Once again, it has been a while since I last posted. I am hoping that once I have finished my degree I will have more time to devote to my craft. If nothing else I will have access to more of my tools!
Tomorrow is Lughnasadh, the festival of Lugh. The first harvest is coming in, and as the first grains are cut the Sun God begins to weaken and die, and the wheel turns towards winter. This is the first Sabbat I have had the chance to celebrate properly since Ostara, and I am looking forward to it!
I have learnt the hard way this year that sometimes you cannot honour the Sabbat with a festival or a ritual, but there are things you can do to mark they day as special in your heart. I have been doing that for the last few Sabbats, but tomorrow I am pulling out all the stops.
I will be baking my own bread and cakes for the Simple Feast, and with my boyfriend and my friend I am going out into the woods where I will perform a brief ritual and then we will share my picnic. In the theme of the first harvest we are keeping our picnic to suitable foods, fresh bread, cheeses, ham, berries and grapes, and cakes with honey.
I have created my ritual through looking at a variety of examples online and choosing the elements that I feel best represent me and my personal spirituality. I suggest that you do the same. There are alot of good sites out there. Recently I discovered College Wicca and it has been very helpful for finding ways to mark the Sabbats that don't require fire, as my accomodation does not allow candles, incense, or essential oils. It's been there for a while, but the ideas are good.
I plan to have us take a long walk with the picnic, gathering wild flowers, berries and nuts along the way for the altar. When we get there I will perform my ritual while my friends wait and talk, and then we will sit together, share the Simple Feast, and talk over the last year together, giving thanks for the things that turned out well and analysing the things that didn't so that we learn from our mistakes. We will read poetry, meditate, and watch the sunset.
It is a simple plan, but I am really looking forward to it. I feel a need to get back to nature, to relax and open myself up once more to the Earth and enjoy these last days of summer. Maybe I am not alone in that feeling.
Blessed be!
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Dreaming
As I have mentioned before, dreams are very important. They help you to raise awareness of yourself, bring to the surface understanding of issues that are hiding in your subconscious, and help to guide you towards actions you need to take. Dreams are messages from your subconscious, and it is important to pay attention.
If you struggle to remember your dreams, there are a few things you can do to help. One is to keep a notepad by your bed. As soon as you wake up, even if it is the middle of the night, jot down everything you can remember about the dream. Thoughts, sensations, feelings, even possible interpretations if you have any. This will help you to remember them later.
Another thing you can do is to keep a piece of Blue Howlite near your pillow. Howlite is a brilliant stone for sleep and dreams. White Howlite is an aid for those suffering from insomnia, and Blue Howlite aids in dream recall.
Thirdly, if you are looking to have dreams on a particular theme, you can place crystal combinations near your head as you sleep, or make up a parcel of herbs tied together with a ribbon of the appropriate colour.
A couple of months ago I became very aware of my stress levels rising, and in addition to this I was very aware that I could not define the exact causes. I placed a rose quartz, a clear quartz and an opalite crystal by my head. Since then, almost every night, I have had vivid dreams which stay with me on waking. They haven't been a miracle cure for my stress, but as a result I know that the stress I feel is down to one cause - Assignments. The other causes are dealt with as I sleep through the aid of these crystals, which are designed in combination to cause revelations and bring about self-love.
I know I'm not the easiest person to live with right now, but I know that without my dreams I would be much harder to deal with. Therefore, those crystals are staying there until my goals change.
I hope to post more tutorials soon, once my university work is out of the way and I have some time again.
Blessed Be
If you struggle to remember your dreams, there are a few things you can do to help. One is to keep a notepad by your bed. As soon as you wake up, even if it is the middle of the night, jot down everything you can remember about the dream. Thoughts, sensations, feelings, even possible interpretations if you have any. This will help you to remember them later.
Another thing you can do is to keep a piece of Blue Howlite near your pillow. Howlite is a brilliant stone for sleep and dreams. White Howlite is an aid for those suffering from insomnia, and Blue Howlite aids in dream recall.
Thirdly, if you are looking to have dreams on a particular theme, you can place crystal combinations near your head as you sleep, or make up a parcel of herbs tied together with a ribbon of the appropriate colour.
A couple of months ago I became very aware of my stress levels rising, and in addition to this I was very aware that I could not define the exact causes. I placed a rose quartz, a clear quartz and an opalite crystal by my head. Since then, almost every night, I have had vivid dreams which stay with me on waking. They haven't been a miracle cure for my stress, but as a result I know that the stress I feel is down to one cause - Assignments. The other causes are dealt with as I sleep through the aid of these crystals, which are designed in combination to cause revelations and bring about self-love.
I know I'm not the easiest person to live with right now, but I know that without my dreams I would be much harder to deal with. Therefore, those crystals are staying there until my goals change.
I hope to post more tutorials soon, once my university work is out of the way and I have some time again.
Blessed Be
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Preventing Energy Drain
There is a person in my lfie at the moment who I feel is a constant drain on my energy. This is not an emotional statement, it is a factual one. After encounters with this person I feel ill, lethargic, light-headed, as if all my energy has been sucked out of me.
So, in a moment of pure intuition, I grabbed 3 crystals before I met this person again and shoved them in my pocket in the hope that they would help to negate the effects. They did!
The stones I used were Tiger Iron, Haematite and Clear Quartz. It was so effective that when my friends mentioned feeling a similar way, I gave each of them 3 crystals, one had citrine, amethyst and clear quartz, the other apache tears obsidian, carnelian and amethyst.
The specific crystals should relate to you in more than the one purpose, but overall the only requirement for this handy fix is that there be an energy booster, a shielding crystal, and a grounding crystal if possible. Then they help by blocking the drain, replacing lost energy and cleansing negative energy from around you.
If you know someone like this, I suggest trying it.
So, in a moment of pure intuition, I grabbed 3 crystals before I met this person again and shoved them in my pocket in the hope that they would help to negate the effects. They did!
The stones I used were Tiger Iron, Haematite and Clear Quartz. It was so effective that when my friends mentioned feeling a similar way, I gave each of them 3 crystals, one had citrine, amethyst and clear quartz, the other apache tears obsidian, carnelian and amethyst.
The specific crystals should relate to you in more than the one purpose, but overall the only requirement for this handy fix is that there be an energy booster, a shielding crystal, and a grounding crystal if possible. Then they help by blocking the drain, replacing lost energy and cleansing negative energy from around you.
If you know someone like this, I suggest trying it.
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Time for Me
A lesson I am learning the hard way right now is that it is important to take time out for yourself.
The reason I haven't posted here in so long is because I have prioritised my academic life above my personal life, and that has left me feeling that I have no time left to devote to this blog. I haven't practiced, I haven't meditated, I haven't done anything in recent weeks. I am swamped by assignments, work hours, seminar reading, by life, in essence.
Now I am feeling the effects of that. I am run down, stressed, wound up tight. Within the next 40 minutes I intend to finish the piece of work I am doing, and then I am going to meditate for the first time in a long time. I have neglected my spiritual self in favour of my immediate needs, and that is something I cannot afford to do. I have felt the pull of it, in my dreams, in the space between sleeping and waking, in every daydream and brief idle moment I have felt the pull of my spiritual side. Today I am going to give in.
I will try to be more regular in my posting again. To do this I feel that this blog may become more of a record of my personal development than a guidebook, but in a way experience is it's own guide. I hope those with an interest still look and hopefully learn something. I will post blogs on specific aspects as a guide, but I cannot promise to do so every week.
Make time for yourself. The body responds to the state of the mind, which in turn responds to the state of your psyche. Make sure you take care of all of these aspects, not just one. I am still learning that lesson, but I intend to make it stick.
Blessed Be
The reason I haven't posted here in so long is because I have prioritised my academic life above my personal life, and that has left me feeling that I have no time left to devote to this blog. I haven't practiced, I haven't meditated, I haven't done anything in recent weeks. I am swamped by assignments, work hours, seminar reading, by life, in essence.
Now I am feeling the effects of that. I am run down, stressed, wound up tight. Within the next 40 minutes I intend to finish the piece of work I am doing, and then I am going to meditate for the first time in a long time. I have neglected my spiritual self in favour of my immediate needs, and that is something I cannot afford to do. I have felt the pull of it, in my dreams, in the space between sleeping and waking, in every daydream and brief idle moment I have felt the pull of my spiritual side. Today I am going to give in.
I will try to be more regular in my posting again. To do this I feel that this blog may become more of a record of my personal development than a guidebook, but in a way experience is it's own guide. I hope those with an interest still look and hopefully learn something. I will post blogs on specific aspects as a guide, but I cannot promise to do so every week.
Make time for yourself. The body responds to the state of the mind, which in turn responds to the state of your psyche. Make sure you take care of all of these aspects, not just one. I am still learning that lesson, but I intend to make it stick.
Blessed Be
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Samhain Blessings
Sorry, its been a manic few weeks and I have had absolutely no time for posting.
But Happy Samhain for today! I hope everyone is celebrating in style.
Blessed Be
But Happy Samhain for today! I hope everyone is celebrating in style.
Blessed Be
Monday, 11 October 2010
Strange Experiences
Ok, this week my post is less about guidance and more about a personal experience I had the other day.
I have heard of empaths who "sense" world events, and who feel changes coming. So maybe that links into this.
For me, when I sense people, I feel a connection to them, like there is a thread that lets me know they are ok. The other night, I felt all of those threads snap at the same time. One minute I was connected. The next second, they were gone and I was adrift.
Imagine being asleep, and waking up with the absolute certainty that everyone you love has just left you, or died, and you are completely alone in the world, and you have some understanding of the panic that went through my mind at that instant.
After a few seconds the connections came back. I could feel that everyone was ok. But I cannot now shake the feeling that I missed something monumental. I have no reason for why this would have happened.
I have heard of empaths who "sense" world events, and who feel changes coming. So maybe that links into this.
For me, when I sense people, I feel a connection to them, like there is a thread that lets me know they are ok. The other night, I felt all of those threads snap at the same time. One minute I was connected. The next second, they were gone and I was adrift.
Imagine being asleep, and waking up with the absolute certainty that everyone you love has just left you, or died, and you are completely alone in the world, and you have some understanding of the panic that went through my mind at that instant.
After a few seconds the connections came back. I could feel that everyone was ok. But I cannot now shake the feeling that I missed something monumental. I have no reason for why this would have happened.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Shielding
First of all, my apologies for the missed week. It was a very busy week for me. A belated Mabon blessing to all of you.
This week my post is going to regard shielding. This was inspired due to an onslaught of energy I have felt recently. I only recently moved into new accomodation, and had until today forgotten to properly prepare the room. So this will concentrate on personal shields.
Before shielding, always meditate. It helps to focus your mind. I also like to use an altar and cast a circle to summon the energy, but that is my personal preference.
When I shield, as with all my techniques, I follow my instinct. For me, I find it easiest with a room to visualise energy coming to me from the earth. I then visualise on focusing this energy and directing it with my hands, "spreading" it around the room in the form of light. First I focus on the walls, starting with in front of me and moving around til my hands meet behind my back. At the point my hands connect i view this as it "locking" and the light becomes an impenetrable forest in my minds eye. Then I focus on the ceiling, and i see this light lock with the walls and become a stormy sky overhead. Then the floor, which locks into stone, like you would find in a cave.
When I visualise a shield for myself, I see a funnel of fire, which starts under me then tapers around me to meet in a point above my head. I visualise this fire "burning" any negative energy which approaches me.
I also visualise guardians. For me, they are mythical creatures, but any creature will do. In my minds eye I see a dragon which guards my window and a pair of Unicorns which guard my door. I see them as a deterent to any who would wish me harm, and as a guard against any negativity sent against me by people who come within the shielded area.
Shielding my room helps me feel safe. It also helps protect me from distance energy that I sometimes pick up on. It also ensures my room becomes my sacred space. My retreat. I recommend it to anyone looking for a space like that. You can do it to any room in your house.
A simple beginners method is to visualise a ball of light surrounding you and growing until it encompasses all you wish to protect. You have to be careful to focus it to the room rather than yourself if that is what you desire to protect however, as if you visualise it as around yourself rather than your room, the shield will remain with you.
It is important to regularly check your shields. They can wear down, and if they become too tattered they won't work as well. So check them every now and then, especially if you begin to feel overwhelmed or stressed. It could just be extra negativity getting through.
Blessed Be
This week my post is going to regard shielding. This was inspired due to an onslaught of energy I have felt recently. I only recently moved into new accomodation, and had until today forgotten to properly prepare the room. So this will concentrate on personal shields.
Before shielding, always meditate. It helps to focus your mind. I also like to use an altar and cast a circle to summon the energy, but that is my personal preference.
When I shield, as with all my techniques, I follow my instinct. For me, I find it easiest with a room to visualise energy coming to me from the earth. I then visualise on focusing this energy and directing it with my hands, "spreading" it around the room in the form of light. First I focus on the walls, starting with in front of me and moving around til my hands meet behind my back. At the point my hands connect i view this as it "locking" and the light becomes an impenetrable forest in my minds eye. Then I focus on the ceiling, and i see this light lock with the walls and become a stormy sky overhead. Then the floor, which locks into stone, like you would find in a cave.
When I visualise a shield for myself, I see a funnel of fire, which starts under me then tapers around me to meet in a point above my head. I visualise this fire "burning" any negative energy which approaches me.
I also visualise guardians. For me, they are mythical creatures, but any creature will do. In my minds eye I see a dragon which guards my window and a pair of Unicorns which guard my door. I see them as a deterent to any who would wish me harm, and as a guard against any negativity sent against me by people who come within the shielded area.
Shielding my room helps me feel safe. It also helps protect me from distance energy that I sometimes pick up on. It also ensures my room becomes my sacred space. My retreat. I recommend it to anyone looking for a space like that. You can do it to any room in your house.
A simple beginners method is to visualise a ball of light surrounding you and growing until it encompasses all you wish to protect. You have to be careful to focus it to the room rather than yourself if that is what you desire to protect however, as if you visualise it as around yourself rather than your room, the shield will remain with you.
It is important to regularly check your shields. They can wear down, and if they become too tattered they won't work as well. So check them every now and then, especially if you begin to feel overwhelmed or stressed. It could just be extra negativity getting through.
Blessed Be
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