Magic of Japan

Ancient Japanese, like the Romans, believed that gods and spirits inhabited every aspect of their lives – from the mists of the mountain tops to the blades of grass and water gracefully falling over secluded forests. Japan’s natural beauty was (and still is) so remarkable that it evoked a deep fascination with its complexity, known as the religion of Shinto – the Way of the Gods. Shinto incorporated every facet of nature with a spirit, or deity, calledkami. The kami were friendly spirits who watched over humans and maintained the peace if kept satisfied. However, if the Japanese people violated the cardinal rules of spiritual and physical cleanliness, the kami unleashed their wrath. And so, to appease the kami, Japanese kept their sacred places immaculate by undergoing regular purification rituals.

Shinto maintained unity amongst its people by associating their very existence through myths and legends, such as the divine beginnings of Izanagi and Izanami – the deities who created the islands of Japan. After they descended from the heavens, they had many offspring including the most important deity in Shinto: the sun goddess, Amaterasu.

Amaterasu is the central deity of the Shinto religion. Goddess of the Sun and Universe, her name is derived from Amaterum which means Shining in Heaven. Amaterasu famously hid in a cave in fear of her brother, who tried to discredit her. Amaterasu had no idea how beautiful life was until the gorgeous Shaman Uzume strung a mirror and a jade necklace outside of the cave to reflect her beauty. When she caught her reflection, she gave life back to the perishing lands and never hid again. Amaterasu is responsible for keeping harmony in the earthly realm and is the only female supreme deity in any Japanese religion or pantheon. Even the rising sun depicted on the Japanese flag symbolizes Amaterasu.

Generations of Japanese emperors claimed their divinity by tracing their lineage back to Amaterasu herself. If an Emperor was found to be the direct descendant of the sun goddess, he was worshiped as a living god.

• Discussion Question: Which spirits do you believe inhabit your everyday life

Ritual

Every twenty years, the Japanese hold a sacred ceremony called “Sengu”. The purpose is to rebuild Amaterasu’s shrine, which takes place in the Ise City. Rebuilding her shrine renders her sanctuary eternal, and the skills of shrine builders and craftsmen are also passed on from generation to generation. Sacred treasures, clothing, rice, and wheat are all offerings that remain in the shrine until it is rebuilt twenty years later.

During this Sabbatical class, we will rebuild! Let’s take apart your altar and remove tools that no longer serve you. Write a letter to your future self, seal it up and read it a year later. Let’s honor the bright light provided from Amaterasu and make an altar of courage – one that stands in an abundance of beauty and illuminating energy.

Once you have cleared your altar and sealed your treasures, begin a ritual with a clean slate. Remember, intention matters more than your actions. Be present and mindful, and focus on the intentions you put into every movement you make during ritual.

First, burn white sage to lift the room, inviting in only the pure, positive vibrations. All ritual must always begin by removing any negative vibrations from your space. With your eyes closed, stay in the connected beam of white light.

Anoint yourself with my Amaterasu Perfume, created with uplifting notes of ginger, cedar, and lemongrass to help you energize, cleanse, and support your spirit.

Allow your Taiyō Candle to serve as the centerpiece on your new altar. Place the stones around the candle. Then, light your candle, come into present time, take three deep breaths, and visualize yourself in your purest form. What do you need to release? How will you transform?

As you focus on yourself, stay present using your Chinese jade mala. Wearing or holding mala beads helps you stay present and focused on your intentions. Jade is the stone of good fortune and a potent talisman of balance, protection, and harmony. Take in all your beauty, even the dark parts of yourself. Close your eyes again and be grateful for everything you are, you’ve been, and will be.

• Discussion Question: What tools no longer serve your higher purpose?

Magic of Japan: Eternal Sanctuaries Set

This set is filled with tools intentionally chosen to help you create an eternal sanctuary, inside of yourself and out. It’s time to release, revive, and shine!

I chose ginger, cedar, and lemongrass for my Amaterasu Perfume. Anoint yourself, your candle, and your stones with this blend to invoke Amaterasu’s blessings. Allow her to show you your own brilliance, so you may radiate happiness and be the beacon of light in the darkness. Your bottle of perfume has been infused with a sunstone chip stone to fill you with clarity and optimism.

Ginger is incredibly empowering. It induces feelings of self-assurance and courageousness. Cedar has been used for centuries to cleanse, purify, and heal. And lemongrass increases energetic awareness and mental clarity and is useful for overcoming fatigue and feelings of anxiety.

Use the Taiyō Candle in this set – which is hand-poured with deep yellow soy wax and infused with a clear quartz chip stone – to invoke your inherent power.

Your stone duo includes one natural fuchsite and one silver leaf jasper. This set is intended for use during ritual.

Fuchsite is the stone of life force. This gem possesses a vibration that is soothing, balancing, and restoring. It is a true healer’s stone.

Silver leaf jasper is the stone of strong willpower, organization, enhanced focus, and self-discipline. This gem offers guidance when struggling to find focus, increases independence, and helps you stay firm against intimidation.

Use the Chinese jade mala to support your prayer and meditation. Wearing or holding mala beads is said to bring about higher consciousness and balance, as well as an awakening of the spiritual body. Jade is the stone of good luck and prosperity, and a talisman of balance, protection, and harmony.

Place your custom-made SG canvas art on your altar and use your stone set to place as you feel called during class.

• Discussion Question: Which tool are you most likely to keep using in the future?