#how to meditate for beginners at home

[diversionedge]

How To Do Meditation

Meditation is a practice to train your mind (or) exercise your brain to get relaxation and improve focus, control & awareness. What does meditation do? Reduce Stress Controls Anxiety Lengthens attention span May reduce age-related memory loss Can generate kindness It May help fight addictions Improves sleep Helps control pain Can decrease blood pressure How To Do Meditation Meditation…

[enchantedwitchling]

Illuminating the Path: A Beginner's Guide to Candle Magick

🕯️✨🔮

Candle magick is a beautiful and accessible way to harness the power of fire and light in your magical practice. Whether you're new to witchcraft or looking to deepen your connection with this ancient art, candle magick offers a versatile and powerful tool for manifesting intentions, creating sacred space, and connecting with the divine. Let's explore the basics of candle magick, how to choose and prepare your candles, and discover simple spells and rituals to illuminate your path.

What is Candle Magick?

Candle magick involves using candles as a focal point for your intentions, prayers, and spells. The flame of the candle represents the element of fire, a symbol of transformation, energy, and purification. The act of lighting a candle and focusing on its flame helps concentrate your energy and send your intentions out into the universe.

Choosing Your Candles

The first step in candle magick is selecting the right candle for your purpose. Candles come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, each holding unique magical properties.

Colour Correspondences:

White: Purity, protection, healing, spiritual growth

Red: Passion, strength, courage, love

Pink: Love, friendship, compassion, emotional healing

Orange: Creativity, enthusiasm, success, joy

Yellow: Wisdom, communication, mental clarity, confidence

Green: Prosperity, abundance, health, growth

Blue: Peace, tranquility, protection, intuition

Purple: Spirituality, psychic abilities, wisdom, power

Black: Protection, banishing negativity, grounding

Brown: Stability, grounding, home protection, animal magic

Types of Candles:

🕯️Taper Candles: Tall and thin, ideal for longer rituals and spells.

🕯️Pillar Candles: Thick and sturdy, suitable for extended workings and larger spells.

🕯️Tea Light Candles: Small and convenient, perfect for simple spells and meditations.

🕯️Chime Candles: Short and fast-burning, great for quick spells and intention-setting.

Preparing Your Candles

Once you've chosen your candle, it's essential to prepare or "dress" it for your magical work. This involves cleansing, charging, and anointing the candle to align it with your intention.

Cleansing: Cleanse your candle to remove any unwanted energies. You can pass it through the smoke of incense, sprinkle it with salt water, or hold it under running water while focusing on purifying it.

Charging: Charge your candle by holding it in your hands and visualizing your intention. Imagine your goal or desire flowing from your heart into the candle, filling it with energy and purpose.

Anointing: Anoint your candle with a suitable oil to enhance its power. Use oils that correspond to your intention, such as lavender for peace, rosemary for protection, or cinnamon for prosperity. Apply the oil from the top of the candle to the middle, then from the bottom to the middle.

Simple Candle Magick Spells and Rituals

Basic Intention Setting Spell

This is a straightforward spell for beginners to focus on a specific goal or desire.

1. Choose a candle color that matches your intention.

2. Write your intention on a piece of paper.

3. Light the candle and visualize your intention coming to fruition.

4. Focus on the flame and chant your intention, such as "I am attracting abundance" or "I am protected and safe."

5. Burn the paper in the candle's flame and let the candle burn down safely.

Candle Meditation for Clarity

This ritual helps clear your mind and gain insight or guidance.

1. Choose a white or blue candle.

2. Light the candle and sit comfortably in front of it.

3. Focus on the flame and take deep breaths, allowing your mind to clear.

4. Ask a question or seek guidance, and watch the flame for any flickers or movements.

5. Meditate for as long as you feel necessary, then extinguish the candle.

Protection Candle Spell

This spell creates a shield of protection around you or your home.

1. Choose a black or white candle.

2. Anoint the candle with protection oil (e.g., rosemary or frankincense).

3. Light the candle and visualize a protective shield surrounding you or your space.

4. Chant, "By this flame, I am protected. Negative energies are deflected."

5. Let the candle burn down safely, reinforcing your protective barrier.

Love and Friendship Spell

This spell attracts love, compassion, and friendship into your life

1. Choose a pink candle.

2. Write your desire for love or friendship on a piece of paper

3. Anoint the candle with rose oil

4. Light the candle and visualize loving energy flowing towards you.

5. Chant, "Love and friendship come my way, with harm to none, this I say."

6. Burn the paper in the flame and let the candle burn down safely.

Tips for Safe and Effective Candle Magick

• Always practice fire safety. Never leave a burning candle unattended and place it on a heat-resistant surface.

• Use a snuffer or your fingers to extinguish candles. Blowing them out can disperse the energy.

• Be mindful of the candle's flame and wax. The way it burns can provide insights into your spell's effectiveness.

• Keep a journal of your candle magick experiences to track your progress and learn from each ritual.

Candle magick is a powerful and accessible way to work with the elemental energy of fire and manifest your desires. By choosing the right candles, preparing them with intention, and engaging in simple spells and rituals, you can harness the transformative power of candle magick to illuminate your path and achieve your goals. As you light your candles, may your intentions burn bright, your heart be full of magic, and your spirit be guided by the gentle glow of the flame.

Happy casting!

🕯️✨🔮

[theoccultmoon]

Candle Colors: A Beginner's Guide୨ৎ 

Candles are a fundamental tool in witchcraft, offering a powerful way to focus energy and intention. Every color carries its own unique vibrations, making it a versatile and customizable element for your magical practices. Let’s explore the meanings behind some common candle colors and how you can incorporate them into your rituals. 

Color Meanings in Candle Magic

🕯️ White: 

Represents: Purity, peace, clarity, and new beginnings. 

Use for: Cleansing, protection, and healing rituals. White candles are also great substitutes for any color if you're short on supplies. 

🕯️ Black: 

Represents: Banishing negativity, protection, and endings. 

Use for: Releasing bad habits, warding off unwanted energy, and grounding during transformative periods. 

🕯️ Red: 

Represents: Passion, strength, and vitality. 

Use for: Love spells, courage, and boosting energy. Perfect for rituals focused on physical desires or personal empowerment. 

🕯️ Green: 

Represents: Abundance, growth, and connection to nature. 

Use for: Prosperity magic, garden blessings, and healing related to the heart. 

🕯️ Blue: 

Represents: Tranquility, communication, and emotional healing. 

Use for: Enhancing intuition, calming conflicts, and strengthening spiritual connection. 

🕯️ Yellow: 

Represents: Joy, creativity, and mental clarity. 

Use for: Studying, attracting inspiration, and boosting self-confidence. 

🕯️ Purple: 

Represents: Spirituality, psychic abilities, and transformation. 

Use for: Enhancing meditation, connecting with higher powers, and deepening magical knowledge. 

🕯️ Pink: 

Represents: Love, friendship, and harmony. 

Use for: Self-care rituals, strengthening bonds, and emotional healing. 

🕯️ Orange: 

Represents: Energy, enthusiasm, and success. 

Use for: Career growth, creative breakthroughs, and manifesting opportunities. 

🕯️ Brown: 

Represents: Stability, grounding, and connection to the earth. 

Use for: Home blessings, financial security, and balancing scattered energy. 

How to Use Candle Colors in Practice ✮⋆˙

☽ Set Your Intention: 

Decide on your goal for the ritual or spell. Align it with the corresponding candle color. 

☽ Cleansing and Charging: 

Before lighting, cleanse your candle by passing it through the smoke of sage or incense. Hold it in your hands and visualize your intention, “charging” it with your energy. 

☽ Dress the Candle: 

Anoint the candle with oil (like olive or lavender oil) while focusing on your intent. This enhances the connection between your energy and the candle's purpose. 

☽ Light the Flame: 

When you’re ready, light the candle and let it burn completely, if possible. Never leave it unattended,always remember to be safe when working with fire!  

Budget-Friendly Candle Tips.☘︎ ݁˖

♡ Use What You Have: Even a white tea light can be infused with powerful intent. 

♡ DIY Candle Colors: Wrap colored thread or paper around plain candles to mimic the desired color energy. 

♡ Reuse Wax: Collect remnants of old candles to create new ones for future rituals. 

Share Your Candle Magic! ୨ৎ

Do you have a favorite candle color or a personal ritual you'd like to share? Comment below, I’d love to see your practice! 

✨blessings! 

[p0orbaby]

Slow Motion Mountain Climber

summary: leah signs up for pilates, what could go wrong?

warnings: none

a/n: based on this request !

word count: 981

-

Leah texts you on a Tuesday morning, right before your alarm, like she does whenever something has gone terribly wrong in her life. Like when she found out gluten was in soy sauce, or when she discovered she might have to use that godforsaken 6 train in New York. This time, it's a message that reads: Just signed up for Pilates. You may never see me again.

You roll your eyes, groaning at the incoming rant that's sure to follow. Leah's the kind of person who only does new things for one of two reasons: someone dared her, or she's trying to prove to herself that she is still young and can get away with eating three chocolate croissants in a single sitting. You suspect it’s a combination of both. She’s mentioned something about trying to build a "strong core," which you assume is code for "I'm slowly being bullied into this by the fact that all my teammates have six-packs and I have a soft spot for bread."

At 7:45 AM, just as you’re pouring coffee, Leah calls. You pick up on the third ring because you’re not a monster.

“I’m going to die,” she says, without so much as a hello

“Bold start to the day,” you reply. “Anything specific, or is it just a general feeling?”

“Pilates,” she says, and it sounds like a curse word. “Do you know what that is?”

You almost spit out your coffee because, yes, you know what Pilates is. You’re not sure what’s more shocking: that Leah doesn’t know or that she actually followed through on signing up.

“Yeah, Leah, I know what Pilates is”

“Well, it’s hell. No one told me it was this hard. And the instructor—she’s, like, smiling at me while she’s killing me. How are you supposed to trust someone who's trying to make you do something called a 'teaser' while she grins like a lunatic?”

You can picture it now. Leah, in the middle of a room full of people who've been doing this since their nannies signed them up for ballet at age three, contorting herself on a reformer like it’s some kind of medieval torture device. Meanwhile, the instructor—probably named something like Tiffani with an 'i'—is telling her to “engage her core,” as if Leah didn’t already have a job that required her to do that for 90 minutes straight, several times a week.

“Did you die, though?”

“Almost. My legs were shaking. My abs—I didn’t even know I had abs. Why does anyone do this willingly? I’ve literally been fouled by Fran Kirby, and that was less painful”

“Maybe you should stick to yoga”

“Yoga!” Leah scoffs. “I can do yoga. That’s just stretching and pretending you’re one with the universe or whatever”

You let her have that one because there’s no use arguing with someone who once mistook a meditation class for an excuse to nap in public.

Leah continues, “This class, though—it's not natural. They make you put your legs in straps. Straps! Like a harness, but for your feet. And then they expect you to lift them while you're suspended in the air like some sort of flying squirrel”

You’ve taken Pilates before, so you know exactly what she’s talking about, but you can’t help but laugh. Leah, in her infinite wisdom, probably signed up for the most advanced class because, as she said once, “Go big or go home.” Now, she’s paying for it.

“Maybe you should ask to start in a beginner class,” you suggest, knowing full well she won’t.

“Yeah, no. I already told them I’m an athlete. Can’t back down now. But I swear, if one more person tells me to ‘breathe through it,’ I’m going to punch them in the face”

You imagine the looks on the faces of her Pilates classmates as she throws a fit in the middle of a serene, candle-lit studio. You’ve seen Leah frustrated before, but this is a new level of agitation, and it’s all directed at something she willingly signed up for.

“Maybe it’s good for you,” you offer, “builds character”

“Yeah, and scars. On my pride”

You laugh again because you can see where this is going. Leah, who tackles challenges like they’re personal vendettas, is going to keep going back to that class until she can hold a plank longer than anyone else, even if it kills her. Or, more likely, until she finds something else to distract her, like knitting or extreme ironing.

"I’m just saying," she adds, after a pause, "if I end up with a six-pack, it’s because I earned it. None of this ‘strong core’ bullshit. I want abs of steel. Like, I want to be able to crack a walnut between my ribs”

You’re crying with laughter now, imagining Leah doing sit-ups in front of a mirror at home, testing her progress with various hard-shelled nuts.

“Don’t worry, babe,” you say, trying to calm yourself down. “If you do get abs of steel, I’ll make sure to bring walnuts everywhere we go”

“Good,” she replies, and you can hear her finally start to laugh along with you. “You’re on walnut duty. And if this all goes horribly wrong and I never make it out of Pilates alive, just know it was the straps that did me in”

You shake your head, still smiling. “You’ll be fine. But maybe next time, start with a class that doesn’t sound like it was designed by someone who secretly hates people”

Leah sighs dramatically. “Noted. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to spend the rest of the day lying flat on the floor and cursing Joseph Pilates”

“You do that, babe,” you say, hanging up as you imagine her sprawled out on the carpet, texting you updates about how her muscles are rebelling against her. And you can’t wait to read every single one.

[sejdkvinna]

a year and a day of witchcraft research

Years ago, I asked myself how I would approach witchcraft if I were to start all over again.  I loved the idea of dedicating yourself to a year and a day of study, even if I don’t align with Wicca. From this, I created a weekly study plan for a year and a day of witchcraft research  Realistically, I don’t think you can study one topic in depth per week, but I do think it’s useful for beginners to explore a little bit of everything to find their interests.  Please don’t feel confined by the weekly structure!  If a topic interests you, take more time to explore it!  The application of a topic is just as important as reading about it.  If a topic doesn’t hold your attention, be grateful for what it has taught you and move on. Or just use this for inspiration on what to dive into next!

A note on research - not all sources are the same quality!  Over the years, I’ve gravitated to academic articles and botanical books for information on history, plants, etc.  Many witch authors have spread an insane amount of misinformation, so being able to track where their information is coming from is crucial.  That’s not to say there aren’t good witch authors on witchcraft – do a quick search on their background and look at book reviews!  This is additionally important to understand what biases may be lurking in their writing.

Finally, I want to encourage you to keep two journals during your study.  I keep one journal as a grimoire/book of shadows (BOS) or whatever name you choose to call it.  I keep another journal to keep my personal experiences with the craft (meditations, spell work, etc.).  I’ve loved being able to look back at my progress over the years.

Week 1:  History and Cultural Appropriation

A good place to start your witchcraft research is the history of witchcraft.  Learn a bit about where it started and how it evolved to its modern form.  This is also a good time to also do some research into cultural appropriation – many modern witchcraft practices are full of it!  Understanding the roots of practices will help you to not only build discernment skills, but it will also help you to respect closed practices.

Week 2:  Traditions

There’s many schools of thought and cultural contexts for witchcraft.  This is a good time to explore the different witchcraft traditions and see what resonates with you.  I personally would discourage beginner witches from picking a path early on, as I find that you’ll naturally gravitate towards what’s meant for you.  However, doing some research on different paths early on can help you make connections and see practices through different lenses as you progress.

Week 3:  Ethics

In addition to there being many paths, many witches have created codes of ethics.  Do some research into what ethical framework you wish to move forward with – you are more than free to create your own!  What does ethical witchcraft mean to you?

Week 4:  Cleansing and Banishing

Learn what cleansing and banishing are, and find a few ways to do it that you like.  What are some indicators that a cleansing or banishing might be needed?  Think about cleansing yourself, your home, your sacred space, tools etc.

Week 5:  Protection

To follow up cleansing and banishing, learning some forms of magical protection and warding.  Again, think about the different ways you might protect yourself and your space.  What are some signs that it’s time to renew your protections?  Make sure to practice protection magic moving forward in addition to learning about it!

Week 6:  Meditation

Do a little research into how to meditate and give it a try.  Meditation doesn’t come easy to everyone, so don’t get discouraged!  For this week, focus on your breathwork, entering a blank space, and generally relaxing your mind and your body.

Week 7:  Visionary Work

Once you’ve gotten the basics of meditation down, move on to visionary work.  Build your visualization skills – this does not have to be “seeing” things in your head.  It can include all senses!  Something that helped me with visionary work was to look at my surroundings in front of me while “seeing” my surroundings that were behind me.  Incorporate meditations with visionary aspects during this week.

Week 8:  Centering and Grounding

Now that we’ve done some visionary work, try doing some meditations with the goal to center/ground yourself.  There’s so many meditations (and even other ways to center and ground yourself) out there – find what works for you!  What are some signs that it’s time to ground yourself again?

Week 9:  Energy Work

Hopefully you’ve already got a bit of a sense for handling energy from centering and grounding, but this week it’s time to really dive into energy work.  What does your energy feel like?  What about others’?  Objects?  How can you manipulate and shape energy?  Etc.

