Action! Action! – A Little Poppet

I have often used a binding ritual to mark the close of a relationship whether a personal or working one. I find it gives a sense of finality which in turn allows me to focus on moving forward instead of looking back.

This is the first time I have used a poppet within the ritual, but as it is something I am currently researching I decided to employ my new knowledge. Indeed that is what witches do. Our magic like everything else in life is continually evolving.

So what is a poppet? It is a handmade doll that is used in sympathetic magic such as healing, blessings and protection. I have no doubt it can be used in negative magic too, but I am not going to explore that any time soon. My ritual was to bring closure and wish all parties well. I made mine out of stems of parsley and sage I had been drying as they are both powerful in restoring the sense of well-being and healing the body physically, mentally and emotionally.

Part of a binding ritual for me is the symbolic act of letting go and normally I let something float away on the stream where I do my workings. This poppet was no different and that act in itself sealed it. To be free of the past we have to let it go and not try to own it but leave it where it belongs in yesterday.

© J Farmer 2013

Prompt: Action, Action - post about a ritual, working or other experiential moment related to your path that has occurred recently, or that you are planning to do.

Post a Pic – The Beauty of Autumn

The Beauty of Autumn by Indigo Janson

Nothing confirms the turning of annual cycle of life and nature more than the vibrancy of Autumn. It makes it a time of accepting the changes that have occurred/are occurring in my life over the last year and I find it empowering to take stock and see just how far I have come over 12 months. It also means my favourite time of year, Winter, is not so far away. So while many may mourn the passing of the hot summer days I celebrate it. Who knows we may even get snow this year – I can hope so at least.

© J Farmer 2013

Personal Scrutiny

I thought accepting my gender identity was a tough nut. It was, but not as tough as the scrutiny I feel I am under now. Everything I do, say and think is being microscopically analysed. Not by other people, but by myself. I keep checking myself – is what I am wearing male enough, is the book I am reading too feminine, is the level of my voice deep enough or is the way I walk too much of a girly wiggle rather than a manly strut?

I was expecting it from others and, as I am my own worst critic, a bit from myself – but not to this extent. It is not that I doubt what I am doing is right; I know this transition is right for me and I got to get on and face it. I have known my gender identity since I was a little kid and have buried it since then too. I know the major part of transition is self-acceptance and although I have been aware of it since I was a child I am only just coming to terms with my identity. I have got to be patient with myself.

Transsexuality or gender dysphoria is a lonely place. Yes there are support groups, yes I have wonderful supportive family and friends – and I really do appreciate all of them. However, they cannot make the decisions for me. Transition is self-realization and finding my own identity rather than the one I built to hide myself. Denying self has been the easier option and frankly still is but it is not the healthy one.

I suppose I am habitually applying that same inner critique that buried my male awareness to present as female to my identity now but in reverse. I look at the list of what may be to come and it looks terrifying but to go back is even more so and I do not want to go back so it is not an option anyway. Transition is very much cross each bridge as it is needed to be crossed and I know that is the only way that I can do it.





© J Farmer 2013

Shamanism

Ancient archaeological evidence has been found throughout Europe that points to shamanic activity. It is more than likely the shaman played an important role in ancient tribal life even if the belief systems of our Palaeolithic and Mesolithic ancestors were not entirely shamanic.

A shaman is a spiritual leader within a tribal society fulfilling numerous functions within the tribe. The roles of the shaman include:

• Priest;


• Mystic;


• Counsellor;


• Interpreter of spirits;


• Healer;


• Magician

A shaman oversees the rites of passage from birth through death and may also foresee the future.

The ways of a shaman are secretive, therefore the gods of the shaman are not always generally known to the community. These gods are often totemic taking the forms found in nature such as stones, plants, animals, humans and spirits. The powers of the shaman are elemental and are those of the earth, air, water and fire.

Shamans also gather secret and magical knowledge from the hidden realms of their familiar spirits. Using ecstatic practices the shaman can transport to these magical otherworlds where they encounter the powerful energies of spiritual forces that reside there.

Ecstasy is an altered state of awareness where the individual often feels they transcend themselves. Carl Jung states that it is the realization that ‘he is of the same essence as the universe, and his own mid-point is its centre’.

The calling to a shamanic path often results from deep transformative experiences such as:

• Traumatic incidences (near-death, lucid dreams, visions);


• A close relationship with nature;


• Natural psychic, magical or healing abilities;


• Understanding the underlying spiritual energies in nature;


• Intuitive messages;


• Causing change through unseen or magical means.

We all have elements of the shaman as that is what has called us to whatever path we follow. Indeed the characteristics often cross over. It is quite clear a close relationship with nature would also involve an understanding of nature’s spiritual energies and harnessing them for healing and even magical purposes.





© J Farmer 2013