Sacred space is a place of transformation and or modification. And, in many cases, sacred space is a place of progress. It can be a moment in time of a craft of our own will. Furthermore, what is actually undertaken near sacred space and or sanctuary units the psyche with spirit, and body. Thus, the result of this union, within the inner-temple, leads to the opening up of peak experiences. Incidentally, self actualization naturally guides one into the journey of spirituality…again, spirituality is an energy that resides within the person. In particular, peak experiences are moments of personal-illumination…and this brings one into a complete unification of consciousness. For in these moments of solitude and or deep meditative thought a personal energy heals and thus becomes ego-transcending; releasing one’s own free-will into a flow of luminous possibilities and calm.

To cultivate spirituality, a good self-concept is crucial. A favorable self-concept is considering yourself as an honorable person, worthy of an enjoyable life…and in a position of attaining it. Creating a valuable belief concerning our external or even internal self lets us discover… with our inner spiritual nature…so that, in the long run, we believe that we are a all-powerful being.

Affirmations can be doneinwardly, voiced aloud, put into writing, chanted, said in the form of spells and or prayers. Sometimes, I sing my affirmations with music. Incidentally, that is why I feel music reaches one in a spiritual level…when it moves you in the right way. Furthermore, the proper environment with the right’ energy that is in-tune with the goals of the working(s) is important.

Success with affirmations depends upon utilizing the three-fold key-think about the meaning, create a visualization for this meaning and feel how you will feel when the hoped for goal is consistently happening in your life. In WitchCraft this three-fold key/law does the following; you raise the energy (meditation), program the energy(tell the energy what you want it to do-using affirmations), and direct the energy(visualizations). When you begin directing the energy…continue to program it, while you visualize it doing what you want to do. Affirmations must’ be repeated five to ten times a day, in your mind. Ultimately, let it go…and know that it’ is working.

Magikal Blessings…

CreoleMoon

I have a lot of questions on how one starts the journey of self-knowledge? How does one start the exploration into the “Craft” of self-awareness? Incidentally, in my previous post, I posed the question…how does one find that true-self within the cave? I would like to pick up from there. I can share my own experience with you.

I have many guides(deities) and or archetypes (personified fields) that I journey and identify with in order to enhance my psycho-spiritual-growth. The psychic contact (cosmic being) that I fuse with ,and or vibe’ with becomes a “numinous energy” that helps me develop further empathy, compassion, honor,and reason for myself and others. Incidentally, when I attach my consciousness into the archetype(s) the union creates a certain energy-field that penetrates my collective unconsciousness and finds my hidden and higher-self. The former is an example of remolding one’s subconscious. Consequently, in order to feed’ such a strong energy-field, the subconscious, it takes dedication, a flow of magnetic mental force. One can use affirmation(s) and or tantra(s) to begin to tap’ into self-awareness and or the inner-path. Observation…is the first awakening of the soul…learn to concentrate on the mind.

Remember, archetypes typically operate unconsciously but we can become aware of them and interact with them consciously, as with defenses. One must’ intentionally focus on the healing of self-psyche by tapping into the inner-resources and or phenomenal field our “temple” holds for us. Furthermore, our yearning for self-concept,self-worth and or self-actualization…is the driving force behind that push to experience oneself in a way that is consistent with one’s conscious view of what one is…thus the built-in motivation’. Spirituality resides within the person. Only then, can peak experiences and or trance being occur… I like the saying, moments of personal-illumination… a complete unification of consciousness. For in these moments of solitude and or deep meditative thought…a personal energy heals and thus becomes ego-transcending; thus releasing one’s own free-will. I practice the former daily via centering and or drawing down the moon’. By doing the former, I connect to my inner-power! Over the next few post…I will send out Power Affirmations…that I can only hope… will continue to spark an awakening within your being…

Blessed be,

CreoleMoon

Notes: My inspiration for this piece was Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami

Dualism is the conception that our mind (psyche) is more than just our brain. This belief incorporates that our mind has a non-material entity, a spiritual dimension (our soul), that embodies multiple levels of healing cosmic-conscious energy. For example, the spirit, psyche, and the body are but the various expressions of one undivided substratum of consciousness…that the altered and spiritual states of consciousness, personality structures and developmental changes can be associated with the particular forms of embodied awareness, mainly the awareness of the subtle energies of the body–and be biochemically and anatomically associated with the body.

Correspondingly, Philosopher Rene Descartes suggested that the mind interacts with the body at the pineal gland, which to him, was the seat of the soul and or the point of interaction; similarly, this epiphysis is known as the “third-eye” (Ajna) in Psychosomatic Mysticism’, such as kundalini and the chakra system. I am inclined to fuse with the implication of “The Individual Analogy.” More specifically, I agree with the theoretical process of spontaneous philosophical reflection as a course in understanding the connection in psycho-spiritual development.

For example, the individual becomes logical or reflective when s/he becomes aware’ that the material of their experience is not at once and immediately available in the form in which they take to be real-as body, soul, truth, etc…but that they have to work by means of their consciousness, by the instrumentality of their memories, ideas, and concepts; in short, the person interprets the data’ presented in their consciousness, and thus establishes results that they find fit to be trusted and acted upon; for, this is reflection (Baldwin, 1913).

I find further interest in the connection between one’s imagination’ as a passage to accessing the cosmic-self. The reason being, I strongly agree with the conception of being able to leave the realm of the actual, thereupon, opening up a Supreme Consciousness’ and an Infinite Creative Energy‘ (Shiva and Shakti).

Consequently, identity development is an enduring metamorphosis journey between the ego-self and the virtues higher-self. It is a passage that can best be compared to the fighting spirit of the butterfly. The physical aspects and forms of the butterfly teaches you the meaning of metamorphosis during the four stages of it’s life. Metamorphosis is the more than physical change that happens between the stages of caterpillar and butterfly. During it’s first life, an egg hatches and the larva is born, growing into a pubescent caterpillar. As an earthbound creature, the caterpillar crawls along the ground. After the completion of it’s life as a caterpillar, a great change will occur. The caterpillar larva will begin to weave and an entire new life will begin. The caterpillar encases itself in a chrysalis that becomes a chamber for it’s metamorphosis into a butterfly. The caterpillar knowingly chooses to die. Similarly, the human being must allow their ego self to die, in order to become the spirit that was meant to be. Again, the butterfly knows that change is a simple part of life, necessary in order that one may grow greater. So willingly the caterpillar pupae builds the chrysalis, it’s own tomb and it’s first life comes to an end. Much like a teenage boy becoming a man or a teenage girl becoming a woman, not only do butterflies have to change physically, leaving childhood behind, they have to go through a spiritual change, through the acceptance of a conviction to fulfill their destiny, identity achievement; this occurring when an individual has gone through an exploration of different identities and made a commitment to one. They know they need to change but have no idea what they will change into, moratorium; the status of a person who is actively involved in exploring different identities, but has not made a commitment. During this time the teenager, lays around and dreams change too. In the chrysalis the pupae, much like the male or female in transition, must choose to be transformed. In the same manner, reflecting back on Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development; In each stage, Erikson believed people experience a conflict that serves as a turning point in development. In Erikson’s view, these conflicts are centered on either developing a psychological quality or failing to develop that quality. This is a psychosocial approach where development is unconscious and an outcome of the inner workings of the mind. The heart speaks and communicates through the language of intuition. And, when one gives themselves permission to deeply feel and connect with the flow of energy within… transformation begins.

May you access your Higher-Self in order to CREATE the self you long to be…

CreoleMoon

References

Baldwin, M. J. (1913). The interpretation of dualism. History of Psychology:
A Sketch and an interpretation In C.D. Green (Ed.) , Classics in the
History of Psychology (Vol. I, Chapter 7). Toronto: York University.
Louchakova, O. & Warner, A. (2003). Via kundalini: psychosomatic
excursions in transpersonal psychology. The Humanistic Psychologist, 31 ( 2-3), 115-158.

