The Ouija Board: A Metaphysical View

 

Because of the recent popularity, and currently released movie I thought it time to take an old article of mine out of the files and repost it.

Simply saying the name ‘Ouija Board’ brings up a variety of mixed emotions in people. Many have had experiences with this talking board in their juvenile years, and many more refuse to even acknowledge the experiences that they had. In the metaphysical world, a world filled with future psychics and spirit mediums where does the Ouija Board stand?

The Ouija Board, as I have come to understand it is a tool much like any other. The Tarot Cards, Pendulum and Crystal Ball all have their purpose in the metaphysical world, so too does the Ouija Board. Before looking into the metaphysical of this fascinating board, we need to understand where it came from.
In the 1800’s the world saw a rise in the Metaphysical and Spiritual realm. People would gather for Séances and Table Tipping in order to once again contact those that had passed from this life. During the 19th century psychics and mediums alike began to invent different ways to communicate with the dead. Some of these were rather long and tedious like table tipping, while others bean to shape the instrument we know as the talking board. One of the first was an intricate pulley system that held a pendulum. The pendulum would hang over a paper with the letters of the alphabet on it and move in accordance to questions asked by the medium. The pendulum would then point to the letters and spell out its answer. Before long this instrument began to take further shape, and a moving planchette was created in order to hover over the letters of the board.
This form of communication with the dead was one of the clearest yet, and the form of the Ouija Board took shape. In 1892 a man named William Fuld took over a toy and novelty company. Seeing the popularity of the board the mediums were using he decided to create and patent it as a toy, a product that everyone could have access to. Fuld named it the Ouija Board and sold millions of the toys dominating the competition. After Fuld’s death in 1927 the family sold the patent to Parker Brothers, who still hold it and produce this talking board today.

From device to toy the Ouija Board has been around us for years. With its background and superstition it is no wonder why those in the metaphysical world feel strongly about it. The original purpose of the board was to communicate with the dead, and it seems that it has fulfilled its purpose of that even after being packaged as a novelty toy. In fact many people have their first psychic experiences linked to the use of the Ouija Board, though not all of them are pleasant. The metaphysical world sees this talking board as a gateway to communicate with the other side, just like any other tool or ability used within the psychic realm. As they say “With great power, comes great responsibility” and the Ouija Board is not left out of the equation.
One of the things that many psychics speak of when it comes to receiving future oriented information or communicating with the dead is the idea of psychic protections. So what is a psychic protection going to do for you and why is it needed to use the Ouija Board? Before we can understand the use of protections, we need to understand energy. Energy is around us all of the time and is neither positive nor negative. The actions that a person takes with the energy give it a positive or negative charge, forcing the energy to act in a specific way. That being said, it is important to understand that there are spirits that are both positive and negative. The idea of psychic protection is to create a sacred space. This space allows all energy and spirits that are positive to enter and pushes away the spirits and energy that are negative. From a spiritual standpoint this is one of the major faults of the Ouija Board. The board does not come with a protection to use; in fact it doesn’t even mention it. Without the psychic protection, the users are allowing any entity to communicate with them whether it is positive or negative.
If you talk to some of your friends and ask them if they have used a Ouija Board, most of them will tell you the strange and sometimes frightening experiences that they had. It is due to the fact that no protections are used that the negative energies are allowed in. These types of energies ‘feed’ on the emotion of fear and so cause fear in us in order to survive. On the spirit realm a medium or even a person using the Ouija Board look like a bright shining light. The positive spirits see this as a doorway to communicate and possibly re-connect with loved ones and pass along messages, the negative spirits see this as well. Any entity that is positive does not seek out to hurt, harm or scare anyone, they simply seek to communicate and pass along messages to their loved ones. However the problem arises when the negative entities get there first. When you use the Ouija Board, the planchette moves around and spells out the answers to your questions. Often times when a negative energy is attached it will start off by being kind, maybe even telling you the truth. Then it begins to scare you in order to gain energy from your fear based reactions. The psychic protection prevents this from happening, think of it like a bouncer at the door to a club, if your not on the guest list your not getting in…period!
These protections are done in many different ways, from white light to calling forth the Archangels every religion or spiritual path has a protective method with it. Some of the newer talking boards out there do come with a protection. The Psychic Circle for example is a board that in it’s instructions tell you to say a prayer of protection before playing. The metaphysical view on the Ouija Board and talking boards in general is a mixed one. Many feel that the board can be an important tool in connecting with the other side; however it should be done in a way that is spiritually safe for the players.

