Ritual

Beltane Tree Blessing Charm

Beltane Tree Blessing Charm (Goddess and Green Man)

This charm is a simple and meaningful way to connect with the exuberant surge in earth energy that bursts forth at Beltane.It can be used for blessing and honouring a tree or as part of a Handfasting, Baby Blessing or Summerlands ceremony.

Equally it can be adapted for healing purposes or as an expression of hope for the future.

You will need :

A piece of white ribbon, cord or wool (to represent peace, healing and tranquillity) big enough to tie gently to a branch .

Honey dissolved in a little warm water and allowed to cool (clear honey works best ) – for healing, fertility, love, gratitude, and as an offering.

To begin, approach your chosen tree. Clear your mind and focus on the ceremony/blessing ahead. You are going to walk around the tree three times, clockwise. At the end of each round you are going to touch the tree with your right hand and make a heart connection with it. This is the important thing.

Walking slowly around the tree on the first circling say:“With grateful heart and loving mind I give thanks for your wisdom”. Touch the tree with your right hand for as long as you feel necessary.

On your second circling say: “With impassioned heart and respectful mind I give thanks for your silent strength”.Again touch the tree with your right hand.

On the third circling say: “With blossoming heart and inspired mind I give thanks for your wild beauty.” Touch the tree with your right hand.

Now sit or kneel in front of the tree. Pour a little of your honey at the base of the tree and say:“May you be blessed with Beltane’s bursting, replenished in Beltane greening, strengthened by Beltane passionate flame. Brightest Beltane Blessings on you my friend.”

Pour the last of your honey, take your ribbon and tie it to a branch and say “With love, gratitude and open heart.” And the charm is now complete.

You can do a distant blessing on a tree that you are far away from by using a pot of earth and just the honey. And as ever you can use your own words to make the charm your own.

Dandelion Renewal Ritual

Jenny Heston · 5:30 pm ·

Dandelion Renewal Spell

Just as the onset of Spring transforms the earth with a lush green haze and a profusion of blooms that hint to the bounty of summer, we too can feel a tightening of spirit, a renewal of body, mind and soul as spring’s promises are fulfilled all around us.

With dandelion’s association with growth and transformation, this dandelion renewal spell can be done alone or with a group and is soooo appropriate to do at Beltane. (Assuming spring has come to your neighbourhood).

All you need is an intact dandelion seed head per person. If working with kids then talk for a moment about renewal and what it means to them. Have everyone or just yourself hold up their dandelion seeds heads and say together,

The air is alive with the hum of bees

As the wind tousles the tops of trees.

The blooms are bright and fertility abounds,

Our wish, dear Lady, for renewal to be found.

Not only across this greening land,

But within the hearts of every woman, child, and man.

Blessed be!

Blow your dandelion seed heads to the four directions. As you do this, imagine the dandelion seeds planting themselves into the hearts of humankind. Imagine an abundance of joy, peace, and fulfillment for all that happens as the dandelion takes root.

When you’re done, find a nice spot in a field, park, or lawn. If you feel inclined make a circlet of dandelions and reflect on the sunny intentions, thoughts and bright ideas for the future.

Seriously, who doesn’t want to celebrate Spring? Why and how to celebrate.

Jenny Heston · 1:00 am ·

Seriously, have to ask – who doesn’t want to celebrate Spring? As a kid Spring time was filled with woodland flowers and baby lambs popping out everywhere and bouncing like mad fiends over the grass. Thus, I think that really nailed down the fact that I love Spring Equinox!

After a long (this one especially) winter, the idea, the knowing and the full Trust that Spring is going to come is amazing. To me it is about NEW. New plants, new ideas, new ways of moving in the world and releasing the blaugh. Spring Equinox (also known as Ostara), after the goddess Eostre is a fertility holiday, which celebrates the resurgence of life with such symbols as rabbits, cute little chicks and lambs (seeing any similarity to Easter symbols?)

