Merry Meet,
Welcome to EKO Newsletter. Eko means come. This name comes from an old chant.
Eko Eko Azarak
Eko Eko Zomelak
Eko Eko Cernunnos
Eko Eko Aradia
Merry Meet all,
Welcome to the October issue of EKO newsletter.
We have an interview with Raven Digitalis and lots of great Samhain articles
Blessed Be
Maria and Gregory(AutTumn)
In This issue
· Interview with Raven Digitalis
· Ghosts
· Witch Controversy
.
· Chicago Pagan Pride Updates
· Community events
· Recipies
Interview with Raven Digitalis
By Gregory Michael Brewer (AutTumn)
Hello and Merry Meet Raven. We thank you for doing this interview. I own a copy of your book entitled the Shadow Magick Compendium. You have previously written a book called Goth Craft, and I believe you have another out in print as well. For those in our reading audience who may not be familiar with your work, could you please share with us exactly how many books you have had published, a bit about yourself, and if you have any forthcoming work?
Hello! Thanks for getting in touch. I have been to Chicago once, which was for GothicFest. I would love to go back there and meet the local occult and metaphysical community. I have a handful of friends in the area and I know of some great occult shops, which makes it very tempting to return! Not to mention, my favorite band of all time is the Smashing Pumpkins; they (perhaps quite literally) saved my life in high school via their abstract, soul-driven musical and artistic abstractions. Magick, music and art are life!
As for my books, sure: In addition to the two books you mentioned, my most recent publication is called Planetary Spells & Rituals, which is a unique book of ceremonies that tackle common spellcraft issues. It’s a book of alignments and a book of ritual suggestions to execute change in one’s reality.
As for information about myself, I will refer readers to this mini-bio:
Raven Digitalis (Missoula, MT) is the author of “Planetary Spells & Rituals,” “Shadow Magick Compendium,” and “Goth Craft”, all on Llewellyn. He is a Neopagan Priest and cofounder of the “disciplined eclectic” or “Eastern Hellenistic” tradition and training coven Opus Aima Obscuræ, and is a radio and club DJ of Gothic and industrial music. Also trained in Georgian Witchcraft and Buddhist philosophy, Raven has been a Witch since 1999 and a Priest since 2003, and an Empath all of his life. Raven holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Montana and is also an animal rights activist, black-and-white photographic artist, Tarot reader, and is the co-owner of Twigs & Brews Herbs, specializing in bath salts, herbal blends, essential oils, soaps, candles and incenses. He has appeared on the cover of newWitch magazine and Spellcraft magazine (Australia) and has been featured on MTV News and CBS PsychicRadio.
Of all your books so far, and I’m sure there are many more to come, which is your favorite and why?
It’s funny, because I always hear from writers and other artists that their most recent work or most recent release is their favorite and is closest to their heart. But for me, Shadow Magick Compendium takes the cake. It is by far my favorite of what I’ve written because of its variety and its depth. While Goth Craft brushes the surface of Shadow Self exploration, SMC delves a bit further. I am very happy with how it turned out, and readers also seem to be! I am, however, working on a book about Empathy, which I predict as coming in second place!
What initially drew you to the Pagan path and who are your favorite authors?
I was introduced to the Craft in high school by a friend of mine. Though we only had a basic understanding of Witchcraft and magick at the time, we worked with what we knew and had a great time doing it. I say “doing” because, much like other youths who are attracted to Wicca and Neopaganism, our primary focus at the time was working magick and creating spells. Nowadays, the focus has shifted to theurgy and mysticism as opposed to only creating results in the physical plane, though spellcraft will always be a significant force in my life. I tend to emphasize deep spirituality over active magick.
As for my favorite authors, there are just too many to name! Scott Cunningham and other classic writers helped jump-start my life’s path. If I were to name some of my most beloved writers off the top of my head, I would say: Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone, John Michael Greer, Lon Milo DuQuette, Dion Fortune, Sorita d’Este, T. Thorn Coyle, Sangarakshita, Ray Buckland, Michelle Belanger, Corvis Nocturnum, Edred Thorsson, Lupa, Taylor Ellwood, and many more.
You are a co-founder and teacher of the Opus Aima Obscurae coven. Would you please share with us a bit more about your group and the work you do?
