CERIDWEN

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Ceridwen is a Welsh sorceress, a white witch with the power of Awen. She can brew life-altering potions, to change her form, and to inspire knowledge and beauty in others. In some tellings of her legend, she is a goddess of creation and inspiration, giving her further powers. Her symbols are:
cauldron, pigs and grain

Ceridwen is a name of Welsh origin, originally rendered as Kerdwin or Cyrrdven. Its exact meaning is unknown, due to the fact both parts of her name, Cerd and Wen, could have multiple meanings. Wen most likely means “woman,” but if originally derived from gwen it may be interpreted as “fair”, “blessed”, or “white.” Cerid can be translated as “bent” or “crooked”, but could potentially mean “poetry” or “song.”

Ceridwen is a powerful Welsh sorceress, and one of the most powerful witches in Celtic mythology. A mother and a wise woman all at once, she is blessed by the gift of poetic wisdom, inspiration, and prophecy, called collectively Awen in Welsh lore. This power comes from her magical cauldron, where she brews great potions to help others. She has many of these abilities herself without the cauldron’s power. She also has a magical throne, from which she derives her sovereignty and some of her powers.

Potions brewed from her cauldron range in effect, such as changing the appearances of others, allowing the imbiber to shapeshift, or give the gift of Awen itself. Though her potions grant the gift, they are also quite dangerous. After the gift is given, a single drop of the potion has the power to kill. Ceridwen is thus careful with whom she gives her potions to, as she wishes no harm on others but knows that power comes with a price.

Ceridwen is a white witch, meaning that she uses her gifts and her cauldron to help others. While this is largely altruistic, at times she does use it for the benefit of those immediately around her, such as her intention to help her son Morfran. When her ploys backfire or go awry, she can let her anger get away from her, but ultimately finds herself before she does anything drastic.

She is sometimes depicted as a mother or a crone figure, varying depending on the ages of her two children. She resides at Bala Lake, also called Llyn Tegid for her husband.

Depending on the translation Ceridwen can also be seen as a goddess, specifically a creator or sovereignty goddess. Her story was recorded centuries after it was first told.

In this form, modern neopagans worship her as a prominent deity of wisdom and creation, though sometimes liberally mixed with other goddesses.
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Ceridwen is married to Tegid Foel, translated as “Tacitus the Bald,” a powerful leader who resides at Bala Lake. They have two children: a daughter, the beautiful Creirwy, and a son, the hideously deformed Morfran Afaggdu, whose skin was burned and mind was warped. Morfran later appears as a warrior in the court of King Arthur.

By way of sorcery, and perhaps by accident, Ceridwen becomes the mother of a third child, the famed bard Taliesin. Carrying all the gifts of his mother, he is advisor to many rulers of Britain, a powerful druid and bard, and a figure that is often depicted as a precursor or regional variant of Merlin.
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Family Tree

Consorts

HUSBAND

Tegid Foel

Children

DAUGHTER

SONS

Creirwy

Taliesin

Morfran Afaggdu
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Ceridwen appears primarily in the Book of Taliesin, a story sometimes included in the famous Mabinogi. It is her only appearance, but one of the most famous in according to reception

Ceridwen and her husband Tegid Foel worried over the life their poor son Morfran might live in his current state. Deformed and lacking any wit, Ceridwen thought to use her cauldron to make him at once beautiful and wise. She began to concoct a potion in her cauldron and set a blind man, Morda, to tend the fire beneath while a servant boy, Gwion Bach ap Gwreang (meaning “son of Gwreang”) stirred the pot.

They continued in this role for one year, upon which the potion was completed. But Ceridwen withheld important information from them: only three drops of the potion held the power to make the imbiber beautiful and wise. The rest was a deadly poison. Upon finishing the final stir, three drops fell onto Gwion’s thumb, which burned him. He put his thumb to his mouth, and at once became beautiful and wise.

The boy knew that Ceridwen would be angry with him and fled. Catching herself before she fed the potion to Morfran, she chased Gwion in a rage. Now gifted with the same knowledge of magic as Ceridwen, Gwion transformed himself into a hare and ran. Ceridwen became a greyhound and pursued him. He then became a fish; she transformed into a hungry otter. Again, he changed shape, becoming a bird. And again, Ceridwen transformed into a hawk.

Finally, knowing that she would catch him, Gwion transformed himself into a single grain of wheat. Ceridwen, using her magic (or being a goddess), found the grain and ate it. But the potion had another effect, and Gwion did not die. Instead, the grain took seed and Ceridwen became pregnant. Though she thought she would kill Gwion when he was reborn, she ultimately relented when the child was born, more beautiful than anything she had seen.

Instead, she resolved to push the child out to sea. Placing the boy into a leather-skin bag, he was eventually found by Prince Elffin ap Gwyddno, who in turn raised the boy as a prince. He named him Taliesin, and he grew to be a wise bard and advisor to kings.

Elsewhere in the legends of the Celtic world, cauldrons of inspiration are highly common, making Ceridwen’s cauldron one of the most archetypal symbols of power. The cauldron is also a symbol of the Underworld.
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The Circle of Ceridwen series by Octavia Randolph uses a character sharing the same name as Ceridwen in a historical setting, but draws in elements of Norse and Germanic MYTHOLOGY.

What It Means To Be A Spiritual Person Vs. A Religious Person

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

What It Means To Be A Spiritual Person Vs. A Religious Person
Knowing the difference will let you discover your truth…

Are you a spiritual person or a religious person? People are inclined to think that these two lifestyles are the same, and on the surface they are.

What they both have in common is connecting to something larger than themselves. And knowing the difference between spirituality and religion will help anyone decide which path they should take to discover their truth.

Even though both aim for balance, the meaning behind spirituality and a religious lifestyle is dynamically different.

Being spiritual doesn’t mean you have the responsibility of worshiping a God. Instead, spirituality helps others focus not just on their own well-being, but for others, nature, or any sacred being. It focuses on the art of understanding the way of life, change, and living in a sacred manner.

Being religious is a personal system in which one follows spiritual guidelines, beliefs, practices, and worship of God or Gods.

Both of these are routes to discovering the divine truth. While religion looks to God for purpose, spirituality looks within life’s foundation.

Whether religious or spiritual, it’s vital that both are used for balance and not for selfish desires. Even though the connection shares a major common ground, spirituality and religion differ in more ways than one.

Here are some examples of the differences between the two.

1. Religion focuses on groups, spirituality focuses on individuality.
Religious people lean on gathering with others, to reach a unison connection with God, but spirituality develops their own belief system. Spiritual people tend to be more individual and less dependent on others to seek a stronger connection.

Sunday services and disciple groups help religious people study the Bible together to understand scripture. Religion is the belief of another man’s experience written down in sacred scripture, but spirituality is the belief of one’s own experience.

2. Religion has rules, spirituality has privacy.
Religion has a set of rules that followers must obey in order to stay “pure” and “holy.” Those rules encourage them to develop discipline to grow closer to God. These rules are public so others draw near, all in order for a church to increase their congregation.

Spirituality is more personal. While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, spirituality focuses on an individual’s aspect of a belief.

Spirituality offers an endless amount of potential benefits, while with religion it offers punishments or rewards. Spiritual people listen to their hearts and their own conscious mind in order to do what is right for their unique self.

3. Religion is tradition, spirituality tends to change as we grow.
As a spiritual person grows in life, so will their perception and beliefs. Through experience and self-reflection, a spiritual person will express a different aspect to reveal their version of the truth.

Religion is an ideology that holds ancient traditions that have kept communities together. If a change was to occur in religion, it would be a slow process. For example, churches are slowly accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was unheard of.

If you notice, others abuse religion to inflict fear into another’s mind. It has caused wars and major conflict between ecocentric groups and countries.

Spirituality focuses on spreading love and selfless acts. It focuses only on good energy to allow people to be the best version of themselves.

4. Religion defines the truth, spiritual people decide their own truth.
Religion includes a preacher or religious leader who defines what the truth is to their congregation. They believe in sacred scriptures and expressing their own translation.

Spirituality seeks its own truth and translates it based on one’s experience. While one truth is being defined, the other is being discovered.

5. Religion intends to please a God or Gods, spirituality focuses on relationships.
Spirituality is a part of humanity that’s seeking a purpose in life. Being religious has a more connotative reaction from others.

It’s common to abuse religious power to degrade others for their lack of “purity.” But spirituality doesn’t aim to please a specific God; rather, it focuses on interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships.

6. Religion can be exclusive, spirituality is inclusive.
Religion is based upon traditional beliefs and teachings that may impose very strict interpretations and limitations, often excluding people of certain communities. Their worldview can isolate people who don’t see it that way.

Spirituality doesn’t make distinctions of that sort. The foundation of spirituality is a pure spirit of unifying force. That is, nobody is left out, behind, or forgotten.

7. Religion leans on faith, spirituality leans on experience.
Religion is faith. There’s no scientific evidence to corroborate its existence.

It’s a blind belief in something with unconditional acceptance of its teachings. There’s no questioning it. It’s believing without having it proven to you.

Spirituality leans heavily on the personal experience of one’s soul. The practices of spirituality, like meditation and yoga, gives people the chance to make “conscious contact” with expanded states of consciousness. This allows those who practice the teachings to experientially validate them.

8. Religion focuses on the future, spirituality deals with the present.
Spirituality focuses heavily on the now. It deals with being fully present and living as it happens. Spirituality embraces everything good, bad, and neutral as it happens without worrying about a future reward.

Religion requires one to worship so they will be rewarded later on. Some religions have a reward that comes after death, like getting into heaven.

Can you be both religious and spiritual?
Yes, someone can be both spiritual and religious.

Spiritual people can feel a stronger connection when their beliefs are intertwined with religion. For example, they may believe in God while asking for positive energy through their journey of self-discovering.

A way to practice both in a healthy manner will take some adjustment. A person will tend to lean on one side instead of balancing both. For example, if a person is more religious, they run the risk of becoming socially dependent on their church peers.

Being too spiritual may also cause long-term separation from loved ones or more concern for their own issues, instead of trusting a higher being for tomorrow’s worry.

Make sure that whatever path you choose to follow you bring a healthy balance to your lifestyle

What Paganism Does And Doesn’t Mean…

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Being a Pagan has a variety of meanings, many of which are often misunderstood.

What Is Paganism? What Being A Pagan Really Means
The term “Paganism” may conjures up images of witches or other occult practices.

Maybe you’re like me and had only heard Pagans referred to in religious school classes, or perhaps you’ve been hearing more of Paganism and Pagan practices mentioned on TikTok or in the numerous Viking-themed shows that have are popular on Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services, like “The Last Kingdom,” “Vikings,” and “Vikings: Valhalla.”

If so, learning more about the history of Paganism, as well as its modern forms, is probably a good idea right about now.

What is a Pagan and what is Paganism?
A sort of unconventional approach to religion, Pagans believe in several gods and goddesses and the interconnection of nature and human beings. Paganism has a rich history, holidays, and practices proving that being a Pagan is a unique religious experience.

According to the Pagan Federation, Paganism is defined as a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion; therefore, a Pagan is a follower of this religion.

Simply put, Paganism, the Latin word for which is pāgānus, was a term created in the fourth century Roman Empire, used to describe people who practiced a polytheistic religion, or the belief in multiple deities. The Latin pāgānus was originally meant as a term to refer to a “country dweller” or “civilian.”

The term was primarily used by Roman soldiers, who thought of themselves as soldiers of Christ in the Christian religion, to describe anyone who wasn’t in the army; therefore, Paganism originated as military slang.

Pagans practiced polytheism, the opposite of monotheistic religious practices like Christianity, Judaism or Islam. Early Christians referred to Pagans as heathens or gentiles.

According to Christianity.com, polytheism is “the belief in and veneration of multiple gods or goddesses… both male and female, who have various associations and embody forces of nature, aspects of culture, and facets of human psychology.”

Considered to be more relatable than the “perfect” higher power of other pre-Christian religions, these deities find wisdom within their human faults. Pagans chose to incorporate this aspect because it allows for expressing humor.

Their other belief of pantheism involves seeing the divinity as inseparable from nature. This shows that Pagans have a holistic worldview that the universe is interconnected, and deities can be found all around us within trees, flowers, water, even the sky.

Due to the manifestation of divinity within nature, Pagans will actively search for answers and signs from their deities. As an example, the Pagan Federation states that Pagans may cast “stones to read the geomantic patterns into which they fall.”

It’s also important to note that while there are ancestral beliefs within Paganism, it tends to take on domestic elements. That being said, it is not so much a public religion, but rather one that is more private and varies from person to person.

How did Paganism come about?
Some forms of Paganism are rooted in the 19th century C.E. European nationalism. However, contemporary Pagans have traced their roots to the 1960s. Modern Paganism focuses on the spiritual interest and connection to nature, and archetypal psychology.

Described as being both a prehistoric and postmodern religion, Paganism has heavy ties to spiritualism.

With the development of science, the Greeks and Babylonians wanted to understand nature and the patterns among it that are hidden from us. With the cultivation of human industry and the well-roundedness of culture, Renaissance thinkers began to write about Pagan ideals.

Many Pagans lived on Mediterranean lands in the countryside. According to the Pagan Federation, “with parks, gardens and even zoos, all re-introduced into modern Europe, not by the religions of the Book, and not by utilitarian atheists, but by the Classically-inspired planners of the Enlightenment.”

Their beliefs and ideas were unlike anything that had been seen at the time. In fact, the Pagan religion was one of the first religions to make way for an individual connection with the divine or their deities.

Modern Pagans emphasize the importance of the “individual psyche as it interfaces with a greater power.” They are creative and playful, not tied down by the customs of an established religion.

With respect for all life, Pagans usually desire “to participate with rather than to dominate other beings.” The hope is that all of creation live in harmony with each other.

Forms of Paganism Throughout History

Norse Paganism
Dating back to the Germanic people of the Iron Age, between 400-550 AD, Norse Paganism was a religion based on polytheism, the worship of ancestors, belief in fate and the afterlife, and that spirits were present in animals and nature.

Norse Pagans held religious festivals that focused on farming and agriculture, and made blood sacrifices timed to the phases of the moon and the seasons.

Viking Paganism
Viking Paganism followed Norse Paganism, beginning around 800 AD and lasting until 1050 AD. In Scandinavia, the Norse Pagan religion was practiced during the Viking Age, until the Vikings converted to Christianity in the 10th or 11th century.

Viking Pagans were polytheistic, and had many groups throughout Northern Europe. It’s believed that in order to trade, Vikings, also known as Norsemen, adopted Christianity gradually, as Christians couldn’t trade with Pagans.

Celtic Paganism
Celtic Paganism was the religion of the Celts in Western Europe during the Iron Age (500 BCE-500 CE). A polytheistic people, Celtic Pagans believed in the afterlife and practiced rituals like burying their dead with food and weapons.

Their ceremonies were held in forests, rather than churches, which appeared during the Gallo-Roman period (1st century BC to 5th century AD). Celtic Pagans also took part in human sacrifices.

Paganism in Ireland and Scotland
In Ireland and parts of Scotland, Paganism began around the 1st century, until around the 9th century when Vikings invaded and settled in the area, assimilating to Gaelic Ireland. Before Christianity in Ireland, its religious beliefs influenced Scottish Gaelic culture.

Gaelic Ireland was Pagan, had an oral culture to pass down its beliefs, was polytheistic, believed in an afterlife and animism, and celebrated four main festivals yearly.

Modern Paganism
Also referred to as neopaganism or contemporary Paganism, modern Paganism shares similarities to the Pagan religion of the ancient past; however, scholars have equated modern paganism to the New Age movement.

Modern Paganism focuses more on magic and witchcraft rather than the worship of gods and goddesses. Neopaganism centers on celebration of the changing seasons and animism, and are inspired by 19th century Romanticism.

Roman Paganism
Before the collapse of the Roman republic, Roman Pagans were individuals who were said to have lived in the countryside, practicing non-Christian beliefs. However, Roman Pagans worshipped gods, though didn’t agree with “other” Pagans on certain practices.

After the collapse, Christianity began to influence the population (30-40 AD), and Emperors condemned any non-Christian beliefs by implementing laws, some of which were punishable by death. Despite this, Paganism continued to be practiced into the 5th century.

Pagan Holidays and Celebrations
It makes sense that with a high importance of nature within Paganism, their holidays and celebrations center around solar and seasonal change.

The Wheel of the Year is a symbol of the eight religious festivals that Pagans celebrate.

According to the World History Encyclopedia, Pagans noticed that “the seasons changed, people died, but nothing was ever finally lost because everything returned again — in one way or another — in a repeating natural cycle.”

Their appreciation for nature’s predictability is observed eight times a year. These festivals are “designed to draw one’s attention to what one has gained and lost in the cyclical turn of the year.”

The Wheel of the Year includes eight holidays celebrated by Pagans:

1. Samhain: October 31
Marking the beginning of the year’s cycle, Samhain means “summer’s end” and commences the season of darkness.

As you’ve probably noticed, this festival takes place on Halloween. It is a Pagan belief that during this time, the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest.

2. Yule: December 20-25
Yule celebrates the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, where the days grow longer. It symbolizes rebirth, growth, rejuvenation, and the renewal of life cycles.

At Yule, a tree is decorated to honor the home of deities. It also commemorates the birth of the new sun god.

3. Imbolc: February 1-2
Meaning “in the belly,” Imbolc celebrates rebirth and purification between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.

As it references pregnancy, this festival is linked to fertility, hope, and the promise of the future.

4. Ostara: March 20-23
The Spring Equinox, or Vernal Equinox, is observed with celebrations and feasts, often involving flowers, rabbits, chicks and colored eggs.

A time of birth and renewal, the goddess Ostara is believed to re-emerge from beneath the earth and become pregnant with the sun god who will be born the next Yule.

5. Beltane: April 30-May 1
Bonfires, dancing, and colorful strands of ribbon are used to observe the coming of summer.

Beltrane represents light and fertility, while Pagans show their passion and set aside inhibitions in order to indulge their desires.

6. Litha: June 20-22
The days become shorter during the celebration of the Summer Solstice at Litha.

It acknowledges “the triumph of light over darkness,” and involves fresh fruits, honey cakes, and feasting.

7. Lughnasadh: August 1
Lughnasadh is named after the Celtic hero-god Lugh who is linked to order and truth. It is also known as Lammas.

This is a harvest festival that ceremonializes the transition from summer into autumn with a harvest of fruits offered to the gods and goddesses.

8. Mabon: September 20-23
Celebrating the Autumn Equinox, Mabon is the beginning of the second harvest, focusing mostly on grains, specifically wheat. Mabon is the day when darkness reigns over light until springtime.

Mabon is named after the son of the Earth Mother Goddess. The belief is that the Earth Mother Goddess will eventually return, bringing life and prosperity to humanity.

Books That Explore Paganism
If Pagan ideals are something that interest you, it might be beneficial to do some research. Anyone can become a Pagan and begin to practice their rituals.

Soe great books to start with include these:

1. “Paganism: A Beginner’s Guide to Paganism” by Sarah Owen

2. “Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions” by Joyce and River Higginbothom

3. “The Path of Paganism: An Experience-Based Guide to Modern Pagan Practice” by John Beckett

4. “Pagan Planet: Being, Believing & Belonging in the 21 Century” by Nimue Brown

However you decide to take in this information and potentially follow Pagan ideals, you will become closer to nature and see the importance of individualism.

HOLDA, GODDESS OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Mother Holda, an ancient Germanic Goddess, has many surviving stories. She is connected in several ways to our contemporary concept of Santa Claus. She was a teacher, a spinner, a wise woman. She was a Fate Goddess, a Protector and Guide of the souls of the dead to their new life in the next world. Even in modern day, when it snows, people say that Mother Holda is shaking out her down comforter.

An old Germanic tradition that survives is the laying out of an offering of a bowl of milk and food for Holda by the hearth fire on the eve of Her festival day, December 25th. The custom evolved to the setting of a place for Mother Holda at the table the meal before the family went to Christmas Mass, leaving her a bowl of milk when the family left the house, then carrying it outside to pour on the ground or leave for the animals after the family returned. This custom seems very close to the leaving of cookies and milk for Santa by the fire, doesn’t it?

Holda is the Queen of Winter in Her Crone aspect. The snow flies as She shakes out Her cape or Her down comforter. Goddess of Prosperity and Generosity, gold coins drop from Her cape when She unfurls it. But She also holds people to standards of hard work and industriousness. She does not brook laziness. Holda, or Frau Holle, travels in the winds with the souls of the dead, mostly children and babies. She can be heard howling with grief as she bears the babies’ souls tenderly to Heaven.

Holda is connected to the 12 days of Christmas because Her festival days beginning on the evening of the 24th of December began a 12 day party that lasted to January 6th, the Festival Day of Her sister Goddess Perchta, the winter hag Goddess. The Catholic Church assimilated both these Solstice festivals in northern Europe as Christmas ending in Epiphany (commemorating the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus – bringing gifts).

In Her Mother aspect, Holda appears as the body of the World Tree – front half woman, back half tree – who gave birth to humankind. The name Holda, or Holle, is also associated with the holly plant or tree, which has been used for centuries to decorate and protect the home for this season.

This Northern European Goddess Holda (Hulda or Holle) is a Triple Goddess who as Maiden appears as beautiful and stately, flowing blonde hair shimmering and shining like the light of the sun, with a white, or red and white, goosedown cape. She flies through the night sky on the night of December 24th bringing gifts and joy. Her name means, “kind”, “merciful” or “gracious one”. It was She who determined who was “naughty or nice”. She rewarded the industrious and kind with good health and good fortune, and punished the lazy and selfish.

May Holda bless you with much good health and good fortune in these days surrounding the Rebirth of the Sun.

Seiðr

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

From totemic baton to sceptre, and from cursing rod to distaff, a shaft of wood or metal has been raised in the hands of women across the globe for thousands of years. Plain, crooked or carved, and bedecked with various impedimenta; fashioned in bone, skin, wood and metal, the phallic rod has perhaps attracted more attention than any other tool associated with magic and the Female Mysteries. Because of this, ‘wands’ became perceived almost universally as the magical tool par excellence, an imperative that assured their manifest survival within the veiled symbology of both secular and religious spheres, as a Tool of Office, celebrity or status. Historical precedents clearly inspired this gravid image of a Völur raising her Seiðr staff.

Seiðr is rooted through its etymology to Old High German terms relating to fetters and to bindings in all its forms. Halters, cords, withies, spun threads, snares and knots are used for enchantment and the manipulation of Wyrd, especially when combined with the distaff, which is not only symbolic of the Völur’s status, but is also the equivalent of the now familiar oaken stave used by warrior shamen.

Several examples occur throughout the sagas that imply a link between Seiðr magics and the winds generated by the scared breath or onð. Animal forms become the sorcerers ‘mind-emissary,’ and may be regarded as a snare, sent forth to ‘catch,’ or entangle its victim (prey), by twisting and wrapping around it, like a wind, specifically, a whirlwind. This is very much based in the principle of animism – articulated through a great many beliefs regarding the spirits of the wind, thunder and storm especially. 

Astral Travel

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

This is one of those things that can be a little strange on our path. It’s not exactly a gift because anyone can learn to do it. It’s not exactly a skill either because it can happen unconsciously.

What is astral travel? Astral travel is that allows a part of the spirit, the ka, to travel to other places without the body. I know the idea of this cn freak some people out, so let’s talk about it.

I’ve heard people are afraid to astral travel out of fear of loosing their spirit. On connection to this, some fear that they will loose their way and not be able to find their way back to their body. Neither of which can happen. When you astral travel there is a silver cord that attaches the ka to the body. This cord cannot be cut, misdirected or moved so that you end up going somewhere else. This cord is a permanent part of the overall ba, or spirit, that remains with the body until death.

Dying during astral travel is another fear expressed by some. Unless you have an underlying health condition, death isn’t possible. Even with a health condition, the chances of death during astral travel are no greater than simply going to sleep.

Another fear I often hear, and it’s the last one I promise, is that something could follow your ka, or follow the cord, back to your body. This simply can’t happen. First off the cord isn’t a straight line except for you. In fact, if you look back at it during astral travel it bends, turns and curves in a multitude of directions. However, when you decide to return it becomes a straight line, so you can’t get lost. Secondly, you’re the only one who can see, feel or sense your cord. Basically, it is impossible for another to follow your ka or your cord back to your body.

Why astral travel? Astral travel gives you access to places you can’t get to on the physical realm. It is a way to learn and explore things you otherwise couldn’t. Astral travel can also put you in contact with other beings, given the realm you visit. This means you can come in contact with other travelers, spirits, angels and even Gods. This allows a great opportunity for learning things you might otherwise never able to learn.

How do you astral travel? There are a lot of techniques you can use, but here I’m going to give you the one I was first taught. Without the education that comes with this technique youll miss the steps that lead you to the more advanced techniques being easier to do.

Now, the first thing is you have to abandon any fear you may have. Fear is a good way to assure failure. If it helps, in the beginning, you can keep a protective stone, use a protective incense, or cast a circle.

Secondly when you’re just beginning you need quiet and stillness. Noise and movement, such as a snoring spouse or a cat moving around, can be distracting which leads to failure. This isn’t as much of an issue as you gain confidence but for now keep this in mind.

Now that you’re ready let me give you a simple technique that’ll help you start your astral travel journey.

Find a dark quiet room. Set a candle to where the top of the candle is at eye level. Breathe deep and relax. Light the candle. At the base of the flame you will notice a gap between the flame and the top of the candle. Gaze into this gap. Don’t stare, don’t force it. Just simply see into that gap. As you gaze you’ll feel yourself pull away from the candle. This is the beginning of your ka pulling away from the body, ready to travel. You may have to try several times but you’ll eventually find yourself able to travel.

It’s a really simple process to start to astral travel. Try it and have fun!

Astral Projection: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Astral projection often refers to an out of body experience. It is an event where our astral body can separate from our physical body and move through astral planes and places that hum with a higher frequency. It can happen purposefully or it can be involuntary. Astral projection can shift our perception and the way in which we think about perceived reality and attachment to the body. In some cases, it can be used to help heal fear of death or simply to explore spirituality.

Astral projection and out of body experiences have been cropping up in pop culture – in everything from the Marvel universe and Doctor Strange to the hit Netflix show ‘Behind her Eyes’. People are intrigued about the astral realm and moving beyond the belief of just being a physical form. In this guide, we will take a deeper look at astral projection and cover exactly what it is, the benefits, how to do it safely, and offer some top tips on boosting your chances of an out of body experience. Knowledge is an essential foundation for exploring the spiritual world with care and ease. Having this knowledge stashed inside can help those who are intrigued by astral travel to journey into the unknown with some sense of intention, intuition, and direction.

What Is Astral Projection
Astral projection refers to an event where our astral body leaves our physical body. The astral body has a fair few different names – it can also be called the subtle body, dream body, energy body, and the tantric body (among other names). In Webster’s Dictionary, the astral body is defined as ‘a subtle counterpart of the physical human body accompanying but not usually separated from it in life and surviving its death’.

During astral projection, the astral body leaves the physical body and this enables your consciousness to enter astral planes. Astral planes refer to a realm of existence (also known as a higher dimension or spirit realm). As this place operates at a higher frequency than here on our mortal and three-dimensional earth. It is also a place built up of layers and there are lower astral planes and higher astral planes to be explored by those who can make the leap. The yogi Paramahansa Yogananda spoke of astral planes and said;

‘The ‘heavenly’ realm of light and indestructible life, the realm of vibratory life energy hidden behind the veil of the gross material universe… From the astral world, we come at birth, and there we shall return at death. Someone asked me why we should try to connect with the astral world now. To this, I reply, ‘Because that is where you will realize the freedom of your true nature. You were there as a soul cloaked in an astral form to start with, and because you are not there now and have lost that memory is why all your misery persists.’

Astral projection can happen in a number of scenarios. It can be voluntary or involuntary. In the voluntary sense, people approach astral projection with the purpose of creating a space in which they can have an out of body experience. This is a conscious choice and can be achieved through practice, lucidity, certain sleep cycles, music, meditation, and more. There are also scenarios where people have unplanned out of body experiences. We often hear of these when linked to a near-death experience and the adage of someone ‘floating above their body’ in hospital rooms. Other events that may bring on involuntarily out of body experiences include illness and trauma, and hunger or water deprivation.
But what does astral projection feel like? Astral projection can feel like a floating sensation. People can also take flight, walk through walls, and even teleport from place to place. Some may experience spinning or rolling or making themselves feel like they are moving when in fact, the body is still.

Is Astral Projection and Lucid Dreaming the Same Thing
Some people may think that astral projection is just another term for lucid dreaming or hallucination. While lucid dreaming and astral projection correlates on some levels, they are actually very different experiences. We take a look at what separates these two phenomena.
Lucid dreaming happens when you are asleep and dreaming and you become aware that you are in a dream. This doesn’t even mean that you have to be dead set that you are dreaming but that you carry a seed of awareness. The better you get at lucid dreaming, the more control and certainty you may have of the situation. When you are aware you are lucid dreaming, you can shift the narrative and garner control around your surroundings. You may be able to do things like fly, change location, control the actions of others, and remove or add objects. There are actually two kinds of lucid dreaming states – one where you bring consciousness into your dream while sleeping and the other where you bring dreaming into your consciousness while awake. The most common kind of lucid dream state is the sleeping kind as the other requires a lot of practice.
Astral projection on the other hand pertains more to the out of body experience -when your spirit body leaves the physical body to travel to other planes. Often during this experience, your body is asleep but your mind is tuned in and able to pull away from the unconscious or sleeping body.
There are ways to tell whether you are astral projecting or lucid dreaming.

Lucid dreaming
• You can control things around you
• You often cannot read texts when lucid dreaming as the part of the brain that would normally decipher text is less active at this point.
• You may also lose your sense of smell and other senses when lucid dreaming – or they certainly won’t be as sharp.
• You may have little interaction or you will control the actions of other entities around you.

Astral projection
• Starts by consciously leaving the body and seeing the body beneath you.
• You don’t have as much control of the environment or interactions within that environment.
• You can clearly read and see text.
• All your senses should function correctly.
• Entities will react to you.

Is Astral Projection Real
While the term astral projection may seemingly be linked to new age spirituality, its roots actually go way deeper and there have been serious studies and research conducted on the phenomenon. Since the days of ancient Egypt and even early Judaic and Christian texts – references to astral projection, subtle bodies, and astral planes have been referenced. It’s also cropped up in Hinduism, Japanese mythology, Amazonian and Inuit indigenous cultures, and shows up in Taoist practices and stories too. It was also popular in the 19th century when theosophy flourished into a religion.
There are a lot of interpretations of the science of astral projection and some people put the experience down to disruptions or fractures in the body schema (the awareness of one’s body and its relative position in space). However, in 1983 there were records from the CIA that concluded that astral projection was considered to be real by the US government. These findings were based upon studies conducted under the banner of The Stargate Project which was military based. Unfortunately, the research while it pertained to being true and absolute claimed to terminate in 1995.

As astral travel is a spiritual and philosophical experience, it can be tricky to measure in a concrete manner. And reality and personal experience, in general, can be hard to prove and disprove, especially when rooted in anecdotal evidence. If you want to know for sure if astral travel is the real deal or not, an act of participation may help you to find those answers.

Benefits of Astral Travel
Not only is astral travel an amazing way to experience infinite possibility and have soulful sojourns from your bed, but there are also many benefits that come from undertaking purposeful out of body experiences. Take a look at these reasons you may feel compelled to delve deeper and take your dream body to different places.

• It helps with anxiety – this can be particularly potent for those who have a fear of death as the experience of separating your spirit from the body may make it easier to let go without fear when the time comes.
• It helps with psychological breakthroughs – visions and vivid dreams and quests can all become clearer when we explore different plains and invite our bodies to stay open to guidance and messages from higher places.
• It aids self-discovery – beyond the boundaries of the body and the here and now, by leaning into astral discoveries and various spiritual practices we learn so much about ourselves and the wider universe we inhabit.
• It strengthens psychic abilities – third eye wisdom, connections with spirit guides, visioning, and experiencing outer realms, all these things take deep practice. The more you explore your psychic abilities, the stronger they will become.
• It promotes spirituality – a spiritual life is a fuller life and the more you journey and pull back the veil the more opportunity you have of living a life that is deep, meaningful, and wholly authentic to your deeper spirit.

How to Astral Project
For those who are intrigued to try astral projecting for themselves, there are many ways to kickstart your journey. Astral projecting in a purposeful manner often relies on REM sleep cycles. Out of body experiences are most likely to occur between the state of sleep and awake – either just before falling asleep or just before waking. This is because within that REM cycle you aren’t deeply asleep yet. This is one of the most popular ways to try and induce an out of body experience and is backed up by research and information from The Monroe Institute which deals in studies in human consciousness.

• Relax the body and the mind as much as possible
• Let yourself enter a half-asleep state
• Focus on the mental sensations rather than the physical
• Try and stay hyper-aware of environmental vibrations as you go deeper
• Align your physical body with the vibrations (while staying relaxed) so that you can use the vibrations to jiggle your subtle body out of the physical
• Use your mind to picture clearly leaving your body one limb and area at a time
• Fine tune your focus on successfully lifting out of your physical body

A visualization technique for astral traveling could also be using the rope technique in which you aren’t trying to catch yourself within the right REM cycle but instead are focused on visualizing each muscle in the body and entering a vibrational state where every cell is alive and pulsing. Then, you visualize a rope hanging above your head that you can climb using your astral body – all while keeping the physical body relaxed. This visualization technique is considered to be one of the most accessible ways of accessing the subtle body.

Astral Projection Music
Some people may find it easier to enter astral projection with the use and help of music. While This won’t work for everyone it can be helpful when music is sourced that complements the process. You should look for music that is known for helping you enter a relaxing state and calls on sound and rhythm that can help connect you to the vibrations of your environment. Some kinds of music that may be useful for entering this state can be music that calls on chanting or even uses isochronic tones and binaural beats.

Last Few Tips
Astral projection is perfectly safe and venturing into this world can be accessible for anyone who feels compelled to try it. While patience and practice is key, it also helps to have a few tips tucked beneath your belt so you can aim for a successful foray into discovering the delights of projection and planes.

• Crystals can help you to focus your energies especially those that are linked to the spiritual chakras like the third eye chakra and the crown chakra. They can help provide a gateway for accessing inner wisdom and connection.
• Relaxation is key – not just for entering the state of astral projection but for staying there. Big emotions like feeling scared, stressed, or overly excited can land you back in your body in a blink of an eye. If you want to prep your body you can practice meditation so your body is better equipped to ‘just be’ in that space.
• Go with intention – exploring for exploring sake is always fun, but if you are out there seeking answers or looking to deepen your knowledge about yourself, it may help guide your experience if you have an intention.
• Ask for protection – while astral travel is safe it is natural to feel disorientated by the idea. You can put provisions in place to protect yourself and keep fear at bay by calling on your ancestors and spirit guides to support your journey. You can also call on animal spirits and use safeguarding or supportive crystals to help you along the way.

Conclusion
Astral projection and out of body experiences can truly help your wellbeing. For those who seek answers, guidance, or connection with other realms and planes, astral projection is your key into that universe. It can also help you understand more about the world and your own place in it by showing you bigger picture thinking. We are more than our physical bodies and spiritual experiences can help us to expand our consciousness and reach our fullest potential in more ways than we could ever imagine. Remember, successful astral projection adventures take time, patience, and practice so be sure to make it a regular habit if you want to leap to higher planes. 

Can You Hear Your Calling?

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Am I a Witch? Well this is a very tricky and difficult question. What defines a ‘natural witch’ from a ‘self-taught witch’ or a believer of magic? To answer all this we have to go way back and define the essence of the Witches.

Lore and the Arcane Truth
There are so many things surrounding the lore, the reality and the legends regarding Witches. Sometimes information is deliberately insufficient only because witches have always tried to scare the naive, from messing with their stuff. Only the wise, the brave and the righteous ones were allowed to learn the Craft. Why because with Great Power comes great responsibility!

What is a Witch?
Let’s be clear. When we talk about Witches we are using a genderless term. Witches can be both males and females. Historically, this term has been used to identify the person who uses the Arcane Arts. Moreover, it has been used to falsely accuse women for ‘devil worshipping’ or ‘followers of the pagan gods’.

Am I a Witch?
So… Let’s see the most important traits.

1. Have You heard the ‘Calling’ ?
This is probably the most important of all the Signs. Once you’ve heard it, it’s impossible to un-hear it. Although you can always turn your back at your true nature and stick with the material Realm, you will always know who you are and who you are meant to be.

The ‘Calling’ is a revelation, a moment of extreme spiritual clarity when you somehow realise your are a Witch and get a glimpse of your true Magical Nature. This usually happens by accident, during times of intense anxiety, desperate need for help, sadness or troubles. However, the Calling may be heard in a very young age or when the ‘time is right’. Sometimes it’s a vision, a sure feeling that you are magical, or a dream or someone who enters your life unexpectedly revealing to you the truth. Other times, it’s an actual magical experience, when supernatural phenomena occur, or even an interaction with spirits of nature or ghosts or maybe deities.

2. Do you feel Connected with Nature?
The relationship between you and Nature can easily tell how magical you are. Although there are other sources of Magic, Nature is the most common one. So let’s see if you are familiar with these traits, commonly attributed to ‘Natural Born Witches’ :

You feel the Energy Shift inside you as the Seasons change.
Moon Cycle affects you.
Also, you feel connected to the Woods, the herbs and the trees.
Natural phenomena like strong winds, rain, thunderstorms charge you and raise your energy and awareness.
There is something about you that wants to be around animals all the time.
Likewise, animals are attracted to you.
Since you remember yourself, you loved crystals!

3. Do you have Dreams, Memories or Visions of being a Witch?

Well, this may explain a lot. Unfortunately, many Witches suffer from the suppression of their Witchiness due to the ‘demonisation’ of the term. As we’ve all know, a Witch can be a synonym of an evil and envious person who uses his/her power to manipulate and abuse others.

However, most Witches are actually Empaths who suffer a lot when others hurt. Therefore they suppress their magical nature, denying it strongly for months, years or even their whole lives. However, there are times, when they are relaxed, or asleep, when vision and images of Witchcraft and spellcasting pop up to their minds.

This can also be memories from their early childhood, when you were ‘practicing’ your magic with an innocent mind and heart, before the essence of magic gets corrupted by the ‘system’.

4. Do you Think ‘out of the box’?
Do you despise those who censor your Thoughts? Witches are untamed creatures who love Wisdom and dare to reach for it. If you continuously find yourself doubting ‘the truth’ or the ‘religious teachings’ while you realise there is some truth in them, then this is a Witchy Traits. Witches don’t hate religion, as they believe in the existence of Higher entities. Yet they do like to think for themselves.

One of the great saying of Witchcraft is ‘to dare, to do and to keep silent’. The first two part of this saying mirrors the essence of a true, untamed, uncensored witch! One whose spirit is stronger than shallow teaching and hypocrisy.

5. Do you feel your Thoughts, your Emotions and your Words have power?
Most Witches know deep inside that their emotions and what they say actually shape reality. It’s funny as the first time they realise it is when they lie about something, and then suddenly it becomes true. For example, have you lied to your boss of being sick just to get a day-off, and after a while you indeed raise fever or something?

Witches influence and alter reality as they speak or they feel. And this exactly what defines them from all others. Thy might don’t even believe they have this ability but they discover it as they grow older. Of course, it needs practicing in order to learn how to focus this energy and not get drained.

6. Do you Collect Unusual Items?
One of the most ‘weird’ traits of witches is that they’ve always collected things that others think as trash. For example, seashore pebbles, or feathers or shells washed out from the ocean. Witches somehow sense the energy that surrounds these items and instinctively pick them up. Therefore, in most houses of Witches, you can see collections of these Weird items, which are usually considered absurd or useless by their visitors.

7. Do you frequently Observe Synchronicities?
As i’ve talked before about synchronicities, this is a very clear sign that something magical or spiritual is at work. It’s the language of the Universe. How the Spiritworld affects our Realm. You see repeating numbers, or maybe you repeatedly see animals who act as spiritual messengers. The list is endless. However, in most cases these patterns are acknowledgeable solely from the Witch as the message usually intends to have one receptor.

Defining the Untamed nature.
Although we’ve seen some of the most common traits of Witches, there are many different kinds of witches and there are definitely many different traits. However, Being a Witch is most commonly something we strongly believe and follow. Because it’s not the ‘omens’ that make us witches. It’s our Fiery Passion for Magic!

A Guide To Dragon Magick

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Dragon Magick is a unique form of magick that draws upon the energy and wisdom of dragons. Dragons are often seen as guardians of hidden knowledge and symbols of strength and power. Practicing Dragon Magick allows us to tap into these energies, offering us guidance and protection as we navigate the challenges of life.

To begin your journey into Dragon Magick, here are some fundamental steps:

Study and Research: Start by immersing yourself in the world of dragons. Read books, explore online resources, and learn about the various dragon myths, cultures, and traditions from around the world. The more you know about these majestic creatures, the better you can connect with their energy.

Meditation and Visualization: Meditation is a crucial part of Dragon Magick. Find a quiet and peaceful space, close your eyes, and envision a dragon. Visualize its form, color, and energy. Through meditation, you can establish a connection with the dragons’ spiritual realm.

Create a Sacred Space: Design a personal altar or sacred space dedicated to Dragon Magick. This space should be adorned with dragon-related items, such as figurines, candles, crystals, and images. This is where you’ll perform your rituals and connect with dragon energies.

Spells and Rituals: Craft your own spells and rituals or find existing ones to suit your needs. Dragon Magick spells often involve invoking the assistance of dragons in various aspects of life, from protection and healing to wisdom and abundance.

How to Summon Dragons for Help
Summoning dragons is a sacred and powerful aspect of Dragon Magick. When you seek their guidance or assistance, it’s essential to do so with respect and intention. Here’s how you can summon dragons for help:

Prepare Your Sacred Space: Ensure that your altar or sacred space is clean and free of distractions. Light some dragon-themed candles and incense to create an inviting atmosphere.

Clear Your Mind: Before invoking the dragons, clear your mind through meditation. Focus on your intention and what you seek from the dragons.

Invocation: Speak or chant an invocation to call upon the dragons. You can create your own words or find existing invocations. Be sincere and respectful in your request.

Offering: It’s a tradition to leave an offering for the dragons. This could be a small token, a crystal, or some incense. It symbolizes your appreciation and respect.

Listen and Feel: After invoking the dragons, pay attention to any signs or messages they may send. These can come in the form of feelings, visions, or even dreams.

The Different Color Dragons and What They Can Help You With
Dragons come in various colors, each representing different qualities and attributes. Let’s explore some of the most common colors and what they can help you with:

Red Dragons: Red dragons are symbols of courage, strength, and passion. They can assist with matters of protection, vitality, and motivation. When facing challenges that require bold action, red dragons are powerful allies.

Blue Dragons: Blue dragons are associated with healing, wisdom, and serenity. They can help with emotional balance, tranquility, and mental clarity. Call upon blue dragons when seeking guidance in matters of the heart and mind.

Green Dragons: Green dragons are linked to growth, abundance, and renewal. They can aid in matters of prosperity, fertility, and environmental healing. Seek their assistance when working on projects related to growth and prosperity.

White Dragons: White dragons symbolize purity, truth, and spirituality. They can guide you in seeking truth and purity in your spiritual journey. They offer protection from negative influences and support on your quest for enlightenment.

Black Dragons: Black dragons are often misunderstood but can be valuable allies in shadow work and transformation. They help you confront and overcome your deepest fears, making way for personal growth and empowerment.

Gold Dragons: Gold dragons represent wisdom, enlightenment, and divine guidance. They can offer profound insights and help you connect with your higher self. Seek their assistance in matters of spiritual evolution and self-realization.

Dragon Magick and Elemental Associations
In the enchanting world of Dragon Magick, the elemental associations of dragons play a significant role. Much like other magical practices that draw upon the power of the four classical elements—earth, air, fire, and water—Dragon Magick aligns various types of dragons with these elemental forces. This connection allows practitioners to harness specific energies and qualities to enhance their magical workings.

Earth Dragons: These mighty creatures are closely tied to the element of earth. Earth dragons are often seen as guardians of the physical realm, offering strength, stability, and protection. Practitioners working with earth dragons can seek their assistance in matters related to grounding, abundance, fertility, and overall stability in life. When treading the path of Dragon Magick with an earth dragon by your side, you may find your spells and rituals anchored in the solid foundation of the earth, providing a sense of security and abundance.

Air Dragons: Dragons aligned with the element of air are associated with intellect, clarity, and communication. They hold the wisdom of the skies and can guide you in matters of knowledge, creative inspiration, and enhancing your mental faculties. When working with air dragons, you may find your thoughts and intentions taking flight, helping you gain new perspectives and fostering open communication in your magical endeavors.

Fire Dragons: Fire dragons embody the fierce and transformative power of the element of fire. They are linked to passion, courage, and the ignition of change. When you call upon a fire dragon, be prepared to unleash your inner power, ignite your passions, and overcome obstacles with determination and strength. These dragons can be particularly helpful in protection spells, personal growth, and any magical work that requires a fiery spark.

Water Dragons: Water dragons, as you might expect, are attuned to the element of water. They are associated with emotions, intuition, and the ebb and flow of life. Working with water dragons can help you navigate the depths of your emotions, enhance your intuition, and connect with the mysteries of the subconscious. In your magical practices, water dragons can be invaluable allies for healing, purification, and enhancing your emotional intelligence.

To work with dragons aligned with a specific element, it is crucial to understand the unique qualities and characteristics associated with that element. When performing spells or rituals, practitioners can call upon the corresponding elemental dragon to amplify the energy they wish to channel. For example, when seeking emotional healing, you might invoke the assistance of a water dragon, or when pursuing a creative project, an air dragon can offer inspiration.

Incorporating elemental associations into your Dragon Magick practice not only adds depth to your magical workings but also strengthens your connection with the natural world. By aligning with the elemental energies of earth, air, fire, and water through dragon companionship, you can create a more profound and harmonious connection between your intentions and the forces of nature. Each elemental dragon brings a unique flavor to your practice, enriching your journey through the mystical realms of Dragon Magick.

Dragon Familiars: Mystical Companions
In the realm of magic and mystical practice, the concept of familiars has long held a place of reverence. Familiars are often seen as guides, protectors, and companions for those who traverse the path of the mystic. While cats, owls, and other creatures have frequently been associated with familiars, the mystical world of Dragon Magick offers a unique perspective – the notion of dragon familiars.

Connecting with Dragon Familiars
A dragon familiar is a mythical being that has chosen to ally itself with a practitioner of Dragon Magick. This sacred bond is formed through mutual respect, trust, and a shared spiritual journey. Those fortunate enough to connect with a dragon familiar find themselves gifted with a remarkable companion on their magical endeavors.

Benefits of a Dragon Familiar:
Guidance and Wisdom: A dragon familiar serves as a wellspring of wisdom and guidance. Their ancient knowledge and profound understanding of the spiritual realms can provide invaluable insights for practitioners. They often act as mentors, helping individuals navigate the complexities of their magical path.

Protection and Warding: Dragon familiars are fierce protectors. They safeguard their human companions from negative energies, psychic attacks, and spiritual threats. The presence of a dragon familiar can create a powerful protective barrier around the practitioner.

Enhanced Magical Abilities: The connection with a dragon familiar can amplify one’s magical abilities. Practitioners often find that their spells and rituals are more potent and effective with the assistance of their familiar. They act as conduits for channeling dragon energy into magical workings.

Spiritual Growth: Dragon familiars are catalysts for spiritual growth and transformation. Their profound influence can facilitate personal evolution, deepen spiritual insights, and help practitioners reach higher levels of consciousness.

Emotional Support: In times of emotional turmoil or spiritual crisis, dragon familiars offer solace and emotional support. Their presence can be comforting, providing a source of strength during challenging moments.

Responsibilities of Having a Dragon Familiar:
While the benefits of having a dragon familiar are profound, the relationship also carries responsibilities. Here are some key considerations:

Mutual Respect: The relationship between a practitioner and their dragon familiar is built on mutual respect. It is essential to honor the dragon’s autonomy and not attempt to control or dominate them.

Communication: Establish open and clear communication with your familiar. This can involve meditation, dreams, or divination techniques to receive guidance and insights from your companion.

Protection and Care: Just as they protect you, it is your responsibility to protect and care for your dragon familiar. Ensure they have a safe and energetically nurturing environment.

Mutual Growth: The relationship should be a mutually beneficial one. The practitioner should not merely seek to exploit the dragon’s powers but should also assist the dragon in their own spiritual growth and evolution.

Confidentiality: Maintain the confidentiality of your interactions with your dragon familiar. It is considered respectful to keep many aspects of your connection private and sacred.

Offerings and Gratitude: Express gratitude and make offerings to your dragon familiar regularly. These can be physical offerings such as crystals or herbs, or simply expressions of thanks during your rituals and meditations.

The concept of dragon familiars in Dragon Magick is a powerful and sacred one. When practitioners form a bond with these mythical beings, they unlock a wealth of magical potential and spiritual growth. However, this relationship should always be approached with reverence, responsibility, and a deep commitment to mutual respect and understanding. In the mystical journey of Dragon Magick, a dragon familiar is not just a companion; they are a wise and eternal friend on the path of magic and spirituality.

Guardians of the Dream Realm: Dragons in Lucid Dreaming
Dreams have always been a mysterious gateway to the subconscious, a place where the mind can roam free and explore the realms of the unknown. For practitioners of Dragon Magick, the dream realm offers a unique opportunity to connect with dragons on a profound level. Lucid dreaming, in particular, allows you to not only witness but actively engage with these magnificent creatures in your dreams.

Connecting with Dragons in Lucid Dreams
Lucid dreaming is a state of consciousness where you become aware that you are dreaming and can even influence and direct the dream’s unfolding. To connect with dragons in your dreams, it’s essential to practice lucid dreaming techniques. Here are a few tips to help get you started. Refer to our guide section for more tips on lucid dreaming.

Dream Journal: Start by keeping a dream journal. Every morning, write down your dreams, even if they seem trivial or fragmented. This practice will help you improve dream recall and recognize recurring dream symbols, including dragons.

Reality Checks: Throughout the day, perform reality checks. Question the nature of your reality by asking, “Am I dreaming?” This habit will carry over into your dreams, making it more likely that you’ll recognize when you’re in a dream.

Meditation and Visualization: Incorporate meditation and visualization techniques into your daily routine. Visualize yourself becoming aware in a dream and encountering a dragon. The more you practice, the more likely it is to occur in your dreams.

Intention Setting: Before falling asleep, set a clear intention to meet a dragon in your dream. You can do this by mentally affirming your desire to connect with these mystical beings.

Dream Incubation: Use a technique known as dream incubation, where you focus your thoughts and intentions on a specific dream scenario, such as meeting a dragon. This plants the idea in your subconscious mind, making it more likely to manifest in your dreams.

The Significance of Dream Encounters with Dragons
Meeting dragons in your lucid dreams is a powerful and transformative experience. These dream encounters can carry deep symbolic meaning and offer valuable insights. Here’s what they may signify:

Guidance and Protection: Dragons are often seen as protectors and guides. Meeting a dragon in your dream may symbolize their willingness to offer you protection and guidance in waking life.

Unconscious Wisdom: Dragons in dreams can represent the untapped wisdom within your own subconscious. Pay attention to any messages or wisdom they impart during your dream interactions.

Inner Transformation: Dragons are creatures of transformation. Dream encounters with dragons may indicate that significant changes or personal growth are on the horizon.

Psychic Development: Some believe that dreams involving dragons can be a sign of latent psychic abilities or spiritual awakening. These dreams may mark a deepening connection to the spiritual realms.

Using Dream Experiences for Personal Growth
The wisdom gained from dream encounters with dragons can be applied to your waking life and your magical practice. Here’s how to use these experiences for personal growth:

Journal Your Dreams: Record your dream encounters with dragons in your dream journal. Reflect on the messages, guidance, or symbolism they carry.

Meditation and Integration: Use meditation to delve deeper into the meaning of your dream experiences. Integrate the wisdom gained into your daily life and magical practices.

Set Intentions: Before sleep, set intentions for specific areas of your life where you seek guidance or transformation. Ask the dragons for assistance and clarity in these areas during your dream encounters.

Share and Seek Guidance: Discuss your dream experiences with fellow practitioners of Dragon Magick or dream interpretation experts to gain different perspectives and insights.

Meeting dragons in your lucid dreams is a magical and enlightening experience, one that can deepen your connection with these mystical beings and provide invaluable guidance and wisdom. As you explore the dream realm with an open heart and an inquisitive mind, you’ll find that the dragons are not just guardians of the physical world but also enchanting guides in the realm of dreams.

Dragon Magick and Healing
In the realm of Dragon Magick, the role of dragons extends beyond mere mystical symbolism and into the realm of healing. Dragons are believed to possess immense energies that can be harnessed for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. This ancient practice intertwines the raw power of these majestic beings with the healing energies they offer to those who seek their aid.

Harnessing Dragon Energy for Healing
Physical Healing: In Dragon Magick, dragons are often revered for their ability to infuse one’s being with vitality and strength. To channel dragon energy for physical healing, practitioners often perform rituals or meditations where they invite the assistance of dragons. By visualizing the dragon’s healing breath or light surrounding and permeating the body, practitioners believe they can promote physical wellness and aid in recovery from illness or injury.

Emotional Healing: Dragons also play a crucial role in emotional healing. Their wisdom and guidance can offer solace and support in times of emotional turmoil. Through meditation or rituals, practitioners can call upon the energy of compassionate dragons to soothe emotional wounds, providing a sense of comfort and inner peace.

Spiritual Healing: For spiritual healing, dragons serve as conduits for enlightenment and spiritual growth. Their ancient wisdom and connection to higher realms can guide practitioners on their spiritual journey. By invoking the energy of dragons, individuals can seek clarity, understanding, and alignment with their higher selves.

Simple Healing Rituals and Techniques
Dragon Breathing Meditation: Find a quiet and peaceful space. Close your eyes and visualize a healing dragon—choose the color associated with the type of healing you seek (e.g., green for physical healing, blue for emotional healing). Envision the dragon breathing its healing energy upon you. Breathe deeply, imagining you’re inhaling the dragon’s healing breath and exhaling any ailments or negativity.

Healing Altar or Grid: Create a healing altar or crystal grid dedicated to dragon healing. Place items associated with healing (crystals, herbs, images of dragons) in a pattern, inviting the energy of dragons to infuse these items. Sit near the altar or grid, focusing on the intention of healing and absorbing the energy emitted.

Dragon Chant or Affirmation: Develop a chant or affirmation that calls upon the healing energy of dragons. Repeat this chant during meditation or as part of a ritual to strengthen the connection with dragon healing energy.

Healing Visualization: During meditation, visualize yourself in a serene and healing environment, surrounded by gentle, radiant dragon energy. Imagine this energy enveloping you, permeating every cell of your body, bringing about the healing you seek.

Cleansing Ritual with Dragons: Use the power of dragons in a cleansing ritual. Light a candle representing the color associated with the type of healing you desire. State your intention for healing and invite the assistance of the dragons, asking them to cleanse and purify your body, mind, and spirit.

Remember, the efficacy of these practices lies in the intention, belief, and connection established with the dragon energies. Approach these healing rituals with sincerity and an open heart, allowing the mystical power of the dragons to assist in your healing journey.

Connecting with Dragon Energy in Nature
In the enchanting world of Dragon Magick, the natural world is viewed as a canvas of mystical energies, and one of the most potent and profound sources of these energies is the elemental world itself. To practitioners of this ancient tradition, connecting with dragon energy in nature is not only a ritual but a deeply spiritual and transformative experience. The natural elements—earth, air, fire, and water—are believed to hold the essence of dragons, and attuning oneself to these energies can be a powerful and enlightening practice.

Techniques for Connecting with Dragon Energy in Nature:
Seek Dragon’s Sanctuaries: Certain natural locations are believed to hold a strong connection to dragon energy. Mountains, cliffs, caves, and rocky terrain are often considered dragon sanctuaries. Waterfalls, lakes, and bodies of water, with their constant flow and change, are also believed to be inhabited by dragons. Seek out these places and spend time there to absorb the elemental energies.

Observation and Meditation: When in a dragon sanctuary, take the time to observe the natural surroundings. Breathe deeply and let the energy of the place wash over you. Find a comfortable spot to sit or lie down and meditate. In your meditation, visualize the presence of dragons in the natural elements surrounding you.

Breathing and Elemental Connection: As you meditate in these natural settings, practice elemental breathing. Inhale deeply, imagining you are drawing the essence of the specific element into your body: earth for grounding, air for clarity, fire for passion, and water for emotional healing. Feel the elemental energy coursing through you as you exhale.

Offerings and Tokens: To show respect and gratitude to the dragon energy in the natural world, consider leaving offerings or tokens. These can be crystals, herbs, or even words of appreciation. It’s a gesture of acknowledgement and a means of creating a bond with the dragons of the land.

Symbolic Visualization: Visualize the dragons present in these natural surroundings. Imagine their forms in the shapes of rocks, cliffs, or the patterns of flowing water. See their eyes in the glittering reflections of sunlight or moonlight on the water. As you practice this, you may begin to sense the presence of these mythical beings more acutely.

Elemental Communion Ritual: Perform a ritual to establish a deeper connection with the elemental energies and the dragons that reside within them. This can include chanting, invoking the elements, and offering your intentions and gratitude for the connection.

Elemental Magic: As you spend time in these natural dragon sanctuaries, consider engaging in elemental magic, such as grounding exercises, weather-working, or rituals that honor the elemental forces. Align your magical practice with the energies of the land and the dragons that inhabit it.

Maintain a Nature Journal: Keep a journal where you record your experiences, thoughts, and feelings during your encounters with dragon energy in nature. This can help you track your progress and reflect on the significance of these connections.

By embracing the natural world and attuning oneself to the elemental energies believed to be inhabited by dragons, practitioners of Dragon Magick can deepen their spiritual connection and access the ancient wisdom and power that resides within these mystical beings. These encounters with dragon energy in nature offer not only a profound sense of communion with the elements but also a doorway to a greater understanding of the mystical realms and the magic they hold.

Dragon Altar and Tools
Creating a dragon-themed altar is a sacred and transformative act in Dragon Magick. Your altar serves as a focal point for your rituals, a place of connection with dragon energies, and a reflection of your devotion to this mystical practice. As you embark on this journey, it’s essential to understand the significance of various tools and how to set up a visually stunning and energetically charged space for your Dragon Magick practice.

Setting Up Your Dragon Altar:
Choosing the Location: Select a quiet and undisturbed location for your altar. It can be indoors or outdoors, depending on your preference and the availability of space. Ensure that the energy in the area is peaceful and conducive to your practice.

The Altar Surface: Your altar can be as simple as a dedicated table, shelf, or any flat surface. It’s preferable to choose a surface that resonates with the earth element, such as wood or stone, to ground and anchor the energy.

Altar Cloth: Cover your altar with a dragon-themed cloth. The cloth not only adds an aesthetic touch but also defines the sacred space of your altar.

Candles: Place dragon-themed candles on your altar. Red, green, blue, and black candles can represent the elemental dragons and their unique energies. Lighting these candles symbolizes the presence of dragons and invokes their power.

Dragon Statues and Figurines: Dragon statues are central to a dragon-themed altar. Choose statues that resonate with your intuition or specific intentions. Dragon figurines are believed to embody the essence of the dragons they represent. Position them as guardians and sentinels of your sacred space.

Crystals and Gemstones: Select crystals and gemstones that align with your purpose. Clear quartz for clarity, amethyst for intuition, and carnelian for courage are excellent choices. Arrange these stones in a manner that enhances the energy flow on your altar.

Herbs and Incense: Burn dragon-themed incense, such as dragon’s blood or a blend of earthy scents, to purify and charge your altar. You can also use herbs and dried flowers with dragon associations, such as lavender or rosemary, for added energetic significance.

Ancestral Items: Incorporate any ancestral items or personal mementos that hold significance for you and relate to your Dragon Magick practice. These can enhance the personal and spiritual connection with your altar.

Offerings: Create a small dish for offerings to the dragons. These can be simple offerings like herbs, crystals, or small tokens of appreciation. Offerings show respect and gratitude to the dragon energies.

Setting Up Your Altar Space:
Cleansing: Before setting up your altar, cleanse the area to remove any stagnant or negative energy. You can use a smudging ritual with sage, cedar, or dragon’s blood incense.

Centerpiece: Position the largest dragon statue or figurine as the centerpiece of your altar, symbolizing the central connection to the dragon energies.

Candle Placement: Arrange the elemental candles around the central dragon figurine, with each candle corresponding to one of the four elements.

Crystals and Gemstones: Place the crystals and gemstones around the candles, ensuring they resonate with the intentions of your practice.

Incense Holder: Position the incense holder on your altar, ready for use during rituals.

Ancestral Items: If you have ancestral items, position them in a manner that resonates with the overall design of your altar.

Offering Dish: Set up the offering dish near the center of your altar, as an invitation for the dragons to accept your gratitude.

Maintaining Your Dragon Altar:
Regular Cleansing: Keep your altar clean and energetically pure by performing regular cleansing rituals. This can include smudging, as well as energetic clearing and charging with intention.

Updating the Theme: Over time, you may want to change or add items to your altar based on your evolving practice and goals. Trust your intuition and make adjustments as needed.

Connecting and Meditating: Spend time at your altar, meditating, and connecting with the dragon energies. This enhances the energetic charge of your sacred space.

Rituals and Spells: Use your altar as a dedicated space for performing Dragon Magick rituals and spells. The energetic connection you’ve established will amplify the effectiveness of your practices.

Creating a dragon-themed altar is a beautiful and powerful way to deepen your connection with the mystical world of Dragon Magick. By thoughtfully selecting tools and items that resonate with your intentions and setting up your altar with care, you create a space where you can work in harmony with the energies of dragons, enhancing your magical practice and spiritual journey.

Dragon Magick and Elemental Rituals
In the captivating world of Dragon Magick, the four classical elements—earth, air, fire, and water—play a significant role, and rituals that align with these elements offer practitioners a powerful means to harness the energy of dragons. These elemental rituals allow for a deeper connection with the natural forces that underpin the world of magick. Here, we’ll explore specific rituals that focus on harnessing the elemental energy of dragons for purposes ranging from protection and purification to transformation and manifestation.

Earth Dragon Protection Ritual:
Intent: Protection, Stability, and Security

What You’ll Need:
A small representation of an earth dragon (statue or image)
A black or green candle
A bowl of salt
Earthy incense (such as patchouli or cedar)
A piece of black tourmaline or obsidian (for grounding and protection)

Begin by setting up your ritual space. Place the earth dragon representation at the center.
Light the black or green candle to represent the element of earth.
Sprinkle the salt around the dragon figure in a protective circle. As you do this, envision a shield forming around you.
Light the earthy incense and pass the dragon figure through the smoke to cleanse and purify it.
Hold the black tourmaline or obsidian and ask the earth dragon for protection, stability, and security. Place the crystal in front of the dragon figure.
Meditate on the earth element’s grounding and protective qualities, visualizing yourself enveloped in a shield of earth energy.
When you feel the connection is strong, thank the earth dragon, and extinguish the candle. You can leave the salt circle in place for ongoing protection.

Air Dragon Clarity Ritual:
Intent: Mental Clarity, Communication, and Inspiration

What You’ll Need:
A small representation of an air dragon (statue or image)
A white or yellow candle
Incense with a light, airy scent (such as lavender or frankincense)
A clear quartz crystal (for mental clarity and amplification)

Set up your ritual space, placing the air dragon representation at the center.
Light the white or yellow candle to symbolize the element of air.
Burn the airy-scented incense and pass the dragon figure through the smoke to cleanse and purify it.
Hold the clear quartz crystal and ask the air dragon for mental clarity, communication, and inspiration. Place the crystal in front of the dragon figure.
Meditate on the air element’s qualities of mental clarity and the free flow of ideas. Visualize your mind becoming clear and focused.
When you sense a strong connection, thank the air dragon, and extinguish the candle.

Fire Dragon Transformation Ritual:
Intent: Transformation, Empowerment, and Overcoming Obstacles

What You’ll Need:
A small representation of a fire dragon (statue or image)
A red or orange candle
Fiery-scented incense (such as cinnamon or clove)
A piece of carnelian or red jasper (for courage and transformation)

Prepare your ritual space with the fire dragon representation at the center.
Light the red or orange candle to represent the element of fire.
Burn the fiery-scented incense and pass the dragon figure through the smoke to cleanse and purify it.
Hold the carnelian or red jasper and ask the fire dragon for courage, transformation, and the strength to overcome obstacles. Place the crystal in front of the dragon figure.
Meditate on the fire element’s qualities of transformation and empowerment. Visualize yourself overcoming challenges and emerging stronger.
When you feel a strong connection, thank the fire dragon and extinguish the candle.

Water Dragon Manifestation Ritual:
Intent: Manifestation, Emotional Healing, and Intuition

What You’ll Need:
A small representation of a water dragon (statue or image)
A blue or silver candle
Water-scented incense (such as jasmine or rose)
A piece of moonstone or aquamarine (for intuition and emotional healing)

Arrange your ritual space, with the water dragon representation at the center.
Light the blue or silver candle to symbolize the element of water.
Burn the water-scented incense and pass the dragon figure through the smoke to cleanse and purify it.
Hold the moonstone or aquamarine and ask the water dragon for manifestation, emotional healing, and heightened intuition. Place the crystal in front of the dragon figure.
Meditate on the water element’s qualities of emotional healing and intuition. Visualize your desires coming to fruition and your emotions in balance.
When you sense a strong connection, thank the water dragon, and extinguish the candle.
These elemental rituals in Dragon Magick enable practitioners to tap into the diverse energies of dragons associated with the four elements. Whether you seek protection, clarity, transformation, or manifestation, these rituals empower you to work in harmony with the natural forces of the world while connecting with the mystical guidance of dragons.

Final Musings:
Dragon Magick is a fascinating and empowering path that offers a deep connection to the energy of these mythical creatures. As a woman in her forties, I can attest to the transformative potential of this practice, and I encourage you to explore it for yourself. Remember, like any magickal practice, patience and dedication are key to unlocking the full potential of Dragon Magick. May your journey be filled with wisdom, strength, and the blessings of the dragons. Embrace the mystical, for it has the power to shape your life in extraordinary ways.

Malleaus maleficarum

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

The Catholic Inquisition published a book that was probably the bloodiest work in the history of humanity: the “Malleaus maleficarum”, “the witches’ hammer”, had indoctrinated the world on the “danger of free-thinking women and taught to the clergy how to locate them, torture them, and destroy them.
The category of so-called “witches”, defined thus by the Church, included all women:
– educated,
– the priestesses,
– the gypsies,
– nature lovers,
– herbalists
– and many women “suspiciously linked to the natural world.
Midwives were also killed for their heretical practice of using medical knowledge to alleviate the pain of childbirth, a suffering, the Church proclaimed, which was God’s just punishment because Eve had wanted to taste the Fruit of Knowledge, with the consequent original sin .
In three hundred years of witch hunts, the Church had burned hundreds of thousands of women at the stake.
The propaganda and bloodshed had worked.
Today’s world is living proof of this. The woman, once celebrated as the essential half of spiritual enlightenment, had been banished from the temples of the world.
There were no female Orthodox rabbis, no Catholic priestesses, no women of religion, no Islamic imams.
The once sacred act of “hieros gamos”, the natural sexual union between man and woman, with which each of the two acquired spiritual unity, had been redefined as a sin.
Men of faith, who once needed sexual union with their female equivalents to commune with God, now feared their natural sexual impulses and saw them as the work of the devil, who worked with his favorite accomplice, the woman.
Not even the association between the left side and the feminine had escaped the defamation of the Church. In France and Italy, left and left had taken on a negative connotation, while the terms relating to the right took on a connotation of justice, correctness and skill. Even today, everything evil is considered “sinister.”
The goddess’s days were over.
The swing had swung the pendulum the other way. Mother Earth had become a world of men, and the gods of destruction and war had taken their terrible toll.
For two millennia the male ego had no longer been held back by its female counterpart. This elimination of the sacred feminine in modern life has caused what the Hopi Americans call “kojanisquatsi” – life without balance – a situation of instability marked by wars fueled by testosterone, a plethora of misogynistic societies and a growing lack of respect for Mother Earth! 

The Celtic Traditions of Winter Solstice

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

In Celtic tradition winter is ruled over by the Holly King, and the Oak King, or Green Man, rules over the summer. In medieval times the Holly King was represented by a boy who walked around the town accompanied by his bride Ivy Girl, teasing and laughing and taunting each other in kind of ritualised courtship. These are the last remaining strands of a tradition going back millennia to where they were once a god and goddess, remembered in the old carol, The Holly and The Ivy’ where ‘the holly wears the crown’.
The Oak and Holly King are two aspects of our ancient god of the sun. Rising and falling he is forever reborn at the winter Solstice, this is an ancient and recurring motif across the world and seen in other sun gods like the Roman Mithras. In Britain, the sun god was known by many names, and can be found in King Arthurs as well as the old Celtic myths about the Mabon, or the “son”. Hounourded by the druids at the winter solstice, who reap his sacred seed the mistletoe with golden sickle, he brings life back to the land.
At the darkest time, try closing your eyes, and look within. In the distance is a tiny pearl of flame. This is the sun within you. As you breathe, the solstice sun grows in power, reaching out its rays, it touches your heart, bringing life, and renewal. May its blessings fill you with light. 

What is a Solitary Witch?

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

A solitary practitioner is an individual who chooses to practice their spiritual faith in the privacy of his or her home or other designated space, without the need to participate in a group such as that of a Wiccan coven; although it’s not uncommon for solitaries to participate in some communal activities (e.g. Sabbats). Many solitary practitioners are Neo-pagans, who adhere to a diverse group of pagan religions that include various forms of Wicca, Traditional Reconstructionism and Traditional British Witchcraft, among others. About half of all pagans are self-ascribed solitary practitioners.

While formal training is not a necessary component of solitary practice as it is in more organized groups, it is nevertheless a supported recommendation and practitioners can find myriad workshops, seminars and classes, in their local communities and online, that help to provide a more well-rounded approach to their spiritual practice. In most cases books are the primary means of education of the solitary practitioner, along with CDs and instructional videos. Furthermore, the internet has provided for innumerable avenues of personal education in several spiritual faiths, Neo-Pagan or otherwise, making it possible for an individual to learn all he or she can about a particular path. In addition, that individual may decide to merge the various beliefs, legends and rituals they’ve researched from differing paths into a diverse, yet coherent whole known as being “Eclectic.”

Decisions for choosing solitary practice over community gatherings are as individual as the practitioners themselves, but a few common reasons are often cited. The reason most often given is that of fear, in that the practitioner is concerned he or she might be the subject of harassment or abuse, whether physically, emotionally and/or socially, should the individual publicly express his or her beliefs, especially when those beliefs are in direct contrast to those of their local community. This mentality is often referred to by those in the Neo-Pagan community by the slang phrase, “still in the broom closet.”

However, another reason is mere personal preference: the individual simply feels more comfortable practicing alone, rather than with others; entering into sacred communion with his or her deities on a one-to-one basis in private. There have been historically wise women, oracles, shamans and the like, who practised alone and offered essential services to their communities, choosing a select few to inherit their knowledge (most often members of their family or people they were particularly close with). The claim could be made that such exclusivity contributed to the targeting of witches, genuine or not, whose secret arts caused fear and suspicion in the minds of the general public and jealousy in medieval doctors, whose practices were ineffective.(This last statement is inferred from historical premise and opinion and should not be treated as fact).

Solitary practice has been the subject of scrutiny within the Neo-Pagan community by those who feel that the practice is uncommitted, or in some way insincere, especially within the Wiccan community who consider a witch’s power to be transferred or bestowed upon an individual by the leading authority of a group, for instance a High Priest or Priestess. Regardless of public opinion, several proponents of solitary practice, such as Doreen Valiente and Raymond Buckland, have advocated and promoted the act of “self-initiation”, a process by which an individual professes in private (usually through a ritual of some kind) their commitment to and worship of a particular deity or pantheon. In this way a practitioner may acquire in his or her own way a feeling of authenticity, with the added benefit of remaining exclusive, and an extensive amount of self-initiating rituals have been written and published for the general public by popular New Age authors like Silver RavenWolf and the late Scott Cunningham, both of whom having written educational guides for the solitary practitioner.

What Happened to Winter Solstice?

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan


1. Early Christians had a soft spot for pagans
It’s a mistake to say that our modern Christmas traditions come directly from pre-Christian paganism, said Ronald Hutton, a historian at Bristol University in the United Kingdom. However, he said, you’d be equally wrong to believe that Christmas is a modern phenomenon. As Christians spread their religion into Europe in the first centuries A.D., they ran into people living by a variety of local and regional religious creeds.

Christian missionaries lumped all of these people together under the umbrella term “pagan,” said Philip Shaw, who researches early Germanic languages and Old English at Leicester University in the U.K. The term is related to the Latin word meaning “field,” Shaw told LiveScience. The lingual link makes sense, he said, because early European Christianity was an urban phenomenon, while paganism persisted longer in rustic areas.

Early Christians wanted to convert pagans, Shaw said, but they were also fascinated by their traditions.

“Christians of that period are quite interested in paganism,” he said. “It’s obviously something they think is a bad thing, but it’s also something they think is worth remembering. It’s what their ancestors did.” [In Photos: Early Christian Rome]

Perhaps that’s why pagan traditions remained even as Christianity took hold. The Christmas tree is a 17th-century German invention, University of Bristol’s Hutton told LiveScience, but it clearly derives from the pagan practice of bringing greenery indoors to decorate in midwinter. The modern Santa Claus is a direct descendent of England’s Father Christmas, who was not originally a gift-giver. However, Father Christmas and his other European variations are modern incarnations of old pagan ideas about spirits who traveled the sky in midwinter, Hutton said.

2. We all want that warm Christmas glow
But why this fixation on partying in midwinter, anyway? According to historians, it’s a natural time for a feast. In an agricultural society, the harvest work is done for the year, and there’s nothing left to be done in the fields.

“It’s a time when you have some time to devote to your religious life,” said Shaw. “But also it’s a period when, frankly, everyone needs cheering up.”

The dark days that culminate with the shortest day of the year ­— the winter solstice — could be lightened with feasts and decorations, Hutton said.

“If you happen to live in a region in which midwinter brings striking darkness and cold and hunger, then the urge to have a celebration at the very heart of it to avoid going mad or falling into deep depression is very, very strong,” he said.

Stephen Nissenbaum, author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist “The Battle for Christmas” (Vintage, 1997), agreed.

“Even now when solstice means not all that much because you can get rid of the darkness with the flick of an electric light switch, even now, it’s a very powerful season,” he told LiveScience.

3. The Church was slow to embrace Christmas
Despite the spread of Christianity, midwinter festivals did not become Christmas for hundreds of years. The Bible gives no reference to when Jesus was born, which wasn’t a problem for early Christians, Nissenbaum said.

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“It never occurred to them that they needed to celebrate his birthday,” he said.

With no Biblical directive to do so and no mention in the Gospels of the correct date, it wasn’t until the fourth century that church leaders in Rome embraced the holiday. At this time, Nissenbaum said, many people had turned to a belief the Church found heretical: That Jesus had never existed as a man, but as a sort of spiritual entity.

“If you want to show that Jesus was a real human being just like every other human being, not just somebody who appeared like a hologram, then what better way to think of him being born in a normal, humble human way than to celebrate his birth?” Nissenbaum said. [Religious Mysteries: 8 Alleged Relics of Jesus]

Midwinter festivals, with their pagan roots, were already widely celebrated, Nissenbaum said. And the date had a pleasing philosophical fit with festivals celebrating the lengthening days after the winter solstice (which fell on Dec. 21 this year). “O, how wonderfully acted Providence that on that day on which that Sun was born … Christ should be born,” one Cyprian text read.

4. The Puritans hated the holiday
But if the Catholic Church gradually came to embrace Christmas, the Protestant Reformation gave the holiday a good knock on the chin. In the 16th century, Christmas became a casualty of this church schism, with reformist-minded Protestants considering it little better than paganism, Nissenbaum said. This likely had something to do with the “raucous, rowdy and sometimes bawdy fashion” in which Christmas was celebrated, he added.

In England under Oliver Cromwell, Christmas and other saints’ days were banned, and in New England it was illegal to celebrate Christmas for about 25 years in the 1600s, Nissenbaum said. Forget people saying, “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas,” he said.

“If you want to look at a real ‘War on Christmas,’ you’ve got to look at the Puritans,” he said. “They banned it!”

5. Gifts are a new (and surprisingly controversial) tradition
While gift-giving may seem inextricably tied to Christmas, it used to be that people looked forward to opening presents on New Year’s Day.

“They were a blessing for people to make them feel good as the year ends,” Hutton said. It wasn’t until the Victorian era of the 1800s that gift-giving shifted to Christmas. According to the Royal Collection, Queen Victoria’s children got Christmas Eve gifts in 1850, including a sword and armor. In 1841, Victoria gave her husband, Prince Albert, a miniature portrait of her as a 7-year-old; in 1859, she gave him a book of poetry by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

All of this gift-giving, along with the secular embrace of Christmas, now has some religious groups steamed, Nissenbaum said. The consumerism of Christmas shopping seems, to some, to contradict the religious goal of celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth. In some ways, Nissenbaum said, excessive spending is the modern equivalent of the revelry and drunkenness that made the Puritans frown.

“There’s always been a push and pull, and it’s taken different forms,” he said. “It might have been alcohol then, and now it’s these glittering toys.”

The Cailleach

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

In the rich tapestry of Gaelic mythology, the Cailleach emerges as a revered and enigmatic figure. Known as the ‘old woman’ or ‘hag,’ she stands as a divine ancestor, intertwined with the landscapes of Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, shaping the natural world and wielding control over the elements.

In the realm of Scottish folklore, the Queen of Winter, Beira, holds a place of prominence. Her might is manifested in the creation of mountains, forged by rocks either inadvertently dropped from her creel or intentionally placed as stepping stones. Armed with a mighty hammer, she carves valleys and shapes the rugged terrains, epitomizing the formidable force of nature.

The Cailleach’s domain spans the winter months from Samhainn to Bealltainn, marking the changing of the seasonal guard. This transition of power with Brìghde, ruler of summer, evokes celebrations around Imbolc and Bealltainn, varying in timing based on local traditions and climates. Whether facets of the same goddess or distinct entities, their partnership orchestrates the shifting tides of the seasons.

On Là Fhèill Brìghde, the Cailleach’s actions herald the duration of winter. Her gathering of firewood on a sunny day foretells an extended cold season, while foul weather signifies her slumber and an imminent end to winter’s icy grip. In the Isle of Man, she manifests as Caillagh ny Groamagh, a colossal bird bearing sticks, a sight associated with her wintry duties.

Legends intertwine her reign’s conclusion with the longest night, where she drinks from the Well of Youth, bestowing upon herself a gradual, rejuvenating transformation.

In Ireland, the Cailleach’s presence is tied to craggy mountains, such as the iconic Hag’s Head in County Clare. Meanwhile, in Scotland’s Perthshire lies Gleann Cailliche, home to Tigh nan Cailleach/Tigh nam Bodach. This sacred site harbors heavy, water-worn stones that legend links to the Cailleach, her husband-Bodach (also an ancient deity, today is commonly depicted as a bogeyman that kidnaps children), and their progeny. Local rituals involving these stones persist, performed during specific times to safeguard fertility and prosperity within the land, echoing a longstanding connection to ancient traditions.

Celebrating Winter Solstice

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

In Celtic tradition winter is ruled over by the Holly King, and the Oak King, or Green Man, rules over the summer. In medieval times the Holly King was represented by a boy who walked around the town accompanied by his bride Ivy Girl, teasing and laughing and taunting each other in kind of ritualised courtship. These are the last remaining strands of a tradition going back millennia to where they were once a god and goddess, remembered in the old carol, The Holly and The Ivy’ where ‘the holly wears the crown’.
The Oak and Holly King are two aspects of our ancient god of the sun. Rising and falling he is forever reborn at the winter Solstice, this is an ancient and recurring motif across the world and seen in other sun gods like the Roman Mithras. In Britain, the sun god was known by many names, and can be found in King Arthurs as well as the old Celtic myths about the Mabon, or the “son”. Hounourded by the druids at the winter solstice, who reap his sacred seed the mistletoe with golden sickle, he brings life back to the land.
At the darkest time, try closing your eyes, and look within. In the distance is a tiny pearl of flame. This is the sun within you. As you breathe, the solstice sun grows in power, reaching out its rays, it touches your heart, bringing life, and renewal. May its blessings fill you with light.

Samhain Is What You Make Of It

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

There always seems to be so much more Witchcraft and Paganism than usual at Samhain. Some of that is because there’s often just more to do. For many of us there are just more rituals to partake in, and there’s something about Autumn and Halloween that just feels like Witchcraft. You might blame the thinning of the veil for this, or maybe it’s the chillier weather, or shorter days.

Just why so many of us love this season the most will vary from person to person of course, and it should, because there are very few (if any) absolutes in Witchcraft. One of my colleagues here recently pointed out that “Samhain was not a cutesy sabbat” and made light of love spells on the holiday. But love spells have actually been a part of Halloween celebrations for hundreds of years, and while this time of year has been associated with the dead for at least 1200 years, Samhain specifically as a day of the dead is a rather new association.

(My colleague, Cyndi Brennen, assures me she was not being as dismissive as I make her sound, and she’s right! As she says in the comments below “My concern was that I, along with others, were exploring the lighter sides of this day while ignoring the darker aspects” which is completely understandable. Sorry for my issue with reading comprehension Cyndi!)

What I’m here to tell you is that if you want your Samhain to be cutesy, by all means have it be cutesy. The Wheel of the Year is about what you need it to be, it’s not about preconceived ideas or the interpretations of others. Only we get to walk in our shoes, and we should do what most resonates with us. If someone has had several family members die in a given year, maybe they don’t want to participate in a deep and death focused Samhain. That’s fair right?

I know people who absolutely love Halloween, and their Samhain observances more closely resemble All Hallow’s than a Witch ritual, and that’s OK. At their core, sabbats are meant to be celebrations, and while many of us do “work” on them, that’s not required. I’m not harmed if people are more enamored with jack-o-lanterns than their ancestors on Samhain.

And in some ways this was actually me for a couple of years. Ari and I were coven-less and our “Samhain celebrations” mostly consisted of lighting a couple of candles for our beloved dead and then passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. These small things were all preceded by a Michigan’most kick-ass Halloween Party, and we were okay with that. I wouldn’t want to go back to that model, but it was my reality for a couple of years.

Most of us today associate Samhain with the dead, but it’s not a requirement. The idea that the “veil is thin” at Samhain was first articulated by the Scottish anthropologist Sir James Frazer (1854-1941) who wrote in his multi-volume work The Golden Bough that at Samhain “the souls of the departed hovering unseen” were thought to be at ancient celebrations. Frazer was probably on to something because the holiday certainly feels like that, but that’s not an association that was present at Samhain celebrations 2000 years ago (they were far more worried about the fair folk than visiting with dead ancestors).

I had a friend write once that “Witches work with the dead,” but do all Witches work with the dead? Certainly many do, but some of us are far more focused on deity, or magick, or building community in the here and and now. Witches work with all sorts of energies and entities, the dead and our ancestors are only a part of that tapestry, and it’s not something embraced by everyone. Don’t want to work with the dead or visit with Grandma (and I guess that could be dead or alive) at Samhain? Then don’t do it. It’s fine.

New Year’s and Samhain is another one of those associations that we’ve come to accept as some age old tenet, but like the dead specifically at Samhain it’s a rather new idea. The idea that Samhain is the Celtic New Year only dates back to the start of the Twentieth Century. The idea was first put forward by Welsh scholar Sir John Rhys (1840-1915), who interpreted many of the goings on in early November as related to the idea of new beginnings. In Celtic Folkore: Welsh & Manx he writes that “This is the day when the tenure of land terminates, and when servantmen (sic) go to their places. In other words, it’s the beginning of a new year.”

There are Witches that celebrate their new years at Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, and Beltane, and some who celebrate on January 1 (a date established by a Pagan by the way). If Samhain doesn’t resonate with you as the start of a new year you are free to discard it. There is no one “Witch’s New Year,” besides the Wheel of the Year is a wheel. There is no specific starting point, only ones we arbitrarily decide on for whatever reason.

We don’t exist to celebrate the sabbats in a certain way, the sabbats exist for us to celebrate them in whatever way we might like. This Samhain, feast, make love, hand out candy, work with your dead, have a party, toast the Witch’s New Year, celebrate the Autumn, or do absolutely none of those things. As Witches we are beholden only to ourselves and the deities and powers we honor in our lives.

Enjoy your Samhain no matter how you do or do not celebrate.

Tarot Card Meanings: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Before you learn all the tarot card meanings, you should start at the basics: Tarot reading is the centuries-old practice of using a 78-card deck as a tool of divination—that is, the art or practice of discovering hidden knowledge or unusual insight through divine messages. Tarot card interpretation can be used to answer a multitude of questions by those who have learned and connected with their deck.  

Whether you’re reading for yourself or others, the symbolism and stories interwoven with the tarot deck are meant to procure a reaction from the subconscious in order to make connections that might not have been seen otherwise. While tarot cards do not give the reader the ability to see the future, they are a way to reflect, react, and respond accordingly. (Not unlike how someone reads a horoscope for their sun sign, rising sign, and moon sign.)

Interested in learning tarot? Read on for all the tarot card names before you begin your own journey.

What are tarot cards?

Each card in a deck has its own unique imagery, and the deck as a whole is broken into two categories: the Major and Minor Arcana. 

The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards, spanning from numbers 0 through 21 that tell “the fool’s journey.” In short, it’s an archetypal story of life. The Minor Arcana is made up of all four elements—fire, air, water, and earth are represented by wands, swords, cups, and pentacles respectively—and counts upward from ace to 10 and then through four court cards (page, knight, queen, king). The Major Arcana is said to represent big life-changing events, while the Minor Arcana usually represents people, feelings, and day-to-day occurrences.

What is the history of tarot?

Tarot cards are thought to have originated in the 15th century in Europe, more specifically in Italy, and originally the deck was called Tarocchi. The cards quickly gained traction throughout many other European countries after the French conquered Milan and the Piedmont in 1499. The Major Arcana, previously dubbed trump cards, were custom made and painted for wealthy families, including multiple decks that were created for the Visconti family in Milan. The oldest surviving cards are the 15 Visconti-Sforza tarot decks commissioned by Duke Filippo Maria Visconti between 1418 and 1425, which means that people have been learning how to read tarot cards for over 600 years.

What was the original purpose of tarot?

While we know that tarot cards were used in aristocratic society, their original purpose is still not fully known. Whether they were family heirlooms to be passed down to the next of kin, simply a fun customized card game, or something in between is up for debate. What matters now: Over time, tarot cards became symbolic divinatory tools. Their use has far expanded beyond their original purpose as they assist us with spiritual guidance and self-reflection. 

What is the difference between tarot and oracle cards?

Tarot decks have to consist of exactly 78 cards made up of 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. No more and no less. They also need to include four different suits. In the traditional Rider-Waite deck, these are pentacles, swords, cups, and wands; however, some decks use different representations of these same four elements. Tarot will also always include court cards (traditionally page, knight, queen, and king), though some decks swap out pages for princesses or other minor shifts in the deck’s creative direction.

While oracle cards are used in a similar way—that is, as a tool of self-reflection—there are fewer rules. An oracle card deck can include any number of cards and meanings. 

How can I learn how to read tarot?

Tarot as a tool of divination is meant to give clarity to the person being read for. That could be either you reading for yourself, you reading for someone else, or someone else reading for you. In order to learn how to read tarot, it’s important to start by understanding the meaning behind each archetypal card. Much as we learn words before we start stringing together sentences, knowing the meaning of the cards individually will the guide you as you read them in tarot card spreads.

How do you ask tarot questions?

When you are asking your tarot deck questions, it’s important to set an intention first. Try something like, “I call forth my spirit guides of the purest and highest intention to give me messages of clarity for each question being asked hereafter.” From that point, ask the tarot questions that are both specific and nonspecific. A specific question would be, “Should I move forward with the new job I was just offered?” or “Am I really falling in love?” Nonspecific questions sound more like, “Tell me about my current relationship.”

As you study the tarot, learn which cards represent yes or no within the deck to answer your own “yes/no” questions. However you choose to ask the tarot your questions, just be sure that it’s always done with sincere intentions and a level of respect for the guidance you’re seeking. Each answer will show itself through the cards, but it’s important to understand that tarot is not information written in stone. You always have free will and the power to change your approach to life, whether that’s to continue or to diverge from the path you’re currently on.

Why is it important to clean tarot?

If you’re the owner of the tarot deck you’re reading from—so, reading for yourself—keep your deck clean and treat it with care. Clean your deck by smoking it using sustainably harvested sage or palo santo, bathing it in the aura of cleansing crystals like clear quartz or selenite, or placing the cards under the moonlight. This helps clear energy away from previous readings and any influence not from a pure space; as a tool of divination, tarot cards can absorb energy from the people using it—so any past readings or spiritual entities that try to come through. Cleaning helps your deck maintain energetic integrity to ensure a more accurate tarot card reading. 

What are tarot card spreads?

The position of the cards that you put down on the table to be read is called a tarot spread, meaning that cards are placed down in a specific order and spot, and each placement has its own meaning. Two of the most common tarot spreads include:

Past, Present, Future: A three-card spread in which the cards are placed with the leftmost (and first) representing the energy of the past, the middle representing what’s currently happening in the present, and the rightmost representing the energy of the future.

The Celtic Cross: A 10-card spread that starts with two cards pulled in the middle overlapping one another. These first two cards represent:

1. The central focus of the person being read for;

2. What is helping or hindering this focus presently.

Then cards are placed clockwise around these center two cards, starting with below, then left, above, and right. Their meanings are:

3. The subconscious (below);

4. The recent past, or events leading up to this moment (left);

5. The higher path or destiny (above);

6. What lies ahead, or the near future if you stay on your current path (right).

Then four cards are pulled up the right side of this central area from bottom to top. They are:

7. The questioner—that is, the person being read for and their energy;

8. Outside energy and influences and/or the questioner’s environment;

9. The questioner’s hopes and dreams;

10. The final result.

Most readers will say that the placements of the higher-path/destiny card (#5) and the final-result card  (#10) are interchangeable if the questioner is willing to follow their intuition moving forward, as the destiny is the best possible outcome and the final result is what can happen given the culmination of other cards and their circumstances. 

Both beginning readers and seasoned professionals use these two tarot spreads, and they work as a great foundation for those learning how to read. As with many things, it’s important to learn the basics of reading tarot before getting creative and branching out into your own unique style—which will come with time, practice, and experience!

Once you’re ready to get creative, you can even connect the tarot cards to your zodiac chart. Glamour’s monthly tarotscopes combine tarot with astrology to help guide the zodiac signs.

Which tarot cards represent which zodiac signs? 

Although they are not intrinsically interwoven, there’s been a long-standing tradition of placing astrological influence onto each tarot card. This helps to get more accurate readings with timing and identifying the people whose energy is showing up in a reading. It’s said that each suit is associated with an element in the zodiac, so:

Each zodiac sign can also be seen in the Major Arcana cards. There’s a slight discrepancy between readers and which sign they assign to each Major Arcana card, but these are the discoveries that I’ve seen most accurately in my years of professional readings:

  • Aries: The Emperor, The Fool;
  • Taurus: The Hierophant, The Empress (Venus ruled);
  • Gemini: The Lovers, The High Priestess (both showing duality);
  • Cancer: Temperance, The Chariot, The Moon (Planetary Ruler);
  • Leo: Strength;
  • Virgo: The Hermit; secondary: The Maiden in Strength;
  • Libra: Justice; secondary: The Empress (Venus ruled);
  • Scorpio: Death
  • Sagittarius: Judgment, Temperance
  • Capricorn: The Devil
  • Aquarius: The Star, The Hanged Man
  • Pisces: The Moon

The World card and The Wheel of Fortune also represent and show imagery of the four fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), so it’s important to note that they all share influence over these two cards. 

What is the most powerful tarot card?

Each of the 78 tarot cards holds different importance to each person who interprets them. The 22 Major Arcana cards are said to be representative of big, life-changing events in comparison with the Minor Arcana’s 56 cards, which are more indicative of emotions, people, and day-to-day experiences. 

For this reason alone, we can say that one of the Majors is more likely to be the objectively most powerful card. This list below of the basic tarot card meanings can help you narrow down your decision on which one holds the most significance for you:

  1. The Fool: The first card of the tarot. The beginning and ending of everything, a quick change that requires a leap of faith. The Fool card, sometimes called the Idiot, represents infinite possibilities and potential—something no other card could accurately portray.
  2. Strength: Literally translating into power and inner strength, the Strength card is one that asks the questioner to reach deeply into their power reserves and push forward so they can overcome whatever is in their way. 
  3. The Sun: The happiest card in the tarot deck, this represents positivity and optimism. Without a shadow of a doubt, a bright future lies ahead when this card is pulled.
  4. Death: As with happy, positive beginnings, sometimes new life is born from the ending of something else. Although it rarely indicates a physical death, the death card can signal an ending that will eventually lead into a new beginning for the questioner. This phoenix-rising-from-the ashes archetype is important and powerful, and it’s something that cannot be avoided in life. Once death is embraced, it can act as a powerful catalyst into change and transformation. 
  5. The World: When this card is pulled, know that there is an undeniable sense of wholeness for the questioner. This card signals that a cycle has ended and all is well for the questioner. This card makes the pause before the next chapter it’s own important moment in time and usually represents achievement, fulfillment, successful conclusions, and endless possibilities that can come from it all.

What are the tarot card meanings?

Although every card cannot be the most powerful, they all hold an undeniable importance. See below for the meaning of all 78 of the tarot cards, starting with the 22 Major Arcana cards and then broken down into Ace through King of all four suits (cups, wands, pentacles, swords). Consider this Tarot Cards for Beginners.

Ghostly Connections

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Ghosts are universal, some quiet, some noisy, most benevolent, some malevolent. However a ghost presents itself to the individual or the many, you are forced to take notice. Ghosts make contact for a variety of reasons, they will find one way or another to contact those on the earth plane if they choose. Whether you believe or not the supernatural is all around you, and for centuries people have been drawn to and fearful of anything they cannot logically pinpoint. That fleeting shadow out of the corner of your eye, the feeling that someone is standing behind you, or leaning over you, that bump in the night. Can you really just brush everything aside and put it down to your imagination? Anyone can see spirits at any time, at any age, in any place, anywhere in the world, ghosts disregard doors and windows, they enter at will.

Often if someone you love leaves the earth plane suddenly and they are unprepared, their spirit will remain near where the death occurred, they may not be aware that they are in fact dead. In this instance they will attempt to make contact with loved ones through a spirit medium or someone who is especially sensitive and aware. At the time of death the usual occurrence is for the physical form to be left behind, the soul is set free and moves to a higher realm. For whatever reason a spirit at times remains earthbound, whether this is unfinished business, a powerful bond with another person or an overwhelming connection to a place or situation.

Every haunting is different and by seeing a ghost we understand that death is but a doorway to a different realm. We leave our physical body behind and become an ethereal entity that vibrates at a different frequency. There are different types of apparitions, one is in its own world oblivious to anything else going on, it is the echo of a person no longer on the earth plane. The more powerful and quite often noticeable ghost, the one that usually makes its presence known, is the actual spirit of a person, usually this spirit is attached to a person or place, very tuned in to the earth plane and those living on this plane of existence.

Many fear ghosts, some welcome them, while others dismiss them as nonsense, but still look over their shoulder when they feel a presence they can’t explain or turn their head when they catch sight of something out of the corner of their eye. Ghosts will always be there whether we like it or not, whether or not we believe. In human terms it would be difficult to define ghosts absolutely, as they appear in so many different ways and in so many forms. Ghosts are there all the time and it is the more intuitive or sensitive individuals who are aware of them, they are walking the earth and are all around us when we are awake and while we are sleeping.

It is usually those who die tragically, suddenly or by the hand of another, who remain attached to the earth plane, there is possibly unfinished business or an intense tie to people or a place. Spirits remain earthbound for various reasons, some only for a short period of times, others for longer, some remaining for centuries leading to the tales of haunting we hear about. On occasion a spirit feels compelled to pass on a message, and through the assistance of a well schooled medium they manage to do this, they are then at peace, having moved into the light and eternal rest or to await their reincarnation.

Fear of the unknown, and individual fear based belief systems may cause a spirit to remain earthbound, these spirits tend to remain between the earth and the next realm until their fears subside or are released completely. Others stay because they are worried about their families and the affect their death will have on them. Sometimes the living can interfere with the dead’s ability to pass over, especially if they are unable to let go and think about the person all the time. Maybe even going to the extreme of constantly trying to contact them hoping to hold onto them, once they accept that their loved one is gone the spirit is then released and readily crosses over.

Spirit, comes from the Latin spiritus (breath), a supernatural being or essence, spirits are less definitive than ghosts, who are the apparitions seen by the living, ghosts are quite tuned in to the earth plane and aware of the living. Spirits attempt to communicate with the living usually for a specific reason and once their task is complete they cease contact.

Anyone with ghostly experience or encounters will tell you that the first sensation is a feeling of coldness, a chill in the air like someone has turned on the air-conditioning just above their head, or an extreme drop in temperature regardless of the weather. This chilled feeling often occurs in a place of worship during religious ceremonies, in occult gatherings or cemeteries. If a home or any abode for that matter is haunted, there is usually one particular spot or area that is especially cold. Cold spots can also be doorways between the earth plane and the ethereal. When the living want to make contact with spirit they will hold a seance or use a Ouija board, this is a way of opening a portal through which a spirit may pass, it is important when working in this way to close the portal after the session has ended. If the doorway isn’t closed, and this can happen in the hands of beginners, a home can become full of ghostly activity. If this happens the best way to remedy it is to cleanse the entire house, this can be done by carrying a lighted candle and incense into every room in the house and placing incense in each room. When you enter the individual room, walk around with the candle holding it to every corner of the room moving clockwise, gently but firmly ask the spirit to leave and return to its own plane. You may also use a classic broomstick with a little lavender, geranium and rose essence dotted on it, then symbolically sweep the entire house ending at the front door where the spirit is released to return to the place from whence it came.

A determined spirit will transmit a message to the living one way or another, there may be signs such as items moved around the home, or even taken out of drawers and placed in specific places where they will no doubt be noticed. You may have an overwhelming urge to do something or see someone, you may have been procrastinating about something and are suddenly compelled to attend to it. If the spirit is unable to contact you in your waking state it will most likely contact you through your dreams.

Much loved animals often stay close to their owners when they die, and both seem comforted by this continued relationship. Cats and dogs can feel as though they are sitting next to, or on the lap of their owners, they may brush against their legs or be seen in a flash moving across the floor. Many elderly people who loved their beloved pet are often comforted by the continued spirit contact with them until the time of their own death.

Samhain (Night of the Dead), Halloween, All Hallows Eve, the last night of October when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. The ancient Celts celebrated Samhain by lighting bonfires to help the souls of the dead to the Celtic underworld and to protect against evil spirits. Food and drink was left for the spirits, faeries, elves and nature spirits gathered at this time.

The Chinese celebrate the Feast of the Hungry Ghosts, beginning on the Ghost Month, which is 15 August, the seventh month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, and lasts for six days. The Buddhist ceremony of putu (the deliverance of the spirits of the dead), is also celebrated at this time. Feasts are prepared and left out for the spirits walking the earth, while Taoist priests and Buddhist priests chant, perform rituals and burn incense in honour of the ghosts. During this celebration the ancestral spirits of Chinese families are asked to join their families for a meal and ritual of burning items such as paper clothing, radios, shoes, cars and other items. This is done to ensure the families, present and future generations, are blessed and protected.

The Feast of the Hungry Ghosts is dedicated to bringing peace to the abandoned and forgotten dead who are not associated with any particular family. It is believed bad luck to marry during the Ghost Month, to relocate, or to die, as the dead will not be able to rest. On the final day the Feast of the Hungry Ghosts, a bonfire is lit and paper effigies of ancient deities, paper currency known as hell money, and other gifts for the dead are thrown into the flames. It is believed that as soon as midnight strikes on the 30th day of the Ghost Month, wandering souls of the dead return to the underworld where the gates are then closed for another year.

Spiritualism became popular throughout England and America in the 19th century, it came about as people felt the need to gather with others and share a new faith beyond anything scientific. There was a need to confirm life after death, mediums were coveted worldwide due to the new collective unconscious. Many fraudulent mediums surfaced at this time which stifled the new thinking until after the First World War, when many people consulted mediums in order to contact loved ones who had died. The 20th century has given rise to spiritualist churches, mediums, meditation groups and spiritual healers around the world, with England boasting the greatest number of spiritualist churches.

Labeled in the late 1900?s were crisis apparitions, these are the ghosts of people who are still alive and due to a crisis in their life are able to appear to a loved who is hundreds or thousands of miles away. The living person may be in pain or danger, they may be in mortal peril, their anxiety such that they appear at times on the verge of death, other times in crisis, or distressed. The person who is projecting is unaware of what they are doing, unaware they are projecting their image possibly to the other side of the world. The person projecting can be perceived by their loved one either in the mind’s eye like a psychic vision, or as the actual person appearing in front of them. Like any matters to do with the occult, scientists have been unable to explain the phenomena of a person being in two places at once. On occasion a person will see their doppelganger (double walker), appear before them. It is believed that we are able to detach from the physical body for a short period of time and be visible to others, and then return to our physical body.

The ancient Egyptians believed every soul had a double (ka). Other beliefs are that a living person can project their astral body or their soul which is a reflection of their physical form. It is also thought to be a type of telepathic and clairvoyant projection, an expansion of a person’s consciousness. Crisis apparitions show that a living being is capable somehow of projecting themselves and presenting themselves as a complete entity far away from their physical form.

If you are curious, daring or fearless, you may choose to go in search of ghostly encounters, finding such in all places where the dead rest, these being ancient burial grounds, graveyards, mausoleums, or historic buildings, churches, battlefields, old theatres, school buildings from previous centuries, old houses and hotels. Nighttime is the best time to encounter ghosts and spirits, occasionally ghosts can be caught on camera, usually seen as a misty blur. If you do hear, see, or feel something, document everything that takes place, it may not make sense in the moment but when you go over your notes and images later you will have a clearer sense of what took place. Take candles, a lighter or matches and incense with you so you can have a quiet meditation before you begin ghost hunting. Many witches carry amulets with them for protection. Take your time and allow your intuition to guide you, often you will feel a chill, you may see an aura and there could possibly be a strange smell, this often precedes a ghostly presence.

Those who are beginning their occult journey may wish to try a Ouija board, with one or several people, the best conduits are wooden. Each person touches the message indicator lightly with the tip of their finger and one person asks one question at a time, then waits for the indicator to spell out the answer. Contact with spirit depends on the awareness, sensitivity and receptiveness of the individuals involved. Before beginning, all those taking part should hold hands and silently ask for spirit guidance, then hold hands at the end of the session and quietly thank the spirits who came through. Throughout the session take notes of everything that occurs from words to feeling and any smells, or auras. If, when you are working with the Ouija board, you feel at all uncomfortable or unsafe, end the session immediately and close off communication.

If you choose to conduct a seance (in French means sitting) where several people gather to communicate with the spirits of those deceased, seances have more power when conducted at night, although they can be carried out in a darkened room lit only by candles. The attendees sit around a round or oval table with no objects on it but a lighted candle, or several lighted candles. Before you begin turn off all power points in the home and work with only candlelight, burn incense and fragrant oils. Ideally work with no more than twelve and no less than three. It is necessary to have at least one medium to conduct the seance and it is not recommended for novices without the guidance of a seasoned medium. Children should not be present during a session.

Some mediums work with a particular spirit guide, while others call upon spirit assistance and wait for one to make contact. To begin each person closes their eyes and holds hands with the person on either side of them, left palm down, right palm up. The circle is not to be broken while the session is in progress and all participants must remain holding hands until the session is ended. Once the medium verbally ends the session all participants are to place their hands face down on the table and give quiet thanks to spirit.

The session will begin after everyone has joined hands and closed their eyes, the medium then calls on spirit for messages and guidance and waits for the portal between the two worlds to open, and words, feelings, auras, smells to occur, confirming there is spirit presence. A voice may be heard, there could be a message for one or more people, or a communal message, there may be sounds such as tapping or bumping, some may feel something touch them. It is necessary to be open to communication in any way shape or form. During a seance one or more participants may find words pop into their head or an image may appear in their mind’s eye. Others may witness an apparition clearly as though someone is physically standing in the room, as no two seances are the same the outcome cannot be anticipated.

On occasion during a seance, someone who has not before beheld any phenomena may find that quite suddenly they become aware and that their nascent abilities have been kick started. This usually happens to someone who has a natural latent ability and just needed the right catalyst to awaken it. Generally a seance will go for one hour, any longer will be tiring for all concerned, especially the leader of the circle. Always treat spirit with dignity and thank those who have come through to assist.

There are certain herbs associated with ghosts, these can be used before ghost hunting, seances and Ouija board participation or psychic work. These herbs can be fresh or dried depending on availability. If using dried herbs, place a container with the herbs in near a window in your home where moonlight streams through, this will charge the herbs before use. The herbs to use are bamboo, althea, anise, balsam tree, pipsissewa, sandalwood, dandelion, catnip, thistle, willow, wormwood and tobacco.

When you embark on your search for spirits and ghosts, do so with love in your heart. You are entering a portal of multiple dimensions and entities, proceed with care, dignity, reverence, and respect for the ethereal encounters that await. When you ask for guidance and receive a response, make sure you thank those who travel through the portal to assist you on your life path.

Old Ancestral Magik

Apple Pie Biscuits

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan


Ingredients
1 can of buttermilk biscuits
1 can apple pie filling
1/2 c butter melted
1/2 c brown sugar
1 tbs cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Icing: 1/2 c confection sugar. 1 tbs milk
Lightly grease pan or skillet. In a bowl mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg. Dip each biscuit in butter and cover all sides with the sugar mix. Arrange in pan.
Chop the apple pie filling into smaller pieces. Mix in vanilla extract. Arrange over the biscuits, sprinkle remaining sugar over top and remaining butter. Bake for 35 min at 375 degrees.
Make icing and drizzle over top. Serve warm