Have you noticed that life has different rhythms, and it calls you in new ways? Some of us find that our old magickal tools and jewelry do not feel relevant any longer.
The topic of recycling is solid in my thoughts because my sweetheart is hip deep in recycling 14 years of old stuff. Why? It’s time for him to drop the 9 x 9 storage locker in favor of a 4 x 5 one. He’s in the process of letting go of books, files, audio programs, vinyl records and more.
Unlike my sweetheart and his storage problem, a Wiccan cannot simply toss out an old magickal tool.
You need to keep the following in mind when you consider decommissioning a magickal tool. Magickal tools are very special in that they carry your energy or that of whomever used them or charged them. Further, magickal jewelry actually absorbs the wearer’s energy. Even if you stop wearing the jewelry it is still connected to you.
Here are three ways to deal with a magickal tool or piece of jewelry that you’re now primed to let go:
1) You might consider giving the tool to someone you trust. Be quite careful here. Remember the object is still connected to you.
2) Consider safely destroying the object by fire. Wiccans use fire to destroy objects made of parchment or wood. With jewelry, it helps to have access to a forge, perhaps, at a local art school.
3) Deeply bury the object under an old oak tree. At this point, give a gift (perhaps, water) to the tree and ask that it guard the item for you. Trees make excellent guards to special objects you want kept safe. Note: Bury the object under the cover of darkness to avoid being seen by strangers. While you bury the object recite these words: “I now separate myself from this object. I cut the cord that binds us. So mote it be.”
It is crucial that you conduct a form of ritual to truly separate yourself from the object.
Again, be careful about how you decommission your magical object. We need to prevent someone from unwittingly stumbling upon the item. It can be quite dangerous for those who don’t know how to use magick to come into contact with such powerful objects.
Make sure you insure your own safety and the safety of others.
You never know when a new chapter of life will call you. When that happens, you may find it necessary to decommission a magickal tool or a piece of magickal jewelry. That’s fine. Do it carefully and welcome your new chapter of life.
Are you less than jolly this time of year? Tired of hearing how happy you’re supposed to be during the holidays? Do you just want more peace during this stressful time?
Some of us find it a hardship to see relatives who don’t share our spiritual beliefs.
Many Wiccans and Pagans stay in the broom closet (in hiding) from family and friends. Why? Rejection. Some families even banish pagan relatives. This banishment would result if they discovered our hearts and minds are with the Gods. It’s just too much of a risk of loss for many to bear. In some communities, one may even fear retaliation by one’s own family.
I know some pagans who don’t face such consequences and who practice freely. These fortunate pagans told me that the others are “cowards” for hiding. It bothers me to witness such lack of compassion for others’ pain and problems.
How do we cope with such adversity?
Being in the broom closet is not a bad thing. For some, it is a necessity for keeping their job and family.
So how do we keep the peace in our own hearts this holiday season while in the closet? How do we still honor the Gods during the holidays with family? Here are a few suggestions:
Wear a pagan pendent under your shirt. (Just make sure that it can’t fall out and be seen by unfriendly eyes.)
Light a candle (while saying a silent prayer) and place it on the mantel or other place of prominence in your own home.
Take a ritual bath before a gathering and honor the Gods. You’ll feel better.
Bring a bottle of your favorite drink (mead is mine) to a gathering.
Anoint yourself with sacred oil and keep your intentions of love and peace for the Yule holiday close to you.
These actions can be done in the broom closet and need not require permission from any unsympathetic family members.
And for that extra touch of magick here is a simple blessing you can say for yourself for holiday gatherings.
By the Gods and the four quarters might,
May this blessing be just right.
May the Gods love be in my heart,
May my heart be the center for my kindness,
May my kindness be a guide for my compassion,
May my compassion be an action of love in this world,
And may my action of love in this world bring peace to all at this time.
So mote it be.
How do you plan to celebrate this Yule Sabbat? Are there any ideas you would like to share? Let me know by using the comments box.
Blessings,
Moonwater
I wanted to take a moment and pass this vital message on to you from one of my mentors, Patrick McCollum. What the Patrick McCollum Foundation does is truly important to our community and around the world. If you think you can help, please contact Nell Rose.
Patrick leads march for preserving the Ganges and the Planet. 5000 children participated
“Patrick is quickly becoming one of the foremost voices in our world on the topics of creating world peace and sustaining all people. His message inspires audiences to recognize our inherent interconnection through a common narrative, which gives us greater access to envisioning and creating a common goal: a world that works for everyone. Patrick talked about some of the incredible things that have happened to him over the last 3 and a half years and I wanted to take a moment to review these once again:
Buddhist spiritual leaders in Thailand have named Patrick the “World Inner Peace Ambassador”.
