Over the last couple days, one of the email lists I belong to has been having a discussion that is, at least somewhat, related to spirits. Combine this with a large number of conversations I've had with my wife throughout the last couple weeks and... well... needless to say I have an urge to talk about spirits a bit. In particular I want to talk about how we, as witches can build relationships with them, and why such a relationship even matters.
Since I started down toward this path several years ago (October 1994 or 1995) I have only really come across two modern pagan paths that really work with anything that might be called spirits. Both of these have rolled into my life in the past few years. The first, heathenry, a collection of reconstructionist faiths based on the customs, myths and folklore of the preChristian Germanic peoples. The primary spirits of this faith are the old Gods and Goddesses of said people, their own dead ancestors and the spirits of the land on which they live.
The second path, the one I currently walk down, is the 1734 system of witchcraft. The spirits of this system, so far as I've yet seen, are largely found within the letters that Roy Bower's wrote to Joseph Wilson. A detailed account of said spirits is somewhat beyond the subject of this particular bit of rambling - though, in truth, they aren't all that different then the spirits of heathenry above.
In both these traditions relationships are built through a combination of means. Reading, giving and working. How much emphasis they both place on each of these is varied somewhat, but both use all three. 1734, no doubt, has a fair bit of oral teachings connected with it as well, but I've not been fortunate enough to have these passed my way. The first means, reading about the spirits/gods, builds an image in the mind. It creates a sense or what we are to be working with, which makes it easier for us to find our 'connection'.
Giving gifts to the spirits, usually done in the form of an offering of food and drink, helps us to begin building our relationship with said spirits. In traditional heathen beliefs, such offerings are often thrown into a fire as part of a community feast. A smaller, somewhat more personal, ritual can be found scattered throughout the letters Roy Bowers wrote to Joe Wilson and Norman Gills. Personally speaking, I usually leave such offerings outside under a tree. This is what feels right, based upon the spirits I work with, as it allows the critters to “carry it to them” - additionally I see all trees as symbolic of the world tree, connecting our world to the various spirit worlds. Thus it is a close as I can get to handing it to them personally.
Direct workings with spirits is generally done through trance work. At this time I have not had much experience with this level of work except through light trance. As such it is done mostly via feeling, with images adding to that at times. Here is where the relationship starts getting a little more personal. It is also here that I plan to build more understanding to perhaps share later.
In the meantime, I'm curious if anyone else has thoughts on the subject?
On reading my discussion above I noticed I didn't even touch on the idea of "why such relationships are even important". Consider that an area for future discussion.
12 comments:
Some interesting thoughts here. What you've written reminds me a great deal of Bhakti Yoga, the Way of Devotion. You might be interested in a little essay written from a Celtic Reconstructionist perspective that deals with similar motifs, its called KILLYOUANDEATYOU or, in my own words, how to get along with spirits.
LOL... The title alone has inspired me to read it.
Spirits frequent me very often. My grandfather said I'm a beacon for them, they sense my energy and come to see what I'm about. Aside from seeing them and hearing them (not conversationally) we don't interact. I don't know why. They approach me, but say nothing to me. I don't know if its me or them, but I'm working on my part.
I've had to banish only two of them, and had three shadowmen to deal with. None of them were pleasant.
My grandfather could see them, and talk with them as easily as he could anyone. I'm the only one in my family who has inherited this, tho I'm nowhere near as powerful as he was.
I believe you and I are discussing two different ideas. And, to be completely honest I tend to be very skeptical of tales like the one you're sharing.
When I was a child, I was told to keep my stories or "lies" to myself, that it was was rude to pretend there was something there that wasn't. When my grandfather used to tell me about the things he saw and the places he went, I thought he was crazy.
Skeptism is understandable. When my hubby and I first met he thought I was a bit.. hmm.. whats the word.. loony? But he soon saw for himself the odd things that happen around me and even though he can't see the same things I can, he knows they're there, since there is no other explanations for some situations.
So, then you're talking about the spirits of live beings?
Nope, to be honest I thought you were.
If I may ask, how did you find my blog?
A friend of mine suggested your site actually, before it was blogisized. I had it bookmarked for some time and when I checked on it again last night, I was brought to your blog.
So what kind of spirits were you talking about? If not those of the dead, or living.
I'm talking about spirits as I understand them. In this case they are the spirits contained in (or found from) the mystical system one chooses to work with.
In some instances these would be, of the living - land spirits being a good example. In others, like our ancestors, these would be of the dead.
Regardless, it's just my current running thought process, based on the experiences I've had to date. I'm not arrogant enough to believe it's absolute truth... it's just a step on the journey.
Hi Aedyn. Just stumbled on your blog whilst looking for a site not filled with fluffy bunnies and things which stick in my throat.
I live in Bristol UK. I am a 36 year old woman who is married and has two big fat rabbits.
I started down this path in about 1990 and ever since have been dipping in and out trying to find my way in to what I knew was in there somewhere. I tried all the books, all the ceremonies and rituals but it all felt wrong. I tried to connect with the gods and goddesses so often written about as being the witch's dieties, but none of them seemed to fit and I grew very disillusioned.
However just recently I found my connection and quite incredibly it came as a result of a book I am writing. Out of my head came this character. Yes I know what you're thinking (nutter!!!) but I could see him, hear him, knew his nature, and I thought he was great as he talked and did what he does in my book, but I hadn't got a clue who he was. I knew he was something pretty damn special though so I started digging and I found him. A perfect fit! Couldn't believe it. Had to continue searching to make sure. But sure enough he appeared over and over and over with everything I had been searching for.With regards to my goddess I stumbled on her too. Idly leafing through some rather nice cards I have when her card dropped out... twice! I thought she looked nice. Read about her a little but didn't think much more about it. I had become very cynical. At work got bored so did a little quiz and up she popped again. I took the quiz again. They usually give me different answers. What animal spirit am I? I'm everything from a mouse to Giraffe. But anyway this time it didn't, she popped up again as if to say 'Oye, numpty. Its me you're after!'
Nuts yet? Well, maybe I am but. I now have two dieties/spirits/divinities or whatever you would class them as who I feel so very at home with.
In terms of my connection with them, I'm afraid I go against the grain there. I don't do any specific ritual though I do find my morning meditate is the perfect opportunity to do so, as is my morning walk in the park. No ceremony, no special words. All I do is stop a while and let what is always with me speak to me.
For me the spirits are facets of what is all around us and sometimes what is nearest, what is attracted to us through similarity will make its presence known. Having gone through all the endless searching and disappointment and disillusionment, it has been a life changing experience. They are always there. They are my conscience, my morals, my love, hate, sorrow and joy. Sometimes I see them in objects and animals such as the crows that scoff all our fat cakes off the bird table whilst blue tits peck at nut feeders a few feet away, other times in the trees as the breeze catch the leaves and branches, in old ruins of buildings, in the sun as it rises as the rain as it sometimes drenches me as I walk to work. Always there, if I just take the time to look and listen and feel.
Well, these are my thoughts. Hope I haven't come across as being too insane.
Yours
Hazelmouse
I just found your blog through google hedgewitch search. It's good to see that someone is realizing that working with the spirits of both the land and ancestors an important subject. I am currently learning a path that requires travel to the other world and finding that my relationships with the spirits there are an important resource to understanding what is going on with the more subtler aspects of this world.
Both the Feri tradition and, in a different way, Kabbalah also involve spirit work. I'm not familiar with any other traditions besides Clan of Tubal Cain derivitives (including 1734), so I don't know beyond that.
~Muninn's Kiss
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