Ganesh is an elephant-headed deity who removes obstacles for anyone who asks for his help. He is the Hindu god of prosperity and wisdom, who also assists with writing and art projects. Many different stories abound that explain why Ganesh has an elephant's head. In most stories, Ganesh lost his head (perhaps because of his father's anger), and Ganesh's mother took the first head that she could find—a baby elephant's—and placed it on her son's neck.

In Hinduism, Ganesh is the first deity contacted during prayers. It's recommended that you invoke Ganesh prior to conducting a ceremony, engaging in writing, or before any endeavor in which you want to succeed.

Ganesh is extremely loving, sweet, polite, and gentle, yet also very strong. He's large enough to blaze trails ahead of you so that your path is clear, but he's also so filled with love and sweetness that you don't have to worry that his brute strength could turn against you. He's analogous to Archangel Michael, in that he's a loving and loyal protective force. Ganesh is called "the Remover of Obstacles" because he mows down any blocks that could stand in his path. Think of a tame elephant walking ahead of you on a trail, trampling brush so that your way is clear. That is Ganesh.

I was having difficulty at airports at one time because security guards kept stopping me to open and search my carry-on bags. Since my husband and I travel nearly every weekend, I quickly grew weary of these frequent suitcase searches. I wanted the security personnel to ignore me and just let me through without stopping me. So, I placed a small statue of Ganesh in my carry-on bag. From that moment on, my bags were never again searched.

Ganesh immediately comes to those who call upon him. For example, I was on the telephone talking with my friend Johnna following the death of her mother. I was consoling her when I suddenly saw a clairvoyant image of Ganesh next to her. I said, "Johnna, did you call on Ganesh?" And she answered, "Yes! I'm wearing a necklace with a medal-Jon of Ganesh on it. I've been rubbing the picture all day, calling for Ganesh to be with me."

Ganesh says, "I see all obstacles as being surmountable; in fact, I don't see obstacles at all, and that's the point: All barriers in your path are self-imposed. They represent your decision to be afraid of moving forward. You cast your fear outward by projecting thoughts into the future, worried that either this or that may occur. Your worries about the future have created blocks and boogeymen that you will meet on your future path. But don't worry—since they’re your own creation, you can will them away.

"Ask me to assist, and I puncture the balloons of dark illusions. Even if you've managed to manifest a worst-case scenario, call upon me to heal and guide you. All thought-forms are on a level playing field, and no matter how dire the appearance, they're all equally surmountable. I plow through them all quite easily with my unwavering faith in 'all good, all love.' That's the only power that exists. The rest are all unreal illusions. Let them go and know the truth of all situations: God and love always prevail."

Helps with:

• Abundance
• Artistic projects
• Household peace and harmony
• Obstacles, removing and avoiding
• Wisdom issues
• Writing

If you're unfamiliar with how Ganesh looks, find a picture of him in a book or on the Internet. Once you're familiar with his visage, it's easy to call upon him by visualizing him in your mind and saying: