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WEEKLY SPECIAL - Dealing With Elementals, Ghosts, and Other Beings
Do you ever hear funny noises in the night and you know it's not the heater or the cat? Do you ever
discover that something is missing or has been moved? Does a place suddenly fluctuate in temperature,
or do you feel like you're being watched? No, you're not on the newest version of a Fox real-life TV
show. You probably have some spirits around your place.
Contrary to many literary and Hollywood stories, having spirits in your home is not necessarily a bad
thing. In our path, we often work with spiritual beings, especially around Samhain. They can be
elementals, element energy, totem animals, spirits of the deceased, guardian angels, lost souls, the
guardian spirit of the place, or an energy you forgot to thank and release the last time you were in circle.
The list goes on and on. It can get downright crowded if you're not careful. How do you deal with such
visitors?
First of all, do your research. Stop groaning. I know, I know, I'm always talking about research, but
research is important. Know what it is you're dealing with. Read up on the history of your town, your
street, your property. Find out what happened to the people who lived there before you.
It doesn't have to be anything as dramatic as a murder or a madwoman in the attic. It could be something
as simple as an unfortunate dog hit by a car who died on your property last week.
During a waning Moon, do a major housecleaning, top to toe. Then take two white candles and a green
candle. Set up an altar in your usual fashion, only do it in the place where the disturbance is usually the
strongest.
Cast your circle, creating a safe space between the worlds. Call in guardians for each quarter and ask
them specifically to do just that, guard. You want to make sure you are inside a protected space. Burn
some spirit incense. I usually use a combination of rosemary, sage, patchouli, frankincense, and just a
dash of mugwort.
Then, invite in the spirit, making it clear that it can only enter the sacred space with good intention, sort
of like going to Switzerland. The circle is neutral territory. Your fears and the spirit's crankiness need to
be left outside. Sit down and have a chat with the spirit. Find out who it is, and what it wants. Does it
need your help in some way? Is it attached to the house? Can you work out some arrangement to coexist
in peace and trust?
Ask questions and really listen to the answers. Usually, you can work out some sort of agreement, such
as "I will leave out a libation for you or include you in my circle work if you don't scare the guests or
smash the china."
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to listen. Don't assume that you know what the spirit has
to say. Don't assume it will be the same as the research that you've done. Perhaps the history is incorrect,
or perhaps the spirit is lying. Just because it's a spirit doesn't mean it's telling the truth. Rely on your
intelligence and your instincts. You're dealing with an individual, and it is important to give this
individual spirit the same attention you would if it was in material form. Many spirits are lost, confused,
angry, lonely, and frustrated that they're not understood. Also, the spirit's value systems may be different
from yours. If you need something specific, explain what it is as clearly as you can. This can take several
days, or even weeks. Be very patient. Usually, after the first conversation, things quiet down a bit, at least
until you can work things all the way through.
If you work things through, terrific. You now have an extra roommate. I have yet to get any of the spirits
I know to do the dishes and vacuum for me (darn it), but they do often help. They are terrific at letting
me know when something is wrong, whether it is someone trying to illegally enter via the fire door, or
someone who left a burning cigarette in the hallway.
http://www.pathwalkers.net/interactive/modules....ame=News&file=index&catid=&topic=1&allstories=1 (80 of 284) [12/25/2005 12:22:21 AM]