The Crane
Cranes have been revered for centuries in many Oriental cultures, symbolizing good fortune and long life. If Crane has flown into your reading today, he brings a message of good tidings. Be prepared for something special today—emotional balance, good health, a spiritual “ah-ha!”, or simply pure joy.
Many people believe they have spirit guides. Some refer to theirs as angels or guardians. Regardless, if you believe you have one, a spirit guide is there simply to guide, not as an entity that you need to give yourself over to. If a spirit guide has a negative influence on your behavior, then chances are good that it’s not a spirit guide at all, but something else entirely. These are some of the more commonly found types of spirit guides:
These are guides often found by people who do energy work, such as . A ascended master who appears as a spirit guide is often a being that led a physical life and has moved on to a higher spiritual plane — for example, Buddha, Krishna, even Jesus. Ascended masters usually work with collective groups of souls — in other words, if you’ve got an ascended master hanging around you, you’re not the only one he or she is helping. Their primary focus is that of helping all of humanity. It’s not uncommon for an ascended master to have access to Akashic records. Also referred to as Master Teacher guides.
An ancestral guide is one who can claim with you, such as your dear Aunt Tillie who died when you were ten. It may also appear in the form of a long-dead ancestor. In some schools of thought, these entities are seen as guides, because they are the spirits of someone who loved us during their physical lifetime, or who had some sort of blood connection to our family. Some people, depending on their religious upbringing, may see these types of guides as guardian angels.
A typical spirit guide is archetypical, symbolic or representative of something else. For example, you may find your guide appears in the form of a warrior, a storyteller, or a wise woman, and they have appeared to you for a purpose. Typically, that purpose is to teach you and guide you along a particular path. They may also introduce you to other along your journey, and help out with problem solving, based upon your needs. They are known to provide insight by way of dreams or meditation, and may only hang around as long as you need them, then move on.
Although many people claim to have animals as s, often these entities are more companions than anything else. It’s not uncommon for a deceased pet to linger around, keeping you company through the grieving process. In some spiritual traditions, such as various or shamanic paths, a person may have an animal totem, which provides teaching and/or protection.
Source:
What Is a Spirit Guide? By Patti Wigington, About.com
Once you’ve completed your reading, place the pendulum in a protective pouch. Say a prayer of thanks and close the energies you’ve pulled in for this ceremony. Then snuff out the candle and clean up your ritual space.
Spirit Guides
Author: Mar-Garet
My Creative Writing teacher (about 20 years ago) had just assigned to us: ‘Imagine an entity who would symbolize to you great wisdom.’ Then we were to write a dialogue with that entity in our journals. My ‘entity’ turned out to be a Porpoise by the name of Rosa! I enjoyed our journal dialogues so much… .I could ask her anything, and she’d always end up give me good (if sometimes quite hilarious) advice!
One day, I was dialoguing with her when she said to me, ‘Wait, I must assume another form in order to answer that question.’ What was going on? She changed form into a beautiful and wise female ‘presence’ who has been with me since I was a very young child. The name of this ‘presence’ I called ‘Saji.’
It turned out that Rosa was simply one aspect, or form, of Saji. I had always wondered why a porpoise would be named after a Rose… .then I remembered that the Rose was one of Saji’s ‘symbols.’ Saji, I finally comprehended, is one of my Life Guides (I have two of them, one female — Saji — and one male). Saji has always been there for me, through all my good times and bad times, to comfort me when I was young, and to guide me as I grow older. Her presence is total love, and I love her with all my heart. To me, she is the voice of the Goddess in my soul.
As I continued my journal dialogues, I found that Saji was there for me whenever I needed her. Sometimes, my male guide, Zohar, would come through—a completely different energy than Saji, but still full of love. I knew they were my Spiritual Guides because they seemed to embody my ‘ideal’ Self, and they never steered me toward any kind of negativity, always toward love and positivity. And they never demanded that I ‘obey’ them. They simply communicated their perspective to me… and it was and IS a much wider perspective than I am usually able to see! And it was then up to me to decide whether to follow their advice or not. When I DID follow their advice, I always found a positive experience.
My Creative Writing teacher was interested in hypnosis as a creative writing tool, and he asked for volunteers to participate in his experiment. I readily agreed to be a volunteer. For 32 hypnosis sessions, we explored the world of my Guides, and met other Spirits also.
These Spirits included: Many of my own past selves, writers and other historical figures who had lived in the past and who we admired, extra-terrestrials, nature-spirits and elementals, dragons, unicorns, etc. Once Spirit called itself (it was beyond gender) my ‘Oversoul, ‘ and mostly showed itself as a bright light! I met Saji’s teacher and was told that his name was Carrefour. I was curious about this and found that in the Vodu religion, Carrefour means ‘crossroads’ and is the Moon God.
I was a little concerned about Carrefour, as I had read that he sometimes has a negative aspect. Eventually, I came to realize that what is important is how *I* relate to him, because I feel that every Spirit I meet reflects something within my own soul. The Carrefour that I know is a Trickster spirit, and yet he is so full of love and compassion that he practically overflows with these qualities!
My subsequent research into Vodu has brought me a lot of interaction with that pantheon. I am learning a very positive path, but always there is much struggle against the prejudices associated with this ancient way. That is part of the challenge I have chosen in this particular incarnation. To me, these ‘Lwa’s’ (as they are called in their own language — also called Loa’s) are ancestors who have progressed to the point of merging with world-Archetypes as interpreted through their own tribal mythology.
My own Past Lives often come to me and inspire me with creative ideas and projects. Some of them teach me (or, more accurately, remind me) what I have forgotten! They also help me recognize certain spiritual qualities in other people, which can come in handy when I am doing a reading or a healing. And they always bring with them Spiritual contacts that harmonize with the culture, mythology, and worldview of those past lives. Working with past life selves is simple — as long as you remember that the PRESENT is where power resides. The purpose and work of the PRESENT LIFE is the most vital and most important.
Certain of my Guides and Past Lives also serve as ‘Gatekeeper’ when I am searching psychically for information and communication from other spirits. They keep it positive, healthy, and filter out any negative vibes.
One book that I found helpful in ‘discerning’ Spirits (and Lwa’s) is Initiation: A Woman’s Spiritual Adventure in the Heart of the Andes by Elizabeth B. Jenkins. In this book, Ms. Jenkins describes her spiritual quest in the Andes, and how she progressed from a worldview that was dominant/submissive to one that was more egalitarian. As a family therapist herself, she had a unique view of Spirit-Human relationships and she had a ‘feel’ for when they became dysfunctional. She explains her own spiritual lessons and how she went from a child-level to an adult-level in functioning on the spiritual plane.
In Ms. Jenkins’ perspective (as well as mine) one becomes a member of a FAMILY of both human and spiritual beings. A family works together for the good of all, and Spirits assist only if invited and welcomed. As the Spirits participate and prove themselves as allies, they become part of the family, too. (You may substitute ‘coven’ for ‘family’ here, also.)
James Redfield, in his book The Tenth Insight: Holding the Vision, describes ‘Soul Groups’ that contain all the past selves of each individual human. These ‘Soul Groups’ contain all the knowledge that the individual has gleaned from life so far! As we move into the Aquarian Age, we find that groups are becoming more and more important in our spiritual evolution. Working with groups is challenging, but promises a great leap forward in our consciousness. As we work ‘for the good of all, according to free will’ (Thanks, Marion Weinstein!), we learn the meaning of spiritual cooperation, without the loss of individuality.
I enjoy groups that form themselves ‘organically, ‘ and just come together in a natural way. As such, families can be defined as a group of entities who are have come together related to each other in intimate ways. Families have something intrinsic in common. And the families we create are connected by love.
Families do not always get along, nor are they always in the same mood. However, they ARE always close to each other, whether they are in group-formation or not. They experience kinship; that is, they recognize each other as ‘my kind.’
In spiritual pantheons like Vodu, or in shamanic paths, one can be called by, adopted by, mentored by, and even married to, a Spirit or a Lwa. This is a more intimate connection and requires a greater level of commitment than just working together. One becomes, essentially, a priest or priestess of that Spirit or Lwa’s specialty. This doesn’t cancel out one’s HUMAN parent, mentor or mate. However, it does require a certain amount of time that must be dedicated to the relationship between the person and the Spirit or Lwa. During this special dedicated time, the person and the Spirit/Lwa learn from each other and cooperate in channeling specialized energy through that archetype.
