Philosophy

Should We Believe in The Law Of Three?

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Stump and Log

Stump and Log

Should We Believe in The Law Of Three?

Do you believe in the Law of Three? Have you done something and had the same energy return upon you three-fold?

I have personally seen Law of Three results unfold in my daily life. My actions do bring things in response that are similar in tone.

Do we always get exactly three times the response to an action? Not necessarily.

Imagine that you remove a log from your yard. Likely, some little creatures live in that log. Now homeless, they must find a new place to live. Most often, this might be a small situation.

But what if they were termites and their new home is your house?!

So a small action (removing the log) led to a big reaction (termite damage). Perhaps, needing to have your home repaired causes you stress.

And in this above example, we see that one action may be magnified. How much depends

on many variables and how a particular action effects the universe.

So why is it called The Law of Three if it doesn’t effect us exactly three times? In short, I don’t know. Perhaps, three was chosen because it is a sacred number. It sounds better than The Law of Two.

I’d suggest that The Law of Three really reminds us that one action can create a magnified reaction that effects you.

Say no to racism

Say no to racism

Crystal Blanton

This is a public service announcement from Crystal Blaton and I think it is very important for people in the Craft to stand up to the sickness that is Racism.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: My dear Pagan people… Racism is a cancer in our society. It has killed for generations and the only cure known to man is education. And that still is not 100% effective, many people will continue to die from racism, and many people will die racist.

And so we MUST remember that there is NO PLACE for racism in our spiritual community. It doesn’t matter what branch of Paganism, what label or term that is used. It is not acceptable, nor should it ever be acceptable.

All people should feel safe to walk with the Gods. All people should feel safe to engage in community, and all people have the right to connect with divinity. My brand of Paganism does not include those [racist] beliefs and I will continue to demand a safe environment for all people, and especially for people of color, to be free of bullshit separatist language, rhetoric and ridicule.

Cancer silently kills people everyday. My aunt died from cancer right before my eyes. Racism also kills people silently (and sometimes not so silently). I have also lost many people from this silent but deadly killer. It must stop…. and we are the only means to a cure.

It starts with us. IT MUST START WITH US!

Eliminating racism begins with acknowledging that it is still here. For over 13 years, I live with my sweetheart, and he is a person of color. He has seen the trouble caused by racism and negativity.

I find it synchronistic that I wrote about The Law of Three and Crystal wrote about eliminating racism.

If you have a personal story about The Law of Three I would love to hear about your experience. You can reply in the comments box below. Thanks!

Blessings

Moonwater SilverClaw

Picture of Crystal provided by her.

The Body as Sacred

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Lighting a Candle

Lighting a Candle

The Body As Sacred

When I came to the Craft, I was relieved about how Wicca viewed the body. In Wicca, it doesn’t matter if you’re trim or voluptuous. Or if your body has a pear shape or no shape. Wicca sees all body types as sacred. Let’s face it, not everyone can be a supermodel. But just because you may not have all the “right” curves in all the right places doesn’t mean you aren’t beautiful in the eyes of the Gods. Because all body types are sacred to the Gods. And in Wicca, no one body type is better than another. Another thing, it doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, brown, or even purple. We are all beloved of the Gods.

Wiccans see the Gods in our bodies. The Gods take form in bodies just as they take form in rocks and trees around us. Because of this we need to take care of our bodies. For they are our temples. We need to feed them good food, take care of them by washing them clean, and take them out for a spin, even if it is just around the block once a day. You don’t need to be a health freak to successfully maintain your body, but if you happen to be one that’s okay, too. I won’t tell.

Why is this so important? Healthy bodies help us do what we need to do in our magickal lives. When we take care of our bodies our bodies help us in return. Not only are they a physical manifestation of the God and Goddess, but they help us raise energy for spells. And our bodies help us interact with the world around us.

When’s the last time you lit a candle without the help of your body? I’d like to light a candle with just pure thought. (It hasn’t happened yet.) I need my hands to light a candle, whether I use a match or the sacred bic!

Having a healthy body is important to our magick and in honoring the Gods. As I mentioned, our body is our temple. Would you want to go to a smelly, run down and un-landscaped temple to worship in? I wouldn’t want to worship there and I suspect neither would the Gods. This is why it is important to keep up your temple.

Keep your temple clean. Decorate it appropriately. For example, wear clothes that fit. You don’t have to pick the latest designer clothing. Pick something you are happy with. Find your own style. You want people to see your temple and see you as the beautiful and unique person you truly are.  Have an interesting body shape? Express it. Be proud of what the Gods gave you. Never hide in shame over what you look like. The Gods gave us bodies for our happiness and for enjoying the world around us.

Do you have witchy fashion tips or ideas you wish to share? Use the comment box below to let us know about your inner diva.

Blessed be,

Moonwater

Real Magick Workshop

Real Magick Workshop

Take Advantage of the Early

 Registration Discount

Release anything that blocks you from the financial abundance and happiness you really want! In this hands-on workshop we will be focusing on prosperity magick. However, this workshop can be used to unblock anything you may have that is hindering your magick from coming to full fruition. This workshop is three hours long (3pm to 6pm on October 19th) and will be held in San Jose, California, USA. This workshop includes meditation and actual practicies for attracting the life you truly desire.

Early Registration (August 25th – September 9th) is only $19.95

Regular Registration (September 10th – October 18th) $29.95

At the Door (If seating is still available) $35.00

If you are interested in going to the workshop please contact me now at:

AskAWitchNow@Gmail.com 

If you know someplace to advertise the workshop I would appreciate it. Click here to get the pdf: Real Magick Workshop

The Sacred Space Meditation

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Meditation

Meditation

Sacred Space

When I say sacred space what comes to your mind? Are you thinking of a physical place to conduct a ritual? The good news is that you can have a sacred space that is with you always. A sanctuary for some sanity in this physical world. A unique, sacred space exists for each one of us.

So where is this space and how do we get to it?

We create our path to our sacred space via meditation. We build this space with our minds. The space exists on the astral plane.

Use the simple meditation below to create your own sacred space.

Find a quiet place where you know you will not be disturbed. You can read this meditation aloud and audio-record it.

The Sacred Space 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. You’re in a new place of peace and calm.

You notice a lovely smell. The aroma fills you with happiness.

What do you smell?

(Pause)

The second thing you notice is a sweet sound.

It is very pleasing to you.

What do you hear?

(Pause)

The third thing you notice, in the comforting light, is your wonderful surroundings.

Your surroundings are calming and beautiful.

Explore your new surroundings.

What do you see? What do you feel?

(Pause)

This is your space, your sacred space. You can come here whenever you wish. You can do whatever you wish. This is a place of serenity.

(Pause)

Finish up exploring your new sacred space.

Now find a nice place to sit.

You’ve enjoyed your time here in your sacred space.

Now you’re ready to return to the physical world.

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.

You can use the above meditation to return to your sacred space whenever you wish. The

space can be used for anything you can imagine. You can meditate here; you can do ritual here.  Mostly, your sacred space is where you can release the stresses of the physical world around you.

I would love to hear your personal experiences. You can comment in the comment box below.

Blessings,

Moonwater

Exciting News – Moonwater’s First Workshop plus today’s blog post “The Freedom of Wicca”

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Real Magick Workshop

Real Magick Workshop

Exciting News   Moonwater’s First Workshop

(and Today’s blog post: “The Freedom of Wicca”)

I have been planning this for a while, and I just can’t hold it in any longer. I will be offering my first workshop on October 19th. I am very excited to now be able to offer you workshops. (For nearly a decade I have been a guest speaker in college classes).

The title of the workshop is Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick.

One focuspoint for the workshop is that a number of people got excited when they first heard of the Law of Attraction–a process of manifesting your desires in your life. But then they became gravely disappointed.

I’m offering the insight that such disappointments are due to missing pieces of the manifesting process. I have found many of us have blockages in life. These blockages stop us from accomplishing our true heartfelt desires.

