supernatural Archives - Otherworldly Oracle

How to Get Rid of Shadow People in 4 Essential Steps

kitty fields — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 16:45:54 +0000

Are you seeing shadow people? Do the shadows seem to follow you or visit you on a regular basis? These paranormal beings are usually harmless yet unnerving. Sometimes their harmless natures morph into something a little more threatening. If you’re tired of dealing with shadow people, it’s time to eradicate them from your life. Learn how to get rid of shadow people effectively here. How to Get Rid of Shadow People in 4 Steps Theories abound as to what shadow people are and whether they’re related to the Hat Man, ghosts, aliens, or demons. I have my own theories, which can be read here. To put it simply, they’re low-level spirits of some kind. Typically when shadow people are seen, they observe us from the corner of a room, dart in and out of our peripheral vision, and sometimes follow us. Many people claim shadow people are attached to them for one reason or another. What do shadow people want? We don’t really know but most people agree it’s one of two things: they want to observe us and/or they feed off our energy. If it’s the latter, we quickly need to learn how to get rid of shadow people. STAT. Here’s how: 1. Cleanse Your Space The first thing you need to do is cleanse your space. Physically clean your house top to bottom. Get out the vacuum, mop, dust rags, windex, pledge, etc. and give your house a good scrubbing. De-clutter it, as well. Energy gets trapped in dirty, dark and cluttered spaces which can attract (or sometimes produce) low-level entities like shadow people. In addition to cleaning your space, a spiritual cleansing is a MUST. This can be done in multiple ways, but the most effective is by smoke-cleansing. Sage and rosemary both work wonders to cleanse a space of negative energy and spirits. Don’t forget: you must. open. the. windows. If not, the spirit could get trapped and you’ll just p*ss it off more. 2. Cleanse Yourself Just as you cleaned and cleansed your space, you must do the same with yourself. Shadow people are attracted to individuals who are in low-vibrational state and to those who have grime in their auras. Time to take a long, herbal bath with purifying herbs like rosemary and lavender or smoke-cleanse yourself. There are other methods of cleansing including: Reiki, using high-vibing crystals, meditation, etc. 3. Raise Your Vibrations Want to learn how to get rid of shadow people for good? Follow all the steps above, but also remember it is IMPERATIVE to raise your vibrations. What does it mean to raise your vibrations? Everyone and everything is made of energy, and energy moves at all times. It never stops moving. It vibrates. When you vibrate at a high frequency, low-level entities are unable to attach and feed off your energy. Low vibrating people are in a weakened state, which allows for shadow people to move in and take advantage. Low vibrations come from depression, chronic illness, drug and alcohol addiction, etc. Raise your vibrations by taking care of yourself: eat healthy, drink lots of water, give up unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive drinking, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and get healthy mentally through therapy, etc. 4. Spiritual Protection In addition to cleansing your space, yourself, and raising your vibrations, spiritual protection is required. How can you spiritually protect yourself? Depending on your religion and beliefs, use symbols to ward off negative entities. The cross, runes like Algiz and Thurisaz, Helm of Awe, Nazar, the Star of David, etc. will all work when kept on one’s person. Jewelry bearing your protective symbols can be worn to get rid of shadow people. Remember to pray or charge your jewelry with white light and protective vibes. Stitch the symbols into your favorite jacket or bag and carry it with you. Draw or inscribe these symbols on the bottom of your shoes to protect you everywhere you go. Dip your finger in olive oil or holy water and draw the symbol on your doors and windows to keep shadow people out of your space. Refresh your the symbols on your doors/windows once a month. Another way to ward is to place protective objects in the four corners of your property. Crystals with protective qualities like tiger’s eye or black tourmaline, gargoyle or angel statues, etc. I’ve even drawn symbols on rocks. Bury your wards or if they’re statues, you may keep them above ground. Pray over them and ask your guides/gods for protection. Learn more about warding here. If All Else Fails… Sometimes we need extra help when learning how to get rid of shadow people. If any of this information didn’t sink in or you need help getting rid of shadow people that don’t seem to go away, contact a local religious official such as a priest, pastor, medium, shaman, rabbi, Reiki master, etc.

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Shadow People and the Hat Man: A Pagan’s Perspective

kitty fields — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 15:53:27 +0000

