Ancestors Archives - Otherworldly Oracle

Druids: History, Lore, Magick and Modern Druidry

kitty fields — Wed, 19 May 2021 00:15:28 +0000

Ahhhh Druids. Celtic. Ancient. Mysterious. The word Druid is thrown around quite a bit when you enter into the exploration of Celtic neo-paganism. But beyond being associated with nature, magick, and Ireland what do we really know about the Druids? What do we know? The short answer to that question is not much. Most all of the historical accounts we have were written by non-Druids. The Celtic priesthood eventually became a conquered people in 60 AD when the Roman Governor of England, Suetonius, attacked their heartland – the Island of Anglesey – hoping that any survivors would die out. And his plan, for the most part, was successful except for a few hidden sacred places. Knowing this, it’s difficult to believe any account of the Druids to be 100% accurate. Since it is the conquerors who have recorded their history. Julius Caesar, Cicero, Siculus, and Strabo are among the most notable Romans to have recorded their observations and opinions on the Druids. Most of what we know comes from their writings along with historical scholarship based on archeological evidence. Who were the Druids? The Celtic word Druid roughly translated means ‘oak knower.’ There is no denying they were people of magick. But they also held other positions of esteem: teacher, doctor, priest, judges and hands to Kings. They were highly educated with novitiate status taking up to 19 years to get through. They lived on the British Isles and Gaul but cannot be ruled out to live anywhere that the Celts lived. Julius Caesar wrote about the Celtic priesthood first around 40-50 BCE. This places the first written accounts of the druids 2400 years ago until 1200 years ago when it was attacked and replaced with Christianity. Historians believe the Druids predate the Celtic priesthood but when Druidism actually began is anyone’s guess. What did the Druids believe? Druidic theology again, remains somewhat of a mystery. We know from Caesar’s writings that the priests and priestesses taught their hymns in secret. And it was forbidden for them to be written down. The Druids kept no records. It is likely that the Druids believed in some form of reincarnation since Caesar, Siculus, and Lucan (a Roman poet) all mention Druidic belief in reincarnation in differing forms. Some aligned it with the Pythagorean theory of metempsychosis where the soul can inhabit either a human or animal body while others understood it to be more like soul migration. The ancient Druids believed in polytheism as their belief in multiple Gods and Goddesses was observed by the Romans. And they certainly believed in divination and magick. Though the Classicists wrote at length about the Druids knowledge in science, astronomy, natural philosophy, and values/morality we don’t know exactly what systems they had or taught. We do know that they knew enough astronomy/astrology to create a calendar and held their own mythos regarding the natural world and enough material to keep their novitiates in school for almost twenty years! But sadly, with no written records, all we can do is make educated guesses. Did the Druids engage in human sacrifice? Yes. It has been disputed that vates were the actual people who carried out the killing. But it has been noted by three different writers that: “In religious affairs the Druids were supreme, since they alone “knew the gods and divinities of heaven.” They superintended and arranged all rites. And attended to “public and private sacrifices,” and ” no sacrifice was complete without the intervention of a Druid.” It is also from these accounts that we know Druids also preformed divination via the dead body to predict future events. Interesting to note is that archeologists believe bog mummies to be largely associated with Druidic sacrifice. Even more interesting, in a NOVA episode titled Ghosts of Murdered Kings about the bog mummies that the sacrifices made were men of wealth and nobility. Their findings were based on the stomach contents, clothing, and jewelry. If this is all correct, it means even Kings did not overrule the Druids and became sacrifices, either voluntarily or forced, if their lands were failing to yield a sustainable harvest or the people were otherwise suffering. The legend of the Wickerman comes from Caesar’s reports of sacrifice made by the Druids building a giant human figure out of twigs and then stuffing it with live creatures (including humans) and burning it to the ground. Pliny even went so far as to assert that the Druids were cannibals who ate the flesh of their enemies. But remember what we talked about before? The victors wrote the Druids story and many of these claims may have just been anti-Druid propaganda since we have no archeological evidence to support them. Were there female Druids? Yes! Commonly referred to as Druidess, females could and did fulfill the same roles as their male counterparts. In fact, many Druidesses were warriors and strategists. One way they differed significantly from the Celtic priests is in their use of divination. Typically, Druidesses served the role of diviner more so than the Druid when it came to oracular functions. Druidic divinatory practices were well known for their prophecy, dreaming, augury, omens, reading of livestock shoulder blades (not kidding!), casting lots (throwing a group of sticks, bones, or stones and reading the pattern), and scrying. Are there Druids today? Yes, but without the human sacrifice I assure you! Probably the most well know Neo-Druidic organization is called the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. It was founded in Britain in the 1960’s and has over twenty-thousand members today. They are international and exist in over six languages with over 200 in-person groups around the world. If you are interested in learning more about neo-Druidic practice and membership into the OBOD, Check out their website! There’s also The Druid Network that is not a Druidic order. But it seeks to connect neo-Druids around the world and disseminate information about neo-Druidry. What are some ways I can incorporate Druid magick into my practice? Ancient Druids were […]

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Lyran Starseeds: Origins, Starseed Markings & Modern Starry Practices

kitty fields — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 20:47:51 +0000

Lyra is a small star constellation viewable in the Summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. The stars of Lyra form a harp’s shape, or a lyre which gives the constellation it’s name. Lyra was recorded as early as the 2nd century BC by the astronomer Ptolemy. But it’s impact on our planet started long before time was invented. Modern mystics, magical practitioners, and witches are drawn to Lyra. And some believe their souls originate in the Lyran realm. If you’re drawn to Lyra and/or you’re a Lyran starseed, we will share more about Lyran starseed markings, our ancient star origins, associated gods, and how to incorporate these beliefs into your modern spiritual practice. Lyra, Vega and Our Ancient Star Origins In the new age community, there’s belief that man’s origins go far beyond the scientific or religious explanations. That perhaps humans arise from a mixture of evolution and creation, of sorts. That the ancient races from the Lyra constellation may actually be our earliest ancestors who seeded us on this planet. I find this interesting, because according to astronomy, the stars in the Lyra constellation are younger than our Sun. However, remember not every star race is on the physical plane but may be in other dimensions and other planes of existence. Vega is the brightest star in the Lyra constellation, which is why it’s also called Alpha Lyrae. This is where life in Lyra probably originated. Vega was the gateway to that galaxy from another: in Old Norse the word “Vega” meant “to move” or “to transport”. This is why I feel Vega was the doorway the Avians came through to populate Lyra. There are two main types of Lyran starseeds and star ancestors that we know of: the Felines (cat-people) and the Avians (bird-people). Avian Star Ancestors The Avians are some of the oldest beings in our Universe and there’s speculation they come from another Universe entirely. They look like bird-humanoids, and interestingly the star Vega’s name in Arabic means “Falling Eagle“. In addition, the stars Mu Lyrae and Eta Lyrae are referred to as Alathfar, which means “the Talons of the Swooping Eagle” confirming our beliefs in Avians populating the Lyra constellation. They were present in the lost civilization of Atlantis and spread throughout the world after its fall. Thoth, the Ibis-headed god of Ancient Egypt may be an Avian star being and an ancestor to Lyran starseeds. Feline Star Ancestors Many Lyran starseeds relate closely to the Feline race of Lyran star ancestors. I believe there are more Feline Lyran starseeds than Avian. But both have incarnated on our planet and both are reachable through journeying and meditation. The Feline star ancestors had a hand in humans’ origins including in the ancient civilization of Atlantis. When Atlantis fell, the Felines moved to Ancient Egypt along with Avian and Sirian star beings. There were others, but these are the star races I’ve identified so far. You might know the Feline star races through the Ancient Egyptian cat goddesses Bastet and Sekhmet. They are also linked to the lion-sphinxes so prominent in Ancient Egyptian history and mythology. Lyran Starseed Markings and Traits Lyra Constellation forms the shape of a lyre. And I believe if you’re a Lyran starseed of either kind, you will have a similar marking on your body somewhere. It might be a pattern of moles or a birthmark. It might even be in the lines on your palms. Check yourself thoroughly, as Lyran starseed markings may be anywhere on your body. These markings remind us of our true origins in the stars. In addition, Lyran starseed markings show up on birth charts. Look for Lyra and the stars of Lyra in your birth chart, OR have someone who analyzes birth charts do it for you! Be aware, you will have a lot of the fire and air element in your birth chart too. The Lyrans gave fire to the earth. Lyran starseed traits vary by type, meaning you’ll have different qualities if you’re of the Feline race or Avian. Though some will be the same, as both are from Lyra. Avian Lyran Starseed Traits: you feel you’re very old in spirit (thousands of years+) you’re attracted to space feeling like you are from somewhere else entirely (another planet or universe) an affinity for the air element dreams and visions of flying involuntarily astral projecting having a birdlike appearance: beak-like nose, thin face, long fingers, etc. attracted to the color blue bright blue aura birds gravitate towards you bird deities call to you: Thoth, Isis, Horus, etc. Feline Lyran Starseed Traits: cat-like appearance: almond shapes eyes and cat-like nose hard-working, you don’t mind physical labor enjoy fitness and healthy lifestyle you need more sleep than the average person (9+ hours) taking great pleasure in physical joys: intimacy, food, travel, etc. have a cat-like curiosity feeling like you don’t belong to this planet, yet you are grounded cat deities call to you: Bastet, Sekhmet, etc. a common Lyran starseed marking: you may have a lot of the fire element in your birth chart These are abbreviated lists. For a full list of Lyran starseed traits PLUS the other types of starseeds and their traits, click here. Lyran Gods The Feline star beings who aided in the creation of man can be seen all over Ancient Egypt. The Lion Sphinx, though we’ve lost the original god’s name, is one of the Felines from Lyra. In addition, the popular cat goddesses Bast (Bastet) and Sekhmet. I’d venture to say other gods in the ancient world associated with cats or that take on a cat or lion form may also be of Lyran origins. Thoth says, “the wisdom of the Universe can be placed on a single feather”. And wouldn’t you know it, Thoth the ibis-headed god of wisdom, writing, math, and medicine is indeed Avian in origin. I began working with Thoth back in 2012, when I first had a starseed awakening. I had NO clue back then that […]

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Divine Ancestors: Find Out If You Descend From a Celtic God or Goddess!

