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For many of us, shamanism and witchcraft hold very situated ideas in our mind. Shamanism seems to conjure a Native American medicine man with feathers in his hair, leather pouch of magic stones and herbs, and ceremonial pipe. Witch conjures a different image of a hag with wild hair mixing potions and making ointments. Neither of these are accurate depictions of these practices, which are far more similar than they are different.
Those of us who know a bit more about the craft and shamanism will affiliate these practices with certain spiritual or religious paradigms, such as Wicca. Understand that practitioners of the traditional craft and shamanism alike may see the wisdom in these paradigms, but may also follow a different religious path. As a matter of fact, there are many practitioners who we would call ‘witches’ or ‘shamans’ who consider themselves Christian. The traditional paths are NOT religious paths – they are spiritual traditions and practices that are influenced by religious or philosophical paths of the practitioners. The cunning folk of Britain are an example of this. (See the Wikipedia link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cunning_folk for more info on this path, as well as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge_Witchcraft#Hedge_Witchcraft.)
With this idea in mind, James and I were discussing our respective practices which are mostly different in name only. When we boiled down what was the most important to me as a hedgewitch (a practitioner of a traditional shamanic form of the craft) and to James as a walker of the Dreampath (a blend of concepts from Native and South American practices, empathic development and mindfulness meditation practices), we came up with a powerful concept: P.U.R.E
P.U.R.E is an acronym for Purposeful, Universal, Respectful, and Environmentally Centered. To us, this is what our paths boil down to. Here is a little more about each of these concepts:
Purposeful – Our practices are centered around purpose. Every nuance and detail has a personal significance. Every action is taken with a purpose in mind – whether to celebrate the turning of seasons, to connect with land, spirit helpers or the Fair folk, even to facilitate healing (a huge part of each of our practices).
Universal – Our practices are inclusive, accepting and nurturing. Further, regardless of the faith you follow or the philosophy that you subscribe to, the practices affiliated with these paths should help to strengthen your own experience of the Divine. Many ‘Universal’ standpoints tend to draw from all faiths and then water down the beliefs and practices to make them easier to embrace for all people. Our concept of Universal is also experiential and ecstatic – this means that your spiritual experience is personal and subjective. Your connection to the world of Spirit is your own responsibility.
Respectful – The practices of traditional hedgecraft and Dreampathing are respectful of the views and vantages of our forebears. We are also people of the 21st century. Every path evolves, including spiritual paths. While we respect the ways of the past, we may honor them in a modern form that is more conducive to our modern culture. For example, hedgewitchery was well-known for utilizing ‘flying ointments’ to initiate a journey into the Other Worlds. These ointments frequently contained belladonna, henbane, jimson weed and many other potentially lethal herbs. As a modern hedgewitch, I choose to utilize other traditional practices (such as drumming and rattling) to achieve a trance state to journey into the Other Worlds, along with tools that aren’t necessarily traditional (such as certain forms of breathwork) and more mild herbs (such as mugwort and bay) to aid with jumping the hedge (aka shamanic journeying).
Environmentally Centered – While many of the Earth based spiritual paths are known for their ecofriendly stances, this isn’t the totality of what we are talking about. This is where we see the biggest divergence between our spiritual paths and the paths of religion. Religions (whether Wicca or Catholicism) tend to follow a spiritual ‘calendar’. In Catholicism, this is the observation of Lent, Easter, the feast days of saints, etc. In Wicca, this is seen in the observation of the sabbat festivals which are based around the seasons. While these are both wonderful and vivid practices (which I personally will incorporate into my own practice), James and I both believe that it is much more important to be connected to the land we live on. It has been our collective experience that spiritual experience is much more powerfully connected to PLACE than it is to TIME. By honoring the land in which you live, you also honor the lands that lie behind and beyond the physical land – the Other Worlds. This is the vital link that brings about the personal spiritual experience.
These simple concepts are inherent in shamanic practice – whether the practices of Core Shamanism, Hedgewitchery, or Dreampathing.
Energy Updates will now be done quarterly/seasonally, as it is just easier for me to get them done all at once, and many of you seem to want a longer outlook than a month at a time – so enjoy the new format!
New Moon 6/12/10 – Sun/Moon Gemini
What to Expect over next 2 weeks: Lots of innovative action. Many new and/or unusual opportunities, especially in the fields of technology and media. Even though the drives will be there for these innovations, things feel out of synch. The stress on the New Moon for expansion and innovation is immense, so if you don’t let yourself wander aimlessly or get overwhelmed, this can be a very productive time for you (though you may only realize it in retrospect).
What to Manifest: Clarity in communication, sharp wit, new studies.
Correspondences: Colors – yellow, orange. Stone – agate. Scent – parsley, dill, iris.
Lunar Eclipse – 6/26/10 – Sun Cancer/Moon Capricorn
What to Expect over next few months: Focus on civil service, health and employment. Possible troubles with transportation and communication, market fluctuations. Expansion of scientific frontiers, fruitful innovations and creation of new fields of technology. Strongest culmination point occurs mid-December – just in time for next set of eclipses!
What to Manifest: Balance between work and play. Ambition and drive. Groundedness.
Correspondences: Colors – green, brown. Stone – turquoise. Scent – pine.
Solar Eclipse 7/11/10 – Sun/Moon Cancer
What to Expect over next couple of months: Focus on foreign affairs and higher education. The overcoming of obstacles. Domestic issues, especially homes and housing market. Financial stresses correspond with waiting for expansion to happen. Strongest influence is within a day of the eclipse.
What to Manifest: Home ownership, expediting new ventures and expansion, emotional balance and well being.
Correspondences: Colors – green, smoky grey. Stone – pearl, moonstone. Scent – poppy, rose.
Full Moon 7/25/10 – Sun Leo/Moon Aquarius
What to Expect over next 2 weeks: Drive for innovation continues, but meets with resistance. Major time for letting go and releasing what doesn’t serve you. Pick your battles, and hold your cards close to your chest.
What to Manifest: Balance between work and play, invention, privacy.
Correspondences: Colors – electric blue, silver. Stone – amethyst, red garnet. Scent – foxglove, pine.
New Moon 8/9/10 – Sun/Moon Leo
What to Expect over next 2 weeks: Conflict with authority. Difficulties with work, but more from external sources – office politics, gossip, implementation of new systems. Entertainment comes to the forefront, as do children. New opportunity for ‘good times’.
What to Manifest: Workings for children. Lightening the load and enjoying life more. Self esteem.
Correspondences: Colors – golden yellow, orange. Stone – ruby. Scent – frankincense.
Full Moon 8/24/10 – Sun Virgo/Moon Pisces
What to Expect over next 2 weeks: Spiritual release. Balancing work and home life. Introspection, shifting self image. Opportunities for transformation. Intensely intuitive period.
What to Manifest: Psychic and spiritual development. Finding the right home. Overcoming addiction.
Correspondences: Colors – Sea green. Stone – aquamarine, bloodstone. Scent – ambergris.
Energy Update
The New Moon on April 14th occurs around 7:30am in Aries. The only aspect formed to the new moon is a sextile (opportunity) with Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius. This is light influence, but positive aspect. With the planets involved, this is an opportunity and a spurring for spiritual growth and innovation. Many of us may feel this as a ‘psychic opening’, and while Mercury is preparing to retrograde beginning later this month, our introspective natures will heighten. This new moon will have it’s strongest effect in opening doors to our spiritual growth. A lunation such as this is ideal for setting up the energies of Mercury Retrograde.
Using this moon to manifest or work ritual, you will want to use it to help energize your spiritual seeking. Manifest a new spiritual study or teacher during this time. Follow your heart’s desire and open to your personal joy. This is also the time for letting go of what is holding your back on your spiritual journey. Aries New Moon is also good for ambition and physical exertion or exercise. (Begin any new routines- especially exercise routines – by the 4th of April to not have them challenged by the Mercury Retrograde.) Red candles and cinnamon incense best embody the energy of this moon, while burning a yellow candle on a mirror will help to focus the energy of Mercury for introspection during it’s retrograde cycle.
Mercury begins retrograding on April 17th at 13 degrees Taurus and goes direct on May 11 at 3 degrees Taurus. Use this time to turn your interests inward and enjoy meditation or art. (The retrograde in Taurus will be particularly fond of creating pretty things). As always, avoid the purchase of unnecessary items (especially technology) during this time. Keep an eye out for possible miscommunications. And try to embrace this time of introspection.
The Full Moon occurs on April 28th around 7:20 am in Scorpio. This moon is all about intensity. Hopefully by this point you’ve started to use the retrograde energy to do some soul searching. This full moon is about shifting your awareness to letting go of what’s holding you back, especially in a spiritual sense. The aspect configuration of this moon is asking you to look especially hard at your everyday routines and streamline them to maximize your growth and energy levels. Little changes can make huge differences, but with the Scorpio moon, you may feel the need to swing to the extreme. If you truly desire to make an extreme change, the Mercury – Sun conjunction is asking you to do it in baby steps, spacing the change out through the end of May while remaining mindful of your goals. Incorporating your feelings and intuitions into something grounded may appear challenging, but it’s supposed to – especially if you’re looking to make permanent changes to your spiritual path, routine or life in general. This may not make it easier as it is ‘happening to you’, but be sure that the feeling of intensity will ease in time.
The Full Moon in Scorpio is an extreme moon. This is an excellent time for letting go and reinventing the parts of your life that you aren’t happy with. Beware of looking for instant gratification, as the Mercury Retrograde may make your expectations of timing unrealistic. Red and black candles represent this moon, as does a heavy intense incense like dragon’s blood or patchouli.
There is no podcast this month, but Elige will be appearing on Journey into the Light radio program on April 6th, 15thm 20th and 28th. The programs will be broadcast live and will include both interviews and calls from listeners. Check it out at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/journeyintothelight .
Spirit Attachment by Elige Stewart
Possession. Hollywood has grabbed this concept and ran. A spirit intrudes into a (usually young and pretty) person’s body causing all kinds of havoc – from killing boyfriends to puking split pea soup. I don’t think I have to tell you that this is not at all usual. However, the underlying concept – spirit attachment – is far more common than you’d think.
Spirit attachment is basically motivated by when a person dies and they retain a desire to experience the physical world. This can be motivated by the spirit simply wanting to ‘wrap up’ some leftover business or watch over their loved ones in the way they did when they were alive. More often, though, the spirit is driven by a desire to experience something that they can only get in a physical body – drinking, sex, domination, etc. The spirit will then connect with the energy field of a living person to have these experiences, which is spirit attachment.
The effect that spirit attachment has on a person varies. For most, it will manifest as a new or heightened compulsion. This can be very annoying, but rarely causes any alarms to go off unless the compulsion is something of an addictive nature, such as a more robust drinking regimen. Changes in personality, moodiness and a generally disinterested affect also tend to accompany spirit attachment. The person experiencing the attachment frequently reports loss of focus, exhaustion and losing track of time.
Everyone will have this list of circumstances or ‘symptoms’ at some point or another in their life (most likely not all at once though). Personalities can change and morph over time, heightening some traits while downplaying others. In the case of spirit attachment, generally the changes will be fairly extreme. The loss of focus, exhaustion or loss of time management skills will be almost constant. The changes in personality will be marked enough for everyone around you to notice.
Spirit attachment can also manifest as a physical condition. This can be sudden chronic pains that aren’t easily explained by a doctor, loss of sensation, lowered immune response, and sleeping disturbances/insomnia to name the most common conditions. There is a situation where a woman lost her sense of smell for over a year due to spirit attachment. Her sense of smell returned after a spirit release session with a hypnotherapist.
Spirit release is most often addressed in one of three ways: actions taken by ‘host’ of attachment, hypnotherapy or energy work. Sometimes you can quickly identify the main motivating factor of an attachment – e.g. alcoholism, drugs, etc. In this case, eliminating what the spirit wants from your life will cause it to move on. You will usually have to eliminate the trigger for over a month for this method to finally cause the spirit to move on.
Energy work such as Reiki or Quantum Touch can help to address attachment as well. It is a specific technique in energy work (that has come to be known as ‘Psychic Surgery’ in Reiki) that addresses this condition. Not all practitioners of all energy work systems will practice a technique that is effective with spirit attachment. Energy work tends to work best in the situation when you are unsure whether you have an attachment. Most everyone can benefit from regular energy work sessions, so I usually recommend going in to see your Reiki Master and simply let them do what they do. You’ll notice the benefit of this immediately, whether or not you had an attachment.
Hypnotherapy is the best way to go when you are sure you have an attachment. The process is very empowering for the person having the session. It is a direct way to disconnect with the spirit and move on with your life. Some hypnotherapists will call the process ‘Depossession’ as opposed to Spirit Release. Rest assured that it is the same thing.
Spirit attachment is a fairly regular occurrence, but many people will be able to relate to the list of ‘symptoms’ who don’t have an attachment. It is human nature to try to relate to what we are hearing/reading/seeing. The big question is – do these symptoms disrupt your life in some way? Most of the time, if you are experiencing these symptoms you won’t notice whether your life has been disrupted by them. It will be pointed out by a close friend. If these things are disrupting your life, then you may want to consider seeing someone.
Spirit attachment tends to happen during stressful periods of our lives, such as the loss of a loved one, job transition, or severe illness. The two most common places for an attachment to take place – bars and hospitals.
If you feel that you may need spirit release, contact a qualified medical intuitive, hypnotherapist or energy healer. Then call your doctor. If you are having any physical symptoms of spirit attachment, you should see your doctor to address them. Personally, if you are experiencing physical symptoms and you haven’t called/seen your doctor, then I will refuse to see you as a client. The physical symptoms can be a sign of a much bigger and more acute problem that should be cleared by a medical professional with the proper training to help those situations.
Spirit attachment only has as much power as you give it. In the end, you have the control to break free and soar. Sometimes it may require a little outside help, but this should always be a process of empowering you. As always, if you don’t feel uplifted and inspirited/inspired when you leave an intuitive or energetic practitioner, then you should find a new one!
This audio discussion is about the Fair Folk of the Lower Realms, more commonly known as the Fey or Fairies. The focus is on their role in Traditional Witchcraft and Hedgeriding, not on the Victorian image of fairies that we have come to know.
Fey, Fairies and Spirits of Fate Podcast Link
Just click on the link and an audio mp3 player will open in a new window or tab.
Energy Update
The New Moon on March 15th occurs conjunct Mercury and Uranus in Pisces brings in an incredibly rebellious and unpredictable quality. We can expect some good news on the financial and job fronts in the coming month for the nation, as the moon makes opportune aspects to the midheaven (ruling careers and public identity). The real spotlight is on spiritual growth and development though. This moon is going to kick off a period spiritual seeking and innovation for many people. We are all looking to evolve, and now is a great time to bring about a fantastic period of growth and sudden change. The best piece of advice for this time period: Go with the flow!
In consideration of spiritual workings, this is a great moon to initiate change and spiritually evolve. This is the time to plant the seeds for intuitive innovation, and this is a great moon to harness for psychic development.
The Full Moon on March 29 in Libra is very much about maintenance to our relationships. A square to Pluto challenges us to let go of relationships that no longer serve us, especially those that don’t support our ambitions. We will also see our best and brightest being brought into the spotlight by others, especially those that we emotionally support on a regular basis. Those friends at work may just submit YOUR name for a promotion!
We can incorporate the energy of this moon into our spiritual work and ceremonies involving relationships, empathy and forging partnerships, or to help release relationships that no longer serve us.
Down the Rabbit Hole – A ‘Shamanic’ Look at Alice in Wonderland by Elige Stewart
Many of us are familiar with the Lewis Carol stories of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. With this Friday being the release of a movie based on the characters of these stories (which looks pretty good, by the way), I wanted to take a look at some of the story points and relate them to Otherworld practices.
The first major event of the story is Alice falling down the rabbit hole. This mirrors the classic descent into the Otherworld (specifically the Lower World) in many shamanic practices. The fast paced falling and the random images ingrained into the Earth seems to mirror my own journeys into the Lower World. The rabbit hole acts as the sacred opening into the Other Realms, and is portrayed much in the way that many shamanic practitioners would describe their ‘access point’ into the Shamanic State of Consciousness.
This brings us to the White Rabbit. This character could be seen as an animal ally or power animal for Alice. Symbolically, Rabbit is about gaining knowledge, wit, planning and fertility. Though seemingly inadvertently, the White Rabbit is the spirit who initiated the journey for Alice, making him a powerful totem to her. This is also seen in how much of the story, Alice is searching for the Rabbit.
Alice’s experience of changing size is also one that is seen often in the shamanic journey. Size, shape, density and physics in general appear to be completely malleable once you’ve crossed the Hedge. What we experience there has no bearing on what can be experienced here.
The Caterpillar is another example of an animal ally, but holds a more pointed message of transformation for Alice. This seems to be the Caterpillar’s only real interaction with Alice, so he wouldn’t be considered an actual totem or power animal, just an animal messenger.
The Cheshire Cat plays the role of the trickster spirit. Never knowing his motives or whether he is actually helping you exemplifies the relationship that you develop with trickster spirits. Much like Alice, though, we sometimes have to interact with these spirits to achieve our goals. They may be considered allies, but you’re never sure exactly where they stand (much less why).
The Mad Hatter is a prime example of the Fair Folk of Elphame, or faeries. The riddle that can’t be answered, the distinguished appearance, and inviting Alice to share his meal all point to interactions with the fae from folklore. There is also an allusion to him existing outside of time, which is another trademark of the fair folk.
The Red Queen and the White Queen both seem to be reminiscent of many experiences with Fey as well. The Red Queen’s hot temper, love of games, influencing nature (ie having the roses painted a different color), and holding court all point to an interaction you may experience with some of the Fey, especially those of the Lower World. The White Queen’s demeanor, appearance and character also seems to fit Elvin royalty, though seems to resonate more with an Overworld journey. Like the Hatter, the White Queen has an odd relationship with time. She seems to experience it backwards, making her in some ways prescient.
It is also worth noting that the White Queen appears in the second Wonderland book – Through the Looking Glass, but not the first. The experience of traveling through a looking glass or reflection is more associated with a middle or overworld journey than with a lower world one.
Also in the second book, there were ‘mirrored’ characters, but having different names. For example, the Hatter in the first book has his equal in the second, only with the name of Hatta. The theme of playing cards from the first book (games of chance) is replaced by the theme of chess in the second book (a game of skill), which also seems to point to the different ‘feel’ of the Underworlds and Overworlds, respectively.
You can examine every aspect of these tales, whether in book or movie form, and relate them to an understanding of shamanic practice. While it isn’t likely that the author was secretly a fully trained shaman, it does show a universally innate understanding of the different realms of existence. Though he may never admit it, through his writings Lewis Carroll touched the land of the Fey, the Lowerworld, Elphame, or whatever name you wish to call it.
In the end, the stories are about Alice finding her way, growing and gaining a piece of wisdom and confidence. This aspect of growth and reclaiming is also at the core of jumping the hedge into the Otherworlds. The truths are universal and innate, as is the road to Wonderland.
This audio discussion addresses the role of Witch as Healer, from the archetypes of conjurer to herbalist-midwife.
Podcast Link
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The Tarot: Tool of Inspiration, Information and Initiation by Elige Stewart
The tarot is one of the tools usually affiliated with psychics and fortune-tellers, but it is so much more! Tarot can be used to inspire, to gain perspective and to initiate change in your life. Let’s take a look at these roles that tarot plays.
Tarot for creative inspiration is a great way to help organize stories or even help spur the plotline to the great American novel. Gaining the skill to weave the individual archetypes of the cards into a cohesive reading or story is paramount in developing your skills as a tarot reader. Entire stories can be derived through tarot in this way, and the development of these stories are wonderful practice in achieving more proficiency as a tarot reader.
The most common view of tarot is as a tool to learn information unavailable to the rational mind. This can be knowledge of the future or current events that the querent isn’t privy to. Understanding the deep and profound archetypes of the tarot is necessary in unlocking the hidden information that each card can represent. Equally important, though, is the ability to apply these understandings to the world around you. If you understand that the Lovers card may represent making a necessary choice or the existence of a romantic relationship, but you can’t look at the surrounding cards and apply it to the questioner’s life, it’s like having all the ingredients to make a cake but not knowing the recipe.
In addition to tarot providing insight, you can utilize the tarot to take action in areas of your life that are stagnant. To do this, you can simply observe the order of the cards after identifying the card that represents your stagnant situation. For example, if you feel that the situation is best represented by the seven of cups (living in fantasy, denial, etc.), then look to the next card – eight of cups – for your way to move from the stagnant situation (new ventures and exploration, solitary working, etc.).
You can also utilize tarot to manifest change through the process of tarot magic. Simply identify the situation you’d like to change and then decide what you want to manifest in it’s place. Once you figure out what you want, then create the ‘perfect layout’ that would represent those changes having taken place. Then it is simply a matter of giving it your attention and intention through meditation and visualization.
While these are wonderful possibilities to explore with tarot, the information gained or used within the cards should never been seen as absolute. Foreknowledge is present to help you influence the possibilities of the future. Remember that whatever you see in the cards can be changed. You are the one in control – not the cards!
Tarot should be a joyful and inspiring tool, not one that evokes fear. The cards themselves are just pretty pieces of paper – it’s the archetypes contained on those pretty pieces that we utilize. The real power is in how you use the cards!
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