Swati Prakash

Top Tarot Healing and Wiccan Expert

Tag: Wicca in India

  • The East and West of Magick

    This lifetime I chose to be born in the ancient land of Vedic wisdom, India…the place where timeless spiritual truths still live on in the form of tradition and culture. Yet, I was born with witchcraft (and Wicca too) in my soul. It was 1989 when I conducted my first ritual at ten years of age, feeling the powers rise within me, casting a circle, calling the quarters, raising energy of the elements and conjuring a spell. At the turn of the millennium after I was formally initiated into Wicca and remembered my past lives, I started conducting Wiccan rituals for large and small groups in Mumbai while teaching tarot and then I began Magick, a small store at 16th road, Bandra west, Mumbai in 2008 that still continues there now being used as a temple of Global Wicca.

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    The best part about being a Wiccan in India was that India already is rich in ancient wisdom. Wicca found easy acceptance in the diverse cultural and religious medley of India because of the spiritual openness and pagan heritage of India. In-fact there are so many parallelisms between western pagan traditions and Indian paganism that India seemed to be the perfect place for me to have launched Global Wicca, a spiritual tradition that unites the western magickal concepts with eastern mysticism.

    • Talk about the five elements of nature and you find the ‘panch-tawwas’ of Vayu-air, Agni-fire, Apas-water, Prithvi-earth and Akasha-spirit are all honored in every ritual or yagya/ yajna since Vedic India.
    • Talk about the goddess and god equality and India will teach you how the Goddess is the all powerful Shakti or energy, the ultimate creator who is worshiped in her numerous forms through so many festivals and rites.
    • Talk about the Wiccan Rede, ‘An Ye Harm None Do As Ye Will’ and Indians would say yes to Ahimsa, a virtue of non-violence that was promoted not only by Gandhi but also by several traditions including but not limited to the Jain saints of India.
    • Talk about the Law of Three and you will learn of Karma, the law of cause and effect as your energy comes back your way not only in this lifetime but through rebirths to help you learn and grow through experience.
    • Talk about the multiplicity of deity and you will get no better place than India to see gods and goddesses of all shapes, genders and forms in each street.
    • Talk about spells and magick and you will learn about mantras (spoken spells), yantras (tools and talismans) and tantras (the craft and yogas) to weave the enchantment together), crafting intentions with focused energy – witchcraft in other words.
    • Talk about crystals, herbs and gems and you will learn all about their planets, chakras and various correspondences from ancient Indian spirituality. Some of the best crystals, stones, herbs and incenses are sourced from India the world over.
    • Talk about astrology, divination, healing and you will learn this in every street and corner of India where its been practiced in so many ways as a well established profession whether as ancient Vedic astrology or other intuitive arts.
    • Tarot cards with the five suits of Europe may have originated in Italy in 15th century but Indian spiritual cards have been around since the 7th century in the form of Dasavtara taash depicting the ten suits of Vishnus ten reincarnations.
    • Animals and trees have been regarded as divine too, with each deity connected with their own animal familiar and trees as well as herbs being worshiped for their magickal and healing powers in each corner of India.
    • Speak of the power of lunar cycles and you will find that each lunar day from Amavasya (new moon) and each day or tithi of the waxing moon to Purnima (full moon) has been celebrated and observed as special and magickal in its own way.
    • Talk about celebrating the major and minor Sabbats and cycles of earth – and you will learn how they correspond closely with the ‘rutus’ (seasons) in the Indian calendar and the annual celebrations that mark each season
      • Just like Imbolc celebrates the goddess Bridget the maiden who brings in warmth after winter, Vasant panchmi celebrates Saraswati, the maiden who brings the light of awareness as spring begins to dawn.
      • Vernal or spring celebrations of Holi, Gudi padwa, Ugadi correspond with the Ostara spring equinox celebrations where color returns to earth after winter
      • Just as Beltane is the start of summer, Vaishakh celebrates agriculture and fertility with the festivals Vishu, Bihu and Akshaya Tritiya celebrating the solar power.
      • Midsummer solstice and Litha celebrate the peak of summer and faery frolic the outdoor processions of Rath yatra celebrates the procession of celestial deities and Nag Panchami celebrates the reptilian underworld.
      • As Lughnasad is the first harvest or loaf-mass/ lammas, Shravan celebrates the monsoon and the harvest festivals of Green Teej and Krishna Janmashmi or the birth of the dark half of the year when the wheel turns towards autumn.
      • The autumn equinox and Mabon time are the harvest festivities much like Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi when grain and harvest are celebrated.
      • As the summer ends and winter draws closer, the last harvest of Samhain corresponds with the festivals of Navratri, Diwali and Kaali Puja that celebrate the great goddess energy in the dark new year.
      • Winter celebrations such as Yule and mid-winter solstice or Christmas see parallels in Lohri, Pongal and Makar Sankranti when the rebirth of the sun is celebrated.

    So what is the difference between ancient Indian customs and that of the western Wiccan witches? If we observe the parallelisms we will find that we are more similar than different and that our differences are superficial while our similarities are deep rooted.

    Core philosophical beliefs and nature based celebration rituals of harvest and cultivation deeply unite both western and eastern pagan practices. Myths and mythologies involving various culture specific deities came much later, initially the ancient natural forces were honored and propitiated through all rites, rituals and festivals all over earth.

    All over earth our rites, rituals, customs all have evolved to reflect the cultural shades of our land.Our unique herbs, trees and folklore in each country has led to a unique magickal heritage of each country . Communities within each land have their own customs and traditions. Yet the base of all magickal traditions – both in the east and the west is One. It is nature that has shaped our magickal beliefs and traditions all over earth and the oldest spirituality in each part of the world is simply – nature.

    The western propaganda against the word ‘witch’, ‘withcraft’ and ‘paganism’ had spread even to the east over the last few centuries. It is only in the west that ancient and timeless wisdom, natural celebrations, herbal and stone magick, meditation, goddess worship, paganism, idol worship and mantras/ spells were all connected with evil thanks to the fears spread to promote religious conversions from pagan to non-pagan beliefs. In the eastern world ancient magick is a living continuing tradition since thousands of years, having survived the conversion attempts of western religions. Yet we have seen instances of witch-hunting and prosecution of women and children ‘blamed’ or ‘accused’ of witchcraft even in Asia and Africa…even in the ancient magickal land of India, all thanks to the misunderstandings seeping in from all around.

    What people of India and the rest of the world have to understand is that magick is an integral power in every being of nature including humans and that it is nothing to be feared of. Calling it superstitious, irrational or evil is akin to dishonoring our deep rooted magickal heritage and the spiritual work of our thousands of gurus since ancient times. No matter what the dictionaries, bibles and wikipedias of the world might say regarding witchcraft, Wicca and magick, let us remember that these are not to be seen with the tainted shades of religious discrimination.

    If we focus on the ancient teaching from both the east and the west we will find ample guidance in favor of learning and practical magick and spirituality in everyday life. I may have been a western western witch in my past life but in this life being born Indian, I have learn to expand my consciousness greatly and to see paganism, witchcraft as well as Wicca in a new global light that unites the east and the west. There is no point arguing about whether eastern or western paganism is superior. We know that we are all one and what we all must strive towards is to let go of all our misunderstandings and accept the magick in everyone and everything.

    (*)

    Swati Prakash is the founder of Global Wicca and the author of The Global Wicca Revolution which is now amazon fulfilled all over India.

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  • BLUE MOON ALERT – Imp Information regarding Wiccan Ritual Service

    On 30 August to Aug 31 is the Blue Moon 2012. This is the second full moon that happens in the same month – a relatively rare occurrence that happens once in 2.5 years or so.
    It can be a wonderful time to cast spells and make your wishes known to the universe.
    We are all creators of our life. Nothing is created without the will of our Inner Self which is Divine (God/ess). Through the power of manifestation we activate the inner self and can channel energy and shape it into our desired situations of life. Some people use prayers (of various religions – with or without realizing their inner self) or basic spells (performed by witches/wiz who may not be Wiccan initiates) to manifest their wishes.
    However you will find that the best way to manifest your right destiny is through a Wiccan Ritual performed by a Wiccan Initiate or Clergy.
    Wicca is an ethical religion (shared spirituality) that focuses on the magickal power of inner self, honors the scientific forces of nature and aims to manifest only that which is most positive and good for all concerned while harming none.
    A Wiccan Ritual is an elaborate high energy event performed by Priestesses/ Priests of Wiccan religion through invocation of the five elements of nature as well as goddess/ god energies, good faeries and divine beings to help you receive blessings and healing.
    You can place an order for a Wiccan ritual for any specific aspect of your life in order to receive healing in that area – eg Abundance, Love, Happiness, Health and Wellbeing, Business, Education…
    HOW TO ORDER A WICCAN RITUAL AND SPELL SERVICE:
    Step 1: Take a reading or consultation from a Wiccan Priestess
    This will help the Priestess understand your situation better and design the right spell and ritual service for you. It is not focused at predictions but at manifestation based on the absolute fact that we all create our life and not just receive outcomes passively.
    ONLINE: www.tarotindia.com/services by Rev. Swati Prakash, Head Priestess (email response within 10 days of order)
    IN PERSON: Call Magick 02265250328 by team of Priestesses (both first and second degree level priestesses are available) of Global Wicca by appointment.
    Step 2: Schedule the right spell to be performed in Wiccan ritual format
     
    Based on the reading or consultation advise the reader will suggest a spell to be performed along with ingredients as required. The same can be incorporated in your ritual. For Wiccan ritual service please go for certified Initiated priestesses of Global Wicca only who have completed the minimum one year and one day training period.
    ONLINE: Performed by Rev. Swati Prakash, High Priestess (as per date/ time allocated) 60 minutes will be available per session and you can choose the number of sessions depending on how strongly you wish to amplify your wishes. Generally it is better to be performed in multiples of three.
    IN PERSON:  Call Magick 02265250328 by team of Priestessses (both first and second degree level priestesses are available based on the type or degree of spell you require) of Global Wicca by appointment. 90 minutes will be allocated in the form of three sessions and you can take more later to amplify your wishes.
    NOTE: Rituals are healing events and energy transfers. They are not a one time exercise to solve a problem and it is recommended that you take healing regularly in the form of rituals and spells to get good results and not treat them as quick fixes. For instance one ritual a month is a healthy frequency by which to energize your long term goals. Three or multiples of three is recommended as minimum number of sessions, as three is the sacred Karmic number.

    ALWAYS: Take Wiccan Ritual Services from authorized and certified Initiates and check the credentials and the degree level of the person who should be certified or Initiated through a recognized Tradition of Wicca.
    Please Read our code of Ethics and guidelines on www.tarotindia.com/codeofethics
    Blessed Be!
    Rev. Swati Prakash
    Head Priestess
    Global Wicca Tradition

  • The Alchemical Gold in Magick and Wicca

    As I write this I have just conducted a little Alchemical ritual at the Earth Healing Temple of Global Wicca with a few initiates and guests at Magick and I felt that everyone who attended had some marvelous experiences.

    Alchemy as many of you are aware is the mystical quest of transforming base metals to gold (our lower nature to the highest self) with the philosophers stone that can turn lead to gold (actually the wisdom through which the self and any situation can be perfected) and the elixir of life eternal with miraculous healing powers (the true meaning being one of spiritual healing and freedom from karmic cycles of life and death) being popularized by movies and literature.

    There are three stages to the Alchemical healing and transformation.

    The first one (Nigredo or blackness) is the stage when we release ourselves from the darkness of ignorance, inertia or Tamas.

    Darkness is the absence of awareness, not necessarily the absence of light. Human beings have limited physical senses and there may exist several vibrations that we cannot perceive with those five physical senses. Human eye observes only matter because our receptors sense the light that reflects from the material into our eyes. Other species of beings may have different perceptions than us. What appears as darkness to us may actually be something that they can see and they can sense. What we truly need is deeper awareness and more extended sensory perceptions in order to truly make sense of the universe. We also need more understanding and wisdom to apply this awareness and knowledge in the right manner.

