Spirit Guides

Topic: Spirit Guides

Presenter(s): Willow, Kathy

Date: 12/1/11

Spirit Guides 

"A spirit guide is a being which connects itself to you, most commonly to offer guidance. Some spirit guides will stay with you for life while others may be with you only for a few minutes."



Types of Spirit Guides:
Messenger Guide: A messenger guides appears in your life briefly to impart some piece of information, be it a warning or spiritual revelation. These guides can be a powerful presence in your psyche, or a soft zephyr on the edge of your consciousness. Because these guides are completely impartial, the message they bring can have a negative or positive impact on your life.

Shadow Guide: These guides impart strong feelings of fear in those they appear to. Their purpose is to impart a lesson you have not learned through repeated mistakes. Generally, these mistakes are born through negative character traits such a jealousy, avarice, and anger. If these guides are ignored, they will keep reappearing in your life, bringing stronger emotions with them, until the lesson is learned. Most commonly these guides appear at times of testing.

Journey Guide: These guides appear to you when you make a decision to follow a certain path in life. They will guide your footsteps on that path, and leave when you have finished that cycle in your life.

Life Guide: These are the typical “Spirit Guides” that everyone thinks of. They may enter your life at any point and stay with you until the very end. Sometimes your Life Guide will be replaced with a different guide when your life path shifts outside of the previous guide’s ability to help.


Seeking a Spirit Guide:
Most commonly spirit guides are found through meditation, although it is possible for them to reveal themselves via dreams. In some traditions, it is wise to have an offering on hand, to thank the guide for choosing to guide you.

When seeking a guide, drop into a meditative state focused on asking for guidance. Have a clear defined reason in your mind why you want to meet your guide. Remember, your spirit guide is not for you to pick. You may love foxes, but have a guide that is a sparrow. Spirit guides are not bound by what you like, but answer to what you need. In your meditation, you may either allow a landscape to form around your astral self, or meditate in a complete and empty place. When in a landscape, often the guide will come from behind something (a tree or building) to reveal itself to you. When surrounded by nothing, you will often see animal forms in the distance, hunting, playing, in general going about their business. The animals will fade out of sight until your guide remains.

These are only two common ways of seeking a guide. How you search for your guide is
up to you.


Developing and Maintaining Your Relationship:Once you have connected with one or more of your spirit guides, the next step is to develop and maintain your relationship. The first step to developing a close relationship with your guide is to learn about it. If it is an animal, learn about its behavior and physiology. If possible, visit its habitat and meditate. If your guide is a mythological being, learn the legends surrounding it. And if your guide is a human, try to judge the era it is from and learn about what its life would have been like. No matter what you guide, it is always good to place an image of it or its kind on your altar to honour it. To maintain your relationship with your guide, communicate with it. Don’t feel self conscious speaking aloud to it if it is around. By verbally addressing your spirit guide, you help anchor yourself to it. It is always nice to leave treats out for your guide if you can.


Contacting Your Guide:If you need or wish to seek your guide’s advice and it is not around, find a place where you can meditate. When meditating, form in your mind the issue you would like help with and wait. You may not receive a response. Your guide may feel that this is an issue you must deal with on your own, or the problem may be outside of the guide’s scope.

Guides are not omnipresent and can only help you using there own skill set. A good metaphor for this would be like a plumber to rewire your house. A plumber is no less skilled than an electrician, but their skills lie a realm apart. Likewise, a squirrel is no less skillful as a guide than a bear is, yet they each can only assist you with what they know.

Centering, Grounding, Shielding,

Topic: Centering, Grounding, Shielding

Presenter: Cat

Date: 11/3/11

 Centering, Grounding, Shielding

Centering
     Centering is the practice of bringing yourself into yourself. This can be done physical, mentally, spiritually and is most effective in a combination of the three.

• Physically: Choose a position that is comfortable to you, makes you aware of yourself, but you will not fall asleep in. This can be standing with feet shoulder-width apart (this is good for a public or group ritual) or sitting cross-legged (best for personal ritual, meditation, other solitary acts). You may also decide to do a yoga position instead.
       Close your eyes and begin to breathe steadily. You may choose to breathe in, hold your breath, and then exhale after a few moments. Some people choose to do this in counts of three, or simply focus on the normal pattern of their breath.
  
