[Noel Strong]

Hi everyone, just reflecting on our Gevurah session and all that it brought. It was one of my favorites so far, and less because of any vision or sensory experience, and more because of the validation it brought me.

I’ve always had a passionate and hot-headed side, in the sense that I have always had very little tolerance for nonsense and have always been firm about my boundaries. When I was younger, I spoke my mind freely and moved with strength, rarely concerned with what others thought of me, knowing my value and moving with integrity. Some considered me harsh for standing up for myself, but the label didn’t bother me because I was never cruel, and the idea of being cruel brings me no joy. I was firm, but never lashed out, never did harm, and strove to be true to myself in any situation.

But a couple years ago some things happened to me which effectively silenced me. I had to make myself so much smaller to survive, I stopped sharing my opinions and ideas, and I withdrew in more ways than one. For a long time it was hard to feel anything except fear, and shame, because I had been made to believe that my passion and my very sense of being was wrong and deserved punishment, and that I could never be myself, because it was dangerous. I sat and kept my mouth shut, sat in the backs of proverbial rooms where I should have been in the front, leading with the sincerity and value I have always carried, and trauma and anxiety made it difficult to consider taking those steps back to my place, for fear of being tripped by others again.

I’ve been doing a lot of work this year to reclaim that stronger version of myself, because I miss her so much. Hearing about the balance of forces and that being passionate, in the right measure, is not only a good thing but a necessary thing has made me feel so much better about speaking up again and finding my way back to the fiery, vitality-filled version of myself which was stolen from me. I think she’s pretty great! And coming back to her with more wisdom and ever-expanding knowledge of the facets of being and a true purpose feels exactly right. I’m so thankful for the work we are allowed to undertake and experience here, and I know by the end of the Lightning Flash I’m going to feel like my life finally belongs to me again.

[Noel Strong]

Hi all! Another great session of Lodge and more things of interest to note. I was actually recovering from food poisoning today and admittedly feeling very depleted, but I wanted to show up for Lodge today anyway and see if the magic could meet me at my level, and it did. My experience with Chokmah was not as strong as my experience with Keter, probably due to feeling poorly, but no less interesting.

While meditating I could see a massive beacon of energy barreling downwards, like a thick pillar of light, and on the outmost layer of the pillar energy seemed to spiral. The part that seemed a little funny to me afterwards but intriguing in the moment was that once this pillar crashed down into the earth, I could see a vision of a bowling ball hitting the alley floor and rolling forward with force. The sound of the impact was particularly important, and reminded me of a thunder crash accompanying a lighting bolt, which seemed appropriate for the Lightning Flash. I suppose we’re really getting the ball rolling now 😛

[Noel Strong]

Hi Stephanie! Thanks for sharing your research. It’s so interesting how perceived corruption or aspects which naturally disgust us can actually transform into beauty or substances of merit, just as individuals who are struggling with vices can overcome them and find peace. There’s always light to be found in darkness.

I’ve never smelled Storax, I’d be interested in hearing your take on it when we get there! Excited to be exploring the Spheres alongside you.

Edit: Realized I made a separate post instead of replying, forgive me, it’s been years since I was on an actual forum!

[Noel Strong]

Ohh, I’m glad to see I was on to something with the honey! 🙂 Your method of intuition first and then research is a great idea, I think I should adopt it! I had never heard of a kola nut before you shared your information about it. Please keep sharing your insights and sensory experiences as we continue through this working, I’m very intrigued by all of them!

We’re very lucky to have so much at our disposal these days. Even if we don’t always have the means to enjoy as much as we can. I was born and lived in Germany as a child, and there are so many foods and drinks I miss now in America, and hope to one day enjoy again. The prices keep me from buying/shipping them here, (as well as my gluten intolerance now) but I’m so happy I have memories of experiencing them.

[Noel Strong]

Hi Stephanie! Thanks for sharing your research with us and the descriptions of the scents you’ve been using! This is a wealth of knowledge about foods which are frequently overlooked including by myself, and reading your information I think I need to introduce pine nuts into my diet!

It’s always incredible how humans across the world gravitate naturally towards certain practices and spawn local variations depending on their surroundings without interacting with other groups. But it’s even nicer to think about all the crops and foods that have been shared internationally, and how we have the chance to experience so many things that we would not have been able to thousands of years ago from our various corners of the planet.

I’ve been mixing beverages and foods for my experience.
Keter: Sea salt
Chokmah: Blueberry acai tea
Binah: Blackberries
Chesed: Blueberries

Ahead I’ve got planned:
Gevurah: Chai
Tipheret: Honey
Netzach: Vanilla ice cream (tastes like victory to me!)
Hod: Mangos
Yesod: Red grapes (ideally wine, but I have a histamine reaction to wines 😢)
Malkhut: Dark Chocolate

My choices stem from intuition rather than research, I’ve always been a very free flowing person and focused on honing my instincts, so some of these were chosen for color, others for the sensation that a Sphere’s attributes evoke in my mind, while some are more symbolic. For example sea salt is very pure and sets the tastebuds alight, like the First Swirlings of Keter. Blueberry acai tea is good for energy, like the surge of energy in Chokhmah.

I took a similar approach to scents, but alas I’m at work and don’t have my journal with me.

[Noel Strong]

I’ve been lucky enough to get vivid images most of my life, especially coming into contact with different spirits, and it’s an ability I’m looking to hone even further over time. I think it could be very useful!

And thanks, I’m doing better, and will hopefully be at 100% again for this coming weekend 🙂 Hope you have an amazing rest of your week!

[Noel Strong]

That’s a great way to see it! I’m glad to be welcomed.

Well done on finding the recipe! I hope it turns out well! And condolences to you for your gluten intolerance too. We are sisters in food issues 😂<3

[Noel Strong]

Wow Paula, what a great message to receive! And very apt for us gathered as a Lodge and community. Please share the results of your spiral bread making! I’ve been living gluten free for about a year and a half due to an intolerance and boy do I miss good, real bread. Simple things like that really do become sacred when you lose access to them.

In my moment with Keter, I saw white light, and I felt a sense of peace and freedom from everything more than I’ve ever felt before. I’ve been thinking about it since and how to get closer to that feeling and to not worry about everything so much. Additionally, when we were tracing spirals over the Aces, it seemed to me as if the imagery on the cards came to life and expanded, as if I could see into them. Brought me to tears! But many things I’ve experienced so far with 22 Teachings have done that. Constantly in awe and amazed by what is possible to experience. Looking forward to the many journeys ahead and knowledge to gain here over the years. Also when Naha was talking about the future of the Lodge, my High Priestess card jumped a little on my desk. Great sign for the future!

[Author]

Posts