October | 2013 | Temple of the Cosmic Spheres

Archive for October, 2013

In Communication- The Temple of Mercury

Posted in Magick, Mercury, The Temple of Mercury on October 30, 2013 by themagickalpen

We end our exploration of Mercury taking a look at ways to incorporate its energy in our magickal workings. The diversity of this planet and its ability to change direction and focus on a dime are one of the aspects that make this planetary energy very accessible and relevant. There are many ways to utilize Mercury’s energy for Magickal workings; its versatility a reflection of the potential held in communication itself. Mercury lends its energy to any magickal working whose intent is to open those lines of communication. These are some of the ways to access its power:

Anything requiring exchange, flow and communication:

• Relationships
• Finances
• Jobs
• Health

Some keywords for consideration:

• Mental pursuits
• Learning
• Teaching
• Study
• Travel
• Movement
• Duality
• Invention
• Inspiration
• Commerce
• Flow of Finances
• Healing

Daily Magick:

We can use Mercury’s energy for empowering its given planetary day- Wednesday– and any important tasks that require creative and active communication. And, if we refine further, we can access Mercury’s planetary hour of any given day and focus our intent for that time period in getting our ideas and thoughts moving and flowing. For more information about the Planetary Days and Hours, check out the post below:

Day 23- Temple of the Moon- Go Quietly in the Night

Solar/Lunar Magick:

Aligning with the phases of the Moon and Solar cycles calls upon Mercury as astrological ruler and can be further refined by using the lens of the element and modality of that astrological sign. Since Mercury is the ruler of Gemini and Virgo, the opportunity here is to access the inspired flow of communication through the quickening of mind and intellect (the Air Quality of Gemini) and drawing it down into the space of inventive form (the Earth Quality of Virgo). Both are of the Mutable modality so the burgeoning quality of beginnings is present giving the potential for a catalytic nature.

Solar Magick

During the astrological solar months of Gemini (May-June) and Virgo (August-Sept) we have several weeks of Mercury’s energy to be drawn upon in a steady stream of illuminating flow enlivened by the solar dynamics. The emphasis will be different with each. Gemini is elemental Air and hones in on the mental processes and flashes of inspiration. Virgo is elemental Earth bringing what is inspiring down in to the manifest realm after the testing of analytical assessment and curing.

You could effectively use this energy for a month long working to improve the ways in which you articulate your thoughts. This would be a good time to also begin creative projects that emphasize developing new paths of communication, improve relationships or stimulate your financial flow. Writing is bolstered during this time, so working on a book, articles, essays or reports should produce some interesting results.

Lunar Magick

Lunar Magick follows the cycles of the moon as it waxes and wanes and makes use of that energy to enhance workings. To get you started here are some Moon phase basics:

Waxing and Waning

The Waxing Moon is the time between the New Moon and the Full Moon

The Waning Moon is the time between the Full Moon and the last day of the last quarter– just prior to the New Moon

Although Magickal working can be done at any time, there are specific times during the lunar cycle when your workings can be enhanced. One of the first considerations is what type of New Moon energy is used for beginning a working. It is the initial and quickening stage of what will become. What is planted here will determine the outcome at the time of fullness.

The Waxing of the moon, from New to Full, provides a crescendo or building effect

Full Moon energy is used to strengthen and support the apex of the working having reached a space of ripeness, maturity and readiness to be fully acted upon.

The Waning of the moon from peak of Full to the subsequent New Moon allows for release and diminishing of energetic effect

Dark Waning Moon energy is used as a time to release, cut away and make ready the soil for the planting of new seeds.

Mercury’s energy can be applied when the lunar phase is in one of the astrological signs its rules- Gemini or Virgo. These are some of the types of workings that could be considered.

New Moon in Virgo/Gemini – Mercury Planetary Ruler – Workings may include:

Opening (or reopening) up lines of communication.

Planting the seeds of intent for successful writing projects or any creative ventures.

Having goal of cleared understanding of any intellectual pursuit; a new area of study and learning, or preparing to teach a new workshop or class.

Take a look at the posts below for the New Moon in Virgo for an idea of Mercury’s influence through the filter of Virgo.

Waxing Moon in Virgo- Day 6- Temple of the Moon – Still Waters All Around

New Moon in Virgo- Analysis and Building

Full Moon in Gemini/Virgo- Mercury Planetary Ruler – Workings may include:

Bolstering and acknowledgement of the continued progress of any workings begun at the new Moon.

Analytical scrutiny of what areas of your mental processes need refinement.

Strengthening the intent of harmonious interactions in all relationships, contracts and agreements.

Dark Waning Moon in Gemini/Virgo- Mercury Planetary Ruler – Workings may include:

Release of negative commentary about the self.

Release of what is not in harmony with continued growth of any workings begun at New Moon or weaknesses revealed at Full Moon.

Release and blocking gossip, ineffectual communication.

Take a look at the Posts below for Waning Moon in Gemini and an idea of Mercury’s Energy through the filter of Gemini.

Day 24 of Temple of the Moon- Talk it Up

Day 25 of Temple of the Moon- The Epiphany of Silence

To read more about Lunar and Solar Magick check out Lesson Nine from A Year and A Day on the Wiccan Path

Tarot:

The energy of Mercury can be called upon to enhance a reading or as a tool for meditation and deeper reflection on the archetypal energy of the planet. The Key aligned with Mercury is that of the Magician.

Key 1- The Magician

I am the master of two worlds
I am the conduit of Divine Inspiration and physical Desire
I have passed through the veil of the Fool
and have emerged transformed
The perfect synthesis of As Above So Below
I am that which is attained at the end of Desire

The Rider-Waite Deck depicts the Magician as one who has mastered control of the above so the below. The lemniscate of eternity and duality hovers above the mind/intellect. His is the quintessential form of communication; that of the Divine SELF and the Mundane Self. The Magician represents the perfect union of Divinity and Humanity. He has successfully traversed the leap of faith of the Fool and made the choice of pursuing the Path of Divine Inspiration, open and ready to serve as both conduit and generator. This card speaks to both the virtues and the vices of the mundane and the spiritual. Without control over one’s lower nature, the Higher Self will never be realized. An Ego driven spiritual practice will result in short-lived control, anchored neither in the real world or the higher realms of the spiritual.

In the Toth Tarot Deck- The Magus (Magician) is depicted as Hermes/Mercury outright. The vortex of mind, thought and illuminating energy all emanating into and from him.

Energetic and Healing Practice:

In energetic and healing practice each of the planets aligns with specific areas of our subtle and physical anatomy. Each of the fingers on the hands is assigned a planet. Chakras and the Seven Sisters (Endocrine System) are each assigned a planetary energy. The implication here is affirmation of The Universal Law of Correspondence– As Above , So Below, As Within, So Without and the cosmic and celestial inter-connectedness of man and his world.

The Hands- Mudras

Within Eastern Practice, Mudras are described as hand positions. Each area of the hand has a reflex reaction in a specific part of the brain. A Mudra locks and guides energy flow and reflexes to the brain. The Mudras redirect the energy flow, linking the individual pranic energy with universal force. Each finger represents the energy of a planet, a determinate quality, and emotions. The thumbs represents the ego. (1)

Below is a picture of the Buddhi Mudra, using the fourth finger which is attributed to the planet Mercury and the thumb (Ego). (2)

BUDDHI MUDRA (SEAL OF MENTAL CLARITY) (2)

How: Touch tip of little (fourth) finger and tip of thumb. Other three fingers are straight.

Effect: Creates capacity to clearly and intuitively communicate, stimulates psychic development.

Planet: Mercury; quickness, mental powers of communication.

Healing Work

Mercury resonates with the throat chakra – the seat of communication. As you do your daily chakra clearing or meditation, engage the throat chakra with focus and intent. Envision it filled with the energy of Mercury and the ability to inform and communicate clearly and effectively. Imagine the glyph of Mercury placed at your throat:

The glyph itself incorporates the lower crescent of the Moon (emotions intuitive sight), the circle of eternity, wholeness and the Cross of descent into matter, or as above so below (vertical line) and as within so without (horizontal line). From this center sphere of wholeness intuitive energy flows to co-mingle with the upwards energy of matter and spirit which issues forth as communication, words and expression.

Auspicious Occasions:

The Archetypal energy of Mercury as Psychopomp can be called upon when engaging in ritual, meditation or other workings to connect with the ancestors. You may offer up request to send messages of inquiry to them or the return of information to you. Samhain is typically the time for this work, although not limited to. You may also call upon Mercury to guide your loved one and to ease their passing.

See the Samhain Article- Parting the Veils and Opening to the Ancestors for a Pathworking that could be used with the focus of Mercury’s energy in mind.

These are but a few of the many ways to access and engage with the dynamic energy of Mercury. Be creative in your approach, allow your mind and thoughts to open to the possibilities and see how effortlessly you can attune to staying in communication.

I hope you have enjoyed our journey through the Temple of Mercury and as always, I welcome comments and your experiences with these amazing Temples!

1. The Secrets of Yoga
2. 3HOKundalini Yoga

Upcoming:

Sunday, Nov. 3rd.- New Moon in Scorpio

Join me in the Temple of Venus- Sunday, December 1.2013

Meet Me at the Station: Mercury Retrograde

Posted in Mercury, The Temple of Mercury with tags Air, celestial, communication, cosmic, duality, esoteric writings, planetary days, Temple of Mercury on October 23, 2013 by themagickalpen

Monday started like any other day, except that I couldn’t log on to my brand new computer. A colleague arrived late for a meeting that she had scheduled just days ago. The sales clerk couldn’t comprehend that I wanted a small coffee not a large chai and words on the page of the report I needed to read, just weren’t sinking in even after the third read! Of course, the dreaded Mercury Retrograde was to blame and would be on the receiving end of this blame until November 10th- the date of my youngest daughter’s milestone 21st birthday. I hope I don’t send the card a week late!

Technological snafus and crashes, misunderstandings, brain fogginess and lack of mental acuity and articulation are some of the cautions when talkative Mercury slows its course. This posting is not going to belabor the miseries of Mercury retrograde. I hope instead to offer a creative and positive way of looking at a space of pressurized expansion of how we think and communicate.

Mercury began its cycle of Retrograde on Monday at 6:29am (EDT). Other than a Saturn Return, the Mercury retrograde can be one of the most frustrating of times primarily, because this planet’s energy is all about communication. The Retrograde period usually occurs 2-3 times per year and lasts approximately 21-28 days and is distinctly marked as a time when communication and their supportive devices come to a screeching halt and misunderstandings are the norm. Let’s begin by taking a look at the scientific definition of a retrograde.

Astronomy 101: What is a Retrograde Motion?

