Post by robincragin on Oct 27, 2015 17:00:30 GMT -5
Witches consider Samhain the perfect time to commune with departed loved ones since the worlds of the living and the “Mighty Dead” are not too far apart. Witches seek the advice or the teachings of their ancestors through divination methods.
*** A Word to the Wise: You will learn many more divination techniques and their background later in your training. For now, it is important to know that divination is a practice through which you obtain information from spiritual sources. The word divination comes from the word divine, a literal reference to deity suggesting that the spiritual information one obtains comes from divine sources. ***
Practice this divination method today and be sure to include this method as part of your Samhain celebration on October 31.
What You’ll Need:
* Your ancestor shrine
* Two pieces of paper, one with the word “yes” and the other with the
word “no” written on it
* A black taper candle
* A pendulum (if you have one)
Before you begin, either buy or create a pendulum. A pendulum is a divination tool that consists of a small weight tied to a length of string or thin cord. To create your own: cut a 13-inch length of string or thin cord. Tie a ring or similar small, weighted object to one end of the cord. Some objects that people use to make pendulums include crystals, I-Ching coins, stones with holes in them—-even plain metal washers will do.
Begin this practice by standing in front of your ancestral shrine. Hold your left hand, palm down, over the photos and memorabilia of your departed loved ones. Grip the pendulum’s length of string between the thumb and forefinger of your left hand. Hold the pendulum over your ancestral memorabilia. Say, “Which of my departed ones will speak and teach?” Now state the names of each departed ancestor. Be sure to pause at least 60 seconds between the names you recite and watch the pendulum for movement. If it begins to swing, then the loved one you last named is one who will teach and guide you during this exercise.
If you have a photo of the ancestor who wishes to teach, place it before you now. If not, use a pin or a knife to inscribe the name of the person along the length of a black taper candle. Light the candle and set it before you on the ancestral altar. Now take out two pieces of paper. On one paper write the word “yes”, on the other write the word “no.” Set them before you on the shrine, close your eyes, and then imagine your ancestor’s face. As you visualize your ancestor, recite the following incantation, which is based on old European death chants.
Death swims on the water
Summer will soon be here
And do thou, O holy _____
(name of ancestor),
Give us a good year.
Speak this night of shabbat
Although the hour is late,
And do thou, O holy _____
(name of ancestor),
Tell us fortune’s fate.
Ask any specific yes or no questions at this time. Once you ask the question aloud, hold the pendulum over the papers that say “yes” and “no”. When the pendulum swings over one of the words, this represents your answer. When you have asked each question you have in mind, simply leave the shrine and allow the black candle to burn out completely.
*** A Word to the Wise: You will learn many more divination techniques and their background later in your training. For now, it is important to know that divination is a practice through which you obtain information from spiritual sources. The word divination comes from the word divine, a literal reference to deity suggesting that the spiritual information one obtains comes from divine sources. ***
Practice this divination method today and be sure to include this method as part of your Samhain celebration on October 31.
What You’ll Need:
* Your ancestor shrine
* Two pieces of paper, one with the word “yes” and the other with the
word “no” written on it
* A black taper candle
* A pendulum (if you have one)
Before you begin, either buy or create a pendulum. A pendulum is a divination tool that consists of a small weight tied to a length of string or thin cord. To create your own: cut a 13-inch length of string or thin cord. Tie a ring or similar small, weighted object to one end of the cord. Some objects that people use to make pendulums include crystals, I-Ching coins, stones with holes in them—-even plain metal washers will do.
Begin this practice by standing in front of your ancestral shrine. Hold your left hand, palm down, over the photos and memorabilia of your departed loved ones. Grip the pendulum’s length of string between the thumb and forefinger of your left hand. Hold the pendulum over your ancestral memorabilia. Say, “Which of my departed ones will speak and teach?” Now state the names of each departed ancestor. Be sure to pause at least 60 seconds between the names you recite and watch the pendulum for movement. If it begins to swing, then the loved one you last named is one who will teach and guide you during this exercise.
If you have a photo of the ancestor who wishes to teach, place it before you now. If not, use a pin or a knife to inscribe the name of the person along the length of a black taper candle. Light the candle and set it before you on the ancestral altar. Now take out two pieces of paper. On one paper write the word “yes”, on the other write the word “no.” Set them before you on the shrine, close your eyes, and then imagine your ancestor’s face. As you visualize your ancestor, recite the following incantation, which is based on old European death chants.
Death swims on the water
Summer will soon be here
And do thou, O holy _____
(name of ancestor),
Give us a good year.
Speak this night of shabbat
Although the hour is late,
And do thou, O holy _____
(name of ancestor),
Tell us fortune’s fate.
Ask any specific yes or no questions at this time. Once you ask the question aloud, hold the pendulum over the papers that say “yes” and “no”. When the pendulum swings over one of the words, this represents your answer. When you have asked each question you have in mind, simply leave the shrine and allow the black candle to burn out completely.