CON CLU SIO NES:

Cauldron: The fruity/spicy mixture that you simmer on

the stove and add to your bath is designed to wake up your spirit. To stimulate your senses. Anise (try to get the star-shaped variety because it’s pretty and fun to watch floating in your bath) is an herb that aids in seeking answers from the Otherworld (Fennel is a suitable substitute). Cinnamon is ex- cellent for opening the portals between the planes to allow for ease of internal communication. It is also an excellent help in meditating.

Cucumber is known as a natural beauty aid to soothe the delicate tissues around the eyes. It does the same spiritually, opening your spiritual eye which is also called the third eye. You can’t see it, but it is located in the middle of your fore- head between your eyebrows and just above your nose. When people are really stressed, they often squeeze or rub this area, because their soul doesn’t like what it’s seeing. The third eye is considered the center of positive intuition, encouraging you to both “See and Know.”

Incense: The incense, as always, is lit in your bathroom,

then moved to your living room. For this ritual the incense should have a Peppermint or Spearmint scent, since Mint in- creases your ability to see into the Otherworld. Lavender, if you chose that instead, is another strong visionary herb that helps usher in all that is good and loving.

Ceremonial Herbs: The method of anointing yourself in

this ritual is different from the times you threw a dry herb mixture in the air like confetti. This time, make a wet paste of crushed Garlic, Sweet Paprika (be sure you don’t mistake it for red Cayenne—it will burn) plus a teaspoon of dried Angelica and another of powdered Ginger. Add a pinch of sugar and mix it all briskly with confident determination for you are a Celtic Diviner, stirring up your natural spiritual remedy. Add water a few drops at a time until the consistency is like soft

peanut butter. Smell it. Breathe in all its natural properties and think of the Clan Mothers choosing and mixing this exact formula to aid their spiritual journey. You should make this in advance and place it near your chair in the living room.

Why did you combine these particular herbs? Garlic, an ancient protection against the dreaded “evil eye” of early su- perstitions, will banish any unwanted forces or silly tricksters with great efficiency so you’ll have no worries of being dis- turbed. Paprika and Ginger are stimulating herbs to refresh and enliven your inner senses, and invigorate your soul. An- gelica was a favorite herb of early Celtic midwives because it was a reliable aid for both mother and child in the life-changing journey of birth. It will protect and aid you on your journey to other realities, and allow you to enjoy thoroughly the sa- cred time “betwixt and between” in your meditation.

Apples were sacred to the Celtic Clan Mothers because they are so strong in attracting the light and amplifying the effects of the Forces of Good. Avalon, the Celtic version of heaven, actually translates as “Appleland.” When cut right across its middle, the Apple reveals the clear shape of the pen- tagram, another ancient symbol. The presence of the Apple pleases the spirits and the faeries. Your uncut Apple is an an- cient symbol of respect for, and an offering to, those loving spirits in the Otherworld.

Tree Amulet: Your spray of leaves, twigs, and Rowan ber-

ries (Mountain Ash) has a long history of protection, good health and good fortune. I’m fortunate to have two Rowan trees in my backyard. I can see the larger one as I sit here writing to you. I have two more trees standing sentinel in the front. Watching them change over the seasons is a delight. It is easy to see why they were so treasured by the ancients, and why so many spiritual qualities were assigned to them. In spring, they are covered with small, white and lacy bouquets of star-shaped blossoms. In summer, their green berries slowly

turn a burnt orange, and their cooling shade is dense and in- viting. In fall, the berries deepen to blood red. By late fall, huge flocks of beautiful Cedar Waxwings with black bandit masks arrive to fuel up on the vitamin-rich berries for their long journey south. Literally hundreds chomp away, some- times hanging upside down like circus acrobats to the delight of all who see them.

In the winter, the remaining red Rowan berry clusters catch and hold white cones of snow until the big tree appears cov- ered in upside down ice cream cones. By the following spring, there are still enough dried berries left to welcome back the early returning and ravenous Waxwings, who dine there once again while the gusty spring storms blow through. The Rowan tree’s presence at your ceremony assures peace of mind and a calm heart.

The Celts always planted a Mountain Ash tree close to their homes. It kept unwanted forces at bay and provided a dome of Goddess protec- tion over all who dwelled near. Rowan is a pow- erful charm and when more focus was needed on the positive aspects of spirituality, sprays of leaves and berries were cut and brought inside, or its wood was hung outside over the doorway to the cottage. Mothers would often sew a sprig of Rowan into their children’s garments to ward off any untoward influences for those times when the little ones were away from their mother’s watchful eye. Its scarlet berries were considered food for the Goddess and that is why it was so highly esteemed.

When you sit down to meditate during the ceremony, pick up the Rowan branch and hold it in your right hand. You may even brush it over your hair and your shoulders, and lightly touch it to your heart. Beware: don’t put the berries to

your lips for they are poisonous to humans.

Witch’s Brew: For the same purpose of stimulation, you

will brew a cup of Peppermint tea with an added teaspoon of Mugwort with Lemon (and some honey if you wish). Sip it as you listen to your favorite music just before you begin your ritual. And don’t forget the benefits of inhaling herbal steam water from the spiraling vapors just above the rim of your mug.

The Elements: As with all representations of the sacred

elements at your rituals, place them near your chair but not in the way when you stand. Earth may be represented by salt, a rock, a plate of real soil, or any small vessel made from clay. For the representation of Air, you can use a feather, a corked bottle of air, a lovely fan, or any other clear representation of breezes or flight. Water can simply be a glass or pitcher of pure water, a seashell, or some memorabilia that once lived in or near a lake or ocean. For the Element of Fire, you will be using a white candle that has been rubbed earlier with a bit of your own perfume to help draw your Spirit Guide to you. Remem- ber to blow lightly on the candle and watch the flame bow softly away, and then return. The air in your lungs is the sweet, life-giving breath of your Goddess within. Take a moment to recall your sacred divinity, because you really are beginning to believe it now, aren’t you?

Flagon: The completion of this ceremony will be worth

celebrating because you will be aware of a welcome, but un- seen, guest attending your party. The spicy alcoholic or non- alcoholic drink will remind you of all that your are: sparkling, zesty, and chock-full of shimmering life.

Metal: Silver is the choice for tonight as it draws down the

just as your life reflects the sacredness within you. Be sure it is well-polished and wear it all the time if you like. The Goddess loves you in silver.

Celtic Storyteller: Although watching the video, The Se- cret of Ronan Innish, isn’t a necessity, it does get you in the

mood for appreciating the Celtic Ancestors and their gentle, nurturing way of teaching youngsters. In this film it is a Grand- mother and Grandfather who take in their granddaughter. Through their protection and love, and some supernatural helpers, the girl finds her long-lost brother. It illustrates the importance of believing beyond that which is normally seen to be true. It’s a happy story and it is food for the soul.

Discovery: The pad of writing paper is for you to record,

as soon as the ritual is finished, the information you received through your guide: their name as you understood it, their message and anything else about them you don’t want to for- get. The issue of Spirit Guide names is worth mentioning here, because spirit names are often archaic, odd-sounding or sim- ply names made up for humans to use as a trigger to call on them. I’ve had my guides tell me that names are of no conse- quence whatsoever, that calling for “My Spirit Guide” would be sufficient. However, once a name is offered or agreed upon and established, it is an easy way to summon your guide. It also makes everything more personal, and that could mean more powerful, too.

This is important to remember: whatever name first comes to you, accept it, no matter how strange or how simple it is. Don’t question it. It will pop into your mind and that name will be the key to contacting your Spirit Guide. They may also tell you a bit about themselves: when they walked the face of Abred; what their profession or occupation was; or you may simply guess this by their dress.