Avalon Within

by Jhenah Telyndru

  With great reverence, kneel and cup your hands, filling them with the icy water. Bringing the liquid thrice to your lips, take the time to drink in all aspects of the water—how it tastes, how it makes you feel, how it connects you with the Holy Island of Avalon. You have received a most blessed sacrament. Take the time to fully understand its meaning and consequence in your life.

  After a while, you notice a stream of water flows forth from its source, gathering into a pool that darkly reflects the clear starry sky. Take some time to stand over the rivulet, centering yourself and slowing your breathing. Feel the deep magnetic pull of the water beneath you, and sense that it is drawing off any energies generated by your lower self, cleansing you of any blockages and removing any fear. Feel your womb stirring within you. Awakened by the power of the Red Spring, your own sacred flow begins, be you maiden or crone. (NOTE: If you are pregnant, simply feel the energies cleanse you and bless the babe in your womb—do NOT envision your moon blood coming upon you.) Spend some time standing over this cleansing stream and take note of how your energy has changed and what has been cleared from you; these are important clues for your inner process.

  When you feel you have spent enough time straddling the flow, continue to follow its path to the glassy mirror formed by the pooling of the water. The clarity of the reflection of the waning moon on its calm surface is striking. Speak aloud the purpose of your quest to the Red Spring, and see your words carried on a soft wind, rippling magickally over the pool’s taut countenance. Sit beside it and gaze into its depths, taking note of any images that may play across the water. The mirror pool draws you deeper and deeper into its cauldron-shaped abyss, and you find yourself slipping, headfirst, into its magnetic belly. Surprisingly, you have no trouble breathing as you become immersed into icy waters much deeper than you could ever have imagined from the surface.

  You descend lower into the red-tinged otherworldliness of the sacred pool. The water spirals around you like a glass tower, drawing you towards the bottom where you see a glowing silver light. You can almost discern the faint outline of a fantastically constructed palace when a strong current begins to eddy around you, causing the vision to dissipate in the churning waters. Doubt clouds the water, keeping you from maintaining focus on that which beckons to you from below. What is the nature of this resistance—what within you prevents you from reaching this goal?

  You struggle against the vortex, which increases in intensity the more you flail about. Clear your mind and calm your breathing, comes a thought and you comply. The waters still, the stirred-up debris settles, and your way is made clear to the bottom, where an entirely new world opens before you.

  You find yourself standing before a majestic building, seemingly wrought from the water itself. The high walls and spiraled turrets appear as glass spun from the luminous currents swirling around them. As you approach the entrance of this incredible edifice, its shining doorway opens to you, and you enter into the underwater palace’s grand hall.

  A long and inviting table fills the hall, illuminated by candles and exquisitely set with a sumptuous feast of exotic foods. Although there are settings enough for a hundred guests, the banquet hall is empty and the translucent citadel is eerily quiet. Your eye catches the slightest hint of movement on the other side of the chamber, and you walk towards it, past the bountiful table.

  There is a doorway here, draped from lintel to threshold with a dark opaque veil. Through the fine weave of the silken material, you can look into the room beyond just enough to make out the ghostly outline of figures, appearing to move to the rhythms of a soundless dance. Before your eyes, the smoky vision begins to shift, and the figures begin to take on more familiar forms. Their dance changes too, and within the space of a heartbeat you recognize that these are no longer featureless shadows, but people and events that have had deep emotional impact on your life and have contributed to establishing the negative patterns and perspectives that color your sight. Long-forgotten memories rise to the surface and play out beyond the fabric of the veil. As you watch these energetic echoes of what has passed, you realize these are people and situations which, through the workings of the shadow, still play an active role in what you do, how you feel, and what you think.

  Deep within you comes the dawning realization that these dark specters need to be honored and laid to rest. As painful as some of these visions may be, they need no longer be woven into the fabric of the present. The shades of things past have no place in the reality of the now. Allow the images to run their course, taking note of all that you see and remember. When the cloaked apparitions cease shifting, take three centering breaths and ask to see that which lies beyond the hanging pall. When you are ready, move the shroud aside with the intention to see things for what they are, untainted by the dance of shadows.

  You pass through whisper-soft curtains and enter the room beyond the doorway. The shadows dissipate in your wake, insubstantial as the hazy smoke tendrils generated by the single candle illuminating the room. It is hard to see in the flickering light of the dim flame, but you realize the chamber is empty, save for a silvery object, gleaming from its very heart. You reach for it instinctively, knowing it is a gift meant for you. Your outstretched fingers make contact …

  … And you find yourself standing in the orchard once again, under the crisp night sky. Looking down at your hands, you see that you are holding the object from the bottom of the mirror pool. Examining it, you realize it holds important information about your work, and you make note of as much detail as you can. You are back where you started, but a change has occurred, and you know something has been set into motion. Take some time to reflect on your experiences.

  When you are ready, your guide leads you back through the orchard and to the shores of the lake, where the Barge of Avalon awaits you. Turn once more to face the island and thank the Lady and all the guardians of this sacred space for supporting your work and allowing you to visit. Bid your guide farewell, and climb aboard the Barge to complete your journey to the other side, bringing with you the memory of all that has come before.

  Revisiting the Self

  As you continue making your connection to the Red Spring and participating in the process of descending into the unconscious aspects of the self, go back and re-read the self-reflective questions above. How have your answers changed? What catalyzed any changes? What underlying energies are you now aware of which were previously unconscious? What patterns have become visible? How can you put your insights and connections to work in order to bring change into your life?

  Tool for the Station: Developing Inner Sight

  The women of Avalon were renowned for their powerful use of the Sight. This was not a supernatural ability; rather, the priestesses of Avalon learned how to read the greater patterns around them, and from that, could predict how things would likely unfold. We can make use of this ancient art in our personal process; the more we understand the mechanisms of our inner landscapes and the more we are able see the way in which our own patterns manifest, the more we will be able to effect deep and lasting change in our lives.

  It is this change which allows us to rise above the lessons being presented to us over and over again, giving us new eyes with which to see ourselves and the world around us. The more we change and grow, the greater becomes our ability to perceive the pattern. Therefore, we can say the Sight is not the goal of spiritual attainment, but rather, its byproduct.

  Scrying is a potent tool for uncovering and deciphering the individual parts that make up the greater pattern. Like any other tool or esoteric art, learning to scry successfully takes a great deal of dedication, patience, and practice. You needn’t be “psychic” in order to scry; we already have this ability within us. Scrying is a simple way to bypass the conscious mind, allowing us to connect with the wisdom inherent in our higher selves. The biggest challenge of this discipline is honing the ability to obtain clear focus. This can be a
chieved in a number of ways.

  There are many objects that can be used as a focus for scrying. Crystal spheres or points, the embers of sacred woods, standard silvered or specially blackened mirrors, candle flames, intricate mandalas, or a bowl or body of still water are but a few examples of tools traditionally used in this art. One medium may have a greater draw over others, or it may be necessary to explore and experiment with several before finding the focus that works best. As with all things, personal experience is the most important element in the decision making process.

  The women of Avalon made special use of the sacred waters gracing the Island. To honor the wisdom of our foremothers, we too make use of water as an instrument for scrying. Although we will focus on water here, the presented techniques can be adapted to other scrying methods that may work better for the individual.

  It is important to select a scrying vessel suited to the process; many Avalonian Sisters use an iron cauldron or a silver bowl as a way of making a strong connection with our archetypal spiritual heritage. Other sorts of vessels may be used as they suit the individual, but it is best that there be no distracting patterns or textures which may interfere with the clarity of the reflective surface. Although there are special “magick mirrors” available for purchase, it is always better to make our own tools; doing so infuses them with our intention and facilitates our ability to connect with the tool for our workings. Whatever vessel is chosen, our efforts will be empowered if its use is exclusively for scrying. When not in use, wrapping the vessel in a piece of silk will keep it charged and protected.

  Pure spring water is an excellent medium for scrying. Alternatively, consider making a magickal herbal infusion for this purpose. A particularly powerful elixir for Sight can be made in the following manner:

  1. Boil spring water and let sit for five minutes.

  2. Add a handful of vervain (Verbena officinalis) herb, a piece of silver, and a moonstone.

  3. Let steep until cooled.

  4. Strain liquid into a bottle or jar, retaining the silver and

  moonstone.

  5. Place bottle in direct moonlight overnight. It is best to create two different elixirs at the full and dark moons; they can be used for different purposes and to seek different kinds of information. For maximum potency, keep the elixir in the moonlight for three consecutive nights.

  6. To preserve the liquid, you may choose to add a small amount of brandy or vodka after it has been potentiated by moon energy. Store it in a cool place or in your refrigerator, if you do not wish to use alcohol. You may remove the silver and moonstone before storage if you wish.

  7. When scrying, add three or nine drops of the Elixir for Sight into a water-filled vessel. Placing a few drops underneath the tongue before working helps to open the pathways to the Sight.

  Note: Although vervain is safe, especially in the small dosages that come from elixir use, consult a health care professional if you have any questions about ingesting this herb. Do not use the Elixir of Sight if you are pregnant. Instead, make a gemstone elixir with moonstone by placing it in a glass bowl filled with spring water and follow steps five through seven, omitting the alcohol in step six.

  Setting up the work beforehand is one of the most important elements of scrying. Knowing how to ask for information is critical to the success of the working. Take some time to meditate on what it is you would like to know before actually sitting down to scry; it is better to focus on one issue at a time. Preparation ensures you are spending as much time as needed concentrating on one topic rather than quickly running down a laundry list of concerns. Once you have chosen a topic you would like to receive more information on, or a situation you feel needs more clarity, you can begin work and set your intention accordingly.

  When ready, gather your tools at a time and in a place where you will not be disturbed. It is best to work in low, indirect light; try scrying under the full moon or by the light of a single candle. Some women find that playing soft ambient instrumental music helps filter out distracting noises; if you do, it is best to use neutral music or rhythmic drumming so as not to have musical energy interfere with the information you are seeking. You may decide to hold the vessel in your hands, sit in front of it on the floor, or rest it on a table or altar in front of you. You may choose to use different positions for your vessel as you proceed in your scrying session, but before you begin, it is important to be in a comfortable position allowing a clear view of the inside of your vessel.

  Always start your working by clearing and centering—this can be done through breath, sound, visualization, or burning sacred herbs like vervain or Balm of Gilead (Populus candicans). Fifteen minutes of Power Breathing is very effective for this purpose. Once you have cleared your physical and energetic spaces of distraction, sit with your intention and all that is connected with the issue at hand until it fills your very being. For example, if you have decided to work on understanding why you find it difficult to say “no” to others, even when you are already over-committed, bring to mind instances when this has happened and connect emotionally with how it made you feel.

  When you are strongly rooted in this energy, call your guide and ask the Goddess to help you receive the information you need to understand this situation so that you may make positive growth changes. Place your hands around your scrying vessel—already filled with water and drops of the Sight Elixir if you have chosen to use it—and feel your intention for clarity on this specific issue flow out of your hands to charge the water and the vessel. When you feel you have put as much of this energy into the vessel as possible, take three deep breaths to settle your energy, and begin scrying.

  A good way to start is by softening your vision as you stare at the still surface of the water. Keep your breathing deep and rhythmic as you work, and keep your mind clear of any doubts or expectations. Some women find it helpful to concentrate on their peripheral vision while focusing on the center of the scrying field; this creates a place in between for information to present itself. This information can come in many forms, and you may experience one or several of them at different times in your work. You may find that images, symbols, or even words form on the surface of the water, or you may see moving scenes unfold before your eyes. Whatever comes, don’t judge what you see—just accept and take note. There will be time later on to process what you have received.

  You can continue to ask related questions based on insights you may have received in the moment, but resist shifting the focus away from the issue at hand. Follow the thread of revelation until no more images appear. Check with your guide, and when you are sure you are done, thank the Goddess for Her assistance. With intention, close down the energy of the scrying vessel by passing your hand three times over the surface of the water as if to close a window. Breathing any remaining energy down into the Earth, visualize the streams of energy pouring out of the bowl or cauldron and being absorbed into the ground.

  Have your journal on hand so that you can record all of your insights and all that you have seen. This information can be the focus of your work for the lunar cycle, and you can use other tools, like the doorway working presented on p. 142, to help unlock the meanings of what you have seen. When you are done with your scrying session, it is a good idea to dispose of the water in a sacred way. Give thanks for the guidance you have received, and pour out the water on the earth or as a libation to a tree or plant.

  Remember that scrying works by allowing your unconscious mind to speak to you without interference from your conscious mind. It may take a while to be able to bypass your conscious mind, but if you are diligent and disciplined, you can make a good and solid connection with the inner source of wisdom that lies beyond the unconscious. It is important to note that everyone receives information in a different way; it is not unusual to get auditory responses during a scrying session, or to get a sense of “knowing” that cannot be attributed to any physical sense. D
o not judge the method of transmission; what is communicated is more important than how it is communicated.

  The more you practice, the better your discernment skills will become. Frightening or negative images are more often than not a reflection of your own fears than an indication of your life’s reality. Our higher selves mediate the voice of the Goddess for us; if you are not receiving constructive information—even in the face of bad choices you have made—you are probably not hearing with clarity. For this reason, it is important to clear out all negative energies from your personal energy field and to be centered in your work and your self before beginning to scry. In this way, you have fewer obstacles keeping you from accessing inner wisdom.

  Once we begin to piece together the threads of underlying and unconscious energies that motivate our lives, we can begin to see the greater pattern. There is a saying: “That which is unconscious, controls us.” Looking in the mirrors of our souls—beginning to descend into the hidden realms of the shadow—is a powerful way to take control over the tapestry of our lives, so that we may become all that we are meant to be.

  The path of Sight always leads within.

  6

  The Station of Confrontation

  Three things which continually grow less: darkness, falsehood, and death.

  Celtic Triad

  Confrontation is the deepest point of the Cycle of Healing, the place where the roots of our disconnection and lack of wholeness are brought to light. These soul wounds may have their origins in childhood, past abuse, socialization, environmental stresses, or past lives. These hurts are reinforced by our perceived failures and shortcomings, leading us to believe in flawed perceptions of the self; they manifest in our lives as shadow tendencies. These cause us to repeat and perpetuate patterns; what we truly need is the ability to see our lives with eyes clear of past pain. Seeing the roots of our wounding allows us to throw back the veil of illusion and reclaim energies tied up in retaining these false beliefs about our abilities and ourselves. This reclamation is the gift that can only be found in the darkness. What was once a fallow field now holds the seeds of potential. What will this newfound energy be used for?