I have considered being a Priestess of a certain Spirit/Lwa, but have decided that I like to keep things more flexible. I like being able to have a variety of Spirits/Lwa’s to relate to! This is similar to the way I like to relate to my human family and friends. I like a large variety, to bring out the different aspects of myself. (My Venus and Jupiter are in Aquarius, for those astrologically inclined!) I have had many varied incarnations, and I think that I am a very international person!
Other people may have kept to one culture during a lot of their incarnations and, therefore, relate with a smaller number of Spirits/Lwa’s, in a closer and more intimate way. There is nothing wrong with that inclination, either. There are many ways to relate, and many ways to group. There are many kinds of families, but the ones we CHOOSE to create need to be those that encourage us, bring out our talents, support us emotionally, and merge with our own individual style!
Reed is typically used to make wind instruments and this time of year, its haunting sounds are sometimes heard when the souls of the dead are being summoned to the Underworld. The Reed Moon was called Negetal, pronounced by the Celtics and is some times referred to as the Elm Moon by modern Pagans. This is a time for divination and scrying. If you’re going to have a seance, this is an excellent month to do it. This month, do magickal workings related to spirit guides, energy work, meditation, celebration of death and honoroing the cycle of life and rebirth
Are you dreaming a dream that’s big enough? If Lizard has appeared before you today, the gauntlet has been thrown down, the challenge made. Stop hiding your light beneath a rock—be willing to be bigger than life, to dream bigger than your imagination, to throw caution to the wind, and aim for the target you’ve spent a lifetime avoiding.
When you are conducting a séance, whom are you trying to contact? One answer is the spirit world. Spirits do not inhabit “space,” so they can’t possess the medium and take over his body. Instead, they are able to contact and influence the aura of the medium—that magnetic field of energy or glow that surrounds each person. Spiritual entities are able to speak to us through the aura of someone who knows how to hear them.
Your aura is pure when you are born, but it may be damaged during your lifetime with drug abuse, guilt, letting people treat you badly, and so forth. To cleanse your aura, you can meditate or rely on crystal or mind therapy.
If you can’t get in touch with a specific soul or spirit, there are two possible explanations. First, we are very attached to our bodies and the material world. Everything here is dense and heavy compared to that which exists on the spiritual plane. Even though humans have access to the spiritual world, we are mostly a part of the real world and are more aware of it because we need to be in order to survive. Tuning in to the spiritual realm is not critical for our survival and we don’t get much practice in it, so it’s almost impossible for the average person to forge a contact with a spirit.
There is a second reason as well. There are many different planes in the spiritual world, and our world is one of the first levels. Compared with other planes, our concepts of time, space, relativity, and even reality, which mankind has constructed, are amateur at best. In other words, contrary to what we may wish, the spiritual world does not revolve around us—we are just one small part of it.
Many spirits do not wish to or cannot be contacted. They have moved on and are learning what their souls must learn now. The spiritual plane they are on is very far away (not in terms of space, but in terms of dimension) from ours. Consequently, professional mediums true to their trade will tell you that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to contact a specific soul or spirit. We do not normally choose our spirit guides or angels. They choose us.
Unfortunately, spirit entities that are close to our plane are, many times, those who are lost, held back, or stuck in their own holding pattern. For some reason, they are still clinging to the beliefs they had on this plane and, consequently, refuse to move on. Some of them even refuse to acknowledge that they are no longer alive. In fact, many mediums say that confused spirits are usually the first ones to come through during a séance. They recommend that you ask the spirit (who claims to be so-and-so) to verify things that only the soul of the particular person would know.
Other than that, higher guides, spirits, and angels are available to us because they remain close to this plane. They’re here to help us and they can sometimes come through as well.
1 – You may smell perfume, incense, or tobacco when there is no known source around you. I’ve even smelled things like alcohol and birthday cake.
2 – You may feel someone in the room, or see shadows flit by out of the corner of your eye, but there’s no one you can see. You may even think you’ve bumped into someone, but again, there’s no one to see with your physical eyes.
