Which Self Do You Want to Protect? (A Witch’s Perspective)

“Just about every day, I get hit by fear of a bad future,” I said.
“About what?” asked one of my spiritual elders.
“Not having enough money. Losing the place where my husband and I live,” I said.
“What do you want?”
“I want to feel safe,” I said.

Later, I reflected on this.

First, let’s start with this question:

What do you want?

One of my husband’s friends coaches clients to have better lives.

This coach said, “Many of us are preoccupied with ‘self-preservation.’”

In my conversation with one of my spiritual elders, this idea arose: “Which self are you trying to preserve?”

Is it the ego-self? The part that’s full of fear?
Is it the artist self? The part that’s all about expressing your thoughts and feelings?
Is it the divine self that the God and Goddess gave you?

I have shared on this blog before my direct experience of when I first met the God and the Goddess. In Their Presence, I felt Their total love and acceptance of me. That felt completely different from how I felt every day when I was 16 years old.

As I look back upon that moment, I realize that it was a revelation. That I was loved. It did not matter what my genetically related family members were like. I have a Spiritual Family.

I recall this quote:

We ask no Heaven, we fear no Hell,
Nor mourn our outcast lot,
Treading the mazes of a spell
By priests and men forgot.”

― Gerald B. Gardner, The Meaning of Witchcraft

We Wiccans can go beyond the “outcast lot.”

I am a 3rd Degree Wiccan Witch of the Gardnerian Tradition.

I realize that I can make an internal shift to my Divine Self. That’s my Essence as given to me by the God and Goddess, I do not have to fall into a “small self” that might want to be elsewhere.

“That perhaps is at the core of Wicca—it is a joyous union with nature. The earth is a manifestation of divine energy. Wicca’s temples are flower-splashed meadows, forests, beaches, and deserts. When a Wicca is outdoors, she or he is actually surrounded by sanctity.” – Scott Cunningham

So, when you look to preserve your Self … look to the “core of Wicca…as a joyful union with nature.”

“All who seek to know Me, know this… All your seeking and yearning will be in vain unless you understand the Mystery that if what you seek is not found within, you will never find it without.” – The Goddess speaking in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente

So, in the quest for “self-preservation,” we can make a shift to the God and Goddess—and the Essence that They put within you.


Your Essence is not the body that grows old.
Your Essence is not the approval of others.
Your Essence is not the fear of a bad future.

Instead…
Your Essence is the Certainty that You Are One with the God and Goddess.
Preserve your experience of that!

May these insights support your path.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater


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Goddess Has Something to Say about Loneliness

“I want to talk about loneliness,” I said to one of my editors.
“That’s a big topic. It has so many elements to it,” my editor replied.

Later, I wondered, “What has the Goddess said that applies to loneliness?”

The first phrase that leapt into my thoughts was:

“Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside.” – The Goddess speaking in The Charge of the Goddess, written by Doreen Valiente

Let’s look at “highest ideal.”

  1. What is your highest ideal?

Have you heard about people who met their lifemate or new friends while they pursued their own hobbies or interests?Perhaps, you’ve stopped making space for hobbies or interests.
Are you called to do something different now?

  1. How can you connect with your highest ideal—where people are?

“The Goddess’s law is love unto all beings.” – The Goddess speaking in The Charge of the Goddess, written by Doreen Valiente

Where can you do good? How can you bring some form of kindness to some people?
Reiza, someone I know, has a mission when she goes to work at a grocery store. She is kind to people. And several of the customers respond with smiles and kindness toward her.
She has found a few new friends.

  1. How can you hold space so you are okay with people’s differences?

I began as a Solitary Wiccan. I empathize that it can be lonely in certain areas of this world, where we cannot share our Wiccan faith.

I noticed something unusual.
A friend, Mason, has a friendship with someone who is on the opposite end of politics. These friends talk about everything—health, hopes, dreams … and they simply do NOT talk about politics.

They end phone calls with “Love ya, Brother.”
On many things, they share common ground.
Their phone calls alleviate some loneliness.

Would you find it possible to share part of your journey with someone?

  1. Pray to the Goddes

I realize that loneliness is a complex situation for many of us.
Many times, I understand that I need to turn to the Goddess for support, as I walk the path that can be tough.

Here is a prayer you can use.

Goddess,
Support me in times I feel lonely.
Show me how to expand my social circle.
Bring good people into my life.
So Mote It Be.

May these insights support your path.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater


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Goddess Saved My Ass (A Witch’s Perspective)

I was 17 years old.
I didn’t know that day that I might not make it to my 18th year.
After a boring day of high school, I walked to my parked car.

It was on a side street. I felt it was safer because some people damaged cars parked in the school lot.
I drove off and soon pulled up to an intersection.
The light turned green.
My foot automatically went to the accelerator.

But I felt a command, Don’t go.”

I dropped my foot to the floorboard.

Whoosh! A car roared through the intersection. It would have smashed my car and taken my life.

Thank you, Goddess!

After this, I have reflected on the lesson.

