DEALING WITH ELEMENTALS, GHOSTS, AND OTHER BEINGS

DEALING WITH ELEMENTALS, GHOSTS, AND OTHER BEINGS

Do you ever hear funny noises in the night and you know it's not the heater
or the cat?  Do you ever discover that something is missing or has been
moved?  Does a place suddenly fluctuate in temperature, or do you feel like
you're being watched?  No, you're not on the newest version of a Fox
real-life TV show.  You probably have some spirits around your place.

Contrary to many literary and Hollywood stories, having spirits in your home
is not necessarily a bad thing.  In our path, we often work with spiritual
beings, especially around Samhain.  They can be elementals, element energy,
totem animals, spirits of the deceased, guardian angels, lost souls, the
guardian spirit of the place, or an energy you forgot to thank and release
the last time you were in circle.  The list goes on and on.  It can get
downright crowded if you're not careful.  How do you deal with such visitors?



First of all, do your research.  Stop groaning.  I know, I know, I'm always
talking about research, but research is important.  Know what it is you're
dealing with.  Read up on the history of your town, your street, your
property.  Find out what happened to the people who lived there before you.
It doesn't have to be anything as dramatic as a murder or a madwoman in the
attic.  It could be something as simple as an unfortunate dog hit by a car
who died on your property last week.

During a waning Moon, do a major housecleaning, top to toe.  Then take two
white candles and a green candle.  Set up an altar in your usual fashion,
only do it in the place where the disturbance is usually the strongest.  Cast

your circle, creating a safe space between the worlds.  Call in guardians for

each quarter and ask them specifically to do just that, guard.  You want to
make sure you are inside a protected space.  Burn some spirit incense.  I
usually use a combination of rosemary, sage, patchouli, frankincense, and
just a dash of mugwort.

Then, invite in the spirit, making it clear that it can only enter the sacred

space with good intention, sort of like going to Switzerland.  The circle is
neutral territory.  Your fears and the spirit's crankiness need to be left
outside.  Sit down and have a chat with the spirit.  Find out who it is, and
what it wants.  Does it need your help in some way?  Is it attached to the
house?  Can you work out some arrangement to coexist in peace and trust?  Ask

questions and really listen to the answers.  Usually, you can work out some
sort of agreement, such as "I will leave out a libation for you or include
you in my circle work if you don't scare the guests or smash the china."

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to listen.  Don't assume that
you know what the spirit has to say.  Don't assume it will be the same as the

research that you've done.  Perhaps the history is incorrect, or perhaps the
spirit is lying.  Just because it's a spirit doesn't mean it's telling the
truth.  Rely on your intelligence and your instincts.  You're dealing with an

individual, and it is important to give this individual spirit the same
attention you would if it was in material form.  Many spirits are lost,
confused, angry, lonely, and frustrated that they're not understood.  Also,
the spirit's value systems may be different from yours.  If you need
something specific, explain what it is as clearly as you can.  This can take
several days, or even weeks.  Be very patient.  Usually, after the first
conversation, things quiet down a bit, at least until you can work things all

the way through.

If you work things through, terrific.  You now have an extra roommate.  I
have yet to get any of the spirits I know to do the dishes and vacuum for me
(darn it), but they do often help.  They are terrific at letting me know when

something is wrong, whether it is someone trying to illegally enter via the
fire door, or someone who left a burning cigarette in the hallway.

What happens if it is not a particularly nice entity and you can't come to an

agreement?  This is rare, but it does happen.  Then you need to get out your
banishing tools and do a full-scale banishing ritual.  I've found the dark of

the Moon to be the most useful for this.  Read several banishment rituals,
and come up with your own from the inspiration.  Use the strongest banishing
incense and oil that you can come up with.  Call on your guardians and totems

to come into the circle and help you.  Cast your circle for your entire home
and property.  Starting in the north, moving counterclockwise, perform the
banishing.  Make sure you go into all cupboards, closets, nooks, crannies,
crawl spaces, tool sheds, etc.  Once the banishing is done, start in the
north again, and move clockwise throughout the entire space to seal it.

When the New Moon begins the next day, do the strongest protection ritual you

can find and enforce it every day until the Full Moon.  You will need to
re-cleanse and reseal the space every month.  It won't need to be as
complicated a ritual, but it needs to be done.

Even in a banishing, however, treat the entity with respect.  There doesn't
need to be high drama hocus-pocus, just firmness and clear intent.  It is
your home and you have the right to make it a safe, magical place.  Most
spirits will respect and enjoy that.  If not, it is now your space and you
must secure it.

What about if and when you move?  Cast another circle and invite the
spirit(s) in.  Explain why you have to move and where you are going.  Some
spirits are bound to a place, and will stay where they are.  Make sure you
take the time to bid them a respectful goodbye, and thank them for
everything.  Some spirits may use this as a reason to continue their journey
separate from you.  Again, thank them and wish them well.  You can always
reconnect at Samhain.  Some may wish to go with you.  Discuss it with them
and come to a mutual understanding.

When you move into a new place, preferably before your belongings arrive,
take some time to get to know any spirits that already reside there.  Include

them in your cleansings and consecrations.  Talk to them about their place in

your life and whether they should stay or go.  Help them feel respected and
real.

Work with spirits, respect them, and enjoy an unusual and fulfilling
relationship unlike anything you could share on Earth.