IN OUR ONENESS...KNOW THY SELF

Religions universally promise believers that there is life after death.  Although the worship of ancestors is not universal, a belief in the immorality of the dead occurs in all cultures.

There is variation among cultures in the degree of interaction between the living and the dead, however, as well as in the intensity and concern a people may have for the deceased.  Eskimos are never free of anxieties about ghosts,while pueblo Indians of North America constructed elaborate ghost beliefs, while the Siriono of South America, although believing in ghosts, paid little attention to them.

Perhaps humans have some basic need that causes us to believe in ghosts and to worship  ancestors: to seek verification that although the mortal body may die, the soul survives after death.  The nineteenth-century sociologist Herbert Spencer speculated that the beginnings of religion were in ancestor worship-the need for the living to continue an emotional relationship with their dead relatives. A major problem with Spencer's argument is that many societies at the hunting-and-gathering level do not practice ancestor worship.

One writer has pointed out that two major attitudes are widely held about the dead: they have either left the society or remain as active members (Malefijt 1968:156-59)  in societies thay separate the dead from the living social group, any possibility of the dead returning is regarded as undesirable because they could disrupt the social order and daily routine of life.  In such cultures, Malefijt believes, the dead are likely to be greatly feared, and elaborate belief system-a cult of the dead---is constructed and practiced in order to separate them from the living.  The primary function of cults of the dead is to aid survivors in overcoming the grief they may feel about the dead.  Such cults are not found in societies where the dead are seen as active members of the group; instead, funeral ceremonies are undertaken with the hope the deceased will return to society in their new status.  These beliefs, according to Malefijt, results in the development of ancestor cults instead of cults of the dead.

The study of ancestor worship among American and British anthropologists has emphasized the connection between the identity and behavioal characteristics of the dead, on one hand, and the distribution and nature of their authority in both domestic and political domains of the society, on the other (Bradbury 1066: 127) Although the belief in ghosts of ancestors is universal, the functions ancestors play vary greatly among societies.  It is also clear that variations in ancestor worship are directly related to social structure and that this relationship is not based on mere common religious interests alone: rather, the structure of the kin group and the relationships of those within it serve as the model of ancestor worship (Bradbury 1966: 128).  Among the Sisala og Ghana, for example, only a select number of Sisala elders, based on their particular status and power within the group, can effectively communicate with the ghosts of ancestors (Mendonsa 1076: 63-64).  In many other parts of the non-Westren world, non-elder ritual specialists, such as heads of households, are responsible for contacting the ancestors.  A cross-cultural study of fifty societies found that where important decisions are made by the kin group, ancestor worship is a probability (Swanson 1964: 07-108).

Many, but certainly not all, non-estren societies believe ancestors play a strong and positive role in the security and posperity of their group, and anthropological data is full these kinds of examples.  It is important, however, to recognize that ancestors are but one of several categories of spirits whose actions directly affect society. 

John S. Mbiti's study of East and Central Africa shows that the status of spirit;s may change through time.  Ancestor spirits, the "living dead," are those whose memory still exists in the minds of their kin, and who are primarily beneficial to the surviving relatives.  When the living dead are forgotton in the memory of their group and dropped from the genealogy as a result of the passing of time (four or five generations), they are believed to be transformed into "nameless spirits," non-ancestors, characterized as malicious vehicles for misfortune of all kinds (1970).

In keeping with Mbiti's model, the Lugbara of Uganda recognize two types of dead.  The first group, simply called "ancestors," comprises nameless, all deceased relatives; these are secondary in importance to the recently deceased, called "ancestor spirits" or "ghost," who can be invoked by the living to cause misfortune to befall those whose acts threaten the silidaryity of the kin group. (Middleton 1971:488).

Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion Third Edition Lehmann and Myers
 

THE GREATEST MYSTERY OF LIFE IS DEATH.
THE GREATEST FEAR OF LIFE IS DEATH.
THE GREATEST SORROW IN LIFE IS DEATH.
THE GREATEST PROBE IN LIFE IS FOR DEATH.
 
