If you pare an apple
all in one piece on Samhain night and allow it to fall to the ground unaided,
it will spell out the initials of your future mate.
Hang an apple from
a string with a coin pushed deep inside and try to bite out the coin without
using your hands. Succeed, and your pockets will be full throughout
the coming year.
If you walk backward
into a dark room while looking into a mirror and eating an apple at the
same time, you will see your future mate's face in the mirror's reflection
Hazelnuts were tossed
into divination patterns by the Druids and then buried to honor the old
gods: Draw a small circle about one foot in diameter on the ground
in front of you. Take thirteen nuts and shake them around in your
cupped hands while concentrating on your question. Gently toss the
nuts in front of you. Those that land directly in the circle have
the most bearing on you. If more land in the circle than out of it,
you have a right to be concerned about the question you asked. Study
the nuts for patterns which you can interpret. For example, if the
nuts are all pointing in one direction this could be an indication of a
direction you need to take your problem. If they appear in the form
of a familiar object, use that information to apply to your question.
Occasionally they might fall to appear as letters of the alphabet which
you can relate to your question.
Scrying is the art
of gazing into an object while focusing your mind on one particular question
or issue. The objects used usually have reflective surfaces, such
as mirrors, water, or crystals. To scry, focus your mind on one issue
or question and soften your focus or gaze - but do not stare - into
the surface of the object. After some time, visions should form.
These may come either as entire scenarios played out with all the detail
of a high-tech movie, or they may be only symbols that you will have to
interpret for yourself.
Unlike other divinatory
devices the Ouija board does not use the collective unconscious as the
source for answers, but relies instead on asking unknown spirits to take
over the device. Opening such a portal without having any control
over who or what comes has its risks, but you will have to decide for yourself
if they are worth it or not.
With practice in meditation
and sustained concentration, your altered states can become longer and
deeper, and at these deeper states (the theta and delta levels) you can
do more advanced work, such as astral projection and regression.
These are very natural states. The only difference is that you are
seeking to gain control of them. The key to these techniques is in
learning to concentrate for increasing periods of time on one idea only.
Because
the veil between the realms of the living and the dead is at its thinnest
on Samhain, it is also a prime time to attempt spirit contact. These
contacts are not the creepy affairs portrayed in B-rated horror films,
but beautiful and meaningful communications with departed loved ones.
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