kitty fields — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:19:52 +0000

Do YOU descend from an ancient Celtic god or goddess? Compare your ancestors’ surnames (or your current name) to our database here and find out if your ancestor was divine! Backstory: recently I was doing research to find an ancestral god for someone and discovered that nearly every old Irish clan claims descent from a god or hero. I kept digging and made a list of the Irish clans and the gods and goddesses they claim as ancestors. If you see your name (or your ancestors’ name) on this list, you can claim divine descent! READ THIS FIRST: Check the variations of each of your surnames and compare to what I have listed here. You can Google your surnames and find the variations. Why is this important? There are multiple versions of most Irish surnames. For example, my ancestors’ last name was McNally. Variations of McNally include: MacNally, MacNall, and MacAnally, etc. Also Note: This is not an all-inclusive list as there are thousands of Irish surnames that could literally take up a book. I did my best with researching and gathering names, but if you don’t see your Irish surname in this article I highly recommend digging into the roots of your name. Look for your Irish clan then read through what sept or ancient tribal group they originate from. From there, you may be able to find your ancestral god or goddess! 1. The Cailleach: Winter Goddess & Divine Ancestor The Cailleach is an ancestral goddess to many Irish people alive today. There is more than one old Irish sept that claims her as an ancestor. If your ancestors were part of the Corcu Loigde or Corcu Duibne (later called the Dairine), you can claim Cailleach as your fairy goddess ancestor. Here are the surnames I’ve found linked to the Dairine: Coffey Flynn O’Connell O’Donovan O’Driscoll O’Falvey O’Leary O’Shea 2. Danu: Mother to the Tuatha De Dannan and the Corcu Duibne The Corcu Duibne (already mentioned above) can also claim the Mother of the Tuatha De Dannan as their ancestor – the goddess Danu. Danu is a mother goddess and earth goddess. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many sources left that tell her stories. Corcu Duibne translates to “seed of Duibhne” a.k.a. Danu. If you have any of these Irish surnames in your ancestry, you descend from the Mother Goddess Danu! O’Connell O’Falvey O’Shea 3. Flidais: Celtic Goddess of the Forest Flidais is an ancient Celtic Goddess of the earth, forest, and fertility often depicted with a set of antlers. She is one of the Tuatha De Dannan and was beloved by the Deisi people and later on claimed as an ancestor of the Dal gCais tribes. If your ancestors’ name is in the list below, Flidais is your divine ancestor. Aherne Barron Boland Casey Clancy Clohessy Considine Couglan Downey Heffernan Hogan Hurley Kennedy McGrath McMahon McNamara O’Brien O’Carroll O’Curry O’Grady O’Hanrahan O’Mahoney Quinn Twomey 4. Lugh: Celtic Sun God and Divine Ancestor Lugh is a Celtic sun god who is also part of the Tuatha De Dannan. Multiple Irish clans claimed Lugh as their god and ancestor. If your ancestors were part of the Eoganachta, Lugh is your Celtic god ancestor. One connection lies in the king Lughaid who claimed descent from Lugh, as well as Irish clans that claim descent from Cu Chulainn. This legendary hero claimed descent from Lugh, henceforth Irish clans connected to him are also descended from Lugh. If your surname(s) match any below, you can claim Lugh as a divine ancestor: Bird Breen Cassidy Cowley Darragh Godfrey Heany Loughlin MacAleese MacAlilly MacBreen MacCaffrey MacCauley MacEleer MacMorrow MacNally Magee McCormack McGuire McManus 5. Brigid Brigid is one of the most beloved deities of old Celtic Ireland and Scotland. She is a goddess of the hearth, smithing, and healing. After the church converted the people, the goddess Brigid continued in the form of Saint Brigid. These Irish clans from the Bairrche tribal group claim descent from her. If you have one of these names in your ancestry, Brigid is your divine ancestor: MacGorman McBride O’Gorman 6. Manannan Mac Lir: Divine Ancestor and Sea God Manannan Mac Lir is an ancient Celtic sea god who is still well-known on the Isle of Man. In fact, the Isle of Man was named after the Son of the Sea himself. He is a protector of sailors and a god of abundance and the otherworld. The Conmhaicne were an early race of people of Ireland, who some believe were “fathered by Oirbsiu” (another name for Manannan Mac Lir). If you have any of these surnames in your ancestry, you are a grandchild of Manannan Mac Lir: Cloherty Conneely Devany Folan MacDorchy MacKeoghe MacNeela MacRannall MacShanley O’Farrell O’Kealy O’Manning O’Moran O’Mulvey O’Radaghan Reynolds Stone 7. Nuada: King of the Tuatha De Dannan The King of the Tuatha De Dannan, the divine race of Celtic Irish gods, may be an ancestor of yours. Nuada is also known as Nechten and he’s the husband of the goddess Boann. As a warrior god, if his blood runs through your veins, you undoubtedly took on some of his characteristics. The Delbhna Nuadat was a group of lords who claimed ownership over a portion of land in modern County Roscommon. If you or your ancestors have one of these surnames, you can claim descent from the god Nuada: O’Faherty O’Flanagan 8. Macha: Sun Goddess and Ancestral Mother Macha is a sun goddess, a sovereignty goddess of Ulster, and one of the three sisters of The Morrigan. She’s associated with the earth, horses, war, love and fertility. Like her other divine counterparts here, she is also a divine ancestor to many Irish people today through the Ui Meith clans. If you have this name or your ancestors carry one of these surnames, you descend from Macha: Beaky Beck Caldwell Ganey Hanvey Horish Horsiskey Marron Mearn Mulbride Mulready Smollen Waters You Have Divine Blood…Now What? Maybe you realized you descend from an ancient Celtic god or goddess. […]

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Fairy Bloodlines: Do You Descend from a Celtic Fairy Queen?

kitty fields — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 23:05:43 +0000

While researching a customer’s ancestral goddess, I came across something intriguing. There was an Irish sept, the Corcu Loigde, that claimed descent from a Fairy Queen named Cliodhna. It turns out, my Irish ancestors were part of the sept and I am able to claim fairy blood! What’s even more amazing is that MOST people of Irish descent can claim a legendary hero, fairy, god, or goddess as their ancestor. In this article, I’m providing you a look at my research of the Irish clans and their descent from Fairy Queens. Check if YOUR Irish or Scottish ancestors’ names are on this list and find out if YOU were born in a fairy bloodline! (Stay tuned because in my next article, you’ll be able to compare your Irish surnames against a list of clans who claim gods and goddesses as ancestors!) READ THIS FIRST: Check the variations of each of your surnames and compare to what I have listed here. You can Google your surnames and find the variations. Why is this important? There are multiple versions of most Irish surnames. For example, my ancestors’ last name was McNally. Variations of McNally include: MacNally, MacNall, and MacAnally, etc. This is not an all-inclusive list as there are thousands of Irish surnames that could literally take up a book. 1. Cliodhna: Celtic Fairy Queen and Goddess of Cork I have to put Cliodhna at the top, as she’s been the inspiration and voice behind this project. If you have any of the following Irish surnames in your ancestry AND your ancestors came from Cork, Ireland, they are part of an ancient sept called the Corcu Loigde. And it means YOU are a grandchild of Cliodhna the Fairy Queen! Cliodhna is an ancient sovereignty goddess of what is now Cork, Ireland. She is a goddess of beauty, love, healing, dreams, music, and the Celtic Otherworld. She is also considered a fairy queen, witch and mermaid. Read all about Cliodhna and how to work with her here. Do you have any of these Irish surnames from Cork in your ancestry? If so, you descend from Cliodhna! Coffey Flynn O’Donovan O’Driscoll O’Leary 2. The Fairy Bloodlines of Queen Medb Queen Medb is the queen of Conacht in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She started the infamous Cattle Raid of Cooley in her attempts to capture the kingdom of Ulster’s prized bull. Scholars believe she is a variation of a sovereignty goddess and may even be the war goddess The Morrigan. In later centuries, she became a Celtic Fairy Queen. This may be because of Shakespeare’s fairy Queen Mab character. To many modern pagans, Queen Medb is more than a mythical figure or queen, she is a warrior goddess and an ancestor to the following Irish clans. Do you have any of these surnames in your Irish heritage? Then you descend from Queen Medb! Ainnsin Beglin Calbrain Ciaracan Connick Cronan Curnin Doonan Dunnan Finn Finnigan Foaley Geoffrey Herry Jeffries Kearon Keegan MacCogan MacConkeel MacEnhill MacLeavy MacMurrow MacShaffrey MacShane Moraine Moran Morey Mulhooley Mullock Murray Murrow O’Quinn Sharry Sullihan Tarmey Tormey Woods 3. Fairy Bloodlines of Queen Una (Oonagh) Another goddess of the Tuatha De Dannan who was demoted to Fairy Queen over the centuries is Una (sometimes spelled Oonagh or Oona). She’s a fairy queen of Munster and is a goddess of music, love, and fidelity. And she protects young animals and children. Queen Una lives under Knockshegowna in County Tipperary (also called the Fairy Mound of Una). She is the last queen of the Daoine Sidhe and the wife to the High Fairy King Finvarra. Do your Irish ancestors have this name? If so, you’re a descendant of Una and part of an ancient fairy bloodline: O’Carroll 4. Aine: Midsummer Fairy Queen and Ancestor Aine is a Celtic Irish goddess of summer, sovereignty, animals, crops, fertility, Midsummer and the sun. She resides in County Limerick, where her sacred hill is located. But her memory is preserved in many place-names throughout Ireland. Aine rides an otherworldly red mare. In some myths, Aine is married to the King of Munster Ailil Aulom, and his descendants the septs of the Eoganachta, claim Aine as their ancestor. These are the clans of the Eoganachta. Do You Have Irish ancestors with any of these clan names? Then Aine is your Fairy Queen ancestor! Connelly Lynch MacAnliffe MacCarthy MacGillycuddy Morgan O’Bogue O’Cahalane O’Callaghan O’Cannifree O’Connell O’Cronin O’Dennehy O’Donnell O’Donoghue O’Dwyer O’Feehan O’Flahiffe O’Flynn O’Hea O’Keefe O’Kirby O’Leary O’Mahoney O’Moriarty O’Quirke O’Sullivan The MacLeod Scottish Clan’s Fairy Bloodline The MacLeod clan from the Isle of Skye, Scotland, claims they have fairy blood. The story comes from a centuries-old relic the family still has in their possession – the Fairy Flag. Legend says the flag was given to the MacLeod clan by a fairy woman who had married a MacLeod chief. She was married to him for twenty years and was forced to leave him and return to the Otherworld. The fairy woman said goodbye to the chief on the fairy bridge and gave him the flag. She told him to wave the flag whenever they were in dire need of help and it would be granted three times. If you have the MacLeod last name or it’s in your family tree, you can claim fairy blood. Unfortunately, we don’t know enough about this fairy woman to provide a name or anything else. But the clan claims they descend from her. Learn more about the fairy flag of Dunvegan here. You Have Fairy Blood…Now What? Maybe you realized you’re part of a fairy bloodline. But now you’re wondering what to do with this information? It’s up to you what you do with the information. I’m not saying anyone is necessarily a fairy or that your ancestor was a fairy, I’m saying that these clans claimed it. This is similar to how the Egyptian pharaohs claimed to be gods or descend from the gods. It gave people status and probably fueled their […]

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Pathworking: Meeting Your Ancestor Meditation for Members Only

kitty fields — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 22:33:10 +0000

You’re struggling to connect with your ancestors. Have you tried pathworking to meet and talk to them? Pathworking is a clever, fancy name for guided meditation. Here I give you one of my ancestor guided meditations. You’ll just need to have someone read it to you, or record it to play for yourself. Pathworking is a great way to practice your meditation skills PLUS reach out to your ancestors on a more personal, experiential level. For Bella Donna Members Only. A Guided Underworld Meditation: Conversation With An Ancestor 1. Start by finding a quiet place where you’ll be alone and undisturbed. 2. Close your eyes and slow your breathing. 3. Focus on the air moving in and out of your lungs. One breath at a time. (pause for 15-20 seconds) 4. Continue to breathe in this way until you’re fully relaxed. From head to toe. (pause for 15-30 seconds) 5. With your eyes still closed, you’ll begin to see a tree in the distance. Walk towards the tree. As you get closer and closer, you notice the tree is very large. It’s great limbs stretch into the heavens, and it’s roots jut out all around it and then penetrate into the earth. The trunk of the tree is glowing. 6. Slowly walk towards it. Don’t be afraid of it. (pause 15 seconds) 7. The light from the trunk grows brighter and brighter until it envelopes you completely. 8. You feel yourself being gently pulled down into the tree by the light. This feeling is comforting and warm. You give in to where the tree’s light wants to take you. 9. Down. Down. Gliding down the roots of the tree and through the earth your soul travels. 10. The earth breaks apart and you’re now standing in an open cave. Someone also enveloped in a bright, white light is walking towards you. You smile when you realize, it is one of your ancestors. 11. Your ancestor approaches you slowly and when his or her face comes into view, you notice he or she is smiling. His/her eyes are bright and full of love for you. (pause 15 seconds) 12. Speak with your ancestor for a few minutes or as long as it takes. Ask them their name and what message they have for you. What guidance they have for your life. Ask your ancestor to agree on a particular sign they will send you when you ask for one, sort of like a secret handshake. Also ask them how best you may honor them in your spiritual practice. (pause 2-5 minutes) 12. When the conversation is over, thank them and turn to go back up the tree’s roots. 13. The divine light from the tree pulls you up, up, up and back to middle earth. Your feet are planted firmly on the ground and you turn to leave the glowing tree behind you. (pause 15 seconds) 14. Walk home and back into your consciousness slowly (pause 2+ minutes) 15. When you’re ready, open your eyes and ground yourself in reality. 16. Eat a piece of bread and drink some water. Then record your experience.

