. Ancestral Room Ritual We can all think of times when we were alone inside of a house or structure, and we may have sensed that the window held some sort've magical purpose and meaning. Then we soon likely dismissed the notion as silly. Depending on the structure itself, our own connection to it or the general area, the surroundings themselves, the time of the year, the day of the week, the time of the day or night, or other factors of the environment... the possible energetic experience may differ. Still, we most likely censored our feeling, perception, or intuition. Just like planetary bodies, mountains, bodies of water, or mirrors; windows can be energetic portals of or between time and space. If we are in an area which is dark at night, sitting in say a dimly lit room with a window, we can look at it and see the pure darkness... almost like a portal into the abyss. Varying degrees of light all have certain energies; from total blackness, to some degree of light source(s), to perhaps urban lights or the moon illuminating the landscape. The window at twilight, with no lights on, has a powerful connective energy. Also, of course, the varying degrees of daylight possess the same types of energetic effect upon us. The morning naturally comes to mind, as we can connect to the feeling of the blessing of the rising sun though our ancestral memory. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to recall some of those various experiences. I think an open window can heighten the energetic connection, but not necessarily always. For me, the more rural the location, the more heightened the experience would tend to be; however, I'm certain others would see an urban setting as more energetic. Just off the top of my head--for me--being alone, in a home in a smaller town, with a lot of hills and open spaces, from a second story open window, on a warm summer evening at twilight, with no lights on... would give me the energetic connectivity. But energetic connectivity to what?
The practical concept of a window has been with the human race for a very long time. When our ancestors were rooted in a place--and ultimately "places"--there was an energetic tie-in with these windows... and of course other things. The window is like an eye, watching history take place from a stationary position. Energy stamps are tied to those places, and they don't just disappear when a particular clan moves on to another place. A window can serve as a symbolic object of focus during a ritual. The spirituality of a diaspora probably has less power and meaning since the advent of air travel; but when the challenges and risks of long voyages to settle in far away places were great, it was much more remarkable. The DNA-connection is the most powerful energetic connection over time and space, especially a connection of direct bloodline. The "window ritual" has everything to do with ancestral ties! The ritual can consist of whatever heightens its symbolic power. I would think that standing or sitting--not lounging--would be essential. At night, a candle and symbolic object could be used, although I think a powerful environment would be enough. Singing, meditating, or perhaps openly speaking a few trigger words, phrases, or names of favorite ancestors would help make an energetic connection. Holding a crystal or stone might aid in the process, but I think the window as the object of focus is sufficient.
Being alone isn't a necessity, as another person or small group might work. Whether it's personal ancestry or more of a collective ancestry, this objective would seem to determine how you would craft the ritual. I tend to think the night is best, as the darkness symbolizes the abyss of the unknown, the aether of time and space, the Ur. I tend to think that being alone and focusing on a particular favorite ancestor holds special magickal power, perhaps even holding your hand outside the window at a certain point. Even when someone reincarnates, part of their being--the main part--remains at source. Certainly it may be an ancestor whom you never knew; in fact, that may be even more powerful. This isn't like playing with a Ouija board, and you have no idea what is coming through. You are already energetically tied to your ancestors over time and space. You may trust them... because you are them... and they are you. .
The Essential Witch Stregheria Show Ravenwings If you missed the original show you can listen to it here! Learn about Italian Witchcraft! ************ I didn't agree with every single part of this lecture, but it was fine in that it explored the history and essence of Stregheria.... the only true work of it's kind up there. I'm surprised that this video only has about one thousand views in over a year and a half. I wouldn't be surprised if there were only about two thousand adherents to Stregheria in all of North America. Still, the work by Raven Grimassi and the importance of Aradia would seem to suggest more interest... including YouTube searches for "Stregheria Aradia." Even Raven Grimassi's YouTube channel only has 383 subscriptions; surprising in that he is also an important figure among Wiccans. It reminds of me the excellent four-part interview of Heimgest, the leader of the international organization of the Odinic Rite, on YouTube. After twelve years up there, only 37,000 views for the first video? The interview took place somewhere in Alberta, Canada, where Heimgest was visiting and naturally promoting Asatru/Odinism. He assesses the current state of the movement; in other words this is important! With the subtle rise of Asatru, large in a relative-time sense, why not more interest in a video such as this? The Neo-Pagan movement is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. We're still mostly solitary practitioners, who may be holding ritual three miles away from where a like-minded person might be holding ritual. I once gave the example of seeing a stained-glass Valknut in a front window of a home nearby; and of once coming upon (inadvertently interrupting) a black robed woman seemingly holding a ritual when I was hiking at dusk. She then disappeared away into the shadows. "We're around".. yet we're strangers.... *************************
An interesting, if perhaps unflattering, "Stregheria" reference from popular culture. Of course, some form of Stregheria was present in every part of the Italian peninsula. This film was to have taken place in New York City (some say that this film was based on real events). *************************
Drawing the Magic Circle I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou beest a meeting-place of love and joy and truth; a shield against all wickedness and evil; a boundary between the world of men and the realms of the Mighty Ones; a rampart and protection that shall preserve and contain the power that we shall raise within thee. Wherefore I bless thee and consecrate thee, in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia. -- Wiccan circle-casting ritual
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. Human Rites: The Role of Ritual in Witchcraft
The High Priestess stands skyclad within the circle, arms outstretched, clothed only in the flickering candle-light. The High Priest kneels before her and, drawing an inverted triangle upon her from right breast, begins the incantation:
'I invoke thee and call upon thee, Mighty Mother of us all, bringer of all fruitfulness; by seed and by root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit do I invoke thee to descend upon the body of this thy servant and priestess.'
