth is just beginning to burst forth with new life. It is a light, creative time that holds the promise of the day to come.

Similarly, the moon rises in the west, and if a witch wished to follow the lunar cycle, the element would be placed there. The new, waxing moon is a time of promise of things to come. It is a time of bringing things into being and manifesting growth into the world. This is the time of the Maiden, of the Huntress, those who hold the reins of creativity and inspiration.

The earth, for a witch, is symbolized by the pentacle. It may be as elaborate or as simple as is meaningful. Simple rocks have been used along with things as complex as sun catchers, crystal plates, and hand thrown pottery. It is the foundation to all a witch’s works and all her spells and magick. It helps to keep them stable and able to work their magick and let go of themselves into ecstatic states, knowing they will find their way back.

If a stone is to be used, the best kinds are ones that are found out on one of the walks or trips that the witch takes. Tumbled or polished ones will work, but they are somewhat distracting from the natural ties that the pentacle has to the earth at times. If you want a shiny one, purchase a small rock tumbler (Most are less than $20.00) and tumble the rocks that you find outside on your own. Granite also works well, if there is a source nearby, since it has both a rough surface and a glossy one.

Marble is another choice, if available, that is a good option if a fancier pentacle is desired. Since the pentacle represents the north and is the stability that a witch ties her spells to as she casts them, it is the anchor point for a circle. Make certain that your pentacle is sturdy enough to take the strain of these things before you acquire and consecrate it.

Copyright © 2000, Jet Blackthorn