Pagan Thoughts

Inner Sun Exercise
      This can be used for anything from healing to courage and empowerment to vitality. It is a wonderful exercise to use when you are working on BEING the change you wish to see in the world or creating a preferred life experience.
     If possible, begin outside or in front of a window, with your eyes closed toward the sun. Feel the sun’s warmth and see the light through your eyelids. Visualize this light and warmth filling your body. See it fill every cell to overflowing and spread out into the world around you.
Now see a smaller sun in your center. See it expand and glow more brightly as the Sun energy merges with your personal energy. The light balances your body, mind, and spirit.
See and feel this glowing sun expand and shine more brightly. It surrounds you in a protective sphere of light.
      This inner sun will guide and protect you as long as you choose to work with it. Check it periodically for insight. If you are living a healthy life and walking the path you are meant to walk, your inner sun will glow brightly. If you are out of balance or working from ego alone, it will dim and waver.
      Similarly, your inner sun will be strong if you are being offered honesty from others. Lies and deception will cause your inner sun to fade.

Blessings of the fertile earth to you
Blessings of the wind and rain
Blessings of the deep blue oceans to you
Blessings of the trees of the grove
Blessings of the standing stones to you
Blessings of these and more
To you and yours forever

first published in The Seeing Stone, March 2004

Broom, ‘crystal ball’, bolline, cords (green, gold, black; earth, sun, moon)

Athame-Air; Wand-Fire; Chalice-Water; Pentacle-Earth

Cleanse & charge medi spot 

I just realized that I never even looked at the lesson, and it’s already time for my exam :/

I guess I’ll just have to read the lesson real quick & take the exam, and then go back tomorrow to do the exercises, and then the next day start on Lesson 4…

Update: I got a 96% on my Lesson 3 exam
The exercises for lesson 3 are just researching different ways of casting the circle & calling the quarters, and things like that…

Ten tips for creating personal spells

1.Choose the intent of the spell and focus on the intent. Energy from the spell, although focused, does not go out that way from the spell. It affects many people, therefore anticipate the side effects of the spell.  Choose the tools that you will need for the spell, such as candles, incense, stones, symbols
of the spell, etc.  Make the tools personal to the spell. I write the intent of my spells on parchment paper. Then according to the spell, I either burn it, bury it or hide it wherever it needs to go.  Burning the paper in the flame of the candle will strengthen the spell and send the energy to the Universe.

2.Find components to express intentions of the spell.  This goes back to the props.  If you are doing a spell for more money, use jewelry, a deposit slip. To reduce debt, burn an old bill during the spell.  If you use stones, remember to charge the stones with your energy and the energy of the spell
before the spell.  This is best done when saying the blessing of the props.

3.  Cleanse, Bless and charge the props, focals and tools.  This step cannot be skipped.  To cleanse, mineral water can be used.  To cleanse stones, put them in the sun or moonlight. To cleanse the tarot card, put it in the moonlight for one night.  Ask the Goddess to bless the tools and fill them with the
magick for the spell. One example is "Lady/Lord, see this tool that is pure and prepared to help in my magick.  Bless it now to become an instrument of my magick." I use this. I saw this in Patricia Telesco’s book and liked it for the simplicity.Also, place the tools on the altar to increase the potency of the
spell.

4.  Settle your mind and spirit before performing the spell. Clam and center yourself before you try the spell. Have a fresh attitude.  Develop your meditation skills.  Also, do not perform any spells when you are sick, angry or out of sorts. Negative energy can bring bad results to a good spell.

5. Prepare the altar or sacred space. Let your inner voice guide you to a position in which the circle is comfortable. What works for one person may not work for another. I use indorrs and outdoors depending upon the weather, time of day and the type of spell. It is necessary to call the four elements. I say the following, "Air, Fire Sea and Land, Before your presence, I White Water
stand! Come protect this sacred space , While I work magick in this place." This has always worked well for me. You may want to adapt it to North, East South And West, Goddess/God, please help me in this sacred quest. Bless these tools as in this space, as I work my magick in this sacred place. (I just made that up.)  There are many ways to call the corners.  East = Air, South =Fire, West=Water, North=Land/Earth.

6. Cast the spell. Imagine the energy flowing through your body as you say the spell. When the words are done, include harming none and helping all in the end of the spell. This will correct any possible errors or intentions of the spell that may have been harmful.  This allows the Goddess to
work the spell to the highest good of all involved. Make sure to visualize the goal of the spell.  Remember, you can chant, sing, dance with the spell. Music can also be added. All of these will make the energy of the spell stronger and more effective.

7. As stated above, dance, song, music, lighting candles and using incense will help.  Dance in a circle, perform an incantation, use drums or other rhythmic instruments for the spell.  Make it fun. This will make the spell your personal spell.

8.  Release the magic. Visualize the energy leaving your body.  perform a release exercise, such as lifting your arms to the sky. Do what feels right for you

9. Ground yourself after you release the energy. Sit on the floor nad take a few cleansing breaths. Stay put until you feel the energy come back to you.

10.Repeat the spell.  Leave space in your personal Book of Shadows to write down the result, how quickly the spell worked and what you liked/disliked about the spell.

Sometimes, it takes me days to write the spell. I like to have words rhyme. once I have written the spell, I then look for tools.  Make sure to use all the right herbs also. Herbs such as patchouli are good for money spells, while rose is good for friendship spells.  Keep lists nearby of color correspondences.  Also,  purchase a deck of tarot cards just for use in spells. I do not read the tarot cards that I use for spells.   Also, read books on spells to get more detailed uses for other spells and variations.

The Elemental Spread

          5

  4      1      2
         
          3

1 Center/Spirit-realm of Spirit and spirituality, the Self, the Issue
2 East/Air-realm of the mind, intellect, ideas, communication
3 South/Fire-realm of energy, action, passions, vitality
4 West/Water-realm of heart, relationships, feelings, intuition
5 North/Earth-realm of the body, physical, material, work, home

There are of course many variations on this spread, and multiple ways to read it. Often, I will add commentary cards (another set of five around or more if needed.) Interesting insights can be gained by noting which elements appear in which elemental position. For example, if an Earth card, such as a Pentacle or something like the Devil (Capricorn-Earth) appears in the West/Water position, it may make things somewhat "muddy, dirty, unclear" in relationships or feelings.

When you get a new deck of tarot cards, take them from the box and, replacing any advertising cards and the little book, wrap them in a silk or cotton cloth.

Sleep with them under your pillow for 3 nights to make them yours. During the days shuffle them, examine them and familiarize yourself with their content. When you feel ready, start to use them. At this stage it is useful to have a notebook handy to help you analyze the cards.

Each evening, shuffle the deck whilst focusing on the following day. Take 3 cards and place them face down in front of you. Now turn over the first, which denotes the morning, note it in your book and write any thoughts and feelings which come to you. Repeat this with the second for the afternoon and the third for the evening. Place the 3 cards within the book until the end of the day. At this time look again at each of the cards and your notes: how did the cards relate to the events of the day? Were the notes you made appropriate? Now return the cards to the pack and repeat the exercise later in the week. If you are very keen you could do this every day, but be aware that it is easier to learn your cards if you do not overload your memory.

When you feel that you are beginning to know and understand your cards well, it is time to move on to more complex spreads, at least one of which will probably be in that little book you placed to one side in the beginning.

“Skills worth having take time to acquire.”

What are Abundance Checks?

Abundance checks are a tool we can use to create more abundance in our lives.
They are written within 24 hours after a New Moon.

Surprisingly, you really don’t even need to believe that the check will work when you write it. You will however be amazed at the results, as you will see increased abundance in your life, in some life area. It is not always financial, but certainly in an area that you need.

There is a traditional manner, which has been handed down, that must be followed. If you do not have a checking account you can draw a check on a piece of paper and fill it out the same way - the results will be the same, more abundance for you.

Here´s how to do them:

When: Each new moon in 2006: [All dates are in UTC time.] DEC. 20 (14:01).

1.) Within 24 hours after a New Moon, take a check from your check book. Where it says "Pay to," write your name.
2.) In the little box on the same line where you would fill in a dollar amount write "Paid in full."
3.) On the line underneath your name, where you would write out a dollar amount, write "Paid in full." [I find it works better if you don’t add the squiggly line.]
4.) Sign the check: "The Law of Abundance."

Do not put a date on the check. Do not write a specific dollar amount in the check. Put it in a safe place and forget about it. The Universe will take it from there.

I just realized something pretty astounding to me.

Since yesterday, I’ve been trying to figure out the relevance in the cards I’d picked during my WotY tarot spread for the time beginning on Ostara and ending the day before Beltane. I’d picked "Wednesday" and "10 of Cups". Looking at my blogs, I realized that the day I was supposed to go in for my (successful) interview at Red Apple was a Wednesday, and the card I’d picked on that day to help me get an idea of how it was going to work out for me was the 10 of Cups.

I’m in complete awe…  

Sunset on April 30 - May 5th

Arts
Sabbat ATC
Begin SoL
Make new WotY

Make love
Shave everything
Personal mini Maypole
Friendship bracelets
Pick & distibute flowers
Dress in bright colors
Bask in a lil May Morning Water
Water scrying (or other divination)
Plant something
Woodland shrine
Make May baskets for the neighbors and/or co-workers 

If you have a partner, this is a good time to celebrate the relationship. Each of you should make a list of seven qualities you most appreciate and cherish in the other. These should be inherent traits, like a sense of humor, or being good with animals. Do this separately a few days before Beltane.

Beltane, and its counterpart Samhain, divide the year into its two primary seasons, winter (Dark Part) and summer (Light Part). As Samhain is about honoring Death, Beltane, its counter part, is about honoring Life.

This is a time of self-discovery, love, union and developing your potential for personal growth.
Passion, creativity. the fertility of people, plants and animals, and also of projects and endeavors. 

About two days before your Beltane ritual, grab a pen and paper and find someplace quiet where you won’t be disturbed. Outdoors with the flowers and budding trees would be a wonderful choice, if possible. Make yourself comfortable, close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath. Hold it for a count of three and then slowly release it. Do this several more times until you are relaxed. Visualize your spine going down through the earth like the root of a tree. Watch it travel down, down and in the center of the earth, there is a large rock. Wrap your “root” around this rock and anchor yourself there. Now you are connected to the earth. Next, visualize a beam of white light rising through your crown and up to the Universe. Take another deep breath from your heart charka. Now that you are grounded and centered, take a moment to just revel in the connection that you have made.
When you are ready, think about what you have chosen to add to your life recently. Have you put them into action? Are they working for you? What about the rest of your life? Are you happy with where you see yourself going? Is there anything else you would like to add to enhance your journey? Really take the time to fully evaluate what you have, what you would like and what you need. When you’ve worked all this out for yourself, write down what you’ve come up with. Write down those items that you’ve already added to your life and need more nurturing, write down those items that you’d like to add that will only enhance your life and if needed, write down those things that are impeding you.
Once you have your list and have received all that you feel you need from this meditation, thank the Universe for the gift of its energy, take what you need, return the rest and slowly draw your beam of white light back from the Universe. Now, thank the earth for the gift of its energy, take what you need, return the rest and slowly release the rock to which you are anchored. Draw your “root” back up into your spine. Know that the energy is there for you whenever you need it. For the next two days, keep this list with you and read it often. Ingrain it into your mind. Visualize the outcome. Bring this paper to your circle at Beltane.

Walk the perimeter of your property to check that everything is in good order. Bring trash bags and do a general clean up of anything that is not where it should be.

make yourself beautiful, sweet-smelling and renewed through a ritual bath, surround yourself with the colors of all of life. This is a time for physical enjoyment, but also care and renewal of one’s body, and so mirrored by the earth’s body.

I got an 84% on my last Tarot Exam