tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64748866218671071182024-03-15T21:12:01.436-04:00The Mystic ReviewDreams, faith, spirits & the afterlife with Barbara GraverBarbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-58462741753274019062024-03-07T16:20:00.066-05:002024-03-14T09:55:05.305-04:00The White Buffalo Dream<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeKiAa399qq158rAYSalWaNS9WhYMeyT38K5nyBzNvJikU9ZWESjcaNxXpmTqiQrarvqvpWoUQYxTf4Pbarjusnx26vVH7EIfktEScj1LcxzNhapnTr3PlomqhbxAnz8R290vyqunk5L7EZRjYqe1Rl0_RErQfUDujIvlABzO-ZVoyg9kQPbvDANMM_DS/s1024/White%20Buffalo%20and%20Indian%20Woman%20Barbara%20Graver.png"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeKiAa399qq158rAYSalWaNS9WhYMeyT38K5nyBzNvJikU9ZWESjcaNxXpmTqiQrarvqvpWoUQYxTf4Pbarjusnx26vVH7EIfktEScj1LcxzNhapnTr3PlomqhbxAnz8R290vyqunk5L7EZRjYqe1Rl0_RErQfUDujIvlABzO-ZVoyg9kQPbvDANMM_DS/w640-h474/White%20Buffalo%20and%20Indian%20Woman%20Barbara%20Graver.png" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<h3>The Dream</h3>
<p>
<i>I had several dreams last night. The one I dreamt just before I woke up was
a short dream about a beautiful green plain filled with white buffalo. Not a
herd, but several (I don't remember how many exactly). The point of view of
the dream was above the plain looking down. There was a voiceover saying,
"they were looking out on a wide plain, but it was the white buffalo that
held everyone's attention." </i>
</p>
<h3>Biblical Associations</h3>
<p>
When I look at a dream that I think may be spiritual, I turn to biblical and
religious references first. I do this because as a Catholic, I've read the
Bible and am familiar with Church traditions. So these elements tend to be
part of my personal symbology.
</p>
<p>
There are no buffalo in the Bible so I focused on the color white and the
significance of a green plain. I immediately associated the green plain with
the green pasture of the 23rd Psalm. To me, the 23rd Psalm is about trusting
and following God.
</p>
<p>
My favorite verse about the color white is from Isaiah, so that was another
easy association.
</p>
<div>
<blockquote>
Come now and let us discuss this, says the Lord. Though your sins are like
scarlet, they shall be like snow. Though they are as red as crimson, they
shall become as white as wool.. - Isaiah 1:18 (New Catholic Bible)
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>
After my first impressions, I like to do a word search in an electronic
Catholic Bible to find key terms (like white) and read through the verses
cited. I also use Fr. Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary. (I have the print
version but you can access the entire dictionary free online.)
</p>
<div>
<blockquote>
The liturgical color for all feasts of the Trinity, Our Lord (except his
Cross and Passion), the Blessed Virgin, angels, all saints except martyrs,
and on Sundays during Easter Season; also in the celebration of the
sacraments that do not imply penance or the remission of sins. White is a
symbol of joy, purity, innocence, holiness, and glory. Pope St. Pius V
(reigned 1566-72) prescribed that the ordinary papal attire be white. - Fr.
Hardon via <a href="https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/" target="_blank">Catholic Culture</a>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>
There may be a lot of Bible passages for a single term, so I try to focus on
those that have personal meaning to me and / or are coherent with other
aspects of the dream.
</p>
<p>
While white is occasionally associated with symptoms of illness in the
Bible, I don't feel that applied to this dream.
</p>
<p>
More often, white is used to describe angels, God and Jesus in the Bible. It
is mentioned in connection with the transfiguration and the resurrection.
There are so many references to the color white in Scripture that I can’t
list them all here.
</p>
<div>
<blockquote>
But Mary [Magdalen] stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was
weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And she saw two
angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the
body of Jesus had been laid. - John 20:11,12 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>
The four horses mentioned in Revelation and in Ezekiel include a white
horse. In Revelation, Jesus rides a white horse. The lamb of God who
represents Jesus is white as is the countenance of the Ancient of Days.
</p>
<p>
The common denominator in all of this is that white is associated with the
holiness. What's really interesting about this to me, is that the Indian
meaning of the white buffalo is very similar.
</p>
<h3>Native American Associations</h3>
<p>
I have an interest in the symbols and teachings of indigenous cultures. I knew
the white buffalo was significant in Native American culture but I didn't know
the details, so I decided to do some research.
</p>
<p>
I learned that there is a Lakota myth about the White Buffalo Calf woman who
was a supernatural being who appeared to teach the people the seven rituals.
All the rituals are fascinating but I found Wanáǧi Yuhápi or the Keeping
of the Soul especially interesting.
</p>
<div>
<blockquote>
According to the Sacred White Buffalo Woman, when a Lakota person dies,
their souls must be purified so they can reunite with Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka - the
Great Spirit. Traditionally, a lock of hair from the departed was cut and
held over a piece of burning sweet grass for purification purposes. After
being wrapped in a piece of sacred buckskin, called the soul bundle, the
bundle was kept by the soul’s keeper in a special place within the tipi. The
Keeper of the Soul vowed to live a life of harmony until the soul can be
released - typically about a year. After a commemorative banquet and
gift-giving ceremony, the bundle containing the soul was carried outside and
released. It is said that the soul travels along the Spirit Path - Milky Way
- to reach Mayá Owíčhapaha - the old woman who judges each soul. The
one-year commemoration remains a common ceremony today. - "<a href="https://www.stjo.org/native-american-culture/seven-lakota-rites/" target="_blank">Seven Lakota Rites</a>"
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>There are prophetic ideas linked to the white buffalo as well:</p>
<div>
<blockquote>
For many American Indians, the birth of a white buffalo calf is the most
significant of prophetic signs, equivalent to many Christian signs such as
weeping statues. - "<a href="https://collegefund.org/blog/the-meaning-of-the-sacred-white-buffalo/" target="_blank">Meaning of the Sacred White Buffalo</a>"
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>This video tells the story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman:</p>
<div class="video_outer_wrap">
<div class="video_wrap">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/reoUMEQCd1o?si=BoEPX-BHYl46yZ-l" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<h3><br /></h3>
<h3>General Associations</h3>
<p>General associations include anything that occurs to me about the dream. It can have to do with plot, context, or symbolic meanings not previously explored.</p><p>The point of view in the dream was above, looking down. This, combined with the voiceover, suggested an omniscient, or all-knowing narrator. A group of people were
observing the white buffalo below and the buffalo were what held their
attention. The unseen group thought the white buffalo were important.
</p>
<h3>Waking Context</h3>
<p>
To me, the waking context of the dream matters. This context could include related events that seem to be connected with the dream as well as any prayers or petitions that precede it.</p><p>People have practiced dream
incubation from ancient times to the present day. The practice can be simple
or involved. The way I usually approach dream incubation is through prayer.
In this instance, I was praying for insight on my writing and learning about
dreams.
</p>
<p>
I have heard various priests say that we should just ignore our dreams and I
understand why they have this opinion. But to me, Scripture and the early
Church take a different view. In spite of that, I feel some conflict about
working with my dreams.
</p>
<h3>Possible Meanings</h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li>
The dream reinforces the idea that dreams have meaning in many cultures.
Dreams were valued in biblical times, as well as in many other
cultures.
</li>
<li>
There are common cross-cultural themes in this dream. I am a Catholic with
an interest in American Indian culture and some very distant Indian
heritage, so this feels right to me.
</li>
<li>
I feel this dream speaks to the importance of following God (omniscient
viewpoint), staying close to Jesus (lamb of God), working with my guardian
angel (man in white), and cultivating virtue (holiness). These are all
things to think about.
</li>
<li>
Because a group of people are observing the buffalo, I think the
dream might be of interest to others, which is why I've posted it to the
blog.
</li>
<li>
The story of the White Buffalo Calf woman is something that I want to
reflect on further.
</li>
<li>
There are prophetic elements in both the Indian and the biblical
resources. I'm not sure what that means as of this writing, but I'm open
to further insight.
</li>
<li>
I usually share important dreams with a good Catholic friend who has a
gift for dream interpretation. She gave me some wonderful insight on the
dream I had prior to this one but we did not get to the buffalo dream yet.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
As you may have noticed, I put a lot time into interpreting this dream even
though it’s short. This is why I don't take a deep dive into most of my
dreams, though I do record them all. To me, it is worth the effort because
there is so much to learn!
</p>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1LY8xBYnh3X3lRAeHSKRN-Afxsa9XPA_AOGsd1grJIsNTKHV_-vwjyRiMtFPw1zQuK0fncd5MHCfOGgDARZLS41xvKi2zyNB9E0WxPYioPHyuT9rhyphenhyphenMIjgA78JsNbZqtu0mitNGazSHatwZv_4dhZH2pRcf3OQRs6syDG8JY0hR0ai5A8jyzciUQkK3R/s1024/White%20Buffalo%20and%20Indian%20Woman%20Barbara%20Graver%202.png"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1LY8xBYnh3X3lRAeHSKRN-Afxsa9XPA_AOGsd1grJIsNTKHV_-vwjyRiMtFPw1zQuK0fncd5MHCfOGgDARZLS41xvKi2zyNB9E0WxPYioPHyuT9rhyphenhyphenMIjgA78JsNbZqtu0mitNGazSHatwZv_4dhZH2pRcf3OQRs6syDG8JY0hR0ai5A8jyzciUQkK3R/w490-h640/White%20Buffalo%20and%20Indian%20Woman%20Barbara%20Graver%202.png" width="490" /></a>
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-23355852520653894322024-03-02T13:54:00.011-05:002024-03-04T17:30:21.542-05:00Glimpses of Eternity by Dr. Ray Moody (review)<h3><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidd39DPD7QJvn8QLXFmwl4irElKDYsBscPywlApBHuIyllI6HKfssXudunlNsVmWSJxS2qpAxSef6TTW-gDwNQizFOmuo1lkq52pkPI7p5Fv2VMYwjyxo9B_2bsdS_CXYP1kKqzYo89IgQAAVtabJFlVwJVzvfhbxIHfx1r6ICd28ve6JZtpdCeiyec7Tx/s3853/Glimpses%20of%20Eternity%20by%20Dr.%20Ray%20Moody%20-%20The%20Mystic%20Review%20by%20Barbara%20Graver.jpg"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidd39DPD7QJvn8QLXFmwl4irElKDYsBscPywlApBHuIyllI6HKfssXudunlNsVmWSJxS2qpAxSef6TTW-gDwNQizFOmuo1lkq52pkPI7p5Fv2VMYwjyxo9B_2bsdS_CXYP1kKqzYo89IgQAAVtabJFlVwJVzvfhbxIHfx1r6ICd28ve6JZtpdCeiyec7Tx/w640-h480/Glimpses%20of%20Eternity%20by%20Dr.%20Ray%20Moody%20-%20The%20Mystic%20Review%20by%20Barbara%20Graver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />What Is Shared Death Experience? </h3><p>I heard famed near-death researcher Dr. Ray Moody speak on NDEs and shared death experience in 2015. But I didn't fully understand what a shared death experience was until I read <a href="https://amzn.to/3uRKM8T" target="_blank"><i>Glimpses of Eternity</i></a> (affiliate link) earlier this week.</p><p>A shared death experience occurs when a person takes part in the spiritual experience of someone who is dying. This experience can take many different forms. And <i>Glimpses of Eternity </i>does a great job of showcasing that.</p><h3>Accounts of Shared Death Experience </h3><p>Dr. Moody didn't hear about shared death experience until after his ground-breaking book on near-death experience, <a href="https://amzn.to/3T02Eqa" target="_blank"><i>Life After Life</i></a> (affiliate link) was published in 1975. The shared death phenomena has been studied before however (as doctor Moody points out), going all the way back to the early days of the Society for Psychical Research.</p><p>The 19th century book <a href="https://amzn.to/3InyDeO" target="_blank"><i>Phantasms of the Living</i></a> (affiliate link), written by two prominent members of the Society, includes multiple examples of what were once called deathbed visions. Several cases from <i>Phantasms of the Living</i> are included in <i>Glimpses of Eternity</i>.</p><p>Shared death experience has also been discussed by Melvin Morse. MD in his book <a href="Parting Visions" target="_blank">Parting Visions</a> (affiliate link).</p><p>Like most of Dr. Moody's books, <i>Glimpses of Eternity</i>, features a wealth of first-hand accounts. These accounts<i> </i>include full-fledged out of body NDE-type events, the observation of unusual phenomena around the dying, extraordinary dreams and more. </p><p>I enjoyed reading these reports and feel there is a lot that we can learn from them.</p><h3>Elements of a Shared Death Experience</h3><p>In<i> Glimpses of Eternity. </i>Dr Moody provides a list of features common to the shared death experience. He is also very clear in saying that shared death experience may include several or as few as one of these elements and that he is aware of no shared death experiences that includes them all. </p><p>While most shared death experience occur in a waking state, Dr. Moody cites some that have occurred in dreams, including the 1988 shared death experience described by Melvin Morse. MD in <i>Parting Visions</i>.</p><p>The fact that some shared death experiences occur in dreams was of special interest to me because I once had an unusual dream about someone who was near death and then recovered. This dream included some of the elements Dr. Moody associates with shared death experience:</p><p></p><ol><li>A change of geometry, where rooms either change shape or appear to open into another reality Dr. Moody describes as a "different and larger dimension."</li><li>A mystical light that Dr. Moody considers to one of the most profound features of a near-death experience. This light is often described as having substance. According to Dr. Moody it is "no ordinary light" but one that may lead to mystical experience and spiritual transformation. This light may fill the room, be observed in the eyes of the dying or in the translucent glow of the entire body of the person near death.</li><li>Music that has no physical source but can be heard by the dying and others present.</li><li>Co-living a life review similar to the type reported in a classic NDE except in this case the dying and healthy observer share the experience.</li><li>An out-of-body state which Dr. Moody describes as a "fairly common" element of a shared death experience. This element is cited in some of the most profound and NDE-like shared death reports.</li><li>Encountering unworldly or "heavenly" realms which may include a border or barrier. As with many NDEs this border may be a bridge, river or other boundary.</li><li>The appearance of a fine mist that may have a human shape and tendency to drift upward and disappear.</li></ol><p></p><h3>What Can Shared Death Experience Tell Us?</h3><p>When I heard Dr. Moody speak, he was quite excited about shared death experience. This was because the shared death experience contradicts the main argument people make about NDEs. This argument--that an NDE is the product of a dying brain--cannot be applied to perfectly healthy people who share the experience of someone else's passing.</p><p>Some first-hand shared death experiences described in <i>Glimpses of Eternity</i> involve entire groups of (healthy) people. In these cases, members of the group perceived varied - though coherent - phenomena. One or two observers might perceive light or a vision of the departed, for example, while others only hear music or have a sense that something unusual is happening. This supports the idea that the shared death experience is telepathic in nature. </p><p>Sometimes shared death experiences are predictive. At other times they announce that someone has died in another location. The fact that certain elements repeat from experience to experience is compelling.<br /></p><p>The part of <a href="https://amzn.to/3uRKM8T" target="_blank"><i>Glimpses of Eternity</i></a> (affiliate link) that impressed me most, however, was the idea that shared and near-death experience may have played a part in the formation of religious beliefs about the afterlife. Noted individuals like Egyptologist Cyril Aldred, NDE researcher Kenneth Ring, PhD and Dr. Moody himself have all made this suggestion. To me, this makes sense. </p><p>Instead of undermining religious belief, I think it supports it.</p><p>Please check back for future posts on dreams, mystical experience and more, including my upcoming podcast and video about my own experience!</p><p>___________</p><p>This post includes Amazon Affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I will get a small percentage of the sale, at no cost to you.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-87563761527955837102024-02-24T22:30:00.000-05:002024-03-07T16:21:53.482-05:00Welcome to the MysticReview YouTube Channel!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq-QMroJ_bjO9xE7QBFlTxEjc-YXsZcaY6Q7FO9bxF2crQOZC6Dj2vNH2qNWrk9C4irYH848h2cxih3EzIiHeqcoMFRcQceTkJNm71tKbYQsfhfLNlkqmbNP-nlTW-z4_ZnK6Mq10TkcVnTwnvV_qfcgyCFmJrt1pft4aOwmywuzxpK_CUhNQr3IEm4rF/s1280/The%20Mystic%20Review%20WITH%20BARBARA%20GRAVER%20YouTube.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq-QMroJ_bjO9xE7QBFlTxEjc-YXsZcaY6Q7FO9bxF2crQOZC6Dj2vNH2qNWrk9C4irYH848h2cxih3EzIiHeqcoMFRcQceTkJNm71tKbYQsfhfLNlkqmbNP-nlTW-z4_ZnK6Mq10TkcVnTwnvV_qfcgyCFmJrt1pft4aOwmywuzxpK_CUhNQr3IEm4rF/s600/The%20Mystic%20Review%20WITH%20BARBARA%20GRAVER%20YouTube.jpg" width="600" /></a>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="video_outer_wrap">
<div class="video_wrap">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i74KNtt9GO8?si=Cfo7GTv1rUUT8dM6" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<div><br /></div><h3 data-pm-slice="1 3 []">The History of My Channel </h3><p>I started the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/MysticReview" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">MysticReview</a> YouTube channel in 2011, just a few months after I started this blog. I posted a couple of videos shortly after starting the channel and then lost access. </p><p>I tried to get the channel back several times over the years and finally decided it was gone for good. </p><p>Then, earlier this year, I started blogging as the Mystic Review again. So I decided to try to get the channel back one last time. I asked myself, what was my very oldest gmail? And this time, I got it right.</p><p>I recovered my original Google account and regained access to the channel. To me, this seemed like a good sign and I'm excited about doing videos again. </p><p>The video above is my intro to the channel. I’m a little ghostly in it, thanks to turning my ring light on too high, but the next one will be better. Also I mentioned a shared NDE in the video. My experience was actually not necessarily that, but I'll talk about it more in an upcoming video or podcast.</p><p>I also post all of the same content to my podcast The Mystic Review, which is available on most popular podcast apps!</p><h3>What’s Up Next on the Channel</h3><p>One of the reasons I wanted to access the YouTube channel (after returning to the Church) was to take down the card reading video I'd posted way back when. But now that I can take it down, I've decided I don't want to. </p><p>I will NOT be returning to tarot. But there are a couple of points I'd like to make about divination (using my old card reading video as an example) in a future post.</p><p>The main point of <em>this</em> post is that it all worked out. And I’m planning future videos on books, courses, events and media on topics like dreams, altered states, psychic phenomena and the paranormal. </p><p>I may talk about faith from time to time (both in the blog and on the channel) but it isn't going to be my primary focus. Having said that, I will be staying within the parameters of Catholicism proper.</p><p>If any the topics mentioned interest you please subscribe to the channel!</p><p>Learn more about the Rhine Institute at <a href="Learn more about the Rhine Institute at https://www.rhineonline.org/ ">RhineOnline.org</a>!</p></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #741b47;">You can subscribe to my new / old YouTube channel at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/MysticReview" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube.com/MysticReview</a>!</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #741b47;">(and help me get over 35 subscribers)</span></b></i></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-2509681573054617832024-02-17T09:12:00.018-05:002024-02-28T22:46:47.571-05:00Revisiting Near-Death Experience with Dr. Ray Moody<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QmBjLHA9Zskq77PVo2S_FR74TtougikYttLaefHaPthQPseEnoR6sJWLtVRJ5vnLbQPq_FIWBXorp2_6tRQKGYUqvIt0OrNGoCyj9XKGRKdGSaBCwEr_8UeCun2Wqp8OjRurQfE9vJLLWUvXFPWKWvYfNXIOET2zqNdq7bHAEwI6QZPMJCobdg5bCd-c/s1232/barbaragraver_golden_gates_of_heaven_pearly_gates_watercolor_be_1741954f-0c64-4b08-80cf-12976c5bd3de.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1232" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QmBjLHA9Zskq77PVo2S_FR74TtougikYttLaefHaPthQPseEnoR6sJWLtVRJ5vnLbQPq_FIWBXorp2_6tRQKGYUqvIt0OrNGoCyj9XKGRKdGSaBCwEr_8UeCun2Wqp8OjRurQfE9vJLLWUvXFPWKWvYfNXIOET2zqNdq7bHAEwI6QZPMJCobdg5bCd-c/w640-h482/barbaragraver_golden_gates_of_heaven_pearly_gates_watercolor_be_1741954f-0c64-4b08-80cf-12976c5bd3de.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />Lecture and Meeting with Dr. Ray Moody </h3>
<p>I heard Dr. Ray Moody speak on the topic of near-death experience in 2014. Like many people in the audience, I had been influenced
by Dr. Moody's first book, <i>Life After Life</i>, and considered him an authority
on near-death experience (a phrase coined by Moody himself).
</p>
<p>
Written in 1975, <i>Life After Life</i>, is based on case studies of people who
reported having had very similar, apparently spiritual experiences when very
near death. The book became a runaway best-seller and near-death experience
(or NDE) became a household word.
</p>
<p>
I found Dr. Moody to be a charming and articulate speaker. His presentation
covered a range of NDE related topics which included history, philosophy and
the nature of the NDE itself. In this post I will touch upon some of
them.
</p>
<p>
According to Dr. Moody, the common elements of the NDE included the experience
of a hyper-reality which is largely indescribable, vivid color, a warm and
loving light, the presence of deceased loved ones, a tunnel or passage, and a panoramic life review.
In some NDEs a being of great compassion conducts the review and tells the
individual that they must return to their former life. </p><p>This was of special interest to me because I had experienced NDE like elements in my dreams. These included hyper-reality, ineffability, vivid color, beings of warmth and love, meetings with the departed and various passages (train tracks, board walks, halls). These were not NDEs obviously but I did receive information I hadn't known about before. In several such dreams in fact, I learned of the death of people I'd lost contact with through the dream.</p><p>While I was aware of some of the similatities between these dreams and NDE at the time, there was one connection I did not make then, but have only come to recently.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">The Influence of Ancient Greece</h3><div><p>Durung the presentation, Dr. Moody talked about the ancient Greeks, and their ideas about life after death. He was especially interested in the practice of necromancy in ancient Greece. Because of this interest he had visited the ruins of the oracle of the dead in Greece, at Ephyra. Ephyra was a place once thought to be the gateway to the underworld.</p><p>Upon returning to his home in Anniston Alabama, Dr. Moody set about constructing his own oracle of the dead (or necromanteion). In his book, <i>Reunions</i>, Moody shares his own experience with the dead in his necromanteion and gives instructions in how to construct your own. </p></div>
<p></p>
<p>When I asked Dr. Moody for book recommendations at the close of the lecture, he gave me the names of two
books on necromancy, <i>The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation</i> and <i>Greek and
Roman Necromancy</i>. Both of which I bought.</p>
<p>One thing that stood out to me about the lecture then was something Dr.
Moody said about a life almost wholly devoted to the study of NDE . Everything
I have done in life, he told us, is because of my interest in ancient
Greece.
</p>
<p>Not faith. Not science. Greece.</p><p>At the time, I was just begiining to learn about Greek culture. So, I loved the fact that Dr. Moody and I shared the same interest. </p><p>Years later, the fact that Dr. Moody had recommended books on Greek necromancy made me uneasy. I even recorded a podcast saying that I was suspicious of NDE, due in part to it's connection to necromancy.</p><p>But my views have charged. An NDE is not necromancy, or at least not necessarily, and I am interested in the phenomena. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">My Changing Perspective</h3>
<p>For me, the most significant information given in Dr. Moody's lecture was something that didn't seem especially meaningful at the time: Dr. Moody's (then) current research interest in shared NDEs. </p><p>A shared NDE is when one individual's near-death experience is psychically shared by a second person, oftentimes a friend or family member of the dying. </p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">I had a dream experience that may have some elements in common with a shared NDE and this is definitely something I want to look into. I will be talking about this dream and what I learn in a future video or podcast. </p><h3>Where I'm at Now</h3><p>I have been writing about dreams, spirits and psychic phenomena for thirteen years now and my thinking has evolved. I no longer accept everything the way I did when I first started out but I don't discount things out of hand (as I did in the early days of my return to the Faith) either. </p><p>I'm now very interested in the possible connection between NDE and psychic dreams. My most important dreams have NDE-like elements. This is something I want to explore further. So I decided to begin taking courses at the <a href="https://www.rhineonline.org/" target="_blank">Rhine Research Center</a> in order to do that.</p><p>I have just started my first course but I plan to continue with the study of parapsychology and eventually get my certificate. The name of this course I'm taking now is Dreams and Altered States of Consciousness which is absolutely perfect. Just like God's providence.</p><p>As always. I will keep you posted!</p><p></p><p></p><p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"> Dr. Moody and Me</h3>
<p>
Dr. Ray Moody is a lovely, gracious man who has made an amazing contribution to our understanding of NDE and I am honored to have met him!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Bp3Fg-VU400w_rabphpRN14XFrxFv1D2OOkz54UAbDUnJuFLFrlryII_y4D7NWZpoAVRhWtvvMofC31zTZDUEQzd404nkexbwIeABMu1PsyGspOxmYR_5RKQS-BnA48WgRMhpqCQnVIc/s1600/RayMoodyMe1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Bp3Fg-VU400w_rabphpRN14XFrxFv1D2OOkz54UAbDUnJuFLFrlryII_y4D7NWZpoAVRhWtvvMofC31zTZDUEQzd404nkexbwIeABMu1PsyGspOxmYR_5RKQS-BnA48WgRMhpqCQnVIc/w640-h619/RayMoodyMe1.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREavsiF3r3Vn1JPVPOdiffwTSjWmsoA7SwSE-y9h1-63CBn0iOzpBVt7aUKRgBVEuA6XTX8UBOgr1ibS2m24uYiQXllJUldakunwFhf5vkzTm8705iaKJeB3X1A4ei9A1-CPEsHucLJmL/s1600/RayMoodyMe2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREavsiF3r3Vn1JPVPOdiffwTSjWmsoA7SwSE-y9h1-63CBn0iOzpBVt7aUKRgBVEuA6XTX8UBOgr1ibS2m24uYiQXllJUldakunwFhf5vkzTm8705iaKJeB3X1A4ei9A1-CPEsHucLJmL/w640-h533/RayMoodyMe2.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhgGVfAyZOto2Idd3DeCypfCig-PoMDBWh8rFE_5m-l4CrPa86RmgOgzsq8Eb6tt-m0KctGLL0UDDBWc3TAOXaOsjFd8zYVXGar7wjoNjGVZkTU8k8Ksm7kCS-FLVulYlIOrYc7wo9B3w/s1600/RayMoodyMe3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhgGVfAyZOto2Idd3DeCypfCig-PoMDBWh8rFE_5m-l4CrPa86RmgOgzsq8Eb6tt-m0KctGLL0UDDBWc3TAOXaOsjFd8zYVXGar7wjoNjGVZkTU8k8Ksm7kCS-FLVulYlIOrYc7wo9B3w/w640-h493/RayMoodyMe3.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</p><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTTgNeTfJasbyBHFq7J0AouGAhnXCK35LaI-3fe64JepbpNchDdlxM5U5TFYPOUOY7z8OtTsgEppJ4qNjRacFYJekYZi8I-8f5C8UFgb300w54ABqBt35JPNZU4rOI1olbHYWYLyRlhOG6YMDbjMYCY3ZwbdAzZKWI6P-iXFxxQO6SdDTspigr0MflQ/s850/Raymond_Moody_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="850" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTTgNeTfJasbyBHFq7J0AouGAhnXCK35LaI-3fe64JepbpNchDdlxM5U5TFYPOUOY7z8OtTsgEppJ4qNjRacFYJekYZi8I-8f5C8UFgb300w54ABqBt35JPNZU4rOI1olbHYWYLyRlhOG6YMDbjMYCY3ZwbdAzZKWI6P-iXFxxQO6SdDTspigr0MflQ/w640-h502/Raymond_Moody_1.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div><p></p><i>Then felt I like some watcher of the skies </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When a new planet swims into his ken; </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He star'd at the Pacific—and all his men </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Look'd at each other with a wild surmise— </i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Silent, upon a peak in Darien. -John Keats</i></div><div><br /></div><div>
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-21396969142624273002024-02-12T12:52:00.003-05:002024-02-29T00:04:18.121-05:00The Spirit Dream<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF06kggbBtcGesNu8M16oZF0on1cwlRfSlH5pArRUQWKaVXIXL4COV01REeCSEw7bHcryGuwb-XsarYlRMmtmcxOGIygSgnEkkqNyjoddl8at3kv1qkoQVPD6lK9d_atzQffbeVm-lPy5pGbFtRfjpJizMMDcUMYE4-rnwEttZJsj3e2oBmSeVupkVd_f/s1024/barbaragraver_foggy_night_full_moon_watercolor_painting_beautif_a04bdc66-418b-44e2-a066-ef98485a0810.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF06kggbBtcGesNu8M16oZF0on1cwlRfSlH5pArRUQWKaVXIXL4COV01REeCSEw7bHcryGuwb-XsarYlRMmtmcxOGIygSgnEkkqNyjoddl8at3kv1qkoQVPD6lK9d_atzQffbeVm-lPy5pGbFtRfjpJizMMDcUMYE4-rnwEttZJsj3e2oBmSeVupkVd_f/w640-h640/barbaragraver_foggy_night_full_moon_watercolor_painting_beautif_a04bdc66-418b-44e2-a066-ef98485a0810.png" width="640" /></a></i></div><i><br />"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."</i> <p></p><p>It was almost three A.M. on a summer night in 2007 and I was wide awake.</p><p>So I passed the long sleepless night on the computer, drifting from one website to the next, until I stumbled upon a bible passage I knew by heart. </p><p>The 23rd Psalm.</p><p>I remembered how I had committed this psalm to memory as a child and how I used to recite it before bed whenever things seemed dark. So I said the old familiar passage right there over the keyboard and then I set aside my laptop and fell asleep.</p><p>I woke up the next morning with a sense of excitement I hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever. </p><p>I didn’t usually remember my dreams, but I remembered this one. It was detailed and magical and absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. </p><p>Heart pounding, I turned on my laptop and captured my journey through the night as quickly as I could.</p><p style="text-align: center;">*</p><p>Aside from the headings and a few minor edits, what follows is the account of the dream, as I typed it out that morning. It’s a little long, but I’ve divided it into five parts to make it easier to read and to better show the structure. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Dream</h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">Part I: The Hospital</h4><p>As the dream opens, I’m approaching a big hospital. I’m working as a nurse again and this is the first day of a new job and I’m not sure where to go (a common problem in many similar dreams). I go to several outside doors and find them locked. Finally, at the last door I find an elderly woman on the ground in severe pain. She tells me that she has had two difficult surgeries and that she will die before she goes back to the hospital again.</p><p>I don’t know what to do or say, so I go in through the door. I’m looking for the emergency room and at first I am lost. After asking for (and not understanding) directions (another common work dream problem) I wander onto an elevator. There is a young doctor in a brilliant white coat inside the elevator. I tell him what has happened, and he gets off and goes with me to see the woman and her relatives, who are there with her. He tells them that she doesn’t have to come into the hospital if she doesn’t want to and they take her away.</p><p>I am at a brightly lit a nurse’s station. I have the feeling that I’ve been working here for some time. And that there are no bad feelings associated with that (which has never happened to me in dreams about nursing or in my nursing career in general). The young doctor is at the station too, looking at charts. After a moment, he stops and says that he has to move away soon and that he needs to learn the route by traveling it. He suggests that we all need time away from our work and that we should go on an adventure together.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Part II: The Journey</h4><p>We take two cars. There is an odd assortment of women (presumably nurses). One is very beautiful. Her eyes are a bright vivid blue and her face is high-boned and delicate. She wears a layered gown of shimmering blue silk and I find her very exotic. Around her neck hangs a deep blue sapphire necklace and some of the bluest lapis I have ever seen.</p><p>There is an older woman, as well. She looks like a woman I know in real life. She is sweet and lost and seemingly lonely, just like her real-life counterpart. There are several other women. One is young and withdrawn; the others have already faded. As it turns out, this is a journey of discovery. There are moments of awkwardness because I don’t know anyone well, but there are other moments that seem almost euphoric.</p><p>We are on a train and I spend time alone. I am sitting in a day car with many windows. The car is rushing through a sunny countryside though I am more aware of the streaming sun than I am the scenery. As I sit, an idea for a book overtakes me. The images and characters and dialogue are vivid. And they stream through my mind so quickly it is all I can do to write them down. The story is about a man involved with two women. One is young and beautiful, but she is also married and in the end, he chooses the one who is unencumbered. The manuscript flashes by from beginning to end. Somehow I capture it.</p><p>A lot of different things happen. Sometimes we’re on the train and sometimes it seems that we have disembarked along our way. We are in a jewelry store. I see many lovely things. I look at a small locket depicting a traditionally Catholic guardian angel with children, but it’s small and drab - nothing like the beautiful pieces worn by the woman in blue. I sense that it is all that is available to me but I don't buy it. In another scene, the women and I decide to swap clothing. I have a single article of clothing I’m proud of—some sort of gold and red top. I offer it to the woman in blue and she accepts it.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Part III: Our Destination</h4><p>It seems that we have arrived at university or school. The woman in blue shows me a sort of screen that is not a television but a bright flowing blue divided into many different shades which appear as if pressed between two panes of clear glass. The screen swivels like an old-fashioned chalkboard and the many shades of blue swirl together in changing breathtaking patterns. It is vividly blue and has a shine to it that is almost metallic. It reminds me of a sand art item I saw once in a variety store but much, much better. Its beauty and the spectrum of blue is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.</p><p>The women and I are together in a classroom. A book review or lecture is being delivered. A man is showing us pictures from a book he has written. At first the content seems Buddhist and then it’s something else, but I don’t remember clearly just how it is different. We’re all moved by his presentation and find it very inspiring. For some reason, we know all about him and are surprised he’s become so spiritual. It seems that he was famous in some way earlier in life and that he had a bad reputation at that time.</p><p>Then I am outside with the young doctor. He asks me about my parents and I tell him something. briefly, without going into detail. He letters a sort of monument to my father (in cobalt blue). He invites me to letter the one for my mother myself, but his lettering is perfect and I have terrible handwriting (in dreams and in life). So I ask him to do it for me and he does. The monument only has my parents' names. Or I think it does because I don’t recognize the characters or letters. The monument includes no information about who they were or what they did. But it seems complete as is.</p><p>My mother’s monument transforms into an ornament made out of clear glass with deep blue lettering. I know that I’m supposed to hang it in a tree at our family homestead and, all at once, I am there. It’s not the big main farmhouse where my mother grew up but something similar to the smaller house that she lived in before my grandfather inherited the farm. There is something about the tree having been cut back in preparation. I hang the ornament on a branch and leave.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Part IV: The Return Trip </h4><p>I find myself back on the train and discover an old book. The cover is a work of art—old fashioned, intricate, tooled leather. It is dusty and a bit worse for wear, but still handsome. I’m very impressed with it. I open it and see I have written it. I’m surprised but, at the same time, I remember.</p><p>Finally, we’re at the end of our journey. We sit at a big table and talk about how we have changed. I’m wearing a sparkling red ruby or garnet bracelet. We decide that we should exchange jewelry as souvenirs of our trip.</p><p>I don’t want to give up my bracelet, but I offer it anyway, secretly hoping that the woman in blue will give me some of her lapis. Instead, she gives her jewelry to the older woman (who has nothing to offer her in return). I feel disappointed but understand that this is the right thing to do. Although my desire for the beautiful blue gemstones is strong, there is no associated envy or bitterness. I feel strongly that all is as it should be.</p><p>The young doctor thanks us and tells us that he now knows the route he should take to his new home. He does not return to the hospital and I am not sure if the women return either. I have a sense of parting. It is bittersweet, but I know it feels right and I have no regrets.</p><p>Part V: Back to the Beginning</p><p>Finally, I am back at the hospital. Someone is holding a funeral for the woman who was lying in pain just outside of the door when I first arrived. The funeral is being held on the other side of the large parking lot. It is far away, at the edge of the lot, but I can see a seated effigy draped in red and understand that this effigy represents the woman who has died.</p><p>I am now inside the hospital. A patient on the floor where I work has passed and I remember that he was the man who taught us when we were away. I know his history, so I’m not surprised that he died alone. I’m not sad about it either because I remember his lecture and know that he was at peace.</p><p>As I am leaving his room, or perhaps the floor, a young girl comes in and asks for the man. She says that she is his granddaughter and I tell her he is gone. Surprisingly, I find the right words. I tell her that it’s alright, that he has changed, and for some reason her tears are cathartic for both of us. We leave the hospital together and I have the feeling that everything has come full circle.</p><p style="text-align: center;">*</p><p>I finished typing out the dream and turned off my laptop.</p><p>I was sitting on the same couch I’d slept on, wearing the same sweat pants and t-shirt I’d worn the day before. The room was still small and cluttered, and the stereo from the house next door was already blasting.</p><p>But everything had changed.</p><p>_________</p><p>This post is excerpted from my upcoming book <i>The Spirit Dream.</i></p><p><i>© </i>2024 Barbara Graver. All rights reserved.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-67474979990876150492024-02-05T17:54:00.007-05:002024-03-01T23:25:56.993-05:00Lost and Found: Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend <p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXe1PYZkEJeL_wkE2qevRy9YSDY2meuCdZ3o9fDebN9hJhnLNFL5Lp1DDJPEuUREUVUTLJ4XoLCJ5QXdOkmwrkAFKbKcmG1P_513ep0sysWaIiQg0fYEdd212CXsBiKUPtoPSnOrmSArI5h4Q_u98Xue92Jk_qoxi4I3D2DSWNoWlDX-NljzVWLWex_SX/s1416/Mystic%20Review%20-%20Lost%20and%20Found.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1416" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXe1PYZkEJeL_wkE2qevRy9YSDY2meuCdZ3o9fDebN9hJhnLNFL5Lp1DDJPEuUREUVUTLJ4XoLCJ5QXdOkmwrkAFKbKcmG1P_513ep0sysWaIiQg0fYEdd212CXsBiKUPtoPSnOrmSArI5h4Q_u98Xue92Jk_qoxi4I3D2DSWNoWlDX-NljzVWLWex_SX/w640-h500/Mystic%20Review%20-%20Lost%20and%20Found.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Today
marks the one year anniversary of a good friend's passing. And I have been thinking of him even though our friendship
ended many years ago.<p></p>
<p>
We
said goodbye apparently for good in 1984 when he was making plans to
leave the area and I was making plans to marry someone else.<br />
<br />
Naturally,
a great deal has happened in the intervening years. So it's not
surprising, or in anyway indicative of my feelings, that it had been a
long time since I'd thought of those days at all.</p>
<p>
But
three weeks ago I had a dream. And my friend Tim was the leading
character. He was young and handsome in the dream and taller than I
remembered. There was a remarkable brightness about him. And I know
that kind of brightness. </p>
<p>
He looked different but I recognized his energy. Sensing it as if I was
standing next him, stepping back in time to re-experience the soul vibration of a person I once loved.</p>
<p>In
the dream, we met by chance. I was living alone in a big sunny
apartment and he was working at a nearby market. We bumped into each
other at his work and he asked if he could see me. Later on, standing in
my dream apartment he told me he'd wanted to contact me before but that
he was afraid that doing so would stir up old half-forgotten feelings.
</p>
<p>
And then he explained what he had felt so very long
ago and the hows and whys of what he did, and didn't, do. The
information was new but surprisingly coherent, fitting in neatly with
events I had wondered about but not fully understood at the time.
Seeing our history in this new light changed things. I no longer felt
responsible. My old remorse lifted. <br />
</p><p>
After we
had finished talking, we set out together on a wide boardwalk with long
strings of golden lights on either side. There was some kind of
festival happening around us and I was happy in a way I'd almost
forgotten. I told him that he was right about the emotion. "I can feel
it," I said. "Can you?"</p>
<p>
He didn't answer or if he did,
I don't remember. There was a knowing that our time was ending and
that he had brought me back to where I was supposed to be. When I woke
up and considered the brilliance and the clarity of the dream, I knew
that he had passed. </p>
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunMpru5xyX_hwuaN0OolTQouQWqKNyi1mW5ula5nf8U9X8xCbdv-CC0frG0SN3AKfBdAZeOUj2LYJW77qLQ2Z9Nvs7Yo7LEB3dSYb1Cevk38qDdH2wzrASV55qZescGHKbbKvCaP9O7Sc/s1600/MyFriendTim.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunMpru5xyX_hwuaN0OolTQouQWqKNyi1mW5ula5nf8U9X8xCbdv-CC0frG0SN3AKfBdAZeOUj2LYJW77qLQ2Z9Nvs7Yo7LEB3dSYb1Cevk38qDdH2wzrASV55qZescGHKbbKvCaP9O7Sc/w166-h200/MyFriendTim.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>I
pulled my laptop into bed and found the obituary online. Tim's picture
(left) showed the same beautiful smile I'd loved so long ago. I saw
that he had died in a hospice at the age of 53. I was sad that I didn't
know but I was happy to think that he'd made it through okay.<p></p>
<p>
Thank you for remembering me, as I remember you.</p><p>_________</p><p>This post is adapted from my upcoming book <i>The Spirit Dream.</i> ©2024 Barbara Graver Wilder. All rights reserved.</p>
<p></p><center>
</center><p></p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-33194510166667458272024-01-29T11:35:00.010-05:002024-02-15T23:44:23.718-05:00My New Rabbit Hole: The Spirit Dream & Parapsychology<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfT91IFLqsoDGWs0RxPnfN8oa0JOl9eIfsl6FtVVIPPTbC5XGrAzk5ShbSxPS7BTH-Wq-p6rrUqdU7q3R0o9Zm7iHSgKRIbtURneKIkqnE4osC8YqkkG6_ssghqhbPXWpCUVDYyZEZdNw861RBWQAMX_A_UDICKZRdu-3V_G84HV87tkeHaB2laI9h4Yv8/s736/Peter%20Rabbit%20in%20Flowers.jpg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfT91IFLqsoDGWs0RxPnfN8oa0JOl9eIfsl6FtVVIPPTbC5XGrAzk5ShbSxPS7BTH-Wq-p6rrUqdU7q3R0o9Zm7iHSgKRIbtURneKIkqnE4osC8YqkkG6_ssghqhbPXWpCUVDYyZEZdNw861RBWQAMX_A_UDICKZRdu-3V_G84HV87tkeHaB2laI9h4Yv8/w640-h640/Peter%20Rabbit%20in%20Flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>When I finished my upcoming book, <em>The Spirit Dream,</em> and turned it over to beta readers, I got some great feedback. The comments on NDE and psychic phenomena, in particular, convinced me to include an alternate viewpoint on those topics. </p><p>A few days later, Catholic apologist Jimmy Akin mentioned parapsychology and the Rhine Institute on his Mysterious World podcast. As it turns out, he actually taught a class on parapsychology at the Rhine. I like Jimmy Akin, so that got my attention. By the end of the day, I'd ordered a new book on parapsychology.</p><p>After reading that book, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/4bd17oR" target="">Parapsychology: The Controversial Science</a> (affiliate link</i>), I couldn't deny that there is statistically significant research on psychic phenomena, precognitive dreams and NDE. I realized that I had been too black and white in my thinking, both in my media and the <i>The Spirit Dream.</i> After some thought, I made the difficult decision to rewrite parts of the book and make some significant changes both here in the blog and in my media. </p><p>This isn’t a 180-degree turn. I still think demonic influence is real, and that discernment is important. I still want <i>The Spirit Dream</i> to be cautionary in the regard. But I also think that my time as an evangelical might have influenced me more than I initially thought.</p><p><i>In Parapsychology: The Controversial Science</i>, the author talks Benedict XIV and his work as promotor fidei. He ends that section by saying that Catholics were the first parapsychologists because we didn’t just accept miracles at face value and say, this supports our position. We investigated them with rigor. And to me, that is one of the things that sets Catholicism apart. We value truth. </p><p>Now I have a new book called <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Ueup0n">The Philosopher King: The Humanist Pope Benedict XIV</a></i> <i>(affiliate link),</i> which came all the way from England and from the library of journalist, novelist and parapsychologist, Andrew Carr Mackenzie. And I can't wait to read it.</p><p>Lastly, if the scholarship stars align, I may be taking a course at the Rhine Institute about dreams and consciousness and possibly other parapsychology classes after that. My first major in school was experimental psychology, and I'm still interested in the science.</p><p>As always, I'll keep you updated!</p><p>_________</p><p>This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. If you buy something through on of my links, I'll get a small part of the sale, at no cost to you!</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-4142293407535467192024-01-25T09:30:00.006-05:002024-02-29T00:36:35.844-05:00The Mystic Review, Take Two<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5H5b7WtE8eRBHtRJhNW28GcMOGB_3EXZms8Gy6nLU-1JxLu6VNwUfgHhQT-lJmpOnDHoEkhfcHXFb8Gs9RQKsDReD7W4dYtcThiWJQ2TRec388DoXxYI1WcwSh2sw8DtrOjDMQgnU1hX01WzafHWvlgg1myqonV4p3TGVGUBH_U1G4fqVZudBxuwQEjw/s1276/barbaragraver_study_area_illustration_style_Luminous_cozy_piles_a7ce93db-7a82-4770-bbb5-b010e49bde42.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1276" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5H5b7WtE8eRBHtRJhNW28GcMOGB_3EXZms8Gy6nLU-1JxLu6VNwUfgHhQT-lJmpOnDHoEkhfcHXFb8Gs9RQKsDReD7W4dYtcThiWJQ2TRec388DoXxYI1WcwSh2sw8DtrOjDMQgnU1hX01WzafHWvlgg1myqonV4p3TGVGUBH_U1G4fqVZudBxuwQEjw/w640-h450/barbaragraver_study_area_illustration_style_Luminous_cozy_piles_a7ce93db-7a82-4770-bbb5-b010e49bde42.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />When I shut down <i>The Mystic Review</i> in early 2018, I didn't think I'd ever come back to it. But, for some reason, I hung onto the domain. And I kept the original blogging platform, too. <p></p><p>Instead of deleting my old posts, I simply unpublished them. This came in handy when I decided to write my testimony. To my mind, however, those old posts told the story of the person I used to be. Not the person I had become. </p><p>But that wasn't entirely accurate. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Starting and Restarting </h3><p>I started <i>The Mystic Review</i> in 2010 when I was struggling to make sense of a very unusual dream. The blog was a place where I could share my search for answers and I loved doing that. </p><p>Unfortunately, the search I’d undertaken led into the New Age and floundered. Returning to my Catholic faith was another story.</p><p>Unlike the New Age, Catholicism answered all the big questions. Why are we here? Where are we going? How should we proceed?</p><p>I’m grateful for those answers and the certainty that the Faith provides.</p><p>But in writing my testimony, I realized that there were other questions in between the big ones. And I cared about those answers, too. So it made sense to come back to The Mystic Review and try again.</p><p>As of this writing the blog includes a mix of old and new(er) posts, many of which need to be updated. So I hope you'll bear with me on that. </p><p>The newer posts were posts I added to the platform after I returned to the Faith. I don't necessarily agree with everything said in these posts. I've unpublished some of these but probably not all.</p><p>The older posts need to be sorted. Most will remain unpublished. Some will be updated. A few will be re-published, as is.</p><p>I hope to add new posts a few times a month. Topics will include dreams, angels, psychic phenomena, miracles, paranormal investigation, prayer, NDEs, spirits and more. Spiritual posts will reflect a Catholic perspective. But not all posts will be spiritual in nature.</p><p>I hope you will check back! </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-17369785251168494312024-01-08T12:23:00.008-05:002024-02-28T12:39:46.574-05:00Catholicism and Consciousness (podcast)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLUVPMpO2RHRN0Wm_C_4IDjEqbEDVzSe4QvrdyraR8NYhFttGmxqTXYDfqqEGIDZcImyrehfBn0uov8A9BNuglGzJRikGVwV0eWAG9n58o4B5embX7KpCiUcGR3sI3vFAfxL7B15sPCMrDxGBCtexJketKZZnkY3A28OaupksyyMdwZVBTM2UWWAiS5oX/s3000/Orion%20Nebula%20-%20The%20Mystic%20Review.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2240" data-original-width="3000" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLUVPMpO2RHRN0Wm_C_4IDjEqbEDVzSe4QvrdyraR8NYhFttGmxqTXYDfqqEGIDZcImyrehfBn0uov8A9BNuglGzJRikGVwV0eWAG9n58o4B5embX7KpCiUcGR3sI3vFAfxL7B15sPCMrDxGBCtexJketKZZnkY3A28OaupksyyMdwZVBTM2UWWAiS5oX/w640-h478/Orion%20Nebula%20-%20The%20Mystic%20Review.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>How should we look at spiritual experience and related ideas about consciousness - as Catholics?<p></p>
<p>In this episode of the podcast, I talk about how I've presented things like paranormal experience, NDEs and spiritual dreams in my written testimony--and why I'm rethinking my approach</p><p>As many of you know, this comes on the near eve of publication but I feel I it's something I need to correct. In the book and in life!</p>
<p>Future episodes will be posted to YouTube at <span style="color: #e03e2d;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@mysticreview">youtube.com/@mysticreview</a></span> and probably at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@barbaragraver">youtube.com/barbaragraver</a> as well - and here on the blog. On them, we'll discuss things like consciousness, dreams, and the paranormal from a Catholic perspective. </p><p>I hope you will join me!</p>
<p><iframe allowtransparency="true" data-name="pb-iframe-player" height="150" loading="lazy" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=gj45g-155421b-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=8bbb4e" style="border: none; height: 150px; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" title="Catholicism and Consciousness in My Written Testimony (EP 2)" width="100%"></iframe></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><em>Upcoming podcasts are also going to be posting on my new / old channel</em><em> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@mysticreview">youtube.com/@mysticreview</a>. </em></li><li><em>As always all content posts here on the blog which you can get delivered straight to your inbox by joining my</em><em> <a href="https://barbaragraver.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c12ac494daffaacdd7448a1d9&id=a85d4a6991"><span style="color: black;">email list</span></a>!</em></li></ul><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-83366744711180915872023-12-22T14:54:00.033-05:002024-02-16T17:38:11.190-05:00The Spirit Dream: Update & Cover Reveal<h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1ehOo5Mk2YMsZklhFUYRa3JGy66xYpOS5-3Tgx43L_JBSvWphls5GZPyvNBfi1gIZloWOva6b22PL38VUQcdojar1OffudhGnyNT8swYM25ZgWNDKBxZqfZeJSUQwlXqzL5PP6MVg-a_VdzB1NpRtzpO3U_Nx71bbx4aJxKLH6d3fIU0vNYSFpX5oa4p/s1280/the%20spirit%20dream%20promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1280" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1ehOo5Mk2YMsZklhFUYRa3JGy66xYpOS5-3Tgx43L_JBSvWphls5GZPyvNBfi1gIZloWOva6b22PL38VUQcdojar1OffudhGnyNT8swYM25ZgWNDKBxZqfZeJSUQwlXqzL5PP6MVg-a_VdzB1NpRtzpO3U_Nx71bbx4aJxKLH6d3fIU0vNYSFpX5oa4p/w640-h540/the%20spirit%20dream%20promo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />About The Spirit Dream </h2><div>The Spirit Dream is FINALLY finished and is currently in beta reading!! You can see it full size in the graphic below. <p></p><p>I overshot my October 31st deadline by a couple of weeks. But I did get it done.</p><p>The book is going out to beta readers ASAP and will then be edited for publication. I have a title, now, and a cover, which you can see full-size below. </p><h2>Coming Up with a Title</h2><p>Picking the title was a challenge. My first choice was "Of Light and Dark."</p><p>But since the Spirit Dream was THE dream that kicked off my search for meaning and dreams figured prominently in much of what happened along the way I thought that fit. So the title is The Spirit Dream and the picture on the cover is representative of that dream. </p><p></p><p>The book will be available on Amazon and on Etsy and on my author website in 2024 and my paranormal story should be available not long after that. I will be talking about select topics from the testimony on YouTube and on the podcast and possibly sharing some excerpts here on this site. </p><p>If you want to know more about the paranormal fiction, you can check out this page: <a href="https://barbaragraver.com/ebooks/">BarbaraGraver.com/ebooks</a></p><p>To get release updates for both books (and a freebie) please subscribe to: <a href="http://eepurl.com/dwW47n">Barbara Graver's Email List</a>.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Blurb</h2><p><em>The Spirit Dream</em> is the story of a very unusual dream and the search for meaning that followed. This search included a deep exploration of New Age practices, and Spiritualism. Finally, providence brought me back to the Catholic faith, I'd left behind some 20 years earlier. <em>The Spirit Dream</em> is a spiritual memoir that includes reflections and research on a range of phenomena and topics. Coming soon!</p></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A Closer Look at the Cover</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_clbLzQUB9hnTG2Q51DRRiLFvD06Eonvq9jFo8-awChouVJtg_rmDXIj1SIw93qptuN2RlfB0FLtPRJ5Q5VB5ilrkN-rQhFi5R6dTlam24EGrrxY0aW6qIb5uRMJ4xpAAuCvyTDoSEcEScqX0tBXUGK2ZtZTEU9OzcC7Ae6aFNLdCA7v4OXZfiVrEfc6/s800/The%20Spirit%20Dream%20By%20Barbara%20Graver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_clbLzQUB9hnTG2Q51DRRiLFvD06Eonvq9jFo8-awChouVJtg_rmDXIj1SIw93qptuN2RlfB0FLtPRJ5Q5VB5ilrkN-rQhFi5R6dTlam24EGrrxY0aW6qIb5uRMJ4xpAAuCvyTDoSEcEScqX0tBXUGK2ZtZTEU9OzcC7Ae6aFNLdCA7v4OXZfiVrEfc6/w410-h640/The%20Spirit%20Dream%20By%20Barbara%20Graver.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-51507095325586819262023-12-15T15:38:00.000-05:002024-02-17T10:02:46.425-05:00Real EVP & Spiritual Issues with Paranormal Investigation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none;"><a href="https://barbaragraver.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Barbara-Graver.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" src="https://barbaragraver.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Barbara-Graver.png" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlopkjsc6KuxjsFqQv62l3falZqqMrNSSX8FEl_LpZuA3tP2ZRfiuigB8OoNq1oponmTvsOpbYXmFHxh8bNw5pEtFFUW61o5LaD4G73FPJAIRVLQtF6VCXmN8ajM3wyi0Nt3hp-tcwxNkGakjvPw8Wzac4D_yngKGe6DxDcJzw83fSIMQ5v4JqXSg7XSUF/s1280/indoors-8327713_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlopkjsc6KuxjsFqQv62l3falZqqMrNSSX8FEl_LpZuA3tP2ZRfiuigB8OoNq1oponmTvsOpbYXmFHxh8bNw5pEtFFUW61o5LaD4G73FPJAIRVLQtF6VCXmN8ajM3wyi0Nt3hp-tcwxNkGakjvPw8Wzac4D_yngKGe6DxDcJzw83fSIMQ5v4JqXSg7XSUF/w640-h640/indoors-8327713_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The clip below features short but very clear EVP. While I know that a lot of people investigate the paranormal with the best of intentions, I think it's important to note that it can be spiritually risky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some investigators simply record EVPs and analyze the noise. Most talk to the spirits like I'm doing here. While this is not necessarily necromancy in and of itself, it can lead to it </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><blockquote>The word necromancy is adapted from Late Latin necromantia: a loan word from the post-Classical Greek νεκρομαντεία (nekromanteía), a compound of Ancient Greek νεκρός (nekrós, or 'dead body') and μαντεία (manteía, or 'divination'). (Wikipedia)</blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For a long time, based partially on my experience as an evangelical, I thought necromancy was any communication with the dead. But that is not the case. Necromancy is communication for the express purpose of divination (or IMO obtaining general information about the unknown).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is problem because, as Christians, we should be turning to God, our guardian angel, or other Church approved sources for guidance. While calling open spirits, indiscrimately, is not a good idea I think that paranormal investigation done right is probably okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I talk about this more in my upcoming book, The Spirit Dream. But I wanted to share the recording here, so readers will have an idea of what I was hearing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" data-name="pb-iframe-player" height="150" loading="lazy" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=86tjg-1237bd0-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" style="border: none; height: 150px; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" title="EVP Clip Only (EP 17)" width="100%"></iframe>
For more on this topic please check out my upcoing ebook <i>The Spirit Dream</i> (book updates via my <a href="http://eepurl.com/dwW47n">elist</a>)<div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-66684611994039352882023-12-04T07:00:00.000-05:002024-02-12T14:23:28.657-05:00Cemeteries, Spirits & EVPs<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jmQbhBEs5_XGWOZHzlgY3aGIAyEBTErXJjrXIP8jPQkOaNzONZUmEgTbvU2oA7UlFENG_DpOy-2XKOmHCq2_J3inNDMf_oLNJgtJznYHnun4JtUOEQmovkbPc6ocI6_ui25pkrgvpzmN/s1280/cemetery-4653166_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jmQbhBEs5_XGWOZHzlgY3aGIAyEBTErXJjrXIP8jPQkOaNzONZUmEgTbvU2oA7UlFENG_DpOy-2XKOmHCq2_J3inNDMf_oLNJgtJznYHnun4JtUOEQmovkbPc6ocI6_ui25pkrgvpzmN/w640-h426/cemetery-4653166_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There was a time when I was fascinated with cemeteries. They were once my favorite place, in fact, for recording EVPs and taking spirit photos. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So it's not surprising really that while other people's Memorial Day trips to the cemetery were all about remembering their loved ones, my focus was on talking to spirits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">A Paranormal Memorial Day</h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was one Memorial Day in particular when I visited the cemetery where my family was buried. I had the best of intentions. I'd even brought begonias to plant. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But before those begonias were even in the ground, I'd began to think about spirits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't have the recorder I liked to use for paranormal investigation with me so I decided to take a picture and look for orbs. But when I pulled out my fully charged phone, it abruptly shut down. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'd fried my previous phone, trying to take the spirit photo, a year or two earlier.. This current phone was the replacement. So I was annoyed that I'd even taken it out of the car. Annoyed but not afraid. Because it was my belief then that nothing on "the other side" could possibly hurt me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I tried to restart my phone with no luck at all. So I decided to leave and check it again a few miles away from the cemetery. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Driving away, I felt the a presence with me in the car. It wasn't a peaceful presence. Instead it felt jangly and hyper. I felt I sensed multiple spirits. There was a giddy kind of energy that I found disturbing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I didn't care. Mostly because I wasn't really interested in paranormal investigation. I was interested in communicating with spirits, So I pushed my sense of unease aside, and decided to having a conversation. I told the spirits about what I was up to, asked for advice and waited for a response.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few moments later, my phone turned back on. I plugged in the auxiliary cable and started to listen to the audio book I'd played on my way to the cemetery but all I heard was static. In between the bursts of interference I clearly heard the word 'path.' Thinking of my question, I decided to take that word as a go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because when it came to spirits then, everything was always a go. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Back to the Cemetery </h3><div><div>
<blockquote><p>The first rule: in persons who are going from mortal sin to mortal sin, the enemy is ordinarily accustomed to propose apparent pleasures to them, leading them to imagine sensual delights and pleasures in order to hold them more and make them grow in their vices and sins. - The Rules of St. Ignatius</p></blockquote>
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since my phone was now working, I turned the car around and went back to the cemetery to try to capture some orbs. A part of me was hoping to receive more information from the spirits as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the time I got back to the cemetery the spirits were no longer talking. So I took a few photos and left. On the way home, my audio book played clearly through the stereo speakers. My phone continued to function.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't even remember now, what kind of advice I asked for that day. But whatever it was I'm quite sure I applied it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It never occurred to me then that the spirits who spoke to me might not have my best interests at heart. Even though much of the guidance I received at this time lead me away from what I now believe I was supposed to do, instead of towards it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ULVYozufWwgTEM1mqR-TYqOImy-njymM3pdckEuamn5KLNQpPezgYqelD4X4E_d4M0iLFSu0v2vgFg6N09G3kxnZdH_BAglJt0QkVxmvF5TFyyXXt0EU4-3tLWev_ecDc0Xu2w-ULzdD/s1600/cemetary1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ULVYozufWwgTEM1mqR-TYqOImy-njymM3pdckEuamn5KLNQpPezgYqelD4X4E_d4M0iLFSu0v2vgFg6N09G3kxnZdH_BAglJt0QkVxmvF5TFyyXXt0EU4-3tLWev_ecDc0Xu2w-ULzdD/s640/cemetary1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />__________<div>For more on the topic, please check out my testimony, <i>The Spirit Dream.</i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-58223580103202772992023-11-24T11:12:00.061-05:002024-03-12T12:21:04.289-04:00When Healing Is a Hero’s Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixvEU7H9NNP_9qBVzQFbFHzBGXo9UKq_LCKNUq9Y4RMczXhbc6MZLaHFZT2aj0jbn97BIrJK-sklsnqJtlpANyiF9GsIdslsrzkV3dfMlOyrspGbJOIYJJhzeg_cowH915MGojGH-6GRkxBv_ezzEcSRDuhHYMZqbxh7REd842Nmnra1B3iChI2GBUWts/s768/woman-2827304_1280.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixvEU7H9NNP_9qBVzQFbFHzBGXo9UKq_LCKNUq9Y4RMczXhbc6MZLaHFZT2aj0jbn97BIrJK-sklsnqJtlpANyiF9GsIdslsrzkV3dfMlOyrspGbJOIYJJhzeg_cowH915MGojGH-6GRkxBv_ezzEcSRDuhHYMZqbxh7REd842Nmnra1B3iChI2GBUWts/w640-h360/woman-2827304_1280.webp" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>As someone who grew up with undiagnosed Aspergers and certain amount childhood trauma, I’ve had to do my share of healing. While I always saw emotional healing as a journey, however, it didn’t occur to me that it was a hero’s journey until I read this passage in <i><a href="https://amzn.to/37OhcCN" target="_blank">The Spirit of Healing</a></i> (affiliate link) by Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona.</p><p></p><blockquote>All of the healers that I worked with emphasized that you have to present your wish to be well in such a way that the spirits would admire you, that the spirits would be impressed, that the spirits would say, wow you’re someone I really want to help. In short, you have to become a hero. You have to create a heroic journey for yourself toward wellness, from sickness. And everyone loves a hero. Spirits are no exceptions. Whatever your heroic journey is, the more impressive it is, the better for you. - The Spirit Of Healing by Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD</blockquote><p></p><p>As a Catholic, I might not think of spirits in the same terms as Dr. Mehl-Madrona, but I do believe that saints and angels intercede for us. And I love the idea of becoming the kind of person a saint or angel might actually want to pray for.</p><p>But I didn’t share this quote because of what it says about spiritual beings or their intercession. I shared it because of what it says about us. </p><p>Healing IS a hero’s journey – so if we want to make that journey, we have to be heroic.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">On Heroism</h3><p>Because I felt I needed to really understand what Dr. Mehl-Madrona is saying here, I looked the word heroism up in Merriam-Webster. The synonyms provided included words like bravery, courage, daring, fearlessness, gallantry, heart, moxie, nerve, prowess, valor, and virtue.</p><p>These are the kind of traits that most of us think about when we think about being heroic. But the actual definition (or the definition I liked best) of heroism didn’t really talk about character traits. It talked about “heroic conduct exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end.”</p><p>To me this means that in order to be heroic we have to (a) know where our journey or quest is headed and (b) be willing to actually do things in order to get there. I think this way of looking at heroism makes a lot of sense.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Where Are You Going?</h3><p>When it comes to inner healing no two people will have the exact same destination or goal.</p><p>Some of us want to be better parents or spouses or humans. Others want to feel better or achieve a specific vocational objective. There may even be several different goals. But I think it helps to narrow it down to one or two.</p><p>So I prayed and journaled on my goals and thought about where I want to end up. The next step is to figure out how to get there. To me, that’s where courage comes into play.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">How Courage Looks</h3><p>For most of us, the kind of courage healing calls for doesn’t look like anything special.</p><p>It might, for example, simply look like going for a walk when the weather’s bad. Or working in the garden when we’re afraid of snakes. Or putting things right when the weight of what needs to be done overwhelms us. Or participating in things when people just don't get us.</p><p>And in 2024 courage is going to look like all those things for me. For you it may look like something totally different, but I’m willing to bet we have this in common. When somebody sees us gardening or showing up or taking part, it probably looks pretty ordinary.</p><p>Very few would even realize that what we’re doing takes courage – or that it’s part of an epic, hero’s journey to healing.</p><p>But it is.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-82034525587861012692023-11-07T11:41:00.001-05:002024-01-29T09:52:19.517-05:00Bishop Athanasius Schneider on the Holy Angels<div class="separator" style="display: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZij27SJJYzd5EAsPWi6xNUn112O744_IsyRmMF3p9zZ0QbhmYzZH5dcyX3K_Y3b_LY0Mh6KQ4t6cy3Fpo8bkzicyMccDtjvk8EdJhzPugg_dTQ0HoXPmv0dprATzy3IRKMeTWiTMNQC2rSNgh9wsdcGQ9-5YgcIBgjAMktoE9FydqNoAtaRcP2HphSQ/s800/schneider-pic-e1462371308702.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZij27SJJYzd5EAsPWi6xNUn112O744_IsyRmMF3p9zZ0QbhmYzZH5dcyX3K_Y3b_LY0Mh6KQ4t6cy3Fpo8bkzicyMccDtjvk8EdJhzPugg_dTQ0HoXPmv0dprATzy3IRKMeTWiTMNQC2rSNgh9wsdcGQ9-5YgcIBgjAMktoE9FydqNoAtaRcP2HphSQ/s600/schneider-pic-e1462371308702.jpg" width="600" /></a>
</div>
The video below contains a wonderful teaching on the holy angels from one of my
favorite Bishops, Bishop Athanasius Schneider! Bishop Schneider is a clear and
reasoned voice among the Bishops. He has staunchly defended the Society of St.
Pius the X (whose services I attend) and the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). In
this video, he speaks eloquently on the holy angels!
<div>
<br />
<div class="video_outer_wrap">
<div class="video_wrap">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ggiJMQp4SOs" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p>
For more on the holy angels, check out the
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@orderofthecanonsregularoft7128" target="_blank">Order of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross YouTube channel</a>, visit the
<a href="https://opusangelorum.org/about-us/" target="_blank">Opus Angelorum website</a>, or do both :)
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVyI3C6XNM5dOo3cQrvVZUXFOQRjGAuGyJgCLS5X8zFXL1V5R_yS9w-i0EfARjRmEzk6100J5lCZmwsDzjNS81ZSNMKqveA9StweHYrNKsth8mUuWyEkjcFehukCsl1W9k5xw1W32fnJILTysqobZcEDovsO4aa7dS2IafzLOiEB2U9_uRtkPIkQC7Q/s3264/IMG_7231.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVyI3C6XNM5dOo3cQrvVZUXFOQRjGAuGyJgCLS5X8zFXL1V5R_yS9w-i0EfARjRmEzk6100J5lCZmwsDzjNS81ZSNMKqveA9StweHYrNKsth8mUuWyEkjcFehukCsl1W9k5xw1W32fnJILTysqobZcEDovsO4aa7dS2IafzLOiEB2U9_uRtkPIkQC7Q/s600/IMG_7231.jpg" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Picture of Bishop Schneider at Mass</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
________________
<div>
To learn more on Bishop Schneider's comments on the Society of St. Pius the X
(SSPX) please click
<a href="https://sspx.org/en/news-events/news/bishop-schneider-comes-sspx%E2%80%99s-defense-again-77874" target="_blank">here</a>. For more on the society please check out them out on
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SSPX">YouTube</a> or visit
<a href="https://sspx.org/en">SSPX.org/en</a>!
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-45411691576874022132023-10-17T10:10:00.000-04:002024-02-12T14:33:19.657-05:00Angels and Unseen Forces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGOgDuG-4bW3EFBY-uYDvxMl11-35vlWg9ufCLDhphJbSwiCCjBDOkZnM5NSoMMHgmZeudfJZGzpmNJm6lQdNF1vpG2KksHWtOiona_dDUnrzetZJTYZRBlmdtrg3Mfy0ofccer5PJrwhEkdu2yL46x5gS9drDu48PYmnUAU16egJWPifyv-_wWCYRw/s1900/the%20Glorious%20Ones%20-%20Of%20Angels%20and%20Demons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1900" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGOgDuG-4bW3EFBY-uYDvxMl11-35vlWg9ufCLDhphJbSwiCCjBDOkZnM5NSoMMHgmZeudfJZGzpmNJm6lQdNF1vpG2KksHWtOiona_dDUnrzetZJTYZRBlmdtrg3Mfy0ofccer5PJrwhEkdu2yL46x5gS9drDu48PYmnUAU16egJWPifyv-_wWCYRw/w640-h336/the%20Glorious%20Ones%20-%20Of%20Angels%20and%20Demons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I left the New Age and occult in late 2017 and returned to my Catholic faith in early 2020. Many of my spiritual experiences before I came back to the Faith were dark. But the funny thing was - I didn't realize it at the time. <div><br /></div><div>For me, the New Age was all light and color and feel-good energy. And every time I started to think otherwise, a bright and sparkly new course of study would drop into my lap. This, I told myself, was a sign that I was being guided by unseen forces. And, at times, I think I was.</div><div><br /></div><div>But those forces were not of God. Or His angels.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Discernment of Spirits</h3><div>Shortly after my return to the Faith, I discovered "The Rules of St. Ignatius For the Discernment of Spirits." The Rules gave me a tool I could use to understand spiritual influence and where it was coming from.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Rules are a set of 16th century instructions meant to help us decide if a given experience is from our guardian angel (good spirit) or from the enemy (evil spirit). The first thing I noticed about The Rules was that rule number one was the exact opposite of what the New Age and occult taught.</div><div><br /></div><div>Almost all New Age and occult teachers tells their students to trust their intuition. But all this really meant was that we were supposed to rely on our emotions. If a spiritual experience felt good we were told to "trust our intuition" and accept it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did this for seven solid years but, while I had some success in business, my life as a whole did not get better. In fact, it got worse.</div><div><br /></div><div>St. Ignatius helped me understand why that happened.</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>First Rule. The first Rule: In the persons who go from mortal sin to mortal sin, the enemy is commonly used to propose to them apparent pleasures, making them imagine sensual delights and pleasures in order to hold them more and make them grow in their vices and sins. In these persons the good spirit uses the opposite method, pricking them and biting their consciences through the process of reason. - St. Ignatius, The Rules for Discernment of Spirits </blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div>Being involved in the occult might not sound all that bad. But if you look at sin as moving away from (rather than towards God), my New Age and occult practices definitely qualified. And the pattern was just as St. Ignatius described.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I was happy skating from one occult experience to the next, at some point I would always began to feel that whatever it was I was doing wasn't what I was meant to do. This, I think, was my guardian angel giving me poking at my conscience. But before I could figure out exactly what was troubling me, a new spiritual experience would lead me on to some other New Age practice.</div><div><br /></div><div>That, I believe, was the bad angel (or enemy) leading me from sin to sin. Content but deluded. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Angel God Promises</h3><div><blockquote>He said, “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Eli′sha prayed, and said, “O Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire... - 2 Kings 6:16-17 (Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition)</blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div>While a lot of what the New Age has to say about angels is inaccurate, it is right in this: We do have angels to guide us. Each individual, in fact, has a dedicated guardian angel. This is a truth of the Catholic faith that can be found in both the Bible and the catechism. </div><div><br /></div><div>According to saints like St. Ignatious and St. Thomas Aquinas, our guardian angel communicates with us through our conscience and our imagination. He may inspire us and give us new ideas. Or help us think twice when something is taking us in the wrong direction. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our guardian angel may also work through dreams or other experiences. Very occasionally, he might even speak aloud. This happened to me just before my oldest son's accident and has happened to lots of other people in similar circumstances. </div><div><br /></div><div>While I don't believe that all psychic experience is questionable, I know I have been misled. So I try to be as discerning as possible!</div><div>___________</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>For more about the angels please check out the <a href="https://opusangelorum.org/">Opus Angelorum</a>. There is some great free content as well as wonderful books and lectures!</li><li>You may also want to subscribe to my <a href="http://eepurl.com/dwW47n">email list</a> and get new blog posts in a weekly digest.</li></ul></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-83912180030582125502023-08-22T05:30:00.066-04:002024-02-19T10:25:56.174-05:00Happy Birthday Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRtHgfGFvWSR1oH3ivPd3Qjt8vJIQwzLtX9tF5xdPyxjZ1f1UQqpenlEudg0KP_h2b6H0mvbzarbrERJWzBXlIlWm8u9BX-KCZhy9YqR31H0xmgjmtQDtBi09afe4n9MgsT9K4wVh_ZQrI9NEZFAYCRV2BvTfG0XjUb3WQ-1q4m0F12B1fjdnpzDgUjdE/s1024/barbaragraver_birthday_cake_with_3_candles_vivid_pen_and_ink_dr_57a0286f-e5a5-4473-b0a9-f082511104f0.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRtHgfGFvWSR1oH3ivPd3Qjt8vJIQwzLtX9tF5xdPyxjZ1f1UQqpenlEudg0KP_h2b6H0mvbzarbrERJWzBXlIlWm8u9BX-KCZhy9YqR31H0xmgjmtQDtBi09afe4n9MgsT9K4wVh_ZQrI9NEZFAYCRV2BvTfG0XjUb3WQ-1q4m0F12B1fjdnpzDgUjdE/s600/barbaragraver_birthday_cake_with_3_candles_vivid_pen_and_ink_dr_57a0286f-e5a5-4473-b0a9-f082511104f0.png" width="600" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">About Today </h3><div>I started <i>The Mystic Review</i> on my birthday in 2010 which makes it 13 years old today. Because my thinking has changed a lot over time, there are a lot of old posts that are unpublished. Some are going to stay that way. Others will be updated. </div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't really think about the significance of starting the blog on August 22nd back in 2010. But I am very aware of it now. <div><br /></div><div>That's because today, August 22nd, 2022, isn't just my birthday or the blog's. It's the feast of the Queenship of Mary. The Queenship of Mary falls on the octave (8th day) after the Assumption and celebrates the coronation of Mary Queen of Heaven. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love everything about the Blessed Mother. I love her example and learning about the different Marian apparitions, and saying the Rosary. And I love invoking her many beautiful names.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our Lady of Mercy. Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Queen of Heaven. Mystic Rose. And, of course, Mary Queen of Angels. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-81eSQ054u-uxpHe_Nvl35mnHfaTZCNHQdZYvATdGlLANGzQy_Ze-EPreC44oWRfUOkEWk4GQHduFB_recopH-EHHi3TzPcfeGelrzm3Uv6dbvqaMsTjQy8x2M-O6uMO32yMIHOfhxF3H7nTs23dKtXp7BpO-EVPE4d7t1Ln4rpd0Zuzc4zRtUddB_25L/s960/238314173_6029034363835551_3282067200936466214_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-81eSQ054u-uxpHe_Nvl35mnHfaTZCNHQdZYvATdGlLANGzQy_Ze-EPreC44oWRfUOkEWk4GQHduFB_recopH-EHHi3TzPcfeGelrzm3Uv6dbvqaMsTjQy8x2M-O6uMO32yMIHOfhxF3H7nTs23dKtXp7BpO-EVPE4d7t1Ln4rpd0Zuzc4zRtUddB_25L/w640-h480/238314173_6029034363835551_3282067200936466214_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was walking around my home town on Assumption Sunday 2 years ago when I took this picture.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!</b></i></span></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-22351630824370125142023-06-23T16:55:00.000-04:002024-03-09T11:44:25.873-05:00The St. Michael Prayer in Latin and English<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxzoCka_JE4W-F_TfIoSvCSAk356-8TUxBi4hqMFThc9WCO9F4USIneMGCBwyuUgHPtuYRvhHHLbqAWmTTaj8jDfiycvhBLcVdP2IqJGv0pnyRDNramNx0eq7844DEAnfvXNPCIyTys5eLycgJjS6s_hpU5o8iGQK5LOX7zC1nQ1f2yuefv5_el0xUQ/s2048/Saint_Michael_and_the_Dragon_MET_DT200571.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1982" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxzoCka_JE4W-F_TfIoSvCSAk356-8TUxBi4hqMFThc9WCO9F4USIneMGCBwyuUgHPtuYRvhHHLbqAWmTTaj8jDfiycvhBLcVdP2IqJGv0pnyRDNramNx0eq7844DEAnfvXNPCIyTys5eLycgJjS6s_hpU5o8iGQK5LOX7zC1nQ1f2yuefv5_el0xUQ/w620-h640/Saint_Michael_and_the_Dragon_MET_DT200571.jpg" width="620" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">St Michael Prayer In Latin </h3>
<p>
Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et
insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:
tuque, princeps militiae caelestis, in virtute Dei, in infernum detrude
satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in
mundo. Amen.
</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Saint Michael Prayer in English </h3>
<p>
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against
the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into
hell, Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the
ruin of souls. Amen. </p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Learning Latin Prayers</h3>
<p>
For me, it's much easier to learn a prayer in Latin when I can match up the
Latin word or phrase with the English. This is why I always work on learning a
new prayer using a side by side or line by line translation like the one below. </p>
<p>
While it's possible to guess the English meaning of some of the Latin when
reading the prayers side by side, other lines and phrases can be confusing. If
you use Chrome, you can translate the Latin by highlighting a given word or
phrase with the Google Translate add-on (<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-translate/aapbdbdomjkkjkaonfhkkikfgjllcleb/RK%3D2/RS%3DBBFW_pnWkPY0xPMYsAZI5xOgQEE-">here</a>). If you don't use
Chrome just google Google Translate and copy and paste.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Side By Side / Line By Line Version (Latin and English)
</h3>
<table border="0" cellpadding="30" style="width: 95%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><i>Sancte Michael Archangele,<br /></i></b></span></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #660000;">Saint Michael the Archangel,<br /></span></i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #073763;">defende nos in proelio,<br /></span></i></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><i>defend us in battle,<br /></i></b></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #073763;">contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.<br /></span></i></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #660000;">be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.<br /></span></i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><i>Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:<br /></i></b></span></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #660000;">May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;<br /></span></i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #073763;">tuque, princeps militiae caelestis,<br /></span></i></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #660000;">and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host,<br /></span></i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #073763;">
Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum
pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute,<br /></span></i></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #660000;">
by the power of God, cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits who
prowl about the earth,<br /></span></i></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #073763;">in infernum detrude. Amen.</span></i></b></td>
<td style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: #660000;">seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.</span></i></b></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Why Pray in Latin?</h3>
<p></p>
<blockquote>
And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross. And the writing
was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title therefore many
of the Jews did read: because the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to
the city: and it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin. - John
19:19,20 (Douay Rheims Bible)
</blockquote>
<p></p>
<p>
It commonly said that the devil hates Latin and, in my own experience with
prayer, this is absolutely true. Latin (along with Greek and Hebrew) is a
sacred language by virtue of its use upon the cross. It is also the language
of the Mass.
</p>
<p>
The angels love the Mass. For me, attending the traditional Latin Mass with an
awareness of the presence of the angels is beyond beautiful. When I drop to my
knees for the Sanctus, I can almost feel them hovering, gentle and pure, all
around us.
</p>
<div>
<p></p>
<blockquote>
At every Holy Mass, heaven is opened for us and we join in the praise and
adoration of the Angels who stand night and day before the Throne of God
singing unceasingly, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty..." Through
the perfection of their praise, the Holy Angels can lead us more deeply into
this praise of God and loving communion with Him and His divine Son in the
Sacred Liturgy. - The Holy Mass as Communio (<a href="https://opusangelorum.org/the-holy-mass-as-communio/">Opus Angelorum Circular: Advent 2021</a>)
</blockquote>
<p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ng9AqZvffasJkbGyoVBMvIDziEne19zQUkPLbC0ao-gMTbwjl5GT6PeRQpbTvwrbod7jhXOYsonBN2H3MNFlcr6KKU5dZj9PZDLd7VacbIgBAr_f4LE0V2-gZ2TqNz2kVCp5sz8vs878iB3uOhKmakaiQs0HAwsh820eOwYQ-NFmKebtKTgbOOVGcw/s660/27541a_52e40081416445dda4e2708671ca207a~mv2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="660" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ng9AqZvffasJkbGyoVBMvIDziEne19zQUkPLbC0ao-gMTbwjl5GT6PeRQpbTvwrbod7jhXOYsonBN2H3MNFlcr6KKU5dZj9PZDLd7VacbIgBAr_f4LE0V2-gZ2TqNz2kVCp5sz8vs878iB3uOhKmakaiQs0HAwsh820eOwYQ-NFmKebtKTgbOOVGcw/w640-h340/27541a_52e40081416445dda4e2708671ca207a~mv2.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<span face="HelveticaNeueW01-45Ligh, HelveticaNeueW02-45Ligh, HelveticaNeueW10-45Ligh, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2f2e2e; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;">Holy Communion by Angelo Graf von Courten, 1848-1925.</span>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div><br /></div><h3>Printable St. Michael Prayer Card</h3>If you'd like a printable St. Michael English - Latin Prayer Card (as pictured below), please check out the new listing in my Etsy shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1474233148/st-michael-printable-prayer-card-english?click_key=3b554cca331c13b939f9fa05448dbfc650f21f91%3A1474233148&click_sum=de7473e4&ref=shop_home_active_1">here</a>. This is folding prayer card to allow for the English and Latin versions of the prayer (85¢).</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeCCHM2_0-yrum2njmQe0suT9cdXx2h8d2-OYwEGnOlClgoSYAo2pOolIQWDedumfeMVvoXKMCzG2B7HWQApv5vg5SteNi61tH2Le9mpy2rUBuAsdRXTXVrIIhNNL0ng2ssFYa2XEaKqPBIDYh6TyaHPY4Dx15F3m--w91TbfvQcO82DaizjoviUNMg/s2500/1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeCCHM2_0-yrum2njmQe0suT9cdXx2h8d2-OYwEGnOlClgoSYAo2pOolIQWDedumfeMVvoXKMCzG2B7HWQApv5vg5SteNi61tH2Le9mpy2rUBuAsdRXTXVrIIhNNL0ng2ssFYa2XEaKqPBIDYh6TyaHPY4Dx15F3m--w91TbfvQcO82DaizjoviUNMg/w640-h460/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of the St. Michael English - Latin Prayer Card</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkVypkDTrbfpIR5B2QG_baloT_ZKpc0PmWpgF7-QA1T55phhWs-YYD-tFoU0PZXRmG5mgKYShrJj3ASW3GQbqixBgGtSJAZzI45xulirTAYADF5VsVpiSxpwBBkn2HqFoEIn2xDBWI6Gydu0A69vV3s9j43jXFgr4_1P31dcOwMEGgOe6JFb8ce6RHg/s2500/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkVypkDTrbfpIR5B2QG_baloT_ZKpc0PmWpgF7-QA1T55phhWs-YYD-tFoU0PZXRmG5mgKYShrJj3ASW3GQbqixBgGtSJAZzI45xulirTAYADF5VsVpiSxpwBBkn2HqFoEIn2xDBWI6Gydu0A69vV3s9j43jXFgr4_1P31dcOwMEGgOe6JFb8ce6RHg/w640-h460/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside of St. Michael English - Latin Prayer Card</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>_____________</div><div>You can use Google Translate offline as well. More info
<a href="https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6142473?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS#:~:text=You%20can%20download%20languages%20onto,them%20without%20an%20internet%20connection." target="_blank">here</a>.
<p></p>
</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-51883352406424820402023-05-25T13:46:00.000-04:002024-02-19T10:27:12.806-05:00The St. Benedict Medal and Protection from Evil Spirits <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp95pro9bS97n0XZ-8GjW9uxG9G0GMdPwGUK9GojcJAZlkzKYR0rlcDa8xHUHzswMgsf7R0BABtW63UxKprRzo_g75qwI5oV2Ss2DOTXfSPY5JPwNbYTf9c6xhFQf2lJ5PRCfWkxrhTrYU/s1600/StBenedictMedalChasingTheSaintsBarbaraGraver3.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp95pro9bS97n0XZ-8GjW9uxG9G0GMdPwGUK9GojcJAZlkzKYR0rlcDa8xHUHzswMgsf7R0BABtW63UxKprRzo_g75qwI5oV2Ss2DOTXfSPY5JPwNbYTf9c6xhFQf2lJ5PRCfWkxrhTrYU/w640-h360/StBenedictMedalChasingTheSaintsBarbaraGraver3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">St. Benedict medal and materials from Christ the King Priory. </span></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Where I Got My Saint Benedict Medal </h3><div>I decided to get a St. Benedict Medal after I heard Catholic exorcist Fr. Chad Ripperger recommend it on YouTube. It was important for me to get a medal that was already blessed so I decided to order mine from the St. Benedict Center at <a href="https://christthekingpriory.com/" target="_blank">Christ the King Priory</a> a Benedictine monastery, mission and retreat center in Schuyler, Nebraska, US. </div><div><br /></div><div>The material and Medal I received from the priory is pictured above. I chose a smaller sized gold plated Medal. It is very nice, as you can see from the pictures, and was only $10 plus shipping. This is the direct <a href="https://christthekingpriory.com/stbenedictmedals">link</a> to order a medal. (Please note, I have no financial relationship with the priory!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
About The Jubilee Medal of St. Benedict</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">The power of St. Benedict is revealed in this small object that has been fostered by his spiritual sons many years. Marvelous is the aid which the St. Benedict Medal affords to its devout wearers in the manifold necessities of soul and body. (From the pamphlet included with the Medal as pictured below)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the primary protections of the St. Benedict Medal is that it is believed to protect against evil spirits. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMg4r4QJyR4mkpb_aF5nxmorIelAudhNL180v-2kIMR-7jgzL83U0QiElt_n7DhBWgoTQYiYojojLP-GC5SUEIL8RJ_QPjnxGkupbQTCvx0PjgIwNTvnNHXkw_hFgzAz_MegBhGob2Vpm/s1600/StBenedictMedalChasingTheSaintsBarbaraGraver.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMg4r4QJyR4mkpb_aF5nxmorIelAudhNL180v-2kIMR-7jgzL83U0QiElt_n7DhBWgoTQYiYojojLP-GC5SUEIL8RJ_QPjnxGkupbQTCvx0PjgIwNTvnNHXkw_hFgzAz_MegBhGob2Vpm/w640-h478/StBenedictMedalChasingTheSaintsBarbaraGraver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Material and pamphlet I received</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Origin and Explanation of the Medal</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">St. Benedict (born at Nursia, Italy, in 480 AD) had a profound veneration for the holy cross and for our Savior Crucified. In virtue of the Sign of the Cross, he wrought many miracles and exercised great power over the spirits of darkness. In consequence of the great veneration in which St. Benedict was held from the early Middle Ages, it followed that a Medal was struck. (From the Pamphlet included with the Medal)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3>Meaning of the Latin </h3></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The front of the Medal shows St. Benedict holding a cross and the rule that he wrote to guide his own monastery. This rule is still in use today in Benedictine monasteries around the world. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around the image of St. Benedict are these words in Latin: "May his presence protect us in the hour of death." St. Benedict has ever been the patron of the dying, because of the circumstances attending his own most glorious death, for he breathed forth his soul while standing in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament. (From the Pamphlet included with the Medal) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
The Letters on the Other Side of the Medal </h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">On the cross side of the medal we find the letters C S S M L - N D S M D, initials of the words <i>Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Numquam draco sit mihi dux!</i> The English translation for this is, "May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my overlord!"). The large C S P B stand for <i>Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti </i>or "The Cross of [our] Holy Father Benedict." This letters are pictured in my St. Benedict medal below. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbHRexBzM0Q62Wfxc2NaJcxqGo1N8Kz6JVso9eR5wDhsqz7dIwWAdKWlf3ZD3Q-ErMsAKP_j9sz0Q8RuevCa4eVbVJpD7n4M7d8hQXwvHcD9waTYSiCVug2JlkfhJZ_ySJY3bGtvl8hCg/s1600/StBenedictMedalChasingTheSaintsBarbaraGraver6.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbHRexBzM0Q62Wfxc2NaJcxqGo1N8Kz6JVso9eR5wDhsqz7dIwWAdKWlf3ZD3Q-ErMsAKP_j9sz0Q8RuevCa4eVbVJpD7n4M7d8hQXwvHcD9waTYSiCVug2JlkfhJZ_ySJY3bGtvl8hCg/w640-h401/StBenedictMedalChasingTheSaintsBarbaraGraver6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The other side of my medal</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-59909036863492980002023-05-16T13:56:00.006-04:002024-01-23T16:35:38.491-05:00EVP Clip Only (EP 17)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcKSyv2JvY4mObkZm_0vgb_WvaZCzuOmx4_SouXIczRHjjBPZqjnI8PCaU62iKQvBkn--NgCINBui1YLzugjir55qWiBnofNiG6X_4taSzjrqIiMRtS5Ubkmf42iJg9aQdOFPeA2u_-BJVvG-KS2ezSLDaYH0XlT02km4Ei8KzDcxM-LEAAdhfb4eHnQ9/s1280/sound-wave-3870974_1280.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcKSyv2JvY4mObkZm_0vgb_WvaZCzuOmx4_SouXIczRHjjBPZqjnI8PCaU62iKQvBkn--NgCINBui1YLzugjir55qWiBnofNiG6X_4taSzjrqIiMRtS5Ubkmf42iJg9aQdOFPeA2u_-BJVvG-KS2ezSLDaYH0XlT02km4Ei8KzDcxM-LEAAdhfb4eHnQ9/s600/sound-wave-3870974_1280.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><iframe allowtransparency="true" data-name="pb-iframe-player" height="150" loading="lazy" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=86tjg-1237bd0-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=8bbb4e" style="border: none; height: 150px; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" title="EVP Clip Only (EP 17)" width="100%"></iframe><p>My shortest episode ever!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">About this Episode</h3><p>This is a single word EVP recording that has not been manipulated or altered in any way. To most people, it sounds like the word 'good' pronounced with a German accent. What is interesting about this EVP, is that the voice (near the end of the recording) seems to be commenting on the human conversation that precedes it. I found the quality of the voice telling, too.</p><p>If I had to guess at how a demon might sound, this would be it. I will doing a future episode on the topic of paranormal investigation but wanted to make the clip available as a single download</p><p>We added in the St. Michael Prayer due to computer issues experienced by a friend after listening to the recording.</p><p><strong><em>For more on spiritual warfare, modern day occultism, and the Catholic faith please follow New Age To Catholic on your favorite podcast app!</em></strong></p><ul>
<li>You can listen to my testimony in episodes 1 & 2 of the podcast - or online at <a href="https://www.newagetocatholic.com/e/returning-to-the-church-my-testimony-part-2/">newagetocatholic.com/e/returning-to-the-church-my-testimony-part-2/</a></li>
<li>You can also download my written testimony as a free PDF at <a href="https://barbaragraver.com/my-testimony/">BarbaraGraver.com/my-testimony</a></li>
</ul><p>
</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-4271864444890087232023-05-10T10:39:00.000-04:002024-03-09T11:44:36.704-05:00Praying with the Angels<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFvlS6FZedHTBKKUHJ0fQhP6GzHao3iDVItq7wc5VtCoFpNmCRIxyMaf40GMawAm6EE2g1KMMRdhdiku8E8f3flk98D9qkYgxsdPNfexH67bYcRIBY8GPt-ZhyZ3F01H_igw4rVatGpwYURc-gbhTm1h1NNozmwlogA__a98VZlcJ9IFZcqovR23DqA/s2963/Jesus-in-the-Garden-2_Barbara-Graver_Of-Angels-and-Demons.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2963" data-original-width="2769" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFvlS6FZedHTBKKUHJ0fQhP6GzHao3iDVItq7wc5VtCoFpNmCRIxyMaf40GMawAm6EE2g1KMMRdhdiku8E8f3flk98D9qkYgxsdPNfexH67bYcRIBY8GPt-ZhyZ3F01H_igw4rVatGpwYURc-gbhTm1h1NNozmwlogA__a98VZlcJ9IFZcqovR23DqA/s600/Jesus-in-the-Garden-2_Barbara-Graver_Of-Angels-and-Demons.jpg" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Print in my room.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<blockquote>
“Each one of us, even the poorest of the poor, has angels watching over him.
The angels are glorious, pure and splendid, but they have been given to us as
companions along the way of life. They have the task of watching over you all,
so that you do not stray away from Christ, your Lord.” - Pope Pius XII,
October 3, 1958
</blockquote>
<p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Praying Alone </h3>
<p>
I have a print of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane hanging in my bedroom. And
even though the trials I face are nothing compared to His, on a level, I can
identify.
</p>
<p>
While Jesus prayed, on the eve of His crucifixion, his disciples slept. He
knew what it was like to pray without human company. And, so do I.
</p>
<p>
I do understand, of course, that God is always listening. Just like I know He
is always there when we pray. Sometimes I feel His presence and sometimes I
don't. And when I don't, I can't help wishing that there were other people
there to pray with me.
</p>
<p>
Unfortunately, there are no family prayers in our house and no immediate
possibility of them either. Or so I thought.
</p>
<p>
Because now, thanks to the
<a href="https://opusangelorum.org/" target="_blank">Opus Sanctorum Angelorum</a>
(Work of the Holy Angels), I'm starting to see prayer in a different
way.
</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">My New Course of Study</h3>
<p>
The Opus Angelorum (or OA) promotes devotion to the holy angels through Church
approved spiritual formation. The Order offers a 12 month home study course
with access to priests and religious if needed, various retreat locations, a
nice selection of books and media, and a path to consecration at a nearby OA
event.
</p>
<p>
Everything I've received from the OA so far is wonderful. This includes
monthly Formation Letters, prayer cards and related books and booklet. Some of
which are pictured below.
</p>
<p>
I'll be sharing more on what I'm learning in future posts. But in this one I
want to talk about something I heard in a video by OA associated Fr. Matthew
Hincks.
</p>
<p>
The video explains the 12 ways you can grow with the angels. While all 12
suggestions were excellent, there was one that really stuck with me.
</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">A New Way to Pray</h3>
<p>
I'll write out the 12 suggestions in my next blog post because it is my intent
incorporate all of them into my life. But this morning I'm focusing on number
eight, which I have already tried.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Pray with your Holy Guardian Angel.</b></i></span>
</p>
<p>
Note the wording here. Fr. Hinck does not say that we should pray
<i>to</i> our guardian angel (though we certainly can pray to him - provided
we understand the difference between angels and God). Instead, Father is
telling us to pray <i>with</i> our guardian angel.
</p>
<p>
Fr. Hinck goes on to remind us that when two or three are gathered together in
His name, Our Lord is present. For me, the idea that my guardian angel can
serve as a companion in prayer was a revelation. So this morning, when I
prayed the Rosary, I asked my guardian angel to pray along with me and then I
asked the angels of various family members to join in.
</p>
<p>
By the time we got to the Salve Regina, there was an entire company of us,
there in my room praying. And I felt myself to be in wonderful company.
</p>
<div class="video_outer_wrap">
<div class="video_wrap" style="text-align: left;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BlE8k5IHLQc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<p>You can get Fr. Hinck's full teaching on this topic (<a href="https://store-opusangelorum-org.3dcartstores.com/Conference-1--Twelve-Steps-to-a-Living-Friendship-with-the-Guardian-Angel--MP3_p_217.html" target="_blank">Twelve Steps to a Living Friendship with the Guardian Angel</a>) on the Opus Angelorum website for $4. I just picked it up and have already listened to it twice!</p>
<div>
<blockquote>
For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in
the midst of them. - Matthew 18:20 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
</blockquote>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhuOTMtylkX1xVhyne6QfoWm7F83QRQ8vi2iVwirnYDqblPgK35j1E_-TVxXvszf5CysAWWxH3gfT24QyVT2Mdge8In8rWDpcQ6XKPFZYBeyYxYYl--pFr7SKyPk7oC7cvmOY1CVHDcxjA87rkrezD80Is-fT0f93nv5JGuejhWDKjLhD2RCubPmzpQ/s4000/Opus-Angelorum-Formation-Letters_Barbara-Graver_Of-Angels-and-Demons.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhuOTMtylkX1xVhyne6QfoWm7F83QRQ8vi2iVwirnYDqblPgK35j1E_-TVxXvszf5CysAWWxH3gfT24QyVT2Mdge8In8rWDpcQ6XKPFZYBeyYxYYl--pFr7SKyPk7oC7cvmOY1CVHDcxjA87rkrezD80Is-fT0f93nv5JGuejhWDKjLhD2RCubPmzpQ/s600/Opus-Angelorum-Formation-Letters_Barbara-Graver_Of-Angels-and-Demons.jpg" width="600" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
Material from the OA.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
_____________
<div>
For more on the Opus Angelorum, please visit
<a href="https://opusangelorum.org/">OpusAngelorum.org</a> There is a lot
of great free content on the website!
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-35404608834418945852023-04-14T10:24:00.002-04:002024-01-23T16:36:17.934-05:00The Pope's Exorcist Review (Podcast EP 16 + Video & Article)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wVxlmwK8ZljJwpftAC9mALmFe2EQlbahssr3thmrtKveoCkTxYv7YryJdHe8r7VVTxkuDGIOdbcF7Jqb7E-9_zpNieLooAT2jSKK9zx1vCxgREtfhx1DpnNn8TSPykUI3CFCEcRIvjI6S-RVf6_a599--ELtDZkFpvvG3lNNQ_uIybkpt0GKGcdA8w/s1050/ThePope%27sExorcist.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wVxlmwK8ZljJwpftAC9mALmFe2EQlbahssr3thmrtKveoCkTxYv7YryJdHe8r7VVTxkuDGIOdbcF7Jqb7E-9_zpNieLooAT2jSKK9zx1vCxgREtfhx1DpnNn8TSPykUI3CFCEcRIvjI6S-RVf6_a599--ELtDZkFpvvG3lNNQ_uIybkpt0GKGcdA8w/s600/ThePope%27sExorcist.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Russell Crowe in the Pope's Exorcist </h3><p>Russell Crowe (of Gladiator fame) is an unlikely Fr. Gabriel Amorth. But he portray Fr. Amorth in the newly released film, "The Pope's Exorcist" anyway. </p><p>The late Fr. Amorth was chief exorcist for the Diocese of Rome and the founder of International Association of Exorcists. He wrote a number of wonderful books and I have read all of them. In other words, I'm a huge fan. So I was prepared to hate Crowe's portrayal of the saintly Fr. Amorth. But I actually didn't. </p><p>In my opinion, Crowe did a good job overall. He made the occasional joke (as did the real Fr. Amorth) and, to my untrained ear, his Italian accent (and Latin) was good. He did not try to be Fr. Amorth but he did try to build a likable character and I think he succeeded. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Anti-Catholic Elements in the Film</h3><p>My main concern about the film was not that it would be badly acted but that it would be strongly anti-Catholic, in the way of some other movies (like Prey for the Devil). And I wasn't the only the only one who expressed that concern </p><p>Prior to the release of the film, the International Association of Exorcists made this observation on the trailer for "The Pope's Exorcist:"</p><p></p><blockquote>...the Vatican environments, painted with the usual proven range of chiaroscuro colors, give the film a "Da Vinci Code" effect, for instill in the public the usual doubt: who is the real enemy? The devil or the ecclesiastical "power"? - Comunicato Stampa / Press Release – About the trailer for the film: “The Pope's Exorcist” (The International Association of Exorcists)</blockquote><p></p><p>There WAS a Vatican conspiracy storyline in the film, as I discuss in my podcast episode, below. But it was focused mostly on the past. Also, as part of the larger plot of the movie, some clergy opposed Fr. Amorth because they didn't believe in evil spirits (or even necessarily evil). But the movie did not suggest that these clergy were the majority. </p><p>While the trailer for "The Pope's Exorcist" did seem to suggest a very strong anti-Vatican conspiracy, it turned out to be a relatively minor plot point. The actual movie, in my opinion, was not wildly anti-Catholic. And I suspect that if any of the members of the International Association of Exorcists watch it, they will probably agree.</p><p>But they were right about the special effects.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Problem with Special Effects</h3><p></p><blockquote>We conclude these brief considerations with a reference to the so-called "special effects" , inevitable in every film dedicated to the theme of diabolical possession. As has already happened in other films, everything is exaggerated, with striking physical and verbal manifestations, typical of horror films. Now, this way of narrating Don Amorth's exorcistic experience, in addition to being contrary to historical reality, distorts and falsifies what is truly lived and experienced during the exorcism of truly possessed people whom we, Catholic exorcists, celebrate according to the directives given by the Church. In addition, he is offensive towards the state of suffering in which those who are victims of an extraordinary action of the devil find themselves. - Comunicato Stampa / Press Release – About the trailer for the film: “The Pope's Exorcist” (The International Association of Exorcists)</blockquote><p></p><p>Sadly, this seems to be what the public wants or what Hollywood thinks it wants. The biggest problem I have with this type of film is that it portrays the devil not necessarily as more powerful than he is in fact, but as far less subtle. </p><p>There is a real danger in believing that Satan is obvious or clumsy - which we will discuss this in future posts.</p><p>In summary, I did not hate "The Pope's Exorcist" and wouldn't tell anyone (over 18 and not triggered by cursing and violence) that they shouldn't watch it. But I would encourage them to read what the real Fr. Amorth had to say about Satan.</p><p>To listen to my full review on the movie including some discussion of the sacramental of exorcism please check out the podcast below or find my podcast "New Age To Catholic" on most popular podcast apps.</p><p><iframe allowtransparency="true" data-name="pb-iframe-player" height="150" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=pa6w5-13e2a2f-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=8bbb4e" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" title="The Pope’s Exorcist with Russell Crowe (Review)" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p>Or, if you prefer, you can watch video episode of the podcast below (and follow my channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfK7lTOm5HqwqGXiiPPFIEw">YouTube.com/c/barbaragraver</a> if so inclined):</p>
<div class="video_outer_wrap"><div class="video_wrap"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5m5qRmlkmV0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div><br />
<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>To read two of my favorite books by Fr. Amorth, please check out <a href="https://amzn.to/41GnZHS" target="_blank">An Exorcist Explains the Demonic</a> or <a href="https://amzn.to/3MUjUeU" target="_blank">Father Amorth: My Battle Against Satan</a> (affiliate links).</li><li>To read the original statement by the International Society of Exorcists or support it in its very important work please visit their <a href="https://www.aieinternational.it/comunicato-stampa-circa-il-trailer-del-film-lesorcista-del-papa/" target="_blank">website</a> (there is an English option for this particular page).</li><li>If you speak Italian, you can watch the documentary the Association discusses in their press release <a href="https://youtu.be/LC9HYFZCdRk" target="_blank">here</a>. </li><li>You can read my review of Prey for the Devil <a href="https://www.newagetocatholic.com/2022/11/prey-for-devil-review.html">here</a></li></ul><p></p><p>__________________________</p><p>Please note, this post includes Amazon affiliate links. This means that, if you purchase through one my links, I may receive a small commission at not cost to you.</p>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-62503756390021481932023-03-20T05:30:00.012-04:002024-01-23T16:36:33.111-05:00Of Light and Dark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR7yjg9H3tM7fNEdPXekm9dRWcSQKuPQEpd8euTgi2I59RcGbHUjlKXgLpeo3voEolTrD3wx2avZjrLHag7mXL72BLece4Y3DEb4Runo1mNHHy9GanKWVAAGO7nRCOS5O9w_-TQrs5tHw8YkzT7ZIboUzVJSLqYmh4sOoT5VqF-gCmQ3sESPAPRwNkw/s3101/20220723_084205c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2756" data-original-width="3101" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR7yjg9H3tM7fNEdPXekm9dRWcSQKuPQEpd8euTgi2I59RcGbHUjlKXgLpeo3voEolTrD3wx2avZjrLHag7mXL72BLece4Y3DEb4Runo1mNHHy9GanKWVAAGO7nRCOS5O9w_-TQrs5tHw8YkzT7ZIboUzVJSLqYmh4sOoT5VqF-gCmQ3sESPAPRwNkw/w640-h568/20220723_084205c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">My Experience with Light and Dark </h3><p>I've toggled between light and dark enough, over the course of my life, for it to become a theme for me. And angels and demons are part of that theme. </p><p>Largely because I believe that I've had experience with both. </p><p>I believe that I've felt the influence of my guardian angel on a few occasions. And I'm quite sure that I dealt with the demonic, directly and repeatedly, during my time in the occult.</p><p>I have tried to write a full account of those experiences. But I've failed to finish that book.</p><p>So, I decided to put a condensed version up here on the blog. That may well be the end of that particular story. But my interest in light and dark persists. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Learning About Angels and Demons</h3><p>I've been reading about angels and demons ever since I came back to the faith. My reference, right now, is Catholic exorcist, Fr. Chad Ripperger's excellent book <a href="https://amzn.to/3PGIC0N" target="_blank">Dominion</a> (affiliate link).</p><p>In Dominion, Fr. Ripperger breaks down the teachings of renowned "angel saint" (and flat-out genius) Thomas Aquinas on the topic of angels and demons. And Ripperger does so in a way that sacrifices nothing.</p><p>Or that's my sense of it anyway. I can't really know for sure because I find the writings of St. Thomas difficult. Dominion on the other hand is perfectly readable. (Which is not the same thing as saying the book is a breeze).</p><p>For me, reading Dominion is a little like reading a textbook and, as with many textbooks, the only way I can really be sure I'm not missing anything is by taking notes as I go. This way of working through a book is slow going, however, and my wrist has been hurting lately - so I had set Dominion aside.</p><p>Then an interesting thing happened. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Talking About Angels</h3><p>This week, I received a Facebook message from someone I had done a bit of Internet radio with when I was still in the New Age and occult. In the message I found a series of questions about my current beliefs. One in particular stood out.</p><p>"Do you still work with the angels?" </p><p>I responded as best I could - basing much of what I said on what I'd learned from Fr. Ripperger's book.</p><p>I should get back to that book, I thought, and maybe I would have. Or maybe not.</p><p>Then, as luck or providence would have it, I finished writing out my response and went for a walk. I was only a few blocks from the house when I noticed a book lying on the pavement in front of me. It was a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. </p><p>I'm not really a huge a fan of the series but the title did catch my attention. </p><p>"Believe in Angels."</p><p>I already do, I thought, though probably not in the way this particular book suggests. </p><p>Later that day I shared a picture of the Chicken Soup angel book with the woman who'd sent the questions. She felt certain I was meant to read it. But it's my practice at this point in my life to stick with books that are true to the faith.</p><p>So I went back to Dominion, sore wrist and all, and began to take notes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK21w0SECx50vYwDn8Bo1Q5mmKbloLAWKt_mv_pIbl4Am30VHk_lbA0p1SG0f7b8BckbUNl8geOLMJOgmXICuqJ0Ih9FuYt7O2SB4v3dfFMk6bqDPb3SNBWLaPTTSEbFbEyomUDNPeT7DUZGivMx6j9pur7Df_E3BH0SyID1dLHCw0A8fMQvF9HTf7UQ/s3966/20220723_093624c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2580" data-original-width="3966" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK21w0SECx50vYwDn8Bo1Q5mmKbloLAWKt_mv_pIbl4Am30VHk_lbA0p1SG0f7b8BckbUNl8geOLMJOgmXICuqJ0Ih9FuYt7O2SB4v3dfFMk6bqDPb3SNBWLaPTTSEbFbEyomUDNPeT7DUZGivMx6j9pur7Df_E3BH0SyID1dLHCw0A8fMQvF9HTf7UQ/w640-h416/20220723_093624c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWSsI_UUWrbq4RgJ7IVul0IK6F6-Lxc6JAyqRZmHexej-ARX8ZVmzU0T4nl6u3xxtThEFS-TsW8vfypYi3M9idHBRDySCTqrH-8u7v0y9Iz-W1QGku_ARC5sAvqWG6mp5ekJtEMToxHknzmW6jn3VotPCqVaP8xhEWp7amviSCf_f8ysi1Kj0MVrcfw/s1872/293949196_7828801953858774_704683029433400237_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="1872" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWSsI_UUWrbq4RgJ7IVul0IK6F6-Lxc6JAyqRZmHexej-ARX8ZVmzU0T4nl6u3xxtThEFS-TsW8vfypYi3M9idHBRDySCTqrH-8u7v0y9Iz-W1QGku_ARC5sAvqWG6mp5ekJtEMToxHknzmW6jn3VotPCqVaP8xhEWp7amviSCf_f8ysi1Kj0MVrcfw/w640-h624/293949196_7828801953858774_704683029433400237_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UYpbcUBwT1_TZzHoP_csEbsCf5Fk4akh9J3x5FQLA2v3WEUbd2lIJb2tDTYlPq9uUMsKlJ14UeMsCz5p66n9TDj69lKe3IpFGTcr14JpVaKvEueaUz55zqKsiUhB2BET3nbnmLRIUtKS5V4-SMC7wTQOiAb5GnxDhY4K8Xk_QSnCoylgYYOLjetJsw/s3285/20220723_083955c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2709" data-original-width="3285" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UYpbcUBwT1_TZzHoP_csEbsCf5Fk4akh9J3x5FQLA2v3WEUbd2lIJb2tDTYlPq9uUMsKlJ14UeMsCz5p66n9TDj69lKe3IpFGTcr14JpVaKvEueaUz55zqKsiUhB2BET3nbnmLRIUtKS5V4-SMC7wTQOiAb5GnxDhY4K8Xk_QSnCoylgYYOLjetJsw/w640-h528/20220723_083955c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>_______________________<p>To purchase Fr. Ripperger's book on Amazon, please click here: <a href="https://amzn.to/3PGIC0N" target="_blank">Dominion</a> (affiliate link)</p><p>If you want to know more about my time in the New Age and occult, please visit check out my abridged online <a href="https://www.newagetocatholic.com/p/my-story.html">Testimony </a>right here on the blog (no email required). </p><p>UPDATE: I went back to the testimony, and it is almost finished. Sign up for my elist to be updated on release (and get my blog posts and podcasts via two emails a month).</p><p>Please note, this post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you buy a book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.</p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-29064945324939074772023-03-10T13:45:00.028-05:002024-02-17T10:20:15.410-05:00Sharing Your Testimony: A 4 Step Model (Podcast EP 15)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VS9x8h3Y-lNM2VHIQWBgGgUgXgeUhpZREgMvO_zXF2ZKLTcdOY68dUBcVDYyz_uYYa1hjIffKqh0daAomtLqvm2hvSXPSkKNZJkKyAc5Vs001kQ5jf1QGc5VMtAec6QO21_UGpI5YvoYLJRiU1rc6iyuXkPDFwnxC3_-Xrn5q8LVrxH2pXt6v0wjmjUZ/s1280/new-age-to-catholic-podcast-testimony.jpg"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="847"
data-original-width="1280"
height="424"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VS9x8h3Y-lNM2VHIQWBgGgUgXgeUhpZREgMvO_zXF2ZKLTcdOY68dUBcVDYyz_uYYa1hjIffKqh0daAomtLqvm2hvSXPSkKNZJkKyAc5Vs001kQ5jf1QGc5VMtAec6QO21_UGpI5YvoYLJRiU1rc6iyuXkPDFwnxC3_-Xrn5q8LVrxH2pXt6v0wjmjUZ/w640-h424/new-age-to-catholic-podcast-testimony.jpg"
width="640"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<p><iframe title="Sharing Your Testimony: A 4 Step Model (EP 15)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=qkdqz-13b2b45-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=8bbb4e" loading="lazy"></iframe></p>
<p>
In this episode I talk about how and why you should share your testimony about
coming (or returning) to the Faith. I also share the four step model St. Paul
used when he shared his testimony in Acts 22 and how you can adapt that model
to your own story.
</p>
<p>
Learning about St. Paul's method was timely for me because I am writing a
short ebook about my experience in the New Age and occult but I believe that
everyone has a story and that we should all be sharing it. Whether you share
your testimony in a book, a podcast, on YouTube, with your Church or simply
with a friend, I encourage you to find your voice and do it.
</p>
<p>Witnessing about what God has done in our lives is never time wasted!</p>
<p>
<strong
><em
>For more on spiritual warfare, modern day occultism, and the Catholic
faith please follow the show!</em
></strong
>
</p>
<ul>
<li>
You can listen to my testimony in Episodes 1 & 2 or online at
<a
href="https://www.newagetocatholic.com/e/returning-to-the-church-my-testimony-part-2/"
>newagetocatholic.com/e/returning-to-the-church-my-testimony-part-2/</a
>
</li>
<li>
You can also download my written testimony as a free PDF at <a
href="https://barbaragraver.com/my-testimony/"
>BarbaraGraver.com/my-testimony</a
>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-75669147245399211202023-03-10T12:36:00.024-05:002024-03-12T12:20:53.007-04:00The Medicine Wheel Garden & New Beginnings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8szDoVFkWufiJcpzCmvAgTOYFmt6TRqHTldtNRgFXu44uFWl8vOX7SVE4BcWZTWxfI9Xu44NdV-s5Hib9tSp7md-z1uiR_df57wqGaXkz7BrEXAJRk-ffegAif5te1DSCDTL0xq4jEyHy/s960/11182069_846646822074357_6942697821166144200_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8szDoVFkWufiJcpzCmvAgTOYFmt6TRqHTldtNRgFXu44uFWl8vOX7SVE4BcWZTWxfI9Xu44NdV-s5Hib9tSp7md-z1uiR_df57wqGaXkz7BrEXAJRk-ffegAif5te1DSCDTL0xq4jEyHy/w640-h480/11182069_846646822074357_6942697821166144200_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p> <br />It was Mary who first called me to the Church and Jesus who called me back in early 2020. One of the first things I did after returning to the faith, was to look for a statue of the Blessed Mother to replace the two I had given away. </p><p>I bought my first replacement Mary statue on eBay and was excited to have found an exact replica of the old chalkware statue I had given up.</p><p>Unfortunately, when the statue arrived the beautiful face of Our Lady was completely smashed! At first I was upset, and even started to wonder if this was some kind of sign that coming back to the Church was a mistake. But the more I thought about, the more determined I felt to continue in the Faith.</p><p>I decided to repair the statue.</p><p>It was tedious, painstaking work, but as I reconstructed the statue my attention was drawn the snake that Mary was standing on. I knew that the snake represented Satan. </p><p>I thought about the many negative influence in my life - influences that included my fear of snakes and the presence of many garter snakes in our new year. And I started to feel that somehow Mary might help me to face that fear. I wasn't sure how that would happen exactly but I was willing to believe that it was possible.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Enter St. Kateri </h3><p>A little later that year, a DNA test confirmed that I had a distant American Indian ancestor. While I have no direct connection to the indigenous culture, I've always been interested in Indian spirituality. Now I began to learn a bit more. As I did, I started think about what I was learning had to say about my lifestyle and my relationship to the land.</p><p>At that point, I was spending most of my time inside. I got very little exercise and my diet was terrible. My participation in the family vegetable garden was minimal and I had let my own medicine wheel herb garden go. I felt bad about that but the worse the garden got, the harder it seemed to turn it around. </p><p>Then I found out about the <a href="https://www.kateri.org/" target="_blank">St. Kateri Conservation Center</a>. According to the website, anyone could transform a yard, garden, school, farm, or parish into a Saint Kateri habitat.</p><p>Even people, I thought, who live on busy streets and are afraid of snakes - or maybe even those people especially.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Where I'm at Right Now</h3><p>Right now, I'm busy working with my son in our backyard. We haven't got to the medicine wheel garden yet but we are making progress with we are working hard on getting our three raised beds ready for planting.</p><p>The Mary Garden is still in the planning stages and I am still snake phobic but I wanted to write this post to hold myself accountable.</p><p>The image above is of medicine wheel garden not long after we put it in. It is badly overgrown now and needs a lot of work. But I hope to posting on my progress very soon!</p><p>I also want to learn more about the medicine wheel and related aspects of American Indian spirituality.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">About the Medicine Wheel</h3><p><i>The Medicine Wheel, sometimes known as the Sacred Hoop, has been used by generations of various Native American tribes for health and healing. It embodies the Four Directions, as well as Father Sky, Mother Earth, and Spirit Tree—all of which symbolize dimensions of health and the cycles of life.</i></p><p><i>The Medicine Wheel can take many different forms. It can be an artwork such as artifact or painting, or it can be a physical construction on the land. Hundreds or even thousands of Medicine Wheels have been built on Native lands in North America over the last several centuries.</i></p><p><i>Movement in the Medicine Wheel and in Native American ceremonies is circular, and typically in a clockwise, or “sun-wise” direction. This helps to align with the forces of Nature, such as gravity and the rising and setting of the Sun. - <a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/exhibition/healing-ways/medicine-ways/medicine-wheel.html" target="_blank">Excerpted from "Medicine Ways" on the Native Voices Website</a></i></p><p>When I read about the medicine wheel garden and what it means, I can why I let mine go and why I must return to it.</p><p>____________</p><p>My journey back to the Church was a long one. You can read about some of it in my post <i><a href="https://www.mysticreview.com/2020/03/the-long-way-home.html" target="_blank">The Long Way Home. </a></i></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6474886621867107118.post-82577732909168626002023-03-02T09:00:00.004-05:002024-02-19T10:29:02.032-05:00A Biblical Look at St. Michael, the Archangel<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o4O9w5OYQXngKWPvi21ArUeqZkSG_dVAO8Xk0KDgkxmCnbm2xscsmpJeYwM_j2C18fZEAqmfZgk15lQtoMLQp1jDkwo357jg1gTb5DgYmtk6I24jSp4vdEubH7_CAF-GVCVNSHByNjYB/s2048/GuidoReni_MichaelDefeatsSatanNEW.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1390" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o4O9w5OYQXngKWPvi21ArUeqZkSG_dVAO8Xk0KDgkxmCnbm2xscsmpJeYwM_j2C18fZEAqmfZgk15lQtoMLQp1jDkwo357jg1gTb5DgYmtk6I24jSp4vdEubH7_CAF-GVCVNSHByNjYB/w434-h640/GuidoReni_MichaelDefeatsSatanNEW.png" width="434" /></a></div>About This Image </h3><p>The image above is a colorized version of "Saint Michael" by Italian master Guido Reni (1575–1642). This image is featured on the St. Michael printable prayer card available in my Etsy shop, Catholic Book And Card. For the card, I tinted the original paint to the vivid blue associated with Saint Michael (as shown above).</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Saint Michael in the Bible</h3><p>Saint Michael, is one of three archangels the Bible mentions by name (the others being Saints Raphael and Gabriel). Saint Michael is mentioned four times - twice in the Old Testament, and two more times in the new. </p><p>The first reference is in the Book of Daniel. In Chapter 10 St. Michael comes to comfort Daniel after he has had a vision, and promises to be his helper in all things. In Daniel 12, St. Michael is called "the great prince who standeth for the children of Thy people."</p><p>In these references St. Michael is shown to support Israel during the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity. In writing about St. Michael Daniel, strove to show his people that God had not forgotten them, and remind them that even in bondage they had a royal champion. In St. Jude 9, we are told that Michael disputed with the devil over the body of Moses - an episode not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.</p><p>In the Revelation (Chapter 12) we find the most dramatic reference to St. Michael. Here St. John recounts the great battle in Heaven, when the wicked angels under Lucifer revolt against God. In this passage, Michael, leading the faithful angels, defeats the hosts of evil and drives them out. </p><p>Because of this victory, St. Michael is revered in Catholic tradition and liturgy as the protector of the Church. </p><p>Michael's battle against the rebel angels has been painted by many artists (one such painting serves as the main banner of this blog). It has been written about various writers, as well, including the poet Milton in book 6 of Paradise. </p><p>In the Eastern Church, St. Michael is placed over all the angels, as prince of the Seraphim. And, in Asia Minor, many curative springs were dedicated to him.</p><p>St. Michael is a powerful figure in spiritual warfare. He is considered to be the special patron of the sick, police officers, the military, the state of Israel and the Catholic Church. St. Michael's emblems are a banner, a sword, a dragon, and scales. </p><p>St. Michael's name is a variation of Micah, which asks (in Hebrew), "Who is like God?" It is the same question posed by Moses in Exodus 15:1-11. The passage, also called the Song of the Sea, is thought to be a very old section of Scripture that can still be heard today in the Mi Kamocha of Jewish worship:</p><p></p><blockquote>Who is like You among the gods, Adonai? Who is like you? Glorious in holiness, awesome in praises...</blockquote><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">About Michaelmas</h3><p>Today September 29th is St. Michael’s feast day. During the middle ages this day - known as Michaelmas - was a holy day of obligation. </p><p>In 1969, the Novus Ordo Calendar added combined the feasts of St. Gabriel and St. Raphael with St. Michael's and discontinued the individual feasts of the archangels. Traditional Latin Mass congregations using the pre 1962 liturgical calendar keep the original dates for all three feasts. So, for me, this is St. Michael's day alone.</p><p>The SSPX (Society of St. Pius the X) devotional newsletter suggests that today is a good day to read the proper of the Mass of St. Michael, as found in the traditional missal. The newsletter also encourages us to "pray to St. Michael when temptations arise, especially those related to abuses of the internet, radio, and telephone." </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The St. Michael Prayer</h3><p>The Saint Michael Prayer is an amazing prayer for spiritual warfare. The abridged version (below) is short and easy to memorize and it can be said anytime you are feeling in need of spiritual protection. The prayer was written in Oct. 1, 1884 by Pope Leo XIII following a disturbing mystical experience at Mass.</p><p>The Pope had just finished celebrating Mass when he suddenly stood transfixed in front of the altar as if in a trance, his face drained of color. Once recovered, he went to his office and composed a prayer to St. Michael. He told his staff the prayer should be offered throughout the Church.</p><p>Pope Leo told others that he had heard two voices which he believed to voices of Our Lord and of Satan. The Pope heard Satan boast that he could destroy the Church in 75 or 100 years, if given the opportunity. Then he heard Our Lord give Satan permission to make the attempt.</p><p>The prayer was recited after Low Mass in the Catholic Church from 1886 until it was discontinued in 1964. Thirty years later, in his Regina Coeli address, Pope John Paul II said, “Although the prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask every one not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of the world.”</p><p>I'm happy to say that, at the SSPX Chapel I attend, the priest leads the faithful in the prayer to St. Michael after each and every Mass!</p><p></p><blockquote>Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the power of God - cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who roam about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. </blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPZkKfgNY-7Ay7QdBEBDuCymZAGkO2BUph_VMQIEAH7kiUIUigT4L1-byidWursdT4h1Lr3R3_faPQcb6cCe378lUNRupEzCmnExyFSt1-bGqreJTHowTYd0qL14_cLrDea99EUx2flzR/s2048/St-Michael-Prayer-Card-Mockup-Newest.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPZkKfgNY-7Ay7QdBEBDuCymZAGkO2BUph_VMQIEAH7kiUIUigT4L1-byidWursdT4h1Lr3R3_faPQcb6cCe378lUNRupEzCmnExyFSt1-bGqreJTHowTYd0qL14_cLrDea99EUx2flzR/w640-h512/St-Michael-Prayer-Card-Mockup-Newest.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>To purchase the St. Michael printable prayer card (75¢ US) please check out my Etsy listing <a href="https://www.etsy.com/catholicbookandcard/listing/942016304/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>_______<p></p><div>Read today's SSPX daily devotional newsletter <a href="https://mailchi.mp/sspx/sspx-daily-2021-12-262821?e=23a6b6850e" target="_blank">here</a></div><div><br /></div><div>To see all of my printable prayer cards and prayer pamphlets, please visit my Etsy shop at <a href="http://BlackwoodAbbey.shop" target="_blank">BlackwoodAbbey.shop</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">© 2023 Barbara Graver</div>Barbara Graverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16109707685180758423noreply@blogger.com0