It is common for individuals to question whether they should have a practitioner make a spiritual bath for them or do it themselves. While it is possible to make a spiritual bath on your own and incorporate it into your spiritual routine, it is vital to understand the significance of having a experienced practitioner to help you when dealing with particular situations and the energetic forces that surround them.
While both energy vampires and parasites drain energy from people, they differ in their sources. Energy vampires draw energy from external sources such as their environment or the people around them, while parasitic vampires drain energy from within.
Parasitic energy attachments are particularly interesting because these are self inflicted attacks, self sabotage being one instance. When we talk about parasitic energy attachments, we are referring to the negative energies that we can attract to ourselves through our own thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Self sabotage is one example of how we can unwittingly invite these energies into our lives. When we engage in self sabotage, we are essentially blocking our own blessings and path to success and fulfillment. This can manifest in many different ways, such as procrastination, negative self-talk, depression and engaging in harmful reckless behaviors.
Parasitic vampirism is a unique phenomenon that occurs when an individual feeds off their own energy, leading to a draining effect on their mental and emotional well-being. Unlike traditional psychic vampirism that involves an individual feeding off another's energy, parasitic vampirism is self-inflicted. This condition often stems from negative self-talk and low self-esteem, causing the individual to engage in self-criticism and self-sabotaging behaviors that drain their own energy, leaving them feeling depleted.
Breaking the cycle of parasitic vampirism requires recognizing these behaviors and working towards developing self-love and acceptance.
These actions create a entity that we ID(ENTITY) OR IDENITFY with by way of our actions and perceived character. These types of energies can linger and attach itself to us, making it harder to break out of the cycle of self sabotage. It's important to recognize these patterns and behaviors to take steps to address them, whether through therapy, self-reflection, or other means of personal development and self mastery. By doing so, we can release these parasitic energy attachments and move towards a more positive and fulfilling life.
One of the benefits of having a experienced practitioner create a spiritual bath for you is that they can bring a different level of energy, life force, Ase to your energy field and a neutral intention to help shift your perspective and experience your own healing
. If you're feeling particularly blocked or stagnant, having someone else perform the bath can help to break up any negative energy that may be lingering. Additionally, working with someone who is experienced in spiritual practices can provide a sense of support that can be difficult to achieve on your own if your not self empowered.
The function of Bees in our ecosystem is astounding and remarkable as they support the continued growth of trees, flowers, plants and our food. Bees contribute so much to many interconnected ecosystems which allows them to coexist according to universal law.
Bees and honey are rooted in many mythological stories related to everlasting life, love and attraction. It is the universal symbol for lust and seduction and used for all of its bountiful expressions in rituals, health and wellbeing.
Honey is a known aphrodisiacal elixir and was prescribed by Hippocrates to his patients for sexual arousal and stamina.
The land of flowing milk (semen) and honey (vaginal fluid) is metaphoric of the divine feminine body, sexual union and everlasting Muse as King Solomon Poetically proclaimed.
Your lips distil nectar, my bride;
Honey and milk are under your tongue
-Song of Solomon
The Egyptians, Greeks and Persians were known to have used honey to preserve bodies and objects to secure arrival in the afterlife and a essential ingredient for rites, rituals and offerings.
Honey is a potent preserver used to "seal" and "preserve" when used in magical rituals. There have been over 4,000 year old artifacts found preserved with honey, so it's safe to say honey jar spells and rituals predates many of what we thought to be "new age" by many millennia. Which leads me to think, you better be sure whatever person or thing you want to put in a honey jar, know that its a "Foreva, eva" type thing when honey is involved.
Honey libations are more ancient than those of wine or meade. Honey was known to intoxicate long before wine, meade and wine coolers existed and was the preffered drink of the Gods.
"It suggest that the bee was conceived of as a creature that could cross the boundaries between different realms and mediate between the world of the divine and the world of humans, serving as a liminal creature with strong associations with ancient earth goddesses and the will of Zeus."
https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/handle/1773/33129
Book: The Sacred Bee- Hilda Ransome
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/#:~:text=The%20ancient%20Egyptians%20offered%20honey,a%20topical%20ointment%20(31)
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-behind-honeys-eternal-shelf-life-1218690/
Ways to use our Herbs
∴ Place herb in a mesh or sheer sachet bag and use in bathwater or hang over shower for aroma + hydrotherapy
benefits & allow the steam to diffuse the properties.
∴ A Sachet can be placed in closets, dresser drawer and car compartments for its magical and aromatic properties.
∴ Add to an aroma lamp or potpourri warmer ( candle or electric ) with some water or natural oil. Example: Jojoba Oil
∴ Use it for Magick / Spells / Ritual in any way
∴ “Dress” candle by sprinkling herb to any candle to enhance any ritual
∴ Use dried herb on Hot Charcoal Disk, and burn the dried herbs to cleanse & purify your space
∴ Put a sachet under your pillow or by your bed to ward off negative energy & nightmares.
Watch Our YouTube Tutorials:
]]>
Ever since memory I have always been fascinated with all things associated with the sea. Sea horses, mermaids, dolphins and of course seafood. There are many things I love about the sea but truly one of the most fascinating things about the sea I have always been intrigued with is the cowry shell. Not only is the cowrie shell very versatile but also has a very long and rich history throughout many cultures and basically the entire world. Cowry Shells have been known to be used for an array of purposes such as currency, divination purposes, adorning hair, clothing and of course my favorite, jewelry.
Cowry shells at one point was the main currency throughout the entire world. Throughout Africa, Asia, to the natives in the Americas cowry shells served it’s purpose to promote commerce for quite a long time and everyone has become familiar with cowrie shells in one form or the other.
Cowrie shells have also been used extensively throughout history for many esoteric and spiritual purposes. In many parts of the world throughout ancient Egypt, Polynesia, Africa, the Americas, to India and Europe the cowrie shell was considered to be very sacred and known to protect against the evil eye, negative influences as well as represent renewal, and the feminine energy. Many considered it to be charms for fertility and as healing amulets as well.
“Its name derived from Kauri, who was the same of Kali Cunti Yoni of the Universe, the cowrie shell everywhere represented the divine vulva and usually conveyed the idea of rebirth.” -Barbara G. Walker
Cowry shells can be a great addition to any wardrobe or jewelry piece and has even been seen on the runway, when John Galliano designed for Christian Dior, a beautiful collection for spring of 2009. According to Galliano he was inspired by his memories and trips throughout Africa in which he managed to turn into gorgeous and everlasting pieces.
I personally own many cowrie shell pieces from belts, necklaces and of course earrings I design and make myself. One of my favorite cowrie pieces is this H&M cowry belt I bought 6 years ago for 12 bucks. It still looks the same and makes any outfit stand out.
Cowry shells and I have been very creative for quite sometime, recently my creative juices have been flowing and I have gotten back into more creations for this coming summer. I will soon be posting a giveaway including a pair of earrings and some goodies to 3 Lucky winners! So stay tuned so you can see how creative cowrie shells and I can be.
Overall the Cowrie is a beautiful and natural element with many connections and meaning to many around the world. You can basically use cowries for anything, you can glue them on, sew them on or simply have them around since they are so interesting to look at and versatile to decorate with.
As a kid I would have some very vivid and eventful dreams. There are still dreams from my childhood that I remember to this day. Even now as an adult I remember my dreams, not as often as I used to as a care free kid, but nonetheless I have my share of dream stories to tell. Sleep is often overlooked as a form of self care and dare I say, spiritual as well. Through your dreams you're able to not only rest your mind and body but, you're also able to put to rest your conscious mind and activate your subconscious mind.
The myth is the public dream and the dream is the private myth. -Joseph Campbell
The famous brain pickers and Freudian psychoanalysts speak of our dreams as aspects of our conscious mind trying to resolve itself via the subconscious (dreams). Through your subconscious mind you can work through the emotions that you may be repressing, neglecting or forgetting. So its safe to say we aren't really resting after all if we're also working through emotions by our subconscious mind, Oh, to be human, sigh...
Throughout history, cultures and many biblical stories, dreams are vessels to different realms, perspectives and messages.
Dreams aren't' only to work out our everyday mundane mortal habits, but also to tap into our greatness by way of messages, visions and inspirations as well. On the same analytical aspect that we perceive that our dreams can help us solves many of our mundane and spiritual misalignments, our dreams can also help us reveal our greatest potential.
"In ancient Egypt, as far back as 2000 BC, the Egyptians wrote down their dreams on papyrus. People with vivid and significant dreams were thought to be blessed and were considered special. Ancient Egyptians believed that dreams were like oracles, bringing messages from the gods. They thought that the best way to receive divine revelation was through dreaming and thus they would induce (or "incubate") dreams. Egyptians would go to sanctuaries and sleep on special "dream beds" in hope of receiving advice, comfort, or healing from the gods."-1991. languages of dreaming : Anthropological approaches to the study of dreaming In other cultures. In Gackenbach J, Sheikh A, eds, Dream images: A call to mental arms. Amityville, N.Y.: Baywood.
Some of the most iconic inventions were discovered, created or manifested by way of dreams. Many biblical stories speak of messages, predictions by way of dreams and there are many studies, theories in the field of dreams.
So why is it ideal to have a connection with our dreams? Simple, its a intimate and unique way we can observe how certain symbols show up in our lives.
In order to remember your dreams and make use of the messages you receive in your dreams, you have to prioritize SLEEP & REST. So funny, because as I type this it is way past midnight and I'm enjoying my night owl moment, oh the irony.
In either case, I have noticed how much I'm able to not only dream, but also remember my dreams enough to write them down once I get enough consistent sleep and rest. If I'm very stressed, tired and exhausted I can go weeks without remembering my dreams. This is important for me to take notice of because I typically rely on my dreams for messages and creative inspirations.
So how can one create a space for astral travel and dream recall?
Keep a cup of fresh water by your bedside or under your bed to bring clarity, tranquility, & peace. This is especially useful for those who have difficulty falling asleep or sleeping throughout the night, can't remember their dreams, experiences nightmares or simply want to promote clarity and balance.
Water is a conduit to portals and transporter and collector of infinite information.
Working with water:
The Evil Eye or Mal de Ojo jewelry are protection amulets that are made and worn to protect against the side effects of the evil eye.
Talismans, Charms and Amulets are terms used interchangeably, but each one has its own intended purpose and versatile in its use. It can be a necklace, bracelet or earrings you wear or a charm bag you keep in your purse, or a Talisman you keep at your door, they all have a purpose and use for the everyday mystical man or woman and even children!
∴ Talismans
Talismans are objects that are charged to influence powers and energy typically for a specific objective or goal. For example, a business owner may place a Talisman over his main doors to attract new customers.
∴ Amulets
Amulets are made for protection against evil and negative energy. Most common amulets are the Hamsa Hand or the Evil Eye. Its energy is to repel, push away, break free from and banish.
∴ Charms
Charms are used for success, abundance, love and to attract positive influences. The energy of charms is to pull and bring good energy to you, such as a “Lucky” charm.
]]>
]]>
Santería: The Religion, Faith, Rites, Magic
By Migene González-Wippler
Babalu Aye has a major impact on his devotees in the sense that many people provide all kinds of offerings to him. These offering are not limited to things and foods, but also self sacrifice physically during pilgrimages. In Cuba, some make the journey for many miles on their knees, while others add blocks and chains to their ankles making the journey a lot more difficult.
This is to show their adoration, gratitude or repentance to him in return for his blessings & answering prayers by curing/saving them of illnesses and granting miracles.
Traditionally Babalu Aye is depicted as wearing sack cloth which is to symbolize discomfort and pain to the person wearing it, which irritates the skin. It is also a symbol for repentance and suffering to the wearer. This sack cloth is also known as a cilice.
Followers of Babalu Aye affirm many feats of miracles and lessons through suffering. He also reminds us to be giving to those less fortunate and reminds us the value to health over material gains. He releases pain and suffering for those battling diseases, especially terminal diseases and ensures a smooth transition into death. He also teaches lessons to those who may have little regard for their health as the body is your sacred temple and at times we do not realize what we have until its too late.
Offerings and Altar set up for Babalu Aye
If you or anyone you know is suffering with any health issues you can call upon Babalu Aye for assistance. Below I will show you a few basic and optional items you can offer Babalu to help you get through any health difficulties.
This is also ideal for healers or care takers to further enhance their powers and gain favor of this deity when working with others through their healing process.
Sack Cloth or Burlap Fabric
All offerings are preferably placed on sack cloth or burlap you can purchase at most craft stores or visit your local market where most vegetables like sweet potatoes, etc are transported in sack cloth.
Traditionally, offerings of grains for Babalu Aye are placed in a Jicara (dried Guira/Calabash fruit that has been halved) as a vessel for his offerings of grains. This can also be used to hold water as an offering to any Orisha. If you’re unable to locate, a wooden bowl will also do.
Grains + Onion
His principal offerings are dried grains & roasted corn. Primarily black eyed peas or black beans, although any color or type of grain can be provided. A purple onion is placed on the middle of the grains. The grains represents the human body, nourishment while the onion is known to repel and extract odors and illness related energies from the environment.
Liquids
Rum, red wine, coconut syrup or (Coquito) are some of the liquid offerings that can be provided to Babalu Aye. In addition to coffee and water and even soda pop is what I personally offer to my altar.
Herbs
The mentioned herbs can be used as an aura bath or as a floor wash for the room or home of the sick person this offering is dedicated to.
Bay Leaves; Broom Camphor; Clove; Carnation; Ginger; Heliotrope; Pine Nuts; Poppy Seed; Rosemary; Rue; Sag;e Sesame Seeds; Thistle are the herbs related to this Orisha.
Candles
Colored candles are Bablu Aye’s favorite, especially the multi color or 7 powers/ Chakra candles. Purple, Brown and even black candles can be used. An all white candle is also useful if you’re unable to locate any colored candles.
Other miscellaneous offerings: For a more elaborate offering you can add the below as optional to the more basic items mentioned beforehand.
The Ritual
Before the ritual begins one must first acknowledge the road opener, Legba who is his confidant and opener of the ways. Through Legba we are able to have our prayers and offerings sent to the orisha. You can set a plate aside with a little of everything (especially the grains) to legba to acknowledge and appease his role as the messenger.
Once the altar to Babalu and offering to Legba is completed, you will begin with a prayer. I typically don’t have a specific prayer I read from. I simply provide my name and thank Babalu for all that I have, including health and ask him to grant me health to conquer and defeat obstacles.
But, you can recite any prayer dedicated to all those suffering with illnesses.
The Allan Kardec prayer book has a prayer dedicated to the sick & suffering that I reference every now and then. Once I have commenced with my prayer of gratitude I take a few moments of silence to calm my mind and energy field. I then sit in front of the altar and explain my situation at hand or simply give thanks for continued health for my being and family members.
I sit and speak to him as if her were a friend. I’m sincere with anything I may need clarity with and ask for wisdom to make the best choices for my overall well being. It is not necessary to ask for anything as its best to have faith in your day to day doings. However, if there is an immediate need for healing of your self or someone you love, have faith and confidence that Babalu is at all ears to listen to your request and grant you healing in the matters at hand.
If you promise anything make sure you keep your promise. I typically don’t promise anything more that what I’m able to give or has been given at the altar. I leave the altar up for 7 days and daily take some grains from the vessel of grains and cleanse my energy field daily for the 7 days.
Completing the Ritual
After the 7 days (Preferably from a Thursday to Thursday) although any day will do, you want to pick up all offerings and place them in a bag and discard at a local hospital or clinic. It is said Babalu Aye is typically at the doors of hospitals and near garbage cans. This will signify the closing of the offering and leave behind all remnants of the illness’s energy behind.
