The Power of the Faery Star

The seven pointed star, also known as the Faery or Elven Star in Wiccan traditions, is a septagram-a religious symbol that is sacred to certain pagan or Wiccan traditions. Much less common than the pentagram in magical practice, the seven pointed star has one major advantage over the pentagram as a shield or protective symbol (many magical traditions advocate using the pentagram on the front and back of magical books, such as a Book of Shadows, for protection).

The seven pointed star is created by combining a four pointed square with a three pointed triangle in such a way as to create a continuously circulating figure. This is also the "Seven Arrows" design. To create this star, you have to circulate twice around your starting point, and this creates the continuous circling energy in this figure.

Once set into motion, the seven pointed star continues to circulate forever, making it an eternally spinning shield or protector (start the star in motion by "keying it" with electric blue energy from your finger or Athame). The pentagram, on the other hand, always requires an outside "push" from the base to the tip of any point, and stops transmitting energy once that outer force stops. If you're looking for a protective shield or symbol, the Faery star is a good one to consider.

The number seven is very sacred to many traditions. In some traditions, the four points unite the four magical elements on the planet (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) with the three points that represent the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Other traditions consider the seven points to represent the seven directions (North, South, East, West, above, below, and within), the seven colors of the rainbow, the seven planets, the seven alchemical metals, the seven tones of the diatonic scale, or the seven days of the week. This star is also known to some as the Star of the Seven Sisters.

In the Esoteric School, we follow the tradition of the Church of Seven Arrows, and use the seven pointed star on our protective Psychic Shields that we offer to students and the public. These shields have been shown to protect from psychic attack in all directions, deflecting unwanted energies and blackening when attacked. A very, very effective symbol for magical use!

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What Is Shamanic Smudging?

Shamanic smudging--or just smudging--is an age-old tribal tradition which has been used for centuries to create harmony and peace. There are many different shamanic smudging ceremonies, and different tribes use a variety of herbs for smudging.

To define it more clearly, shamanic smudging is the burning of herbs or incense for cleansing, purification, protection of physical and spiritual bodies, banishment of negative energies and creation of sacred space. You can use smudge sticks (herbs that are tied into a bundle for easier handling), braided herbs and botanicals (like sweetgrass) or loose herbs (burned on charcoal or mugwort, or in a firepit). Shamanic smudging releases the energy and fragrance of the herbs and botanicals so they can heal, cleanse and purify.

In many traditions, shamanic smudging involves a four directions ceremony or prayer, which sends specific kinds of smoke or prayers into the four directions. Different tribes have different smudging prayers that "program" the smoke to do a specific action, such as cleansing or aiding in divination.

In general, shamanic smudging can be used in daily life for practical purposes--to restore physical, mental and emotional balance; to shield against negative energies; to cleanse yourself, your magickal tools and your space; and to restore you sacred space.


COMMON HERBS USED IN SMUDGING 
Although different tribes and traditions use different herbs for shamanic smudging, some of the most popular herbs include desert sage, white broadleaf sage, juniper, pinon (sometimes in resin form), sweetgrass, copal (in resin form), mugwort, lavender and sacred tobacco. Here are some general uses for the different herbs often used for smudging:

PINON RESIN
Primarily fire element though can also be used for four-element general purposes. Has a pleasant and meditative fragrance. Is cleansing, strengthening, warming, and used by Native American cultures for its spiritual and healing properties. Produces a thick stream of smoke, and is excellent for refreshing the senses and reviving a tired soul.

COPAL GOLD RESIN
Primarily fire and water elements though can also be used for four-element general purposes. When burned, the scent is sweet, resinous, slightly woody, mildly earthy and spicy. Was a holy incense used by the peoples of Mesoamerica. Traditionally used as incense in divinatory and cleansing ceremonies. The resin contains aromatic chemicals called terpenes, which make it volatile and flammable. Used by Mayan shamans prior to ingesting mushrooms.

MYRRH RESIN
Primarily earth element though can also be used for four-element general purposes. Produces a lot of smoke when burned, very earthy, piney scent. Gathered from an almost leafless Middle Eastern shrub called the Commiphora Molmol. It was used by the ancient Egyptians in rituals of Healing and Passing. It is one of the ingredients used by the Egyptians to embalm bodies. Useful for spirituality, meditation, happiness, release, transformation, strength, confidence and stability.

FRANKINCENSE RESIN
Primarily fire element though can also be used for four-element general purposes. Is the resin of an African tree and produces a rich, dense smoke when burned. Used extensively in meditation and healing. In numerous religious traditions, frankincense's spiritual scent was believed to confer divine blessing. Pliny the Elder mentioned it as an antidote to hemlock poisoning.

DESERT SAGE
Primarily air element though can also be used as for four-element general purposes. Has a somewhat sharp, light and refreshing scent. One of the most sacred herbs among Native Americans. Used to purify the mind, body and spirit before prayer, meditation, ritual or ceremony. Also used to purify sacred items such as pipes, magical tools, tarot decks and eagle feathers. Can be used for area, house and personal cleansings. Some people carry a small amount of Sage in a pocket or medicine pouch to insure personal and spiritual safety.

JUNIPER
Primarily fire element though can also be used for four-element general purposes. Has a sharp, piney scent. Excellent to stimulate and revive when tired in body, mind or Spirit. Used in ancient times for ritual purification of temples. Smoke believed to aid clairvoyance. Also useful for purification and to stimulate contact with other worlds. Burned during the Plague to resist disease.

LAVENDER
Primarily air element. Has a light, aromatic and refreshing scent. Useful for attracting peace, happiness and restful sleep. Also reduces depression, grief and sorrow. Aids in meditation and divination, and often said to aid in manifestation. Known as Elf Leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike and Lavandar. Traditionally associated with fairies and elves

WHITE BROADLEAF SAGE
Primarily air element though can also be used for four-element general purposes. This is a broad leaf sage that is highly prized for its strong aromatic properties (strongest of the different types of sage). Considered the king if all sages. Excellent for meditation, divination, smudging, cleansing and purification.

YERBA SANTA LEAVES
Traditionally used for enhancing psychic abilities, magical protection, healing and spiritual strength. Excellent for meditation and divination. Said to be ruled by the moon. One Native American tribe rolled the leaves into balls, dried it in the sun and chewed it for a natural mouthwash.

HIBISCUS FLOWERS
Primarily fire and water elements. Produces a sharp, invigorating scent that lasts for a long time after burning. Often used in divination and psychic communication. Excellent for rejuvenating the senses and restoring life force.

ROSE FLOWERS AND PETALS
Primarily water element. Produces a heavy, warm, aromatic scent with just a hint of sharpness – scent lasts a long time after burning. Excellent for meditation, divination, increasing psychic abilities, contacting powers and beings in other dimensions and psychic communication. Also traditionally associated with attracting love, conferring peace, stimulating sexual appetites and enhancing beauty.

SWEETGRASS
Primarily air element. As its name suggests, sweetgrass produces a sweet and light fragrance that does not last for long. Excellent for cleansing sacred space. Sweetgrass is a rare grass which is found growing wild in very few places. Traditionally, sweetgrass is believed to invite the good spirits.

You can burn these herbs singly or in combination with each other. One good combination that covers all four magical elements of air, fire, water and earth is pine resin and sage (either desert sage or white broadleaf sage). This combination is appropriate for general use, cleansing, ceremony and ritual.


WHEN TO SMUDGE YOURSELF 
Smudging yourself on a daily basis can be very helpful in keeping yourself balanced and maintaining a peaceful state of being. However, you should definitely use shamanic smudging techniques when you've been around people who are ill, depressed, fearful, angry or generally emotionally unbalanced; before meditating to create a calm state of being; when you're feeling blue or depressed; or when you've been under a lot of stress.

Smudging yourself is easy. If you're using a smudge stick, light the smudge stick on a candle flame. Hold the stick in the flame until there is a lot of smoke and the stick is burning well (that's why a candle is better than a match--it can take a while to get the stick really smoking). Using a feather (or feather fan) or your hand, gently fan the smoke onto your body, starting at the top of the body and moving downward. Get the back of your body as best you can (it's often easier to use a smudge pot and loose herbs for this). When you're done, inhale a little of the smoke (just a little!) to purify your insides.

If you're using a smudge pot or Firebowl and loose herbs, light the herbs (using self-lighting charcoal --not the barbeque kind!) until it is smoking well. Then, put the Firebowl on the ground and stand over it with your legs spread and feet on either side. Weave back and forth in the smoke until you have been thoroughly cleansed. Clothing is optional for this approach, and smudging in the nude is recommended for a more thorough cleansing. Again, when you're done, inhale a little of the smoke to purify your insides. People often feel more relaxed, lighter and brighter after smudging.

If you're going to use the smudge smoke during meditation, use a charcoal burner or Firebowl, light the herbs and enjoy the scent and smoke as you meditate. Meditating with these herbs often produces a deeper and longer-lasting state of relaxation and contemplation.

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The Tribe of You

When you think about yourself, you think "I" right? You think of yourself as a singular, whole being. One person. One unit. One entity.

That's how most of us think about ourselves. In truth, though, each of us is not a single "I" but a whole tribe of archetypes that use the same body to express ourselves. You are not actually you. You are the Tribe of You. There are many of you.

