Thursday, April 24, 2014

The functions of "I"



This is my first attempt at articulating these concepts of the shadow forms of the parts of self.  They are not clear or precise however, I am attempting to explore them and to strengthen my connections to them.  I would appreciate any insights you care to offer.  I reserve the right to learn and clarify or, to completely change my thoughts on the matter.   

The five parts of the self, the spirit, mind, heart, soul and body, each have a role to play in guiding us on this path.  They each have a vital function in our magick.  Without each one of them being engaged, the process falls short.

“To know, to will, to dare, to keep silent” or in other words, intellect, will, desire and action become manifestation.  These are all necessary however; these are active forms and projective forces. 

Yet each of these parts has a polarity, a shadow form that is receptive and passive. And by shadow I do not refer to the negative darkness that resides inside each of us but, rather the non-rational, non-skeptical, non-logical connection with the universe of which we are each capable if we allow ourselves to see/hear/smell/taste/feel/know it.

I think of them as “the functions of I”

Inspiration, Imagination, Intuition, Integrity, and Instinct.

Magick can originate with any one of them but, they must all be engaged for the process to ultimately work.  They are each a means of receiving information but, intellect alone will not accomplish anything.  For magick to actually occur, the functions of I must each “agree”.

Inspiration is the voice of spirit, that flash or spark that cannot be designed or commanded. 

Imagination is the shadow of intellect.  It is the ability to let go of what is and believe in what could be. 

Intuition resides in the heart.  It is an emotional understanding or knowing something outside of myself.

Integrity is the truth of the soul, the shadow of will.  It is the knowing that something is “right”.

Instinct is the body speaking to us, overriding the logic and language of the “civilized” social human.

Again, this is my first attempt at articulating these concepts.  I am attempting to explore them and to strengthen my connections to them.  I would appreciate any insights you care to offer.  I reserve the right to learn and clarify or completely change my thoughts on the matter.  

Blessed be.  

Friday, April 18, 2014

Hail Thor!


Hail Thor, Strong and Mighty!
Hail Thor, the Father’s Bright Son!
Hail Thor, the Wielder of Mjollnir!
Noble and Honorable is he, the Strongest by far!

He charges forth into battle,
Shining and Glorious with Hammer in hand!
His strength defeats the unjust foe!
His might defeats the false accuser!

He defends the children and kindred!
He defends the home and the land of the ancestors!
He protects the hall and all those who dwell within!
The honest man’s home does he defend!

His Might guards against the vandal!
His Nobility defeats the dishonest thief!
His Strength is above all others!
The Strongest of Warriors is He!

Hail Thor, the Strong and Mighty!
Hail Thor, the Father’s Bright Son!


This is the second fulfillment of vows that I have made to Tyr, Thor and Odin.  I give thanks to Them and praise Them for their Wisdom, Honor, Strength, and Nobility.  They have vindicated Their son and delivered him from peril and will continue to raise him up victorious.  So Mote It Be.  Hail Tyr!  Hail Thor!  Hail Odin!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Hail Tyr!


Hail Tyr, the Just and Righteous!
Hail Tyr, the Father’s Brave Son!
Hail Tyr, the Courageous Warrior!
Noble and  Honorable is he, and  Bravest by far!

He places his hand in the mouth of Fenrir,
He sacrifices his own right hand!
To protect those in peril he does sacrifice
and naught does he withhold!

In service to his children,
He does forfeit his strength and glory!
By his own valor does he surrender his freedom,
to liberate his sons from bondage and peril!

His Sacrifice binds the mad destroyer!
His Courage defeats the deceptive foe!
His Honor is above all others!
The most Honorable of Warriors is He!

Hail Tyr, the Just and Righteous!
Hail Tyr, the Father’s Brave Son!

This is the first fulfillment of vows that I have made to Tyr, Thor and Odin.  I give thanks to Them and praise Them for their Wisdom, Honor, Strength, and Nobility.  They have vindicated Their son and delivered him from peril and will continue to raise him up victorious.  So Mote It Be.  Hail Tyr!  Hail Thor!  Hail Odin!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Giving...


It is easy to go about our daily lives working, studying and spending time with our family and friends.  It is easy to find ways to spend our money, our time, and our energy pursuing those things, subjects and experiences that bring us joy and deepen our purpose.  It is easy to become absorbed in our work, our spells, our offerings, our rituals and practice.

It is easy and it is human.  But it is also an easy thing to look up from our altars, from our books, from our work.  To look up from our supper and our household chores.  To look up from our beloved pets and the faces of our children, and to see.

We don’t have to look far; we don’t have to seek for long.  Because the family next door needs help feeding their children and the old lady across the street needs help shoveling the sidewalk so she can walk to the drugstore, and the animal shelter down the street has cats to feed, and cat food costs money (and so does the heat and the lights).  And the stray only needs a bit of food and some water every day and a box with a blanket to get out of the wind.

It’s easy to think I don’t have enough. To look at the bank balance and know that I need to save more but, I can shovel the sidewalk for my landlady, simply because I am healthy and at 88 years old, she shouldn’t have to. 

I can put aside a few cans of food from my pantry or from the grocery shopping, and drop it at the local food bank.  I can donate a bag of cat food, or even a Saturday afternoon to work cleaning the place, and help out the shelter a little bit (a small gift considering how great a gift my Pwca is to my life). 

I can give blood to the Red Cross, I can pitch-in at the river cleanup day, I can donate the clothes that I no longer wear to the thrift-shop that supports my local woman’s shelter (because yes, there are women in my community who need a safe place for themselves and their children).   I can give the books I have already read to my local library.  I can dedicate my massage table to one of the Goddesses who has blessed my life, by giving the money I earn with it to my Tradition’s New Alexandrian Library Project.

I have been blessed with a beautiful life and a wonder-filled path and I can give a lot, if I simply look up and notice.  It will not mean less for me or those I love, not really.  I can share what I have without harming my life.  And if I can give nothing else, I can go to the park and sing for the Fae because it will make my world a better place.

Giving is a practice in gratitude for the life I have and an act of magick.  It shows the universe that abundance is well invested in my life…I share.