He was an honored guest speaker at the World Culture Forum in Kazakhstan 2010 where he spoke on the importance of our harmonious connection with Nature and with each other.
He has been initiated as a Saint in India and given the name ‘Babaji’, meaning ‘Revered Father’
He has also been honored as the ‘King of Peace’ by renowned Tibetan Buddhist Rinpoche’s in our world, among receiving other titles of similar caliber.
In 2011 he was honored with receiving the Mahatma Gandhi Award for Religious Pluralism.
Last January, Patrick was invited to lead the opening prayer at the Maha Kumba Mela in India, a spiritual gathering that attracted over 100 million people.
In February, Patrick will be giving a blessing and be a part of the Maha Yaga in India.
In March he will be doing a workshop in Maui with Ram Dass.
Patrick’s teachings have helped many seekers make sense of the world and deepen their connection to Mother Earth and the Universe with an open heart in the wholeness of Love and Reality.
We are currently in an active fund raising program to help further Patrick’s work. We are attempting to raise $100,000.00 to create a digital media library to preserve the teachings of Patrick, and other like-minded spiritual teachers, update our web site, and help cover the cost of travel to the many events Patrick will attending and spreading his massage in creating peace bridges between countries and people, to help him to continue inspiring youth, to support women’s rights, religious equality and to continue to archive his spiritual practices and teachings, and for general overhead to help support and build a stronger Foundation.
We are also currently running an indiegogo campaign for Patrick for his upcoming Maha Yaga trip. If you could please send this to any list or social networking sites that you may be a part of to get the message out.
If you can contribute financially in some way that would be wonderful. Please contact me so I might provide further details on our Fundraising Goals and how you can help.”
Are you walking the path you want to be traversing? Would you choose a different path? We’re all walking a path at the moment. But the question is: Is this the path you prefer?
Years ago, I felt I had no control over the path of life I was walking on. I felt like I was just dragged along, whether I enjoyed it or not.
Many of us feel like that, at least some of the time. How do we take control of our path? One thing that helps is meditation. This clears the mind of the distractions and helps us focus on the important elements of life.
For a little extra help you can say this blessing upon yourself.
A Blessing for Success and Strength
I call upon the power of the Gods and the mighty ones that I may be blessed.
Blessed be my mind, that it be clear of all distractions. Focused on its sacred purpose.
Blessed be my eyes, that they see without hate, and that they see my correct path.
Blessed be my lips, that they speak with strength, beauty, kindness and truth.
Blessed be my voice, that it be clear and strong and that it not shake in fear from adversity or from facing closed minds.
Blessed be my heart, that I always have love and compassion for myself and others.
Blessed be my arms, that they carry my burdens with strength and ease.
Blessed be my hands, that they work and create with purpose, steadily and honorably.
Blessed be my knees, that they not tremble with fear when hardships come my way.
Blessed be my feet, that they do not waver, but walk on the sacred path of light with surefootedness and purpose.
I have found that using empowering words in meditation is so helpful to turn the direction of one’s thoughts.
What words do you use to empower yourself?
Blessed Be,
Moonwater
Remember to give the gift of The Hidden Children of the Goddess this Yule.
How did you find the Wiccan faith? Was it through a personal connection or was it through a book or website?
Wiccans until recently were hard to find. Many followers of the path work in secret, in the shadows. Why have all the secrecy?
This secrecy was vital because throughout history and even to this present day Wiccans (and other pagans) have been and continue to be discriminated against.
Face it, we are still a minority faith in this world. Most practitioners prefer to stay in the shadows because of the possibility of retaliation and prejudice found in family, school, work, and the general public. We know too well that there are general misconceptions and fear about the Craft. So many Wiccans practice in the shadow. (After all, I call my blog and my book The Hidden Children of the Goddess.)
So how is one to find a reliable teacher while so many teachers practice in the shadows?
You need some initial education. Books can be a great way to start. Read a bunch of books and you will start to see a pattern. Your intuition will alert you to who really knows valuable material and who may be offering faulty information.
Here is a good reading list to start your path. Those of you who have been on the path for a time may want to revisit some of these books. It’s important to have a good foundation in the Craft before moving on to the more advanced practices.
Ferrar, Janet and Stewart. Eight Sabbats for Witches, Revised Edition. Phoenix Publishing, WA, 1988.
Ferrar, Janet and Stewart. The Witches’ God: Lord of the Dance. Phoenix Publishing, WA, 1989.
Ferrar, Janet and Stewart. The Witches’ Goddess: The Feminine Principle of Divinity. Phoenix Publishing, WA, 1987.
Ferrar, Stewart. What Witches Do. Robert Hale, 2010.
Fitch, Ed. A Grimoire of Shadows: Witchcraft, Paganism & Magick. Llewellyn Publications, 1996.
Frazer, James George. The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion, A New Abridgement from the 2nd and 3rd Editions. OxfordUniversityPress, USA, 2009.
Gardner, Gerald. High Magic’s Aid. Aurinia Books, 2010.
Gardner, Gerald. The Meaning of Witchcraft. Red Wheel/Weiser, 2004.
Gardner, Gerald. Witchcraft Today. Citadel, 2004.
Giles, Cynthia. The Tarot: History, Mystery, and Lore. Touchstone, 1994.
Graves, Robert. The White Goddess: A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth, Amended and Enlarged Edition. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1966.
Leland, Charles G. Aradia or The Gospel Of The Witches. Kessinger Publishing LLC, 2010.
Lipp, Deborah. The Way of Four: Create Elemental Balance in Your Life. Llewellyn Publications, 2004.
Marcoux, Tom. Darkest Secrets of Spiritual Seduction Masters: How to Protect Yourself, Boost Your Psychological Immune System and Strengthen Your Spirit. Tom Marcoux Media, LLC, 2011.
McCoy, Edain. Sabbats: A Witch’s Approach to Living the Old Ways. Llewellyn Publications, 2001.
Murray, Margaret Alice. The God of the Witches. NuVision Publications, 2009.
Neal, Carl. The Magick Toolbox: The Ultimate Compendium for Choosing and Using Ritual Implements and Magickal Tools. Samuel Weiser, 2004.
Russell, Jeffrey B. and Alexander, Brooks. A History of Witchcraft: Sorcerers, Heretics & Pagans, 2nd Edition. Thames & Hudson, 2007.
Starhawk. The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 20th Anniversary Edition. HarperOne, 1999.
Sylvan, Dianne. The Circle Within: Creating a Wiccan Spiritual Tradition. Llewellyn Publications, 2003.
Tognetti, Arlene. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tarot, 2nd Edition. ALPHA, 2003.
Tognetti, Arlene and Flynn, Carolyn. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tarot Spreads Illustrated. ALPHA, 2006.
Valiente, Doreen. An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present. Phoenix Publishing, WA, 1988.
Valiente, Doreen. Natural Magic. Robert Hale, 1999.
Valiente, Doreen. Witchcraft for Tomorrow. Robert Hale, 1993.
Wood, Robin. Robin Wood Tarot: The Book. Robin Wood Enterprises, 1998.
Wood, Robin. When, Why … If. Robin Wood Enterprises, 1997.
Once you have read a number of books, you will have a basic familiarity with the Craft. Next, find a mentor in the particular Tradition (type) of Wicca you want to study.
The Witches’ Voice (witchvox.com) is a great place to read more articles and to network for new connections. You can find people who have taken the giant step (and risks) to be known in the community.
Observe carefully. Use your basic familiarity with the Craft and your intuition to find someone who you feel is a good match for your next steps in learning.
Each Tradition does the Craft a little differently. It’s not that one particular Tradition’s ritual is “wrong” compared to another Tradition. There are many ways of doing the same thing correctly.
How did you come to know the Craft? Let me know in the comments section. Thank you.
Have you recently had to make some choices that brought you stress?
Stress can tell us a lot. We can see what is important to us. In this way, stress can actually guide us to the secrets of our hearts. How? We wouldn’t be feeling stressed out about something if we didn’t think it is important and it’s being threatened.
Once we know what we value, we can better set our course through life.
You see, what we need is clarity.
This is where the Gods can help.
If you’re under pressure and feeling the burden of stress, you can ask the Gods for clarity.
Why is clarity so important? When you can see things clearly, you can make a plan and take appropriate action. Those two things will reduce your stress.
One of the best ways to do that is through meditation. Here is a simple meditation to ask the Gods for their guidance.
For all meditations, follow these simple guidelines.
Find a place where you will not be disturbed for the entire meditation.
Turn off the ringer of your cell phone.
Take a sitting position where your spine is straight and your feet are flat on the floor.
Dim the lights.
Asking the Gods for Guidance – The Meditation
Start by breathing in and out deeply.
With each breath in, pull in relaxation.
With each breath out, release the stresses of the day.
Visualize breathing in the light of the Gods, soothing you.
And picture that with each breath out, you’re expelling a black cloud of stress.
Keep breathing–in and out, in and out.
And as you keep breathing in and out deeply,
Notice now that the light begins to fade around you.
Slowly at first, it gets darker and darker — until you are in total darkness, and you’re feeling safe and secure in the darkness.
