Are There Spiritual Beings Helping You Right Now? — Reincarnation

March 17, 2017March 18, 2017 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

“What do you want to learn?”
“Compassion.”
“Okay. I can help you with that, the next time …”

My question for you is: Does the idea of reincarnation connect with your heart on some level?

We all start in the spirit world as spiritual beings. Before we come down to incarnate into a new body, we talk with our spirit guides and other beings. We decide what lessons we want/need to learn. We map them out and place lessons into our upcoming incarnation. Our obstacles have a gift for us.

Working Together with Other Souls

We also work together with other souls to help them learn and grow. We agree before we incarnate who our parents and friends are. Let’s say you want to learn compassion. You and another spirit talk and agree that this spirit will help you learn. In your life, you marry this person (spirit), and your spouse creates opportunities for you to learn that lesson. Some can be intense. What if you have a spouse with clinical depression or an addiction to oxycodone? This is an opportunity to learn compassion and forgiveness for your spouse.

What is a Soul Group?

We are grouped with souls that vibrate at the same level as we do (our Soul Group).

One of the great reasons we want to incarnate on the physical plane is to learn lessons and to meet and be influenced by higher vibrating souls. In this way, we hope to raise our own vibrational levels.

A number of authors suggest that reincarnating is the opportunity for us to raise the frequency of our vibrational level. It’s suggested that at higher levels of vibration we can better connect to deeper levels of the truth. We can then move on to higher realms in the spirit world.

Ideas about the importance of reincarnation arise in Wicca, Buddhism, Hinduism and more.

A view of reincarnation can even bring us comfort. When we hear of children dying, we can hold the view that they will have another opportunity in a future incarnation.

Death is the graduation of the soul to a new life.

May your understanding of reincarnation comfort you.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

Looking for gifts?

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

Be a Wiccan Badass: Become More Confident and Unleash Your Inner Power

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

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

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

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

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

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

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

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

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

Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path

This is a terrific book! It is like talking to the author over a cup of tea like one of the bloggers says. – Kitri

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

How Wiccans Can Find Trustworthy Mentors – Avoid Plastic Shamans and Charlatans

December 24, 2016 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Skull

“How do I find a reliable mentor, someone who knows what they are doing?” Jim asked me.

“You look frustrated,” I replied.

“Yes! I paid somebody to teach me things over a weekend, and nothing worked,” Jim said.

I felt Jim’s pain. It can be hard to find an authentic Wicca practitioner.

This can be a real problem. Similarly, the Native American peoples warn about charlatans falsely identifying themselves as holy men of Native American spiritualty. These false holy people are called “plastic shamans.”

How Lineages Help One Find Authentic Wiccan Practitioners

British Traditional Witches can find suitable mentors by looking into the person’s lineage, which shows the line of witches who mentored each other. Often, one views a batch of paperwork that delineates which person initiated the person in question—with a line going backwards. For example, I am seven steps descended from Gerald B. Gardner, who is considered the father of modern witchcraft.

Lineage is a good way to start. There are other important factors. Once you have found someone you think might be a good mentor, consider who else knows this person. Ask these people questions like the following:

Knowing (prospective mentor), would you work with them again?
Is (prospective mentor) reliable?
Is (prospective mentor) knowledgeable?
Who else knows (prospective mentor) who can vouch for him/her?

Answers to the above questions can help you make an informed choice.

[For further thoughts on how to find a good mentor, click here for my post “Finding the Right Wiccan Mentor for You.”]

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

Looking for gifts?

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

Be a Wiccan Badass: Become More Confident and Unleash Your Inner Power

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

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

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

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

Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path

This is a terrific book! It is like talking to the author over a cup of tea like one of the bloggers says. – Kitri

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

Happy Samhain 2016

October 31, 2016October 31, 2016 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

samhain2016

Happy Samhain!

Many Wiccans say that Samhain is their favorite holiday. It’s the start of the Wiccan New Year. We have the chance to be reunited with departed loved ones because the Veil between the worlds is at its thinnest at this time. We invite our deceased loved ones into our circles and celebrate the New Year with them. Dressing in costume is a total bonus!

This is a time when we can let down our witches’ locks and enjoy precious moments with family and friends. We play games and revel in much feasting and festivities.

You can celebrate Samhain with one or more of the following:

A “Dumb Supper”

The use of the word “dumb” is based on a traditional definition referring to “unable to speak.” No one speaks during this meal. The deceased are invited to this meal, and they do not speak, either. A place is set for the deceased at the table. During this meal, you may often have the thought of deceased loved one pop into your mind. Some people even report smelling perfume that a departed loved one used to wear.

Divination

Divination is really popular on and around Samhain. I truly enjoy doing a reading for the coming year.

Here’s the process: Go through your tarot deck and pull out the major arcana (cards) from the rest of the deck. Shuffle these particular cards. Keep shuffling the cards until you feel good that they’re appropriated mixed.

Place the cards face down and then fan them out. Pass your hand above the cards, reach out with your feelings. Pick up a card that “calls to you.” Place this card face up on the table to your left. Then continue picking cards and put them down in sequence—left to right. Continue doing this process until you have all of the cards face up on the table.

Each card from the first to the last represents the coming year. You’re viewing all of the full moons and Sabbats in order of occurrence during the year.

Consider viewing your favorite Wiccan calendar. Basically, compare the cards to the full moons and Sabbats that you see in the calendar. The first card goes with the first moon and so on. Read the card, and you will know what is foretold for that day. There will be one last card and that represents the whole year .

A Remembrance Party

During this form of party, you gather with friends and family to remember the good times that occurred with departed loved ones. (By the way, this works well when combined with the dumb supper.) Make an ancestor altar by placing pictures of departed loved ones and/or items belonging to them. Additionally, remember to honor your pets that have passed away.

I hope you have a blessed Samhain.

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

Why Do We Have Yule Trees and Wreaths?

December 12, 2015December 12, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

evergreen

“You call them Yule trees. I grew up hearing them called Christmas trees,” my friend Kevin said.

“That may be so. Still, Yule is the Winter Solstice. Yule has been celebrated for thousands of years,” I replied.

Yule trees signify everlasting life. Our ancestors believed that evergreen trees were special. Why?

In the winter time, all the vegetation of the land died, except for evergreen trees. These trees defied death. These trees held some special power against Winter.

Realize that Winter was a scary and tough time for our ancestors. Vegetation perished and people died due to cold, illness and lack of food.

Our ancestors held the evergreen tree—the Yule Tree—as a sign of life in the middle of Winter … and as a symbol of eternal life.

Our ancestors brought evergreen trees into the home to bring this energy to the people who dwelled there.

When made into wreaths. the combination of the circle (the circle of life) and the evergreens made the symbol of everlasting life all that more potent.

I invite my fellow Pagans to smile when they see Yule Trees.

We know the special meaning and we can celebrate that!

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

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

How Pagans Can Move Beyond Depression and Anxiety during the Holiday Season

November 27, 2015 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Lights

“I’m feeling low,” Matilda said.

“I hear you,” I replied. “Something in particular?”

“We’re squeezed from all sides. All the Christmas music, the shopping, the happy couples, the family time. Hey, it was Yule!—before the Christians hijacked our season,” Matilda continued.

Ever feel, as a pagan, that you’re on a small island in the middle of “Christmas-focused people”?

The holidays often create depression and anxiety in Pagans. Seeing all the decorations and good cheer may be nice. Still, we Pagans know that one of our sacred Sabbats was perverted into a consumer holiday.

One holiday season, I was sitting in a knitting group at a yarn shop, when an older woman exclaimed, “What’s all this ‘happy holidays’ crap? It’s Christmas, damn it! It’s always going to be Christmas.”

I felt my hackles rise because I knew full well that in the group were a Jew, me and an Asian with parents from China. Through our diversity, we were already demonstrating that “happy holidays” was a respectful greeting at this time of year.
Why? Because in the USA, we have people of various cultures and traditions.

Long time readers of this blog know that I deal with depression symptoms. It’s true that outside things like all of this tinsel and tyranny of some people pushing their religion on others can exacerbate my depression symptoms.

Getting Past Feeling Depressed

I have learned to focus on the beauty around me and what it means to me. By this I mean, I focus on this present moment. If I see a Yule tree and I enjoy its beauty, then my depression symptoms “quiet down.” Who cares what others call the tree.

Pagans Feeling Anxiety during the Holidays

I have a number of Pagan friends who have to hide their faith from their Christian family and friends. Talk about anxiety! What if the pagan lets something slip like: “Oh, yeah. I had so much fun a Pantheacon”?

Here are some of things I do to lower my anxiety levels.

I have a particular family member who works with some people who are not open to hearing about the pagan path. So I make sure to guard my own energy before an event with that particular group. I prepare to listen and talk about things that this group is comfortable talking about.

Most importantly, I make sure to devote time with like-minded pagans so I feel safe and nurtured—and renewed in energy.

About dealing with the consumerism of the season:

I didn’t participate in Black Friday. I did not run around and attempt to get big bargains. That activity has nothing to do with the true meaning of the holiday Yule, which is about honoring the birth of the God, and the return of the sun.

