January Chapter One - Week One - Celtic Myth and Magic Study

January : Chapter One – Celtic Traditions and creating a Celtic setting

Welcome to a new year, and a new study. I am always both excited and overwhelmed when I find a book that holds the magic and potential to create nourishment, evolution and community. When I first picked up Celtic Myth and Magick I knew it would be one of those books.

In January we kick start our reading with the Chapter One – Celtic Traditions and creating a Celtic setting. I've broken the weeks down in January so that we will be reading four sub-chapters a week starting this week with the introduction.

I have a separate post for the introduction chapter you can read here to get you started with some reflection questions and exercises: Introduction Chapter

 

Below I have listed the breakdown for the sub-chapters for week one.

Week One:

• Introduction

• Sorting out the Celtic Traditions
• The Sacred Three Times Three
• Ritual Tools and Elemental Attributes

This week I also wanted to share some tips and things you should know if you are going to be following along with me as I read Celtic Myth and Magick.

Tips & Things to Know...

Create & be responsible for your own schedule

I will be sharing mine as inspiration and you can certainly follow along with it. I encourage you to take the time to create your own that fits in with your life at this time, and do not be afraid to change, or adapt it to suit your shifting focus and path.

Part of self motivated study is becoming responsible for creating the map you want to use. Move with the changes and ebb and flow of life. Know that there will be times when you need to shift and alter your study to work with your current life situation. Being rigid will cause unwarranted stress and cease the connection you are making with your reading and practice.

Study Tools & Resources

Use whatever study tools I provide as a reference point to provoke, inspire and engage you in deepening your experience with the text. I own no copyright to the material, however all additional challenges, prompts, and topic links and resources are either created by me or will be linked appropriately. I will always add additional links if I feel they are applicable and you will be able to find a master list on my Celtic Myth and Magic Study 2016 master page [Click on the home tab]

Edain McCoy makes mention about exploring many alternative references to make up a collective personal opinion about any myth. By creating your own study tools [bookmarks, files, folders, notebooks] and sourcing out other materials [wikipedia, resource books, university and library systems] you will go beyond what Edain and I can offer you and it is a great practice to have in place.

As this book/study group was created to promote self study, don't be afraid to read the book out of order. I know I will be reading parts of the reference material in the back, and jumping around if I feel guided. I will be providing avenues for those who do want to jump ahead.

My aim for the creating a community

My aim is to help you with your journey through Celtic Myth and Magick as a Blogger and facilitator of tools. I want to create a community and by doing so this group will be based around spiritual and buddy support through networking. I am not an expert in the field of Celtic Myth and Magick [just a passionate student of the pantheon] however I will offer one on one mentor guidance through the year for those who need support or someone to talk to.

Even if you aren't reading the book – my reflection questions, Celtic Tarot prompts and art ideas may inspire you in your Celtic study path. Give them a go, and share your feedback with me on Instagram – Facebook and Youtube or send me an email. I would love to hear your ideas, and feel free to send me any links and resources that you find that could help another fellow group member.

You can contact me at : Authenticangelbliss@gmail.com if you are interested in finding a buddy or having a mentor. Please address the message with CELTIC STUDY MENTOR.

To follow my Co-Host you can find here on Instagram and Youtube : @Someones.princess88

Look out for Monday's Post : Reflection questions and Exercises 

Introduction Chapter - Celtic Myth and Magick Study 2016

Introduction Chapter – Celtic Myth and Magick

Hello lovelies and welcome to 2016 [or soon to be by the time I post this] I am thrilled that you will be joining me on my journey through reading and delving deep into Edain McCoy's book – Celtic Myth and Magick. This will be my first time reading the book, and my intuition tells me it won't be the last. After my first read through of the introduction alone I knew that I was in for a nourishing, expanding and exciting discovery in a pantheon that has become one that I am deeply passionate about exploring and learning in.

A few days ago I made a post about my plans and the breakdown of the chapters for each month. From here on out after this post I will breaking down the chapters to read each week [for those who will be following along] and I will provide you with reflection questions, exercises, challenges and discussions to provoke, challenge and inspire you through your own reading and Celtic Study.

I'll also be talking about my experiences, responses to the questions I pose and creating spreads that bring an immediate pull into the reading experience. [the first will be up this week : The Illuminated Spread]

Today I wanted to share with you six questions that you can use to study with and connect when reading through the introduction of Celtic Myth and Magick. Then I have two exercises that you can do to take it one step further and build upon the ideas shared in the book. Use these as jumping points to making the connection between the text and your individual practice.

Reflection/Study Questions

• What is your point of view about Myths? Do they need to be fact or fiction or can they be both ? (This question is in response to Edain's story about her fellow classmate]
• 
  
• Do you believe in Deity – Why or why not?
• 
  
• What is your current connection with God and Goddess? What does it look like/feel like in your inner and outer world?
• 
  
• Do you have a favourite Celtic Myth – if so what is your favourite? If not write down why you don't have a favourite and make a plan to find one that you do like while reading this book.
• 
  
• Have you used myth in personal or spiritual practice and development in the past? How did you use them and what was your experience/ response?
• 
  
• Do you have any pre-conceived ideas about the Celts?

Exercises

Illuminated Letter

Research Illuminated Letters and create your own monogram. If you have a God or Goddess you worship, consider creating it with the first letter of their name, or creating a series of letters to make up their name. These can be used for offerings at the alter, to add to your B.O.S or as dedication to your deity of time and commitment to expanding your skills.

Journal about your past pathworking and meditation experiences

Journal about your past experiences with Pathworking and Meditation in the Underworld, Otherworld, Spirit world, Astral world or Earthly world. If you have never meditated or pathworked before, Journal about where you would like to journey and what you imagine seeing in these places.

***

Lastly I have a question that I will pose after every chapter at the end of the month.

What did you feel was the overall tone, message, theme or energy behind the myth and magick chapter?

Happy reading & sharing – Drew

I encourage you all to use the INSTAGRAM hashtag created

# Celticmythandmagickstudy2016

Feel free to make a blog or video response post about this chapter.

Celtic Myth and Magick Book/Study Group 2016

Celtic Myth and Magick Book Club 2016

This is a year long Book club that focuses on the first twelve chapters of Edain McCoy's book Celtic Myth and Magick. From January to December we will read one chapter each month and provide an open community for people reading the book to come together to ask questions, engage in study, share knowledge and start discussions on both the book itself and the inspiration that comes from it's pages.

I started this group as a way to reach out and connect with people who are drawn to the Celtic Pantheon. I started my journey early on life with a love of tales and the land. Last year I was drawn back to the craft and practice of being a witch, and from there my love of myth and magic has grown and led me towards the path of Celtic energy. I wanted to share my journey through a hashtag I created for 2016.

As I was about to explore the introduction of this book, I was guided by the Goddess on my journey into a fuller life and inspired to begin sharing it through my love of books as the two pathways merged this Book Club was conceived.  

Reading & studying plans & resources for those reading along

Along the planning process of mapping out how I wanted to dedicate my focus to this study, I decided to open keep it informal for those wanting to do their own thing, and just read-along and share their journey and provide a plan for those who would like something a little more structured. The plan is my own, and I will be following my own scheduled. If you would like to adapt my schedule to suit your needs you are more than welcome to.

Throughout the year you can look out for Four different posts that are provided to help and inspire you. 

In an attempt to not overcomplicate studying and really immerse myself into this book most posts will be informative with a few examples thrown into the mix. Those will be:

Weekly reading plans

On Thursdays I will give you an outlay of the sub- chapters to read this week.

This may include additional links, videos and resources if I am guided to share.

I will also share a snippet of how my week is going and anything that really stood out to me.

Reflection and study Questions

Every Monday I will be posting a list of questions inspired by the text. Sometimes these may be journaling questions to reflect and meditate on, other times they may be more about the topics themselves and what you can do to explore them deeper.

Celtic Tarot Deck Prompts and Challenges

If you own a Celtic orientated or inspired deck I will be sharing different ways that you can use your deck in relation to the topics that are covered each month. In addition to those who don't have a Celtic theme deck these prompts can still be used with other decks.

I also thought it would be fun to add an art element into this for those who would like take it one step further. This may involve art journaling, crafting or cooking and you are welcome to share your ideas with me if you would like to suggest something or want to share it.

Discussion Videos Every Month

You can find my more in depth opinions, and experience with the book by watching my Discussion Videos once a month. I plan on having them out in the last week of the month. In these videos I will talk about the chapter as a whole, my challenges and inspired moments and provide a wrap up of what was covered. This will also give you a chance as a reader to become part of a discussion and community and I encourage you to document your own journey either through blogging, instagram of Youtube.

