Mabon Balance Mediatation

Mabon is one of those times of year that affect people in different ways. For some, it's a season to honor the darker aspects of the Goddess, calling upon that which is devoid of light. For others, it's a time of thankfulness, of gratitude for the abundance we have at the season of harvest. No matter how you see it, Mabon is traditionally a time of balance. After all, it's one of the two times each year that has equal amounts of darkness and daytime.

Because this is, for many people, a time of high energy, there is sometimes a feeling of restlessness in the air, a sense that something is just a bit "off". If you're feeling a bit spiritually lopsided, with this simple meditation you can restore a little balance into your life.

Setting the Mood

Now that fall is here, why not do an autumn version of Spring cleaning? Get rid of any emotional baggage you're dragging around with you. Accept that there are darker aspects to life, and embrace them, but don't let them rule you. Understand that a healthy life finds balance in all things.

You can perform this ritual anywhere, but the best place to do it is outside, in the evening as the sun goes down. Decorate your altar (or if you're outside, use a flat stone or tree stump) with colorful autumn leaves, acorns, small pumpkins, and other symbols of the season. You'll need a black candle and a white one of any size, although tealights probably work best. Make sure you have something safe to put them in, either a candle holder or a bowl of sand.

Light both candles, and say the following:

A balance of night and day, a balance of light and dark Tonight I seek balance in my life as it is found in the Universe. A black candle for darkness and pain and things I can eliminate from my life. A white candle for the light, and for joy and all the abundance I wish to bring forth. At Mabon, the time of the equinox, there is harmony and balance in the Universe, and so there shall be in my life.

Meditate on the things you wish to change. Focus on eliminating the bad, and strengthening the good around you. Put toxic relationships into the past, where they belong, and welcome new positive relationships into your life. Let your baggage go, and take heart in knowing that for every dark night of the soul, there will be a sunrise the next morning.

~Source

Mabon Incense

• 2 Parts Frankincense
• 1 Part each: Sandalwood, Cypress, Juniper & Pine
• 1/2 Part Oakmoss* (or Oakmoss oil instead)
  
• A pinch of Oak Leaf

*Oakmoss is the greyish/white lichen that grows on the trunks of oak trees and is used in perfumery.

Burn incense on a charcoal disk or in a heat-resistant dish during your Mabon Ritual. It smells divine, Earthy.

A Beautiful Chant

I have this chant 3 times (by 3 different artists) on my iPod. It is a chant that regularly sticks in my head & I am constantly humming it.



"Earth my body
Water my Blood.
Air my breath
and Fire my Spirit."

A Post Script

I've seen a lot of debate over my previous post, both on here & on Facebook (where I also posted it). It wasn't me who was saying that how you cast a circle & where you place the elements is wrong. It was the author of the book I was reading. I agree with it, because it makes sense to me and it works for me when I changed the way I do things. I wasn't telling you that the way you do things is wrong. If you have a particular way of doing things, go with it.

I think Mike Nichols was just letting us know that when things were changed years ago (as Paganism grew more popular) to keep things secret, people forgot to change things back when they were teaching/mentoring newbies to the Craft. That would also include authors who still write methods that haven't been put back and they haven't clued in to it. It's like when I post spells/workings on here, I will deliberately leave something out or switch it up, as a means to protect the integrity of the spell/working. I think a lot of Pagans out there who post in cyberspace do that, 'cuz sometimes things don't make a lot of sense 'til I look at it again & realize that something has been omitted, or changed.

Also, for the record, I am not Wiccan. I have had people think that I am, but no, I do not subscribe to that particular path. I have too many issues with it & with Gardner & Sanders.

A Common Mistake

I was recently reading a book called "The Witches' Sabbats" by Mike Nichols and he stated in it something that totally made sense. Most Pagans, when casting circles do it wrong. Wrong, you ask?? How??

When casting circles, in particular, assigning elements to the quarters, we have been taught/told that Earth goes in the North, right? He states that when he was a young novice witch back in the 60's, he was copying info out of his coven's BOS and that things weren't corresponding from each time he added to his. He asked his HP why the elements were different from one person's BOS to another. She told him that in order to keep the craft secret (mind you this was back when practitioners of the craft were still in the closet) things got changed to protect the craft. This is sometimes still done when putting things online for everybody to see. Unfortunately, the directional elements got changed and no one ever questioned it.

Wondering what the heck I'm talking about?? It only affects 2 elements: Earth & Air. They are switched around. Air should be in the North and Earth in the East. But we've been doing it the other way for years, you say. I know, but this is the way it should always have been. Say, you practice Celtic magick, for example. Picture looking at the map of the UK with the north on the top. To the East is land (Earth), so the South, warmer lands (Fire), to the West is the ocean (Water) and to the North is the cold Arctic with the winds (Air). Make sense?? No, want more?? Ok:

• We all know the the 4 elements are divided into masculine & feminine. Air & Fire are masculine, whilst Earth & Water are feminine. When you cast a circle in a group situation, men & women are alternated, like the elements are in the circle.



• Native American & First Nations place Air in the North, symbolized by the Eagle, and we all know the Natives are no slouches when it comes to ceremonial magic.



• The seasons are associated with the directions: winter with the North (icy winds); spring with East (new life bursting from the Earth); summer with the South (fiery heat of the sun) and autumn with West.



• The elements are often associated with Yin/Yang properties. Air & Fire are masculine (Yang) and Earth & Water are feminine (Yin).



• When you associate cardinal points of a single day to the 4 compass points. Midnight is North; noon is South; sunrise is East; sunset is West.



• You place your 4 main altar tools according to the directions: the Pentacle (Earth) is place on the East side of your altar, the Cup is placed on the West side (Water), the Wand is placed in the South (Fire) and the Athame is placed in the North (Air)


These are a few examples of how we have the Earth/Air is mixed up and why it makes sense to have them switched back. I sourced the book, "The Witches' Sabbats" by Mike Nichols. His 13 reasons are listed in chapter 12. So, before you debate with me over this, try to come up with something to debate this about instead "This is how we always did it" That really isn't a reason.

~Brightest of Blessings,
Rowan
)O(

Ritual for the Healing of the Gulf of Mexico

I got this ritual from my friends, Raven & Lidia. It's a very powerful ritual, designed for healing in the Gulf of Mexico.

ALTAR DÉCOR
Quan Yin, settling the dragons with healing elixir, and Buddha A candle for each deity A candle for reading Two small brass goblets (One filled with fresh water, and one with sea water (water and salt, since I didn’t have any water from the ocean.) One Wooden Goblet One Libations bowl Several Shells

RITUAL CAST CIRCLE
(Cast the circle, beginning in the North by circling the space deosil, in clockwise direction, three times round or until the wall is sensed) Three times three I walk the round To join my heart With sacred ground To raise a temple out of light A place to hold my healing right

CALL TO QUARTERS
(Begin in the east, working around the quarters deosil until finishing in the North) Guardians of the East, Powers of Air I call upon your love and care As water is carried upon your breeze May all the pollution around the Gulf cease! Hail, and be welcome in my presence! Guardians of the South, Powers of Fire I call upon you to see our desire As water steams and boils upon your burning May all pollution around the Gulf set to purging! Hail, and be welcome in my presence! Guardians of the West, Powers of Water I call upon you, Oh Womb of the Mother As waters you are, pure and dear May all pollution around the Gulf be made clear! Hail and be welcome in my presence Guardians of the North, Powers of Earth I call upon you, Ancient ones of our birth As waters you cradle, blessed and pure May all pollution around the Gulf be sent the cure! Hail and be welcome in my presence!

CALL TO THE GOD AND GODDESS
Great Father God of Sun and Sky Bringer of Rains I call upon you by your many names Some Known to me, Some Yet to be known, Some forever veiled in mystery I give you thanks for this holy moment As I look to you for direction May I radiate your light And be be alert to hear your voice As I reach out to you for wisdom And ask you bring swift resolution To the damage and destruction Wreaked by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico By Guiding the Hands and Minds Of the problem solvers To whom this task falls As you bless and heal All mineral, plant and animal life That has been injured By the spill And guide and protect Those killed in the explosion And those whose livelihoods Have been effected And clear the clouds of Ignorance and fear As you instil in your children A greater awareness and respect For the earth and her other offspring Hail and Welcome Great Mother Goddess of Moon and Sea Womb of Life I call upon you by your many names Some known to me Some yet to be known Some forever veiled in mystery I give you thanks for this sacred moment As I look to you for direction May I radiate your love And be alert to hear your voice As I reach out to you for wisdom And ask you bring swift resolution To the Damage and Destruction Wreaked by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico By Inspiring the Hearts and Souls Of the problem solvers To whom this task falls As you bless and heal All mineral, plant and animal life That has been injured By the spill And guide and protect Those killed in the explosion And those whose livelihoods Have been effected And wash away Ignorance and fear As you instil in your children A greater awareness and respect For you and your other offspring Hail and Welcome Lord and Lady I have come to you today To ask for your help And seek your guidance In how to apply my will So that I may aid In healing the great wound That has been caused By the Oil Spill In the Gulf of Mexico And as I bless the waters That I have brought with me today May you also bless the waters And all the living things That they support As they struggle To heal and become whole again

BLESSING OF THE WATERS
(Lifting the goblet of fresh water) Blessed be, oh Creature of Fresh Water You that refreshes and cleanses us You that makes all life possible upon this Earth May you be an aid and protection to us In this most solemn rite! (Lifting the goblet of sea water) Blessed be, oh Creature of Salt Water You that was kissed by the Sun You that was rocked by the Moon May you be an aid and protection to us In this most solemn rite! (Pouring both goblets into the third and chant) You are the flow You are the ebb You are the weaver You are the web (Until you can feel the water come to life and connect with the waters in the Gulf of mexico, then speak the charge) Mixed as one Tears of the Mother Waters of Her Womb Life-giving essence Return now to heal The polluted waters of the Gulf of Mexico With this you are charged! (then while emptying goblet into libation bowl declare) So mote it be.

FAREWELL TO GODDESS AND GOD
Great Lady of Many Names Into your healing heart I place the Gulf of Mexico I ask you, great and beautiful lady That you heal not only the waters And all the life it bears Bird, Fish, Plant and animal But to also, wash away Humanities short-sightedness And lack of care For this one world Which is our Mother Thank you for guiding me Through this right of healing Hail and Farewell Great Lord of Many Names Into your strong hands I place the Gulf of Mexico I ask you, great and mighty lord That you heal not only the waters And all the life it bears Bird, Fish, Plant and animal But to also, blow away Humanities short-sightedness And lack of care For this one world Which is our Mother Thank you for guiding me Through this right of healing Hail and Farewell

QUARTER FAREWELLS
(Begin in the north, working around the quarters widdershins until finishing in the East) Guardians of the East, Powers of Air I thank you for your love and care As water is carried upon your breeze May all the pollution around the Gulf cease! Hail, and be farewell!! Guardians of the South, Powers of Fire I thank you for your flame and pyre As water steams and boils upon your burning May all pollution around the Gulf set to purging! Hail, and farewell!! Guardians of the West, Powers of Water I thank you, Oh Womb of the Mother As waters you are, pure and dear May all pollution around the Gulf be made clear! Hail and farewell!! Guardians of the North, Powers of Earth I thank you, Ancient ones of our birth As waters you cradle, blessed and pure May all pollution around the Gulf be sent the cure! Hail and farewell!

OPEN CIRCLE
(Open circle, beginning in the North by circling the space widdershins, in counter-clockwise direction, three times round or until the wall is no longer sensed) Three times three I walk the round To gather up What I have found To lower now the temple wall Till once again the need does call (Once wall is down) The circle is open, but unbroken All is now within the law As I have sent forth So mote it be!
This rite is ended!!

~Sources: Lidia Snow Phoenix Tremblay & Raven Lynn Brown

Grounding & Meditation Techniques

I've been doing a lot of meditating lately, so I thought I would share with you what I do exactly. First, I usually wait until my son has gone to bed, as to avoid frequent interruptions from him, so I usually meditate at night, around 8pm. I do this every time, at the same time, I like routine. Depending on the type of meditation I am doing, I light the appropriate incense and a single candle of the chosen color I need.

I sit quietly on the floor (I used to sit on my bed, but would slowly slouch down & fall asleep, not good) with my legs in a comfortable position, usually slightly bent, but not crossed. I close my eyes, take a few cleansing breaths through my nose, using my diaphragm to take in as much air as I can. I hold it for a count of 3 then release it, visualizing the outtake as black smoke of my stress going away. I'll do that for about 5 minutes, but I'm not sure as I am not keeping track of the time passing.

When I feel all my muscles relaxed, I do a grounding technique to "get my mind right". I picture my spine extending down to the floor, into the floor and into the ground beneath (I live on the ground level floor of an apt, so my taproot doesn't travel too far). Like roots of a tree, I visualize the roots expanding & separating, like tendrils, into the Earth below, past the rocks, the worms and whatever else is in the ground below. I silently ask Gaia to permit me some of Her energy. I see this as a soft blue light, but lately it has been silvery & sparkly. I feel its warmth flowing into my roots, flowing upwards into my body; down my legs, to my toes; down my arms to my fingertips; up my neck to my head, into my aura. When I feel it throughout my body, I know it's time to begin my meditation.

I usually visualize a huge oak door in front of me, being guarded by a being, who permits me entry after I ask permission. I follow a set of steps that descend into a tunnel. At the bottom of the step, I'm usually wherever my minds takes me. Sometimes, I'm in a forest, my Inner Temple or at a waterfall. I let my meditations guide me, depending of what I need to know, that goes for my guides who I encounter there. I, like you, have guides for different things & needs. If I really need some major guidance, that's when my Deities step in and help me out. I find sometimes in my meditations, I walk until I find them, or sometimes they are waiting for at the bottom of the steps. It depends.

After I commune with them, I bid them thanks for their help and a farewell. I make my way up the steps, through the door and I reverse my grounding technique, sending the energy back to Gaia with my gratitude. By this time, the incense has burned away and the candle is just a nub. I slowly get up and make my way to the kitchen, where I make a snack and then reflect on my journey & write it down in my journal.

Imbolg Chant - Courtesy of Aelwyn

Here's a cute little chant I found for Imbolg. Actually, Aelwyn Daeira, over at Hedgewitch Hollow, had it on one of her YouTube videos. I thought it was simple & cute for the season:

"Now I banish winter,
And I welcome spring.
Say farewell to what is dead,
And greet each living thing."

Check out her videos, if you're new to the craft, they are very helpful.