Spiritual Strategy

The Pagan Experience 2015: Week 1 - Jan. 5- Resolutions- What are your intentions for this new year? How will you find the resolve to bring them into your manifest life?

I'm not one to make resolutions, truth be told. For me, that word has been colored by pop culture's practice of making somewhat unrealistic promises that are broken within a month or two. From my perspective, this sets up an atmosphere of self-judgment and absolutist thinking (black and white, succeed or fail). Not a very loving way to treat oneself, in my view!

Having said that, I do set goals for myself throughout the year. I'm always working on goals for my career, my personal development and my personal healing. Sometimes those goals morph, evolve or get discarded. I strive to accept this with grace and a minimum of attachment.

At the beginning of the year, what I like to do is envision the new year. Think of this as the difference between strategy and tactics. Strategy is top level - the big picture. Tactics are specific actions taken to achieve a goal. New Year's visions are strategy. New Year's resolutions are tactics.

Here is my vision for 2014:

• Maintain self-care routine - care for my body and spirit temple!
• Speak my truth and lovingly enforce boundaries.
• Release, release, release - the past, old hurts, all that no longer serves.
• Give to and serve others in full trust that my needs and desires will also be met.
• Grow my art - make music, write poetry and prose, make stuff.
• Continue to grow my priestessry, in all its forms.
• Keep growing my career.
• Spend more time outdoors.
• Continue to shape everything in my life to reflect the joy in my heart. (possessions, clothing, ways of doing things; walk in beauty!)

So basically? My list boils down to this: keep being awesome. Keep being me. Be even more me than ever. Be good to myself, to others and to the world. I honestly don't need any special resolve to accomplish my vision. I'm already doing this stuff - all I have to do is keep walking. Keep reminding myself that I deserve good things, that I'm worthy of success and happiness.

2014 was a big year. I got a lot of personal business taken care of. It was pretty rocky in patches. I defined my brand, and laid the foundations for what I truly want to do in life, both in my professional and clerical career.  I feel that 2015 is the year that I break out. Things are happening faster now, and 2015 is the snowball effect.

2015 is going to be the best year yet, and I'm ready. IT. IS. ON!!!

So mote it be.

That's a Wrap

With eight unwritten weekly posts and the calendar well into 2015, I have to admit that the Pagan Blog Project for 2014 is over. I'm not going to catch up, and today I have to admit it. I hate to leave things undone! Still, I enjoyed it immensely. Through this project, I encountered many interesting Pagans. I learned about all sorts of paths. I made a friend or two. I learned a lot.

It's been a wild year. I started this blog, left my old coven, got ordained, had a great Pagan Pride Day, founded my coven and much more. It's hard to believe how much happened in 2014, and I'm still standing! In fact, I feel more optimistic than ever. 2015 is going to be my best year yet.

Thank you to Jess Carlson for the Pagan Blog Project. Thank you to the PBP community. Thank you to my friends who encouraged me to write publicly. Thank you, people of the internets, for reading! Drop me a line, say hello. 2015 is about to get live!!!

Next Year's Yule Celebration

My sun wheel for 2014

This year, my Yule celebrations began with the Sun Wheel Ceremony. Along with many people across the globe, I created a yule wreath and placed candles in it. Each Sun-day from Thanksgiving week to Solstice, I lit the candles and meditated on the season. It was a beautiful, simple ritual and I enjoyed it.

But what's this good Pagan to do during the season of Yuletide itself? I have struggled over the years with reclaiming holiday traditions. My biological family loves Christmas and has a host of traditions around it. Unfortunately, my family also created a lot of stress and unhappiness for me, which further complicates this time of year.

This year, I went on a long trip. It was great. I didn't have to participate in any Judeo-Christian traditions! For the first time in many years, I was free from sensory bombardment with messages from a faith not my own. It was bliss, in that regard. There was just a little bit of Christmas on the ship, but it was easy to avoid.

Next year, I'd like to celebrate Yule as a 13 day, 12 night extravaganza, drawing from the Germanic, Italian and Norse traditions of my ancestry. For my purposes, this period will begin the eve of winter solstice (~Dec. 20) and end January 1. The concept behind this tradition is to rest and celebrate during the gap between the lunar year and the solar year. The idea of reflecting on the past year and envisioning the new year to come resonates deeply with me.

One source I found suggests performing divination each night corresponding to the coming 12 months. So on Mother's Night (solstice eve; Christmas eve makes no sense to me as a Pagan), I would divine for January. Solstice night, divine for February…and so on. I love this idea not only because of the practical benefits it provides, but also because this is an easy, portable tradition.

Another tradition I found is that of wassailing or blessing the trees. The way that I'll practice this is to go into the forest with animal-appropriate offerings like seeds and nuts, plus spiritual offerings like tobacco and cornmeal. I'll knock on the trees and give them the good news about the return of the light, then leave offerings for the dryads and other forest dwellers. An excuse for a spiritual hike? Yes, please!

This year was a sort of holiday detox. I had an extremely minimal holiday celebration. Mostly, I lounged about in the Caribbean. Next year, I'll get back to work on reclaiming the holidays. I pledge to stay in town for Solstice itself - after all, I have a coven to lead now. But this liminal period between the years…may find me wandering again. Either way, it will be a time of celebration, rest, reflection and dreaming up adventures for the following year. I'll spend time with those I love and those who support my journey. I also plan to do some service work, including a free yoga class as a gift to my students.

Here's to hoping your holidays were bright and joyous, and that you have a blessed New Year full of prosperity and new experiences!

Yule on the Ocean

Ocean Sunrise by Bluefinger

I emerged on to the deck when it was still dark. Walking around to the stern of the ship, the darkness faded into the gray of pre-dawn. Chaco sandals and my water bottle kept my yoga mat grounded in the gusty breeze. The sound of the ship's engine drowned out my voice as I began to chant:

"Long night, dark of the sun
cold wind, the year is done
long night, we face the dark
cold wind, you fan the spark
sun light, the rising sun
dark wind, your work is done
Oh sun return, turning wheel
hope reborn"*

A folded beach towel became my meditation cushion as I pondered all the dark places in my soul that need light and guidance from the Gods. A short, urgent list of things to release spilled from my throat. I no longer need them. They do not serve my journey.

The wind continued as I began to move my body. I'd intended to perform twelve sun salutations, but I lost count. Numbers seem irrelevant this morning as time seems to be passing at some unknown tempo. I salute the sun in all his varied guises…Surya, Helios, Apollo, Lugh, Cernunnos, Pan. Runners circle around me on the track, indifferent to my spiritual bliss.

It seemed that the sun ought to be up by now. Will I see it from here? I've never witnessed dawn on the deep ocean before. I lie back for some savasana. Then some silent, inner impulse tells me to rise. Ah, the sun begins to break over the horizon. I am filled with joy and hope, knowing that from here on out, the light will return. Each day will be longer, my journey a little easier.

In thanksgiving, I chant again:

"Apollo, Cernunnos, Ganesha, Pan
Lugh, Horned One, Odin, Green Man"**

The cruise ship was a microcosm of America's consumerist, overstimulated culture. But for this moment, along with most dawns…I found peace. I connected with my spiritual practice, and with the Gods. I watched the rays of the sun flood the sea.

Namaste to all - the divine light within me honors the light within you.


*Source: http://www.sanfords.net/Pagan_Humor_and_Thoughts/chants.htm#Sun%20Return
**My own version of the nine gods chant, based on the nine goddess chant recorded by various artists

30 Days of Deity Devotion: Day 12

Places associated with this deity and their worship.

In the trees, my body is free

In the forest, I know my power

Away from the walls of men, my heart is free

In the wild air, my mind grows sharp

In the tree tops, my spirit flies

On the mountain, She is with me

I can see the trail in front of me

I am wild, eternally.

-Tanaria, copyright 12/10/2014

Yoga Magic

When we work magic, there are basic elements present in most every working. First, there must be clear intent. Then, energy must be raised and applied to the working. Lastly, the working is released. This is, of course, a simplification and distillation of a very complex subject.

Today I want to talk about ways to raise energy for magical work using techniques from Yoga. Yoginis and witches should, in theory, have some overlap in their skill sets. Both traditions include breath control, chanting, meditation, mudras and visualization.

But to be honest, the most detailed and disciplined information I have about almost all of these things has come to me through my studies in Yoga. The current members of my coven also have more experience with Yoga than they do with magic as we Pagans know it, though they're really one and the same.

At our first ritual, we used pranayama to raise energy for our working. This was extremely effective. Click through the link to see details. I mention in that post that I doubt the yogis of old used the Breath of Fire in quite this way. But who knows? Magic is simply directing energy with will toward a desired end. The yogic texts are not clear on the goals of the practitioners beyond spiritual bliss. I'd love to know, truth be told. To what end all the meditation and energy raising? Is it simply to increase health and longevity? Or is there more to the story?

This weekend's full moon found us chanting to raise energy. Chanting is a great example of overlap between witchcraft and Yoga. I could easily have chosen a pagan chant, but…confession time. Many of them make me feel faintly ridiculous. Perhaps it's the fact that they're in English. Anyone else out there feel that English doesn't lend itself to spiritual topics well? In addition to the words, Yogic chants utilize sounds effectively - vowels are drawn out, for example. The technique of chanting in Yoga is, I feel, part of why it works. Whatever the reason, a mantra to Ganesh felt most appropriate that night - Aum Gan Ganapatye Namah. This mantra is great for new ventures as it calls upon Ganesha's obstacle removing powers. Surely one can apply these techniques to Pagan-themed words. Had I prepared in advance, I surely could have found an appropriate deity and come up with something. A project for later!

One area that I have had a lot of success in merging Yoga with Pagan belief is in asana (physical postures). I have written several themed Yoga classes using physical poses for devotion to Pagan deities. Artemis was first - this one was so easy. I used postures appropriate to Her, like Bow Pose. Whether or not the poses are specific to the deity or to the theme, one can dedicate any physical Yoga practice to Deity. Sun salutations were designed to salute the sun, who the Hindus greet as Surya. We might relate to the sun as Helios, Apollo, or Lugh. Insert appropriate Deity and go for it!

There is so much more to explore. I have been consciously creating a system of Pagan Yoga, but until recently, I hadn't thought of altering ritual work with Yoga techniques. That has happened organically and I find it fascinating. We aren't your typical coven, that's for sure. Be ready to move…and bring your Yoga pants.

Rune Song

Working with the runes has been a part of my practice since the beginning. But in the last year, my study of them has grown far deeper and richer, thanks in part to my awesome study group (three years of awesomeness and going strong!). We just finished up about eight months of rune study focused on Freya Aswynn's book, Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers. Next year, we will work through Diana Paxson's Taking Up the Runes.

Sidebar: working with a spiritual study group is a powerful practice and one that supports your own journey in beautiful and unexpected ways. If you get a chance, try it!

One thing I have not conquered so far is the ability to recite all the Elder Futhark at once in the traditional order. The ability to do so is important in magical workings. I'm excited to use it for creating sacred space, for example. I'd also like to use it in meditation and in my practice of Yoga.

Taking Up the Runes helpfully contains a song of the Futhark. An ABC song, if you will. As the resident musician in the study group, I was asked to learn it. This suits me as I'd planned to do so anyway. This led to a hilarious few days in which I learned the simple melody and then giggled endlessly about it. It's curiously mournful. In fact, it reminds me of black metal music.

To help others learn the song, I recorded it. Initially, I was just going to share it with my study group. But in one of those synchronicities that reveal our path to us…Facebook will not upload and share an mp3 file. So I had to convert it to video and post it on Youtube. Which made me realize I need to start my own channel. Hurray!

Anyhoo. Back to the rune song. It's firmly stuck in my head, and after just a few days…I can recite all the runes! The act of singing them with a melody was what I needed to get over the hump of memorization. Belatedly, I seem to recall that this is a technique people use. Spoiler alert: it works!

So take a listen and see what you think. Can you hear some power chords and spooky organ music with it? I can. Stay tuned…that might happen!

May this help you on your own rune journey. And please, like, share and subscribe as the Youtubers say!