Thank you Pagan By Design

I've been given the honor of being awarded a Wonderful Web Witches from Pagan by Design. As a writer I am constantly seeking approval for my writing. Its such an honor and I'm so happy that my blog has been appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Please take a moment to visit Pagan By Designs Blog & Forum

         

Stones & Crystals

I am by no means an authority on stones and crystals. But I realized as I was thinking up new topics for my blog that I rarely speak about them. However they happen to be an integral part of my craft. In my opinion no alter is complete without at least two crystals on it; most of the time more.

I'm one of those that has to take the information card with me or I will completely forget what the stone is called and its metaphysical properties. That's OK, witches can be forgetful too. My favorite crystal is Amethyst. Not only is it beautiful but I find the most uses for it. Its related to the moon, psychic ability, meditation. Basically anything related to the mind can be associated with Amethyst.

Another favorite of mine is red garnet. Dh and I really love to fight over this one because we both love it for jewelry. We have learned to share over the years though. So I'll wear garnet for awhile and then he can wear it. Because we so wonderfully balance each other doing this imbues the crystal with our energy so when Dh is having a particularly bad bipolar day, he can focus on that crystal to give him a little boost of my energy.

Some others I love are moonstone, tigers eye, quartz, and opal. 

What crystals do you find yourself drawn to?

What’s your witchy background?

My background is a hodgepodge of family, friends, and book learning. My spiritual journey started when I was about 15 years old. I think around this age its normal for any teen to start thinking about religion. That year I had found a silver cross in my yard. It had been there for many years. I cleaned it up and wore it all that summer, but I was really uncertain if I should. I wouldn't say I was very religious. My mother proclaims herself to be a Methodist like her mother. However she has rarely stepped in a church and honestly unless someone brings up the topic she never speaks about God or anything else of a religious nature.

This was also around the time my future husband (Lance) and I were talking and spending time together. Lance had acquired a large selection of Pagan books that I began reading. He had previously dated a woman who was Wiccan. From her he had learned various Pagan things and met others in the Pagan community. He began introducing me to them. At first I thought them a bit weird but nice people. Over that summer and fall I learned more about Wicca and began to see that it fit some beliefs I've always believed as a child. I'd always felt there was a duality in nature that surly would be reflected in deity.

That same year, two weeks before Christmas my grandfather died from lung cancer. I took his death hard because he was the last part of my fathers family that was nice to me. At his funeral I placed the cross in his casket and shut the door on Christianity forever. I was simply not a Christian and felt the cross had a better home with him.

I would learn more and more over the years mostly from my husband and Pagan friends. I self dedicated to solitary eclectic Wicca when I was 21. At that time I sought a vision and received one from my patron Goddess Isis. I began to teach what I believe online to whoever was willing to listen. I became an ordained Minister through the Universal Life Church and I do spiritual counseling sometimes.

Lance and I join up with other Pagans during sabbots, otherwise we like to remain solitary. I continue to learn and teach. I don't think were ever done with either! I'm happy to be solitary most of the time with some socialization with the Pagan community a couple times a month. Recently we've moved to Ohio so we are faced with finding new local Pagans. Luckily there is a new circle forming not too far from where I live.

So there you have it. My first answer on the 44 days of Witchery.

Blessings, Love, and Light

Salem's 44 Days of Witchery

Salem's 44 Days of Witchery

Here's the list, snagged from The Pagan Blog Directory: and A Pagan Mothers Life

1. What’s your witchy background?
2. A myth or story from folklore.
3. Witchy tools: athame.
4. Picture of nature (water element).
5. A favourite Goddess.
6. A favourite God.
7. Air element.
8. A photo of a magical place outdoors.
9. A favourite mythological animal.
10. Your sun sign.
11. Witchy tools: oils.
12. Picture of nature (air element).
13. What are some of the witchy books that influenced you?
14. A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.
15. Thoughts on the afterlife?
16. Favourite witchy website(s).
17. Picture of nature (fire element).
18. Have you had any paranormal experiences?
19. Fire element.
20. A picture of a tarot or oracle card, and its meaning.
21. A favourite scent.
22. Current moon phase.
23. A favourite candle.
24. Your moon sign.
25. How do your close ones feel about your witchy path? Do they know? Why or why not?
26. A witchy podcast.
27. Picture of nature (earth element).
28. A picture of a witchy I-Want-It-Now!
29. Water element.
30. Witchy tools: wand.
31. A favourite pagan/witchy movie.
32. A pagan/witchy artwork.
33. Faerie of your choice.
34. Rune of your choice.
35. Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.
36. Flower of your choice, and its magical properties.
37. A famous pagan/witch!
38. Witchy tools: cauldron.
39. Something that inspires you.
40. Your altar, if you have one!
41. A spell you’ve done.
42. A favourite nature spirit.
43. A magical recipe.
44. Witch’s choice!