Week 10:  Shadow Work

Get to know your shadow this week! Learn about what shadow work is and how to integrate your shadow. There's lots of exercises and prompts out there already - go ahead and explore!

Week 11:  Developing the Senses

Next, let's start developing the psychic senses. From the visionary magic week, you might already have a sense of which of your psychic senses might be strongest. Start looking into what the psychic senses are, and how you might start developing them. For an introduction, I really like this video by The Norse Witch.

Week 12:  Consecration and Desecration

Now we're going to focus on how to consecrate and desecrate objects. Consecration is a valuable skill to be able to designate objects for a certain intent, and desecration is valuable for when you need to remove intent from an object, whether good or bad. Learn about a few different methods for each!

Week 13: Bioregionalism

It's time to get to know the nature around you. What plants grow in the area? What rocks and minerals can you find? Where are some crossroads that you can visit? These questions are just a starting point; take the time to really get to know the land around you!

Week 14:  Elements

Now we're going to focus on the elements. The four classical elements may not apply to the tradition you're working within - do some research to see what the "building blocks" are for you! If you do want to work with the four (or five) elements, take some time to learn about the correspondences, associated spirits, etc.

Week 15:  Directions

Building off of the research done on elements, do some research on the four directions and their associations. This can also be a good point to look at wind magic, and how different directions are associated with different winds.

Week 16:  Holidays and Seasons

While many witches choose to work with the wheel of the year, you might find there are other holidays associated with other traditions. This can be a good time to think on how you want to celebrate the changing of the seasons. How do you know each season has come? What magical workings might be best for each season?

Week 17:  Lunar Phases

This week, let's look at the different lunar phases and their correspondences. What workings are best for each phase? What about for each sign the moon can be in? This is also a good time to look at the correspondences for the lunar eclipse.

Week 18:  Planetary Correspondences

Now let's research the correspondences for each planet. How does the positioning of each planet have the potential to affect your spellwork?

Week 19:  Astrology

While learning everything about astrology would be very time consuming, this week you could aim to understand your birth chart, as well as what each sign is associated with.

Week 20:  Timing

Zooming in now, let's look at timing. Look up what the days of the week and times of the day are associated with, and how they can affect your practice.

Week 21:  Written Verse, Incantations, etc.

Written verse is a part of spell work for many practitioners. How can you write the incantations for a spell? Does your tradition offer any guidance or structures?

Week 22:  Color Correspondences

What do you associate each color with? While there are many correspondences you can find online, be sure that they align with your intuition as well.

Week 23:  Candle Magic

Building off of color magic, this week is for delving into candle magic. How can candles be used? How do you dress/anoint a candle?

Week 24:  Knot Magic

Look into what knot magic and some ways you could practice it. Personally, I am a big fan of the Witch's Ladder.

Week 25:  Herbalism

There's too many plants to learn the correspondences for all of them in one week (or even a lifetime), but take this opportunity to learn more about the plants growing in your area! This is also a good time to look at how to make balms, tinctures, etc.

Local/native plants

Week 26:  Crystals

Once again, there's too many crystals for one week. What are some rocks/minerals you could find in your region? How can you use them in your practice?

Week 27:  Tools

What are some tools you can use in your practice? This doesn't have to be the athame, chalice, etc. You can think of both physical and nonphysical tools for this.

Week 28:  Spell and Ritual Writing

Now that you've got down a lot of the parts of spell writing, it's time to put them all together! While you can rely on others' spells for a while, learning to write your own is a powerful skill.

Week 29:  Amulets and Talismans

How would you create an amulet or talisman? What purposes can they serve? If you feel called to it, try making your won.

Week 30:  Shrines and Altars

What's the difference between a shrine and an altar? What are some purposes for both, and what might you put on them? This would also be a good time to make your own, if you feel called to it.

Week 31:  Pendulum

This week, we'll start focusing on some divination practices, starting with the pendulum. Look into how to use one, as well has how to make a pendulum and pendulum board if you don't want to go out and buy these things.

Week 32:  Tarot

For tarot research, I found that looking up the meaning of each card, taking in the visual symbolism, and then assigning one word meanings to each card helped me to learn how to read tarot. Look into some spreads you could use as well!

Week 33:  Scrying

To add another divination practice you can choose from in the future, research scrying and how to perform it. It might also be a good idea to find some ways to make your own scrying mirror.

Week 34:  Runes

This week, let's look at the runes? Learn about their origin and history, the rune poems, their meanings how to perform divination with them, etc.

Week 35:  Tea Leaf Reading

To wrap up the divination weeks, learn a bit about tea leaf reading (tasseomancy). What are some common shapes, and what are their meanings?

Week 36:  Sigils

What are sigils? How are they charged and activated? How do you draw a sigil? There's a few different ways to create sigils - see what works best for you!

Week 37:  Symbols

What are some symbols and their meanings? What are their origins? Which ones resonate with you?

Week 38:  Sacred Geometry

Do a little dive into sacred geometry. What is it? What are some examples of wit can appear? How can you use sacred geometry in your practice?

Week 39:  Alchemy

Look into alchemical principles and how you might want to apply them to your practice (if at all). Does it align with your view of witchcraft?

Week 40:  Numerology

What are the correspondences for each number? If you're interested in it, look into your life path number and what it means.

Week 41:  Axis Mundi

Many traditions have a concept of an "axis mundi" - what is the axis mundi in your tradition (and if you don't subscribe to a tradition, what does an axis mundi mean to you? How might this relate to your practice and accessing other worlds?

Week 42:  Animal Correspondences

What are some correspondences for different animals? What animals are good psychopomps? What might seeing certain animals mean to you?

Week 43:  Protective Spirits

Many different traditions have some concept of protective personal spirits. Many modern witches might instead refer to a "spirit team". Do some research into the different protective spirits - what resonates with you?

Week 44:  Ancestral Work

Some of the easiest spirits to work with are our ancestors! You can start an ancestral practice to honor those who came before you, even if you do not know or wish not to honor your blood ancestors. Look into some ways you can work with and honor your ancestors during this week.

Week 45:  House Spirits

Next, let's look at some house spirits. Do some research into some different house spirits, and get to know the spirit of your house!

Week 46:  Land Spirits

This week, let's move on to land spirits. Dive into what some different land spirits are and get to know the land spirits around you. This may include spirits from folklore, as well as the spirits of rocks, plants, water sources, etc.

Week 47:  Egregores

Now, let's look at egregores. Research what they are, how they are created, etc. You don't need to create one now, but it will help you to have this knowledge background if you choose to continue with spirit work.

Week 48:  Dream Work

This week, let's research how to interpret dreams, lucid dreaming, how to communicate with spirits through dreams, etc. This is also a good time to start recording your dreams, if you haven't already. You can also build off past herbalism research to enhance your dreams.

Week 49:  Astral Work

For this week, research the astral plane, other types of spirits, how to reach the astral, etc. For many, astral projection/travel takes a lot of time and practice - don't get discouraged! There's many ways to interact with spirits outside of the astral plane.

Week 50:  Pantheons and/or Animism

Many witches choose to incorporate deity work into their practice. Other witches do not, and some of these witches may believe in animism and choose to work with plant, rock, etc. allies. What do you believe it? If you do feel called to deity work, this could be a good time to start. I recommend starting with looking into the different pantheons and seeing what resonates. I do advise against assuming everything is a sign that a deity is calling to you - reach out to those you want a relationship with, and your psychic senses or divination to see if they want to work with you too.

Week 51:  Mythology and Folklore

Whether you choose to believe that stories from folklore/mythology are true or not, they do often contain valuable information on witchcraft from their traditions. Take some time to read these and recognize patterns within them. How can these inform your practice?

Week 52:  Covens v. the Solitary Path

What are some benefits to working in a group? What are some benefits of working alone? Are there other practicing witches in your area? How might you meet them?

Last Day:  Reflecting on your Path

You made it to the last day, congratulations! This day is dedicated to reflecting on your path so far. What lessons have you learned? Are you feeling called to any particular paths, or what interested you more than others? Do you see yourself looking for a group to practice with, or do you wish to continue on your own?  

[4dkellysworld]

Self-realisation and life duties

For those wondering how to reconcile a life of work, studies or obligations with self-realisation, you don't have to stop those activities (Robert said the same thing, you give it up mentally). I compiled a bunch of Q&As with Ramana Maharshi on the topic which may be helpful guidance.

Q: Is solitude necessary for a Jnani? M: Solitude is in the mind of man. One might be in the thick of the world and maintain serenity of mind; such a one is in solitude. Another may stay in a forest, but still be unable to control his mind. He cannot be said to be in solitude. Solitude is a function of the mind. A man attached to desire cannot get solitude wherever he may be; a detached man is always in solitude. Q: So then, one might be engaged in work and be free from desire and keep up solitude. Is it so? M: Yes. Work performed with attachment is a shackle, whereas work performed with detachment does not affect the doer. He is, even while working, in solitude.

Q: Is work an obstruction to Self-realisation? M: No. For a realised being, the Self alone is the Reality and actions are only phenomenal; not affecting the Self. Even when he acts he has no sense of being an agent. His actions are only involuntary and he remains a witness to them without any attachment. There is no aim for this action. Even one who is still practising the path of Wisdom (jnana) can practise while engaged in work. It may be difficult in the earlier stages for a beginner, but after some practice it will soon be effective and the work will not be found a hindrance to meditation. Q: My work hinders me. M: If you have the right attitude, the kind of life you lead does not matter very much.

Q: Our work-a-day life is not compatible with such efforts. M: Why do you think that you are active? Take the gross example of your arrival here. You left home in a cart, took train, alighted at the Railway Station here, got into a cart there and found yourself in this Asramam. When asked, you say that you travelled here all the way from your town. Is it true? Is it not a fact that you remained as you were and there were movements of conveyances all along the way. Just as those movements are confounded with your own, so also the other activities. They are not your own. They are God's activities.

Q: My work demands the best part of my time and energy; often I am too tired to devote myself to Atmachintana (Contemplation on the Self). M: The feeling "l work" is the hindrance. Enquire, "Who works?" Remember, "Who am l?" The work will not bind you. It will go on automatically. Make no effort either to work or to renounce work. Your effort is the bondage. What is bound to happen will happen. If you are destined to cease working, work cannot be had even if you hunt for it. If you are destined to work you cannot leave it; you will be forced to engage in it. So leave it to the Higher Power. You cannot renounce or hold as you choose.

Q: Should we do our duty or not? M: Yes - certainly. Even if you try not to do your duty you will be perforce obliged to do it. Let the body complete the task for which it came into being. Sri Krishna also says in the Gita, whether Arjuna liked it or not he would be forced to fight. When there is work to be done by you, you cannot keep away; nor can you continue to do a thing when you are not required to do it, that is to say, when the work allotted to you has been done. In short, the work will go on and you must take your share in it - the share which is allotted to you. Q: How is work to be done? M: Like an actor playing his part in a drama - free from love or hatred.

Q: How to practice meditation? M: Keep off thoughts. Q: How to reconcile work with meditation? M: Who is the worker? Let him who works ask the question. You are always the Self. You are not the mind. It is the mind which raises these questions. Work proceeds, always in the presence of the Self only. Work is no hindrance to self-realisation. It is the mistaken identity of the worker that troubles one. Get rid of the false identity.

Q: I have my professional work and yet I want to be in perpetual dhyana. Will they conflict with each other? M: There will be no conflict. As you practise both and develop your powers you will be able to attend to both. You will begin to look on business as a dream. The Bhagavad—Gita says: "That which is the night of all beings, for the disciplined man is the time of waking; when other beings are waking, then is it night for the Sage who Sees."

Q (a professor): How can I do my duties without attachment? There is my wife, there are my children. I must do my duty towards them. Affection is necessary. Am I right? M: How do you do your work in the College? D: (laughing) For wages. M: Not because you are attached, simply as doing your duty. D: But my pupils expect me to love them. M: "Detachment in the interior and attachment in appearance" says Yoga Vasishta.

[sea-lestial-dream-witch]

Welcome Spring Rituals🌺🌼🌿🍃

Spring is a time of rebirth and rejuvenation: the bees are back, flowers are blooming, and plants and animals are no longer dormant and hibernating. Throw away the old and make room for the new during this season.

Here are some ways to welcome the season of Spring. Many of these are quick or easy, great for beginner witches, those on a budget and witches in hiding!

• Cleanse while you clean: Do a deep clean of your home or space. Use lemon, white vinegar, rosemary - something potent and cleansing. Wash your pillowcase, blanket and bed sheets. After your space is clean, open the windows and light a candle/incense or use room spray to freshen the area. You can also banish stale energies while doing this. *Please exercise caution while using cleaners*

• Throw out the old: Donate, sell, give away, recycle and dispose of that which you no longer need. A fresh, clean space creates a clear mind.

• Garden: Plant herbs, flowers, and plants native to your area. Don’t have a lot of space or know-how? Next time you go to the grocery store grab cilantro, basil, green onion (or look into other easy options) and chop off the bottom of the stems at an angle, place in a cup of tap water indoors by a window that gets plenty of sun. Such plants can easily survive in water and after they grow roots place them in a small cup or bowl of soil. If you can’t buy soil go outside and grab some if it’s organic and safe (untouched by unsafe pesticides and fertilizers). Some things can grow by being planted whole or sliced (ginger) or by extracting seeds (tomato) so take your time and do research before you spend unnecessarily.

• Save the Bees: Learn about flowering plants in your area that attract bees. Buy some seeds and plant away! You can also look into flowering plants which attract butterflies and hummingbirds if you wish. If you cannot buy seeds you can learn how to remove them from the insides of some flowers and plant them.

• Flower power: If you live in an area with many flowering plants, go out and admire their beauty. Envision how they’ve survived year after year, how the balance of rain and sun allows them to flourish, and how they’re part of a delicate, beautiful, natural system. If you have your own garden, pluck some flowers if you wish and make a beautiful bouquet to decorate your space with.

• Crystal cleanse: Renew your crystals by cleansing and recharging them. Gather rain water or use moonlight (or a preferred method) to pamper them a bit! Go a step further: clean and cleanse your altar and witchy tools.

• Mindfulness: Spring is a wonderful time to meditate more - light some incense, use meditation tools such as a tuning fork or chimes. Listen to guided meditations. This is also a great time to journal more and sort through your thoughts. Leave behind old, stale energies of the previous year to allow newer, better things to take that place.

• Burn the past: Write a letter (to yourself) about past grief, regrets, and failures. Burn this letter and bid farewell to the feelings and emotions attached to it. After, you may write and keep a separate letter full of goals, wishes and aspirations to last you until next Spring or longer.

• Kitchen witchery: Cook and/or bake and imbue the foods you make with positive things such as peace, good health, and prosperity. Look into recipes specifically meant for spring and utilize produce which is commonly used during springtime. Add color to your food through the use of different veggies, fruits, spices, herbs, etc.

• Expand your craft: Ever tried sun magic? Wind magic? Used sound in your craft? Learn how to make sigils, try a new spell, make a spell jar, research and aspect of witchcraft you don’t know much about. Educate yourself on cultural appropriation, respecting closed traditions, how people around the world welcome springtime, the history of witchcraft both in the east and west.

• Expand your skills: Try something new! Take an art or cooking class, buy a cookbook, learn to crochet or sew, consider hobbies that are practical and exciting. Invite new skills and interests into your life. Study plant identification, learn how to garden on YouTube, learn how to identify stars… whatever may interest you, be open to it. Look for online tutorials, videos, free apps, library books, and people to aid you.

• Create: Spring brings vibrant colors and we can find so many ways to honor this. Draw, color, doodle, write, sing and dance. Paint a birdhouse, or some stones. Decorate your Grimoire or Book of Shadows. Add color to your life.

• Glamify: When you have free time, try on different clothes, makeup, hairstyles, and jewelry. Mess around, have fun with it, and see which combinations make you feel best. Glamours are such a subtle way to practice your craft. Wear colors that make you happy whether it’s clothes, accessories, hair or nail polish!

• Rest: Stop. Slow down, breathe mindfully. Turn off or silence devices, log off social media. Take a substantial break from screens. Take a nap. Have a soothing cup of tea. Stare at the sky. Spring is a time of growth and growth requires rest.

•Pampered and polished: Massage yourself from head to toe with lotion or body oil. Take your time and go in slow circular motions. Don’t neglect your scalp, face, neck, shoulders or feet. Visualize leaving old pains and worries in the past.

Do something extra for yourself, whether this means added rest, an at-home facial, deep condition for your hair, maybe you need a good back scratch or to stretch out, or a cooling or heating pad (frozen veggies or warm dishcloth can be used) over your eyes or a sore area. Listen to your body and tend to yourself when possible.

Take a steamy shower or bath. Toss flower petals, herb sprigs or citrus slices into your bath. After, indulge in a lotion, perfume, or body oil you enjoy. Wash away the energies of the past and the remnants of winter. Surround yourself with what makes you happy and feel good.

• Say thank you: Thank special people, loved ones, and pets. Take a while to think about those who uplift you, support you, make you laugh, and listen to you. Show gratitude towards others. You may also thank the universe, nature, and God or deities you worship however you see fit, whether this means time spent in nature, prayer or offerings.

• Share your bounty: Cook and bake for your loved ones, give them something from your garden such as flowers, herbs, veggies etc. This can also be as simple as giving someone a genuine compliment. Have a “one dish” party with friends/family in which everyone pitches in. Come together and teach people something or learn something new. Plant a garden with your friends/family/community. Share your resources but do not dim your own flame to keep others lit. Take time for yourself, too.

🌊sea star witch🌟

These are mere suggestions and we tend to know what suits us best. I understand not everyone has the time, energy, spoons, resources or funds for all or half of these activities.

If you’re stumped, burned out and exhausted (like I am) don’t feel pressured to try all or most of the above. Slow down and tend to yourself.

Sit back and enjoy the beautiful spring skies, listen to the birds, watch the flowers grow, watch clouds pass by over head. Appreciating spring can be as simple as this!

[lazyyogi]

How do you gain self control? Or would it be self discipline? I’ve been struggling with my weight for quite some time now, and I always end up going back to bad eating habits. And how/where do I find motivation? Thank you for your time, namaste.

I don't like the concept of motivation and I don't feel it's very empowering or helpful. When someone wants to do something but they can't bring themselves to do it, we'll say they lack some abstract concept of motivation. It's a very crude perspective with no real insight. Not only are you stuck but you also feel like you are lacking something.

So I'm here to tell you that you are not lacking motivation, or anything at all. The fact that you want to make a change is motivation enough. You're good on the motivation front.

So what's the problem? Resistance. Identify and address all the ways in which you are resisting. Once those obstacles are removed, you're free to move forward. Take exercising for example.

When I wanted to begin exercising regularly, I found it difficult to maintain consistency. I wondered what was wrong with me, that I couldn't muster even a fraction of the motivation that others seem to have. So I examined my behavior and routines. And what I found was interesting.

Firstly, because of my schedule, I knew the only time I had to exercise was when I came home from work. And I realized that if the first thing I did after coming home was anything other than exercising, it became a lot more difficult to then make the decision to exercise.

Secondly, I found that if I hadn't eaten well that day or slept well the night before, I often didn't have the energy to exercise.

Thirdly, if I had to leave my apartment to go somewhere to exercise, there were more opportunities for excuses to skip going.

Fourthly, if I paired my exercise routine with my daily meditation session, I became more consistent both with exercising daily and also meditating daily. Exercising before meditation made me feel more relaxed and focused for the meditation.

And lastly, if I had some particular result I wanted (like muscle abs or bigger biceps or whatever), then my own impatience to see those results made me feel like my efforts were fruitless and useless. This detracted from my enthusiasm to exercise and made me less likely to do so.

Using these observations, I made some changes.

I made a rule that the first thing I would do after getting home from work is exercise and then meditate. I would be extra mindful of not skipping meals at work and making sure I got a decent amount of sleep when possible. I researched and found solid exercise options that could be done from home. And, perhaps most importantly, I emphasized and relished the way my exercise regimen made me feel rather than my physical appearance.

With these changes, I maintained a more empowering attitude and a more consistent pattern in my exercise routine while also enjoying its benefits--more energy, better mood, etc.

However, there were plenty of times that I faltered. After going on vacation for a week, getting sick, or just being too busy, it could be difficult to get back into the rhythm. The way I handled this is by viewing exercise in a way similar to how I view brushing my teeth.

I don't ask myself if I feel like brushing my teeth. It's something I've just accepted as part of human body maintenance. In other words, I regard it as inevitable. That way, the question isn't how to summon the motivation to do something. It's about circumventing whatever forms of resistance we encounter and then surrendering to the inevitability of our practice.

It's also important not to judge and scold yourself for your lapses. Otherwise that makes it all the more difficult to get back into your rhythm. You need to be willing to begin at the beginning, again and again, over and over, day after day. If you're willing to do that, to be a beginner, then no amount of lapsing back into obsolete habits matters. They're just temporary disruptions from which you will inevitably move on.

I think you will find that a lot of this applies to any kind of lifestyle changes we wish to make, including eating. I'm sure there are more specific tips and tricks for dietary modification as well, I'm just no expert on that.

Finally, I do think that daily meditation will be an immense benefit for you. It is a practice that equips us with the ability to experience and process all kind of feelings and emotions--including cravings, desires, and fears.

I hope this helped. Much love!

LY

[satureja13]

Earl(y) grey morning in Tomarang. The Boys are going to have an eventful day. Jeb's first Therapy Game, Jack and Kiyoshi's first day together as fated 'just mates' and Ji Ho, Jack, Vlad and Sai's first Tantra lessons.

Vlad is a bit nervous. Even though he watched Jeb and Kiyoshi practising almost every morning, he doesn't know which effects it will have on him when he does it with Ji Ho. He just hopes it will calm his desire to touch and caress Ji Ho down to not summon Ji Ho's evil grandfater and the Council, should there really be a spell on him. But they had to keep their hands off each other for various reasons for almost two years now, they will survive this too... Plus - Vlad is still the master of self-restraint, keeper of his stubborn principles and defender of his foolish pride...

At least Ji Ho had a peaceful night. Vlad watched him lovingly (and longingly) for a few minutes and then he went down to prepare breakfast with Jeb and Kiyoshi. Yes, while Vlad cared for them, he even learned how to cook! (Kiyoshi and Jeb had been the only ones of them being able to prepare a proper meal ^^')

Jeb and Kiyoshi already finished their Tantra practise. Jeb is not overly worried that Jack and Kiyoshi will have an awkward time together. It's one of Kiyoshi's 'cloudy' days, where he's not really here and his mind roams in higher (or lower, depends on if his demon or divine side rules) spheres. But he will be able to sense Jack's presence and that Jack changed his mind about him. Jeb knows how much Kiyoshi suffered all those decades in the tree where he tried to forget Jack, his fated mate. He even left his heart behind. Jack has to endure the searing pain for over six months now since he left Kiyoshi but that is nearly nothing compared to what Kiyoshi had to deal with all those years in the tree. Jack never felt their fated connection - but Kiyoshi did. And fate doesn't allow any interferences.

The others just started with their lesson. Ji Ho explained the 'practise of awareness and presence and connection with the divine through all existence and all experience. So they can have a tantric experience and connection beyond the realms of sex or even intimacy (these are only 2 branches of the tantric tree). And that they can have a tantric connection with their breath or simple presence. Just saying nothing and simply being. Today they will begin their tantric journey. Starting with the connection to themselves. And they'll start cultivating awareness, acceptance and acknowledgement within themselves so that they can perceive and receive others. It will activate and cultivate this life force within them, to give life, give fuel to other parts of their divine being'... (There is an awesome beginner video on youtube where I found this and more -> here)

Sai is practising with Jack. He was a bit worried that Jack would make fun out of it but he followed Ji Ho's instructions concientously and quietly. He's really determined to start a new life.

Ji Ho gave the instructions for breathing and meditation so he wasn't really able to connect with Vlad, but he was watching him. And he became aware that he wasn't afraid of Vlad anymore. Since they returned back home, they even managed to talk to each other. After all those years and after all that has happened. As soon as he has his feelings back, they will start their relationship - and Ji Ho can't wait. What Demon Kiyoshi's spell showed him was worth the waiting and fighting. He will be able to have with Vlad what he had with Luci. Finally.

Huh, of course Vlad sensed through their Bond how Ji Ho feels. And it was awkward again when they ended their practise ^^' Saiwa was a bit stiff when they got up. Jack: "Shall I help you up, old man?"

Jack tries to play their shared experience down with his puppy strategy but they had a deep connection during practise. Saiwa is Jack's oldest friend and they went through hell together in the Lab and had seen each other at their utterly worst. But their characters are so different so they banter a lot and never became as close as Jack and Vlad, for example. This tantra practise showed them their deep mutual love and that was a very strange experience for both of them.

Breakfast went well. They are able to chat and laugh again. (It always makes me so happy to see them at the table together <3 )

Vlad promised to look after Jack and Kiyoshi as long Jeb is ingame to investigate Jack's death. Vlad: "Take your time, don't worry about us."

Before Jeb starts his first Therapy Game, he took Jack over to his shop where Kiyoshi already started to work.