• Mentally: There are a few options here. In the first, you should picture a place that calms you. Imagine breathing in the good things about that place, and exhaling all your inner stresses, worries, and negativity. Do this until you feel calm.
       The other option is to picture yourself as a silhouette. As you breathe in, imagine breathing in white light; as you breathe out, imagine exhaling shadow. As before, do this until you feel calm.
• Spiritually: This varies from person to person, but upon being centered physically and mentally, you may choose to spiritually center yourself. This, like with the mental techniques, can be done by inhaling spiritual force, divinity, or whatever else you connect with on the spiritual plane. If you so choose, and it works for you, you may also call in a god or goddess for calm, sincerity, and/or peace.

Remember: centering is about you, not your friends, family, pets, etc. This is personal, so do
not allow external factors, no matter how benign they may seem, to influence you here.

Grounding
     Grounding is the practice of taking your center and rooting it in the physical or the Earth. Ritual work, ecstatic work, divination, and many other Pagan spiritual acts can be very energetic in nature. We all need somewhere to put this excess energy, or somewhere to keep ourselves rooted into the Here-and-Now. Grounding does this.
     One popular technique of grounding is the Tree Method. In this technique, you imagine your center expelling a root or tendril down toward the Earth from your feet. Once it meets the Earth, you can imagine the Earth sending back a tendril or more to stabilize you. From your head or hands, imagine doing the same for the Sky/Heavens/etc. and receiving the same. Once you feel stable, you are grounded.

Shielding
     Shielding is arguably the most important of the three techniques here. It keeps your center, Self, etc. from being infiltrated or accosted by external forces, or simply keeps your inner-self from going every which way about this and other planes.
     To shield, you may choose a variety of things. First, think of what makes you feel safe. This can be a hug, a bubble, a locked door, walls, virtually anything. If, for example, you choose locked doors, picture yourself in a room with a door. Close the door and lock it, but make sure to put Will into it. You are now shielded. For more flexibility, picture a bubble expanding around you. This bubble is impenetrable, unless you decide to lower it or break it.

Things to Note
     It is important to remember that you do what works for you. My personal methods of centering, grounding, and shielding are variations on each of these, and those also vary depending on what I need at the time. You should figure out what works best for you and do that, not simply mimic what others tell you. Magic, even in basic forms such as these, is heavily personal. Simply keep this in mind when you go about this:
          Centering- personal energy
          Grounding- stabilization
          Shielding- protection
     These key words will help guide you through your methods of centering, grounding, and shielding.

Pagan Origins of Jewish Stuff

Note: This was not presented in a PSA meeting, this is outside research done by a PSA member and written for the blog.

 

Topic: “Pagan Origins of Jewish Stuff”

Author: Nathan

Date: 10/17/11

“Pagan Origins of Jewish Stuff”

Hexagrams:

            Hexagrams are usually associated with Judaism, or Jewish (Israeli) nationalism, and are usually referred to as “Stars of David.”  It is not likely, however, that David ever used it for any reason during his lifetime.

 Kabbalists, or Jewish mystics, originally called it the “Seal of Solomon” in late ancient and early medieval times.

            Later, the pentagram became known as the Seal of Solomon, while the hexagram began to be referred to as the Star (or Shield) of David.

            Hexagrams have been traced back to the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Greeks (who referred to the Canaanites as Phoenicians), and Romans—and ultimately to the Jews (or Judaeans), the Christians, and Muslims.

            Hexagrams have also been found in Central Asia, east Iran, and India. According to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, “The symbol of the hexagram, the star-like figure formed by two triangles, has many connotations, especially when it is enclosed by a circle; super-natural powers have been attributed to it in many parts of the world since ancient times.”

            A hexagram also symbolizes sexual union, fertility, and reproduction—which would be a good reason for the Canaanites to have used it, in the Fertile Crescent!

            In the Israeli article, “King Solomon’s Seal,” it is also said that “the clearest meaning of the hexagram is associated with magical techniques to ward off evil forces,” which is why it is associated with Solomon, who used it as such, according to legend. According to the Hebrew Scriptures, he had married many Pagan women.

            For the Pythagoreans in Greece, both the hexagram and pentagram symbolized “heaven and its reflection on earth, the divine and its reflection in creation and of the connection between heaven and hell, between the macrocosm and the microcosm, and between spirit and matter.”

            With pentagrams, you can have them point-side up to represent one concept, and point-side down to represent the other—with hexagrams, they are kind of like yin-yang symbols, representing both concepts.

            There is more in the “King Solomon’s Seal” article too, about its meanings for medieval Muslims (who may have gotten it from the Greeks), and how an expert on the Kabbalah, Gershom Scholem, believes it entered “Judaism from Islamic traditions.”

            Apparently, there is no actual religious significance for the symbol in Judaism—some orthodox Jews (even in Israel) reject its use on account of its “magical,” “Kabbalistic,” and hence, “Pagan” connotations!

Back to Pagan Roots:

            I have found it really fascinating, how far you can take finding the Pagan roots of things considered uniquely “Jewish,” “Christian,” or “Muslim.”

            With the city of Jerusalem, for example, the “Salem” part refers to the Canaanite god of dusk (and some say of the evening star, or Venus!). In English, it is also spelled “Shalem,” “Shalim,” “Shalom,” and so on, because ancient Semitic languages had no written vowels. “Solomon” is also derived from it!

            Mount Zion, which is near Jerusalem, was known as such to the Canaanites, too—it meant “seat of a god.” The Jewish or Israeli websites I have perused say it means “seat of God’s ark.”

            The all-god, or creator-god, of the Canaanites was El. It is a word that references “God” in Hebrew, as “Il” or “Al” do in Arabic. Hebraic angels all have “-el” in their names, too—Michael, Gabriel, Ariel, Raphael, Samael, et cetera. So, with lesser deities in the services of a creator-god, it is kind of like polytheism in disguise!

            In the Hebrew Scriptures, also, “God” reveals Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai!

Fall Holidays:

            For a three-week period in Autumn, there are three holidays considered uniquely “Jewish”—Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Yom Kippur (or Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (or Feast of Booths). As with many Christian holidays, however, these and other Jewish celebrations have their roots in Pagan festivals.

            Rosh Hashanah has its Pagan roots in the Akitu harvest festival of the Babylonians, which is also a New Year’s one (New Year’s holidays were celebrated twice a year, too, in Babylon).

            Yom Kippur also has its Pagan roots in the Kuppuru ritual or ceremony, of the Babylonians and the Assyrians. It too had to do with a form of purging and atonement.

            Sukkot has its roots in the Canaanites’ autumn harvest festival. It is also referred to as the Feast of Ingathering. It may have been celebrated, along with Akitu and Kuppuru, in Babylon, as part of a three-week long harvest festival, according to Theodore Reik, author of Pagan Rites in Judaism.

The Sabbath Day:

            The Sabbath was originally a Pagan “custom [which] seems to derive from a day set apart by the Babylonians and Canaanites, in connexion with their cult of the moon,” according to Michael Grant, author of The History of Ancient Israel [p.59]. (Grant used the original spelling of the word “connection,” here.)

 So, Sabbath, Sabbat, or Shabbat—however one spells it—is originally a term from Semitic Paganism, as well! Thus, it was not actually “borrowed” from the later Abrahamic faiths, as is mistakenly contended.

The Messiah:

            The term “messiah” was originally Pagan too, as was its concept. It had been used by the Canaanites (possibly also by the Hittites, who lived in what is present-day Turkey) as a term meaning, well, “the anointed one.”

            The Pagan Greeks also had their term for “the anointed one,” which was “christos.” Whether the Greeks had it as their own custom, or had adopted the Canaanites’ custom as their own—I cannot say for sure, as I have not researched that yet!

            So, terms like “Pagan messiah,” or even “Canaanite messiah,” are actually not as “contradictory,” “sacrilegious,” “blasphemous,” “oxymoronic” or “heretical” as they may seem— as they are from the one or two forms of Semitic Paganism that the “Messiah” term and concept originated!

The same goes for “Christ(os).”

References Used:

1. Black, Jeremy and Anthony Green (2003) Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia:An Illustrated Dictionary. Fifth Printing. University of Texas Press. Austin, Texas.
2. Budge, E.A. Wallis (1930) Amulets and Superstitions. 2003 Edition. Kessinger Publishing. Kila, Montana.
3. Gaster, Theodor “A Canaanite Ritual Drama: The Spring Festival At Ugarit.” Jan-Mar 1946. 4 Oct 2011 http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/595498.pdf
4. Grant, Michael (1984) The History of Ancient Israel. Charles Scribner’s Sons. New York City, New York.
5. Hastings, James, John Alexander Selbie and Louis Herbert Gray (1961) Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, Volume Five. Scribner (aka Charles Scribner’s Sons). New York City, New York.
6. Hurowitz, Victor Avigdor “Review: Ancient Israelite Cult in History, Tradition, and Interpretation.” 1994. 13 Oct 2011 http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1486623.pdf
7. “King Solomon’s Seal” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  16 Feb 1999. 27 Sept 2011 http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/1990_1999/1999/2/King%20Solomon-s%20Seal
8. Kimball, Bruce A. “The Origin of the Sabbath and Its Legacy to the Modern Sabbatical.” July-Aug 1978. 4 Oct 2011 http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1979188.pdf
9. Mettinger, Tryggve N.D.(1976) King and Messiah: The Civil and Sacral Legitimation of the Israelite Kings. Liber-Laromedel/Gleerup. Lund, Sweden.
10. Morgenstern, Julian “The King God Among the Western Semites and the Meaning of Epiphanes.” Apr 1960. 13 Oct 2011 http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1516133.pdf
11. Reeves, John C. “The Feast of the First Fruits of Wine and the Ancient Canaanite Calendar.” July 1992. 13 Oct 2011 http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1518725.pdf
12. Reik, Theodor (1964) Pagan Rites in Judaism. Gramercy Publishing Company. New York City, New York.
13. Robinson, A. “Zion and Saphon in Psalm XLVIII 3.” Jan 1974. 17 Oct 2011  http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1516988.pdf
14. Scholem, Gershom (1971) The Messianic Idea in Judaism and other essays on Jewish Spirituality. Schocken Books. New York City, New York.

Museum Magic

 Topic: Museum Magic

Presenter(s): Cat

Date: 9/29/11

 

Museum Magic

Salem Witch Museum

About the Museum
“The Salem Witch Museum brings you there, back to Salem 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration - an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692.”

Current Exhibits
Witches: Evolving Perceptions
“Because there is confusion about the meaning of the word "witch," our new exhibit examines the changing interpretations over time while also looking at the stereotype, the practice of witchcraft today and most importantly the phenomenon of witch hunting.”

Source: www.salemwitchmuseum.com/




Museum of Witchcraft

Location: Boscastle, Cornwall, UK
Admission Cost: £4 for adults
Opened: 1951

About the Museum
The Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, Cornwall, houses the world's largest collection of witchcraft
related artifacts and regalia. The museum has been located in Boscastle for fifty years and is
amongst Cornwall's most popular museums.

Current Exhibits
There are various rooms displaying different exhibits. There are sections devoted to the Wiccan wheel of the year, Horned God, Mother Goddess divination, stone circles, village white witch and cunning folk, protective charms, and mandrakes. There is also a small section on Satanism that explains that it is different from Wicca, and it contains a medallion given to the museum by the Church of Satan.

The Museum also has a large library of books, including a scrapbook belonging to Doreen Valiente.

Source: www.museumofwitchcraft.com/

Mabon/Full Moon Ritual

Mabon/Full Moon Ritual

1. Merry Meet to those who are with us to celebrate this day of Mabon. The day when we celebrate Earth and the bounty that she brings us.
2. Casting of the Circle
3. Calling the Quarters
• North- Cat
• East- Lexi
• South- Jessi
• West- Heather
4. Calling of the God/Goddess Aspects-Generalized
5. Stating of the Purpose
• Mabon and the moon is a time of focus on re-balancing out our lives. A time when things start to get hectic, we feel like going stir crazy, but we just need to ground and center ourselves. Finding an inner balance can make our world a better place. If there is something that you want to charge for helping with this purpose, you may put it on the altar and wec an do so.
6. Dismiss God/Goddess Aspects
7. Dismiss Quarters
8. Hail and Farewell!

Fall 2011

Schedule subject to change as necessary and without notice.

Meeting Topics

August 25: Informational Meeting

September 1: Greenman

September 8: Pagan Paths

September 15: Meditation Techniques

September 22: Mabon Ritual/Full Moon Rite

September 29: Museum Magic

October 6: Executive Board Elections

October 13: Full Moon Rite/Samhain Prep

October 20: TBD

October 27: Samhain Ritual

November 3: Divination Techniques

November 10: Spirit Guides (Backup: Callings)

November 17: Full Moon Rite/Imbolc Planning

November 24: Thanksgiving (NO MEETING)

December 1: Elementals

Important Dates

September 10: Volunteer Work
10:30AM – 3:00PM
725 E. State Street Sycamore

September 11: 9/11 Multi-Faith
Memorial
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Unitarian Universalist
Church

September 17: Pagan Pride Day
11:00AM – 6:00PM
217 Home Avenue
Oak Park

October 19-20: PSA Bake Sale
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Holmes Student Center