Hallows Everyday - 13

Oya, among other things, is the Yoruba Orisha who is the keeper of the gates of cemeteries, assisting those making the transition across to the Unerworld, and giving guidance on the ghost roads. Her powers over transformation and change can  support us in our lives, assisting us as we move forward toward achieving that which is necessary for our betterment, but nonetheless painful, and that which is more difficult to get through. Some see Her as the Crone in the trilogy which includes Her younger sisters, Yemaya and Oshun.

I include Oya here, during Hallowstide because of Her relationship to cemeteries, the resting places of the dead, and Her abilities to hold back or call forth the Spirits of the dead. Oya is one of the Queens of the Dead. She does not live in the cemeteries, but at the gates. There is much more to Her than what I have written here, Oya is a fascinating and complex Orisha.

Devotional activity:  Once again, write a short prayer/verse, this time to Oya. Go to a cemetery, better at twilight, walk around and open your senses. Can you hear or see anyone? Notice the gentleness and peace of the Land of the Dead. Recite your prayer to Oya at the gates or other entranceway to the cemetery and leave a small offering to Her, perhaps some dark chocolate or other dark food. If you are not open to making a trip to the cemetery, light a black candle for Her and present your prayer. Consider going to the cemetery though, even if you only go to the entrance.

Blessing dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 12

 

Statue by Netjerwaret, Deviant Art

http://netjerwaret.deviantart.com/art/Sumerian-statue-Ereshkigal-164333895

Today, we look to Ereshkigal, Sumerian and Akkadian goddess of the Underworld, also known as the Mesopotamian Irkalla, Great Lady Under the Earth. The Sumerian name for the Land of the Dead was Attalu, the place of ancestral memories. That, I think, is a beautiful name, the place of ancestral memories. It holds a sweetness, a dreamy quality for me.  

Ereshkigal's myths are varied and I shall encourage you to explore them. She is variously viewed as jealous, bitter, mourning the loss of Her love, powerful, and also a Crone or Hag, again bitter. She was also revered by other gods and goddesses. I see Her as a goddess who rules over Her realm and can assist us with loss. She is powerful and holds that power giving no quarter. How do you see Ereshkigal?

Devotional activity: Explore a few of Ereshkigal's myths and decide which resonate's with you most. Does She frighten you? Again, as we did yesterday, write a short devotional prayer or verse for Her, reciting it after dark and lighting a black candle for Her. Feel free to post your prayer/verse in the comments section, as well as any thoughts or experiences.

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 11

Hel, Norse Goddess of the Underworld

Susan Seddons Boulet

This time is perfect for exploring and making a connection to Underworld goddesses, especially if you have avoided this or have a fear of Them. They are the Mothers of the Dead, those who tend to all who pass the veil. Yes, some can be scary, but They have an important role; They remind us to remember, They assist those making the transition from this world to the next, They guide us to accepting the inevitable. Great insights and less fear can be the result of exploring our relationship with these goddesses.

Devotional activity: Today we begin three days of making devotions to Underworld Goddesses. Our first is Hel, Norse goddess of the Underworld. Research a bit about Her and write a short devotional prayer to Her. Tonight, late when it is dark and you can feel the energies of the waning moon, light a black candle and recite your prayer to Her. Allow yourself a few minutes to consider what the role of regular devotional practice to an Underworld goddess might bring to your life. Feel free to share  your prayer and experiences in the comments section.

Blessings dark and deep!

  

Hallows Everyday - 10

Halloween

A gentle breeze rustling the dry cornstalks.

A sound is heard, a goblin walks!

A harvest moon suffers a black cat's cry.

Oh, do the witches fly!

Bonfire catches a pumpkin's gleam.

Rejoice! It's Halloween!

Richard Anderson, copyright 1998

Devotional practices: Although this is late being posted, google some vintage Halloween images and explore how they are influenced by Pagan practices.

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 9

Remembering

Some were witches, some were occultists, some magical practitioners, all left their mark.

 Sybil Leek

Marion Weinstein

Gerald Gardner

Doreen Valiente, 

Dion Fortune

Rosaleen Norton

Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart

Aleister Crowley

These are some of our Elders who have crossed over, but remain with us in the writings and the  shared over their many years and the wisdom they have left behind. We remember them, we honor them. Mighty blessings!

Devotional activity: Choose one of these Elders, or all, and research who they were and why they are important to our Artes. 

Supposedly a "real" witch. What do you thing?

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 8

Ancestors shrines for inspiration.

My family altar, a few years ago.

Another altar from past years that a friend and I created.

This altar was for remembering women who were accused of witchcraft and died. We recited the name of each woman, the year she died, and then lit a candle for her.

One of my apprentices' ancestor altar.

The ancestor altar of two more apprentices.

Devotional activity: Search the internet and find three names of women who were accused of witchcraft and then killed. Write the names on pieces of paper and scatter on your altar. Say a little prayer for them and let them know they are not forgotten.

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 7

Hecate by http://mari-na.deviantart.com/art/Hecate-193021428

But not one of the Immortal Ones, or of the human mortals,

heard Her voice. Not even the olive trees which bear their 

splendid harvest. Except for the daughter of Persaios, the one

who keeps in mind the vigor of nature. She heard it from Her

cave. She is Hekate, with the splendid headband.

Homeric Hymn to Demeter, C7th BCE, trans. Gregory Nagy

Proserpina, Dante Gabrielle Rossetti

My interpretation of the myth of Persephone's descent and return from the Underworld, forms an important part of my devotional practices in general, and especially at this time. For me, the dead call to Her. She is their mother, they need Her in the Underworld. That initial descent is frightening, even though Hades has opened the way for Her, it is Persephone's decision to take those first steps, She chooses to make the descent and take Her place as Queen of the Underworld and Mother of the Dead. 

