" Path Between the Worlds "

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A standing stone, ancient and carved in Ogham, whispering stories of this world and the one beyond the mists... Morrigan's Tree - from Banwen A few years ago, I was feeling rather down. It was end of term and I was feeling unconfident before the math exam. Looking at the paper, I could remember nothing of what I learned. Unwilling to simply blank out completely, I closed my eyes and meditated. I was whisked away (without much forethought) to a beach of glistening black stones and crashing surf. Cliffs towered above me on the other side. I was galloping the length of the beach on a horse. I came to a place at the bottom of the cliff marked by a standing stone. It marked where a path had been cut into the rock. Slowly, I climbed the treacherous way and came to the top. All I could see was rolling grass and heavy fog. I could just make out another stone in the distance along the edge of the cliff, and another when I had reached that. Following this trail, I came to a castle with a gate guarded by powerful creatures not of our world. I had always had a powerful female figure in my thoughts as long as I could remember, since my early childhood, named Morrigan. This, I knew, was her stronghold. The beasts blocked my way and asked me why I had come. I told them it was because I needed Morrigan's help and strength. They let me pass. I have never seen Morrigan's face, yet I know her presence intimately. It was she who greeted me and laid a strong hand on my shoulder. She showed me a book with all I had ever learned written inside and told me that I had it all within me. With a few more words and an embrace, I turned and ran from the castle with a cry. I came to, slightly startled, and began writing, remembering all that I had learned. A few days later, I got the results back and I was pleased. I also felt that a heartfelt 'thank you' was in order. That morning, I wrote a poem of thanks and put it aside. For the rest of the morning, a dense wet fog rose. It was the middle of winter, snow was on the ground. Fog in winter is an odd thing. Around noon I took the poem with some ginger and a silver coin to an oak tree in a park near my home. The oak, I knew, was Morrigan's tree. I thought it would be an appropriate place. The fog was so thick that I coud not see far ahead of me, but I knew the way without seeing it. As I neared the tree, it loomed up, ancient and striking, from the fog. And sitting in the branches of that tree were a group of the biggest, blackest crows I had ever seen. They were silent. My hands were shaking. I knew the crow to be Morrigan's bird. She used them as messengers and often took the shape of a crow. Standing at the base of the tree, I poured out the ginger, read the poem, and flipped the coin to the ground. As soon as I had done that, the crows took off, all together, without a sound. That afternoon, the fog dissipated and by sunset the skies were clear. I knew that it had been Morrigan who helped me, and she had recieved my message of thanks. Cup and Knife - from Onyx Although my first magical experience happened when I was young, I never really had the opportunity to start along the path until my early 20's. I was about 6 years old and I remember waking up in the middle of the night. I remember that I couldn't move or make any noise and it felt like I wasn't able to breath. The way I was laying in bed, I was facing towards the open door of the room. I opened my eyes and standing in the doorway way a tall woman with long black hair wearing a dress. She was holding a cup in one hand and a knife in the other. She stayed in the doorway for a while and just stared at me. Then she turned around and walked away down the hall. I had no Idea who that she was until last year actually (almost 27 years later). I was at a private ritual where Hecate was being invoked. During the ritual, people were allowed to go up and speak with her briefly. I am not sure at exactly what point during the ritual that it happened, but I remembered that experience that I had as a child and seeing the figure of the person then interposed of the person in the ritual, I realized that they were the same. When my turn came, I went up to her and asked if she was the one who had visited me then. She told me that she was and that she was there to watch over me. It was a very good feeling to know that the Gods do take the time to occasionally visit you personally. My Calling - from Anna Two years ago in the height of my transition to a neo-crone, I was despairing. My children were grown, no longer needing my constant attention, my husband was settled in his career and I was empty, just out of energy. I was lost inside myself and there just seemed no way out of my inner wilderness, no arrow pointing to "what next". Lucky for me I live in an area where open space has been preserved and oak woodland is the prevalent terrain. One Sunday, after the family's church services, I started crying and realized that staying in the house and allowing my son and husband to witness my tears was not appropriate for their day, so I got in my old blue Volvo and just said, "I don't know where I am going but take me there anyway." I passed a sidestreet that reminded me of a woman who told me months before there was a nice walk at the end of the road. So I turned and drove into the distance. When I parked and started hiking, I realized that the trail led through a saddle of sorts between two hills to a municipal golf course. I thought "yuk, I don't want to be this near civilization", so I headed cross country up the hill. Now, I had been on my own path of discovering Gaia and Goddess archetypes and I wore almost always several pieces of jewelry that bear spirals. Not only this but I had also been reading about labyrinths and their spiritual significance. When I