Once I get Rabbit down for his nap, I think I'll be partaking in this challenge. I posted it here so I would remember all the topics for the 44 days :) I'm actually excited about having something new for my blog every day!

Spiritual Protection

We all have people in our life that mentally drain us. They may be coworkers, friends or even family. Most of them have a personality that is all about them. They rarely ask about how you are doing, and even if they do ask, they turn the conversation around so you are drawn into their daily drama. These people are not happy unless something is wrong in their life. Unfortunately you can't physically distance yourself from this type of person all the time. So what is a witch to do?

In a previous job of mine, there were a couple of people like this. I remember one summer particularly where it seemed like everyone had PMS. So I go about this two different ways - aura shield magick, and candle magick.

Aura Shield Magick

One is a protective shield using the aura. This is temporary. The more you practice the stronger and longer you will be able to do it. Walking through (or sitting in if that works better for you) a crowded store is a good place to practice. Those particularly sensitive to others emotions (empathy) are normally uneasy in crowded areas. This has helped me to get in and out of crowded areas without feeling boxed in and crazy.

I focus on my aura. I strengthen it by connecting to the universal energy. To do this I imagine white light coming down into my body from the top of my head all the way down to my toes and beyond. This makes me feel connected to the Lord & Lady and in control. (Grounded).

Chart showing the 7 Chakra points

Next I focus on the 7 Chakra's beginning at the crown and ending at the root. Each one I strengthen with energy. I may choose to use a symbol sort of a seal to add even more strength. I typically use a pentacle.

I then focus on my aura. Normally if a person is feeling overwhelmed the aura will be close to the body. This is a protective instinct. Imagine your aura being pushed out as far as you can. Try for an inch and then work your way up to two or three inches. Strengthen it with more universal energy. If you find a particular area lacking focus on strengthening the nearest Chakra point. This creates a spiritual wall between other peoples energy and your own. While you do this, no ones extra baggage is affecting your own energy.

Candle Magick for Protection

The second technique I use has a more lasting effect. It requires a little candle magick. If you are a crafty witch, its best that you make a square candle. You can usually find a candle making kit at craft stores. If you can't do this, that's fine. Store bought candles will work, but I'd rather you made your own because the action of you making the candle imbues it with more energy.

Whatever candle you pick, make sure it is square for this purpose. I like to make my candle black for this purpose. Black is the color of creation and what we are doing is creating a space for the negative energy to go. If you cannot make your own candle and cannot buy a black candle, choose a neutral color like white.

I don't share spells, so I'll leave you to write your own. But after creating your candle, you should do a ritual with the intent for all negative energy from whatever person your having trouble with to go into the candle. I like to also anoint the candle with an oil for protection during my ritual. My favorite is dragons blood, but your certainly welcome to choose whatever oil you feel best for protection.

As you burn the candle every night, the energy is released to spirit. This way the bad energy being sent daily to you, goes to the candle instead. And you are not doing a spell to harm anyone. Remember me mentioning those co-workers? Well this is a particular favorite of mine for those co-workers that like to make my daily life miserable. While doing this spell their negativity does not reach me and I can go about my day without worrying about workplace politics.

I hope this has helped you protect your spiritual self and as always,
Blessings, Love, and Light

Crime & Jury Duty

I see it all the time on several forums I go on. People freak out because they get a letter from their county clerks office stating they've been called for jury duty. These same people will complain about crime rates and how the system is a joke. Well let me tell you something, if you shirk your duty as a juror, you have no business complaining when people get off easy.

When I served all the jurors were wanting a quick verdict. They were completely worried about their pay. Yeah I get it, you don't get paid much to be there. But just maybe you and your family will be safer if you actually did your job. Isn't that worth more than one days pay?

I would hope, if I was at that defendants stand that a juror would actually look at the facts and laws and base their opinion on the evidence instead of just calling it guilty and going about your day. I know in the case I served for several years ago, the man was being charged with attacking a police officer and drunk in public. He slipped and fell while they were putting him in the police car. It was loose gravel and his foot hit the guy in the hand. I know it was loose gravel because I've fallen in this particular parking lot myself several times. The officers hand was just a little red in the evidence picture. While I'm sure it hurt, not even my daughter would cry and whine like a baby like this cop was doing. They made it out to be such a grievous charge, when really he was guilty for what they were arresting him for but they wanted to add 5 years for slipping and falling.
This is 5 years of a persons life. No one is perfect. But he didn't deserve to miss out on 5 years of his life, 5 years of his spouses life, 5 years of his children's lives because of one little mistake that is fixed with a little kiss on a boo boo.
I'm telling you all this because I was happy to have made a difference in this persons life. I was happy to be apart of a process that hopefully would teach him a lesson so he wouldn't put himself in that position to begin with. Yeah, he may drink in public again. But at least I know I did my part. If more people would do their part, then perhaps the system would work a little better.

Imaginary Friends May Not Be So Imaginary

I think most of us can think back on our childhood and remember an imaginary friend. If you can't remember, ask your parent(s) and see if they remember you having a special friend no one else could see. A baby is brand new to physical life, but his or her spirit is not brand new. Babies and young children are still connected to the spiritual plane, therefore it is easier for them to see spirits.

Children normally have at least one or two spirits around them. There are many stories where angels are watching over children in many cultures. We call them our Guardian Angels, Spirit Guides, or Saints. In my opinion these are spirits that may be related to you, or just a spirit that needs to do a job before moving on.

As a child I remember I had two spirits. One was an adult and I also had a dog. I don't remember much more than that, but I remember having a lot of fun with them. Over the years, children naturally become more connected to their physical life and eventually loose the ability to see and interact with spirits. A very few will continue to see spirits. These people are called "mediums". For awhile, I ignored the spirits, though I continued to see them. They became scary to me so I just wanted them to go away. As an adult, I learned not to be afraid and how to control my ability.

When my daughter was a toddler our home was heated with oil space heaters. One day she told us that there was a little girl, and she told her never to take daddy's medicine because it could make her sick. We took this to mean the little girl had died by playing with her parents medicine. My daughter also said she was warned to watch the oil heater because it could make a fire. Upon checking the heater we realized it was too close to the curtain and had burned the fabric. We are very thankful for that spirits warning.

So to recap, imaginary friends help our children through their first years of life. They may or may not loose the ability to see and speak with spirits. As parents, I think we can learn a lot about our children by talking about what they do with their imaginary friends. Who knows, perhaps you'll be able to avoid a disaster like my daughters friend helped to do.

Blessings, Love, and Light

SalemWitchChild

Pagan Parenting: My Way

I grew up in a "Christian Light" household. By that I mean my mother claimed she was Christian but never preached to us, never went to a church, and the only religious study she encouraged was to throw a children's bible at me on my 13th birthday and tell me to read it.

My grandparents were the opposite. They were very fundamental. You went to church on Sundays. Always had to dress up. Sunday school was suppose to be a weekly event. I remember the one and only time I went. I guess I asked a "dumb" question. I never went back. I don't remember what I asked now, but I remember what they were preaching didn't make much sense to me.


So as my daughter matures I've always let my daughter know that when she wishes to participate and learn about Wicca I will teach her. Similarly, I will help her learn other faiths as well. I feel it is important to learn about all major and some minor religions to have a better understanding of other cultures and people.
Last year my daughter participated in her first Full moon ceremony. I was so proud of her! She said her part when it came time and took her cues from the adults. She enjoyed it a lot. She also has worked with me when doing a spell and kept asking to "do it again". lol. For now she thinks its fun, but knows its not something that is to be played with. I've always told her what I believe in, and in no way do I expect her to follow me. But if that is her wish I would help guide her way.

Over the years I've had to protect her from other people. While I don't mind that she learns about other religions when she is older and doesn't believe everything she hears, in her younger years they are so impressionable. When she was a toddler I didn't speak much about our faith and when I did speak about it, I always reminded her that its what I believe and one day she would learn and make a choice about her faith. While she was young and too impressionable we dropped off the "Pagan radar". Mainly because I didn't want to be carrying around a toddler at festivals, but it served to isolate us from others. I feel that if they are young enough where just mentioning God means the child repeats, "I believe in God" then its too young.

Religion is a choice, not a birth right. I do not want my daughter to be Wiccan because I am. I want her to study and come to that conclusion (Or whatever faith she decides) herself.

Salem's Meditations: Walking with Animals

When I first began meditating it was hard to let my mind wonder. I was always afraid I was doing it wrong. I couldn't relax until I began meditating to one specific song that led me on a journey through the woods with animals. I lost the song long ago, but I still like to walk with the animals once in awhile.

Some people believe that each animal has a specific meaning or message to bring to us. This kind of meditation is wonderful if you have a problem and are unsure of what decision to make. Or maybe you just feel spiritually lost and need guidance. This can also help you find your animal guide.

The turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth and protection.

To begin start by putting on your favorite meditation music. I find for this kind of meditation, Native American flute music works well. Find a quiet space where you will be comfortable and will not be interrupted. I always begin by focusing on my breathing. Relax each body part starting with your toes and work your way up.  Visualize a door. Beyond this door is what you seek. When you are ready, open the door and enter. Beyond this doorway is woods with large pines. Become aware of what you see and hear around you. Maybe you hear birds chirping, see a snake track, hear a wolf howling, or a crow in the distance. Recognize the sights and sounds. Begin walking through the woods. Far beyond you see a clearing, go toward it. On your way perhaps you meet a few animals. Sometimes they will bring a message with them.

