How Witches Create Something New and Let Go of the Old

“I think I’m going to need to move to another state to get a new job,” my friend, Samantha, said.

“How do you feel about that?” I asked.

“I’m really scared to do it because my support system is here,” she said.

I can relate to Samantha’s dilemma.

I am reminded of this quote:

If you want to become full, let yourself be empty. If you want to be reborn, let yourself die. If you want to be given everything, give up everything. – Lao Tzu

I notice that many of us want something more or different. But we can’t fit in new stuff if we don’t have any space.

Empty your teacup.

A classic story includes a Zen monk who invites a reporter to share a cup of tea.

The reporter says that he wants to learn something new from the monk.

The monk places a teacup in front of the reporter. The monk pours tea into the cup.

He keeps pouring until tea spills from the cup to the table and to the mat below.

“Stop!” the reporter shouts.

The monk says, “You, Sir, are like the cup. So full that nothing new can be added. First, you must empty your cup.”

How does this apply to our journey as a witch?

Sometimes, I see certain individuals who cling too tightly to only one way to do a ritual or magick.

Learning new things is good. But we may be stuck and have too much tea in us. We need to empty our minds (“cups”) of preconceived notions of our subject matter.

If you want to learn new techniques in magick, you may want to consciously empty your teacup.

Look to nature.

Like the teacup example, nature brings us new perceptions.

Look at the seasons. There is growth and death.

Lao Tzu’s quote includes: “If you want to be reborn, let yourself die.”

Notice that in nature, through the seasons, we see some letting go.

At this time of Samhain, death is a vivid topic. When we get incarnated, our soul is implanted into a body—just like a seed is planted in the earth. Our soul grows like our body.

The body takes in nutrients as the soul takes in new experiences. Each grows until one day we die. Our soul is returned to the Summerlands for rest and rejuvenation. When ready, the soul is reincarnated, that is, planted into a new body.

Many of us nod our heads and say, “That sounds appropriate.”

In our lives, we have cycles that seem to involve “a small death.”

Your romantic relationship may be flourishing. However, at the same time, your work may require you to let go. To leave a job can feel like a form of death. You lose part of your daily life and, perhaps, part of your identity.

Let’s remember to be reborn, we’re often required to let go.

Remember the Goddess’s Words

“For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and mine also is joy on earth; for my Law is Love unto all Beings…

For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth; and mine is the Cup of the Wine of Life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality.

I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart. Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before.” – The Goddess, speaking through the writings of Doreen Valiente

The Goddess inspires us to let go of the fear of death. And in turn, she is encouraging us to let go and experience the “small deaths.” She tells us “I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal” so we need not fear death. We will become new again because we are eternal.

In our daily lives, decisions can weigh heavily upon us.

Consider doing a ritual or having a meditation session so you can invite the Goddess to show your personal path of letting go and being reborn into your next chapter of life.

Will you rise up in a new home, a new job, new friendships? The path forward involves letting go of the familiar and welcoming the new.

May these insights support your journey.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater