Odin’s Ordeal: 8/17-8/25

Odin, like the Greek Zeus, is the principle deity of the Norse pantheon. Spelled Odin, Odinn, Odhin, Othin or Odhinn; his name is derived from Old Norse meaning “wind” and “spirit”. One of his nicknames is “Thundur” which means “one who thunders” or “the stretched one”. Odin received this title after what we now call “Odin’s Ordeal” where, according to the Edda, he hung himself from the Tree of the World for nine days and nights.

The World Tree, also called Yggdrasil, is where Odin sacrificed himself in an initiatory manner to gain the knowledge of the Runes. For nine long days and nights, hungry, thirsty and in tremendous pain, he stared into the abyss after piercing himself with his own lance and sacrificing one of his own eyes.

The number nine is considered the most sacred in the Norse concept of numerology. Odin’s nine nights hanging from the World Tree also coincides with the nine nights it takes the human soul to travel to the Underworld. The Celts, who found the number three to be significant, felt that the power of three times three to be the most powerful as it multiplies to the sum of nine. Just like Odin did when he sacrificed himself, the Norse saw how the number nine always “gives itself to itself”. Take a look:

1 X 9 = 9

2 X 9 = 18 and 1 + 8 = 9

3 X 9 = 27 and 2 + 7 = 9

4 X 9 = 36 and 3 + 6 = 9

5 X 9 = 45 and 4 + 5 = 9

6 X 9 = 54 and 5 + 4 = 9

7 X 9 = 63 and 6 + 3 = 9

8 X 9 = 72 and 7 + 2 = 9

9 X 9 = 81 and 8 + 1 = 9

Odin’s passion for the knowledge of the Runes is what led himself to self-sacrifice and therefore brought the Runes to mankind. This sacred event is commemorated from August 17th, the first day hanging from Yggdrasil, to August 25th, when Odin spied the Runes and with the last of his energy, fell from the World Tree screaming and seized them.

The Spell

This spell is designed to be as simple as possible. You won’t need to make a run to the New Age Store for supplies, but you will need a few things:

Supplies:

* Something to work your spell for. Pick something that you need or want or desire. Perhaps you need a new job or a promotion at your current place of employment. Maybe you need a new car or to be able to fix the vehicle that you already have. Whatever it is that you need, you will be working towards it for nine nights in a row. The happy new is that you will not have to go through the same ordeal that Odin experienced!
* 9 candles; color and size of your choice (you might want to try tea-lights as they are inexpensive and do not burn very long so you don’t have to worry about leaving them unattended or relighting them)
* Peace, quiet and time (you will need time each night to meditate undisturbed). Also, try to perform this spell and meditate at the same time each night for maximum results.

On August 17th, light the first candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 1, on this night my spell’s begun.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the things that you need to start to change to meet your goal. If you need to, keep a notebook next to you to jot down any ideas that pop up.

On August 18th light the second candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 2, on this night I change my view.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on how you can re-program your thought processes to bring about the change that you desire. What have you been doing that has impeded your won growth? What can you do to get out of your won way? Again, have a pen and notebook handy just in case you need to make yourself a spiritual “to do” list.

On August 19th light the third candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 3, one this night I am set free.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on how you are throwing away all of your old concepts and you are opening yourself to the positive changes to come.

On August 20th light the fourth candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 4, on this night I open the door.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the fact that you have closed one door and you are ready to open a new one. Open the door, and learn what is on the other side that will aid you in your spell-working.

On August 21st light the fifth candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 5, on this night I come alive.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on how you are like a seed that has grown into a plant that is now blossoming and will bear fruit. Water yourself…give yourself fertilizer…feel the warmth of the life-giving sun…and watch yourself grow!

On August 22nd light the sixth candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 6, I stay vigil for mental tricks.”

Take nine deep breaths and mediate on how you may sabotage yourself. We all hate change, and sometimes we can set bear-traps to step into to impede our own progress. Find ways to keep yourself on track in spite of any roadblocks that may come your way.