Spring Equinox is the second of the four “sky points” in the Wheel of the Year, and is a time of balance, it is when the sun does a perfect balancing act in the heavens. In other words, the sun rises exactly in the East, travels through the sky for 12 hours and sets exactly in the West. Thus, all over the world, day and night are of equal length. For us in the Northern Hemisphere we know from this moment forth there will be more light than there is darkness, and growth will reign triumphant over death. (For those in the Southern Hemisphere it is Fall Equinox, a time of harvest and getting ready for Winter and a gentle letting go of the light to fold in and cocoon).

This is a time when the goddess is the Maiden in all her youthful glory, the god is reaching manhood, and energy abounds. So why not tap into that energy to bring the light into your own darkness, if you have any? For example spring cleaning is not just about your home, it’s about removing old or negative energies accumulated over the dark winter months to prepare you for glorious growth. It’s about planting seeds of intention, seeds of growth, seeds of food – it’s about shedding that heavy winter coat and picking up something a tad lighter and a bit more fun.

If we were to look through multiple cultures Spring Equinox has, and is, a glorious time of welcoming in the light, celebrating the rebirth or creation of new things, planting seeds and releasing the old, worn and tired.

For example, there is the story of the Roman god Mithras, which is similar to the tale of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. “ Born at the winter solstice and resurrected in the spring, Mithras helped his followers ascend to the realm of light after death. In one legend, Mithras, who was popular amongst members of the Roman military, was ordered by the Sun to sacrifice a white bull. He reluctantly obeyed, but at the moment when his knife entered the creature’s body, a miracle took place. The bull turned into the moon, and Mithras’ cloak became the night sky. Where the bull’s blood fell, flowers grew, and stalks of grain sprouted from its tail.”

In the Mayan culture, at Chichen Itza, spring equinox is most certainly celebrated (I have been there for this, very cool!) It’s called – The Snake of Sunlight “A famous ancient equinox celebration was the Mayan sacrificial ritual by the main pyramid at Chichen Itza, Mexico. The pyramid, known as El Castillo, has 4 staircases running from the top to the bottom of the pyramid’s faces, notorious for the bloody human sacrifices that used to take place here. The staircases are built at a carefully calculated angle which makes it look like an enormous snake of sunlight slithers down the stairs on the day of the equinox.” (Having been there, very cool).

Last but not least let’s look at the Iranian New Year, which is called No-Rooz, and happens at exactly the same time. Again, spring cleaning occurs and an altar is set up “Iranians consider No-Rooz as their biggest celebration of the year, before the new year, they start cleaning their houses (Khaane Tekaani), and they buy new clothes. But a major part of New Year rituals is setting the “Haft Seen” with seven specific items. In ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism. All the seven items start with the letter “S”; this was not the order in ancient times. These seven things usually are: Seeb (apple), Sabze (green grass), Serke (vinager), Samanoo (a meal made out of wheat), Senjed (a special kind of berry), Sekke (coin), and Seer (garlic). Sometimes instead of Serke they put Somagh (sumak, an Iranian spice). Zoroastrians today do not have the seven “S”s but they have the ritual of growing seven seeds as a reminder that this is the seventh feast of creation, while their sprouting into new growth symbolized resurrection and eternal life to come. “

So in my world, no matter where you are on this planet – equinox time is about balance & harmony. Also, celebration! So whether you just take a moment to light a candle and say thanks, go kite flying, gift a friend with a crystal (I highly recommend Aventurine, Carnelian, Peridot or Sunstone), buy yourself some spring flowers and pop them where you can see them, light a fire and have friends over for a celebration, it doesn’t matter. But I do invite you to do something, even if it is just writing with a Sharpie on an egg! Here is an Equinox ritual to perform, either on your own or with others to acknowledge this time.

For me personally; I am celebrating with my kids, a glorious feast, the ritual above, and painting my toe nails Spring colours. Oh yes, I have bought some deep purple tulips for the dining room table and have candles galore!

So how are you going to celebrate?

Only 1 sleep until Spring Equinox!!! Whoot, whoot!

Jenny Heston · 2:00 pm ·

Happy Marvelous, Magnificent, Magical Monday gorgeous one! Only one more sleep until Spring Equinox! (Can you tell I’m excited?) I love Spring Equinox – well, I love all the Sabbats and Esbats to be honest, but the Spring Equinox fills me with so much hope, promise and delight as I know deep in my body that the heaviness of winter is leaving and it’s a time of rebirth, growth and glorious opportunities! This is a time when the goddess is the Maiden in all her youthful glory, the god is reaching manhood, and energy abounds. It’s also the perfect time of year to clear away all those old patterns that no longer work for your benefit, and welcome in new growth, whether spiritual, personal or financial. For those of you on my email list you will be receiving a fun and easy ritual to mark the day and really tap into that glorious energy.

On Saturday I had one of those marvelous days filled with lots of moments of joy. The sun was out, the temperature mild I went for a hike up the mountain but the trail I was on was a mud pit so needless to say I was a tad filthy and muddy by the time I got home – but it all washes off, right? (Oh yes and forgot to grab the dogs before they dashed into the house covered in mud and hopped up on the frigging sofas!) So after cleaning up their muddy mess that was all through the house, I sat out on my deck and mused about how to build a glorious pagoda (with a built in chin up bar) and a cute little workshop for all my lovely tools and I was mapping out what I am going to do with the garden (when the three feet of snow finally goes away!) I love creating sacred outdoor space with plants, water, rock and wood – little magical corners and havens where you can sit and revel in the beauty, map out your dreams or just recline and relax and let nature buzz around you.

This in turn reminded me that I wanted to get the book “Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up” so I popped into one of my favourite local stores to see if they had it. Alas, no and then I had one of those “wowzer” moments! Sitting on the shelf was an Oracle deck that literally shouted at me to pick it up. Now, I am uber picky about the decks that I use and I often will sit on the floor of the store and go through a deck for an hour and still put it back on the shelf. This one though – all I can say was “I didn’t stand a chance”, this was not an invitation from Spirit, but a very clear directive. So without opening it I picked it up and as I was buying it (talk about having things validated), someone walked up to me and handed me a long thin piece of folded paper. Ummm, I don’t do drugs, I don’t want your phone number, what the heck is this – were the first thoughts that dashed through my brain, but as I gently unfolded it there was a gorgeous pressed 4 leaf clover! Whoot, whoot! A gift of a 4 leaf clover on St. Paddy’s day and the exact minute I was following a directive to get this deck. Love how life unfolds.

So guess which deck we are going to work with for this reading? Yes, you guessed it. The new one!!!!!! (She is amazing). When I got home I immediately opened her up and laughed out loud with how perfectly perfect and powerful she was. So she has been cleansed, consecrated and blessed and is the ultimate deck for this pre Spring Equinox reading. Oh yes, how rude of me not to formally introduce her, she is The Earth Warriors Oracle by the amazing Alana Fairchild. Let me read part of the introduction to you so you can get a bit of a feel for her:-

“Earth Warriors are the healers and transformational leaders for a more beautiful world. They destabilise the status quo with their innovative attitude and higher consciousness, defying convention and living from the heart…….they seek love as their leader and wisdom as their guide…..they know what is true in their own hearts, and they refuse to be conditioned by mass consciousness into fear, apathy, complacency or overwhelm and despair. These are the new world leaders in the making, the solution creators. They are stirring up beautiful trouble to challenge mainstream views with higher consciousness and healing change.”

This reading was done a bit differently, only one crystal and Citrine was most adamant that she be front and centre. The cards are fanned out like rays of sunlight.

So with that in mind and the energy of Spring Equinox just around the corner, let’s crack on! I did create a lovely Equinox visualisation if you feel so inclined (think Diana Gabalden and Stonehenge), if not I invite you to take a lovely long deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Wiggle your toes and feel your feet on the floor, solid and safe, take a few glorious deep breaths in and slowly out and when you are ready pick the card or cards that resonate for you.

Ready to go see?

HI’AKA – Sorceress of Light

No enemy shall defeat you, not by night, nor by day, not upon the earth, nor in the soul. You are divinely protected and empowered. You shall fulfill your destiny with joy in your heart and laughter in your belly. Play. Be in nature. Feel the freedom of happiness within you even in this moment. These are your sacred powers, and, with them, you shall take every step upon your journey successfully, and nothing shall thwart your divine destiny.

HI’AKA, a goddess of Hawaii, watched over the sacred dancers of the hula and the arts of chant, sorcery and medicine. Hers is the medicine of light, sound and the ability to penetrate the darkness of lower-level consciousness which could overwhelm our sense of spirit, joy, heart and inspiration with defeatism, despair, boredom and even terror. This type of onslaught from darkness comes at certain times to those seeking to embody and enact the light on earth. One of these times may be when we are feeling strong and making progress, and we feel tested to sustain that higher level of being and awareness even through challenge. Another of these times may be when we feel weaker, move vulnerable, perhaps fatigued from a challenging time and just not quite able to summon the quality of joy on our own. In all such moments upon the Spirit Warriors’ path of light, HI’AKA assists.

Ask for healing, mentoring or assistance to support you now. This support will help you feel stronger and more empowered so as to deal with any challenge and be reassured that your spirit can handle it. There is spiritual protection for you now, s you follow the guidance to explore conscious movement and creative self-expression. This can stir up old energy, releasing it from you and allowing vital presence to take hold with you. You are going through an initiation in which you will need to reassert your happiness and joy any time it slips into the darkness of doubt, fear or anxiety. Take time to dance, sing, drum and affirm your aliveness with joy and courage. Become spiritually bolder in the face of anything that attempts to diminish you. Have faith in the power of the Divine Being, the Supreme Power. You are watched over by love.

ALOHA KE AKUA – Blessings of the Supreme Being

ALOHA KE AKUA. The Divine is love. The Supreme Being from which all of life emanates manifests a blessing for you. The realm of the heart is love’s temple. When you enter the heart, you gain access to the Great One and to the “mana”, the power, authority, grace and magnetism to manifest your divine destiny. Trust in what is meant for you. Surrender doubt and disconnection in favour of love and respect for the Great One, and you shall live your true destiny with joy in your heart. Love can and will conquer all.

You have an empowered and open heart that is capable of receiving divine presence. This is a sacred gift that must be protected. Protect the temple of your heart from becoming clouded by fear or lack of forgiveness. The purity and strength of your heart flows from your loving relationship with the Supreme Being, whatever your image of that being may be. Allow yourself to trust unconditionally in your divine relationship, and your affairs will work out beautifully. For every purpose that has been given you, there is also the divine gift of the power to accomplish it. It is only through divine relationship that we can tap into these gifts and make the sacred purpose for our lives a reality in the world. You are one of the souls with a purpose and a heart big enough to be concerned about the spiritual vitality of the many.

A blessing is coming to you now. Things do not need to be complicated. When you are confusing yourself with too many variables, too much information or fear and doubt, focus on filling your heart with love, and let everything else go. The Great One will handle all matters in your life if you open your heart to divine guidance and let go with faith. This will not make you passive, rather it will allow you to feel inspired to take only the most helpful actions. This is an answered prayer and the Divine One has you covered in a situation of concern to you. You are healing and deepening your relationship with the Divine.

PONO PONO – Immeasurable Power of the Heart Way

The heart has the power to heal in a way that the mind cannot understand. Do not allow your mind to distract or frighten you. You are a beautiful child of the Universe and divine love lives within your heart. A willing heart is all that you need to transform any situation that is troubling you. Recognising this power does not evoke feelings of pressure or anxiety, but, rather, of peace and joy. Lightness of heart and relief of mind are here for you now.

PONO, in the Hawaiian tradition, has deep and multiple meanings, one expression of which is the return to order. There is a perfection of peace, beauty and fulfilment that the Divine has planned for the lives of all beings. Through the use of human free will, we have at times moved away from what is in the divine plan, stumbled on the path and become ensnared in terrible suffering and frightening delusion. It then becomes difficult to use our free will with wisdom, and our spiritual disconnection can create far-reaching negative impact for ourselves and others. Yet there is a simple spiritual discipline that we can practice to restore the world – and all hearts within it – to rights again.

The Divine dwells in your heart as a healing power and wisdom, which tenderly alleviates suffering, liberating the body, mind and soul. In the Hawaiian tradition from which it emerges, it is known as Ho’o Pono Pono or “to set things right”. The heart power thrives through this simple four-step practice that can be done by anyone, anywhere, for any person or situation that they would wish to transform. This is not a practice you can approach through the mind. The mind will resist it because it asks for us to take unconditional responsibility for everything that we encounter. The mind confuses responsibility with guilt and giving with deficit. The heart, though, is joyful at the prospect of spiritual responsibility, because it understands that it offers the empowerment to make a difference and that healing one helps heal all.

The Divine within your heart has the power to transform a situation that is troubling you. Do not be intimidated or think it is too much for your or the Divine to handle. Don not allow yourself to intellectualise or analyse a situation to the point of feeling confused or paralysed. Healing through the heart on any and all issues that have plagued you or a loved one can and will happen. Let your heart feel the faith it needs to feel so that it can rest in joy. Divine healing wants to flow abundantly to you. Open up to receive it without hesitation or condition.

Wow! I don’t know about you, but that was an amazing reading. A lot to do with trust, rebirth, heart based and not mind based and just how incredibly powerful and part of the Divine we all are! I thought it was interesting as well that all 3 cards that came were Hawaiian based! I particularly liked that the Pono Pono card came up, I once did this practice for 3 weeks straight and it was incredible to see what happened. So delicious one, take this gorgeous reading and energy with you as we celebrate Equinox tomorrow. Huge hugs and squeezes and remember to breathe into that glorious heart space!

Easy Spring Equinox Ritual

Jenny Heston · 6:04 pm ·

Spring Equinox is here and it is a time of releasing and sloughing off the heavier winter energy and creating space and welcoming in the energy of Spring, new growth, rebirth, rejuvenation and refocus.

To help us really move into this energy of creation, growth and manifestation I have created a guided visualisation.

I always mark this day, as my body is literally gagging for the sun to come back and the snow to go. Living where I do, there is often still snow on the ground, so planting outside is not an option, but there is an alternative. For example I love good food, and I use herbs and flowers in my food, but with it being the end of winter time – there aren’t any to be found. So I create it with an intention and some magic. How? Easy….. Let’s go play…… We are going to plant some seeds and the supply list is at the bottom.

Put on some nice music, music that makes you feel good. Could be classical, hip hop, pop, blues or jazz – anything that makes your hips want to shimmy or a smile come to your face. Then take some time to light a candle and offer up a blessing, when I do this I always say “For hearth, home, happiness, health, clarity and abundance.”

With the music playing take a moment to focus on the lit candle. As you watch the fluttering flame and let the music move through you, what are your heart and soul desires? What makes you happy? What do you want more of in your life? Is it connection,love, time, health, ease, money, glorious community? What makes you feel happy and connected to the Divine and Mother Earth? What do you want to blossom and grow over the coming season?

When you hear what it is, write it down on a scrap of paper. (Not a huge piece, a small scrap, so you might have to write small). Add as many as you would like. These are your wishes, after all. Don’t overthink and worry about the “how”, just listen to your heart.

When you are done, gently fold the paper in half, give it a kiss and if you feel inclined a daub of your favourite essential oil and then pop it into the bottom of the plant pot you have.

Then pop some dirt in on top of your paper, plant your seeds, a tad more dirt and give them a sprinkle of water. Oh yes, do make sure to give them lots of good energy and attention to help them grow!

Then when you are done, blow your candle out (as fire can be tricky), smile and say “Blessed Be”. Pop your pot in a window sill or somewhere it will get lovely sunlight and watch what happens.

Supplies needed:

Seeds – could be herbs, flowers, bulbs – whatever you want.

Little Pots

Soil

Candles

Small piece of paper and a pen

Essential oils (if you feel inclined)

A great big kiss!

Enjoy, and most importantly – have fun.