The importance of
these
animals is in their use
as Spirit Guides in the Otherworld and their aid as a familiar in
working
Magick. To find your totemic animal will require you to experience a
shamanistivc
trance. This is usually accomplished by "drumming" and meditation.
(You'll
need someone to drum or a "drumming tape" to allow yourself a chance to
really
meditate). Open youself up to the God of the Hunt as you meditate upon
the
Tree of Life. He will come to you while you are in trance (usually
after
10 to 40 minutes of drumming). Your totem animal will apear running
from
the Great Forest. When the animal appears, let its essence fill you.
Become
your totem. Dance its dance and sing its song until you are one in the
Spirit.
You should repeat this ritual as often as necessary to have a close
rapport
with your Spirit Animal guide. Much of what you are told and
given
will be from the perspective of the Animal and will be difficult to
understand
unless you are truly One with it.
The Transmigration of the Soul
I would like to start this discussion by quoting an ancient Celtic
Culdean verse:
"Out of a Timeless World
Shadows fall upon time.
From a beauty older than earth
A ladder the soul may climb.
I climb by Fionn's Stair
To a whiteness older than time."
The above verse is referring to Aradach Fionn, a listing of the Oghams.
Each
rung of the ladder or stair represents a lesson learned or a new life
of
continuing perfection. Such a series of lessons and rebirths are a
manifestation
of the Druidic concept of the Tramsmigration of the Soul.
A few quotes about Druids:
"The principal point of their teaching is that the soul does not
perish,
and that after death it passes from one body into another." .....Julius
Caesar.
"Among them the doctrine of Pythagoras prevails, according to which the
souls
of men are immortal, and after a fixed term recommence to live, taking
upon
themselves a new body."....Diodorus
According to some sources, this transmigration of the soul was done in
an
upward fashion, with each incarnation bringing the Being closer to the
True
Spirit. According to others, we are reincarnated into future lives of
our
progeny...thus Mongan is The Spirit of Fionn reincarnated in the
Seventh
Century CE (Fionn himself was said to be Cumhail reincar-nated). As we
have
seen previously, the Spirit of Tuan mac Carill is reincarnated several
times
as a variety of animals until he is reborn in the sixth century and
relates his history of Ireland from the time of
Partholan forward, St. Finnen is the Irish monk to whom the story was
related.
This story was eventually recorded in the Eleventh century manuscript,
"The
Book of the Dun Cow". No record exists to indicate that the Druids
believed
in "karma", duality (as seen in the concept of "good and evil"),
original
sin (actually they believed man was inheritly good), nor a heaven and
hell
afterlife.
Where did one's soul reside then ? Many stories were told and written
of
the Otherworlds that awaited the Spirit between incarnations, These
stories
are called immrama or "wonder voyages" and usually involve taking ship
to
a Magickal Isle. The voyages of Bran and St. Brendan generally fit into
these
catagories.
When one arrives at an Otherworldly island, time can pass extremely
slowly
compared to the Physical world. Oisin the son of Fionn went to such a
faery
world for a few days only. When he returned for a visit upon one of
those
Magickal White Horses, he discovered that many hundreds of years had
passsed.
Although he had been cautioned not to dismount during his visit, he did
so
and was immediately transformed into an extremely elderly man. St.
Patrick
was brought to him and heard his many stories of the exploits of Fionn
and the Fianna as well as the lands
of Tir na Og. Oisin was eventualy rescued by his Sidhe princess and
returned
to the Land of Eternal Youth. Some of the other Lands are called:
Tir fo Thuinn - Land under the Wave.
Tir na mBan - Land of Women.
Tir na mBeo - Land of Life.
These four Tirs or lands make up the Celtic Underworld where Souls
reside
until reborn. There are also Plains above that are generally the
habitations
of the Gods.
These are:
Sen Magh - Old Plain
Magh Argetal - Plain of Silver Clouds
Magh Mell - Plain of Delight
Magh Ionganaidh - Plain of Wonder
The Irish Celts felt that the Being had the following attributes or
divisions:
Delph - The appearance
or Outer form
Duile - The Body
Elements (flesh, bone, blood, etc)
Ana'l - The breath or
anima
Menma - The Mind and
the Will
Cuimhne - The Memory
Fein - The Self
Pu'ca - The
shape-shifting Shadow
Enaid - The Soul.
I would like to finish my remarks on Reincarnation and Transmigration
with
another ancient verse. This verse is from the Fifth Century CE and is
the
translation by Kuno Meyer:
"I invoke the seven daughters of the sea
Who fashion the threads of the sons of long life.
May three deaths be taken from me!
May seven waves of good fortune be dealt to me!
May no evil spirits harm me on my circuit!
In flashing corslet without hindrance!
May my fame not perish!
May old age come to me, may death not come
to me until I am old!"
"I invoke Senach of the seven periods of time,
Whom fairy women have reared on the breasts of plenty.
May my seven candles not be extinguished!
I am an indestructable stronghold.
I am an unshaken rock.
I am a precious stone.
I am the luck of the week.
May I live a hundred times a hundred years.
Each hundred of them apart!
I summon their boons to me.
May the grace of the Holy Spirit be upon me!"
"In Between Times and Places", "Need Fires" or Days of Imbalance,
Portals, Dolmens, Passage Graves and Stone Circles"
Tonight the Magickal nature of "In Between Times and Places" will be
discussed
and examples will be given for their use in Magickal "wor-kings". The
Druidic
concept of "imbalance" in Magickal workings will be introduced and
discussed.
The nature and use of the stone megalithic sites will also be presented
and
discussed.
Tonight we undertake a journey to the lands that are between the
worlds.
This is the same place where anything can happen that Rod Serling
referred
to as the "Twilight Zone". The ancient Celts sought out this
3204
Magickal place to aid their Magickal Power and to seek the Otherworld.
Before
we can undertake this journey of the Spirit as well as the Mind, a
brief
review and synopsis of our previous discussions on the Celtic
Otherworld
and Magick are in order.
"In Between Times and Places"
As we noted previously, the Celts believed that Reality actually
consisted
of multiple worlds. As a minimum, they believed there was a World
of
the Stars or Gods, a Middle World (the Earth) and an Under-world. All
these
worlds were connected in some way, with events and Magicks from one
affecting
events occuring in a different world. The Celts believed that
these
Worlds were closer at certain times. These are the "In Between Times"
that
we are going to speak about tonight. It should also be no surprise that
the Celts and Druids practiced their most
important Magicks during such times of transition as the sunrise,
sunset,the
moonrise, moonset and the transitions of the seasons (Beltaine and
Samhain)
and the extremes of the Sun (Mid-Winter and Mid-Summer) or the great
"Fire
Festivals". Later during our discussions of stone circles and passage
graves
we shall see one way that this desire to do Magick at the optimal times
was
possibly implemented.
"The Magickal Laws of Druidic Power"
Celtic tales of Magick are filled with events that are linked to "in
between
states". This could be a mysterious fog, a time of dusk or next to the
edge
of water. All of these conditions have one state in common, they
represent
imbalance. Any student of the physical sciences can tell you, that all
forces
can be resolved into the sum total of the in-dividual forces. One
of
the factors that must be overcome when moving anything is inertia.
During
times of change, when imbalance occurs naturally, is the time chosen by
Druids
for their Magicks. This is and example of the Law of Magickal
Association,
the Law of Similarity and the Law of Contagion as stated by Issac
Bonewits
in his book "Real Magick". Here is a listing of those three laws of
Magick:
Law of Association.
If two things have anything in common that thing can be used to control
both,
and they have a mutual influence on each other, depending on the size
of
the thing shared. The more they have in common, the more they influence
each
other.
Law of Similarity.
This is the basis of "Sympathetic" magic and basically says that
effects resembles causes. "Lookalikes are alike".
Law of Contagion.
It states that once things come into contact, they continue to interact
after separation. "Power is contagious".
These three Laws of Magick basically say that if you want to do Magick
pick
a time when Magick occurs that is similar to the kind of Magick that
you
want to accomplish. There is a very similar belief held by modern
Wiccans.
Wiccans normally do creative or "positive" magick when the Moon is in
its
waxing phases. Banishing or "dark" Magick is done during the waning
phases of the Moon. Druidic Magick took advantage of the
times when the Sun or Moon "touched" the Earth (Sun/Moon rise/set).
At such a time, some of the Power inherit to these heavenly deities
could
be "borrowed". This is the Law of Contagion at work. At Sunrise and
Sunset
is when the mists "Magickally" appear, making fog or mists a time of
Magickal
workings. The area of transition between states of matter such as the
edge
of a river or lake was also thought to be a Magickal location. This
could
have been due to the belief that all knowledge flowed forth from
the
Well of Segais or Conla's Well but I believe it is more closely
associated with the belief that where different
worlds met was also a place where entry to the Otherworld was the
easiest.
This also explains why they favored divination by the edge of water.
Fire
scrying is another example of this "Magick" in transition states. Fire
is
the ultimate transitory state of matter and leads us to the next
topic
of discussion, "Need Fires" and "Days of Imbalance".
"Days of Imbalance"
As you will recall, another time of greatest imbalance was when the
change
of the seasons and the extremes of the Sun. This is, of course,
Beltaine,
Samhain, Mid-Winter's and Mid-Summer's Solstices. Great fires were
kindled
during these festivals for two reasons: To encourage and enhance the
energies
of the Sun and to create conditions favorable to Tramsmutation of Power.
These "need fires" were used to scry, to purify and to sacrifice as
well.
Animals and other offerings were cast into the flames. As we have seen
in
a previous Workshop, cattle were driven between the fires and youths
engaged
in jumping through the flames. (It has been conjectured that this
practice
of flame jumping had its origins in earlier practices of human
sacrifice.
I personally have not seen a single valid reference to Druidic human
sacrifices.)
The thought was also held that "like attracts like", so that the Power
of
the flames would also attract the Magickal Power of the Sun.
Being periods of imbalance, the Druids also took advantage of the flows
of
power to perform divinations. These great fires also served to
signal
the Power of the Druids to all people, as well as to unify their
control
over the minds of the Celtic nations.
"The Otherworld, Portals and Domans"
Although the Celts did not build the megalithic structures found within
their
lands, they were certainly aware of them. Without exception these
monuments
were attributed to the God/dessess, heroes and/or to the Tuatha de
Dannan.
The many dolmens were thought to be passage ways or portals to the
Otherworld.
Many myths and tales surround trips made to and from the realm of the
Sidhe
by passing through a dolmen archway when the Moon was full. Modern
archeology
has determined that these dolmens are actually neolithic burial sites.
"Bru'gh na Bo'inne (Newgrange)"
One of the oldest structures in the Western world is found in Ireland
upon
the banks of the Boyne river. This is the Bru'gh na Bo'inne, the burial
place
of Irish kings and the legendary palce of the Dagdha and Angus mac Og.
The
area is also known, in English, as New Grange. This structure was
erected
by the original inhabitants of the land around
3206
3500 BC, predating Stonehenge and being contemporary with the Sphinx
and
the Pyramids of Egypt. The structure was covered with white stones in
ancient
times and would "shine' in the Sun when seen from great distances. This
is
very similar to the way the Great Pyramid was also described when seen
in
the sunlight with it's reflective coating.
Many ancient Irish legends and tales are associated with this structure
and
the passage of time. Most of these tales are about time standing still
or
seeming to pass without notice. Their stories center around Angus mac
Og
(the Young God), his birth in a day, his attaining the ownership of the
Bruig
for "only a day and a night" (lasting forever in endless cycles), and
his
arrangement of his foster father Midir's marriage to Etain (who is the
subject
of many stories of shapeshifting and transformation).
"Spirals, Symbols and Carvings"
This theme of timeless days and transformation is very important when
one
considers that one possible use of this structure was the taking of
shamanistic
journeys. (Angus himself was visited by an aisling or "dream woman" who
played
for him upon a timpan and eventually they are transformed into white
birds
of enchantment).
Martin Brennan, an Irish-American, was the first person to note the
relationship
between the carvings at New Grange and the rays of the Sun. Using
the
discoveries of Brennan and our previous information about Celtic
Shamanism,
I am going to suggest that the interior chambers of this structure were
used
for shamanistic ceremonies and journeys.
Let me describe the geometry of Bru'gh na Bo'inne that a Draoi' priest
might have encountered when appraoching the structure for
religious/Mag-ickal
ceremonies. The first thing that would be noticed is a brillant white
bowl
or hemisphere shining amidst a sea of green. This mound is surrounded
by
97 kerbstones and the entire structure is then encircled by a ring of
standing
stones. At the entrance is a stone that one walks around to enter
the
inner chambers. This stone is covered with spirals that have been
carved
into the stone. The stone is divided by a line that is aligned with the
Mid-Winter
Sunrise, the right hand spirals being counter clockwise (tuathal or
widdershins)
and the left hand spirals going clockwise (deosil). This is exactly the
same
type of path through the sky that one would observe for the sun during
the
year. (In fact, if you take a lens and focus the Sun's light on a board
and
leave it in place for a year, a track will burned upon the board in the
shape
of an interconnected double spiral. This experiment was done in the
early
1970's by American artist Charles Ross.) The entrace to the
interior
chambers, beyond the entrance stone, is 70 meters in length. One
must
pass beneath three large stones that are thought to be symbolic of the
Celtic
Cosmology, the Sky World, the Middle World and the Underworld. Once
past
this Otherworldly entrance, one encounters a large chamber with four
smaller
side chambers that are oriented to the four cardinal directions (North,
South,
East and West). The inner walls are covered with spirals and symbols,
among
them is an eight-rayed sun symbol (depicted within a circle). This
symbol
as well as the rest are selectively illuminated by the Sun's entrance
through
a small hole in the roof box that is oriented directly to the
Mid-Winter
sunrise. A finger of light would shine within the chamber to illuminate
the
carvings, shining in golden flecks upon the chamber walls. Within the
main
chamber were great stone bowls that were possibly filed with water and
arranged
to further enhance the solar display within by acting as mirrors. The
seemingly
hap-hazard arrangement of carvings upon the walls are organized and
transformed
by the rays of the Sun.
"A Night with Angus mac Og"
Now that the stage is set, imagine yourself to be a seer of the fourth
millenia BC. You have fasted for days and have spent the long dark
night
of Mid-Winter meditating within the inner chambers of Angus mac
Og.
You have performed your rituals you have attained a trance-like state
and
you await the rising of the Sun, the new God of Light to return to the
world.
What far journeys or estatic visions will be triggered within your
Sacred
Space by the new Sun's first rays? A sudden thin ray of white
light
pierces the blackness of the inner chamber with an il-luminating shower
of
images as the inner darkness explodes! Your mind reflects the
brilliance
of the new born Sun as your inner consciousness expands into infinity!
Your
brothers and sisters would follow the dark shadow the standing stone to
the
carn's entrance to find you and the inner chamber reborn within the
rebirth
of the Mid-Winter Sunrise! What stories you could tell! What prophecies
you
could make! I sometimes think that Bru'gh na Bo'inne is really the
Hyperborean
" ...temple of the Sun..." mentioned by the ancient Greek writers,
rather
than Stonehenge.
"The Land of the Hyperboreans"
Perhaps the British Isles are the Islands of the Hperboreans after all?
Where
else is found such a system of large scale, megalithic structures all
centered
around the Sun and the Otherworld? One has only to step within any of
these
raths to be transported to another time or another age. Bru'gh na
Bo'inne
is only one among many such locations. Three great mounds exist
in
this area of the Boyne river, New Grange is the most elaborate but the
nearby
mounds of Dowth and Knowth are also fascinating. Dowth is
oriented to receive the rays of the setting Sun
on Mid-Winter while Knowth has two passages and is oriented to receive
the
rays of the Equinoxes. These chambered passages are not limited
to
Ireland, but are found throughout the British Isles and even in
Brittany.
Two noteable sites are located at Maes Howe in the Orkney Islands and
at
Gavrinis in Brittany. The interaction of carvings and site orientation
is
also wide spread and not limited to just the rays of the Sun. Many
sites also used the beams of the Moon to illuminate passages
and special formations. Although these sites could be called
observatories
by those of a purely scientific viewpoint, that would be in direct
contradiction
to the aims and worldviews of their creators. To fully appreciate the
beauty,
majesty and wonder of these Magick sites, requires us to use our entire
mind.
Perhaps we should now consider the other great location that has equal
claim
to being the Hyperborean Temple of the Sun? That location is
called Stonehenge.
"Faery Rings"
Who has nor heard of the mysterious lights that are seen within faery
rings when the Sidhe dance within the Moon ways? Such lights have also
been
observed within Magickal Circles constructed by Wiccans and modern day
Ceremonial Magicians. The crop circle phenomena has also been
associated with light displays
and formations. All these phenomena have been reported and seen by
reliable
witnesses (although , as with all such events, there have been cases of
fraud
as well). The fact is that such circlular formations have all been
associated
with light displays and other unexplained phenomena. It is no
coincidence
that all of the previously mentioned Magickal phenomena are also
associated
with the oldest such locations, the stone circles. Many hundreds of
these
sites are found in Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The two
greatest
of these are Stonehenge and Avebury. I will discuss Stonehenge tonight.
I
may discuss Avebury in the future if it is of sufficient interest to
the
other members of the workshop.
"Stonehenge"
Has there ever been a place to fire the imagination such as Stonehenge?
What
secrets does it hide as it sits amid the many other marvels to be found
upon
the Salisbury Plains ? This question and thousands more like it have
passed
through the minds of mortals for at least the last 3000 years. Why was
it
built? Who built it? How was it used? Can it be used again? I'm sure
you
many have a few questions of your own!<G> Before we get to
the
questions, let's go through a few of the details we know about the site
and
some of the more recent discoveries that have been made regarding its
possible
uses.
"Stonehenge I"
Stonehenge was built in three phases, starting with the construction
of Stonehenge I around the year 1900 BC. This is about a thousand
years
after the Pyramids and the tombs of the Bru'ghna Bo'inne and a few
hundred
years before the fall of ancient Troy and the Oddessy. The first
phase
of construction was a great circular ditch with banks being piled upon
either
side. The people building it were late Stone Age people, Not much
is
known about them except that they were hunters. An opening was left on
the
northeast side with four holes being left at the entrance that may have
contained
wooden poles. Two other holes inside the enclosure may have held
upright
stones. A third hole was dug that still contains the "heel stone", over
which
the sunrise is observed. A variety of other features are associated
with
this first phase of construction. I shall refer you to "Stonehenge
Decoded"
by Gerald S. Hawkins and John B. White for a more indepth discussion of
these
or other Stonehenge details. The entire structure was about 320 feet in
diameter
and about 6 feet high by 20 feet wide with the heel stone and possibly
two
other standing stones being visible. The entire bank would have been
glaring
white since most of the surrounding surface region is composted mostly
of
chalk. The heel stone rises about 16 feet into the air and is about 8
feet
thick by 7 feet wide. Around the inside of the bank was a series of 56
holes
called "Aubrey" holes. These holes contain the created remains of men
and
women from that period. Even in its first phase, I'm sure you'll agree,
it
must have been an imposing structure.
"Stonehenge II"
Work upon the second phase of Stonehenge was begun about 1750 BC by
another
race of people known as the "Beaker People". These people built two
concentric
inner stone rings consisting of 82 bluestones on about a 70 foot
diameter
around the center of the mound. The entrance was widened in the ditch
bank
by about 25 feet and a double row of 10 bluestones was placed in the
entrance
to the stone circles. This work was done during about a hundred year
period
and was never finished due to some unknown interruption. With their
departure,
the Stone age closes in Britain and awaits the coming of the Bronze Age.
"Stonehenge III"
The third and final phase in the construction of Stonehenge was
undertaken by the "Wessex People" in about the year 1650 BC. These
people were much more
highly skilled than the "Beaker People" and carried on commerce with
the
peoples of the Mediterranean area. So many artifacts are found from
these areas that some scientists have developed the theory that
Stonehenge was finished
under the auspices of a "Master Builder" from the Mediterranean. Since
this
is the only large megalithic structure attributed to the Wessex People,
they
may well be correct. The previous double ring of bluestones were
removed
and set aside for later use. They were replaced by a single row of huge
sarsen
stones coming from Marlborough Downs. A horseshoe shaped structure
consisting
of "trilithons" was placed inside of the sarsens and aligned upon the
northeast
opening and the center of the new stone ring. These "tri-lithons" are
not
found in other stone circles and are further evidence of the
sophistication
of the builders. The cross pieces are held in place using a
woodworking
technique called "mortise and tenon" construction. All of these stone
pieces
were hand-worked. The uprights are very close together (about a foot or
less).
The outer circle is 97 feet 4 inches in diameter. The outer stones are
about
14 feet high by 7 feet wide by 3 1/2 feet thick. The inner horseshoe is
formed
by stones ranging from about 20 to 25 feet high. A temporary structure
which
was oval shaped was constructed around the sarsen horseshoe that used
the
previously removed bluestones. This oval was removed and the stones
were
later used to form a horseshoe of bluestones inside of the sarsen
horseshoe. A number of holes was also dug outside the sarsen circles
called the "Y" and
"Z" holes. These are in a pair of roughly circular rings around the
entire structure. One stone remains to be described and that is
called the "altar stone" though no hole has been found for it and no
use has been clearly defined. It is of a different material from the
sarsens or bluestones. It came from a quarry 30 miles away and is
of fine grained green sandstone with mica flakes. If clean, it would
glitter in the sunlight. Stonehenge III
was completed about 1600 BC and now we are left with the Mysteries of
its
construction and use.
"A Quick Word about Construction"
The construction techniques would take an entire Workshop to cover and
will
not be discussed tonight. I refer you to "Stonehenge Decoded" for
details.
An estimate was made of the effort required using the conjectured
techniques
and and estimate of 1,500,000 man days was determined to be the level
of
effort required to build Stonehenge. These techniques were demonstrated
using
modern day men to determine how many were actually required for each
task.
I believe the estimate to be realistic and accurate. The question
remains,
"Why undertake such a truly monumental effort ?" Although the
"Hows"
of Stonehenge are fascinating, I am much more mystified by the "Whys"!
"A Quick Word about Uses"
I can classify the "Uses" into five categories:
1. It was used as a
Calender
to predict the seasons, the phases of the Moon, and the times of the
Sun
Festivals.
2. It was used as a
site
for performing Ceremonies (everything from sacrifices to Season
fesitivals).
3. It was used as a
Computer
to determine Solar and Lunar eclipses. (The use as a celestial
observatory
also fits in here).
4. It was used as a
place
to work Magick, take shamanistic journeys (similar to a Native American
Medicine
Wheel), and was used to initiate new shamans or priests into the order.
5. It was used for
some
other purpose that is subject to conjecture and awaits the revelations
of
our own "illuminations".
I will attempt to provide details about the site that have been
determined
by computer analysis and let each of you decide for yourselselves what
you
think, since tonight we are very limited timewise. We may return to
these
topics for additional details in the future.
"The Computer Analysis"
How well did Stonehenge predict the Mid Summer/WInter sunrises and/or
moonrises? When the stone alignments were analyzed by Hawkins in 1961,
using
a digital computer borrowed from Havard University. The analsis showed
a
TOTAL correlation of all major Sun alignments and an almost total
correlation
with alignments of the Moon as well. The accuracy of these correlations
was
within 1.5 degrees. The calculations were based upon the positions of
the
Sun and Moon circa 1500 BC. When the various phases of Stonehenge
were
considered, it was found that Stonehenge I had 11 key positions that
pointed
to ten of the twelve extremes of the Sun and the Moon and Stonehenge
III
pointed 8 times to 8 of the same key positions! Needless to say, the
position
and day of the key Solar/Lunar days could be easily determined using
Stonehenge
as a calendar. (I will construct and upload GIFs showing these
alignments
to Library 16). The computer was also used to determine a method where
the
56 "Aubrey holes" were used to predict eclipses. (BTW 56 is also the
number
of years that the moon takes to complete its entire cycle through the
skies).
These facts have been used to support the arguement that the priests
using
Stonehenge could have reinforced their apparant "power" over the
elements
by not only predicting the "dreaded" eclipses but also to
"miraculously"
cause them to disappear. I personally couldn't say if this
speculation
is valid. It seems rather cynical to me. Another very interesting fact
about
the location of Stonehenge is that it is almost EXACTLY at the right
lattitude
(51 degrees 17 to allow the Sun and Moon azimuths to be separated by 90
degrees.
It would seem that the site was NOT chosen at random.
"Shamanistic Flights of Imagination"
Before starting, I'd like to quote the ancient Sicilian historian,
Diodorus about Britain in 50 BC:
"The Moon as viewed from this island appears to be but a little
distance
from the Earth and to have on it prominences like those of the Earth,
which
are visible to the eye. The account is also given that the god visits
the
island every 19 years, the period in wish the stars to the same place
in
the heavens is accomplished. ....There is also on this island
both
a magnificient sacred precienct of Apollo and a notable temple.... and
the
supervisors are called Boreadae, and succession to these positions is
always
kept in their families."
(BTW the Moon rises farthest to the North every 18 to 19 years as seen
from the center of Stonehenge).
I would like to speculate upon some of the possible Magickal aspects of
Stonehenge:
1. The site is
situated
in the midst of a lot of so called "crop circle" activity. Could the
energy
of these verified phenomena also be harnessed by Stonehenge? Could an
outbreak
of crop circle like marks have sparked the neolithic people to have
constructed
their own more permanent circles?
2. Is there an Earth
power
that is yet to be discovered by modern science. Is this power related
to
"orgone" as postulated by Wilhelm Reich from his work with
"bions"?
Reich said that this energy could be seen spiralling into the air
through
tubes made from organic matter. His "accumulators" were like batteries
for
orgone and were made of alternating layers of organic and inorganic
substances
(like the roofs of the great chambers at Bru'gh na Bo'inne). Guy
Underwood
was also a proponent of what he caled "earth force" (also described as
being
spiral in nature). Underwood used divining rods to locate pockets of
such
energy within Stonehenge.
3. Is there a "Dragon"
or
"Serpent" power waiting to be harnessed within the Earth? Many of
the
ancient tombs have such a mark above their entrys. The Druids certainly
believed
it was so. Could ancient kings have married the land here as suggested
in
Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon"? I know the area is
surrounded
by the burial mounds of many ancient kings. Is the "Dragon Power"
awaiting
a new infusion of energy from a group of dedicated Magickal
practitioners.
Does the Dragon sleep?
4. The many
solar/lunar
occurences at Stonehenge suggest it may have been associated with
shamanistic
practices and initiations in a manner similar to the areas of the
Bru'gh
na Bo'inne. Such a practice is suggested in Douglas Monroe's "The 21
Lessons
of Merlin". Is Stonehenge a portal to the Otherworld?
"Ley Lines"
One cannot discuss "earth force", "orgone" or the Earth Power nodes
such
as Stonehenge without discussing ley lines. These lines are
geomet-rically
located by standing at a Power node and sighting towards other power
nodes.
Using such techniques, "ley hunters" have determined that most of
southwestern
England is criss crossed by such lines. Are ley lines "power conduits"
between
"power nodes"? To answer this question I read "Earth Memory" and
"Shamanism
and the Mystery Lines" by Paul Devereaux, the editor of the "Ley
Hunter"
magazine and the Director of the "Dragon Project". Devereaux has
embraced,
investigated, evaluated and rejected more theories about the "ley
lines" than anyone else (as far
as I know). He acknowledges that "death roads" do exist near many of
these
sites but rejects them as being solely responsible for all ley lines.
(NOTE:
death roads are straight roads leading to such ancient centers for the
express
purpose of burials and funerary processions. They are well
documented
and universal to mankind). His own personal theory is that the ley
lines
are the result of shamanistic OOBE conducted at the so called "power
nodes".
The ley lines are the result of marking in this reality the patways
that
the shamans take in their altered reality from one sacred site to
another.
He suggests that these "traces" of the Earth's Spiritual Pathways are
the
means by which we can become re-attuned to the Earth's Power and
ancient
knowledge.
Well there we have it, a discussion of Druid Power and Power centers. I
know
from my own experience that Magickal Power is stored within my own
Solitary
home Circle. How much greater can the True Power be at a site as
special
as Stonehenge or Bru'gh na Bo'inne?
Celtic Workshop #8 - The "Rite of 3
Rays" and the "Gift of Awen"
As usual, we gathered slowly, in fact I was late. After some brief
initial
hellos, we got started. Freepowder was still trying to live down an
experience
with Coyote (the Trickster) from early in the day!<G> I discussed
the
book "The 21 Lessons of Merlin" by Douglas Monroe as an example of a
work
produced by "Awen". I wanted to give the Workshop members a perspective
on
the pluses and minuses involved with such works. I also went over some
formal
and personal rituals and meditations I do to receive "illumination".
All
in all, a very stimulating evening of presentation and
dialogue......Searles
O'Dubhain
Tonight I would like to do things a little differently than I had
planned.
Before we discuss the "Rite of 3 Rays" or the "Gift of Awen", let's
talk
about one of the references that I have used and some of you may have
read,
"The 21 Lessons of Merlin".
As we have previously discussed, not much was written down about the
Druids
by the Druids. The best we can get is the ancient writings of the Irish
Celtic
Culdean Monks who may have been Druids in disguise. Our next best
sources
are oral traditions found in Celtic families, legends and Bardic lore.
Comparative
analysis between the other ancient In-do-European traditions of the
Brammans,
Greeks, Persians,Egyptians and the Siberian Shamans may yield some of
the
hidden Druidic secrets. A lot of the time we are making some educated
guesses
based upon how similar peoples worked Magicks and conducted rituals.
Sometimes
we have biased "eye-witnessed" accounts such as Caesar's or the other
Roman historians.
When a gap exists in our knowledge of Druidic or Celtic practices
we
must do what the ancients did......we must ask that we receive the
"Gift
of Awen". I'll mention some ways that this can happen and what we can
do
to aid our quests for "illumination" a little later in our discussion
tonight.
Now I would like to briefly summarize what is in "The 21 Lessons of
Merlin":
1. The 3 Rites of Assumption
This lesson refers to the manner in which a student can first develop
the
ability to tap Power and to receive inspirations from the Higher
Consciousness
that exist around us. Monroe uses the "Song of Amergin", "The Song of
Taliesin"
and the "Song of Blue Star" to introduce us to Druidic imagery and
visualization.
2. The Pelen Tan
In this lesson, Monroe says that the "Pelen Tan" or a kind of glass
globe
with a candle or light inside of it was used to create a lighted space
under
trees that literally caused the area to glow with a "blue light" (used
by
male Druids). He also says that the white robes of the Druids
emphasized
the "black light" effect of these fire globes. He says that the female
Witches
of Avalon used "red lights' when performing their ceremonies, giving
rise
to the association of "red light" districts with prostitution in later
ages.
