37 replies to this topic

[Michele]

CelticGypsy, on 30 July 2011 - 02:29 PM, said:

I like these references, Raven.  I've not seen this movie, but yes it's a beneficial visual.  The Pied Piper, another good reference.  What I'm seeking to find, is that melody, that I believe was given to some at birth, or some who have stumbled upon their melody, and know that is them in the melody. Those musical notes, that have Alchemist power, whether it be a chant, a hum, a rhythm.  Once the melody is established within, the words follow.  Especially for those like myself who have no musical talent, but I don't think really a "talent" is necessary, although it helps for sure. We have some really gifted/talented Witches here, they are confident in their gift/talent, so this Alchemist power comes easy for them. While I have a deep desire to attain this and call it my own, my confidence level is being stirred in this direction, as I can't let go of the Witch becomming the Melody/Song.  It's a bee in my bonnet, which I'm beginning to find, pleasantly annoying !! LOL ! And something as simple as a Wind Chime, has been a subtle way of illumination. I've even found that my Wind Chimes, sing differently when they are blowing in the rain, verses just the wind. The rain added another/different subtle sound to them.  So I have 2 Elements to work with, Wind/Air, Rain/Water.   lol !  I wonder if I took a flame and you know how heat has it's own properties, as in wafting up, the eye sees the currants of the heat, and within that currant objects move?  Think about how one has a fire outside, and the heat rising from it would make the leaves on a tree, shudder ?  Even when there is no Wind?


Regards,
Gypsy

When I was little we had an xmas decoration which was a stand that took (I think it was 4) chime candles and then there were these "windmill type" blades above it, then some angels with trumpets and bells above that. When you lit the candles, the heat moved the windmill-type blades and made the angels go round and their bells hit on the blades and "chimed." How cool would it be to build (or buy and then adjust) one of those for indoor ritual and to contact your dead? Or even just as an acknowledgment of them to light on a regular basis and leave something out for them? As the connection builds up you could add thoughts or questions or whatever and tie them to it, or burn them in the chime-flame...

M

[Michele]

Okay - I just Amazoned angel candle chimes, and one came up made by a company called "Plow and Hearth." The company seems to be simply a product store, but as I'm not big on coincidences, and we all know the lore of the plough (plow) and of the hearth....

M

[CelticGypsy]

Michele, on 30 July 2011 - 02:36 PM, said:

When I was little we had an xmas decoration which was a stand that took (I think it was 4) chime candles and then there were these "windmill type" blades above it, then some angels with trumpets and bells above that. When you lit the candles, the heat moved the windmill-type blades and made the angels go round and their bells hit on the blades and "chimed." How cool would it be to build (or buy and then adjust) one of those for indoor ritual and to contact your dead? Or even just as an acknowledgment of them to light on a regular basis and leave something out for them? As the connection builds up you could add thoughts or questions or whatever and tie them to it, or burn them in the chime-flame...

M

Yes !!! I remember them also, now look at this within the boundaries of your own post, M.  That decoration from what I remember was made from tin or some sort of fine hammered steel ( Element ), then you add flame, ( Element ), same as working with the wind ( Element) in regards to the Wind Chimes, each with it's own Melody.  Look how folks try to incorporate water falls in their homes,( Element ) to have that calming noise, why they have these that one can put on an endtable, or a shelf, just for the noise of serenity that it offers.  I firmly believe that a Witch can utilize these in a very different way, as the Witch "sees" and "acknowledges" these properties as different, because they are hidden in plain sight, for one thing, and very useful for another.  Witch's Eye, Witch's Ear, Witch's Melody.   Mhmm?

Regards,
Gypsy

[CelticGypsy]

Michele, on 30 July 2011 - 02:46 PM, said:

Okay - I just Amazoned angel candle chimes, and one came up made by a company called "Plow and Hearth." The company seems to be simply a product store, but as I'm not big on coincidences, and we all know the lore of the plough (plow) and of the hearth....

M

Oh for cripes sake, why wouldn't the company be called .............. " Plow and Hearth "...............jeeeeez, could it get more plainer ????  LOL !

Regards,
Gypsy

[ejfinch]

I grew up with angel chimes, too. In fact, I still have a set packed away somewhere. If only I could replace the angels with little witch figures......hee hee.

[LdyShalott]

Oh, German candle pyramids! I thought of those when you mentioned the fire and chimes. I have a couple of wooden ones. They are like these.

[LdyShalott]

[size="3"][quotename='LdyShalott' timestamp='1304441635' post='98452'][/size]

[size="2"]Awesome and thought provoking thread… from storytellers to chants. It all seems to be rooted in the alchemy of sound. Observation leads me to note how many indigenous peoples use some form of sound, ie song, chant, drumming for ceremonial and sacred purposes. There is power in sound, vibrations creating healing, protection and shifting of energies... [/size][size="3"][/quote]  [/size]

[size="3"]Yes, quoting myself… LOL But I have been thinking a lot about this lately, about the nature of sound vibrations and the process of transforming and utilizing sound for trance states, connection and as CG has mentioned ancestor work. According to one of my text books,our brains normally function on waves of beta. During relaxation, while still awake, our brain waves become slower, increase in amplitude and become more synchronous; these waves are alpha waves and theta waves are present in the [/size][size="3"]first stages of sleep. Theta waves are even slower infrequency and greater in amplitude than alpha waves. Sounds like bells, chants and drumming can entice the brain to alter frequencies into deeper states like alpha and theta. [/size]

[size="3"]I don’t think I mentioned this in the previous post but one of things I use is a Tibetan singing bowl. It has differing tones and I have found the vibration to be useful for focus and clarity in workings.  [/size]

[Whiterose]

CelticGypsy, on 30 April 2011 - 12:20 PM, said:

Dream Walker, you gave me thought.  While I've never been to any other type mass but the catholic and occassional protestant wedding.  What is to stop the Witch in developing his/her own hymn/incantation within the body of a soul/song as you hint on the subtle remark of " worth more ( or more powerful ) " ?  While xtian priests, and monks, already have this chanting taught to them, or handed down, or memorized the words to a repetitive. Also, I believe that this is a group effort, as lets say a congregation of sorts. All those present at this recognizing of these chants, are in one accord with the energy of the place/surroundings. I believe there is a much deeper reason, and I'm personally seeking out an answer for myself.  I'm semi-believing that in developing this personal song, as a solitary, would offer a key, to some closed doors of the mind/brain.  Open up something that has laid dorment for the seeking Witch.

Regards,
Gypsy

I was thinking on this today and I want to take it in a different direction. When I write a spell or incantation it always has the same melody, the same basic rythym with a few tweaks.  I know I don't do this on purpose, it just happens.  Sometimes it rhyms, sometimes not.  Sometimes it has embellishments sometimes not.  Its like it is all different parts of the same score. I guess subconciously I use that melody to activate my connection to the "web" and I think that is my personal song.  I  can see that others use sound vibrations to induce trance but do any of you use the same song, the same set of vibrations everytime?

[Jevne]

Whiterose, on 17 March 2012 - 10:19 PM, said:

I was thinking on this today and I want to take it in a different direction. When I write a spell or incantation it always has the same melody, the same basic rythym with a few tweaks.  I know I don't do this on purpose, it just happens.  Sometimes it rhyms, sometimes not.  Sometimes it has embellishments sometimes not.  Its like it is all different parts of the same score. I guess subconciously I use that melody to activate my connection to the "web" and I think that is my personal song.  I  can see that others use sound vibrations to induce trance but do any of you use the same song, the same set of vibrations everytime?

I may have written about this somewheres before, but I also have a song that plays in my head and sets the tone (excuse the expression) for many of my workings.  It has been with me for as long as I can remember, since early childhood. I have tried to identify it, but no luck so far.

J

[Dobhrana]

Oops! Sorry about the double post. I am learning about the font color button.

Edited by Dobhrana, 28 April 2012 - 04:16 PM.

[Dobhrana]

CelticGypsy, on 30 July 2011 - 02:29 PM, said:

I like these references, Raven.  I've not seen this movie, but yes it's a beneficial visual.  The Pied Piper, another good reference.  What I'm seeking to find, is that melody, that I believe was given to some at birth, or some who have stumbled upon their melody, and know that is them in the melody. Those musical notes, that have Alchemist power, whether it be a chant, a hum, a rhythm.  Once the melody is established within, the words follow.  Especially for those like myself who have no musical talent, but I don't think really a "talent" is necessary, although it helps for sure. We have some really gifted/talented Witches here, they are confident in their gift/talent, so this Alchemist power comes easy for them. While I have a deep desire to attain this and call it my own, my confidence level is being stirred in this direction, as I can't let go of the Witch becomming the Melody/Song.  It's a bee in my bonnet, which I'm beginning to find, pleasantly annoying !! LOL ! And something as simple as a Wind Chime, has been a subtle way of illumination. I've even found that my Wind Chimes, sing differently when they are blowing in the rain, verses just the wind. The rain added another/different subtle sound to them.  So I have 2 Elements to work with, Wind/Air, Rain/Water.   lol !  I wonder if I took a flame and you know how heat has it's own properties, as in wafting up, the eye sees the currants of the heat, and within that currant objects move?  Think about how one has a fire outside, and the heat rising from it would make the leaves on a tree, shudder ?  Even when there is no Wind?


Regards,
Gypsy

Hi CG,
I don't know how many chimes you have. I have a line of them outside my  bedroom window. They were all given to me as gifts by family members.  I've found it beneficial to really listen to them when going to sleep  and as I wake in the morning.Beyond just hearing the differences with different weather, as you have, I have also noted very particular songs. Not just random tinkles, but melodic patterns that would be wonderful songs if I knew how to read music and could write them down (I play by ear and always have).

My practice, which is my own (with lots of ancestral help), has always involved song. Think about life  events and how they are connected to song. There are lullabies and  birthday songs and graduation songs and party songs and wedding songs  and break up songs and death songs.It's not surprising we use song to mark passages and offer protection.Song uses breath. Life requires  breath. Interestingly, I just recently learned when we breathe in oxygen  molecules, we also breathe in argon molecules. Argon molecules have  more "staying power" so to speak. The point was made that when you  breath in, you are inhaling argon molecules that at one point were  inhaled and exhaled by every other human on the planet.Just some thought  rambling to add to your musings.

Also, I think we can think about things too much. Maybe experiment with just doing. Just go to a place that inspires you and sing whatever comes out. I get the feeling the act of singing takes us out of the cerebral sphere and puts us in a liminal sphere. I'm not so sure it's the song itself as it is the act of singing.But then again maybe that's because I haven't yet discovered MY song.

Personally,I've had some very productive results doing this in different places and at different times.I am currently experimenting with song and the dying-kind of a death lullaby- with some interesting results.

[Jevne]

Dobhrana, on 28 April 2012 - 04:11 PM, said:

Hi CG,
Personally,I've had some very productive results doing this in different places and at different times.I am currently experimenting with song and the dying-kind of a death lullaby- with some interesting results.

Please further explain your interpretation of the concept of a "dying-kind of a death lullaby" . . .

J

[Dobhrana]

Jevne, on 28 April 2012 - 04:16 PM, said:

Please further explain your interpretation of the concept of a "dying-kind of a death lullaby" . . .

J

Death is a passage in which people undertake differently. Some accept it and others go with a great struggle. Sometimes it's the family or others (including people who work in health care) around them that have the struggle, and the person picks up on that and are distressed by the discomfort of others.Sometimes they are just the struggling type and end their life here the way they lived it. Whatever the case, I do my best to help by providing comfort any way I can-physical comfort measures plus touch and words if the person gives their consent (just like with birth, some like to be supported and attended, and some want to be mostly left alone). I recently started getting the urge to sing also, after remembering how a dying loved one responded to music once and was calmed when nothing else would work . This worked the same way with my babies (all were colicky, so I got lots of experience). They were calmed by lullabies I sang to them and certain songs I had listened to and sang repeatedly when I was pregnant with them.The songs had meaningful lyrics that expressed the things in life I hoped my children would experience (not all rainbows and sunshine, either).:twisted_witch:As adults, they have continued to find those songs appealing and comforting, and have told me so, even though they did not know why until I told them it's what I listened to and sang  to them when they were babies, lol.

In this case, I just started singing  parts of a certain popular song that popped into my head as I did my care. I noticed the person smiled slightly when they heard it, so I sang it every time I went in the room.Later, I had another person with me who had voiced to me their discomfort with the dying, but not in front of the dying person.The person tried providing the same comfort care I had been giving with no problem all day, and the dying person refused.I then asked, and the person allowed me to do it.I have also noticed the same thing occur with people who have dementia.The common factor is song in both cases. Song or they sense I am not uncomfortable with the situation-this is what I am wanting to experiment with.But I do believe song is some sort of bridge that allows connection-not just for babies, but for everyone.Hearing is one of the last senses that goes, and I think this plays a part.I also think song taps into some part of us that transcends language, and that helps if words are "getting in the way."Don't know how it works at this point, I just know it does.As I stated when I asked to join, I often work intuitively, use what works, and figure out the why later.Figuring out the why is why I am here, but it doesn't stop me from trying things out in the mean time (my ancestors warn me if I'm getting out of my league, so if I ignore it and get kicked in the teeth I blame no one but myself).

I plan to experiment more. I am going to try care with and without the singing and see if there is any difference.I have felt compelled to study death and dying for most of my life, and for the past decade or so to attend the dying and those who dance at death's door.I am just starting the experimenting with song and death. I use song for other purposes as well.

[Jevne]

Dobhrana, on 28 April 2012 - 06:38 PM, said:

I plan to experiment more. I am going to try care with and without the singing and see if there is any difference.I have felt compelled to study death and dying for most of my life, and for the past decade or so to attend the dying and those who dance at death's door.I am just starting the experimenting with song and death. I use song for other purposes as well.

Experiment?  You are singing my song.  For your consideration . . .

Davidson, J. W., & Faulkner, R. (2010). Meeting in music: The role of singing to harmonise carer and cared for. Arts & Health: International Journal For Research, Policy & Practice, 2(2), 164-170. doi:10.1080/17533010903488608.

Godwin, B., & Waters, H. (2009). 'In solitary confinement': Planning end-of-life well-being with people with advanced dementia, their family and professional carers. Mortality, 14(3), 265-285. doi:10.1080/13576270903056840

O'Kelly, J., & Koffman, J. (2007). Multidisciplinary perspectives of music therapy in adult palliative care. Palliative Medicine, 21(3), 235-241.

Rigby, J. J., Payne, S. S., & Froggatt, K. K. (2010). What evidence is there about the specific environmental needs of older people who are near the end of life and are cared for in hospices or similar institutions? A literature review. Palliative Medicine, 24(3), 268-285. doi:10.1177/0269216309350253.

[Whiterose]

Jevne, I love it when you whip out some journal references lol.

[Jevne]

Bumping this rather thought-provoking thread on the music of our lives

[Erda]

Thank you for bumping Jevne, just started a topic along these lines.