Coronavirus: Building Strength, Protection & Community Ritual

Posted on March 8, 2020 by David Taliesin

Here is the ritual from tonight’s Welcoming Circle:

STRENGTH, PROTECTION AND COMMUNITY RITUAL

PROTECTION OIL (David Taliesin)
1/4 cup olive oil
4 drops rosemary
3 drops frankincense

May the powers of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water
Protect you and give you strength in the days to come.

CASTING THE CIRCLE (David Taliesin)

As we approach the celebration of the Spring Equinox,
we are reminded that this day
Is the perfect balance between light and darkness.

We gather tonight to seek balance;
to find calm in the midst of fear,
truth in the midst of rumor,
community in the midst of isolationism.

We seek the wisdom of the Divine Presence,
Elemental Powers, and Ancestors
to guide us through this challenging time
in the life of our planet.

Take a crystal athame or wand and circle the group, saying the following…

May Divine Light surround us,
Divine Love enfold us,
Divine Power protect us,
Divine Presence watch over us.
Wherever we are, the Divine is with us. All is well.

CALLING THE QUARTERS (David Taliesin)

Hail Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Powers of Air,
blow away the staleness of winter;
whisper into our ears the wisdom we need to know
to navigate this challenging time
in the life our our planet. Hail and welcome!

Hail Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Powers of Fire,
warm our soil and coax the seeds to germinate;
clear our minds from confusion and misinformation
As we navigate this challenging time
in the life of our planet. Hail and welcome!

Hail Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Powers of Water,
moisten the ground so that new life might appear;
soothe our troubled spirits with your peace
As we navigate this challenging time
in the life of our planet. Hail and welcome!

Hail Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Powers of Earth,
keep us rooted like budding trees and flowers;
strengthen our bodies and keep us healthy
As we navigate this challenging time
in the life of our planet. Hail and welcome!

Great Mystery, who binds together
every quark and atom in the universe,
we humbly ask you to be with us tonight.

Help us to embody a spirit of calm in the midst of chaos.
Give us the courage to strengthen our ties with others
instead of focusing solely on ourselves.
Hail and welcome!

WEAVING RITUAL

Everyone in the room should have three strands of yarn.

The WHITE string is symbolic of wisdom and clarity. May it remind us to seek truth above all else. Don’t listen to the rumor mill on social media regarding the coronavirus. Instead, let’s educate ourselves and act in ways that are prudent rather than impulsive. We are made for times like these. Thanks to the internet we have more information at our disposal than any generation who has gone before us. May we use this information wisely and seek to be a voice of reason and calm in the midst of rumor and panic. So mote it be!

The RED string is symbolic of courage. We can be courageous because our Spirit Guides go with us. The voices of our Ancestors join them in calling us to be helpers and leaders in the midst of crisis. Listen to them. They are rooting for us to remain strong and continue to be a force for good in our community. May we encourage others who cannot see past their fear. May we help the most vulnerable among us in any way we can. So mote it be!

The BLACK string is symbolic of our spiritual practice. We, as magical people, have tools at our disposal that others don’t have. Use those tools wisely and often. Meditate until you see the world around you with absolutely clarity. Ground to remind you of our connection with something that is much bigger than yourself. Shield to keep any unwanted influences or energies at bay. Set intentions and send energy to the people and places who need it the most. So mote it be!

What I would like us to do is tie a knot to bind these three stings together. Then, in silence, weave them together so that they become inseparable from one another. As we do this, think about the resources and people you need to weave together during this time of crisis. What wisdom do you need to help you to move into the future with confidence? What courage do you need to summon to counteract the fear and panic which surround us? What magic do you need to practice regularly that will do the best and brightest good for the community and for the sake of the planet? We are made for times like these! Ponder these questions as you weave together these three strings. When you’re finished, tie the other ends together so that they cannot be separated. (Silence.)

Now that we are finished, hold this braided cord in your hands. Empower it with the energy of the earth and the Divine (We repeatedly chanted “wisdom, courage, magic” with increasing intensity). Place it on your home altar or any other visible place. May it remind you of your purpose and empower your intentions in the weeks to come. So mote it be!

CLOSING THE CIRCLE (David Taliesin)

Great Mystery, Divine Presence,
who is known to us by many names,
we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
We go forth from this place unafraid
because we know that you journey with us always.
Blessed be!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Powers of Earth,
we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
Keep our bodies healthy
as we navigate this challenging time
in the life of our planet.
Stay if you will. Go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Powers of Water,
we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
Keep our spirits calm and peaceful
as we navigate this challenging time
in the life of our planet.
Stay if you will. Go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Powers of Fire,
we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
Keep our minds sharp and alert
As we navigate this challenging time
in the life of our planet.
Stay if you will. Go if you must.
We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Powers of Air,
we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
Keep our ears attuned to your wisdom
as we navigate this challenging time
in the life our our planet.
Stay of you will. Go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

And now, the circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

Copyright © 2020 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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DIY Hand Sanitizer

Posted on March 6, 2020 by David Taliesin

Can’t find any hand sanitizer in your area? This will do the trick!

Home Made Hand Sanitizer

2/3 cup isopropyl alcohol 91% (rubbing alcohol)
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
8-10 drops of essential oil

In a mixing bowl, stir Isopropyl alcohol and aloe vera gel together until well blended.

Add 8-10 drops of scented essential oil (optional, but nice!). Stir to incorporate.

Pour the homemade hand sanitizer into an empty container and seal. Write “hand sanitizer” on a piece of masking tape and affix to the bottle.

The CDC recommends using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. This recipe makes a sanitizer that slightly exceeds that alcohol content at 60.66%, so follow the proportions exactly. If you want a sanitizer with a higher alcohol percentage, decrease the amount of aloe vera to 1/4 cup.

Suggestions of essential oils: rosemary with orange or lemon; lavender with or without frankincense; tea tree with just a drop of mint.

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Faith Communities, Public Gatherings and the Coronavirus

Posted on March 6, 2020 by David Taliesin

What a difference a week makes! The coronavirus was hardly a blip on our radar screens in America until it made its presence known in Northern Italy. (I suspect there is some hidden, or not so hidden, racism at play here. But that’s a topic for another post!) Suddenly, news of this virus is everywhere and each of us has had to wrestle with how we respond to what will most likely be a global pandemic.

As the leader of a faith community, I knew I had to be proactive in coming up with a protocol to keep everyone as safe as possible as we gather for worship and other social events. Below is the short version of this protocol which I sent to everyone who is a part of my faith community. It was well received and people appreciated me acting on this before the coronavirus hits our city (it will). If you belong to a faith community, coven, or other spiritual group that meets regularly, I think it’s imperative that we all have this discussion NOW as we seek to take good care of each other. Here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling:

– – – – – – – – – –

We, as a community of faith, need to take good care of each other. Here are some basic precautions that will help to prevent the spread of germs in our faith community:

If you don’t feel well, please stay home. If public gatherings become prohibited/limited we will find a way to offer worship online.

Greet people warmly. Be creative. We can all say “Hello,” without a handshake or hug, especially if the coronavirus is reported in our area.

Wash your hands, Wash your hands. Wash your hands. All worship leaders in my faith community will wash their hands before serving communion. We will drink from individual cups on a tray. People who attend worship are also encouraged to wash their hands as they enter the building.

Passing the Peace. We’re a friendly bunch in my faith community so we’ll continue to pass the peace minus the handshakes and hugs. People are asked to flash a peace sign, do an “air” high 5, elbow bump, or a simple bow. (We did this on Sunday and it went over well.)

Check in with each other. Everyone needs all the support and encouragement they can get. If people in my faith community discover someone is sick, they are asked to let me know ASAP. If people become confined to their homes, as individuals or as a community, I have pledged to check in with everyone at least once a week. Thanks to modern technology I hope to video chat if possible and call them on the phone if not. I have also encouraged everyone to check in regularly with each other and see what needs are out there that we could meet as individuals and as a faith community.

Don’t forget the ministry of the our faith community continues even if gathering together is limited/prohibited. Checks can be mailed if necessary. If this is not possible (worse case scenario) we’ll find a way to get funds into our account, probably though an electronic option such as PayPal.

– – – – – – – – – –

I hope the information I shared is helpful to you. I believe it’s better to be calm and proactive rather than wait and be forced to make snap decisions as faith based communities. The coronavirus will either bring out the best in us or the worst in us. If we stay ahead of this virus, and rely on accurate information from sources such as the CDC and WHO, it will increase our chances that it will bring out the best in us.

Blessings to everyone!

Copyright ©2020 by David Taliesin http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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The Power Within

Posted on November 6, 2019 by David Taliesin

“Everything you need to know, you already know. It’s all inside of you. Centuries of knowledge reside within your cells. Never forget that.”–Augusten Burroughs, Toil and Trouble

I’m currently reading this delightful book regarding Burrough’s witchy gifts. Interesting read, indeed. I especially love this quote which is something his mother said to him when he was a teenager.

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Ancestor Ritual

Posted on October 14, 2019 by David Taliesin

This is the ritual we did at last night’s Welcoming Circle:

ANCESTOR RITUAL

CASTING THE CIRCLE—(Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials, adapted)

Take up your wand or athame. Then walk around your designated area three times. The first time around, say:

We take this place to hidden space
Between worlds, between veils,
Where life and death can interlace.

The second time around, say:

All within this sacred round is protected,
From sky to deep below ground.

On the third round, say:

May all beings that truly see our good
Come guard this circle—come,
From city, sky, water, or wood!
So mote it be!

CALLING THE QUARTERS (David Taliesin)

Elemental Spirits of the East and of Air, keepers of wisdom and mystery, whisper into our ears all that we need to know. May the cool fall breezes that rustle the leaves beneath our feet point us in the direction we need to go. Hail and welcome!

Elemental Spirits of the South and of Fire, purifiers of heart and mind, burn away the clutter and confusion from our lives so that we may have absolute clarity regarding your will for our lives. May the bonfires of fall that give us light and warmth, bring comfort to our weary souls tonight. Hail and welcome!

Elemental Spirits of the West and of Water, vessels of peace and compassion, may our thirst for justice and equality be quenched. May the fall rains which nourish the roots of the trees, give strength to the dreams you have planted in us. Hail and welcome!

Elemental Spirits of the North and of Earth, stewards of hearth and home, gather around us the community we need to make us feel safe and loved. As the fall harvest continues, we ask you to bring about a harvest of good things into our lives, Hail and welcome!

Everyone face toward the center of the circle. (David Taliesin)

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer,
We learn to see in the dark.
We search for the deep, hidden mysteries of the Divine,
And dine at Wisdom’s table of intuition and creativity.
Great Spirit, who is known to us by many names,
Be with us tonight. We are blessed by your presence.
Hail and welcome!

WELCOMING THE ANCESTORS (adapted from John Beckett, patheos.com, Under the Ancient Oaks)

Let us now invite our ancestors to join our circle. (Light first candle.)

Fathers, Mothers, Grandfathers, Grandmothers,
ancestors we knew in this life, we invite you to our circle. 
We thank you for giving us life,
for caring for us when we were young and helpless,
and for teaching us to stand on our own. 
We remember you at your best.

If there is an ancestor you would like to remember,
Call their name now, silently or aloud. (Pause for names)

Beloved ancestors, accept this offering of food and drink, given with honor and with love. (Pour drink and crumble bread into cauldron)

(Light second candle)

Great, great, great grandparents,
ancestors so old your names are lost to us,
we invite you to our circle. 
We live in times very different from yours,
but we are not so very different,
and a part of you lives on in us.

We cannot call the names of these ancestors
because we do not know their names.
But think now of that ancestor
who first crossed the great ocean,
who survived war and plague and famine,
who first learned the skills that would create civilization. Remember them now. (Pause 6-8 seconds)

Beloved ancestors, accept this offering of food and drink, given with honor and with love. (Pour drink and crumble bread into cauldron)

(Light third candle)

Ancestors of spirit, mighty dead,
we invite you to our circle.
We do not carry your blood but we carry your spirit:
your thoughts, your ideas, your dreams. 
We thank you for inspiring us and enlightening us,
and for founding and creating the traditions and institutions
that mean so much to us.

If there is a spiritual ancestor you would like to remember, call their name now, silently or aloud. (Pause for names)

Beloved ancestors, accept this offering of food and drink, given with honor and with love. (Pour drink and crumble bread into cauldron)

(Light fourth candle)

Ancestors most ancient, you who share few of our genes,
you who lived on a very different Earth
so long ago we can barely conceive it,
we invite you to our circle. 
We thank you for surviving under most difficult circumstances. Homo erectus, Homo habilis, and Australopithecus;
long-extinct mammals and even-older vertebrates;
smaller and simpler creatures stretching back to the first life.
Sometimes we struggle to see ourselves in you,
but without you we would not be.

