The Musings of a High Priestess

Murray Basin Plan - From the Past to the Present

2012-02-28T08:22:00.001+10:30

Not something that I normally blog about, but this came through at work so I thought I would share for anyone in Adelaide who may be interested in attending as this FREE Hawke Centre event is about the Murray Basin Plan.

The Murray Basin Plan: From the Past into the Future

The Premier and others will inform and engage the South Australian community.

Wednesday 14 March 2012, 5.00pm for a 5.30pm start

Allan Scott Auditorium, UniSA City West campus, rear Hawke Building, 50-55 North Terrace, Adelaide.

RSVP essential via www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au or phone 08 8302 0215

This forum will bring together a panel representing a range of interests – irrigator, environment and government – to discuss the critical issues surrounding the draft Basin Plan and to engage the community in furthering the State’s position. Within South Australia there are a range of interests connected to the Basin Plan, but general agreement that even diverse interests can find enough common ground to support a united position that gets the best deal for the State. What are the issues we must grapple with in forming this position and what are the worthwhile compromises? Is the draft Basin Plan that has been released for consultation better than no plan?

Panel Chair: Professor Chris Daniels, Barbara Hardy Institute, University of South Australia.

Light near the End of the Tunnel

2012-02-24T09:03:00.000+10:30

It has been a while since I have actually written anything about the progress of the book that I am writing and this is because, after taking a number of months off to finalise other projects, I now have an opportunity to dust off the manuscript again. One advantage of catching public transport I guess is that fact that I am able to sit back and read ... and in this case, go through what I have been working on.

Since the original idea was put to me in 2003 that I should write a book, the manuscript has gone through various incarnations until I was somewhat happy with the subject. Then it was undertaking the appropriate research as well as trying to fill in the gaps as not all I found was actually appropriate with the angle that I am working on.

With my final proofing nearing completion before I send the manuscript off on the next stage in its journey, that to an editor, I feel confident to confirm the rumours that yes, I am working on a book about the Sabbats from a Southern Hemispheric perspective that also blends together the traditional myths and correspondences with some of the discoveries my coven has become aware of during each cycle of the Wheel.

For those who have been patiently waiting, the nearly 10 year incubation period is almost over as the light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to make itself seen.

Call me by my True Name

2012-02-17T10:40:00.000+10:30

The following has been inspired by the poem of the same name by Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Nhat Hanh in light on what seems to be an increasing number of people who commence their blogs with the preface "I am not a Wiccan but ...", largely in response to what seems to be an increasing misunderstanding that what can be classified as a Pagan spiritual/religious practice also automatically makes one a Wiccan.

I have an increasing interest in Hinduism, or more appropriately an assortment of the numerous Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, even to the extent that I am in the process of organising a puja later in the year - yet, I do not classify myself as a Hindu. Around every January full moon, I organise a beach ritual where offerings are made and songs sung to Yemaya and Le Sirene, but that does not classify me as a Vodouist. I have not undertaken the 21 years of study or worked myself up to ranks of Ovate and Bard to call myself a Druid.

I am a Wiccan. I have been initiated a priesthood of a relatively modern version of the ancient Mystery traditions that was brought to light in the 20th century by a retired British civil servant, Gerald Gardner, and which subsequently branched out in the 1960s through the works of Alex Sanders. I am fully aware of the history of this tradition as well as many of the antidotes surrounding the lives of the rather charismatic key figures.

The training of this Mystery school priesthood cannot evolve out of a book, nor can it be learnt from an on-line school or correspondence course. The majority of what is out in the public forum being classified as "Wicca" can be related the outer skin and layers of an onion, if that. To be exposed to the deeper levels, one needs to be initiated into an associated coven that honours the value in these teachings, and whilst these may ebb and flow with the changing consciousness of each Wiccan coven, there is an underlying essence that remains true throughout.

It takes a considerable amount of time to truly understand the Mysteries associated within the Wiccan tradition - anyone who considers they can be progress "a year and a day" in this modern age of contradictions and overload of additional (both relevant and irrelevant) information is simply kidding themselves. The teachings and dedication needed to walk this path is not for everyone, and if this makes my Tradition perceived as being "elitist", then no apologies are given for there are numerous other spiritual paths available for those who are not prepared or able to undertake the amount and degree of work (both inner and external) required.

Yes, I am a Wiccan and I am proud of the tradition I was initiated into, my forbearers and lineage. I wear my badge of rank with honour, and am constantly aware of the oaths I have undertaken. To those who seek to criticise my Tradition, I ask this: Prior to casting any form of judgement, where is your source of truth? For if it is based on hearsay, rumour or even urban myth as opposed to personal experience, then some opinion may be best kept to oneself.

Death and Books

2012-02-07T19:55:00.002+10:30

"DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING, said Death,

JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH".

(Good Omens by Terry Pratchett)

Death .. one of the great mysteries of life yet a topic that is either so wrapped up with taboos that we dare not speak its name, or if we do, we run the risk of being labelled "morbid" or "depressing". Why is something that we all are going to face as part of the natural cycle of life so threatening?

Is it simply because it constantly reminds us that we are mortal, that we are not going to live forever despite how much plastic and other chemicals we inject into our bodies? We fear it, shun it, yet it is constantly around us ... from the death of the micro-organisms and our regenerating skin cells, to the passing of loved ones.

Within most spiritual and religious traditions, the concept of death, not to mention what happens with the soul (should one be considered to have one), as well as the afterlife, has been pondered and debated. The concept of life after death, of rebirth either on the physical plane or other, is shared by a number of traditions, stemming back the ancient Mystery schools.

Yet despite honouring the dead and our ancestors, a practice originating at the dawn of time, how much do we actually know about death? Is there really an afterlife? Do we actually have a soul that will be rebirth? And if so, as what - human or animal?

Within mythology, death and the Underworld realms take on often a different meaning - when Kore descends into the Underworld (with a little help from Hades), she is transformed in its queen, Persephone, shaking of the maiden aspect. Inanna and Ishtar both descended into the Great Below in order to gain full knowledge of it and thus become whole herself. Kali, Odin, Nga, Nyx, Shiva, Kwan Yin, the Morrighan, Hekate, Thanatos, Baba Yaga ... all have Underwordly and/or death associations through which great insights and transformations occur.

It is therefore extremely exciting to know that Memento Mori, an anthology that is being edited by Kim Huggens, will soon be published that will explore the vast array of subjects that are assoicated with death - from physical death through personal experience, to mythology, sacred days associated with death (such as El Dia De Los Muertos (the Mexican Day of Dead) as well as the Celtic festival of the dead, Samhain), as well as the various metaphorical aspects.

I have it on good authority that this large and very important work will now be published in two volumes by Avalonia. The first volume will contain mostly academic, historical or practical papers with the second volume consisting of esssays on the theory and varioius beliefs surrounding death, as well as ethics and personal views. It will be within the second volume that my own essay on death will appear, a subject that ironically I had been pondering since the start of 2011 as what it meant to me following the passing of a dear friend and mentor, and following their "celebration of life".

It is to Lynne, as well as to Carole (another mentor who passed over last year) that I have dedicated my essay to because these two women hugely influenced (not to mention challenge) my own personal beliefs - of which I will be eternally grateful.

What is also exciting about Memento Mori is the number of contributors from south of the equator. Aside from myself there will be essays from Jonathan Carfax, Caroline Tully and Soror Basilisk to name a few.

Reflections at Lughnasadh

2012-02-06T19:08:00.000+10:30

The Temple celebrated Lughnasadh last week, the Sabbat that traditionally celebrated the first harvest, that of the grain, and as per usual, there was a bit of confusion as here in South Australia, the grain harvest has actually occurred a couple of months ago.

But still, we celebrated and gave thanks for what we have as well as acknowledging the sacrifice that has allowed us to be where we are today.

Offerings of the Harvest

To me, Lughnasadh is also a time of reflection and contemplation. Often in our busy modern lives, we are far too busy, stressed out etc to allow ourselves that precious time of reflection. Or, as we strive to be "bigger, better, best", we fail to notice the smaller things, nor on a spiritual level, what is truly important.

As we gathered last week, I felt extremely humbled of the conscious effort that the dedicated initiates had put into the ritual; as well as feeling extremely blessed of being able to share the celebrations with those who are on the abyss of commencing their association with the Temple, as well as other special guests.

Whilst traditionally it is the Autumn Equinox where the first fruits are offered up to the Gods, because of our abundance in the 21st century, we also offered up fruits as well as bread. For me, it was the first peach from my precious tree, only fruiting for the second year.

Last year, there appeared to be an abundance of fruit but unfortunately they were all effected with some bug (I am a "P" plater when it comes to gardening). This year the crop was smaller yet tonight I have tasted my first peach from my own peach tree .. and all I can say is that it was a worthy sacrifice.

I considered myself to be extremely blessed in being able to have the land to grow at least some of my own produce, even if I am not all that sure of what I am doing - being guided by the "stick it in the ground and see if it grows" rule.

Now I am waiting patiently to see how the two apples of my apple tree fair.

Information and Inspiration

2012-02-02T05:57:00.000+10:30

When we learn to attune ourselves gto our inner compass

we follow a map that only we can see - our own path.

ll the major spiritual traditions serve the purpose of offering us a roadmap to guide us on our individual journeys to enlightenment. These roadmaps are made up of moral codes, parables, and, in some cases, detailed descriptions of mystical states.

We often study the fine points of a particular ascended master’s narrative in order to better understand our own and to seek inspiration and guidance on our path. In the same way, when we plan a road trip, we carry maps and guidebooks in an effort to understand where we are going. In both cases, though, the journey has a life of its own and maps, while helpful, can only take us so far.

There is just no comparison between looking at a line on a piece of paper and driving your own car down the road that line represents.

Some people seem well-suited to following maps, while others are always looking for new ways to get where they’re going. In the end, the only reliable compass is within, as every great spiritual guide will tell you. The maps and travelogues left behind by others are great blessings, full of useful information and inspiration, but they cannot take the journey for us. When it is time to merge onto the highway or pull up anchor, we are ostensibly on our own.

Strange weather patterns, closed roads, and traffic jams arise in the moment, out of nowhere, and our maps cannot tell us what to do. Whether we take refuge in a motel by the side of the road, persevere and continue forward, or turn back altogether is entirely up to us.

Maps are based on observations from the past and we are living in the present, so we are the only true experts on our journey to enlightenment. We may find that the road traveled by our predecessors is now closed.

We may feel called to change direction entirely so that the maps we have been carrying really no longer apply. These are the moments when we learn to attune ourselves to our inner compass, following a map that only we can see, as we make our way into the unknown territory of our own enlightenment.

Source: Daily Om

Lughnasadh in the South

2012-01-31T07:58:00.000+10:30

Each experience opens a window into ourselves,

into who we were, who we are,

and whom we are choosing to become.

This evening marks to commencement of Lughnasadh (at least by the Gregorian calendar), the first harvest, that being of the grain and corn. And even though the actually harvesting of the grain crops here in South Australia occurred a month or so ago here in South Australia, Lughnasadh still marks a time to reflect on our own personal harvest - that which we have reaped and that which has not yet come to fruitation.

Lughnasadh is also a time of reflection on our deeds and actions, our experiences (the negative as well as the positive), on those people who have touched our lives for various reasons. It is only through reflection that a lot of these things truly come to light, and we realise that even from the "negative" experiences, something positive has been gained. This is because we cannot know what we have not experienced.

It was around this time last year that I received an email that took me quite by surprise, and which I felt extremely humbled by. It was from a friend who I had been sharing my Craft knowledge with over the years and whilst they were not ready to commit themselves to my own coven, their email thanked me not only for my friendship, but also for my teachings, even if the end realisation was that they needed to walk their own direction.

At this time of the year, the time of reflection, I also extend my thanks and acknowledgment to those whose paths have crossed with mine. It is through such crossing, regardless whether our opinions have been likeminded or opposing, that in some way, my own commitment and dedication to what I believe in and how I share this knowledge, has been strengthened.

Blessed Lughnasadh

Thoughts on the Southern Lughnasadh

2012-01-27T08:36:00.002+10:30

As the sacred Wheel of the Year is constantly turning, this week will mark the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh for those of us south of the Equator, a word from Old Irish origins that referred to the first of the three harvest festivals, that being of the wheat and grain. The Irish origins of Lughnasadh are believed to be a funeral feast and games that Lugh held in commemoration of his foster mother, Tailtiu. She apparently died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland to enable to people to farm.

On County Meath, there is a small town called Telltown which is said to have been the first location of this commemoration, Áenach Tailteann (as it was called). Not only where contests to determine the strongest and most skilled were held, but also marriage contracts were drawn up.

Across the Irish Sea in England, the Anglo-Saxons also celebrated at this time of the year with their festival called Lammas (hlaf-mass, "loaf-mas"). In an ancient book of Anglo-Saxon charms and magic, it was mentioned that the Lammas bread (that which was baked from the first harvested grains) was to be broken into four pieces, each of which were to be placed in oine of the corners of a barn to protect the grain.

In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, as opposed to being a festival honouring the grain harvest, Lammas was actually referred to being "the feast of first fruits". So some confusion appears to have arisen during the various translations as to whether the two festivals are indeed the same.

In our modern world, the underlying message of Lughnasadh is holds true. Whilst the harvest may have been completed (here in South Australia that occurs around December), we can still take time out to take stock of the year that has passed, as well as consider what plans we wish to make in the year that is ahead of us. In doing so, give thanks for what we have received, the bounty, the lessons, the knowledge (even if it has not quite been to our liking). Once we have shown our gratitude, time should be take to reassess our direction, our goals, and even our abilities in being able to ascertain all the things we desire.

In doing this process, no doubt it will be realised that there will be things that we need to release and remove from our lives ... now is also a great time to sort the wheat from the chaff (so to speak - referring back to the wheat association), freeing ourselves from what is restricting us in order to allow ourselves to move onwards.

Whilst a harvest festival, this is hard to see from my own garden that is now appears to have been almost been destroyed by recent bouts of scorching Summer heat, with the corn cobs have dried on the stalk and everything else gone to seed. However my lack of being able to prevent my garden from our severe southern Australian sun does not amiss.

The dried immature cobs hold a psychological meaning in that at Lughnasadh when we are look at our own individual harvest as well as what is preventing it to be bountiful. Sometimes it is our own aspirations, which may be unrealistic, that contributes our harvest to "fail" - other times, like this unseasonal heat wave we have experienced, external influences are the cause. To me, this is what the dried immature cobs of corn represent. After all, nothing that Mother Nature provides is unwanted or wasted .. we just need to learn to appreciate what she provides on all levels.

Before the World Wakes

2012-01-26T16:43:00.000+10:30

In the first moments of day before our mind is fully awake

can be a wonderful time for meditation.

Just before the coming of the pale rays of dawn, Mother Nature exists in a state of flux. Earth's energy is stable, free of the disordered vibrations that are a by-product of humanity's comings and goings. In these first moments of day, when the sun's golden light is only just peeking over the horizon, our animal mind remains in the land of slumber though we ourselves are awake.

Deep sleep has washed away the impurities of existence that accumulated within us, so our mental, physical, and emotional potential is heightened.

To meditate in this peaceful yet energetically charged in-between time is to connect with the divine in an extremely intimate fashion. We discover a new kinship with the universal life force during morning meditations because our awareness becomes a mirror for earthly consciousness — we wake as the world wakes, quietly embracing the joy of being and setting the tone for a serene, fulfilling day.

In the first glorious glow of morning, the light, air, and energy flowing around us speak in hushed tones of the activity to come. While we recognize that another day of being means becoming once again immersed in the challenges of action and reaction, we also understand that we can draw upon the unique energetic qualities of daybreak for comfort, creativity, and vigour. There is bliss in the simple knowledge that we have been given the gift of another day of existence. We are inspired by sights and sounds of the sun's gentle ascension.

Birds serenade the luminosity, which grows richer by the minute. And though we may feel a residual lethargy, our vitality returns as our meditation helps us to become one with the stirring of other beings rubbing the sleep from their eyes. At the start of each day, our destiny has not yet been written, and so there is nothing we cannot do.

How we choose to meditate is less important than our choice to attune ourselves to the spirit of wakefulness that travels round the world each and every day. Even the briefest moment of quiet contemplation in the muted light of the sun can put all that is yet to come into perspective.

As a consequence of our daybreak reflections, our lives are imbued with the same stability, tranquillity, and increased awareness that humanity has long associated with the stillness of early morning.

Source: Daily Om

Second Anniversary of the Haitian Earthquake

2012-01-13T13:26:00.000+10:30

Two years ago yesterday, 12 January 2010, the tiny Caribbean island and Haiti was rocked by a horrendous earthquake. Little was mentioned about this and the fact that the island still remains in dire need of assistance due to the "failure of an international aid effort that never lived up to its promise, despite billions of pledged dollars" (as indicated in the following article).

I personally know of three people who have been to Haiti to help assist in the rebuilding, with one person still being over there. A dear friend of mine, Manbo Paula, through her web site Vodou Sid Pasifik, details what the situation is really like, in particular for those who are living outside the main city of Port au Prince. Her web site also includes a number of photos of the destruction that was caused during the 2010 earthquake.

In light of the recent Christchurch (NZ) earthquakes, as well as other major disasters that have occurred around the globe since 2010, the situation in Haiti seems to be slipping further and further from the minds of people, even despite an outbreak of cholera last year (believed to have originated from UN workers who contracted the disease in Nepal prior to being stationed in Haiti) where a further 6,000 plus people were killed.

Haiti in Ruins Two Years after Quake
(AFP: Thony Belizaire)

Haitians have flocked to churches to mark the second anniversary of the catastrophic 2010 earthquake that killed a quarter-of-a-million people in the poorest country in the Americas.

The flattened presidential palace and Port-au-Prince's hollowed-out cathedral offered striking symbols of the failure of an international aid effort that never lived up to its promise, despite billions of pledged dollars.

Beside the ruins of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, whose roof and towers collapsed after the 7.0-magnitude quake, 40-year-old man Jean Wilbert, who lost his legs in the disaster, ekes out an existence in a makeshift camp with his mother.

"I've been here for the past two years," Mr Wilbert said, admitting he found it hard emotionally to move on from the disaster.

"I cannot detach myself from this place where I lost my two legs."

UN fact sheets highlighted the hundreds of thousands of people relocated from tent cities in 2011 and the 1.1 million children now receiving daily food aid, but the pace of reconstruction has been painfully slow.

That is partly explained by the cataclysmic scale of the January 12, 2010 disaster, which killed, injured or displaced one in six of the Caribbean nation's entire population, razing some 250,000 homes in the capital alone.

But Haiti was already the economic basket case of the Western Hemisphere, a dysfunctional country often ruled by a corrupt elite while 80 per cent of the population lived below the poverty line, most in stinking slums.

More than half-a-million people displaced by the 2010 quake subsist in 800 squalid tent camps around the capital, and health authorities, propped up by an army of NGOs, are still battling a cholera epidemic that has killed nearly 7,000 people since November 2010.

In the largely Roman Catholic country, places of worship were holding services throughout the day to remember the disaster, throwing open their doors to quake survivors, many still traumatised by the events of that day.

Government officers were shuttered along with schools and businesses.

At 4:53pm local time, the moment the earthquake struck, president Michel Martelly was to lay a wreath at the mass grave north of the capital where most of the dead lie entombed, dumped there in lorry-load after lorry-load in the days after the disaster.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to those who died, including more than 100 UN personnel, and called on international donors to keep up their "vital support" for the rebuilding two years after the disaster.

"Despite considerable achievements, including in the areas of rubble removal and the resettlement of displaced persons, many Haitians remain in need of international assistance," he said.

More than 50 per cent of the quake rubble has now been cleared, but little has been erected in its place.

Most of the hundreds of thousands of people who fled Port-au-Prince after the quake have since returned to the overcrowded capital, desperate for work and food.

Source: ABC Net News

Friday the 13th - Lucky or Unlucky

2012-01-12T19:43:00.000+10:30

Superstitions are interesting things - whilst we are not always sure of their origins or indeed the truth behind their ascertions, somewhere in the back of our consciousness we often are hesitant to dismiss them all together.

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th - one of the most dread days of the calendar where bad luck is expected effect us all. Is this a naturally occuring coincidence, or does it have something to do with an overwhelming global "thought" process almost willing bad luck to happen, willed on by the "Paraskevidekatriaphobics" (those people who are actually afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th)?

In the article Why Friday the 13th is Unlucky, the author quoted a 1993 British Medical Journal studying into whether or not this was actuallly true, with the Journal concluding that "Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52%. Staying at home is recommended."

But how did this belief come about as opposed to any other day of the week?

Some superstitions about the number 13 are:

If there are 13 people at a dinner table, one is believed to die before the end of the year. This is believed to have been based on the fact that there were 12 disciples at the last supper of Jesus, who made 13 at the table.

Many cities do not have a 13th street, 13th avenue or even a 13th road. Buildings often do not have a 13th floor, hotels often tend not to have a Room 13, and there are even some international airports that do not have a Gate 13.

If you have 13 letters in your name then you fall into the unfortunate company of Theodore (Ted) Bundy, Charles Manson, Albert de Salvo and Jack the Ripper.

And of course, there are said to be traditionally a total of 13 Witches in a coven - which is made up of six working couples plus the Devil.

In Norse mythology, 12 Gods were having a dinner party at Valhalla when Loki, the mischievous God, appeared uninvited. Living up to his name, Loki arranged for Hoder, the blind God of darkness, to shoot Balder the Beautiful, the God of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. When Balder died, the whole Earth got dark and went into mourning. Thus, the number 13 was considered unlucky.

Friday is named after the Norse Goddess Frigg (the Goddess of marriage and fertility) or her later counterpart, Freya (Goddess of sex and fertility). Both Frigg and Freya are Goddesses associated with magick and indeed witchcraft.

The moon goes through 13 lunar cycles within the solar based calender year, and as there is a correlation betwen women and the moon, the number 13 is also considered to be a "female" number.

In modern times, the Apollo 13 spacecraft malfunctioned after being launched on 11 April 1970 at a time of 13:13 CST, forcing it to return to Earth without a landing on the moon and imperiling its crew. Further, after 13 years of being the richest man in the world, Microsoft Corporation chairman Bill Gates lost this title, according to Forbes magazine's 2008 list of the world's billionaires.

In the tarot, the 13th card is that of Death which, contrary to what may first be thought, is a card about transition, change and inevitability. In numerology 13 can be reduced down to 1+3 which equals 4. The number four tends to have ground effect where the focus is on stability and one's foundation, such as employment, study/career, the home as well as other longer termed goals. Both of these I hardly consider to be "negative".

This year will consist of three Friday the 13ths so beware all you Paraskevidekatriaphobics of the months of April and July as well.

References:
Urban Legends
National Geographic

A Year has Passed

2012-01-11T18:50:00.002+10:30

Lynne at Callanish (1994)

It is hard to believe that a year has passed (12 January 2011) since a dear friend and mentor, spiritual teacher and muse left this mortal coil to her spiritual homeland, that being Callanish, off the north western part of Scotland.

To read about this amazing and extremely talented woman that I was blessed to have met in the early 1990s, please refer to my previous blog posting, The Passing of a Celtic Amazon.

A year has passed and still the sun rises and sets, the sacred seasonal Wheel of the Year turns. In honour of her and what she taught me over the years (and indeed still teaches me), I have an essay in an upcoming anthology, Memento Mori (edited by Kim Huggens), that has been dedicated to her.

Lynne watching Harris tweed being
woven the traditional way.

May the road rise up to meet you, Lynne.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may Brighid hold you in the palm of her hand.

(adapted from a traditional Gaelic blessing).

To commemorate Lynne's artwork (which has been exhibited in galleries around Australia, UK and Europe from the 1970s to 2010), a Summer Solstice exhibition will be held that will take place from 12 to 23 December 2012 with the venue being ‘The Palm House’, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. An invitation to anyone interested in joining in this celebration and/or contributing artwork has gone out with details to be found on Lynne's web site that is lovingly maintained by friends of hers.

In hnour of Lynne, I would like to share this poem about Bride (or Brighid, Brigit) who was Lynne's favour Goddess.

SLOINNTIREACHD BHRIDE
Sloinneadh na Ban-naomh Bride,
Lasair dhealrach oir, muime chorr Chriosda.
Bride nighinn Dughaill duinn,
Mhic Aoidh, mhic Airt, mhic Cuinn,
Mhic Crearair, mhic Cis, mhic Carmaig, mhic Carruinn.
Gach la agus gach oidhche
Ni mi sloinntireachd air Bride,
Cha mharbhar mi, cha spuillear mi,
Cha charcar mi, cha chiurar mi,
Cha mhu dh' fhagas Criosd an dearmad mi.
Cha loisg teine, grian, no gealach mi,
Cha bhath luin, li, no sala mi,
Cha reub saighid sithich, no sibhich mi,
Is mi fo chomaraig mo Naomh Muire
Is i mo chaomh mhuime Bride.

GENEALOGY OF BRIGIT
The genealogy of the holy maiden Brigit,
Radiant arrow of flame, noble foster-mother of gods,
Brigit the daughter of the Dagda,
Dagda the Good God, the son of Ethlinn,
Ethlinn the daughter of Balor,
Balor the king of the Fomoire.
Every day and every night
That I say the genealogy of Brigit,
I shall not be killed, I shall not be injured,
I shall not be enchanted, I shall not be cursed,
Neither shall my power leave me.
No earth, no sod, no turf shall cover me,
No fire, no sun, no moon shall burn me,
No water, no lake, no sea shall drown me,
No air, no wind, no vapour shall sicken me,
No glamour out of Faery shall o'ertake me,
And I under the protection of the holy maiden,
My gentle foster-mother, my beloved Brigit.

Blessing of the Waters and Yemaya

2012-01-10T18:56:00.001+10:30

Last night saw the annual Yemaya ritual held down at Grange, Adelaide that takes place around the first Full Moon of the calendar year. With Adelaide going through a rather unseasonal "cold" snap, being only around 22C (as opposed to double that just over a week ago at New Years), I wondered if anyone would actually turn up. Last year we had true beach weather, making it difficult to find a clear spot on the beach. This year however we had no problems at all.

To my delight, there were about 20 attendees in all, braving the onshore wind, both familiar faces as well as a number of new ones, who took part in honouring Yemaya as well as the waters of the world.

With no "formal" circle casted, the ritual commenced with a water blessing that included part of a prayer from Buddhist Monk, Thich Nhat Thanh. A brief introduction and statement was given before we honoured all the great waterways, as well as acknowledging how important water is for all species on our plant - after all, it is the originator of life.

An invocation to Yemaya and meditation followed that included backgroun to the varying names that the Goddess is known by. After this participants were asked to empower their offerings with their desire which they would like Yemaya to grant.

The standard offering to Yemaya is the sea-shell as this was the first gift She gave humans so that her voice could always be heard. Flowers are also a very welcoming offering, as well as champagne, molasses, even pebbles and melon. These were cast into the sea which was rather warm (that is, aside from the wind chill).

Watermelon, sacred to Yemaya, was passed around, and a libation of that was also given to the Goddess of the waters, the seas, the oceans and the rivers.

As we started to leave the beach, the Full Moon was peeping through the gap in the houses in the East, and with the setting Sun in the West, it felt like we were truly between the worlds.

And the waters of the world were still on my mind early this morning when I woke to the sound of rain on my roof.

Water - such a precious gift that nourishes and cleanses, but it also can destroy, a worthy reminder as the anniversary of the 2011 Queensland floods draws near, yet we cannot exist without it.

The Truth about Priestessing

2012-01-05T07:45:00.003+10:30

Whilst many people I know are returning to work after time off over the Christmas/New Year, with some lucky ones still having another week of holidays up their sleeves, those like myself have only had public holidays off which, as I am realising, is hardly time enough to recharge batteries. Likewise, whilst prior to this break the Temple had our "Summer closedown" gathering, Temple duties and my work as a priestess has not ceased. In fact I feel I have been busier than ever.

The Inner Court circled together up until the Summer Solstice which was shared with friends and those from the 2011 training circle that had already expresssed an interest in continuing their study with us. This coming Monday evening, being the first Full Moon of the year, our annual Yemaya Blessing of the Waters rite will be taking place down at Grange Beach, and after that is our annual rite whereby the Temple covenstead is reconsecrated in readiness for the coming magickal year. On top of this, there have recently been a number of circumstances where my role as a Wiccan High Priestess has been called upon by non-Temple members in order to help them with various issues.

Assembling reading material and upcoming workshops, interviewing (meeting) applicants for this year's Outer Court, answering general queries, and even the mundane activities of polishing ritual impliments and ensuring none of Arachne's relatives have taken up residence whilst the covenstead has been resting, has largely consumed whatever "spare" time I have had. That and research for an anthology that I am contributing towards.

Recently someone indicated to me that as I was not taking "holidays", I was similar to the "priestessses of old" who dedicated their life to their Craft. Something that I, and certainly those who know me, would not disagree with. But there is more to that when it comes to priestessing, or being a member of any Priesthood - and that is the desire to serve.

To me, my service to my Craft takes many forms - the various rituals undertaken whereby the Gods of Old are acknowledged and worked with, the public events held, my writing (which also involves constant research), and even my own personal communion (something in itself takes on many forms). There is also an impulse to offer assistance to those who are struggling and often such people are not active members of the Temple.

To me that is what priestessing is all about. It is not just something done only within circles, at esbats and solstices, or when you have time. It may also involve people who are not connected with my group but who needs assistance in order for them to process along their own choosen spiritual path. Such duties from part of the oaths that I undertook during various initiations and dedicationso to the Gods that I serve, and much of this work is done free of charge or at the most, a donation to the Temple and/or one of the number of charities that we support.

To me, being a priestess (or a priest) dedicated to the Old Ways and to the tradition that Iwas initiated into, is a duty, and therefore, the priestessing work that I do is something that happenings whenever there is a need.

Reflections on 2011

2011-12-30T08:50:00.001+10:30

With New Year's eve almost at our doorstep, it might be a good idea to take a moment to comtemplate on the year that is about to pass. How has it been for you? Successful, bringing in all your heart's desire and more ... a disaster, resulting in your very existence crumbling into oblivion ... or something resembling a roller coaster ride offering many peaks and troughs, successes and challenges? Regardless of how much of a handball life throws at me, there is something that I tend to keep in mind and that is ..

Whilst I may not have control over all events in my life,
I DO have control over how I react to them.

And with that in mind, I give thanks for all the challenges, as well as the blessings that I have received throughout this passing calendar year, for all the negativity directed towards me and what I do as well as the compliments and praise ... and ths is because I choose to use such as guidelines and inspiration, and boundaries and where I can draw strength from. Further, they are also a constant reminder of humility and the simple fact that whilst try as we may, it is simply impossible to try and please everyone.

This passing calendar year, despite being a "4" year, the number of stability and foundation, has seen one important aspect of this being challenged for me - and that is in the area of work, where in August I lost my then employment (technically unfairly). And whilst it has been, at times, a struggle financially to ensure that the mortgage and bills are paid, as well as keeping Mr Sethmeister (the cat) in the luxury that he has become used to, my faith never weakened and the Gods have in fact opened the door that have enabled me to venture into a completely different realm. I give thanks for this knowing that there are others worse off than myself.

It has almost been like all over the world our "foundation" is being tested - Christchurch (New Zealand) in particular, where devastating earthquakes are still being felt since the initial ones earlier this year on 22 February 2011. Having grown up in the "shakey isles", I personally cannot recall such a spate of earthquakes - in fact prior to the February earthquake, that last one of such magnitude that I can remember occured back in March 1987, where a 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit the Eastern Bay of Plenty, and in particular the towns of Edgecumbe, Te Teko, Kawerau, Matata and Thornton.

But the Christchurch earthquakes have not been the only "shaking" - Japan also mande the news for all the wrong reasons after an earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami which in turn gave rise to a potential meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear power plant. There has also been a number of political uprisings around the world, in particular in the Middle East, as the general public are starting to find their voice, as well as in Greece and Italy as the effects of the global financial crisis and greed in recent times truly impact upon the daily lives of those who have seen little, if any, benefit from such greed.

Amongst all this global doom and gloom it can be difficult to find something to be cheerful about, or indeed to justify being happy whilst there is seemingly so much pain in the world. But we can, and we do, because life moves on. We all are on life's roller coaster going through the peaks and troughs ... or to use a Buddhist terminology, Samsara, which is a Sanskrit word meaning "journeying", as within the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. And it is the lessons learnt whilst we go through these peaks and troughs, through the cycles of life, that enables our soul to evolve along its own spiritual evolution. For like a blocked pool of water that grows stagnant and turns into a breeding ground for mosquitos, so too can our thoughts and perceptions on life if not challenged.

So with a new calendar year around the corner, and indeed a rather special year with various planetary alignments taking place, I give thanks for all the experiences that I have received and knowledge gained, for all the old friendships that have passed in order for new ones to be made, and for the opportunities that I have embraced that have tested me, enabling me to progress along my own unique journey.

There are times when you need to gather your courage and leap into the abyss, into the unknown. What you do with the experience and how you react to it is entirely up to you. And as is often the way of the Gods, it may not be until sometime later when you have resurfaced again, that the true benefit of such an experience is realised.

With the year of change about to dawn, now is the time to ride with the roller coaster face first and eyes wide open. After all, it is you who is in control.

Have a safe New Years everybody whatever you do.

Invocation to Ra

2011-12-23T18:15:00.000+10:30

With the Sun at its peak here in the Southern Hemisphere, the Egyptian Sun God, Ra, comes to mind. By the 5th Dynasty, Ra was identified as a major deity, primarily associated with the midday sun but over time, he became to represent the Sun at all times during the day.

Ra's chief centre of worship was based in Iunu or more commonly today known by its Greek interpretation, Heliopolis, which means "City of the Sun" (after the Greek Sun God, Helios). Heliopolis was believed to be the oldest city in ancient Egypt. In later Egyptian dynastic times, Ra was merged with the God Horus, as Re-Horakhty (and many variant spellings). When his worship reached this position of importance in the Egyptian pantheon, he was believed to command the sky, the earth, and the Underworld.