  Death is indeed natural. To bring comfort to your fear of your final departure look upon it as an adventure; supposing there is something there; if not, then you'll feel nothing, it'll just be a long dreamless sleep.
 
  Some people say death is the only thing we can be sure of attaining on our own.  It's a very personal thing death.  Some are afraid of dying alone, because when they come to think about it they can't die any other way - you go out on your own or do you?  

Witches, for the most part, believe that we are much more than the physical body.  We are spiritually immortal by design - an immortal energy. It is the basic fabric of who we are.  The universe is infinite.  And because we are part of the universe, and embody the universe within, we, too, are infinite. 

Witches believe that the spirit continues with the rest of the infinite universe.  We may change and become something quite different in form, but we continue.  

I understand every living thing in its earthly form has an expiry date.  What haunts me is how my friend died.  I truly needed to know my friend was okay.  On the Friday morning after he passed at 6:30am I stood outside I cried out for him to appear. 

My heart believes the closest orb is my friend and the one further back his guide. 

According to Druidic doctrine, we have an attraction to a specific tree, animal or ancestor.  These totems are already part of our being. 

  TOTEMS - a type of plant, animal or object chosen and treated with superstitious respect as the symbol of an intimate and mysterious relationship.       

I have an attraction to oak trees, wolves and my grandfathers.  In my childhood, in the farmyard near the big barn grew the strong spread of oak ansd maple trees.  I would climb as close as possible to the highest boughs pointed to the sky with a canopy of green above me and sit for hours with my imagination.       

In my later years a spell which involved an oak tree and acorns introduced me to the Druidic Tradition.  

My Dad's dad owned a German Shepherd dog named Duke, that resemble a Timber wolf.   The wolf perhaps the most feared in terms of superstition because back in the day they were feared for attacking wild, domestic animals and humans alike. 

Humans are high on the food chain.  It is our responsibility for prevention of waste of human's physical environment, including wildlife, timber, fertile topsoil, and pasture according to the Conservation of Natural Resources.  We need to find the compromise to co-habitat.  We need to be fair.       

As far back as I can remember I've been fascinated by the sharp, yellow intense stare of the wolf.  It's amazing the eyes speak without the wolf saying word.   

When I open the book of my memories to the good times I've experienced the Sunday visits at my mother's parents farm in the peace of the countryside always warms my heart.  My uncle and his family owned garden centre were just a few steps away. 

Back then family life was strong, simple and modest.  It was all about parents and their children and the country way. 

When I was a small child during the warm summer days surrounded by the haunts of birds, other wild creatures, domestic animals, large trees and sculptured landscapes my brothers, sisters, cousins and I played.        

The image of coffee brewed and the older generation sharing knowledge with the younger generation around my grandparent's kitchen table was a familiar sight.  My uncles would come and go discussing livestock, planting, harvest or equipment that needed repair.  My grandmother, mother and aunts spoke of our lifestyle.  At the head of the table sat my granddad.        

My granddad was an elderly man who had endured a hard life when he died.  As a young girl I attended his funeral.  His dying brought out many people.  It was a sad  day.  Sorrow was shared.       

The special bond between tree - oak, animal - wolf, and ancestor - grandfathers have their roots that go deep into my personal history.   

The reason I believe this likeness in the smoke is that of my mother's father is because of the widow's peak (hair style), nose and strong chin.  

 I watched the show My Ghost Story on Bio.  Most guests on the show telling their stories spoke of fearful tales.  In the last fifteen minutes of the program  an older gentleman told of his experiences with the unseen on his property.  He had a fuzzy snapshot of a little girl skipping across the lawn.  He believed she is the young girl who died in the house when she stepped too close to a fire and she and her dress went up in flames.  Also he has a picture of a woman dressed in period wear walking the grounds.   

