Pagan Pride Day...2012...

This past Saturday (September 29, 2012) was the 10^th Annual Savannah Pagan Pride Day Festival. I had been looking forward to it for several weeks, for a few reasons. Firstly, it was an opportunity to meet a blogging friend (Adrianna) face to face. She also lives in Savannah. There had been a previous event (a fundraiser for the festival) that I had planned to attend, but for a couple of reasons I ended up not being able to go.

(Emmet Park)

Second, there were going to be various vendors there selling pagan related items. When I was living in Los Angeles, I frequented a metaphysical shop, “The Psychic Eye”. They sold just about anything you could want or need. They also taught various classes of a metaphysical and pagan nature. It was great. Here in Savannah it’s a different story. Not a metaphysical shop anywhere. I’m kind of stumped as to why there isn’t even one. The vibe/energy of Savannah has a very mystical side. It boasts to be the most haunted city in the United States. There is a very reputable art school here, SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design)…most of the artsy types I have known have been among the section of society that possesses an open mind, and leans more towards things ‘pagan’. I think a shop would do well here. It has been suggested to me that the citizens of a more ‘organized’ mind would probably complain. What a shame.  I feel sorry for them. A closed mind shuts one off from so much that is positive and full of light. That topic is a whole post in itself, so I’m going to move on…

Third, I would be getting out and meeting new people. Many of them with interests/beliefs like mine. For many years now I have considered myself to be Pagan. There is so much about it that makes sense to me. Lots of love and light in Paganism. Maybe I would learn something new.

On the day of the festival, I was pleased that my RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) was giving me a break. The Festival was in Emmet Park, on Bay Street right above one of the main tourist attractions, River Street. I was not looking forward to the prospect of finding a parking space, it being a weekend. I ended up having great parking Karma, and found a space just a couple of blocks down Bay Street. Then I learned that I wouldn’t need the quarters weighing down my purse for parking charges. Apparently, meter parking is free on Saturday’s. My day was starting well.

I arrived at roughly 2:30 PM, and there were a number of people milling around, checking out the wares for sale. It wasn’t packed like other festivals I have been to, but I didn’t figure that it would be. A Pagan festival in the Bible belt…nuff said. As time passed, the crowd did grow a bit. Wielding my “Fourth Eye” (camera), I started checking out the various booths, snapping a picture here and there. All of the vendors were so nice. Very pleasant. The overall energy/atmosphere was so welcome. Right away I felt myself start to decompress. 

A DJ was playing a mix of upbeat music that filled the area. The center of operations was by a war memorial that sat in the center of a fenced in pool of water (didn’t notice which war, but it was definitely of more modern times than “War Between The States” era).

I was there for an hour or so when I noticed a man pushing a young girl in a stroller. I immediately recognized them as I have seen him a few times, and the girl a bunch of times. It was Adriana’s husband, and one of her daughters. (Adriana has a great blog that she has received several blogging awards for. A photographer, she posts a lot of her photos, and writes about her life. She is very talented. Here is a link to her blog page:  http://www.adrianairis.com/  It’s definitely worth checking out.) I approached him saying, “I recognize both of you.” He obviously thought we had met before as he responded in a familiar way. “How have you been”, or something to that effect. I’m sure that he meets a lot of people, as I would learn that Adriana is a busy lady. I explained that I knew Adriana from blogging, but we had yet to meet. She was on a break at that point, so I killed some time until she was back. Killing time was very easy. Chatting here and there; shopping; people watching. I remember looking across the tent covered portion of the park, and thinking how it was the perfect place for the festival. Old Savannah trees fill Emmet Park, creating a thick canopy of limbs and leaves overhead. It was very hot and humid (I love the shirt I wore, but quickly learned it wasn’t the best one for hot weather as the fabric was not the kind to breath), but some breezes would blow up and through from the Savannah river. The shade helped to an extent, too. 4:00 rolled around, so I made my way to the front table by the main entrance.

Adriana is one of the nicest people. I was greeted with a hug and a smile. She radiates so much positive energy. Her whole family is nice. So glad I finally got to meet her. As the program above states, this year was the 10^th anniversary of the festival. Adriana had started the festival ten years ago, and this year she is retiring. Putting something like that together is a lot of work, so I can understand how she’s ready to pass the torch. Hopefully, someone will come forward to take it. It is uncertain as to whether or not there will be a festival next year. It would be a shame for it to stop.

I hadn’t grabbed a program, so Adriana got me one and showed me the list of workshops offered. She showed me where I could catch the end of “The Magic of Healing”, taught by Belladonna Laveau, Archpriestess of the Aquarian Tabernacle church, Intl. It was to be followed by a workshop called, “Defense Against the Dark Arts” (I know…I’ll cover that in just a sec). The healing workshop was wrapping up, so I decided to catch “Defense Against the Dark Arts”. No, neither professor Lupin nor professor Snape arrived to conduct the workshop. The speaker was an extremely nice guy named, Dusty. He would talk about protecting one’s self. He broke things up into two sections. 

The first was about protecting yourself from others, and outside forces. He covered a number of ways to protect your home from negativity. Some I already knew, but I learned a few new ones. The second section was about protecting yourself from YOU. The stronger one gets, the more careful one should be. Whatever you send out will come back at you. All very interesting. Adriana had introduced me as a “newbie” (although pagan, I am not “practicing”…if that makes sense), so Dusty chatted me up a bit before he started. He stopped a little early, so he could get ready for the Ritual they were holding (he was a part of the drum circle).

(Honey Bear)

At the end of his talk, Dusty asked if anyone had any questions for him. After a few moments, a young girl (looked 16-ish) stepped forward to ask him about some recurring dreams she had been having. She was visibly nervous. Dusty has a dog (golden retriever), who had been laying off to his side opposite of where the girl had sat. All of a sudden, Honey Bear (the dog), stood up, calmly walked to the girl, and gently nuzzled her. Dusty said that Honey Bear sensed her nervousness and came over to comfort her. I was blown away. Animals are so amazing in how sensitive and attuned they are. The girl was able to relax, Honey Bear's mission successful.

(Bottom left: Circle Participants; Right: Belladonna Laveau)

Now for the ritual. Although I know what a Circle is, and what ‘Calling the Quarters’ is, I have never been a part of a ritual before. Belladonna Laveau called everyone to the circle, and asked for the four individuals who would be ‘Calling the Quarters’ to take their places. ‘Calling’ involves the four directions (East, South, West, North), and the elements associated with each (Air, Fire, Water, Earth). Wording might differ slightly from caller to caller, but each will say something like this:

• “Guardians of the East, Powers of Air; you who are thought and the wind upon my face.  Winged eagle of the skies who is the morning breeze and the wrath of storms, I call upon and invite your presence to witness this rite.”

The ritual starts with “East” being called, followed by the other directions in the order I stated before. Then at the end of the ritual, it is necessary to 'Dismiss the Quarters', starting with the North and working through the directions in the reverse.

• “Guardians of the North, of Earth, I thank you for your solid presence here tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. Farewell and Blessed Be.”

Talk about some great energy. Whether you are of the pagan mind or not, there is something very moving and powerful about people coming together like that. The only other experience I have had that comes close is when I attended a “toso” (Buddhist meeting for chanting) with a friend. There were easily 200 to 250 people in attendance. The power in a room filled with all of those people rhythmically chanting ‘Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ is indescribable. The Circle at the festival was also powerful.

Following the circle, they called Raffle numbers. I had purchased a ticket, but didn’t get picked. That’s okay. I’m sure the moolah went to a worthy cause. After that a belly dancer performed. I took the opportunity to snap a number of pictures, seeing what sort of shots I could get of a person/object in constant motion. Just an observation, but she was the thinnest belly dancer I have ever seen. Belly dancers always seem to be a bit thicker, bordering on rubenesque.

It was 6:30-ish when I left. A band performance was one of the things happening that night, but I was pooped. The Sun (who I do not get along with on any day) had sapped most of my energy, and my joints were starting to stiffen a bit having been on my feet 85% of the time. After saying Goodbye to Adriana, I headed to my car and home. The end to a great afternoon.

I did make a few small purchases during my visit. A purple fabric scarf with crescent moons on it; handmade candles for Samhain ~ one orange, one black; a silver Hamsa charm ~ shaped like a hand, it is used to ward off the Evil Eye; a small silver pentacle charm; a pair of silver earrings depicting the 'Tree of Life.'

