religion

See What the Goddess Reveals (A Witch’s Perspective)

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“I feel so vulnerable,” Sheri, a friend, said.
I nodded. I deeply related to this.
I reflected on this later.

What if we could align ourselves with Goddess? What if we could know Her power?
And, we can!

Goddess and the God placed divinity within us.
That is our essential identity. Yes, our essence.

Here is something that stands out: the Goddess’s Principles.
Here is a definition of principle:

A principle is a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning. – Oxford Languages

We can find some of Goddess’s principles as she speaks in the writing of Doreen Valiente:

“Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside.  … Let My worship be within the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals.  And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.” – The Goddess speaking in The Charge of the Goddess, written by Doreen Valiente

Here is a prayer to support you in your own identity.

My Gracious Goddess,
Show me my own beauty and strength,
My own power and compassion,
Let me strive for honor and humility, mirth and reverence in all I do.
Let me see myself in You, and You in myself.
So Mote It Be.

May these insights support your path.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

Enroll in my Online Course Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick At Udemy.com

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3 Signs You Are on the Right Path (A Witch’s Perspective)

/ Moonwater / 2 Comments

At fourteen years old, I met the God and Goddess. It was a big surprise. Especially because I was on a retreat for a “conventional religious path.” The retreat leaders sent the attendees into the forest to have quiet time alone. (Well! They would have been surprised to hear about MY experience.)

I didn’t see the God and Goddess. I felt Their Prescence. The big difference was that my depression symptoms quieted down. Peace flowed over me.

Every day, my depression symptoms were like a rake clawing my arm. (But worse.)

Then, when the God and Goddess appeared … it was like I let out a big, cleansing sigh.

I have three insights for you.

Here are signs that you’re on the right path …

1. The Gods introduce themselves to you.

    In my experience and that of others I know, the Gods appear in the time of silence. Some people get “auditory Guidance.”

    My friend, Tiana, gets an “intuitive zing” up her back.

    From experience, she knows that the Gods are supporting her and guiding her.

    2. You see signs of affirmation.

    Imagine you actually see signs that you’re on the right path.

    You may see certain animals that represent the God and the Goddess. Perhaps, you’ll see a mature buck, raven, owl, white heron, or hawk. These animals are good signs that the Gods are guiding you.

    3. You have a knowing or intuitive sense of what to do.

    Sometimes, the Gods lead you through your intuition.

    The first time I encountered a book about Wicca in a bookstore (I miss you Borders!) … I felt like I was coming home.

    You may observe nature and feel a direct connection to something going on in your mundane life.

    Have you suddenly felt relief? – like a weight lifted from your shoulder?

    Or has your chest felt warm and full?

    It can be different for each individual.

    What we do observe is that one often needs to “go quiet” and “make space” for the knowing to appear.

    Learning the Craft is a path.

    Do you feel at home on this path?

    May these insights support your journey.

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater

    Enroll in my Online Course Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick At Udemy.com

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    How Witches Know When to Walk Toward the Fear

    / Moonwater / 4 Comments

    Terrified. That was the right word. I stood in front of the audience about to give my first speech at a Toastmasters meeting.

    It did not matter that other people would speak after me. They would be nervous, too.

    My own fear made me shake.

    Speaking aloud in front of an audience had not gone well in my past. I remembered reading a paragraph aloud in a high school English class. My dyslexia made me sound like an idiot.

    The teacher said, “Okay that’s enough.”

    Fellow student, Joe Jerk-face said, “Yeah! That’s enough!”

    And now at Toastmasters, I was about to give a speech. Crap!

    I said, “I couldn’t breathe. My brother held me underwater. Why would he torture a little girl? When I coughed up the water, the swimming pool didn’t look like a place to play. How much more of this life could I survive?” A few minutes in, I saw two people nod. (Oh, thank you! Good humans!)

    After I finished. Some applause.

    All good.

    Even better. I was proud of myself. I had walked toward my fear.

    Later, I went on to be a guest speaker – over 12 times – at a Comparative Religion college course to introduce people to Wicca. That was new for them. It still was a tough stretch for me to talk to an audience but … again and again … I walked toward the fear.

    Here are three insights.

    1. Keep yourself safe.

      Number one. Keep yourself safe. Can you get physically hurt if you take on a risk?
      David, someone in my circle, was a movie stuntman over 20 years ago. Would he risk his health or life today? No f***ing way!

      Still, he took precautions during his stuntman time. He also refused to do certain stunts. And, he’s alive to tell the tale.

      Are you thinking of taking a risk that could hurt you physically? Like walking in a dangerous area? Just after the bars close? Hold up! Stay safe.

      2. Decide what you value most. Drop the distractions.

      Other risks may mean temporary pain.
      So, high school kids laughed at my reading a paragraph. I still adapt to having dyslexia.