Like me, he isn't afraid of what he sees.  He believes as I do  - ghosts and spirits have the power to come and go.  A ghost feels entitled to the place they dwell or visit to bring peace to family and friends in solving their earthly demise.  They like to hang out at the places and close to the people who made them happiest.  Spirits are around us to protect and guide.  

Ghost is a general term which refers to the visible spirit of a former person.  Spirits is the term used for souls of the dead, whether active or not.  

Most people are afraid of the unseen.  They are more afraid of what they don't understand than the entities themselves.   

The "occult" science is that branch of learning, searching for things not yet known to all - the hidden facts of life. Rather than being a word to be shunned occult is a word that attracts the thinking.  Our spiritual nature cries out that we seek the things we don't understand. (Mysterious secrets give wisdom to the wise, but entangle the minds of fool)  

I am a Canadian writer, practicing Witch and Spiritualist who also divines with Tarot and ordinary playing cards.  The cards, as well as messages from Spirit assist to connect to the information I need for myself and hopefully inspire others.  My only desire is to share with you what works for me.  

Witchcraft and Spiritualism gave me a chance to take my life in a whole new direction. Remarkable improvement took place in my life. I enjoy life more and that is a good thing. My family is important to me. I have only a few friends, but they’re very loyal.  There might be a slight setback, but the overall results are positive.    

Doing the right thing, patience spurred on by ambition, makes life easy for me.  I live my life surrounded by people who care about my well-being while doing the things I like to do.    (Positive responses one takes attracts positive results)

Because I couldn't understand or accept all the injustices around me I became an angry and  fractured soul.  Once I embraced a Higher Power and started talking I disposed the problems ( problems are a necessary stage to purification).    (We all want to be loved - We all want to be heard)  

Life isn't perfect.  Life can be really unfair.  We all suffer a run of bad luck or illness.  Slowly and gradually life will change for the better.  Most problems will dissipate into thin air.  The bad times fade.  It takes courage to make the changes in your life to claim your life. Sometimes we need help and support to do the right thing - kindness - disposed or mutual understanding to do good  to others (In ye harm none do as ye will).  

When I pray I speak out loud in a polite and respectful manner to my Spirit Guide and Grandfather.  As I apply my own natural talent and effort as well as positive invisible forces supporting my destiny, heaven-sent people, new places, and unique opportunities appear like never before.  I'm not pushed or agitated by the whims of others for a long period of time.

No matter ones faith, when we pray do we not expect to be heard?   

It can be hard to believe the photos I post are what they are.  I can't give you a rational explanation.  Some things are not meant to understand. - defies logical explanation.  I have nothing to fear.  The snapshots are not illusions.  They are beyond imagination - they are reality.  They allow me to know I am on the right track and and give me the courage to continue in my quest for what is right.  

Each month there is a spirit that goes forth and walks by night;  There spirits that walk by night must be appeased; For the external influences act on man, in accordance with the stars. Kawang-Tchu, Treatise on Wandering Influences

May 9  - First day of Lemuria, a Roman festival of the dead; this festival was probably borrowed from the Etruscans and is one possible ancestor of our modren Halloween. (Etruscan civilization - highest civilization in Italy before the rise of Rome)  

Souls of the Dead who sometimes returned to the world to reunite themselves with their bodies.  Plato spoke of them in Paedra.  The Etruscans and the Romans thought that lemurs attached themselves to the living in order to torment them.  Less frightening than the larvae (lemures) but less honorable than the manes.  

*Larvae (1) The Romans believed them to be the ghosts of criminals or men who had died tragically.  They had the appearance of horrible specters or skeletons. 

(2) In the Middle Ages the Larvae became the terrifying spirits who brought great sadness and epileptic diseases to man. 

