Dear Dreamers,

Happy Halloween! And happy sweet sixteen(th) edition of Cowboy Clairvoyant! By the time you read this it will neither be Halloween nor October, but let’s stay in this space awhile, you and I. To round out the spooky season, I’ve been reading Old Soul by Susan Barker, The Captive by Kit Burgoyne, and Spread Me by Sarah Gailey. I’ve been listening to The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall, Everybody Scream by Florence + The Machine, and Forever Lover (永远的爱人) by Chinese American Bear. I’ve been looking at camping spots. I’ve been making out.

How’s your October been?

Sending you good dreams,
Cowboy

Queer Dream Interpretation: What Does it Mean When You Dream About Going Back To School?

I (28, trans masc non binary) have had recurring nightmares about having to go back to school (both high school AND college) because I missed one class and I’m always late and forget what I am supposed to work on! I graduated high school 10 years ago and college 4 years ago. – Beks L

Dear Beks L,

Thank you for the gift of your dream. Also, not to make this about me in any way, but I identify with this SO MUCH. I, too, have had recurring nightmares about being forced to return to high school at my present age, and it’s always awful and terrible and, when I wake up, I swear that even if that did happen I wouldn’t go back. They couldn’t make me.

That said, when I think of any dream that involves an unwelcome return, or a forced return, I think not specifically of the time one returns to, but, simply, the feeling the return makes us confront. In your case, and in my case, it is an uneasy feeling. A painful one. It also points to something in your past (not even in high school and college, for we must observe these times mystically speaking as transitory arcs), that has yet to be resolved. It can even be one thing, as simple as a missed class.

Cast your gaze backwards. What keeps you on the hook? What have you shoved down? What haunts you? Name it. Call it specifically. Bring it forward.

That’s a big ask, I know, but fear not my friend. To point you in the right direction, I consulted the Tarot. For you, I pulled THE CHARIOT, who asks you to remember those times you could have been bold and were not. When your clarity was not what it is now. When you cut corners, and when you did not take the correct path. Why does this return you to past states? Why can’t you forgive yourself for it? Look closely. The answer might surprise you.

See you on the Other Side,
CC

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Cowboy Clairvoyant’s Guide To a Cord Cutting Ceremony

You may have heard of a Cord Cutting Ceremony before. Or perhaps you’ve seen one performed on the internet and taken an interest. Or maybe you’re just reading and thinking, I wonder what that kooky Cowboy comes up with next. No matter where you’re coming from, though, I’m glad you’re here, and I’m happy to introduce to you my own version of the cord cutting ceremony, one that I hope you use if you need to.

The cord cutting ceremony (or ritual), in short, is a ceremony that aims to symbolically (and spiritually/energetically) sever the ties that bind you to someone, to something, to an idea, that does not serve your higher purpose and may even harm you to some extent. Some practitioners use this as a form of divination, to see how close this someone/something is actually to you, but in this case, and with this ceremony, the intent is to sever, to cut.

MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED: 

• Two small candle sticks/tapered candles (Note: white candles are the catchall candle, but you can also use one black and one white, etc.)
• String or twine
• Matches or a lighter
• A pen or pencil
• Scissors

STEP ONE: As always, start with cleansing yourself and your space. Take this time to meditate and center yourself. There is no rush.

STEP TWO: Gather your materials. Carve your name into one candle, or in some way designate that it represents you, and do the same with the other candle, whether it represents a person, etc. Use the string or twine to tie the two candle wicks together. Then, while holding “your” candle picture your energy going into it and floating upward. You can even picture yourself floating above it, if that helps.

Then, holding the other candle, picture whoever or whatever it represents going inside of it, as well.

STEP THREE: Place your candles where they should be lit. I recommend putting down something to catch any ash, such as tin foil. Take your match or lighter and light the candle that is “yours,” say, I light this candle with the intent to sever, but never harm. I welcome peace and goodness.

STEP FOUR: Light the other candle directly after this. Say once more: I light this candle with the intent to sever, but never harm. I release you.

STEP FIVE: Take some deep breaths. In and out, cleansing breaths. Wait for the candle to burn down, taking the twine with it, and “severing” the connection. However, this can take some time, so if you are on a time crunch or otherwise don’t have the space for the candles for too long, etc. You can take the scissors in your hands, and, once more, say: I sever this connection. So be it.

Then, you’re free to cut the cord and blow out the candles. As long as the cord is in some way severed, the ceremony is complete.

STEP SIX: Cleanse yourself and your space once more. Thank someone, even if it’s yourself.  Dispose of your materials. Go in peace.

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