Moving

I am moving this blog over to a different location  Feel free to find me and follow me at

http://runeworker.wordpress.com/

Peace!

Grieving for a great friend, man and spiritual brother

Today the my world lost a little bit of light.  My friend Eddy Gutierrez passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  He was a spiritual brother of mine, as well as being a spiritual seeker, who walked his own path, as well as worked tirelessly to create a new one, and to be spiritual worker for others.

Me on the left, a friend in the middle and Eddy on the right.

For Eddy, May eternal light shine upon you and bring you peace

Blessings of the Winter Solstice!!!

Blessings of the Winter Solstice!!! May the reborn Lord of Light shine his blessings upon you!!!

Influence

Influence is the ability to cause desirable and measurable actions and outcomes. - Brian Solis

A quote a came across the other day.  Something to contemplate.

Up and Down

This week I finished a lengthy process of ascending and descending the ladder of lights, which is the say the planets. It was a lengthy process mainly because of the structure that I used to approach this work of following the Chaldean order of the planets starting with the Moon and working my way up until I reach Saturn, which is a two week process of skipping days, and then following the order back down, with Saturn at the beginning until I reached the moon again, which was a six week process. However, I found the whole experience to be worth while, as I was more able to see the work of the planetary spirits and energies of a specific type manifest in my life and shape the blessings. I also feel that for a moment I touched at the gates of the 8^th sphere, the sphere beyond Saturn, the starry realm.

The main spirits that I called up for this extended working were the 7 Olympic spirits named in the Arbatel of Magic. I have always found these spirits interesting, and their method of summoning and communion very accessible, as it requires only some spiritual authority and a prayer. As I climbed the ladder I asked for blessings and initiations into their respective planetary realms to better connect with the forces and to grow in understanding them. It also felt like the right thing to do, as each step was followed by another step up, seemingly passing through gates leading higher and higher. The passage down was slower, and more about gaining specific directions and guidance from the spirits about my life, about things I can do and how I can help manifest each influence more concretely into my life. A process of enlightenment and empowerment.

The method used in ascending was starting at the hour of the day, usually in the morning, a simple tea light was dressed with planetary oil and some planetary incense was burned. A recitation of the relevant Orphic hymn, followed by the prayer to call upon the related Olympic spirit, whose seal was already present with the candle. A moment of communion and the request for blessing and initiation, followed by resting in the experience, and then thanking the spirit for their aid and asking for their continued favor as they depart.

The method on the descent was a little more involved. This also took place on the day and hour, often in the morning. Along with the tea light, a large candle in a related planetary color and fixed with planetary oil, and planetary incense. This was followed with the Orphic hymn, and other various prayers and evocations to the planets from a mix of sources. Then the conjuration of the Olympic spirit and a period of communion with them, asking for guidance and instruction. Some gave instruction for further personal work, others made suggestions about current event in life and how best to navigate them, others offered enlightenment and inspiration about life in general.

In some ways the blessings gained from this work continue to manifest in small ways. From simple things like feeling aligned with the rhythm of creation on a daily basis, to coming across further knowledge that points me in directions to continue to deepen and expand my spiritual practice.

If you have never climbed the ladder of lights, I highly recommend it, no matter what your tradition or practice comes from. I think it can only ultimately bring blessings on good fortune to you life.

Why East isn't Air

or why not to confuse the finger pointing at the moon with the moon

Recently I had read some posts discussing that age old topic of elemental associations and directions. For perhaps some unfamiliar readers, the elements that I am talking about are the classic elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire (and occasionally Aether). The directions I am referring to are the basic directions we are all familiar with IE: North, South, East and West.

A good many readers are probably familiar with some practice that makes a correspondence between the two, with a great number of variations based upon traditions that one practices within the sphere of Western Esoterica. A common one, used by many Wiccans is the following:

East – Air, South – Fire, West – Water, North – Earth

It is a handy way to work and to have the symbols drawn up so that when you face a certain direction, and you can invoke that element. The thing that I see people getting stuck on is the pushing of the rightness and absoluteness of one set of correspondences over another. What my own practice has lead me to is this. East isn't Air. South isn't Fire. West Isn't Water. North Isn't Earth. East is just East. It is the direction the sun rises. Depending upon where you live, it might be towards the ocean. If you are very euro-centric you might consider it the exotic East, where cultures and values very different from the Europe are to be found. But it isn't Air. It's only a symbol. A useful symbol perhaps, but still just a symbol. You can just as easily call up Earth from the East as you could any other element. You could turn west and evoke fire. You could in fact not have to face and specific direction and call up the elements, either as an energy, or an intelligence, or as primal and archetypal force that symbolizes something specific to you. The exacting debate over directions, elements and other correspondences of place and time, well, they are all just symbols. And while symbols can be useful building blocks help construct a practice, they can also become the bricks of the wall that hold you back and keep you from moving forward.

Rather then turning South and experiencing Fire, why not turn South and experience South. Whatever experience the spirits and powers of the South want to give, what message, guidance, or awakening they can bestow, without being locked into a specific element or other value.

While the needs of tradition continues, and if you are within the tradition, you should continue with the symbol set given, especially if you are conveying that tradition to others, for your own practice, you might try moving outside of the limitations of tradition.

Lammas Blessings!

May the holy day of Lammas bring blessings upon you.