tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79155170475710678622024-03-04T21:16:13.822-08:00MysticCreek"Most books on witchcraft will tell you that witches work naked. This is because most books on witchcraft are written by men."
- Neil GaimanCayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-29889782451859509972012-10-03T17:08:00.003-07:002012-10-03T17:18:06.707-07:00Goddess Women<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p8M3mxdQpkY/UGzS_LLKX7I/AAAAAAAAAWE/uYGJGIpP8Yc/s1600/df.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p8M3mxdQpkY/UGzS_LLKX7I/AAAAAAAAAWE/uYGJGIpP8Yc/s1600/df.jpg" /></a>So my head has been all swirly after a Full Moon Prayer Circle that took place at my home this week, so I thought I would write out whats spinning around in there so I can work some stuff out. In fact, I think this may also end up in my online Spiritual Journal. Lets begin.... at the beginning.<br />
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When I moved here I really wanted a social circle of women around me that were like-minded. I didn't require that they be Pagan and believe exactly as I do, since I believe no 2 paths are the same. But I wanted to surround myself with Goddess women. Women who embrace who they are shadows and all. Women who are caring and positive, non, judgmental, and who want to share their light with the world. Women who are also looking for a bond with other female energy. When I could not find a group like this, I created one on social media just for those in my area.<br />
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When I created the group I made it women only. I did this for a number of reasons. My husband is gone a lot for work so out of respect to him, as well as safety. I find that male energy shifts the energy in the room. Many women do not seem to relate the same or behave the same when a male energy is present. Most men I have met seem to 'take over' or try to be the leader in some sense and I didn't want this group to be a hierarchy, but more of a council, a gathering, with everyone taking her turn showcasing her beauty and gifts. When I started the group I was sure no one would join, just as so many parties I have tried to throw with no guests arriving. To my surprise the numbers grew quickly. This made my heart soar. But it wasn't until our first large get together that I realized not only the amazing group I am a part of, but also why I truly started the group and what I really needed from them all.<br />
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Our first gathering was a prayer circle done on the Full Moon. The energy was high and it was soooo positive. I am a shy person by nature around strangers, so to have to 'run' anything is very difficult around people I do not know. It all went wonderfully, but it wasn't really until the next day when it all really hit home.<br />
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As I reflected on the evening before I had a realization. Hmmmmmm.... how to begin this part?<br />
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You see my mother died one week after my 14th birthday. I was raised in a house with just my dad and my brother. My dad was raised in a way that I would consider very cold, so he did not learn how to show love although he tried in his own way (usually in the form of cash.. "hey I love you heres $20 for a movie" kinda way). I never had anyone step into that motherly role. I never had any elder female to look up to or learn from. As life went on I tried to find some.... they all also died (yes there is a trend of this in my life, including my first husband and later my father). But you see this has kept me from really embracing my female energy. I have worked to become independent to not need anyone (you know cus they all die anyway). I wanted to be a tough independent woman. The problem with this is that it has kept me from being able to admit I needed an elder female in my life. It has kept me from being able to ask for help, advice and comfort. I am taking ASL courses and you must look everyone in the eye, I can not do this. I can not do this with my husband. I feel too vulnerable. I don't want to be vulnerable.... I want to be that tough independent woman. But to be tough, I must be vulnerable. In order to help others, I must be able to ask for help myself.<br />
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As I was processing all of this information about myself I started thinking about women in general. And I realized something else. I realized that once the Feminine Divine was forced into the background of society there was a shift. Women went from being the wise ones, the healers, the council. How we once worked together, we were now separated. Kept at home away from each other to tend only to the home. Once we were separated it was easy to divide and conquer. I believe this is when the comparing came into being. We began to compare ourselves to the other women. Who keeps a better home, who looks better, who raises a better family. I'm sure this was perpetuated by those in charge to not only keep us doing for them, but also to keep us fighting amongst ourselves so that bringing the Feminine Divine back into our lives would be that much more difficult. And there was another shift. We started getting some power back. But as a group we have all been fighting to show that we are tough independent women. We have been afraid to be vulnerable. We have been comparing and judging each other for so long we must re-learn how to just be with each other. We have to remember that we can not only learn from each other but teach each other so much.<br />
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That is what this group did, with only one meeting. This group reminded me that while I look to the Goddess as my mother now, I still need yearn for elders to inspire and teach me. That I do have things to teach others. That strength is not only found in independence but also in vulnerability. But most importantly it showed me how wonderful it is to be bathed in the feminine power and energy. I will teach what I can and learn so much from every one of my wonderful Goddess Women!!<br />
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<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-68460158974417672832012-09-14T20:53:00.000-07:002012-09-14T20:53:23.457-07:00OCCUPY!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Occupy!! But not just anything... Occupy your Soul.<br />
I took some time today to just walk around in nature. No rush. No destination. Just being there. And while I walked thinking of nothing in particular I started thinking about my soul. I started wondering why I don't do this more. I feel so at peace here. The pace is perfect. My brain slows down. So why don't I do this more? And I realized that I am at war with my soul. That while I am the 99% that should have control over my soul... its that 1% from others that does<br />
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I don't do more things for my soul because when I do I get wartime interrogations. You know the ones.... "why didn't you get (insert chore) done?".... "what did you do today?" ..... even from myself.... "I should be doing (whatever)".... "I could be doing so many of my errands right now". ... "I should hurry up so I can get more done today". Why am I so hard on my soul. Why can't I just let it be at peace? I have made my soul a prisoner of this war inside myself. And we all do it to each other. We some how find it OK to question what people have done. What they are doing with their life. As if they need our stamp of approval.<br />
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"Oh, you haven't cleaned your house because you decided to read a book... mmmm... sorry not good enough."<br />
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Oh, you haven't cleaned you house because you were running errands and volunteering at your childs school, thats fine". <br />
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Why must I question what my soul wants? If it wants to read, or walk, or do some underwater basket weaving then I should let it. Truth is, the reason is in the question.... why? The problem is that we continue to ask this question of ourselves and others. But should the answer really matter that much?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa8Oa1ZHSuk/UFP60eILLCI/AAAAAAAAAVk/6P5HObvLbAE/s1600/scenic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa8Oa1ZHSuk/UFP60eILLCI/AAAAAAAAAVk/6P5HObvLbAE/s1600/scenic.jpg" /></a>Often times when I am driving I see the signs for a scenic overlook. Every time I see a sign I want to go look at it, but I never do. I don't stop because I ask myself "why". Why do I need to go there. What will I do. Whats the point. Sometimes I see a road and wonder where it goes and my soul wants to go see. But my mind asks why. Why do I need to go there. What if there is nothing there. How will I know when to turn around.<br />