As you near the clearing, notice a stream running nearby. I like to sit by the water and allow the flow run through my hands. Sometimes fish come near me or turtles. Other times I sit on a rock by the stream and sing a song or play an instrument. My favorite is a flute or harp. As I play animals may come out of the woods to listen.

As you end your meditation do not forget to thank the spirit animals for visiting.
Begin to become more aware of your body from your head to your toes as you come awake revitalized and perhaps...with those answers you have sought.

After this meditation I like to look up the meanings of each animal I've met in my meditation. The book I recommend for this is Animal Speak: The Spiritual and Magical Powers of  by Creatures great and small. Written by Ted Andrews

First day of 4th grade

Its official. I have a 4th grade daughter. :) Today she began her first day. Its a good thing I sleep lightly or she would have been late for her first day. I had my husband set the alarm clock but he set it for PM instead of AM. I should know better than to allow him to set the clocks!

Funny story, when I first began school my mother took me to the bus stop. I was afraid of strangers and when she started to put me on the bus I totally freaked out. I locked my knees so she couldn't force me to walk onto the bus. The bus driver was trying to coax me on, some kids were just staring at me, others were trying to get me on too. Finally my mother had to just take me to school herself. Except I wouldn't let her leave.

The teacher finally distracted me with a toy. It was 10 minutes before I realized my mother was no longer there. Then I think I screamed for a good 20 minutes. I missed my mommy!

My daughter

With Sierras first day I wasn't there to put her on the bus. That has been something I've always regretted. But again my mother got to put my daughter on the bus. I'm thankful she was the total opposite of me. She was really ready to go. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we got her all hyper about going to school. However that wore off fast when she came home and kicked my mother in her shin, then proceeded to tell her she was the worst grandmother ever and she was never going back to school. lol Eventually she got over it and likes school.

On another note, don't you hate when you think of a topic that you really think you can write about and then you forget it? I should have wrote it down. I know better than to not to. But I thought, hey I'll start writing about it in twenty minutes or so when I finally get the time. Guess what, 3 minutes later I don't remember! Oh well. Maybe I'll think of it later.

Money can't buy me love.

So today I am watching the Tyra show and the question was about marrying for money. Several women are saying its better to marry for money because love fades and teaching this to their daughters. One even went so far to say love does not last more than two years. I hadn't realized after 14 years that the feeling I get every time my husband walks into a room isn't love! I really didn't know the crazy feeling when we were separated for 3 months for financial reasons wasn't missing my husband! I must be mistaking that loving feeling for something else because for the 17 years we've been a couple I can honestly say I love him more today than I did in the beginning.

I think its horrible for any mother to teach her daughter to marry only for money. I remember when I was about 7 years old my mother asked me what kind of man I would marry. I told her "Momma I'm going to marry a rich man so I can take care of you when your old. I'll buy you a house and a car and you'll never have to be poor again."

I think its natural for children to want to take care of their parents. But my mothers response was, "Honey money doesn't buy happiness." She was so right. And I'm glad I married for love.

My daughters comment on people who marry for money was, "Thats just not right. You should marry a person for who they are, not how much money they make." Good girl Sierra! I'm so proud of my daughter. She knows she can go out in the world and make her own way. And if and when she marries, she will be happy with love in her heart.

The Beatles said it best. Money can't buy me love! 

Update on Am I wrong...

So I wrote about wanting to stay home longer with DS and making DH do the work hours for TANF. We arrived at our appointment at 9 am and basically she told DH he has to do the hours. He will be doing volunteer work at the dog shelter which I think he will enjoy. He loves animals so I can't see that as being a bad thing! So yay for me being able to take care of the kids. I know this isn't a permanent situation and I will eventually need to go to work. But for now, I think its very important that I am the one taking care of our children.

I feel like we've missed so much of Sierras childhood because we were both working 10 hour days. I know she is a lot happier when we are home too. Thanks everyone for your advice.

Am I wrong in wanting to stay home?

To understand my story you need a little background information.
With my first child I was working as a Printer for a pet products company. Both DH and I worked together. After having my daughter I spent 4 weeks home but was forced to return to work because of money. I breast fed DD until I went back to work because the job required I work with chemicals that enters the blood through skin contact and therefore also milk.
Fast forward 10 years later and I feel like my husband has a better relationship with our daughter than I do. We really missed that bonding time. Yes you can bond in other ways but that didn't happen because DH was always the one to do most of the "work". Leaving me to do other household chores.

So now that our son is here, I've breast fed him for 3 months and its been wonderful. He and I are really bonded and I love it. He prefers me. My husband can't hold him long because Wyatt always cries. And Dh has arthritis now which makes it painful for him to hold Wyatt for a long time. Wyatt isn't happy most of the time unless he's getting attention or being held.

Because we are on government assistance right now, we are required to do a job requirement to recieve our benefits. I stayed in KY with my mother (Under horrible conditions while pregnant) and DH was suppose to get a job before I came to Ohio. That didn't happen. I finally had enough of those bad conditions and came to Ohio when I was 32 weeks pregnant. We are still living with MIL.

Dh has done "some" job searching. But most of the time he sits around the house and plays on the computer or watches tv or sleeps. He hasn't been doing the job search because he's bipolar and they are afraid he will "snap". He's been bipolar for a very long time. Now, he did freak out one time and he has some anxiety over finding a new job because of the way he was fired from his last job. However he's on medication now and it seems to be a little better. IMO he's just fine to go to work.

Wouldn't it make more sense for him to go so I can stay home and care for our children? He can't take care of the baby. Yet I'm about to be forced to satisfy the job requirement because Dh won't do it. I just want to scream. If I go to work I'd have to get someone else to babysit. I do NOT like strangers looking after my child. DH could take care of our daughter. She is 9 and basically can take care of herself. But he wouldn't be able to take care of Wyatt. And Wyatt refuses a bottle 99% of the time anyway. The only times he really will take a bottle is if he is absolutely starving!

I'm just really frustrated. I feel like DH just needs to man up and go get a job. Yet he thinks its better I do it. I've tried talking to him this morning. He didn't say anything though.

Pagan Blog Prompt: Tools

Prompt: Your Tools

What tools do you use, if any?
Tarot or other divination tools?
Athame, chalice, candles, wand, etc?

Why have you chosen to use these tools? How do you prepare and maintain them? Where/how do you store them?

Pictures are encouraged and welcomed, if you feel so inclined.

Raw Crystals I mined for.

 I find that the tools that work best for me are ones I've made myself or find in nature. Crystals are a large part of what I use. Most often I use garnet, amethyst, quartz, and tigers eye. Though I have several and a lot I can't even identify because I've forgot what they are! One of the things I have done is mine for our own crystals at a place near Mammoth Cave. It was very neat and I came away with some wonderful raw crystals. 

When I had my own space to dedicate to my hobbies, I made candles. I loved doing this! I found that my own candles were much better in magical uses than store bought. Though the cost of doing it was a bit more than I wanted to spend. It was still worth it to me and I even made back a little bit of my cost by selling some candles to friends.

Because my husband and I often work together we blend Eclectic Wicca & Native American Shamanism. One thing he often does is give an offering of tobacco. So this has become an important tool for us both.
Feathers, water, shells, and other natural elements are things I can incorporate into our craft.

Do you ever just go walking in the woods and find little interesting things? Well when I can I go walking and find natural elements I work with. Its a great time to reflect on what I need to manifest in my life and so soothing for the soul. :)
Blessed Be,

SalemWitchChild

Salem's Elemental Meditations: Air

Embrace Air

I've procrastinated in writing my meditation for this element because honestly I'm more of a grounded person. Therefore, an element that in essence is the opposite of grounding isn't one that I work with often.
However I recognize its benefits, so here is my meditation.

Air is all about letting go and allowing yourself to fly above daily limitations. To embrace this element you need to allow yourself to become free of everyday stress.

Air is the force of movement. One cannot stand still in a forceful breeze. Do you ever feel the wind against your skin and feel that God or Goddess has just caressed you? Perhaps you have been caressed. This is the feeling you get when you have embraced this element.

Do you ever feel stuck in one spot in life and just need a push forward? Air is the perfect element to meditate to when you feel at a standstill in life and just need a push forward. So here is how I meditate to air.

There are several ways you can bring the element of air to your meditation. One is to meditate outdoors on a breezy day. Remember when we were meditating with Earth and you meditated under a tree? Watching the leaves sway with the wind while you feel the breeze on your skin is a beautiful and very relaxing way to bring air into your life.

If you are unable to meditate under those conditions, meditate with a feather to represent the wind that allows birds to soar to great heights. 

What is the nicest thing you've done for a stranger?

What is the nicest thing you've done for a stranger?

This has been a few years ago. But I had just been to the OBYN and was told I may never have another child again (Thankfully they were so wrong!). Basically because I took Depo prevera for so many years it ruined my fertility and I got the news that it may never come back. And they also wouldn't help me with fertility till we waited longer and I lost weight.


Anyway, on my way home I stopped in a convenience store for gas and some water when a nice young man noticed I was obviously having a very bad day. He tried to joke around with me to cheer me up. I totally went off on him. I forget what I said but it was pretty bad. As I left I was completely ashamed of my actions. So I turned around and went back into town to buy him an I'm sorry card. I even went to Hallmark instead of the cheaper cards. lol. 

When I returned to the store he was busy, so I just handed him the card, smiled, and walked away. I saw him in the window reading it and him smiling back at me. 

I stopped in a few months later in hopes to see him again, but he wasn't there.
Anyway, I think of him sometimes and wonder if that day hand the same impact on his life as it did for me. 

What about you?

How to Raise a Dog

 Over the recent years we have heard more and more about breed-specific legislation. And its no wonder considering the horrific news stories we've all heard and shaken our head over.
There have been arguments for both sides. One wants to eradicate all known "killer" breeds, the other argues for socialization and training. Neither side though is going to win this argument until we get to the root of the problem.
Since the first time we tamed the a wolf to be a pet, we have been conditioning animals to be our companions. What we have lost sight of though is the reminder that animals are exactly that, an animal. Even your most docile breed can bite.
So when you leave your children in a room alone with your pet, you are trusting your dog with your children's life. Especially when your children are very young. Just as you cannot trust even the most docile pet, you cannot trust the most docile child. Simply to walk up on a dog fast and startle him, or pull on a tail or ear can set off a dogs nature to protect himself.
Dogs are NOT babysitters. No matter how many times we like to remember Lassie reruns, we must remember that dogs cannot be left unattended with children. As the adult in the household, you need to be certain that you raise a well rounded dog that is part of the pack. From the beginning YOU need to establish who is pack leader. Dogs are much happier if they know who is in charge. So that means instead of letting little foo foo do whatever it wants, you need to train your dogs. Your dogs need exercise, socialization and their generally much happier if they have a job.
Insuring that you have a well rounded dog doesn't just start from puppy-hood. It begins before the puppy is even born.
Breeders out there are plentiful. But not every one knows what they are doing. An irresponsible breeder has little selection process besides whether the dog is male, female, breed type, and intact. If a dog has been poorly bred or inbred from the start, chances are that the temperament of the dog and bitch were not tested. Given that you put two aggressive dogs together to breed, would it be any wonder that the pups turn out aggressive?

Buying from bybers just encourages the supply and demand. In the end all it ensures is that more dogs end up in shelters or heaven forbid, end up on the evening news as a dog that has attacked.
A responsible breeder will test their dogs for any traits that can be passed onto the puppies that is undesirable. This normally cannot be done till they are at least 2 of age. So if your breeder is throwing their 1 yr old dogs together to make some cash, walk away very fast.
The breeding stock should be selected carefully with temperament testing, health checks, and at the least a proven working skill or some kind of competition excellence. Why breed dogs just to make more puppies? After all there are plenty in shelters needing homes. Breeding should be done to better a breed, not to add to our already growing supply of pet quality dogs.
Raising a well rounded dog is our responsibility. And avoiding dog attacks from happening begins with knowing your dogs needs, vices, and counteracting that with training, socialization, and avoiding situations that will set the dog up for failure. A dog is not a play thing you can toss in the backyard and then bring back into the family fold and think they will be well socialized pets. They need your time, your commitment, and your love.
Breed specific legislation will never work because it does not solve the root of the problem. Until we decide as a whole to educate all pet owners on how to properly train and socialize dogs, BSL will not become a thing of the past.
It is up to us to change the way we treat our animals. The fact remains that humans are responsible for dog attacks. If its really all in how their raised, it starts with every pet owner reading this journal.

Soul Mates: My definition

When people think of soul mates they think of happily ever after marriages with lots of love. And this is one type of soul mate. The most sought after. 

However when we die, I believe we go to spirit (or heaven, summer lands, whatever you wish to call it we go to a spiritual place). Once there I believe we are surrounded by friends, family and other important people from our lives. I say lives because I do believe we have many of them. I also believe that we reincarnate with these spirits that are close to us. Those spirits are soul mates. They can be your best friend, your family, your coworkers, and your lovers. 

I absolutely believe my husband (Lance) is my soul mate. He completes me and I complete him. And as the above post says about love at first sight, when our eyes met, that was it. He was the only one for me. I think somewhere deep, our souls recognize the person we are meant to be with. Some may ignore it or maybe not everyone is connected enough to feel it. But its there.

My Grandpa was a Son of a Biche'

 PCF Donald K. Smith served in Co L. 399th Regiment, 100th infantry Division, seventh army.
For those looking at the word Biche', no it is not a misspelling.
Its Oct 6th 1944, and my grandfather is leaving the United states headed for the front line in Baccarat, France. During that time the 100th infantry fought a bloody battle on the front lines, loosing many men, but pushing the Germans back. During the 100th's 6 months of combat, 916 men were killed, 3,656 were injured, 180 men went missing. Over 500 men earned silver stars as well as many other metals of honor.
The fortress town of Biche' was a key location that had withstood attacks for 200 years. No one until the 100th arrived, was able to take the city over. Biche' was under siege for 3 winter months, finally falling March 16, 1945.
For the men and women who have given their blood and life for others, I honor them. May they always live on in our hearts.
 

