Trance 1 – Author M. A. Phillips

Working and Staying Afloat

It’s been quite a week, but I’ve been meaning to write a more substantial update here for some time. I figure I should finish and publish this as I move into another week and a new lunar cycle. Much of this entry has been hanging out in my draft folder for several days. Why the delay?Continue reading “Working and Staying Afloat “

Window Meditation

I didn’t wear the right footwear to trek into the woods behind my parents’ home, but I didn’t let that stop me. The house was chaotic and our schedule today is packed. I needed a moment, so I locked myself in my childhood room as I did as a teenager. The weather was springlike today.Continue reading “Window Meditation”

Try Try Trance

Ugh. Sometime in December, my discipline and focus crumbled. I really fell off the trance train… I’ve been working to reestablish my discipline over the last couple weeks. I started to reread Paxson’s “Trance-Portations” and am going through the exercises. I’m not rushing it. I really want to spend time on the foundational skills. I’veContinue reading “Try Try Trance”

Trance 1: Yoga and Consecrations

I’m proud to say that I did my Three Realms Yoga* yesterday and this morning. I went downstairs before anyone else, opened the curtains in the windows facing the back forest, and moved through my poses. It rained all day Saturday, and today is a sunny autumn day. The difference in weather mixed with two daysContinue reading “Trance 1: Yoga and Consecrations”

Trance 1: Persevere!

I’ve been very busy since I last shared an update. Some of what has occupied me deserves its own post. For example, my protogrove is now officially Northern Rivers Grove! Also, we once more participated in the Faery and Earth Festival in Watertown. All very good things, but also very exhausting. I’ve made sure toContinue reading “Trance 1: Persevere!”

Trance 1: Rattles and Dance

A few posts ago, I talked about my hesitance to work with a rattle during a trance exercise suggested in a book. Something about the context didn’t feel right to me. It just wasn’t for me. Well, I attended the Central New York Pagan Pride Day on September 17th and had an opportunity to try aContinue reading “Trance 1: Rattles and Dance”

Trance 1: The Struggle is Real

The last couple weeks (since I last updated on my work through basic trance exercises and techniques) have felt like a backwards slide. You see, I went back to work after a long vacation. In many ways, this was a good thing, especially because it thrust me back into my ten-month routine of waking upContinue reading “Trance 1: The Struggle is Real”

Trance 1: Yoga and Workbooks

The following is an account of my continued work with trance as part of ADF’s Trance 1 course, advanced studies towards Initiate status. I’ve decided to share my personal experiences on my blog as a way of accountability. If some of my reflections happen to help others on similar journeys, I hope they share! SinceContinue reading “Trance 1: Yoga and Workbooks”

Trance 1:Three Realms and Spirit Guides

The following is an account of my continued work with trance as part of ADF’s Trance 1 course, advanced studies towards Initiate status. I’ve decided to share my personal experiences on my blog as a way of accountability. If some of my reflections happen to help others on similar journeys, I hope they share! ThisContinue reading “Trance 1:Three Realms and Spirit Guides”

Trance 1: Trial and Error

It was difficult to get into any deep trances this past week. We went away to a camp with some family members for a few days, which will always throw me off my routine. However, compared to going away to a hotel, it was easier to maintain my typical devotional practices. I set up aContinue reading “Trance 1: Trial and Error”