Beltane: the union

Beltane is here and it is so close to the full moon of May: the flower moon.

Summer is here, times are exciting and the moods are light! The moon goddess waxes and the summer exalts! This is perfect to highlight the significance of Beltane: union.

Now, often people think that union necessarily means man and woman or yin and yang union. A very important aspect of union is, also, the union of the physical world with the realms of the spirit; the union of the human being with the omnipresent divinity within and all around him.

This makes Beltane important not only to lovers, but also to those who seek truth: light workers, spiritual beings, tarot readers, pagans and wiccans in general.

How to go about it:

Firstly, there is always a little confusion about April the 30th versus May the 1st.
It doesn't matter, not really. The energies always come with a window. The window could last hours to a couple of days. So, just like full moon can be celebrated for three nights, similarly Beltane can be celebrated on 30th April or 1st of May. Or both! Who doesn't like to celebrate ;)  !!

Now that the date is settled, let us move ahead. I won't be sharing any magical recipes here (I have my apprehensions)
However , I shall guide those who can benefit from this to design their own. (Which works better anyway, in my experience)

All our answers are within us. All we need to do is ask.

Question 1: aim.
OK we are discussing strengthening our ties with the spiritual realm. So our aim could be as vague as that or as specific as communicating with a spirit guide/ animal totem.

Question 2: method.
Think. That what you aim to contact is best related to what. Meditate on the question and jot down what comes to your mind. It could be a colour. It could be an object. Or anything else like a fragrance, herb, chant etc...your meditation will guide you the best. Always.

Carefully study your list and try for a connecting link between the objects. What could be the best magick that incorporates all (or most) of those items?
Candle magick? Brew? Potion? Craft? Chants alone? It could be any thing. Let the answer cone to you.

What comes to you is the right way. What you force on yourself may look fancier and may have worked well for many, but all of us have different energy signatures and thus resonate with different things.

Question 3: editing.
Of course the ancient wisdom should be heeded. If you have any doubts, it is a good idea to seek help from people or internet. If nothing else, it will boost your confidence (and thus increase your belief in your craft) (vital !!!)
Also, you can seek advice on adding other things like seeking crystal energy or tarot use in your craft. If you feel so, seek help.

Question 4: time and place.
Day or night, indoors or in a park/forest. Many factors affect this.
It is not necessary that spells be cast at night. You could let your intuition guide you. It is a good idea to keep all your materials in reach and go about your daily routine, at all times mindful of your spell. At some point of time, you will really feel like casting it. Go ahead, perhaps it is the best time!
Another approach could be timing the nature of the spell with the planetary influence on a particular time. For instance, communication can be enhanced by seeking the blessings of Mercury. Typically, Mercury influences us on a Wednesday, however, each day also has some influence of each planet at different times. If you can check that out, very well!

Also, then there is the need for privacy and comfort and many of us end up casting spells at night. Anything is good if you can successfully raise the energy.

So go ahead with what suits you best.

Question 5: concluding.
This is very important and very commonly overlooked!
Concluding spell includes opening the circle, proper disposal (dispersal?) of the remains (candle wax, water, ash, herb etc should be suitably disposed off. Here we are focussing on spell for communication so blowing the ash or herbs with the wind seems better than simply burying them into the earth) (but suit yourself!), GROUNDING yourself and eating something. Perhaps, even hand washing under running water.

That's it! At all times, let yourself be guided.

Contact me for any queries.
Blessed be!
Happy Beltane )O(

-Iyah

MALLEUS MALEFICARUM

"The Malleus Maleficarum or 'Hammer of the Witches', is a treatise on the prosecution of witches, written in 1486 by Heinrich Kramer, a German Catholic clergyman.

Three years after its publication, the Catholic Church condemned the Malleus Maleficarum", although, sadly,  it was later used by royal courts during the Renaissance, and contributed to the increasingly brutal prosecution of peaceful pagans and practitioners of the craft in 16th and 17th centuries. So basically, (mainly) women who worked as healers and worshipped the Sun, the Moon and the elements such as wind, water, fire and earth herself, were barbarically killed/burnt/slaughtered after being wrongfully tagged as devils/ workers of demons. (Who is the devil again?)

"Kramer wrote the Malleus shortly after being expelled from Innsbruck by the local bishop after a failed attempt to conduct his own witchcraft prosecution."

"The treatise describes how women and men become inclined to practise witchcraft. The text argues that women are more susceptible to demonic temptations through the manifold weaknesses of their gender. It was believed that they were weaker in faith and more carnal than men. The very title of the Malleus Maleficarum is feminine, alluding to the idea that it was women who were the villains. Otherwise, it would be the Malleus Maleficorum" (a masculine/unisexual term). The text is clearly disrespectful towards women and shows that it had been written by someone who doesn't understand the beauty of Goddess/ Goddess religions/ the Divine Feminine. Perhaps women can easily relate to the Goddess but some of the greatest practitioners of the art and science of 'the craft' have been men. Anyone who has an open heart can relate to the Goddess, as after all, it is women who give birth to both men and women.

Also, the fact that most of the "women accused as witches had strong personalities and were known to defy convention" suggests that perhaps Kramer wished that women be suppressed.

Although, the book accuses both male and female witches as worthy of punishment. It accuses the peaceful followers of paganism, healers, druids etc. of heinous acts that paganism and wicca actually prohibit, such as infanticide, cannibalism and casting evil spells!

Clearly the book gives an altered picture of pagan beliefs to those who aren't familiar with them and creates hatred towards some of the wisest and most tolerant people who call themselves 'sons and daughters of the Earth' and celebrate the beauty in the bounties of nature: moon, sun, rain, snow, hail, herbs etc.

Is it a sin to acknowledge the Sun who shines upon us each day and gives us crops and ripe fruits?
Or is it a sin to collect fresh herbs in exchange for an offering to mother Earth (Yes, we do not simply go about plundering the nature! We know we are asking the Earth for a part of her that we need and we offer her a small token as gratitude) to brew some hot tea for an ailing neighbour?

Paganism, neopaganism or wicca, teach us to honour the abundance of nature around us. It makes us more mindful of our unkind acts of ruthless plundering. It reminds us to try and coexist with everyone: animate or inanimate.

It tells us to honour all beings irrespective of their nationality or religious beliefs.

May the light of true knowledge deliver you to the truth. May your heart be kind and soul be blessed!

-Iyah

(With excerpts from wikipedia)

Healing with The Runes

A lot of our somatic issues (bodily, physical problems) are manifestation of our psyche. This is not only scientifically proven, it is a common fact.

There are people who, for instance, keep consuming pills and keep applying ointments for many many years. Little do they benefit. I am not saying that these people are crazy. No, not at all. It is just that we need a better understanding of what actually is causing their disease.

If somehow we knew at what level is the root of the issue, we can address it and heal it.

Here is when the seekers of the spirit realm come into play.

Often I seek the wisdom of the runes to figure out what people who seek me for aid, are dealing with. But runes can also be sought to address those issues. I have healed many people with runes. Some partially, some transiently, some once and for all, permanently and completely.

This is rather fascinating as the runes tell exactly what we need to hear for healing to occur. They rip apart the shells and expose our deeper and thus mysterious self to our conscious and mundane identity.

Once this balance is attained, many are healed!

-Iyah

La Luna (April 2015)

Runic reading for the waxing phase
19April2015 onwards...

(Click on the sub headings for accessing the guide)

FAIR WARNINGS:

Domestic issues perhaps pertaining to someone close may lead to anxiety. These may be because of disharmony arising out of a feeling of betrayal which could possibly be because of your own aggressiveness. It is better to retreat in such situations as fixing often breaks it more and other's inability to see that you are in fact fixing things make you feel frustrated. So it could hurt you as well as the person concerned. You see, no one shall be at fault yet all could suffer.

THE PLAN OF ACTION:
You are warned against giving up on relationships. What happened, happened to teach you. Learn and let go. Don't make a big deal out of it. Avoiding that feeling of emptiness isn't the solution. Reconnect. Reconnect with divinity within yourself, in people around you and in the elements!

THE GAIN:
Doing the above will put off that temper or aggression and shall lead to a time of transformation, materialistic abundance as well as revelations of your own innate capabilities! Should all go according to the guidance, expect unexpected gifts, joy and prosperity!

Blessed be )O(

Any questions are welcome!
Love and light,
Iyah

The Guide

Merry meet all!
This post I simply write
To tell you all how I shall guide
With my scrying with my runes
Those who wish, for many moons

So here I go

I shall write the readings and messages
In sections many in many passages

Now future is our making own
My readings shall tell you what not be sown
FAIR WARNINGS shall warn you what you mustn't do
How it will harm your kin and you
These shall be mistakes we would be prone to
In the time, which the reading shall refer to

PLAN OF ACTION is what instead be done
What could lead to aversion of the threat, for one
And also that what may lead to the best
Outcome such that the future be a fest

THE GAIN is what that would come
should challenges mentioned above be won
For with pain alone is gain in sight
It shall come in degrees heavy or light
Depending upon how well you manage
Your challenge you face with no damage
To no person no animal no tree no rock
Take a deep breath and pull up your sock

)O(

And thus shall the readings be formatted
May they be good guides and acted
Upon with mindfulness love and compassion
For each moment is a ripple that is a lesson!

Love and light to you!

Any queries are welcome :)

-Iyah

RUNES

My love for the runes, I cannot describe. But what I can describe is how much I revere them. They have helped me and helped me in helping many others (and I hope they would be forever so kind to me) Runes are not to be feared, no. But a certain reverence must be felt from the heart. Else they would know, and be certain, they would!

RUNES

Be wary of the might of the runes
They go beyond the sound
They go beyond your wisdom feeble
They go beyond and come around
So should you use them instead of seek
A humble help in your words or work
Be wary, traveller, your trip could end
Before you could ever see any magick work
Be wary of the might of the runes
They aren't but for the pure at heart
They aren't but for the bravest souls
For those who gain nothing in their part
Be wary of the might of the runes
Be humble and you have nothing to fear
Be greedy and you would burn inside
Be gentle and they would wipe your tear
Be wary of the might of the runes
And feed none to your stallion black
But always keep them in a sacred jar
In your heart, on a special rack
Be wary of the might of the runes

-Iyah Arcæn

Sorting Hat

Our choices define us, yes. And although often circumstances guide our choices such that others would judge, those of us who do go through those circumstances know better.
We don't judge.
Neither we let others judge us.
We are what we are.
We chose it.

SORTING HAT

A little girl, I never knew
What I was doing and why
Sinna would say I have to wait
Wait and wait to try
I did that, just that, waited
Not to please my heart
But no other option came my way
I had to wait for my part
I was being tried, Sinna said one day
That priestess, God bless her
I knew my wait would be over soon
I knew I trusted her
I did as I was guided, I did all good
When suddenly one day I realised
I knew I chose my life afresh
My mission I had finalised
No sorting hat could tell me
What I was to really do
I knew when I grew in my heart
The form of my nature, true

-Iyah Arcæn

United Magickally

Together we create magick
Under the moon we unite
With a cord, bound into one
In our song and lore and rite

TOGETHER

What are soulmates and the family of souls? Often many a people ask;
Here is these verses, it is explained, in metaphors that shall explain it at last:

Together

Step by step he goes he goes
Left foot shows then right foot shows
Foot by foot, step by step
Forward stride, always ahead

Should right not trust the walk of left
Should left doubt "the right, how deft?"
The walk would cease for the bearer tall
The journey stops for fear of fall

Some trusts are needed without reason
Some allies without the fear of treason
This is faith and faith defies logic all
But one cannot leap if one fears the fall

Hold on to faith hold on to faith
Let logic none, n'er close no gate
You'd know better should you really see
The eyes will tell what the soul would be

Alone, a wheel, with scrap lay
It sees the nights it sees the day
Some where the frame unable to go
Feels the fire of furnace and winter snow

Alone, independent, delusional, they lay
No path they'd trod no goats they'd chase
But once, together, a bicycle they create
One that is powerful and sets the fate

Together they choose what road they'd go
What hills they'd see what rains what snow
Together is truth, one and the only
In togetherness we reap that we sow when lonely

-Iyah Arcæn

The Priestess: Divine Mother

I met the priestess again. She spoke about the true offering to our divine mother.
"In all, in everyone and everything..." Said the priestess and smiled, "she lives".
I listened to her patiently thinking " of course she is! Now don't we all know this already?"

She looked into my eyes, still. Her gaze, fixed at a point beyond my eyes. Strangely it did not feel eerie. It doesn't feel eerie with her. I stood still, transfixed.
"Child, you have a lot to learn. Go light a yellow candle and let it burn. Gather some strength, muster some courage. Stay open to receive what you seek"

I still looked at her, even more confused now. What was the change in topic about? Outside, the two owls were hooting. It was strange that they kept showing up no matter where I went. But that is a different story.

Finally I spoke, breaking what seemed like a trance. She shifted her focus suddenly and softened her gaze.

"She is in all. Should you seek her, seek all of her."

"Priestess, what do you mean by that" I finally enquired.

"I mean right now I see her in you..." She smiled softly "as I hear her in those owls. As I also see her in that cleaning lady and  peeping from the face of the grocer down the street. THAT is how you should greet everyone: like you would greet your God."

"True." I thought.

The faint lights of a setting sun filtered through the many coloured beads that hung from the priestess's window. The room was filled with such mystical light. I smiled at her before I got to my feet to leave. In her, too, then I saw her.

Mother Goddess.