A Higher Power

A Higher Power

I have to say that my experiences over the course of the past two weeks have really brought me to a new level of understanding and faith in a Higher Power.

Being an Aquarian with seven, (yes seven), planets in Aquarius, 6 in the 9th House and 1 in the 10th House, I should have been aware that the eclipse in Leo this month and the second eclipse in Aquarius on the 16th would have a profound affect on my life, but I was not paying strict attention, preparing my son to leave for law school, paying secuirty deposits and helping him get ready to go.

My business was keeping me busy, as usual, and I really should have been more attentive to the spiritual signs around me, but I was caught up in the business of day to day life.

On August 11th, 2008 at precisely 5:48 p.m. EST my life changed dramatically and permanently due to the intervention of this Higher Power.  Please read my blog on the subject, here.

Now, if that isn’t the proof of the existence of a Higher Power, I don’t know what is!

How on earth can this have happened, a SEVENTY-EIGHT YEAR LONG MYSTERY resolved in one phone call, from a posting originally placed in cyberspace in 1995 and updated occassionally with the half-hearted hope that someday, someone would respond, would know something, anything, about this enigma.

It’s a miracle that his sister is still alive, that he even had a little sister, and that the family kept him in their midst even though they had never met him, and the only one who ever had passed on some 32 years ago.  They kept the memory of his lost boy alive, through even the subsequent generation!

Yes, there is a Higher Power, and my faith in that power has been refreshed, reinforced and stabilized at a higher level than ever before in my life.

Thank you God for bringing this miracle into my life.

I do not understand why my Higher Power has chosen this time in my life to reveal these secrets to me.  I am sure I will be seeking answers from fellow advisors as time allows, once the elation and shock wears off.  I have not yet done a reading on myself on this, but you can be sure that I will, and I will post it here.

What I want to express to you all is that no matter how improbable and impossible any given situation you may find yourself in may seem, your own Higher Power will bring you the answers that you seek when it is deemed that the timing is right or necessary.

I am going to be working on understanding this on a spiritual level in the coming weeks, but I must say, there is nothing like receiving a fresh shot of adrenalin to your faith, especially when it is unexpected and catches you totally unaware.

I am still reeling.

Love and Light to All!

Brigid Bishop

Today’s Spell: To Initiate Communication

Today’s Spell: To Initiate Communication

 

Spellwork is most effective when performed by oneself, I am starting a series of simple, free spells on my Keen Blog to help those of you who may have an interest in performing some simple spellwork for yourselves. 

You can post any questions you may have here, or if you’d like, post your results.

A very simple spell to encourage contact from someone you wish to hear from, whether it is a lost love, a prospective employer, an adult child who is lax in communicating, this spell will help to speed up contact.

All you need is a Bay Leaf.

Write the name of the person that you wish to hear from on the fresh Bay Leaf and tape it to the base of your phone, if you are using a cell phone, you can affix it to the back of your cell. 

Make sure the name is facing the phone, not outward, or you will “ward off” communication.

If it is a message of love you wish to hear, use red ink to write the name, otherwise use blue.

Bright Blessings!

Brigid Bishop

Is There Room In Christianity for “Other Beliefs”?

Is There Room In Christianity for “Other Beliefs”?

Absolutely.

I recently published this article and I wish to share it here with you. Many clients call me for the first time, and because of what I do for a living, they assume that I am somehow not a Christian. Let me tell you that I most certainly am, although not a traditional Christian, Christianity is my core belief system. I do blend my religions and find that Christianity is the natural core religion to do so in. Some may not appreciate my insight here, but this is my perception.

Christianity is a religion that stems from multiple religions of origin and adopted and adapted Judaic and Pagan rites, rituals and beliefs into it in order to gain acceptance as the religion spread across multiple cultures.

When Christianity spread through the UK it adopted many of the Pagan beliefs and practices of the Pagan inhabitants of that time.

For instance, the Celtic Cross was developed by combining the symbol of the crucifix, on which Christ died, with the symbol of the Sun, as the Pagan religions of the time worshipped the Sun as an entity, a life force and a God.

Our Christian Holidays were moved and shifted around the calendar in order to coincide with Pagan Holidays.

Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Christ, was moved to coincide with the Winter Solstice. Christ was actually born in the spring, not in the winter, the holiday was moved in order to blend the Pagan and the Christian sects.

Christianity is a blend of multiple other beliefs, Christianity cannot exist without accepting and acknowledging the religions that it is based on and in time, absorbed.
The primary condition of Christianity is to “Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You”, to love and respect our fellow man, if you are not abiding by this simple guideline, you are not truly being Christian.

I might also note that the Wiccan Rede contains a very similar statement, “Harm None, Do What Ye Will”. Doesn’t that sound familiar?

Christianity is a blended religion, so it must allow for other beliefs to exist within it, else it ceases to be true Christianity.

As Christ himself was a Jew, we must also accept and realize that Judaism is our parent religion. Jesus established a new sect within the Judaic Culture that was open to Gentile and Jew alike. Each culture that converted to Christianity brought some part of it’s history with it and blended it into Christendom.

Think of the Catholic practice of lighting candles during prayer, this was a pagan practice.

The burning of incense during the Catholic Rite of The Mass, again, pagan in origin.

I would be hard pressed to see how anyone could believe that Christianity allows no room for “differing beliefs”, as Christianity itself is a melting pot of theology.

Mary the Mother of God is the essence of the Goddesses of old.

The Holy Trinity, the blending of God the Father, God the Son, and God The Holy Spirit, is a multiple God dogma, but presented as a monotheological miracle.

Copyright © 2008 Brigid Bishop

I will be taking calls all day today and this evening, 5/13/08.

If I am not actively on, please use the “Arrange a Call” feature.

Thank you.

What is Your Power Animal?

What is Your Power Animal?

 

Power Animals exist in multiple cultures across the world.  Native American, Chinese and Christian cultures are just a few examples.

Power Animals, (also known as totems, as referred to by Native Americans), can be familial (tribal) or personal in nature.

I have two Power Animals that I relate to and draw strength and guidance from. 

The first is the Wolf.

The reason I associate so strongly with the Wolf is because wolves can “run with the pack”, or become the “leader of the pack”, as I tend to do when feeling happy and social, but they can also be a “lone wolf”, which I tend to do when I am feeling stressed or challenged in some way.

It is a common misconception that wolves mate for life, wolves are “serial monogamists”, just like me.  A wolf will stay with a preferred partner for as long as he or she is available and will often reject mating attempts from other wolves, but a wolf will take a new mate if its’ significant other leaves the pack or dies.  The majority of wolves maintain one partner at a time, but may well have more than one mate over their lifetime.  Polygamy is rare in wolves.

My second Power Animal is the Tiger because I was born in 1962, the Year of the Tiger in Chinese Astrology.  Tiger characteristics are a natural match for my Western Astrological Sign of Aquarius.

Whenever someone is getting to me, I always warn them, “Don’t Poke the Tiger”, and I mean it.

Tigers are known to be born leaders, strong and in control of themselves and their environment.  They are magnetic and charismatic, excellent communicators and possess a raw appeal that attracts many into their personal jungles.

Tigers, although kind and generous, can pounce without warning at any given time, so caution should be exercised around them!  Tigers are extremely sensitive and subject to emotional outbursts.  They like to live life to the fullest, but should learn moderation.  (Boy is that me!)

What are your Power Animals?

What Chinese Astrological Year were you born in?

What animals attract and fascinate you and why?  How does it relate to you?

Your Power Animals exist to protect and guide you in the spiritual and physical worlds, drawing on their energies help us in many situations.

Copyright © 2007 Brigid Bishop

This content may not be copied or reproduced in any way without the express written permission of the author.  You are welcome to link to or bookmark this page, but please contact the author if you wish to reproduce this article in whole or in part. 

Tough Love In The Garden of Eden  

Careful What You Wish For!!

Relationship Autopsy

The Dating Game

The Geometry of Relationships

On The Outside Looking In

  

On The Lighter Side…

On The Lighter Side…

Three friends die in a car crash, and they find themselves at the Gates of Heaven.

Before entering, they are each asked a question by St. Peter himself, “When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning upon you, what would you like to hear them say about you?” asks St. Peter .

The first guy says, “I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor and a great family man.”

The second guy says, “I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children.”

 

The last guy replies. “I would like to hear them say….

LOOK !!! HE’S MOVING!!!!!”‘

(Author Unkown)

The Collective Unconscious…

The Collective Unconscious…

Tapping into the Collective Unconscious is the process by which the Tarot relates the messages it has for you, to you.  Carl Jung used the Tarot and Astrology to do just that, he was the father of psychoanalysis and used many non-traditional psychological methods to work with his patients.

To do a Personality Profile, he created a clients’ Natal Chart, it gave him great insight.  To check out where a client was heading and what changes needed to be made, he threw a Tarot Spread.

I am a “Jungian Tarot Reader”, which means that I use his methods to tap into both your subconscious and the Collective Unconscious to get the answers to your questions.

The Tarot grabs your inner situations and makes them conscious, brings them up to your level of awareness…..

“When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate” 

Carl Jung

Would you rather leave your future up to “fate”, or would you rather bring your situation fully into consciousness and learn how to navigate through it? 

Using the Tarot, you can work with me to make your “fate” conscious.

Tarot Tips by Brigid Bishop: Using Tarot for Prayer, Ritual and Spellwork

Tarot Tips by Brigid Bishop:

Using Tarot for Prayer, Ritual and Spellwork

Did you know that the Tarot can be used for much, much more than “Predictive” Reading?

Tarot can be used for self-exploration, past life analysis, psychological profiling, situational analysis, and for Magickal Intentions, (spellwork, ritual and prayer), among other things.

Every card in the deck of 78 has many complex meanings and energies and you can actually create your own, customized rituals (spells, prayers), using the Tarot in a very definitive way.

For instance, let’s say that you have had an argument with your Cancer Man and you are an Aquarius Woman and you want to restore peace between the two of you.

Select the cards from the deck that are your “natural” significators, in this case you would select the King of Cups for your man, and the Queen of Swords for yourself.  Now, the Queen of Swords is a hard-headed woman and the King of Cups is a loving and compassionate man, so it is not unusual for the two of you to butt heads on occasion.

To restore peace, get a pink candle and write both your names on it and dress it with extra virgin olive oil.  Place the 2 cards that you have chosen to represent you and place them on a table with the candle.  Pull the Lovers card out of the deck and place it so that it covers both your card and his and light the pink candle.  Put together your own words to bring peace back between you and restore the love you feel for each other.  You can also use the Ten of Cups, or if you feel you need to have a meeting of the minds to discuss further, use the Two of Cups, to promote face to face conversation.  It is very customizable.

When you put your words together, keep them rhythmic, rhyming during ritual is essential for building the energy, it doesn’t have to be complicated, just short and sweet and to the point.  Something like this will suffice:  “Let us have our peace restored, we can remember all our joy”.

Make it specific to your issue, the more “customized” the better.

If you want assistance in putting together your own ritual with Tarot Cards, contact Brigid Bishop at www.brigidbishop.com

Bright Blessings!

Learn How to Choose the Right Advisor for YOU! 

A Simple Spell To Protect You From Slander and Gossip

A Simple Spell To Protect You From Slander and Gossip

A Simple Spell To Protect You From Slander

Sometimes people truly are downright evil, and because they are jealous of you, they will do their best to try to undermine you in any way possible.  These people, or subhumans, as I like to think of them, (because they need to evolve up to become truly human and humane), have such voids in their own pathetic lives, that they seek out those that they aspire to be like and attack them in any way that they can.  This will frequently occur in the form of malicious gossip, or slander.

This happens to all of us at one time or another in our lives, but rather than allowing it to frustrate us, it is much simpler to take control of the situation by performing a simple little spell, (prayer, ritual), to protect ourselves from these pitiful creatures.

I often find that those who expend their energy in tearing down others are those same sorry souls who have limited capacity for joy or the art of living, thus, they must occupy themselves with activities they create to seemingly damage those that they are jealous of and aspire to be like.  We should pray for these souls, pray that they find contentment within their own small worlds and stop trespassing into ours, but in the meantime, we do need to protect ourselves from these annoying little pests.

Here is a simple ritual to stop slander and malicious gossip from affecting you:

Place five white candles on a table, carve your name (or the name of the person you want to protect) on the center candle, dress the candles with extra virgin olive oil prior to proceeding.  Place the other four candles of the positions of north, south, east and west.  I will use the name Jane for the person being protected, and the name Anne for the person who is being slanderous.

Light the center candle and say “Here stands (Jane), who is being talked about and lied about by the sinister (Anne), who does not hold truth or purity in her heart.  (Anne’s) intentions are not good and hold no truth and (Jane) has done no wrong nor meant any harm.  All around Jane are truth and good-will, all gossip will stop and honesty shall reign.

Light the candle on the west and say “Truth is behind Jane, it follows her wherever she may roam”.

Light the candle on the north and say “Truth is Jane’s crown, it is always upon her and brings her enemies down”.

Light the candle on the east and say “Truth is before Jane, awaiting her wherever she goes”.

Light the candle on the south and say “Truth is the foundation for Jane and purity her ground”.

Let the candles burn while you quietly picture white light surrounding, embracing and protecting you for a period of approximately ten minutes.  When you are done, snuff out the candles, (don’t blow them out), and repeat every three days as you feel is necessary.

You will be protected from any prevarications that are being made of you, and, the rule of three will send back to the slanderer what the universe deems fit.

Bright Blessings!

Brigid Bishop

P.S.

And remember not to feel anger toward the lost soul that seeks to find power in slandering you, pity them and hope that they find a more positive way to occupy themselves as they are not evolved.

To gain a better understanding of spells, prayers and rituals, please click here:  Magick Is Not Magic!

Runestones

Runestones

I am fascinated by Runestones, however, not expert enough at divining them to offer it as a service here through Keen.  I do, however, use the Runes to work on my own situations when I feel that the Tarot is not providing me with enough fresh insight into my own personal issues.

Here is a very generic and basic overview of the Runes to familiarize yourself with the meanings.

Overview of the Runes in Divination

The “Elder Futhark” is a composite of the runic symbols most commonly used in northern Europe. The names of the runes of the Elder Futhark are speculative recreations of what linguists call “proto-Germanic”, which stems from “proto-Indo-European”.

There are many versions of the runic alphabets. Each has variations in names, shapes, esoteric meanings and magical uses. One should not mix futharks, or the intent or meaning becomes confused. The Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, and the Younger (or Scandinavian) Futhark are the most frequently seen versions of the runic alphabets in use today.

Fehu (F: Domestic cattle, wealth.) Possessions won or earned, earned income, luck. Abundance, financial strength in the present or near future. Sign of hope and plenty, success and happiness. Social success. Energy, foresight, fertility, creation/destruction (becoming). Fehu Reversed or Merkstave: Loss of personal property, esteem, or something that you put in effort to keep. It indicates some sort of failure. Greed, burnout, atrophy, discord. Cowardice, stupidity, dullness, poverty, slavery, bondage.

Uruz: (U: Auroch, a wild ox.) Physical strength and speed, untamed potential. A time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for the better). Sexual desire, masculine potency. The shaping of power and pattern, formulation of the self. Uruz Reversed or Merkstave: Weakness, obsession, misdirected force, domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust, brutality, rashness, callousness, violence.

Thurisaz: (TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force of destruction and defense, conflict. Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst. A tendency toward change. Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality, fertilization. (Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.)Thurisaz Reversed or Merkstave: Danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness. Evil, malice, hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman. Rape?

Ansuz: (A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odin.) A revealing message or insight, communication. Signals, inspiration, enthusiasm, speech, true vision, power of words and naming. Blessings, the taking of advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom. Ansuz Reversed or Merkstave: Misunderstanding, delusion, manipulation by others, boredom. Vanity and grandiloquence. (Odin is a mighty, but duplicitous god. He always has his own agenda.)

Raidho: (R: Wagon or chariot.) Travel, both in physical terms and those of lifestyle direction. A journey, vacation, relocation, evolution, change of place or setting. Seeing a larger perspective. Seeing the right move for you to make and deciding upon it. Personal rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Raidho Reversed or Merkstave: Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, irrationality. Disruption, dislocation, demotion, delusion, possibly a death.

Kenaz: (K: Beacon or torch.) Vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity, inspiration, technical ability. Vital fire of life, harnessed power, fire of transformation and regeneration. Power to create your own reality, the power of light. Open to new strength, energy, and power now. Passion, sexual love. Kenaz Reversed or Merkstave: Disease, breakup, instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion and false hope.

Gebo: (G: Gift.) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal relationships and partnerships. Gebo Merkstave (Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Greed, loneliness, dependence, over-sacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery.

Wunjo: (W or V: Joy.) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the possibility of going “over the top”. If restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth. Wunjo Reversed or Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation. Delirium, intoxication, possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy, berzerker.

Hagalaz: (H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave (Hagalaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis.

Nauthiz: (N: Need.) Delays, restriction. Resistance leading to strength, innovation, need-fire (self-reliance). Distress, confusion, conflict, and the power of will to overcome them. Endurance, survival, determination. A time to exercise patience. Recognition of one’s fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears. Nauthiz Reversed or Merkstave: Constraint of freedom, distress, toil, drudgery, laxity. Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation, starvation, need, poverty, emotional hunger.

Isa: (I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave (Isa cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.

Jera: (J or Y: A year, a good harvest.) The results of earlier efforts are realized. A time of peace and happiness, fruitful season. It can break through stagnancy. Hopes and expectations of peace and prosperity. The promise of success earned. Life cycle, cyclical pattern of the universe. Everything changes, in its own time. Jera Merkstave (Jera cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Sudden setback, reversals. A major change, repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict.

Eihwaz: (EI: Yew tree.) Strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness. Enlightenment, endurance. Defense, protection. The driving force to acquire, providing motivation and a sense of purpose. Indicates that you have set your sights on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest man who can be relied upon. Eihwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.

Perthro: (P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery, hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge of one’s destiny, knowledge of future matters, determining the future or your path. Pertaining to things feminine, feminine mysteries including female fertility, and vagina. Good lot, fellowship and joy. Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction, stagnation, loneliness, malaise.

Algiz: (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned. Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels.

Sowilo: (S: The sun.) Success, goals achieved, honor. The life-force, health. A time when power will be available to you for positive changes in your life, victory, health, and success. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness, power, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire. Sowilo Merkstave (Sowilo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): False goals, bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction, retribution, justice, casting down of vanity. Wrath of god.

Tiwaz: (T: Tyr, the sky god.) Honor, justice, leadership and authority. Analysis, rationality. Knowing where one’s true strengths lie. Willingness to self-sacrifice. Victory and success in any competition or in legal matters. Tiwaz Reversed or Merkstave: One’s energy and creative flow are blocked. Mental paralysis, over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war, conflict, failure in competition. Dwindling passion, difficulties in communication, and possibly separation.

Berkano: (B: Berchta, the birch-goddess.) Birth, general fertility, both mental and physical and personal growth, liberation. Regenerative power and light of spring, renewal, promise of new beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love affair or new birth. The prospering of an enterprise or venture. Berkano Reversed or Merkstave: Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about someone close to you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control. Blurring of consciousness, deceit, sterility, stagnation.

Ehwaz: (E: Horse, two horses.) Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Movement and change for the better. Gradual development and steady progress are indicated. Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An ideal marriage or partnership. Confirmation beyond doubt the meanings of the runes around it. Ehwaz Reversed or Merkstave: This is not really a negative rune. A change is perhaps craved. Feeling restless or confined in a situation. Reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.

Mannaz: (M: Man, mankind.) The Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Divine structure, intelligence, awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now. Mannaz Reversed or Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now.

Laguz: (L: Water, or a leek.) Flow, water, sea, a fertility source, the healing power of renewal. Life energy and organic growth. Imagination and psychic matters. Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the hidden, the deep, the underworld. Success in travel or acquisition, but with the possibility of loss. Laguz Reversed or Merkstave: An indication of a period of confusion in your life. You may be making wrong decisions and poor judgements. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a rut. Fear, circular motion, avoidance, withering. Madness, obsession, despair, perversity, sickness, suicide.

Ingwaz: (NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation, internal growth. Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human warmth, the home. Rest stage, a time of relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose strings are tied and you are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz Merkstave (Ingwaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labor, work.

Dagaz: (D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight clarity as opposed to nighttime uncertainty. A time to plan or embark upon an enterprise. The power of change directed by your own will, transformation. Hope/happiness, the ideal. Security and certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, the place where opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle. Blindness, hopelessness.

Othala: (O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or possessions, a house, a home. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed or Merkstave: Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to.

Blank Rune: There is no historical support for a “Blank Rune” in runic divination. It was invented in the 1980’s. It should not be used in a rune casting. If you bought a rune set with a blank piece, save it in case you lose another rune piece, but don’t use it in rune casting

Meaning of the Phrase, The Bell, The Book and The Candle

Meaning of the Phrase, The Bell, The Book and The Candle

One of two things usually happens when a person hears the phrase “bell, book and candle”, they either think of the movie with James Stewart and Natalie Wood or they picture a witch riding a broomstick across the full moon.

Actually, neither of these impressions are correct.

The phrase is actually a reference to the Catholic excommunication ritual. Although many suspect witches have been excommunicated in Europe and in the U.S., the ritual is not for witches alone, but for any lucky excommunicant.

In the actual ritual, a bell tolls sounding a death, the death of the excommunicants’ soul.

The Bible is slammed shut, exemplifying that the word of God is closed to the excommunicant.

Finally, a candle is blown out, symblozing the soul being banned to eternal darkness, no longer privy to the light of God or to His Word.

The saying became associated with witches when the witch hunts were rampant in Europe and witches and warlocks were being excommunicated and then executed.

Now, I was raised Catholic and educated in Catholic schools and I have studied many religions over my lifetime. I find that Gods and Goddesses of every religion are forgiving and would never excommunicate any soul that was willing to learn and grow.

I believe that all Gods and Goddesses are universally forgiving and that they would never kick us out of their church, their religion, their world or their universe.

Blessed Be! Brigid Bishop