Path of the Hearth-Fire

In her book, The Training and Work of an Initiate, Dion Fortune discusses what she calls the Path of the Hearth-Fire. She didn't walk this particular path herself but manages to understand it, as much as is possible for an outsider to understand. The Loyal Hoard knows that I believe if you haven't walked the labyrinth yourself, you cannot guide others through it. Here, however, she isn't guiding, she's discussing, but have the salt grains handy anyway.


She's schitzophrenic in her treatment of this idea, and I think it's because it was revealed knowledge colored by her personal point of view instead of shared plainly. This just seems to be her style.  She was married, she had no children, and there is nothing written about her having to care for anyone except herself and somehow that means she is "free from karma." I'd say that's "bad karma." She got to "combat spiritual wickedness in high places" but that's a lonely life, not the comfortable, happy life of someone who sits at the center of a circle of family they care for and who cares for them. The whole thing reads as judgmental, especially the part where she suggests that this path is sometimes chosen because someone who is "advanced" turns back to help others who are "progressing more slowly."

I don't like that she calls family obligations "bonds" in a negative way and treats them as delays to initiation, that somehow "karma" has put loved ones "in the way" of becoming an initiate or that the person isn't ready to be the Special Ops of the Inner Planes because they have others to care for.

"Again, it sometimes happens that souls which have advanced far into the Mysteries turn back at the call
of human love and forge anew the chains of karmic ties. In subsequent lives the debts thus incurred must be discharged. Sometimes the turning aside is motivated by the passions and the senses; sometimes a higher motive determines the choice, and out of pure pity a soul that is traveling fast may turn back to hold out a hand to a beloved one who is progressing more slowly."

"... if the choice of pity and patience has been made, it must be abided by cheerfully and willingly if its good karma is to be reaped. "

Objection! Must be discharged? Love is not one of Jacob Marley's chains which needs to be cast off in order to "progress." Love is the reason for progress. My bonds strengthen me. My roots are responsible for my growth. If you have no one to care for, what is the point of being Magic-leet? What does your magic matter? Having no bonds isn't "good karma" or even a laudable goal. Willingly sharing the bond of love is the best "karma" you may reap. I wonder what Nemesis thinks of this abuse of the word "karma!"

We are born to each other again and again for a reason. She calls it pity and patience. I prefer Love and learning. I completely disagree that the reason for this is some kind of "failure" to learn the lessons in a previous life. I think of it as rereading a book: I love to go back and read books I haven't picked up in a long time- I always find something that I missed before, or something I didn't understand previously now clicks thanks to the experiences I've had since last I read it. Have you ever watched a movie more than once? Bet you have ;) Bet you appreciated the movie more the second time and got more out of it.

Let's turn to a few examples that I appreciate (actually, I do appreciate most of what she says about the path itself, just not the why of walking it).

"Which is the higher duty, the service of the Masters or the service of the family and home?
This is a big question, and one that is constantly recurring, and its answer is not as simple as some would have us think. "

Agreed. Mostly. In previous posts about working with deity, I've talked a but about how negotiation isn't just ok, it's necessary because They don't live in this day to day world. Most of us are not free to drop everything to heed Their call so we need to make our limits clear, and be willing to push our own boundaries as well.

Another disagreeable objection: Keep your house clean and enjoy doing it or you will "fail to initiate?" Well then I'm fucked. And so is everyone else I know who can't afford a cleaning service. I will dust and I will do laundry, but I don't have to like it! Funny that within a few pages she says cheerfully accept things and don't whine, then says you have to like it. Not complaining isn't the same thing as liking it.

But back to the parts I do like:

"If our home problems prove very difficult, let us, in imagination, always put a chair at the fireside and lay a place at table for the Unseen Guest, and live our life and do our work in the light of that Invisible Presence."

We already do this, but Strega don't just do it in imagination: Offerings at the hearth, sharing with our ancestors at their altar/mantle, offerings at the Lare shrine, including the Ancestors in daily life and special celebrations, honoring the Goddess of the Hearth. This is a daily part of life for us and not a separate magical practice we have to put on like donning on a starchy robe.

"If we rule our homes in a spirit of selfless love and serenity of heart, asking no return, but doing our duty for the sake of the need of those to whom we minister, our house will be a true Temple of the Hearth- Fire in which we can receive our initiation."

What she said.

Passports!

Today I was cleaning up for the great winter decoration bonanza may begin in earnest. I was moving around furniture when I came across a shoe box. I've seen it before, I've been through the papers in it before. I even remember when my husband found the box amongst my Grandfather's things. It was mostly legal papers regarding my Great-Grandfather. There was a picture in it, one each of the siblings got a copy of. I always wondered why a big chunk in the bottom left corner was white. Now I know- I have the original picture and that corner is missing.

There were other things in the box that I do not recall seeing before, even though I've gone through this box several times. I asked hubby and he doesn't remember seeing them either: Today I found the Italian Passports for my great grandparents which has their pictures and the pictures of their children. What a find! The stamps in the passports are really interesting too. What has been very interesting is finding my Great Grandmother's passport which not only has her maiden name, but also her mother's maiden name. This just opened up a whole new branch of the family tree! I just stopped to scan these: The passport cover and that nifty stamp:

I've never seen them before and just discovered them after days and days of working and feeling like I was getting close to something. Thanks to my Patrons, and to the Lare for revealing these, and so many other things, to me! Ave! Now I'm off to give thanks and explore this heretofore unknown branch of the family tree! And maybe to share some of the family picture scans with my cousins ;)

Sounds Good

From bells to white noise to sirens to speech, sound directly effects our brain and body. Sound can move you both literally and metaphorically. It comes in waves, like the ocean. It stirs the emotions almost instantly. It can transport you back in time. So how do you ignore it? How do you get it quiet enough to selectively tune in? How do you quiet the cacophony long enough to hear the whispers of your Ancestors?

Start with the breath. Regulate that and you will have natural white noise, a focal point of your own making, under your own control. Breath work, I think, is completely underestimated as a magical foundation. We're told by so many different magical groups to work on meditation, but not so much with controlling and using the breath.

When I say "tune into your blood" I mean that literally. I use it interchangeably with Ancestors. I've posted on dna and ancestors and blood connections several times over the course of this blog adventure. From the breath, you can easily shift your awareness to your heartbeat. Your pulse is the beat of the blood moving through your body.  It might not happen the first time, it might not happen the tenth time. Everyone works at a different pace, but once you can feel your body pulsing, you are ready. You are practically there. Recall the sound of a family occasion- the chatter, the laughter, the glasses and plates clinking, drinks pouring, water running, food cooking... The more you can call up the sounds of these physical things the easier it becomes to root the experience in your present physical reality.

Choose a specific occasion as the focus- one where you enjoyed yourself, not the one where your crazy aunt aired the family's dirty laundry and had a fight with your cousin! Use the same occasion for practice. The people who were present should be ones you were close with and who loved you and were loyal to you.

When you're practiced enough that you can recall this occasion with clarity, you let the edges go soft, like gazing at a picture where you stare so long you lose focus. Instead of recalling what was said, feel for the energy of the person whose voice you want to hear. It wouldn't hurt to light candles for them, have their picture on hand, leave an offering of something they enjoyed. Have a few questions ready. I suggest a question that you don't know the answer to but could easily find out along with a questions whose answer only you two know. Both serve as tests that it is the one you intended to speak with and that you're not just making this up in your own head. Some people need that kind of test to feel certain, some don't.

The more you practice tuning in, the easier it gets and the further you can go, including tuning in to those relatives you didn't know, and contacting family Patrons in a way that you can't access otherwise. I've posted recently about my theory that devotees of a deity share certain characteristics the way members of a family do. Patronage runs through the blood as well. It is part of the covenant we have with the Gods. We pass the ways to our children and the Patrons protect the family line.

We are connected to our family through blood, but we are also connected to the Gods through our blood. When your ancestor made a covenant with their Patrons, that changed hir, which in turn set up your future dna. Studies have shown that traumatic incidents literally change DNA. Funny, no one has looked at the opposite: Incredible and joyous experiences, communion with the gods, henosis, changes our dna too, presumably for the better. It's one of the reasons why it's said we are reborn into our family over and over again, to work with the family patrons. I'm not sure I believe that 100% but it came through tonight and I have no reason to doubt it.

I didn't know what to post tonight so I tuned in and this is what came through. Apologies if the above instructions aren't terribly clear or read like a stereo manual from the 1980s. It's something that's best taught in person, and in a way that it doesn't feel like teaching/learning/work at all. This should be a joyous process. I didn't say easy, I said joyous ;)

Signing off to listen in private.

Journeys

I've done a few today, both the esoteric kind and the actual kind.

I opened a door that I've left closed for some time, went through, and was guided by one of my Patrons. I was consciously trying to take in every detail, but I found I couldn't focus quite that clearly- I was trying to be an observer when instead I was the one being observed. I'm not ready to go into detail yet because I'm still trying to process it. I received a message and I want to incorporate that into my life nownownow! Never said I was patient! I want to go back again. I intend to do that in my dream work tonight. I'll let you know what happens ;)

I've been working on a post about other major points on Italian immigration in the US and after NYC, the number two port is Boston. I know my surname is up here! I wonder how we're related! In the meanwhile, I've decided that I'm going to have dinner here when I go back into Boston:

Would it be redundant to drink Strega liquor when I'm there? lol

Drunk on Moon Shine!

Not the Dukes of Hazzard revenuers-are-comin' kind of moonshine! I did some work tonight, on a technically not-eclipsed-to-me barely waning moon, at sunset. I started in the hour of Mercury and concluded during the hour of the moon. Here's a fun site where you can calculate planetary hours and read more about them.

I didn't write a script. I rarely do unless others are involved and required to do and say certain things at certain times. You learn by doing. When you learn it well enough, you start taking on roles. When you have taken on enough roles enough times, you take the lead. It's like music theory: when you know the notes and the chords, you can create a sweet sounding tune.

I had work to do tonight and wanted to take advantage of the waning moon, the waning sun, and other releasing, removing influences. I opened the space, I called in Guardians, Patrons, Ancestors and the Land Itself. I made offerings of incense, water, and wine. The birds squawked, the dogs barked and the lucciolas lit my way. I was well attended and supported and it rocked. My words were from the heart. My gestures were a mix of old keys and the flow of the moment. I didn't have to plan what to do, I just brought out the ingredients I needed and was guided. When I saw the moon rise over the trees I was awe-struck. I felt like a little child standing there swinging my cauldron of incense. I felt how large the moon is, and the energy and how great She is, how all-encompassing. I felt connected to the core of our practice and I knew there were others out there honoring Her in all of Her forms. ::waves:: I saw you, and you, and.... you were there too! lol

I forgot to eat something afterward because I was so moonstruck that I dashed inside at the last possible minute to get kiddo to bed. Once he was prepped for bed, I took him to look at the moon rising above the trees. He loved it, but it was bad timing because he couldn't fall asleep for a long while after! I'm still bouncing around. I need to ground and to sleep! As fun an adventure as it might be, I don't want to go to sleep this buzzed!

Before I go, I wanted to share part of a fun chat I had with a friend tonight. We were discussing The Foletti and the work of RJ Stewart and Orion Foxwood. I mused that someone should write faery work from the Italian perspective since everything out there seems to be Celtic or Scottish. His reply:

"Other than the folletti, the nymphs and the satyrs, we Italians really don't have fey per se.  Well, we do... they are just the Dead."

I half agree and 1/4 disagree. But that's its own post!

He also waxed eloquent on a few definitions for his readers so I thought to share them with mine:

"Guided meditation: An exercise utilizing the imagination to program the subconcious mind & train the mind in preparation for REAL astral journeys.
Pathworking: Originally, a journey along the paths upon the Tree of Life. Broadened to include journeys centered upon core concepts & set imagery to help students internalize a teaching.

Journeywork: REAL astral work. Journeying is NOT scripted, though it may revolve upon a theme OR a particular area of focus.

Likewise, anyone who says (like Llewelyn books tend to do) that astral work leaves you feeling refreshed when you come to... is a fucking moron. You don't feel perky and happy go lucky! You feel like you are recovering from a jagermeister shot (at least 8) induced hangover AFTER being run over by an SUV."

Word! It's called work for a reason! Unlike the cacasetenze I spoke of the other night, Nemesis is a weaver of words and wise beyond his years. I'm glad to know him and glad to point you to his books. Maybe, if I ask real nice, he might guest blog?


I've repeated myself enough tonight! I'm off! Time to ground! Here's some Moon Love!

You made me promises, promises...

When you make a vow to your Patrons that you're going to fast on the Full Moon, you will fast on the full moon, even when you forget what day it is and eat something quick. Well, at least that's true for me. I have been sick all day. I have an awful fever, nothing is digesting and I can't even look at food. Oops. Guess I need to send myself an e-mail reminder about the full moon date. I can't type much, so I'm going to C&P something from http://www.religioromana.net/onsacrifices.htm They have wonderful information on their site and try to replicate Religio Romana as closely as possible. I admire their research.

The six times sacrifices are made
There are six types of sacrifices that may be made in the Religio Romana.
1) First is to honor the gods and to commemorate certain events such as the dedication of a temple.
2) To propitiate the gods when some disaster has occurred or other event whereby the gods demand a sacrifice.
3) Similarly, if divination, dreams or visions reveal a requirement that a sacrifice needs to be made.
4) By far though, most sacrifices made by individuals are performed in thanks, after a contract was met by the gods. A vow (nuncupatio) is first made that a sacrifice will be offered, or that an altar will be erected, or a temple built or renovated, or some other action that will be taken to fulfill the vow, on condition that the god perform some request.  If the request is fulfilled, the deity having accepted the vow, then one is obliged to fulfill the vow (ex voto); failure to do so would make that person sacer.  Sometimes,
5) in expectation that prayers will be answered, a sacrifice is made, but there is no obligation on the part of the deity. Most often these types of sacrifices would be dedicated pro salute in hopes of being healed of some illness.
6) Lastly there are those sacrifices made, not to honor the gods or to fulfill a vow, but made instead as part of a purification rite.

The Art of Devotion

Do you have Patrons? How do you deal with them? Are you a devotee? Do they "overshadow" you? Are you partners? Is it a parental figure relationship? A relationship of lovers? A business arrangement?

I've had all of the above, some concurrently.

Some of the relationships I've read about, have been old about and have witnessed first hand have been along the lines of extortion. A relatively well known example from Italian circles:

To sell a house: 1) Dig a hole in the dirt on your property. 2) Take a statue of Saint Joseph and put him in the hole head first. 3) bury the statue while speaking words to condemn him to suffer in that hole until your house is sold. 4) When the house is sold, dig him up, clean him off, and give him a place of honor in your new home.

This practice is nothing new; The ancient Romans kept a statue of Saturn bound with ropes every day of the year except for the Saturnalia. Funny how nothing on the internet mentions WHY he was bound, just that the ropes were untied on this date.

Plenty of spells and works in the Roman tradition call for the tying, burying, covering and otherwise threatening the being, deity or otherwise. Conversely, many promises are also extracted from petitioners for favor from small things such as specific devotions and offerings, to the promise of a new temple. How many Roman temples were built by leaders who wished to please one deity of another? Add it to my list of things to look up.

I have Patrons I have chosen, and I have Patrons who have chosen me. Lately I've been realizing how intimately they are related, but I will be posting about that a lot, I'm sure, as I use this space to work things out "on paper." I like to make daily offerings. It gives me a chance to practice gratitude and a more intimate connection with those I have invited into my life. I change the form and practice of my devotions seasonally, typically committing to 45 day stretches, approximately. It could be offerings of water, or incense, candles, energy, practical work if I'm in an Earthy mood, etc.

I'm going to close here for the moment. I'll likely revisit this post again soon.