He throws up his arms:
Hail Aradia! From the Amalthean Horn Pour forth thy store of love; I lowly bend Before thee, I adore thee to the end, With loving sacrifice thy shrine adorn. Thy foot is to my lip [kisses] my prayer upborne Upon the rising incense-smoke; then spend Thine ancient love, O Mighty One, descend To aid me, who without thee am forlorn.
As he rises and steps back the High Priestess draws a pentagram in the air before her with her wand:
Of the Mother darksome and divine Mine the scourge, and mine the kiss; The five-point star of love and bliss-- Here I charge you in this sign.
They have drawn down the moon. -- From page 187 of 'Witchcraft Out of the Shadows' (Ruickbie; 2004) *************************
A few more thoughts The above ritual is Wiccan, and reflected the common Neopagan "borrowing," which is fine since so much was lost to us over the ages. In some cases, as with utilizing an alternate name of a god/goddess or anything else, the borrowing may be slipping a missing puzzle piece back into place which already existed in the other tradition over time. However, the story of Aradia is distinctly Tuscan; but it could be thought of as relating to the larger picture; if the Goddess Diana were to send her daughter to the Earth to live among us, she had to be send to some locale.
In this manner, Aradia, the Horned God, Hecate, "The Sorcerer" cave art; Stonehenge, the Carnac stones, the Temple of Mona, the Temple of Artemis, Venus of Willendorf, the Nebra sky disk, the Bosnian pyramids, or the Megalithic Temples of Malta.... ALLcould be part of the same general ancient collective Proto-European spiritual tradition. That's not necessarily "borrowing." The megalithic structures go back beyond the Celtic/Gaulish/Druidic cultures; and "Mona" was the Proto-European name of the Great Mother. Nationalistic/ethnic perceptions could, in certain instances, get in the way of the larger folklore. They're sort've.... both. The nudity and direct sexual aspects of Wiccan rituals have some basis in the ancient history of the Proto-European tradition(s). Stregheria has this aspect as well. However, we should also think about the type and volume of people we want to attract. Nude rituals would tend to keep away some of the best people.. if for not any other reason than if, for example, a family with younger children was interested. This is kind've a no-brainer I think.
. Academically at least, it should be acknowledged that there was a certain relative social/spiritual intimacy in ancient times. Beyond our control, the West is now both oversexualized and oversensitive to almost everything. Male and/or female non-sexual energy is lost within this condition. The above ritual was clearly an attempt to bring forth the divine feminine, which would be best conducted today in a non-sexualized manner. Our ancient ancestors would not have been socially corrupted by the insanely incongruent "American Pie" (contrasted by the Me Too movement) culture that we live in. If we ever do free ourselves from this clusterbleep, it probably won't be during our lifetimes. At times, the midnight "witching hour" is of course very appropriate. However, at times the energy might not be there. Someone may have gotten up early, and fifteen or sixteen hours later they may be mentally fatigued. It's often easier to get out and away in the evening, compared to daylight hours, but a daytime ritual may be just as beautiful and more energetic.. and not as dependent on the weather. One idea that I have mentioned prior, is the utilizing of music in ritual... outdoors. Although an iPod would work, I was thinking more of a group experience. Imagine the 'Wytches Chant' playing amid a forest clearing, upon a full moon, loudly humming through the trees! This is not an original idea, but something that deserves more exploration. A simpler idea would be to sing, individually or as a group. How about singing the Wytches Chant? That hymn is the Neopagan equivalent of 'Amazing Grace'. For the most part, the goddesses in the chant were based on our Almother. Who's to say that you couldn't change the names to reflect this if you felt the need? Personally, I wouldn't feel the need for that. That simple hymn was a work of genius by Inkubus Sukkubus. Call it silly, but the idea of that hymn echoing through the forest--or emanating from a mountaintop--on a warm evening almost gives me goose bumps. .
Bodi Mayo is finally offering his astounding ritual hammers for sale, just in time for yule. Bodi has donated these at our event auctions in the past and they always create a buzz. This is a true ritual hammer, not just a store bought hammer repurposed for ritual use. Each hammer is made from scratch, then shaped and welded using solid steel throughout. These are intended to be heirloom pieces, passed down for generations.
Contact Bodi today at southernheathen@gmail.com for more information.
Please share and support AFA Artisans this Yule! ************************************************** I am not an Odinist/Asatruar, but I thought that this was something that transcended "being an Odinist." This appears to be an finely crafted, American, hand-made item... made by an Asatruar in fact. An item related to honor and the folk spirit. I have an all-stainless steel hammer tool that belonged to my great uncle which I keep in plain view every day. It was made in the USA when items like this were made to practically last forever. To me, it's a proactive symbol of evolutionary struggle. .
First off, I just wanted to say again that I believe that the ‘A Haunting’ series was the best series of its type that I know of. Although others have done good research, this one ended up touching upon all of the main themes and realities of the spirit world. I can’t regress all of them in one sitting. For example, in one of the pilot episodes, ‘A Haunting in Georgia’, the literal science of residual soul energy was explained in some detail. That is different than a “ghost,” which is more genuinely interactive and may respond with very relevant EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) answers to questions. Those EVPs are I think the strongest evidence for the spirit world. Using scientific method to gauge this reality, it would be impossible for it not to be real. Impossible! The spirit world is real, although this reality isn’t absolute “proof of God”; however it goes in that direction with soul spirits “crossing over.” So… what is the next step in that process?
I wanted to look at two facets to all of this that I personally find fascinating. One is in regards to EVPs. These spirits are just like living people. Sometimes they are cold, eerie, and blunt. Other times they are surprisingly childish! One common theme is that the negative spirits are all talk. They put out EVPs or energy that they hate the inhabitants of the house and that they want to kill them, which sounds ominous enough, but 99% of the time they don’t have the power to do anything. They seem to clearly have the ability to pick up when someone is plotting against them or at least going to investigate them. The second facet that I find most interesting is that there are good spirits who actually protect the occupants of the house, sometimes from dark spirits. That came out strongly in one episode of ‘The Dead Files’.
“Fear Feeds”
One clear reality of negative spirits is simply that they like to scare people because they can absorb that “fear energy” to make them stronger. In one episode of ‘Ghost Adventurers’, an EVP was captured that stated flatly: “I want your energy.” Concurrent with the spirit world is a world of revolving energy. “Thoughts,” for example, are energy; as is “love” or “hate.”
A benevolent spirit
In one episode of ‘The Dead Files’ (season 1 – ‘The White Widow’), a two-hundred year old New Orleans house was being haunted by the spirit of a young widow named Louisa Clay who hanged herself in the attic in 1888. Although active, this spirit was actually very benevolent. Amy Allen, a very gifted clairvoyant and spirit medium, saw her and a sketch artist drew her. Louisa Clay was a beautiful young brunette, and her eyes seemed to reflect her benevolence. Not quite an “angel,” she did seem to at least be a positive spirit. The children would see her in a white gown at night, but she was probably just checking them. She had been a mother after all. Of all the episodes of any of these programs since 2005, this was the only one which emotionally moved me. I rarely make comments like that I “felt a tear in my eye,” but in this instance I did. It was easy to make the leap of seeing her as something of “a fellow spirit being.”
Sage and salt
Spirits respond to ritual, whether Christian or Pagan, theist or polytheist, etc. Whatever the religion of the inhabitants of a home are, negative entitles will respond to those rituals and leave 95% of the time. However, even if a ritual is not the religion or spiritual traditions of those inhabitants, respect for that traditional ritual is enough.
Rituals very, but one common theme is the use of burning sage to cleanse a home or property. Also, the use of salt to form a protective barrier around a house or property; and also to cleanse. This ties into what I mentioned in earlier posts about “a metaphysical science” developing from trial and error.
To look at this wide open subject as a study, and a study which should be one of the most important endeavors of the human race. It’s not just something that’s interesting to look at. It’s of the utmost importance, and it clearly should not be restricted to religious dogma as it would even tend to support those traditions. Only Atheists—possibly, if their beliefs are politically-driven—could feel threatened by this metaphysical science. Are “hate” or “fear” always bad?
Lastly, I just wanted to look at the emotions of “hate” and “fear.” Hate is a strong energy. Often it is a very valid response to something. Hate—if turned inwards—can be a big problem for an individual. However, if that hate-energy can be redirected outwards into positive action, then it can be a positive. Obviously, sometimes that may be a hard thing to do. Especially if you are under constant pressure from something negative. However, you must do it for your health.
“Fear” is also an energy. Have you ever heard the expression, usually sports-related, “fear is your friend.” It can be. It’s an energy! It can be redirected if it is understood as an energy-force. Lets just say that you had to make a speech in front of five-hundred people, and you feel some “fear” about it. That fear-energy can be redirected and used to give a great speech. It sounds like a contradiction, but it isn’t if you understand it.
In other words, just allow yourself to be nervous, and you may find that the fear-energy will turn into hopefully “a controlled emotional energy” that will translate into your speech. Sometimes if you just admit something like “I am afraid,” it can be the first step in gaining control over that energy force.