3. The 4 Symbols of Mastery
This lesson is concerned with the development of Magickal symbols, arch
types and correspondences. The concept of "Mastery" over
the elements is introduced and the need to be creative and original in
all occult work is emphasized.
4. The Summoning
A complete rite of Magickal evocation is described here. Monroe
tells
how to call the shades of the dead from their graves. He
introduces the use of herbs and incense into ritual. The specific
shade being evoked in this ceremony is that of Merlin.
5. The 4 Signs of Portal
This lesson shows how to form a Magickal Circle, to call forth the
Guardians
of the 4 portals to the Otherworld. Symbols are given for each Quarter
(Air,
Fire, Water and Earth) as well as the symbols for the "Sign of Three
Rays"
that represents Spirit or Akasha (similar to the Pentagram). The Old
ones
called are Uscias, Semias, Esras and Morfessa of the Magickal cities of
the
North. The God in the form of Herne is also invoked.
6. The 4 Sacraments of the Earth
The concepts of sacrifice to the elements upon a "Sun" day is
presented. (Not human sacrifice BTW).
7. The 8 Grove Festivals
The eight major grove festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltaine,
Lughnasadh
as well as the Mid-Winter, Mid-Summer Solstices and the Equinoxes are
described.
Some of the special items associated with each festival are given.
8. The 16 Leeches of Diancecht
The use of herbs in Druidic ceremonies and practices is introduced. A
discussion
of Reincarnation is given and a Magickal journey is undertaken using
these
herbs.
9. The Rite of 3 Rays
A means of achieving protection is described. The rite is likened to
the Ceremonial Magick rite of the Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram as
practiced by the Golden Dawn.
10. The Battle of the Trees
The Oghams are discussed and the "Battle of the Trees" is described. A
battle between wizards occurs and the Magick of the trees is used to
defeat Merlin's adversary, just as the tree Magick was used
to
defeat invaders during the Cad Goddeu (circa 400 BC). One of the nine
draughts of inspiration is described that will allow the Druid to
commune more thoroughly with the spirits of the trees.
11. The 8 Songs of Cycle
The correspondences of the Oghams to music and the use of music in
Magickal acts is presented. The use of musical instruments is described
for the various elements and a tie between the Druids and
Atlantis is suggested.
12. The Herbs of Continence
This lesson centers around Monroe's belief that Druids segregated by
sexes for education, Magick and workings. He describes a concept called
"Duality". He uses a trip to the Sisterhood of Avalon
(Glastonbury)
to present his case. He also advocates celibacy for male Druids but not
for the Sisters (beyond Maidenhood). Four herbal
concoctions are presented that enhance male sexual powers.
13. The Gateway Rite
A visit to Stonehenge is described. The history and lore of the site is
mentioned
with references to Atlanteans, Hyberboreans and even the Tuatha de
Dannan. A method of merging with the consciousness
of inanimate objects is also described.
14. The Dragon's Eye
The act of creating Druid fire is mentioned during a visit to the Isle
of
Wight. The ley lines and the Power of the Land are called Dragon Power
during this lesson. A rite that allows one to "call the
Dragon"
is presented and the symbol for the "Dragons Eye" is drawn.
15. The Rite of Inspiration
The use of meditation and Magickal Circles is described to allow one to
receive
enlightenment to the Awen (the inner spirit that is illuminated). Two
rituals are given and the connection between the Sun
and Awen is given.
16. The Wild Hunt
The use of the Mandragon herb is described during a shamanic contest
between
the Druid and the forces of Nature (usually done during Samhain). The
gains
and losses of such a competition are mentioned.
17. The Life Board
A Magickal symbol for the Three Circles of Existence (Ceugant, Gwyned
and
Abred) is given. Fionn's ladder is discussed. The use of such an
empowered
Magickal Symbol for makings and pathworkings is described.
18. The Rite of Libation
A variety of Druidic draughts is given.
19. The Threshold Rite
The use of herbs and incense to enhance a journey to the Otherworld is
given.
20. The Triscale Stones
Divination using stones is presented. A pathworked trip to the
Otherworldly
city of Caer Idris is made to show the origins of the technique. The
suggestion is given to find one's personal "oracle tree"
under which divinations will be optimized.
21. The Rite of the Active Door
The secrets of color and the concepts of invisibility are given along
with
a ritual that opens all occult knowledge to the Druid.
This Ritual is the rite of passage to the Inner Mysteries.
If you read this book, you'll see that the Druids are presented doing
Magicks that harm others at times. Some of the Druids even do
battle! This certainly violates the Wiccan Rede that states "Do
what you will
if
you harm none"> The fact is that Druids were not Witches and they
frequently did battle as well as aiding their clans and kings in war.
The
great Druid Amergin aided the Mileseans in their battles with the
Tuatha de Dannan. Many other examples exist of Druids harming plenty,
least
of all none. Druids were definitely not Wiccans. Monroe's book follows
this philosophy, so some may call it "unethical". He also
advocates
the use of a variety of naturals drugs to aid in Magicks, meditations
and
Illuminations. I personally think these practices are a matter of
individual
judgement and neither recommend nor reject them. Do what you will. The
choice
is yours.
"The Rite of Three Rays"
This
Ritual is similar to the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and
the
Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram performed during Ceremonial Magick and
Ritual
by the Golden Dawn as outlined by Donald Craig or Israel Regardie.
Monroe
gives his version of this ritual in his book "the 21 Lessons of
Merlin".
I haven't found any historical support for it in my Celtic references
but
it seems to be typical of what I think a Druid might do. (The Ritual
smacks
of Egyptian/Thelemic Magickal practice IMHO). Monroe likens the 3
Rays
or gestures in this ritual to the first 3 Rays of the Mid-Summer Sun
over
the horizon (the Celts called this Awen as well).
This ritual is primarily used to generate
Power
within the Druid for protection or receiving "illumination" according
to
Monroe. It uses the vibratory energies of sound coupled with the
physical
act of deep breathing and communing with the Sun to create an "altered
state"
within
the Druid.
Here's the basic steps of the ritual:
1. Stand in direct sunlight (noon if you can do it).
2. Close your eyes and breathe deeply to relax and start the path to a
meditative state.
3. Once you are relaxed, exhale then breathe in deeply as you raise
your hands above your head.
4. Slowly lower your arms while intoning loudly,
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" or "I" (The name of Isis in CM or Golden Dawn, this
is
the invocation of the Goddess Power). Bring your arms to your sides.
5. Repeat this step while intoning "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" or "A" for
Apophis
the Destroyer. Monroe calls this the "Crystal Ray" or Ray of Balance
and
Separation. He says this represents both Male and Female energies
and
also neither (sounds a lot like the Book of the Law).
6. Repeat again while intoning "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" or "O" for the Male
God Osiris. This invokes the God Power to your aid.
7. repeat the arm gestures a final time while intoning "IAO" or
"EEEEEEE-Ahhhhhhh-OOOOOOOO!" Then open your eyes.
At this point the energy has been raised and
the
work is to be done. One could shield from Magickal attack or seek the
"Gift
of Awen" or some other Magickal act. Monroe doesn't state this
but
I recommend "grounding" afterwards and if possible. Do this by eating
and
drinking a lite meal. (I never recommend doing any Magick on a full
stomach).
Wiccans do similar rituals using athames, wands and swords to
draw
Circles and/or Pentagrams for protection and Ritual. This ritual is
nice
because the 3 movements are tied to the 3 Rays of Awen. (As with
all
Magick, ritual is very personal, if it feels right do it!<G>).
Monroe
says that one could reverse the direction of the arm movements and the
intonations
to "banish" energies that are directed at you. He also says that one
could
only do the "male", the "female" or the "crystal" movements depending
on
what is needed or banished. He suggests experimenting as do I.
I'd
next like to discuss some ways that I achieve "illuminated states".
Shamanism comes in when you seek
assistance from the Spirit world or you seek to control the
elements.
Esbats are Full Moon Wiccan Rituals held every month Sabbats are Major
festivals
like we outlined previously. I've found that with shamanism
if you are seriously working the path, there comes a time when rather
than
you working it and using medicine items, you more or less become a
medicine
item for a Greater spirit power. And it works through you.
The ancients were a lot more in tune with
their
entire minds They didn't really draw a line as such. To receive the
"Gift
of Awen" requires us to achieve heightened or altered states of
consciousness.
First let's describe what an altered state is. An altered state
of
consciousness is just that, a different state from that which we
normally
experience. This can be anything from a heightened awareness of our
physical
surrounding to a totally different way of perceiving all of reality. I
have
basically recognized the following states in myself:
1. Sensing the mood or spirit of the land around me, the trees, the
streams,
animals, the wind, the soul of the Earth. This state is achieved by
quieting
the spirit and/or the mind. Being at peace allows the world around us
to
communicate and touch us. I do this by relaxing and releasing my
thoughts
and emotions. I float and accept. I observe what IS. Not what I expect
to
see. Reality is as it is and not filtered by my conditioning.
2. Having access to the Akasha for inspiration and divination. (Usually
coming
in flashes.) I blank my mind in a manner similar to the above process
but
usually do this in a secluded room without light and external
distractions.
I fix my purpose in my mind and seek for an answer. I do not allow
anything
to distract me. When my answer comes, I can immediately recognize it.
3. Being out of "time sync" with others. Being slightly in the future
of
what's happening around me. This usually happens to me without trying
and
sometimes accompanies other heightened states. It also happens when
I've
taken anything with codeine in it.
4. Seeing "visions", things that are happening in the future or the
past
as if they are happening right now. This state comes on me when I have
a
quest that requires me to see through a different set of eyes or a
different
point of view. I actually let myself just look into another world or
time
through the eyes of a native being (sometimes me or a relative,
sometimes
an artificial construct.)
5. Sensing people from previous lives. I usually have no control of
this.
It just happens and can be triggered by some familiar gesture word or
other
similar event. I just feel very at ease and comfortable (or hostile at
times)
with the person I've known before.
6. Reading minds. (This also just happens). This is not in words. It is
in
images and feelings. I just know what someone is thinking or feeling.
7. Going out of the body. I have to relax totally, isolate all external
distractions. I start at my extremities and work inward. (Did I mention
that
I am lying down on a comfy surface?) I release all the tension in my
physical
body first. I next calm my emotions, then my thoughts. Once I
only
exist within my head, I start releasing all external inputs. I shut
down
all my creative centers. I turn off all the monitoring that goes on. I
relax
and float. If Thoughts or emotions enter in, I sink them into the Earth
away
from me. I banish them. I float. Once I am completely isolated and
floating
in total darkness, I try to see behind me and in front of me at the
same
time. This is not possible while embracing the normal physical
existence.
It can only be done in our Spirit forms. This takes total concentration
and practice. Not force, just persistence and release. I liken this
process to what happens when one is born. A long persistent pushing
through the birth canal surrounding us. The physical barriers thin out
before our efforts and
suddenly we are born anew on the Astral plane. I can then see in
all
directions at the same time I am aware of all around me.
Physical barriers are only thought forms to be ignored at Will. I
can go anywhere I desire to go. (However I am only a child in this
existence
and am also very aware of the far greater Powers around me). I exercise
extreme
caution when traveling the Astral. It is very easy to be "noticed" and
to
become the object of unwanted attentions. My conscious mind distracts
me
continually as I maintain a hold on my physical existence. When i
return
to me body, I actually have to struggle back into it! Part of me wants
to
stay on the Astral. The barriers that separate and protect us from
Astral
Intrusions are tough to penetrate even when we hold the keys! Be
careful
and cautious and you can learn a lot. Slip for a minute and you can be
trapped,
possessed or lost.
8. Communing with the God/esses.
I commune with the God/esses in several ways.
I recognize that all things have life and Power within them. I
especially
feel a closeness to trees, plants, rivers and lakes. The ocean just
overwhelms
me with it's Power. The clouds constantly change in their forms and
interactions.
Celts believe that places have Spirits. I am a Celt ,by birth but
also
because I feel this Oneness and connection to Nature. You can be a
Brother
or Sister the same way. Birth is unimportant. Who we are in the Spirit
is
very important. The first way to commune with the Spirits is through
Nature.
When in this state my physical senses are extremely heightened.
The next way to commune with the God/desses is through Ritual. In
Ritual we open the Pathways within us to be filled with the One Power.
We invite
It within and share Its Touch. Magick is nothing more than specialized
Ritual
and is a focusing of the Power. We can actually become the God or the
Goddess
or some Other at these times. They can have a physical body through us.
I
have sat back at such times and been amazed at the words pouring forth
from
my mouth from the Energy that possesses me. This Power is benevolent
and
will vanish anytime we reassert ourselves. I caution those who would
try
this to be CERTAIN that they are within a Sacred Space and are
Protected before
opening up to a Spirit Entity. All Spirits are not benevolent and
some
WILL try to violate your presence and assume complete control of your
body.
It happens all the time. Watch the news and see for yourself. When out
of
the body and feeling no constraints, it is possible to experience the
touch
of the God/desses. I have felt Their Wonderful Presences filling me. I
usually
feel Their approach as a feeling of tremendous anticipation. I sense
that
something monumental is going to occur. Something coming to me. The
space
around my spirit begins sparkling in golden crystals. Then
I
experience a thrill of Joy and Happiness. I am completed and embraced
by
the Knowledge of the Ages and The Love of my Fellow Spirit. It's beyond
words
but so very uplifting, comforting and peaceful. I feel that I am
where
I should be. My sense of my life's purpose and my need to finish my
work
on this plane pulls me back. I also feel that I need to share myself
with
those on the physical plane I love. I cannot yet abandon the world of
form.
I bid Them adieu in Perfect Love and struggle back into my body. I
carry
Their Blessings and Love within. I try to share this in my life with
others.
9. Working with Power.
I always work within a Circle when using Power. This can be a Circle
surrounding
my person in an emergency. I prefer to use traditional methods to
create
Circles more formally. Circles tend to hold residuals of the Spells of
Protection
that are cast for them. My Circle at home is such a place. Anyone can
enter
it but only those that are invited may work with Power there. Sleeping
within
this Circle is guaranteed to make you travel and have the strangest of
dreams!
To use Power I merely open myself to it. No meditation is necessary,
though
it helps me to be more sensitive to the nuances of Power. All I really
need
is a Magickally isolated place, a Circle. Once I am open, I reach for
the
Power of the Earth and the Sky. I let the Energy flow through me. (It
feels
like it comes into my feet and out of my hands and head! This is
similar
to the way lightning flows.) I leave the stream open and charge myself
as
full as I can get. My hair usually stands up a bit and I get all "goose
pimply"!
I keep in mind the goal of my working and I release the Power I've
stored.
(At the same time the Power leaves me, I see it going as a beam of
energy.
If the Working is large or systemic, I tie the beam to the same source
I've
tapped. This permits it to continue after I've released it. (I actually
visualize
the beam remaining and pumping the energy out.) I leave the beam with a
spell
that allows it to quit when the Work is done. I release the Power back
to
the Earth and Sky and thank the God/dess for their help. It helps to
eat
or drink or something equally grounded in Physical Reality after such
an
effort.
10. Dying.
This is the Ultimate altered state. I myself have never actually died
in
this lifetime yet. I have been at the Portal many times. I have sensed
the
Ways to Tir na Nog. Always when I am close I sense a peace and a
surrender
within me to the call of the Guardian of the Door. I actually laugh
from
happiness. I have been told to return to this life because my Work is
not
yet done. I have spoken to members of my own family about their near
death
experiences and they are remarkably similar. A releasing and a faith in
what
will come. A sensing that all is right and that the Ultimate Will
Accomplishes
Its Purpose. I have read many books and accounts of the experiences of
others
who have gone through that door and returned. My belief in the
Afterlife
is strengthened by their revelations. The ancient Celts and Druids
believed
so strongly in such an afterlife that they sometimes chose to
voluntarily
accompany their loved ones through the Door. Druids would even borrow
money
to be repaid in another life! Needless to say their strong beliefs in
another
Life after this One caused the Celts to have no fear of Death!
I have watched the Spirits of those I love leave their bodies and have
seen
the Light that surrounds them in Happiness. I have seen their smiles to
have
finished their Work and receive their New Lives. Death is no End, Death
is
an Accomplishment and a Release.
How do we tell when these states occur? We don't have to!!! We
are
in them! They happen to us and we react to them!! We can't mistake
them!! They are beyond all Time and Space!
Seriously, If you are in one of these states, you feel very "charged
up"
and full of energy. You sense an Exaltation of the Spirit. You are
extremely
"Alive"! You will know and You will enjoy!
How do we induce altered states of consciousness? The answer to this is
that we "open" ourselves up to them. We release our grasp on the Normal
state of Consciousness. We expand ourselves to the limits that
are actually there and not the ones we are conditioned to accept.
Seeing things that can't
exist in Normal Reality helps sometimes. It shakes us out of our
conditioning.
This can be as simply as seeing a glorious Sunset or as strange as
seeing
a UFO or a Demon. I have achieved altered states through meditation,
drugs,
Circles, Rituals, Drumming, Singing, Reading, Dreaming, Involuntary or
accidental
occurrences, sickness and by being Possessed. I don't recommend
narcotics
or heavy drugs, sickness or Possession. Incenses and herbal drinks are
ok
though.
"Practical Meditation for Awen"
I'll try to elaborate a little here on the practical side of
meditation.
I usually meditate lying down with my head to the North and my
body
relaxed. If I am in Ritual I can Meditate while standing or kneeling.
The
most important aspect to remember is to relax each part of your body
and
mind. I usually start at my extremities (feet and hands). I tell
myself,
"Relax your right foot, relax your left foot, relax your.... and so on.
I
release all the tension in each part and let it flow out. I do this
several
times until I don't feel my body any longer. Next I start on my
breathing
and my heartbeat until they are automatic and transparent. Then I quiet
my
thoughts until only Darkness persists. Next I try to ignore the
Darkness
until I am floating. To go further requires additional techniques. At
this
point I am a blank tablet and can just rest or I can receive "messages"
from
Others. It's very important to be where you are absolutely secure from
unwelcome
intrusions of the Spirit or the Physical at this time. Without such a
safe
place, you will always be slightly on your guard. It helps if another
Being
you trust will watch over you at this time. This can be anyone from an
elemental,
a totemic animal, a Spirit Guide, a person to a God/dess. Just
thinking
about how it feels to meditate and then writing this answer, makes me
meditate. I guess that remembering how it felt to meditate
makes
it easier to meditate the next time you try! Practice makes Perfect!
"Druidic Meditation"
Druidic meditation was usually done
for divination and foretelling the future. This was called by the
names:
Tenm Laida, Dichetal Do Chennaib and Imbas Forosna.
Tenm Laida (Illumination by Song) is an altered state usually achieved
by
chanting or singing of a repetitive pattern. This can also include
drumming
and dancing. These activities synchronize the body and mind to an
external
rhythm allowing us to cast off the chains of normal existence. This
allows you to float at peace within the song (dance, beat,
mantra, etc.) This is a strictly Druidic or Shamanistic practice even
though
it may look like TM.
Dichetal Do Chennaib (Cracking open the Nuts of Wisdom) is a
state achieved by relaxation and clearing the mind in a Ritual
environment. It
usually involved using some Magickal implement such as a knife, a sword
or
a staff to touch a subject (usually upon the head) or by handling an
item
to discover what secret knowledge was contained within it. This
information could be events from a person's past life, a detailed
history of who and what
had happened to an object or how and why the subject was being hexed or
spelled.
I know this sounds like ESP but it was enhanced through Ritual and
relaxation
techniques.
Imbas Forosna (Illumination) was a form of altered state used by seers
and bards to create or see visions. The Druid would be totally isolated
from
all sensory inputs, sounds, lights and feelings. This was usually a
very
dark room or a covering of hides. The Druid would attempt to float and
relax.
When in the proper state he would signal for the hides to be removed or
he
would open the door out of the Darkness. The sudden, instantaneous
transition
from Darkness to Light would cause them to see visions or to
spontaneously utter poems, prophecies or achieve a total Awareness of
the secret Knowledge
of their Surroundings. This sensory deprivation It was their Ultimate
Meditation
technique.
The Druids also used music, colors, trees and numbers to alter their
consciousness.
They were familiar with the Pythagorean Mysteries and may have actually
been the source of them!
Druids shared IndoEuropean roots with the Indian Brahmans but I don't
have
any hard data to support any similarities in their practices.
"Drugs"
I have experienced Magickal states from drugs but I don't think the
technique
is sufficiently controllable or repeatable. It's like playing your
Steinway
with a sledgehammer. Sure you can play a song but at what cost to
the
instrument? Plus I find that the songs are usually more sophisticated
if I don't use the sledge!
I would caution anyone using drugs to know their track records, side
effects and purity before starting. Then do them under gradually
increasing controlled and supervised conditions. Never experiment with
drugs. There is always a documented lab record of their effects.
Know your suppliers and don't get
the wrong ones! The best recommendation is don't do drugs. Your Mind,
Body
and Spirit can achieve better and more lasting results. (As I mentioned
previously,
some natural herbal drinks and incenses seem to aid meditation and
ritual.
We'll discuss those next week). Well there we have it! All
the
different ways to achieve illumination to Awen!
"Celtic Workshop #9
- The use of Herbs and Potions"
The role of herbs in healing, Magick, ceremonies and rituals as well as
in mind alteration were presented and discussed in detail. The effects
of
the most popular Druidic herbs and potions were detailed and discussed.
Some
reformatting was done on the transcript for clarity's sake as well. A
final
note!!!! Please exercise caution around most of these herbs!! Some of
them
are considered to be POISONS! The effects of some of the others are
very
powerful in areas of "mind alteration". The author of one of the
texts,
used as a reference, presents his suggested methods for how the Druids
used
these herbs (they are ONLY used in a greatly dilluted state!). Once
again
I urge caution and good judgement before proceeding. All in all, the
Workshop
participants evidenced a very thorough respect and understanding of the
use
and effects of these herbs.
Entering Workshop/Seminar 1 room...
"Druidic Use of Herbs"
We must look at many sources to determine how the Druids used drugs and
herbs. Some of these sources are historical (such as the Greek and
Roman historians).
Other sources are the traditions of the Bards and Seanchai. Still
others
are the folk remedies and fables of the major Celtic areas of the world
(Ireland,
Scotland, Wales and Britain). We can also look to information
that
comes from the inspired "Awen" of others (such as Llewellyn Sion of
Glamorgan
and Douglas Monroe). Archaelogical evidence is also being found
(the
bodies of sacrificial or other burial victims have been recently
discovered). Each of these types of sources will be
matched
against the others (where possible) to give us the best possible idea
of how Druids worked with drugs and herbs.
A quote from one the ancients, Pliny, a Roman, referring to the Druid
veneration of mistletoe:
"Seldom was the Mistletoe found growing upon the Oak, but on such
occasion,
the Druids gathered it with due religious ceremony, (if possible on the
6th
day of the new Moon-when the influence of the orb was waxing, and said
to
be at its height. Following an elaborate banquet, a white-clad
priest
cut the plant from the oak tree with a golden sickle, while
another
Druid held out a white cloak for its reception. They believed that the
Mistletoe,
immersed in water within a cauldron, would impart fecundity to barren
animals,
and that it is the antidote for all poisons - its name meaning 'all
healing.'"
Many of the herbs can be had from your local health food store as well
or can be ordered from the
New Forest Gardens,
P.O. Box 491,
Westfield,NY 14787.
(2-1,Freepowder) there are 2 varietys
of Mistletoe.... american and european, the effects of them are almost
opposite...
european lowers BP, american raises.... the *berries* of either are
deadly poisonous. GA
(2-11,Rhianna) Foxglove is
another example - Digitalis (which comes from (foxglove) is a poison,
yet
it's used for treating heart patients.
(2-28,cherokee) my gt grandma used
mistle toe to bring prople out of fevers and unconsciousness.
aspirin
bark is poisonous too. its all in how you prepare it
"The 16 Leeches of Diancecht"
Diancecht was the physician of the Tuatha de Dannan. He healed
their
wounded during and after their Battles with the Fomorai and the
Firbolgs.
He is the God of Herbs and Medicines.
The following list contains herbs listed in "the 21 Lessons of Merlin"
and contains their correspondences to the four elements as well as
their
applications. How to prepare a suitable "store" of these medicines is
also given. The recommended dossages are also given. Note: Some
of these
herbs can be considered "POISONS"! I heartily recommend using
extreme
caution with them. I have attempted to identify those that may be
considered
harmful. Please proceed at your own risk. I must say that generally
Monroe
stays away fron poisonous herbs in topical or internal medicines. He
does
use some very dangerous substances in some of his recommended incenses.
a
long list will follow please bear with me!
"The 16 Leeches of Diancecht"
Spirit
Mistletoe Uchelwydd or All-Heal vertigo, dizziness, headaches,
heart/problems/palpitations, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis,
nervine.
Preparation
one ounce of dried herb, in a jar with twice it's volume
of vodka. Leave for two weeks, strain and place in labeled dropper
bottles.
Dosages
1 drop for every 10 pounds of body weight every 3 hours.
Earth
Phu (Valerian) sedative, cramps, pain, coughs.
Hoodwort (Skullcap) nerves, fevers, coolant
Nerve Root(Lady Slipper) nervine, indigestion, headache
Absinthe(Wormwood) digestion, liver/gall bladder, worms, topically for
insect bites,sprains, rheumatism, bruises.
Air
Golden Pipes(Chamomile family) stomach aches/digestion/gas, calamative
vs insomnia in children, eye wash and open sores, kidneys.
Holigold (Calendula) Marigold. topical application for sores, burns,
bleeding
hemorrhoids & wounds, in oil for ear aches, vaginal infections.
Eerie (Yarrow) internal bleeding (especially lungs), gas, diarrhea,
fevers(measles, colds,flus). also antiseptic.
Brittanica (Vervain) colds, flus, coughs, upper respiratory
inflammations, stomatic, insomnia, pneumonia, asthma.
Water
Catwort (Catnip/Catmint) digestion/stomach ache or cramps, calmative,
fevers, headaches, bronchititis & diarrhea.
Beerflower (Hops) Sleep aid, liver/digestive/gas/cramps. externally for
boils tumors swellings & skin inflammations, refrigerant.
Withe (Black Willow) pain, fevers, arthritis, kidney/bladder troubles,
antiseptic, gargle, tonsilitis, refrigerant.
Coneflower (Echinacea) antibiotic (immune system stimulant), tooth/body
abscesses, lymph node swellings, digestive aid.
Fire
Goldenruthe (goldenseal) Antibiotic, general purpose internal/external,
eye-wash, female infections, sores, skin conditions,
colds/viruses/infections
Amber (St. John's Wort) nerves, bed-wetting, liver tonic, insomnia, mix
with olive oil: use externally for skin conditions, tumors, wounds,
ulcers,
burns, swollen glands, bruises and muscle pains.
Sacred Bark (Buckthorne) Constipation/laxative, digestive stimulant,
gas, liver, gall bladder/ stones.
Quercus (White Oak) internal bleeding, vaginal infections, antiseptic
for
all wounds/bites/skin conditions, poison ivy/oak, gum problems, lymph
node
swellings, varicose veins.
To activate these drugs, the Druids would include a small amount of
Mistletoe preparation to each before use. Since it was considered "all
heal".
"Draughts of Inspiration" (Only one is given)
These drinks are thought to instill the correct state of mind
required
for "Awen". According to Monroe, nine exist in total, though only one
is
given in his book. Perhaps we can discover the others? I suggest that
the
other tree barks that were used are from the red chestnut, white
chestnut,
Elm, Beech, Larch, Oak and Fir trees. I would guess these based upon
Hints
contained in "Practical Celtic Magick" by Murry Hope. I also
would
guess that ivy was used in a draught based upon information from Scott
Cunningham's
"Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs".
5 tablespoons of spring water
1 pinch Evening Primrose Flowers
1 pinch Black Willow Bark
1 pinch Thyme
sit in Glass bottle (closed in the Sun)
for 3 days strain/ add 1 tsp apple cider vinegar before use add 1 tsp
chlorophyll
(alfalfa) take 3 drops subligually prior to Magickal Workings with
trees/plants.
"Threshold Smoke"
These concotions are used to aid one
in having an Otherworldly experience. They are cast upon the flames of
a
fire. Please note that some of the ingredients are POISON! and that
another
one of them is considered "illegal". The use of these herbs are
indicated
to aid solitary meditations in the deep woods. Be aware that they will
induce
"Dark Visions" and reveal your inner fears. According to Monroe, the
Druids
required one to master such fears to be in tune with Nature and to
achieve
"Balance"..I recommend that none of them be tried when unsupervised and
I
also recommend extreme caution.
To make the incense:
Blend and compound the following plants:
Neckweede (Hemp)
Nightshade (Belladonna) (poison)
Ghostflower (Datura)
Keep in a dark (light free) box.
Burn as an incense to facilitate "threshold"
and "traveling" works.
"The Spirit of the Mandrake"
This incense is used to
attain a state of altered consciousness for resolving one's inner fears
and
becoming one with the Spirit of the Land and its animal Nature. I
caution
anyone considering using it to be aware that Mandrake is considered a
POISON!
This herb is used during the Night of the Wild Hunt that we discussed
last week.
Toss dried Mandrake (poison) root upon a bed of hot coals or embers and
let the smoke cause you to travel within the darkness of the night. May
apple,
Peony; Ginseng or Briony roots may be substituted (also considered
poisonous!).
"The Song of Bluestar"
Another herb used to achieve altered states was the Bluestar flower or
the
Blue Morning Glory. This plant is considered poisonous! Do not
eat
or drink anything made with it and handle it with care. Monroe suggests
drying
the flowers and seeds to make an incense for a rite of assumption or
tapping
into Powers. This might also be called "mind expansion".
(The
same plants have been used to create LSD in recent times, so I am
not surprised that they are used here). I'm not advocating that anyone
of
you try this incense, but Monroe says the Druids did. I'm not surprised.
Here is the essence of the trip or rite of assumption:
"I will be as a Bluestar upon a field of Green, circling upward towards
a golden Sun."
.... translation by D.W.Nash
The Druids believed all life was interrelated from the lowest forms to
the
highest. This quote from the ancient Welsh document, the Mathnawai,
shows their philosopy:
"I died as a mineral and became a plant,
I died as a plant and rose to an animal,
I died as an animal and I was a man.
Why should I fear?
When was I ever less dying?
Yet once more I shall die as a man,
to soar in the Blessed Realm;
but even from godhood
I must pass on...."
One further quote from "The Gorchan of Maeldrew": "Each atom an
evolving life, each blade of grass a potential soul."
