Continuity of Consciousness: Mystery Initiation & The Teachings of My Ancestors

Huggin and Munnin - The Ravens of Thought and Memory

I'm always searching for new information which pertains to my own experience of preincarnate memory and thought, a continuity of personal consciousness which stretches back before the previous event of cosmic Ragnarok. I found this (in discussion of what happens to the various parts of the human soul following physical death) in the book Aegishjalmur, the Book of Dragon Runes by Michael Kelly:

Now we begin to examine the invisible parts of the human complex, such as the hugh and the myne, thought and memory. These certainly don't remain in the physical shell, they can be presumed to depart to the higher or lower realms on Yggdrasil [the cosmological Tree of Life in Norse tradition - my addition], along with other invisible parts of the self. I suspect in most cases that these functions then remain in the immaterial realms, along with the part of the soul which is truly transcendent and immortal. Certainly, when the soul is reborn into a new life, it brings very little of the previous life's thoughts and memories back with it, though occasionally something may be carried across. I have a hunch that the more coherent and integrated the personality is within life, the more cohesion and direct memory there will be between incarnations. This continuity of conscious identity and memory is one of the highest aims of Initiation.

Hail my Ancestors! Hail my Ancestral Tradition! This teaching of my Mighty Ancestors is simply awesome and spot-on with regard to my own experience. I was born initiated into the Tradition of my Ancestors!

Naudh & the Sacred Tree Bear with a Full Belly

Last night, my nightly rune drawing was naudh. Then I went to sleep.

I dreamt of a brown bear resting on the ground under and leaning against the trunk of a tree outside in my yard. I was cautious and respectful of the bear's power, even though it was not dangerous, for it had a full belly.

Bears are revered by the ancient Saami and by most Northern cultures. In Man, God and Magic, Ivar Lissner writes:

There is an ancient belief that the bear is in communication with the lord of the mountains and with the sky, and certainly he has from time immemorial been surrounded by an aura which enjoins caution and respect.

This informs me that, in follow-up to one of my previous posts (My Saami Self - Gripping the Beast, the Serpent Bright) that Nidhogg has "given up" my past selves to the lord of the mountains, namely, to my fylgja, the giant lord of the mountain, who in this most recent dream has taken on the form of a brown bear. This is good, very good.

To my ancient circumpolar Saami ancestors, to at least one of my selves as a Saami woman, and to many of my Northern European ancestors, Bear was a top totemic representation of Deity and archetypal messenger to and from the supernatural world.

In ancient Saami religion, success in any dangerous endeavor pertaining to survival and abundance, was dependent upon the goodwill of Bear.

The Saami call Bear ìsaivoî (sacred).

Taking all of this together, like my fylgja, Bear mediates between my incarnate self and my Wode Self. Bear, with a full belly sitting against and beneath a tree on the ground in my yard, has "taken up" possession of my previous selves from Nidhogg. Bear is not dangerous to me. Brown Bear is earth-associated, Midgard-associated, and Naudh-associated. Consequently, the knowledge of my previous selves held within the belly of Bear are now stepping forth into open manifestation in my current life in Midgard.

Hail Bear!

Hulda, the Goddess Hiding in Hebrew Tradition

In follow-up to my previous post, this post will look at the prophetess Hulda (in Jewish tradition) and her hidden connection to the Death Goddess Hulda (of Norse tradition).

In Old Norse, Hulda means secrecy and hiding. Let's see what's secretly hiding in Hulda's Hebrew name.

The Hebrew name Hulda (חוּלְדָה‎) from the Hebrew root חלד means weasel. The weasel is a classic totem used by shamans as a guide through the Underworld, the realm of the dead. Clearly then, right from the start, we see the connection of the Hebrew prophetess Hulda, through her Hebrew name, to the Underworld and to the Death Goddess, Hulda.

A Death Goddess of focused compassion, written חולדה (as opposed to mercy, written אל-חלדה), Hulda in Swedish, my top ancestral genetic match, means lovely, delightful, faithful, loyal and gracious (chen).

Frog Prince

Despite numerous frustrations today, I had to slow down when a frog prince jumped into my life. Trapsing out to the garage for some supplies after a calming thunderstorm, a frog blocked my way into the side door of the garage. He wouldn't move. He just kept looking at me with those big lonesome eyes until I bent down and shooed him away from the door so I could enter it without tripping or scaring him into running into the garage and trapping himself inside.

On my way out of the garage door, carrying an armload of supplies, there he stood on the edge of the sidewalk, just looking at me. Okay then, I set all my supplies down on the sidewalk, stooped down, and sat beside him there in the dusky damp twilight. We talked for a few minutes until I needed to go. I told him goodnight, and he hopped off the sidewalk to let me pass. I picked up my supplies and smiled him a kiss goodnight. Such a wonderful creature, a frog.

Frog Totem

Myrrh, My Totem Resin

י״ז בתמוז תשע"א
Faunus 19

In follow-up to my previous post (Confronting Demons Starting Years Ago), I note that from the shoresh מור is also derived the word for myrrh (מֹר), making myrrh my totem resin, so to speak. Significantly, myrrh is also the totem resin of Goddess/the Sacred Feminine in Celtic Paganism and Witchcraft.

Wrestling with Destiny

כ״ה באייר תשע"א
Mab 27

Last night I dreamt. I wrestled with a giant spider. I won the wrestling match, and the giant spider, retreating, conceded the match to me.

Spider is a shamanic totem who embodies all the infinite possibilities into which reality may unfold the future. Spider teaches us to take responsibility for our choices and actions, all of which come together, in the present from the past, to wyrdly weave what will become. Those who fail to take responsibility for their choices and actions, and those who refuse to learn the lessons provided by the past, become entangled in Spider's web and a seemingly unchangeable reality. Those who work the force of Wyrd actively and consciously participate in creating Creation.

Cool dream.

Sovereignty and Mystical Feline Power

Keowulf 28

In follow-up to my newest entry on my shoppe blog, WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu, on which was introduced the newest addition to my luxury Morgen Collection of Avalonian ritual anointing oils, SOVEREIGNTY, I have an interesting synchronous annoucement to share with my friends and readers - my youngest son's cat had kittens, nine of them, like nine little Morgen kitties! Oh, the utter magic in it!

Pearl of the Eel of Kells

Keowulf 24

It is amazing the power unleashed within my life by simply purchasing some woad. In follow-up to my woad purchase and the subsequent dream where I, like an eel I discovered, returned to Avalon in the Sea, I've now discovered another connection of my "Avalonian eel" dream to the Celtic mysteries!

Zahir Karbani writes of the eel totem:

Celtic legends abound in regard to the Eel and the Book of Kells mentions them many times throughout, as creatures that can change form by growing legs and walking on land for great distances, only to shift back into their familiar snake like form and return to the sea.

The Elusive Eel Totem possesses the following virtues:
Shape shifting, adaptability, wisdom, inspiration, watching unseen, ability to overcome great obstacles, change, travel, fertility, stamina, and endurance.

Eel Animal Pearls are said to impart their particular magical virtues to their owner. Eel Pearls are characteristic of its host animal; they possess all the awesome characteristics that may be seen in the Eel itself; the adaptability and mysterious elusiveness of the Eel is contained within the pearl waiting for its proper owner to bestow its inner magic to that unique and fortunate individual. For century’s shamans, wizards, witches, spiritualists and practitioners of the occult have used Eel animal pearls to transfer the powerful magical energy of the Eel to themselves and to others in need of its special magic. Eel pearls are highly sought after by any wishing to absorb Eel virtues into their lives and develop stronger mental abilities such as those embodied by this snake of the sea. The owner of an Eel pearl will see their lives, spiritual energy and mental clarity imbued with all of the virtues attributed to the Eel. The Eel animal totem is a strong spirit and its magical properties are one of the most interesting of all animal totems. Adaptability, fertility, inspiration, and so much more can be integrated into the spirit of the possessor of this magical pearl and the Eel totem.

What I didn't mention in my previous post about my dream was that earlier in the day of the woad-inspired dream, I had received my DVD copy of The Secret of Kells in the mail, and that later that evening just minutes after purchasing the woad, I had watched the film! What amazing synchronicity!

And now my eel is not just any ole eel, but an eel with connections to the secret of Kells. And the wisdom coming through my dream is its pearl.

Raven's Choice

ז' באלול תש"ע
Belz 9

Last night, following my rune divination, I dreamt.

Among my many dreams, Raven - not just a black bird in form - but specifically, Raven appeared to me in my dream. Raven identified Itself specifically in my dream as Raven. Totemic Raven activates magical energy, linking Will and Intention to make manifest great life changes and deep healing.

Raven is a shaman, teacher of mysteries, guide, creator, protector, savior and a totem of deep joy. One does not choose a totem. The totem choose the person.

Raven has chosen me.

Related entries:
Wyrd Gift of the Universe
Bechirah Chafshit - Free Will
Dangerous Mind - Choice

Seeing Through The Darkness, An Otherworld Journey

כ׳ באב תש"ע
Lughnasadh 21

Last night, I dreamt.

I was on a snowmobile-like vehicle with others who were going on a dangerous adventure to each meet our Guardian Angel. Only the worthy would be able to safely return. The unworthy would remain stuck in the Otherworld.

To go to the Place of the Guardian Angels, we were going to slide free-fall together in our snowmobile-like vehicle down from the top of the snowy mountain we were on and crash into the Great Unknown Dark Sea at the bottom of the snowy mountain. This Great Unknown Dark Sea interfaced with and joined the snowy mountain we were on with a Great Dark Mountain on the horizon (which I couldn't see at this point).

Naturally and complainingly, I thought "I am just too old to crash down this snowy mountain into the sea. I could break a bone or something. I'd rather not do this." But, I didn't have a choice now because we were all already on the snowmobile-like vehicle and on our way. So, since it was inevitable that I had to do this now and couldn't not do it, I thought "I hope these are nice angels." The guide in the group on the snowmobile-like vehicle said to me "no, Ma'am, they are not." "Oh, that's just Great," I naturally and complainingly thought, "I'm going to meet not-nice angels in a Place from which I may or may not return. Just Great." I wasn't fearful at all, but I did have to pee. I was going to have to wait until we got back now.

Our vehicle sped down and crashed into the Great Unknown Dark Sea. After recovering from the disorientation of the crash, I reoriented myself and found myself on the Seabed under the Great Unknown Dark Sea. It was dark and shadowy for sure, but despite that, I could still see forms of the things there. I could see through the Darkness. The vehicle I arrived in was crashed around me. The only other person who remained standing in the vehicle with me was another young woman (young, like I was in this Place), except that she was made of the same Darkness as the Place we were in.

I looked up ahead at the Great Dark Mountain on the horizon opposite the snowy mountain from which we had come. It ran the entire length of the horizon like a black shadowy silhouette. Its dark ragged top reminded me of the surface of bloodroot roots (like the specimen I have included in my Snake Oil).

I looked forward and to my left, toward a Great Staircase which led from the Underworld to the World of the Living. The entrance to the Great Staircase was guarded by two forms which reminded me of Anubis, only they were whitish-like in comparison to the Darkness of the Place and even though they too were dark of form. One Anubis-like guardian angel-creature stood at each side of the Great Staircase with its arms folded across its chest - they stood like Osiride Pillars. The Great Staircase had a handrail running down and up the center of it, dividing the Great Staircase into one side for going up and one side for going down. I wondered if these staircase guardians would let us onto the Great Staircase leading back up into the Land of the Living.

I said to the dark young woman with me still inside the crashed vehicle, "if we are going to make it out of here, we are going to have to go together." We joined hands.

Holding hands, we got out of the relative safety of the crashed vehicle together and stepped into the shadowy Darkness of the Great Sea. As we were walking together toward the entrance of the Great Staircase and toward the Guardians, my spirit friend suddenly pulled me aside, toward the area left of the Great Staircase, and toward the area hidden behind the Great Staircase toward the bathrooms. We told the Guardians we were going to go to the bathroom first, before coming before them to ask permission to enter the Great Staircase. So, they didn't stop us from going behind the Great Staircase to where the bathrooms were - to go to the bathroom there (which like eating faery food in the Otherworld, would prevent us from leaving).

But, we were trying to trick them, I knew it. Even though we did truly have to urinate, we were not going to the bathroom in that Place. Instead, we were going to sneak up onto the Great Staircase from behind without asking the Guardians for permission. We circled around looking around ...

The Guardians then got an inkling of our plan and started to move toward us (now standing under the right side of the Great Staircase). "Uh-oh!" I thought. My spirit friend exclaimed, "oh! we have to go back to the bathroom and wash our hands now," trying to trick the Guardians once again, and as if her words would ward off the Guardians in their approach toward us to investigate just exactly what we little she-devils were up to. "There's pee here!" she exclaimed and pointed toward the floor for the Guardians to see, although I didn't see any there at all. "There's pee!" she exclaimed, "we have to go back to the bathroom now and wash our hands first." The Guardians weren't fooled by her exclamations that we were going to go back to the bathroom to wash our hands first. They knew we weren't really going to go to the bathroom there. We little upstarts were trying to sneak onto the Great Staircase leading back into the Land of the Living, they knew it. The Guardians kept coming toward us. My spirit friend's exclamations then became like a magic command drawing me to awaken, "Pee! Pee! Pee!"

I woke up. Of course, I had to go to the bathroom. And I went to the bathroom, here in the Land of the Living. My body and my personal Guardian Angel together had commanded me to return to the Land of the Living.

I returned.

Such a funny journey into the Otherworld, but nevertheless, I returned to my body with my Guardian Angel joined in tow.

Another interesting link to my herbal magic - in addition to the resemblance of the top of the Great Dark Mountain to the bloodroot in my Snake Oil (I have my own bottle too), last night before going to bed, I had ordered some certified organic earth kosher Calamus Root to try it out as an antifatigue and overall health medicine (as the Cree use it). Calamus Root is found in the recipe sourced in Exodus for the Abramelin operation which "facilitates contacting one's Guardian Angel." Wow, potent stuff - just placing the order for it worked magic!

Bloodroot and Calamus Root - I think I now have some "totem" roots!

The Immortals

כ״ח באדר תש"ע
Keowulf 30

I subscribe to Smithsonian magazine. Until last night, my latest issue had been laying around waiting to be read. Last night before bed, I picked up the issue Discovering Our Ancestors, Researchers Trace the Human Family Back 7 Million Years. Within the context of the main article, there are two particularly interesting sentences that stand out in my mind this morning:

"Their work inspired American and European researchers to sweep through the Great Rift Valley, a geological fault that runs through Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia and exposes rocky layers that are millions of years old."

"White explains that the team returns to this hostile spot year after year because it's the only place in the world to yield fossils that span such a long stretch of human evolution, some six million years."

These two sentences are particularly interesting to me this morning because last night I dreamt a dream which immediately reminded me of them when I woke up. The dream ...

With a few companions, I was walking in the daylight down a path which led by fields of rocky earthen layers which exposed mass graves of people who had been killed by the ruling powers over eons of time. The killing fields revealed a holocaust of humanity. So many had died over time, so very very many. The layers were composed of bodies stacked upon bodies stacked upon bodies stacked upon bodies intermingled with the treeless barren soil and rock of the earth. It reminded me of pictures I've seen of this century's holocaust only on a much larger scale encompassing eons of ancient time and layered like fossils into great rifts of earth.

The killing fields had been to my left as I walked down the path. To my right as I walked down the path, was a special graveyard consisting of iron body-sized silo-like tombs standing upright, squeezed together side by side, and hidden among a grove of trees. As I entered among the trees, I discovered that the ruling powers had hidden this special graveyard and that it was not really a true graveyard at all. The people entombed here could not die, they were the immortals. The ruling powers had entombed the immortals here to contain them, since the rulers were powerless to kill them. The immortals were the only ones in existence who posed a threat to the power of the rulers.

I felt the presence of awesome power emanating from within each of the silos built like an upright-standing iron coffin. [It occurs to me now that this detail is important - the iron coffins all stood upright, suggesting that the rulers were not only incapable of killing the immortals, but were also incapable of burying them on their backs laying down as the bodies in the killing field had been stacked.] I climbed up onto one coffin-silo and penetratingly peered down into it, communicating eye to eye with the immortal inside. I had the power to unlock and open up the silos and to release the imprisoned immortals. I had the power to do it. I could release the terrifyingly awesome power of the immortals. I did it. I unlocked the silos and released the immortals.

I and my companions were gathered among the group of immortals. I noticed that each immortal had a mark on the side of his or her neck. The mark was in a artery-like stave form of Ogham writing, the specific written code unique on each immortal. The mark was beautifully radiant under the skin of the neck and sparked like glowing light-filled blood.

As I was watching the heartbeat of one immortal's mark pulse with eternal life, he told me that I had the mark too. I looked - I had the mark of an immortal too. I am an immortal.

Together, we left the grove of trees and stepped upon the path between the killing fields and the grove where the iron prison-coffins had been hidden. We turned toward the direction opposite the direction my companions and I had initially been walking upon the path (away from the civilization controlled by rulers). We were immortals and we were no longer imprisoned. We went to reclaim our rightful place on the Earth and in the Universe. The rulers ruled no more.

As we walked back toward civilization, I was to learn how to control the power I had released in myself as an immortal. I watched my hand shapeshift like a werewolf's might and then return back to its human form. The immortal beside me explained the werewolf-like form arose when the power was not fully controlled. I looked at my human-formed hand, and woke up.

Related writing - The Witch's Staves

The Transmutation Task Of Transition

י"ב בתמוז תשס״ט
Faunus 13

In follow-up to Giant Tube Worms Of The Deep Sea, it emerges that these deep sea worms who dwell near hydrothermal vents not only mediate the alchemical transition from novice seeing to high-vibrational seeing, they also mediate the alchemical transmutation of sulfur (גפרית) into nourishment (הזנה).

Thus, the alchemical task which moves one from the status of novice seer into master in training is the task of transmuting hot explosive emotion, a potentially lethal yet necessary component of life, into a vital raw material which sustains life.

Most seers cannot do it. Most are destroyed by the sulfur-rich fire and brimstone environment where the transition occurs. Thank Goddess, I was not!

The giant tube worm who came to me is a totem animal. It came to mark completion of my transition from novice seer to master in training.

Full Raven Moon Smudge Wand

י"ו ניסן תשס"ט
Raven 16

In follow-up to an earlier entry about the white sage smudge wand I didn't make, here is an entry about the Full Raven Moon Smudge Wand I did make.

Crafted under the Full Raven Moon during the planetary hour of the Moon, this exotic smudge wand contains buchu leaves and myrrh resin wrapped in leaves of black tang (also known as bladderwrack, seetang, sea spirit, sea oak, meeriche and kelp). All herbs correspond to the feminine power of the Moon and are certified organic.

A messenger of magic and mysticism, Raven is a creative and protective totem, bringing light and fire to ancient humankind in Native American folklore. Raven laughs. She is a keeper of secrets, a heroine and a fool, a juxtaposition of opposites, the creatress of the earth and all its mysteries. Bringing light from darkness (אתהפכא חשוכא לנהורא, in Jewish kabbalistic tradition), Raven is cloaked in black yet brings joy and mischievous humor into life.

