The sun has turned at winter solstice, and yet it has been difficult to recognize the change. From now on, the return of the light is more noticeable even though it is still winter, and nature is still sleeping quietly.
This day is also known as the festival of Brigid, an Irish Goddess and Saint. In the cycle of the God, this is the time when He grows, from child to adolescent. At spring equinox, He will be a young man, but today He is still a child.
Pathworking February Eve
Make yourself comfortable. Take some deep breaths and relax. Let go of stress, anger, anxiety.
Close your eyes and go to your safe place. Turn around and look for the door. It is there, quite unobtrusive, with an eight spoked wheel engraved.
Open the door. It is dawn on the other side, with a rosy haze, filtering through the huge trees of the forest. Before you, there is a path through the winter forest. There is snow on it, but it looks like it was used by animals regularly. You can see the tracks on the ground.
Follow the path. It leads you through the forest, among huge trees. Everything is quiet and peaceful.
The area is hilly, and your path leads you downwards, getting steeper...
You reach the bottom of the descent, and the trees give way to a wide open meadow. The snow there is covered with tracks, too, but they are mostly the tracks of human beings.
You hear laughter from the woods, and a girl emerges, chased by a boy with golden hair. They are obviously playing a game of chase.
The young God and Goddess start building snow figures. You can simply watch them as they enjoy themselves, or you can join them, if you want. They accept you at their playground immediately. In either case, take a careful look ath the figure they are building. ...
Gradually, it grows colder. You decide it is time to go and say goodbye to the God and Goddess. They bid you farewell and run towards the cave entrance, chasing each other again. You turn towards the path that has lead you here and return, up that hill and through the forest, until you stand before the door again. You open the door and return to your safe place. ...
From here, return to your body. Take some breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
What figure did the young Gods build? If you feel like it and have enough snow outside, try to build it yourself. What could that figure mean for you?
Showing posts with label pathworking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pathworking. Show all posts
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Pathworking: The Dark One
On a night of the new moon, sit down in a quiet spot, preferably somewhere where you can see the night sky.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Gaze upon the night sky while you let go of anger, stress, anxiety and distractions.
Then, close your eyes. Go to your safe place. It is a very dark night here. Only the slimmest crescent of the moon is visible in the sky. Its light touches you, and in response, you feel your wings grow once again, delicate, slightly luminescent, strong enough to carry you easily. Stretch your wings experimentally.
Then, the last light of the moon vanishes. There is no crescent visible anymore, and yet you can feel the presence of the dark moon, there up in the sky.
Now, with some strong beats of your wings, you raise yourself into the air. Feel the resistance of the air, against your wings, the air that is rushing around you as you fly into the sky, into the direction of the waning moon. There is an updraft that carries you higher... and higher... effortlessly higher and higher...
You look ahead and you can see a shadow where the dark moon has to be. It grows bigger and bigger, until you are no longer sure whether it is there. Then you can make out features, rocks, mountains, crater. As you flow even nearer, you can see a round, darker shadow on the black moon surface. You fly closer, and you can see that it is a building, so you land at one side of it. Follow the wall until you find an opening. Very little light shines through, and as you enter, you see that the huge room is illuminated only by candles, one in each corner and one in the centre.
The room is filled with statues you cannot quite make out. However, at least some of them seem to be monsters, and you are not sure whether all of them are statues or some of them are moving when you are not looking.
There is a moving figure in the centre of the temple, so you walk there. The figure turns out to be a woman waring a black cloack, with the hood up. You shiver. She seems to notice, because she speaks up:
“There is no need for you to fear me. Unless you wake my wrath, I am quite peaceful. But woe betide those who do raise my anger by violating basic human rights. Those I pursue without remorse, and they shall have no rest.
If ever you have truly need of me, do not hesitate to call me – I shall come, whether it be for protection from evil, rightful revenge, or company at your last breath.”
She looks at you intensly...
Silently, take your leave of the Goddess and leave Her temple. Look into the sky. There, in the distance, you can see the earth, blue, green and beautiful. Stretch your wings again and rise into the sky. Fly back, home to your safe place. There is a feeling that is gently leading you into the right direction, a pulling, like a homing instinct. You follow it, flying back, and finally, you return to your safe place. As you land, you feel your wings dissolving.
Return to your body. Take a few deep breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1, open your eyes. Welcome back.
Note: As you can see, it seems rational to meet the Goddesses during their assigned moon phases. However, that is not necessary. All of them exist, no matter whether we can see their moon phase or not, and they are associated with the moon phases but they are not the moon itself. Use the symbol, but avoid being bound by the symbol.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Gaze upon the night sky while you let go of anger, stress, anxiety and distractions.
Then, close your eyes. Go to your safe place. It is a very dark night here. Only the slimmest crescent of the moon is visible in the sky. Its light touches you, and in response, you feel your wings grow once again, delicate, slightly luminescent, strong enough to carry you easily. Stretch your wings experimentally.
Then, the last light of the moon vanishes. There is no crescent visible anymore, and yet you can feel the presence of the dark moon, there up in the sky.
Now, with some strong beats of your wings, you raise yourself into the air. Feel the resistance of the air, against your wings, the air that is rushing around you as you fly into the sky, into the direction of the waning moon. There is an updraft that carries you higher... and higher... effortlessly higher and higher...
You look ahead and you can see a shadow where the dark moon has to be. It grows bigger and bigger, until you are no longer sure whether it is there. Then you can make out features, rocks, mountains, crater. As you flow even nearer, you can see a round, darker shadow on the black moon surface. You fly closer, and you can see that it is a building, so you land at one side of it. Follow the wall until you find an opening. Very little light shines through, and as you enter, you see that the huge room is illuminated only by candles, one in each corner and one in the centre.
The room is filled with statues you cannot quite make out. However, at least some of them seem to be monsters, and you are not sure whether all of them are statues or some of them are moving when you are not looking.
There is a moving figure in the centre of the temple, so you walk there. The figure turns out to be a woman waring a black cloack, with the hood up. You shiver. She seems to notice, because she speaks up:
“There is no need for you to fear me. Unless you wake my wrath, I am quite peaceful. But woe betide those who do raise my anger by violating basic human rights. Those I pursue without remorse, and they shall have no rest.
If ever you have truly need of me, do not hesitate to call me – I shall come, whether it be for protection from evil, rightful revenge, or company at your last breath.”
She looks at you intensly...
Silently, take your leave of the Goddess and leave Her temple. Look into the sky. There, in the distance, you can see the earth, blue, green and beautiful. Stretch your wings again and rise into the sky. Fly back, home to your safe place. There is a feeling that is gently leading you into the right direction, a pulling, like a homing instinct. You follow it, flying back, and finally, you return to your safe place. As you land, you feel your wings dissolving.
Return to your body. Take a few deep breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1, open your eyes. Welcome back.
Note: As you can see, it seems rational to meet the Goddesses during their assigned moon phases. However, that is not necessary. All of them exist, no matter whether we can see their moon phase or not, and they are associated with the moon phases but they are not the moon itself. Use the symbol, but avoid being bound by the symbol.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Pathworking: The Crone
On a night of the waning moon, sit down in a quiet spot, preferably somewhere where you can see the moon.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Gaze upon or visualize the waning moon while you let go of anger, stress, anxiety and distractions.
Then, close your eyes. Go to your safe place. It is night here, but the night is illuminated a bit by a waning moon shining dimly in the sky. The moonlight touches you, and in response, you feel delicate, luminescent wings grow, strong enough to carry you easily. Stretch your wings experimentally.
Now, with some strong beats of your wings, raise yourself into the air. Feel the resistance of the air, against your wings, the air that is rushing around you as you fly into the sky, into the direction of the waning moon. There is an updraft that carries you higher... and higher... effortlessly higher and higher...
You look ahead and see the moon in front of you, huge, and growing even bigger and bigger as you approach it, until you can no longer see it in its entirety. You can see a building, shaped like a crescent, waning moon. It is a temple of white marble, dappled with black bits.
You land in the middle of the courtyard framed by the crescent. There is an open entrance in front of you, and you fold your wings and walk towards it. You notice the lack of statues, but as you look upon the floor, you can see designs and symbols inlaid, grey in white.
You enter the temple. It smells slightly of incense. Inside, there are some statues, and again mosaics on the walls and floor, displaying partly abstract symbols, and designs, partly scenes such as a woman with a torch guiding another woman through a maze of corridors.
In the centre of the temple, there is a cauldron, bubbling over a fire pit. An old woman stands beside it, stirring it and adding something. She is singing softly, but you cannot understand it. It appears as if she has not noticed you, but before you can make up your mind to do something, the singing stops and she says: “Come over. I won't bite you”, without turning away from the cauldron. You go closer and look into the cauldron. The contents look like boiling soup.
The crone stirs a last time and then turns towards you. “Ah, a guest.
Expect no fancy words of me. I am the old one, and I have no need or want for them. I know that which is hidden, the secrets dark. Mine is the art of change, the mystery of transformation.
I grant you a drink from the cauldron of change. Choose what you want to transform. But be careful, for change may come at a prize.”
She looks at you and giggles, then begins stirring the cauldron once more. From somewhere, she produces a cup, fills it from the cauldron and hands it to you. It is hot, and even if you wait, or stir it, it does not cool down. Choose something to transform, then focus on it as you drain the cup. You may decide to skip, then give the cup back to her. ...
You can take some time talking to her, or just explore the temple. ...
It is time to return. Take your leave of the Goddess. You leave the temple. Look into the sky. There, in the distance, you can see the earth, blue, green and beautiful. Stretch your wings again and rise into the sky. Fly back, home to your safe place. There is a feeling that is gently leading you into the right direction, a pulling, like a homing instinct. You follow it, flying back, and finally, you return to your safe place. As you land, you feel your wings dissolving.
Return to your body. Take a few deep breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1, open your eyes. Welcome back.
Note: The moon pathworkings might be a bit difficult to memorize because of the speeches they include. I recommend recording these pathworkings. Alternatively, it is possible to adapt them by listening to what the Goddesses say of themselves instead of memorizing the speech.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Gaze upon or visualize the waning moon while you let go of anger, stress, anxiety and distractions.
Then, close your eyes. Go to your safe place. It is night here, but the night is illuminated a bit by a waning moon shining dimly in the sky. The moonlight touches you, and in response, you feel delicate, luminescent wings grow, strong enough to carry you easily. Stretch your wings experimentally.
Now, with some strong beats of your wings, raise yourself into the air. Feel the resistance of the air, against your wings, the air that is rushing around you as you fly into the sky, into the direction of the waning moon. There is an updraft that carries you higher... and higher... effortlessly higher and higher...
You look ahead and see the moon in front of you, huge, and growing even bigger and bigger as you approach it, until you can no longer see it in its entirety. You can see a building, shaped like a crescent, waning moon. It is a temple of white marble, dappled with black bits.
You land in the middle of the courtyard framed by the crescent. There is an open entrance in front of you, and you fold your wings and walk towards it. You notice the lack of statues, but as you look upon the floor, you can see designs and symbols inlaid, grey in white.
You enter the temple. It smells slightly of incense. Inside, there are some statues, and again mosaics on the walls and floor, displaying partly abstract symbols, and designs, partly scenes such as a woman with a torch guiding another woman through a maze of corridors.
In the centre of the temple, there is a cauldron, bubbling over a fire pit. An old woman stands beside it, stirring it and adding something. She is singing softly, but you cannot understand it. It appears as if she has not noticed you, but before you can make up your mind to do something, the singing stops and she says: “Come over. I won't bite you”, without turning away from the cauldron. You go closer and look into the cauldron. The contents look like boiling soup.
