There is more to spirituality than just following a path or swearing
to unexplainable or unverifiable events. In most cases spirituality
cannot be proven or disputed with hard evidence. The bulk of the
topic is based largely on faith and the word of the practitioner. But
there are a handful of universal phenomena that seem to transcend the
boundaries that lie between one faith and another. One of those
phenomena happens to be the spiritual energies that seem to flow
naturally from religious symbols, icons, pictures, and statues.
From ancient temples to modern churches mortals have sanctified the
very ground of these monolithic structures with prayers, spells, and
symbolism. The latter often being the central focal point that almost
immediately draws one eyes to the alter or other such place that acts
as the heart of the structure.
Artists have labored for hours and in many cases years to offer their
own unique interpretations of the central figures and symbols of a
particular faith. Sometimes laboring so intently on their work that
it is not out of context to say that part of their very life force is
driven into their masterpiece, be it by pen or chisel, forever
immortalizing their spirit and their passion. Such works help us to
visualize and illustrate what cannot be put into simple words. For as
vast as human language is there are some things we still cannot
explain or express. Sometimes these things simply have to be felt for
us and anyone else to know they actually do exist and many of those
feelings have yet to be named.
However, it is not only shrines, temples, and churches that seem to
be sanctified and enchanted by effigies and symbols of our various
faiths but also our own homes. It would stand to reason that the
simple act of placing an effigy of our Gods, even in the darkest
corner of our home, is an open invitation for their influences,
power, and even direct visitation. An invitation that does not often
go unanswered.
Such practices can be traced all the way back to ancient cave
paintings that remain to this day in southern France. It is clear
that even in the most ancient times of history in art forms, the
power of effigies and symbolism has forever been a wellspring of both
spiritual and metaphysical energy. Often granting us the more common
feelings of solitude, power, and most importantly of all, safety. It
also stands as a reminder to us that our faith remains in our hearts
even if clouds in our minds cover it. Which is one of the many facets
to faith that makes it such as powerful force. In fact, it is a force
that is so intense that there are occasions when the Gods we invite
into our home are not the only visitors we receive.
The energies that flow forth from icons and effigies are not often
signature energies from a particular Deity. Contrary to popular
belief just because a mortal chooses a God does not mean that the God
also chooses the mortal. Which would help to explain why we are
attracted to a particular Deity or pantheon. Our spirits can be
pulled towards the Deity or pantheon we have a certain history or
even kinship with more so than the simple and often egotistical
interests of our minds. We might lean towards one Deity for a time
and then move on to another who has a more defined lesson or interest
in mind for us.
Effigy energies seem to be more neutral in nature and much less
intense than a flow of energy that might come more directly from a
particular Deity. And anyone who has ever had such a direct influx of
energy or influence from a Deity himself or herself will testify to
the intensity of the experience and often tell you that the feeling
is not at all the same. However, we can also say that energy gifted
to the Gods is the same energy received by the Gods. In simple terms,
if you smile and nod at them they will smile and nod back. That
doesn't mean they will hang out for long after. Yet the energy that
flows forth from their effigy seems constant.
Personally I don't believe that pantheons or even the names of the
Gods and Goddesses should be mixed or are in anyway interchangeable.
To do so is both an insult to all the Deities that might be involved
and a common practice of stupidity. Certain Deities have certain
spheres of influence and just because one people have a certain Deity
for the same sphere of influence as another doesn't not mean that the
Deities that rule that sphere are the same entity.
For instance the Roman Goddess Diana is by no means the same as the
Greek Goddess Artemis, although the two are all to often combined or
seen as counterparts, which is an extreme spiritual and historical
error that has been repeated countless times by subscribers, who
choose to believe everything they're told, rather than researchers
who actually search for some accuracy. It has sadly become the norm;
especially with the new age reconstructionist who seem to lean toward
the consolidation of Deity for whatever unfathomable reasons. So when
putting this all into practice it is important to remember exactly
which Deity you are dealing with and not insult one by haphazardly
superimposing another.
In essence on can create a temple-like environment within their home
by integrating a few things into the setting. You don't need to set
up a large alter or even a central location that attracts the eyes of
visitors. Although doing so is both unique and easy enough to pull
off. The air about a home, like that of any place else, gets its
primary feel by the central theme. Structure wise, a church is a
church because of its decor more than it is anything else and the
home is not so different. A picture or even a statue of a Deity can
easily be integrated into the setting of your home in less
conspicuous ways than on some alter. Chances are, if one was to have
a colorful picture of a particular Deity hanging on the wall visitors
would enjoy it before they even knew what it was for sure. Which,
again, is more proof that the phenomenon has some basis in truth.
Any home that has been cleansed and decorated in such a way will
rapidly begin to take on a different feel about it. By opening these
small doors for energy to flow into the home and keeping everything
just a bit tidy for your coming visitors you can make your modern day
home take on a resembling feel to an age old temple.
The only side effect to which is the possibility that your home will
become a sort of spiritual rest stop for all sorts of astral and
otherworldly creatures from ghosts to dragons. They have a tendency
to enjoy the same type of feel and energy as we do. Some of them miss
it and some of them even feed off of it. It can be frustrating at
times but it can also be a blessing in disguise. Just like the
picture on the wall.
