Wicca and Healing Childhood Trauma

Sunrise

The Light Grows

How is your health?

Researchers note how extreme and terrible childhood experiences can affect our health and journey throughout life.

If you endured abuse or neglect as a child, it is possible to heal, and Wicca can make a vital difference for you.

I’ve written about how Wicca empowered me to leave an abusive marriage.

How was I vulnerable to fall into an abusive marriage? As you can imagine, I had experienced a previous pattern of abuse—as a child.

Researchers refer to abuse and neglect that is inflected on young people as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE).

I recently viewed a TED Talk by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris on the topic “How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime.” (Click here to view the 16-minute video.)

In her work at a clinic in Hunters Point, San Francisco, Dr. Nadine observed that households had various elements that affected the children (including violence, neglect, substance abuse, family member incarceration, and more).

Dr. Nadine, in her TED Talk, noted that many of her medical colleagues in her audience would also respond that they had Adverse Childhood Experiences. Dr. Nadine concluded that this not just a problem in low social-economic neighborhoods. This is a nationwide health problem.

How Wiccans Can Heal

As Wiccans, we have tools to help us deal with stress we have now or the residual effects of childhood trauma. What are these tools?

Meditation

  • We can talk with the God and Goddess and ask for guidance.

Candle Magick

  • We can do candle magick to heal and create peace in our lives.

Chanting

  • We can chant and use our intense feelings to create positive change.

Prayer

  • We can ask the God and Goddess through meditation for Their help.
  • We can also open an internal dialogue with God and Goddess*

* You could simply begin with “Goddess, please help me heal and be free of trauma of my past. What can I do today to nurture myself?” At this point, wait and listen for internal guidance bestowed by the Goddess. You might get immediate guidance or receive Goddess’ guidance some time later.

Learn to Shift When Helpless Feelings Arise

A major problem caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences is that we regress. We fall back into helpless feelings that were natural to feel as a child.

We, as Wiccan adults, can now be the kind caregivers we did not have.

You can, with help from God and Goddess, take much better care of yourself now.

The point is to not stay in helpless feelings you felt while you were traumatized as a child. These feelings of overwhelm are still relevant today—perhaps, even in this moment for you. Remind yourself of MCCP (meditation, candle magic, chanting and prayer). Help yourself shift out of feelings of overwhelm.

Remember, it is possible to heal!

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

P.S. If you’re curious about you own ACE score, you could take this quiz.

If you note that you have a significant score, take action to care for yourself.

I found that my score is “4.” I do a lot to stay stronger and healthier

(including support from a therapist, doctors, my husband, family, friends, exercise, Wiccan Rituals to connect with God and Goddess … and more).

What do you need to heal and stay strong, my friend?


 

Looking for gifts?

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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

 

Real Magick

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

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 Book

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.

 

Support Your Inner Peace in a World of Voices Arguing Over Deity

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Have you caught a bit of broadcast news and heard about someone’s cruelty to another person—and it bothered you?

Or maybe you’ve wondered about how some extremists use religion as a justification for terrible acts.

Recently, just as I was drifting off to sleep, an idea blazed across the expanse of my mind.

Picture this. Deity is water. Each human being is a vessel.

Imagine that Deity’s essence as a large infinite ball of water.

Let’s say you’re a bowl and you grow up among bowls. All you know are bowls. In fact, you might say that bowl people have “bowl Gods” because they see themselves in what they picture to be Divine.

On the other side of the ocean are goblets. And they only know themselves as goblets. So they have “goblet Gods.”

But Deity fills ALL bowls and ALL goblets. Deity is ONE. Deity is in everyone.

Water will take the shape of any vessel it fills. The vessels may differ dramatically, but what fills them is the same.

Ideally, we Pagans get a glimpse of the essence of Deity. All who see Deity, see the Source and realize the Source is just dressed in the garb inspired by various cultures.

(We’re talking about the form water. Certainly, Deity can take any form: water, vapor or solid. By the way, we Pagans know that we can relate to Gods and Goddesses that we choose. In essence, Deity has different forms and we can connect with the form that moves our heart.)

Our problem—that is human beings’ problem is that we see ourselves as vessels—as bowls or goblets.

Do we humans get caught up in looking at vessels? Sure we do. Research reveals that tall people and “pretty” people get treated better than others. They get the jobs and the promotions.

You could even extend this metaphor of Deity as water to other galaxies.

Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson once said, “My great fear is that we’ve in fact been visited by intelligent aliens, but they chose not to make contact, on the conclusion that there’s no sign of intelligent life on Earth.”

My point is that this metaphor of Deity as water applies to the thought that Deity is in such possible aliens. Instead of goblets or bowls, such aliens could be buckets. I’m just saying.

My metaphor of Deity is water applies to all life and all matter.

Neil Degrasse Tyson has talked about dark matter which relates to 85% of the gravity in the universe. “Dark matter. I get asked what it is. And my best answer is we haven’t a clue. We don’t know what it is,” Tyson said.

I will suggest that Deity is dark matter, too.

In any case, when you hear about someone who is ignorant about Paganism spouting dumb theories, see if you can allow that Deity is water. There is some Deity in that other person. What is the big difference? That person is probably shut down in some way. He or she does not hear the inspiration from Goddess—which is that person’s loss.

So maybe you can muster a bit of compassion to send in that direction.

Some spiritual paths suggest: Love everyone.

I do like the idea that it’s sometimes good to love toxic people from afar!

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 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

Depression, Suicide, and A Wiccan Path to Healing

Tulips

He had been tossed out of a branch of the armed forces. Why? Poor performance of his duties? No! It was his sexual orientation. A couple of years later, he killed himself. Often, every month, I remember my dear friend.

None of this is a theory to me. I’ve attempted suicide myself. The first time—when I was 8 years old.

Wiccans acknowledge that winter is the season of death. Death does not always mean the end of life. In the Tarot, the card “Death” also means change.

I know from my own journey that feeling the urge to kill oneself is a call for change—and a call for love.

During the winter, a significant number of people struggle with seasonal affect disorder.

For many of us who are enduring difficult times now, here is a meditation from my book Goddess Has Your Back to help you.

Self-Love Meditation

Close your eyes.
Breathe in and out deeply . . . Relax.
Keep breathing.
Breathe out the stress of the day.
Breathe in relaxation and peace.

(Pause)

You are still aware of the light that is in the room.
Now the light begins to fade.
As it fades you feel total comfort. You feel safe and secure in the darkness.

(Short Pause)

Now, a new form of light blossoms. It surrounds and wraps you in its loving energy. This light is the light of the Gods.
It is a light of love and compassion. Take it in.
As you take this light and understanding in, you can now see with the Gods’ eyes.
You can now see yourself as they see you, pure, beautiful, whole. You are a masterpiece of their creation. You were made with love, and you are a manifestation of their love. You are love.
This understanding fills you.

(Pause)

With this new understanding you are now ready to return to the physical world.
You know that even though you may leave the light at this time it is never truly gone.
It’s a gentle transition as the light begins to fade around you.
Slowly at first. It gets darker and darker.
As it fades you feel total comfort. You feel safe and secure in the darkness.

(Short Pause)

Then a familiar light returns, the light in the room where you started.
It gradually gets brighter and brighter.
You are back in the room. You have brought the calm and peace and happy feelings back with you.
Now, gently open your eyes.

I hope you find comfort with this meditation.

You can also meditate and ask the God and Goddess for help. Meditate on what the Gods see as a helping answer for you. Remember, the God and Goddess are always on your side.

If you’re in distress, please call the Suicide Hotline at: 1 (800) 273-8255

Yes—I have attempted suicide more than once. But now my life is good. It’s really worth it to endure the pain because life CAN get better.

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 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 New Year

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year 2013

Happy New Year!

Thank you to all my readers. You made this a great year for me. With all the parties and rejoicing that goes on at this time, don’t forget to help others. And what better way to do that than in the name of the Gods and Goddesses.  (You can keep your intentions to yourself if you like.)

With that said, this is a great time to review your commitment and dedication to the Gods. Renewing your original dedication ritual is a great way to further bond with the God and Goddess.

This can be as simple or as complicated as you would like. You could even just sit with a glass of wine or juice, light a candle and talk to the Gods telling them how much you appreciate them and what you plan to do for them in the coming year.

This isn’t a new year’s resolution; it’s a bonding experience between you and the God and Goddess. You don’t promise to do something that’s beyond your capabilities like solving world hunger. Instead, you might volunteer at a homeless shelter, feeding and caring for those who can’t help themselves.

You could volunteer at a pagan festival. Give your time to the community.

Don’t forget the furry, scaly and feathered brethren; you can help a wildlife sanctuary.

You have many choices. Take one step at a time dedicating your actions to the Gods.

Now is the time when you can help others and align with Wicca. Remember helping others is serving the Gods.

Blessed be,

Moonwater SilverClaw