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The Magic of Stars, by Sandra Kynes

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

The idea of using the stars for magic and ritual is not new. Medieval texts included details about stars and constellations, and how to determine the optimal time to draw their influence into talismans for spells, healing, and other purposes. A small remnant of this remains today in the use of birthstone jewelry.

The stars have always had a profound influence on people. Who isn't moved by a sense of awe when gazing at a star-filled sky? Many of the goddesses we acknowledge and worship have been known as star goddesses. Called by many names in numerous cultures, Astarte was ultimately known as the Queen of Heaven. An eight-pointed star was the symbol of Ishtar and her Sumerian counterpart Inanna. In addition, Wiccans and Pagans may want to take more of an interest in the constellations for the simple fact that our basic symbol, the pentagram, is a star. Unfortunately, beyond recognizing the Big or Little Dippers and maybe Orion's Belt, what star patterns do most of us know? Because of this, we are missing out on some very powerful magic.

For me, celebrating the esbats extends beyond the moon to the twinkling pinpoints of light that drape like a veil across the sky. A small corner of this mysterious veil can be lifted when we know what we are looking at. Oddly enough, despite the enormity of the universe, I have a sense of place when I look up at the night sky because I can find the celestial markers of the seasons. Just as we can draw down the energy of the moon, so too can we tap into the spiraling celestial magic of the universe. Truly as above, so below.

Most early cultures observed the seasonal differences in the night sky and noticed that the star patterns changed over the course of a year. Providing a longer count than the moon's monthly cycle, reckoning by the stars enabled people to mark time for planting, harvesting, and ritual. Visible year round, the circumpolar stars (and especially the North Star) provided markers for navigation through the night seas.

By the time the ancient Egyptians studied the stars, the major constellations had been known for centuries. Many of the star patterns we recognize today originated with Sumerian and Babylonian astronomers. The Greeks wrapped these constellations in their own mythology and created an ongoing drama in the night skies. These interpretations were adopted by other cultures and have been handed down to us. However, our orientation is different from the people of ancient times, and like gazing at clouds we may perceive something else among these star figures.

In my book Star Magic, I present an exploration of the night sky along with a new interpretation of the constellations that is relevant for twenty-first century Pagans and Wiccans. For example, the mythology of the constellation Orion portrays him as a hunter; however, I think this star figure can also be interpreted as Artemis, the huntress. Unlike the Greeks, early Arab astronomers saw this constellation as a female figure they called al-Jauza. Also, the name of the star Bellatrix, located on the star figure's left shoulder, is Latin, meaning "the female warrior." One other point is that the hour-glass shape of the constellation has a more feminine appearance.

While I explore the aspects of the Orion constellation as both hunter and huntress, what is not included in my book is an asterism within the constellation called Venus's Mirror. Like a constellation, an asterism is a discernible pattern of stars; however, asterisms are not officially recognized as constellations. Two famous examples of asterisms are the Big Dipper within the Ursa Major (the Great Bear) constellation and the Little Dipper within Ursa Minor (the Lesser Bear). Actually, the eighty-eight constellations are more than their familiar patterns—they are defined regions of the sky that include asterisms and other stars as well as large areas without visible stars. These official constellations were established by the International Astronomical Union in 1922.

As far as magic is concerned, let's take a look at the power we may find in Venus's Mirror. There are seven stars in this asterism. They include the three stars of Orion's Belt and three stars that are considered part of a group called Orion's Sword, plus one other star in the constellation. When we envision these stars as Venus's Mirror, five of them create a diamond-shaped mirror and two stars form a short handle.

The Orion constellation is a winter constellation visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres. If you are in the northern hemisphere, look towards the southwest to find Orion. From the southern hemisphere, look towards the northwest. The stars of Orion's Belt are the easiest to find. Once you locate them, orient yourself so the star figure is right side up, which means that the belt appears higher on the right and slopes down to the left.

The rightmost star in the belt marks the top corner of Venus's Mirror and the leftmost star in the belt is the left corner. The center star in the belt is basically along for the ride. From the left corner star, look to the right and you will see another bright star that is equidistant, forming a triangle with the two end stars of the belt. This star marks the right corner of the mirror. Let your gaze move down and slightly to the left to the bright star that marks the bottom corner of the mirror. Two other stars align below this star and form the mirror's handle.

In Latin, the word for "mirror" is speculum, from which the verb "to speculate" was derived. Speculating originally meant scanning the sky, usually with a mirror, to discern the movement of the stars. Originating in ancient Persia, the scrying mirror is one of the oldest forms of divination.

One way to use the energy of Venus's Mirror combines the idea of scrying and divination with Venus, the goddess of love, to help you find your true love. To do this, place a red or pink candle on your altar, and then lay a mirror (of any shape) in front of it. The primary stars in Venus's Mirror are blue and white. Gather five or six pieces of blue gemstones (such as turquoise, beryl, or blue tourmaline), and one piece of white quartz. These will be used to represent the stars of the asterism. Using four of the blue stones, lay out a diamond shape. If you choose to represent the center star of Orion's Belt, place another blue stone between the top and left corners of the diamond. From the bottom of the diamond and outside of the shape, place another blue stone and then the white quartz below that to mark the bottom of the handle.

Light the candle and then gaze at the reflection of the gemstones in the mirror. Reach out with your energy toward the gemstones as you visualize the stars of the Venus's Mirror shining above in the night sky. Visualize the light of the stars reaching down to the gemstones, and then draw the energy of the stars through the gemstones towards you into your heart center. As you hold this energy in your heart, say three times, "Venus with your starry mirror, Help to bring my true love nearer." With a soft gaze, watch the reflection of the flickering candlelight on the pattern of gemstones. Continue to watch the changes of light on the mirror and observe any images that may form and dissipate. Be watchful, but don't try to force yourself to see something.

Observe the light on the mirror for as long as it is comfortable, and then release the star energy from your heart center out to the world along with your intention. Close your eyes and sit in silence as you hold the image of the Venus's Mirror star pattern in your mind. Once more, say, "Venus with your starry mirror, Help to bring my true love nearer." Slowly let the image of the asterism fade from your mind, and then blow out the candle and end your session of star magic.

As in many forms of magic, what we desire may unfold quickly or it make take time. The mirror may reveal an image of a person, something associated with a person, or something that evokes a feeling or idea. It is also important to remember that when we want something may not be the right time to invite whatever it is into our lives, especially where love in concerned. If Venus's Mirror intrigues you, take time to become familiar with its energy and call on its power when you engage in divination for any purpose. When the time is right, this asterism may lead you to your true love. In the meantime, it may show you things that are relevant to other aspects of your life.

When you first start working with star magic, don't feel daunted if you don't know what you are looking at in the night sky. Take one season at a time and start with one constellation, asterism, or star. Learn about it and how to find it in the sky. Employ the classical mythology associated with the stars or your own, more relevant interpretations. Draw stellar power into your rituals and spells. Let the energy support you in divination, astrology, energy work, and everyday life.

The simple act of stargazing connects us with our ancestors because we can see what they would have seen. Looking at the stars also lets us experience the wonder that echoes down through the eons from people in the far distant past. The energy of the stars envelopes our planet and holds us in the web of the cosmos. In the great scheme of the universe we are so tiny, yet we are a part of something so vast and wondrous. Best of all, we can draw the magic of the stars into our lives.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2015. All rights reserved.

I have recurring dreams about my current home. I am always alone and am aware of an evil entity in the house. The house itself proves to be haunted. I never see the entity but I know it is there in the shadows. I can't leave the house in my dreams. What does this mean?

Susyn:

Upsetting dreams about a house usually indicate problems in one's personal life. The house you live in is probably not haunted, but there is something or someone haunting you that you can't seem to shake. The fact that you can't leave your house in the dream implies that whatever is bothering you has quite a strong hold on you.

You mention that you never see the entity but know it is there in the shadows. Shadows represent the subconscious. That you are having this dream repeatedly suggests that there is an issue in your life that needs to be addressed. That you are always alone in these dreams implies that it is something within you that needs to be resolved so you can release it. Until you confront this problem, these dreams will continue.

First you must determine if this evil entity represents an actual person, an event from childhood, or a deeply buried fear that you carry. If it is a person, they will typically show up in the dream; since this is an entity, you will have to do more research.

I recommend you do some journaling to get more information about this dream. First write out the dream as you remember it, and then note what was happening at the times you had it. If you see a pattern in this information, you may discover what is triggering it. As you describe the dream, be sure to list your reactions within the dream. Did you feel scared? Worried? Angry? Our emotions are rich with insights, so pay close attention to them.

Next, consider how things are in your life currently. What fears are you carrying? How are your finances, your personal relationships and your health? Do you have spiritual practices you use to maintain your connection with a higher power? If everything is in order in these areas of your life, it's time to do some historical investigation.

Depending on how long you have been having these dreams, this could indicate troubles from childhood or even a past life that have suddenly risen up for your attention. You may want to try a guided meditation to see if you can recall what this entity looks like. Once you have it in your mind, you may discover it looks like someone from your past that you have some issues with.

If there was an evil spirit in your home, you would have experienced trouble not only during your dreams but in your waking experience as well. To identify the source of these dreams, you will therefore have to look within. Once you discover what's causing these upsetting dreams, you will be able to work through the issues behind them and eventually eliminate them for good.

*****

Mata:

The most obvious interpretation of these dreams is a literal one: There is a metaphysical being close to you and your instincts or spirit guides are trying to make you aware of its presence. Unless you are highly psychic, your dreams may be the only way your inner being can communicate something like this to you.

If you dream that your house is haunted because there is a metaphysical entity nearby, it's important not to make assumptions about the nature of the entity. While evil beings do exist, most hauntings are caused by beings who are much like the living people we know and love. The way to determine an entity's nature is by evaluating how the entity feels to you. You say you sense something evil in this case; I encourage you to always trust your intuitive senses.

All of this being said, I don't feel that this dream is trying to tell you that your house is literally haunted: I'm just saying that when dreams like this occur, it is wise to rule out a literal interpretation, for when there is a metaphysical being trying to communicate with us or having some sort of influence on us, it's common for this information to come to us via our dreams.

My sense is that these dreams are symbolic, and that YOU are the one who is haunted. This is not by some spirit or entity but by your own past. We are all profoundly impacted by the traumatic events that happened to us in the past both in this life and in other lifetimes, so much so that many people are haunted by those events.

To begin exploring this idea, ask yourself some questions: Do you have any phobias? Do you have any major issues you're currently struggling with or actively working on healing? Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? If you answered yes to any of of these questions, it's most likely that these dreams are trying to make you more aware of how the past is influencing you today.

The fastest way to get some real answers about what is going on is to see a hypnotherapist. You should choose someone who is experienced in both regression and spirit releasement therapy so that they are sure to be able to handle whatever comes up. This therapist will guide you into a deep trance where communication with your higher self is possible, and then ask what these dreams are about.

If there is an entity involved, it can then be released. If instead, you have some event from long ago that is still haunting you and affecting how you feel, it can be healed and cleared much as you would release an unhappy ghost so that you can enjoy a more peaceful, blessed existence.

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.