Our oracle card for October is the Hazel from a set of cards titled Portal to the Sacred Trees-A Celtic Oracle by Jane Burns. The illustrations are by Judith Bird. I have studied Celtic shamanism through Jane Burns’ programs on The Shift Network and have always loved her work.
Read MoreShamanic practice in its many forms include animals as spirit guides for a particular journey as well as guides that stay with you for life. Totems or fetishes are the physical representation of that animal that evokes the message of hope, support, and specific strengths a person can rely upon when needed.
Read MoreWhen I was in high school, yearbooks had captions under each senior’s name. One that was often used was “Music soothes the most savage beast, but I play the drum.” It is actually a misquote. The original was “Music has charms to soothe the savage beast. To soften rocks or bend a knotted Oak.” (Congreve).
Either way, the point was: there is a power to music, especially the drum, that goes back to ancient times. That power may express or incite anger, soothe, or even heal. The simple beat of a drum can do any or all of those. We might first think of the beat of a bass drum or the rat-a-tat of a snare drum in a parade or military marching band. The Scottish tattoo is classic as are other pipe and drum songs, like “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” Or we might think of the electrified drum beat of hard rock.
Read MoreThe notion that our healing and our happiness are in relationship to Nature and the beauty of the natural world is universal but also very Celtic.
Read MoreRituals are important. Many people have no tradition of ritual or access to helpful rituals in their lives. When crises come, it is so easy to feel helpless. It is hard to focus our energies, our good wishes, our faith. A ritual like the creation of a healing circle, the lighting of a candle or the singing of a song of hope can be surprisingly soothing AND ease to pull off.
Read MoreWinifred was venerated through stories of her ability to heal. Legend has it she was a 7th century princess who refused a powerful prince who then beheaded her. Her uncle restored her to life, and she became a virgin martyr and a 12th century saint.
Royalty and peasants alike visited through the centuries, for healing and thanksgiving. Fertility was also promised by the cleansing waters of its spring.
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