mysticism
Inner Journey To The Mystical Isle Of Avalon
Sometimes when the pressures and demands of modern life become too much, I retreat to one of my favorite places in the universe: the mythical island of Avalon.
This legendary island of Celtic mythology is steeped in legends of healing, psychic learning, sacred crafting, and the life and times of King Arthur. Its name translates as “Isle of Apples,” emphasizing its association with fertility, abundance, and otherworldly beauty.
In folklore, Avalon, or Insula Avallonis, was a sanctuary of deep spiritual and psychic knowledge and was known as a training ground for pagan priestesses dedicated to the Great Mother Goddess. These women dedicated their lives to spirituality, honing their skills in clairvoyance, herbalism, weaving, and deep devotion to the Divine Feminine.
But Avalon was not only a sanctuary for women. Men were also an integral part of its story. Merlin the magician is inextricably linked to the history of the island, having trained the young Arthur there for his kingship.
Avalon is also entwined with many other tales woven through the lives of King Arthur, Guinevere, Morgan le Fay, Merlin, Nimue (the Lady of the Lake), and others. Legend also has it that King Arthur was brought to Avalon by his half-sister, Morgan le Fay, to heal after being badly wounded in battle.
The question of whether Avalon really existed straddles the line between myth and reality. Some historians and researchers speculate that Avalon may be based on a real place. Glastonbury, England, is often associated with Avalon because of its mystical aura and ties to Arthurian legend.
The Spiritual Implications Of The Lazarus Syndrome
Recently, while watching the 2008 film The Lazarus Project, I was reminded of the paranormal phenomenon of near-death experiences (NDEs) and became intrigued by the possibility of someone coming back to life after death.
The plot of the movie is about a man who is given a second chance at life after being executed for a crime. Despite being lethally injected, he somehow wakes up in a psychiatric hospital and must overcome a series of mysterious and mystical challenges to be reunited with his family.
The title, of course, refers to the story in John 11 of a man named Lazarus who was raised from the dead by Jesus after four days. While the plot of the movie does not directly parallel the biblical story, it does draw on the themes of resurrection and second chances.
My newfound curiosity soon led me to discover a documented medical phenomenon known as “Lazarus Syndrome.” Also known as the “Lazarus phenomenon” or “autoresuscitation,” it is a rare medical condition in which a person spontaneously comes back to life after all attempts at resuscitation have failed and the person has been pronounced dead.
The phenomenon was first noted in medical literature in 1982 by Finnish anesthesiologist Dr. Kalevi Linko, who described it as the spontaneous return of circulation after resuscitation efforts have ceased. The term “Lazarus phenomenon” was later popularized by Dr. John Francis Bray in 1993, who used the biblical reference to describe these rare cases of patients who spontaneously return to life.
Embracing The 12/12 Energetic Portal
Today, we have the opportunity to align with the powerful energy of the 12/12 portal, a sacred gateway traditionally celebrated in the esoteric community for its symbolic themes of unity, completion, and integration. This portal offers a chance to reflect on the lessons of the past year and prepare for the transformative energies that lie ahead.
The number 12 represents cosmic order, harmony, and wholeness. It’s a complete number tied to cycles such as the 12 months of the year, the 12 signs of the zodiac, and the 12 disciples. On December 12, this numerical energy doubles, amplifying the vibrations of balance, completion, and unity.
The 12/12 portal marks the final energetic gateway of the year, offering a moment to integrate the wisdom we’ve gained in 2024. It encourages alignment with the universal flow and the bridging of personal growth with collective evolution. Unity isn’t just about external connections — it’s about uniting the different aspects of ourselves. Consider this portal an invitation to balance your mind, body, and spirit, fostering inner peace that radiates outward.
As the year draws to a close, the 12/12 portal serves as a moment of reflection. What lessons have you learned? What challenges shaped you? This energy threshold encourages embracing both your triumphs and setbacks, recognizing them as essential parts of your personal growth. Integration is key at this time — taking a step back to evaluate how you’ve grown and how you can carry those lessons forward ensures that you will enter the next year wiser and more aligned with your higher purpose.
The Magic Of Dowsing Stands The Test Of Time
Dowsing, also known as “divining” or “water witching,” is an ancient practice that uses a tool such as a pendulum or divining rod to locate what is hidden, most commonly underground water, minerals, or lost items. it is also a divination method used to tap into the unseen or mystical to gain spiritual, psychic, or energetic insights.
While skeptics dismiss it as pseudoscience, dowsing has persisted in many cultures for thousands of years, standing the test of time as a mysterious blend of mysticism and physics. I believe its continued presence throughout history speaks to its importance and continued relevance in today’s technological society.
Dowsing has ancient roots dating back thousands of years, although its exact historical beginnings remain uncertain. Archaeological evidence suggests that the practice dates back to ancient Egypt and China, where early civilizations used rudimentary dowsing techniques to locate water and minerals. Cave paintings in North Africa from around 8000 B.C. depict people holding forked sticks, which many experts believe may be dowsing rods.
The ancient Greeks and Romans were also familiar with dowsing, especially for locating underground water sources. They considered the dowsing rod or pendulum a sacred tool capable of tapping into hidden energies. It was believed that certain materials, especially wood or metal, could act as conduits for detecting invisible forces in the earth.
In the Middle Ages, dowsing became more widely practiced in Europe, often by miners searching for metal veins, especially during the mining booms in Germany and England. However, due to its inexplicable, mystical nature, dowsing also increasingly became associated with the occult and witchcraft, leading to its condemnation by the church.
Honor Your Pagan Heritage This Halloween
Samhain holds special significance for those who practiced paganism in a past life, especially those who were involved in magical practices as seers, soothsayers, druids, and witches.
For us, this time of year evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, spiritual reorientation, and a return to ancient wisdom as the veil between worlds thins and we reconnect with our ancestors and the spirit realms.
Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, traditionally celebrated from October 31 to November 1. It is one of the four great Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Imbolc (February 1), Beltane (May 1), and Lughnasadh (August 1).
In Celtic tradition, Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”) is a liminal time when the boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds is thinner, allowing the spirits of our deceased loved ones, ancestors, and other spirits to cross over more easily.
In ancient times people would light fires and wear costumes to ward off harmful spirits, while also honoring their ancestors with offerings of food and drink.
Samhain is considered the origin of modern Halloween traditions, although Halloween has evolved and incorporated elements from other cultures to become a mostly secular and commercial holiday. For Neopagans and Wiccans, Samhain remains an important festival for honoring the dead, celebrating the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and connecting more deeply with the spirit realm.
A Samhain Invitation From The Faeries
Fairies love fun and joyful games in the great outdoors, even during the darker seasons of the year. I am reminded of this every year at this time when the veil between the worlds thins during the mystical season of Samhain and Halloween.
If you’re currently experiencing a highly creative period or feeling called to get out into nature, even if it’s just to your garden before the weather gets too cold, there’s a good chance you’re also being invited to have some fun and free-spirited playtime with the fairies.
It is easiest for us to connect with the Faeries or Fae during the times of the year when the seasonal energy portals are open at the cross-quarter holidays of the Summer and Winter Solstices and the Spring and Fall Equinoxes.
These seasonal transitions are also traditionally celebrated in the ancient pagan festivals and religious holy days of Imbolc (St. Brigid’s Day) on February 1st, Ostara (Easter) on around March 21st, Beltane (St. Walburga’s Day) on May 1st, Litha (St. John’s Day) around June 20th or 21st, Lammas (Day of Bread) on August 1st, and Samhain (All Saints’ Day) on October 31st.
Traditionally celebrated as a time to honor our ancestors and reflect on the cycle of life and death, Samhain on October 31st marks the halfway point between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice. It is a special time that invites us to step beyond the ordinary into the realm of magic and mysticism. The lingering echoes of autumn and the approaching winter in the Northern Hemisphere also foster a sense of introspection and connection to nature, making it an optimal time to commune with the ethereal elementals of nature.