Witchvox Article

Author: Maggi Setti [a WitchVox Sponsor]
Posted: May 30th. 2010
Times Viewed: 2,148

Our transitions through worlds can be immediate and evocative as we strive to live in connection with all aspects of life. Today I stepped out of my office, into a wondrous environment of a sultry spring day. The sun was shining and the breeze was pleasant. I sat by the river and read of a book that was discussing the politics of kings and priests. In a moment I left the black and white mundane world of office work and was consumed by the magickal world of the priesthood.

The book is The Seed Bearers by Peter Valentine Timlett. One character has to follow with faith his understanding of what spirit wants from him and publicly defy what had been politically decided for him. A priestess meditates on the necessity of the priesthood after a blood lusting general scoffs at the priesthood as weak and useless.

The priestess mentions how if the priesthood and connection to inner planes and ascended masters were not needed, that priests would no longer exist. But they do exist. Priests rise to serve the people and to help connect the people with the divine, and in this, the people evolve.

You might argue that as pagans we are all priests and priestesses directly with our Gods and no clergy is needed. I would say that those drawn to pagan ways do so because they are interested in divine connection and the otherworld and understanding of our spiritual nature. Occult knowledge is complex and by its very name, hidden.

I for one may have been able to always connect with something transcendent and eternal, but like the mystic, had trouble holding on to that connection. The training of known pathways and gateways to stronger connection and the training of psychic and energetic skills have been of immeasurable use to me. My life is enchanted, my faith stronger, my energy healthier, and my future more sure than when I started on this path alone. I find both freedom and surety of purpose and the drive to go confidently onward into a future and not cower in fear and indecision.

One of the things that really made sense to me from the start in my study of witchcraft was the idea that we have to learn things not just in our heads, but in our hearts, souls, and bodies as well. I enjoyed the concept that wisdom is not just information, but can be an intuitive knowledge that lives within.

My understanding of this concept deepened this spring. The Northern NJ Pagan Fellowship, a networking, social, and magickal community that I took part in, hosted Astrology Intensive weekend taught by Ivo Dominguez Jr. and Michael Smith. At the end of the weekend we did a ritual called �Ladder of the Planets� that helps you get to know the Seven Elder Planets from an energetic and intuitive way, which contrasted nicely to the cognitive focus of the rest of the weekend. I had participated in this ritual last spring when it was hosted as part of an �Astrology for Magick� workshop.

I did a lot of intensive Qabala study and ritual last year. I felt that I was able to tap into the Sephiroth in a way that I had not been able too before and have them more balanced within me. In fact, when I walked the Tree of Life in the Climbing the Tree ritual, I found the experience ecstatic and transformative. It had been six years since the first time I had done that ritual and it was like a whole new world of experience. I felt the glyph of the tree of life click into my person, comfortably and then, gave the whole study a bit of a break for a few months, as I needed to let it sit.

In the Ladder of the Planets ritual though, I found that glyph within me reawaken. It was alive, moving, affecting my energetic and physical layers. This time, when I saw each planetary temple as we climbed from Yesod (the Moon) to Binah (Saturn) , I was not only mentally and emotionally affected by each one of the flavors of the planet's energy, I found them living within me. I am almost at a loss for descriptors of this process and feeling and suspect this is the subject of another mystery.

I understand what vibration each one of those energies feel like. It is not a table of correspondences, but a living energy, reactive and proactive. Sentience, ensoulment, and integration have new meanings for me now. Evocation is opening into a new realm. In order to understand a sphere I must become it and it becomes locked within me as well. It is integration and mastery, but I didn't understand those terms. Understanding is an unfolding process and an awareness within me. But... it is as if I have living keys, like animals living within me to each of the spheres in a way that I can bring them in, make them disappear and talk to them like one might a God.

Furthermore, I don't just have a "beacon" calling like to like, but it is as if a hologram they are within me. It is not something that I can claim as understanding. It is a two way street and a relationship. I know a thing and therefore it knows me as well and it is not my understanding that changes me, but the thing itself working within me. It grasps a hold of me too and it is changed. That is evolution toward the path of unity.

Each kernel of truth, each epiphany, and magickal moment in sacred space adds to our momentum. Like the domino effect, one small connection makes many connections through our being, our neurology, our minds, and our souls. Even when we don�t see where the results are going, each momentary action and change has many reactions along the web of our daily existence.

The good news is that not only is everything connected, but also as we reach out, the Gods, Spheres, forces, planets, what have you are reaching back. Once we tap into the thought forms of spiritual singularity and specific forces, like a bell, like a beacon, our call rings out through space and time. They hear us, listen; they come to us because we are reaching out.

With this in mind, evocation can become a physical, energetic action as well as verbal and mental. When we use all the parts of our selves to become that bell, ringing and calling out, the further we connect upon the planes and the louder we become.

Here in lies the key. Connection means unity. Making connections, contacts, listening, and gaining more harmonious vibrations of thought and energy gives us greater connection with the Gods, the All, the Source, Keter. The greater our connection, the more we are able to predict the future, lead healthy lives, prosper in our worldly lives, and help others find their connection as well. Like calls to like and As Above so Below.

May the Eternal Source of Everything, Keter always shine down upon each of us in connection with All.

As the astral temple's door closes, each time I leave it from another magickal experience, and I find myself back in the hustle and bustle of Malkuth, the Earth plane, I give thanks. My silver sandals will carry me far through the mists of time and space. Blessed be on your Path and the adventures awaiting. It�s all out there, if you are patient and willing to search deeper and further into the mysteries.

Footnotes:
The Seedbears by Peter Valentine Timlet

Astrology for Magick by Ivo Dominguez Jr.

Astrology Intensive and Ladder of the Planets ritual by Ivo Dominguez Jr. and Michael Smith

Climbing the Tree ritual by Ivo Dominguez Jr. and the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel

ABOUT...

Maggi Setti

Location: Hackensack, New Jersey

Website: http://lettinggoisflying.blogspot.com

Author's Profile: To learn more about Maggi Setti - Click HERE

Bio: Maggi Horseman has been studying for 10 years as a Celtic and Norse focused Witch. She is a Second Degree Initiate of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, a Wiccan Tradition, (www.sacredwheel.org) and is a member of one of its covens Chalice of Living Stars.

She is mainly interested in the Celtic and Norse pantheons. She has relationships with Brigid, Herne, Freya, Odin, Artio (Celtic Artemis) , and the Morrigan, but is dedicated to none.

Maggi�s interests range from qabala, tarot, astrology, aspecting, Thelema, faery, nature devas, kitchen witchery, herbalism and gardening, shadow work, sacred dreaming, martial arts and warriorship, women's mysteries and empowerment, and magickal painting.

Maggi has a BA Degree in Fine Art and Anthropology from Salisbury University. She serves on the council of the Northern NJ Pagan Fellowship a networking, social, ritual, and training group. She is currently teaching and training for 3rd degree in the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel with hopes to start a new Assembly coven in northern New Jersey.

Read more of Maggi�s poetry, prose, and commentary on her blog at https://lettinggoisflying.blogspot.com.

Other Articles: Maggi Setti has posted 15 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

Email Maggi Setti... (Yes! I have opted to receive invites to Pagan events, groups, and commercial sales)

Home - TWV Logos - Email US - Privacy

News and Information

Chapters: Pagan/Heathen Basics - Pagan BOOKS - Traditions, Paths & Religions - Popular Pagan Holidays - TV & Movies - Cats of the Craft - Festival Reviews - Festival Tips - White Pages (Resources) - Issues/Concerns - West Memphis 3 - Witch Hunts - Pagan Protection Tips - Healing Planet Earth

Your Voices: Adult Essays - Young Pagan Essays - Pagan Perspectives (On Hold) - WitchWars: Fire in the Craft - Gay Pagan - Pagan Parenting - Military - Pagan Passages

Pagan Music: Pagan Musicians - Bardic Circle at WitchVox - Free Music from TWV

Vox Central: About TWV - Wren: Words, Wrants and Wramblings - Guest Rants - Past Surveys - A Quest for Unity

Weekly Updates: Click HERE for an index of our weekly updates for the past 6 years

W.O.T.W. - World-Wide Networking

Your Town: A Link to YOUR Area Page (The largest listing of Witches, Pagans, Heathens and Wiccans on the Planet)

VoxLinks: The Pagan Web: 8,000 Listings

Your Witchvox Account: Log in Now - Create New Account - Request New Password - Log in Problems

Personal Listings: Pagan Clergy in Your Town - Adult Pagans - Young Pagans - Military Pagans

Events: Circles, Gatherings, Workshops & Festivals

Covens/Groups/Orgs: Local Groups Main Page

Other LOCAL Resources: Local Shops - Regional Sites - Local Notices - Global/National Notices - Local Skills & Services - Local Egroups - Political Freedom Fighters

Pagan Shopping: Online Shops Index - Original Crafters Sites - Auction Sites - Pagan Wholesalers - Pagan Local Shops

Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.

Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.

Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.

Witches, Pagans
of The World

Current Topic
Editorial Guide

NOTE: The essay on this page contains the writings and opinions of the listed author(s) and is not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc.

The Witches' Voice does not verify or attest to the historical accuracy contained in the content of this essay.

All WitchVox essays contain a valid email address, feel free to send your comments, thoughts or concerns directly to the listed author(s).