Helping the Goddess

July 19, 2014 / Moonwater / 3 Comments

CleaningUp

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

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

What would you do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How about you?

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

You’ll feel better, too.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

And

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

Is the Law of Attraction Really Magick?

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

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick

Is the Law of Attraction Really Magick?

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

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

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

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

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

The reasons may surprise you.

First, they may lack all of the right tools.

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

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

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

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

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

Beyond the Law of Attraction

to Real Magick

self-perspective: Overcome The blockage of Not feeling worthy

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

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

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

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

Good question.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

Many Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider her books:

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

And

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

Summer Solstice

June 20, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Happy Litha

Hope everyone has a Happy Litha. Don’t forget to greet the sun and gather herbs at this time.

For more about the seasons and cycles of Wicca, get your copy of my book The Hidden Children of the Goddess. Here is an excerpt about Litha from the book:

Litha

The Summer Solstice, Litha, also known as Midsummer, represents when the God is at the height of his power and fertility. The sun now takes its longest path across the sky, and we experience the longest day of the year. This completes the sun’s waxing cycle and marks the beginning of the waning part of the solar year. The days become increasingly shorter until the Wheel of the Year returns to Yule when the days once again wax with the sun.

Wiccans enjoy collecting and drying herbs during Litha. Many take nice walks out in nature to harvest these herbs. Herbs harvested during this period have greater magickal powers than herbs gathered at other times of the year. Herbs reach their peak of strength and potency during Litha.

Once again, the bonfire holds a prominent place. The God rises to his peak as his power and strength expand at Litha.

Not all covens have access to open places that permit bonfires, but that doesn’t mean these groups can’t celebrate the summer Sabbats. They just need to develop their own symbolic representations. For example, when my coven meets for Litha, we do a barbeque. Meat and fire form a good combo for this Sabbat! Yum!

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book

Wicca on a Budget

June 20, 2014June 20, 2014 / Moonwater / 6 Comments

EmptyPockets

Wicca on a Budget

I didn’t know what to do. When I first started on the Wiccan path, I read some books and it appeared that I needed a bunch of tools—which I could not afford! What was I to do? Like many young people at that time, I didn’t have a lot of money.

Many books don’t tell you something important: You probably already have all the tools you need. You don’t need all the fancy trappings and trimmings to practice the Craft. Using something simple is just as effective as employing some store-bought, fancy item. Tools encrusted with gems and other trimmings don’t make for a better tool.

In fact, the most powerful tools are ones we make ourselves.

Why? As you make the tool, the tool absorbs your energy and so holds more power.

But do not fear if you’re not skilled with arts and crafts. You will do just fine with simple things you gather from within your home.

Which household items can you use for your tools of Wicca?

First, avoid items that are made of plastic.

Now, here’s a list of things you can use:

Altar: Any table will do.

Altar Cloth: A large square scarf (or even sarong) will work. Just remember that the altar cloth helps to keep wax from damaging the altar. So if you do not want wax on your cloth, find some other material.

Athame: You can use a butter knife. Generally an athame is a black-handled, double edged knife. But a butter knife will work just fine. An athame doesn’t need to be sharp. It cuts energy not material things.

Bell: Any bell will work. You can even use a utensil to strike a wine glass. The bell on a cat collar will also work.

Boline: The traditional boline is a white handled knife often with a curved blade, but a steak knife will work well. This knife, unlike the athame, is used for cutting physical things like herbs. You’ll also use the boline to carve runes and names on candles.

Candles: Any kind of candles will do. Further, any inexpensive tea lights would work.

Cauldron: Any fireproof container will do. A pot works well.

Censer: A simple bowl of sand will work just fine.

Goblet or chalice: Any glass will do. A wine glass will work well. Originally, the traditional goblet was made out of wood.

Incense: You could use fresh herbs from your garden if you don’t have regular incense.

Offering Dishes: The bowls from your kitchen cabinet will work just fine.

Pentacle: A simple plate painted with a pentagram works. Pentacles were often made out of carved wax, which could thrown in a fire and melt into nothing. That’s one way that witches employed to stay hidden from the wrath of persecutors.

Salt: It’s nice to have sea salt, but the table salt will do.

Wand: A branch from a tree in your garden will work. Make sure it does not touch the ground as this would cause the loss of the power the tree gave it.

Water: You don’t need to have spring water. Tap water works fine.

As you can see, most if not all of the tools you need reside in your home already. If you can make your own tools, that’s even better. However, most of us are not metalsmiths, nor do we have a forge handy. That’s okay, since I shared handy substitute-items above.

Wicca can be done on a budget. All you need is your imagination.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

How You Can Let Go of Fearing Death

May 31, 2014 / Moonwater / 3 Comments

How You Can Let Go of Fearing Death

Do you fear death? Do you wonder what lies on the other side?

Several years ago, in the hospital, I was at death’s door. I had Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). ITP is a bleeding disorder which can cause a person to bleed out simply by bumping into furniture. I could hemorrhage in my brain at any time and die instantly. When my dentist saw bruising inside my mouth, he told me to immediately go to the Emergency Room.

ITP creates the death’s door situation by having the immune system destroying platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting. The first night I stayed at the hospital the next morning I had bruises all down my body from lying on the bed. I had to remain sitting even while I slept. Because my brain could have hemorrhaged and killed me, I got to know death’s call intimately. Death was there everyday, sitting by my side waiting with me.

I had to accept that death could take me at anytime.

At first I was afraid. But then I realized that death is just a transition, not an ending.

Death is a transition to the Summerlands, a wonderful place of comfort and peace. Your family and friends who went before are there. Who could fear that?

When I first heard of the Summerlands, a complete knowing came to me. And, I also realized that that this place of comfort and peace is where we came from. So you don’t need to fear returning to where you came from. When we die, we go home.

And, once you return home, you can choose to be born again. Wiccans know this as reincarnation.

So as you connect with the idea and reality of the Summerlands, you can let go of fears about dying. Death is simply a transition to a place of rest, loved ones and renewal to prepare you for the next life, if you so choose.

Understanding that now, I do not fear death.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Magickal Alphabets – Theban

May 18, 2014May 19, 2014 / Moonwater / 3 Comments

Magickal Alphabets – The Theban Alphabet

Imagine writing down your spells so a casual observer would not be able to decipher your notes. Nowadays, someone could look up the characters, but they’d have to put some effort into it. The unusual writing form I’m talking about is the Theban Alphabet. Several years ago, when I was in college, I found the Theban Alphabet referenced in a book.

I loved the beauty of script lines. To learn this beautiful alphabet, I started writing my college lecture notes in Theban.

Where did the magickal Theban Alphabet come from? In the medieval period, magick workers wanted to disguise their notes. A number of forms of magickal writings were developed, including Theban. Then and now, alchemical and other occult traditions use Theban.

Several magick workers use Theban to keep their secrets. Only those who were initiated or taught this script could pry the magickal secrets from the pages of the writer.

Today, the Theban Alphabet is still used in paganism and especially in witchcraft.

The letters in English and their equivalent Theban representatives are in the below image:

So how might you use Theban Alphabet? Consider using the script for writing in your Book of Shadows (BOS). Gerald B. Gardner wrote much of his magickal texts in Theban.

You can use Theban for talismans, carving on candles and much of the magickal work that you do.

Got a Magickal name? Use Theban to write it out. Make a personal sigil by using the Theban letters. Check out my Sigils post to know more about making Sigils.

I must say, writing in Theban can be fun.

In any case, you may want to write in some special script to elevate how you write as part of your magickal workings.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Solar Roadways

May 12, 2014May 18, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

As a Pagan I find this very exciting. This could make a big difference.

If you would like to donate to the cause, click here.

Again, if you would like to donate to the cause, click here.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Grounding

May 11, 2014May 11, 2014 / Moonwater / 5 Comments

When I was initiated into the Craft, I didn’t “ground” properly after the ritual. Grounding is shunting extra energy out of your body. I failed to do the process.

Big mistake. I was up for 2 1/2 days. It was a double-edged sword: the energy was amazing, but I was bouncing off the walls. Now I was manic and tired. Headaches and body aches slammed me down.

My manic behavior annoyed the people near me. Worse yet—I put myself and others in harm’s way when I drove my car. Tired and unfocused, I was of no use to anyone.

When I finally came down from the energy, I slept for three days.

Why did I, as other Wiccans, fail to do the grounding process?

For some of us, it’s about getting distracted by the necessities of life—school, work, family responsibilities. For others, it’s because a mentor, perhaps, failed to fully train us in grounding techniques.

Many of us may do some forms of grounding but we may not fully succeed in properly moving the extra energy out of our body.

