Good news recently surprised me. It seemed that my main editor was not going to be able to work on my new book before January, but he jumped in and experienced some blessed momentum!
So my new book “Be A Wiccan Badass” is now available on Amazon – both as paperback and ebook.
The subtitle is: “Become More Confident and Unleash Your Inner Power.” This is my 6th book, and I’m really feeling good about this particular book!
Here’s the description:
When have you wanted to act like a badass? Imagine developing the inner strength of a Wiccan Badass. High Priestess Moonwater SilverClaw reveals the spells, rituals and meditations that unleash your inner power. You can be more confident when you solidify a connection with the Goddess. Even if someone insults you, you can carry yourself with grace and strength because you know the Gods are with you. A Wiccan Badass is someone who makes her own choices. Someone who has more great moments in life because she takes action. She has more capacity to handle tough things that arise in life. A Wiccan Badass stands up for herself. A Wiccan Badass demonstrates wisdom. You Will Learn to: Experience a higher level of Self-Confidence * Protect yourself through spells and more * Manifest abundance and financial peace * Experience true happiness.
It’s near Yule Time.
Get the book for a friend or yourself. 🙂
Blessed Be,
Moonwater
“What’s the best way to use Wicca for healing?” Ben, one of my friends, asked.
I’ve given this a lot of thought. I’ve heard of people who have delayed going to western medical professionals because of their distaste for western medical practices. That could bring on disastrous results.
Walter Isaacson, the biographer and author of Steve Jobs, reported that Jobs’ wife and friends wanted him to get an operation for the tumor in his pancreas. However, Jobs stubbornly insisted on trying alternative therapies for nine months.
Before he died, Jobs told Isaacson that he deeply regretted the decision to delay his surgery. While interviewed on 60 Minutes, Isaacson said, “We talked about this a lot. [Jobs’ decision to treat a neuroendocrine tumor in his pancreas with an alternative diet.]”
Isaacson said, “[Jobs] wanted to talk about it, how he regretted it. … I think he felt he should have been operated on sooner… He said, ‘I didn’t want my body to be opened…I didn’t want to be violated in that way.’”
In light of the above, I’m thinking about how modern Wiccans can give themselves better opportunities to heal:
1) Go to your doctor
Many witches are surprised that Wiccan healing starts with western medicine. There’s a reason why we have western medicine: It works. But it isn’t perfect. Alternative medicine is also a great resource. However, as Steve Jobs found out, it isn’t perfect, either. We need both to be whole. Western medicine treats the body. Many Wiccans find that magick is a fine supplement in one’s healing efforts.
2) Follow the instructions of your doctor(s)
You may want to consult a number of doctors. Getting a second opinion is a good process.
And, when you find one or two doctors that you trust, be sure that you follow the instructions they give you. If you go to the doctor and don’t follow his/her instructions, you will miss opportunities to heal. One friend said, “When you’re sick, it’s like you have a new job. You have all kinds of instructions and routines to follow so that you’ll get well as soon as possible.”
Many witches suggest that physical sickness can be a manifestation of being out of balance in a spiritual way. I understand the value of this viewpoint. AND, I also know that we deal with the flu and viruses and other physical difficulties on this physical plane. For example, I take antibiotics when necessary.
3) Augment these instructions with magick and the healing arts
Adding magick to your regimen provided by a western doctor can increase your healing power.
Magick and the healing arts are really a lifestyle component. For example, are you meditating? Researchers have measured positive changes in the structure of meditators’ brains (via fMRI imagining).
Meditation can truly calm people down. Research has shown that meditation has reduced cortisol [stress hormone] levels.
We can realize that it takes time and certain habits to get physically sick. So, getting well can involve time and Wiccan healing practices.
For example, one of my friends was dealing with cancer. She got chemo, and she asked me to do a healing spell for her. She credits both western medicine and the healing spell for her full recovery. She has been cancer-free over three years!
I invite you to use both western medicine and Wiccan healing practices.
One of my readers asked, “Should I create spells or follow a book?”
The real answer is “both.” Reading a book can give you the format for different forms of spells. In my books, including The Hidden Children of the Goddess, I show the specific actions and scripts to say. After you learn the format, you can customize the spell.
The Strongest Spells Are Ones You Create Personally
Reading books is a good start. But I suggest the strongest spells are ones you make yourself. Just because a spell is in a book doesn’t mean that it’s the right spell for the job at hand.
The Value of Customizing Your Spell
Here are the benefits you gain from customizing your spell:
Creating your own spells is a good way of learning the ropes.
You gain a better grasp on the fundamentals in Wicca as a spiritual path.
You become a better practitioner.
You tailor the spell to you and your unique situation.
Previously at my blog GoddessHasYourBack.com, I offered what I call “Moonwater’s Formula for Making a Spell”:
“I really could use a simple format for making a spell, Moonwater,” my friend Anita said.
“Okay. I can give you the basics with a 5-Step Formula for Making a Spell,” I replied.
It comes down to these steps or what I call the “5 What’s”:
What do you want?
What element?
What will represent that element?
What do you have at hand?
What words?
What do you want?
Seems simple enough, right? Still, many people hold the thought “I want more money.” That’s too vague. What do you want the money for? Some people have a job that pays well enough but they hate that job. So what do they do? They buy expensive stuff and vacations. Perhaps, what they really want is a job that they feel good about.
Now, ask yourself: What do I want? Then ask yourself, No….What do Ireally want?Keep refining it until you have it. Finding the root of the need is important.
What element?
How do you pick the appropriate element? Think about your need. What element is connected to it?
Do you want to flow better at work? That relates to Water.
Do you want to think more clearly? That’s related to the element Air.
If you want more energy, you likely want to connect with the spark – with Fire.
Do you feel scattered? To connect with being grounded, focus on Earth.
Questions like these will help you pick what element is best suited for your problem or desire.
What will represent that element?
What object would make a good representation of your element? If it’s Fire, perhaps, a lit candle. If it’s water, you could use a sea shell because it comes from the sea.
What do you have at hand?
With a list of objects that can represent your element, take a look and see what you have on hand that would fit the bill. Perhaps your first thought was to use a shell as part of your spell. However, you do not have one in your home. You could simply grab a bowl and fill it with water.
What words?
The words you choose are important.
Here are three details to help you.
Choose an opening
Here’s an example:
By the powers of the Sun and Moon
Give a deadline
Here’s an example:
So make this happen nine days or less
Put in the protection phrases
Here is an example:
An it harm none.
I also include “This or better.”There are times with the God and Goddess know better than we do what would be good for our overall journey of life.
Additionally, give a time period for the spell to stop. You can say something like may it come to passwithin three moons. (Spells usually come to pass within one moon cycle.)
May the above details help you in forming your spell. It’s true that one may add other details to a spell. Still, the above provides you with a good start.
The various parts of your spell are like the pieces you put together when sewing a quilted blanket.”
* * *
Blessings and may your spells create positive benefits.
Would a witch stand by and let a friend get knocked down?
Some people think that The Wiccan Rede, by stating “An it harm none,” means that witches are pacifists. This is not true.
By the way, a definition of “pacifist” emphasizes “a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.”
Could a violent act to prevent more violence be justified?
“Witches’ morality can be summed up in one sentence, ‘Do what you will, so long as it harms none.’ This does not mean, however, that witches are pacifists. They say that to allow wrong to flourish unchecked is not ‘harming none’. On the contrary, it is harming everybody.” – Doreen Valiente
How do we get clear about when we must intervene to prevent more harm?
The following questions apply both to casting spells and our daily actions:
Is it personal?
Is this situation about gaining personal vengeance? Wicca is about honoring the God and Goddess—and being in tune with the natural world. Vengeance has no place here.
Will this action do more harm or would it prevent additional harm from happening?
My elders have advised that if you can solve a situation without magick, solve it that way.
Let’s say you recognized a serial rapist (confirmed by a conviction) running down the sidewalk. If you stuck your foot out to trip him, that would be a type of violence. However, if this serial rapist is not returned to prison, he would assault more people. So, tripping him IS advised—so the police officer trailing him can cuff him.
What is at stake here?
Who will be affected by your actions? Remember the effects are ripples in a pond the move out and away from the impact or casting of a spell.
What consequences will there be?
Think deeply about what may be the consequences of your casting a spell. The classic example is making a faulty love spell. It is unethical to try to “force” someone to love you. Why? You are acting against that person’s will. Many negative consequences can arise including a backlash against you! I’ll trust that you do not want to have your own will to be thwarted.
Who will be affected by these consequences?
Who are all the people involved in the long-term effects of your actions? How will their lives be changed? Make sure you identify the players, the roles they take, and what might happen.
Are you willing to pay the price?
All magick creates consequences and even some form of aftermath that is not expected. Whatever you do, you will pay a price. Be careful.
These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before trying to intervene in some situation.
It is reported that certain witches have actually cast spells to get rapists convicted and put into prison. That sounds like what Doreen Valiente talked about in making sure to stop “wrong from harming everybody.”
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 just don’t understand it,” my friend, John, said.
“Understand what?” I asked.
“When am I going to start to feel better? When will I start to feel safe? When will I feel this Perfect Love and Perfect Trust?” he asked.
I could relate to his situation. It was not until I was 18 years old, that I had an experience of perfect love and trust. How? It was during a meditation session. That’s when I felt two Presences beside me. The God was on my left, and the Goddess was on my right. They each took one of my hands. Words pale in trying to express the energy I felt. The experience was a transfer of love, compassion, and peace. I felt safe, and finally I felt like I belonged.
If only I could just give this experience to John.
Frequently, I describe Wicca as an experiential, spiritual path. This is not just about studying sacred texts. No. It is in meditation and ritual … it is in walking through this world that we have an experience that fully informs us that God and Goddess are present.
I describe the experience of “perfect love and perfect trust” with this metaphor: A blind person sits in a room. She’s distracted as she runs her hand quickly over braille in her book. She is unaware that the God and Goddess are present in the room. Still, the God and Goddess wait until she reaches her hands out—and then, lovingly, God and Goddess take her hands. They guide her safely from the room. She needs to fully love and trust the God and Goddess and that they will guide her well.
We turn toward the God and Goddess. If you don’t watch for the signs from the God and Goddess, and if you don’t trust in Their guidance, you’ll miss out.
Sometimes, things go awry. We wonder why bad things seem to be happening to us. However, we need to trust the Gods and realize that they have a bigger plan to help us learn and grow. What is most important at this time? Learn to connect with the God and Goddess.
I would recommend that you take even small steps toward the God and Goddess. Consider even just a daily five-minute meditation session. Perform a simple candle-lighting ritual.
One of my readers asked, “How do you pick the right coven for you?”
That can be a complicated topic. Here I’ll share three helpful methods.
Devote some time with the coven members in a casual setting.
Look at getting together for coffee (or another beverage). Have some casual conversations and note how you feel when you’re in the presence of the coven members. Are you comfortable? After the get-together, do you feel good? Energized?
Or was your experience somehow different? Did you feel like you just didn’t mesh with a number of the coven members? Did they somehow look down upon you for being too much of a “newbie” – or something else?
Watch how coven members interact with each other.
Do they treat each other with respect? Is there bickering among some coven members? You’re looking for a safe and uplifting environment. Even if you’re “desperate” to join a coven, you might find that a specific coven is not (at the moment) a healthy place for you. You might even be triggered (that is, something from your past may be rising up. Someone may be acting in a cruel way like your sibling did when you were younger).
Observe whether it is too hard to get to the coven’s meeting place.
Covens work when members can consistently attend ritual. If it’s too hard to get to the meeting place, particularly if you’ve had a draining week, you might miss some gatherings.
Also, pay attention to whether the meetings run late and whether you can be safe on your way home (if you take public transportation).
Ultimately, joining a coven is for uplifting your soul. Be careful and keep looking for a good match.
GoddessHasYourBack.com 