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DNA Kits & Ancestor Work: Your Ethnicity AND Spirituality

kitty fields — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 15:00:22 +0000

If you ever wanted to know your ethnicity, modern technology has provided a simple way – DNA kits. Order a kit from Ancestry, 23andMe, etc. They send you a tube to spit in. You seal it and ship it back. Then in a few weeks’ time, a full ethnicity report is ready for you to review. It’s simple and fairly affordable to do. Interestingly, modern witches, pagans and spiritual individuals have found this process enlightening and helpful when working spiritually with ancestors. Here’s the downlow on DNA kits, ancestor work, your ethnicity and how it might influence your spiritual practice. The DNA Kit Basics There’s quite a few companies out there providing DNA kits including Ancestry, 23andMe, and MyHeritage. What exactly does a DNA kit do? A DNA kit is sent to you by one of these companies upon purchase, you’ll spit in a tube, then send it back for that company to analyze against their DNA database. Once they’ve analyzed your DNA sample, they send you a report or you log into their website to view your report on your ethnic matches. This means these companies will tell you if you share similar DNA to people in other countries and regions. For example, you might have DNA that’s 50% English, 30% Nigerian, 10% Native American and 10% Norwegian. 23andMe also offers a “health” DNA analysis which will tell you if you have DNA markers for particular diseases. You can opt in or out of this feature with 23andMe. I opted out, to be honest. Which DNA Kit is Best? I’ve purchased DNA kits from both Ancestry and 23andMe. I haven’t quite made up my mind which is better, and I’ll tell you why. Ancestry claims to have a larger database of DNA to compare yours to; however, 23andMe seems to be more accurate when comparing to my actual family tree. 23andMe also provides females with their mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) haplogroup and males with their Y-DNA haplogroup. If you’re female, your mtDNA links you to an ancient clan mother. Learn more about the 7 clan mothers of Europe here. Ancestry updates your DNA results frequently, each time they receive new DNA or update their process, etc. 23andMe also updates your DNA results as they acquire new information, though it doesn’t seem to be as often as Ancestry. Now, DNA doesn’t work in the way most people think. Many people have this idea that if their mom was mostly Irish and English and their dad was Scottish, then their DNA will come back as just that: 50% Scottish, 25% Irish and 25% English. It almost never comes back like that. Instead, you might find your DNA shows you are mostly Irish with a sprinkling of Scottish and English and maybe a few other things you didn’t know about. Then the person is confused or even upset – how can my Dad be full-blooded Scottish but mine only shows 10%? Because DNA doesn’t work that way. There are many scientific factors that I won’t go into here. But if you don’t understand how DNA works, I recommend researching it before ordering a DNA kit. Once You Receive Your DNA Kit Results You sent in your kit, and waited for weeks. Now you finally have your results! But what do you do with this new information about yourself? Take time to allow yourself to absorb and fully understand your results. Was it what you expected? Completely unexpected? Does it match your family tree or what your family’s claims to ethnicity are? Finding Your ANCIENT Ancestors Through MyTrueAncestry At this point, you have another option that many modern pagans are finding extremely helpful in connecting with their pagan roots: MyTrueAncestry. MyTrueAncestry is another DNA service, but it’s not like the others mentioned above. MyTrueAncestry takes your raw DNA results and compares it to their database of ancient to Medieval archaeological DNA samples. Then they tell you your closest ancient and Medieval ancestors’ cultures including Romans, Germanic tribes of many kinds, Celts and specific Celtic tribes, indigenous North and South American tribes and peoples, ancient Mediterranean peoples and many more! This particular DNA service has taken my pagan practice and ancestor work to the next level. Your DNA and Your Spiritual Practice What you do with your DNA results spiritually is inevitably up to you. Maybe you’re wondering how a person’s DNA relates to his or her spirituality. Your DNA is what makes up your very being here on this planet. And you acquired your DNA from your ancestors. In fact, millions of people before you have contributed to the making of you. You are a culmination of hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of years of humanDNA on this planet. Your DNA is the essence of who you are, physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is your physical road-map and your link to your ancestral roots. The DNA Helix, Kundalini and Othala The symbol of the Hindu concept of Kundalini (a snake-like coil of energy that rests at the base of the spine) looks an awful lot like the DNA helix. This is because DNA is the source of life energy, as is the Kundalini. And where does your DNA come from? Your ancestors. As I write this article, I’ve made a realization the rune Othala looks eerily similar to Kundalini and the DNA helix. The rune Othala means home and hearth, and more importantly – ancestral inheritance. What do you inherit from your ancestors? DNA! Start Researching How does a person go about analyzing and applying their DNA results to their spirituality? You will have a mixture of DNA from various places. One way to implement your ancestry into your spiritual practice is to first study the history and culture of your ancestors. This means if you find out your DNA is mostly from Eastern Europe, study the different countries there, the cultures, the ancient andmodern history, the religious practices, etc. If you find out you have mostly Iberian DNA, study Spanish history, culture, […]

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I Am Odin’s Granddaughter: How I Found The AllFather in My Family Tree

kitty fields — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 19:18:58 +0000

