Meditation

Lately, things have been somewhat crazy for me, and I've not had the time to meditate like I would normally.  This sadens me, and I will have to remedy the situation. I don't have the candles that I usually use for meditation, but I still have my stones, of which I will be doing a post for later (if I can managed to remember) complete with pictures.

I love meditating, it allows me to center myself, and actually get ready to face my day and not have to worry about this stress or that stress.  It gets me in the right frame of mind to focus on my day to day activities.

There are a couple of ways that I meditate, and it all depends on what my focus is. If I'm starting the day, or if it is the middle of the day, or if it is in the evening.  It also depends on what has been going on that has been stressing me, what has been going on that could potentially be a major cause of stress for me in the near future, and things of that nature. 

But, my process usually remains the same, just the focus changes during each meditation. 

I usually meditate for about 30-45 minutes (that is my -ideal- meditation time), but it is often less than that depending again on what is going on.

I usually find a quiet place (or relatively quite place if I'm at home) that I can settle myself, either sitting up or laying down (which ever is comfortable for that particular length of time).  I usually have the following things, depending on what I am using as the focal point of my meditation:

1. Music - Classical, New Age, Nature Sounds, Gregorian Chants.  The music you use is all preference, and as my musical tastes vary, my meditation music tends to vary as well.
2. Focal Point - Problem written on a slip of paper, Bible Verse written on a slip of paper, Particular stone

Normally, I would light a candle, or incense if I could  (unfortunately I usually can't) but I usually will add a little bit of my favorite lotion to give me a scent to focus on, because that usually helps me to focus a bit and keep my mind on what I'm doing.

Lately, I've used headphones and my mp3 player or a play list I've got stored on Pandora that has some of my favorite meditation tracks on it.

What are some of your favorite meditation techniques? Music?

Touch of Pagan: Litha - Summer Solstice

As always I preface this, with my usual statement.  You know my beliefs are those of many different religions.  There is no one religion that I practice, but pull from multiple to shape my beliefs.  If you cannot create a positive dialogue, and wish to bash or berate me for my beliefs, you will not be welcome here.

Today is a half-way point in the wheel of the year.  It is the celebration of the summer solstice, the first day of Summer (though, as I live in Florida - summer's been here a while already).  Litha, as today is often referred to is the ancient Germanic word for summer.  This is the time when the Sun God is believed to be at His strongest.  The Sun God is also known as the God of the Forest, and is often depicted seated on a throne of green wood.  It is ultimately from this, that the modern version of the Green Man has come about.  Also, during the merging of Christianity and Paganism, many visages of the Sun God wearing a mask of leaves were included in the architecture of early churches.  So, this is His day.

The themes of Litha are: sex, love, creativity, energy, luck, health and wishes.  

This is the time of year when, had I the means, would be gathering herbs and beginning the drying process. Why? Because this is the day that the herbs are the most potent when it comes to their magical properties.  Roots are to be gathered as the moon wanes and leaves and flower as the moon waxes.  Waiting too long after the solistice the herbs will begin to seed and lose potency.  Also, after each gathering or using any part of Mother Nature's resources, I thank the plant, and remember our debt to Mother Earth and Her children.

Had I the means, I would be performing my own Litha ritual, but as I'm still in the process of building my altar and acquiring things (as budget allows), and I am not near a spring (that is within easy walking distance).  I would be writing down a wish or perhaps two, adding them to my Litha inspired offering, such as a stone, feather or small flower.  Once that was done, I would meditate on the wish, keeping it focused in my mind and filled the offering with my meditation, it would be tossed with intention into the spring, or cauldron.  Once the spell was completed,ultimately the content of the cauldron would be emptied into a spring or other moving body of water.  As everything within the cauldron would be natural and not harmful to the environment, no harm would be done.

Here are some useful items for use on the Summer Solstice for your celebrations: 

Herbs:  Basil, chamomile, daisy, elder, pine, St. John's wort, tyme, yarrow, frankincense, fennel, lavender, and lily

Essential Oils/Incense: Frankincense, lemon, lavender, sandalwood, lotus, jasmine, rose, wisteria, and myrrh

Colors: yellow, white, red, blue, green, tan

Decoration: anything reminiscent of the sun, dried herbs, potpourri, fruits, summer flowers

Gemstones: Any green stone.

Foods: Mead, fresh fruits and veggies, lemonade, cookies and cakes decorated to honor the Sun, and of course plenty of ale.

Spellwork: Any maigck, but is especially beneficial for Animal Protection and Marriage & Vow Renewal spells.

Recipes and stuff: Can be found at the following link -  Litha Recipes

Today's Meditation: Healing

Today's meditation is not scriptural based, but it does focus in spiritual medtitation. We all need healing of some kind and it isn't always something we can go to a medical professional for a cure or treatment. We have to look in a spiritual direction, and seek the answers we need by putting our troubles before some higher power.

Each day I start my day and end it with a meditation and a prayer. Though the prayer may only be of Thanksgiving if there is no pressing need in my life at the moment.

Lately my meditations have been focused on healing because of a toothache and various other issues that I currently have at the moment.  Medical insurance is something that I have but not sure if I have dental or not and even if I did I wouldn't be able to afford the visit anyway. So I am hoping for an answer to my own issues as well as focusing on the healing of a good friend of mine who is still currently really recovering from knee surgery.

I also use an item to focus my meditation and lately I have been using a tiger's eye for focus in this situation because it is one that may not always be associated with healing, but has always worked for me.

I ask that you add your healing energy to mine and hopefully things will work out and settle down for me and others.

Namaste,
Martha

Slowdown In My Activity

Things will slow down for a little while due to the fact that I do not have a working computer of my own at the moment. My netbook died and my desktop has been dead for a while now. Until something can be worked out I will be posting limited posts and will still try and get a daily meditation up to let you know what I am focusing on at the current time. Bible studies will resume when I am stable again.

A verse that was shared with me today by Paula is Ephraim 3:20. Definitely a good one to meditate on when one is at work.

On that note have a blessed day!!!

Namaste,
Martha