Wisdom

Wisdom

wisdEm

 

Wisdom from the World's religions inspires our ethical and spiritual life.

Principles and Guidance: A basic definition of wisdom is the use of knowledge.  It is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgments and actions in keeping with this understanding. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions so that universal principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action.

 

The ancient Greeks considered wisdom to be an important virtue, personified as the Goddesses Metis and Athena. To Socrates and Plato, philosophy was literally the love of Wisdom.

 

Wisdom is also important within Christianity. Jesus emphasized it. Paul the Apostle, in his first epistle to the Corinthians, argued that there is both secular and divine wisdom, urging Christians to pursue the latter. Prudence, which is intimately related to wisdom, became one of the four cardinal virtues of Catholicism. The Christian philosopher Thomas Aquinas considered wisdom to be the father of all virtues.

 

In the Inuit tradition, developing wisdom was the aim of teaching. An Inuit Elder said that a person became wise when they could see what needed to be done and do it successfully without being told what to do.

 

Buddhist scriptures teach that a wise person is endowed with good bodily  conduct, good verbal conduct, and good mental conduct.  A wise person does actions that are unpleasant to do but give good results, and doesn’t do actions that are pleasant to do but give bad results.  Wisdom is the antidote to the self-chosen poison of ignorance.

In the Thirteen Virtues of a Witch, wisdom has nothing to do with education. You cannot judge people's wisdom by how far in school they did or didn’t get.  Wisdom comes from life experience.  It is the best tool for giving people good advice and helping them out of tricky situations.  Wisdom is the ability to see what is for the best and when or when not to act. 

 

In Norse mythology, the God Odin is especially known for his wisdom, often acquired through various hardships and ordeals involving pain and self-sacrifice. In one instance he plucked out an eye and offered it to Mimir, guardian of the well of knowledge and wisdom, in return for a drink from the well. In another famous account, Odin hanged himself for nine nights from Yggdrasil, the World Tree that unites all the realms of existence, suffering from hunger and thirst and finally wounding himself with a spear until he gained the knowledge of runes for use in casting powerful magic. He was also able to acquire the mead of poetry from the giants, a drink of which could grant the power of a scholar or poet, for the benefit of Gods and mortals alike.

 

The Ansuz rune A tells of increased awareness of what the future holds. Linked to Odin, it is a rune of inspiration, wisdom, aspirations and communication. Promises spiritual renewal and progress, clear vision and good health.

 

Air is the element of the East, connected to the soul and the breath of life. If you’re doing a working related to communication, wisdom or the powers of the mind, Air is the element to focus on.

 

The Six-Fold Goal is another guideline discussed in A Book of Troth by Thorsson and was adopted by certain Asatru groups. The Six-Fold Goals are: Right, Wisdom, Might, Harvest, Frith and Love.

Mimir is a figure in Norse mythology renowned for his knowledge.  Mimir is the wise one and Odin's uncle.  He guards the well of wisdom under Yggdrasil.  Once he is decapitated, Odin gets wisdom from the severed head.

 

Snotra is a Goddess associated virtue, wisdom, self-discipline and justice.  She is always ready to let folk know what is fitting at any given time. Often called on by the lady of the house when men are feasting too boisterously.  Snotra is one of Frigg's attendants.

 

Odin is a major God in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard.  He is associated with war and death, but also wisdom, poetry and the hunt. 

 

Vor is a Goddess associated with wisdom.  Vor is the Goddess of marriage and faithfulness between man and woman from whom nothing could be hidden because she is so wise. She is wise and alert, and she misses nothing.

 

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it." - Albert Einstein

 

 

 

A Year in Review!

Acceptance

Dignity

Justice

Love

Rede

Strength

Temperance

Truth

Volunteer

Wisdom

Odin's Wisdom

 

Spring Equinox

Blessed Spring Equinox under the Waxing Moon!  The temperature warmed up to 6 degrees this afternoon and the daffodils are starting to show through the snow.  Some spring cleaning is done and the alter is re-set with Thor watching over it now.  Summer should be here in a few months.  Enjoy the sunlight.

 

Hail, and welcome!
Green life returns to the earth
blooming and blossoming
once more from the soil.
We welcome you,
Goddesses of Spring,
Eostre, Persephone, Idunn, Freya,
in the trees,
in the soil,
in the flowers,
in the rains,
and we are grateful
for your presence.

 

So may it be!

 

Colored Eggs

Earth Day

Spring Blessed

Spring Equinox

 

Prayer

Do you own any sentimental object (wedding ring or family heirloom) - objects that value more than an identical duplicate?  That is magical thinking.  Do you feel that what goes around comes around?  That's magical thinking.  Do you yell at your laptop when it erases your files?  That's magical thinking.  Do you hope to leave a legacy after you die?  Magical thinking.  Do you believe that certain events were meant to happen?  Magical thinking.  Do you shout out 'Oh God' when you're stuck in traffic?  Magical thinking.

Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with a deity, an object of worship or a spiritual entity through deliberate communication. Prayer can be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words, movement, objects, photos or song.

