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Monday, April 27, 2009

Enochian Magic

Enochian magic is a system of ceremonial magic based on the evocation and commanding of various spirits. It is based on the 16th century writings of Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelley, who claimed that their information was delivered to them directly by an angel. They created the Enochian script, and the table of correspondences that goes with it. It claims to embrace secrets contained within the apocryphal Book of Enoch.

History


Origins
Dee and Kelly claim they received these instructions from an angel and wrote them down. This account is taken at face value by most occultists. However, some of them have pointed out remarkable similarities to earlier grimoiric texts such as the Heptameron known to Dee. Doubts surrounding Kelly in particular have led many non-occultists to the assumption the whole system was originally a fraud devised by Kelly in order to receive more financial support from Dee. The system claims to relate to secrets contained within the apocryphal Book of Enoch.



Rediscovery
It is not quite clear how much of Enochian magic was put to use by Dee and Kelly. However, rediscovery of Enochian magic by the Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn has sparked remarkable publicity for it in modern occultism. Aleister Crowley, who worked with, and wrote about, Enochian magic extensively, has contributed much to its comparatively widespread use today.



Enochian magic today
Compared to other theories of magic, Enochian magic is strikingly more complex and difficult to understand. This has allowed numerous interpretations to arise, some of which have solidified into schools of thought with individual bodies of interpretative literature. Almost all schools agree, however, in that Enochian magic is a particularly powerful and dangerous form of magic.

Some practitioners hold that Enochian magic is inherently destructive to the magician. In particular, its use is forbidden for members of the Builders of the Adytum and Servants of the Light.

External links
History of Enochian Magick


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enochian_magic

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Spells

The spell is a magical act intended to cause an effect on reality using supernatural means of liturgical or ritual nature. Spells are a substantial component of many Pagan religions and can also be found in some monotheistic religions. Others, like Islam and Christianity, explicitly forbid this practice. Medieval collections of spells were called grimoires.


History of spell
Spells were probably developed during the Neolithic magical belief period and have been practiced since then both in accepted and clandestine environments. They were common in Pagan societies as part of massive official holidays promoted by authorities: this activity is well documented in a number of historical sources and has even survived in vodunist or shamanic religion areas. On the opposite, practitioners were harshly prosecuted in other places and ages, specially in areas whose state religion was Christianity. Nowadays practitioners are protected under the freedom of belief, a fundamental right regarded by most democratic countries.


Typical characteristics of a spell
Typically, a spell can be a symbolic representation of a purported effect, performed under the invocation of a deity, a call for aid from a higher power, or the assemblage, direction, focus, or incorporation of the forces of nature. It can even be an unwilling instantaneous action with no specific shape. But in more developed Pagan beliefs, spells have the following general structure:

Preparation, when all needed products are disposed in the appropriate location and the involved individuals perform preliminary activities like fasting, praying, etc.
Overture to start the ritual or liturgical performance, create an appropriate, solemn "magical environment" and reinforce the communion effect among participants.
Invocation, when the cooperation of supernatural forces is requested to take the spell to reality.
Execution, where all ritualized magical acts belonging to the spell are precisely performed.
Closure, to solemnize the end of the act and dissolve the "magical environment" created during the overture.
The similarity between this structure and the liturgy of more modern monotheistic religions, from which these practices are derived, is quite noticeable. An excellent example of such a parallelism is the ritualism of Catholic Mass.


Black magic and white magic
When the goal of the spell and the means used to achieved it are regarded as immoral, illegal, or pernicious by a certain society, it is defined as black. If a society accepts both the goal and the means as innocuous, it is defined as white. While these terms are used by practitioners to convey to non-practitioners the difference between positive and negative magics, the terms 'black' and 'white' are not generally used amongst practitioners themselves, probably to avoid any racial connotations the terms could hold. Nowadays, a number of Neopagan religions like Wicca have recovered the usage of spells and vindicate it. Many people perform them privately for themselves, for others or for a price, usually following the instructions of occultist books or other sources, commonly seeking health, wealth and love although sometimes also for revenge or hate. It must be noted, however, that several branches of Neopaganism, such as Wicca, expressly forbid the use of magic if it harms others. Additionally, within the bounds of Wiccan ethics, if a spell is to be used on another human being, his or her consent must generally be obtained.



Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_%28paranormal%29

Friday, April 17, 2009

Santeria

Santería, also known as Lukumí or Regla de Ocha, is a set of related religious systems that fuse Catholic/Christian beliefs with traditional Yoruba beliefs. In the Yoruba language, Lukumí means "friends" and also applies to descendants of Yorùbá slaves in Cuba, their music and dance, and the cubanized dialect of the Yorùbá language.


History

The term "Lukumi" is an authentic ancient designation still in use by present day Yoruba peoples of West Africa and their descendents in Cuba and the diaspora. The term Lukumi also refers to a vastly large number of religious followers or adherents who practice authentic Lukumi traditions as well as the most common syncretic form of the religion known as "Santeria", which was established in Cuba dating back to around the mid-18th century. The term Lukumi derives from the word "Olukumi", meaning my friend. The term Yoruba as a cultural designation only dates back to the mid-19th century colonialism. The Yoruba consists of several ethnic groups, including but not limited to: Egba, Egbado, Ijebu, Oyo, all who arrived in great numbers in Cuba. The Lukumi derive from a region known as Ulcumi/Ulcami, which was contained within the vast Oyo Empire dating back as early as the 16th century, located just north north-east of Lagos. Cuban lukumi also refer to their ancient African Kingdon as Ulkuman, another variation of Ulcumi.(Law,1977,p.5)(Mason,1992,p.2)(La Enciclopedia de IFA)

The YorubaYorubas were more likely called Lukumí in Cuba and their religion was historically practised by descendants of West African slaves, slaves were not purposely divided by slave families but as a means of maintaining tribal and ethnic animosities on the Island during enslavement (see Midlo Hall's 1992,2005). It is in this manner that Cuban Enslavement and the means of maintaining control evolved. Later, in the early 18th century, the Spanish Catholic church allowed for the creation of societies called cabildos which were primarily for African ethnicities which also provided means for entertainment and reconstruction of many aspects of ethnic heritage but were intended to institutionalize the interethnic animosities. For some unknown historical reason, still under investigation, the Yoruba deities, became paramount in Santeria and this occurred even though the Yorubas themselves were a minority among the enslaved. The slaves practised Yorùbá religious ceremonies in these cabildos, along with religious and secular traditions from other parts of Africa, combining and amalgamating their masters' pantheon of Catholic saints with their own pantheon of Orisha. This combination would come to be known as Santería (the worship of Saints). (Perez y Mena, SSSR Journal, 1997)

The survival of Santeria in Cuba was primarily due to the hiding of Yorùbá religiosity behind the guise of Catholicism. When slave owners observed Africans celebrating a Saint's Day, they were generally unaware that the slaves were actually worshiping the Orisha. Today, the terms saint and Orisha are sometimes used interchangeably. The term Santería (also known as, Way of the Saints), a derisive term applied by the Spanish to mock followers' seeming overdevotion to the saints and their perceived neglect of God, was later applied to the religion by racist whites. The slaves' Christian masters did not allow them to practise their various west African religions. The slaves found a way around this by masking the Yorùbá Orishas as Christian saints while maintaining their original identities. Often this combining is called by Eurocentric anthropologists and other social scientists as syncretism, even though the practices are not actually combined and thus, are not actually a true example of syncretism. Nevertheless, the masters thought their slaves had become "good Christians" and were praising the saints, when in actuality they were continuing their traditional practices. [1]

Forms of the Lukumí religion is practised throughout the Caribbean, and has a following in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and the United States and other areas with large Latin American populations. A very similar religion called Candomblé is also practiced in Brazil, which is home to a rich array of other Afro-Latino American religions. This is now being referred to as "parallel religiosity" (Perez y Mena, SSSR paper 2005) since some believers worship the African variant that has no "devil fetish" and no baptism or marriage and at the same time they belong to either Catholic Churches or Mainline Protestant Churches, where there is a devil fetish. Yoruba religiosity works toward a balance here on earth (androcentric) while the European religions work toward the here after. Some in Cuban Santeria, Haitian Vodun or Puerto Rican Spiritualism (Afro-Latin Religions) do not view a difference between the Saints and the Orishas, the ancestor deities of the Yoruba people's Ifa religion.

