Samhain Special

Happy Magickal, Marvelous, Mystical, Magnificent, Manifesting Monday delicious lovely!  How are you? How was the Scorpio New Moon yesterday? Did you give yourself some time to think of 10 wishes, desires, goals you want this glorious time to support you with?  The weather here has perked up and I have revelled going out in the sun and playing in the leaves – let alone we had three birthdays to celebrate this last week! (I so love good cake!)

This Thursday we have Samhain (Halloween) and as I have shared before it is one of my favourite celebrations!!!!  I mean I seriously love, love, love Halloween (or as I refer to it Samhain, pronounced Sow-een)! I love the costumes, the pumpkin carving – which we did on Saturday and ended up with some very cool pumpkins.  I love the crispness of the air in the morning, the smell of wood smoke late at night from chimneys near by, the crunch of the leaves under my boots as I go yomping about. I love having hordes of little people who are dressed as faeries, princesses, warriors, ninjas and a myriad of other delights knocking at the door hollering “Trick or Treat!”  When my kids were smaller and would go out with pillow case clutched in hand to gather farrrrrr too many sweeties, their enthusiasm and delight was positively contagious. As the mumma I was also able to impose a “mumma tithe” on the sweeties, so I would receive 10% of all the mini chocolate bars (the mini Mars bar being my favourite!) Nom, nom, nom.  Yesterday we all got together as a fam dam, lit a fire, carved pumpkins and celebrated one of my boys (with a massive homemade Greek feast). It was absolutely delicious. I love these moments. Now why do we carve pumpkins? Have you ever wondered? There’s a fabulous Irish myth that you can share with your kids all about The Tale of Stingy Jack and the Jack o Lantern…..

I love that the veil is thinning (and some of you may be saying – Ummm, errr, What?).  Halloween was originally a festival celebrating the dead and the world of the supernatural. It was a time of reverence for and contact with the dead. It was also a time to reap the crops that had been sown in the year prior and to prepare for the “dark night of winter.” It is the New Year for many pagans, especially witches (or Wiccans).  Samhain was and is a time for reflection on the previous year and what you have done with your life. It is a time of great magick and mystery and reverence for the supernatural and the “other side.” It is considered the time when the “veil between the worlds” is at its thinnest and the dead can-and do-walk among us. Thus, making it easier to communicate with those who are no longer physically here.  

Many of you have emailed me asking if there is going to be a Samhain reading special. I have perked it and yes until November 1st I have opened up spots.  It’s the perfect time as magick and communication is in the air! Which got me thinking about Ancestors, mine in particular.  I have been fortunate to know 4 generations prior to me, some albeit briefly and I have had aunts who have explored our Celtic family and have shared.  

However, you may know a name, a date when born, when they died – but who were they?  Have you ever thought about who your Ancestors were as a person?  What they did, how they felt, what they wished for?  I read a phrase the other day “ You are the Faery Tale your Ancestors told.”  Breathe that in and think about it. It really hit me as I was having a shower (I know odd, but hey), here I am reaching out to my Ancestors – but in generations to come they will be reaching out to me as I will be the Ancestor.  They will be the faery tale I told. What would I like to tell them, and share with them?

When I used to Karma Krew at Enlightened Warrior, one of the sayings that we used a lot was “AHO” as an acknowledgement and in various of the “processes” that would occur in this format of camp often you would hear “aho mitakuye oyasin”, which is a phrase from the Lakota language meaning “I welcome all my relations”, it acknowledges the connection to lineage and to nature.  Ancestors. This in turn got me to thinking about when I meditate or when I am out in the woods, what if I were to invite the wisdom, teachings and supportive energy of my Ancestors to be with me, would it make a difference?  Well I tried it yesterday out in the woods, and all I can say is it was pretty stupendous. I felt like I had my own special entourage with me, guiding me, whispering words of encouragement and holding me in an energy of love and safety.  I highly encourage you to give it a try!

This perking of Ancestors got me to thinking about Belonging.  I facilitate a group called Soul Matters and each month we “walk” with a theme through the month, there are amazing spiritual exercises to explore, and we come together and practice deep listening, and deep sharing – this isn’t light or trite or for the faint of heart lol.  The theme for this month is “Belonging” – not just about the place you feel you belong to, but more importantly “who and what do you belong to?’  Think about that – who and what do you belong to. In other words, “whose am I?” You are not a single mote floating randomly in the Universe, you are part of the people around you, you are part of your family and I invite you to welcome in that you are part of your Ancestors.  Yes?  

So as we approach Samhain I invite you to perk about your Ancestors and who do you Belong to and what does that feel like.  Willing to play with it?

With Samhain, the veil thinning, Ancestors and Belonging wafting through the air when I went to the cards I grinned like a Cheshire Cat!  The cards that chose you this week are The Oracle of the Shapeshifters.  If these glorious guides are new to you, let me please introduce them (as that is the polite thing to do)!  “These are the magickal familiars, once the companions of shamans, witches, wizards, and wise ones – and now they are here for you.  Now is the time for you to undertake a great quest – to rebirth yourself within this lifetime and this quest of evolution does not need to be faced alone.  We change and we change again. We fear change. Yet it comes. For us to fear change is as foolish as winter crying for the coming of spring. Change is. Fear corrupts.  These guides are here to support, encourage and help you through transformation and to teach you to let go of fear. True , deep change must take place for you to fulfill your soul contract.  You may have turned from possibility to what you have convinced yourself is probable: You diminish your possible self, reduce who you are, and dilute your spirit. But even when you have sought to remain invisible and hidden away, and said  yes to everyone else, life will find you – and transform you. You are never alone with these beings.” Phew!  So there we have it are you ready?

The crystals that wiggled and jiggled to come support are:-  Angel Wing Phantom Quartz – fabulous for connecting to your higher self and to attain a sense of tranquility.  Carnelian –stabilising, it restores vitality and motivation, and stimulates creativity. It gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy and motivates for success.  Citrine – attracts wealth, prosperity and success. It imparts joy, wonder, delight and enthusiasm. Raises self-esteem and self-confidence.  And some gorgeous little Calendula flowers wanted to impart their healing – don’t fret – they went in a gorgeous salad afterwards. Nom!!!

So delicious lovely, breathe yourself back into your body.  All the way down to your toes and to the tips of your hair. Woosah.  Just breathe, gift yourself with these moments. I have included a lovely guided visualisation to really tap into the energy of Ancestors if you feel inclined.  As you breathe invite into your minds eye Ancestors and Belonging, let them swirl and guide you. Then when you are ready, pick the card or cards that resonate for you.  Woosah!

Did you remember to pick?

Ready to look?

BROTHER RACCOON

Raccoons speak of stealth, remaining undercover, and flying under the radar.  Raccoons suggest you take cover, work with camouflage, and stay in the in-between places for a time in order to remain safe.  Do not reveal who you are, what you do, or your new idea or project to all. Too often we share what we are planning out loud, giving all, even ourselves, the impression it is already done.  It is not. 

It needs careful protection, but mostly you need to not draw attention.  It does not mean you have to be furtive or sneaky, though some will call it so.  It means to quietly get on with your day-to-day and the very soulful business of change without showing everyone every detail along the way.  You have far to go – at this early stage it is not advisable to share all. There is a sacred part of you that must be protected, for it could easily be exhausted and exploited by those who will be very quick – even quicker than you – to recognise the value of what you have.

In order to survive, sometimes you must hide, camouflage, or mask yourself from those who would know our true nature and exploit you.  Like a precious plant when snow falls, you must go underground, huddle in your seed, and keep quiet and safe from those who would take you and cultivate you and your amazing self for their own reasons.  This is not a time to allow yourself to be used by others for their own agendas. Do not think of this hiding or melting into the forest as cowardice; it is wise to go to ground for a time now. In order for ou, your ancestry, your bloodline, and anything cherished and rare to live on, you sometimes must hide it away for a time, brining it forward later so that you flourish.   

THE GOLDEN PHOENIX

You are transforming – both internally and externally – and this change is blessed, divine, and guided by your Golden Phoenix guardian.  Talk to your Golden Phoenix at sunrise – and know that as you do so, your Golden Phoenix is recharging your chakras and your aura, and thus your experiences, thoughts, and reality.  You are loved by the Golden Phoenix, and as you honour her with your transformation, she honours you with this marvelous gift of regeneration. Life from death. The sun from the ashes.  You rise again, reborn. The Golden Phoenix is perhaps the greatest creature of rebirth and reincarnation. This sacred helper, guardian, and loving companion guides you to die before you die, to be born again within this life, many times.  Allow the things that no longer serve you to fall like autumn leaves. Allow yourself to be reborn, like the budding leaves of spring. You are potentially in one of the most invigorating, challenging, and inspiring rebirth cycles ever.  

You retreated, rested, and you recovered.  And now you will reignite! You thought something – or someone – was done.  Dead. In the past. But his once lifeless thing of ashes is about to flame back into full existence!  You are about to witness a resurrection, and you and the reborn will have the chance to create something of warmth and beauty together – something pure, innocent, and wise that will benefit many.  Life always finds a way – and you will have a Golden Phoenix guiding you to rekindle a dream you gave up on too soon.

SNAKE PRINCESS

Associated with the goddess, worshipped in the matriarchal cultures of Minoa, and venerated by many people, including the Hopi, the snake is life itself.  It is the marriage of the heavens and earth, and it symbolises the union of masculine and feminine. The snake is your spine, your DNA, and your nervous system; it is the ancient serpent kundalini knowledge that has been denied for over two thousand years and now returns.  

It may be time for you to carry a staff, a sacred tool around which the snake mother can twine and speak with you.  You deserve to let this energy flow into you, for it is the ultimate energy of rebirth. It is time for you to shed the skin of fear and conditioning, yet to use still your own wits.  The snake will support your intelligence, and goddess will support your true self-love and acknowledgement. You are about to receive knowledge of healing, of ancient times, of the beauty of what lies beneath – the underworld, with all its wisdom of crystals, minerals, and ancient worlds.  

Speak and show who you are.  You will not bite. You will grow strong.  You will not poison. You will inform us all with your brightness and illuminated apple, which when opened will reveal the five star seeds of wisdom.  Do not refuse this apple. Do not heed the fear. Transform and heal. The propaganda about the snake and the serpent goddess has led us to fear this creature and our deep, wise, ancient self, and to forgo many blessed forms of connecting with the divine and with our own DNA.  

My home is this tree of the world, where all souls flow from.  Your soul is nurtured by my presence and wisdom of the tree. Eat of our fruit.  It is your soul nourishment. And do not let the fears and the lies you have been taught be the reason you deny me.  You are strong enough. You are worthy enough.  

Wow!  Well delicious lovely these are amazing cards to welcome in Samhain and the glorious New Moon energy of Scorpio that we just had.  Breathe it in. Take some time to imagine your Ancestors, including the ones you don’t know of, and invite them in to support and guide you.  Wishing you a stupendous week, may you have a myriad of mini Mars bars appear on your doorstep and smell the crisp air, walk in the crunchy leaves and give thanks.  Allow the whispers of your Ancestors guide you to Belonging. Happy Samhain! See you next week! Remember, if you would like to take advantage of the Samhain reading special, you have until November 1st.  

Big hugs and squeezes,