Remember these most ancient ancestors,
and remember that some of them are also
the ancestors of other species alive today. 
When St. Francis called the wolf his brother,
he had no way of knowing just how right he was. (Pause 6-8 seconds)

Beloved ancestors, accept this offering of food and drink, given with honor and with love. (Pour drink and crumble bread into cauldron.)

SHAMANIC DRUMMING AS WE MEDITATE AND LISTEN FOR WISDOM (David Taliesin)

CAKES AND ALE (adapted from John Beckett, patheos.com, Under the Ancient Oaks)

Let us now share in this celebration of our ancestors. 
If you aren’t ready to join in, for whatever reason
or for no reason at all,
simply let the bread and cup pass you by.

As you share these with the person next to you,
say these words “May you never hunger” for the bread,
and “May you never thirst” for the chalice. (When all have been served, place the bread and chalice back on the altar.)

CLOSING (David Taliesin)

Elemental Spirits of the North and of Earth, we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Elemental Spirits of the West and of Water, we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Elemental Spirits of the South and of Fire, we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Elemental Spirits of the East and of Air, we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

CLOSING CONTINUED (adapted from John Beckett, patheos.com, Under the Ancient Oaks)

Ancestors we knew in life,
Ancestors whose names we know not,
Ancestors of Spirit, and Ancestors most ancient;
we thank you for attending our circle
and blessing us with your presence.
May there be peace and love between us now and forever.
Stay if you will, Go if you must!
We bid you farewell!

CLOSING CONTINUED (David Taliesin)

Great Spirit whose hidden wisdom
Has been revealed to us tonight,
We give you thanks.
Give us strength to act upon what we have learned,
And illumine the dark days of autumn
With your insight and creativity.
Stay if you will. Go if you must,
We bid you farewell!

And now the circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Portions of this were written by David Taliesin, ©2019, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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The Herbcrafter’s Tarot

Posted on September 14, 2019 by David Taliesin

These days there are a zillion tarot decks out there ranging from the traditional Rider-Waite deck to pop-culture, trendy versions such as Star Wars and Game of Thrones. So why review this particular set of tarot cards? Well, if you’ve been following my blog you know that I have a passion for medical herbalism and have studied the subject for several years. I also have a love of tarot cards so this deck immediately caught my attention when I stepped into Asheville Raven & Crone, our local metaphysical bookstore.

Perhaps the biggest strength of The Herbcrafter’s Tarot are the illustrations. WOW! They are breathtakingly beautiful and cover every aspect of an herbalists’ journey, including all the tools we use to make plant medicine. While the plants are those grown in the Pacific Northwest where the author and illustrator reside, most of them are ones I grow and use in the mountains of North Carolina. These are not exotic herbs that can only be found on a mountaintop in Nepal. They are the tools of my trade and it’s nice to see a deck that focuses on plants that grow on our continent.

The second strength of The Herbcrafter’s Tarot is the tremendous amount of thought that went into selecting the herbs for each card. The accompanying booklet contains detailed explanations for each card and will give those who use it plenty of thought regarding the medical and magical uses of these herbs.

I’m not sure yet how much I will use this deck for doing readings. However, it will be a wonderful visual aid for meditation and magical intentions. I’m certain these cards will make regular appearances on my home altar in the future.

So, if you have an interest in herbology, then this deck is for you. I’ve seen other herbal tarot decks before but this one is far superior to anything else I’ve ever seen on the subject. Blessed be!

Copyright ©2019 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Sharks Teeth Meditation

Posted on June 15, 2019 by David Taliesin

shark-teeth-2Last summer I was at the beach toward the end of a tropical storm. The guy who took my bags to my hotel room told me it was a good time to look for fossilized sharks teeth, so that’s what I did the next morning after the rain had stopped and the winds died down.

Unlike sea shells, which are much easier to spot, sharks teeth require a little more effort and patience. They are small and black and everyone who was on the beach looking for them has their own secret method for increasing their odds of finding them. Thankfully, everyone was willing to share their secret if you struck up a conversation with them!

