What Are the Magickal Arts?

… As magickal practitioners we are all “artists” in our own ways, honing our skills of creating magick, weaving patterns of energy that affect change and calling to the most Divine of our natures as we align with cosmos, greater earth and all of the many Beings that inhabit those realms. And, I like where this trend is taking us in exploring the craft in all of forms….

 

Mabon (aka. Autumnal Equinox) brings the opportunity for restoring harmony in our endeavors as we enjoy the second harvest. This issue we honor…

 

Magickal Art of Tipping the Balance!

 

 

As the Wheel of the Year comes to rest in the celebration of Mabon, we are approaching the Winter months and in the midst of a second harvest of sorting and purging what will not sustain and preserving what will give us strength and vitality. At Lughnasaadh (aka. Lammas) we were reminded of all of the hard work and effort that was undertaken to arrive at that point of bountiful growth to be harvested. Now, we have arrived at Mabon/the Autumnal Equinox and its gift of finding the necessary balance point that becomes the fulcrum between the first harvest of Lammas and the last harvest of Samhain.

Many will celebrate this Sabbat in a more traditional way as Mabon and give honor to the God as the wild lord of the hunt and Green Man of the forests. The Goddess becomes Gaia, the great earth mother who offers up her lands as sacrifice in the cycle of life and death and to that which will be prey and those that must be predator. In her form as Lady of the Beasts she will guide and protect her animals to insure new life will come from those that survive the harshness of winter.

Astronomically, Mabon falls at the time of the Autumnal Equinox, one of two points of pause and balance on the Wheel of the Year, the other being the Vernal Equinox. If we consider the harvest analogy of Mabon, our actions now will impact how successful we are in navigating the shortage of sustenance in the months ahead before the planting of Spring. This year, in particular, I am feeling the call for deepening a connection between humanity and the natural world. As climate changes are taking hold we are called to make use of every opportunity possible to assist in restoring some sort of balance. Tipping that balance in favor of a more aligned and collaborative way of being in this world is the challenge we all face and as magickal workers, we have an abundance of resources available to us-the first being awareness.

To begin, take some time to reflect on your place in this world and on what helps to sustain that presence. Reflect on the connection that you have with all that surrounds you and the actions that you will put into motion to strengthen and deepen that connection at all levels. Envision using the energy and balance of the equinox to craft the space of intent that establishes a closer relationship between man and the natural world. If we reach back in time, our ancestors had great understanding of this premise and perceived all of life as interconnected with no separation between the human and natural world. Each was dependent upon the other for its survival and the cycles of planting and harvesting flowed smoothly and in harmony. Gaia, the goddess as Mother Earth holds within her being the essence of this animating spirit and is the sustainer of all life that is enfolded in her body.

So, how do we reaffirm our connection? Being guided by an ecological conscience is a given expectation of all who consider themselves pagan and follow an earth-based spirituality. The actions that are in support of living lightly and respectfully on our planet is a commitment made because it is the right thing to do. This mindset is the beginning of making personal commitment to remain in balance with our world. We must also consider the natural world as inclusive of city streets, malls, the urban sprawl and clutter as well as the preserved forests, protected lands and spaces of wildlife and clean air. All are alive and all are part of the greater whole each having its own dynamics, rules, detriments and positives. That which we consider as polluted and over trafficked are the result of man’s creation and as such are connected to the spirit of man and therefore also that of nature.

As you make plans to honor the celebration of this season, whether it be in a more traditional version of Mabon, replete with God, Goddess and the bounties of the harvest or as a marker in time that calls to the balance of the light and dark of the Autumnal Equinox, factor in some actions/offerings that will tip the scales towards improving your relationship with the natural world. How can you live more harmoniously with all that comprises this planet and its life, and feed an abundance of healing and having all that is needed without draining and depleting natural resources? Each turn of the Great Wheel holds the potential for real change and using the powerful magick of stepping more fully into our best and most collaborative self as we claim the blessings of this second season of the Harvest.

Join me for the Samhain Issue as we explore the Magickal Art of Becoming the Ancestors!

 

*Photo by Andrea Roberts on Unsplash

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About the Author:

Robin Fennelly is an Elder within The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition and serves as High Priestess of Coven of the Mystic Path, the 12th Coven within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches and facilitates classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that serves as foundation for membership within Coven of the Mystic Path.  

Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.  A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.

Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015.

As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25 years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.

Robin’s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.  She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.  She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: A Journey to the Inner Chamber. She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: Teachings on the Path with Robin.

Robin is the owner of Holistic Embrace providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance and other related offerings.  She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.

Robin’s Website: www.robinfennelly.com

Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW: www.covenofthemysticpath.org

Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website:

For more info: http://www.robinfennelly.com/books.html

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It’s Written in the Stars-Astrology

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah

The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe

Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose

A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord

The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF

Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions

Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion

A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year

The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings

The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World

The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year

Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature