Divination: Tarot & Oracle Information

DIVINATION 

             “This seems like a fairly good time of year to be talking
about divination.  What is it, why do we do it, and what’s in it
for us?  Lots of people think it’s a way of avoiding
responsibility – if the future is preordained, we might as well
go back to bed…”

Read more… Divination: Tarot & Oracle Information 

Divination: A Definition

Divination – a definition: The act of divining or discovering of what is obscure; the foretelling or prognostication of future events or outcomes by way of occult, supernatural, augury, and/or spiritual means; prophecy and instinctive prevision; conjecture and conjuration. Learn more here…

Choosing a Seer and the Ethics of Divination

Professionals have their regulatory bodies and codes of practice, but individuals involved in mystical work are often self taught. This can leave them feeling they are in something of a black hole when it comes to dealing with the public appropriately. From the point of view of the client, it makes it difficult to know who to choose for a reading.

Ethical principles should guide all practitioners of the divinatory arts, whatever their field. Talking with a group of astrologers confirmed for me that the same types of problems face all “readers” whose clients have come seeking advice: dealing with difficult questions; the possibility of tragic events; what to do when people have depression or issues they cannot handle alone, and especially, avoiding dependency and the pressure it places on the practitioner. It is dependency on the reader that I will discuss here and how readers and their clients can avoid the problem.

Initially, I would say, be clear about motives. As a practitioner, I think the best position is to have a set of strong values with regard to your work that accord with your spiritual perspective. Being a person who tries to live her life by Buddhist teachings I ask myself, “What is my motivation in doing this kind of work?” The answer that initially springs to mind is to help others by giving them the insights gleaned from a reading, but it is more than that. It is to empower others to choose for themselves how to deal more effectively with problems in their lives by giving them information. Encouraging clients to become dependent on more and more readings is not ethical.

Client dependency usually occurs when people have a simplistic view of divination. They believe that a reading reveals “Fate” – a future written in tablets of stone that cannot be avoided. They see themselves in the role of puppets on a stage where larger forces are pulling the strings. If they get the “wrong answer” to their queries then real stress can result and clients can pressure readers to tell them what they want to hear by asking the same question again and again, until they get the “right” answer. It’s easy to forget how much the client invests in what a reader says and how careful readers need to be when faced with someone overwhelmed by life problems.

The Tarot cards show potentials, trends and possibilities for a person at any one time. At no stage does that person lose their free will. Readers need to show clients how they have choices and need to be proactive in their lives. “If you follow this path, then X may occur. If you follow that path then Y is more likely”. Does anybody get a new job or a new romance if they don’t make some moves towards their goal? A good reading should show ways of making desirable changes.

If you are a client looking for a reader who can give you real insight into your possibilities then you should be looking for someone who has the insight to explain things in this way. At no time should you feel you have lost control of your choices. The purpose of divination is to seek guidance not intimidation. Both “seers” and clients need to adopt an exploratory frame of mind in a reading rather than a predictive one and clients should ask, when they book a reading, “How do you work? Is there only one answer to a problem or am I free to explore the possibilities open to me?”

A Brief Look at Scrying

Here we will offer a brief overview of Scrying, a simplistic method of Divination.  The first thing you need to do is get some sort of reflective object… like a mirror or a crystal ball, etc.  This will actually allow you to catch a glimpse of things to come if you follow your current path.

Now, turn out the lights, and get some of your favorite incense going.  The only light that should be in the room is a dim light, such as a candle set behind you.  Cover the table you are going to use with a black cloth or piece of natural fiber fabric.  Now place the object you chose to use for Scrying on top of the table.

Start by warming up and getting into your meditative or sacred space, setting the tone for what you will be doing shortly. Make sure that you have cleared your meditative area of all negative influences and energies. When you are ready, open your eyes and look into the surface of your scrying instrument. Your focus should shift past the surface to a point somewhere approximately five or six inches beyond the surface. This may or may not work for you, but it is the best way to shift your focus for scrying. Have you ever looked at those pictures that are completely comprised of colored dots and/or splotches and had to “look past” the surface to see the three-dimensional image in the picture? It is the same principle used here for scrying.

Try to keep your mind blank (i.e., clear of any and all imposing thoughts and images), open to whatever may be shown to you, unless you are scrying for the answer to a specific question. Your eyes will want to blink. That is all right, let them blink and regain your shift in focus. When you are first beginning, try to keep your scrying time to no more than ten or twenty minutes. If you are not successful, put it away and try again another time.

