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October 25 through October 31, 2021

Happy Samhain and Halloween! Moving through the last week of October to the culmination of a sacred holiday to the Celts should run quite smoothly. A Gemini Moon on Monday, followed by Tuesday and Wednesday's Cancer Moon, will put us in the mood to embrace the spiritual tones of the season. We often wear different masks for the different people in our lives (these days, figuratively AND literally) and this is a great time to examine why we do this and how it is working. There will be an energy in the air to express ourselves more authentically or to show more of our true natures to the world, especially as the Moon travels through Leo on Thursday and Friday. There's a tendency to overthink things as the Moon moves through Virgo on Saturday and Sunday; try to avoid those mental gymnastics and be sure to watch for critical thinking or high idealism, as these two "head" activities can only get you into hot water! Mars will move into Scorpio on Saturday, where it will spend the next two months shifting our actions and movements in subtle spiritual ways. Though our journey may not make sense or could change direction at a moment's notice before the end of the year, we can trust that spirit is in charge now and directing the traffic!

How to Create Water Shrines and Altars, by Lilith Dorsey

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Some of us are fortunate enough to live near special bodies of water that are used as sacred sites for water magick and ritual. Even if we do, we may still see the need to create our own water altars and shrines in our homes or outdoor spaces. This way we will always be able to access the sacred power of water wherever we are.

In my new book Water Magic I talk about some of the amazing sacred water sites throughout the globe. From Niagara Falls to Snoqualmie Falls, or Lake Manasarovar to Lake Ponchartrain, each have their own special unique power and sacred energy. Even if you are unable to travel to sites like these you don't need to worry. Hopefully the water altar or shrine you will create will be a place where your own magick will flow freely.

Even though you will be creating a Water Shrine, you will make sure to include items from each one of the elements—earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. This will help it be balanced and able to assist your workings in every possible way.

In the hopes of representing the element of earth you may wish to include a crystal that is ruled by the element of water. Some of these look watery, or are actually formed in water. Probably because of its color, Turquoise is one of the crystals associated with water. It is said to grant luck, healing, and protection from harm. If you would like to take a different tactic you may wish to include a small amount of actual dirt from a riverside, swamp, beach, or somewhere similar.

If you're like me, you will want to include some flowers and other botanicals. Some of these grow in water or swampy conditions. You might wish to include:

• Sea Holly: This pretty and prickly plant grows at the seaside and is used for love and safety.
• Coconut: Technically this isn't a fruit or even a nut, but instead a drupe. Whatever you call them, coconuts contain their own water, and can be used in your incense or directly on your water altar as an elemental offering.
• Eucalyptus: This watery herb is said to grant health, focus, and psychic ability.
• Gardenia: This delicate white bloom is one of my favorite flowers. Gardenia is used in magickal workings for love, devotion, and spiritual connection.

The most common way to represent the element of Air on an altar or shrine is to use incense. You can choose a blend crafted for one of the astrological water signs (Pisces, Scorpio, or Cancer). Or you might choose to use any of the botanicals mentioned above in your own combination, which will then be burned on charcoal.

The fire element can be welcomed onto your altar in the form of a candle. This could be a blue candle blessed with oils or incense dedicated to the water element. Alternatively, it could be a candle dedicated to one of the water Gods or Goddesses, such as Tiamat, The Morrigan, or Neptune. Each one of these has their own special likes and dislikes, so please do your research to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Water is the most essential component for your altar or shrine. Every different type of water carries its own special blessing. Depending on your intent you may choose to include:

• Spring water for new beginnings
• Storm water for powerful change
• River water to help with twists, turns, and obstacles you may be facing
• Ocean water for deep and meaningful work
• Any other water you see fit

You can choose to place the water in a bowl, glass, bottle, or even something more traditional like a chalice. You may even want to include a fountain, since moving water is seen to have special benefits across many different cultures.

To represent the element of spirit you could incorporate one of the Water Gods or Goddesses, or you can add a special item that represents your own connection to water. Shells, sand, or actual water you may have collected may also be used here. It can even be something as simple as tap water to represent the spirit of place that is your home. While it is often overlooked, tap water is the water that we drink most often, bathe in, and very often comes from a local body of water. It is powerful in its proximity, so try not to ignore it. You may even wish to add items from water animals that hold a powerful significance for you. This could be a statue or piece of artwork, or even a responsibly harvested bone or feather. The only limits are dictated by your own imagination.

When you have all your elemental items gathered together you can then begin to put together your altar or shrine. An altar is a space that will be set up temporarily and will be used to bring about a specific result. For example, you may wish to capitalize on water's ability to help with emotions, and setting up an altar like this during a difficult emotional time can be a glorious undertaking. Shrines, however, are set up as permanent spaces where one goes on a regular basis to leave offerings or perform rites and rituals. No matter which type of magickal space you are creating, you will need to put it in a space that is easily accessed but also away from pets, children, haters, or anything that might distract from your workings there. Many people like to prepare their water altar or shrine space by laying down a blue cloth. You can then place each of the elemental items on top. Traditionally Water goes in the West, Earth in the North, Air in the East, and Fire in the South. Spirit can be placed in the center.

This article is full of a lot of suggestions and instructions, but remember that making your own altar or shrine is a powerful experience that should be fun. It allows you to use your creativity to craft a space for magic.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2020. All rights reserved.

In the past, I have helped spirits cross over with the assistance of angels. I once saw an angel zip a spirit into the light by using something like a Judo throw. (I used to do Judo.) It was a very easy move for the Angel to make. Last night, I saw an oldish man in spirit sitting down. He looked at me and something very strange happened that has never happened to me before: He drew my spirit forcefully toward him, and placed me on his knee. I thought, You cheeky old man, sitting me on your knee! I never gave you permission! I felt very strongly about this at the time. With a strong will to get up, I regained my power and stood up. Then to my surprise, I judo threw the old man through the air and he landed head first on the sofa where he had been sitting. He remained there upside-down in shock at what had happened. I have never moved a spirit before, so this is very new. I almost donít know how I did it. It must have been my strong will power that took over. I have noticed that some spirits do not fully know what's good for them and do not walk peacefully into the light when it's time to cross over. Is this the beginning of me learning how to push them in if I can't talk them over?

Em

Susyn:

Spirits have no mass or form, as they are primarily composed of energy. They can, however, take the form of an apparition or appear in human form. This form is usually similar to the physical body they occupied before passing over.

Because of this, spirits may seem to move or respond to certain directives. When you are in a state in which you can move or influence entities, it may appear that you are physically shifting them. This appearance is a result of our own perceptions combined with the form the apparition takes.

You can move spirits on your own without the help of an angel or guide, though it is safer to have protective entities nearby while attempting such an endeavor. There is no higher purpose in getting them to physically move, as in your experience with the old man. It would be like attempting to move gelatin or mercury: once you move them, they can immediately morph right back into their original place or form.

Your work focuses on moving spirits into the light. These are typically entities or discarnates who either do not realize they are dead or are afraid to leave the earth plane. It is your prayers and guidance that urge them forward, though when you visualize their form, it may be easier for you to observe their progress.

Keep in mind that when working on this spiritual plane, it is always a good idea to have other positive spirits and divine light surrounding you. Even though it appeared that you had power over the old man spirit and were able to control him, that may not always be the case. You must practice caution and give dark entities a wide berth.

Your ability to help spirits cross over is a wonderful gift that I'm sure you will want to further develop. However, when we feel that we have more power over spirits than they do over us, we can get ourselves into some trouble. It's a bit like electricity: if used properly, this is a wonderful tool that improves our lives. If we take it for granted or ignore its inherent dangers, however, the result can be fire or electrocution.

You are correct in assuming that some spirits do not know what is good for them and need strong direction. When working with these entities, we do have to exert more willpower to direct them. For example, when one is dealing with a malevolent spirit, exorcists or psychics with a strong command of the spirit world must often be called upon.

As long as you remain aware of what type of entity you are dealing with, you should be fine. However, it is always good to take a guide or angel with you into these situations. Just like walking through a bad neighborhood, there is safety in numbers.

*****

Mata:

There is great power in being totally congruent with what you desire and knowing that you are right. The reason you had power over this old man spirit was because you were congruent: you knew that what he was doing was wrong, and you knew that you wanted him to stop.

Further, each one of us has dominion over our own being. When we stand up to those who mean us harm, we will eventually prevail. Of course, this also works the other way: When we attempt to help people who don't want to be helped, we prove just as powerless.

The problem with trying to force spirits to cross over is that, like us, they all have free will. If it were possible to force a spirit to go into the light, I'm sure angels and other metaphysical helpers would be widely employing that tactic already, which would eliminate earthbound spirits altogether.

I'm actually a bit more concerned about your spiritual well-being than the well-being of the spirits you're trying to help. The fact that you had this experience tells me that you are vulnerable to the influence of negative entities. If you decide your mission in life is to help earthbound spirits, then you will attract more and more interactions with beings who are far from angelic. Further, if you go into such interactions with the attitude of a warrior, you will create one battle after another.

Perhaps this mission to save lost souls came about simply because you are able to perceive spirits and want to help. While that is noble, it may not be enough to ensure a smooth journey.

The higher our own vibration, the better we are able to perceive angels, spirit guides, and loved ones who have passed, and the less likely we are to interact with earthbound spirits and negative entities. If your goal is to work with the dregs of astral society, you'll have to vibrationally dwell in or near the ghetto yourself, which will make you vulnerable to psychic attack. If, however, you get tired of all this battling and decide you want to be free of the influence of lower astral entities, your best bet is to simply move to a better neighborhood by raising your own vibration.

In any case, I think earthbound spirits should be treated with the same kindness and respect we would show living human beings. There are living people who are too dangerous for us to try to help; since these sorts don't want our help anyway, I wouldn't bother with them. Should we encounter a spirit that is simply lost, confused or conflicted, we can help them best by offering them love, respect and understanding, for if we can uplift them, they'll naturally find their own way to the light.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.