To 'Fire North, or not to 'Fire North'?

There has been some talk around me lately about the directions for the elements while in ritual or any kind of working. I have done a fair bit of research myself about this, and have come to my own conclusions about it.

For me, it depends heavily on what you are surrounded by, either as a country or local area. As I live in Australia, everything is backwards (or truly forwards depending on your perception!!); the Sabbats are all opposite, so why not the elements?

So I (as usual) gave it a lot of thought and this is what I came up with:

Fire - North, because the equator is the hottest part of the world and the Summer sun arcs closer to it during the day.

Earth - West, because to the west of me there is a mountain range, then hundreds of kilometres of desert.

Water - East, because the Pacific Ocean laps at the shores on the east coast of Australia where I live.

Air - South. This one was a little difficult to reconcile. I placed it here initially because of the process of elimination, but then I was talking to a friend about the breezes I get running through the front of my house to the back (very strong, almost like I am sitting in front of a pedestal fan!). These were apparently the southerlies, bringing cold winds up from Antarctica to cool our hot summers!

The penny dropped with the last one really. If I could arrange it this way and the final quarter fits even thought I had not expected it to, then the rest should be right too, right?

The other thing is, if I decided to move to Western Australia the east/west would change, because the position of the water and earth has changed geographically. If I moved to Canada for example, the south/north would change for a similar reason (and possibly the east/west, or all of it, depending on where exactly I lived). My current arrangement feels right to me. I get it. It is meaningful. And if it is meaningful, then my rituals will also be meaningful; I wouldn't want to do something just because someone else said it was right then spend the rest of my ritual freaking out because it feels wrong. That would have a negative effect on the ritual, and no one wants to go to all the trouble of creating a ritual, only to force some aspect of it and ruin it!!!

Chakra Fundamentals: The Crown Chakra

I know this will be blogged out of order, but I have been inspired by The Pagan Blog Project and, since this week’s letter was C, I thought it fitting to write this now. I have not submitted this to the project yet, however, follow the link for more exciting information about paganism and other associated topics. I will also refrain from explaining again what Chakras are all about as I have done it in Chakra Fundamentals: The Base Chakra, so if you are unsure please visit this page also! But now, down to business!

The Crown chakra, or Sahasrara (also Sahasrana), is located at  the top of the head, either resting upon the very top or just above your physical body. Its symbol is the thousand petalled lotus (pictured below) and its colour is traditionally purple, however, as much as I might try mine is always white! Either way you see it, it is the fastest spinning chakra, and these two colours reflect this. Generally the crown chakra is the centre of spirituality and connection with the divine, if it is open and active you will have strong faith in something, whether ‘new age’, pagan, or monotheistic etc. It is also the centre for connection to the higher self, understanding and knowledge of the self, spiritual wisdom and claircognizance (clear knowing) and for ‘living in the now’. It is associated with the element of thought and the planet Uranus.

In the physical body, Sahasrara governs the brain, skull, cerebellum central nervous system and the pituitary gland. If you are experiencing any issues in this area, such as migraines or headaches, it may be the manifestation of a crown chakra block or imbalance. Emotional issues connected to this chakra may be depression, alienation, confusion, inability to trust life and see the big picture, lack of inspiration, worry or living too much in the past or future.

So again, how can we fix these issues? Again, like all the other chakras, a good cleanse may be necessary, or perhaps a meditation with an associated crystal, such as amethyst, fluorite, diamond or clear quartz. Also, breathing in the colour purple or white (depending on what you see) into this area with the intention of clearing it will be of benefit. There are some other, simple, every day ways to balance and open you crown chakra:

Ø  Meditate

Ø  Bless food before eating

Ø  Recycle and avoid polluting mother earth

Ø  Send healing thoughts to people and situations

Ø  Ask for guidance from your higher self and spirit

Ø  Forgive

Ø  Spiritual practise and prayer that supports your religious beliefs

Ø  Wear purple or white material on top of the head

Ø  Drink violet infused water and visualise it flowing to the crown chakra

It is interesting that I have recently started to bless the food I eat, not regularly but when I feel necessary and I am also feeling more connected to the world and the people in it; I am sure the two are not exclusive!

(Most information is gathered from personal experience and discussions with teachers and like minded people, however, a good book to read to get an overall idea of the chakras is Janet Boyer’s ‘The Chakras’.Also, the following website is also of great use - http://www.healing-journeys-energy.com/Chakra.html)

The Power of Being Green

I am very into using colour for healing, particularly when associated with crystals. I have written a few image articles for my Spirit Healing page on Facebook, but I would like to incorporate it here as well! I think there is a lot we can learn from the vibrations of certain colours, and incorporating them into our daily life can facilitate balance and harmony within! 

Pictured: Malachite bracelet and Green Jasper pendant

Green is a very powerful colour. Linked to the Heart Chakra, it is a symbol of love, compassion and forgiveness. In the tarot, it is the colour of harmony and balance. In Wicca and Witchcraft, green is a colour to attract money and abundance. It is also linked to jealousy, envy and superstition, but we will focus on its more positive attributes! Just a quick note, if you wear a lot of green already and are prone to bouts of jealousy and envy, you might like to consider replacing it with a different colour for a while and see what happens! Perhaps its most powerful use is that of healing. In all areas where my research led me, healing was at the fore front of its symbolism and uses. Inna Segal describes many areas where it can be used as healing; such emotional issues include agoraphobia, claustrophobia, insomnia, self-esteem, money worries, heartache and shock. Its physical healing properties cover mostly illness concerning the heart and lungs, but also the liver, nervous system and the thymus (this last perhaps as the thymus is the gland governed by the Heart Chakra). It also helps to heal hay fever, laryngitis and ulcers while purifying the blood and restoring general health.

Drinking green infused water is an easy way of incorporating Green into your life! You can buy bottles that are already green in colour, but painting one is also a good option. Glass bottles are best for this purpose, as you will not get that 'plastic' taste or be consuming the chemicals form the plastic when you drink it. Fill the bottle with water and place in the sun for at least an hour. The longer you leave it the stronger it will be!!

But for the important part, what to do with it? Again, the easiest way to work with green is to wear it, specifically over the heart or the area of most concern. This need not be obvious, a green singlet or underwear is just as effective as a complete ensemble! Yet, if green is not your colour, try any number of green crystals available. The most common (and to my mind the most beautiful) is Malachite, but jasper, quartz and agate in green are just as effective! You can also meditate on the colour green, visualise breathing it in to the area of concern and breathing out the illness or issue at the same time. Eating more green food or drinking green infused water is also an easy way of using this colour. As with all work of this kind, it is about intent! You need not spend a lot of time or money on the endeavour, just small things with the intent of receiving the healing you desire is enough! I will sometimes wear green nail polish with the intent of it balancing my Heart Chakra and healing emotional issues, especially since the arms and hands are specifically linked to this Chakra itself! I would never advocate going against the directions of a doctor, especially as I am not one myself, but adding this to your already existing treatment is a worthwhile exercise!

Animal Spirit Messages - The Fly

Now, when most people think of spirit sending messages to you through animals, they think of lions, tigers, chimpanzees, and my favourite, butterflies and dragonflies. Well, it turns out that the household pest that most people take for granted is also one that can send the most enlightening message to you!!

I had recently came home to find a small infestation in my house of flies! I was appalled and disgusted, having no clue as to what on earth they could possibly find about my very tidy and in no way garbage-dump-like house. I thought is was for the kitty litter and i promptly started to curse my housemate! At one stage, I counted 35 in the lounge room alone! Then I noticed the other dozen on the light in the kitchen! Everywhere I turned there were more flies!

Now, I know what you are thinking 'there can't be that many really! They must be moving around and you are counting them twice, like when you try and count the stars in the sky!' well, here are a few shots and you can make up your own mind!! Yep, those little black dots are ALL flies!!!

Well, that was before I had a light bulb moment, facilitated by my lovely housemate. There was a message here for me (or both of us, but considering she hadn't been home for almost 3 days, I figured quite selfishly that it was for me), but I just didn't know what. I looked in the few books and decks on the subject of animal spirit guides only to find that the cuddly and cute ones were covered, but nothing so base as the common house fly!

Again, housemate to the rescue! 'Why don't you Google it?' Now, I don't consider 31 to be old by any account, but apparently there is something that can be said for youth! My new motto? What Would a Twenty-something Do?

So I Googled it, quite frankly not expecting to find much in the way of a definition for the spiritual significance of the fly, but again, I was humbled! As I started to read, I was more and more convinced of its importance for me at this very moment. Having asked my housemate to do a reading for me to gain some clarity on some emotional problems I have been having (again!!) and receiving her guidance, it pretty much mirrored the fundamental message of the fly - leave your old self-defeating habits and doubts behind!

There is much more to it, and I have attached the image I created for it to this blog in the hopes that others will be able to share in the wonder that is apparently the fly! Here's hoping that now that I have received the message (loud and clear!!) they will find their merry way out of my house to help another poor soul in need! I am not looking forward to having to use the fly spray after they have given me so much!!!!

(I have included the websites to this image as references and encourage you all to have a look the next time an animal does something weird around you. It is spirit's way of getting you a message!!!!)

'B is for Beginner' - an amazing blog that needs to be shared!

I have been reading some blogs on Pagan Blog Project 2014 and many have some interesting ideas and advice. One such blog I have found interesting is A Solitary Witch on tumblr.com and I felt compelled to share. The interesting thing is that the basic advice is have a healthy mix of passion and caution, which is always good to have! So, have a read and I hope you get as much from this as I did!!

Blessed Be xx

Chakra Fundamentals: The Base Chakra

I know at first glance, chakras may not appear to be a part of Paganism, however, it is a part of our emotional and physical well-being, thus for me it fits perfectly! In this way I feel it is important to have a working knowledge of them, if not a close affiliation with them. It is part of knowing the self and should be incorporated into any self discovery journey. There are a lot of people in the world who are walking around, unbalanced and have no idea why or how to fix it if they are aware. I was one such person not so long ago. 

Chakras are energy centres all over the physical body that allow for the free flow of energy from feet to crown, and everywhere in between. We have hundreds of mini chakras all over our body that facilitate this energy flow, however, there are seven main chakras that govern certain key aspects of our lives. They are the base (or root chakra), the sacral, the solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye (brow) and crown chakras.

  

The first, and possibly the most fundamental to overall health and well-being, is the base chakra, or in the sanskrit, Muladhara. Its location varies depending on which source you read, but I usually feel it at the very base of my torso. If sitting down, it is located in the area resting on the seat. Other works will describe it as being at the base of the spine or coccyx or the cervix (for women) or perineum (for men), however, if there is one thing I have learnt so far it is that all things are individual. One thing is certain, it is the first of the main energy centres and it is situated roughly at the bottom of your torso, the specifics will vary and you will have to discover this for yourself. One way to do this is to get into a meditative or contemplative state and ask to become aware of my base chakra. Sit quietly now and try it! Be aware of any buzzing, or energy pooling in a particular area. This will be the location of your base chakra! Some people also see them as swirling discs facing the front and back of your body, at vertical to the ground. Mine, however, face from my feet to my head, horizontal to the ground. Again, you will have to discover this for yourself.

Each chakra has a symbol associated with it, usually a version of the lotus flower. Muladhara is often shown as a lotus flower with four petals.

Each chakra governs both the physical and emotional body; any imbalance or issue with your chakras can manifest as a physical pain, injury or disease. Issues with your base chakra can manifest through the legs, knees, feet and ankles, bones, large intestine, hips and pelvis, kidneys, sciatic nerve or lower back. Any pain in these areas is a sign that you are experiencing emotional disturbance in one or more area concerning this chakra.

So what are these issues? The Base chakra is associated with feelings of belonging (with tribe or community), career and finances, safety and security, familial law and order, ability to stand up for oneself or any other material or physical concern. One example may be financial worries manifesting in hips locking or cramps in the legs. I have a particular issue with my coccyx bone, which I have damaged at least twice in my life. Now when I start to worry over money or the home, it will ache. It is a timely reminder for me to take a few seconds to work on this chakra and alleviate any concerns and worries.

It is easy to rebalance or activate a chakra. One of the easiest is, after identifying the issue that has caused the ailment or pain, locate and wear a crystal specifically associated with the chakra. Any red crystal will do for the base chakra, but of particular note is red jasper, garnet and smoky quartz (these will usually appear in your standard chakra crystal packs). There is no need to wear it directly on your base chakra, although doing this in a meditative state will help to enhance the crystal’s efficiency. You may also breathe in the colour red into the area of your base chakra and visualise it clearing the negativity from the area. Eating red food (such as tomatoes, cherries or apples) or drinking red infused water with intention is also another effective way. The easiest method of balancing or activating this chakra though, is to wear red underwear! It sits directly on the chakra and is far less noticeable than other methods! And who could forget those Dorothy inspired red shoes? (sparkles or sequins preferred though optional!) Another discreet way to balance your chakra is to wear red nail polish on your toes... I do this all the time with the intent that it balance my chakra; it seems simple but it works. And you feel pretty too!! All is intent though, so no matter what you choose to do, be sure to state your intention when doing it!

Here are some simple ways to maintain your base chakra’s health on a daily basis:

• Take your off shoes and walk barefoot outside connecting with Mother Earth 
• Dancing
• Massage and pedicure
• Gardening or house work with the intention of balancing or opening this chakra
• If possible, have a space within your home that is entirely yours
• Daily short, brisk walks
• Have a routine and stick to it
• Pay bills on time
• Bake bread and peel potatoes for grounding

I have found that a solid base chakra is the foundation for all psychic or energy work. If your base chakra is closed or imbalanced it is likely (though not guaranteed) that your other chakras are in the same state.

So start with the basics! Get your physical life in order first to allow the magickal to enter your life!!

(Most information is gathered from personal experience and discussions with teachers and like minded people, however, a good book to read to get an overall idea of the chakras is Janet Boyer’s The Chakras. Available on Amazon.com or via Kindle.)

The Beginning of my Year

Ok, so I am very new at this and am not even sure if I am doing it the best way, but here goes!

I have recently decided to create this blog because I feel I have a lot to share about my own journey and experiences in all things spiritual. Also, I am eager to hear other people's journeys and experiences as well as their thoughts and ideas about life, the universe and all things in it! My aim here is to share my story in the hope that others will share theirs and we can engage in mutual sharing of ideas!

I guess I want to start with the official beginning of my journey. It occurred in early November of 2013 when I attended a local circle who were gathering for Beltane. As we here in the Southern Hemisphere are 6 months behind (or ahead which ever way you look at it) this occurred when everyone in the Northern Hemisphere were donning their outfits and knocking on doors asking for lollies and the like - AKA Halloween.

I was a bit nervous as it was my first time in any form of circle event, and I knew Beltane to be a big one and was excited about what would happen here. I was not really ready for the fun and laughter that occurred. I met the most amazing group of women that night and have already formed close friendships with some of them. As I was only new to the group, and the journey as a whole, I did not know what to expect but I went in with an open mind and heart.

We started the night with a bit of history of the holiday, its meanings and associated gods and goddesses. I had done a bit of research (ok, a lot!!) before committing to this path and I was aware of the basics but I knew I in no way had it all in hand! The information I received this night was the perfect reminder both of how far I had come and of how far I still had to go.

We were then informed we would be dancing the May Pole. The group facilitator had closed her hills hoist so all that remained of it was a large pole in the middle of her modest backyard. Attached to the top were 8 different coloured silk strips, 4 red and 4 white. We were to grab an end each and dance in the direction indicated, weaving in and out of the others in a circular pattern. I was a little nervous, my history being one littered with bullies and judgements from others, I was not sure if I could do this. I then realised that the others were here for the same reason and there would be no judgement. This calmed me immensely and I was able to then focus on the task at hand.

It turned out to be one of the most fun things I have ever done in my life! We laughed the whole way around, bumping into each other and narrowly missing others. Being the perfectionist, I was determined not to miss a beat - as it turned out we all managed to keep the pattern and the clothes line ended up in a perfect pattern of red and white silk! I was completely invigorated and ready for more!

Then we went back into the room were our craft was to make a mini May Pole. We were given what I thought to be a paper towel stand, each of a different colour and rolls of red and white silk we were to cut and attach to the top of the stand. We tightened them at the top with a coloured thumb tack and tied little flowers around the stand just below the top to symbolise the growth of the land. Then we ate and drank, closed the circle and went home.

I was not at all prepared for the sense of belonging I experienced in this group. I have never truly felt I belonged anywhere, always feeling as if I didn't fit, was different to those around me in a way that I could not understand. Now I know why! I am forever grateful to the women I met that night and to the experiences I have had since and now truly know what it is to belong!!