Sabbats and Sabbaths

Coyolxauhqui: Aztec Moon Goddess

Posted on April 5, 2018 by David Taliesin

Coyolxauhqui may be a goddess you are not familiar with. Most Pagans I know are drawn to lots of European deities as well as those from Greek and Egyptian mythology. However, the legends from Central America are often overlooked. I have been fortunate enough to tour a number of Aztec and Mayan ruins on my trips to Mexico and fell in love with the art and stories of these amazing ancient cultures. In this post I’d like to introduce you to Coyolxauhqui ((koh-yol-SHAUH-key) who is the moon goddess of the Aztecs.

There are two versions of her story. According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia, the first version depicts Coyolxauhqui as the mother of Huitzilopochtli, the sun god. A conflict arises when Coyolxauhqui insists on staying at the sacred mountain of Coatepec (Snake Mountain) instead of following her son’s plan of resettling at Tenochtitlan which, historically, became the capital of the Aztec empire. Huitzilopochtli got his way by decapitating her and eating her heart. Then he led the Aztec people to their new home.

Coyolxauhqui Stone, ca. 1469 Museo del Templo Mayor, Mexico City

This version is NOT my favorite the two. Some scholars see it as a legend of warning to the enemies of the Aztecs who often suffered the same fate if they were captured. The Coyolxauhqui Stone, which was discovered in 1978 at the Templo Mayor (main temple) in Tenochtitlan, is one of the most well-known art images we have this this goddess. She is depicted on the stone as decapitated and torn from limb to limb. Some Chicana feminist writers have tried to redeem this image as a symbol of the struggle of women against both colonialism and male patriarchy.

The second version of the story is the one that I find to be the more powerful of the two. You will find many variations of this tale online but this is the way I like to tell it: One day
Coatlicue, the earth goddess, was sweeping the floor of the temple on Coatepec (Snake Mountain), when a tuft of feathers fell from the sky. She tucked them into her belt and later discovered that they had disappeared. She also discovered that she was mysteriously pregnant.

Coyolxauhqui Statue, J Paul Getty Museum, photo by Jonathan Cardy

Her daughter Coyolxauhqui felt dishonored by the pregnancy so she hatched a plot along with her 400 brothers, to kill their mother. However, this was not to be. The child Coatlicue was carrying was none other than Huitzilopochtli, the sun god. When Coatlicue was about to meet her demise Huitzilopochtli was born as a full grown man. He was armed and ready for battle and decapitated Coyolxauhqui. Her body tumbled down to the base of the temple and was broken into pieces.

Coatlicue regretted such violence. So Huitzilopochtli threw Coyolxauhqui’s head into the sky to form the Moon so that his mother would be comforted in seeing her daughter in the sky every night. Huitzilopochtli also attacked his 400 brothers. Those who survived became the Southern stars in the sky.

In this version of the legend we see several powerful themes emerge. The first is the triumph of the sun over the moon and stars which is a common theme in Aztec and Mayan mythology. It’s seen as a daily struggle where the sun god is reborn every day. Stories similar to this appear in many ancient cultures. I see it as the story of the Wheel of the Year where both day and night have their place and purpose in the great cosmic dance. Darkness and light, feminine and masculine, goddess and god, each one is a gift and a blessing to all of us. When they are out of balance, we all suffer.

The second theme that emerges for me is a story of transformation and rebirth. Coyolxauhqui was literally torn apart. She was broken and defeated. However, her rebirth came as she ascended into the sky and became the moon goddess. The cycles she travels from new moon to full moon and back again, speak to us of fertility, rebirth and regeneration. When I see a picture of the Coyolxauhqui Stone, it reminds me that there is always hope. We may feel like we’ve been broken and torn apart by oppressive powers and people, but this incarnation of the Divine Feminine reminds us that we can rise from death to new life. We can be recreated and make the journey from brokenness to whole. Blessed be!

Posted in Goddess | Tagged Aztec, Coyolxauhqui, Goddess, moon, Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan | 5 Comments

Blue Moon: Mar 31

Posted on March 29, 2018 by David Taliesin

When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars that You have established; what are human beings that You are mindful of them, mortals that You care for them? [Psalm 8:3, NRSV]

The night of March 31st is the second blue moon we’ve had this year. (The first one was January 31st and we won’t see another one until 2020!) This does not mean that the moon will appear with a blue hue. That’s another phenomenon altogether which is caused by volcanic eruptions or an exceptionally large fire. The kind of blue moon I’m talking about is when there are two full moons in one month. The second is known as a blue moon.

There are a lot of opinions regarding what we should do when a blue moon occurs. Some treat is just like any other full moon and take advantage of its ritual power. Others see it as a special gift that should be used for special purposes. A number of those who fall in the second camp see it as a time to write down the goals we wish to accomplish during the remainder of the year. Since this blue moon falls in March, which is a time for seed planting and germination, it might be a good time to reflect on what dreams and goals we would like to plant in the soil of our lives during this season of growth and new beginnings.

As I was thinking about what ritual I wanted to create for this blue moon, the words from the above Psalm came to mind. I picture the Psalmist staring at the heavens with the full moon shining luminously upon him/her. This sight inspires him/her to ponder one of life’s greatest mysteries: The Divine Presence who created everything the Psalmist sees also draws near and pays attention to him/her. If that’s not a humbling and powerful experience, I don’t know what is!

So, this blue moon, I’m going to ponder the same mystery the Psalmist did. I’m going to go outside and sit in silence, taking in the majesty and power of the blue moon. I will create space for the Divine Presence to speak and to inspire me regarding the magical work I need to be doing for the remainder of the year. When my vision feels clear, I will write down these goals along with what steps I need to take in order to accomplish them. Then I’ll celebrate the occasion by dancing under the light of the blue moon (if no one’s watching!) and sing a song praise and gratitude to the Great Mystery whose presence is known to us in so many varied and wonderful ways! Blessed be and Amen!

Posted in Esbats, Wheel of the Year | Tagged Blue Moon, Christian, Esbat, Pagan, Spirituality, Wicca | 1 Comment

Empowering Your Emotions

Posted on March 11, 2018 by David Taliesin

Here is a copy of tonight’s ritual at The Welcoming Circle. We had a powerful discussion about how all emotions serve holy purposes in our lives.

EMPOWERING YOUR EMOTIONS

ANOINTING WITH DARK SUN OIL—David Taliesin (It was charged during the solar eclipse of 2017.)

Whatever emotion is causing you harm,
May it be transformed into a source of power and strength.

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

We turn to the East and ask the Elemental Spirits of Air
To be with us tonight.
Guardians and Ancestors, teach us the value of fear
Which alerts us to danger
And helps us to prepare for battle.
Hail and welcome!

We turn to the South and ask the Elemental Spirits of Fire
To be with us tonight.
Guardians and Ancestors, teach us the value of anger
Which give us the motivation we need
To fight for what is just and true.
Hail and welcome!

We turn to the West and ask the Elemental Spirits of Water
To be with us tonight.
Guardians and Ancestors, teach us the value of sadness
Which helps us to mourn what we have lost
And becomes a healing balm for our hearts.
Hail and welcome!

We turn to the North and ask the Elemental Spirits of Earth
To be with us tonight.
Guardians and Ancestors, teach us the value of envy
Which challenges us to look within
And discover the gifts we already possess.
Hail and welcome!

Divine Presence, Great Mystery,
Who is known to us by many names,
Guide us in our process of discernment tonight.
Teach us how to harness the power
Of all the emotions we experience in life.
Hail and welcome!

A PERSONAL EMOTIONAL JOURNEY—David Taliesin

Instruction: Make sure everyone has a pen and paper.

On the table there are four different colors of yarn, each corresponding with one of the directions.

To the East we have white, which represents FEAR. To turn “white as a ghost” is a common expression associated with fear. When used negatively, fear can paralyze us. Fear can render us helpless and make us want to hide from whatever challenges we need to face in life. If you feel like FEAR is holding you back this week, take one of the white strings and sit with it. Tie it around your wrist if you like. Use the paper to explore the nature of your fear and to seek Divine wisdom regarding how you can use this emotion in a positive way in your life.

To the South we have red, which represents ANGER. To burn “red with anger” is a common expression associated with this emotion. When used negatively, anger can cause us to harm others physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Anger can cause us to make rash decisions without thinking them through. It can quickly set things into motion we cannot take back. If you feel like ANGER has a stranglehold on your life this week, take one of the red strings and sit with it. Tie it around your wrist if you like. Use the paper to explore the nature of your anger and to seek Divine wisdom regarding how you can use this emotion in a positive way in your life.

To the West we have blue, which represents SADNESS. “Feeling blue” is a common expression associated with sadness. When used negatively, sadness can paralyze us. It can cause us to withdraw from the support of others. Sadness can put us in a spin cycle of depression, regret and mourning that never ends. If you feel like SADNESS is holding you back this week, take one of the blue strings and sit with it. Tie it around your wrist if you like. Use the paper to explore the nature of your sadness and to seek Divine wisdom regarding how you can use this emotion in a positive way in your life.

To the North we have green, which represents ENVY. To turn “green with envy” is a common expression associated with this emotion. When used negatively, envy can cause us to do whatever it takes to possess what we desire, even if it is harmful to others. Envy can also make us blind to the blessings we already have in our midst. If you feel like ENVY is holding you back this week, take one of the green strings and sit with it. Tie it around your wrist if you like. Use the paper to explore the nature of your fear and to seek Divine wisdom regarding how you can use this emotion in a positive way in your life.

[SPACE FOR QUITE DISCERNMENT. This is followed by an opportunity to anyone to share what insights they gained during this time of meditation.]

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the North,
Elemental Spirits of Earth,
Teach us how to use envy
As a force for good in our lives.
May it challenge us to work harder
For the resources we need to accomplish
The Holy Work you have called us to do.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West,
Elemental Spirits of Water,
Teach us how to use sadness
As a force for good in our lives.
May it call us to journey within
And emerge a stronger person.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South,
Elemental Spirits of Fire,
Teach us how to use anger
As a force for good in our lives.
May it inspire us to fight for that
Which is just and true!
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the East,
Elemental Spirits of air,
Teach us how to use fear
As a force for good in our lives.
May it alert us to situations
That might cause us harm,
And get us ready to either fight or flight.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Divine Presence, Great Mystery,
Who is known to us by many names,
All of our emotions are gifts from you.
Teach us how to use them wisely
To bless and benefit ourselves and others.
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, merry part, and merry meet again.

Posted in Magic, Spirituality | Tagged emotions, Magic, ritual, Wicca | Leave a comment

What If…I’m Dreaming of a Green Christianity

Posted on March 6, 2018 by David Taliesin

What if…Christians could let go of their need to be “right” and listen to the voices of other spiritual paths? Is it possible for us to let go of our sacred cows and learn from others who also have deep connections to Spirit, community and creation? How would this change the way we practice our faith?

What if…our faith followed the cycles of the seasons instead of the liturgical calendar? What if the teachings of Jesus were organized in a way that explored the themes of birth, growth, harvest, and rest? How would this affect our role as stewards and caretakers of the planet?

What if…we could listen to the voices of minority groups of followers of Jesus whom mainstream Christianity tried to snuff out? What do ancient Christians like the Gnostics and the Essenes have to teach us about Jesus that might add to what we already know?

What if…I’m asking some pretty big questions these days. Some of my Christian friends would think I’ve lost my mind, but my spiritual life has been turbocharged by what I’ve learned from my Wiccan and Pagan friends. My connection to our Creator is more intimate and peaceful. My relationship with the natural world is infinitely stronger and deeper. I now sense that everywhere I walk is Holy Ground, and my life will never be the same again.

Perhaps you’re a Christian and you’re reading this. If traditional forms of Christianity are working for you; if they make you feel deeply connected to God and more loving toward your neighbor and creation then don’t change a thing!

If, however, traditional Christianity is snuffing the life out of you; if your faith feels like its only based on what you believe about God rather than on your relationship with God, then I want you to know you’re not alone. There are lots of “seekers” out there who are longing for a more intimate connection to both the Eternal One and creation that traditional Christianity is not providing for them.

I’m not sure what to call my vision yet but, for lack of a better term, I’m dreaming of Green Christianity. I envision an earth-based Path for followers of Jesus that is eclectic (draws from many sources), individual (recognizes that everyone experiences the Holy in their own unique way), and elemental (works with the energies of nature to promote healing and harmony).

My ultimate goal is to produce resources to help others who are interested in stretching their faith beyond the confines of traditional Christianity. I plan to write a book that takes the teachings of Jesus (from the Bible and other sources) and places them on the Wheel of the Year. So far, the timing for this project has not been right but it will happen!

So, are you in? Will you dream of a Green Christianity with me? I know you’re out there, so don’t be afraid to let your green light shine!

Posted in Creation Spirituality, Liturgical Calendar, Spirituality, Wheel of the Year | Tagged Christian, Pagan, Spirituality, Wicca | Leave a comment

Tree Hugging Jesus

Posted on February 22, 2018 by David Taliesin

Artist Unknown

“And Jesus led the Sons of Light to an ancient tree by the side of the river, and there he knelt at the place where the roots, gnarled and hoary with age, spread over the river edge. And the Sons of Light knelt also, and they did touch with reverence the trunk of the ancient tree, for it was taught to them that the trees are the Brothers of the Sons of Men. For their mother is the same, the Earthly Mother, whose blood runs in the sap of the tree and in the body of the Son of Man. And their father is the same, the Heavenly Father, whose laws are written in the branches of the tree, and whose laws are engraved in the forehead of the Son of Man.” —The Essene Gospel of Peace, Book 4

Now this is a Jesus I can resonate with! I like my Shepherd to be a little bit of a tree hugger. How about you? This is the Jesus that was lost during the selection of the books that became the New Testament. This is the Jesus of the minority instead of the majority, the people whose opinions mainstream Christianity tried to silence. (My Wiccan friends can definitely related to that!) Thankfully some of their writings survived! One of my favorites is the Essene Gospel of Peace, Book 4. If you’ve never heard of it before, definitely give it a read. The full text can be found at http://essene.com/GospelOfPeace/index.html

Posted in Creation Spirituality, Jesus, Spirituality | Tagged Christian, Pagan, Spirituality, Wicca | Leave a comment

DIY: Spell Candles

Posted on February 20, 2018 by David Taliesin

My working theory is that magical people are also “crafty” people. We like to harvest and dry our own herbs, when possible. We enjoy making our own incense blends, sachets, magical oils, etc. I’m sure there are “supermarket witches” out there, but many of us like to prayerfully/meditatively place our intentions/energy into every step of the creative process from the raw materials to the finished product. I believe our magic is more powerful when we work with products made by our own hands.

If you’ve never tried making spell candles before, it’s a lot easier than you think. I begin with honeycomb textured beeswax sheets which I buy from a farm that is dedicated to helping our bee population thrive. In the pictures below I’m making healing candles so I chose light blue as the color of the beeswax.

I cut each sheet in half so I get two candles out of each sheet. Then I take a blow dryer and soften the wax on the edge of the sheet for a few seconds. (Don’t overdo it or you’ll have a mess!) I press the wick gently but firmly into this softened wax.

Then I warm a small section of the sheet with the blow dryer and begin rolling the wax over the wick. Make sure you do this tightly because if there are a lot of air pockets, the candle won’t burn correctly.

Here comes the fun part! You can place either herbs or oils on the surface of the sheet in small amounts. In this instance I’m using dried rue and yarrow which came from my garden. Choose whatever is going to help your specific intention for the candle. This is a prayerful process for me. When using oil I make the sign of the cross on the surface of the wax sheet with my finger, saying “On earth as it is in heaven.” One of my Wiccan friends, who taught me how to make these candles, draws a pentacle in a circle, saying “As above, so below.” Do whatever feels right for you.

Then continue rolling up the candle until you reach the end of the wax sheet. If you’re using herbs hold the blow dryer on the underside of the sheet so you don’t send your herbs flying all over the place! If it’s a warm summer day I find that you can sometimes roll up the rest of the candle without applying any more heat.

When you’re finished rolling the beeswax sheet, heat the edge and press it into the candle to seal it! Then take a moment to prayerfully dedicate the candle for its intended purpose.

Posted in Herbology, Magic, Prayer | Tagged Candle Magic, Christian, Magic, Pagan, Prayer, Wicca | 2 Comments

Encountering the Divine Ritual

Posted on February 12, 2018 by David Taliesin

“Spiral Speak” by Sam Brown, https://www.ceruleansam.com/

Wow, we had such a powerful and holy conversation at The Welcoming Circle last night. Here is the closing ritual we did which includes the meditation exercise on Spiritual journaling.

ENCOUNTERING THE DIVINE RITUAL

ANOINTING WITH PROTECTION OIL—David Taliesin

May you be protected on our journey tonight
as we seek to connect more deeply with the Divine Presence.

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

Guardians of the East, we ask for your presence
In our circle tonight.
Sophia, Lady Wisdom, open our minds to new revelations
And new directions.
Mercury, protector of the road, guide our journey
And keep us safe.
All Divine forms associated with Air,
Athena and Hermes. Hail and welcome!

Guardians of the South,
We ask for your presence in our circle tonight.
Brigid, goddess of the forge and poetry, purify our thoughts
And tickle our imagination.
Horus, protective sky god, watch over us
And shield us from any power who seeks to do us harm.
All Divine forms associated with Fire,
Freya and Thor. Hail and welcome!

Guardians of the West,
We ask for your presence tonight.
Aphrodite, goddess of love and emotion, surround us
With your peaceful and nurturing presence.
Poseidon, god of sea and rivers, wash away stagnant emotions
And quench our thirst for knowledge.
All Divine forms associated with Water,
Cailleach and Neptune. Hail and welcome!

Guardians of the North,
We ask for your presence in our circle tonight.
Gaia, goddess of earth, fill us with your vibrant energy
And strengthen our bodies.
Cernunnos, lord of the beasts, keep our hearts light,
Joyful and inquisitive tonight.
All Divine forms associated with Earth,
Demeter and Jesus of Nazareth. Hail and welcome!

The circle is cast. We are in a well protected and sacred space.
Let us open our hearts, minds and spirits
So we may connect with what the Divine Presence
Desires to give to us.

SPIRITUAL JOURNALING/INNER WISDOM DIALOGUE—David Taliesin

Instruction: Make sure everyone has a pen and paper. Give them the guidelines for spiritual journaling:

This is a difficult exercise for some people. For others it is life changing.

1. Begin by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath. Try to rid the body of any tension you may be feeling and attempt to clear your mind.

2. When you are ready, open your eyes, grab a pencil and start writing. The easiest way to start is with a question you are struggling with at this point in your life. Write down the answers you receive and continue the conversation.

3. When doing this exercise, the key to success is you cannot stop writing and you cannot pause to think. You should let the conversation flow without censoring any of it.

4. Some people ask me if this exercise is only talking to yourself. My experience with this discipline is that is the wisdom gained from this kind of meditation comes from a deep wisdom source that is part us and part spirit. Some people gain incredible insights from this discipline that surprise and astonish them.

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians of the North,
All Divine forms associated with Earth,
Gaia and Cernunnos, Demeter and Jesus,
Thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
We ask you to keep us grounded in the coming week.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Guardians of the West,
All Divine forms associated with Water,
Aphrodite and Poseidon, Cailleach and Neptune,
Thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
We ask you to keep us centered in the coming week.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Guardians of the South,
All Divine forms associated with Fire,
Brigid and Horus, Freya and Thor,
Thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
We ask you to keep us passionate in the coming week.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

Guardians of the East,
All Divine forms associated with Air,
Sophia and Mercury, Athena and Hermes,
Thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
We ask you to keep us inspired in the coming week.
Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell!

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.

Posted in Goddess, Magic, Meditation, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged Divine, journaling, presence, ritual, spiritual | Leave a comment

Healing Ritual from The Welcoming Circle

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David Taliesin

Here is the ritual we used last night at The Welcoming Circle. The table was set with a clear bowl of water to which was added three pinches of salt. The candle set in the middle of the bowl and healing stones were placed in all four directions: Celestite to the East, Apatite to the South, Blue Kyanite to the West, and Black Kyanite to the North.

