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Guardian Spirits

In ancient Rome, small towers were erected at crossroads to house the Lares Compitalicii, guardian spirits to whom offerings were left. The shrines provided a focus for the religious and social life of their community, particularly for the lower classes. This may be the origin of the concept of Watchtowers in Western magic. There were many different types of Lares, or guardian spirits, in ancient Rome. The concept of familiar spirits may be based on the Lares Familiares, guardian spirits of the household. A shrine was usually kept to the household Lar near the hearth or in a corner of the atrium, in the form of a cupboard or niche containing a small statue or painting. The familiar spirits were called upon as witnesses for important family occasions such as coming-of-age rituals, marriages, births and adoptions. Offerings such as spelt wheat and grain-garlands, honey cakes and honeycombs, grapes and first fruits, wine and incense were presented to the Lares. If any food fell on the floor during a banquet, it was deemed property of the Lares. The Lares were regarded as cthonic ancestral spirits who could be helpful and protective to those who paid tribute to them, but malevolent to those who neglected them.

Do you ever feel like there is a guardian spirit protecting an area? Do some places feel more "alive" than others? Does every place have a certain "energy" about it, or qualities that give it some "personality"? I think if we take the time to acknowledge the "feel" of a space, we can get some idea of the inherent "character". Your own home is probably the best place to start, but the street you're on and the wider neighbourhood should also be considered. How does it feel to you? How do other people feel about the area? Do we love the place we live in, or do we just tolerate it? What kind of relationship do we have with the immediate environment?

These are all questions I've been tackling since I moved to Weymouth. I knew when I moved here that it felt right, and it just called to me in a way that I couldn't deny. I don't know if you've ever gone to view a property and just got that feeling like it's the right place for you? Is it ok to go off gut instinct when making such huge decisions? I usually trust my instincts and go with it. Of course we need to think rationally about our choices, but the emotions are also very important, and indicate a deeper wisdom within us.

Once I moved into my new place, I straight away got a sense of a "guardian spirit" who wanted to make sure I would take good care of the building. The house is a couple of hundred years old, so it's seen plenty of people come and go. What kind of impression had each inhabitant made? How would the history of the place affect me? I think a happy home relies on care and respect. If we keep the "spirit" of the place happy, then the spirit will keep us happy too.

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