An animation showing the retrograde motion of Mars in summer of 2003.
Credit: Eugene Alvin Villar

“Typically, the planets shift slightly eastward from night to night, drifting slowly against the backdrop of stars. From time to time, however, they change direction. For a few months, they’ll head west before turning back around and resuming their easterly course. This is “retrograde motion”. Though it baffled ancient astronomers, we know now that retrograde planets are an illusion caused by the motion of Earth.” Astronomer: Christopher Crokett (1.)

The Stations of Activity and the Zodiac

Astrologically, when a planet changes direction in its normal path of progression through the zodiac, this is called a “station”. The planet’s progress slows down in is orbit until it appears to pause in its motion giving the appearance of moving backwards. The Retrograde Station occurs when the planet begins this slowing down and seeming movement backwards. The Direct Station occurs when the forward motion of the planet begins again. Whatever astrological sign the planet retrogrades in gives added emphasis and more intensity to how the planet expresses its own energy now given a full and prolonged dose of the sign’s own specificities. These highly potent effects can be building or waning (depending on which end of the station you find yourself) for days prior or after. Much like, the concentrated effort needed in slowing down to come to a traffic light, pausing, and then having to carefully and incrementally apply enough gas to reach your top speed again.

Repeat yourself.
If you like it, do it again.
If you don’t like it, do it again. (2.)

In previous posts I’ve talked a lot about the dynamics of Mercury and how facile this energy is in providing information through varied means of communication and creative style. A Mercury retrograde offers up the opportunity to refine that style and if you slow down with the process rather than fighting against the presumed outcomes you will find there is much to learn about how you communicate. This is a time of amplifying and heightening the awareness of how we move through our daily exchanges and process information. The caution of giving more scrutiny to agreements and contracts provides an opportunity to take the time to really internalize and be sure that you clearly understand the effects of the cause you will be setting into motion. This space of pause and deeper reflection means that there is also greater depth to the amount of change you can exert before you have backed yourself into a less than optimal outcome.

Allow events to change you.
You have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live it. The prerequisites for growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be changed by them. (3.)

Everyone makes mistakes and finds themselves at the mercy of the consequences of what that mistake created. We also often use circumstances as the reason for not allowing ourselves to fall, fail and start over again with a fresh perspective. Think of the Mercury retrograde as a petri dish in which to cultivate that fresh perspective at an organic level. What we change of our emotional reactions can become informed and insightful responses that affect the way we communicate those responses. Instead of falling prey to the annoyances of delays and miscommunication, allow yourself the pause to be creative in how you choose to respond. Don’t allow the excuse of “oh well, Mercury is retrograde, so….” to enable you in avoiding a growth opportunity. Remember that Mercury is the trickster, but there is also the element of duality to that slyness. Try to view the delays and less than articulate interactions as points of polarities. Each, having their extremes with the goal being to try to stabilize and balance out those extremes so that the smooth flow of communication can begin anew. Remember, Mercury/Hermes was the Messenger of the Gods. What messages are you sending when you don’t slow down and reevaluate.

Slow down.
Desynchronize from standard time frames and
surprising opportunities may present themselves. (4.)

We live in highly energized times and are largely at the mercy of perceived “time” and most often feel rushed with each decision we make. Even when the message is loud and clear that we need to stop and/or reverse our decision we hesitate, feeling that we are being weak in our communication and ineffectual in our results. The Mercury retrograde allows the space of disengagement from our regular way of doing business.

Slow down a bit from your ordinary frenetic pace. Unplug for a few hours voluntarily (and before the computer crashes or the cell phone loses its signal) and put some space between the compulsive need to instantly react to every new path technology calls you to. You may actually find that you like this new freedom of being unfettered and at the beck and call of technology. Those interruptions of signals of communication that frequently crash or reroute during a Mercury retrograde are metaphors for the disruption of our own communications by relying too heavily on devices to keep us talking and communicating instead of creating our own network of personal interface.

Light it up!

Here’s another thought! The Sun moves into the astrological sign of Scorpio today, October 23rd. Scorpio is a Water sign of the Fixed Modality. The water aspect relates to depths of emotions and the Fixed quality brings a stability and structure to help form a suitable container for their flow. One of Scorpio’s compelling attributes is the quality of taking what is hidden and deeply buried and pulling it up to the surface to be used either in a destructive way or as a positive lesson. The Sun in this sign serves to shine its light to illuminate those dark, dusty corners of mind and heart that like to remain hidden from sight.

With this additional overlay upon Mercury’s retrograde, there is great opportunity to shine this spotlight of strength and courage on what bubbles to the surface about how we connect to others and communicate our needs and wants. We can examine where we may be less than honest with ourselves regarding the agreements we have with ourselves and the effects these have on our communication with others. We can redefine where we rely to heavily on artificial means of communication and how to free up our more inspired and creative mind supported by those hidden talents we’ve kept under wraps. We can also use this energy to push full throttle and see just what we are capable of when we allow the dynamics of Mercury’s full power to exert it creative flow.

So, for better or worse a Mercury Retrograde awakens new ways to problem solve and rewire your communication hard drive. On a practical note, it wouldn’t hurt to back up important files on your computer, make sure important appointment dates are confirmed and carry an extra battery, just in case for anything requiring one.

An Interesting Side Note:

What I left out is that if you have a retrograde Mercury in your natal chart, many are immune to the “side effects” of this period of time. That heightened sense of awareness about communication skills, goes into overdrive and tends to make the individual more verbose and able to navigate largely unscathed. So, I apologize for the wordiness of this post. I am one of those Retrograde Mercurians!

