Protection – The Sacred Circle

June 20, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Circle Setup Graphic

Moira started her ritual. On the astral plane, this was like lighting a torch. Some entities were attracted. Fortunately, Moira’s mentor taught her well; Moira made sure to correctly cast her Circle!

Among the reasons to cast a Circle, protection and raising energy are key.

Do you really need protection? Isn’t nature all sacred? The short answer is . . . yes.

However, there are entities in the natural world that get attracted to a cast Circle. In the vastness of the astral plane, by casting a Circle, you have lighted a bright torch. The torch attracts everything. Entities are curious, and they’re attracted to energy. It’s what they feed on. So, in a way, you’re ringing the dinner bell.

Casting a Circle and calling your quarters is how you defend your own energy and space. Casting a Circle creates a boundary that defends you from the little buggers on the astral plane.

When you call the quarters, you are summoning the elementals (a form of entity) that help you defend your Circle. They also donate power to your spiritual working.

Calling the quarters is part of building a fortress against unwanted entities that may try to interfere with you and the energy you are raising.

In essence, when you call the quarters, you are making a temple. A fortified and well-guarded temple.

Blessings,

Moonwater

P.S. Be sure to get your copy of the special e-report “5 Big Mistakes New Practitioners Make—and How to Empower Your Spells” when you sign up for my e-newsletter when you click here before June 24, 2015.

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

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

And

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

And

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

Protection – Salt

June 13, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

“How do Wiccans protect themselves?” Kristen asked.

“That’s a big topic. What do you want to protect yourself from?” I asked.

“I recently graduated, and I’m temporarily living with my parents. They have a couple of friends who are negative. I want to keep my own room protected from their negative energy.

In today’s post, I’ll share how to protect yourself by using salt.

[In the next few posts, I will share a number of ways to protect yourself. From House Blessings to guarding yourself from energy vampires, I’ve got you covered.]

We’ll begin with one of the main techniques: using holy water. The Priest or Priestess takes sea salt and spring water and mixes them together. Then, the person blesses the mixture. A number of Wiccans say this: “I cast out all negative energies from this water, and I bless this pure water in the names of [pick which Deities].”

Then this mixture is used to cleanse spaces, objects and people.

Why do we use salt? Our ancestors noticed that adding salt to meat made it last much longer than if it was left alone. Although they didn’t know it, the salt killed bacteria and germs so meat was kept edible.

But salt isn’t just for a physical cleansing. Salt provides for a spiritual cleansing, too.

Bad energies and negative spirits don’t like salt. So we use salt to cleanse the Circle we cast. We get rid of the nasties that may be lingering around. Think of salt as spiritual soap!

In the next post, we will talk about how Wiccans use the Circle for protection.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

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

And

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

And

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

Meet the Lion — a Spiritual Approach

June 6, 2015June 6, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Imagine a moment of wonder. I’ll now introduce my friend, Reverend Patrick McCollum, a Wiccan Priest, an internationally recognized spiritual leader, and the 2010 recipient of the Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism.

Below, Rev. Patrick shares with us his current experiences. Imagine a moment when you know your life is on the line and you know that you’re really feeling alive . . .

Reverend Patrick wrote:

“Life is full of amazing experiences. But it is what we make of those moments rather than just the experiences themselves that really count.

I am having one of those special moments myself. I thought I would share it with you—and how it is playing out for me.

The water for my home comes from a tiny mountain spring in a small canyon on my property. I live in the woods in Northern California, and the canyon is heavily wooded with a small trail that leads to the spring. In order to keep my water tank full, I have to periodically walk up there to start my pump.

There is also a tiny rivulet of water that trickles out of the spring.

Starting several weeks ago as I was working my way up to start the pump, I felt a presence sometimes when I would walk to the spring. It was as though something was watching me. I didn’t know what it was, but my senses told me it was important to be aware.

I have long tried to live a life that is in harmony with nature, and in doing so I have come to recognize the beauty of it—and I tried my best not to fear it.

In any case, it turns out that a mountain lion is currently gracing this lovely trail near my spring. The lion has been present several times in the last two weeks.

At first, I moved with great concern every time I had to go to the pump. Many thoughts ran through my mind as to what to do about the lion. It is clear to me that this big cat could easily kill me if it chose to do so. It is incredibly fast and tremendously strong. But then as I went to start my pump a couple of days ago, I realized that the cat and I were there for the same purpose … To get the water, which we both need to live.

Now that California is in a long drought, it is likely that the lion’s regular water sources have dried up. And it has no choice but to come to my spring.

And so, I made the decision to set aside my fears and to choose instead to see the lion as a kindred spirit, from a different tribe sharing a joint experience with me.

In my work, I teach across the world that all of creation is sacred and that we must first see the sacred in the other before we judge our neighbors. It is my fundamental touchstone toward achieving peace in the world. If I cannot learn to see the sacredness of the lion before I move to the place of fearing it, I would be all talk and all of my work would be disingenuous. And so I made the conscious choice to walk my talk.

Now when I go to the spring, I approach by softly calling out to the lion and letting him know that we are both in this venture together. I share with him that I am not there to harm him and that I see the sacredness in him—and that I am hopeful that my small spring is meeting his needs.

One can never know another’s thoughts. But we can observe another’s actions to determine where they stand.

So far, the lion gives me space to get the water I need, and I give him the same. There is a sense of wonder in all of this. If nothing else, the perception of danger between us has been tangibly reduced.

It is not that the lion isn’t dangerous. He can be very dangerous if he chooses to be so. But then so can I, and I often forget that!

It is clear to me that the lion is likely accessing his relationship to me in exactly the same way that I am accessing my relationship to him. And in recognizing our similarities, our differences are becoming more distant for each of us.

It is my hope that the lion and I demonstrate the possibilities for peace and understanding between different peoples and cultures.

It isn’t that everything is perfect, and I am not expecting the lion to eventually come down and sing Kumbaya with me. But it is possible that, through seeing the sacred in the other and recognizing our commonalities, we can generate respect for one another and share common ground—no matter how truly different we are from one another!

My Prayer:
Let us see beauty in one another as we come together. And let us find ways to set fear aside to make room for hope and understanding.

Blessings to all,
Rev. Patrick McCollum of http://www.patrickmccollum.org/

It’s easy for many of us to say, “Well, that may work for him, but I’m not having peak moments in my life.”

Still, doing ritual or a meditation can bring us in connection with the Goddess.

Take a step forward.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter and get your free copy of the e-report “5 Big Mistakes New Practioners Make–And How to Empower Your Spells” click here.

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

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

And

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

And

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

Your Chance to Get “5 Big Mistakes New Practitioners Make—and How to Empower Your Spells”

June 5, 2015June 6, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Merry Meet,

Imagine receiving even more guidance to improve your Wiccan practice.

When you sign up for my new e-newsletter, you’ll benefit when I share more rituals, tips, and ways to customize your rituals . . . and even more.

Sign up now through the June 23^rd and get a free gift of an e-report: 5 Big Mistakes New Practitioners Make—and How to Empower Your Spells, which you’ll receive on June 24^th!

To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

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

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

And

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

And

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

How A Wiccan Can Get Healthier

May 29, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Out of breath after walking up some stairs, I thought: “I got to do better than this.” I had succumbed to gaining serious extra weight.

Then, I noted an app on my new Smartphone—a pedometer. A number of doctors/researchers emphasize that walking 10,000 steps a day is valuable.

So I started walking at least 10,000 steps a day. At first, I was okay. And I even limited my intake of fat-adding foods.

The result? Weight loss.

But now I’m enduring more pain in my legs. And it feels tougher and tougher to get out there and keep up my walking regimen.

When you’re enduring pain, it can feel like you’re all alone.

But wait, I’m Wiccan. I can call upon the Gods for help.

A Simple Rite so You Can Ask the Gods for help.

What you will need: 1 red candle.

Cast circle in the usual way.

Cleanse and consecrate candle (cense and asperge candle).

Light the candle and say:

Lord and Lady give me strength to step into the light that is for me. The light of health and strength. Help me keep my stride on this path of light to the best that I can be. And if I falter, lend me Your hands so that I may rise again and continue on my path. Give me the strength to endure and succeed over the challenges of temptation, as I choose to let go of bad habits and improve my health.

So mote it be!

Then do your Cakes and Wine ceremony.

Close circle in the usual way.

May this ritual be useful for all of us who seek to improve our health.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

And

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

And

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

How to Pick the Best Spell Elements for You

May 23, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Element of Fire (thanks to Arthur)

“Could you help me pull together a spell to increase my confidence?” Lisa asked me.

“I’ve seen a couple of spells in books. But I’m confused. Which version should I use? What elements would work better for me?” Lisa continued.

This points to an important principle of practicing Wicca. Spells in books might be helpful. But we need to observe the reality that spells in books were written by someone else, and they were not written for you specifically. So how do you make a spell that works and is truly right for you?

Start by looking at a list of possible elements or items to include and observe what feelings you have about each one. If you don’t have any emotional connections to an element, you might do better by choosing something that inspires something deeper in you.

Let’s look at this process closely. Here is an example spell.

Spell for Confidence

What you will need:

1 yellow candle
Yellow magickal ink or yellow pen
Virgin Parchment or paper

Incense:

Powdered Buckthorn
Dragons blood
Myrrh

Here’s how the process can go. Mena sees the yellow pen and it reminds her of a yellow tee-shirt she wore as a child. She had spilled her lunch on it, and kids in the schoolyard cruelly teased her about it. So yellow is not a color that Mena would use for her confidence spell.

On the other hand, Judy gave an excellent presentation in front of class at night school, and she wore a blue sweater. She remembers how great she felt. So she chooses to use blue ink and a blue candle. She taps into the memories and feelings of her past to help fuel her spell.

Judy looks at the incense, Powdered Buckthorn. But she had no feelings connected with it. Then she remembers her Grandma baking cookies made with allspice. Her Grandma always had a big smile for Judy, and she attended Judy’s basketball games. Judy felt supported. She knew that Grandma believed in her. So Judy switches from Buckthorn to allspice.

Don’t fear about making little tweaks to your spells to make them yours. When you make those tweaks, your spell will be more effective in reaching your goals.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Here is the full text of the spell:

Spell for Confidence

What you will need:

1 yellow candle
Yellow magickal ink or yellow pen
Virgin Parchment or paper

Incense:

Powdered Buckthorn
Dragons blood
Myrrh

While burning incense make a sigil for confidence. Place the sigil under the yellow candle and light it. Concentrate on the candle’s flame, thinking about how you’re strong and confident. Things do not penetrate your envisioned “force field” of confidence.

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

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

And

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

And

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

Where is the Wiccan Wisdom?

May 9, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Nina bit her lip. I could tell she was angry.

“Edna’s not wise; she’s just older!” Nina said.

It can work the other way. Have you ever met a young person with an old soul?

What about someone with a title? Does that make a big difference?

This is on my mind because I was talking with a friend who asked about my accomplishing the third degree as a Gardnerian priestess. Yes, I’ve studied for years with fine mentors. I’ve put in many hours and much effort into earning the third degree designation.

It’s a strange thing about human beings. We expect certain things. Some of us expect that people would put effort into becoming wiser as they aged. Still, we’ve seen people who just seem to stop in their maturity level.

We expect, or at least hope, that someone with an advanced degree would show superior knowledge.

My mentors whom I’ve admired have demonstrated two traits: kindness and humility.

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” – Albert Einstein

Wicca, to me, is a life-long journey in which I learn new things every week.

Recently, I wrote about the 4 elements of the Witches Pyramid—which also includes Spirit.

The great thing about meditating in the Wiccan way is that often we are given insights from the Gods and Goddesses.

In essence, the more often you meditate, the more opportunities you have to receive guidance from the Gods and Goddesses.

One of my favorite insights given to me is I am loved. This gave me higher self-esteem, and this gave me an understanding that I was not a horrible person which was a faulty idea that depression had slammed upon me.

I invite you to keep meditating or to start a meditation practice. Open the door to a better understanding of yourself and the world around you.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. I will be away camping to connect with my Gods and will be returning Monday the 18th of May. Thank you to all my readers.

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

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

And

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

And

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

Witches Pyramid – Spirit

April 30, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

“Why is Spirit included with the Elements that make up the Witches Pyramid?” Juliet asked.

“Spirit refers to your higher self and the Gods and Goddesses,” I began. “The elements are the base of the Witches Pyramid. You need the elements plus Spirit to create life and to work magick.”

The preferable order of the Elements is Earth, Water, Air and Fire. They incrementally increase in energy.

We begin with Earth since it is the grounding Element. As you work up with the higher and higher energy levels till you reach Fire, you use Earth to ground them all.

After working with Earth, Water, Air and Fire, it’s natural to move to Spirit. When working with Spirit, we connect with our inner selves and the Gods. During meditation, you can receive messages and insights. We Wiccans strive to connect with Deity through nature, rituals and meditation sessions.

Wiccans work with Spirit in many ways that even connect with astral projection, psychometry (touching objects to sense them), and clairvoyance/clairaudience.

An Example of Connecting With the Gods

We know that life can be really tough to endure. Some time ago, I shared a particular chant (on this blog) to help you connect with the Gods and receive support.

Here is the chant you can recite to yourself when you’re hurting:

By the Sun and by the Moon,
Let the Gods’ light be my boon.
Shining deep and shining far,
May I be healed by every star.
I saw it then, I see it now,
Darkness be gone right here, right now!

You can use this short chant whenever you are feeling low. For example you can use this chant during meditation, lighting a candle or as a prelude to a meditation.

In discussing the Spirit aspect of the Witches Pyramid, we have completed our multi-post conversation of the components of the Witches Pyramid: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Spirit.

We Wiccans can deepen our practice by repeatedly focusing on meditations related to the Elements and Spirit.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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

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

And

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

And

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

Happy Beltane 2015

April 30, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

A way to piece.

Happy Beltane

The Witches Pyramid – Earth

April 25, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

“My life’s just too busy. I’m juggling everything. Trying to keep my husband happy and our two children. Work is getting worse, too,” Nadine told me.

“It sounds like you need a little ‘silence’ in your life,” I suggested.

“Don’t I wish!” Nadine confirmed.

In today’s post, I’m talking about the element Earth, represented as North of the Witches Pyramid.

In the previous post, we explored West and Water. Water was about to dare.

There is a different type of strength that we can find helpful: the strength known as to Remain Silent, as manifested as Earth.

Many of us find our thoughts racing all day long. It would really help if we could calm down our minds. As Wiccans, we find that quieting our minds helps us focus our thoughts and our magick. When you bring your mind to quiet, you can focus and manifest your desire into reality.

Furthermore, when we talk about to Remain Silent, we actually refer to literally being silent. For example, we stay silent about what happens when we conduct ritual. Everything done and said in Circle is sacred. This means that we Wiccans keep the details locked in our hearts and away from the mundane world.

Sure you might be tempted to share details of life-transforming occurrences in Circle. Instead, be sure that you keep silent! Keep the details as a precious, sweet experience all your own.

So how do you bring the element Earth and to remain silent into your life?

A Meditation to Celebrate Sacred Silence in Your Life

Find a quiet place where you will be alone and relaxed for five or ten minutes. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Picture a pyramid in your mind. Gently explore your answers to these questions:

What is this pyramid made out of?
What color is it?
What is the texture of your pyramid?

Imagine viewing the pyramid from various angles. Focus. Concentrate until you can even see the pyramid with your eyes open.

This pyramid process helps you focus your mind and clear it of extraneous thoughts.

Repeat this practice whenever you feel overwhelmed. Practice focusing, calming down and experiencing Sacred Silence.

More feelings of calm and peace are just a brief pyramid-meditation session away.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S.

If you have a question about Wicca and would like me to reply, please fill in the request form below.

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