Hi JMG (and anyone else who may choose to respond),
I have two query topics today:
1) I began doing the Middle Pillar exercise last week. When I visualize the spheres and vibrate the names, I "feel" them as gentle warmth in the corresponding area of the body. The odd one out is Da'ath -- I get a feeling of slight pressure on the front of my neck, almost like I have something stuck in my throat. I find it a little uncomfortable, but more odd than anything. Is such a feeling to be expected?
2) I've begun reading "Monsters: An Investigator's Guide to Magical Beings," and am wondering about ghosts.
Encountering a ghost is not all that unusual for me. Most of the ones I've run into are in cemeteries and graveyards and fit the book's description of a ghost perfectly, although not always. In particular, I know of some who I would say are like familiar or tutelary spirits, or shamanic helper spirits, despite being ghosts. I am reasonably certain that they are in fact ghosts (that is, the spirits of deceased persons) rather than nonhuman entities. Their purpose seems to be to help, rather than pass on a message or check on a loved one, and they don't seem to be needing help passing over.
I have never thought much of it, though, because most of the deities I'm closest to have underworld aspects, and I take care to practice personal spiritual hygiene. I've also assumed that these "helper ghosts" (for lack of a better term), as I described them, are here of their own volition (or maybe that of a deity) and have already passed on -- that is, already experienced what I now know is called the Final Death. Having read more about them in "Monsters," though, I realize that there is a fair amount that I didn't know.
Is it possible for ghosts to "return" (again, for lack of a better term) after experiencing Final Death? If so, does any special care need to be taken? Or must they be typical ghosts who need to pass on?
I plan to go through the bibliography of "Monsters" and pick up some of the relevant books to do my own research, but I thought I'd try asking you in case there's anything I ought to know sooner rather than later. I have yet to experience any ill effects, but I always figure it's better to be safe than sorry.
Note: I'm a polytheist with a magical background in folk magic, currently learning ritual magic. My spiritual background leans toward mysticism and animism. While I'm open to communicating and/or working with spirits, I don't generally seek them out except as a gesture of respect (e. g., land spirits), unless under the auspices of a deity. Otherwise, it's the spirits who make contact first.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2022-07-18 09:08 pm (UTC)I have two query topics today:
1) I began doing the Middle Pillar exercise last week. When I visualize the spheres and vibrate the names, I "feel" them as gentle warmth in the corresponding area of the body. The odd one out is Da'ath -- I get a feeling of slight pressure on the front of my neck, almost like I have something stuck in my throat. I find it a little uncomfortable, but more odd than anything. Is such a feeling to be expected?
2) I've begun reading "Monsters: An Investigator's Guide to Magical Beings," and am wondering about ghosts.
Encountering a ghost is not all that unusual for me. Most of the ones I've run into are in cemeteries and graveyards and fit the book's description of a ghost perfectly, although not always. In particular, I know of some who I would say are like familiar or tutelary spirits, or shamanic helper spirits, despite being ghosts. I am reasonably certain that they are in fact ghosts (that is, the spirits of deceased persons) rather than nonhuman entities. Their purpose seems to be to help, rather than pass on a message or check on a loved one, and they don't seem to be needing help passing over.
I have never thought much of it, though, because most of the deities I'm closest to have underworld aspects, and I take care to practice personal spiritual hygiene. I've also assumed that these "helper ghosts" (for lack of a better term), as I described them, are here of their own volition (or maybe that of a deity) and have already passed on -- that is, already experienced what I now know is called the Final Death. Having read more about them in "Monsters," though, I realize that there is a fair amount that I didn't know.
Is it possible for ghosts to "return" (again, for lack of a better term) after experiencing Final Death? If so, does any special care need to be taken? Or must they be typical ghosts who need to pass on?
I plan to go through the bibliography of "Monsters" and pick up some of the relevant books to do my own research, but I thought I'd try asking you in case there's anything I ought to know sooner rather than later. I have yet to experience any ill effects, but I always figure it's better to be safe than sorry.
Note: I'm a polytheist with a magical background in folk magic, currently learning ritual magic. My spiritual background leans toward mysticism and animism. While I'm open to communicating and/or working with spirits, I don't generally seek them out except as a gesture of respect (e. g., land spirits), unless under the auspices of a deity. Otherwise, it's the spirits who make contact first.
Thank you so much for your help!