Raise Your Vibration

Smudging is another way to clear negative energy and raise vibrations. 

Burning sage with the intent of clearing old energy is a wonderful way to cleanse and move the stagnant energy out of our homes. 

As a result, we raise our personal vibrations and the vibration of our home.

1) Nature’s Antidepressant

Negative ions, a topic scientific circles are talking about.

It looks like negative ions have a profound and positive effect on the physiology of every human being. Ions are atoms or molecules with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons. Negative ions are produced in natural settings (such as in nature) while positive ions are produced in more contemporary places such as in the house. Electronics, in particular, give off lots of positive ions.

It appears that the negative ions produced from smudging offer effective antidepressant effects.

Dr. Clarence Hansell, a research engineer who studied the effects of negative ions on humans in the 1930s, noticed that the mood of one of his colleagues changed when ions were being generated by nearby equipment. He noticed his colleague was more joyful when the machine created negative ions and more sullen when it produced positive ions. 

In a controlled study focused on Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD (an extension of Hansell’s work), researchers found fresh air charged with negative ions was an effective treatment for depression. 

This is in large part due to its effects on serotonin levels, similar to the way antidepressant drugs work.

2) Clearing Negative Energy

Because smudging actually destroys bacteria in the air, it also has a psychologically clearing effect. 

This can allow us to relax in environments that may be a little harder settle in. 

Thankfully smudging gives off plenty of negative ions!

3) Clearing the Air

Surprisingly, smudging can help clear the air of all kinds of bacteria and improve allergy symptoms. 

This was a study that corroborated this ancient practice. Here is the researcher’s take:

“We have observed that 1 hour treatment of medicinal smoke emanated by burning wood and a mixture of odoriferous and medicinal herbs (havan sámagri=material used in oblation to fire all over India), on aerial bacterial population caused over 94% reduction of bacterial counts by 60 min and the ability of the smoke to purify or disinfect the air and to make the environment cleaner was maintained up to 24 hour in the closed room.

4) Relaxing Effects

Just like incense, smudging can offer calming, relaxing effects that are known to help lower blood pressure, relieve stress and tension and normalize breathing rates, as the negative ions produced are absorbed directly into your bloodstream.

5) Increased Energy

Negative ions have the effect of helping to normalize serotonin (the feel-good hormone), boosting the mood and overall energy. This is great for depression.

6) Improved Sleep

So if we know that negative ions are more of a ‘natural’ thing, it would make sense we’d not only feel better but sleep better too, right? Absolutely! 

And in fact, studies show people do sleep better in negative ion environments.

Don’t Touch My Crystals

Those of us in the Pagan Kitchen regard our personal crystals as a part of who we are, with our energy and we prefer others not to handle them.

Our energy, our crystals.

While that may sound over protective, crystals can collect various forms of energy from emotions, thought, touch, and a host many other sources. 

When other people handle your crystals, they leave their energy imprint and all that come with it.

But this is something you must follow your intuition on.

We have some crystals that are meant to be touched and enjoyed by others who come and visit, giving them opportunity to experience the energy of crystals.

If someone visits us and are drawn to picking up our public crystals, it's fine with us, It’s obviously what they need. 

The crystals are calling to them to be held. 

We believe the crystals know what they are doing, they are far more evolved than we are.

The crystals do their work by attracting those who may need help in some way. 

By simply holding a crystal they are drawn too (consciously or unconsciously) they will receive the energy they may need.

These public crystals are frequently smudged, cleared and charged because of all the handling. 

It's  just like when you first get a crystal, or after you use it for any healing work, or whenever you feel that the crystal lacks light, luster, and energy.

Becsuse crystals can be easily cleared, the public crystals work great for us.

Sound is the most effective tool to use in clearing crystals and stones.

Using sound vibration to clear your crystals means that you can clear many stones in the same period of time that you can clear a single stone. 

If you produce an effective sound for a couple of  minutes, it will clear your stones. 

Once your crystals have been cleared, they will begin recharging themselves using their natural channel of attunement with the Earth. 

So, next time your stones are feeling “tired”, try clearing them for a few minutes with a strong sound vibration.

But when it comes to our own personal crystals, we keep them to ourselves.

We form bonds with our crystals. 

They are special, part of us.

When chose our personal crystals the attraction was far from random.

We are drawn to the crystal because there is a connection.

Even though stones and crystals aren't vocal like we are, they definitely have their own unique voices.

Someone compared it to choosing a puppy or kitten. 

You would spend time with several animals to determine which is most compatible with your energy, and yours with the puppy or kitten.

When choosing stones or crystals it's the same thing.

You spend time to feel the connection and see how the interaction feels.

Not only are you determining how you feel about the specific stone or crystal, you are also feeling the frequency of each and feeling how that frequency interacts with your energy fields. 

When a connection is made, you will feel a sense of ‘rightness’ that the stone or crystal has chosen you as well as you have chosen it.

As far as sharing your personal crystals, that's a decision only you can make.

You might feel comfortable with members in your circle, your family, close friends, it's all up to you.

There's no right or wrong here.

The simple solution is, keep your private crystal private and allow your public crystals to to touched and enjoyed by all.

Scrying Balls - Seeing The Unseen

Scrying Balls are unique.

They have the ability to create and hold energy for specific purposes and questions.

Scrying balls have been used for for thousands of years, looking into a reflective surface, such as glass, water, a mirror, or a crystal, to gain insight. 

The images seen with a scrying ball isn't foretelling, instead they are images from deep within one’s consciousness, and the ball is the door through which consciousness can be accessed. 

Through this meditation a trance-like state is induced that enables information from your consciousness to pass through the mind’s eye. 

It is here the images are seen, not in the crystal itself.

Cleansing:

When you get your ball, wash it using a soft cloth, water, and mild soap. 

This will not only make your ball clean physically, but also help cleanse the ball’s energies as well. 

To completely cleanse your ball of any previous and/or negative energy, it is best to smudge it as well. 

To smudge, simply light a sage smudge stick and pass the ball through the smoke several times. 

Your crystal ball should be cleansed (smudged) before each use.

Handling and Storage:

A crystal ball is very personal. 

You shouldn’t let anyone else touch it as their energies and subconscious thoughts will pass onto it and “contaminate” your ball, causing inaccurate readings. 

The ball may also lose its charge, or your personal influences with it may become weakened and/or corrupted.

Charging:

To charge your ball, place it in the light of a full moon.

Do NOT place your ball in direct sunlight. 

This will weaken the ball’s magnetism and may render it unable to draw images. 

Using Your Crystal Ball:

Create a relaxed atmosphere by burning candles or incense or by playing soft music. 

I suggest working by candlelight as too much light on the ball can make the images distorted or difficult to see. 

Dim lighting also relaxes the eyes, making it easier to focus on the ball.

You may wish to smudge the room and yourself before beginning your work with the ball.

Relax your mind and body, hold the ball in your hands for awhile to energize it and strengthen your psychic bond with it. 

Think about the purpose for this session. 

You may wish to visualize the topic, or ask a question about it either in your mind or out loud.

Put the crystal down and begin to stare into it. 

Let your eyes relax and go out of focus. 

Try to clear your mind and concentrate on feeling open and receptive.

In awhile you should see a mist filling the crystal and then gradually clearing. 

Keep your eyes relaxed and unfocused. 

Watch for symbols or images appearing in your mind’s eye. 

Do not try to force the images to come. Let them come naturally. 

It is okay if you do not see any images the first several times you use the ball. 

Most people need practice at achieving the necessary receptive and relaxed state of mind before images will appear.

When you do see images, don’t try to make sense of them right away. 

Just take a mental note of what you see. 

Once you have seen the images that you need, they will fade away and the ball will again fill with mist. 

Blink your eyes, breathe deeply, and allow your mind to return to the physical plane. 

A drink of water and a snack will help ground you as you reconnect with the Earth’s energies.

Thank the ball for its message and put it away.

Take notes of the images you have seen as well as any thoughts or impressions that come to mind. 

The images may not be what you expected. 

Sometimes it may seem that the images have nothing to do with your topic or are just plain nonsense. 

Your subconscious mind gives you the information you need. 

The images are often symbolic, and so it may take you some time to decipher their meaning. 

Go with your instinct and intuition. Most often your first impression is the correct one.

Crystal ball gazing takes a lot of practice and patience, but in time you will become more receptive and more adept at reading the crystal.

These powerful spheres are made from fiber optics (man made Ulexite). Man made Ulexite, is comprised of parallel optical fibers, which transmits light from one end of the sphere to the other. 

Each color is designed as a unique vibrational experience, celebrating life and spirit. 

Ulexite is said to bring insight into self and others and sheds light on solutions to difficulties. 

It also is known for amplifying dreams, stimulating imagination and creativity. 

In Feng Shui each specific color can be placed in the corresponding area to enhance the specific auspicious energy: 

pink/love, 

green/money and healing, 

purple/spirituality, 

yellow/mental clarity, 

orange/business, 

blue/calming, 

turquoise/peace and friendship, 

brown/attainment, 

black/protection, 

gray/unconscious thought, 

white/blessings, 

gold/wealth and winning, jeweled multi color/wealth Also, great for meditation and hypnosis. 

Handfasting-The Pagan Wedding

Humanist weddings performed by non-pastors with all the legal authority are more popular than Christian ones in Scotland.

In 2019, in Scotland, there were 5,879 Humanist weddings, constituting 23% of all marriages. 

There were 5,812 Christian weddings (including the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church), making up 22% of the overall number.

As people discover who they are, without all the nonsense of religious rigmarole, they enjoy life and each other more.

Regardless of the reason, the trend is clearly moving away from organized religion.

Humanists UK is celebrating the news and calling for England and Wales to join Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands in recognizing Humanist weddings.

In England and Wales, over 1,000 couples a year already have a humanist wedding without legal recognition. 

They all must have a separate civil marriage – usually at a registrar’s office – for their marriage to be legally recognized.

Progress is being made and its an example of people discovering who they are and the path they want to take.

Handfasting is either an engagement the wedding ceremony itself, so to be handfasted is equivalent to being married or at least being promised.

In the Middle Ages, Handfasting rituals were used as an engagement ritual.

As time went forward, Paganism began to grow and Pagans wanted marriage rituals that had an authentic significance without being religious. 

So, Handfasting and the jumping of the broom was included in the ceremony.

The ceremony can be conducted by Pagan clergy, someone in your circle, a friend, or by yourselves.

If a legal official who also happens to be Pagan conducts the ceremony, that's all you'll need, it's legal and official. 

But finding such a Pagan legal official can sometimes be difficult to find a clergy member who is also a legal official.

Pagans who want to become legally married will often have the legal paperwork and requirements completed at the local clerk's office or official government office.

If the legality, and paperwork fuss isn't required, anyone you desire can perform the ceremony.

We know giving the bride away is sentimental and traditional, but it comes with a stigma.

A bride isn't property to be given away, no one owns her, she is free to make this decision all by herself, with her free will.

Celtic Wedding Vow by Morgan Llywelyn

"You cannon possess me for I belong to myself

But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give

You cannon command me, for I am a free person

But I shall serve you in those ways you require

and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.

I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night

and the eyes into which I smile in the morning

I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup

I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care

I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine

I shall not slander you, nor you me

I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in private 

and tell no strangers our grievances.

This is my wedding vow to you.

This is the marriage of equals."

So in our Pagan Kitchen world, no one gives the bride away, but that's just us.

Once all that's decided, there's the ceremony itself.

Vows will need to be decided upon, maybe a white dress with a veil, this practice goes back to ancient Pagan Rome, when brides wore brightly colored veils to protect themselves from evil spirits.

Perhaps the sharing of wine by the couple. 

Vows can be anything you want to say.

Here's are a few examples:

I promise to be faithful to you.

I promise to treat you with kindness, respect, appreciation and love.

I promise to participate in our relationship, even during hardships.

I promise to make humor and laughter an integral part of our family.

I promise to love you with all of my heart, honor you with all of my actions, and treasure you. 

I promise to keep you warm when you get cold, and to stand in the way of the sun when it gets hot.

And wherever we go, I promise to be there, holding your hand and telling you, “I love you.”

You’re my best friend.

Let’s get really old together, thank you for marrying me.

Here's a Celtic Wedding Vow

“I pledge my love to you, and everything that I own.

I promise you the first bite of my meat and the first sip from by cup.

I pledge that your name will aways be the name I cry aloud in the dead of night.

I promise to honor you above all others.

Our love is never-ending, and we will remain, forevermore, equals in our marriage.

This is my wedding vow to you.”

Pagans like to stand during weddings, some stand or sit in a circle for Pagan ceremonies.

Sometimes there is the blessing of the area where the ritual is being conducted with the burning of incense, ringing bells, banging drums, casting a circle In order to eliminate any negative energies from wherever they may come.

The elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire are usually included, both in words and physically present.

The earth we stand upon for this ritual, the air we breathe, the water can be displayed in any kind of vessel and the flame of candles to represent the element of fire.

These elements are the ingredients of life and creation, how wonderful at a Pagan 

As mentioned earlier, Handfasting is the binding of a couple's hands and or wrists together as a unity ritual within the ceremony. The the couple themselves may tie the knot, maybe it would it the official or by friends or a family member.

The couple decides how long to remain tied in Handfasting, but usually they remain this way during the vows and exchange of the rings.

Handfasting Ceremony Vows

Do you, groom), take (bride)to be your wife, 

to be her constant friend, 

her partner in life, and her true love?

To love her without reservation, 

honor and respect her, 

protect her from harm, 

comfort her in times of distress, 

and to grow with her in mind and spirit?

Do you, (bride), take (groom) to be your husband, 

to be his constant friend, 

his partner in life, and his true love?

To love him without reservation, 

honor and respect him, 

protect him from harm, 

comfort him in times of distress, 

and to grow with?

The Giving of Rings Exchange 

I take you my heart

At the rising of the moon

And the setting of the stars.

To love and to honour

Through all that may come.

Through all our lives together

In all our lives,

May we be reborn

That we may meet and know

And love again,

And remember

The jumping over the wedding broom Is common in Pagan weddings.

The broom represents a new threshold, a new beginning into married life. 

As brooms are used for cleaning and sweeping, it can symbolize the sweeping away of the old from your past to start fresh. The handle of a broom is somewhat phallic in shape and the brush is shaped somewhat like a woman's skirt, so these two things combined can symbolize fertility and union. 

A broom also symbolizes the daily life of being married; caring for one another.