A Description of the Demiurge

Abridged Text from Wikipedia. The full text is here.

Demiurge:

The term appears in Gnosticism. The material universe is seen as evil or at least a place created by an insane, malevolent, and/or inferior creator deity.

The Gnostics attributed many of the actions and laws which in the Tanach or Old Testament are attributed to the Hebrew God Yehovah, to the Demiurge (see the Sethians and Ophites).

Alternative Gnostic names for the Demiurge, include Yaldabaoth, "Samael", "Saklas", and "Kosmokrator". He is known as Ptahil in Mandaeanism. The figures of the "Angel of YHWH" and the "Angel of Death" may have contributed to the Gnostic view of the Demiurge.

Yaldabaoth

Gnostic myth recounts that Sophia (Greek, literally meaning "wisdom"), the Demiurge’s mother and a partial aspect of the divine Pleroma or “Fullness,” desired to create something apart from the divine totality, and without the receipt of divine assent. In this abortive act of separate creation, she gave birth to the monstrous Demiurge and, being ashamed of her deed, she wrapped him in a cloud and created a throne for him within it. The Demiurge, isolated, did not behold his mother, nor anyone else, and thus concluded that only he himself existed, being ignorant of the superior levels of reality that were his birth-place.

The Gnostic myths describing these events are full of intricate nuances portraying the declination of aspects of the divine into human form; this process occurs through the agency of the Demiurge who, having stolen a portion of power from his mother, sets about a work of creation in unconscious imitation of the superior Pleromatic realm. Thus Sophia’s power becomes enclosed within the material forms of humanity, themselves entrapped within the material universe: the goal of Gnostic movements was typically the awakening of this spark, which permitted a return by the subject to the superior, non-material realities which were its primal source. (See Sethian Gnosticism.)

Under the name of Nebro (rebel), Yaldabaoth is called an angel in the apocryphal Gospel of Judas. He is first mentioned in "The Cosmos, Chaos, and the Underworld" as one of the twelve angels to come "into being [to] rule over chaos and the [underworld]". He comes from heaven, his "face flashed with fire and whose appearance was defiled with blood". Nebro creates six angels in addition to the angel Saklas to be his assistants. These six in turn create another twelve angels “with each one receiving a portion in the heavens.”

Samael

“Samael” literally means “Blind God” or “God of the Blind” in Aramaic (Syriac sæmʕa-ʔel). This being is considered not only blind, or ignorant of its own origins, but may in addition be evil; its name is also found in Judaica as the Angel of Death and in Christian demonology. This leads to a further comparison with Satan.

Saklas

Another alternative title for the Demiurge, “Saklas,” is Aramaic for “fool” (Syriac sækla “the foolish one”).

Yahweh

Some Gnostic teachers (notably Marcion of Sinope and the Sethians) seem to have identified the evil Demiurge with Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament, in opposition and contrast to the God of the New Testament. Still others equated the being with Satan. Catharism apparently inherited their idea of Satan as the creator of the evil world directly or indirectly from Gnosticism. However, "YHWH" is generally not used as a name of the demiurge in Gnostic texts. Yaldabaoth isn't likely from "YHWH Sabaoth" since Yaldabaoth has an "L" at the end of "ya", suggesting the name of an angel is the origin of the term. The names of most angels of Jewish origin end with the syllable "el". On the other hand, some angels were called by some YHWH because they represented God's power and authority. This was especially true of the supreme angel that represented God, who was sometimes called the "lesser YHWH". A Jewish sect of first century B.C., called the Maghariyyah, held that angels organized the world and ordained the Law. Such views may have been part of the origin of Gnostic Christian belief in the Demiurge and his archons.

Nowhere in the Old testament, or New Testament canon, is the creator of the world or the universe identified as Satan. Nor in the Old (see the Septuagint) or New Testament is the cosmos, nature or earth created by the creator referred to as evil. Rather than presenting Satan as the creator of the world as we know it, orthodox Christianity holds that the New Testament presents the view that creation has been subjected to his rule through mankind's defection from the creator Yahweh. As a result, Satan is called "the god of this world" at (2 Cor. 4:4), and John states that "the whole world lies in the grip of the Wicked One." (1 John 5:19) The vilification of the Creator of the material world is to both traditions orthodox Christian and Jewish movements, foreign and not documented as a traditional perspective. ^[11]

This, in fact, is a crucial doctrine often overlooked by those who have difficulty harmonizing the goodness of Yahweh the Creator with the evil that is evident in the world (see the problem of evil).

While concepts such as syzygies (see Valentinus) and the soul and spiritual as good and the body and the material universe as evil would indeed reflect a very distinct and clear duality as it is expressed within the Sethian and other gnostic traditions (also see Mind-body dichotomy).

An example of vilifying the Creator would be to attribute the term “Kosmokrator” (found in the New Testament) to the Old Testament creator as the fallen Gnostic demiurge (see Marcion and the Cathars). If one sees the attribute of organizor of the cosmos as inherent in the concept of God, then the title “The God of this Aeon”, becomes a powerful indicator that Satan is indeed the creator. Modern-day Cathars see the epithet κοσμοκράτορας (Kosmokrator) (Koine Greek kosmokratoras (lit. "world ruler", κόσμο cosmos + κράτορας ("kratia"), which is applied to Satan in Ephesians 6:12, as a possible further indication of the creatorship of Satan and his identity with the Demiurge.

This usage would, according to some, vilify the logos^[12] as it was used by Heraclitus, meaning the ruling or guiding principle of the universe.

Some people think St. Paul's passage was referring to men of power falling under the influence of evil as in the world-rulers (since the word Kosmokrators in Ephesians is plural meaning many rulers not one ruler) of the darkness of the age this then meaning many evil rulers not just one. The Gnostics held there were several archons under the supreme archon of the cosmos, the Demiurge.

Clear as mud on a foggy day

I don't know that I'm exactly an atheist at this point but I do know that if the church god exists than it is not a just god because a just god would not allow the kind of suffering that goes on in the world. I do believe that there is something of the personality that survives the death of the body, the reiki energy survives. I don't really know what existence on the "other side" is like. I do know that those who have communicated with me are earthbound spirits and for them existence is somewhat free floating. They find something to attach to because they aren't ready to be dead. If I were to die now I would be one of them because so much is unresolved.
I don't like being in a church and praying. I like being in nature looking at trees or flowers and meditating. This is why Buddhism appeals to me more than the Catholic religion that I grew up with. I went through a period of dabbling in the "left hand path" and got the fuck scared out of me, so I stopped messing with those energies. I do appeal to the Pagan deities at times. They seem much more approachable than the Christian god. But I don't know if they really give a flip about me or mine either. Right now I don't have much to say about gods. I feel pretty adrift and pretty abandoned by the higher energies of the Universe.
I have a bunch of health problems, one of them seeming to be related to my heart. I have to sleep with my head elevated to keep my heart from palpitating. I have elevated blood pressure that is usually in the pre-hypertension range but sometimes ranges into hypertension. I know I need to lose a bunch of weight but am afraid to start exercising strenuously until the actual cause of these heart palpitations has been pinpointed. I realize I have mental illnesses, including anxiety disorder. I'm not addressing any of that right now. I'm only addressing the fact that I'm enduring quite a bit of doubt in life, the universe and everything, or at least in any kind of kindness from the higher forces. At this point they seem pretty distant and impersonal. Maybe they've just had enough of our bullshit. I know that's how I'd feel. It would be something like this: "Screw you fuckers, I'm going home. I've had enough of you calling me whenever you need something but acting like I don't exist and you did it all yourself after I help you."
The fact is, a benevolent god wouldn't do that. A benevolent god would be more like someone feeding their pet fish. The fish doesn't acknowledge who you are exactly, but it's grateful for the food. You like the fish even though the fish doesn't know exactly what you are and it doesn't thank you by name. A benevolent deity would treat its creations with love whether or not they acknowledged its existence. There wouldn't be this ego trip going on with threats of fire and brimstone. I can't buy into that belief system any more.
Right now I'm not exactly sure what it is I'm buying. I think I'm kind of waiting and seeing. What I do know is that right now the world kinda seems to suck for everybody. Maybe we have to fight to get out of the suckage.
Maybe the materialists are right and nothing exists beyond this life. But for me that's a pretty shitty and depressing belief and it only leads to misery, so I'm not going to allow it to take over any more than I'm going to buy into the dogma of the fire and brimstone lot.
In the immortal words of Chuck D, I've gotta do what I've gotta do so who the hell is you to tell me that my song is wrong.
I can only go with what I know. Which sometimes is not a whole hell of a lot. So I guess I'll just fly by the seat of my pants like always and see what happens.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, I am from Neptune...What does that make Me???

You Are From Neptune

You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability. You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea. Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion. You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone. If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything.

What Planet Are You From?

It does ring true!

Take Me To Thailand

You Should Travel to Thailand

You may enjoy getting spiritual at a Buddhist retreat... Or just feasting on a ton of cheap and amazing Thai food.

What Asian Country Should You Visit?

I would enjoy both!

My son went to Thailand last year with his school and I am soooooo jealous!!!!

Of everything except the bug bites that were all over his arms.

Unfortunately, his school screwed him over this year. He had a bout of depression and confided in a teacher that he was feeling suicidal. The good part is he ended up getting counseling which has been great for him. The bad part is the school board decided he was too much of a "risk" to take on the trip to Mexico this year. He had been so looking forward to it. I have expressed my disgust to them more than once for taking away this opportunity from a young man who has always been a good student and never a discipline problem. Fuckers!

Maybe someday he can take me to Thailand and show me around. That would be a nice family activity, I think!

What Color I Need

You Need Some Black in Your Life

Black will make you feel powerful, in control, and not bound to what other people think of you. And with a little black, you will project a aura of mystery, rebellion, and dominance. If you want people to respect you, you've got to get a little black in your life! For extra punch: Combine black with orange or red The downside of black: People won't be able to "read" you - and may perceive you as more aggressive than you actually are The consequences of more black in your life: You'll become a figure of intrigue and speculation You'll be better prepared for life's unknown path You'll rest better and free yourself of expectations

What Color Do You Need?

This works--I like black.

I really don't give a flying damn if people perceive me to be more agressive than I am. Better than being stepped on.

My Aura

Your Aura is Violet

Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world. And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don't always use it! The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach

What Color Is Your Aura?

Oya, powerful Orisha

The African Orisha Oya is a deity presiding over cemeteries, death and storms. She can help facilitate change when circumstances are blocked. The text at the Angelfire site listed below warns not to call on Oya unless you are prepared to deal with the consequences. The impression that I get is that Oya does not mind being called upon for help. She is a goddess of change, which makes her in part a destroyer goddess, but she is not without compassion. She simply does not want to put up with bullshit. It's fine to call upon Oya to facilitate the forces of change should you want a better job, a better living circumstance, a better relationship, an end to sickness, even help with weight loss. Oya is not going to be too kindly disposed to petitions asking for "that sweet new Hummer" "The hottie with the big gazongas" "make me a size zero so all the other girls will be jealous" "make me the most popular so I don't have to hang out with my current loser friends" or things of that nature. She wants your life to be better, not to facilitate you acting like an idiot.

The prayer to Oya comes from The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts and was found at the third website on the list.

As powerful as the strong wind

More fierce than the storm

Oya guards my soul against the many fingers of evil

Help me to rest upon the earth free from strain and undue frustration

Oya, warrior of the wind, let not our land be overrun with destroyers

Let us not die in pain and sorrow

Extend your weapon to protect us from destruction

Oya, may we live and die to live again

Oya, may our lives be long and our death short

Four sites to help you learn more about Oya:

http://www.goddess.com.au/goddesses/Oya.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/rainbowbridge2/oya.htm

http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/worldlit/lecture/blossom.ppt

http://www.orderwhitemoon.org/goddess/Oya_2.html

I combined my prayer to Oya with a prayer to facilitate positive change, which comes from the Tarot Spells book by Janina Renee.

The time has come for a change

The time has come to move on to something newer, something better

That which was done in the past shall be prelude to an ever greater future, moving onward and upward

Changes are coming, with one action leading rapidly to another

The forces are set in motion

Inexorably I move towards the goals that I desire

A new stage of evolution is before me

The power I summon turns the wheel of heaven

The changes begin with this spell and continue as I better myself and all that is around me

So it is and so shall it continue to be

I used this spell when I used to work all over the building at my current job, mostly in the long term care area. I did not want to work in that area any more. I had been doing that kind of work for a long time and was completely burnt out on it. After a year of being the on-call person, I was hired permanently in my current department which while not perfect, is far better. I believe the energies generated by this spell helped.

Currently, I feel stuck. My financial situation is disastrous. I would like to be in business for myself. I would like to gain recognition for my book, the goal of which is to help spread positive change in the treatment of mental health issues. I would like to be able to live where I choose, wherever I am most necessary, and not be tied to a job. And I would very much like to stop feeling the noose of debt around my neck. As well, I want to lose some weight for health reasons. I believe that the energies of Oya can give the spell the extra "push" it needs. I don't expect overnight results but I have faith that there will be good results.

I also gave petition to Oya to give my son protection and guidance as he goes out in the world. I prayed to her to help end the violence in schools. A person should not have to be afraid for their life when they go someplace to learn. Parents should not have to fear for their children when they are at school. Let not our land be overrun with destroyers. In the United States, these people are destroyers. I pray to this powerful Orisha to help stop this madness.

Blessed be,
Lily

Goddess At Work

This is a quiz from the Goddess site mentioned in the post below.

Your 'goddess at work' style is Cordelia

Your work style

In Welsh Celtic mythology, Cordelia's father wanted her to marry a man of his choosing. He may have thought he could have his way because he had 'judged the book by the cover' - he probably assumed Cordelia was a fluffy-bunny joy-joy flower-loving maiden, but he learned her true nature when she showed her mettle and married the man of her choice.

Colleagues of a Cordelia-inspired gal may make the same mistake as Cordelia's father. They shouldn't assume you're a pushover simply because you're friendly, approachable and easy to get along with.

Quite the opposite... you appreciate your opinion being respected, and may occasionally be a wee bit stubborn in getting your own way.

For the Ladies

Ladies will enjoy Goddess.com.au

It isn't anti-man, but is about women reconnecting with the Goddess energies, with one another, and with ourselves. This is something that women need to do, and often we neglect it.

What A Sinner we Have In Cheesemeister

Greed:	High
Gluttony:	Medium
Wrath:	High
Sloth:	High
Envy:	High
Lust:	Low
Pride:	Medium

Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz

How To Be A Pariah

It's easy in a closed-minded society. But let me tell you how I managed it 25 years ago.

My one semester in college occurred during the Satanic Panic fervor. 18 and thick as a brick, I naively thought that people who went to college were more open-minded than other folk. Gives you the idea that maybe, just maybe, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed. But I have learned a lot since then. Big lesson learned: most people are terrified, narrow minded sheep. If this were the middle ages I would have been burned at the stake a long time ago. But since there are laws preventing "good" Christian folk from burning evil polytheists at the stake these days, their blood lust now goes unthwarted most of the time in this society.

I was drawn like a moth to a flame to anything containing alcohol, and my tongue was loosened. I gleefully told everyone about my ability to talk to ghosts. And when the subject of religion came up I openly told them about being raised Catholic but having found polytheism. Lo and behold, I was now a pariah.

My room mate moved out, fearing that I, the "Satan Worshipper" would sacrifice her like a goat one night in her sleep. Unbelievably, I still had a few friends but most of the other dorm dwellers talked in whispers when I came by, left rude missives on my message board, and ducked into their rooms if they saw me coming. My mental health took a turn for the worse. I was always getting blasted or high, often with people I didn't know. In one case using beer bongs at a party till I lost count, wandering off in a state of oblivion until I knocked on the door of some more people I didn't know, who turned out, luckily, to be a very mellow, pot-smoking grad student couple who called a cab for me between tokes. I went to the student health center because my stomach hurt terribly, left when it stopped hurting, met another group of people I didn't know and partyed with them till daylight. Another time didn't turn out so well. A bit too trusting of a fellow whom I met in line for concert tickets for AC/DC I went with him to have a few drinks and get high. He wanted "payment" for the drinks and weed. I didn't want to give him payment but was too wasted to fight, so he took his payment. I ended up a worse mess than ever psychologically. Somewhere during this psychological hell I met and began a codependent relationship with my ex husband.

Since then I have developed a "don't ask don't tell" policy when it comes to topics like psychic phenomena and religious beliefs. Even then I generally just tell those who ask that I'm a Buddhist, which is, in fact, part of the truth. I go to the Buddhist temple to meditate when I can. I put up Tara and Buddha statuettes on my desk while working at night. With Buddhism, one is working on improving their relationship to themselves and the Universe, not telling others what to think and do. So yes, I am a Buddhist. But while I don't deny my Pagan beliefs I don't tell too many people outright either. The place that I work is run by a Christian organization, so you can see that this wouldn't go over too well. I'm not going to pretend that I'm a "good" practicing Christian, but I'm going to protect myself too. Because in this case, being a pariah can mean loss of income, and I'm just not ready for the lesson of being homeless yet.

And I sure as hell ain't gonna blurt out that I wrote a book with the help of a ghost or that I've been talking to ghosts for a goodly portion of my life. Because Cie Cheesemeister didn't write a book with a ghost--Lily Strange did. Very few people that I have personal contact with will ever know that the two are one and the same. Luckily, I don't think that my "big ole Satan worshippin' book of sin an' evil" will ever be something to catch the attention of most bible thumpin' Corset Christians. Unless they're burning it, of course.

Thoughts from a Ghost and a Psychic Sponge on the anniversary of his death

Ah, ghost sickness. Fun--NOT!!!

When certain very traumatic events take place, they leave a psychic imprint. My co-author committed suicide on April 8 1991. Since meeting him in August of 1995, I have experienced varying degrees of ghost sickness when this date approaches. This year it has taken the form of high anxiety. In 2006 on this date I literally thought I was going to die. I vomited rather violently a couple of times and felt dreadfully dizzy. Last year wasn't bad because we focused our energies elsewhere by sending the book in for publication on this dread date. No book this year, so, oh fuck, here we go again. It isn't as bad as it was in 2006 but I am still not having a great time. A few days ago I had a panic attack so severe that I was afraid I might have to go to the ER. I am not sure how much of this was triggered by the opening of these particular energies.

I wish to impart that neither my co-author nor any other spirit is trapped in a psychic tape loop reliving an incident such as this repeatedly. He tells me that he in fact has never been back to the location in which it took place. Following the initial traumatic incident he returned to the location for a couple of weeks (in part, he says, to engage in a modicum of poltergeist activity against his former not very beloved roommate) but realized fairly quickly that doing so was not in any way useful and so resolved to never return to that place. The energy of the incident, however, will remain until such time as the difficulties that drove him to the act are healed. And this can take a very long time. Sometimes a person will even encounter an incident of trauma from a past life. The traumatic fallout from this incident could be around long after my co-author has reincarnated. If he were to return to this place in a future life he would experience a great deal of discomfort and might in essence "meet himself" although nothing of his personality actually remains there, only the energies from the very strong emotional state surrounding his death.

The place where the incident happened is not a good one. The energies there are very negative, and were before this incident. It is a gateway to the lower astral. Anyone who is very sensitive to energies AND prone to depression (someone like my co-author) should avoid such a place. He in fact had friends who told him that the place wasn't healthy and he should move away from it. Sadly, his mindset and circumstances were such that he did not take action in this regard. While there are many things which contributed to his unfortunate decision to take his own life, the energies in the place where he was living did not help. Lower astral beings thrive on energies of misery and depression and found someone like him (a troubled person who is also a psychic sensitive) an easy target.

The memories and emotions of relatives come into play as well on the anniversary of an untimely death of this nature, as does the remorse of the spirit themselves. While he has a greater understanding of his psyche than he did at the time he took his life, he still has issues that he is dealing with and he feels a great deal of remorse for bringing pain upon others. Although my co-author had something of a notorious image, he has apologized profusely to me every time sensing the energies surrounding this date cause me distress. It isn't his fault that I'm a psychic sponge and he wouldn't be able to talk to me so readily if I weren't. But there is still a lot of work to be done.

My friend jokes that he's not sure if his musical tastes have evolved or mutated in the years since his demise, but he has developed a strong liking for the blues and for music with tones such as are found in Celtic and Australian aboriginal music. The didgeridoo actually vibrates at the same level as a discarnate spirit, so most human spirits find it pleasant.

We were listening to this song the other night and he said that he liked it and asked if I would include it if I made a collection of songs for him like I did last year. Of course I will, and I'll put it here too.

In spite of the annual psychic hell, I'm very glad I met this friend (although sometimes it sucks that he's invisible to me) and I hope we'll be able to create many more things together. He helps make my life bearable. I've never exactly been a ray of sunshine myself.

Robin Trower plays Bridge of Sighs

For my dear friend and co-author

January 16, 1969-April 8, 1991

I know you're restless, but may you find peace and comfort and know that you have friends here.

My co author wants to leave a note so anything after this point is quoted verbatim from him.

Note from the spooky bastard:

Thank you, I appreciate it. What I like about this song is it is soothing, like being rocked on an ocean. Unlike some people this does not make me throw up--Lily.

Also it helps if you do not have to drink water, not so fun to be in the middle of the ocean with only salt water to drink, then you may join me sooner than you think.

Also with the song, hell of great guitar work. Everybody fantasizes of playing guitar but I never could, my fingers tied into knots when I try so this does not work too well.

Thank you for putting up with me. This year is better than the past. So no more of this anxiety shit. I would not like to have to hurt you!

Only kidding. We must say for those that insists to take everything literal.

If you read this we wish to you to remember to keep an open mind as a consipation in the head is not very pleasant and causes your thoughts to be shit. Also, keep guns away from your head especially if depressed. If you do what you may be thinking of you cannot take it back and believe me even I wished I could, even as fucking miserable as I was in that moment. There is no rewind, no take back, no re-play. I have much I wish to impart but cannot of my own accord do so any longer. While I enjoy and appreciate my partnership with my living friend, it would be much more fun if we could also look at each other. Not to give you some sickening sweet tommorow is another day crap but if you are thinking to do it think twice and think again. Not false hope only reality.

Good wishes to you and also positive energies.

Yes, this from me. If you do not care for such things, the problem is not mine. But for those which accept, the offer stands.

"Spooky"

Healer of Souls

The deity of the day was Tawert, who is an Egyptian goddess. She is a deity of transition, both a helper of mothers and a healer of souls. Her basic appearance is that of a pregnant hippopotamus with a crocodile tail. She is called upon both to help bring new life into the world and to guide the souls of those who have entered the spirit world. So I called upon her both to protect and guide my son as he enters adulthood and goes to live on his own, to help me deal with this transition because I'm not dealing with it very well, and to help guide and heal my co-author, who committed suicide 17 years ago tomorrow.

Since we are on the subject of Egyptian death rites, here is an interesting page regarding ancient Egyptian funerary items and practices.

Ostara Invocation

I found this beautiful poem/invocation for the Goddess Ostara on this page.

Ostara Invocation

rising waxing
morning’s redness
an egg in the palm
a seed in the soil

waxing, rising
thrusting, lusting
hare of dusk and
dawning’s robin

a bloom springing forth
the down of willow
blooming, singing
rutting, springing

sap flows sweet
the birds are waking
waking, knowing
stretching, growing

Ostara, i can hear your footsteps
in sparrow song
in robin trill

Ostara, i can see your tresses
in scarlet maples
the daffodil

girl of gold and
morning’s redness
blooming, singing
rutting, springing

sap flows sweet
the songbirds waking
waking, knowing
stretching, growing

the egg in the palm
a seed in the soil

—Jenne Micale

Ostara is a goddess of fertility whose festival is held on the Spring Equinox.

As I was wanting to do work for healing my heart today and to bring good fortune to my writing project, I find Ostara to have been a fortuitous choice for the deity of the day. Fertility does not always mean reproduction. It also encompasses anything for which there is a birth process, and this includes creative works and even the growth of crops or the birth of a business.

I (and my co-author) have been feeling sad over the lack of interest in our creation, but we will continue to create, as we enjoy working together. Also, we both need a lot of healing and feel we can support each other. So we will continue our work, both creative and spiritual.

Blessings to any who may see this. I hope it helps you in some way.
Lily

The Lesson of Zeus

Trying to do too much spell work on a given night was really doing me in. I slated myself for an hour each night and to do as many spells or invocations as fit the number of the day. Thus on today, Monday, I would do nine. This actually negated the power of the spell. When I found the widget for the deity of the day, I decided that as a polytheist, I should focus upon the deity of the day as well as the properties of the day.

Some days this ends up being a time to invoke and chat with a deity for a while. Every little bit of positive energy is a blessing. But sometimes great gifts are bestowed. The deity of the day is Zeus. I looked up an invocation for him and did not specifically find one. I did, however, find a fine educational page on the various aspects of Zeus.

I felt that as Monday is governed by the moon and the moon governs aspects such as purification and clearing, and Zeus is a multifaceted deity, I would call upon him to help me make positive changes. There is a spell for getting away from a bad environmental situation in the book Tarot Spells by Janina Renee, and this is what I chose. The bad environment being entrapment in chronic debt, being a wage slave and the wage is never enough, feeling old, run-down, tired and hopeless. This is all shit. So I asked Father Zeus for his blessing and assistance and I began the spell work.

When a very clear vision comes of a deity, this is a very positive sign. I saw in my mind's eye Father Zeus riding in a chariot over the sea towards the shore on which I was standing in my vision. The sky was blue but with some clouds and it was a windy day, though there was no storm as such. He approached me and I knew he approved of my request and granted me blessing. I spoke to him of the things I wanted to change and asked his blessings and protection for myself and my loved ones.

One of the gifts he gave me had to do with breathing to clear the chakras, and picturing the sephira on the Tree of Life as I did so. You breathe deeply according to the number of the day, which for Monday is nine times. This method is the one I learned. If you are more comfortable with other names and colors for the chakras, use your own.

First breathe into the crown Chakra, above the head. This chakra is pure white energy. Next the brow, which has a violet hue. Then the third eye, which is indigo. Envision a blue light energy for the throat. Following this I envision the Thymus chakra which is attuned to Daath. This is between the throat and the heart, and the energy is clear. Next is the heart, the energy of which is green, followed by the solar plexus, which is golden yellow. The energy then flows down to the spleen chakra, which is actually situated in the navel area. Following this is the root chakra, which is at the base of the spine and also encompasses the reproductive organs.

In my method, the energy then flows to another chakra at the level of the knees. The color is difficult to describe, being the color of night itself. This is not an opaque black, but a clear black with highlights of silver and gold, like the moon and stars. Although I am breathing to this area, in my mind I am seeing the wonderful dwellers of the moon-sphere, humanoids with birdlike heads holding staffs. These are the guardians of the gate between worlds. They may seem fearsome but are actually benevolent, ready to guide those who approach them with pure intent. Finally, breathe into the foot chakra, which is a swirling mass of all the colors of the rainbow.

While doing this exercise, focus the energy given to you by the deity whose blessing you have asked down through each chakra, so as to bring the energy for your spell/petition from the Heavens to the Earth sphere Malkuth, which in the human body is represented by the foot chakra.

Finally, lift the energy from the foot chakra and send it back in an arc on either side of your body to the crown (Kundalini) chakra above your head, from the crown to the feet, in a continuous stream of pure white energy. This establishes as above so below.

This essay was written while in a spontaneous trance induced while participating in the spell work blessed by Zeus. I am not inclined to edit such spontaneous work, although later when my consciusness is integrated fully once again into the physical world, I may clarify certain aspects of the essay.

Blessed be,

Lily

The Cheesemeister's Drive-By Philosophy

This is a lazy post. It's actually just a duplicate of a comment on Mago's blog. But I found it relevant to post here.

Sometimes on a logical level I start thinking that everything I believe in is stupid. But my life becomes bleaker when I think that way. Questioning should help a person grow, not stagnate them. And sometimes those looking only for purely "logical" explanations delude themselves just as much as those who insist that everything happens for a divine reason.

Friendly Spirits

Steve Irwin's presence is still felt by family, friends and visitors at Australia's zoo. There aren't any reports of telekinetic incidents, i.e. objects being moved or knockings or anything of that nature, just a friendly presence. This is often the case with spirits. A person will feel a presence rather than having a bunch of phenomena happen. And while Steve was the sort of guy given to playing pranks, I believe that at this point he'd rather just let people know that he's still around. He knows how hurt his family and friends were by his death and he doesn't want to upset them. So he gives a psychic hug and a hello.

My spectral co-author often hugs me around the shoulders and I feel a very nice warmth. Which is especially pleasant, given the problems I have with my joints and muscles. He also musses my hair sometimes, but didn't do this at first because he didn't want to frighten me. Sometimes when he has something he really wants to say I'll feel tingling in the "third eye" area or in one of my thumbs.

A friendly spirit will never deliberately frighten someone unless it's someone they deem deserving, i.e. someone who hurts others. I've also encountered the other kind of spirit, as well as demons. But that's a story for another time.

Spiritual Conduits, Circuits and Doors: Contacting Negative Spirits

People who have the ability to do so have long been able to sense emotions from photographs, especially if the subject in the photograph was feeling a particularly strong emotion. I've always made up stories by using photographs. Most of my stories are inspired by pictures of real people, although it is often the attitude of the person rather than their physical appearance that inspires the creation of a character. Once I'm done enhancing the character the traits that originally inspired me are more subtle, now blending in with fictional characteristics. However I have discovered more than once that a fictional scenario I created for a given character reflects an important event in the life of the person whose photograph inspired the creation of the character. This is sometimes simply interesting but can be disturbing.
Television and movies can be important channels for receiving emotions and contacting the minds of people, both living and dead. The worst thing that ever happened to me along these lines was that I fell asleep shortly after hearing that John Wayne Gacy had been executed. My only thought was "good riddance to bad rubbish," although ethically speaking I'm opposed to the death penalty--not because I give a rip in hell about having mercy on those who have really committed heinous crimes, but because I believe there are cases where innocent people were executed. However, my purpose here is not to discuss my socio-political beliefs, but rather to share thoughts on esoteric and mystical phenomena.
As a medium, I tend to be an "open conduit" for spirits and Gacy, not very long dead, found me. I didn't "speak" to him, he entered my consciousness. And I had a deplorable dream where I, possessed by the spirit of Gacy, committed atrocious acts on a young boy. I do not believe that Gacy used my astral form to assault a young male spirit such as one of his victims. Rather, what happened is that Gacy's thoughts temporarily became my thoughts. Behaving in such a fashion is completely against my nature, and I woke physically shaken and nauseated, both from the awful visions filling my consciousness and the struggle of dislodging Gacy's consciousness from my mind. One good shove and he was gone and, fortunately, has never returned. Badly shaken, I sought words of comfort both from the Psalms, which I always did in my youth, and also from the Egyptian book of the Dead and asked the deities to please protect me from a repeat attack by Gacy. Although Gacy maintained his innocence, I have no doubt that he was guilty and that he was a sociopath who believed he had the right to do what he did. I sensed great pleasure from his memories (fortunately I did not "view" the murders, but viewing/feeling the assault on the boy was well and away bad enough) and that if he had been set free he would surely have done it again. There was also a great deal of arrogance. He thought me stupid and an easy target, which was pretty much his opinion of all other people. In contradiction, there was, at the core, a deep self-loathing which caused a great, cold rage. When he murdered the boys, at some level he was murdering a younger self that he saw as weak. He wasn't entirely aware of this.
I do not know John Wayne Gacy's childhood history, but I am quite sure he was abused and/or neglected to a degree. While I have sympathy for any child who was abused, the actions of Gacy and others like him are unconscionable.
Unlike Gacy and his ilk, my co-author and other benevolent Earthbound spirits do not care to enter the actual consciousness of the medium with whom they are communicating. They impart their thoughts but their consciousness does not invade upon mine. My co-author tends to guard me while I sleep because of my vulnerability to invading negative spirits and demons. Once when I was terribly sleep deprived I was taking a nap at my parents' house, which does have a "doorway" in the basement. A negative entity came in through the doorway and tried to enter my body. In order to protect me from its attack, my co-author briefly entered my consciousness to chase it out. This was a slightly startling experience for me--I liken it to the feeling when you miss a step coming down a flight of stairs but catch yourself. Surprisingly, it was greatly unsettling for him. He apologized and said that his doing this was actually inadvertent. He said that he has no desire to possess anybody and while my energy is actually pleasant (his words) being enveloped in another's energies is distressing. He had a thought that this may be because his energy is a male polarity and mine is a female polarity. What I'm getting around to is that no positive spirit or entity will ever enter your consciousness without your permission except in case of emergency in order to protect or help you, and they will vacate as soon as possible.
Higher spirits and angelic energies do not experience disruption when entering the consciousness of a living medium and the medium will generally experience peace during such contacts.

Before initiating such a contact, it is best to do a clearing of the area where you will be working. This should drive away any lower astral entities. My personal favorite rituals are basic Pagan ones using water, salt, and a scented candle. I also like to set up my Tara statue, but that's just me. You doowhatchalike, and the Universe will take care of the rest!

Blessed be,
Lily

Gnosis and the Creator Energy

My hodgepodge belief system has a name. That name is "gnosis." A Gnostic takes wisdom from various sources. Although most of my sources of inspiration come from folklore, mythology and religion, some of the sources where I gain esoteric knowledge are not in themselves esoteric.
For me one of the of the greatest sources of inspiration is the "star nursery," which is part of our physical Universe. To me this is evidence of a powerful creator force. This force is not something which needs a name, nor does it require that we worship it. It is benevolent, yet it does not involve itself in the affairs of incarnate creatures. It loves everything it creates, yet this love is not the emotional attachment that most of us think of.
My co-author (or, more specifically, his host or core personality) believes that he encountered this force not long after the death of his body. He believed that he was bound for hell for committing suicide. The core personality distanced himself from the protector personality, who, ironically, was the one who killed their body. He says that he drifted in space for quite some time, not wanting to go to hell. He wondered if he could drift there forever and simply not be noticed. He says that the creator force itself spoke to him, not in words but directly into his mind and told him that his belief that he was bad and would go to hell was erroneous. He told me that being "embraced" by this benevolent force changed his perspective about things and that he felt a powerful desire to somehow return to the world and do something that would help or heal others who suffered, even though it would be a great challenge to do so given the fact that he was now without a body.
This force is not a deity--it created the god/goddess and angelic or demi-god energies which we gave human names and faces to. It is not male or female but both of these energies sprang from it. It did not create the dualisms of good and evil, it is outside of such concepts. Evil was created from fear and anger.
One can revere the creator force and send it benevolent thought energy. But although it is the ultimate form of pure energy, it does not require this, for it is self-sustaining. Working with the various deities can help a person connect with it. Negative energy distances us from it and makes us more alone.
One does not need to follow a given path to benefit from the creator energy. One does not even need to acknowledge it. One simply needs to create positive energy through thought and action. And they will receive more of the same in kind.

*Before commenting, please remember that these are my beliefs and opinions. I am not trying to force you to share them. These discoveries are precious to me and for a long time I kept them to myself for fear of ridicule, which diminishes the beauty and power of anything magical. It is with no little trepidation that I have chosen to share these thoughts in case that someone else may attain "gnosis" from them. If you disagree with what I have shared you are welcome to do so, but please be respectful and do not belittle me for having opinions that are not identical to your own.*

No Win Situation

It bothers me to realize how much I'd like for people to accept me. But I need to accept the fact that this will never happen.

Sometimes I can't really think of anything to say on this particular blog and I feel that sharing ancient wisdom is positive. I take mine where I can get it. I am a tremendously flawed being. I need to find strength. What inspires me may not inspire others. That's cool, but the problem is, my jigsaw belief system leads to attacks from all sides.

I have always been by the Christian lot that I'm going to hell for my acceptance of various beliefs. I get told by the left hand path lot that I'm too good. Wiccans don't like me because I also accept philosophies from non-pagan traditions. Atheists think I'm stupid for believing in the existence of various deities, spirit beings and the continuation of the personality after the death of the body.

I was raised Catholic and when I started finding wisdom in non-Christian beliefs, I was terrified even though logic dictated that the whole fire and brimstone thing was propaganda to keep people locked into the church. I was able to finally resolve my terror of going to hell for my non-Christian beliefs by studying the Holy Qabalah, which taught me that all religions have a place. The problem is that too many people see these paths, which are guidelines to spiritual development, as "the only way." And this causes hatred and intolerance between people. And for someone like me ends up feeling like everyone would like to lynch me because I don't adhere to any single belief system but rather take the gnostic approach of finding where wisdom where it may be, even in what may seem to be stange places.

I'm never going to be able to please all the people all the time so I either have to hide in the shadows or accept that I'm a pariah. Maybe one day I'll be driven back into the night again. I really don't like being hated. But I should be used to it by now. Perhaps there's a reason I must endure it. It would be easier to hide. But I feel like I was supposed to do something with this life. Maybe someday I'll know the reason behind it all. Right now I'm too damn tired to care.

Buddhist Wisdom

This is from my Buddhism Day by Day book by Daisaku Ikeda. It's one of my favorites.

One of the epithets of a Buddha is "Hero of the World." A Buddha is a valiant and noble champion who has conquered the sufferings of life in the real world.

Nichiren writes: "Buddhism is like the body and society like the shadow. When the body bends, so does the shadow."

People cannot live apart from society. But to be constantly at the mercy of society's ups and downs is a miserable existence. It is crucial for us to be strong and wise.

The "body" Nichiren refers to is, on the personal level, our faith.

Something to share

This is a beautiul page that I found. I just wanted to share it.

Here is the link to the main page of the site. The site owner appears to be Christian but not the judgmental, harsh kind. They seem thoughtful and appear to possess a good heart and open mind.

First of 2008 Divination

I do try to listen to my co-author, my other spirit friends, and to higher forces, but sometimes my stress level makes it difficult to hear. I did my first meditation/divination of the year last night. I was really struck by how the various cards were speaking to me, but when the time came to wrap things up I didn't write it down.

One of the things that I've been focusing on is honing my skills at listening to and communicating with the spirits so it isn't quite so haphazard. There have been two occasions since I first met my co-author where I've very strongly sensed him urging me to do something. Neither have been anything earth-shattering but have been things that could help me later on.

The first one was actually pretty funny. My son and I had gone to my parents' house for Thanksgiving. My co-author told me I should be sure to ask my mother to include some rolls in the leftovers that my mother was sending home with us. I figured she probably was so I didn't say anything. On the way home my son was digging in the bag.

"Where are the rolls???" he asked.

There weren't any. I told him that my ghost friend had actually suggested that I ask about rolls. My son said "Well, apparently, you don't listen to ANYBODY!" And he's never let me forget.

This time, my co-author has suggested that I write down the divination I received before I re-shuffle the cards for the next meditation/divination. The cards I received will still be on top of the deck. He said it will be good to be able to reference this divination when the times of hopelessness come, and to look at it again at the end of this year and see what I've managed to accomplish. This time I'm going to listen to him so he won't have reason to give me shit!

The Hindu deity who was a meditational focus was Brihaspati. He is a denizen of the Jupiter sphere. He is the spiritual master to the Hindu demigods and sages. He has influence in the three worlds. He bestows power and prestige in society, worldly knowledge and knowledge of law, the gifts of a spiritual teacher/master, and abilities as an advisor or counselor.

The Goddess who was the meditational focus was Brigit. She advises "sticking to your guns" and standing up for what you believe is right. I do go through periods of doubt where I figure those who think I've convinced myself that this is true and that I'm simply mad as a hatter are right and I should cease this nonsense. Thing is when I've tried, I just feel empty. People have a right to believe that I'm naff, that none of this could possibly be real, etc. However, that doesn't mean that I have to believe it. Nor does it mean that I need to put up with anyone who tries to shove their opinion down my throat or who is rude in their assertion that they're right and I (and everyone else in the world) am wrong. Maybe they are right but they can go be right somewhere else. And maybe what's right for them isn't right for me--or anybody else.

The Archangel focus was Ariel. Ariel in this context advises not holding back, going boldly forward with projects or ventures that are of particular importance to me. This means continuing to work on the books--even though so far this is hardly successful financially.

The next card, coming from the Saints and Angels deck, was Joan of Arc. Joan, of course, led France to victory and then the very king she helped had her burned as a heretic. She advises that while one may be ridiculed or punished for believing in something, particularly something that seems divinely or spiritually guided, that one day their sacrifices will help others. There were not too many female heroic figures for girls to look up to when I was growing up. Joan of Arc certainly is one, for any generation of girls.

The Unicorn oracle is fun one. The card from this deck says "Imagine" and advises incorporating creative visualization into my spiritual practice. I used to do this but it was hard when my thoughts got chaotic and I was afraid of erroneously manifesting something negative, so I stopped. I haven't done it since before my son was born. It seems I should take up this practice again.

The animal guide is the Water Buffalo. This creature advises being bold and believing in myself. The theme of courage is reocurring in this reading. Any theme that reoccurs is one to pay special attention to.

The next part of the divination comes from the Harmony Angel Cards. One draws a card from each suit. My reading was as follows:

From the Rainbow suit I again receive Ariel. The reoccurrence is a sign that I need to pay particular attention to this angel and his/her message. Ariel rules over Earth and Air. His/her sphere is Pluto and his/her color is amethyst. His/her gift is the Earth healing element, Reiki. Interestingly, my co-author has a natural gift in the use of this particular energy. He will very kindly apply warmth to painful areas on my spine and this helps in other ways. He had no idea that the energy had a name. He always called it "Spirit Energy." He says that this is a component of the energy that survives the death of the body. I had no idea that this was what Reiki was. Of course I had heard of Reiki but I didn't really know what it was. I had been considering getting training in this area. I am told that I could become proficient in the use of this energy and that doing so would actually facilitate my spirit commuication.

It's a pity that my co-author wasn't guided to use this natural gift of his in life. It's really quite impressive.

The next card, from the Star Fire suit, represents the Angel Verchiel. This angel rules over issues of courage, leadership, and loyalty. (Reoccuring theme throughout this divintion) He/she rules over the sign of Leo. The angel advises proceeding boldly but not haphazardly. Wasted energy will detract from good results.

The Quintessence suit yields a card representing two angels: Sadriel and Eth. Sadriel is the angel of order and Eth the angel of time. These are two things I need more of in my life, also the ability to organize my time optimally. I have invited these angels to work with me on these areas of my life.

Finally, the sacred flame suit yields the card representing the Macrocosm. This is the card of magical and spiritual alchemy and physically speaking represents the third eye. For a medium or other magician it advises balances between the physical and spiritual worlds and indicates to me that I should indeed continue developing these abilities and fear neither them nor the myriad of naysayers that may wish to make themselves feel bigger through trying to make others feel smaller. I need to continue developing my spiritual abilities and other gifts will be revealed to me.

To end the divination, this was the daily prayer from the Pocket Prayers deck:

The morning arrives

And the song of a bird comes undone

I imagine for the first time in my life

That its wings

Are my own

--Corinne De Winter

For me this was a reminder that I'm not just a flesh-android who will cease to exist when my circuits cease to function. The body is a cocoon and when the time comes to leave it, we will fly free. But we will still be bound to the Earth sphere until our lessons are learned. Learning spiritual lessons while in the flesh will allow us to fly free in spirit when we ae freed from the confines of our bodies.

If you think a divination of this nature would be helpful to you, the cost is $25 or the purchase of one of our books. Please visit the official website to find out more.

Blessings,

Lily

The Cards Don't Lie

But sometimes they can be difficult to interpret--especially for yourself. Which is why I avoid doing readings for myself.

My current method of worship and reflection takes into account my polytheistic belief system. I set up the Buddha and Tara statuettes. I want to add a Ganesha statuette in the future. I draw cards from the Mandala deck, which features Hindu deities, one from the Goddess deck and the archangel deck, both created by Doreen Virtue, one from the animal guides deck and one from the non-denominational prayers deck. Each of these items tells me something I need to be aware of, a devotion I need to focus on at the given time.

Something disquieting happened during the two sessions previous to my Yule devotion, which I did last night. Yeah I know, running late as usual. I'll probably be late for my own funeral. On a not so amusing note, Lord Yama, a Hindu deity of death, appeared as the focus card from the Hindu deities deck. This did not set well with me. Try though I might to believe that he meant I should be focusing on transitions in the living world, he seemed to be telling me that his appearance pertained to a physical death. I didn't want to. The first person I thought of was my father. He has been in poor health since his stroke three and a half years ago. He has terrible sores on his legs that won't heal due to the edema. He has atrial fibrillation but dares not take the drugs that are generally prescribed for this because they thin the blood and he had a hemorrhagic stroke, not a clot. When I went over to my parents' house on Sunday, my father didn't answer when my mother called down the stairs. I said I'd go down and see what he was up to. She said "one of these days..." She didn't have to finish. I knew what she meant. I said "yeah, I know. But not today." And he was fine. He was shredding old documents. I think he really enjoys that paper shredder. I had to unjam it one day when I was over because he'd fed too much into it at a go.

Much though I wanted to deny what Lord Yama was obviously telling me, the truth will not be denied. However, it wasn't my father this time. It was a friend's husband who discovered just a couple months ago that he had esophageal cancer. I hope everyone will send healing energy to her and her family. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can also leave a message of sympathy for her on her blog.

I was surprised at how fast he went, although when they found the cancer he was already in the end stage. He had just started getting chemo. I felt that he would be in spirit come next winter but I didn't think it would happen this soon. I had sent them a gift card for video rentals from Blockbuster and dinner from Chili's. I hoped perhaps it would give them a good memory to have come next Yule when they would be separated by the veil between this world and the spirit realm. Now it will arrive to find my friend alone and I feel like a real asshole, like I'm pouring salt in the wounds by having sent it. Of course I didn't do it this way intentionally. I am not super-accurate with exact dates and times of events. I get a "big picture" sense of things. I sense atmospheres surrounding people and I talk to people that are already dead, if they want to talk to me. But I still feel as if I was unintentionally cruel and that really bothers me.

Even though I know that it isn't "evil"and I've been doing it for a lot of years and I know that there is an afterlife and powers greater than we who live in the material realm, sometimes the whole diviniation/precognition thing gives me the heebie jeebies. When I start getting messages like this, I don't want them. It makes me think about subjects that were presented as frightening and taboo. In the culture of the Australian Aboriginals, they believe that a person comes from the All That Is, incarnates in the world for a time, and returns to the All That Is. If someone "dreams" of a dead relative or friend, everyone accepts that the dreamer and the spirit person were truly spending time together. In the Western culture, such an event is dismissed as the dreamer's subconscious mind playing tricks on them. With all I've experienced, I think the Western belief is bullshit. There have been many times when I wished the cards were lying. But they don't. And the dead aren't gone, they're just different. They have energy bodies instead of physical ones. But they still have thoughts, needs and wishes. And they do still love the ones they leave behind.

My deepest sympathies to Raine on your loss. I am so very sorry.

My End of Year Divination

I use this method with my regular ceremonies but this will let me know what to look for in the coming year.

From the Mandala Wisdom deck I receive the message of Yamuna Devi, the goddess of purification. She indicates that I will be given opportunities to grow spiritually in the coming year and to purge from my psyche all that no longer suits. Outmoded attitudes, possibly defensiveness and tendency to anger. I pray to her that I come to believe in myself and my abilities more, not to be vain and arrogant but to be confident and know that I am just as deserving of blessings as others. I also pray that my past erroneous actions may be forgiven and the negative karma washed away.

From the Goddess deck I receive the wisdom of Sedna. She foretells of positive gain. I have always been afraid to pray/petition for this because my upbringing taught me that to do so was evil and would bring misfortune. I pray to her that I allow myself to gracefully receive blessings and to be able to ask for what I need, not to be greedy or to have more than others but to have enough to be comfortable and to share with others.

From the Archangel Jophiel I receive the message that I need to get outside in nature more often. This will clear me of the negative entities that tend to attach themselves to me and help me renew and strengthen given the fact that I work in a place where the door between the physical and spirit realm is often opened due to the fact that so many people die where I work. (retirement community/assisted living/nursing home) There are several earthbound spirits here and also several portals where heebie-jeebies from the lower astral like to come in and try to suck energy like the little vampires they are. Being outdoors helps clear these energies and strengthen the aura. I ask for Jophiel to give me the nudge I need to overcome my exhaustions and to do this.

My animal messenger is the Seal. The Seal advises that hard work and inspiration are the foudation of true creativity. Or, as Ringo Starr said, "you got to pay your dues if you want to sing the blues and you know it don't come easy."

Frustrations, expectations, wanting quick recognition...guilty as charged.

The Seal also advises, as a denizen of both water and land, that the "landscapes of the mind may be made material." I must focus on the various aspects of manifesting what I want. And maybe dare to dream a little again.

I know I've been called upon to do what I'm doing and I answered the call. Nobody forced me, I went willingly. Whether the rest of the world simply thinks I'm daft for what I believe can't be allowed to influence me or I'm doomed to failure. Let 'em think it. I'm going to do it anyway.

And these are my affirmations which I must return to once a week to fully absorb their truths over this coming year.

A Meditation for Acceptance

Whatever is in harmony with you, O Universe

Is in harmony with me

Whatever comes in due season for you

Is not too early or too late for me

What your seasons bring is fruit for me

For all things come from You

And return to You

--Marcus Aurelius

For

For what we eat

For what we wear

For melodies heard

For wonders seen

For what we have

For what will come

For family, friends

For love that's blessed

For gifts of hope

For lives of grace

May we give thanks

And be joyful

--Michelle Close Mills

I was only going to draw one card from the "Pocket Prayers" deck but the two that ended up at the front had the same picture on the back, so I took it as an omen.

To me these prayers signify taking a more Zen attitude, having more patience, and being grateful for what is instead of pissed off about what isn't. Yeah...I have difficulty with this. I will take the wisdom I have been given and give thanks for it. And I will try.

That is my advice given me by the Universe during my Yule celebration. I place it here so I can return to it and see how well I am doing. And if my method strikes a chord with any of you, feel free to use it!

Blessings to anyone reading this and best wishes for your coming year.

Lily

Xmahannuramakwanzyule Meme and PANSI'S Plea

I wasn't invited to do this but I stole it from here and did it anyways. Because when you're as unpopular as me, you get used to crashing the party!

CHRISTMAS MEME

When people say Christmas you immediately think:

Oh greed! Food and presents!

Favorite Christmas memory:

Putting up the tree. We used to really have a beautiful tree every year and lots of nice decorations. It was great to put up and hell to take down.

Favorite Christmas song/carol:

I like the Little Drummer Boy, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, What Child is This, the Carol of the Bells, and a bunch of stuff on the Celtic Christmas album. I also like the Coventry Carol, but it's very sad.

Favorite Christmas movie:

Probably A Christmas Story because it's funny.

Your favorite Christmas character..:

The animals in the manger!

Favorite ornament/object:

There were some handmade ones that my great-grandmother sent us that I really loved. Those and the birds. And the glass ones. I'm getting a bit fucking nostalgic here.

What are your plans for Christmas?

I'll be working, Beeyatch. No joke.

Other than that, I'll give my son his gifts. And make a halfway nice dinner. Now I'm feeling pissy and humbuggy about the working thing. Fucking Alvin N. Chipmunkk! (My boss)

If you want to play, you're tagged. Tell me where you did the dirty deed so I can come and see the results.

And now, here's PANSI.

First becuz of the incompatent's of the CHEESE MISTRESS it look's like I am going to be without CHRISTMAS PRESENT'S this yeer! I sertanly dont no what Mrs. Weirdso was thinking when she sent me to the Never World! It was probly part of some heething packt that her and the CHEESE MISTRESS have! And now to ad insult's to injery's, the CHEESE MISTRESS puts my importent messaje about my not getting CHRISTMAS PRESENT'S after her dumb thingy about what she thinks of Christmas when she is just a big heething anyway's! I reely hope there are some good pepul heer who will help corekt the dumb mistakes of the CHEESE MISTRESS. I hope you will go heer to reed my urjent plee and see how you can get me some CHRISTMAS PRESENT'S! PLEESE!!! I am cownting on you!

Kiss Kiss,

PANSI!!!!!

Silly Meme

You Should Have Been Born Under:

You've got a ton of energy - and need plenty of room to roam. You tend to follow your whims, and it's hard for you to stick to one thing. Specific jobs, loves, and friends are always changing and never a part of your life for long. Very intuitive, you tend to know what people are thinking before they say a word. You are most compatible with a Dog or Tiger.

What Year Should You Have Been Born Under?

I'm actually a Snake.

Meditation/Spiritual Practice and Exhaustion

I was raised with a religion wherein there were a lot of things that could make you a BAD PERSON. One of these things was being remiss about attending services on the given day at the given time. This may be one reason why I was drawn initially to solitary esoteric work and later to Buddhism as well. There wasn't so much dogma. "You have to do Y on day X, or you'll go to H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS!!! AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THERE IS NO BUTTER IN HELL AND SO YOU WILL FRY PAINFULLY WITH NO EMULSIFYER."

Even when I left behind the religion of rigid dogma, this is one of the beliefs that piggybacked on my subconscious, along with if you wish for money something horrible will happen to you. This belief may well be blocking the free flow of positive energy between myself and the Universe. For instance, I have been zombie tired the past few days. I can barely muster the energy to place the Tara and Buddha statuettes, let alone do any sort of invocations. While Tara and Buddha are not the sort of deities to strike one down with lightning for not worshipping on schedule, I still feel the old I AM NOT WORTHY creeping in. The only thing I can do is recognize it and let it go. Holding onto it or fighting it are only going to do me no good. So I may have to repeat for a while that this is an erroneous belief and must be released before it finally departs. But I won't wrestle with it because wrestling only allows it to keep its hold on me.

Peace and blessings.

Angelic Prayer

Merry Meet!
Here is a prayer to the Angelic Forces to help cease hostilties in the Middle East.
Blessed Be

Invocations

Merry meet! Today I was looking for invocations of Aphrodite. I found some that I thought were particularly helpful.

Here is a site that you may find helpful. It contains invocations to various Gods and Goddesses.

Here is one that has meditations specifically focused on Aphrodite.

Here is a ritual for invoking Aphrodite.

Here is Sappho's hymn to Aphrodite.

Seeing these links, one might think I was foolishly lusting after an unattainable lover as I have done in the past too many times. No such thing! I simply decided that always doing rituals according to a day and time felt too cut and dry to me and I needed something fresh. I have divination decks from which I draw cards. Today Aphrodite is with me. She is far more than a goddess of sexual love although that is one of the areas she certainly rules over. She also helps with friendship love, with the arts, and with gardening. So today I was looking for ways to honor her.

Blessed be.

I guess I am a genius! (Not really)

Get a Cash Advance

Guess at least there's a good side to it

Your Sensitivity Score: 96%

You are an extremely sensitive person. You notice everything. You've probably been called overly sensitive before, and it's partially true. Highly sensitive people tend to be highly intelligent. And you just can't turn off that part of you.

Are You Extremely Sensitive?