At least three times in my life I’ve encountered shadow people. Come to find out, the shadow people phenomenon is quite rampant worldwide. Thousands of people claim to have seen or been followed by shadow people and the Hat Man. There are theories about what these beings are: are they other-dimensional time-travelers or evil aliens in league with the devil? What are shadow people, really? And is the Hat Man just another shadow person or something completely different? In this article, we explore the concepts of shadow people and the Hat Man from a pagan witch’s perspective. Shadow People: Profile What are shadow people? Put simply, they are shadow beings. They are typically seen in one’s peripheral vision. Though some people see them face-to-face. Shadow people morph into different forms but are most frequently seen in the shape of a man, tentacled-monster, or large spider. Sometimes they have glowing red eyes. I’ve noticed a pattern with my shadow people encounters – they all happen when I’m in a hypnogagic state. When I’m between sleep and waking, in the “twilight” zone, so to speak. But many people see them when they’re wide awake. The Hat Man: Profile The Hat Man’s presence is typically ominous. He stands at the end of your bed, staring down at you, showing no fear. Is he feeding on people’s fear? It’s quite possible. A close family member tells a terrifying story of staying the night at a friend’s house in high school, only to wake up and see the figure of an incredibly tall man wearing a fedora hat standing at the end of the bed. He was staring at her. Let’s just say she refused to visit her friend’s house ever again. Most eyewitnesses agree the Hat Man is tall, standing between six to eight feet. He is always wearing a hat of some kind: a top hat, fedora, or wide-brimmed hat. In some instances, the Hat Man wears a cape or a long coat. The difference between the two is the Hat Man is more of a solidified figure with no fear, while shadow people are translucent and tend to dart away when spotted. Typical Shadow People Theories Most people believe shadow people are demons. The author Heidi Hollis claims the Hat Man is the devil himself. She also says the Hat Man controls the shadow people, sort of like the Devil directs his demonic legion. Another theory is shadow people are alien beings sent to observe us. Sleep paralysis is occasionally coupled with shadow people and Hat Man sightings, giving a scientific explanation for this universal phenomenon. Sleep paralysis is a state in which you are still dreaming/sleeping but your eyes open. Your whole body feels paralyzed because it hasn’t woken up along with your mind. At the same time, you may experience “hallucinations” or dreams with your eyes wide open. A Pagan Witch’s Perspective on Shadow People I don’t subscribe to the idea of all shadow people being demons. Nor do I subscribe to the idea of the Hat Man being Satan himself. As a pagan witch, I first had to breakdown my beliefs about the Christian Satan. I don’t deny the possibility of an evil being existing in the world that may be the “Satan” Christians fear; however, my take on Satan’s origins is a bit different than the Abrahamic view. If Satan exists, he is a tulpa (a thought form) that people have thought into existence. I highly doubt he shows himself in Hat Man form. The Hat Man wears different outfits, different hats, and manifests itself all over the world. If the Hat Man is Satan, that means Satan is omnipresent and omnipotent, which I don’t buy. Secondly, if the Hat Man (aka Satan) was one being why would he change outfits? It’s like, “hold my fedora for me Beelzebub, I must change into my cape and top hat now. This victim is a fancy one, so I need to impress him.” Doubtful. Furthermore, if Satan does exist, why would he be wasting time on random people all around the world? If anything, he’d be showing himself to the higher ups – politicians, royalty, the richest people in the world not Bob the plumber from down the street. Are They Demons and the Devil or Something Else? The Hat Man isn’t one finite being – there are multiple Hat Men. Whether these were men who dressed in a certain fashion when they died and now carry that over into the afterlife is yet to be determined, but makes more sense to me than an all-powerful being who enjoys changing outfits from one victim to the next. And again, why would Satan be wasting his time on any Tom, Dick, or Harry instead of going after bigger fish to exact his plan on destroying the world and humankind? My experience with shadow people is connected directly to my bouts of sleep paralysis. I am also an astral traveler and lucid dreamer, so my take is astral beings and low-level entities will feed on your energy while your soul is out traveling in the beyond at night. This is why you see them when you’re in that hypnogogic state – you basically catch them feeding on your body’s energy as your astral body is re-entering your physical body. Protection from Shadow People So how do we protect ourselves from these shadow people and the Hat Man? The same way you protect your home from spiritual invasion – regular spiritual cleansing (smudging and the like) and spiritual protective shields and wards placed around your home and bedroom. Spiritual cleansing of the body works to cleanse the aura and spiritual bodies, too, which better prepares you for any astral travel you may take at night unknowingly. Low level entities tend to seek out people who leave their bodies at night, its easier to prey on people this way. Creepy, I know. Prayers for protection to the Gods/Universe/Ancestors are also effective. Learn how to […]

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Sacred Sites & Pagan Places: Origins and How to Find Ley Lines Near You

kitty fields — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 18:53:32 +0000

Ley lines are straight tracks or lines, essentially energy grids, that stretch across the earth in every direction. The ancients were said to have marked these lines with stone monuments and pagan temples. This definition makes sense but doesn’t provide the whole picture of what ley lines truly are. Our ancient ancestors could feel the magic and power emanating from these energy lines, and so they marked them. They set up natural sanctuaries and called the intersections of ley lines their sacred sites. But are these ley lines still in existence? How do these ancient ley lines affect us in modern times? How can we find local ley lines and harness this energy? Sacred Sites of the Ancients: Ley Lines Origins If we look at some of the world’s most important ancient sites on a map, we can draw straight lines between one to another. These lines form a grid-like pattern across the globe. Stonehenge, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and Machu Picchu are sacred sites that connect to other sites via lines, including landmarks like Mount Everest. You won’t find these lines on a geographical map nor in your typical history book. Ley lines are mostly recorded in folklore and occult books, the comparative concept developed by a man named Alfred Watkins in 1921. Watkins believed so strongly in ley lines he organized a club. The club gathered in England and walked the countryside in search of these powerful ley lines. Corpse Roads, Fairy Paths, and Ley Lines Spirits travel the earth in straight lines – ley lines. In Britain and throughout Europe, there’s something called a corpse road. A corpse road was a path taken by a funerary procession to move the dead to its burial place – a churchyard, typically. Terrifying stories are told of otherworldly creatures on corpse roads. A headless black dog, ghostly lights known as corpse lights, and soul-sucking wraiths have all haunted these terrifying trails. Is it no wonder these corpse roads run along ancient ley lines? “Imagine a fairy chain stretched from mountain peak to mountain peak as far as the eye could reach…” ~ Alfred Watkins, The Old Straight Track (1925) Fairy Pathways Fairies, also known as the “wee folk” and “sidhe”, are known to travel along specified paths as well. There are many tales in the British Isles and Ireland that point out fairy pathways leading into hills and traveling over fairy bridges. These paths also happen to follow ley lines. Folks are warned never to travel a fairy path during twilight hours -dawn or dusk. Or at night for fear the fairies might carry them away. So, we have the dead, wraiths, and fairies all traveling along these ancient energetic grid-lines. But why? Ley Lines Today: Why Are They Important? So why should we care about ley lines? How do they affect us? Though it seems an outdated idea, ley lines affect us now just as much as ever. If you’re a believer in energetic vibrations, if you believe Mother Earth is a living being, then you’ll understand why ley lines are important. I like to think of them as Mother Earth’s veins – sacred sites where the earth allows us to easily tap into her essence. If you feel revitalized after taking a dip in the ocean, hiking in the mountains, or dipping your feet into a creek, then you’ll feel the potency of being near or on a ley line. Ley lines affect our daily lives in many ways: If your home is on a ley line, it may make the energy more intense or chaotic You may not be able to relax or sleep Your home may experience paranormal activity including ghostly apparitions, disembodied voices, and visits from the faeries and elementals If your business is on a ley line, you may find an increase in energy. That energy may be increased amounts of positive OR negative Your business may be “haunted” or experience supernatural activity according to employees/customers When ley lines cross or intersect, if a building or home is located on that intersection, energy is constantly flowing and may be chaotic At ancient sites on ley lines, you’ll experience spiritual enlightenment, visions, feelings of peace, etc. How to Find Ley Lines Near You I recently went on a quest to find my local ley lines. I had no idea how easy it would be until I began researching. First thing I suggest is to think of your local area and if there are any significant historical landmarks. If you live in Europe, there are literally thousands. This should be the easy part. If you live in the United States, I recommend looking specifically at Native sacred sites like caves, manmade mounds, burial grounds, etc. The ancient Natives were in-tune with nature and knew of ley lines intimately. How To Find Ley Lines & Ley Lines Maps in YOUR Area When I began looking for local ley lines, I first thought of a local Native burial mound located in Safety Harbor, FL. I had a feeling it was built by the Natives on or close by a ley line. Then, I simply googled “ley line maps + United States” and BOOM. There are dozens of maps accessible online. Please don’t ask me to provide you with a map. It’s as simple as a Google search. Once you have a ley line map, print it out and lay it on top of a local map to see where the lines travel and intersect. Following, I looked up the historical mound on a map of Florida. Then I compared this map to the ley line map and found a match. One particular ley line that converges with others just off the Eastern coast of Florida also runs directly north of Tampa and straight through the sacred site of the Tocobaga Indian mound in Safety Harbor! I was shocked and thrilled to discover my guess was correct! Take a Trip to Confirm After finding your local lines, it’s […]

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Natural Witch Abilities: Were You Born With Magical Powers?

kitty fields — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 14:38:22 +0000

A topic that causes debate in the witchy community every time: are we born with natural witch abilities or are they learned and cultivated? I believe certain people are born with magical skills or abilities that others might not be born with. Some might have three or four, some might only have one. And some witches have none but learn these magical skills over their lifetimes. Either way – it’s okay! However, I’ve found that nearly every witch I’ve met was drawn to the craft because of one of these natural abilities they already possessed. I’ll bet you have at least one if not more of these natural witch abilities! Do You Have Any of These Natural Witch Abilities? They say there’s no such thing as a “natural witch”, but I’ll bet even the naysayers possess one of these abilities since their childhood! 1. The Clairs: Psychic Abilities Clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, clairsalience, clairgustance and claircognizance are all natural witch abilities. Some are born with one or more. Clairvoyance is the ability to “see clearly”, meaning you have the ability to see spirits or auras around people or things. It also means you could receive flashes of images in your mind’s eye or visions. Clairaudience is to “hear clearly”, the ability to hear spirits or gods talking to you. You might even be able to hear people’s thoughts. Clairsentience is “clear feeling” and means you feel in your gut or in your body that something’s not right. Clairsalience is “clear smelling”, which often manifests in the form of smelling spirits when present. Clairgustance is “clear tasting”, which manifests as tasting something that isn’t actually in your mouth. Maybe a food someone cooked recently, sulphur or cigarettes, etc. Again, mostly in relation to spirits but can be experienced in other situations. Claircognizance is the ability to “know clearly” and means you know things without having an explanation. Maybe you knew your friend was going to get into a car accident and warned her right before it happened. 2. Animal Connection & Manifestation I know a few natural witches who have a deep connection with animals. This doesn’t just mean you love animals, this means you have the ability to communicate with them and manifest them. What do I mean by manifest animals? You think of an animal you’d like to meet in nature and BOOM that animal shows up. Or maybe you’ve been longing for a new pet and a stray cat shows up at your door the next day. You understand animals better than anyone you know. Animal connection and manifestation are natural witch abilities. 3. Human Connection Maybe you’re not great with animals or have psychic abilities, per se, but you are empathic. An empath is someone who can literally feel the emotions and/or physical feelings of other people. They also tend to take on the energies of those around them, which can be overwhelming and emotional at times. Another form of human connection is telepathy – the ability to hear other people’s thoughts or send your thoughts to someone else’s mind. Human connection in these ways are natural witch abilities that can’t be denied. 4. Healing Many witches have the ability to heal. Natural witches are often born with the ability to heal themselves, others, and even animals. Sometimes this comes in the form of herbal remedies, sometimes it comes in the form of energy healing. Healers are drawn to holistic medicine, including herbs, Reiki, and crystal healing. Do you have the healer’s mark on your palm known as the Samaritan sign? This is indicative that you’re a natural born healer. Click here to find out. 5. Dreaming Since a young age, I remember having very vivid dreams, many in which I was flying away from things or over the landscape. In one dream, a friend taught me the ability to “fly” which as an adult I realized was the ability to astral travel. In my teen years, I got really involved in lucid dreaming and taught myself how to become lucid in my dreams on a regular basis. One of the natural witch abilities is dreaming. But you don’t just dream, you remember your dreams, you learn things in your dreams, you even travel to other worlds in your dreams. You will also have the ability to astral project or travel and control what you’re doing in your dreams. 6. Green Thumb The ability to help things grow is a natural witch ability that I was NOT born with – I had to learn it. HOWEVER, I know one witch in particular who has always had the natural ability to grow things. It seems like every seed she plants grows into a strong, healthy plant of some kind (no matter where she lives). Everything in her garden is ALWAYS green and full of life! Her plants adore her! The green thumb isn’t a myth – it’s a reality and especially for some natural witches who are lucky enough to be born with this skill. 7. Weather Last but not least, some witches are born with the uncanny power of weather prediction. Perhaps this is also a learned technique, but there are some natural witches who can look at the sky and know when a storm will come (before a cloud is visible in the sky!) Some know when it will snow before watching the weather. I’ve only met one person like this my entire life, but she was ALWAYS right about the weather! It’s like they can feel it in their bones and have a deep connection to the sky and weather patterns. Some natural witches even have the ability to call on the rain, snow, and sun. Are we born with natural witch abilities or do we learn them? I believe all witches have a natural ability of some kind, whether they admit it or not. I also believe these abilities can be learned with practice over time. And yet again, there are people with these abilities […]

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Deceased Loved One Is Trying to Contact You: 15+ Signs

kitty fields — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:48:42 +0000

Have you ever felt like a deceased loved one is trying to contact you? Maybe weird things have been happening all around you lately, but you don’t know what to make of it. In this article, I’ll break down the 15 signs your loved one is reaching out to you from the other side. 15 Signs a Deceased Loved One is Trying to Contact You 1. Dreams Have you been having dreams of your deceased loved one lately? Dreams are often the first way a deceased friend or family member will try to reach out to you. Sometimes we are more attentive when we are asleep and our minds and bodies aren’t moving in every different direction. Pay attention to your dreams in which a loved one shows up, or when you just feel their presence in the dream. They are trying to make contact. Listen to our Dreams Podcast, in which we talk about visitors in our dreams: 2. Familiar Aromas Another common sign is getting a whiff of a familiar scent. Did your grandmother wear Coco Chanel? Maybe your grandfather smoked a cigar. Food aromas are also common. For instance, pancakes and bacon, coffee, things your ancestors or relatives made or loved in life. Whatever aroma you associate with a deceased loved one could reappear as a means of your deceased loved one trying to contact you. This could also just be a sign of their presence being near. 3. Hearing Your Name Feel like you’re going crazy and hearing your name in random places? Your name is called out and drifts towards you on the wind but no one seems to be around. You hear your name spoken right before you wake up in the morning. This is a sign your loved one is calling to you from the beyond. 4. A Deceased Loved One is Trying to Contact You If You Keep Finding Feathers A feather falls in your path. Sometimes you’ll begin to notice multiple feathers falling in your path seemingly out of nowhere. Feathers are signs from the heavens – and more than likely the feathers you are finding are your deceased loved ones way to tell you they are safe and they have a message for you. Depending on the color of feather and what bird it came from, you can determine a message. Click here to learn more about feather symbolism. 5. Nature Signs In addition to feathers, deceased loved ones will send signs to you through nature. Typically this is through an animal or plant you associate with this loved one. For instance, if your grandmother loved robins you might start seeing robins everywhere. Not just in nature but also on the TV, in books, on clothing, online, etc. 6. Songs Whenever I hear a particular song come on the radio, I know it’s my aunt reaching out to me to say hi. Any song you related with your deceased loved one can be used by that loved one to contact you. You’ll particularly know if the song is an oldie that isn’t often played on the radio anymore. 7. Random Memories Sometimes random memories seem to surface from somewhere deep in your subconscious. Things you haven’t remembered in years will pop up. These random memories are indicators of your loved one trying to reach you from the afterlife. Pay close attention to them. 8. Hearing Their Name You might be hearing your name called by a deceased loved one, or maybe you keep hearing their name in passing. Maybe someone at the grocery store had your beloved aunt’s name. Or maybe a conversation turned up the name of your recently departed friend. These are signs you’re loved one is trying to get your attention. 9. Flickering Lights & Flames Spirits have the ability to use electricity to their benefit – they can make the lights and appliances flicker as well as turn on and off. Spirits of departed loved ones are typically more gentle in their approach and use flickering to contact us. You might also see a candleflame flicker rapidly without any explanation (drafts, AC, etc). 10. Feeling Their Presence It should go without saying that if you’re sitting or standing around and feel your deceased loved one’s presence, they are there with you in spirit. 11. Weird Phone Calls Sometimes after a loved one passes, we receive strange phone calls from numbers we don’t know. You pick up and there is a lot of static or the person sounds far away. This is your loved one reaching out to you. You might even get a call from the deceased loved one’s old phone number! 12. Seeing Them Walking down the street and you see a glimpse of your deceased loved one walking up ahead of you. You call out their name and they turn around only to vanish a second later. Or maybe you were visited at night by your loved one. Seeing your loved one is a clear sign they are trying to contact you. 13. Deceased Loved Ones Contact You Through Pictures Falling When a picture of your deceased loved one falls off the wall or table, this is a clear sign they want your attention. You might also see a book they once loved fall off the shelves. 14. Mentioned in Conversation Similar to hearing their name in passing but a little more personal is having your loved one brought up in conversation, unexpectedly. This might be a phone call from a friend or other relative who brings up your deceased loved one out of nowhere. Pay attention to subtle signs such as these. 15. Comfort & Healing At your worst times of illness and desperation, you call out for someone to help you. Your loved one will swoop in and provide immediate feelings of comfort and healing. All you have to do is ask. What’s My Deceased Loved One’s Message? Maybe you’re received one or more of these signs telling you your loved one […]

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Witch Familiar Names: Historical, Fairy Tale, & Nature Inspired

kitty fields — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 14:33:55 +0000

Whether you are naming a magical pet or familiar spirit, this is the ultimate list of witch familiar names. For centuries, witches have had familiars to aid in their magical workings. The traditional familiars came in fairy or human-form, or in animal form like the cat, toad, dog, bird, hare, ferret, rat, goat, sheep, horse, frog, butterfly, fly, wasp, and pig. But the Wiccan familiar comes in all shapes and sizes and can be physical or spiritual. This list will include traditional and historical witch familiar names, as well as mythical, fun, and nature names. Traditional & Historical Witch Familiar Names From the Pendle Witch Trials in England, there are witch familiar names and the accused witches’ names to choose from. According to the Discovery of Witches written by Thomas Potts in 1613, each of the Pendle witches had his or her own familiar spirit. Prince Rupert, Isobel Gowdie, and Besse Dunlop all had familiars, as well. Ball – Elizabeth Device’s familiar spirit, a brown dog Dandy – James Device’s familiar spirit often in the form of a brown dog Fancy – the familiar spirit of Anne Chattox Tibb (or Tibbs) – the familiar spirit of Elizabeth Demdike Bulcock – the last name of an accused witch Chattox – last name Device – last name Hewitt– last name Nutter – last name Redferne – last name Robey – last name Boye – Prince Rupert’s “magical dog” that rode into battle with him Tom Reid – accused Scottish witch Besse Dunlop’s familiar spirit Queen of Elphame – the fairy queen that aided Isobel Gowdie Devil – familiars were often called “devils” or were thought to be the devil himself Imp – another name for a familiar, fairy, or goblin of some kind Fairy Tale Names Name your Wiccan familiar after a beloved fairy tale creature. Many of the fairy tales talk of animals helping the protagonist, which in some scholars’ opinions echoes the concept of a witch familiar. You don’t have to limit your witch familiar names to animal names – there are hundreds of cute fairy tale names to choose from! Rumpelstiltskin – from the traditional fairy tale Puss In Boots – a cat from the fairy tale who shows up magically when needed (some scholars believe this reflects the concept of a familiar) Jiminy Cricket – Disney’s name for Pinocchio’s animal guide, the cricket Bill the Lizard – from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Cheshire Cat – also from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Bambi Grip – the bird’s name from a Swedish fairy tale called The Bird ‘Grip’ Henny Penny Bluebeard Hansel and Gretel Seven Dwarves – sleepy, grumpy, doc, happy, sneezy, dopey, and bashful Hedwig – of Harry Potter fame Inspired by Gods and Goddesses’ Names Next we move on to gods and goddesses names. Nearly any deity’s name serves as inspiration for a Wiccan familiar name. Choose your favorite god or goddess or the name that your familiar likes. Celtic Gods and Goddesses: Aine, Angus Og, Artio, Bel, Blodeuwedd, Bran, Branwen, Brighid, Cernunnos, Cerridwen, Cliodhna, Dagda, Danu, Epona, Eostre, Flidais, Lugh, Maeve, Manannan, Morrigan, Nemain, Ogma, Rhiannon, Sequana, Shannon, Taliesin, Teutatis Egyptian Gods and Goddesses: Amun, Anubis (great name for a dog), Bast (name for a cat), Hathor, Heket (for a frog familiar), Horus (bird familiar name), Mehit (cat familiar name), Set, Sobek (a great name for a lizard or reptile familiar), Tefnut (cat), and Thoth Norse Gods and Goddesses: Baldur, Freya, Frigg, Heimdall, Hel, Loki, Odin, Nerthus, Thor, Tyr, Skadi Roman and Greek Deity Names: Juno, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes, Apollo, Aries, Mars, Neptune, Poseidon, Triton, Siren, Medea, Circe, Jason, Hecate, Diana, Artemis, Bacchus, Dionysus, Pan Nature Names for the Wiccan Familiar Anything in nature, such as trees, plants, animals, etc. serves as a great witch familiar name, including: Flower Names: Amaryllis, Anemone, Aster, Begonia, Bella Donna, Bellflower, Bluebell, Buttercup, Calla Lily, Cana Lily, Chrysanthemum, Clematis, Clover, Cosmo, Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Daphne, Day Lily, Delphinium, Forsythia, Foxglove, Fuschia, Heather, Hellebore, Hollyhock, Honeysuckle, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Jasmine, Kalmia, Lantana, Lavender, Lilac, Lily, Lupin, Mallow, Marigold, Mayflower, Mimosa, Moonflower, Morning Glory, Narcissus, Orchid, Passion Flower, Penta, Petunia, Phlox, Pointsettia, Poppy, Powder Puff, Queen of the Meadow, Rose, Silene, Snapdragon, Snowdrop, Snowflake, Sundrop, Sunflower, Sweetpea, Tiger Lily, Tulip, Ursinia, Verbena, Vinca, Viola, Violet, Waterlily, Windflower, Winter Berry, Wisteria, Yarrow, Yellowbell, Zenobia, Zinnia Tree Names: Alder, Apple, Ash, Aspen, Bay, Beech, Birch, Blackthorn, Camphor, Cinnamon, Cherry, Dogwood, Elder, Fig, Gorse, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Honeylocust, Ivy, Maple, Mistletoe, Oak, Olive, Reed, Rowan, Spruce, Palm, Pine, Willow, Yew Landscape Names: Bog, Cliff, Creek, Desert, Field, Forest, Lake, Meadow, Moor, Mountain, River, Sea, Valley, Spring Animal names (seems redundant but naming a dog “Wolf” or “Bear” would be cool, right?): wolf, bear, hawk, panther, llama, sloth, lynx, raccoon, coyote, eagle, owl, fox, crow, raven, snake Examples of Witch Familiar Names Take your favorite deities and combine them with nature names. Or take two names from nature and put them together to create the perfect Wiccan familiar name. Here are some examples: Blackthorn River Willow Wisteria Elder Fox Maple Silene River Lily Desert Anubis Buttercup Briar Zinnia of the Meadow Branwen of the Valley Aspen Ibis Yellowbell Creek Ivy Moonflower Violet Reed Ash Meadow Oak Wolf Poppy Hare Black River Fox

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Why the Full Moon Increases Paranormal Activity (A Pagan’s Perspective)

kitty fields — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 22:17:31 +0000

For as long as humans have been on the planet, we have gazed into the night sky in awe of the moon. The moon’s phases are such a part of human history, evidenced by the fact that our ancestors built their calendars on the cycles of the moon. There was once thirteen months, as there are thirteen moon cycles in a year. This has changed in modern history, but nothing can change the effects of the full moon on us. Nothing can change the full moon’s effects on the spirit world, either. If the full moon increases human activity, giving way sometimes to chaos, the full moon increases paranormal activity, as well. The full moon and spirits go together like milk and cookies, and in this post, I’ll explain why. The Full Moon’s Effects on Humans Do you notice yourself getting antsy or emotional at certain times a month? Have you ever noticed if these erratic behaviors and emotions correlate to the full moon? Throughout the ages, the full moon has affected human beings in positive and negative ways. If you are in the medical or criminal correction fields, or know someone who is, you’ll often hear about how the “crazies” come out on the full moon. This isn’t some old superstition, in fact, the term “lunatic” originally meant someone who went crazy on the full moon (hence the syllable luna – as in lunar = moon). But why does the full moon affect humans? Human beings are made up of at least sixty percent water. The moon pulls at the ocean tides, so why wouldn’t it also pull at us? Because the moon governs our emotions, it’s no wonder when she’s round and full our emotions (whether happy, sad, angry, erratic) are sent into over-drive. And if humans die and release their spirits, it’s no wonder spirits are affected by the moon too! The Full Moon in Folklore In ancient times, the moon was the closest planet to earth and so it was revered by the people. It was associated with certain gods and goddesses from various cultures including Selene, Sophia, Thoth, Diana, Hecate, Isis, Osiris, Artemis, Luna, Phoebe, and Ix Chel. Let’s not forget the man in the moon and the moon rabbit as folkloric moon figures. Of course we all know the stories of how the full moon affects people and the tides, but what does folklore say about the full moon and paranormal activity? Howl at the Moon: Spirits of Shamans Hollywood pushes the image of the snarling, beastly werewolf howling at the full moon. In fact, they say the man who is to become the wolf doesn’t shapeshift until the moon is at its fullest. This concept lies behind deeply hidden shamanic practices from ancient times. Werewolves were originally the spirits of shamans who shapeshifted to move through this realm and the next. Over time we’ve forgotten these shamanic practices and now use werewolves to scare ourselves in the movies or to romanticize us in cheesy books. In Konstantinos’ book Werewolves: The Occult Truth, he details this theory. The shaman required the light of the full moon to move through the woods at night in order to perform his shapeshifting ritual. When there have been modern day werewolf or “large dog-man” sightings, it is typically on the night of a full moon. Old American Moon Superstitions Depending on the color and size of the full moon, an omen would foretell the future in Colonial and Old America. A ring around the moon meant snow was coming. In the Ozark Mountains, people believed if the moonlight fell on your bed while you were asleep, you were sure to wake up and be completely insane. It was also unlucky for a newborn baby to be bathed in the moonlight. Surely these superstitions echo old beliefs about the full moon and its link to pagan shamans and witches. On the opposite end of the spectrum, farmers governed the time to till, plant, and harvest by the moon’s phases. Whether this had anything to do with superstition or just an old practice of farming is beyond me. The Full Moon and Ghost Hunting Talk to any respectable ghost hunters and they will confirm the full moon increases paranormal activity. It’s not just the shapeshifting werewolves that come out on a full moon, it’s also ghosts, demons, and elementals. It’s as if the moon stirs up the quieter ones and throws them into a tailspin. What might be a quiet house on any other night of the month turns into a paranormal hotbed on the full moon. People with no psychic abilities confess to hearing voices and seeing spirits on full moon nights. Water and the Spirit World Every article I’ve found concerning the full moon and spirits discusses how the moon increases paranormal activity but they don’t say why. This is because they’re not looking at it from a spiritual point of view (which seems ironic). My pagan theory is based on our ancient ancestors’ beliefs in the Celtic Otherworld. There were different names for the Otherworld depending on the region, including: Avalon, Tir Na Nog, Mag Mell, Tech Duinn and Annwn. The Otherworld was the land of the dead and, in Celtic mythology, could be accessed via caves or under hills. BUT Irish mythology also talks of the Otherworld being under the sea or over the sea. Tir fo Thuinn is one of the names for the Otherworld which translates to “Land Under the Wave”. If the spirit world is under the sea, the high tides and low tides may cause a disturbance between the realms. Water acts as a vehicle for spirits from this world to the next, so if the tides are extremely high on a full moon, spirits come “to shore” or cross the barrier, so to speak. Alternatively, if the tides are very low on a full moon, the Otherworld is more exposed to our world than at any other time of the lunar month. We […]

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Household Gods, Ancestors, and Fairies

kitty fields — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 14:45:21 +0000

In this article, we will learn about household Gods and Spirits according to ancient tradition in Europe. We will also learn about ancestors and household fairies. Join me on an adventure into the past, to a world where our venerable ancestors lived alongside spritely and sometimes-vengeful household spirits. When Everything Had Consciousness… Times have truly changed. Our ancestors’ customs focused on appeasing the spirits in nature and in their homes. The belief in spirits of trees, rivers, and even spirits in their homes was not just “silly superstition”…it was reality. From China to England and everywhere in between, our ancestors believed in spirits and took precautions not to provoke them. Nowadays, the majority of people don’t believe in spirits in the way our ancestors did. Sure, some might believe in God or angels, but the belief in household spirits, revenants, and fairies has all but faded. Ancient Roman Household Gods The ancient Romans honored household gods called Lares. Each household maintained an altar, similar to the re-created altar shown below. In the richer homes, there was a painting or sculpture to represent the household gods and offerings were left in front. The household gods’ images were placed at the dinner table to partake in the family meal. These Roman household gods were guardian spirits who protected the home and the family from illness and invasion. Lares weren’t only household gods in Roman times, they also guarded places in nature. This points to the fact that lares were originally nature spirits brought into the home and deified. Interestingly, the lares were often depicted as snakes (as seen in the painting on the altar here) and lived under the hearth. This points to the idea that perhaps the lares were fire elementals of some kind. Bes is an ancient Egyptian god who was thought of as a guardian of the common peoples’ homes. Many Egyptian families kept altars for Bes and worshiped him. He was invoked to protect the household, provide abundance, and also to aid in fertility and childbirth. Interestingly, this Egyptian household god is frequently depicted with holding a snake in his hand. I find this link to snakes and household spirits as seemingly stretching across ancient cultures. The Ancient Tradition of Household Spirits Most of our ancient ancestors believed everything in nature had consciousness. When trees were cut down and other things from nature were used to build a home the fairies or spirits linked to these items were brought into the home. Others believed the fairies occupying the landscape where a home was built became household spirits. This is why there were many superstitions as to where a home was built. For example, our Scandinavian ancestors stayed the night at the site of a new home to see if evil spirits manifested. If the person slept peacefully, the home was built there. There were different methods of testing a suitable site, including checking the ground or nearby trees for signs of a previous fire. Fire was a bad sign, associated with evil spirits, and many people refrained from building somewhere that had a fire. If there were good fairies on the new home’s site, the homeowners petitioned the nature spirits to become their household gods. Ancestors’ Buried in the Hearth Other methods of acquiring a household spirit were a bit disturbing. In ancient Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, when a new home was built, a person might be sacrificed and buried in the walls or hearth. The victim’s spirit was eternally tied to the home and became the household god or guardian. When a family member died a violent death in the home, the windows were opened immediately to let the soul out. They didn’t want a violent spirit lingering and wreaking havoc on the household. If a family moved into an already-established home, the original owner of the home would become the household spirit. Ancestors who lived in a house beforehand could also become household spirits. Read about more of these traditions in Claude Lecouteux’s book “The Tradition of Household Spirits”. DISCLOSURE: I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you information about the paranormal and paganism. Where the Spirits Resided and What They Did There were many, many names for household gods, which vary by country, region and family. They were also titled differently depending on where they resided in the house. Some household gods lingered on the thresholds (doorways, windows, chimneys), while some lived beneath the hearth. Evil spirits occupied the corners of the home, so people burnt herbs in each corner to cleanse the space. But what did a household spirit do? Household gods and spirits protected, healed, and brought abundance to the family. They also helped with chores around the house. The Ancestors as Household Gods Modern people do not honor our ancestors like we once did. Our ancestors believed in honoring their ancestors. There are certain religions today that still focus on ancestor-worship; however, this is mainly in places in Asia and Africa. In the United States there are not that many people incorporating ancestral beliefs into daily life. But what do ancestors have to do with household gods and spirits? Our ancestors believed household gods could be ancestors; this was especially true if the home was passed down in the family. If an ancestor built, lived and died within a home, he protected it and his descendants even after death. Back then, ancestor shrines and altars were set up around the home to honor the ancestors’ spirits. In Northern and Eastern Europe, a place at the dinner table was set for the household gods to enjoy offerings of food and drink. If the ancestors weren’t honored, they would leave or become angry ghosts. Fairies as Household Spirits In Europe, certain types of fairies were also household spirits. In Scotland, the brownie was a small man who lived and worked […]

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Could We Have Been Our Ancestors in Past Lives?

kitty fields — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 07:20:40 +0000

Millions of people all over the world believe in reincarnation. The belief in past lives is part of many religions and spiritual paths—including Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism, and New Age. We see traces of this idea in the Kabbalah and in beliefs of the Rosicrucians and Gnostics. Belief in reincarnation dominated ancient views of life after death. The ancient Celts, Norse, and Egyptians were just a few of many cultures that believed our souls move in a cycle of life, death and rebirth. Some say the circle is never-ending, while others believe a soul will eventually ascend to a higher dimension. Do you believe in reincarnation? Is it possible to have lived past lives as our own ancestors? We will explore ancestral reincarnation in this article. Stories of Past Lives and Ancestors One fascinating case of reincarnation tells of a boy named Gus Taylor from the American Midwest. When Gus was a toddler, he would talk of being his own grandfather, who had passed away several years before Gus’ birth. When shown pictures of family members, he would point out his grandfather “Augie” without being told who his grandfather was. One day, as his father was changing Gus’ diaper, Gus suddenly looked up at him and said, “When I was your age, I changed your diaper.” Naturally, this floored his father. Gus’ mother decided to test him by asking about Augie’s dead sister (who the family never talked about due to emotional scars and trauma). She asked him, “If you are Augie, did you have any siblings?” Gus answered yes, he had a sister who had died. This was true. Augie’s sister had been murdered and thrown into the San Francisco Bay. Thoughts on Ancestors and Past Lives Gus’ story is not the only documented case of people claiming to have been their ancestors in past lives. Simply google “past lives and ancestors” and you will find a plethora of stories from those who believe they were once their own grandfathers, grandmothers, great-aunts, great-great-grandmothers, etc. If we compare pictures of ourselves side by side to those of our ancestors, we often see striking similarities. Is this solely because of our DNA or because we might have been these ancestors in past lives? We can look at this topic on a mundane level, or look beyond the physical realm to see the spiritual possibilities. I recently discovered my great great grandmother was a folk herbalist in the late eighteen hundreds. Her name was Clara and there are stories of her making her children wear necklaces of camphor to ward off the flu. The funny thing is, I’ve dreamed of this woman before even knowing she was a part of my family tree. She and I share similar physical features and interests. Might I have been Clara in a past life? Do Souls Travel in Groups? We’ve not only lived past lives – we’ve also lived lives with the same souls, repeatedly. This belief is reflected in the concept of a “soul mate” or “soul twin.” A soul mate is someone with whom you’ve lived a past life, someone you’ve had a very close relationship with in multiple past lives. You have more than one soul mate, and when grouped together these souls form a “soul group.” In this way, souls incarnate together, often incarnating into the same family. If the idea of a soul group is true, then a past life as one’s own great-grandmother might reveal a mother from that life might be a daughter or sister in this life! Have you ever felt a close connection to a family member that’s so close it can’t be explained? Have you felt like you’ve known that family member in a past life? Is this really because you share the same DNA, or is it because you’ve both lived past lives together within the same bloodline? Family Trees and Bloodlines: Were We Our Ancestors? So the question is, did we live past lives as our ancestors? Does DNA not only give us our physical attributes but also our spiritual existence? According to my research, this idea is possible in two ways: Physically: Because we carry the DNA of our ancestors, their memories are passed down to us through DNA. Spiritually: Our spiritual bodies move through our bloodline from one incarnation to the next. If we did live lives as our ancestors, what about the stories of those who lived as people outside of their family trees? Technically, we can trace our lines back to one person who lived before us millions of years ago, to the first of humankind. This means that everyone is related. It also means that we all share traces of DNA. Anything is Possible Take a look at your family tree and look further and further back at all of the people who came together to make you. At first, it doesn’t seem like that many people—parents, grandparents, great-grandparents—but then you might go back another couple of branches to great-great-grandparents and then great-great-great-grandparents. You realize at this point you have the DNA of hundreds of people. What happens if you look back three or four branches further than that? Your family tree starts to look so gigantic that it’s hard to comprehend just how many ancestors you have. In fact, you don’t just have dozens or even hundreds of ancestors; you have millions of them going back to the beginning of humankind! Many amazing stories of past lives show us there are those who believe they lived as their own ancestors—grandfathers, great-aunts, great-great-grandmothers, etc. The Norse rune Othala represents ancestral inheritance on earth, and the funny thing is the symbol looks exactly like a DNA strand. Kundalini rising shows us the same thing – intertwining DNA strands. Our ancient ancestors knew the secrets of reincarnation and ancestral inheritance. It’s time we learn.

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Fairies in America: Fairy Folklore in the U.S. and Canada

kitty fields — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 13:42:40 +0000

The belief in fairies is a worldwide phenomenon. Enchanting stories of green elves, pixies, trolls, and sprites abound in countries like Ireland and Germany. We don’t hear many stories of Native American fairies or different types of fairies in America. But remember – fairies are everywhere! Because fairies are nature spirits, they’re typically seen in undisturbed, natural places. The Native Americans tell stories of encounters with the little people – how they helped children or taught shamans. The fairies in America can be territorial depending on the type. Come with me on a journey to find fairies in America. Fairies in America: Green Elves & Pixies Elves come from Scandinavian and Celtic mythology. According to the Prose Edda, there are two types of elves – light and dark. In America, the elves are earthly beings who are dressed in green. In A Witch’s Guide to Faery Folk, Edain McCoy refers to this kind as green elves. Green elves have green-tinted skin and sometimes wear green caps on their heads. The green elves in America are shorter in height and are encountered on the edges of forests and in graveyards. They’re similar to elves in Irish folklore. These beings live in the trees and so protect their home and surrounding wildlife. In Ireland, they are seen near ancient burial mounds, which could indicate their connection with the dead or confirm that “fairyland” is somewhere underground. When I lived in Maryland in my teens, we had large trees on our property. One tree in particular always felt incredibly magical to me. One day we had a psychic visit the house and mentioned the “tiny winged fairies” flitting around this oak tree. My mom and I agreed that it was indeed a fairy tree. Because of this experience and other experiences with a grapefruit tree in my Florida backyard, I believe there are small, winged fairies like pixies in America as well as in Europe (and maybe worldwide!) House Fairies in America It is possible that certain fairies traveled to America with our ancestors. The Brownie, a Scottish house fairy, is thought to have been brought to Canada and the U.S. with Scottish immigrants beginning in the seventeenth century. Tales are told online from various Americans of signs of brownies living in older Colonial homes. It’s not often they’re discovered living in a modern or newly constructed house – they like to stick to one family and most are attached to the first Scottish immigrant families that settled here. However, some Scottish American people claim to have attracted them into their homes using offerings and other tactics. The Tomtra: Finnish House Fairy The Tomtra is a house fairy that’s been brought to America by Finnish immigrants. Similar to the Brownie’s attachment to Scottish immigrant families, the tomtra is attached to the Finnish immigrants. If you are Finnish American or have Finnish blood, the tomtra may take up residence in your home. The difference between the tomtra and brownie is the tomtra is a bit more mischievous. He will protect your home from invaders, spiritual and physical, but he will also play tricks when he is bored or irritated. One American woman claims she’s had small objects like jewelry and pebbles thrown at her while in her bedroom. Menehune: Native Hawaiian Fairies The Native Hawaiians have their own legends of little people called the Menehune. The Menehune were a small indigenous people who lived in Hawaii before the Tahitian people came to reside there. Hawaiian legend tells of these little people building some of the islands’ sacred places such as certain ponds and mounds. They were thought to live deep in the forests and valleys. Compare the Menehune to the Native American legends of little people – there are striking similarities. The Menehune were between six inches and two feet tall, according to legend, and despite their small stature were able to build entire structures over night. Scholars believe the Menehune were the first people of Hawaii, present before the Tahitians, and were driven into the forests during the Tahitian invasion in 1100 AD. Were the Menehune small in stature or were they small in the eyes of the Tahitians? Some claim to see the Menehune, but often the sightings are discredited because they are children. In my opinion, children see fairies in America easier than adults because their minds are still fresh and open. Shoshone and Cherokee Fairy Legends Just as the Scottish and English have their fairy folklore, the Native Americans have theirs. The Shoshone tribe believed in a race of tiny people they called the Nimerigar. These tiny people lived in the Rocky Mountains and were aggressive to outsiders. If anyone came near their territory, they’d shoot poisoned-tip arrows at them. The San Pedro Mountain mummy called into question the legitimacy of the Shoshone’s fairy legends. This mummy was a small being discovered in the mountains in 1932. The mummy’s body disappeared in the 1950’s, so we might never know if it was a real fairy body or not. The Cherokee tribe believed in three kinds of little people: the rock people, the laurel people, and the dogwood people. They each had their own temperaments and each taught the Cherokees different lessons. The rock people hurled rocks at anyone who got close, similar to the nimerigar of Shoshone legend. They were territorial and aggressive. The laurel people were mischievous and played tricks on people for fun comparable to many of the European fairy legends. The dogwood people were good-natured and known to help heal. There have been fairies in America for just as long as they’ve been in Europe. Real Encounters with Fairies in America Fairies in America don’t just live in legend and lore, they’ve shown themselves to lucky individuals. In the late 1800’s, an entire group of people saw fairies flying above Chimney Rock in North Carolina. It was documented by the nearest town’s scholars. An American woman claims she’s seen numerous fairies during paranormal investigations including a green […]

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