The Labyrinth

Thank you for taking an interest in my “ Luminous Letter. May you find the information useful and nurturing in your magickal-spiritual journey. When you are open to receive the knowledge given to you by The Goddess, she will awaken your light within. Many are called, however, few are chosen but always keep in mind “ She changes everything she touches and everything she touches changes forever!” Blessed Be, Unarei Hps of ISIS

Please check every month between the first and the seventh day, for updated information on my newsletter.

At long last the wait is over:
Finally! At long last! After 6 months of a writing hiatus, I have returned and written some information for your magickal use for the month of September. I sincerely apologize for the long silence. I will do my very best not to go so long without, at least writing a small article on my newsletter. Again my apologizes. On a happier note I am almost done with The Labyrinth’s online store! We hope to have it set up and running by the end of the year.

It has been quite a journey working on the online store for me. It has been a challenge and exciting learning how to maintain the site by learning new commands and working with the software for the web site. My good friend Cindy, has done an amazing job in helping me by working alongside me, meeting with me to discuss my ideas and teaching me during her busy schedule. By the way she is great web designer and graphic artist! She recently launched her own site at Bunnydaze.com. You should check out her inspirational products online! She also gave me the confidence and inspiration to have a much more hands on approach with the online store. This way I could have more control with the site if I ever needed to change, delete or add to it. It is amazing how one can apply themselves to do something they believed impossible, when they become willing to learn!

I would like to encourage those of you who flew into our website for the first time and enjoyed what you saw to find us on facebook at Unarei@aol.com. This way you will be kept in the loop of things, when we are updating information on upcoming classes we both will be teaching, have any changes you all need to be made aware of, or add new product at The Labyrinth. Our facebook has become organic since we went online with it late last year and seems to be an excellent source for many of those in our community to network, with like minded individuals. It is a great place for connecting with other people all around the world for teachings, healings, supporting your local witch and magickal businesses online or off for your magickal product needs. The possibilities are endless when networking through facebook. So, when you fly by and land onto our magickal page here and like what you see, look us up on facebook if your interested in really flying on your brooms!

On another note, it has amazed me how quickly time flew by these past few months. I must say I was a bit surprised when I realized it had been six months since my last newsletter posting in February. I thought it had only been 2 months since my last posting! Interesting how time is always on the move with or without you. If we are not moving alongside it keeping busy it will pass right by you. Just like it happened to me I am in the winter then here it is summer time coming to an end. As it did me one minute I am writing in the winter then here it is the end of summer going into the fall. The postive side of this is the I am looking forward to the cooler afternoons and evenings! I am sure many of you here in Texas will agree with me the fall season is and will be a welcome change! This was indeed a brutal summer for many of us having faced on going days of triple digits. For a person like myself who enjoys working outside in the yard, planting and spending countless hours outdoors , I have to admit this summers heat was to much for me. I just couldn’t manage my garden, my yard, my veggies well during this heat wave.

The heat took a great toll on me. My garden flopped as my tomatoes, squashes, and strawberries didn’t grow they just burned up. The rose bushes and other plants nearly burned up as well because of the heat it was really sad. However, now with fall on its way, I am actually looking forward to the 80 and 90 degree weather until it gets cooler in late October. I am hopeful I will have better luck with my fall garden and let you all know how tasty my tomatoes and other veggies turned out! Thanks for taking the time to park your brooms for a spell and read my Luminous Letter! Happy Harvest to you and yours! May the blessings of the mother Goddess be upon all of you!
Unarei Hps of ISIS

Moon Phases:
Are you ready for some moon magick? For those of you who will be attempting to work with the moon rituals I have suggested for the first time, I would suggest you take the time to follow these simple steps.

Make sure you take the time to center yourself and clear your mind as your intent applied to the spell work is of the utmost importance.
Make sure you visualize your intention in your mind. Magick is all about visualization and intent without these important suggestions you may as well forget about your magick ever manifesting.
You must not drink or use any mind altering chemicals while performing your rite! As this will distract your concentration and nothing will work! Most importantly you may tap into something that is not of a good energy which may harm you.

Below is some information I believe you will find useful while getting to know about the phases of the moon and help you better understand what your working with during your moon rites.

The waxing moon- is when the moon is changing from new, or black to being full. Works of increase and drawing are done now. When you wish to work on magick under the waxing moon you should do magick on the fourth day after the new moon. The most common practices of working with the moon phase is three days before to three days after any phase of the moon cycles. Another way of knowing when the moon is waxing is when you see the horn tips of the moon. They will be pointing towards the left side of the moon this will let you know it is beginning to wax towards it’s full moon body. So, when the tips are on the left pointing towards the opposite direction (right) it will indicate it is waning, beginning to disappear into its black out phase. This we call the dark of the moon a great time to banish. I hope you will find the above information useful while working your magick during the moon phases.

Mabon:
In the month of September we have yet another turning of the wheel of the year. It is the autumn holiday and the eighth turn in the wheel called Harvest Home (Mabon). The feast of the ingathering. It is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and the recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the God and Goddess during the upcoming winter season. If you celebrate it on Friday, September 23, 2011, go out to your local farmers market to purchase some of those fine veggies and fruits to welcome the harvest! Make a nice home cooked meal out of your fresh foods bought from your markets or your own gardens which is even better! This is a time to give thanks for the bounty which is all around us and share it with our loved ones.

As for those of you who enjoy canning and preserving this is the time to get started and prepare for the winter to come. This is a great time to spend outdoors and reflect on nature around you. Take the time to see the animals and plants prepare for the upcoming cold. You will see the squirrels burying nuts and plants going to seed as they spread their young into the ground to reappear when it warms up again in the Spring. If you get a chance leave an offering of fruit/veggies to the nature spirits by a tree and thank them for their use of the land and crops they helped grow, thank the trees that bear fruit for us to enjoy of their bounty, for without them we would not be able to enjoy this upcoming harvest!

Full Moon Rite for Monday, September 12, 2011:
This full moon is called The Harvest moon for it is the closest to the Autumn Equinox known as Mabon. The moon will be full beginning at 4:27am central standard time, it the will occur in the astrological sign of Pisces. If you plan to do any magick this day make sure you get it done before 8:45pm central standard time, as the moon will be void of course until the next day when it enters its next astrological sign in Aries at 1:49am. This is a powerful - yet very simple wish ritual. It is an old New Orleans wishing spell.

You will need to have some job tears to throw into the fire to manifest your wishes. How many you ask? Well it all depends on how many wishes you will like to place into the fire. Just keep in mind that you will need to stay very focused on your intent for each wish you will be asking to manifest. It is better to have 3-5 wishes than 100 as it will be better to concentrate and give your full attention to your magick this way. Greed, isn’t a good way to practice witchcraft. You will need to have a place to create a small fire. You may use your cauldrons if you own one, or fire bowl, chiminea, or an old coffee can it must be something which can contain a small fire. You will also need a white candle to represent the Goddess Hecate which we will be using for this particular rite, some sage leaves to clear your space, lavender for communication, and lotus incense to help lend hand in opening the doorway for your wishes and opportunities.

Offerings for the Goddess should be a flower/s, a drink to quench her thirst (symbolic) this can be a small bottle of wine or juice and food to satisfy her hunger (symbolic) cookies, chocolate or fruit. These offerings will be left outside for her overnight or on your altar when you are finished with your magick to thank her for lending hand in your magickal rite. You will also need a white or silver cloth to represent the color of the moons vibration.

Before you begin take a few minutes to breath and clear your head, you may even sage yourself before you begin. After you are settled down and are ready to begin you will start by setting up your sacred space. Begin by putting your cloth down on your altar or space you will be doing your magick. Then take your white candle and place it in the middle of your cloth, the flower/s on the left side of the candle, drink and food on the right side of it. You may place a picture or a statue of the goddess behind the candle if you wish. Finally take your lotus incense and place it in front of the white candle.

After you have completed this take your cauldron or fire container you will use and place in between yourself and the altar. Give yourself enough room to move around it when the fire is going. Word of advise this is something you should not try indoors it is best done outside in an open space. (keep in mind the drought and dry ground around you so you may want to wet it down and keep a hose or water close by in case sparks go to the ground) A witch should always be prepared and think ahead if any problems may arise.      Once you have placed your wood into your cauldron go ahead and light it up. You will then take the sage stick and walk in widdershins (opposite of clockwise) right to left in a circle clearing your magickal area and asking all negative things to remove themselves from your sacred space walk around 3 times.

When you have finished you will take some of the lavender and sprinkle all around your space by going clockwise this is from left to right. You will be asking the goddess for open, clear communication and great protection from any outside influences during your magickal rite. Do this by walking around in your sacred space 3 times.

Now you have sealed yourself into a nice sacred clean flowing magickal space and are ready to get on with the magick! Go to your altar and light your candle, then your incense. When this is done you will take your job tears and stand before your cauldron fire while you hold one jobs tear at a time in your hand and think about what you want to manifest. Before you release it into the fire. Take your time, and when you are done then toss the jobs tear into the fire! You will continue the same process until you have finished your wish requests. Afterwards take a few minutes to look deep into the flames of fire and visualize in your minds eye how your wishes are going to manifest

When you are done visualizing, take some more lavender and sprinkle it into the fire and chant the following while going around in a clock wise direction around your cauldron-

Oh great goddess how I bless you!
For all which you bring to my aid!
The energy flows as my magick is now made!
I implore thee Hecate, to cast out the negative energy which keeps my wishes away!
Leave only thy positive here to stay! For it to help me along my way!
In this sacred mystical hour of the full moon night!
The goddess Hecate reigns supreme and to her I shout out in praise!
Hail to thee Hecate! Triple Goddess of the moon!
Hail to thee Hecate! Triple Goddess of the moon!
Hail to thee Hecate! Triple Goddess of the moon!

Blessed be goddess of fire! Tools now of magick in their place as I chant to you with great power and might! Hear the call of my request on this magickal night! Great goddess Hecate, I call upon you to unlock the doorways which have held me back!
Unfold my wishes and help me manifest them, as I beseech thee in this magickal full moon rite!
So Mote It Be! Blessed be to you in joy, love, and beautiful light!
When you are done- take a few minutes to just relax in the energy and enjoy the moon. Once the wood has turned into ashes bury them on your property preferably the next day. Then on top of the sol place the drink, food and flower/s for the goddess to enjoy! (symbolic)

New Moon Rite for Tuesday September 27, 2011:
The new moon will arrive at 6:09am, central standard time. Please adjust your time accordingly to your location in America or elsewhere. Since we don’t have any opposing distractions on this day any time after the new moon arrives would be a great time to do your magickal work. If you choose to do your magick on the fourth day you must do it before the moon goes Void of Course ( Magicks begun when the moon is void of course rarely come to fruition or they turn out very differently than planned.)

You will be invoking the Goddess Ilmatar - pronounced (ill-ma-tar) she is a Finnish-Ugrian goddess who was the virgin daughter of Air, in the beliefs of the Norse people during their pagan times. She was known to have many immense powers of creativity! Finnish-Ugrian legend says she also created the world and gave birth to the first great hero Vainamoinen pronounced (Vai-namo-inen) Her son was considered a great sorcerer and magician. He played an instrument called the Kentele which looks similar to a small harp with 5-15 strings on it (legend says he made his of fish bones and used horse hair for his strings to play). Legend also said he was known to tame wild animals and mesmerize women with his music to draw them to fall in love with him. If you would like to know more about this ancient Finnish-Ugrian background you may want to research the Kalevala written by Elias Lonnrot.

It is said that in the 16th century the clergy forbade all telling or singing of the pagan rites and stories. Thus, Elias Lonnrot the author of the Kalevala (an epic book of Finland) found great interest in locating these stories after graduating from the university of Turku. This began his journey in his research and keeping it alive through his book. It wasn’t until 1831 when his real work began and the rest is history! I found the story of Ilmatar and her son intriguing and hope you do as well? She was worshiped and kept much alive during those days during the indigenous pagan rights before the reformation during 1520’s.

You will need the following items to bring about magick for creativity and spirituality enhancements. Color two eggs red with a environmentally friendly marker or paint if you can (the eggs don’t need to be cooked) and gather or purchase a small bouquet of flowers to place on your altar ( this can be a table, desk, any workable space where you may place the following items to be able to perform your work). You will need a stick or cone of cinnamon incense and a green candle. Once you have all your supplies go ahead and clear your working space. You may do that with sage or bells by walking opposite of clockwise. When you are done then bring in a positive energy by going around in a circle going clockwise with an incense, aromatherapy spray, or you may use your bells again.    Afterwards go wash your hands and feet before prior to your rite, if you don’t take the time to take a cleansing bath or shower before you begin. Once in your sacred space, place your two eggs in front of you and next to them the flowers, place the green candle in front of these items with the cinnamon incense in front of the green candle.

Take a minute to take a few breaths and then begin by lighting the incense then your candle. Recite the following-
Blessed teacher of magick and wisdom Ilmatar, I beseech thee, to help enlighten me,
Bestower of knowledge and creativity, I plead with you help me receive of your essence and guide me through the doorway of new.
Bring for to me peace, contentment, ideas, balance and willingness to apply myself to the new which awaits me through your magickal powers!

“Then sit in quiet meditation while looking at the flame on the candle and take slow small breaths…….after you feel relaxed and become one with the flame after connecting with it while meditating, close your eyes. Imagine yourself inside of a small boat in a lake of water gently floating to the middle of it moving back and forth with the motion of the calm water. Hear the water gently splashing on the sides of the boat and a cool breeze hitting your face. Nothing else matters but you and the connection you have with the water, air and the goddess. Feel the calmness take over your entire body from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. Take your time to concentrate remember to stay relaxed and breath…..gently as you are in your meditative state begin to feel the presence of the goddess Ilmatar….( just as you would feel the presence of someone next to you) when this happens begin to talk to her out loud or in telepathically (directly from one mind to another without words).

Ask her to help guide you with your creativity and spiritual areas which need help, talk with her as long as you need in order for your request to be made “very clear” to her. The key is to stay focused and relaxed. You can do this, it will take some practice however it can be achieved. When you are done and no longer feel the energy of her essence around you then the time has come for her to go back to the Spirit world. Allow yourself to slowly come back to center to ground. Visualize yourself going back towards shore from the middle of the lake. Once you feel that you are no longer moving with the flow of water you will take a deep breath, move your neck side to side all the way around and take another breath then slowly open up your eyes.

Then say- creativity, healing, knowledge, mental powers , blessed be to you goddess Ilmatar. All come from your great creativity and magickal abilities!
In eloquence and self-control, I ask now you grant me my wishes to manifest!
I implore thee to give me, guidance as I desperately need great inspiration.
Blessed teacher send with motives true my way!
I desire to learn and take example from thee, to expand my mind and consciousness.
For these gifts, blessed goddess Ilmatar, I dearly thank you!
So Mote It Be!   Blessed Be!

Allow the candle to burn completely and the incense. Leave your magickal space up for at least one day then take the flowers and cut them up. You will then take the flowers to the nearest lake and place them in the water in honor of her spirit as the Water Mother! As for the eggs you may dispose of the by burying them into the ground to honor her nature side.

Interesting practices:

1. In the old days they would take 2 acorns to find out about the future by writing on one of the Yes and on the other No. They would then place them in basin of water and ask the question they needed answers to. If one of the acorns floated towards you it would then indicate the answer you were seeking.

2. This is a great little prosperity secret, I have tried it and does work! Get a small box place a dollar, a quarter, dime, nickel and a penny. Then fill it with cedar chips to attract more money. You can’t spend it just keep it by your altar or hidden away from someone who will want to open it up.

3. It is said if you suffer from bad dreams or nightmares to take some fresh Thyme and eat it before you retire for bed. It will help ease your mind and give you restful sleep.

4. In the ole days they would place thorny rose branches on the front door step to keep any evil from your home.

Until next month my pretties! Continue to check us out our web site here.

My Facebook for updates/news about The Labyrinth- Unarei@aol.com

Blessings,

Unarei Saldana- High Priestess of ISIS

Apache Shaman Medicine Woman

Reiki Master Teacher in 3 traditions-Usui, Karuna, Seichem