Please Help Patrick McCollum

Irises I am posting early because I am leaving for a camping trip. My good friend Patrick needs our help. Please sign the petition.  Help the Thailand people.


Blessings Everyone, I shared a few days ago that I have been working on a major religious discrimination / human rights case in Thailand, and now I need your help. The Buddhist temple and the Abbott involved have given me permission to take the case public. I personally know a number of the individuals involved.

The underlying issue of the case is that there was a military takeover of the government recently and now the ruling military leaders are systematically taking out all sects of Buddhism that are not theirs and removing all religious leaders who have the power to speak out in a larger way.

We’ve all seen religious violence and ethnic cleansing before and this is what’s going on. The Abbot of one of the largest temples in Thailand has had an arrest warrant issued for him. He is both elderly and extremely ill. The charges are trumped up, and previous religious and political leaders showing up to answer similar charges have disappeared!

The temple has literally millions of followers with a large walled temple grounds and they have resisted, asking for UN or US intervention. During the time I have been helping with the defense strategy, the army moved tanks and soldiers in, but decided to withdraw when supporters at the temple decided to take a stand.

Right now things are in a standoff!

I have obtained international legal defense for the Abbott and they are in-route to defend him legally, but this issues needs to be brought out into the open. There is potential for significant violence and major religious & human rights violations.

Please sign and forward this petition to see if we can’t change the outcome May Peace Prevail On Earth, Patrick McCollum Please sign the petition.


Blessed Be, Moonwater P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.


Looking for gifts? PentagramWheel2 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 Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

 

 

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

 

Real Magick 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

When to Share about Your Wiccan Path…

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“You really have courage, Moonwater,” Steven, one of my friends, said.
“How?”
“You talk openly about your Wiccan path,” he said.

I’ve had a number of conversations with Wiccans who talk openly about their path and with others who do not and remain in the “broom closet.”

When I attend work-networking events with one of my family members, I wear my pentacle (I always wear it) with a blouse that obscures it. Why? In his work, my family member encounters many different Christians from different sects. My thought is: if someone asks me I’ll talk about my Wiccan path, but I will not “push” the attendees by displaying something that is personal to me.

My mentors emphasize that Wiccans do not proselytize. At merriam-webster.com, the definition of proselytize includes “to induce someone to convert to one’s faith; to recruit someone to join one’s party, institution, or cause.”

On occasion, I have found an individual or two to be oppressive (or at least annoying) when someone was trying to convert me or recruit me for their religion.

When talking with Wiccan friends, I enjoy that we leave space for people to have their own individual practices and thoughts.

Wiccans get to choose what thoughts and beliefs we have, and we are not forced into someone else’s beliefs like certain religions.

Also:

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Join me “live” as I’m interviewed on the
radio show “The Buzz” at ZTALKRADIO.COM
Listen Live on May 23, 2016 at 8 pm Central Time

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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


Looking for gifts?

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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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Real Magick

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 the Misuse of “Warlock” is an Important Topic

Wall

“Why is the misuse of the term ‘warlock’ bothering you so much, Moonwater?” a dear friend asked me.

“Warlock is not the name for a male witch. A male witch is simply called a witch,” I began.

Warlock is a derogatory term that means oath breaker and liar. Why is this important? In Wicca, oaths are an essential part of our whole spiritual path.

For example, as a 3rd Degree Wiccan Priestess, I am oath-bound to never reveal certain secret knowledge passed to me by my mentors. I do NOT share certain details with family members or friends who have NOT been initiated.

Wicca is a power path, and people can misuse such power. If a Wiccan breaks certain oaths, bad consequences will result. This is serious!

Furthermore, my journey of rising to 3rd degree occurred over eight years. During that time, my mentor made sure that I was ready for deep and secret knowledge revealed at each level. This was about personal safety.

So beware of the distortions that the media and other sources express.

Words have power, and they need to be used in the correct manner.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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


Looking for gifts?

PentagramWheel2

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Real Magick

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

Call Upon the Goddess and God

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The Goddess gently held my left hand, and I could feel Her loving energy flow into my hand. Then the God took my right hand in His.

I felt so comforted, and this is when I knew in the core of my being that Wicca and my connection with God and Goddess were absolutely real.

Today, I was surprised. A dear friend asked me how often do I recall this experience that arose in one of my meditation sessions.

“Not often,” I replied.

“You don’t purposely reconnect with those feelings and that memory each week?” my friend asked.

“No, I don’t. Usually I find life too busy,” I said.

Wait a minute! Is this how I want my life to be?

What would I like my life to be? Less chaotic!

It seems that many of us are searching for that.

My friend asked, “When, during your week, is your life less chaotic?”

Recently, I have not made space for the experience of peace and connection on a daily basis.

I share this with you as an invitation for both you and me to find our simple ways to access our inner peace.

Just today, my friend and I went to Barnes and Noble, and she bought an adult coloring book Atlantis and some tinted pencils. “I’m going to see if this does relax me,” she said.

For us, Wiccans, we could simply set aside five minutes to deep breathe and call upon the Goddess and God.

Isn’t that possible?

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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


Looking for gifts?

PentagramWheel2

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Real Magick

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

Happy Beltane 2016

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Happy Beltane

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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


Looking for gifts?

PentagramWheel2

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Real Magick

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

Discover Your Wiccan Destiny

FenceRose

“I don’t understand. Some spiritual paths say that we choose what we’re going to learn in this current incarnation. I didn’t ask to get attacked as a child,” my friend Erica said.

“I hear you. I know that has caused you a lot of pain over the years,” I said.

“I still want to know,” she continued.

“I’ve come to know, for myself, that I chose the lessons for my life. But then the Universe took over to fulfill my order,” I said.

“So, when I was between lifetimes, I decided what I wanted to learn? Did I want to learn how to endure? To become stronger? To have empathy for people who’ve gone through child abuse?” Erica asked.

“It could be. Only you would come to know the meaning of your own journey,” I replied.

We, Wiccans, have an advantage. We know that the Gods and the Goddesses want what is best for us. They do not “protect” us from the lessons we must learn.

A friend of mine said it this way: “We choose the lessons, but the Universe chooses the how.”

I’ve come to realize that one’s Wiccan Destiny is a combination of our choosing lessons and the Universe offering up the stairs that we walk.

You might find this chant helpful:

Goddess,
Help me endure as I learn what I must
In you I trust.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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


Looking for gifts?

PentagramWheel2

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Real Magick

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

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Honor Your Spiritual Truth

Guard Your Wiccan Path

Sacred Path

I’m 13 years old, and my red hair was a striking gift from my Scottish grandfather. He’d call it a gift. But as I walked past John Gill Elementary School, the bullies (some mean boys) used my red hair as a target of ridicule to smash my self-esteem.

Day after day, they teased me.

What was I to do? Would I dye it purple? Would I hide it beneath a baseball cap?

Actually, I wasn’t thinking of hiding my hair at all. Instead I wished that I did not have red hair.

The teasing caused a whirlwind of anger to rise up in my chest until it was a full-fledged storm of fury. I ran toward the fence and kicked it. Then I shook that fence. The boys just laughed at me from the safety of the other side.

But then something shifted in my thinking. There’s got to be another way I can walk home from school. So I found another way to walk home. I finally got those boy’s taunts out of my life.

Today, I was talking with a friend about walking our Wiccan Path.

As Wiccans, we often have to walk a path that includes the taunts of non-Wiccans. These people, fueled by lies in the entertainment media, are misinformed and uneducated. Like those boys, they are NOT worth our time.

Whatever you do, avoid letting yourself fall into a trap of failing to honor your own spiritual truth.

I understand that, as a 13 year old, I wanted to not have red hair—a target of teasing.

Still, now as a woman, I know that I am strong enough to own my red hair and my Wiccan Path.

I invite you to consider how you can gather with like-minded people.

You can enjoy your path home.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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


Looking for gifts?

PentagramWheel2

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Real Magick

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

Take Back the Power of the Pentagram

 PentagramWheel2

“It bothers me that some films and television shows use the pentagram to symbolize ‘the bad guys’ or simply ‘the occult,’” my friend Allison said.

“We know the truth. We know that the pentagram is the main symbol of Wicca. It represents the Goddess, life and the elements,” I replied.

All Five Elements are represented by each point on the pentagram as seen below.
Pentagram5Elements

Every being from humans to cats (for example) has the Five Elements as part of his or her makeup.

Air represents the direction East.

The sun rises in the East. Associated with the time of dawn, air belongs during the morning. East means new beginnings. So anything that begins or “dawns” is of the Air symbol. Air represents thought, and new ideas dawn in our heads all the time. East is a male element. This is not to say that females don’t have the Air element in them. But Air is considered to be a masculine element.

Air reflects thought and intelligence. Simply put, Air is pure thought. We use the attributes of Air to figure out our problems. The skill of problem solving is Air’s strength. Think of math and science as subjects ruled by Air.

Things that represent Air are feathers/birds of all kinds, clouds, dust devils, wind chimes, and incense smoke to name a few.

The sylph is the Elemental of Air. Some artists have depicted sylphs as human figures with wings. Sylphs are often seen in cloud formations. Note that an Elemental is an entity that embodies one specific element.

In many Tarot decks, swords represent Air. Since Air is the element of thought and intellect, Tarot swords represent ideas and other qualities of Air. But just like a real sword, thoughts can cut two ways. They can be freeing or debilitating, just as having a life-altering epiphany is to having depression.

Fire represents the direction South.

Fire is associated with noon, the hottest time of the day. As with Air, Fire is seen as a male/masculine element. Fire is action! Fire represents your will. It is the spark that sets you into motion. It is the energy that moves you to finish your housework. Fire is represented by embers, the sun, hot chili peppers, and a flame from a candle.

Salamanders are the Elemental spirits of Fire. The Fire salamander is seen as dragon-like. Like flames, they are shape-shifters. They are sometimes depicted with wings and human faces, much like sylphs.

In many Tarot decks, wands represent Fire. Whereas Air is the beginning or the plan you start with, Fire sets that plan into action!

Fire also transforms. It changes whatever it touches, consuming it and converting it into something new. The Phoenix is a good example of this. It is consumed by fire and then rises from its own ashes as something new. In a sense, it is being reborn out of its own destruction.

Water represents the direction West.

Water’s corresponding time of day is at sunset. Water is associated with the moon and with birth, death, and rebirth. It also has to do with feelings and emotions. Water connotes strong feelings such as love, desire, hate, joy, and sorrow. Water is seen as a feminine element. Things that represent water are seashells, seaweed, water, sponges, and fish.

Because of its association with death, Water is also associated with the Summerlands (afterlife). Many folkloric traditions include a journey over a body of water to reach their afterlife.

The Undine is the Elemental spirit in water. Undines are water entities that can manifest themselves in many forms, from mermaids to the sirens of the sea.

In many Tarot decks, cups represent Water. In Tarot, cups represent emotions. Cups are also associated with birth, death, and rebirth.

You may recall that my name is Moonwater SilverClaw. I chose this name because I feel connected to water. My mother still tells tales of how, as a child, I’d find any puddle in a two-mile radius. To this day I enjoy the water whether I’m snorkeling or doing undersea helmet diving.

Earth represents the direction North.

Midnight is the time that is associated with this element. Earth stands for stability, foundations, and commitment. The greatest image of Earth is Mother Earth or Gaia herself. Earth is seen as a feminine element. Earth is also stillness. Earth is represented by rocks, crystals, dirt, and fossils.

Gnomes are the Elemental spirits of Earth. Gnomes are strong and squat. Their skin is the colors of the Earth with its many shades of brown to black.

In many Tarot decks, Earth is represented by coins or pentacles. Coins in the Tarot connote physical labors and the fruits of those labors. They often refer to physical possessions, such as money, cars, and houses.

Spirit does not have a specific direction or a specific time in our twenty-four-hour day. That being said, Spirit is what creates the life within us. It is literally the divine spark that we all need to be alive. There is no Elemental associated with Spirit.

What we call the “soul” is in fact a piece of the God and Goddess, or “The All.” Every one of us has this element within us. It is the element that makes all living things divine.

This above recipe creates a whole living being.

Think of it, we even have the Five Elements in ourselves as a microcosm.

Water is our blood which contains 85% of the salt in the human body. In a way, our blood has similarities to ocean water. Fire manifests as the body heat that arises from glucose produced by the liver. Earth is the solid body—the bones and flesh. Air fills our lungs. Spirit animates all of the elements into the living being you are.

You need the Elements of earth, air, water and fire to create a vessel for the spirit to reside.

The pentagram is the representative blueprint for life, and the pentagram represents the Goddess.

You will notice that the pentagram is in the shape of a human—and more than that, it represents  the Sacred Feminine. Our ancestors understood that life came from the Sacred Feminine. We are all born from mothers. Woman is the place where life is created. So if you’re a woman be proud of the fact that you are a representative of the Goddess.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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


Looking for gifts?

PentagramWheel2

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Real Magick

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 You Put Together a Ritual?

 

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“I want my ritual to be special,” Melinda said.

“It all begins with focusing on the right questions and then coming up with your own answers,” I replied.

As you put a ritual together, begin with these following questions:

  • What is the ritual for?
  • What do you need (items) for the ritual?
  • How many people are going to be there?
  • Does anyone have food allergies? (Cakes and Wine Ceremony)
  • Is it going to be indoors or outdoors?
  • When is it to be held? (phases of the moon or time of day needed)
  • Will people need to bring anything?

Your ritual may be a celebratory rite. Or it may be for some other purpose. Knowing this, you can then ask the next question: “What mood and flavor are you trying to inspire?”

Is your ritual going to be a solemn funeral? Or a joyful handfasting (Wiccan wedding)?

Think about what items you will need. Acquire all items in advance.

Make sure you ask about the participants’ food allergies. You don’t want to have to call the paramedics in the middle of your ritual.

If you consider holding your ritual outdoors, check on the weather forecast. Still, plan for what to do if it does rain unexpectedly.

Timing for your ritual effects the outcome. Check your calendar for the best time for the work you will be doing.

Will your participants need to bring an offering or something else to your ritual? Give them time to prepare in advance.

Think of your ritual as being similar to pulling together a recipe. You bring together the ingredients. When you put together the recipe well and you follow it, you’ll create a joyful experience for your ritual attendees.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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


Looking for gifts?

PentagramWheel2

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

Real Magick

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