Raise the wind, summon spirits, move the power of the hidden sea, experience transformation, dream prophetically and cast protection spells with the strength of the Full Raven Moon. Available at WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu.

Ancestor Mysteries & The Tree Of Transformation

כ"ו אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 27

A reader emailed to me an inquiry regarding ancester mysteries. His question may be answered in the dream(s) I had last night.

Up Through Time, The Snake Tree

For some reason it wasn't such a good thing to be a head of this family. The reason was not so much because of the family, but because of the position of being the heads. The heads were in the most dangerous unprotected position in the family and more vulnerable to attack.

Adam and Eve were the heads of this family tree, literally. The entire family line was joined together like a single organism in the form a tree. Adam and Eve were the head trunk-limbs. The head trunk-limbs were in the form of two snakes branching up straight and high through time together from the main trunk of the snake tree. Their heads were at the summit of the tree, their faces like two pieces of white fruit among the uppermost leaves. Like fruit, the heads of Adam and Eve were always in danger of being eaten by the ancient animals of the primeval forest-garden.

One ancient animal flew up like a bird to the snake tree. The ancient creature had a long sword-like bird-like beak, but like a spider's jaws might, the ancient bird thrust into one of the fruits of the snake tree (which was really an individual human) below the heads of Adam and Eve. Like a spider, it injected venom into the human which was a fruit, liquifying the innards of his body. Then, like a spider might, the bird sucked out the juices of fruit-human, eating him this way.

It was not easy to be a human in those days, when humans were like fruits on a snake tree.

Down Through Time, Folding Over Continents

I've forgotten much of this dream, but it pertained to ancient family matters through time as well. It also had a stellar aspect to it, including the idea of finding lost family members down through time. It had an element of cataclysmic nature in it too.

We were from the stars, but in folding over the north american continent, many were drowned under the sea, lost in time. I remember vowing to find you, stepping out from the sea onto the new shore to do it. I had not been drowned by the sea, and like a mermaid, had survived the cataclysm of folding over continents.

The Snake & the Fish, Two Totem Meanings of the Hebrew Letter Nun

The Hebrew letter nun in modern times carries the Aramaic meaning of fish in the sea. The Hebrew letter nun is derived from the ancient pictograph meaning snake.

In my dream, Adam and Eve were formed like two sofiyot, like two straight extended final letters nun extending through time.

Prophetic Kabbalistic Witchcraft, As Above So Below

Every night before I go to bed, I do a quick dream divination using my Well Worn Path witchcraft deck. Last night, using these cards (which I keep by my altar in a handmade Dark Forest Divination pouch), I drew the card 'As Above So Below.'

'As Above So Below' is also a kabbalistic teaching of the Hebrew letter nun.

Complete alignment and harmony exist throughout my Celtic-Jewish shamanic practice of kabbalistic witchcraft.

The Tree Behind the Hedge, Hedge Riding to the Tree of Transformation

The first two items listed yesterday evening at WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu, are related to this week's Torah portion Vayikra, and discussed on Garden of the Dark Moon Jubilee - Two Turtledoves In Action.

Hedgecraft is a form of witchcraft which redefines witchcraft as centered around the journey to the Underworld and contact with the Unseen to transform the essence humanity into something greater. Hedge-riding is the act of doing it.

Related - Red Thread Witch Tea made with a base ingredient of Ancient Forest black tea.

She Who Strikes Fear

כ"ב טבת תשס"ט
Grael 23

She Who Strikes Fear

Skatha is a Welsh goddess of the Underworld. Her name means 'She Who Strikes Fear' (into birds, for example) and 'Shadow One'.

Red Branch Warriors

Patroness of blacksmiths, healing, magic, prophecy and the martial arts, Skatha is teacher to hero-warriors. Famous for invincible battle methods, the battle yell, and the 'magical leap', her students are known as 'Red Branch warriors'.

Protected Species

In interesting connection to Divine Feminine 'Skatha consciousness', at the same time I acquired my blood-red coral and gold magic earrings, I also acquired 15 natural red coral branches for my magical curios collection (Protected By Judgment). Red coral is a protected species. Note the 'golden tips' on this colonial animal, clearly my totem, made up of several individuals:

Greater Than Dark Or Light Alone

כ"ז כסלו תשס"ט
Shamash 28

The twenty-sixth shaman stone in my Temple Collection is dedicated to the medicine of steadfast remembrance (corresponding to my preincarnate memories), represented by the spirit of Penguin, whose wisdom includes life altering mystery, intrigue and transformation. Penguin waddles and cares for its single egg (or baby penguin) with steadfast determination and focus. With fluid grace Penguin swims, and with complete connection to it's inner rhythm Penguin toboggans on it's stomach with joy and agility at speeds up to 25mph. In the manner of royalty and perfect derekh eretz, penguins often bow to one another in acknowledged respect of the other.

The black and white colors of Penguin represent the unification of dark and light into a single state of actualized being, one greater than either dark or light alone.

As the shaman stone for Penguin, carrying the energies of overall wellbeing and living knowledge of the perfection of the Universe, I've designated tourmalated quartz, a white crystal with well-defined black tourmaline inclusions.

The Crystal Cave Of Hitbodedut

כ"ז כסלו תשס"ט
Shamash 28

When I was a child my parents frequently tried to coax me out of my bedroom where I was engaged in solitary play, reading, working with my microscope set or frequently, just thinking and being alone. They called my self-initiated retreat into my own space hibernation. I still hibernate to this day, whether at home or at the office. The drive to hibernate is integral to who I am, to my purpose in life and to my destiny. Importantly, I have naturally hibernated in my crystal cave of solitude (whether literally or thoughtfully) from my earliest memories of existence.

In light of this tendency toward cave-dwelling hibernation, linked from the dark depths to the Great Bear constellation and stars, the twenty-fifth shaman stone in my Temple collection corresponds to the spirit of Arth (the Welsh word for Bear), whose primal powers include hibernation, deep introspection, meditation (hitbodedut, self-seclusion), healthy vitality, reclaiming truth through unconventionality, attaining altered states of consciousness, astral travel and dreamworking. Arth is also associated with the winter solstice (the sabbat of Yule), bringing light from darkness (Chanukah), the North Star, the ancient stellar goddess, the throne of the queen of heaven, the realm of the crystal castle, the realm beyond time and the realm of causes. All of these associations link together through the idea that the great spirit of Arth is the great Crystal Cave spirit of crystal caves (which extend the field of apprehension), like in my poem The Magic Ladder.

As the shaman stone for Arth I've designated a natural peridot crystal specimen, a visionary stone whose shamanic qualities include protection, health, wealth, sleep, inner balance, peace and connection to destiny.

Legends Of The Rise

כ"ז כסלו תשס"ט
Shamash 28

The twenty-third shaman stone in my Temple Collection represents the spirit of Mouse, the creature who shared the extraordinary and stellar experience of traveling consciousness with me in the epiphany of 1967. Today I received a surprise gift with one of my supply orders - a moonstone, the traveler's stone - and my twenty-third shaman stone.

Raven Grimassi (The Witch's Familiar) writes of Mouse:

In old legends witches were believed to be able to transform into mice. Some tales include the belief that the soul of a witch appears as a mouse.

How very interesting to me, as a witch.

As a power animal, Mouse's wisdom includes "scrutiny, order, examining life's lessons, shyness, quietness, understanding details, seeing double meanings, stealth, guidance in signing contracts, discovery and the ability to be unseen." This last characteristic - the ability to be unseen - may account for Mouse's scrutiny of me and surprise that I could truly see it followed by Mouse's question to me in 1967 "what are you looking at?" Indeed, what was I looking at with such stealth, examination, scrutiny and interest to discover that I was propelled into the experience of a lifetime?