Spirit
The highest point of the pentagram, Spirit, is something different for all of us, as our path leads our growth step by step, and in many directions. I am going to dedicate most of the Spirit page to Goddess, in her many aspects within different cultures. Also, I will be sharing rituals to use in dedication and self discovery, to bring out the Goddess within us all.
The Tarot Card I associate most with Spirit, is The High Priestess, although I feel the major arcana all are part of the Spirit's journey through life. The High Priestess...spirituality, education, enlightenment. She represents spiritual enlightenment and wisdom, intution, dreams, and the divine feminine. She is a good card to work with in meditation when working towards the Goddess.
I do feel it is important to recognize both Goddess and God. Here is a lovely set of invocations for both Goddess and God by Francesca De Grandis:
Lady from you all things emerge,
and unto you all things return.
Please bless this work I do now,
that I may feel it flowing from your pleasure and bounty
and boundless intelligence.
Lady, from you all things emerge,
and unto you all things return.
So now I give this work to you.
For though all is yours,
it is possible to run from your love.
Instead I raise my face,
like the child's to the mother,
that I may live in your pleasure, bounty,
and boundless intelligence.
So mote it be.
(Prayer to the Lord of the Dance:)
Most holy sacrament of Selfhood,
Who forever lifts His divine head
to be blessed and to bless,
please be with me now.
You are her chosen one, Her annointed one.
Bring me these mysteries.
It is all pleasures to love you.
Make me smile with these pleasures.
You see the futures our Mother breathes life into.
Bring me your vision.
You reside in myself,
so that I shine with my own unique divinity,
and am in myself and of myself a God.
Bless this work, So mote it be.
Goddess, bring the body of God into my being
that like Him I may shine and be loved by you.
Lend me earth and water, air and fire--
fill me with these elements, these powers of creation,
that I may tend them because they are your garden,
and that I may be safe in this work,
and happy and one with you.
So mote it be.
I enjoy working with Goddesses from many cultures. Kwan Yin, China, is a Goddess who is inspirational to me, she is known to be a guardian of women and children. She also is known to have made sacrifice of staying on earth to help us, instead of going to heaven. I keep a beautiful Kwan Yin on my altar, it was brought to me by my best friend from Hong Kong. :-)
A ritual for Compassion inspired by Kwan Yin
This ritual helps to build compassion for all, not just our loved ones. Kwan Yin holds the dew of compassion in a jar. You can symbolize this with fresh cold spring water or rainwater in a nice glass jar or just a glass or bowl. You also need a willow branch (preferably), or am item similar in properties. Sit cross-legged with your water in one hand and your willow in the other. Think about the meaning and value you wish to regain. Meditate on what it is that you would like to be able to feel, and why. Spend a few minutes appreciating the quality that Kwan Yin has, and why you want to share it. Now imagine all selfishness or hard-heartedness being drained out of you by Kwan Yin. When you feel you are free from these negative feelings, drink the cold, clear water, and imagine yourself being filled with compassion, just as Kwan Yin is.
Much more to come....including Goddess art and information, rituals, and more...
Index/Air/Earth/Fire/Water/Spirit/Dragon/
