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How to Balance with Magic

There you are, a bundle of conflicted thoughts and let-downs at the end of winter. You feel overwhelmed by wants, needs and desires old and new. As the season changes, so too is it a time to shed the grit of winter and welcome renewal. Here is a simple ritual to dispel the stuck on loose bits of negative energy that are getting you down. With a little white magic, all will be released. All will be well.

Magic is a philosophy using the natural forces to bring about change. Magic is respectful of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. It recognizes we are a part of it all. Magic acknowledges things seen and unseen. In a deliberate caring way, magic asks us to face our dark side and look at things as they are, not as we wish or want them to be. Magic asks us to be brave and confront our dark thoughts in a safe manner, acknowledge our internal process and begin to let go of that which is heavy in us.

Magic does not require any “training” or anyone else to be present. The local magic shop owner may be able to connect you to an open circle in the area that welcomes visitors. But, that can be daunting. And, if you are not secure in your faith, it may be unwelcome. No one needs to set aside beliefs and values to practice magic Nothing has to be given up or taken on to ask for support. The only necessity is an open mind and a spirit willing to cleanse, restore, and renew.

Perhaps it may be helpful to say that no one else needs to even know what it is you are doing. If the word magic by itself conjures up uncomfortable imagery, than consider that you are stepping out of the ordinary and exploring alternatives means of balancing. The goal is to find release within of negative thoughts, energies and ambitions. To let go of petty hurts, grudges and images of actions and words that just didn’t go well.

Ritual

This is a ritual. A sequence of steps are taken to release the negative energies

  • Chose a quiet hour at dawn or dusk. Optimum timing is the three days of the dark moon phase.
  • Place one tea light or votive candle in a glass jar designed to hold the candle
  • Prepare a small cup of sweet red wine or milk with honey. Prepare a small sweet cake or bread roll.
  • Find a small stone, any stone will do.
  • Find a place out of doors to perform this ritual. If that is not available, at least have a window facing out of doors, preferably into a natural setting such as a tree or body of water. The ideal would be outside at the forest edge or near a stream.
  • Bathe from head to toe setting intentions to cleanse, clear and renew the spirit.
  • Dress in comfy, loose fitted clothing. Barefoot is best.
  • Begin the ceremony by stating intentions: I intend to clear away the negative emotions that are jangling inside and weighing me down. I will ask Nature to support this clearing taking away the bitterness and replacing it with the sweet. I am grateful that I can always return to Nature and find renewal.
  • Find an area and define a small circle around yourself. Light the candle. Hold the votive candle extended away from the body in the left hand and turn around to the right three times saying: I draw this golden circle around myself, to seal my aura against negative forces that are without, negative thoughts, actions and intentions are returned to the source three times three. Imagine the golden circle of light surrounds you above and below and all sides.
  • Face east and call in the spirits of the wind to help clear your mind. Face the south and call in the spirit of fire to help clear your internal passion. Face the west and call in the spirit of water to clear your internal emotions. Face the north and call in the spirit of earth to clear your internal base. Face the center and call in the spirit of all things to balance and center.
  • Place the votive candle at your feet. Hold the stone in your hands. Into the stone, put all the negativity. See in your mind’s eye arguments, problems, uncertainties, conflicts and turmoil. See the sources of all. Into the stone, put all this energy. Pour it in. As you release, notice how you feel. When you feel a shiver, this is a signal to you, that all that can be released has done so. Place the stone on the ground. Hold the votive candle in your hands and ask to be filled with the light of love. Ask to be filled with sweetness. Ask to find wholeness inside. Imagine the candle light becoming you. Hold this image until you feel a natural sigh come out. The work is done. Blow the candle flame out.
  • Take a sip of the liquid and bite of the cake. Celebrate the moment.
  • Release the circle by sending the four directions and sacred center away in reverse order. Remember to thank them for their presence. Release the circle by turning to the left three times. Walk out of the circle. Take the stone and either put it in the stream or bury it in the ground. Leave the rest of the wine and cake out as an offering. Walk away and don’t look back

Words are beautiful, but actions sometimes speak louder. It is important to acknowledge the messy dark matter of energy within. It is equally important to replace it with positive energy. By performing this ritual regularly, changes will occur. This ritual can become as simple or elaborate as the practitioner wishes.

Published in Wisdom Magazine, April 1, 2015

Pen Name: Adelphie Salle

 

Romance Is Back! ~ San Remo Grand Amore ~ IL Volo

Romance is back in style! IL Volo, recently released their new EP, “Sanremo Grande Amore.” The Italian trio of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble, won the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival 2015 with their presentation of “Grande Amore” (Great Love). The festival is a popular singing contest held annually in Italy. A previously unreleased song is presented by each performer. Each song is sung twice by the contestants with a winner selected by a combination of judging and popular vote. The winners go on, as representatives of their country, to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria in May. Every Italian musical artist, in their heart, wants to perform and win at Sanremo. The ecstatic leap by Barone when the name IL Volo, was announced as victorious, demonstrates the joy of this moment in their career as IL Volo. “Grand Amore”, is the title track by Francesco Bioccia and Ciro Esposito. IL Volo also cover five songs on the EP from previous Sanremo Music Festivals including: “Ancora” (Once Again), “Vacanze Romane” (Roman Holiday), “Canzone per Te” (Song for You), “Piove” (Rain), “Romantica” (Romantic) and “L’Immensita” (Immensity).

IL Volo have been performing and recording for six years. They came together as a trio after appearing on the popular Italian TV program, Ti Lascio Una Canzone (Leave You a Song). The musical variety show brings on talented children between the ages of 7 and 15 to perform well-known Italian songs. The producer thought their voices might blend well together and the teenage group was formed. They have paid their dues on lengthy tours in North, South and Central America. IL Volo have recorded three television specials with the Public Broadcasting Service and toured as special guest artists with Barbra Streisand in 2012. In 2014, they won the Latin Billboard Award, Best Group of the year in Latin Pop Albums category. The video, “Grande Amore”, has topped 20 million views. IL Volo are managed by Michele Torpedine of MT Opera and Blues, Bologna Italy.

Artists

The blend of their three voices brings a harmonic artistry seldom found in today’s popular music. IL Volo are cross over artists bringing back bel canto, an Italian phrase meaning beautiful singing, to popular music. IL Volo are known for flawless artistic performances, and sophistication on stage. The music on this new EP is for lovers – beautiful and satisfying.

Ginoble has a sexy, purring light baritone that caresses the ear and tickles the toes with its vocal range. He has perfect pitch and a gentle vibrato that can lull a baby to sleep, wake up the moon and draw out a lovers sigh with his silky, crooning style. Boschetto sings with a flexible, lyric tenor that is just starting to find its way into the blues. He gets grit in his voice and brings an emotional throb of sadness. Barone sings with the power of a dramatic tenor. He has timbre, rich and complex as Nero d’Avola wine from his native Sicily. This recording has him finding the gentle side of his vocal range, his sighs and lovelorn whispers stir the emotions in subtle ways. There are several harmonic moments when his vocal note matched the pitch, tone and note of the musical instrument. The blend of one with the other filled the ear and is unusual to hear in pop music, but this is classical pop.

Music

With the exception of “Grand Amore”, a tightly, ticking suspenseful song that is performed with controlled energy by the trio, the other songs are well known to the Italian audience. The EP has been released in Italy and available by mail order in the United States from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. The entire EP is sung in Italian. But, don’t let this prevent a sale. The listener does not need to understand Italian to appreciate “Sanremo Grand Amore.” For the US market, this recording is a sensual delight and sure to soften even the most jaded heart.

A musical performance should move the listener into a mood. The theme of sensual seduction flows throughout “Sanremo Grand Amore.” Music purists who prefer a minimum of production will enjoy much of this EP. IL Volo are at their finest with the least amount of music accompaniment. The songs “Canzone per Te”, “Vacanze Romane” and “Romantica” are acoustic arrangements and allow the voice to be the focal point of the song. The pace of “Romantica” invites dancers to the floor. A song is a poem set to a melody. The image of sweethearts walking on the shore came quickly, with the cool, crunch of sand under foot. The sun is rising, it’s been a long, luscious night. It’s the perfect moment to be in love. The lyrics of “Tu Sei Romantica” are written by Robertino Loreti, “You are the music which inspires the soul. You are my corner of paradise, here on the Earth. And I am next to you, I have come back to live. I will tell you, I will trust you my dreams. Because you are romantic.” Ah Perfetta! IL Volo at their best.

Barone, Ginoble and Boschetto have crafted a unique approach to song. There is no leader. Each will sing a solo, become a duo and then a trio, finding what the song and words need for expression. Each singer knows the others strength and weaves a compelling, emotional state of enchantment. The songs are sumptuous compositions that have stood the test of time. These songs were just waiting for IL Volo to come along and record them for a new generation of romantics. Ladies will feel as if her hand has been kissed by a Romeo who won’t leave in the morning. Men will be moved to reflect on the ways of love, how it is expressed and where it can take the heart. Relax and feel your sensual side come alive with “Sanremo Grand Amore.”

IL Volo San Remo Grande Amore
Produced by: Celso Valli and Michele Torpedine
Sony Music Ent. Italy
Release date: February 20, 2015

Written by Frances Ann Wy

@2015FrancesAnnWy

Spring by Vivaldi

At the whispering of the breeze,
At the murmuring of the waves,
Let us sing with pleasure
Amid the sweet enjoyment,
The honor and praise
Of the new season.
And let our song
Be of spring
Herald every joy.

Hear the nightingale
On the new branch
How pleasure fills him
And how he speaks of love.
Happily flying off
He faithfully seeks his nest
And the pleasure which awaits. Him.

And he rouses our devotion
To spring,
Happy herald of love.

The hills smiles, the meadow smiles
Amid violets, lilies and roses
And loving
Breezes waft by.
The faithful swallow, happy too,
Returns to us for her delight.

This is the lovely new season
Which, in giving life
To the grass, the followers,
Reveals love
To our hearts.
Welcome, at last she thaws
The bitter harshness of snow and frost.

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)