SECTION V - RESOURCES
The Codex of Life - Midnight Grey Wolfpup
Autumnal Equinox/Mabon 1999 - Sarlota
The Codex of Life
By Midnight Grey Wolfpup
"Lost in Lebanon and in the Middle East are the fragments of
the mother of all Semitic religions. It was a religion of spirit,
life, love, rapture, and natural celebration. This book is not
the result of an archeological dig but a cultural memory, handed
down by a priest of the old religion as one of his most precious
of treasures. The human hands that penned it will remain a
mystery, but the spirit that formed these words exists buried in
our memories. It struggles looking for release. Female
entertainers of today try to replace She who was a symbol of all
that made life worth living, and death a mere return into the
great womb. But, how can a child replace the Mother of Nature
herself? We need to remember before it is too late, before we can
never find a way back to a life filled with a semblance of peace
and joy. All I can hope for is that it brings peace and reawakens
the memory of the Queen of Heaven, Ishtar, the mother of Angels,
and Goddess of Love and Light."
Thus starts one of the most amazing manuscripts I've ever read.
Recently I was honored in being accepted as a student in The
Angelic College of Damkar <http://www.damkar.org>. What a
wonderful group of people they are. The first thing they sent me
was titled The Codex of Life. Simply amazing.
Co·dex, Pronunciation: 'kO-"deks, noun, plural co·di·ces /'kO-d&-"sEz, Latin, 1670; a manuscript book especially
of Scripture, classics, or ancient annals. Based on
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary, 10th Ed.
The manuscript should be used as a daily meditation, a thought
provoking experience, or when life get's to be too much and you
just need everything to be put in perspective. When you need life
it's self to be put into perspective.
"I have given the brightness of my crown to the stars. I
have given the vision of my eyes to cats and lions. I have cast
my spear into the dragon and unleashed passion. I have given the
strings of my harp to my daughters and made their voices sweet to
the host of heaven. I have placed the feathers of my wings in the
scales of judgment to weigh against the dead hearts. I have made
my blood to run in the veins of saints and prophets and my
symbols adorn every faith. I am the hidden flame in every
religion and to me all of you shall return."
The thoughts and meanings of the words in this work will amaze
and baffle you. Just when you think you've figured out the
message, you realize that there are depths beyond anything you've
ever dreamed. I wouldn't recommend trying to sit and read it the
way you would a book; as many of it's messages would be lost.
This is one you will want to refer back to many times, especially
when you just need words to guide your thoughts.
"The world is deafened by the tears of pain. Children are
being born to a world that lost its heart. Is it not enough the
soil of the earth has been poisoned with hate? You struggle among
you to build towers to reach the sky. We watch and I ask, when
will you stop to enjoy paradise? When will the children of this
world dance with the stars and play with peace?"
Right now, the one section that speaks to me the most is one that
is very symbolic. I'm sure over time, many others will take it's
place, but in closing I'd like to share it with you .....
"Have I not told you the story of the three roses? There
were three roses - a blue, a yellow, and a white. The blue was
the mother of all roses. The yellow was her daughter and the
white is the infant grandchild. The blue rose turned to the
yellow and asked, "My daughter, do you know what truth lies
in roses?" The yellow answered, "No mother, teach me,
for I am your daughter. From you flows wisdom, and from me there
shall be understanding" The blue rose said, "Tell me, O
daughter, the name of the infant white rose?" The yellow
answered, "Her name is peace". The blue rose asked,
"What is my name?" The yellow rose answered, "You
are liberty and I am devotion". The blue rose shed a petal
and said, "Take away hope and you take away liberty".
The blue rose shed a second petal and said, "Take away her
sister faith and you take away liberty". The blue rose shed
a third petal and said, "Take away understanding and you
take away liberty". The blue rose shed its fourth petal and
said, "Take away her sister clarity and you take away
liberty." The blue rose shed its fifth petal and said,
"Take away silence and you take away liberty." The blue
rose shed its sixth petal and said, "Take away her sister
tranquillity and you take away liberty." The blue rose shed
its seventh petal and said, "Take away passion and you take
away liberty." The blue rose then said, "As I shed my
last petal I remind you, only through your devotion to your child
will the red rose give birth to a blue blossom". My
children, all roses rest under the bottom of your heart. They
blossom when you blossom and wither when your hearts wither. Do
you all not yearn for the blue rose?"
This is the first review of it's kind in Cauldrons and
Broomsticks, but I felt that the message hidden in the words of
this work were something I could whole heartedly recommend to our
readers. What a beautiful tale of love, warmth, and hope for
life. Something that gives the reader hope for a better world.
One we can create for ourselves right here and right now.
To obtain your own copy, contact The Angelic College of Damkar [sororiam@home.com], and refer to the Codex of Life as spoken of
in Cauldrons and Broomsticks. They will be more than happy to
help you.
Planetary Ritual
Autumnal Equinox/Mabon 1999
Sep.23, 1999 at 6:31 AM CDT
©1999 Sarolta G. DeFaltay
"Every planetary alignment holds an opportunity for growth
and expanded awareness, and contains symbolism that is
universally shared. By meditating on current planetary themes, we
can tune in to the archetypal energy inherent therein, and apply
it experientially to our lives, through ritual, meditation, and
the gradual unfolding of our own personal myth. "
The Autumnal Equinox is the season of the harvest, when the Sun
enters Libra, the sign of harmony, balance and beauty. Equinoxes
are times of equilibrium, when the hours of daylight are equal to
the hours of darkness, and this equinox represent a time of rest
after labor.
Spring represents initiation, but Autumn represents repose, when
we look back over the season behind us, and give thanks for the
blessings and abundance of this year's harvest.
The astrological charts of the Solstices and Equinoxes have been
read by astrologers since ancient times for news of the upcoming
season, especially as it pertains to the well-being of nations,
their leaders, and the condition of the people. Ingress charts
(as they are called) are drawn for the exact moment the Sun
enters one of the four cardinal signs: Capricorn, Aries, Cancer
and Libra (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn). Cardinal energy is
initiating, and an excellent time for magickal workings, as
practitioners of earth spirituality have known for a long, long
time.
The eight Sabbats of the pagan year correspond to the eight
phases of the Moon, and the seasonal cycles are also reflected in
the symbolism of the waxing and waning Moon. The Autumnal Equinox
corresponds to the Last Quarter phase of the lunar cycle, a time
of reorientation, when we begin to prepare for a gradual change
in our current cycle. This has been called a "Crisis in
Consciousness", when we know it's time to move on to
something new, and begin to evaluate what we'll hold onto, and
think about what we need to release once and for all.
Autumnal Equinox 1999
This year’s ingress is exact on
Sep. 23, 1999 at 6:31 AM EST Washington, D.C.
Planetary Themes
Jupiter, the planet of expansion, in the earthy sign of Taurus,
is in harmonious aspect to Ceres, the asteroid Goddess that
represents the nurturing principle. This symbolizes a bountiful
harvest, with plenty to go around! Think about how you can better
serve the needs of those close to you, and how you can give on a
more global level as well.
The Sun in Libra is trine (a harmonious aspect) with Neptune in
Aquarius. This allows for creative dialogue about the ideals of
humanity in general, and adds to our theme of nurturance and
harvest this month. There is energy for envisioning higher
ideals, and compassion for the downtrodden is heightened. You can
now appeal to the visionary in others, to gain a more global
perspective as it relates to the needs of all people.
Mercury, the planet of communication and eloquence is conjunct Vesta, the asteroid goddess that represents dedication, ritual
and spirituality. They are also in a harmonious aspect to Uranus,
the revolutionary planet of change and electronic media. This
signifies great spiritual breakthroughs through divination, or
spreading idealism throughout the world, as people will be
looking to dedicate themselves to a higher ideal as the year 2000
approaches.
Mabon Herbal Lore
Benzoin: Herb of purification. Combine with basil or cinnamon to
attract business.
Blessed Thistle: Energy and strength.
Caraway: fidelity, longevity; made into bread for this holiday.
Honeysuckle: enhances psychic abilities; attracts prosperity.
Marigold: encourages prophetic dreams.
Myrrh: enhances contemplation and meditation; use it to bring
peace, healing and blessing.
Passion Flower: Used as a powder or incense, increases
understanding. Peaceful home, protection.
Solomon's Seal: Use in altar incense for cleansing and
consecration.
Sage: wisdom, immortality, clearing.
These herbs can be utilized in ritual by making an incense, or
annointing candles with essential oil. They can be sewn into a
charm bag and consecrated (dedicated to a single purpose), and
worn when needed.
Ritual Bath: Blessed Thistle, Hyssop, Lavender, Sage.
Place any or all herbs in cheesecloth and tie well; run under
tap. You can also make a strong tea ("Harvest tea")
from the herbs, and strain into the bath.
