The Difference Between Soul Mates and Twin Souls

People often confuse the terms soul mate and twin soul/twin flame.
They are not the same thing.
Soul mates are key relationships we experience within this lifetime and in lifetimes lived before. These can include friendships, romances, professional affiliations and many other types of relationships. Edgar Cayce often referred in his readings to soul groups, which are groups of people who incarnate together, over and over again. This means my present child might have been my parent in another lifetime. My lover might have been my sister. My parent might have been my teacher. And so on and so forth.
Both you and your soul group slip in and out of key roles from lifetime to lifetime in order to help all souls within the group learn valuable lessons. Usually at the beginning of new incarnations each soul within the group draws up sacred contracts or agreements, and these contracts include scenarios the souls will play out on their own and with each other in order to learn these lessons. The members of this group, then, are soul mates. Each and every one of us is a part of a soul group.
Twin souls are also called twin flames, and are a different matter entirely. For the purposes of this article we will refer to these relationships as twin flame relationships. Some feel that we only have one twin flame. This has nothing to do with lifetimes; we do not change twin flames from lifetime to lifetime: we always have the same one.
There is a complete and unshakable recognition of the twin when it occurs. The attraction and communion is undeniable, unbreakable and unconditional. These relationships are not without conflict of course, but all conflict between twin flames can and will be resolved. It is the purpose of both souls to spend their lives (and lifetimes) together, and once a person encounters their twin flame that is precisely what they will do.
Plato asserts through the character Aristophanes in Symposium that "in the beginning" each individual was actually two, with two sets of arms (therefore four), two sets of legs (therefore four) and two sets of genitalia (therefore two). The gods, fearing these humans would somehow overpower them, decided essentially to split them apart. Plato's idea in this regard, while steeped in mythology and evocative fictional imagery, is not too far off the mark in terms of how some presently believe.
It is thought that we were created with a double. It is thought that we, doubled, were indeed separated at some point in the creation process, and that our split-apart is ever seeking us out. Like the pull of a magnet, we are inextricably and completely drawn to them, whether through dimensions or lifetimes. When we arrive at the discovery of this twin, the connection cannot be severed.
Does everyone have a soul mate? Not only is the answer yes, but the answer is yes -- everyone has many soul mates.
Does everyone have a twin flame? That is subject to belief and interpretation.
Personally, I believe that each person does have a twin flame, though I am not sure I subscribe to the method of their creation (being created in doubles and then split apart, etc.). Rather, I feel that each and every one of us does in fact have one truly special and important relationship that stands above all other relationships. We may not always meet our twin flame in each incarnation, but the connection itself never dies.
Is our twin flame the opposite sex (or same sex if we are homosexual)? Again, no one can be sure. My ultimate thought is that this relationship can be any relationship -- be it friendship, parent-child, lover -- yet due to the intense intimacy involved in love relationships, we are likely to encounter them as lovers.
Irrespective, while soul mate and soul group connections are indeed very important and integral to our spiritual development, the twin flame connection is the most significant relationship we will ever experience.

Crystal Milligan is a certified psychic reader and coach and a metaphysical writer and teacher. She lives and works in Denver, Colorado, and offers psychic readings and spiritual teaching at her website, http://www.crystalmilligan.com.

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Twin Flames, the Encounter and It's True Purpose

