As a witch I am drawn to mythology and ancient gods and goddesses. Which ones do I worship? I believe that there is energy in all things and that energy originates from 'The All'. The All, in my opinion is much like someone worshiping in a mono theological religion. In nature though there is balance a female and male, yin and yang. The goddess and her consort, the god. for me, this is pretty much where it ends, I believe that all mythology stems from these two energies. All female goddesses come from the female half and all male gods come from the male half.
I accept that there are 3 facets of the goddess (and of the god, who ages in his own way) the maiden, the mother and the crone. So when I am being motherly and protecting my children, I call upon the goddesses who fall into the motherly aspect of the goddess. When I am doing a love spell, I call upon the love goddesses, all still the same original goddess but focused intent. Much like lighting a red candle and red ribbons.. it is all about focused intent.
What goddesses I am drawn to depends on that intent. I do enjoy specific goddesses' mythologies, like Kali for example I love her. And Gaia is one that I can focus on in regards to nature and mothering. I am drawn to Ireland and the Tuatha de Dannan.
Over the coarse of my path I have changed directions many times. I have studied every type of mythology even dabbled for quite awhile in the Christian Mythos and became a christian witch. That worked for me for awhile but still felt wrong in my heart. I cannot embrace the christian thing it always felt wrong for me, I knew I was destined for something different and now I am trying to figure out how to share this all with my kids. I wanted to make religion something they had to work for, research every religion and decide which path is right for you. My son keeps wanting to say grace and he asks me about heaven, which I know is because the family is christian and he hears things. He is curious about church and I am fine with that but I want him to know that his family is not christian. Believing in that is fine but he should learn his parents religion, and since my husband doesn't really lay claim to a deity I think it is important for me to explain mine to him.
I do not want for him to be judged or bullied by family or friends because we are not the mainstream religion but what if we were Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhists? I should not feel apprehension about what others will think of him but i think the worst of it would come from family and i don't want him to feel uncomfortable believing in whatever it is he chooses. But i don't want him predisposed to Christianity when we are not christian.
I hope the answers come and maybe in the spring we will go for nature walks and talk about the energies of nature.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Past lives, Deja Vu, and Intuition
Today I felt like dancing, I love to dance but always feel self conscience about it. I love jazz and swing, hip hop, Bollywood, every kind of dance. I wanted to dance so much I could feel it in every muscle in my body. I did not dance because I was in the car but it was almost painful to stop it. Which made me think about the possibility of me being a dancer in a past life. I am not a dancer in this life, I am not even remotely fit enough to dance...
I am also very drawn to the 20's- 40's I love history and the fashion, etc. So maybe I could have been a dancer in a past life. Possibly in the 20's - 40's.
Is there anything that you guys are drawn to with such a personal passion that it cannot be explained?
I am also very drawn to the 20's- 40's I love history and the fashion, etc. So maybe I could have been a dancer in a past life. Possibly in the 20's - 40's.
Is there anything that you guys are drawn to with such a personal passion that it cannot be explained?
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Eating with the wheel of the year
In yet another article I read they spoke about buying and eating locally. Not just fruits and veggies but honey, fish, herbs, etc.
They explain that the life force of the foods (and flavor) die out and mix with the odors and poisons (carbon monoxide) of the trucks hauling it.
If u shop at farmers markets or grow your own you not only connect with nature but you can eat the foods that were meant for us to eat seasonally.
Fresh fruits during the summer are abundant and hearty soups and homemade bread during the winter. Canning, freezing, pickling, drying, etc. to help preserve foods for the winter.
Also with more natural foods you feel better, cutting out the preservatives and high sodium packed into our everyday grocery buys brings our bodies down.
This is a lesson that I am learning slowly. Now to get my kids to eat a vegetable...
They explain that the life force of the foods (and flavor) die out and mix with the odors and poisons (carbon monoxide) of the trucks hauling it.
If u shop at farmers markets or grow your own you not only connect with nature but you can eat the foods that were meant for us to eat seasonally.
Fresh fruits during the summer are abundant and hearty soups and homemade bread during the winter. Canning, freezing, pickling, drying, etc. to help preserve foods for the winter.
Also with more natural foods you feel better, cutting out the preservatives and high sodium packed into our everyday grocery buys brings our bodies down.
This is a lesson that I am learning slowly. Now to get my kids to eat a vegetable...
I have been reading an article about palmistry, something that I never actually tried to master but this article made it very simplified. It fascinates me how different palms can be and yet how close the information is for the person. As with most divination techniques I know its all symbolism and vague but when you know the person's situation and the palm reflects it.. it is neat. I want to read more palms, post your palm pics on here.. just tell me if it is left or right or better yet give me both. I want to practice <3
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Divination and Messages
I was reading an article about bird messengers and it listed birds and what each one means and it got me thinking. It says for "crows" that people are working against you and to be wary. Which may be true for some people but when I see crows I either think of my friend who is obscessed with them or my daughter who's name is Raevynne. To me crows are not a bad omen but a happy nod from the gods.
That is the same with interpreting dreams and tarot reading. Many so called tarot card readers will tell you this spread means that you will.... or be careful because of.....
When I read tarot I tell the asker what the card's symbology actually is. It is up to the asker what the symbology means to them personally. With dreams, it is the same, one person may relate differently to a symbol than another. Be careful when you read people that you don't assume things that may be incorrect readings and symbols are personal in different ways.
That is the same with interpreting dreams and tarot reading. Many so called tarot card readers will tell you this spread means that you will.... or be careful because of.....
When I read tarot I tell the asker what the card's symbology actually is. It is up to the asker what the symbology means to them personally. With dreams, it is the same, one person may relate differently to a symbol than another. Be careful when you read people that you don't assume things that may be incorrect readings and symbols are personal in different ways.
Nature Journal
One of the easiest ways to connect with nature is creating a nature journal.
Making a nature journal is simple, fun, and educational. Children can help and learn about their world, you can teach about the Goddess and you can connect with your surroundings. All you need is a journal (I like the composition books) some glue or tape, a pen (or if you want to be.. fancy a quill and ink) and creativity.
Find a nice spot where you can focus and sit, listen to your surroundings. Write down what you hear, the rustling of the trees, a snapped twig, a squirrel scurrying or birds chirping. You can also collect leaves or plants and research them to see what they are and any uses for them. Or, you can take pictures of them and leave the plants in their natural home. Take a moment and observe. It is hard for us to just stop for a minute and observe the world around us. Of course use caution and do not ingest anything, be careful of poison plants and ticks. Use common sense so you do not get hurt.
Connecting with nature is as simple as taking a walk and being aware of the things around you. Taking a deep breath of fresh air and take in the natural energies around you. Those energies are rejuvenating and refreshing and they will help reduce stress.
Take a moment everyday to meditate outside, or take time whenever you can and go for a nature walk and observe. Your journal can be whatever you want it to be. But whatever it is, have fun with it make it special.
Making a nature journal is simple, fun, and educational. Children can help and learn about their world, you can teach about the Goddess and you can connect with your surroundings. All you need is a journal (I like the composition books) some glue or tape, a pen (or if you want to be.. fancy a quill and ink) and creativity.
Find a nice spot where you can focus and sit, listen to your surroundings. Write down what you hear, the rustling of the trees, a snapped twig, a squirrel scurrying or birds chirping. You can also collect leaves or plants and research them to see what they are and any uses for them. Or, you can take pictures of them and leave the plants in their natural home. Take a moment and observe. It is hard for us to just stop for a minute and observe the world around us. Of course use caution and do not ingest anything, be careful of poison plants and ticks. Use common sense so you do not get hurt.
Connecting with nature is as simple as taking a walk and being aware of the things around you. Taking a deep breath of fresh air and take in the natural energies around you. Those energies are rejuvenating and refreshing and they will help reduce stress.
Take a moment everyday to meditate outside, or take time whenever you can and go for a nature walk and observe. Your journal can be whatever you want it to be. But whatever it is, have fun with it make it special.
Monday, February 13, 2012
City Kids and Mother Earth by: James Kambos
I decided to start from the beginning of last year's (2011) Magical Almanac and talk about the articles within. The first is a nice explanation of ways that city people can still connect with Mother Earth. The author explains how in this day and age of technology we should take a moment and get back to our magickal roots and how to teach our children how to connect with the Earth also.
The first suggestion was to have your children help prepare meals, which in theory will have them want to eat the food that they create. ( in my case, if it involves a vegetable is a "No thanks mommy, you can eat it. I made it for you" ) He goes on to say that they can measure ingredients and set the table.
I would like to add to this when preparing food, setting the table, measuring ingredients, and growing/harvesting herbs and vegetables they can learn how to put their inner energies into it. "Made with love" could also be "Made with focused intent." Even those city witches that want to make a special dinner with a spouse or friends, close your eyes while you stir it send loving intent into your food. Charge it with energies of what it is intended for.
His second suggestion is getting dirty, this is where the author goes into detail about flowers, vegetables, plants and herbs. A small pot or window garden is still enough to get back to Mother Earth.
The next suggestion is "Visit a fair", in the autumn there are many apple and pumpkin type festivities and a nice outing to reconnect with the season. You may also visit local fairs featuring home made pies and "biggest vegetable" contests.
In the city though these fairs are harder to find, you would have to go further out into rural communities but a farmers market has home grown and home made goods along with an outing to the local zoo, museum, or nature path.
His next suggestion, and one of my favorites is "decorate with nature", pick up leaves, rocks, branches, flowers, etc. and make something nice out of them. Those of you lucky enough to have a porch can decorate it with the seasons. Vibrant flowers for spring, Sunflowers and seashells for summer, corn stalks and pumpkins for autumn, and poinsettias for winter just to name some ideas.
In closing he says one very important thing. "Do not forget to thank Mother Earth and I completely agree.
Even if you live in the city there are hints of nature all around you. The bee you just swatted away from your latte, that is the Mother reminding you of her. You do not have to hold rituals every full moon and dance naked in the moonlight to be a witch. If you do that it seems like it could be wicked fun and more power to you. In my opinion and path all you have to do is take a second to think about the colors on the bird's wing that just flew past your window. Or the squirrel in the park that comes closer to you everyday hoping for a piece of bread. That is what it is like to be a witch, that connection with the Earth and all of its creatures. That energy that you feel when the sun hits you or when the breeze cools you just as you stop to take a break from walking. That connection, no matter where you are, is the path.
The first suggestion was to have your children help prepare meals, which in theory will have them want to eat the food that they create. ( in my case, if it involves a vegetable is a "No thanks mommy, you can eat it. I made it for you" ) He goes on to say that they can measure ingredients and set the table.
I would like to add to this when preparing food, setting the table, measuring ingredients, and growing/harvesting herbs and vegetables they can learn how to put their inner energies into it. "Made with love" could also be "Made with focused intent." Even those city witches that want to make a special dinner with a spouse or friends, close your eyes while you stir it send loving intent into your food. Charge it with energies of what it is intended for.
His second suggestion is getting dirty, this is where the author goes into detail about flowers, vegetables, plants and herbs. A small pot or window garden is still enough to get back to Mother Earth.
The next suggestion is "Visit a fair", in the autumn there are many apple and pumpkin type festivities and a nice outing to reconnect with the season. You may also visit local fairs featuring home made pies and "biggest vegetable" contests.
In the city though these fairs are harder to find, you would have to go further out into rural communities but a farmers market has home grown and home made goods along with an outing to the local zoo, museum, or nature path.
His next suggestion, and one of my favorites is "decorate with nature", pick up leaves, rocks, branches, flowers, etc. and make something nice out of them. Those of you lucky enough to have a porch can decorate it with the seasons. Vibrant flowers for spring, Sunflowers and seashells for summer, corn stalks and pumpkins for autumn, and poinsettias for winter just to name some ideas.
In closing he says one very important thing. "Do not forget to thank Mother Earth and I completely agree.
Even if you live in the city there are hints of nature all around you. The bee you just swatted away from your latte, that is the Mother reminding you of her. You do not have to hold rituals every full moon and dance naked in the moonlight to be a witch. If you do that it seems like it could be wicked fun and more power to you. In my opinion and path all you have to do is take a second to think about the colors on the bird's wing that just flew past your window. Or the squirrel in the park that comes closer to you everyday hoping for a piece of bread. That is what it is like to be a witch, that connection with the Earth and all of its creatures. That energy that you feel when the sun hits you or when the breeze cools you just as you stop to take a break from walking. That connection, no matter where you are, is the path.
Walking the Path
For the last 20 years I have been a witch. I truly believe I was always a witch just never knew it until I was introduced to it. I have studied all sorts of religions and throughout the years made the most amazing hand written Grimoire. But where does one go from there? Websites will teach you wicca 101, they will tell you folklore or the names of the gods but for intermediate or advanced things you are on your own. Some people, from here join a coven and that is fine. I started a coven and it worked for awhile but I am better working alone or with a friend. Further study can be the study of herbs and plants, sacred trees, divination, etc. I have and still do all of that. in this blog I will occasionally put that information. I also like to read the witches almanac and will start discussions here on those articles. I hope you enjoy it.
Rav
Rav
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