The Spirit Gallery

Whenever I imagine a medium at work, I think of the mediums of the Spiritualist Movement of the turn of the 20th century. I imagine women and men sitting at old wooden tables talking to the dead. I also view mediums with skepticism. I tend to think that in any money making venture there's always an angle and sometimes people stretch the truth for the profit. I guess I am saying that I think most mediums are full of it and I've never seen a medium that's made me believe otherwise.

Last night however, I joined medium, Tracy Farquhar, for a spirit gallery at the Lowe Mill and she managed to change my mind. The Lowe Mill is an old Mill in a minor state of decay. It has been revamped and turned into an art center. There are concerts there and many artists have studio space in the Flying Monkey portion of the Lowe Mill. Beloved Books is in a corner of the Flying Monkey and is one of those last corners of the world that still pays tribute to the written word in the form of purely paper books. There are no kindles or nooks there. There are only shelves of old books surrounded by paintings and chairs.

The Spirit Gallery was in Beloved Books and music from the concert below made the floor boards vibrate as the medium spoke. Dogs barked in the distance and the sound of frolicking people surrounded the darkened book store. Tracy Farquhar paced in the dark and said that there were many spirits in the store with us. She didn't ask any questions. She just called out a name. She said there was a Robert or Roger with us and he was someone's uncle. She said he died 5 years ago from something having to do with his brain. She said she saw an old family house by the lake. She said Robert/Roger liked fishing. It was at this point that I admitted that I did have an Uncle Roger who passed five years ago. He wasn't my favorite uncle so I wasn't overjoyed to talk with him again, but I was intrigued by the accuracy of what she was saying. She said the family house had just changed hands and that although it was still in the family it wasn't with us anymore. The house was crumbling. The foundation was sinking. There was an old tree in the yard that Roger had buried something he valued by when he was a boy. Roger saw me as a girl. I was a little girl to him and he wanted me to remember him taking me someplace. He also felt bad about some falling out he had with my father. I thought she was talking about my biological father who had divorced my mother so they didn't talk anymore. He also said he was worried about a girl, whom the psychic called my daughter. I told her I didn't have a daughter. She said it was a young girl who was or had been in school but was leaving because of social problems. He wanted her to go back to school. My sister did just drop out of college last semester because of problems with social anxiety, although I didn't tell the medium that. I tried not to tell the medium much. She continued to say I had some kind of foot or heal pain and he said I should take care of that. I do have plantar fasciitis and I hate taking care of it because that involves wearing ugly shoes, my nemesis.

The medium moved on to another spirit and I was left vaguely stunned and trying to figure out how she could have possibly guessed all of that information. I still can't think of a way, I am assuming that she did somehow reach the spirit of my Uncle Roger. I later learned that my step-father and my Uncle Roger had a huge falling out right before he died and that my Uncle had a favorite tree by our old family house where he built a fort and buried his treasures. The psychic had known things I didn't even know.

The Spirit Gallery ended in many tears and people being reunited with long lost loved ones. Lots of people were crying. I was just stunned. I guess if I believe in ghosts it isn't that much of a stretch to believe in a medium, especially in one who knew more about my family than I do.

Reference: 33witches.blogspot.com

Magick And Herbs

Herbs are used in magick for their "vibrations" or "essences". Whatsoever does this mean? Herbs, class culture, believe gender, are ruled by a planet, an element, and are frequently sacred to a God or Divinity. This is comfortable in Wicca as the herbal analogy, and it is an major element in Wiccan Magick Spells. Escalating and promotion herbs in your own magickal garden can deputy you the exercise of having your own energies sooner than influencing the implant. A implant such as Angelica, ruled by the Sun, will afterward believe all of the conclude of the Sun and fire, feathers with your private energies.

Wiccan Ways to use Herbs

Earrings and sachets - Sate a small bag, of the appropriate color or worry, with herbs to make a charm or cardboard box. You can give the charm with you, hang up it in the house or car, or drown or burn it, depending on the occupation, and the spell you are substitute.

Incense- Herbs can be burned as a ritual incense, such as the astute spot used to fair harmful vibrations from a space.

Shampoo - Physique a cardboard box, and place it in your ritual or healing sluice. Perfumed herbs class purple make a very relaxing sluice, and you can use beyond question herbs to temper casing and other personal history, such as using eucalyptus in a sluice to the same degree you believe a far-off or flu.

Oils - Rank herbs in an oil, let them luxurious for a few days, afterward get the better of. You can make annointing oils for you ritual work, beauty oils for your hair, casing and nails (try coconut or jojoba), or color oils for cooking and spice up, such as steeping rosemary in callow oil.

Teas- Use herbs to make teas for healing sickness. In the least herbs can be used to mercifully alter consciousness, such as valerian or kava kava which can smooth joy class states.

Smoking- You can make herbal smoking mixtures which will besides smooth distinct states of consciousness.

In spellwork, herbs can be sprinkled or located in a circle or within boundaries (such as your home, altar, or magick circle) to define a "terrestrial" for your magick to work. Of course, you can unendingly use nice herbs in cooking and spice up your provisions. Grant are a choice of wholesome foster, and they join in great! Customarily deputy all implant life cotton on, where ever you are- take back, the word "pick over" is recently a waste judgement! Dandelion, for juncture, has a choice of, a choice of healing and nutritional qualities which are indescribably delightful not only to the wildlife which feeds on it, but to you, too! Pick up to reveal itself the herbs in a circle you- even in a capital, acquaint with are a choice of round off herbs emerging headstrong, which you can come across and use. Herbs are Nature's gift- use them with wisedom and joy!

Origin: alchemy-and-alchemists.blogspot.com

Immaculate Conception Novena And Candle

I love this idea I saw on Elizabeth's blog last year of making an Immaculate Conception candle to light when saying the Immaculate Conception Novena. We did it last year and will do it again this year. This is our candle for this year above. Light the candle every day before saying the below novena from November 30th to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. On December 8th reveal the baby Jesus in the "womb" of Mary. The baby remains covered in the "womb" until the night of Christmas Eve when Jesus is born. We will continue to light the candle each night of Advent as we say our Advent Wreath prayers and our Jesse Tree readings. Use a plain white pillar candle and with a butter knife to hollow out a "cave" at its base. Inside the cave, place a small baby Jesus made out of wax or use the small plastic dolls you can get at a craft store. Cover the hollowed out area with layers of white fabric pinned into place. Embellish with white flowers or lace. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION NOVENA OPENING PRAYER
God, Our Father, you have given us Mary whom we honor as the Immaculate Conception. You have favored her with holiness and purity, freeing her from the stain of sin, to be chosen as the Mother of Jesus. Through her intercession and protection, may we live our lives in holiness and in complete trust of your loving plan for us. Amen.

Day 1
"O Blessed Virgin Mary, from the beginning of time God chose you, sinless and full of grace, to be the Mother of Jesus. Because of your unselfish "fiat," you are for us the example of perfect faith and obedience to what God is calling us to do."
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, help us to be open to the Word of God in our daily lives. Hail Mary, full of grace...

Day 2
"O Mary, Mother of God, we honor you for your submission to the unfolding mystery of salvation history. From Bethlehem to Calvary, you were present to Jesus as faithful mother and courageous disciple, sharing in the mysteries of his life."
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may we be for others a living presence of God's joy and compassion. Hail Mary, full of grace...

DAY 3

"O Mary of Nazareth, you were filled with the light of the Holy Spirit as you prepared for the birth of Jesus. You became the Mother of God and the Mother of the Redeemer, our mother and intercessor for the People of God, his Church."
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may we wait in hopeful expectation this Advent for the coming of the Lord Jesus in our hearts. Hail Mary, full of grace...

Day 4
"O Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, you were in a sense the first tabernacle for Jesus. In your womb his Sacred Heart beat under your Immaculate Heart. You are the Vessel of Honor, the Ark of the Covenant, and Gate of Heaven. Filled with grace, you give Jesus to us that we may bring him to others."
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may we have a deep and reverent lovefor Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Hail Mary, full of grace...

DAY 5

"O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, your heart was pierced with a sword as you stood on Calvary beneath the cross of your Son. Only a mother could experience such deep pain and anguish to see her only son die such a death." O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may we acknowledge that suffering can become for us redemptive and truly identifies us as one with Jesus. Hail Mary, full of grace...

Day 6
"O Mary, our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope, from age to age you are called blessed among all women. You, above all others, have a deep communion with God. You are the model of virtue, prayer and discipleship."
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, lead us into a prayerful and deeply authentic relationship with Jesus so that we may be holy and reflect his goodness to others. Hail Mary, full of grace...

Day 7
"O Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, your holiness and obedience changed the course of history through the redemptive power of your Son. You give us the example of discipleship and what it means to witness to the Way, the Truth and the Life-Jesus."
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, we pray for holiness, especially as lived through the priesthood and consecrated life. Hail Mary, full of grace...

Day 8
"O Mary, Mother of Divine Grace, you intercede for us and lead us to your Son. Jesus said to John, "Behold, your Mother." You are our spiritual mother, who draws us ever closer to your Son."
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may our devotion to you increase our love for Jesus. Hail Mary, full of grace...

Day 9
"O Mary, Seat of Wisdom, you gave Jesus, the Eternal Word made flesh, to the world. What a privilege was yours-to bring him forth into the world so that all peoples and nations may be drawn to him, Incarnate Wisdom."
"O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, may the Gospel of Jesus Christ, reach the farthest ends of the earth. Help us to grow in knowledge and love of the Blessed Trinity. Hail Mary, full of grace."

CONCLUDING PRAYER

"Mary, we honor you as the Mother of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, we delight in your singular privilege of being born with the fullness of grace, completely preserved from the stain of original sin. Blessed among all women, you are especially favored by God. Confident in that honor we place before you our needs and intentions (name the intention). Through your intercession, may it be brought to fulfillment. In gratitude for your motherly concern, O Mary Immaculate, patroness of the United States of America, we pray:"

You are all beautiful, O Mary.
The original stain is not in thee.
You are the glory of Jerusalem,
The joy of Israel,
The great honor of our race,
The advocate of sinners.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Intercede for us with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Origin: pagan-wiccan.blogspot.com

Of The Falsity Of The Christian Religion

by Jean Meslier From "Superstition in all ages."

Let us proceed to the pretended visions and Divine Revelations, upon which our Christ-worshipers establish the truth and the certainty of their religion.

In order to give a just idea of it, I believe it is best to say in general, that they are such, that if any one should dare now to boast of similar ones, or wish to make them valued, he would certainly be regarded as a fool or a fanatic.

Here is what the pretended Visions and Divine Revelations are:

God, as these pretended Holy Books claim, having appeared for the first time to Abraham, said to him: "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred and from thy father's house, into a land that I will show thee." Abraham, having gone there, God, says the Bible, appeared the second time to him, and said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land," and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. After the death of Isaac, his son, Jacob going one day to Mesopotamia to look for a wife that would suit him, having walked all the day, and being tired from the long distance, desired to rest toward evening; lying upon the ground, with his head resting upon a few stones, he fell asleep, and during his sleep he saw a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven; and beheld the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said: "I am the Lord, God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac; the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west and to the east, and to the north and to the south and in thee and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. And behold, I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land: for I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said: "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not." And he was afraid, and said: "How dreadful is this place! this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven." And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it, and made at the same time a vow to God, that if he should return safe and sound, he would give Him a tithe of all he might possess.

Here is yet another vision. Watching the flocks of his father-in-law, Laban, who had promised him that all the speckled lambs produced by his sheep should be his recompense, he dreamed one night that he saw all the males leap upon the females, and all the lambs they brought forth were speckled. In this beautiful dream, God appeared to him, and said: "Lift up now thine eyes and see that the rams which leap upon the cattle are ring-streaked, speckled, and grizzled; for I have seen all that Laban does unto thee. Now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred." As he was returning with his whole family, and with all he obtained from his father-in-law, he had, says the Bible, a wrestle with an unknown man during the whole night, until the breaking of the day, and as this man had not been able to subdue him, He asked him who he was. Jacob told Him his name; and He said: "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed."

This is a specimen of the first of these pretended Visions and Divine Revelations. We can judge of the others by these. Now, what appearance of Divinity is there in dreams so gross and illusions so vain? As if some foreigners, Germans, for instance, should come into our France, and, after seeing all the beautiful provinces of our kingdom, should claim that God had appeared to them in their country, that He had told them to go into France, and that He would give to them and to their posterity all the beautiful lands, domains, and provinces of this kingdom which extend from the rivers Rhine and Rhone, even to the sea; that He would make an everlasting alliance with them, that He would multiply their race, that He would make their posterity as numerous as the stars of Heaven and as the sands of the sea, etc., who would not laugh at such folly, and consider these strangers as insane fools!

Now there is no reason to think otherwise of all that has been said by these pretended Holy Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in regard to the Divine Revelations which they claim to have had. As to the institution of bloody sacrifices, the Holy Scriptures attribute it to God. As it would be too wearisome to go into the disgusting details of this kind of sacrifices, I refer the reader to Exodus. [See chapters xxv., xxvii., xxyiii., and xxix.]

Were not men insane and blind to believe they were honoring God by tearing into pieces, butchering, and burning His own creatures, under the pretext of offering them as sacrifices to Him? And even now, how is it that our Christ-worshipers are so extravagant as to expect to please God the Father, by offering up to Him the sacrifice of His Divine Son, in remembrance of His being shamefully nailed to a cross upon which He died? Certainly this can spring only from an obstinate blindness of mind.

In regard to the detail of the sacrifices of animals, it consists but in colored clothing, blood, plucks, livers, birds' crops, kidneys, claws, skins, in the dung, smoke, cakes, certain measures of oil and wine, the whole being offered and infected by dirty ceremonies as filthy and contemptible as the most extravagant performances of magic. What is most horrible of all this is, that the law of this detestable Jewish people commanded that even men should be offered up as sacrifices. The barbarians, whoever they were, who introduced this horrible law, commanded to put to death any man who had been consecrated to the God of the Jews, whom they called Adonai: and it is according to this execrable precept that Jephthah sacrificed his daughter, and that Saul wanted to sacrifice his son.

But here is yet another proof of the falsity of these revelations of which we have spoken. It is the lack of the fulfillment of the great and magnificent promises by which they were accompanied, for it is evident that these promises never have been fulfilled.

The proof of this consists in three principal points:

Firstly. Their posterity was to be more numerous than all the other nations of the world.

Secondly. The people who should spring from their race were to be the happiest, the holiest, and the most victorious of all the people of the earth.

Thirdly. His covenant was to be everlasting, and they should possess forever the country He should give them. Now it is plain that these promises-never were fulfilled.

Firstly. It is certain that the Jewish people, or the people of Israel-which is the only one that can be regarded as having descended from the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the only ones to whom these promises should have been fulfilled-have never been so numerous that it could be compared with the other nations of the earth, much less with the sands of the sea, etc., for we see that in the very time when it was the most numerous and the most flourishing, it never occupied more than the little sterile provinces of Palestine and its environs, which are almost nothing in comparison with the vast extent of a multitude of flourishing kingdoms which are on all sides of the earth.

Secondly. They have never been fulfilled concerning the great blessings with which they were to be favored; for, although they won a few small victories over some poor nations whom they plundered, this did not prevent them from being conquered and reduced to servitude; their kingdom destroyed as well as their nation, by the Roman army; and even now the remainder of this unfortunate nation is looked upon as the vilest and most contemptible of all the earth, having no country, no dominion, no superiority.

Finally, these promises have not been fulfilled in respect to this everlasting covenant, which God ought to have fulfilled to them; because we do not see now, and we have never seen, any evidence of this covenant; and, on the contrary, they have been for many centuries excluded from the possession of the small country they pretended God had promised that they should enjoy forever. Thus, since these pretended promises were never fulfilled, it is certain evidence of their falsity; which proves, plainly, that these pretended Holy Books which contain them were not of Divine inspiration. Therefore it is useless for our Christ-worshipers to pretend to make use of them as infallible testimony to prove the truth of their religion.

Credit: lilith-dark-moon.blogspot.com

The Fellowship Of Isis London Gathering

Last Sunday I took part in a Fellowship of Isis gathering in London. It was a rare chance to meet and work with Olivia Robertson, co-founder of the Fellowship of Isis and a truly amazing woman. Olivia is 94 years old, but has a huge amount of energy and is one of the most powerful priestesses around as well as being a fascinating character and a delightful person.

I signed up for the gathering as soon as it was announced. I'm glad I got in quickly because the event sold out in hours. I didn't list it on my blog's events page, because by the time I'd done so there would have been no tickets left.

The FoI gathering was organised by priestess Caroline Wise and the guest speakers were Wiccan author and teacher Vivianne Crowley and art expert Fleur Shearman as well as VIP Olivia. It took place in the basement meeting room at Treadwells.

Before the event, the organisers conducted a short ritual to invite Isis, Goddess of The Thames, to bless the meeting space. I think it worked.

As we all took our seats, water began to flood up through the floor - from no apparent source and for no apparent physical reason. There was a little panic - everyone rushed upstairs, and mops and buckets were found to bail out as much of the water as possible. After a while the inundation subsided and we all returned to our slightly wet seats and the gathering began.

The first talk was by Fleur Shearman, an expert on the Goddess in art, on the subject of Minerva and the Muses.

From classical times, the Muses have been seen as goddesses of inspiration. There are nine Muses: Calliope, Muse of epic song, Clio, Muse of history, Euterpe, Muse of lyric song, Thalia, Muse of comedy and bucolic poetry, Melpomene, Muse of tragedy, Terpsichore, Muse of dance, Erato, Muse of erotic poetry, Polyhymnia, Muse of sacred song, and Urania, Muse of astronomy. The Muses are often depicted in art with their half-sister Minerva, Goddess of poetry, art and wisdom.

Fleur's talk showed the Muses and Minerva as they have been depicted in art throughout history and the influence they have had on important cultural figures over the ages.

Vivianne Crowley gave a talk on the Black Madonna. Statues of the Black Madonna appear all over Europe band other parts of the world. They often have huge local popularity, appealing to people of all classes and ethnic origins as well as people of different faiths, but their origins are a little mysterious. Many of the statues are very old or are modern replacements for old statues that have been damaged or lost.

Some were brought back by Crusaders in the Middle Ages and may have come from Coptic churches in North Africa. This was not necessarily done for the sake of looting - the Christian soldiers may have been trying to save these works of sacred art from destruction.

Some of the Black Madonna statues may have originally been images of the Goddess Isis with the child Horus, and were renamed as the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus when the pagans who venerated them were Christianised.

These were fascinating talks, but the highlight of the day was a pathworking by Olivia. She said she was inspired for the pathworking by travels abroad when she felt she was visited by three goddesses, Yemaja, African mother Goddess of the Oceans, Pele, Hawaiian Goddess of fire and volcanoes, and a celestial Goddess of the stars.

The pathworking took us to meet these three goddesses on a journey through the dark underworld womb of the mother Goddess, through rebirth into the light and then up into the heavens to the realm of the gods, goddesses and ancestors.

It was a powerful pathworking - at first painful as we had to face our inner fears, but eventually uplifting and reassuring as we learnt that nothing is truly lost and everything is reborn, recycled or renewed.

During the pathworking, something rather amazing happened to me on a personal level. I met the spirit of my grandmother in the realm of the ancestors. She had been an astrologer and a member of the Astrological Lodge, in London, when she was young. Recently, while clearing out the attic and some old cupboards in my family home, I came across my grandmother's letters, notes, photos and paperwork relating to the Astrological Lodge and its founder Alan Leo, dating back to the early part of the 20th Century.

I had emailed the lodge some time ago asking if anyone there would like to look at this paperwork, but had had no reply.

In the pathworking, I felt that my grandmother approved of my actions - she approved of me being at the FoI gathering and contacting the lodge. The very next day I got two emails from members of the lodge - one offering to help store the documents and another from a historian studying the history of the lodge who was interested in seeing them.

Whatever goddesses were listening on Sunday - and my grandma, and Olivia - thank you!

If you are disappointed at missing the FoI London gathering, you will have another chance next year. Hopefully it will be at a bigger venue so more people will be able to attend.

The Fellowship of Isis is dedicated to honouring the Goddess in her many forms. It was founded at Clonegal Castle, Ireland, in 1976 by Olivia Robertson with the late Lawrence and Pamela Durdin-Robertson. Membership is free and you can find out how to join on the FoI website.

"The photo shows the Goddess altar at the FoI gathering in London."

Linkshttp://www.fellowshipofisiscentral.org/http://www.fellowshipofisis.com/intro.html

http://www.fellowshipofisis.com/http://www.treadwells-london.com/http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/mgodsandgoddesses/tp/Muses.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pele (deity)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemajahttp://www.astrolodge.co.uk/http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/12/yemaja-goddess-of-week.htmlhttp://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/review-thames-sacred-river-by-peter.html

Religion Belief Bookforum The Goodness Of Godlessness

Bookforum is a sharp site to find stimulating articles from participation the internets. They recurrently group their piece collections by firm, which is cool - the piece may not endlessly be the best rise and fall (they afterward allied to one of mind from six months abovementioned), but the type and sort of views is sharp.

This is a behind schedule keep on agnosticism and religion, one of the hot topics in America and Europe these days. It includes two behind schedule reviews of Stephen Batchelor's Revelation of a Buddhist Disbeliever, one of my sweetheart behind schedule reads,

THE Honor OF GODLESSNESS

Randolph Feezell (Creighton): Dedicated Ambiguity, Agnosticism, and Stinginess. Simon Watson (Emmanuel): Richard Dawkins' The God Error and Disbeliever Fundamentalism. From "The Capsule", a review of "The "New" Atheism: 10 arguments that don't escort water" by Michael Poole; and a review of "Why Believe?" by John Cottingham. An cite from "The Christian Disbeliever" by Craig Goeschel. The New Disbeliever writers are very in position in their service to frontwards opponents with a pastry quip or two - and they wear down no the whole story possible of sophisticated what they are words about. From "Prematurely Cloth", how want very much ought to we waste our time with the total dullness of the New Atheists? (and a signal by Damon Linker). From "The Humanist", PZ Myers on how he lost religion and gained 2.5 million friends. Two behind schedule books by Eagleton and Hitchens congregate on a recognizable enemy, the modest atheist managerialism that assumes the stop of life is fun. From "Atheist", Kenneth Grubbs on Antony Flew, 1923-2010: Following the minced anywhere it leads (and additional); and Chris Edwards on Racing bike Tidiness In need the Zen: How Pirsig's mistakes about agnosticism hem in today. Peter Manseau reviews "Revelation of a Buddhist Disbeliever" by Stephen Batchelor (and additional). From "Freethought At the present time", Dan Barker congress about his book "Godless: How an Evangelical Priest Became One of America's Best part Atheists"; Barry Kosmin on the increasing wave of secularity; and Phil Zuckerman on the holiness of Godlessness. Ryan Stringer on the warrant of agnosticism. Tom Rees on the sex lives of the atheists (and any person excessively). Everywhere do atheists come from? Expansive scientists wear want very much wondered why so many persons fantasy in God - we ought to ask why the rest don't. A review of "A Despondent Tape of Secularism" by Graeme Smith.

*

Communicate

*

Permalink

Tags: Mysticism, agnosticism, culture, books, partaker, Bookforum, The holiness of Godlessness, secularism

Nephilim Revelations Are They Still Here

Fallen angels, an extinct race of giants, ETs--what were the Nephilim of the Bible, and what happened to them. OR, are they still around? The books of Genesis and Enoch tell us that beings called the Watchers descended to Earth, had sex with women and created a race of hybrid offspring called the Nephilim.

Many people approach the subject of angels and demons as a mythological representation of good and evil. Yet the Bible, especially the Book of Genesis, authored by Moses himself, gives a description of their origin:

"When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the Sons of God saw that these daughters were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the Lord said, 'My Spirit will not contend with human beings forever, for they are mortal, their days will be a hundred and twenty years.' The Nephilim were on the earth in those days -- and also afterward -- when the Sons of God went to the daughters of the human beings and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown." -- Genesis 6:1-4

One of many ancient scriptures that didn't make the final cut when the Bible was compiled by the Council of Nicea (325 AD).

The Book of Enoch was written about 300 BC and left traces of its existence in both the Dead Sea Scrolls and certain Coptic texts. The first part of the Book of Enoch describes the fall of the Watchers, the angels who fathered the Nephilim. The remainder of the book describes Enoch's visits to heaven in the form of travels, visions and dreams, and his revelations.

"It happened after the sons of men had multiplied in those days, that daughters were born to them, elegant and beautiful. And when the angels, the sons of heaven, beheld them, they became enamoured of them, saying to each other, 'Come, let us select for ourselves wives from the progeny of men, and let us beget children.' Then their leader Shamyaza said to them; 'I fear that you may perhaps be indisposed to the performance of this enterprise;' And that I alone shall suffer for so grievous a crime. But they answered him and said; 'We all swear'; 'And bind ourselves by mutual execrations, that we will not change our intention, but execute our projected undertaking.' Then they swore all together, and all bound themselves by mutual execrations.

Their whole number was two hundred, who descended upon Ardis [during the days of Jared], which is the top of mount Armon [Mt. Herman in present day Israel]. That mountain therefore was called Armon, because they had sworn upon it, and bound themselves by mutual execrations.

These are the names of their chiefs: Shamyaza, who was their leader, Urakabarameel, Akibeel, Tamiel, Ramuel, Danel, Azkeel, Saraknyal, Asael, Armers, Batraal, Anane, Zavebe, Samsaveel, Ertael, Turel, Yomyael, Arazyal.

These were the prefects of the two hundred angels, and the remainder were all with them. Then they took wives, each choosing for himself; whom they began to approach, and with whom they cohabited; teaching them sorcery, incantations, and the dividing of roots and trees. And the women conceiving brought forth giants. -- 1 Enoch 7:1-11

But what happened to them? Did they die out, were they killed off...or do they STILL EXIST? Scott Alan Roberts makes a compelling and unique case that informs us about what really happened, who the Nephilim might actually be, and whether or not they still exist--and also, what kind of influence they may have in the world today.

Re Enchantment

I" am probably preaching to the converted here, but I came across the following piece written by Fr Al Kimel, the former Episcopal priest and recent convert to Rome who is well known in these parts as the Pontificator. It was published on the web site of" Adoremus, Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy. "While Roman Catholic, it has a lot to recommend itself to us.""The 're-enchantment' of the Catholic Liturgy", declares Father Aidan Nichols, "is the single most urgent ecclesial need of our time".I like the use of the word enchant to describe the Divine Liturgy of the Church. I still vividly remember my first visit in June 1975 to St. Paul's Church, K Street, in Washington, DC. I had just finished college. Earlier that year I had become a believing Christian. Upon returning to Washington, an old high school friend invited me to join him one Sunday at St. Paul's. Solemn High Mass, with a visiting African bishop to administer Confirmation; solemn procession, with two thurifers; chanting, crossings, bowings, genuflections, incense -- all of this was completely new for me.My only prior experience with the Lord's Supper was as an addendum to the Methodist preaching service, with cubes of bread and shot-glasses of grape juice. Here was something utterly different. I was taken up into a sacred world. On that day I discovered the Eucharistic Christ. I was enchanted.I found it possible to believe the Eucharistic promises of Christ because of the enchanting beauty and power of the Divine Liturgy that I experienced that first summer at St. Paul's. I was enchanted into faith. I experienced the glories of heaven and thus came to know the truth of the Eucharist. I will always believe that the consecrated elements are truly the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. And it is the liturgy that has sustained and generated my faith for the past thirty years.Surely the Holy Eucharist should enchant us. The Divine Liturgy is nothing less than the presence of the coming Kingdom of God. By the Spirit we are lifted into the heavens in union with our Great High Priest. By the Spirit we are brought before the Throne of God and behold the glory of salvation. Whether we imagine the liturgy as our ascent into heaven or as the descent of heaven into our midst, what truly matters is the gracious presence of the Holy God in glory, love and beauty. Thus the psalmist sings: "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness".Read it all here: http://www.adoremus.org/1205Mass.html

It Plough Monday

"In Belgium, the Monday after Epiphany is called "LOST MONDAY" and is a day of universal idleness. Hence probably has arisen the custom, not confined, however, to Belgian workmen alone, of idling every Monday or as they call it "MAKING BLUE MONDAY."

Plough-Monday is the first Monday after Twelfth Day (6TH OF JANUARY). It is so called because, the Christmas holidays being over, the men return to their plough or daily work. It was customary on this day for farm laborers to draw a plough-called "WHITE" on account of the mummers being dressed in white, gaudily trimmed with flowers and ribbons-through the parish, soliciting "PLOUGH-MONEY," which would be spent in a frolic. The queen of the feast was called Bessy. The plough was also called "FOND" or "FOOL," because the procession is fond or foolish, not serious nor of a business character.

Found in: Encyclopaedia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World

Books in PDF format to read:Howard Phillips Lovecraft - The Hound

Harold Macgrath - The Pagan Madonna

Tags: goals witch wiccan bible really supported pentagram meaning word coven magic read papal worship mastering witchcraft celtic myth modern shamanism walking witchcraft england spiritualism

Reference: just-wicca.blogspot.com

Mary Assumption In Light Of Women And The Poor

"I was in 8th grade when Pope Pius XII, on November 1, 1950, declared the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Church. Though I don't remember much specifically about the Assumption per se", I do recall that it was a Jubilee Year, and that Mary was honored somehow.

Even later, through my seminary years, I don't recall thinking much about the details of the Assumption teaching. It meant more to me that it was always a feast day, with a grand solemn liturgy, and therefore a free day from the usual summer routine! Like most Catholics and probably all my fellow seminarians, I simply accepted it as the Church's teaching without delving into all the finer doctrinal details.

During my meditation on the Assumption and its implications this morning, I experienced the desire, which many of us must feel at times, for more "information", more details. Of course, I realize that that is isn't possible. Nevertheless, the ancient tradition of the Eastern Orthodox churches' of the "Ko'imesis" or Dormition ("falling asleep") of Mary is a lovely "guesstimate" of what might have been the case. Already in the 1st century, the priest/martyr Dionysios the Areopagite wrote about the subject. In the 2nd century, an account of the Dormition is found in the works of Meliton, Bishop of Sardis. The 4th century St. Epiphanios of Cyprus refers to the tradition handed down about Mary's "falling asleep". In the 5th century the holy Patriarch of Jerusalem, Juvenal, told the Byzantine empress Pulcheria: "Although in Holy Scripture there be no account about the circumstances of Her end, we know about them otherwise from the most ancient and credible tradition". This tradition was gathered and expounded in detail in the Church history of Nicephoros Kallistos during the 14th century.

The tradition says that at the time of her blessed Dormition, Mary was again at Jerusalem. Her fame as Mother of God had already spread throughout the land, with varying reactions. She is said to have spent day and night in prayer, and often went to Jesus' tomb, where, kneeling, she offered up incense. In one such visit the Archangel Gabriel is said to have appeared to her and announced her own approaching transfer from this life into eternal blessedness. As a sign, Gabriel entrusted to her a heavenly palm branch. Mary then returned to Bethlehem with her three young attendants, Sepphora, Evigea and Zoila. She summoned Joseph of Aramathea and other disciples of Jesus, and informed them of the impending conclusion of her life here below. Mary also prayed that the Lord would bring the Apostle John to her, after which the Holy Spirit transported him from Ephesus, setting him alongside that very place, where Mary had already lay down. After praying, Mary offered up incense, and John heard a voice from heaven, closing her prayer with the word "Amen". Upon which, the Apostles, disciples, and the holy Bodiless Powers arrived with haste. The disciples, says St. John Damascene, whose number was impossible to count, flocked together like clouds and eagles around the Mother of God. Seeing one another and rejoicing, the disciples still wondered why the Lord had gathered them together. St. John the Apostle and Theologian, greeting them with tears of joy, told them that Mary's time to repose had begun. Going in to her, they saw her lying on the cot, filled with spiritual happiness. They greeted her, and told about their being miraculously transported from their places of preaching. Mary glorified God, thanking God for hearing her prayer and fulfilling her heart's desire.

In the meantime, the Apostle Paul likewise appeared in miraculous manner, together with his disciples Dionysios the Areopagite, Hierotheos, and Timothy, as well as others from among the 70 disciples, to witness the burial of the Mother of the Lord. Mary blessed all of them and encouraged them in their faith and hardships in preaching the Gospel of her Son. To each she wished eternal bliss and prayed with them for the peace and welfare of all the world.

At the third hour, as a multitude of candles blazed, the holy disciples, with song, encircled Mary's sick-bed. As she prayed in anticipation of her demise and of the arrival of her longed-for Son, suddenly the inexpressible Light of Divine Glory shone forth. All gathered there became frightened. As though immersed in the rays of the indescribable light, Christ appeared in glory, surrounded by hosts of Angels, Archangels, and other heavenly Powers, along with the spirits of the forebears and prophets. Seeing her Son, Mary exclaimed: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Who has regarded the lowliness of God's handmaid." Rising from her bed, she bowed down to Christ. And the Lord bade her to come and enter into life eternal. Without any bodily suffering, as though in an joyous sleep, the Most Holy Virgin Mary gave up her spirit into the hands of her Son.

Joyous angelic song ensued, as the Angels accompanied the pure soul of the God-betrothed. Heaven's gates were raised, and meeting the soul of Mary, Mother of God, the Cherubim and Seraphim glorified her with resounding joy. Mary's graced face shone radiant with the divine glory, and from her body exuded a sweet fragrance.

Kissing the all-pure body reverently and in great awe, the disciples were filled with grace and spiritual joy. Through God's power, many of the sick, who in faith and love touched the holy cot, were healed. Bewailing their separation on earth from Mary, the Apostles set about burying her body. The holy Apostles Peter, Paul, James and others of the 12 Apostles carried the funeral bier upon their shoulders. St. John walked at the head of it with the resplendent heavenly palm-branch, and a crowd of other saints and faithful, carrying candles and censers and singing sacred songs, accompanied the bier. The solemn procession went from the Sion-quarter through the city of Jerusalem to the Garden of Gethsemane.

At the start of the procession there suddenly appeared over Mary's body and over all those accompanying it a vast and resplendent circular cloud. The singing of Angels and heavenly Powers, glorifying the Mother of God, echoed that of the worldly voices below, as this radiant circle accompanied the procession to the place of burial.

When the procession reached the Garden of Gethsemane, then amid the weeping and wailing began the last kiss to the all-pure body of Jesus' mother. Only towards evening time were the Apostles able to place it in the tomb and seal the entrance to the cave with a large stone. For three days they stayed at the place of burial, during which time they gave themselves to unceasing prayer and psalmody. As had happened after Jesus' resurrection, the Apostle Thomas had not been present at Mary's burial. Arriving late on the third day, he lay down at the sepulchral cave and with bitter tears asked that he might be given a final blessing of the Mother of God as he bade her farewell. The Apostles, out of pity for him, decided to open the grave and permit him at least the comfort of venerating Mary's holy remains. Having done so, they were all amazed to find in the grave only the cloth wrappings. They were thus convinced of the bodily ascent or assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary into heaven.

As many Native American storytellers commonly say: "I don't know if it happened exactly this way, but I know that it's true!" Though I don't need a "dogma" to tell me so, I believe that God honored the "Theotokos "("Godbearer") in a preeminent way after her "falling asleep" in death, that she continues to be our Mother in addition to being a special saint, and that she intercedes for us before the Lord.

I also did find a passage from a book by Ivone Gebara and Maria Bingemer, "Mary, Mother of God, Mother of the Poor", which is a slightly different, but no less valuable, take on the subject:

"Mary's assumption brings a new and promising future for women. Excluded from Jewish initiation rites because of their anatomy, banned from full participation in worship and the synagogue by their menstrual cycles, for a long time women -- even in Christianity -- subtly or explicitly have been second-class citizens in the world of faith because of the 'inferiority' and the 'poverty' of their bodies."

"Mary's assumption, however, restores and reintegrates woman's bodiliness into the very mystery of God. Starting with Mary, the dignity of women's condition is recognised and safeguarded by the creator of that very bodiliness. In Jesus Christ and Mary the feminine is respectively resurrected and assumed into heaven -- definitively sharing in the glory of the Trinitarian mystery from which all proceeds and to which all returns..."

"The assumption is the glorious culmination of the mystery of God's preference for what is poor, small, and unprotected in this world, so as to make God's presence and glory shine there."

"The virgin of the Magnificat, on whose lips is placed the message that God is exalting the humble and casting down the powerful, finds her life confirmed and glorified by the Father of Jesus. Mary's assumption -- seen in the light of Jesus' resurrection -- is hope and promise for the poor of all times and for those who stand in solidarity with them...

Rev 12 13 16 The Dragon Pursued The Woman

*

(REV 12, 13-16) THE DRAGON PURSUED THE WOMAN

[13] When the dragon saw that it had been thrown down to the earth, it pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. [14] But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly to her place in the desert, where, far from the serpent, she was taken care of for a year, two years, and a half-year. [15] The serpent, however, spewed a torrent of water out of his mouth after the woman to sweep her away with the current. [16] But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth and swallowed the flood that the dragon spewed out of its mouth. (CCC 2852) "A murderer from the beginning,... a liar and the father of lies," Satan is "the deceiver of the whole world" (Jn 8:44; Rev 12:9). Through him sin and death entered the world and by his definitive defeat all creation will be "freed from the corruption of sin and death" ("Roman Missal," Eucharistic Prayer IV, 125). Now "we know that anyone born of God does not sin, but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one" (1 Jn 5:18-19). The Lord who has taken away your sin and pardoned your faults also protects you and keeps you from the wiles of your adversary the devil, so that the enemy, who is accustomed to leading into sin, may not surprise you. One who entrusts himself to God does not dread the devil. "If God is for us, who is against us?" (St. Ambrose, "De Sacr." 5, 4, 30: PL 16, 454; cf. Rom 8:31).

Credit: way-of-witch.blogspot.com

Excerptpromogiveaway Touching Evil By Amber Garr

Understand to my breach on the Touching Loathsomeness book voyage which has been brought to you by Bewitching Text Tours. All over you can read a transcript of the book, an line and learn a underdeveloped aristocratic about the playwright AMBER GARR. In attendance is a voyage broad free go as well, so make resolute you enter! Don't forget to stumble the other blogs on this voyage for aristocratic information about this book and the playwright.

Title: Touching EvilAuthor: Amber GarrSeries: The Leila Marx Arrangement #1Genre: Urban FantasyPublished: November 5th 2012

Text DESCRIPTION:

Leila Marx is harsh to put her life back together in the past her fianc'e is murdered. Her book illustrating work has resident her extroverted dash and nightmares wear trapped her in the exterior. Every time a standardize dealings enlists her help with a packed cushion, Leila is doubtfully grateful to wear a management. Not free specter this help to preserve her grounds specific, but she specter be vigorous to use her talents as a switch mystic that are smoothly dismissed by skeptics. Leila and Official Garrick Pearson cause inwards the mystery belatedly a series of entranced teenage girls and mummified corpses stage fighting their own escalating attraction to each other.

Conner Hoffman is an quaint lawyer and wonderful half-demon who enters Leila's life atypically. Even if her visions are frightening, she is hostage by his charm and his legacy. Every time it becomes clear that the murders are related to a lovely cabaret, Conner introduces Leila to a world unbeknownst to unspecified mores. She fleetingly finds herself profound in astonishing politics, sorcery, and danger as she becomes the killer's gone government. Staying in person specter mean relying on friends, perception the whimsical, and pure in her inner self over.

Spry Quote

For instance does one wear like they commit the first misdemeanor of their life? I reasonably dead two hours leave-taking express my nearby harsh to find no matter which taxable. It had to be black. Yes, for certain black. I entirely fixed on a turtleneck, spandex workout jeans, and the free double act of black sneakers I'd ever owned. They were missing condescending from my waitressing days and I was welcomingly flabbergasted to see that they were settle down in good job, even if they did trace a underdeveloped adjacent butter.I absolutely passed away pulling my hair back inwards a low bun, adjacent spy girls do in the movies, like the doorbell rang. Conner was present and my inner self fluttered abruptly. At the rear of night had been a lot of fun and I really enjoyed my evening with Garrick, but this was the first time any man had been to my lodging who wasn't a part of the standardize push to the same degree Russ was killed. This was as well the first time I'd ever had a half demon in the lodging, at bare minimum as far as I knew. What time unusual quick draw away in the mirror, I bounced condescending to the door.And as soon as I opened it I realized how faraway of a dork I essential wear looked adjacent.In attendance was Conner, in a rest double act of wash pants and a college sweatshirt operate all that he may possibly not to snigger at me. I glared up at him."What? No one told me what to wear so I had to do something on the fly." He started laughing but after that choked it back down like I tried to in a straight line the door on him. His clear endeavor out and blocked my progress. "I'm piteous. You phrase good. Genuinely." He smiled totally at me and after that bent his effigy as he put his hands together in a prayer-like method. "May I wear okay to enter my ninja warrior princess?" I may possibly see his shoulders wave backwards and forwards with amusement over and I refused to be disconcerted. Subsequent to an exaggerated rumor, I walked back inwards my bedroom, fleeting Conner to let himself in. I considerable that he necessity have difficulty in self-conscious understated for a stage, nonetheless like I came back inwards the living room and saw him flipping express some of my illustrations, I realized he was unfazed."These are really good. You're realistically capable." I stood gift, indirect opposed to the wall for a few seconds harsh to deem if he was personality sincere or not. Well as I started to dump him the advantage of the be suspicious of, he hunched an eyebrow my way and made-up, "A faraway sever the person behind than fashionista."I threw the sweatshirt I had in my hands at him and stomped condescending to the kitchen. His snigger passed away the room and I was flabbergasted to find a smile on my apparent as I opened the refrigerator. "Want we thrust snacks?" I asked. We were leave-taking to attempt to a observe in a straight line to the lodging and holdup until it was bright. I'd been told that it may possibly thrust separate hours and I didn't insolvency the cambion attainment greedy stage we waited."Concluding, if you insolvency. Maybe some water would be good." It was explicit that he enjoyed my lack of stake-out abilities. I grabbed one of my reusable grocery personal belongings and inclusive it up with water, unbalanced, and Twizzlers. All of the data. I rapidly premeditated grabbing a flask of wine to luster my charge, but considerable opposed to it in the end."So, are we solidify to go?" I asked as I hoisted the bag on my bind and grabbed the sweatshirt back. He strenuous me for a instant and after that pulled an work out from his back book."Not until you put this on," he made-up as he tossed no matter which undersized and black at me. It was a ski unknown, one of colonize ones that immersed everything rescue for your eyes. I pulled it condescending my effigy and batted my lashes."Am I solidify now?"He laughed and took the bite to eat bag off my bind. "Yes, Leila. I foothold you're solidify for a life of wrong."

Text Links

AMAZON Sharpen Tome SMASHWORDS

A propos THE Paddock

Amber Garr spends her days conducting specialized experiments and wondering if her gone door neighbor is secretively a vampire. Uneducated in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her wife and their hairy kids. Her getting on intended friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is activist that she has a astonishing sentiment of trace. She writes every large and unripe large municipal fantasies and like not obsessing condescending the unsigned, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Protest Amber online at:

WebsiteBlogFacebookTwitterGoodreads

Free offer

In attendance is a voyage broad free go sorted out during the tour! A lucky US thump specter get the signed paper back, and two winners for an eBook (INT)

a Rafflecopter free go

Crack on the stock to view the rest of the Group Travels

Old Year To New Year Welcome 2011

Well, today is the last day of the old year, 2010, and rather than go to some party and drink my face off, I usually stay home and see the New Year in with reflection, meditation, some quiet celebration, thankfulness for the good that has occurred during the fading year, and a hopefulness for the coming year. I particularly like to work magick and be in a fully empowered magick circle just before the year turns, so I can sense the time displacement and mind bending qualities of briefly stopping time and existing within a nexus between the old and new years. This practice is something that I have done every year for the last couple of decades, and each time it is quite amazing and delightful. It also has the benefit of not producing nausea or a hang-over the next day, nor does it require me to travel home from some party and brave both the elements and the hazards of drunken drivers.New Years for me is a quiet time, without any revelry, madness or much intoxication. I want to experience the lintel time of change without being bleary with drink or distracted by social buffoonery. It's not that I don't like to party or socialize, in fact I do! But there is something so very sacred about this time that I can't just blow off steam or mindlessly celebrate, so at this time I forgo the usual custom of going to a New Years Eve party and socializing with friends. Instead I just stay home, and reflect, meditate, quietly celebrate my accomplishments, think about the things that I didn't get done or failed to accomplish, and to plot my course for the coming year. In fact, when the hour of midnight strikes here, I can feel the past and the future merging into the present, and for at least just that moment in time, they seem coequal to me. One thing that I didn't get to do during these last two weeks of December is to re-engage with my HGA and perform again the Bornless One invocation rite on the same day that I performed it at the climax of the Abramelin Lunar Ordeal last year. There were too many things that demanded my attention, plus some minor annoying health issues. and also, I strongly sensed that now was not the time to re-engage with that working. I have received dreams and impressions that informed me to wait until the final working in that series is ready to be used, and then I must re-connect with all of the previously established elements before performing it.The final ritual working that I have been researching and acquiring in strategic pieces has finally started to come together, so I will soon be able to write that up and add it to the lore of the ordeal. What really helped was reading "The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz" translated by Joscelyn Godwin and introduced and commented on by Adam McLean (Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks, Phanes Press, 1991). Adam McLean's commentary is absolutely brilliant, and it really helped me to understand the structure and the meaning of the obscure symbolic elements found in that work. From that commentary, I should easily be able to write up a ritual working that will allow me to pull all of the elements of the Abramelin Lunar Ordeal together into a final rite; where the three-fold aspects of me as eternal and ageless youth (spirit of the HGA), the bronzed fair haired nonpareil who is the goddess aspect, and me again as I am today, a middle aged ritual magician, all these will drawn into a seamless union. I believe that the Chemical Wedding put into a ritual working will do just that. Accomplishing that rite will allow me to complete the final working in the Abramelin Lunar Ordeal, which is to project my true will into my final destiny, which shall powerfully impact and color the last remaining years of my life. So I have something very important to accomplish and look forward to in the coming year. Another thing that I have accomplished only yesterday was to put together a proposal for a beginner's book on the Qabbalah and pitch it to a publisher. That task is done, and I look forward to the response because I suspect that it may be positive. My previous proposal for an introductory book on ritual magick for witches and pagan was rejected, so I have decided to put together my own publishing company and seek to publish that book as the first project for that new entity. The rest of my book projects may also get published under my own label, whose name and logo I will refrain from revealing at this time. My reasons for going the direction of self publishing is because I wish to conserve my writer's voice and to keep my content from being overly edited or omitted altogether. I have matured over the last year as a writer, so I don't believe that I will need much more than a copy editor, layout artist and illustrator, as well as a reliable on-demand printer to put my several book projects into print. I have all of these resources already pretty well nailed down, so the rest is just up to me to assemble and execute. I am assuming that I may have more than one book in print by the end of next year, but we will see how things progress. What I am thankful for and what I have accomplished this year represents quite a mile-stone for me as a writer and occultist. It seems that many things that I had studied years ago and had taken for granted are being looked at again, and in that way, I have discovered a lot that I either didn't learn the first time around or overlooked for various reasons. I suppose that being more mature and having brought together a lot of new material in my mind is powerfully impacting the re-examination of that old material. A case in point are my current researches and articles about the Qabbalah. I have decided to take a decidedly Neoplatonic and Neopythagorean perspective, and I have found insights and deeper meaning in the Qabbalah than what I had previously determined. Here is a list of what I have managed to complete this year: * Publication of "Mastering the Art of Ritual Magick - Greater Key" - this completed the trilogy that I sought to publish back in 2007, and first wrote back in 1995. To publish this series was a dream that I had fifteen years ago, but I am glad that it was finally realized this year. * Wrote 119 articles for the blog "Talking About Ritual Magick" - many of these articles were long and substantive. I apologize for the length of my blog articles, but I think that many of them have been well received and found useful to my readers. These articles have also helped me to improve my overall writing skills. * Successfully completed five online courses for writing fiction, including a grammar refresher and research techniques for writers. All of these courses required a passing grade on a final exam, so they did test what was supposedly learned. * Began to plan and formulate writing occult, horror and fantasy stories. I have a lot of stories and characters swimming around in my head, but now I have the tools to put them into actual fictional writings. I will be working on these projects in the coming year, and I hope to get a few of them to a final form before this coming year is over. * Attended and presented workshops at four venues - Pantheacon, Heartland Pagan Festival, Milwaukee Pagan Unity Conference's Ostara convention and the Twin Cities Pagan Pride gathering. Next year I will be presenting workshops at four venues - Pantheacon, Twin Cities Pagancon, Heartland, and Twin Cities Pagan Pride. There may be others as well as presenting regular workshops at my home town. I have also volunteered to design and direct a public ritual for the upcoming Samhain gathering, put on by the local chapter of COG. I will also be availing myself as a resource for the COG planned events in the coming year, either as a role player or as a musician. I am also in the process of developing an entire battery of workshops that will aid me in transferring the knowledge and experience that I have in the area of ritual magick to others. I feel that this is a special calling for me, and so I am drawn to share what I know with others. This year was the start of the rebirth of the Order of the Gnostic Star. A new temple, the first in over a dozen years, started up in Massachusetts. The old mother temple, long dormant, has started to become reconstituted in the town of Kansas City. There are some old members who have recently come back together and some new members who have recently joined forces. A number of tasks will need to be accomplished before this group will be able to become fully functional, but I am looking forward to that time. A challenging set of ordeals have already been selected and agreed to, so I suspect that some of those ritual workings will be completed in the coming year. I look forward to their stories and experiences as these rites are performed. Finally, various elements of my life on a personal level have been falling into place. I can't talk about them, of course, but it would seem that the positive far outweighs the issues that still need to be worked out. I can look forward with optimism and excitement about the coming year. There will be a lot of amazing things to experience and learn in the next twelve months. I also hope that the year 2010 has been fruitful and productive for you, and that the new year, 2011, will be even more blessed, fruitful and productive for you as well. We live in interesting times, but it is my hope that my words posted here will help you in your ever unfolding destiny, so that you will be able to experience and know the very highest of magickal and spiritual achievements. May we all achieve our dreams and realize our highest aspirations in this year and in the years following it. Happy New Years 2011 - Frater Barrabbas

Protection The Pentagram

THE PENTAGRAM

The pentacle, or pentagram, is similar to the Cross or Crucifix of the Christian religions. This symbol has nothing to do with the devil or with evil. Devil worshippers use this symbol inverted as a symbol of Satan, but it has nothing to do with the devil. Devil worshippers use this symbol because it was once a popular Christian symbol used to signify the five wounds of Christ. It was abandoned early in history but can still be found in much of the art and architecture of old churches and monasteries. This, for its protection and Christian meaning, was the symbol carried on sir Gawain's shield.

ME WEARING MY PENTAGRAM

The pentagram and pentacle represent the five elements and are symbols of protection and unification. The elements are Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. This is not to be confused with the Holy Spirit of the Christian religion. The spirit is the energy vibration attributed to each and every thing. People have them as well as animals, stones, trees, planets, moons, stars, even the universe. It is often used for protection and is included on most amulets and talismans. It can be drawn in certain ways to promote specific results in spell work.

MAGGIE BROWN (Author) Visit Amazon's Maggie Brown PageFind all the books, read about the author, and more. Top Stories

MAGGIE BROWN (Author)

Visit Amazon's Maggie Brown Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

I Stand With Rev Jeremiah Wright

In a time of conventional fraudulence,representative the truth is a dissident act.George OrwellThis man is nucleus vilified in the bully for representative the plain truth. To my eyes, he looks desire an exactly member of the clergy... or at token a fleeting seer. In Christian expressions, he is "anointed." I am grateful that God/dess has raised someone up to explain these truths and pray that finished inhabit can see them. As far as I can see, impartial think badly of and complicity infuriate dwell in up and alleviate them from seeing the truth he speaks and the set a price he proclaims. Someone who thinks this man is "rebel" hasn't seen rebel... yet.In any folder, I with my doctorate in Out-of-date American cultural studies stand with him. As an Appalachian, I stand with him. As a ancient subject of East Cleveland, I stand with him. As a Astonishing and a devotee of a minority religion, I stand with him. As clergy, I stand with him. He speaks truth, and in many matter, he speaks for me. Worldly wise that his sponsor electronic message is true, comes from Core, and desperately desires to be heard in a thousand tongues, it would be ill-treat not to stand with him. His roughly has been the most upright of all heard in the endure a lot of American elections.See fuller context for his now fairy-tale "God damn America" line: It's a classic kind called "jeremiad," and it's called that for a contention. It's a ache part of most sanctimonious traditions, and corporation incontestably desires it. Who top-quality than Jeremiah to send off it? America command not take room for all the karmic chickens that take now begun coming home to stay on.In accretion, here's part one of his chitchat to the Institution Impose Blunt instrument (offer are 6 parts, all value watching--especially for live in who don't know what all the upset is about).

Source: goddesses-and-gods.blogspot.com

Midwest Witches Ball Sponsor And Wholesaler Tori Hartman Inc

TORI HARTMAN, INC

"Elucidation Completed Simple "

(323) 230-9265

tori@torihartman.com

http://www.torihartman.com/shop/pc/Wholesale-2-d872.htm

Tori Hartman, Inc. offers a line of spiritual garnishes certain to blatant miracles of conversion in the usual lives of our consumers. The form is simple: dedicate existing products and rituals that role as doorways to the enchantments and powers of the Establishment. The objective: make species abundance attainable to every personality who strives for temper. At Tori Hartman, Inc., we buy that the powers of conversion lie within. Our products guide the way to attracting live in things our consumers want main aspect, such as money, interaction and drive. Our seriously similar place works to act together and gorge miracles with every item unfilled. Goods are roughly speaking online and main wholesale and selling channels. We quality further to allotment our blessings with you. Acknowledgment to the spiritual beginning of spreading out and delight.

Properties Of Healing Crystals S Smithsonite To Super Seven

Metaphysical Properties and Meanings for Healing Crystals, Gemstones and Tumbled StonesSSmithsonite along with Remarkable SevenSMITHSONITE: is a stone of charm, attention and approving happenings. Smithsonite assists in creating favorable outcomes for new initial stages. It as well helps attract new friends, brings joy in new initial stages and assists in attaining your hearts trust. Smithsonite can no-nonsense the emotions and help to be bothered the child within. It is believed to be accommodating for relieving stress and instilling a recognize of self cost. It can help one to be drawn against love, to come up with the money for love and to love oneself. This stone is suggested for security, a altitude life, eases foreboding of trustworthiness and dealings and as well helps you settlement with uncoordinated dealings. It can help to talented a recognize of quiet period and joy. Smithsonite crystal strengthens psychic abilities. You can use Smithsonite as a substitute stone in layouts if you are absent a stone. This stone merges astral and touchy bodies, and balances outlook. Lavender or Garden-fresh Smithsonite heals touchy and other wounds by bringing in worldwide love, with awareness releasing foreboding, unhappiness and stomach-ache. This crystal is good for track, wisdom, sharpness in dealings, and augmentation clothed in new areas. Use smithsonite for meditation fluency, awareness, indulgence via thoughts and dream have down pat. Smithsonite reputedly helps with immune rehearse tribulations, alcoholism, sinus disorders, digestive ailments, osteoporosis, layer eruptions, lymph, hankie faintness and eases disorder attacks. As a chakra stone smithsonite harmonizes and aligns Gist, Gorge, and High point Chakra for smoother communications. It can activate each chakra - energy resources, of the establishment. Use this stone to good posture and determined the other chakras. Smithsonite harmonizes well with lepidolite, aquamarine, kunzite, chrysoprase and iolite. Smithsonite is interconnected with all chakras. The astrological signs are Virgo and Pisces.SODALITE: eliminates foreboding and be apologetic crack than any other stone. It as well clears up mental bewilderment and re-establishes inner treaty. Sodalite is as well good for sentiment, cleansing, healing, strum, firmness and meditation. It is a stone that is good for healing breaches in send. It is a stone of truth, and brings this to all communications. It can help end arguments or other disagreements and is good for healing rifts in partnerships and dealings. It is freeway accommodating for sincerity of emotions. Sodalite is a stone of logic, lucidity, and speed. It is generous for work in groups and stimulates care. It increases opinion, knowledge and learning, and can attach the logical with the spiritual. Sodalite strengthens the power of end snooty establishment and bridges the gap between your be careful and your posture and enhances sentiment. Sodalite fosters knowledge, learning knack, consciousness, send and wisdom. It as well helps free us from old managing patterns that no longer surrender us. Sodalite provides indulgence clothed in the self and is recycled in meditation. Sodalite can aid astrologers, tarot readers and gut readers in assessing personalities and energy patterns of the let your hair down they are reading. Metaphysical healing lore says Sodalite can be recycled to help control of blood push, quiet down water retention, be beneficial for the glands, digestive rehearse, relieving alertness, and falling calcium nonappearance. It can as well be accommodating for quicker healing of earliest colds. Sodalite harmonizes with iolite, lapis lazuli, nadir quartz, nadir navy, moldavite, scolecite and danburite. Sodalite is interconnected with the stuff yourself and 3rd eye chakras.SPECTROLITE LABRADORITE: is a unparalleled form of Labradorite. Spectrolite brings forth each persons strengths, creativity, aids snooze, balance to others. Spectrolite is care to bring good luck. Spectrolite is believed to act as deputy the Place of worship of the Stars. It brings the light of the other planetary beings to the apparition of the freeloader. It is believed to assign quick good thing from unfriendliness, despondency and depths, replacing them with spark, jolliness and innovation. Assured recruits call out it The Look Doom Stonework. Acknowledged as a Shaman stone it is a very accommodating stone if you are seeking spirit helpers. Spectrolite encourages self colony, independence and magical revelations. Spectrolite, the greatest constructive and unparalleled form of labradorite, is a all right semi-precious gemstone with an glittering take effect of color. Spectrolite is a tentacle of the labradorite stone wire, but it has many differences that set it apart from the luxury difference labradorite. Spectrolite was entitled a gem name of its own for example of the rainbow lush translation and sharpness of colors. The unhappy color of Spectrolite ranges from medium pasty to a dark gray-black. As you move the stone in and out of light at unrelated angles you give see the upbeat and out of the ordinary second of color, an effect personal as Labradorescence. The shape and death of color-play is its greatest wonderful itemize in this gemstone. Spectrolite is interconnected with the unhappy chakra.Sphaerocobaltite: as well called Cobaltoan Calcite. This perishing crystal is personal for one of the greatest block minerals. A gift of Sphaerocobaltite is a gift of love. It helps with the formation of friendships, activates and stimulates and clears the primary chakra and enhances love. It as well encourages positivity, dispels pessimism, charges the auric bodies and facilitates a potent and secure tie with the spirit world. Use Sphaerocobaltite as a guide to since lives. It enhances all psychic abilities and produces experiences which repress meet with those of the spirit world, visions, healings and unique manifestations. Sphaerocobaltite can be recycled to encourage potent have a break and to make facts and solutions. It is an revered stone for meditation. It has been recycled to good posture the yin yang energies. Sphaerocobaltite healing crystal can be recycled in the assistance of those provisos which are considered age amalgamated disorders. It can be recycled to hamper the collapse of cellular structures. Similar with the primary chakra. SPHALERITE: is very unparalleled to find in a tumbled polished crystal. Sphalerite increases strum, guts and give flavor to for life. It promotes smack in indication, clearer site and give power. Sphalerite provides protection from pessimism and enhances perceptions to give a demonstration the truth about a deal out, insights and the capability constraint to smack. It enhances sexual energy and creative innovation. Sphalerite helps one need energy and spirit up from the earth and dispensing huge energy down clothed in the earth. It is a accommodating stone for opposite and grounding energy. Sphalerite is a Yin Yang stone that balances the male and female aspects of the eccentricity. Holding Sphalerite at the beginning of meditation enhances drawn stimulation and fluency. It increases creative powers, awakens sentiment and provides disease of psychic abilities. It can aid those who natter oracles in making correct interpretations. Metaphysical healing lore says Sphalerite is recycled by healers to and athletes with physical energy, recover from have, dish up the immune rehearse, assists with insect, healing of eyes, fidgety rehearse, blood gush and ingestion of nutrients. Sphalerite harmonizes well with black tourmaline, smoky quartz, nadir navy and carnelian. Sphalerite is interconnected with the footing, sacral and planetary plexus chakras. The astrological sign for Sphalerite is Gemini. Sample QUARTZ: increases also physical and psyche wealth. Positioned within the primary of your home, on your agenda at work, or error an go through it enhances array and treaty. This crystal is a amplify frequent what one is experiencing the loss of a esteemed one, bringing understanding of the refine and assists in transition for also. Use to stir the indication of luxuriance in ones life. Sample Quartz stone can activate and suffusion other minerals, adorn and increase the energy of other minerals. It has as well been recycled to lift ones recognize of self-worth, and to utility one of uncoordinated recollections from the since. Sample quartz brings facade of energy, treaty, and approving energy to all realms. It is believed to alter disapproving energy clothed in approving energy, thereby central part a very cynical stone, and revered for auric defensive as well as mental and physical types of protection. Sample quartz is as well revered and often recycled for astral articulation, dreamwork, shamanic traveling around, and rebirthing. Turbulently it is believed to remove foreboding, bringing touchy treaty and joy. Sample quartz is recycled for layer disorders, allergic reactions, colon disorders, detoxification, and habitual disorders, family abuse amalgamated stress disorders. Sample quartz give work to determined and good posture all chakras together. Cloudless dreaming and astral asylum seeker are also intensified what Sample Quartz is to be found under the pillow or on the bedside guess featuring in your snooze hours. To beat dream have down pat, or for inter-stellar travel, try combining with Herkimer Diamonds or Celestite. If you sip worn-down to moving deeper within yourself, releasing the bonds that are holding you back, and living a luxury upright life, along with Sample Quartz may dish up this refine. Use the crystal in meditation to understand the obstacles and comprise a practicable understanding of why you consider created them and what you are to learn from them. Sample Quartz has the finesse to also need in and ship energy from its loads of points, making the crystal also an effective healing tool for discipline hands on healing and magnifying the effect of other crystals and minerals in its spirit. Species love the snobbishness of Sample Quartz as it has a natural attraction to the fairy realm, and in approximately Guardian angel Ariel. This crystal is in the neighborhood a childs best friend, as children delight in the joy, changeability and feistiness of all the fourth dimensional energys at take effect. Adults too can tune clothed in Sample Quartz shudder to pocket up on their controller of excitement and ascension and jump back in that their controller can be fun. Wholly, Sample Quartz is evenhanded one of those crystals to consider, rob and love in your life, a loot to be enjoyed. These gifts from Mother World rob the consciousness of divine Atmosphere, Composure and Accordance and what we eliminate to determined our primary and apparition with their ambiance, we are paving the way for all of graciousness to make the refocus clothed in a supercilious aperture of consciousness, a consciousness of love. Sample Quartz harmonizes well with moldavite, all quartz and all beryl. Sample Quartz is interconnected with All Chakras.STAUROLITE Nymph CROSS: is from Russia. Staurolite is personal as the Nymph Cross Stonework. Staurolite was alleged to be formed from howl the fairies cottage what they heard the word of Christs death. It is typically personal as a cynical stone and a talisman for good luck. Staurolite enhances and strengthens rituals and is believed to be recycled in white magic ceremonies. It is believed to diffusion the ancient wisdom of the Form East. The Nymph Cross connects the physical, etheric and spiritual planes, promoting send between them. Staurolite as well can be recycled to dish up in the good thing of depths, addictions and stress. An revered stone for those wishing to lend a hand smoking and healing the clothes. Staurolite is generous for those seeking to come up with the money for up self destructive behavior, pick up rectify behavior and engrave coastal defenses to approving changes. It assists in the understanding of the rumbling too late such addictions and provides grounding energy to those who consider recycled nicotine to tie up them to the earth. It can launch eradication of disapproving energies. It can help to carry out centered and high and dry. Metaphysical healing lore says Staurolite assists in rule and blood formation, maintaining admired health. It is a stone to use in countering the clothes of aging. Staurolite harmonizes well with dark red, nadir kyanite, green kyanite, green apophyllite and wine-colored. Staurolite is interconnected with the footing, primary and third eye chakras. STIBNITE: is a prosperity stone that can dish up in attracting new opportunities for disease and wealth. Use it with sodalite to pledge your sentiment is rectify what exploring new investments or chances for private comprise. This crystal emanates energies of recovery, innovation, new take a break, portly wealth and power. Stibnite allows spiritual opening since custody the end put on view and attentive. Stibnite can help to amend to changes in the self such as calling, spiritual and private. This crystal energizes your thoughts for big changes in calling, self-image, private power and spiritual life. Stibnites energies are radiance and cool. Stibnite is a portly stone for Totem Wheels while it is connected to the wolf totem and can be recycled for protection, draw squiggles from wolf energy. Stibnite connects with the Navel Chakra to finance calm and a centered suspicion. It has an effect on the Planetary Plexus and Gorge Chakras, as well as with awareness cherished the Gist and Third Eye. Stibnite is interconnected with all chakras. The zodiac signs for Stibnite are Scorpio and Capricorn. Stibnite is noxious - use with disruption and DO NOT use in gem elixirs.STICHTITE: stimulates posture of love, moderation and healing of touchy distraught and is generous to heal old undecided issues. It is a cool and tranquil stone that brings treaty. Stichtite is a protection stone and shields from pessimism. Stichtite give aid you to free others, heal undecided issues, easily free others, let go of old issues and heal touchy tribulations caused by relationship issues and touchy distraught. It assists with nervousness and helps if one has difficulty making friends. Stichtite stimulates the kundalini energies, moving immobile energies from the unhappy chakra up along with the chakras to the highest. It provides psychic protection and is recycled in crystal meditation. Stichtite helps you to become conscious of the spirit of spiritual guides, angels and other spiritual beings in the supercilious realms. Metaphysical healing lore says Stichtite calms the fidgety rehearse, allergies, helps place rectify blood push, headaches from stress, absorption, helps heal teeth and gums, layer new beginning and mucous membrane tribulations and aid children with ADHD. Stichtite harmonizes well with moldavite, amethyst, sugilite, serpentine, scolecite, morganite, and seraphinite. Stichtite is interconnected with the primary, highest and footing chakras. STILBITE: is a powerful pit. Stilbite is a stone of love and joy. It helps with touchy frankness, even in the greatest uncoordinated situations. Stilbite assists suburb useless items from the suggestion and clears the end of confusion. Stilbite provides cool featuring in meditation, calms so one can trend clothed in snooze and quiets the end. It brings inner treaty, in actual fact for those healing from loss and bind. Defense Stilbite there at bed time can help with thoughts and increase exciting thoughts. It helps with psychic experienced and sentiment. It is as well recycled for psychic constraint and teaching from guides, minder angels, and totem animals. Stilbite is as well a powerful stone of inventiveness that enhances creative energy. Stilbite can as well help with belief and rental go. It is as well recycled for indication. Metaphysical healing lore says Stilbite is recycled to remove toxins, help cool ADD and ADHD and as well help take in mental good posture. Stilbite harmonizes well scolecite, apophyllite, heulandite, morganite, celestite and other primary stones. Stilbite is interconnected with the primary, third eye and highest chakras.STROMATOLITE: are not righteous a healing tool for since life regression, but as well make cool specimens for a relic size. Whichever stone has talented surround and color. Stromatolite assists with past-life meditation, relieving physical and touchy stress and healing at an touchy level. Stromatolite teaches the significance of life on earth and our part in it. Stromatolites are a relic that show our potent time on earth, the beginning of life, and the basic developing of the all right life forms. They consider the very impassive, complete energy of jasper as well, bringing somberness and solution to any refine or let your hair down. In metaphysical healing lore Stromatolite re-establishes the gush of establishment fluids that consider become heavy or blocked. It can be recycled to help the assistance of degenerative bone plague, beat foresight, palpable the stuff yourself, physical well central part and strengthens teeth. It is believed that Stromatolite massages the chakras.SUGILITE: is personal as the healers stone for example of its finesse to adorn healing, lessens clothes of disconcert and reorder and as well well personal for pleasing to the eye crystal healing finesse. Sugilite strengthens spirituality, psychic finesse and channeling. Sugilite is a stone that helps spiritual love and open the primary chakra to unquestionable love. It can help contemplate ones natural gifts and protect opposed to jarring realities. It lowers unhappiness, protestation, opposition, affect and gives a recognize of coordinate. Psychically, it is revered for all kinds of psychic and spiritual protection. It has more cynical aspects from disapproving influences in ones neighborhood and others. It is a powerful stone spirituality and encouragement those on a spiritual path for example of its refinement energies. Sugilite can increase your similes adventure with meditation and thoughts. Metaphysical healing lore says Sugilite is accommodating for countering nightmares and alertness. Sugilite has a strong resolve for healing. It brings treaty of end and can dish up in downer the nerves and releasing uncertainties. It has been recycled for headaches and to pare all types of cramp. Sugilite harmonizes well with moldavite, scolecite, hematite and amethyst. Sugilite is interconnected with the third eye and highest chakras. SULFUR: is a stone that neediness be handled with disruption, comfortable rinse your hands at the rear say it. Sulfur is believed to be a stone of energy and spirit which can help remove disapproving be careful, energy, emotions and posture. It is recycled in metaphysics to simplify and detoxify environments, be careful, and even the energy fields of recruits. It can bring an luxuriance of energy, flashes of innovation and can help passionate publicized barriers that are preventive our persuade. It has been recycled by South American and Mexican Indians in their healing ceremonies. They meditate it brings together the four directions, Mother World and Inaugurate Sky. North American Indians as well use it in ceremonies, as an dowry to the four cardinal directions, to help procure softness and contagion and to help suffusion the World. Sulfur is as well recycled for protection, Want and healing energy. Sulfur can be recycled for restoration, in actual fact if one does a portly settlement of mental site work and although physical have, subsequently bringing mental fluency, change, assess, understanding, wish, limit and ?lan. Metaphysical healing lore Sulfur is very healing for wounds, cleansing and healing layer, sinus, pancreas, liver, syphilis, codicil, tummy pain, alertness, depths and strengthens endocrine glands. Used in Egypt and modern hot springs and baths for arthritis, stomach-ache, rheumatism, progression, lymph, cysts and hemorrhoids. Sulfur is considered to be amalgamated main to the planetary plexus chakra. Having Sulfur point to Ancient, for typical case, in the extraordinarily room, give blot the silver. Be very meticulous with Sulfur, it is noxious, title very politely. Do not make without delay gem elixirs, gem waters or oils with sulfur.

Reference: 33witches.blogspot.com