23rd Oct 2007
Compiled by Twilight, Spiral Path student
Samhain was a time for divination and magic, the Druids would foretell the future on this powerful night.
Many of the customs were performed by young people divining for their future husbands and wives - apples often figured; their connection with fertility is widely recognized.
An old belief is that by peeling an apple on Hallowe’en and keeping the peel in one piece, then throwing it over your shoulder you will discover the initials of a future lover.
By candlelight go alone to a mirror and eat an apple before it, whilst combing your hair. Your future love will be seen in the glass over your shoulder.
Ducking or bobbing for apples was a marriage divination. The first person to bite an apple would be the first to marry in the coming year. ‘Dookin’ for apples’ is thought to have originated from a Druidical rite associated with water.
Young girls would stick apple pips to the outside of her cheek, with each one standing for her sweethearts. The last pip that stayed stuck was her true love.
Here is the link for more interesting Samhain tidbits:
http://www.new-age.co.uk/celtic-festivals-samhain.htm
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13th Oct 2007
I was recently attuned to Celtic Reiki by Marcia Coleman, a fantastically Divine healer and teacher, who originally came to me as a massage client and has now become my friend and business partner. In the material she gave me on Celtic Reiki, there were instructions for how to create and use a crystal grid for manifestation and healing. I was immediately inspired and within 2 days, had hand painted two boards (one for her as a gift, and one for myself). I painted each of them in the chakra colors and element colors. On hers, I put all the Celtic tree symbols and on mine, I put the Moon phases. I then purchased the crystals I would need. During the Aquarius Full Moon, I cleansed both boards and all the crystals with sage and salt water. Then I left them out overnight to soak up the Full Moon energy - I kept them outside most of the next day to soak up the energy of the Leo Sun, as well.
This Sun/Moon combination creates a radical, dynamic creative energy. Leo is all about creative self expression and vivid imagination. It’s about playfulness, showing off, and seeking attention and recognition. Aquarius is the rebellious sign; the sign that teaches us all how to shake things up and free ourselves from old ways of thinking and reacting, removing all the limitations. Where Leo opens doors with charm, Aquarius abruptly busts through the wall. Where Leo’s creative expression is mostly centered on the Self, Aquarius is all about the Group Mind – envisioning the possibilities that would benefit the world as a whole. Both of these are fixed signs, which mean there is a certain amount of stubbornness to them and a strong fixation towards its’ ideals that is unshakeable. So this combination is a very powerful one for manifesting changes in your life that you want to be unshakeable. Things that you want to gain strength and power over time and never waver.
In addition to the board, I created a “Manifestation Book”. Basically, this is a blank sketchbook that you can buy at any craft or art supply store. In it, you create visual representations of what you would like to manifest. I love doing collages, so I make a ritual out of going through magazines and cutting out images, words, or phrases that represent what I want and then arranging it on the pages of my book. This book is then placed within the grid.
For more info on how you can get one of these custom made for you, visit Luna Sisters.
The Crystal Grid
Information provided to me via the Celtic Reiki manual
By using a crystal grid, you can continue to send energy or empower goals for long periods if the grid is charged. The grid itself, when used, becomes multidimensional and allows a link to your higher self and guides to transmit healing and knowledge. The grid uses seven crystals, plus a “master” crystal. Although any crystals will do in theory, rock quartz is best in practice. The crystals will have to be cleansed with sea salt and pure water. Sun or moon “bathing” is also useful to cleanse the energy of the crystal. The crystals will need to be charged with energy before they can be used. The grid will have to be set in a sacred space away from casual inspection or interference. You will need to choose a master crystal, preferably one that is easily held in one hand.
How to Charge Your Grid
One by one, hold each individual crystal in your hand and charge with your energy and intent. Charge each crystal for about 10 minutes and then place them on the grid. Place each of the seven crystals at the points of the grid, all pointing inwards towards the central crystal. Charge and place the central crystal last. Then charge your master crystal in the same way.
The Master Crystal is an integral part of the grid, so needs to hold special significance for you. It is used to charge the grid and keep it charged. Once you’ve initially placed all the crystals on the grid, you keep it charged by holding the master crystal in your dominant hand and pointing it downwards at the central crystal. Begin to draw out triangular sections on the grid, starting at the center, moving out to one of the seven crystals and then across counterclockwise to the next and back to the center. Continue to perform this around the grid while holding your intention of charging the grid. The grid must continue to be charged every 2-3 days since the crystals have only a finite power. The more you charge, the greater the results. The master crystal will become a close friend and an excellent meditation tool, enhancing awareness and sensitivity.
How to Use Your Grid
To use the grid for the empowering of goals or the healing of an individual, you will need to write out exactly what is required of the grid and place it in the center, being careful not to disturb the center crystal. Be careful what you ask for since you may just get it! If you have healing or manifestation books, stand it on end in the grid. Energy will be sent to all within. Use the grid responsibility since it is very powerful!
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11th Oct 2007
This is the first year since observing the holy days along the Wheel of the Year that the festival of Samhain will have real personal meaning for me. In past years, having never experienced the grief that comes from a close loved one dying, I found it difficult to truly connect with this holiday. Having a general fear of my darker side, I would often gloss over its deep significance until it was passed and then regret not engaging that powerful energy more. This year is different for several reasons. First, I’ve come to realize that death, whether it happens to someone we know or not, is ever present in all our lives all the time. Things are always ending. Relationships, friendships, jobs, etc. Things are constantly changing and wherever there is a beginning, there is also an ending. It’s natural. Secondly, I have actively engaged and confronted many of my own shadows this year, making the dark seem much less scary and much more familiar. I am deep into the process of owning all those repressed and denied parts of myself that I’ve kept hidden in the closet, bringing each aspect to the light one by one and integrating them into the big picture of “who I am”. And finally, the main reason this year is different for me is I have been personally affected by the passing of family members to the Other Side. Just before Thanksgiving last year, my husband’s mother passed away. She was a wonderful, loving wife and mother, and deeply beloved by her family. Helping my husband through this gave me a first hand experience into what the grief process looks like. Not even a month later, my Great-Grandfather also passed away. Watching my Great-Granny and my Grandmother each confront their feelings taught me much about how each of us goes through our own process in our own way, and everything is in perfect order. The most important lesson I learned from all of this is that no matter what, life goes on. Nothing stops. Everything is always in a constant state of motion. Ending, Beginning, Transformation…..Being face to face with the reality of death for the first time in my life has left its mark, changing my perspective on life forever.
Personal Samhain Ritual – Compost!!
This is a ritual that recognizes the power of the Earth to take something that is dead and recycle it into something that can nurture and sustain new life. On a piece of paper, write down a list of anything you are ready to let go of. Old negative thought patterns and beliefs, relationships that are no longer working in your life, jobs, friends, struggles…. Write them all down and put as much emotion and energy into it as you can, literally infusing the paper with these things that you are choosing to now let go of. Then, choose a spot outside – this can either be a pre-built compost bin or if you don’t have that, any pile of grass clippings, leaves or other plant material will do. Put your paper on the pile (you may even want to burn or shred the paper first) with the intention that these things are now gone from you and are back in the arms of Mother Earth, to be broken down and re-used. You can take this concept a step further and actually clear out your physical space, donating or giving away items that you’ve outgrown.
Family Samhain Ritual – Ancestor Night
This is something you can do either on your own or with family. Gather together old photos of your loved ones who have passed on and create an “ancestor altar”. Spend time in this space remembering and telling stories of those who have come before you. In my family, we are fortunate to have five living generations in the same city, so we have many many years of combined wisdom and stories to share at our gatherings. This is a wonderful time to do something thoughtful for the elders in your life. Honor them by allowing them to share their stories with you. Recognize the opportunity you have to get a first hand account of your family’s history and give it your full attention.
For more information about Samhain, including ways to celebrate, click here.
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5th Oct 2007
New Moon in Libra (Sun in Libra)
October 10, 2007 at 10:01 PM (Pacific)
This New Moon, we are getting a double dose of Libran energy. Libra is the listener of the zodiac, the diplomat, the peacemaker. This is the moon to understand what it means to truly listen and communicate from the heart. As Libra is also about balance, this is an excellent time to meditate on how to strike a balance between speaking your personal truth with honesty and enthusiasm, while also honoring the unique truths of others. In this vast multi-verse of possibilities, everything is valid and true for someone. One of the keys of peacemaking is realizing that just because someone’s truth does not match yours does not make your truth “wrong” and vice versa. Everything is relative. Practice listening and speaking from the heart, allowing others to truly express their whole truth while you stay peacefully centered in your own. Sometimes, to remind myself of this, I will actually place my hand over my heart as someone is speaking to me – to be sure that I am fully present and hearing not only their words, but the whispered song in their heart.
This is a great moon to get very clear and honest about what you want – especially when it comes to partnerships or joint ventures. How can we get what you want in such a way that everyone wins? By being honest, open, compassionate, and allowing the Divine wisdom present in each of us to lead us towards real, lasting solutions.
Full Moon in Taurus (Sun in Scorpio)
October 25, 2007 at 9:51 PM (Pacific)
Scorpio is the sign of deep wisdom, of knowledge hidden in our depths. Taurus is a sensual, earthy sign which is concerned mainly with our physical nature. So, this is a moon to get in touch with the wisdom that is already ever-present within our own bodies. Our bodies act like a map, showing us where energies are flowing freely and where they are stagnant. The emotions we feel have physical affects on us that, if paid attention to, can act as a very accurate guide of what it is we truly desire. When we are doing something that is in alignment with our true nature, we feel joyful, our bodies feel light and full of energy. When we are doing something that is not in alignment with our true nature, we feel sluggish, weighed down, drained. This is the moon to take a look at your life and using your emotions and bodily sensations as a guide, determine what is truly in alignment with you and what is not.
Make a commitment to yourself to start doing more of what you enjoy and gradually change those aspects that are not quite right for you. Remember that change is hard work, so be gentle with yourself. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the sign of pleasure and love, so instead of pushing hard to make changes, relax into it and allow what is already beautiful and authentic within you to bloom.
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