The crone stirs a last time and then turns towards you. “Ah, a guest.
Expect no fancy words of me. I am the old one, and I have no need or want for them. I know that which is hidden, the secrets dark. Mine is the art of change, the mystery of transformation.
I grant you a drink from the cauldron of change. Choose what you want to transform. But be careful, for change may come at a prize.”
She looks at you and giggles, then begins stirring the cauldron once more. From somewhere, she produces a cup, fills it from the cauldron and hands it to you. It is hot, and even if you wait, or stir it, it does not cool down. Choose something to transform, then focus on it as you drain the cup. You may decide to skip, then give the cup back to her. ...
You can take some time talking to her, or just explore the temple. ...
It is time to return. Take your leave of the Goddess. You leave the temple. Look into the sky. There, in the distance, you can see the earth, blue, green and beautiful. Stretch your wings again and rise into the sky. Fly back, home to your safe place. There is a feeling that is gently leading you into the right direction, a pulling, like a homing instinct. You follow it, flying back, and finally, you return to your safe place. As you land, you feel your wings dissolving.
Return to your body. Take a few deep breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1, open your eyes. Welcome back.
Note: The moon pathworkings might be a bit difficult to memorize because of the speeches they include. I recommend recording these pathworkings. Alternatively, it is possible to adapt them by listening to what the Goddesses say of themselves instead of memorizing the speech.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Pathworking: The mother
The threefold Goddess: Meditations on Maiden, Mother, Crone and Hag
On a night of the full moon, sit down in a quiet spot, preferably somewhere where you can see the full moon.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Gaze upon or visualize the full moon while you let go of anger, stress, anxiety and distractions.
Then, close your eyes. Go to your safe place. It is night here, but the night is illuminated by a full moon shining brightly in the sky. The moonlight touches you, and in response, you feel delicate, luminescent wings grow, strong enough to carry you easily. Stretch your wings experimentally.
Now, with some strong beats of your wings, raise yourself into the air. Feel the resistance of the air, against your wings, the air that is rushing around you as you fly into the sky, into the direction of the full moon. There is an updraft that carries you higher... and higher... effortlessly higher and higher...
You look ahead and see the bright, full moon in front of you, huge, and growing even bigger and bigger as you approach it, until you can no longer see it in its entirety. You can see a structure, round like the full moon itself, and you fly into that direction...
It is a building, a temple of white marble, the same color as the white moon itself, built into a dome. You land to one side of it and fold your wings. Follow the wall until you see an opening into the temple. You can see it easily because a warm, golden light comes from the inside. You step through the opening, into a temple. Here, there are statues and pictures on the wall, and they are interspersed with living things: plants, from tiny cacti to huge trees, populated with birds and other animals. Somewhere you see a mother hare giving birth to a small litter of baby hares. The artwork shows similar scenes of giving birth, of nurturing animals and women, of abundance and fertility in general. You wander around, investigating...
You seem to have made it to the middle of the dome. There, you behold a woman sitting beside a fireplace, breastfeeding a baby. She looks up at you and smiles. “Come over”, she invites you, pointing at a chair. You follow the invitation. She keeps silent, so you simply enjoy the atmosphere of the temple: the sounds of birds, the crackling of the fire, and the suckling babe. The animals here are not sky, they pass directly by the place where you re sitting.
Finally, the baby is satisfied. The Goddess turns her attention towards you and speaks:
“I am the mother who cares
for the life of the earth.
Without me, no corn would spring forth,
no animal would get pregnant,
no mother would be able to feed her child.
I am the one who takes on the job,
who cares for others,
who nurtures the world.
I grant you this: shelter in harsh times,
and always a friendly ear to listen.
I charge you this: grant shelter in bad times
help nurture the world with love and compassion.”
Talk to her about the things that aggrieve you. She will listen, and might have some advise.
...
Finally, you thank the Goddess and take your leave. You walk through the temple once more and step outside. Look into the sky. There, in the distance, you can see the earth, blue, green and beautiful. Stretch your wings again and rise into the sky. Fly back, home to your safe place. There is a feeling that is gently leading you into the right direction, a pulling, like a homing instinct. You follow it, flying back, and finally, you return to your safe place. As you land, you feel your wings dissolving.
Return to your body. Take a few deep breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1, open your eyes. Welcome back.
Note: Again, write down what you experienced, especially what you remember about your conversation with the Goddess. Also remember that advise can only help you if you take it.
On a night of the full moon, sit down in a quiet spot, preferably somewhere where you can see the full moon.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Gaze upon or visualize the full moon while you let go of anger, stress, anxiety and distractions.
Then, close your eyes. Go to your safe place. It is night here, but the night is illuminated by a full moon shining brightly in the sky. The moonlight touches you, and in response, you feel delicate, luminescent wings grow, strong enough to carry you easily. Stretch your wings experimentally.
Now, with some strong beats of your wings, raise yourself into the air. Feel the resistance of the air, against your wings, the air that is rushing around you as you fly into the sky, into the direction of the full moon. There is an updraft that carries you higher... and higher... effortlessly higher and higher...
You look ahead and see the bright, full moon in front of you, huge, and growing even bigger and bigger as you approach it, until you can no longer see it in its entirety. You can see a structure, round like the full moon itself, and you fly into that direction...
It is a building, a temple of white marble, the same color as the white moon itself, built into a dome. You land to one side of it and fold your wings. Follow the wall until you see an opening into the temple. You can see it easily because a warm, golden light comes from the inside. You step through the opening, into a temple. Here, there are statues and pictures on the wall, and they are interspersed with living things: plants, from tiny cacti to huge trees, populated with birds and other animals. Somewhere you see a mother hare giving birth to a small litter of baby hares. The artwork shows similar scenes of giving birth, of nurturing animals and women, of abundance and fertility in general. You wander around, investigating...
You seem to have made it to the middle of the dome. There, you behold a woman sitting beside a fireplace, breastfeeding a baby. She looks up at you and smiles. “Come over”, she invites you, pointing at a chair. You follow the invitation. She keeps silent, so you simply enjoy the atmosphere of the temple: the sounds of birds, the crackling of the fire, and the suckling babe. The animals here are not sky, they pass directly by the place where you re sitting.
Finally, the baby is satisfied. The Goddess turns her attention towards you and speaks:
“I am the mother who cares
for the life of the earth.
Without me, no corn would spring forth,
no animal would get pregnant,
no mother would be able to feed her child.
I am the one who takes on the job,
who cares for others,
who nurtures the world.
I grant you this: shelter in harsh times,
and always a friendly ear to listen.
I charge you this: grant shelter in bad times
help nurture the world with love and compassion.”
Talk to her about the things that aggrieve you. She will listen, and might have some advise.
...
Finally, you thank the Goddess and take your leave. You walk through the temple once more and step outside. Look into the sky. There, in the distance, you can see the earth, blue, green and beautiful. Stretch your wings again and rise into the sky. Fly back, home to your safe place. There is a feeling that is gently leading you into the right direction, a pulling, like a homing instinct. You follow it, flying back, and finally, you return to your safe place. As you land, you feel your wings dissolving.
Return to your body. Take a few deep breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1, open your eyes. Welcome back.
Note: Again, write down what you experienced, especially what you remember about your conversation with the Goddess. Also remember that advise can only help you if you take it.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Pathworking: The Maiden
The threefold Goddess: Meditations on Maiden, Mother, Crone and Hag
On a night of the waxing moon (like this week), choose a quiet spot. It would be best if you could look at the waxing moon. If not, take a look at it before you sit down, or visualize the crescent.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Gaze upon or visualize the moon while you let go of anger, stress and distractions.
Then, close your eyes. Go to your safe place. It is night there, and there is a waxing moon in the sky. (If your safe place is closed, like a building or a cave, go to a window or an entrance to see it.)
The moonlight touches you, and in response, you feel delicate, luminescent wings grow, strong enough to carry you easily. Stretch your wings experimentally.
Now, with some strong beats of your new wings, raise yourself into the air. Feel the resistance of air against your wings, the wind rushing around you, as you fly into the sky. There is an updraft that carries you higher... and higher... effortless, higher...
You look ahead and see the crescent moon in front of you, huge, and growing ever bigger and bigger as you approach it, until you can no longer see it in its entirety. You can see a structure, built in the shape of the crescent moon, and you fly into that direction. ...
The structure is a building, a temple of white marble, the same white colour as the moon. You land in the middle of the courtyard framed by the crescent. There is an open entrance in front of you, and you fold your wings and walk towards it. The courtyard is filled with statues, and you can see that all of them show something in a state of growing: children playing, young animals, spring plants, just opening their buds.
You enter the temple. It is illuminated carefully and smells slightly of roses. There are mosaics inlaid in the floor and the walls, and more statues. Here, a lot of them show a young woman, dancing joyfully, playing with children, teasing and flirting with young men.
You walk around the temple , watching the stories unfold in the pictures.
Then, you hear the voice of a young woman: “Welcome, my guest.”
You turn towards the voice and see a woman that might have been the model for most of the pictures and statues. She smiles at you, and you greet her.
She grows a bit more serious and speaks:
“I am the bud that opens. I am
the unfolding leaf, all things that grow.
I am the maiden, free, untamed.
My life full of passion, of joy.
I walk my own way, I do what I will,
And I lend my support to the young and the wild.
I grant you a look into the mosaic
Your hearts deepest desire will be revealed.
I charge you a deed out in the world
Give your help to the young, bring joy to their life.”
Gravely, she steps aside and points at a rather small mosaic that was hidden behind her. Study the mosaic carefully. What does it show? Look at the picture, the scene displayed, the little details, everything. Distantly, you hear that she starts humming and moves away and around the temple. ...
Finally, you move away from the picture. It is time to leave now. Take your leave of the Goddess, and step outside. Look into the sky. There, in the distance, you can see the earth, partially illuminated by the sun and beautiful. Stretch you wings once again and rise into the air. Fly back, back home to your safe place. There is a feeling that is gently leading you into the right direction, a pulling, like a homing instinct. You follow it, crossing the distance again, and finally return to your safe place. As you land, your wings softly dissolve.
Return to your body. Take a few breath to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
Note: Once again: Take pen and paper and write down what you remember about the journey immediately!
On a night of the waxing moon (like this week), choose a quiet spot. It would be best if you could look at the waxing moon. If not, take a look at it before you sit down, or visualize the crescent.
Take some deep breaths and relax. Gaze upon or visualize the moon while you let go of anger, stress and distractions.
Then, close your eyes. Go to your safe place. It is night there, and there is a waxing moon in the sky. (If your safe place is closed, like a building or a cave, go to a window or an entrance to see it.)
The moonlight touches you, and in response, you feel delicate, luminescent wings grow, strong enough to carry you easily. Stretch your wings experimentally.
Now, with some strong beats of your new wings, raise yourself into the air. Feel the resistance of air against your wings, the wind rushing around you, as you fly into the sky. There is an updraft that carries you higher... and higher... effortless, higher...
You look ahead and see the crescent moon in front of you, huge, and growing ever bigger and bigger as you approach it, until you can no longer see it in its entirety. You can see a structure, built in the shape of the crescent moon, and you fly into that direction. ...
The structure is a building, a temple of white marble, the same white colour as the moon. You land in the middle of the courtyard framed by the crescent. There is an open entrance in front of you, and you fold your wings and walk towards it. The courtyard is filled with statues, and you can see that all of them show something in a state of growing: children playing, young animals, spring plants, just opening their buds.
You enter the temple. It is illuminated carefully and smells slightly of roses. There are mosaics inlaid in the floor and the walls, and more statues. Here, a lot of them show a young woman, dancing joyfully, playing with children, teasing and flirting with young men.
You walk around the temple , watching the stories unfold in the pictures.
Then, you hear the voice of a young woman: “Welcome, my guest.”
You turn towards the voice and see a woman that might have been the model for most of the pictures and statues. She smiles at you, and you greet her.
She grows a bit more serious and speaks:
“I am the bud that opens. I am
the unfolding leaf, all things that grow.
I am the maiden, free, untamed.
My life full of passion, of joy.
I walk my own way, I do what I will,
And I lend my support to the young and the wild.
I grant you a look into the mosaic
Your hearts deepest desire will be revealed.
I charge you a deed out in the world
Give your help to the young, bring joy to their life.”
Gravely, she steps aside and points at a rather small mosaic that was hidden behind her. Study the mosaic carefully. What does it show? Look at the picture, the scene displayed, the little details, everything. Distantly, you hear that she starts humming and moves away and around the temple. ...
Finally, you move away from the picture. It is time to leave now. Take your leave of the Goddess, and step outside. Look into the sky. There, in the distance, you can see the earth, partially illuminated by the sun and beautiful. Stretch you wings once again and rise into the air. Fly back, back home to your safe place. There is a feeling that is gently leading you into the right direction, a pulling, like a homing instinct. You follow it, crossing the distance again, and finally return to your safe place. As you land, your wings softly dissolve.
Return to your body. Take a few breath to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
Note: Once again: Take pen and paper and write down what you remember about the journey immediately!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Dialogue with the Gods
Before, we talked about one-sided ways of communicating with the Gods: Talking to them through prayer and listening to them in our lives. This week, we will start a dialogue with the Gods.
In some of the previous pathworkings, we tried to communicate with the Gods. Pathworking, guided meditation, can be used to enter in a dialogue with the Gods. Repeat the meditation “Meeting the Gods” this week, but vary it:
Once you are in your safe place, you see not one, but two doors. One of them bears a sun disc, glowing golden. The other one is marked by a silver shining moon crescent. Look at both doors, and decide which one you want to take. Perhaps you can see a sign, an invitation, one door being locked, the other one not, or one symbol glowing invitingly. Open that door. There is a passage beyond, one that is adorned with the symbols and stories of either the Goddess, or the God, depending on the door you chose. Take some time to explore that passage, the displays.
At the end of the passage, you reach an open door, leading to a room that is smaller, more private than the throne room where you meet the God and Goddess together last time. It might be an audience chamber, or a sitting room. You are expected, by either the Goddess or the God, depending on the door you chose. Take a good look at Him/Her. He/She greets you. “Welcome. I have been expecting you.” Greet Him/Her and talk to Him/Her. Talk your own part, and listen for the answers and reactions.
...(If recording, leave a long pause for interaction).
Finally, you feel that it is time to return home. You thank the God/Goddess for the opportunity to talk to Him/Her. Then you return the same way you came here: Through the door, down the passage, into your safe place. From there, return to your body.
I probably told you this before, but I am happy to repeat it: Write down your experiences. Memory is a strange thing, and some things might stick with us, but others might slip away. Therefore, take your journal and write down your experiences.
In some of the previous pathworkings, we tried to communicate with the Gods. Pathworking, guided meditation, can be used to enter in a dialogue with the Gods. Repeat the meditation “Meeting the Gods” this week, but vary it:
Once you are in your safe place, you see not one, but two doors. One of them bears a sun disc, glowing golden. The other one is marked by a silver shining moon crescent. Look at both doors, and decide which one you want to take. Perhaps you can see a sign, an invitation, one door being locked, the other one not, or one symbol glowing invitingly. Open that door. There is a passage beyond, one that is adorned with the symbols and stories of either the Goddess, or the God, depending on the door you chose. Take some time to explore that passage, the displays.
At the end of the passage, you reach an open door, leading to a room that is smaller, more private than the throne room where you meet the God and Goddess together last time. It might be an audience chamber, or a sitting room. You are expected, by either the Goddess or the God, depending on the door you chose. Take a good look at Him/Her. He/She greets you. “Welcome. I have been expecting you.” Greet Him/Her and talk to Him/Her. Talk your own part, and listen for the answers and reactions.
...(If recording, leave a long pause for interaction).
Finally, you feel that it is time to return home. You thank the God/Goddess for the opportunity to talk to Him/Her. Then you return the same way you came here: Through the door, down the passage, into your safe place. From there, return to your body.
I probably told you this before, but I am happy to repeat it: Write down your experiences. Memory is a strange thing, and some things might stick with us, but others might slip away. Therefore, take your journal and write down your experiences.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
May Eve
Beltaine is already over, but I forgot to post the (already prepared) Beltaine pathworking last week, so I'll just slip it in this week.
Last week was May Eve, or Beltaine. April, the month of often changing weather, is over, and spring has definitely taken hold. There is fresh green everywhere. Have you ever realized that the colour of spring green is quite different from the greens you see later in the year?
It is a time of joy, of celebration and of growth. According to the myths, this is the night when the Goddess receives the seed of the next sun god, the one who will be born next winter solstice. So this is a feast of fertility rites, where the goal is to recognise, to celebrate and to participate in the joyful union of Goddess and God.
The pathworking for this sabbat is quite low-key, but it can be changed to be much more explicit if you want to.
Pathworking May Eve
Make yourself comfortable. Take some deep breaths and relax. Let go of stress, anger, anxiety.
Close your eyes and go to your safe place. Turn around and look for the door. It is there, quite unobtrusive, with an eight spoked wheel engraved.
Open the door. On the other side, the sun filters through the fresh green of the trees, and draws patterns through the woods. Flowers line the path leading from the door. You follow the path, walking among the trees, and listen to the friendly chatter of the birds. Your path leads you downwards, slowly getting steeper...
