Planetary Magic

This weekend I attended a workshop of the Olympia group with Marian Green. The subject was "planetary magic". I hadn't been feeling very well the week before, but this was interesting enough to be present! I didn't know very much about the theme, almost nothing to be precise, but thought it would be interesting. And it was!

We learned about the planetary correspondences, symbols, colours, meaning and lots more. Like always with Marian not only the facts, but also understanding what's behind it and why. She told us about the origin of the planetary symbols and how they are built out of the same elements (a crescent moon and a cross mainly). I could never remember the symbols, but now I can. The word planet comes from Greek and means "wanderer", because for the ancient people the planets seemed to wander along the sky. Just to name some things I learned. :)

On Sunday we had a ritual to get acquainted and connect with the planets. I represented Mercury, dressed in orange. Saturday evening I had done research on the www. Some of the members had made a planetary talisman; those were purified and blessed in the circle. It was a wonderful ritual. The group is awesome. Everyone can do their own thing from the heart within the structure of the ritual. There is trust, so each person can feel at ease.

It was a very interesting workshop. Marian has so much knowledge and she shares it freely. In between talking about the theme I always pick up a lot of other stuff. Olympia rocks!
I'm going to explore the subject of planetary magic further. So if you know any good books or websites about it, please share!

Olympia workshop

After a very relaxed week I had another busy weekend. Marian Green was in The Netherlands to give our group Olympia another workshop. The theme was "Ritual". We learned about the outline and construction of a ritual. Not only the basics were covered, but the more in-depth stuff was very interesting too. Everyone that works with magic should have certain subjects covered. It is an ongoing study, there's always more to learn.

We also talked about initiation, self-dedication and working in groups. We shared our thoughts and opinions and Marian hers. I don't think initiation is necessary to follow this path, but it can be a very special addition. What I've heard from others it can be life-changing. Personally I don't like levels of initiation. In the Ara-tradition there is just one initiation. Of course later on you can choose to go further to become clergy, but an initiate is an initiate.

For the first time the group planned a rirual together. Partly to practice what we'd learned, partly because we were ready for it. Because we are close to Samhain, that was our theme. We made a walk around the neighbourhood to collect autumn leaves. In a meditation Marian guided us to a closer contact with nature. We talked about our ancestors, our heritage. Everyone had an active role in the ritual.
On Sunday morning we did the ritual. It was very powerful. The group has good chemistry; everyone felt good enough to let the guards down. When we each took a tarot card I got the Eight of Pentacles, a card for the perfectionist I am... :-) We also talked about the harvest of the last year; Samhain is the witch's new year. For the cake and wine ceremony we didn't have wine. Usually I adjust and take a nip of wine (yuk!). This time the group adapted to me and we had delicious fruitjuice.

We planned dates for meetings to come; in December for a ritual, in April a workshop with Marian. We are blessed to have her as a teacher. She has a lot of knowledge, which she shares with us freely. She is down-to-earth, very friendly and has a great sense of humour.

Moon Magic

Yesterday and today our studygroup in Amsterdam had a workshop given by Marian Green again. She had asked us to give the group a name and by mutual agreement we have chosen "Olympia". It's a mixed group, although there are more women.

The subject for this weekend was "Moon Magic". That is a very wide concept of course, so it was virtually impossible to cover everything. Nevertheless we had a very interesting and valuable weekend. Marian has a lot of knowledge that she shares freely. Besides theory we did practical things and exercises too. I'll just share some interesting things you can do for yourself.

We looked at which phase the moon was when we were born (look yours up here). All the phases were represented within our group, although there were more in the waning moon half (including new moon) than in the waxing (including full moon). At my day of birth the moon was 97% full. I've always felt more attracted to the full moon than any other phase, so it didn't really surprise me. According to Crystal Forest full moon at birth means:
"Being born in the middle of the cycle means that your talents lie in bringing matters to fruition. You are adept at tempering logic with instinct and practicality with creativity. Moreover, this period acts like a bridge, linking you to the past, but also projecting your ideas into the future. The negative side is that you may suffer guilt and irrational fears, especially when it comes to personal relationships. Only when you learn to take control of your own feelings, rather than taking your emotional cue from your partner, will you find a way of sustaining a mutually rewarding intimate relationship. Your best efforts will find their flowering after middle age."
Crystal Forest is no longer online, but you can use CafeAstrology.

I had my horoscope done some years ago. I looked it up and the moon was in Aries at my birth. According to Astrolabe's free birth chart that means:
"High-spirited and courageous, you are a fighter when your emotions are aroused. The degree of force and drive that you can bring to any effort sometimes surprises others. You have hair-trigger reactions to specific stimuli and tend to "let it all hang out." You sometimes act before you think and do things on the spur of the moment, and that sometimes gets you into trouble. Your moods change quickly -- you have quite a temper, but you don't hold grudges. Very independent, with an extremely strong and forceful personality, you are known for being impulsive, careless, reckless, foolhardy, rash and daring."
Unfortunately Astrolabe is no longer online, but you can use the Lunarium.

I'm very tired after these two intensive days, but I'm already looking forward to next time!

PFI conference

Yesterday I went to the 8th Conference of the Pagan Federation International (PFI) Netherlands in Lunteren. Last year I couldn't go, but this year I had bought my ticket in January already. I had planned to go with Wonder, but that was before his accident. It was too tiring for me to first pick him up and then drive to Lunteren. It looked like he couldn't go, but one of the girls from the Ara group had the solution. She lives in Breda (near Rijen) and she took Wonder with her. She had to work first, so they came in the afternoon.

I had to drive for about an hour, but had trouble finding a parking space. Fortunately I was in time for the opening ritual at 10am, a special ceremony with elements from Zoro-Astrianism, old Persia and Turkey, etc. It included interesting information, a poem by Rumi and a derwish dance. Very impressive!

I met a lot of people I know: from the Witchy Girls, Ara-group, PFI-workshops, etc. I talked to a lot of them and met some new people in the process. In the big hall were stands with books, gemstones, livewood and other stuff. I didn't buy anything, but it was fun to look around. I met the Chocolate Witches; two perfect things come together, withcraft and chocolate! ;-) I knew one of them from a meeting in Haarlem.

The first workshop round I attended a workshop by Elliot Rivera. For more then 30 years he is working as a spiritualist and medium. Elliott was initiated as a Santero more than 18 years ago in New York City. He is a priest of Yemaya for 17 years, and was initiated in Palo Mayombe more than 30 years ago. The workshop was called "Connecting with the ancestors". After some interesting info he led us into a powerful guided journey to meet one of our ancestors. Afterwards some of the group shared their experiences.

The weather was very hot, so I took a break and went for a walk in the nearby wood with some others. We encountered a little snake that turned out to be a hazelworm. When we got back, I joined the people outside on the terrace in the shade.

Wonder arrived just in time to join me in a workshop about chakras by Flora. She told us some general information and showed 7 mandala drawings, her interpretations of the chakras. they were very beautiful! Then it was time to do something active. For each chakra we learned a tone to sing / hum and an exercise to activate each chakra. Nice experience!

After another hour outside, talking, drinking, etc. Wonder and I attended a workshop by Marian Green: "Spells, charms and chants". I really like her way of teaching, very clear and down-to-earth with a good dose of humor. As always I learned a lot! In June she will be in Amsterdam again for a weekend workshop; I'm already looking forward to it!

The closing ceremony was performed by Ina Cüsters-van Bergen, the Magister Templi of the Temple of Starlight, and people from her temple. She studied occultism at the Servants of the Light school for Occult Sciences, and is fully initiated in the Golden Dawn tradition. Ina is senior supervisor for the Servants of the Light in Europe. The closing ritual was called "Re-membering of Osiris", ceremonial ritual with beautiful costumes and devoted performance.

For dinner we had an Indonesian buffet, very delicious! In the evening there was entertainment in the big hall with the band Stargazer. We were sitting outside, where it was much cooler! Wonder and I concluded the evening with a yummy Italian ice cream. I had to walk a few minutes to my car, but the weather was still lovely. In about an hour I drove home.

TT #76: inspiring people

Thirteen people that inspire(d) / influence(d) me on my path I'm an eclectic witch, which means I don't follow one particular tradition. My path is a blend of ideas from various traditions and sources: the Old Religion, druidry, wicca, shamanism and more. Like in a witch's cauldron I add things to season the brew, spice it up, make it more effective, etc. I like to study other paths and traditions to learn from it. There's always more to know! So many people have inspired and influenced me and/or are still doing so. Here are 13 of them. Phyllis Curott - Of course she's on top of my list. I'm working towards initiation by her in the tradition she founded (Ara tradition) for good reason. It appeals to me and links to my beliefs and ideas on being a witch. Marian Green - I've learned a lot from her in workshops and her many books are very good. I like her approach in teaching, she's very down-to-earth. Michael Harner - Through Phyllis I heard about Michael Harner, an authority on shamanism. Especially his technique of shamanic journeying has enriched my spiritual path. Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone - I've done the Inner Mysteries workshop weekend a few years ago and their books are very interesting. In June I'll attend another workshop with them. Anodea Judith - Inspired me mainly because of her interpretation of the Chakra System for the Western lifestyle. Her books on this topic are the best you can find. I've been to a lecture when she was in The Netherlands. Dusty Miller the 13th - This Tree-Elf and hereditary shaman is the current patriarch of what is believed to be the oldest Elfin Tribe still surviving in the British Isles. He shares and nourishes my love for trees. Walking through the woods with him is a unique experience! Starhawk - Not so much because of her activism or her Reclaiming tradition, but her books are very good to work with. I've been to a workshop by her last year. Philip Carr-Gomm - He combines his role as Chief of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids (OBOD) with writing, and giving talks and workshops. His Druidcraft Tarot is my favourite deck and I also have the Druid Animal Oracle. Scott Cunningham - His books belong in every witch's library, great reference books, standard works. members of the WhiteshadoW forum - In the beginning of this millenium I discovered the internet. This witchcraft forum was one of the first and the best forums in the Dutch language area. I still know a lot of old forum members, also in real life. Joke & Ko Lankester - A Dutch High Priestess and High Priest in their own wicca coven. I've never met them (yet?), but I use their books a lot. Claudia van der Sluis - This Dutch writer doesn't call herself a witch, but she wrote a few great books on modern witchcraft, that are still very useful. Susan Smit - Another Dutch writer; her book "Heks" (witch) about how she discovered witchcraft was one of the first books I read when I started practising as a witch. Of course there are so much more... Raymond Buckland, Vivianne Crowley, Dion Fortune, etc. etc. Simply not possible to name them all... ~*~*~*~ Links to other Thursday Thirteens! ~*~ Nathalie ~*~ Holly ~*~ Malcolm ~*~ susiej ~*~ Sandee ~*~ Cricket's Hearth ~*~ marcia ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ Anthony North ~*~ Open Grove Claudia ~*~ Chuck ~*~ pussreboots ~*~ Chelle Y. ~*~ Sandy Carlson ~*~ Joely Sue ~*~ Journeywoman ~*~ crazy working mom ~*~ Xakara ~*~ Gattina ~*~ Corina ~*~ Robin ~*~ Darla ~*~ Rian Fike ~*~ Aline de Chevigny ~*~ storyteller ~*~ Nancy J. Bond ~*~ Mama Bear ~*~ Melanie ~*~ Chris ~*~ Lisa ~*~ Julia ~*~ Natalie ~*~ The Bluest Butterfly ~*~ chanpheng ~*~ Julia Smith ~*~ Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Elements workshop Marian Green

Yesterday and part of today I attended another workshop by Marian Green in Amsterdam. The theme this time was "The Elements". That sounds like a very basic thing and in fact it is, but you can study the elements at several levels. Earth, air, fire, water and spirit go far beyond the well-known correspondences. This time we took it to a deeper level and it was very interesting! We did some exercises to experience things for ourselves and to make them clear. Saturday we ended with a beautiful guided meditation through the elements. I was too tired after a long day, but I'm definitely going to do it again.
We also looked a bit closer and deeper to the structure of a ritual. What we do, why, how, etc. Although everyone had ample experience with rituals we all learned new things, new perspectives.
Marian has so much knowledge to share and she does it in a very good and nice way. I feel privileged to be part of this studygroup. An outsider might say we just talk a lot, but I learned so much. I have a lot of new stuff to contemplate, great! I like food for thought. :-)

Marian Green Workshop

Last Saturday and Sunday I was invited to follow a workshop by Marian Green at Antonia's place (one of the Witchy Girls). We were with 12 people and the theme was divination. We first did a guided journey to visit the Guardian of Divination and get attuned. He wore a midnightblue cloak with silver tarotcards, runestones and other divination symbols on it.

Marian showed us that divination tools don't have to be fancy and/or expensive. Something on a string works just fine as a pendulum. I didn't bring my own pendulum, so I used a stone on a string from Marian. Needless to say it worked properly! We also learned to use a pendulum for testing and balancing a person's chakras.
It's easy to make your own oracle by collecting little things like a pebble, wool, button, ring, etc. Each item gets its meaning by everyone personally. We used Marian's oracle in two groups to answer each other's questions: "What is the essence of symbology?" and "How can the collective subconscious help to make a harmonious world?" Not the easiest questions, but with help of the oracle we found satisfying answers. Amazing!

Marian also told us some very interesting stuff about the tarot. The symbology is very old (allegedly dating back to the Egyptians), but real cards only came in the 14th century when cardboard was invented. It was originally a game, but later became an oracle. Members of the Golden Dawn had to make their own tarot deck, so that's when the variety started. Arthur Edward Waite was co-creator of the Rider-Waite deck. He was (one of the?) first to use illustrations for his deck; Pamela Colman Smith was the illustrator. Roughly 80 to 90 percent of the present-day decks is based on the Rider-Waite one.
She told much more, but I can't share all of it. We also did some exercises with the tarot. We each took a card, studied it and tried to "be" it, become one with it. My card was the Two of Cups. I had brought my Druidcraft Tarot, because I like it much better than the Rider-Waite. This is its Two of Cups. Cups stand for emotions. The two stands for love, healing, friendship, romance. It felt good to be the woman on the card!

Another topic we studied is scrying. This divination method needs a lot of practice. It isn't completely safe; the images are unlimited and you are on your own in an altered state of consciousness. Therefore it's important to take precautions. It is better not to do it alone and start in a controlled situation.
To practice we stood around a black cloth with our eyes closed. When we opened them, Marian had thrown a handful of white rice on it. We had to stare and look at what we saw in it. In 3 groups we talked about our experience and later with the whole group. It was remarkable that a lot of the same things were mentioned, although we stood on different sides of the cloth. It meant we were attuned as a group.

On Sunday we did a past life guided journey. I did that before in my first workshop with Marian in November last year. This time I was a woman surrounded by cats, walking in a green field in the woods, but near the sea. I felt peaceful, comfortable and relaxed. I had long, reddish blond hair, wore brown skirts with a white apron. It's striking that I always have cats; not only in every life, but also when I do inner journeys, meditations, etc.

Happy Yule by Dusty

On The Dusty Millers LiveWood Site I found two wonderful (You Tube) Yule blessings. I thought I'd share them with you by giving the link. Enjoy!
While you're there check out the rest of the website and the blog of Dusty Miller the 13th. His Season's Greeting shows a beautiful and impressive tree, I love it! I've met Dusty when he was in Amsterdam in April this year. He did a walk-and-talk in the Vondelpark, which I enjoyed very much. I'd love to go to "his" wood and visit the ancient trees there.

Marian Green Workshop Weekend

Last Friday I left in the afternoon for a workshop weekend with Marian Green, organized by the Dutch division of the Pagan Federation. The location was a Stayokay hostel in a beautiful lane in Arnhem. The normal travelling time would be 75 minutes, but because of traffic jams it took me twice that long. I had taken that into account, so I arrived approximately at the expected time, around 5pm.

The group wasn't as big as in the other workshop weekends, I think there were about 25 people. Most of them I had already met at other weekends, workshops, meetings etc. I shared my room with 2 others. Our 4th roommate had taken her own camper to sleep in. I didn't sleep too bad. I missed Ron very much all weekend, but I called him as often as possible.

Marian Green is an author who has been working in the field of ceremonial and folk magic since the early 1960s. She also organises a conference in the UK every March since 1968 to bring together (neo-)pagan writers and their readers, the Quest Conference. She has written more than a dozen books on ceremonial magic and witchcraft. She is the editor of Quest magazine, published since 1970. She teaches at The Invisible College and runs workshops in and outside the UK. I have several of her books and I like her approach very much.

We had our own big room with a very nice view. The theme of the weekend was "Inner Journey and Past Life Regression". Very interesting, but not something to take lightly. Therefore Marian provided us with a lot of theory and knowledge. We did several exercises to train certain elements. We looked into the advantages and dangers of past life regression. Eventually we used two different techniques, different but both effective. I have been back to two past lifes, quite an experience!

It was an intensive workshop mentally. It took me a lot of effort to keep concentrated and alert, but it was very much worth it. In between sessions I went for a walk in the surroundings of the hostel. The autumn is such a beautiful season! The trees have sensational colours. This one was down the street. Behind the hostel was a wonderful footpath. When I was standing still for a while this tree (the one in the middle) gave me a yellow leaf, that I've put in my daily planner.

Sunday after lunch it was time to say goodbye to old and new friends. We wanted to take a group photo, but a lot of people went home immediately and Marian didn't want to join us. Pity!
The journey home took a lot less time. I was so happy to see Ron again, and the cats and dogs! I'm very very tired, but I don't care. I'll take my rest and look back on a great weekend!