3 – Things disappear and reappear, or move. This is a rarer occurrence, so don’t think that every time your keys are missing that your Spirit Guide is giving you a sign. It does happen. A couple of years ago I needed a specific size nail to hang a painting. I heard a noise in the kitchen. When I went into the kitchen the perfect nail was on the floor. I’ve occasionally found dimes, and a Guide kept pushing my license off the shelf (It was in a plastic sleeve.) until I finally realized it had expired.
4 – Coincidences-I recently attended a local event and met someone new. She just happened to be the very person with whom I needed to make contact.
5 – Synchronicities-I have a friend in Bangkok who regularly has similar events happening in his life. I went to a car show as a vendor and sold some jewelry, only to find out that on the same day he had gone to a car boot sale and sold his father’s medals. There are many stories of synchronicities in our lives. It was no accident we met online to support each other spiritually.
6 – You hear voices. I don’t mean the voices in your heard that can indicate mental illness. It might be the voice that said,”Hello, Lillie,” or the one that said, “Well now,” when I was trying to connect with my Guides. I’ve never had an entire conversation, but you can hear your Spirit Guides.
7 – Channeled messages. Some Physical Mediums channel messages by allowing a Spirit Guide to enter their bodies and use their vocal cords for communication. I prefer to remain in control of my body, so I use automatic writing for messages. Don’t try to edit what you get. You may be amazed at the accurate information you receive.
8 – You may see the same reference to dates or times over and over. Before moving I realized I was frequently seeing 11:11 on clocks. In Angelic Numerology, that means I’m about to make some sort of move. For me it was a physical move.
9 – You may see colors and symbols over and over. If your grandfather’s favorite color was turquoise, he may be saying hello.
10 – You receive an inspiration out of the blue. It won’t feel like an imaginative thought, but one that suddenly appeared in your head and is a perfect solution to a problem or issue.
You may find that your Spirit Guide connects with you in ways other than the 10 I’ve listed, but these are the most common. By paying attention, you will know when your Spirit Guide has a message, or wants to say hello.
You will need:
Altar Candle
Black Candle
3 Purple Votive Candles
3 White Votive Candles
Athame
Crystal Ball or Scrying Dish
Incence: Anise, Cardomon or Coriander
Censer
Oil: Jasmine, Lemon, Rose, Sandalwood
Bathing Herbs: Cinnamon, Frankincense, Myrrh and Sandalwood
Mix together a sachet of the bathing herbs, or alternatively blend an oil – these should be added to the water you run for a ritual bath.
Once you are immersed in the water breathe deeply, visualise a ball of protective light around you. Meditate on the reasons for contact, visualise the steps you will take and what you wish to say to your spirit guide.
Cast a circle if that is your tradition.
Light the incense.
With the oil, dress the Altar Candle and the Black Candle while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Light your Altar candle and your Day candle and state your intent:
“I am here to make contact with my Spirit Guide, and to acknowledge him or her”
With your Athame, inscribe Violet Candle #1 with the word “Spirit”. Dress it with oil.
Light the Violet candle #1, direct your energies into it, and say:
“Here do I light the first Lamp of Spirit. May its light reach out across the barriers from
this world to the next. May it make contact with that World of Spirit into which we will eventually enter.”
Take your censer or incense wand and swing in around censing the whole area
around the altar, while rhythmically repeating the word “Merge” and building up
energy to focus.
Replace the censer and pick up Violet candle #2. Inscribe it with the word
“Spirit” and dress it with the oil. Put it back on the altar, light it, direct
your energy into it, and say:
“Here do I light the second Lamp of Spirit. May it’s light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May it make contact with that World of Spirit and help spread the light, illuminating the passageway between our worlds.”
Again, take the censer or incense wand and cense the entire area around the
altar while chanting the word “Merge” Build up your energy to focus.
Take violet candle #3, inscribe with the word “Spirit”, dress with oil, charge
with your energy, light it and say:
“Here do I light the third Lamp of Spirit.
May its light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May the light
from these three lamps blend and grow, dispelling all darkness and lighting the
way that my Spirit Guide may come to me and speak with me here today.”
Inscribe the 3 white candles with the word “Truth” and anoint each candle with
oil. Light the 3 white candles in order of 1, 2, 3, and say:
“Here do I build Truth. As these candles burn throughout this ritual, their power
generates nothing but truth in all that transpires between this world and the next.
Through these candles there is truth in all communications that come to me”.
Again, cense the entire altar area while chanting the word “Merge”.
Replace the censer and continue chanting. Sit comfortably while chanting, and
gaze into the crystal ball, or the scrying bowl. Continue chanting until
you feel it is right to let the chant taper off.
Continue to quietly look into the crystal ball or bowl, not trying to picture
anything. Keep your mind blank, so whatever comes will appear will come in its
own free will.
Gaze into the centre of the crystal, there is no need to try not to blink. Look
into the crystal and blink naturally. Try not to notice anything in your
peripheral vision, just the centre of the crystal.
Eventually a face or figure will appear. This may take a long time, or it may
appear almost immediately. If it doesn’t come at all within approximately 20
minutes, abandon this attempt, extinguish the candles in the order in which they were
lit, leave the altar set up, and try this ritual again in three days. You should
have results within a month at most.
When a figure does appear, ask if he/she is your Spirit Guide. You will hear an
answer. You may not hear it out loud, or even see the figures lips move, but you
will be aware of the answer. This is how most of your conversation will proceed. You
will ask your questions mentally (or out loud) and the answers will be clear
inside your mind.
Ask if you have more than one spirit guide. If yes, ask them to appear also.
You may ask anything you wish to know, but it is suggested to establish a
connection first where your Spirit Guide may appear to you at any time, or at
specific times, so that you can converse with other spirits through him/her.
When you have finished speaking with your Guide, thank him/her, then sit for a
moment with your eyes closed, meditating on all that you have learned.
Extinguish the candles in reverse order to clear the circle.
(excerpted from Animal Spirit Guides by Dr. Steven Farmer)
Those spirits that are in animal form that teach us, guide us, empower us, and help us heal are called animal spirit guides or spirit animals. In shamanic and indigenous cultures they’re usually called totem animals or power animals. Often these terms are used interchangeably, although there are subtle differences in meaning.
The term totem animal has two meanings. First, a totem animal is typically one that is shared by a family, clan, or group. In indigenous cultures, the family you were born into all have a totem animal in common. In modern societies, various groups also have communal totems, such as sports teams or clubs that identify with a totem animal. A second meaning of totem animal is a representational object of a particular animal, like a small tortoise, owl, raccoon, or hawk figurines. We often give our children totem animals, like teddy bears or bunny rabbits to give them comfort.
The term power animal has its origins in shamanism. This is a specialized animal spirit guide the shaman or shamanic practitioner acquires early in their initiation into their practice. Their power animal travels with them whenever they go on a shamanic journey, which is an altered state of awareness in which the practitioner sends his soul or consciousness into non-ordinary reality—another term for the spirit world—to receive teachings, guidance, and healings. You can, however, have a relationship with a power animal even if you’re not a shaman or shamanic practitioner. They may come to you in meditations, visions, dreams, or shamanic journeys. It’s a highly personal and specialized relationship with an animal spirit guide, one where the personality and characteristics of the particular power animal that you have attracted to you are reflective of your own personality and characteristics.
Although every creature on the planet can be an animal spirit guide, in some traditions domesticated animals can’t be power animals because they’ve lost much of their wildness and are removed from the natural world. Likewise, some traditions believe that insects are to be excluded from being power animals because of their size and nature. I have, however, included both domesticated animals and some insects such as butterfly and dragonfly my book, and even two mythological animals, dragon and unicorn, to account for those who have enough of a special relationship with them to call them power animals.
However to experience the tremendous value of working with animal spirit guides you don’t need to be a shaman, have any interest in shamanism, nor be associated with an indigenous culture. For most purposes you don’t even need to be concerned as to whether an animal spirit guide is a totem or power animal. Instead, consider these wonderful beings as spiritual allies that want to reach out to each and everyone one of us who are open to their guidance and, when called with sincere intent, will respond.