If doing this for someone other than yourself who is ill, try to get the person you intend to do this ritual for blessings or permission. Sometimes we or others are dealt with certain cards in life as lessons we must accomplish which is between the person and their divine creator. You don’t want to intervene in life lessons. Otherwise, this can be a very soothing and caring gesture for the person experiencing the illness.
Sources:
What is an Altar?
An altar is a sacred space that you can dedicate to a specific energy/entity for ritual, spiritual manifestation and development. Shrines and altars have existed since the beginning of time and are central to many ancient cultures and religions to this day. An altar is a place of self-contemplation, meditation, prayers, a place of honor for those we love and respect.
Ultimately, an altar is a focal point where you comfortably “Alter” your consciousness. Your altar is a place where you’re able to not only recognize the 10% of your brain that you use, but also activate the subconscious mind, the other 90% of the brain you don’t use which is your spiritual, higher self. A spiritual altar is your sacred space to “alter” your being. According to dictionary.com, Alter is defined as “change or cause to change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way.” This is what my Boveda Espiritual (Spiritual Vault) has always been to me. A place where I seek change in character. Small and subtle changes, but progressive nonetheless. At your spiritual altar your predominant work must be about elevation, not materialization.
Who can use an altar?
Anyone can set up a spiritual altar. You do not need to be an advanced occultist or initiated into any group for you to set up an altar and be successful with your altar. It is a personal space where you can build relationships with your inner self and the divine world around you.
It’s about building intuition and self trust.
When do you use a spiritual altar?
A spiritual altar can have many purposes. Personally for me, it’s my refuge from not only the world but also myself. Often times we create ideals and thoughts in our minds about ourselves and the world around us. It’s important to self evaluate and step outside of ourselves to examine the life we’re living.
Are you who you really say you are? Or are you what others dictate you should be?
These are the type of questions that come up when at your altar. How genuinely are you really living out your life?
I greet my altar daily before I pick up my phone to check emails and social media. I take a moment to breathe and acknowledge my higher self. It’s also the place I go to when I’m having difficulties and need answers that I’m unable to get from myself at the moment. It can be your source of inspiration, when you want to reconnect with your ancestors, become a better person, etc. The purposes are endless and unique to you only and should not have any bearing on validation from people, things and circumstances outside of yourself.
Where do you use a spiritual Altar?
Your spiritual altar should be placed in an area clear of distractions, clutter and people who may not have productive comments or thoughts toward your altar or spiritual development. It should be a place where you’re able to express your troubles, emotions, dreams, desires without judgment. It’s a place where you and your creator congregate periodically to examine the progress you’re making on your path.
How do you use a spiritual Altar?
As mentioned, there is no right or wrong way when cultivating your spiritual altar, but there are a few basic guidelines which sets the foundation for your altar. In the beginning your altar will be minimal, but as time progresses you will notice your altar grow with personal objects to you or to the specific energy you have dedicated the altar to.
The items you choose to place on your altar are simply tools and symbols that speaks and activates your subconscious mind. You are an altar onto yourself. The tools you need for advancement are within you already waiting to be ignited. With an altar you are simply projecting to the universe the elements that makes up the energy that already exists inside you.
Caring for your altar: I normally clean my altar at least once a week. You can pick any day of the week that best suits you. Cleaning means changing of the water, wiping away any dust or remnants from offerings or rituals and smudging incense to clear and purify. This is also a good time to set the tone for your week ahead or start/end of your day. Prayers, affirmations and development are the things you should be working on your altar periodically. Its a place where I seek answers from within and I speak to my altar as if I were speaking to a friend or any person. Because in fact your ancestors and spirit guides are your friends and are listening to every word you speak there.
Items to place on your altar: You can place any item you’d like on your altar. Anything you decide to place at your altar will have a purpose. Pay attention to the things that you like or catches your attention. For beginners, there are certain guidelines you can follow to help get you started. I unknowingly started altars from a very young age and it was always of things I loved or resonated with me, be it fairy animals, Native American Indians, African Cosmology and so on. No two altars are eve alike and always resonates to the person who sets it up. However yo find yourself creating your own spiritual altar will be unique to you only. Its your place of pure contemplation and elevation without judgement or rules.
Three most basic and essentials for your altar is a table, white cloth and a cup of water. As you continue to progress, you can add more cups according to your development. Typically a spiritualist and Misa Espiritual (Spiritual Gathering), where further look into your spiritual framework is investigated, will clarify the guides that walk with you and how they manifest with your personally.
Below are the significance and dedication for each cup on your spiritual altar.
From the book:
Tapping the Power Within: A Path to Self-Empowerment for Women By Iyanla Vanzant
Glass 1: Ori, the spirit of your head
Glass 2: The spirit of your bloodline (ancestors)
Glass 3: The spirit/essence of masculine energy
Glass 4: The spirit/essence of feminine energy
Glass 5: The spirit/essence of the inner child
Glass 6: Karmic spirits (spiritual energy from past existences)
Glass 7: Spirit of the creator, the god head that established the divinity of your life and all life. (Largest Cup)
7-9 cups are traditions of the Yoruba/Lucumi/Santeria traditions. The spiritual altar is called a “Boveda Espiritual” translated as, “Spiritual Vault”. Its where you store what you value most, your personal power, intuition and dreams.
It was my first experience with “organizing” my spiritual lineage. We all create altars subconsciously in one way or another using images & symbols of things we’re attracted to. I always found myself as a child creating shrines for butterflies, unicorns and as I got older moved on to other symbols.
Your altar is a reflection of you and the universe around you. All the elements that exist on this planet also exists within you. Here are the main elements to your altar.
Spiritual Focal Points
Uses of water on altar: Use as a conduit to communicate with spirit. Water also represents the feminine principle of nurturer, soothing and renewal. Use during libations to call and honor ancestors and spirit guides.
Uses of Fire on altar: Fire is used in the form of candles and colors, be it red, black or white known as the primordial colors. It’s a symbol of life, passion and activity.
Use of air on Altar: Burning candles or incense is a great way to manifest the air element on your altar. It shifts energy in any space to bring clarity and movement.
Use of Earth element on Altar: The element of Earth (Wood) can be represented by the table you use. Crystals and plants are also great symbols of the earth element for any altar. Crystals hold memories or rather “crystallizes” information in time. Plants + soil are representations of growth, death and renewal.
Boveda Espiritual + Shrines + Ancestor Altars
A spiritual altar and an ancestor altar are known to be used interchangeably. In addition to a spiritual altar, I also have an ancestor altar which is slightly different in set up but used for similar purposes. An ancestor altar is set up on the floor/ground and in most traditions the ancestors essence is housed in a sort of walking stick where the energy of that ancestor is housed, known as Egguns.
Where a spiritual altar is to elevate guardian angels, god’s appointed guardians, spirit guides and ancestors, an ancestor altar is used to ground your energy and a place of reverence and recognition. All shrines and altars are centers of elevation. Elevating your spirits and self to higher vibrations and projections.
Offerings: An offering is a sort of sacrifice or connection you make with the entity or energy you have the altar set up for. For an ancestor altar you may want to set up things your ancestors liked. I place coffee, bread rum and many other basic items as offerings to the spirits. Offerings “feeds” or rather empowers the energy you’re working with. Sacrifices can come in many forms. You can give up a bad habit that is preventing you from elevating thus starving the lower self and feeding your purpose.
Common types of offerings:
As with every person, every altar will be different. Each item you place on your altar speaks to your subconscious mind. You should not expect too much from your altar as with the items you place on your altar are symbols, so are the day to day experiences you have.
Spirit speaks in many forms and it is up to us to be aware, conscious and accepting of the symbols and messages being given to us. If you’re in constant pursuit of trying to define or identify your spiritual experiences you’ll end up losing the point. The point is you must allow the experience to reveal and define itself to you.
Sources:
Tapping the Power Within: A Path to Self-Empowerment for Women-By Iyanla Vanzant
Shrine and Altar: Establishing Your Personal Sanctuary for Spiritual Awakening, Self improvement and Divine Contemplation-by Yuya Assaan-Anu
]]>