My Desire for Wiccan Initiation.

As the time flows, I want more and more to be initiated in Wicca (Wicca is a Religion of Witchcraft, more or less), beside Buddhism. I am aware that following too many of spiritual paths might lead to confusion and insanity, but combining just these two seems to be nice and fine still.

I hope that my Buddhist Teachers do not mind, and perhaps we need time to prepare for that initiation. I'll wait patiently for as long as it's needed and necessary.

I need to read two books before I decide finally:
1. 'Modern Wicca: A History from Gerald Gardner to the Present' by Michael Howard (I have this book since a while),
2. 'Wicca Made Easy: Awaken the Divine Magic Within You' by Phyllis Curott (Ordered this book today, should arrive in about 2 weeks).


After my positive decision, it still might take a while before my initiation happens, because I wish to join the Circle/Coven of the Wiccan High Priestess, Phylis Curott, and She lives in the U.S.A. - quite a distance from Poland, where I live.

Awakening the Witch Within, winning the Wisdom - the first steps.

After consecrating the Phyllis Curott's Witches' Wisdom TAROT Deck, i've taken the first steps to win the Wisdom and to Awaken the Witch Within.

I did 1-card read with this intention, the intention for the Deck to show me the way for Self-Development as a Witch.


The card drawn was '10 of Earth'.

Meaning of the image is wandering in the forest, easy to get lost. Mushrooms are magical flora, and sometimes hallucinogens. To me, the trees also represent disturbing emotions.

But according to Phyllis Curott's guidebook for the TAROT deck, the meaning of the Card is as follows:


10 of Earth,
- Web of Life -

1. WISDOM.

Seize the golden thread leading into the magic forest, a strand in the Web of Mushrooms and Mycelium, the conscious Web of Life. Lie upon the mossy ground and listen. Below the surface of soil and perception is a network of connection, alive and humming with messages, pulsing with the energy, nourishment, and healing flowing from one being to another. Everything is joined in this intervoven mystery, this hidden world within the world. It seems strange and other, yet familiar and ecstatic when you taste it on your tongue. Your DNA will recognize what your mind has forgotten: all beings are connected and depend upon one another.

2. ESSENCE.

Consciousness of Creation, interconnection, communion, green wisdom. You are never alone. Web of support.

3. COUNSEL.

You're called into deeper community and higher consciousness, beyond your current understanding. The Plant People are willing and wise teachers, and many are healers who will teach you about the medicine within the heart of every person. Commit to a path of beauty, harmony, and balance in body and soul. Recognize, revere, and celebrate your connections with Creation.

4. MAGIC.

Take a walk. Ask a plant to be your ally and teacher, to help you understand the greater consciousness of Life. It may be a weed growing in a sidewalk crack or the largest tree in the park. Whatever it is, observe it, listen to it, talk to it. Research its biology, folklore, and medicine. Cultivate your relationship with it and honor its wisdom.

--

I've understood that to develop as a Witch, i need to connect with other Witches, to learn and help each other. We are all interconnected, interdependent, which means that we depend upon each other to become what we want to be. Perhaps the Internet is a beginning, just a beginning. The central guidance, the higher consciousness - perhaps a Witches' Deity - is important too.

I've understood that i should have more time and attention for the Nature and for the World of Plants, and walked among the spring bushes and trees in my apartment block. I've chosen single tree as the most important one for me... perhaps it should be my Plant Teacher, but no rush... such relations need time to develop well.

The path seems to be obscured by confusion, disturbing emotions and conflicts, but in the forest there are clearings too.

Akasha & Akashic Records.

Akasha.

Akasha or Akash means space or sky or aether in traditional Indian cosmology, depending on the religion. The term has also been adopted in Western occultism and spiritualism in the late 19th century.

Akashic is Sanskrit for 'ether'. Ether is primordial energy.


Akashic Records (or Akashic Scrolls).

Stored-up cosmic memory. A level of time-consciousness within the Astral Plane that contains all the past events, thoughts, images, and activities of humanity from the beginning of time. This 'chronicle of the world' can be accessed by the mystic and the magician.

-- Quoted from: 'The Essential Golden Dawn. An Introduction to High Magic' by Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabatha Cicero.


Carl Jung.

Carl Jung, a renowned psychologist, refers to this realm (of Akashic Records) as the collective unconscious.

Source: the Internet.


Blog author's thoughts.

I think that Akashic Records (Or Akashic Scrolls) can be explained in buddhist terms as: 'Collective Store Consciousness' and that it's possible to find any information there as one looks within one's Mind. Answers, Secrets, Spells, Rituals ... anything can be 'digged' from there, if one is dedicated enough.

Yes, karma can be purified in more or less skilled ways... but I think that 'history' still remains there, nevertheless.

How to 'look within for information'?

One can make a wish, then try to find a way... in books, in the Internet, from lessons of various teachers.

I also think that TAROT cards can also be used to find out 'how to proceed in a best way to find this information' ... TAROT cards can be consulted at any stage of the search: either at the beginning, in middle or near the end.


In Buddhism there's no such thing as 'Beginning of Time', in fact we think that time has no beginning nor end.

In Buddhism Akasha means: 'Space', either limitless or limited.

... a questions arises now: 'How Space is related with Energy (Ether)?'

Perhaps:
- Energy & Matter fill the Space. Matter can be perceived as Energy as well.
- Space is just a Container, either Limited or Limitless.
- Depending on the 'Energy Field' within Space ('Energy Field' is 'Spread of Energy in Space'), Space has certain Form, certain State.

Because of Energy, we experience Space in a certain way. Different Forms in Space make for different experiences of the Space in one's Mind.

Thus, the word: 'Akasha' would mean: 'Space and it's Form'.


Source: the Internet, books (mostly buddhism & science), my knowledge and experience.

Astral Journeys & the 'Portal Within'.

I was chatting with a friend about esoteric (internal, like refining soul from base soul to the noble soul) & exoteric (external, like turning base metals into noble metals) things.... and among the topics mentioned were the journeys to/through the Astral Plane.

See also, if You wish:
> [ About the Spiritual Alchemy ],
> [ My Journal - Lucid Dreaming, OOBE & Milam ].

He said that when travelling to Astral Plane, one should be very careful - as plenty of things can appear just what one wants to see. He advised to 'test them', quoting many references to that in occult literature.

He also advised to use Protections - such as Elemental Protections - before i'll try to go into the Astral Plane.

I think that I should use TAROT to divine best way to prepare, and best way to proceed into and through the Astral Plane, and maybe ask the TAROT about Protections to prepare a'priori.

Even if i am forbidden to go to the Astral, i should prepare for it nevertheless - in case of doing Astral Travel involuntarily, against my conscious will. Probably I'll need to ask the TAROT cards about how to avoid going into the Astral Plane against my will, as well.

Another interresting idea he shared, is that Magical Portals (to Astral Plane or elsewhere) are in fact inner things, existing within one's Mind - and not in the external world.

I think that one's Mind exists in one's heart, and that everything one does - including passing through the Magical Portal - can be explained as 'Switching one's Mind State'.

About the Spiritual Alchemy.

What is 'Alchemy'?

In the past, alchemists sought the 'Philosopher Stone', something that would help them to turn the base metals - such as lead - into the noble metals - such as gold.

Late medieval tradition of Alchemy played a significant role in the development of early modern science (particularly chemistry and medicine).


What is 'Spiritual Alchemy'?

Many people practiced (and still practice) the 'Spiritual Alchemy', magickal practices that would refine one's lead-soul into gold-soul.


Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

I think that the 'Golden Dawn' part of Order's Name implies that they practice both for material abundance, wealth, as well as for the soul's refinement practiced in the Spiritual Alchemy.

My Journal - Lucid Dreaming, OOBE & Milam.

A longer while ago I've practiced Lucid Dreaming, with 1 or 2 successes. When asleep i was aware that i am sleeping and to some degree i could control where the dream takes me, and my Mind.

Then I've dropped this practice because of thoughts appearing in my Mind. These thoughts told me that I have higher priorities in my life than Lucid Dreaming and Astral Travel (Lucid Dreaming can beu introduction to OOBE, to Astral Travel). Probably because of time & effort that has to be put in OOBE/Milam ... time & effort that i could put in fight for love.

Still, I had dreams sometimes where I tried to wake up but could not. I've dreamed that I am waking up ... then all of sudden, appeared sleeping again. Again and again, many times.

Now, however I had a dream where I slept but tried to wake up and go to do something on my computer... i've walked to it then appeared sleeping again .... few times again and again. Then phone rang alarm and I really woke up.

Then thought appeared that perhaps i am trying to Travel Astrally, to leave my body and go somewhere.

... this happened just after creating an art about a Deity from the Astrak Plane. Printed picture with Astra (Astral Deity) was on my way from bed to my computer too, so I've walked perhaps not to my computer, but to this Deity, seeking portal to go through. (This art is a picture just below, there's portal in background too).

I got excited but thoughts in my mind reminded me of my priorities. These thoughts told me that I'm forbidden to practice OOBE (Out of Body Experience), and Milam (Tibetan Dream Yoga), that I am forbidden to Travel Astrally.

Then another thought appeared in my mind, a voice who indroduced a while ago to me as a leader of Milam practicioneers. She told me that she will fight for permission and to make me practice Milam, for - according to Her - I am needed to serve her in the Astral. Perhaps, afterall, I could fight for love by serving Her in Astral Plane.

I think that She is from Lama Ole Nydahl's Sanga, like myself as well. Word: 'Sangha' means Buddhists' community.

I'm so excited.

... :)

Witches' Wisdom TAROT.

Introduction

There are many TAROT decks, some more and some less similar to 'classic' A.E. Waite's TAROT (also known as Rider-Waite TAROT).

I have some decks in my collection, but there's one special deck that i want to describe in a more detailed way, in this article.

Witches' Wisdom TAROT.

Created by Wiccan Priestess - Phyllis Curott, and Witch Artist - Danielle Barlow, this deck can be described as a 'Healing' deck.

This deck is meant to not have 'upside down' card draws and it's symbolism is gentler and 'less patriarchal' than in A.E. Waite's TAROT. More Wicca/Witchcraft, less of 'Abrahamic Religions'.

Unlike in most of other decks, the TAROT tools (Swords, Cups, Wands, and Pentacles) in this deck's Minor Arcana are replaced with elements they represent (Air, Water, Fire, Earth).

Curott's Deck can be used both for fortunetelling, as well as for spellcasting practices.

And more than that - it can be used as a way for self-development as a Witch, as a way to gain Wisdom and to awaken the Witch within. That's the main way of how this blog's author wants to use this TAROT deck.



'One doesn't have to be a Witch to benefit from Wisdom in this Deck.
This TAROT speaks to seekers of any spirituality, age, race, or gender identity
with culturally diverse imagery and universal wisdom'.


Personal Journey.

Complete with Deck, there's the Guidebook written by Phyllis Curott where one can find information about:
- How to make the Deck personal, how to Consecrate it and fill with one's own energies,
- How to do Elemental Journey with the Minor Arcana cards,
- How to do Soul Journey with the Major Arcana cards,
- How to do Divination with this Deck, the Witches' Wisdom TAROT will prophesize, foretell, and guide,
- How to perform Guided Visualizations, to enter a card and it's story, encounter the characters, creatures, teachers and Spirits, learn the lessons, and receive the blessings they offer,
- How to perform Journeying into the cards' imagery, to experience their magick and meaning,
- How to Meditate (on the imagery of TAROT cards) to alter consciousness and encounter Spirit,
- How to do Invocation, a powerful Magickal practice to call upon a deity or Spirit, etc ... to guide one or help, or whatever one needs,
- How to do Spellcasting, give divine energy flowing through caster a shape and form,
- Cards' meanings (both Minor Arcana and Major Arcana),
- Witches' Wisdom Deck's recommended spreads (1-card, 3-card, and 'Compass Rose').

A Little of the Art, of Magick & Light.

