Sabbats and Sabbaths

Lessons Learned During the Pandemic: Simplicity

Posted on May 22, 2021 by David Taliesin

Even though the pandemic is not over, I’ve found myself asking the following questions: What have you learned from this time of crisis that you want to carry with you into the future? What do you want to leave behind?

Today I’d like to quickly explore one of the things I wish to carry with me into the future: SIMPLICITY! Before the pandemic, my schedule was not very life-giving. I had too many irons in the fire (including this blog). These days, my life has a much healthier rhythm. I spend two days a week babysitting my granddaughter which is an absolute joy. She has a deep curiosity about the natural world so we do a lot of exploring together. I believe she’ll be the only first grader who knows the name of all the plants that grow in our area! Her sense of wonder rubs off on me and I get to rediscover many things I’ve taken for granted in nature that she finds absolutely amazing. What a wonderful gift she has given me!

I also enjoy my daily adventure early in the morning at the dog park. It has a lovely lake beside it and my pooch and I enjoy watching the wildlife that calls this lake home, including a healthy and cantankerous flock of Canadian geese. In the past, I used to resent this task sometimes, but now I see it as a holy time that prepares me for the day.

I also love working in my medicinal herb garden and find a quiet magic there that is grounding and peaceful. It’s always been one of my happy places, but I find I value it more now than I did before the endemic began.

I also invest more time in my relationships with those who are closest to me and less time on peripheral ones. I’m not as readily available as I used to be and this is a healthy thing for me. I’ve set some healthy boundaries that I want to keep in place as I move forward into the future.

My full time job as the leader of a faith community has been quite exhausting and challenging this past year. I’ve had to learn to reinvent the wheel quite a bit. However, as things return toward that dreaded word we call “normal,” I will take some new technologies with me such as Zoom. Who would have thought you could teach a meditation class on Zoom and have it be a meaningful experience? I’ve also found it to be more efficient to have meetings on Zoom since people don’t have to drive to attend and its kinder on the environment as well.

My magical life is a bit different too. It’s simpler and a little less flashy. I don’t use as many “props” but try to be more open to being a vessel through which both Earth and Spirit energy flow to bring health and healing to others. It feels like a deeper and more grounded practice and I find I take whatever time I need to do the work rather than doing it quickly in order to get on with the next thing I have to do.

If you’ve read this far, thank you! I didn’t share this post to make you feel bad or to brag. The opposite is true! I hope you will take time to figure out everything that was of value to you during this time of pandemic and make sure you don’t leave it behind. COVID-19 has been both a curse and a blessing! A curse because we lost a lot of good people along the way. A blessings because those of us who have survived have been given a rare opportunity in life to hit the reset button. Don’t let this holy moment pass you by!

I hope all of you are well and that you’ve been able to find simply joys in the midst of one of the most challenging years we’ve had in our country and throughout the world.

Blessed be! David T

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Prayer for the Dead

Posted on February 25, 2021 by David Taliesin

Perhaps on this coming full moon, February 27th, we can take a moment and say this beautiful prayer written by a mentor and colleague of mine, Byron Ballard. She says this particular prayer even night at sundown to remember those who have died from COVID-19. Since we passed the 500,000 mark, I hope we can add our voices to hers and pray that the Blessed Dead cross the veil and find their way to a place of peace.

Blessed be! David Taliesin

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The Lost Spells: Enchanting Reading

Posted on February 16, 2021 by David Taliesin

Recently, a friend gave me the most marvelous gift I’ve received in a long time: The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris. This small, hardbound book is filled with delightful poetry and beautiful illustrations from the natural world.

The Lost Spells is one of those books you will definitely find yourself returning to again and again. It could also be one of those books you leave out for guests to read when they are staying at your house. (And yes, it could also be bathroom reading but I mean that in the best way possible!)

If you’re looking for traditional magic spells, this is not the book for you. (The title is a bit misleading) If you’re looking to be spell-bound and inspired by nature, then this fits the bill quite nicely. There is always power and creativity to be harnessed as we give nature our full attention. The Lost Spells may help you to attune yourself more to some of the animals and plants that live inhabit the world around us.

A book like this is meant to be experienced rather than simply read. If you’re looking for something to perk you up during this pandemic, The Lost Spells will definitely do the trick.

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged Macfarlane, Morris, The Lost Spells | Leave a comment

Grounding and Shielding

Posted on February 11, 2021 by David Taliesin

Spirituality is not to be learned by flight from the world, by running away from things, or by turning solitary and going apart from the world. Rather, we must learn an inner solitude wherever or with whomsoever we may be. We must learn to penetrate things and find God there. —Meister Eckhart

Two of the valuable spiritual tools I’ve learned from my Wiccan friends are grounding and shielding. It’s easy to meditate and feel connected to the Divine when we light some incense, burn a few candles and play soft meditative music. But what about when we’re in the midst of chaos? What about when we find ourselves in a tense or potentially hostile situation? This is where grounding and shielding come in. You can read about these two meditation techniques in many introductory books on Wicca.

GROUNDING: It’s best to master this technique in solitude first, before you try it in the midst of a difficult situation. I ground by taking three slow, deep breaths. With each breath I imagine any negative energy that is in my body being released into the ground. I also feel my feet growing roots and attaching themselves to the soil. This visualization can be done while physically touching the ground or even in a seven story building! Once you feel like all the negative energy has been released (it may take more than three breaths at first), imagine drawing up from the earth its healing green energy. Let that energy penetrate every cell of your being.

Everyone experiences grounding differently. I’ve done some work with acupuncture so I know how to open up the energy channels in my feet. That might sound strange to some but when I am drawing up the green energy from the earth, my feet literally tingle. They also feel heavier like they are glued to the floor. I’m curious if anyone else out there experiences anything similar when they ground themselves?

SHIELDING: Shielding is learning how to create a protective sphere of energy around you. The goal is to block any hostile/negative energies that are coming your way so you can deal with them calmly and effectively. When I’m going into a potentially hostile/antagonistic situation, I say the following prayer slowly and deliberately. You can substitute whatever name you use for “God.” This is called The Protection Prayer:

The Light of God surrounds me.
The Love of God enfolds me.
The Power of God protects me.
The Presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is. All is well.

Sometimes I pray this three times until I feel calm and serene. With practice, you can usually get the result you’re looking for by saying it once. As I say this prayer, I image a vibrant white light surrounding me in a spherical form.

Another way I shield is by calling on the Guardians of the four directions, whom some see as angels or the Ancient Ones as well as elemental spirits. If it’s possible I face North and draw up a translucent shield of emerald green in front of me that rises to a point over my head. I then draw up a shield of diamond white to my right which corresponds to the East. It butts up again the Northern green shield. Next I imagine a ruby red shield in back of me which corresponds to the South. And, finally, a sapphire blue shield which corresponds to the West. Together they form a cone shape that surrounds me with protective energy. With practice, this can be set up quickly and I’ve learned to do it with one sweeping hand motion.

There are many ways to do both grounding and shielding. The important things is that you experiment and find out what works for you!

Posted in Meditation, Spirituality | Tagged Christian, Meditation, Pagan, Spirituality, Wicca | 4 Comments

Heilung: Awakening My Viking Soul

Posted on February 4, 2021 by David Taliesin

So it appears my YouTube account knows me very well! In the right sidebar, it suggested that I listen to Heilung’s LIFA concert from Castlefest 2017. I clicked on the link, but nothing could emotionally and spiritually prepare me for what unfolded before my eyes. At first, I thought “What the hell is this?” But the moment Maria Franz started chanting, it was a done deal! Heilung had gained a new fan.

For those unfamiliar with the band, Heilug is German for “healing.” They describe their music as “amplified history from early medieval Europe,” and indeed it is. Most of their lyrics are based on texts and runic inscriptions from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Viking Age. These are set to everything from Maria’s ethereal chants to Kai Uwe Faust’s Tibetan throat singing growls. Percussion definitely propels many of the tracks and is a mix of electronic and natural beats. Everything is immaculately recorded and mixed by Danish producer Christopher Juul. It is a soundscape that is not to be missed.

On their web site they state “Any attempt to link the band with or bring their music into a modern political or religious context is pointless, since Heilung try to connect their listeners with a time before the coming of Christianity and modern political ideologies.” In other words, Heilug is something to be experienced, not analyzed. I find their music very grounding. It makes me feel deeply connected to my Germanic ancestors. I use it for meditation, general relaxation and while doing magic inside the sacred circle. It’s powerful, transformative stuff!

My favorite album of theirs is definitely FUTHA, which Heilung says channels the feminine energy of “old Icelandic poetry in which holy women chant magic spells and offer their blessings.” In contrast to this, OFNIR is a more masculine album whose lyrics are based on rune inscriptions from ancient weapons and armor. Kai Uwe Faust’s throat singing is prominent throughout.

Hopefully, I’ve peaked your interest in Heilung. It is a unique and transcendent listening experience.

Posted in Magic, Meditation | Tagged Castlefest 2017, Heilung, LIFA, music, Spirituality, viking | 1 Comment

The Wand of Moses?

Posted on February 2, 2021 by David Taliesin

Before the pandemic, while I was in Milan, a panel on the outside of the Duomo caught my eye. It looked as if the person in the picture was wielding a wand. I captured the image and did some research when I returned home. It is, indeed, the story of Moses striking a rock in the desert from which water miraculously began to flow. This is mentioned in the Torah in Exodus 1:1-7 and Numbers 20:9-11:

So Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he had commanded him. Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Listen, you rebels, shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff; water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank. [NRSV]

Now realize the English translation above says it was a “staff.” It’s the same staff that Moses used to perform other miracles while the Israelites were in Egypt. However, the Hebrew word used here can also be understood as a “rod” used for chastising, a “scepter” used by a king or queen, a “lance” that is thrown, or a walking “staff.” It would appear the length varies. Some are short, some are long.

The use of a shorter staff or wand by Moses is not only seen on the Duomo, it appears in other images of Moses as well such as the photo below from the Catacomb of St. Callixtus, Rome:

This looks more like an elongated wand due to the way he holds it. One would probably wield a staff differently.

Not surprisingly, the wand also appears in ancient Egyptian art as well. We see examples of this in the Tomb of Sennefer in Luxor:

Priest holding a scepter, Tomb of Sennefer, Luxor

Priests holding serpent staffs. Tomb of Sennufer. © Scott Noegel

Acts 7:22 says that “Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds.” [NRSV] Perhaps we can infer from this that Moses was taught the spiritual/magical practices of the Egyptian priests. Therefore, a shorter staff is not out of the question.

Now, I know there are some of you out there who probably think I’m crazy for even proposing this idea. But Google “Christ the Magician” and you will see similar wands in the hands of both Jesus and Peter! Early Christians seemed to have no problem with this portrayal of their Biblical heroes. Then why should we?

In my own spiritual practice I don’t often use a wand. But when I do, I understand it to be a focusing device, an extension of my arm through which power flows. I do not believe it has any power on it’s own (forget all the Harry Potter BS you’ve seen in the movies). It is a conduit through which I can direct both Divine and Earth energy toward it’s intended purposes. I can do the same thing with my hands or a crystal but, sometimes, it just feels like the wand is the right tool to get the job done.

So, I have no problem with the notion of Moses using a shorter wand instead of a staff. Some early Christians had no problem with it either. The Torah tells us that Moses understood his staff/wand to be an instrument through which the power of YHWH could be directed. It had no super powers in and of itself, and that really resonates with my understand of this tool’s function.

If your beliefs are different from what I’ve posted, I totally respect that. If you need Moses to yield a staff like Charlton Heston, I’m good with that, too. I share this information as a way to connect some dots that I don’t see to many other people connecting. But that’s my job with Sabbats and Sabbaths, as I explore the connections between Pagan and Judeo-Christian spirituality.

