spirituality

Sleepless with Regret or Shame? Goddess Is Present (a Witch’s Perspective)

/ Moonwater / 2 Comments

It happened again. I thought about something I regretted. It looked like I wouldn’t get sleep.
Then I shifted my thoughts. I brought an image to my sleep-deprived mind.
I am floating in the ocean. Peaceful.
The waves softly flow.
The Ocean is Goddess.

Eventually, I fall asleep.

Later, I reflected on this.

Here are two definitions:

“Regret is an emotion. It’s a negative emotion in that it’s an emotion that makes us feel worse, not better. And it’s an emotion that’s triggered when we think of something from our past and wish we had done something differently, done something in a different way, not done something, taken an action, not taken an action.” – Daniel Pink

“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.” – Brené Brown

Whoa! Stop!

Goddess put divinity within us.
We ARE worthy of love and belonging.
We belong to the Goddess.

I remember this quote:

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou

So I need to shift from regret to reflecting on what I may want to do differently in the future.

Here’s a prayer you can use.

Goddess,
Let Your waters of love caress and flow within and without me.
Let my shame and regret be washed from my mind, body, and soul.
Soothe me, nourish me, and heal me.
So Mote It Be.

May these insights support your journey.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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The Witch’s Path to “Stronger Than a Habit”

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“You look frustrated,” my friend, Susan, said.
“Got that right,” I replied.
“About…?”
“I just can’t get in more meditation sessions,” I said.

Later, I reflected on this.
So, we hear that improving our lives is just about adding a habit. (As if that were easy.)

Ever put in a new habit and in 47 days—poof!—the habit is gone?

Frustrating, right?
What’s the answer?

It’s not just a change of habit.
It’s a shift of identity.

Robert Rodriguez, the film director, said that he would throw out his back every time he made a film.
He asked Sylvester “Sly” Stallone how he managed to stay strong and athletic.
Sly said, “Get a personal trainer.”

But then, Robert had a revelation. Yes, it was good to have the support of a personal trainer. AND, he needed to shift his identity to “athlete.” Then it was about “what does an athlete do?”

We, witches, can choose layers to our identity.

I can choose and say firmly, “I AM a meditator.”

In fact … I’m taking a pause …

Now, I am back.

Guess what I just did?

I did a brief meditation session. Why? “I AM a meditator.”

What identity would you like to add to your practice as a Witch?

Here’s a prayer.

Goddess, show me the way to transformation.
Guide my actions on my desired path.
So Mote It Be.

May these insights support your path.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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Burst through the “It’s Good for You” Wall (a Witch’s Perspective)

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“What’s good for you—that’s Wicca—that you don’t do?” my friend, Margarette, said.
“Meditate more often,” I said.
“What holds you back?”
“It’s a freakin’ cliché. I have no time in the morning. I’m too tired at the end of the day. And, I spend my day mostly taking care of my parents (often). And one diabetic cat,” I said, my shoulders drooping.
Margarette nodded. She looked sad.

I have an insight for you.

Attach The Good For You Action to Something You’re Already Doing

Something good for me is to do an action that makes me feel better.

For example, my husband massages my back every night. (Yeah, I feel lucky.)

But I just don’t get around to massaging his back.

I don’t feel good about not supporting the Love of My Life.

Except, now I’m turning that around. Now, I’ll take 10 seconds to massage the trapezius muscles next to his neck when I walk past him to my workstation (in our home).

10 seconds is better than nothing.

He smiles and says, “Wow! You remove a lot of tension from my trapezius muscles in a short time!”

So I’m going to walk past him anyway. I’ve just attached being kind to my husband (and I feel better) to my daily action.

My way to add Wicca to these 10 Seconds is to say a prayer like: “God and Goddess, thank you for my sweetheart. May he feel safe in my arms and loved.”

What would be good for you to add to your daily life?

Here’s a helpful prayer.

Goddess,
Guide me to make time for
What’s good for me,
What’s important to me,
What makes me smile.
So Mote It Be.

May this insight support your path.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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Back in the Day – Forward to Today (A Witch’s Perspective)

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“Did you see that Scott Cunningham focused on self-initiation?” an acquaintance, Anna, asked.

“Yes. When I first began with Wicca, I read Scott’s book, Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner,” I replied.

I reflected on this. Before Scott Cunningham (and others), Wicca was much more about being coven-based.

Over the years, I later participated in three covens.

I like the structure of a coven. And yet, sometimes, it feels like herding cats.

Still, I appreciate that a solitary witch has more freedom to do things in their own way, when they feel like it, and according to their schedule.

I do notice that in a coven, you can feel the energy multiply.

I appreciate that we have choices.

When do you connect with the Goddess?

May these insights support your path.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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When The Magic Gets Too Real (A Witch’s Perspective)

/ Moonwater / 4 Comments

“That’s when the water pipe burst. Water flooded the apartment!” Cheryl, an acquaintance, told me.
“And you feel it’s because Athea failed to dismiss the Element Water?”
“I’m sure of it.”

Sometimes, we, witches, may feel that the magic gets too real.

I have insights for you.

1. Include Protection Phrases

Such phrases include:

  • And it harm none.
  • For the good of all involved.

    Will you include such phrases when you do magic?

    2. Make your intention benevolent.

    The 3 Times Law holds that what you put out into the universe returns upon you with 3 times the impact.

    It is wise to do your magic for positive outcomes.

    What positive outcome do you want to happen?