I have had to face such blockages, too. The good news that in the Workshop we will address the blockages that cause our magick to fail. We’ll use meditation and other processes during the workshop. It is truly a hands-on approach.

In this workshop we will be focusing on prosperity magick. However, this workshop can be used to unblock anything you may have that is hindering your magick from coming to full fruition. This workshop is three hours long (3pm to 6pm on October 19th) and will be held in San Jose, California, USA.

An opportunity for early registration:

  • Early Registration (August 11th – September 9th) is only $19.95
  • Regular Registration (September 10th – October 18th) $29.95
  • At the Door (If seating is still available) $35.00

Do not hesitate. This is an intimate setting with at most only 19 seats available.

If you are interested in going to the workshop please contact me now at:

AskAWitchNow@Gmail.com

And I will be happy to help you reserve your space for this workshop.

This is an exclusive event, so spaces are limited, please register early. I can’t wait to see you all.

I am looking forward to meeting you, and I will also be offering my followers a special discount. Email me with the code XC7T3 and I will email you a coupon for free admission for your guest.

Today’s Blog Post: “The Freedom of Wicca”

Choosing the Wiccan path is choosing freedom. Why? Here are a number details that reveal various levels of freedom.

Wiccans can choose who they practice with. I don’t just mean the people next to you, but you also get to choose which Gods you worship. Wiccans can choose the Egyptian pantheon of Gods or not! If Osiris isn’t the God for you, pick another deity. This is very important to us as Wiccans. Most Wiccans have enjoyed choosing a particular patron deity. This is a personal decision. I have Cernunnos as mine. Worshiping your Gods is much more important that worshiping someone else’s. You’re not boxed into following what someone else believes. No one tells us who we can and can’t worship. It’s one of the main freedoms that I cherish the most.

We are the captains of our own “ships of belief.” In other religions one must conform to what the leaders tell you to believe and what they tell you to do. Some religions enforce that people gather on certain days of the week and must hear a certain person give a speech. On the other hand, Wiccans can choose which rituals they perform and when. They can choose to celebrate a ritual as a solitary practitioner or they can join a coven.

We all have our own paths to walk with the freedom to walk with or without certain companions. Sometimes we follow someone else’s footsteps for a while, so we may learn the Craft. Then, we have the freedom to move on. Each of us is on an individual path. Sometimes our path lines up with someone else’s path. This is great because you can travel together and learn from one another. Then, when you heart tells you, you are free to separate and continue on your own path in a different direction.

Wicca does not force you to stay in life-long relationships. Wicca emphasizes “as long as love shall last” so one is not forced to remain married. Your individual path is respected.

Wicca does not force practitioners to practice intolerance. For example, a number of religions tell their practitioners that gays are an abomination and a Higher Power will punish them. Instead, Wiccans love all representations of the Gods. No one is an abomination because of the way they were born. We were made the way we are by the Gods on purpose, and they made each and everyone of us with great love and care. Black, white, gay, straight, we are all beautiful the way we are. To hate those differences is to hate the Gods’ work.

As Wiccans we have the freedom to practice what and how we want. We have the freedom to practice when and with whom we want. There are no strings attached. There is nothing to bind our hands and feet when it comes to our own personal practice. Wicca is full of the freedom to choose. We can see it in our practices. No wonder Wicca is one of the fastest growing faiths in the world.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

What We Think Will Make Us Happy

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Stop Sign

What We Think Will Make Us Happy

As a young girl I fantasized about someone who would rescue me from the horrible conditions of my home life. My brother terrorized me and almost killed me by holding me underwater in a neighbor’s pool. He was 12 and I was 8.

As I did chores around the house, I fantasized that someone at any moment would come in and take me away from my terrible situation.

When I got a little older I met a guy who I thought could solve my plight. If we just could get married, we’d be independent. I’d finally be out of the house and I would be happy. No more mental, verbal and physical abuse. This was the chance I was waiting for.

So at 18, I married him. Things seemed fine at first. We got a place of our own and I went to school and “Joe” went to work. At the time I was studying to be a computer animator.

At first, Joe said a few things that felt cruel. I just thought he was having an occasional bad day. But it became more frequent.

Joe had control of the money accounts. I said we needed to buy groceries. “Too expensive,” he said. But while he was out, he’d eat at restaurants, leaving me with empty cupboards and nothing to eat. So often I felt hungry.

Then in the evening, he’d take me to fast food restaurants. My body began to live in starvation mode. Soon when I ate, my body clung to every calorie.

With no food in the daytime, and fast food (no vegetables) at night, I started gaining weight. Then Joe berated me for the changes in my body. His verbal abuse beat down my soul.

Was it all his fault that this had happened to me? No. It was my fault. I was so desperate for someone else to solve my problems that I didn’t stop and ask the Gods what I should do.

Once I reached out to the Gods, they opened my eyes. I needed to save myself.

No, I do not excuse my ex-husband’s behavior. But I learned that I needed to stand up for myself. I initiated divorce proceedings.

With the Gods’ guidance, I learned that it’s my responsibility to make me happy. Now whenever I face dilemmas I bring them to the Gods’ for guidance.

I’ve learned that true happiness can vary greatly from fantasies. I’ve also learned that when I take responsibility to face the truth of my situation and I take positive action the Gods smile upon my efforts.

My life has steadily improved by listening to the Gods’ counsel.

So the next time you are stumped with life problems, talk to the Gods. Perhaps, take a walk and watch for signs in the world around you.

Maybe you’ll gaze upon the full moon and ask the Goddess for her advice.

Realize that some Wiccans do not hear the Gods’ voices directly. They just feel a quickening of their intuition.

Knowing the Gods are there for me brings me great comfort.

May you know the blessings of the Gods.

Moonwater SilverClaw

Wiccans Handle Stress and Prejudice

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Bring Peace to Yourself

Bring Peace to Yourself

How Wiccans Can Handle Stress and Prejudice

We all deal with stress in our lives. However, members of a minority religion face additional stressors. Many Wiccans and Pagans in general have experienced some form of prejudice and some have even been the victims of hate crimes. These and other terrible acts upon us can really take a toll.

Although I am fortunate to live in the San Francisco Bay Area where there is more acceptance of people with differences, I have still faced prejudice. I have lost friendships and suffered the actions of intolerant people.

So how can we combat the stresses of such actions?

First, assess the situation. Can you educate the offending person? I have been in situations when the offending person thinks he’s right and will hear nothing that differs from his beliefs.

Make sure no one is being harmed. There is a big difference between offensive words and physical violence. One may need to take action. Maybe you need to quickly get to a place of safety. One might even have to call 911 for police intervention.

Take care of your own feelings. Before I get caught up in an aggression tornado, I remember to simply breathe. Concentrating on your breath is a great way to help yourself calm down. Then you can take control of the words that come out of your mouth. You can’t control what they say, but you can control what you say and do.

Find your way to compassion. The Gods and Goddesses love their children (all of them) so become the Goddess in her nurturing state. Let her energy flow within you. Let the Goddess help you select your words. Avoid words that sting, instead say something constructive and nurturing to the conversation. How would this sound? One way to respond is: “I heard what you said. That’s not what my life is about. I’m leaving this room.”

When I say compassion, I do not mean let them walk all over you. The idea is to make space in yourself to understand those who are ignorant of your beliefs. They don’t know what they are talking about. To take their words personally gives them power. Do not let that happen. Do not give these untruths any power.

Renew yourself. Once the incident is over, take some time to do a Breathing Meditation. I know how much it helps as a salve to the wounds their words have left.

Find a quiet place where you know you will not be disturbed. Silence your cell phone or home phone. Get comfortable and relax. You can burn some of your favorite incense and light a candle. I find dimming the lights to be helpful.

Here is the process:

As you relax, close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Breathing in and out deeply, envision a beautiful white light shinning down and surrounding you. Next, deeply breathe in that light, pulling in the beautiful cleansing properties of it. Hold this breath for the count of three.

When you breathe out, picture a black smoke made of those toxic words, actions and emotions. You expel the black smoke from your body. Imagine the black smoke absorbed and purified by the light around you. After your exhalation, hold your breath for a count of three. This is where you acknowledge the transformation of energy.

Continue this process until you feel you have expelled all of the negative comments/feelings/energies that were placed upon you. Finish this meditation by thanking the Gods for their shinning light.

May this meditation renew you and free you of any negative effects created by prejudice.

Once free of toxins, you can experience the blessings of life with the Gods and Goddesses.

Blessings,

Moonwater

How to Release Yourself from Self-Judgment

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Writing the Book

Writing the Book

How to Release Yourself from Self-Judgment

I never expected to be a writer, but the Gods visited me in a dream. I have dyslexia: Writing was the furthest thing from my imagination. In fact, my degrees are in art and web/graphic design.

But the Gods gave me a task: Write a book for beginners of the Craft that is straightforward and easy to read.

When I awoke, I felt excited but scared about how I could possibly accomplish this book-writing task. I knew the demands of writing a book because I have close friends who are writers.

How could I possibly write enough to fill a whole book?! It was agony to merely read the first book in the Harry Potter series due to my dyslexia.

I started to compare myself to other writers by thinking “I’m not a Scott Cunningham or a Starhawk. What am I to do?

I kept thinking about all the other writers of books I had slowly read. Their books were so good. I couldn’t match that. The anxiety grabbed me in the chest and I had trouble breathing.

But I strongly believe in the Gods. I know the Gods would not set me up to fail. They love me, and if they say I can do it, I can.

The hardest part for me wasn’t the task itself, but the constant comparing that I did, placing myself against other writers.

With all of my misspellings, I took blows to my self-esteem each day. My mind raced with negative thoughts of no one will care about what I have to say; no will read it, and this will never help anyone.

With all this negativity in my mind, it’s a miracle I got anything done.

But I stopped and used many of the techniques I discussed in my last post “The Quick Mood Pick-me-up for Wiccans“.

I slowly began to realize something. I cannot compare myself to anyone else. Why? The book I’m writing is a snapshot in time of me. It’s about my truth. No one can write it for me.

I was so busy comparing myself to others when in reality there is no comparison. There can’t be. I am me, no one else, and all those racing thoughts were not true.

  • Someone will read my book (my editors, for example)
  • People will be able to easily read it because my editors will smooth out any rough sections (I love my editors!)
  • Someone cares about what I have to say (that someone is me!)
  • My book has already helped someone, me.

My book taught me a valuable lesson: Don’t judge or compare yourself to others.

We all have gifts, different levels of ability. These combinations make us unique and strong. No one else has our particular knowledge and unique set of talents, and this makes each of us special.

Comparing my special to your special cannot be done. It’s like comparing strawberries and octopi. Because our experiences in life are all slightly or dramatically different (as in different cultures). You just can’t compare the two. They are not the same.

All I need to do is remember strawberries and octopi.

You’re special. Drop comparing yourself to others.

Bring your own special gifts to bear.

The Gods love you and enjoy when you express your creativity.

Blessings,

Moonwater

Wicca Celebrates Sex!

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Sex and Lovemaking

Sex and Lovemaking

Wicca and Sex

Have you noticed that many mainstream religions seem to have major hang-ups about sex? These faiths have many rules regarding sex. They tell you when you can and especially when you can’t have sex. They often say sex is “sinful” and “dirty.” They even suggest that the “truly righteous completely abstain from such deplorable practices.”

These rigid mindsets have twisted much of society concerning sex. Although sex helps us feel happy and healthy, so many religions deny their practitioners of fulfilling this fundamental need.

On the other hand, in Wicca, the Gods show us sex as a beautiful part of life. Not something to be ashamed of or avoided. Just notice how sexuality and sensuality are celebrated. You have Aphrodite, a joyful, sexy goddess. Think of the randy energy of Pan. How about the stories and songs about Venus (yes, another name for Aphrodite)?

There are many forms of sex, for example, the activities shared by some friends. Here I’ll be specific and talk about lovemaking. Wiccans have understood the precious gift of lovemaking from the beginning. They see it for what it truly is: something sacred. To make love is a pure act and to Wiccans we are reenacting the divine ritual between the God and the Goddess. This ritual can be for procreation or for pleasure. Whichever one chooses, the act itself is a powerful and sacred bond that connects the participants to all of creation.

When I hear of some religions’ intolerance of certain forms of lovemaking and certain partners, it deeply saddens me. Such intolerance denies the beauty of creating and cherishing another. Such intolerance creates separation and the chained people are separated from the wholeness of the universe.

Wiccans revere the sexual act as deeply sacred. We see it in its rightful place among the other cycles in the turning of the wheel.

Sex is not evil. Lovemaking is not dirty or sinful. It is a part of our sacred lives. Practiced by caring, loving, consenting, of age people, it is a part of human nature, and a gift from the Gods.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

What Makes People Believe?

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What Makes People Believe?

What Makes People Believe?

What Makes People Believe?

Different people accept different things as proof. For example, some of us say, “I won’t believe it until I read reports that provide empirical proof.”

Others need to feel the energy to know it’s true. Some people search for a “cause and effect.”

A few report that they have talked to entities around them and have actually heard answers, and that is the basis of what they know is true.

I know my Gods are true because I can both feel them and see the effects they make on the world around me. I feel Their emotions; I know deep down that they love me.

Recently, at a conference I noticed someone’s badge fell to the floor. The person walked on and I strode up and returned the badge. I could feel how this pleased the Gods. And my intuition told me that the Gods inspired the person to thank me by buying me a drink.

I also feel that the Three Fold Law went into immediate effect and I received something nice in return.

To me this is proof that the Gods and the Three Fold Law are real. To another this might seem to be merely coincidence.

I feel and see things happen around me; therefore I know.

How do you know? Are you a Feeler, a Seer or a Hearer?

Perhaps, you’re a combination like me.

What are your criteria for knowing the truth about the Gods?

I invite you to share your thoughts and feelings in the comments box below.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater

Why Does Pain Exist

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Pain Exists

Pain Exists

Why Pain Exists

People of many faiths have asked, “Why does Deity let pain exist?” I’m not talking about only one kind of pain. I am talking about all kinds of pain that we endure. From the physical pain of skinning a knee to the emotional pain of loosing a loved one.

Why do the Gods let us, no need us, to experience pain?

Simply, pain is used as a teaching tool. The Gods do not inflict pain upon us. We do it to ourselves. Not intentionally. We don’t want to skin our knees when we fall. It is the way of life.

During our lives we learn lessons; some can be painful.

Generally, the more painful the experience, the more we remember the lesson. Learning to walk and to ride a bike involves falling. Pain motivates you to learn skills and to avoid falling again. It teaches you not to fall and to stay up during the task.

Emotional pain teaches us different things. For example, if you endured childhood taunts by mean kids, you learned that words can emotionally injure a person. Hopefully, one learns to avoid cutting down other people. (Remember the Law of Three!)

What about the death of a loved one? What does that teach us? I lost a friend when he committed suicide. What did that teach me? It taught me to cherish the people around me and to feel compassion for another person.

I remember the year of my 16th birthday. I lost my dear four legged friend, Cheesy. At the veterinarian’s office, she grabbed my hand with the energy of “I’m not ready to go yet” as she slipped away. The pain of the loss of Cheesy was intense. But then, for the first time in my life, I was visited by a spirit who had passed to the other side. Cheesy gave me a sense that she was okay. Better than okay.

Without going through such pain and loss, I would not know in my heart that death is not the end.

When you lose someone important to you, you gain a whole new understanding. With the loss you can now understand love completely.

As hard and unrelenting as pain can be, we still need it to help us learn and therefore grow. Without pain, we can’t experience true compassion, trust and love.

Blessed be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

http://thehiddenchildrenofthegoddess.com/