Rewriting the Bible

byThom Moon 10

(Reposted with Thom's permission, because I like the sentiments!)

Every generation does-apocryrfpha to King James
to GOOD NEWS FOR MODERN MAN
Now a Conservative Thinktank is purging liberalism
from the flesh of bones of belief
LABOR is replaced by VOLUNTEER
That parable about the rich getting in to Heaven
like a camel getting through the eye of a needle?
That has been explained as a geographical gate
one that merchants used upon entering Jerusalem
Purging liberalism has always required scholars-
"enhanced interrogation techniques"replaced torture
"burning the village to save the village"(Vietnamdoublespeak
"MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!"(Iraq invasion doublespeak)
By such language-all who respond to invasive techniques
become "militants"-and if they resist='Terrorists!"
(unless Americans firghting a War Of Independence-
they (when the war was won)become PATRIOTS
Language has always been a slave of masters
Censorship and editing of William Shakespeare
to delete the bawdy and massage Press Releases
Now we have FAUX NEWS and bully pulpits
Bishops who deny communion to those who disagree
We resort to poetry when prose is dull as politics
Spark art uncensored and deemed irrelevant
until Bibles become Korans and cartoonists stabbed
May there be no Holy Texts to proscribe our disobedience!
FOR SALMAN RUSHDIE's FATWA Dec 5,2009

Full Moon Ceremony

(It was in fact the night just before full moon, but the energy carries over to a day each side of the actual date.)

The Spouse and I went outside onto our front lawn and greeted the moon. I drew her down. Then I stood with my hands on his shoulders and gave him Reiki and moon light. Afterwards he did the same for me. My cat Freya likes to join in with energy work; she came outside too and found a spot to sit alertly.

Some hours later Spouse went to bed and I to my (indoor) temple. I cast circle with full ritual. My goodness I was rusty! I have fallen into the habit of using a shorter version all the time. So I got out my Book of Shadows and had it handy for reference as I cast circle. It was good to do it that way again.

I did the healing which the “angel” in the market had outlined for me, for my Youngest. I did it with intense, loving energy, very thoroughly and with strong intention. Then I did a tie-cutting process, not the Phyllis Krystal one in which I am also trained, but a much quicker one I know.

The words “permanently and forever” welled up in me. I did a shocked double-take.  Did I really mean that? Something so final? It was hugely confronting, yet it took only a minute or two to decide that yes, I did. And so I completed the process with those words included.

Afterwards I felt more peaceful than I had in a long while – for about 12 hours. Well, I am calm most of the time, and occasionally some tears leak through. Natural enough, I’m sure, but there’s no change of purpose. This is the third lifetime I know about. Enough already. I’m done.

When I told PsychLady I’d severed myself from him permanently and forever, she asked, “Not just from the negative energy?” I said no, I wanted it to be complete; these were the words that had come to me strongly at the time. She thought about it a moment and said, “The Universe provides.” I couldn’t have put it better.

Geting Rid of Other-Worldly Visitations

My friend Maryna has lately had a new "ghostie" at  her premises.  I'm not sure if she is happy to keep this being around or not, so it would be presumptuous of me to rush in with advice on removing it.  However, I do know a method, so I'm sharing it here for anyone who may have need of one.

Actually I know several, but this one is particularly good because it also removes the reasons for the entity to be in your space – therefore, once gone they are liable to stay gone. It was taught to me many years ago by my great friend and teacher Jenette Youngman, who called it Karmic Completion, and it has many applications. I love it because it involves treating all beings with respect, unlike some forms of exorcism and space clearing which are cruel. To become adept takes time and training, but the following is a simple version that works for this kind of situation.

Ground, centre and protect yourself, then go into meditation and send lots of love to your "visitor". (All beings are children of God and are worthy of unconditional love for that reason if no other.) Ask what name you may call them and if there is anything they need to communicate. If you have not been aware of this presence until recently, perhaps they're not just stuck on this plane but have some other reason for visiting. If you can get them complete on that, they may then be ready and willing to go to their future destination / destiny. If stuck, there would be a reason for that too, so the same applies

It is enough just to hear what they have to say, acknowledge each utterance with "thank you" (for the communication, regardless of what it is) and keep asking every so often, "Are you now complete on this issue and ready to take the path of love to your future evolution?" until they say they are. Don't get involved in making promises or carrying out any actions they may request; keep it on the level of dialogue. You’re in charge! You have the right to say who or what may enter your space.

If the being has something to communicate to someone other than yourself, just ask them what it is and have them say it to you until complete. Keep asking, "Is there anything more you need to say to this person in order to be complete on this issue?"

You can create a path of love with visualisation and intention. Some people see it as white light. However you see it, it's important to identify it as a path of love. When they declare themselves ready, invite them onto it, and watch them along it until they disappear in the distance. THEN DISSOLVE THE PATH! (You don't want any uninvited entities coming along it.)

If they get stuck on the path, you can ask, "Is there anything still incomplete for you?" If it's fear paralysing them, ask if they would like an angel to accompany them, then have them call for an angel and let you know when one has come. I have never known them not to agree to calling for an angel, nor an angel failing to appear and accompany them the rest of the way.

Don't dwell too much on this matter thereafter; let it be complete for you too.

Of course, if the visitor turned out to be a guide or angel, you might not want to send them away. But be on the safe side – some make claims that are untrue. You can always call guides or angels to you later in case of need and they will happily come, even if you have previously sent them away. Also, check how you feel in their presence. Clear and empowered is probably a good sign. You can send love to them and see what the response is. Anything that is aligned with love will love you right back and that should be felt unmistakeably. Any other response is grounds for sending them away.

(This process can also be used to clear any disempowering aspects of one's own psyche.)

Blessed Be, Ted Andrews!

I have only just learned of the death of Ted Andrews – that wonderful Pagan author – on October 24th, from cancer, at the age of 58.

He has been a great source of understanding and inspiration to many and his books will continue to enrich and enlighten us.

Here is my favourite Prayer for the Dead, for those who may may wish to honour him that way.

Light a new white candle, say this prayer and let the candle burn all the way down. (Of course never leave a lit candle unattended.) 

I light this candle for [name]. May [his/her] spirit pass through the portal betwixt this world and the next and find rest and peace. May [his/her] time spent in the land of light be profitable that [he/she] may learn the lessons necessary for the next stage of [his/her] journey towards God. May [name] be at peace and at rest. Peace be with you.

This was taught to me many years ago by my mentor, teacher and friend, a great magician called Ridge, when a dear love of mine from several lifetimes died in this lifetime.

In time, I spoke it for Ridge himself.

Brainwashing

Having had brainwashing attempted on me and almost succeeding, I'd like to do my best to make others aware of the techniques just in case you ever need to be fore-armed.  (Hoping I'm not also putting weapons into the hands of the unscrupulous! But if they want weapons, I expect they can find them without my help.)

I don't know where the following document came from. A concerned friend sent it to me at a time I badly needed it. It was illuminating and empowering.

Brainwashing Techniques

1.      Assault on identity
2.      Guilt
3.      Self-betrayal
4.      Breaking point
5.      Leniency
6.      Compulsion to confess
7.      Channeling of guilt
8.      Releasing of guilt
9.      Progress and harmony
10.    Final confession and rebirth

•         Assault on identity: You are not who you think you are.
 This is a systematic attack on a target's sense of self (also called his identity or ego) and his core belief system. The agent denies everything that makes the target who he is: "You are not a soldier." "You are not a man." "You are not defending freedom." The target is under constant attack for days, weeks or months, to the point that he becomes exhausted, confused and disoriented. In this state, his beliefs seem less solid.

•         Guilt: You are bad.
 While the identity crisis is setting in, the agent is simultaneously creating an overwhelming sense of guilt in the target. He repeatedly and mercilessly attacks the subject for any "sin" the target has committed, large or small. He may criticize the target for everything from the "evilness" of his beliefs to the way he eats too slowly. The target begins to feel a general sense of shame, that everything he does is wrong.

•         Self-betrayal: Agree with me that you are bad.
 Once the subject is disoriented and drowning in guilt, the agent forces him (either with the threat of physical harm or of continuance of the mental attack) to denounce his family, friends and peers who share the same "wrong" belief system that he holds. This betrayal of his own beliefs and of people he feels a sense of loyalty to increases the shame and loss of identity the target is already experiencing.

•         Breaking point: Who am I, where am I and what am I supposed to do?
 With his identity in crisis, experiencing deep shame and having betrayed what he has always believed in, the target may undergo what in the lay community is referred to as a "nervous breakdown." In psychology, "nervous breakdown" is really just a collection of severe symptoms that can indicate any number of psychological disturbances. It may involve uncontrollable sobbing, deep depression and general disorientation. The target may have lost his grip on reality and have the feeling of being completely lost and alone.

When the target reaches his breaking point, his sense of self is pretty much up for grabs -- he has no clear understanding of who he is or what is happening to him. At this point, the agent sets up the temptation to convert to another belief system that will save the target from his misery.

•         Leniency: I can help you.
 With the target in a state of crisis, the agent offers some small kindness or reprieve from the abuse. He may offer the target a drink of water, or take a moment to ask the target what he misses about home. In a state of breakdown resulting from an endless psychological attack, the small kindness seems huge, and the target may experience a sense of relief and gratitude completely out of proportion to the offering, as if the agent has saved his life.

•         Compulsion to confession: You can help yourself.
 For the first time in the brainwashing process, the target is faced with the contrast between the guilt and pain of identity assault and the sudden relief of leniency. The target may feel a desire to reciprocate the kindness offered to him, and at this point, the agent may present the possibility of confession as a means to relieving guilt and pain.

•         Channeling of guilt: This is why you're in pain.
 After weeks or months of assault, confusion, breakdown and moments of leniency, the target's guilt has lost all meaning -- he's not sure what he has done wrong, he just knows he is wrong. This creates something of a blank slate that lets the agent fill in the blanks: He can attach that guilt, that sense of "wrongness," to whatever he wants. The agent attaches the target's guilt to the belief system the agent is trying to replace. The target comes to believe it is his belief system that is the cause of his shame. The contrast between old and new has been established: The old belief system is associated with psychological (and usually physical) agony; and the new belief system is associated with the possibility of escaping that agony.

•         Releasing of guilt: It's not me; it's my beliefs.
 The embattled target is relieved to learn there is an external cause of his wrongness, that it is not he himself that is inescapably bad -- this means he can escape his wrongness by escaping the wrong belief system. All he has to do is denounce the people and institutions associated with that belief system, and he won't be in pain anymore. The target has the power to release himself from wrongness by confessing to acts associated with his old belief system.

With his full confessions, the target has completed his psychological rejection of his former identity. It is now up to the agent to offer the target a new one.

One Way to Deal with an Emotionally Abusive Person

Abusers who are close to us, e.g. family members, can get under our radar. They know exactly which buttons to push. Having experienced this recently, with attendant shock, distress and anger, I've also  received excellent advice from friends as to how to deal with it in future. The person concerned is now out of my life, so hopefully I won't have to. They are good techniques anyway.

"Put up a mirror," said my wonderful massage therapist, while simultaneously working to release the trauma from my body. "When you get those emails, reflect the energy back. That says, 'It's not my stuff, it's yours, have it back.' It's amazing how effective it is. Even while they're thinking and saying all that stuff, they start to get an inkling that maybe it's theirs."

I recounted this conversation to another friend, who said, "Rhodonite. Or Tourmaline. They do that; they reflect things back to the source. Tourmaline does it strongly, rhodonite more lovingly. You need to wear one of them."

The only piece of tourmaline I have is much too big to wear, but I found a nice piece of rhodonite among my crystals, which I added to the crystal pouch which I sometimes wear around my neck. Sometimes has just become always!

I'm good at visualisation, but not everyone is. It might be hard for some people to whack up the image of a mirror at a moment's notice. Also, it's easy to forget any technique in a stressful moment. Wearing something that does the same job is a good fail-safe.

Witches Are Activists!

Instead of (or as well as) the more passive kind of praying, we like to do spells, which are active prayers. There are many ways to do spells; some can be done with a simple thought or burst of energy. Most, though, require physical doing: gathering herbs and other natural objects, selecting candles of particular colours, going through various actions such as writing words on paper or dressing the candles with oil, and often casting circle or even performing a full ritual.

Witches are doers. We don't sit idly by when we see a situation that needs intervention. We put protection around our homes and vehicles, or over those we care for. We work to bring about desired outcomes. Many of us are actively engaged as healers and/or psychic readers. It hardly needs saying that we care deeply about the natural world.

We also know that magick is what to do when mundane methods have been tried and failed. If someone is seriously ill, first get them to a doctor, then start doing energy healing. If you care about the environment, recycle, stop using chemical cleaners, and so on, as well as enlisting the help of the appropriate deities.

I am a bit late by Australian terms to join in Blog Action Day, when bloggers around the world post about climate change – but luckily it is still Thursday in the northern hemisphere. It just occurred to me that it would be appropriate at this blog to post links to activist organisations whose briefs most definitely include climate change issues.

Blog Action Day is an exciting initiative, where we get to speak out about the big issues that concern us, in the hope of spurring action in other ways, by ordinary people and by world leaders. Talking about an issue is only a starting point. The hope is that if enough of us make enough noise, things will change in concrete, physical, practical ways. (Posting a blog is of course an action, and if it's still October 15th 2009 somewhere in the world when you read this, it's not too late to register and do that.)

Meanwhile, other people are both talking and acting. To continue having a voice and contributing to action, after Blog Action Day has been and gone, here are just a few of the organisations you might consider joining:

Avaaz.org The World in Action Join with people around the world in taking action on pressing global issues.

GreenPeace International

GetUp! Action for Australia

The Wilderness Society  

The Wilderness Society link is for the Australian one; if you Google "Wilderness Society" you'll find links for other countries.

As I said, I am posting these just by way of a starting point. They're the ones I personally subscribe to. Getting involved can have you signing petitions, taking part in public demonstrations, and/or donating to ad campaigns – but only if you choose to. At the very least it lets you know what is going on concerning causes you care about. GetUp and Avaaz in particular espouse other cause besides climate change and environmental issues, but certainly include them.

As for spells and rituals, I'm sure I don't have to instruct any experienced witches and magicians who may happen across this! But if you're new to the ways of magick, here are a couple of simple posibilities:


1) Candle wishing spell 
(my own invention):

Take a new green candle, with your boline or  any sharp pointed knife (but not your athame) inscribe a suitable symbol on its side. This could be the Peace symbol (you know, the circle with the three lines radiating out from the centre, as pictured here) which covers all kinds of peace on earth, or the figure 8 (representing balance) or perhaps a sketch of a tree or the sun, or whatever else is easy to draw and seems to you to symbolise the issue of climate change. Light the candle, and as it burns down think about the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. Think about the outcomes you would like to have happen, and imagine what the world would be like if they all came to pass. When you're done, put out the candle with a candle snuffer or the blade of your knife, and say out loud: "It is done! It is done! It is done!" You can add any other incantation you may like to use when casting spells, e.g. "According to free will, for the good of all and harm to none, so mote it be!"

[This spell could be adapted for other wishes, changing the colour of the candle and the kind of symbol as appropriate.] 


2) Bay Leaf Wishing Spell
This one came from Pagan Magic:

Wishes that are not possible are usually not worth going after.
It is important to know what you want and go after it.
[In this case, as above, think of exactly what you would like to happen from the Copenhagen Conference.]
The Bay Leaf possesses powerful magical properties and is used for granting wishes.
You will need 3 bay leaves to perform this simple but effective Spell.
When the moon is new, write your wish out on a piece of paper.
Now visualize your wish coming true.
Fold the paper into thirds and place 3 bay leaves inside.
Again, visualize your wish coming true.
Now, fold the paper into thirds once again and hide it away in a dark place.
Keep visualizing your wish coming true as you do this.


[I have more Blog Action Day posts at SnakyPoet, WordsFlow, The Passionate Crone, and Haiku Page of the Passionate Crone.] 

Love Meditation

Back in the nineties I did an amazing course called The Master Game, devised and presented by my friend Jenette Youngman. I guess you could describe it as personal development in a spiritual context. One week she gave us homework in the form of a guided meditation which we were to do every day for the next week, first thing in the morning.

I had the most magickal week! Everywhere I went, I was welcomed enthusiastically, even by strangers. I asked for things and people gave them to me gladly.

Human beings are funny creatures. We think we want life to be wonderful and fulfilling, but often we don't act accordingly. We forget all the brilliant tools and techniques we have.

I was the only one who did the homework – and after that wondrous week, I too forgot most of the time. I still don't manage it every day; sometimes months go by. But when I do remember, and do it for a while before it slips my mind again, life becomes miraculous and delightful once more.

If you'd like to try it for yourself, DOWNLOAD HERE

How to Meditate: the Easy Way

I'm always teaching people how to meditate – by what I think is the easiest way.  But why learn in the first place?

Meditation is the foundation of all energy work. It's not just a method of relaxation, though it is that too and regular practice can greatly reduce stress. Do it consistently, and you'll also find that your intuition increases and you have more energy for your activities. You might get insights during your meditation; even more likely, you'll find them occurring at other times.

It has been said that prayer is talking to God; meditation is listening for God. (Or the Universe, one's Higher Self, one's guides, whatever.)

There are various methods, some very elaborate and/or time-consuming. If you have a method that you like, that's fine. If not, here is the way I think is easiest -

1. Arrange to be undisturbed. (Phone turned off, etc.)

2. Sit on a chair that supports your back, with your feet flat on the floor and your hands on your lap palms up, with thumb and first finger lightly touching. This is a mudra (hand gesture) that promotes relaxation. Some people think it also prevents unwanted energies from entering your space while you are in a relaxed and vulnerable state. Another way to do that would be to create sacred space (see previous blog) and meditate inside it.

3. Close your eyes and observe your breathing. You don't have to do anything special with your breathing. Let it be however it is and do whatever it does, and simply observe it.

4. Be light and easy about this. Don't concentrate grimly; that defeats the purpose.

5. Your mind will wander. Don't even try to still your thoughts. Maybe some great adepts can do that after years of practice; most of us can't and we don't even need to. When you notice that you're off on some train of thought, don't bash yourself up. Just, gently and without struggle, bring your attention back to your breath. I repeat – GENTLY AND WITHOUT STRUGGLE.

6. You will also get distracted by things like noises or itches. Again, as soon as you notice you have become distracted, gently and without struggle bring your attention back to your breath.

7. When you're ready to stop, make sure you're looking down, and open your eyes slowly. You'll be deeper than you think, and the light can be quite a shock.

How long should you meditate for? And how often?

It depends. Some gurus say three hours a day, but we won't even go there. (Not if you're holding down a job, raising a family, or just trying to have a life.) The Transcendental Meditation people recommend 20 minutes twice a day, before breakfast and lunch. Even that can be a bit much for some of us, but it's good if you can manage it. I don't think any more than that is necessary. 10 minutes once a week is better than nothing; 10 minutes once a day is better still. Find what works for you, on the principle that little and often is better than a huge amount once in a while (you know - just like physical exercise).

Ian Gawler, an Australian who cured his own cancer with the help of meditation and now teaches it to other cancer patients and their carers, advises busy people to 'meditate in the spaces'. This is good advice if you already know how to do it; otherwise better get in some practice first. Once you are practised at it, it's easy to drop in and out of meditation just for a few minutes at a time. (Don't do it while you're driving or operating machinery!)

Having decided how long a session will be, how do you time yourself? If you ask someone to let you know, they should NOT touch you to bring you out of it; that will cause shock. It's best they gently call your name, and repeat it until you finally hear them. (For most people, most of the time, it will be quite quick. Sometimes you might have gone very deep and it will take a little longer.) Or you could set a timer or alarm clock, but preferably not a loud, jangly one. And if need be you can crack your eyes open just a fraction to look at your watch, while staying in your meditative space and closing them gently again at once. A pleasant, musical timer is best. If time is not an issue, then allow yourself to come out of it whenever your body and psyche decide they're ready.

It's best not to meditate when you're tired; falling asleep is not the idea. For the same reason, after a heavy meal is not the best timing. And it's preferable to do it after exercise, not before; you don't want to get all stirred up again just after you've become relaxed. On the other hand, before a cup of coffee is better than after; you don't want to be too hyper to relax.

Eventually you can use your meditative state for specific purposes, such as contacting your guides, astral travelling, performing absent healing....

(These instructions may also be downloaded here.)