Now, I’ll share three valuable methods of grounding.

1. Eat good food.

Eat something. Carbohydrate rich foods (such as breads or pasta serve) as a good choice because they help pull you down from the high energy state that you achieved during magick working. See my Cakes and Wine Ceremony for an example of using food.

2. Push energy into the ground.

Shunt the extra energy back into the earth. One way is to take your hands or bare feet and place them on the bare earth. Release the energy by visualizing that you are pushing the energy into the earth. Mother Earth will recycle it for you. Having any contact with the earth is truly grounding. You can even lay in a field of grass and just deep breathe.

3. Hug a tree.

While hugging a tree, visualize that the extra energy is absorbed by the tree. The tree will do the rest. It naturally helps you pull the energy from your body and restore your internal balance. The tree takes the unneeded energy and shunts the energy down safely into Mother Earth.

Grounding isn’t just for after rituals. Having a tough day at work or school? Ground. Many of us make ourselves sick with built-up, unhealthy energies in our bodies. This can cause headaches and worse.

The solution is to do some grounding. You can release stress by simply deep breathing and placing your feet flat on the ground—no matter where you may be sitting.

Some Wiccans say, “But I am just doing a simple candle spell.” You still need to ground. You may not be exposed to a whole coven’s power, but you still raise energy to do any sort of magick working. This energy needs to be grounded. You may not notice the side-effects at the time, but they will still be there, and they can be harmful.

So if you have completed a ritual or you’re just feeling stressed out, ground. It not only helps you, it helps others.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Cord or Knot Magick

May 4, 2014 / Moonwater / 24 Comments

What if you could do a simple spell that could help you get a job, heal up from an illness or give you prolonged protection on a trip? The answer is knot magick (also known as cord magick). This form of magick working has been used for centuries in everything from weaving carpets to knitting and crocheting.

Better yet, you can simply make one knot to accomplish knot magick. This process requires no obscure objects or substances to acquire. You can do knot magick anywhere and at anytime.

So what do you use for tying the knots?

First, use natural substances because they hold a magickal charge, and synthetics do not. Use cotton, silk or other natural fibers for your knot magick, and this choice will help you succeed.

Use each cord only once. Blending intentions weakens and can even pollute your magick.

How to do knot magick

The first step is to identify specifically what you want to do.

Some examples are:

Get a job
Heal
Arrange protection

Wiccans use knot magic in two ways: the Proactive approach and the Reactive approach.

Proactive means preparing ahead of time. Imagine that it’s two weeks before hurricane season. You go to stores for supplies and for materials to board up your house or business.

On the other hand, Reactive means you rush around during the storm and try to live through it.

Most knot magick is done proactively. You prepare ahead of time so your magick can improve a situation or even prevent trouble.

Historically, sailors asked witches to place the winds into knots so that the sailors would have a remedy if they were stuck in a dead calm. They would untie one of the knots to make the winds blow.

The Steps of Knot Magick

One of the most important things in your magick is will so that you can successfully fuel your spell. What is will? Will means the driving force of desire for some form of change. So I focus on the power of “I will.” This is an important distinction because many people think of willpower as only the ability to avoid temptation.

Secondly, you must believe! If you do not believe, then your magick will falter.

Finally, master Pranic Breathing, also known as belly breathing. If you’re familiar with yoga, you probably know of Pranic Breathing techniques.

In Pranic Breathing, you breathe in deeply extending the stomach, utilizing all of your lung capacity. Visualize pulling up energy from the earth. Through Pranic Breathing, you move energy. Visualize your breath as a greenish-blue mist. This mist will carry your will and your intention into the knot. (This process is also referred to as “the breath of life.”)

Note: Consider visualizing your breath as different colors depending on your intention. For example, focus on the color orange for more confidence for a job interview.

Now, let’s go through the steps in order:

1. Figure out what you need, that is, your intention.

2. Start tying a knot into your cord (do not tighten it yet) and simultaneously, focus your will on your intention.

3. Do Pranic Breathing.

4. Have your desire firmly fixed in your mind. Know it as reality, even for just a moment. At that point, blow your will (in the form of your greenish-blue misty breath) into the knot and tighten it closed.

5. When you have completed the process, engaging in grounding yourself.

You have just completed knot magick.

In knot magick, Wiccans usually work in odd numbers: tying five, seven or nine knots in the cord.