      But, you know what? Who cares about high school kids’ laughter?!

      I have to value your opinion in order to let it control me.

      What do you value most? Is it growing as a person? Pushing beyond some artificial limits?

      When do you feel most alive?

      3. Ask Goddess for support.

      When I have walked toward fear, I was answering the call of divinity that Goddess placed within me.

      Here is a prayer you can use:

      Goddess, help me answer the call,
      Help me know the true call from the false call.
      Show me how to walk into the unknown with Your strength.
      So Mote It Be.

      May these insights support your journey.

      Blessed Be,
      Moonwater

      Enroll in my Online Course Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick At Udemy.com

       Enroll in my Online Course At Udemy.com

      Spiritual Solution for Depression Relief is also an online course on Udemy.com

      Looking for gifts?

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

      Visit Moonwater’s Author’s Page for all her books here.

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      Check out my site MoonwaterSilverClaw.com  for spells and more.

      Why Is Life So Hard? – A Witch’s Perspective

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      “What? Medicare is threatened?” my friend, Sharon, in her 60’s said. “Why is life so hard? Why are they making trouble?”

      I thought about this.

      The God and Goddess have a perspective that is beyond our perception.

      Here are 3 insights.

      1. Hard situations can be an opportunity to grow.

        “In truly understanding the Goddess and God, one comes to understand life, for the two are inextricably entwined. Live your earthly life fully, but try to see the spiritual aspects of your activities as well. Remember—the physical and spiritual are but reflections of each other.” – Scott Cunningham

        Ask yourself, “How can I grow from this tough situation?” Where is the lesson? The Gods put challenges in our path to help make us stronger. These hard times build our resilience.

        Also, consider: “What can I learn from this?”

        You can consider new choices. Perhaps, you might make changes to your lifestyle. Or maybe get better at money spells.

        • Learn to shift.

        “Let my worship be within the heart that rejoices.” – The Goddess, in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente

        When things are hard, it is easy to stay in a dark place. One might ruminate over how hard things have become.

        However, when you conduct ritual and worship the Gods, you are invited to do the “hard thing” and make a SHIFT to the gifts they can bestow upon you.

        One powerful shift is: I have resources within me—the divinity within—I have not tapped before.

        “For if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.” – The Goddess, in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente

        “Witches and folk magicians, through timeless rituals, are only drawing upon natural energies found within the earth and our bodies to create positive, life-affirming change.” – Scott Cunningham

        2. Ask the Goddess for insight into the lessons.

        Here is a prayer you can use.

        Precious Lady and Mighty God,
        Open my eyes to the lessons I must learn
        Guide my path to growth and peace.
        So Mote It Be

        May these insights support your path.

        Blessed Be,
        Moonwater

        Enroll in my Online Course Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick At Udemy.com

         Enroll in my Online Course At Udemy.com

        Spiritual Solution for Depression Relief is also an online course on Udemy.com

        Looking for gifts?

        PentagramWheel2

        See my designs at Redbubble. 

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

        Visit Moonwater’s Author’s Page for all her books here.

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        Check out my site MoonwaterSilverClaw.com  for spells and more.

        New Year – Beginnings, Endings, Transitions – A Witch’s Perspective

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        Art by Moonwater SilverClaw
        Art by Moonwater SilverClaw

        “People talk about new beginnings, but they don’t talk about the slog through mud to get there,” my friend, Alicia, said.

        She was referring to the transitions that we endure.

        I earned one degree at a community college. Then, I went to a “polytechnical” college. The other students had more money than I did. They bought the apps. They were ahead of me. I had to “live at the computer lab.” Worse. Some instructors did not teach. I was behind others. What a lousy transition.

        Fortunately, I have a knack for video editing (for example), and I have edited some good work.

        In this New Year, let’s talk about beginnings, endings, and transitions.

        I have three insights for you.

        1. Shift from inner resistance to change.

          “Magic is natural. It is a harmonious movement of energies to create needed change.” – Scott Cunningham

          Have you ever hesitated to do a ritual to create the change you need in your life?
          I’ve noticed that many of us do not want something enough to endure the change that would be required.

          Authors Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy wrote about how you can transform your life. There is just one hiccup. To have a big positive new chapter in life, you might have to let go of 80% of your usual habits. That’s right. It’s dropping one’s comfort zone.

          I suggest that we look at doing something that is at least in the helpful direction. For example, tonight, it was tremendously cold. My husband and I went for a 12-minute walk. That was better than nothing.

          We got over our inner resistance by promising ourselves “It’s just 10 minutes…”

          What resistance do you need to let go of?

          2. Shift from “Need” to “Want.”

          Author Dan Sullivan wrote down in a log what he really wanted every day for 25 years. At that point, he had manifested a loving relationship and created prosperity with work that truly served others.