 (3) The Larvae were really elemental spirits used by black magicians to obsess their enemies.  For Paracelsus and some Cabalists, the Larvae were the children of Adam's solitude, born in filth and squalor during the night.  They entered men's blood or into some living tissue.  They could be extracted by using a sharp instrument and by fumigation with perfumes with a base of henbane, mandragora and poppy.  

* Manes (Shades) to the Romans, they were the deified souls of their ancestors, or di manes.  In the month of February holidays were celebrated in their honor (the Parentalis and the Fetlia).  They were offered sacrifices to appease them.
 
(2) In the wide sense, the world sometimes designates the gods of the Underworld (chthonian gods) as opposed to the gods of the Sky (uranian gods) called the de superi.  

The Etruscans and Romans tried to appease them by conducting strange ceremonies known as the Lemuria, held every May.  The father of the family would offer black beans to the demons.  Because they appeared in the form of specters or animals, some occultists compared them, incorrectly, to vampires.

 May 9, 2011 is a sacred date. This day will correspond to the day when the visible and material world is in harmony with the spiritual world. This will be the night when the spirits of Nature come into contact with those with a pure heart and who have prepared for their arrival. During this spiritual contact, spirits will flood the lives of these people with "magical" energy, thus enabling luck and good fortune if the people’s conduct is unselfishly motivated.

In the ancient tradition which dates from the dawn of time, the magical night is an exceptional night. It is a cosmic night when the visible and material world is in harmony with the spiritual world. In other words, an ideal night for communicating with the spiritual forces which surround us. These supernatural forces are able to help people who request them to. This ancient practice-several thousand years old-symbolises the confidence and wisdom of that our ancestors had in the supernatural and cosmic forces bringing happiness on earth. Of course, for the spiritual forces to be able to work, the person requesting their help needs to be doing so only for good.

On that night, you will be able to approach the night’s invisible and beneficial forces and request their help. It has been so for millennia, and still today, the beneficial forces can help you.

The three fox sisters, Kate in the middle, Margaret on the right, and Leah on the left.      

The Fox sisters, Margaret the middle daughter.  Her sister Kate the youngest and Leah, considerably older made "contact" with the spirit world on March 31 1848 sparking the spiritualist movement.       

In 1955 a shrine was erected at the rear of the replica cottage; the original burned down and an exact replica was built by John Drummond.  A memorial stone that reads, The Birthplace of Modern Spiritualism now marks the location of the Fox sister's cottage in Hydesville, Newark N.Y..  

THERE IS NO DEATH - THERE IS NO DEAD       

The three sisters interest and belief in rapping's that could be heard in the cottage led to the establishment of Spiritualism.  Even before the Foxes moved into the cottage had a reputation of mysterious noises beside rapping.  Gurgling sounds from the throat, a death struggle, heavy dragging of a body across the room have all been reported by prior tenants.       

Kate, Margaret, and Leah, made history by being the first to establish a dialogue with the dead after disturbing series of raps and noises in their cottage.  Margaret was an innocent ten year old when the first strange rapping's were heard.  John Fox, her father inspected their home for a reasonable explanation.  Kate at the tender age of seven proved to her father Spirit was real.  "Do as I do," said Kate as she clapped her hands. The same number of raps was heard made by invisible hands.  "No, do just as I do.  Count one, two, three, four," Margaret interrupted.  Exactly four raps were heard.  Margaret became to afraid to continue the game they started.       

The three sisters devised a system where they would ask a question to the unseen entity that could be answered one rap- yes, or two raps-no.       

The presence identified itself as the spirit of a murdered peddler whose body had been buried beneath the Foxes home.  Neighbours came to hear the rapping's and volunteered to dig for the murdered peddler.  When water was struck, the search was abandoned.  A few months later the digging in the cellar resumed.  At a depth of 5 feet fragments of hair and bones believed to be part of a human skeleton.  Fifty-six years later workmen unearthed an almost complete skeleton.  There was a peddler's  box near the bones.  The discovery led to the theory that murder first buried the body in the cellar, then fearing discovery, dug it up and buried the peddler between two walls.  A maid, Lucretia Pulver who lived four years before the Foxes in the cottage confirmed of a peddler's visit to the house and stayed for a night, and her employers sent home to her parents.  On return she was told the peddler left.       

The Foxes moved from the house to live with other members of their family.  unexplained noises and actions followed the sisters.  Leah decided to communicate with the invisible entity like she had when she was a child.  She would recite the alphabet and raps would respond a certain letter.  The first message Leah and her household received was, "Dear Friends, you must proclaim this truth in the world.  This is the dawning of a new era; you must not try to conceal it any longer.  When you do your duty God will protect you and good spirits will watch over you."        Leah took the reins over her sisters.  She became the first professional medium.  Kate, her younger sister followed Leah's example six months later.  Margaret followed suit.       

Even though their lives were threatened they toured the U.S. and Europe to, proclaim spirit communication to the world.  In 1854, America's first Spiritualist organization, the Society for the Diffusion of Spiritual Knowledge was founded in New York by a wealthy merchant.       

Margaret Fox, (1833-1893) in 1888 claimed that the effects were fraudulent.  After a fall out with Leah she attempted to turn Spiritualism into a farce.  Her published confession said that the raps had been made at first by bumping or dropping a apple on the floor. Margaret confessed she and Kate, perfected control of their muscles that they could snap the joints of their fingers and toes without detection.  She demonstrated her technique before an audience at a New York theatre.       

Kate and Leah Fox seances were accurate concerning matters of the heart, career or other enterprises, conflicts and struggles as well as practical affairs.  They were able to correctly predict destiny and the actions of others that had an important influence.  Kate was known to produce spirit forms which proved there was obvious connection.  Her communication took place mainly through raps and writing.
 
  Footnote- To learn more about the Fox sisters and Spiritualism, I suggest the book Supernatural - Spirits and Spirit World.  Arthur - Roy Stemman.  Publisher - The Danbury Press.  A Division of Grolier Enterprises Inc.

We are all divine.  The Divine is within us.  We should not be distracted by psychic abilities, for these are merely sign-posts along the way.  We need to express our divinity and our love by good deeds, by service.   Perhaps no one should be anyone else's guru for longer than a month or two.  Repeats to India are not necessary since the real journey lies within.  

There are distinct benefits to having one's own transendent experiences, to begin opening up to the realization of the divine, to the understanding that life is much more than meets the eye.  Oftentimes you don't believe it if you don't see it.  

Our path is an inward one.  This is more difficult path, the more painful path.  We bear responsibility, for our own learning. 

This responsibility cannot be externalized and dumped on someone else, on some guru.  The kingdom of the Divine is within you.   

There is no direct correlation between psychic abilities and level of spiritual evolution.  

The psychic abilities of some people increase as they progress spiritually, as they become more and more aware.  This is more of an incidental acquisition rather than an essential step.  One's ego should not become inflated merely because the level of one's psychic abilities increases.  The goal is to learn about love and compassion, about goodness and charity, not about becoming famous.

Remember.  Remember that you are always loved.  You are always protected, and you are never alone. 

You also are a being of light, of wisdom, of love.  You can never be forgotten nor overlooked or ignored.  You are not your body; you are not your brain, not even your mind. 

You are spirit.  All you have to do is to reawaken to the memory, to remember.  Spirit has no limits, not the limit of the physical body nor the reaches of the mind.
 
  As the vibrational energy of spirit is slowed down so that more dense environments such as your three-dimensional plane can be experienced, the effect is for spirit to crystallized and transformed into denser and denser bodies.  The densest of all is the physical state.

  The vibrational rate is the slowest.  Time appears faster in this state because it is inversely related to the vibrational rate.  As the vibrational rate is increased, time slows down.  This is how there can be difficulty in choosing the right body, the right time of re-entry into the physical state.   