Resources:

1. Earth Sky Blog by Christopher Crokett

2-4. The Incomplete Manifesto for Change by Bruce Mau

Next Week:
We’ll conclude our time in the Temple with information about Mercury and Planetary Magick.

4 Comments »

The Temple of Mercury-The Glory of Hod

Posted in Magick, Mercury, The Temple of Mercury with tags Air, celestial, cosmic, duality, esoteric writings, Hod, Meditation, Mercury, Qabalah on October 16, 2013 by themagickalpen

This week we will take a look at the expression of Mercury through its attribution on the Qabalistic tree of Life. Mercury is the Planetary energy of the sphere of Hod. In order to fully understand the nature of this sphere you must have a bit of knowledge about the Tree of Life, itself and the other spheres that form the greater whole. Although this may not seem to directly relate to the Temple of Mercury it is an important piece of this dynamic planets energetic signature. The lesson to be gained from this exploration is an affirmation of the flexibility of Mercury’s mind and style of communication. In other words, replace the name of Hod with that of Mercury wherever you see it used!

Applying this overlay of a mystical system that expands and easily maps in accord with its topic of application just as fluidly as Mercury’s movement, opens new doors of experience and interconnectedness found within all of the planetary temples. The inherent wisdom of these energies permeates all levels of understanding, philosophy and teachings. The semantics may differ, but if you have the basics down, you can easily identify Mercury’s (or any of the planets) place in the equation. So, in the spirit of drilling deeper into what Mercury looks like in another of its forms, take a journey into the Tree of Life.

Qabalah Boot Camp – Just the Basics

The subject matter of the Qabalah is one that many people do not easily gravitate towards; either deterred by the sheer mass of its scope or feeling that this particular overlay of system has no reference to the purely magickal systems. Although, rooted in the Judaic mystical system the Kabbalah (spelling is Judaic form)/Qabalah (spelling used to distinguish as Western Hermetic overlay) this construct of energy, thought and working is a suitable companion to any magickal and spiritual system. The sheer fact that a statement such as that can be made offers testament to the enduring scope and permanence of its application over a broad and diverse spectrum. Within the Tradition to which I belong, The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, the principles of the Qabalah are strongly and consistently used throughout all of our covens and the enhancement to the magickal workings and rituals is undeniable and the change evoked through its deeper exploration is palpable among those who incorporate it into their lives.

The Qabalistic Tree of Life describes the descent of the divine into the manifest world, and methods by which divine union may be attained in this life. It can be viewed as a map of the human psyche and of the workings of creation, both manifest and un-manifest. Some of its components are:

10 Sephiroth (Spheres) each having their own specific energetic signature and action.

22 Paths that connect the spheres and act as the synthesizing conduits of connection

3 Pillars of Application of that energy. The Pillar of Severity (Hod-Geburah-Binah), The Pillar of Mercy (Netzach-Chesed-Chokmah)- The Middle Pillar (Malkuth-Yesod-Tiphareth-Kether)

4 Worlds of Action– Each of the spheres exists in each of the four worlds and has a slightly different emphasis of intent depending on which of the worlds is acting upon it.

The Qabalistic story of the creative action of manifestation from the Source of All/Godhead down to the realm of physical and manifest form can be described in this way:

In the beginning there was nothingness- the absence of substance and form (Ain); and as the nothing became aware of itself it also realized the limitlessness nature (Ain Soph) of its being. This realization expanded and with more awareness came the birthing of limitless light (Ain Soph Aur). This limitless light felt the urge to create- and from it emanated Divine Intelligence – Kether. All things needing balance- in its wisdom Kether split and from this source of being the remaining nine (9) spheres became emanations of the varied permutations of Wisdom, Understanding, Mercy, Severity, Beauty, Victory, Glory, Foundation and finally coming to rest in the Kingdom of Earth- Malkuth.

10 Sephiroth (Spheres) of Emanation

The Sephiroth are States of Being and act as vessels to contain the Divine energy that spills forth from the God-Head or Crown of Kether (being the highest expression of the Divine) down into Malkuth, the densest and manifest physical world of Man. The spheres at the top of the tree are more refined in energy – more transparent and expressive of pure Light. As we descend down the tree each sphere gains more density- less clarity of brilliance of light until we come to rest in the earth plane of Malkuth. Each sphere has both an English and Hebrew name and countless correspondences attributed to each. These are keywords only to a larger tome of mystery. The pictures below show the diagrams of :

Fig. 1– The Tree, the names of the spheres, the number in order on the Tree

Fig. 2- The Planetary Correspondences to Each Sphere

Sphere 1-Kether – The Crown- The Crown of Attainment- the ‘Cause of causes”- the unknowable- The Mystical Consciousness- (Modern- Uranus)

Sphere 2-Chokmah– Wisdom- The Word of God- true Will untainted by the material nature- The Radiant Consciousness- The Zodiac (Modern- Neptune)

Sphere 3-Binah– Understanding- The Great Sea- absolute belief- The Sanctified Consciousness- Saturn

Sphere 4-Chesed– Mercy- Majesty- The place of greater awareness and pure compassion-The Settled Consciousness- Jupiter

Sphere 5-Geburah– Might – Strength and Justice- excision and the necessary cutting away- The Rooted Consciousness – Mars

Sphere 6-Tiphareth– Beauty- Sacrifice- the receptive place of the flow of emanations from Kether- The Transcendental Influx Consciousness- The Sun

Sphere 7-Netzach– Victory- The Beauty of Nature- The Hidden Consciousness – Venus

Sphere 8-Hod– Glory- Splendor- the sphere of science and craft- the analytical nature and communicative learning- The Perfect Consciousness – This is the place of Mercury

Sphere 9-Yesod– The Foundation- sphere of the subconscious- the Lunar Gates- dreams and illusion – the astral – The Pure Consciousness – The Moon

Sphere 10-Malkuth– The Kingdom- the plane of physical existence and manifest reality- the elements and all of manifest Life- The Scintillating Consciousness – Earth

The Sphere of Communication

The Planetary ruler of Hod is Mercury, so it is fitting that this sphere is considered the sphere of communication. Within its rationale and reasoning are the tools that may be used in discovering the deeper mystery contained within information. It is through the crystal clarity of pristine thinking that enables better and more efficient means of communicating what knowledge has been extracted. It is also this modality that makes Hod the ideal energetic support for ritual work.

The Element of Water

The sphere of Hod is assigned to the element of water; despite the appearance that its should be a sphere of Air given the pure thought, reasoning power and intellect. Simply put this is the action of Water of Air. The watery aspect insures fluidity and movement as well as the eroding and smoothing away of what is presenting obstacle. This is the breath of mind that is carried on the varied and great streams of consciousness that diverge and reunite again as new tributaries and channels are opened. Regardless of the route they all resynthesize and become part of the One as the destination of return to Source is achieved.

Capacity of the Mind

Hod is the first sphere on the ascent of the Tree that has multiple paths of connection including the place of sitting at the base of the Pillar of Severity. It is also connected via a Path to Tiphareth (the central sphere of the Tree) to the left of Netzach (the base sphere of the Pillar of Mercy) and reaching upwards out of the Moon sphere of Yesod. Just as the mind and brain have many chambers, corridors and paths contained within, Hod offers many routes of emanation from its core to be opened and awakened as the place where structure, order, categorization, analysis and making sense of it all. Hod also serves as the distributor of what work has been accomplished in the manifest realm of Malkuth and the discernment of Yesod upwards towards its more refined spheres.

The Illusion of the Sphere: Falsehood, Dishonesty

The Illusion of Hod is false ego based on faulty knowledge. It is the allowance of what is subjective and personality-filtered information to fill the coffers of our minds disguised as unbiased thought. Furthermore, claiming credit for those brilliant seeds of inspiration when they are nothing more than the over inflated toutings of one craving acknowledgement for being wise, breeds the dishonesty of validation that is not merit based, nor is it sound in its reasoning.

As the time honored thought on this matter goes- true wisdom cannot be found within the knowledge of book learning and course study. True wisdom is what is the result of experiencing at the level of connection to a Higher Consciousness what has been learned through books and study and transforming it into an enlivened part of oneself that cannot be disputed, argued, reasoned away or often even explained to others who have not also had similar experience on the path towards Wisdom.

Connecting to Mercury Through Its Expression in Hod

Many of the modalities we use to establish connection to the greater and lesser worlds, inner and outer worlds are directed through the energy of Mercury as its core component. We desire the ability to understand and comprehend what we perceive by way of information and we act to recreate those moments when we experience clear, palpable and penetrable communication from a Divine source. We evoke and invoke Deity by way of fusing mind and heart with desire and will and establish sacred space through communication of movement, action, intent and the power of the word and breath.

As example, Mindfulness Meditation is an expression of Mercury’s mental prowess. The premise is simple in the goal of simply offering acknowledgement to each thought that presents itself in the continuous stream of consciousness; and by so doing allowing them to flow easily beyond the field of distraction. As simple as the premise is, the difficulty in wrangling the mind to “think” in this highly organized and methodical way is one of determination and dedicated discipline. I think this is Mercury in its pure essence of form. Speed that must be directed in order to slow the cognitive functions in alignment with what the desired product of manifestation hopes to become.

An Exercise in Opening to The Mind

As you move through your day, take a few minutes in the morning, at lunchtime and before bed to check in with your thinking self. Try to be aware of where some of these perceptions and thoughts have originated. Were they the products of interaction with others? Were they the products of you sitting quietly and mindfully “brainstorming” the solution to a problem? Were they the products of inspired reading or did they seem to flow from the muses themselves?

Although we use the faculty of thought regularly throughout the day, the quality and receptivity of that process are often the results of being on autopilot, without much attention to what is actually happening. Try to set aside some time each day (15 minutes is a good starting point) to sit quietly and be fully engaged in what thoughts, ideas and inspirations are moving through you. Write down these ideas. They are often the seeds of a great idea or even potential answers to something that at a subconscious level may have been of concern. By establishing a routine time to simply “be” with your thoughts, you are facilitating a greater opening to the Universal and Cosmic ideology that surrounds us. And, once that connection is made, you are then opening to the Divine.

Next week: Mercury Goes Retrograde on October 21@6:29am (EDT) What does this mean and how to navigate its influence?

Resources

WitchVox:

13 Keys: The Glory of Hod

Thirteeen Keys to the Qabalistic Tree of Life: Over view

On-line course of study:

A Year Within the Tree of Life:

Book:

The Inner Chamber Volume Two: Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah
By R. Fennelly.Serpent’s Gate.2012

1 Comment »

The Temple of Mercury-Is Anybody Out There?

Posted in Magick, Mercury, The Temple of Mercury with tags Air, astrology, celestial, cosmic, duality, earth, esoteric writings, Hermes, mutable, pathworking, planetary days, quicksilver, Temple of Mercury, Virgo on October 9, 2013 by themagickalpen

Wednesday, October 9.2013- Wk. Two

NOTE: Last week there was an error in attribution of Planetary Day. Mercury rules Wednesday, so posts will be on Wednesdays.

As we discovered last week, Mercury is “the planet of communication, inquiry and dissemination through all creative acts of connection and interaction. In summary, Mercury always wants to know “What’s up?”; and then spread the news received.” Not only does it want to get the information out there but also wants response to that dissemination and the knowledge that people actually “got” what was being conveyed.

The astrological wheel and natal chart of an individual are the ultimate Mercury experience. Information is held in each planet, astrological sign and house in which it is placed and the resultant aspects they form. The more you peel back the layers of this information, the depth you find within your own natal blueprint. This enables you to respond to your potential strengths and transform your weaknesses in a way that sets up the lines of communication and creativity within you. The possibilities are endless and makes us more curious about our world and those in it.

Astrological Mercury

So, in that spirit of curiosity, this week we’ll take a look at the energy of the planet Mercury and its Astrological persona. Mercury is the ruling planet of two astrological signs- Gemini and Virgo. These Astrological signs are of the Mutable Modality; meaning that they hold the energy of flexibility, expansion and thresholds of endings and new beginnings. Looking deeper, they are of the elements of Air (Gemini) and Earth (Virgo). And if we consider them together we have the basic Mercurian goal. That of taking those inspired thoughts, sending them out in all manner of airy flow and movement; having them stand the test of analysis and sorting so they may be brought down into a place manifest reality (Virgo) and ultimate creation. This is the primary directive of any type of communication- to have it brought to life in a concrete and useable way!

Mercury – The Exhale of Communication and the Vehicle of Expression

Element:	Air/Earth
House:	Three and Six
Astro Sign of Rulership:	Gemini/Virgo
Day of the Week:	Wednesday
Medical:	Nerves & Lungs

The Astrological Houses

Mercury is the ruling planet of the Third and Sixth Houses. The Third is the place of expression, personal and spiritual. The Sixth is that of service and creating/offering something useful to others. These are considered Cadent Houses and as such offer the potential for growth and expansion. You could liken this to the Mutable modality in that both are expressions of taking what has been gathered and drawing it to a final state of being before the cycle of expansion begins anew.

HOUSE THREE Self- Expression/Presentation- What you possess and how you express/define yourself by these acquisitions.

House Type	Cadent
Ruling Sign:	Gemini
Ruling Planet:	Mercury
Element	Air
Modality	Mutable

HOUSE SIX Service/Career- That which is your calling? Where you feel responsibility and act upon it. Harmonious collaboration. And, how freely and where you offer your gifts and talents to sustain connectivity.

House Type	Cadent
Ruling Sign:	Virgo
Ruling Planet:	Mercury
Element	Earth
Modality	Mutable

The Archetypes

All Deities of communication would fit into the scope of Mercury’s qualities; the most well known of these being Hermes, the Divine Messenger of the Gods. He is portrayed as protector and patron of travelers, shepherds, thieves, orators and wit, literature and poets, athletics and sports, invention and trade. In some myths he is a trickster; and, so quick is his tongue and mind that he could talk his way out of or into any situation he desired. It was also the duty of Hermes to act as psychomp, guiding the souls of the dead down to the underworld. He was closely connected with bringing dreams to mortals in answer to the queries they had. Hermes is usually depicted with a broad-brimmed hat or a winged cap, winged sandals and the heralds staff (Caduceus in Latin). It was often shown as a shaft with two white ribbons, although later these were represented by serpents intertwined in a figure of eight shape, coiling upward towards a dual winged tipped. The clothes he was shown wearing are usually that of a traveler, or of a workman or shepherd. Other symbols of Hermes are the cock, tortoise and purse or pouch. His Roman counterpart was named “Mercury”.

Caduceus

The connection to Medicine and the mercurial caduceus which is its universal symbol speak to the need for clear, concise communication in the healing arts. This communication may take the form of physiological neural pathways, energetic resonance or simply good bedside manner, which encourages the patient to be compliant in their treatment. At the energetic level, there has been much research done regarding the correlation of mind/thought and the ability for the body/manifest form to heal and maintain the health of itself.

The Planetary Glyph

The Planetary glyph of Mercury also offers layers of meaning. It is composed of three basic geometric shapes. Once you have the basic understanding of these symbols you can draw your own conclusions about the glyphs of the other planets.

The Circle:

Eternity – Cycles – Connectivity

The Crescent:

Eternity Parceled – The Moon – Involution

The Equilateral Cross:

The Four Quarters – Point of Intersection – Cross Polarity

So we could think of Mercury as drawing down into itself the wisdom of the higher and intuitive realms; moving it through the varied cycles of connectivity and producing the potential for manifest realms at the point of intersection of the inpouring of the four elements and the space of Malkuth or the manifest realm.

No journey would be complete through this exciting realm of Mercury if it did not include a pathworking to capture the essence and vibrancy of the Mercurian Mind. In keeping with Mercury’s informative nature read through the information prefacing the pathworking for suggestions about getting more from the experience.

Good– Read through the pathworking each time you want to use it. Make note of pausing in the reading wherever it feels like more time would be spent in the specific train of thought.

Better- Read through the pathworking several times and as you do so, try to set up key points that are stored in the memory. In this way, you can create your own scenarios using the structure of the original pathworking without having to read through the text each time.

Best- Employ the physicality of recording the pathworking in your own voice (which produces an effective recognizable neurological imprint inducing physiological response and imprint) to listen to.

When you are ready to make the recording be sure to select a space where you will not be interrupted and has minimal background noise.

Be sure to speak slowly (more so, if you tend to speak quickly and do not annunciate well) and clearly and to give pause where it would naturally occur if you were reading aloud. There may be some points in the pathworking where you will want to spend several minutes in the locale that is being presented. Remember to give adequate time of silence for this. Do not stop the recording, simply pause and restart it. Allow the amount of time you wish to have to fill the space on the recording and then resume the reading of the pathworking.

Regardless of what method you use, remain open and receptive to what presents to you beyond what has been scripted through the pathworking. Having a journal to record your impressions can serve as a valuable tool if you plan to use the pathworking again.

Quicksilver Speak

A Pathworking in the Temple of Gemini

Turn your focus and attention to your breath. Allow the space of your consciousness to move with the rise and fall of your chest and the filling and release of the lungs. Continue in this manner for several breaths; allowing each to become softer, smoother and slower. With each breath your physical body appears to become lighter and your center of consciousness floats upwards towards the inner eye. You feel enveloped by the mist of transition between the Physical and Astral. And as this veil thins you step through a veil of dark blue mist and find yourself standing centrally in a circular room. As you look around you see that this space opens out to a star lit night sky. The velvety blackness above holds a twinkling of starry light that fills the panoramic view above. The walls encircle you and are of a deep bluish purple. As your eyes adjust to this room you notice an archway just ahead of you. The glyph of Gemini, the Twins hovers in the entryway.

As you step through the orange glow of the Glyph of Gemini you see two perfectly mirrored twins sitting having a conversation. They are both blonde and although they appear androgynous, as many children do, there are slight nuances and physical features that separate them as being male and female. They pause in mid-sentence for a moment, turning to acknowledge your arrival, and then turn back to one another continuing the same thread of thought. Question, answer, and statement flash back and forth between the two at lightening speed. You feel both energized and a bit exhausted as your mental processes are not of this mind-set and cannot keep pace with the chameleon like changes in rhythm, clarity and intonation. You turn your attention to the room and see that books line shelves which encompass all four walls; and papers are strewn about haphazardly as though they had recently been impatiently rifled through and then carelessly left wherever they were put. You stand off to the side and observe how each of the children seems to change their mental position at will. One will agree on what statement has been made and then completely disagree about another. The other seeming to mirror every change of its twin with a steady and regulated pace.

They are discussing their favorite activity of reading and as the conversation becomes more excited, they stand and begin to gesture and point to make clearer their statement fact. As they move around the room going from one conversation to another surrounding this book or that you sense that somehow although appearing to be two, they are actually of one mind. That the duality you are seeing is actually the mental acrobatics of a mind that shifts and moves in accord with wherever the stronger enticement lay. This is the secret of their mental agility. The sheer ability to adapt and change at will to suit the needs of the situation. Although you are excited to have solved this one piece of the puzzle and are beginning to feel more at ease in following the direction, speed and flow of their conversation, your attention is drawn to one corner of the room.

You see a beautifully decorated standing mirror placed diagonally in the corner space between two of the walls. As you move towards it, the sound of the conversation seems to fade and just as you come to standing directly in front of the mirror you turn to see if the twins have fallen silent, and see that you are in the room alone. As you turn back towards the mirror you see more clearly your own reflection. You are a bit surprised, because although you recognize the reflection as being yourself, you also notice that there is the slightest bit of difference. It is not something you could concretely describe or even attribute to distortion of the glass; but rather, more of a perception.

Thoughts of the Coney Island fun house mirrors flood your mind, but those are more straightforward in their deception. This is almost transparent in its subtleness. Your eyes focus on the images of the room behind you that are also reflected. And, again the same feeling of something being ever so slightly different bubbles up. As you stand looking at this mirrored image, you notice that your mood has somewhat changed. You had felt energized and excited, but now as you stare into the glass, you feel a heaviness of mind in trying to solve this perplexing state of vision. It seems as though the longer you stare into this reflection, the more withdrawn and irritated you feel. You take a deep breath, sighing heavily. Just as you release the last bit of exhale, you hear the sounds of heated debate and conversation flooding back into the space.

You turn and see that the twins are once again sitting at the table and debating which game is the most challenging. As the sounds become louder, your mood begins to lift as well. You look back at the mirror and are surprised to see that your image, as well as the room behind you are just as you thought they should be. You think on the changeability of perceptions and ideas and how there are always two sides to every process of thought. You think on the flexibility that approach from this aspect permits, but you also remember the sheer exhaustion of that flexibility and the never ending cycle that can be created by not fully committing to one stream of thought.

You look towards the twins once again and see that they too have succumbed to the mental acrobatics. Each rests a blonde curly head on the table-top, eyes closed. You imagine that even in their dreams they are exploring new topics of discussion, new ways of problem solving and always sensing the dual nature of each expression.

As you deepen into these musings, you are surprised to find that you are once again standing centrally in the circular room. You make mental note that there had been no obvious transition from one space to the other and you think back to the trickery of the mirror you gazed into. Giving this no more thought, you look upwards towards the night sky and it seems as though a few of the stars are shining a bit more brightly now than when you first entered. You take a deep breath in and as you exhale, you feel enlivened and at peace in this space of celestial beauty. You know you can visit again and the thought fills you with anticipation of what each of your journeys will reveal. You gently close your eyes and when you open them you are surrounded by the blue veil of energy that carried you to this inner sky. As you take a few more deep breaths and fill the intent with awareness of your physical being and return to your physical space, the mist clears and the smells, sounds and sights of the room in which you began our journey floods your senses. You feel the floor beneath you and the chair on which you are sitting. Noises of the mundane world come back filling ear and mind with thoughts of going about the rest of your day or evening. You take a deep breath in, savoring the vestiges of your astral journey and the insight it provided, and strongly exhale out affirming your oneness with the present moment of physical time and space.

Pathworking Excerpted from: It’s Written in the Stars.R.Fennelly.2012

Recommended Reading:

Lyn Birkbeck. Divine Astrology-Enlisting the Aid of Planetary Powers
Linda Goodman: Star Signs
Linda Goodman: Sun Signs
Steven Forrest. The Inner Sky
Alan Oken. Soul Centered Astrology
Lindsey River and Sally Gillespie. The Knot of Time: Astrology and the Female Experience

Temple of Mercury Post on Wednesday

Posted in Magick, Mercury, The Temple of Mercury, Uncategorized on October 8, 2013 by themagickalpen

The Temple of Mercury posts will be on Wednesdays. I was in error when I attributed Tuesday as the planetary day of Mercury. It is actually Wednesday.

Check back tomorrow and discover the Astrological Mercury!

New Moon in Libra

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Moon Tide with tags Air, astrology, cardinal, celestial, cosmic, esoteric writings, Hecate, Libra, Lunar, new moon, poetry, Sage Woman Blog on October 4, 2013 by themagickalpen

New Moon in Libra
8:35 p.m. EDT
Sun in Libra

Thought some of you may be interested in a post I wrote for my Sage Woman Blog calling upon the energy of Hecate for this New Moon. You may also use the imagery of my experience to set up your own meditation in meeting her at the Crossroads. See the poem below and click on the link following to read the full post. Blessings of the Moon’s energy:

The Longing of the Maiden

I call to you at the
Newness of the Moon.

I wait at the crossroads
And, call out in longing
For you to ask of me what you will.

I stand clothed in the promise
Of guiding you as I light the way.

I wait and there is only the
Sound of my own longing to
Enliven and stir within you
The drive and will that sets
You upon your path.

I am cloaked in the darkness
But those who have the
Courage to call to me
See the truth of my hidden
Light that burns brightly
With the Divine spark of youth.

To read the full post*: Sage Woman Blog: The Womb of Light

* Note: This post will be available Saturday, Oct. 5

The Temple of Mercury- What’s up?

Posted in Esbat, Lunar, Magick, Mercury, The Temple of Mercury with tags astrology, celestial, cosmic, duality, Esbat, esoteric writings, Lunar, pathworking, planetary days on October 1, 2013 by themagickalpen

Silver tongued
I speak the truth
That polarity shuttles
From here to there.

I question everything
While holding firmly
To those answers
That only I can accept.

Some call me messenger
And hunger for what
News and teachings I bring.

They call to me to inform
And welcome my ability
To understand all sides
Of the complex equation.

Others think me far too talkative
And can’t keep pace With
my witty and informed banter
Those, I leave standing in the dust
Of my flexible and mercurial intellect.

But, to those who embrace
My skill and verbosity
I offer the gift of
Knowledge, thought and the
Agility of inquisitive mind.

Communication flows energetically
Through the halls of my twin
Towered Temple and each receives
Its honored place in what I share.

And all who pass through
Its silvery grey gates
Remain forever transformed
As the newly charged messengers
Of He who holds the Silver-Tongue.

Welcome to the Temple of Mercury. This month we will be exploring the energies of the planet Mercury and process the information through a variety of esoteric systems. This is the planet of communication, inquiry and dissemination through all creative acts of connection and interaction. In summary, Mercury always wants to know “What’s up?”; and then spread the news received.

Each week during the month we’ll look at this dynamic planet’s energy astrologically, the mythology of its Deity, its application in Lunar and Solar Magick, and through the lens of the Qabalah. And, Mercury will take center stage this month on October 21 when it goes Retrograde, remaining so until November 10th when it returns to its direct motion.

I will be posting on Wednesdays- the planetary day of Mercury. Reading recommendations, poetry and pathworkings will bring this Temple to life and your understanding of its energy will deepen your understanding of communication in all of its forms.

So, to begin, read through the poem at the beginning of this post again. Let the words create the images of your understanding. Breathe deeply into these images, open your mind and your heart and step into the Temple of Mercury.

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Temple of the Cosmic Spheres

Archive for October, 2013

In Communication- The Temple of Mercury

Meet Me at the Station: Mercury Retrograde

The Temple of Mercury-The Glory of Hod

Resources

The Temple of Mercury-Is Anybody Out There?

Temple of Mercury Post on Wednesday

The Temple of Mercury posts will be on Wednesdays. I was in error when I attributed Tuesday as the planetary day of Mercury. It is actually Wednesday.

Check back tomorrow and discover the Astrological Mercury!

New Moon in Libra

The Temple of Mercury- What’s up?

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