The God – The Father

Posted on July 7, 2014 by themagickalpen
where-art
Image: Helena Nelson-Reed

Solar Cycle
Noon

The God in his form as the Father correlates to the noon day sun. He is vital, potent and has the strength of being able to provide what is needed to sustain life and ensure growth. His is the full power of the Summer Solstice and the vibrancy of having fathered what has been created from the union of God and Goddess at Beltane.

His is the tender embrace of the lover as he takes the Mother Goddess in arms that have danced this intimate cycle before. His is the watchful eye that gazes down lovingly upon all that he has fathered and waits patiently as these creations carve their own paths.

The God as Father is the authority that is called upon to be decisive and swift in judgment. He is both the Merciful Lord and the Raging Tyrant that seeks justice above all else.
Just as the noon-day sun gathers its strength in radiance and potency of Light, the God as Father has matured through the wheel of the year and it is His fecundity that sires the new growth that will be sacrificed as he transitions in to the wisdom of the sage.

Colors: Deep Hunter Green/Rich Brown of Fertile Soil

Sabbats:
Midsummer/Litha- The Holly King
Lammas- Cernnunos

The Mystery of the God

The Youth
The Sage

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The God – The Sage

Posted on July 7, 2014 by themagickalpen
1541447-1-lord-of-the-wildwood2
Image: Helena Nelson-Reed

Solar Cycle
Dusk

The God in his form as the Sage correlates to Dusk, the setting of the sun and the fullness of experience of a whole day’s journey. The Sage sees the world in its primal form as death and decay must flourish as the compost for what will be birthed anew. These are the ways of the animal and his is both guardian of its sacred realm and creatures and hunter to provide just enough to sustain the human world through the cold of winter.

His is the broad antlers of the elder beast that stands in the aim of the Hunter to provide the much needed food. His is the distraction that prevents the over killing of more than is needed.

As the last and final harvest approaches, He is willingly cut down as His light is held in each cell of grain, winter gourd and root. It is this sacrifice that enlivens what is taken as the cold of the Crone’s necessary destruction takes hold.

From his body that is slain and consumed new life is grown. His death is but the seeding of his form that is held in the duality of the Crone who is both barren and ripe for the quickening of the God’s seed as she readies for His rebirth at Yule. He carries the weight and the wisdom of the cycle of Youth, Father and now as Sage his time of rest is at hand as his outer Light weakens and turns inward as it becomes the seed that is the spark of life.

Colors: Black/Dark Brown

Sabbats:
Mabon- The Horned God/The Green Man
Samhain- Odin/Dagda

The Mystery of the God

The Youth
The Father

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The Goddess – The Maiden

Posted on July 7, 2014 by themagickalpen

eostre

The Goddess in her form as the Maiden represents the potential held within. She is the newness of Spring and the inexperienced lover who yearns for the caress of the Young God.  The Maiden sees with the eyes of one who can see through the veil of illusion and crafts her own magick of enchantment and desire. She is youth in all its aspects of enthusiasm for and desire to know one’s self, limits and gifts. There are no boundaries set upon the maiden for within her many paths are revealed.

Color: White

The color white  is associated with the goddess in her aspect as the Maiden. White is the color of  pure light, radiance  and absence of any intermediary influence.  It is the color that is used to soften and lighten or brighten all others. The introduction of white to a darker color, imbues that color with a radiance from within. Much like the Maiden, whose gentle grace and touch of vibrant youth inspires and brightens us towards the potential for new life.

Goddesses:

Ostara- Goddess of the Spring Equinox

Persephone- Daughter of Demeter

blodeuwedd-emily-brunner

Blodeuwedd  by Emily Brunner

 The Mystery of the Goddess

The Mother
The Crone

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The Goddess – The Crone

Posted on July 7, 2014 by themagickalpen

image

The Goddess in her form as the Crone represents the depths of inner experience. She is death and decay, the shadow of self and the darkness that we avoid. But, within this death and decay lay the ingredients for renewed life. It is from the ashes that the Phoenix rises reborn.  It is from the place of the shadow that the Light may be revealed and it is from embracing those parts of ourselves that we are most fearful of that the greatest growth occurs.

The Crone is the necessary tri-form needed  to remain in a place of newness (Maiden) and creative fullness (Mother). She completes the cycle of Nature and it is within her bosom that we find rest at the end of our time.

Color: Black

The color black  is associated with the goddess in her aspect as the Crone. Black is the absence of color or the all inclusive pallet of every primary color mixed together. This is the work of the Crone as well. She lays hidden in the place that is no place , no time and draws to herself the streams of all energy creating a space of night and quickening.

Goddesses:

Cerridwen – Goddess of the Cauldron of Wisdom

Hecate – Goddess of the crossroads

Ereshkigal

ereshkigal01

Ruler of the Underworld and Sister of Innana

The Mystery of the Goddess

The Maiden
The Mother

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The Goddess – The Mother

Posted on July 7, 2014 by themagickalpen

Mother Goddess

The Goddess in her form as the Mother represents the creative, both literal and metaphorically,  aspect of the Divine feminine. In this form the Goddess is the giver of life. The Mother is the nurturer and offers refuge or “tough love” as needed. She is the keeper of the mysteries held within the fertility of her womb. The Mother is the earth itself and all life contained on this planet are her children. She is foundation and catalytic change. Within her domain all questions are answered. She is the fierce protectress of that which she holds near and dear.  She is the place of ripeness and fullness of the potential that has grown from the Maiden’s experience.

Color: RED

The color red is associated with the goddess in her aspect as Mother. Red is the color of life. The color of menstrual blood and women’s mysteries. It is one of the primary colors necessary to create the diverse palette of others.

Goddesses:

Demeter – Goddess of the Greening

Danu – Mother of the Tuatha De Danann

sadness_gaiaGaia- The Great Earth Mother

The Mystery of the Goddess

The Maiden
The Crone

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The Mystery of the Goddess

Posted on July 7, 2014 by themagickalpen

Chalice
The undeniable empowerment of women and their mysteries of holding life within and birth, a monthly cycle that portends this creative aspect and the grace of the tides of the moon, her cycles and the affect on earth and human are held within the domain of the Goddess. She is the Great Chalice who holds the waters of Life and Death and offers the elixirs of spirit.

She presents in many forms and holds the attributes of many levels of states of being. Most often she is seen and honored in one of her triune phases- The Maiden- The Mother or The Crone.

The Feminine Polarity

When we connect to the energy of the Goddess we are reaching deep into the wells of intuition, emotion and the movement of the tides within our being. It is through her waters of Life that the electrical current flows towards manifestation as an illumined spirit.

The Moon Goddess
” She is the ruler of the tides of flux and reflux.
The waters of the Great Sea answer unto her,
likewise the tides of all earthly seas,
and she ruleth the nature of women”
.. Dion Fortune ..

The Lunar Cycle
triple_goddess

The Moon Goddess is the holder of the mysteries of the Lunar Cycle. It is within her domain that the cycle of the waxing and waning within the span of approximately every 29- 30 days coincides. She is intimately tied to the menstrual cycle of women and is celebrated in Esbat rituals. At the New Moon her energy is that of “becoming”, full with potential for what wishes to be brought to fruition. At the Time of the Full Moon her energy is that of the Mother- pregnant and ready to give birth to what seeds of growth have been planted just prior.

And, as the moon wanes, She moves into the wisdom of the Crone- having seen many outcomes and traveled through many layers and levels of experience to reach this place of inner knowing. It is within this natural cycle that plays out in the physical world that the lessons of the inner worlds may be found, as well as our celestial connection working in harmony with the work we do at a physical and mundane level.

The Triple Goddess

“Behold the Three-Formed Goddess;
She who is ever Three- Maid, Mother and Crone.
Yet is she ever One;
She in all women, and they all in her.

Look on these Three, who are One, with a fearless love,
That, you too, may be whole.”

(excerpted: The Witch’s Goddess)

cauldron 3

One does not have to look very far within the mythos of almost every culture at some point of their history to find the archetypal energy of the Goddess as expressed in her tri-form of Maiden- Mother and Crone.

Click on the links to find out more…

The Maiden
The Mother
The Crone

The Triple Goddesses

Although, the Goddess may take on the energies of each of the triple phases in the form of individual Goddesses whose focus is solely on that specific energy, there are a few Goddesses who hold the energy of this triplicity at all times. They are both the individual and combined energies of the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone. With this expression, the totality of eternal cycle is always present. The broader picture is always at hand and the larger scope and impact of each attribute is synthesized. Two of these great Goddesses that are often honored are Hecate (Greek Pantheon) and Brighid (Celtic Pantheon)

Hecate

hecate
Hecate is often invoked at Samhain. She is the keeper of the crossroads and stands as Gatekeeper to the realms of the otherworld. She is all-seeing and all-knowing and to be in her presence is to feel the weight of her power, the scrutiny of her gaze and the expectation that you will do the work you are called to do. Hecate moves through the space of darkness and carries the torch to light the way. Her healing is that of embracing the shadow self, excising what is of no value and transforming what can be used. It is the cycle of clearing the way, removing the weeds and laying the compost of decayed matter to nourish and sustain what lays waiting to be birthed anew.

“Hecate is the goddess of pathways, Enodia, especially of cross-roads and of the offerings laid down there; the triple-form figure of Hecate arose from the three masks which were hung at the meeting of three pathways. The pathways of Hecate are pathways of the night; accompanied by barking dogs, she leads a ghostly retinue.”

( Greek Religion by Walter Burkert)

I have heard her call to action when doubt has moved across my heart. I have felt the cold of her hand as she has pushed me towards change. And, I have answered each of her questions as they have moved me to a place of strength and courage.

Read More About Hecate at Womb of Light:

Hecate’s Call (A 3-part series)

Brighid

brighid

Brighid (“breed”) is a Celtic Goddess of Triplicity and a member of the Tuatha De Danu (“People of the Goddess Danu”) She is known as the Goddess of Creativity, Healing and was often called upon at times of dire struggle to quicken the fires of survival at all costs. She is the energy of fire quickening, forging and transforming. Brighid is often invoked during the Spring Sabbats, a time of quickening and sustaining new life.

“Brighid is particularly associated with the first stirrings of Spring as the days begin to lengthen, the snowdrops bloom, and the ewes begin to lactate. In a Scottish story Bride is taken captive by Beira, the Queen of Winter. Some say her winter prison is the mountain, Ben Nevis. Before the fire of the sun can warm the earth again Bride has to be freed. So a spell is cast borrowing three days from the heat of August. As Bride walks free light fills the earth and the land turns green again.

Brighid’s fire is truly the fire of creativity. It is responsible for the kindling of the earth in early Spring, the kindling of sexual passion, the kindling of the body in healing, the kindling of the heart in poetry and song, the kindling of the mind in science and craft. Her fire is a guiding light to her people in times of trouble, darkness and despair. To see her pass the house at Samhain is a sign that those within will be safe throughout the dark days of Winter.”

(http://www.brighid.org.uk/goddess.html)

I have felt the fires of her creativity expressed through my work as a professional ballerina, and in the faces of my five beautiful children. The quickening rush of inspiration in planning a workshop or writing a ritual. I have felt the gentle brush of her golden hair which has awakened me from a slumber of dullness and inertia, and basked in her healing embrace, when I thought I could give no more or meet the many demands put upon me. Her very name means “bright arrow” and she has often illuminated my Path with her flame of light enabling my aim to be true to its mark.

Read More About Brighid here:

WitchVox: Brighid’s Healing Sword

The Star Goddess
arianrhod2

The Realm of the Goddess is far-reaching and mirrors the principle of “as above, so below”. She is the holder of the earth and its life and her reach extends into the heaven’s and beyond. In her form as the Star Goddess she is all inclusive and mistress of all the heavenly bodies, affecting not only the tides, as in the form of the Moon Goddess but space, time and matter.

The Welsh Goddess, Arianrhod is one such Goddess of the starry realms. and holder of the Silver Wheel of Light and radiance. Within her castle, known as “Caer Arianrhod” the mystery of the cosmos and the connection with the heart of the Universe can be made. Our place in the greater world of starry matter and cosmic beginnings are revealed in her presence and the touch of her stellar hand awakens the memory of birth.

“ Arianrhod (ah-ree-AHN-rhohd), Arian meaning ‘silver’, and Rhod meaning ‘wheel’ or ‘disc’. Celtic Moon-Mother Goddess. Called the Silver Wheel that Descends into the Sea. Daughter of the Mother Goddess Don and her consort Beli. She is ruler of Caer Sidi, a magical realm in the north. She was worshiped as priestess of the moon. The benevolent silver sky-lady came down from her pale white chariot in the heavens to watch more closely over the tides she ruled.

A star and moon Goddess, Arianrhod was also called the Silver Wheel because the dead were carried on her Oar Wheel to Emania (the Moon- land or land of death), which belonged to her as a deity of reincarnation and karma. Her consort Nwyvre ‘Sky, Space, Firmament’ has survived in name only. Caer Arianrhod is the circumpolar stars, to which souls withdraw between incarnations, thus she is identified as a Goddess of reincarnation. The Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess in Wales, her palace was Caer Arianrhod (Aurora Borealis), or the secret center of each initiate’s spiritual being.”

(TheWhiteGoddess.co.uk)

The Divine Polarity

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The Divine polarity of the Wiccan Path is represented by Goddess and God and the union of their co-creative exchange and energies. The God is the masculine principle and consort to the Goddess. Let’s take a look at the dynamics of his energy….

The Mystery of the God

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The Mystery of the God

Posted on July 7, 2014 by themagickalpen

SAthame

The God is the consort of the Goddess. Throughout his cycle of change he moves from the babe of Light that is birthed at Yule to the youth that quickens and enlivens at Beltane to the King of Power and strength at Litha and finally to the place of the harvested grain, cut down, and willingly sacrificed to feed, sustain and hold safe through the winter. HE is the Athame whose blade disperses the seed as the phallus or cuts to survive as the warrior and protector. 

The Masculine  Polarity

When we connect to the energy of the God we are calling to the place of deep strength, fecundity and necessary sacrifice.  It is the awareness that to ensure the cycle of nature and life continue something must be given up. It is from the decay of matter that new life may be found. We also connect at the level of fierce protection for that which must be safe-guarded. The God acts in this manner on behalf of the natural world and the creatures contained within. It is his un-relentless instinct towards survival and balance that keeps the order of nature moving in accord with the Will of the Goddess.

The attributes of the God are very closely tied to the role that is needed. And, he shapeshifts frequently with multiple overlay and many names and designations coming from a singular source. Just as the Natural World is constantly in a state of change and transformation- albeit often transparent, other than to those who take the time to notice- so to the God is ever changing and adapting in his role of protector and guardian of that which the Goddess holds most sacred – LIFE.

The Solar Cycle 

solarcycle_soho_big

Just as the Goddess is aligned with the energies of the Moon, the God is aligned with the mysteries and energies of the Sun and its cycles. The God moves through the seasons as the sun waxes and wanes from Winter to Summer.  In following this natural rhythm we connect to the natural cycles of strengthening and releasing and giving way that occur within ourselves.  The expectation of the Sun rising, giving warmth and thereby sustaining life is the work of the God.  The expectation that as the months move towards winter and the days are colder and darker that the spark of light still remains awaiting new life and energy in the Spring is the lesson of the God. The measure of time and its flow throughout the seasons is the work of the God.  This is the underlying and essential support that is given freely to the Goddess, so that the work she must attend to may be successful and fruitful.

Belanus

LughThe word Bel means “to shine” or “brilliant”; Belanus is represented as a sun god, and would have been invoked during times of war to insure that the fiercest, bravest battles fought were also won. Battle was the equivalent of a warrior’s greatest and most “shining” moment, so out of all the Celtic gods and goddesses Belanus would likely be one of the most revered. He would be called upon to fight at a warrior’s side – passing his god strength on to the warrior until victory was achieved. Other schools of thought view Belanus as a god of higher reasoning. The translation of the name Belanus (shining or to shine) gives rise to a belief this god may bring about enlightenment if called upon. More likely, the shimmering glory of this god was seen in the height of tribal warfare when Celtic warriors were enmeshed in battle-frenzied combat.

Triplicity

The God is also often equated with similar triplicity like his consort , the Goddess.  This could be likened also to the tides of the daily sun.  The newness of dawn would be the Youth- the peak and heat of Noon would be the life sustaining Father and the sunset at dusk, the time of the diminishing sun would hold the wisdom of the God as the Sage.  The Sage having seen the full spectrum of illumination and peak holds within the knowledge that the sun will rise again, anew with strength and light.

Read More: 

The Youth

The Father

The Sage

The Horned God

 Cernunnnos

gundestrupcernunnos

The Horned God is known by many names- Cernnunos, Herne, Pan to name a few.  He is the God of fecundity and the wild and highly unpredictable force of nature.  He is depicted with stag horns atop his head and you can feel the heat and strong pulse of blood and life as it courses through his veins.  He holds us accountable for our actions as steward of earth and all of her creatures and his vengeance on those who interfere or tip the balance unfavorably is swift and exact.

The Greenman 

myster2

The Greenman is the symbol of nature’s rebirth in the spring; he is the guardian of the forests; he is the protector of the wild places; and he is a positive masculine image of men as caretakers.

The God in this form is verdant and lush and full of life and vitality. He and the natural world are one in the same and he is intimately connected to the pulse and rhythm of this world as well as the movement of the sun above.

The Holly King and the Oak King

oakking

The Oak King and the Holly King are part of Celtic mythology, and are often seen as aspects of the Green Man. They are usually considered “twin gods,” or sometimes two aspects or manifestations of the same god, often the Horned God. The Oak King rules the Summer (and is sometimes called the “Summer King”) and the Holly King rules the Winter (and is thus called the “Winter King”).   The God in this form acts as guardian and keeper of the natural world through its cycles of  waxing and waning light. He ensures that all will be well and all will continue and be sustained. 

The Oak King is usually celebrated at Yule and heralds theAN09_20spirit_of_20yule
return of the Light, spring and new growth and the Holly King reigns supreme and is celebrated at Litha, as the Light begins to lessen in preparation for harvest and winter.  A battle is enacted at those times and the victor of the new season takes his place as guardian.  They are twin reflections of an inner polarity of Light and Dark and the battle that takes on the inner landscape as we move towards acknowledgement and embracing of our own Divine nature.

The Sacrificial God

At Lughnassad (Lammas)  the God takes on the form of the sacrificial King. The lands that he has guarded and greened throughout the Summer now are needed to feed and provide harvest for those of humankind who are also in his keeping.  The wheat is cut and the bread is baked to honor this willing sacrifice and the ingestion of this substance of Life is the ingestion of the solar and life giving principles of the God himself.

Lugh  

BELENUS

It is thought by some to be the funeral or wake of Lugh, the sun king, whose light is now beginning to dwindle. A more correct interpretation, however, is that it was established by Lugh to commemorate the life of his foster mother, Tailtiu, the goddess of agriculture who died while clearing the Irish forests in preparation for planting. Lugh is the keeper of the forge and flame and is natural companion to Brighid.  In celebrating the Wheel of the Year, it is often woven to have the celebration and focus of the Goddess – Brighid at Imbolc (in the Spring) and focus of the God- Lugh at the direct opposite Sabbat of Lammas or Lughnassad – the first harvest.  In this telling of the story Brighid ignites the fires within the newly born and still quickening life that will flourish through the Summer and Lugh provides the fires that burn away what remains of those crops planted and those animals slain for food throughout the long arduous winter.

Foundations of Practice:

This week continue to add to your references of Deity. Now that you have some Gods and Goddesses to research and take closer look at add these to your listings. Next week we will begin a meditation practice to connect to Deity.

Journaling: Referencing the Divine

Next Week’s Post

The Divine Couple

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What is the Divine World?

Posted on July 1, 2014 by themagickalpen

Divine

Definition of the word ….Divine

a. Having the nature of or being a deity.
b. Of, relating to, emanating from, or being the expression of a deity.
c. Being in the service or worship of a deity; sacred.

Monotheism and Polytheism

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary…

Montheism is defined as the belief that there is only one creator/God

Polytheism is defined as the belief in or worship of more than one creator/God

Every spiritual path has its own definition of who or what the Divine is. This expression takes the form of being monotheistic (a singular form of Deity) or polytheistic (multiple Deities) in nature. Additionally, depending on the precepts of that path, Deity is may be considered accessible to all or as looming large as overseer of what transpires in the mundane physical world. Regardless of the specifics surrounding the description of the Divine, the common ground of understanding is that this energy is sacred and carries with it the potency of cosmic creation.

Anthropomorphic vs. Archetypes

Anthropmorphism is defined as:

1. described or thought of as having human form or attributes
2. ascribing human characteristics to non-human (things)

Archetype is defined as:

..the perfect example of something

The Wiccan Path is one of polytheism. We interact with and offer our devotion to the many forms of God and Goddess and define Divinity as aligned in a polarity and balance of male and female energies. Within this spectrum of polarity are multiple forms, energies and archetypes of diverse and varied Deity. There is both an anthropomorphic view, which enables the seeker to more closely identify with the energy of beings, who, are in their most refined forms incomprehensible. And, there is also a view of using the varied forms of the Gods and Goddesses as archetypal energy to be overlaid upon the intention or focus of goal that will be manifested into a given state of being. Your spiritual journey is informed by the multi-layered experiences and interactions you have within the realm of the Divine. Thus, the images and energies that flow from the inhabitants of this realm of the Divine inform the psyche in a way that the archetypal energy can be processed more fully within the bodies of consciousness.

Polarity

“ All Gods are one God, all Goddesses are one Goddess, and there is but one Initiator.The Initiator being oneself”
excerpted from: The Witch’s God by Janet and Stewart Farrar

In maintaining this polarity there are a number of names given to these two prime energies. God and Goddess and Lord and Lady are but two ways of addressing the general energies of the Male and Female aspects. As we move down to a point of specificity, individual names of the God or Goddess along with the attributes that each carry and have energetically established differentiate who and what type of energy you are connecting with.

Devotion

Hecate’s Call: The Sorrow of the Mother

I call to you at the
Fullness of the Moon.
You who are my child
Of great promise.

I, alone, wait at the moonlit
Crossroads as only a
Mother will do for
Her wayward child.

I stand ready to defend and to
Teach but you must reach out
In embrace of my stern ways.

I wait and there is only the
Flow of my tears that you
Have not yet found your way
Back to Me.

It is within my womb that
You were quickened
And each step you have taken
On your journey has had my
Mark of unconditional love
Upon it.

I am cloaked in the light
Of a thousand moons and
The reach of my hand
To draw you to me
Shines blood red from
All that I have birthed.

The poem above is one that I wrote for a series of articles entitled: Hecate’s Call and was intended as a devotional to the Goddess, Hecate. When we approach Deity through ritual, devotion or meditation it is with the understanding that there is no need for an intercessor or intermediary for they are both within and without our spectrum of experience. With that being said, however, there is still the need for respect and continued efforts at establishing a working relationship with the Deities you wish to involve in your work. Keep in mind that the issuance of an invitation to work with you is not necessarily going to be answered, as the Gods and Goddesses also have their own agendas and needs. But, generally, if the request is made in earnest and the intent is one in keeping with the attributes of the Deity acknowledgement is usually given and some sort of energetic presence will be experienced.

Patrons

When we speak of Patrons in the craft it is meant that there is a God and/or Goddess who has an express interest in working with you. You may hear that someone has been “called” or “chosen” by a specific Deity, despite the individual’s initial unwillingness, and has come to resolution that they are to remain in this alliance until the time that the work meant to be completed is done. The selection and acceptance of Patrons is one which is an agreed upon matter. By that I mean that no matter how hard you try to get Pan to be your Patron, it simply won’t happen just because you desire it.

In other circumstances, a group or individual may actively seek the patronage of a specific Deity, feeling that the endorsement by this Deity will act to enliven and support the work that is needed. Sometimes this is successful and other times, the Deity simply is not interested.

Now, this may all sound like a very convoluted and daunting process; and you would be right in making that assessment. It is a very convoluted and daunting process, but the lesson of this is that when the right fit and the right circumstances are achieved on both the part of the Deity and the individual (or group) the results are life changing and transforming, as they are meant to be. Often the harder you try, the more likely you will miss the fine points or just the precise path that will lead you to the sacred Temples of Divinity. This is, after all the return to the source of your being and in establishing a deeper connection and feeling the embrace of the Deity(ies) that have your best interest and growth at heart – you have come home.

Foundations of Practice:
Journaling: Referencing the Divine

Next Week’s Post
The Goddess

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Overview of the Lesson: 3 -The Divine World

Posted on July 1, 2014 by themagickalpen

Background_2_by_sacral_stock

The Divine World…

“Those that give us food nourish our mortal body only. Those that entertain and instruct us in things of the world enchant our lower minds alone. But, those who awaken the eternal spark within us. To them love and devotion are ever due”

What is the Divine World?

The world of the Gods and Goddesses is one that many wish to experience. For those on a Wiccan Path that seeking takes the form of creating the space of devotion, dedication and honoring the attributes and gifts of the Great Ones. The energies and myths surrounding the Gods and Goddesses have endured time and are embedded within the keys to the Greater mysteries of Life itself.

The Mystery of the Goddess

The Path of the Wise is crafted upon devotion to the Divine Feminine. In ancient times the Goddess embodied and was the primary life giver, bestower of divine gifts and insights and She who waited at the time of Death to welcome the deceased into her final embrace. She represents the Divine Feminine, and in her many guises is the creatrix and destroyer of life. She holds within the myths and archetypal energy that surrounds her the keys of mystery that unlock the sacred fires of Will and the vaults of heaven’s cosmic womb. One of Her cycles is that of the Waxing and Waning of the Moon.

The Mystery of the God

The God represents the Divine Masculine. He is the necessary polarized opposite that is required to co-create and sustain life. He is the germinator of the seed that produces manifest form and as such is also the one who stands in the place of sacrifice for continuation of the life cycle. It is through this willing sacrifice that all of life may begin renewed and strengthened. The waxing and waning of the Sun are held within his domain and His mysteries are those of catalytic transformation.

The Divine Couple

The union of the God and Goddess is one of creative balance. Although each may have potent life force independently, their combined energies throughout the seasons and cycles of birth, death and rebirth are the driving force that ensures continuation of that cycle.

Pantheons

When we begin our research of various Gods and Goddesses we see that there are many cultural influences that have separated out some of the energies and attributes of each. Many Witches work exclusively with a singular pantheon and others work cross-culturally and inclusively in calling upon Deity that are in varied spiritual traditions. Wicca has its roots in the Ancient European cultures, so many of the Gods and Goddesses that are honored are from those cultures; most especially the Celts. Other pantheons, which are drawn from frequently include the Egyptian, Greek and Norse.

Foundations of Practice this month will include pathworkings and mediations to be used as a means of connecting with Deity. The first exercise of journaling will begin your own source of reference as you move through this course and the observation practice will set your sights on acknowledging the aspects of Deity in all of its forms.

Reading and Resources:

This month we have several new book offerings in the Recommended Reading page that will offer greater insight into the complex and varied world of the Divine. And the Resources page has a selection of online shopping for statuary, supplies and more.

So, let’s find the inner connection to the Divine. Open your heart to the blessings of the God and Goddess and allow your Spirit to soar into the realms of mystery and grace.
Blessings Bright ….

What is the Divine World?

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Foundations of Practice: Lesson Three

Posted on July 1, 2014 by themagickalpen

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Journaling
Referencing the Divine

Your journaling this month will provide you with opportunity to begin compiling a tool of reference as you work with and experience the energy of different Deities. Often a Deity will present itself to you through your reading striking a chord as you read the myth of the particular God or Goddess. A Deity may offer guidance as you sit in meditative reflection and you may not know the name of this being but feel compelled to seek them out and know more of their energy. The beauty of this is that when you begin the inner dialogue of seeking to know more of the Divine world you are opening to receiving an answer to what your heart queries. This journaling exercise will set to paper the expression of your desire to know more and before you know it you will have your own database of reference as keys into this realm.

Using a single page each for the God and the Goddess; as you move through this month’s lessons spend some time thinking about what these names (God and Goddess) mean to you. Spend a little time researching the energies of a specific God and/or Goddess. Write this information down and as you move through the month, continue to add to this information. Write any additional insight you may receive as you begin a meditative practice around the energy of the God or Goddess you have selected. At the month’s end, look to see how much information you have accumulated and if you feel the desire to continue exploration of this specific deity or perhaps begin a new exploration of another.

Some thoughts to get you started:

  • Begin by thinking about what your personal definitions of “God”, “Goddess” and the “Divine” are.
  • What types of beings are included in that definition?
  • Have you felt the presence of a Deity?
  • How did it make you feel?
  • What would you ask of this being?
  • What form did they take? Human, animal, or pure energy?
  • Why do you seek to commune with the Divine?
  • What will you offer in devotion?

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Meditation
Sitting with Deity

This week’s focus is on simply opening to connect with Deity. Click here to access the meditation.

1361892160_mystical_eye_by_lukebaileyy-d4olpfoDigital Image by: Luke Bailey

Observation
The Divine Surrounds

This exercise is meant to remind you of the beauty and majesty of the Divine World that is ever present 365 days 24/7. The work we have done this month was that of opening the lens of your idea of what Deity is and the connections that can be made beyond the formalized contemplative sitting or ritual.

As you move through your day, pause and give reflection, making note of those experiences and moments of insight that are Divinely inspired. This could be something as complex as a piece of profound writing or painting, or simply taking in the color and beauty of nature and the work of the earth Goddess as you sit outside at lunch or in your garden.

Open to connecting to the experience of feeling the warmth of the Sun on your face and give thanks to the light and heat the solar God has provided. Open to the subtle changes throughout the day as the Sun moves across the sky in its daily cycle and settle in to the calm peace at day’s end as you are carried by the Divine into the dreamscape of sleep and physical renewal.

Observe each human being you come in contact with and see the spark of the Divine within them. Look for the positive energies that they may exude and the potential that is held within the very core of their being. Marvel at the connection you share with these others who are also children of the God and Goddess. Look deeply into the eyes of those you routinely interact with and make connection as you talk and engage. See them as though for the first time and expecting the best of their Divine nature to shine through.

Bring into your concept of the Divine the animals that share our world and possibly your home. They are in the care and keeping of the Goddess and the Horned God. Give thanks for the Divine energy and life giving essence that fills these creatures who offer their unconditional love, as in the case of our animal companions and who offer their wild nature as continuum of the never ending cycles that fill all living things and show us our space of instinct and cunning.

Go outside on a moonlit night and drink in the beauty of the Goddess in her form of the Moon. This is the energy of the Divine Feminine that many have marveled at throughout ages and ages of time. This is the energy that pulls the tides and moves the waters within and without. During the course of a lunar month, try to be aware of the moon’s waxing (from New to Full) and waning (from Full to Dark/New Moon). Make note of the energetic changes you feel.

Observe it all while holding the thought of gratitude for the Divine World and Deity who share their abundance, knowledge and love. Be sure to record your experiences in your journal.

End Note:
If you have been following the exercises offered as Foundations of Practice, you are beginning to form an outline of committed work towards a specific goal. Each lesson shifts your perception of the world and your place in it. This Lesson’s work has opened new doorways of experience that now hold you as a being of Divine potential blessed by the Lord and Lady. Use this awareness wisely and keep the efforts of this work in mind as you move through your mundane affairs and seek out ways to incorporate these in living a magical life 24/7.

May you be thrice blessed in all that has been accomplished thus far!

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