{"id":18305,"date":"2019-05-01T01:10:50","date_gmt":"2019-05-01T06:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=21208"},"modified":"2019-04-28T17:21:57","modified_gmt":"2019-04-28T22:21:57","slug":"crones-corner-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2019\/05\/01\/crones-corner-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Crone’s Corner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Meditation and Divining Incense: uses & recipes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used to shy away from sharing my personal experiences and practices with other people, but then I asked myself, \u201cWhy do you keep everything that you love all to yourself?\u201d That\u2019s when I decided to open a Facebook Group called \u201cPagan Plannertarium<\/a>\u201d and I started sharing my love of a working book of shadows and graphics that I create to make my working book everything that I want it to be. It is a work in progress and you can follow along with me in the other article under \u201ccrafts\u201d Working Book of Shadows<\/a> in PaganPagesOrg. My group<\/a> eventually morphed into what it is today, which is a \u201cHome\u201d of likeminded, free spirited individuals who share their own personal gnosis, their own musings, and their paths with everyone for the greater good. My heart overflows in that group and I am so proud to be a part of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\nlove divination and mediation, which are passions for me. Finding\nthe time is not impossible, but does require discipline and sacrifice\nat times \u2013 but so well worth it in the long run! \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(Photo by truthseeker08 on Pixabay<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Settling\nin, creating your sacred space, and visualizing yourself going to a\ndeeper more serene level to meditate can be facilitated by the\nsetting and the mood around you. In order to bring yourself to that\nmost comfortable and deepest place for complete meditation, the area\naround you should be as comfortable as possible and the atmosphere\nshould resonate with peaceful and serene flowing energies. Likewise,\nwhen attempting any forms of divination, your surroundings should be\nas conducive to reaching outward to reign and bring in those visions\nand aspects that we need for effective readings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One\nof the easiest ways to make your space ready for meditation and\/or\ndivination is to mix an incense blend that will bring you to a place\nof heightened awareness and that will effectively assist you in\nopening yourself up to the channels of energies that will lend\nthemselves to your introspection or workings. The incense blends\nthat I prefer to use are whole herbs and resins which are burned over\nan incense charcoal. The whole herbs and resins, once ignited, burn\nfor the precise period of time required to enter a deep meditative\nstate or to achieve the visions that come during divination. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(Photo by Thomas Stephan<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incense Recipe<\/strong>: I prefer dried whole herbs and resins. For meditation and divination I use a blend of equal parts Mugwort and Wormwood. Since I use these incense blends frequently, I blend them once a month on the night of the New Moon, in quantity. I use 2 cups of Mugwort and 2 cups of Wormwood, I mix them together in a bowl and place them in an air tight container until I need them. I then mix the resins Frankincense and Myrrh (in whatever amount I purchase and equalize between the two) and place them in an air tight container until I need them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mugwort<\/strong>:\n A Druid Sacred Herb. Mugwort was placed in barns to protect cows\nfrom the influence of fairies. The herb\u2019s powers are strongest when\npicked on a Full Moon. It can be used for good luck and rubbed on\nritual tools to increase power. Mugwort can be used as an incense\n(mixed in equal parts with Sandalwood) to aid in strengthening\nPsychic Powers (or mixed with equal parts of Wormwood) to aid in\ndivination and meditation. Try using it while scrying or during\ndivination and meditation. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mugwort\ncan also be placed next to the bed to aid in achieving astral\nprojection. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its\nother magical uses include strength, protection, prophetic dreams,\nand healing. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeps\none safe from dark forces and it protects children and the incense\nbrings protection as well. Carried, it brings loved ones safely home\nfrom journeys. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\ntonic for the soul, it keeps us aware of our spiritual direction. A\nmugwort infusion sweetened with honey will enhance divination.\nCarried, it also increases lust and fertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nFor\nuse in Clairvoyance, Scrying, Protection, rub this herb on “Magic\nMirrors” and “Crystal balls” to strengthen their\npowers. Add to scrying, clairvoyance and divination incenses. Use 3\ntablespoons to 1\/2 gallon spring (or rain) water to cleanse your\n“Magical mirrors” crystals and stones. It is used in magic\nas a love-divining herb. To experience interesting dreams that are\nsaid to reveal one’s future, stuff a pillow with about a pound of\nthis herb and sleep on it. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nIndians used a decoction of the leaves for colds, bronchitis,\nrheumatism, and fever, and a poultice for wounds. The fresh juice is\nused to ease the itch of poison oak. To cure a headache, stick a leaf\nup your nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wormwood<\/strong>:\n A sacred herb which was very magical as well as sacred to Moon\ndeities. Burned on Samhain to aid evocation, divination, scrying and\nprophecy. Combine with Mugwort for added effect. Thrown onto fires\non “Samhain” to gain protection from bad spirits roaming\nthe night. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One\nof the major ingredients in “Absinthe” \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burn\nin incense to raise spirits. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wormwood,\nwhen added to herbal incense, is an aid in opening the psychic\ncenters. When these centers are open and receptive, we may better\ncommunicate with those who have “passed over”. It has been\nwritten that wormwood and sandlewood (an herb of purification and\nhigh spiritual energy) burned together near a grave-site\nwill summon the spirit of the departed. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wormwood\nis a banishing herb, used to rid a person or an area of anger and\nnegativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meditation<\/strong>:\n After turning the ringer off of the phone and ensuring complete\nsolitude, I retreat to my sacred space and light the incense charcoal\n(not the BBQ variety, which is toxic if burned inside) and allow it\nto reach its red glow. I prepare the Mugwort and Wormwood\ncombination in a small bowl and I add about a teaspoon of the resin\nblend into the bowl, mix it up and place about a tablespoon of the\nmixture onto the burning charcoal, I allow it to smolder and burn\nabout half way out when I add the second scoop onto the charcoal. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then,\nI call on the Spirits of the East and its components of air,\ncommunication, and inspiration to lend energies to meditations. I\nsettle myself into a comfortable position conducive to meditation and\nI ground my spirit and center my self before beginning the\nmeditation. If the meditation that I am planning requires music, I\nensure that I have placed a CD on a loop so that the immediate end of\nthe music does not disrupt the flow. Often I discover that the music\nis replaced by the sounds of the newly heightened awareness achieved\nthrough meditation in any event. And so the deepening meditative\nstate ensues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The divination<\/strong>: I follow the same routine for divination as I do for meditation; however, I tend to replenish the incense on the charcoal throughout the divining session. If I am scrying, I do not want to interrupt the flow, and I tend to follow precisely the same steps as described in the meditation portion. If I am reading Tarot, then I am continuously replenishing the supply on the charcoal, as it aids in receiving and deciphering the messages and pictures for this form of divination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About\nthe Author:<\/strong>\n \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shirley\nLenhard <\/strong>has\nbeen a practicing Witch and a Pagan since 1983 and lives in New\nEngland with her husband. She is employed full time in the legal\nfield and has her Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of\nSouth Florida. Shirley looks forward to living her best possible life\nby giving back to the Pagan Community and has created the Facebook\ngroup \u201cPagan\nPlannertarium<\/a>\u201d where she provides a safe home for fellow pagans\nto have discussions about their path and to get free planner stickers\nand layouts. Shirley is a past writer for Llewellyn Publishing and\nThe Peace Paper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Meditation and Divining Incense: uses & recipes I used to shy away from sharing my personal experiences and practices with other people, but then I asked myself, \u201cWhy do you keep everything that you love all to yourself?\u201d That\u2019s when I decided to open a Facebook Group called \u201cPagan Plannertarium\u201d and I started sharing my love of a working book of shadows and graphics that I create to make my working book everything that I want it to be. It is a work in progress and you can follow along with me in the other article under \u201ccrafts\u201d Working Book of Shadows in PaganPagesOrg. My group eventually morphed into what it is today, which is a \u201cHome\u201d of likeminded, free spirited individuals who share their own personal gnosis, their own musings, and their paths with everyone for the greater good. My heart overflows in that group and I am so proud to be a part of it. I love divination and mediation, which are passions for me. Finding the time is not impossible, but does require discipline and sacrifice at times \u2013 but so well worth it in the long run! (Photo by truthseeker08 on Pixabay) Settling in, creating your sacred space, and visualizing yourself going to a deeper more serene level to meditate can be facilitated by the setting and the mood around you. In order to bring yourself to that most comfortable and deepest place for complete meditation, the area around you should be as comfortable as possible and the atmosphere should resonate with peaceful and serene flowing energies. Likewise, when attempting any forms of divination, your surroundings should be as conducive to reaching outward to reign and bring in those visions and aspects that we need for effective readings. One of the easiest ways to make your space ready for meditation and\/or divination is to mix an incense blend that will bring you to a place of heightened awareness and that will effectively assist you in opening yourself up to the channels of energies that will lend themselves to your introspection or workings. The incense blends that I prefer to use are whole herbs and resins which are burned over an incense charcoal. The whole herbs and resins, once ignited, burn for the precise period of time required to enter a deep meditative state or to achieve the visions that come during divination. (Photo by Thomas Stephan on Unsplash) Incense Recipe: I prefer dried whole herbs and resins. For meditation and divination I use a blend of equal parts Mugwort and Wormwood. Since I use these incense blends frequently, I blend them once a month on the night of the New Moon, in quantity. I use 2 cups of Mugwort and 2 cups of Wormwood, I mix them together in a bowl and place them in an air tight container until I need them. I then mix the resins Frankincense and Myrrh (in whatever amount I purchase and equalize between the two) and place them in an air tight container until I need them. Mugwort: A Druid Sacred Herb. Mugwort was placed in barns to protect cows from the influence of fairies. The herb\u2019s powers are strongest when picked on a Full Moon. It can be used for good luck and rubbed on ritual tools to increase power. Mugwort can be used as an incense (mixed in equal parts with Sandalwood) to aid in strengthening Psychic Powers (or mixed with equal parts of Wormwood) to aid in divination and meditation. Try using it while scrying or during divination and meditation. Mugwort can also be placed next to the bed to aid in achieving astral projection. Its other magical uses include strength, protection, prophetic dreams, and healing. Keeps one safe from dark forces and it protects children and the incense brings protection as well. Carried, it brings loved ones safely home from journeys. A tonic for the soul, it keeps us aware of our spiritual direction. A mugwort infusion sweetened with honey will enhance divination. Carried, it also increases lust and fertility. For use in Clairvoyance, Scrying, Protection, rub this herb on “Magic Mirrors” and “Crystal balls” to strengthen their powers. Add to scrying, clairvoyance and divination incenses. Use 3 tablespoons to 1\/2 gallon spring (or rain) water to cleanse your “Magical mirrors” crystals and stones. It is used in magic as a love-divining herb. To experience interesting dreams that are said to reveal one’s future, stuff a pillow with about a pound of this herb and sleep on it. The Indians used a decoction of the leaves for colds, bronchitis, rheumatism, and fever, and a poultice for wounds. The fresh juice is used to ease the itch of poison oak. To cure a headache, stick a leaf up your nose. Wormwood: A sacred herb which was very magical as well as sacred to Moon deities. Burned on Samhain to aid evocation, divination, scrying and prophecy. Combine with Mugwort for added effect. Thrown onto fires on “Samhain” to gain protection from bad spirits roaming the night. One of the major ingredients in “Absinthe” Burn in incense to raise spirits. Wormwood, when added to herbal incense, is an aid in opening the psychic centers. When these centers are open and receptive, we may better communicate with those who have “passed over”. It has been written that wormwood and sandlewood (an herb of purification and high spiritual energy) burned together near a grave-site will summon the spirit of the departed. Wormwood is a banishing herb, used to rid a person or an area of anger and negativity. Meditation: After turning the ringer off of the phone and ensuring complete solitude, I retreat to my sacred space and light the incense charcoal (not the BBQ variety, which is toxic if burned inside) and allow it to reach its red glow. I prepare the Mugwort and Wormwood combination in a small bowl and I add about a teaspoon of the resin blend into the bowl, mix it up and place about a tablespoon of the mixture onto the burning charcoal, I allow it to smolder and burn about half way out when I add the second scoop onto the charcoal. Then, I call on the Spirits of the East and its components of air, communication, and inspiration to lend energies to meditations. I settle myself into a comfortable position conducive to meditation and I ground my spirit and center my self before beginning the meditation. If the meditation that I am planning requires music, I ensure that I have placed a CD on a loop so that the immediate end of the music does not disrupt the flow. Often I discover that the music is replaced by the sounds of the newly heightened awareness achieved through meditation in any event. And so the deepening meditative state ensues. The divination: I follow the same routine for divination as I do for meditation; however, I tend to replenish the incense on the charcoal throughout the divining session. If I am scrying, I do not want to interrupt the flow, and I tend to follow precisely the same steps as described in the meditation portion. If I am reading Tarot, then I am continuously replenishing the supply on the charcoal, as it aids in receiving and deciphering the messages and pictures for this form of divination. *** About the Author: Shirley Lenhard has been a practicing Witch and a Pagan since 1983 and lives in New England with her husband. She is employed full time in the legal field and has her Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida. Shirley looks forward to living her best possible life by giving back to the Pagan Community and has created the Facebook group \u201cPagan Plannertarium\u201d where she provides a safe home for fellow pagans to have discussions about their path and to get free planner stickers and layouts. Shirley is a past writer for Llewellyn Publishing and The Peace Paper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":250,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/250"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18305"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18305\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}