Next time your at a party or a friends house and they want to play with the Ouija Board or talking board, remember to protect your area. Allow only positive spirits to enter and give their messages and you will surely have a good experience with this psychic tool.

The Extra Large Medium - Charles A. Filius

Years ago I was introduced to a man with a large heart, and an even larger personality. A boisterous soul that had phenomenal gifts, this man was Charles Filius. I clearly remember at one point in meeting and speaking with Charles that this man must be a special kind of crazy, and for all intent and purpose he is but how many of us in the Psychic and Mediumship field aren't right? A Cartoonist who, by his own words was drug kicking and screaming into Mediumship was able to find himself within that field and in my opinion it is exactly where he belongs.

I have been lucky enough to know Charles for years now, and each time that I attend one of his sessions I am blown away, which is not an easy thing to do mind you. I had the pleasure last night to see him again as he made a trip to Florida to a small business in Sarasota called The Spirit University.  Charles had a Mediumship demo there, that when I found out that he was coming, immediately knew that I had to go. It was an evening that was not only much needed, but was met with much love and many surprises. I was greeted there by some of my past students from my time at a Metaphysical store that I had not seen in years, and then had the pleasure of once again seeing Charles at work. Charles is unlike any medium that you have ever seen, his mixture of passing along messages from Guides, Angels and Loved ones along with a hefty dose of humor is a combination that I think only this man can execute. There is a special event that occurs in every group session that Charles does, the fact that everyone there gets something out of it. No matter if you are read, or not each message that is brought through is for everyone in some way. There is a greater knowledge on the Other Side, an all inclusive effort brought on by all the Angels, Guides etc that when they find an open channel, they waste no time in passing along exactly what needs to be heard.

I brought my Mother along with me to his session. She has had a psychic reading before but has never seen a Medium. She, like most people that are new to this did not know what to expect exactly. She knew what Meduimship was, thanks to a certain big personality from Long Island, and no it isn't me I mean Theresa Caputo. She knew that above all else she wanted to hear from her parents who have both crossed over. Though she didn't get read she said something quite unexpected and wonderous to me on our drive home. She said that her heart felt better, that through the messages that were given to others she felt a sense of healing and of release. She said that through the session she was able to share in the joys, sorrows, loss, and reconnection that Charles was able to bring that night. All I could to at that point was smile, knowing that is exactly what it is about.

There aren't appropriate words to describe the senses, feelings, and emotions that are experienced through one of his sessions, so all I can say is that at some point I hope that you can experience it for yourself. Charles still stands to this day in my mind as an influential beacon of light, laughter, and love. Thank you sir, for the experience that you provide and the messages that you bring.

Charles A. Filius - The Extra Large Medium

C.A. Filius - Cartoonist

Astrological Signs and the Oils that love them

Astrology is probably one of the more popular things in the Metaphysical realm. Everyone is at least familiar with in in some aspect or another, and many of us spend time each day looking over our daily Horoscopes. There is much more to Astrology than can be seen by a simple article in the paper, in fact a true Astrological reading can delve into things about yourself that you may not have even been aware of from the start. That being said, this post, though not a strict Astrological one, will be of benefit to those both new, and old within the realm of Astrology. As the title suggests, we are going to talk about the Western Astrological signs and the Essential Oils that help to bring them out in us the best.

Let's go over Essential Oils a bit first. It's important to understand that these oils are not simply fragrance oils. This means that they are not scented to smell like something specific. Essential oils are taken specialized cells within the plants themselves. When using an Essential Oil, note that a little goes a long way, and 1 drop of it will have more potency than an entire bottle of a fragrance oil. Essentials can be warmed with an oil warmer, dropped into water of a bath or even worn on the skin. If you are going to wear it on the skin be sure to test a small amount of it first, some oils can be irritating to the skin and cause itching, or rashes. To be a bit safer if you like to can "cut" the oils. To do this you would need Olive Oil, and combine 1 part oil to 2/3 parts Olive Oil.
So what I am going to do here then is list each Astrological sign, as well as some information about in in case you are unaware and then list the Essential Oils that work best. Don't forget either that just because you are say a Taurus, doesn't mean that you can't use an oil that works well for a Leo, provided that you want to bring a little of that lion into your life.

Aries (March 20 - April 19)
Planetary Ruler : Mars
Keywords: Assertion, Courage, Initiative, Leadership, Foolhardy, Passion, Egotism
Oils: Pine, Cypress, Nettle, Geranium, Anemone

Taurus(April 20 - May 20)
Planetary Ruler: Venus
Keywords : Materialism, Endurance, Practicality, Routine, Possessive, Patient, Secure
Oils: Musk, Rose, Violet, Mint, Jasmine

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Planetary Ruler: Mercury
Keywords: Duplicity, Fickle, Restless, Versatile, Superficial, Adaptable, Cunning
Oils: Sandalwood, Bayberry, Gladiolus, Parsley, Orchid

Cancer (June 12 - July 22)
Planetary Ruler: Moon
Keywords: Emotional, Nurture, Touchy, Sentimental, Manipulative, Vulnerable, Shrewd
Oils: Aloe, Water Lilly, Hyacinth, Larkspur, Myrtle

Leo (July 22 - August 22)
Planetary Ruler: Sun
Keywords: Regal, Pride, Drama, Generous, Enthusiasm, Overbearing, Dignified
Oils: Camphor, Frankincense, Golden Rod, Sunflower, Clove

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Planetary Ruler: Mercury
Keywords: Service, Narrow-minded, Perfectionism, Purity, Analysis, Discrimination, Efficient
Oils: Petunia, Lavender, Horehound, Narcissus, Lilly

Libra ( September 23 - October 22)
Planetary Ruler: Venus
Keywords: Cooperation, Insecure, Diplomatic, Indecisive, Compromise, Determined, Frivolous
Oils: Primrose, Pennyroyal, Burdock, Mint, Rose

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Planetary Ruler: Mars & Pluto
Keywords: Intense, Power, Self-destructive, Trauma, Magnetism, Controlling, Mysterious
Oils: Yucca, Rosemary, Dogwood, Basil, Vanilla

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
Planetary Ruler: Jupiter
Keywords: Adventure, Freedom, Careless, Jovial, Idealistic, Optimistic, Restless
Oils: Daffodil, Nutmeg, Pimpernel, Sage, Saffron

Capricorn (December 22 - January 20)
Planetary Ruler: Saturn
Keywords: Discipline, Duty, Prudent, Callous, Scapegoat, Responsible, Caution
Oils: Khus Khus, Dandelion, Comfrey, Carnation, Thistle

Aquarius (January 21 - February 18)
Planetary Ruler: Saturn & Uranus
Keywords: Humanity, Detachment, Objective, Scientific, Rebellion, Reason, Eccentric
Oils: Valerian, Fennel, Buttercup, Violet, Poppy

Pisces (February 19 - March 19)
Planetary Ruler : Jupiter & Neptune
Keywords: Compassion, Elusive, Dreamer, Mysticism, Confusion, Malleable, Receptive
Oils: Lilac, Sage, Clove, Nutmeg, Cinquefoil

So, there we have it. Each sign's oils as well as some information on them that you are sure to be able to use as well. Keep it handy too! Many of the oils listed are made from flowers, not just herbs or roots!

What's in a Magickal Name?

So I had someone send me a question yesterday in regards to what my Magickal Name is. This is something that I came across early on while I was studying Wicca and Paganism. I clearly remember reading about this Magickal Name that you are supposed to adopt and use when you practice your craft. It had to do with shedding the old self, and focusing on the Magickal self. Sort of like a changing of hats so to speak. It was a good idea, and a great way for people that may be just starting to learn to focus themselves. Use your Magickal Name when you practice and you are creating and working with that energy.

Personally I don't have, or use a Magickal Name. After many years with Wicca and Paganism, as well as the Metaphysical I came to realize something very important. Magick is around us all of the time, sleeping or awake, in a circle or in Wal-Mart. No matter where you go it's there so why do we need to put on a different hat in order to adopt a magickal personality? Personally I don't think that we have to. What better name to use, then yours! If we are constantly surround by this energy, this magick, then why only connect to it when you are working. Part of the Wiccan belief system talks about seeing the magick in everything. All things living or non-living have a magick to them. It isn't something that is turned on and off, it's always there. The name game is much the same. Ok, that was a bit more rhyming than I had planned. By using your own name you are working with that magickal energy all the time, practicing or not. You are connecting yourself to the infinite and allowing it to connect to you as well without pushing it aside for any reason. Besides, if we push it aside are we really living by the codes that we work with?

This isn't to say that having a special name, or even a Magickal Name is a bad thing. For all of the Willows, Nightshades, Hemlocks, Lady this or that's out there keep what you got! If it is somethign powerful to you then there is no need to change it, or ignore it. That being said choosing to use, or in my case not use a Magickal Name is up to you! If you do choose to use one, I suggest spending some time meditating on it, find something that speaks to you on a very personal and powerful level. Don't just go and settle for the first cool sounding name that you happen to find while googling 'cool witch names' or something on the internet! Remember, when it comes to Wicca and Paganism there is a lot of room for personal belief and interpretation as well as choice.

When a problem comes along..you must Smudge it!

 

Smudging, also known as sageing or cleansing is a ritual that has been preformed for centuries. It's most commonly known as being used in the Native American culture, but has made its way into the Metaphysical realm as well. The process of smudging is simple, and yet many people still fail to understand the uses. Smudging can be done on a person, area, or even a home or business. The purpose of smudging is to change the energy of the space or person by removing the negative vibrations, and replacing them with positive vibrations. Many times this leaves the person, or place feeling lighter, more relaxed and even "cleaner". This process is also done when preforming meditations or magickal work in order to cleanse the space and create a positive environment in which to preform. The process of smudging has also been popularized through the many different television shows about hauntings as a means to cleanse the home of negative spirits.

In order to keep a home or person clear, it's suggested that a smudging be preformed at least once a month. Obviously there will be times that you may require an additional smudging and that's fine as well. Don't think that you have to stick to the once a month process. It's a suggestion in order to keep negativity at bay. If you are having a particularly bad week, facing many challenges, or find that the  home/person is starting to feel weighed down and negative then by all means do another smudging. The type of sage that you use can alter the energy as well. What is usually used is either mountain sage, or white sage. If you find that you cannot take the smell of sage as much you may want to try the white sage. The scent of it is a bit weaker but still works just as well. There are other herbs and oils as well that can be used to cleans, but we'll save that for another post. You can find most types of smudge sticks online, or at your local metaphysical store (which I always prefer)!

Now the actual process can be done many different ways, and I'm not going to go over all of them here, but I do ask that if you are interested to look them up. What I will go over is the type of smudging that I use personally. Smudging a home takes time, you should be focused on what you are doing through it all. You will need to go through each room of the home, that includes attics or basements if you have them as well. The process goes like this, you will light the sage and go through each room of the house reciting a certain mantra, prayer, or blessing. When you are completed you can put out the sage stick and we are going to toss the ashes outside. Additionally if you have a black and white candle they can be used as well, and I will go over that extra step too.