Some Christians bow their heads and fold their hands. Some Native Americans regard dancing as a form of prayer. Some Sufis whirl. Wiccan prayers can include meditation, rituals and/or incantations.  Hindus chant mantras. Jewish prayer may involve swaying back and forth and bowing.  Quakers keep silent.  Some pray according to standardized rituals, while others prefer impromptu prayers and spells. 

Our ancestors prayed to their Gods. Their pleas and offerings are documented in the hieroglyphs that adorn the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, in the carvings and inscriptions left for us to read by the philosophers and teachers of ancient Greece and Rome. Later on, as Christianity moved in and replaced many of the old Pagan cultures, Irish monks wrote down stories, illuminating their manuscripts with vivid and colorful artwork.   The Old Norse people didn't seem to use prayer beads but many Modern Neopagans enjoy using them.

You can pray to anyone you like. You can pray to a God, a Goddess, your Ancestors or the Grand High Poobah of the Toaster Oven. Pray to whoever -- or whatever -- is most likely to take an interest in your dilemma or thanks. If you're working on protection of your home, for example, you may wish to call upon Vesta or Brighid, both guardians of the Earth. If you're about to enter into a nasty conflict, perhaps Mars, the god of war, would be willing to step in for a bit of fun.  Some people pray simply to spirits -- spirits of the Earth, of the sky, of the sea, etc.  Erik Wikstrom recommends that we pay attention to the form of prayer rather than the content – focus on the how rather than to whom.

Prayer beads is one tool that can be used.  Prayer Beads are used by members of various religious traditions such as Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, Anglicanism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Wiccan and Baha'i Faith to count the repetitions of prayers, meditation, chants, magical focus or devotions, such as the rosary in Christianity, worry beads in Greek and dhikr (remembrance of God) in Islam. 

The first beads were grooved pebbles, bones and teeth -- made over 40,000 years ago -- and had talismanic and symbolic connotations from the beginning. Beads are among the earliest human ornaments and ostrich shell beads in Africa date to 10,000 BC. Over the centuries various cultures have made beads from a variety of materials from stone and shells to clay.  Beads have always had a spiritual significance to Native Americans; neck medallions as early as A.D. 800 served as talismans against threat.  The English word bead derives from the Old English noun bede which means a prayer. The exact origins of prayer beads remain uncertain, but their earliest use probably traces to Hindu prayers in India. 

The number of beads also vary depending on the different religions, Islamic prayer beads Tesbih usually have either ninety nine or thirty three beads, Buddhists and Hindu use Japa Mala usually consisting 27 bead malas. Sikhs use a Mala with 108 beads. Greek komboloi has an odd number of beads usually one more than a multiple of four. Roman Catholics use the Rosary with 54 beads whereas Eastern Orthodox Christians use rosary with 100 knots, although prayer ropes with 50 or 33 knots can also be used.

While the diversity of pagan religions is too great to accept any one style of prayer, spell and ritual work, there is several resources and general guidelines to help you start.  They can be based on the Sabbats, Triple Goddess, Witches' Ladder, Elements, Ancestors Rope or other magical themes.  Sacred numbers (3, 7, 9, 13) are incorporated in the design as well as circles and spirals (signifying wholeness, community, the universe, creation and cyclic change).  Gemstones have attracted people with their colors and charming gloss since ancient times. Since then, each stone has a special meaning. 

For example: The moon cycle prayer beads are based on the days of the naturally occurring moon's cycle. They are configured of 4 sets of 7 beads signifying each quarter, 1 marker bead for the full or new moon, to complete the 29 day cycle.  The bead representing the full moon is larger than the others, and is white, moonstone or pearl.  The white bead represent the moon when it is full or nearly full, silver beads represent the moon at about half phase, and black beads represent the crescent or new moon.   Quick and easy to twist together with silver wire under the full moon. 

You can make up your own meditation on the moon beads but a simple mantra might be:

               Oh, silver moon, fill me with your sparkling light.
               Teach me to sail serenely through the dark and the storm.

Repeat the two sentences on each bead, while picturing the moon going through its phases, and trying to capture the calmness of a moonlit night. 

A similar design can be used for the Sun, use morning, noon, afternoon and evening in place of the four phases of the moon.  The largest stone would be red, sunstone or volcanic rock.  And just keep building out from there or use other themes that speak to you.

Ultimately, a prayer or a spell is a very personal thing.  If one form doesn't work, try another.  It is a practice that may take some research, experiment and time.  You can do it out loud or silently, in a church or backyard or forest or at a kitchen table. Pray when you need to and say what you wish to say (help, thank you, guidance, hello).  Chances are good that someone is listening.

 

                “Eagle Poem”

To pray you open your whole self

To sky, to Earth, to sun, to moon

To one whole voice that is you.

And know there is more

That you can’t see, can’t hear

Can’t know except in moments

Steadily growing, and in languages

That aren’t always sound but other

Circles of motion.

Like eagle that Sunday morning

Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky

In wind, swept our hearts clean

With sacred wings.

We see you, see ourselves and know

That we must take the utmost care

And kindness in all things.

Breathe in, knowing we are made of

All this, and breathe, knowing

We are truly blessed because we

Were born, and die soon, within a

True circle of motion,

Like eagle rounding out the morning

Inside us.

We pray that it will be done

In beauty.

 

 

Centering

Embrace the Divine

Grounding

Meditation

Prayer

Prayer Bead

Prayer Bead

 

One Norse Wiccan Prayer Bead

 

 

Air: Spirit is Enchanted

Air                                                                                                             Spirit is Enchanted

East, Waxing Moon (First Quarter) G, Spring, March, April, May, Spring Equinox (Summer Finding), Beltane (May Day), Dawn (Sunrise), Wisdom, Dignity, Planting, Yellow, Incense, Hope, Wind, Breath

Alfheim

Bear

Bee

Eagle

Goat

Heimdall z

Idunn

Maiden Goddess

Jotunheim

Odin a

Raven

Warrior God

Rooster

Thor  x

The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity.  The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention, and reducing temperature extremes between day and night.  Nearly all Earth beings need air to live both animals and plants.  Like Earth, the air is slowly filling with pollutes and toxins.  But our spoken words are still carried on the winds.

Air is one of the four classical elements in ancient philosophy and science.   Air is often seen as a universal power or pure substance.  It's supposed fundamental importance to life can be seen in words such as aspire, inspire, perspire and spirit, all derived from the Latin spirare.  Invisible, unpredictable, unreliable, playful, soothing, destructive, inspiring and life giving: the element of air or wind is all these things and much more.

Invisible, air can not be seen, but its influence can be clearly felt.  Air in motion is wind, moving things across the land unseen but felt.  One cannot see the wind, nor hold it in their hands, wind cannot be captured, and wind cannot be tamed.  Instead what we can see is the ripple upon the waters, the fallen leaves dancing in a circle, dust swirling across the path, or see it invisible as it plays with a young girl’s hair.  Air can also be motionless and when wind is absent air can no longer be as much as felt as detected.  We breathe air even if it does not move as wind, and it surrounds us even still as an invisible force upon our lives. Contrary to the other elements that together form the basic elements of the world, wind is the one element that seems to be less physical than spiritual.

The connection between air and the soul is reflected in many languages and cultures.  For example, in Greek tradition, who considered Aêr the first principle of everything, said that it is the stuff of breath and soul, and therefore the principle of life, sensation and reaction.  Also, the Pythagorean identified the soul with warm (and therefore active, moving) air and said, "People and other animals live by breathing air, and this is for them both soul and intelligence."

What makes the soul enchanted is its very engagement with the world. Sufi tradition tells of the soul given an opportunity to dance in the human body and, liking it so much, it did not want to leave. This is exactly your sentiment with the world. Your soul is attracted to beauty, affection, connection, and celebration; it is severely wounded by rejection, alienation, violence, and ugliness.

Elemental air is also the playful wind. The summer breeze plays with foliage and makes each tree sing its own tune. It plays with my hair and strokes my cheek. It makes plastic bags dance in city streets.  Air plays and dances with us. And it carries the scent of sunlight on young foliage, or of trees blossoming.  And sometimes, around the Equinoxes especially, the wind can turn destructive. It sweeps clean the Earth, ready for the new season.

Doves and birds are connected to the element of wind. They represent peace, tranquility, and the calm that wind can bring.  Willow boughs are also used as symbols of the air; their supple nature and slender, wind-blown leaves seem fitting to represent the gentle supple motion of the wind.  Flutes and other wind music, with their high pitching notes that often sound like the whining of the wind in the branches of trees, is often used to depict the wind.

Air has a masculine energy, or yang.  Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are all air signs in the zodiac.  Incense is used both as a symbol of wind and a religious object. As a symbol of air, the perfumed smells of incense is often soothing reminding one of the genteel dreams given to us by the wind. Although the wind is invisible, and therefore colourless, white, yellow and silver are usually associated with the element of wind/air.

As soon as we call to mind the air element within the body — the air in our lungs and other body cavities, even the gases dissolved in our blood — we’re immediately aware of the breathing, aware that air is flowing rhythmically in and out of the body.  So almost simultaneously we recall the air element outside of us — the air surrounding us and touching the skin in this very moment, the winds and clouds and breezes that we see and hear moving branches and grasses. In truth your life is a sacred gift of enchantment to this Earth.  Having this direct sense of interconnectedness is enlivening and empowering, I’m no longer separate and small, but an intimate part of the vast cycle of the elements. 

Leaves scurry up and down your clear highways

and thoughts with black feathers rise cawing,

a stream of thick smoke carries up.

Today I opened my mouth,

and out flew your song.

I learned to ride on the rafts of wind,

send my thoughts spiraling up to your place,

where every breath is a blessing,

every breeze is a song.

So may it be.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsPoXydsSpk
 

 

Air: Spirit is Enchanted

Your Spirit is Enchanted

Clean Air Day

Earth is Home

Earth Day

Elements Table

Fire: Body is a Temple

Your Body is a Temple

Fire Prevention

Water: Mind is Divine

Your Mind is Divine

World Water