Monday, August 20, 2012

Pagan Blog Project - Inspiration

 

 One of my favorite aspects of meditation is the inspiration that often occurs during or shortly after.  Whether I focus on something I'd like to bring into my life or just spend the time in contemplation, the ideas that occur feel like gifts.  They may solve a situation with an angle I hadn't even considered or show me how to use something I already have at hand instead of shopping.
Sometimes I receive answers that I didn't even know I was looking for.  Any aspect of my life is open to inspiration: from the mundane (housework) to the magickal (spells) and everything in between.  I've been inspired to find work doing something I love which led me to teach knitting classes. 


Whether it's something small (like blog ideas!), problematic (a gift idea for a beloved family member) or life-changing (quit my job to find something better) ideas and answers flow through me when I take the time to sit quietly and be open to the love and energy that surrounds us.  May you be blessed as well!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Pagan Blog Project - Incense

Incense helps set the mood when I want to meditate or cast a spell. I light it as part of casting my circle, while facing east to welcome the sylphs of the air.  There are scents to correspond to the days of the week or for certain goals, but if that gets too complicated, Nag Champa from World Market is a very nice everyday incense.  (Their Champaka Flora is also wonderful.)


For greater variety they carry an economical assortment that includes patchouli, jasmine, lotus, pine, rose, sandalwood and amber.



There are excellent lists of correspondences in books and online, but here's a quickie for the days of the week.  Then again, when practicing your craft use those other "i"s - intuition and inspiration - to select the scent that best suits you.
Monday - jasmine, sandalwood
Tuesday - Dragon's Blood (a personal favorite), patchouli
Wednesday - lavender, jasmine
Thursday - cinnamon, musk, sage
Friday - rose, sandalwood
Saturday - myrrh, patchouli
Sunday - frankincense, cedar, lemon

While sticks and cones are easiest to use, you can also use a burner and charcoal to burn resin or herbs. I recommend doing this outside as it can get smoky, but it does make a wonderful ritual for any sabbat or esbat.

 
Remember, too, scents can evoke memories.  Shortly after beginning a regular routine of circle casting and/or meditating, the smell of burning incense alone may be enough to induce a trance-like state.  Then try using the swirling, spiraling smoke for scrying.  Blessed be!