A Witch's Sacred Journey

CofMagick2-The Hall of Celestial Wisdom

Posted on September 24, 2015 by themagickalpen

You stand in the Center Hall of your Temple of the Wise, taking a moment to look around once again at the beauty of your space and the life that is beginning to flow through it. You breathe in deeply taking in the smells of this space, a hint of Myrrh burning and the mixture of wood, marble and more.You are now ready to begin filling your Hall of Celestial Wisdom. Here, you will connect with the Universe, learn the lessons of the stars and planets and the magick that flows through the Cosmos. Take a deep breath, for this is a journey that will carry you far.

You step towards the third door within your Temple. This door is made of a wood you do not recognize and is very dark in color. It is arched at the top and you push firmly to open it. There is no figure to greet you and the Hall is dimly lit with flickers of light here and there. You step through the doorway and find yourself surrounded by dark circular walls. You look upwards and take note that what should be a ceiling, opens out onto a black velvet sky. You breathe in deeply and allow your eyes to adjust to the dim light and sit down on the cool marble floor, looking up at the beauty of the Cosmos….

Within this Hall of Celestial Wisdom we will explore the lessons of the Universe. The teachings will be those of the nature of your being that is starseed, light and part of the Universe. In the Year and A day on the Wiccan Path you began building your knowledge of the basics of astrology and the power of the Planetary energies. These lessons will be reviewed and will pave the way for you to move more deeply into the mysteries of the Three Suns, the stars and the Lunar tides we hold within.

You begin your building in this Hall from the perspective of Earth, the place you inhabit and have daily experience. Looking out from Earth and up towards the heavens, the astrological wheel and your natal blueprint have provided the potential for who and what you may become and learn of this manifest experience. Each of the twelve astrological signs tells a story of growth and forward evolution. Each carries its blessings and its challenges; free will being the determiner of which you call into power. Each has its own “feel” and resonates with you in varying amplifications as you move through this lifetime’s lessons.

I invite you now to take a journey through the twelve signs of the Astrological Wheel….

The Temple of the Zodiac

Review as a Resource:

A Year and a Day on the Wiccan Path–Lesson 9:Lunar and Solar Magick and, Basics of Astrology

Temple of the Cosmic Spheres (Blog)

Next Lesson

The Hall of Divination

Posted in CofMagick-Lesson two, Cornerstones of Magick, Hall of Celestial Wisdom | 1 Comment

The Temple of the Zodiac – CofMagick:2

Posted on September 24, 2015 by themagickalpen

This pathworking is intended to serve as a key to those energies within you. Print the pathworking out, find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed and read through it, spending time to look at each of the astrological glyphs. Take your time and if you are called to pause within one of the signs longer, do so, simply allowing whatever additional information wishes to present itself to you. When you have completed the pathworking, lay the papers aside and simply “be” in the energy that has built around you. Journal anything you wish later, but just allow yourself to drink in everything before you begin to write.

Let’s begin….

Turn your focus and attention to your breath. Allow the space of your consciousness to move with the rise and fall of your chest and the filling and release of the lungs. Continue in this manner for several breaths; allowing each to become softer, smoother and slower. With each breath your physical body appears to become lighter and your center of consciousness floats upwards towards the inner eye. You feel enveloped by the mist of transition between the Physical and Astral. And as this veil thins you step through a veil of dark blue mist and find yourself standing centrally in a circular room. As you look around you see that this space opens out to a star lit night sky. The velvety blackness above holds a twinkling of starry light that fills the panoramic view above. The walls encircle you and are of a deep bluish purple. There appear to be archways carved into twelve equidistant spaces around the wall; but no openings are visible and you pass this thought off as being the stuff of your imagination. As your eyes adjust to this room you notice there is indeed an archway just ahead of you; its opening clear and distinctly edged. It glows a deep blood red in color and you are intrigued by what may lay through the archway.

You step forward and pass easily through the archway stepping through the glyph of Aries and out into a room that is vibrantly colored red. You see the astrological sigil of Aries, the beginning of the Zodiacal cycle. The Cardinal modality of Aries wells up inside of you and you feel a surge of youthful exuberant energy wash over you. You feel energized and alive as though the spark of flame within has been ignited and the call to action trumpets through your will. You take a deep breath in and stoke the fires of creativity within; energized by its ruling planet of Mars. You feel the assertive nature of this energy and the desire to share your creative efforts. You feel the quickening nature of this place and instinctively step towards the opening of another archway just ahead. There is a glow of soft green light and you immediately feel compelled to step through driven by curiosity.

As soon as you step into this room you notice the powerful glyph of Taurus. You also notice that it is a bit more difficult to move quickly in this space. It is as though you have become fixed or rooted in the spot on which you are standing and although you wish to move forward there is a bit of hesitancy as you stand your ground. You acknowledge that this feeling s the Fixed nature of Taurus; its strength coming from the stability and foundation of earth and the realm of manifestation. You see in your mind’s eye the bull of Taurus, raised above and spreading the wings of higher expression of earthly matters. You know see that the strength that is achieved in Taurus is bolstered by the effects of its ruling planet Venus and the skill and collaborative efforts needed to achieve this state of refinement in all physical doings. You are enticed to stay within this space of power and strength, but know that there is much more to be experienced. You move deliberately and with weighty step towards the next archway.

As you step through the violet glow of the Glyph of Gemini you feel both energized and exhausted as your mental processes speed up and thoughts and ideas run through your mind at a lightening quick speed. This stream of flow expands and then subsides, a continual pulse and reminder of Gemini’s Mutable nature. Even the air around you seems alive and sparkling with tiny bits of particles and you are acutely aware of the Airy element of this space. You feel the need to speak out with the intent of widespread communication and release this accumulation of nervous energy and mental processes, much like the Divine Messenger Hermes acting through the energies of the planet Mercury. Mentally, you go through the pros and cons of staying where you are or moving into the next room. There is a brief moment of indecisiveness so you decide to move quickly and lightly through the next archway before you linger too long and remain caught in a loop of unproductive rationale. This is lit with a silvery hue and the glyph of Cancer beckons you forward drawing you in and offering rest from the frenetic energies of this space.

As soon as you step through the archway and the glyph of Cancer the smells of the ocean and its waters permeate your senses. The fullness of moonlight reflects back from the sky above and you have a sense of moving and flowing energy throughout this space. Memories coming flooding through you and the Cardinal Quality that is Cancer issues them forth in bursts like the cresting of the water’s waves. There is a great sense of peace and potential for great healing in this space as though being held in the loving and trusted embrace of family. Your emotions rise up and fall away with each breath and each is held in its own container of intensity and gentleness. When you look again you see that there is a beckoning light of warmth is coming from another archway. You walk towards the golden light and step through the archway.

Passing through the glyph of Leo, there is an intensity of heat and brilliance of golden light in this space. Leo’s ruling planet, the Sun, holds full command of this room and you feel as one standing on a stage, spotlight glaring in brightness and illuminating every detail of your being. The Fixed nature of this sign holds this illumined force steady and strong and offers up a feeling of courage and great pride in the efforts you have put forth in all your endeavors. You hear a low rumbling sound echoing within the space and the image of a regal Lion comes to you. He is glowing with the energy and ferocity of the Sun’s light, yet there is also a gentle protective quality underlying. You sense that he will protect that which he considers his own and be a formidable adversary to those who challenge. He lets out a thunderous roar and golden wings spread from his back reminding you of the Higher nature of the beast and the potential for spiritual Warriorship for right action that is held in this image. As these feelings move through the center of your being you notice an opening just ahead. The faint glow and color of violet glisten at the entrance to the archway.

As you move forward through the glyph of Virgo you step into an energy that feels structured and organized, yet flexible in its boundaries. This is the Mutable quality of Virgo and the great sense of order is enhanced by the solid foundation of its efforts bolstered through the element of Earth. Although there are no furnishings in this room you have a sense that there is balance and great detail in the very energy itself. The temperature is just as it should be; the energetic flow surrounding you is just as it should be; as though there had been great effort in analyzing and sorting through what would be the makings of optimal experience for you. All of these thoughts somehow communicated through the physical nature of your senses, the work of the planet Mercury is one of its varied forms of communication. You feel a sense of clarity that would lend itself to the dissection and successful conclusion of any task presented. You feel comfortable in this place and would like to stay longer, but know there is much more to experience. As you look ahead you see the glowing light of soft green in the archway just ahead.

You step through the glyph of Libra and at once your mind recalls past images of beautiful paintings and music, delicately crafted furnishings and jewelry and the beauty of all that has been part of your living experience. You see all these things with clearer and more distinct characteristic and feel the energy of the Cardinal modality of Libra’s balance of worth reshaping and rebirthing what is not of the correct measure. The Airy energy of mind and intellect whips about you and you feel as though you could speak articulately and succinctly about any experience or thought you may have and the desire to express and communicate pulses through you. You step towards the powerful energy that is beckoning you into its center. You are leaving the energy of Libra behind and hesitantly move towards the energy of Scorpio. The archway glows with a velvety blackness of the night sky and there is a distinct coldness as you approach the Glyph.

As soon as you pass through the glyph of Scorpio you are engulfed in shadow. Glimpses of light are hidden beneath what appear to be shadowy figures and although you do not feel threatened, you know this is a place of great power and deserving of care and respect as you pass through. The energy of the space is pressurized and you feel as though being restrained. You know this to be the Fixed nature of Scorpio and the necessary restraint in facing those hidden parts of self. There is a sense of water in this space, but rather than the healing nature you experienced in Cancer, this feels as though you are at the very ends of the earth, ocean spilling over into a void of space that is unknown and a bit threatening. This great feeling of distance is birthed from the Planetary ruler of Pluto; cold, distant and occult in its true nature, yet powerful and potent in what transformative energy it may possess. You feel the pull of this space reaching and probing deep into the unconscious areas of your emotions and as a chill runs up your spine the image of a flaming phoenix fills your inner screen. All is ablaze and you feel uplifted and able to see more clearly than you imagined possible. As you settle into these feelings your attention is caught by a royal purple veil of energy within an archway just ahead. You eagerly move forward glad to be free of this space for the time.

You pass easily through the glyph of Sagittarius. Little sparks of flame lay at your feet creating a straight pathway through which you begin to walk. You look down and get a bit closer to one and notice that from each of the sparks a single flower appears to be in the process of blooming. This is the Mutable nature of Sagittarius. Renewal from what is could destroy and consume. You have a sense that you must keep moving and that the path of your efforts, although splitting into many smaller courses, will find one of viability where you may move freely, without restraint. You wish to spread your reach far and wide and know this to be the expansive nature of Sagittarius’ ruling planet, Jupiter. You see with a sense of clarity of perception and feel the contractive nature that is needed just prior to release of great outpour of will. You take a deep breath in, visualizing yourself as the archer, bursting with enthusiasm at the promise of hitting the center mark, the strain of arrow pressed back against bending bow and the sigh of release and effort as it is sent towards its destination. The catalytic fire of this musing stirs you and you move towards the next archway, ready to explore what lay beyond. The entryway shimmers and seems to change color between a deep indigo blue and rich matte black.

Just ahead you see the glyph of Capricorn. There is no distinguishable color beckoning you forward and you appear to be walking towards absolute darkness. Nonetheless, you persevere forward and find yourself standing at the base of what appears to be a sharp incline upwards. There is great trepidation as you move forward and the anchoring of earth’s energy seems to steady each step you take, giving the impression of sure-footedness. Nonetheless you feel the urge towards forward motion, this being the push of Capricorn’s Cardinal nature. Time seems to have stopped in this space and you are acutely aware that the atmosphere has taken on one of needing to have precise and definite goal in order to navigate this space successfully. You realize that this oppressive sense of discipline and structure are the dominant all pervasive energies of Capricorn’s ruling planet Saturn. You hesitate and think for a moment on what the purpose of scaling this incline might be and the need for this task to be accomplished now. You feel energized and alive and look across the space to see the glyph of Aquarius, lit up like a neon cobalt blue sign. You step purposefully and eagerly, crossing the threshold of space and as you step into the room you feel alive with energy.

The air is pulsing with it and strands of lightening like currents run down the sides of the walls. You feel inspired and enlivened and all manner of invention and idea comes rushing into your mind for your consideration. You note the difference in this mental sensation from that of Gemini. The Fixed Modality of this Air sign confines, and transmutes this download of mental process and it is as though you can see everything from a greater perspective and are optimistic about the future that could be. You see everyone and everything as part of the greater whole and now have a renewed sense of how that whole may be served and of what actions must be taken towards a future that sees life as a unified process. Electricity moves through you, the gift of Uranus, the ruling planet of Aquarius and you envision your image filled with light, compassion and deep understanding. Wings of light extend from your back and you feel uplifted and whole; spirit and matter joined as one. As you are processing and thinking on these new experiences a feeling of great compassion and love engulfs you. You see the glyph of Pisces and know that this is what is calling forth your humane and compassionate self.

There is an iridescent turquoise shimmer about the glyph of Pisces and as you step through the archway you are aware of being somehow underwater, yet able to breathe normally. The expanse of ocean stretches beyond and the soft sand on which you stand reaches backwards; neither beginning nor ending of either apparent. You feel a gentle rocking sensation as though your emotions are moving in response to the ebb and flow of the tides and once again you are struck b the sensation of both endings and the promise of new beginnings. This is the Mutable quality of the final sign of the Zodiacal wheel. Neptune’s trident moves undulating in tri-fold pattern of harmony within your being stirring and blending the waters of compassion, mind and spirit and the deep intuitive nature of the ruling planet opens new pathways of expression for your later use. The moisture of this space gives way to a deeper sense of clarity and deep insight colors every nuance of what you are experiencing. You allow these final thoughts to fill and flow through you, feeling the waters of your own nature blending in response.

You step towards the entryway and pass through the arch back into the central room. In looking around it is hard to believe all the treasures that lay behind this circular wall and you think back on all the lessons that each passageway held. You can now also see more clearly and acknowledge that your original impression of open archways placed around the room was indeed correct. As you stand in this mood of reflection you see that each of the glyphs of the zodiac comes into view around the wall. Each sign held in its place of order of evolution from Aries all the way around to Pisces. They become larger and move away from the wall itself and hover in midair encircling you. Each symbol resonates with you in some way. Some, more than others, are predominant and catch your attention more fully. You stand quietly and receptive to the energy and the growing depth of gnosis that you are feeling about your place in the cosmos. This is the wisdom of your place among the stars, and the stellar blueprint that you carry within.

Gently, a mist of mother of pearl colored energy surrounds you and the astrological glyphs fade and move back into their places behind the circular wall. This is the veil of transition and juncture between your visioning and the manifest world. You feel yourself enveloped in the veil of transition between the Physical and Astral world.

The veils of transformation and all they contain gently fade from your sight and you begin the descent back into your physical state of being and the room and space in which you began this pathworking. Return to awareness of the rhythm of your breath and the rise and fall of your chest. Become aware of the physicality of where you are sitting or laying… your body pressed against cushion, chair or floor.

~ And when you are ready, gently flutter your eyes open ~

pdf: Temple of the Zodiac

Back to The Hall of Celestial Wisdom

All rights reserved. R. Fennelly (11.2012)

Posted in Bonus Material, CofMagick-Lesson two, Cornerstones of Magick, Hall of Celestial Wisdom | 1 Comment

CofMagick2-The Hall of the God: Lord of the Hunt

Posted on September 15, 2015 by themagickalpen

Listen to the Words of the Horned God,
Who was of old called among men:
Adonis, Tammuz, Dianus, Herne,
Bran, Beli, Lugh, Gwyn,
Dionysus, Osiris, Cernunnos, Pan,
And by many other Names.

O Secret of Secrets,
That art hidden in the being of all that lives,
Not Thee do we adore,
For That which adoreth is also Thou.
Thou art That, and That am I.

I am the Flame that burns in the heart of every being,
And in the core of every Star.
I am Life, and the Giver of Life,
Yet therefore is the Knowledge of Me
The Knowledge of Death and Resurrection.

I am alone, the Lord within ourselves,
Whose Name is Mystery of Mysteries.
I am the Horned God.

I am the Lord of the Universe,
The Father of all living,
The All-Devourer and the All-Begetter.

I am He Whose Seed lies strewn
As glittering Gems across velvet darkness
Within the Womb of the Mother.

I am the Lord of the Shadows
In the darkness of the Underworld,
For I am the Midnight Sun.

I am the Light of the Stars,
And the Spark of the Spirit Eternal,
For I am the God Within.

I am the Horned Leader of the Hosts of Air,
The Leader of the Wild Hunt,
The Judge of Gods and of Men.

I am the Hidden God,
Who ever yet remains,
For I dwell within the secret seed.

I am the seed of grain,
I am the seed of flesh,
I am the Seed of the Stars.

I am the Lord of the Heights,
I am the Lord of the Depths,
God of forest, of flock, and of field.

I am the Hunter and Hunted,
I am the wolf and the Shepherd,
I am the vine and the grain.

I am a Guiding Star above you,
I am a bright Flame before you,
I am a smooth Path beneath you.

I am the Light of Life.
I am the Flame of Love.
I am the Horned God!

You step towards the massive wooden door and push firmly to open it. Greeting you is a figure that is human and animal. Huge antlers adorn his crown and his skin glistens with dew and moss and hair. He looks at you through piercing eyes that seem to shift in color and the entire Hall is filled with wood and leaf, soil and water.

I am the Lord of the Hunt, who is known by many names! I am keeper of the wild and hunter of what will not survive the harshness of winter’s cull. Come to me and feel the power of the animal within you. Come to me and feel the embrace of my protection and honoring of all life. Stand with me as guardian and slayer of what cannot survive…..

Who is the Lord of the Hunt…..

As you can see from the Charge above, the Lord of the Hunt is known by many names. Herne, Cernunnos, Orion and even, an aspect of Odin, to name a few. He is called as the Horned God, Guardian of the Wild and Protector of the Animals.

We visited last, The Hall of the Goddess and found nurturance within the gifts of Hestia. Now, we stand in the energy of one who exudes power and strength in its most primal of forms. What may on the surface appear to be the contrast of She who gives and He who takes are merely the illusions of They who continually maintain the balance and cycle of the natural world. Their place in it shifts and moves in accord with what is needed at the time. The Fires of Hestia hearth may just as easily be withheld if the lesson is one of the required action and effort on your part in ensuring your place at a table of sustenance. And, the Lord of the Hunt will guard and protect your basic needs when you have falling weak and lost your way if your intention and will are viable.

In looking at the various forms this God takes and the broad reach of his impact and importance in the co-existence of the human and animal(of which we are a part) kingdoms, we find our space of courage and will. Courage to stand strongly in safe-guarding natural world, all of its inhabitants and seeing its beauty through the lens of our most basic nature. Despite the “civilized” manner which we assume, everything that we do still has the undercurrent of our primal need to survive. The food we select, the partners we choose to share our lives with, the shelter we seek and the competitive nature to stay as strong (or stronger) than all in the pack, lest we be sacrificed in the hunt, are the energies that the Lord of the Hunt calls forth in those under his care.

His more familiar form is seen as Cernunnos, the Celtic Horned God, most notably depicted on the Gundestrup Cauldron. Cernunnos sits amongst the animals of the wild, antlered and commanding in His ease and care of the life of the natural world.

Image:Gundestrup Cauldron

This God of the Wild is the consort of the Goddess, his fecundity the necessary seeding of the Earth itself. And, Goddess as the Earth Mother birthing the progeny of their union as life in all of its forms serves as caretaker, food and shelter. As God and Goddess ourselves, we are the stewards of this world we inhabit and its is our choices that are made that will either destroy or tend to this land and is life.

Each Spring, our Tradition, The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, offers a public ritual honoring the Stag God, Cernunnos. The timing of Spring and the promise of the fruitfulness held within this awakening of first life after Winter’s frost, awakens within us the rising of our wild and free spirit. We dance with the animal spirits, call to their strength and courage, cunning and fierce protective instincts to guide us through the months ahead. We listen to the words of the horned God and heed both his warnings and his encouragement to stand boldly in the light of our primal nature as we wear the mantle of that power.

Trust your instincts and do not fear the death and sacrifice of what is not strong enough to survive. Trust your power to protect and nurture a you that walks among the wild and hears the call to act, to be, to thrive. Make love passionately, eat heartily from the abundance of a never ending harvest, drink from the sweet waters of earth’s gifting, nestle deep into warm fur and hair, flesh and bone, sleeping soundly as the call of the wild sings its lullaby. Hestia will warm you with her Fires and the Lord of the Hunt will stand watch as you rest in his loving embrace.

Spend some time with the Lord of the Hunt. Go out into nature and open to the sounds of the animal life and the changes in weather that are occurring as we near the Autumnal (Spring) Equinox. If you have an animal companion sit quietly and breathe together. Go outside and move and play. The Lord of the Hunt offers up the bounty of his natural world for you to enjoy!

Next Week

Enter
the
Hall of Celestial Wisdom

Posted in CofMagick-Lesson two, Cornerstones of Magick | 3 Comments

Overview of the Lesson-2: The Pillar of Manifest Earth

Posted on September 7, 2015 by themagickalpen

A pillar of form
A pillar of strength
Our bodies
Our homes
Our families
Our Life.

We draw from its wisdom
Each step that we take
Muscle and sinew
Wolf and snake.

The foundation
Surrounds us
It is our
Haven
Our Home.

This Pillar of Earth
This Pillar of Life
This Pillar of my Making
Holds the keys to my
Divine priceless worth.

We have built the structure of our Temple of the Wise and now it is time to furnish it with the imprint of our learnings and experiences. As we move forward in these lessons, each month will provide the foundations of the elemental pillars and as each of the three floors of experience – Practical – Spiritual and Divine – are created we will be rising in aspiration and knowledge.

These next four months we are accessing the Vision of Practical Experience. This is the ground floor of our Temple and the place of all beginnings for those in manifest form. This will be your space of anchor and grounding as you establish deeper connection to all that makes you human. This is also the place of entry and greeting of your Temple each time you visit.

The Pillar of Manifest Earth

This month we will begin by filling the Halls we created on the ground floor of our Temple. In The Hall of the Goddess we will meet Hestia, Goddess of Hearth and Home and ask her blessing upon this Place of Earth. In The Hall of the God we will call to the Lord of the Hunt and seek his wisdom of the animal kingdom within our earth’s realm.

The Hall of Celestial Wisdom will offer experience of the Greater Earth and in The Hall of Divination we will practice the use of Low Magick to generate manifest prosperity and abundance.

Digging Deeper

Each month’s lesson will also include a page entitled Digging Deeper. Suggestions for practice and ways of opening to the under currents of experience that will flow strongly through all of your new levels of understanding will be provided.

Reading and Resources will be added as appropriate. The emphasis with this course is practical experience within your Temple of the Wise.

Breathe deeply and fully
Through body and lung.

Step strongly and with purpose
And approach your Earthen door.

The Goddess awaits you
She of hearth haven and home.

Push open the doorway and in
Love cross over to stand upon
The floors of your making
In The Hall of the Goddess
Hestia rises extending a
Welcoming hand.

The Hall of the Goddess: Hestia

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CofMagick2-The Hall of the Goddess:Hestia

Posted on September 7, 2015 by themagickalpen

Image:Howard David Johnson

Light fills the Hall as you step through the doorway and Hestia stands centrally awaiting you. Gentle and loving eyes look upon you and although youthful in appearance, you feel the aeons of time that she has stood watch in the hearth spaces of home and community. She is radiant and filled with Light and Life and it is within her Hall that you will see the hearth flame that glows within……

Who is Hestia?

My hearth fires burn
And keep safe those
Blessed by my hand.

Food lovingly prepared
And family’s joining as one
These are my gifts
These are my boons.

This Goddess of the hearth fires and home was known as Hestia in the Greek Mythos, with Latin/Roman name of Vesta. She was considered a virgin Goddess, whose priestesses were known as the Vestals or Vestal Virgins in Ancient Rome. Hers is the domain and sanctuary found in the kitchen. The preparing of food for those loved and the warmth of sitting close together as the hearth burns in the long winter nights.

The primary focus of Hestia was that of keeping the sacred fires burning. In ancient times, this continued flame ensured fire for warmth, protection, light, cooking and more. She was Goddess of the sacrificial flame and as such received an offering share of every sacrifice to the Gods.

Hestia oversaw the cooking of every meal both in private home and communal gatherings. Her blessing was sought that the meal would nourish and sustain as well as forging the connections of sharing the meal with others.

In Myth, Hestia was the first born of Kronos, God/Titan of Time and the Ages and Rhea, the Great Mother of the most powerful of the Gods, the Titans. She was fertility and Motherhood. Kronos, fearful that his children would depose him as he had done to his Father, Ouranus, ate each of the children as they born. Hestia, being the first born was also the first to be consumed and the last to be disgorged when Zeus, (who had escaped the devouring of his Father, being hidden away by his mother Rhea), forced Kronos to release his swallowed siblings. I find this to be a very interesting story surrounding Hestia and the nature of her energy as Goddess of family, home and fires.

In other tale, Hestia was pursued for marriage by Poseidon and Apollon, both of whom she refused and then asked Zeus to allow her to remain unmarried, an eternal virgin. Zeus agreed and she took her place at his Sacred Hearth.

So, how do we honor Hestia within our Hall? These are some of the thoughts and feelings I have regarding this Goddess. Consider her parentage, daughter of the Great God of time. Time is something we all wish to have more of with dear friends and families. Time is filled with joy and abundance when we spend some of that time, preparing a meal together and/or sharing the bounties of a hearth well tended. Hestia’s mother, Rhea, was mother of the Gods, fertile and fierce in her protective nature. Motherly care speaks to the nourishment of those children tended, not only in the form of food, but also in the sustenance of mind, heart and encouragement to achieve their best possible selves. We do this for friends and all those we love as well. At times, being the Mother and at others allowing the expression of care to be given as we receive it with the innocence of the child who knows only this way of receipt.

Hestia’s sacrifice of refusing the offer of Marriage, thus parcelling herself to another, speaks to the passion of choice in giving what we wish of ourselves and holding some intact for ourselves so we may focus on what is needed from others. This may seem as an odd comment, but keeping those fires burning brightly, to light the way for those who are wandering in the dark, to welcome another to the table for a feast lovingly prepared or to become the flame itself as source of inspiration requires at times an attitude of self-focus and being unfettered by another’s demands.

Hestia chose to remain the eternal virgin. In ancient Rome and Greece the term “Virgin” meant not married, not belonging to a man. This was a woman who was “one-in-herself.” The word is derived from a Latin root meaning “strength, force, skill”; and was later applied to men as the term “virile”. To provide for others requires that you must be strong within yourself. To offer up the bounty of food and relationship, you must know the wisdom of yourself singularly and what it is you have to offer in contribution to what is more than yourself.

Hestia maintains the inner flame that burns within each of us and the magick that we exercise is crafting the precise recipe that will produce the transformation of wheat to life giving bread is successful to the degree that we acknowledge her presence in all of our working. Every word we speak, every action we take, every emotion expressed and every idea we share is blessed by the potential of taking a new form that will sustain, warm, and light the way for others.

This month is a wonderful time to come to know this Goddess. We have celebrated the First Harvest (Northern Hemisphere) or the First Sowing and Planting of Seeds that will require sun and care. Hestia’s fires call us to our dinner tables as friends and family gather round. And, as we offer up our thanks for her bounty and night draws near, the oil of her lamp will carry us into the cradle of gentle sleep.

Spend some time with Hestia. Think on how you connect with her as you move through your day. Light a candle or prepare a meal and feel her presence guiding and watching over.

Another Resource:
In Gratitude: The Lamp of Hestia

Next Week

The Hall of the God: The Lord of the Hunt

Posted in CofMagick-Lesson two | 6 Comments

Researching Your Options

Posted on September 2, 2015 by themagickalpen

The Practical Work

Anytime we begin a new project, research should be part of your active efforts. This is particularly true of spiritual pursuits. I always tell my students to question what they read or are taught and to remember that no matter how skilled you may feel the author or teacher to be, there is always the filter of their own perceptions, understanding and experience that the material given is being fed through.

Question, search, re-seaerch and be flexible with holding on too rigidly to everything you believe to be true. Understanding and then internalizing what you have come to understand are a long and continually evolving process. Add to this the dynamic of experience as you practice your spiritual and magickal skills, connect with the Divine and go about the Great Work of Spirit and questions will arise as the natural by product of that process. The more questions you have the deeper the research becomes and so the cycle continues that moves you forward.

Keeping these thoughts in mind, let’s apply that questioning and researching concept to the work you have accomplished in building your temple of the Wise. If you’ve not done so already, select a journal to record your progress, questions and the answers you receive by digging deeper. This will be a continual process throughout the remainder of this course of building and you will be amazed in seeing what was recorded and the additional wisdom gained by researching your options.

Write It All Down

Here are some prompts to get you started:

The Statements of Intention…

My Temple will be…..
I am hoping to use this space as….
My favorite Hall will have a focus of….
I am feeling __________ about my Temple…….
The gift I will receive from this creative action is……
The gift I will give to others from this creative action is ……

Add to these any other statements you believe to be true.

Questioning Your Responses….

Now, begin the process of questioning what you wrote to complete these statements. Dig a little deeper into what your words really mean. Could you have stated something different? Make any revisions to the original statements or hold firmly to what you stated.

Researching the Intent….

The next step involves doing a bit of research. Think about what other projects you may have approached in the same way as the building of this Temple. What might you do differently now? Was the outcome successful or should you have had more information and a stronger knowledge base which would have cerated better outcome?

What will you use that worked well in the past? How do you believe this will affect the outcome?

Write It All Down and, most importantly, follow your urge to gather more information that will be in support of crafting the Vision of your Temple of the Wise!

Next Week you will begin Lesson Two and fill your Halls with all manner of Magickal Treasures!

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Creating the Blueprint

Posted on September 2, 2015 by themagickalpen

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You’ve done some really great work in preparing the space that your Temple of the Wise will inhabit! The attention to detail and diligence in finding suitable ground and clearing it of the debris and distractions that would hinder progress have paid off. You are now ready to craft the blueprints that will become the image of what you wish your Temple to be.

In magical practice the ability to visualize the goal desired is an important skill to develop. The clearer and more detailed the process and steps taken towards final goal puts you that much closer towards seeing the manifestation of what has been, essentially, called into being. When we work in the astral realms, the thoughtforms that are created and drawn in shape by the matter of the astral hold the potential to become the enlivened visage of what the mind and heart have created. The very act of setting your consciousness with intention upon the molding essence of the etheric space becomes the sculptor.

So, with these thoughts in mind,I want you to begin drawing up the plans for your Temple appearance.

Thoughts to keep in Mind….

The space you have chosen within this Forest of magick and power will accommodate whatever size or shape you wish your Temple to have. Over time you will see that the landscaping surrounding your Temple will change as well, adapting and reforming as needed in accord with the energy of the building you have crafted. Remember to be creative, yet allow flexibility of design ideas and ultimately settle on what feels right for now. Decide if you wish to have your Temple elevated a bit and accessed by steps leading upwards. Or perhaps you wish to have a path leading into the front entrance.

The Blueprint of Design

Find a space where you will not be disturbed and bring paper and pen with you. It is preferable to use these tools rather than a computer because of the kinesthetic energetic employed.

Take a few deep breaths and then begin to sketch out, write a narrative or simply list the details of your Temple. These are the blueprints of building. When your list is complete, take time to offer up thanks for this Divine inspiration.

Soften your gaze, looking at the paper and details written or drawn upon it. Breathe fully and deeply into this space of your sitting and holding the manifest representation of what you desire to create. Gently allow your eyes to close, still holding the blueprint fixed in your mind’s eye and the paper in your hands.

You step through the veiling and find yourself standing in the center of the space you have lovingly cleared and prepared for this Temple. You look around at the surrounding Trees, memories flooding in and tone a low and sustained “OM” of greeting to this sacred space. As before, the ground responds to the vibration of sound and the inhalation and exhale of your breath; taking on a light that shine brilliantly from all levels of the space. This land has been claimed and cleared by you and it takes only the intent of your connection to feel the land welcoming you.

You call forth the image of what you have designed as your Temple. See it with as much clarity as possible as it rises from the ground upon which you are standing and takes form around you and you find yourself now standing in the Central Hall. Breathe into this space and allow the edges of wall or boundary to reach and spread out as far as is needed.

You look around at call into presence Four Sturdy Pillars forming a large square; each pillar marking the points of the Alchemical Elemental Quarters. Allow these to take whatever color and material of building they wish. Within every (4 total) space of opening between two Pillars a Door and walls of connection form. Allow the Doors and connecting walls to take whatever material and shape they wish.

You step forward and approach one of the Doors, pushing it gently open and see that it leads into a Large Hall. The room may have any shape you wish and will probably change its size and shape as you begin to furnish the interior. You cross its threshold and enter the space and with each step the room takes on more clarity and form. Simply look around and breathe into this space as it is now and when you are ready pass through the doorway and back into the Central Hall. Do this with each of the remaining 3 Doors; returning to the Central Hall when completed.

Stand for a time in this center point, looking around at what has manifested thus far. Allow the beauty of your space and exhilaration of creative effort to move through you. You breathe deeply and fully into this space and look upwards towards the ceiling. You think on the expanse and flexibility of this Temple’s creation and as these thoughts pass easily through your mind, you take note that two more floors rise from the space of your standing. The flooring appears transparent and you can see the Four Pillars reaching upwards and through each. The entire building rises extending up three stories high.

As you continue to breathe deeply and fully into these new additions, the flooring of each becomes solid and the ceiling above you is no longer transparent bringing you back to the enclosure of this Ground Floor. Take some time to simply “be” in this Temple and when you feel all is complete for now, offer up thanks to the Inspired Divine that have aided in its building.

It is time to leave this space. You will have many more journeys here and you feel the anticipation of the Great Work that will done in your temple of the Wise. But, for now your work is complete. As these thoughts move through you all fades as the blue veiling of the “between” surrounds you. You breathe deeply, stepping through this veiling and find yourself once again as observer of your inner screen of visioning. The Temple and the great work of magick set into action have faded, but the memory of the experience and the gift of a solid foundation and a space of readiness for the next phase of learning courses strongly through you.

Offer up thanks for the wisdom of this journey and breathe into the intent of moving back into your physical state and physical room of beginning. Each breath draws you back into your body and the gentle rise and fall of your chest. And, when you are ready, gently flutter your eyes open and be present in the here and now. Blessed Be!

Next Post
Researching Your Options
and, Lesson Two Begins on September 6th!

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Pouring the Foundation

Posted on August 24, 2015 by themagickalpen

We’ve set the energy in motion these past few weeks and now, we are ready to lay the foundation that will serve as our anchor of building. Every lofty structure needs a strong and stable foundation from which it can rise to the fullness of its creative expression. This is especially important as we build our Astral Temple. The foundation that is laid in this next step will be the seeding of mind, heart and body – spiritual and mundane.

Now, think back on all the experiences and lessons that have brought you to this place and this time. Think back on what attracted you to this blog and the lessons contained within. Think back to the very beginnings of your journey on this path and the pride in seeing your efforts come to fruition. These thoughts and more are the concrete that supports what you have built in this life’s experience, thus far.

Let’s begin now to lay a new foundation, strengthened by the old and re-invented by the new that will be added to it. ….

Sitting in a space where you will not be disturbed, take a moment to make conscious note of your surroundings and the physicality of your being in this space. Gently close your eyes and turn your awareness to the pattern of your breath. Allow your breathing to lengthen and relax into a calm and steady rhythm.

You step through the veiling and find yourself standing in the center of a shaded forest. You close your eyes and breathe in deeply adjusting easily to what surrounds you and finding your anchoring within this space. You take another very deep breath and open your eyes on the soft exhalation and look around. Tall full trees surround you and you can see rays of light flowing delicately through lush full leaves and thick branches.

You look at each tree, now clearly seeing the multiple paths you extended into on your last exploration. You call up the memory of each of these paths and smile as a rush of energy moves through you in recognition of all of their lessons. Your work now, is that of bringing these to a point of synthesis and pouring the foundation of their teachings into the fertile and strong ground upon which you stand.

You breathe in deeply and once again as you inhale the ground beneath you responds by contracting slightly. You exhale and find that the space seems to expand and push deeper out from its center. You continue this exercise several more times, each effort giving you the deeper connection and confidence needed to establish the boundaries that will become the foundation of your Temple.
You enter easily into this gift of exchange as the ground beneath you expands and contracts with each breath. This land has been claimed and cleared by you and it takes only the intent of your connection to feel the land welcoming you.

Breathe in deeply and feel the land calling to you. You look around and each of the surrounding paths is now ablaze with light. Each inhalation fills you with this light and each exhalation sends its streaming brilliance deeper into the surrounding trees; reaching stretching and extending. You continue this act of reciprocity sensing that you are the central hub within a wheel that revolves flashing spokes of blinding brilliance.

As this image fills you the energy and flow becomes fluid and liquid. All streams of light now moving as undulating waters; a sea of liquid diamond. You move and step off to the side of this central space and watch as the land you have cleared and the space of opening you have prepared fills with this liquid energy. It spirals in, drawing with it all of the lessons you recalled upon each singular path. Spiraling inward towards the center and filling the impression left from where you had been standing.

This pouring of the foundation is deliberate and filled with the intention of purpose. You watch as it takes shape and forms a perfect square. Each point will become a pillar of support. Within the center, gently touching each of the four walls at its center point a circle scribes itself into the astral pouring; much like the initials or symbols craved into freshly poured cement. Both are permanent and markers of ownership and the desire to be remembered.

Now it is time! You breathe in deeply and fully and on your exhalation send a symbol of your own making and power into the centermost part of the foundation. Do not be surprised if the image takes on a life of its own or changes even as you send it from what you hold in your mind’s eye. When it is complete, offer up an OM of completion and gratitude. Allow its sound to fill this space, embedding the symbol deep within the foundation. Spend as much time as you are called to in this process and when you have finished, draw in one more breath of intention, exhaling out and up towards what will rise from this surface as you build.

Very soon now the blueprints will be crafted and the work of learning, building and sharing will begin. But, for now your work is complete. As these thoughts move through you all fades as the blue veiling of the “between” surrounds you. You breathe deeply, stepping through this veiling and find yourself once again as observer of your inner screen of visioning. The forest and the great work of magick set into action have faded, but the memory of the experience and the gift of a solid foundation courses strongly through you.

Next Post
Creating the Blueprint

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Preparing the Land..

Posted on August 17, 2015 by themagickalpen

Image: 123rf

Our last lesson spoke to the power of our mind’s eye fueled by intention and its potential for manifestation in our physical expression. Now, we direct our focus towards what steps are necessary to ensure that the space of our imaginings become fertile ground that is supportive of what we desire. In using the metaphor of building our Temple of the Wise, we are engaging thought, imagery of that thought and a space of creation that encompasses both our spiritual landscape and the accumulative wealth of our manifest teachings.

There are many ways to set to the task of “preparation”. In fact, the very word preparation conjures up many levels of meaning. According to Merriam Webster, “preparation” is defined as…

the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.
something done to get ready for an event or undertaking.
a substance that is specially made up and usually sold, especially a medicine or food food.

I like these definitions as they indicate the quality of requirement when engaging on preparation of anything. A key component is that of “action”. Not simply thinking about it, but actually having to do the work to accomplish the goal. The actions taken are specific to and intent-filled towards an event or undertaking. This implies a goal that is new- even if it is routine. Even our routine actions are begun as new endeavors every time we engage them. Taking that approach of newness and preparing with the same care and attention we would give the new as we give the old heals our minds and hearts and feeds a soul that hungers to begin again, enlivened by new preparation given.

This attitude is particularly important if we are to build a Temple that has encoded within it a state of always being ready to receive the gifts of new preparation. The gifts of fertile mind. The gifts of action infused and inspired by the teachings and experience we have gathered into every fibre of our being. The loving care and gift of sacred intent as we ready ourselves with preparations that speak to our devotion to the Path and the building of our Temple of the Wise.

We return now to our space of acquisition as we set to the task of preparing the land…..

Shift your attention to the space between your brows and the inner screen of your meditative conscious mind. Sit as observer of this screen, taking note of the form of this inner landscape. Now see yourself standing and walking towards this inner screen. A pin- point of cobalt blue light forms just ahead of you and begins expanding in diameter as you walk towards it. When you arrive at the place of being immediately in front of this vibrant blue veil, it has expanded, stretched and opened to become an arched gateway. The faint glimmer of sparkling blue shines within its opening and you feel called to step into this place.
You step through the veiling and find yourself standing in the center of a shaded forest. You close your eyes and breathe in deeply adjusting easily to what surrounds you and finding your anchoring within this space. You take another very deep breath and open your eyes on the soft exhalation and look around. Tall full trees surround you and you can see rays of light flowing delicately through lush full leaves and thick branches.

You look at each tree, now clearly seeing the multiple paths you extended into on your last exploration. You call up the memory of each of these paths and smile as a rush of energy moves through you in recognition of all of their lessons. Your work now, is that of making fertile and strong the mid-point of ground upon which you stand.

You breathe in deeply and note that as you inhale the ground beneath you responds by contracting slightly. You exhale and find that the space seems to expand and push deeper out from its center. You continue this exercise several more times, each effort giving you the deeper connection and confidence needed to establish the boundaries that will become the foundation of your Temple.

Allow your breath to establish its own rhythm and shift your consciousness pulling it down into the very core of your being, just above your naval. This is the space of your solar plexus (Chakra), the inner sun of power that resides within all of us. Breathe into this space, filling it with golden light and feeling the natural heat that begins to flow from its stimulation and stoking. Continue to build this heat of flame and light and when it has become strong, vibrant and clearly palpable, exhale deeply envisioning this golden light spilling into the landscape upon which you are standing. Continue breathing, your breath acting as bellows; each inhalation accumulating more energy and each exhalation pouring this fertile light out the space of your Temple’s foundation.

Look now around you and allow yourself to fully open to the experience of standing upon a ground of golden light. Make note of the life-giving quality of this energy and the quickening of this space of your choosing. You and it are one and it is from your body of light and your intention that fertile space has been lain for the next steps of your building.

Spend some time allowing yourself to anchor more deeply. To envision what the final building of your Temple will be and the pure joy in this moment of first creation. All has been made ready and the fertile ground you have established has been created in all worlds. Your manifest world will begin to see the clearing of what is not needed and productive. Your spiritual world will teem with newly realized “potential”.

As you allow these thoughts to settle into your being, the space of golden preparation begins to slowly fade and the blue veiling of the “between” surrounds you. You breathe deeply, stepping through this veiling and find yourself once again as observer of your inner screen of visioning. The forest has faded, but the memory of the experience and the gift of fertile land floods through you.

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Pouring the Foundation

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Acquiring the Space!

Posted on August 8, 2015 by themagickalpen

Clearing the Ground and Pouring the Foundations
Acquiring the Space

Before any building can be created, suitable space has to be secured. This first lesson is one of intention. The intention of opening our mind’s eye and seeking the perfect space to create a Temple of the Wise.

One of the greatest tools we have is our ability to manifest from what we conceive as thought patterns and imagery. Visualization is a skill that is a foundational practice of spiritual and magickal work. The more clearly the image can be projected onto our “inner screen” of consciousness the greater the potential for bringing it into the manifest world. This is precisely why it is important to “mindful” of which direction we take when formulating the image of what we desire. Negativity will create an environment and image that projects this negativity, just as positive and productive intent supports the manifests image of that productive flow.

As we take these first steps in finding the best and most fertile space to create our temple of the Wise, we need to construct its image in the space of our consciousness. As our Temple expands in its creation and becomes the working space, library and sacred sanctuary that houses our path of learning, all that it contains will flow into our manifest life. Our work and interactions in the mundane and manifest world will be informed by the image of our knowledge. Our actions will be supported by the image of the wisdom we have drawn from its Halls. And, our daily lives will be infused with the greater gnosis of an image that is available to be used 24/7-365 days a year. A life of Magick born in the Halls of the Temple of the Wise.

We begin our seeking for suitable building ground with a Pathworking of Acquisition…

A Pathworking of Acquisition….

You stand for a moment unsure of whether you are to move forward on one of these paths. As this thought clears you instinctively know that you are able to travel each of these paths without moving from this spot. You also know that each path represents another point of the teachings received in your spiritual journey and holds the memory of those lessons learned from its exploration. You breathe in deeply and turn towards one of the paths.

You close your eyes and move your awareness along this first path. As you move easily within the folds of its twists and turns you remember the excitement of mastering one of your first lessons of magick and mystery. Take some time now to call that experience to you. Call up the emotions surrounding its teachings and the pride you had in exploring this subject more fully. Call to memory the first trials of application and the successes and failures in its mastery and understanding. See the form of this lesson, its name and the importance you wish it to have now in your new journeys.

Now, pull your consciousness back to your present location and turn towards another of these paths. Again, close your eyes and move your consciousness down this next path of experience. This path has a different set of turns within it. This is what holds it apart from the first that you just experienced and it is this differing quality that gave another set of skills to your journey. Call to memory the first trials of its application and the successes and failures in its mastery and understanding. See the form of this lesson, its name and the importance you wish it to have now in your new journeys.

Continue with this process for the remaining paths that surround you. Each a unique experience; each holding the keys to who you have come to be in your journey. Spend time on each path, calling into your space of memory the experiences held within your past exploration. And, with each see the form of its refined lesson, its name and the importance you wish it to have now in your new journeys.

When all paths have been travelled and memories retrieved, you return from the last path and look around at all that leads into this space where you have remained since entering this space. You also acknowledge the skill you have shown in projecting your consciousness into the storehouse of memory and teachings as you held strong ground in your chosen spot.

As you breathe more deeply into this realization and look around you realize that this is the perfect place to build your Temple! This is the central place of return and all paths that have the cumulative memory of your learning up to this point meet in this very spot. All have come to inform and support your work, and from their creative motivation, your Temple will be strong and stable.

You feel excited and in your heart know that you have made a good choice in your selection. There is much work that will need to be done to prepare and expand your space of acquisition and it will be done with joy honoring all that has lead to this time and this space.

This last thought echoes through all levels of your being and you breathe into its energy confident and self-empowered. You offer up thanks for what has been gifted and as the last of these words moves across your lips, the forest and its paths gently fade forming a veiling once again of the blue energy. You breathe deeply, stepping through this veiling and find yourself once again as observer of your inner screen of visioning. The forest has faded, but the memory of the experience and the gift of fertile land floods through you.

Next Post
Preparing the Land

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