He was associated with the falcon, the symbol of other sun deities who protected the pharaohs in later myths. After the deities were paired with pharaohs, the children of Hathor were considered to be fathered by Ra.

The following is an invocation to the Egyptian Sun God, Ra, that was received by ACh LA, as Scribe (Brian Goldstein) and issued by the Snactury of Thoth ...

Hail to you, having come as Kephra, even Kephra who is the Creator of the Gods.

You rise and shine on the Back of your Mother, having appeared in Glory as the King of the Gods.

Your Mother, Nuit, shall use Her arms on your behalf in making greeting.

May you give power and might in vindication – in the coming forth of this living soul

to the Ka of this Childe.

The Eye has opened unto Thee, I see Thee in Thy Bark, with Horus at the helm,

and Thoth and Maat beside Him,

I invoke Thee, Lord of the Circles, the Sender-forth of Light, who governs His Circles, the Great God Ra!

Hail to you, Lord of All, I have come to you spiritualized and pure, the Eye of Horus is upon me,

Allow my heart to rightly guide me in this destroying hour, descend, appear as Thou are,

even as the Great Falcon,

I receive Thee as the Celestial Cow, who is Thy Sacred Eye, I receive Thee through my blood,

I drink to Thee in my Breath.

Cme to me, I receive you, repel the Crocodile, protect me, make way for me, safe-guard me in Truth,

I do not fear, encircle me, make goodly the paths for me in Thy dignity and Thy power,

embrace me for I adore Thee,

I work for Thee, my Aspiration is to serve Thee ever so rightly in the Holy Work,

come now in peace and Love O Great God who is the Sun ...

The complete Invocation to Ra can be found at the Sanctuary of Thoth

Basking in the Ritual After Glow

2011-12-22T18:26:00.001+10:30

Last night the Temple's Inner Court, together with friends and potential Outer Court students, gathered at the covenstead to acknowledge the Summer Solstice, the time of the year when the God, in his guise as Solar King, is at his strongest, having reached the peak of his power. In honouring his beauty and brilliance, we also acknowledge that the Goddess is revealing her wonderful bounty all around us.

For our part, we can harnness this abundant energy and put it towards our own hopes and dreams, visions and desires that we have been carefully nurturing since the seeds were initially planted almost half a turn of the sacred Wheel ago, at Imbolc, the commencement of Spring.

Part of this year's ritual, participants were invited to place something upon the altar that they wished to charge up for the coming year, making the most of the Sun's power and energy. I thought it was about time that the gris gris bag (a charm bag made from cloth and filled with various herbs and talismans) that I carry with me had its energy renewed ... considering I can't remember exactly when it was actually first constructed.

All I can say is that within 12 hours of the ritual that extra energy appeared to have kicked in, not once but on two separate occasions, much to my delight.

Participants of last night's ritual also took away with them another talisman, a stone with the runic symbol for sowilo drawn on it. Sowoli relates to good health and fitness, and energy, as well as being the "spirit of life" and the "energy of the sun". Being known as a victory symbol, it can be used as a force of attack. Spiritually, Sowilo symbolizes clear vision, and the victories of light over darkness, good over evil.

After the ritual, we enjoyed each other's company as we feasted .. and what a feast we had. Such a perfect way to end a simply wonderful evening, that is until the mosquitos can out in force.

It is always a pleasure in being able to share special events such as the Sabbats with friends, espeically those who we only get to see maybe once or twice a year due to external circumstances and life commitments in general. These events also provide a wonderful opportunity for potential students to meet the Inner Court members and to get a feel of what ritual could very well be like should they wish to continue their studies with us.

Now with the Temple technically "closed" over the Summer break until just prior to Lughnasadh, it will now be time to clean and polish ritual impliments, to wash and iron altar cloths, and even reorganise and fill the apothecary cupboard.

But this doesn't mean that there is nothing happening over the Summer months - on Monday, 9 January 2012 we will be holding our annual Yemaya Full Moon and Blessing of the Waters ritual at Grange beach. More details about this wonderful ritual can be found here.

Further, with applications for the 2012 intake of the Temple's Outer Court not closing until 15 January 2012, there will be a number of "meets and greets" happening as well. More information about the Temple of the Dark Moon's Outer Court training circle can be found here.

A busy time ahead in readiness for the new calendar year but one I gladly take on. And now is the perfect time to draw upon the strength and energy of the Sun in order to carry me through.

Making the most of Mid Summer

2011-12-17T17:42:00.001+10:30

With the South Pole of the Earth now tilted towards the sun, those of us residing south of the equator are approaching Mid Summer, the Summer Solstice, the time of when the hours of light are greatest. However as I write, this, I am listening to the rain on my roof and thunder rolling across the sky. But that is okay, the garden is greatful in receiving whatever rain is about at this time of the year as fruit and vegetables approach being ready to harvest. I have also checked the long range forecast which assures me that the storms will have passed and it will in fact be a pleasant evening for when we celebrate the Summer Solstice in our sacred circle.

Following on from last year's blog about the Magick of Mid Summer, now is the time to make the most of the strength of the sun's power. The energy of the Summer Solstice can be harnessed for tackling seemingy insoluable problems, or bringing to light much needed answers that have been hidden in the darkness.

As the sun is often considered to be a "male" symbol (whereas the moon is often perceived as female), the energy available can also be of benefit to address issues such as male potency. Issues such as career, maximising opportunities as they present themselves, self-confidence and even inner power for anyone approaching middle age can also benefit from harnessing the power of the sun.

In the popular Rider Waite tarot deck, the 19th card is that of the Sun, depicting a naked child riding a white horse, holding a red standard, under an anthropomorphized sun, with sunflowers in the background. The red of the standard is considered to represent the blood of renewal while the smiling sun represents accomplishment. This is associated with attained knowledge. the conscious mind prevails over the feares and illusions of the unconscious. Innocence is renewed through disocovery, bringing hope for the future. It reflects happiness and contenment, vitality, self- confidence and success.

The Summer Solstice is a time to reflect on the growth of the season - not only the seeds that have been planted within the earth but also those planted within our own souls. It is also a time of cleansing and renewal, a time of celebrating creativity in all its many expressions, as well as joyous love and growth that surrounds us.

Summer Solstice (by Cheryl Ban 1998)
Brown earth lay blanketed beneath
the weight of white snow
People hold within their heart
the promise of light
Light that overcomes the night
Igniting fire
That burns a hole
all the way to the hot dry summer fields
The hope that the light holds in winter
becomes in summer
the knowing of the sun’s pathway back again
We poise on the edge of these great turnings
Balanced night and day
Ah for a moment……

The Wisdom of Surrender

2011-12-09T19:46:00.000+10:30

A deep feeling of gratitude can emerge

as we open to the experience of being helped.

Most of us pride ourselves on our self-sufficiency. We like to be responsible for taking care of ourselves and pulling our own weight in the world. This is why it can be so challenging when we find ourselves in a situation in which we have to rely on someone else. This can happen as the result of an illness or an injury, or even in the case of a positive change, such as the arrival of a newborn.

At times like these, it is essential that we let go of our feeling that we should be able to do it all by ourselves and accept the help of others.

The first step is accepting the situation fully as it is. Too often we make things worse either by trying to do more than we should or by lapsing into feelings of uselessness. In both cases we run the risk of actually prolonging our dependency. In addition, we miss a valuable opportunity to practice acceptance and humility.

The ego resists what is, so when we move into acceptance we move into the deeper realm of the soul. In needing others and allowing them to help us, we experience the full realization that we are not on our own in the world. While this may bring up feelings of vulnerability, a deep feeling of gratitude may also emerge as we open to the experience of being helped. This realization can enable us to be wiser in our service of others when we are called upon to help.

It takes wisdom and strength to surrender to our own helplessness and to accept that we, just like every other human being, have limitations. The gifts of surrender are numerous. We discover humility, gratitude, and a deepening understanding of the human experience that enables us to be that much more compassionate and surrendered in the world.

Source: Daily Om

Advanced training in magick, Wicca and the Craft

2011-12-02T19:47:00.000+10:30

Often I am asked about the training structure within the Temple of the Dark Moon. So, as applications are currently being considered for the 2012 Outer Court intake, it seems an appropriate time to briefly talk about this.

All training that occurs within the Temple of the Dark Moon is undertaken depending on time constraints and possible vacancies within the Temple's two circles - these being the Inner Court (that is a closed circle consisting of dedicants and initiates only) as well as the Outer Court (that consists of students undertaking training with the overall view of gaining access into the Inner Court.

Autumn Equinox picnic

A general introduction to magick, Wicca, the Craft as well as ritual work within a group concept etc is undertaken as The Wytch's Circle and held over six lessons commencing in the early Southern Spring (July). From this initial training, students can make application to enter into the Temple's Outer Court that commences around Lughnasadh (February) and again consists of six lessons. Whilst preference is naturally given to those who have already undertaken some training with the Temple of the Dark Moon, we do acknowledge prior learning (whether from another group or self-taught).

The study provided within the Outer Court is classified as “Level II” which assumes that student already has had some basic introduction of Wicca, ritual and magickal workings. Aside from regular attendance of open circles, which helps establish the desired level of commitment necessary to be considered for entry into the Inner Court, the student will be provided with a series of assignments that are based around the “Level II” instruction as well as prescribed texts.

Imbolc Altar

As a coven, we are a small and intimate collection of like minded people who adhere to similar ethics and philosophies and who all have a dedication to the teachings as handed down to us. We meet regularly to work ritual as well as acknowledging the changing phases of the Moon (esbats) as well as those of the seasons (sabbats). We are also a social coven, holding a number of events that are open to friends and family, as well as the general public, in particular our Full Moon Gatherings, a service we have been offering to the local community since 2004.

More information about the Outer Court training circle can be found here, which provides links to what we look for in an applicant as well as where the Outer Court application form can be downloaded. Applications will close mid January 2012.

The Power of Language

2011-12-01T18:56:00.000+10:30

At this time of the year, I find it interesting how many people who confess that they are Pagans throughout the year start becoming "Christianised" and celebrate Christmas. The reasoning behind this personally escapes me as being a Pagan, the only festival I acknowledge is the upcoming Solstice, and being in the Southern Hemisphere, this is the Summer Solstice, unlike my northern counterparts who will soon be celebrating the Winter Solstice, or Yule.

I have recently come across indication that "oh it's only words, and words don't matter" - which statement in itself has prompted this posting for to me anyhow, as there is much power in words, they actually do matter.

Geoffrey Rush, "The King's Speech"

Words are not just mindless dribble the flow from our brains out of our mouths, but they are the main form of communication, both verbally and written. We use words to empower our thoughts and desires and the impact of such is often dependent on the words we use. It is possibly that because words are often used automatically and unconsciously, that we have some how come to the view that they are no longer important.

Words shape the language we use and the way we define things. Language is equally as important for it creates and transforms our lives. In times of conquest, language was one of the first things the victor sought to suppress. Even within the English language this is happening today with the various definitions creeping in from other sources. For example, when I was at school, the emphasis was on "English" English, however today, and possibly thanks to the internet, an increasing number of "Americanisms" are creeping in with not only a change in the spelling of words but terminology - such as 4WDs are being replaced by SUVs.So goes the evolution of the English language I guess.

Words also do not just convey a meaning - they are actually a force. They can hurt and heal, be manipulated to carry hidden meanings, and if thought is not given to their interpretation, they have even been known to start wars. Therefore, to simply dismiss something becuase "it is just words" could be seen as being rather foolhardly.

Summer Solstice altar c.2007

Former Catholic monk and author, Thomas Moore, once said that the words a leader chooses are just as critical as their actions. This is something that I believe we all should be aware of. Words therefore are very important and not something to be merely dismissed as irrelevant.

Aside from the obligatory family orientated gatherings (most of which I have managed to avoid), I have not actually marked Christmas in over 10 or so years now. As a Pagan, I honour the Summer Solstice, which occurs around the 22nd December this year, and it pleases me when my non-Pagan friends and family wish me a "happy solstice" as opposed to a "happy Christmas" because, at least to me, this simple gesture indicates that in some way they are honouring my choice of belief.

References and further reading:

"The Power of Language" (author not noted) - article from Resurgence ezine

"The Power of Language" (author not noted) - article from Green Living ezine

"The Power of Languages" by Eilidh MacDonald

Connection with the Divine

2011-11-27T08:12:00.000+10:30

Performing a Hindu puja ritual is a wonderful way to experience

direct communication with the divine.

Forging a spiritual connection with the divine is the ultimate goal of many forms of worship. In our devotions, we transcend the limitations of our humanity using prayers, rituals, and invocations, or we seek the celestial in sacred items such as statuary, imagery, or natural objects. In the Hindu tradition, worshipers bond with the divine through the puja ritual. The purpose of the ritual is to create an atmosphere in which humans and spiritual beings can enjoy communion with one another.

Though participants show reverence for their chosen deities, puja serves to bring the former and the latter together on an energetic level. Performing a puja ritual is thus a wonderful way to experience direct communication with the divine.

There are no limits as to whom may serve as the focal point of your puja. You need only choose a spirit guide to commune with and an object to represent them. Preparing for the puja ritual, however, can take some time, depending on the number of devotional acts you will perform.

A classic puja includes 16 acts, including meditation, chanting, the reading of sacred texts, offerings of food and drink, and cleansing. You may also wish to present gifts of incense, flowers, and jewelry during the ritual. An altar or table covered by an altar cloth provides space for the representation of the divine and the seat of the puja. To begin, prepare your offerings and place them to the right of the altar. Then center yourself and release any stress you may feel—the puja is meant to be a joyful experience.

Typically, the ritual begins with the ringing of a bell and an invitation, and progresses from chanting to the cleansing and dressing of the deity to the offerings to meditation. You can modify your puja in any way you wish.

Though the elaborate puja rituals performed in Hindu temples take place at sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight, puja performed in the home primarily takes place in the mornings and evenings. When your intention is to invite your spiritual guides into your home and heart, however, the time of day matters little.

With practice, you will create a direct path to spiritual oneness that allows you to experience an amazing sense of closeness that reinforces your connection with the divine.

Source: Daily Om

International White Ribbon Day

2011-11-25T07:42:00.002+10:30

In 1991, a group of Canadian men initiated a White Ribbon campaign to recognise the anniversary of the deaths of 14 Canadian women massacred by a gunman in Montreal two years prior. Wearing a white ribbon was a public pledge by these men to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

Since that time, the White Ribbon campaign has spread to countries on every continent. It is now the largest organised worldwide event condemning violence against women. Each year, November 25 marks both the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and White Ribbon Day.

Perceiving the Infinite - Using Your Psychic Gifts

2011-11-23T18:51:00.000+10:30

People often have difficulty accepting tha

they have been blessed with psychic abilities.

Psychic experiences are a natural part of our everyday lives. People often have difficulty accepting that they have been blessed with psychic abilities because without a frame of reference it is almost impossible to identify an extrasensory experience and to distinguish psychic sights, sounds, and sensations from the projects of the unconscious mind. To some extent, every human being on the planet is clairvoyant, clairaudient, and clairsentient, although most people discover that they are naturally adept at one more than the others.

When you trust in and take steps to hone your innate clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience, you will enter a new realm of being in which the universe, your higher self, and your spirit guides lovingly conduct you toward a more aware existence.

Clairvoyance, or clear seeing, is the ability to see with the mind's eye. An individual who has honed their clairvoyant abilities may be able to see in their mind's eye events in a remote location; to witness incidents that have yet to occur; or to perceive shapes, colours, and other images that are physically invisible. Clairaudience, which means clear listening, is the ability to hear sounds not physically audible.

A person with the gift of clairaudience perceives psychic information as auditory resonance and may hear angelic voices, music, or other sounds. A clairsentient, or clear feeling, individual is able to sense physical, emotional, and spiritual energy in the form of seemingly unearthly scents, touches, and movements. Each of these psychic abilities can manifest themselves within us voluntarily or involuntarily. It is natural for us to have these abilities; we need only practice.

Developing your psychic talents is a matter of releasing your fear of seeing, hearing, or feeling inexplicable or disquieting stimulus. Before you attempt to consciously tap into your gifts, ground yourself to anchor your mind in the present to disconnect from any involuntary psychic experiences you may be having. Concentrate on your intuitive responses to the world around you and notice any sights, sounds, or feelings that enter your mind.

If you trust your perceptions, you will discover that each psychic impression you receive will be in some way relevant to your experience—even when that relevance may not be immediately recognizable.

Source: Daily Om

The Ripple Effect of a Virtuous Cycle

2011-11-20T07:52:00.000+10:30

Your thoughts and actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing ripples to spread as they move outward.

In a world of six billion people, it is easy to believe that the only way to initiate profound transformation is to take extreme action. Each of us, however, carries within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. Everything we do and think affects the people in our lives, and their reactions in turn affect others. As the effect of a seemingly insignificant word passes from person to person, its impact grows and can become a source of great joy, inspiration, anxiety, or pain. Your thoughts and actions are like stones dropped into still waters, causing ripples to spread and expand as they move outward.