Light orange or gold candles annointed with frankincense oil or
Harvest tea, and imagine a golden glow in your bath and around
your aura. Bathe yourself in the herbs and the solar energy,
clearing away anything you no longer need to hold on to. After
your bath, bring your candles with you to the circle, and place
on the altar or at the quarters.
The Altar: Decorate with pine cones, grains, dried ears of corn,
acorns and autumnal fruits, flowers and leaves. Red poppies are
symbolic of the Corn Goddess Demeter, and they can be offered to
Her on your altar.
The symbol of the cornucopia signifies the wealth of the harvest,
as we take this time to thank the Earth Mother for her bounty.
You will need three candles: yellow, pale blue and gold.
Ritual: Cast the circle by visualizing white light encircling you
in a clockwise motion. Honor and invite the four elements into
your circle:
East for Air, South for Fire, West for Water, and North for
Earth.
Incense: Benzoin, Blessed Thistle, Myrrh or Sage.
Bring any or all of the above ingredients into your ritual circle
and add each herb one at a time, while grinding by hand with a
mortar and pestle and focusing on the properties of each herb as
it is added.
Consecrate your incense by dedicating it to the Demeter, or one
of the Harvest Goddesses, and charge it with thanksgiving. When
the incense is prepared, burn some on a charcoal as you focus in
on your goal.
Candles: The yellow candle represents Mercury/Vesta, the
communicating urge fused with the principle of deep dedication.
Write down how you can best communicate your spiritual ideals
through creative activity, and place under the candle. Light your
candle as you say your goal aloud, or meditate on its meaning.
Repeat with the following:
The pale blue candle represents Neptune/Sun, in the idealistic
air signs of Aquarius and Libra. Write down how you can express
your most balanced self through vision, art and poetic
meditation, and also how you can bring those ideals to your most
important relationships.
Focus intently as you light your candle.
The gold candle represents Ceres in Leo. Write down the abundant
gifts you've received, and express how grateful you are for the
blessings of Demeter/Cares. Meditate on your goals, prayers and
wishes, and think about where you feel your path will lead from
here. Focus again,
sending prayers to our Mother as you light the third candle.
When you feel the ritual is complete, thank the Goddess, and burn
each paper as you focus once again on the intention of the goal,
releasing the energy to the wind and elemental helpers. Thank the
nature spirits, Deities or elementals, and close your circle,
allowing the candles to burn all the way down, or instead, burn
them for a little while for the next several days as you reaffirm
your commitment to your vision of the future.
I always like to 'charge' a few candles during a Sabbat ritual; I
use the large glass-encased candles, annoint them with oil, light
them during ritual as above with full intent, add appropriate
herbs, and consecrate. I always use them later when I need to
focus or bring in some extra energy. You can burn these candles
to help you focus while you’re working on a goal, or
whenever you need a little inspiration and energy. Blessed Be.
©1999 Sarolta G. deFaltay
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Beyerl, Paul. A Compendium of Herbal Magick. Custer, WA: Phoenix
Publishing, Inc., 1998.
Budapest, Zsuzsanna. The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries.
Oakland, CA: Wingbow Press, 1989.
Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical
Herbs. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1985.
Farrar, Janet & Stewart. The Witches’ Goddess. Custer,
WA: Phoenix Publishing, Inc., 1987.
George, Demetra. Asteroid Goddesses. San Diego, CA: ACS
Publications, 1986.
Hopman, Ellen Evert. A Druid’s Herbal. Rochester, VT:
Destiny Books, 1995.
Simms, Maria Kay. The Witch's Circle. St. Paul, Minnesota:
Llewellyn Publications, 1998.
Smith, Steven R. Wylundt’s Book of Incense. York Beach, ME:
Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1996.
Starck, Marcia. Healing With Astrology. Freedom,CA: The Crossing
Press, 1997.
Starhawk.The Spiral Dance. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1988.
Walker, Barbara G. The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols and
Sacred Objects. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1988.
Zalewski, C.L. Herbs In Magic and Alchemy. Dorset, UK: Prism
Press, 1990.
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Sarolta G. DeFaltay is an astrologer and tarot consultant, and
works with clients to create personal rituals based on individual
needs and astrological cycles. Look for her book: "Magical
Astrology Guide for the Year 2000", available in November,
1999. She also writes Daily Horoscopes and New Moon Magic for
every sign.
http://www.i.am/deepskies
ladysarolta@yahoo.com
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