In preparation of Thirty Days with Mary spiritual practise

Our search for a God who looks like us begins in our own lives.
She will be found there -  Patricia Lynn Reilly

This is the second Thirty Days with Mary incorporating the
Mysteries of Mary tarot deck that I am hosting.
This is an invitation to embrace sacred consciousness and to
reclaim the sacred weaving and crafting of the sacred
practises of a priestess/priest devoted to Mary.



The annual Thirty Days with Mary started as an annual online devotional practise
of the Temple of Mary and her initiated Flamekeepers.

But I have been called to share with you in an ongoing way and to deepen
our understanding of the mystical aspects of the Mysteries of Mary.

Each Thirty Days of Mary is slightly different but mantras and initiations
are only changed every year as part of the initiations.

In these Thirty Days with Mary you will enter and re-enter into a direct and personal relationship with the Divine and in particular the Divine Mother in Her many names, aspects
and manifestations.

An initiate is one who chooses to turn his or her focus inward, into a metaphysical reality and upward into a wider context and upward into a higher consciousness.

An initiation is a ritual which takes the initiate through a doorway and threshold from the mundane ordinary reality into the sacred life.   

Creating a sacred space

It is a powerful practise to have a sacred space in which to meditate and focus on your activities. 

You can prepare this space beforehand with a special chair or space on the floor to sit on.

If you already have a meditation shawl, place it in your sacred space.  I suggest that you find

a special (meaning one that you use for this purpose) shawl with which to cover your shoulders or head.  In the bhakty tradition we wear white.

Create your altar with candles, incense, an essential oil burner, fresh flowers and of course a statue 

or image of Mother Mary.
Add your Mysteries of Mary tarot deck and healing amulet oracles.

You will add items to the altar over the thirty days.  

Blessing and consecration of space and items

On the first day of this journey I will share with you the diksha to bless and

consecrate all your items.  

You will need to gather the following items :

meditation shawl

rosary or mala or prayer beads

a few fresh lemons - at least one or two 

one or two cups of coarse sea salt

candles
colours : white, red, dark blue, gold, yellow

small bottles of essential oils : eucalyptus, lemon and rose
(frankincense and sandalwood optional)

frankincense or myrrh incense

a journaling book

a couple of old magazines, calendars or picture books for cutting out images
cardboard to cut into A5 size for collaging
glue

start collecting holy cards, or any images of Mary

a blank book that you can alter with crayons, or paints

crafting items for a shadow box - a small cardboard box or deep frame

baby pictures of yourself
any items that you may have from childhood
any favourite childhood picture books

None of these are essential.  You will have enough time to collect whatever you want to create.
You may wish to create nothing at all which is also perfect.
I add these items for those of you who like to be prepared from the get-go. 

blessings