Smudging a person:

1. You will need your smudge stick, something to catch the ashes (an abalone shell is used most often but anything will do), matches or a lighter, and if you like a feather, or fan of feathers.
2. Have the person stand still before you and outstretch their arms to the side. If they feel comfortable have them remove their shoes as well. This will give them a good grounded connection while they are being cleansed.
3. Light the sage and allow it to smolder enough to create smoke. While doing this I usually tell the person that I am working with to close their eyes, relax, and take 3 deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. This too allows them to center and ground themselves before the smudging.
4. With the feather (or your hands) begin to gently move the smoke around their body. I usually start with the head and then move down one side of the body and up the other. Then I would move up the center of the front of the body and then ask them to turn around doing the same to the back. At the end I ask them to lift both feet (one at a time of course), and I smudge the souls of the feet as well.
5. While cleansing the individual I'm focusing on bathing them in white light and using the smoke of the sage to push away all the negative energy accumulated in their aura. I ask them to do the same as well, seeing the negative energy disperse and watch as it is replaced by positive energy and white, loving light.
6. When you are completed, have the person that you are smudging take a seat, relax and let the energies settle a bit. They will likely feel lighter, cleaner, and more energetic afterward.

Smudging a Home, Business or Space:

1. Start by opening a window or door of the building. You will want an open space where the smoke can escape the house taking the negative energy with it.
2. Prepare your sage stick as you would normally. Something to catch the ashes, a feather etc. At this point as well, if you have a black and white candle you can light them. Light the black one first and then the white. The black candle with help to absorb any negativity and the white will exude positivity. When the candles are done be sure to bury them in the earth somewhere outside of your home.
3. Begin to go through each room of the home with the sage. Move the smoke into corners, closets, drawers all over each and every room. In each room that you cleanse focus on the smoke removing all the negative vibrations and filling each space with white light, love and positive energy. As you are doing this its often helpful to recite a mantra, or blessing.
4. When you are done wait until most of the smoke has been removed from the home and close and shut the window. You will find that the energy of the space has changed quite a bit and should be feeling a lot better at this point.

 As far as the mantra's or blessings go it's best to say something that has meaning to you, as well as mentions clearing the space of negativity and replacing it with positivity. Something quick and easy that you can use are one of these:

"By the smoke of this sage, I cleanse this space of all negative energies and vibrations. Only positivity, and white light can remain here."

 "I send all negativity out and away. You have no place here! White light and positive vibration chase you out and fill this space.

Don't forget as well that when using a blessing or a mantra you can add in your personal religious affiliation or beliefs to it as well.

You're doing it wrong...or are you?

 

 

Living and learning in the Metaphysical world can be a daunting and difficult task. For starters, you never wind up knowing it all. There are no true "experts" in the field. It is a continuing learning process. Granted there are those that have the experience and knowledge behind them, but in a realm where things are continually growing and expanding how can one be an expert at it? I have personally been studying in the Metaphysical and Occult field for 19 years. That's a pretty long time, but I will always refer to myself as a student. To me this is a great thing. I know that there is no way that I can possibly learn all there is about his realm and the only way that I can even experience certain things or learn about them is to listen to those that know. Now I say all this for two reasons: One, it's my blog and I can say what I want; and Two everything that I do say here on the blog comes from my personal experiences and understandings. That being said anyone that tells you that they are an "expert" in any Metaphysical field is more than likely too full of themselves to be of any good use to you. There are far too many ways of understanding and doing things in this spiritual way of life. If you refuse to keep an open mind and at least be willing to learn, then you have already lost.

Being that there are so many different ways of doing things, you are bound to run across many different terms, names, titles, and even instructions on how to accomplish even simple tasks like using sage to cleanse a house. Don't let all of these things intimidate you, but don't be a fool about them either. Unfortunately there are some people out there that crave attention and dream about being renowned in this field. These people are the ones that will attempt to come up with their own terms, styles and even ways of doing things that may not have ever been heard of before. This doesn't mean that what they are doing loses any credit, in fact they may have a very good take and style of things. What it does mean is that you will need to discuss with them exactly what it is they mean when they use certain terms that may be special to them. Be sure that you can get enough answers from them that you can do the legwork yourself and research something that is at least similar to what they are talking about. You really shouldn't let anyone do anything spiritual for, or with you until you are certain that they are going to be helping you and not hindering you.