Posted in Magic | Tagged desert, Egyptian, Moses, priest, rock, staff, Wand, water | Leave a comment

Making Resolutions During a Pandemic

Posted on December 30, 2020 by David Taliesin

As we find ourselves riding the wave of the highest infection rate of COVID-19 since this pandemic began, the usual New Year’s resolutions we make are pointless. Honestly, who gives a crap if anyone looses weight or works out more. We have bigger demons to slay. With this in mind, here is my short list of intentions for 2021. Perhaps you’ll find a few of them helpful as you think about your own intentions for 2021.

I will survive this virus. I will continue to follow all the standard protocols for reducing my chance of getting the ‘rona. Yes, it’s been 10 months of mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing. Yes, we’re all tired of being careful. But I will not let my guard down for the sake of my family and the faith community I serve. I have a deep personal conviction that my obligation to love and serve others and the planet takes resident over my perceived individual “rights.” If more people acted this way, we wouldn’t be in the precarious situation we’re in now.

I will strive to be a kinder and more empathetic person. We will never heal our nation if all we do is fight each other. Telling others how stupid they are for believing what they believe only deepens the divide. There is a difference between standing firm in our convictions and beating someone over the head with them. Some of these conspiracy theories will play out and be exposed for the the untruths they are. When our neighbors and friends come to their senses “I told you so” is not the right response. “Welcome home” is the better option.

I pledge to narrow my focus in 2021. Being outraged all the time over what’s happening in our nation has left me feeling exhausted and powerless to do anything about it. I have discovered that I feel more energized and hopeful if I focus on making a difference in the community where I live. I plan on continuing to support local charities in my area who are doing heroic work during this pandemic. I will also continue to check in with my neighbors and those who are a part of my faith community to see how they are doing. We can all make a difference in the life of at least one other person, so let’s do it!

Well, that’s my short list. Along the way I’m working on a few new projects including a book I started a few years ago and never finished. For whatever reason, the Universal Spirit has told me to get my butt in gear and finish it, so finish it I shall!

I wish all of you good health and happiness in the New Year. Thank you for your support of my blog. I hope it has been, and will continue to be, helpful to you on your spiritual journey. Blessed be!

Posted in Spirituality, Wheel of the Year | Leave a comment

Post-Election: The Real Work Begins

Posted on November 7, 2020 by David Taliesin

After a week that feels like it has lasted an eternity, it is finally clear that Joe Biden will be our next president. For many of us, this is a cause for celebration. For others, it feels like the end of the world. I have no doubt that this time of transition will be tumultuous and dramatic. So what do we, as practitioners of magic, have to bring to the table to help us navigate the next three months?

First of all, self-care is of vital importance. I know you’re probably as exhausted as I am so take some time for rest. Eat nutritious food and lighten up on the alcohol, if you partake. I also use a light box this time of year which is something you might want to consider trying. They’re really affordable and can help some people with seasonal depression, low energy levels, and interrupted sleep patterns.

I also suggest you spend some time out in nature. As the leaves finish falling off the trees, there is a stillness in the air that I love to tap into. The energy of November feels clear and open. It’s perfect for helping us to let go of all the negative energy we’ve been carrying since the beginning of the pandemic.

In terms of magical practice, I suggest that you send out as much peaceful energy as you can. There is so much healing that needs to be done in our nation on so many levels. Start small by directing this energy toward those who are closest to you. Then expand the circle wider and wider. There are many ways to accomplish this. One of my favorites is the Buddhist lovingkindness meditation that is described elsewhere on my blog. Choose whatever rituals and practices feel right to you and your spiritual path.

I also suggest working with protective magic toward those who may be targets of reactive violence in the coming months. This includes not only our newly elected officials but also people of color, those in the LGBT+ community, and other oppressed minorities. I’m also worried about those who would try to disrupt the peaceful transition of power. There are a LOT of crazies out there right now, and they might do impulsive things they would not do otherwise.

Finally, don’t forget to work with the ancestors who are still close-by even after Samhain and Day of the Dead are over. I feel like the veil between the worlds is still wide open this year and will not close any time soon. I think it’s because of the pandemic as well as the election. Our ancestors are standing by. They are ready and willing to help. So don’t hesitate to call on them.