One of the great advantages of working with animal spirit guides is that the actual animal is physically and symbolically present in so many ways throughout every society and culture on earth. Because of their abundant representations in third-dimensional reality, they’re continually in our consciousness. Depending on how and in what way they show up in the material world, whether in the flesh or as a symbol, their appearance can be a representative of the spirit of that animal. When an animal shows up in an uncommon way or repetitively as spirit guide, that animal isn’t just the single animal, but is representing the entire species. The hummingbird that flits about and then hovers for several seconds directly in front of you isn’t just a hummingbird but is carrying with her the essence of all hummingbirds, and is therefore Hummingbird with a capital “H.” That’s also why when we speak of an animal spirit guide, we leave out the “a” or “an” as a way of recognizing and honoring that spirit animal. The hawk that visited me wasn’t only a hawk, but in those instances was representing the essence of all hawks, and was therefore Hawk.
Not only do these spirit animals help us in many ways, but another positive effect is that you’ll deepen your appreciation for the magic and mystery of all animals, whether they are of the air, water, or the land. Every being on this beautiful and majestic planet has its place in the web of life, and as we develop our consciousness and awareness of the unique quality of animal spirit guides, we enhance our relationships with all of our animal brothers and sisters.
What Are Power Animals? Power animals are spirit guides in animal form, valuable allies who can help you navigate through life’s challenges and transitions. Perceptive and trustworthy oracles, you can turn to them for advice and counsel on any questions or concerns. They’re exceptional teachers who’ll help you learn about both the spirit world and the natural world. Working with them on a regular basis will enhance your personal life and expand your spiritual capacities immensely.
Power animals can appear in meditations, visions, dreams, shamanic journeys, or on the earth in their physical form. They can be mammals, birds, or reptiles. Even so-called mythical animals such as unicorns or dragons can be power animals, although they have no physical representations in the material world. Since a spirit animal’s power is drawn from their instinctual and wild nature, it’s uncommon, however, for purely domesticated animals such as pets to be power animals.
The source of power for your animal spirit guide is not just a single animal, but the entire species. For instance, if your power animal is Bear, it’s not just any particular bear, but an animal spirit guide that’s representative of the entire species of bears.
Another positive effect of working with your power animal is that you’ll develop a greater appreciation for that species, and likely extend that care and respect to the entire animal kingdom. If Dolphin is your power animal, for example, your love and appreciation will likely go out to all creatures of the sea and naturally expand to include those of the land and the air. Your power animal will also teach you to use this power compassionately and in service, to heal and empower yourself and others.
Spirit Guides and Power Animals
The term, Spirit Guides, also called guardian spirits or helping spirits, describes any spiritual being that helps us in a positive way. They protect us, guide us, and provide encouragement and inspiration. We may have any number of spirit guides throughout our life, whether or not we’re consciously aware of them. Some have been with us since childhood, while others have appeared at various periods in our life, perhaps to help us through a difficult transition. Spirit guides can be religious figures, angels, ascended masters, ancestors, faeries, or, for our purposes, animal spirits.
Animal spirit guides, familiar to indigenous and shamanic cultures, are called either power animals or totem animals. Typically these terms are used interchangeably, although there are some subtle differences in meaning. Totem animal is the more widely used term, and this concept is universal to all cultures. Indigenous cultures typically have a tribal totem, another one for the “clan,” and another for the family you were born into. Contemporary cultures also have totem animals, such as ones for clubs or societies like Lions Club or the Loyal Order of Moose. Sports teams often carry animal totem names, such as the Chicago Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles. Even Christianity has the totems of the lamb and the fish.
Parents often give their child a special protective totem animal, such as a teddy bear, telling the child that it will protect them. The child believes this, and by their belief in the animal they hold in their hands they’re unwittingly calling in the spirit of that animal and its associated powers. The bear becomes a personal totem, or power animal, for the child, and this animal spirit guide may remain with them into their adult lives.
Power animals, rather than being associated with a family or a group, are specific and personal for each individual. Like totem animals, they are guardian spirits that empower us in our everyday lives. They also protect and guide us as we explore non-ordinary reality-the realm where spirits reside, just across the veil of our usual and ordinary perceptions.
Ancestors, ancestors, we are calling
Ancestors, ancestors, hear our call
Sing or chant the above words for at least four rounds, as you stand in honor of the ancestors to welcome them. As you do, create a simple gesture to welcome the ancestors, such as prayer hands over the heart, or raised to the heavens. Ask your body to help you create it and include some form of movement. Have fun with it but also be focused on the welcome. Try it and see what happens.
This is a way of including those humans in your family lineage that have come before you and whose genetic and soul influence has a great deal to do with who you are today, those we can call ancestors. Even your deceased parents are your ancestors.
These progenitors have experienced what it’s like to have had their energy in an animate, physical human form. They continue on with their teachings in spirit world, evolving spiritually beyond what we in physical bodies can even imagine, though some have touched this world through meditations, revelations, near-death experiences, or shamanic journeys from the point of death.
If you aren’t already including ancestors when you call on spirit guides, please do. They want to help us and do avail themselves to us of their wisdom and understanding. Don’t get me wrong; they aren’t all saints, but they understand and experience things much differently once in spirit form. The wisest ancestors are the oldest ones, yet even recent passage into the spirit world offers a considerable dose of wisdom that they are more than happy to bring to you. They also can guide and protect you if asked.
We are in a time of critical change and need all the help we can get from the world of Spirit. The planet doesn’t need saving. We just need to revise our relationship with this planet and live much more harmoniously with her cycles. And we’re doing the best we can. Just need the help of the ancestors.
Man said, “Goddess, when I was in the garden, you walked with me every day. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here, and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me.”
And the Goddess said, “No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever, who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be at times, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself.”
And the Goddess created a new animal to be a companion for Man. And it was a good animal. And the Goddess was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Man, and he wagged his tail a lot.
And Man said, “Goddess, I have already named all the animals on your Earth. I cannot think of a name for this new animal.”
And the Goddess said, “No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a partial reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG.”
And DOG lived with Man, was a companion to him, and loved him. And DOG was beside Man, all the day long. And Man was comforted. And the Goddess was pleased. And DOG was content and wagged his tail.
After a while, it came to pass that Man’s spirit guide came to the Goddess and said, “Mother, Man has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock, and he believes he is worthy of adoration. DOG has indeed taught him that he is loved, but perhaps too well.”
And the Goddess said, “No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever, who will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not always worthy of adoration.”
And the Goddess created CAT to be a companion to Man.
And CAT would not obey Man. And CAT would love Man when CAT chose to love Man, and not when Man chose CAT to share affection.
And when Man gazed into CAT’s eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being. And Man learned humility.
And the Goddess was pleased. And Man was greatly improved. And DOG was happy, and wagged his tail.
Reference:
Author: EagleStar
Angel Meditation
A meditation with your angels can provide a new gentleness into your normal meditation routine.
Though your host of spirit guides encompasses many diverse beings, all of which willingly watch over you, meditating with angels can be a uniquely insightful experience. The angels stationed at your side are both powerful and knowledgeable—they possess a limitless understanding of your needs and desires, your strengths and weaknesses, and your purpose. However, angels take an active part in our lives only when invited to do so. Meditation allows you to make contact with your angels and lovingly request that they participate actively in your day-to-day life.
To begin, retreat to a solitary place where you won’t be distracted by concerns. Incense and candlelight may aid you in achieving a meditative state but are not necessary. However, laying an image of an angel, angel statue, or item symbolizing your angels before you can focus your thoughts. Sit comfortably, breathe deeply, and let yourself relax. When you feel peaceful, invite your angels from the highest of light to sit with you as you meditate. Mentally repeat your request and reiterate that this time together is important to you. Then, in your mind’s eye, visualize a bright-white light floating above you. As you breathe, draw this light first into the crown of your head and then into the whole of your physical self. Allow this light to spread through your arms and hands, your core, and your lower body. Repeat this integration of illumination with a violet light.
Once again, ask your angels to be with you. Let the stillness surrounding you enter your soul, and open your heart to your angel guides. If they wish to communicate a message, they will do so now. Allow them to wrap their wings around you and infuse you with their bountiful love. Breathe them in as you did the light. As the meditation draws to a close, you may feel a presence, fluttering wings, or billowing fabric, or you may see an angel in your mind’s eye. Thank them for providing you with love and light, and being with you as you meditated. If you don’t sense or feel anything, there is no cause for worry—you can be certain your angels are with you. Don’t be surprised if you start to see signs throughout the day that your angels are near, perhaps a feather at your doorstep. As you practice this meditation, you will become increasingly adept at recognizing when your angels are near and sensing their presence.
