The Wise One

The Wise Elder can help you solve problems in your life.  This being, who often appears as old man or woman dressed in a hooded cloak, can be found in a cave.  He or she will listen to your problems and ask you questions but will not "fix" things for you.  Patience, kindness and a wealth of experience make this guide a powerful ally in the journey of self discovery.

Start out from your home and look towards the mountains.  Where a stream and the trees meet, you will find an opening in a rock face, camouflaged by vines.  This is the doorway to the Wise Elder's home.  Sweet, welcoming smoke drifts softly out to you, beckoning you to enter. Announce yourself and enter.

Inside, the walls are covered in paintings of animals and people or seasons and celestial events.  Bottles and jars full of unknown substances sit quietly on shelves and tables.  Fire light dances and warms the space.  On the far side of the fire sits the Elder.  A hood shadows this being's face and gnarled hands hold a staff.  The Elder points to a seat near the fire, positioned to encourage conversation.  Sit here and be welcome. Explain why you are here and ask for advice.

The Wise Elder make answer directly or may tell you a story.  Listen carefully to the words you here; you can choose to ignore the advice you are given, but think carefully before you do.  The Wise Elder gives no easy answers.  Work is always required, but the advice is coming from a being who has done and seen a great deal.  If you don't understand what you've been told, ask for clarification.  Willful ignorance is of no use to anyone, especially in the Otherworld.

After you have spent the time you need with the Wise Elder, thank them for their help.  Offer them yours.  Once the transaction is complete, talk your leave and return to your spiritual home to begin thinking about and/or implementing the advice you received.

The God in the Grove

The god in the grove can take any form, man or beast or tree.  He may appear young or old, stern or jovial.  He is strong and wise and knowledgeable.  He is the balance to the Divine Feminine. Balance is in his nature.  Visiting him is another step along my spirit journey.  I recommend that you visit him at least once, the difficulty of this journey is very much worth the effort. His realm is not as easily marked as other places we have visited.  He requires that you work to come to him.

It is time to step off of the path and blaze a trail of your own through the trees and undergrowth. To meet the God in the Grove, you must brave a little wildness. Pick your way carefully, through the undergrowth.  Trees filter the light into rays.  The ferns and bushes reach out to you.  The animals watch you silently, waiting to find out why you are here.  Follow your instincts, they will lead you to where you need to go. Do not worry if you seem to be walking in circles. It is not that you are unwelcome here, it simply that you must work a bit to get there.  His domain is the forest and its inhabitants.  He is a careful and strong protector, if you mean harm to any of those creatures he protects, he will thwart you..

Allow your instincts to guide you to his home, a small, secluded clearing within an ancient and dense forest.  You are safe here.  He welcomes you with a smile and invites you to rest awhile. Drink and feast and dance with him. Let him teach you about the interconnection between all life forms.  Ask him for advise and assistance if you need it.

Looking into the cauldron

A huge triple footed cauldron stands over the dying embers of fire.  It is silhouetted against the night sky.  Strangely, it is alone, as though the owner will return momentarily.  From it steam rises gently and the scent beckons you to come to it.  There is no danger here, so, go ahead and approach the cauldron.

This cauldron is large enough that you could sit inside it, up to the tops of your shoulders.  Today, you will not climb inside.  Today, you are merely looking into it. It is full of shining dark liquid, and it reflects the stars above you.  This cauldron appears to be full of stars.  The scent wafting from this liquid is soft, pleasant and warm.  It welcomes you.

Look into the cauldron.  Take deep breath of that lovely scent. Feel the gentle warmth surround you. Focus your eyes on the slight movement you see, on the darkness between the stars.  Let it dominate your vision and show you what it wants you to see. The images that come to you may be individual, or they may play as a complete vision.

After a time, the images will stop coming and you will see only the night sky reflected.  This is your signal that it is time to move on.  Spend some time thinking about what you were shown.  Are theses symbols or memories.  What do they mean to you?  Do they remind you of a story you once heard or make you feel drawn to something?  If you don't have answers for these questions right now, don't fear, their meaning will become apparent at another time.