Welcome to Gaia! ::

Animals & Familiars!
--Forum Intro

Where would the witch be without her cat? That black dog over there -- is that a stray roaming loose, a disguised witch on the prowl or a messenger for teh goddess Hecate? And those flies buzzing around? Do they merely indicate the presence of food or do they hold deeper significance?

Around the world, specific animals are associated with witchcraft. In some societies, certain animals are so intrinsically identified with witchcraft that should you have a close association with one (or in an era of witchcraft hysteria, even a brushing acquaintane will do), there'll be no need to ask whether you're a witch; that very relationship defines you as one.

There is no creature, living, extinct, or mythical, that does not have its place among the magical powers of witchcraft. Each creature possesses its own magical powers, to be drawn upon by the human practitioner as needed. Elks, for instance, are invoked for romance; dragons to guard wealth. However, certain animals are specifically identified with witchcraft, whether as teachers of the art or because of relationships with witches. These are the animals that are featured in this articles listed below in the directory.

*Animals closely identified with witchcraft are invariably also closely identified with sex, birth, death, secret wisdom, wild nature, and/or intensely radiant male or female reproductive energy, teh potential for creation, and hence magic. What is a magic spell, after all, but the act of bringing something into existence?

The various magical partnerships between animals and people, including such concepts as familiars, allies, and nahuals are also discussed in this section, as is transformation, which incorporates the various magical and spiritual traditions that blur the boundaries between species.

While outside observres may sometimes react to the witchcraft animals with fear, witches and other magical practitioners traditionally view their animals as partners and their relationships as alliances.





Because this is a subject that fills me with such pleasure and enjoyment, and because I have the first post so people will be able to find this easily, I’m going to begin with DIRE HEALTH WARNINGS. What fun.
Seriously though:

Never mix different forms of a plant. While it may be acceptable to the workings of a spell, if it is going to be taken internally, or even going to be in contact with your skin, this is a highly risky thing to do. If a recipe calls for the leaves of Mugwort, the roots will not do, nor the flower essence remedy and especially NOT the Essential Oil.

Do your research. Often spells for positive outcomes can involve ingreadients that will have some fairly negetive ones if you, or a child or animal run foul of it. Some people display a scary tendency to think that just because the plant is being used magically that will negate its effects physically. Botanicals are a holistic power – affecting us emotionally, physically and spiritually. You must take all these aspects into account when using botanicals. Some plants are not classed as dangerous, but just because something is safe for most people does not mean it is safe for everyone. Some plants are strong abortificants or photosensitising, sometimes only in some forms.




Bits of History

People have used wild plants, and later cultivated them, throughout time, long before written records, or architecture, or writing, for their medicinal, magical, cosmetic and food value. Much of our knowledge of these uses have been around for centuries, and their discovery was probably a constant experiment of trial and error – often with horrifying results no doubt. Myths and legends grew up around the power of herbs, and anyone with far reaching knowledge of them enjoyed the awe of others, and probably a little fear.
The first documented account of botanical and their uses appeared in Babylon in about 2000 BC, and many of our herbs, which we associate with our own gardens and part of the fabric of our lives, wherever we live, originated across the Middle East and into parts of Asia. Thyme, Sage, Mint, Marjoram, Rosemary, Hyssop, Coriander, Caraway, Coriander and Bay are but a few examples.
Egypt imported many herbs from India and Babylon, using them for flavorings, medicines, embalming, magic, perfumes and dyes.
In their turn the Greeks built on the conveted knowledge of botanicals, and added greatly to it, and after them the Romans. With the spread of the Roman Empire, the plants themselves and knowledge of their uses was introduced to most of Europe. Over 200 different herbs were introduced to Britain by the Romans, carefully cultivated by the armies originally, and eventually naturalised so they grew wild, and indeed were believed by many to be natives. Examples of such are Fennel, Borage, Betony, Parsley and Thyme.
With the establishment of the Christian Church, many great Monasteries were built, centres of wealth learning and power. Dedicated “Psychic Gardens” were built to provide the raw materials for the medicinal services offered by the Monks.
However, very little continued to be recorded in writing about the uses and cultivation of herbs, particularly after the collapse of the Roman Empire. In 1551, Steven Mierdman published the first part of William Turner’s New Herball, describing 238 British plants, and was the first of its kind.
Two more famous works are by John Gerard (Herball – 1597) and Nicholas Culpeper. However Culpeper’s book (1653)relied so heavily on elements such as astrology that although it was very popular, caused him to loose much credibility with his contemporaries.
First European settlers in America took with them seeds and plants from their home countries to cultivate in the New World. Most took to the new climate very well, and many became naturalized very quickly, eg. Soapwort and Chamomile. Native Americans shared their knowledge and native plants with the new comers and these were soon incorporated into the settlers way of life. The most well known example would be Bergamot, called Oswego by the Native Americans.
A parallel history runs along side all these dates and names. Throughout all of time, herbs have been used by Shamans, Witch Doctors, Wise Women, and the village healer. Botanical lore was essential knowledge, to a greater or lesser degree, to all people, an orally handed down tradition, refined according to wealth, available plants and necessity. Only in the last 100 years has such knowledge fallen out of fashion, viewed as old fashioned, superstitious and unnecessary – especially in the cities. Chunks of knowledge are constantly being lost, as generations pass on, leaving behind the next generation, who weren’t interested. It’s sad but its true.

Source: The Herb Book, by Arabella Boxer and Philippa Back

Interpretations


The Rede is seen by both Wiccans and outside observers as very similar to the Golden Rule, a belief that is found in nearly every religion. While the Golden Rule forbids harm subjectively, the Wiccan Rede does not forbid anything.

There is some debate in the neo-Pagan and Wiccan communities as to the meaning of the rede. The debate centers on the concept of the rede being advice (from the meaning of rede) not a commandment, as well as the fact that actions which do harm are not discussed in the rede. An expansion on this theme can be found in Wiccan Ethics and the Wiccan Rede by David Piper. The concept of ethical reciprocity is not explicitly stated, but most Wiccans interpret the Rede to imply the Golden Rule in the belief that the spirit of the Rede is to actively do good for one's fellow humans as well as oneself. Different sects of Wiccans read "none" differently: some include the self, others include animals or plants, and so forth.

