How Pagans Can Move Beyond Depression and Anxiety during the Holiday Season

November 27, 2015 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Lights

“I’m feeling low,” Matilda said.

“I hear you,” I replied. “Something in particular?”

“We’re squeezed from all sides. All the Christmas music, the shopping, the happy couples, the family time. Hey, it was Yule!—before the Christians hijacked our season,” Matilda continued.

Ever feel, as a pagan, that you’re on a small island in the middle of “Christmas-focused people”?

The holidays often create depression and anxiety in Pagans. Seeing all the decorations and good cheer may be nice. Still, we Pagans know that one of our sacred Sabbats was perverted into a consumer holiday.

One holiday season, I was sitting in a knitting group at a yarn shop, when an older woman exclaimed, “What’s all this ‘happy holidays’ crap? It’s Christmas, damn it! It’s always going to be Christmas.”

I felt my hackles rise because I knew full well that in the group were a Jew, me and an Asian with parents from China. Through our diversity, we were already demonstrating that “happy holidays” was a respectful greeting at this time of year.
Why? Because in the USA, we have people of various cultures and traditions.

Long time readers of this blog know that I deal with depression symptoms. It’s true that outside things like all of this tinsel and tyranny of some people pushing their religion on others can exacerbate my depression symptoms.

Getting Past Feeling Depressed

I have learned to focus on the beauty around me and what it means to me. By this I mean, I focus on this present moment. If I see a Yule tree and I enjoy its beauty, then my depression symptoms “quiet down.” Who cares what others call the tree.

Pagans Feeling Anxiety during the Holidays

I have a number of Pagan friends who have to hide their faith from their Christian family and friends. Talk about anxiety! What if the pagan lets something slip like: “Oh, yeah. I had so much fun a Pantheacon”?

Here are some of things I do to lower my anxiety levels.

I have a particular family member who works with some people who are not open to hearing about the pagan path. So I make sure to guard my own energy before an event with that particular group. I prepare to listen and talk about things that this group is comfortable talking about.

Most importantly, I make sure to devote time with like-minded pagans so I feel safe and nurtured—and renewed in energy.

About dealing with the consumerism of the season:

I didn’t participate in Black Friday. I did not run around and attempt to get big bargains. That activity has nothing to do with the true meaning of the holiday Yule, which is about honoring the birth of the God, and the return of the sun.

Pagans and Wiccans know what Yule really means.

I practice being gentle with myself about gift-giving. Sure, you can give close ones gifts. Just go easy about it.

The way to deal with depression and anxiety is to nurture yourself.

Focus on being in the present moment. Find the beauty you cherish and create your own meaning.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path

When Tragedy Strikes – How You Can Use Magick and Meditation to Ignite Your Inner Peace

November 21, 2015November 21, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

FrenchFlag

In light of the recent attacks on the people in Paris, France, I feel overwhelmed with sadness and anger. I mourn deeply for the people who were murdered.

For a number of days I have been thinking about what to write. What would I discuss: Sorrow, rage, wanting justice, even the desire for some form of revenge?

Still, the idea that keeps arising in my mind is:

“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”— Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi invites us to move beyond anger and vengeance.

Still, as I feel deeply about the situation, I realize that to maintain my own health, I need to get beyond pain, anger and sadness.

For you, I offer this meditation-exercise to help you maintain your own health and ability to take action in daily life.

Before I share this meditation-exercise, I realize that it is valuable for me to discuss two different forms of strength. These ideas arose in my conversation with one of my editors:

The Strength of Anger – in the short term, this can get us moving and it can be a channel for our own pain. But in the long term, it can lead to faulty decision-making. It is short sighted. Further, it can cause significant health problems.
The Enduring Strength of Inner Peace – Inner peace is an ever-renewing source of energy.

As my editor suggested, “If you get your inner energy right you can do more right. Inner peace can help you get past the sorrow and the anger so you can be in the present moment and have all of your resources.”

The below meditation-exercise is not about denying the need for justice and more protection.

The below meditation-exercise is designed to empower you to stay in a place of awareness and strength.

Meditation Magick Exercise on Letting Go and Finding Your Hidden Strength

You will need:

a blue candle
extra virgin olive oil
boline
incense
salt
water

Cast Your Circle in your usual manner.

