Animal Totem Meditation

Animal Totem Meditation

  Close your eyes and take a few relaxed breathes. Try to keep still as you go through the meditation. Take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Keep deep breathing with long, slow exhales. Feel it, hear it, and observe how this affects your body. As you breathe, mentally tell your body that it can relax.  Keep your mind only on your breathing. Focus on the sound, the feeling of your lungs expanding and shrinking, and simply breathe. When your body has relaxed move into the following visualization.

  In your mind, visualize yourself in the middle of a field of tall grass. The field is circled by tall trees and to one side is a small lake. In the distance are mountains and the crystal blue sky. Take a deep breath and in your mind let it be known that you would like to meet your animal totem. This is the hard part. You must wait until an animal decides to make itself known to you. When it does appear, show respect and ask to speak with it. If it allows you to speak with it, ask it:

-“Why are you in my life?”

- “Are you with me for a period of time?”

-“What do you bring into my life?”

-“May I call upon you for help in my life?”

   Feel free to continue your conversation for as long as you wish. When you are ready to depart, thank the animal for the audience and take a deep breath. Visualize your body and focus on your breathing. After a few seconds of reconnecting with your body, open your eyes.  Make sure to record your conversation, the animal you encountered, and all the details. 

Grounding and Centering Meditation

Grounding and Centering Meditation

Before you begin: Visualize yourself surrounded by white light. Tell yourself and know that no one that wishes you harm can penetrate that light.

begin...

Close your eyes and take a few relaxed breathes. Try to keep still as you go through the meditation. Take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Keep deep breathing with long, slow exhales. Feel it, hear it, and observe how this affects your body. As you breathe, mentally tell your body that it can relax.  Keep your mind only on your breathing. Focus on the sound, the feeling of your lungs expanding and shrinking, and simply breathe. When your body has relaxed move into the following visualization.

 Visualize yourself standing in a field. Take in a few deep breathes and imagine your body filled with a colorful smoke. As you take a deep breath in see the smoke drifting into the center of your torso, right above your belly button. Every time you breathe in imagine the smoke condensing more and more into a ball. As the ball becomes solid see it glow and sparkle with energy.  Once it is glowing brightly and completely solid move on.

    In your mind visualize that ball of energy breaking down into streams of light moving down. The streams of light move down your torso, past your hips, and down your thighs. Feel the light moving over your knees along your shins and over your feet.  Imagine the light pooling right into the bottoms of your feet. Take a deep, relaxed breathe and visualize that light moving into the earth beneath your feet like roots, but it never loses contact with your feet. The light within your feet moves upward to branch through your entire body. The end image will appear as a tree of light under you and within you.

  When you are ready to come out of this state imagine the branches out light within you slowly retracting into the soles of your feet. When all of the branches have been retracted visualize the light moving from your feet deeper into the earth. Let it detach from you and move into the world. Take a few relaxed breathes and open your eyes. 

Dedication Ritual

Dedication of Self and Shrine/Altar

Supplies:

-white candle (and holder)

-plate with food offering

-cup of water or liquid offering

-symbol of god(s) you are honoring in Sky Cradle

Purpose:

Dedicating self and altar/shrine to the healing service of the Universe. Honoring personal gods as expressions of this intention.

Preparation:

On your altar set out the white candle (in holder), plate with food offering, cup of water or liquid offering, and symbols of the god(s) you are choosing to honor. 

Stand before your altar and light your candle. Set the lighter to the side and take a moment to reflect on your personal goals and the gods you have chosen to honor. When ready, think once more on the decision to perform a dedication. It is a choice and an act of service, a pledge. When you wish to continue, bring the energy to attention. Say..

"Spirits of the forest and field,

To my call draw near.

In this day my faith I wield,

All bear witness."

Take a moment to hold your arms out. Visualize yourself within the blue-black realm of the Universe. Below you is the earth that ground you. Above you are the stars and endless space. it sparkles around you. The sun shines to your right and fills you with power. The moon reflects the light to your left, circulating that power through you.

"To my right moves the sun,

Golden power of time and space. 

To my left moves the moon,

Silver sphere of change and pace.

Behind me stretches my ancestor's path,

Before me lies the road I walk. So I go forward!

Blessed be."

These are the gifts of the Universe. Let the power of this image fill your heart. When you are ready to continue, say..

"I call to (deities), to whom I honor in my heart of hearts.

Shining powers that dance into my fate and life,

Night and day I move in your care,

And now I step into the world as your child.

Today I do, myself, declare,

I am a child of (deity/deities)."

If you like, say personal prayers to deity and thank them. Turn to your shrine/altar you are dedicating. Hold your hands out towards it. 

"From today on, day to day, may I be known as a child of (deity/deities)...

May you sit upon the throne of this altar. 

May you shine in my life and be honored.

Blessed be!"

Take a deep breath. Ground and center. Release your visualization and relax. Fix up your new shrine/altar, giving the symbols of your god(s) prime placement. Set out the food and liquid offering out in front of these symbols. 

Initiation Rite

Initiation into Sky Cradle

With Sky Cradle being an open tradition and self practice, this initiation can be done alone or with a group.

Supplies:
-3 unlit candles (and holders)
-cup of water
-lighter

Preparation:
Place the three candles on the altar in their fire-proof holders. Set the water in front of them and the lighter within reach.

Purpose:
To initiate into Sky Cradle tradition, promoting healing, and marking our commitment to this goal.

Stand before the altar and clear your mind. Take a deep breath to center yourself. Visualize yourself standing beneath the starry sky. The stars seem innumerable just as the life on this Earth is countless, nearly unimaginable. Each stars reflects a spark of life that glitters and glows upon the earth. Imagine the ground around you scattered with twinkling lights that reflect the stars above you. The sky reflects the Earth and the Earth reflects the sky. We are but one star that shares our light with all others. This is the outlook of Sky Cradle. Take another deep breath and relax. When ready, continue.

"Today I begin my journey into healing,

Today i take the steps upon a new path,

I embrace the light of originality, the life of insight, and love of discovery."

Dab your finger in the water and place a droplet to your belly, your heart, and your forehead.

"I seal my path with the elixir of healing."

Take the lighter in your hands. Continue.

"Seal of Truth upon my lips..."

Light the first candle. Reflecting upon what truth means for you.

"May I know truth in every word given and received.

Seal of Nature upon my form..."

Light second candle. Reflecting on the power of nature and the earth.

"May I move in the cycles of the world.

Seal of Knowledge upon my mind..."

Light third candle. Reflect upon the awesome power of the mind and the way we connect to all things.

"May I ever seek wisdom."

Set the lighter down and look upon the altar. These are the qualities of healing that stir our passions within this path. Take a moment to reflect. Say personal prayers to deity or guides if you wish. When you are ready, let your mind explore the possibilities before you. Let the excitement, peace, and contentment sit in your heart. When you are ready to move on, continue.

"Compassionate Mystery,

Awakening Revelation,

As is forseen and unforseen,

I do rise into fulfillment!"

Blow out your candles. Carry those lights within your heart. Blessing!

Healing Power of Prayer

It can seem a little strange to approach the subject of prayer in an earth based religion. From those who leave from the Abrahamic religions, the act of praying can seem an unhappy reminder of our past. Yet the power found within the act of praying is still there for us. Whomever you choose to worship is there for you.

Prayer is a way to focus your will, positive energy, and intent. In this way, it is a useful way to shift your attitudes and look to a more hopeful future. This helps move the energy in your way. Use this power for healing and strength for others.

Jaguar Medicine

Sky Cradle is a tradition dedicated to healing. In this way we will be spreading awareness of the many different ways healing manifests. Some of the most ferocious powers can help to cultivate the greatest power of healing within us. Jaguar is a strong totem for this.

Jaguar medicine is one of integrity and confronting fear. It shows to us our inner fears, doubts, and helping them to surface. In order to rebuild you must first destroy. Jaguar rips apart old wounds to air them out and clear them away. The old predator forces us to confront fears and rise above them. But also to be true to ourselves and walk with integrity.  This is Jaguar's medicine to us.

Archangel Raphael Invocation

Healing Invocation - Archangel Raphael

"In heart of hearts these words ring true,
The healing heart shines through,
Angel of the eastern wind,
Raphael, the healer within.

Brother of light and of joy,
Your guidance I wish within my soul,
I call to you in new hope,
Your peace I take into myself.

Archangel Raphael, healer and friend,
I draw you near and draw you in.
Guide my hand and my heart,
To give of self to every part.

Angel Raphael, healer!
Angel Raphael, guide!
Angel Raphael, friend!
Through light and breath be brought here!"