HEALING RITUAL

ANOINTING—David Taliesin

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

HEALING OIL—David Taliesin
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
1 drop lemon essential oil
1/4 cup olive oi

A simple, basic healing oil.

CASTING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians and Elemental Spirits 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.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Elemental Spirits 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.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Elemental Spirits 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.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Elemental Spirits 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.
Hail and Welcome!

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.
Hail and welcome!

HEALING 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 comes 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.

Energize the sacred sphere so perfect love casts out all fear.

We are just vessels. Let your power flow through us.

When you’re ready, open your eyes and reach our your hands toward the water and candle. Let that healing energy flow into them and radiate outward to fill the sacred circle.

In order to help this energy flow more freely, join me in the Nn-ah tone chant. The Nn sound lets the energy resonate in your body. The “ah” sounds releases it into the circle.

Then, on the court of three, ask everyone to draw the healing energy we raised and take it into their bodies.

As we near the conclusion of this ritual, we will make a circle with this blue string. It reminds us that we are connected together, not only in this circle, but in the mundane world as well.

In a moment we will each take a piece of this string home with us. Tie it to your wrist, place it on your home altar or some other location that will serve as a visual reminder of your need for self care. May it remind you of what you’ve learned and experienced tonight. May it challenge to to make self care an important goal in your life.

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians and Elemental Spirits 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!

Guardians and Elemental Spirits 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!

Guardians and Elemental Spirits 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!

Guardians and Elemental Spirits 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 the 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.

Posted in Magic, Meditation, Spirituality | Tagged healing, ritual, Spirituality, Wicca | Leave a comment

Holiday Survival Kit

Posted on November 13, 2017 by David Taliesin

HOLIDAY SURVIVAL KIT
Simple but effective uses of herbs/essential oils to beat the winter blues.

DEPRESSION/ANXIETY

Frankincense—Johns Hopkins University did a study in 2016 that proved burning frankincense helps to alleviate anxiety and depression. The essential oil can also be used but it’s not as effective. Frankincense can be burned on charcoal in an incense burner, either whole or ground. Use sparingly. A little goes a long way. I’m not aware of any contraindications for frankincense. The essential oil can be used in spray form [Sacred Soaps “Grounding Spray” is a good choice, available at Asheville Raven & Crone] or in a diffuser.

Ares Incense (David Taliesin, adapt. from Scott Cunningham)
2 parts frankincense resin
1 part juniper berries
1 part cedar leaf tips

Burn as a personal altar or household incense to increase your own powers. I crushed the frankincense with a mortar and pestle. I did the same with the juniper berries which remain a bit clumpy. I broke the cedar lead tips by hand into fine pieces. Even with my pine allergy, I had no allergic reaction to this blend.

– – – – – – – – – –

PROTECTION

Hyssop—Hyssop is the most widely used purification/protection herb in magic. It is added to baths, in sachets, infused and sprinkled on objects or persons to cleanse them, and hung in the home to purge it of evil and negativity. The extracted oil may be used for all forms of spiritual healing. As well as imparting healing to the patient, it protects the healer.

Protection Incense (David Taliesin)
1 part hyssop
1 part rosemary

Protection for magical and visualization work inside the circle.

Protection Oil (David Taliesin)
7-9 drops of Hyssop essential oil
1/4 cup olive oil

A simple, basic protection oil.

– – – – – – – – –

PEACE/HEALING

Lavender—Used in love spells and sachets. Scent on clothing attracts love. As incense, it induces sleep. It’s scattered around the house to maintain peacefulness. The odor is conducive to long life. It is used in healing mixtures. Essential oil is included in health, love, peace and conscious mind-oriented formulas.

Sacred Soap’s “Healing Spray” or “Healing Soap” is a good choice, available at Asheville Raven & Crone. You can also use the essential oil in a diffuser.

Relax & Recharge Tea (David Taliesin)
1 part ginger root
1 part chamomile
1 part lemon verbena
1 part lemon balm
1 part nettle leaf
1 part St. John’s wort (Optional. Don’t add this to the tea if you are already on a na anti-depressant.)