"The Draughts of Oblivion"
I give here the "fast" (meaning quick to make) version of Celtic drinks
and libations from the "21 Lessons of Merlin" as well as the festivals
at which they are used:
May Mead for Beltaine
Add a half ounce of each of the following to 1 gallon of your favorite
white wines:
heather flowers, meodowsweet, woodruff
leaves. Let sit for about 6 hours. Filter
and chill before serving.
Midsummer Ale
Add a half ounce of each of the following to 1 gallon of your favorite
red wines:
fresh oak leaves, chamomille, red rose
petals. Let sit for about 24 hours. Add
9 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of
vanilla. Filter and chill before serving.
Samhain Absinthe
Add a 2 teaspoons of each of the following to 2 pints of your favorite
port wines:
wormwood, dried apple/mint leaves, dried
pumpkin blossoms. Let sit for about 1
week. Filter through muslin and bottle.
Garnish with raisins and cloves
before
serving.
Midwinter Mulsa
Add a half ounce of each of the following to 2 quarts of your favorite
dry white wines:
crushed juniper berries, wintergreen,
Elder Flowers. let sit for about 6 hours.
Filter and chill before serving. Garnish
with a sprigg of green pine or hot with
a
cinnamon stick
Now these are drinks I can get excited about! I think we can
all see that Druids used a variety of herbs in their work....from
"visions"
to partying.
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Celtic Workshop #10 - The Act of "Becoming" and The Charm of "Summoning"
How to actually influence your surroundings. How to perform Weather
Magick, to call animals to you, to improve your crops and to influence
the outcome of events. How to discover your past life, find your Inner
Teacher or Self and how to summon "Spirits" to your presence. Our
Cyber Tuatha gathered upon the moors and among the raths once more.
This night was a night of Magick and the Power of the Moon
Goddess in her full glory. We engaged
in some prelimenary greetings and then the presentation
begain
.....
What do I mean by "Becoming"? What does this act have to do with
Magick? How did Druidsdo this? I asked myself all of these
questions before making this act a topic for tonight's workshop. The
inspiration for the act of "Becoming" is the "Song of Amergin" from the
ancient Irish manuscript
the Leabhar Gabha'la (Book of Invasions). Hear now the words of the
Druid
Amergin:
"
The Mystery
I am the wind which breathes upon the sea.
I am the wave of the ocean.
I am the murmur of the billows.
I am the ox of the seven combats.
I am the vulture upon the rocks.
I am a beam of the Sun.
I am the fairest of plants.
I am a wild boar in valour.
I am a salmon in the water.
I am a lake in the plain.
I am a word of science.
I am a point of the lance in battle.
I am the God who created in the head the fire.
Who is it who throws light into the meeting
on the mountain?
Who announces the ages of the Moon?
Who teaches the place where couches the Sun?
(If not I)"
This was the translation by Dr. Douglas Hyde from his work "Literary
History of Ireland". This poem was once as well known in the Celtic
world
as the "Lord's Prayer" is in today's world. It is said to be the first
verse
made by the Mileseans as they arrived in Ireland (circa 1000 BC). This
is
also an incantation by a mighty Druid and is a good illustration of the
act
of "Becoming". Amergin is using the Magickal Law of Identification that
is
given by Isaac Bonewits in his book "Real Magick":
"The Law of Identification ...states that by maximum association
between
your metapattern and that of another entity, you can actually "become"
that entity and wield its power."
Bonewits is a Neo Druid and the founder of the group A'r nDrai'ocht
Fe'in (ADF for short though it really means "Our Druidic Magick" in
Gaeilge).
This act of "Becoming" is one that is not lightly undertaken. The
danger
exists of being trapped within the other entity (whether natural, human
or
spiritual). I suggest you not actually try this sort of thing until you
know
your True Will (exactly who you really are without self
delusion).
This was also true of the Greek and the Egyptian Mysteries. Their first
and
major requirement was "Gnothi se auton", literally "Know thyself"! The
ability
to control and return to one's being is linked directly to one's
knowledge
of Self. Sometimes this process goes the otherway as well, as when a
Wiccan
"Draws Down the Moon". The threefold Goddess actually Manifests within
the
High Priestess (HPS) in such a ceremony. She who has no Name is
benevolent,
usually, so that this possession results in the HPS afterwards being
returned
to control of her own body. "Becoming" is a two way street and a matter
of
"Will".
Now that we know a little about the act of "Becoming", I think you can
appreciate just how great a Druid that Amergin was....he "became"
multiple
entities at the same time in his Invocation of the Mystery. He
controlled
all of these elemental powers and made them his own. This act of Power
allowed
the Mileseans to land upon Eireann though they were opposed by the
Magicks
of the Tuatha de Danaan. He also lived to do other Magicks (though I
must
say that his invocation of Ireland is rumored to have caused him to
marry
and join the de Danaan within the spirit world of the Sidhe). We must
remember
that Amergin was a Druid and so had studied his arts intensivly for
anywhere
from 12 to 20 years as a minimum. He was able to return to hinself
after
such Magical Working because he knew his True Self and Will. This
strong
connection is the Way of Return for us all. I urge that you all
exercise
due caution when "Becoming". Know yourself first.
Another saying worthy of note while discussing the act of "Becoming"
is a common saying of the ancient world that I quote from Doreen
Valiente's
book "Natural Magic": "Ten measures of magic were given to the world.
Egypt
took nine. The rest took one."
I include this saying here to establish one other connection....that
of the Druids to the Egyptians. The lineage of Amergin and the Gaels
includes
his mother Scota (daughter of the Egyptian Pharoh) as well as Mile and
Niall
"of the Languages" a Scythian prince from Syria. No small wonder then
that
Pliny, a noted ancient scholar, says of the Druids in his work "Natural
History"
that the Druids practiced Magick with such elaborate ritual that it
would
almost appear that it was they "who had taught the Persians". These are
none
other than the Magi or "wise men" from whom the word Magick is derived.
Another
ancient historian, Dio Chrysostum groups the Druids together with the
Persian,
Hindu and Egyptian priesthoods regarding their use of magical powers.
While
I'm connecting Magical schools, I may as well say that Liber Al vel
Legis
(The Book of the Law) is the channeled revelation of the Egyptian
dieties
Nuit, Hadit and Ra-Hoor-Khuit (Otherwise known as Isis, Osiris and
Horus)
Horus is two in one, Horus and Harpocrates or Set/Apophis).
We have already seen the use of these three godnames in the "Rite of
Three Rays" from a previous workshop. This was the intonation of the
sounds
"IAO" used when invokiing the One Power. In Thelemic Magick the Book of
the
Law is the basis for the revelation of a "New Aeon" or "New Age". It
was
channeled in 1904 by Aleister Crowley 90 years ago this month. "Do what
thou
wilt is the whole of the Law". "Love is the Law, Love under Will".
(caps
are mine).
I have digressed quite a bit here but I think the time is well spent.
Celtic Magick is tied through the Druids to the Egyptians and the
Persians
to a far older Magick arising out of Summeria and from there beyond
time.
It is true and powerful Magick and I give the same caution to you that
I
gave about herbs last workshop....think long and hard and with great
deliberation
before undertaking this journey. Once the path is taken, the journey
must
be completed.
Now I finally get to my first topic of the night!
"How
to actually influence your surroundings"
The key to any act influencing the world around us is to be in tune and
in touch with it first. You must hear the tune before you can change
the
music or even write your own song. I suggest a lot of meditation in
Nature. Find a spot that "speaks" to the Pagan within you. Be at Peace
and "feel"
the pulse of Nature, the God and the Goddess. Once this rapport has
been
established, one is ready to influence the surroundings. The Druids
left
us few writings concerning their spells and Magicks. We must
"rediscover" these Works by looking at the Magicks that are done in the
world today and by Using our "Druid filters" and "Celtometers"!!
<G> I have included examples of such "Natural Magics" from
my own experiences, the experiences of other Witches and Druids as well
as those that I found in the writings of Doreen Valiente, Bonewits and
Scott Cunningham.
"How to perform Weather Magick"
For weather Magickal examples I turned to our very own Thunder Being,
Shadow Hawk, shaman and wizard extraordinaire!<G> He obliged me
with
a few examples:
The first example involves the control of weather fronts and rain.
Our
favorite shaman uses the techniques of dancing and drumming to attain a
higher
state. He invokes the Lightning beings and they join the dance with
him.
By being so in tune with them he can ask that they do his bidding. If
he
must act upon an existing weather front, he sends his "power animal",
Dragon
into the clouds. Dragon is a manifestation of this Shaman in the power
planes.
Dragon then interacts with the clouds and controls the storms. When the
work
is done, he is recalled to his shaman. The use of such a "power animal"
or
Magickal construct allows the wise shaman to "become" one with the
elements
of the storm and influence them without "losing himself" in their wild
natures.
The connection is retained with the Self (Shadow Hawk) back upon the
ground
while the power animal (Dragon) works among the clouds. The use of such
Power
has its price.... Shadow Hawk suffers sever headaches for three days
following
these episodes.
The second example of how our Dark Shaman uses the weather for Magick
is in charging his Magickal tools: his sword, wand and athame. During a
200
MPH hurricane, he faced the Power of the storm, shouting out the
invocation
of the Quarters, forming a Magickal Circle and calling the storms Power
into
his sword, his wand and his athame. He also captured the storm's rain
in
a cauldron for later magickal workings. Can't you see him with the
storm's winds lashing at his cloak? Sword upraised as
lightnings
crash all around him, exploding in sparks and reflecting in eerie blue
lights off the steel of his blade and the aura of his
Magick!!! He has used these tools in many Powerful workings.
"How to call animals to you"
This is a matter of "becoming" the animal in your mind and "willing"
it to come to you. Actually the "Beastmaster" movie illustrated
this
technique quite well. Most good hunters do this subconsciously and
naturally.
"How to improve your crops"
In this Working, invoke no other spirits than your own. Burn no fires
nor
incenses. Carry four stones with you that have been blessed by you in a
previous
ceremony. Set these stones to define the area that is to be planted.
Cast
a Magickal Circle within this field. Sit upon the ground and place both
hands
upon the earth at your sides. Feel the earth, it's dampness, its
fertility,
its calm. Reflect upon your needs and the crops you are about to
plant.
Next recite a suitable chant or poem. I like this one:
"Go maith raibh agat, na mBande'.
Go maith raibh agat, na De'.
Go maith raibh agat, talamh me'ith.
Cuirim fad beannacht na greine thu.
Cuirim fad beannacht na gealai thu.
Cuirim fad beannacht mo chroi' thu.
Go me'adai Bhri'de do sto'r san
ba'isteach de earrach.
Go me'adai Danu do sto'r san
greine te de tsaamhradh.
Go me'adai Dagdha do sto'r
san gaoth ple'isiu'rtha fo'mhar."
"How to discover your past life"
"How to summon 'Spirits'"
I will give an example of how to summon the Spirit of Merlin as found
in the book "The 21 Lessons of Merlin" by Douglas Monroe. Before we
begin
there is a chant we must learn in old Welsh:
"Bedd Ann ap lleian ymnewais fynydd
lluagor llew Ymrais
Prif ddewin Merddin Embrais."
the meaning:
"The grave of the nun's son on Newais Mountain:
Lord of Battle, Llew Embrais,
Chief Magician, Myrddin Emrys."
the pronunciation:
"BETH AHN ahp T-Lay'in, eem-NEW-ais
FEEN-ith
T-loo-AH-gor T-loo EEM-rais
Preeve DEW-in MEER-thin EHM-rihs."
Pick a suitable night for the ritual, Samhain being the absolute best
night. Gather nine pumpkins that are carved with faces (though candle
holders
will do...just not as spooky). Set the circle up the day before
the
ritual as you don't want any distractions from your Work. Arrange the
pumpkins
with candles around you in a circle (about arms width) with the faces
looking
outward. Always light the candles from within the circle. Pick a
suitably
soulful dirge (for meditation and mood setting) from your favorite
songbook
(Monroe suggests his but you know what you like better). Sing this song
as
you meditate and reflect upon the Working. Place an iron cauldron
within
the circle upon a bed of coals. Into this cauldron place a
mixture
of an herb, a flower and a tree (Monroe suggests using 1 part wormwood,
2
parts Ghostflower (Datura) and 3 parts Yew (juniper or cypress) as an
incense
mixture. (Store bought incenses work just as well and can be burned in
an
incense burner instead of a cauldron). Start the entire ritual at 30
minutes
before Midnight. At precisely Midnight throw additional incense
on
the coals and recite the above invocation nine times without stopping.
"Become"
one with the chant! See into the Darkness! Expect the coming of Myrddin
Emrys!
Sit quietly and await the coming of the shade of Merlin! You may ask
for
the answers to three questions. Release the shade by extinguishing the
fire
and incense completely, then extinguish the 9 circling fires of the
pumpkin
heads. You can now pack up and leave. The key to successfully
working
this Magick is setting the mood, performing the meditations and
reflections
and reciting the invocation properly. The ritual can be adapted to
allow
you to invoke other Spirits as well to equal effect.
The ancient Gaels would do similar rituals to communicate with the
dead.
They would usually lay and sleep upon the grave of the
person
to be summoned while fasting, until the shade appeared. This process
was
not lightly undertaken by them, as the dead could be quite
dangerous
to the living, wanting to regain the pleasures of the flesh (hence the
need
for the Magickal Circle of pumpkins and light). In a previous workshop
I
told how the Ta'in Bo' Cuailnge was recovered by a young Druid sleeping
upon
the grave of Feargus Mac Rioch. I'd like to caution you all once more
to
do these rituals only when in dire need. That's why it's
important
to do two things...
1. Always work within a Circle.
2. Have someone there that can aid you if things get out of hand. This
means severing the connection and banishing the entity.
This is also why it's so important to know your True Will. When you
have that anchor you can come back from anywhere. I know... because I
have done it. It's like climbing a hill though...
(2-28,cherokee)
Rhianna,
I think as od said it's important to remember that you are working with
very
powerful energies. You must be pure and centered before doing the work.
The
indians believe it is not possible for an animal to take over a human
because
the animals are here as guides who keep us close to our source.
Out of Body Experiences
Astral Travel
Example Inner Journey on Fionn's Wheel
I relax my
extremities first, then my legs, arms, trunk, head, breathing, heart
and
lastly, my mind. The body is calmed by physically lifting, then
releasing
a body part and "feeling" the waves of relaxation flow inward and up
the
body. This is done in succession until only the mind is active.
Once totally within the mind, relaxation of thought must occur. I
achieve
mental quietness by visualizing a totally "Black" void into which all
thoughts,
feelings and flickers of thoughts and feelings are fed. This
process
continues until all is "black". I float before a sea of Darkness.
I
see nothing, I feel nothing , I am nothing. Once this state is
achieved,
one may proceed to "travel" or have an OOBE.
"Leaving the Body"
To leave the body requires an additional two steps: an increase in the
vibratory rate of the Spirit and a "pushing" out of the body. I am
lucky that I seem to have discovered these techniques
while experimenting on my own. The proper level of Spiritual vibration
or
"ecstasy" is achieved by further relaxation and through belief or
"Will".
I totally believe that my Spirit can leave my body and do anything.
This
focused and concentrated belief through Will is the essense of all
Magick.
It is absolutely necessary to achieve results. Some might call this
process
"faith". It is the stuffby which mountains are moved and with which
entire
worlds and even universes are created. It is also the basis of
Love
and it is through Love that most of us discover the Power that we all
have
to create and perform Magick.
Everyone from Ahura Mazda to Jesus to Crowley says the same thing about
this process. Love is Power. It is the fundamental requirement for
creative
Work. Let us soar upon the wings of eagles and fly on the wings of
doves
into the Astral. I "key" the process of leaving my body to seeing
in
every direction at the same time. This is impossible for me to
visualize
or to consider in my "normal" existence while contained within the
physical
shell of my skull and the confines of my body.
The "Darkness" I have achieved by relaxation of the mind is seen as a
balloon. I see only one side of it. As my Magick squeezes this balloon,
it expands toward me and through me until I am surrounded by the
Darkness. While this process of transformation and metamorphesis
occurs, I maintain constant contact with all aspects of the Darkness
that I encounter when the passage is complete, I see the inside and the
outside of the Dark Bubble. I see in two directions!
This is one step. I take as many steps as are necessary, piling belief
upon
work and work upon belief until no direction is unseen. I see myself
from
without and myself from within. I float and I create. I "travel"
and
I do anything I can conceive. My existence is a "waking
dream".
I am the master of Reality. I am a new creation! This is the essence of
OOBE.
Where one goes from here is for a more advanced workshop. I trust the
New
Age forum OOBE Workshop will be just such an experience for all of us.
I
plan to be a part of it and I trust you will all join me there.
"A Journey Through the Veil at Bealtaine"
In the spirit of this Bealtaine season and to Honor the Mother of
Summer
and the Lord of the Greenwood, I took out a copy of Fionn's Wheel to
use
as a focus for my reflections and musings. I found a quiet spot with no
distractions
and I gazed upon the Magickal Oghams of the Wheel. I sought guidance
about
the world around us and clarity as to my purpose. As I gazed upon the
symbols,
a mist began to form and I slowly began to journey. The veil between
the
worlds is thinnest on the spindle of the Wheel this night. What follows
is
the story of my journey upon the pathways of the Wheel: (A voice
within my mind spoke to me.)
"Tonight is a night of Magick. Come with me into the rath ..enter the
home
of the Sidhe. Let us walk the moonways and take the path of the journey
within:"
"The Mists of Draiocht"
The mists arise in the meadow and gather in whorls and spirals. The air
is filled with mystery. A strange call sounds...
can you hear it?...shivers and silvers..
bells?... or ... harp strings and laughter?
We are called...called are we....called...
we must go....we must go...we must go...
Wrapped in wraiths of shimmering silver..
flowing, ever flowing from without..
time is not here...reality dissolves...
consciousness journeys within.
Into the night i must go...on spirit wings,
leaving this world behind!! I must go!
Billowing fog and music calls to me!
I have no legs...the mist rises! ...
I ride the waves...no arms..none! The
Power flows within always within.....
within...always......always..........
within......I float I float I float..
Only me in the silence and the drums...
Only me...the spirit me survives!
And my heart lives on in echoes! It
calls to me across the void as I journey.
Hear the beat of my heart's drum...hear
the beat of life's blood...my thoughts
are a rhythm...a drumming, a rhythm of
life and thought across the shimmering
moonways....come within .....within..
Feel the energy in waves as it comes
...in waves and we float..we float as
the waves...the waves...the waves...
come to us ..... we are...not
we are not...we are not..we are not! Not!
It comes!! The darkness comes!
Darkness.
"The Point of Light"
One point of light...one point of life!!
Only that ...only that...and the drum...
the drum as we journey...mists of silver...
we are mist and we float to the light..
the Silver wheel turns on mists of...
mists of...silver and light...a moth...
drawn...the light beckons..to the wheel...
swirling in light and darkness....how
can this be? Where can we be? How?
How? The Wheel turns and we turn as
we spiral....spirals of life within...
within....no drumming...the silence is
all...Nothing and ALL!! We are!!
Nothing.
The journey begins:
"The Hallway of Music"
(Who is it that speaks?)
"Come to me my children...come within!
It is time... your time..our time...all
of time...and no time...We are here!
We are! We rejoice!
Rejoice!!"
"Let us laugh and play the old songs!!
Let us sing and discover!! Dance the
dance and travel!"
Arms surround me and sweep me across
a floor that was not there a moment
ago. Laughter fills the air. I am happy.
I smile with lips I do not have. I am
me but I am theirs as well!
(How can this be?)
The colors are every color!! Multicolored
hues and rays abound!! They are many and
they are one !!! They are one and they are
many! The colors! The colors are all one!
The signs of mystery...abound...the Mystery
is in the signs ... The signs of Mystery!
All is Pefect ...all is Beauty...and...
I choose the first sign. ...."Huath"
<The flames engulf me!! I burn and I
am gone!! Into the Dark!! and the Light
beckons...Death and Life!! ....Love and
Sex!! I am steel!! I am a sword!!!
Goibhnui hammers upon his forge!! I was
steel and now I am a sword!! I am a tool!!
I am a use!! Knowledge is upon me!! Waves of
sex lap upon the shores of death!! I am the
Crane walking the waters edge. I am Life
and Death .... endlessly ... endlessly ...
until the Beginning. I must be shaped and
molded. I must burn the impurities! I must
sacrifice them to the Holy Fires! Purity!
Into the Twin Fires!!! Flames of Purity!!>
Purity!
I have been remade!
"The Endless Sea"
The fires are gone!! The world is a Sea!
Deep Waters! Holy Waters! Healing Waters!
Awash in cooling , soothing waters
of forgetting and solitude...I am not here.
I am a wave upon a sea of stillness....
I am the reflection of the moon in
pathways of silver!! I am an endless sea.
A sea that flows around a Great Tree....
A Shining Tree of Light! A Tree within
the Light...a Tree that has been and
is always. It is the way!! It is a doorway!
A doorway to purpose!! A purpose that endures!!
Enduring for all time!! A White Tree of many
branches...many branches of life! Each branch a
gathering of silver ... silver leaves in the
moonlight. Moonlight and songs of Magick!
The music begins!!! The music of the
leaves sing to me! Each note...a lifetime
of purpose...attempted and tried....
gained and lost....melodies of song...
life's song....the call of the wren...
each small note builds with the others!!
a symphony of souls...a multitude....
all the same...It is I!! They are me!!
I am them!!! I lust and I long for me!!
All of me....The sound gathers and the
music swells!! It is the call!! The call
is made and we/I/us/they/I gather to BE!>
The doorway is open yet the door itself
is closed! Pass within with me:
"The Oaken Door of the Greenwood"
<I pass through the Oaken timbers of the
door itself! I step into a vast room...
the Great Hall of the God...the Grove!!
It is the Green Man...It is He!!
The forest is alive and sings the song!
He sits in Giagantic Majesty...humanlike
in shape upon a living throne of evergreen
and Holly!! His flaming eyes gaze upon a
burning bush!!>
(Hear the words of the God:)
"Come sit at my fire!!! Look within and
SEE!! SEE!! SEE yourselves!!! See them all!
Your lives and your deaths!! See your travels!
See your loves!!! I am HE! I am Lord of the
Greenwood!! I am life reborn from the womb
of the Mother. and You are a seed...you are
a forest!! You are remade!! Be One!! Be
a part of the All!! Live with me and my
children!! We are life...your life and
the forest...all souls in the green song.
We are verdent...green upon green...
upon green... Let us wed the Bride and be
ONE as we are always...you and I! We wed
the Land!!"
<I am a vine of flowers blooming upon
a canvas of green...painted against
a sky filled with grey...green birds
all flocking together...as one bird...
a giant creature of the Air... and I
soar through the beams and boughs of
the Holly King's Hall and into the Sky!>
Join me upon the wings of Air:
"The Flight of the Starling"
A lush green earth spreads in fields
below me as I soar upon the winds.
I journey through and above a garden.
Many blooms...many flowers...many scents.
The air is filled with sounds and scent
and I see Forever across the World of
the Living even unto the Hill in the
Center. The Center of all things. A great
stone temple arises within a grove of hazel
and is framed against a golden light. White
and grey stones surround a crystal well
that sparkles within the mote of the always
seeing eye! The Crystal Light shines forth!
It guides me to the spring!! The Waters
of Life!! The Wellspring of Knowledge!!
Crystal twinkles of light play music upon
my mind's eye and cascade in fountains of joy!
The Song of the Ages of Man and Woman ....
so Many and so Right...the temple is filled
by the Song and the Dance ...step and sing!
Brothers and Sisters! Are we all here? What
is this place? Am I here? Are you here?
We are within... I am AWARE.
"The Fountain and the Field"
I approach the fountain within the temple.
The roof is open to the sky and many birds
can be seen...yet only two are with me..
and they stand within the waters. One is the
white Crane from the Dead Sea.. I am speared
upon the point of his eye. I am pierced!!
I am lifted to a ledge of stone that surrounds
the inner temple...Here ther are many artifacts.
The spoils of war...the fruits of labor...the
ancient Magicks and Alchemies!! Tools of
Magick!! Tools !!! >
"Choose wisely....do not waste this spin upon
the spindle of life!! Now is the time of
change!! One choice only can you have!! Choose
wisely.... or be gone!"
A rounded shield fashioned from hazelwood ....
gilded and bronzed with a covering of symbols
catches my eye...and I choose...wisely...
wisely...wisely I trust!!! Guide me!! I cry
out....Guide me my Guide!!! Aid me now!!>
This is the answer that appeared:
"The Fruit of the Tree"
A small voice croons to me..the voice of the
querc....small and brown ...common....yet..
It is Beautiful!! and it sits in a tree
of White.
White Blossoms above the Eternal Fountain.
Perfect Beauty and Promise!! I approach the
querc and the Tree.>
I ask,"What is this Tree that grows within
this Sacred Place oh small brown one? What
is this Tree and why am I here? Guide me!
Let your Spirit show me the way!"
The bird hops along a branch to where a
fruit of greens and pinks swells forth in
its ripeness.>
"Take...eat...SEE...and know life!!!Here
are the five points of Eternity!!! Here
are the seeds of Life itself!! Eat only
if you are wise! Live only if you are pure!
Endure only if you are strong and return
to choose wisely once again!! Now is the
time of the Five Pointed Star!! You must
become a Star child and grow!!! Be a
Point of Light in the Darkness!! Be the
Darkness and the Light!"
I reach up and take the fruit. I split
it into two halves...one more pink than
green ... the other more green than
pink. Within are the star shaped seed
chambers of life. The Star is born!!!
I bite into the Quert, the fruit of Life!!
I am BECOME!>
The World Beckoned to me once more:
"The Light in the Darkness"
The point of light recedes rapidly into
the night, a shooting star across the skies.
I am alone once more looking at the wheel,
wondering about myself...Who am I? What
does this mean? What awaits me? What awaits
us all? We are alone and the Wheel turns.
Once more I gaze upon Fionn's wheel...
and know my journeys continue....It's
knowledge is my shield. I am a sword and
the fires of summer beckon to us all.
Such is the
nature of an Inner Journey. I continue to see this journey and to
reflect
upon its meanings to me and to who I am. I recommend that each of you
also
undertake such journeys for yourselves. Go within to your Inner Guide
and
travel the Wheel. Journey the pathways of Fionn to Wisdom and
Knowledge.
Beannacht libh! That was my experience in an Inner Journey.
Celtic Workshop #12 - The "Outer Darkness", the "Dragon's Eye" and the
"Many Speckled Rainment"
This Workshop was presented and hosted by Searles O'Dubhain. We covered
the basis of Druid Magick or Drai'ocht. We discussed the "Dragon" or
"Serpent"
Power that is inherit in the Land. We touched on the many different
areas
of knowledge and discipline necessary to be a Druid. We also discussed
the
Mysteries of "Death" and "Rebirth". Some preliminary socializing soon
gave
way to the formal presentation and discussion:
Here is what I hope to cover tonight:
The Road to the Grove.
The Druidic concepts of Being.
The use of the Power of the Land
in the Rite of the "Dragon's Eye".
The "ley lines" and the "death roads".
The attainment of Druidic enlightenment
(Initiation to the Inner Mysteries)
Authority and the "Many Speckled Rainment"
"The Road to the Grove"
There are many paths to Magick
though only One True Magick IMHO. The Grove is a home to this Power as
is
the Circle and the Temple. How do we attain the Power to do Magick for
ourselves
and for all of humanity? Let us look to see what the Pathways were for
others.
"The Ancient Druidic Orders"
I have discussed the Ancient
orders or levels of Druids in a previous workshop. I include them
here
for the sake of our current discussion.
Druidic Bards studied for 15 to 20 years to learn the epics, chants,
spells and histories of their peoples and clans. These works were
memorized exactly
and were a requirement for advancement to a higher or inner level of
the
Druidic ranks. The works had to be rendered with feeling so that the
listener
would be spell bound and consequently could relive the event. The Irish
Druids
had the following classes of Bards:
Class # of Epics
__________________________________________
Driseg 20
(the Beginner)
Foclaic 30
(Advanced beginner)
Cili
100 (Journeyman)
Anraid 175
(Master/Warrior)
Ollomh 175+
(Doctor/Judge)
It is to be expected that the lawyers, seers, scientists, judges, and
clergy
of the Draoi underwent similarly lengthy training periods.
"The Cloak of Many Colors"
In the Christian Bible, Joseph was awarded a cloak of many colors by
his father because he was beloved among all of his brothers. Due
to the
jealousy and greed of his brothers, Joseph was also sold into slavery
in Egypt
and suffered a "death" to his old way of life. Because he was
open
to wisdom and could perceive the meanings within signs and dreams, he
became
the chief counselor to the Pharaoh and rose above his death to "new
life".
Just as the history of the Gaels is tied to Egypt, so the rites of
Druids
are tied to this idea of "many colors" and rebirth. Please recall
that
the Mileseans descend from the Pharaohs of Egypt and that their
Druids
were said to be better Magi than the Persians. To be as good a Druid as
Joseph,
one must learn the art of interpreting dreams, divination and
eloquence.
This is a mighty job and worthy of us all!
"My Own Personal Paths"
When I embarked upon the quest for my roots and for the nature of
Drai'ocht, I was immediately impressed by two things:
1. The Druids were acute and patient observers of Nature.
2. The Druids were the scholars and scientists of their day.
Using these two ideas, I created a color-coded series of educational
levels
for myself in my quest into the secrets of the Draoi.
I believe there are five areas of knowledge in the Mysteries:
Knowledge of Self,
Knowledge of the World,
Knowledge of the Spirit,
Knowledge of Magick,
Knowledge of the ONE.
The entire process of learning and growing never stops. As a minimum I
have required myself to know the following:
Knowledge of Self (The Blue Level)
__________________________________________
The Student must be able
to meditate until he/she can know their inner voice. The Student
must
know truth and abstain from lying. The Student
must be able to love and be loved. The Student must know the
limits
of self. The Student must identify their Sexuallity. The
Student
must know their life goals. The Student must know their bodies
and
how to maximize and maintain their health.
Knowledge of the World
(The Green Level)
__________________________________________
The Student must know the physical world. The Student must know
how
the laws of Nature work. The Student must be Holistic with
Creation.
The Student must be able to shape the forces of Physics and
Chemistry.
The Student must know the ways of Botany and Zoology. The Student
must
study animals, plants, insects, birds,fish,trees and rocks. The
Student
must hear the voice of the Waters and the Winds. The Student must
SEE
within the Fires, The Student must be connected with the Earth.
The
Student must know the history of civilization. The Student must
know the laws of man. The Student must learn Music. The
Student
must learn Poetry and Writing.
The
Knowledge of the Spirit (The Yellow Level)
______________________________________________
The Student must know the Spirit within. The Student must study
the
Religions of Humanity. The Student must make a Spiritual
Journey.
The Student must leave the body and walk the Moon Ways. (OOBE) The
Student
must
see the origins and travels of the Spirit within. (PAST LIFE
REGRESSION) The Student must Know the Spirit in Music, Colors,
Symbols and Life. The Student must hear the Akasha.
The Knowledge of Magick (The Orange Level)
__________________________________________
The Student must read the Great Works (Cayce, Crowley, Enoch, Fortune,
Hermes,
Jung, Ogham, Pythagorus, Qabalah, Science, Solomon, Thelema,
etc.)
The Student must learn to "See." The Student must learn to
"Divine".
The Student must learn to "Shield." The student shall learn to
"Speak." The student shall learn to "Heal." The student
shall learn to "Travel."
The Knowledge of the ONE (The Red Level)
__________________________________________
The Student must create and lead a Ritual. The Student must focus
the three Powers (Earth, Self, ONE). The Student must perform the
Great Rite. The Student must change Reality. The Student
must
perform
the rite of "Making." The Student must be reborn and become ONE.
After passing through all levels successfully, the Student then becomes
the Teacher and can wear the White, Multi-speckled or the Dark
Robes
of their choice. This is my path to Drai'ocht. You alone can
choose
the proper path to your Inner Light of Whiteness or Darkness. All
colors
are one color. All Drai'ocht is ONE DRAI'OCHT!
"The Druidic concepts of Being"
-------------------------------
I would like to quickly touch on some Druidic concepts about states of
being.
These states of being correspond to the previous cosmology that we
discussed in workshop 5. (Time does not permit me to make a complete
discussion of these topics tonight. I may add another workshop to cover
them
more completely in the future.)
"Barddas and The Circles of Being"
----------------------------------
The Welsh Bardic work "Barddas" contains a description of the three
Circles of Being:
1. Abred
or the Realm of Matter
(The physical world of form)
2. Gwynyd
or the Realm of Blessedness
(The Magickal Astral world of Spirits)
3.
Ceugant or the Realm of Infinities
(That which is the home of the
God/desses and the Blessed)
These states of being are separated by three veils that must be passed:
1. Annwn or "Dark Forgetfulness"
(This is the gap or veil that must be passed to
achieve birth and rebirth in the Physical World.)
2. Cythraul or "the Ghost"
(This is the veil that must be passed to achieve
enlightenment.)
3. Lyonesse or "the Isle of the Blest"
(This is the final veil that is passed when
one
has achieved complete enlightenment and complete growth.)
"Awen" or "illumination" is like a lightning bolt that can come to us
across
these veils and bring us knowledge and understanding.
The key to our Power and true wills is how well we are able to pass
between
these states of being. I will discuss some of these techniques
next.
"Circles of Thought"
or, "The Cyclatron of the Soul"
One of the marvels of modern science is the atom smasher or particle
accelerator. Another name for these powerful devices is a
"cyclatron". This is basically
a phased arrray of electromagnetic devices that take charged particles
and
accelerate them to tremendous speeds around a circular field until they
approximate
the speed of light or at least they approach relativistic velocities.
The
particles are then smashed into a target and the history of the mutual
destruction
is observed and recorded so that humanity may unlock the secrets of the
Gods.
I trust that most of us here tonight have experienced this acceleration
effect
within the vortex of our thoughts and Spirits. We strive mightily to
increase
the relativistic mass of our thoughts so that we may observe their
behavor
as they approach God-like reality in their manifestions. Whirr
and
strive as we might, we are doomed to the universal restraints of our
own
humanity in much the same manner as nuclear physicists are limited by
the
unvirsal limits of "C" or light speeds (warp Factor 1, Mr.
Sulu!<G>).
Such are the limits of thinking.
"The Salmon Leap and the Shaman's Death"
I have gone through the process of questing for ultimate meaning in
life many times. Most of this effort has been exhausting as well as
futile. Only
through extraordinary efforts have I actually attained results.
These results came about through quantum leaps of the mind and
spirit across the
"void". Since the salmon is the totem of knowledge, I call this leap
the
"Salmon Leap". It is very approprite to name it thus since the "void"
is
actually "death" and the salmon "leap" up the streams of it's birth to
spawn
new life from it's own death struggle. The ancients also refered to
mighty
feats as a "Salmon Leap". We must experience the "Shaman's Death" in
order
to attain our new life and knowledge. The "Salmon Leap" brings us to a
New
Reality and altered state of Being. Included in the initiation
rites
to all of the Great Mystery Schools was just such a rite of Death and
Rebirth.
Anyone care to reveal their secrets now?<G> OTO'ers? GD'ers?
Druids?
Wiccans? AMORC? Freemasons? Templars? Illumatti? Assassins?
Channellers?
Others? The floor is now open. Let's hear the words of Life and the
words
of Death. Josey Wales faces Ten Bears in the moment of Truth. The gauge
is
cast...the challenge is issued. The floor is open to all comers!
"Enlightenment"
Coming through the "dark night of
the soul" or the "Shaman's Death" purifies and releases us so that we
can
experience illumination and enlightenment. Our "darkness' and ignorance
are
burned away in the flames of the Phoenix as we are reborn into the
Light!
Such a wonder! The Akasha and all knowledge are there to be
received!
Our training and our quest are rewarded. We are a new creation!
"The Dragon's Eye"
The "Dragon's Eye" is another word
for Earth Magick or the Power inherent to the Land that is at the root
of
the Celtic Soul. This is the power of Excalibur or Caliborn, the sword
of
Arthur. It is the "Dragon's Breath" that Merlin works with to create a
Magickal
Mist while using the charm of "Making". We have already seen the "Eye
of
the Dragon" in a previous workshop ritual. I would like to now open the
floor
for a further discussion by everyone here as to how we sense this Power
in
the Land and particularly how we sense it at many sacred sites such as
"Stone
Circles", Raths, Menhirs, Hills, "Ley Lines", "Stonehenge", "Avebury"
or
any other site of your experience. The floor is now open for Magickal
discussion!
Anyone else have a good story for how they've sensed the Power of the
Land? How it just is laying there waiting for the call?
(2-10,Freepowder) Some time, when
you can be alone for a while..climb up into the moutains, my mountains
are the Sierras get up high, above treeline, and sit there, find a
rock... where
the wind blows all the time and just sit. it may take a while maybe an
hour,
maybe a day... but you will feel it.. strength more than power, but
power
just the same coming up form the rocks... singing in the wind... when
you
have got it right.. the animals will come you may not see them, the
conys
and the birds but you will feel them too if you are lucky. they
will
talk to you not in words but in thoughts. if you are ready your
totem
will make itself known I have found that no great preparation is
neccesary
but for an open heart and mind it happens for me everytime I go there
which
is not nearly often enough oh! don't do this in a lightning storm
<G>
(2-8,O'Dubhain)
Beautiful
Freepowder! A hymn to the Mother! We can all sing the song of the
Health
of the Earth! She is beautiful still in some places and will be
again
in others as we....and I do mean we.... all get together to release the
Power
of the Dragon! THAT has been safeguarded for us by our ancient
Shamans
within the Earth. I sense that the keys for this Work are soon to be
given
to us all once more.
(2-15,Nan)
Well, I can think of many times that I've felt the Power of the Land
but
I'll offer just a simple recent example: Last week I gave my
ankle
a nasty sprain, I knew that one thing it needed for healing was to walk
barefoot
on the land, so that's what I did <g> in general I find that
going
barefoot on almost any ground allows me to feel the power of the
land......I
don't do it long in the snow though <g>.
(2-8,O'Dubhain) I'll
bet!!!<G> Many of the ancient sacred sites are no longer in
active
use. I think that the day is rapidly approaching where the Land will
call
us to Work Magicks at such sites. We will re-establish the "ley lines"
of
Power that are now just echoes of their past. These lines and sites
require
a Human/Dragon magickal connection to re-Power the grids that exist all
across
this planet. Many events occur today that point to this Work.
(2-15,Nan)
I just wanted to comment that a few years ago I visited a more obscure
stone
circle and noticed by items left behind that it had been recently
used.....
so not *all* the ancient sites are inactive and I'm glad!
"The Many
Speckled Rainment" "The Song of Amergin"
This translation by Dr. Douglas Hyde from his work "Literary History of
Ireland" was as well known to the Druids as the "Lord's Prayer" is to
todays
priests. It is a perfect example of the many different Magickal skills
used
by the Druids. It is one of my personal favorites as well!<G> I
would
like to use it to discuss the "many-speckled" rainbow of Drai'ocht!
Once
again I give you the words of the Bard:
The Mystery
I am the wind which breathes upon the sea.
I am the wave of the ocean.
I am the murmur of the billows.
I am the ox of the seven combats.
I am the vulture upon the
I am a beam of the Sun.
I am the fairest of plants.
I am a wild boar in valour.
I am a salmon in the water.
I am a lake in the plain.
I am a word of science.
I am a point of the lance in battle.
I am the God who created in the head the fire.
Who is it who throws light into the meeting
on the mountain?
Who announces the ages of the Moon?
Who teaches the place where couches the Sun?
(If not I)"
Let's just go down the line and list the
Druidic attributes used in this one spell by lines and in order (I also
assigned
colors to each attribute):
Attribute
Color
_________________________________________
The Powers of:
Wind,
(Red)
Sea,
(Grey)
Fire.
(White)
Persistence.
(all)
Death in
battle.
(Black)
The Power of the
Sun.
(Golden)
The Power of the Green World. (Green)
Courage in
extremis.
(Red)
Infinite
Knowledge.
(Yellow)
The resting place of the soul. (Purple)
The Knowledge of Science. (Yellow)
Focus through Discipline. (White)
The Gift of
Awen.
(Orange)
*Drai'ocht*.
(White)
"Authority"
This the source or result of working with
Magick for Druids. It is a measure of their Power and the strength of
their
"True Wills". In the "21 Lessons" Monroe states that the students
of
Drai'ocht were awarded colored glass beads (called Gleini na Droedh)
that
were strung on leather cords for necklaces. These multicolored
necklaces
were kept
secret by each Druid and produced only to demonstrate their Authority
to
other Druids. Magick knowledge, discipline and practice determined the
level
of Authority thus attained.
"Into the Light"
"Behold the Flaming Door!
Behold the Burning sword of Gorias!
Enter if you dare the halls of Lugh!!
Wear the many speckled cloak of Samildanach!"
"Hear the words of the Sun!"
<A male Druid dressed in Robes of Gold and bearing a torch should
address the Initiates.>
"I am Lugh Lamfadagh!!! I am Samildanach!
I am thy burning desire for Knowledge!
I am the Power that illumes the Heavens!
Life is my gift to you, even as your Death is
the Mother of Life.
To know Me is to know yourself completely,
even beyond Death!
Enter if you dare!
Approach the fires of Life!!!
Die and live again!"
"I, Lugh am the focus of the Power and you My
Druid are its Manifestation!
Enter the Flaming Door!
Cead Mile
Failte!
Maith an Drui!"
<At this point the Initiate should be robed in the multispeckled
robe
and presented with a golden sickle and a staff fashioned from the wood
of
the tree that is his "soul tone". Standing before the gathered
assembly,He
should recite his geneology and the many achievements of his necklace
of
Gleini na Droedh. The ceremony should then be completed by the
conducting
of the Initiate's personal ritual (from his work on the Red Level).>
Such is the end of a long journey.
An Fhi'rinne Roimh an Saol!
We must awaken the Dragon Power within us all!!
DRAI'OCHT LIVES AGAIN!
TA' ME' DRAI'OCHT!!
Celtic Workshop #13 - The "Charm of Making"
This Workshop was presented and hosted by Searles O'Dubhain. We covered
some concepts touching upon the beginings of all things. We also
covered
how symbols are used to describe reality and Magick. We discussed the
necessity for *belief* in performing Magick. I led a discussion about a
ritual that was centered around the Charm of "Making". The arch[e]types
and
the Quarters used in Celtic Magickal systems were also discussed.
Some
preliminary socializing soon gave way to the formal presentation and
discussion:
Opening Remarks
Tonight I attempt to tie together
the beliefs of the Celts in Cosmologies and Magick or Drai'ocht to what
we
know of the world and reality through the study of modern science and
more
recent Magickal systems and their resulting Cosmological models. It is
my
hope that all of this discussion will clarify the history of the Celts
and
the workings of the Druids. The highest form of Drai'ocht was the Charm
of
"Making". This is the essence of creation by the use of the Will.
It
is into the Cauldron of Primodial Creation that I plunge tonight as a
Midwife
to Magick. Drai'ocht shall live again! The Dragon will once again
be
reborn!
"Chaos"
In many mythologies and some philosophies,
Chaos is the void that existed in the begining of all things before
even
time existed and from which all things have arisen.
"The notion that creation came from nothing (creatio ex nihilo) appears
in several accounts of creation. The biblical story of creation
contained
in the Book of GENESIS begins with a formless, watery chaos that God
shapes
into the ordered world. The hymn of creation from India's epic Rig Veda
(see
VEDAS) describes the primordial situation as one of neither existence
nor nonexistence and further states that no
one,
not even the gods, knows who produced the universe. In marked contrast
is
an Egyptian myth attributing creation to the deity khepri. In
this
myth Khepri states that when he came into being, being itself came into
being;
all other beings were then produced from his actions and his body; but
before
him there was only nonbeing. Among the Polynesians, creation myths
emphasize
the dimensions of void space and the qualities of darkness as the
primordial
structures of creation. In these myths, the initial state of darkness
and
void in which the deity dwells is later transformed and the forms of
the
universe then emerge. Creation is thus predicated on a void or a
nothingness--a
reality totally different from any form or substance of the created
order.
In addition, the deities who create from nothing or emerge from this
void
are given a new and special kind of power; for though creators of the
world,
they remain distinct from it in their originative form."
.......quoted
from The Online Edition of GROLIER'S ACADEMIC AMERICAN Encyclopedia,
Copyright
(c) 1993, Grolier Electronic Publishing.
Magick is the ability to cross the void of Chaos and to create order in
the universe that surrounds us. The primary way in which this creation
occurs
is through the focus of our own Wills.
"The Void was without Form"
"Chaos theory, a modern development in mathematics and science,
provides
a framework for understanding irregular or erratic fluctuations in
nature.
Chaotic systems are found in many fields of science and engineering.
The
study of their dynamics is an essential part of the burgeoning science
of
complexity--the effort to understand the principles of order that
underlie
the patterns of all real systems, from ecosystems to social systems to
the
universe as a whole." ..quoted from The Online Edition of GROLIER'S
ACADEMIC
AMERICAN Encyclopedia, Copyright (c) 1993, Grolier Electronic
Publishing.
The BIG BANG theory of the creation of the universe is widely accepted
by
astronomers. "It holds that the universe began with the explosive
expansion
of a single, extremely condensed state of matter. A further development
of
this model, known as INFLATIONARY THEORY, describes the original
condensed
matter as arising from virtually empty space. Whether the universe will
expand
forever, slow to a halt, or contract again and continue to oscillate
indefinitely
from one big bang to the next is the subject of ongoing
speculation....."
Charles Long .......quoted from The Online Edition of GROLIER'S
ACADEMIC
AMERICAN Encyclopedia, Copyright (c) 1993, Grolier Electronic
Publishing.
"Order"
Out of Nothingness was Reality formed. The
diversity of Reality is due to the two great forces of separation:
projection
and reception (the male and the femine aspects of Power). From
this
duality of all things, the rest of Creation is manifested. This
manifestation
can be described and modeled in many ways. I have chosen to limit
myself
briefly to two such descriptions during tonight's workshop. The first
such
model or description is the science of "quantum mechanics". According
to
this area of science, everything is composed of waves and the
interaction
between wavefronts. With two primary and distinctly different sources
of
waveforms, we get interference patterns. These lines of intersection
have
their own "nature" and give rise to other "quantum effects" in their
own
localized area of the space/time continuum. This ongoing process of
interaction
and manifestation can create Infinite Combination in Infinite Diversity
(IDIC).
I will discuss this concept later. The other way in which two
differing
states can create their own "reality" is through the laws of Boolean
Logic and Algebra. In digital
design
and simulation techniques, this fact is well known. I work in such
areas
and can reduce any system to a series of "min" and "max" terms of
inputs
and "truth tables". This Boolean discipline of using "min and max
terms"
has given birth to the CyberSpace that we currently
inhabit. I suggest that our present existence is no more than a
"real-time"
simulation in a greater system and that our creative/destructive
interactions
are constantly birthing new realities and new creations. We are each a
"star"
as some Magickal systems teach.
All Physical and Magickal systems have hidden controls that operate
from
outside the program flow (another word for this flow might be called
"life").
This outside intervention might be what appears in the form of "Magick"
to
an internal observer of that system. The operating system for the host
platform,
such as DOS, determines the form of the relationships between all
programs,
files and other processes. A magickal way of stating this might be, "As
Above,
So Below". Tonight, I have discussed only two ways that some
realities
are postulated and created. In the wide variety of the Infinite Cosmos,
Diversity
is carried to the extremes. Anything CAN and DOES happen!
"Symbols"
One way man has attempted to understand
and quantify his universe is through the use of symbols. The most often
used
symbols are numbers, letters and sigils. The Jewish Kabbala, the Celtic
Oghams
and the other Magickal alphabets are good examples of the use of such
symbols
to order and understand most physical, spiritual and Magickal
relationships.
I have talked about Oghams and Fionn's Wheel/Ladder in previous
workshops.
I have also talked about the Celtic Cosmology. Tonight I will
briefly
touch on numbers and math. Please refer to the previous Celtic
Workshops
#1, 2, 3, 5 and the Online Wicca Kabbala Threads for more information
in
those areas. Another kind of symbol that can describe our reality is a
relatively
new form of mathematics called Fractals.
"Fractals"
"A modern mathematical theory that radically
departs from traditional EUCLIDEAN GEOMETRY, fractal geometry describes
objects
that are self-similar, or scale symmetric. This means that when
such
objects are magnified, their parts are seen to bear an exact
resemblance
to the whole, the likeness continuing with the parts of the parts and
so
on to infinity. Fractals, as these shapes are called, also must
be
devoid of translational symmetry--that is, the smoothness associated
with
Euclidean lines, planes, and spheres. Instead a rough, jagged
quality
is maintained at every scale at which an object can be examined.
The
nature of fractals is reflected in the word itself, coined by
mathematician
Benoit B. Mandelbrot from the Latin verb frangere, "to break,"
and
the related adjective fractus, "irregular and fragmented."
The science of fractals has been found to exist within many natural
formations
. Fractals are found everywhere we look, from the shape of coastlines
to
the geometry found in cellular divisions. Most dynamical systems that
change
their behavior over time become CHAOTIC in nature and can also be
described
using fractals. The reason I mention fractals tonight is twofold.
First,
fractals show us mathematically how reality and life are manifested. As
I
said earlier, fractal geometry and mathematics are a fairly recent
discovery.
One important type of Fractal that is found in nature is called a
Mandelbrot
set. This particular set of fractals becomes inheritly unstable as one
looks
closer at it's component fractals. What is so interesting about this
fact
and study is that FRACTALS in the FORM OF MANDELBROT SETS have been
appearing
as CROP CIRCLES on the Salisbury Plains. This is the same area that is
located
close by both Stonehenge and Avebury. What is the source of these
symbols?
Where is this information coming from? Are these crop circles some sort
of
Magickal alphabet or symbols? Are they communicated to us across time
and
space from other Magicians or other Entities? If they are such symbols,
has
this phenomena occurred before in the past? Did the Druids observe,
record
and understand this type of information during their times?
My second pointis that our knowledge of Magick is itself like a
fractal. With each piece of information we receive from our
searches into the nature of Magick, we discover more and more
questions. This gives rise to more and more associations and
consequently more questions and disorder. Our attempts to totally
understand Magick by close inspection consequently results in
chaotic thinking. We see fractals
everywhere when we look at the world. This world seems to be a
fractal.
Everything from shorelines, earthquakes, cell structure to computer
graphics have been found to obey the laws of fractals. Perhaps Magick
and the heavenly cosmologies are fractals of the Higher Will? Perhaps
our True Will is a fractal? Maybe fractals are the new Ogham, the new
Wheel of Fionn?
"Transformations"
If an idea can be reduced to mathematical or Magickal symbols, then it
can also be manipulated or transformed. These relation-ships are called
"veils" or "pathworkings" in Magickal works. In mathematics, such
transformations occur frequently. What is complex in one domain is
simple in another. Engineers use such techniques as vector and
tensor analysis to handle complex systems all the time. Magicians use
the principle, "As Above , So Below" to aid their Magickal
Workings. Sometimes this Magickal work is also done while using
symbollic logic to aid in the act of manifesting or "making" a new
creation. We will next discuss how some of these Magickal
transformations are done.
"Vibratory States"
The addition of external energy to a molecule or the introduction of
additional molecules into a solution causes its electron configuartion
to change. The electron "jumps" across an energy barrier to obtain a
different orbit or geometry. The Molecule changes its behavior,
sometimes with amazing results. This change in electrons through levels
or states of energy is directly analogous to the levels or states of
vibration that a Magician goes through to "resonate" with other
spiritual forces. These principles of resonance and vibration are the
keys to the techniques of OOBE and energy transfer in Magickal systems.
To discover how we as Magickal/Spiritual entities can go through these
types of transformed states, I looked at my own experiences, once again.
"Personal Experiences"
The keys to working Magick are BELIEF, DISCIPLINE and FOCUS. Focus is a
matter of personal ability and is sharpened through practice and
effort.
Discipline is inherit to our very natures. Belief is absolutely
necessary to any Magickal Work. I have had three types of personal
experiences that are the foundation of my BELIEF in MAGICK.
"The All from the None"
This experience I have discussed before. It is the first veil that must
be passed to obtain BELIEF in Magick and the resulting Powers. Briefly
stated, I was able to detach from the ordinary (while conscious) and
encounter Spirit and Magickal Beings. These experiences have
reinforced my ability to work Astrally and Magickally. The secrets to
this experience are meditation, inner quietness and the increased
vibrational level of the spirit or "ecstasy".
By going into the "void" of Nothingness, I was touched by the Power of
the Akasha! Anyone can do this, if they are willing to put in the time
and effort to meditate to achieve inner "quietness". The "Void"
is the place where the Will can focus to create and produce all Magick!
"The None From the All"
These are experiences I have had from "lucid dreaming". I have
basically been able to go anywhere and do anything in my dreams. I have
had many
revelations and Super Normal experiences in these dreams. I guess the
most outrageous experience was experiencing "death". Some deaths were
just an abrupt end to one existence while manifesting into another
bodyand another existence. One particular "death" was at the center of
an exploding sun or bomb. I was literally blown into Nothingness and
Non-Existence. I "floated" there in endless time without thought or
being. I just was. Only my Will still existed and through the
exertion of my Will I was able to awaken into my body once more. This
was not and ordinary dream. In fact, I'm not really sure this is the
Reality I started out in! <GGG> A Powerful incentive to
learn more
about Magick (to prevent such a thing from ever happening again)!!!!!
"IDIC"
IDIC is borrowed from the Vulcan, Mr. Spock. It stands for Infinite
Diversity in Infinite Combinations. This basically means the Universe
is filled with possibilities and that anything can (and will) happen.
This is all those strange events that can be dismissed if taken one at
a time but will stagger you if you keep a log of them. This includes
such things in my life as: Flying or "floating" in the air by
myself, reading minds, seeing the future, seeing creatures that
are in another plane, hearing the music of the Sidhe and incredible
feats of strength and speed (that could not possible have happened).
All these many events taken together point to a variety of techniques
that people can do. The secret is in remembering how we did it!!! Or
maybe in finding a really
excellent teacher. I am the worst of students but I am very persistent!
"The Charm of Making"
"Circles of Drai'ocht "
"The Guardians"
"Air"
The Guardian of the East Quarter is Esras associated
with the Power of Air. The sacred city of this Spiritual realm is
Gorias.
The Celtic Deities usually associated with this Quarter are Nuada and
Scathach.
The sacred treasure or weapon is the invincible sword. The
Magickal
Deity for the elemental Powers or the wind singers and sprites is
Paraldas,
ruler of the Sylphs, Zyphyrs and the Winged Sprites. This direction is
most
often associated with ideas, thoughts, inspiration and psychic powers.
Ritual
work for this direction is associated with dawn, sunrise, Spring,
harmony,
travel and freedom. A suitable invocation of the Guardians might
be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Garda de Soir!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Gaoth!
Tugaim cuireadh do Esras de Gorias!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Guardian of the East!
I give invitation to the Element of the Winds!
I invite Esras, Master of Inspiration!"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu SKULL!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu GWA!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu ES-rah gu GOR-ah!
"Fire"
The Guardian of the South Quarter is Uscias associated with the Power
of Fire. The sacred city of this Spiritual realm is Findias. The Celtic
Deities usually associated with this Quarter are Lugh and Bridgit. The
sacred treasure or weapon is the flaming spear. The Magickal Deity for
its elemental Powers or Salamandes and Firedrakes is Djinas, ruler of
the Consciousness and flames. This direction is most often associated
with Action, Passion and Change. Ritual work for this direction is
associated with Summer, noon, sexuality and purification. A
suitable invocation of the Guardians might be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Garda de O'Dheas!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Tine!
Tugaim cuireadh do Uscias de Findias!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Guardian of the South!
I give invitation to the Elements of the Fire!
I invite Uscias, Master of Conscious Action"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu OWE-yass!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu CHIN-e!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu ISH-kah gu FIN-jah!"
"Water"
The Guardian of the West Quarter is Semias associated with the Power of
Water or the Sea. The sacred city of this Spiritual realm is Murias.
The Celtic Deities usually associated with this Quarter are Mannanan
and the Cailleach. The sacred treasure or weapon is the cauldron.
The
Magickal Deity for its elemental Powers or Nymphs and Undines is
Niksas, ruler of the depths of the Sea and the spirits of the waters.
This direction is most often associated with Emotions, healing and
Marriage. Ritual work for this direction is associated with Fall,
sunset, plants, the subconscious mind and dreams. A suitable
invocation of the
Guardians might be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Garda de Siar!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Muir!
Tugaim cuireadh do Semias de Murias!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Guardian of the West!
I give invitation to the Elements of the Mystical Sea!
I invite Semias, Master of the Mind's Deep Waters!"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu SHEER!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu MWIRR!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu SEM-ahs gu MUR-ahs!"
"Earth"
The Guardian of the North Quarter is Morfessa, associated with the
Power of Earth. The sacred city of this Spiritual realm is Falias. The
Celtic Deities usually associated with this Quarter are the Morrigan
and the Dagdha. The sacred treasure or weapon is the Stone of
Fal. The
Magickal Deity for the elemental Powers or Gnomes and Dwarfs is
Ghobas,ruler of the inhabitants of the Earth and a crystal
spirits.
This direction is most often associated with Destiny, Prosperity and
Fate as well as Magick. Ritual work for this direction is
associated with Winter, night, midnight, self will and treasures.
A suitable invocation
of the Guardians might be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Garda de O'Thuaigh!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Talamh is Cloch!
Tugaim cuireadh do Morfessa de Falias!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Guardian of the North!
I give invitation to the Elements of Stone and Earth!
I invite Morfessa, Master of Destiny and Magick!"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu owe HOO-ee!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu TA-loo is KLOKH!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu MOR-fes-ah gu FAL-ah!
"Spirit"
The Center of the Circle is protected by the Power of the God and the
Goddess and the balance and diversity that They each manifest and
control. This is the province of the Goddess of Sovereignty, Macha, and
the Horned God or the Hunter, Samhan. The center is protected by the
combined Powers of the Quarters and their Masters. A suitable
invocation of the Spirit might be:
"Tugaim cuireadh do Ana'l Fein!
Tugaim cuireadh do Duile de Anam!
Tugaim cuireadh do Grian agus Geala!
Beannachtai' DE' agus mBANDE' againn!"
Translation:
"I give invitation to the Souls of our Ancestors!
I give invitation to the Element of All Spirits!
I give invitation to the Sun and the Moon!
The Blessings of the God and Goddess be upon us!"
Pronunciation:
"TUG-im KIR-oo gu GAAR-du gu AN-aal FINN!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu DOO-li gu AN-um!
TUG-im KIR-oo gu GREE-un AG-us GYAL-a!
BAN-uck-ta JAY AG-us BAN-jay UG-een!"
"The Words of Power"
After the Guardians have been called, then the Words of Power Are
Spoken and the Rite or Sign of Three Rays is performed for each of the
Quarters.
"IAO"
This is the name of the God/dess of All and is intoned three times
while making the appropriate hand gestures,
"EEEEE-Ahhhhhh-OOOOO".
"EEEEE-Ahhhhhh-OOOOO".
"EEEEE-Ahhhhhh-OOOOO".
"Threshold Experiences"
If a portal to another plane or place is to be opened then the
following Charm of Making is to be said three times (this Charm uses
the Power of Sea and Stone):
"A ELFNTODD DWYR SINDDYN DUW
CERRIG YR FFERLLURUG NWYN;
OS SYRIAETH ECH SAFFAER TU
FEWR ECHLYN MOR, NECROMBOR LLUN"
"Dragon's Breath"
If something is to be caused to happen
or prevented then the following Charm of Making is intoned three times
(this
charm invokes the Powers of Fire and Air):
"ANAIL NATHROCK
UTHVASS BETHUDD
DOCHIEL DIENVE"
At this point the Power has been raised.
The Will of the Draoi' should be directed and stated forcefully in the
direction
of greatest Power using the sign for that Quarter. Once the work, is
completed,
the God/desses and Guardians should be thanked and the Power Earthed by
lowering
both hands to the ground while kneeling. The Circle is opened in
the
reverse of its creation and the bounty of the Land and Tuatha should be
enjoined
and enjoyed by all.
This is the end of the prepared presentation on the Charm of "Making".
This and "Pathworking" are the two most powerful abilities of a Druid.
Celtic Workshop #14 - "The Wheel
of Elements or Seasons"
Forum member Freepowder noted similarities between the Plains Indian
Medicine Wheels and Fionn's Wheel from Celtics sources. His analysis and
presentation on these topics led into a discussion of other cross
cultural similarities. I added some info from a study of the indigenous
peoples of the world as well as Celtic topics.
Tonight our man of many names, Freepowder, O'Ba'n,John White, Sir
Freep, etc. will give us his thoughts on the wheel and the directions
as compared between the Plains Indians and the Celts. It looks to
be good!<GGG> I may have a few comments of my own. I also have
some
info on thses directions compiled by a noted anthropologist, Angeles
Arriens, for the indiginous peoples of the world. I hope we can discuss
the use and meanings of directions to all of us in our magical work.
"The Wheel of Elements or Seasons"
The world over, aboriginal religions have used the circle as a symbol
of the world, the cosmos and the spirit. Tonite I will attempt to
draw some parallels between the Celtic version, Fionn's wheel or window
and the Plains Indian version, the Medicine wheel. Both of these
wheels are pictured as a circle bisected by two lines, one vertical and
one horizontal. In Plains Indian (PI from here on) the circle
represents the cycles of the earth, of learning and of life.
The lines represent the 'roads' one must travel to achieve
enlightenment. The points at which the lines intersect the circle
signify
the four directions, east to the right, south at the bottom, west to
the left, and north at the top. There are qualities and totems
(animal spirit guides) assigned to each direction. The totems and
qualities vary somewhat, tribe to tribe, and the following is an
attempt to combine several, mostly Lakota (Sioux) and Tsisistis
(Cheyenne)
East:
red, illunination, child, the sun, spring, the source of life,
eagle, hawk and birds generally
South:
yellow, innocence, youth, daylight, summer, fullness of life, snake,
lizard, mouse, horse, elk
West:
black or blue, introspection, maturity, sunset, autumn, waning of life,
thunder beings, Bear, buffalo
North:
white, wisdom, old age, night, winter, death, wolf, raven, buffalo
The PI speak of the guardians of the quarters as 'Grandfathers' or
'Grandmothers'. Animals in mundane life are refered to as 'Little
Brother or Sister.' At the center of the wheel is,in Lakota, 'Wakan
Tanka', the Great Mystery. The source of all life, of all that
is. Although Wakan Tanka is refered to as Grandfather, it has no
sex, no body, it is at once the creator and all of creation. Also at
the center is White Buffalo woman (or Sweet Medicine to the Cheyenne),
the
personification of the earth, and the female aspect of Wakan
Tanka.
The cycle of life as illustrated by the Medicine Wheel starts at the
east. The PI believe that as an infant a person knows all things, thus
the connection with enlightenment. As you grow into youth these things
are forgotten so you may learn, and grow, symbolised by the south and
innocence. When you are mature you move to the west and
introspection.
Here you take your vision quest. As you approach old age you achieve
wisdom in the north and, if you survive you return to the enlightenment
of the east.
On to the Celts!
The Celts use either a four spoked wheel, identical to the medicine
wheel in apearance or enhance the image with 'cross quarters' making an
eight spoked wheel. One differnce in the Celtic version of the Wheel,
is probaly due to the variation in weather patterns between the Britsh
Isles and the Great Plains. The Britsh Isles are around 1000 miles
north of the Plains causing several things to happen. The sun, even at
midsummer will rise far further to the north in Britain. Britain's
proximity to the trade winds cause the prevailing winds to come from
differnt directions. Therefore the Celts start their journey of life in
the north. The qualities of the quarters areremarkably similar if
somewhat skewed as to direction. (Note: the animals assigned to
quarters and cross quarters are approximate and individual impressions
as to what animal goes where are most important IMHO)
They are:
North:
black, winter, wisdom, clarity, death, earth, animals, minerals,
fallowness, darkness, winter solstice, salmon, wolf, the Morrigan,
East:
red, spring, inspiration, life, birth, renewal, air, birds, smell,
dryness, germination, spring equinox, otter, crow
South:
white, summer, spirit, humanity, change, power, fire, sun, light,
vegatables, summer solstice, bear, hawk,
West:
grey, autumn, creativity, ripeness, fertility, compassion, love,
emotions, hearing, water, moon, twilight, fish, autumn equinox, stag,
hound
The cross quarters mark the seasonal festivals, have associated animals
and are used to represent the ages of mankind:
Imbolc: 31 Jan, child, eagle
Beltaine: 30 Apr, youth, sow
Lughnasadh: 31 Jul, adult, horse
Samhain: 31 Oct, elder, heron
The Celts assign Gods and Goddesses to the quarters as well. The
following courtesy of O'Dubh, and subject to interpretation. God/esses
are directional <G> as follows:
North:
Master Morfessa of Falias, The Morrighan, Goibhniu, The Dagdha, Epona,
Eriu, Macha (The Land, the Lia Fal, Magick, Soveriegnty)
East:
Master Uscias of Findias Danu, Anu, Lir, Lugh, Bridget, Scathach, Ogma,
Nuada (The Invincible Sword, Wisdom, Strength, the Winds)
South:
Master Esras from Gorias The Dagdha, Lugh, Bridget, Danu (The Flaming
Spear, Action, Fire, the Sun or Shining One)
West:
Master Semias from Murias, Manannan mac Lir, The Dagdha, The Cailleach,
Cerridwen, Danu, Dianecht, Arianrhod (Rebirth, the Undry, the Sacred
Cauldron, the Sea, Water)
Many of these God/desses are assigned to more than one direction
because they have more than one aspect (The Dagdha, Danu, Bridget,
Lugh, the
Morrighan). The best way to associate them with a particular direction
is to base their direction upon their role in your Working or upon
their use of the magickal tool involved.
The Celts have this multi-faceted diversity in the nature and
directions of their God/desses due to their travels across Europe and
their incorporation of the local Deities into the Deities of their
respective clans. When they finally stopped their travels, these
Deities
were then more fixed in their associated directions and attributes. As
modern day Celts, we have the use of all of these Archetypes to aid or
worship and to enrich our Magicks!
(2-21,cherokee) the
cherokee say that all ancient cultures descend through the plieades and
that the druids and the cherokee have origins in atlantis the cherokee
calendar as are most medicine wheels are based on the mayan system of
time. The Dogon of W. Africa say
the same. which is very similar to the celtic most ancient
cultures
say they got the wheel from the stars
Also some of the first sailors to come in contact with North American
Indians were Welsh and they could converse with some of the tribes!
Seemed the Indians were speaking Welsh!<G>
(2-21,cherokee) the
cherokee also claim twelve tribes came out of atlantis when it was
destroyed and populated the areas of the earth bringing this ancient
wisdom to other cultures like the 12 tribes of israel there are 12
clans in the cherokee matrilieage. There was contact betwweeen
the nordic vikings and the indians after contact with the celts too.
(2-9,M&J)
As to the NA Indians speaking Welsh, I attended a Celtic League
symposium a year or two back, and this was one of the talks. I'll
have to go back and review my notes, but as I recall
this is heavily debated. The accounts go back to a Welsh prince
who supposedly sailed to America. Whether or not this is true is
highly uncertain.
(2-8,Freepowder) The Welsh
Prince was Madoc, and I believe...
he was supposed to have sailed in the 11th century.... there were
records of his sailing away.... but nothing on where he ended up....he
most certainly never returned to wales.... One possible explanation for
the 'Welsh' Indians is the occurance of grey eyes in some of the
southern tribes, notably... the Choctaw and Cherokee.... There are some
similarities in the languages, but it is possible.. that this is due to
some wandering Celt .... heading east from the orient. <G>
OK Thanks FP!<G> There are many other
similarities...notably the common belief among both sets of peoples,
the Cherokees and the Celts, that springs were doorways to the
Underworlds and possessed their own spirits. There are other
similarities... The Irish have legends about the first settlers coming
from the west after a flood.
This was later Christianized to be the daughter of Noah
Ceasir....but it was first thought to be Atlantis. Also some of the
alignments of the stone circles are on the Pleides. In fact, The
two major hubs of
the Celtic year are connected to when the Pleides first ascend into the
constellation of Taurus That is when Bealtaine and Samhain actually
occur.
As to use in your magickal workings, given the eclectic nature of most
American Mages, introduction of the Plains Indian version of the
attributes of the quarters is allowable. Perhaps even justified given
our geographical location. I personally use the Indian colors and
animals in conjunction with the Celtic God/esses. As they used to say
in the Toyota comercials, 'It just feels right.' <G>
Here's my blurb on directions: The "Four Fold Way" by
Angeles Arrien a survey of sacred directions and paths of the
indigenous peoples of the
world gives the following characteristics to the directions:
North:
The Way of the Warrior, Direction of Power, Element is Air, winged
creatures, Standing Meditations, Right Actions, Dancing, instrumrnt is
the rattle and season is the Winter.
East:
The Way of the Visionary, Direction of Vision, Element is Fire, dessert
and no legged creatures, Walking meditations, Truth telling, Singing,
instrument is the bell and season is Summer.
South:
The Way of the Healer, Direction of Love, Element of Earth, All four
legged creatures, Meditating while laying down, Right Speech is the way
of living, Paying attention, Story telling, instrument is the drum and
the season is Spring.
West:
The Way of the Teacher, Direction of Wisdom, Element of Water, All
Water creatures,Sitting meditations,RightTiming in life's actions,
Being Open
minded to outcomes, Silence is the best wisdom, instruments are sticks
and bones and season is Autumn.
"HOW TO USE MAGICK with a Straight Face"
(C) 1989 by Scot Rhoads, all rights reserved
MYSTIC MOON Metaphysical Books, NEW MOON RISING journal & BBS 8818
Troy St., Spring Vly, CA 91977 (619) 466-8064; BBS: 466-5403
"People that eat blowfish are stupid.
People that do not eat
blowfish are also stupid."
--Japanese proverb
With the advent of the New Age, many people
are airing great new ways to change your life for the
better.
These ideas are based on the premise that we have
total control of our
lives on some level. All we need do is reach that level with our
desires. This is, of course, the big challenge. You
can read
millions of words on that subject. Why is there so much
information? Because achieving this kind of control is a very
individual thing. There are so many different ways that
each person could write his
own book. To succeed, each must find his own path. The
reason
there are instructions at all, though, is
because each can find guidance in the successes of
others. Magick is one of these many guides.
This file is relatively short because it
concentrates less on the myriad details of magick and more
on how to find
your own path. The task is never as easy as it
sounds,
but it is not complex, either. With straight
forward exercises
(good, honest work on your Self) you will achieve whatever you
desire. We
all have this power. The way we use it is not
by gaining a new ability, but by getting out of
the way of the ability we already have. This book outlines the basic
blocks and the kinds of things to do about them. But,
as with any advice, it
is up to you to honestly assess your own situation and discover
what works
best for you. Remember, achieving your personal Power
is
everyone's path in life. You will succeed, it is only
a question
of when. This book is designed to bring that success
more
quickly and, overall, more easily.
Many people these days still
appeal to the "booga-booga" aspect of magick:
"We will grant you incredible powers to use on whomever you
please if you send us money." As we enter into
the New Age of understanding, people are learning that occult
powers are actually a natural part of everyone's life. It is our goal
to help this process along. We hope to teach newcomers what
magick is about. This book is written not only to inform,
but
also to circumvent the psychological barriers
set up by
living in a mechanistic society. The mechanistic paradigm
(the idea that each person and object is
totally separate from
the rest of the universe except through
physical interaction)
precludes magick(non-physically affecting
one's
environment). The magickal
paradigm states that your beliefs create
your reality. This choice is like contemplating
eating blowfish-- when you
analyze it, you can conclude that adopting either
paradigm
is stupid. Since you can't please everyone else, pick
the one that you like best. If (and only if) the magickal paradigm
appeals to you, then choose it. Then the trick is to get out of the
mind-set that says that magick is impossible.
We hope that
you will try some exercises to prove to
yourself that magick works. Once you
have done so, then you are on the way to
achieving anything you desire.
POWER
Power can be a very misleading term. The way most
people mean it is in the sense of "power-over." People recognize power
as the ability to get others to do what you want, especially when
these others have different ideas. This is not Power (with
a capital 'P') at all. When you rely on someone else
to do
something for you, you give your Power to
him. This is very
different from doing something *with* someone, then both
parties gain.
But, to believe that you must force or trick another is to say
that
you need this person to do something that you cannot. You
may
steal their power (lower case) but you give away your Power.
Power is, among other things, the innate ability to bring whatever you
truly desire into your life. When you "make" others manifest them
for
you, you create blocks in your own mind. These blocks say "I
cannot
do this myself," which obstructs your Power. This is "giving
away
your Power."
When you "take your Power," you accept responsibility for
your life. This is not guilt or martyrdom, it is
honestly
assessing your life and recognizing your
successes
and failures. Give yourself credit for even the
smallest success and recognize that you can overcome every
obstacle. Then you allow your
Power to express itself. What you need comes to
you; projects
work for you.
We often think of many
obstacles as insurmountable. For instance,
many believe the lottery to be their
only desperate hope of escaping poverty. Such people give
away their Power. And why shouldn't they? Everything
they've experienced
tells them this. Our whole society is rooted in
the
mechanistic paradigm (all causes and effects have a physical
link), which precludes a belief in Power. How is one to
know that this concept works? How
can this be real when it is so different from what we
are used to?
Our society has a concept of
"Reality" as an objective existence of
which we are all a part.
When two people have different ideas of the
nature of some detail, then at least
one is Wrong. We all have a fear of being Wrong. When we are Wrong we
miss out on things and people don't like us as much. Therefore we
desperately strive to be Right. It turns out that Right is
what ever those around you happen to feel that it should
be.
It's as if they all took a vote when you were
out
of the room. But "Right" changes all the time: from
preservatives are harmless, to preservatives cause cancer;
from Stalin is a great
leader, to Stalin was a monster; from Ptolemy
explains the
forces of the universe perfectly, to Newton explains the
forces of the universe perfectly, to Einstein
explains the
forces of the universe perfectly. The
philosophy of science this calls
this evolving better (or at least different)
explanations. Yet,
while these ideas hold sway, people call them "Reality."
Just how reliable is Reality? We all live our lives
using our individual concepts of Reality to get along. We update them
as we see fit. But few will fundamentally change their concepts. We are
sure that, although we may not have the details,
we certainly have a feel for the
basics. Anyone
who disagrees with the mechanistic paradigm,
for instance, must be missing at
least a few marbles. Such a person is irrational in a
universe
that we
know to be rational.
But is the universe truly rational? Science
has pursued the mechanistic paradigm down to
the
smallest scale, particle physics; here it
fails to explain the universe.
The building blocks of Reality do not behave
rationally. If you drive
a car from one side of a mountain to the other and you have a
choice of two tunnels, you will drive through one of
them. If a single electron has a choice of two holes in a
plate to pass through, it will go through both. You can plot the speed
and position of your car to the limit of the accuracy of
your instruments,
but you will never be able to do both to that electron.
When you observe this mythical car, it is a solid
object. If it were not, it would not be a car. If you drove
it around, then tested to see if the car were not solid and
discovered
that it wasn't, what would you think? Around
the turn of
the century, scientists figured out that light acts like a wave
when you test
for a wave, and like a particle when you test for a particle. In
the regular world it must be one *or* the other. The two are as
mutually exclusive as a non-solid car that you can none the less
drive. Mysteriously, light was behaving like both.
Eventually, scientists concluded that light doesn't work like the
universe we
are used to. The act of observing light defines its
character. This is called wave-particle
duality. Later
in the century, scientists found that atomic
particles, the building
blocks of all matter, behave this way, too.
Now imagine that you can find no
evidence that this car crosses the space
between where you see it and where you
saw it last. Suppose the car isn't actually
"there"
when you're not looking-- the act of looking
brings it into
"existence." What would you think if noticed that your expectations
seem to have an effect on where it turns out to be? This is
awfully strange, but it is the kind of
universe that
particle physicists find. "Looking at" a
subatomic particle "brings it
into existence." Also, scientists are finding that
whatever kind of particle they expect to find in an
experiment, tends to be
there. This is starting to look less like
brilliant theory and
more like an effect of the observers. They are
no longer separate from
their experiments. It turns out that the universe doesn't actually work
the way we've always assumed it does.
This is the nature of matter on the smallest
scale, and it doesn't make sense in every day life.
This does not mean that we should abandon our present ideas of how to
live. Keep what works ("If it ain't broke,
don't fix it").
Particle physics won't affect how you drive through
tunnels, for instance. But, if
you
accept physics, the epitome of the mechanistic
paradigm, this means that our mechanistic ideas of how the
universe
works are fundamentally incomplete. In
other
words, the mechanistic paradigm is not the whole
story.
Big deal. What does this mean in a practical sense?
The world seems to work just the same as it
did
when the mechanistic paradigm was unchallenged. But what if
our preconceptions dictate what we are aware of? It is a common
trick to set up a
group of people for startling event and see how
many
will overlook a strange inconsistency. In one
instance, a teacher took a student off into an adjoining room on
a pretext. There was the
sound of
an argument and a crash and the student ran out through the room.
One of the other students suspected a set up and she was the only
one who noticed that the teacher's accomplice
was carrying a bone. A much more dramatic example is
the story of Magellan's
ships. When the explorer landed on a particular island, the natives,
who had never seen europeans before, recognized them as funny looking
men in funny looking little boats. But Magellan soon found
that the natives were unaware of the large ships that
carried them there, though they were impossible to
overlook. The natives
had seen men and small boats before, but they had never seen a
large ship. Such a thing was outside of their experience and
therefore outside of their comprehension. Their eyes must
have
seen the ships, but their brains did not. The natives
gathered to
try to see them, staring intently at where they supposed to be
anchored. Soon the local shaman could discern the barest
outline
which he described to the others.
Eventually they
could all perceive ships.
Who can say what we make ourselves unaware
of? It is only after we've expanded our
perception that we learn how limited it was before. But we
can't go around indiscriminately
"expanding our consciousness." What we choose to believe is
based on our desires. If you are happy with what you
believe, the is no reason to change. "If it
ain't broke,
don't fix it." Change is challenging and even
if you succeed, it may well be
unpleasant. But if you feel unable to overcome
obstacles in your
life (and you *really* want to), then you have
nothing to
loose. Magick will only expand possibilities. If it's all a
crock, you've lost nothing. If it's true, you can do anything you're
willing to work for. It is a draw-win situation. The only way you
can lose is to make your choice out of fear. Don't let the
opinions
of others influence what you choose to believe. Don't give away
your Power. Everyone else is in the same situation you are,
so when it comes to your own life, there is no greater authority than
yourself. If you're interested in magick, try it and see
for yourself
if it works for you.
WHAT MAGICK IS
Magick is a way of using your Power. More technically, magick is
the process of non-physically affecting your environment through
messages consciously impressed on the subconscious with a system
of symbols. (This will become clear later.) This is the broadest
definition and it can include such things as prayer, meditation,
chanting, positive thinking, subliminal tapes,
programming and hypnotism.
Some think that magick is unnatural and evil. It is no more evil
than any tool. A knife, for
instance, is "good" or "evil" depending on its
use. It can be invaluable in
many beneficial projects, yet it can also
harm. Nothing is
immune to misuse. People even try to use prayer against
others. Such
potential is not a reason for fear, but for respect.
The idea that
magick is unnatural is a modern misconception. Magic has only recently
come to mean Hollywood special effects or pulling rabbits
from
hats. It is often spelled magick in order to distinguish it
from
this new meaning. For
millennia
magick
has been a path to enlightenment and self
mastery or just plain getting
what you want. It is nothing supernatural. Magick uses
natural powers and the natural flow of the universe to bring
about the changes
you desire. We are so immersed in magick that, like still air, we are
unaware of it. We all use this power
without thought, like breathing. Magick is using these
powers with awareness.
Magick involves placing a message of your
choosing into your subconscious. This is all that is
necessary to achieve any goal. The power of the subconscious is
awesome. When you unite it with your conscious will,
you can do anything you want.
Remove the internal barriers and the external barriers melt
away.
Oriental philosophy would call this "following the Tao." Achieving this
is the challenge of magick.
HOW MAGICK WORKS
How can programming the subconscious affect the
world around us? What are the mechanisms
involved? According to
the occult view, it works because that is the nature of the
universe.
In the West, we use the mechanistic paradigm. A
paradigm is a pattern or model, in this case describing the
way the
universe works. We use paradigms to
function, usually without even realizing
it. The mechanistic paradigm is one of the most
basic that underlie our culture. This model states that
there is an objective reality in
which objects
interact solely through physical contact. Science has
updated this to include fields like gravity and magnetism, but
the principle is the same. The result is a universe in which the
individual is nearly
powerless. You can only make real change through physical
action. Magick is the act of making such changes
non-physically, so it does not fit in with the mechanistic
paradigm.
Most westerners are unaware
that the magickal paradigm represents a majority view
among the world's cultures. Basically, it is the
antithesis of the mechanistic view.
It states that there is no objective universe, only
subjective universes. These universes are the perceptions of each
individual. You
couldn't possibly do any experiment that would show your
universe
to be either subjective or objective. You must be an objective
observer in order to tell the
difference.
You are automatically a subjective observer because
you are in the universe. That's life.
At this point, there is no practical difference
between these views. The universe looks the same either
way. But the
magickal paradigm also states that the universe is an expression
of
your perceptions and your perceptions are that part of
yourself
over which you have control. When you change your own
attitudes and preconceptions, the
universe will
follow. This gives an individual as
much power over the
universe as he has over himself.
Metaphysics
We obviously don't exercise infinite power. There
is more to magick than merely having a desire or
belief. That is because we have many conflicting desires
and beliefs on many levels.
There is a level called, among other things, the
Little Self. This roughly corresponds to the
subconscious and the super
ego. The ego, the part of ourselves which we think of
as "I,"
is called the Middle Self. The Little Self is the gateway to the
High Self, our connection with godhead and the universe. Infinite power
lies with the High Self, but our access is through
the
Little Self which has its own ideas. The Little Self is
aware of and accepts everything around it and everything you
think, even when you are not aware. These perceptions
build up very strong ideas
in the
Little Self. When these ideas are different from yours (those of
the Middle Self), your ideas loose. To succeed, you
must unify your will.
Of course, people rightfully
complain that even if we do create our universe, it's
still tough to make changes.
That is because there is quite a bit of inertia to ideas
that have
been strongly supported since childhood (or before,
if you accept past-lives). In an extreme example, the
original "Peter Pan" had to be changed to keep from harming
children. In
the original version, the characters flew
because
"they believed." Many children attempted to fly and
discovered the hard way that their Little Self did not agree. Things
like a belief in gravity may be possible to overcome, but
no one will argue that it's
commonly done.
This example sounds silly because our experience of
gravity is so compelling that it seems ridiculous to
consider it to be "merely a thought construct."
But another belief that is
nearly as widespread is that of poverty. This is a
significantly less daunting belief which many have
overcome. As long as you believe you are poor, you
will be. This is often a very
strong belief. Many cannot even genuinely imagine themselves as
being
wealthy. But, because it is not beyond reasonable
comprehension, it is possible to reprogram your
Little Self-- much as it's
possible for left-handers to learn to be
right-handed. Magick is an effective way to do this.
If you are unconvinced, consider how many little
messages you heard when growing up, which you
now believe
on some level. Frequent messages, especially with children,
usually become true. If you have heard all your life
that you are poor
or dumb or unsuccessful, eventually you believe it and
eventually it's true. You probably know many people with an
unjustifiably
poor self image. This is an image which
their
Little Selves accepted,
probably during childhood when they couldn't protect themselves.
That is how messages to the Little Self work against you. And the
Little Self is aware of everything, even when you are asleep. It
also believes everything it hears. So the next time that you hear
that you're not good or that you need to buy a product that
you don't really want, consciously give your Little Self a
different message. Talk to it and tell it what you want to believe.
This is what makes your universe, so make it the way you
want
it. When you have a particularly powerful belief to
overcome,
then you must send a powerful message. That is the role of magick.
Religion
The religious rendition of magick is prayer. Although they
are different things, the principles are similar. Techniques that are
effective for one will work very well in the other. In fact, they
use many common symbols. One could say that magick
is secular prayer.
Prayer works when "God answers it." This is entirely
in line with the metaphysical explanation. You can
say that
the Higher Self is God or your connection to God. This is simply
a different way of expressing the same ineffable
principles. You
can adapt anything here to fit into your views.
Don't let the
way these concepts are phrased put you off. Feel free to
interpret this as much as you like in order to make it
acceptable and
usable to you.
Psychology
The explanations so far require new way of thinking
about the universe, but those entrenched in the mechanistic
paradigm
need not miss out. Psychology has enough respect as a science to offer
hope. If you replace Little Self with subconscious, the principle
is the same. Although there is no longer a source
of infinite power or non-physical change. But influencing the
subconscious is the next best thing in a mechanistic world.
Psychologists would say
that magick directs all your
unconscious efforts toward your goal. It also
eliminates those unconscious efforts keeping you from
your goal.
This may not sound like much, but it is primarily these
efforts that determine success or failure. It is easy to overlook
because, for the most part, the conscious will is the same
as the
unconscious will. Thus, we succeed at endeavors such as
waking up, getting to work on time and fixing dinner. This
may seem silly, but
when your subconscious doesn't share a
goal,
even simple tasks are exceptionally difficult. The
power of the subconscious can either fight you or
help you. Where ever you
succeed, it's almost certainly helping. Where
ever you fail, it's
almost certainly fighting.
The subconscious represents everything the mind does
that we do not think about. This involves a most of what we
do. When you are driving on a familiar freeway in good
conditions,
you are usually thinking about the
music on
the radio or salient problems. At such times it
is your subconscious driving. If
you notice something strange in the road, it was your
subconscious that brought it to your attention. This is very helpful,
but that isn't necessarily the case. The subconscious can
throw up all kinds of barriers, preventing even
the simplest
tasks. It can make you late for work when it doesn't
feel like going-- you can wake up late, feel
ill, misplace car keys
or even have an accident. This influence
sometimes goes to the extremes.
People can even be paralyzed by hysteria, a condition that lies
entirely within the mind. Pathological fears
are
another example. An agoraphobe, for instance,
can have such an extreme
reaction to being outdoors that he cannot leave his house no
matter how badly he wants to.
The subtle action of the
subconscious can be almost as
profound. Even when the influence
of the subconscious is indistinguishable
from chance happenings, on larger
scale the effect is dramatic. Psychologists try to ensure
that experiments are "double blind" for
this reason.
They must set up an experimental group and a
control group. In the latter,
there is only the single element, the target of the
experiment,
that is different.
In drug testing, experimenters use
placebos on a control group. The act of administering
a substance can have a
profound mental effect, even when that substance is inert, a placebo.
When they expect effective drugs, people can have great results with a
placebo. But the "placebo effect" is purely
psychological. If either the experimenter or the subject think
that they know which is being administered, that is enough
to throw off the
results. The subconscious of the subject reacts
to
what the subject expects. If the experimenter knows what he
is administering, then the subject's subconscious reacts to cues from
the experimenter's subconscious. This is sometimes called
the "Clever Hans
effect" after a horse which seemed to be able to do
math.
In reality, clever Hans but was reacting to cues from the
people around him. When someone near him knew the answer, the horse
could sense that
person's expectation. It was sometime before
researchers even considered these
nearly
invisible clues. Although such
subconscious actions are very subtle,
they can dramatically change the results of an experiment.
The subconscious similarly affects results in
your life as well. Magick programs the subconscious
to work for you.
This is not as potent as the metaphysical concept, but it
will make
you as effective as you can possibly be in a
mechanistic
world. A unified will directs all your efforts,
conscious and
otherwise, toward your goal.
Since
the
subconscious can present insurmountable
barriers, working out these barriers
is all it takes to be on the road to success.
Some may be disturbed
to
think that magick may be
misrepresenting how it works, but that should not be a
problem. In one experiment, scientists gave
placebos to a group of subjects.
After the placebos "took
effect," the scientists explained what they were.
Even when the scientists made it clear to the subjects that the
placebos had no biochemical action, many subjects still
wanted a prescription for them.
(It would be interesting to see how much more effective
prescription placebos are versus over the counter
placebos.) Were these people stupid? Or were they wise to stick with
something that worked?
New Science
Those that cannot extricate themselves from
old mechanistic views need an excuse to allow the placebo
effect to
bring them success. Ironically, the same
discipline which made
magick so difficult can now provide this excuse.
Scientists are
exploring some new ideas which depart
from
the founding mechanistic paradigm. Ideas consonant
with the magickal paradigm show
up in Jung's synchronicity, quantum physics,
the Gaia
hypothesis and the morphogenetic field hypothesis (see Rupert
Sheldrake's "A New Science of Life"). When these
views
obviously challenge the traditional mechanistic
paradigm, they are a source of hostility or
amusement. When the challenge is more subtle,
people ignore it. Never the less, the West is gradually
turning toward a
view more in tune with magick. With greater
frequency, people are willing to consider the idea
that we affect our universe on more than just a physical level.
Scientific evidence now supports the idea
of non-physically affecting your environment.
Quantum physics
suggests that an experimenter's goals
seem to create
whatever particle he's looking for. The
morphogenetic field hypothesis
suggests that actions affect all
other actions
to the degree that the circumstances are
similar. This explains why it becomes easier to grow a
certain type of crystal over time and
how new animal behaviors "jump" from one isolated
population to another. Science is continually finding
support for things that
metaphysicians have said for millennia.
If your respect for science is such
that you cannot take magick seriously, do some
research into these areas. If you
can find an acceptable explanation, then you can respect magick. This
respect is essential for success. But don't look for
"proofs." The concept of magick is nebulous. It's designed
to explain
the way things are. "Contrary
evidence"
only shows that you misunderstand.
Change your
definition to include the new
evidence.
Magick can never be proven wrong because it
can't be pinned down. Since it explains a subjective
reality, it can
never be proven right, either. The magickal
paradigm
will confirm any preconceptions, so the
mechanistic paradigm will look
"true" if that is what you expect. Since
it
also postulates so many unknowns in the
mind, this paradigm states that what you
get is what you expected. As with so many things, you will
believe if you want to and you won't if you don't want
to. But when
you're on the fence, the right explanation can
help
you accept the possibility. Only then
you can honestly
try magick. If you experiment with a negative
attitude, it is the nature of
magick to confirm this. Magick works best for those practical
enough to be skeptical, but open minded enough to give it an honest
try. If a part of you is genuinely interested in magick,
work to
become comfortable with it. Start with simple and harmless
work.
Leave the embarrassing stuff for later, after you've seen it
work
and you don't care so much if your friends find out.
Avoid getting too involved in the "explanations." If
you need one, pick whichever you like. It doesn't have to be any
of those here. Each has to build his own models. In
any
case, reality transcends the understanding of
waking-consciousness, so any expressible
explanation is "wrong" in the
traditional sense, anyway. For a good
illustration, try
to "understand" wave-particle duality in
any but a
mathematical sense. It's as impossible to picture as
a four dimensional cube.
However the universe "actually is," always act
in a manner that is responsible in an objective
universe. If this
were not essential, people would have abandoned
the
objective universe long ago. Objective or subjective, there are
many empirical rules of behavior that we all know. Magick doesn't
change these rules. Don't drive crazily because you've done a
protection spell. Don't spend unwisely because you've done a prosperity
spell. Don't jump off a building because you've done a flight
spell. Remain within these rules and you
loose nothing by
acting as though the universe is
subjective. You should not be doing
anything you don't want to do in the first
place,
because such acts are pointless in either
universe. If the universe is objective, then
you have had some harmless fun. If the universe is
subjective, then you have the chance to get
anything
you want. If you approach it properly, you can't lose.
THE EMPIRICAL RULES OF MAGICK
Karma, the golden rule
So far you have read a few possible explanations of how
magick works. This is to open your mind to the fact it *can*
work.
But any explanation puts a limit
on the possibilities. The
possibilities which a model rules out are much harder to achieve
while you use that model.
Please don't limit yourself
unnecessarily. But remember, no matter how much you
may try to believe that you can fly, it's not likely
you'll
succeed. The obvious lesson here is, be
careful: test the
waters of your subconscious, act responsibly (but not over
cautious). Don't jump off a cliff after your first flight spell.
Don't quit work after your first job spell. Start slow and
find out how
your Little Self works before you do any life changing work.
There is a hazard so universal that you should
treat it as fact: Karma. This is the old saw
of, "what goes
around, comes around." You attract things of a
similar nature
to what you concentrate on (similar to morphogenetic
fields). And
remember, when you concentrate on something, your Little
Self does
so at least as much. The mechanistic
reason for
this may be "the subconscious mind
directing subtle
actions to bring about circumstances
in tune with its thoughts."
Metaphysicians often explain it as "like vibrations attracting
like."
Everything has a "vibration." This is similar to the
vibration of musical notes, though obviously not the same. As
with musical notes, one vibration can start a
sympathetic vibration. One vibrating piano
string will start similar
strings vibrating. Karma is the word for this
principle in
magick. There is a
certain vibration associated with any act. If you hit
someone, the emotions and actions involved are of a
certain vibration. This will tend to
attract things
of a similar vibration, primarily violent acts.
You will tend to attract someone to
hit you. It turns out that
everything you do to others you
essentially also do to yourself, and vice versa. It sounds trite,
but being nice to others and yourself truly makes the
world a better place for everyone.
It doesn't matter how you understand
karma, or even if you believe in it-- you are warned.
Many people don't
believe. The action of karma, particularly on such people,
is often too
slow to notice. It can easily take lifetimes
for
a soul to work through karma. But the soul
will, so avoid bad thoughts. This is
impossible, but you will get
better with practice. Each unpleasant thought
has a negative effect on you and others. This brings negative
things into your life. This is pretty rotten, but remember that each
positive thought brings positive things-- that can be pretty
good. In any case, you needn't respect
karma to find yourself a happier person for trying to live this
way.
If you are just learning about karma, you will
probably find that it is now a little more obvious in your life.
But sometimes it's difficult to figure. If you do a spell to heal
someone, you would expect to be
attracting good
things. But what if immediately
afterward you receive a transfer back home
to live
near your scummy relatives? Hardly fair! Yet that's the
kind of result you can expect if you do anything to
a
person without permission. People have enough
difficulty with their own
Little Selves, it's nearly impossible to divine the desire
of someone else's. The most beneficent act could violate
someone's
will on some level. If the person asks you,
then you are free
to act. But, even if you are absolutely sure that the
person would
want
it, if he hasn't asked you, don't do it.
Another fantastic example is the love
spell. Do a spell to attract the kind of person
you want, not
a specific person. Exercising your will on
others without their consent
is always nasty-- doing so magickally has
an
even higher cost. Watch yourself. Many
people working with
magick do so under a "threefold law." This
means that any karmic response is tripled. This is
to keep people particularly scrupulous
when they are fooling around with this stuff. Take it
seriously.
Know Thyself
Karma is best described by the golden rule, "Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you." The other major rule
of magick is just as common place, "Know
thyself."
This is essential because of the Little Self. Magick
is the science of
expressing your will. Because there are many
aspects
to your will, it follows that you must be
aware of all these aspects
to be an effective magician.
"Know thyself" means be aware of the thoughts and
feelings of your Little Self. Learn how it feels about the things
you
want. Learn it's beliefs. You must
know
your starting point to effectively change negative
beliefs. To do this, you have to pay attention to
all the subconscious cues that
your Little Self gives you. Explore your feelings, keep
track of your dreams, look at your past. One of the best
clues is your own
life. If you create everything on some level,
then part of you
"wants" each thing in your life. You must not deny this, but work
with it. The goal is healing because destruction is at best temporary.
Different desires on other
levels interfere with your conscious
desire. Your Little Self picks them up everywhere. You must be
aware of this so that you can counteract it. Every ideal
commonly in the mass media impresses
itself strongly. When Madison Avenue
spreads the word that young and
thin are the ideal, your Little Self will accept this
if you are not careful. If you are not young and thin, this message
undermines your sense of self worth. The resultant sense of
undeserving works
against your success. There is so much exposure to these messages that
it is a real battle to avoid them. Particularly in
childhood,
when we can't protect ourselves, others deeply ingrain ideas that
can be with us for life. You must work
hard to discover these feelings and counter act
them. If part of you feels undeserving, genuine success seems
impossible.
There are other aspects to this problem. Not
only might you feel undeserving, but you could even
desire failure.
There are many reasons for this, usually based in
childhood. Whatever
the cause, you must look at your failures to see if there
might be some reward. Many people are subject
to chronic
illness, for instance, because of the attention
they get or
an unpleasant situation they avoid. If you really
want to succeed,
you must consciously release your desire for the rewards of
failure.
You must also look at the fear of success.
Many times we do not consider the problems associated
with what we are
striving for, but the Little Self
does.
It may be afraid of the
responsibility of a better job or a new spouse.
Think through your goals very carefully. What
would life be like if
you had
what you desire? You will have to address any
new tasks and responsibilities. You will have
to be aware of any
sacrifices. Once you are sure that you want not only
your
goal, but the sacrifices and responsibilities that go
with it,
then release your fears. People fear change, because
it is unknown. You
must be aware that you are taking a leap and welcome it. Have faith in
your Self. When you know your Little Self well enough, you
will be able to trust that it will bring you what you desire. When you
don't know it that well, work on that. If you fail, it's time to
work harder.
When you and your Little Self have the same
goals, and you have healed all the blocks to your
success, you *know* that what you want is coming. When you
know, you do not feel desperate. If you are feeling desperation, you
are blocking. In that case, back to work! When you have worked hard
enough, then you are ready for the easy part, the spell or
ritual. When you enter
ritual you should know what you want and why you want
it. You
should have
healed all feelings of failure and undeserving and
you should know that your spell will bring
it. Work
to cultivate this feeling of calm expectation, it is
an important key. When you do a ritual, you will release all the power
you have built to do its work on the universe. You should not
even have to think about it
again.
Once you achieve this, though, there is
another caveat. Many people have something
unpleasant happen
to them and later realized that they had
asked for it. "Be careful what
you ask for, you just might get it." Always think
carefully
about what you want and how you ask for it. Once
again,
solid background work is the key.
USING MAGICK
Magick is a field with many different
disciplines. There is sympathetic, Earth,
Ceremonial, Enochian, Celtic,
Egyptian and Kabbalah magick just to begin. These are
occasionally
different in their basic techniques, but mostly they differ in
the symbols they use to achieve their goals. The principles
are
the same, however. Whichever form you prefer, it is
how you observe
these principles that determines your success. Beyond that, it is
only personal preference.
Preference is very important, too. It is your Little Self
that you are addressing, and it is as individual as
you. You must learn what works best for you. The
first clue is what appeals to you most. Once you find the best
methods for you, you build your own personal magickal
system. It is up to you
to find these methods, through research and
experimentation. There is so
much information that it is impossible to give more
than a sample here. The information in this book is
enough to get
started. It is your work that will complete it. If
you are happy
with what you get on your own, you need never open another
book.
But you must at least pay constant, careful
attention to your
work to fine tune it. As with anything, the more work
you put
in, the better your success.
The first principle is to
take what you're doing very seriously.
This is not so easy when
you're struggling with society's negative
attitudes. Ignore any intrusive thoughts
you might have. Concentrate on what you are doing. You must passively
avoid any distractions. Do not try to actively avoid
them for
that usually becomes an even bigger distraction. As long as
you enter with the right attitude, the rest will come with practice.
Magickal ritual is a very special thing. You must set it
apart from your ordinary functions. When you do this, your Little
Self is aware that you have that an important message to give it.
Not only is the message less cluttered by stray
thoughts, but it proceeds more directly
to the Little Self.
The more special things you have surrounding your
ritual, the more
effective it is. (As long as you don't have so much that these
things become a distraction in themselves.)
Pick a time when you are relaxed and awake and not
under the influence of any drugs (e.g., alcohol or
medication).
Take the phone off the hook and see that you are not disturbed.
Create a "sacred space" that is only for
ritual. If you
can set up a regular time or place which
you use for
nothing other than ritual, this is ideal.
Before you begin, take a bath or at least wash your
hands and use this to symbolically wash
away
all other thoughts and distractions in
your mind. Relax your body
and mind. Remove watches and tight clothes.
Make sure the time of the
ritual is clearly separated from your usual day. Use
a symbolic
act like knocking three times to open and close the ritual.
Anything that you can add to the ambience will help:
incense,
special or no clothing, candle light, silence or meditative
music (or whatever music is appropriate to the spell-- be careful
of any
lyrics!). If you know a second language that
you don't
ordinarily speak, such as hebrew or latin, you may want to use
this. Alternatively, you can use the Thee's and Thou's of archaic
english.
During the ritual, concentrate on your goals.
Make sure that your ritual is not so long that you can't keep your mind
focused! It is better to repeat a ritual over days or weeks than
to
have an enormously long one in which you spend
most
of your time thinking about balancing your
checkbook. Know what you
will do before you start. You may ad
lib, but
your purpose must be completely clear before you
start. Don't be surprised,
however, if a ritual goes differently
from
expected. You may, for instance, gain an
insight as you work that seems
unrelated to your goal. It is important to consider this! It may
be the key to what you are trying to achieve. It may also be a
distraction, so be aware.
The Attitude
Since magick is the science of
controlling your Self, the entire key is in
attitude. Not only must you take it
seriously, but you must also cultivate the right feelings. You must
want and expect your goal.
Wanting seems easy, but this is deceptive. That is because
the many facets of a personality often want different
things. You must unify your desire just as you must unify your
will. A person who grew up abused may learn, on some level,
to
associate this with love. That person's Little Self
will seek out abuse
as an expression of love. It will want abuse
even if
the individual does not. Changing the desire of the Little
Self to that if
the individual is the challenge.
An even bigger challenge is that of expectation.
According to the magickal paradigm, you not only get what
you
want, but you get it in the way that you expect it. Thus, if you
do a spell for money and you think "I'll never win
the
lottery," the money cannot come that way. If
the spell is to work, the
money must come from another source, such as finding a better
job. Too often we rule out all possibility. When you do a
spell, you know
that has already worked. If you do not know this, it has
not
worked. This is the ideal. It may well take some time before you
work up to this point.
For these reasons it's usually best to start
slow. Remember, to be completely successful, you have to want and
expect on every level. Begin with a project easier than levitation!
Work your way up to something life
changing only
after you have proven yourself. And don't look
for dramatic results. Don't
rule them out, of course-- you can win the lottery or even have
ET hand you a suitcase of money. But remember, this
is dealing in
what you believe, and people rarely believe
that
dramatic things can happen to them.
Look at magick as an extra push-- something to make the
random events break your way. In addition to magickal means,
strive for your goals on the earthly level. Preliminary results usually
tend toward things like improved success in your
ordinary
pursuits: business picking up, a bonus, getting that
job interview.
Also, the energy you put into these mundane efforts also supports
your magickal work. Even if you concentrate on winning a lottery,
you must at least buy a ticket. All your
efforts help to build expectation and gives a very
strong message to the Little Self.
Affirmation
The message you give to your Little Self is the most
important aspect of Magick. The whole process is
communicating
the right message. Desire and expectancy
are
the two most important messages. But often
these do not get across. The Little Self has the
understanding of a child. There are certain
messages that work well and quite a few that work
disastrously. You must learn how to talk to your Little Self.
The Little Self understands images and
feelings; it does not understand negatives or time. When you say
"I will not fail," the image in your mind is that of
failure. The message
to another person would be what you mean,
because
they understand the negation, "not." The
message to the
subconscious is "I will fail." Never, never,
never use a negative when talking
to your Little Self.
If you change your message to, "I will
succeed," you still have a problem. Since the Little Self does
not understand time as we do, it will perpetually see
success as being in
the future. Success will never arrive.
The proper
message would be, "I succeed." This is not the way we
are used to thinking, but it is necessary for magickal work.
Always formulate your goals this way when you begin a ritual or spell.
In addition, the more you think in this way in
everyday life, the more powerful
will be the positive messages to your Little Self.
Visualization
The images which you give your Little
Self are even more important. It is
the images which
your words conjure that actually do the
communicating. When you choose your
goal, you should try to choose one or more images
to
represent it. The image must include you in it,
either see yourself in a
scene or picture it as if looking out of your
eyes.
The scene should represent to you exactly what you desire.
The more you imagine in your
scene, the better. Details, smells,
sounds and textures all help enormously. The
scene is most effective when it brings up all the emotions
that you would feel if you were actually there. A drawing or
picture is a
good aid. Surround yourself with as many things you can find that make
you think of your goal. Imagine you have what you want and
know you have what you want. That is a successful ritual.
Symbols
Over the millennia, people have discovered symbols which
speak to the Little Selves of nearly everyone. Various sets of
symbols form the foundation of the many different schools of magick.
They are often culturally oriented. Because our culture is far removed
from its magickal symbols, each must discover his own. There are
myriads of occult books that offer as many different
symbols as you could want. If you are interested, research
them. Look first to your religion or ethnic background for your
symbols. Mythology and astrology are also good sources.
One kind of symbol is the magickal tool. This
is a physical object which you have consecrated for magickal
work. If you have, for instance, a cross
or star which
you want to use for protection, you
must empower the object for that
purpose in a ritual. You will
direct you
will, through statement and
visualization, into to object. From then on it
is a constant tangible reminder to you and your Little
Self. Treat it with the greatest respect.
When you want to use a symbol, first explore your
feelings as you look at it. If it conjures the feelings you
want,
then use it. With symbols from a source, try do this before you
read what the "authentic" meaning is. Sometimes you can get new
information by not prejudicing yourself. Be careful if the
meaning
is very different, though. If you are not
entirely in
tune with your Little Self (and few beginners are), you may
be missing something that will affect your spell.
Chakra
To give you an idea of what to look for and a sample
to try, here is a simple set of symbols based
on the
Chakra. Chakrum (singular) is Sanskrit for
wheel, although vortex
would be a better word. Chakra refers to points
in the body
where certain energies localize. These types of
energies correspond
to many different things: herbs, stones, times, planets, moods,
political beliefs. It is possible to relate anything to
a
chakrum. This chart gives points on the body, one of the many
color schemes and how one experiences these energies. This
becomes useful when you seek a reinforcing energy. You can use this
chart to decide where to apply a magickal oil or what color is
best to use in a
given project.
RED
ROOT
Physical Health and Energy
ORANGE
SPLEEN Sexual and
Reserve Energy (Second Wind)
YELLOW SOLAR PLEXUS Mental and
Emotional Energy
GREEN
HEART
Love, Prosperity, Fertility, Growth
BLUE
THROAT
Command, Creation, Will, Expression
INDIGO
BROW
Magick, Psychic Energy
3281
LAVENDER
CROWN
Spirituality
WHITE Positivity, all colors combined, the
Universal Deity (God)
BLACK absorbs negativity
PINK Filial Love, "Agape" (look it up)
BROWN Earthiness, Grounding, Hearth & Home
GOLD Wealth
TEMPLES Thoughts, mind
The blue is a very light blue. Indigo is a very dark blue,
like navy blue. Lavender is a mixture of the colors and the
energies
of red, indigo and white. It is a very light color
which you
might be able tosee at the edge of a gas flame. The root chakrum
is at the base
of thespine. The spleen is a few inches higher and
to
your left or along the spine (your choice). The Solar
Plexus at the
navel (there is a major nerve nexus here). The Brow or Third Eye
Chakrum is associated with the pineal gland. On the skin, the
point is on the brow
between the eyes. The crown is the top of the head, associated
with the fontanelle (soft spot). If you use something black (like
obsidian) to absorb negativity, be sure to wash it
occasionally to get
rid of the negativity. When you burn a black
candle, this
creates a vacuum. This may be filled by for
negativity unless you also
burn a white candle to bring in positive energy.
EXERCISES
Magick is not just an occasional exercise to
bring what you want, it is a way of
life. It
requires a certain kind of relationship
with your Self. This does not preclude any
kind of life style or religion, it is entirely separate. It
isn't what you do but why and how you do it. Magick
demands that
you love
and respect your Self and that you accept your Power. This is the goal.
"Getting what you want" is a small bonus.
Building a magickal relationship with your Self is
much like building one with a best friend. You learn all
you can about its beliefs and feelings. You help heal
it and it
helps you. You achieve this through communication and
love. You
love through learning acceptance. You communicate by learning and
listening to the language of the Little Self.
Dreams
The Little Self expresses itself most clearly in
dreams. You should keep a regular dream diary. Have a
journal handy
by the bed. As soon as you wake up in the morning,
write down
as many details as you can. If you scribble down
notes, transcribe
them into a clear, coherent text. If you remember no
dreams, write this down. You should have an entry for every day
that you sleep. It is best to record them in present participle
(e.g., "I
dream that I am writing in my journal").
Once you have a dream recorded. Consider
it and write down your impressions. How does it make
you feel? To
what does it pertain? What symbols are
there? What does it
tell you about yourself and your life? After you have
considered these
things, you may choose to look up the
possible
meaning in a dream dictionary. It
is best to do this
afterward because someone else's interpretation could
prejudice your own. The advantage is
that many dreams are "contrary." Such dreams actually
mean the opposite of what they seem to on the
surface. A
dictionary can help jog your awareness. Once you've tried
on your own, it's not a bad idea. Remember,
though, your
impressions are the most significant.
You can make great progress during your dreams
as well. The more control you have in your dreams,
the more Power you have in your life. Try to develop this control.
Remind yourself each time before you go to bed that
you will remember
your dreams and exercise your will in them. The ideal is
called a waking or vivid dream. In this you are consciously
aware that you are
dreaming and everything, especially color,
is
very clear. The most
important thing to remember in a dream is to defeat
everything that attacks you. Attackers represent those things
afflicting you during the day. Don't let them beat you in your
dreams.
If you need help, call for it. When victorious, make
the attacker
give you a gift. The gift is the benefit that you can gain
from any situation. Defeat your dream monsters and you gain
power to face your real monsters.
From your dreams you can learn what your Little
Self desires and fears. You can also gain
powerful symbols
for your work. These are all highly personal and it
is up to you to divine this information. But, don't try to
interpret too much. Much of
what you dream is reviewing the events of the day and other
items of no great insight. Look at all your dreams and discover
which ones hold meaning for you. Don't worry when you don't understand.
Your
Little Self will keep trying when it has something
important to tell you. As long as you keep listening, you will
progress.
Diary
You should also keep a daily diary. It too, is a
line to your Little Self. Use this to record the events of
the day
and your thoughts and feelings. These will reflect what is going
on inside you. Use it also for introspection. You
must do a lot
of soul searching to learn about your Little Self, this is most
effective
when written.
It is even more important to track
the progress of your magickal work. Each
time you do a spell or ritual
record your goal, your feelings before and after and your
methods. Before you get to this point,
you should also
have explored all your feelings associated with
it. Then pay careful attention
to all
that happens to you (part of the reason for the
daily diary). Often, a spell will work and we will not even
notice.
Since magick works with what we believe, things come
to is in the way we expect or allow. When you do a healing,
it will
tend to look entirely natural, rather than
miraculous. If
you do a prosperity spell, receiving a tax
refund check
the following month could be the universe's response.
Keep an eye out for
any hint of possible results. Even the weakest
indication
is very positive. It may not be enough to satisfy, but it
means that you are being effective. If you keep
working, you will be
able to improve until you achieve the result you
desire. When
you give yourself credit for even the smallest
success,
you build the relationship between you and your Little Self.
Pendulums
Another good way of communicating with your
Little Self is through pendulum work. You can use any
object on a string, but if it holds significance for you, so much
the better. Hold your arm steady and think about the pendulum swinging
forward and back. It should eventually begin to do so without you
*consciously* moving your arm. Next change the movement to left
and right by thinking about it. Once you can do this with facility,
assign "yes" to one
direction and "no" to the other. If you choose forward and
back as "yes," alternate thinking the direction and thinking the word.
Eventually, even when you start cold, the pendulum
will swing forward and back when you think "yes." Repeat with the
word "no" for the opposite direction. Now you have a
way of
talking with your Little Self. You can ask it questions directly.
Eventually, you can even get your Little Self
to spell words by holding the pendulum over a semicircle with
the
alphabet on it. The direction of swing will indicate
each
letter. Another method is automatic writing. With
this you hold a pen and
relax and let "it" do the writing. (This may sound like an Ouija board,
but it is not. Do not try to use one for this purpose
or vice versa.) Whatever method you use, be
careful. Your
Little Self wants to please you. It will tend
to give you
the answer you want. Make sure you want
the truth and that
your Little Self understands this. Always be
friendly, as you would with a child. Praise success and don't
berate failure. After all,
it is only trying to please. As usual, this requires regular work over
time, but eventually you can have such a good understanding
that you need no tools. You will simply "know" how your Little
Self feels. This is the ideal.
Meditation
Another way to achieve this awareness is
through meditation. This is a method of calming
the conscious
mind. There many physical benefits from the stress
reduction alone. It also allows your inner thoughts and feelings
to express themselves. All
the skills you learn in meditation are very useful in
magick. Not only is it a line of communication with the
little self,
but it teaches you to quiet the conscious mind which
is
essential in ritual. You would do well
take
instruction in a meditation technique such as yoga or
self-hypnosis.
If you are learning this on your own,
observe these rules: Relax your body consciously and
completely. You must
be in a comfortable, calm environment to do this
properly.
Starting at your feet, think about each part of your
body and let it
relax. It may help to tighten the muscles first. Use a cue to
tell your mind to relax. This can be something like
mentally
going down stairs or counting backwards. [Do
not use a
common cue. For instance, "three, two, one" is something
that you might encounter on the radio while driving. This could
be dangerous. It would be better to use, "three,
three, three, two, two,
two, one, one, one." This is less likely to cause a
problem. It is
dangerously easy to get into a meditative state during automatic
tasks
like
driving. This you must avoid.] Once relaxed, you can
use this state to allow subconscious thoughts to float to the
surface, or you can use it in ritual to give a
powerful
message to your Little Self. This mental state is another
key to magick.
You will find that it is
very difficult to focus your conscious
mind at first. See how long you can hold one
word or picture in your head without any other thought. It is
probably an astoundingly brief time. Watch
commercials
to see how many seconds they show one
unchanging scene.
This represents the average attention span. This is one of
the reasons that magick is so difficult, you must remain focused
for the entire
ritual. Be aware of you concentration span. While it is short,
you should be working short rituals. It is better to
have
three five-minute rituals than one half-hour ritual if you spend
twenty minutes of the latter thinking of other things.
In order to improve your concentration, spend
some time each day trying to hold a word or picture as long as
possible. Another good exercise is to pick a word and try *not* to
think of it for a week. Count how many times you think the
word in your head, if you think it again when counting it,
count that
instance, too. This is very difficult, but eventually you
will even be
able to hear or see the word without thinking it.
These skills immediately become useful in
communicating with your Little Self. You will want to hold
positive thoughts,
such as "I am a loveable, successful person." You will want to
dispel negative thoughts, as when the T.V.
tells
you, "I was very unpopular until I started
using Crealm Toothpaste!" When you are trying to reprogram your Little
Self, feel free to use aids such as subliminal tapes.
Another good one is colored
cards. Place your simple, direct message, such as "I
succeed," on
a colored card where you will see it each day. Put small pieces
of the same color where you will encounter them throughout the day.
Each time a bit of card comes in your field of view, your Little
Self will notice and remember the message, even when you don't.
Symbolic acts are also very powerful. When you clean
out your house and get rid of everything that you don't *need,*
you
make way for new things to come into your life. This is a
good
thing to do in concert with a major change in
your life, quitting smoking or graduation, for instance. It
helps to tell your Little Self that your old life is over and
your new one has begun.
The more you can eliminate the symbols of your old life, the more you
can shape your new life to your liking. Be aware of all that you
do, for you can use ordinary acts to give messages to your Little Self.
Your morning shower can be a ritual to "wash away" all your stress or
yesterday's mistakes. If you do this, however, you must *make*
it a ritual. Develop a routine and
concentrate on the
purpose of the act throughout. This is true
of all magickal works.
Once you have begun this work to focus your conscious mind
and reprogram your Little Self for success, then you can
begin
some small works of magick. You want to start
small because most people have difficulty accepting a great
success on a deep level. If start with a spell to win one million
in the lottery and
you are not ready for this, your failure will set you back. If you do
prosperity spell and you get a small raise or win
$10 in the lottery, that is a start that you can build on.
One of the better
starting
goals is manifesting an
insignificant object. Manifesting means bringing it
into your life. Things tend to manifest in
unremarkable ways,
so keep a look out. The blue feather is a classic. Set up a
ritual in which you concentrate on a blue feather. See it,
feel it,
smell it,
want it, then let it go. Then pay attention for
the following week (and keep track in your
journal). You
may find a blue feather on the side walk.
You may notice one for the first
time on a billboard that you pass every day. You may see one
on
T.V. All of these are successes.
It is best to start with insignificant,
uncommon (but not rare) objects. An uncommon object
gives you a good indication of success. A rare object
is a challenge you can work
up to. An insignificant object is
easier
because you do not have
interfering desires or fears. You
have to be relaxed and confident and let
go of your desire as you complete the
ritual. You should be able to manifest such an object before you
proceed to a greater challenge. It is valuable to repeat
this
exercise every so often in any case.
Another good spell to start with is a spell to do good
spells. That is, you can use magic to help remove blocks and
fears.
For instance, if you have discovered that you feel
unworthy, this will seriously impair your ability to
manifest what
you want. But, you can use your desire for self worth
to empower
magickal work toward feeling worthiness. You
can also
do a spell to support your ability to concentrate on
your goal. This is just an extension of all the other methods of
getting messages
to your Little Self.
When you discover blocks and fears, when thoughts
intrude and your mind wanders, or when you find
yourself
thinking exactly what you're supposed to avoid, don't
worry! This happens as
you learn to control your will. The idea is
not to avoid these problems, but to
*learn* to avoid them. You can't
do this by trying to force yourself. There are no
instructions on how to do this, only exercises.
Just do your stuff
and the rest will follow. When problem surfaces,
recognize it and go on. Don't try to stop it and don't dwell on
it, just continue. You
may know that you have "spoiled" a ritual
with a
stray thought, but complete it anyway-- it's a good
exercise. Sometimes you can deal with stray thoughts by *trying* to
think about them. Concentrate
on these thoughts and let your mind tire of them, then go on with your
work.
Work steadily, but not overly hard, on
these exercises and make magick a part of your life. Unify
your will. Take and prove your Power. Only after you
have done this are you
ready to do magick. When you feel you are
ready, develop the
messages and visualization which will be the most powerful for
you. Decide how you are going to set up your
ritual area
and how you will orchestrate your spell.
Whatever you feel best with is what will be the most
powerful. If you need an idea
of how to start, consider the examples that follow.
SPELLS
Once you have discovered and addressed your
blocks, you are ready to do a spell. This is
only a little different
from what you have already been doing. In a spell you do
nothing new,
you do it differently. A spell is a ritual, an act carefully
planned to have the greatest effect. You must do the
planning, for
only you know what will be the most effective ritual. Plan
carefully and completely. You may want to use a script (it would be
best to memorize it). You can ad lib once you're more
experienced. At this point, you have enough information to
develop more powerful rituals than you are likely to encounter in
any book.
However, since this is so different from what most of us are used to,
here are some samples to give you a starting point. Feel free
to
use and change these rituals as you please. They are here to give you
an idea of how you may want to approach things.
The ritual starts in a special place. It could
be out in the woods or in a special room. Ideally,
you would never
use this place for anything but ritual, but this may be
impossible. If in the home, choose a quiet time and unplug
the phone.
Make sure that you are not disturbed.
Before the ritual, carefully clean and arrange
the area and take a bath or wash your hands. Think about washing
away the days thoughts and cares. You are now ritually purified. You
should not engage in any mundane activity until after the ritual. Enter
your ritual area and knock three times, to mark the
beginning. From this point all your thoughts are on the ritual.
Don't do anything automatically. No matter how familiar,
think about every
action and what it means.
Light candles and incense (only if there
is no danger of fire!). Imagine the
ritual area surrounded in a circle of
white light. You may physically trace this circle
to
reinforce it. (Traditionally, all such movements are
clockwise when
invoking and counterclockwise when
dispelling.)
Repeat an act of
purification. This is like the bath only more symbolic. You
can hold your hand in the incense smoke and touch water from a ritual
cup to your forehead, for instance. Next, relax and aum-- that is
chant the mantra "ohhmmm" (or whatever works for you)
to bring your mind to the proper state of alert
relaxation, ready for work.
At this point you will state your will. Tell your Self and
the Universe how you choose it
to
be.
This is not merely verbalization, during
ritual your word is law. What you say, is. Feel your statement with
your entire being, with every sense. Use all the techniques that you
have found effective. Then, let
the
feeling go. It is going out into the universe to do its work. End
your expression with a statement like, "According to
free will and for the good of all." This helps
to
avoid problems with karma, as long as you mean
it. Do not allow other
thoughts to intrude at this point, it is now time to close the
ritual.
Imagine removing the white light circle
(counterclockwise). Knock three times to end the ritual.
Put out the candles,
clean each item and put it carefully away in a
special place. The ritual is only
finished once you have completed
all of these steps. Only then can you resume thinking about
what's on the T.V. and how big a jerk your boss it. As a beginner, you
should always be prepared to go through this entire procedure before
you start. Even in an emergency, you should at least remove the white
circle and knock (very quickly, perhaps, but do at least this
much when possible). Nothing in a ritual is mundane, so it must
be clearly delineated from your mundane actions. Otherwise you
will
dilute your spell and give the wrong messages to your Little
Self. When ritual is obviously separate, your Little Self
will know when to pay close attention.
Once finished, do not talk about your work. Silence is
another important key to magick. If you discuss it with anyone else,
they cannot help adding their
thoughts.
This is almost always detrimental. It is fine
to work with people, then your
energies multiply. But never talk about specific
spells
that you have done.
Destroying Your Enemies
This is one aspect of magick that attracts
many. It is a big mistake! Karma will get you every time. Don't
try to rationalize. Though you may be able to put it off, you
will not escape karma. In the mundane world, you might
justifiably do violence in order to defend yourself or another
from physical attack.
