Dravite

My second D post has been very difficult. I wanted to do it on several topics, but none have really spoken to me. So, I decided to research gemstones that began with the letter D instead. I chose Dravite, as it seems that it aids in grounding, it calms, soothes and stabilizes. It is a brown variety of tourmaline, and not very pretty, but then, appearances are always deceiving, aren’t they? Since I have been feeling very unsettled lately, I felt that this was an appropriate subject to research.

Dravite is associated with the Heart and Root Chakra; its elements are Earth and Storm. Its zodiac is Aries, but according to one website, it is also helpful for Pisces and Cancer. Its energies are power and love. The stone is protective as well, promotes stability and practicality. I will definitely have to look for this gemstone.

The sites I went to for information:

http://crystal-cure.com/dravite.html

http://www.gemstones-info.org/gems-c-d/dravite/

http://crystalsandjewelry.com/metaphysicalproperties_d.html

Disclaimer: The websites I have used provide information only. Do not use this information in place of a doctor’s care.

Dreams

I have always believed that my dreams held messages. It was up to me to interpret the meanings. As a child, my favorite dream was that of flying. I could feel my spirit rise up and float over me. We lived in a house surrounded by woods and that was my stomping ground. I can remember how it felt to float around the outside of the house, all warm and cozy. The only thing I did not like was the return. I could never seem to control the descent. Now, I don’t fly, or at least I don’t remember if I do fly. But there have been other dreams. They are almost always in color. 

Since I had just recently moved, I am still trying to unpack. I have a couple of journals that I have written some of my more vivid dreams in which I wanted to share, and my interpretations of those dreams. Still, I have had a couple at the beginning of this year. 

Just before we began this project, Rowan Pendragon was beginning her series of readings from the Arch Angel Michael. This coincided with my mother becoming ill and having to go into the hospital. My brother and I would take turns staying with her. I sensed her time was near. One day around the beginning of January, I was home in my apartment lying down on my bed. It was still daylight. I was drifting in and out of sleep. In one of my semi aware states I heard AND felt this really low humming noise. I rolled over to look at my ceiling and saw a black winged figure slowly move over me. It actually looked bat-like. I remember that I did not feel frightened by this. However, I have not been able to bring myself to analyze my dream. As I said before, since Rowan was doing the messages from the Arch Angel Michael, I thought perhaps it was he who visited me. Soon after that dream, my mother passed away. 

About two days later I had another dream. This one was of my mother. They had placed my mother in a chair at home. (Her home) She was dead and not moving at all. I was sitting by her side as if I was either waiting for something or perhaps I was guarding her. When I looked over at her, she began to breathe again. She then got up out of the chair, walked over to a table and began to measure something with a measuring tape. I believe it was cloth. The colors were soothing, off whites, gold, silver and earthy browns.  I again woke soon after, but this time I was unsettled. My mother’s expression was one of resignation. I could see her, but she looked right through me. This dream too waits for an interpretation.

According to the two books I have currently, The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells by Judika Illes, and The Hidden Power of Dreams by Denise Linn, mugwort is used to produce dreams, even in those that claim they do not dream. Dreams aided by mugwort are said to be more vivid, intense, and frequent. “Mugwort is a member of the Artemisia family, botanicals named in honor of the Greek lunar deity Artemis. Artemis protects women, wild nature of all kinds, fertility and creativity, witchcraft and magic, and psychic ability. No other plant has more powerful associations with magic in general and dreams in particular.” (The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells by Judika Illes)

Mugwort is not for everyone. It must not be used by pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant. It must not be given to children either. If one is to use this botanical, do your research first. If you can grow it, do so. It is best when you can have the living plant. If it does grow for you, the plant is indicating that it is willing to work with you. I myself am going to try to propagate it. 

Blessed Be gentle readers.  )O(

The next “C” subject is “Charging”

After cleansing your materials, whatever they may be, you may then charge them. Charging simply means to impart your personal energy and your intent or goal of your spell to the physical components you will be using for that spell. It is rather like charging your batteries. For me personally, I usually feel the need to charge myself every year at the ocean. I will go in the month of September to Hampton Beach in NH and walk the beach bare foot and feel the waves rushing over my feet. I feel the waves rush back out taking the sand with it from underneath me, like an undulating dance between me, the Earth, the sky, the air and the water. I breathe in the air through my nose and exhale from my mouth, so as to take in the good and out with the bad. I will either do this early in the morning, or just at dusk, depending on my mood. I would ask the elements to strengthen me. In return for their blessing, I try very hard to live green, I try to be a little kinder to others, be they animal, man etc. Once I feel that strength flowing through me, I will step away from the ocean and just walk around taking in the sights.

As to charging other materials, I have read that there are a few ways you could charge items. I know that when I made my ritual rain water a couple of years ago, the instructions I followed directed me to leave my rain water that I had collected, strained and jarred outside until the full moon. In another book, the same one that I used for last week’s topic, you can charge your items by holding them in your hands, clearing your mind, and focusing your energy into the object. After you feel that you have sent enough energy to that object, put it down and withdraw from it. Or, if you have a specific task for your object, instead of clearing your mind, visualize what you’d like your spell’s desired goal to be. Then once you feel you have sufficiently charged your item, put it down and walk away from it.

The one very important thing to remember is this: one must also give back if favors are asked for. It is all a matter of reciprocation. It is up to the individual to decide what to give in return for favors granted.

Blessed Be, Gentle Readers

Cleansing

As I study and research more for the Pagan Blog Project, the more I become focused. I chose the topic “Cleansing”.  My research is from the book “The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells” by Judika Illes. One should cleanse their tools and items that they would use prior to rituals and spell castings to remove any residual spiritual energy. This is especially important when using tools and items for the first time, as you don’t know who may have handled them before you. According to Judika Illes, it is not necessary to cleanse certain items, such as candles and botanicals, because they do not retain the spiritual energies. Silver and Iron also do not require cleansing as they do not retain spiritual energies. (Curious. I will have to read more about that).

Also important is cleansing the ritual area and yourself. I like to be thorough. I would include my living space. Actually, I feel a presence in my apartment, and have ever since moving here in October of 2011. My dogs and cat have sensed this as well. Just last night as I was reading up on my chosen topic, my older dog Duke woke up from a sound sleep and walked over to me and pressed his entire body up against my leg and sat down facing the living room door. He was quivering a little. Since I do live in a small apartment, the best method for me to cleanse is with a technique called Asperging.  Asperging means to sprinkle an area with a liquid, usually with a botanical asperging tool. The most commonly used liquid is sea salt dissolved in rainwater. I would like to go the ocean and gather some in a jar. I read in the encyclopedia that it would be more powerful, especially if it was mixed with other ingredients.