Influence is the ability to cause desirable and measurable actions and outcomes. – Brian Solis
A quote a came across the other day. Something to contemplate.
Influence
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Up and Down
This week I finished a lengthy process of ascending and descending the ladder of lights, which is the say the planets. It was a lengthy process mainly because of the structure that I used to approach this work of following the Chaldean order of the planets starting with the Moon and working my way up until I reach Saturn, which is a two week process of skipping days, and then following the order back down, with Saturn at the beginning until I reached the moon again, which was a six week process. However, I found the whole experience to be worth while, as I was more able to see the work of the planetary spirits and energies of a specific type manifest in my life and shape the blessings. I also feel that for a moment I touched at the gates of the 8thsphere, the sphere beyond Saturn, the starry realm.
The main spirits that I called up for this extended working were the 7 Olympic spirits named in the Arbatel of Magic. I have always found these spirits interesting, and their method of summoning and communion very accessible, as it requires only some spiritual authority and a prayer. As I climbed the ladder I asked for blessings and initiations into their respective planetary realms to better connect with the forces and to grow in understanding them. It also felt like the right thing to do, as each step was followed by another step up, seemingly passing through gates leading higher and higher. The passage down was slower, and more about gaining specific directions and guidance from the spirits about my life, about things I can do and how I can help manifest each influence more concretely into my life. A process of enlightenment and empowerment.
The method used in ascending was starting at the hour of the day, usually in the morning, a simple tea light was dressed with planetary oil and some planetary incense was burned. A recitation of the relevant Orphic hymn, followed by the prayer to call upon the related Olympic spirit, whose seal was already present with the candle. A moment of communion and the request for blessing and initiation, followed by resting in the experience, and then thanking the spirit for their aid and asking for their continued favor as they depart.
The method on the descent was a little more involved. This also took place on the day and hour, often in the morning. Along with the tea light, a large candle in a related planetary color and fixed with planetary oil, and planetary incense. This was followed with the Orphic hymn, and other various prayers and evocations to the planets from a mix of sources. Then the conjuration of the Olympic spirit and a period of communion with them, asking for guidance and instruction. Some gave instruction for further personal work, others made suggestions about current event in life and how best to navigate them, others offered enlightenment and inspiration about life in general.
In some ways the blessings gained from this work continue to manifest in small ways. From simple things like feeling aligned with the rhythm of creation on a daily basis, to coming across further knowledge that points me in directions to continue to deepen and expand my spiritual practice.
If you have never climbed the ladder of lights, I highly recommend it, no matter what your tradition or practice comes from. I think it can only ultimately bring blessings on good fortune to you life.
Why East isn’t Air
or why not to confuse the finger pointing at the moon with the moon
Recently I had read some posts discussing that age old topic of elemental associations and directions. For perhaps some unfamiliar readers, the elements that I am talking about are the classic elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire (and occasionally Aether). The directions I am referring to are the basic directions we are all familiar with IE: North, South, East and West.
A good many readers are probably familiar with some practice that makes a correspondence between the two, with a great number of variations based upon traditions that one practices within the sphere of Western Esoterica. A common one, used by many Wiccans is the following:
East – Air, South – Fire, West – Water, North – Earth
It is a handy way to work and to have the symbols drawn up so that when you face a certain direction, and you can invoke that element. The thing that I see people getting stuck on is the pushing of the rightness and absoluteness of one set of correspondences over another. What my own practice has lead me to is this. East isn’t Air. South isn’t Fire. West Isn’t Water. North Isn’t Earth. East is just East. It is the direction the sun rises. Depending upon where you live, it might be towards the ocean. If you are very euro-centric you might consider it the exotic East, where cultures and values very different from the Europe are to be found. But it isn’t Air. It’s only a symbol. A useful symbol perhaps, but still just a symbol. You can just as easily call up Earth from the East as you could any other element. You could turn west and evoke fire. You could in fact not have to face and specific direction and call up the elements, either as an energy, or an intelligence, or as primal and archetypal force that symbolizes something specific to you. The exacting debate over directions, elements and other correspondences of place and time, well, they are all just symbols. And while symbols can be useful building blocks help construct a practice, they can also become the bricks of the wall that hold you back and keep you from moving forward.
Rather then turning South and experiencing Fire, why not turn South and experience South. Whatever experience the spirits and powers of the South want to give, what message, guidance, or awakening they can bestow, without being locked into a specific element or other value.
While the needs of tradition continues, and if you are within the tradition, you should continue with the symbol set given, especially if you are conveying that tradition to others, for your own practice, you might try moving outside of the limitations of tradition.
Lammas Blessings!
If the planets were closer
An interesting view of our night sky if he had other major planets of the solar system at the same in our orbit instead of the moon.
What they night sky would look like if other planets were as close as the moon
Some images to contemplate while working with planetary forces for sure
I think I need to read this book (but you should read this article)
Mainly because I am interested in what the author has to say. I am also interested by what the reviewer says. Although I often find myself as someone who supports reason, I don’t consider myself an atheist in any way, and my experience with the vast majority of atheists is that they are reacting against something (Christianity usually) then being for something.
This is water
a video used to depict a graduation speech. Perhaps many of us know this, but sometimes it’s good to be reminded.
6 harsh truths that will make you a better person (from Cracked.com)
As the year comes to an end, or maybe perhaps the world, I read this and allow myself a little reflection on what I have worked on for myself. It also reminds me that the work is not done yet, and it is never going to be though probably.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person/
A Benediction
Hail to the Holy and Mighty Ones!
Hail to the Shining Ones who illuminate the world!
Hail to the Goodly spirits who bring peace, joy and benevolence!
I thank you for the blessings you have brought into my life
for the family and friends from past, present and yet to come
for the wealth and prosperity that already possessed and knowing only it’s increase
for the health and well being to live my life with grace and ease
for the love I have received and for the love that I have been able to give
for the wisdom to conduct my life with knowledge and compassion
for the power that I have been entrusted for my own good, and the good of others
For all these blessings, my gratitude over flows,
As you have blessed me, let me bless you in return.
Blessed Be!
Five elements in five days
Getting a bit of inspiration from the blog Head for the Red, I decided to do my own experiment, although instead of planetary powers, I went about invoking the elemental powers. For the past 5 days I invoked each one of the elements, one element a day, making an offering, and seeking the blessings of the elemental powers to manifest in my life.
I have worked with the elements before in a quite a few ways, even seeking out my own element spirit allies to aid and guide me. But it felt like an interesting experiment and experience to help further develop those connections.
Part of the process was the selection of which day I would evoke which element. The structure I decided upon is based upon Agrippa’s correspondence of planets and elements. Moon – Earth, Mars – Fire, Mercury – Water, Jupiter – Air, and for the element of Aether(Spiritus, Azoth etc…) I devoted that to Friday, seeing in the power of Love as manifested in Venus, the higher powers that Love entails, to unite and bring into harmony. This created an interesting dynamic, as I switched between elements, not following the common patterns of Fire, Air, Water, Earth or Air, Fire, Water, Earth. I also started the week with evoking Earth, which I think is an excellent idea as the foundation element to build upon, but also that Earth can receive the influences of the other elements, not only to manifest them but also to bring them structure. Ending with Aether I saw as bringing harmony to the combined elements.
I evoked each element in the first hour of each day, using offerings and substances that are connected directly to the elements in question, and free evoking the spirits of the elements as I felt moved.
For the powers of Earth, I dressed a brown candle with an Earth oil of my own creation, brought out small bowl of blessed salt, and presented a shot glass of whiskey, which at the end of the day, was poured out onto the soil, to complete the offering to the spirits of Earth. What was interesting for me is that, while I felt the presence of the spirits of Earth, it was only after the whiskey was poured onto the ground did there seem to be a sudden rush of activity within the earthly sphere.
The next morning was the evoking the spirits of fire. A red candle dressed with my Fire oil, another candle (a large tea light) also dressed with my Fire oil, and a small metal bowl that had a tablespoon of sugar and some highly flammable Hoyt’s cologne in it, which was ignited, and then I began the invocation. The flames leapt quite high, and the sugar began to melt and caramelize just a little bit. When the alcohol flames died, it became the rising fumes of Hoyt’s cologne filling the air, a scent I find quite pleasant, mixed with the scent of caramelized sugar. The day was filled with a great increase of romantic pursuit, as the passions of others around me seem to become raised.
The invocation of water was the most peaceful. A bowl of fresh water, a bowl of sea water, and a bowl of holy water laid out into a triangle, with a hard plastic icosahedron charged with elemental water placed into the holy water. While for myself a deep calm settled in, later that day, as the sun set, the densest fog cloud I have ever experienced in my city settled into the area, obscuring all vision past 200 feet, and coating everything with a fine mist. It was also the return of cooler and wetter autumn weather for Southern California, as the past two days had been dry, with Tuesday being the warmest. The water of the bowls was disposed of into the ocean after the sun had set, which was a journey into the densest part of the fog. I had only the sound of the lapping of waves to tell me that I was past the shore, as I could not see down below the pier from the thick fog.
The invocation of Air involved a yellow candle dressed with Air oil, a stick of sandalwood incense, and a small glass bowl with a tablespoon of ouzo placed into it, which was set onto a heating pad to become warm enough to steam up and evaporate away without boiling it, as the ouzo released it’s fragrance into the air as it steamed. A clearing of the mind followed, as well as strong breezes which brought in light rain showers until Friday morning.
Friday morning was very overcast and cool as I set up the offering to the spirits of Aether, five tea lights set in heavy glass tea light holders colored clear, violet, red, green and blue, and a white candle dressed with my light oil. The idea being that it was a great offering of light. As I evoked the spirits of Aether, and offered them the light, the clouds parted and the rising sun filled my room from the east facing portrait window, filling the space with more light. As a feeling of clarity and energy filled me, the idea struck me that just as all the other elements have spirits that command them, so Aether must as well. I asked for a guide and ally of Aether, to aid me and assist me, and the impression arose of an anthropomorphic being made white light, whose features were defined with violet, and a sex that changed from moment to moment, and yet always feeling androgynous became apparent to my senses. From this being I received a name, the blessings of Aether, and a sigil that I can use to commune and gain aid and guidance from. For my own reasons I don’t share them here (although I might in the future).
The whole week was really an experience, which I recommend for many people to try and experiment with on their own.
RUNEWORKER 