Emotional Pavlovs

The image shows Pavlov's experiment, where the scientist conditioned a dog to drool at the sound of a bell, just by associating the sound with the arrival of food.
I remember two statements which I read concerning our conditioned response to situations. One was that we choose to respond to the same situations in the same way, (Deepak Chopra) and that our responses to situations have been conditioned into us by the expectations of society (google noospheric operating system).

If you step back from your life for a while, and look for cycles which you keep going through, you would realize that there are certain situation which you respond to the same way all the time. Ask yourself.....is this how I really want to react? Or am I reacting the way I was taught to react? What would happen if I reacted the opposite way, or a different way?

Having had the realization from my last blog that emotional residue is a real thing which can cloud your judgement, I begin to question if what is in my mind is really mine. Or am I just a bundle of programmed responses to situations?
What really fills me with passion? Do I even know? Or have I been taught what should fill me with passion because of someone elses passions? Most interesting thoughts for a woman who, at this late stage in her life is really trying to find herself.

What is me? No...not who am I. I know who I am.....my issue here is ; is who I am really me? which parts of my programming are me, and which parts need to be let go completely? This calls for meditation, quiet, and lots of reflection.

Magickal Mind 2 - Changing your belief.

Spells, Runes, Tarot cards and the like are all interesting. But what captures my attention most is how the mind processes information when working magick. Actually, learning Magick really assists you in focusing, and learning how to differentiate between fact, and opinion. When you can analyze your thoughts to the point where you know which thoughts are fear based, and which thoughts are "truth for all people" your world really opens up as you realize that the possibilities for the individual are endless. The only thing we have to fear is..fear.

I can bring to mind many instances where I have believed in something, and haven't discussed it with anyone (to be silent) and the thing came to pass. However I noted that when I believe something is possible, and have to share that belief with someone who thinks it is not, then the probability of it happening diminishes.

The belief in something, is directly proportional to its manifestation. Also, there is a process which you can undertake to "change your beliefs." People have serious doubts that this is possible. The number one rule to remember is " Anything you can imagine can be made manifest." Keep that statement. Hold it, repeat it, remember it when things are not going your way.

Lets analyze how to change your belief. Write down your goal. Then honestly write down all the thoughts that come into your head, positive and negative; about your goal. All...everyone. The mind has a tendency to look at all aspects associated with the belief and labels every statement that matches as confirmation of the belief. Those that don't match are labelled "execptions to the rule." It never dawns on us that if exceptions exist, then the opposite of what we believe is also true.

The next thing you are going to do is to take every negative statement and find an example which makes the negative untrue. If you can find more than one statement, fact, or example, so much the better. Write down all those too. Then ask yourself. "If this is truth for these people, in theses instances, how can I make it truth for me?" Find ways in which the thing you want can come to pass. Use your imagination...."It can happen if........."

Lets take an example: Winning the lottery.
I like to use this because it resonates with so many people. We never believe that we could win the lotto. Yet people win every week. As a matter of fact there are 104 winners every year. A minimum of 104 million dollars are given away to Average Joe person every year...here...in Trinidad and Tobago. Why do you believe that it can't happen to you? Work on changing those beliefs.

Now think about the goal again...have your beliefs in the possibility of its manifestation changed? If not, you need to go back to the thinking board and write down all the statements you have associated with the thing in the past. Look for the things that echo from your upbringing. "Money doesn't grow on trees." or the classic, "only people who do illegal things have that amount of money."
Follow this exercise with any goal working that you are doing. Declare waht you really want always, make steps to change your belief in the possibility. Know, that if your inner critic keeps coming up with every thought of what you want, then you really don't believe its possible.

When you state your goal......and there is nothing but a smile, and a "hell yeah, that would be cool!" from your inner voice; then you know you have indeed changed your belief.

Emotional Residue

I remember an essay that I read which put forward that our experiences shape our conclusions, and not always in the correct direction of truth. We go through life, experiencing, interacting, becoming hurt, feeling joy; and sometimes, similar experiences create emotional triggers in our future experiences.

