The Webs We Weave. Silk style

Yesterday I was introduced to a very peaceful, creative website called Weavesilk.com. I've been having fun with it ever since. Not only is it creative but if you have your sound on they have music playing that is very soothing. It's sort of like a fun little meditation. :)

Sierra says bats? lol I don't know. But it's pretty!

Very nice pentacle. :)

Pretty flower. :)

I think this one looks like a face in a jack o lantern. :)

Try it out and share with me your creation! 

The Songs of Spring

One of my favorite times of the year is when we are on the cusp of spring. I know we probably have a month or two left of cold weather, but today feels like a brisk spring day. As I was walking to the mailbox to mail out a resume' (Wish me luck!) I heard the sounds of birds chirping. I'm not even sure what kind of birds they are, but they always bring me great peace each time I hear them.

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
Chinese Proverb

Somehow they are saying, "All is right with the world." I love that their song brings peace to my soul. I wish I could sit outside and meditate to the birds today, but it's just too cold and too many people around to do that. So here's the next best thing. An hour of bird chirping on Youtube. Perhaps you'd like to meditate with me?  ;)

A Years Reflection

Source unknown

The year is almost over and now is the time when I usually go back through my pictures and writing to see where I've been. Often through reflection I can see where I might be headed in the future.

Here are some posts I am very proud to have written and I think deserve a second read.





There's been a lot of talk lately about mental illness. Here's a post written in January on mental illness and psychic ability.

Is Psychic Ability & Mental Illness linked?

Who could forget the gentleman who decided to punish his daughter in a very public way by making a Youtube video and shooting her computer!

Tough Love Parenting

I've often said that I don't meditate enough. As a busy mom with two kids it's hard to find time to myself. However in March I did find a little time to receive this message from my great Granny. Her message of patience is a good one. Sometimes we just have to wait because what we want isn't the right time to manifest.

A message from my ancestors.

Do you like to keep candle magick simple? This candle magick I performed didn't work out as I had envisioned it, but my husband did have a job soon thereafter.

Keep Candle Magick simple

Here's a personal tale of caution. Good intentions sometimes have very bad consequences.

Be careful what you witch for.


Do you like tradition? I don't like to feel boxed in. Tradition is fine and daddy when it uplifts you. However when it is restrictive and discourages growth I feel it is harmful. Which is why I'm eclectic. Here is a message from me encouraging you to break free from those traditions that suppress your nature and personal potential.

Tradition limits creativity & spiritual growth

Sometimes I don't know everything! Shocking I know. So here's a post I made after learning the true meaning of the Ichthys symbol. This post wins the best catchy title award and is one of the most visited posts this year.

Vagina On My Car Please

Here's a personal change of mine. Cernunnos came into my life. At the time when Cernunnos offered to "teach me to hunt", I took it to mean teach me how to be successful. I no longer think that. I think he meant teach me how to love a man in a fatherly way.

Lord of the Hunt

It's not often that I share rituals. Here is a ritual I wrote for a friend and shared here on my blog.

A Year & a Day ritual

It's not often I write poems, however this one I think is one of the best I've ever written.

Celebration of the Stag

We're almost to that moment of truth when we find out if Dec 21st is the most important day in history if if it'll turn into a dud like Y2K. Here's my thoughts on the Mayan calendar and the end of days.

Spiritual & Personal Awakening

The year couldn't be complete without my opinion on telling children about Santa.

No good lie: A discussion of Santa Clause

Reflect on your life this year. What has been your major success and major downfall? If you're a blogger, what is the one blog post you're the most proud of?

Understanding Visions

Visions are one of those experiences that if you've had one you understand how much of a gift it is to receive one. If you've never had a vision then you're left wondering what the big deal is, and if persons who do have them are possibly mentally ill.

I can't vouch for the mental illness, but I have had a couple of visions. The one that was the most vivid is a vision of a past life of mine. I know now that I needed to see it before I could fully embrace my spiritual path. That's the deal with visions. If you don't need to have one, but want and actively seek to have one, you're likely never to experience it.

I've only had visions when there is something I needed to learn from them. Whether to experience one is decided by spirits, the Lord and Lady or the fates, I don't know. I do know that they are real and in my case life altering.

It was at a Samhain festival hosted by the Circle of the Blue Moon. They do an annual Samhain festival and a friend of mine is the High Priestess of that coven. Every year her festivals have a theme and several fun activities. One of the activities was a play. So we all gather around a makeshift stage. ( Btw, sitting on the ground in late October sucks! Only downside to outdoor Samhain festivals. lol)

As I was watching the play unfold I soon slipped into a trance. I no longer saw the actors in the play, but the real people in this historical event, and I was one of them. I also know the High priestess was one of them too. The whole thing brought me to tears because I was witnessing my death by suicide in a past life. Our coven/family was about to be lynched by a mob. Instead of allowing that to happen, we chose to die by walking to the sea. I could taste the brine and dirt of the water as I watched my vision unfold. 