Twin flames or twin souls are souls who were created by splitting the two divine energies. Masculine energy and Feminine energy. The two souls upon reincarnation hold not identical but complimentary energies. Not everyone out here has a twin soul. Many are born whole and complete with balanced energies.
Twin flames are a minority, just like birth twins. They usually feel isolated and never realise why. They feel not only their emotions but their twin soul's as well. They sometimes feel alone in a crowded room, sometimes sad and lost for no reason. The life they lead although fascinating and normal from outside observers, is quite a challenge without their true half.
They brave up and lead double lives. One with their surroundings and one by themselves. They believe that this is normal way of living. Sometimes they feel scared that if found out, they will be labeled insane. They feel incomplete and lost.
They do lead a very fulfilling and loving life most of the time, but however, at times, get reminded that they are still incomplete, that something major is missing.
They have reincarnated with a very challenging task on hand which is to find balance, to find wholeness and completion without their true half. They are here to create a third energy, the energy of unconditional love. Normal human love does not fulfill as they know and understand love differently.
Some twins don't even reincarnate together, sometimes one twin has ascended from earth plane while one twin remains on earth to fulfill their mission. However if both twins have reincarnated on earth, destiny does bring them together for the initial recognition and the separation follows as it is only through separation they will be forced to look deep within to heal on all levels and to achieve completion on their own. Like they were destined to.
The bond between the twins does not need time or experiences, it does not even need a relationship. It just exists and will exist no matter what. Trying to fight it or deny it will just cause you more pain and confusion. It will hold no comparison to your normal human relationship as this relationship exists between the complimentary energies and holds a deeper purpose.
The purpose of a human relationship is to give and receive love and to add to evolution by creating lives. It's for survival and to form community and society. The purpose of the Twin flame relationship however is to bring forward divine love energy for humanity. To be of service in ascending the world to higher way of loving. To bring love back to its true form, which is unconditional so humans can begin to live in love and not in fear.
They are feeling the deepest emotions, the deepest longing so they can call forth real love. They go through this pain to allow us to stop feeling love and hate and start feeling love and more love. This longing is seeking merger of the two complimentary energies.
The twin with the female energy is like a flowing river that takes over every form and looses herself in giving, she feels alone because she doesn't know how to differentiate herself or be an individual. Her challenge will be to find balance with the male energy so she can give and love without losing herself. She needs to master becoming an individual.
On the other hand the twin with the male energy which is strong, individualised and aggressive will need to find balance with the female energy so he can feel and give selflessly a well. He will need to master giving and loving selflessly.
This longing disappears only when these two energies are balanced within each twin. The twins than become their whole selves, the need to complete each other is over.
They become two strong, whole and complete individuals ready to emanate love. The third energy has been created. The mission completed. They have found themselves.
It's like ascending without dieing. Like they are born again but this time more evolved. With great wisdom and great strength. They posses the power to lead and the power to heal.

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How Much Food Should a Prepper Have in Their Doomsday Supplies?

Prepping for a survival situation isn't an exact science. The reasons for someone to start prepping for an emergency situation range from natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and floods to things like solar flares, volcanic eruption or even pandemic disease situations. So with that said there is not just an exact formula for how much of a food supply you should have in your emergency survival stockpile.
Before you try and come up with an amount first you need to choose what sort of situation you are prepping for. If you are prepping for a situation where you might be without power for a number of days then a 72 hour survival kit would probably be fine. If you think that a solar flare may take out the power grid, or an EMP that did the same thing then you'd probably want to go with at least a 1 month food supply or longer.
After you are done reading this go into your kitchen and assess the amount of food you would have if there was no electricity. Your freezer and fridge won't count. You'll have what's in a pantry or cabinets. Now consider what items would need to be cooked to be useful. Although you could have something to cook on in a situation with no electricity, most people don't.
Now that you have done that, how long do you think that amount of food would last your family? Things like canned foods, packaged foods that could be ready to eat and other staples would be about all you would have left. For most people that's not much really.
Now that you have assessed what you would have left you need to think about what you will need. Would dehydrated or freeze dried food be ideal? Or would having extra rice or pasta and items such as that be what you need? There are also items such as survival food bars that can get you through many situations.
All of these thoughts weigh into what survival preparations you make before you are in a situation and it's too late. As a general rule of thumb I would recommend that you have at least a 30 day supply of food on hand. For most situations that's longer than the outage would be so you should be okay. If hyper inflation drove gas prices up there might be a shortage of food but eventually it would work out more than likely. A one month food supply can be bough for around $50 to $100 dollars. It's a small price to pay for having the security of knowing your family will be safe from most disasters.
You can also purchase 3 month, 6 month or 12 month survival rations which would be added insurance should something cause you and your family to go into survival mode.
Hopefully this will help you with your survival planning.

At http://www.doomsday-preppers.com you will find a wide variety of survival products for everyone from urban survivalist to the hard core emergency prepper. We have Gas Masks, Survival food and much more available. We also have many articles related to surviving off grid.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_McDaniel

Doomsday Preppers: How to Doomsday Prep?

Many people have seen the show Doomsday Preppers and their first question always seems to be? How do I become a doomsday prepper? Just by asking the question it shows that you are already on your way. A doomsday prepper isn't made overnight, it takes time and effort usually and also funds to buy stuff.
Several articles on this site have touched on the basics but this one will be a bit more advanced.
Before you go out and buy a bunch of gear you need to think about what you are prepping for? Are you concerned that the government won't be able to provide for your safety and well being? Are you concerned because you live in a tsunami or hurricane zone where you may be without resources for more than a couple of days? Or are you worried the power grid will go down and will take weeks or months to get repaired? All of these are good reasons to start your survival preparations today.
As a prepper my hope is that I will never need to use the items I have in my prepper cache. At the same time though I don't want to be the one to be saying OMG I can't believe that just happened and not have the stuff I need to survive the aftermath of any given survival situation.
So to become a prepper you will want to assess what threats you face that you need to be prepared for. If they are chemical in nature or nuclear a gas mask and iodine pills should be in your survival kit for sure. If you are in a place where a natural disaster is going to be an issue it'd be good to keep your prepper supplies mobile and have a well stocked bug out bag and items like a water bladder for your bathtub to give you access to clean water.
If you are thinking hyperinflation is going to be a problem then having a ready supply of food will be the answer. You might be interested in learning to can food or buy prepared dehydrated or frozen food, or even survival bars. This will allow you to buy products now that you will need in the future and may not be able to get. Having a 3 month food supply or a 1 year food supply will give you a lot of security when it comes to hyperinflation.
Security is on item that will also need to be taken into account. Most people believe that people are inherently good, but that is only when they are not faced with adversity such as you'd see when there are no products on the store shelf or when gas is $5.00 a gallon. Many people that you would assume to be nice, won't be so nice. Having ample security to be able to protect your family and your home is very critical. If you can't afford a gun, maybe a stun gun, or even a baseball bat is better than nothing. But assume if you have it and others don't they want yours.
So to start your doomsday prepping efforts begin by assessing what you have and what you need. What is your weakest point. Once you have that look at what you need to improve those areas that are weakest.
Generally a survival cache will include: food, water, security items, person hygiene items, first aid items and survival gear such as a tent, sleeping bags etc.
Good luck and if you have any questions please post a comment below.

At http://www.doomsday-preppers.com you will find a wide variety of survival products for everyone from urban survivalist to the hard core emergency prepper. We have Gas Masks, Survival food and much more available.
If you are looking for information on Doomsday Bunkers and how to build shelters, check out http://www.doomsday-bunkers.net

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A Beltane Ritual

A Beltane Ritual (Solitary - Kemetic Wiccan)
In Ancient Egyptian ritual magick, the four directions of north, south, east, and west have their own correspondences just as the Craft does within space and time. These directions can be viewed as a semi-circle line formed from the rising sun (Ra or Re) in the east to the sunset of the west. Egypt's physical geography represents the North-South axis where the River Nile flows from south to north, rising in the Eastern Highlands of Egypt, and ending in the northern Nile Delta where it meets with the Mediterranean Sea. South is the source of the Nile's mighty energies and mysticism.
In contrast with the practice of the Craft, ritual usually begins by facing either north or east; for the Ancient Egyptians, it was south.
Kemetic Symbolism:

• Hapi: North - Lower Egypt -- Papyrus plant
• Qebehsenuef: East - Sunrise (rebirth)
• Duamutef: South - Upper Egypt -- Lotus flower or plant
• Imseti: West - Sunset

Craft Symbolism:

• North - Earth
• South - Fire
• East - Air
• West - Water

Aether (Spirit): Isis, Bast, Sekhmet, Horus, Osiris, Ra, Thoth, Geb, or deity (deities) of your choice since we are meshing the Craft with Kemeticism.
It has been said that the Festival of Hathor & Horus was the wedding between Hathor and Horus but took place some time in mid-May not on May 1st. May 1st was the day adopted by early Cunning Folk in Britain. And in some locales, Beltane is celebrated from April 30th to May 5th.
PREPARATION:
1. Dress in a kaftan (caftan) or ritual garb of your choice.
2. Prepare your temple, altar, or sacred space for ritual and/or ceremony by purifying or cleansing your temple, altar, or sacred space by any method of your choice.
3. Gather your offerings and place them on your altar.
4. You will need a sistrum, two candles (representing Hathor and Horus), incense, Egyptian artifacts, and your usual ritual tools. For those of you who can perform this outdoors, then rally and dance around your maypole and bonfire in glee and merriment.
5. Optional - Facing south, cast your circle.
6. Prepare or get cakes, fruits, foods, and libations for your post-ritual celebration.
7. Feel free to vary this ritual to your own practice.
TIME OF DAY:
In Ancient Egypt, sunrise or dawn was considered the most important time of day to perform spiritual rituals and ceremonies.

• Sunrise or Dawn is dedicated to Horus.
• Midday or Noon is dedicated to Ra.
• Sunset or Dusk is dedicated to Hathor.
• Midnight is dedicated to Nut.

* * * * *∞ THE RITUAL ∞
Priest or Priestess:
Call upon the presence of Hathor and Horus (both as the spirit entity), Duamutef (south), Hapi (north), Qebehsenuef (east), Imseti (west) by reciting:
"I conjure thee Hathor and Horus, Duamutef of southern watchtower, Hapi of the northern watchtower, Qebehsenuef of the eastern watchtower, Imseti of the western watchtower."
[Visualize and meditate as you're doing this in order to connect with these deities]
[Shake sistrum.]
[Light the two candles.]
Priest or Priestess recites:
"Hail to all for your presence and your blessings of goodwill throughout this ceremony, for this is the height of Spring and the flowering of life, O Beltane!"
[Light the incense.]
"I am purified with natron; thus I am pure, and pure are the words which come forth from my mouth-ii-wy em hotep!"
"Goddess Hathor, the gentler sister of Sekhmet, I welcome the love and light you bring and allow it to shed away all pain, sorrow, and regrets for what has not been fulfilled-bring joy in what has been done. Lord Horus, hawk of dawn, may your shining eye bring rays of light, health, hope, and good fortune as the day is renewed."
[Shake sistrum.]
Priest or Priestess recites:
"O Beltane, O Beltane,I dance with delight in the twilight o' the Beltane night.
Hathor of the west and Horus of the east,
May I awake renewed in peace."
[Shake sistrum.]
Priest or Priestess:
[At this point, prance or walk Deosil around the circle three times, spiraling inward and toward the center.]
[If you created a fire in your cauldron upon your altar, then extinguish it at this time.]
[Shake sistrum.]
Priest or Priestess recites in closing:
"In praise of thee shining Eye of Horus and of thee Great Lady Hathor and their eternal union, Blesséd Be."
[Shake sistrum.]
[Thank the deities for their attendance and help during this rite; bid them farewell, then banish the circle if you have cast one.]
~ Go celebrate in the Light of the Ancient Egyptian Pantheon, the Lady & Lord ~

Dr. Sahure is a practicing Alternative Spiritualist, ordained Kemetic Wiccan minister and Spiritual Counselor, traditional herbalist, senior researcher with the Antiquus Research Group and the author of many noteworthy essays and articles about a variety of topics and subjects, including herbalism, ancient history and mythology, ancient Egyptian religion (Kemeticism), metaphysical sciences, ancient religions and theology, astrology, tarot, and other divination systems. Dr. Sahure holds doctorate degrees in Metaphysical Science (Msc.D., D.Met.), Theology (Th.D.), and Divinity (D.D.). Visit his Applied Occult Metaphysics eGroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Applied_Occult_Metaphysics and his online Mystic Owl Curio shoppe at [http://www.mysticowlcurio.com]

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How to Use a Cast Iron Cauldron

Cauldron History
Cauldrons have long been used within Wicca and witchcraft for many different purposes and from ancient times to current the cauldron continues to be a main stay within the craft.
So what makes a cauldron such a vital tool within Wicca and witchcraft? Well there are many different roles a cauldron can be used for anything from cooking, to being used as incense burners, or even as a fire resistance pit for burning items for rituals and spells.
In Wicca a cauldron symbolizes the womb of the Goddess and can also represent rebirth and purification through fire. The cauldron is considered a sacred vessel to the Goddess and so many individuals within the craft favor using it for this purpose.
In Celtic influenced Wicca the cauldron represents the goddess Cerridwen and Celtic legend also tells of a cauldron that was useful to warring armies: dead warriors could be put into the cauldron and would be returned to life, save that they lacked the power of speech. It was suspected that they lacked souls. These warriors could go back into battle until they were killed again.
Cauldrons In General
Almost all cauldrons are made from cast iron as this material is highly resilient to fire and will not burn or be damaged from the flames like other materials. Cast iron is also durable and strong and if properly kept clean and dried out after use will not rust that easily like other metals.
Many cauldrons come with lids and a metal handle useful for carrying and transporting them around either full or empty and the lids will protect the user from and the contents inside much like modern pots being used on the stove.
Cauldrons are excellent for cooking over camp fires or fire places and for centuries humans have used them to cook anything from stews and soups, to meat and beans.
Cauldrons can also be used as incense burners when granular or powder incense is burned within the cauldron. If charcoal and incense are placed within a cauldron and lit the incense will begin to burn and smoke and there is no fear of the heat or fire breaking loose out of the cauldron as the cast iron holds and absorbs the heat extremely well leaving one with a pleasant burning incense for quite some time until it burns out.
Cauldrons in Rituals
For ages within witchcraft and Wicca the cauldron has been used for rituals and spell use. Not only are cauldrons excellent tools because you can use fire safely but they also allow for a myriad of different ingredients and items to be burned in a ritual at the same time. Cauldrons are also well adapted at being used for scrying once filled with water. Below is an example scrying ritual to perform with your cauldron.
Example cauldron ritual and spell:
Fill a cauldron or large, black iron pot half-full of fresh water. Add a handful of Buttercup or Marigold petals. Light incense of Sage (also used for protection) or burn some Thyme. Stir the cauldron/pot gently three times while chanting: Into the threads of time I cast my thoughts, To catch a glimpse of what will be! O' Gods of Asgard, bring into my mind, The lovely gift of prophecy! Look deep into the cauldron and wait for visions to unfold. You don't request insight into any particular matter using this method.
Cauldrons For the Elements
EARTH Cauldron
Layer salt, wax shavings, three powdered or ground herbs, lighter fluid and ivy leaves in the cauldron while focus and chanting. Use a candle to light it. When the smoke starts to roll, extinguish the cauldron by putting the lid on.
AIR Cauldron
Using tongs, put a chunk of dry ice is a small glass or ceramic bowl and place the bowl on a cloth in the bottom of the cauldron. Allow the cauldron to smoke as long as the ice lasts. The mists create excellent images for scrying.
FIRE Cauldron
Cover the inside bottom with dirt or sand to dissipate heat. Light incense charcoal and add either salt-peter for flame and spark or flash powder for a different but spectacular effect. To assist in releasing or firing off peak energy, try using flash "bombs". Make a small pocket in a piece of flash paper, fill with flash powder and tie with thread. The "bomb" should be about the size of your smallest fingernail. The results are spectacularly bright, so use the powder sparingly. Don't look directly at the flash as you drop the "bomb" in the cauldron.
WATER Cauldron
At least seven days before the ritual, place equal quantities of three appropriate herbs in a pint glass jar. Fill the rest of the jar with Everclear (200 proof alcohol), cap tightly, and shake gently while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Add a chant if its feels right. Let the jar rest in a dark, warm spot and shake twice daily, charging with purpose. Before the ritual, place a fireproof ceramic or glass bowl in the cauldron. Pour in the herb mixture, being careful none spills into the cauldron. Light with a candle to produce a beautiful blue flame.
The cauldron, as the fifth elemental spirit, symbolizes inspiration, rebirth, illumination and rejuvenation. Use a Fire cauldron with salt-peter to cast a Circle. Use the mists of an Air cauldron for an initiation. Burn away hate, prejudice and negative self-images, with a Water cauldron. The Earth cauldron is ideal for indoor Beltane rites.

This article was originally published on the Wiccan & WitchCraft Information Blog
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Moon's Light Magic is a leading resource in anything Wiccan, witchcraft, the occult, new age, and metaphysical http://www.moonslightmagic.com.

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Beltane - The Witch's May Day

Beltane (AKA May Day) is one of the most important of the witch's sabbats, second only to Samhain (Halloween!) in both status and merriment. It is still celebrated as a spring festival in many places around the world but its ancient roots are Celtic, hailing from Co. Meath in Ireland. It is traditionally a fire festival due to the act of burning 9 different types of wood and then bringing the cattle out from the barns to pasture for the first time of the year, passing them through the pyres as they went. This ritual was to cleanse, heal and protect them which, it was believed, would improve their milk yield for that year. Beltane's meaning is actually fires of Bel (who was the Celtic deity worshipped.)
From these origins, the customs and rituals extended and widened, shifting the emphasis more to fertility. One of these traditions is probably the most iconic symbols of the day worldwide - the may pole. Ribbons of red and white are tied to a pole in the ground and weaved in and out to make particular patterns, usually by the young women of the community. This is a celebration of love and pleasure, helping (and hoping!) to increase fertility along the way.
The Wicca/Witch Sabbat of Beltane
To Wiccans and witches, this has become a very important time to honour the gifts we receive from the natural world around us. It is  the beginning of the light half of the year and astronomically a cross quarter day between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. The spark and energy around us at this time of year, one which tends to dampen during the bleak, colder months, comes back to us. It is perfect for being harnessed for spell work and giving them new vigour .
How to Celebrate Beltane
One the first things you must do on Beltane morn is to wake up early and wash your face in the early dew. This was originally thought to give you beauty all year round. But it is an opportunity to really get close to nature and experience the simple joy and calm of being at one with it. Feel the coolness of the gentle breeze or absorb the warmth with the morning sun as it rises. Really experience the earth beneath your feet and breath in the vital air. Engross yourself in the moment!
To mark this fire festival, you can build a bonfire or have a fire of some kind going throughout the day. Many Wiccans, covens or worshippers carry out a fire vigil, starting on Beltane eve but if this is not possible you can always burn a candle to honour the day. In particular, silver candles represent fertility. However, some dedicated followers have even been know to build a small fire in their cauldron! Please, of course, don't leave it unattended if you do this and don't overdo the burning materials inside it. But nevertheless it is a heart warming sight.
But as well as a festival of fire, Beltane is seen as a festival of flowers. Baskets of flowers were made, either for decoration or even as part of a ritual or ceremony. Hawthorn is the flower of the day and legend has it that this is the only time of year that it is ok to bring it indoors without risking bringing bad luck upon yourself. It was usually worn by the May Queen, a young girl chosen to represent the day.
You can also use incense and herbs, either as part of your ritual or in your home (incense for if the bonfire is not practical). Associated with Beltane are - angelica, frankincense, hawthorn, lilac and rose.
However, your chief priority should not necessarily be how you celebrate but instead the feelings, awareness and connectivity with your surroundings that you experience. The meaning of this time of year may be less relevant to our daily lives than when the festival first began but the sense of harmony and even excitement can be cherished all the same.

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Blessings!
Fran x