Winter Magick Day 9

A Winter Meditation 

During these days before the solstice, in the deepening dark, allow yourself to be seduced by that luscious darkness. Sometimes there is fear of the darkness, I know this well myself. But try to consider it not as a place to fear, but as a safe place, warm and soothing, nourishing and restorative. Allow yourself to see it as a place of hibernation, where you move away from any coldness and harshness, the overstimulation and busyness of the physical world, a healing place where you can indulge yourself in periods of creativity, healing, and rest. 

Find a cozy place, sit or lie down. Wrap yourself in a soft blanket, a cup of tea or cocoa at your side, perhaps some very soft, relaxing music or silence, as you like. Lean back and read along, traveling with me.

Let your body relax, sink in to your cozy place, and take some deep breaths. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply but easily into your belly. At your own pace, gently, gently, and relax. 

Visualize yourself at the entrance to a cave. The air is warm and comfortable, the scent of the earth rich and soothing. You walk forward with the knowledge that you are perfectly safe at all times on this journey.

As you walk forward, you feel yourself descending down an incline. There is soil and stone all around and roots hang from above. There are small lantern’s hanging  here and there gently lighting your way. You are completely relaxed in this place, any worries are released, there is only contentment here. 

You gaze around and notice lovely stones of different colors embedded in the soil of the walls. And you keep walking, down, down, deeper into Mama Earth, feeling more and more at peace as you go.

And now you notice the ground has become more even and you see ahead of you a door in the earth. It opens in welcome and there is light and warmth. An old woman stands there wordlessly inviting you to enter. There beyond the door is a room, the walls lined in richly colored fabrics of all kinds. A hearth of rough stone is opposite the door, a fire brightly burning. Soft, pillowy chairs are arranged near the hearth, and the woman waves a hand towards the seats. So… you sit gazing around at the wonderful colored fabrics on the walls, their embroidery of leaves and flowers, animals and insects, mushrooms and birds so pretty and alive. The colors are stunning, almost hypnotic, and you feel an incredible soothing sensation wash over you. This room embraces you a gentle energy.

“Be comfortable here and rest yourself,” says the old woman. Her voice is soft. “This time of year is such a rush, take a break with me here. Chat with me or just enjoy the crackle of my fire. All is well here, all is well for you.” She serves a warm beverage, just what you like. You wonder how could she know. Her eyes are bright, you feel such reassurance in her presence, as if you have always known her. 

There is no need to know who this woman is, you just intuitively know that she is someone you can be at ease with, who offers a peaceful respite from your world. Relax in her presence, rest and allow her healing to flow over you. The lovely walls, the beautiful embroideries, the warm and inviting energy, all soothe your entire being. Let yourself drift. 

After a while of rest you may have a question, a need for clarification of something in your life. This old one will have a bit of advice to share so listen carefully, open your heart. Is she speaking to you?

When you are ready, say thank you and farewell. Walk through the Old One’s door. Move easily up the incline, perhaps a stone will offer itself to you as you walk. Breathe in the rich scent of roots and stone and earth. Breathe in deeply of Mama Earth’s energy.

As you move up returning to your own place, the gentle peace of the Old One’s room remains, as does the knowledge that you can return anytime you like or need to. She is always there, at all times, offering rest, healing, and peace. 

Return now to your own place, restored. 

Blessings dark and deep!

C 2025 EA Kaufman 

Stones for Winter

Clear Quartz, Citrine, & Selenite 

Photo by Linda Raphael 

 Magical Stones For Winter

We've turned back the clocks and Hallows Eve has passed, now we welcome the holidays and the winter of the year. Winter is a time of introspection, journeying within and remembering. While all the preparations for the holidays begin, take time for yourself, not only to rest and restore on a physical level, but especially on a spiritual and emotional level. The energies of this season, Winter, help us journey down deep into ourselves to remember and find answers.

When journeying, I like to either hold stones in my hands or enclose myself in a stone grid. Pocket or palm sized stones work very well for this. Stones can be held in the hands while sitting in a comfortable, cozy chair or lying down in soothing surroundings. Placing stones in a circle, at four points (head, feet, right hand and left) or even in a triangular pattern  (head, side of left foot and side of right foot) around you, works very well for making an energetic boundary that focuses energies, intention and also protects. There are many ways to surround yourself with stones, use your imagination.

Here is a bit of information about three of my favorite stones that I like to use for this work. 

The first is quartz crystal, either points or smooth polished pocket stones. The points are great for directing energy, but the polished stones, especially when used in a circle or four points grid, make a gently swirling, encompassing energy vortex. Crystal quartz is an energy amplifier and willingly will assist us. It is also a stone of memory, helping us to "remember" on a spiritual level. In meditation it can enhance one's journeying experience by bringing back to us details and information long forgotten from other lives, dreams and spiritual encounters. One can also gaze into the crystal for divination.

Citrine can assist in opening the third eye and clearing heavy, burdensome energies, making it a perfect helper stone for journeying work. It works to open the way to clearly seeing and accepting information in a positive light, as a mother energy gently guiding. The beautiful citrine is also a stone of manifestation, helping us bring thoughts and desires to fruition. It surrounds one with a golden, healing, positive energy.

Selenite is another stone helper that assists in opening the third eye. It also opens the crown and soul chakras as well making it a good companion for journey and meditative work. Selenite is a perfect ally for reinforcing energy grids, so it is an amazing stone to be surrounded by. It can assist in clearing the blockages that keep us from "remembering" and moving forward with the information received from spiritual realms. It enhances our inner vision allowing us access to past lives and assisting during divination. I keep pieces of selenite with each of my divination tools.  Placing two selenite points at one's front door re-enforces protective energies in the home.

These are just three of the many stones that can assist us, on all levels and in many ways. Each stone has a spirit within, just as we do, as plants, animals, all beings. They are waiting for you to make contact and connection.

Blessings dark and deep!

  

 

Hallows Everyday - 13

A Technique to Remember a Past Life

Cleanse you space with whatever you usually use, such as white sage, palo santo, etc. Place a white candle next to a mirror that will stand on its own. You can place the mirror so it securely rests against something to hold it. Also, any stones and crystals that may assist in opening the third eye and journeying, may be held in your hands, or place between you and the mirror. Lapis lazuli, Herkimer diamond, hematite, carnelian, and amethyst, are excellent stones for connecting the past and present, while protecting and grounding. In addition, and most importantly, they assist us in “coming back” from the journey at any time we feel the need. You are in control, if you choose to end the journey, simply make the intention and move around, turning on lights, bringing yourself back into the present. Quiet is best for this journey, no music, phones turned off. This is best done at a time when no one will disturb you or make noise in another part of your home.

The candle’s light should be set just behind and to the side of your mirror. It should illuminate your face gently, but the candle itself should not be visible in the mirror. A few sheets of paper with pen or pencil near at hand will be of help if you want to make note of anything you wish to remember particularly later. Turn off any other lights in the room and sit in front of the mirror. Close your eyes and take deep breaths, gradually slowing and deepening them, bringing yourself into a light trance state. Use whatever technique to bring this state about that works for you. Now, gaze into the mirror, looking deeply into your eyes and say the words:

“With my guardians’ and guides’ protection surrounding me, 

I open myself to receive information about a previous life I have lived.

Let the memories flow, let the memories come.

Let the memories come now.

I remember, I remember, I remember. ”

Repeat and concentrate until your reflection begins to blur; the edges whitening slightly. Gradually you may notice that your face changes, becomes that of someone else. Look at the face,  the body, clothing and surroundings. These images may be accompanied by memories. Alternatively, you may receive only the memories of this past life, but no images in the mirror. This is fine, you are receiving the information you need. Maintain your trance and let yourself float while continuing to gaze into the mirror. Let any memories come to you. Make the intention to remember all the information and make notes after returning from your trance.

When you have completed your journey and received all information that is available to you, bring yourself out of trance by allowing your breathing to return to normal. Move fingers and toes, allow the rest of the body to come back to awareness. Blow out the candle, turn on the lights and make any notes you wish to. Ground and center yourself, have something to eat and cleanse your space. 

Copyright 2013 E A Kaufman

Blessings dark and deep!

A Dream of Winter

I am enjoying the dark nights coming early as they do at this time of year. Many people find it uncomfortable, they don't like the sun setting early, the darkness closing over us like a cloak. I do, oh how I do. It is a soothing comfort, the feeling of being truly home. Winter, the time of introspection, curling up and surrounding ourselves with the warmth and blessings of the season. If they would only allow themselves to feel that.

I light the candles on my Winter Solstice shrine and the fire in the fireplace most nights. From my aromatherapy pot, a blend of winter scents drifts through the air. I have been meditating, as usual, but allowing the journeying to go where it will. With the addition of some Solfeggio music, which includes different frequencies that are a sort of drone in the background of the music, I have had some interesting meditations, as well as significant changes in my self-healing work.

Last night, I drifted off into a journey or dream, not sure which. It was intensely real; I felt transported. I found myself walking through a forest in winter, the sky dark gray as if twilight were about to arrive. I was wrapped in a cloak and hood of animal skins. I felt warm and toasty despite the wind and gently falling snow. Nearby, keeping pace with me, an owl drifted from branch to branch as we traveled. Behind me, as if keeping guard, a large black dog. One of Hekate's hounds? I don't know, but I did know the hound was there to assist me, as was the owl.

The air, cold and crisp as winter air is, felt as if it were cleansing me with every breath, its icy winds reaching in and moving through me. Yet, still, I did not feel cold, just a bright cleansing. The branches of the trees overhead as I looked up, were like a tapestry woven together. Here and there, I bent to pick up a twig, a pine cone, a stone peeking from beneath the snow. All were placed in a fur pouch beneath my cloak. What use they would be, I didn't know, but they were important.

Now and then I stopped and placed my hands on the trees, feeling their spirits. The ground beneath my feet spoke to me, encouraging me to move on, all the while holding me in its embrace. And so I walked, my companions nearby. As I walked, the light became dimmer, twilight came and flowed into night. Moonlight was the only light that kept me on my path, but soon even that began to dim. Dimmer and dimmer, gray to black, slowly, slowly I drifted. No fear, no worry, I let myself go...

And then my eyes fluttered open, the scent of pine, the flickering of candle and fire light welcomed me. Home again.

Blessings dark and deep.

Trees

Think Like A Tree

By Karen Shragg

Soak up the Sun

Affirm Life's magic

Be graceful in the wind

Stand tall after a storm

Feel refreshed after it rains

Grow strong without notice

Be prepared for each season

Provide shelter to strangers

Hang tough through a cold spell

Emerge renewed at the first signs of Spring

Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky

Be still long enough to hear your own leaves rustling.

I was reading the above poem, jotting notes and contemplating its message when I remembered the photo of this huge tree, I believe in Clearwater or Largo, near my mother's home. I suddenly began to remember many meditative journeys where trees, their roots and branches, became part of me.  Those notes became the following poem.

Me, A Tree

I love trees, they seems a part of me and I of them.

My roots, deep in the soil, grow from my hands and feet.

Branches sprout, reaching from my head, 

Long and glorious, beautiful in the wind.

I feel the sap journey inside, feeding, refreshing, 

Nourishing, renewing.

I feel the earth, warm, moist, dark and deep,

healing.

When someone hugs me, they hug a tree.

A laughing Willow,

An old mother Elder,

A mysterious Yew,

Yes, that is me, all three.

copyright 2010, E A Kaufman

Blessings nine! 

Chakra Connecting & The Rite of Self Blessing

This chakra connecting technique is based on the one found in the book, Healing Touch, A Resource for Health Care Professionals by  Dorothea Hover-Kramer, Ed.D, RN. She states that one should follow the basic outline and personalize by adding one's own variations - which is what I have done. I use it  before every ritual to bring the energy systems of my body into a state of alignment and balance, which radiates out into the space where I am. I also do this each morning and evening; sometimes I use it during the day if things get stressful or I need to strengthen my connection to the Lady.

Begin by grounding and centering yourself; feel roots slowly flowing from your palms and the soles of your feet, pushing into the ground. Actually feel your hands and feet sinking into the earth as if you were pushing them into soil for planting. Feel the roots tugging a bit, gently, keeping your body connected to the earth.

Sit toward the edge of your chair, back straight, but relaxed and comfortable, feet flat on the ground/floor. 

Breathe in deeply, rub your hands together, clap three times and bring the palms of your hands close together, but not touching. Slowly move them away and together, away and together, but not touching, feel the energy building. You should feel a tingling or warmth and a pull  from your hands, similar to two magnates pulling together, as the palms get close to each other. Draw the hands apart, then in, then apart, building a collection of energy. When you have the energy fully formed, place it in your heart and then the third eye. 

Now place your hands at the root chakra. Feel the energy of the Mother in the Earth below; pull this energy up. If you like, you can use four fold breathing - inhale to a count of 4, hold for 4, release to a count of 4 and hold for 4. You should feel a warmth in the area of the root chakra and your hands, perhaps some tingling. 

Move one hand to the sacral chakra keeping the other at the root. Again, pull the energy up, use four fold breathing. 

Next, move the hand from the root to the solar-plexus - repeat the above breathing as you draw the energy up. 

The hand that is on the sacral chakra now moves to the heart, the hand at the solar-plexus remains there - draw the energy up and use four fold breathing. 

The hand at the solar-plexus now moves to the throat, the hand at the heart remains - continue drawing up the energy and four fold breathing.

The hand at the heart now moves to the third eye, repeat drawing the energy further up and four-fold breathing. 

The hand at the throat now moves to the crown, repeat  the breathing technique. You should feel a definite "flow" of energy, a sense of movement up and through the body, the root "flashing" warmth or some other sensation, as well as strong awareness of the other chakras.

Open the hand at the crown and bring the other hand from the third eye to the crown area, holding it open \__/ so the energy can flow. Hold for four fold breathing.

Again, you will sense the energy flowing up and down through your body. Now, reach up and out with your arms in a modified goddess pose. Hold for a few breathes then lower the arms very slowly and gently.

The Rite of Self-Blessing (to follow chakra connecting)

This is from Mysteries of Demeter by Jennifer Reif with slight modification. The movements should be slow and gentle as you recite the blessings softly with sincere feeling.

Bring finger tips of both hands to the third eye, eyes closed and say:       

Eye of Spirit where wisdom enters,

Extend the right arm out to the side, slightly lowered , say:                                                                     

May Her good enter from the right hand,

Extend the left arm in the same manner, say:                                                                            

May Her good enter from the left hand,

Bring both hands to your heart and say:                                                                        

For She dwells within

Extend arms straight out in front of you, palms up, arms at heart level and say:                                                                

And without

Bring hands back to heart, say:                                                                                          

 In beauty

Bow head and say:                                                                                                                           

And honor

Raise arms up and out, modified goddess pose \ / and with great emotion say:
Hail Great Mother! (or whichever goddess you choose.)

You should feel at peace, connected to spirit and prepared for whatever awaits, ritual, healing work and/or meditation - or simply the day or night ahead.

Sources:

Mysteries of Demeter, Jennifer Reif

Healing Touch, A Resource for Health Care Professionals, Dorothea Hover-Kramer

The Psychic Energy Codex, Michelle Belanger

 By E. A. Kaufman (copyright 2008) 

(I am unable to locate the name of the artist and title of the painting used, but will add the credit when I find it. I am grateful to the artist for this beautiful work.)