Intro to Satanism

By: Diane Vera

As promised in the PAGAN RELIGIOUS STUDIES echo, here’s my brief introductory essay on Satanism (though Corwynt won’t be seeing it, alas). I’ll confine myself to discussing serious_occultists who identify as Satanists. I have no interest in the teen-age glue-sniffing “Satin rulz” crowd, who are into “Satanism” as a way to shock the grown- ups, and who usually (as far as I know) outgrow it. Nor am I interested in criminals who say the Devil made them do it (often, I suspect, as a way to get themselves declared insane).

Epona

Mother goddess of Earth, Epona was invoked often, but more frequently during the equinoxes to bring about smooth passage of the seasons (both physically and philosophically). Epona would be the Celtic goddess of honor during equinox ceremonies, further reinforcing that her power is found in her ability to deftly deal with transitions. As the Earth goddess, she was hailed for her grounding nature, particularly needed during times of crisis or influx in life. Always depicted upon a horse (another Celtic sign of fertility), Epona would also serve as the guardian of new life. She would welcome safe arrival of new babies as well as new crops.

Herkimer Diamond by Rhiana Moonstar

Projective. Elements: Fire & Water. A special clear quartz. Shifts brain powerfully into alpha/deep stillness,  opening the brow and crown chakras for a strong, clear channel, psychic readings, meditation. May make one too “high”/spacey to wear. The “dream stone” – in meditation or pillow, it wonderfully enhances visualization, astral travel into the light and dream recall. Amplifies and stores thoughts, energy; use as bridge to stimulate energy flow up through the chakras. Cleanse often.

Dragon Meditation

This is a meditation you can use:

To align yourself better with the Great Dragon, which is to say with the flow of Divine Energy, use this meditation often.

DIAMOND

Brings fierceness, strength and fortitude.  Strengthens friendships and protects from evil, disease and plagues.  If set in gold it drives away night monsters…When stolen attracts negative vibrations.  Diamonds require cleaning often.

A Quick Guide to Working With Crystals

Finding the Right Crystal:

Ask anyone experienced in crystal use & they will tell you that the best way to select a crystal is to find that one that “feels” right. What does that mean? Simple, if you pick it up & it feels like it belongs there or it really catches your eye, that’s the one for you. When working towards a goal or purpose, research the crystal(s) that best suit the goal & then go shopping. However, be open to what the universe is telling you. If you go to the store to buy amber but quartz calls to you, there’s a reason. Often, when we set out to accomplish something, there are underlying reasons, motivations, & energies that we need to deal with but don’t realize it. The universe will guide you to what you need, even if it doesn’t agree with the book. Trust the universe first.

Wiccan Fundamentalism

by Ben Gruagach
http://www.WitchGrotto.com
This article may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, providing that this original copyright notice stays in place at all times.

Religious fundamentalism is characterized by literal belief in specific spiritual claims, often about a particular religion’s history, regardless of any available evidence. A particular dogma is promoted as the One True and Only Way and anything that deviates is considered heretical.

Bixia Yuanjin

by Dr Anthony E. Smart

 
This Chinese Taoist Goddess is responsible for dawn and childbirth, as well as destiny. Dawn and childbirth are two concepts often, and quite understandably, linked in world mythology: the rising of the sun, the bringing of light to the earth, is equated with the child emerging from the darkness of the womb to the light of the world.

Hygieia

by Dr Alena Trckova-Flamee, Ph.D.

 
Hygieia, one of the daughters of Asklepios (Asclepius) and granddaughter of Apollo, played an important role in the cult of Asklepios as a giver of health. She is often identified with health and is sometimes called The Health. She was worshipped and celebrated together with her father on many places (Asklepieion) of the Greek and Roman world.

Baal

by Alan G. Hefner

The antiquity of the worship of the god or gods of Baal extends back to the 14th century BCE among the ancient Semitic peoples, the descendants of Shem, the oldest son of Biblical Noah. Semitic is more of a linguistic classification than a racial one.