Sweetie and I had a quiet private Winter Solstice celebration on Monday night. We managed to wait to break into the stockings and gifts until after the sun had set. I lit the magic candles on the tree and sitting on the floor by the tree we pulled treasures from our stockings and then handed each other presents from family, loved ones, and ourselves. Moj got an antique Dionysian pitcher and plate for ritual cakes and wine, Dionysus oil and incense, as well as many witchy books, more incense, candy, and homemade preserves. I received a ton of witchy books (love my witchy man!), chocolate, an evil eye doll from Toadbone's Apotheca, pairs of beautiful handknit socks from my Mom, books from her trip to Scotland, handmade soap, and also some powders and animal curios for magic. For both of us I had purchased an authentic set of Welsh horse brasses as a house protection and blessing charm. Most horse brasses are just for show - this one was made from an actual well-used thick piece of saddle with a lovely pattern stitched into it. The leather is so old it is starting to decay and a few of the leather strips holding on the brasses had broken so I had to repair them. The symbols on the brasses are personal to us, so I just showed a few in the picture.
In honour of the occassion I set to work after presents preparing the Yule feast we'd share with the God. First I started the wassail by adding a bottle of last year's apple mead, apple juice, lemons stuck with cloves, sliced apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg into my crock pot to warm while cooking dinner. My apple mead turned out tasting a bit like sherry and a pretty red colour - strange but delicious! I made a wintry feast of pork schnitzel with maple syrup-roasted root veggies (beets, carrots, parsnips, and maple syrup my Dad harvested on his farm last February), mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, and some homemade gravy to pour over half of it. We put a bowl of the wintry feast on the God's altar and left him some wine and then went off to watch Terry Pratchett's Hogfather while eating our own plates of the feast.
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Nordic Paganism is a Reconstructionist form of Paganism. The primary source materials are literary texts written in medieval Iceland in the historical range of 1100 to 1300, in the Germanic-Scandinavian language variously known as Old Norse or Old Icelandic, which is indeed quite similar to modern Icelandic. These texts are believed by modern Nordic Pagans to preserve Pagan beliefs from long before Iceland’s conversion from Norse Paganism to Christianity in the year 1000, an event that will be discussed in a later section. Several categories of texts are important to modern Nordic Pagans. First, there is the collection of largely mythological poems known as the Poetic Edda, with individual Eddic poems providing accounts of the past creation and future destruction of the world, the nature of the Norse universe, and the adventures and misadventures of the various gods, as well as the exploits of certain nondivine heroes and heroines. Further information on the same topics is given in a supplementary text, the Prose Edda, written by the medieval Icelandic scholar and statesman Snorri Sturluson.
The leader of the Norse gods is Odin, the one-eyed god of wisdom, war, magic, and poetry, among other powers and functions. Other prominent Norse deities include Thor, the reliable protector of humankind who brandishes a hammer to smash malevolent giants and other foes; Tyr, god of war and oaths; Frigg, the wise wife of Odin; Baldur, the son of Odin, fated to first be slain by his own brother and then return from death to rule the world; Loki, the sometimes harmful, sometimes helpful god of guile and trickery; AEgir and Ran, god and goddess of the sea; Freyja, the goddess of fertility, love, and war; her twin brother Freyr, also associated with fertility; Njorthur, god of seafaring, fishing, and commerce and father of Freyja and Freyr; and Hel, the goddess of death. Other deities are described in less detail in the Old Norse literature, and other classes of supernatural beings such as Elves and Landspirits, worshipped in both ancient Norse tradition and modern Nordic Paganism.
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The traditional Occult Symbol - Aegishjalmur commonly referred to as the "helm of awe" is a an ancient Scandinavian runic viking symbol.
The symbol is said be worn over the forehead or used as a tattoo and in modern times has been used in t shirts or necklaces.. In history it was said to be scratched or drawn on the inside of one's battle helmet to give the wielder power. Its magical purpose is said to be protection and "irresistibility" in battle..
(Image Source above from - The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft )
OCCULT SYMBOLS - THE AEGISHJALMUR IN HISTORY AND USE
It is said to be able to be used on one's forehead with saliva or blood. In modern times it has been used in many more ways than this including necklaces, t-shirts or tattoo's as seen below. Within the symbol is Algiz as shown by the images which is the rune of protection. In the center is the circle most likely representing one self surrounded by protective energy. This was a very powerful symbol from the pagan era, it is indicated to be used in battle as well as protecting the wielder in general from magickal or physical attack including the abuse of power.
As you can see from the images it has been used in many ways this ancient Occult symbol. Interestingly enough it is another symbol that has been passed down through the ages.. In a previous post I went over general Occult Symbols used today, this is another to add to the list.
The runes originate from the history of Odin, Thor, Freya and other ancient viking history. They were used as a magical alphabet that finally developed into the English alphabet we use today and if used used right were said to bestow powers onto the user. The Aegishjalmur symbol is a symbol within the same understanding of the runes. In a future post I will write more detail on the history and power of the Runes as well as the history of the Viking Gods..
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Runes were discovered carved on wood, stone, and metal and bone objects. Wood is the most preferred medium for depicting runes - particularly for magical functions. Words for "pieces of wood" connected with the runes are several in the old tradition. The three Old Norse examples related with runes would be stafr (stave, letter, secret lore), tenin (branch, talismanic word for divination) and hlutr (lot for divination, talismanic object - on which runes where carved).
The bracteates (thin metal disks encoded with runes and diverse other designs) play a significant role in magical uses. Among the ways, that runes were applied in magic is that of additional concealment the magical formula with intricately formulated codes. These codes were produced in order to keep the runic magic messages secret.
The cornerstone of all the runic codes is the numerical value of the runes. Both the Younger and Elder futharks are divided into three groups called aettir (families). The futharks of the runes are mystifying systems that were mostly developed in the Younger Futhark time; however, they most certainly were known and used in the older period, since ancient representations of the elder row are also clearly divided into aettir.
The names branch names and tent runes know two of the most remarkable techniques of making secret runic codes. Runes may be magically used in a broad kind of way. The most basic technique of rune magic in the olden days was talismanic, that is runes were engraved into several objects and infused with psychic power in order to bring about some change in the vitki (rune master) or his surroundings.
Runes are particularly useful in magical works regarding triumph, success, protection, rescue from limitation, love, and the acquiring wisdom. Each rune has a name that was also a meaningful word. It is trusted these rune names survived from early times, though of course they are not recorded until relatively late, when written records of the script began.
The Norse rune names are maintained from somewhat later, and at a time when only sixteen of the letters survived in use in Scandinavia, so we do not have a complete list of names from that region. Usually the rune names began with the sound that the rune represented.
Divination is another important use of the runes from the Vikings. The runic forms often were carved into pieces of wood, cast onto a white fabric, to perform a rune reading. It was then read according to strict criteria. All methods are valid and extremely potent for magical purposes today. The runes are holy signs may be used as focal points for advocatory magic, meditation, as well as self-transmutation and mysterious communication.
Runic divination is one of the oldest prophecy systems in Northern Europe. The runes make up a potent key, offering entree to the inner mysteries of Northern Europe. By using the runes is to restore inner-plane contacts we can recover much of our lost knowledge.
For genuine divination, a channel of communication must be accomplished with the runes. They should be accepted to speak for themselves without disturbance from the analytical mind. A rune reading is a sort of meduimship in which one has to liaise between the querent and the runes and read messages from the runic powers, of which the active rune-stones or runestaces are focal directs or doorways.
Divination is in origin a blessed act of acquiring counsel from the gods. The power of mastering magic and the darker side of awareness, of which divination forms a part, is in Northern European terms Odin. These forces represents the past, present and future and are distinguished with the three goddesses or Norns, Urs, Verdandi and Skuld - who weave the web of fate, destiny or orlog.
Therefore, the runes are sacred and are intimately intertwined with Northern mythology, personifying our deepest spiritual values. To find the maximum benefit from the runes it essential to have knowledge and a fundamental understanding of the myths of the North and the various god-forms and archetypes. This is what divination was entailed to be and is how it was applied in olden days.
Therefore, the runes are sacred and are intimately intertwined with Northern mythology, personifying our deepest spiritual values. To find the maximum benefit from the runes it is essential to have knowledge and a fundamental understanding of the myths of the North and the various god-forms and archetypes. This is what divination was entailed to be and is how it was applied in olden days.
By Lee Pavett.
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NROOGD SAMHAIN, 1987
A Cymro-Norse ritual
TOOLS:
Drinking Horn
Hammer (Mjollnir)
Sword
Pentacle/Stone
Bowl of Salt
Water
Censer & Incense
CELEBRANTS:
White Priestess (Skadi)
Gold Priest (Freyr)
Red Priestess (Freyja)
Red Priest (Heimdallr)
Black Priestess (Vala)
Black Priest (Odin)
Procession, consisting of Soulers (any small number) and White Mare.
Skadi takes the sword around the circle with these words:
SHARP BRIGHT STEEL THE CIRCLE SCRIBES;
CARVING, CLEAVING WORLD FROM WORLD.
Freyja banishes the circle with the hammer and these words:
MANKIND'S FRIEND, BY MJOLLNIR'S MIGHT
BANISH BEINGS THAT BODE US ILL!
She stands in the center and to each quarter and above and below she makes the Hammer-Sign, saying,
HOLY HAMMER, HALLOW AND HOLD US.
Vala seals the circle, carrying pentacle and bowl of salt, saying,
STOUT STONE SHIELD US, SHUT THE CIRCLE.
Skadi asperses the circle (Vala follows with censer) with these words:
BE ALL BLESS'D WHO BIDE HEREIN,
BY STONE AND SEA, BY STORM AND SUN.
Now Heimdallr takes the sword and calls the quarters as follows:
WISDOM'S WAIN, EAST WIND I CALL THEE!
THOUGHTS THY THANES THAT THRIVE IN NEWNESS.
BREATHE AND BLESS, BLOW ALL CLEAN;
WATCH AND WARD, O WIND OF MIND.
SUMMER'S SAVOUR, SOUTH WIND COME NOW!
BRIGHT THE BLESSINGS OU BEAR WITH YOU.
STRONG OF SPIRIT, SUN-LIKE FIRE;
WATCH AND WARD, O WIND OF SOUL.
WILD AND WET, WEST WIND I SUMMON!
SEA-SPRAY BEARING, SINGING, SHOUTING;
BEATS THE EARTH'S BLOOD IN THY BREAST;
WATCH AND WARD, O WIND OF HEART.
WHITE WITH WINTER, NORTH WIND, WAKEN!
STONE'S STRENGTH BRINGING, SNOW-CLOAKED WIND.
FROM THE FROST-REALMS, FRESH AND CHILL,
WATCH AND WARD, O WIND OF FORM.
The Priestesses and Priests stand opposite each other, and each one of the pair invokes the other, as follows:
Skadi (to Freyr)
LORD OF LIFE, HAIL LAND-MASTER!
GOD OF GRAIN THAT GROWS AND DIES
AND RISES REBORN, FULL OF RICHNESS;
FALLOW FIELDS SHALL YET BE FERTILE --
SPRING SAP RUNS AS STIRS YOUR PHALLUS --
BLESS BARREN EARTH, LET IT BEAR AGAIN!
Freyr (to Skadi)
SHOW-SHOES STRIDING, HAIL SWIFT HUNTRESS!
WILD ONE, FREE AND WILLFUL GODDESS,
BOW AND BLADE YOU BEAR BESIDE YOU,
FINDING FOOD TO FEND OFF HUNGER.
WINTER WILL NOT LEAVE US WANTING;
GIVE GOOD HUNTING, GRANT US SKILL!
Freyja (to Heimdallr)
STANDING STEADFAST, HAIL FAR-SEER!
WATCHFUL ONE, ON RAINBOW WAITING,
HORN AT HAND TO ROUSE THE HEROES,
NEWS YOU KNOW FROM NINE WORLDS OVER.
PEOPLE'S PARENT AND OUR PATRON,
OPEN OUR EYES TO ALTERED SIGHT.
Heimdallr (to Freyja)
VANIR BRIDE, HAIL VISION-GIVER!
CAPPED IN CAT-FUR, CLOAKED IN FEATHERS,
DRUMMING FOR THE DANCE OF DREAMS,
YOU HASTE TO HUNT OUT HIDDEN THINGS.
SCANT NOW THE SCREEN THAT HINDERS SIGHT;
LET US LEARN THE LORE OF TRANCE-WORK.
Vala (to Odin)
ONE-EYE, WANDERER, GOD OF WISDOM,
HUNT-LORD, HAIL, WHO LEADS THE HOSTING!
NINE NIGHTS HANGING, KNOWLEDGE GAINING,
CLOAKED AT CROSSROADS, COUNCIL HIDDEN.
NOW THE NIGHT, YOUR TIME IS NEAR US --
RIGHT ROADS SEND US ON, RUNE-WINNER.
Odin (to Vala)
EVERY AGE YOUR EYE HAS WITNESSED,
CAULDRON-KEEPER; HAIL, WISE CRONE!
REDE IN RIDDLES IS YOUR RATION --
WYRD-WEAVING AT THE WORLD-TREE'S ROOT.
ELDEST ANCIENT, ALL-KNOWING ONE,
SPEAK SECRETS TO US, SEND US KENNING.
Odin reminds everyone what the festival is about, as follows:
Odin: SO COMES THE SOULS'-DAY. SUMMON FOR FEASTING
ANCESTORS, ANCIENTS, HONOURED AND BLESSED;
LET IN BELOVED ONES, LEND THEM YOUR BODIES --
WHOM DO YOU HALLOW? HAIL THEM BY NAME!
Allow a few minutes for everybody to name the ancestor they want to welcome.
Then Vala gives this admonition:
Vala: AS ANCIENT ELDERS YOU LEARN FROM AND HONOUR,
LET NOT THE LIVING ONES MOULDER ALONE.
NEAR IS THEIR KNOWLEDGE NEARER THAN SPIRITS',
SEEN WITHOUT CEREMONY, SIMPLY FOR ASKING.
Both: GRANDMOTHERS, GRANDFATHERS, GREAT BE THEIR BLESSINGS
PAST ONES AND PRESENT WE DANCE THEM ALL POWER!
All the Celebrants but Heimdallr form a circle facing outward; Heimdallr goes to the West, and all say:
WIDE ARE THE WORLDGATES; NOW THE WIGHTS WANDER.
WELCOME WITHIN ARE THE DEAD WHO WERE OURS;
REST FROM RIDING HERE, REVEL AND FEAST HERE;
COME IN, OLD KINSFOLK, KEEPERS OF WISDOM!
Heimdallr cuts the Soulers' Procession into the Circle on "Come in", and moves to stand with the other Celebrants while the Soulers dance slowly around singing:
WELCOME WINTER, WANING SEASON,
NOW WITH NIGHT THE NEW YEAR COMES;
ALL WHO HONOUR ELDER KINSFOLK
DANCE THE DEAD TO EARTHLY DRUMS.
SOULS RESPECTED SAFEGUARD LIVING
HOUSE WE'LL HOLD, AND HALLOW HEARTH;
BLESSINGS BE ON THOSE WHO BIDE HERE,
AND INDEED ON ALL THE EARTH!
The Celebrants begin also to circle, dancing in character, starting widdershins then spiraling in and out to end deosil, as in the meeting dance, while the Soulers encourage the outer circle to dance also. The intent should be for luck in the new year, and better connection with our Ancestors (as well as better treatment of our Elders!). WE ARE THE OLD PEOPLE, and BLOOD OF THE ANCIENTS are appropriate and may be sung in polyphony...
As the providers of food, FREYR and SKADI bring forward the feast. Some food should be laid out for the ancestors, and people should be encouraged to let the ancestors use their senses for a while to enjoy the food with them. The Soulers in particular should receive Soul Cakes. A strong magical gesture would be for people to bring forward canned and other non-perishable food (which can be later given to a food bank or similar organization).
Freyr speaks as follows:
CAKES TO US CARRY, CORN FROM THE STOREHOUSE;
WINE DEFIES WINTER, WARM WITH CAUGHT RIPENESS;
MILK MADE TO CHEESES, MEAT DRIED AND SALTED;
LAST OF THE LAND'S FRUITS ERE THE LONG SLEEP.
Skadi speaks as follows:
GOOD NUTS AND GAME-FOOD ARE HUNTERS' GUERDON;
SLEEPING EARTH'S SECRETS YIELD TO THE SEEKER
TRUE BURIED TREASURE: ONIONS, POTATOES
FOREST SHALL FEED US WHILE THE FIELDS REST.
Both say (if there is to be food donation):
ALL WHO HAVE AUGHT TO OFFER, NOW BRING IT;
WIGHTS, BEAR YE WITNESS WORK WITH THE GIVERS.
FEEDING OUR FELLOWS, LET US BE FED SO,
SOPS FOR THE SPIRIT OR SUP FOR THE FLESH.
[If there is to be scrying and divination, it should be done now in a quiet space marked off as separate from the feasting-place. FREYJA and HEIMDALLR lead the scrying and VALA and ODIN lead rune-work, with the following optional speeches:
Heimdallr: LET THE LOTS TUMBLE, LOOSING THEIR LEARNING;
WORD-WOOD AND WIT-STONES, WON THROUGH ORDEAL.
COME UP AND CAST THEM, WHILE WORD IS CLEAREST
AUGERS MAY ANSWER AUGHT THE YEAR HOLDS.
Freyja: WIDE ARE THE WORLDGATES, WINDOWS ARE OPEN;
SIGHTS MAY BE SEEN NOW, ELSETIMES BUT SCARCELY.
CRYSTAL AND CAULDRON CAPTURE THE VISION;
MYSTERY'S MEANING SPEAKS TO THE MINDFUL.
Note: it is entirely appropriate for partying to go on inside the sacred circle (people can get up and move around), so that the Dead have the opportunity to enjoy their day before we bid them farewell; the circle should be cast large, with this in mind. The only constraint is to open in sufficient time to clean up the hall before the rental time runs out. The circle is opened as follows:
Heimdallr:
TO WATCHING WINDS, WE WISH FAIR WANDERING;
FAN US SWEET FRAGRANCE; HAIL, FAREWELL!
ALL: TO SLEEPLESS SOULS, WE WISH SWEET RESTING;
FRIENDS WILL KEEP FAITH; FAREWELL NOW!
GODS AND GODDESSES, GO WITH PRAISES!
FINISHED OUR FESTIVAL; HAIL, FAREWELL!
Celebrants ground with this formula:
AS FROM THE EARTH OUR ENERGY COMES,
INTO THE EARTH THE EXCESS FLOWS;
EARTH AND ALL EMPOWERED ALIKE
BE IT SO!
Skadi: SEE: THE CIRCLE IS SEVERED THUS [she cuts]
MERRY MEET, MERRY PART, MERRY MEET AGAIN!
B*B
Leigh Ann
ThelemaNet - Hail Eris! * (415) 548-0163 (Opus 1:161/93)
Inspired by Hakim Abdullah's 'Carnival of Islam in the West' yesterday it came to me that there is a necessity also to have a focus and brain-storming about the status of Islam in East. In recent time islam has grown considerably in the west, mostly due to migration of muslims and also from the significant number of reverts or converts to Islam. There are a number of great scholars and experts on Islam who being westerners, are interpreting and researching on a very progressive manner, just as the religion deserved. This is a real positive sign.
Now given the intellectual environment, education, progressive western outlook - Islam and Muslims in general are benefitting a lot from west. There is a much greater level of tolerance and a genuine interest in the core teaching of islam. Also the open accomodating nature of western society is becoming instrumental to the harmonization. So in broader sense, there is no extremism coming out from the west. What is lacking is awareness, lack of proper education and less positive space in the media etc. But that slowly will catch up.
And importantly in order to improve the image of islam and muslims, we need to look at the state of ummah at east. We can't go on apologizing for the mess and what stupid people are doing in the name of religion. We can't just go on correcting for image of islam to the rest of the world, while muslims (!) are blowing up themselves and doing all sorts of things that are so against the spirit of the teachings of Prophet.
Look at East! Specially look at the birth places of Islam, the historical lands and the places where the initial formation of islamic thoughts took place. Middle-East, the Arab nations from where Islamic teachings, civilization and intial ideas originated are in serious crisis at our age. Extermism in all its fashion is outpouring from every direction. If we shift a bit, there is the rest of Asia such as Indian Sub-continent, South East Asia and also Central Asia with very huge population of muslims. Infact Indonesia and Bangladesh of South East Asia and South Asia, respectively, are two largest muslim country in the world in terms of population count.
But sadly enough from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, wherever you look, you will find moral degeneration, far apart are the muslims and their religion, Islam. Instead of progress and evolution towards an intellectual, modern face, its reversing into darkness. As if we are racing towards the pre-islamic barbaric age once again. From sectarian violence to culturally biased negative mindset, from suicide bombing to shia-sunni killing-spree, all are speaking how Islam has been hijacked, made rotten and really disgraced.
Thus i feel, there is a greater need for people who are from east, (may be settled down in west and thus have a good comparative view) and also those conscious people who are already living in east to share. From education, interpretation of islamic law, politics, public policy, family matters, to spiritual condition all can come into the scope of this CARNIVAL OF ISLAM IN THE EAST.
God willing, CARNIVAL OF ISLAM IN THE EAST will be an effort to move forward this critical thinking process and brain storming from bloggers all over the cyber-space. A thought process that aims at looking at the fundamental problems of Islam in the east, criticism, analysis and also coming up with solutions for different society and nations.
This is just a draft idea. i will very much appreciate ideas and suggestions from you all.[+] Please visit MysticSaint.Info For full multimedia experience and enjoy special music.
Blessings,
Sadiq
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"In this post I wanted to delve into the basics of Rune Magic and how this tool was used as a powerful Occult Symbol back in ancient Germanic Times.."
As i have mentioned in many previous posts, symbols are powerful tools for Magic and Magical practice. Runes are a perfect example of this as well. They are a very old tool predating Christ and one of the oldest archaeological references of writing. This does not indicate they are only that old, but indicates the practice of Runes was popular beyond and around this date.
"ABOVE IMAGE : Codex Runicus, a vellum manuscript from around 1300 AD containing one of the oldest and best preserved texts of the Scanian Law, written entirely in Runes."
The use and communication abilities of signs has always been viewed as magical tool by our ancestors and so this meant writing with the runes is a very magical act, manipulating magical symbols to create magical meanings. The angular lines representing elements of nature and the world, carved into natural wood, stone or clay. In fact nature was used in every sense.
When looking at the runes it is good to have the perspective of them as doors to the magical world around us. One may represent snow, another fire, or trees, or a river or the spirit. Whichever one, it can be drawn on to benefit the user.
"USE OF THE RUNES"
"Rune magic should be used wisely, if after a magical change. It is always best to use them within your magical ability at the time and in time your connection and strength will grow. Also consider the nature of your magical intent of your use and make sure to use them positively as misused they can cause harm."
" As a note, like most manipulation of the energy around us, if used right it can bring about magical positive change. If used wrong and negatively it can bring about negative magical change. "
In many ways Runes use was not much different to the aspects of paganism. Worship of the elements around us and drawing on there energies to help us. In many aspects of magic, it is the symbol of belief that is used to drive the energy whatever it is, however with the Runes it is a tool that can make it so much easier.
Runes can also be used to read your future.. Pulling out a few and throwing them down can answer some messages. Whatever the use, belief combined with symbols is always a good combo for drawing on energy. Runes are a great tool.
In future posts i will into the Mythology behind the Runes (Nordic), the meanings of these mysterious Runes and the ways in which they can be used.