The impact you have on the world is greater than you could ever imagine, and the choices you make can have far-reaching consequences. You can use the ripple effect to make a positive difference and spread waves of kindness that will wash over the world.

Should the opportunity arise, the recipient of a good deed will likely feel compelled to do a good deed for someone else. Someone feeling the effects of negative energy will be more likely to pass on that negative energy. One act of charity, one thoughtful deed, or even one positive thought can pass from individual to individual, snowballing until it becomes a group movement or the ray of hope that saves someone’s life.

Every transformation, just like every ripple, has a point of origin. You must believe in your ability to be that point of origin if you want to use the ripples you create to spread goodness. Consider the effect of your thoughts and actions, and try to act graciously as much as possible.

A smile directed at a stranger, a compliment given to a friend, an attitude of laughter, or a thoughtful gesture can send ripples that spread among your loved ones and associates, out into your community, and finally throughout the world. You have the power to touch the lives of everyone you come into contact with and everyone those people come into contact with. The momentum of your influence will grow as your ripples moves onward and outward. One of those ripples could become a tidal wave of positivity.

Source: Daily Om

Remembrance Day

2011-11-10T15:36:00.000+10:30

At 5.00 am on 11 November 1918, three German Government representatives accepted the Armistice terms presented to them by an allied commander, General Foch of the French Army. The demands of the Armistice included the withdrawal of German forces to the east bank of the Rhine within 30 days; immediate cessation of warfare; and surrender of the German fleet and all heavy guns with no further negotiations until the signing of the peace treaty.

The armistice became effective at 11:00 am the same day, and as the guns fell silent on the Western Front in France and Belgium, four years of hostilities ended.

Remembrance Day is observed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. To acknowledge this important anniversary an one minute's silence is held to remember the sacrifice made by all involved, the armed forces as well as civilians in time of war.

Bealtaine - A Magickal Weekend

2011-11-06T19:28:00.001+10:30

The first weekend in November this year was when the Temple of the Dark Moon had its annual Bealtaine magickal retreat in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.

Bealtaine is traditionally the time of the year that marked the opening of the Summer, and indeed with temperatures soring into the mid 30s Celsius (about 92 Fahrenheit), Summer certainly felt as if it had arrived. With recent rains, the surrounding grasslands seemed to be at an all time high. However slashing had commenced in earnest with the approaching warmer months bringing with them the danger of bush fires.

According to legend, the Gaelic ancestors, the Milesians, arrived on Irish soil at Bealtaine where they disposed of the magickal (faery) Tuatha De Danann. Amongst the invaders was the powerful druid and poet, Amergin, who composed the following poem upon landing in Ireland:

Bealtaine and our Ancestors

I am the wind on the sea

I am a wave of the ocean

I am a bull of seven battles

I am a hawk on the rock

I am a drop of the sun

I am a law of unity

I am a boar for valor

I am a salmon in the water

I am a lake in the plain

I am the power of Art

I am the point of a spear in battle

I am the god that kindles fire in the head

I spread the light in the mountains

I tell the ages of the moon

I reveal the secret resting place of the sun.

Early Summer Flowers

This poem, known as "The Song of Amergin" is a favourite to be recited during Bealtaine rites. The poem is also considere to be a prayer of unity with all of creature with Amergin invoking what are considered to be the "fundamental elements" of the Three Realms that make up the Irish Celtic Universe. These realms are:

- The rocks and mountains of the Land,

- The waves of the Sea, and

- The wind that blows over both all the way up to the Sky (which is the home of the Sun and Moon).

Shingle Back Lizard

Amergin also invokes powerful animal spirits that give life to hunting, farming and fishing cultures like those of our Ancestors. These animal powers recur throughout the whole of the mythological tradition: the bull, the symbol of power and life; the hawk, the high-flying and far-seeing bird of prey; the stag, symbol of sexuality and fertility; and the salmon, the symbol of wisdom.

Amergin ends his poem with an invocation of the Divine power that animates creation, and which lights the fire of inspiration in the head, the seat of the soul.

Early Morning Mists

One of my personal hi-lights was the sighting of a shingle back lizard (above photograph) who was rather less than impressed of being discovered by a group of rather exhausted campers who were returning from a walk down to the island in the early afternoon heat.

Sunday morning at our weekend retreat heralded in almost a completely different day as a welcomed change had rolled in, bringing with it early morning mists and even the odd spots of rain, hardly enough to dampen what was a simply wonderful weekend away with a great bunch of people.

Source: Bealtaine: The Bright Fires of Love

Belenos and Bealtaine

2011-10-25T19:56:00.002+10:30

As the end of the month of October fast approaches, there is one thing on my mind and that is the sabbat of Bealtaine. This festival, hearlding in the beginning of the Summer months, is based around an ancient Celtic festival that was associated with the sun. It is often believed that the word "Bealtaine" means "bright fire," howevere medieval Irish glossators associated it with the God, Bel, who was considered to be a version of the ancient Celtic God of fire and light, Belenos.

Belenos: the Shining One

Belenos (meaning meant "bright, brilliant" or "shining"), or variants of his name, was known throughout the Celtic lands of western Europe, such as Belenus and Bel. At least 31 inscriptions citing Belenos or Apollo Belenos (as he was sometimes known in Roman-dominated areas) have been found by archaeologists, more citations than almost any other Celtic deity. His name, nature, and function are testified to by classical commentators and the imagery of sculpture and votive offerings associated with Belenos.

Mide and the Fire at Uisneach

Traditionally, Ireland had two ritual centres, although it’s impossible to be sure how widely their supremacy was acknowledged. Tara was associated with kingship and the feast of Samhain, the beginning of winter. Uisneach, not far from Tara, was associated with Bealtaine and religious assemblies. In the Leabhar Gabala, Mide was said to have been the chief druid of the Memedians, a people who invaded Ireland on Bealtaine. Mide immediately went to Uisneach and built a fire that blazed for seven years, according to the story. When the druids already there protested, Mide cut out their tongues and buried them under the hill at Uisneach.

In later traditions, faggots from the fire at Uisneach were distributed at Bealtaine to re-light individual hearths.

In Celtic countries, building a fire was a way to establish ownership of a site well into the modern period. Numerous saints were depicted laying claim to sites by building fires. Perhaps from these traditions comes the custom of beginning tenancy at Bealtaine.

Lovers and Fighters

Many of stories depicted as occurring at Bealtaine involve forms of the "young God". Often the young god was depicted as attempting to woo or capture a wife. In Welsh stories, Gwenhwyvar was captured by Melwas while she was out in the woods "a-maying." In some cases, two deity figures are depicted battling for the woman. Creiddylad was betrothed to Gwythyr ap Greidawl, but before they come together, she was stolen by Gwyn ap Nudd. Thereafter, the two men met annually to engage in single combat for the hand of Creiddylad. These mythic motifs were perpetuated by mock battles in which a figure representing winter battled one representing summer.

In an Irish story, spurred on by Mebh of Cruachan’s jealousy, Conall Cernach killed her husband Ailill while the latter was consorting with a woman behind a hazel-bush on Bealtaine.

In the medieval Irish pseudo-history called the Leabhar Gabala or "Book of Invasions," medieval scribes recorded stories of successive waves of people into Ireland. Today, the historicity of these accounts and their details is considered negligible, but the stories and their details tell us about the traditions and attitudes of the medieval Irish. Interestingly enough, three of the invasions are said to have taken place on Bealtaine, reinforcing the impression that Bealtaine was the time for new undertakings.

Light Fighting the Dark

Confrontations with monsters—the dark powers seeking to overcome the light—also occurred at Bealtaine in the myths. In the Mabinogi, a fearsome claw stole a marvelous foal each Bealtaine. When Teyrnon hacked off the claw after keeping watch at night, the missing newborn baby Pryderi suddenly appeared, almost as if this sun-related figure had been rescued from the dark. Eventually, the baby was restored to his parents. Reminiscent of this is a short story called "Lludd and Llefelys" in which a terrifying scream was heard each May Eve. The scream turned the land barren: trees, animals, earth, and waters. The scream was uttered by one dragon during an annual battle with another dragon.

This article has been adapted from that written by Francince Nicholson and can be read in full at Celtic Well

An Unwavering Connection to the Infinite

2011-10-23T08:44:00.000+10:30

Your worth is not a product of your intelligence, your talent, your looks

or how much you have accomplished.

Though much of who and what we are changes as we journey through life, our inherent worth remains constant. While the term self-worth is often used interchangeably with self-esteem, the two qualities are inherently different. Self-esteem is the measure of how you feel about yourself at a given moment in time. Your worth, however, is not a product of your intelligence, your talent, your looks, your good works, or how much you have accomplished. Rather it is immeasurable and unchanging manifestation of your eternal and infinite oneness with the universe. It represents the cornerstone of the dual foundations of optimism and self-belief.

Your worth cannot be taken from you or damaged by life’s rigors, yet it can easily be forgotten or even actively ignored. By regularly acknowledging your self-worth, you can ensure that you never forget what an important, beloved, and special part of the universe you are.

You are born worthy—your worth is intertwined with your very being. Your concept of your own self-worth is thus reinforced by your actions. Each time you endeavor to appreciate yourself, treat yourself kindly, define your personal boundaries, be proactive in seeing that your needs are met, and broaden your horizons, you express your recognition of your innate value. During those periods when you have lost sight of your worth, you will likely feel mired in depression, insecurity, and a lack of confidence.

You will pursue a counterfeit worth based on judgment rather than the beauty that resides within. When you feel worthy, however, you will accept yourself without hesitation. It is your worth as an individual who is simultaneously interconnected with all living beings that allows you to be happy, confident, and motivated. Because your conception of your worth is not based on the fulfilment of expectations, you’ll see your mistakes and failures as just another part of life’s journey.

Human beings are very much like drops of water in an endless ocean. Our worth comes from our role as distinct individuals as well as our role as an integral part of something larger than ourselves. Simply awakening to this concept can help you rediscover the copious and awe-inspiring worth within each and every one of us.

Source: Daily Om

Goddess Prayer Beads

2011-10-09T17:43:00.000+10:30

Strings of beads are used in various religions and spiritual traditions as a way of counting when reciting a mantra, a prayer, or even blessings, with two examples being rosary beads (used within the Catholic faith) and mala beads (within Buddhism). The beads can also be used when giving thanks as well as assisting when aligning one's self with the Divine.

Goddess beads can be used in a similar way, with the colour of the beads being up to the individual. However, recently beads in honour of the Moon Goddess were made where the beads used reflected her triple nature of Maiden (white), Mother (red) and Crone (black), with 13 of each colour being used - representing the 13 months contained within a lunar year.

Between each bead a silver spacer bead was placed and between each section of coloured beads, two spacers either side of a decorative bead were used.

Opalence beads were used to at the end to represent the moon in general. Other decorative beads can also be added depending on what is available and the desire/purpose intended for the beads.

Once completed, the beads will be blessed during the energies of the next Full Moon before being used.

Conscious Decisions - Going Against What Is Popular

2011-09-30T09:41:00.000+09:30

Because an idea or way of doing things is popular

does not mean it is right for everyone.

Just because an idea or way of doing things is popular does not mean it is right for everyone. However, part of the way that something becomes popular is that many of us do not take the time to determine what’s right for us; we simply do what most of the people we know are doing. In this way, our decisions about life are made by default, which means they are not what we call conscious decisions. There may be many other options available, but we do not always take the time to explore them.

This may be the result of feeling overwhelmed or pressured by family, peers, and humanity at large, to do things their way, the way things have always been done.

Regardless of the cause, it is important that, as often as we can, we decide for ourselves what to do with our lives rather than just drift along on the current of popular opinion.

It is not always easy to make decisions that go against the grain. Many people feel threatened when those close to them make choices divergent from the ones they are making. Parents and grandparents may be confused and defensive when we choose to raise our children differently from the way they raised us. Friends may feel abandoned if we decide to change our habits or behaviour. Meanwhile, on our side of the fence, it is easy to feel frustrated and defensive when we feel unsupported and misunderstood simply because we are thinking for ourselves. It can be exhausting to have to explain and re-explain our points of view and our reasons.

This is where gentleness, openness, and tolerance come into play. It helps if we are calmly persistent, consistent, and clear as we communicate to those around us why we are making the choices we are making. At the same time, we have the right to say that we are tired of talking about it and simply need our choices to be respected.

Our lives belong to us and so do our decisions. Those who truly love us will stand by us and support our choices, never mind what is popular.

Source: Daily Om

Waves of Healing - Ocean Meditation

2011-09-24T16:55:00.000+09:30

There is much we can learn from the ocean

as we have a similar inner landscape within us as well.

Delaware Beach, South Australia

Like us, the sea is ever-changing. And, like us, the earth’s vast oceans appear at a distance to be stable and homogenous. But beneath the mask of solidity that both we and the sea wear, there lies unpredictability, sensitivity, and power. There is much we can learn from the ocean, representative as it is of our inner landscapes.

The rough sounds of the sea’s waves are spiritually soothing, and its salt can purify our physical selves. Yet not everyone has the luxury of living by the shore or even visiting the coastlines where water and land meet. The ocean, however, exists in our conscious minds, put there by images we have seen and descriptions we have read. Wherever we are, we can access that mental image and use it as the starting point from which we can help to heal our emotions by meditating on the sea.

Delaware Beach, South Australia

To begin, gather together any ocean artefacts you may have on hand. Seashells, a vial of sand, beach glass, stones rubbed smooth by the pounding surf, or a recording of ocean sounds can help you slip more deeply into this meditation, but they are not necessary. Sit quietly and visualize the ocean in your mind’s eye. Allow all of your senses to participate in your mental journey. Feel the tiny grains of sand beneath your feet and the cool spray of mist; hear the sea’s rhythmic roar as the waves meet the beach and retreat; smell the tang of salt in the air.

Watch the sun’s rays play over the ocean’s surface, creating shifting spots of teal, cerulean, cobalt, and green. Do not be surprised if you see dolphins or whales frolicking in the waves—they are there to assist you. Spend a few minutes drinking in the ocean’s beauty and appreciating its vast splendour.

Tessellated Pavement, Tasmania

Once you are fully engaged with the setting before you, visualise yourself sitting on the beach, facing the ocean, and watching the waves advance and retreat. As each new wave of seawater approaches, imagine it carrying healing energy toward you. The magnificent ocean in your thoughts is sending you light and love while the sun supports your healing efforts and Mother Earth grounds you in the moment so healing can occur.

When you feel you are finished, grant the ocean your earnest gratitude for the aid it has given you. Thank the sun, the sand, and any other elements of your visualization that offered you guidance.

Perform this meditation daily or monthly in order to rid yourself of negativity and re-establish emotional equilibrium. Just as the ocean’s tides sweep the shores free of detritus, restoring balance, so can the waves in our mind’s eye cleanse our souls of what no longer serves us.

Source: Daily Om

Photographs: Frances Billinghurst

Keeping our Minds Supple - Questioning Everything

2011-09-24T16:40:00.001+09:30

Being open-minded means that we are willing to question everything,

including those things we take for granted.

A lot of people feel threatened if they feel they are being asked to question their cherished beliefs or their perception of reality. Yet questioning is what keeps our minds supple and strong. Simply settling on one way of seeing things and refusing to be open to other possibilities makes the mind rigid and generally creates a restrictive and uncomfortable atmosphere. We all know someone who refuses to budge on one or more issues, and we may have our own sacred cows that could use a little prodding.

Being open-minded means that we are willing to question everything, including those things we take for granted.

A willingness to question everything, even things we are sure we are right about, can shake us out of complacency and reinvigorate our minds, opening us up to understanding people and perspectives that were alien to us before. This alone is good reason to remain inquisitive, no matter how much experience we have or how old we get. In the Zen tradition, this willingness to question is known as beginner’s mind, and it has a way of generating possibilities we couldn’t have seen from the point of view of knowing something with certainty.

The willingness to question everything doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t believe in anything at all, and it doesn’t mean we have to question every single thing in the world every minute of the day. It just means that we are humble enough to acknowledge how little we actually know about the mysterious universe we call home.

Nearly every revolutionary change in the history of human progress came about because someone questioned some time-honoured belief or tradition and in doing so revealed a new truth, a new way of doing things, or a new standard for ethical and moral behaviour. Just so, a commitment to staying open and inquisitive in our own individual lives can lead us to new personal revolutions and truths, truths that we will hopefully, for the sake of our growth, remain open to questioning.

Source: Daily Om

Spring Equinox, Ostara

2011-09-23T21:41:00.001+09:30

Today, Ostara is one of the eight major holidays, sabbats or festivals of Wicca. It is celebrated on the Spring Equinox, which in the northern hemisphere is around the 20th or 21st of March and in the southern hemisphere around the 23rd of September. Its modern revival is linked to some of the oldest traditions of mankind.