Jeb: "It won't be awkward, he's barely present today - like on autopilot, you know? Vlad and Ji Ho will check on you as long as I'm ingame. If you like, you can talk to him, to break the ice and to get used to it again. He won't respond though. But maybe that makes it easier for you to start? And it will help him to root deeper into this world again." Jack: "Ah, ok. Thank you, Jeb. Also for going ingame to investigate my death."

And then Jeb left them alone. Jack wasn't ready to see Kiyoshi like this. He'd been so active and dominating. His presence filled the room. He had an aura! Now he was just a mere shadow of himself. He really doesn't deserve this. It felt painfully tight in Jack's chest. Strange that their first experience together is again in a wine and cheese surrounding. Some of their happier memories as a couple happened in their wine and cheese cellar at the Invisible Farm in Rider's Glen.

Jack wasn't really able to pay attention and doing his job in the shop properly. His thoughts still solely circled around Kiyoshi and him. What they could have done different. And since he pondered about this countless times before, he came to the same answer as always - nothing. They'd been too young and unexperienced. Not ready to deal with this 'fated mates thing'. And their circumstances played against them. And now it's too late. Super Soldier Jack is currently surviving what seemed impossible and lead other left behind fated mates into certain death. Cutting a fated bond. The last of his painful spots will vanish and he will be free. And he will bring Kiyoshi fully back and help him through this too. (Better pay attention to what you're currently doing, Jack!)

Jeb and Sai went down to their police department. Saiwa had to help Jeb to adjust the straps of the robo arm. Jeb is so much broader and taller than the others. It's been a while since Jeb was having Saiwa's hands on him and it reminded him of the last time they'd touched each other. That must have been New Year's Eve. A half year ago... Jeb suppressed a sigh. Saiwa tried to act professional. But beeing this near to Jeb, feeling his firm muscles under his touch, smelling his scent, watching his broad chest heaving up and down from breathing - did things to him. Better hurry up and get Jeb ingame before he does something stupid! Concentrate, Sai!

Sai explained - for the upteenth time - what Jeb has to do ingame and how to react and what to bear in mind... He want's to make sure that nothing happens to Jeb and he comes back safe and sound. And then he was ready to go. Only a few more - worried - last words from Sai... Saiwa: "Take no risks - just log out when anything is odd and..." Jeb: "Promised. Vlad, Jack and Ji Ho briefed me thoroughly, please don't worry." Tiny Can beeped reassuringly.

to be continued...

'Ooh, sometimes The truth is harder than the pain inside, yeah Ooh, sometimes It's the broken heart that decides

It's not the way that you caress me, toy with my affection It's not my sense of emptiness, you fill with your desire'

Sometimes - Erasure

The Therapy Game Master Post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest

Current Chapter: 'Who killed Jack?' from the beginning ▶️ here

📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 17-22 ~ 23-28

[honeytonedhottie]

so you're my only hope and i really wish for your advice. it's humiliating to say my story but i really need help. so i was misdiagnosed with schizofrenia (i 100% know i'm healthy) i need to lie that i have schizofrenia because my mother needs money. and here comes my desires : revision and desired age/grade level and maaany more. i have no responsibilities literally zero! the way i manifest is i walk around my room and viseualise, affirm and overall manifest which is fun but the thing is do you think i should build healthy day routine instead of just pacing around my room all day long? could you provide me a routine? thank you for help because yall are saving me for real. it could be even self care habits to do every day anything to avoid pacing around

thank you for coming to me 💗 and im so sorry about ur story. im so happy that you know the law because you deserve all of ur desires and more!! 💗

so to build a healthy routine and schedule for urself. doing so builds discipline. im gonna give u some healthy habits, a morning and evening routine, and resources for those things. a good place to start tho is making a weekly agenda that changes with the week, something to switch things up every week. just make one 💗💗💗

—healthy habits🩰⊹ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ♡̴ ⋆⁺₊⋆

♡ moving ur body/pilates - i personally do pilates and i recommend it to literally everybody. but the basic idea is to move around (and that does not mean pacing in ur bedroom) i mean get ur blood flowing and get moving. it doesn’t have to be pilates it can be running, a sport, dancing, yoga etc

here’s a link to one of the pilates workouts that i recommend if ur a beginner : 

♡ get a hobby - some hobby recommendations: if u are good at writing try poetry, try teaching urself how to draw or paint or sculpt, learn how to dance, learn how to play an instrument, learn a sport, learn languages, become a good cook, write stories, start a blog, learn to sew or crotchet, learn tech, read lots of books, watch/listen to lots of podcasts. literally just get busy 

♡ meditating and journaling - this is so good not only for ur mental health but it can also improve focus and keep u grounded. keep a journal or start meditating every day

here’s a link to a guided meditation for self love : 

♡ self care - i LOVE self care. literally practice self care every single day. take care of ur nails, skin, hair, lashes EVERYTHING. be super intentional with ur self care bcuz it tells our brains that we are worthy of effort and it’ll LITERALLY make u feel like a princess. 

♡ manifesting - you mentioned that u wanted to do some revision so something that i recommend for revising is using SATS. or state akin to sleep. once ur in state akin to sleep go back in ur mind and revise whatever u want. or just do SATS before bed every night. this is such a powerful manifesting tool

♡ sleep - aim to get between eight to ten hours of sleep a night. you’ll look better, feel better, and your physical and mental health will just skyrocket 

—morning🌸⊹ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ♡̴ ⋆⁺₊⋆

♡̴ first thing in the morning, fix ur bed 

♡ open the blinds/windows if the sun is out, this all depends on what time u wake up but if the sun isn’t out just skip this step 

♡ stretch for a couple minutes 

♡ write down at least three things that ur grateful for (don’t write down what u aren’t grateful for AT THAT MOMENT, literally just write down three things that ur grateful for right then and there) 

♡ brush ur teeth and use a tongue scraper 

♡ have a glass of water with some lemon slices 

♡ take a warm shower and moisturize 

♡ skincare routine 

♡ put on an outfit that makes u feel pretty 

♡ if u get nauseous when u eat breakfast then try eating something light, but if that doesn’t work then listen to ur body and just skip breakfast. if that’s not the case tho eat a balanced breakfast 

THEN GET TO WORK ON YOUR AGENDA THAT I MENTIONED IN THE BEGINNING<3 

—evening🍥⊹ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ♡̴ ⋆⁺₊⋆

♡ take a warm shower and moisturize 

♡ 30-60 minutes of self care and pampering 

♡ make a yummy dinner that’s nourishing 

♡ read for 20 minutes or watch something that enriches u 

♡ evening yoga 

♡ drink water 15 minutes before bed 

THEN GO TO SLEEP AND HAVE SWEET DREAMS <3 

this is just an idea, or a basic guideline to follow if u need it. customize it to ur specific needs and day-to-day life. im so excited for all ur desires to manifest cuz u deserve it! mwah 💗💗💗

[thisiswhereikeepdcthings]

What do each of the bats get in their easter baskets? Wrong answers only

(They celebrate Passover ofc but Dick really wanted an easter basket when he was little and Bruce hadn't yet learned how to say no to that face)

Alfred: Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Wound Treatment, Ceylon cinnamon sticks, John Wayne Legacy Collection

Bruce: Computers for Seniors for Dummies, a stress ball shaped like the Superman shield, dinosaur socks

Dick: Balloons for making balloon animals, Meditation for Beginners, Hot Tamale scented markers

Barbara: Pepsi x Peeps soda, Cthulhu Phantom Labyrinth Cube, an air horn

Jason: Electric carving knife, High School Musical 3-movie collection, Neapolitan Oreos

Cass: Smencils, Giant Gummy Rattlesnake Candy, Oversized Easter Bunny Sweatshirt, glow in the dark juggling balls

Steph: Glitter gel pens, sweatshirt that just says “I’m Cold” on the front, Koala stuffed animal plushie

Tim: Nerf Dungeons & Dragons Themberchaud Dart Crossbow, Teen Titans Coloring Book, 12” chocolate bunny

Duke: Solar powered flashlight with USB phone charger, Birthday Cake KitKats, long range walkie talkies

Damian: 30” Foam Pirate Sword, “Most Likely to Bring Home a Cat” sweatshirt, Nerds Very Berry Gummy Clusters

[theoccultmoon]

Herbal Allies: A Beginner's Guide ☪

When we think of herbal magick, it’s easy to picture exotic, hard-to-find ingredients mugwort from a far-off land or frankincense gathered from ancient trees. But the truth is, magick can be found in the plants right outside your door. Today, we’ll talk about how to build a connection with these everyday allies and use them to deepen your practice. 

Start by Observing ☼

Magick begins with awareness. Spend time outside or with the plants in your home, whether it’s a sprawling garden, a single potted herb, or wild plants in a nearby park. 

Observe their growth patterns, textures, and how they react to light, water, and your touch. Does the plant feel vibrant, slow, or protective? Each plant carries a unique energy signature, and tuning in will help you sense its magickal potential. Keep a journal of your observations note how the plant changes with the seasons, any interactions you have with it, or simply what draws you to it. 

The Energy of Everyday Plants ✧₊⁺

 You don’t need rare herbs to create powerful magick. Common plants like dandelions, clover, or even rosemary from your kitchen hold immense potential: 

Dandelions: Resilience and adaptability, great for spells focusing on strength or new beginnings. 

Clover: Traditionally linked with luck and protection. 

Rosemary: A kitchen staple for cleansing, memory, and energetic protection. 

Take time to explore the plants in your environment. Look up their traditional uses in folklore or magickal practices. You might be surprised by the treasures growing in your own backyard. 

 Communicating with Plants୨ৎ 

Plants are living beings, and connecting with them on a spiritual level can enrich your practice. Here are a few ways to establish a relationship: 

⟡Meditate near the plant: Sit quietly and focus on its energy. How does it feel to you calm, vibrant, or grounding? 

⟡Touch and listen: Gently hold a leaf or flower and see if you can sense any shifts in your energy. 

⟡Speak to the plant: Thank it for its presence and offer it water or compost as a gesture of gratitude. 

Ask for guidance or permission: If you’re harvesting a leaf or flower, always ask permission. You may feel a sense of “yes” or “no” in your intuition honor it. The more you engage with a plant, the more its energy will resonate with yours. 

Using Herbal Allies in Magick✧˚ · . 

Once you’ve built a connection, there are countless ways to work with plants in your magickal practice, I'll leave here some examples: 

⟡Herbal Sachets: Combine leaves or flowers in a small pouch for protection, love, or prosperity. 

⟡Offerings: Use a sprig of rosemary or a handful of clover as a symbolic offering to your deities or spirits. 

⟡Sigil Crafting: Press a flower or leaf and use it to decorate or enhance your sigils. 

⟡Teas and Infusions: Brew plants like mint, chamomile, or lavender for relaxation and spiritual focus. 

Always harvest respectfully never take more than you need, and leave enough for the plant to thrive. 

Building a Relationship Takes Time ๋࣭ ⭑⚝

Working with herbal allies isn’t just a one-time act. It’s a relationship. The more you engage with a plant, the deeper your understanding of its energy will grow. 

Take time to learn the folklore or history behind the plants you’re drawn to. Document your experiences in an “herbal grimoire,” where you can record their uses, personal observations, and any spells you’ve created with them. 

Herbal allies don’t have to be rare or expensive. The plants around you whether in a garden, a park, or your own kitchen are full of magick, waiting to be discovered. Take time to connect, listen, and learn from them. 

Have you worked with local plants in your practice? Share your favorite herbal allies and their stories I’d love to hear them! (:

[magickkate]

🔮💎A Beginner's Guide: Embracing the Magic to Crystals in Witchcraft 💎🔮

Witchlings! Let's dive into the enchanting world of crystals and their wondrous properties in the realm of witchcraft. Crystals have been revered for centuries for their beauty, energy, and metaphysical properties, making them essential tools in magical practice. Here's a beginner's guide to help you harness the magic of crystals:

Choosing Your Crystals: When selecting crystals, trust your intuition! Let yourself be drawn to the ones that resonate with you the most. Whether it's the color, shape, or energy of the crystal, listen to your inner guidance.

Cleansing and Charging: Before using your crystals in magic, it's essential to cleanse and charge them to clear away any lingering energies. You can cleanse them by smoke cleansing with herbs, burying them in sea salt, or placing them under the light of the full moon. Charging them can be done by placing them in sunlight, moonlight, or by setting your intentions through visualization.

Magical Properties: Each crystal possesses its own unique energy and magical properties. For example, amethyst is known for its calming and protective qualities, while rose quartz is associated with love and compassion. Explore the properties of different crystals and how they can enhance your magical workings.

Using Crystals in Spells and Rituals: Crystals can be incorporated into spells and rituals in various ways. You can place them on your altar to amplify your intentions, carry them with you for protection or guidance, or arrange them in crystal grids for manifestation and healing. Get creative and experiment with different ways to work with your crystals.

Crystal Healing: In addition to their magical properties, crystals are also used for healing purposes. You can place them on specific chakras to balance and align your energy, or use them in meditation to deepen your spiritual practice and enhance your intuition.

Your relationship with your crystals is personal and unique. Take the time to connect with them, explore their energies, and discover how they can support you on your magical journey. Embrace the magic of crystals and let their radiant energy guide you as you delve deeper into the world of witchcraft! 🔮✨

Now let's get into the crystals themselves:

Amethyst: This beautiful purple crystal is a must-have for any beginner witch. Associated with intuition and spirituality, amethyst is perfect for enhancing meditation, deepening psychic abilities, and promoting inner peace and tranquility.

Clear Quartz: Known as the "master healer," clear quartz is versatile and powerful. It amplifies energy and intentions, making it ideal for manifestation, cleansing, and charging other crystals. It's also great for clarity of mind and spiritual growth.

Rose Quartz: Embrace the gentle, loving energy of rose quartz, the stone of unconditional love and compassion. Use it for self-love rituals, attracting romantic relationships, and fostering harmony in relationships with others.

Black Tourmaline: As a powerful protective stone, black tourmaline is essential for shielding against negative energy and psychic attacks. Place it in your home or carry it with you to create a protective barrier and maintain energetic boundaries.

Citrine: Radiating warmth and abundance, citrine is associated with prosperity and success. Use it to attract wealth, abundance, and opportunities into your life. It's also great for boosting confidence and creativity.

Selenite: With its pure, white energy, selenite is perfect for cleansing and purifying your space. Use it to clear stagnant energy, enhance spiritual clarity, and connect with higher realms during meditation.

Lapis Lazuli: A beautiful, rare blue stone from Afghanistan. Associated with clarity, communication, and spiritual wisdom. Great for wearing as jewelry or carrying in your pocket when you want to be sure to be clearly understood. Can be substituted by sodalite which has a similar energy and is less expensive. 

Obsidian: A jet black stone that’s actually volcanic glass. Associated with banishing negativity and protection. Can be used in similar ways to smoky quartz. 

Moldavite: A green stone formed by impact from a meteorite. Associated with psychic awareness, cleansing auras, and spiritual awakening. This crystal is particularly trendy but packs a powerful wallop – I recommend starting with one of the more accessible quartz crystals above. 

WARNING:

Some crystals are considered water-safe, meaning they can be safely submerged in water without being damaged or adversely affected. These crystals typically have a hardness level that allows them to withstand exposure to water without deteriorating or dissolving. Examples of water-safe crystals include:

Quartz (including clear quartz, rose quartz, amethyst)

Citrine

Agate

Jasper

Aventurine

Tiger's Eye

Garnet

Moonstone

Fluorite

Carnelian (though NOT safe in salt water)

Obsidian (FYI: can break in EXTREME cold or hot water temperatures)

On the other hand, some crystals are not water-safe and can be damaged or adversely affected when submerged in water. These crystals may have properties that make them vulnerable to water, such as solubility, sensitivity to moisture, or the potential for rust or corrosion. Examples of crystals that are not water-safe include:

Selenite (due to its softness and water-soluble nature)

Halite (salt crystals)

Angelite

Calcite

Celestite

Lepidolite

Malachite

Pyrite (can rust or tarnish when exposed to water)

Turquoise

Kyanite (can splinter or fracture when exposed to water)

It's important to research the properties of each crystal before exposing them to water to ensure their safety and longevity. If you're unsure whether a particular crystal is water-safe, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid submerging it in water. Instead, you can cleanse these crystals using dry methods such as smoke cleansing, sunlight, moonlight, or sound vibrations.

Sources: Water Safe Crystals: Which Ones Are and Which Are Not? HADLEY, SARA. The Witch’s Complete Guide to Crystals. Chartwell, 1 Nov. 2022. Mabelle, Eliza, and Ameya Ajay. Crystals for Witches : Rituals, Spells, and Practices for Stone-Spirit Magic. Emeryville, California, Rockridge Press, 2020.

[losthomisexual]

Intro/beginners guide to paganism

This is a brief guide based on my personal experiences and research.

What is Paganism?

Now this is a big question with limited evidence but lets go through what we know and how people practice today. A lot of our sources for old religions were written by christians or romans where they could have skewed the original meanings for their own agendas. Christianity played a large role in the loss of these beliefs by ways of genocide, missionaries, renaming holidays and more. My ancestry being European i research more into Celtic, germanic, norse and Anglo-Saxon beliefs but everyone has roots and if traced back far enough we find similar beliefs across the globe. There are also a lot of neopagan religions and beliefs like Wicca and witchcraft with many subcategories.

Paganism for me is about a deeper connection to nature, myself, the spirits of the land and honouring those who’ve come before. Its being grateful for what we have, spending time with our family and friends, being kind and respectful of our surroundings and those within whether thats people, animals or plants. It gives me a bigger perspective, helping to see through hardships and take lessons from them rather than begging the gods for forgiveness or salvation. Even just walking through the bush i get a sense of how small i am in the world, we are all just small cogs in the wheel of time, passing on our lessons and stories through the generations. Norse paganism tends to have more stories than others so i tend to find myself drawn to them for guidance and symbolism. Everything around us has a spirit or a soul all the way from the sky, rain, and thunder to the grass, rocks and dirt beneath our feet, there is spiritual energy everywhere. When it comes to the afterlife i don’t really think about it much but it could be reincarnation, a realm for the dead although nothing like heaven and hell, just a resting place or even something else entirely. Living in the present is more important to me.

So how can you practice paganism?

Seasonal changes are important in paganism as well as the equinoxes and solstices.

Following the natural cycle and staying in tune with it is a simple way to get closer to nature, our ancestors and the spiritual realm. For me i also flip the holidays to suit my climate as i live in Australia so the seasons are inverted.

Many people have altars or sacred spaces in their homes but i also encourage people to go outside and create a space if they can. Whether its just a rock were you place meat or bread offerings or a tree or lake you visit you don’t need much to practice paganism.

If you cant do that thats okay too, light a candle and make an altar out of items you have found and felt a connection to.

Create an inviting, cozy atmosphere and keep it clean and cleansed to avoid unwanted spirits and energies. For holidays you could have a feast and drink beer and wine with friends and family around a fire for instance. Throughout the year theres lots of small ways to feel some magic like following the phases of the moon, cleaning, making things with intention, mindful walks, having a garden or house plants, meditation or working with charms for some examples.

There is no one way to practice and no one can be right, it is all interpretation and feeling.

You can follow a set of gods, pick and choose or none at all. You can perform rituals, spells or divination or not it is not a practice with rules unlike other big religions. Even just the term pagan or animism may be enough for you.

Whether it’s something more modern, a reconstruction or neither, you don’t have to choose a particular path or label just do what feels right to you.

Overall I believe paganism is a way of life, an open way of thinking rooted in nature, gratitude and respect.

[thislovintime]

Photo 4 by Henry Diltz.

A look at some specific books mentioned by Peter over the years...

- How To Play the Five-String Banjo: "Pete Seeger’s book was very, very good. He’s a lively writer as well as a very good musician, a good teacher, good, very enthusiastic kind of all around person. So it was very good to learn from his book. And I recommend the book highly if anybody ever wanted to learn how to play folk-style five-string banjo, his is the book to learn from.” - Peter, Headquarters radio, 1989 (x)

- Naked Lunch: “In Melbourne last night Peter Tork said that Sydney airport Customs officers had seized from his bag the banned book ‘The Naked Lunch,’ by William Burroughs. A Customs officer had taken one look at the book and said, ‘I’ll have that. It’s banned here.’ […] ‘It is a good book,’ Tork said. 'I was just getting interested it. It’s sold out everywhere back home. I didn’t know it was banned here.’” - The Sydney Morning Herald, September 17, 1968 (x)

- Letters to a Young Poet: One question posed to Peter for the Ask Peter Tork column in 2008 was, “Do you think [becoming a writer is] worth a try, or do you suggest I 'keep my day job'?” From Peter's reply: “What writers I know of say is, if you want to be a writer, you’re probably not going to do very well. If you must write, then write! Do you see the difference? Rainer Marie Rilke wrote 'Letters to a Young Poet,' which I recommend on this point. (It’s a small book, and cheap at the bookstore, and free at your library.)”

 -Why Do I Say Yes When I Need To Say No?: Escaping The Trap Of Temptation by Michelle McKinney Hammond: “Some years ago there was a movement afoot to separate assertiveness from aggressiveness, which I heartily endorse to this day. 'Why Do I Say Yes When I Mean No,' is, I believe the name of one book that tackles this subject.” - Peter, Ask Peter Tork, 2008

- Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: “I recommend sitting in Zen meditation. The best book I know for that is Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, by Shunryu Suzuki. It’s all about watching your own mind rather than obeying it as tho’ it were the infallible voice of the truth.” - Peter, Ask Peter Tork, 2008

- The Sayings of Buddha: “The Sayings of Buddha (a small, inexpensive book you can find in almost any book store) always rests on the night-table beside my bed. I find that ancient wisdom, meditation and contemplation puts my mind in order and brings me great serenity. These things also broaden my scope of understanding.” - Peter, 16, September 1968

- Stranger in a Strange Land: “One of my favorite books now is Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein. It’s about the orphan child of the first Martian explorers. He grows to twenty-one years of age before he’s discovered by the second expedition to Mars which rescues him. He comes back to Earth, having been raised by the Martians — really fascinating!" - Peter, Fave, March 1968

- More Than Human: “Another writer I dig is Theodore Sturgeon, one of the greatest science fiction writers alive today. He visited our set one day and we were all very thrilled. He’s a visionary and a mystic, really one of the giant talents of the day. I hope everybody reads him. He wrote a book called More Than Human and a lot of other novels and short stories.” - Peter, Fave, March 1968

Q: "You read a book a day. Of all the books you have read, which three are your favorites and why?" A: "No, I don’t read a book a day. I sometimes spend weeks on a book. Of all the books I’ve read, my favorites are 'The Book Of [Tao],' 'Stranger In A Strange Land' and oh, I don’t know, a whole mess of other books, because they turn me on—they get to me." - Monkee Spectacular, January 1968

- The Book of Tao: “Peter also reads The Book of the Tao… all about an ancient Chinese nature philosophy with some simple, beautiful and meaningful messages in it. He studies all kinds of different religions, too. Peter has now figured out his own religion, what seems closest to Truth for him. It’s the result of much studying, thinking and sorting out. Peter was also influenced by the Oriental philosophies Zen. ‘Zen Buddhism believes in the theory of sudden enlightenment or sudden awakening. This idea is Japanese. I believe that Truth can just come to you in a sudden flash and you’ll know where it’s all at, if you prepare yourself to receive it. ‘Zen also teaches that you should just go along and live your life as best you can from minute to minute, always living in the present. You’re already there and there’s nothing else. If you can make the most of each day, accomplish and learn all you can now, you’ll get so much more done in your lifetime than if you sit around waiting for tomorrow to come. Because when tomorrow gets here it’s just another today. You end up just waiting and putting things off and nothing ever gets done. So, try to make each minute count!’” - Fave, March 1968

- Upanishads: "[Peter] starts clowning around [on set], but after a bit he settles down and starts reading a book. He sees you looking and explains, ‘This is a book of some of the excerpts of the Upanishads. Actually, these are excerpts from ancient Hindu writings. I guess you could say that in a sense they are like the Bible, only they were written many centuries before the old testament.’ Peter stops speaking for a moment. ‘Am I boring you?’ he asks gently. After you assure him that he is not boring anyone, he continues, ‘Well, the Upanishads are simply but beautifully written. I mean, they are quite easy to understand. You can buy the Mentor pocket edition for about 50 cents —′ Just about that time, Peter becomes aware of 16’s camera focusing on him. He promptly becomes a clown again, laughing and joking and holding his book myopically up to his eyes. You realize that you have just had a glimpse of the real Peter Tork — the sensitive, sincere young man who hides behind the veneer of a silly-funny Monkee. And it makes you feel very warm that for a brief moment you have glimpsed Peter Tork’s secret self." - 16, February 1968

- Autobiography of a Yogi: As Henry Diltz recalled (in Laurel Canyon: A Place In Time), “I remember giving one to Peter on The Monkees set. I did a group shot of them sitting on a couch and he was reading the Yogananda book. I always felt so good about that.”