Phytotherapeutics is healing through plants, either in whole food form or in the form of standardized extracts and supplements for healing purposes. It is herbal medicine used to heal and restore balance. It involves the use of herbs, aromatic essential oils, herbal and floral extracts. Phytotherapy uses cell signaling to affect our bodies early on in the processes of disease and imbalance. Responses within our cells that originate from the plant world are known as phytocrine. And, phytocrines are the bioactive molecules in plants that share features with our own hormones. The other important aspect of phytotherapy is that cells of our body and the plant molecules can communicate. In communicating with the plant molecules in herbal therapies, our body can oftentimes get what it needs, thus, the adaptogenic effect. Phytotherapy is both historically significant, and backed by solid research and science. It is a massive area of medicine that cannot be written off or dismissed as being merely an “alternative” method.

Plants hold truly amazing healing properties. The study of plants for medicinal purposes led to what we now know as pharmaceuticals. Herbal medicine has been used in many cultures for centuries. It has been recorded that large amounts of garlic were given to Egyptian builders when they were constructing the pyramids in order to prevent them from contracting malaria. Garlic has strong antimicrobial properties that have been used extensively through history. In addition, the bark of the cinchona tree is a source of quinine which menthol can be extracted. Menthol has properties which make it suitable for use as a local anesthetic and it also has counter-irritant qualities.

Thus, phytotherapy takes a different approach from conventional  allopathhic medicine in classifying and treating medical problems. Its key principle is based on a natural approach to healing by aiming to stimulate the body’s defense mechanism and processes to prevent or treat illnesses.

Phytotherapy treatment is individualized (tailored to each person). Health is the state of harmony between the body, mind, and spirit. Disturbance of harmony results in disease which is expressed in the form of signs and symptoms. In every case of a disease, a person gives two types of symptoms – Common and Uncommon. Common symptoms are those symptoms which are found in most cases of a particular disease, whereas uncommon symptoms reflect the individuality of a patient. This is the basis for the individualizing each client in phytotherapy.

The mind and emotions are also considered in treating the client in phytotherapy. Phytotherapy practitioners select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including not only symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other factors. Through treatment, not only are the symptoms removed, this usually means drainage…removing the effects of metabolic and environmental toxins, but the mind also becomes calm and peaceful.

Again, herbal medicine is the treatment of illness using whole plant material (in the form of tinctures, teas, capsules, creams, ointments, essential oils, etc) It is a folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy. Herbal medicine remains the oldest and most used form of medicine on the planet today. Every culture on the planet has their own herbal medicine system. The modern herbalist may utilise medicinal plants from all over the world, in the context of a health philosophy incorporating modern and traditional concepts and knowledge.

Aromatherapy is a specialized complimentary medicine system, which uses naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants, flowers, leafs, seeds, barks and fruits to balance and harmonize the body at all levels – physical, emotional and spiritual. The idea of Aromatherapy is based on the positive response of our bodies when exposed to some kinds of smells, or when treated with aromatherapy organic essential oils. When the body is massaged with specially prepared aromatherapy massage oils our breath takes about 15% of the air to the roof of the nose, where olfactory receptors transport odors straight to the brain. This process stimulates the release of beneficial chemical within the body responsible for healing any bodily imbalance. Additionally, when directly absorbed into the bloodstream, these essential oils also improve the overall health, beauty and hygiene.

Four approaches to the use of plants as medicine include:

1. The magikal/shamanic

Almost all non-modern societies recognise this kind of use. The practitioner is regarded as endowed with gifts or powers that allow him/her to use herbs in a way that is hidden from the average person, and the herbs are said to affect the spirit or soul of the person.

2. The energetic

This approach includes the major systems of TCM, Ayurveda, and Unani. Herbs are regarded as having actions in terms of their energies and affecting the energies of the body.

3. The functional dynamic

This approach was used by early physiomedical practitioners, whose doctrine forms the basis of contemporary practice in the UK. Herbs have a functional action, which is not necessarily linked to a physical compound, although often to a physiological function, but there is no explicit recourse to concepts involving energy.

