Mentoring

August 30, 2014 / Moonwater / 11 Comments

The Golden Gate Bridge

I focused the video camera on the Golden Gate Bridge. I was filming some footage for my upcoming video program. After I got the shot, my friend turned to me and asked, “You mentioned that this video is to help people avoid mistakes when doing magick. What was a mistake that you did?”

This started me thinking. Actually, it was the fear of making mistakes that prevented me from doing a lot while I was a solitary practitioner. I avoided spell-work because I was afraid of doing something wrong.

A number of times, I could have asked for help from the Gods, but I was afraid of doing a full spell because I was not sure about all of the proper details of casting a circle, conducting a ritual and closing the circle.

In a way, I’m glad that I hesitated. One of the big mistakes that people make is improperly closing a circle or not even closing a circle.

I replied to my friend. “My big hope with my video program is to function like a mentor to the viewers. My own mentor has saved me from making a number of mistakes. And because of that, I’ve done many rituals with confidence that I was doing the proper tasks in the correct order.”

So now, as I’m getting closer to completing my video program, I want to ask you for a favor, dear reader: What are two burning questions that you have about avoiding mistakes in your meditations and your magick work? Please post in the comments section.

Thank you!

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

The Importance of Mentoring and the Experience

August 23, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

The Altar

I placed the bowl of salt on the altar and then, gently, my mentor moved my hand to the left. Just then, I had the instinctive feeling that the bowl of salt was now in the right place.

I’ve found that having a mentor brings out an aspect of Wicca that one cannot find in a book.

Imagine trying to learn to swim without getting in the water.

Similarly, did you learn to ride a bicycle with no one next you? Learning to ride a bicycle is a good metaphor related to rising to higher levels of Wiccan practice.

You could read a book about a bicycle or watch other people riding bicycles, but that is not the same as having a mentor guide you.

When my dad taught me to ride a bicycle, he was there offering advice and helping me right the bicycle when I took a couple of spills.

Wicca is an experiential process. A mentor can guide you in a progression of experiences so that you learn at a good pace and have successful experiences along the way.

The idea of being a mentor means so much to me that I’m now completing a video in which I talk directly with the viewer and show the process of a number of meditations. I provide guided meditations—this is a prime example of when a mentor can provide an experience to help the viewer go deeper in his or her practice.

Consider ways to bring a mentor or mentors into your journey.

You’ll make progress faster and enjoy the journey more.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

Facing Love, Life, and Death

August 17, 2014August 17, 2014 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Pent

On August 11, 2014, Robin Williams committed suicide. This really hit home for me. Being a person who has lived on both sides of the suicide-situation, I feel that it’s time I talk about it.

I have attempted multiple times to commit suicide in my life. I’ve often felt the unspeakable pain that drives one to such thoughts and actions.

The truth is: A lot of people have no way of comprehending the emotions of the person considering suicide. As a friend said to me, “It’s similar to grief. You do NOT know it, until you’re IN grief. Until someone close to you has died.”

On the other side of the situation, I have also endured when a very dear friend committed suicide. My heartbreak seared deeper than any hot poker could. Searing my flesh would have been a kindness. This pain of grief hits you deep in the soul.

Recently, I was appalled at how some pundit on a cable channel called Robin Williams “a coward” for taking his own life. Did this pundit personally know Robin? Does this pundit struggle with depression personally?

And I have other questions.

Is it possible that depression can become an unbearable pain? (I have felt such pain and fortunately the Gods broke the cord that could have ended my life.)

Is it possible that it is the right of each individual to choose how to live and how and when to die?

And then let’s add the spiritual questions.

Does the person on the verge of suicide feel (or care) that one will have to come back (be reincarnated) and learn the same thing he or she was struggling with and go through it all over again?

If suicidal thoughts arise for you, do you want to go through it again (in a reincarnated form)? Or hunker down and go through it once? (I know that to press on through suicidal thoughts can require professional and medical help.)

Still, I feel compassion for someone who has succumbed to suicide’s call.

I am not angry at my deceased friend. I only feel sorrow for him and that I could not help. I try not to blame myself for possibly missing a sign or two that he was in distress.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call the hotline below.

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Or go to the web sites

http://www.suicide.org/suicide-hotlines.html

International

http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

Thoughts We Think and the Magick They Create: the Good, the Bane, the Magickal.

August 9, 2014August 12, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Stop and Think

What have you been thinking about today? Have you paused for a moment and listened to the words you say to yourself?

We know that words have power. The words we say can create change of emotion, of how we are treated—and even change the world.

What kind of words do you say to yourself—as a habit?

Do your words include:

Good effort. You’re getting closer to what you want.
That’s okay. You’ve learned something. You’ll do better next time.

Recently, a friend pointed out that some of my words were really unkind to me.