I’m so glad I went. I hope someone takes up Adriana’s mantel for next year. I know the majority of the vendors were from out of town, but it’s nice that the pagan’s who do live here had something geared towards them.

As for next year's festival, que sera sera...

(Upper left: Dusty, in beige shirt)

Ectoplasm...

As happens from time to time, I was looking up some stuff on the Internet and saw a picture that sparked my interest.  It is the one featured above. (I was unable to locate any info on who the medium is in the picture.  If someone reading this knows, please leave a comment.)  This picture is completely unrelated to what I had been researching, but it does reflect a subject I have been intrigued about before.  Ectoplasm. I know that it is associated with the world of mediums, and is said to be formed by "physical" mediums.  But, what exactly is ectoplasm?

The above images are from "The Legend of Hell House".  Released in 1973, it marks my first encounter with the subject of ectoplasm.  (If you have never seen the film, I recommend it.  It is a definite classic in the world of movies based on the paranormal.)  Although effective for it's time and in the context used, the formation of 'ectoplasm' would not exude from a mediums fingertips. Before I get a little ahead of myself here, it is important to know what a 'physical medium' is.
As with 'mediums' on the whole, physical mediums are the conduit of communication between the living and the dead.  You have mediums whose gifts manifest on more of a mental line, communicating through methods such as channeling.  Successful links with the spiritual are expressed verbally, through writing, etc.  Physical mediums contact is exhibited through more "physical" means separate from their actual bodies.  Disembodied voices, knocks, raps, the materialization of spirits, objects moving, apports (paranormal materialization of an object), and even levitation.  I used the term "conduit" before.  The medium can almost be described as a battery that a spirit uses as a power source for manifesting. After a 'true' session or seance, it can take hours or even a couple of days for a medium to recover from one of these energy drains.  

(supposed ectoplasm cloud)

Another one of these physical manifestations is the formation of ectoplasm.  Rather controversial, ectoplasm has taken on some new definitions in more recent times.  The movie "Ghostbusters" described it as a rather slippery substance that was produced by ghosts...getting "slimed".  Paranormal investigating has become extremely popular in a more public sense, the list of television shows with a paranormal bent acting as testament.  The term "ghost mist" is said to be a cloud of ectoplasmic substance.  Some say it is a residue left to indicate a spirit had recently been there, while others say it is produced by electro-magnetic energy radiating up from the earth that forms "ecto-clouds". None of the current definitions are as dramatic or impressive as the original formations the moniker was created for.

(Charles Richet)

The creation of the word 'ectoplasm' is credited to French physiologist, and president of the "Society For Psychical Research" (1905), Charles Richet. The term comes from the Greek words "ektos" and "Plasma", which basically translate to 'exterriorized substance'.  During the late 1800's, this word was used to describe the odd formations created from physical mediums who were in a trance like state.  A formation of gauze-like secretions that were produced from orifices of the medium, specifically the mouth, nose, and ears (other orifices were mentioned...I'll leave it at that). Some traditional tools of the physical medium are 'spirit cabinets', 'spirit trumpets', and 'levitation tables'. The cabinets and trumpets seem to be more closely related to the appearance of ectoplasm.

(Medium, Ethel Post Parrish, 1953...spirit of "Silver Belle" appearing out of ectoplasm)

(Left: Spirit trumpet; Right: Levitation table)

What is ectoplasm made of?  There are a number of substances said to be a part of this mysterious secretion.  Elements of the physical body of the medium.  In the case of group/circle seances, elements can also come from clothing, furniture, and carpeting.  Then there are the spiritual elements of this apport (ectoplasm).  Elements of the spiritual planes (astral, etheric, causal, or mental substances) that naturally exist there, but are brought to this plane temporarily.  

(English medium,
Jack Webber
1907-1940)

What is ectoplasm's purpose?  Once ectoplasm is formed it is said that spirits can use this otherworldly gauze to 'clothe' themselves on our plane of existence.  They use it so that those present can see them.  Some interesting tidbits about ectoplasm:  it is formed in darkened rooms;  The sudden introduction of bright white light in the room can cause the ectoplasm to flash back immediately into the producing mediums body causing them great harm, from burns and hemorrhages, to death;  There are strong warnings to not touch ectoplasm unless you have the approvals of the spirits, the repercussions being the same as with the introduction of light.  

(Scottish medium, Helen Duncan
1898-1956)

While I was doing a bit of research for this post, I came across this supposed account of actual experiences with ectoplasm as shared by a man named Leslie D.  The site owners who posted the article don't know when it was written.  I found this excerpt intriguing and creepy:
"In my own physical home circle we could see a grey mist hovering over the circle in the dark, which was an indication that some phenomena might start at any moment. On occasions, sitters would feel themselves to be gently touched by spirit entities - when this happened to me, I would ask permission to feel further, and once felt a fully materialised hand, complete with finger nails, quite warm and natural, but terminating at the wrist, and tapering into a narrow fringe attached to a psychic rod. Amazing! At a Gordon Higginson séance at Stansted Hall, I saw it billowing like waves across the floor from the cabinet, until it reared up and tried to form into a proper structure. These fully formed materialised figures really appear to be living flesh and blood, and when they de-materialise, they seem to melt and sink into the floor. The garments they wear can feel like silk, or often a more coarse material. In 1916, W J Crawford discovered by his own experiments that ectoplasmic formations could become as solid and as strong as steel!" ~ Leslie D.

(Medium, Marjorie Crandon)

(Medium, Mary M.,
1929)

As with most (if not all) topics of a paranormal bent, science thinks the appearance and formation of actual ectoplasm to be a hoax.  None of the supposed evidence put forth has been accepted as absolute proof.  Various tests of supposed samples of ectoplasm are said to have produced nothing that can be described as paranormal in nature.  Parapsychologists say that research does suggest that the production of ectoplasm does happen.  

(Marjorie Crandon)

The existence of ectoplasm is supported by a number of belief systems, Voo Doo, Spiritualism, and New Age groups to name a few.  (New Age is the description of the coming Age of Aquarius, of which we are said to be shifting into now.)  As with the laundry list of paranormal topics that have the believers and non-believers at odds, I think the only way to know that ectoplasm is for real, is for an individual to experience the phenomena first hand.  The physical medium doesn't seem to be as prevalent as it once was.  I am sure that they are still out there, but going by what several sources of info said, it is harder to find mediums who are willing to go to the extent of ectoplasm production due to the toll it takes on the physical body.  Whether that's true or not, if I were given an opportunity to witness something like that I would grab it.  
As with most paranormal "talents", there are always a fair number of charlatans who pass their fakery off on the unsuspecting.  I am not gullible and look at everything from a realistic perspective.  By the same token, I do believe that there are occurrences that defy scientific explanation.
To quote the late great Frank Zappa...
"A mind is like a parachute.  It doesn't work if it's not open." 

The Eyes Have It...

"The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides."

~ Audrey Hepburn

I have always had a fascination with eyes.  Whenever I have been in a doodling state of mind, I usually doodle eyes.  When I am consciously working on a piece of art, eyes usually enter into the mix.  In my paintings that involve people as the subject matter, one of the first things people comment on are the eyes. I don't create renderings that would be considered 'realistic', but the eyes have a sense of life.  The paintings below are a couple of mine...they are older works, and the photos are not very clear, but they are representations of my style.

(Painting on the left is from my imagination; Right: Trent Reznor)

Without a doubt, the first thing I notice about new people I meet is their eyes. They reflect so much of a persons interior.  A key to my formation of first impressions.  (People often say that you shouldn't judge someone by first impressions, yet we always seem to form them.)

While looking around on the net, I came across some pictures of eyes.  Irises to be exact.  The colored ring of the eye from an up close and personal perspective.  Absolutely fascinating.  Seeing the chaotically radiating meshwork of Stroma (connective tissue fibres) in such detail was beautiful. So delicately designed, the formations look like tediously created works of abstract art.  Some even look like a colorful yet eerie forest of naked and contorted trees.

The delicately beautiful Iris serves as one of the most important features of our eyes.  Located behind the cornea and in front of the lens, it expands and contracts to open and close the pupil, in response to light levels.  It helps to protect the retina.  Around the edge of the iris are the 'Canals of Schlemm'. The canals allow aqueous (watery) fluid to drain back into our bloodstreams. Running along the canals is the Trabecular Meshwork.  It's job is to regulate the internal pressure of the eye.  Looking at the above photo on the left, the thin web of Stroma looks like it would break or unravel with one eye rub.  

What determines an eyes' color?  Another interesting feature of the eye.  Many people have their preference, and some even find someone more attractive because of the color of their eyes.  Resting unevenly on the lower, or 'basement', membrane of the Iris is a pigment layer consisting of two rows of epithelial cells.  Both are dark purple in color.  These layers serve as a barrier to prevent light from penetrating through the Iris into the inner chamber of the eyeball.  It is the pigment layer and the Iris that work in tandem to determine an eyes color.  If you have brown eyes, that means the connective tissues of your eyes' Stroma contain brown pigment.  The brown pigment obscures the purple of the pigment layer giving a uniform brown color.  Have blue eyes?  Your Stroma don't have any pigment.  This causes the purple pigment layer to come through a uniform sky blue color.  For albinos, well, they don't have pigment of any kind in the Stroma or pigment layer.  The resulting transparency makes the blood vessels of the eye visible.  This is why albinos have a slight pink color to their eyes.

"Nature and books belong to the eyes that see them."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes."

~ Pablo Picasso

"The Eyes Are The Windows Of The Soul"

Thinking on the subject of eyes put me in mind of this well known, and oft used, saying.  How true it is.  I feel that you can see so much of a person within the life and 'light' level in their eyes.  They are such a reflection of what is happening on the inside.  What are the phrases origins?  Who said/penned it first?  The form we know today is more of a contemporary wording.  There have been (and still are) many variations of it.  Some say the first form appeared in the King James Bible (c. 58 to 68 AD), Matthew 6, 22-23:

22:  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23:  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. Therefore if the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

I suppose that could be construed as to having the same meaning as the eyes being the windows of the soul.  It has also been attributed to Dante, but I couldn't locate any specifics.  The oldest reference I found was a variant spoken by Roman Statesman Cicero (c. 106-43 BC):

"Ut imago est amini voltus sic indices oculi."  

Translation:  "The face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter."

Lots of variations, but nothing concrete on when this particular saying, worded as it is above, began.

"No one can lie, no one can hide anything, when he looks directly into someone's eyes."

~ Paulo Coelho

"If you haven't cried, your eyes can't be beautiful."

~ Sophia Loren

   "Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder"

Another well known and frequently used saying that is also so true.  Everyone has their own idea of what beauty is to them.  One may see something that another may not.  Who can be credited with the origins of this phrase? Another attributed to many.  The earliest reference I found was that it first appeared in the 3rd century BC in Greek...no actual quote was given.  Unlike the eyes being the windows of the soul, a word for word quote dates back to the Renaissance to English Dramatist John Lyly (1554-1606).  Another credit around that same time is to a wider known dramatist, William Shakespeare, and the quoted variation is from "Loves Labour's Lost" (1594):

" Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye"

Another variation is credited to Benjamin Franklin from "Poor Richard's Almanac" (1741):

"Beauty like supreme dominion, is but supported by opinion"

Scottish philosopher, David Hume (1711-1776), from "Essays, Moral and Political":

"Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them."

Some credit Irish Novelist, Margaret Hungerford, in "Molly Brown" (1878) for the first appearance of the modern (current) wording.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find any specifics on the exact quote from the work.  Given time I am sure I could find more, but I will just give credit to them all.  I appreciate the form it's in today whoever was the catalyst for its creation and popularity.

"Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes."

~Jim Carrey

"No ghost was ever seen by two pair of eyes."

~Thomas Carlyle

"The Evil Eye"

From the time I was a child, I have always associated the "Evil Eye" with gypsies.  Probably saw it in an old movie, an old gypsy woman placing a curse on someone out of revenge.  The recipient of the 'Eye' would have bad luck, or be in a horrible accident.  They would spend the majority of the film running around in a panic trying to get rid of it before they die.  The lesson taught by those films is to never cross a gypsy.  *grin*

Belief in the 'Evil Eye' spans many cultures, primarily in the Middle East.  In ages past, it thrived among Mediteranean tribes and cultures.  It is said to have started in Classical Greece, and later moved to Ancient Rome.

Most people associate the 'Evil Eye' with mysticism.  Is it a real threat?  Can someone cast it on a foe for real, or are its effects all in the recipients mind? Is it just a way to mess with someones head, so much so that they create the horrible things that befall them themselves?  The mind IS a powerful thing...maybe it is best that they wear a protective talisman...just in case.  The class of 'Evil Eye' Talismans are known as "apotropaic".  It is a Greek term which means "turns away".  These talismans are designed with an image much like a wide staring eye so that the curse can be willed back to the caster. Of the examples below, the middle charm from the Middle East is called a Hamsa Charm.  Hmm...in addition to showing it the staring eye, maybe it's saying 'talk to the hand'?

 

If you are in fear of the 'Evil Eye', then you might want to place a talisman on your children.  Many believers  think that the most common recipients of the curse are babies and small children, as they are frequently approached and commented on by strangers.  What can an individual unlucky enough to have the 'Eye' cast on them expect?  The most common causes are believed to be bad luck, illness, and even death.  One cultural commonality is said to be the causing of dryness.  Dehydration, and the withering away of the afflicted.  The cure?  Moistness.  (Gee, didn't see that coming.)  

"Fear has many eyes and can see things underground."

~Miguel de Cervantes

"The eyes like sentinel occupy the highest place in the body."

~Marcus Tullius Cicero

"An Eye For An Eye"

The full quote is "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life", and who hasn't heard this one?  If a person does wrong to someone else, the wrongdoer is punished in a like manner.  Dating back to Ancient Babylon, the phrase is said to be part of the "Code of Hammurabi", Hammurabi being the King of Babylon (1792-1750 BC).  The laws listed in the Code were written on huge stone tablets that stood over eight feet tall.  The Code was specific, the punishments falling under the "eye for an eye" philosophy, and being extremely harsh by the standards of today.

The phrase can be found in several passages of the Hebrew Bible, and is also found in the King James Bible, Matthew 5:38:

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth"

"Those things that nature denied to human sight, she revealed to the eyes of the soul."

~ Ovid

"The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart."

~ St. Jerome

Eyes are truly miraculous things.  So small and intricate in the grand scheme of our anatomy, and they give us so much.  We live in this world, and our eyes give us the ability to view it.  To experience a sunset, or study a work of art. The eyes might be the window to the soul inwardly, but outwardly they are our window to everything else...

Sandalwood...

Relaxing is something I love to do, yet don't do nearly enough.  For the times that I do need to engage in some stress relief and relaxation, there are certain things I like to use to help create a proper atmosphere.  Candles are one (pine or cedar scents, preferably), and incense is another.  I have burned incense for years.  My favorite scent?  Sandalwood, by far.  It creates such a sense of peace, and motivates me creatively.  Sandalwood is also used for protection, and is quite useful in ridding a space of negativity.  It is a handy thing to have around.

Sandalwood is...well, a wood, so it would stand to reason that Sandalwood comes from trees.  There is an ancient Buddhist Scripture, the Moho chi-kuan, that states, "None but the Mali Mountains contain Sandalwood."  We can safely say that that is not the case, but it is known that Sandalwood is one of the oldest incense materials, dating back at least 4,000 years.

(Marayoor, South India ~ the only place in Kerala where there is natural growth
of Sandalwood trees)

(Sandalwood tree)

(Sandalwood)

It is a fragrant wood.  Yellow, fine grained, and heavy, once cut it can retain it's scent for decades.  A slow growing tree of medium size, it is 'hemiparasitic' which means that like mistletoe, it gets some nourishment from a host plant.  However, Sandalwood is a little different in that it also photosynthesizes.  It can live either way.  The wood and essential oils produced from the tree are in very high demand these days, which has caused widespread over-harvesting.

Many countries grow Sandalwood:  Australia, Indonesia, the Pacific Islands, Sri Lanka, and a chief producer is Southern India.  Indian Sandalwood (Santalum Album) is indigenous to Southern India, and looks to be the most sought after. It is also endangered.  The trees are owned by the government who try to monitor the harvesting of the trees, but illegal tree chopping is a huge problem, many trees getting the axe well before their time. One source said that Sandalwood is not commercially valuable until it's at least 8 years old. Another source said that trees are being harvested at age 14, before they are mature. Going by both accounts, it sounds like Sandalwood is commercially valuable well before it has fully matured which is creating a problem with tree crops, and even though some harvesters are waiting until the trees are 14 to cut them, they are still not fully mature...and none of that really matters anyway because shady tree thieves are sneaking in and cutting down trees illegally no matter how old they are.  The bottom line is that prices are ever increasing because legally harvested supply can't meet demand.  It's all such a shame. The thought of a possible future world without Sandalwood...I think I will move on from the sad stuff.

(Quandong fruit)

Australia also produces quite a bit of Sandalwood.  Australian Aborigines eat the seed kernels, nuts, and fruit of local trees, such as the Quandong, one of two Australian Sandalwood trees.  It is a smaller tree of the Sandalwood family.

(Essential Oils)

In addition to the wood of the Sandalwood tree, there is also the production of essential oils from the tree's bark, and also from the heartwood which is the most precious part of the tree.  These days the oil is extracted by a steam distillation method.  Super heated steam is passed through powdered wood. Steam helps unlock and carry away the oil held within the cellular structure of the wood. Once the steam is cooled, you are left with hydrosols (a.k.a. floral waters) and essential oil.

(Old drawing of essential oil distillery)

The traditional method of extraction is hydro-distillation.  Although rare these days, this method is said to yield an oil with a superior aroma.  The wood powder is allowed to soak in water in a hydro-distiller.  A fire underneath the reservoir/vessel heats the water, and carries off steam which is allowed to cool.  The Sandalwood oil is removed from the top of the hydrosol.

(Sandalwood Essential oil)

An Australian Sandalwood tree known as Santalum Spicatum, produces a heavier concentration of essential oil, and is most used by perfumers and aromatherapists.  In the 1840's, Sandalwood was Western Australia's biggest export.  The first oil to be distilled was in 1875, and by the turn of the century Australian essential oil was intermittently produced.  Of course, today production is much higher and it is highly sought after for it's woody and warm aroma.

(Ganesh Aarti)

Now, onto some of the spiritual and metaphysical uses of Sandalwood.  Hinduism uses Sandalwood in a paste form as an integral part of spiritual ceremonies and rituals.  Used to decorate the icons of deities and to mark religious utensils, preparation of the paste is only done by Priests to retain the purity.  Religious devotees apply it to the forehead, or neck and chest.  It is used as an alternative medicine to bring the taker closer to the divine.

(Hindu Priest making Chandan)

The steps in making the paste are to grind Sandalwood by hand on granite slabs that are specially designed for that purpose.  Next, water is added until a thick paste is formed.  It is then mixed with saffron to create 'Chandan', or Sandalwood paste.

(Different types of Sandalwood Incense ~ from right to left:  stick incense, coil incense, and a type of
cup incense that I had not seen before)

(Amitabha Buddha)

(Padma Lotus)

Attributed to the Amitabha Buddha, Sandalwood is considered to be a part of the padma, or lotus group.  It is believed to transform the individuals desires and maintain alertness during meditation.  Sandalwood is one of the more popular scents when presenting an offering to Buddha.

(Sandalwood chips)

In either a chipped or powdered form, Sandalwood is used in the creation of talismans.  It works with the energies of the Moon, and is very powerful when burned and worn during Full Moon rituals.  For spiritual purification and cleansing, mix it with Frankincense.  Sandalwood enhances both spiritual and physical well being.  It has the highest vibration levels of any essential oil that resonates with aspects of our individual selves.  It attracts the highest spiritual vibrations, opens the highest spiritual centers, and aligns the Chakras to enhance spiritual awareness and allow healing energies to flow.  Sandalwood is an enhancer of receptivity and assists us when contacting our Guardian Angels, and our higher selves.  To focus the mind, help the dream state, or promote visions, place some oil in the center of the forehead.  Sandalwood is associated with protection, banishing negativity, meditation, and astral projection.

(The Chakra System)

Sandalwood has uses beyond the spiritual and metaphysical.  The wood is also used for carving, which it is well suited for.  The oils are used to make soaps.

(Sandalwood Soap)

(Antique carved Sandalwood box)

Personally, I enjoy all Sandalwood incense variations, but I really like the Japanese Morning Star brand.  The sticks are small, burn completely to ash, and each box of incense comes with a little ceramic tile with a hole in the center ~ an incense burner.  Also, the aroma is really nice.  Over the years I have been known to burn white candles and Sandalwood Incense to dispel negativity.  Only positive vibes for me.  In my post entitled 'Spirited' where I relate a Table Tipping experience, I talk about my usage of candles and incense to cleanse my apartment.  The environment created is so peaceful, and energizing at the same time.  Perfect for meditating.