It is also noted by some as similar to the Harm principle set by the philosopher John Stuart Mill in the 19th Century.

In the second part of the Wiccan Rede the word "wilt" is understood to mean "will". The meaning of "will" in this case is understood to mean one's true will as opposed to a want. This means that the rede can be fully understood as being that one should always follow your true will instead of trying to obtain simple wants and to ensure that in doing one's will you do not harm anyone or anything. The rede can be seen as encouraging a Wiccan to take personal responsibility for his or her actions.

In addition to the concept of ethical reciprocity expressed by most versions of the Golden Rule, however, the Rede also expressly rejects the concept of sin outside of harm to oneself or to another.

The rejection of specific exhortations and prohibitions of conduct such as those given in the Ten Commandments in Christianity makes its character somewhat different. The Rede is only a guideline which the individual must interpret to fit each particular situation.

It must be noted, however, that not all traditional Wiccans follow the Rede itself; some Gardnerians in particular espouse the Charge of the Goddess as a guide for morality. Its line "Keep pure your highest ideal, strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside, for mine is the secret door which opens upon the door of youth" is used as a maxim for ethical dilemmas.

Wikipedia


The Origins of Wicca its Principles of Belief

Wicca all began with a man named Gerald Gardner. He was fascinated by the world of Witchcraft. Gardner claimed that in 1939 he was initiated into the New Forest Coven by Dorothy Clutterbuck. Whether this Witch coven ever existed is still in question today, and if it did, how old it actually was.
He was also a member of a Ceremonial association known as the Order of the Golden Dawn, as well as being a friend of Aleister Crowley, the famous occultist. For those of you who don't know, Ceremonial Magic is a formal and complex style of ritual magic, often associated with Christian figures such as God and the Archangels rather than Pagan deities.
With the help of his High Priestess Doreen Valiente, Gardner blended Witchcraft and Ceremonial Magic, and created what is now regarded as the most popular Neopagan religion of our time: Wicca.

The aim of this thread is to give the origins of each aspect of Wicca, its cultural background, and how Gardner came to choose them.

The God
The concept of a Horned God primerely comes from the writtings of Margaret Murray. She wrote about the fictitious Witch-cult worshiping a Horned God, and it is known that Gardner took a lot of inspiration from her work.
The Wiccan God has two primary aspects:
It is thought that the Oak King aspect comes from the old image of the Green Man in English folklore. Likewise, the Holly King/Hunter is his Winter aspect.
The God in his Winter aspect of Lord of the Hunt is believed to stem from a few places. There are several gods and spirits in English folklore who preside over wild animals and the hunt, notably Herne and Cernunnos.
The idea of the dying God who is reborn later in the year comes from the Slavic mythos of a dying god, Volos, who brought life to the harvest through dying each year.

The Goddess
The Maiden/Mother/Crone model of goddess upon which the Wiccan Goddess is based comes from Robert Graves' book The White Goddess, first published in 1948. Historical triple goddesses were not age and fertility based, and this MMC format is an entirely modern creation of Graves'.
The MMC model is one commonly used among Neopagans in general. The maiden is the aspect of childhood, adolescence, beginnings, purity, virginity, independence, and courage. The mother is the aspect of motherhood, protection, fertility, growth, and sexuality. The crone is the aspect of old age, wisdom, change, transformation, death, rebirth, and banishing.
Gardner used Graves' book as one of his many inspirations for Wicca, and he was also a good friend of Graves. Thus Gardner chose his idea of a triple Goddess as the basis for his own Wiccan Goddess.

The Sabbats
In the simplest terms, the Wiccan Sabbats are a combination of 4 Celtic holidays and 4 Norse holidays. The idea of using the 4 Fire festivals of the Celts came from Margaret Murray's work, in which she lists the holy days as sacred in the mythical Witch cult of which she wrote (though of course, this is not historic fact). Gardner, after reading her work, chose to use these festivals in his religion, also adding the 4 Norse holy days of the Solstices and Equinoxes to complete his 8-fold version of the Wheel of the Year (the term coined by Murray). The term "Sabbat" itself is derived from Murray, who took inspiration from the Witch trials in her work, as the Witches gatherings in Christian myth were called the "Sabbat".
The myths that surround the Wiccan Sabbats, however, are entirely different to those of the Celts and the Norse. Gardner created a whole new set of seasonal myths to fit in with his God and Goddess, rather than the Celtic and Norse gods.

The Rituals
Much of the ritual structure in Wicca comes from Ceremonial Magic. The specific methods of casting protective circles, invoking the Quarters and going through a strict ritual plan are all common traits found within CM. Originally, any Witchcraft practices would only involve the marking of a circle on the ground, if at all, and even then it was not used in the same context as the Wiccan circle. They were not used as protective barriers, but simply to mark out the area for magic.
The coven hierarchy is utilised a lot in Wiccan ritual, as the High Priest and Priestess would usually lead each ritual. The hierarchy of Degrees itself is derived from Freemasonry, so once again we see hints of Ceremonialism.
The Initiation rituals in Wicca involve such things as ritual binding, scourging, being blindfolded and challenged when entering the circle. Again we see elements of CM and Freemasonry here in the Wiccan Initiations.

The Elements
The four Elements, or Quaters, invoked in Wiccan ritual are derived from Ceremonial Magic (Christian based magic). Gardner was a well known member of the Order of the Golden Dawn, a Ceremonial order, and it is here where he gained the inspiration to invoke the Elements during circle casting, among other things. The idea of "Elemential Watchtowers" is most certainly a Ceremonial concept.

The Tools
Many of the ritual tools in Wicca are of Ceremonial origin. These include the athame, the sword, the scourge, the bell, the wand (to a degree), the pentacle, and the chalice, as well as lesser tools like candles and censer.
The besom or broom is thought to be derived from the old legends of Witches riding on brooms to the Sabbat.
The wand, while partly a Ceremonial tool, is also thought to be derived from various accounts of Cunning Folk who would use a long branch or rod in their magical work.
The cauldron is probably one of the more traditional Pagan tools/symbols. The Celtic Goddess Cerridwen has a cauldron which represents femenine power and rebirth, in which she brewed magical formulae. This is thought to be where the legend of Witches brewing their magical potions came from, which later was used in real Witch practices.

The Rede and Charges
The Wiccan Rede, the most well known of Wiccan literature, was writen by Doreen Valiente, Gardner's High Priestess. The Charge of the Goddess was also writen by her, although the exact origin of the Charge of the God is unknown as it is a much later addition and there are several versions around today.

The Three Fold Law
The first known reference in print to the three-fold law of return appeared in 1970 in 'Witchcraft Ancient and Modern' by Raymond Buckland who was initiated into Wicca by Gerald Gardner. Therefore it is speculated that the Law was an early componant in Wicca, promoted by Gardner. However, its exact origins are unknown.
Despite popular belief, the Law has nothing to do with the Eastern concept of Karma.

The 161 Laws of Wicca
Written by Gerald Gardner shortly before Valiente left his coven. They are thought to be an attempt at reenforcing the idea that Wicca is an old religion, by the way they are writen in faux Old English. They are also considered to be a way to try and form some sort of control over the Wiccan population by setting them rules to live by. They are a later addition to the religion compared to other componants.

The Pentagram
Was taken from...you've guessed it... Ceremonial Magic. The pentagram is a promenant symbol used in Ceremonial Magic and Kabbala to invoke and banish spirits. It was not an original Pagan Witch symbol, and many non-Wiccan Witchcraft traditions do not include the pentagram for this reason. Gardner, being a member of a Ceremonial order, used the symbol in ritual. Thus it became the trade symbol of Wicca.

The Book of Shadows
The term "Book of Shadows" was coined by Gardner after he heard of a book of the same name which detailed the practice of divination by shadow lengths (hence, Book of "Shadows"). Historically speaking, a Witches' book was called a Grimoire, not a Book of Shadows as this is a modern term coined, as I said, by Gardner.
The notion of a Cunning Man or Wyfe (workers of good folk magic, often in a Christian context, who worked against local Witches) having a book in which to keep their concoctions and magical formulae is an old one. Hutton outlines this in his book, and he notes that this is the probably cause of the Witches' "spell book" in our modern stereotype, and indeed modern practice. There are various records of local Cunning folk who always seemed to have a black book with them, which they referanced when doing their work.

The Coven
The structure of the Wiccan coven is derived from two main places. Margaret Murray is responsible for the idea of covens having 13 members, and Gardner took this for a basis for his coven structure in Wicca. I go into more detail on this in the second post.
The degree system of 1st (Initiate), 2nd (Priest/ess) and 3rd (High Priest/ess) Degrees in Wicca is inspired by the degrees within Freemasonry. Indeed Crowley, whom aided Gardner in setting out a lot of Wicca's early structure, was a Mason. Until then, any existing Pagan Witch practices did not include any formal degree system.

Phoenix




The Importance of Silence


It has long been held in magickal circles that there are four tools or weapons of the true magician:-

* To Dare
* To Know
* To Will
* To Keep Silent

Of the four, the last is generally the most ignored in modern paganism. After all, there is no kudos or money to be made if you can't write books and go on paying lecture tours and have your photograph in a glossy wiccan magazine. Next time you go into a bookshop which sells books on paganism or wicca, look to see how many claim to reveal "secrets" or claim to be a "complete book of" something. In either case, it must be supposed that, by definition, these writers are either making it up as they go along (and are therefore not revealing secrets after all or that the book is not, in fact, "complete") or they are revealing what they should not be revealing and probably breaking oaths by doing so. Secrets are intended to be kept - not peddled to all and sundry as a means to make a fast buck and a name for oneself.
In fact, we might even say that modern paganism, especially wicca, is built upon the systematic disregarding of this "fourth weapon" of the true magician.

Ways people contact their spirit animals.

1. A particular animal feels good to you.
2. Your own affinity with an animal.
3. Medicine cards
4. Read books on Native American culture and shamanism, and other books on animals and their symbolism in different cultures.
5. Perform your own ritual
6. Dreams
7. Meditative state
8. Vision quest

Different types of Totem Animals and a few ways to contact/recognize them.

The best ways to find your Totem Animals are to keep your eyes open to new animals that come your way in everyday life and through meditation. Meditation can be a very powerful asset when meeting and working with your Spirit Guide and other Totems. Find a quiet place, get comfy, close your eyes and open your mind to the animal and hear what it has to say. If you open yourself to them, your Totems will find you.

Here are some questions to help you discover the Animal Totems that are in your life. Follow your instincts when answering, just don't write down every animal that comes to mind.

Life Long Animal Totems

* When you were a child, what animal did you collect or obsess over that you are still attracted to today?
* Of all animals if you could have any animal as a pet or companion what would it be?
* When going to the zoo, which animal do you spend the most time with or are drawn to?
* If you could be any animal what animal would it be?
* What animal is in your dreams that you have had since childhood?
* What animal are you afraid of that you have no idea why you are afraid of it?
* Of all animals what animals are you most attracted to?
* When you are out in nature, do you often seem to run into the same animal?
* What animal have you bumped into over and over throughout your life?
* What animal have you watched for hours?
* Does art work or jewelry with a certain animal always attract you?

You Life Long Animal Totem will be the animal that you answered at least three times out of the eleven questions. The more times the same animal is listed in your answers the more important and stronger it is in your life. The one that appeared most is your current Animal Spirit totem.

Journey Animal Totems

* What animal have you started to see occasionally that you never saw before?
* What new animal are you attracted to?
* Are you dreaming of an animal lately?
* Are you thinking about an animal lately?
* In the past two weeks what animals have you seen or dreamt of several times?

If you have a Journey Animal Totem you will have answered at least three of the questions with the same animal.

Message Animal Totems

* What animal surprised or startled you today?
* What animal that you don't usually see, have you seen a couple of times today?
* What animal entranced you today?

If you answered the same animal to two question then this animal is your Message Totem with a very important message. Heed it's word quickly for the message is for now and today. If you only answered one question then this is a message you should still consider.

Shadow Animal Totems

* What animal attacks have you been in?
* What scary or traumatic animal situations have you been in?
* Does seeing a certain animal bring up feelings of fear?
* What animal do you run from?
* What animals do you have reoccurring nightmares about?
* Does just watching TV with that animal appearing scare you?

Answering two questions with the same animal means you have a Shadow Totem you must address. Remember that the Shadow Totem will continually test you and work against you for you are it's prey. You must embrace the lesson of the animal totem and conquer your fear, accept the power of the Shadow totem, and bring it into the light as your spiritual totem.

There are several ways that witches and pagans use to find their totem animals.

Astral Projection
This is a text on the 'how to' of astral projection. It basically deals
with 'how to get out of your body' and is also about all the things you
can do and meet on the Astral Plane. It's a very good idea to read more
about all this. I recommend 'Astral Projection' by Denning & Philips
(Llewellyn Press). Their meditation is the one I use and is thus included
in this document. The Incense-recipe is from Scott Cunningham.
-- What is Astral Projection ?
Astral Projection is the projection of your mental body to any place
outside your physical body. To do this, the mental body needs a part
of your astral body to serve as its vehicle. It's not an unnatural
thing to happen. In fact, we unconsciously do it two to four times
at night, when we are asleep. Many little children for example report
'flying' dreams. Those weren't dreams, but astral projections. The real
fun starts if we can train our being to astrally project 'at will', or,
in other words, when we are conscious. When you are consciously 'out
there' (on the Astral Plane), you can go anywhere you want, see what
you want to see, heal the sick, work some spells and meet the other
beings on the Astral Plane; the elementals, the guides, other astral
travellers, earthbound spirits, angels etc. You can even have Astral
Sex! It's even more fun than Netsurfing!
-- How to do it ?
There are many ways to achieve Astral Projection. In fact, there are
about as many different ways as there are practitioners. Shamans may
call up on the help of nature spirits to take him out of his body. A
traditional Quabbalist may meditate upon the path between Yesod and
Tiphareth. A Golden Dawn or Enochian ritualist may use the 'skrying
in the spirit vision' rituals. So, there's not one way to do it. Please
remember this as you go along and feel free to make any adjustments
you want to make to the following meditation. As long as it 'feels
right', you're doing fine. The meditation in this text, however, was
designed to more or less 'bridge' the different methods used to
Astrally Project. It's Wiccan nor Crowleyian nor GD'ian nor whatever.
The designers (Denning&Philips) have taken a good look at all the
'overlapping' points in all those different rituals, and have concluded
that these 'overlap' points are the important 'points' in the process
of astral projection. They managed to sythesize these points into
the following meditation.
-- Preparation.
You have to prepare yourself properly before you can succesfully
astrally project. It takes a long, long time of hard work and practice
before you can just sit down and pop out. Only the best and most dedicated
magicians may achieve this status. Us mere mortals have to gradually
glide into the process and gently persuade our bodies to let go of
part of its consciousness and astral body. Here are some important
points:


Learn the meditation properly by heart. This is easier than
you think. You can not project while you're reading this text.
Get into a steady life-rhythm. Wake up at the same time,
go to bed at the same time. The body really appreciates this!
Try to get as much good sleep as you can. 8 hours a night
is the absolute minimum. 10 hours is much better.
Get plenty of physical exercise. This will release energy
blocks and thus allow energy to flow more vigorously through your body.
Watch your diet! Try to stay away from arrousing stuff as
much as possible. No hot or spicy foods, stay low on fat.
No coffee or chocolate (try herbal tea instead) and
ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL ! Trying to project while under the
influence of this drug can get you into SERIOUS TROUBLE.
Try to eat no meat, or, if this is hard for you, as little
as you can. Try drinking plenty of water (no mineral water).
A big mug of water with some freshly squeezed lemon juice
can be a great coffee substitute at breakfast.
Pick a regular time at which you may try to project. This can
be at night, in the afternoon or in the morning. Just make it
the same time every time. The body doens't like surprises.
A good general rule.
Before you try to astrally project, concentrate on it. This
may start hours, days or even weeks in advance. Persuade your-
self that you ARE going to achieve it someday, and visualise
youself being out of the body already. This gets your being
in the right frame of mind.
Make sure you will NOT be disturbed while you perform the medi-
tation. Disconnect the phone and try to jam the door-bell.
Lock your cats away, and kick everybody else out of the house.
Any disturbance to this meditation (or any meditation) can be
extremely annoying, and get you into a really bad mood.
Pay attention to other disturbing factors. Your clothes for
example. You may want to perform this mediation naked, because
your clothes are too tight, or just getting in the way. Room
temperature is another factor. Not too cold, not too warm. Dis-
connect all the electrical wiring that surrounds you. They can
generate disturbing energy fields. In fact, any steel/iron/metal
in and on your body can seriously fiddle with your energy-flows.
So take out those earrings and tongue-piercings. Any accupunctu-
rist can tell you that it's not a good idea to just jam a piece
of metal in your nervous system. Oh, and here's a good one: re-
member to go to the bathroom before you start your meditation icon_smile.gif
If you insist on using music through the meditation, that's fine.
It doesn't work for me, though. I always end up just listening
to the music instead.
Make your room very dimly lit. This will relax your eyes. A
very important and often neglected step. Getting out is very
difficult when your eyes are still hard at work.
Like I said earlier: really work up to the moment you will
start the meditation. If you feel you're not up to it, then
don't do it. You will most likely not be able to project and
this will only lead to disappointment and eventually break
your moral. Always remember that it's a natural process and
that you CAN and WILL do it.
A few hours before the meditation, open all the windows and
doors in your room and allow fresh air to blow through it.
You may want to use the incense I included in this text. Burn
it beforehand and then extinguish the fire. Your body will
instinctively react to fire burning somewhere in your room and
relaxing will become very hard.
Make sure all your body's needs are satisfied. Make sure it's
not hungry, not thirsty. Don't eat anything 'heavy' before
meditating. Make sure your body is sexually pleased, although
after having a taste of astral sex, the urge for having sex
can actually be of help to achieve astral projection.
-- The Meditation.

Lie down, with your head pointing to the East. Relax. Make sure you're
in a comfortable position. Make sure your spine and neck are quite
straight. You may need a pillow to support your head. Breathe rhythmically.
In, hold, out, hold, in, hold, out, hold. Very deeply. Concentrate on your
breath. Feel it flowing and blowing through your body. In, down, trough
your lungs, cooling your ribs, all the way down to your genitals, hold it,
out, up through your belly, up your throat etc. Do this until you have
reached a very relxed posture and breathing rhythm. This may take a while,
so don't rush things.
Now do a muscle relaxation exercise. Clench your toes for a few seconds,
then relax. Feel the fatigue taking over your muscles. Do this again.
Do the same with all your muscles, working from bottom to top. Your legs,
your bottom, your belly, your chest, your hands and arms, your neck etc.
Particularly important is relaxing your face! Try to really wear out your
facial muscles. Stick out your tongue as far as you can, make funny faces,
clench your jaw, lift your head a little of the floor, make yourself look
like an idiot (this is why there should be no other people present icon_smile.gif.
Then feel the fatigue and warm relaxation take over. Also try to relax
your eyes this way.
- Now comes the main meditation. It is made up out of four parts:
1. Energizing
2. Protection
3. Formulating the Astral Vehicle
4. Actual Projection
1. The energizing meditation is actually a very good meditation to per-
form whenever you feel like it. It balances out your chakras and
makes you feel fit and clear. It's also very important to perform
this meditation after having (whether or not succesfully) tried
to astrally project, because it will rebalance your being again.

On an 'out' breath, visualize the Crown centre (the top of
your head) as a sphere of brilliant, white light. Keep on
breathing until you get a steady image.
On an 'in' breath, draw down a shaft of white light to your
next centre, in this case the Brow (your forehead, the third
eye between your eyebrows).
On an 'out' breath, visualize a sphere of dove-gray light
on your forehead. Make sure you get a steady image.
On an 'in' breath, draw down a shaft of white light from your
forehead to your throat.
etc. etc. etc.
Here are all the centres and their colors. The shaft is always
made of white light. Visualize the spheres as being part inside
and part outside your body. When you visualize a sphere, quickly
recap al the spheres you already 'energized'.
Top of Head - Brilliant white
Forehead - Dove-gray
Throat - Intense mid-purple
Heart - Radiant Yellow
Genitals - Lavender, radiant and swirling
Earth (under your feet) - The seven prismatic colors (rainbow) swirling lazily.
Once you have energized your whole body like this, concentrate
on all the spheres and shafts at once. Be aware of all the colors.
After having done this exercise a number of times, you will feel
actual tingling in the centres when you energize them. You will
feel your solar plexus (in the middle of your body, right between
your belly button and ribs) throbbing like crazy. Here's where you
will exteriorizing astral substance. Hold the spheres for a few
more seconds, then let them slowly fade away.
2. The protection. Visualize a large sphere of radiant white light lying
at your feet, until you get a steady image. Breath in, and pull all that
light in a long white shaft up through your body to the top of your head.
See it light up the inside of your body, leaving a steady shine. On an
out breath, let the light flow down along the outside of your body, en-
capsulating you in a waterfall of white, protective light. Let the light
recollect at your feet and at an in-breath, pull it back up again. This
is a greatly relaxing exercise, and it makes you feel great. Repeat this
cycle for as long as you like, at least 10 times.
3. Now you have to formulate your astral vehicle; the 'car' your conscious
needs to 'travel' in. Here's how to do it. Visualize a jet of blue-silver
mist to leave your body at your solar plexus. Make it form a cloud a few
feet above you. Then form this cloud into a human figure, floating above
you, facing down towards you. This human figure decides what you're gonna
look like in the Astral plane, but don't worry! You can remodel this
figure in great detail once you're out there. It is a good idea however,
to, prior to the meditation, concentrate on how you want to look like.
Once your happy with this visualization, stop the flow of astral substance,
but keep the fine line between you and the vehicle intact. IMPORTANT: if
you don't succeed in projecting, ALWAYS make an effort to 'take back' the
exteriorized astral substance. Make the figure into a cloud again, and
pull it back. This will prevent unnecessary and severe energy loss and
fatigue.
4. The actual projection. Pick a point on your body. Any point will do, but
I have found that the point that works best, is your solar plexus, be-
cause it's right where your astral vehicle is attached to your body.
Now, collect your being, your self, everything you are, all your wishes,
thoughts, movements into this point. It like crawling away into a grain
of sand. Empty your head, your legs, arms etc. and recollect yourself at
this specific point. Now visualize the same point on your astral vehicle,
that's still floating above you. Now, make a mental resolution to lift
this point where you are out of your body, along the line (cord) that
links you with your vehicle, into your vehicle, to the same point in
your vehicle, and SEE IT HAPPEN. Now the hard part: make a mental effort
to 'turn around' in your astral vehicle thus come to face your own body
lying a few feet away. Now expand your personality again, and make it
fill your astral vehicle. This is rather like putting on a thick glove.
Make yourself aware of your new body. You've done it! You can fly!
Whee! Have a good time!
Important notes:
- The first time it actually happens, don't do much more than just
floating in air and looking at your body. Keep this up as long as
you can, then slowly 'drift down'. You will automatically 'snap
back' (this is very much like what can happen to you when you're
lying in bed, when you get that feeling like you're falling down.
I already said that we all astrally project while we're sleeping).
This 'snapping back' will happen more often that you wish for the
first times you achieved actual projection. Don't worry. You have
learned the 'knack', there's no reason why you cannot do it again,
and you will learn how to stay out there for a longer period of
time automatically.
- Once you're out there comfortably, and you're ready to explore,
get away from your body as quickly as possible. Because, even
looking at your body, or getting close, may cause snapping back.
- When you are back (or haven't succesfully projected), always do
the Energizing meditation again, to revitalize your being.
- I almost forgot: you need a good reason for your body to willingly
let you go. Like I pointed out, sex is a good reason. But also a
friend in need, someone who needs healing, curiosity etc. Any
reason that makes you feel comfortable (yes, this may include
eavesdropping! But be careful, someone might actually see you!)
It's a good thing to meditate on your reason to project, and to
think of your reason and why it's a good one right before you try
to project yourself.
- The Key-signal phenomenon. Many people who astrally projected,
reported a 'key-signal' right before they left their bodies.
This usually is a strange, whistling sound in their ears, but
can also be a cold draft on your forehead, a strange smell, or
weird metallic noises. If this happens, don't be upset at it!
It means you're on the right track. Thinking about your specific
key-signal the next time you try to project may even facilitate
the process significantly.
-- What can I actually do out there ?
- You can remodel your astral vehicle with your willpower, to look like
anything you wish. Yes, if you miss and arm or a leg, you can still have
one in the Astral world (this may explain the Phantom pain phenomena.
People who had to miss an arm or leg often experience pain in their
missing body part). Your eyesight can be very screwed up. You can at times
experience eyes 'at the back of your head'. This 360 degrees vision
can be upsetting to some people, and very interesting to others. Making
a willed resolution to 'see as you wish', will solve the problem.
You may be able to dress up as you wish, you cannot disguise your perso-
nality on the astral. Other beings can see your aura very clearly, and
if it's no good, you will be treated likewise. You can check on your aura
by looking at yourself in streaming water, or a crystal ball (if you know
where there is one).

Spirit Guides are entities or beings that are currently in the spirit realms or dimensions. These are individuals, or groups of individuals, who have agreed with a person on the earth plane to act as their guide or guardian. Usually we enter into this agreement with at least one "primary guide" prior to being born into a physical body. These "primary guides" are often other members of our Soul Group, and we have quite likely traded "guide duties" with them during various lifetimes. (That's a generalization, of course, and there are undoubtedly a frequent number of exceptions. ) We can also call other guides to us as we need or desire their extra help, and it is not uncommon to have two or more guides assisting us at a given moment. Many of the guides with which we work are beings who have lived on this earth plane at one time or another (or many lifetimes), but there are guides who are from other worlds as well. Also, many of the "special guides" that come to help us with special needs or learning experiences seem to be more evolved beings, or 'old souls' who are willingly sharing their expertise and expanded knowledge with those of us still working on our evolvement and enlightenment.
Guides, while similar to Angels, are different, in my opinion. I do think that their "duties" or influences can overlap each other. Many people believe that Spirit Guides and Angels are one and the same thing, and that's fine too. And there may be some validity to that viewpoint anyway. Angels, though, seem to be on a slightly different plane, and seem to have a slightly different purpose for working with humans. Angels, I think, especially Guardian Angels, seem to be more the type to hover nearby and assist in emergencies even without our asking them to. While Spirit Guides, although they will help unasked, seem more to be teachers and guides rather than specifically guardians. A fine line of distinction, but a very real one, to my way of thinking.
One of the "separations" that I sense is that Angels are working on a little different "plan of evolvement" than are Spirit Guides. While Spirit Guides are often beings who have lived on this earth plane themselves, Angels seem to be beings who have worked through their evolvement elsewhere and are now serving as Guardians and 'inspirers' for those of us evolving here. However, I am aware that in some instances, it does seem that some humans achieve 'angel status' upon their passing over into the next dimension, and then to work from that perspective. And, of course, we do know that Angels can and do appear in 'human form' from time to time, just as Spirit Guides can and will show themselves in a 'physical manifestation.'
One of the primary purposes that Spirit Guides seem to have is the guiding and teaching of those under their care. They agree to help us remember the lessons we set up for ourselves in this life, and to instruct us with regards to those lessons. They can, and will, teach us as much as we want to learn, in my opinion. Their guidance, though, is of a very gentle nature. And they will not give us any more than we are ready to receive and capable of perceiving. They're here to help us to learn, but they won't shove the information on us if decide we really don't want to do that after all. They'll counsel and help us see other perspectives, but they won't make the decisions for us; the choices are ours to make and to live with afterwards.
It seems that we usually have one or two "primary" Spirit Guides. These are the ones that we make the arrangements with before being born, to guide us and help us learn the lessons we set up for ourselves. And to gently remind us when we're a bit "off path" from our original plans for this lifetime. But we actually have an unlimited number of Spirit Guides available to us. We can call "special guides" to us to teach us specific lessons, and once those lessons have been learned, they will move on to help others. Also, as loved ones pass over, they can choose to act as additional Spirit Guides for us either 'full time' or on an 'as needed' basis.
While we usually keep the same "primary" Spirit Guides, the rest of our guides can often vary and fluctuate. As I said before, we call to us those guides we need at a specific time for a specific purpose. Also, if we have loved ones who are acting as some of our guides, they will also have work of their own to do in the other dimensions. Hence they will go about their work, and be "a little removed from us" for periods of time. But they can, and do, hear us when we call, and return to assist us in whatever way they can.
There are many ways to contact Spirit Guides! Each of the books I'll give you as references have various ways in which to do this. One way, though, is through meditation. Meditating and asking for communication with your guides, and then listening for their response, is a really good way, in my opinion. Guided Meditations aimed specifically at meeting a guide can be very useful. Dreams are another way. Often if we are too busy living, and we don't remember to meditate and listen, then our night dreams become the only time we're quiet enough to receive their messages. Automatic Writing is another interesting way of receiving direct communication from guides. When you combine Automatic Writing with meditation, it frees your mind to allow the incoming messages to be recorded. These are only three of the many ways in which to receive guidance from your Spirit Guides. By the way, synchronicity can often be an indication that you've got a Spirit Guide trying to get your attention! (Be sure to check out the Metaphysical section for more information about meditating and dream work, including using them to contact and communicate with guides.)
There are many ways that Spirit Guides will alert a person to their presence. In other words, many things can let us know that we've got a guide around us. One that jumps instantly to my mind is the use of fragrances. Many guides and spirit entities use scents and odors to signal they are there. If this happens, you'll get a whif of some fragrance that has no "physical source" or explanation. It can be any kind of scent: sweet, sour, pungent, floral, obnoxious, etc.
Sometimes the guide will just use something that is unique, or maybe something familiar from one of their own past lives. Other times they will use a fragrance that has specific connotations or memories for you! For instance, my maternal grandmother uses a lilac scent to let me know she's around and wants to talk to me. One set of "temporary guides" that spent some time with me used an odd floral scent that I couldn't identify. I later found out, with the help of a friend, that this was a fragrance of a plant indiginous to Brazil. . . apparently where they had spent a lifetime.
Sounds are another way. Some guides and entities will use auditory signals such as the sound of "chimes" that you seem to hear. In some cases the sound will be audible to anyone in the vicinity; sometimes only you will hear it.
There are many other ways including chills, goose bumps, and "energy brushes." Synchronicity is also a sure sign, in my book, that guides and/or angels are trying to get our attention! To borrow a phrase: Spirit energy definity, at times, seems to move in mysterious ways. So never discount any possibilities.
While most of the time, when you're communicating with your Spirit Guides, you're relatively "closed" to any other contact, there is the potential of "inviting in" other entities. Especially under some circumstances like with Automatic Writing. But if you take some basic precautions, you need never encounter or experience negativity or negative beings.
Whenever you sit down to meditate, or do Automatic Writing, or in any way try and contact your guides, take a few seconds to do a "protection" for yourself and your surroundings. There are several ways of doing this, and all will work and are "good." Basically, any prayer or spoken 'intent' that you will invite only "beings of light" to enter the area and communicate with you is effective. Here's one that I use:
While visualizing this you can say, either in your mind or aloud a protective chant like:
White light of protection fills me, surrounds me, this room, this
House; repelling negativity and evil influences; I invite my loved
Ones, guides, and other beings of light to enter.
In my opinion, you have to ask your Spirit Guides for their assistance! This is one of the very subtle ways in which Angels and Spirit Guides differ from each other, I think. Angels, especially Guardian Angels, are much more apt to help without being asked, or so it seems. And while Spirit Guides will help up to a point without being asked, they are bound by certain "laws" from interfering with our lives. Before we were born, we set down certain lessons and experiences for ourselves in this lifetime. Our guides will help to set these things up for us, but they do truly need for us to ask them to help us in more specific ways. There's a little thing called "free will" or "free agency" at work here which says that we have the right to do as we please. . . even to the point of ignoring the lessons we originally set up for ourselves. And our guides, and most of the angels, cannot interfere with our freedom to choose. It's a very fine line, in my opinion, between helping us and interfering with our "free agency" and one they have to walk very carefully, I think.
So do we have to ask our Spirit Guides for their help? Yes and No. They will help unasked to a certain extent, and try to get our attention if we're not tuning into them. That's part of the reason they agreed to be our guides, but I do believe that beyond that point, we do have to ask! If we want the wonderful teachings they have to offer us, we have to ask for it, and then listen! If we want the extra boost over a particularly rough spot, we have to ask. The "bottom line" maybe is that our guides are willing to help in any way they can, but we have to live our own lives! And they can't interfere with that living of our lives. In my opinion!
I'm finding in my own life that one of the really "key" points in working with my guides, seems to be 'asking questions.' If I just meditate, and listen, I'll probably hear a little bit, and at the very least feel a presence. But it's only when I remember to ask questions -- and the more specific the question seems to be the better -- that I begin to get strong answers and more insights. Then the challenge becomes figuring out which questions to ask.
Here are a couple of quotes which I've garnered in talking with others on this question whether or not Spirit Guides will assist us without our asking (used with their permission):
"I've been led to understand that our Guides will endeavor to help us whenever they can, but will stop short of "living our life for us" (unless asked to do so). No, I don't mean they'll take over our life for us if we ask them too, but rather they cannot interfere with our "free will" (except in cases of dire emergency). They prefer the role of "helper" to the role of "ruler." If we invite them to help, they will. . . if we don't, they're limited in the kinds of help they can offer without violating our right to free will." (Goldfish)
"That's my understanding, too Goldfish. . . about guides not helping without an invitation. Though I do think mine have invited the invitation at times. . . there's a tightening at the solar plexus that does tell me it's time to ask for help before I make trouble for myself again and occasionally a brief chill or sense of being hugged that says I'm doing okay." (Mary O)
While I know the identity of several of my guides, I do not know who all of them are. Some have given me names while others choose not to. This seems to be pretty much "standard" for Spirit Guides from what I've read. Some have no problem with giving you a name to identify them by and some will give you a symbol to use as a "name." For instance, one of my husband's guides showed him a domino when asked who he was, so now he calls him Domino as a "name" which is okay with the guide. And there are those who choose for one reason or another not to reveal their identity or a name. Some feel that we will be distracted by names and identities, I think, and choose to work unfettered by that.
Seeing Spirit Guides is very much like all the other psychic-related things. Some see their guides and some don't; some see them part of the time. The book The Eagle And the Rose, and it's sequel Proud Spirit, by Rosemary Altea is an excellent example of someone who does see her guide, and does so consistently and constantly. I suspect the majority of us, though, don't actually see our guides. We can and do, however, sense them on many levels. Personally, I haven't been able to open up too much to psychic vision (or physical manifestation of a guide), yet, so I haven't seen my guides for the most part. (I do see some of them in the bathroom mirror, though, when I choose to! Check out the section on psychic experiences for more details on this one.)
There are other ways of being aware that our guides are around. Many of the guides will "signal" you of their presence with scents or auditory sounds or by a touch on your arm. Several of my guides have chosen these methods of letting me know when they're nearby. In fact, you can even pick out one of these means of contact, and request that your guide use it to initiate communication with you.
Apparently the "standard" form of most spirits in the next dimensions is basically an energy form. And while all spirits seem to have unique energy forms -- at least they can tell each other apart -- we might not be able to. The thing, though, is that they also have the capability of "molding" that energy form into the form and appearance of any and all of their incarnations on the earth physical plane. So, if they show themselves to us, or we are able to see them by some manner (psychically, etc.), then it is most common to see them in the form/incarnation that we will most likely recognize. For instance, if a grandmother has passed over and then reappears to us, she's going to look pretty much like we remember her.
The "exception" to this is that they do seem to favor the appearance where they looked the best. In other words, if they were 70 when they passed over, and maybe not in the best of health, it's likely that they will choose to use the form of how they looked at age 40 or 50. That sort of thing. In the case of a guide we've not met or been acquainted with in this lifetime, if it's a deceased loved one that some other family member will recognize, the same still holds true. However, if no one now would "recognize" the person, then they will usually use the form from a lifetime that was especially important, memorable, or significant to them in their own soul growth. (This all holds true with any spirit contact such as my channeling sessions, "random visits" from deceased loved ones, dream visits, etc.)
When I was first asked this question, my initial impulse was to say no, but as I thought more about it, I had to change my mind. The basis for my revised answer to this question is the multi-dimensionality of our being. If you discount or disbelieve that (which is okay ), then you'd be much more likely to answer it no, I think. Anyway, I do have to say that, yes, I believe it's possible for this to happen.
A case in point is my maternal grandmother. She is definitely one of my spirit guides, and one with whom I communicate on a fairly regular basis. Now here's the interesting part: according to information that a psychic friend of mine has picked up, she -- or rather, a part of her essence -- has already reincarnated and is currently living as a young (about 12 years old) Indian boy somewhere in western Wyoming or eastern Montana (probably a member of the Lakota tribe). There's that multi-dimensionality again! And yes it does seem to bare out a 'yes' answer to this question.
To take this a bit further, the possibility of a Spirit Guide being a guide and being "alive" in this world/time/reality, hinges directly on the concept of multi-dimensional beings. And in that scenario I do not believe that the portion of the essence that is living in a physical body would be aware of what the portion of the essence, the higher self perhpas, is doing as a Spirit Guide.
The added question also arises speculating that if this is the case, then could a person act as a guide for another through astral travel or astral projections? Personally, I don't see the spirit disconnecting, or astrally projecting, in order to go fulfill its duties as a spirit guide. At least not on a constant basis as a "full-time" guide. For one thing, the availability of contact and help would be extremely limited. I am willing, however, to consider that in an extreme case of "need" that a spirit can, and does astrally project in order to assist another spirit for some reason. And maybe the need doesn't have to be all that extreme either; consider the situation of a healer astrally projecting and doing healing work on that plane, for instance, or a mother who is psychically and closely bonded with a child and goes to that child's aid at traumatic times.
But this is all getting much more in-depth -- or esoteric -- than is fitting for a faq! So I'll leave the further speculations and ponderings to you. . . or another time. This entire question/answer is intended mostly to give you something to think about and then keep, modify, or discard as you feel impressed to do.
To this one, I'd answer a resounding yes to that possibility. A belief in reincarnation isn't necessary here, in my humble opinion, because even if you believe in living only once, the answer would still be yes, in my book. I do think, though, that any soul or entity who would be incarnating in the near future, would most likely be a "temporary spirit guide." Someone who has sort of popped in to help you with something specific for a short period of time, and then moves on to another phase of his/her own growth and development. I also think that our "permant" or "main" spirit guides would be entities that have "signed on for the duration" and would not be incarnating (or reincarnating) any time soon. Or at least not in this time/dimension.
Orders of Angels