-=- Out from the Portal. -=-

Her name is: 'Astra' / Wisdom, From Stars /, she's a Deity of Love, Wisdom and the Art of Magick, she came from the Distant Stars.

I think that people can meditate on her and/or pray to her, to receive blessings.

Based on: [ 'A Light Within' on DeviantArt ].


Other Definitions:

def. Astral: from the greek word astrum, or 'star.' That which belongs to the incorporeal level of being, which is beyond the material or physical.

def. Astral Light: An omnipresent and all permeating fluid or medium of extremely subtle matter, this Light is diffused through all space, interpenetrating and pervading every visible form or object.

def. Astral Plane: An intermediate and invisible level of reality between the physical plane and the higher, more divine realms. It is the common boundary between the individual and noumenal reality. A nonphysical level of existence that is the basis of the physical plane.

-- Quoted from 'The Essential Golden Dawn. An Introduction to High Magic'
by Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabatha Cicero.

I've also read that Astral Plane is a World of Emotions & Imagination.
I think that Imagination is related to Visualization and to Illusions.

Selene & Selenite.

Selene. Selene is name of the enchanting Greek Goddess of the Moon, who brings light to the darkness of the night. Daughter of Titans Hyperion and Theia, Selene illuminates our inner world and governs the rhythms of our lives. Selene and Artemis were also associated with Hecate and all three were regarded as moon and lunar goddesses, but only Selene was regarded as the personification of the Moon itself. Her equivalent in Roman religion and mythology is the goddess Luna. Selene was/is worshipped at the new and full moons, and played an important role in love magick. See also, if You wish: > [ Selene on Wikipedia ], > [ Luna on Wikipedia ], > [ Artemis on Wikipedia ], > [ Hecate on Wikipedia ].

Selenite.

Selene's name is forever linked with the powerful crystal Selenite, believed to hold her divine lunar energy.

(Well, in Buddhism we think that nothing lasts forever - except for Enlightenment, but this blog is about Witchcraft/Wicca & other Magick, and far less about Buddhism. I am not sure about Wiccan/Witchcraft's approach to eternity as well.)

This stunning, milky-white gemstone is known for its ability to cleanse, charge, and amplify the energy of other crystals.

It's convenient to keep quartz (or other) crystals in a Selenite bowl when they are not in use - so they are ready to be picked up and used when one needs, without prior preparations.

Less chores with purifying in salt/rice, less chores with charging.

(Selenite should be kept away from water because the Selenite dissolves in water, and because it is made up of a gypsum compound, it’s toxic).


Selenite bowl.

I've got a selenite bowl for cleansing & charging crystals (quartz crystals for now).

It's size is 6 cm x 6 cm. (It's small, can hold only 3 crystals).

-=- Empty Selenite Bowl. -=-

-=- Selenite Bowl with 3 Quartz Crystals. -=-

Spoon.

About.

Magick is like a Sword.

When learning magick, first thing to learn is when to NOT use magick.

But then, second lesson is that it's wise to protect the weak ... so we can fight wisely.

... I advise using the 'Minimum Force Approach'.


Spoon.

Waving a wand is NOT like waving a spoon in the soup.

Magick is not meant to be used to conjure money and eat to one's full. But sometimes magicians do that, nevertheless.

One should use wand wisely, with a forethoughts. For example one can touch medicine with a wand, then one's forehead ... directing energies and avoiding making unneccessary and stupid moves in process.


Matrix Quote.

Charging Quartz Crystals.

a Quartz Crystal.
(Mountain Quartz, pl: 'Kryształ Górski').


Purpose.

Crystals are useful tools for working with energies, and - like a battery - can be charged and used to charge other things.

Crystals can also be charged with complete spells, and carried in a pocket until the conditions (defined in the process of spell preparation) make the spell 'fire' (start working). Smartphones with liquid crystal displays (LCD) can also store spells, but this can be tricky. Also - one should keep in mind that this practice (storing spells in crystals and/or smartphones) can be very dangerous. This use of crystals (to store spells) is worth another, full article.

Many things can be charged with energy - Sigils, TAROT cards, Other Symbols, Crystals, etc.

Charging a symbol connects the Symbol with One's Intent, and makes the Symbol to start working it's magick to fulfill the Intent.

Charged symbol (sigil or a tarot card for example) can be destroyed (by burning for example) to make it work for one purpose then cease - this helps magick to fade from consciousness to one's unconscious.


'First you must learn the craft of magick.
Then forget the craft and embody the art of living through Do'.

-- Quoted from 'Mage: the Ascension', it's Akashic Brotherhood's Motto.

Do means 'The Way', 'Way of Life' - it's popular idea in Martial Arts and in Buddhism.


The whole point of destroying it is because the objective is to implant it into the UNCONSCIOUS and remove it from the conscious mind. Destroying it is the first step in this. Like with many examples of other magick (or perhaps even in all magickal practices), you perform your working, give thanks that it's already done, then walk away and forget about it.

... or if we want magick of a symbol to work continuously, we don't destroy it but put in a proper place in one's apartment/home. We need to recharge symbol once a while (usually once in a month).

Charged quartz crystals can be put on a symbol (Sigil, TAROT card, etc...) to charge the symbol. Quartz crystals are like batteries and amplifiers that hold and release one's own energies.

(Quartz has a property called piezoelectricity, meaning it can generate its own power. That's why Crystal radios came to be, the quartz crystals functioned as a sort of battery to power the radio. Crystal is an amplifier).

See also, if You wish:
> [ Piezoelectricity on Wikipedia ].


Cleansing Energies in Quartz crystals.

Quartz Crystals can be buried in Rice or Salt (for 24 hours), to cleanse the Crystals from harmful energies.

Putting them in a Selenite bowl has similar effect (for more details - see below, in charging quartz crystals section of this article).


Charging a Quartz Crystals.

One can charge crystals (or anything else that needs to be charged) with one's own energies by sitting in a comfortable position (preferably on floor or on a cushion in a crosslegged position - like during meditation), holding crystal in fingers of both hands, then visualizing light entering body with breath and going to lower belly and then exhaling breath and visualizing the light/breath flowing from belly through one's body and through hands and fingers to the crystal. One should keep breathing to inhale and exhale the energies, for as long as one's intuition tells.

I've also read a mention in the Internet that a symbol can be charged by surrounding it with burning candles, or by putting it on a smartphone when it's connected to a battery charger.

As for Selenite bowls, i've learned that Selenite bowls both purify and charge quartz crystals. It's convenient to keep quartz crystals in a Selenite bowl when they are not in use - so they are ready to be picked up and used when one needs, without prior preparations. Less chores with purifying in salt/rice, less chores with charging.

(Selenite bowls should be kept away from water because the Selenite dissolves in water, and because it is made up of a gypsum compound, it’s toxic).


Links.

See also, if You wish:
> [ Selene & Selenite ].

Mercury, Quicksilver, Messenger of Deities.

About.

Mercury is a chemical element; it has symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is a silvery looking liquid metal known as quicksilver and was formerly named hydrargyrum from the Greek words hydor (water) and argyros (silver). It has fast molecular motion and mobility.

In a polish language, Mercury is known as: 'Rtęć' and quicksilver is translated as: 'żywe srebro'.

Greek deity known as Hermes was known as Thoth in Egypt, and as Mercury in Rome. Deity who served as a messenger to other deities.

Mercury's name is shared with name of the nearest planet to the sun, a planet that was noted for it's speed and mobility.


Retrogrades.

Three to four times a year, the planet Mercury appears to travel backward across the sky. We refer to these periods as times when Mercury is in apparent retrograde motion or simply ”Mercury retrograde.”

In reality, the Earth briefly overtakes Mercury in its orbit.

Since Mercury rules communication, information and travel, the retrograde period is said to affect these areas.

More of communication problems, but also time to revert and correct recent mistakes.


Blog author's observation.

Hermes - as deities' messenger - has to be quick, has to quickly deliver information.

In modern days, the Internet is medium that allows to communicate quickly even at longer distances.

Is the Internet a part of Hermes' attributes, a part of 'it's portfolio'?

... personally, I think: 'Yes'.