Meditation

Sometimes you catch yourself staring off into space, not even a tiny blink - where did your mind go?  To that peaceful place and only you can answer why.

When did meditation come into my life?

I guess it's always been there, but went unnoticed.  In my Catholic years, it was prayer during mass, a prayer before bed, a prayer before a big decision.  I could go on and on.  

However, these days, it is as often as I can. With a knowledge of how and why.
I love to meditate.  
I will be honest, I do shy away - life gets busy and before I know it, it's been days, weeks, months - finally head slap to forehead...well damn, no wonder I'm not centered. No wonder I'm a walking cranky bitch. And this one is big...no wonder I haven't heard my guides.

Meditation is an answer I always find myself suggesting to friends and family when we're chatting and I hear a disconnect in their voice, body posture.  Do they listen - some may others don't.  So their problems persist.  I'm not shy about saying "I told you so."

Meditation is something I believe the medical profession should prescribe, but instead they give you a prescription for what ever ails.  Many folks are now coming to realize what Witches have always known.  It is a part of the old ways and much craved by our own mind and body.

It is becoming acceptable and the benefits are becoming obvious.  People are realizing they want to be healthy - they want their children and spouses to live healthy, long lives and are finding ways to do it on their own.  Metaphysical stores are now just around the corner, health food stores are in abundance, organic is the "new age", community vegetable gardens are popping up in urban communities.  For this Witch, it's exciting to see.  I myself have quit a 35 year habit - I've stopped smoking. Pat on the back for me.

Not meaning to get off track, however this brings me to...

There are many reasons to meditate:

• solve problems or challenges
• work through the Chakras (if you don't know what these are - find out. It is for your own benefit.)
• receive messages from your Spirit Guides
• meet your familiars - if you know who they are thank them
• meet your Spirit Guide(s)
• find your passion(s)
• you actually find out that you're not alone and there is a bigger purpose

These are some of the benefits I've received:
*in part from Feng Shui Lifestyle by Laurie Bornstein

• relaxes the nervous system
• relieves muscle tension - big for stress release
• diminishes intensity of headaches/migraines
• improves depression
• releases fears (this is something we all have)
• generates optimism, self-esteem, confidence, motivation
• stop nasty habits
• improves your intuition
• improves your chats with Spirit and brings you to your center  For me this is a big one.

It is so easy to do!

Feel free to find any comfortable position: sit or lay down.  

I just suggest (from experience) not in the tub - many times an individual will fall asleep during meditation because the body demands it...it's not a bad thing to fall asleep; just not in the tub for obvious reasons.

Light a candle, burn incense. You don't have to.

Even as you lay your head on your pillow for the night and after a crazy day - clear your mind.

The only rules that matter...  

1. shut off your phone
2. make sure you're not disturbed - yes, I know this can be difficult especially if you have children. But the rewards are amazing. 

There's much more to meditation. For instance, the mudras or the position of hands, fingers, body. What music to choose - this enhances my meditations.  And, because I'm a Witch I consider the color of the candle to burn. the energies of the day and especially Lunar positions.

Meditation isn't difficult and it shouldn't be - you won't do it if you make it so.

There is so much to meditation that I'm contemplating of having a workshop.  I'll meditate on it and let you know. 

Full Moon Today: 2:26pm Central Time

Be aware that during the full moon phase, anything that needs an extra boost can be done because this when the moon is at its height of energy and power. This is a good time to meditate on increasing psychic abilities and fertility. The full moon brings enormous productivity and this a good time to complete projects. 

We've just celebrated Imbolc and realized that we are at mid-winter and I am so wanting for Spring to come early.  Cabin fever - you bet, though this Nebraska winter wasn't much to complain about.  I'm simply tired of putting on and taking off my coat, shoveling snow. Though the brisk February wind is always good for removing any stagnant energy you may carry around with you.  Often, on a windy day, I stand outside and just let the wind blow through me and I visualize all that extra baggage being taken with the wind.  Blown away and dissolved into the ether. 

February's Full Moon to me is the Quickening Moon.  I start looking for her just about sundown in the Eastern sky - and just like magick, there She is. Always upon seeing Her I offer a greeting.  "Hello Lady.  I acknowledge you and thank you for your blessings."  By shining all evening long, She blesses me in my dreams.

Now, there are many energies in play today and factor in to the energies of our lives.  I know that this Full Moon is in the sign of Virgo and that Virgo's energies will effect anything we come across our daily life.

Only this is about February's Full Moon.  If you stand outside - take a quiet moment and listen...you can hear Mother Earth wakening from her slumber.  My flower beds are starting to stir under their blanket of soil and snow.  I sense a quickening.

Introspection

“I need to clean the house “– I tell myself as I see a nice layer of dust on everything.  I walk by the living room – “I need to move the furniture around – move the energy around”; the energy is feeling stagnant.  I get this sense of my body hurting, my knees crying just at the thought of moving furniture around – it feels like such a chore.  I also find my days are blending into the next – this I sense is also because of the stagnant energy.  Not necessarily negative, but not positive either.

Then a thought goes through my mind – after I’ve given the house a thorough cleaning, it feels like magick…practical magick.  No not the movie, but my own practical magick.  What I visualize as I’m cleaning, picking up, organizing drawers on the spot and maybe moving the furniture around to get the energy circulating again.  I like that my spirituality flows from me into the house; feeds the house spirits.

In July of last year, I lost my beloved Kobi and still to this day I miss him terribly and I am so sorry that I didn’t hold him during his last breath.  It is my biggest regret.  I should have been there with him, but I’m a coward – I admit it – I’m a coward.  I just couldn’t – the pain was more than this mother could swallow.  Kobi and I had our own language, our own way of conversing.  His companionship was beyond measure.

My point is this…every time I would leave the house I would say good-bye to Kobi and asked him to keep the house safe from intruders – astral or human.  I would tell him I’d see him after a bit.  After Kobi transitioned into his spiritual life, I found myself at a loss because he wasn’t there for me to say good-bye to.  Days would go by and I find myself lost as I left the house.  I would stop at the door with my hand on the door knob and think – what?  Now what?  What am I to say?  There’s no one here – Kobi isn’t here to say good-bye to, no one to protect the house.  I felt so ill at ease.  Driving away I would feel the sense of loss.  Finally one day I heard it…the house spirits.  They didn’t leave when Kobi left.  If anything they’ve really stepped it up.

I took the time one day to stop and open my senses and asked them to come forward so that I may say hello.  I knew they were there when Kobi was around, I expect in the back of mind I’ve known that they are always with me. They’ve simply been waiting for an acknowledgement.  Now, as I leave the house, I say good-bye to the house spirits which have kindly kept me and my husband safe from astral or human intruders – those not welcomed.  Upon my return, I open the door shout a greeting – I’m home!  Thank you for keeping the house safe – I’m grateful.  They’ve saved my ass too many times to mention.  Just recently by saving the house from burning down.   Even then I questioned.  I asked my sister, do you think this is what happened?  Were the Spirits trying to get my attention and without hesitation she said yes.  Okay then.

As I officially started on my chosen Spiritual path, I thought of “me” again.  As a mystic I’m always making it hard.  Giving it too much thought.  Simple is always best.  Magick is simple.  It’s how I (should) live my life daily and nightly.  These days I find my Self lost more than I like. 

I’ve had two members of my family needing healing and I just don’t help.  I thought, what color is the candle I need – what should I ask – it was too much work.  I gave it too much thought and lost my Self in myself again.  So I didn’t do anything.  They’ve struggled with their health issues and yet I do nothing.  What is wrong with me?

I’m lost again.  What am I to do? 

The Lady is starting to bloom – She in all her glory.  I started a ritual last night and thought what do I want to do?  I found myself questioning then I say to myself, “No, don’t question.  Just do.”

I took a peek at the Goddess last night.  Opened the front door and there she was – beautiful and bright.  A cold Full Moon…The February Full Moon.

I’ve read some insight to this Full Moon and I will try to do what I am supposed to do.  Why do I feel stupid when I show my reverence or do magick?  Why am I not centered? 
Why must I always question – where is my courage?  Why am I afraid to walk in grace?  Why do I always recall the scary things?  I know that magick has a light and dark.  I’ve read a phrase “Careful what you call – you have to be ready to accept what you call.”  I’ve always called the light into my life.  I also know that the dark is attracted to the light and when you call upon the light, the dark also listens.

It’s time I step up my communication with the Lady and Lord – show them that I’m still here.  I still need them to continue showing me the way to what my goal needs to be.

Writing.  That’s what crosses my mind more often than anything. I’ve always wanted to start a blog.  I’ve read what some of the great authors/teachers/mentors blog about and I know I am in their league.  The fear of how will people react to what I write; their critique – I know how I criticize or applaud their writings.

In meditation I will see what falls into place.