I am noting this, because as I go forward, I am experiencing what I consider triggers in my interaction with new people. I seem to analyze a situation in terms of what was experienced before, and how the individuals reacted or acted then- and in my new situation which may be similar to one from the past, I have the expectation that the same result will be played out even though the players are different.

To what degree can we "learn" from our experieneces? And to what degree shall we keep an open mind and just observe how things play out? It is important to note, especially in close relationships, that emotional residue left behind (baggage) by the interactions of the last relationship, can warp clear judgement in the new one. It is important to tune into every reaction carefully, every uneasy feeling, and really try to discern whether your conclusion is "truth" for this relationship- or whether your judgement is clouded by emotional residue.
If it is, I think they should be noted, and a banishing spell at the next dark moon is in order. It also helps to be aware that they may pop up again....but you can mentally flick that beastie thought back into the ether where it came from, and immediately forbid it to enter your mind.

Great Tarot Symbols explanations

My interest in Tarot was sparked because I was looking for universal symbols in art, as well as the emotions which certain colours can evoke in a human being. But this has to be the best site ever for explaining tarot symbols, animal totems and even tattoo symbols. Just posting it here for interested persons.

Click on this link to Avia Vnefica

The Flags and Blood Rituals responsible for Crime in Trinidad and Tobago?

“And I have a theory about why our young people are into so much crime and killing. It is the blood sacrifice performed by the Orisa and Khali pujas, and all the flags being put up all over the country. All that blood shed bringing more blood shed.”

So says Mr. Pastor as we sat in a meeting discussing a completely different topic. I held my tongue. I wanted to ask him if he ever sat with any members of either faith to find out what the symbology behind the blood sacrifices were. I am very wary, of any Pastor or religious leader who is bent on discrediting other faiths, and ignorantly blaming them for crime and discord in this country.

Firstly, I think it is important for people to understand the effect and purpose that religion has on the individual. Understand first and foremost that the individual brought up in the Orisa home, or in the Rastafarian home, is just as convinced that Christianity is responsible for crime and divisiveness in this country, as you, Pastor believe that they are.

We will not get into who should take the blame for the crime in the country, but I will get into the ridiculous idea being perpetuated by the “Pastors and dem” about other religions, which they have not explored in any way at all. (My social circle has predominantly Christian and Catholic believers, so I am more exposed to these points of view and I am writing from that perspective)

Religion is meant to be a tool to accessing your spiritual side. It is meant to be a way of bringing you closer to the orchestrator(s) of the Universe, putting the individual in touch with the higher mind/being/conciousness which makes things as they are. Religion comes in many colours and flavours, each being taken up by the mind which finds the one that appeals to its sensibilities. They are all valid.

When we point fingers to other religions and label them as something evil, without understanding them, we are adopting the same narrow-minded atitude as the colonialists who took over islands and countries and wiped out the indigeneous population branding them as savages. And I will point out a very poignant comment made by Pocahontas in the Walt Disney movie : It is you who are the Savage, you do not try to understand.

Again.....for those who have seen AVATAR.....look at how they were quick to label the people as savages without trying first to understand the perspective of their world.

So....my curious mind went digging to find out the symbol of blood in Orisa, and had a chat with an online friend who recently became a priest of that faith. This is what he told me:

There are instances whereby blood sacrifice is done. Two examples are in the ceremony that gives birth to a priest. Blood is shed to remove any and all negativity that the person has accumulated by word thought or deed in his life before. As well as to clear the way for him to receive blessings for the future.


Hmmmm... sounds quite like a certain individual who shed his blood to cleanse some people's sins.

