Shadow work & Filianism

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Dear Reader,

If you're in the pagan community, you may have heard the term 'shadow work' thrown around a few times. Shadow work is a form of psychological healing through ritual and magic that accesses the 'darker' elements of our psyche and works to reintegrate them and process the traumatic things that lead to the splitting off of and repression of these parts of ourselves. An excellent book on this from Timothy Rodrick is titled Dark Moon Mysteries: Wisdom, Power, and Magic of the Shadow World. I've reviewed this book before, this post is not another accolade. This post's focus is different, it is to illustrate the role of shadow work in a religion as focused on light as Filianism.

It is easy to forget in the mystical imagery of Filianism and Déanism that shadows and darkness are an important part of the whole. The Bright Mother and her Daughter are the primary foci for many. The janyati/angels whose aspects are more 'light' oriented are more frequently addressed because there is a degree of wariness lingering with respect to the janya who is associated with the 'dark' aspects of things, as well as a convenient forgetting that the others have their own 'dark' elements. This is not a criticism of this practice. It is an acknowledgement of it and an attempt to address the necessity to consider the shadow/darkness behind the light.

The Dark Mother is a mysterious figure as is Sai Rhavë. Both are associated with the ending of things. The janya Sai Kala is perhaps the penultimate association with endings as the janya of death and the terminal end of fate. This triad, however, should not be feared. They can help us handle our own shadow side and usher us into the light that exists within that shadow. These faces of Dea are benevolent. They see our suffering and desire to help us transmute it into healing.

It is under the auspices of the Dark Mother that we might explore our interior wounds and find healing as we reach a place of acceptance. It is under the auspices of Sai Rhavë that we may explore the deep injuries we have sustained within our souls and bring the shards of ourselves back to integrate into the whole for greater stability within ourselves. And it is under the auspices of Sai Kala that we may let go the pain of the past and move forward into the future to a new life with that pain having no power over us anymore for it's sway has died with our acknowledgement and acceptance of the truth of the situation.

Unwell, again.

Dear Reader,

I have been struggling to get things done and work on my writing. I realized that I'm in a mixed episode that falls more towards the depressed side of the ledger. I am having a hard time focusing and I'm super anxious. It is not something that encourages getting work done. I'm disabled due to mental illness and times like now I am forced to admit this is not something I can ignore and simply push through.

In an attempt to be brutally honest with you and myself, I must admit that keeping up with daily blog posts on multiple topics is too much of a strain right now. I'm struggling with stuff off-line like keeping up with the household chores at the moment because of how my brain chemistry is off kilter. I genuinely and sincerely wish that I wasn't feeling like a complete failure because I'm sick. It has me feeling like I should just delete this blog and give up all of my hopes and dreams of being a 'real' writer.

Depression and a laundry list of bad experiences come together to act as the exact opposite of a cheering section. It highlights all of the possible negative outcomes. It convinces me that everything is futile and all that I have accomplished thus far is simply luck and vanity.

Scumbag brain is a hell of a drug.

Practical witchery: Grounding 2/3

Dear Reader, 

Last month, I posted the first of this series on how to ground your energy. The first exercise was a sensory based one that can be practiced anywhere at anytime. This week's exercise is one that requires a tool that is easily acquired. In the last exercise, you directed your energy into the earth. This exercise, you direct your energy into a stone which will dissipate the energy passively into the earth.

A common stone that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand is a good tool. There are some stones that lend themselves better to this practice. Hematite is a very popular stone. A lump of sandstone has worked very well for a friend of mine for years. I have a pair of river rocks that I hold in both hands. Either way, a nice sized, comfortably smooth stone is needed.

Like in the first exercise, sit in a comfortable position. Holding the stone(s) in your hand(s), become aware of your breathing and your energy state. Draw your personal energy into your hands and push it into the stones. This can be done by squeezing the stones lightly while envisioning the energy transferring. Continue to do this until you are at a state of calm relaxation, this is your base state of energy levels.

When your stones are filled with energy, place them aside and allow them to rest until you are ready to use them again. For extra quick energy dispersal from the stones, bury them in a fine layer of earth, sand, or salt. Salt, earth, and sand are intimately tied with the earth itself and they disperse energy readily.  Just a small jar of soil can absorb and disperse a great deal of energy. Salt is especially effective.

Conflict between the body, mind, and spirit.

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Dear Reader,

There is a chance you may be familiar with the expression "The spirit is willing but the body is weak." It's a pretty old one that we've inherited from the Christian cultures of Western Europe. Into every spiritual life comes times where our spirits and minds are eager to be about the work of faith but our bodies simply can not do so. We may lack the energy, the time, or the literal physical ability to do what we so deeply desire to. This does not signify failure.

Unlike other faith systems, Filianism recognizes that this conflict happens through no fault of our own and has a place for our worship activities when we are unable to engage them in the most physical of senses. It is within ourselves that we may engage in acts of deep devotion. The temple of the heart is more than a pretty metaphor. It is also a place within our being where we might come to worship Dea. It resolves the conflict between our physical ability to engage in worship and our spiritual ability.

Through meditation, we might enter into the temple of the heart and present ourselves before Dea to worship, adore, and be in her holy presence for a time. The temple of the heart looks different for each person, but within that temple, we may all find ourselves in the presence of Dea.

This solution isn't only the property of Filianism. Through meditation and focused attention, we might find ourselves able to engage and experience the holy presence of other deities. Next week, I will present a simple guided meditation that I learned from my aunts to reach that holy place within where one's spirit may touch the mystical world about us and enter into the presence of the Divine.

Divination: Major Arcana 4 - The Emperor

Dear Reader,

The Emperor this week comes from the Witches Tarot deck from Ellen Cannon Reed and Martin Cannon. The Emperor is the fourth major arcana we encounter. In the Fool's journey, the Emperor represents a figure of importance. They can be dangerous to the person who crosses them, but the Emperor's ruthlessness makes them a powerful ally. 

The presence of the Emperor in a reading may indicate that the querent needs to seek guidance. The direct orientation suggests that the querent should not act yet but assess the situation and judge what is going on. The Emperor in the reversed orientation indicates that the querent can put ideas into action at this time.

For more information, check out my book, The Veiled Witch's Handbook for Psychics.

A cure for the norovirus.

Dear Reader,

We've gone three weeks with the norovirus making the rounds at my house. Just yesterday, my youngest was home sick with it. I think we might be done now since it looks like everybody has had it now. I have been super busy cleaning EVERYTHING. I was sick last week with the stupid bug. As was my eldest child. And the first week of the month, my poor Beloved had it.

I am beginning to think that Aliens had the right idea, take off and nuke the site from orbit to be sure. Fire cures everything, right? If it isn't cured yet, you just apply more fire, obviously.

Divination: Major Arcana 3 - The Empress

Dear Reader,
This week's Major Arcana is the third card, The Empress. The card featured this week comes from The Faery Wicca Tarot from Kisma K. Stepanich and illustrated by Renee Christine Yates. Don't let this card's alternate name confuse you, this is still the Empress if this were a standard tarot deck.

The Empress is a very maternal figure. When this card arrives in a reading, the Empress is generally a benevolent figure. She is speaking of prosperity and abundance when in the direct orientation.

When reversed, the Empress speaks of a need for grounding and stability in ones life.

To learn more about this card, check out the tarot section of my new book: The Veiled Witch's Handbook for Psychics.