There are now individuals who mix the Lukumí practices with traditional practices as they survived in Africa after the deleterious effects of colonialism. Although most of these mixes have not been at the hands of experienced or knowledgable practitioners of either system, they have gained a certain popularity.


Deities
In Lukumí beliefs, Olorun, from Oluwa Orun (owner of the heavens) (also rendered Oluwa, Olodumare, Eleda (the creator)) is the supreme deity. He is the creator both of the universe, and of the Orishas, including:

Aggayu Sola/Agayu/Aggayu/Angayu
Babalu Aye/Babaluaye/Babaluaiye/Shakpana/Oluwo Popo/Asojano/Azojuano
Dada
Egun/Eggun/Egungun
Erinle/Inle
Esu/Elegbara/Eleggua/Elegua: Owner of Vital Force, Eshu: The Gatherer of a great multitude
Ibeyi
Igbo Were/Igbowere - Mother of Osain
Iroko
Nana Buruku
Oba/Obba
Obatala King of the White Cloth
Ochosi/Ochossi, Osoosi
Odde/Ode
Odu/Oddu - aka: Olofin
Oduduwa/Odua
Oggue/Ogue/Oge - Campanion to Shango
Ogun/Oggun
Oke - Companion to Obatala
Olodumare - God Almighty
Olokun
Olofin - aka: Odu/Oddu
Olorun
Orisha Oko/Orisa Oko
Orun
Orunmila/ELA/Orunla/Orula/IFA
Osain/Ozain/Osanyin
Oshun/Ochun
Osun/Ozun - Represents the spirit of an individual.
Oya/Yansa/Iyansa/Iyansan
Shango/Chango/Obakoso/Sango
Yemoja/Yemaya
Yewa



Each Orisa has its specific nick name, symbols, offerings, music, archetype, etc..


Beliefs and rituals
The sacred belief system of the Lukumi prevent non-adherents from participating in ceremonial rites. Nearly all Lukumi ceremonies are reserved for priests and the newly initiated.

Santeria was traditionally transmitted orally, although in the last decade a number of books have been published on the tradition. Practices include animal offering, dance, and sung invocations to the Orishas. Of these the most controversial is animal sacrifice. Followers of Lukumí point out that the killings are conducted in a safe and humane manner. The priests charged with doing the sacrifice are trained in humane ways to kill the animals. Furthermore, the animal is cooked and eaten afterwards by the community. In fact chickens, a staple food of many African-descended and Creole cultures, are the most common sacrifice; the chicken's blood is offered to the Orisha, while the meat is consumed by all. Also of note is that the practice of animal sacrifice is historically common amongst many religions, most notably Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam. In Judaism for example, altar sacrifices are of three kinds: sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings. All in accordance with Mosiac Law.

Fruit is also offered to the Orisha. Drum music and dancing are a form of prayer and will sometimes induce a trance state in initiated priest, who become "possessed" and will channel the Orisha, giving the community and individuals information, perform healing etc. (see Yoruba music). One's ancestors, egun, are held in high esteem in Lukumí. All ceremonies and rituals in the Lukumi religion begin with paying homage to one’s ancestors.

The Lukumi believe in a creator who is called Olodumare(God). There is no specific belief in a Devil since the Yoruba belief system is not a dualistic philosophy - good versus evil, God versus a Devil. Instead the universe is seen as containing forces of expansion and forces of contraction. Theses forces interact in complex ways to create the universe. All things are seen to have positive aspects, or Iré, and negative aspects, or Ibi. Nothing is seen as completely “good” or completely “evil” but all things are seen as having different proportions of both. Similarly no action is seen as universally as “wrong” or “right” but rather can only be judged with the context and circumstances in which it takes place. This concept is sometime derided as “situational ethics.” In this context the individual is seen as made up of both positive/constructive impulses as well as negative/destructive impulses. Similarly, an individual's talents and facilities are seen as having a potential of both positive and negative expression. Therefore, there is a great deal of attention and focus on each individual striving to develop good character and doing good works. Good character, or Iwapele, is defined as doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do, not out of fear of retribution or as a way of seeking rewards, but simply because it is right. All humans are seen as having the potential of being good and blessed people (no original sin), although they have a potential to make evil choices, and the universe is seen as benevolent.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Akashic Recod Reading

The Akashic Records is the subconscious databank of the soul where all past life (and future) information is stored. It is similar to the memory of Universe, containing each individual souls path, purpose, and life mission. An Akashic Reading contains personal information about what your soul most needs to know to fulfill its mission here on Earth, as well as specific details to attaining your highest enlightened state of being.

Through several years of introspection and deep meditation, I have learned how to consciously dive within the subconscious mind and retrieve this information from your personal Akashic Record. All I need is your full birth name and birth date to locate your Akashic Record and begin the reading!

Source: http://www.enlightenedbeings.com/akashic_readings.html

Friday, April 10, 2009

Twin-flames

Over the last year I've received numerous inquiries to this website regarding questions about soulmates, karma and twinflame connections, and how do to determine the differences. I am currently writing a book about these spiritual connections, containing facts and stories of people in my research and study, I find it so fascinating and I feel I can still learn more about these amazing soul bonding connections. I will try to update as often as I can with with new research to help others understand that Soulmates is a term that is easily been overused and not always clearly understood, some believe, there is only one soulmate, who we must search for our whole lives, or believe that it is a connection from a past life that the two share.

Each person must decide these things for themselves and also the power of choices and free will.

From a growth perspective, we may meet many and different types soulmates in our lifetime.

This doesn't mean we are lovers with each one, although that again is a personal choice.

The meeting and continued relationship is all about growth and the synchronicities that enable our growth on deeper & deeper levels, however, remember that there are twinflames, karmic and there are soulmates.
All are meaningful relationships and teach us to grow, but in different ways.

The quest for love and for that perfect mate is really a challenge and we may sometimes want to believe a relationship is the ultimate deep connection, often sometimes analyzing the relationship and wanting it to be something more.
There is different types of romantic relationships: twin flames (twin soul), Companion soulmates, true soulmates and karmic connection. All relate to the same group and category of the word soulmates, they are all spiritually equal, but hold something different for everyone, just because you may have someone you know may be going thru the same relationship experiences as you, doesn't mean it's the same type of spiritual connection. Karma has something different for everyone and a purpose to manifest in perfection.

Twin flames were created together in the beginning and share a unique destiny.
Twin flames are much as twins born of the same egg. This would be from the same soul source. There is not of that kind of twinning going on. This is different than soulmates. Twin flames would be of the same soul energy source and would have been decided at what you would term the creator source level or at the higher-self level, which we see as a level at which a being has the ability to create seed selves in 3rd-dimensional reality.

Similar to when twins are completely separated at birth and they find each other after many years and discover that they have the same food tastes, the same odd way of smiling and the same tastes in clothing (I'm born one a twin). With twin flames' being born of the same spirit, when they unite physically in 3rd Dimension. Your twin flame knows you whatever life you are expressed. But each with the same pattern of divine identity.

Though they spend some lifetimes together and others apart, their tie is eternal, and after they have each united with their Higher Self they will be together forever.

All though it may sound like a beautiful match made in heaven relationship, there is a thin line with this connection and deep intensity, that as beautiful and perfect a relationship can be, this can sometimes be a total opposite, spiritually when you enter in this life time you know if you want to meet with your twinflame or not and you know all your life you must prepare yourself to be able to join with your twin flame, it is not an automatic, it is truly a privilege to know your Twin Flame but you must be ready. You will have to learn to love deeper than you ever thought possible and that usually means meeting, with a twinflame connection you have to be brave and strong enough to be able to risk loving with your heart and soul that there is also a fear that dream may be shattered just as experiencing pain as well as joy.

When Twin Flames come together they become one, they are the mirror image of the other. They think alike, they hold the same values and often their life experiences are very similar.

No matter what, if we are to be with our Twin Flame then it will happen and by experiencing the loves placed before us by Spirit and if it is part of our karma. A book & movie (what dreams may come) was created based upon twinflame/twin soul connections. (this is one of my favorites) the general meaning to twinflames was expressed here.

A soulmate connection is different from the twin flame. We have only one twin flame, we have many soulmates. Soulmates are life partners, close friends, co-workers, a teacher, anyone who influences your life one way or another. They play the game of third dimension with you. Companion Soulmates are trying to develop the same chakra energy, these are the relationships that are certain family members or friends who are there, when you need them most. True soulmates tend to be harmonious and satisfying, but not as intense as a twinflame but can accomplish great things together as well as a life partnership even when there is negativity or a spiritual confliction in between them, nothing can separate this connection they will always be connected and feel the need to be there for one another.

These closely resemble Twin Flame connections a relationship based on romantic love, however there is still karma between two people and the couple can learn to live for many years together as a beautiful relationship and then there are the types of soulmates who come together for a reason, making some type of impact on a person's life. in some cases the relationship ending in a separation, divorce and later to find there was a reason for it all happening the way it did, keeping in mind not all romantic relationships are True soulmates.

Then there is the karmic connection.
The karmic tie may be the tightest of all and begin with the the feeling of unfinished business. This is because the soul has a deep yearning to be free and balancing of mutual karma and a inadequacy of a past life relationship. Yet though they are frequently difficult, these relationships are important in achieving self-mastery with the spiritual path. A Karmic Soul Mate is a soul that we still have karma to deal with between us, now this doesn’t necessarily mean "bad" karma, it can be good karma as well. It's lessons to learn and these relationships have a feeling of unconditional love. Although these people invoke deep feelings (positive or negative) romantic relationship with a Karmic connection hold a feeling of more for lessons and unfinished business, there will always be an area of mystery of why this person entered my life. The couple separates and should share whatever karma is linked to the child. Sometimes the karma is between mother and child, so the child remains exclusively with the mother. Sometimes the karma is with the father and the mother leaves or deceases. Sometimes it is with both parents or with a sibling who has entered the game before or after you.

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Frequently asked Questions

What is all this about soulmate love connection or Twin Flames can I actually have one?

Yes there are soulmates, twin flames, whatever you want to call them, but there are also SOULMATE CONNECTIONS. In believing that everything happens for a reason, know that some of the people that come into our Lives are merely there just to teach us a lesson.

What's the difference Twin Flame & Soulmate connection?

A soulmate connection would be the divine connection, both Twinflame and Soulmate both have intense energies, Twinflame is the dynamite energy where Soulmate is the Dynamo that is quite powerful but long lasting, there are several types of Soulmates, friendships, family, children even pets. Twinflame is the explosion of energy where Soulmate is the generator energy, that is the difference.

How do I know He/She is my twin flame?

Your actual Twin flame is the other half of you soul. Most of the time your Twin flame is not incarnate at the same time as you are, but stays in the Ethers as a guide and a kind of caretaker. Some times however, both you and your Twin flame do incarnate at the same time.. As said this is rare. When it does, however, usually that person is NOT your ideal mate, for good reason... they are difficult to live with, you literal" other half" embodies everything you are and usually reflects EVERYTHING you do not like about your self. This is not easy to live with total chaos you have come to where you are very comfortable with your self for it to work. Most people mistake Twin Flame for their Soulmate. Yes we all have a Twin Flame, soulmates you get together and everything is perfect, Twin flame the always is a chaos, one can be attached, age difference, different locations, or the person has some serious issues and is afraid to open up to the energy because the bond is too intense.

What will happen when I do find My Twin Flame?

It will be a Direct bond with this person, so drawn that you can’t let go of the connection even if you never had a relationship or if He/She is not single, that thoughts will be never ending, sometimes for years.

Will it lead my life in destruction what do I do?

The connection is very intense and you can feel what they are feeling even apart. Even when there is positive or negative life styles, you will sense this emotion. Sound a little scary? It can be a beautiful and traumatic experience as it sounds, Sometimes people can’t handle this deep Spiritual Bond with a some one and block it, but the Twin Flame is never one sided, the feeling between the two will always remain and will find themselves some way back to their Twin flame when Karma permits, this depends on every one differently. When will it connect? A Twin Flame usually pops up when you LEAST expect it. You will also find yourself coming down the the same symptoms of a "soulmate connection" it's telepathic, hugging each other is like coming home for nourishment. Twin flames come together when they have service work to do on the planet.

How do I find My Twin Flame or soulmate?

Keep your spiritual senses clear and focused on yourself Don't spend every second of your free time looking for your soulmate or Twin Flame since, like I said above, the chances of finding him/her are slim. Focus on your goals, your lessons and making your life happy. Just know that In more spiritual patterns and most soulmate connections are really just Past Life connections.

What is a past life connection?

There for us for a reason to help us grow spiritually, before we are born in the physical world, our life is with God. and were brought here for a short time to make our choices and destiny for the after life. That after crossing over the first time and many times after we haven't fulfilled what we suppose to do, we have the choice to come back into the physical world to correct our mistakes and grow from them. The whole point to life is learning and experiencing what we want to so when we cross over from the physical world to the Other Side, we won't feel we have to come back. Life on Earth isn't Home, the after life is. If you have ever experienced DejaVu, you know that you've felt like you've been in a certain place, knew someone or had a conversation before that very moment. That is very true. Most likely you knew that person, had that conversation

What if my soul mate isn't destined to come into my life for another ten years?

Spiritually all things are linked I find that if you are drawn towards this site, it is often because the time is getting close to when you will meet your true soul mate. Most people who write do find they are due to meet their soul mate or partner in the fairly near future.

What is Karma connection?

Karma, put simply, is cause and effect, or action and reaction. The influence of past over present and how actions in a past life, predetermined the conditions in your present life and character. Each life we live shapes our character and our future destiny in a way we seem to have little control over but are entangled with inescapably

What is better relationship: soulmate, twin flame or Karma connection?
it doesn't mean that having a relationship with you're twin flame is better than any other spiritual connection, you're spiritual energy knows what is best in a life time, and all are not perfect but in fact equal when it comes to a relationship, with a soulmate it can have their up and downs like non soulmate relationships, but with the soulmate there is a certain bond that can't be broken, with a twin flame, like i said above it is very intense and can make a relationship break and re connect, sometimes years later, with a karma connection, you feel the spiritual energy and want to use it to help the other person with unconditional love and as long as that person is living a happy life and are a part of it what ever way possible that would be the true gift of all.

What if there is a confliction with my soulmate connection?
with spirituality, it's very unpredictable and things always happen for a reason, people are sent everyday as messagers just as you are sent to people for a reason, you can't bring some one close if there is a plan for you above, you have to know how to deal and handle the energy not to over dominate you, that you are in control of your own life not others, always remember things happen for a reason and activity spiritually calms and reverses the energy.

What is the spiritual reverse?

when you're soulmate doesn't feel the energy you giving and feel all alone needs to connect, this will bring the relationship into a spiritual reverse, all soulmate connections are 50/50 and the emotions can sometimes take over, but it can reverse that it's not you any more it can be them working the energy around about the relationship.

Source: http://www.soulmatereader2002.com/

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Mediumship

Mediumship is one of the phenomena under Parapsychology that involves communication between a human instrument, known as a Medium or Channel, and one or more discarnate, spirit personalities (the communicator).

Types of mediumship
Mediumship defines two distinct types of phenomena that can occur through mediums, the first is communication, known as “mental mediumship", and the second is manipulation of energies and energy systems, known as "physical mediumship".

A spirit who communicates with a medium, either verbally or visually, is known as a spirit communicator. A spirit who uses a medium to manipulate energy or energy systems is called a spirit operator. A spirit operator can, and often does communicate.

Mental mediumship, is communication, via the varied aspects of thought transference, or mental telepathy. Mental mediumship takes place within the consciousness of the medium. The results are expressed verbally and must pass through the medium's mouth. Because of its telepathic nature, mental mediumship is sometimes referred to as telepathic mediumship.

In mental mediumship, it is the medium who hears, sees, and feels what the spirit communicators are relating. It is the medium's function to relate the information, with minimum personal influence and prejudice, to the recipient of the message, also known as the sitter. The medium receives this information under various states of control.

Physical mediumship involves the manipulation and transformation of physical systems and energies. The spirit operators, in this case, are causing something to happen upon the Earth plane. What it is that actually happens varies with the style of mediumship involved, but the results can be seen and heard by others.

Communication from the spirit world manifests itself in Mental phenomena (e.g., telepathy, clairvoyance, trance speaking, and apparitions) and in physical phenomena (e.g., levitation, automatic writing, and poltergeist and ectoplasmic activities).


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I came across Brenda Ridgeway in Dublin twice. Once in a psychic development class and the second time for a personal reading. I found the experience very inspiring and genuine. This is her website:

http://www.brendaridgeway.net/

As she always says "have a brilliant day".

Danaan

Monday, April 6, 2009

Umbanda

Umbanda is an Afro-Brazilian religion that blends African religions with Catholicism and Spiritism (Kardecist Spiritualism).

Umbanda is related to and has many similitudes with other Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé, Batuque, Macumba, Quimbanda, Xambá, Egungun, Ifá, Irmandade, Confraria, Xangô do Nordeste and Tambor de Mina, but also has it own identity.

Although some of its beliefs and most of its practices existed in the late 19th century in almost all Brazil, it is assumed that Umbanda originated in Rio de Janeiro and surrounding areas in the early 20th century, mainly due to the work of a psychic (medium), Zélio Fernandino de Moraes, who practiced Umbanda among the poor Afro-Brazilian population. Since then, Umbanda has spread across mainly southern Brazil and even to foreign countries like Uruguay and Argentina.

Umbanda has many branches, each one with a different set of believes and practices. Some of the Umbanda's basic beliefs are the existence of a One Supreme Creator God (the Orixá Olorum); deities called Orixás related to Catholic Saints that act as God's energy and plain power expansions; spirits of deceased people that counsel and guide believers through troubles in our material world; psychics called mediums who have a natural ability that can be perfected to bring messages from the spiritual world of Orixás and guiding spirits, reincarnation and spiritual evolution through many material lives (Karmic Law) and the practice of Charity.

The information here presented is just a general view of all Umbanda branches, so some beliefs and practices here described could be different from those observed in a specific place.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Shamanism

Shamanism is the name anthropologists have chosen to give humanity’s most ancient spiritual practice. The word shamanism originates from a Siberian word shaman, which translated means ‘the one who sees’. In indigenous cultures and communities worldwide there is one person who is healer, advisor and psycopomp to the community. In the west we call this person a shaman.
Thanks to the anthropological studies of Michael Harner and Mircea Eliade shamanism has been brought to the attention of western culture.
Even though widespread indigenous cultures are distanced by thousands of miles, a common thread in their ways has been noted. The awareness of other realities, spirit helpers, plant medicine, altered states of consciousness and so on. Most importantly, shamans of these cultures have always been aware of the connection of mind, body and spirit in an individual’s journey to wholeness. The key aspect of shamanic practice is healing which comes from a place of compassion and pure intention.
Western peoples can work with these ancient ways of living to enhance, heal and inform themselves and others on how to live more fully aware of the sacredness of all life forms and remember their connection to everything that is.

Shamanic Counselling

This is a system of experiencing and reconnecting with other realities where help, guidance and healing can be obtained for ourselves.
In a session with a shamanic counsellor a safe environment is created for the client to journey to meet his own spirit helpers and to connect with his own power to work with life changing issue.
The client and counsellor firstly discuss what the client wishes to get help with and together they formulate the mission for the journey.
Lying comfortably, with eyes closed, and to the sound of rhythmic drumming through earphones (which alters his state of consciousness gently) the client begins his journey and narrates his experience aloud onto tape.
When the journey is over the client discusses relevant information with his counsellor and how it relates to his mission. The counsellor does not interpret the clients experience, merely assists him in his own realisation.
The teachings and information received are then worked with and incorporated into the client’s life.


Shamanic Healing

In shamanic terms a person is dis-eased when there is power loss. If a person has been dis-empowered there may be symptoms such as recurring illness, repetition of mistakes, loss of memory, feelings of something being missing.
Sometimes the way a person speaks is evidence of power loss, e.g. “everything is going wrong lately,” “I haven’t been myself since…” “I feel part of me is missing.” It is the shamanic practitioner’s role to consult with his spirit helpers on the most appropriate help for his client. This may be power animal retrieval, soul retrieval or other healing work.




Soul Retrieval
The ceremony or ritual of soul retrieval is very empowering for a person to experience. The return of ones soul part or essence can also bring with it a sense of wholeness, empowerment, and a new sense of peace and joy. When a person is whole, illness or dis-ease cannot intrude.


Physical Illness
When there is a void present through power loss or soul loss, physical illness can fill that void and is known as an intrusion. Any physical disturbance will be seen by an experienced shamanic practitioner as misplaced energy and can be carefully and respectfully removed with the aid of his spirit helpers and replaced with healing power. The shamanic practitioner always works with the client and enables the client to be responsible for his own well being with the assurance of support when needed.


Psycopomp

Another area of important shamanic work is with death and dying. When unnatural death occurs sometimes the deceased may be stuck between realities or on earth or even be still attached to a loved one. Soul loss can happen for the loved one because of this, or because they may have allowed part of themselves to go with the deceased through shock and grief.
In this situation the shamanic practitioner works with his spirit helpers to release the deceased and so help them to continue their journey and also to retrieve the lost soul part and so enable the loved one to live more fully.
Preparation for dying is very beautiful work for both the client and practitioner. The client can prepare for the process of closure on earth and rebirth to the next world in a wholesome and conscious way that helps bring the client to a place of joy, peace, forgiveness and satisfaction.


Drumming Circles

These circles are wonderful opportunities for like-minded practitioners of shamanism to come together to work for individual, group, earth healing and absent healing processes in a safe and supportive way.

Workshops

Attending workshops is a good way to experience Shamanic skills in ways of practice and healing. To be part of a safe, sacred, contained circle is a good way to access guidance on the discipline and ethics of practising shamanic techniques for ourselves and others.
The real teachers are our own spirit helpers and the spirits of nature and through discipline and practise we can experience and learn from our teachers on how to live more wholesome lives in a healing and connected way from a place of joy.



Shamans Circle Centre

The Shamans Circle Centre offers basic and advanced practitioner workshops. The Basic Skills workshop is a prerequisite foundation for more advanced work.
Topics covered in the Advanced Practitioner workshops are healing skills, ritual, death and dying, soul retrieval, and healing circles. Working with the spirits of nature, the elements, and the four directions we can learn how we are all connected and benefit from the teachings of these spirits.
For those who have completed the Advanced Practitioner training and have a genuine wish to help others connect with their own power the One Year Certificate Shamanic Counsellor training is the next step.
For more information on the services
Shamans Circle Centre offers please contact:


Triona Martin 61 Castle Road,Dundalk, Co. Louth 042 9338902086 0567601
www.shamans-circle.com

email: shamanscircle@esatclear.ie



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