The Contemporary Mystic

] (Image made through Canva without AI) After hosting Nicole Gadbois on Strange Talk , I embarked on a profound journey as a volunteer in her case study, participating in four sound healing sessions as part of her studies with The Academy of Sound Healing . While I initially approached this practice with skepticism—having once dismissed sound healing as mere New Age mysticism—I can attest to its proof transformative power. Through these sessions, I have felt an undeniable shift in my creativity, my spiritual awareness, and my physical and mental well-being. Each session stripped away harmful expectations, both self-imposed and societal, leaving me more grounded and authentically myself. Beyond my psychological and spiritual growth, I’ve also experienced a significant decrease in physical pain. I have lived with chronic ovarian cysts for most of my life, along with hip and back pain worsened by scoliosis and past trauma. Since attending these sessions, my pain has noticeably lessened, ...

  (Image made through Canva without AI) Exploring Hekate's darker aspects reveals the multifaceted nature of the Gods and Godd esses, much like our own complexities as humans. It's crucial to keep this in mind when invoking their presence. Apollo, for instance, is the God of the Sun, a celestial body that nurtures life and provides energy, vital for the growth of crops. While he is also associated with medicine, understanding healing requires knowledge of disease and its transmission. This duality highlights the potential dangers of such knowledge and the importance of exercising control over it. In the earlier stages of Apollo's myths, he is portrayed as a headstrong young deity, but over time he learns to embrace and wield his power responsibly. This evolution is explored in "Apollo and Artemis: The Origins and History of the Twin Deities in Ancient Greek Mythology." While fire and creation can be challenging, mastering self-restraint and the art of healing is e...

Omphalos of Delphi, Archaeological Museum of Delphi, Greece. About five years ago, as I was starting my practice with Apollo, I came across the book "The Oracle: Ancient Delphi and the Science Behind Its Lost Secrets." I became fascinated by the concept of omphaloses. An omphalos is a religious stone artifact that signifies the sacred site of Delphi. Omphalos translated means 'navel' and Delphi was believed to be the center hub of the world. The Omphalos of Delphi is referred to as a baetyl and embodies the divine experiences of a deity. During that time, I was enrolled in a ceramics class and felt inspired to create one to symbolize my home under the Sun's protection and strengthen my boundaries.  I fashioned the omphalos from clay, a project that can be easily replicated at home. The design resembles a tall bowl. I then crafted a net pattern using dried bean pods, pressing them into the clay. To complete it, I found a star sun stamp and placed it in the center. ...

  (Image made through Canva without AI) Three tea light candles Olive oil One bay leaf On a Sunday during the hour of the Moon or on Monday during the hour of the Sun, begin by creating a protective circle by walking counterclockwise, intending to banish any unwanted energies. Circle around the area where you will be working three times. Next, use your finger to trace a clockwise circle around the space you just cleared. Starting in the east, visualize the air swirling around you and point while saying: "Come, element of air, attend and empower this circle.” Continue moving clockwise to the south, picturing crackling fire surrounding you as you declare: “Come, element of fire, attend and empower this circle.”. As you turn to the west, imagine water flowing around you and say: “Come, element of water, and empower this circle.” Finally, when you face north, envision the wild energy of the earth and proclaim: “Come, element of earth, and empower this circle.” Complete the process by ...