Place 1 tablespoon of herb mix in a tea ball. Pour a mug of boiling hot water over it. Let it steep for 20 minutes before drinking. (You can also bring the water to boil in a stainless steel pot, add the herbs, and then cover the mixture while steeping.) Adjust the amount of herbs you use to suit your taste for a lighter or stronger tea. Drink 1-3 cups daily.

– – – – – – – – – –

FEELING BLAH/LOW ENERGY

Peppermint—Magically, peppermint oil has a long history in purification spells. Its presence raises the vibrations of the area. Medicinally, peppermint has often been called “a blast of green energy.” It’s not that there aren’t stronger stimulants, but few make you feel as renewed and refreshed as peppermint does. Peppermint is most commonly used as a digestive aid. It is also effective for easing nausea and stomach cramps and for freshening breath.

Clarity and Focus Essential Oil Blend (Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine)
12 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops lime peel essential oil
4 drops peppermint essential oil
6 drops fennel essential oil

Use this in a diffuser.

I also highly recommend Asheville Raven & Crone’s Strengthening Tea. It’s really wonderful stuff when you just feel blah!

Posted in Christmas, Herbology, Incense, Magic, Yule | Tagged depression, essential oil, Frankincense, healing, Herbs, holiday blues, Hyssop, lavender, peace, peppermint, protection, stress | Leave a comment

Ritual: Claiming Our Power During the Darkest Days of the Year

Posted on November 12, 2017 by David Taliesin

candle-with-cupped-hands1

Ritual from November’s Welcoming Circle:
Claiming Our Power During the Darkest Days of the Year

PROTECTION OIL (David Taliesin)
7-9 drops of Hyssop Essential Oil
1/4 cup olive oil

As the days grow shorter, may the light within shine brighter and brighter.—David Taliesin

CASTING THE CIRCLE (David Taliesin)

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Elemental Power of Air, of deep hidden mysteries, intuition and spirituality, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Elemental Powers of Fire, of passion, decisive action and courage, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Elemental Powers of Water, of compassion, peace and love, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Elemental Powers of Earth, of hearth and home, prosperity ad health, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Great Mystery, who is known to us by many names, who gives us life and breath, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

EMPOWERMENT SPELL (David Taliesin)
Strips of paper, pen
Caudron
Red or white candle
Yarrow
Dragon’s Blood or Rue Oil

Light the candle and anoint it with the Dragon’s Blood or Rue Oil. Place it in the cauldron. Write on strips of paper the things you worry about most this holiday season. Place a pinch of yarrow in the flame of the candle.

Then, one by one, place each strip in the flame and let it burn as you verbally state the opposite of what’s on the paper, i.e. what you would like to see come into your life. Let it burn out in the cauldron. Ex. If you write “feeling overwhelmed” on the paper, say something like “I will be calm and peaceful.”

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE (David Taliesin)

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Elemental Powers of Earth, as the days grow shorter, keep us grounded and surround us with people who make us feel nurtured and loved. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Elemental Powers of Water, as the days grow shorter, keep us feeling positive and peaceful. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Elemental Powers of Fire, as the days grow shorter, keep our minds focused on the sacred work you call us to do during this holiday season. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Elemental Powers of Air, as the days grow shorter, clear all the clutter and distraction of this season so that we may focus on what’s necessary and important. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Great Spirit, who is known to us by many names, as the days grow shorter, help us to learn the benefits and blessings of the darkness. Use this time in our lives to make our world a better place. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Our circle is now 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.

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Magic, Yule | Tagged Christmas, empowerment, holiday, Magic, ritual, Thanksgiving, Yarrow, Yule | Leave a comment

Sabbats and Sabbaths

Coyolxauhqui: Aztec Moon Goddess

Blue Moon: Mar 31

Empowering Your Emotions

What If…I’m Dreaming of a Green Christianity

Tree Hugging Jesus

DIY: Spell Candles

Encountering the Divine Ritual

Healing Ritual from The Welcoming Circle

Holiday Survival Kit

Ritual: Claiming Our Power During the Darkest Days of the Year

Categories

Archives

Categories

Archives

Category Cloud