Magical New Orleans

2011 has been interesting for me. About a year ago I moved back to New Orleans from Seattle and started reading Tarot on Jackson Square again. New Orleans is a very magical city, with many different cultural and religious influences which are complex and interesting.

Long before European settlers the area was lived in by Native American tribal people. The settlers from abroad came here with different cultural values, religious beliefs, and social and political ideals. Although it may be difficult to clearly see the impact now, current US cities that were colonized by the French may have a deeper native American influence than other cities originally colonized by the British. In general, the French developed a much friendlier and more mutually beneficial relationship with the Native peoples than the British did. French settlers were more inclined to learn native languages, participate in trading fur and other goods, and learn about native foods and medicines, and intermingle bits of culture. It's likely that those with a friendly relationship traded philosophy as well as recipes.

This came up for me yesterday when I was working on some research and writing about Louisiana folklore, and looking for references about the Cajun tale of the Rougarou. The word Rougarou is almost interchangeable with the word 'Loop Garou', which is the French way of saying 'Werewolf'. Stories told most frequently about this creature describe it as a large hairy creature with the body of a man and the head of a wolf, and the suggestion that the creature was once a man who transformed into an animal, and who may have the power to transform others. In Louisiana, stories of the Rougarou have been used to scare children into good behavior for centuries, potentially. It's the thing out in the swamp howling at night, and could come snatch you up if you don't behave, or if you wander out into the forbidden wilderness. I'm still tracing the history of the story as it applies to local folklore in New Orleans, and found that other than being a new interpretation of an old French legend, it joins and mingles here with some Native concepts and stories.

So, in New Orleans we have been influenced by the French, British and Spanish settlers; the original tribal peoples in the area, and also by Africans and others who became part of the culture during the years of slave trading. They brought beliefs and ideas that have transferred themselves into modern practices of Voodoo, Santaria, and other related paths.

The result for any kind of spiritual or mystical person living in New Orleans today is interesting and difficult to describe. It's definitely a place I encourage people to visit and explore, because some things are beyond words and the experience of being in this place can be very beautiful.


Want to know more about Louisiana folklore and history, and the Rougarou?

Louisiana History Wikipedia

Cajun French Loup Garou

Awesome Picture of the Rougarou Statue at the Audubon Zoo

Louisiana Folklore: Rougarou, Wikipedia article

Cajun Folklore and the Rougarou, article by Brandon Folse

Article by Jamie Lugibhl on the Louisiana Folklore Legend of the Rougarou

Scholarly article on Pre Columbian and Early American Legends about Bigfoot-like beings (From : Traditional Attitudes Toward Bigfoot in Many North American Cultures, By Gayle Highpine)

Detroit and New Orleans: le Loup Garou

Cryptozoology: The Rougarou

If you have any other references to stories of the rougarou or loup garou, particularly ones that include a naughty little boy or girl who gets snatched up and what happens to them, let me know! I'm working on a reaserch page about the Rougarou and that story. Thanks! :D

Silver Pentacle Jewelery

I have been creating a lot of pages on Squidoo, some of which I know the readers of this blog will love. The newest one showcases some nice pentacle jewelery I found online. Check it out, and then look through all the other pages I have there to find all kinds of cool stuff about divination and the Tarot. Enjoy!

http://www.squidoo.com/silver-pentacle-jewelery

I'm working on a lot of things right now....

Some of which is related.

I'm in the process of creating a Wicca 1010 Recommended Reading List on squidoo, and slowly adding sections by author. The list when complete will probably be a small library full of books, and will have links and information about the authors mentioned. If you come across this, have a look, and met me know if anything I should add immediately pops to mind.

http://www.squidoo.com/wicca-101-recomended-reading-list

The page is hosted on Squidoo, another interesting web publishing format. I'm creating a number of other pages there, too, and there is the possibility that over time it might generate a little money. I'm trying to get to a point where I'm making a living with my writing, however that page and the following one are part of another ongoing project. I've spoken about my friend and elder Jerik Daenarson in this blog before, and am working with some friends on some writing projects in his honor. We're actively trying to raise some money to take care of some things for him, and preserve and share his writing. Granted, I don't expect the page views on it will generate a lot in terms of funds for our project, I think it's a good idea because it may raise awareness about it in the Pagan community at large. Please check this page out for more information:

http://www.squidoo.com/jerik-daenarson-pagan-elder-from-new-orleans

Diary of an Ordinary Witch: My Art Work

 

 ( above: Treasure Box by Helen Pattskyn, available on Cafe Press)

     I had the pleasure of sitting in the kitchen of this lovely Pagan author, Helen Pattskyn, as she was working on some of the original art in this series and for a unique mystical tarot deck. Check out her vibrant use of colors, which I think add a lot of passion and emotional current to expressing these archtypical scenes of mythology and fantasy. Have a look at Helen Barbara Pattskyn's Blog here:

Diary of an Ordinary Witch: My Art Work

Also be sure to check out her cafe press merchandise- the keepsake boxes with her artwork would make a lovely place to keep Tarot cards or ritual supplies, and the coffee mugs would make delightful gifts. I can't wait for mine to come!

Helen's Cafe Press Treasure Boxes, Mugs, Bags and more... :D

Deepest Thanks to Lady Lark and Lord Peter

With some friends, I am trying to put some of my Elder Jerik's Pagan teachings and history into a sharable format. I was recently sent an interview he did with an old student of his, around the time we first became friends. Some of this will be shared in the near future, but it is a very long interview with some sensitive information included, and I want to make sure I have proper permissions from the kind folks who have shared it.

It's like having a final class with a mentor you loved deeply, and I have no words of gratitude which could possibly express how happy I am that this interview exists and has been passed on.

With their permission, some of this will be shared here and on Jerik's memorial site shortly. It is my intention to be respectful of the great kindness they have shown by forwarding this to friends who were asked to be the caretakers of his writing.

Thank You to those who are helping to make this possible, with all my heart.

Nicolette/ Sylviana/ Lady Jasmine

Interesting Conversation....Food for Thought

I stumbled across an interesting conversation in a blog on Paganism and Wicca that you can find on about.com. A person wrote in, because they may have to testify in court against a friend who they know committed a burglary. They were concerned that their testimony could harm their friend.

Clearly, the person in question who committed the crime initiated the cycle of harm with their actions- and the other responses basically said 'roast the bastard!'.

I decided to respond with a different approach, which I bet will be unpopular. This person seeking advice is concerned about their friend, and a conflict of loyalty and citizenship. My response considers several different approaches to this situation and the reasoning behind them, and leaves it to the questioner to decide what their best course of action is.

If you're curious about my thoughts, which may involve a little playing the Devil's advocate, follow the link below. I guess I just didn't think it was so black and white. I hope I never have to make the same kind of decision, but I don't know that I would stand against someone I felt Love and Loyalty towards, particularly if I felt motivated to get them help. I'd be conflicted, too.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/b/2010/06/21/the-wiccan-rede-and-court-testimony.htm#commentform

What would you do?

The History of Summer Solistice

I posted a short relevant article on the History of Summer Solistice here, and thought it might be interesting to share further :

http://www.olo3.com/Forums/DisplayComments.php?file=Holiday/The_History_of_Summer_Solistice

"Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius - book review

When I think of meditation books, I don't think of books about how to meditate, but of books that make me meditate upon the thoughts therin. There are many styles of meditation, and I think that when it comes down to it it becomes a very personal experience. I encourage people to study different styles and approaches to find that which seems most valid and useful for them on a personal level. One book I have always enjoied is called "Meditations", and was written by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius a very long time ago. It has survived into modern literature as an excellent example of the rich spiritual philosophies shared through early writing.

The book as available now contains twelve smaller books or chapters, each which show how Marcus wrote personal essays to help him delve into his own thoughts. The excercize itself shows how journaling and writing may be useful to the spiritual and philosophical development of a person. It seems that he wrote the essays with the focus of his own growth and personal guidance, although he may have also looked to a future where his ideas would be shared. I often use the work to inspire myself, and have found the stoic thoughts to be a source of calm and careful thought on how to live an ethical and balanced life.

When I use this book, I most frequently turn to a random page and see what thoughts it has for me today. Whatever I turn to seems to give me insight. This is a kind of divinitory meditation known as biblomancy. The technique is named for the bible, although it can be done with any book one finds inspiring. I do this in a very informal way, simply by relaxing and thinking briefly about my issues and questions, and opening to a random page. I read what is there and them spend a long time sitting quietly and thinking about the subject and how it applies to my own life.

In general, Aurelus is known as the father of stoic philosophy, and his ideas encourage one to not allow negative emotions to have too much sway in life.He felt that dwelling in too much emotion was a common negative indulgence among people, which can lead to additional grief and problems. He felt that harm was often caused more by a person's reaction to events than the events themselves, and counciled balanced and ethical living. I would definately reccomend it to others as a source of inspiration on using clear and rational thinking as a form of meditation and a basis for living.


( This essay was orginally posted by me on http://www.learning-modern-meditation.com/index.html )

Moon Signs in Daily Effect

I was found an old notebook of mine today, and came across some notes I took while sitting on Jackson Square in New Orleans with my friend Jerik. He was a master Tarot reader there for many years, and was known in the community to spend his free time teaching other interested folks things about the Tarot, Palmistry, Witchcraft, Norse Mythology and other mystical subjects.

One idea that he was fond of is that the moon signs have an effect on daily life. Not your personal moon sign as defined by your natal chart, but what sign the moon happens to be in today. He used this in a very practical way as a reader. He picked his clothing for the day by referencing the moon sign, feeling that using colors that go along with the likely emotional energy of a day would help attract the right clients to his table. He taught me this, and I found that whenever I used it, I did have more clients and make better money. I believe in this stuff, but it really seemed to work so well that I found it almost startling. You can try your own experiments by having a look at this basic set of notes I jotted down while we were hanging out, and doing a little bit more research on your own. These are just rough notes taken on the spot and you'll have to look up what sign the Moon is in on a given day, but I found these concepts very useful.


MOON SIGNS IN DAILY EFFECT
( notes transcribed from a class with Jerik )

The moon changes approximately every 2 ¼ days, which influences the mood of the day when the moon is NOT aspecting another celestial body. ( aspecting a sign or planet, etc. – ex. Moon conjunct Venus, or Trine Jupiter, or Square Mars, etc. - is void of course.

Moon Sign traits are similar to solar meanings, yet more emotion based and intense in some ways, and more influential in a daily cycle of events.

Moon in Aries

To figure out for instance how an Aries Moon will effect a day, you first ask yourself what the general traits of Aries are. Pushy, headstrong, pioneering, often impulsive, me first, yet a passive cycle. When people are starting a project, Moon in Aries is good. It is not as good for detail work as it is for broad general progressive beginnings.

Wear red and black, and faded denim blue.

Moon in Taurus

Taurus is more mellow, inclined towards comfort foods and practicality. The energy of this sign likes to deal with the factual world as it is- meat and potatoes. It's a good time to focus on pets, gardening, grocery shopping, and crafts and hobbies done with the hands. The mood is soft and sentimental, slow to impulsive. It is the worst time to be selling intangibles, though it may tend towards sweet and cuddly, old fashioned romantic moments.

Wear earth tones, greens, soft blues, and traditional patterns.

Moon in Gemini

Gemini is ruled by Mercury, and brings things about to communicate involving lot's of consideration. Impulsive to change, adapt and communicate. The power of persuasion works well when the Moon is in Gemini.

Wear bright happy sunny colors!

Moon in Cancer

Cancer is ruled by the Moon and is strongly emotional. People will be sentimental, aesthetic, interested in the beauty of comfort, romantic, and slightly obsessive. It's a nice night for ballroom dancing! It deals with tradition, family, familial affairs, and affairs of the heart. Soulful music like Loreena McKennett playing piano might be appropriate. It is a good day for lovers of beauty who will be impassioned by the highly emotionally charged moon.

Wear midnight blue, turquoise, navy, sea-foam, white, ----and pearls or mother of pearl. Think sea-like colors.

Moon in Leo

Leo is ruled by the sun- make it big or bust. Magnanimous, generous, pride, ego ( and sometimes tending to hurt feelings due to big ego and pride moments.) Leo can be a tycoon's moon, perfect for wheelers and dealers, show offs, and intense performances. understand the energy of moon in Leo- think “Big Spectacular Moon!”

Wear black, purple, gold and let your hair flow.

Moon in Virgo

Virgo is the mutable Earth sign, it is the moon sign for service, detail and organization. It's energy tends to be practical. It is a good time for learning, talking through matters with associates and friends, and is a great time for setting departures because Virgo is the sign of reason. It is also a good time to balance one's budget and clean up after little details. People will tend to behave more down to earth and practical when the moon is in Virgo.

Wear subdued practical colors in tailored or uniform-like styles.

Moon in Libra

Libra is the cardinal sign of Air. When the Moon is in Libra, people like to theorize balance and harmonize. Libra also tends towards beauty and romantic moments. Communications are balanced, but not as detail oriented as when the moon is in Virgo. Libra theorizes a lot ( wouldn't it be nice to organize a charity ball? ) where Virgos focus on actually doing- theory rather than practice.

Wear soft harmonic colors, rust and turquoise, etc. No straight black.

Moon in Scorpio

Scorpio is the fixed water sign. It is a passionate, sexy, brooding moon full of innuendo and intensity. It tends towards heroism, passion, loyalty, and sometimes murderous cold rage.
Wear strong tone scents and jewel colors.

Moon in Sagittarius

Sagittarius is the mutable fire sign, ruled by Jupiter. Philosophy, impulse, outdoorsy things. May be careless of detail, idealistic, and experimental. Sometimes prone to teasing, horseplay, and stupid stunts.

Wear purple and mismatched colors.

Moon in Capricorn

May involve tyconnery and wheeling and dealing in a more conservative sense. Moods may be somber, serious, melancholy. It is ruled by Saturn and is the Cardinal earth sign. Can involve concepts like big money and practicality in the same sense- think British.

Wear winter colors.

Moon in Aquarius

This is the fixed Air sign, ruled by Uranus, the planet of invention and revolution. It involves novel social theories, crusades and social consciousness. People tend to care about issues more, be willing to try new things, and be experimental.

Wear electric psychedelic colors.

Moon in Pisces

This is the mutable water sign, ruled by Neptune. It is romantic, sappy, flowing, soft and sentimental. People tend to fantasize, sentimentalize, wallow in emotional issues, and be intensely psychic.

Wear romantic colors and look frilly and feminine.


Side note: Jerik asked me to try to find him a copy of the Book of Conquests by Jim Fitzpatrick, which I jotted down with the rest of these notes. It's a a graphic novel that came out of Canada in the late 70's he wanted to hunt down extra copies of. I don't think it had anything to do with this lesson, but jerik had interesting taste in books and movies, so I bet it would be entertaining to read.

Pythonic Wicca: as in Monty, not the snake.

Ah, the Crafters. Now here is a piece of Wiccan History that could easily get lost and forgotten, and I don't think it should. Working with them as a teenager was my introduction to being a part of Pagan Circles, and I had many wonderful adventures with the folks who became Family to me then. The Crafters as a group had something interesting to say to the rest of the world of Paganism. Serious, beautiful, elaborate rituals and ceremonies can be wonderful-- but the Divine may also be approached on a down-to-earth level; and has a sense of humor. Laughter in fact, may be an appropriate offering, and a way to build magical energy if one knows how to do that and focus it towards a positive goal.

Much, much more on all of that later.

The Crafters, which has been disbanded for some time, was highly influential in the forming of multiple groups in Michigan. Most of it's members at one point or another taught classes or formed groups of their own. In terms of order of progression, those wonderful family circle moments we shared in a small town effected each of those member's and their perspectives and philosophies, which they have then shared with others. I think it is noteworthy that this group formed a very unique tradition that blended elements of traditional ritual with more eclectic ones- and sometimes, quite eccentric. Our traditions however made sense for us.

Sometimes understanding comes in context. A person who had never been to a crafters ritual and read the notes for a particular circle might wonder why the circle was opened with the phrase "Everybody Duck!" . Being there would make it clear and funny-because you would have seen the HP, a short guy swinging a sword around in a crowded small living room.

Rituals were always lively, and filled with a sense of Love and Family. We were known for the humor we would sometimes incorporate, but we also as a group studied many spiritual and magical traditions and learned a lot together. Although the group no longer exists, there is some material on the web that talks about the experiences those people shared together, which may give insight to others studying the craft or having their own experiences and explorations.

The image at the top of this post was the Crafter's Logo, drawn by Figment, who was the high priest of the group and known for his creativity. :-)


Here are some relevant pages:


PYTHONIC WICCA



CRAFTER's WEBPAGE


FIGMENT's RECCOMENDED READING LIST

PS Fig- May the circle be unbroken, and may we prove that the miles don't matter. That said, I'm never going to get the ninja surprise Eldering- so, do I at least get mingions now? ;-)~

Ah, it's that time of year....

I remember the first time I attended a Pagan Yule Gathering. I was sixteen, and an older girlfriend of mine called and invited me to go. We were dressed in Renaissance knock-off thrift store finery, with our best ribbons in our hair. That one event was the doorway I had been looking for into the world I belonged to. I had been having my own private spiritual experiences since I was a child, particularly in moments when I was out by myself in nature. I was very attuned to the Pagan spirit of things and some forms of Wiccan tradition, even though I didn't have those words until I was about 11. After I found several books that really talk about the history and philosophy of natural magic in a sphere of spirituality, I had spent several frustrating young years looking for a gathering like this.

I met that day quite a few people that came to mean a great deal to my life. ( I don't think any of those folks would mind their names being used, after all, once you're on the cover of the Detroit New's what's the point of hanging out in the broom closet? But, still. )One day one of them will stumble through here, and hopefully it will make them smile to be remembered. I wonder if they had any idea how excited I was to be there, if it shined through my eyes like I bet it did.

There was a huge circle, which was properly prepared and cleansed, the elements were invited, the God and Goddess called, and a Divine play was performed about the Holly King and the Oak King. We did some meditation and asked for blessings in the coming year, and did a great communal dance that began as a circle and became a spiral. Winded and full of laughter, we all shared a huge pot luck feast. I think that might have been the night of Nathan's Wiccaning, too- I remember Pascal saying "I give you power over fire." and having him blow out a candle.

That time for me is steeped in them memory of forming deep and lasting friendships that had a sense of being family on a soul level. The way I value things in life may come from a principal I have about regarding and respecting the value of connection and community.

think there was a tradition somewhere.....

we would gather together in the cold to share warmth and bread, and light and laughter; and as the evening deepened there would be stories......
so perhaps this winter I will share some of mine, and try to get some interesting Pagans to share some stories of their own personal journeys.

:-)

Nicolette Stevens/ Sylviana

The Importance of Elders

In very simple terms an Elder is one who is further up the path, someone who has more life experience as well as seasoned training and many skills in whatever path they walk. In some Pagan traditions what this means is very formalized, and in others it is not. It may be easier to understand what the role of Elder really means by watching the behavior of those you would give that respect and regard.

One such person in my life was Jerik Danerson, who was a master Tarot Reader and Palmist on Jackson Square in New Orleans for over 30 years. He also was a Pagan Elder and fine High Priest, who shared his knowledge and great depth of feeling freely and with love to all who approached with an open mind and heart.



Jerik worked on the square regularly, and while sitting at his Tarot set up spent his days conversing with his colleagues, with friends, clients and visitors to the city. He loved New Orleans very much, and delighted in showing visitors around and telling them about the amazingly interesting history of places in the French Quarter. He always found time to have long and deep talks with people from all walks of life, and frequently gave great kindness to those many people would overlook. He took street kids into his home and would give them a safe place to stay while they got on their feet. In between his readings he could often be found helping his friends sort out their issues with each other; encouraging this couple not to fight, this parent to do the best for their child, these friends to work together on important things, that artistic tourist to follow their heart and learn to paint or do whatever it is that moved them. Jerik was truly a Southern Gentleman; he was gracious in speech, kind in word and deed, loyal in friendship, protective of loved ones, and genuine in his dedication to his spiritual callings. He was a man who regularly found joy in the simple things in life, and even in the most difficult times would look for the good.

He was an incredible writer and a storyteller that I would describe as bardically gifted, and it was a great joy to me that he constantly encouraged me. I am blessed to have known him, to have shared letters with him, and countless nights of wonderful conversations. Jerik meant a great deal more to me than I know how to say. If someones life could be an example of what an Elder is, I think Jerik Danerson is one who should be honored in this regard.

He wrote me an amazing letter once with his story of making it through the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, and should you be interested I recommend having a read. You can find it here:

Jerik's Hurricane Katrina Story


Happy Birthday Jerik, I raise my glass and my heart to you!

Community Alters

(alters-and-offerings#2- photo by Nikki Stevens)

Here is an example of what I would call a community alter. The large Budda statue sat in an outdoor garden that was shared by a community of people, who all started to add things like candle holders and flowers around the statue. It is an interesting example to me of how an impromptu moment of community sharing can cause people with different perspectives on their personal spiritual philosophies to share a space and an intention in harmony.

Alters and Offerings

There are many different styles of making prayers and offerings, and people of all kinds of spiritualities have different ways of setting up spaces that honnor sacred concepts. Some people are very spartan in terms of physical elements they use to represent personal connection to spiritual things, others are very elaborate. This is the first in a series of photos I've been taking over time, to represent different styles of alters and offerings. Above is a photo of a simple offering of flowers that was placed in a backyard to honnor the nature spirits and the divine.

Power in Visualization or Vivid Imagination

I remember another moment from childhood with a crisp visvidness. It was perhaps the first time I can remember feeling astonished by being met with an expression of the metaphysical theorys my young mind was working on.

My mother and I were coming out of a hardware store in the Summer, and there was a sidewalk sale. It was the early eighties, and in the small suburban town I was in, this was almost something of a social event. There was a vendor with cotton candy. There were tables of stickers and toys and other things for very low prices. I'm sure there were hotdogs. I remember that there were games. One of them involved spinning a roulette wheel after guessing a number. If it landed on your number you won a prize. I wanted the little stuffed puppy, and badly. I guessed my favorite number, and the roulette wheel spun round and round. In my mind, I VIVIDLY IMAGINED that ball landing in the numbered spot I wanted. Just as the picture was totally clear, the spinner stopped. On my number. I got the stuffed puppy.

My imaginary friend said “ Well, now that you know how that works, life is going to get extremely interesting. “

I was about seven, and I still remember that moment very clearly. It's curious, the way such things come so naturally to children. I think there really must be something to the idea that children have not been taught to believe that magic isn't real yet, that their ideas are not steeped in the knowledge of a firm set of rules for reality, and that their experiences of fairytale stories and superhero cartoons in fact sttep them in the idea that magic really is real and the adults don't get it. That in fact is why Peter and Wendy didn't want to grow up- they didn't want to loose the land of make believe and the feeling that it has a certain kind of reality to it.

25 years later, I'm more rather than less sure that what we believe and dream are possible, and how we think on those things, has a -dramatic- effect on the courses and pathways of our lives. Whether we know it or not.

Updates on this page and explanations for the existance of the platypus

I think I've already made a nice start here, and I'm glad. I can't wait to be able to fix my old computer and get the information of a hard drive that needs repaired- I have all of the documents for a class I taught on Wicca and Paganism for two years, and all of the notes from a class I taught on Tarot.

Back when I was teaching there were always plans for a website, but I didn't have the knowledge to do it. Now, I can preserve and share the work that I did in this format, and over time build a website from all the notes. Particularly after a letter I got from an old friend today, I feel moved to do so. Apparently something I said to him ten years ago in a conversation we had about Paganism actually made some kind of positive difference in his life. Knowing that made me feel very warm and fuzzy, and it also made me feel even more as though now would be a good time to make those things available for folks who might get something out of it.

Now, things are still informal, and I suppose I could just chatter about my experiences and background so people reading these notes can get a feel for where I am coming from.

I grew up in Michigan, and had what I would call natural mystical leanings as a child. I had an affinity for playing in the woods, with friends and especially alone. When I would wander around in wooded areas by myself as a young girl, I had moments of blissful feeling that made me have a sense f being connected to everything in the universe, and as though even being was an act of communion with the Divine. I was only about nine when I developed an interest in actually studying and trying to experiment with these Mysterious and Natural Spiritual things I could sense, but not exactly see or touch. I remember reading a few new age books on extra sensory perception and metaphysics, and getting a sense from them of things like techniques and uses of visualization and relaxation. They also showed me my first guided meditations, which I tried out on all of my friends at slumber parties and walks in the woods. ( LOL- but true. ) It was around then that I got my first deck of fortune telling cards, in a clearance bin at a hardware shop after Halloween for a Quarter. LOL. I taught myself how to use those, too, and also practiced at the coveted slumber party gatherings.

Funny enough, that was about 23 years ago.... and I -still- read cards, and have done so to make a living for a good many years!

Anybody who doesn't see a delightful and sometimes charmingly ironic sense of humor in the Divine has not heard of the platypus!

Love,
Nicolette

Serindipity and Connectivity

See, now I know that “The Goddess” or “The Divine” or “The connective forces of the Universe” or “Neture” or “Quantum Physics” works in really fracking Mysterious ways, Ways beyond my comprehension, but not occasionally, my delight. Of course I always knew that, but this one made me smile.

Once upon a time, in another life, when I was about 19 I worked for the Ohio Renaissance fair. I was living in my very first apartment in Detroit, managing a retail art store, and driving back and fourth to this Renaissance festival in Ohio on the weekends. Among other things on my adventures there, I got to begin to learn sword fighting, got to wear an amazingly boned and tailored Elizabethan bodice and dress, sold pewter jewelery, and made ridiculous sums of money for a nineteen year old hippy. I did one cool thing then that only 2 other people knew I was involved in- I started writing notes from “the merry little elves”, purchasing roses, and sending them one by one to random strangers that appeared to deserve in intriguing random reason to smile. The lady who lost her kids and spend hours waiting at the gate, the tired shop keep, the boy with the broken heart- all got these random single roses and notes. It was a cute little way to make people smile, and it was fun to be in cahoots with the rose seller, my liaison in the flower running business.

I made many cool friends there, and lost track of all of them in the set of moves and life changes over the following decade. While working on my blogs one day I ran across someone else's post that mentioned a dream with me in it.... err...on some random blog. Of course I had to look, and couldn't immediately figure out if it was about me or about someone with the same name, but it sure sounded like me. And then, this person starts talking about New Orleans?

Turns out it was one of the folks I was friends with way back then. He wrote me back after I commented to him, and how cool! Apparently I had a conversation with him about Paganism -that- long ago during the summer we were hanging out, and it affected his life positively enough that he still remembered me all these years later; and somehow also wound up living in New Orleans at some point in his journeys. Very interesting. It really goes to support my theory that there is some connective force in the world that moves many of us along the same pathways.

Sacred Days and the Seasonal Cycle as Metaphor

Sacred Days
~Sylviana


Every day is a holy day. We turn to face the Sun, and it 'rises' out of darkness, giving birth to and being 'reborn' into a new day. Yesterday is gone, except for the affect it has had on our lives and the memories we carry. No matter how beautiful or sad, it is done, and something new has begun in its place.

The aspirations and dreams we have built over time have new opportunities to be evaluated and progress. Each new day we live is a sacred day, a gift from the Gods. It is ours to live as we choose, though we are counciled to live it with all the wisdom and love we have inside.

"Saving time" is not possible, only choices in how we spend it are possible. Time is spent weather we will it or not, weather we are conscious of its process or not, and weather or not we become an active part in the process. It is given to you to spend, but be aware of both the gift and the spending.


Cycle of Seasons and Metaphor of Life


The cycle of seasons is a very real thing we can experience in nature. It is also a grand metaphor, and from watching the cycle progress we may learn lessons that help us to understand the cycles of our own lives better.

In our lives we experience the year long play of the seasons, this cycle which repeats year after year. We respond to them in different ways as we grow. As children, we looked forward to throwing snowballs in winter and eating ice cream on a hot summer day, and we began to understand them in reference to how they affected our play. We may have been curious at the different ways we noticed animals behaving at different times of the year- how we could hear baby birds chirping for food in the spring and summer- and how we saw them form ling lines and fly towards warmer places in the fall. However it affected each of us personally, an experience of the cycles of nature grows within each child. As we mature, we continue to experience the cycles of nature through how they affect our lives, and are more or less aware of the progression of seasons. This experience is a common denominator in the human experience of life.

Seasons have been a part of the lives of every person, and all living creatures. The experience of them may differ in places with climates and weather patterns that are not alike, but some forms of seasonal change exist everywhere on the planet. No matter how different the land or the time, there has always been a cyclical pattern of changes in weather and temperature which has been noted and experienced by its people. This cycle connects us to all of that history.

This year long cycle of changes has several phases. It has a beginning, a time which is a period of fertilization and new growth. It has a period of maturation, when things become ripe. It has a period of harvest, during which things are gathered and consumed or saved. It has a time of decline and passing, which we have more or less prepared for in the seasons that lead to it, and that season makes the world ready to grow again when the time is right. In its passing, it creates the circumstances under which the cycle may begin again and continue. The beginning is found in the ending, and the ending affects what will come to be.

It is life, and a metaphor for life. It is itself, and represents more than itself. It represents the history out of which it came, and the future which it will bring.

It represents the cycle of the life span of everything that lives; every person, every creature, every plant. There is birth; growth, fertilization, ripeness, harvest, contemplation, passing, and transformation. The present and continuing moment is a part of the movement of this cycle, and has a cycle of its own. Each day is a part of the cycle, and has a cycle of its own. Lives, years, seasons, days and nights all reflect in one another; they share common patterns. By experiencing the patterns of the seasons fully, and coming to understand them in a philosophical way, you may also come to understand other patterns. It will enrich your life and your understanding of life. As that understanding deepens, your ability to make good choices in living will expand, and you will be more able to bring into existence the things you want to harvest.

Divination Tips for Beginners

A list of general things that may help in performing Divination

1. Find a place and a time where you will not be disturbed for the length of your work. It is entirely possible to do a divination accurately in the presence of a lot of people, but that can be a distraction to the ability to concentrate. Especially in the beginning, it will help you to work on divination in a relatively quiet and comfortable place.

2. Practice. Divination uses a particular skill set, and like with any developing set of skills, regular practice will help you get better at it.

3. When learning a particular system it helps to find ways to integrate it in some way into your regular schedule. Make it a habit. If you were studying runes, I would suggest drawing a single rune at the beginning of the day concentrating on a simple current question like "How should I approach this day?". Similar things can be done with the Tarot and other forms of divination.

4. If you are using a system that gives it's answers through a set of already determined symbols, work on learning the meanings of those symbols.

5. Don't be afraid to look everything up in several different books as you begin to read. Do that until you are feeling a stronger sense of the meaning of each card or rune.

6. Pay attention to the way symbols correlate to one another. Different parts of a given system interact with one another in a way that is easier to interpret when you understand how the different parts function. In the suits of the Tarot, for instance, each suit has an elemental correspondence and each number of each suit has a particular function. Overlaying the functions of the numbers on what you know about the elements may tell you more about the meaning of a particular card.

7. Once you are feeling that you have a sense of the meanings of the symbols you are working with, start relying on your intuition more and more. Start interpreting readings by yourself, and then pick up a book about your art and see what it says. Think about the similarities and differences you find.

8. When you find that your own feeling is different than what your books may say, think about it. You may find that you did not understand a particular card or symbol, or that you misremembered one for another. As you practice more and more, that will change into a new level of confidence. You may find that when you get a different sense of a symbol, you are intuiting the meaning of the symbol in direct relation to what you are reading about, and that means that you're getting somewhere.

9. You may wish to do a short period of meditation before you read. It helps to read when feeling comfortable, centered, and focused. Above all, remember that Divination is about looking to the Divine for council. It helps to light a candle and some incense, say a prayer, and do a blessing of the self.

by Nicolette Stevens, Reprintable with credit to and permission of author-
just send me a message and ask.

The Elements: I

*note- when I wrote this article I was teaching a class on Wicca, so the concept of Elements is framed within the Wiccan concept of working natural magick within a particular type of Pagan Circle. The correspondences and basic concepts hold weather you follow Wicca, a different Pagan path, or something with less dogmatic definition entirely. The meditation may be useful to anyone of any spiritual path.

The Elements
~sylviana

The four elements are Earth, Air, Fire and Water. They combine to make the fifth element, called Spirit or Akasha.

In Wicca the elements are revered as honored guests and friends, although they are not worshiped as Deity. They are seen as very powerful energies present in all life, and we call on them to aid in ritual and magick. It is believed that each of the four elements must exist in a state of balance with one another, and that each is necessary to sustain life. The concept of four elements as the components or "creative forces" of life is believed to have originated during the classical period of ancient Greece.

The elements are often personified as Elementals, beings or spirits that are of a particular element. Gnomes and Dryads are associated with Earth. Zephyrs and Fairies are associated with Air. Salamanders and Fire drakes are associated with Fire. Undines and Mermaids are associated with Water.

When we speak of an Element we are referring to the essence of all that element is, it's essential energy, and what it represents to us. When we speak of Elementals we are referring to beings or spirits associated with a particular element.

Elements can act in a variety of combinations, which you will understand if you watch and think about patterns of nature and natural occurrences. Mist for instance, can be seen as a combination of Water and Air.

Many people feel more drawn to and able to work with specific elements. This is perfectly natural. It may be the result of current circumstances in a persons life, or have something to do with the essential constitution of one's personality and psyche. To practice Wicca however, you should become comfortable working with each of the elements. It will be necessary to performing effective Wiccan ritual and Magick, and will help to create the personal balance we strive for and need to attain in spirituality and the practice of magick. Balance regarding the elemental energies is very important. It is okay to feel more naturally connected to one of the elements, but not at the expense of coming to an understanding and forming relationships with each of them.

Generally in Wicca we focus on the positive aspects of the elements; however it should be noted that they all have negative aspects as well. Negative aspects of the elements seem to arise when they are out of balance with one another. For instance physical illness and earthquakes can be attributed to Earth; mental instability and tornadoes can be attributed to Air, destructive passions and erupting volcanoes can be attributed to fire, depression and floods can be attributed to Water.

As you progress in your studies you will begin to be able to recognize the elements in nature, how they interact with one another, how they interact with you personally, what they represent and why, and what they feel like. Perceiving and working with elemental energy is a primary component of Wiccan ritual and magick. It is also important to the understanding and integration of spiritual philosophies associated with this path.

You should begin by learning about each element and what it represents.

Earth

The element of Earth represents the firmament, the earth itself. We are sustained by the food that it's flora and fauna provide. Earth is also associated with the physical stuff of our homes, our clothing, and even our bodies. Concepts associated with Earth are stability, growth, and fertility. It's directional correspondence is North and the color most frequently used to represent it is green.

Air

The element of Air represents the air we breathe, the breath of life, which is necessary to us from the time we enter this life until the time we leave it. It rules over many of the things we cannot see, but know to exist, like the mind and thought. Intellect, knowledge of truth, and mental inspiration are concepts associated with Air. It's directional correspondence is East and the color most frequently used to represent it is yellow.

Fire

The element of fire represents the spark of life, the warmth we need, and the blood that courses through our veins. It rules over light which is necessary to see, and also represents the metaphorical concept of the Light which we need to be able to See. Concepts associated with Fire are purification, energy, will and passion. It's directional correspondence is South and the color most frequently used to represent it is red.

Water

The element of Water represents the waters of the world, which we take into ourselves to sustain life. Rain, rivers, springs and oceans are all things of Water. Concepts associated with water are healing, nurturance, dreams, the emotions, and Love. It's directional correspondence is West and the color most frequently used to represent it is blue.

Spirit

Spirit is not exactly an element, but more like the essence of what the other elements come from, and the synthesis of what they are when combined in perfect harmony. Spirit represents the essence of our being, and our connection to the Divine. It is everywhere, nowhere, and at the 'center'. The color most frequently associated with it is purple.

Exercise:

Get a candle in the appropriate color for each element. (votive candles are inexpensive and work well. Another option is to get votive candle cups in the appropriate colors and use white candles. The look of candle flames through glass as they begin to burn down can be very aesthetically pleasing.) You may chose to anoint the candles with oils appropriate to each element, or to gently carve appropriate symbols into them. Also find something to represent each element. (Look around your home, you may be surprised by what you find.) Some possibilities are feathers for air, red satin cloth for fire, a goblet of water, and stones for earth. What you specifically use is not as important at this point as finding those things that evoke a sense of the element for you. You may be as creative or Spartan as you like.

Meditate on each element separately. To give yourself ample time, I would recommend doing this on different days or nights. You may chose to work at times associated with each of the elements (look at the elemental table.), or at a specific time each day. Set up the candle and elemental representative wherever you normally do indoor meditation. Relax yourself and do the grounding and centering meditation and visualization. Then light the candle (you may also wish to burn incense) and focus on the element you are working on. Think about what you know it to represent on both natural and metaphorical levels. Get a sense of what it's energy is like.

When you are ready, ask it for guidance in understanding it's nature, and what it means to you in your life right now. Then give yourself a few quiet moments to let your mind wander and try to find a sense of knowing.

When you are finished, thank the element for it's presence and guidance. Add the words "Stay if you will, but go if you must.", to the end of your thanks. Blow out the candle, and spend a few moments writing your impressions down in your journal.

You may wish to ground and center again, particularly if you feel overly energetic or out of balance. You may also wish to eat something, which will help you to ground and balance if you have raised energy in the process of your meditation.

Continue to do this exercise until you have a good sense of the energy of each Element.

How to Ground, Balance and Center

~Sylviana

Grounding: A method of making a connection with the Earth, releasing excess energy, and/or transforming negative energy into positive energy.

Balancing: The act of evening out and finding the point of most stability. Centering: A method of anchoring to that place in the center of your being which is the synthesis of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts; as well as the meeting point of all of your senses.

Visualization: The act of imagining in great detail, in a way that deeply involves your mind and provokes the senses. Some people actually see images while visualizing, like when in a dream state. Others feel the sensation physically, or become a part of it from a primarily emotional place. Essentially, use whatever skills you used when playing "make believe" as a child. Visualization is the act of consciously directed daydreaming.

Prayer: The act of acknowledging your connection to the Divine, and communicating with that Source. Prayer is an act of honoring both the Source and the connection to it. It is a time for giving thanks; and for asking for things like guidance, understanding, protection and Love. It is a great source of comfort and pleasure, feelings of love and well being. Prayer tends to be the central component in acts of worship, and may be expressed in a variety of ways. Prayer can be both formal and informal. It may be something written out and performed with ritual. It can be words thought or spoken, already written out, or made up on the spot. It can also be an act that becomes like a prayer. Singing or dancing can be used as an act of prayer; as can any act of creation. Sometimes a simple song on the radio or the feelings inspired by dancing with a partner you care for can spontaneously become a prayer, whether or not it started that way!

Affirmation: A statement you make to yourself which encourages positive transformation within yourself, which is geared to effect your life in positive ways. Here is a description of a basic visualization for grounding, centering, and balancing. Read it over several times, until you get the feel of what you will be doing. Then try it. You can amend the visualization to include things that make sense for you, as long as it works towards the same purpose. For instance, some people imagine that their tree is next to a gentle river, and that their roots are stretching into the water and being cleansed and nurtured from that source. When you do the visualization, it will help to do some simple stretches to relieve body tension before hand, and to be in a physically comfortable position. If you don't want to fall asleep, I recommend sitting in a chair, kneeling, or sitting on the floor in Native American or lotus style. Take as long as you need to relax yourself with slow, deep breaths. Try to ensure that you are sitting with a posture that aligns your spine without making you overly tense. Obviously, you should not do this while driving in a car, or operating heavy machinery! However, you will find that over time you will be able to trigger that sense of balance and solidarity just by thinking about it for a moment.

Grounding and Centering Meditation

To prepare yourself before beginning….

~ Do what you can to ensure that you will be free of distraction for a few moments. This may include turning off the television, radio, telephone ringer, loud appliances, etc. If you live with others you may wish to let them know that you need a few minutes by yourself.

~ Relax~

Get into a comfortable position; whether seated in a chair or on the floor, or lying down. (* Some people are prone to falling asleep while meditating laying down. If you want to avoid this, you may want to use one of the seated positions, or try laying down in an area you don't normally sleep in. Of course, falling asleep while meditating is not a "bad" thing, but is counter productive if you are trying to do work that is controlled in a conscious fashion. On the other hand, if you have trouble falling asleep, the same skills can be used to encourage restful sleep.)

~ Spend a few moments becoming conscious of your breath, and allowing it to become slow and deep. You should breathe "from your diaphragm", which is an involuntary muscle underneath your lungs, near your navel. The muscles around the diaphragm allow it to lower and raise, sort of like a bellows. When it lowers, it expands amount of space the lungs have to fill up with air. By controlling these muscles you can take in more fresh air and expel air that is "stale". You can also exhale for an extended period of time very smoothly. Breathing this way promotes good circulation and a general state of calmness. It is the natural way to breathe, but most people have a tendency to develop habits of breathing shallowly, only filling up the top portion of the lungs. If you are breathing from your chest, you will feel your sternum and chest raise as you inhale. If you are breathing from your diaphragm your tummy, instead of your chest, will go out; and the muscles around your ribs will allow the rib cage to open slightly. When you are ready, lead yourself through the following visualization process. You may wish to keep notes on your progress in your journal.

A visualization for Grounding and Centering.

Take some slow deep breaths, and tell yourself that you are relaxing as you breathe deeply. Close your eyes and count back from 10 to one, slowly, with your breaths. Imagine yourself as a tree, and give yourself a few moments to imagine what that would be like. Imagine the sensation of bark; the feeling of a gentle breeze through your branches, the stability of being rooted and solid, the warmth of sunlight, the joy and nurturence in soft rain that trickles down leaves and trunk to seep down to your roots in the Earth. Imagine that you can feel your energy connecting to the earth through your roots. Imagine that all negative energy (like fear, guilt, anger, and sadness) is slipping down into the Earth through your roots.

Imagine that energy is transforming, being cleansed in the cool earth, and imagine drawing it up again through your roots. It is helpful to breathe out while you are focusing on the negative energy sinking into the earth, and in when you are focusing on returning the transformed energy to your body. You can let go of tension over specific situations or more general feelings. You can also focus on easing physical tension or illness. When you have imagined that for a while, imagine doing something similar through your branches, into the sky. Spend some time with that, and then try to develop a circuit from your center to the earth, back into you, up into the sky, and back into your center.

Naturally, you will discover that there is a place that is in between the earth and the sky, and that point is your center. When you feel clean and calm bring that energy which was yours back in through your branches and roots, into that center.Spend a moment noticing how much more stable and strong you feel. If you like, you can spend a few moments thinking about things you are grateful for in your life, and people that make you smile. It's a good moment to say a prayer, both to request guidance and protection, and in thanks for the blessings in your life. Your mind is also more responsive to affirmations in this state. An affirmation is a statement to yourself such as "I am calmer and more centered now. It will be easier for me to handle the everyday moments of life by taking this feeling into it. This energy will help me in my day." They can be as long or short as you like it to be, and can be designed to help with a variety of things (like quitting smoking, or being more organized.) It should focus on changes you think would be beneficial for you to make inside of yourself, changes that will help in your life.

When you are ready, take a few more deep breaths, and find yourself becoming more in touch with your physical body, and the place you are in. Wiggle your toes. Become aware of what sounds you hear. stretch your hand out. Open your eyes. Take another focused breath, and then allow yourself to return to normal.

by Nicolette Stevens aka Sylviana,
Reprintable with permission from and credit given to author,
just send me a message and ask. :-)