In Just One Moment, Connect with Goddess

March 26, 2016 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Lily2

“I was so happy a day ago,” my friend Anna said.

“I hear a ‘but’ coming up,” I said.

“But then I found out my project is going to cost three times more,” she said.

“That sounds tough to hear,” I replied. “What were you happy about?”

“Our project had a new donor,” she continued, “But now, we’re stuck.”

I empathize with Anna’s situation.

The strange thing I notice is that Anna did not immediately invoke her Wiccan knowledge. Why did that happen?

You see, your ordinary, daily life is NOT separate from your spiritual life.

What could Anna do—in just a moment or two—to help her feel the Goddess’s love?

Turn Your Thoughts to Goddess

Shift to your feelings and thoughts about what you’re grateful for. Use this chant:

Gracious Lady of the Moon,
I thank you now for this boon.

Light a Candle per day

You can light a candle as an offering to express your gratitude for what you do have.

On the first day, Anna could have lit a candle to express her gratitude for the project donation.

On the second day, Anna could light a candle for Goddess’s Guidance.

Use this chant:

Goddess,
I don’t know what to do.

Grant me strength to find a solution.
Guide me with Your Divine Inspiration.

So Mote It Be.

The third day would be time to do an offering after what you want has manifested.

Find some humor.

When we do things, we’ll face some resistance.

I was talking with a friend recently and we came up with this little phrase:

Goddess,
I thank you now
I thank you later
Do what You will
to straighten out this hater.

My friend and I laughed about this one.

Remember, you can connect with Goddess in just one moment.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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

Looking for gifts?

See my designs at Redbubble. For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Reveals Your Enchanted Light: Peace, Prosperity, Possibility Along Your Wiccan Path

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

Protect Yourself: Always Cast Circle

February 26, 2016 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Skull

“The God of Death won’t leave,” I said, really concerned. My mentor nodded; she understood. This was years ago around the time of Samhain. The God of Death has many faces. The one I kept seeing was the corpse-face of a deer on a man’s body.

“The God of Death wants to talk to me,” I said. My mentor suggested that we do a meditation so I could find out his reason for a conversation. My mentor and I settled down in her living room, and soon I went to the astral plane to talk to the God of Death.

Once I was done and had received his message, I came back to the mundane world.

But I didn’t come back alone. The God of Death clung onto me and wouldn’t leave!

I ended up doing a ritual in the woods and appeased him with a gift of a pomegranate. Finally, he left me. What a relief!

The Big Lesson

I learned something of vital importance. It’s necessary for us to Cast Circle BEFORE we do a meditation.

I repeat: Cast Circle BEFORE, you do a meditation.

In essence, I was fortunate. I learned a big lesson without having to pay a big price.

If I had Cast Circle, then the God of Death would not have returned with me from the astral plane.

Okay. Lesson learned.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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

P.P.S. I’m pleased to invite you to a Free Event that I’m co-hosting “Discover Your Enchanted Prosperity” in Sunnyvale, California — March 9th at 6:30 pm.
For details, go to Meetup.com when you CLICK HERE

Looking for gifts?

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

Depression, Suicide, and A Wiccan Path to Healing

February 6, 2016February 7, 2016 / Moonwater / 4 Comments

Tulips

He had been tossed out of a branch of the armed forces. Why? Poor performance of his duties? No! It was his sexual orientation. A couple of years later, he killed himself. Often, every month, I remember my dear friend.

None of this is a theory to me. I’ve attempted suicide myself. The first time—when I was 8 years old.

Wiccans acknowledge that winter is the season of death. Death does not always mean the end of life. In the Tarot, the card “Death” also means change.

I know from my own journey that feeling the urge to kill oneself is a call for change—and a call for love.

During the winter, a significant number of people struggle with seasonal affect disorder.

For many of us who are enduring difficult times now, here is a meditation from my book Goddess Has Your Back to help you.

Self-Love Meditation

Close your eyes.
Breathe in and out deeply . . . Relax.
Keep breathing.
Breathe out the stress of the day.
Breathe in relaxation and peace.

(Pause)

You are still aware of the light that is in the room.
Now the light begins to fade.
As it fades you feel total comfort. You feel safe and secure in the darkness.

(Short Pause)

Now, a new form of light blossoms. It surrounds and wraps you in its loving energy. This light is the light of the Gods.
It is a light of love and compassion. Take it in.
As you take this light and understanding in, you can now see with the Gods’ eyes.
You can now see yourself as they see you, pure, beautiful, whole. You are a masterpiece of their creation. You were made with love, and you are a manifestation of their love. You are love.
This understanding fills you.

(Pause)

With this new understanding you are now ready to return to the physical world.
You know that even though you may leave the light at this time it is never truly gone.
It’s a gentle transition as the light begins to fade around you.
Slowly at first. It gets darker and darker.
As it fades you feel total comfort. You feel safe and secure in the darkness.

(Short Pause)

Then a familiar light returns, the light in the room where you started.
It gradually gets brighter and brighter.
You are back in the room. You have brought the calm and peace and happy feelings back with you.
Now, gently open your eyes.

I hope you find comfort with this meditation.

You can also meditate and ask the God and Goddess for help. Meditate on what the Gods see as a helping answer for you. Remember, the God and Goddess are always on your side.

If you’re in distress, please call the Suicide Hotline at: 1 (800) 273-8255

Yes—I have attempted suicide more than once. But now my life is good. It’s really worth it to endure the pain because life CAN get better.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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

Looking for gifts?

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

What is a Soul?

September 11, 2015September 14, 2015 / Moonwater / 4 Comments

Thank you to NASA Space Telescope

“What is a soul?” one of my Facebook friends asked.

This is a powerful question. In fact, I’ve had a number of conversations with elders in the Wiccan community on this topic.

I’ll now share a view that has formed for me out of those conversations and my own intuitive understanding:

In the beginning there was nothing but the Void. Then, with a single thought of “I AM!” the ALL created Itself. But soon, the ALL wanted a new experience, and so the ALL separated Itself into Two. The ALL did this by making a mighty scream. The Dark Half became the Goddess. She in turn gave birth to another entity that, at first was only a wave, but soon, It had thought, and so became Illumination. With illumination, the entity became intelligent, and He was the God, the Light Half to the Goddess.

The God slowly drifted away from the Goddess. Soon after his illumination, the God realized He had been created. He was curious about Who had created Him. He began a search, looking in a circle for the One who had made Him. Soon He realized that His Creator was no where that He had looked. The only place His Creator could be was in the center of the circle. So he went there and met the Goddess.

The Goddess found him brilliant and irresistible. She fell in love with Him. They made love and created all we know and that which we do not yet know.

We start with the ALL and then have the Goddess and the God.

How does this relate to you and I as souls?

A soul is the energy that resides within everything. From people to trees, everything has this sacred energy.

Where does this sacred energy come from? – from the ALL which yearns to learn about Itself. To understand Itself, the ALL creates small pieces of Itself, which are Its children.

The soul radiates the life soul energy. Further, the soul is connected by the different chakras located throughout our bodies.

I’m fascinated by the detail that the life soul energy manifests outward from the chakras as one’s aura. Some people can see this aura energy.

A few can see the aura and appreciate it as a guide to heal people. The healer sees via the aura whether the person has health problems. With this knowledge, some healers have clues as to how the person may heal.

It helps to have a view of how things are interconnected.

We, Pagans, understand how all people and beings are essentially connected.

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

What Pagans Know

September 5, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

When I arrived at Pinecrest campground, I looked forward to hiking through the pine trees until . . . my heart broke, seeing all of the dying trees.

Sure, we Californians complain about cutting back on our water consumption amid cries of “Drought!”
But I did not feel it in my gut until I saw all the brown, dying trees.

The trees all over California are dying.

What does this have to do with Wicca?

We can notice that the human race, for the most part, has neglected our Sacred Mother Earth. Many have ignored the God and the Goddess or downright forgotten about Them.

Mother Earth is sick, and we need to come to Her aid. What can we do?

We can protect her. Walking, bicycling, carpooling when possible. My sweetheart often takes the train and avoids commuting by car. Be sure to recycle and consider eating locally grown food.

We can also gather with others and organize a clean-up Mother Earth day or afternoon. Then you would pick up trash at beaches, forests, or even your own neighborhood.

I believe we need to fight global warming on a personal level, and in groups. Small actions do make a difference.

In one of my previous blog articles , I talk about how a friend and I cleaned up a big mess left by previous campers. It really bothered me that those individuals thought they could leave their trash and waste anywhere they pleased. They took no responsibility for their actions.

Pagans know better. My friend and I went into immediate action and cleaned up the campsite. The rangers were quite happy to provide us with bags to assist our “be kind to Mother Earth” actions.

Now I invite you to get involved on some level.

Let us, Pagans, lead by example.

Let’s show others on this beautiful Mother Earth how to be good stewards with the gifts we have been given.

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

How A Wiccan Can Get Healthier

May 29, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Out of breath after walking up some stairs, I thought: “I got to do better than this.” I had succumbed to gaining serious extra weight.

Then, I noted an app on my new Smartphone—a pedometer. A number of doctors/researchers emphasize that walking 10,000 steps a day is valuable.

So I started walking at least 10,000 steps a day. At first, I was okay. And I even limited my intake of fat-adding foods.

The result? Weight loss.

But now I’m enduring more pain in my legs. And it feels tougher and tougher to get out there and keep up my walking regimen.

When you’re enduring pain, it can feel like you’re all alone.

But wait, I’m Wiccan. I can call upon the Gods for help.

A Simple Rite so You Can Ask the Gods for help.

What you will need: 1 red candle.

Cast circle in the usual way.

Cleanse and consecrate candle (cense and asperge candle).

Light the candle and say:

Lord and Lady give me strength to step into the light that is for me. The light of health and strength. Help me keep my stride on this path of light to the best that I can be. And if I falter, lend me Your hands so that I may rise again and continue on my path. Give me the strength to endure and succeed over the challenges of temptation, as I choose to let go of bad habits and improve my health.

So mote it be!

Then do your Cakes and Wine ceremony.

Close circle in the usual way.

May this ritual be useful for all of us who seek to improve our health.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

Witches Pyramid – Spirit

April 30, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

“Why is Spirit included with the Elements that make up the Witches Pyramid?” Juliet asked.

“Spirit refers to your higher self and the Gods and Goddesses,” I began. “The elements are the base of the Witches Pyramid. You need the elements plus Spirit to create life and to work magick.”

The preferable order of the Elements is Earth, Water, Air and Fire. They incrementally increase in energy.

We begin with Earth since it is the grounding Element. As you work up with the higher and higher energy levels till you reach Fire, you use Earth to ground them all.

After working with Earth, Water, Air and Fire, it’s natural to move to Spirit. When working with Spirit, we connect with our inner selves and the Gods. During meditation, you can receive messages and insights. We Wiccans strive to connect with Deity through nature, rituals and meditation sessions.

Wiccans work with Spirit in many ways that even connect with astral projection, psychometry (touching objects to sense them), and clairvoyance/clairaudience.

An Example of Connecting With the Gods

We know that life can be really tough to endure. Some time ago, I shared a particular chant (on this blog) to help you connect with the Gods and receive support.

Here is the chant you can recite to yourself when you’re hurting:

By the Sun and by the Moon,
Let the Gods’ light be my boon.
Shining deep and shining far,
May I be healed by every star.
I saw it then, I see it now,
Darkness be gone right here, right now!

You can use this short chant whenever you are feeling low. For example you can use this chant during meditation, lighting a candle or as a prelude to a meditation.

In discussing the Spirit aspect of the Witches Pyramid, we have completed our multi-post conversation of the components of the Witches Pyramid: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Spirit.

We Wiccans can deepen our practice by repeatedly focusing on meditations related to the Elements and Spirit.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

See the Truth

March 14, 2015 / Moonwater / 4 Comments

“Now, do you believe?!” my sweetie said to me, as the plane lifted from the ground.

“Yeah, I do,” I replied.

For months, he said that we would take a plane, cross the country and then take a ship and finally walk on the ocean floor.

Because of dealing with depression symptoms, it was hard for me to really believe that our trip would actually take place. In a way, you might say my depression symptoms blocked me from seeing the possibilities.

This reminds me of the classic story in which blind men gathered to experience an elephant.

“It’s a pillar,” said the blind man embracing one leg.
“No, a hand fan,” said another holding an ear.
“You’re wrong, a rope,” said another.
“No, a wall.”
“A solid pipe,” said the one holding the tusk.

A wise man approached and explained, “You’re all right. You all experienced a part of the elephant. The elephant is all that you said and more.”

Finally, the blind men stopped arguing.

The same, I believe, is true about Deity. Everyone has a piece of the ALL. And what they don’t see is that it is all connected. It’s the same ALL that everyone else has. But they are experiencing the ALL in different ways, and this selective experience creates different practices and beliefs around the world.

So when I hear someone say that he knows the one and only God, I pause. I think of the elephant which is more than the sum of the parts.

Yes, I believe the God and Goddess are part of the ALL. But still I realize that Deity is more than my momentary perception.

And I’d invite anyone else to consider that other people are experiencing Deity in a way that suits them at the moment.

Let’s celebrate our shared opportunity to grow in spirit.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

Simple Wiccan Dedication Ritual

November 28, 2014November 28, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

I have had many requests for help in writing dedication rituals. So here is a simple dedication ritual that you can do if you have made the choice that Wicca is right for you.

Dedication Rite

Preparation

Turn your phone off and make sure you will not be disturbed. Clean the area to do ritual: Dust, vacuum, and anything else you need to do before you begin. Next take a ritual bath (For instructions click here.) Find a comfortable place and sit quietly, meditating on what you are about to do. You are about to dedicate yourself to the path of the Gods. Be honest. Is this really what you want to do? Don’t take the promises lightly. You will also need to pick out a new name to go by. This is fun and can be anything you choose.

What you will need:

1) Cakes/Bread: It is acceptable to use bread, cupcakes, cookies, or even a power bar. It should contain carbohydrates to nourish the body and replenish the energy you use during the ritual.

2) Censer & Incense: In this case, the incense burner holds cone incense. However, it is acceptable to burn any kind of incense you choose. Remember that incense, when burned, represents Air on your altar.

3) Taper: The taper is for lighting candles. You begin by using a lighter to ignite the wick of the working candle. Then, you bring the taper to the working candle and ignite the wick of the taper. Now with the lit taper you ignite the other candles on your altar.

4) Lighter: The lighter is used to light the working candle. Any type of lighter may be used.

5) Bell/Chime: A bell or chime is needed for different purposes during a ritual.

6) Pentacle: The pentacle is used to help focus your attention on your goal.

7) Athame: The athame knife is used to direct power and can cast circles.

8) Bowl with Water: Water is one of the five elements. It is used together with salt to make consecrated water.

9) Dish with Salt: Salt represents the Earth. It is placed into water to make consecrated water.

10) Chalice with Wine: As you remember, the cup is a female symbol. In a ritual, the cup holds the wine or juice that is to be blessed. (It is acceptable to use juice instead of wine if you do not drink alcohol.)

11) Offering Dishes: These dishes are used to “offer up,” as an offering, part of your blessed food from your “cakes and wine” ceremony. We will discuss that later. You can also offer up flowers, which pay tribute to nature and the Goddess.

12) Goddess Candle & God Candle: These are the candles that represent the God and Goddess.

13) Working Candle: The working candle is positioned between the God and Goddess candle. Use this candle to light the other candles during a ritual. The working candle represents the element Fire on your altar.

For the altar setup click here.

1) Cast Circle (For script click here)

2) Dedication Rite

Say the following:

O Triumphant and Great Lord,

O Beautiful and Gracious Lady,

My intention to You, my Lord and Lady, is to dedicate myself onto the sacred path which you have opened before me. I accept this path as my own, and willingly of my own accord tread upon it. I know it will not be easy, but I promise I will be steadfast. And if I should fall, I shall rise again, all in Your honor. I will help those who tread upon the path, with me, beside me and behind me. And I will help them freely and willingly with love in my heart, for I know that they are a part of You as I am a part of You.

(Raise goblet or cup)

As I kneel before you naked in this truth. I [Your New Name] toast to you O Honorable Lord and Gracious Lady.

To new beginnings, new friendships and new growth.

Magick in the starlight
Magick in the moonlight
Magick is now my right.

So Mote it Be.

3) Cakes and Wine (For instructions click here)

4) Close Circle (For instructions click here)

I hope this dedication rite will help you upon your journey.

Blessings,
Moonwater SilverClaw

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

House Gods

March 23, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

House Gods

When my friend Janet introduced me to her House Goddess, “Phyllis,” I was immediately intrigued. How would it feel to have a spiritual being watching over your home and protecting you and your loved ones?

Many cultures focus on House Gods who protect the home in some form. There’s Cofgodas in Anglo-Saxon Paganism and Gasin in Korea. Lares, from ancient Rome, protects the home.

Some House Gods just take care of certain rooms. Others oversee certain activities done in a particular room.

My House God’s name is Timmy. That’s unusual in that House Gods tend to be female. Timmy protects my home and my loved ones who reside there. Like a divine watch dog, he keeps mischief at bay. He keeps us safe from negative entities who may wander by.

Many readers may want to invite a House God into their home.

Good news! They’re most likely already there.

So how do you entice your House God to take his or her job more seriously?

Make them offerings, of course.

Here is how I began my relationship with Timmy.

I got a statue that I liked. (House Gods tend to take residence in an object.) I found mine at the Northern California Renaissance Pleasure Fair but you can find your object anywhere.

My statue is also a candle holder, which is a plus for offering candles. And it has the added coolness that the cat eyes glow when you place the candle in the statue.

I placed the statue in a prominent place in my home and then asked that the House God come forward. I invited Timmy to protect my home and all my loved ones who reside in it. And in turn I would honor him by offering him this statue, and I would give him candles with my thanks.

I lit the candle and asked him if this was acceptable. I said, “If you agree, please blink to confirm your answer is ‘yes.’” He “blinked” by flickering the fire. That’s how our conversation began.

When you start a relationship with your House God, he or she will diligently continue with the protection job. Just make sure to give him or her offerings to say thank you.

Do you already have a House God? Tell me about your experiences in the comments section below.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw