mysticism
The Mythical Mysteries Of Crows And Ravens
People have been fascinated by crows and ravens for thousands of years. There’s something about their glossy black feathers, their watchful eyes, and the way they seem to understand more than they let on that makes one wonder what they might know that we don’t.
Throughout history and across many cultures, these amazing birds have been seen as more than just animals. They are traditionally seen as messengers, guides, and keepers of spiritual wisdom.
Their stories are all about myth, religion, and folklore, and they give us a pretty interesting look at how different peoples saw the mysterious world around them. Even now, in our modern time of screens and certainty, many still feel a quiet sense of magic when one of these birds crosses their path.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, birds were a big deal. They were thought to be divine messengers and living signs that connected the heavens and the earth.
The practice of interpreting their movements, known as augury, was very important spiritually and politically. It wasn’t just superstition; it was a big part of religious and community life.
Augurs, the trained soothsayers of ancient Rome, were responsible for “taking the auspices,” or reading the signs that the gods sent through bird behavior. From the way it flies to the sound it makes, every detail could mean something. Out of all the birds we saw, crows and ravens stood out in particular. People thought their appearance held weighty messages, partly because of their dark, striking plumage and partly because these birds seemed unusually intelligent and intentional in their actions.
Rediscovering Prayer As A Personal Practice
“Prayer” can be a complicated concept for some people, especially when it carries associations with dogma or specific religious traditions.
On a spiritual path, not everyone relates to a higher power in the same way, and we all experience the sacred or the divine through diverse and deeply personal lenses.
However, no matter how we personally view it, prayer can hold a very meaningful place in any spiritual practice.
As my own spiritual awareness deepened, I came to see God not as a distant figure watching over the world, but as a vast creative presence, an energy that flows through all life. Some connect with this presence as “the universe,” others as their higher self, their guides, or a field of eternal love and light.
I have moved through many of these perspectives myself, and each has offered me unique insights. Over time, returning to the broader concept of God reopened a space of comfort and peace within me, especially through the practice of prayer.
When I was a child, prayer felt natural. It brought reassurance and warmth. Reconnecting with it later in life has brought that same sense of grounding and clarity.
Prayer can be understood as a conversation with God, Source, Spirit, the Divine, with one’s soul, or with the deeper wisdom that resides within and around us. Continue reading
Embracing The Dark Season With Isa And Jera
This time of year, when the air first sharpens and the trees begin to release their golden leaves, I feel a familiar stirring in my heart and soul.
Early fall has always been more than just a change of weather to me. It is a threshold, a sacred gateway that leads us from the brightness of summer into the deeper mystical wisdom of the dark season.
There’s a particular magic in this in-between time of the year…where light and shadow meet, and the veil between worlds begins to thin.
Fall is not merely an ending; it is an invitation inward. It asks us to reflect, to release, and to realign with the deeper currents that move through all things. Just as the trees surrender their leaves, we too are asked to let go of bad habits, limiting beliefs, or self-imposed burdens that no longer serve our highest path.
Our ancestors knew this well. They did not simply mark their calendars this time of year…to cover the pool or reorganize their closets, like we do. Instead, they were in deep sync with the rhythmic cycles of the year.
In the North, they honored the harvest with gratitude, they stored up sustenance for the long winter months ahead…and they carefully consulted the runes. The runes were for them living messages from the gods that spoke of fate, nature, and the mysteries of life.
As an spiritual advisor who works with the runes, I often remind my clients that these symbols are not relics of the past. They are very much alive, pulsing with energy, ready to guide us if we open ourselves to their voices.
Embrace The Transformative Power Of October
October is one of the most transformative months for anyone who works with intuition, energy, or spiritual guidance. As the leaves fall and the air begins to cool, the spiritual atmosphere seems to ‘heat up.’
This is the season of shadow and light coexisting, where transformation becomes not just possible, but necessary.
Nature herself models this beautifully. Trees release what no longer serves them without resistance. The days grow shorter, urging us inward. And the whispers from the other side grow louder, inviting us to deepen our trust in the unseen.
The veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is said to be thinner this time of year, making it easier to receive messages, notice synchronicities, and tap into your own inner knowing.
October is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and share our wisdom with others who may be feeling the energetic shifts.
This belief is not new. Across many cultures, October has long been seen as a threshold month. It is considered a liminal time when the unseen draws closer to the seen.
In Celtic and Pagan traditions, the end of October mark Samhain, the great harvest festival and the turning of the year. It is known as a sacred doorway between worlds, when the living can more easily connect with ancestors and the spirit realm. Fires are lit to honor the departed, and divination rituals practiced to glimpse what lay ahead.
The Timeless Magic Of Nature Spirits And Elementals
As a youngster growing up in the UK, I loved visiting a neighbor, Mrs. O’Leary, whose lilting Irish voice still echoes in my mind. She spoke often of the “Good People” and acknowledged their presence in her home and garden. I recall her taking us outside to witness her making small offerings to these unseen little mystical beings.
Though it feels like a distant memory now, I can still recall seeing them, too. Perhaps they appeared to us because we truly believed, or perhaps because Mrs. O’Leary invited them to show themselves.
Whatever the reason, those moments left a lasting impression. To me, it felt like truly being “in my element,” fully connected to the hidden, magical forces of nature.
I vaguely recall a magical moment in Mrs. O’Leary’s garden when she pointed out to me a tiny, translucent little figure perched on a large moss-covered rock at the base of her prized old hawthorn tree. With delight, she described how this “little person” was waving at us and encouraged me to wave back. Standing there with awe and intrigue, I became aware of what seemed like hundreds of luminous sprites dancing in the glistening water below.
Despite all the cynicism of a technologically driven world, increasingly devoid of the many miracles and wonders of nature and the unseen realms, Mrs. O’Leary and the spirits of nature still remind me of the healing, transformative power that lies in reverence, stillness, and everyday magic.
Power And Protection From Your Ancestors
I come from a long line of female herbalists of European origins on my mother’s side of the family. They were seers, healers, and prophets who combined their psychic gifts with ancient healing practices. Today, they still come to me during meditation, to offer wisdom.
The family’s mainly Germanic connection is one I’ve researched for many years, but more recently I discovered that my ancestors crossed into Scandinavian and Norse territories too, which suggests a bloodline of fierce women who were warriors of their time.
It’s really not surprising to me, as even my own mother today, who is 84 years old, can still kick anyone’s butt who crosses her path in an unkind way! I always knew she was strong when I was little, and I always admired her power and independence.
I was born in the year 1966, which in Chinese Astrology equates to the year of the Fire Horse. Fire Horse people are only born once every six decades. It is a rare sign and, according to legend, many girl babies born in certain parts of Asia in that year were killed at birth, because they were believed to be dangerous, uncontrollable or resistant to rules or dogma.
My Fire Horse nature shows up in me from time to time, but only when I’m really pushed beyond reason by someone who is taking advantage of, or harming me, or my children.
Life will sometimes push us to step into our core strength and fight for what is right. There are many people on the spiritual path who feel stepping into your true power or fighting for what is right is ‘unspiritual’ or egotistic.
The Mysteries, Messages And Magic Of Meteorites
Meteorites have long intrigued me as one of the great mysteries of the universe. They’ve fascinated me for years, not only because they survive their fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere in such an epic and awe-inspiring way, but also because of their extraordinary origins.
Recently, I acquired a small piece of meteorite from Campo del Cielo, a renowned celestial fragment discovered by Spanish explorers in Argentina in 1576. It now graces my altar with it cosmic presence, enhancing the energy of my home and sparking some fun conversations!
Their origins are diverse. Some come from asteroids or comets, others from planetary bodies.
However, what I find especially captivating about these “messengers from space” is that they offer more than just scientific insights into the birth of our solar system.
Even more compelling is the spiritual and esoteric significance they’ve held throughout human history. Across time and tradition, they continue to be revered as powerful allies in spirituality and metaphysics.
Many lithotherapy practitioners believe meteorites are gifts from the divine, reminding us of our eternal connection to the cosmos. They are symbols of spiritual awakening, transformation, and divine wisdom.
Ancient civilizations used them for meditation and healing, to connect with higher realms, and to catalyze personal growth. Because they are quite literally “otherworldly,” meteorites offer us a cosmic perspective and invite us to reflect on our place within the grand tapestry of existence.