Certainly. We are a group of practitioners who consist of an Inner Circle (training group) and an Outer Circle (public participants). We run an intricate training structure designed to train people to be eventual Priests and Priestesses. We term our training system “disciplined eclectic” and “Eastern Hellenistic Neopaganism.” The definitions of these terms can be found on the OAO Facebook and Myspace profiles. We also perform public and private rituals that average once weekly – quite a large load! We celebrate the Full Moons, New (Dark) Moons and Sabbats, as well as what we call the “Full Suns” and “New (Dark) Suns.” These are the masculine counterparts to the feminine Full and Dark Moons; the Full Sun occurs when the Sun is at his 15-degree astrological apex in any particular sign, while the Dark or New Sun occurs when the Sun transitions zodiac signs. We also host numerous Cottage Craft or Hedgecraft events for the community, along with multicultural celebrations such as the Hindu fesival Diwali (Festival of Lights) and ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi, seeing as we all identify with Hinduism – one of the most longstanding, preserved and developed Pagan traditions in the world!
As a life-long practicing magician, teacher, and Wiccan High priest, I truly understand the importance of embracing and facing the “Shadow self.” Could you please share with us why this is important for all practicing Pagans, and for anyone of any path for that matter?
The shadow is part of who we are; it’s the balance. I feel that the Craft community and magickal community is starting to reject those “everything is love and light” ideas and are replacing those perceptions with a more balanced view on the world and oneself. We must know our light and dark sides, and those of the world, in order to fully embrace Reality for the profound experience it is – and in order to influence accurate and ethical change through our experience. Witches and magicians help people; it’s our spiritual duty. In order to help others and ourselves, we must recognize all aspects of our personalities and must be able and willing to work with them in other people just the same. There is nothing strictly defined in “dark” and “light,” because the terms are highly interpretive – that’s part of the beauty of life: nothing is entirely “this” or entirely “that.”
With the approach of Samhain, first I wish you “Happy Fallidays,” but am wondering if you would share with us what Samhain means to you?
Why thank you! Autumn holds a special spot in my soul. Samhain is easily my favorite Sabbat; it’s the time to celebrate the shadow, acknowledge death as a force of life and commune with those who have gone before us. It’s the best opportunity to banish unwanted things from our lives; my Coven does this in the form of annual hand-stitched, hand-stuffed poppet dolls that represent the things in our lives we wish to banish. These poppets are sewn at the Autumn Equinox and stuffed all the way up to Samhain, and can include anything from sympathetic items (such as a tick to represent leeches in one’s life), banishing items such as snotty tissues from a crying fit, herbs, or autumn leaves for the dying year -- one can then burn the poppets in a Samhain bonfire. Halloween is beautiful, but can sometimes be scary. For example, one year I dressed up as a frat boy. Absolutely terrifying.
As a practicing Witch and Magician, there have been a few times I have been called upon to deal with unwanted spirits. Have you had any encounters with the so-called “supernatural” or “Astral Nasties” and ghosts, and needed to perform a cleansing or banishing? If so, could you please share with us a bit about your experience and perhaps one or two of your favorite techniques to handle the situation?
Oh sure! But I’m usually not the one to sense it. Admittedly, empathy is my main “gift” or ability, and spirit sight simply is not. But I can sense energy in a room or a location (which is an empathic skill), but have not yet fully developed the ability to see spirits. But I have. One experience that comes to mind is this: I was on a book tour and went through Eugene, Oregon, knowing that it’s paralleled in many ways to my lovely hometown, Missoula, Montana. My tour guide bailed on me, so I spent the night walking around town. I was very lonely, and ended up walking to an area of downtown that was vacant, or under construction – it was empty. That night forward, I felt a strange energy clinging to the left side of my body. As the force grew day after day, I started to “believe” what I was sensing, and realized that it was indeed a succubus type of spirit – a hungry ghost, as the Buddhists would say. She was feeding on my energy, wishing to merge with mine; it was surreal. It took a series of banishing workings and exercises, and plenty of directly talking to her like a person, telling her why she couldn’t stay, why she had to leave and move on, and so forth. She left for good after the third attempt!
Of course we know that labels and titles can empower the practitioner and help to connect with others of a like mind, but they can also hinder and limit the individual by putting us in a box so to speak. I think we all have labels we cling to and embrace, and also labels that others put upon us. What are your thoughts on this, and how would you label yourself?
I don’t mind labels. For me, I think the labels Witch, magician, Goth, queer, Empath, male, tall, and other terms can accurately help describe me. I don’t mind some labels; they can help with descriptions and explanations. The problem arises when a person clings or becomes attached to any label. Any label. Like with most things, moderation is key. I think running away from labels and being post-everything is just as unhealthy as clinging to labels for the sake of comfort. After all, we need to label sugar as “sweet” in order to understand it as a collective mind!
Do you have a favorite form of raising energy in circle?
My group particularly favors the “Eko, Eko, Azarak” chant while dancing and using instruments – it’s a very powerful addition to other consistent circle-casting activities!
If any of our readers are interested in learning more about you or purchasing your work, could you please share with us a way to get a hold of your material?
Sure; my website is www.ravendigitalis.com, and people can read about the books and order them signed from the website. They are also available in bookstores worldwide, and can be ordered online, ordered at your local metaphysical shop, and so on. Happy reading! I love feedback so be sure to get in touch! My Facebook author profile is located at www.facebook.com/ravendigitalisauthor.
Finally, and we always ask this, do you have any final words of wisdom and advice for those who have recently begun to follow the Pagan Path?
First, a big shout-out to my men with the Brotherhood of the Phoenix, which is based on Chi Town! Secondly, would people be up for me visiting Chicago and doing some Tarot readings, and perhaps a guided meditation and book signing? Let me know online! Go to my website and click the “demand” widget to help get me there when I am able to travel! And third, in general: Let’s all focus on the similarities between us all; not the differences. Or, if we do focus on the differences, let is be a celebration rather than a scrutiny. Strive to be happy and don’t let the blue meanies get you down. Life is sacred.
Thanks again Raven for your time.
Blessed Be!
Gregory Michael Brewer
Heart of the Morrighan Community Interfaith Temple
Ghosts, Hauntings, and Exorcisms!
Written and arranged by Gregory Michael Brewer
(Everything in Italics represents word for word copied and borrowed material.)
If you are “out of the broom closet,” there will eventually come a time when you are called upon to deal with unwanted spirits or energies that linger in a home, an area, or around an individual. You must be knowledgeable and practiced enough to deal with the situation. There may even be a time when you, alone, will face such a circumstance.
In the case that you are called upon to deal with such activity, you must know this material in and out! You will have NO effect, authority, or power if you are reading from notes during a “cleansing.”
There are many types of supposed “hauntings.” The following information has been taken and modified from the book The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak. I recommend everyone interested in this work to purchase a copy of Christopher’s book
Hauntings come in many forms, yet few are truly disembodied spirits trapped in this world. Many people assume that strange energies are automatically the work of ghosts, but there are many disturbances a walker between the worlds will be called upon to remedy.
Etheric Imprints
These are the most common forms of energy that people mistake for ghosts. They are echoes of the past. When powerful emotional experiences occur, such as after a serious argument or fight, the energy released at that time makes an Etheric imprint in the area.
We pick up these imprints as the “vibes” of a place. Psychically sensitive people intuitively feel something is askew. They can be good or bad vibes.
These are usually generated by anger, violence, abuse, fear, and are often mistaken for hauntings.
Cleansing Etheric Imprints
These can be easily cleansed by words of power, asperging (cleansing with Holy Water,) smudging (cleansing with the smoke of an herb such as sage,) using a besom to “sweep out” unwanted energy, or any other method of using the elements. We will discuss this.
Etheric Recordings
Sometimes the imprints go one step deeper, and not only are the general emotions of a time and place imprinted, but actual events are recorded in the ethers. People report certain “ghosts” repeating the same actions during the same time of day, like walking down a set of stairs. Another Etheric recording might be the voices of an argument, where the same argument is repeated cyclically, be it everyday, week, or month. Replayed battles from war sites are common too. Some recordings seem to be timed, while others are “tripped” and played when certain people enter the vicinity
These can seem to be ghosts or hauntings, but there is no conscious spirit involved whatsoever.
Cleanse these the same as Imprints.
Discordant Energy
Unbalanced energy can build up in a location and trigger negative emotions to make a seemingly haunting effect. Where there has been worry, fear, doubt, stress, anxiety, over-indulgence in sexual or chemical pursuits and thoughts as well as laziness, un-cleanliness, and procrastination to name a few more, these energies if not cleared, changed, and balanced can grow and build up until they are “triggered.” They often seem to be a haunting or bring a paranoid feeling as though something is watching you. If these energies are not balanced they can build to a point that causes objects to move, break, or fall randomly. A general cleansing will take care of this for the moment, but if the situation is not changed and balanced, they will repeat and rebuild.
Astral Fragments
Sometimes a haunting is not a fully conscious spirit trapped in the world, but a fragment of the spirit, such as a soul fragment, a shard of the Etheric, astral, emotional, or mental body, or the energy of the middle-self ego.
Use simple cleansing techniques
Poltergeists
These are often mistaken as hauntings that appear to be hauntings where physical objects are moved about rather violently. Traditionally such cases usually center on a teenager just entering puberty, and the manifestation is not a spirit, but the energy of this sudden and confusing change in a particularly psychically gifted child. Bringing center and balance to the child usually stills the outbursts.
Disturbed Land Spirits
These are hauntings by nature spirits and not of a human source.
When land is damaged and disturbed, particularly land that has been held sacred or where magickal rituals have been done, those of the elemental, nature, and faery realms can make their displeasure known. As we encroach more and more upon nature, it might become more frequent. A proper relationship with the land can bring a sense of love and harmony to a piece of property. An improper relationship can bring difficulties and accidents. Learning to listen to the land, and building a proper partnership with it is the remedy.
Disembodied Dead
At times, a haunting is a haunting. The spirit of a human being does not cross over for some reason. Some are meek and mellow, afraid of the next step or too lost to find it once they decide it’s time to cross over. Others are angry and do not understand what happened. Many are shackled, imprisoned by their own intense emotions of anger, revenge, fear, and pain. These are souls that need to be guided to the next realm.
Discarnate Beings
These are the ones to watch out for. These are spirits that are not and have never been living in the physical realm. They are attracted to light that grows in an individual, to places where magick is used, and to excess indulgences such as drugs, alcohol, and sexual abuse. They are the common source of intended psychic attack. Sorry folks but these can also be attracted to laziness, procrastination, negative thinking, and anger. In the spirit realm, like attracts like. These can also be invited in by the opening of portals such as using spirit boards or mirrors facing other mirrors. Simple cleansing techniques will not be enough and after using harsher methods, they can still return if you let them back in.
Steps for clearing and banishing
Each situation is different, but this is a general guideline
1. First cleanse yourself and activate your shields
2. Call upon a spirit guide to aid you every step of the way!
3. Remain open and aware. Perhaps enter a light meditative state by breathing, grounding, and centering.
4. Pay attention and sense the type of disturbance. Use every resource
5. Sit quiet and listen to your spirit guides.
6. Employ traditional clearing techniques
7. If it is a ghost, call upon your spirit guides and with your own visualization open a door to the other side.
8. Perhaps talk to the spirit and tell them it is time to move on and direct them toward the light.
9. If it is a land spirit, ask what is needed to restore the balance and leave it alone.
10. If it is an “evil” or harmful spirit, the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram can be used if done with correct visualization an authority.
11. The LBRP and LBRH can also be used as a means of clearing an area in general but should not be used upon land spirits or ghosts that are trapped and need guidance. Be wise.
About the LBRP
This will clear any and all energies negative AND positive to create a clean slate.
If using this on an area the intent needs to be kept in mind as it does follow and stay with the person that uses it. Just simply intend that it stay in the area and it will need to be repeated on a regular basis.
This should be practiced every day and memorized. Ceremonial magicians are usually required to perform this on their own every day for a solid year.
The LBRH
The same goes. The LBRP will banish all energies of the middle (physical) realm while the LBRH banishes all energies from above and below. These rituals may be difficult for a beginner and perhaps better taught in person, so for now we will only cover the L(Lesser) B(Banishing) R(Ritual) of the P(Pentagram.) The LBRH is too complicated to present here.
The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram
Face the East
With blue flame trace a BANISHING pentagram:
Stab the center of the pentagram and vibrate, that is to hum slowly, (YHWH) “Yod – Heh – Vahv – Heh.”
From the center of the pentagram trace with white light one quarter of the circle until you face the south.
Facing the South trace another banishing pentagram as seen above with blue flame.
Stab the center and vibrate Ah-doh-nigh
Trace with white light another quarter of the circle until you are facing west.
Facing west trace another banishing pentagram.
Stab the center and vibrate Eh-heh-ya
Trace another quarter of the circle with white light to the North.
Facing the North trace another banishing pentagram
Stab the center and vibrate Ah-glah
Trace the final quarter of the circle with white light until you are back at east.
Say loudly with sincerity, passion, and authority:
Before me
Ra - Phy - El (Raphael)
Behind me
Ga – Bree – El (Gabriel)
<
On my right
Mee – ky- el (Michael)
On my left
U – ree – el (Uriel)
Before me flames the Pentagram
Within me shines the six-rayed star.
The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram should not be performed without a little bit of additional research and understanding of the work. No harm will come whatsoever without a proper understanding, but it may not be effective otherwise.
Happy Fallidays to all and a GREAT SAMHAIN!
Witch Controversy
By Ryan Johnson
This article was printed in the Pantagraph Newspaper in Bloomington IL. Ryan gave us permission to reprint it.
While I do not support the candidacy of Christine O’Donnell, nor do I have any impact upon what the state of Delaware thinks or does,
I must wholeheartedly object to the way that many news agencies are covering the revelation that she, at least in part,
has dabbled in witchcraft.
More often than not, the central message of these articles and reports are meant to challenge the validity of her campaign.
The reporters and pundits, who are propagating this message of intolerance, mean to vilify the candidate, but do so without thought to
what is actually being said.
So what if a candidate for the U.S. Senate “dabbled” with it when she was young? So what if she’s still a witch?
Wicca — also known as Witchcraft — and its practitioners, who sometimes choose to self-identify as witches, is a religion which
actually flows very well with true Christian messages of peace, love and harmony.
However you may feel about Wiccans, a person’s religion should never preclude them from running for political office,
nor should their faith be wielded as a cudgel against them.
As a young, educated and informed witch, living in these United States, I find it abhorrent that anyone would
condemn Christine O’Donnell based on her faith. Instead, focus on her political beliefs, her ethical fiber and her
agenda — that should be more than enough to lose her the election this November.
Ryan Johnson, Bloomington
Chicago Pagan Pride Updates
By Maria Alioto
Merry Meet,
We would like to thank everyone for making Chicago Pagan Pride 2010 such a wonderful event this year.
We are getting things ready for our 2011 event. I for one can't wait. I am so excited.
The date will be announced soon.
You can see pictures of the day's events at www.chicagopaganpride.org.
Blessed Be
Maria Alioto
Community Events
Community Events
If you have an event which you would like posted in our newsletter please let us know.
we will be resuming community events shortly.
Recipes
Granola Bars
By Maria
This is for those of you who love chewy granola bars and are trying to save some money over store bought bars. You can make a large batch for less than a box of bars.
1/2 stick of butter or margarine
1 10 oz bag of mini marshmallows
3 1/2 cups of oats (uncooked)
2 cups rice crispies cereal
1 cup chocolate chips or candy coated chips or mini m & m candies
Grease a 9" x 13" pan
IN a large microwave safe bowl melt butter or margarine
Add mini marshmallows and toss to coat with butter
return to Microwave to melt at 1 minute intervals, stirring in between.
once marshmallows are melted stir in oats and rice crispies, leaving chocolate chips to the side.
Stir until well mixed, let cool slightly once cooled, add the chocolate chips.
press into greased pan, let cool and cut in squares.
If you have an upcoming event that you would like to post in our newsletter please contact us
chicagopaganpride@yahoo.com
We always welcome reader contributions. If you have anything that you would like to contribute please submit to chicagopaganpride@yahoo.com
All submissions are on a donation only basis. All articles are voluntarily written, or republished with express reprint rights. All money received from this newsletter is used to fund Chicago Pagan Pride fundraisers or functions. We are a not for profit organization.
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Advertising spots start at $5.00
Copyright * 2002 - 2010 Greater Chicagoland Pagan Pride Committee. All rights reserved
Blessed Be,
Maria & Gregory(AutTumn)
Chicago Pagan Pride
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