The Scarf Witch

I have been developing, experimenting and using different versions of this basic intentional meditation with much success – both for a daily morning meditation and setting up before divination or journey work.

Even taking out the esoteric aspects out , I am finding that the visual of the intention is quite useful at a very basic level to reset my full state of being, and why I have been finding much success with it as a daily morning practice. It sets each day fresh and puts me in the proverbial driver’s seat for the day.

I am calling it an intention rather than just a meditation because it feels very active.   At the core of what we have control over in our lives is our perception and the way in which we show up to life.  I believe about 10-20% of intention setting is signaling to the universe what you want, and the other 80-90% is actively choosing how you are going to view and approach life. 

This intention is comprised of 4 parts.  The parts themselves are not anything new to spiritual practices, I just happen to picture (what I refer to) as an oak tree – not unlike a Celtic tree of life.

The Practice:

I have found that I generally start with clear, but then the order of the other 3 parts vary depending on my needs at the time.  Sometimes I’ll even circle back to a particular step if I feel the need.   As with any intention, I have found decisive action is what matters over “doing it right”.   I have done this for my personal body as well as expanding to my home.

The key points are:

• Clear – the trunk – the center of my body – where many associate the chakras flowing
  • “I am clear of that which does not belong to me”
• Ground – the roots – my feet and hands, and then eventually all of my external body
  • “I am grounded to the world of matter”
• Protect – the part of the symbol of the tree where the branches and roots connect in a circle – this forms a circle around my body.
  • “I am protected from that which is not meant for me”
• Open – the branches/sunlight coming in from the top – this is the top of my head/forehead – what may associate with the crown and third eye chakras
  • “I open to the world of spirit”

In each of these steps – I am repeating the phrase for that step over and over in my head while I am maintaining my intentions for that phrase.

Details:

Clear

“I am clear of that which does not belong to me”

• I am moving my hand up and down the center of my body, sometimes “flicking away” to signal the removal of the mental/spiritual “dirt”
• I imagine white light (and sometimes as water) going up and down the center of my body, cleansing the center of my being of all that has been conditioned within me, all that I am carrying in that moment that is not a true and pure part of myself.
• I, personally, think of this as a spiritual bath.
• In this part of the exercise, I am releasing any feeling, thought, or belief that I have taken on since the last time I cleared.  In this, I set the intention that I am coming to my day/situation free of baggage.
• I don’t often think about anything specific that I am trying to release, I am simply setting the intention that I am letting anything like that go.  If there is something specific, I don’t dwell on it – I just see it and recognize that it is something to let go.
• For me, this creates a shivering sensation up my body, and it physically feels like I’m am exfoliating part of my spirit, and I continue until I can feel it flowing freely

Ground

“I am grounded to the world of matter”

Note: there have been times when I say “I am grounded to the world of spirit,” but that deserves its own post another day.

• I start by picturing roots coming out of my feet, then my hands and growing into the earth.
• I find that I allow my fingers to move almost like they are playing piano in the air.
• I let these roots grow and grow – slowly and organically coming out of my body.
• When grounding, I am centering my energy and I am also connecting to the “world of matter” as a way of unifying with physical reality so that I can have knowledge and awareness of my vitality.
• I cannot underscore enough that this is not just about centering and feeling solid on the earth, but it allows me to keep track of my energy.  The roots of a tree are not for the purpose of keeping it in place, really; it is to gain the nutrients of the soil so that it can survive and flourish.
• I have recently also started to notice the roots coming out of all points of my body, connecting to the earth, not just in the ground, but noticing the space around me as belonging to the world of matter.  

Protect

“I am protected from that which is not meant for me”

Note: At first, I was saying “I am protected from that which may harm me,” but I found that was too closed, and coming from a place of fear.

• I create a sphere of protection around me (or whatever space I choose for that intention) – I personally picture it as sparkling rainbow light, often pastel colored, swirling around my space in all three dimensions
• I am often moving my arms up and down and around my body during this.
• This sphere is not a “bubble” in that it keeps out everything.
• I can trust that which is not meant for me will not come for me, that which I encounter is meant for me.
• I am deliberately setting the belief that anything that I do encounter is meant for me, and therefore something I have both the ability and responsibility to deal with.
• This gives me the courage to explore in ways where I’ve previously felt scared, and I push through boundaries into new insights.

Open

“I open to the world of spirit”

• I picture the branches of the tree reaching for the sky and a huge sunbeam coming down through the leaves.
• I am moving my arms up and out, as though I am reaching for the sky, but I am opening to allow the light in.
• I am picturing the white light flow through me – sometimes feeling warmth of the sun on my face – the light goes through my head, forehead, and heart.  How far down the light goes and how wide the channel is depends on my particular intention and use at the time.
• I am setting the intention to receive – to be open to messages, meaning, symbols, guidance.
• I am open to the flow of the universe working through me so that I may witness and experience it.
• I cannot help but find myself feeling gratitude at this point – for the wonder of all that is and can be.  When I am using it in the morning, it really sets me in a great headspace for the day.  During divination and journey work, it opens up that clear connection to divine source energy.

Recently, during journeys, I have started to explore above and below the "tree" - and I'm finding that what I'm picturing as a tree is actually the seed, so that has been fun, interesting, and exciting. 

...but that's for another day