4. The chemical

Modern practitioners – called Phytotherapists – attempt to explain herb actions in terms of their chemical constituents. It is generally assumed that the specific combination of secondary metabolites in the plant are responsible for the activity claimed or demonstrated, a concept called synergy.

Dynamic Phytotherapy is used for most conditions and for people of all ages. Homeobotanical remedies are made from herbal tinctures. Homeobotanical potions use flower, and herb essences. Thus, components are botanical extracts and tinctures that are employed in both the herbal and homeopathic manners. Each homeobotanical formulation focuses on an organ or system of the body. The various components initiate healing responses over a broad spectrum of symptoms that are active within the self. The body has an innate intelligence that responds only to a well indicated remedy-the basis of homeopathic action. Thus, within the wide range of actions possible from the many components in a personalised homeobotanical prescription, the self ‘s own homoeostatic responses determine the healing action.

Most modern herbalists concede that pharmaceuticals are more effective in emergency situations where time is of the essence. An example would be where a patient had an acute heart attack that posed imminent danger. However they claim that over the long term herbs can help the patient resist disease, and that in addition, they provide nutritional and immunological support that pharmaceuticals lack. They view their goal as prevention as well as cure.

CreoleMoon

I am often asked, “What is Witchcraft, and how does one become a Witch? Who is goddess, and do you believe in god?” I respond, “I’ve always been a Witch!” Consequently, following the path of Witchcraft is a personal spiritual journey…lead by spiritual intelligence (s) . I further explain that knowing goddess and or god is not some “person” removed from self; goddess and or god is a personal “energy” of multiple intelligence that gives us power over our own destiny and thoughts of wisdom; guiding and blending our psyche and spirit into an intrapersonal union.

Of course, a lot of people travel through life never really knowing how to connect to their personal power that belongs to the essence of who they are. Incidentally, through my own self-cultivation, I have come to understand that the first “key” to unlocking one’s quest toward self-actualization is developing an understanding of one’s own psycho-spiritual temple. Thereupon, the metamorphosis of self can begin.

Similarly, my own journey to further understand my psychological and spiritual choices has naturally led me into the study of Esoteric Magik. I have been aware of my calling since I was about 7 years old. I can remember making my first holy communion and coming home that day literally riding my broom in my backyard…still dressed in white. I often look back on that picture with wonder…because I realize that magik I connect with so much now…was starting to become my own Witch’s brew. Subsequently, my spiritual journey into Witchcraft helped develop, nurture, and explore new types of consciousness that have healed me internally. The knowledge I have gained through the “Craft” has turned my whole being into a supernova of contineous possibilities. As a result, I am living within a labyrinth of consciousness; aiming to further understand the inner world of my human soul and dimensions. The awareness I have gained while searching for self has made one of several discoveries apparent; certain experiences in life alter our perception and change us forever.

As I continue to find my true self, my whole psyche is intoxicated off of an elixir of divine energy. In the same manner, in the past, as well as present, my best tutors have been my karma and free will; how I’ve reacted to positive and negative situations while on my journey. Thus, the challenges I met were, and still are, my greatest teachers. Moreover, what has helped guide me in my choices has been that “personal power” I spoke of earlier, accessed through Witchcraft. For example, this magikal practice moves natural and harmonious energies, one’s true self, to effect and create needed change. Witchcraft follows the cosmic law that all deeply felt desires will ultimately create the means for their realization; and these desires are essentially a mixture of thoughts and feelings, thus, one’s creative energies. Incidentally, as an artist, I tap right into this reality of self-expression.

Ultimately, the process has helped me discover who I am and why I am here on mother-earth. Furthermore, I willfully share this knowledge with my homeschooled children, my husband and I call’ it Pagan Homeschooling via Creolemagik. Incidentally, when my husband and I decided to homeschool our children, we knew that our main goal was to instill a strong sense of self into their psyches. We want them to make the connection between their physical bodies and their cosmic selves…between the moon and the stars…the sun and the earth…between the elements of air and mind, fire and change, between water and emotion…you know…all I see is part of me! There is no need to seek outside of self to find peace…it lies within…that is our family motto. For our family, “Witchcraft curriculum” involves healing, nurturing, evolving ones mind, body, and spirit…and most importantly, a ‘vitality’ philosophy…just to name a few!

The magikal world, to me, is this very projection of natural energies (such as personal power) …all to bring about that needed change. That magik is the balance created between mind, body, and spirit.

Consequently, in my own discovery of self I have come to understand and accept my different spiritual insights. I never was in the broom closet about the energy that dances within me. It still swirls and conjures up pure Fire! However, the older I have become…the more I have appreciated the ability to really know and find myself. Hence, I’ve dedicated myself to awakening the divinity within myself and my children…well …helping them find their own light is more what that guidance is about…I also find strength in helping others. My method (s) have been motivation and intention…and trust in what I say that those gifts go very far when desire and passion are wrapped up within one’s innate intelligence.

Thus, my knowledge and interest in Witchcraft evolved naturally. The reason being, through my own journey, I have come to appreciate that being a Witch focuses in on body, mind, and spirit connections for self-healing and expression, going beyond the personal ego to unfold the enneagram. My interest and burning desire to understand the thought process behind the archetype (s) of the psycho-spiritual self and its underlying behaviors, in regard to motivation, intention, self-expression, and becoming one with the divinity within, in order to heal this vessel, drives me to pursue my goals each day.

I have come to know that the physical world is one of many realities and that it is not the absolute highest expression…one’s Spirit is an ultimate force to unfold. I mean one of the most important and foremost priorities is to love thy self…you must start there…to accept oneself is a precious gift.

Ultimately, as a consequence of my spiritual and emotional intelligence, I feel the reality I continue to choose will answer my inner needs and desires, not the impositions of others. I aspire, each day, to further illuminate my inner light of imagination, self-actualization, self-determination, intellect, and divinity. This is psycho-spiritual growth, and, to me…what Witchcraft is to be.

Blessed be…

CreoleMoon Littlefoot

Essay Published in the Witche’s Voice  (WitchVox)2010

I am often asked, “Why do I call myself a Witch or practice witchcraft?” I simply say, “I have always known that I was a witch…a practitioner of Earth and or Natural Magick”. I have always known witchcraft as a path that draws primarily on the Element of Earth and the honor of Nature. A path composed of the elements Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

Incidentally, it was not until I was much older, than that young child, that I realized what the “magick” aspect of witchcraft was molding my psyche into. You see, the magick that I hold so dear projects my natural energies (such as personal power); all to bring about that needed change. In psychoanalytic terms,  ”Transpersonal Psychology” in this instance, that magick is the balance created between mind, body, and spirit. Consequently, magick is a natural, not supernatural, practice.

In regard to the Elements, I speak of more than just the physical elements. For example, each element symbolizes our physical, spiritual, and emotional attributes.

Consider each element is their natural state; thus, examining within yourself what spiritual and or emotional aspect you connect with them. For example,

• AIR is the element of the mind. It stimulates intellect, inspiration, and imagination. It contains the ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes. Air aids us in visualization, a technique that is very important in magick.
• FIRE is the element that promotes change and passion. It cultivates creativity, motivation, will power, drive, and sensuality. Fire encourages sexuality, both physical and spiritual. Fire governs all candle magick.
• WATER is the element of emotion and subconscious. It is love, purification, intuition, compassion, family, and mysteries of self. Water accentuates psychic ability.
• EARTH is the element of stability and of the body. It contains the wisdom, strength, growth, and prosperity in each of us. Earth Fosters the physical earth and the very heart of life.
• Spirit is that which permeates all things…It connects us to each-other…to the divine-energy.

So you see, being a Witch and practicing Magick is a Positive! It is a path of self-knowledge, a path of peace and light.

Blessed Be,

CreoleMoon

Green Witch