From beyond the trees, you can hear laughter and singing. You reach the bottom of the descent, and the trees give way to a wide open meadow. Here is where the joyful sounds come from. A may pole is erected in the centre of the meadow, its ribbons dancing in the gentle breeze.
The meadow is full of flowers, and the people gathered are adorned with the prettiest of these. Some of the people are singing, while others are walking around and greeting each other . Among them, you can see the Sun God, unmistakable in his golden glow, and the Goddess.
One of them sees you and waves at you, so you join them.
(Leave time for interaction)
Suddenly, the Goddess clasps her hands. “I'd like to dance. Who will join me?”
Somehow, you end up among the dancers, clasping one of the ribbons of the may pole. What colour does it have?
The music is provided by the singers, and the dance is simple, a lively weaving around the pole.
(Leave time, insert music if possible)
The dance gets slower and slower, until it finally ends. The ribbons have woven a pattern around the pole. Yoru last partner bows to you and leaves.
Next to you, you can see the God kissing the Goddess, and then she draws him with her, away from the people, into the wood. Some people cheer as they see them vanishing, and some other pairs follow their example.
You watch them leave, and then it is time for you to return. You slip away silently and follow the path that led you here, up the hill and through the forest, until you stand before the door that has brought you here. You open the door and return to your safe place.
From here, return to your body. Take some deep breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
Last week was May Eve, or Beltaine. April, the month of often changing weather, is over, and spring has definitely taken hold. There is fresh green everywhere. Have you ever realized that the colour of spring green is quite different from the greens you see later in the year?
It is a time of joy, of celebration and of growth. According to the myths, this is the night when the Goddess receives the seed of the next sun god, the one who will be born next winter solstice. So this is a feast of fertility rites, where the goal is to recognise, to celebrate and to participate in the joyful union of Goddess and God.
The pathworking for this sabbat is quite low-key, but it can be changed to be much more explicit if you want to.
Pathworking May Eve
Make yourself comfortable. Take some deep breaths and relax. Let go of stress, anger, anxiety.
Close your eyes and go to your safe place. Turn around and look for the door. It is there, quite unobtrusive, with an eight spoked wheel engraved.
Open the door. On the other side, the sun filters through the fresh green of the trees, and draws patterns through the woods. Flowers line the path leading from the door. You follow the path, walking among the trees, and listen to the friendly chatter of the birds. Your path leads you downwards, slowly getting steeper...
From beyond the trees, you can hear laughter and singing. You reach the bottom of the descent, and the trees give way to a wide open meadow. Here is where the joyful sounds come from. A may pole is erected in the centre of the meadow, its ribbons dancing in the gentle breeze.
The meadow is full of flowers, and the people gathered are adorned with the prettiest of these. Some of the people are singing, while others are walking around and greeting each other . Among them, you can see the Sun God, unmistakable in his golden glow, and the Goddess.
One of them sees you and waves at you, so you join them.
(Leave time for interaction)
Suddenly, the Goddess clasps her hands. “I'd like to dance. Who will join me?”
Somehow, you end up among the dancers, clasping one of the ribbons of the may pole. What colour does it have?
The music is provided by the singers, and the dance is simple, a lively weaving around the pole.
(Leave time, insert music if possible)
The dance gets slower and slower, until it finally ends. The ribbons have woven a pattern around the pole. Yoru last partner bows to you and leaves.
Next to you, you can see the God kissing the Goddess, and then she draws him with her, away from the people, into the wood. Some people cheer as they see them vanishing, and some other pairs follow their example.
You watch them leave, and then it is time for you to return. You slip away silently and follow the path that led you here, up the hill and through the forest, until you stand before the door that has brought you here. You open the door and return to your safe place.
From here, return to your body. Take some deep breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Meeting the Gods
Preparation: Follow the preparations already given in the pathworking for your safe place. Be comfortable, relax, make sure you have enough time and will not be disturbed. Either memorize the pathworking or record the text.
Take a few breaths and relax. Go to your safe place. By now you should have repeated the pathworking for your safe place often enough that you can reach it easily and fast. If you cannot, go back to that exercise until you can.
You reach your safe place. You feel comfortable and secure here. You have left any stresses, troubles, angers behind when you came here and you are relaxed.
By now you know your safe place well enough, but today you notice a door you have not seen before. Either you never recognized it, or it was not there before, but it is here now. It might be a real door, or a passage through the trees in your wood, an opening between two boulders on the beach, or something else – it fits into the environment of your safe place. On the door or somewhere next to it, you see two symbols: a golden disc of the sun, and a silver moon crescent. Both symbols are glowing slightly, illuming the door. As you think about it, you remember: those are the symbols of the Gods, the sun disc as one symbol for the God of the seasons, Him, who is born each yule with the sun, growth with her increasing strength, courts the Goddess and is united with her on Beltaine. His strength is at its peak in summer, and as the days grow shorter, he grows weaker, until he dies at the last harvest festival, at Samhain, only to be reborn again at Yule. Her symbol is the moon, a symbol of her different faces, the maiden who teaches the joy of life, the mother who brings fertility and the crone who brings wisdom to our lives.
You want to meet them, therefore you open the door and step trough the passage. (If you decide you do not want to meet Them now, back out now, leave the door closed and return to your body). You step into a huge passageway built of white marble. Columns are placed at regular intervals along the sides, and between some of them colourful gobelins, illustrating some stories are placed. You do not linger, but stride down the hall towards the doorway at its end. The wooden leaves of the gate are wide open, and a warm and inviting light pours forth from the chamber beyond. On the doors, the same symbols are present: a golden sun and a silver moon.
After a moment of hesitation you enter. It is a large room, built of white marble, decorated with columns, statues and flowers all over. Across the room, two thrones are placed, one golden, decorated with a golden sun, the other one silver, with a moon barge in front of it. The thrones are empty and unused. A young man with blond hair, wearing simple golden robes and a woman with dark hair and silver robes are standing at a window and talking.
As you enter, they turn towards you. A smile appears on Her face, and she greets you: "Welcome. We are glad you found your way here."
You approach them cautiously and notice the agelessness and wisdom of the woman, the strength and confidence of the man. Greet them, talk to them and listen to what they have to say to you.
(Take your time here. If you record the meditation, leave a long pause here).
... Finally, all is said for the moment. Thank the Gods for the meeting, and bid them farewell. Then take the same way back that lead you there: Through the doorway, along the hall and back to your safe place. Close the door behind you if there is one. Make sure you enter your safe place. Remain there for a few moments and ponder what you experienced. ...
Take the route that leads you back to your physical body and return to it. Experimentally, move your fingers, your feet. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
The exercise should leave you feeling blessed. Take that feeling with you into your life. You have met the Gods: you are truly blessed.
Take a few breaths and relax. Go to your safe place. By now you should have repeated the pathworking for your safe place often enough that you can reach it easily and fast. If you cannot, go back to that exercise until you can.
You reach your safe place. You feel comfortable and secure here. You have left any stresses, troubles, angers behind when you came here and you are relaxed.
By now you know your safe place well enough, but today you notice a door you have not seen before. Either you never recognized it, or it was not there before, but it is here now. It might be a real door, or a passage through the trees in your wood, an opening between two boulders on the beach, or something else – it fits into the environment of your safe place. On the door or somewhere next to it, you see two symbols: a golden disc of the sun, and a silver moon crescent. Both symbols are glowing slightly, illuming the door. As you think about it, you remember: those are the symbols of the Gods, the sun disc as one symbol for the God of the seasons, Him, who is born each yule with the sun, growth with her increasing strength, courts the Goddess and is united with her on Beltaine. His strength is at its peak in summer, and as the days grow shorter, he grows weaker, until he dies at the last harvest festival, at Samhain, only to be reborn again at Yule. Her symbol is the moon, a symbol of her different faces, the maiden who teaches the joy of life, the mother who brings fertility and the crone who brings wisdom to our lives.
You want to meet them, therefore you open the door and step trough the passage. (If you decide you do not want to meet Them now, back out now, leave the door closed and return to your body). You step into a huge passageway built of white marble. Columns are placed at regular intervals along the sides, and between some of them colourful gobelins, illustrating some stories are placed. You do not linger, but stride down the hall towards the doorway at its end. The wooden leaves of the gate are wide open, and a warm and inviting light pours forth from the chamber beyond. On the doors, the same symbols are present: a golden sun and a silver moon.
After a moment of hesitation you enter. It is a large room, built of white marble, decorated with columns, statues and flowers all over. Across the room, two thrones are placed, one golden, decorated with a golden sun, the other one silver, with a moon barge in front of it. The thrones are empty and unused. A young man with blond hair, wearing simple golden robes and a woman with dark hair and silver robes are standing at a window and talking.
As you enter, they turn towards you. A smile appears on Her face, and she greets you: "Welcome. We are glad you found your way here."
You approach them cautiously and notice the agelessness and wisdom of the woman, the strength and confidence of the man. Greet them, talk to them and listen to what they have to say to you.
(Take your time here. If you record the meditation, leave a long pause here).
... Finally, all is said for the moment. Thank the Gods for the meeting, and bid them farewell. Then take the same way back that lead you there: Through the doorway, along the hall and back to your safe place. Close the door behind you if there is one. Make sure you enter your safe place. Remain there for a few moments and ponder what you experienced. ...
Take the route that leads you back to your physical body and return to it. Experimentally, move your fingers, your feet. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
The exercise should leave you feeling blessed. Take that feeling with you into your life. You have met the Gods: you are truly blessed.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Spring equinox
This week is the time of spring equinox. Day and night are of equal length. The sun is strong enough to conquer the dark. In nature, it is early spring right now: the first spring flowers can be seen, and there is a certain smell of expectation in the air. In the cycle of the God, this is the time when he grows into a young man and starts courting the Goddess who returns his attention as the spring maiden.
Pathworking Spring equinox
Make yourself comfortable. Take some deep breaths and relax. Let go of stress, anger, anxiety.
Close your eyes and go to your safe place. Turn around and look for a door. It is there, quite unobtrusive, with an eight spoked wheel engraved.
Open the door. It is day on the other side, with the light filtering through the huge trees of the forest. Before you, there is a path through the spring forest. The trees are budding, and there are the flowers springing to life everywhere.
Follow the path. It leads you through the forest, among huge budding trees. Everything is quiet and peaceful.
The area is hilly, and your path leads you downwards, getting steeper...
You reach the bottom of the descent, and the trees give way to a wide open meadow, sprinkled with crocus and tulips. You can see a young man with golden hair collecting a bouquet of flowers. He whistles to himself and selects each flower carefully.
The maiden comes out of the woods. It seems as if the trees open some extra leaves where She walks, and flowers open to greet Her.
He sees Her, and hurries towards her. She laughs as He bows deeply and offers Her the bouquet, but she accepts it gracefully, and draws him closer to start a dance. Out of nowhere, probably out of the woods, a flute sounds and accompanies the dance. The God radiates light, and laughter comes from both of them. You can just watch their joyful dance, or you can join in, if you feel like it.
...
Their dance ends, and they sit down. It is time for you to go. You turn towards the path that leads you home and return, up the hill, and through the spring forest, until you stand before the door once more. You open the door and return to your safe place. ...
From here, return to your body. Take some breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
You have met the Lord and the Lady. Now, go outside and look around for Their influence in the budding trees, the flowers, the warmth of the sun.
Pathworking Spring equinox
Make yourself comfortable. Take some deep breaths and relax. Let go of stress, anger, anxiety.
Close your eyes and go to your safe place. Turn around and look for a door. It is there, quite unobtrusive, with an eight spoked wheel engraved.
Open the door. It is day on the other side, with the light filtering through the huge trees of the forest. Before you, there is a path through the spring forest. The trees are budding, and there are the flowers springing to life everywhere.
Follow the path. It leads you through the forest, among huge budding trees. Everything is quiet and peaceful.
The area is hilly, and your path leads you downwards, getting steeper...
You reach the bottom of the descent, and the trees give way to a wide open meadow, sprinkled with crocus and tulips. You can see a young man with golden hair collecting a bouquet of flowers. He whistles to himself and selects each flower carefully.
The maiden comes out of the woods. It seems as if the trees open some extra leaves where She walks, and flowers open to greet Her.
He sees Her, and hurries towards her. She laughs as He bows deeply and offers Her the bouquet, but she accepts it gracefully, and draws him closer to start a dance. Out of nowhere, probably out of the woods, a flute sounds and accompanies the dance. The God radiates light, and laughter comes from both of them. You can just watch their joyful dance, or you can join in, if you feel like it.
...
Their dance ends, and they sit down. It is time for you to go. You turn towards the path that leads you home and return, up the hill, and through the spring forest, until you stand before the door once more. You open the door and return to your safe place. ...
From here, return to your body. Take some breaths to return and readjust. Count from 10 to 1. Open your eyes. Welcome back.
You have met the Lord and the Lady. Now, go outside and look around for Their influence in the budding trees, the flowers, the warmth of the sun.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Pathworking "Safe Place"
The following is the first guided mediation or pathworking that will help you to find and explore a safe haven. The place will be your starting point in future pathworkings, so take the time to build it up and explore it. Record the following text, making appropriate pauses and speaking slowly ("appropriate" meaning rather long. They will not feel as long once you actually do the meditation.) Alternatively, you can simply memorize it before starting.
Preparation:
Choose a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Switch off the phone. Make sure you have enough time. Make yourself comfortable, but not too comfortable to avoid falling asleep. Again, I recommend sitting, either on the floor or in a chair.
Exercise:
Take a deep breath and relax. Feel all your anxiety, stress and tension fade away as you exhale. As you breath in, you are filled with calm. As you breath out, you let go of any tension... Breath in calm... Breath out ... Breath in ... Breath out... Breath in... Breath out ... Breath in...
Close your eyes. Picture a path that leads away from where you are standing. You follow that path, walking along it. It makes some twists and turns, so you cannot see where it is leading. However, you feel comfortable on that path and you enjoy your walk.
Then, after what was probably the fifth turn, you walk through a kind of doorway and you feel immediately at home. The place you enter can be a forest clearing, or a beach, a mountaintop or a secluded place beside a waterfall, a cottage or a cave. What is it? Look around yourself. Where are you? The important part is that there is noone else here, only you, and that you feel completely safe, as if you had just come home.
Look around yourself. What do you see? Explore! Or simply be in that safe place and enjoy the feeling of safety and the relaxation you experience there. (If you record the text, leave time for exploration).
Now it is time for you to return to everyday reality. Take a last look around, then go towards the doorway where you have come in. If the doorway closed or vanished after you crossed it, it now reappears and opens. Go through the doorway, and follow the path that lead you there. With every step that you make, every turn you are taking, you leave that world behind and come back more and more into your physical body... The path and its surroundings slowly vanish, as you become more and more aware of your body. Feel where you are in touch with the ground or the chair. Experimentally move your fingers, your toes. Finally, open your eyes. Welcome back.
Repeat this pathworking time and again. Your safe place should be something you can reach easily and fast. You should know it and be comfortable there. It will be a starting point for the pathworkings that will come later on.
Always return to the same safe place. Stick with one such place. That will make it easier to get there reliable and fast. If you feel uncomfortable there, of course you can switch to a different safe place, and then stick with the new one. Repetition helps you to make it really easy to get there.
Preparation:
Choose a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Switch off the phone. Make sure you have enough time. Make yourself comfortable, but not too comfortable to avoid falling asleep. Again, I recommend sitting, either on the floor or in a chair.
Exercise:
Take a deep breath and relax. Feel all your anxiety, stress and tension fade away as you exhale. As you breath in, you are filled with calm. As you breath out, you let go of any tension... Breath in calm... Breath out ... Breath in ... Breath out... Breath in... Breath out ... Breath in...
Close your eyes. Picture a path that leads away from where you are standing. You follow that path, walking along it. It makes some twists and turns, so you cannot see where it is leading. However, you feel comfortable on that path and you enjoy your walk.
Then, after what was probably the fifth turn, you walk through a kind of doorway and you feel immediately at home. The place you enter can be a forest clearing, or a beach, a mountaintop or a secluded place beside a waterfall, a cottage or a cave. What is it? Look around yourself. Where are you? The important part is that there is noone else here, only you, and that you feel completely safe, as if you had just come home.
Look around yourself. What do you see? Explore! Or simply be in that safe place and enjoy the feeling of safety and the relaxation you experience there. (If you record the text, leave time for exploration).
Now it is time for you to return to everyday reality. Take a last look around, then go towards the doorway where you have come in. If the doorway closed or vanished after you crossed it, it now reappears and opens. Go through the doorway, and follow the path that lead you there. With every step that you make, every turn you are taking, you leave that world behind and come back more and more into your physical body... The path and its surroundings slowly vanish, as you become more and more aware of your body. Feel where you are in touch with the ground or the chair. Experimentally move your fingers, your toes. Finally, open your eyes. Welcome back.
Repeat this pathworking time and again. Your safe place should be something you can reach easily and fast. You should know it and be comfortable there. It will be a starting point for the pathworkings that will come later on.
Always return to the same safe place. Stick with one such place. That will make it easier to get there reliable and fast. If you feel uncomfortable there, of course you can switch to a different safe place, and then stick with the new one. Repetition helps you to make it really easy to get there.
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