crested the top of the hill, I was dumbstruck to find in the middle of a beautiful Oak grove, a double spiral sculpted in the grass. In the middle of the spirals was a small arch of a root. I knew then that magick had entered my life. There is much power in this place for me. For two years I have watched the seasons come and go. I feel blessed that I can walk the trail amid the oak, bay and buckeye. Before I left this sacred place I asked a tree what was expected of me in return for this wonderful discovery. The first thought that came to mind was "honor me". Though My problems have not totally disapperared, my life has changed significantly since that day. I have dedicated my life to environmental education, eco-spirituality and eco-psychology. Hmmm, do you think I was called? Forest Faerie - from Crystal One night when I was trying to reach my faerie I somehow drifted away from her. She smiled and nodded at me and I began to walk then run through a wood. I stopped and saw a beautiful Dragon, smiling at me. The next morning I awoke and felt so wonderful and beautiful. I went to my friend, who also pratices Wicca, and he confessed to me that he also had a similar dream. We both went out into the woods that day and meditated. Ever since then our luck in everything has changed for the better. Little Mouse - from Cherylynn I came from a very abusive enviroment. I was constantly getting into arguements and fights over every and anything. I was so angry all the time and didn't know why. One day, I was sitting in the field behind my house and a little brown mouse scurried up to me. I was surprised because animals usually shy away from me. Here I am, actually calm for a change, and something sweet and beautiful wanted to be near me! I realized I was trying to fit into a world of wants, desires and anger, when all I wanted was peace and trees and animals. I broke off ties with those people who hurt me, apologized to those I hurt, and moved to a new path. The Great Spirit - from Veronica After my father passed away, I was standing at the gravesite as they played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. I looked up over the mountain, and felt that he would be on the other side, at home waiting for us. Later, when we arrived at home, some of us stayed outside, and I noticed an eagle flying above our heads. It was almost as if it was Dad trying to tell us something. I told this story to an Inuit friend, and she explained to me that when someone dies, the eagle is a sign they have passed on to the Great Spirit. This belief is also a part of the Celtic traditon, and my father was indeed a Celt. "Merry Be" - from Jaume I was a Christian, but sooned dropped out of that religion. I have always loved nature and my friend introduced me to Wicca. While invoking the Quarters for the first time, I had a vision of a great Wolf sitting. It spoke to me, saying "Merry Be." A Vision - from Willowspirit I have the experience in this life of living with a Manic Depressive Illness. One spring many years ago, when I was particularly troubled I was walking in the Kelso Dunes (sand dunes that are on the road to the Death Valley). Although I was with a group of people, I walked ahead and away from them to experience the wind and the light and the sand on my own. It was then that Wise Woman came to me. I asked her why I felt so troubled. She replied, "Every Spring you are filled with the power of the Goddess. This is not an illness, but a gift. You must learn to use it." The wind shifted, the others came over a dune and she was gone. The Crows and The Tree - from Scout There was a day a few years ago when things just weren't going right. Stress seemed to be winning the battle with my usual calm self. To relieve the seemingly unending tension, I went for a walk. I started out from my urban apartment, and as I went around the back of the building, I noticed something at the base of a small Apple tree. I walked closer, looked down, and in disbelief saw an ornate Conch seashell. I couldn't understand how something so precious could have be left there, since where I live is far from any ocean. I reached down and picked up the shell. At that very moment, two large sleek ravens flew into the tree and began "calling" to me. I studied the shell, sensing the vibrations it was sharing with me. I stood there, with the seashell in my hands and the ravens singing their song to me, for about half an hour. I began to feel at ease and relaxed, both physically as well as spiritually. I began to realise that this in someway was meant for me, but I'm not totally sure as to why. Afterall, it's not wise to question such things. I knelt at the tree, closed my eyes, and gave gracious thanks to the Gods for sending such a divine gift to me. Afterwards, when I opened my eyes, I noticed the ravens had gone. They had heralded the gift, and with their job done, had flown to other skies. Later, I returned to the tree and made an offering of thanks, and left with a smile on my face. Joy and Honour - from Skywalk My calling was very pleasant. It was a very horrible day and I was so upset at everything, so I just screamed to the top off my lungs "Can somebody help me?". Upon saying these words two birds flew to my balcony and stared at me for a long time. I was mezmorized by them. Then, as quickly as they had come, they suddenly departed. Afterwards, I was filled with joy. I was happy, and now I know it was the spirit of the Goddess and the God trying to tell me that everything would be alright. I also think they where calling me to go back home to my fellow Wiccan sisters and brothers, and I hold that as an honour. Little Twig - from Sasha I was feeling upset one night, and so I went out onto my apartment's balcony to cool off and breathe a bit, and be reminded that the God and Goddess are everywhere. The stars were out and suddenly I wasn't on the