I needed this vision to show me that I was on the right path before. I was good at what we did. It wasn't evil or wrong. I helped others and enjoyed my life. This is all I've ever wanted to do.

My advice for those who truly are trying to seek visions is to just continue with your Pagan studies. Especially make sure you are meditating often if not every day and just don't stress about it. Visions will come if you need one. 

Tradition Limits Creativity & Spiritual Growth

Experiment with new ideas and rituals 

to open yourself to new possibilities.

One of the reasons I am Eclectic Wiccan is because I don't like to limit myself. I feel too boxed in when someone says I must do something a certain way. That just challenges me to prove them wrong.

When I began learning how to meditate I thought I had to "quiet my mind". That's what the meditation Guru's say isn't it? But what exactly does quiet your mind mean? If its pure nothingness, I consider that impossible. My mind is constantly full of something. Daily worries, goals I have yet to achieve, or new crafty projects I'd like to attempt. There's always something to think about.

My success with meditation didn't come till I stopped trying to quiet my mind and instead focused my mind and imagination on something else. I learned to create new worlds in my mind to explore. Soon it wasn't just me imagining these new worlds. They took on a life of their own.

My point is that our pre-conceived ideas of what should be limits what could be if we are not open to all possibilities. This is why I am Eclectic, because other paths tell you what you should do and don't give the freedom to experiment. Tradition is well and good, but if its limiting your ability then its not really a tradition that works for you.   

Do you find certain traditions limiting? Or do you prefer the ritual of tradition to keep you on the path? Can you give an example of a tradition you tried to follow but ultimately had better success with your own method?

PBP: Inner Peace

Going simple this week.....

Inner Peace

What is it?

How do you achieve it?

Keep in mind, every one's answers will be different, that's what makes us human after all... So please, visit your fellow bloggers' posts with an open mind and heart.

Well I think the first sentence has it right. Keep it simple to achieve inner peace! Inner peace to me is figuring out what you absolutely need in life and weed out the rest of life's clutter. So I may really have liked that old high school friend, but if she only ever brings drama into my life, she's not worth the friendship to me anymore. I know a lot of people believe you should stick with a person through thick and thin no matter what. But if that person becomes toxic to me, they just have to go. I'm sorry, but this is my life and I love myself enough to know my happiness must come first.

De-stress. If you can't change it, don't worry about it. Give the problem up to the Lord & Lady and let them worry about it. If you can't or won't do that, at least take life one day at a time. Take steps to reduce your stress such as yoga and meditation.

Make one day a week all about pampering yourself. Or if your married, pampering each other! In our lives we get so busy with what we have to do that we forget to make time for what we want to do. I know our finances have a lot to do with this as well. Put aside a fund for entertainment. Don't short change yourself! All that hard work means nothing if you don't get to play once in awhile. Just because your a grown up doesn't mean you have to stop playing like a child. You just have to learn to balance responsibilities with playtime.

Be creative! Well duh! This is like Salem's advice 101. I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish a project. Find a hobby you enjoy. Even if you know nothing about how its done, take classes, search the Internet for tutorials, find some way to learn!

That brings me to another point, never stop learning! Do research. Even if its just a random word in your Google search bar. I find it fun to search for odd things like Sasquatch or learn about history. You'll be amazed at what you can find out there!

And a good old fashioned walk in the park or woods certainly puts me at peace! :)

Blessings, Love & Light

SWC

Building the Bridge

The other day during a meditation my Granny came to me. She showed me two sides. On the side we stood on there was nothing but emptiness and death. On the other side was all that I see as happiness. Our goals are realized and our family is together and prospering. In the middle was water with no way across.

I visited Inannas Spiritual Center today. It's become our Saturday routine to go. Today they had a guest speaker named Carlo Hawk Walker. You may have heard of him. He travels around the country to various Pagan and Native American gatherings. He talked of many things but what really stood out is his lesson about the time we give other people.

I'm paraphrasing but he said, "Every moment of our life is worth something. We barter our life at our jobs. We barter or give away time of our life to help others. Each moment is precious. So we should make sure that what we do with our life is worth it." 

Those words stuck with me because for the past year I haven't been happy and it's all mine and my husbands fault. So thinking about me message from my granny all afternoon, I formulated a plan.

Tonight I invited (IE Insisted) my husband to do ritual with me. We froze our butts off a bit because we were sitting outside on the ground and it's around 25 degrees F out, but I'll not complain too much. ;)

I knew we wouldn't be able to move forward without putting the past behind us. I invited my husband to forgive his ex-employer. That is not something that comes easy, but I was eventually able to get him to wish his ex-employer a long and happy life.

For me, I told DH of my feelings of my disappointment in him. This is something I've held in for a long time now and it was time to let go. I didn't want to tell him and hurt his feelings. But it was time.

We also gave an offering of tobacco to symbolically build that bridge. Our journey is in no way going to be easy. But I think we'll finally be able to begin building that bridge to happiness. It's also one more step in finding my balance again.

So Mote it Be!

How was your Saturday? Anything interesting happen my fellow readers?

A Message from My Ancestors

I don't have a picture of my Granny, so here's

Grandpa. (Big Mike)

I don't meditate often enough. Usually I'm dealing with my son all day long but today I got lucky. My husband and my son are taking a nap, so I have the living room all to myself. I decided to do a little meditation. I didn't really know where it was going to go. Usually I just find my special spot and relax next to a flowing stream. But today I was greeted by my ancestors. All of them were there, though most were in the shadows. I saw a few faces I don't really know, but felt they are related to me and are watching and supporting me.

My great-grandmother Edna (Granny) is the one who stepped forward to speak with me. My grandfather was also in the background. He waved, and sends me love. But it was my granny who needed to speak because she is the one most experienced with poverty.

She raised 12 children in the depression so if anyone knows about living in poverty, she would be it. Her message for me is to be patient, do what I can and try not to worry about the rest. Which is easier said than done. Patience is not one of my virtues!

When I pushed for more, like how to get to the other side where I could see my family living in a good home with nice jobs, that information wasn't forthcoming. All I know is that to the North of me is where I'll find a job and live eventually. How far north I don't know. When I'll find it I also don't know.

But Granny reassures me that she and everyone who watches over me are there and supporting me.
I wish I had more answers, but I suppose I got the answers I need to hear and not what I want to hear.

I really wish I could find the time to meditate more often and for longer periods of time. But for now this mini-meditation will have to do.

Do you meditate every day?

PBG: Meditation

Pagan Blog Prompt, Do you meditate? How?

Does it help you deal with things? Or do you do it for clarification on tough issues?

Do you include any sort of meditation when working rituals?

Just do a search of my blog and you'll see that not only do I believe in meditation, I believe it is a fundamental skill every Pagan should learn. I don't get to meditate as often as I'd like, but that's because I live with 4 other people not counting the baby who takes up most of my time. I'm lucky just to have time for a shower at this point. If you use the search feature on the lower left of the screen you'll see I've written quite a few meditations. I invite you to check them out and let me know if you do them. 

As far as using meditation in rituals, that's a big Yes from me. And there doesn't have to be a problem for me to meditate. Sometimes its just about starting the day right with a positive aura.

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. 

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.

A message of hope

This is an older meditation I had actually done awhile back. But its a good reminder.

This morning I woke up in a very bad mood. My theme sentence for the day was going to be "I don't wanna". So I lit my candle, burned my sage, and turned on my favorite morning meditation. Excuse me if I do not spell it right. Its a native American morning song I've posted on here before. Its words are Win de ya ho.

Anyway, as I was meditating I was introduced to a goddess of hope. She wasn't all that clear to me. But she was beautiful with dark hair and a loving nature. A nurturer by heart. She was feeding the poor and unhealthy. She showed me people who were in despair. She was spreading hope.

Here is the message for today. When your dreams are shattered, there is always hope. Hopes and dreams sound synonymous, but they are not. Dreams are your goals you are fairly certain are attainable, however high you set them. Hope is when that goal is too high even for you to believe it will happen.

But there are miracles, and there is hope. Don't give up. When intellectually you are certain life has kicked you one too many times, rely on hope to pick you back up.

Blessed Be.

SWC

Salem's Elemental Meditations: Fire

Fire is one of my most favorite elements. Its an element of passion, focus, dance, music and energy. It never fails to bring out the passion in life. Since the beginning of man we have been staring into fires and sometimes seeing the beyond. Whether you can build a huge bon fire or have a small candle, you can do a fire meditation.

I'm mostly a solitary Wiccan practitioner, but once in while my family and I join up with a coven. I always look forward to the evening when we sit around the bon fire and the young and energetic dance to the beat of the drums. I don't dance, and I don't drum. But I do sit and watch and meditate. The flames focus my mind. It takes me on a journey of passion, of music, of freedom.

The next time you find yourself alone at night. Turn off all the lights and light a candle. Sit and stare at the flame. Allow your mind to relax. Do your breathing exercises. Relax your muscles one by one. If your mind wonders to mundane things bring it back to the flame. Notice how it twists. How it grows bright, and then a little dull again. Think of your passions in life. You may even find the flame taking on a certain shape. Are there areas in your life where you should let go? Are you uncertain about a decision you need to make? Perhaps you've been too restrained in life and need to just dance. Focus on the topic and allow your mind to go over the issue and possible outcomes. Enjoy the passion of fire and bring it into your life daily.

I hope you enjoy meditating with fire as much as I do.
Blessings, Love, & Light,

Song & Meditation

One of my favorite things to do when I have the time is to open Youtube and find a good meditation song to listen to. This is often how I started my day until recently. With the birth of my son I'm normally busy nursing him so I haven't the time to be on the Internet. But while I could, finding songs at least 5 minutes long and appropriate to meditate to was pretty easy to do. Here is a favorite of mine.

I hope you enjoy!