We are all connected

We Are All Connected

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

"What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered.

He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed this warning, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The pig sympathized but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap... alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house - the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it.

It was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap.

The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. When she returned home she still had a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued.

Friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

But, alas, the farmer's wife did not get well...

She died.

So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them for the funeral luncheon.

And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn't concern you, remember ---

When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life.

We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

--- Author Unknown

Happy Full Moon!

Harvest Moon

Its the Harvest moon and that means what seeds we have sown are coming to fruition. So what are your plans for celebrating this time? What are you waiting to come full circle in your life?

In January we began our journey of moving back home to Ohio. We have yet to settle ourselves into our new life. We are still waiting to come full circle. I hope as we enter the harvest time our life will change and settle.

My the Lord & Lady help us find the right job and housing so that we may lead a better life. And may our dog Kota be protected and loved while she is in my mothers care.

Blessings, Love & Light

SalemWitchChild

Energy Healing: My Way

I do Energy Healings different from most people I know. I learned from my husband, and I find it works most of the time as long as I can focus. Thats the hardest part for me. If I'm tired its just not going to happen. Otherwise this is a great tool if your a Pagan mother. I don't know how many times I've been up all hours of the night with a sick child and have relied on energy healing to help. Over the counter medicine only treats the symptoms, with my healing, it gets down to the problem.
Here is the basic steps I take to heal.
1st I have to ground myself. If you use your own energy you try to heal small things but its not going to be as effective and you will tire yourself out quickly. Connect to Spirit and you have an unlimited supply of pure positive energy.

2nd Look at the aura. I can sense the aura. If one particular part looks clouded that is usually where the physical health problem is. If your spiritual health has declined, then follows your physical health.

3rd I send positive energy through my hands to a targeted area. One hand is sending energy, the other I'm taking away the negative.
Now most healers will say "Don't take it in you. " Which is true you don't want to take negative energy into you if you are going to keep it. I let it go however. Once I am finished with the healing I can sense that the aura and chakra associated with the targeted area is better, I meditate and allow the Goddess to take the negative energy. I cleanse myself so I no longer hold onto it. If I didn't do this, I'd be harming myself.

While I'm doing the healing, I can feel the persons pain and emotions. This is empathy and I use it to help me target the area. If I didn't release the pain to Spirit I'd continue to feel it.

Some other rules I follow while healing,
1. I never attempt to heal someone without their permission.
2. I don't rely only on energy healings to solve the problem. Western medicine does have its place!

If you've tried one energy healer and it didn't do much for you, try a different one or a different type of healer. You'll find all methods and all healers are not created equal. Even if you've tried one healer and they were not successful one time, allow them to give a second try. Sometimes were just not feeling up to a healing that day.
I hope this has given you a little insite into spiritual healing.
Blessings, Love and Light

SalemWitchchild

Had a good Mommy night out

So for awhile I've neglected my spirituality. Its no wonder considering all we've dealt with the past year. Last week we found a Pagan spiritual center and attended a meeting there. Tonight I went to a woman's meeting. I was going to take Wyatt but he was sleeping, so I decided daddy could take care of the kids for awhile. I deserve a night out without worrying about being a mom.

I'm so glad I went. I kept thinking about it off and on all week. I'd say I wouldn't go, then say yeah I would. Finally I just figured if I've thought about it this much there must be something there for me, and I was right.
One of the ladies there had a migraine. One of the things I'm good at is Energy healing. So I took away her headache. I'm sure it will come back if she doesn't work on her Chakra's and meditation, but for now I gave her a reprieve. After taking away her headache I meditated to release the headache and got the message that I'd better get back "in the saddle" as it were. I really have been shamefully neglectful of Goddess.

I taught a little about how I do energy work and answered a few of their questions. We talked of other things and had a good time.
So 2 hrs away from Dh and the kids and no one was hurt. See I knew daddy could take care of it. ;) Though I was happy to be back and cuddle with my lil man.

The Importance of Grounding during Magickal works

Grounding is connecting yourself to the Earth before beginning any magickal works. Its important to ground yourself first because you're more in control of your energy and you'll have better focus. I remember my first Pagan circle I attended. I had no idea what grounding meant and no one told me to do it. So when we began to build up energy I felt like I could literally just float away. It was an awesome feeling, but you do not want to be out of control while doing magick.

To ground, all you really need to do is connect with Mother Earth. I  imagine my feet as roots of a tree. The deeper I can imagine my roots going into the Earth the more grounded, focused and in control I am.