          What do you really want?

          What if you could have it…even if it might take three years in real-time?

          When you focus only on “what you need,” your canvas is too small. The universe is vast. The God and Goddess want you to have more prosperity and happiness.

          How do you define happiness?

          If you had all the money you wanted, would you be happy?

          I have been talking with friends about “practicing being happy.” What does that require? Being grateful right now for what you got.

          Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all things and My love is poured out upon the earth.” – The Goddess in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente

          The shift from “need” to “want” is NOT about sacrifice. It’s about a shift in energy and perspective.
          When you have enough energy, change is a flowing experience.

          What rituals will you do to uplevel your energy?

          Are you interested in using energy to make a transition from where you are to where you really want to be?

          3. Ask the God and Goddess to elevate your energy.

          You can use a prayer like this.

          Light Goddess,
          Dark Goddess,
          Goddess make me whole.
          Jannis God of doorways,
          Jannis God of Beginnings, Endings, and Transitions,
          Usher me into my New Year safely.
          Help my spirit and body rise in the names of the Gods.
          So Mote It Be.

          May these insights support your path.

          Blessed Be,
          Moonwater

          Enroll in my Online Course Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick At Udemy.com

           Enroll in my Online Course At Udemy.com

          Spiritual Solution for Depression Relief is also an online course on Udemy.com

          Looking for gifts?

          PentagramWheel2

          See my designs at Redbubble. 

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

          Visit Moonwater’s Author’s Page for all her books here.

          Check out my Podcast.

          Check out my site MoonwaterSilverClaw.com  for spells and more.

          How to Lift Your Life from “Ruined” – a Witch’s Perspective

          / Moonwater / Leave a comment

          Divorce. I didn’t want it. My hopes were crushed. More than that, my soul was crushed under my then-husband’s constant berating.

          Sometimes, it feels like life “comes for us.” Divorce. Death of a loved one. Job loss. Loss of a close friend.

          What do you do when you feel your life has been ruined by some tough life event?

          I have three insights for you.

          1. Face the trouble; gather support.

          I had been married for seven years. I had no idea what would be next. Would my parents take me back? Because I had nowhere to go, even for a brief time?

          I was also losing my identity. I had wanted to be a life mate. Someone who loved and was loved.

          Now, this was all gone.

          But things were worse. I had no support. I was buried in depression symptoms. I had no energy. I could not even think of getting help. Also, I did not see any older people who demonstrated compassion or wisdom (Later, I would have spiritual elders.)

          If I could go back and give counsel to my younger self, I would say, “Gather support.” Seek the help of mental health professionals. Seek appropriate spiritual elders. Develop your own self-renewing activities like meditation, exercise (like walking in nature), good nutrition, and sleep.

          About “face the trouble”… I did not deny the pain, suffering, and trouble. I did not put a pretty bow on the trouble and call it “a challenge.” No. It was a painful trauma. I needed to grow, stretch, and endure.

          How?

          Gather support.

          In my circle, people I know step forward and make changes.

          • One friend had to try four chiropractors before finding one who was a match.
          • Another friend had to see four doctors before hearing about sinus rinse. The other doctors pushed antibiotics. This friend, with a daily sinus rinse, has avoided sinus infections for 15 years.
          • Another friend “fired” her psychotherapist. Then, she was truly happy with the next therapist she met and worked with.

          So, gathering support may require multiple steps.

          What can you do to gather support to help you endure a terrible transition?

          2. Realize that you’re losing an identity. And build your new identity.

          Sometimes we lose an identity and friends. If you step away from drinking alcohol, you may lose your “boozer friends.”

          They may resist you changing your lifestyle for a healthier one.

          Some friends that aren’t helping you may drift away. Not always quietly.

          They may get angry, or even accusatory. They might even try to sabotage you or make you feel you’re not “cool” or “fun,” anymore. Or say things like, “You can just (____) one more time, right?”

          Is some old friend sabotaging your new life?

          Sometimes, you just need to get the support you really need, that is, from the Gods.

          3. Ask the Gods for support.

          What can look like ruin to us, may be a step to the Gods.

          You can use this prayer to help you.

          Goddess,
          Help me nurture my inner worth with Your love.
          God,
          Give me Your strength to resist temptations that may ruin my path.
          Gods, guide me and soothe my doubts.
          So Mote It Be.

          May these insights support your journey.

          Blessed Be,
          Moonwater

          Enroll in my Online Course Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick At Udemy.com

           Enroll in my Online Course At Udemy.com

          Spiritual Solution for Depression Relief is also an online course on Udemy.com

          Looking for gifts?

          PentagramWheel2

          See my designs at Redbubble. 

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

          Visit Moonwater’s Author’s Page for all her books here.

          Check out my Podcast.

          Check out my site MoonwaterSilverClaw.com  for spells and more.

          How You Can Experience the Profound Moment (A Witch’s Perspective)

          / Moonwater / 2 Comments

          Warm energy. Pure love. Total approval and kindness. The God and Goddess were with me. The most profound moment of my life.

          Still, I have had glimpses of this Divine Energy in my daily life, too.

          How? It’s when I make a shift from a limited, mundane view of my present moment.

          You can shift to the Divine Level. I have three insights for you.

          1. Get into the Flow of the Universe.

            Some people look at the world through the lens of “it’s only my happiness that’s important.”

            This doesn’t ring true to me. Helping people and creating joy in others is a gift. Spreading joy around is important. 

            “There is only one happiness in this life: to love and be loved.”
            – Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin (known as George Sand)

            2. Avoid an emphasis on “separation.”

            Have you had a moment of “This will make me happy”? Were you thinking about a dessert or a new piece of clothing?

            Stuff can be fun.

            And yet…

            “Happiness shared is happiness doubled.” – Swedish Proverb

            I’ve learned that my path is elevated when I connect with others. Humans, animals, and more.

            Perhaps, you’ve felt a certain joy when giving a gift to a loved one.

            We, witches, know that we’re connected.

            The birth and rebirth of all nature,
            The passing of winter and spring,
            We share with the life universal,
            Rejoice in the magical ring.
            – Doreen Valiente

            I realize that the Three Time Laws also works to our advantage. Give and be kind and the blessing returns on you three times.

            3. Let go of “It’s not perfect yet.”

            Do you know someone who is never satisfied with anything or anyone?
            I find myself on edge and not feeling “satisfied.” It’s like a reflex. I probably got it from my mother.
            Still, I take this awareness into my meditation. It helps me shift to another state of being.

            “Misery might love company, but so does joy. And joy throws much better parties.” – Billy Ivey

            I’m grateful that I got a smile from this quote. On Thanksgiving Day, I’m visiting with my parents – and also my friends. I recall the classic idea: What you focus on grows.

            “Happiness is already there. It is within us. We have just forgotten it and need to remember it again.” – Socrates

            The God and Goddess want us to remember that They placed divinity within us. It is who you are.

            Each of us is a representation of the God and Goddess. We all have a piece of Them within us.

            When you get stuck in “it’s not perfect yet,” ask yourself: “How would the God and Goddess view this?” They see the big picture. What is that? It is the reality that we live in both the mundane world and the Divine Plane.

            So if a friend calls when it’s inappropriate, you can shift to the Divine Plane and realize the blessing of having a kind soul as your friend.

            May these insights support your path.

            Blessed Be,
            Moonwater

            Enroll in my Online Course Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magick At Udemy.com

             Enroll in my Online Course At Udemy.com

            Spiritual Solution for Depression Relief is also an online course on Udemy.com

            Looking for gifts?

            PentagramWheel2

            See my designs at Redbubble. 

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

            Visit Moonwater’s Author’s Page for all her books here.

            Check out my Podcast.

            Check out my site MoonwaterSilverClaw.com  for spells and more.

            See the Truth

            / Moonwater / 4 Comments

            Blind

            “Now, do you believe?!” my sweetie said to me, as the plane lifted from the ground.

            “Yeah, I do,” I replied.

            For months, he said that we would take a plane, cross the country and then take a ship and finally walk on the ocean floor.

            Because of dealing with depression symptoms, it was hard for me to really believe that our trip would actually take place. In a way, you might say my depression symptoms blocked me from seeing the possibilities.

            This reminds me of the classic story in which blind men gathered to experience an elephant.

            “It’s a pillar,” said the blind man embracing one leg.
            “No, a hand fan,” said another holding an ear.
            “You’re wrong, a rope,” said another.
            “No, a wall.”
            “A solid pipe,” said the one holding the tusk.

            A wise man approached and explained, “You’re all right. You all experienced a part of the elephant. The elephant is all that you said and more.”

            Finally, the blind men stopped arguing.

            The same, I believe, is true about Deity. Everyone has a piece of the ALL. And what they don’t see is that it is all connected. It’s the same ALL that everyone else has. But they are experiencing the ALL in different ways, and this selective experience creates different practices and beliefs around the world.

            So when I hear someone say that he knows the one and only God, I pause. I think of the elephant which is more than the sum of the parts.

            Yes, I believe the God and Goddess are part of the ALL. But still I realize that Deity is more than my momentary perception.

            And I’d invite anyone else to consider that other people are experiencing Deity in a way that suits them at the moment.

            Let’s celebrate our shared opportunity to grow in spirit.

            Blessings,

            Moonwater SilverClaw

             

            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

             

             

             

            And

            The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book

            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

            Real Magick

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

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