    When I was associated with the TV show – The Chair that had focused on spirit communication and healing, I was invited to a TV show in which scientific persons argued passionately with me regarding how spirits do not exist because we cannot see them. Truly it is interesting that a being scientific we can lack the understanding that there are millions of vibrations in the universe and the human senses are not attuned to perceiving each and every one of them. Dogs and cats often see many things that most humans may not. Bats and dolphins perceive vibrations that humans are unable to catch. A truly scientific person will actually appreciate this point. There was also a talk of why the spirits could  not be captured on camera. If you understand my previous point it naturally follows that ordinary human cameras are designed to capture ordinary vibrations that humans can perceive. Sometimes we get signs in pictures and videos of astral presence, however it is not easy for ordinary cameras to capture the same intentionally. Aura cameras have succeeded in capturing part of the astral energy fields of living beings and this is a remarkable achievement. However the truest and deepest awareness of subtle vibrations can only be felt in your heart and soul, something that a machine may not be able to replicate fully. The first stage in alchemical healing therefore is release ourselves from our limited perceptions and ignorance.

    This also helps us be aware of the vibrations we unconsciously carried within us for so long. Feeling, emotions, thought patterns and beliefs that were fear based and false are to be released. These may have escaped our actual awareness because often we get stuck at ‘positive thinking’ and really do not heal ourselves emotionally, astrally and spiritually which may be the requirement. The alchemical change begins with this.

    Around nine years ago in 2002 a black cat became my familiar. I had experienced the passing over of my father while continuing my practice of Wicca. The black cat evidently created phenomenal transformations in me healing me of any sense of mourning or loss and restoring my psychic energy, reminding me of the great unknown that I need to discover.

    The Nigredo as a stage in alchemical transformation also includes Rajas. That means moving from a state of inaction or lethargy to action. Lack of actions, laziness and procrastination is as important to banish as ignorance. Recently a raven that was no ordinary crow appeared at the doorstep of my Temple at Magick.  Still very young he was left there by someone who had tortured the creature and left it outside. The raven healed really fast after medication and energy healing. He found his family and vanished within a few days. Once again I felt deep transformations in the Temple. The entire aura of the temple was cleansed and purified. I felt that the energy and motivation in me amplified while negative energy was repelled from the doorstep of the temple itself very spontaneously. Those who did not want to work and perform their duties out of dullness just couldn’t stay.

    I have found that since the beginning of Magick, any kind of negativity just cannot remain for long there in the Earth Healing Temple and even if people get negative thoughts or intentions regarding the temple, or become disinterested or jealous, they are automatically expelled and healed till they can return and rejoin. I rarely have to perform a banishing spell as the energy of the temple at Magick is strong in itself.

    The second stage in Alchemical transformation (Albedo or whiteness) is to be reborn as a pure being of light or Sattva. We need to replace the darkness with our magickal awareness. Part of this stems from the fact that all the things and situations around us are the reflections of our inner self. The inner unconscious negativity manifests in the form of outer negative energy. Banishing is truly about releasing all that is negative within us, even if we are fighting demons, defending against black magic or exorcising evil. All the time it is our inner self that is being restored to balance. This balance truly comes about when we become empty of all negative energetic baggage that any person, situation or experience may have generated in us. We are now pure as light. We are filled with positive thoughts, feelings and beliefs. We forgive all others as every thing and everyone is an aspect of the supreme self who manifested in our life to teach us lessons. We thank everyone who has hurt or betrayed us knowing that it has only helped us learn how to remain a pure being in-spite of their negativity.

    We also learn how to attract and manifest only positive vibrations henceforth while being free of the influence of any negative energies, no matter how strong they be. Incidentally my familiar changed to a white cat when I was going through this change two to three years ago in end of 2008 at the time started Magick. I also had a vision of a white owl followed by a peacock in deep meditative dreams about a year before this. A peacock often indicates a stage in alchemical transformation when the white light within us splits into an array of all possible colors indicating our truly infinite nature and the innumerable possibilities existing in our multiple universes or parallel realities. You may gain psychic powers of several kinds. It is truly the nature of ‘maya’ being revealed to you. Of course it is not an end of your quest but only a new beginning.

    The third stage of Alchemical healing and transformation (Rubedo or redness/ gold) is when we become one with the golden light that we truly are. In this we are moving beyond Tamas, Rajas or Sattva to be at our highest possible state of consciousness.This is the alchemical gold that has been elusive to so many seekers.

    In 2009 when I was traveling I had a deep visionary dream of going underground to a goldmine. There were several people sitting on the cart that had to enter the mine but all of them fell off except me. A voice spoke to me and told me “you are now very very close to the alchemical gold”. The days after that have been totally transformational, professionally, personally and in every way.

    I felt this work was not achieved in days or months or even years, perhaps this energy comes from beyond time itself and is present with us always. The gold we seek is truly within each and every one of us. However we get distracted by the outer gold in our environment instead of seeking the inner gold.

    I felt practical results of my own deep alchemical transformation largely because all my prayers and wishes since 2004 have largely been centered on being an enlightened person who does good in this universe.

    I highly suggest that you pray and cast spells for deeper change within you than to merely seek prosperity, fame or romantic love, or to banish curses and evil on the outside. Those spells will be useful for the beginner in Wicca.

    The Global Wicca Tradition is however beyond this. Especially in the third degree of Global Wicca studies. A true mystic knows the value of seeking your own divinity – which is found not in ego, desires or neediness, not just in thinking positive or repelling negative, but in being beyond the positive and the negative which is the ultimate truth, to be absolutely free of all maya or delusion.

    As the Bhagvat Gita says,

    tribhirguṇamayairbhāvairebhiḥ sarvamidaṁ jagat |
    mohitaṁ nābhijānāti māmebhyaḥ paramavyayam || 7.13||
    The World deluded by these Three Gunas does not know Me:
    Who is beyond these Gunas and imperishable. (7.13)

    When you become nothing you attain everything. Then you realize the play of the universe was just a dream and you remain aware and enlightened at all times, unaffected by the positive or negative, being your truest self always. You do not ‘become’ God or Goddess, you are in permanent awareness that you are. This gold is indeed free of any pollution and always shines on.

    If all this sounds glamorous to you, like something you could impress others with or gain fame from, this inner gold will elude you. It is found only by those who free themselves of all these attractions and seek the alchemical gold for the highest purpose contained within your self.

    Any initiate who joins the Earth Healing Temple (attaining Clergyhood or Priesthood) is meant to seek this true gold within.

    Becoming a Wiccan, or adoption of Wicca as your personal religion is for anyone who is inclined and is freely available through your own study through books websites and other random sources including free membership to the Global Wicca Tradition.

    Initiation however is a sacred path only for those who are truly here to serve the goddess and be active in the higher mission of Earth Healing as a serving Clergy in the Temple. Anyone can be a Wiccan but not all need be an Initiate.

    It is not necessary to opt for initiation and to take our intense study program if you simply want to be a Wiccan by your religious beliefs.You can just read up on Wicca and the Tradition and freely sign up to associate with the Global Wicca Tradition on http://www.globalwicca.com

    An Initiate is a thoroughly trained and certified Wiccan healer and Priest(ess) of the Temple who works closely for the betterment of the Temple and for completing its sacred mission of Earth Healing.

    It was recently observed that several Initiates and students fell out of the temple, being tested time and again for their integrity and commitment. Most Wiccans were wary of dedicating the time and energy for the course. Some wanted but did not even make it till the first lesson, some fell out during the course and some after attaining the first degree or after initiation, because of their false belief that initiation is for their personal gain alone and that they need not give any service to the Temple. I often ask Initiates to reconsider their Clergyhood at anytime they feel their commitment wavering.

    The Alchemical gold is not for everyone to find, and The Global Wicca Tradition is for the true seeker and the true mystic who is free of vice or corruption and who becomes a pure channel of Earth Healing Magick.

    I wish you many successes in your quest and in your association with the Global Wicca Tradition.

    Blessed Be

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    http://www.globalwicca.com