The second example is whereby blood may be required to prevent untimely death of someone.
Blood as any person that studies or practices any of the higher sciences knows is full of life force. Blood has a lot of power. Everything that exists has power or life force. Depending on what needs to be done a fruit may suffice. This fruit has power as well. However, there are times when the fruit may not be enough so blood is used.
The universe exists on the basis of fair exchange nothing is free. We do not exist in a vacuum. To live, plants and animals die to provide us with nutrition and shelter. To make transformation the same principle comes into play. We use divination to find out what is the exchange for this transformation.


So there it is in his own words.

Understand the ceremony as a tool to achieve a particular end. Understand that all ceremonies are mind transformative, and have effects on the psyche being able to create new belief in a person. ALL CEREMONIES AND RITUALS, including the ones done by any CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS BODY, are designed to cretae change in the mind of the individual.
ALL religions at some point use blood, even symbolically, the reference is the same.

To state then, Mr. Pastor, that the use of blood in ritual, and the presence of flags, is the reason we have so much crime, shows where your divisive, misunderstanding mind starts from. This is not the issue, this is not why we have so much crime, and I really hope that this is not being preached from your pulpit, as it will only serve to add to the negative energies which prevail in this country. It is no more beneficial, than the politicians who use race as their drawing card. Any leader, who seeks to gain followers by causing fear and suspicion does not have the country's interest at heart.

I think when we are faced with a leader, or institution that blames something else on a problem, with a reason that incites fear or suspicion, we need to understand that those fears are their fears. We need to find out for ourselves about the issue before we adopt their fear into our hearts. I have learnt, that fear itself, is the only thing to fear, because it keeps the mind from truly understanding truth.

Reflections

The later part of this year was one long spell becoming manifest. I watched while a spell I casted took effect and did not realize the emotional and mental challenge that it would have on me, while I adjusted to this new role.
That's another thing to note. You can cast a spell, or wish, and have it come true.....but you never realise the feelings that have to be processed in order to accomodate this change in your life. Can you inhale some of the bewilderment and grief of letting go of the old? Can you then process that letting go, in time for the new happenings of joy and contentment that are slipping in at the same time? Can you process two completely contrary feelings at the same time? You need to, when a spell is coming to pass.

It has taken six months for the effects of the spell to settle, and at the other end of that doorway, now, I am finally calming down. I used to feel something to the equivalent of being on EMOTIONAL CRACK...... high on a feeling constantly and not always in a good way. Sometimes my mind switched to "happy happy joy joy bunny on cocaine" in order to deal with my low points.

One of the most difficult things to do during the period was to reassert the goal while in the middle of heartbreak. "You wanted something...and this is part of getting that something."

I never suspected for a moment that the outcome was what would happen. But the greater good was always on my mind. The happier more contented me was always the goal. And I am glad for that resolve...I am now in a better place.

On a Dragon's Path

This morning I opened a gift of beautiful Dragon Goblets. I am now undecided about keeping them for ritual, or to use them every day when the mood hits me. Also along with those goblets, and the previously received Dragon Box, is a book on Dragon Magick.
Funny......my magickal group of ladies from around the world in my internet coven were just speaking about Dragon Magick. One of the witches had had a recent encounter with a dragon in the trees near her home.

Maybe I am being directed along a new path....hey I am always keen to explore new areas!!!! Thanks hon......for all the gifts that you have given me, and thanks for keeping the magick alive.

Magickal Ethics

To begin with, please understand that my ethics are mine, and not meant to be preached to anyone.
But this, my blog, is sometimes the place where I work out knots of my mind.
I was thinking the other day obout FREE WILL.
We have been granted Free Will, and hopefully have learnt and understood the responsibility that comes with it. To quote Spiderman "With great power comes great responsibility."

We have learnt the power to magickally ask for assistance from sentient beings which do not exist on our manifest plane, whatever level they may be. But in summoning these beings, aren't we interfering with their Free Will?

And what about creating a being using archetypical energies? Can these energies in their raw form essence be termed "Sentient Beings" and are they entitled to free will?

What about conciousness on a quantum level? Does each individual particle, as all seem to exibit conciousness at some level, have a right to free will?

