I opened the large box that contained my holiday gift. Inside, I found a brewing kit. “Perfect!”
When I was in my mid-20s, I brewed mead. However, I lost my equipment in the move from my childhood home.
It had been a long time since I brewed anything, so I needed a refresher. So, I purchased a book about mead-brewing.
I eagerly read the book—and that takes some doing since I’m dyslexic. Learning about Vikings and how they brewed mead had my attention.
Today, I am once again excited to try my hand at brewing mead. However, this time I am trying an open-air brewing technique I found in the book. It’s brewing done old school—like our ancestors did long ago. Along this line, Wiccans like brewing mead.
Instead of using commercial yeast, I will be harvesting wild yeast. This is something our ancestors did at the beginning of their brewing exploits.
So, I gathered up all the equipment and ingredients that I needed, including a rod to mix my brew. I would dedicate my mead-brewing efforts to the God and Goddess. I wanted to make the mixing rod a sacred tool. Therefore, I wrote a blessing to imbue my new mixing rod with the powers of the God and Goddess.
Mixing Rod Blessing
Blessed Be this Sacred Rod May it Bestow with Healing Energies of the Gods Let my Rod mix my brew With Health, Wealth, Peace, and Joy anew All who taste the brew mixed with this Rod May Find Everlasting Blessedness from the Gods As I will, So Mote It Be
In the next days, I’ll see how my renewed interest in mead-brewing goes.
Are you considering adding something new to your daily activities?
“So, I put the Tarot spread down, and then I caught my breath,” one of my Wiccan elders told me.
“Then what happened?” I asked.
“I knew that it was going to be tough to express what the cards were saying to my friend,” my Wiccan elder said.
I understood the situation. She was going to have to tell her friend something that she did not want to hear.
A significant number of people are concerned about having to face a “bad reading.” It’s tough enough to talk about it. It can be even harder to face a tough Tarot reading that applies to you.
Here are three steps to help you work through the dark waters of bad news.
Postpone Being Upset by Doing a Meditation
Go into meditation and ask for Goddess’s Viewpoint on the matter. You may be surprised! Some events that look bad at first glance are actually good news.
I have a friend who taught college students. She worked at many different colleges to make ends meet. One day she was doing a reading and saw that she would stop teaching college students. She was devastated.
Then, she did a meditation and asked the Goddess what to do …
Do Another Spread the Next Day
She asked the question “If I do _____, what is the outcome?” When she read the answer, she was puzzled. It gave her the same answer as the day before.
So, she repeated the step of meditation to ask for guidance and to see the situation clearly.
She also talked with her Wiccan Elders and other trustworthy people.
Take Positive Action and Add Meditation
The next day she did what she hoped was a positive action related to her situation. She signed up for a Toastmasters group (a group where people practice public speaking)—based on a vague notion that she might become a life coach and giving speeches would help her find clients.
She now says that she gets to work with clients who really want her help—which is quite different from teaching required college classes. She is now free of half-hearted efforts from a significant number of college students. (She hated giving out bad grades.)
So, the “Bad News” that she thought she had received turned out to be a blessing to help her make a transition into what she was meant to do.
Doing meditation sessions and asking for Goddess’s viewpoint can really open up possibilities in your life. Not all endings are bad—although they might include pain at first.
May these three steps help you as you discover your next chapter of life.
“I’m stuck. I keep ruminating on how that person betrayed me,” my friend, Leena, said. “If I could just get past this—get beyond this.”
I listened with concern for my friend.
Becoming a High Priestess, I worked for years to learn oath-bound rituals to transcend my earthly concerns. It took a lot of work, but with private rituals, I have discovered how to deeply connect with the Goddess.
Wicca is a path of transcendence, which refers to “existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level.”
Beyond the normal … are we referring to positive or negative experiences?
Perhaps, like me, you’ve experienced some downright horrible events in your life. The good news is that, through Wicca, we can move beyond darkness to that which includes love and light. We have the power to use magick, and we can invite the God and Goddess to help us rise above the darkness of our negative past experiences.
Maybe, you’ve heard the term transformation a number of times. To transform however is to change in character or condition.
I have looked upon transformation as something that requires a lot of effort.
Remember, transcendence is something different. As we noted, it is beyond the normal or physical level. Think of it like this: Transcendence can happen in an instant. For example, some time ago, in the middle of one of my meditation sessions, the God and Goddess appeared to me. This was not something I “forced” or “transformed.” Instead, it was an experience that just manifested. I flowed into beyond the normal or physical.
