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...

I Can See Clearly Now

There is a belief that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience that is unfolding perfectly from a cosmic perspective - with no accidents, coincidences, or mistakes, blah, blah, blah. Well I am sure that the person who came up with that initial concept must have lived a very ordered life or was a high ranking ascended master in the "know", because my life has been anything but perfect over the past 12 months, and I would certainly hope that this calamitous episode was through my own mismanagement rather than from any grand cosmic intervention. After all we do have free choice and will and at some stage our stupidity must neutralise a portion of the cosmic stratagem coming our way.

Actually the thought of a higher being preplanning the events that would add to my pain and unhappiness borders on unmitigated evil. I am retracting that statement as I look to the skies for free falling thunderbolts. Ok I concede that destiny plays a part in getting us from A to B but sometimes the process is delayed because we have a tendency to deviate from the plan or occasionally have a stopover. Anyway my recent stopover, the hiatus I had to have, gave me a moment of clear vision to get me back on track. You see I have some major goals I want to achieve in this life and yes they may be ambitious but if I don't aim for the stars and give it my best shot then I am going to get stuck in a permanent hiatus.

This is my journey and if I want it to be a productive and an enlightened experience then I have to take personal responsibility for my own transformation. My Spirituality therefore is a word that describes my own relationship with my self and I can harness the power of positive thinking and the creative energy of my own thoughts to manifest whatever I desire. There are no limits.

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
~ Bob Marley

Janine Donnellan


SOL's Full Moon Circle ~ September 24, 2010
Ostara & Aries/Libra Full Moon

by Jenwytch



Click image to see ritual
Ostara is a time to celebrate the arrival of Spring, the renewal and rebirth of Nature herself, and the coming lushness of Summer. Ostara is a sabbat of light, of child-like fun and humour, of celebrating and growing. It is at this time when light and darkness are in balance, yet the light is growing stronger by the day. At Ostara we think of renewing ourselves. We renew our thoughts, our dreams, and our aspirations. We think of renewing our relationships. This is an excellent time of year to start a new path or begin anything new, or to completely revitalize something.

At the Spring Equinox the Sun entered Libra which is the midpoint of the Zodiac, the scale of balance, just as the Equinox is also the balance or the midpoint between light and dark. Within hours of the Equinox the Moon reached it's fullness in Aries. The Moon in Aries signifies a time for cleansing and personal development, starting new things and new beginnings. We're motivated by a strong desire to start fresh. A gut instinct to start something new is with us now, as well as the gumption to do so.

This display of cosmic synchronicity, which saw the solar and lunar cycles dovetail this year as the Full Moon coincided with the Libra Equinox, was a rare sequence and an extended moment of balance, a point of initiation. This Equinox-Full Moon portal was about taking action and making the changes that will carry us into a higher vibration.Reference

On the night of the Ostara/Equinox/Full Moon celebrations we cast the circle by the Power of the Dragons, then called in the Spirits of Air, Fire, Water and Earth before welcoming the Spring Maiden - Ostara - and The Green Man to be with us and complete the circle. Starting in the East, The Spring Maiden carried a basket of egg candles sunwise around the circle and each person took one. These egg candles were held during the meditation, which took us on journey to a hilly countryside, just before dawn at the beginning of Springtime when the land is nearing the end of its Wintertime slumber. There we met the Goddess Ostara carrying a golden basket filled with coloured eggs. Beside her was her companion, a frisky magical rabbit. We were welcomed by Ostara and her rabbit companion and invited to select one of the coloured eggs as a gift of Spring. We focused on the colour and what it meant to each of us, then waited for the Sacred Egg to give us a message about personal growth, quietly paying attention to whatever words, symbols, sensations, impressions, or other forms of message emerged.

We then took a few moments to inscribe on our egg candles any symbols or words, that represented our experiences or guidance we received for personal growth. All the inscribed candles were put into little organza bags individually labelled by each person, and then placed on the altar as we cast our spell and danced and chanted in a circle to raise energy to charge the egg candles. They were to be lit at home later to release the energies out into the universe to come back as manifest reality, letting the vitality of Spring renewal continue to be with each person as they went about their daily life. We thanked our hosts, Ostara and the Green Man, for their presence and guidance. The circle was closed and the residual energy was then grounded back into the earth and forwarded to individuals for healing. We all finished the evening with our usual feast.

More information regarding this circle and past circles can be found in our Book Of Shadows. Our next Full Moon Circle will be held near Engadine on Friday October 22. Please contact us for further details if you would like to attend.


PAN Witches Ball, Saturday October 2, 2010

On Saturday night October 2nd the Pagan Awareness Network hosted their annual Witches Ball at the Dome Lounge, Crown Hotel, Surry Hills. People dressed in their witchiest and most outrageous outfits danced the night away with SPIRAL DANCE and ethereal singer LOUISA JOHN-KROL and accompanying musicians JENNI HEINRICH and DANDELION WINE. There was also the energetic BLACK JOAK MORRIS DANCERS as well as the usual lucky door prizes and prizes for the best dressed. Click on the image below to see some of the many photos taken on the night...

2010 PAN Witches Ball


Spell Casting Workshop at "Embrace"
~ October 10, 2010

EmbraceA two hour workshop to explore the workings of spells and magick, facilitated by Janine Donnellan of Spheres Of Light, was held at "Embrace", a new shop in Miranda Westfield on Sunday 10th October. Participants were taught the basic techniques for casting a spell, and took part in a hands-on session where they were guided to perform a spell on their own.

EmbraceBy popular demand, this workshop will run again at Embrace on November 14, 2010.

Where: "Embrace" - Shop 1015 Westfield Miranda (Level 1 opp. Rubyniks Cafe & escalators)
When: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Sunday 14 November 2010
Cost: $60 includes refreshments, notes and a coloured candle & crystal of your choice.
Bookings: Phone (02) 9531 0009

(Click on the images to see photos of the October workshop.)


Beltane

by Janine Donnellan

Beltane - Also known as Bealtaine, Walpurgisnacht, May Day, (Northern Hemisphere) & Novey Eve (in Southern Hemisphere).

Beltane marks the Initiation of Summer and is the celebration of union and creativity. The Earth has long awoken from slumber and now bursts with life. The garden and trees are blooming and it is a time when the Spirits of Nature and the Faeries are the most active. May poles are erected, decorated with ribbons and wreaths of spring flowers are made and worn while spirals are danced within sacred circles.

Beltane is also the festival of the Great Rite - of sexual union between the Goddess and the God. Some form of this Great Rite is enacted on this sabbat in nearly every modern pagan circle. The rite is performed symbolically by a male and female who place a knife (a phallic symbol) into a chalice (a female or yonic symbol).

Pagan couples often choose Beltane for their handfasting, and it is a time of unrestrained joy & creativity. Handfasting is related to an old Celtic ceremony, in which the couple's hands were ritualistically tied together, hence the phrase "tying the knot". The ceremony traditionally symbolised the beginning of a trial marriage - typically lasting a year and a day.

The actual date of Beltane this year for the Southern Hemisphere is 7th November. This coincides with Australia's famous horse race, the Melbourne Cup, which is run on the first Tuesday in November and taken as an unofficial holiday across Australia.

Old Celtic Vow
Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One.
I give ye my Spirit, 'til our Life shall be Done.


Shaman's Tools

by Janine Donnellan

A shaman is a healer who helps people to understand and respect the natural and the supernatural world around them and within them. A Shaman is the mediator between the material world and the various astral realms and can walk between these realms at will.

An important aspect of Shamanism is the tools the shaman uses, these tools are physical representations of the tools that the shaman uses during his or her astral journeys. The tools e.g. the drum or the rattle can assist the shaman in entering an altered state of consciousness. Shamanic tools therefore focus and express energy received from Spirit which can be used for healing, diagnosis, cleansing, journeying and divination.

The Shaman's Drum



Click to enlarge
The drum is one of the main tools of the Shaman; the drum enables the Shaman to go on spiritual journeys through the ebb and flow of sounds and vibrations. The drum is not just a musical instrument; it is the symbol of the universe and encompasses the spirit and the strength of the Shaman.

The creation of a Shaman's drum involves a certain amount of craftsmanship and it is believed that the newly created drum has no initial powers until an initiation or animation has been conducted. Once the animation ritual has taken place the drum then becomes alive and the Shaman can then develop a close personal relationship with the spirit of the drum.

Drumming can create a wonderful sense of connectedness with self and others. The drum's rhythmic patterns can induce altered states consciousness, which can have a wide range of therapeutic applications. It has been reported that even a brief drumming session can dramatically reduce stress levels. The brain changes move from Beta waves (focused concentration and activity) to Alpha waves (calm and relaxed), and produces a feeling of ecstasy.

As the shaman strikes the drum the human mind focuses on the repetitive and monotonous patterns which causes the internal chatter of the mind to quieten, eventually, silence is complete, which allows us to hear what the spirit of the drum is saying and we are then able to communicate with our guides in the sacred language of spirit.


Making a Drum Beater

by Jenwytch

Last year I wrote my blog article -- My Medicine Drum: A Personal Journey -- which showed how I made and decorated a frame drum at SOL's Drum Making Weekend in July 2009. Although I did show photos of the four versions of the drum beater I made to go with the drum I never actually showed any step by step instructions on how to make the beater. Recently a friend asked me to make a beater for him to go with a frame drum that he had purchased to use at our circle gatherings for shamanic drumming. The bodhran he bought came with the standard double ended "tipper" that is used with bodhrans or Irish frame drums, but they do not produce the same sound as the padded, leather covered beaters usually used for shamanic drumming. So I took the opportunity to photograph some of the stages during the making of the drum beater.

I am lucky to have natural bushland across the road from my house so I wandered into the bush to find a suitable stick to use for the drum beater. The one I chose was actually the main trunk of what was once an Angophora costata or Sydney Red Gum sapling, which didn't survive the controlled hazard reduction burn set by the Rural Fire Service in the bush around my street some months ago.




The photos above show a detail of the branch chosen, after the bark had been stripped off.


A suitable portion of the stick was cut and sanded.


Craft glue was applied to a short length of Dacron wadding which was then wrapped around one end of the stick and held in place until the glue dried enough so it wouldn't unravel. As I found out from my first attempt at making a drum beater back in July 2009, not very much wadding is needed. If too much wadding is used the sound produced by the beater on the drum is more like the toneless thwack of hitting a cardboard box, so in this case less is more, in that you get more sound out of the drum if you use less wadding -- just enough to cushion the blow from the stick so it doesn't split the drum head.


The next step is to stretch a piece of leather over the wadding, pulling it as tightly as possible and tying it off around the bottom of the wadding with strong twine or leather lacing if you have some. This may take a couple of attempts until you are happy with the result, as you will gradually work out the best way to either fold or gather the leather around the stick to give the desired appearance.


The only leather I had available was a small piece of purple/maroon leather left over from another project from several years ago, and I hoped that colour would be appropriate. From previous experience I've found that using the inside surface of the leather rather than the polished side gives a better sound for a drum beater as it muffles the "slapping" sound that can often be heard if the shiny side is used to hit the drum. If you don't have any leather you could probably use a piece of thick cloth instead or even a square of felt from a craft shop.

I also cut a small piece of leather to wrap around the handle of the beater, to make the beater more comfortable to use for prolonged drumming sessions -- "suede" leather just feels nicer to hold than plain timber.


I didn't have any leather lacing so I made some by cutting a piece of leather around in concentric circles to produce a very long narrow strip. The fact that the lacing made this way is slightly curved doesn't matter because it is pulled so tightly when wrapped around the beater head that the curve is stretched out to become straight. I used the lacing with the shiny side out to give a nice contrast.

I also wrapped some lacing around each end of the handle to make sure the hand grip (which had been glued) didn't come undone. Again, if you don't have access to any leather you could use narrow ribbon to bind the beater head and the handle. You could even use several different colours together to create a different look. And of course you could always use a piece of dowel for the beater in preference to a branch or stick from the bush.

I thought the beater needed some more decoration but I wasn't sure yet exactly how to do this. A couple of days later I eventually decided to decorate it with a series of tiny paw prints spiraling up the handle, inspiration coming after I'd looked at a photo of my friend's dogs who are a very important part of his life.

Instead of painting the paw prints on I used a soldering iron to burn them into the wood, then coated the exposed timber of the beater handle with clear acrylic lacquer.

     

Before applying the clear lacquer I masked the leather-bound ends of the drum beater with freezer bags and masking tape. This was necessary because I was using a spray can of lacquer but even if you were to apply paint or varnish with a brush I would still advise masking the leather ends of the beater first to make sure they stay clean.


After the clear lacquer was dry the bags and tape were removed to reveal the shiny new drum beater, as shown below.