For those who read this who practice the craft, what ways do you ground yourself?

Had a wonderful time meeting new Pagans

Today we went to Chillicothe and met some wonderful men and women. The Inanna Spiritual Center is ran by some wonderful ladies. I didn't ask but I take it the place has just recently opened and thats OK. :) I was asked to join them as a minister. I'm ordained through the Universal Life Church. Though I haven't registered in Ohio as a minister, thats just some technical papers I need to take care of. I've never really used my ordination for anything other than spiritual counseling. But it would be great to take a more active roll in my ministry.
There was also another mother there who breast feeds, delay vaccines, co-sleeps, cloth diaper wearing momma. Yay for meeting new moms. :) Her little girl is 7 months old and Wyatt is as big as her. lol.
For now going to Chillicothe often might be too expensive. But I do want to keep in contact with this group. I was afraid once we moved away from KY we might be isolated from the Pagan community. I'm glad to see there are more Pagans here than I originally thought.

Pagan Blog Prompt: Changing Beliefs

Prompt: Changing Beliefs

This comes from a random hidden place in my mind....

"Do your beliefs change over the years as you change and develop?"

I know we are humans, and if we are living a life, we are always changing, growing, developing, learning.... And I was wondering how those changes have been reflected in your spiritual life....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes I have to say my beliefs do change over time. Not so much now that I'm older, but I can't say it doesn't happen. From ages 15-24 my beliefs changed drastically and I was really learning a lot from family, friends, and online sources. I feel to spiritually grow you always need to be open to new perspectives. The best way to do that is socialize with other people of various beliefs. Even if you don't believe as they do, you still see a new perspective and are more knowledgeable about other beliefs.

Happy Breastfeeding Week

Sierra giving Wyatt breast milk via bottle

So Wyatt is 2 1/2 months old now and that means we've been nursing for that long. My second baby is so much easier than my first and I attribute that to breastfeeding and co-sleeping. My first I did things very traditional. Formula, CIO, sleeping in her crib from day 1, etc... I didn't have any mom input from others besides grandmothers and great grandmothers so I really had no other viewpoint.

Me & Wyatt nursing

Now I can definitely see a difference. Wyatt still fights sleep like Sierra did, but he doesn't scream all night. He's chose his own schedule to sleep which is fine. The point is that he actually does sleep! With Sierra she would cry for hours on end for years before we'd have a peaceful nights sleep.
I refuse to sleep in the actual bed with Wyatt. I'm afraid I'll forget he's there and roll over on him or something. But his bassinet is next to me which was so great when I was first out of the hospital. I had a c-section so standing always was a pain.
I think I'm really doing things better now. Not that FF is bad or anything. I think its great if your not able to BF. I'd certainly rather see a baby well fed ANY way than to die of starvation. But breastfeeding is so much more than just nourishment. Its our special time. I like the bond that it has given us. With my daughter, she's more of a daddy's girl and I have always been jealous of that.

I like my num nums!

Nursing

I don't go many places right now, but when I do usually I'll need to nurse in public (NIP). I live in a very small town so breastfeeding in general isn't very popular. I've gotten a mixed bag of looks and comments. Some just smile and nod. Some glance at me and look away. A few have pointed their finger at me and whispered to their companions. And one even asked to "See the baby". As if he didn't know I was nursing. That guy was just a perv. The point is, breastfeeding is natural. It shouldn't be this foreign concept that people want to hide away or point at like its part of a circus side show. So in honor of breast feeding week, I'm proud to say I'm a breast feeding mother, and I hope that my experience will help another mom to choose to breast feed her LO too.

Looking for a breakthrough

This year has been nothing but road blocks and dead ends so far. Today we were going to go to Ohio. We applied for housing but need a background check. We wanted to avoid the approximate two weeks it would take to get them done by mail. (We can't use an online service, must come from KY State Police). We wired the money to my mother and she was going to have it done. However it seems you can't get a background check done without our signature. Which is weird since you can get a background check online as long as you have the persons info! See, road blocks. Ok fine, so we were going to go to KY and besides it gave us an excuse to let my mother see the baby. She's been dying to see Wyatt anyway.

Except our car needed to be tagged. We have another car we've been driving but we don't trust it to go all the way to KY. We do (Or did) trust the Lumina. So we tag it and come back home. But noticed the tail lights were not working again. That wasn't unusual. DH has been trying to figure out why they sometimes work and sometimes not. So he messes with it a bit and thinks he's fixed it. I go out to start it while he watches the back to see if they come on. Problem #2. The car doesn't start. WTF! So the trip was canceled and everyone was disappointed. I know there has to be a reason we have so much constraint in our life. I just wish we could hurry up and get our life together again. I know, patience is a virtue. But it wasn't a virtue I inherited. So I'm just a woman looking for a breakthrough!