So, what does this all boil down to?
Transcendence is something you invite, and you do not force.
Here is a prayer that you can use to create transcendence in your life by changing bad experiences into good emotions.
Transcendence Prayer
By love and light, By Old Ones’ might! I ask for Transcendence of my (name of difficulty) in Your Name. May You take it and make it tame. That You turn it into love and light, So I will be all right! Let there be a shift in me, from darkness into light. Let transcendence lift me and take flight. By all the powers of the Sun, Moon and in Old Ones’ Name, Keep me safe and keep me sane. Keep me above the dark waters that I tread within my mind. Let me leave my heartache and sorrow behind. Create growth for me and my life with no end. Through every hill and bend. Pain and fear from (name of difficulty) abate, So I have only a good fate. This (name of difficulty) does not define me! It does not hinder or take me! The love of the Lord and Lady ever fills me, As I so will, So Mote It Be!
May this prayer carry you forward and help you transcend that which held you back.
Often, I’m asked about how Wiccans can really support their relationship with God and Goddess and deepen their Wiccan spiritual practice.
I often share The Three Elements to Improve Your Wiccan Practice.
What do you want to accomplish?
The whole point in much of Wicca is being close to the Gods. All the ritual we do, all the meditating we do—it’s about getting to the ecstatic state of being closer to the Source.
Do you want to start a meditation practice? Or how about doing more ritual each week? In creating a daily practice, you first have to figure out what you’re going to do.
Maybe you want to hone your magickal skills.
Here’s the first thing to consider: Start with something easy. Avoid setting yourself up to fail.
Start with something simple. You could do a simple candle lighting ceremony, for example.
How much time do you have?
Here’s the good news: Whatever time you have, you can make your Wiccan spiritual practice better.
Some examples:
1 minute – say a prayer or chant (out loud)
3 to 5 minutes – Have a brief meditation session.
30 minutes – Do a simple ritual. Perhaps, include a candle lighting ceremony and some meditation.
1 hour – Do a formal ritual.
The more time you have, the more you can do. Just remember to pace yourself.
Even if you have only a short time to spare, you can still get big benefits. How? Practice will help you hone whatever skill/discipline you are trying to work with.
Even doing a three-minute meditation session will bring you results over time.
How will you log it?
Logging your practice is crucial. If you do not log your actions, you really don’t know if you’re making any progress.
Some people use a diary. Diaries are great to log what you did, the duration of your practice, and what the outcome was.
What if you don’t like to write? No problem. You can use your smartphone to record your progress. You can pick an app to log your efforts.
Otherwise, you can simply mark a paper-based calendar on the days you successfully complete your practice.
Wiccans also find that having another Wiccan as your “accountability buddy” helps.
* * * * * *
In summary, you can accomplish much even with a short time—when you do things daily. Use The Three Elements to Improve Your Wiccan Practice.
Savvy Wiccans learn to interweave their practice in the spare moments of daily life.
Read and study during your lunch break.
You can bring your e-reader or book wherever you go. If you’re uncomfortable about people seeing the cover of your paperback book, use some paper and make a simple cover. Study during your breaks during the day.
Catching five minutes and ten minutes here and there can keep you on track to grow in the Craft.
Take five minutes in the morning for the God and Goddess.
Meditation is a great way to start the day. Communicating with the Gods and checking in with Them can keep you on your track for a closer bond with Them. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open with the Gods. Even a five-minute meditation session can make a real difference.
When cooking, choose foods based on their magickal benefits.
Many of us cook daily, anyway. So, it’s a good idea to enhance your Wiccan practice with how you make good choices about the foods you eat.
For example, if you’re looking for love, cook a meal using basil. Basil can be used for attracting wealth, too. Talk about a double-benefit!
Need protection, try garlic. Make some garlic bread to go with pasta. Many Wiccans use garlic for healing, too. Consider adding garlic to chicken soup for a wonderful taste. This works well for healing from colds and flus.
Create your own cooking style.
Take a daily walk around trees.
Even just a ten-minute walk can give you an experience of communing with nature and feeling the healing from the Gods.
Walking around in nature helps scrub your aura. Furthermore, such a walk drains negative energy out of your body. No wonder doctors have started prescribing walking in nature—now called “ecotherapy.”
In summary, here is an example of how Laura incorporates Wiccan practice in her daily life. She wakes up 10 minutes early and gets in her 5-minute meditation. She walks in a park while listening to a Wiccan audio book during her break. She eats her “prosperity soup” during her lunchbreak.
