What's Not in the Books

Many years ago as a baby Feri in training I was introduced to a guide, who has since become a trusty friend and ally, who first showed himself to me as a man in a pot. He gave me a name to call upon him and showed me a thing I did not understand until much later: alraun. I did some digging to try to understand the puzzle pieces he showed me, but they did not connect for a long while. It was not until I had gotten to know this guide and friend better and was initiated that the pieces connected. By that time I was already creating my own poppets and finding my own style and story. Vasalissa very much took the torch on that one, in many ways, she reminded me of my own Matron goddess: Hekate. In spite of the fact that Vasalissa had taken up the torch, my earth guide friend, whom you have heard me refer to as the Poppet Prince, still guided my hand. So today we talk a bit about alrauns.

The lore about them is pretty clear. They can be mischievous if not properly cared for. According to lore they require weekly attention such as baths, a proper place to sleep, anointings in precious oils, and just a talking to. How do you go about that??? I have found my own way in the dark, secret places of this on my own and discovered a few things on my own. My Poppet Prince has been showing me how he would prefer to be cared for and it is not exactly what lore has shown. While, yes, he enjoys a nice anointing in oils I consider precious but, when it is time to get to work, it's blood he requires. By now he has acquired a dark staining that gives him an mysterious appearance. He is clothed in my finest lace and blackest of ribbon. I tried a coffin like style of home for him but, it was not to his liking. He took up hearth and home in a cobalt blue jar with a silver lid that actually can be rung like a bell when struck. I was originally utilizing this jar as a wish jar and ritual bell but, I relented and gave it to him. He sits in a place of honor on my altar quite happy and snug and cozy there with the lid firmly atop while he's sleeping.

The talking to part is not what I expected when I first started my alraun care adventure. I expected that I would talk to him very much the same way we speak to our cats, dogs, sometimes fish ( and on occasion I do just that.) Oh no. That's not what it is for me. I learned very quickly that from the get go he speaks to me in dreams and in meditations when I go in to faery, we have a back and forth dialogue that includes words, images and sometimes sounds and smells. I guess I could have gotten the hint when I was first embarking on his creation but, I completely missed the point on that one and misinterpreted the dream. I think at that point the Poppet Prince was trying to warn me about my now ex husband and his extremely jealous behavior patterns instead of an intruding spirit. Oh well live and learn. The other puzzle piece that I have recently put into place actually came out of the mouth of my Faery Aunt while I was grieving the loss of my witch garden. She said that the spirit of the plant will come back to you when you re-establish new plants; the spirits don't just die and go away, they wait for a new host. It brings me comfort to know that now. Should, Gaia forbid, anything happen to the vessel I have cared for my Poppet Prince in, I can lovingly create him a new host body and call him forth again.

Alrauns have been talked about in lore as being created from the most coveted of witchdoms plants, most often as a mandrake root. Truth be known, I think an alraun is made from a root. Period. A root that you lovingly pull from the earth, replant in your personal plot and care for as a plant for a bit before you begin the formative shape. Yes the leaves will at first wither and curl. Yes it will come back if you have carefully handled the roots. In my experience, I actually had vibrant sow weed flowers bloom during this process as I was making offerings and connection to the plant. Yes, I put a sow weed sweetly in its own pot, brought it home and called it friend. I am a city witch and there things in the city that only urban plants know, like how to grow in the cracks of the sidewalk and push through asphalt to defy the shape and form society wishes to create of you.

If you are going to chose to work with alrauns, my suggestion is get to know the earth spirit called into it first. It is this spirit you will be working with. I also suggest only one alraun at a time until you come to a good understanding of how to connect and work with one. Since we know that books may be great sources of information and knowledge but, they are no substitute for hands on dirt under the fingernails practice. Just focus intently on your alraun, listen to all your hidden senses and instincts while following the pattern put forth by our ancestors. Understand that it is not exact and varies slightly from witch to witch ( and that's okay.) Most of all, enjoy the process. If there is no love and joy in what you are doing, you are doing it wrong. Do not be afraid to deviate from lore a bit because it is not in the books. There are lots of things that are not in the books and you may miss out on beautiful secrets. What's not in the books is within your own heart.

Oh Spring, you tease. . .

 After reading Georgi Mishev's Thracian Magic, I decided two things: I was going to learn how to make sourdough bread from starter and I was going to make Martenitsi ( as threatened, there is a ribbon shoved into that section. Yes, the pretty blue one.)

I got really lucky, I think, with the sourdough starter and followed the directions given for catching wild yeast. I gave myself plenty of failing time just in case and before December 20, I had a nice starter and was able to make a ritual loaf of bread for my ancestors and family. My yeast beastie is happily brewing away in my fridge and gets pulled out weekly for feeding. If anyone asks if there is something living in there I can, in fact, say there is something alive in there and to watch out it may bite. Okay, maybe the biting part is over kill, but if Hagrid can unleash a monster book of monsters on his students, than a yeast beastie in my fridge should be nothing.

There has always been something a little different about bread I made myself. Something extra that comforted and nourish all those little life cravings that only melting butter on hot bread can soothe. What I experience while eating the sourdough bread was just that to an Xth degree. I suspect it was the difference in the genii intelligence of the yeast culture. It is the only thing that has shifted in my ritual breads. I will be using this recipe for all bloodless offerings. It's a good thing that this bread is so good, it will not keep very long so it's just best to eat it while it's hot.

Within the book, Georgi discusses a ritual that is literally days long all surrounding the making and  kneading of dough. It is a very communal thing and only participants of the rite walk away with the bread ( and any puzzle pieces from the Mysteries.) Secret herbs are poured in by the elders, the bread is serenaded and danced for, magic is definitely afoot. I may not be able to get together with the 'village' and perform the full rites, but I can have my daughter help me knead the dough while blasting out our favorite holiday Jingle Spells songs. ( as I said earlier, some traditions are going to have to be tossed out the window and seeing as how I am the only one in the family to dig up and pass on family and cultural trads, the whole grandma thing will have to take a back seat.)

Speaking of Grandma, another thing that will have to be done by myself are the Martenitsi. I liked the whole description of how the eyes were supposed to be closed during the crafting. That and a whole other list of proscriptions, reminded me of the faery tales of one eye open: one eye closed, on one leg in the door jam was where faeries could be seen in their realm. In another story, the whole one eye, one leg, in a door jam thing is done completely upside down! Immediately, you can see where one thought form is of protection and the other of sight or insight, but both can be infused upon crafting with specific conditions. Technically, anything can be infused during crafting. . . we have all heard about the One Ring business.

My first set of martenitsi, was of course, like all first draft writings. . . crap, but canon. I kept it and hung it in my office; it will be joining the others in the tree out front on Ostara. I thought about my failing with the martenitsis and a new design began to form in my head. I really liked the comfort stars shape as I was making them, they just turn right between your fingers making them perfect places to catch wishes. I stuffed them with lavender, a fresh smell during the last dark days of winter. I decided they would be best functional as zipper pulls as we would all be wearing jackets for a while yet.

 I stuck with the canon colors of red and whites and as I began making these, I saw that these things were not only familiar to me, but in ways I didn't quite expect. I looked around the web for some lore on the tradition and found several different variations. I had the opportunity to ask a couple of questions from the author and his answer at first vexed me. He said that it was more about the experience of creating and wearing them than the lore. As I was focusing on my connections with Hecate, I did so in a manner that spoke very deeply to my Feri views. When I pulled back and looked at what I had created, I put together that both the iron and pearl pentacles were involved in the whole wishing process. It had become a reminder to run both exercises as I was walking through the neighborhood.

I know the magic is not quite done and that my tree will probably not look as awesome as the one in that pic. The little zipper pulls will all dangle from the limbs of the honey mesquite tree and soak up more of the sky as spring pushes into my life. It's good to know that Hecate has a faery smile too.

I am finding it easier than I imagined to add ancestral cultural practices into my personal Feri praxis. I think that makes me sigh in relief. It is also good to know that, even though it's been a long time coming back, that war and hate cannot strip us of our heritage completely. The tracks of the beast are still in the forest.

The dead

As a witch I acknowledge three types of the dead: Beloved, Mighty and Ancient. I work with them. I do not command them nor do they command me. It is relationship much like the kind you would develop over time with the living. 

My first experience with the dead was pretty typical of anyone elses' experience with the dead: my Grandmother who had passed the veil. This type of experience is classified as the Beloved Dead. One whom you knew in life and loved dearly. The dead in this category are generally easy and safe to work with as they have you best interests at their hearts core. They are easily called upon. More often than not, they show up without being called upon. The beloved dead can also include any furry/ feathered/ scaled friends that you may have kept company with.

The Mighty Dead is usually associated with traditions and large groups of people. For example: in specific traditions of the craft there are those who pass the veil and remain in contact with the living members of that magical tradition. They can be called up in times of need for assistance and guidance. It is rare that they just show up. The situation for that to happen is usually dire. However, we can also break this category of the dead up into association by country. For America our Mighty dead would consist of the founders of the country as well as anyone who has served in the military and has passed the veil. This category can also include national heros and icons. A recent example of this would be Pat Tilman: Football player and Army Ranger. Working with the Mighty Dead requires that you use a whole bunch of common sense. They do not live your life, they sometimes have their own agenda that is not compatible to your situation. They are more interested in the good of the of the whole they represent.

The Ancient Dead are just that. They are the dead of those whose names have been long forgotten to history and have walked a similar path to your own. In my case these would be the witches, the wise women, sages and healers who feet tread the crooked path before history was recorded. They generally are the bringers of prophesy, warning and revealers of secrets lost to history. They do show up and when they do it is often an unnerving experience. Not because they are of malevolent intent, it is usually because they power they bring with them heralds from long ago and has done nothing but increase in strength for thousands of generations. When working with the Ancient Dead, common sense and caution in the extreme are highly necessary. While they may be trying to show or teach you something, the message and power they are revealing to you are hardly safe to dabble with. You either commit to it or you do not attempt it at all. To do anything other than commit to it, should you agree to take lesson from the Ancient Dead, is to be scalded by the light. The policy the Ancient Dead seem to take is: don't call us. We'll call you.

Why, Nalaya, are you bringing this up??? Why why why?? It's not even Samhain yet!

Because the dead are not relegated to a season. They are always there, they are always watching and appreciate it when you remember them through out the year's wheel. They are more likely to help you out if you treat them like you would treat one of your living friends. Light a candle, have an open dialogue with them, leave an offering of something they like. In my tradition, and I am sure this is true of others as well, there is an altar in the West set up just for them.

While the Samhain season makes it easier to communicate with the dead, if you work with them throughout the year's wheel, the veil no longer becomes an obstacle.

The dead have few friends; be one of them.

     

Invisible Enemies

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A friend of mine asked an interesting question this weekend: do you fight invisible enemies? My answer was yes and I think that deserves further examination as to why I answered as such. Let me qualify the invisible enemy I am talking about. I am not talking about imaginary enemies as bred by paranoia and imbalance. I am speaking of enemies that do not necessarily live here on this plane of existence.

I am going to get pretty personal about this as to draw a clear picture for you.  Not too long ago i discovered that I was not being a paranoid ninny about something I had kept feeling trying to attach to me from my mother's line. I kept getting a nagging feeling through my childhood that something had attached itself to my mother and was causing her life to be very difficult. I just never knew what to do about it and I oscillated between trying to write it off as I was losing my mind to taking it seriously. Upon talking to my elders about this phenomenon, I discovered that it was in fact a real possibility. In fact they had a name for it: riders. Something had indeed piggy backed itself on to my mother's line and was looking for a new host.

I went into faery to talk to one of my guides about this and he had VERY specific information for me. This was not a dis- incarnate non human being. This, in fact, was a person in my family line who had created an energetic resonance of herself that has been following the maternal line for over a hundred years and creating havoc in our family ever since! The woman was born in 1905. She later in life was jilted at the altar and then committed suicide, but before she committed suicide she laid a curse. A curse that trapped her and my family in a deadlock series of tragedy and misfortune. I later took this information and did my own research on this person and then discovered that this person also had a name sake! This name sake was very much responsible for much of my mother's childhood traumas and in turn responsible for how I was raised. Something had to be done. This could not continue. This cycle had to stop. I was NOT going to let this person continue on her merry destructive path.