When I presented my gift a couple of weeks later my friend was very happy with both the appearance and the feel of the beater. I was surprised but also very pleased when I realised the design painted on his drum was in purple and maroon (which I had never noticed before) and the drum beater I had created was a perfect match. He told me that purple/maroon was his favourite colour and also that spirit had guided him to ask me to make his drum beater and that I would 'know' what he needed.

If you decide to make your own drum beater its appearance is really only limited by your imagination. You might not realise how creative you can be until you give it a try -- the possibilities are endless!



The Sword & the Stone

by Maria

The wait is over. It took approximately 9 months, maybe longer, to finish this project and even longer to tell you all about it. I had recently joined a lapidary club and was so excited. Now I could make my own jewellery using stones (crystals). My excitement led me to make a promise of a gift to a young man I work with, utilizing both stone and silver.

The gift was to cast a sword in silver and add a stone to it. Finding an appropriate wax mould was difficult. Most of the wax moulds looked more like axes, and weren't suitable. In the end I chose to create the sword from a piece of sterling silver sheeting. I finally found a design that I felt was appropriate. 'Google Images' is a great source for sword designs. Now for the task of actually cutting it out; well, that required me to seek out and enrol in a Silver Course. The sword was my major project in class. It was cut, filed, polished etc but not quite finished. It needed a crystal in the middle.

Picking a crystal took the longest. Ideas for stones were put forward by others, red, black, green etc. It was resolved that a blue one was the way to go, but what stone? That final decision was left up to me. I picked Lapis Lazuli.

To a certain extent the project was finished. It did need something of my work colleague on it ...his energy. A question was put forward to him, "What did the sword represent to him?" He designed a sigil and later inscribed it on the sword. (Sigils are a design that condense a desire, concept, or aspect into a drawing or basic figure.)

When I make a gift, or buy one for that matter, I take some time and thought. We are unique, so to me a gift is representative of that person's personality.



Crystals ~ Lapis Lazuli

by Maria

Lapis Lazuli the name comes from Arabic and Latin and means blue stone. There are so many variations as to how it got is name. It is composed of several minerals therefore crystal structure will differ. Lapis lazuli is sensitive to strong pressure and high temperatures, hot baths, acids and alkalies, and is best to remove lapis lazuli jewellery to avoid contact with such. Its colours are lazur blue, violet, greenish-blue.

Properties: Lapis Lazuli was often made into amulets and talismans. A protective stone shielding you against psychic attack and returning the energy back to its source. It brings forth ancient knowledge and wisdom. It is helps you to connect to your Higher Self and Spirit Guides. It increases your vibrational level promoting harmony and balance. It is known to increase psychic abilities. It awakens your intuition and awareness to matters that may be hidden by stimulating the higher senses of the mind, bringing objectivity and clarity. Lapis lazuli inspires positive thinking and can help lift mild depression and bad moods. It is also a stone for self-confidence and self-expression encouraging those who find if difficult to speak out.

The stone of friendship and truth said to encourage harmony in relationships and strengthens the bond. It helps its wearer to be authentic and give his or her opinion openly. Some believed that dreaming of lapis would foretell love that would be forever faithful. Lapis lazuli has long been associated with the eyes, since the Ancient Egyptians used it for eye shadow and for making the sacred Eye of Horus symbols. An Ancient Greek cure for eye problems was to place a piece of lapis lazuli in a bowl of warm water, leaving it under the night sky for a few minutes. The water was then used to bathe the afflicted eye. It makes quite a powerful elixir to align the etheric, emotional and spiritual bodies.

On a Physical Level:

  • It is a tonic to the nervous system
  • It cools where there is inflammation and swelling
  • Supports body's own healing by boosting the immune system
  • Induces deep and sound sleep(insomnia)
  • Alleviates migraine headaches
  • Overcomes depression
  • Benefits respiratory (throat, larynx, thyroid)
  • Overcomes hearing loss and alleviates vertigo
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Eyes, strengthening

The Evolution of a Painting

by Amethyst

Rayvensclaw has been asked to write a regular article on the magick of his paintings or you could call it how they speak to him; but I thought I would do an article on the evolution of one of his paintings from an non-artistic sense. I'm not saying that I'm not artistic, just not with paint or pencil.

I have watched Rayvensclaw paint many times over the years, watching as his paintings change and grow; but I have never had the urge to document a paintings progression before this one, or since. Yet to watch a painting evolve from a blank canvas to the finished product is in itself a magickal experience.


Flower Meanings

by Janine Donnellan

Flower meanings have been used to convey ideas, feelings and messages for centuries. The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, was a means of communication in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, allowing individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken.

The nuances of the language of flowers are now mostly forgotten, but red roses still imply passionate, romantic love. Other commonly known meanings are sunflowers, which can indicate either haughtiness or respect. Daisy means innocence or purity. The iris, being named for the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, still represents the sending of a message. A pansy signifies thought, a daffodil regard, and a strand of ivy fidelity.

There is also a meaning to the colours of flowers, to the numbers of flowers, and to groups of flowers. Some of the colour meanings are:

  • Red - passion, romantic love.
  • Purple - higher spiritual insights.
  • Coral - desire.
  • Yellow - joy and friendship.
  • Pink - love, healing, gratitude and appreciation.
  • Peach - sympathy or gratitude.
  • White - purity, reverence and humility.
  • Orange - energizes, stimulates.

The aroma of flowers can also affect individuals on a variety of subconscious emotional levels. When you take into consideration the various energetic levels of flowers they can become much more than a decoration on an altar, as the different layers of vibrations can add value and power to our ritual and spell work.



Imbolc Altar with Wattle flowers to represent the return of the light.

The language of Flowers is a silent language that has been largely lost to us through lack of use however, with the introduction of flower essence therapy and a renewed interest in the traditional and spiritual aspects of flowers, the meaning of flowers has gained a new fascination and respect.

Rock Lily Orchid (Dendrobium speciosum)

I love orchids, they are the most perfect and delicate flower and make beautiful floral arrangements for the altar. The orchid is a flower of magnificence that brings a universal message of love, beauty, wisdom, and thoughtfulness. I have a few different varieties growing now in my back yard and I have a few native orchids growing on the rock wall directly behind my house. One of the varieties that are in flower at the moment is the Rock Lily Orchid. Rock Lily Orchid (Dendrobium speciosum), Dendrobium...from the Greek Dendron, a tree, and bios, life, referring to the growth habit of many, but not all, species. Speciosum, from Latin speciosus, showy or beautiful, referring to the flowering habit of the species. This beautiful plant has sprays of small, white or creamy-yellow flowers, thick, leathery leaves and swollen, bulbous roots (called pseudobulbs).

This orchid usually grows on rocks in the open forest, particularly on sandstone. Occasionally it also grows on the branches of rainforest trees. In New South Wales it is found chiefly in coastal districts south from the Newcastle area into Victoria and inland to the upper Hunter Valley.

The Rock Lily Orchid is one the plants used by aboriginal people for food. The aboriginal tribe, the Cadigal people calls the Rock Lily Orchid Wara-gal-darra and they would eat the starchy stems of this orchid either raw or after roasting them over hot coals. It is interesting to note that the stems from a variety of Dendrobium can also be rubbed into sores, burns and wounds.

Rock Lily Orchid Essence

The Rock Lily Orchid essence is for clearing, balancing & aligning the physical chakras. This essence is produced by Solara Antara at Tighes Hill, NSW, please refer to www.flowersforhealing.com/Rock-Lily-Orchid.html for further information on this essence.

References:
http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/education/Resources/bush_foods/Dendrobium_speciosum
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Language-and-Meaning-of-Flowers&id=10289
http://www.easyflowers.com.au/asp/meaning.asp#colours
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers

Herbs ~ Hawthorn

by Amethyst

When I started to think about what herbe I was going to be doing for Axis Mundi this month I kept hearing the name hawthorn. On checking the Beltane correspondences, I found that yes it is a suitable herbe, and a very powerful one at that.



Cosmic Events and Other Astrological Stuff

Aspects

by Jenni Muscat

I've been asked at various times during my astrological journey and studies in regards to this rather fascinating and complex subject. Knowing and understanding how each of the planets make an aspect to each other is one of the most basic fundamental concepts an astrologer must be able to utilise when delineating a chart. And yet, it can be a rather daunting task to undertake, even for the most seasoned astrologer. When a layperson asks "What's an aspect?" the question can throw you. You want to explain it in as simple a term as possible, but you inadvertently fall into a jargon that you're used to applying when you're around other astrologers. In other words, without the time to convey it properly in a language that the average person can understand, you would only confuse that person more than to begin with!

