PBP: My Midsummer

Pagan Blog Prompts: Litha

Posted by Ivy

Litha is the summer solstice and happens roughly around June 21-23rd every year. I know this prompt is late (I am posting on behalf of Shauna who is on hiatus), but what did you all do to celebrate Litha yesterday? Do you have any specific traditions? Did you celebrate solitary, with a coven, with friends, with your family?

Enjoy blogging this week about midsummer and what it means to you! 

Magickal Graphics

 

I wanted to wait until nightfall to take a picture of the full super moon. However nature has worked against me. It is cloudy outside and storming a bit. So I unfortunately can't give you a good picture of the moon. 

 

I actually celebrated Litha on the 21st, which in hindsight was a good thing because part of my ritual was completed outside. 

 

So what does Midsummer mean to me? Well quite simply, we are in the middle or high point of the year. This is a time of great energy that can be utilized for just about any type of ritual you want to perform.  My own ritual involved deep meditation. I needed to reflect on my life thus far and ask myself some pretty important questions. I wish I had better answers. But I was reminded that kids only ask questions over and over and expect a different answer. Patience is a virtue that I have not gained yet. 

 

The second part of my ritual was to write a letter to God and Goddess. This is getting back to my roots. As a young girl I remember writing many letters. Back then I wasn't clear on who I was writing to, but I felt compelled to put my words to paper. Writing made me feel like I was conversing with a close friend. The letter was either kept tucked away in a private spot or I destroyed it by fire or burying it. Tonight I chose to burn it, which was the outdoor part of my ritual. 

 

My ritual is simplistic, but effective. Which pretty much sums up my ritual style. 

 

Have a wonderful Litha everyone! 

 

 

 

 

 

PBP: Fate & Destiny

Prompt: Fate / Destiny

Posted by Shauna Lane

 

"Everything happens for a reason."
"What goes around comes around."
Karma
The Threefold Law

These are the things we hear about every day, in good times and bad.  But is everything pre-planned, and everything we experience for a greater lesson?  Or do we decide our own fate with our choices?  Take these questions into consideration while writing your blog entry this week.

I look forward to seeing what every one's views are on this one.

~Magickal Graphics~     Everything Happens For A Reason  

I say, "everything happens for a reason" often. I truly believe that it does. But this idea pisses a lot of people off. I get where they are coming from. It seems abhorrent that a child or loved one would die just to teach us a lesson. Take the recent tornado tragedy. Is there a reason the tornado targeted Oklahoma and not some other place? In my opinion, yes. Those that died were meant to die. Their deaths forever changed the people who cared and loved them. Now that change can be for good, or it can be for ill. That is THEIR choice. 

 

Take for instance a mom who loses her child from cancer. That mom can go on to help raise awareness about childhood cancer and change many lives. Or she could wallow in pain and never do anything with her life - her choice. We can either learn from our experiences or let those experiences batter our psyche so much that we lose ourselves to pain.  

 

Is everything pre-planned, and everything we experience for a greater lesson? Or do we decide our own fate with our choices?

 

I don't believe everything is pre-planned. I do believe we have the choice to avoid positive or negative situations. Take for instance an Oklahoma resident who happened to choose to go on vacation just before the storms. They would have chosen to avoid the tornado that ripped their house apart. Our choices are like ripples in water. Each choice sets off different ripples that creates an inevitable result.  

 

What Goes Around Comes Around 

 

Karma is something I very much believe in. I remember in second grade our teacher had a saying painted high up on the walls that read, "Do unto others as you would have do unto you." She preached every week about being nice to others and if you wasn't, to expect others to not be nice to you. This is sort of the same thing. What you put out returns to you. It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but eventually it will come back to you. As someone who understands how energy works, this is just one of those basic laws of energy you can't ignore. Energy is never-ending. It's a circuit and will come back to you. 

 

 

PBP: "An it harm none..."

~Magickal Graphics~

Prompt: "An it harm none..." 

Posted by Ivy

 

Today's prompt is about the Wiccan Rede. What do you think of the rede? Do you follow it? There are about a billion ways to interpret that last line, "An it harm none, do as thou wilt". What does this personally mean to you? Does this mean as long as you aren't harming anyone...you're good to go? What constitutes harm? Does it carry over into animal rights? Does it cover even commonplace things like ear piercings or tattoos? YOU are included in the "harm none" clause, so does this mean you should hold yourself to a healthy lifestyle that doesn't harm your body?
What do you all think?

~Magickal Graphics~    

 

What does this personally mean to you?

This is a very good question and one I gave a lot of thought about in the past. "An it harm none" is such an ambiguous statement that I don't believe there are any wrong answers here. For me it just means living a moral life in both mundane and magickal ways. Though at one point I did argue that it had more meaning when applied to magickal workings. I suppose at times I need more guidance during magickal workings. So I apply this moral code more when doing craft work rather than in my mundane life. 

Does this mean as long as you aren't harming anyone...you're good to go?

I think as long as you are leading a moral lifestyle that you are good to go. Just because you follow the rede doesn't mean you are a moral person. 

  

What constitutes harm?

Harm is negative energy or action directed at yourself or others; especially against some one's will.

Does it carry over into animal rights?

That depends. We certainly shouldn't go out of our way to hurt animals needlessly. However even our animal brethren kill when hungry or defending themselves. We can do no less. 

 

Does it cover even commonplace things like ear piercings or tattoos?

If it is done willingly, no. Now if you are holding someone down to give them a tattoo or ear piercing that they haven't consented to, yes. This is one of the reasons why I am against infant ear piercings. They cannot give consent. 

 

YOU are included in the "harm none" clause, so does this mean you should hold yourself to a healthy lifestyle that doesn't harm your body?

Ideally yes. I believe our energy is healthier when we are physically and mentally healthy. However I am very guilty of not being as healthy as I should be. That doesn't mean I'm racking up negative karma points. It just means I'm not the best that I can potentially be. 

 

Pagan Blog Prompts: Prompt: Pagan Children

Prompt: Pagan Children

Posted by Shauna Lane

This prompt is primarily for parents, and can be used as a blog topic, or simply as a share for your family activities.

- Share with us some of the things you teach your children about Paganism and your beliefs.
- At what age did you start including your children in on ritual and/or activities?
- What are some activities you have used to teach your children about Pagan spirituality throughout their different ages and stages?


~Magickal Graphics~

Well lets take this one at a time.

1. I let my children ask questions. I answer them in age appropriate terms but always stress that this is what I believe. When they are old enough I want them to do their own research and make up their own mind. 
2. I include my children in ritual whenever they ask. Wyatt is almost 2 and participated in his own way. He wanted to ring the bell and blow out candles. Sierra didn't participate in ritual till she was 9. Again, it's their choice. 
3. I remember one time I took Sierra to a nature park. We were having a mother/daughter day and she really wanted to see the animals. Unfortunately it started to rain when we got there. It was only a drizzle so we endured it. Then the rain started to come down heavier and we had to go inside. So we sat at this big window looking out on the animals and we sang "rain, rain, go away." I told her about how I do spells and if we sing with all our heart maybe the rain would stop. It did. :)  I use different moments throughout our day to teach them about my beliefs. 

PBP: Old or New Path?

Prompt: Old Ways or Modern Path?

As I was skimming through a friend's blog, something she said sparked a good question in my mind.
The path that you follow - is it purely the Old Ways? Is it more 'modern Wicca'? Or somewhere in between?

There are lots of sources for information on the age of what we call Wicca or Paganism in the modern day, and most of them agree that the alternative paths of today are actually quite different than 'normal life' of ancient history.

So I wonder, what parts of your path are based on ancient methods and teachings? What aspects of modern spirituality do you employ? Why the difference?

This week's prompt is definitely all about you, your mind, your self, and what you think and feel. I completely understand if this is too deep of a subject for you to comfortably share, and take no offense if you don't post your link. First and foremost, these prompts are to help you explore yourself. Meeting others of like-mind is only a side bonus.

__________________________

Because my path is a hodge-podge of various beliefs, my faith is mostly modern with and old world twist. Honestly, I can't separate the old from the new. I don't think most other Pagans can either. I don't get caught up in labels. It doesn't matter to me one bit if something is new. The oldest religions were at one time new. It doesn't make them any less valid IMO. When someone brings it up I just listen politely and change the subject. Not to be mean, but when someone is caught up in the "I practice the old ways", I wonder if they truly believe in Paganism, or if they are in it for the "status". I get that a lot of Pagans feel like they don't fit into society so are looking for something that speaks to them. I've felt that way too over the years. But you won't find what is truly right for you if all you're worried about is status within the community. 

Just learn, grow as a spiritual person and eventually that feeling of belonging will come to you.

PBP: Buy or Make Tools?

Prompt: Who Makes Your Tools?

credit: daillywicca.com

A lot of Pagans perform rituals. Even those who do not, still have at least one tool that belongs to their practice, whether it be a Book of Shadows or a candle....

When it come to the tools of your practice, does it matter who made them or where they come from?
Does something you made yourself have more power? Or can you simply purchase what you need, then cleanse and charge it for your use?

Remember, what works best for you may not be for everyone, so please don't get too 'preachy' on this subject...

~Magickal Graphics~  

I definitely believe the more energy you put into the tool the better that tool will work for you. That doesn't mean you have to craft every single tool you use. It can be as simple as buying a statue that isn't painted, and doing the painting yourself. It doesn't need to be perfectly painted! As a matter of fact, imperfect art is absolutely perfect for my craft. Which is why I set out to make clay art to sell. I've been a bit lax in making more art. That's because I'm a busy homeschooling momma with a toddler. You can see my imperfect art in my Pagan Creation Etsy store. The Isis statue you see in my store is a apart of my current altar. I also have a Cernunnos statue I use on my altar that I made.

My Cernunnos statue. Pic taken while he was still in the mold and drying.

There are some things that you may not be able to craft or just feel like you don't have the talent to do. That's OK too! That's what cleansing and charging is for.

My Book of Shadows is just a simple notebook. Your tools do not have to be fancy or expensive. We are the craft of the wise. It's not wise to spend all your money on an expensive item when it's not necessary. Often the most simplest of tools is what you feel most connected with.

PBP: Mercury Retrograde & The New Moon

Prompt: Mercury Retrograde and a New Moon

Mercury Retrograde stared 14 July and runs through 8 August.... But interestingly, the Retrograde started right before a New Moon.

Retrograde is a time for RE- reconsidering, re-evaluating, reviewing, reflecting, etc. While the New Moon is a time to start something new.

How do/can you balance these seemingly opposite energies?

Let's hear your thoughts on this unique overlap. How will this affect your life in this and coming weeks?

________________________

I actually don't see them as opposite energies at all. I don't know about others but every time I start something new there is always a re-evaluating, reflecting and reviewing of my choices to make sure it's the right choice for me. I'm a planner. I think of every possible outcome (and some very impossible ones) before I act. Sometimes I'm successful in predicting what will happen, other times I am not.

When I'm in the shower is when I do a lot of my reflecting. Last night I was thinking about several months ago when I had a job interview. I had my hair cut because I wanted to look my "best" and as a way to honor my new beginning. I didn't even think I'd not get the job. I went in with the attitude that I would be hired. I was that confident/cocky.

Thinking back, I think I was over-confident because I've honestly never not gotten a job I was qualified for and wanted. Times change though and I was not hired. It was then that I regretted cutting my hair. I know I've talked about my hair and how it's an extension of my energy in a past blog. When I cut it is a symbol of new beginnings. Of letting go of the old and stepping into and accepting change. Since then I have not cut it, and now I wish to let it grow as long as I can get it. It is a building of energy.

For now I do not feel it is my time to start something new. It's a time to prepare for a large change. So I continue to self-reflect and evaluate where I am going in life. Mercury Retrograde and the New moon combined is a perfect time to find that answer. So maybe change is closer than I think.

PBP: Candle Magick

Prompt: Candle Magic

Do you use candle magic in your spells/rituals?

How do you do it?

What would you recommend for beginners?

Candle Magick is one of the most basic magickal works IMO. I certainly do recommend it for beginners. Even if your not a beginner, it has its place in your magical repertoire.  Each spell is different, and I'm not a witch who shares spells. But with candle magick there's always a "formula" I follow. 

1. First, if you can, make your candle from scratch. I know that's not always possible and store bought candles do work. But the more energy you put into your purpose the better. 
2. Second, carve key words into the side of your candle such as prosperity for more money or new job, success, protection, love, etc... Choose the appropriate buzz word(s) for your purpose. 
3. Anoint your candle with an herbal oil appropriate to your purpose. You can find these oils at most metaphysical stores or you can make your own.
4. I like to place my candle in a bed of loose herbs as well. Please be careful of a fire. Never leave your candle unattended. As the wax melts it blends in with the herbs and adds energy to your purpose. 
5. Write your ritual and at the end, I always burn the paper I've written it on. While burning, I visualize my words as the smoke going up to spirit. 
6. Burn the entire candle. DO NOT reuse the candle for something else. Since most paraffin candles burn for many hours, you can extinguish the candle and re-light it later. In this case, save your written ritual and repeat it every time you light the candle. When you know your candle is about to go out for the last time, burn the paper.
   

PBP: Light & Dark

Prompt: Light and Dark

How do you balance Light and Dark in your Path?

There's lots of angels to take with this, depending on what you choose to apply it to. Should be interesting to see what you have to share on this topic....

 

You know I find this to be a very good question, especially for Wiccans because I think we tend to focus more on the positive and less on the negative. Which IMO isn't particularly a bad thing, but it isn't balanced. I do try to bring in masculine energy in my rituals. I associate light with feminine energy (the Goddess) and dark with masculine energy (God). 

Right now I know my energy is in a dark place. Its not often I fall into depression, but my living situation and our lack of options has really brought me down lately. So I'm embracing it for now because these feelings are natural. I know eventually things will turn up and I'll be happy once again. But for now the dark calls to me. 

Lately Dragonflies have been on my mind. I don't know why, but while driving or just sitting here thinking I find myself drawn to them. I'm even thinking of redoing my blogs layout to include dragonflies. The meaning of dragonflies seem to depend on what part of the continent your on. But here is what I've found. 

Maturity and a Depth of character
The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change and change in the perspective of self realization; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.

The traditional association of Dragonflies with water also gives rise to this meaning to this amazing insect. The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life.

Source

Sticky Art Studio. Dragonfly Yin/Yang

Now that I read the symbology associated with the dragonfly I have no doubt that this lovely creature is a new totem for me. It may not be a lifelong totem, but its message of change and self realization call to me.

But I suppose I've gotten a little of topic. Darkness of mind is where I am at the moment. And I try to balance the light and dark by embracing both. All things in moderation right? I don't feel guilty if all I can do is sit on the couch and watch re-runs all day. I may need to go to the store but as long as their is food in the house it's not an emergency. One more day of eating leftovers is fine by me.

 

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

PBP: Spring Clean my Life

Prompt: Spring Cleaning

For most of us, Spring is finally here, or at least mostly here. And for most of us, that means time to clean, in one way or another....

In what ways are you using this shift in the seasons to clean out some unwanted/unneeded things?
This can be material things that need to be tossed, or spiritual clutter that just needs to be removed...

You may have touched on this in last week's post, but this is your chance to go deeper - explore what you are getting rid of, why it needs to be tossed out, and perhaps even what you are making room for....





~Magickal Graphics~  

Since uprooting my family last year and moving to Ohio, we threw almost everything we owned away. Only things of sentimental value or collectibles we ended up keeping. Some of it is stored with my mother in Kentucky, other stuff is stored with my husbands family. So needless to say there isn't a lot of things to clean here. 

I did go through my sons cloths the other day, but that was more about helping out my husbands cousin who has a baby boy on the way than any thought of spring cleaning. I suppose I also need to go through my daughters cloths. Hmm. That is a good idea. I don't have a lot of my cloths, so I already know there's nothing to give away there.

As far as personal or spiritual cutter, I've tried to add more physical activities to my day to day life. I tried to also do a diet, but honestly my MIL keeps too many temptations here for that to be successful. So I'll just say, I'm becoming a more active person. If that leads to weight loss great. If not, well I'm happy just the way I am. I've never been one to be overly critical about my weight. Do I like it? No. But I also don't hate it.

This spring I'm just waiting for the fruit to ripen and bring us much needed change. But isn't that an oxymoron? Waiting for change? Yeah I've always said if you want change you have to create it. I do try. I put in job applications anywhere I can. I network with friends to find opportunities. I encourage my husband to do the same. I also try to finish what I'd previously started.

Which brings me to my writing. I've been trying to come up with new story lines, polish what I already have and change what I think isn't working. Sometimes when I get stuck its because a previous idea just isn't working out and I have to scrap the whole chapter. Don't you hate that? Each chapter I write is precious to me so I can't really delete it, but I save it in a junk file that I'll go back and re-read sometimes to see if anything can be salvaged.

I guess ultimately I'm a pack rat. Whether that be physical items or data bytes.

PBP: Mercury Retrograde

Prompt: Another Mercury Retrograde

Mercury appears to be moving backwards in the sky.... and for some people that means nothing. For others, however, who pay attention to the stars and the planets, Mercury moving backwards can mean a lot of things....

So, first off, do you pay attention to these Retrogrades?

If so, do you prepare for them?

Does knowing that it is happening make it easier to deal with the challenges that appear?

If you didn't know it was happening, would it still affect your life?

Any thoughts on this current Retrograde?

~Magickal Graphics~

 

 

To be honest I don't pay attention to what phase were in as much as I probably should.  I take note if there's a retrograde and I usually comment to my husband to expect more mood swings because I do think he is effected by the moons phase and the planets positions. I wish there was more studies on the planets, stars and moon in relation to human emotion and mental health. Unfortunately there is not. So I'll just have to maintain my opinion that my husband goes a little more wacko during times of full moons and retrogrades.

PBP: Illness

Prompt: Illness

With me catching some crazy weird cold this week, sickness has been on the mind....

How do you deal with illness?

Does being sick hinder your magic work?

Do you employ magic to make yourself healthy again?

What about others? Do you work magic to heal other people?

~Magickal Graphics~ 

Thankfully I'm not often sick. Sometimes I think I might need people from the best nursing schools to help me. But I use a combination of modern medicine and herbal medicine. Usually an illness makes my energy and focus decline so I don't attempt anything major. What I do use is visualization. If I can I'll sit and meditate and visualize the illness leaving my body and my aura cleansing. I have some success with this, all depending on how well I can focus. 

When others are sick I approach the same way as well. A combination of modern, herbal and energy work. As a healer I don't heal others unless asked. I feel its an invasion of privacy. But if asked yes I will do an energy healing.

PBP: Magical Herbs

Prompt: Magical Herbs

The weather is warming up and the time for planting is close. While some gardeners focus on edibles (veggies and fruits), a lot of Pagans grow herbs for kitchen use as well as magical use.

Do you use herbs in your practice? Do you grow them or purchase them from someone else?

What are your favorite herbs to work with?



~Magickal Graphics~

 

Certain spells and practices I use herbs. First of all I like herbal teas as health remedies. One of my favorites is mint tea. My husband often has an upset stomach so this is my fall back for when he's complaining about it. Sage is also a must have for me. I use it for purification like smudging. 

 

I also like Lavender for the lovely scent. I especially like to buy lavender soap. I've used some others but I can't recall their names right now. But if I want to boost one of my spells purpose I can and will use herbs. 

 

Oh and Dh is part Native American so he uses tobacco often as an offering to Mother Earth. 

PBP: Connecting

Prompt: Connecting

Lately, the topic of connecting with other Pagans has been in my mind, even if just in passing, or it has come up in conversations around me. So I'm asking all of you today....

How do you connect with other Pagans?

Do you have a local group you can meet with on a regular basis?

If you can't connect with local people, where online do you connect with people of like mind?

What's the hardest part about connecting with other Pagans?

~Magickal Graphics~

 

I have a local group in Chillicothe I connect to. Not all of them are Wiccan. Were just a mix mash of Pagan people who gather together for community. But on the whole I am a solitary creature. Think of me like a cat. I like to socialize on my terms. Online I'm a bit more outgoing. As a matter of fact one of the first reasons I decided to make a blog is to connect with other Pagans. I appreciate every one of my readers! 

 

I've tried other Pagan forums and such. But I find the best way to connect with others is through blogs and Facebook. 

Prompt: The Runes

Prompt: The Runes

Bringing back an old post, one that received no replies, and one that is very important to me right now....





The Runes

Wooden runes burned by hand

 

 Do you use them?
Which set of runes do you use (if something other than the Elder Futhark)?
How do you use them (divination, magic, as an alphabet for writing, etc)?

If you do not know/use the runes, are you interested in it?
What is keeping you from exploring them?

~Magickal Graphics~

 

Actually, the only tarot deck I own is a Rune tarot deck. It is the first and only tarot deck I've bought for my personal use. I like it because its simple. It doesn't have a billion cards I need to memorize meanings of, and it allows me to begin a reading and let my intuition pick up the rest. I tried rune stones around the same time I bought the deck, but found the cards were easier for me to connect with. 

I use them mostly when I am confused and need some guidance, as well as use them during ritual if I want to bring about a certain result. (IE: I'll use the harvest card if I am wanting to harvest something new in my life.) 

PBP: Hereditary Witches

Prompt: All in the Genes?

This may seem a bit weird, but....

Is it hereditary?

I had to think about my wording on this one... I had to leave it vague, because I wanted it to be as open to interpretation as possible.

What I'm referring to here can be magic, witchcraft, spirituality, the things you can do that others around you cannot, etc. Another way to put it might be "Do you come from a family of Witches?" but that only works if you see yourself as a witch. Get what I'm trying to say here?

What you do and who you are - did it come from your bloodline? Or is it something you discovered and nurtured on your own?

I've always believed that Religion is a choice, not hereditary. But were talking more than just religious beliefs here. Were talking about natural ability to use your will to manipulate energy (Magick). I do think that can be hereditary.

In my family it's common for the women to have lucid dreams; especially as it relates to children and other loved ones. I believe that everyone has psychic ability, though it may be hereditary that someone is more adept than another.

My own mother can be very focused. So much so that what she is worried about often becomes true because she's so focused on it. Unfortunately her focus is on the negative aspects. She's never been diagnosed as a hypochondriac, but I firmly believe she is one. When my daughter was little I hired my mother to babysit for me. This was a huge mistake on my part, but being a nervous first time mom I wasn't too keen on the idea of hiring a stranger. My mother babysat for me for 2 years, and in those two years my daughter was more sick than she's ever been in her life. Every sniffle or slight cough my mother heard, she would spend days where she would tell my daughter DD was getting sick. My daughter would repeat it, believing my mother. And in about a week she would be. My daughter loved to do fake coughs then. She found that if she did it, she'd get attention from my mother who couldn't tell the difference. After we changed to a different sitter and DD was no longer told every few weeks she was getting sick, her health improved. My mothers focus on the negative makes anyone she focuses on sick. Again and again I can give examples of my mother doing this to herself, her animals, and our family. Its gotten so bad that I've banned her from ever speaking about health related problems in my home.

I think the basic talents I have are things everyone can do if they have the belief and knowledge. But they also need to be learned and honed. Like the example of my mother, she has ability, but it is uncontrolled. This can be dangerous and self-defeating.  But there are also a few talents I am better at than others such as my healing ability. Though my methods are different than my past family members, many of expressed their amazement when they prayed over someone for improved health and got results. It seems my family does have a higher level of focus, but because it's untrained it depends on the person on whether they do good or bad deeds with it.

PBP: Animal Totems

Pagan Blog Prompt asks:

Animals can teach us a lot about ourselves and the world around us....

Do you have a totem animal? What is it teaching you?

What have the animals taught you in the past? 

 I really can't believe I've never wrote a post on animal totems before! Great blog prompt PBP! Usually when  meditating the animals that most often come to me are horses, snakes, deer, wolf, and some kind of feline (Domestic or Feral). Each has their own individual lesson for me.

Horses, I've written about them recently. They represent freedom. I have a history of being a little too reserved. They remind me to let go and have a little fun horsing around sometimes. 

Snakes, I've always been afraid of. So they represent conquering my fear and transformation. I'm a person who hates change, so when snake enters my life I know I just have to suck it up and get over it!

Deer is my husbands totem more than mine. But to me deer represents abundance, grace, beauty and love. When deer enter my life it's a reminder to look around and see the beauty in my life. With our lives going by so fast, sometimes we forget to appreciate the little things and give thanks for the abundance in our life.

Wolf, also another totem of my husbands. Wolf represents family togetherness and loyalty to me. I know if  a wolf enters my life I can have trust in his wisdom.

Felines represent intuition and deity. They are a very feminine totem that gives off a sexual energy to represent the power of ones self. Felines are associated with moon power and passion.

What have the animals taught you in the past? 

Butterfly

 

Though I do not consider them a totem, butterflies taught me a wonderful lesson as a child that I will never forget. If you notice the banner on my blog, I recently changed it and added a butterfly background. This is to remind me of the lesson of butterflies. 

When I was a child (maybe 5 or 6 years old) I was playing with my best friend, Joey, when we saw a butterfly struggling to fly. It was obviously about to die. It landed hard on the ground and when we went to investigate, we saw that its wings were torn. I picked the butterfly up and though it was still alive, it wouldn't be for long. So Joey and I cupped our hands over it, and we sent energy to it. We didn't know what we were doing at the time. We just thought we were praying for it to live. I don't remember what I said but it was to the effect of "Deity, help me to heal this wounded creature." (I was always a a bit magickal even as a witch-let. *wink*) So after our prayer I put it in a safe place to live or die as the Gods willed it. Within about 45 minutes we saw the same butterfly flying just in front of us. It dipped and rose for a few minutes just staying in the same place. I felt it was thanking us. I said allowed, "Your welcome" and it flew off. 

The butterfly taught me that I could do great things. It taught me magick is real and all it takes is the love I had in my heart for the most gentlest of creatures. How many kids wouldn't have noticed a butterfly dying? Or worst yet, notice and wouldn't have cared? When I began my Pagan path, I didn't need someone to tell me spells work, because I had already lived it.

PBP: Out with the Old & Crafty show and tell

PBP has a new prompt. Are you making Resolutions or Life Changes now?

Years ago I use to make New Years Resolutions, and you know what, I never stuck to them. I think all women have done the "I'll loose weight" resolution. One year I resolved to limit my use of "LOL" because I tend to over use it on forums; and I still use it too often. I'm still overweight.

So, finally I just made a resolution to never make another resolution. Guess what? I've kept that resolution ever since! Yay lol. My point is that if something about me needs changing, I'll do it regardless of what time of year it is. If it wasn't so important the rest of the year, it's not on New Years either.

So what are your New Years resolutions?

Now on to my Crafty Show and Tell.

I think I'm getting the hang of crochet. I'm comfortable doing single, double, and triple crochet. I can do the shell stitch and the Afghan stitch. This week I've learned an important lesson though, ALWAYS count my stitches.

I began some slippers for me. I was so proud of my pink and blue slipper. Then I realized that I needed to do it again! I have two feet after all. So I began again, but oops I forgot how many increases I did. So I did what I thought was right.. WRONG. My second slipper ended up being different from the first. It still fit, it just wasn't a match.

So I began again making my daughter a pair of slippers. This time I was smart. I wrote down what I did on every round.

Here's what I ended up with. I warned Sierra that I didn't have enough yarn for two, but she didn't listen to me. So the second has a slightly different yarn which is why the back looks faded.

And now the second lesson. Use the right size hook! I used a slightly larger hook than the tutorial called for because I couldn't find my smallest hook. So my first bootie ended up being several sizes too big. I had to start over using the right sized hook.

 So here is Wyatt's booties. Still slightly bigger but he will grow into them quickly. Aren't they adorable?!

The big bootie ended up being a great candy boot.

PBP: Yule & Family

Prompt: Winter Holidays and Family

This time of year, there are many different celebrations going on, most often ones that bring family close together. While it can be nice to see everyone again, it can also be stressful, when your family doesn't feel the same way about things as you do.

So, how do you deal with them? Do you simply avoid all talk of religion, even though the holidays can be very religious? Or perhaps it's just easier to avoid family all together....

If your family actually believes as you do, then perhaps these holiday gatherings aren't tough at all. Please, share with us how your Pagan winter family gathering go...

So my family is not all that religious. Though if asked they will tell you they are Christian. I think the only one that regularly goes to church is my Aunts and Grandmother. And I'm not on speaking terms with them. I have a live and let live approach. I avoid talk of the religious aspect of the season, and I let them pretend I'm celebrating Christmas. I just try to keep it as outwardly secular as much as I can. 





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