Your new girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife has just invited you to the spiritual development group that she attends every week. You agree, but you feel a growing sense of panic when you realise that you are totally ignorant of spiritual concepts. What will these people be like? How will you keep up your SNAG act in front of real Sensitive New Age Guys?
Fear not! All you need to know about the New Age is in the following paragraphs. By remembering a few key phrases, you will be accepted into any spiritual group as a fellow traveler along Truth’s highway.
Rule number one for the novice New Ager is to make sure that a crystal of some sort is visible on you at all times. You will notice that all of the women will be wearing a necklace of either amethyst or rose quartz, but for a man, a large chunk of natural, clear quartz that is strapped to a cord around your neck is far more suitable. If you feel uncomfortable wearing your crystal in this way, then carrying it in your hand is also quite acceptable, as long as you remember to look at it appreciatively every now and then, making sure that others see it too of course.
When people notice your crystal they will invariably ask, “What is your crystal programmed for?” In reply, avoid any macho response that suggests that you are using it to attract more sex, money, or power, as this will blow your cover immediately, instead, use the vague, but common phrase, “I have programmed it to help me to enhance my spiritual growth.” This reply will satisfy the enquirer without encouraging questions of a more specific nature.
To acquire a new name that reflects your spiritual goals is also quite common among New Agers, therefore don’t be surprised if you are introduced to people with strange names such as Shekinah, Silver Wolf, or Starlight. To find your own spiritual name, you can use either of two methods. You could choose a word at random from any New Age magazine, or you could ask your spirit guide for a suggestion.
To have a spirit guide is as necessary for the New Ager as having a permanent smile on your face. If you are asked who your spirit guide is, then it is safest to opt for a Red Indian guide – everyone else does! Make sure that you give your spirit guide an impressive name though. You won’t gain much respect from your peers within the spiritual development circles if your guide is called Joe, so give him a name such as Snow Buffalo, Tall Eagle, or Smiling Rainbow Hearted Mountain Bear.
If you want to be a bit different, or if someone else has already chosen the name that you made up for your guide, then go a step further and say that instead of a spirit guide you have a guardian angel. For extra points, use the name of one of the Archangels and the eyes of the people in the group will light up with awe and admiration. Don’t go too far though, as an inferred conversation with God or the late J.C. will mean that you will soon find yourself standing alone, looking with feigned interest at the dozen or so statues of unicorns and Red Indians that the host has proudly displayed on the mantelpiece.
As you settle in for the evening’s lesson and psychic exercises (aerobics for the soul), you will invariably be asked to participate in an experiment on past life recall. Here is another ideal opportunity to impress your girlfriend and the rest of the group. Once again though, use moderation in your claims and don’t invent details of a life as Tutankhamen or Henry the Eighth, as the group leader has probably already claimed both of these. And if he hasn’t, then he’ll probably be upset that he has forgotten to include them in his lineage of previous incarnations. It is much safer to opt for “memories” of an existence as an advisor, astrologer, or valet to a monarch or famous person, as historical records will not necessarily disprove the names and events of this lifetime that you suddenly recall.
If you have survived the evening so far, your last test will be the supper. Under no circumstances should you eat anything other than vegetarian food (i.e. fruits, nuts, vegetables, or any cooked combination of these that invariably tastes like warm, wet cardboard), or your plans for acceptance will be sunk quicker than Atlantis was.
As you depart, make sure that you hug everyone at least once, and be sure to offer deep and meaningful words of inspiration – such as “keep smiling” – to every person at least twice. If you have come up with the right sort of platitudes for everyone and if everything else has gone well, you will probably hear your girlfriend telling her friends that you are indeed her soulmate, and you will already be looking forward to the next gathering of these salubrious spirituality seekers.
Good luck – or as the New Agers say – May the Great Spirit be with you!
Witches Of The Craft® 
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