On Sunday 31st October we have the Celtic fire festival, the Feast of the Dead when the veils between this world and the spiritual realms are at their thinnest to allow the living to commune with the spirits of the dead. Our psychic abilities are heightened and we can become aware of other energies around us.
Some Pagans celebrate this festival as the Celtic New Year as a time of death and rebirth. Pumpkin lanterns are lit, food is prepared, candles lit and photos used to honour those we want to remember. We can light a candle and say what we are remembering about that person who was dear to us. We ask them to be with us on this night and welcome them with love and joy.
I find this Festival very peaceful and a time to remember those dear to me, just a simple lighting of a candle and eating gives this focus. You can use flowers, chrysanthemums are the flowers of the dead and divination tools.Be prepared though for "things" to happen! My cat, a brown Burmese always sits with me on this night and watches events unfold, maybe he is remembering his sister as pets also travel to visit us.
Enjoy Samhain honouring and remembering the dead.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Monday, 4 October 2010
Creating a Sacred Place
Creating a sacred place in your home or garden is a way of having a focus on what is important to you at that time. In your home you would create it at the centre or heart of your home. This used to be the fireplace where people gathered and maybe for you it is now somewhere else.
You can decorate your place very simply with a candle and a special crystal. Shamans often add something for each of the elements - earth, fire, water and air - and whatever is appropriate for the time of year with flowers, herbs, leaves and twigs. It is Harvest Festival time and so pagans remember this season and give thanks for the harvest we have which will keep us through the long winter months.
Objects in your Sacred place often take on a deeper meaning and relate to the story of your spiritual life. You can also have a "shamans" bag with you to carry significant things.
Your Sacred Place is somewhere to be still and meditate and especially important with the approach of Samhain at the end of October.
You can decorate your place very simply with a candle and a special crystal. Shamans often add something for each of the elements - earth, fire, water and air - and whatever is appropriate for the time of year with flowers, herbs, leaves and twigs. It is Harvest Festival time and so pagans remember this season and give thanks for the harvest we have which will keep us through the long winter months.
Objects in your Sacred place often take on a deeper meaning and relate to the story of your spiritual life. You can also have a "shamans" bag with you to carry significant things.
Your Sacred Place is somewhere to be still and meditate and especially important with the approach of Samhain at the end of October.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Shamanic Journey to the Middle World
So on my previous two blogs I looked at the Upper World and Lower World, two shamanic journeys that most people talk about and there is another world, the Middle World. This is the one we physically inhabit although we are mostly oblivious of anything else here in the more subtle reality of this Middle World! We journey to the Middle World to deal with present issues we are facing now; we can increase our expertise with a skill or learn a new one by mentally rehearsing it without moving and we can travel backwards and forwards in time. This is the world of faeries, elves and the spirits of the elements. When we are very young many of us have the experience of 'seeing' these creatures. Did you ever have a 'friend' that no one else could see? I certainly did, but once I went to school he faded away.
So to your journey to the Middle World; again set your Intention; is there a current problem you want to solve or have you lost something you need to find? In the Middle World you can travel backwards for forwards in time. Use the drumming music, relax and find yourself at a familiar place (real not imaginary). It may be that tree and will be a place with happy memories. Here you will meet your Guardian Animal who will help you with your shamanic work. Notice what you see, hear and feel. Be aware of the difference between physical reality and subtle reality. Your Middle World place may look very different. You can now call out to your Guardian Animal and if the animal that appears is your Guardian Animal then you may experience this encounter with excitement. As before it is now time to come back to physical reality bringing your Guardian Animal with you and spend time getting to know this animal. Record your experience and ground yourself.
These are the Shamanic Journeys to the Lower, Upper and Middle Worlds. There are many other ways to access these worlds which are largely dependent on which ever culture/tradition you are following. For me I follow a more Celtic Shamanic way, using my favourite tree which enables me to have a point from which to journey.
For more information on journeying or help with guided meditation then please do email me colleen@spiritmystique.com and join me on my workshop "Bringing Shamanic Practices into Everyday Life" on 23rd and 24th September. Click here to view.
In the spirit of love, peace, joy and freedom.
Colleen
So to your journey to the Middle World; again set your Intention; is there a current problem you want to solve or have you lost something you need to find? In the Middle World you can travel backwards for forwards in time. Use the drumming music, relax and find yourself at a familiar place (real not imaginary). It may be that tree and will be a place with happy memories. Here you will meet your Guardian Animal who will help you with your shamanic work. Notice what you see, hear and feel. Be aware of the difference between physical reality and subtle reality. Your Middle World place may look very different. You can now call out to your Guardian Animal and if the animal that appears is your Guardian Animal then you may experience this encounter with excitement. As before it is now time to come back to physical reality bringing your Guardian Animal with you and spend time getting to know this animal. Record your experience and ground yourself.
These are the Shamanic Journeys to the Lower, Upper and Middle Worlds. There are many other ways to access these worlds which are largely dependent on which ever culture/tradition you are following. For me I follow a more Celtic Shamanic way, using my favourite tree which enables me to have a point from which to journey.
For more information on journeying or help with guided meditation then please do email me colleen@spiritmystique.com and join me on my workshop "Bringing Shamanic Practices into Everyday Life" on 23rd and 24th September. Click here to view.
In the spirit of love, peace, joy and freedom.
Colleen
Sunday, 22 August 2010
The Shamanic Journey to the Upper World
Following on from my previous Blog to the Lower World, I am now going to explore the Upper World Shamanic Journey. Here the landscape looks very different, more ethereal with clouds and crystals and can be like walking on marshmallow!
Again after relaxing and putting on your drumming music find that favourite tree and notice how the branches stretch way up to the sky. Climb the branches to the Upper World with your intention to explore this world and perhaps meet your spiritual teacher and mentor. Notice what you see, hear and feel. Is there anyone there? It is likely to be in human form and if this is your spiritual teacher then they are likely to have a gift for you.
On my first journey to the Upper World I met my Spiritual Teacher and had an awareness of the gift she gave me. I journey now when I have a question and find it is here that I get inspiration, knowledge and wisdom.
I usually record my experiences so I can track my Journeys and often find further insights happen when I do. It is important that after any journeying you "ground" yourself and the easiest way is to eat or drink something.
On my next Blog I'll explore the Middle World.
Again after relaxing and putting on your drumming music find that favourite tree and notice how the branches stretch way up to the sky. Climb the branches to the Upper World with your intention to explore this world and perhaps meet your spiritual teacher and mentor. Notice what you see, hear and feel. Is there anyone there? It is likely to be in human form and if this is your spiritual teacher then they are likely to have a gift for you.
On my first journey to the Upper World I met my Spiritual Teacher and had an awareness of the gift she gave me. I journey now when I have a question and find it is here that I get inspiration, knowledge and wisdom.
I usually record my experiences so I can track my Journeys and often find further insights happen when I do. It is important that after any journeying you "ground" yourself and the easiest way is to eat or drink something.
On my next Blog I'll explore the Middle World.
Monday, 16 August 2010
The Shamanic Journey
I thought I would share my thoughts and experiences about journeying and over my next few blogs and look at the 3 worlds, the Upper, Middle and Lower starting with the Lower World or Under World as it is known in Celtic Shamanism.
The benefits of meditation are now quite well known and journeying is a form of visual meditation a bit like lucid dreaming where you are part of the dream rather than just watching yourself in it and without a script. You need to be relaxed and physically comfortable and start by breathing out all your tiredness and tension and breathe in energy, power and love. You also need an eye mask to cut out any daylight and some drumming music designed for journeying to help you achieve the altered state of consciousness.
I remember my first journey quite clearly where I found a favourite tree and like Alice in Wonderland shrank and went through the roots to the Lower World. The landscape is what I would call "a world of nature" and it is here I met my Power Animal and Spirit Guides. You can also connect with your ancestors, as it is the world of our memories and traditions where we can ask for healing and regain our personal power. I personally have gained insights into many issues I have faced and I always journey with an Intention even when I journey for others. After journeying I usually feel refreshed and inspired.
My workshop "Bringing Shamanic Practices into Everyday Life"on 23rd and 24th September will enable you to journey to all 3 worlds and more information is under workshops.
The benefits of meditation are now quite well known and journeying is a form of visual meditation a bit like lucid dreaming where you are part of the dream rather than just watching yourself in it and without a script. You need to be relaxed and physically comfortable and start by breathing out all your tiredness and tension and breathe in energy, power and love. You also need an eye mask to cut out any daylight and some drumming music designed for journeying to help you achieve the altered state of consciousness.
I remember my first journey quite clearly where I found a favourite tree and like Alice in Wonderland shrank and went through the roots to the Lower World. The landscape is what I would call "a world of nature" and it is here I met my Power Animal and Spirit Guides. You can also connect with your ancestors, as it is the world of our memories and traditions where we can ask for healing and regain our personal power. I personally have gained insights into many issues I have faced and I always journey with an Intention even when I journey for others. After journeying I usually feel refreshed and inspired.
My workshop "Bringing Shamanic Practices into Everyday Life"on 23rd and 24th September will enable you to journey to all 3 worlds and more information is under workshops.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Honouring our Heritage
More and more I am drawn to looking at the influence my heritage and lineage has on me. I know that as a child I didn't really want to listen to Grandma and Grandad although I did love their stories. Now I am researching my family tree and am drawn more and more to find my "roots".
I have also 'journeyed' to meet my ancestors and received some powerful messages and gifts. What I have realised is that it is not just a 'Find my Past' exercise but the most powerful way is to go inside and discover a whole host of ancestors waiting to help me.
Who will I meet on my next journey?
I have also 'journeyed' to meet my ancestors and received some powerful messages and gifts. What I have realised is that it is not just a 'Find my Past' exercise but the most powerful way is to go inside and discover a whole host of ancestors waiting to help me.
Who will I meet on my next journey?
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Celebrating the Summer Solstice
June 21st marks the Summer Solstice, a solar festival and important to all pagans and part of the Celtic wheel, and one that is celebrated traditionally at Stonehenge and other significant sites. The sun is at the height of his power and moves into the astrological sign of Cancer which is ruled by the moon. So it is the joining of the masculine and feminine , the God and the Goddess and the longest day of the year.
This is a turning point of the year's cycle and just as it is not time to harvest yet, we should charge our goals with the power of the sun so we all prosper.
A salute to the sun is a powerful way of doing this and welcoming in the first rays of the morning, having roses for the Goddess and oak leaves for the God. Celebrate growth and life for this is a time of balance in the world and the seasons start to shift as the sun begins it's decline towards winter.
This is a turning point of the year's cycle and just as it is not time to harvest yet, we should charge our goals with the power of the sun so we all prosper.
A salute to the sun is a powerful way of doing this and welcoming in the first rays of the morning, having roses for the Goddess and oak leaves for the God. Celebrate growth and life for this is a time of balance in the world and the seasons start to shift as the sun begins it's decline towards winter.
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