Cleanse your blue candle with the elements Earth and Water. Then consecrate the blue candle with your incense smoke.

Use your boline and write (on the blue candle) the name of the event that is causing your pain.

Use the olive oil to “dress your candle.”

Concentrate on the blue color, which is for healing.

Light the blue candle and focus on its flame, representing the healing truth of love and strength.

Meditate on the flame. In your mind’s eye, see the flame burning away all the negativity in your aura and the space around you. Once you feel your space/aura is cleansed, go to the next step …

Now imagine the pain of the event in your life. The event may be a personal experience or a public one like the Paris attacks. Create an image (in your mind) that represents the event. See the image floating above the flame. Concentrate on the image until it is a solid image above the candle. Feel it; know it is there.

Breathe deeply in and out, in and out. In your mind’s eye, lower the image into the flame and watch it burn away. Feel the heat in your heart as the image and related pain is transformed into the purity of peace and strength. As the image vanishes, see that all that remains is a phoenix of peace and strength.

Do the Cakes and Wine Ceremony.

Close Your Circle in your usual way.

[When you’re done with the exercise, have the candle continue burning. Make sure that things are safe so that the candle can burn until it goes out on its own. Never leave a burning candle unattended.]

I hope this meditation-exercise supports you in your personal journey of healing.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path

Announcing My New Book Goddess Walks Beside You

November 19, 2015November 20, 2015 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

ToAmazon2

Blessed Be! I’m excited that my new book (4^th one) just debuted on Amazon.com. It’s called Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path. In this book, I’m honored to share with you 5 Secrets that Goddess Wants You to Know. I’m grateful to my editing team that worked so efficiently to get this book out in time for Yule. Get your copy (or for your friend) today! Let’s celebrate 🙂 CLICK HERE

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

What’s Really Going On with Pagans and the “War on Christmas”?

November 13, 2015 / Moonwater / 4 Comments

Starbucks

Has Starbucks started a War on Christianity? Really?! They did it with a simple design of a cup—a red and green cup? By the way, weren’t red and green considered The Christmas Colors?

Wiccans wonder about this. I mean isn’t all of the Christmas decorations, nativity scenes and Christian songs during November and December enough?

And what is the big deal about saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”?

I’m not a Christian, but I’ve heard that Jesus, the Christ, was into love, sharing and tolerance.

I was talking with a friend about the loud bellyaching that seems to be an annual stance of some, a certain few, Christians. Some Christians are touting that Starbucks having plain cups of red and green is “against Christmas.” How is not having snowmen and snowflakes against Christianity?

I realize that Christianity, like many religions, began with others persecuting some members.

We Pagans know about that—we remember the horror of The Burning Times! Persecution continues. I have friends who hide their Pagan beliefs because they know that their families (yes, some Christians) would disown them. My Pagan friends also know that in some parts of the USA, they would lose their jobs if their Paganism was “found out.”

Again, I emphasize just certain Christians are making a big deal out of Starbucks’ plain cups.

It’s reported that Jesus talked about love and sharing. Giving to the poor. In fact in The Bible (Matthew 5:44), Jesus says, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Wait a minute! Failing to place Merry Christmas on a cup is NOT persecution. Come on, people!

So why are certain Christians shouting “war on Christmas”?

I cannot be certain. I had a conversation with some learned people. These ideas are what arose: “A number of people feel fear. Such fear may lead to greed. And such fear may lead to the need for an opponent.”

We Pagans are not an opponent.

It is not persecution when people say “Happy Holidays” to honor that there are people in the USA who are NOT Christian: Jews, Buddhists, Pagans, Taoists, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Baha’is, atheists, certain scientists, philosophers, and more.

Again, Jesus the Christ, I am told, loved people, even tax collectors and prostitutes.

In the meantime, we Pagans, can lead by example.

We’ll have warm hearts acknowledging that there are many spiritual paths.

We Pagans do not need to shout about people following their own journeys.

I remember this quote:

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – Mahatma Gandhi

I have Christian friends. They don’t shout about Starbucks cups.

I guess that’s part of why they’re my friends.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

How Pagans Can Triumph During the Holiday Season in the USA

November 6, 2015November 6, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Gourds

At this time many Pagans are overwhelmed with the American Holiday Season. It begins with Halloween (just passed) and includes Thanksgiving and Christmas. A lot of Pagans have mixed feelings about this time of year. It starts with Samhain, a Sabbat that others stole and made it into Halloween.

Next, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, which causes situations, in which I feel, as a Pagan, truly uncomfortable.

Although during my childhood, I was inundated with stories of Pilgrims sitting down and enjoying a meal with Native Americans, the real story is one of betrayal and Pilgrims’ self-righteousness. When we study the actual events, related in some truthful accounts, the Pilgrims deceived the Native Americans. They destroyed the Native peoples.

Consider Native American Jacqueline Keeler’s assessment that “Native Americans think of this official U.S. celebration [Thanksgiving, as the] survival of early arrivals in a European invasion that culminated in the death of 10 to 30 million native people.”

View Jacqueline’s full comment here.

This Thanksgiving I will honor my own family and I will honor the Native People who reached out and helped strangers. The crops that the Pilgrims brought to this land couldn’t grow. So the Native Americans gave them food and taught them how to grow crops.

I will NOT be honoring the Pilgrims.

November is Native American Month. I will honor the Native Peoples of the Americas.

So what about the turkey and all the fixins’? I will still have the food but be mindful of where the food came from. As Jacqueline Keeler noted: “Since that initial sharing [“first Thanksgiving”], Native American food has spread around the world. Nearly 70 percent of all crops grown today were originally cultivated by Native American peoples. I sometimes wonder what they ate in Europe before they met us. Spaghetti without tomatoes? Meat and potatoes without potatoes? And at the “first Thanksgiving” the Wampanoags provided most of the food – and signed a treaty granting Pilgrims the right to the land at Plymouth, the real reason for the first Thanksgiving.”

So as we Pagans may feel squeezed by other people pushing Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas around us, let us find our personal things to honor during the holiday season. Honoring what is important to you is how you, as a Pagan, can triumph.

Make this time holy for your reasons.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Happy New Year

October 31, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Jack-O-lantern

Happy New Year and Samhain

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Samhain and the Mighty Dead

October 29, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

SamhainFixed

When a friend or family member dies, it can really hurt. What can we do? Fortunately as Wiccans, we do not have to fear death. Many Wiccans and Pagans believe in reincarnation; we’ll be reborn to live a new life in a new body.

When a Wiccan friend dies I like to honor them (and even support them) with this rite.

(I’m posting this early for those who would like to use it this Samhain.)

Special Consideration: Only do this rite if you know that your loved one was open to Wiccan beliefs and rituals.

Rite of a Departed Soul

What you will need:

2 white candles (these candles will be placed on the altar)
One white candle for each member of your coven who is present
8 candles (4 black and 4 white) – These candles will go in pairs, one white and one black at each quarter point of your circle.)
Black robes or just where black clothes (This is a funeral after all.)

Place one white and one black candle at each cardinal point (East, West, North, South).

Light the white candles when you Call the Quarters. (Soon you will light the black candles from these white quarter candles).

Cast your circle as usual.

Stand at the North of your altar (face North). Use your athame to draw a pentagram in the air.

Using the white “North” candle, light the North black candle. Now extinguish the white candle.

High Priestess:

Lord and Lady open the gates that separate our world and the word of the dead, we send “Name of Wiccan friend here” into your care and loving embrace.

Move to the East, draw a pentagram (like you did in the North) and use the white “East” candle to light the East black candle. Extinguish the white candle.

Guide “Wiccan friend’s” way; so he/she can enter your beautiful lands of the dead with peace and happiness.

Move to the South, draw a pentagram and light the South black candle. Extinguish the white candle.

Guide his/her steps so that “Wiccan Friend” is received by you safely.

Move to the West, draw a pentagram and light the West black candle. Extinguish the white quarter.

Help “Wiccan Friend” so that his/her journey is free of hardship.

High Priestess extinguishes all the candles on your altar at this point.

Have a “A Moment of Silence.” Then relight the candles on your altar.

Everyone then goes to the East cardinal point of the circle.

High Priestess says:

We set now set aside our grief, and light a path for “Wiccan Friend” to enter the peaceful place you hold for the ones who have gone before.

Each person is given a white candle. They then light their candle from the altar Working Candle.

Next the High Priestess relights the white candles from black ones. Each time, the High Priestess extinguishes the appropriate black candle.

Everyone holds up their candle and then repeats after the High Priestess:

Hear us Lord, Lady and mighty ones; “Wiccan friend” comes to you now.

Everyone puts out their candle and places them on the altar.

Now perform the Cakes and Wine ceremony.

Close the Circle as usual.

As you can see, the above rite supports your departed loved one, and it even brings you some solace, too.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Wiccans and Drugs

October 24, 2015 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Drinks

“I heard Wiccans use drugs,” Sandy said.

“Yes and no,” I replied.

True, many Wiccans use wine in our the Cakes and Wine ceremony. Alcohol is a drug.

Not all Wiccans use alcohol in the Cakes and Wine ceremony. Some substitute grape juice or another fruit juice. Some completely abstain from all drugs like alcohol and caffeine. Yes, even some teas are off the list.

We can’t throw all Wiccans into any rigid category. Some use other natural drugs to combat ailments such as depression symptoms, arthritis, and other sources of pain. Some imbibe marijuana, for example.

It is truly up to the individual practitioner to choose what may help for medical reasons or improved quality of life.

I know some Wiccans who aim to stay away from manufactured, pharmaceutical drugs. Some Wiccans choose to imbibe natural drugs like caffeine, alcohol or marijuana.

Many Wiccans live in states where marijuana use is illegal, and they abide by local laws. They do not break the rules of the place they live in.

I take medications that help me with an occasional migraine headache and for working with my depression symptoms. I do consult my doctor and monitor the effects of the drugs. Yes, do consult a physician about the use or non-use of drugs.

I invite you to pay close attention to how you do or do not use drugs. What results are you getting? What might you want to change for the better?

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Performance Anxiety? Ask the Goddess For Help

October 17, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Hands Focusing Energy

My stomach clenched. My heart pounded fast, and my mouth was a desert. Where was that water bottle?

“Goddess, please guide my words today.” I repeated in my mind.

I knew my guided meditation that I would share with this workshop audience was transformational. They would get a lot of value. Still, I felt nervous. Can you relate to this?

Here is a simple blessing to calm yourself in times of stress and anxiety when performing in front of people.

The Clarity Blessing
Come to me Goddess and calm my mind,
So that clarity I may find.
May my fear recede and leave my mind,
To live my destiny sublime.
Blessed Be.

This helped me, and I hope you find it useful.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

And

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

And

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

How do I get Initiated into a Wiccan Group?

October 9, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

3rdBracelet

“How do I get into a coven?” one of my students asked.

“It really depends on the coven,” I replied.

“What about getting initiated?” he asked.

“That’s the process of becoming accepted into a coven through a ritual. But first you must be deemed to be ready,” I said.

A seeker (a candidate for initiation) must go through several steps before a coven will even consider the person as a match to join their group.

I’ll talk about this process in terms of three vital questions:

1) Does the coven know you?

For a group to know you takes time. If you just met one member of a coven, do not push. I know that it may be hard to go slowly because seekers are so excited about their newfound path and they want to get started now.

Go slowly and interact with the group members so you can see if you’re a match to the group and if you feel comfortable.

Try not to be too forward. Still, express your interest in the process of initiation with this particular coven.

If you don’t click with the group or particular individuals, it’s good to know.

You can ask for a referral to another group.

A friend of mind has a particular question that I find helpful: “Did you work with them and would you do it again?”

2) Are you reliable?

A group wants to know if you can be counted on. Do you bring what you’ve agreed to bring to the group gatherings? Are you on time for group meetings? If you’re delayed, do you call to give the group a heads-up?

Groups tend to avoid giving invitations to those who are not reliable.

3) Are you dedicated to the Gods?

Is this just a passing fancy? Are you a weekend pagan? Do you just want the kicks of being called a witch?

The whole point of the Wiccan spiritual journey is to honor the God and the Goddess. If that isn’t your intention, there is no value in being initiated.

As a High Priestess, I look carefully at all of the above details. Finding the right candidate involves so many variables.

Some groups may be looking for a new person to fill in a “slot.” Each member has a specialty. The members fit like jigsaw puzzle pieces. If a group has an herbalist already and that’s your specialty, you may not be a fit for that particular group.

Some Wiccans prefer the path of a solitary witch. I walked that path for years until I moved to a new city and met new neighbors.

If you’re considering the path of a coven member, take care and take the time to find a great home.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace