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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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 Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:04 pm
The following is a list of descriptions and chants for some mythical creatures.
Most of this information comes from D.J. Conway's Animal Magick.
I apologize that for some of the creatures, my information is a bit sparce but I don't want to post a whole bunch of b.s. from authors that I don't know well.
This is now an open forum, so enjoy. I will add on to the post as information becomes available.
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:12 pm
CENTAUR
Is in the cultures of the Middle East and in Greek lore. They were portrayed as masculine; with the upper body of a man and the legs of a horse.
In Greek: One story says they came about through the union of the Greek Dcentaurus and the Magnesian mares. A seperate myth is that they were the offspring of Demeber.
In Hindu the Asvins adn the Gandharvas (horse gods).
In Hellinic myths the centaur Cheiron was the son of a god and was skilled at hunting, medicine, music and divination.
Magickal attributes: Healing magick, shape-shifting, music, the arts and divination. Inspiration for an artistic talent.
Chant:
Healing, shape-shifting, magickal lifting
Of spirit to spiritual realms of delight.
Consciousness higher meetsw spirtiual fire
And changes my powers from weakness to might.
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:13 pm
DRAGON
The Dragon is found in many cultures throughout the world. It was used as an emblem for divinity and royalty in Babylon, Egypt, China, Japan, Greece adn Rome.
Oriental or Chinese dragons looked terrible and fierce but were used to symbol prosperity, rain, wisdom and hidden secrets.
In Western cultures dragons looked more like giant lizards with winds.
In Alchemy dragons had a number of meanings. Fighting dragons meant seperating Elements or psychic disintegration. A dragon biting its tail symbolized a cycle. A winged dragon represented a volatile Element and a wingless dragon meant a fixed Element.
For more information on Dragons, please refer to the Topic on Dragons.
Magickal Attributes: Protection, instruction in the spiritual, Element magick. Using the spiritual to transform life. Protection. Adding extra power to magick.
Chant:
Dragons strong and dragons bright,
Dragons full of wisdom old,
Teach to me the spirtiual light.
Let me walk with knowledge bold.
Dragon fire, lift me higher!
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:14 pm
GRIFFIN
Has the head, claws and wings of an eagle and the back parts of a lion. It is an enormous creature with a long and serpentine tail.
It is a Sun symbol.
It is said that it builds its nest in the mountains and lines it with gold.
It is found in the Near and Middle East, Greece and in Mesopotamian cultures.
The Babylonians, Persians and Hebrews also had similar creatures in their cultures.
To the Greeks, the griffin was consecrated to the goddess Nememsis and the god Apollo in their vengeful aspects.
The Griffin is the guardian to the pathway to spiritual enlightenment and was usually shown next to a Tree of Life. It symbolizes the seasons and guards the Sun, the sacred Golden Apples and treasures.
Magickal Attributes: Understanding the relationship between psychic energy and cosmic force. Spiritual enlightment.
Chant:
The griffin in its mighty form
Stands at the gates between the worlds,
And ushers in the seekers of
Initiation, enlightenment.
The wisdom-filled Doorkeeper
Guards us from the dark sides of ourseleves
Until we gain the strength adn knowledge
To bring the dark into submission.
Guard and guide me, O great griffin!
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:15 pm
PEGASUS
Is a beautiful white horse with wings.
Is found in Greek and Roman mythology.
Origin stories: He sprung from the blood of Medusa when Perseus cut off her head, that he came from the blood of the Moon goddess Medusa, that he was created by Demeter and Poseidon or that he came from Egypt where an ancient shrine of Osiris at Abydos held a sacred spring called Pega.
Legend says that he created the Fountain of Hippocrene at Mount Helicon by striking the ground with his hoof.
Magickal Attributes: Poetic inspiration, learning astral travel, changin evil into good. Riding Pegasus in meditation or astral travel to Otherworlds can help bring poetic inspiration. Fame, eloquence.
Chant:
Through time-cloudsd I fly to days gone by.
Physical limits are all left behind.
The future and past, all in my grasp,
For Pegasus shows me the key's in my mind.
Horse of poetry, Light,
Inspirational height,
Your companion I'll be.
New lands shall I see.
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:44 am
PHOENIX
Is found in many cultures around the world and goes by many different names.
It is a symbol of resurrection.
It is said to be the size of an eagle, with the characteristics of a pheasant.
The Persians described it as a creature with lion clwas, peacock plumes, snake tails and a griffin head.
It lives most of its life in a secret, sacred garden and feeds on air.
According to legend, when it reaches 1000 years old, it would fly to a special place and build a funeral nest of sweet-smelling woods in a tall palm tree.
It is associated with Osiris, Ra and the Greek Circe.
Several ancient writers called the phoenix an Arabian Bird or Egyptian Bird and said that it was extremely gentle and that it would weep tears of incense, while its blood was balsam.
In China, it was the emperor of birds and represented the Empress while the Dragon represented the Emperor. It was made of five colors, symbolizing the five Chinese virtues. In China, it was a lunar-solar symbol.
Magickal Attributes: Rebirth, renewal, spiritual growth. Call upon the phoenix for strength and renewed energy when facing or undergoing trials in life.
Chant:
Out of ashes, new beginnings,
Out of fire comes new power,
Out of darkness, new day dawning,
Phoenix, help me in this trying hour.
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:45 am
SATYR
In Greece they are horned deities that followed Pan, Silvanus, Faunus, Dionysus and Bacchus.
Description: young men with the ears and tail of a horse or the body, arms, and private parts of men and the legs, hooves and tails of goats.
They love music, dancing, women and wine.
Pan is the Horned God or "Little God". He is one of the oldest Greek deities and the Positive Life Force in the world. He symbolizes the woodlands, wild creatures, healing, gardening, plants, animals, music, dancing, soothsaying and lovemaking. He does have a dark side, which is what makes you afraid to be in the woods alone.
In Rome, it is called a faun. A faun is woodland, spirit, half-man and half-goat with twisted ram-horns, pointy ears adn a goat tail. They live in teh wild forests.
In Slavic-Russian cultures it is called a Leshi.
Aldrovandus, a medieval writer, said that satyrs were also numerous in Ireland.
Magickal Attributes: Music, dancing, lovemaking. Lustful and untamed emotions. Use absolutely no alcohol, stimulants, etc when calling Pan.
Chant:
Ancient Pan of Arcadian woods,
I feel your wisdom, hear your words.
I seek instruction and desire
To turn emotion to spiritual fire.
Great ancient Pan,
Show me how I can!
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:45 am
SPHINX
In Egyptian culture, the sphinx had the head of a man and the body of a lion. It symbolized the four elements and Spirit, and all the science of the past.
In Greek culture, the sphinx had the head and breasts of a woman, the body of a lion and wings. She was associated with initiation and death.
The Theban sphinx had the head and breasts of a woman, the body of a dog, the claws of a lion, tail of a dragon and wings of a bird.
As a mysterious magickal being, the sphinx was said to possess the depest secrets of teh universe, but remained eternally silent.
Magickal Attributes: Initiation, end of a cycle, Element magick. Meeting the Dark Mother; instruction from Her.
Chant:
I spiral inward to the Center,
The hidden sacred space of the Dark Mother.
She awaits beside Her cauldron of rebirth
With open arms and comforting words.
The silent sphinx sits beside Her,
All ancient knowledge in its keeping.
The Wise One is the ultimate wisdom of life.
She answers all who call to Her.
None pass through death without Her.
No one re-enters life, but with Her blessing.
From Her hands come all cycles, physical or material.
I await Her wise words.
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:46 am
UNICORN
Has long been a favorite mythical creature around the world. It has been said that it has been seen in China, Mongolia, Persia, Babylon, Assyria, Chaldea, Palestine, Egypt, Africa, Poland, Scandinavia and along the Canadian border, Florida.
In Babylonia it is described as a dragon-beast with a horse like body, lion's front legs and a long neck, with a flat head and a single horn on the center of the nose.
The Chinese unicorn, called Ch'i-lin or Ky-lin was said to have one or two horns and had the head of a dragon, tail of an ox, and a stag's body. Its skin was red, yellow, blue, white and black and when it made a noise it sounded like bells. Chinese legend said that it lived for a thousand years and was considered the noblest of animals. It was an emblem of high birth and noble character. The Japanesse Ki-rin was the same creature.
To the Greeks and Romans, the unicorn was connected with the Moon Goddess and it was once said that Artemis had a chariot pulled by eight unicorns.
In Western cultures, the creature had the head and body of a horse, hind legs of an antelope or stag, whiskers of a goat, tail of a lion and a long spiral horn in the middle of its forehead. Sometimes it was said that the horn was straight.
In stories, it was said that people would hunt the unicorn for its horn because it could detect and be an antidote to poison. It lived in the woods and was to swift to catch so people would use virgins as bait to lure the animal to them.
Medieval alchemists considered it to be of an ambivalent nature.
Western cultures believed that it was a lunar animal, gentle and wise.
Middle East and Eastern cultures believed it was fierce and with great strength and no larger than a goat and that it could kill an elephant.
Magickal Attributes: Good will, fame, prosperity, gentleness, purity, strength of mind. Individual power that is unlimited. For wisdom with success. Developing personal power.
Chant:
A child of the unicorn, that would I be.
Your goodness and wisdom reflected in me.
Let me seek for the good things that brighten my name,
For gentleness, purity, abundance, adn fame.
Let me know aht my power is forever unbound,
That what's given in love circles right back around.
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:13 pm
WINGED BULL
It is part man and part bull and has wings.
Is in Assyrian and Sumero-Semitic cultures. It was called the Shedim or Shedu. Its image was carved in stone at the gates and doors of their temples and palaces and served as a guardian.
The Cretan minotaur is another form of the man-bull and signifies the animal passions of humans that can rage out of control if not balanced by spiritual understanding.
Magickal Attributes: Supernatural strength; protection. Protection without revenge, but through spiritual strength.
Chant:
Ancient winged bull, your form is a powerful symbol
Of the physical in which we live and the spiritual toward which we reach.
Winged bull standing firm upon the Earth
With feathered wings to raise you toward spirit,
Show me the way to control the emoitons and physical desires.
Teach me the secrets of going beyond what is seen and felt
To what is unseen and experienced in a greater reality.
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:24 pm
FIRE SALAMANDERS
or fire elemental.
Is a ruler of fire.
They are attracted by candles, lamps, incense and fire.
Direction: South
Ritual work: summer, noon, freedom, Sun, stars, perception, vision, illumination, learning, love, will, passion, sexuality, energy, authority, healing, destruction and purification.
~information from D.J. Conway's Celtic Magic
According to Faeriecraft by Geddes and Ward
Salamanders are the spirits of fire. They inhabit every flame and soar and dance through the air as sparks and streaks of light in hues of red, orange and gold. They reside in all forms of fire.
They can be considered a type of faerie for they are from the Faerie kingdom.
They can be quick and unpredictable, so they should be respected for their dangerous qualities.
They can be symbolic of your own life force, of passionate feelings, the spark of ideas and creativity, the spirit of aliveness and impulse.
In appearance they can be flames or look like faeries with flaming red hair and personailites to match.
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:25 pm
DRAKES
One of the seldom heard of species, drakes are much like western dragons. Unlike them, however, these dragons have no wings, only four legs. They vary from type to type, but they usually fire-bearing creatures.
Like the Western Dragons, too, they come in different "styles". Some are extremely serpantile, with long, skinny bodies that stretch out wide and long, whip-like tails. Others, however, have much thicker bodies. These are usually portrayed as medium-sized western dragons without wings.
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:26 pm
FAIRIES
Rulers of Air.
To keep it simple, the word faerie applies to all those that dwell in the faerie realm. They are not just the faeries you see in art with the wings and such.
Elemental faeries: are spirits of nature that dwell in every living thing on Earth. These are teh sylphs of air, the undines of water, the salamanders of fire and the gnomes of earth.
The Faerie people are a race of magical beings wo dwell in subterranean mounds, rocks or faerie islands that are shrouded underwater. They are said to be invisible and mostly silent. They are governed by Kings and Queens that preside over faerie courts.
Blessing for Cakes and Mead
'Blessed Faerie King and Queen,
I have trod your land of dream.
Now I seek to honor thee
with Elphame food that blessed be.
With this mead and honey cake,
of faerie food I do partake,
Two worlds are one within this rite
on this a most enchanted night.
Blessed Be.'
- from Faeriecraft by Geddes-Ward
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:27 pm
NYMPHS
Ruler of water.A nymph in Greek mythology is a female spirit typically associated with a particular location or landform. Other nymphs, always in the shape of young nubile maidens, were part of the retinue of a god, such as Dionysus, Hermes, or Pan, or a goddess, generally Artemis.[1] Nymphs were the frequent target of satyrs. They live in mountains and groves, by springs and rivers, also in trees and in valleys and cool grottoes. They are frequently associated with the superior divinities: the huntress Artemis; the prophetic Apollo; the reveller and god of wine, Dionysus; and rustic gods such as Pan and Hermes.
The symbolic marriage of a nymph and a patriarch, often the eponym of a people, is repeated endlessly in Greek origin myths; their union lent authority to the archaic king and his line.
~ wikipedia
For the classifications, please visit http://www.paleothea.com/Nymphs.html
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Underworld Priestess Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:29 pm
MERMAIDS AND MERMEN
Rulers of Water.
"A mermaid is a mythological aquatic creature with a female human head and torso and the tail of an aquatic animal such as a fish.
Mermaids have a broad representation in folklore, literature, and popular culture.
The first known mermaid stories appeared in Assyria, ca. 1000 BC. Atargatis, the mother of Assyrian queen Semiramis, was a goddess who loved a mortal shepherd and in the process killed him. Ashamed, she jumped into a lake to take the form of a fish, but the waters would not conceal her divine beauty. Thereafter, she took the form of a mermaid — human above the waist, fish below — though the earliest representations of Atargatis showed her as being a fish with a human head and legs, similar to the Babylonian Ea. The Greeks recognized Atargatis under the name Derketo. Prior to 546 BC, the Milesian philosopher Anaximander proposed that mankind had sprung from an aquatic species of animal. He thought that humans, with their extended infancy, could not have survived early on. This idea reappeared as the aquatic ape hypothesis in the twentieth century.
A popular Greek legend has Alexander the Great's sister, Thessalonike, turn into a mermaid after she died.
In Britain Mermaids were noted in folklore as unlucky omens – both foretelling disaster and provoking it.
Claimed sightings of dead or living mermaids have come from places such as Java and British Columbia. There are two Canadian reports from the area of Vancouver and Victoria, one from sometime between 1870 and 1890, the other from 1967.
Citings: In August 2009, the town of Qiryat Yam in Israel offered a prize of US$1 million for anyone who could prove the existence of a mermaid off its coast, after dozens of people reported seeing a mermaid leaping out of the water like a dolphin and doing aerial tricks before returning to the depths."
-source - wikipedia and D.J. Conway's Celtic Magic
Faeriecraft by Geddes and Ward :
Also states that mermaids have been said to save sailors and cause shipwrecks. They have exquisite singing voices and lure mortal men to be their lovers. Some have been said to marry humans and bear children but yearn to return to the sea and some do return.
Sea elements demand respect as the element of water and are a privilege to work with.
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