The Month of the Goddess

The name is thought to be derived from a goddess of German legend, according to Jakob Grimm in his Deutsche Mythologie. A similar goddess named Eostre was described by the Venerable Bede. Bede indicated that this name was used in English when the Paschal holiday was introduced. Since then this name (not the holiday) has been converted to Easter, or in German Ostern. Some scholars question both Bede's and Grimm's conclusions due to a lack of supporting evidence for this goddess. Others argue that a lack of further documentation is not surprising given that Bede is credited with writing the first substantial history of England (in which he described Eostre as a goddess whose worship had already passed) and Grimm was specifically attempting to capture oral traditions before they might be lost.

Despite these reservations, the idea of Eostre has become firmly established in many minds. Without any consideration of these problems, the folklorist Dr Jonathan Young categorically states:

Easter has deep roots in the mythic past. Long before it was imported into the Christian tradition, the Spring festival honored the goddess Eostre or Eastre.

According to Bede and Einhard in his Life of Charlemagne, the month called Eostremonat/Ostaramanoth was equated with April. This would put the start of 'Ostara's Month' after the Equinox in March. It must be taken into account that these 'translations' of calendar months were approximate as the old forms were predominantly lunar months while the new were based on a solar year. Thus start of 'Eostremonat' would actually have fallen in late March and could thus still be associated with the Spring Equinox.

The holiday is a celebration of spring and growth, the renewal of life that appears on the earth after the winter. In mythology it is often characterized by the rejoining of the goddess and her lover-brother-son, who spent the winter months in death. This is an interesting parallel to the biblical story in which Jesus is resurrected (the reason Christians celebrate Easter), pointing to another appropriation of pre-Christian religious figures, symbols and myths by early Christianity.

Word Origins

Etymologically, Eostre, or, as it is sometimes called, Ostara, may come from the word 'east', meaning dawn. Others have also tried to link Eostre with 'estrogen' and 'estrus'. These words, however, are more widely considered to be derived from the Greek oistros, meaning 'gadfly' or 'frenzy'. Interestingly, the word 'spring' (from to spring, to leap or jump up, burst out, 0ld English springan, a common Teutonic word, ccompare German springen), primarily the act of springing or leaping, is applied to the season of the year in which plant life begins to bud and shoot.

Source: Witchology

Understanding the Concept of Perfect Love and Perfect Trust

2011-09-03T17:05:00.003+09:30

One of the central phrases used within Wicca is the axiom of "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust". The origins of this phase is believed to have come from the Rede of the Wiccae allegedly penned by Lady Gwen Thomson and published in 1975. In the poem, we find the lines:

"Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust ..."

Though often dismissed these days as unattainable, to act in accordance of the axiom of "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" is still consisted an extremely important focus within groups such as the Temple of the Dark Moon. From the outset, "trust" is bestowed upon the individual as they are given entry to the covenstead of a working group, whether to attend a social function, an esbat or undertake training. This trust is that they will conduct themselves and act in a manner that is in accordance with their "True Will", and show the appropriate degree of respect and dignity that they would expect their own guest to show them if the situation was reversed.

"Trust" is also given in that any printed material provided is also treated with respect - that being, not shared to those who have not undertaken any form of training with the Temple unless permission by the Temple's High Priestess has been given.

The "love" shown to those who have given entry to the covenstead shoud not be confused with the concept of "emotional" or even "sexual" love that most of us seek in a partner, but one of "unconditional" love, one that involves the opening of one's heart without any conditions and which again tends to be closely connected with "trust".

To the student, the concept of "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" is shown in return from the outset in that the payment of teachings are often left up to the student to attend to - by placing any monetary donations in the appropriate container and/or other donations (usually in the form of canned food goods for charities such as the Animal Welfare League) in the appropriate bag. There is no one marking off payment in any kind of book that goods have been received. "Trust" is placed upon the student that they respect the "conditions" of entry into the covenstead and in doing so, are happy to commit to the exchange of "energy" - a minimal fee/donation for time and knowledge shared.

The ability to demonstrate such a concept assists the student at a later stage should they wish to gain entry into the Temple's Inner Court. This is often because of the very nature of the work undertaken here needs to be conducted in an environment where all members trusts implicity their fellow coven members. This, in itself, leads on to another axiom in that "what is said in the circle, stays within the circle".

"Trust" is something that can be hard and sometimes even difficult to earn - yet can be destroyed extremely quickly. In this day and age it can be a big expectation (on both parties) to show "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" to complete strangers. It is for this reason that as part of our service to the Pagan community as a whole, the Temple of the Dark Moon offers various events where initial meetings can take place.

At the end of the day, after all of the above has been undertaken, should any person still demonstrate an unwillingness or inability to demonstrate "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust", then it would be strongly suggested that trainign with the Temple of the Dark Moon is not for them and that they seek training elsewhere.

The Mystical Phoenix

2011-08-26T16:48:00.004+09:30

I thought I would share an article that I wrote for Insight magazine back in October 2005 about the phoenix ...

"Like a phoenix from the flame, I will rise again …" so yelled Irish songstress Sinead O'Connor in the song "Troy" from her first album "The Lion and the Cobra".

The phoenix, a mystical bird most commonly believed to be of Arabic descent, is often described as being the size of an eagle, with a brilliant scarlet and golden plumage. A popular medieval legend, which has been passed down to us today, states that after living for several centuries, the phoenix builds its own funeral pyre, and throws itself upon the flames to be burnt up. Then, after a number of days, the phoenix emerges from the ashes (or flames, depending on the source of the legend).

It is this ability to renew itself that caused Pope Clement of Rome, in around 96 CE (common era), to suggest that the phoenix was evidence for the resurrection of the righteous. A few centuries later, in 386 CE, Cyril of Jerusalem boldly proclaimed that God had created the phoenix in order to help man believe in the resurrection of Christ. However, as Barbara Walker points out, the phoenix is a purely mythical pseudo-bird, created by neither God nor nature. She brings our attention to the Hebrew text, the Haggadah, where the phoenix is described as a vast Sun bird on whose wings were the letters: "Neither the Earth produces me, nor the heavens, but only the wings of fire".

Ms Walker believes that the phoenix more likely evolved from ancient Sun worship, where the imagery may have originated from the Egyptian horned wing Sun disc, however an earlier image comes from ancient Mesopotamian iconography where the Sun image appears more bird-like. There, it was believed that the Sun flew on wings through the heavens and was constantly immolated and reborn from the fires of Sunset and Sunrise.

The ancient Egyptians identified the phoenix with their "bennu" bird, a heron sacred to Osiris, symbolising the human soul, as well as the God's cycle of rebirth or resurrection. According to a legend recorded on papyri, the bennu rose from a burning tree with such melodious song that even the Gods are transfixed by it. Thus, the bird became a symbol of the Sun God, Ra, and his rebirth each morning in a fiery glow of dawn.

In Phoenicia, when a king was cremated, his soul was released from his body above the pyre and took the shape of a bird, the phoenix, which some believe to be a representative of a God bearing the same name. The Egyptian pharaohs believed that a similar thing happened to them, only that their souls took the form of Horus, the hawk-headed God.

The first written account of the phoenix appeared in the works of Greek writer Herodotus (485-425 BCE), who related that as one bird died after 500 years, another took it to the Temple of the Sun at Heliopolis for burial. This was later contradicted by both Ovid and Pliny the Elder, the latter suggested that the living phoenix constructed a nest of spices, upon which it incinerated itself. From this a sort of maggot merged, which then developed into the progeny that took the ashes of the former bird in the nest to Heliopolis. A later version still stated that the phoenix constructed its nest of spices and sang to the Sun God, who filled it with fire, consuming the bird. From the ashes a mature phoenix emerged, taking the ashes to the altar at Heliopolis. Within the legends and traditions of both Greece and Rome, the phoenix was the symbol of immortality and was portrayed on funerary furnishings.

Images of the phoenix also appeared in the East for in Chinese mythology the bird symbolises high virtue and grace, and well as prosperity. It encapsulates the union of yin and yang (the masculine and feminine energies), and is associated the Sun and the Moon. If the phoenix is depicted next to a dragon (which represents supreme spirituality to the Chinese), the phoenix was said to represent the undivided nature of imperial power, while as a piece of jewellery, shows that the wearer is of high moral values or of importance.

The major difference between the Arabic and the Chinese phoenix is that the Chinese version is depicted as having a large bill, neck of a snake, back of a tortoise, and the tail of a fish. It is also said to carry two scrolls in its bill, and its feathers are those of the five fundamental colours to the Chinese – black, white, red, green, and yellow.

From the various myths that come to us from all around the world, the phoenix appears to have captured the imagination of many cultures, and is still an extremely powerful image today.

References:
"The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects" by Barbara Walker

Affirming an Abundant Future

2011-08-25T16:48:00.002+09:30

Squirrel medicine reminds us to set aside a portion of our most precious resources

as an investment in the future.

Native Americans considered all living beings as brothers and sisters that had much to teach including squirrels. These small creatures taught them to work in harmony with the cycles of nature by conserving for the winter months during times when food was plentiful.

In our modern world, squirrels remind us to set aside a portion of our most precious resources as an investment in the future. Though food and money certainly fall into this category, they are only some of the ways our energy is manifested. We can conserve this most valuable asset by being aware of the choices we make and choosing only those that nurture and sustain us. This extends to the natural resources of our planet as well, using what we need wisely with the future in mind.

Saving and conservation are not acts of fear but rather affirmations of abundance yet to come. Squirrels accept life’s cycles, allowing them to face winters with the faith that spring will come again. Knowing that change is part of life, we can create a safe space, both spiritually and physically, that will support us in the present and sustain us in the future. This means not filling our space with things, or thoughts, that don’t serve us. Without hoarding more than we need, we keep ourselves in the cyclical flow of life when we donate our unwanted items to someone who can use them best. This allows for more abundance to enter our lives, because even squirrels know a life of abundance involves more than just survival.

Squirrels use their quick, nervous energy to enjoy life’s adventure. They are great communicators, and by helping each other watch for danger, they do not allow worry to drain them. Instead, they allow their curious nature to lead the way, staying alert to opportunities and learning as they play. Following the example set by our squirrel friends, we are reminded to enjoy the journey of life’s cycles as we plan and prepare for a wonderful future, taking time to learn and play along the way.

Source: Daily Om

Prayer of Awaking

2011-08-23T14:28:00.001+09:30

Feeling a bit stressed out? Something just isn't quite right but you can't seem to put your finger on it? Well, Imbolc has passed and we are now moving towards the Spring Equinox. As we do so, the energies shift around again, it is little wonder that things are feel out of sorts.

As I am finding myself waking earlier (along with the sun and the birds nesting outside my bedroom window), in the early mornings hours while the world still seems very much asleep, I like to spend this time atuning with Deity.

This usually involves lighting a candle on my personal altar (that is not used within the main covenstead) and performing a small rite so that I can have some "me" time with Deity.

The following "Prayer of Awakening" is one of my favourites - taken from The Mysteries of Isis by deTraci Regula, where she also has a version in Egyptian.

Prayer of Awakening

Anyone can perform this rite. It is best performed in the morning, although this rite can be performed at any time and under any conditions. The shaking of the sistrum to open and close your observance can be added.

Awake, awake, awake

Awake in peace

Awake in beauty

Lady of Peace

Rise thou in peace

Rise thou in beauty

Goddess of Life

Beautiful in heaven

Heaven is in peace

Earth is in peace

O Goddess

Daughter of Nut

Daughter of Geb

Beloved of Osiris

Goddess rich in names

All praise to you

I adore you

Lady Isis

After the prayer is recited, stand in silence for a moment. If you can, leave a candle burning all the time - I don't as by now it is usually time for me to start getting ready for work.

This morning rite will help you achieve the energies of Isis. You can alter the wording to suit your own preferences and/or Deity.

Keep pure your highest ideal

2011-08-20T15:20:00.001+09:30

Within Traditional Wicca, there is the concept of acting with respect to one's "Highest Ideal" - as is stated within the "Charge of the Goddess" where the Moon Goddess speaks:

"Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever towards it;

let naught stop you or turn you aside."

One's "Highest Ideal" can be likened to one's "True Will" as found within the Thelemetic magickal tradition, where an individual, a follower of that path acts in accordance with their Higher Self, one's Holy Guardian Angel.

Within the more traditional branches of Wicca, certain passwords are provided - those being "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" and prior to initiation into the Wiccan Priesthood, the Dedicate is expected to have meditated upon these passwords to understand their "true" or "deeper" meaning. Likewise, a Wiccan novice/neophyte seeking entry into the Inner Court of a more traditional coven is expected to fully understand, or at least gie due consideration, to the words of the Goddess and endeavour to "strive ever towards their highest ideal" for this implies that as the Wiccan novice/neophyte grows within the Craft, their horizons, personal limitations and preconceptions will continuously expand and mature.

In essence, the Wiccan novice/neophyte is embarking on the endless quest of learning. The passwords of the Wiccan priesthood, "Prefect Love and Perfect Trust" are very appropriate as they indicate unconditional (Perfect) compassion (Love) and wisdom (Trust). These passwords also provide a standard the Wiccan novice/neophyte aspires to against which to measure actions, motivations and growth.

This is because our actions ground and concretize our morality (or our lack of morality) in our daily lives. This grounding creates the habits and the environment that fuel and reinforce our future directions. If we claim to value compassion, personal responsibility and self-knowledge (in other words: to have a conscience), but we enact selfishness, self-indulgence, and constant emotional self-stimulation, it is these latter qualities that we will invoke into manifestation in our minds, and our environment.

Based on an article entitled "Morality and Modern Paganism" by Apollonius-Mithras

In Line with Spirit - Staying on Track

2011-08-17T07:58:00.001+09:30

In a world where we have routines to get everything done,

we rarely have a routine for our spiritual self.

In a world where we have routines for nearly everything - our route to work, our physical fitness regimen, and our weekday schedule - it’s amazing how many people forget to create a routine for meeting their spiritual needs. We run around in an attempt to be at our many appointments on time and meet our many obligations. In our efforts to be as productive as possible, however, our spiritual needs tend to take a backseat. After all, taking care of our spiritual needs doesn’t directly pay the bills or tone our abdominal muscles.

We may even wonder who has time to meditate or write in their journal when there are more pressing matters to see to. The truth is that nurturing ourselves spiritually is what gives us the energy and grounding that we need to make sure that our lives stay on track.

How you choose to nurture yourself spiritually is a personal choice. For some people, meditating once a day may be what they need to stay centered. While spending 10 to 20 minutes with your eyes closed and your brain devoid of thought may seem like a lot of time doing nothing, this state of nothingness actually allows you to stay calm and focused so you can be as productive as possible.

Writing in your journal everyday lets you stay in touch with yourself so that you are always tuned in to your feelings. Repeating affirmations for success, happiness, and well-being on a regular basis can help you live with optimism and enthusiasm and create what you want in life.

Having a routine for nurturing your spirit that you do each day lets you feed energy to your soul and can serve you well if your life suddenly takes an unexpected turn into a difficult period. This kind of routine grounds your spirit in your body so that you stay anchored in yourself as you move through each day. Nurturing yourself spiritually allows you to not only stay on track in your life, but it allows for your life to stay on track with what your spirit wants.

Source: Daily Om

The Power of Healing

2011-08-07T20:58:00.002+09:30

These days there are numerous forms of healing, both orthodox as well as alternative, and it is within this latter category where Wytches most often work, in particular in the area of spiritual healing.

It never ceases to amaze me the power of the collective group when we are all focused on a single topic. The other night one coven member arrived feeling under the weather, suffering from a lack of energy, not to mention other ailments for which orthodox medical advice had been sought.

As part of the work we do is that of healing, energy was directed to our coven member ... and so powerful was the chant that I was half expecting to find them flattened against the wall (as in the movies).

A report today was that they work up the next morning filled with energy and ready to take on the world again, the most alive that they have felt in a while. Further, that the discomfort and other effects of what they had been experiencing appeared to have ceased.

We joked about what the doctor would say at the follow up appointment.

Healing is one of those skills that whilst we readily give to others, we tend to forget about ourselves ... there is an old saying of "healer - heal thy self" ... meaning that before we can heal others, we need to make sure that we are in fact in tiptop condition.

Asking for energy, for healing from coveners who we work with on a regular basis and who we perceive as members of our "magickal" family should never be considered as a hindrance. For there will be times that each of us will need a little help from our magickal brothers and sisters - especially these days as there seems to be an increasing amount of negativity circling (regardless of whether it is intentional or not).

Joe Cocker's song ".. I can get by with a little help from my friends ..." comes to mind.

Brighid's Cross

2011-07-30T17:10:00.000+09:30

Brighid's Cross was a symbol derived from ancient solar symbols known from early times in Europe. There were several regional forms but none resemble the classic Christian cross. The crosses were made from straw, sheaves of grain, rushes, or grass, depending on the region of origin. They were hung in the house and farm buildings as protection against illness and other misfortune.

In the Scottish Highlands, women also made Brighid crosses before a wedding and placed one in the mattress of the marriage bed to ensure fertility.

Making the crosses themselves was a ritual. The exact procedure varied and in some places the crosses were made ahead of time to be distributed as part of the bríde óg procession. But in most places in Ireland, they weaving material was ceremonially brought into the house and laid under the table where the feasting would occur. After the meal, the household created the crosses. A farmer might also make circlets to hang round the necks of lambs as they were born. Any leftover materials were used to create a bed for Brigid or sprinkled in the byre for good luck. The crosses were hung the next day.

To make a Brighid's Cross, you will need about 28 reed, each approximately 30 cms in length.

Position two reeds across each other so that they make a "+" sign. Turn the weave 90 degrees and fold the vertical reed down over the top of itself. Turn the weave 90 degrees again to repeat with the now vertical reed.

Turn the reeds again 90 degrees and add the third reed, placing it to the right of the vertical folded reed and under the horizontal folded reed. Fold thee added reed, turning the weave once again to add the fourth and final reed to this round in the same fashion.

Continue to add folded reed. Avoid letting them bunch up or lie on top of those in a previous round. Build the weave outward, resting the reeds side by side. At first, you may find it difficult to hold the arms together and at right angles, but as the weave gains substance, this will prove easier. Just remember to watch for gaps and fill them by repositioning and tightening the reeds as necessary.

When all 28 reeds have been incorporated, tie each arm off about 6cms from the centre of the design. Trim the ends of the reeeds and threads.

As the reeds dry, the cross will become loose. To remedy this, untie the ends, pull the reeds tight again before retying.

Brat Bríde

The brat or cloak or mantle of Brigid was a ribbon, piece of cloth, or an article of clothing. They were left outside on the evening before the feast of Imbolc to receive the blessing of Brigid as she passed through the household. After wards, the cloths and ribbons were used as talismans of protection and healing, particularly aiding childbirth. Ribbons and strips of cloth were sewn into clothing or carried in a pocket. Articles of clothing were worn in times of stress and need; for example, a woman might wear a man’s vest while giving birth. Shawls that had been blessed might be laid on ailing human or animal while a prayer of healing was recited.

Críos Bríde

The críos or girdle of Brigid was a rope of plaited straw or rope three or four meters long and formed into a circle held vertically aloft while those gathered ritually passed through, reciting a charm. The ceremony appears to have symbolized regeneration.

Imbolc in the Southern Hemisphere

2011-07-28T21:13:00.001+09:30

Imbolc is taken from the Irish-Gaelic which is translated as “in the belly” (of the Mother) and falls around 1 August in the Southern Hemisphere. It represents the quickening of light and life and around us we begin to notice the first stirrings of Spring as the first flowers begin to appear. These seeds have lain dormant within the Earth over the cold Winter months now begin to stir with life. All around us there is evidence of the Earth's slow awakening to the growing power of the Sun, and we may find in ourselves this awakening as we venture more and more outdoors.

Being a festival of fire, Imbolc celebrates the light of Spring piercing the darkness of Winter. As new life flows through the world of nature, we celebrate the waking of the soul as our spirits begin to quicken. Now is the time look toward the future.

In traditional Wiccan lore, at Imbolc the Goddess awakes from her slumber in the Underground and emerges youthful, bright eyed and virginal again. She is the Flower Maiden and while there is an air of innocence about Her, this is coupled with a degree of knowing, similar to retaining knowledge of a past life. She is aware of Her powers of potential and is unrestrained and full of the energy of youth. There is an air of innocent about Her, however She is not naive. It is the young God who tends to be the naive one, as He begins to understand His sacred purpose and is initiated into the mysteries of His sex.

Imbolc is a good time to contemplate what needs to take root and grow in our life, and what to be swept away in order to make room for our new plans. In doing this, it is a good idea to sit down and ponder on some searching questions, to get in touch with what is seeking the light of day within us and to be prepared to let go of anything outworn. However, it is best to proceed cautiously for it is a time to design and plan, to dig foundations rather than to build. Imbolc is the glimmering of the year's increase, but only the first glimmering for, as in nature, the weather can still change and nip new life in the bud.

Imbolc is a good time also to cleanse ritual tools, consecrate items we have not consecrated yet, and even rearrange the altar. Add a small vase of spring flowers or a fresh white candle to capture the essence of Imbolc.

Nine Ways to Help Awaken Consciousness

2011-07-23T12:01:00.001+09:30

By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see a living example of consciousness.

1. Living by your values allows you to become a positive source of inspiration for others. Don’t hide – express yourself and embrace life without reservation. By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see how one person can make a difference by being a living example of consciousness.

2. When you communicate your views, do so casually and in a nondogmatic manner. Allow the people you speak with to ask questions. Offer only as much information as they are ready to hear.

3. Igniting the spark of consciousness can be as easy as giving someone a gift. A favorite book, a medicine bag, or a beautiful gemstone can pique your loved ones’ curiosity and prompt them to begin an exploration of the soul.

4. Teaching a friend, relative, or colleague to meditate or chant can put them on the path to consciousness while simultaneously reducing their stress levels.
5. Others may want to know more about living consciously but are unsure of how to begin. Starting a discussion group – even a virtual one – can help you reach out to individuals that are eager to learn.

6. By recognizing and acknowledging the inherent value in everyone you encounter, you can teach them how to value others. Sometimes, the easiest way to encourage people – even challenging ones - to respect others is to respect them first.

7. Invite people from your personal and professional lives to join you in attending a ceremony or ritual. The experience may touch them in a profound way or introduce them to a new spiritual path.

8. Casually point out the interconnectedness of all living beings using concrete, everyday examples. Many people are unaware of how their actions affect the world and are intrigued when they learn of the power they hold.

9. Introduce your loved ones to conscious living in a lighthearted and enjoyable way. Serve delicious organic recipes at gatherings, volunteer as a group, and show them how wonderful it can feel to be truly aware and connected to the universe.

Source: Daily Om

Making Sense of it all with "Covensense"

2011-07-22T18:34:00.003+09:30

It is always a joy to be reading a book that is funny, yet informative, not to mention insightful - and my current reading material, that being "Covensense" by Patricia Crowther (Robert Hale, 2009) is proving to be just that.

Crowther, for those not aware of who she is, was initiated into Wicca in 1960 by Gerald Gardner. Along with the likes of Doreen Valiente, Lois Bourne, and Eleanor Bone, Crowther is often consider to be one of the "early mothers" of Wicca.

Together with her late husband Arnold (who died in 1974), Crowther established what came to be known as the Sheffield Coven in 1961.

The author of many books (including two that have found their way into the Temple's own library "Lid of the Cauldron" and "The Zodiac Experience", this latest book is written along the lines of questions and answers - allowing Crowther's extensive knowledge and personal experience about the Craft to come through.

Well worth the read - I found a copy in my local library - and probably just as well as it does come with a slightly expensive price seemingly being available only in hardcover.

For more information about Mrs Crowther, visit

http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/c/crowther_patricia_c.html or

http://www.controverscial.com/Patricia%20Crowther.htm

Things we cannot Control

2011-07-22T18:31:00.001+09:30

We develop grace as we learn with the guiding hand of the Universe,

life will unfold exactly the way it should.

The idea of trusting the Universe is a popular one these days, but many of us do not know what this really means and we often have a hard time doing it. This is partly because the story of humankind is most often presented as a story about struggle, control, and survival, instead of one of trust and collaboration with the Universe.

Yet, in truth, we need to adhere to both ideas in this life.

On the one hand, there is much to be said about exerting control over our environment. We created shelter to protect ourselves from the elements. We hunted for animals and invented agriculture to feed ourselves.

We built social infrastructures to protect ourselves and create community. This is how we survive and grow as a civilization. However, it is also clear that there are plenty of things that we cannot control, no matter how hard we try, and we often receive support from an unseen force – a Universe that provides us with what we cannot provide for ourselves.

It is a good idea to take responsibility for the things in life that we can control or create. We work so we can feed, clothe, and shelter our loved ones and ourselves. We manifest our dreams and visions in physical form with hard work and forethought. But at a certain point, when we have done all that we can, we must let go and allow the Universe to take over. This requires trust. It requires a trust that runs deeper than just expecting things to turn out the way we want them to. Sometimes they will, and sometimes they won’t.

We develop equanimity and grace as we learn to trust that, with the guiding hand of the Universe, life will unfold exactly the way it should. We are engaged in an ongoing relationship with a Universe that responds to our thoughts and actions.

Source: Daily Om

A key to personal development

2011-07-10T20:01:00.002+09:30

One book that I have enjoyed reading in recent times is Abrahadabra: Understanding Aleister’s Thelemic Magick by Rodney Orpheus (which is probably obvious considering this is my second posting about this book). Within this book, I came across a passage that I have adapted for a more Wiccan focus, however regardless of what spiritual path one is following, I believe it gives much thought ...

"One of the keys to Wicca is personal development. This means you have to do the work yourself. Simply reading books and/or web sites is not good enough. While this may increase your theoretical knowledge (or then again may totally confuse you further), unless you do it, you are wasting your time. Knowledge is not the same thing as understanding."

It is only through personal experience that you yourself can access what are termed as the "Mysteries" contained within Wicca - no teacher, regardless of how wonderful they may be, can experience these Mysteries for you ... nor can their interpretation be 100% relevant for you.

It is YOU who needs to walk through the door that they hold open. And whilst they can help you in the interpretation, like dreams and other messages etc, at the end of the day, the ultimate understanding can only come from you. This is simply because it is YOUR path and the message is for you.

Taking that first step at times can be rather frightening - it does take courage and inner strength - as well as a degree of belief in what you are doing as well as your own self. However the rewards received can be so much more - such as a greater understanding of the self (that is, your self ... your inner being).

Putting what you have read or been taught into practice can be as simple as taking 10-15 minutes out for yourself at lunchtime to become aware of your surroundings (thus heightening your awareness), reciting a chant or invocation and thinking about what the words actuall mean, or if there are specific gestures performed, how they work in channelling and moving the life force, prana, chi. Even simply focusing on your breath, learning to breathe "properly", using the whole diaphragm as opposed to only the top portion of your lungs.

Your Perfect Teacher - Life

2011-07-03T21:08:00.001+09:30

Many of us long to find a spiritual teacher or guru. We may feel unsure of how to practice our spirituality without one, or we may long for someone who has attained a higher level of insight to lead the way for us. Some of us have been looking for years to no avail and feel frustrated and even lost. The good news is that the greatest teacher you could ever want is always with you—that is your life.

The people and situations we encounter every day have much to teach us when we are open to receiving their wisdom. Often we don’t recognize our teachers because they may not look or act like our idea of a guru, yet they may embody great wisdom. In addition, some people teach us by showing us what we don’t want to do. All the situations in our lives, from the insignificant to the major, conspire to teach us exactly what we need to be learning at any given time. Patience, compassion, perseverance, honesty, letting go—all these are covered in the classroom of the teacher that is your life.

We can help ourselves to remember this perfect teacher each day with a few simple words. Each morning we might find a moment to say, "I acknowledge and honor the teacher that is my life.

May I be wise enough to recognize the teachers and lessons that I encounter today, and may I be open to receiving their wisdom." We might also take some time each day to consider what our lives are trying to teach us at this time. A difficult phase in your relationship with your child may be teaching you to let go. The homeless person you see every day may be showing you the boundaries of your compassion and generosity.

A spate of lost items may be asking you to be more present to physical reality. Trust your intuition on the nature of the lesson at hand, work at your own pace, and ask as many questions as you want. Your life has all the answers.

Source: Daily Om

Creating Our Own Reality

2011-07-03T21:03:00.002+09:30

I came across the following article by Robin Wood (http://www.robinwood.com/index.html) who is the creator of the first deck of tarot cards (the Robin Wood tarot) that I purchased myself.

Creating Our Own Reality
© Robin Wood 2005

It’s completely true that we create our own reality.

Not because we get to choose what happens to us; few of us are that lucky.

But because we get to choose how we perceive what happens to us.

We are in complete control of this. All we have to do is see things the way we wish to see them.

All we have to change is our minds.

Say we both wake up to a sink full of dirty dishes we didn’t use.

You see lazy, inconsiderate people who leave their messes for you to clean up.

I see a chance to play with water and soap bubbles.

Which of us will be less stressed? Which of us will be happier with the people we live with? Which of us will have a better day?

Which kind of perceptions will you choose?

Deliberately have fun, as you go through your day. Find something to enjoy in every thing you do. Smile, laugh, and joke a lot. Delight in the sunshine sparkling on the cars in the parking lot. Notice the shapes of the clouds. Enjoy the wheel of shadows caused by the interaction of the office lighting and your coffee cup. Look at the recalcitrant vending machines as challenging games; if you put your dollar bill in just right, you win!

Fix what you can fix, repair what you can repair, walk away from stressful things you can walk away from.

If you can alter a situation for the better, then alter it.

But if you can’t change the circumstances, change your mind!

And watch your stress melt away.

Horns of Power: Manifestations of the Horned God

2011-07-01T07:57:00.003+09:30

It is often said that despite the seemingly wealth of information avaailable of all aspects of Paganism, there is one area in particular that tends to be overlooked - that of the God, the Divine Masculine. Luckily for us, however, the team at Avalonia Publishing recognised this gap when they produced an anthology of articles and poems back in 2008 entitled “Horns of Power: Manifestations of the Horned God” (edited by Sorita d’Este).

With Marc Potts’s wonderful painting of “Herne” painting glaring out from the cover, this book is truly something special. The series of articles, impregnated with illustrations, photographs and even guided visualisations, are well research and provide the reader with a wealth of information about this rather overlooked aspect within modern Paganism, and in particular Wicca.

Written from both scholarly as well as personal experiences, the articles contained within this book (re)introduce the reader to the Deity our ancestors viewed as encapsulating the wild essence of life and nature. From the better known Celtic Cernunnos, Herne the Hunter of Windsor forest and the Greek goat-footed God Pan, through to lesser known Gods such as the Slavic Veles and Egyptian Khnum, this book offers up something for almost everyone. Also included is an interpretation of the Irish Táin Bó Cúailnge ("Cattle Raid of Cooley”), a look at the faery Puck and horned serpents in general even get a mention.

The final chapter brings a feminine slant to things as a matter of duality and completeness by acknowledging the horned Goddess – from those associated the Moon such as Hekate and Artemis, to even an antlered Goddess by the name of Elen.

With my personal bias that I have towards Sorita and her husband, David Rankine, aside, this book goes a long way in filling a much needed gap and is a definite must for any Pagan bookshelf. It can be ordered direct from Avalonia Publishing

New Moon in Cancer

2011-07-01T07:49:00.000+09:30

Cancer New Moon: - Call and Response

by Dana Gerhardt

It is another New Moon: when the magically minded make wishes and astrologers attempt to divine this cycle’s intentions. But fates are personal. Even if a new moon chart could be forced to describe them all, no single astrologer could tell that many stories. The wishes you make now may indeed be super-powered, but if you do not have a strong relationship with the archetypes, don’t expect special favors.

If you rarely visited your cookie-baking grandmother, don’t expect her to FedEx goodies to your dorm room. New Moons are potent times to forge alliances with the gods. Visit the invisible world. Bow and open yourself to their touch. Make an offering. Humans have been rendezvousing with these archetypes for thousands of years. When you call out to the gods, they do respond!

Calling Cancer

Water was Cancer’s first language. As a child, she babbled like a brook, thundered like a waterfall, and sank deep into thought like a well. Speaking this way, she learned how to feel all of her feelings completely. When somebody vulnerable is in danger, her heart can storm like the ocean. But most days she flows like a cool mountain stream, soothing harsh edges, blessing the roots, and finding out everyone’s secrets. She’s the Moon’s own daughter. When Cancer smiles her Moon-face smile, you can’t help but feel loved and safe. Into summer’s landscape, she carries safety pins, a damp cloth for soothing brows, colorful band-aids, and a miracle tea that makes you feel like you’ve enjoyed a peaceful sleep with happy dreams.

Visit Cancer and she’ll watch you like a pot that might boil over. “Here, you look like you need this,” she’ll say, handing you something home-baked and delicious. She knows what the birds are thinking. She can cry at the drop of a hat. Her sensitivity used to make me wonder about the durability of her blessings. But over time I learned that she’s nobody’s fool. She has a genuine talent for making things grow. Just look at her garden! When she sits so calmly next to you, she’s steady as a mother watching a sleeping infant. She’ll feed you with quiet spoons of strength, protection, and the knowledge that wherever you are is your home. If you accept what she offers this cycle, her blessings can nurture you for months to come.

It’s easy to call in Cancer. Just find a safe place and come to stillness. Let your weary mind go, as if you were dropping into a cool bath on a hot summer day. Sink into the good that sustains you. Cancer is a water sign—its energy is fluid, cleansing, and receptive. Water sign cycles are particularly sweet for making tender connections with loved ones. They’re auspicious for spiritual practice too; whatever you sit with now can be more deeply absorbed. Listen to your intuition. Follow the intricate paths of your imagination. Commit to your creativity.

Each Moon cycle brings new energy for growth. But what specifically should you grow now? Astrology typically answers “what” questions by looking at houses. Look to the house of your birth chart with Cancer on the cusp: here’s your personal seed bed this month. This is the place where you usually “do” this sign, where the Moon is most at home, and the dance of her phases is most relevant. The New Moon may bring a unique opportunity here… but you must tune in.

Cancer’s Response

Waiting for Cancer to show up is the fun part. No way can I predict it for you. You may get a brilliant new idea for a creative project—or a sudden urge to really clean your house. It’s amazing what clearing and organizing your space can do. It’s like birds building the nest before the eggs appear. Or perhaps you’ll be asked to act as Cancer’s agent. You might bake a cake for a friend who’s in the doldrums. A child or lost cat might need your help. Cancer’s message? Notice how much you receive whenever you selflessly give.

But what if nothing wonderful happens? What if you simply feel stuck? That’s a sign that you’re under the spell of the Dark Mother, the one who resists your growth. She’s the one who always keeps you from the party because something bad could happen.

On the first day of your diet, she likes to surprise you with your favorite dessert. According to Jungian analyst Marion Woodman, the Dark Mother is like “a great lizard lounging in the depths of the unconscious.” She is threatened by change. She wants you mired in inertia, feeling so incapable, that you can’t aspire to anything new. In the old days, knights took swords to the dark-mother dragons hiding in their caves. But now, with an open heart and courageous awareness, you can simply relax and coax your inner dragon into the light. There you can see how fearful she is.

Speak softly, stroke her brow, and tell her everything is going to be all right. Once you gain her trust, the old dragon will change before your eyes into a willing and magical partner.

Let it Flow - Tears

2011-06-29T07:54:00.001+09:30

The messages from Daily Om that appear in my email box never fail to amazed me as to how relevant the topic is. They often appear after a thought has crossed my mind or news received, offering their words of wisdom and advice uncanningly when needed. Other people have almost commented on the wise words received from Daily Om and how relevant they seem to be at the time of reading.

Tears are as natural to us as breathing

and there is beauty in allowing yourself to be open to the pain of tears.

How wonderful it feels to give in and let tears flow when we are overwhelmed with emotions, whether we are happy or sad. Tears come from the soul, from our well of feelings rising from deep down. When we give in to the prickling behind our eyes and the lump in our throat to let teardrops fall from our eyes, we allow our feelings to surface so they can be set free.

Proud parents shed tears of pride in a child’s accomplishments, a baby’s first step, birthdays, and graduations. Long lost friends fall into each other’s arms, tears rolling down their cheeks when they reunite after years of separation. Tears may flow from us when we are witness to a commitment being made at a wedding or even while we are watching a love story.

Tears of relief may spring forth from our eyes when we hear that a loved one has survived an ordeal, and tears may fall when we bow our head in sorrow over a loss or death. Tears born from heartache can flow like they’ll never cease, whether our tears are for a love that is over, a friendship lost, or an opportunity missed. We shed tears because of disappointment in ourselves, tragedy in the world, pain, and illness. Tears of anger can burn with emotion as they fall down our faces. Tears offer us a physical release of our feelings.

Shedding tears can sometimes make us feel better, although it can feel like the tears will never end once the floodgates are open. There is no shame in letting tears flow freely and frequently. Tears are as natural to us as is breathing. There is beauty in allowing yourself to be vulnerable enough to shed tears. Open up, release your tears, and let your feelings flow.

Source: Daily Om

Casting the Circle

2011-06-28T13:57:00.001+09:30

A circle is the boundary within which the Wytch works. The four positions on the rim of the circle represent the cardinal direction and their corresponding elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Thus, a circle contains within itself a square, as well as a point above and a point below, for the “circle” is, in fact, visualised as a sphere. This is the moveable temple of a Wytch, one which can be set up anywhere simply by “casting the circle”.

At the end of the ritual the temple is as easily dissembled as it was assembled, and the area it occupied ceased to be a sacred space. The important point about creating a sacred circle is that it is created with the mind, using visualisation.

If Wytches merely go through the physical motion of setting the circle without visualising its existence and making a link to the subtle energies, the result will be a possibly dramatic and colourful psychodrama but it will be devoid of magick. It will be entertaining, pleasurable, but otiose. The purpose of the ritual is to “connect” the members of the circle to the Universal consciousness via the subconscious mind, and if a ritual is performed correctly, the circle contains magickal powers, and is sometimes referred to as a “cone of power”.

Using either a sword or the athame, the Wytch cuts the boundary of the circle (“rents the veil”), or sphere, separating the sacred from the secular, and circumambulates in the direction of the Sun (deosil) while all envisage a blue-white light of energy gradually forming a sphere of protection. The HPs then expands her etheric body to the circle boundary forming the true circle in three dimensions. In this way the circle becomes a “meeting place between the worlds of men and the realms of the Mighty Ones”. Once the circle is ready, no one moves outside its boundary until the ritual is completed.

Rituals can be subdivided into: celebratory rites, including the Wheel of the Year; life passage rites, including handfastings; initiation rites; and rituals of “workings”.

Source: “Witchcraft and Paganism in Australia” by Lynne Hume (Melbourne University Press)

The Truth as to what our personality really is all about

2011-06-28T13:51:00.000+09:30

The following is another excerpt I wish to share from Rodney Orpheus's book, "Abrahadabra: Understanding Aleister’s Thelemic Magick", which I have found to be of interest ...

We are accustomed to think of our personalities as being ourselves. This is totally false. The word “personality” comes from the Latin “persona” meaning a mask. In ancient drama the characters were differentiated only by the masks they wore. Your personality is only the clothing you wear over your soul. We must explore our “true nature” that lies below the level of the personality. We do this by first understanding what a fragile artificial thing our personality is."

Reserved Perceptions - Being Projected Upon

2011-06-23T20:33:00.001+09:30

When we take ownership of our thoughts

we are less likely to project our issues or disowned qualities onto others.

We all have issues, as well as undesirable qualities or traits that we don’t like about ourselves. Most of us realize that we are not perfect and that it is natural to have unpleasant thoughts, motivations, desires, or feelings.

However, when a person does not acknowledge these, they may ascribe those characteristics to someone else, deeming other people instead as angry, jealous, or insecure. In psychological terms, such blaming and fault finding is called projection.

When we are the target of projections, it can be confusing and frustrating, not to mention maddening, particularly when we know that we are not the cause of another person’s distress. Even people who are well aware of their issues may find that sensitive subjects can bring up unexpected projections. They may feel insecure about a lack of funds and thus view a friend as extravagant. Or, if they really want to get in shape, they may preach the benefits of exercise to anyone and everyone.

While we can try to avoid people we know who engage in projecting their “stuff” onto others, we can’t always steer clear of such encounters. We can, however, deflect some projections through mindfulness and meditation. A useful visualization tool is to imagine wrapping ourselves in a protective light everyday. At other times, we may have to put up a protective shield when we feel a projection coming our way, reminding ourselves that someone else’s issues are not ours.

Although it’s difficult not to react when we are the recipient of a projection, it is a good idea to try to remain calm and let the other person know if they are being unreasonable and disrespectful. We all know that it’s not fun to be dumped on. Likewise, we should be mindful that we don’t take our own frustrations out on others. When we take ownership of our thoughts, motivations, desires, and feelings, we are less likely to project our issues or disowned qualities onto others.

Source: Daily Om

Winter Solstice - A Time of Rebirth

2011-06-21T15:39:00.000+09:30

Light has given way to darkness and the coldness of Winter has its icy grip upon the land. The trees are all but skeletons, having lost their leaves months ago. The Sun is at its northern most point during its yearly migration across the sky, above the tropic of Cancer, meaning that whilst those of us south of the Equator are shivering with Summer all but a distant memory, the Northern Hemisphere is basking in the warmth and glory of the Sun.

From this point onwards, however, as the sacred Wheel turns, we know it will only be a matter of time for we too feel those warming rays again, that will break through the chains of Winter.

God giving Birth by Monica Sjoo

The pre-dawn silence is almost deafening as the world waits in anticipation. Deep beneath us, the Great Mother Goddess, having entered her darkness aspect, is labouring in order to bring forth the Sun God, the Child of Promise, the Divine Saviour who will bring light and life back to this frozen land again. In readiness, we too turn inward and complete on the warming months, on our inner goals and aspiration that we would like to bring forth. However in order to be able to do this, a sacrifice is called for.

What will we give up to the darkness night

in order to bring forth light again?

The sacred Wheel is turning and at the time of the Winter Solstice, we are given the unique opportunity to bring forth light and promise into our own worlds (the microcosm), just as the Great Mother brings forth her own Son of Light and Promise into the world as a whole (the macrocosm).

Hittite statue

Hindu statue

As the first fingers of day light sneak over the horizon we celebrate in the knowledge that hope has returned to the land. That even within the darkest hour, there is light. This precious gift of understanding has been bestowed upon us by the Great Mother and her eternal beloved consort and son.

Winter Solstice incenses:

For a citrus smell, combine dried peel of an orange, grapefruit, lemon and tangerine with some lemon essential oil.
For a more spicy smell, mix some dried pine needles, cinnamon and myrrh with frankincense and some dried skin of an apple.
Cedar and juniper berries mixed with frankincense can also be burned as an incense.

"Return of the Sun" by Howard V. Sutherland

Winter is passing. The inconstant sun--

Neglectful lover, therefore doubly dear--

Kisses the stern, white faces of the hills,

Melting their hearts to tenderness again;

Kisses the earth, still shiv'ring 'neath its shroud,

And whispers it of blossoms to be born.
Kisses the boughs and lures the fresh young leaves,
Spring's verdant heralds, from their hiding place;
Kisses the trees and tells them of bright birds
Seeking new homes for merry families.

Winter is passing. The inconstant sun--

Neglectful lover, therefore doubly dear--
Enters the hearts of long despondent men,

Bidding them smile and be consoled again;
Enters their souls and whispers them of God,
Of distant homes and friends that pray for them;
Enters our cabins and dispels the gloom
Of soundless days and never-ending nights;
Enters our eyes and bids us rise and see
Winter's interment, mourn'd by laughing Spring.

As Good As Your Word - Promises

2011-06-19T19:03:00.000+09:30

Be careful with the promises you make

as they are energetic vows taken seriously by our souls and the Universe.

Heart and Soul by Josephine Wall

Ever since human beings could speak to one another, they have been making promises and keeping them or not keeping them. Those who keep their promises are regarded as people of integrity, while those who do not keep their promises are regarded as people who at best cannot be taken seriously and at worst, cannot be trusted.

Sometimes we forget how powerful our words are, and we use them haphazardly or unconsciously, creating expectations that are never fulfilled, leaving disappointment and distrust in our wake.

On an even deeper level, there are promises we may have made to ourselves that we do not remember because they have slipped into our unconscious. An early heartache may have been followed by a promise never to trust love again. Without realizing it, we may be fulfilling that promise and wondering why our love life looks so grim.

At an even deeper level, many people who recall past lives become aware that they made a promise lifetimes ago that they are still keeping. For example, a vow of poverty taken in a lifetime as a monk may be holding someone back from fulfilling his earning potential now. Upon realizing that we have made a promise we no longer wish to be beholden to, we can perform a ritual of requesting release from that bond. In doing so, we clear ourselves of outmoded connections and patterns, returning ourselves to a clean slate. Then we can resolve to remember that our word is sacred and to be very conscious of any promises we make to ourselves or to others.

We may ask to be released from any promises made to ourselves or others in our present, past, or future lives, consciously or unconsciously, that are holding us back from fulfilling our greatest good. We may ask that love, light, and healing be sent to any souls who have suffered from our inability to be true to our word, including ourselves. We can ask for the wisdom to do our best and from this point forward to be true to our word, promising only what we truly intend to deliver. The resulting clear conscience and liberated energy will illustrate this truth: We are only as good as our word.

Source: Daily Om

Mid Winter in the Southern Hemisphere

2011-06-15T13:55:00.000+09:30

A week out from the Winter Solstice (calculated to take place here in Adelaide, South Australia on 22 June @ 2:46am), we can be forgiven to think that already we have reached Winter's deepest heart with overnight lows plummeting and the chill factor lingering well until mid morning. I even saw evidence of Jack Frost being out and about - the first for the year.

In the early mornings, a hush creeps across the land as if in anticipation of the first rays of snlight to creep over the horizon, announcing the rebirth of the sun, the Divine Child, for another year.

Two gallant knights, twin brothers stand facing each other ready to do battle - the ruler of the dark half of the year, the Holly King, not ready to relinquish his rule that of his brother, the Oak King.. However, as the age-old cycle that is about to take place will show, at Mid Winter the Oak King will reign supreme .. at least until Mid Summer when the battle will commence again.

But in this twilight time, a prelude before the rebirth of the Sun God occurs, the Bone Mother makes her presence felt. Sometimes described as being the female counterpart of the Grime Reaper, white thin white fingers snake across the land, freezing all that they touch.

It is the Bone Mother who forces us to stay inside, to go within ourselves.

It is the Bone Mother who forces us to contemplate our mortality.

It is the Bone Mother who forces us to make our sacrifice.

What will you give up to the darkness in order for the light to be renewed?

In the darkest hours you come to me

lingering at the door

offering a look of neither pity nor compassion

but one of thoughtful contemplation

as if you were calculating what its worth

the price that could be paid

a reward reaped

for me to have one more go

at life again.

Evolution of the Soul - Lessons through Reincarnation

2011-06-08T07:09:00.000+09:30

Often we reincarnate on earth with our soul family

and often our most intense relationships are with our soul family.

You meet someone for the first time and feel as if you know them already. You’re in a town that you’ve never been to before, yet you recognize streets and buildings. You start playing a new sport and amaze everyone, including yourself, at your natural abilities and intuitive knowing of the rules.

We often describe such experiences as déjà vu: the experience or feeling that a new situation has happened to us before. Then again, the possibility does exist that we have actually lived these experiences in the past or, rather, in another lifetime.

Many spiritual practices believe that reincarnation is real: Our souls return to this earth over a series of lifetimes to evolve, learn, grow, transform, and become more spiritually attuned through the course of each life. When we reincarnate, it is believed that we tend to cycle through our different lives with many of the same people. Often these traveling “soul” companions are the ones we enter into relationships with; we work through our unresolved issues together so that we may heal.

When we struggle or keep encountering blocks that keep us from reaching our goals, there may be a specific lesson that we are supposed to learn in this lifetime. Being naturally blessed with a musical talent or another gift can be a special ability that you worked hard to develop in a past life. You may even have lived before as another gender or as part of a different social or economic class. Each lifetime brings with it specific lessons that are necessary for our spiritual evolution.

Past life recall can give us valuable insights into our past, present, and future lives. The knowledge of how we lived before can help us overcome present obstacles, understand phobias, and resolve relationship issues. There are workshops you can take to learn about past lives, and past life regression therapists can guide you on your journey backward in time.

You can learn to visit your past lives through your dreams, meditation, and trance work. It is even possible to see full scenes of a former lifetime flash before you in your mind’s eye as if you were watching a movie. While looking back at your past lives can be exciting and enlightening, it is important to remember that the answers you are seeking to this life can only truly be found by living this one. Look to your past to see where you’ve been, but remember that the life that matters most is the one that you are living now.

Source: Daily Om

Neptune in Retrograde

2011-06-05T15:30:00.001+09:30

On 4 June 2011, Neptune went into retrograd. Its symbolic influence in astrology is a very subtle one, but noticeable to those who can tune in - waves of Neptune’s symbolic energy; whispy, tendrils, subtle waves with far-reaching spiritual energy which casts a dreamy veil over our harsh day-to-day world sometimes deceptive while other times revealing Truth. We long to be inspired and taken into other realms in the Cosmos.

This retrograde happens right after the Solar Eclipse and on the same day as Jupiter enters Taurus. The energies may be experienced as extra heightened and super sensitive. It is possible to feel disoriented, wanting to dream and sleep, and the desire to find things or situations which support a feeling of being soothed and inspired. In essence, we may feel half here and half, so it is best to be careful driving and carefully re-read things before making important decisions so you get all the facts clear.

If you have transiting Neptune in Pisces making any close aspect to a personal planet such as Sun, Moon, Mercury. Venus or Mars between 0-3 degrees Pisces – you may feel a bit extra super spacey, dreamy or possible disorientation and fuzzy in thinking or unclear in your communication, want to sleep more or become stressed out quicker. It’s possible the way in which you express yourself may be unclear, saying one thing but doing another. You may feel extra sensitive and emotional and cry at the drop of a pin. It is possible you don’t have any drive or desire to get things done for a week around the Neptune going into Retrograde phase. It is best not to force yourself to produce high amounts of anything or pressure yourself in being crystal clear or logical now nor best time to make large financial investments or decisions. Make the time to take care of yourself now as you will need some room to simply BE.

If you can take a few days off around this time and rest, renew and recharge with Nature. A good time to channel, write, paint, draw and express your energy with art or some time of creative outlet. Have fun with it and move with how you feel in the moment. Give it a few days after Neptune moves into Retrograde and then the energy may feel a bit more settled and clear.

Neptune in Pisces Retrograde phase will help us to review the previous few months and gather more awareness and understanding regarding compassion, our emotional level, spirituality and knowing we are connected to the bigger picture within the Universe and Cosmos. We must begin to view ourselves as Soul living our a human existence and realize we are here for more than what we have been programmed to believe. For some, they will be asking key questions about expanding their Spiritual side and blending that into physical reality. It is also important to work through lingering illusions and delusions while Neptune is Retrograde as we can do the inner work needed.

While in the Retrograde phase, Neptune will slide back into late degrees of Aquarius to tidy things up on 5 August 2011. Go back to the themes that happened over the last few years and there may be tiny spots that you may heal or work through. We can take a look at Group Consciousness, friendships, like-minded organizations – where we need to be more unified and to care about what’s happening on a global scale. Our sense of compassion and love has the chance to expand and heal any lingering rifts of separation.

Neptune in Aquarius at 28 degrees turns Direct or outward expression in early November 2011. Neptune returns to Pisces in early February 2012 to finish out its trek through watery dreamy spiritual realm of Pisces.

By Dipali Desai

Source: Celestial Space Astrology

Taking Flight - New Moon in Gemini

2011-05-31T07:25:00.001+09:30

"The pain pushes you until your vision pulls you." - Rev. Michael Beckwith

Welcome to eclipse season! And it looks to be a doozy. The June 1 partial solar eclipse in jumpy Gemini gets things going, followed by a total lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on June 15 and another partial solar eclipse in Cancer on July 1. Eclipses are known for bringing abrupt change, especially when they hit sensitive points in your chart. Adding to its catalytic potential, this eclipse series occurs during the final, Universal Underworld of the Mayan Calendar. During this Ninth Wave (9 March to 28 October), according to Carl Calleman, time is accelerated 20-fold; we will experience the same amount of change as occurred from 1999 until a few months ago. Consciousness is rapidly evolving as dimensions merge and a new world is born. It's our choice: adapt and flourish or resist and suffer.

Does something in your life need dramatic improvement? Since eclipses break through stagnant patterns, now's the time to align with the incoming energies and make a change. Gemini promotes rapid-fire learning. Though this mental air sign tends to be all over the place, a stabilizing trine from Saturn in Libra to the June 1 New Moon eclipse helps to ground our visions so they can take flight.

If we stay focused, we can ride these energies like a hawk navigating strong winds. However, because the Sun (masculine impulse) is eclipsed by the Moon (feminine intuition) at the1 June New Moon, we may feel as if we're flying blind. This sensation is intensified by Neptune (dreaminess) turning retrograde in square to Mercury (the mind) on 2 June. We may doubt our direction or second-guess ourselves. Yet Saturn's trine to the Sun and Moon says: Trust your intuition, take action and things will work out--even if unpredictably.

On 4 June, giant Jupiter enters practical, earthy Taurus. It's time to get real about our finances and figure out how to live sustainably on the Earth. Bringing special blessings to those with prominent Taurus placements, this one-year cycle is good for investing in land and developing realistic and artistic ventures. Also, no-nonsense Saturn turns forward 12 June in Libra (good news for those with strong Libra or Capricorn!), helping business affairs get going again. Add to that a powerhouse lunar eclipse at the Galactic Center on 15 June that will bring vital news and shifting points of view. And, the seasons change on 21 June as the Sun slides into sensitive Cancer at the Summer Solstice. It should be quite a month.

Rapid-fire change can evoke the best or the worst in us. Even if we do not know what to do next or feel antsy and on edge, inquisitive Gemini reminds us that there is something to learn from pain as well as joy. Hold fast to whatever grounds you, from yoga practice to yard work. In these extraordinary times, we're called to rise up into our highest selves, spread our wings and find the courage to fly!

Source: Simone Butler

Avoiding Negative Vibrations - Taking on the Energy of Others

2011-05-28T17:27:00.001+09:30

In order to protect ourselves from taking on any negative energy from other people or situations;

we can learn to shield.

There are times when you may find that being around certain individuals or groups of people leaves you with feelings of discomfort. It may be that spending time with a particular friend feels draining or that dealing with a specific coworker exhausts you. Being around toxic or angry people is also draining. And you may even find that being surrounded by a crowd of people lowers your energy levels rather than perks you up. This is not that unusual.

Each of us radiates energy and is capable of being influenced by the energy of other people. It is important to learn how to shield yourself, so you don’t unknowingly take on someone else’s energy.

While some people know how to instinctively protect themselves from being adversely affected by energy, most of us need to discover and practice the technique that works best.

There are a number of ways to avoid being affected by people’s energy. Shielding is one preventative technique you can use. Center yourself and envision being enveloped in a cocoon of loving and protective light. This protective layer should allow you to consciously regulate the energy around you.

The intent to shield oneself is all you need for this technique to work. You can even create a trigger word to assist you in quickly creating a shield. Say this word each time you create a new shield, until the word and the shield become automatically associated in your mind.

If you run into a person whose energy you find draining, you may want to cleanse your own energy field after your encounter. Sage, cold showers, singing, mineral water baths, spending time in nature, and a simple break to recharge are all ways to accomplish this.

While it is important to know how to shield yourself from energy, there are those energies that you may not want to shut out.

The energy of laughter from a newborn baby, the feeling of joy radiating from someone in love, and the frequency of calm emanating from an enlightened teacher are just some of the energies coming from others that you may want to have around you.

Source: Daily Om

The Wytch's Circle

2011-05-25T13:53:00.004+09:30

I was not going to run a Wytch's Circle, or any kind of training group, this year as I was going to focus on finishing my long await book, not to mention continuing with the training of those already studying with the Temple of the Dark Moon ... however the requests have been coming thick and fast of late for me to offer some kind of instruction, so I have decided to hold a revised version of The Wytch's Circle from Thursday, 21 July 2011 onwards.

Initially an intensive six week course, the 2011 version of The Wytch's Circle will take place monthly and depending on the level and experience of those in attendance, will focus largely on circle and ritual workings, as well as other ritual and magickal techniques depending on time and interest.

These days with the amount of information available on Alexandrian Wytchcraft and Pagan ritual practices, the call for 101 coures tend to be a rarity - what is lacking is the actual practical side of things. However, through experience, most books these days tend not to delve too much into the technical side of things, which can often result in the practitioner (beginner or other wise) still unsure as to why things are actually done in the way one is being told to do them in. These "behind the scenes" snippets of information, not to mention the invaluable experience of actual ritual workings and group contact, is what this course will be about.

With the material being provided incorporating the four main traditions which are central to the practices of the Temple of the Dark Moon (that being Alexandrian-based Wytchcraft, traditional Craft, the Qabalah and ceremonial magick), attendees of this course are exposed to a variety of techniques as well as the insight as to how these seemingly different practices and traditions can work together.

This training circle will take place at the Temple's covenstead. There will be a limited number of positions available. This is because we provide each student with virtually personal one-on-one instruction.

A registration form will be available to download from the Temple of the Dark Moon's web site within the next few weeks.

A small registration fee of $20.00 should accompany the form (this covers the production of a "starter's pack" that each attendee will be provided with). Monthly lessons are only $10.00 (or $5.00 with a can donation to the Animal Welfare League) to help cover the costs of notes provided.

Quality is a key factor to all training offered

by the Temple of the Dark Moon

Past student comment:

For anyone considering this i do recommend it. i have participated in this course, even though i have been practicing for years, i have learned so many new and different things which has expanded my sense of who i am as a witch and how i practice. the energy of working in group is amazing and this was the first time i had really experienced it. it completely cracked open some barriers i had to the use of my own power, i didnt even realise i had barriers at all. its a very relaxed and energising experience and no matter how tired you are when you walk in you walk out calm relaxed but energised. its been fabulous Frances, Thank you again for Sharing your wisdom and knowledge.

bb - Deb )O(

A Thought about Esbats

2011-05-17T07:44:00.002+09:30

With the Full Moon Gathering (hosted by the Temple of the Dark Moon) taking place tomorrow evening in the Botanic Park, Adelaide as the Moon moves into Scorpio, for those of us calling ourselves Wiccan, Wytch or even Pagan, working with the Moon is an important part in the life.

The Goddess after all is honoured through the different phases of the Moon and in covens of old (pre-1980s), the esbat was the sacared meeting time when magick and healing was performed. This is because the phase of the Moon affects spellwork and ritual work. Therefore, knowing what these phases mean is vitally important to working effective magick.

The phases of the Moon, along with the astrological signs she moves through, create a framework by which we can time our magickal workings. The major phases of the Moon are the New Moon, the Waxing Moon, the Full Moon, the Waning Moon and the Dark Moon. Right before the Waxing Moon, the powerful New Moon occurs and right before that is the Dark Moon, a very significant time, too. More about this is covered in depth in the Temple of the Dark Moon's Outer Court lectures as well as correspondence course.

One generalised mythological association of Goddesses with the various Moon phases is:

Diana/Artemis - The Maiden on Earth, the huntress rules the time of the New and Waxing Moons.

Selene - The Mother in the Sky, she rules the Full Moon.

Hekate - The Crone who resides under the Earth, the Waning and Dark Moons are her domain.**

(**Those who work with the great Goddess of the Crossroads know that Hekate actually is more than just a Crone and in fact many of her actual guises reflect her in a maiden form.)

Whilst the Temple of the Dark Moon holds open esbats during the Winter months, these are perceived as no less important than any closed esbat gathering during the Summer months. Within a formally constructed circle, spellworking and healing is performed, Deity is honoured, and the coven members are bonded with like minded people, if even only for a short period of time.

Attending these gatherings provides non-members with an unique opportunity to meet members of the Temple of the Dark Moon in a working environment which is something that is not always offered or allowed. Regular attendance may result in personal invitations to gatherings at the covenstead at a later date.

The Full Moon Gatherings also offers those whose personal lifestyle or situation may not allow them to join the Temple on a more permanent basis, to bond once a month.

Regardless of the number of attendees, and whether the Gatherings are held at the covenstead or the park, the importance placed upon the esbat is the same.

More information about the Full Moon Gatherings offered by the Temple of the Dark Moon can be found on our web site.

Full Moon in Scorpio - 17 May 2011

2011-05-15T21:38:00.002+09:30

Next week's Full Moon (17 May) will be the second Full Moon at 29 degrees Scorpio, with the first being the previous month (April) 0 degrees. Some Full Moon themes are: upheaval, surging emotions, passion, intensity, truth telling, sexual merging, alchemical change.

Lisa Dale Miller of astrowisdom says the intensity of this Full Moon will top the first! In her Full Moon message, she writes, "Get ready for the truth to come reigning down on us like a firestorm." Scorpio has a special sight for things like denial, abuse of power and exposing secrets that lie in shadow.

Scorpio's psychic-emotional power is both feared and respected. It is a sign of healing, but in the Plutonian sense. The kind that means facing demons, walking through fear and taking a good hard look at what is going on. This realist sees the good, bad and the ugly, and never lives in la la land. That makes this Full Moon a potential time to heal deep wounds in the soul, or move away from unhealthy fixations that bog down your energy. Scorpio's radar can hone in on the undercurrents of situations or relationship. It is a rich time for insights that guide you away from extremes, addictions, obsessions, etc, and toward more stability.

The Sun and Venus in earthy Taurus anchors the Full Moon in calm creature comforts. The Scorpio-Taurus axis is about going deep, while experiencing the simple pleasures. This Full Moon emphasizes both kinds of roots, the psychic subterranean kind, and those that come from being parked in one spot. It is timely for purging the excess, what takes you off your center. Scorpio's regenerative force helps you clear out the psyche, and come home to feeling good.

This Full Moon invites us to go beyond the surface, to get to the roots of what's going on. It is favorable for having those conversations that make you want to run in the other direction. Emotions are intense, and things could get explosive. You sense danger in what comes out. But those primal feelings do more harm when they're underground, than they do when expressed in an open way. It's a time for catharsis in relationships, to clear out what's gotten tangled up between you. While it is edgy in the moment, it leads to Scorpio's gift of regeneration.

This Full Moon is a second immersion in Scorpio's raging waters. It is a peak time for psychic revelations. What comes up might require you to drastically transform. We are all facing a new era of limitation, a challenge to do more with less. To live more simply, and enjoy it more deeply.

What is being revealed by the double whammy full Moons in Scorpio? Watch for clues that lead you home to your essential Self. And use what is solidly true, as the foundation for something new.

The Temple of the Dark Moon will be holding a free and open to the public Full Moon Gathering on Wednesday, 18 May 2011, from 7.45pm to around 8.30pm. We meet in the car park to Botanic Park off Hackney Road, Adelaide (under the pine trees). Children are welcome to attend as long as they are under supervision of their parents or a guardian.

Source: Molly Hall

Take a Walk on the Bright Side

2011-05-12T07:45:00.001+09:30

It's a week to step out and speak up. Venus and Mercury come together in Aries on Monday, then both merge their light with lucky Jupiter on Wednesday (the 11th).

The alignments happen at the 21-24 degree range of the Tropical Zodiac. But in the sidereal or real sky system, they're at Zero, in the Aries constellation. If you're an astro over-achiever, you might look to both these degrees, for where it's things are bursting with flavor. And the area (house or planet) that's getting the Aries download of fresh mojo. Beyond just the bliss factor, which Venus and Jupiter are known for, this trio together invites you to step through some personal barrier (fear, self-censorship, self-doubt), and break free into more alive territory.

Here are the cosmic players in this drama:

• Venus in Aries: red hot lovers, a sizzling affair, longtime love gets a passion infusion, spontaneous joy, risks for love or creativity or friendship, liberating honesty, uncomplicated fun.

• Mercury in Aries: forceful speech, burning ideas, words that provoke or inspire, living language, direct and emphatic.

• Jupiter in Aries: expanding into the new, bright spot on the horizon, adventures at your edge, going beyond the known.

Some possibilities:

•Initiating something that could change your life.

•Giving in to the moment, despite your fear, because you know it'll change you.

•Following the momentum of an inspired thought/project/collaboration.

•Daring to speak your truth, even if you know it's going to provoke some people.

•Allow yourself big joy, big enthusiasm, big laughing and smiling for no reason.

•Evoking healing in relationships by being absolutely true to how you really feel and think.

•Articulating something you're passionate about, and where you see a bright spot on the horizon.

Source: Molly Hall

Awakening the Inner Warrior

2011-05-02T19:46:00.000+09:30

Often when we think about 'warrior' status, we only focus in on the war image - however, as the posting starts, to be a true warrior is to find the inner strength ... that inner ability we find when we are faced with seemingly unbeatable odds or life changing situations ... and for some of us, this can simply be getting through the day.

Each of us has this inner warrior ... and to access it, we don't need any special passwords, secret handshakes and the lke ... we just need to breathe and visualise achieving the end result - for deep down, we know we can achieve anything we want to if we truly believe ...

So believe in your self and your own ability to succeed.

Stoking the Fire Within - Awakening the Inner Warrior

There are certain personality archetypes that we all carry within us, such as the inner child, the lover, and the mother. Some of these archetypes present themselves strongly, while others lay fallow. For example, there is an inner warrior in each one of us, but in some of us this warrior is underdeveloped to the point that we are unable to stand up for ourselves, even when necessary. There can be many reasons for this. We may have grown up with a parent whose warrior aspect was overdeveloped, and we responded by repressing ours completely. On the other hand, we may have grown up with parents in whom this aspect was dormant, so we never learned to awaken it in ourselves.

A warrior is someone with the strength to stand up for what he or she believes; someone who perseveres in the face of challenges and obstacles; someone who speaks and acts in the service of an ideal; someone who protects those who are too weak to fight for themselves.

Regardless of the reasons for an underdeveloped inner warrior, you may begin to notice the lack of its fiery, protective presence and wish to awaken it. You may need to stand up for yourself in a certain relationship or situation, or you may have a vision you want to realize, and you know you will need the courage, energy, and strength of a warrior to succeed. Similarly, if you find that you often feel scared, anxious, or powerless, rousing this sleeping ally may be just the antidote you need.

One excellent way to cultivate the presence of your inner warrior is to choose a role model who embodies the qualities of bravery, strength, and vitality. This person could be a character in a myth, movie, or book, or a historical or living person you admire. Simply close your eyes each day and contemplate the quality of energy that attracts you to this person, knowing that the same potential lives within you.

Confirm for yourself that you are capable of handling this energy responsibly, and stoke the fire of your own inner courage.

Can you Imagine ...

2011-05-02T19:40:00.001+09:30

Can You Imagine?

(For the Child in All of Us)

Can you imagine a world without witches,
A world with all people the same?
Where the only known dragons are hiding in books,
And children are terribly tame?
A world without magic would be sad indeed.
I cannot imagine the pain
Of having a world where there's no Santa Claus,
Where wizards are searched for in vain.
Can you imagine a world without spells,
That science and businesses run?

And think of the sadness a unicorn feels
When he no longer plays in the sun
Can you imagine a world without witches,
No elves, and no magical pools?
And can you imagine how dull it would be

If all that we had were the schools?

I cannot imagine a world without witches,
A world with no magical wand.
A world without beauty, or even a dream,
Or a wood sprite of whom to be fond
They say I should grow up and be more mature,
Like a normal adult ought to do.
But I'd rather, at night, go to dance with a witch,
And I'll bet that you feel that way, too.

by Robert F. Potts (© 1996)