I went back into Faery and spoke to my guide again about what needed to be done. He told me that a cord severing was necessary and a bonus would be to send the spirit back through the gates to recycle and find peace. Now to get to the cord was a little harder than I had anticipated. She most certainly was not going to go quietly. She had been existing like this for over one hundred years and was quite content with her revenge. I found tools I didn't know I had during this session and finally made my way to the cord and severed it. I called the gate and pushed her through like children pushing that old witch into the oven in Hansel and Gretel!

My Mother is much happier now in recent years and I hope that my ancestor is now resting in blissful peace.

So when I am asked if I fight invisible enemies. . . my answer is YES! Those particular brands of invisible enemies have a real impact on our incarnated lives here and should be dealt with by qualified persons. In my line, on my Mother's side I am the first witch since that rider. I will not have that rider passed down to my children. Therefore, it is my responsibility and duty as a parent to handle it.

Skull, skull, skull!

We live in a time when every time we turn around, someone is wearing a skull. You see them cutesy with heart shaped eyes, on earrings, pendants, T shirts and skin; sometimes they are fierce and grim. This witch has to wonder: what is it that is resonating so deeply within our culture that we must subconsciously call upon the power of the ancestors? I realize wholly that on the surface of things people think they are cool, hip and even cute, at least the heart eyed ones, but I was brought into awareness of the fact that we are attracted to certain kinds of energy in certain modes of thinking. Skulls have a very specific energy.

Skulls represent the power of wisdom and our connection to our ancestors, even the power of death and release. Skulls also represent the transmission of ancient teachings and mysteries. With that said, it could also be that skulls represent the ability to learn and evolve. All of man's ability to exist physically depends on what is within the skull and it's well being. All of society requires a healthy mind in each individual in order to function smoothly.

How do you make a mind healthy when we treat them all like cookie cutters and stampers and attempt to train them all in the same exact manner? Each individual mind works differently, we see this most clearly in school. When we take a look at how each student learns it becomes apparent that the mind of each individual takes in and processes information different. Some are visual, some are textural others yet are auditory. These are just surface analysis of the subject, what if it goes as deep as perception? What if one student is literally seeing something that most others cannot? Does that make this person crazy because his or her peers cannot verify or measure what this person is perceiving? I'm not certain that this is always the case. 

Shamanism and psychosis often times share symptoms. Those who could be shamans could indeed become psychotic with out proper awareness of what is occurring and without proper training. We are no longer a society that openly embraces shamanism. We like to call things in  black and white labels: sane and insane, good and evil, day and night. I reasonably suspect the mysteries of the ancients and ancestors are beyond the black and white labels. It may be time as a society that we openly teach basic mind stabilizing techniques in schools while children are young. Stabilizing and clearing basics such as grounding bring peace and harmony to the operation of the mind. Regardless of a person's religion, wouldn't this be a beneficial thing? There would also be the potential of an added benefit: it may increase a child's ability to learn. 

We may be calling upon the spirit of our ancestors. We may indeed be lost with out an understanding of what has become of our culture and society. We may be experiencing discordant resonances created by our lack of understanding in how our minds work.  We may be experiencing these societal traumas because we have forgotten how our minds may be connected to much more than our bodies. Maybe our minds are connected to a large streaming network of humanity not only in current existence, but past and  future as well. It is said repeatedly by spiritual leaders and spiritual people that we are all one. 

What if they are right and we are a one large organism? An organism consists of many different types cells that form and operate differently. With that said, not only would not everyone be able to be a heart cell, each grouping of cells would require a different type 'education'. It is also a strong possibility that within each cell type grouping, each cell learns differently. Maybe part of this ancient knowledge that we  lost includes information about how each of these 'cell groupings' are best identified and taught the skills they need to help the organism function smoothly. 

Maybe now that we seem to have embraced the imagery of ancient wisdom without a fear reaction it's time to start asking: what have we forgotten and how do we relearn it?

This video is one in a series of eight about ancient teachings being transmitted through crystal skulls. All eight are avail able on You tube. This is just to get you started ;)

Terrance Miller talks about Shamanism and Psychosis here. It is an interesting thought form. Enjoy!