    May these insights support your journey,

    Blessed Be,
    Moonwater

    P.S. To learn about methods to create a transformation in your life, go to my online course “Spiritual Solution For Depression Relief“

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    The Big Choice of the Spiritual Elder (A Witch’s Perspective)

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    “Wow. Sharon made the situation about her. I don’t think she even heard me,” Alicia, a friend said—about Sharon, a spiritual elder.

    I’ve noticed that Spiritual Elders have a choice: “talk from your history” or “be present.”

    Here are two points.

    1. Continue to refocus “back to the present.”

      “For behold, I am the Mother of All Things…. For I am the Soul of Nature who giveth life to the universe.” – The Goddess in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente

      What does an attentive mother do? She asks, “Where does it hurt? What do you need?”

      You’re staying present is a gift to the other person.

      Do you stay present, or are you just waiting to push your point on the other person?

      2. Notice if you’re talking from your history.

      When I say, “a big dog,” where did your mind go?
      My mind goes back to a pack of dogs that I encountered as a 7-year-old girl. 8 dogs. One little girl. And terror.

      I still hold fear from that time.

      But what does that fear do? It takes me out of this present moment.

      Let’s say I visit a new friend, and she has a golden retriever. A friendly being.
      But I’m shaking due to being triggered by the past.

      Now, nothing is invalid about my talking about my past life.

      But that does not mean it is relevant to the person I talk to today.

      I once heard the author Tom Marcoux say, “New variables may invalidate past experience.”

      I can learn more about dogs.

      I can pay attention in the moment to the person who is speaking.

      And, a spiritual elder can hold a sacred trust of “being present” with the person.

      Here is a prayer:

      Blessed Mother,
      Give me the sight of this Present Moment.
      Free me of past fear and the echoes of past traumas.
      I show up in service to the person with me.
      So Mote It Be.

      May these insights support your path.

      Blessed Be,
      Moonwater

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      How Witches Deal with Someone Who Won’t Hear Them

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      “My sister just won’t stop for a minute to hear me out,” Milly, a new acquaintance, said.

      “She has all these judgments about me and my faith. She doesn’t see me as a person. It’s like she’s talking to her projection of what she thinks I might be.”

      I reflected on this.

      Here are two insights that might help you.

      1. You push, and they push back.

        Ever try to explain your faith to someone? And, they just push back. Telling you that you’re wrong and that they know—better than you—what your spiritual path is.

        Arrogant, right?

        You push facts, and they push fiction.
        But what does the pushing get?
        Nothing good.

        2. Invite the Gods to help you lower your “intensity.”

        Have you noticed that when someone says unfair and ignorant things against you, it’s your internal “intensity” that rises?

        Here is a prayer that you can use to help you lower your intensity.

        I breathe in and bring in the love of the Gods.
        I breathe out and let go of my anxiety.
        I breathe in and bring in clarity.
        I breathe out and let go of my intensity.
        I breathe in calm.
        I breathe out and let go of my intensity.
        I breathe in peace within my integrity.
        I breathe out and let go of my intensity.
        May the Gods bless me.
        So Mote It Be

        May these insights support your path.

        Blessed Be,
        Moonwater

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        When Goddess Speaks of Freedom from Fear…

        / Moonwater / 1 Comment

        Have you noticed people in your circle who avoid trying to do something creative?

        Are they stopped by…

        • Fear of disappointment?
        • Fear of judgment?

        What if you had freedom from either concern or both?

        “First, they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then it’s the way we always have done it.” – attributed to Mahatma Gandhi

        So, about fear of disappointment or judgment … it can be a form of slavery.

        “Ye shall be free from slavery … keep pure your highest ideals, strive ever towards it.” – The Goddess in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente

        What is fear stopping you from trying or creating? We’re talking about something positive and good for all involved.

        This reminds me of a phrase to add to a ritual: “For my benefit and the benefit of all involved.”

        “For My Law is love unto all beings.” – The Goddess in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente

        Just imagine that the Goddess is reassuring us that Her love is stronger than fear.

        Many blessings on your path.

        Blessed Be,
        Moonwater

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        Missing Closeness in Relationships – See What Goddess Points To … (A Witch’s Perspective)

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        “I don’t think she cares anymore,” my friend, Bert, said of his wife.

        I reflected on this.

        Bert, like many men, places all the burden of emotional support on his wife.

        It’s heavy!

        A comedian noted that when a wife dies, the man falls apart.

        However, when the man dies, the widow carries on with grace because she has a group of women to support her.

        I thought about this. The Goddess directs our attention to nature.

        I have two insights for you.

        1. In an ecosystem, each being plays a role.

        I like sharks. Now, do I want to swim with them? – No!

        There was a book called How to Swim with the Sharks…

        No thanks. I’ll swim in a swimming pool.

        But sharks, the coral reef, lionfish, sea turtles, and sea anemones all play a role.

        So, if you want more closeness in a relationship, make sure you have an ecosystem – that is, a community.

        Then, you can relieve the relationship of some emotional burden.

        You can come back together refreshed and open to your special bond.

        2. The Goddess revels in Her Three Phases.

        The God respects the Goddess. And She respects Herself.

        We, witches, find grace and peace when we flow through our phases.

        I think about my teen years. My face had no creases.

        But I’ll celebrate my wisdom right now.

        How about you?

        Are you finding your personal value in the phase of life you’re in now?

        May these insights support your path.

        Blessed Be,
        Moonwater

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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

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