My friends, I feel a glimmer of hope this week. Today my spirit is lighter and I am ready to do the work that needs to be done in order to help heal our divided nation. I hope that you will be inspired to do the same. Blessed be!

Posted in Magic, Spirituality | Tagged Biden, Magic, post election | Leave a comment

Listening to the Gabble Ratchets

Posted on October 10, 2020 by David Taliesin

I was out in the yard catching up with my next door neighbor. What we heard next brought our conversation to a screeching, or shall I say honking, halt. It was the sound of a flock of geese flying overhead in a V formation. The volume of their conversation was almost deafening, and the two of us just stood there awed by the sight and sound. A week later, I would learn a term to describe this cacophony of sound…gabble ratchets.

What in the world is a gabble ratchet, you might ask? The phrase sounds a bit ominous but it can also be seen in a positive light. In days of old, gabble ratchets were the spectral hounds who roamed the night sky, searching for the souls of the newly dead. Some also thought that if one heard their bark or whelp, it was an omen of impending death. Gabble ratchets are known by many other names and appear in a number of European folk traditions. The most common alternative names are the Gabriel Hounds, the Hounds of Hell (Welsh) or the Wild Hunt (Germanic).

In our day and age, we know that gabble ratchets are only geese doing what they do this time of year. However, because the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest I would like to think that their other-worldly song is leading all lost souls to the place where they belong. I see it as a sign of blessing and comfort, especially during the pandemic when so many people have died before their time. It’s a reminder that the Divine Presence surrounds us always, even in death, and hold us for all eternity.

Posted in Samhain | Tagged gabble ratchets, Gabriel hounds, Samhain | Leave a comment

Spells For Tough Times

Posted on September 27, 2020 by David Taliesin

When I shop at my local pagan store, Asheville Raven & Crone, I don’t always know what I’m looking for. Sometimes I wait for something to “call” to me, especially when it comes to books. I trust my intuition and it never lets me down.

Such is the case with Kerri Connor’s Spells For Tough Times. I just knew I had to have it, and it didn’t disappoint. The subtitle of the book is “Crafting Hope When Faced With Life’s Thorniest Challenges” and it sounded like the perfect book to buy during the pandemic.

Connor is a practitioner of The Craft for over 25 years and is the High Priestess of The Gathering Grove. This is not your Instagram “love and light” kind of magic. It’s practical, down to earth, and comes from someone who clearly understands the nature of suffering and our need to reclaim our power in the midst of it.

In the introduction, Connor writes “Through some of the biggest challenges in life, I never thought to include Her or Him in them. I never thought to use my magic in a way that would truly help me. I realized that by only dealing with these problems in the mundane world, I was missing out. I was limiting the spirituality and magic in my life at the times when I needed them the most.” Spot on! It’s a valuable lesson for all of us to learn. Magic has always been about more than love and money. It empowers us and gives us hope when we find ourselves in the darkest of times.

Connor’s book is organized into eleven areas of spells that pretty much cover everything from home and family to legal problems and death. The ingredient list for each spell is simple and practical. Each spell also contains lots of practical introductory advice regarding whatever issue you’re dealing with.

I love the spells she’s written in this book. I know some people love spells that rhyme or have lots of arcane language in them. I’m not one of those people. Connor practices magic in a way that is similar to mine. Her prose is clear, concise and comes from the heart. She also leaves lots of breathing room of the Divine Presence to decide what’s best for us.

In closing, as the leader of a faith community, I recognize someone with an authentic pastoral heart when I see it. Connor is one of those people. It’s clear she has walked with many people through their dark night of the soul and helped them find a way out of it.

Spells For Tough Times is a really wonderful book and will be an invaluable resource no matter what spiritual path you walk. While I encourage you to buy this through your local pagan store, you can also order it from Amazon. Here’s the LINK.

Posted in Magic, Spirituality | Tagged difficult times, Kerri Connor, Spells, tough times | 1 Comment