It is so easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of this field. There are a lot of things that can take you from a grounded individual to a floating ball of goofy in a matter of days. It's important to remain true to yourself and to retain your grounding. Investigate things that you may not know or have heard about. Search out the things that don't seem to make sense with what you do know and be as informed as you possibly can! The important thing to retain here is that there is no right, or wrong way of doing things necessarily, there are however ways that may not be beneficial to you. Take the time needed to make a decision and a choice based on the best information that you can gather, and don't just take someone's word for it....not even mine.

Vampires....and not the sparkly kind either!

That's right!

Ok, so before you get all bent out of shape about the obvious play on Twilight in the title,  let me at least preface this by saying it is not in any way about actual vampires, or vampire films! There, now that it's out of the way we can happily move on to the actual blog post. This post is about the most lethal kind of vampire out there, the Psychic Vampire. Psychic Vampires are well know both as a term and a people within the metaphysical community, in fact chances are that if you don't already know about them you have at least heard the term before.

Psychic Vampires don't drink blood or fly around as bats, they don't only come out at night either! It would be so much easier if they did of course, a simple call to your local Vampire Slayer and poof...dusted. Unfortunately that isn't the case here. The Psychic Vampire is a person just like any other, and can sometimes even be yourself. The trouble with a Psychic Vampire is that they draw upon energy. They create for themselves situations or events, sometimes even falsifying information in order to drain energy from others in order to fuel themselves. This can be done for a variety of reasons. Some simply don't know how to create or conserve their own energy and so they look for it from others. Others know exactly what they are doing and actually seek out their victims. And others still are willing victims of this Psychic Vampirism!

If you have ever had a conversation with someone, even for a short period of time and were left feeling drained, tired, or maybe even angry then you had a run in with this particularly nasty type of vampire. They use simple methods to make you open up to them so they can latch onto you psychically and begin to drain your energy. Usually by time you are done they feel great while you don't! I can't say that it's always easy to spot them as some can be really sneaky about it, but think of it this way, if they are throwing a pity party and you got the only invitation, politely decline. One of the most common ways that these vampires tend to get in is to complain about things, and why not? Complaining is something that we all do from time to time, and when someone does it to us we tend to listen and attempt to find something similar to their situation to relate to. There it is, you're already being sucked on like a cough drop at the flu ward! Ok, so maybe not the best analogy there but you get the point.

There are a few things that you can do in order to protect yourself from these types of individuals.

1. Don't get pulled in! Seriously! This is the easiest and yet the hardest one to work with. Don't surround yourself with those individuals that need to take your energy in order to thrive. At some point they are going to have to learn to deal with their energies in a constructive way, and they aren't going to be able to do that if you continue to let them drain from you! Something that I always live by is this, I am sure to surround myself with positive individuals and energy only!
2. Close of your energy points! Doing something as simple as crossing your arms, or legs will close off your energy circuits (so to speak of course), and will make the vampire unable to draw energy from you. It sounds too easy to be real right? Give it a shot, see if you sit there with your arms and legs crossed while they attempt to drain your energy you will not feel drained or tired afterward. You can still be the good friend, or sibling, or child, or whatever and listen to their situation without getting drained by it.
3. Psychic Protections. Surround yourself with white light, electricity, mirrors. Use these types of images in your protections to destroy or even bounce back the attacks that are made toward you. You can even use all three listed here in order to really keep yourself locked up and protected.

Believe it or not we deal with these people every day, sometimes even more than once. What it comes down to is that fact that your energy belongs to you. You are the only one that should decide where it goes and when, and you shouldn't have to be bullied and taken advantage of by these Psychic Vampires. Now that you are in the know, you won't have to ever again!