ritual

Ceremony of Renewal

smudgeLast night I went to bed and heard a little nudge from Spirit telling me to get back up and smudge, and so I did. I made sure and smudged really well with sage and palo santo wood and then made my way back to bed. I knew instantly I would be gifted with a ceremonial vision.

The vision that came to me: I was painted all white with some sort of powder, from head to toe and laid out on a slab of pine. There was a bowl of smudge burning just beneath my head and the smoke billowed down my entire body. Grandmother Spirit was the one doing everything is this particular ceremony. As I lay there covered in this white powder, she prayed and used a large bunch of leaves to move the smudge smoke over my body. She would use a sweeping motion from head to toe as she chanted her prayers. She then took a large pail of ceremonial water (this is water that has been brewing with herbs for a certain amount of time) and started pouring it over me, starting at my head and going down my body. The water washed away the white powder which she called “the ghost of my past”. She washed away all of the powder and then rubbed me down with an herbal salve that she told me was for protection. Another Grandmother Spirit worked on my feet as the other continued with the herbal salve. The Grandmother working on my feet, looks up and tells me that what she is doing is for a good journey ahead, preparing me for what’s to come. Once the two of them are done they started working on a special breast plate for me. They told me that I needed a little extra protection for my heart. It had been weakened too much in the past year and needed guarding more than usual. So they crafted this special breast plate and slipped it over me and continued with their chants and prayers. I looked down and watched as the breast plate faded away and asked what happened. They smiled at me and said it is still there, not to worry. The two of them then continued on with the sweeping motion, brushing the smudge smoke over my body until I fell into a deep sleep.

I woke up feeling fresh and renewed, looking forward to the journey ahead.

I am thankful for such an honored vision and the gift of ceremony preparing me for my new journey.

Thank you always to the Grandmothers who watch over me.

Many Blessings for safe journeys ahead,

ravensig

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Ringing in the New Year

2014This New Year is even more special than most that have passed in that this year on the New Year we also have a New Moon.

The New Moon is a time of New Beginnings, a fresh start to take on new projects, new journeys and start new lives, traditions, new ways, new everything!

Cleanse yourself of the past and prepare for the days to come.

Here’s something you can do to help you bring things into focus at this time of a New YOU!

On two sheets of parchment paper you will make 2 lists:

The first list will be of all things you don’t want or no longer need in your life. Be specific!

The second list will be of things you want to keep in your life and things you would like to see coming into your life. Again, be specific. While writing these things out on your list be sure to visualize each of them coming into reality.

You will take the “Keep” list, roll it up, tie it with a ribbon, bless it and thank Spirit for being with you and place it in a safe place for the year.

You will then take the “Get Rid of” list and burn it in a fire. Watch that list burn and imagine all the things on that list burning out of your life with it. Be sure while you do these acts that you do them with love in your heart. You don’t want bad karma, mojo or intentions intertwined with your ceremony. Do all things with love. You don’t wish for bad to come to anyone or anything in your lists … you just no longer want or need them in your life so you should wish them away with love and kindness so that the parting be an easier transition for all who may be involved.

And as with all ceremonies you should take time to yourself to reflect, prepare and ground yourself before beginning. Cleanse the space, yourself, your mind and body before the ceremony. Close the ceremony with an offer of blessings to Spirit and all who may have been watching over you during the ceremony and for the year ahead.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Samhain – Celtic New Year
click to enlarge

click to enlarge

I thought I would share with you first a bit of history and then a ceremony you can do to welcome in the Celtic New Year.

First, here’s a bit of history:

Samhain (pronounced Sow-en), dates back to the ancient Celts who lived 2,000 years ago. Contrary to what some believe, is not a celebration of a Celtic god of the dead. Instead, it is a Celtic word meaning “summer’s end.” The Celts believed that summer came to an end on October 31st and the New Year began on November 1st with the start of winter.

At sunset on October 31, clans or local villages begin the formal ceremonies of Samhain by lighting a giant bonfire. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, and danced around the fire. Many of these dances told stories or played out the cycles of life and death or commemorated the cycle of Wheel of Life. These costumes were adorned for three primary reasons.

The first was to honor the dead who were allowed to rise from the Otherworld. The Celts believed that souls were set free from the land of the dead during the eve of Samhain. Those that had been trapped in the bodies of animals were released by the Lord of the Dead and sent to their new incarnations. The wearing of these costumes signified the release of these souls into the physical world. Not all of these souls were honored and respected. Some were also feared as they would return to the physical world and destroy crops, hide livestock or ‘haunt’ the living who may have done them wrong.

The second reason for these traditional costumes was to hide from these malevolent spirits to escape their trickery.

The final representation was a method to honor the Celtic Gods and Goddesses of the harvest, fields and flocks. Giving thanks and homage to those deities who assisted the village or clan through the trials and tribulations of the previous year. And to ask for their favor during the coming year and the harsh winter months that were approaching.

Now that you have a little bit of history… here’s something you can do yourself to celebrate the Celtic New Year and cleanse yourself of the past and prepare for the days to come.

On two sheets of parchment paper you will make 2 lists: 

The first list will be of all things you don’t want or no longer need in your life. Be specific!

The second list will be of things you want to keep in your life and things you would like to see coming into your life. Again, be specific. 

You will take the “Keep” list, roll it up, tie it with a ribbon and place it in a safe place for the year. You will then take the “Get Rid of” list and burn it in a fire. Watch that list burn and imagine all the things on that list burning out of your life with it. Be sure while you do these acts that you do them with love in your heart. You don’t want bad karma, mojo or intentions intertwined with your ceremony. Do all things with love. You don’t wish for bad to come to anyone or anything in your lists … you just no longer want or need them in your life so you should wish them away with love and kindness so that the parting be an easier transition for all who may be involved.

And as with all ceremonies you should take time to yourself to reflect, prepare and ground yourself before beginning. Cleanse the space, yourself, your mind and body before the ceremony. 

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Clearing The Air

There’s nothing quite like clearing the air. It’s something that has been done for many thousands of years by many cultures. Herbal concoctions of preference mixed together and then set on fire and and allowed to smolder.. releasing the herbal incense into the air.

This practice is most commonly known as smudging. Any herb can be added to the mix, some use specific herbs for their healing properties and others are chosen by the scent that they release.  The purpose is to cleanse. Cleanse the air, cleanse objects and tools and to cleanse the soul.

I remember when I first began smudging, thinking back…. I was doing what I had been told  by the elders … just following the rules that had been taught to me. I understood the reasons for the smudge but did I feel its effects? Hmmmmmmmmmmm. I’m not quite sure I fully felt it at that time. It was more of a “well this has got to be done first .. so I’m doing it”. I had faith that it was doing what it was suppose to do and thought no further about the process.

Taking a moment to step back into my memories of previous smudge events .. I do recall feeling lifted, more at peace and more capable, if that is the right word, to carry on what I was smudging for to begin with. I also recall attempting particular purpose without smudging first and I would always  stop.. grab some smudge and then carry on with my purpose. It just felt wrong to me if I did not smudge first.

I was smudging just a few minutes ago, which is what brought this blog post into light to begin with. The entire act, from gathering my herbs to lighting them on fire, watching them smolder and taking in that ever so familiar smell, made me feel lighter inside and out. It’s something that is quite hard to explain really. It’s a feeling, like I said that comes from the inside and continues to fully envelope your entire being. A balance or grounding effect takes place and… well…. you just feel more centered.

I have no idea who or where this practice truly began, but what I do know is that it will always be something I do. The feeling it brings is something I am honored to experience.

Many Blessings,
Raventalker

Inside This Circle


Inside this circle the transformation begins
the drums beating out a rhythmic sound
Feel the magic as it vibrates up from this sacred ground

With great intent we enter into a realm of light
Dancing until the day becomes night

From what we once were to what we shall become
The ancient voices begin to hum

Our ancestors gather from far and near
Whispering change upon our ear

Nudging us forward in a positive light
Dancing to and fro with all our might

Our souls begin to sing a new song
Placing us upon our path, right where we belong 

Echos of what we once were released into the fire
Spirit lifts us higher and higher 

Letting go and allowing something new
Over this circle the winged ones flew.

The four legged gathered all around
Keeping the circle safe and sound.

And with the final dance and a chant or two
The transformation has granted us a brand new view.

Many Blessings, 
Raventalker