In magick, this justifies only defense, never attack. Don't
imagine yourself to be an agent of karma or a martyr saving
others at
your own expense. Who ever has done
you
wrong will get his. It's frustrating to wait
and we all want to be there when it happens, but it is never
worth trying to make it happen.
When you have any kind
of relationship, particularly a magickal
one, you develop a karmic tie. You will want
to avoid such ties with people you don't like. Even if you get the best
of such a person, he will still drag you down. It's
difficult to resist when you feel that the person owes you.
If you have
been
swindled and left with no legal recourse, it's tempting
to use magick to get your money back. Trying to get even
will develop a tie with this person and probably set you up for
some bad karma. Don't worry about the money,
either. You
can get that from anywhere (see "Prosperity"), In
seeing this swindler as your only source you give your
Power to him. If you are
brave, you can demand justice in such a situation.
This incurs no karmic
debt, but you, too, can expect justice. Not very many people
genuinely want this. Most prefer mercy because we have all
done
plenty of things that we would rather not have to pay
for.
If you want mercy, you must extend it to
others. When you ask for
justice, all your debts present themselves. If you survive,
great, but it
won't be fun. There are much safer ways of dealing
with nasty people.
Protection
Psychic attack can be a real
problem because it is so prevalent. When
you make someone angry, the person is
attacking you. Simply directing angry thoughts is a psychic
attack.
(This incurs bad karma, so learn to avoid this yourself!) We
all
have natural defenses, so these attacks seldom have an effect.
But if someone has ability, or if he concentrates a lot of
energy,
you are likely to suffer. Psychic attack usually comes in through the
neck and manifests as a headache.
As you become a better magician, you will
be more sensitive to the energies around you. You become
more vulnerable to psychic attack. You
also become better able to defend yourself as long as you remain
alert. This work will also help protect you from physical
threats.
Keep in mind that, though magic may help, you must still act
responsibly!
Affirmations: I am now safe and secure. All negative
influences are reflected off me into the Earth to be
healed. I
allow only the positive into my life.
Visualizations: See an egg of white light around
you-- because this keeps in negative energy, also see
it filled
with violet light, which will turn the negative to
positive.
Another good visualization is three concentric circles around you
(or whatever you wish to protect) of white (outside), blue
(middle) and
pink (inside). Also, you can imagine a mirror at the back of the
neck or encasing the whole body, reflecting outward.
Other: Religious symbols are especially good for this work.
Purification
Remember that the things you have in your life are
those that you have drawn to you. When someone upsets you, he
usually has a lesson to teach you. If you can learn this lesson, you
can escape the situation. If you escape without learning your lesson,
you'll probably be in a similar situation soon. Sometimes
people
often make us angry by reflecting a part of our personality that we are
unhappy with. Also, the negative vibrations we pick up during our
everyday lives attract negative things. The purpose of the ritual
bath is to remove such influences. It is also a good idea
to do an entire spell for purification. This is not only good to
do on yourself, but also your home and wherever else
you
spend much personal time.
Affirmations: The white light cleanses
me of all negative thoughts and energies.
Only positive feelings remain
in me. I release all negative vibrations into the Earth to
be healed.
Visualizations: See yourself being washed clean
by white or violet light from above you (your
High Self).
Each time you inhale, take in pure white light.
When you exhale,
release all your negativity. See this negativity go down into the earth
to be healed.
Other: Place a piece of rock salt under your tongue. Use incense
smoke or water to cleanse yourself. Again, religious symbols are
very effective.
Love
You must take love spells very seriously, for
they are quite dangerous. Never, never, never do a love spell on
an individual.
This is often a great temptation, but
don't even risk the possibility of imposing your will
on another. The karmic results are severe. Even
if you succeeded, you would
still lack real love, for you would have to continually
renew the spell to
keep the person. What you want, among other things, is someone to help
express your love for yourself. As you will often hear, you must
love yourself first. This isn't a problem, for you already
love yourself-- that is the main reason you are alive. The
problem is when you block that love. Eliminating these blocks is
the Soul's goal. But don't despair, you needn't actually remove them to
draw love to you. Just beginning the work can attract
that special someone who will help.
Affirmations: I am a perfect manifestation of love
and I draw love to me. I now allow love to come into
my life. I
feel and express perfect love and draw other loving people into
my life.
Visualizations: Picture yourself as a magnet, feeling and drawing
love. Imagine yourself bathed in green or pink or orange
light, depending on your goals. Pink is for filial love (agape)
and for that of a lover. Orange is
for
the sexual aspect (spleen chakrum). Green is for both
(heart chakrum). But the distinctions are somewhat blurred, for love is
a combination of all of these.
Other: Friday is the day of Venus and the waxing to full Moon is
a time of increase, so these are good times
for ritual. The ubiquitous heart symbol can be useful.
Prosperity
Money is not all there is to prosperity. What do you
want the money for? What kind of life do you want to
live?
What do you want to have? Keep these goals in mind. You may
get them instead of the money.
As you work though your
blocks to prosperity, you will probably
find that one of the biggest is
guilt. Our society functions under the assumption that a
person can only gain at the expense of others.
Don't try to get money by
taking it from others through force or fraud,
magickally or otherwise.
That is
giving your Power away. In the magickal paradigm,
you create. When you understand this, there is no greed
because you can have whatever you desire and without taking from
others.
It is not money that is a root of evil, but the love
of money. It
doesn't matter how much you get, but how you
get
it. When you do a prosperity spell,
it should be a
joyful expression of the infinite supply
available to you. If you are begging or
hopping to be rescued, you have more background work to do.
Another aspect to remember is that money, like all other
kinds of energy, flows. In order to get it, you have to spend it. There
must be an outflux for there to be an influx. This
is not an excuse to be irresponsible! It
is easy for the flow
to be too much in either direction (especially out!). Don't
be
miserly or
wasteful, remember the flow. Use each bill you pay to remind you
that you've drawn the money to pay it and that more
money will come to take its place.
Affirmations: I allow prosperity to manifest itself in my life in great
abundance. I draw from the infinite source all the money I need
and more. In my life, I now express the infinite
supply of wealth around me.
Visualizations: Imagine yourself bathed in green
light (heart chakrum). This is
a situation
where visualization works particularly well,
because it's a tangible object. You can
even use a picture or model of the new home or car you want.
Other: Good times for a prosperity ritual are Thursday, the
day for increase, and during the waxing Moon. The $
(or
approriate regional symbol) has a great deal of power-- consider using
it.
Health & Self Improvement
Your body is the most direct expression of your
Little Self. It is one of the most
accessible, yet
challenging things to change. If you can find
and address the root causes
of health problems, like heat disease, it is
often relatively
easy to do something about them. But self
image
problems can be very difficult because of the way our
society approaches the subject.
Over weight is a good example of a self image problem.
Madison Avenue bombards us with an ideal
of
beauty. It is almost impossible to escape. If you are
over weight and unhappy about it for other than health reasons, you are
probably a victim of this. It is dangerously easy to make self
love or approval
contingent upon losing weight. Until
you've
lost it, you may feel undeserving
and thus fail. You may succeed,
only to have old habits or new crises can throw you back
into old eating
habits. You have made no fundamental change, so
the
cycle reinforces itself. So many different problems manifest this
way.
You will certainly want to
deal with eating habits and exercise, but
this is often insufficient. People have
different metabolic rates and different body types.
Do
not make liking yourself contingent upon your having
a different body
type! If you dislike your body, you dislike your
Little Self.
You must
love yourself unconditionally. This is the
same transcendent spirit expressed in wedding vows: for
better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in
health. Love yourself not
regardless of how you look, but because of how you look. Wanting
to improve doesn't mean that you must dislike yourself as you
are.
If you were given $900, you wouldn't despise it because it wasn't
$1000. Rejoice in your Little Self's expression of being
alive. Until you do, this lesson will hang over your head.
Ironically, you are most able to change your looks when it matters to
you least.
Remember to be responsible. Always get good health
care. When trying to lose weight, follow a sane plan under a
doctor's care. But in addition, work to love yourself
unconditionally. Strive constantly to fight the messages from the
media and those around you. You are a loving,
loveable person and your
looks reflect this. Make yourself aware of
that. When you
succeed, you may eventually look like your ideal, but
even if you don't, you will see the beauty in
yourself. You will be more
able to defend yourself from those small minds unhappy
enough to attack you for not conforming to their
ideal. You will also draw those who
can see your beauty. As an extreme example, anorexics
always feel that they are too fat. They cannot lose
more weight,
for that would kill them. The answer lies with truly seeing
themselves.
Any time your goal is self improvement, the
principle is the same. In order to better yourself, you
must first
realize that you are loveable, now and always. Never try to
better yourself to become loveable-- it doesn't work. The goal of
magick is to heal those things you do not like in yourself, not
destroy them.
You better yourself by first bettering your self image.
You change your behavior by healing the hurts that cause
you to do
harmful things. Recognize that all unhappy things are
in response to pain. Your Little Self can hurt
you, much as a favorite pet
may bite you because it is in pain. Do not feel anger or
misery
but love and healing.
Affirmations: I love myself completely as I am now. I
surrender to love. I know that I am a loving and loveable
person. I heal all hurts. I now express perfect
health in my
life. I bring complete health into my life. My body is now
a beautiful, healthy expression of my Self.
Visualizations: Imagine yourself so close to the sun that you can
see nothing else. Visualize the area you want to heal
bathed in blue-green light. Listen to or imagine the note
F#.
Concentrate on the heart and throat chakra (green and
blue,
respectively). The root chakrum (red) is another good focus
for
physical well being. When healing someone not
present, put a photo
next to a candle. Put the name of the subject on the candle and use
this to focus your concentration.
Other: Rituals to increase energy and health are most
effective during the waxing moon and at high noon. Rituals for
eliminating disease or losing weight are best done during
the
waning moon. The five pointed star (symbol of Man) might be
a good symbol (if you do not have any negative associations with it).
Good Luck!
At this point you are on your own. It takes forty days to
make or break a habit, so you should concentrate on daily exercise for
at least this long. Magick is not a quick, easy way
of getting what you want. It is a long,
hard
road. Though it's quite possible to
have instant success, visible
results can take
months. Real rewards can take years. But we all must travel this
road some time. Be cautious of those promising an
easier path. Though it may appear slow, magick is one
of the fastest
ways of taking your Power. The difficulty lies not in feats
of
physical or mental prowess, but in steady diligence. Do not try
too hard, or you will not last long. If you are not happy with the way
your life is going now and you desire to take your power, then
commit to the life changes which magick demands. If your
commitment is genuine, then everything will fall into place
over
time. Above all, be patient.
Best of luck and stay on the path.
_______________________________________
"HOW TO USE MAGICK with a Straight Face"
(C) 1989 by Scot Rhoads, all rights reserved
MYSTIC MOON Metaphysical Books, NEW MOON RISING journal & BBS
8818 Troy St., Spring Vly, CA 91977 (619) 466-8064; BBS: 466-5403
Nine Noble Virtues
(Written by Lewis Stead from the Raven
Kindred's ritual book)
The Odinic Rite lists the 9 Noble Virtues as Courage, Truth, Honor,
Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self-Reliance,
andPerseverance.
It would be hard to get much argument on any of these values from
anyone. They simply and briefly encapsulate the broad wisdom of
our Gods and ancestors.
Courage
In virtually every statement of values applied to Asatru, Courage is
listed first. As Stephen McNallen has said, courage and bravery
areperhaps the values which the Vikings are best known for.
However, despite our history, few of us face such turmoil as a literal
battle for ones life. In fact, I believe it might be easier to
manifest courage in such a situation than to do so in the many smaller
day to day occurrences in which courage is called for.
The most common of these occurrences for modern Pagans, is the courage
to acknowledge and live ones beliefs. It is also, sadly, the one
that we most often fail at. While we may often be full of the
type of courage that would lead us to face a shield wall, many of us
quake at the thought of the topic of religion coming up at the office
or a friend asking what church we attend. We won't offer easy
answers,
but we ask this: if you toast the courage of your ancestors to fight
and die for what they believed in, can you trade away your religious
identity for a higher salary or social acceptance?
In an essay on values there is also the question of moral courage. The
way of Tyr is difficultto lose ones hand for ones beliefsbut, Tyr
thought the price worth paying. In a million ways modern
society challenges our values, not just as Asatruar who are estranged
from mainstream religious practice, but for religious people in an
increasingly not just secular, but anti-religious culture. Values
are also not in favor in modern society. Breaking or getting
around
the rules is encouraged to get ahead. Living honorably is simply
too inconvenient. I think most people, Asatru or otherwise, find
this repugnant, but the only way to change it is to have the courage to
refuse to take part in it.
Truth
The second virtue, that of Truth, is the one that most led our kindred
to embrace the Odinic Rite's statement of values as our own.
Early in our discussions, we decided that no matter what values we
chose to hold out as our own, truth must be among them. It is a
word that holds so much in its definition, and includes such a wide
variety of moral and philosophical beliefs that we were all drawn to it
as a simple statement of what we stood for.
At least one of the reasons we wanted to adopt it was the simple issue
of honesty. As Bill Dwinnels said at a recent sumbel while
toasting truth and honesty: if you don't want people to know
about something, don't do it. Truth, in the sense of honesty, is
essential to
personal honor and also to any system or morality that is not based on
rigid legalism. If one is to uphold an honor code, one must be
brutally honest with oneself and with others.
Truth is also the Truth that comes with a capital Tthe kind of Truth
that one talks about in terms of religion or morality. It's
common to talk of different peoples having different "truths," but it's
equally important to remember that while we acknowledge that each
person or people has their own belief as to what Truth is or where to
find it, there finally is a single Truth. This is not the Truth
as we
believe it, but ultimate Truth. While we may respect other
people's truths and seek our own, we must never forget our search for
The Truth.
Like the Holy Grail of Christian legend, it may never be ours to reach,
but when we cease to search we perish.
Honor
Honor is the basis for the entire Asatru moral rationale. If
anything comes out in the Eddas and Sagas it is that without honor we
are nothing. We remember two types of peoples from ancient times:
those whose honor was so clean that they shine as examples to us and
those who were so without honor that their names are cursed a thousand
years after they lived. Good Asatruar should always strive to be
among
the former.
However, honor is not mere reputation. Honor is an internal force
whose outward manifestation is reputation. Internal honor is the
sacred moral compass that each Asatruar and God should hold dear.
It is the inner dwelling at peace which comes from living in accordance
with ones beliefs and with ones knowledge of the Truth of what one is
doing. It is something deeply personal and heartfelt, almost akin
to an emotion. It's a knowing that what one is doing is right and
decent and correct.
In many ways while the most important of all the virtues it is also the
most ephemeral in terms of description. It is all the other
virtues rolled together and then still more. The best way I have
found to describe honor is that if you are truly living with honor, you
will have no regrets about what you have done with your life.
Fidelity
Fidelity is a word that is far too often defined by it's narrow use in
terms of marital fidelity. By the dictionary it simply means
being faithful to someone or something. In marriage this means
being
true to ones vows and partner, and this has been narrowly defined as
limiting ones sexual experience to ones spouse. While I have
found this to be great practical advice, many treat fidelity as if
there were no other ways in which one could be faithful or unfaithful.
For we Asatruar fidelity is most important in terms of our faith and
troth to the Gods. We must remain true to the Aesir and Vanir and
to our kinsmen. Like marriage, Profession (the rite in which one
enters the Asatru faith, similar to Christian confirmation or Wiccan
initiation) is a sacred bond between two parties; in this case an
Asatruar and the Gods. In order for such a relationship to work,
both must be honest and faithful to each other.
Asatru, although currently being reborn, is at its roots a folk
religion and we also uphold the value of fidelity to the ways of our
ancestors. This is why historical research is so important to the
Asatru-folk: it is the rediscovering of our ancient ways and our
readoption of them.
Discipline
In any discussion of the values of Asatru, discipline is best described
as self-discipline. It is the exercise of personal will that
upholds honor and the other virtues and translates impulse into
action. If one is to be able to reject moral legalism for a
system of internal honor, one must be willing to exercise the
self-discipline necessary to make it work. Going back to my
earlier criticism of society, if one rejects legalism, one must be
willing to control ones own actions. Without self-discipline, we
have the mess we
currently see in our culture.
Looking at discipline in terms of fidelity, we see a close connection.
Many Pagans go from faith to faith, system to system, path to path.
Asatruar are much less likely to do this. The discipline of
keeping faith with our Gods and the ways of our ancestors is part of
our modern practice. In this way, we limit ourselves in some
ways,
but we gain much more in others.
Hospitality
Hospitality is simply one of the strongest core values at the heart of
virtually every ancient human civilization. In a community/folk
religion such as our own, it is the virtue that upholds our social
fabric. In ancient times it was essential that when a traveler
went into the world he could find some sort of shelter and welcome for
the night. In modern times it is just as essential that a
traveler
find friendship and safety.
In our modern Asatru community, we need to treat each other with
respect and act together for the good of our community as a whole. This
functions most solidly on the level of the kindred or hearth where
nonfamilial members become extremely close and look out for each
other. It can mean hospitality in the old sense of taking in
people, which we've done, but in modern times it's more likely to mean
loaning someone a car or a bit of money when they need it (that's need,
not want).
Part of hospitality is treating other people with respect and dignity.
Many of our Gods are known to wander the world and stop in at people's
houses, testing their hospitality and generosity. The virtue of
hospitality means seeing people as if they were all individuals with
self-respect and importance. Or perhaps from time to time, they
are literally the Gods in human form. This has profound
implications
for social action in our religion. Our response to societal
problems
such as poverty (that's poverty folks, not laziness) is in many ways
our modern reaction to this ancient virtue.
In terms of our modern community as a whole, I see hospitality in terms
of frontier "barn raisings" where a whole community would come together
and pool their resources. This doesn't mean we have to forget
differences, but we must put them aside for those who are of our Folk,
and work for our common good.
Industriousness
Modern Asatruar must be industrious in their actions. We need to
work hard if we are going to achieve our goals. There is so much
for
us to do. We've set ourselves the task of restoring Asatru to
it's
former place as a mainstream faith and by doing so reinvigorating our
society and culture. We can't do this by sitting on our virtues,
we need
to make them an active part of our behavior. Industry also refers
to simple hard work in our daily vocations, done with care and pride.
Here's a few concrete examples. If you are reading this and don't
have a kindred, why not? Stop reading now. Go and place ads
in the appropriate local stores, get your name on the Ring of Troth,
Wyrd Network, or Asatru Alliance networking lists, and with other Pagan
groups. Put on a workshop. Ok, now you're back to reading
and you don't agree with what I'm saying here? Well, be
industrious! Write your own articles and arguments. Write a
letter to the editor and suggest this material be bannedbetter that
than passivity. Get the blood moving and go out and do it.
That's how it gets done.
The Gods
do not favor the lazy.
The same holds true for our non-religious lives. As Asatruar we
should offer a good example as industrious people who add to whatever
we're involved in rather than take from it. We should be the ones
the business we work in can't do without and the ones who always seem
to be able to get things done. When people think of Asatru, they
should think of people who are competent and who offer something to the
world.
This doesn't just apply to vocational work, but to the entire way we
live our lives. It is just as much a mentality. The Vikings
were vital people. They lived each day to its fullest and didn't
wring their hands in doubt or hesitation. We should put the same
attitude forward in all that we do whether it is our usual vocation,
devotion to the Gods, or leisure time.
Self Reliance
Industry brings us directly to the virtue of Self-Reliance, which is
important both in practical and traditional terms. Going back to
the general notion of this article, we are dealing with a form of
morality that is largely self-imposed and thus requires
self-reliance. We
rely on ourselves to administer our own morality.
Traditionally, our folkways have always honored the ability of a man or
woman to make their own way in the world and not to lean on others for
their physical needs. This is one of the ways in which several
virtues reinforce and support each other. Hospitality cannot
function if people are not responsible enough to exercise discipline
and take care of themselves. It's for those that strive and fail
or need assistance that hospitality is intended, not for the idle who
simply
won't take care of themselves.
In terms of our relationships with the Gods, self-reliance is also very
important. If we wish the Gods to offer us their blessings
and gifts, we must make ourselves worthy of themand the Gods are most
pleased with someone who stands on their own two feet. This is
one of the reasons for the Asatru rule that we do not kneel to the Gods
during our ceremonies. By standing we acknowledge our
relationship as striving and fulfilled people looking for comradeship
and a relationship, rather than acting as scraelings looking for a
handout from on high. It takes very little for a God to attract a
follower, if worship simply means getting on the gravy train. We,
as
Asatruar, are people who can make our own way in the world, but who
choose to seek a relationship with the Gods.
In mundane terms being self-reliant is a simple way to allow ourselves
the ability to live as we wish to. In simple economic terms, if
one has enough money in the bank one doesn't need to worry as much
about being fired due to religious discrimination. We can look a
bigot
in the face and tell him just where he can put it. It's also nice
to have something in the bank to lay down as a retainer on a good
lawyer so we can take appropriate action.
On the other side of this is self-reliance in the sense of Henry David
Thoreau, who advocated a simple lifestyle that freed one from the
temptations of materialism. Again, here we are able to live as we
wish with those things that are truly important. Religious people
from all faiths have found that adjusting ones material desires to
match one's ability to meet them leaves one open for a closer
relationship with deity and a more fulfilling life. While our
ancestors were great collectors of gold goodies, they didn't lust for
possessions in and of themselves, but for what they stood for and could
do for them. In fact, the greatest thing that could be said
of a Lord was that he was a good Ring Giver.
Being self-reliant also means taking responsibility for ones life. It's
not just about refusing a welfare check or not lobbying for a tax
exemption, but also refusing to blame ones failures on religious
intolerance, the patriarchy, or an unfair system. The system may,
in fact, be unfair, but it's our own responsibility to deal with it.
In societal terms, we have become much too dependent on other people
for our own good. As individuals we look to the government or to
others to solve our problems and as a society we borrow billions from
our descendants to pay for today's excesses. Most problems in
this world could be solved if people just paid their own way as they
went.
The final virtue is Perseverance which I think most appropriate because
it is the one that we most need to keep in mind in our living of the
other values. Our religion teaches us that the world is an
imperfect place, and nothing comes easy. We need to continue to
seek after that which we desire. In this imperfect world there
are no
free lunches or easy accomplishmentsespecially in the subjects we have
set before ourselves. If we truly wish to build an Asatru
community
that people will hold up as an example of what committed people can do,
then we must persevere through the hardships that building our
religion is going to entail. We must be willing to continue on
when we are pushed back. If one loses a job for ones religion,
the
answer is not to go back and hide, but to continue until one
finds a vocation where one can more forward and live as an Asatruar
should.
Finally we must persevere when we simply fail. If one's kindred
falls apart because of internal strife, one should go back and start
over. Pick up the pieces and continue on. If nobody had done this
after
the disintegration of the Asatru Free Assembly, this would probably
never have been written. We must be willing to continue in the
hard
work of making our religion strongnot just when it is convenient and
easy to do so, but when it gets hard, inconvenient, or just plain
boring.
To accomplish without striving is to do little, but to persevere and
finally accomplish a hard fought goal brings great honor.
DARK MOON
by Magus and Ariel
Chanting before and while entering circle. Soft background music
when ritual starts.
Priest: We are gathered here in recognition of the dark, to
celebrate the dark mother, the crone of time, grandmother of us all!
All ears hear! The circle is about to be cast, let none be
present but of their own free will! Be it known that we
are in the presence of the dark Goddess.
Priestess: circles deosil with the salt, casts the first circle.
I cast the circle thus! With salt, deep from the womb of
the mother! From oceans deep and cold! I consecrate this
space! So mote
it be!
Priest: circling deosil with water.
I cast the circle thus! With
water, ancient and old; with the
life blood of the world! I
consecrate this space! So mote it be!
Priest: circling deosil with censor.
I cast the circle thus! With
fire and air, clean and hot!
I consecrate this space! So
mote it be!
Priest: And ever it was thus!
All: So mote it be!
Calling of the quarters:
Priestess: Ancient one of elemental Air! I call and summon thee
by name!
Raphael of the wide ranging air! Sylph of the endless skies! We
bid you come! Stand in our presence and guard this circle
cast.
So mote it be!
All: So mote it be!
Priest: Ancient one of elemental Earth! I call and summon thee by name!
Oriel of the fertile plain! Gnome of forests deep! We bid you
come! Stand in our presence and guard this circle cast!
So mote it be!
All:
So mote it be!
Priestess: Ancient one of elemental Fire! I call and summon thee by
name!
Michael of flickering flame! Salamander of scorching fire!
We bid you come!
Stand in our presence and guard this circle cast! So mote it be!
All:
So mote it be!
Priest: Ancient one of elemental Water! I call and summon thee by name!
Gabriel of oceans and streams! Undine of pools and ponds!
We bid you come! Stand in our presence and guard our circle cast!
So mote it be!
All: So mote it be!
Priest stands in the east, Priestess stands in the west.
Together with outstretched arms begin chant A U M !
<invoking Spirit pent>
All:
So mote it be!
Priestess: And ever it was thus! From the beginnings
of the world,
air and earth, fire and water weaved together with spirit and love!
All CHANT
We all come from the Goddess
And to her we shall return.
Like a drop of rain,
Flowing to the ocean.***
Isis, Astarte, Diana,Hecate,
Demeter, Kali, Inanna **
Priest: Dark Mother!! Crone of time!! We ask your presence
and your blessing! All things to you must go, though darkness and
death are your domain, you promise peace and rest! Thy gift is
life! Yours is the hand that turns the wheel and cuts the thread.Be
with us this magickal night! Give each of us your wisdom and
bless our rite! So mote it be!
All:
So mote it be!
Priest and Priestess circle while chanting:
Hecate, Hecate of visage
dower,
Dark Mother, Dark Mother
come in power.
Hecate, Hecate of visage
dower,
Dark Mother, Dark Mother
crone of time.
While Priest and Priestess chant, everyone else can chant also if the
mood strikes.
Each person will take a sheet of parchment paper and write down that
which they have outgrown and want removed. They will keep the paper
with them until later when this petition will be burned and tossed into
cauldron.
Priest and Priestess:
And ever it was thus!
Priest: As God
Priestess: To Goddess
Together:
So woman to man
From the beginnings of the
universe
The energies joined and
co-mingled
whereby we are sustained and
carry on.
Priestess takes chalice:
Dark Lady, Mother of night, we thank you for your presence and wisdom.
(pouring liquid into libation bowl) as the fruit of the vine was
plucked and pressed, it came to know the touch of death and thereby we
are sustained and carry on!
Priest takes cakes:
Likewise as the grain of the field ripened and fell
beneath the
scythe it came to know the touch of death, whereby we are
sustained and carry on!
While cakes and wine are passed around all will chant:
[in retrospect this works better if you've got
the music.
Hebrew is hard]
Hine matov umanayim
Shevet akim gom yokad
(Happy are they that dwell
together as brother and
sister)
Priestess: And ever it was thus!
All:
Blessed be!
Priestess stand in the west with cauldron in front of her.
Priest kneels and silently draws down . While still kneeling
Priest says:
Dark Lady of the waning moon!
We thank you for your presence
and your blessing, and in silence we
turn within
and willingly offer
to thy realm that which is old and
outdated,
that which no longer has life and no
longer grows.
We offer to thy Blade that which
we no longer need.
(Priest stands and lights cauldron)
Priestess draws invoking earth pentegram in front of Priest saying:
Of the Mother darksome and divine
Mine the scourge, and mine the kiss;
The five-point star of love and bliss -
Here I charge you, with this sign.
Priest: Here ye the words of the Dark Lady; we who of old was called
among men Hecate, Persephone, Kali, and many other names.
Priestess: Worship me as the Crone! Tender of the unbroken cycle of
death
and rebirth. I am the wheel,
the shadow of the Moon.
I rule the tides of women and men
and give release
and renewal to weary souls.
Though the darkness of death is my
domain,
the joy of birth is my gift.
Everyone in turn ignites their petition off the cauldron and tosses it
into the cauldron.
Priestess embraces each person as they go by.
Priestess: And ever it was thus! That which falls to the hand of
the crone finds regeneration and new life!
All circle and CHANT:
She changes everything she
touches and
everything she touches
changes!
Priestess: Grandmother! Blessed thou be! Depart to thy
realms .
Thank you for the lessons learned this dark night! Blessed be!
All:
Blessed be!
Priestess: Ancient one of elemental Air! Thank you for your vigil
here!
Leave with us a renewed mind as clear as air! Blessed be!
All:
Blessed be!
Priest: Ancient one of elemental Earth! Thank you for your vigil
here!
Leave with us steadiness and patience! Blessed be!
All:
Blessed be!
Priestess: Ancient one of elemental Fire! Thank you
for your vigil
here!
Leave with us swiftness and action, a flaming soul to always do
what is right! Blessed be!
All:
Blessed be!
Priest: Ancient one of elemental Water! Thank you for your vigil
here!
As you depart leave with us the fluidity of water that we may
have compassion for our fellows as well as our selves!
Blessed be!
All:
Blessed be!
Priestess: Let all ears hear! The circle is open but
remains unbroken!
Brothers and sisters, we are children of the Lord and Lady!
May they always dance within our hearts.
Merry did we meet, merry do we part, merry we meet again!
All: Merry did we meet, merry do we part, merry we meet again!
Blessed be!
Prayers to Brighid
These are some prayers to Brighid that I adapted from prayers to the
Irish Saint Brigid. Comments are welcome.
"KINDLING THE FIRE"
This morning, as I kindle the flame upon my hearth, I pray that the
flame of Brighid may burn in my soul, and the souls of all I meet today.
I pray that no envy and malice, no hatred or fear, may smother the
flame.
I pray that indifference and apathy, comtempt and pride, may not pour
like cold water on the flame.
Instead, may the spark of Brighid light the love in my soul, that it
may burn brightly through the day.
And may I warm those that are lonely, whose hearts are cold and
lifeless, so that all may know the comfort of Brighid's love.
"COVERING THE FIRE"
Brighid, preserve the fire, as You preserve us all.
Brighid, may its warmth remain in our midst, as You are always among us.
Brighid, may it rise to life in the morning, as You raise us to life.
House Cleansing
By: David Piper
************************************************************************
_Banishing And Sealing Ritual For The Home_
To be performed during at the New Moon, but may be performed at any
time in need.
You will need a new white Candle (any size with holder), small bowls
for Water and Salt, and a large bowl of water as well, and the censer
and an appropriate incense. (Choose one that brings to your mind
qualities you wish to have in your home.)
Banishing Ritual:
Meditate for a few moments on the task ahead; then make a brief
invocation to the Goddess and the God, asking for Their Aid and Power
in the Work you will do.
Light the white candle in its holder, and charcoal in the censer (or an
incense stick may be used instead).
Consecrate Water and Salt in the usual way.
Consecrate the water in the bowl in the same manner, but do not add
Salt; place this bowl in the center of the room.
Take the consecrated Water, elevate it to North, and say,
"In the name of (Goddess)
and (God)
I banish with Water
and Earth."
Sprinkle the Water lightly widdershins around the perimeter of the room.
Bless the incense, then elevate the censer (or incense stick) to North,
and say,
"In the name of (Goddess)
and (God)
I banish with Fire and
Air."
Cense the perimeter of the room widdershins.
Take the Candle and cast a Banishing Earth Pentagram at North.
(Draw the Pentagram with the censer or incense stick, starting from the
bottom left point up to the top point, and so forth.) As you cast
the Pentagram say,
"With this Sign I banish ye,
foul shades of the (Quarter)!
Let this home be freed
of your baneful influences!"
Then go widdershins around the perimeter of the room, casting a
Banishing Pentagram at each Quarter beginning at the West and ending
back at North, repeating the above at each Quarter. (Do not
repeat it again at North.)
Now turn and face the center of the room, where the bowl of water sits.
With your hands, draw any negative energy or vibrations remaining, and
cast them into the water in the bowl by flicking or snapping your
fingers at it.
Repeat this action until you are satisfied the
room is cleansed. Do not touch the water in the bowl, as it is
being
filled with the negative forces you are eliminating.
Move the consecrated Water, the Salt, the Incense, the Candle, and the
bowl of water (being careful not to spill it) into each room in your
home and repeat this ritual.
After banishing every room in the home (including bathroom, closets,
pantry, etc.) you have finished. Empty the large bowl of water
into running water (a sink or toilet will do). Wash the bowl
thoroughly with cold water, scrubbing with some of the consecrated Salt.
Sealing Ritual:
Take all the Elemental substances used in the Banishing Ritual (Salt,
consecrated Water, wax drippings from the Candle, and ashes from the
Incense) and mix them into a paste.
Using your forefinger, use the mixture to draw an Invoking Fire
Pentagram at each opening leading outside the home (the doors and the
windows - and even the water pipes, if you should feel the need) while
concentrating on the Intention of protecting your home from outside
influences. (Draw the Pentagram from the top point to the bottom
right, and so forth. Form the Star so that it is point up, or
point out,
as appropriate.) You may make two Stars at each opening if you
wish
- one on the sill or threshold, and the other on the door or window
itself.
Remember that Intent is the key to success in this, as in all magickal
operations; going through the motions without Will brings no results.
The Center Point (Celtic)
By: Airmid
The methods that I use involve putting oneself in the center of the
Three Realms, constructed as a triskele. The first is a movement
meditation that I call "The Center Point." It involves both movement
and a breathing pattern used to time the movement. Breathing is,
ideally, timed to the heartbeat. Three each beat is one count.
Breathing pattern is to inhale for 3, hold for 1, exhale for 3, hold
for 1.
Movement is slow, rhythmic and deliberate. Each movement has its own
meaning.
Start standing erect, arms relaxed at your sides.
Close your eyes and relax. Clear your mind, concentrating on your
breathing, and listening to your heart beat. Breathe in and out in the
3-1-3-1 pattern three times as you allow yourself to relax.
As you breathe in the fourth time, raise your hands from your sides and
cover your heart with your palms, one over the other -- you are at the
center of the world.
Exhale, moving smoothly to one knee, placing your palms on the ground
in front of you -- you stand firmly upon the Land.
Inhale as you rise to your feet. As you stand, move your hands behind
you as far back as you can comfortably reach at waist or hip height.
Your hands should be cupped as though you are holding liquid.
Breathe out, moving your hands in an arc around you until they meet in
front of you at about the level of your navel -- the Sea always
surrounds you.
Breathing in, move your hands back to your sides, holding them slightly
away from your hips with your palms flat, facing forward and your
fingers spread open.
Exhale as you raise your arms above you in a smooth curve over your
head until the tips of your thumbs and index fingers touch --the Sky
spreads itself above you.
Inhale again, lowering your hands in front of you until they are once
again cupped over your heart -- you are at the center of the Three
Realms.
CANDLE BLESSING
===============
Coven of New Gwynedd
Blessings be upon thee, O creature of light! Thrice blessed
little herb! Herb o' grease, with thy waxen stem and thy blossom
of flame! Thou art more potent against spells and terrors and the
invisible menace than fennel or dittany or rue. Hail! antidote to
the dealy nightshade! Blossoming in the darkness, thy virtues
areheartsease and quiet sleep. Sick people bless thee, and women
in travail, and people with haunted minds, and all children.
<to be spoken when a new candle is annointed with oil, or when
candles are being made -- when wax is being poured or the candle dipped
-- preferrably on Candlemas>
Blessed Be,
Gwydion
The Coven
By: Julia Phillips
Greetings All!
This article was written by me several years ago, but I thought it
might be of interest here, as it discusses several issues relevant to
modern Witches. Any thought or feedback most welcome! Please remember,
that although the historical stuff is pretty general, the other parts
of the article are my own ideas, and not necessarily applicable outside
of my own tradition :)
Covens and Witches
In 1662, Isobel Gowdie of Auldearne made four separate confessions of
being a Witch, and in the process, gave the word "Coven" to the world.
Although there is no other historical evidence for this word, it has
proven to be one of the most lasting facets of Witchcraft - ask anyone
today what Witches do, and the answer will almost certainly include the
fact that they meet in groups, called "Covens".
So given that a number of modern Witches do, in fact, either run, or
belong to, a Coven - just what is its purpose in 20th (and 21st)
century Western Civilisation? Why has this word of such dubious
historical veracity survived over three hundred years? Is there a place
in our modern world for a social group which, as far as we know,
occurred only in 17th century Scotland?
The very fact of its survival for over three hundred years argues that
there is a place for such a group. In my own case, I have been a member
of, and run, Covens of Witches for a number of years, and it is a
social model which fits extremely well within modern society.
The structure of a coven varies, but generally has one or two leaders,
and a number of members of varying levels of experience. In a sense,
the modern Coven has replaced the tribal family, and its members often
fulfill familial roles, which are no longer available to them in the
family in which they were born.
Some researchers have commented that many modern Witches come from a
background which was disrupted; i.e., did not provide a safe family
environment during their formative years. As I know a great many
Witches for whom this was not the case, I think this is only a partial
reason, and only for some people.
Humanity itself seems to be inherently tribal; any common bond between
people will generally result in the creation cults or sub-cultures,
where those of a like-mind will bond together. They will evolve their
own social order (generally hierarchical), have their own common
language, and often are identifiable by their demeanour and appearance.
Witches gather together in Covens for very much the same sorts of
reasons; we are apart from general society by virtue of our beliefs and
practices. Meeting with others who think and feel similarly to
ourselves gives us the opportunity to share ideas and skills, as well
as being able to practise our Craft.
A modern Coven provides a family-style environment, where the "Elders"
can, by virtue of their experience, give encouragement, support, and
advice to those seek to learn about Witchcraft. As with all families,
Covens have very unique and individual ways of approaching this. Just
as no two families are the same, neither are any two Covens.
Some Covens are run by people with an academic bent, and as would be
the case in any family, this characterises the way in which their
"children" are brought up. Other groups are oriented towards a more
simple approach, and the oral traditions play an important role in the
way in which the Coven is structured. Some combine the these two
approaches, and the variations upon the basic themes are endless.
For any "family" to exist harmoniously, everyone within the group must
feel a part of the group, and wish to learn and grow within that group
environment. With a path such as Witchcraft, with its emphasis
upon personal growth and development, it is likely that individuals who
may at one time have been happy within their family group, will change,
and wish to move away. This is a perfectly natural process, and the
wise coven leaders will send those people off with their love and
blessing. Trying to keep them would be like trying to keep your
sons and daughters tied to your apron strings forever!
Ultimately, and despite the popularity of the word "coven", I do
believe that most Witches are solitary in nature, and will generally
spend at least part of their lives without being a member of, or
running, a coven. I think the inward exploration during these periods
is vital to self-development, just as we believe it is important to
encourage social-awareness in children. However, I also believe that at
some stage it is important to learn the practices of Witchcraft from
another person; to be an apprentice, if you will; because the act of
passing knowledge from one person to another cannot be replicated by
books,
correspondence courses, or be self-taught. This may seem an almost
impossible task to some people, but as all the magical traditions
teach: when the student is ready, the teacher will appear! What's more,
it's true!
B*B Julia
Group Ethics Rules: Opening Suggestions!
By: Raven
Too often I had seen the Craft used as a personal power-trip, or with a
disregard for the effects on others. This time it happened in my
home.
I introduced two guests, acquaintances of mine, to each other.
One was interested in learning about the Craft; the other offered to
teach him. The would-be teacher went on about his skills, describing
the would-be student's aura and psychic shields; leaned back in his
chair, said, "I really shouldn't do this, I really shouldn't" -- then
leaned forward and, with no warning or other preliminary, SLICED the
student's shields "open" (as he said), leaving the student feeling
naked and exposed.
To prove a point, I suppose, but what point I can't guess.
I was outraged. Guests in my home are not to be abused -- by
anyone. Even to a complete materialist, it would be clear that the
student had had his personal space invaded, his emotional consolation
removed, with no informed consent involved, and with no feeling of
other protection.
I already knew the would-be teacher himself was taught by people of no
great concern for ethics. His was chiefly a fault of poor
training, added to which he had never stopped to think that "occult"
dealings with people might involve the same ethical issues as "mundane"
dealings.
One of the several outcomes of that event was that I wrote the
following guidelines for those two specific people, and suggested (NOT
ordered) that they adopt these -- if they did still decide to work
together. After that, well, several other people did express an
interest.
Note! This was written as a PROPOSAL; no-one has enacted it as a
LAW. The hope is for it to be used by, and among, those who like the
ideas.
(Really, all it does is put the concept of "Harm ye none" in practice.)
RULES OF THE CIRCLE
THE RULES OF INFORMED CONSENT:
1. Tell everyone participating what to expect, before the circle
is closed or anything else begins.
2. Give everyone participating the chance to say NO and to
withdraw, before the circle is closed or anything else begins
-- and then respect that decision.
3. Be open, honest, and fair: spring no surprises, trip no
traps; NEVER use what you learn or do in circle to
manipulate or compel any other person, or diminish anyone's dignity and
free will.
THE RULES OF PRIVACY:
4. Encourage people not to wander in and out of any session
between its beginning and ending, or cross the circle while
it is closed.
5. Protect every session from interruption by (or intrusion on)
any outsiders -- by closed or locked doors, a fence, or
some other clear marking outside the circle.
6. While proceedings may not be secret, they ARE always private;
keep silent about who and what you see or hear in circle,
unless you have each other participant's specific consent.
THE RULES OF SHIELDING:
7. ALWAYS, ALWAYS close the circle and raise your wards before
beginning, or continuing after a break.
8. ALWAYS, ALWAYS dismiss your wards and open the circle after
ending, or to allow passage across the circle.
9. Conduct yourself with mutual respect and due courtesy,
without malice or ill will toward anyone, or else ask that
the circle be opened and that you be dismissed from the session.
COVENANT
THE TEACHER PROMISES THE STUDENT:
1. I will abide by the Rules of the Circle.
2. I will ask from you no more than you can give.
3. I will not expect you to read my mind.
4. I will not hide from you my limits or gaps in knowledge; if I
just don't know, I'll tell you so.
5. I will explain, to the best of my ability, not only what to do
and how, but also why.
6. I will not push you beyond your ability or willingness to
proceed.
7. I realize that I may be tempted to become dominating, a
"leader" -- and I will do my best to resist this temptation.
8. Because I received from others without payment, I will give to
you without payment.
9. As I can, I will learn from you in turn.
THE STUDENT PROMISES THE TEACHER:
1. I will abide by the Rules of the Circle.
2. I will ask from you no more than you can give.
3. I will not expect you to read my mind.
4. If I have questions about what you show me, I will ask you.
5. If I fail to understand anything, I will mention it.
6. If I feel unready to proceed, I will tell you.
7. I realize that I may be tempted to become dependent, a
"follower" -- and I will do my best to resist this temptation.
8. Because I receive from you without payment, I will give to
others without payment.
9. As I can, I will teach you in turn.
A CIRCLE IS NOT A LINE: IT
HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END.
A CIRCLE IS NOT A PYRAMID:
IT HAS NO TOP AND NO BOTTOM.
A CIRCLE IS NOT AN ASTERISK: IT IS NOT RUN FROM JUST
ONE POINT.
Wiccan Ethics And The Wiccan Rede
By: David Piper, Sat 21 May 94 12:16
Part I: What Sayeth The Rede?
=====================
The "archaically worded" construction "An it harm none, do what ye
will," rendered into modern English is literally, "if it doesn't harm
anyone, do what you want."
Many modern Wiccans "reverse" the construction, however, taking the
first part and putting it after the second to read: "Do what ye will an
it harm none," or in modern English "Do what you want if it doesn't
harm anyone."
Many people give the word "an" or "if" a value of "so long as" - which
is acceptable substitution, because it doesn't alter the meaning of the
Rede itself. However they then proceed to read "so long as" as
"only if," and that is *completely different*, because the Rede has
ceased to be a "wise counsel" [anyone checked the meaning of "rede" in
the dictionary lately?] and become an injunction: prohibitive
commandment, rather than permissive advice.
In other words, the original archaic construction actually says "if it
is not going to hurt anyone, it is ok to do" - this is *not* the same
as "if it hurts anyone it is *not* ok to do."
What is the significance of the change? A larger one than you
might see, at first glance.
The "actual construction Rede," or AC Rede, says it is ok to do
something that won't harm anyone, but it *does not say anything* about
those things which do cause harm, except to set an ethical standard of
harmlessness as the criteria to judge by.
The "modern reconstruction Rede" or MR Rede, explicitly says that any
and all actions that cause harm are forbidden.
The two constructions do *not* mean the same thing at all. And it
should be obvious that this has implications on our thinking, and
discussions of the possibility of "obeying" the Rede.
Most of you will have heard or read, as I have, people saying the Rede
is something to strive to live by, even though mundane reality makes it
very difficult, if not impossible, to do so to the letter. *This
is only true of the MR Rede, not the AC Rede!* As examples, they
cite situations such as self-defense; *this violates the MR
Rede*.
Period. But it does *not* violate the AC Rede. Period.
Earlier, I stated that the AC Rede does not rule on actions that do
cause harm - and this is true. It only rules on those actions
which do not, by saying that they are acceptable. This is
relevant to
"victimless crimes" for example - civil "crimes" may in fact be
"ethical," by the judgment of the AC Rede.
What the AC Rede *does* do, in terms of actions that cause harm, is
state an ethical value by which an individual must judge the results of
her/his actions before acting. In other words, by stating that a
harmless action is ethical, the AC Rede sets harmlessness as the
criteria for evaluation. Acting to prevent greater harm - but in
the process causing lesser harm - may then be ethical, if there is no
harmless, or more harmless, method of preventing that greater harm -
because *not* acting to prevent harm is to *cause* it, by an act of
*omission* rather than *commission*.
In short the difference between the AC Rede, and the MR Rede, is that
the AC Rede is a perfectly-obeyable ethical standard, but the MR Rede
is
not, as so many people have pointed out. Do we take as our
ethical
standard a "counsel" which *can* be obeyed, or one which *necessitates
rationalizing
in some instances*? Which is truer to the Wicca, and to the
*real*
Rede?
"rede: n. [Middle English rede <
Old English raed < base of raedan, to interpret] [archaic]
1.
counsel;
advice 2. a plan; scheme
3. a story; tale 4. an
interpretation" (from
Webster's
New World Dictionary)
Part II: "Do good, an it be safe..." (from the Ordains)
===========================
The MR Rede is the most common interpretation in Wicca today; so much
so, that not only do many Wiccans not realize there's a difference in
the
two constructions, but they *deny* it when it is pointed out to them,
holding
firmly to the MR Rede as what the original has always meant.
At first the change of language was only an attempt to bring the
language
up from archaic, to modern English; but in doing so - especially with
the
public relations campaign, to convince people that Wiccans are "not
black
magick/not devil worship/not evil nasty curse-casters" the
"harmlessness"
aspect of the Rede was stressed, over the personal
responsibility aspect. And in essence Wiccans became the victims
of their own PR campaign.
An additional result is the injunction that one may never work magick
for others, even to heal, without their knowledge and consent. Of
course,
we are allowed by this injunction to ask "Can I pray for you?" as a
means
of obtaining the consent. From "a love spell aimed at one
particular
person is unethical because it violates their will only to serve our
lust"
we've moved to an extreme: to the prohibitive injunction against ever
doing
any magick for another without permission, since it violates their free
will.
Does anyone *really* believe the Gods will judge them ill, for
attempting
to heal someone?
What of the case of an unconscious accident victim and family
unavailable
to ask - are we forbidden to work? No, of course we're not - but
we
*do* have to accept the karmic consequences of such acts. Do you
really
think that a neurotic who uses an illness as a crutch wouldn't be
better
healed of that neurosis as well as the illness? Of course that
may
call up some karma if the person isn't strong enough to give up that
crutch
yet. Once again the real criteria is *personal responsibility*
and
consideration of the consequences of one's actions *before* one acts
rather
than the "thou shalt not" prohibitive commandment.
There is however another reason for the "prohibitive form" of these
redes - one which has some validity. The teacher bears a karmic
responsibility
for the student. There was a group whose teaching was, "No magick
may
be done for another, even to heal, without their consent; any
exceptions
may be decided only by the High Priestess and the High Priest."
The
point of this is that a student is not yet experienced enough, not yet
wise
enough (since wisdom is the harvest we reap of our experience and
knowledge),
to have that kind of decision, and the resulting karmic burden, left to
rest
fully upon her/his shoulders - hence, some teachers and some Trads do
not
allow neophytes to have responsibility for that kind of decision-making.
It is far better, however, to teach a student the essential importance
of personal responsibility, the need to look ahead for possible
consequences
before they act, than to lay "thou shalt not's" upon them despite
Wicca's
insistance that we have none.
I received a comment about the last sentence in part I, paragraph 3,
that said "Ack! Welcome to the One Wiccan Commandment! Any
'thou
shalt nots' lurking around?" Food for thought, my fellow
Wiccans!
Food for thought!Í
Charge of the God 1
By: Siobhan
Tue 12 Jul 94 10:33
Here's something I picked up recently. The writer felt that there should
be a Charge of the God to go with The Charge of the Goddess.
*****
Listen the the words of the Great Father, who
of
old was called Osiris, Adonis, Zeus, Thor, Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Lugh
and
by may other names: "My Law is Harmony with
all things.
Mine is the secret that opens the gates of life and mine is the dish of
salt
of the earth that is the body of Cernunnos that is the eternal circle
of rebirth. I give the
knowledge of life everlasting, and beyond death I give the promise of
regeneration
and renewal. I am the sacrifice, the father of all things, and my
protection
blankets the earth."
Hear the words of the dancing God, the music of whose
laughter
stirs the winds, whose voice calls the seasons: "I who am the
Lord
of the Hunt and the Power of the Light, sun among the clouds and the
secret
of the flame, I call upon your bodies to arise and come unto me.
For
I am the flesh of the earth and all it's beings. Thru me all
things
must die and with me are reborn. Let my worship be in the body
that
sings, for behold all acts of willing sacrifice are my rituals.
Let
there be desire and fear, anger and weakness, joy and peace, awe and
longing
within you. For these too are part of the mysteries found within
yourself,
within me, all beginnings have endings, and all endings have
beginnings."
So Mote It BE!
Charge of the God 2
By: Siobhan
Tue 12 Jul 94 10:33
This is the second Charge of the God I have.
****
THE CHARGE OF THE GOD
Listen to the words of the God, who is the son, brother, lover, and
consort of the Lady:
I am the fleet deer in the forest, I am the beach which receives the
waves, I am the sun which warms the earth. I am the Lord of the Spiral
Dance
of Life, Death and Rebirth, the gentle reaper, the Winter stag and the
Spring
fawn. All things are of me, for I am of the Goddess, opposite, yet not
opposing.
I bring birth forth from the womb that is a tomb, for I am the seed
which
fertilizes. I am abundant Life, for I am the grain that grows and I am
death,
the harvest in the Fall. And I am rebirth after darkness, for I am the
seed
that springs forth anew.
I am fertility, the spreader of Life, and I am the Lord of Death, which
adds value to life.
I am the Guardian of the gate between Life and Death. I am King of
the Underworld, where no living being may venture, but I am also the
King
of Rebirth, turning the tomb into a womb.
I bring love and strength, peace and passion, hope and joy, for I am
the gentle lover in the night.
All that I am comes from the Great Mother, the Divine Star Goddess, who
is Mother of us all.
For a Few Myths More by Aries
"...Aries shows us how modern images (albeit set in 19th century
America)..." Julia, Web of Wyrd No. 7.
For me, that "albeit" sounded like a gauntlet being slapped down. Can
we show the presence of myth in films other than Westerns? We don't
plan
to go on in great detail, but we suspect that what we're trying to get
across
is the suggestion that maybe "The Mythic" is not the stories or
rituals,
but the substrate out of which our tales and trials grow.
When we talk about myths we are really referring to ancienct
stories,
and not every ancient tale grew out of "The Mythic". More than enough
were
for entertainment, propaganda, satire or pornography _ to see
everything that
is old as also being venerable is to fall into the Confuscian Heresy.
In
much the same way our modern literature/film culture produces works
serving as varying purposes as moral tales, epic adventures, pulp and
hardcore porn, but also produces work that grows direct from "The
Mythic".
In the rubric of science, "The Mythic" can be seen as being non-local;
it stands outside of space-time, being here, there and everywhere; now,
then,
and everywhen. Our tales do not grow out of the ancient tales/myths,
but
draw afresh from the same wells as they did (do/will?).
In the printed media a good many SF novels are based on the
inner/underground journey; all that Phillip K Dick and Edmund Cooper
wrote seemed based on this
theme, in the same way "Metropolis" is of the "descent" type
story. One of the great advantages of film is the way it can make
the sensations of the "descent" seem "real"; possibly by a species of
autohypnosis into a
state that Robert Anton Wilson refers to as virtual reality in his
book,
Cosmic Trigger 2. For us other examples of the descent theme are Orson
Welles'
films; Touch of Evil and The Trial (based on Kafka's book), giving a
long
shot of the journey.
The classic "Casablanca" we suggest is the story of the "descent" from
a viewpoint inside the underworld itself. That Casablanca is the place
of
death is always suggested by the comment that Rick makes to Elsa when
she
says that Victor Lazlo will die in Casablanca; "What of it? I'm going
to
die in Casablanca. It's a good place for it." Full of refugees (lost
souls).
Rick exists in his own emotional limbo awaiting the descent of his own
Inanna
to set him free.
"Apocalypse Now" and the Conrad novel it is based on, "Heart of
Darkness",
gives a great example of the same story set at both ends of the
century;
the parallel of the inner and outer journey, especially as Conrad went
through
his inner journey whilst writing the book, and Francis Ford Copolla and
crew
went through theirs while making the film. I would strongly
suggest
that "The Mythic" emerges into our lives first and formost; through
tales
we make sense of the patterns, and warn those who follow on from us.
Another great advantage of film is its ability to show us inside the
underworld in such a way that we may lose track of where the boundaries
lay,
and become uncertain of what is real and what is illusion. If the
previous films can be seen as "descent" themes, the following, we
suggest, can be called
"Chapel Perilous" themes. In "The Maltese Falcon"
we have the characters chasing the elusive bird, crossing and
double-crossing each other, unconcerned by anything but possession of
the miraculous object,
which we discover at the very end is nothing but; "The stuff that
dreams
are made of".
With "The House of Games" _ Mamet's six year-old cult movie _ we enter
the image of the labyrinthe, a subterranean night world of confidence
tricksters,
who lead a lady psychiatrist along until she, and us (the viewer) have
problems
distinguishing between what is real and what isn't, until it all
becomes
part of the game.
That is the nature of "Chapel Perilous", its existence can be denied,
we can believe we're somewhere else (watching a movie?), but all the
time
we're trapped in it, unable to discern what is really going on.
Another cult movie that gives a beautiful experience of Chapel
Perilous is Orson Welles'
film "F for Fake", except this time we are the targets of the con. A
documentary
film about two fakers, itself really a clever montage of existing film
clips
put together to give the impression of a series of interviews. At some
point
the film moves into the realm of total fantasy, and the beauty of it is
that
we don't notice _ that is the Chapel Perilous experience. From here it
is
logical to move onto the ascent, or what could be called the
"Promethean" theme. The film "Frankenstein" is the classic promethean
film, but is full of timid, anti-Luciferan morality; i.e. to steal the
"fire" from the gods instantly incurrs punishment; as a myth, that is
no longer useful to us.
All of the above examples are tales based in the twentieth century. For
a promethean theme we feel we should be looking forward; "2001 A Space
Odyssey" is wonderfully symbolic in that it is based in the first year
of the next millenium. There are four stages in the film: the first is
"The
Dawn of Man", taking place in prehistoric Earth, where "the slab"
appears _ the promeathean gift, but what is the gift? fire? tool use?
weapon use?
the ability to kill? We would suggest that it is the gift of
imagination;
the apre man looks at the bone and "sees" a weapon; he has the ability
to
manipulate images in his mind.
In the film the image cuts instantly to a space craft on its way to the
Moon. This journey between the worlds we feel signifies that we
have entered mythic space. In the next stage of the film, "The Moon",
we
meet "the slab" again, where it dispenses its next gift, the awareness
of
something beyond. In Qabbalistic terms we have moved from Malkuth to
Yesod; the following stage of the film, "Journey to Jupiter", has us
ascending the
sephiroth to Chesed.
On the approach to Jupiter, Dave has to disconnect the higher functions
of the computer, Hal. We would suggest this can represent a distrust of
reason;
a return to child-like ways, or a stepping away from the constraints of
language.
As Hal closes down, it is language that deteriorates; i.e. it is
language
that constructs the world we perceive. So to go into the infinite
beyond,
to take the Next Step, we have to go beyond language, hence all the
descriptions
of mystical experiences end up sounding like gibberish.
For the final stage of the film, "Jupiter and beyond to Infinity", we
have the leap across the Abyss to the Supernals; Chokmah, Binah,
Kether.
Because language fails us at this point, Kubrick relies solely on
the
visual image; the sequence seems baffling, but we wonder if he is
trying
to explain something that is also suggested by Ken Wilber in his book,
3317
"The Atman Project"; i.e., we evolve by changing how we translate the
incoming information of our senses. We go from looking through to
looking
at each developmental stage. For most of us, we construct the world by
looking
through a semantic framework or grid; when we transcend this stage, we
will
be able to look at our semantic structure. Likewise in the film,
Dave
sees the next stage from outside and then becomes it: the outsider, the
astronaut,
the urbane man, the old man on the death bed, and finally rebirth as
the
Star Child. Or as Crowley puts it in "Magick" when describing the grade
of
Adeptus (Exemptus); "Completes in perfection all these matters. He then
either
(a) becomes a Brother of the Left Hand Path or, (b) is stripped of all
his
attainments and of himself as well, even his Holy Guardian Angel, and
becomes
a Babe of the Abyss, who having transcended the Reason, does nothing
but
grow in the womb of its mother."
So we contend that "The Mythic" is everywhere, everywhen, and despite
our cultural estrangement from myths, "The Mythic" still emerges
through
our media in many guises, which includes, but is not exclusive to,
Western
movies.
Handfast Ritual
This is adapted from "Magical Rites from the Crystal Well" by Ed Fitch
and is a combination of their handfast ritual and american indian
ceremonial prelude. I'll skip over the consecration as it is a standard
one and get straight
to the ritual itself. We had a Priestess only, so this was
written
with that in mind but could easily be adapted for a Priest and
Priestess.
At this time and in this place
Do we call upon the Spirits of the Land
As well as the Mighty Ones of the Skies.
We call upon the Gods of our own distant past
From lands far away.
We call upon the Gods of our spiritual brethren
Who once called this place
Their own.
Witness and rejoyce with us in this moment
As love is affirmed.
__Groom's name__ and __Bride's name__ step forward Stand before the
Gods and those who witness on Earth
__Groom's name__, if it is your wish to become one with this woman
Will you pledge your love through all that may come As long as love
shall
last?
<Groom replies: I so pledge>
__Bride's name__, if it is your wish to become one with this man Will
you pledge your love through all that may come As long as love shall
last?
<Bride replies: I so pledge>
Does any say nay?
As the Gods and the Old Ones are witness
With those of us present now,
I now proclaim you man and wife1
Thus are thy hands fasted...
The Two are now One,
This work is done
And joy is yet begun!
There is also a portion for the rings using a wand that was left out
of ours but is normally placed immediately after the vows and is as
follows...
The rings are placed upon the wand before the ritual and the wand upon
the altar. (This is written for bot Priest and Priestess present)
The priest picks up the wand and holds one
end before him in his right hand, the priestess likewise holds the
other
end in her left hand.
Place your right hands
Over this wand...
And your rings...
His hand over hers.
Above you are the stars
Below you are the stones
As time passes, remember...
e a star should your love burn brightly,
Like the earth should your love be firm.
Be free in giving of affection and of warmth.
Have no fear, and let not the ways or words
Of the unenlightened give you unease.
For the Gods are with you,
Now and always!
The rings are exchanged during the vows.
Handfasting (Celtic)
This is a copy of a Celtic handfasting I found in the book Finn Mac
Cool by Morgan Llywelyn.
Bride and Groom repeat the following together:
You cannot possess me for I belong to myself. But while we both
wish it, I give you that which is mine to give. You cannot
command
me for I am a free person. But I shall serve you in those ways
you
require and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.
I
pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night, and
the
eyes into which I smile in the morning. I pledge to you the first
bite
from my meat and the first drink from my cup. I pledge to you my
living
and my dying, each equally in your care. I shall be a shield for
your
back, and you for mine. I shall not slander you, nor you me. I
shall
honor you above all others, and when we quarrel, we shall do so in
private
and tell no strangers our grievances. This is my wedding vow to
you.
This is the marriage of equals.
The Priest or Priestess says:
These promises you make by the sun and the moon, by fire and water,
by day and night, by land and sea. With these vows you swear, by
the
God and Goddess, to be full partners, each to the other. If one
drops
the load, the other will pick it up. If one is a discredit to the
other,
his own honor will be forfeit, generation upon generation, until he
repairs
that which was damaged and finds that which was lost. Should you
fail
to keep the oath you pledge today, the elements themselves will reach
out
and destroy you.
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