...to know everything, and nothing at all.

First let me say that I have been studying and Practicing Eclectic Wicca for approximately 15 years. In that time I have learned a lot about Wicca and I like to pass on knowledge through various outlets; one being this blog.

Recently I was emailed this from The Pagan Village. It is so true and relates to my point, so I'll share it. The one that really struck home for me is "To be a witch is to know everything, and nothing at all." As we age and become The Wise Woman I feel its our duty to teach the younger generation when they ask and are ready for it. But we should never say to ourselves, "I am done learning". From the day you are born to the day you die, you will learn something new. This is the way of the universe. To not seek new knowledge locks you into one perspective that is narrow and stagnant. Our life must be a positive flow, so therefore we should welcome new perspectives. We don't have to change our beliefs, we just have to learn how others view the world.

Later tonight on the Everything Pagan Page, the admin told us about WitchSchool.com . So to put words to action, I have signed up. I'll be taking Herbalism which I've expressed an interest in learning previously, and Pagan Law which I think would just be good useful information. I'd like to take aromatherapy as well, but I have to be honest with myself and say I'm too busy at the moment. With these courses I'm already overbooked as far as time. I have a 4 month old to take care of, plus writing, and eventually I will need to get a job! Though I'm not looking forward to that day.

So, there you have it. What steps do you take to learn new things about Paganism?


What Does It Mean to Be a Witch?

It's by anonymous.

• To be a witch is to love and be loved.
• To be a witch is to know everything, and nothing at all.
• To be a witch is to change the world around you and yourself.
• To be a witch is to share and give, while receiving all the while.
• To be a witch is to dance and sing, and hold hands with the universe.
• To be a witch is to honor the gods, and yourself.
• To be a witch it to BE magick, not just perform it.
• To be a witch is to be honorable, or nothing at all.
• To be a witch is to accept others who are not.
• To be a witch is to know what you feel is right and good.
• To be a witch is to harm none.
• To be a witch is to know the ways of the old.
• To be a witch is to see beyond the barriers.
• To be a witch is to follow the moon.
• To be a witch is to be one with the gods.
• To be a witch is to study and to learn.
• To be a witch is to be the teacher and the student.
• To be a witch is to acknowledge the truth.
• To be a witch is to live with the Earth, not just in it.
• To be a witch is to be truly free!

Have you had any paranormal experiences?

Yes! Many paranormal experiences in my lifetime. I can remember when I was a child I was afraid of going to sleep because I would wake up and see people standing at the end of my bed or looming over me. As soon as I tried to focus on them they disappeared. But while in that half awake sleepy phase I could feel and see a shadow there. Most people would tell a child that they aren't really there, but I know they were! I still wake up sometimes and see those shadows.

I've gotten better at seeing and interacting with Spirits. They no longer frighten me, but they can still startle me sometimes. One of the strongest experiences I've had was when we were living in an old farm house. Almost every night I would wake up and see a man looking in the window. Then he would disappear. Well this time I was pregnant and already loosing sleep. So I put a blanket over the window. That night he appeared standing over me inside the house this time. And he was mad! So was I. I told him this wasn't his house anymore and to get out! I was very forceful about it. (Hey I was hormonal give me a break). The blanket fell when he disappeared and I never saw him again. That guy freaked me out a bit. I think he was the first owners of the home. I'd gage him to be from the 1930's maybe. I think his habit was to look in to see if his wife was asleep when he went out drinking. He seemed to be that kind of drunk redneck kind of man.

The last spirit I saw was I believe to be my son before he was born. I was only 8 weeks pregnant. I should explain that I believe around this time the spirit is near but not "IN" the baby's body. Its still undecided if the embryo is going to survive those first few important weeks.

I was afraid that I would miscarry. I have lost a baby before and though I have no proof I think I was having multiple very early miscarriages for years. I couldn't sleep that night because I was worried about the light cramps I was having, but I was very tired. I remember going to the bathroom and pleading that I wouldn't see any red spots. (I didn't). I went back to bed and there standing by my bed was a young man that resembles my husband. Though his hair was like mine. He told me everything would be OK. That if I worried I could stress myself out too much. To just have faith that all would be well and that he loved me. I had an overwhelming feeling of love. It was at this time I also knew I would have a son. I held onto that message and anytime I felt myself start to worry something was wrong, I'd relive that moment in my mind and be OK. I never saw him again. Shortly after that the spirit no longer hovers because the baby is viable and the spirit attached. I'll never forget that visit though!

Lance & Wyatt. Like father like son!

And Wyatt is just like his daddy. Right now his hair is a combination of my hair and his fathers. Though as he ages I think it will turn darker. He definitely has my red highlights!

A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.

Hands down it is Samhain (Oct 31-Nov 1) that is my favorite Pagan holiday. It is the last of the Harvest celebrations and one I'm always looking forward to. It is a time to mark the death of the God and the coming rebirth. Samhain is a time to honor our ancestors. They say this time is the thinnest between the veil of this world and the next. Divination is often done at this time to see what the winter might bring and commune with lost loved ones.

Some of my favorite past experiences at Samhain have been a re birthing ritual. Until I moved, we joined up with Linda Tipton and her coven Circle of the Blue Moon to do a Samhain celebration. We were made to walk along a path lit by tea light candles alone. This walk was very spiritual for everyone. In the end of the path was Ms Linda doing one reading for each person. You could ask one question of her. At the end you were "reborn" to the new year. I loved doing this. And I think it really marked a changing point in my spiritual life. I'll keep what I asked to myself. ;)

But we've had our fun times too. I remember several members drinking a little too much homemade mead. My husband played the designated friend and made sure no one fell into fire pits. He picked up quite a few people passed out in the bushes!

One year, it was so cold at Samhain (We always camped out) that we had to leave. It really isn't smart to camp out at the end of October. That year it was bitter cold. We got to a point where Lance and I could no longer feel our feet even while standing next to the open fire. So we left, found a hotel and came back the next day. I got pregnant that spring, so we never did another camping in October; especially with the baby around. We did visit for the days however. When we returned to work we were laughing at ourselves and quite a few people heard the story. To this day there is a UPS worker who reminds us of camping in October when he sees us.

Samhain is just a great time to celebrate family, the death and rebirth of life, and the changing of the seasons. Its a favorite of many Wiccans and its not hard to see why. We dance, we laugh, we sing and praise the Lord and Lady. And we remember those who have left us this year.

Blessings, Love, and Light

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?