As we’ve discussed: There are numerous ways to weave your magickal life into your mundane one.
“Moonwater was telling me about her weight loss program, and it sounded like something I could do that didn’t cost me more than the normal groceries I buy, anyway. I started with an egg omelet in the morning with mushrooms and spinach. … In two weeks, I lost 7 lbs. I had a couple of days of eating what I wanted but not overeating. Then right back to Goddess Style. I feel great and eat what the Goddess gives us.” – Denise Kopplinger
As a Wiccan I found this an inspiring read. Written in a way that makes it accessible to everyone irrespective of their current knowledge. – Shona Cathro
I don’t generally write reviews on books I’ve read…but this time i feel lead to. This book spoke volumes to me, as if the author knew exactly where I’m coming from and what I’m struggling with. It’s not often a book can make me cry, but this one did by making me see the many blocks I’ve put up in my life. I knew they were there, but I’ve gotten skilled at pretending they’re not. Thank you for helping me see I’m not some freak because of circumstances throughout my life that have caused the blocks, and that i need to stop hiding from or burying them and face them one step at a time. – Crystal Sparks
This book is a must have for all of those starting out on the spiritual path of Wicca and for all of those who are just looking for some light and love in their life. MoonWater SilverClaw uses her knowledge of Wicca and her personal experiences to not only teach the Law of Attraction in a clear manner but to help you use the Law of Attraction to better your life.
Through simple guided meditations and tips on living a happy healthy life this book takes you on a journey that will teach you how to love yourself, better your self image, and rid yourself of the negative energies that prevent you from reaching your goals.
This book covers many wonderful topics that will teach you basic magical practices as well as the theory and idea of “like attracts like” From setting up an alter to casting a circle and how to perform and find the magick that you are seeing in your life this book has so much to offer.
MoonWater SilverClaw is truly an inspirational writer for a newer generation of Wiccans and those seeking to use the natural energies of the earth to make changes in their life. Her writing style speaks from the heart because she has been where the reader is, she has used these techniques and steps to better her own life and now she is helping the reader use the Law of Attraction to better theirs – Amazon Customer
This is an absolute gem for the witch with issues. Rituals for things like self-esteem are something i have never seen before. Moonwater’s writing is engrossing and draws the reader in. I am a witch with PTSD M.S. and other issues and this book made me feel hopeful and capable. – t’air
Ms. SilverClaw has written a book that is really great for the beginner wanting to learn about Wiccan or wants to start practicing the art of Wicca. I found this book wonderful, easy to read, and extremely helpful and informative. It covers everything from what Wicca is, the history of Wicca and how Wicca became misassociated with evil, along with how Wicca can help/save people’s lives. Ms. SilverClaw also discusses practicing Wicca either in a Coven or Solo, and all the things you need in order to have in order to perform your ceremony, and she explains what each item means. She explains how to create spells and gives examples to use, and explains the pitfalls of creating certain types of spells. Ms. SilverClaw has truly created a book that is a cast all net the seems to cover everything that I needed to know to begin practicing Wicca. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for their first book on the topic and wants to start practicing the art of Wicca or is just curious about the topic. This is truly a Must Have book. – Tamra L. Shipman
Feeling alone plagues many of us. This relates to an essential question: Who guards you?You guard you, with the God and Goddess.
Spirit Guides can also assist you. (For more about finding your spirit guide, see my post here.) My Spirit Guide is Linda (visible in the image with this post).
The idea of who guards you is a big topic because a significant number of us have, at least subconsciously, overindulged in food to develop a big body as a shield.
Rita, a friend, said, “It was like I was saying, ‘See! I’m no longer a tiny girl that you can abuse!”
Think about it. With a big body, the scared, vulnerable you on the inside might feel safe.
As I write about Goddess Style Weight Loss, I observe the idea that dropping weight can be like dropping our shield. Why would we do that when the world proved to us that there are those who have hurt us—and others who might hurt us still?
In place of the big body, what or who will protect us?
The God, Goddess and Spirit Guides are with you always—24/7.
“But I don’t feel Their presence!” Rita said.
This is understandable. Why? Because we’re often under the assault of “The Monkey Mind.” That’s the part of our thinking that “chatters” with distractions and fears.
That’s the point. We don’t feel the presence of God, Goddess and Spirit Guides because we’re distracted by The Monkey Mind. (For example, I just felt the urge to check email on my smartphone.)
The answer is to step away from the chattering. For example, my husband meditates for three minutes every morning. Just today, he said, “I didn’t feel peace until about 2 minutes and 50 seconds into my meditation. But I did reach the peaceful experience.”
The next step is to identify when, where and how you can feel the presence of God, Goddess and Spirit Guides. We see Their presence every day. From the grass between our toes to the rocky mountains that are Their cathedrals.
We can Cast a Circle and do a ritual which takes us out of our daily, Monkey Mind, routine.
But what about inside of us?
We are even distracted by feelings in our bodies.
There is a solution: Eat in healthy ways.
Eating healthy helps us run our bodies with the fuel they were meant to have. Goddess, through human history, has provided the bounty that sustains us. It’s only in modern times, when people have poisoned ourselves with processed, so-called food.
Realize that with healthy eating choices, our bodies will run better and with that comes a tighter bond in the ever loving arms of the Gods.
In this way we will be closer to Them, and we have a better chance of physically feeling Them within ourselves. It’s easier to connect with God and Goddess during a meditation if your body is not suffering from feeling bloated.
To bring this full circle, we’re been talking about who guards you.
You guard yourself by making healthy choices.
Even better, when you do things to reduce the distractions of the Monkey Mind, you open the door to the presence of God, Goddess and Spirit Guides.
Just like being in Circle, you can have a spiritual experience when you go Goddess Style: Eating from the earth and honoring the beings you consume.
The truth is: Having a big body can hold you back from experiences you really want. (I must say at 35 pounds lighter, it is easier for me to fit into a seat on a jet plane!)
Having a big body apparently was something I needed at one time.
Now, I’m focused on who really guards me—myself, God and Goddess.
Would you like to make the transition to feeling the presence of God, Goddess and Spirit Guides?
As a Wiccan I found this an inspiring read. Written in a way that makes it accessible to everyone irrespective of their current knowledge. – Shona Cathro
I don’t generally write reviews on books I’ve read…but this time i feel lead to. This book spoke volumes to me, as if the author knew exactly where I’m coming from and what I’m struggling with. It’s not often a book can make me cry, but this one did by making me see the many blocks I’ve put up in my life. I knew they were there, but I’ve gotten skilled at pretending they’re not. Thank you for helping me see I’m not some freak because of circumstances throughout my life that have caused the blocks, and that i need to stop hiding from or burying them and face them one step at a time. – Crystal Sparks
This book is a must have for all of those starting out on the spiritual path of Wicca and for all of those who are just looking for some light and love in their life. MoonWater SilverClaw uses her knowledge of Wicca and her personal experiences to not only teach the Law of Attraction in a clear manner but to help you use the Law of Attraction to better your life.
Through simple guided meditations and tips on living a happy healthy life this book takes you on a journey that will teach you how to love yourself, better your self image, and rid yourself of the negative energies that prevent you from reaching your goals.
This book covers many wonderful topics that will teach you basic magical practices as well as the theory and idea of “like attracts like” From setting up an alter to casting a circle and how to perform and find the magick that you are seeing in your life this book has so much to offer.
MoonWater SilverClaw is truly an inspirational writer for a newer generation of Wiccans and those seeking to use the natural energies of the earth to make changes in their life. Her writing style speaks from the heart because she has been where the reader is, she has used these techniques and steps to better her own life and now she is helping the reader use the Law of Attraction to better theirs – Amazon Customer
This is an absolute gem for the witch with issues. Rituals for things like self-esteem are something i have never seen before. Moonwater’s writing is engrossing and draws the reader in. I am a witch with PTSD M.S. and other issues and this book made me feel hopeful and capable. – t’air
Ms. SilverClaw has written a book that is really great for the beginner wanting to learn about Wiccan or wants to start practicing the art of Wicca. I found this book wonderful, easy to read, and extremely helpful and informative. It covers everything from what Wicca is, the history of Wicca and how Wicca became misassociated with evil, along with how Wicca can help/save people’s lives. Ms. SilverClaw also discusses practicing Wicca either in a Coven or Solo, and all the things you need in order to have in order to perform your ceremony, and she explains what each item means. She explains how to create spells and gives examples to use, and explains the pitfalls of creating certain types of spells. Ms. SilverClaw has truly created a book that is a cast all net the seems to cover everything that I needed to know to begin practicing Wicca. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for their first book on the topic and wants to start practicing the art of Wicca or is just curious about the topic. This is truly a Must Have book. – Tamra L. Shipman
One reader asked, “Do I need to have Gods to be a traditional witch?”
My first reflex was to reply, “Yes!”
Then I paused and thought about it. What might this person be thinking that leads to this question?
Perhaps, he or she thinks that a witch is simply someone who wields natural energy to create change. (That would be a sorceress.)
Maybe this person thinks that witches merely do spells to heal people and attract prosperity. (Still a sorceress.)
On the other hand, traditional witchcraft is about honoring the Old Gods. So, by definition, the answer is: “Yes. You need to honor the Old Gods to be a traditional witch.”
Then, we look at what tradition attracts you. The Gardnerian tradition has its own particular pantheon of Gods. By the way, I won’t be writing here about which Gods these are. Why? This knowledge is Oath Bound. One needs to be an initiated member in good standing with a Gardnerian coven to eventually learn of these Gods.
Still, one could look into various pantheons.
Here are a couple of examples:
(There are MANY more Gods in the below-referenced pantheons. The below list is just to give you a “taste.”)
Norse Pantheon
Odin father of all the Gods
Thor son of Odin God of thunder
Freya Goddess of love and beauty
Freyr God of fertility
Greek Pantheon
Hera – Goddess of marriage and intrigue
Hercules – God of strength and adventure
Hermes – God of travel and commerce
Hestia – Goddess of home and family
Celtic Pantheon
The Daghdha – God of weather and crops
Arawn – God of life and death
Belenus – God of sun, light, and warmth
Brigantia – Goddess of rivers and livestock
Egyptian Pantheon
Ra-Horakhty – God of the sun, ruler of the gods
Anubis – God of judgment and death
Bastet – Goddess of cats and vengeance
Hathor – Goddess of love, music, and motherhood
In summary, the traditional witch does multiple things: She or he honors the Old Gods and works with magick to create change.
As a Wiccan I found this an inspiring read. Written in a way that makes it accessible to everyone irrespective of their current knowledge. – Shona Cathro
I don’t generally write reviews on books I’ve read…but this time i feel lead to. This book spoke volumes to me, as if the author knew exactly where I’m coming from and what I’m struggling with. It’s not often a book can make me cry, but this one did by making me see the many blocks I’ve put up in my life. I knew they were there, but I’ve gotten skilled at pretending they’re not. Thank you for helping me see I’m not some freak because of circumstances throughout my life that have caused the blocks, and that i need to stop hiding from or burying them and face them one step at a time. – Crystal Sparks
This book is a must have for all of those starting out on the spiritual path of Wicca and for all of those who are just looking for some light and love in their life. MoonWater SilverClaw uses her knowledge of Wicca and her personal experiences to not only teach the Law of Attraction in a clear manner but to help you use the Law of Attraction to better your life.
Through simple guided meditations and tips on living a happy healthy life this book takes you on a journey that will teach you how to love yourself, better your self image, and rid yourself of the negative energies that prevent you from reaching your goals.
This book covers many wonderful topics that will teach you basic magical practices as well as the theory and idea of “like attracts like” From setting up an alter to casting a circle and how to perform and find the magick that you are seeing in your life this book has so much to offer.
MoonWater SilverClaw is truly an inspirational writer for a newer generation of Wiccans and those seeking to use the natural energies of the earth to make changes in their life. Her writing style speaks from the heart because she has been where the reader is, she has used these techniques and steps to better her own life and now she is helping the reader use the Law of Attraction to better theirs – Amazon Customer
This is an absolute gem for the witch with issues. Rituals for things like self-esteem are something i have never seen before. Moonwater’s writing is engrossing and draws the reader in. I am a witch with PTSD M.S. and other issues and this book made me feel hopeful and capable. – t’air
Ms. SilverClaw has written a book that is really great for the beginner wanting to learn about Wiccan or wants to start practicing the art of Wicca. I found this book wonderful, easy to read, and extremely helpful and informative. It covers everything from what Wicca is, the history of Wicca and how Wicca became misassociated with evil, along with how Wicca can help/save people’s lives. Ms. SilverClaw also discusses practicing Wicca either in a Coven or Solo, and all the things you need in order to have in order to perform your ceremony, and she explains what each item means. She explains how to create spells and gives examples to use, and explains the pitfalls of creating certain types of spells. Ms. SilverClaw has truly created a book that is a cast all net the seems to cover everything that I needed to know to begin practicing Wicca. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for their first book on the topic and wants to start practicing the art of Wicca or is just curious about the topic. This is truly a Must Have book. – Tamra L. Shipman