1. Make space to listen for the Goddess’s direction.

    When I was saved by the Goddess, I was a solitary witch. I was learning about Wicca and witchcraft.
    It’s possible that my being new to the Craft helped me stay open to lessons from the Goddess.

    Now, I keep a space to listen for the Goddess’s direction by talking to Her each day.

    Do you devote time to talking with the Goddess?

    Even 3 minutes may be helpful. We recall that “3” is a sacred number.

    2. Sometimes, the Goddess’s direction is surprising.

    I was surprised about the Goddess directing me to sit there when the traffic light was green.

    Percy, someone I know, failed to listen to the Goddess’s surprise direction. He was at work, and a co-worker brought in a homemade apple pie. He received a thought, “Do not have any pie!”

    He didn’t listen. He wanted to be “nice.” He had one bite, and a walnut shell in the pie broke his tooth in half!

    Have you ever had an intuitive thought that seemed unusual, but it could protect you?

    3. Pray to the Goddess.

    Here is a prayer you can use.

    My Gracious Lady of the Moon.
    Open my mind so I can hear You speak,
    Help me hear You so I don’t weep.
    Give me lessons that I can learn,
    So my life improves in turn.
    Open my eyes so I can see,
    The blessings You have for me.
    So Mote It Be

    May these insights support your path.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater


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    What Is the Truth about Spellwork and Attracting New, Positive Friends? (A Witch’s Perspective)

    “Look at this. Your second most popular blog post is ‘A Spell to Attract New and Positive Friends,’” my blog team member said. (You can click HERE for that post.)

    I thought about this.

    1. Beware that fatigue prevents your next leap forward.

    One of my friends asked, “When was the last time you did a spell?”
    I replied, “It’s been too long.”

    “Why?” she asked.

    “I’m tired.”

    This had me realize that I needed to do something to raise my energy.

    2. Be decisive to raise your personal energy.

    I’ve thought about my own energy. It can be hard because I am impacted by depression symptoms. My first focus point is getting enough sleep and good nutrition. This helps.

    Think of three people you know. Which one of them raises your energy? When was the last time you had fun with them?

    What can you do to raise your own energy?

    3. Pray to the Goddess

    Here’s a prayer you can use:

    Lovely Lady of the Moon.
    Get me some new friends real soon.
    Help me build my own energy.

    So, they experience me as trustworthy.
    So Mote It Be.

    May these insights support your path.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater


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    To the Gods’ Will (A Witch’s Perspective)

    “What about receiving intuitive thoughts from the Gods?” Jim, someone in my circle, asked.

    Later, I reflected on this.

    What would be an indication that the thought originated with the Gods?

    One of my spiritual elders suggested, “It would not be ego-focused. And, it would not harm you.”

    Look at what the Goddess said:

    “Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever toward it; let naught stop you or turn you aside.” – The Goddess speaking in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente

    So, if a thought is negative and makes your life worse, it is NOT from the Gods.

    “Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.” – Kahlil Gibran

    “Maybe some of our painful experiences are necessary to open our understanding,” one of my spiritual elders said.

    I thought about this. Perhaps, breaking old habits that are bad for you … may bring pain.

    So, pain may be unwanted. But we can have a different thought. How about… “What can I learn from this?”

    Or “How can I have empathy, now that I have experienced this tough situation?”

    The Goddess stands with you.
    What is Her will? That you show kindness to yourself, humans, and other beings.
    Nature is our home.

    Now, how will you honor the Goddess, your true self, and your home?

    May these insights support your journey.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater


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    Falling Out of “Resonating” with Another Person – a Goddess Perspective

    “We don’t call each other anymore,” Alicia, someone in my circle, said. She was talking about her estrangement from her former best friend, Cynthia.

    “Are you okay with that?” I asked.

    “No,” Alicia began. “But it’s like we don’t get each other anymore.” She frowned. “But I still miss her. At least, I miss what we had … who we were … some time ago.”

    Recently, I realized I no longer think about my first husband. We met when I was 17 years old. We got married at 18. And, we were divorced in my early 20s.

    I’m not the person I was when I was next to him. Thank Goddess!

    I recall this quote, which shows the Goddess’s perspective.

    “Ye who are feign to learn all sorcery, who have not yet won its deepest secrets, to these will I teach that which is yet unknown. And ye shall be free from slavery…” The Goddess in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente.

    To stay with the person who is anti-how you are resonating now … is a form of slavery.

    Goddess supports you to grow into the highest expression of your essence.

    Are you now resonating on a higher vibration?
    Is it time to let someone go or to reduce your exposure to them?

    Remember, the Goddess is as close as your next prayer.

    May these insights support your path.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater


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    What I Learned During My Hospital Stay Plus a Surprising Insight from the Goddess

    “Isn’t it about the medical team gathering to help you?” my friend, Alicia, asked.

    “It is … and it’s not enough,” I said.

    I’m deeply thankful to the nurses and the doctors … and I do not have a definitive diagnosis at this time.

    “In truly understanding the Goddess and God, one comes to understand life, for the two are inextricably entwined. Live your earthly life fully, but try to see the spiritual aspects of your activities as well. Remember—the physical and spiritual are but reflections of each other.” – Scott Cunningham

    What did I learn in the nights in the hospital – that included screams coming down the hall?

    As I talked with the Goddess, I felt an internal shift that quieted my worries.

    Also, I realized that it’s necessary to stay strong in these areas:

    (I’ll use the Elements as a framework.)

    1. Air … keep your thoughts as clear as possible
    2. Water … gather support, express your emotions in healthy ways
    3. Fire … eat, and take in nutrition. You need energy (fire) to make good decisions
    4. Earth … stay grounded (sitting in the hospital bed, I prayed and talked with the God and the Goddess.

    May these insights support your path.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater


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    Nurturing a Relationship – Is It Casting a Spell? (a Witch’s Perspective)

    “Three divorces?” I asked.

    A friend said, “Yeah. And that’s just recently for some friends I have.”

    “Three separate couples?”

    He nodded.

    Many of us who deeply love our life-mate want to nourish our relationship.

    In a recent conversation with a spiritual elder, I thought about how the elements of casting a spell may be similar (in a way) to making a relationship strong and sacred.

    Briefly, here are some ideas.

    We’re using an analogy of nurturing a relationship.

    1. Bless water and bless salt. Combine them to make holy water.
      • Any relationship is a combination of energies.
    2. Cleanse with water and earth
      • Have a sturdy foundation of respecting each other.
    3. Cleanse with air and fire
      • You need to clear the air. Sometimes, you ask for forgiveness.
    4. Cast Circle
      • Make your home a safe haven from the outside.
    5. Call the Quarters (which is calling in the 4 Directions represented by The Elements)
      • Call on friends and family, whom you trust, to support you and your partner.
    6. Do your spell.
      • Show up and hug each other all the time.
    7. Raise energy – speaking words, raising a cone of power. Release the cone of power to do its job.
      • Pay attention to what lifts your partner’s spirits. If it includes watching some Star Trek Series with them … okay.
    8. Cakes and wine ceremony.
      • Food. Enough said.
    9. Close your Circle.
      • Find “completion points” in your day. (For example, my sweetheart massages my back every night.)

    May these insights support your path.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater


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    “Valentine’s Day”- a Loving Time to Glow and Grow (A Witch’s Perspective)


    How do you feel about this time of year when people celebrate “Valentine’s Day”?

    Does it look like an opportunity to celebrate your love?
    Or is it something you dread a bit? Will my partner disappoint me?
    Oh, no!—will I fail my partner somehow?

    And, can I quiet down my expectations? I mean, it’s okay to have expectations, right? Right?!

    In this section, we’ll talk about patterns for couples.
    (If you’re not in a couple at the moment, this conversation can still be useful.)

    1. Celebrate
    “Magic is love. All magic should be performed out of love.” – Scott Cunningham

    With my sweetheart, I celebrate that we are kind to each other—and we do NOT give up on each other.

    What would you celebrate with your partner?

    2. Reaffirm
    When my sweetheart and I “jumped the broom” together, we certainly related to the Wiccan tradition of “as long as love lasts.” We’ve been happily together for over 25 years. Our love is reaffirmed every day. Oh, Goddess—you need patience. Also, facial tissue for when he gets into a sneezing jag.

    One thing I’ve learned is that love means you support your sweetheart’s calling. He is called to filmmaking. And, I am called to serve through this blog and my podcast. We are there to support each other’s calling.

    What is your partner’s calling? How can you support them?

    3. Deepen
    Over the years, I have deepened as a person by stretching and learning that I could do things I did not imagine that I could.

    The first time I did a workshop in New Zealand—that was a stretch.
    Giving a speech is something I had to grow into.
    I’m an introvert. One thing I like is the quiet time in the morning. My sweetheart is asleep. I find my own center for the day.

    As a couple, we have deepened our flexibility to honor each other’s individuality.

    How can you deepen your experience on your own path? How can you deepen your commitment to your partner?

    Several authors have expressed: “A relationship is NOT a place you go to GET, it’s a place you go to GIVE.”

    Here’s a prayer you can use:

    Lord and Lady,
    Help me show appreciation to my lover.
    Let me support their calling.
    May we glow and grow together.
    So Mote It Be.

    May these insights support your path.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater


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    What is the Real Gift? (A Witch’s Perspective)

    “What was the gift in your brother calling you fat—when you were a little girl?” someone in my circle asked.

    “I don’t know … Empathy, maybe,” I said. I know what being ridiculed feels like. I can connect and empathize with others who have had a similar experience.

    “For if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.” – the Goddess speaking in The Charge of the Goddess as written by Doreen Valiente

    The gift for me may have been that I learned not to rely on human approval.

    What do we seek within? It’s the divinity that the God and Goddess placed within you.

    I had another thought. Without experiencing my brother’s ridicule, I would not have a certain form of compassion.

    “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” – often attributed as a Zen master’s comment

    Some authors suggest: “Strength comes from struggle.”

    Here’s a prayer you can use:

    My Lord and Lady,
    May my tough experiences
    Transform into compassion and strength.
    So Mote It Be.

    May these insights support your path.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater


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