I believe most of ya'll would agree that one of the easiest things to forget is the fact we are spirits incarnate. After all, we are very much physical manifestations with physical bodies, physical needs, and physical desires. However, at our center, at our core, we are nothing more than spirits which is why we seek connection to our Creator whether that be God, Goddess, Spirit, All That Is, Etc. We seek validation, peace, calm, love, and a reminder that we aren't left alone to deal with the harsh, cold reality of life. This is especially true when life begins spiraling out of control, leaving us grasping and reaching for any anchor and yet, our spiritual seeking shouldn't only occur in times of desperate need, although these aren't inappropriate.
The truth of the matter is that we thrive and are more rooted and secure in our lives when we are connected to some Higher Power. This connection and relationship raises our vibration, eases our stress, and calms our spirit. That, My Friends, is why a daily practice is PARAMOUNT to a healthy spiritual path. I understand it can be hard to create a daily habit, a daily practice, but that is the main goal of today's post: to provide some simple ways to incorporate Daily Divine Connection into your life.
It's sort of like connecting to the internet somewhere. If you already have had a connection then it's far quicker and easier to reconnect versus the only on occasion connection.
Now, there are a myriad of different ways in which we can connect to the Divine so some experimentation is definitely needed as it's not a one-true-way sort of thing. Some people connect through the written word, others through stillness, some through the sound of a bubbling creek, and others within the comforts of their homes, in their crafted sacred spaces. These moments needn't be long as it's about quality and sometimes only a few minutes are needed while, depending on different factors, you may find yourself needing ten or more minutes. I want to take a quick moment now to remind you that intention is highly important when beginning. It's about your intent to connect and remain connected. To remember God/Goddess/Spirit/All That Is is always with you as you are a part of Them and They are a part of you.
A daily practice can contain different themes, rituals, spells, habits with the continuous underlying intent of connection to the Gods as well as to yourself, to your craft and to your magick. Therefore, while you are there to make and strengthen that connection to Deity, it isn't the sole occurrence happening. Some people use this time to ground and shield themselves for the day, to reflect on the day that has passed, or even to draw a divinatory tool's message for the upcoming day. Though these may be happening, there is still a necessary dialogue happening between the witch and the Divine. I cannot deny that some people don't ask Deity for help doing any of these but I know, personally, I always call upon Deity to help. While I have the ability to do these alone, it's nice to have that extra oomph sometimes!
How can we connect with and speak to the Gods? Other than simply by intention, there are three ways in which I do it and sometimes they all happen the same time! Woah. Seriously though, they do.
1) Prayer That's right. Good ol' fashion prayer. I know there can be some hesitancy with this point but I'm not placating myself before a Higher Power, groveling and begging to receive something, bartering for a blessing, or allowing myself to become submissive. To me that is all hogwash!!! Prayer to me is simply speaking, either aloud or silently, and simply releasing something on my chest. It is through my intent to connect to and speak with my Gods--though I usually speak only with one at a time when praying. I talk about what I need, any frustrations or thoughts I have about it, and just sort of release that pent up energy. Therefore, prayer is simply talking.
2) Meditation Sometimes while praying, I will follow it up with a good ol' meditation session. Remember: it isn't about how long you meditate! Quality, ya'll! Whereas Prayer is me talking, Meditation is me listening. This is when I create the quiet necessary for clear messages from Spirit and the Gods. They can certainly speak to you without meditation but I have found answers and messages have more clarity when there is stillness. It's no longer centered on my ego but my spirit and as an extension of my spirit, that of Spirit. I am able to detach from my problem/issue/whatever it may be and instead open myself to receive frank solutions and guidance. Let's face it. If Ego was allowed free reign, we would never really get anything accomplished because the whole point of ego is to enslave us to our conditions. It traps us in the most minute details that we miss the scope of the entire issue.
3) Devotion
This one encompasses so many different actions. It can be something as simple as lighting a candle and some incense for a Deity or complicated with different tools and prayers. I have lit candles on my altar, gave some incense for an offering, and remained before the altar in meditation and reflection. I have also danced in offering and devotion for Hathor and painted in honor and devotion of Nuit. I have written a poem in offering and sat beneath the stars to read it aloud. Allow yourself some room for creativity and movement. It's all about the heart and spirit of which you perform these actions, not begrudgingly but through love, and your intention behind it.
*Just a side-note: A great reminder is that you aren't trying to connect to a Deity out there in the great beyond but Deity that is all around you. Deity that is within you as well. Sometimes, when I have found myself incapable of connecting to Spirit, I go within and connect first to that of me which is of Spirit. Alternatively, you can go spend time in nature, connecting to the physical manifestation of Spirit, of the Gods, Source, All That Is.*
So, now that we have a fundamental understanding of why it's important and a simple, short list of how to go about it, let's take a quick glance at some ways to maintain that connection throughout the day!
1. Crystals (or an object/token that represents something sacred to a specific Deity)
For example, a crystal I always associate with the Goddess Hathor is Carnelian. Sit in sacred space with the crystal and ask Hathor to be with me whenever I hold this crystal. It is my intention to act as a physical representation of Her and Her energy. This could be done with a pendant of a sacred animal, something of a specific color, etc. It helps, when I need to embody a quality I associate with Her or simply need the reminder that I'm not alone in life, to hold it and I instantly feel connected again.
2. Nature
This is one of the SIMPLIEST yet profound ways because literally all it requires is some time outdoors. No tools, no money spent...just some quiet time outdoors. Find a green patch of grass (or not green, it doesn't matter), a tree you're called to, a babbling brook you can sit next to. Just find somewhere you can sit amongst nature and breathe. Reach your consciousness out to your surroundings. Remember that you aren't separate from it. You are connected to the earth herself and everything that covers it. Feel them without and within. Reconnect to the Gods of the landscape. The mother who lovingly support all Her children as our beautiful planet. The father who warms us and holds us in his golden sunlight.
3. Pictures
Almost all of us, and I don't say all as for the longest time, I didn't, have a phone. Find a picture, a painting, a statute, etc. that reminds you of Deity and take a picture. Set it as your wallpaper. Either way, when you find yourself disconnected, lost, or just have a few moments in the day, take your phone out (you more than likely already have it in your hand) and reach out to the Divine through the picture. It's the same concept as having a statue on your altar. The Deity isn't present within the statue, though some may argue, but instead it's a physical representation that allows us to hone in and reach out specifically for a certain Deity. This can literally take just a minute and I have found that by doing this, I am filled with a sense of connection, peace, love, and reverence. I can't tell you how many times one of my family members have caught me doing this then ask why do I have the biggest smile on my face? It isn't something I could ever attempt to chalk up to being something else because they describe the smile as serene and we don't smile serenely at texts or social media posts!
4. Prayer
Prayer is one of the quickest ways to connect and keep that connection. They can be quick and memorized. The important thing here to be aware of is the emotions behind the prayer. Saying a couple of sentences in thanks of something isn't really going to offer you any good if you don't feel grateful. Likewise, if you pray to connect, you must really be feeling. Speak from the heart. I created a prayer a few months back for when I awake and it was beautiful, well-thought out and worded but it didn't take long for me to abandon it. Why? Because it fell like merely rote. I began feeling obligated to say it and when I didn't have time, I grew annoyed. It stopped being genuine and became more about the right words and doing it. That's not how I want to connect. I don't want it to be scripted and obligatory. I prefer to do it because I feel the strength it adds to my relationship with my Deities.
5. Meditation
This kinda encompasses everything I have already spoken about. Focusing on a picture? Meditation. Creative visualization? Can be meditation. Prayer? Meditation. The fact is there are so many different ways in which to meditate that include both active (like walking) and inactive (the traditional stilling of the mind) and it's up to you to discern which are better. I found that active meditation is my favorite, particularly when walking. I began focusing and paying attention to my body, how it moved, how I breathed. I became lost in it. Then I began walking around my block and realized that by paying attention to the way the trees swayed in the breeze, the way the sun ducked behind some clouds only to reemerge a few moments later, the way the birds chirped or the squirrels played, I was still meditating. I was beings present. How does that connect to connection to the Divine? Simple. I keep the understanding that my Gods are represented in nature and that nature is of Them while doing this mediation. I realize that as I focus on earth, I am connected to the Goddess. As I soak in the warmth of the sun, I am connecting to the God. It's so simple and something we probably already do. We just don't really acknowledge what it is we are doing. That's the beauty of it though. It's simple yet profound.
6. Altar
This is the traditional connection method, in my opinion and when I say traditional, I simple mean that it is the method most spoken about. This is where you would sit before your altar, light candles, incense, maybe play some music and connect. Prayer, meditation, crystals, nature, pictures--it all may be present here. I like to start my day at my altar where I connect, draw a daily card for myself (and some days, others), and just be. I may meditate or pray. Then if I need to reaffirm that connection during the day--and some days, you just gotta!--I use one of the above suggestions. Then when it's time to end the day, I like to sit before my altar and reflect on the day. This is where I journal and give thanks.
So, as you can see, it really isn't difficult and doesn't require a whole bunch of money, tools, or time. How do you know how long to connect with the Divine? By using your intuition. Some days you may find yourself needing only a couple minutes to others when it's five or more. Don't just connect then dash though. Allow yourself to marinade in the juicy awesomeness that is the Divine. They may decide to offer you a message or send a sign to a question you asked but if you just leave, it may be missed. Don't just sit there forever though. When you feel good and ready, thank the Divine, thank nature (if you use the nature or crystal suggestion) and leave. You're good and ready to continue on with your day!
Brightest of Blessings, The Autumn Witch
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