What No Longer Serves

Every once in awhile, my feelings about things change and I have to adjust my life accordingly. Of course Life in general is eternally in constant change, there is no way of holding that back-nor would I want to. It's an adventure and a journey that I don't want to miss. However, sometimes when I'm in a reflective mood -or I'm forced to examine a particular activity-I come to terms with the fact  that things that no longer serve my growth, enrich my spirit or feed my soul need to go. Things left to molder eventually become more emotionally hurtful and harmful to my psyche. I have had enough of that in the past and have learned when it's time to cut those things loose from the moorings. It's the only way I'm going to be healthy and survive all the other crap that Life throws at me. It's about reordering priorities.

We all need to interact with others; we are by nature social beings. It's  a human trait that we  want to belong and be a part of something  with the hope that whatever it is, it will be personally satisfying and  enriching. That's changed for me over the last few weeks, and I'm no  longer in the 'group' mindset because I have found that I can still do  many of those things by myself and in solitary practice and it is just  as rewarding...and I am happier. So this week I have decided to leave several groups on Facebook because I  find them no longer satisfying, to limit my interaction with other fans of my RockStar Muse because I just don't want to be sucked into the never-ending drama, jealousy and one up-manship, and turn down a call to minister at a church because the philosophy feels more wrong than right to me. Which will leave me with more time to read, study and generally be inside my own head. Unlike the majority of folks, I am more than reasonably comfortable inside my own skin. That  has mostly been a painstaking process, but the end result is that I can live with who I am with very few regrets. That wasn't always the case. Life changes exponentially when you choose to take responsibility and control of your actions and reaction to the everyday business of existence. Within reason and not meant to be a narcissistic statement, I like who I have become. I try to keep the self-doubt to a minimum by not second-guessing my decisions ( but remaining flexible). And I try not to worry what others think about me, because really...Does it matter? Junior High was a long time ago and I'd like to think that it's no longer necessary for Life to be a petty popularity contest. I have little tolerance for the pretensions of others because I have no use for it, those who pretend to be something they definitely are not have no place in my life...and I have an excellent pair of bullshit antennae.

Everything we encounter is influenced by our thoughts and feelings. You don't just see the world through your eyes, but with your heart as well. We become so preoccupied with what we must do in Life that we very often forget what we like to do. There are many more things I want to accomplish and a limited amount of time daily and weekly allotted for me to do them. Casting off things that no longer serve me gives me the precious gift of more time. I will take all that I can so I can continue working on who I am and want to be in the future.

This post is original to my other blog, Inner Faith

Chocolate-Food For The Gods

(Originally posted as part of the Pagan Blog Project 2013,W C-1)

The historical origins of chocolate stretches back to the New World and Central America. Some argue that it was the Olmec, and not the Aztecs as commonly believed, who was the first civilization to cultivate the cacao tree. Sometime in the fourth century Mayans, too had a hand in growing the tree they called cacahuaquchtl- which literally translates to “tree” in their dialect. They believe all trees belonged to the gods, but this one-with pods that grew from its trunk-was a gift from the deities to man and was the only tree worth naming to set it apart from all the others.( It is notable that in the 18^th century, the botanist Linnaeus, who created the system of classification for all living things, named the tree Theobroma cacao, meaning “ drink of the gods”, in keeping with the original sentiment of the Mayans, rather than simply calling it a chocolate tree.)  Mayan books in existence from the Classic period are full of drawings of priests and gods preparing cacao pods in sacred rituals. Some of these rituals included a period of celibacy for the planters, or a blood sacrifice of some kind. Most of the illustrations show cacao being made into a dark liquid, which was later flavored with spices such as chili peppers, or corn meal being added to make a type of porridge. Painted pottery from that same period also depict cacao being made into a dark, bitter brew and being poured from one pot to another to create froth-all important in the making of what evolved into what we know today as hot chocolate.

After the fall of the Mayan empire around 900 AD, the Toltec, and later the Aztecs settled that area of Mexico and continued using cacao and chocolate in their rites. The Toltec King Quetzalcoatl was also believed to be the god of air, who was to bring the seeds if the cacao pod from the sacred source of the universe, but to teach mortals how to grow crops. Quetzalcoatl had been forced by political foes to flee the area to the south. During an illness he was given a dark drink as a cure, but it is believed that the concoction drove him mad instead, and he left his kingdom in a small boat, with a promise that he would return to reclaim his kingdom. A prediction written by Aztec astrologers that he would return as a white-faced being to save his people was misinterpreted when Caucasian explorers from the Old World arrived on the scene. The Aztecs mistakenly believed they were the white-faced gods their folklore had said would return to reclaim the kingdom.

It is rather amusing that there is a story that Christopher Columbus was greeted by the Aztecs with a sack full of what he believed to be large almonds in trade for merchandise: noting his bewilderment, the Aztec chief happily explained that the seeds were used to make xocolatl, a most wondrous beverage-which he had made on the spot for Columbus and his men…who found it bitter and disagreeable. None the less, the cacao beans were taken back with the explorers to Spain, unaware of their future economic worth. [The Cook’s Guide to Chocolate, McFadden and France, Anness Publishing, Ltd,1997]

Cortes set out for the New World in search of El Dorado-the Gold of the Aztecs. What he found instead was the ‘liquid gold’ of cacao and spent several years setting up plantations around the Caribbean. Cacao was cheap to grow and there was plenty of manpower to exploit in setting up these plantations by the colonists. Cacao and its associated product of chocolate was a prized commodity in Europe. Having come upon the glories of the confection (and it’s money making ability) the Dutch soon set up their own plantations in the East Indian states of Java and Sumatra in the early 17^th century. From there cacao plantations spread throughout the world and were established anywhere the humid, jungle-like conditions required for its cultivation was found. 

The drinking of chocolate, however, continued to be a luxury afforded mainly to nobility and the wealthy. Beyond the discovery that it increased an individual’s energy (many monks and nuns were said to use it for just that reason through extended fasts where they eschewed solid food, but continued to consume liquids) in many quarters of the globe it was considered a source of spiritual wisdom and enhanced sexual endurance and strength. The drinking of chocolate took on some controversy between the general population and the moral voice of society, especially the Church. The Order of Jesuits, actually outlawed it’s consumption by priests, but relented after students began leaving the Society of Jesus because of it. Occasionally a cleric was known to declare the powers of chocolate was the work of the Devil, but his voice would go mostly unheard by an unfazed public which had developed a taste for beverages with stimulating properties and were also consuming coffee, tea, tobacco, rum and sugar.[The Cook’s Guide to Chocolate, McFadden and France,Anness Publishing, Ltd,1997]

The medical community was just as vocal as the Church when it came to the pros and cons of cacao and chocolate. Even though it had been thought to be a healthy way to boost energy from the origins of its discovery forward into the 19^th century and was used medicinally for various illnesses and even as a wound dressing, the naysayers in the health care community waged their own battle against its use, particularly as it gained popularity as a panacea for nearly every ailment known to society at the time. Chocolate was touted as a digestive aid, and medicinal chocolate was manufactured by questionable sources and marketed as a cure for consumption (tuberculosis) and other wasting diseases, cardiac stimulants and blood builders which contained the mysterious ingredient ‘Persian tonic’.  After a period of flim-flam and exaggerated claims, chocolate was approved as a food source by hospitals, the military and other public institutions. Soon it began to appear as the cocoa powder, flavoring and confection known to us today.
 

Bread-The Magickal Loaf

(originally posted for the Pagan Blog Project 2013,W B-1)

Bread is made from harvested grains (wheat, rye, barley, corn)that have been processed into flour, combined with liquid (usually water or milk), and a leavening agent such as salt, yeast or baking soda or baking powder. There are infinite varieties of bread. Many recipes call for the addition of ingredients such as oil, eggs, and herbs or other flavorings. Leavening agents such as yeast cause the bread to go through a chemical change where air is introduced into the mixture through the process of fermentation and the dough rises and increases in bulk. The characteristics of good leaven bread are a symmetrical loaf which has a golden brown crust and moderately soft interior and an unmistakable earthy aroma.

Unleavened breads were commonly known to our ancestors, particularly tribal people who could not spend precious time waiting for the bread to rise. Basic flatbread was quickly made from flour, water, salt and a bit of oil, kneaded until smooth and elastic, and rolled or patted thin( e.g., the matzos of the Hebrews). This type of bread was used in lieu of utensils to scoop food from a vessel. It was particularly handy when used to eat from a common bowl in a community setting. The bread supplied much needed calories and carbohydrates to those living on an otherwise sparse diet under difficult conditions. That’s why it’s been said that “bread is the staff of life”; without bread, many would have perished on a long journey or during a cold winter when other provisions had dwindled.