Images may come to you in any number of forms. Some may be full images, even moving pictures as though you are watching a movie. That is not common, however, especially when you are first beginning. At first you may only get a “cloud” or “mist”. This may eventually part to allow images to come through, or it may just move in one direction or another in answer to yes or no questions.

If you do see images, they may be simple symbols left open for interpretation. These symbols usually mean something to you, and are not necessarily the symbols you may find written in a book. For instance, a dog may generally symbolize loyalty or protection, but if you were traumatized at some point in your life by a dog attack, it could mean something entirely different to you.

For further information, visit the Temple of Kemetic Wicca: Divination.

Chinese Animal Signs

According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.
All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox’s back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the pig last.

 The Chinese animal signs are a 12-year cycle used for dating the years. They represent a cyclical concept of time, rather than the Western linear concept of time. In the Chinese calendar, the beginning of the year falls somewhere between late January and early February. The Chinese have adopted the Western calendar since 1911, but the lunar calendar is still used for festive occasions such as the Chinese New Year. Many Chinese calendars will print both the solar dates and the Chinese lunar dates.

A cultural sidelight of the animal signs in Chinese folklore is that horoscopes have developed around the animal signs, much like monthly horoscopes in the West have been developed for the different moon signs, Pisces, Aries, etc. For example, a Chinese horoscope may predict that a person born in the Year of the Horse would be, cheerful, popular, and loves to compliment others. These horoscopes are amusing, but not regarded seriously by the Chinese people.

Spiritual Feng Shui

Short Introduction To Feng Shui

Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”) is an ancient Chinese art whose name translates from the Chinese as “wind and water.” Feng Shui is a lyrical phrase that poetically evokes the heart of this ancient practice.

Wind and water are, first and foremost, natural elements (two of the five elements that comprise all of nature). Wind is the earth’s breath, and water is the invigorating lifeblood of everything that exists on our planet.

Both wind and water have tremendous energy that drives Feng Shui’s practices and techniques to fill your life with positive energies. Feng Shui, at its very core is a means of arranging the basic elements of life—and all the things that you surround yourself with on a daily basis—to create the optimal and harmonious flow of vital life energy,  just like the flow of water and wind.

How Feng Shui Works

 Feng Shui is no magic. It is a collection of practical, time-tested solutions based on the fundamental properties of elements that are used to change the negative aspects and introduce the positive aspects of each element to your living environment—and change your life for the better.

Feng Shui has had a huge impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the globe—and you can have its benefits work for you! By simply changing the interior of your home, changing the colors of your walls, or relocating the furniture in your bedroom, you can enjoy the positive effects of Feng Shui.

Feng Shui Information – Some Key Points

Good Feng Shui requires an open mind, heart and spirit.
Feng Shui releases negativity from your house and life. It opens up a whole new space within you for positive thoughts, love, contentment and prosperity. Don’t let negativity enter when you practice Feng Shui.

Holding onto negative emotions and past anger can only hinder you from making progress through Feng Shui and creating a wonderful future for yourself.

Practicing good karma is a cornerstone of Feng Shui. Be generous and give of yourself in order to receive in kind from the universe and others around you.
You are living a life that is ill-suited to you, your personality, your dreams, your family, your essential self… and your home is symbolic of this.

Feng Shui helps you to enhance your living space by changing one or more elements in the room. As you learn more about Feng Shui, you will begin to understand the significance of each and every practice that is related to Feng Shui.

By embracing Feng Shui, you embrace the fact that you deserve balance, harmony, and spiritual fulfillment. You deserve empowerment and clarity. So, let Feng Shui help you reach out and take hold of all those things—you, your life, and your future all stand to benefit immensely if you do!

You can always search the Web, then subscribe to bi-monthly newsletters and / or buy eBooks for authentic information about the various aspects of Feng Shui.

Remember, Feng Shui is not only about changing your physical environs (environment) surroundings, but it is also about changing yourself from within. The Spiritual Feng Shui is a spiritual technique that transforms you at both physical and metaphysical level.

Physical Feng Shui — literally, just moving around furniture — is incomplete without the support of mental, spiritual, and emotional Feng Shui.

Until you practice Feng Shui in its totality, it will be of little use!

Greek Divination

Greek Divination: A Study of its Methods and Principles[1]

Halliday’s Greek Divination[2]

Contents

1. Introductory — 2. Magic — 3. Ritual — 4. Divination and Magic:
The Acceptance of Omens — 5. Manteis — 6. The Ordeal — 7. Divination at Sacred Springs — 8. Lekanomancy — 9. Omens and Sub-Rites — 10. Kleromancy — 11. Necromancy — 12. Augury — 13. Conclusion — Appendix — Bibliographic Index — General Index

About Halliday’s Greek Divination

Despite being published in 1913, Halliday’s Greek Divination: A Study of its Methods and Principles remains the best book-length account of Greek divination in English. Since it was published, most of Halliday’s topics have received articles and even monographs, but I know of no general treatment of the topic along his lines. (This is all the more remarkable in light of the steady flow of articles and books on oracles and the virtual geyser of Greco-Roman magic.) That said, this is a dated and imperfect work. The study of Greek religion has advanced considerably since the 1910s, rendering much of Halliday’s analysis very quaint. In the overall picture and most his facts, however, his book is still an excellent introduction for the English reader. If you read French, you may want to start with Bouché-Leclercq’s Histoire de la divination dans l’Antiquité (1879)—older, but still very much the definitive work. The Ancient Library hopes to put this work online soon as well.

Other Resources

• Wiki Classical Dictionary: Divination and oracles
• Ancient Divination and Astrology on the Web
• The Oracle of Delphi and Ancient Oracles 

Sources

[1] http://bit.ly/Greek_Divination
[2] http://www.ancientlibrary.com/divination

Hindu Book of Astrology

THE HINDU BOOK

OF

ASTROLOGY

For thousands of years the Hindu Astrologers have by their knowledge of the solar system been enabled to formulate a system of Astrology which enables them to speak with scientific authority and certainty with respect to the planetary influences upon mankind.

Each person is born in or under one of the twelve signs of the Zodiac and is thus influenced more or less throughout life by the planetary conditions at time of birth.

In this work I propose to state the natural tendencies of each person and in a certain way indicate what they should do and what they should not do to make their life a success.

[p. 8]

By referring to your sign, which is indicated by the date and month when you were born, you will see what your natural tendencies are, and what it is best for you to do to attract and use unseen forces and powers which are your birthright, and which will aid you to make your future bright.

Each and every person is naturally endowed with peculiar and great powers which make for good, and also are born with tendencies which must be corrected in order that the higher and good powers and forces may be able to work to advantage. No matter how bad your lot may seem to you, and how difficult it is for you to get along in the world, you can readily change all darkness to the brightest sunshine if you only go about it in the right spirit.

The first step to take is to fix in your mind a strong desire for what you wish, and persistently and patiently hold this desire until you get it fulfilled. In India, men, through the advice of eminent astrologers, will have an aspiration to accomplish a certain thing, and will persistently hold and believe they will be successful in attaining what they desire until they get their aspiration satisfied.

There are three things absolutely essential to happiness and which will always bring success; viz., hope, patience and determination–persistent

[p. 9]

determination to reach success. When we learn to exercise our mind and will on hope, patience and determination, we find a wide door open to permanent health, wealth, honor and happiness. One who grumbles and complains and whines and murmurs because others are successful will never have fair Fortune’s smile; the unseen powers cannot and will not help any soul who whines, complains and murmurs in a world that is filled with health, wealth and happiness. The grumbler and complainer is never loved; no one desires to help such a being. Indeed, the world leas no use for such persons, as they are repulsive. Their natures are poisoned with pessimism and they repel and drive from them constantly millions of good things.

The Devas (angels) can and do help the bright and cheerful ones who are full of hope, and aspire to great and good things; while the lazy, indolent and whining beings are surrounded by low and degrading forces, which keep them always from everything that is good in this world of good things.

There is a cause for every effect. There is a reason why some men and women are successful, and a reason why others are sick and worried and poverty-stricken, miserable and unhappy.

No one can reach success or happiness until he

[p. 10]

or she first calmly, yet with grim determination, says: I WILL BE WHAT I WILL TO BE. MY LIFE MUST BE ONE OF SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS. MY MISTAKES AND ERRORS WILL NOT DISCOURAGE ME; BUT I WILL PROFIT BY THEM AND MAKE THEM SERVE AS STEPPING STONES TO TRUTH AND SUCCESS.

It is always wise to calmly reflect upon the past; but very unwise and exceedingly foolish and weakening to brood or worry about the missteps we have taken. No matter what happens to you keep a cheerful and hopeful mind and you will eventually succeed beyond all your fondest expectations. Health, success and happiness is always abundantly measured out by the higher and unseen powers to those who are persistently patient, hopeful and courageous.

No matter what one of the twelve signs of the Zodiac you are born under, you can develop into a good and successful person if you will pay strict attention to the golden truths printed in this book. Scarcely one person of the large and growing human family pay enough attention to questions bearing upon individual happiness, prosperity, harmony and health. This book should be read many times and carefully studied because it contains vital truths respecting our well-being. It suggests

[p. 11]

to an open and aspiring mind the TREMENDOUS POWER OF THE WILL, which, if intelligently exercised, can do wonders. Anyone, with a little mental effort, can train and develop the will just as easy as we can train and develop the muscles by persistent physical exercise. “The moment we fully and vitally realize who and what we are, we then begin to build our own world even as God builds His.”

As long as one thinks he is weak; that he is a poor worm of the dust; that he has no chance; that his fate is to be whirled hither and thither by forces over which he has no control, just that long he will be at the mercy of such forces. But, I tell you, everyone can control these forces and powers and can accomplish grand results the very moment he cleanses his mind of fear and doubt about his ability to succeed. AS A MAN THINKS SO HE WILL BE. Continually think disease and you will continually be weak and sick; continually think poverty and you will continually be poverty-stricken. These are truths, absolute truths.

We must strenuously strive to be SOUND, HELPFUL AND SENSIBLE; we must be strong, self-reliant, self-supporting and not dependent. Servile dependence in money matters is no longer deemed honorable. Poverty cannot bring happiness. To

[p. 12]

abolish poverty we must work with faith and hope, and banish once and for all time any and all fears of failure,–worry about the past, or apprehension about the future. We must live intensely in the present, let go the past, and the future will take care of itself. WE ARE ALL MASTERS OF OUR OWN FATE. FOOLS BELIEVE IN LUCK AND CHANCE.

Each one occupies a good place in the Universal Zodiac, and all our sufferings are due entirely to a lack of knowledge and wisdom. Now, my sole aim in writing this book, is to wake people up out of the delusions in which they live. I tell you all, you are greater beings than you imagine you are; that your dormant or latent powers and forces are great and wonderful; that YOU and YOU alone limit yourself and suffer because you will not rouse yourself to the grand truths which wise and good men have taught for thousands of years, namely, that you are all the children of ONE great loving Father, who is ever trying to point you the way to Eternal happiness through the YOGIS, ADEPTS AND MASTERS who are the mediums through whom God the Blessed Father works to help His children. There is a good time coming for all of us, and we can hasten that time by a little thought.

Blessed be all the Yogis, Sankaras, Vidyaranya,

[p. 13]

and King Sudhanva, and blessed be all the readers

of my books, and may joy, peace, health, prosperity and happiness come to all beings on this planet.

BHAKTI SEVA, MYSTIC NO. 10,

22 North William Street,

New York City.

The Hindu Book of Astrology, by Bhakti Seva, [1902], at sacred-texts.com

[p. 14]

Capricorn.

capricorn

All persons born from December 21 to January 19, inclusive, were born under the sign of Capricorn.

This is the last sign of the Earth Triplicity, and is the dark or mysterious sign of the earth. It will be well for you to study, read much, and do a lot of thinking. Many professional men and women come out of this sign, especially orators, lecturers and teachers. Education and knowledge of all kinds will be very beneficial for you. Work hard at one thing at a time, and don’t try to accomplish too many things in a given time. Act as you think best, and don’t permit anyone to run your affairs. By attending strictly to your own business, and not meddling or interfering with the affairs of others, you will become very successful. At times you are liable to become blue and depressed. Really there is no cause for any Capricorn person to ever feel dejected or disheartened, as everything good in the Universe is attracted to this sign. By being kind, gentle, noble and generous you will

[p. 15]

become very magnetic and charming and people will love you, especially those of the opposite sex. You also have wonderful hypnotic powers which can be brought to a very high degree of development by always being patient and never allowing yourself to become angry or to feel envious or jealous of others. Both your magnetic and hypnotic powers will lead you to wealth and success. Be careful of your money, and don’t try to help others too much. Always keep well informed of the progress of the world and keep your mind open, broad and tolerant, respecting the opinion of others even if you don’t believe in them. Always put your whole heart, soul and energy into everything you undertake, no matter if the undertaking is a small one. I know your nature is to do large and great things, and that is all right; but ever remember if you do the smallest thing in the world successfully it will put you in a position to do something better and greater. All Capricorn people ought to have a good business education, and should ever strive to acquire and save money. I don’t mean to be stingy, mean or penurious about money matters, because no one in this great and wonderful age will be much of a success who is not liberal and broad-minded with respect to money matters. The

[p. 16]

women of this sign are very sensible, practical and lovable; they make excellent wives, managers of homes and housekeepers of large institutions. Music to you is very beneficial. Some excellent singers, musicians, actors and actresses come out of this sign. Enjoy yourself all you can in a rational and sensible way, such as attending social gatherings, entertainments, concerts, lectures and public meetings. Be moderate and temperate in all you do, and your success and happiness is assured. Never doubt your ability to amass money in any line of work which you really love; it is foolish for you to engage in work that is utterly distasteful to you, and in which you cannot willingly put your whole heart, head and soul. Ever remember that while wealth is a great thing to have there are other equally as great things for you to acquire, viz., perfect health, and a thorough cultivation of your mind and higher nature. Don’t be proud, arrogant or dictatorial; remember we are all of one family and that we are all God’s children. It is difficult to get Capricorn people to give much time to the cultivation of the spiritual side of their natures; yet, when once aroused in this respect they often become enthusiastic and earnest workers in religious causes. Right here I desire to state that it will be well for you to remember

[p. 17]

that without any exception every great and true man and woman in all history was a lover of God and obeyed the Divine Law. You may question this, but look into the matter fairly, deeply and honestly and you will find my statement is the absolute truth. Avoid being skeptical or pessimistic; don’t talk too much, but be a good listener. You can become a very good and useful citizen by holding in your mind high and noble thoughts, and keeping well balanced. When a Capricorn person can fully control their mind so that he or she will not be angry, and free from worry or anxiety, there is no telling how wonderful they will become in their achievements. By often silently thinking and meditating on life and its meaning and the beautiful and higher things in life you will draw to you the Life forces of the Universe and all the good planetary and solar forces of your sign which will bring you to the greatest success and complete and perfect happiness. A study of occult science, philosophy and metaphysical works would be of untold advantage to you. Many of the greatest men and women in the world were born in your sign. This planet’s attraction for you is very strong, and you must be very careful to control all your appetites, passions and desires with an iron will, which you possess and can use,

[p. 18]

if you see fit to do so. There is scarcely any limit to your powers if you only will exercise your wonderful will intelligently. A happy marriage is essential to the success and happiness of Capricorn people of both sexes. In India the Yogic astrologers say to you people, get married and follow the Divine command by raising a family of children. We also are very strict in our advice to Capricorn people, that they must love their fellowmen and do unto all as they would be done by. The Golden Rule has been practised in India for thousands of years before the Christian Era. Your sign is governed by Saturn, and you are continually surrounded by planetary forces and solar fluids which can help you. Now, dear friend, be guided by what I say, as I love you dearly and wish to see you make your life a grand success. You can read every word in this book many times to great advantage. A Capricorn person is very foolish to ever doubt his or her ability to succeed.

This sign is governed by Saturn, and the gems are white onyx and moonstone. The astral colors are garnet, brown, silver-gray and black.

The diseases that you are most likely to suffer from are indigestion and melancholia. You are also given to over-work, because of your determination to succeed in whatever you undertake.

[p. 19]

Your best companions are those born in Taurus, Virgo and Libra, also those born in your own sign

People born in this sign are usually short of stature, and sometimes have dark complexions and hair, with remarkably expressive eyes.

May the peace and blessings of the Blessed One and all the Devas (angels) and all Yogis of the Universe be ever with you, dear sister or brother of Capricorn.–Bhakti Seva.

CUSPS.

If your first breath was drawn when one sign was taking the place of another, you will partake of the characteristics of both signs. Hence you belong to the Cusp. The residence in a sign consists of six days; any time less endows one with some of the qualities of the preceding sign.

Read more…

Izinyanga Zokubula or, Divination

Izinyanga Zokubula or, Divination, as existing among the Amazulu… 

Source:

Callaway. Izinyanga Zokubula or, Divination, As Existing Among the Amazulu, in Their Own Words. Springvale [etc.]: Blair [etc.], 1870.

Ritual, Spellwork & Magick

The Anatomy of Ritual, Spellwork, and Magick

By Dr. Kheti A. Sahure

Before delving into this subject matter, let us begin with a definition for the terms “Ritual, Spell, Spellwork, and Magick” solely based upon my many years of experience as a practitioner of the Occult Metaphysical Sciences, Alternative Religions and Spiritualities:

What is a Ritual?

Performed generally for its symbolic value (as in a rite), a ritual is a planned progression or series of actions and activities geared toward the accomplishment of a specific goal in accordance with religious, spiritual, or social customs of the past to the here and now.

What is Spellwork and a Spell?

A technique or methodology for physically raising the power and the manipulating energy by way of magick and/or the useful tools of applied occult metaphysics. A spell is a magickal formulary of spoken, written, or the mentalization of specific words performed with varying degrees of magickal and meditative intent or purpose. Often, a spell is performed only as an incantation without being included in a full ritual or ceremony. For example, a simple (easy) Candle Spell can be performed for something “minor” that you or your client needs. On the other hand, you can adapt your spells or spellwork for more complex circumstances. There are many branches of spells and spellwork ranging from healing to love to maleficium (i.e., malevolent sorcery or hexing).

What is Magick?

The term “Magick” is often spelled with a “k” in order to distinguish it from the artistic practice of Illusionist, Sleight of Hand, and Parlor Magic for entertainment purposes. Performing Magick is based upon the practitioner’s ability and “will” to bring about (cause) and affect change in people, places, courses of events, circumstances, and physical objects through the elements or elementals (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Aether or “Light-Bearing or Spirit”), mystical (mystickal), paranormal or supernatural (metaphysical) means. If a practitioner is employing Ancient Chinese Philosophy in his or her magickal workings, then she or he will work with the Five Elements or Wu Xing (i.e., the “five movements, phases, or steps/stages over elements”) of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.

Furthermore, the proper working and exercising of spells and rituals are imperative in any spiritual or divinatory system. Whether it be Low (Folk) Magick, Ceremonial (High or Ritual) Magick, Sympathetic Magick, or Black Magick (the Dark Arts), all have their own form of and approach to rituals and spellwork. Very good examples of highly ritualistic religio-spiritual systems include but are not limited to: The Craft, Khemeticism and Tameran (Ancient Egyptian religions), Qabalah (Hermetic Kabbalah – distinguishing between Judaic theological and the Hermetic magickal viewpoints), Hoodoo, Freemasonry, Alchemy, Chaos, Vodou (Voodoo), Ayurvedic, Vedic, and many other systems that might engage in the practice of spellwork (spell casting), rituals (ceremonial rites), and magick.

Some of the metaphysical techniques and tools used within these systems include the elementals, altars, circles, pentagrams and hexagrams, meditation, divination (tarot, astrology, etc.), prayer, solar and lunar correspondences, conjuration, charms, talismans and amulets, dolls, wands, and many other powerful instruments for the invocation, evocation and petitioning of spirit. Within Native American spirituality and ritual, for instance, there tends to be an attempt at maintaining balance, peace, and harmony between the mundane world and the universal forces (energies) of Spirit or Gitchi Manidoo.

Note that there are many different ways to perform rituals and to cast spells, especially, within the realm of Alternative Religions and Spiritualities (i.e., non-mainstream religio-spiritual paths). Also keep in mind that these methods or practices are not set in granite because each spiritual path, circle, coven, grove, temple, or gathering has its own specific way of doing things. However, there are some basic ingredients or component parts that one will find in almost any spell or ritual–some similar and some not so similar in name:

Anatomy of Magick, Ritual & Spellwork – Steps

– Kind or Type of Ritual

– Purpose – Intent of the Ritual

– Ritual Tools (Preparation, Cleansing, and/or Consecration)

– Lunar & Solar Correspondences

– Preparation – Ground and Focus (Center)

– Creating Sacred Space, Circle Casting – Pentagram, Hexagram, Triangle (Pyramidal)

– Invocation – Evocation of Divinity (One or more deities)

– Repeating the Ritual’s Purpose

– Working the Ritual

– The Nexus of Energy (NoE – Raising energy or power then releasing it into the Universe)

– Offerings – Food, Libation, Objects

– Meditation (Exhalation)

– Thanking the Deities, Spirits, and other Energies or Forces

– Closing, Banishing the Circle

Depending upon one’s spiritual path, circumstances, or intent, the practitioner will Call the Quarters just after circle casting. And remember that rituals, spellwork, and magick are the manipulation of symbolism as manifested through the use of Cosmic or Universal energy.

Dr. Sahure is a senior researcher with the Antiquus Research Group and the author of many noteworthy essays and articles about a variety of topics and subjects, including herbalism, ancient history and mythology, ancient Egyptian religion (Kemeticism), metaphysical sciences, ancient religions and theology, astrology, tarot, and divination systems.

For more in-depth information and discussions about spells and rituals, connect with us at the Applied Occult Metaphysics eGroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Applied_Occult_Metaphysics

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Kheti_A._Sahure 

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