The method that worked best for me was to go on the beach after high tide as the waves were receding. They are easier to spot as the waves are pulling back and you’re standing where the waves meet the shore. After I found my first tooth, I was hooked and spent part of every day of my vacation looking for these elusive fossils that are at least 10,000 years ago.

I turned the whole thing into a meditation exercise where I kept my focus on the shallow water, looking for these small black triangles to reveal themselves. I let go of any other thoughts that would drift through my mind and kept coming back to looking for the teeth.

After doing this for a while, I realized this was a great meditation exercise to train your brain to focus on your intended goal. If you are a practitioner of magic, focus is the most important tool you bring to your work. You can have all the props in the world to cast a spell, but if you cannot focus on what you’re trying to achieve, your magic will be ineffective.

So, next time you find yourself at the beach, give this meditation exercise a try. The added bonus is that you end up with a handful of ancient fossils you can use in your practice of the Craft. I keep them on my ancestor altar. Blessed be!

Copyright ©2019 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com

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Ritual of Balance

Posted on May 13, 2019 by David Taliesin

 

Tree Higgins wrote a wonderful ritual for last night’s Welcoming Circle. Here is is as requested.

Ritual of Balance

Calling the Quarters

Hail, Guardian of the North! Hail! Come you now and bless this circle with your deep, nurturing ways, you from whom we spring, whom we dance, walk and love upon and return to time after time. Protect circle as we join together here and now.

Hail, Guardian of the East! Hail! Come you now and bless this circle with your ever-moving ways that carries off our woes, brings both the breath of life and inspiration time after time. Protect this circle as we join together here and now.

Hail, Guardian of the South! Hail! Come you now and bless this circle with your clearing, passionate ways, your flames that remove our obstacles, your light that lets us see more clearly and the ashes we rise from time after time. Protect this circle as we join together here and now.

Hail, Guardian of the West! Hail! Come you now and bless this circle with your Water of life, your ways of constant movement regardless of obstacles, your way of clearing a way so flow may be unhindered, your way of sustaining all life. Protect this circle as we join together here and now.

Plant children of these elements, I bring you here tonight to teach us balance, spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of what we need to connect to the divine.

Horsetail, Child of Earth Elemental, from you we take the understanding that we can heal, alleviate our sorrows, give burdens over to Earth so we walk steadily onward, sure of our place and our path. You whisper to us, “We are all connected on this Earth.” (Tree places herb in water. David lights the green candle. Both say “So mote it be.”)

Rosemary, Child of Air Elemental, from you we take the lesson that each breath is a new beginning waiting to be embraced, each wind can raise up and carry us over even the most troubled times. We are all capable of dancing in your air and elevating our spirits. (Tree places herb in water. David lights the yellow candle. Both say “So mote it be.”)

Peppermint, Child of Fire Elemental, you give us the ability and lesson that there always arrives a time to renew by burning away what we do not need, dancing in the ashes until we are free to rise again, Phoenix bright and reborn. We then carry the light within us as we travel our spiritual path. (Tree places herb in water. David lights the red candle. Both say “So mote it be.”)

Rose Petals, Child of Water Elemental, you give us the ability to flow continuously onward as we seek our paths and purposes, leaving our obstacles on the banks we pass. You teach us it is natural to be, at times, roaring wild and still as a lake’s reflection. (Tree places herb in water. David lights the blue candle. Both say “So mote it be.”)

Now, I want you to spend the next few minutes reflecting on what you need to grow spiritually, what you need to leave behind that hinders or hurts you, and where you need to heal. Remember, this is about finding your spiritual balance in using the four elements as healing and moving forward. After reflecting, if you wish, come up to the bowl of living water and elementals. Dip your fingers in and anoint yourself on your forehead and anywhere else it feels needed.

(Reflection Time Given)

All done? May you all be blessed with balance and spirit this summer. Walk your paths with growth and continued enlightenment. We will meet again in September!

We will release the quarters now.

Releasing the Quarters

Hail, Guardian of the North! We release you with great gratitude. Stay if you want, go if you must. Hail! Thank you with all out hearts!

Hail, Guardian of the East! We release you with great gratitude. Stay if you want, go if you must. Hail! Thank you with all out hearts!

Hail, Guardian of the South! We release you with great gratitude. Stay if you want, go if you must. Hail! Thank you with all out hearts!

Hail, Guardian of the West! We release you with great gratitude. Stay if you want, go if you must. Hail! Thank you with all out hearts!

Gather around the table if you want to help blow out the elemental candles! Do it gently! (Every gathers and gently blows out candles.)

Copyright ©2019 by Tree Higgins.

 

 

 

 

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Empowerment Ritual

Posted on February 11, 2019 by David Taliesin
midwinteraltar2019

Midwinter Altar with Altered Playing Cards, Welcoming Circle, Photo by David Taliesin, ©2019.

This past Sunday night I taught the folks at The Welcoming Circle how to make altered playing cards [mini-collages] as a way of helping us to set our magical intentions and personal goals. We then closed with a ritual to empower of newly created cards:

EMPOWERMENT RITUAL

ANOINTING WITH BRIGID OIL—David Taliesin
[Recipe for Brigid Oil is found in Cunningham’s Incense, Oils and Brews]

May your magical intentions be strong and true
To bring healing and transformation
To the world around you.

CASTING THE CIRCLE

Elements of the east,
place of air, the breath of life,
that which we cannot see
but which fills us with inspiration,
be with us now.

Elements of the south,
place of fire, heat of heart’s blood,
that which courses through us,
filling us with passion
and infusing us with life-giving heat,
be with us now.

Elements of the west,
place of water, shape-shifting,
that which constantly moves and transforms,
nurturing creativity
and gifting us with fresh vision,
be with us now.

Elements of the north,
place of grounding, place of birth,
fierce winter land of ice and cold,
endings and beginnings,
always calling us home,
be with us now.

Ancient Mother of Midwinter,
Watcher over life and death,
The one who rebirths the world,
Be with us on this night!
See us through the dark hours
And stand with us
As dawn births the promise of new life.
So mote it be!

EMPOWERMENT RITUAL—David Taliesin

Close your eyes.

Visualize pulling the energy from the earth up though the souls of your feet and into your body until the souls of your feet tingle. Go with whatever color comes to mind.

Then pull the energy of the moon and stars down from the sky and into your body and let these two energies intertwine. Again, go with whatever color coms to mind.

Let them grow and expand until they fill your body with energetic light which you may picture as a sphere or a double helix or any other image that comes to mind.

When you’re ready, open your eyes and reach our your hands toward the center altar and the playing cards we’ve created. Let that healing energy flow into them.

As you are doing this think about the card you’ve reader and the magical intention it represents.

Remember, this is not your energy. You are just a vessel through with it flows. In order to keep it flowing, join me in the following Druidic chant…Oh-ee-ah.

Now, we are going to release this energy toward the cards on the center altar. Think of what you want to accomplish this coming month. One two, three, release! (Pause)

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Elements of the North, Powers of Earth, Stone and Oak, thank you for your presence and grounding energy in our circle tonight. Stay if you will. Go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Elements of the West, Powers of Water, Snow and Ice, thank you for your presence and healing energy in our circle tonight. Stay if you will. Go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Elements of the South, powers of Fire, Lightning, and Sun thank you for your presence and courageous energy in our circle tonight. Stay if you will. Go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Elements of the East, powers of Air, Smoke, and Moon, thank you for your presence and inspirational energy in our circle tonight. Stay if you will. Go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Ancient Mother of Midwinter,
You bless us with your presence in our circle tonight.
Keep our intentions as strong as winter ice.
May your winds of inspiration blow mightily through our lives,
And help our magic to blanket the world
Like snow upon the ground.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

And now the circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth and to the animals around us
Who need its strength this winter.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

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Crystal Reading Stand

Posted on January 21, 2019 by David Taliesin

Recently I was in Europe and beheld this wonderful reading stand at the back of the Abbey Cathedral in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Displayed on it is an illustrated gospel manuscript (located on both sides of the stand). I share it with you because it struck me as being quite Pagan, yet it is found in a Cathedral. The large crystals are marvelous and add a sense of majesty and power to the display. Wonder who commissioned this beautiful work of art? Enjoy!

pagan01

Reading Stand, Abbey Cathedral of St. Gall. St. Gallen, Switzerland. Photo: Copyright ©2018 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com. Used by permission.

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