I am a granddaughter of Odin. I am descended from Odin. That might sound completely egotistical or nuts, but here me out. I believe many people from European descent, particularly English, Scottish, and Scandinavian, descend from Viking royalty and therefore descend from Odin. You might descend from Odin, too! Or perhaps some other pagan god or legendary figure. I’ll tell you my story and how I made this amazing discovery. And advise on how you can do it too! First, The Family Tree Must Be Built The first thing is you’ll need patience and dedication. In order to find gods or pagan gods or legendary figures in your ancestry, you have to build a family tree. This typically takes years to do. Now, I know this is no easy feat for some people as they might be adopted or estranged from their families. If you’re adopted, you can still build a family tree using your adopted family’s information. We believe our adopted family’s ancestors adopt us as their own. If you’re estranged from family, my recommendation is this: make amends with at least one so you can gain the information you’ll need to start a family tree. It’s funny because right before I found Odin in my family tree, he came to me in a dream as a dusty old construction worker. He was urging me to continue building my family tree so I could find him! I Am Odin’s Granddaughter, And How You Can Begin Your Research I began my family tree using Ancestry.com’s service. To people who think this method of building a family tree is too difficult, I’ll put it like this. Back in the day, before the internet, you had to build a family tree manually. With paper, pen, and digging through archives in dusty old libraries etc. And you only had access to so much information without hitting a dead end in your lineage. Once you enter your family’s basic information on ancestry, their service begins attaching related or possible archives to your ancestors for you to approve or decline. So you tell me which is easier? Here’s what you’ll need to start your family tree on Ancestry: input your name, date of birth, then your parents’ names and dates of birth (and death, if applicable). Beyond that, your grandparents’ names and dates are extra helpful. And if you even have your great grandparents’ information, even better! This is a great start to your family tree and you’ll see just how easy Ancestry makes it to find information on your family and continue to build backwards from there. You will have to pay for the membership, be aware. The Secret is Royal Blood So how was I able to find a pagan god in my lineage? The secret is this: once you find a nobleman, noblewoman, duke, duchess, or king or queen in your lineage, you’ll have an easier time tracing that branch further back. Why? Because the royals and nobles kept records while most of the peasants did not. And this might seem conceited, but here’s the thing. With how many ancestors we all have, nearly everyone has royal blood somewhere down the line! Everyone! On my father’s side, I found a man with the title “Sir”, to which research showed he was a nobleman in Germany in the fifteen hundreds. I did have to pay for the European archives/membership to gain access to this information. But trust me, it was worth it. Next, I traced his ancestors back as far as ancestry would allow me. When I came to a dead end, I simply googled the last ancestor in that line and found a Wikipedia page for him. The Wikipedia page provided his parents’ names, which I entered into my family tree. And I continued using google to find each ancestors’ names all the way back to the 1st century AD! Don’t be fooled, this took me a long time to complete. Ancestors Who Claim “Divine Descent” After discovering my ancient ancestors via ancestry and a Google search, I came across a King of Denmark named King Skjold. When I read up about his life, I discovered he claimed descent of the Norse/Germanic god Odin. Now, does this mean King Skjold was a god or an actual son of a god? No, not necessarily. Often the ancient royal families of Europe claimed descent from some god or goddess similar to the ancient Egyptians. The Egyptian pharaohs claimed descent from gods like Ra, Aten, and Horus. While the Egyptian queens claimed descent from goddesses like Nekhbet and Wadjet. It gave them more status and made them seem more powerful to their people and enemies. And if you search your ancestry in Ireland and Scotland, you’ll find royalty that might claim descent from Aine, Lugh, the Caeilleach and more. I found another link to a deity by finding an Irish hero of whom my ancestors were named after. Then when looking at his story, discovered he was a son of the Celtic god Lugh. Sometimes you’ll run across a Saint or legendary hero or figure in your ancestry. Thoroughly review their stories and legends, because sometimes Saints are pagan gods in disguise. And legendary heroes and figures are often said to be demi-gods or sons of gods. So if you don’t find a link to Odin, look for royal ancestors who are linked to other deities. Keep trying and I guarantee you’ll find you have ancestors of divine descent…which means YOU can claim divine descent! DNA Breakdowns Help Too While some people are against DNA kits, if you’re willing to send your DNA to a company to get an ethnicity breakdown it helps. I used both Ancestry and 23andMe, and both have their pros and cons. Ancestry supposedly has more DNA in their archive to compare your DNA to. At the same time, they don’t provide you with your mtDNA, which links you to your ancestral Clan Mother (read about clan mothers here). After you […]

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Dumb Supper: How to Host a Sacred Ancestral Dinner for Samhain

kitty fields — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 11:19:26 +0000

Samhain is coming on the eve of October 31st. This night marks the “end of Summer” in the Celtic calendar, as well as the Witches’ New Year. Traditionally, our ancestors have the ability to visit and dine with us at a meal called the Dumb Supper. Eating this food doesn’t make anyone stupid, it actually means everyone eats a full meal in silence. Learn the importance of and how to host a sacred Samhain Dumb Supper to honor your ancestors. What is a Samhain Dumb Supper? Samhain is celebrated on October 31st through November 1st. And it is the night when the ancestors are walk among us freely. On this night, we celebrate the ancestors and those who have gone before us. Many pagans enjoy setting a special place at the dinner table for their ancestors. OR you can take it to the next level and host a Samhain dumb supper. A dumb supper is when the entire family eats dinner in silence, out of humble respect for the ancestors. It is a gesture of gratitude and sacredness. In addition, and most importantly, remaining silent through the dinner allows time and space for the ancestors to speak to us. I know I’ve heard their voices louder in the silence than in a crowded, noisy room. A Samhain Dumb Supper Menu What foods to include at your Samhain Dumb Supper is entirely up to you. However, we suggest making something seasonal (for Fall) PLUS incorporating your ancestors’ favorite types of foods. For example, if your ancestors are Irish, consider making colcannon (a traditional Samhain food) along with your chicken. If your ancestors are Nigerian, choose traditional Nigerian foods. Etc. Check out our 10 Samhain Meal Recommendations. Another idea for Samhain Dumb Supper is to make a meal that your immediate ancestors enjoyed. For example, your great grandmother loved making chicken and dumplings. So you will make chicken and dumplings. Maybe your grandfather loved eating apple crumble for dessert. Then you can have apple crumble in your dumb supper. Don’t forget the beverages! If you drink alcohol, consider making a traditional mulled wine. Beer, wine, mead, and hard cider are acceptable to the ancestors and are appropriate for Samhain. If you’re a non-alcoholic household, regular apple cider is perfect! How to Set Up the Dumb Supper Table Depending on how many ancestors you’d like to honor with your Samhain dumb supper, consider setting that many places at your dinner table. For me, I have dozens and dozens of ancestors I work with in my practice. Which also means I do not have enough space at my dinner table. So I typically set one space only and make it known the ancestors must share! Do what feels right to you. But make sure no one else sits in that place or touches the setting after you’ve set it up. You’ll want the setting of the supper to be lit with as much natural light as possible. Candlelight, oil lamps, etc are best in welcoming the ancestors’ presence on Samhain eve. In addition, clean the room and cleanse it spiritually beforehand. I like to leave a window open if the weather allows it, to allow the ancestors to easily come in and out. Jack-o-lanterns outside help light the way for the good spirits and keep out the bad. You may cast a circle, if you feel so inclined. I simply ask for my elevated ancestors ONLY to join us for dinner and to keep any malevolent spirits or ghosts out. As for color and decor, go with what you feel. I prefer dark colors like black and purple or black and red. OR Autumn colors like orange, red, brown, yellow. Place a few photos of your ancestors on the table. How to Perform the Dumb Supper Traditionally, everyone enters the room silent and stops for a moment at the ancestors’ chair(s) to silently pray for the departed. Sometimes we leave notes at the side of the place-setting for the ancestors. Remember – the whole point is that no one talks for the entirety of the meal. It’s respectful to serve the ancestors their meal first, then serve from oldest to youngest. No one should begin eating until everyone is served (this is just normal manners and should go without saying). When you pour the drinks, pour the ancestors’ first and be sure to make a silent toast while gently clinking glasses (this act scares any spirits out of the SPIRITS you’re drinking!) Anticipate Problems Before They Happen What if someone needs something else for their dinner? It’s your job as host to keep an eye on your guests and be able to anticipate what they need. A good idea is to add an extra fork/knife/napkin to each setting. Make sure there’s plenty of salt and pepper on the table (both ends/throughout). What if a phone rings or there’s an outside distraction of some kind? Before beginning the dinner, ask your guests to leave their phones and devices out of the room and turn them off. Same goes with TVs in the room itself. This limits or completely cuts off distractions from happening and breaking the silent ritual. What if someone needs to use the restroom? Before entering the room for dumb supper, make sure everyone knows where the bathroom is located. Then tell them if they need to use it during the meal, they may quietly get up and walk away. Then return without a word Up the Samhain Dumb Supper Wrapping Up The Samhain Dumb Supper To finish the dinner ritual, everyone should quietly exit the room, stopping once more at the ancestors’ place to silently give thanks and say goodbye. Leave the food and drink at the ancestors’ place to allow them time to finish and maybe linger a bit longer. Leave a few of the candles burning, only if you can check on them or have a safe view of them in the house (safety first!) Before anyone leaves your home, […]

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Witch Trials in Europe: The Basque Witch Cult of Spain & France

kitty fields — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 22:59:58 +0000

The most searched-for Witch Trials on the internet is the Salem Witch Trials. Most of us have heard the story or seen a movie about the Salem Witch Trials. But did you know Europe had its own Witch Trials long before and during Salem? One of the most interesting and well-documented of the Witch Trials in Europe raged in the Basque region of Spain and France. The Basque witches were accused of worshiping a goat-god, keeping toads as familiars, and meeting each other by Hell’s Stream. Witch Trials in Europe: A Brief History of The Basque Witch Trials The Basque Witch Trials began in the fifteenth century, potentially fueling the Spanish Inquisition, when the Basques were accused of witchcraft and causing harm in Northern Spain. Subsequently, King Ferdinand granted a law to try and execute the accused without the right to an appeal. A documented thirty people were executed in 1509 in the first series of Basque Witch Trials in Europe. Then more tried and executed in 1517 and 1527. Cometh The Witch Hunters The Witch Trials in Spain calmed down for a short period of time, then fired up again in the early seventeenth century. This time it was on the French side. The French Parlement of Bordeaux got word and sent Pierre de Lancre, a lawyer and witch hunter, to investigate. Witch Trials in this area of Europe sparked up in 1609 when De Lancre found the rumors to be true. Under Pierre De Lancre, nearly eighty people were executed for witchcraft in the French Basque region. This included men, women and children. The typical method of execution was burning at the stake in front of the entire town. Frias and the Zugarramurdi Witches In 1610, the Spanish Basques met their witch hunter – a lawyer named Alonso Salazar Frias. Frias began investigating the city of Zugarramurdi in the Basque region of Spain which was believed to be full of witches. There were rumors of witches who gathered where a cave met a stream called Hell’s Stream. Within the Pyrenees Mountains. There were also rumors of priests who not only allowed witchcraft to thrive but participated in it. Frias hunted furiously for these witches. He invaded their homes, looking specifically for ointments, poisons and toads dressed in robes. The toads he never did find. Two thousand Basques were accused – approximately thirteen hundred were children between the ages of 7 and 14. They were told if they confessed, they would be pardoned. Nearly eighteen hundred of the accused later retracted their confessions claiming they had confessed under torture. Two priests were accused of allowing witchcraft to go on within the church AND offering saint amulets for healing to those who were ill. Some sources claim nearly seven thousand people were accused but only eleven were executed. The further I’ve researched, the more inconsistencies I find with numbers of accused versus executed, etc. I would suspect the number is on the higher side, given that these witch trials in Europe began in the fourteen hundreds and ended in the sixteen hundreds in Spain and France. The Goat God, Wild Sabbats and Toad Familiars What we know of the Basque Witches comes from the documented witch trials, mostly written by witch hunters, courts, and Church officials. So, we have to assume much of it has been either embellished or flat-out fabricated. The Basques had an old (Probably ancient) magical tradition that they passed down to their children and grandchildren. There was a hierarchy, of sorts, with the elder women sitting at the top. Women were held in equal and high regard among the Basque people. The elders were called Kings and Queens instead of priests and priestesses. Children were passed down knowledge from the elders and given the job of “herding toads” at the sabbats. As mentioned previously, Basque witches particularly loved their toad familiars. The witch hunters claimed the Basques “dressed” toads in little robes and vehemently searched for evidence of this. To no avail. Popular meeting places for Basque witch sabbats were caves, streams, meadows and wild places in general. In Zugarramurdi, the witches met at a cave now called the Cuevas de las Brujas (Cave of the witches) and at a stream that ran through it called Hell’s Stream. The akhallare was the name for a meadow where the French Basques met for sabbats which translates to he-goat meadow. A meeting place that was named after the Basques patron god. Janicot, The Devil One of the key accusations (Popular throughout witch trials in Europe) was the Basques worshiped “the Devil”. The correlation comes from the Basques’ main god who was a goat-like god they called Janicot. The witch hunter De Lancre claimed to have found a Basque rhyme about Janicot: “In nomine patrica,Aragueaco petrica,Gastellaco Janicot,Equidae ipordian pot.” Which translates to, “In the name of the Father, the father of Aragon, Janicot of Castile, give me a kiss on the backside.” A common accusation in European witch trials involved promiscuity and unspeakable acts with the devil and other witches. Which is where this rhyme undoubtedly originates (probably falsified by De Lancre as “evidence”). Janicot or Janus: Roman Fertility God The Basque god Janicot seems to have been a continuation of the Roman god Janus. Doreen Valiente speaks at length of this theory in An ABC of Witchcraft. The Roman God Janus was the consort to the witch goddess Diana, of whom many Italian witches were denounced for worshiping. Janus was the god of doors, opening doors, and fertility. Obviously to open the doors of reproduction constitutes opening a doorway to allow souls to be born into the world. And the fertility aspect directly relates to woodland gods with goat features like Pan and Dianus, as well as Greek Satyrs and Roman fauns. Handfasting and Marrying the Earth It’s interesting to note the Basque people performed weddings at large gatherings that would eventually be called devil-worshiping black masses. The Basque people were accused of giving over their virgins to […]

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Ancestor Altar: How to Create Sacred Space for Your Ancestors

kitty fields — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 10:25:58 +0000

If you’re beginning to develop a relationship with your ancestors, setting up an ancestor altar is essential. It gives you a place to connect on a regular basis. It serves as a reminder that your ancestors are present. Learn how to set up your ancestor altar here with our step-by-step process. And how to maintain it. How To Set Up Your Ancestor Altar: Step by Step Don’t worry about what altars look like online. Don’t even worry about what altars look like in your mind. When you first set up your ancestor altar, focus on the energy you put into it. Yours will be unique from the rest…because it is yours. And your ancestors will be happy to have a physical place to visit. 1. Decide on a Surface First, decide where to put your altar. I highly recommend that it’s not in your bedroom. But maybe in your living, dining room or kitchen. Ancestors don’t want to see what you do in your private time. Next, choose a surface of a table, buffet, shelf, counter, etc. that will be used solely for the purpose of honoring your ancestors. This means nothing else will be set on top of it. No phones, remotes, computers, TVs, appliances, etc. A wall shelf, empty book shelf, or small accent table is great. 2. Gather Your Tools and Supplies For Your Ancestor Altar Next, decide what you want on your ancestor altar. A few basic recommendations: a photo(s) of your ancestors, heirlooms, a cup and bowl for offerings, incense and incense burner, candles and candle holders, and seasonal decorations (optional). If you don’t have photos of your ancestors, things that represent them and link you to their energy work great. Heirlooms are helpful for this. What if you don’t have any heirlooms either? A map of their homeland, photos of historical markers, etc. all work well in place of personal photos. 3. Cleansing Once you’ve decided on a surface and gathered your supplies, it’s time to cleanse. There are different methods of cleansing your altar, including smoke-cleansing, asperging, or simply wiping the surface and tools with a cloth. If you choose to wipe them down, use a little lemon juice mixed into water. As you cleanse, visualize white light from above illuminating the altar surface and each item. 4. Set Up Next, it’s time to set your ancestor altar up. The set-up is entirely up to you. In certain traditions and religions like Wicca, there may be a set pattern to follow; however, if you’re solitary and doing this on your own – set it up how you like! I prefer to keep my ancestors at the forefront and make their photos the central focus, then I build around that. I also like to add seasonal decor: eggs and bunnies for Spring, flowers for Summer, sunflowers and pumpkins for Fall, and Christmas decor for Winter. Don’t forget – invite your ancestors to this space! 5. Provide Offerings The first time you set up your ancestor altar, provide offerings and invite your ancestors to this sacred space. Offerings include: a fresh cup of water, flowers, incense, candle flame, drinks like wine and coffee, fruit, and food in general. Over time, your ancestors will begin to tell you what offerings they prefer and what they don’t. Trust me, you’ll hear their voices soon. How to Maintain Your Ancestor Altar You have your ancestor altar set up, but now what? Use your altar as a physical, tangible place where you speak to your ancestors. Speak out loud or in your mind, it doesn’t matter. Also provide regular offerings. Some people give daily offerings. I provide weekly offerings. While others might only give once every other week. Other offerings to ancestors include handmade items, poetry, song, artwork, and just about anything you’re moved to offer them. Let your altar be a place that inspires you. When you feel sad, ill, or in need, stand at your ancestor altar and call on your ancestors. Knock three times and call out their names (if you know the names). Light a candle and tell them it’s in their honor. Don’t forget to cleanse your ancestor altar every once in awhile. I prefer to clean and cleanse mine once a month – usually on the New Moon. I take everything off, dust the altar and my supplies, then cleanse using smoke or blessed water/spray. After I set everything back on, I invite my ancestors presence back to the space. More on Ancestor Work: How to Connect With Your Ancestors The Clan of Tara: Ancient Ancestry and Mitochondrial DNA Samhain Herbal Ancestor Offering Recipe

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