ORACLES
and
CHARMS
of the
GODDESS
and
CHARMS
of the
GODDESS
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Welcome to my online salon of sacred Play. Here I present a variety of methods by which to access your inner selves. The Goddess Wheel, lunar and seasonal cycles, with their respective keywords, astrological, oracular, and other symbolic connections can open new images and perspectives for creating Magic in your own life.
Much of what is given here has its roots deep in the mysterious traditions of long-lost ages when God was a Woman, and all women were Her daughters, born of the blessed Earth. We are still here, although Time has tried to erase all memory of our sacred origins which reside in the Magic of the Goddess.
We begin with the wheel of lunar phases and seasonal sabats. As you study the different faces of the moon and their corresponding female Archetypes, try to put aside pre-formed notions of "good and evil" or "right and wrong" and remember that everything has both its light and dark aspect. Like night and day, each is simply itself, and we find our meanings of them through our personal experiences.
Every person has some experience with every face of goddess, but which of them we most closely relate to, or which we most vehemently avoid, will be determined by our personal connections and associations with them. Here I merely offer you my perceptions to help you begin the exploration in your own way.
There are no absolute answers. Everything is totally relative, and also related to everything else. The Wheel is also a WEB in which we may feel tangled at times, but where we make wonderful connections when we pursue its threads and links with open minds. Let us begin our meandering wander, mindful that each step holds its own magic.
The Wisdom of the Goddess includes a wonderful selection from many different spiritual traditions. She draws from the oracles of classic ages, from the divinations of eastern mystics, from the earth-based teachings of native peoples, from modern psychics and venerable sages, and from the turnings of the moon, sun, and stars.
Magic is a creative spiritual and erotic act. Your life is your magic. Learning to trust your own oracles, symbols, chants and spells is part of learning to express the Goddess within yourself.
A charm is a way of focusing intent to bring about something desired. It is a form of working magic; as is a spell or a wish or a prayer that you take time to consciously prepare and create or perform with the intent of evoking a desired outcome.
The pages of Symbols and Keywords that I have listed are meant to be examples. Nothing is absolute. None of them should be taken as rules to follow. In fact, it is a basic rule of magic that someone else's method is not to be copied verbatim, but to be improvised, acording to each maker's intuition and instincts in every different situation.
What is it you want? First take time to meditate on your purpose. Define your intentions. Visualize the outcome you are working for. Write it down in a few words on a small piece of paper. What you write can just be a few key words, you know what it means and no one else will be reading it.
Begin by arranging your space and altar. Go to a special location if you can take the time, otherwise make do where you are.
Choose items and symbols according to your instinctual feelings of the moment. Don't get too involved in planning. Let things manifest as they will. Remember: Magic is spontaneous.
Click here to go to the page of symbols.Prepare your charms from whatever comes to hand. You may write an incantation with phrases from lists of keywords, or write your own poetic verse, or chant a repeated simple refrain. If you have learned special chants, prayer, or mantras that resonate for you, use them. Again, be spontaneous, not rigid.
Your charms may include pictures of animals, birds, flowers, gemstones, trees, magical creatures. You may want to use the goddess archetypes from my picture book or my oracle cards. Click here to go to my "products" page.
If you have collected talismen, such as feathers, stones, flowers, an animal's claw, fur, leaves, and such, for sure bring them to your altar and arrange them according to the four directions. Include soft music if you like, and burn incense or sprinkle dried herbs related to the mood and purpose of your quest.
Determine the positions of compass directions as best you can from the site of your altar. Then place objects to signify the four elements and directions: Incense for Air/East; a candle for Fire/South; a chalice for Water/West; a rock or stone for Earth/North.
Arrange your ritual objects on your altar space according to your inspiration and the mood you are creating. NOTE: the "altar" can be any clear table surface, a cloth spread on the ground, a large rock, or any place that provides privacy and enough quiet for concentration. Whatever feels right for you is what carries the power of your own magic.
Once you have arranged your altar space, light your candle, pour your water or wine into the chalice (which can be a simple glass or cup) and light your incense. "Call" or greet the four directions and powers: East, South, West, and North. Do your ritual in that order, turning clockwise from the east around the circle and back to the east point.
Your greeting should be simple and spontaneous: "Welcome Powers of Air,(or Goddess of the East, or Guardians of Mind) Please bless and be with me in this ritual.".... Repeat the same incantation to each of the other directions: (Powers of Fire; Goddess of the South; Guardians of Spirit) (Powers of Water; Goddess of the West; Guardians of Soul) (Powers of Earth; Goddess of the North; Guardians of Body)
Then look to the Center: Raise your blessing wand to the sky, and then point it down to the earth. (the "wand" may be simply your arm, or your gaze, although you may also wish to create a special wand with a decorated stick.) Sit down or kneel or remain standing, as you choose. Relax, deepen, and focus. Visualize your intended purpose. See it actualized, finalized, manifested, or dispelled, as you wish. You might drum or chant to help focus.
Now, repeat your incantation out loud three times. Then, depending on the nature of your charm, destroy the piece of paper on which you wrote your purpose. You can burn it, bury it, tear it up and let it blow to the winds, or take it to a stream or lake and let it float away on water. (down the toilet could also work for certain spells.) Be sure you take precautions to keep your ritual area safe from accidents when using fire. Be sure to clean everything up neatly when you have finished. Cleanliness is essential for good magic.
At last, bless your work and thank the four powers: "May this charm do only good and right and well" Turn moon-wise (counterclockwise) to close your circle, stopping to thank each of the directions for their presence at your ritual. Then stretch to release tension from your body, or dance around as you clean up and put your ritual objects away. Blessed Be.
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