On August 23rd light the seventh candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 7, I call in the power of Earth and Heaven.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the power of Mother Earth and Father Sky. Ask Them for Their help. Ask Them for their wisdom and guidance. You are Their child and They want to help you. However you see Them, have a “family meeting” as to how you can obtain your goal.

On August 24th light the eighth candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 8, I call in the power of the ladies of Fate.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the Norns, the three women that tend to Yggdrasil; who represent the past, present and future. Or, you could tap into the Fates, their Greek counterparts. Either will work. Chat with them about what in your past has lead to where you are today. Ask them what you are doing today that will lead you to tomorrow. Finally, ask them what you can do tomorrow that will bring about your desire in the future.

On August 25th light the last candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 9, what I’ve worked for is now mine.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the final outcome of your desire; what you’ve been working towards for the last eight nights. Set a date; make a deadline if you can. If you need to, use a calendar and a fire-engine red marker and make a big circle. See the image firmly in your mind. See how your life will change for the better after you have obtained your goal; how will it affect your environment?, your friends and family? or your day-to-day life? Take the time to set these images in your mind like cement or concrete.

Finally, say your thanks nine times to the Universe and go about making things happen!

Sources:

* Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum
* Lammas: Celebrating the Fruits of the First Harvest by Anna Franklin and Paul Mason
* Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries and Shamanism by Edred Thorsson
* Pagan Book of Days by Nigel Jackson
* Rune Mysteries by Silver RavenWolf and Nigel Jackson

www.thepowerteam.com

   In "Biblical times" it was common for people to perform miraculous fetes in the name of one's god(s) or church. The more powerful the god the more powerful the fete. This was known as Charismata. Churches that are apart of the Charismatic movement believe in the manifestations of the holy spirit, that is, the Charismata of old today. Some examples of this is deliverance and speaking in "tongues." By achieving these, for lack of better words, unique characteristics, these individuals and organizations are able to sway followers into their herd.
   The Power Team is an organization body builders whose claim to fame is their charismatic abilities of strength. They travel to various churches performing amazing physical fetes, like breaking bricks and bending bars, in the name of Christianity. This Power Team preaches that their abilities come from their belief in God, despite the immense training I'm sure their prowess entails. Unfortunately for them, the Shaolin Monks (and numerous others) have been performing these same spectacles and much more for the past forty years. Does this mean that I should be swayed to Buddhism because of their more powerful charismata?
   All of this relates back to the same psychodrama I have spoken of before. People believe they are filled with the presence of the holy spirit and start spouting out gibberish. By giving it a name doesn't make it any less ridiculous. True, Pagans are known to speak spells and ceremonies in different languages and even some Roman Catholics give service in Latin, but these are official and learned languages, not made up. Likewise, being able to break a brick with your hand requires physical and mental training, a state of psychosomatic presence that allows for your breakable body to become very unbreakable. Don't get me wrong, these fetes are still amazing, but understand the science behind it, and perhaps the spiritualism... just remove the religious mumbo-jumbo already.

7/26 Sleipnir’s Day: Aid with Meditational Journeys

Even if you are not familiar with the Norse Pantheon, most likely you have heard of Odhinn, the All-Father. Odhinn is the Shaman-King that travels through the three worlds on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir. These three worlds are known to the Norse and Celts as the Upperworld (Asgard to the Norse and the Sky/Star World to the Celts), the Middleworld (our world that we call Earth; Midgard to the Norse and Surface/Stone World to the Celts) and the Underworld (Utgard to the Norse and the Ocean/Sea World to the Celts).

Sleipnir could run on land, sea or air, which are the three worlds or three realms of the Tree of Life or World Tree of the Celts and Norse. The name for the World Tree among the Norse was Yggdrasil; “Yggr” being one of the names for Odhinn and “drassil” meant both “horse” and “gallows”. Sacrifices to Odhinn were hung on gallows, another version of the World Tree.

Another symbol associated with the shaman-horse Sleipnir is the Rune Eh (M) which means “horse”. “Eh” propels the soul through the Otherworlds, the other spheres of consciousness, so you can call upon his aid with meditation and journeys. Horses were considered sacred to the Norse and horses the color of cloud-gray were said to be one of the methods of travel for the Valkyries. Perhaps you could instill the aid of a Valkyries for your Otherworld journeys as well? The rune Eh can signify a mutual partnership as well as transitional movement, so it is not out of the question to be able to work with Sleipnir or the Valkyries.

July 26th is the day set aside by the Asutru to commemorate the death-steed Sleipnir.

THE SPELL:

This is a very simple spell to help you with your meditations. Many people struggle with meditating, so calling in a little extra help never hurts. If you are already familiar with meditation and journeying, then Sleipnir will be able to take you swiftly (he has eight legs after all) through the worlds and levels of consciousness, enhancing your meditation experiences.

If possible, do this spell and meditation outside with a real-life tree. If this is not possible die to weather or lack or privacy, then simply sit indoors and use your visualizing skills to imagine the World Tree before you.

Supplies: offering to Sleipnir (a nice offering for Sleipnir would be something that a horse would eat, perhaps some sugar cubes would be a nice treat? You need not place your offering at the gallows, instead the base of a tree would work just fine.). Offering to the tree (again, think of what a tree needs; perhaps some fertilizer or water to aid in its growth?).

Stand at a tree with your offering and say:

“I call to Odhinn’s eight-legged steed:

In hand I have _____ for you to feed.”

Place the offering at the base of the tree and say:

“I place this offering here at the Tree

In hopes of the partnership between you and me.”

Sit with your back propped up against the trunk of the tree. Mentally connect to the spirit of the tree and let it know that you wish to make a partnership so you can meditate and travel the three worlds of the World Tree. To show the spirit of the tree that you have good intentions, place your offering at the roots. If you wish, you can also draw the Rune Eh (shaped similarly to the capital letter “M”) in the air or on the ground to seal your “compact:” with the tree.

Now, simply begin your meditation. If it helps, visualize yourself riding on the back of Sleipnir, his gray mane flowing in the air, the hooves making a rhythmic sound that takes you deeper and deeper into a relaxed state. State the purpose of your meditation; what answers do you seek? Ask the Universe your question so you and Sleipnir can find the answers. Say:

“Shaman Steed of air, land and sea,

As I sit here beneath this tree;

Move me through the worlds of three,

Aid me on my shamanic journey.”

Close your eyes and go ahead with your meditation. When you come back to normal consciousness, move your fingers and toes, stretch and come to standing. Thank the tree and say:

“Cloud-Gray horse of the Valkyries,

Thank you for aiding my journeys.

Together we worked magick well

And this concludes my magick spell.

Stay if you will, and go if you must;

In perfect love and perfect trust.

By the power of threes times three,

As my will, so mote it be.”

SOURCES:

Animal Magick by DJ Conway

Pagan Book of Days by Nigel Pennick

Rune Mysteries by Silver RavenWolf and Nigel Jackson

Tree of Enchantment: Ancient Wisdom and Magic Practices of the Faery Tradition by Orion Foxwood

This Saturday, June 26th the Capricorn moon will undergo a partial eclipse beginning at 4:55am EST and ending 10:22am EST. This eclipse will be visible in the Pacific and parts of Australia, but those of us in the United States would be lucky to catch a glimpse as the moon goes down (get more details at http://www.astrologycom.com/partialeclipseJun26.pdf) . However, you can still make use of the energy of the lunar eclipse.

Throughout history, lunar eclipses have foretold change. This is an excellent time to perform a spell for change, or to do some divination. This eclipse combines the energy of the full moon in Capricorn and the sun in Cancer with the Earth's constant energy suggests that this is a good time to focus your magical energy on bringing about positive change related to the family, especially male family members or matters relating to the family business or any business proposition that will benefit the family unit. I will personally be working to help my husband find a better job, with better hours that will allow him to spend more time with the family (and more time jamming with our son!).

Just how does a lunar eclipse affect your magical workings? First, understand that lunar eclipses always take place during a full moon, so you are working with strong full moon energy. The lunar eclipse mimics a lunar cycle, what usually takes nearly a few months in just a few hours. This increases the power of your work by magnifying the energy of the full moon by the energy of the rest of a lunar cycle and can speed up the manifestations of your desires.

Midsummer Water Spirit Spell
Boudicca Andarta

Midsummer is considered a fire festival, but it is also a water festival as well. Rivers, lakes, wells and springs were considered holy and pilgrimages were made on this holy day to make offerings, solicit cures and work magick.

The magick people would work would either refer to nourishing the crops (Russia), granting fertility to childless women (Scotland) or ask for healing (England). In exchange for these, offerings of pins, flowers and coins were made to the Guardian Spirit or the Water Nymphs. This guardian was not always seen in human form; instead they would sometimes appear as a frog, mermaid, a winged serpent or a fly. In any form, the Guardian was honored and considered holy.

The reason that the aquatic site was held in such high regard is because it was thought that wells and springs issued form the womb of Mother Earth, the life-giving Goddess. Springs and wells like caves were through to be the entrance to Mother Earth’s womb; from which all life springs forth and all life must return to. Water from such sites were considered so holy that women would bathe in it (Sweden), it was drunk from a special vessel (England), sacrifices of treasure were made to it (Scotland) or flowers would adorn the site (England).

These practices lived on even after the church took ever the land. In Ireland, many wells that had been dedicated to the goddess Brighid were now under the domain of St. Brigit. In Britain, the goddess that was known by Anna, Annis or Anu had many wells as well, and these were “given” to St. Ann. Finally, Midsummer was also known as the festival of Sul Minerva, named after the goddess of healing springs that were located in modern-day Bath were Pagans would honor the spirit of the water.

The Spell

I am fortunate to live on land that has many natural springs, but not everyone is so lucky. That doesn’t’ mean that you cannot honor the Guardian Water Spirit where you live. Do you have a creek, river or lake in your area? Is there a campsite with one of those “old-fashioned” hand-pumps? Can you create a lovely water-fountain in your garden or buy a miniature one to place inside your house or apartment? Find whichever method works best for you and then prepare to make offering sin exchange for your special request.

Your request is up to you as this spell is not limited to fertility (children or crops) or healing, although you could work magick to “fertilize” your bank account or heal your debt in these uncertain economic times. Make yourself a list of what you will ask for from the Water Guardian Spirit and get your offerings ready.

Your offerings can be the traditional coins, flowers and pins, but feel free to use your imagination. You could buy some shell corn or bird seed as an offering to the animals and nature spirits. You could tie pretty ribbons to branches on a tree. You could even pant a tree, adding to the landscape. Think about what kind of offering is best suited for your environment and situation before making your decision.

Decorate your altar in the manner of your choosing. Adjust your decorations to fit working outdoors (think about the windy conditions) or working indoors. Midsummer is a fire festival, so let’s add that into the mix. After all, you can mix fire and water; fire-water or alcohol is considered a spirit isn’t it? Make sure to have a candle (indoor-working) or a Tiki Torch (outdoor-working and it can help to keep the bugs away!) lit during your magical working. But, all you really need is you, your wish-list and the water itself. If working indoors, place a bowl of water on your altar and if outdoors, being at the site of the water source is ideal.

Create Sacred Space or Cast Circle in a manner of your choosing. Then, make your statement of intent after you light your candle or torch:

“On this longest day of the year

Light and fire are king.

But on this day I also honor

The Goddess and the Spirit of the Spring.”

Place your offering upon the altar or at the aquatic site and say:

“From rain to creek to river to lake;

Water feeds humans and Mother Earth.

This I give to Guardian Spirit

For the Goddess giving life birth.”

Speak to the Mother Earth Goddess and the Water Guardian Spirit in your own words, respectfully requesting one-by-one the items on your wish-list. Explain form your heart why you need to remove or add these things in your life. Also, ask for guidance as to how you can make these things happen on the mundane level through physical means.

When finished, than the Goddess and the Water Guardian Spirit and say:

“Goddess and Guardian, my thanks to you

Pales aid me in the works I do;

For the good of all and With harm to none,

So say I, so shall it be done.”

Source: Midsummer: Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice by Anna Franklin