Hekate, Cosmic Soul, Keeper of Mysteries and Magic, Gate Keeper of All Liminal Spaces, is there to assist Persephone on Her journey into and out of the Underworld. Purist may not like my interpretation, but this has been my experience when in communion with the goddesses. To each their own, we are each the best judge of our own spiritual experiences.

Devotional activity: Place a pomegranate in a bowl of water, carefully cut it half. Remove the seeds, allowing them to settle to the bottom of the bowl. Discard the skin and strain the liquid and seeds. Place the seeds on a cotton cloth to dry. Make a blessing over them with the intention that they be a pleasing and acceptable offering to both Hekate and Persephone. If the fruit is not available, buy some seeds. They can be sprinkled on the altar as a seasonal decoration, as well as kept in a bowl on your ancestor altar or shrine, or a shrine for these goddesses. Make this offering by sprinkling the seeds onto the ground while reciting a prayer for giving offerings.

Blessings dark and deep!

Pomegranate by Nick Jarvis

Hallows Everyday - 6

Three Sisters by Frank Howell

The wheel begins its turning not with flowers and springtime,

but with death and decay.

from Celebrating Her, by Wendy Hunter Roberts

Yes, this is the time when release, letting go, dying, and decay surrounds us. The trees release their leaves, plants wither and become part of the soil, seeping down, down, releasing themselves from this cycle, and the days shorten. All know that they will be rested and renewed in the dark quiet bed of the earth, returning when the wheel turns again to the time of birthing. Whether we acknowledge it or not, this is part of our life too. There has been so much growth on all levels of our being through the past year that it is now time to acknowledge, honor, and then begin our own time of rest and renewal, our time to release with love and wisdom all that does not serve us, all that we know as lessons learned, all in preparation of moving on to the next cycle. This release is necessary and nourishing, a part of the natural cycle of all life. Yet, so many hold on to the very things that stifle their growth and happiness. Some purposely, others without awareness. We all must realize and know that we cannot hold on to everything, most especially that which holds us back from allowing the decay.

Remember that whatever you are holding onto, whatever blocks you have built so that you do not have to feel, know, acknowledge, are nothing to fear. You have experienced whatever it is that bright those feelings, it is done, over, and here you are, still alive. Yes, you are alive and well despite it. Release and move on, free and clear.

Now is the sacrifice of the souls, 

now is the giving up,

the stripping down to the bone.

The time of bones is the time of no compromise.

Throw it all into Hecate's soup, let Her stir it up,

and we shall see what can be born anew.

"Come," She invites us, indicating Her cauldron, "throw it in.

This is the womb of rebirth, the cup of immortality.

Give yourself freely. Do not hold back. This is the moment.

I can use it all. Oh, what a spicy soup this will be!"

from Celebrating Her, by Wendy Hunter Roberts

Devotional Activity: Gather together some slips of paper and a special pen. Cleanse and consecrate them, let them be blessed to give assistance in this task. Set aside a little time today, and whenever you can as Hallowtide continues. Consider what you need to release, what no longer benefits you, what you have finished and there is nothing left to be done with it. Write a few words that describe the issue and consider it well. Take some deep breaths and allow yourself to release the issue, idea, feeling, whatever it may be. Feel it flowing from your body, through you arms, and into the paper. Place the paper in a fireproof bowl or your cauldron. All these slips of paper will be burned on Hallows and the final releasing completed.

Blessings dark and deep!

Celebrating Her is available at Amazon:   http://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Her-Feminist-Ritualizing-Comes/dp/082981258X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Hallows Everyday - 5

By the veil of time,

let me wake, let me see,

let me remember,

let me hear who calls to me.

Grant me a vision

of what was, what is, 

what yet comes to be.

By the three cords, by the three roads,

By the Sisters Three, weavers and spinners,

By the black waters and the light of flame,

By the promise of blood,

Let me see the seed in earth, the pearl in the wine,

That which lies upon the table

at the end of the mirrored hall of time

in the castle upon the hill.

Grant me true vision,

Oh Sisters of Fate.

(adapted from Veronica Cummer's Rite to Ask For A Vision

of the Lady of the Lake, in her book, Masks of the Muse)

Scrying is another form of divination that can bring interesting information, visions, and experiences. At this time of year, the veil is more easily pierced, it seems the spirits are more eager to speak. I brew a special herbal tea and add some red wine, salt, a splash of olive oil, and a bit of ink to make my scrying medium. I consecrate it and pour it into my scrying bowl, lighting three candles nearby. Beneath the bowl, I place a sigil for protect as well as a couple to call those spirits who are inclined to assist me. I generally have good results and receive messages that answer questions or give advice. I always go into trance before scrying, finding it helps to make a more intense experience, especially as a vehicle to communicate with my goddesses. 

Devotional Activity: In preparation for your Hallowstide divination, create a recipe for your scrying brew. This will be much more effective than simply using ink in water or a black bowl. Do some research and combine three or more herbs that will enhance divination and psychic abilities, a good bit of  red wine, some consecrated salt, a sacred oil, and something to darken the brew further, such as ink or watercolor paint. Focus your intention all the while and you will create an effective brew. You could add crystals or stones for opening the third eye and psychic centers such as Lapis Lazuli or Herkimer Diamond. Keep refrigerated to preserve until ready to use, although if you have enough wine or other alcoholic spirits in it, it should keep on your altar just fine. You needn't wait until Hallows to scry, the veil is thin, gaze and let yourself see.   

Blessings dark and deep!