Interesting to think about, isn't it? You can verify this in your own experience by thinking about a New Year's resolution. Suppose one of "you" made the resolution to lose weight. All is well and good until you encounter fresh hot donuts at work. Then another of "you" takes control of your body, smells that fresh donut scent, and without another thought eats one! Whoa! What just happened to your resolution?

Fifteen minutes later, the "you" that made the resolution bubbles to the surface and notices that you've eaten a donut. Then the "guilt and shame you" comes in and starts with the guilt trip. Are you seeing a pattern here?

Each "you" in the Tribe of You has a different agenda, and you will act according to many agendas during your day, depending on which "you" has control at the moment.

How can you get a grip on yourself so you can achieve your chosen goals without causing tribal warfare? The first step is to realize that most of the time you are not yourself. Here's a simple way to clarify this:

1. Choose a goal that one of "you" has set. It should be one that lasts for at least two weeks (and maybe one that you've had trouble achieving).

2. Observe your thoughts and actions very carefully during those two weeks. Every time one of "you" has thoughts or proposes actions that are contrary to that goal, say to yourself, "This is not I."

3. Briefly jot down the situation and thought or action.

4. At the end of two weeks, review your list. Notice how many different versions of "you" there are related to your goal.

You might be surprised how many of you are part of the Tribe of You. Does this shed light on why achieving certain goals is so difficult?


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LATER GATOR... Avoiding The Blues

Have you got the blues? Feel like this week will never be over and the weekend or your vacation will never return? If so, take heart! This too shall pass, and with a few simple tricks you can make the blues go away even faster!

1. "This is Not I": If you're at work and you feel the blues closing in on you, what should you do? First, remember that "the blues" is just part of the Tribe of You, it's not you. Say to yourself, "This is not I." Say it to yourself as many times as you need to remind yourself that this is just a temporary state, not a permanent way of being.

2. "In 5 Minutes": When you feel like you just can't go on and but you have to complete certain tasks, tell yourself, "I'll take a break in 5 minutes." Then put your attention on what you're doing. In 5 minutes, if you still feel tired and blue, say "Yes, in just 5 minutes." Do three rounds of 5 minutes and see if the "blue you" has faded by then. Often by the time 15 minutes has passed, so have the blues.

3. "First Things First": If you're already stuck in the blues and your task list seems too overwhelming, just do first things first. Pick the three tiniest tasks on your list that can be done in 10 minutes or less (break down larger items if you have to). It doesn't matter how trivial these tasks are, just pick 3. Now set a target. Say, "I'll do this, this, and this." Don't focus on anything else. Just do those three things. Then do the next three tiny tasks, then the next three. Before you know it, you're in full swing!

4. "Get Moving": Mental and emotional stagnation is often the result of physical stagnation. If you just can't get going on what you have to do, get out and move briskly for 3 minutes. Talk a walk, do jumping jacks, or yoga. Just get going. Then come back to your list and do "First Things First."

Once you have a little practice at saying "Later gator" to the blues, you'll understand that negative emotions are more habit than anything else. Shaking up your routine and shifting your perspective even a little can get you off that well-worn path and moving in a new direction. Enjoy the insights along the way!

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How to Work with Power Plants

The plant world, as a facet of "All That Is" is central to many shamanic, magical and tribal traditions. Plants were placed on Earth to be our companions and healers, and when we take the time to honor that sacred role, we heal both ourselves and our planet. Whether you are working with plants to create herbs, flower essences, essential oils or incense, you must first and foremost be in communication with those plants. While plants, in and of themselves, have a great deal of healing and spiritual power, when we take the time to honor and communicate with the plants we want to partake of, those plants grow exponentially in power and force.

Communicating With Power Plants
So how do you honor and communicate with power plants? It's not difficult. As Devta Khalsa, healer of many traditions, describes in her ebook, communicating with plants is really no different than communicating with another person--just more tender. Before you harvest any plant, take some time to sit quietly by the plant. Breathe deeply and center yourself. Then ask the plant for permission to use some of its body. Tell the plant what you would like to use it for. Wait for permission. Whether or not you hear a response, know that the plant's devas always hear and respond to you. Ask the plant to infuse its body with healing and harmonious power suitable for your purpose.

If you wait silently enough, quieting your mind, you'll most likely hear a response. Even if you don't, though, just taking the time to honor and communicate with the plant will make your gathering more powerful and effective. No matter what you hear, thank the plant for its role in your healing and life.

It's also customary to leave an offering at the base of the plant, so that there is an equal exchange of energy. Sacred tobacco and cornmeal are perfect for this, but you can also use a hair from your head if you didn't bring any other offering.

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