I then realized that I’ve had the habit of saying certain mean things to myself:

I can’t do this.
I just made myself look like a f—ing idiot.
I can’t do anything right.

Wow—it hurts just to write that down!

Words are connected to our habitual thoughts. Many of us don’t really pay attention to what we tell ourselves on a daily basis.

As Wiccans, we need to pay attention to what we say because our thoughts and words hold power. If you repeat thoughts enough times, they become your reality. How is this true?

Let’s look at one of the self-defeating thoughts I was telling myself: “I can’t do this.”

When I was younger, I wanted to be a writer. But my dyslexia kicked my butt. I told myself, “I keep getting it wrong so I must be a f—ing idiot so I can’t do this.”

I didn’t come back to writing for 24 years!

So we see that your thoughts can actually cripple you. Your thoughts can kill your innate gift.

Don’t let that happen. Become aware of your habitual thoughts.

Thoughts have their own magickal power. They can work for you or against you. They are a type of energy and they manifest your view of reality.

If you notice you are not feeling that great about yourself, ask these questions:

What have I told myself lately?
What have I been thinking about?
Is it positive or negative?

Thoughts become beliefs if repeated often. This can be dangerous because these thoughts can manifest in our lives.

If you see negative things manifesting in your life, look at what you’re telling yourself–because the thoughts are being sent out, and create what you see and how you see it.

We can replace negative thoughts with positive ones to create our own magickal transformation.

If you notice that you’re putting yourself down, tell yourself, “Stop! Reframe.” One of my own coaches brought this “Stop! Reframe” technique to my attention. The idea is to break the pattern and then “reframe” the situation by telling yourself something positive. In essence, you’re giving yourself a new way to perceive the situation.

This process works for many people.

Additionally, I came up with my own process. If I think something negative, I tell myself, “Stop! Goddess thought.”

For example, sometimes, I put too much hot sauce on the eggs I prepare for my sweetheart. (Yes, he likes hot sauce on eggs. Go figure.)

I’ll say, “Damn it. That was dumb!”

Then I’ll tell myself, “Stop! Goddess thought.” I then step out of myself into the loving, compassionate energy of the Goddess. I then imagine what compassionate thing Goddess would tell me: “He’ll be glad to get these eggs. You just saved him time and he was able to do more writing this morning. He always says something nice about receiving food that you make for him.”

My point is that we, Wiccans, need to become our own best friend. Be the cheerleader of your own life. Remember our thoughts are always with us, just like the Gods. If you have trouble, ask the Gods for help. Look with Their eyes of compassion and love for you.

If you catch yourself making a cutting remark, say, “Stop! Goddess Thought.” Then look upon yourself with the loving eyes of the Goddess. Imagine what She would say to you to lift you up and bless you.

Doing this, you can change your view and your life.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

Face Danger and Harm None

August 2, 2014 / Moonwater / 5 Comments

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

The insect stung me and soon my whole arm was swollen. That was several years ago.

Today, I stood facing wasps on my balcony, a can of insecticide in my hand.

For three years, I have dreaded this day. And for three years, I’ve practiced the Wiccan “an it harm none.”

But today, the nest is so big and the wasps are so active.

Worse yet, they’re now getting into the house! Somehow, they are defying our screens and working their way into the house. I must take action.

If I get stung, I feel that my family will need to rush me to a hospital.

The Wiccan Rede advises me to “harm none” but these insects are invaders and they can severely harm me and my family members.

What can I do?

How do we, Wiccans, keep to the Wiccan Rede and still live our lives?

Let’s look at the word “rede.” Its origin is Middle English, and the definition is: “to give counsel to, or to advise.” Notice it isn’t defined as a rule, meaning something that must be followed.

And here is an important point: If I do nothing then harm will come to me and a family member. That is NOT “harm none.”

So now, it’s impossible to follow the “harm none” phrase like a rule.

To simply live, your body is defending you from germs and viruses. That means, your body is killing germs and viruses each day. To survive, you need to eat. Even if you are a vegan, you still kill plants in order to live.

Let’s go back to the definition of rede and the section that says, “to advise.” The idea of “advice” means that a person can take the advice and current circumstances all into account.

So how do I deal with the wasps?

I knock down their nests. I faced the risk of being near them as I was de-homing them. But they kept coming back. So I asked in the form of a prayer, “Wasps, please leave.”

The wasps did not comply with my plea. Over and over they came back and built new nests.

We are still in negotiations at this time.

But you can see: Staying true to my Wiccan path does not mean I never act to protect myself. But I strive to follow the Rede as much as I can.

What would you do?

May you find your answers on your path.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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 a Wiccan Recovers Her Balance

July 26, 2014July 29, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

HeatWave

How a Wiccan Recovers Her Balance

As Wiccans, we make continuous efforts to stay in balance with nature. Right now much of the western U.S. is suffering through a heatwave.

Staying cool is important—not just as a convenience but staying cool can save your life! So we’re turning up the AC (air conditioning) now.

As Wiccans, we endure other situations which throw us off balance and which require another form of “AC.” Whether you’re confronted with an argument with a family member or some driver cutting you off in traffic, you can see your temper get frayed.

In fact, I’m concerned about keeping cool and not getting irritable with others (even if they deserve it).

So how do you turn on your own AC during these heated times?

Breath control is a great way to calm down and control your words and actions.

Let’s say your stressed out and you’re losing your cool. What can you do?

Breathe. Let’s practice now. Take in a deep breath through your nose. In your mind count three (a sacred number) slowly.

Hold your breath for two counts. And then breathe out for three counts.

Repeat this slowly through five repetitions.

How do you feel now? Many of us find ourselves calming down. That’s really useful!

Remember breath control as your personal AC in a heated situation.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

Helping the Goddess

July 19, 2014 / Moonwater / 3 Comments

CleaningUp

My friend, John, drives the lead car and I follow in mine. We’re going on a camping trip. This one will be different, we’re going “disperse camping,” that is, we’re not using a public campground. I’m tired, but there’s hope! John flicks his blinker on and we turn off the road. Finally, no more driving. We step out of our cars and look around. The site turns my stomach.

There is trash everywhere, whole bags of it strewn across the forest, even a latrine. Yuck! Some campers just left all their trash; it had to have been quite a large group by how much trash was still there.

What would you do?

We had the option to find another spot. But as a Wiccan, I have a duty to Mother Earth.

Clearing some of the garbage we managed to set up camp. Then we drove to the ranger station down the road and told the rangers of the deplorable conditions of the site.

Then we did something they weren’t expecting. We asked for garbage bags so we could clean up the site. Their shocked but pleased faces told the story. They were quite happy to give us as many bags as we wanted.

Back at the camp site, we picked up the garbage along the river and then moved on to the camp area.

Six large and very full trash bags later, the site looked much better. I could feel the Goddess smiling.

On the other hand, it truly saddens me that some people could do this to their Mother.

As witches, Wiccans and pagans, we care for our mother. With this attitude much of our community cherishes an opportunity to clean Mother Earth.

You don’t have to look far and wide for such an opportunity. Just walk your own neighborhood. Or go to a local park. You’ll find plenty to clean and improve.

I personally feel a duty to keep my Mother clean and healthy.

How about you?

This is another way to show the Gods respect and love.

You’ll feel better, too.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

Is the Law of Attraction Really Magick?

July 6, 2014July 7, 2014 / Moonwater / 5 Comments

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick

Is the Law of Attraction Really Magick?

My friend Cindy saw the movie The Secret and learned about the Law of Attraction which states that “like attracts like.” So she tried really hard to think positive thoughts all the time. But life threw her curve balls like a problem at work or a friend not answering her phone calls.

Because she thought about the Law of Attraction she was afraid that her fearful thoughts were “attracting bad situations.”

I’ve thought about the Law of Attraction often. And I realized that talking about the Law of Attraction is really talking about using magick.

When people talk about the Law of Attraction, they emphasize that the energy you send out will attract similar situations. In Wicca, we talk about using energy. And doesn’t that “like attracts like” sound quite similar to the concept of the Three Times Law?

So if the law of attraction is magick, why are people having so many problems getting what they want?

The reasons may surprise you.

First, they may lack all of the right tools.

Second, they may be actually blocking their own path to success and fulfillment.

But the biggest problem remains that many people have unhealthy beliefs about success in their heads. For example, Henry’s father poisoned the boy’s thoughts that “All rich people are corrupt. Every fortune is based on a crime.”

No wonder Henry’s subconscious mind, in his adulthood, actually repels prosperity.

So how do we get rid of limiting beliefs to clear the path to our desires?

I talk about all this and more in my book Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick. Below is an excerpt from the book.

Beyond the Law of Attraction

to Real Magick

self-perspective: Overcome The blockage of Not feeling worthy

Do you feel worthy of the best that life has to offer? Maybe on the conscious level you say, “Sure. Bring it on. The new house, new car, and a real, loving relationship.”

But have you ever sabotaged your chances of getting exactly what you wanted?

Self-sabotage can occur because of feeling not worthy on a subconscious level.

If it’s subconscious, how can we deal with this?

Good question.

Soon I will share with you a Self-Love meditation.

But first let’s talk about magick. The whole premise of this book is that there is a way to go about the Law of Attraction with more power.

To put it simply, the Law of Attraction is a form of magick, but people who read an introductory book on the Law of Attraction are often denied enough information to truly make the Law of Attraction work in their own lives.

So to really make a positive difference in your life, we need to talk about real magick. I spell magick with a “k” to distinguish it from stage magic you see on television.

Magick is a natural power, not a supernatural one. Who uses magick? In my spiritual path, Wicca, one is trained to use magick in appropriate ways.

When Wiccans do magick, they channel natural energies and create change with them.

Well, if Wicca isn’t really supernatural, then why practice Wicca at all?

To put it simply, you want something. That’s probably why you were interested in the Law of Attraction in the first place. Now in the context of learning real magick, you’ll be able to fully use the Law of Attraction. And that’s good news!

Everyone is different and has their own answer to that question. I like to think of religion as a bottle of wine. Let’s say you have three different people who all taste the same bottle of wine. The first person points out that the flavor has accents of oak. The second praises the hints of apple in it, and the third enjoys the floral notes. They are all right. The wine contains all the flavors they described. But each person detected something different. Religion is like that. Deity can’t be entirely known. So the truth of it is scattered into many faiths.

In Wicca, we honor the God and the Goddess. If that’s new to you, you can substitute the label of Higher Power or God or Deity.

The Gods and Goddesses have helped me and they can help you, too. The first thing they taught me was self-love.

Before we go further, let’s make a distinction between self-love and self-conceit (or being stuck in one’s ego).

Self-love is about kindness and support. So it’s a good thing. It is NOT about your ego or puffing yourself up.

Let me show you how the Gods changed my perspective on myself for the better.

One of the best exercises I learned is meditation. Through reflective meditation, the Gods helped me understand how skewed my perception of myself really was. This was a key turning point for me.

One thing you always hear about are affirmations, but for many of us these just don’t work.

First, let’s cover what an affirmation is. It’s a personal, positive statement. It can be as simple as “I feel terrific” or “I make a lot of money.”

For many, the above statements don’t work. Why?

A number of people have told, “It just sounds like I’m lying to myself.”

Like myself, many people’s inner self-beliefs interfere with these positive statements. For an example, if I used the affirmation “I am thin,” my brain would object with “No, I’m not. Look in the mirror.” It’s not true. No matter how hard you try to pound that new idea into your brain, your brain pounds just as hard back.

So how did the Gods help me deal with this problem? They inspired me to create a Self-Love Meditation.

So instead of the uphill battle of an affirmation, we’ll use the Self-Love Meditation to work with the situation.

[End of above Excerpt from Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick]

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Thank you for reading this material. I will be away between July 8^th – July 15^th 2014. I look forward to returning and to continue serving you with great content.

Many Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider her books:

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

Coexist

July 4, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Secret of How to do Magick

June 28, 2014June 29, 2014 / Moonwater / 4 Comments

What Makes People Believe?

Secret of How to do Magick

When I first started doing magick it was really hit or miss, most often mess. My spell work was just not as effective as I wanted it to be. What was I doing wrong?

If you have wondered the same thing, you have probably done similar mistakes. For example, I’d do a money spell, but I’d just get new problems!

The real problem was, like many people, I just wanted a big payday. What I didn’t know was that this is really the wrong way to approach a lack of money.

Many, if not most, spells written today are focused on the external opportunities or even requesting gifts from the Gods. Focusing on just the external can create new problems.

What if I could tell you a Secret of how to do magick – in a way where your avoid ethics issues about money?

I have mentored a number of people about this Secret. Now I will share with you this Secret.

A phrase from the poem by Doreen Valiente entitled The Charge of the Goddess tells us how to do magick well. But many of us, like my younger self, just don’t see it. The line I’m talking about is: “…that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never find it without thee.”

This line invites us to look within as we approach our magickal work.

Instead of focusing on how to get money from outside sources, focus within. How? Instead of asking for a handout from the universe, ask, “How I can create more energy in myself to obtain my desire? How can I make myself open to more prosperity?”

Let’s get more specific. You have been laid off and need a new job pronto! Bills are pilling up fast.

Let’s use a sigil for this purpose. (You can learn more about sigils in my sigils post.) Remember the Gods are here to help. You can call on them for inner strength.

How to phrase a sentence for a sigil to get a job:

All blocks I have put up, known and unknown, dissolve so I am a good candidate and my future employer hires me.

Help me express the inner strength, skills and energy so I can acquire a job of my liking.

Here are phrases for those who have an interest in an entrepreneurial path:

I find new ways to serve others successfully so money comes to me naturally.

All blocks I have put up, known and unknown, dissolve so I can create abundance in my life.

Can you see how each sentence or phrase focuses on inner change, not the external “give me, give me”? With these phrases you are not looking for a handout. You are creating the abundance by changing you.

This can be applied to the rest of your magick as well. Another example is love spells. Focus your magick on being more loving, or more open to love. Never do love spells upon a particular person. Instead do a spell to attract love to you in whatever form is appropriate by creating yourself as more loving.

By focusing on inner change and developing our inner strengths, we can achieve our desires.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw