My Animal Totems

Freeway. Medicine Hat Gelding.

Since the early beginnings of my Pagan path I've known that horses are a permanent animal totem of mine. They simply have had such a huge impact on my life that I don't think they could not be a totem. Freeway was one such horse who had a major impact on my life. Though I had him in my life for less than a year, he embodies everything I sought for in a horse.

However there have been others totems over the years to come in and out of my life.Totems do not have to be a permanent one. There are times in your life when a certain animals lesson is important.

The Tigress taught me how to be more assertive in my life. She also taught me how to reserve my energy for the most important matters and when to exert my energy. For any new witch, learning to control ones energy is a major lesson.

At the beginning of motherhood the turtle fascinated me. This was a time of grounding with mother earth and seeking out her bounty so it makes sense that I would need turtle energy. This is also a time when our finances was careening out of control. Turtle taught me to slow down, get a hold of our credit and spend less and live more simply.

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Lately I have been drawn to the Dragonfly. Though this creature is often overlooked because of its small size and the fact that it's an insect, it's message is no less important. Dragonflies teach us to see things from a different angle. It takes two years for a dragonfly to reach maturity so whatever plans we have in motion may take that long to reach fruition. This makes a lot of sense right now to me because its been about 1 yr and 7 months since we made the move to Ohio. If I've calculated correctly, it will take another 5-7 months to save enough money to move out of MIL's home making our transition almost or just over 2 years. That seems like such a long time. Certainly more than the few months I originally thought it would take!

 What have been your animal totems over the years and the lessons they brought you?

Unorthodox Spiritual Healing Methods

What lengths would you go to prevent or cure an illness? Most of us turn to modern medicine or herbs for healing before we seek out other less common methods. Some of us turn to energy or Reiki healing. What about the less common methods? There are healing methods that are rich in culture and tradition that perhaps we haven't heard of. Some may even turn your stomach sour. But do they have any place in your spiritual healing practice? Only you can decide.

While watching National Geographics Taboo episode on faith healing I learned of two unorthodox healing methods today. One I feel may have benefits, though there is an ick factor that many could not get past to try it. The other is rich in ritual and animal sacrifice. Something I think many of us would be squeamish about.

Method One: Urine Therapy

Pablo Falcon is a Native American healer and believer in using urine therapy. Every morning he drinks his own urine. I think every one's reaction at first would be disgust. But lets think about it in an academic way. It's true that our body knows it's about to be sick before we develop symptoms. Think about the common flu. Many get the flu shot each year in hopes of staving off illness. However the flu shot is just a best guess at what strain of the flu is likely to be rampant during the flu season. What if you could develop an immunity to the exact strain of flu that will go around? Our bodies make its own anti-bodies by fighting off small doses of the illness. Over time the immunity builds up. Urine is also said to aid in treating other illnesses like HIV/Aids, allergies, dandruff, diabetes, herpes, heart disease, rashes, and much much more.

Though I can see the benefits, I don't believe I'll be downing a glass of my own urine anytime soon. I have much more faith in modern medicine and herbs. Ask me again though if I should ever develop a disease modern medicine doesn't cure.

Incan Ritual/Animal Sacrifice

Moving onto the second healing practice. Inca or (Caraway) people have been doing animal/blood sacrifice for centuries. Today I watched a man on the Taboo episode rip apart a guinea pig with his bare hands and inspect its entrails to diagnose disease for his mentor. They also used animal fetus' as offerings to their Gods for good health, luck, etc...
Personally, I find this repulsive. I don't believe any deity would want you to kill one of their creatures as an offering. I also don't see how they make a correlation between inspecting entrails and making a diagnosis in a human. I can see this having a placebo effect if they are very devout believers though. Certainly prayer has its place in healing. I just can't agree with the killing of innocent animals. If you are going to make a sacrifice, I believe it must be personal. An animal is not personal enough to me unless it was a beloved pet, and even then I wouldn't do this. I'd be more willing to spill my own blood than an animals.

What unorthodox healing methods have you learned or seen? Have you tried or would you be willing to try one of these healing methods?

Most Important Ancestor Item

Grandfather's WWII wooden carved horse.

What is the most important item in your life? Is this something you might risk your life over? If there was a house fire and everyone was safe and I had time to get this item out of the house without major risk to my life, the above horse statue would be it. To others it's just a piece of carved wood. Pretty but otherwise nothing special right? To me it is everything associated with my grandfather.

Grandpa was a WWII veteran. Click link to learn more about his role in WWII. When he came back from the war he brought this horse with him. It originates from Germany though I don't know much more about it. After the war Grandpa kept it in his bedroom on top of his dresser. Each weekend that I visited the first thing I would do is go to his bedroom with him and he would show me the horse and tell me he brought it back from the war. He would remind me that one day when he died I would have this horse to remember him by. I wanted that horse right then. I always begged to take it home but he always denied me.

In 1994 I was living in Kentucky at the time. We learned that my grandfather had lung cancer and not much time left to live. So I went to Ohio to stay with my grandparents for awhile. In mid-December, my grandfather died. When my mother picked me up to take me back to Kentucky I was given a box and told not to open it until we got home. All the way home I held that box in my lap. I knew what it was and to be honest it disgusted me. When I finally did open the box I just wanted to give it back. If I gave it back, maybe it would bring my grandfather home. Of course I was old enough to know that wouldn't have been the case. I felt guilty for receiving something I really wanted only after someone I loved died.

Today the horse has an honor on my ancestor alter. (When I have the space for an altar that is). The horse along with a slice of lemon are symbols of my grandfathers presence. The lemon is because when I visited my grandfather we also had another tradition of going out to eat. My grandmother would have tea with lemon on the side. I would eat the lemon and my grandfather would tell me not to eat it because he could taste the bitter flavor of the lemon. I'd always laugh and eat it anyway.

I write this post today because for some reason this horse and my grandfather are on my mind. I have this irrational fear that I've lost the horse. Because I live with MIL most of my things are packed away. The important items went in boxes and is scattered throughout MIL's house. I haven't seen this horse in a year and I suppose that is the problem. Once in awhile I like to hold it, dust it off and commune with it for a bit. It's my way to recharge its energy. I haven't been able to do that for too long. I suppose I'll have to find it and set up the ancestor altar even for a short time.

Is there an item that is very important to you? Please share what it is and if you use it in your religious practice.

Healing Prayers for Colorado Victims

I've been reading a bit about the Colorado shooting victims and my heart goes out to all those who have lost and injured loved ones. I can't imagine experiencing such a tragedy. I'm lighting a candle for all involved to find healing and love in their hearts.

1 Year Anniversary!

A year ago today I decided to make my own blog. At first I said "Salem's Creations" was just a temporary name. I didn't think it really fit with the theme I wanted my blog to be. Over time I left it as is and I think its served my blogs purpose well. I originally created a blog because Cafemom was changing their journals so that no one could really see them unless they specifically went to the persons profile. I'm so glad to a few fellow bloggers that gave me the idea of opening Salem's Creations. I hope this past year I've taught a bit about Eclectic Wicca and learned more about myself and other bloggers faith as well.

Happy Anniversary Salem's Creations!

For those who regularly follow my blog, what was the first blog post of mine you read? What blog post of mine was your favorite?

PBP: Mercury Retrograde & The New Moon

Prompt: Mercury Retrograde and a New Moon

Mercury Retrograde stared 14 July and runs through 8 August.... But interestingly, the Retrograde started right before a New Moon.

Retrograde is a time for RE- reconsidering, re-evaluating, reviewing, reflecting, etc. While the New Moon is a time to start something new.

How do/can you balance these seemingly opposite energies?

Let's hear your thoughts on this unique overlap. How will this affect your life in this and coming weeks?

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I actually don't see them as opposite energies at all. I don't know about others but every time I start something new there is always a re-evaluating, reflecting and reviewing of my choices to make sure it's the right choice for me. I'm a planner. I think of every possible outcome (and some very impossible ones) before I act. Sometimes I'm successful in predicting what will happen, other times I am not.

When I'm in the shower is when I do a lot of my reflecting. Last night I was thinking about several months ago when I had a job interview. I had my hair cut because I wanted to look my "best" and as a way to honor my new beginning. I didn't even think I'd not get the job. I went in with the attitude that I would be hired. I was that confident/cocky.

Thinking back, I think I was over-confident because I've honestly never not gotten a job I was qualified for and wanted. Times change though and I was not hired. It was then that I regretted cutting my hair. I know I've talked about my hair and how it's an extension of my energy in a past blog. When I cut it is a symbol of new beginnings. Of letting go of the old and stepping into and accepting change. Since then I have not cut it, and now I wish to let it grow as long as I can get it. It is a building of energy.

For now I do not feel it is my time to start something new. It's a time to prepare for a large change. So I continue to self-reflect and evaluate where I am going in life. Mercury Retrograde and the New moon combined is a perfect time to find that answer. So maybe change is closer than I think.

Orange Peal Candle

So earlier this week I saw a Pinterest post on Facebook from one of my friends. It showed an orange made into a candle. You cut the candle in half leaving the pith (white part in the center) intact. Fill it with cooking oil and light.

So while at the grocery store this week I thought it would be neat to do this as a project with my daughter. I bought some nice oranges and me DD and DS had ourselves a little citrus picnic. If you use a spoon and cut around the outside edge you can pry the fruit out fairly clean and then fill one end with olive oil. You can also cut the other end into a shape and place it on top to make a nice little effect.

I must inform you at this time my DH, who is the only one with a lighter in this household, was at work. So I had to use toothpicks like a match. Thankfully we have a gas stove so I at least had a flame.

It took me three tries before I gave up lighting them with just my little "matches". These little makeshift candles do not light easily. I even covered the tip of the pith in the oil in hopes that would help light it faster, but it did not. It was probably because my makeshift match wasn't very strong and kept trying to go out on me.

So I waited until my lovely darling of a husband came home with the only household lighter. Ta-da. We got it lit. It's lovely while lit. I didn't smell anything while it was flaming which disappointed me because I hoped it would smell like citrus. The moment you blow it out it stinks like burnt oil. So I do not recommend using these indoors or for aromatherapy. 

I do however like the idea of burning them during Summer solstice. I just love the natural aspect of these candles. You can use other types of oil if you wish. Olive oil is just what I had on hand. I do recommend you put them in some sort of fireproof container. I used this small cast-iron skillet just for the test. The oil did leak through the orange a tiny bit after awhile. But this sat overnight so you probably won't be leaving yours sit so long.

If you have made candles out of other fruits or natural elements, what are they and in what ways do you like to use them in your Pagan rituals?