There are many levels of consciousness, many vibrational states.  It is not important that you know all of these levels.   The first level of the seven is that which is most important to you.  It is important to experience in the first plane rather than to abstract and intellectualize about the higher planes.

  Eventually you will experience them all.  Your task is to learn experience.  Take that which is belief and faith and transform it into experience so that learning is complete, because experience transcends belief.  Learn to remove fear.  Learn how to love and to help one another.  This involves the free will of others.  Reach out with love and reach out with compassion, to help others.  Reach out with love and reach out with compassion, to help others - this is what you must do on your plane.  

Humans always think of themselves as the only beings.  This is not the case.  There are many worlds and many dimensions...many, many more souls than there are physical containers.   

When you look into the eyes of another, any other, and see your own soul looking back at you, then you will know that you have reached another level of consciousness.  In this sense reincarnation does not exist, for all lives and all experiences are simultaneous.  But, in the three-dimensional world, reincarnation is as real as time or as a mountain or as the oceans.  It is any energy like other energies, and its reality depends on the energy of the perceiver.  As long as the perceiver perceives a physical body as solid objects, reincarnation is real to that perceiver.  The energy consists of light and love and knowledge.  The application of this knowledge in a loving way is wisdom.  There is currently a great lack of wisdom on your physical plane.

Spirit Channeled given to me by my mentor - Joan Kennedy
Picture taken by me at later date

Witchcraft is based on the energies of the Sun, Moon, and the basic elements of nature; earth, air, fire, and water, with a blend of the supernatural.

 A witch aligns her body, mind, spirit and heart with cycles of the moon, the rising and setting of the sun, as well as the turning of the seasonal wheel; spring – birth, summer – maturing, autumn – harvest, and winter – rest and recuperation. 

Supernatural is defined as something that cannot be explained by natural course of nature’s actions or mysteries beyond reason. 

A witch blends the two together.  By doing so, life is viewed with a more balanced perspective of the unity between self, planet earth and the entire universe.

    

                      WHEN YOU STAND FIRM IN YOU BELIEFS,

                      YOU WILL NOT FAIL,

                      YOU WILL DISCOVER,

                      WHO YOU TRULY ARE,

                      ONE OF A KIND, A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL.

MAGIC – all things come to me, have their being in me, and will return to me.

      Magic is the conscious decision to initiate change.  There are energies within the universe that a witch could merge with to discover truth, further growth, or request a desired outcome.  One can combine personal energy and the energies of planet earth, the Divine Will to initiate a positive change, to transform or shape ourselves or others to be the best we can be.  A witch harms none or self intentionally with spells or charms.

   SUNDAY                                                    HEALTH SPELLS

   MONDAY                                                   HOME SPELLS

   TUESDAY                                                  PROTECTION SPELLS

   WEDNESDAY                                           TRAVEL SPELLS

   THURSDAY                                               MONEY SPELLS

   FRIDAY                                                      LOVE SPELLS

   SATURDAY                                               ANY SPELL

     There are responsibilities when one makes a request or practice magic.   These responsibilities include:

MUST BE GOOD FOR THE ALL                          UNSELFISH

MUST ADD PERSONAL POWER                         EFFORT

KEEP IT SIMPLE                                                     CLARITY

VALUE OPPORTUNITIES                                      PREPARATION

HONOR THE DIVINE                                              RESPECT

     Never waste a wish or spell granted.  You must appreciate the gift given by being nicer to others and the planet.

                                             A WISH OR SPELL,

                                             A CONSCIOUS CHOICE FOR CHANGE,

                                             WITH AN OPEN HEART,

                                             COMPASSION,

                                             WITH AN OPEN MIND,

                                             A CLEAN CONSCIOUS,

                                             WITH FAITH,

                                             THE WANT WILL BE HEARD,

                                             A NEED WILL BE GRANTED.

    

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