Sage Leaves, August 6, 2024

Welcome to Sage Leaves, a compendium of wisdom for those seeking to heal ancestral wounds. In every issue, you will find discussions on the Jungian aspects of the tarot, an herbal recipe for health and well-being, and articles on using Tarot to help address deep core inner wounds caused by familial and ancestral trauma. Please let us know what you think!

Table of Contents

• A Wellness Ritual to Aid Healing Ancestral Wounds

  • Purpose:

  • Materials Needed:

  • Steps of the Ritual:

  • Practical Tips:

• Spotlight on a Jungian Archetype: The Magician

• Egyptian Kephi/Kyphi Incense

A Wellness Ritual to Aid Healing Ancestral Wounds

Purpose:

This ritual aims to open the mind and facilitate the healing of deep ancestral wounds using the transformative power of tarot, the grounding and sacred scent of Kephi incense, and a focused meditation on The Magician.

Materials Needed:

1. Tarot Deck (specifically, The Magician card)

2. Kephi Incense (a blend of aromatic resins, herbs, and essential oils, traditionally used for spiritual rituals)

3. Incense Burner

4. Quiet, Comfortable Space (preferably a place where you feel safe and undisturbed)

5. Journal and Pen (for reflections after the ritual)

Steps of the Ritual:

1. Preparation:

   • Choose a Quiet Space: Select a quiet and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. This helps create a safe environment for introspection and healing.

   • Gather Your Materials: Ensure you have all the materials at hand. Arrange them in a way that feels sacred and intentional to you.

2. Setting the Intention:

   • Ground Yourself: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Focus on your breath, letting go of any tension or distractions.

   • State Your Intention: Clearly state your intention for the ritual. For example, “I intend to open my mind and heart to heal the ancestral wounds that affect me and my family.”

3. Lighting the Incense:

   • Light the Kephi Incense: Light the Kephi incense and place it in the burner. As the smoke begins to rise, imagine it carrying your intention into the spiritual realm, creating a sacred space for healing.

   • Focus on the Scent: Inhale the fragrance deeply, allowing it to ground you and connect you to ancient traditions and the wisdom of your ancestors.

4. Meditation on The Magician:

   • Hold The Magician Card: Take The Magician card from your tarot deck and hold it in your hands. Observe the symbols and imagery on the card. The Magician represents transformation, willpower, and the ability to manifest desires.

   • Visualize The Magician: Close your eyes and visualize The Magician standing before you. Imagine the energy of the card enveloping you, filling you with a sense of empowerment and connection to the divine.

   • Guided Meditation: In your mind, ask The Magician to guide you in understanding and healing your ancestral wounds. Imagine a light emanating from The Magician, touching you and illuminating the wounds you wish to heal. Stay in this meditative state for at least 10-15 minutes, allowing any thoughts, emotions, or insights to arise.

5. Reflection and Integration:

   • Journal Your Experience: After the meditation, take a few moments to journal about your experience. Write down any thoughts, feelings, or insights that came to you during the ritual.

   • Thank Your Guides: Thank The Magician and any other spiritual guides or ancestors who were present during your ritual for their guidance and support.

6. Closing the Ritual:

   • Extinguish the Incense: Gently extinguish the incense, symbolizing the closing of the sacred space.

   • Ground Yourself: Take a few deep breaths and feel your connection to the earth. Wiggle your fingers and toes, bringing your awareness back to the present moment.

Practical Tips:

• Consistency: Consider performing this ritual regularly, such as once a week or month, to deepen your healing journey.

• Community Support: Share your experiences with trusted friends or a support group to gain additional insights and support.

By combining the symbolic power of The Magician, the grounding essence of Kephi incense, and mindful meditation, this ritual offers a holistic approach to healing ancestral wounds. This process helps to open the mind, inviting deep reflection and transformation, allowing for emotional and spiritual growth in the present generation.

Some suggested Tarot Decks for this ritual: Morgan-Greer Tarot Deck; The Rider Tarot Deck; and a non-traditional deck, The Artist Decoded Tarot Deck.

Spotlight on a Jungian Archetype: The Magician

In Jungian psychology, The Magician card in the Tarot represents the conscious mind and the power of transformation through focused intention. This archetype embodies the principle of individuation, where an individual strives to integrate all aspects of the self to achieve wholeness.

The Magician is often depicted with one hand pointing to the sky and the other to the earth, symbolizing the connection between the spiritual and the material realms. This pose reflects the Hermetic principle "as above, so below," suggesting that what happens in the mind influences the outer world. Jung would interpret this as the ability to bring unconscious content into conscious awareness, thereby transforming it into something useful and meaningful.

The tools on The Magician's table—the wand, cup, sword, and pentacle—represent the four elements (fire, water, air, and earth) and the various faculties of the psyche (intuition, emotion, intellect, and sensation). Jung saw these elements as aspects of the self that need to be balanced and integrated. The Magician’s mastery over these tools symbolizes the potential to harness these energies and direct them towards creative and constructive purposes.

The Magician's number, one, signifies unity and the beginning of the individuation process. Jung believed that individuation involves the conscious realization of the self and the integration of the unconscious. The Magician, as an archetype, represents the initiation of this journey, where one begins to recognize their inner potential and take control of their destiny.

In Jungian terms, The Magician also embodies the "animus," the inner masculine aspect of a woman’s psyche (and the "anima," the inner feminine aspect of a man’s psyche). This figure encourages the development of the inner opposite, promoting psychological balance and wholeness.

Ultimately, The Magician in Jungian psychology signifies the power of the mind to transform reality, the importance of self-awareness, and the ability to consciously direct one’s life through the integration of all aspects of the self. This card encourages tapping into inner resources, developing personal skills, and using them to create a fulfilling and authentic life.

Egyptian Kephi/Kyphi Incense

Kephi (Kyphi) incense holds significant historical and spiritual importance. Originating in ancient Egypt, Kephi was used in temples for purification, invoking the divine, and enhancing meditation. Its complex blend of ingredients, including honey, wine, and various resins, creates a rich, soothing aroma that promotes relaxation and spiritual connection. The scent is believed to open the mind, elevate consciousness, and facilitate a deeper state of introspection, making it ideal for rituals and healing practices.

It is a complex incense to create requiring an investment of time through its multiple steps. The process of making it can let you open your heart and mind to begin the process of healing ancestral wounds. Reiki Masters may wish to invite Reiki energy throughout the process for additional healing assistance.

Ingredients:

Honey (1 Tablespoon)
Raisins (1/2 cup)
Red Wine (1 cup)

Frankincense (4 teaspoons)
Myrrh (4 teaspoons)
Juniper Berries (1 teaspoon)
Benzoin Resin (2 teaspoons)
Mastic or Gum Arabic (2 teaspoons)
Cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
Dragon’s Blood Resin (1 teaspoon)
Spikenard (1 teaspoon)
Sandalwood (4 teaspoons)
Peppermint Leaves (1 teaspoon)
Star Anise (1 teaspoon)
Copal (1 teaspoon)

Essential oils: 6 drops each Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sandalwood

Directions:

1. Preparation: Start by soaking the raisins in wine for at least 24 hours and up to 72 hours, until wine is almost completely absorbed. The raisins will be plump and very soft.

2. Grinding the Resins and Spices: While the raisins are soaking, using a mortar and pestle, grind the frankincense, myrrh, juniper berries, benzoin resin, mastic, cinnamon, spikenard, dragon’s blood, mint leaves, star anise, copal, and sandalwood into a fine powder.

3. Mixing the Ingredients: Combine the soaked raisins or dates with honey in a mortar & pestle. Mash and stir until you achieve a smooth, sticky consistency.

4. Combining: Mix the powdered resins and spices with the honey and raisin mixture. Ensure that all ingredients are well combined, creating a thick paste. Mix in essential oils. You may need to add some additional honey to incorporate all of the resins and spices.

5. Aging: Traditionally, Kephi incense was aged for several months to allow the aromas to meld. You can store the mixture in an airtight container for at least a week to develop the fragrance. The longer it ages, the richer the scent will become.

6. Forming: Once aged, you can form the mixture into small pellets, cones or sticks for easy burning. Allow to air dry till dry clear through (at least a week, potentially longer depending on weather conditions and size of incense shape.)

7. Burning: To use, place a small amount of Kephi on a hot charcoal disk in an incense burner. Allow the smoke to fill your space, creating a soothing and sacred atmosphere.

Notes:

• Ingredients: Some ingredients might be hard to find, so adapt as necessary. The key is to create a harmonious blend of sweet, resinous, and spicy notes.

• Safety: Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area and use a heat-resistant surface.

Kephi incense is ideal for meditation, rituals, and creating a calming environment. Enjoy the process of making and using this ancient blend to enhance your spiritual practices.

That’s it for this week! Look for Sage Leaves in your inbox on Tuesday afternoons (North American time.) We look forward to exploring more about Tarot, Healing and more! Take care, be well, and good-bye for now!