I don't want to throw the reader off with this opening remark, however. Because when you think about it, it's a simple process of applying some basic mathematical equations. It really is, and this is coming from someone whose mathematical skills never went beyond the necessary basics when I learned at school - more than 30 years ago now.


The Tales of Little Purple - Part 6

by Amethyst

Hi there, Little Purple is back. He's finished his time of mourning, and now it's back to the business of telling his story. So let's be on with it then!

It's Time!

In the days and weeks that followed
Many eyes did watch and follow Little Purple about.
It seemed that no change was still the order of the day.
But unbeknownst to them Little Purple was giving himself a talking to.

If you listened carefully and listened long,
You might just have heard a little voice so quiet
Going on and on that it wasn't fair, not fair at all
And what's a little dragon to do!

It finally came to Little Purple
That much as he had loved his Uncle George so dear
It was Uncle George's fault
That Little Purple had had such a terrible fright.

So Little Purple gathered his courage so shredded
And resolved that no matter what!
If it took till his dying day,
He was going to go out of this dragon cave so large.

As each day went by
As each day went on
Little Purple walked closer and closer to that opening so huge.
But not once did he fly.

He found a little fissure
At this cavern's mouth so large
And then he peaked through
To that outside world so huge.

Little Purple looking out ~ Illustration by Rayvensclaw
He quaked and shivered, shivered and quaked
And all those fears rushed back
But with great and mighty determination
He plodded forth.

He found himself on a little ledge
High up on a hill so large
With sky so blue
And no one else about.

For days without number, days without score
Little Purple came to his little ledge and sat and watched about
And at last he knew in his heart of hearts
That he must fly again.

So he called for a counsel small
And got a counsel large.
He asked for volunteers and nearly got trampled in the rush
For what he had asked for were dragons so huge
To hold his harness in that big wide world so large.

It was pointed out, with a quiet shout
That it had been nearly a year
Since last Little Purple flew
So what was he going to do!

Little Purple set himself the task
Of exercising his wings so tiny
Till at last one day he flew again
Around this dragon's cavern so large
And all the other dragons gave a mighty shout
Which quite blew Little Purple about.

Then it was on for young and old
As to who was going to hold
The harness for Little Purple
On his first day out.


~~~~~oOo~~~~~


If you've not met Little Purple before, click on these links to read his earlier tales...

Part 1 - The Tales of Little Purple
Part 2 - I've Hatched
Part 3 - Look I Can Fly
Part 4 - The Great Intention Disaster
Part 5 - Samhain's Call


October Tarot Reading

The Star

When you wish upon a star,
makes no difference who you are,
Anything your heart desires
will come to you.


The Star Tarot card holds that same hope and promise when you look up at the stars in the night sky and make a wish. The Star reminds you that guidance can be found from within as well as through contact with the universal mind. In a tarot reading, the Star encourages you to apply your self as you will reap the rewards.

The Star reminds you that you are seeker on a journey of discovery, when you keep your mind open, you can rise above the darker side of your nature. The stars shinning above represent the parts of you that aspires to be better than you are and this journey represents the life force, a creative power directing you towards a better future.

This is a special time in your life when you should trust your inner wisdom and intuition. You can now trust that the Universe will provide you with everything you need.

Tarot card is from Glastonbury Tarot by Lisa Tenzin-Dolma


Back to Axis Mundi home page

Issue 32 - SPRING, OCTOBER 2010
ISSN 1839-4396

Spheres Of Light
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


Full Moon Circles
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 click on the banner below to check out our Events Calendar.




SOuL Searchers
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.


SOL Holistic Centre
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.


Forum
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!


National Pagan Directory
The National Pagan Directory is a Spheres Of Light initiative to help Australian Pagans connect with each other in their local area. It is a FREE listing & provides links to information about covens, groups, classes, workshops, retreats & other special Pagan events, plus Aussie Pagan businesses & services. If you would like your coven, group, regular meet-up or special event to be listed in the NPD please send us your details. We also invite Celebrants in the Pagan community to promote their services in the NPD. For further information & contact details click on the banner above.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

SOL Full Moon Circles
Friday October 22 & November 19, 2010

Full Moon circles
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 November 21, 2010


Click here for more information...
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. 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


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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 & in the National Pagan Directory.

PAN Full Moon Public Circle
October 23, 2010 at Seven Hills, Sydney (map)


Date: Saturday October 23, 2010 at 8:30pm

PAN Inc. full moon ritual. PAN runs a public full moon ritual each month at Rotaract Hill, Seven Hills. Anyone is welcome to attend - the purpose of the ritual is to provide members of the pagan community an opportunity to celebrate the full moon together & network with friends, it is also a public ritual where those new to paganism can attend to learn more and meet like-minded others, and the rituals also help inform the general public about what pagans do and dispel misguided myths about paganism and witchcraft.

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 and contact details here.

Under the Blue Moon Festival
26th - 31st October 2010
Enmore (Sydney NSW)

Under the BLue Moon
Click here for more information...

"Paranormal Research" SOuL Searchers
Janine Donnellan, 2.40pm 30th October

Janine has had over 15 years experience as a paranormal researcher and her investigation team regularly assists individuals who are experiencing paranormal phenomena in their homes. SOuL Searchers has been recently featured in the Daily Telegraph and Mania Magazine. SOuL Searchers is a 'not for profit' organisation that is located in Sutherland Shire, Sydney Australia.

Spell Casting Workshop
Sunday 14th November 2010
at Miranda (Sydney)

Embrace

Click to see Embrace on Facebook

This is a 2 hour workshop to explore the workings of spells and magick. You will be taught the basic techniques for casting a spell, plus you will have an opportunity to participate in a hands-on session where you will be guided to perform a spell on your own.

Spell casting is a technique that assists individuals to magically enhance their spiritual and material lives through empowerment and motivation. Janine Donnellan from Spheres of Light, will be the facilitator of this workshop where you will be given the basic instructions to help you manifest your own desires.

Where: "Embrace" - Shop 1015 Westfield Miranda (Level 1 opp. Rubyniks Cafe & escalators)
When: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Sunday 14 November
Cost: $60 includes refreshments, notes and a coloured candle & crystal of your choice.
Bookings: Phone (02) 9531 0009


KITCHEN WITCHERY

Beltane Buttermilk Pancakes


SERVINGS: 4 - 6
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, at room temperature, separated
Fresh raspberries, for garnish
Beltane Raspberry Syrup

Directions
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, butter and egg yolks. 2. In another medium bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add the dry ingredients to the buttermilk mixture and stir just until combined. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter just until combined. Heat a lightly buttered griddle or cast-iron skillet. For each pancake, gently spread 1/4 cup of the batter on the hot surface to form a 4-inch circle. Cook over moderately low heat until the top is set, about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and continue cooking until golden, about 1 minute longer. Transfer to a large plate and keep warm while you cook the remaining pancakes. Divide the pancakes among plates, garnish with fresh raspberries and serve with Beltane Raspberry Syrup.
www.foodandwine.com/recipes/the-best-buttermilk-
pancakes

Beltane Raspberry Syrup

Ingredients
300g (2 punnets) raspberries
185ml (3/4 cup) water
165g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
2 5cm strips orange rind, white pith removed

Method
Place the raspberries in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Place the water and sugar in a medium saucepan and stir over low heat, without boiling, until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange rind, increase heat to high and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside for 2 minutes to cool slightly. Remove the orange rind and discard. Stir the raspberry puree into the syrup. Strain the mixture through a clean sieve into a clean bottle and discard the seeds.
Notes
Keep in a sealed bottle in the fridge for up to 4 days. Frozen raspberries are also suitable for this recipe. If using, thaw completely and use all the juices. For an "adult" alternative, add 2 tbs (or to taste) of Cointreau, Kirsch or raspberry liqueur to the syrup.
Serving suggestions: add a dash of chilled raspberry syrup to soda or mineral water for a refreshing summer drink. Serve warm or at room temperature spooned over ice-cream, with meringues and cream, or with poached peaches.
www.taste.com.au/recipes/11255/raspberry+syrup

WITCHY CRAFTS


Dragonwicc's Beltane Incense

3 parts Frankincense powder
2 parts Sandal wood
1 part passion flower
1 part Red Rose petals
A few drops of vanilla essence



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"SPHERES OF LIGHT" & "AXIS MUNDI" ARE BASED IN AUSTRALIA. ALL EVENTS HOSTED BY SOL ARE HELD IN THE SYDNEY-ILLAWARRA AREA OF NSW.
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