“I don’t know how much longer I can live in an apartment with those roommates,” my friend, Allen, said.
“Something happened?” I asked.
“I need to get into a situation where I’m around people who are okay with Wicca,” he said.
I know how difficult living with non-Wiccans can be. Especially if they are not Wiccan-friendly.
Certainly, you can’t have an altar set up permanently where they can see it.
So how can you follow your spiritual path and be discreet about it?
One way to hide a Wiccan altar is to use a small, hard-shelled suitcase. This is truly convenient because when you’re done, you just put your altar tools into the suitcase and put it away. Additionally, your tools are stored simply and easily for the next time you need them.
You can store your suitcase-altar out of the way in a closet or under a bed.
When you’re ready to do your ritual (with your door closed!), just pull out the suitcase and set your altar up.
You can even use the suitcase itself as the altar table.
Need to travel or do a ritual at a friend’s home? Just grab your suitcase-altar and go.
If you live with non-Wiccans, you can use your suitcase-altar as a simple way to disguise and store your altar until you’re ready to do your next ritual.
“Why are you so concerned about not having somebody do magick for you?” my friend, Jennifer, asked.
Three reasons immediately arose in my thoughts:
When someone does a spell for you, both of you become karmically linked.
Having someone cast a spell creates a karmic link between you and the spellcaster.
How well can you know someone? If you have a stranger do magick for you, then you really don’t know the person. However, even if you have a friend do magick for you, you still do not know aspects of the person. How is that true? Because each human being has sides of themselves that are veiled to them.
It is harmful to be karmically linked to another person because their shadow self may be intense and can cause you harm.
The spell is not as effective if you’re not the one doing it.
No matter how much you pay someone to care, they won’t care as much as you do about the outcome of the spell. They can’t. We’re talking about your life.
As you saw in my last post (How You Can Do Real Magic) you need Intent, Visualization, Concentration, and Willpower. These are elements that depend on your unique sensibilities.
You do not have a real way of measuring how adept the person is with magick.
I trust that you’ve met people who talk a good game but do not come through.
We have already established that the best spellcaster for you is you.
It may be tempting to go with someone who charges for spellcasting because they have good testimonials. Still, we know that some people get testimonials from friends who are biased.
Do yourself a favor and become an effective witch yourself. Learn to become adept at spellwork for your own well-being.
“How can I do real magic?” one of my readers asked.
Magick has many facets. Real magick (spelled with a “k”) takes years of practice and dedication to do it correctly. Magick is the process of using natural energies to create positive change in yourself and the world around you.
Start by asking yourself, “What kind of magick do I want to practice?” You could consider ceremonial magick, witchcraft (if so what kind?), or another type.
Without the necessary knowledge, spells fail. I’ve seen friends disappointed as their spells went wrong. We notice that many people buy a book of spells and cast away, not knowing the how and why. Spells will do a giant belly flop on you if this is what you do without the knowledge of how magick works in the first place.
Intent
To do successful magick, you need to understand several things. First, you must have an intent. You need to know what you want to manifest. I know this sounds simple, but many people just don’t think the intent through.
Let’s say you want a car. Okay, why do you want a car? Is it to take you to your job? Or is it something you want to have people envy? Hey I don’t judge. But if you just say “I want a car” to the universe, you are likely to get that Pinto down the block.
Let’s say you just moved to a new area and you need a car to get you around. You want something nice but economical. You don’t want a piece of junk that will break down on you every chance it gets. I suggest you go shopping, whether it be on the internet or at a car lot. Get to know what you want and like for your car.
When you pick out features, you’re attaching specific desires to the car. This will help manifest the car you want versus the junk heap down the block. Refine your image of the perfect car in your mind. Include other requirements you have like good gas mileage and inexpensive repair costs. The more specific you are with your intent, the less there will be unexpected results like getting the lemon down the lane.
Having a solid intent is your first step before you do any magick. Once you have that cornerstone set you can continue with the second thing which is concentration. During your spell you will need lots of concentration and visualization.
Visualization
We’ll continue with the process of manifesting a particular car. You can use a toy car as a visualization focus object. As you stare at the toy car, you also use your mind to imagine getting into a real car and driving it. You can even take a number of steps further. For instance, if you desire a convertible car, you imagine the wind blowing through your hair as you drive with the top down.
Concentration
This is the process of focusing and then refocusing your mind on your visualization task. In essence, you concentrate on the object and on the images in your mind that are specific for your desired manifestation. It is natural for the mind to wander at times. When it does, you just consciously redirect your mind to focus on the visualization object once again.
Meditation
Some Wiccans begin with meditation to clear the mind before using both concentration and visualization. Using your mind’s eye, view the shape. Now view this shape from every angle. Concentrate on this shape for an extended time until you have it firmly in your mind.
Willpower
The Collins English Dictionary defines willpower as “the ability to control oneself and determine one’s actions.”
Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., author of The Willpower Instinct, wrote: “Willpower is about harnessing the three powers of I will, I won’t and I want to help you to achieve your goals (and stay out of trouble).”
When it comes to successfully performing magick, willpower, to me, 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.
The compelling observation is that Wiccans, who become proficient at these three processes of visualization, concentration, and meditation, actually strengthen their will. How? Once you do the three processes, you actually enhance your belief, and you push through your doubt.
Realize, you need to will something into being. This includes confidence that what you are doing will work. If you don’t have that, your spell just won’t become a reality.
You need your will for your intent to be as strong as possible. This is why when we are desperate for something, we can usually manifest it. Using your will is deeply rooted in your desire. Lack of will just creates another belly flop.
I’ve now shared with you the five must-haves (intent, visualization, concentration, meditation and willpower) for doing magick that works.
The above included some of the “basics.” I’ve personally devoted years to earn my role as a 3rd Degree High Priestess of the Gardnerian Tradition.
May the above information serve you on your journey,
Jill sighed and then asked, “Can you tell me when and how my life will end?”
“That’s not a question that I work with,” I replied. I went on to share the following four details:
Be sure to avoid doing a Tarot reading when you’re feeling terrible.
Sometimes, the Tarot can mirror your feelings. If you’re in a bad mood, you may find that your mood colors what you perceive in your reading. So, your perception can, in a way, “give you a false reading.”
I have had to be careful about my state of being when I do a Tarot reading. Why? I deal with clinical depression symptoms, so I need be careful that my symptoms don’t mask what the cards are really telling me.
Avoid asking about dreadful subjects.
Don’t ask: “How (or when) will I die?” And, avoid asking about the deaths of your parents and friends. Why? Such questions put you into a terrible space. As I mentioned earlier, your perceptions can be off, and you might get a “false reading.”
Don’t read for others when they are in a bad/sad/angry mood.
If you read for a person who is in a negative mood, they might perceive anything you say as “bad news.” Reading for someone who is upset will not help them. They cannot be open to the messages of the Tarot, and they may twist the news in a negative way.
Be prepared for a possible scary or negative reading.
Pause and think about what you asked. Did you ask a question that was phrased in a negative form? If you still get a negative reading, take a break and try again the next day.
Special Note: Let’s look at how life goes. Some things seem negative at first but turn out better. A divorce can open the door to a later, wonderful marriage. A friend drifts away and then you later realize that you feel much lighter because you had been in a negative co-dependent friendship.
“This is the time of increase?” my friend, Adam, asked.
“Yes. We’re getting close to Spring. This is a good time to cast a Prosperity Spell.”
Let’s look at what “prosperity” is. I don’t limit it to just a plethora of money. I am talking about your whole well-being. Prosperity is having an abundance of loving friends, family, good physical health, healthy finances and a good relationship to the God and Goddess.
Have you noticed that having some amount of all these things helps you feel more whole and happy?
I felt great when a sudden inspiration flowed to me from the Goddess to combine the four Elements in a coherent pattern that I call the Four Foundations of Whole Life Prosperity.
Here are the Four Foundations of Whole Life Prosperity in the terms of the four Elements/Directions:
Spiritual/East – Element: Air
Having a close relationship with the God and Goddess is key to a good and happy life.
Consider meditation as a helpful way to communicate with God and Goddess. In meditation, you can have your finger on the pulse with the Divine, which helps you create the balance your spirit craves. Your Spirit needs to be close to the God and Goddess. It hungers for a relationship with Them.
With this strong connection, the other Foundations of Whole Life Prosperity will come to you.
Health/South – Element: Fire
I’ve thought of the Element of Fire because the Spark of Life, as in good health, supports your prosperous life. Sleep enough, eat healthy meals and get appropriate exercise. After all, our bodies are temples to the Gods. Keep your body in good running order and cherish your body. Nurture your body by bathing regularly and do the rest to keep your body at its best.
We don’t need to fall for the media ideas of what a stereotypically attractive body looks like. You don’t need to be wafer thin. It’s reported that a number of models are actually unhealthy.
Take good care of your body—as the gift you have. Move in the direction of prosperous health.
Love/West – Element: Water
What does “prosperous in love” mean? I suggest we do what helps us have good relationships.
A friend asked, “What do you think is important to find in a romantic partner?”
My husband replied, “Find someone who is kind and flexible.”
I agree, and I’ve learned that it’s important for me to do rituals and meditation to keep myself strong enough to be kind and flexible. A dash of humor helps.
Taking good care of your relationships helps you support your overall prosperity.
Finances/Earth – Element Earth
A number of my friends complain and worry about their finances. I admit it: I get concerned, too. I’m doing fine, but I have this nagging concern about ending up a homeless person. My husband is ten years older than I am. How will things be after he passes on?
I’ve learned that meditation and rituals can bring about some peace of mind.
How about you? Would you benefit from doing rituals to enhance your peace of mind?
Doing a Prosperity Spell can bring in some income. Having the opportunity to do something nice for yourself (having a dinner, seeing a movie) can do wonders for your feelings and sense that we live in an abundant Universe.
Putting It All Together
Bringing together Spirit, health, love and appropriate finances enhances your experience of a whole and happy life.
Use this following is a spell to help you move forward.
The Whole Life Prosperity Spell
What you will need:
Altar and regular ritual tools
Image (as seen above)
1 small rough pebble (North)
1 unused easy light match (south)
1 thimble of water (West)
1 Incense cone and holder (Air)
Do this spell on a waxing moon, closest to the full moon. Focus on this spell to enhance prosperity in various facets of your life.
Cast Circle in the normal manner.
After cleansing and consecrating the items representing the four elements, place the graphic/picture (with this post) on the altar. Set the items (that represent the elements) on their representative cardinal points.
Meditate on your life being full of what you desire. Once you have a firm feeling about what you want, continue with the next steps.
(Light the match on the rock.)
Fire burns in my veins with health,
(Dip index finger into the thimble of water, touch the water to your lips, and say)
Water surrounds me with the love I desire,
(Tap the rock three times.)
Earth provides that I am financially secure, and I enjoy financial abundance,
(Light incense from the working candle.)
And Air sends this spell and my love to the God and Goddess.
Do the Cakes and Wine Ceremony
Close your Circle.
May this Prosperity Spell enhance your life and happiness.
“That’s what the Tarot cards are showing me,” I replied.
“How accurate is this? Is my marketing campaign really going to tank?”
“As I shared with you before … when I do a reading, it’s like taking a glance at a river that is flowing,” I said.
Some Insights about a Tarot Reading
Just because the Tarot gives you an answer, it doesn’t mean it will stay the same.
The Tarot spread of cards that you read is a snapshot in time. If you do nothing and follow the course you’re on, at the moment you view the Tarot spread, you may find that the outcome stays the same.
However, if you change your actions, things can change.
This is why it is so hard sometimes to pin down exact outcomes and the final results that may manifest.
Viewing the Tarot spread has an influence on the future timeline.
Seeing the Tarot spread gives you new information. What will you do with that information? Will you apply yourself to taking action to change the outcome? Perhaps, this is your chance to change your future!
Still, the appropriate use of the Tarot depends on a lot of variables. It’s a truly complicated tool.
Although an outcome may change from the time of your Tarot spread to the future happening, you may still find the Tarot can prove to be helpful in certain circumstances.
Side note: Usually, the major arcana are things one cannot change, and the minor arcana are things you can change. And this depends on which card is next to another. Yes, I did say that the Tarot can be complicated.
Wiccans use the Tarot for many situations including to help people see their choices, to see what actions may be viable, and more.
Like any powerful tool, take care with your use of the Tarot.
“Fear can be a Source for magick-working?” my friend, Jeff, asked.
“Yes,” I replied.
“I don’t understand. I’ve heard that if you focus on what you fear too much, you’ll even attract what you fear,” Jeff said. His brows furrowed. It looked like he was making himself afraid by even voicing this thought.
What is fear?
It may seem to be too simple to ask this question. Sure, all of us feel fear sometimes. Still, let’s start here: the Merriam-Webster dictionary describes fear as: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.
Dealing with clinical depression, I find fear to be my everyday companion. I have fears about having enough income in the future, close relatives dying, and more.
I’ve learned that I need to do something to get out of the rut of fear.
How can we harness fear?
I’ve learned that fear can be useful. It’s like a warning light (on a pilot’s flight deck) that alerts me to danger.
We evolved to be predisposed to fear. Let’s face it: Those ancestors who saw a saber-toothed tiger, became afraid, and stayed away from it, survived to pass down their genes. Those of our ancestors who saw the saber-toothed tiger and said, “Nice kitty,” didn’t.
So, fear is hardwired into our DNA.
This is good to know. We can use this hardwiring to our advantage.
How?
Fear is like a sign that points to what you truly value. Say we have a fear of being alone. This fear of being alone may indicate that you value having friends and family close by.
I fear homelessness. This could indicate that I value comfort and stability.
Finding your fear sign will help you find your way to your true path. Whenever you have fear about something, ask yourself, “Is this my fear sign?”
To Make Fear a Positive Source of Your Magick …
If you know your fear sign, you can use it to work magick.
How?
In one of my workshops, I had the attendees do a Transform Fear Meditation.
The idea was to start with a physical object in your mind to represent the fear.
Then you imagine the physical object crumbling away like an outer shell to reveal what you value hidden inside.
You can use other forms of meditation.
The questions to use include: “What is fear trying to tell you?” and “What path are you to take?”
Look deep. Ask yourself, “What is the fear pointing to?”
For example, one could ask, “What are you afraid of?
Public speaking.
What’s that fear pointing to?
“I’m afraid of forgetting my words.”
What’s that fear pointing to?
I’m afraid of being embarrassed.
What’s that fear pointing to?
I’m afraid of feeling like a piece of garbage.
Turn this Around. What is the opposite of that fear?
I want to feel good in my heart. I want to feel that I matter and that I contribute something good to the world.
Now, you have a Powerful Intention to Use as a Source of Your Magick!
Next, you can do a Spell to Boost Your Self-Esteem.
Or you could light a candle and say, Lord and Lady, guide me To strengthen myself So I feel good about what I’m doing. Help me to contribute Something good to this world. So Mote It Be.
In summary, the idea is to avoid staying in the rut of fear.
Instead, use the fear to point you to a Positive Intention, that is, what you truly value.
Then, have your spellwork focus on what you truly value.
“How do I have a good PantheaCon experience?” Judy, a newbie, asked me.
Since this year’s PantheaCon (2-16-18) will be at least the 10th year I have attended, I had a bunch of ideas rise in my mind.
“Start with the basics,” I began. “Enough sleep, good food, enough water, and pace yourself … oh, and don’t try to see everything.”
Later, I reflected on the whole PantheaCon experience, and I had more thoughts …
Enjoy What Is There – “Let it be what it is”
“What did you learn last year at PantheaCon?” a friend, Jimmy, asked.
“Enjoy what is there, and let it be what it is.” I replied. By this I mean, pay attention to your expectations and how attached you might be to them. If you hold too tightly to certain expectations, you might feel devastated if they’re not met. Some people say, “Oh, that ruined my conference experience.”
On the other hand, just let the PantheaCon experience be what it is. Yes, you’ll find people of like mind and faith at the conference. It can be a great place to connect with people.
But if you’re a newbie, you may be held at arm’s length by some people because they don’t know you. Don’t take it personally. After your first year, people will know you. Then closer relationships will be possible.
Enjoy what’s in front of you.
My husband tells a story about how he knew a family that always complained about the restaurant food in front of them. It was always: “The fish is more tender at the XY Restaurant” or “I preferred the noodles at the AB Restaurant.” Nobody was simply enjoying what was in front of them. That is, the exception was my husband, who would say, “This works for me.”
“Wiccans listen to the Earth. They don’t shut out the lessons that She is so desperately trying to teach us…. Don’t shut out the physical world in favor of the spiritual or magical realms, for only through nature can we experience these realities.” – Scott Cunningham
Just as Wiccans listen to the Earth, listen to your own body. Do you need to take a break? Get a nap? Walk outside and get away from people for a time?
Pay attention to your body and the energies around you. You will learn a lot.
Align yourself to your “rhythms” during the event
Know when you have had enough. Don’t stay until you can’t think straight. Especially, be careful if you must drive home or to another hotel.
Some people around you may have similar beliefs andthey may be people who are upside-down—feeling upset about something. Make sure that you take care of yourself. Avoid being vulnerable to picking up other people’s negative energy. In my recent e-newsletter, I wrote:
“If you’re attending PantheaCon, you might want to use this following Shielding Chant to help you stay empowered in such a highly stimulating situation. This Shielding Chant can be used at times when regular shielding isn’t enough.
The InstaCircle Chant for Shielding
As you say this chant, you will take your power hand, (usually your dominant hand) and trace a Circle three times above and around your head. When you do the movements, you will envision the energy streaming from your index finger.
Soon, you will point to the heavens and pull the energy from there to the ground.
Here is the InstaCircle process with the movements:
Using your power hand, trace the Circle three times.
I cast my Circle thrice, round, round and round.
Point your index finger up to the heavens and then pull energy down to the ground.
Let no bane get in, From heavens to ground.
May this InstaCircle Chant process bless your life.”
* * *
Honor your own rhythms. Recently, I was reading some material by Doreen Valiente, when I came across this quote:
“This deliberate pacing of the circle is called ‘circumambulating.’ It is different from the wild joyousness of the round dance.” – Doreen Valiente
Sometimes, you want to do a “deliberate pace” and get some rest and other times, you’ll probably want to experience some higher energy activities at PantheaCon.
(Note: Having a lot of people in a small space like a hotel can spread germs a lot. Consider washing your hands often or using hand sanitizer. It is good to not only put up our spiritual wards, but keep up our physical wards. You’ll want to avoid catching ill—something known as “Con Crud.”)
In summary, let your PantheaCon experience be what it is, and align yourself to your rhythms during the event.
Unlike some religions, Wicca is not shut down like it’s a little thing hiding in a bunker.
I’ll say it: Wicca rocks.
This became clear to me as I answered another question posed by a reader at Quora.com
The reader asked me “Can I practice Wicca and Be a Buddhist?” I answered as follows:
“To reply to your question, I had a conversation with a college professor who taught Comparative Religion for 14 years.
Our conversation provided many insights.
Here’s a partial list:
Buddhism separates into a number of sects.
Different sects of Buddhism have different requirements. So, our conversation here will be about Buddhism in general. For many Buddhism practitioners, this path often functions like a philosophy. The Buddha is not considered a “god”—he was a human being who, through diligent effort, became enlightened. In fact, Buddha, as a name, means “enlightened.”
Buddhism and Wicca have concepts that relate to each other (karma and “The 3-Fold Law” also known as “The Law of Three”)
To quote a post I did for my blog GoddessHasYourBack.com:
“Let’s talk about the Law of Three, or the threefold law of return. Whatever energy you send out into the universe will get magnified three-fold and then returned to you. It is a simple principle. But when we observe this principle in action, it proves complex.
Imagine that we have a pond which we’ll call the “universe pond.” You have some stones in your pocket. The stones represent the actions you take in life and in turn, the energy you send out into the universe arising from those actions.
You drop a stone into the pond. Ripples move out from the stone’s entry point to the pond.
As energy created from your action, the ripples spread into the universe and grow in magnitude. Eventually, they hit the edge of the pond and bounce back to you in their magnified form.
So, the stone you dropped in the pond, (an action you took in the universe, whether it was a positive action or a negative one,) comes back to you. Just like nature, the universe has a self-regulating system, many people call this Karma.
So carefully choose your actions.
May the ripples return to you three-fold in positive energy.”
Buddhism’s focus on karma relates to “cause and effect.” (We can see the similarity with The Law of Three.)
One creates karma by one’s actions. You can pay for your misdeeds in this life or in the next life (see reincarnation below). Some people talk about thinking a bad thought and then stubbing their toe as “instant karma.” That might strike someone as amusing. Still, several people talk about “I was kind to that person and later they helped me get a job.” Therefore, karma is not only about being good now so that your later incarnation will turn out well.
So, as you can see, Wicca and Buddhism appear to have some beliefs that line up—in a way.
Buddhism and Wicca have compatibility with the concepts “loving kindness” and “An itharm none”
Wicca believes in harming none. We strive to live with this idea in all aspects of our lives. We strive to avoid killing, harming or causing suffering of any living being. Some Wiccans take it to the point of going vegan. They don’t want to harm any animals for their personal survival.
We may notice that it is impossible to live “an it harm none” as a rule. Even vegans harm plants. We brush our teeth and kill bacteria.
Wiccans tend to look upon an it harm none as a guideline. Something to strive for in our daily lives.
Buddhists emphasize compassion. Many also speak of and take action related to “loving kindness.”
“May the roots of suffering diminish. May warfare, violence, neglect, indifference, and addiction also decrease. May the wisdom and compassion of all beings increase, now and in the future. May we clearly see all the barriers we erect between ourselves and others to be as insubstantial as our dreams. May we appreciate the great perfection of all phenomena.” – Pema Chodron, Buddhist nun
The above quote from Pema Chodron emphasizes aspects of loving kindness. In a way, loving kindness is a practice of extending kindness and compassion outward to others during one’s meditation practice. It can also be a way of interacting with people in daily life. It is more than harming none; it is the providing of kindness and compassion to the benefit of the other person.
A Wiccan can incorporate loving-kindness in her daily meditation practice, too.
A number of Wiccans (not all) believe in reincarnation like Buddhists
Many Buddhist emphasize a belief in reincarnation. Some state that the goal is to learn our lessons and practice compassion – and ultimately get free of the Wheel of Life. That’s when one does not return again to the Earth to suffer during another lifetime.
Buddhists emphasize the Four Noble Truths – often written as …
Life is suffering.
Suffering has a cause: craving and attachment.
People can be free of suffering when they give up craving and attachment.
To let go of craving and attachment, one practices the Eight-Fold Path (similar to rules).
Buddhists suggest that in each incarnation we learn how to release our habitual actions that lead to suffering.
My personal belief is we are here to learn lessons to advance our spiritual growth. For example, before I was incarnated I had a lesson plan. I asked other spirits if they would help me learn these lessons. So, perhaps one agreed to help me learn patience, and another would help me learn compassion. Then, we would incarnate here on Earth and help each other. The Gods are present to help us through our lessons because sometimes such lessons can be tough. The universe creates scenarios that will create an opportunity to learn your lesson(s).
Sometimes those scenarios can be very hard. No one wants their child to die or be in an abusive relationship.
I’ve learned that the Universe provides us with paths to learn our lessons.
Sometimes, the direct route to incorporate a lesson into our being is the one that requires us to endure something horrible.
I heard of a mother whose 15-year-old son was shot and killed by another 15-year-old boy. Ultimately, the mother learned to extend amazing forgiveness in that she was the only person to visit the 15-year-old murderer in prison. She lost a son and gained an opportunity to extend kindness and forgiveness to the kid who killed her child.
This mother’s faith in a Higher Power provided her a form of comfort and inspiration.
My own elders in Wicca brought the idea of “the universe flows in the path of least resistance” to my attention. I look upon this as the Universe will find the direct path to help us grow.
To Wiccans: the Gods, other spirits and entities provide support and guidance for us to endure the rough spots of life.
Certain sects of Buddhism have no concerns about Polytheism
It is reported that the Mahāyāna tradition is the largest tradition of Buddhism, with 53.2% of practitioners. Some scholars note that Mahayana Buddhism spread so much because of the idea: “Keep your gods. Oh, and they are manifestations of the Buddha.”
This leaves room for one to practice a form of Buddhism and be Wiccan simultaneously. That plan might bring you to calling yourself “eclectic.”
Blessings upon whatever path you decide to walk.”
When we see Wicca in light of other spiritual paths, we have something to be grateful for.
GoddessHasYourBack.com 