The order in which you tie the knots is also important. Please view the correct order in this image here:

As you tie each knot you recite a line of the following poem. This poem is designed for tying nine knots.

Chant

By knot of one, the spell has begun,

By knot of two, my words become true,

By knot of three, it comes to me,

By knot of four, I’ve opened the door,

By knot of five, this spell’s alive,

By knot of six, this spell is fixed,

By knot of seven, there is no question,

By knot of eight, it’s now my fate,

By knot of nine, this thing’s now mine!

So mote it be.

Recently, I used knot magick before I attended a vital meeting. Just knowing that I worked knot magick relieved some of my stress. Of course, I still had to do the mundane work of gathering materials and rehearsing my words for the meeting.

But it’s a relief to know that I have invoked the blessings of the Gods, too.

I invite you to consider knot magick to help your life.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

How does the Goddess view you?

April 27, 2014April 27, 2014 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Color

How does the Goddess view you?

Do you imagine She looks on you with favor and kindness?

There’s another question: How do we look at ourselves?

This jumped into my consciousness when I was recently watching ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.

One story shook me up. It was the updated results of the Doll Test. What is the Doll Test?

In the 1940’s, Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark gathered young children for a research study. They placed two dolls (one Caucasian and the other African-American) in front of each child. The researchers asked, “Which doll is the nicest?” [The only difference was skin color otherwise the dolls were identical.]

The startling results included African-American children choosing the white doll as “nicest.” They rejected the black doll as “bad” or “ugly.” 63% of the African-American children said that they would rather play with the white doll.

Many of us might dismiss this result as part of the “unenlightened 1940s.”

In 2009, ABC World News redid the experiment. 88% of the 19 children of color surveyed identified with the black doll.

However, still in 2009, with President Barack Obama in the White House, 47% of the black and brown girls said that the “pretty doll” was white.

This “doll test” process was repeated again in April 2014 and the brown and black girls were asked, “Which doll do you want to take home?”–and the girls got into a tug of war over a blond, white doll!

What?!

Since I’m Caucasian, I cannot know what it is like to live as a person of color. Still, I’m concerned. I believe that the Goddess comes in all shapes, shades and sizes. They are all beautiful.

For more insight, I asked my friend Crystal Blanton to share her thoughts:

“The influence of racism on black and brown people in this country does not just stop at adults, but also children who are influenced by the over culture without the adequate critical thinking skills or experience to process it. The conditioning that happens for those who are Black in this country goes back for generations, and continues to influence the way that Black culture is created, and how Black people see themselves in relation with the rest of the world. Standards of pale skin, long straight hair, and thin bodies as the definition of beauty are all around us and this influences us from the time that a child can formulate what it is to be a person. Not only is this trans-generational trauma passed on through the lineage, but we are also subjected to it within the media, and mainstream culture.

I am not sure what the Goddess would say to someone who feels less due to the color of their skin. I think this largely depends on the Goddess herself, and the depiction of the Goddess. Most of our mainstream Goddesses are also Caucasian, and do not reflect the black and brown either. If I were talking about the greater spirit of the Goddess, regardless of archetype and pantheon, I would say that she would be concerned with the implications that anyone feels inferior due to characteristics that they are born with. I also think though that she would encourage strength through the challenge and not to take that away. I believe that we, Black people, are often stronger in our resolve because of what we have walked through, and I think that is a part of the Goddess’s plan.

I don’t think that Wicca addresses racism. Some Wiccans and Pagans are doing a lot of work to bring racism into the conversation on a conscious level, so that we can use that awareness to combat it. But I think that the foundation and structure of Wicca itself was fashioned as a Eurocentric construct without the consideration that multicultural, or multifaceted individuals would be a part of this spiritual path. I think it is one of the roadblocks that we need to continue to discuss in our community as a whole.”

I agree with Crystal that having the conversation about supporting all of us—all of us beautiful people with various colors, sizes and characteristics—is important.

Frequently, in current news, there is a group of people who say that we are in a “post-racial” world in the United States. (By the way, those voicing the opinion are NOT people of color.) They imply that no consideration be shown for people dealing with inequities due to color and ethnicity.

However, when I talk with my friends and my sweetheart (who is a person of color), they say that they have all experienced different treatment due to their skin color. They disagree strongly that the United States is “completely enlightened” at this time.

Let’s keep the conversation going.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw