Persephone

Persephone

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Safe Practices for Seers...a cautionary tale for Witches

~~ Good Morning and Happy New Year's Eve! ~~

   I'm going to make a guess that a good many of you reading this blog and following my Face Book page use some form of divination device- be it cards, stones, talking boards, pendulums or what have you. Divination before spell work or ritual is par for the course for most who practice magic. It helps to fine tune any workings , gather the needed energies, make sure you're on the right track, or scrap the process all together if the oracle sends up negative or blocked responses to what is asked about.
All very handy and really quite easy to do.

  Being a 'Reader' however is a bit different in so far as the Witch is now opening him/herself to the energies and Spirits of another. And here is where my tale begins....





   While visiting New Orleans this past October and November I did quite a bit of Reading for clients- some known to me, others not. I have a well developed ritual for Reading (I use cards) that involves both opening and calling in my Spirits to protect and advise me. It works quite well and I have learned over the last 20 years or so to trust my Spirits to not only advise me as to card meanings and nuances pertaining to an individual client but to also guard against any Spirits that a client may have that would be non beneficial to me.
 But something that wants to get through will find a way and its important that a Reader knows what to do when this happens. If the Reader is especially sensitive or empathic the chances that something nasty will become aware of him or her are much greater. Sensitives and Empaths are tasty psychic snacks for astral-nasties. Not being particularly keen on being something's after-dinner mint I've learned over the years what to look for and how to be rid of it.... here is a quick list of myths and truths for you...

1.) MYTH-You're reading for a client and will KNOW something is amiss.
      TRUTH - not always. But yes- sometimes. Always trust your gut (aka: your Spirits and Guides). If something or someone seems 'off' politely call off the session. If you are a professional Reader you should have an 'exist strategy' in place. If you don't, get one ASAP.  But, let's say you are Reading and the client seems fine, no warnings from anywhere during the session. This means everything is ok, right?
Not until you've cleared, cleansed yourself and the space and closed up yourself and any open astral portals in the reading space.
2.) MYTH - there isn't any reason to go all 'high magic' for a reading; creating sacred space, casting a circle, etc, etc.
      TRUTH - whether the Reader is aware of it or not Divination and Reading for others is an act of connecting with the astral plane and interacting with discarnte energies and entities. By doing so the Reader is opening a door way - or portal - between the realms. Just as you would not leave the front door to your home wide open allowing all manner of human and animals to wander in and out at will, the same holds true for astral portals and doors between realms. So, yes! It is important to not only set guardians but to close these doorways when the Reading is concluded. This is done by way of ritual; creating a sacred or 'cleansed' space, cleansing yourself (and your client if necessary), setting guardians or casting a circle and then releasing all of this and closing the doors when you have concluded the Reading.
3.)MYTH - an entity cannot harm me if I do not acknowledge it or believe in it.
    TRUTH - False! False! False! Just as standing in front of a charging bull elephant and claiming that it cannot hurt you would end in disaster so too can sticking your head in the proverbial sand when astral-ickies come to call.

Back to my story--
So I know that when I Read I am interacting with other realms. And I know to close up all door ways, cleanse myself before and after, cleanse and sanctify the space, etc, etc. But after one very 'normal' Reading this fall something slipped through and went undetected by myself and my Spirits. Did I close everything and cleanse as needed? I thought so, but honestly the client and I began chatting afterwards and I may have been negligent.
I was completely unaware of anything amiss until I spent the most terrifying night I have spent in many years.The 'dreams' were horrific, to say the least;violent in the extreme, and terror-filled. I very clearly saw a woman within this dream that I have never seen before but knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she meant me great harm.
 The next morning I was shaky, still quite scared and physically ill. I knew that this was no dream and that whatever had slipped through the evening before needed gone.

**ATTACKS CANNOT BE IGNORED. If an attack goes un cared for or ignored it will get worse and worse until the person under attack is very ill. When the entity that is attacking has taken everything of value physically and energetically from the first victim it will move on to another in the household. Simply 'not believing' is akin to deciding you will not get wet if you jump in the lake. **

 Over coffee I told my husband about the 'dream' -- he does not practice and believes only on occasion but was horrified at the images I was telling him about. We got dressed and headed out to do the day's activities but I asked him to first stop at a small Bodega around the corner from our place in the Treme. I felt absolutely drained so I was very very grateful that when I walked in the Voodoo Priestess who owns it knew exactly what I needed with very little talking from me- I told her I had done a reading and had suffered an attack and she gathered the items I needed. Very matter of fact ( a small lecture on cleaning myself lol) and told me to call her if I needed more advise or help.
  Because I know that a good many of us Readers are not within walking distance to Haitian Voodoo Bodegas, Metaphysical Shops, or knowledgeable shop-keeps I am writing this.

 Back to our Myth/Truth List---

MYTH -- lighting a white candle and calling in white light will stop an attack.
TRUTH - Doing this may hinder the attacking entity but won't send it way in my experience.

MYTH - objects such as black salt, tar water, and Saint candles are bogus and used to bilk folks out of their money
TRUTH - Black salt, holy water, incense, Saints, Guiding Spirits, Deities, blessed oil, brick dust and bells are all time honored and cross-culturally effective objects to rid a place or person of unwanted energies or entities. They work. And they work fast. Use them.

Back to the story-
 Mambo Marie provided me with a cut and release/banishing candle, black salt, and a small dark purple candle- total amount? $14 and change. Well worth it. Later that day I rubbed the small candle with some of the salt and lit it in the bedroom then sprinkled the rest of the black salt under the bed and around the interior perimeter of the house. I slept perfectly. The next day I lit the banishing candle, walked through the house with a bell to further break up the energy and then smudged it all away. That night I blessed the house with herbed salt and holy water. No more problems. (by the way - this is a full house cleaning and blessing but with the added 'oomph' of my having a target entity to banish).

The last few Myth and Truth's ---

MYTH --  when 'The Church' warns against divination its all lies and fear mongering.
TRUTH - while the Abrahamic religions may have their own agendas for what is forbidden activities and why their warnings are not completely unjustified.  To blunder into unknown realms with no training and no insight is dangerous and the results have led to many scared and injured folks showing up at their Priest's door. However, knowing what the potential dangers and pitfalls are AND HOW TO FIX them is the job of the Witch.

MYTH -Any bad dream or feeling of anxiety is an attack
TRUTH - Psychic attacks from wandering entities or other Witches are extremely rare. Most bad dreams are simply bad dreams. Feelings of anxiety are often from not acknowledging something within ourselves or when an Empath picks up another's feelings of anxiety. Learn to shield and to ground and most times these things will take care of themselves.

  So there ya have it! The ins and outs of safe divination and what to do if things go awry from the point of the Reader...





Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Some Tree Time

Good Morning!
 Its warm and blustery here this morning with some wicked weather forecast for later today and tomorrow. We are in need of some Tree and Nature Spirits time here and are headed out to one of the state parks ahead of the stormy weather.  As invigorating and exciting as the city and Her spirits can be I need to refresh a bit.. I need the spirits of the Trees, the Trails , the Sky and the Wind. Spirits of the leaves and mushrooms, raccoon and squirrel. Time to Balance...

Later I will finish working on a doll order and begin typing out the new Witchcraft 101 lessons to be offered in December-

Have a good day Witches



Friday, November 13, 2015

Happy Friday the 13th -- catching up from New Orleans

St Louis Cathedral, New Orleans LA. Photo by A. Russell.
Good Day, Witches ~~*~~*

  I arrived in New Orleans on Oct 30 for the New Orleans Witches Ball held on the 31st. This is a truly grand affair of black tie dress and lavish costumes held at The Elms Mansion on St Charles. This year I donated my services as a Reader and it truly changed the whole dynamic for me. The most obvious was the fact that I wasn't in 'guest mode' ; no wandering, no eating, and no socializing. One Seeker after another for 4 hours. Sometimes in pairs! It was exhausting and exhilarating but isolating as well.
 The massive waves of energy generated by the ritual washed over the Readers' area but we were unable to see it. Based on the feeling of it I'm sure it was incredible!
  The guests that sought readings were all very gracious and pleasant so all in all it was a pleasant experience. The lingering downside has been being able to 'close down' - to Read I have to be open. To be THAT open for that long in such a charged atmosphere really kicked my ass. To go 'home' to a house that was not my own in a city that is itself super-charged has prolonged the 'kicked ass' syndrome lol! The result is textbook and dull - head-achy, body aches, exhaustion and mood swings. Its been two weeks on and I'm starting to feel back to normal. Quite the journey!



   So, like I said- two weeks in and I'm beginning to feel a bit better. Getting lots of sleep and exercise and trying to eat decently has helped. Also being aware of the *why* and how to recharge and shield goes a long way. (refer back to the post 'Practical Magics' for tips on grounding and centering). Being in New Orleans -for me- is akin to getting one's "sea legs"; there is a rhythm here and such strong spirit activity that it can be very disorienting at times-and exciting as well!
An example:A few days ago my husband and I went to a small museum on Royal Street that showcased the history of Pharmacology in the city - it was fascinating. Not only the subject matter and items on display (I am a total sucker for packaging and bottles!) but the rush of Spirit energy welcoming me. It was very much a homecoming feel. In the Courtyard I kept flashing to an image of a woman and had the distinct feeling of being in two Times at the same time, very interesting! However, the energy on the back stair case going to the second floor was very bizarre and not pleasant at all; it left me wondering how many people skipped the second floor all together. There was a very distinct feeling of the possibility of being pushed or of falling.
 Situations like that are common for me-especially here in this city. I am a Taurus, so having my routines, safe places, and things is what helps me to ground and close up- when I encounter tons of activity away from home and my safe spaces it can become overwhelming. I've learned to rely on certain stones, incenses and meditations to get back to an even keel.

St Louis Cemetery #2 - raw image by A Russell

   An interesting aside --With the closing of St Louis #1 and #2 by the Diocese due to excessive vandalism I've noticed a blocked feeling - the usual patterns of spirit energy flowing into and out of and back and forth is stunted. Its not like they can't leave the area but it feels as if the lack of living persons meandering in and about has blocked many of the Spirits' passages as well. I believe in places like New Orleans or historically reenacted places like Mackinac Island the Dead move about with us- it is a symbiotic relationship and when the interaction is curtailed there is a void where there used to be a flow....


  Thanks for wandering through my Musings, please feel free to comment if you are a Medium or have your own 'tips and tricks' for closing down after Readings, etc.


 

Monday, October 12, 2015

Practical Magics


" I'm restless. Things are calling me away. My hair is being pulled by the stars again.” Anaise Nin



The veil thins and the visits begin... along with the anxiety and feelings of walking partly here and partly elsewhere. 

October and its energy is why I embraced witchcraft as my path. For what I see and feel it was leave the path of Christianity or be labeled forever demon-possessed. At 26 having read a little book called "magical herbalism" by Scott Cunningham I was able to make the connection between what I was and the nature and gardening I adored and I stepped off of one path and onto another. I've never looked back. My life opened and blossomed and I was blessed by the Old Gods in that I no longer had to be frightened or ashamed of who and what I was.  

But back to October and the energies that swirl like so many garnet colored leaves... The Spirits that visit this time of year are a varied sort; some are known to me but not with me throughout the year. Some are ancient; from other places and times and bring messages and images that confound me. Some are relatives I have known in this life who have passed on and some visits are from the living who cannot control their wanderings on blustery nights. The Fae are out at this time of year as well. They delight in the seasonal access to this realm and sit outside of rituals and spells like so many moths to a flame. Soon the Courts of The Fae will change and the darker citizens will rule; it is the nature of things. 

While I see and communicate with other realms and spirits throughout the year the sheer number of energies coming through between now and mid November cause me physical feelings of anxiety- jumpy, nerve endings over taxed ,and sleep is fitful if I don't take care. Over the years I've learned how to head this off so that I not only enjoy this most sacred and festive time but don't become ill either.

from wiccansage.com


Grounding and Centering
This is the back-to-basic witchcraft 101 approach. It is simple and effective and should become second nature to those on this Path - or any person on any path who is sensitive/empathic. Without being grounded and centered HERE -within THIS reality- the physical and mental self will suffer. 
So how is it done?

First - BREATHE. 
Breathe deeply in and out three or four times. Really feel and follow the breath.  
 Next stand straight and plant the soles of your feet onto the floor or ground. If you are comfortable barefoot (or if climate allows it) that is fine, but its not necessary. Wiggle each toe and feel its connection to the ground or floor. Breath deeply again. Become aware of your diaphragm and the solar plexus region. Now mentally reach out from your body and feel the scattered energies of yourself. On the next inhale gather these all up and pull them back into your diaphragm region. You may feel a warmth or tingling and your shoulders will often square and settle. Now visualize your auric field and smooth it out patching up any openings or thin places. If you are feeling sad or anxious try infusing it with a calming color such as pink. Breath deeply three more times-in through the nose out through the mouth- and your're done. 
   Grounding and Centering protects you from unwanted energies affecting your auric and physical self, it keeps your energies close to you so that the feelings of anxiety lesson.  If you are a sensitive who sends out your energies as 'feelers' it is vitally important that once you have gathered the information you were after that you bring those energies back to yourself.
 With practice this will become second nature though full rituals and guided meditations can be incorporated.

Honoring The Mighty Dead
   If The Dead become super chatty for you this time of year it is pointless (and rude) to ignore them. You will also miss out on interesting conversations :-) However, because their chatty times are not always conducive with my much needed sleep times I will erect a special altar to Them for this time of the year. Mine is quite basic as I'm not really sure who  will be visiting but you can do a specific alter honoring a particular ancestor or family line if you so choose.
   For the basic 'welcome to my home' version you will need a small table top or dresser. A white cloth, a crystal or glass bowl of fresh water, a small plate or saucer ,fresh flowers (I like to use seasonal varieties) , incense, and a white candle. 
Lay the white cloth on the surface and arrange the other items in a way that is pleasing to you. Your altar should be placed in the most western area of the room.
 In the evening stand before this altar, ground and center, light the candle and the incense and say 
"Welcome to those who come in Love and Honor for the Highest Good of those who Live here. Please enjoy the water, the incense, the flowers and the flame. I have provided ___________ (a small cake or part of your evening meal placed on the saucer) for your nourishment. Be Welcome in Love and Honor- I thank you for the messages and images that you bring."
Do this an hour or so before you plan to go to bed for the night. I don't suggest placing this altar in your bedroom- the chattering will keep you awake lol. 
Before you go to bed extinguish all lit items thoroughly. Never leave candles and incenses burning unattended.
Your sleep should be peaceful but your dreams should be written down for the messages and images that your visitors bring to you. 

The Mundane but Important
*Regular exercise--Walk, jog, yoga, --what have you. But get moving! 
*Eat Well - if you are feeling over whelmed with spirit energies this time of year eat more protein, it will aid in the grounding of your own energies and leave you less 'open'.
* Journal - write it down, ramble away! No one will read this but you but it might do you well to get it out of your head
*Shower - use a slice of fresh lemon or a handful of sea salt to energetically and physically cleanse your body.
*Get enough sleep.
Taking care of yourself is a sign of maturity and one who is walking the path of the Adept. There is no honor in martyring ones self to the path of the empath or sensitive. I often read and hear of those new to this claiming to have short circuited or who have become so overwhelmed with errant energies that they become ill- this is unnecessary. A strong and powerful Witch is healthy and in control of his or her own energies- not at the mercy of others. 

A note about feeling anxious -
Over the years I have noticed that physical feelings of anxiousness often herald spirit activity; be it an active house or structure, an attempt at communication or magical workings by other Witches. My body will react with the same physical sensations as a bout of anxiety. This was important information for me to realize- before I did I darn near almost lost it! So what do I do? I acknowledge that my body is feeling this - that is important! MY BODY is having a feeling, I am not really feeling anxious; ie.: there is nothing to be afraid of. Then I ground and center. If I can pin point the place of activity I do so, if not I button myself up energetically and go about my day. 
  Why am I telling you this? Because I fear that so many truly sensitive people out there are mistaking the physical signs of energies reacting with their own as Anxiety Disorder or ADD/ADHD and medicate unnecessarily. Please don't go gathering the pitchforks- I am in NO way suggesting that these disorders are not real and that folks don't legitimately suffer from them and find true relief with medication. What I am suggesting is that the tenant KNOW YOURSELF applies here- if you are an empath or a sensitive with spirit abilities try to determine your physical reactions to these energies. 

So there it is-- some practical magic and techniques for moving calmly and happily through the thinning veils of October..

Happy Autumn, Witches





Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Magical Soaps from Persephone's Folly


Perfect Love & Perfect Trust Soap from the etsy store


Magic with Soap -

One of my favorite activities is soap-making. I adore the process , both brewing it making it as well as researching the magical and physical properties of a potential recipe. Anyone can go to the store and grab a bar of Ivory soap and wash with it. But why not go deeper? Nourish yourself both energetically and physically. I make Goat Milk Soap which is super hydrating and nourishing in and of itself. But being a Witch I want every experience to be beneficial on both this plane and the etheric plane- and enjoyable and fun!! So when I get enthused about a certain herb, oil, or fruit I research all of its properties; what does it do for the skin? how does it smell/look/feel? What are its medicinal values? How is it used in magic and what is its energy signature? All of these questions are asked and answered before I commit a recipe to my soap base and then to my book for safe keeping. Colors play in as well - what color works with the energy of this recipe? How will the color's energy signature play with the soap's energy signature? Will they fight or add to one another? Is color needed at all?
 A few days ago I finished the research on the soap pictured above -- I LOVE this soap! I had been steeping an enfleurage of St John's Wort and Yarrow flowers for several weeks waiting for its signature red colored oil to develop telling me that it was done. I had also decided to order a sample of organic hemp seed oil from my soap supplier. I wanted to make a soap that was VERY moisturizing but not oily; soothing but noticeable; good for all skin types. Those were the physical attributes I wanted. The oils and herbs used are all magically used to bind-in-peace, create calm and health, and heal. Adding a mellow essential  oil blend of my own and swirling blue and purple was just what was needed. A hint of body safe iridescent glitter and Viola! A spell in a bar! This soap was named for the admonishment and reminder that all who enter a consecrated space or Circle shall do so in 'Perfect Love and Perfect Trust'. 
My personal mantra of 'Everything Is Magic' means that there really is no time when I am not a Witch -- from cooking to cleaning to crafting to painting-- it is all energy,it is all magic. Live your life with Intent, its the ultimate spell...

Monday, October 5, 2015

The Harvesting of Magic

(I've cut and pasted this post from my Northern Visions blog- it is by far one of my most popular with over 1 thousand reads so far..enjoy!)


Its Harvest time here in Northern Michigan - strawberries have come and gone and now we're into tomatoes, herbs, blueberries and raspberries. Our growing season is short and our winters are long so many years ago I learned to preserve and freeze all that I could so that some of the bounty of the summer (and vitamins !) were available to my family in the dark winter months.
  My interest in magic and alternative beliefs actually began with a small herb garden and the gift of a book from a neighbor I hardly knew - Scott Cunningham's Magical Herbalism. In Pagan circles many people speak of tomes by Gerald Gardner or Doreen Valiente as having started them down the Witchy path. This well worn humble book on the energies and healing powers of herbs is what changed my life-literally on all levels. 
 So what does this have to do with the harvest? with magic? Well, if you know me - or read me- you already know that my philosophy is that EVERYTHING is magic. Many younger folks new to magical thinking get tied up with the idea that magic must be ceremonial- robes must be donned, incense must be lit, incantations chanted and candles in appropriate colors must flicker from an elaborate altar. And that is all fine and well and kind of fun at times. But its not necessary. Magic is Nature and Nature is Magic. Its as simple and as complex as a forest glade or a sandy beach.

 Here is my 'spell' (recipe) for
 Health and Abundance--
  
To your household blender add:
*3 large fresh basil leaves ( wealth and prosperity as well as cleansing)
*1 banana (abundance and health)
*1 handful of fresh blueberries (protection and healing)
*1 handful of fresh parsley leaves ( love, protection, purification, abundance)

Then add 
*Organic Apple Juice (about 1 cup)
*Organic Greek Yogurt (about 1/2 cup)
 *Ice cubes

Place the lid on the blender and turn it on to 'blend' -- you will notice that the blender turns in a clock-wise ('deosil') movement . This energy is to Increase - you are increasing the abundant and healthy energies of the ingredients within. 

When the contents are fully blended pour into a glass, visualize all of the magical energies combined for your highest good and drink up! 

I like to enjoy my smoothie-potions fresh but I also make baggies of the fruit and herb ingredients and freeze for single servings after the harvest is done.

So there you have it - Harvesting Magic , no wand required :-) 

Persephone's Folly is Blogging!




Hello there Witches!
Persephone's Folly has begun a blog that will be filled with recipes, spells, articles of interest and the personal musings of the HWIC ('head Witch in charge)...

So join this blog, check back often and tell your friends-- its going to be great!