Then . . . a new light blooms around you, slowly at first, but gradually it gets brighter and brighter.
You see that you are in the middle of a circle of standing stones. This great henge protects you from all bad entities.
In the middle of this henge rests a large stone altar. You walk to it and sit in front of the altar.
Now you ask the Gods for their guidance.
As you sit, you notice two loving energies beside you.
One is the Goddess and the other one is the God.
You ask them for their help and they lovingly answer your request.
(Pause for a time to hear their guidance.)
Having gifted you with their guidance, they bid you farewell.
Now it’s time to return from where you came.
Notice the light starts to dim until you are in total darkness, where you feel safe and secure.
Then . . . a familiar light returns, slowly at first, but gradually it gets brighter and brighter.
Open your eyes; you are back in the room and safe.
Note: After completing your meditation, light a candle to the Gods to thank them for their guidance.
With the Gods help, you make great decisions, creating your life of happiness.
The Gods are always there to help you. All you need is to ask for their help. You can go to them for help about anything you need.
Knowing this now, what guidance would you seek from the Gods?
Have you ever felt broken? Do you question why you are the way you are because you don’t look “normal,” or you can’t do the same activities as the “normal people” do?
I’m here to tell you that you were made the way you’re supposed to be. Even with the so-called “flaws.”
We all feel we have flaws. Yes, they can feel so painful to live with. We suffer–emotionally or physically—sometimes we suffer both ways. It’s hard to endure.
I have dyslexia and depression. Why, I wondered, did the Gods make me broken?
But I didn’t realize that the Gods did NOT make a mistake. I have what people call disabilities. However, I’ve learned something startling. They’re not disabilities. I call them enhancements.
How the hell could dyslexia plus depression be enhancements? I had to dig deep and realize that these enhancements create the opportunity to grow exponentially. These enhancements help us grow in ways that others can’t because they have not had to face the struggle, the pain and . . . the rise from the ashes.
Dyslexia had been my curse. But, unlike others, I had to fight and press on through headaches to read the books I’ve read. This has made me stronger. I’ve got tenacity that a number of my friends do not have.
Depression had me cutting myself years ago. Depression had me doubt that I had any worth at all. It took therapy, the Gods’ guidance, and the love my sweetheart to encourage me and show me I wasn’t dirt. Depression was wrong! I have learned I am NOT a depressed person. I am a Spirit anointed by the Gods, a Spirit who deals with depression symptoms. That’s a BIG difference!
Now, my friend, I want to ask you two heartfelt questions. Where do you feel broken? And how could your flaws or disabilities be a road so that you can rise up more blessed, stronger and a deeper person than ever before?
You might want to meditate on your enhancement(s) and see how they have positively affected your life and what they have taught you.
In the comments area, please share with me your experience with your enhancement and about what you have learned from it.
The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book
Don’t forget to get your copy today. On sale now click here.
Want to experience happiness and inner peace? High Priestess Moonwater SilverClaw reveals the powerful and uplifting spirituality known as Wicca. She pulls back the curtain and lets you in on real secrets. Moonwater shares her personal stories of how Wicca saved her life and empowered her to release herself from a destructive marriage. She introduces Wicca practice with potent spells for healing and increased prosperity. She helps you overcome the blocks of low self-esteem, limiting beliefs about money, and subconscious barriers. This book helps you make breakthroughs to manifesting what your heart desires.
In Praise of Moonwater SilverClaw’s book:
“Moonwater expresses profound Wicca concepts. Wicca actually saved her life and empowered her to leave an abusive marriage, and this shows the power of this sacred path to positively change the course of our lives, too.” – Patrick McCollum, recipient, Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism.
“A well-written, fresh look into Wicca. [This book] almost feels as if a close friend or trusted mentor were explaining the ins and outs of the Wiccan experience. Rather than saying, ‘Here’s how it’s done,’ the book extends its hand and says, ‘Here, let me show you.’ I would certainly recommend this book.” – Heather Greene, blogger, http://www.miraselena.com
“Moonwater’s writing [provides] a story about making your own happy endings, about rescuing yourself.” – Jason Pitzl-Waters, blogger at WildHunt.org
“This is like sharing a nice cup of coffee with a new friend, while you two are taking a walk in the woods. Moonwater has a LOT to teach all of us, from the young person who wants to know why she feels ‘special, ‘ to us seasoned practitioners of Wicca.” – Angus McMahan, blogger, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/askangus/
About the Author:
Moonwater SilverClaw is a Wiccan High Priestess and member of the Covenant of the Goddess and the New Wiccan Church. Her personal story reveals how Wicca saved her life and helped her strengthen herself to secure her release from an abusive marriage.
Moonwater posts at her blog, TheHiddenChildrenoftheGoddess.com, which has readers from over 101 countries. Called to write the blog even through she is dyslexic, she works with a team of editors. She has addressed college students in Comparative Religion classes for over ten years. She leads workshops, and her work is endorsed by notables including Patrick McCollum (Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism).
Moonwater SilverClaw can be contacted at: AskAWitchNow@gmail.com
Or at her popular blog: TheHiddenChildrenoftheGoddess.com
Blessings,
Moonwater
P.S. Please let me know if you are interested in a webinar. Fill out the pole below.
What Can a Redwood Tree Teach Us about Life and Wicca?
Have you noticed that certain small things can grow much larger in your life? Think of a seed that eventually grows into a mighty redwood tree.
Decisions are like seeds. They have the potential to grow into something so much bigger.
I remember an important seed in my life: my decision to learn about one particular word—Wicca. From there I grew in my practice to become a Wiccan priestess.
My first decision, like a seed, grew into my life path.
Think about your decisions. What have you grown in your life?
Further, imagine looking at a cross section of a redwood tree. You’d notice the rings of the tree that reveal its lifecycle.
Now, think of these rings as different layers just like your life has different layers or stages.
At each “ring” or life stage, we’re making new decisions.
Some decisions make us resilient like a redwood tree. When there’s a fire in a forest, a tree may be damaged. After the trauma has passed, the redwood tree may bear the scars. But this tree can bounce back and become bigger and mightier than before.
You can, too! In Wicca, we use the tools of meditation and the Gods’ guidance to become that mighty redwood.
In the recent couple of days, I have been camping among redwood trees. A park ranger told me that the cones of a redwood tree need the heat of a forest fire in order to open and release their seeds. What a vivid image. Trauma can be used for new life.
A major trauma in your life can create new growth for you personally. With each wrong choice or even a disaster, we have the potential to grow to our mightiest form.
Redwood trees teach us much about personal growth, and they can teach us a great deal more.
How You Can Use Something Better Than an Affirmation
What do you want? Have you tried to coach yourself to change your own behavior?
Some people attempt to push themselves with statements like: “I’m a thin person.”
Well, I’ll tell you the truth. When I tell myself, “I’m a thin person,” my brain yells at me: “Oh, yeah! Look in the mirror!”
The phrase “I’m a thin person” is called an affirmation. In essence, a person tries to “affirm” something that currently is not true.
No wonder so many people say, “Affirmations don’t work for me.”
This bothered me so I came up with some new ideas before I gave my recent workshop on October 19th. The tool I created is a Pattern-Affirmation. (In discussion with my friend Tom Marcoux, he gave me two labels “Pattern-Affirmation” and “Wish-Affirmation” to add to my thoughts).
In essence, a Wish-Affirmation is truly a standard affirmation that people try to use, often with disappointing results.
A Wish-Affirmation is: “I’m a thin person.”
On the other hand, a “Pattern-Affirmation” is: “I eat like a 130 lbs. person.” Or better yet “I have a lifestyle of a 130 lbs. person.”
Do you see the distinction?
A Wish-Affirmation is something you aspire to.
Instead, a Pattern-Affirmation is something that can be true right away. You can exhibit a different behavior now. Your very next action can contribute to your healthy lifestyle.
You can even apply the Pattern-Affirmation process to having financial abundance.
For example, a Wish-Affirmation could be “I am wealthy.” On the other hand, a Pattern-Affirmation could be: “I’m careful with my personal budget like a prosperous person.”
First, be sure to pick a suitable Pattern-Affirmation. Remember, it needs to address a pattern of behavior you want to instill.
Here are examples:
I eat like a 130 lbs. person
I study one hour a day like a good student.
I listen to my daughter’s thoughts and feelings like a good father.
Now, when you begin your ritual, cast circle.
Cleanse and consecrate your candle. Sit and hold your candle and meditate on your Pattern-Affirmation for five minutes or more.
Take the candle and place it on your altar. Say aloud your Pattern-Affirmation as you light the candle. Visualize that you’re guiding energy into the candle.
(Repeat the following process for seven days in a row:
Let the Seven Day Candle burn one knob per day. Each day, repeat the above process of meditating on your Pattern-Affirmation for five minutes or more.)
On the first day, after the first knob has burned down, do Cakes and Wine and then close the circle. Repeat the candle-lighting and knob-burning down for six more days.
Using this new tool of a Pattern-Affirmation Ritual, we will grow in new and exciting ways.
If you try the Pattern-Affirmation Ritual, please let me know about your results. Thanks!
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