Although mixing the ingredients for bread is fairly simple, bread making is an art. A knowledgeable, experienced bread maker can devise numerous varieties of bread from a single basic recipe by combining different flours and the addition of ingredients such as sprouted grains, olive oil, herbs, spices, grated cheese and diced, cured meats. It is difficult for us to imagine that in many countries other than the United States, meat is not an entree, but is instead combined with a gravy or sauce and used as a condiment for bread. This is the case in parts of the world where meat is in short supply or excessively expensive. Varieties of Mediterranean and African dishes are made this way, and are quite delicious.
We know that the majority of Pagan pantheons were situated in parts of the world where agriculture was of prime importance; the primary crops grown in those places were grains and grasses such as wheat, barley, corn, rye and rice. Local gods and goddesses were often associated with these crops. The word cereal was derived from the name of the goddess Ceres, which in Latin translates
“of the grain”. Deities associated with the ancient Grain Mysteries, such as Ceres and Demeter, also have an Underworld aspect due to the seed lying beneath the soil awaiting awakening into ‘rebirth’.  Because of this, grain, which is believe to possess energies is associated with transformation, is often portrayed in religious art as a symbol for regeneration.  Decorating with sheaves of grain such as wheat or stalks of corn in the home or on an altar during harvest festivals bespeaks the hope for continued abundant life, particularly at Samhain, when it symbolizes the reincarnation of the soul.

We are familiar, too with the use of bread during the rite of communion with the feminine Divine half of Immanent Deity. Bread, with its association to birth, is used as an incarnation of the Mother Goddess, from whose body all things are created. Any type of baked good can be used as a sacramental; bread, however, is more in keeping with the original tradition. (A personal note to this, as departure to the previous statement, a baked good containing a fruit filling is especially nice to symbolize both God and Goddess in a single sacramental if you are pressed for time or finances. I have used both Fig Newtown cookies and rugula .)

The following is a quickly made ‘emergency ‘loaf which is delicious eaten warm with honey. Because it’s very moist, it doesn’t keep well, so it’s best eaten immediately or the next day as toast. It also makes good last minute ‘communion bread’. The recipe comes from Rose Elliot’s Complete Vegetarian Cookbook, Diamond Books (London), 1995.

8 oz plain wholemeal (whole wheat) flour
4 level teaspoons of baking powder
5 fluid ozs plus 2 Tbs milk

Sift the flour and baking powder together, pour in the milk, and mix into a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for a minute or two until smooth. Shape into a round on a floured baking sheet and brush with a little milk, which will give it a nice brown crust and bake in a 425 F oven for 20 to 30 minutes. (It will sound hollow when done. Don’t over-bake it. I have used half whole wheat and half unbleached white flour and rolled it in whole oats and had good results. I’ve also added dill, a little rosemary, or sunflower seeds to the dry ingredients before adding the milk for interest.) You can also pinch off bits of the dough and make rolls, if you’d like.

Aura Persona-Change Yourself

(Original post written for the Pagan Blog Project 2013,A-1)

Just like you would tailor a resume, it’s possible to ‘tailor’ the personality you present to the public for any given situation. It’s easy to become the person you wish others to believe you are simply by assuming those characteristics desirable and necessary; actors do this all the time when they create a character they portray on stage or TV. One of the ways you can achieve this convincingly is through manipulation of the aura and the use of colors.

The aura is the vibration force that radiates from everything in Nature: rocks, plants, and animals-including humans. It appears to surround the object and project a particular color or combination of colors which might include rays, sparks, or streamers which resemble tentacles. Auras are not readily noticeable to the naked eye, but specially trained and clairvoyantly gifted individuals claim to be able to “see” the aura which envelopes living objects. These individuals are believed to be able to discern the energy which surrounds us as colored layers and therefore tell from the intensity of the colors and width of the layers the state of physical health (and perhaps mental health) of the subject. I personally believe that humans are able to subconsciously ‘read’ the aura of one another, just as we can pick up subliminal cues by sensing something notable or ‘off’ in anothers vibration. How often have you thought that there was something notable or odd about another person, something you just couldn’t put your finger on? How often have you found yourself describing someone as being ‘dark’ or ‘bubbly’? Those aren’t just descriptions of their personality; they also describe the type of energy the person gives off.

The emanation of energy has been believed for centuries and is mentioned in the writings and art of ancient civilizations. In the 18^th century, the mystic Emmanuel Swedenborg wrote, “There is a spiritual sphere surrounding everyone, as well as a natural and corporal one.” [Spiritual Diary]. Experiments by Dr. Walter Kilner shortly before World War I performed in the department of electrotherapy at St. Thomas’s Hospital in London discovered that what identified to be the human aura could be viewed using a machine which made ultraviolet light visible. His research was published in 1911 in The Human Aura; a revised version of the book was released in 1920, just prior to his death.[The Human Aura, New Hyde Park, University Press,1965] Both versions were met with skepticism by his peers in the scientific community.


Late in the 1930’s, Kirlian Photography, a method of recording the aura on film was discovered by Semyon Kirlian. Kirlian, a Russian electrician, claims to have photographed the etheric layer of the aura, and his technique is given credence by some researchers who believe that what is captured on film is a form of psychic energy, while others insisted that what is viewed is the bio-electric or magnetic field which surrounds all living things. Interpretation of what actually takes place during Kirlian Photography remains controversial to this day.

The famous medium and psychic healer Edgar Cayce made many of his health related cures based on what he read in the colored fields he saw around people. He soon learned that he could decipher the state of mind and health, and the spiritual development of an individual just by viewing the aura.

With this in mind, let’s revisit the idea of changing the persona by what is projected through manipulation of the aura. While the various colors of the layers of the aura are certainly up for personal interpretation, a common sense approach would echo what is generally known about the therapeutic effect of color. Bright colors are uplifting and energizing; muted colors create a subtle feeling, dark colors can be depressing or mysterious.  There are times when you might wish to change or acquire a desirable characteristic for a given situation. Knowing how to change perspective through the use of a particular color and amplifying that would certainly set up a change in your aura, wouldn’t it?

 A well known method of pain management used by holistic practitioners is to identify the color of the pain and visualizing it as fading into colors that are soothing and less painful; therefore an area of pain which is described as ‘red hot’ can be changed through visualization by the client to successively less painful states by toning down the red with colors such as a pink or light purple. Case in point…Why do you think Pepto Bismal is pink? Pink is a very soothing color. The psychological aspect of imagining your stomach being coated by a soothing pink liquid is undeniable; it works because of the color association. It’s difficult to feel sick once you’ve tricked your brain into being cosseted by ingesting medication whose color invokes a feeling of comfort. Bismuth, the primary ingredient in Pepto Bismol, is a form of chalk that’s a grayish white. While the physical properties of the medication would be the same, can you honestly say you’d rather take the chalky white stuff, or the soothing pink?

Adopting a rosy pink to project through your aura will not only sooth a case of jittery nerves, but may well extend to your environment. You could also try using a combination of blue and green: think the calmness of water. Green is a color associated with Nature and growth; it’s grounding. Being grounded lends itself to a feeling of stability. You are surer of yourself when you are grounded, so you would certainly want to use green in those situations where you wished to maintain a sense of balance and be rooted.

The colors you use to influence how you want to feel will change the vibration of your energy, and therefore affect the colors of your aura. It’s scientifically proven that color affects mood. It’s that simple.

Let’s review some of the common associations with particular colors:

Blue- A color associated with spirituality and the Higher Self. It’s also associated with competency and protection.

Green- A color associated with Nature and growth. Green is grounding and centering.

Red-A color associated with both passion and anger. Red demands attention and warns of danger.

Yellow-A color associated with the Sun and warmth. Yellow is an exuberant hue which easily expresses happiness and confidence.

Purple- Most often associated with royalty or deity, purple is also associated with commanding and respect.

Pink-A color associated with healing or soothing. It is comforting and non-threatening.

White-The color of innocence and purity, it is also the sum of all colors, and therefore represents the Divine and high spiritual ideals.

Black- A color which both represents and absorbs negativity. Black is the color of the nadir, confusion and dominance.

You may, of course, have your own associations with particular colors and wish to expand this list. The colors found in the aura are varied and unlimited.

Changing your aura persona is in effect a form of shape-shifting. You become what you project by using the characteristics associated with the colors you choose. If you want to be happier, choose a shade of yellow. If you want to open yourself to being more spiritual, choose a light blue or purple. Do you want to be more grounded? Take earth tones into yourself. Changing your aura colors will not change who you are, but it will change how you feel and relate to your emotions and situations.