The First Sphere - Divine counselors
Seraphim - encircle divinity to ensure its constant presence.
Cherubim - guardians of light and stars, channelers of Divine energy.
Thrones - assigned to planets -justice and its dispensation.

The Second Sphere - Divine governors
Dominions - leadership, said to assist guardian angels in looking after their mortals.
Powers - keep track of human history - birth and death and rebirth, keepers of akashic records.
Virtues - the five elements and elemental magick.

The Third Sphere - Divine messengers (the ones who have the most dealings with us mortals):
Principalities - oversee nations, cities and large groups.
Archangels - overseers of human endeavors, help us work with and interpret divine principles.
Angels - beings assigned to a particular person, messengers of the Divine and the other choirs.
Some Helpful Angels
Akriel: Inspires intellectual achievement, improvement of study skills and intelligence.
Anael: Grants romantic love and passion to mortals. Helps finding soulmates or healing existing romantic relationships. Also considered to hold dominion over the element of Air.
Ardousius: Helps and protects during childbirth.
Bath Kol: Grants prophetic gifts to humans, helps with development of psychic abilities.
Cathetel: Increases growth and yield of vegetables and fruits and keeps them healthy. Sofiel is also an angel of gardens.
Colopatiron: Unlocks prison gates - appeal to this angel when you are struggling for freedom or independence of any kind.
Hariel: Protector of dogs, cats and other domesticated animals.
Israfel: Angel of music - inspires people to sing, play musical instruments and compose music.
Kutiel: Presides over divination.
Metatron: This angel helps humans communicate with the Divine, brings Divine inspiration and opens our hearts to better receive this guidance.
Mihr: Angel of platonic love and friendship, helps us find close and like-minded friends or heals current relationships with friends.
Nemamiah: The guardian of all who fight for just causes, especially people who defend the rights of those who cannot defend themselves, such as animals and children.
Sachael: Presides over water and helps us to get in touch with our intuitive powers and deepest feelings.
Valoel: Angel of peace - fills our hearts with tranquility and contentment.
Vohumanah: Encourages humans to think positively and maintain optimism.
Zuphlas: Protector of the forest and the trees.

Zuphlas: Protector of the forest and the trees.
Excercise for Meeting Angel/Guide

Write down your question(s) if you wish or plant them firmly in your mind.
Sit or lie in a comfortable position where you will not be disturbed.
Ground and center.
Become aware of each breath you take. Focus only on your breathing for a short time.
Picture a landscape that is comfortable to you: a cave, a beach, a meadow, a forest clearing - wherever your mind takes you is where you are supposed to meet your guardian. Not only see this landscape, but concentrate on the smells and the sounds around you. Continue visualizing your surroundings until they are firmly planted in your mind and you can see, smell and hear clearly everything that is around you.
This may take some practice, and you may wish to work only up to this point until you can become immersed in this world.
Picture a well or running water in the middle of this landscape; imagine all of your negative feelings being bundled into a black ball in the middle of your body. Push this black ball outside of yourself and throw it into the moving
water or well and see it leaving you.
Now picture a white ball of light hovering over your head. See this white light descend and spread over your body until it envelops you and fills you.
Call upon your guardian or spirit guide to be with you. You do not have to talk out loud. You will know when your guide is present - it may appear to you physically or you may hear voices in your head, you may smell flowers or perfume of some sort or you may simply feel a tingling sensation, especially on the back of your neck.
Greet your guide and ask your question(s) or simply converse with it. You may get an answer right away - it could be spoken, it could be a symbol of some type. You may not receive your answer until later, even days later, so after your exercise be very aware of patterns or symbols you come across in your everyday life.
When you are finished conversing, thank your guide or angel. Return to normal consciousness by becoming aware again of your breathing and the sounds around you.
Ground and center again.
Write down your experiences; whatever symbols you were shown or what you heard.

amazing information, it helped me alot thanks!!!