Axis Mundi
The beginning of a circle is also its end. Not I, but the world says it: all is one. And yet everything comes in season.
- Heraklietos of Ephesos

From the Editor...

Moving Forward

Every now and then something happens, which makes you stop and take stock of life: an event or an experience, which forces the mind to take a pause from the mundane, to reassess priorities and to re-evaluate one's life.

2008 had been one of those challenging years, physically, mentally and spiritually which has precipitated much contemplation on our journey through 2009 and beyond. I refuse to allow the negativity that one is confronted with in the media to ensnare me. Yes, we are all faced with serious challenges but with positive attitudes and action, I believe we can manoeuvre these difficult times and bring about a positive transformation to our life.

Now is not the time for past regrets, we are being propelled forward at breakneck speed to live our truth, to embrace life with new vision and to live it to the max. The time is now ripe, for each of us to rise above ourselves, and to be the change that we want to see in the world. So Happy New Year and blessings to everyone and lets make sure what ever happens during 2009 we set aside time for some fun and laughter.

"We can continue to try and clean up the gutters all over the world and spend all of our resources looking at just the dirty spots and trying to make them clean. Or we can lift our eyes up and look into the skies and move forward in an evolutionary way." ~ Buzz Aldrin

Janine Donnellan


SOL's end-of-year Social
Saturday December 13, 2008

Each year SOL holds an end-of-year dinner, inviting circle members, friends and family along for an evening of fun and friendship at a local venue. This time it was held at the The Burnt Door Brasserie, Como Hotel (Sydney,NSW). Click on the image below to see a collection of "happy snaps" taken on the night.

SOL Social at Como Hotel


What is happening in 2009?

We begin 2009 by looking for more input from our readers. Let us know how we're doing, and let us know what is going on in your part of the community so we can advertise your events on our website and in Axis Mundi.

We invite you to send letters to the editor, or just to send us an e-mail letting us know about something you especially liked or didn't like about our coverage.

We appreciate readers' ideas. If you see something that you think might be an interesting topic, or just something you wonder about, give us a call, or drop us a line.

National Pagan Directory

One of Spheres Of Light's projects for the year is to develop a National Pagan Directory. If you would like your group listed here please send an email including the group's name, email address and/or contact number, website link if you have one and a one sentence description of your group. Please also include the state and region/suburb your group is in. To see an example click here.

Proposed Spheres Of Light Workshops & Events

What is Wicca Workshop ~ Sunday 29/03/09
Samhain Weekend: 'Come to the Dark Side' ~ Saturday 02/05 - Sunday 03/05/09
Dragons of Stone Workshop ~ Sunday 26/07/09
Scrying Workshop ~ Sunday 27/09/09
Beltaine Weekend ~ Friday 06/11 - Sunday 08/11/09

Meditation in the beautiful surrounds of The Royal National Park. - Our meditations will be conducted every third Sunday of the month.

SOuL Searchers will also be organizing some interesting paranormal tours during the year. Upcoming tours and dates will be published on the website and in the Axis Mundi.


Gods and Goddesses ~ Ra

by Janine Donnellan

Mighty Ra
The divine illumination
May your light descend and fill my heart and mind.
May your light activate and unite within me the One.
May I become the manifest potential.
So mote it be.
~ Janine Donnellan

The ancient Egyptian sun god Ra is the quintessential summer deity: Ra (rä) or Re (ra), is one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Ra was chief of the cosmic deities and was sometimes called the creator and father of all things. Early Egyptian kings alleged descent from him and added his name to their own royal titles. Various other Egyptian gods were frequently identified with him, such as Amon and Atum.

Ra was regarded as the creator of everything; he was usually crowned with the sun disc encircled by the uraeus (a stylized representation of the sacred cobra). The sun itself was taken to be either his body or his eye. Ra is usually represented with the body of a man and the head of a hawk, holding an ankh & sceptre. Ra had several manifestations, including that of the lion.

Ra was said to command the chariot that rode across the sky during the day and battling the forces of evil and darkness by night. When the sun finally set, it is said that Ra travelled into the underworld to do battle with his nemesis, Apep.

The chief location of Ra worship was Heliopolis (a Greek word meaning city of the sun). According to the Heliopolitan cosmology, Ra was said to have created himself, either out of a primordial lotus blossom, or on the mound that emerged from the primeval waters. He then created Shu (air) and Tefnut (moisture), who in turn engendered the earth god Geb and the sky goddess Nut. Ra was said to have created humankind from his own tears and the gods Hu (authority) and Sia (mind) from blood drawn from his own penis. Ra was often combined with other deities to enhance the prestige of the latter, as in Re-Atum, Amun-Ra, or in the formula "Ra in Osiris, Osiris in Ra".

References:
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Ra+(sun-god)
http://www.solarnavigator.net/egyptian_sun_god_ra.htm
http://www.egyptbc.com/ra-the-sun-god.html

Crystals ~ Topaz

by Janine Donnellan

The name topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means fire. The Egyptians said that topaz was coloured with the golden glow of the mighty Sun God Ra. This made topaz a very powerful amulet that protected the faithful against harm. The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter.

Topaz occurs in a range of different colors, a deep golden yellow and pink topaz are, by far, the most valuable. Blue and green stone are also quite popular in modern terms. Natural pink stones are rare, most are simply heat treated yellow stones. Much colorless topaz is irradiated and heat treated to create a range of blues, some almost indistinguishable from aquamarine when seen with the naked eye.

Magical Properties

Energy: Projective
Element: Sun
Deities: Ra
Powers: Protection, healing, weight loss, money, love

Topaz helps the wearer to see the big picture, understanding their own motivation and desires as well as the intents of those around them. Topaz improves the intellect, promotes health and wealth. It instills discipline and gives the wearer the impetus to act on their dreams, thus bringing them into materialization.Topaz is said to also enhance one's spiritual potential. Legend tells us that it is used to increase intelligence and creativity, impart wisdom which will in turn lead to wealth.

The stone of "true love and success in all endeavors", it can be used to promote understanding, compassion, kindness and empathy. It opens the hearts of those who have closed them while at the same time protecting the openhearted from too much pain.

Healing Properties

Topaz is a powerful stone in the way that quartz is. It is a balancing and calming stone that balances emotions, releases tension, balances emotions, and can bring joy. Topaz stimulates the metabolism and digestions, heightening the tastebuds! According to ancient traditions, it will stanches the flow of blood, and promote relaxation by easing tension.

Physically, topaz aids with gout, blood disorders, hemorrhages, poor appetite, tissue regeneration, tuberculosis, aging (reverses), endocrine system.

References:
http://shimmerlings.com/gemstones/topaz.htm
http://www.serioussilver.com/gemstone_crystal_lore/magick_of_gemstones_t.html#topaz
http://www.mystical.co.za/language/en-ZA/Home/ctl/Details/mid/501/ItemID/60.aspx

Cicadas ~ The Black Prince

by Janine Donnellan

On Boxing Day, I walked out on my front veranda for a few minutes of rest before the next carload of family arrived. As I sat down on a chair to gather my thoughts I was confronted with a cacophony of sounds as cicadas sang their love songs, their shrill sounds were almost deafening. I have always identified the sound of cicadas with summer, but I suddenly realized with sadness that their voice has been diminishing over the years.

There are two main types of cicadas. One spends 17 years as a nymph feeding on tree roots while living underground and the other lives for 13 years underground. Each type, as if on some cosmic signal emerges at the same time from the ground, changes into adults, mates, lays eggs and then dies. The time at which cicadas appear throughout the summer season varies from species to species, but each will tend to emerge in the same month across the different states. Green Grocers tend to come out early in November and die out by the end of December. Black Princes and Floury Bakers start at the end of December and go right through to February or March, while Red Eyes can still be found in the middle of February.

It is the male cicada, which makes the loudest sound in the insect world. By vibrating the ribbed plates in a pair of amplifying cavities at the base of the abdomen their songs can be heard kilometers away. As I was listening intently to this mesmerizing sound a large Black Prince appeared in front of me. The Black Prince is not very common in the city and suburban areas of our major cities because they live and breed in She-oaks, which are commonly found on riverbanks.

To the ancient Greeks the cicada symbolized resurrection, rebirth and immortality and is mentioned as being sacred to the ancient Greek sun god Apollo. Homer mentions cicadas in the Iliad around 900 BC and compares the discourse of "sage chiefs exempt from war" to the song of the cicada. Ancient Greeks and Chinese made a habit of keeping male Cicadas in cages for the pleasure of hearing them sing. One Greek ode to the cicada says: "We call you happy, O cicada, because after you have drunk a little dew in the treetops you sing like a queen". The cicada's emergence from the earth was a powerful symbol for ancient Romans with members of the nobility taking to wearing a gold brooch featuring a cicada to hold back their hair.

In Taoism the cicada is the symbol of the hsien, or soul, disengaging itself from the body at death. Cicadas also feature in Japanese carvings on small medicine boxes and they are mentioned in ancient Hindu law as long ago as 200 BC in India.

The cicada spends most of its life underground and from a shamanic perspective it is associated with the unseen or hidden. Cicadas teach us how to delve into the underworld without fear and uncover the secrets that lie beneath the surface. The appearance of this cicada on this day made me ponder on my hidden truths that lay buried deep within my psyche. What have I buried that needs to be birthed, perhaps it is latent talents or parts of my shadow self that I need to confront.

The Cicadas unique life cycle also highlights the need to maintain a healthy balance between lightness & darkness, the polarities of the universe. It is not until we are in a state of balance that we can expect to live a full and satisfying life. When we are in harmony with the seasons and cycles of our life we become syncronised to the cosmic flow.

This cicada, this Black Prince, was a wake up call to remind me to surrender all of my burdens and pain from the past for it is now summer which is a time of celebration, new life and abundance. It is time now to open myself to new and challenging experiences and to look forward to an exciting and prosperous future.

References:
http://www.sayahda.com/cyc1.html
http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/February2001/default.htm
Animal Dreaming by Scott Alexander King
Cicada photo by Janine Donnellan

Protection

by Rayvensclaw
(See previous Axis Mundi for Part 1.)

Protection - Part 2: Aura Clearing

There are various ways to cleanse the aura, ranging from bringing energy from the Earth up through the soles of your feet or bringing energy from the Heavens down through the top of your head. Having tried different avenues, at the end of the day it is really up to you. But for the point of this exercise I prefer to bring the energy downwards.

Find yourself a comfortable place to sit, with your feet firmly on the ground. Close your eyes and take 3 or 4 deep breaths to try and clear the troubles of the day and any anxieties you have. Visualise a golden ray coming down from the Heavens, entering the top of your head, giving you a warm feeling. This ray passes through your body and down to your base. It circles at the base, giving a feeling of sparkling vibration. Take the time to imagine your aura being cleansed by the vibrations. Continue this for a while, until you feel that the task has been completed to your satisfaction. You will find the negativity and doubts about what you are doing fading away into the ground, to be absorbed by Mother Earth, which she transposes into a warm energy for herself, so nothing is wasted. Visualise then this golden ray rising from your base up through your body slowly. Eventually coming from the top of your head and joining again to the Heavens, thus completing a circular path, through your body, the earth and back to the Heavens again through your body. Take 3 or 4 steady breaths to join yourself back to the everyday and when you are ready open your eyes.

This is just a simple aura cleansing; you can alter this to suit your own feelings and emotions. If you are a beginner, just take small steps and don't expect miracles straightaway. But if miracles do happen, acknowledge them and thank your God or Goddess.

With practice this can be done quite quickly, either standing or sitting, at work or play. Especially if someone rips your Agapanthus heads off (refer to previous issue of Axis Mundi).

Protection - Part 3: Chakra Cleansing

There are seven energy points that are well known through different parts of the world. Some healing systems are based on these energy points. In magickal work we open certain energy points in order to become more aware of ourself and where problems may lay. Since the increased interest in Yoga and Eastern religions, the familiar term for these energy points are called Chakra.

Again with Chakra cleansing, there are different ways of starting. But for this exercise we will be starting from the Earth.

Find yourself a comfortable place to sit, with your feet firmly on the ground. Close your eyes and take 3 or 4 deep breaths to try and clear the troubles of the day and any anxieties you have. Visualise a bright light rising through the soles of your feet, entering your body and rising up your legs. Imagine this light passing through all of your Chakras cleaning them.

First the Base Chakra (red) then passing on up to your Sacral Chakra (orange). From there it rises to your Solar Plexus Chakra (yellow), going on up to your Heart Chakra (green), and on up to your Throat Chakra (blue) before continuing on up to your Third Eye Chakra (indigo) and finally through your Crown Chakra (violet).

The light pauses here. Did you feel any obstructions as the light passes through any of your chakras? Did it feel heavy or sluggish to go through? Pause for a moment to let the chakras heal and when you are ready allow the light to flow back down through your chakras closing them as the light passes through. Starting with your Crown, down through your Third Eye, on down to your Heart, to your Solar Plexus, on to your Sacral, and then finally down to your Base, leaving your base open. Feel the red colour of your Base; this will keep you connected to Mother Earth. Finally allow the bright light to go down through your legs and out the soles of your feet back to Mother Earth again. Take a couple of deep breaths; see how you feel within yourself and when you are ready open your eyes.

Again after practice this can be done as quickly or as slowly as you need, or have time for. Also it can be done anywhere you feel safe.

Remember the magick is within you; take time to touch a tree, to look at the flowers and to see the clouds differently. If you can go for a walk, well and good, but if not there is usually a park with some trees in the area somewhere. Seek and ye shall find. (And if you see any young kids with broken Agapanthus flowers in their hands, give them a good mental kick up the backside for me please.)

References:
Working with Psychic Protection by Teresa Moorey
The Wicca Bible by Ann-Marie Gallagher
Chakra image from http://www.kingdomofone.com/chakra_system.html

Lughnasadh or Lammas

by Jenwytch

Lughnasadh was one of the four main festivals of the medieval Irish calendar: Imbolc at the beginning of February, Beltaine on the first of May, Lughnasadh in August and Samhain in October. In the southern hemisphere the celebration of these festivals is often offset by 6 months in keeping with the seasons here, putting Imbolc at the beginning of August, Beltaine in October, Lughnasadh at the beginning of February and Samhain at the end of April.

In Celtic mythology, the Lughnasadh festival is said to have been begun by the god Lugh, as a funeral feast and games commemorating his foster-mother, Tailtiu, who died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture.

With the coming of Christianity to the Celtic lands, the old festival of Lughnasadh took on Christian symbolism. Loaves of bread were baked from the first of the harvested grain and placed on the church altar on the first Sunday of August. The Christianized name for the feast of Lughnasadh is Lammas which means "loaf mass". In many parts of England, tenants were bound to present freshly harvested wheat to their landlords on or before the first day of August. In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, where it is referred to regularly, it is called "the feast of first fruits". The blessing of new fruits was performed annually in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. It was traditionally a time of community gatherings, market festivals, horse races and reunions with distant family and friends.

Lughnasadh is observed by Neopagans in various forms, and by a variety of names. As forms of Neopaganism can be quite different and have very different origins, these representations can vary considerably despite the shared name. Some celebrate in a manner as close as possible to how the Ancient Celts and Living Celtic cultures have maintained the traditions, while others observe the holiday with rituals culled from numerous other unrelated sources, Celtic culture being only one of the sources used.

In Wicca for example, Lammas is one of the eight sabbats or solar festivals in the Wiccan Wheel of the Year; the "cross-quarter" day marking the first harvest of early grain and the first of the three autumn harvest festivals, the other two being the Autumn equinox (or Mabon) and Samhain. In some traditions the first loaf of the bread from the harvest is broken and shared in the name of the Goddess. All crops associated with grain and of the season are sacred to this time. The God gives his energy to the crops to ensure life while the Goddess, as Mother, prepares to transform into her aspect as the Crone. The God loses his strength as the days grow shorter.

Lughnasadh/Lammas is celebrated in the southern hemisphere around February 2. Much festivity is coincident with Lughnasadh in Australia, with Australia Day being marked on January 26. It is a time to reflect on the successes of the year and to reward yourself for jobs well done. Lughnasadh magic can be magic of facing up to change.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lughnasadh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lammas
http://www.mythinglinks.org/Wheel~SouthernYear.html
http://www.mythinglinks.org/Lammas.html

Herbs or Herbes?

by Amethyst

I've often wanted a way to differentiate herbs used in cooking (although there can be a magickal component there too), with herbs used in magick. Most references just use the word "herb" for both, but I felt that there needed to be some sort of difference. I searched the internet on and off for the past couple of years, but didn't find any way to show the difference. Then I bought a book that offered an explanation of the difference between magickal and non-magickal usage. Here is an excerpt from this book...

Paul Beyerl writes the following in a compendium of Herbal Magick:

"My definition of herbes is very inclusive. Any plant which produces chlorophyll is likely to be considered an herbe, whether it is an annual or perennial, whether it is a fern or mighty tree. So long as we, in our limited human wisdom, have been able to recognize that plant's medicinal or spiritual value, the word herbe applies."

He goes on the say in his book, The Master Book of Herbalism, that he neglects to explain the two spellings he works with. Much of his work as a Master Herbalist is in the treatment of the body, and in this work he refers to herbs, as the word is commonly spelled and as it is found in common usage. However, when he refers to their magickal uses, he uses herbes with the variant spelling. He explains that the magickal use of an herbe is for treating a patient's spiritual system.

His way of using the two spellings is to me a very easy way to describe the usage of an herb.


Chamomile

by Amethyst
Chamomile - Anthemis nobilis
Family: Compositae
Genus: Matricaria, Anthemis
Species: Chamomilla, Nobilis respectively
Also Known As: Camomile, Anthemis, Matricaria, Ground Apple
Magickal Herbe ... Religious Herbe
Parts Used: Flower
Element: Air
Direction: East
Chakra: Solar Plexus
Planet: Sun
Number: 3
Tarot: The Sun, Knights, and Sixes

Lore

Chamomile is a venerable herbe with a well-established reputation as a healer. Also called Roman chamomile, English chamomile, Perennial Chamomile and Wild Chamomile. A Druid Sacred Herb, this aromatic evergreen has feathery, apple-scented leaves and white flowers with conical golden centres. It was believed that it brought health to one's gardens and promoted healing energies, which were good for all plant species. It is considered a patron herbe for the gardens.

This herb is a highly used cure-all, and every household should seriously consider having it around. It has been used externally to treat wounds and inflammations, and internally for indigestion and ulcers. Chamomile is also used to relieve menstrual cramps, arthritis, and is an effective sedative.

Warning: People who have previously suffered anaphylactic reactions from ragweed should think twice about using this herb as well as its close relative yarrow. Large amounts have caused some nausea and vomiting.

Usage

The strong association chamomile has with the Sun is an underlying indication of its modern usage. Through incense or ritual drink it is used to assist in the calling upon a Sun god (working with any of the solar deities). Some traditions have also used chamomile at Midsummer to give honour to the Father of Nature. Useful for solar holidays, Chamomile can be used in endless Yule Traditions. Powder Chamomile, then spoon it onto coals to cense the temple area and prepare it for a celebration of solar magick.

Yellow chamomile brings the power of the sun to love potions, money spells and rites of purification. When sprinkled around the house it removes hexes, curses and spells. It can be burned or added to prosperity bags to increase money. Gamblers sometimes use a hand wash of the infusion to insure winnings. It is used in incenses for sleep and meditation. Added to the bath water, it attracts love. Calming effect when added to incense, particularly good for meditation. Use in prosperity spells. It also has powers of sleep, purification if added to incense, and love if an infusion is added to one's bath. Through incense or ritual drink, Chamomile is used to assist a priest's call upon the Sun God or any of the solar deities.

Magickal Properties

Healing, Love, Money, Purification, Sleep/rest, Success/prosperity, Meditation, Calming, God incense, Sun, Water, Luck, Beauty, Determination, Dreams, Harmony, Peace, Tranquillity, Wealth.

References:
a compendium of Herbal Magick by Paul Beyerl, 1998
http://www.janih.com/lady/herbs/magick/C.html
http://www.spiritual.com.au/articles/witchcraft/color-magick.html
http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/bos-herblist.html
http://www.witcheshotline.com/main/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1495

Chamomile Recipes

Relaxing Bedtime Tea

3 parts dried chamomile flowers
2 parts dried lemon verbena leaves
1 part dried English lavender flowers

Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 1 cup of the herbs in a heatproof bowl, and leave to cool. Strain into a screwtop jar and discard the herbs. Leave the tea in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add 2 tbsp of the tea to a cup of boiling water, and drink before bed.

More Chamomile Recipes can be found on the Spheres Of Light website.


Rose

by Amethyst

Valentine's Day is coming up soon (14 February) and there is a great giving and receiving of roses. So here is some information on them.

Rose - Rosa sp.
Moon, Venus, Taurus
Aphrodisiacal Herbe, Funereal Herbe, Herbe of Consecration, Herbe of Love, Magickal Herbe
Invocatory: Aphrodite, Bacchus, Dionysus, Sappho, and Venus

Lore

The rose is sacred to Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. First joined with Hephaestus, who was decidedly not a handsome god, Aphrodite pursued the joys of love with Ares, Hermes, Poseidon, Dionysus and a few mortals as well. It is sometimes said that the red rose gained its colour from spilled blood after Aphrodite caught her foot on a thorn when with Adonis. In some legends it is the anemone. In Rome the rose was associated with Venus, Cupid and Bacchus. To the Romans according to A Modern Herbal, "the Rose was a sign of pleasure, the companion of mirth and wine, but it was also used at their funerals." Sappho, legendary lesbian poet of ancient Greece called the rose the "Queen of Flowers." From Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Herbs we learn that Cleopatra had her floors covered with rose petals in order to seduce Mark Antony because she believed that the rose promoted love and passion.

Despite the sensual pleasures associated with the rose, it has also been used to represent secrecy. It was suspended from the ceiling at meetings which were held in the strictest of confidence and placed by the confessional in Roman Catholic churches.

Usage

Roses represent all aspects of the Goddess: the ability to love and nurture, and to see beauty in all things. Roses may be used in rituals to honour the Goddess or used by a priestess when Drawing Down the Moon. The rose represents the love the Goddess has for Her children and is a patron herbe of lesbians.

The rose is associated with emeralds. If one is consecrating jewellery set with an emerald or empowering a stone for magickal work, the emerald should be dressed with rose oil. The rose is also associated with the Seven of Cups card.

There is much energy associated with this flower. It represented the quality of joy to the Romans and can be used to create joy today.

A flower so popular that it has come to be associated with Hand-fastings and rituals of union, roses fill vases, are worn by the participants and guests, and are oftentimes strewn to bring divine blessings to the couple's love.

Some bring roses into their Sabbat rites, recommending white for Autumn Equinox and yellow for Eostara, while Midsummer calls for red, but we can use any colour for Beltane!

For me (an asthmatic) roses are an anathema. I personally find sweet pea's far more romantic.

Reference:
a compendium of HERBAL MAGICK by Paul Beyerl, 1998
Rose photographs by Jenwytch


Back to Axis Mundi home page

Issue 11 - SUMMER, JAN 2009
ISSN 1839-4396

SPHERES OF LIGHT (SOL)
ABN 46 385 794 818
We are based in Australia, in the Sydney-Illawarra area of NSW.
More about us...


For general inquiries...
Phone Janine on 0408 025 268 inquiries@spheresoflight.com.au

New Article

New Section




In addition to our regular Full Moon Circles we also run workshops and classes which are highly interactive and experiential, focusing on participation and engagement of participants. If you want to keep abreast of SOL's circles, gatherings, workshops and activities please check out our Events Calendar.





SOuL Searchers is Spheres of Light's paranormal investigations subgroup. One of the many things you will find unique about the SOuL Searchers team, unlike the majority of other paranormal investigators, is that we undertake our investigations from a shamanic perspective.



The Spheres Of Light Holistic Centre has within its members practitioners who can provide Spiritual Healing in a variety of natural healing modalities. Each modality is designed to heal all levels of the body; the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. Working with ancient universal energies, healing works to restore balance, bring inner harmony and peace, to re-energise the body, to stimulate the body's own immune system and so aid recovery, as well as inducing deep relaxation. Healing is excellent for relieving modern day stresses and providing support during difficult times in your life.




If you want to know about current topics check out the forum pages. This is a place where you can discuss ideas and catch up on general news. So if you want to participate please become a member as we would love to hear from you.
... plus much, much more!



On our Networking page you will find many links to other Australian Pagan groups and organisations, as well as Australian Pagan (and pagan-friendly) Businesses & Services. If you would like to have a link to your group or business on the SOL website please email jenwytch@spheresoflight.com.au This service is provided free of charge. If possible a reciprocal link to SOL would be much appreciated.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

SOL Full Moon Circle
Friday February 6, 2009

Spheres Of Light holds regular Full Moon Circles near Engadine (Southern Sydney, Australia) on the Friday before each Full Moon. These Full Moon gatherings are Open Circles, meaning that all Pagans are welcome to come along any time and experience a Full Moon circle with us. Details here...

SOL Meditation in the Royal National Park
Sunday 15th February

Come on a Shamanic journey through meditation. Let nature speak to you and become part of your inner landscape in the same way that the ancient ones paid attention to the signs and symbols of the cosmos. The mystical path of direct knowing is the world's oldest form of communion with the Source and is based on a deep, living relation to Nature.

When you are in harmony with nature you can hear the voice of the wind, you can understand the language of the birds and the message they bring to you. Listen to the sound of the water as she sings her ancient songs and feel the air blowing against your face whispering its secrets to your inner soul. Talk to nature and listen to what it has to tell you. Connect with Mother Earth, become present to her innate call.

Meditation is simply the process of stilling the mind so that all wants, needs, and desires disappear and then allow the Universe to enter and heal and to inspire.

Come join us for meditation in the beautiful surrounds of The Royal National Park. Our meditations will be conducted every third Sunday of the month. What a great way to start the year.

If you would like to join us please email inquiries@spheresoflight.com.au for times and meet up details.
(Please Note: you must be over 18 years of age to attend any SOL gatherings, events, classes & workshops.)

PAN Inc


PAGAN AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

Please email us the details of any pagan or community events, classes, workshops or regular meetings that you'd like to see promoted here in this free listing.

Druids Down Under
Waterfall Purification and Rebirth Ritual
January 24, 2009

Date: Saturday January 24, 2009 Time: 11am - 3pm
Location: Waterfall near entrance to West Head National Park, McCarrs Creek Rd, Ingleside NSW.
View Map

For more information see the Facebook event page or email Julie

Australian College of Mediumship



Ghost Tour
Old Town Hall Theatre, Campbelltown
January 30, 2009


Said to be one of the most well known ghost stories in Australia. Why not join us to see if you can find Fisher's Ghost.

Friday 30th January, 2009
Time: 7.45pm
Cost: $55 per person
More details & contact information here.

Berrima Courthouse
February 14, 2009

Come along & enjoy an interactive Ghost Tour experience.

Our next tour is:
Date: Sat 14th Feb 2009
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: $60 per person
More details & contact information here.

PAN Full Moon Public Circle
Feb 10, 2009 at Seven Hills, Sydney (map)


Date: Tuesday February 10, 2009 at 8:30pm

The circle is held on the top of Rotaract Hill on Terminus Road Seven Hills NSW, just next to the train station. Getting there is easy. If you take the train, the hill is less than five minutes walk (and easily visible from the station). If you drive, there is plenty of parking available both at the base of the hill and across Terminus Road. Full Moon info here, and Full Moon FAQ here or for other details, email Jo

The 2nd Annual
Pagan Community Weekend
February 21-22, 2009

The Pagan Community Weekend was designed to allow the community to come together to teach, learn, make contacts and friends, meet active pagan organisations, and to discuss the direction and future of the pagan community. This is the second year of the annual Pagan Community Weekend run by Ostarian Grove, and we really hope to see you there!

WHEN: Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February 2009
TIME: 9:00am - 5:30pm each day
WHERE: West Lindfield Community Centre, Cnr Moore Ave and Lady Game Drive, West Lindfield, Sydney, NSW
PRICE: $35 per day for adults; $15 per day for children

For more information go to the Ostarian Grove website:
www.ostariangrove.net/pcw.html

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KITCHEN WITCHERY

Gluten-Free Cornbread


In a blender process until smooth:
1 cup milk (or rice milk, soy milk, buttermilk or water if preferred)
1 egg or 2 egg whites
¼ cup oil (canola or safflower)
¼ cup pure maple syrup

In a separate bowl, mix these dry ingredients with a wire whisk:
1 cup cornmeal/polenta
1 cup rice flour (brown or white or a combination of both)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ to ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
¼ to ½ teaspoon salt

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix gently but well for about one minute, then pour into a 8" or 9" (approx 20cm) square baking pan that has been sprayed or oiled. Bake at 200C/400F for 25 minutes. Serve warm, directly from the pan, or let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
From: Gluten Free Bread Recipes

THE PHOTO CORNER


A place to showcase your artistic talents behind the lens...

"Summer Sunsets"

A collection of photos by Janine, showing two beautiful summer sunsets over the Heathcote National Park (southern Sydney, NSW).

Click on the image below to see more...



PAGAN PETS


"Spotty"

Introducing Spotty, owned by Amethyst and Rayvensclaw. Spotty is a cross between a Pointer and a Cattle Dog. We were originally foster parents to her and her brother, when they were pups but when it was time to give them back to the RSPCA, we couldn't give her up. Fourteen years later, many houses and two states (QLD & NSW), she is still with us. The vet bills seem to get larger and larger, but she's part of the family; so what could we do? When we have our own rituals in our back yard she always comes and checks us out, sniffing to see what we are up to. Her favourite part of the ritual is the cakes and ale, especially marshmallows on a stick over a brazier.
If you would like to see your "Pagan Pet" featured here, please send a photo and a short story about your pet to jenwytch@spheresoflight.com.au



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SUBMISSIONS

Submissions to this newsletter are open to all pagans and pagan organisations; let us showcase your work. Submit your articles,poetry, book reviews, essays and opinions, hints and tips, information pieces and artwork. All contributors whose work is included in our newsletter receive full credit, and are linked to their website if desired.

Submitting your work for consideration is easy. Just send an inquiry or the completed work to us. We give every submission careful consideration.

The newsletter will be sent out on approx. 20/21st of each month and the closing date for submissions will be 14th of each month. More info here...

"SPHERES OF LIGHT" & "AXIS MUNDI" ARE BASED IN AUSTRALIA. ALL EVENTS HOSTED BY SOL ARE HELD IN THE SYDNEY-ILLAWARRA AREA OF NSW.
Spheres Of Light is proud to be an official Affiliate Subcommittee of the Pagan Awareness Network Australia Inc.
For more information regarding PAN Inc, please visit their website: www.paganawareness.net.au

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Website designed, built & maintained by Jenwytch. Original Axis Mundi Magazine design, layout & production by Jenwytch (March 2008 to May 2011).
PDF version of Axis Mundi Magazine design, layout & production by Janine Donnellan (from June 2011 onwards) & uploaded to Issuu PDF Reader by Jenwytch.

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