Increasingly my understanding of magic is that it's the clarifying and articulation of intention. If that intention moves forwards and backwards in time, if it changes vibration of the currents of the universe, who knows... The critical act is in the act itself of clarifying and articulating the intention.
There are a lot of ways one can do that, some resonate with one more than others, but it's always extremely personal. The variety in approach is fascinating. There is and always will be more to learn...
Ultimately, if you don't follow through with elbow grease and appropriate work, shit doesn't happen though. The clarification and articulation make the path forward more obvious -- part of planning out the crafting of a magical act is understanding what concrete actions happen afterward to bring the intention to fruition.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
The Ancestors
Ancestor stuff is complicated, especially when one starts taking into account shadow sides, and recognizing them as whole, complex people.
On Death Rituals
We tend not to be an overly sentimental family. We've waited months to bury cremated relatives, they aren't going anywhere, and we've had other things to attend to. Maybe sentimental isn't the right word. There is a time and a place for all things, and while Death itself may be inconveniently timed, ritual around it unfolds as it needs to.
In the cases where we've waited, technology has made it possible for us to take care of the life stuff that continues until such time as we could make and hold appropriate space to recognize the passing. It is more respectful, in some ways, than a rush to get the shell in the ground that sometimes happens.
Sometimes the ritual emphasizes the event of a life lived with a peaceful closure, often this is the case with those who have lived a full, long life. Often for those who are cut short, while consciously attempting to emphasize the event of the life lived and peaceful closure, the unconscious impact is that of deepening the shock of life lost too soon. There is no way around this, and it can be handled better or worse, the processes will unfold as they do.
As part of this Graveyard Moon, M2 & I went and wandered about a cemetery. In order to get there, I drove past the one where my paternal grandparents are buried. It was a moment of conflict for me, why? My initial, impulse thought was, "They are not there." Wait -- what? What I gain from going and walking among the stones and the dead is more to re-ground, re-center. Wandering out there, I can feel the hinkiness of the day-to-day miasma and cluttery energy drain out my heels. The perspective that we are on this unlikely tiny blue planet for a blip in time and when it's done, only memories are carried by those you impact.
Ancestors
On Death Rituals
We tend not to be an overly sentimental family. We've waited months to bury cremated relatives, they aren't going anywhere, and we've had other things to attend to. Maybe sentimental isn't the right word. There is a time and a place for all things, and while Death itself may be inconveniently timed, ritual around it unfolds as it needs to.
In the cases where we've waited, technology has made it possible for us to take care of the life stuff that continues until such time as we could make and hold appropriate space to recognize the passing. It is more respectful, in some ways, than a rush to get the shell in the ground that sometimes happens.
Sometimes the ritual emphasizes the event of a life lived with a peaceful closure, often this is the case with those who have lived a full, long life. Often for those who are cut short, while consciously attempting to emphasize the event of the life lived and peaceful closure, the unconscious impact is that of deepening the shock of life lost too soon. There is no way around this, and it can be handled better or worse, the processes will unfold as they do.
As part of this Graveyard Moon, M2 & I went and wandered about a cemetery. In order to get there, I drove past the one where my paternal grandparents are buried. It was a moment of conflict for me, why? My initial, impulse thought was, "They are not there." Wait -- what? What I gain from going and walking among the stones and the dead is more to re-ground, re-center. Wandering out there, I can feel the hinkiness of the day-to-day miasma and cluttery energy drain out my heels. The perspective that we are on this unlikely tiny blue planet for a blip in time and when it's done, only memories are carried by those you impact.
Ancestors
So we carry the memories of those who have impacted us forward. That which is remembered, lives. I think it will take me some time to figure out how The Ancestors fit into my practice. They are not where I turn for advice, or divination, or posthumous blessings, and yet it seems appropriate to remember the gifts they provided, through traits, experiences, etc, with gratitude and appreciation, while recognizing and acknowledging their potential shadow sides as well.
'... we therefore commit the body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust...'
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Lolwhut
I got a small statue of Athena because she is totally my work bff. In the process of clearing off the shelf she needed to go on because she's a little taller than where I was going to put her, I put stuff on another shelf, looked at it and went, oh, ah, hi, what are You doing here?
"Just hanging out. 'Sup?"
Not much really, I guess. And by what are you doing here, I mean reason? Thing I need to learn, etc?
"Nah, not right now. Just, it was comfy, no big deal."
So, uh, what's your name?
"Srsly?"
Well, mmmm, it was nice to make your acquaintance again, Dionysus, and I guess, yeah, happy hanging out, lemme know if you need anything and I'm going to go back out into the living room now... Weirdo.
"Lol."
...
Some days, being a Witch is strange. Like this, my iPad and iPhone have arbitrarily decided that Witch gets capitalized. Two days ago, not the case, now? Apparently it's a thing.
"Just hanging out. 'Sup?"
Not much really, I guess. And by what are you doing here, I mean reason? Thing I need to learn, etc?
"Nah, not right now. Just, it was comfy, no big deal."
So, uh, what's your name?
"Srsly?"
Well, mmmm, it was nice to make your acquaintance again, Dionysus, and I guess, yeah, happy hanging out, lemme know if you need anything and I'm going to go back out into the living room now... Weirdo.
"Lol."
...
Some days, being a Witch is strange. Like this, my iPad and iPhone have arbitrarily decided that Witch gets capitalized. Two days ago, not the case, now? Apparently it's a thing.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Witching Hour of the Graveyard Moon
And now it's The Witching Hour, my pretties!
Dammit, why is there no cackling Witch riding off into the night on a broom! Or at least a hair pin emoticon like the hilarious Witch Hazel on Bugs Bunny! I love Witch Hazel...
A key, it's a gift to us all from Hekate! May it unlock the secrets we need to hear tonight, and may she light our way through the darkness we encounter in the world with her torch! May she and her blessed dead and our blessed dead and her big black dog guard us and protect us.
Burn, baby, burn, disco inferno! 🔥
Moon in my backyard!
All The Incense!
Happy Full Moon, my witchy friends!
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