Reading this was a wonderful experience... and the topic is close to my heart. When I talk to others about my writing I explain that I am a Muse-driven writer, whether it's poetry, fiction, and even with some non-fiction and post here on Substack, I open to the inspiration from 'the cauldron.' I learn a lot that way. I know I have different muses that arrive...maybe I have an unseen antenna that flashes, here's a human that will hear you, but I know that the inspirations for astrology interpretation, creating an essential oil blend, and most recently the trilogy about the life of a Druid Priestess (a topic I had no background with) are all different. I have felt the Druid Priestess in a special way and after the books were published someone did an ancestral reading and saw her. It made so much sense, and the only message she wanted to give me was; "We always knew you would be the one to do this for us." ✨💕✨ I liked the idea of doing the candle meditation and found the card reading appropriate for the experience. When I channel, I don't 'hear' voice. I am the 'automatic writing' type and was happy to find when I researched some of the information given by the Priestess (I don't want to be an 'imposter' saying something that couldn't have been), her words were always validated. What a joy to have "in the world" proof for the connection, too. 💕📖💕
Beautiful comment! I know I connect intuitively and have a strong relationship with my guides. But don’t have a “name” for my muses but I am going to investigate for myself.
She recently released a children’s book based on the muses, and an album to pair with it.
I know that I get intuitive pushes for creative things (and also very direct messages) from my guides. A thought, a phrase, a full download, automatic writing, etc. it’s energy for me. It’s a process which requires a relaxed state to allow for flow. I cannot force it, and I refuse to stick to a writing schedule because of this.
Thank you! I appreciate your sharing all this with me and giving me links to explore. I will certainly do that! The Cauldron with Inspirations from the 'Otherworld' is also seen in the myth of Cerridwen, the Welsh version (23 years downloading the Druid Priestess, in Wales ;).) It is said to have nine pearls on the rim...to me that's the 9 cycles of the Moon with the 9th stage being the magical unseen moment when the waning becomes waxing. There are 9 Ladies in the Priestess Circle, too.
I totally relate to the last paragraph and also to my favorite color here...purple! I'll look forward to reading more of your posts! ✨📖✨
Love this Erica - so glad you directed this to me yesterday. The exploration into the Muse is so thorough and well done. Just wonderful. I loved your dive into who and what they are and how to channel and/or access them. And I love your question at the end, "Where do you think inspiration and creativity come from?" I don't have a definite answer, but I do feel that inspiration and creativity is sacred. That it's beyond the individual even though it can be expressed through the individual in very personal ways. I feel we touch the infinite with a very visceral experience when we create. It's liminal!
I really think so as well. Using science (brainwaves) to facilitate the access to our higher selves is super interesting to me. Use this all the time for sleep. It really does work, whatever way you choose to connect.
This was such a good read! A reminder to try automatic writing (which falls on the list of things that scare me a little bit). And also such a cool way to incorporate the wild unknown alchemy deck, which is a new favorite of mine. Love your work!
So glad you enjoyed this post. It was monster to put together, but totally worth it.
Try the automatic writing! Its just free-form journaling but REALLY relaxed. The "scary" automatic writing is very much a practiced skill. it kinds spooks me sometimes, but there's nothing really to be afraid of if you trust your guides.
I've been looking forward to this post ever since we talked, and it certainly didn't disappoint!
A couple of random thoughts, hopefully they will make some sense:
I have long believed that when we are creating, we are exercising the power of the divine. The divine is creation, the creator, and we are one with that when we ourselves are bringing something new into existence. This creative power cuts across all disciplines, whether one is designing a car, writing an essay, or painting a portrait. It is all an exercise of divine power.
And, due to my own unique quirks of understanding of language, and comfort with terms (we all have such quirks I imagine) I've tended to think of that largely in terms of the muses. The term 'guides' doesn't really float my boat, but muses does. I presume however that is simply semantics.
The Candlelight Meditation is something I look forward to trying, and to encouraging others to try.
Thanks for this post, I'll continue thinking about it in the days to come.
Excellent reply. It is divine for me, as well. Guides/angels/muses . . . It’s all source of the divine. It feels too strong a pull to just attribute science to it. Of course, one must remain open to experience our muse.
Let me know how the meditation goes! And if automatic writing helps you out?
In my Lodge, we use what we call a Chamber of Reflection. A windowless room, painted black, illuminated by a candle. It contains a table and chair, pen and paper, and generally symbols of mortality. It is used for deep reflection and meditation, including writing with the pen and paper.
That writing is though generally guided. Someone will write deeply personal and probing questions for the person using the Chamber to answer with pen and paper. (No one ever sees these, they are solely for the person using the Chamber)
So that is all extremely similar.
But your Candlelight Meditation is much more open, as there aren't really specific questions meant to guide the reflection.
I think that it will be an excellent adaptation of our current practice.
Yay! This is how I communicate with my guides - open ended, then I will follow up with more specific. My guides always finish with “everything will be ok”, because of my anxiety issues. And it always is, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. You simply ask for what you need to know.
Reading this was a wonderful experience... and the topic is close to my heart. When I talk to others about my writing I explain that I am a Muse-driven writer, whether it's poetry, fiction, and even with some non-fiction and post here on Substack, I open to the inspiration from 'the cauldron.' I learn a lot that way. I know I have different muses that arrive...maybe I have an unseen antenna that flashes, here's a human that will hear you, but I know that the inspirations for astrology interpretation, creating an essential oil blend, and most recently the trilogy about the life of a Druid Priestess (a topic I had no background with) are all different. I have felt the Druid Priestess in a special way and after the books were published someone did an ancestral reading and saw her. It made so much sense, and the only message she wanted to give me was; "We always knew you would be the one to do this for us." ✨💕✨ I liked the idea of doing the candle meditation and found the card reading appropriate for the experience. When I channel, I don't 'hear' voice. I am the 'automatic writing' type and was happy to find when I researched some of the information given by the Priestess (I don't want to be an 'imposter' saying something that couldn't have been), her words were always validated. What a joy to have "in the world" proof for the connection, too. 💕📖💕
Thank you! 🙏 I hope you enjoy. I have a lot of content already up, perhaps some of it will resonate.
Beautiful comment! I know I connect intuitively and have a strong relationship with my guides. But don’t have a “name” for my muses but I am going to investigate for myself.
I love the “cauldron” of inspiration! I may have to use this as a tool. I did a spirit journey under hypnosis last year and I worked with Hecate and her cauldron. I already have a link to it. I wrote about this here: https://ericaphillips.substack.com/p/adventures-in-hypnosis-and-psychic-69d .
I am a huge Tori Amos fan. She is well-known for speaking about her muses for her writing and music. I think you may enjoy this collection of her thoughts: https://www.teemingbrain.com/2020/05/04/tori-amos-on-serving-the-muses-you-have-to-get-yourself-out-of-the-way/
She recently released a children’s book based on the muses, and an album to pair with it.
I know that I get intuitive pushes for creative things (and also very direct messages) from my guides. A thought, a phrase, a full download, automatic writing, etc. it’s energy for me. It’s a process which requires a relaxed state to allow for flow. I cannot force it, and I refuse to stick to a writing schedule because of this.
Thank you! I appreciate your sharing all this with me and giving me links to explore. I will certainly do that! The Cauldron with Inspirations from the 'Otherworld' is also seen in the myth of Cerridwen, the Welsh version (23 years downloading the Druid Priestess, in Wales ;).) It is said to have nine pearls on the rim...to me that's the 9 cycles of the Moon with the 9th stage being the magical unseen moment when the waning becomes waxing. There are 9 Ladies in the Priestess Circle, too.
I totally relate to the last paragraph and also to my favorite color here...purple! I'll look forward to reading more of your posts! ✨📖✨
Love this Erica - so glad you directed this to me yesterday. The exploration into the Muse is so thorough and well done. Just wonderful. I loved your dive into who and what they are and how to channel and/or access them. And I love your question at the end, "Where do you think inspiration and creativity come from?" I don't have a definite answer, but I do feel that inspiration and creativity is sacred. That it's beyond the individual even though it can be expressed through the individual in very personal ways. I feel we touch the infinite with a very visceral experience when we create. It's liminal!
I really think so as well. Using science (brainwaves) to facilitate the access to our higher selves is super interesting to me. Use this all the time for sleep. It really does work, whatever way you choose to connect.
This was such a good read! A reminder to try automatic writing (which falls on the list of things that scare me a little bit). And also such a cool way to incorporate the wild unknown alchemy deck, which is a new favorite of mine. Love your work!
So glad you enjoyed this post. It was monster to put together, but totally worth it.
Try the automatic writing! Its just free-form journaling but REALLY relaxed. The "scary" automatic writing is very much a practiced skill. it kinds spooks me sometimes, but there's nothing really to be afraid of if you trust your guides.
I've been looking forward to this post ever since we talked, and it certainly didn't disappoint!
A couple of random thoughts, hopefully they will make some sense:
I have long believed that when we are creating, we are exercising the power of the divine. The divine is creation, the creator, and we are one with that when we ourselves are bringing something new into existence. This creative power cuts across all disciplines, whether one is designing a car, writing an essay, or painting a portrait. It is all an exercise of divine power.
And, due to my own unique quirks of understanding of language, and comfort with terms (we all have such quirks I imagine) I've tended to think of that largely in terms of the muses. The term 'guides' doesn't really float my boat, but muses does. I presume however that is simply semantics.
The Candlelight Meditation is something I look forward to trying, and to encouraging others to try.
Thanks for this post, I'll continue thinking about it in the days to come.
Excellent reply. It is divine for me, as well. Guides/angels/muses . . . It’s all source of the divine. It feels too strong a pull to just attribute science to it. Of course, one must remain open to experience our muse.
Let me know how the meditation goes! And if automatic writing helps you out?
In my Lodge, we use what we call a Chamber of Reflection. A windowless room, painted black, illuminated by a candle. It contains a table and chair, pen and paper, and generally symbols of mortality. It is used for deep reflection and meditation, including writing with the pen and paper.
That writing is though generally guided. Someone will write deeply personal and probing questions for the person using the Chamber to answer with pen and paper. (No one ever sees these, they are solely for the person using the Chamber)
So that is all extremely similar.
But your Candlelight Meditation is much more open, as there aren't really specific questions meant to guide the reflection.
I think that it will be an excellent adaptation of our current practice.
Yay! This is how I communicate with my guides - open ended, then I will follow up with more specific. My guides always finish with “everything will be ok”, because of my anxiety issues. And it always is, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. You simply ask for what you need to know.
I like that "everything will be OK." And now that I'm a genuine old fart, I can say that over all my years, I've learned that to be true.