My magickal work focuses on me. I do ritual to change my vibrations to attract my desires. I ask for no manipulation of any thing, and of course, my request is done with the condition "and it harm none."
It requires a constant analysis of your direction toward your goal. It also requires a constant anaylisi of everything you think, discuss and do....is it assisting your goal? It is indeed a very difficult exersice.

Wychcraft Brewery

Couldn't help myself on this one. The pun was priceless. Brewers, with a full range of Wych beers....
Unfortunately, it isn't available for sale internationally. Damn. Would have loved to have a case or two hanging around. Anyone visiting the UK?
Oh.... here is their site:

http://www.wychwood-shop.co.uk

Happy Solstice and Christmas Witches

Solstice was yesterday, greetings to all. So ends the decreasing light, and now the days begin to grow longer.

Also for your Yuletide Stories, take a google at La Befana, an italian Christmas Character.

Yule Greetings all.

The Silk Cotton Tree

As a child you wouldn't dare to be near a silk cotton tree on a full moon night. As a matter of fact, you wouldn't dare be near one at all. Malicious spirits of all types roamed under this tree......so you could understand why a child's imagination would see it as evil.

When did this begin to be taught to our youngsters. I ask why, because in West Africa, Puerto Rico,and other places where the Silk Cotton Tree plays a part in the spiritual Heritage of the African Diaspora, the Silk Cotton tree is seen as a link between the spiritual world ans ours. It is not placed in the "evil" file. Rather, it is seen as a place where one can commune with spirits of old, and seek their wisdom. Offering up gifts to the ancestors for wisdom, or connecting with nature for healing is what the tree represents for most.

When did Jamaica (Duppy Tree) and Trinidad start seeing it as evil, and disconnecting from its healing energies? This me chooses to ponder....hmmmmmmmmm.

Yule gift

Isn't it beautiful? I swear you couldn't get anything like this on the island. A dear friend bought this for me last night as an early Yule gift. Yule will be observed very quietly by myself. As I am the only one, I don't want to take away the magic of Christmas yet from my children.

But back to the Dragon Box, it is beautifully detailed with stylized "Tree of life" and Dragon motifs on the sides. I will bless it at the full moon. The Dragon Box has come full of promise for the year to come.

I am keeping it to hold only Dragon's Blood Incense when I get some.

Too Much Light?

A magickal collegue of mine once brought up the idea that too much light healing could be harmful to our triple aspect state of mind-body-spirit.
I am currently reading a book called The Field written by Lynne McTaggart, which has an interesting chapter on Beings of Light which seems to support her views. One chapter highlights the work of a scientist called Fritz-Albert Popp who, along with his students, was able to create a machine which measure light rays emmitting from living things. What he found seems to suggest that the light in any being must maintain a certain balance, or the body “drowns” in light.
I quote some of the text from The Field:

Popp showed in his experiments that these weak light emissions (biophoton emmissions) were sufficient to orshestrate the body. The emmissions had to be of low intensity because these comminications (between cells) were occuring on a quantum level, and higher intensities will be felt only in the world of the large.

The more he tested, the more he discovered that all living things-from the most basic of plants or animals, to human beings in all their sophisticated complexity-emitted a permanent current of photons, from only a few, to hundreds. The number of photons being emitted seemed to be linked to an organism's position on the evolutionary scale.

Emissions seemed to follow other natural rhythms;.......as though the body were following the world's biological rhythms as well as its own.

In experiments done on unhealthy patients, Popp found that cancer patients had lost these natural rhythms, as if they had lost connection the the world at large. Their lines of communication were scrambled. In fact, their light was going out.
Popp further discovered that just the opposite- too much light- seemed harmful to humans.Testes on patients with Multiple sclerosis showed that these individuals were taking in too much light, and this was inhibiting the cells ability to do their jobs. MS patients were drowning in light.

Perfect coherence in the cells, at the optimum level, was a balance between chaos and order.

Herein lies a case for my friend's spiritual sessions on Healing with Darkness.