balcony anymore. I was under the stars, surrounded by magick. I could feel the magick and energy run through me, and I closed my eyes. When I bent down to place my hands on the ground, I noticed a long twig. I picked it up, and knew it was a gift. For where was it to have come from? There are no trees on the 9th floor! I now use it as a wand and it is one of my most treasured possesions. Falling Rose - from Jo I used to visit an inner city garden in quite a deprived part of London, to think and meditate. One day I was there alone and decided to pick up all the litter that had been left. I had nearly finished when I heard a soft plop next to me and found the most beautiful red rose had fallen on the ground. The thing was, there was no rose bushes nearby. I had a strong feeling the neglected garden was thanking me for my time and love. Affirmation - from Aliany I have been studying for about a year. I became frazzled one night and asked the God and Goddess to make clearer to me what and where they are. The next night I was driving and I came to a sudden halt. A deer calmly stood in the middle of the road staring at my car. It made complete sense. I always knew that They are in nature and all around us, but I just needed an affirmation. By Goddess I got it! I was somewhat expecting a dream to show me, or just a thought to pop into my mind. But I like what I got alot better than just an idea! Little Fox - from Fand Le Fay One September in the late afternoon/early evening I was on a crowded city bus on my way to work. I had my head buried in a book and I was completely oblivous to the world around me, until for some reason I felt the urge to lift my head from my book and look up. The bus was stopped for merely a couple of seconds at a railway crossing. I looked up and there were alot of people standing in front of me but there was a small opening where I could see through the window and outside. There was an area beside the train tracks that was covered in tall green grasses and standing there in the grasses, staring directly at me was a little red fox! I couldn't believe my eyes and I looked to see if anyone else had noticed the excellence I had the privlege of seeing. It didn't appear so. I guess the fox was a gift for me to see from the Gods. Flowers - from Tara It was last year when I became genuinly interested in Wicca. A few friends of mine had seen "The Craft", and asked if I'd like to form a "Coven" with them. It was all out of curiousity, and I never thought something serious would come of it. So one day, Spring I think it was, one of the girls and I were down at the Coves (closes thing to wildlife in our area). We didn't really know what we were intending to do, when suddenly a tiny white, five petalled flower fell before us. On a whim, we picked it up, and started walking forward, following more of the delicate flowers. These flowers seemed to be leading us all around the Coves, and we saw many wonderful things that day. We were walking along some fairly steep hills, but we never strayed from the path the flowers made, and we never slipped or fell. Eventually, we came across a large tree which had fallen across a stream, and had most likely been dead for many years. It was covered in these tiny white flowers! We went over, and just beyond that tree, we saw a robin, which we followed a little farther, and came across a clearing of sorts, were dozens of birds were, some we'd never seen before, and will most likely never see again. It was a truly magickal experience. I'm not in a Coven with these girls any longer, but I know now that it was the God and Goddess calling to me that day. Ancient Radiance - from Brian It was late at night, roughly midnight, and I was going to be heading to bed soon. Suddenly I felt an odd urge to go to a small patch of forest near my house. When I got there I felt an inexplicable (or so it seemed at the time) energy in the air. I should mention that at this point I knew very little about Wicca or Neo-Paganism. Anyway, I felt an odd attraction to this very old tree just off the path running through the forest. I touched it gently and it seemed as though I could feel an ancient, great spirit running through its trunk. I just closed my eyes and continued gently touching the trunk of this old tree for several minutes. When I opened my eyes I was surprised to see a small collection of animals watching me. Animals usually shy away from me quite a bit. It seemed as though I could feel the spirits radiating from these animals; a skunk, a cat and a couple of birds. Believer - from Jessie I was alone riding my bike to relive work-related stress and to my amazement, a large and beautiful bear walked in front of me and stopped. When she opened her mouth, my mind cleared and I was completely feaked out but became completely serene. That was the third time that week a bear graced me with her presence. Soon after a friend introduced me to Wicca and since then I am a believer to be initiated at his next meeting. Kilie's Path - from Draskl Foxfyre About 6 months ago I was in a state of "spritual wandering". I was already a Wiccan but I had lost touch with the spirit. I decided to take a walk in the woods behind my house. I sat down at my favorite tree and asked the Goddess to help me. I closed my eyes and meditated for about and hour, when I opened my eyes a small dragon about the size of a house cat was watching me. But I was not afraid. He told me to follow him and I did. He took my to a place in my woods that I have never been to before. We arrived at a lake. He told me to look in the lake and when I did I saw a woman looking at me. It was the Goddess. She told me to stay with the dragon and he would help me see the true path. I have kept Kilie, the dragon, with me since then and I am very happy now. Whenever I am down, he lightens up my life. The Fae - from Lessa While researching Wicca on the web last night, I came across a page about The Fae. "Neat" was my original thought. Then I found a meditatiom for meeting them. I was a tad skeptical, but I decided to try anyway. I laid on my bed with the lights out, and visualized as the instructions told me to. I didn't expect to find anything. I was wrong. after focusing for a few minutes, one of the Fae appeared out of what seemed to be this dark void. He didn't look anything like what I would have conjured up in my mind. He was short, with a black beard and rough face. I asked his name, expecting it to be something from the mythical names I know, and he told me it was O'Reilly. "Interesting" I thought. It was then that I realized how much he looked like the leprachauns I had been told of in my childhood. Yet, he wasn't one. He was of the Fae. We conversed for a while, but I can't remember what we talked about because I drifted off to sleep, and all except the first part of our conversation receded into the shadowy world of half-remembered dreams. But I know, he is with me always. The Special Place - from Angela I was in my backyard looking for my "special place" to meditate or be in touch with the Goddess. I had no idea what I was looking for. I have such a limited space of woods, since I live in a city. I chose a flattened place under a small tree, but something called to me from farther into the woods. It wasn't physically calling me, but mentally. I walked farther, and I noticed a flower in front of me. There were no other flowers around, literally none. It was a beautiful pink lady slipper, which are on the endangered species list. There were no other flowers around. It was right near a tree, and now I know where my "special place" is, and I will focus all my energy on that spot. My Vision - from Amanda One night in a dream, I had a vision of a spritely character. I was sitting there with my friends, who are Pagan, and a sprite appeared before. I was suddenly in a heavily wooded yard. The sprite said that he wanted to teach me the Wiccan ways. I remember us talking but I can't recall all of it while on this plane, but I do remember talking to him and following him around, various watching rituals. Brown Bear - from Cristina This past summer I returned to a very special place in Montana to go on Vision Quest in the Native American tradition. This would be my fourth one and four is a sacred number. A noisy chipmunk on a tall ponderosa pine showed me my sacred spot by the creek. I had wished to be by the water so I could release much negativity and old pain. I had just prepared my space, called the Grandmothers of the four directions, closed my sacred circle with tobacco and corn, when I heard a loud "thump" to the side of me. About ten paces from me, by the ponderosa pine, was this beautiful brown bear standing up, staring at me. I was parelized at first and praying in my heart to the Grandmothers for protection. In spite of everything, I was able to take a good look at the bear, I could see its wet nozzle sniffing the air. After a while, you can imagine I was not aware of linear time, it left to the west, crossed the creek and was gone. Bear is in the West, again in the Native tradition, and it means the dark, the femenin side, introspection. Quite a message from one of my power animals which manifested in the physical. Great Spirits - from John One evening as I lay in bed after doing my spiritual exercise and meditation, I closed my eyes and relaxed my body. Soon the usual visions came, and then something unusual came to me. I was entranced so deeply that I could not open my eyes, and had a wonderous vision. Someone came to me that night and gave me great insights into life. I must have been like this for some time, since the day had made the transition from light to dark, though I know not exactly how long. All I know is that I had a great vision, and when I came to, I fell hard onto the bed. I had levitated. I was happy and serene that I had made contact with the great spirits. Sage - from Larry It was February of 1999. I lay in bed in great pain from fibromyalgia, full of pain killers and feeling like after 20 years of illness it was time to die. I awoke to see a Celtic woman at the side of my bed dressed in black with a black shawl and raven black hair. She looked at me and I knew I had the choice to live or die. She was beautiful and loving and I new She was of the Old Religion. Needless to say from that day forward I went back to the way I was before I was a chritian and a student minister estranged from Bible College. I am now a solitare and burn sage each night at 12 to cleanse one day and bless the day comming. Trinity - from Celeste SilverNight I have always been christian but I never really believed in the Trinity and such. It was hard and I felt so alone but I couldn't tell anyone because my peers and parents were predominantly Christian. But one day on the way home from church I was staring out the car window when I closed my eyes to just daydream like i always do. But when I closed my eyes I felt like I was not in the car but standing somewhere in a very dark room. I was looking ahead when a small light appeared, which quickly manafested, illuminating a young woman. She was talking to me but I could not hear what she was saying. Her body slowly took the form of a pregnant woman then to an elderly woman. She smiled at me and whispered something. I still could not hear her but when I read her lips she said "Blessed Be". I had studied Wicca for some time and I knew automatically that this was the Triple Goddess. The Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. I whispered "Blessed Be" back to her when my dad shook my shoulders. I opened my eyes and he told me I had been sleeping the entire way home. But I didn't feel empty anymore. I've been a devout Wiccan ever since. Walking The Path 1996 - 2006