Chapter Breakdown and Dates to Remember

To make it easier for all those reading along. I have included a monthly breakdown of the chapters we will be reading. [Sub-chapters will be broken down to read weekly for those following my plan] I will update these regularly as information is needed.

Breakdown of the Chapters

January : Introduction & Celtic Traditions and Creating a Celtic Setting

February: Attuning to the Celtic Pantheon

March: Rituals of Evocation

April: Ritual of Invocation

May: The Celtic Pantheon and the Esbats

June: The Celtic Pantheon and The Wheel of the Year

July: The Celtic Pantheon in Pagan Life Cycle Events

August: Pathworking : Journey of Power

September: Beginning and Ending a Path-working

October: Pathworking 1: Cuchulain The Warrior

November: Pathworking 2: Queen Maeve The Warrior

December: Pathworking 3: The Lesson From Merlin

Starting date : Friday January 1^st

Ending Date: December 31^st

A Facebook Group and Forum will be forthcoming during January depending on how much interest I receive in creating one.

YOU CAN FIND MY CO-HOST Christine : Someones.Princess88 on Youtube and Instagram

INSTAGRAM : #CELTICMYTHANDMAGICKSTUDY2016

The Charioteer of Shadow

( (C) Copyright to the artist : The Wild Unknown Tarot - Kim Krans & The Chrysalis Tarot - Tony Brooks & Holly Sierra )

Are you coming or going from the space within and without?

Are you moving through life, galloping along only to be met with a great wall, resistance or pain that has caused obstacle after obstacle and keeps returning in many diverse forms?

Shadow work is shifting work. 

To go into the depths of the subconscious or unconscious mind we can draw from the energies of the Chariot and step into the prominent themes. In this post I wanted to share with you the amazing energy that comes from getting on the horses back and taking the reigns when it comes to facing your shadow, and a few different ways of looking at the chariot as an entrance to engaging and working with them.

First we begin to move, we take steps whether they be giant leaps or stepping stones. Each person will have their own idea of the level of intensity they want to experience or can experience. Movement doesn't have to mean intense or busy it can be as small as:

• Writing a sentence
• Free writing for half an hour as a journal entry
• Jotting down some keywords about how you are feeling to describe what you perceive or know to be happening and lingering

Or it might be as big as:

• Having a dedicated afternoon to drawing up a spread
• Going to a therapy session
• Receiving a guided Tarot reading

Movement means building blocks, or placing rocks down that you can use to create a pathway for yourself, so your not just floating around in the ether; thought stacking and worrying. It is about identifying that you see something inside the subconscious and owning that it is your responsibility to discover and unlock what it is and what it means to you.

Once you have made your move towards wanting to know the shadow, congratulate yourself. It takes willpower and courage to face it. Your shadow might look insignificant in the smaller scheme of life, but never underestimate it's capacity. It has lived within you for a long time undetected, or submerged. It has a power, and left in the darkness without attention or awareness it can gain power over you as you begin to manifest it into the physical.

What about those of us who have been addressing our shadows for some time. Whether that be by looking at it in the mirror, the mirror of the people around or by starting to make it a dedicated practice in our spiritual and personal development.

How do we start to take the steps we have created (the awareness) and use the Chariot energy to it's prime potential?

By looking at the conflict

Shadows are created when some parts of us are in conflict with another. That is why there is identification on both positive and negative shadows. What resonates with us may not resonate with another so we are shamed, guilt tripped or encouraged to put them in that special box. The box that becomes a Pandora's box when we are able to finally make our own decisions and actions in life.

It seems simple right? As soon as your able to make up your own mind, and do whatever the fuck you want to, it seems there are more reasons to put all those shadows into the box. It is the paradox of being an adult, your have the freedom to do what you want, and a responsibility to own your decisions yet the same mouths and hands that have offered us the conditions we needed to thrive as children and young adults are still there, in different forms. It might be your boss who reminds you of your belittling grandparents, or it might be a lover who's financial behaviour and ideals mimics that of your parents or yourself. 

You think you are free, and yet you are conflicted. What is this? This is not the life I wanted, or thought it would be like. Why do I feel conflicted?

This kind of questioning, raising awareness and suppression cycle keeps building and building, until both your mind, spirit and body can no longer handle the weight of it. That is why it is so pivotal to understand both where you come from physically and mentally as well as spiritually. Family is the foundational bedrock of secrets, lies and conditioning alongside loyalty, love, compassion and community. We carry this into adulthood.

What can I do today? Exercise

The first thing I would recommend doing is to create a simple family tree and write down the names of the members in your family members ( close or distant, it is up to you) You are in the Charioteer here. Once you are done you can either write keywords or write a page listing qualities about that person. Everything from frustrations to things you love about that person.

When you are finished with your lists, see if any of those qualities apply to you.

Are you hot-headed? In what situations are you hot-headed?

Or maybe you are a loyalist to your siblings and it frustrates you to see other people choosing their friends over their siblings issues – look at that – why is that? Is it because you want to help your friends more, but can't because your siblings take up a lot of time and energy?

Lastly, for this exercise see if you can match any of those qualities with people in your life outside of your family; friends, lovers, workers, acquaintances. Write down their qualities and match them up.

Tip: Draw on the example I offered before about a lover with financial similarities as parents.

Lastly I wanted to mention focusing on the elemental attributes of the Chariot. When you think about the elemental association with the Chariot, Water, you can begin to see that by embracing your emotions and allowing them to rise to the surface and flow through you, you begin to make yourself available to the ones that are calling you to look beneath the surface of illusion and into the real depths of yourself. 

By coming face to face with your shadow even in the shallower parts of your river you make space for it. Think about the river that is your life, it's many currents; amidst the rolling and chaotic waves or the softer, stiller waters there is need for movement. Even if you only throw a rock into the water and watch it ripple. You have awakened something, you've become alert to your shadow.

I hope this look at the Chariot in regards to shadows has helped light a candle in the darkness during this time of the year, and throughout all times in life. You can always use the Chariot Tarot card as a place to start from and focus on to help you to create that movement, and firm will in yourself alongside a life long practice of attending to the shadow realm.

Much love & Blessed be.

Drew

LIVE YOUR TRUTH: THE TRUTH ABOUT MY KINKY LIFE

There was truth
There was consequence
Against you, a weak defense
Then there's me, I'm seventeen
Looking for a fight – 30 Seconds to Mars

Once upon a time, back in 2007 when I was Seventeen I came into the world of BDSM. Inquisitive, full to the brim with unexpressed shadows and daring to explore the boundaries, and the edges of life, I stepped into a world unknown and dangerous with full intensity with and a turbulent mind ready to explore the deviance, darkness and magic of the lifestyle. 

This was the era of suppression and expression for me. Winding paths leads to tough choices. Parts of my ‘good girl’ – ‘nice girl’ personality rose to the surface, and went through a series of entropy as my childhood and teenage expectations of myself, and my life at large died and I decided I wanted to live under the thumb of men. It was safe having someone make choices for me, it was easy to be told what to do, when to do it and how to think. I’d been doing in most of my life and it seemed a natural progression.

 

Only budding under the surface was a Wild Woman, a rebellious, intuitive, instinctive woman with a voice, a purpose, a passion and a fiery nature that was gagging to be released. 

Midway through those years I ended up switching the tables and becoming a Dominatrix. It was a natural progression, although my experience with abusive partners and unhealthy connections [all reflections of my inner landscape] lead me to disconnect from men and women in all areas of my life. My Dominatrix role was just that, a role, and while I swindled away hundreds of dollars, and found countless connections I soon realized that it was merely a way for me to have the power over my shadows, and other peoples and that the temptation to use others shadows as a way to manipulate and control was a catalyst for further probing into the unconscious mind. 

In those strange and dysfunctional dynamics I did find myself. I learned lessons the hard way. I stripped back parts of myself to suit other people, and then stripped them again to find myself. I started to say no. I began to stand up for my beliefs and values and rewrite them so that they were in alignment with my entire being, not a subservient and confused part of myself that mimicked the little girl in me screaming for acceptance, and understanding. I grew a backbone and from that back bone I grew wings.

When I started getting clear about myself and worked through a lot of my family dynamics, past life relationships, feelings of earthliness, worth and self love, I came out of the other side deathly scared of the raw, unhinged and damaging side of BDSM, only when I was on the outside, looking inside did I realize  that it could be one of the most beautiful, and expanding paths to self expression, balancing polarity, pushing my own boundaries and discovering who I truly am and that the only true person I could ever fear is myself.

I found my playful, kinky, cheeky switch and I discovered that there is magic in the life. 

Working as a Witch and finding the path in my life that had always called me, the way BDSM has always called me, assisted me through the transition. There was a lot of sexual, relationship, dynamic healing that I went through and worked on with the assistance of my path working, deity connection and ritual releasing. I also honed my passion, elemental energy and sacred feminity alongside my masculinity to discover that I am a being of polarities that is in constant shift, in constant motion and evolution. Through the magic of my practices, and the magical energy of BDSM and sexuality, I am beginning this journey to acceptance and integration. 

 

WALK INTO THE FEAR – WALK INTO LIFE – ACCEPT THAT DANGER IS A POLARITY OF SAFETY – THAT ONLY WHEN YOU CAN WALK TO THE EDGE CAN YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR EDGES ARE. 

This blog post marks the first of many in where I step into my driving principle of living my truth, and living in my Authentic Bliss. It is a marking of a shift in consciousness and perspective and an awakening in my pathway to sharing this humbling, delicious, juicy and amazing aspect of my magical life. I hope that those who do read it do so with an open heart, an open mind and receptivity and if you can’t I wish you the willingness one day to do so.

 

WE LEARN FROM EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING – OPEN YOURSELF TO SEEING –LISTENING-HEARING AND BEING.

My Path - Stories on the Path to Witchcraft - Guest post with H.Roberts

Hello Sacred Souls, today I am excited and honored to share space with the Helen Roberts. Author of Spider Eats Fright and Australian Bush Witch. Today she shares her journey through her path, and gives us some insight into the inspiration and guidance for her fictional work. 

 

 

What is an Australian Bush Witch? As I began reading about the many types of magic practices, I became very interested in hedge witchery, however the concept of the hedge witch was a very British one. Various sources characterised them as some kind of wise woman/man of the olden days, knowledgeable in herb lore, folk medicines and shamanism, who journeyed beyond the hedges that marked the boundary between their safe little village and the wilds of the forest. The thing is, we don’t have hedgerows where I live. I wanted to identify with something more culturally relevant to me as an Australian so instead of “Hedge Witch” I decided on the term “Bush Witch” since that's where I live. I'm out on the fringes of a rural town; in the bushland that then gives way to tuart forest.

What areas of interest in terms of Witchcraft pull you in the most? Chaos magic and herbal magic are the two big ones, but I'm always interested in exploring new areas. I like to keep my spell working fresh and creative and I'm not one for rules, so my practice is pretty eclectic. I like to mix things up. If something feels like it will work I go with it. Lately, I've been working with tarot magic.

How did you come to find the craft? My mother was part of a mail order book club where she had to purchase so many books from the catalogue a month. It had a new age section and I made a passing comment that some of the books in that section looked interesting. That Christmas I got my very first tarot deck and a book called “Notions and Potions” by Susan Bowes, both of which started me off on the path I'm on now.

 What has it offered you and what have you given back? A spiritual practice involving magic and witchcraft has given me so much joy over the years. It has brought me peace during difficult times and given me control over myself and my circumstances. It has helped me to find purpose in my life and has taught me humility and gratitude. Without all that I don't think I would be in the field that I am today because as well as being a writer, I'm also a carer for the elderly and disabled. I do my best to put that sense of calm, humility and gratitude, as well as empathy, into the services that I provide. That's my way of giving back.

Being an Australian Witch, do you pull from the land and how drawn are you to its native lore and magic?

I frequently use native plants and animals in my magic practice. I love connecting with this land so European herbs don't feature as heavily in my spells as natives unless I happen to have them growing in my garden, like a bit of rosemary. I have spent most of my life working on my own local myths, rituals, seasonal observances and correspondences; creating and maintaining traditions that have personal relevance to me. I have always enjoyed learning and reading about Aboriginal myths and traditions, especially for my area but I am also aware of the concept of cultural appropriation. For me personally, Aboriginal culture is not my culture. I have my own and so have no need, nor desire to take on theirs and include it in my magic practice. As always it's up to an individual to work with whatever resonates and is most meaningful to them.

How important is your practice? Very! I've been working on integrating my practice into my life on a daily basis through daily ritual and mindfulness. I want to recognize what is sacred every day. I'm a very private person so I don't talk about my spirituality often or in great detail, except online, and you wouldn't know I'm a witch to look at me. It does, however, make up a large part of my identity. Putting that detail in the author bio of my book “Spider Eats Fright” was a huge step for me but I feel it was a necessary one. I like to think it shows just how important being a witch is to me.

Thank you deeply Helen for your insight, and inspiration.

 

You can find Helen’s Website here: www.spidereatsfright.com

 

If you would like to share your own story on your path feel free to contact me at Authenticangelbliss@gmail.com