Pagans and Wiccans know what Yule really means.

I practice being gentle with myself about gift-giving. Sure, you can give close ones gifts. Just go easy about it.

The way to deal with depression and anxiety is to nurture yourself.

Focus on being in the present moment. Find the beauty you cherish and create your own meaning.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

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

How do I get Initiated into a Wiccan Group?

October 9, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

3rdBracelet

“How do I get into a coven?” one of my students asked.

“It really depends on the coven,” I replied.

“What about getting initiated?” he asked.

“That’s the process of becoming accepted into a coven through a ritual. But first you must be deemed to be ready,” I said.

A seeker (a candidate for initiation) must go through several steps before a coven will even consider the person as a match to join their group.

I’ll talk about this process in terms of three vital questions:

1) Does the coven know you?

For a group to know you takes time. If you just met one member of a coven, do not push. I know that it may be hard to go slowly because seekers are so excited about their newfound path and they want to get started now.

Go slowly and interact with the group members so you can see if you’re a match to the group and if you feel comfortable.

Try not to be too forward. Still, express your interest in the process of initiation with this particular coven.

If you don’t click with the group or particular individuals, it’s good to know.

You can ask for a referral to another group.

A friend of mind has a particular question that I find helpful: “Did you work with them and would you do it again?”

2) Are you reliable?

A group wants to know if you can be counted on. Do you bring what you’ve agreed to bring to the group gatherings? Are you on time for group meetings? If you’re delayed, do you call to give the group a heads-up?

Groups tend to avoid giving invitations to those who are not reliable.

3) Are you dedicated to the Gods?

Is this just a passing fancy? Are you a weekend pagan? Do you just want the kicks of being called a witch?

The whole point of the Wiccan spiritual journey is to honor the God and the Goddess. If that isn’t your intention, there is no value in being initiated.

As a High Priestess, I look carefully at all of the above details. Finding the right candidate involves so many variables.

Some groups may be looking for a new person to fill in a “slot.” Each member has a specialty. The members fit like jigsaw puzzle pieces. If a group has an herbalist already and that’s your specialty, you may not be a fit for that particular group.

Some Wiccans prefer the path of a solitary witch. I walked that path for years until I moved to a new city and met new neighbors.

If you’re considering the path of a coven member, take care and take the time to find a great home.

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

Changing and Growing on my Path

March 7, 2015 / Moonwater / 3 Comments

The video camera “record light” glowed red, and I asked the notable witch a powerful question: What has changed in your belief system from when you started?

This question resonated in my thoughts. When I first started my practice of Wicca, I read that the Gods were everywhere. I just went along with that but I didn’t function on the level of really knowing this.

I didn’t intend to fall into a pattern of looking upon the authors as all knowing priests, telling me what to think and how to worship. (Even if the authors did not mean to “preach,” I took their words in that way.) This is not the spirit of the Craft. If you want to be told what to do and how to do it for your spiritual path, go to certain churches, synagogues or other places of worship.

Wicca is something different. Because I lacked experience, my perception of the Craft was off. As I mentioned, the authors seemed liked preachers to me. The Craft is not a faith of listening to someone standing at a pulpit and following what they say.

But when I first started out I treated my practice of Wicca like that. I lacked the understanding and more importantly, knowing the Gods. Once I met the Gods, my understanding became a knowing in my heart what the Craft is really about.

Instead of looking outward toward Deity, which is what many of the mainstream religions do, I looked within. I found a new world to explore. Looking within, I could no longer deny that my thoughts of inferiority and self-loathing were not the truth of the Gods. Such thoughts of self-loathing were the fruit of abuse and my frightened ego.

The experience of meeting the Gods during my meditation gave me a whole new sight. This sight was of the love and compassion of the Gods. I saw myself as They see me: a creation of beauty.

The Gods communicated to me specifically that They crafted all Their children with love, respect and reverence. So much so that They put themselves into each one of us.

Since that time, I have grown with the knowing that Deity is within and throughout the world around us.

Some might suggest that this insight is a “no-brainer,” but the truth is: I really needed to learn this firsthand through interacting with the Gods.

Just reading or listening to others tell me about this insight was not enough. I needed to experience the real teaching moment for me.

Now I look within to hear the Gods and look outside me to see the signs from the Gods. I have a personalized relationship with the Goddess and God. They are my friends and confidants. They lead me and guide me through my everyday life, including crucial times of hardship.

My journey has also included starting as a solitary witch and then joining a coven.

Like many people I started by reading books. At the time, I couldn’t find a mentor and I wanted to have the right mentor. So I asked the Gods for Their help. They responded, “… when you’re ready.”

So I stayed on the solitary path for many years—reading many books and practicing the Craft as well as I could.

Finally, my first mentor arrived in my life. The Gods were right. I had finally had enough knowledge so that I was able to more fully appreciate my first mentor’s guidance.

Through my first mentor, I had my first experiences as a member of a coven. It was nice to turn to someone who had the experience I lacked. My mentor would steer me on the safest and fastest path that was right for me. All along the way I still talked to the Gods and worked with Them to tailor the lessons of my journey.

To this day, I still ask my mentors for their guidance.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. I expect to continue creating video interviews of notable Wiccan elders. If you have a question that you’d like to ask me or another Wiccan elder, please place such a question in the comments section. Thank you.

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

Skyclad verses Robed Wicca

February 21, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Spiritual Tattoos

“Lisa, are you okay with going skyclad with our coven?” Sharon asked.
“I don’t know,” Lisa said.
“Do you understand why we go skyclad?”
“No.”

It’s your choice to go skyclad (which means nude) or clothed.

First, several covens do not practice going skyclad.

Some British Traditional Wiccan (BTW) covens do. For example, Gardnerians tend to, but many Gardnerian covens opt out of going skyclad.

Why go skyclad? Witches raise power. And, clothing is considered to insulate and prevent power from flowing.

Not everyone believes clothing has such a big impact. For example, I feel that magick is stronger than being so easily thwarted by clothing.

I note that we Wiccans try to attune ourselves as close to nature as possible. This is why most witches worship in the outdoors and honor the cycles of the seasons. Being in nature we feel closer to the Gods.

When we are born, we are naked, in a completely natural state. We are one with nature at that moment.

When we’re skyclad, I feel, we’re in a natural state. I feel this is a sign of freedom. We’re free from society’s chains. For some, clothing ties into how lower social-economic groups are, in a sense, enslaved. Taking off those Reeboks and fancy clothes help witches to come together as equals in circle.

For a number of Gardnerians, going skyclad is a manifestation of tradition. (Again, not all Gardnerian covens practice being skyclad.)

For covens, who opt out of going skyclad, they use robes or even daily, casual clothing.

I suggest that you consider choosing some clothing that you keep only for ritual. Such clothing will help keep you in the ritual mindset.

Some covens choose to hold ritual in a backyard. And some neighbors would find seeing a group of skyclad Wiccans as “indecent.”

Some people get a permit to hold a ritual in a public park (for example, the Spiral Dance in San Francisco, California). In these cases, going robed is a good idea.

Going robed works well when it’s cold outside. You really can’t concentrate if you’re cold and uncomfortable. Honoring the Gods is supposed to be a pleasant experience after all!

Your robe gives you a cool opportunity: You can place all kinds of magickal symbols on your robe.

You can add the following to your robe:

your name in Theban
power sigils
the color of your patron Deity
herbs
crystals (you could sew a few into your robe)

In this way, you can create magick just by putting on your robe.

Where can I get a Wiccan robe? There are sources on the Internet and at pagan gatherings.

If you feel crafty, you can even make your own. Consider this pattern below.

When you make your robe, pick cotton or another natural fiber.

Remember, it’s your choice: skyclad, robed, or in specially chosen casual clothes.

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

Traditional Wicca versus “Cyber Wicca”

December 6, 2014December 7, 2014 / Moonwater / 9 Comments

Have you wondered if practicing the old ways can really thrive in this fast-paced, high-tech age?

I think about this often. Walking my sacred path, I was fortunate to find a mentor and learn the sacred path in the traditional way, one on one. But what about those seekers who can’t find a mentor to teach them the old ways face to face?

Wicca continues to grow in leaps and bounds. We’re seeing that there are not enough mentors to go around with the growing demand for knowledge about our Craft. So many seekers turn to the Internet for help.

Is a Cyber Mentor going to work as well as an In-person Mentor?

The Pros and Cons When Comparing a Cyber Mentor and an In-person Mentor:

Cyber Mentor
Pro	Con
Seeker can have access to the Cyber Mentor from anywhere in the world.	Mentor cannot see and feel how Seeker moves the energy.
Seeker has someone to go to for support.	Both Seeker and Mentor can only communicate through the Internet (or perhaps, occasionally by telephone).
Seeker may have a number of choices in terms of selecting an online mentor.	Mentor cannot experience how Seeker uses energy.
	Mentor cannot be present while the Seeker conducts ritual and provide in-person safety during the learning process.

In-person Mentor
Pro	Con
Mentor is present and can give you an experiential understanding of Wicca.	Mentor may live far away, and meeting in-person may be quite difficult and time-consuming.
Mentor can physically sit with you and listen to your needs.	Mentor and Seeker may fall into personality clashes. Being present in-person may create an intense relationship.
Seeker has someone to go to for support.	Finding a compatible In-person Mentor may take much trial and error with related emotional ups and downs.
Mentor can read how Seeker processes energy.
Mentor can lead you through meditations and can answer questions about the feelings that rise up during the process.
Mentor can be there for Seeker’s safety in learning the finer points of the Craft.

Although, I prefer an In-person Mentor, I acknowledge that many Seekers are constrained by situations that require a Cyber Mentor. They may live in an area with no nearby mentors. They may have to hide while living where persecution makes it too dangerous to openly look for a mentor.

So Cyber Mentors come to be vital for many Wiccans’ learning and training.

Through my blog, I function as a Cyber Mentor. I share my experiences in learning the sacred path. There are a number of good websites/mentors out there. It’s often about finding someone who has a “voice” that really connects with your heart.

What would I suggest for those new to Wicca? Read to get insights from a number of credible people.

I have dyslexia so I’ve found that using an ereader and enlarging the type help a lot.

You can start with these books listed here:

The Way of Four by Deborah Lipp
When, Why….If by Robin Wood
The Hidden Children of the Goddess: Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You by Moonwater SilverClaw
Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal by Moonwater SilverClaw
Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick by Moonwater SilverClaw
Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft and Witchcraft from the Inside by Raymond Buckland
The God of the Witches by Margaret Murray
Aradia by Charles G. Leland
The White Goddess by Robert Graves
The Golden Bough by James George Frazer and Robert Fraser
Witchcraft Today, Meaning of Witchcraft and a suggested novel called: High Magic’s Aid by Gerald Gardner
ABC’s of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente
What Witches Do and The 8 Sabbats by Janet & Stewart Ferrar
Grimoire of Shadows by Ed Fitch
Robin Wood Tarot by The Book by Robin Wood:
The Sabbats by Edain McCoy
The Circle Within by Dianne Sylvan

Reading books like those above can help you on your first steps of your sacred Wiccan path.

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

Talking to Claudia

November 15, 2014November 15, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Opening up to New Ideas

“I don’t want to make a mistake. I’m new to spellwork,” Claudia said.

Shifting the phone to my other ear, I thought, “I can empathize with this because I went through it, too.”

Years ago, when I first began with Wicca, I was really concerned about doing Wicca correctly from the start. It was very important for me to honor the God and Goddess appropriately.

Claudia asked, “How do I do dedication ceremony? It seems like there are a lot of ways to do it, depending on what kind of Traditions [Trads] are out there.”

“It’s true that there are many different types of dedication ceremonies,” I began. “Many have valuable parts and there’s no one and only way to do a dedication ceremony.”

Wicca includes various rituals that a practitioner may do. Rituals can be incredibly complex to quite simple depending on your tastes. Do you like complex and complicated or do you prefer the more simple types of rituals? The best thing that I can say is whatever you do, do it from your heart. That is what pleases the Gods.

I continued by sharing my own journey and how I chose one of the oldest Trads for learning the basics.

Consider Which Witch is Which to get an overview of the different Trads out there.

Claudia then asked about casting of a circle and why people enter from the East and leave from the West. I answered, “We start in the East, in the direction of the sunrise. Then you walk around deosil (clockwise or sun-wise) untill you end up back in the East. West is the direction of Death so you exit that way. When you make a circle starting in the East, it comes around to the East again, making a ‘door.’”

Think of the cycle of life and death. We are born just like the sun each day. And then the wheel turns untill we end up at death, when the sun goes down or “dies.”

Then Claudia asked about which colors are appropriate to use for your circle. You can use white. Or you can use colors that correspond to the four directions:

North – green or brown
South – red
East – yellow
West – blue

For more information about rituals, consider my blog article “Why do Wiccans Do Ritual?”

If you want even more information, I have lots of good info for beginners in my book The Hidden Children of the Goddess.

“How do I find a good mentor?” Claudia asked and I shared with her information found in my blog post: Finding the Right Wiccan Mentor for You.

Another way to find a mentor is attending PantheaCon, a Pagan conference that takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area each February. Many different practitioners of Paganism (including Wicca) attend. You can then check out and ask about the different Trads, and learn from the practitioners themselves. You can check out the website of PantheaCon It would be fun to talk with you if we meet there. I often attend.

You can also find local mentors through Covenant of the Goddess.

I hope you find the above resources to be useful.

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