Astra: Sagittarius the Archer / Terra: Topaz / Main Show: Magic and Impermanence

Episode 14 takes a look at the constellation and sign of Sagittarius the Archer, and the mineralogy and metaphysics of topaz! Then in the main show we'll talk about a subject I'll call "the magic of impermanence."

For more information, references, and links, please visit the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening!

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Scorpio the Scorpion / Terra: Opal / Main Show: Magick

Episode 13 takes a look at the constellation and sign of Scorpio the Scorpion, and the mineralogy and metaphysics of opal! Then in the main show we'll talk about different definitions (and spellings) of magic(k).

For more information, references, and links, please visit the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening!

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Libra the Scales / Terra: Sapphire / Main Show: Meditation

Episode 12 takes a look at the constellation and sign of Libra the Scales, and the mineralogy and metaphysics of sapphire! Then in the main show we'll talk about different approaches to meditation.

I mentioned two links in the introduction:
The Scrying Bowl daily podcast: http://scryingbowl.libsyn.com
Media Astra Ac Terra store at Cafepress: http://www.cafepress.com/astraterra

And there were several books mentioned in the discussion of meditation:

Comfortable With Uncertainty by Pema Chodron
Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hahn
Book 4 by Aleister Crowley
The Mantram Handbook by Eknath Easwaran
Mantras: Words of Power by Swami Sivananda Radha
Meditations by J. Krishnamurti
Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands by Gertrud Hirschi

For more information and full links to all of the above, head over to the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening!

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Virgo the Virgin / Terra: Peridot / Main Show: Getting Back to Basics

Episode 11 takes a look at the constellation and sign of Virgo the Virgin and the mineralogy and metaphysics of peridot! Then in the main show we'll talk about juggling a wide variety of interests in your life, and the importance of paying attention to the basics.

For more information and links of interest, head over to the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening!

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Leo the Lion / Terra: Pyrite / Main Show: Creating and Maintaining a Daily Spiritual Practice

Episode 10 takes a look at the constellation and sign of Leo the Lion, and the mineralogy and metaphysics of pyrite!  Then in the main show we'll talk about creating and maintaining a daily spiritual practice in as much or as little time as you have each day.

For more information and links of interest, head over to the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening! 

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Cancer the Crab / Terra: Moonstone/ Main Show: Summer Solstice & Tolerance vs Liberty

Episode 9 takes a look at the constellation and sign of Cancer the Crab, and the mineralogy and metaphysics of moonstone!  Musical interlude is "Solstice Call" by Gaia Consort, then in the main show we'll talk about the summer solstice, and take a look at the difference between religious tolerance and religious liberty.  Also included is a book review of The Constant Fire: Beyond the Science vs. Religion Debate by Adam Frank.

For more information and links of interest, head over to the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening! 

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Gemini the Twins / Terra: Fluorite / Main Show: Planetary Hours

Episode 8 takes a look at the constellation and sign of Gemini the Twins, and the mineralogy and metaphysics of fluorite!  Then in the main show we'll talk about how to calculate and use planetary hours, including an understanding of the planetary rulerships of the days of the week.

For more information and links of interest, head over to the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening! 

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Free Astro Software / Terra: Emerald / Main Show: Four Powers of the Sphinx

Episode 7 is just about 35 minutes long.  Today I'll share some freely available astronomical and astrological software, and explore the mineralogy, myth, and metaphysics of emeralds!  Then in the main show we'll talk about the symbolism of the Greek sphinx and the Four Powers of the Sphinx in modern magick.

For more information and links of interest, head over to the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening! 

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Taurus the Bull / Terra: Structure of the Earth / Main Show: Grounding

Episode 6 is a little under 35 minutes long.  Today we'll explore the constellation and astrological sign of Taurus, and talk about the physical structure of the planet Earth!  Then in the main show we'll talk about grounding both before and after ritual.

For more information and links of interest, head over to the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening! 

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: The Sun / Terra: Gold / Main Show: Magickal Spring Cleaning

Episode 5 is about 35 minutes long.  Today we'll explore the physical and metaphysical nature of the Sun, and talk about the metal most commonly associated with it, Gold!  Then in the main show we'll talk about ways to add spiritual cleansing to your spring house cleaning.  But before all that, I talk a little bit about dealing with the often depressing nature of the daily news.

For more information and links of interest, head over to the Sphinx Words blog post for this episode.  Thanks for listening! 

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Astra: Aries the Ram / Terra: Garnet / Main Show: Sex!

I'm trying a new format for the show notes that gives you an at-a-glance summary of the show segments before getting more wordy.  :)  Episode 4 is about 32 minutes long.  Today we'll look at the constellation and astrological sign of Aries in the Astra section, and talk about garnet in the Terra segment.  Then in the main show we'll talk about sex, and look at some ways to use sexual energy for magical purposes.  Spring is springing, after all!

For more information, head over to the Sphinx Words blog for a few more notes and links.  Thanks for listening! 

Bright and dark blessings,
--Sphinx--

Thanks for listening to episode 3 of Media Astra Ac Terra, which clocks in at just under 25 minutes.  In the Astra section, we take a look at the zodiac, and for Terra we explore citrine quartz.  Then in the main section I go into more detail about the nature of astrology, how it relates to astronomy, and how I think it might work.

For more information, head over to the Sphinx Words blog for some pointers to recommended reference materials on both Astra and Terra related topics.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks for listening to episode 2 of Media Astra Ac Terra, which clocks in at just under 20 minutes.  In the Astra section, we take a look at comets, and for Terra we explore lovely purple amethyst.  Then in the main section I share my two cents about community, tribe, and being on the path.

In the Astra section, I talk a bit about comets in general, but also specifically about Comet Lulin, which is visible now.  Here is a link to some finder charts that should help you find it in the pre-dawn sky.  You can also hop on over to the Sphinx Words blog for some more handy tools for finding things in the night sky!

As always, thanks for visiting, and thank you for listening to Media Astra Ac Terra.

Welcome to the Media Astra Ac Terra podcast!  This is the first episode, and runs about 22 minutes long.  After a brief introduction of both the podcast and your host Oraia the Sphinx, the Astra segment looks at the astronomy and mythology of the constellation Orion.  Then the Terra segment takes a look at clear quartz as a mineral and as a metaphysical tool.

We then take a little jaunt through the intersecting worlds of magick and science.  The bottom line?  Both are fun!  Ways of learning--human birthrights--ways of love.

And now for some recommended reading.  The best book I have seen about modern science as it relates to magick and witchcraft is The Science of the Craft, by William Keith.  And Michael Talbot's older book, The Holographic Universe, is a fascinating read about quantum theory as it relates to "unexplained" phenomena such as energy healing and psychic abilities.  (And according to this New Scientist article, that holographic theory might have just gotten some new juice in it.)

I made some mention during the podcast of Jack Parsons.  You can find some of his writings online, but his best surviving essays are collected in Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword.  There are also a couple of biographies of Mr. Parsons; the one I've read and recommend is Sex and Rockets: The Occult World of Jack Parsons.

Thanks for visiting, and for listening to Media Astra Ac Terra!