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Its like my mind thinks my soul is an idiot. I apparently don't trust myself. Its as if I will go adventure down a road with no destination and never come back. WTF is up with that?<br />
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I need to let my soul out. Let it shine... let it sparkle.<br />
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I need to feed my soul.... Feed it glitter and sunshine.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nH9CV30GWYw/UFP6zvkR4YI/AAAAAAAAAVU/LBUIhxWV4fw/s1600/glitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nH9CV30GWYw/UFP6zvkR4YI/AAAAAAAAAVU/LBUIhxWV4fw/s1600/glitter.jpg" /></a>So I have decided to write a list.... a Soul Glitter list..... What is my soul glitter.... what will make my soul sparkle? This list will be made up of things I like to do..... I want to do.... or anything else I think does or will make my soul sparkle!! <br />
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I welcome comments!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-56199173839129940412012-09-14T07:46:00.000-07:002012-09-14T07:49:52.244-07:00Neverland... wheres my map?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I couldn't think of anything for "N" but then it hit me.... Neverland!! I always wanted to go to Neverland because it was the place of eternal youth. As we mature and grow we really do lose some of the fun aspects of ourselves. We really need to look for the balance.<br />
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I find that often times I hold myself back from really letting loose. This is usually because of the people around me. For instance, if I am with my children I really do try not to embarrass them. My husband on the other hand is the complete opposite in this regard and behaves however he wishes with little regard to who is around and how it will affect them. Which of course has led to some arguments. <br />
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This is why its about balance.... isn't everything in life about balance?<br />
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We need to find ways to live in our Neverland while still taking others into consideration. Now I'm not saying that we need to completely squelch who we are because of others, just keep them in mind. For instance, teenagers who are in the "imaginary audience" stage of life thinking everyone is watching them all the time should be thought of, trying to keep things at a minimum and being aware of what may make their life difficult. Especially the way kids are bullied today. On the other hand, these same kids need to see that its OK to be who you are and the world will not end if you do. <br />
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Also while behaving like a "Lost One" (because I think girls should be found in Neverland too, I wont call them all boys) from Neverland we need to look at our situation and those around us. This is not about "what will people think of me" it is about others feelings. Will this offend? Will this interfere with someone else? Will this hurt? Is this unkind? After we decided if this is appropriate behavior... just harmless fun.... then we can proceed.<br />
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This is the benefit to being an adult.... we have foresight and can make these choices before acting. <br />
Unfortunately, I usually error on the side of caution and then do not act for fear that I will hurt someones feelings or bother them in some way. See this is my problem. I need to be able to find the balance with Neverland. I want to find my Neverland. To be able to do some things without overthinking. You see after I start thinking about the people around and how they will feel then I start thinking about all the other adult things that kill fun. You know things like... how much of a mess will this make that I have to clean up later.... or..... someone needs to be 100% attentive to the baby. While I allowed others to have fun... make the mess.... I have become a fun-hater in my own life. Holding myself back.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZfLBWAj0WM/UFNCrV2wnSI/AAAAAAAAAUs/hsJwj3nn2S0/s1600/Hook20bangarang-300x129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZfLBWAj0WM/UFNCrV2wnSI/AAAAAAAAAUs/hsJwj3nn2S0/s1600/Hook20bangarang-300x129.jpg" /></a>I watched a show the other day where a bunch of women jumped in a pool with their fancy dresses on.... and I thought I would love to do something fun like that.... then I started thinking ... about the dress and how will it be ruined and do they have other dry clothes to put on... and what about their hair and makeup..... seriously WTF.... I can't even THINK about doing something fun without ruining it!!<br />
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I think this comes from so many years of being the responsible one. When my mom died when I was 14 I took on a lot of responsibility.... then when my first husband died when I was 27 I had to raise 2 kids on my own .... more responsibility...... I am the responsible one. This has also made it so that everyone knows that I am the responsible one ... so they don't have to be...... so when fun is happening they don't have to ... clean up the mess afterward or be completely aware of the baby..... and I start to feel when I try to join in and let someone else take that responsibility they are not completely focused on what needs to be done and I have to jump in and be the responsible one anyway ...... Oh goodie more responsibility!!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28u-2EhZ-5M/UFNCse22S8I/AAAAAAAAAU8/qeZ1Qk3Gfkk/s1600/neverlandmap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28u-2EhZ-5M/UFNCse22S8I/AAAAAAAAAU8/qeZ1Qk3Gfkk/s320/neverlandmap2.jpg" width="320" /></a>I am finding that I am craving Neverland.... craving the ability to be free and fun. But I think it is easier to go from being carefree to responsible because that is the natural order of things.... it is much more difficult to go backward. Even now as I sit and think about how to do it... how to get to Neverland...... I start planning.... "OK, so I will need to talk to my husband and kids and make sure they will pick of the slack...... who will watch the baby.... and not just "kinda" watch the baby since that is what they are used to because they have always had me there to have all of my attention on her"..... there see...... I've already taken the fun out of fun. It would be so much easier if there was someone who would take all the responsibility for me and allow me to have some fun.... but you see, I have given everyone the gift of being the fun ones all the time they don't want to give it up. So the question becomes .... if I change.... will they change too?<br />
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I know that I NEED to find Neverland.... a change has to happen ... or I will have a breakdown! I must find my map to Neverland.<br />
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I need to Love my life again. I need to find my sparkle. I need to forget my age. I need to find what makes my he♥rt sing!<br />
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I welcome Comments!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-78979624576579410732012-09-12T16:48:00.001-07:002012-09-12T16:48:03.971-07:00Be Mindful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For "M" I will discuss being mindful. I think that being Mindful is one of the most important things we can do in life. Being Mindful is just being aware, with no judgement of what is. Living in the moment. How often do you live in the moment. I know that most times we are really only in the moment in times of meditation. While I am a huge proponent of meditation and I believe that it should be done everyday, I think that we need to learn how to take this meditation with us.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XtvJVbrxCNI/UFEeql9PY3I/AAAAAAAAAUU/xaluod6hlDk/s1600/mindfulness-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XtvJVbrxCNI/UFEeql9PY3I/AAAAAAAAAUU/xaluod6hlDk/s320/mindfulness-poster.jpg" width="320" /></a>Many people say that meditation is difficult and clearing the mind is too hard. But being mindful can put you in a state of meditation and can be done throughout the day. We need to escape the notion that meditation must be done in a seated position in a quiet room. Yes, this is one way to do it, and a very nice way that I enjoy doing it. But being mindful is so much more.<br />
Being Mindful is looking at the world with new fresh eyes. Take a moment now, look around like you have never been in this room before. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? Does it feel different than it did when you started? Too often we get so used to our surroundings that everything becomes wallpaper... we don't even notice things anymore.<br />
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My favorite way to remind myself to be mindful... and a great way to introduce yourself to meditation.... or to get in some meditation time if you are short on time... is in the shower. While you are in the shower become completely present in the moment. Don't rush through. Don't be on autopilot. Feel the water hit your skin. Note the temperature. Listen to the water hit the shower walls and floor. Smell the scents of your shampoos and soaps. Does your shower feel different. Does time seem to slow down. How about your breathing? Did it slow down too? This is what being mindful can do for you. This is how our bodies and minds are meant to live. Not focused on the past or the future, but in the moment. <br />
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I welcome comments!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-5379672501472569442012-09-12T13:54:00.002-07:002012-09-12T13:54:41.672-07:00Learning about my Authentic Self I decided to talk about learning for my "L" post. I think because one trait I see with most Pagans I meet is that they are either looking to learn or teaching. Of course I think we are all always learning. Learning about ourselves, each other, our faith, everything in life. Once we stop learning than life ceases, for once you know everything than what is the point?<br />
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I can only speak for myself here, but I think there are many others who will see similarities. When I first began this path I grabbed all of the recommended "beginner" books that all the sites and people say to start with. (Now, I'm not going to mention titles here because I do not think there is anything innately wrong with these books, and do not want which books they were to be the focus of this). Unfortunately as I grew into my path as well as into myself I realized these were all the wrong books to start with.<br />
Yes, these basic books teach you what tools to use, how to cast a circle, and a few basic spells. They teach you that you are to honor nature and all that is.... you know the basics. But there is something even more basic that we need to know FIRST. And that is .... wait for it.... Me!... well you..... you, know your Authentic Self.<br />
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You need to know who YOU are. You need to know what your core values and beliefs are. I didn't need to read a book to tell me what my beliefs are or what I value. Once I truly found my authentic self I realized that the answers aren't in the books. They are in me. And while the books can offer me inspiration and some good info, they are not the end all be all of my Spirituality. Most beginner books tell you to cast a circle for a variety of different reasons, this never felt right to me. I can do my work much better without the circle. Until I had found my Authentic Self I was stuck where many people are, thinking that I HAD to cast a circle, because the books say so, and all the people I talk to say so.<br />
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Learning who we are at our soul level is the highest education we can find. it affords us the ability to live and walk our path in our own personal way, bringing us closer to the Divine. The closer you are to your authentic self the closer you are to the Divine in you. I also think that once you have learned about your authentic self and are living your authentic life than what others are doing, how they practice their faith becomes of little consequence to you. Once I learned this important lesson I have found it easier to let my Divine light shine, I have found my confidence in my beliefs and practices. All while at the same time allowing others to live their own authentic self. This was the best lesson I could have learned on my path. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H624hUszzhyO584gITIIMlo9ffcARTJKCHbwygszLw-gRDroQHuu5qoSDGm9qyHlg8zsIxY4xrkhZX0wbLg0ZjL4HOqTMOXbGWR5QF0Phyphenhyphen4F6jEIlChwg2z0l6OSic9z4B0FMdXN3dk/s1600/sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H624hUszzhyO584gITIIMlo9ffcARTJKCHbwygszLw-gRDroQHuu5qoSDGm9qyHlg8zsIxY4xrkhZX0wbLg0ZjL4HOqTMOXbGWR5QF0Phyphenhyphen4F6jEIlChwg2z0l6OSic9z4B0FMdXN3dk/s1600/sig.jpg" /></a></div>
I welcome comments,<br />
Blissings and Love!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-51248311547050003392012-09-12T13:21:00.000-07:002012-09-12T13:29:16.421-07:00KinshipHoly Zebras! Been gone from this blog for so long. We moved to a new state and things got all topsy turvey. But we are all settled and I'm getting ready to start back to college next week, so I better try to catch up a little here. I was doing the Pagan Blog Project but I'm about 8 or 9 weeks behind, so I will continue a little on my own here.<br />
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Looks like I left off on K. I think with this letter I will talk about kinship. That longing for a relationship that feels like family, but a relationship built out of a similar qualities and affinities. I think as Pagans we are all looking for this kinship. Maybe not a coven exactly, but a group of people who have the same values and beliefs that we can confide in and gain support from. Especially when we are in a difficult situation and the "others" try to comfort with words of faith that do not fit our own path. This makes for an uncomfortable situation. I think this is why I plan to become a Pagan Pastoral Counselor. I think our community really needs more support systems in place. I also recently began a FB group for women in my local area. I did this because I needed it. I searched and searched and there was not a group that fit what I needed from my Pagan Kin. So I created it. While it is still in its infancy I have hope that I will connect with my Pagan Sisters and find what I am longing for. The fact that the group began to build so quickly only supported my knowledge that there are many of us out there looking for Kin.<br />
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Sadly though I think many of us have been hurt by our Pagan Kin with the whole "Big Brother" attitude, you know that "I have been doing this longer, know more than you, and want all of you newer than me to sit in awe at my brilliance" behavior. This turns so many of us off and makes us timid to embrace our kin. We really need to look around our Pagan Family and accept our roles as supportive, caring family who love each other without the condition that everyone do it like us. Nothing in this world is one size fits all. We may not get along with all of our kin, but we shouldn't let that stop us from finding the ones who will be exactly what we need. Find your Kin, treat them well, and lets reconnect our Pagan Family. <br />
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I welcome comments!<br />
Blissings and Love!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-36056824677745701692012-05-11T12:10:00.001-07:002012-05-11T12:10:23.142-07:00Joy - Misery loves company, but JOY breeds JOY =DI thought for my first "J" in the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7" target="_blank">Pagan Blog Project</a> I would write about joy. I think sometimes we are afraid of joy. I know we all strive to be happy, but what happens once we are?<br />
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So often I think once joy is found in our lives we immediately begin waiting for the other shoe to drop. We start thinking about what could go wrong or "it won't last". Being Pagan I am fully aware of how the energy we send out comes back. So if that is the energy sent out then of course it won't last. We need to embrace joy. Love joy. And spread joy to others.<br />
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Its sad really. Think of all the instances you see this happen. If someone you know begins telling you about the shitty time they are having, you know the country song story.... my significant other left me, my dog died, I lost my job, people around them start joining in. "Yep, I'm having a hard time too, my friend and I got into a fight... yada yada". Why do we do this? Do we think it helps them? I think we do it because we don't want to make them feel worse because we are joyful in our lives and they are not at the moment. All this ends up doing is bringing us down. We lose our joy. We begin to focus on whatever may not be running completely smoothing in our life. Well hey guess what!! Its OK for you to be joyful!! Maybe telling them something happy will cheer them up! Embrace your Joy!!<br />
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Bad things happen. That's life. Those bad things help shine a big bright light on the good things. So be thankful you can see something as not working in your life, or you will never find the things that are working.<br />
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Have you ever had a feeling that something big was gonna happen and immediately you start thinking "Oh no. Whats coming now?" For some reason we think that we only get these feelings when something bad is gonna happen. We think that we are only surrounded by the Divine when we need comforting. But that's not the case. Sometimes Divine and spirits or our ancestors are with us during times of joy as well. They gather with us to celebrate.<br />
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We need to stop being so afraid of joy. We need to stop diminishing our joy for others. We need to start spreading our joy to all we meet and embrace it and allow it to happen fully and completely.<br />
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What are you doing to embrace and spread joy? <br />
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Thank you for reading. I welcome all comments. <br />
<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-82096337081179171392012-05-04T05:25:00.001-07:002012-05-04T05:25:48.380-07:00IsolationTrying to decide what to write my second "I" about this week in the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7" target="_blank">Pagan Blog Project</a> I had no one to bounce ideas off of. So that is what I decided to write about... Isolation.<br />
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I know many Pagans who feel isolated and alone. In many groups I am a part of people state they are far from others of like-mind.<br />
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In my case, I live in a very small town and my husband is traveling for work. So I am here in a town that is very conservative with no one of like-mind. This can make me feel very alone and isolated. I end up spending the majority of my time on Facebook as it is the only interaction I get. Part of my particular isolation comes from moving to a small town. It is well known amongst us "outsiders" that you can live here for 40 years, but if you were not born here you will always be an "outsider". Isolation also happens here as I live in a very self-proclaimed "uber conservative" small town. So while my husband is gone and its just me and the kids here I feel very alone.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bs9rvnPzsA/T6PKcRF5TvI/AAAAAAAAASA/6fzEEbc-UaA/s1600/isolation2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bs9rvnPzsA/T6PKcRF5TvI/AAAAAAAAASA/6fzEEbc-UaA/s200/isolation2.jpg" width="200" /></a>All of this got me thinking. Thinking about Pagans of yesteryear. Pagans (OK truthfully everyone) were all fairly isolated. And I think there is a benefit to this. A benefit that until recently I had never thought of, or appreciated. Back in the day, people were isolated living on their land and most of their time was spent only with family. This is where family traditions come into play. In these families beliefs, practices and rituals were created and passed through tradition. There was little, if any, checking what your friends were doing. People did what felt right. What their ancestral memories led them to do. People thought for themselves.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCK-BaS6vKk/T6PKb4rPvWI/AAAAAAAAAR4/qsUehj0z2lM/s1600/isolation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCK-BaS6vKk/T6PKb4rPvWI/AAAAAAAAAR4/qsUehj0z2lM/s1600/isolation1.jpg" /></a>I think in this day and age of internet and communication we have lost some of this. Many who start this path are looking for the "right way" to do things. They want a teacher to explain how, what, when, where, why and validate what is done. I think this accessibility is becoming a hindrance.We are losing the ability to trust our instincts. To hear our ancestral memories.<br />
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Now I must admit that as I write this I am currently enrolled in the Women's Thealogical Institute and just started my course in magic. However, the realization that I had is this; I am using this course as a mentor not a teacher. Someplace to guide me but not give me a cookie cutter education about how things should be done. That is one of the reasons I so adore this program it is individualized for your own beliefs and practice. In our loss of isolation we have gained a belief that there is a definitive right and wrong way to practice and believe.<br />
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So I think its good to have mentors and those that will help us learn things such as herbology, but as for beliefs and practice, I think the isolation may be good for us. Forcing us to think for and trust in ourselves<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N280d6UBXLM/T6PKc3Y-LVI/AAAAAAAAASI/Ez-2UZAXrdw/s1600/signiture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N280d6UBXLM/T6PKc3Y-LVI/AAAAAAAAASI/Ez-2UZAXrdw/s1600/signiture.jpg" /></a>Thanks for reading! I welcome all comments!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-54522721947467863122012-05-02T06:32:00.002-07:002012-05-02T06:32:57.130-07:00Diversity<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvoxFjMwZWs/T6E1AM7vX1I/AAAAAAAAARU/95gJJLGcGrU/s1600/lgpcod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvoxFjMwZWs/T6E1AM7vX1I/AAAAAAAAARU/95gJJLGcGrU/s320/lgpcod.jpg" width="320" /></a> For my last "D" post for the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7" target="_blank">Pagan Blog Project</a> (yay all caught up now!!) I am going to write about diversity .... in a round about way. Not only is society in general a diverse place, but so are Pagans. Unfortunately, often times this diversity is shoved under a rug and society likes to pretend that minority groups, such as Pagans, are of little consequence. I feel we must stand up and show that we are as much a part of society as any other group.<br />
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So today is<a href="http://pagancomingoutday.org/" target="_blank"> Pagan Coming Out Day</a>. While I support this idea I also have some reservations about it. Let me explain.<br />
I have the same issues with this idea as I do with LGBT community needing to "come out", in fact anyone or group that needs to "come out". Why? All of these issues are personal. You don't see straight people or Christians "coming out". No sit downs around the dinner table to say "I just wanted you all to know that "I'm straight and Christian". Nope, no need. Its only us that are not in the majority who feel we have to "come out". People should just be able to "be", without the need to explain such personal issues.<br />
That being said, I think that because society works in such a way that there is a blanket of assumption that everyone is Christian, or straight. It is this assumption that makes days like this necessary. And not that I think people should need to announce their personal information to the public. But because people have the right to life their lives as their authentic selves. This means reading books on Witchcraft in public without fear of interrogation or insults. Celebrating Holidays that correspond with personal religions and possibly taking those days off for work without fear of harassment. Saying mealtime blessings thanking the Gods and Goddesses of choice without snide remarks from others. Expressing love and pride for personal beliefs without concern of backlash. These are just a few of the issues that those who are of the majority do not have to worry about that those of us who are in the minority do.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izK7INnfdgk/T6E2vVs_m0I/AAAAAAAAARk/oDRd1FADlZ4/s1600/Erie+Pagan+Pride+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izK7INnfdgk/T6E2vVs_m0I/AAAAAAAAARk/oDRd1FADlZ4/s320/Erie+Pagan+Pride+Day.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from the Annual Erie Pagan Pride Day, found online. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In fact, I was at a funeral recently and at one point in the service we were instructed to say the "Lords Prayer" using whatever version we so choose. I strongly wanted to use the "Ladys Prayer" version that I had found online. However, in that moment my mind had to scan who was around, who would hear, and what kind of backlash would my husband have from it, as this was a funeral for his family member. In truth, I should be able to express my religion how I choose.<br />
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This is why I support this day and this idea. It is not so that individuals can show their personal information to the world. It is so the world can see that there are many more beliefs out there. That there is a diversity not only in what is believed but in WHO believes it. Society still seems to have a stereotype in their collective head about what a Pagan looks like. Days like this show society that we don't all wear black all the time. We don't all wear broom skirts everywhere we go. We don't all live secluded secretive lives. We are teachers, lawyers, parents, authors, and everything else you can think of.<br />
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So I live my life "out" and proud so that I can live my life with the basic rights that others have.<br />
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I also support this day so that those who may live in fear to come out know that there are many of us out here. So they can find a safe place to go.<br />
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I am a Proud Witch!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVCIGCUNQOQ/T6E1IUKUTpI/AAAAAAAAARc/fi4XDcX_mxA/s1600/signiture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVCIGCUNQOQ/T6E1IUKUTpI/AAAAAAAAARc/fi4XDcX_mxA/s1600/signiture.jpg" /></a>Thank you for reading. I welcome your comments. <br />
<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-11453026540607288932012-05-01T12:02:00.000-07:002012-05-01T12:02:15.521-07:00DedicationOK, still have my "D" posts to do to get all caught up in the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7" target="_blank">Pagan Blog Project</a>. So here is my first D, Dedication. <br />
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Today I did a dedication ritual so I thought I would share.<br />
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<b>Dedication to the Goddess Ritual</b></div>
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Although I have been on this path for over a decade and done a
dedication ritual before I have created this new ritual. I am doing this now to
mark a new step in my journey. I am not only rededicating myself to the Goddess,
but also to my spiritual sisters. This dedication is a much deeper one than my
previous one. The first one was a dedication to the path; this is a dedication
to serve the Goddess. </div>
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This was done on Beltane. Beltane is a time for fertility and growth, so
I choose this day so that the fertile seed of my dedication may sprout and
grow. This is a time for self-discovery and personal growth. It is also the
time of the Waxing moon. This is ideal to help my dedication grow, as I enter
this positive change in my life. </div>
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It was done at Guernsey State Park, near the “Castle” as I feel
connected to this area. (I got married here)</div>
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*I choose not to cast circles in my spiritual work. I feel that because
all space is sacred there is no need to cast a circle. If I feel an area needs
to be cleansed prior to work in order to dispel negativity, than I will do so
with sage. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I began the day with a salt cleansing. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Items Used: </b></div>
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<b>Ribbons</b></div>
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<b>Candle</b></div>
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<b>Water</b></div>
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<b>Salt</b></div>
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<b>Ring</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>I began with a grounding meditation
(removing shoes) as I find meditation the best way to not only connect
with myself, and the Divine, but also to raise energy. I find that in
stillness I find the most energy. </b></div>
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<b><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/dedication/327.jpg?attredirects=0"><img alt="After concluding my meditation, I saw this image in the stone next to me" border="0" height="200" src="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/_/rsrc/1335896409553/dedication/327.jpg?height=200&width=112" width="112" /></a></b><b><div style="display: inline; margin: 5px 0pt 0pt 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/dedication/326.jpg?attredirects=0"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/_/rsrc/1335897310066/dedication/326.jpg?height=200&width=112" width="112" /></a></div>
</b><b><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/dedication/327.jpg?attredirects=0">After concluding my m</a></b><b><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/dedication/327.jpg?attredirects=0">editation I saw this image in the stone next to me. </a></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<b>Speak: </b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
This ritual will be my commitment
to myself, my Sisters of the Re-Formed Congregation of the Goddess, and to the
Goddess. </div>
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On this day I dedicate myself to
the Goddess. </div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
Goddess in all your forms I honor
You.</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
I honor You with my mind, my
intentions and the words I speak. </div>
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I honor You with my body, my
actions and the behaviors I exhibit. </div>
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I honor You with my heart, my love
and my Passion that I feel and share. </div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
I offer to use these gifts you
have bestowed me in service to you. </div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
On this day I dedicate myself to You.
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
I give to You my mind to speak
through, my body to act through and my heart to love through. </div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
I vow to honor, respect and live
in service to You</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
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<b>Take Candle </b></div>
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<b>Speak:</b></div>
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this candle represents fire it helps me to ignite my passion <span> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
it reminds me of my strength and</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
my endurance </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>(Light Candle)</b> To grow</div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Take salt </b></div>
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<b>Speak:</b></div>
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This salt represents earth and it will help me to root to mother earth,</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It reminds me that we all come from the Goddess, and</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
we are all connected. </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>(Sprinkle on Earth)</b> To discover</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/dedication/330.jpg?attredirects=0"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/_/rsrc/1335897365010/dedication/330.jpg?height=200&width=112" width="112" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Take</b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b> Ribbons </b></div>
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<b>Speak:</b></div>
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These Ribbons represents air it reminds helps me to reclaim myself </div>
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It reminds me to speak with right intention</div>
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To continue to become</div>
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<b>(Tie to Tree) </b>To Create</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Take Water</b></div>
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<b>Speak:</b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This water is to remind help me to persevere in an ever-changing world.
</div>
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It reminds me to heal and</div>
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To know myself</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>(Pour on Ground) </b>To Feel</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Take ring and put on</b></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/dedication/339.jpg?attredirects=0" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://sites.google.com/site/caysspiritualjournal/_/rsrc/1335897407385/dedication/339.jpg?height=320&width=180" width="112" /></a><b>Speak:</b></div>
<div style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 5px 10px;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For spirit I will wear this ring. It will remind me every day my
dedication to the Goddess and to the Path. And remind me to live the old ways. </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
As I don this
ring I begin my service to the Goddess. My Service to the Goddess will not end,
so shall it be in this life, so shall it be in death, and so shall it be in my
next life and every life thereafter. </div>
As I will it so mote it be<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After concluding this ritual I took a walk to meditate on
my new path with the Goddess. I used this walk as a time to listen to the
Goddess and receive Her messages for me.<br />
Here is what I heard and saw.<br />
After concluding and beginning my walk I began to see many hawks flying around me. Some came close others just circled above. <br />
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I also saw many butterflies scurrying around me, which I failed to get photos of. <br />
<br />
As I was meditating on my walk I asked the Goddess what She wanted me to do. I heard this;<br />
"Love. Heal. Teach.... But mostly Love."<br />
"You are now a student of the Goddess."<br />
<br />
As
I was getting in the car to leave a very large (about the size of a
quarter) bee began flying around me. It flew around my head and would
fly in and out of the car. Unfortunately this bee was camera shy and I
could not capture an image of it. <br />
<br />
The first thing I heard on
the radio when I began to drive away was Belinda Carlisle singing
"Heaven is a Place on Earth", I found this slightly funny. <br />
<br />
As I was driving home I heard the following;<br />
"There
are no straight lines in nature, so don't expect any in your life. You
have a plan to get from point A to point B, but it will not be a
straight line. There will be zigs and zags, curves, detours, and even
U-turns and circles. But don't worry, in the end its always beautiful."<br />
<br />
I sit here now with much love in my heart. Ready to start my journey.<br />
<br />
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Thank you for reading. I welcome all comments!! <br />
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<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-51002854189981839272012-04-27T09:02:00.000-07:002012-04-27T09:02:19.359-07:00InsecuritiesThis week for the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7" target="_blank">Pagan Blog Project</a> I decided to write about insecurities. I have been thinking about this a lot lately so it worked out well that this is "I" week 1.<br />
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I think many of us have some major insecurities when it comes to all aspects of life, but for me it is most prevalent in my "witchy" ways. I really realized this a few weeks ago when speaking about my son. You see my son has some amazing abilities. At age 2 he told me I was pregnant before I knew I was pregnant, at the time he told me I was 2 weeks along. At age 4 he predicted his fathers death. And at age 12 he again knew I was pregnant, this time I knew but we hadn't told the other kids yet. These are the major examples of what he has done. While he thinks it is cool that he has done this, he would never admit it and would never work to develop this anymore. He has a fear of what others would think of him. So my husband and I were talking about how nice it would be if he had the confidence to really explore this. It was at this point I had my light bulb moment. I do the same thing as he does. Meaning I deny my intuitions for fear of being "that crazy chick".<br />
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There are times when my inner voice is telling me something and I keep it to myself for fear of what people may think. Or during my meditations if I get a message I fear telling anyone. In fact, just saying here that I get messages during meditation raises my heart rate a bit.<br />
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I think many of these insecurities come from 2 main areas.<br />
<br />
1) How we are raised.<br />
I was raised to always find the logical explanation for things. I was taught to analyze a situation and find all possible reasons and all possible outcomes. While this is a good practice in some aspects of life, say science class, it actually hinders living life. Recently I had my aura read and was told I have a guide over my shoulder who has a message for me. So I have started to meditate and listen for her. I asked for her name, I heard a whisper say "Sophia". I had a debate with myself for a long time about this. My intuitive self was saying "she told me her name, how lovely", the part of me that is holding on to the beliefs I was taught was saying "you just wanted to hear a name so you created one". In essence I was taught to ignore those inner feelings, those intuitions and ancestral memories. This makes it difficult to trust myself, even when I know what my authentic self believes.<br />
<br />
2) Posers <br />
So often I see people who try to take advantage of others using "psychic" abilities. While I believe that we all have the ability to be psychic and many people have learned how to access this in themselves. I also feel there are many out there who are just trying to make a buck off of people. It is these posers that the majority of society think of when they think about psychics. Now I do not consider myself psychic in the least. However, if I were to tell someone that I get messages from my guide Sophia they may put me in the same category as these posers, or just think I'm nuttier than a squirrel turd. What I don't want is my children to have to feel that everyone thinks their mom is the crazy one.<br />
<br />
In fact, I can narrow down where by biggest insecurities took over to one defining moment in my life.<br />
<br />
I had been rather vocal about things with a small group of people, one of them being a girl who had been one of my closest friends for about 20 years. She was a like-minded soul so I could talk to her about things. Now I am a big believer in signs. I think sometimes the Divine sends signs to us to help us in making decisions. I had been struggling with a issue in my life and had been seeing a lot of signs pointing me in one direction. So spoke to my friend about all of these signs as I was excited to have seen them. She then called my brother and suggested they do an intervention on me because she believed I was on drugs or drinking excessively. Luckily my brother, while an atheist and doubter of everything, knows me very well and laughed it off. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aA3j6-AHVGU/T5rCfwo6agI/AAAAAAAAARA/kJ13rolHk4c/s1600/insecurities2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aA3j6-AHVGU/T5rCfwo6agI/AAAAAAAAARA/kJ13rolHk4c/s200/insecurities2.jpg" width="200" /></a>That event caused me keep a lot to myself. But even more upsetting is it made me begin to question myself. To develop insecurities about what my inner voice tells me. I am trying to get better. I get closer all the time. Now I can say something to certain people, but I still surround it with safety nets.... I told my hubby "I think I maybe have some signs I could possibly be an empath". You see, I strive for the day that I can say "I am an empath" because that is what I feel, what my inner self knows. But even as I type it I think of all those that will question, or try to dismiss or prove me wrong. There are just too many people out there looking to tear others down. <br />
<br />
So this is my biggest lesson. To trust myself. To put myself out there for others and for myself. I can not truly connect with the Divine if I can not connect fully with what I believe and who I am. I must fight these insecurities. This blog is my first battle with them, I hope I win.<br />
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Thank you for reading. I welcome all comments!!<br />
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<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-75133001733327523702012-04-19T18:00:00.000-07:002012-04-19T18:00:57.910-07:00Heroine... Warioress.. not the drug<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1hsyUCvpZsE/T5C0DmqWQ6I/AAAAAAAAAQM/H3uDcDh3U5I/s1600/girlpower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1hsyUCvpZsE/T5C0DmqWQ6I/AAAAAAAAAQM/H3uDcDh3U5I/s320/girlpower.jpg" width="104" /></a>This week for the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7" target="_blank">Pagan Blog Project </a>is all about being a Heroine (can include hero here, but hey, I'm a woman so I go with heroine)<br />
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Heroines are courageous women who fight for what they believe. They are strong, independent and proud. They are confident and passionate. They are women I admire and look up to. I don't think that you must do something globally relevant to be a heroine. You can be a heroine to one person. Heroines don't do it for the notoriety or thank you's. They do it because it is the right thing to do. <br />
<br />
The most important heroine in my life is....... ME! I think the most important person to be a Heroine for is yourself. It has taken me quite sometime to realize this point. I wasn't waiting around for a man to come "rescue" me or playing the damsel in distress or anything (yes I'm doing "that" analogy). Never been that type of girl. But I was waiting around for people to help me find the answers. Or tell me that I was right about something. I needed reassurance and support. And truthfully, I had many people doing those things for me, but I didn't believe them. I thought they were "just being nice". I couldn't trust them and yet felt I needed to hear it over and over. Truth is what I needed was inside of me the whole time (Thanks Glinda!!). I couldn't see that it didn't matter how many people told me, if I couldn't find it in myself then I would never be 'saved'.<br />
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I think that we are raised in a society where trusting our intuition is mocked and dismissed. This gets imprinted on the blueprint of our souls locking certain things away in the tower of our mind. We are also in a society where we are taught that helping others is of utmost importance, and that focusing on ourselves is selfish. So we begin to focus on helping others more than ourselves. <br />
<br />
And when I say "we" I mean me, I can really only speak about my own blueprint.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkjoi5nSHqs/T5C0SPOQ7uI/AAAAAAAAAQk/72StMfEPMjg/s1600/tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mkjoi5nSHqs/T5C0SPOQ7uI/AAAAAAAAAQk/72StMfEPMjg/s1600/tower.jpg" /></a>Also, from a young age we are taught that if we wait long enough the perfect man will come rescue us from what ever our problem is. That we can not do it ourselves. And while I think that with each generation we are coming out of this cloud of delusion, many of us have had this put on our blueprint already. And.... many men are finding it difficult to navigate this new blueprint as their blueprints have them believing they are the "fixers" and "rescuers" and hero's for women. This teaching our children to help others is a wonderful lesson, but we must first make sure that they know how to be their own heroines and heros. And then when it comes time to help others, it is not a swoop in and save the day attitude, but a "let me help you help yourself". <br />
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I was so concerned with rescuing others and wanting to have all the right answers for people that I ended up leaving myself in the tower. I realized that the only right answers I have........ are for myself, I just didn't know I needed to ask the questions. But I finally did. And now my heroine has set me free. <br />
<br />
So, now what.What happens next? Next I continue to be my own heroine. We never actually stop doing this for ourselves. We are a mischievous lot as humans and continue to lock ourselves away and have to break ourselves out a lot. So I remain a heroine, and a warioress (<---- more on her later). <br />
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Remember that while we are taught that heroines and hero's save the world....... how can you save the world if you can't save your self?<br />
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Thanks for reading!! I welcome your comments!<br />
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<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-3101632884818777432012-04-16T10:46:00.001-07:002012-04-16T10:46:11.324-07:00Counseling<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNSNf1KRrCE/T4xZa-CU5kI/AAAAAAAAAP8/7A_TI6Cgba8/s1600/counsel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNSNf1KRrCE/T4xZa-CU5kI/AAAAAAAAAP8/7A_TI6Cgba8/s200/counsel1.jpg" width="200" /></a>I suppose this post was inevitable in some ways. For my second C in the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7">Pagan Blog Project</a> I'm going to talk about Counseling. I chose to speak about this partly because I'm working toward a degree in School Counseling.<br />
I always felt like I was meant to be a counselor. Many people throughout my life have always come to me for advice and it was natural to give it. I am a helper by nature. I try not to overstep my bounds and stay neutral in situations. This in itself is a problem though, as sometimes this hinders me from saying what I really think the person needs to hear. Sometimes my being "too nice" is more of a flaw. But that is part of what I am learning in school.<br />
I want to work with children. Young children, preferably elementary school. I want to work with them before the negative influences and bullying really sink into their foundations. I want to help make a difference. But in addition to this, I also plan to become a Pagan Pastoral Counselor. I feel our community could use a few more of these. I find too often Counselors for other faiths but few for ours. How nice it would have been when family members passed to have someone to talk to that understood my faith. It would be nice to know that when/if I go into the hospital and they ask for your religious preference to be able to say Pagan and know that they would have someone they could call in for me if needed.<br />
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People have been going to elders and wise ones since the beginning of time to get counsel. I feel sometimes we have lost that. We have become a society of "toddlers"... you know the "I can do it myself" attitude. We need to remember its OK to ask advice. We need to have those in our lives we can get counsel from. That we can depend on. <br />
This need I have for myself is also a need I feel for others. That is why I think it is part of my calling to be service to The Goddess. We have more than enough in our community who will be quick to put you down and tell you what you are doing wrong. I want to be one who, whether I practice the same as you are not, will be there to care and support.<br />
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Thank you for reading. I welcome all comments!!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-48872691750949527782012-04-16T07:32:00.001-07:002012-04-16T07:33:21.040-07:00Calling from The GoddessOK, so I must admit I'm the last one I thought would be writing about this. But for my first C post in the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7">Pagan Blog Project </a>I'm going to write about my calling. Seriously.... What?!?!<br />
Whenever I used to hear people say the heard a "calling" to be a priest or nun or whatever, I thought "dumb". I didn't understand. I mean I always considered myself spiritual but the thought never even crossed my mind that I should dedicate my life to it. And I think I was fairly judgmental since most of those that I normally heard of that had a calling were those annoying "believe what I believe or you will go to Hell" type of evangelicals. I found most people who had felt a calling were very judgmental of others.... so not one to miss a moment of irony.... I judged them.<br />
I don't think it even occurred to me that you could have calling and still live a normal polite life. Then it happened to me.<br />
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Truth is, I can't tell you the exact moment (but that may be my crappy memory) that it happened. I think it may have actually happened slowly. But at some point I remember thinking.... "living in service to Goddess? Yep, that's what I'm supposed to do. That is my journey." And once that moment happened I felt a sense of relief. A sense of calm. A sense of Love.<br />
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Keep in mind I had already dedicated myself to Her and been a Witch for many years. But when the calling happened I felt Goddess had more for me to do. Do I know what that is? Not really. I know what path I feel compelled to follow and the results I feel drawn to. But we all know that life is ever-changing, and things are not always what they seem. So where this calling takes me unknown. But I'm ready to go and learn. <br />
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Thank you for reading. I welcome all comments!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-37313989804245174612012-04-16T06:15:00.000-07:002012-04-16T06:15:19.274-07:00Breathing.... kinda importantSo my second B (sorry still catching up) for the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7">Pagan Blog Project</a> is on Breath. <br />
Breathing is the single most important thing we do and yet we don't always use it right. Too often we are just going through our day and do not realize the impact breath has on us. Think about it. Until you started reading this blog you probably weren't thinking of your breath...... but now.... you are noticing the speed and depth of your breath.... you may even feel the need to take a deep breath all of a sudden. Its funny what awareness does.<br />
Ok, so we are aware now, so what?<br />
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Well breathing can help with so much in life...... you know besides the whole keep us living thing.<br />
Being aware of our breath can help us relax. By taking longer, slower breaths we can reduce our heart rate and calm our mind. The more mindful we are of our breath, the more mindful we are of our mind, our body, our actions. Breath links everything together.<br />
When I am in pain (I have CRPS - a chronic pain disorder), I breathe. This mindful breathing helps to calm my nerves and reduces the pain. When I'm stressed out in traffic..... or with my kids...... I breathe.<br />
Take a few days and pay attention. Take note of how you are breathing in certain situations. Are you breathing rapid and shallow? Change it up, breathe slow and deep. Did your mood, attitude, behavior, response change? Emotions and feelings are seen in the breath. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axlOslmM0HI/T4wa_0r_PuI/AAAAAAAAAPM/QxDzga__gVY/s1600/breatheheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axlOslmM0HI/T4wa_0r_PuI/AAAAAAAAAPM/QxDzga__gVY/s200/breatheheart.jpg" width="200" /></a>Now, lets think of this on a more magical plane. If your behavior, attitude, and responses change in daily life according to the breath, it would stand to reason that the outcome of spells and rituals would also change according to the breath. And lets face it... Breath is Air. Air is thought, communication, teaching. How can we use this to our full advantage if we are not aware of how we are really using it. Many of us use many things to represent Air in spell work..... We may even use our breath...... but are we really constantly being mindful of our breathing? Being mindful of breath clears the mind so that we can work more naturally and receive more benefit.<br />
I believe that if the eyes are the window to the soul then breath is a window to the heart. <br />
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Thank you for reading. I welcome all comments!!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-58498934116566970582012-04-15T15:06:00.000-07:002012-04-15T15:06:00.534-07:00Beyond Maiden, Mother, Crone<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSjwNFq8USI/T4tF-qDEKKI/AAAAAAAAAOg/wWMpjUFKqOQ/s1600/mmc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSjwNFq8USI/T4tF-qDEKKI/AAAAAAAAAOg/wWMpjUFKqOQ/s1600/mmc.jpg" /></a>I just finished listening to a wonderful interview with Dr. Rev. Karen Tate on the Inspiring Women Summit. In the interview she made a statement that really resonated with me. It was about moving beyond Maiden, Mother, Crone. It really got me thinking about how I (and I think others) was viewing the triple aspect. So that is what I want to talk about right now. This PBP post is my first B for Beyond Maiden, Mother, Crone. <br />
For some the question has been raised about women who choose not to have children. What then of the Mother stage? <br />
As Pagans I think we sometimes get stuck in these three main aspects of Goddess and women (Dr. Rev Tate also speaks about the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/women-s-goddess-spirituality-in-los-angeles/queen-come-to-your-convocation-leadership-vision-and-communication-at-goddess-temple-of-oc">Queen stage</a>). That these are the three options we have as women. So I am Mother. But I am sooo much more than that.<br />
I am a Mother <br />
I am a Queen<br />
I am a Warrioress<br />
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I am a Teacher<br />
I am a Healer<br />
I am a Heroine..... this is going to be my first "H" post, so stay tuned for that!<br />
I think that is the biggest problem with labels. We get so stuck that these are all that there is.<br />
We, as women, are more than just our stage of life. And there are so many more stages than what we think. We try to add as much into each stage as we can. We put certain aspects into the 3 stages, but this is not so easy. A Warrioress can be so at Maiden, Mother or Crone stage. <br />
We need to move beyond Maiden, Mother, Crone and see that while these are the stages of life, the stages of Goddess, this is not the limit. We are only limiting our own feminine power. <br />
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Nature is fluid, ever-changing. We must be fluid with it. As we as women regain our power, we need to see beyond what was and add to it. As we welcome each stage of life, we must continue to nurture our power and energy. Allow ourselves to be more.<br />
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Thank you for reading. I welcome all comments.Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-80896805644633979032012-04-15T13:31:00.001-07:002012-04-15T13:31:11.351-07:00Affirmations - a daily dose of magicMy second A blog will be about affirmations. This is also something that I have been looking at and using more lately. I have found how important affirmations are in my life and how much they have helped. I had been wanting to do daily affirmations for a long time, but never quite understood them. Then I had two amazing experiences that opened my eyes.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JfPRHnAil2c/T4svXBmJ0XI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/GSAexSC9os4/s1600/affirm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JfPRHnAil2c/T4svXBmJ0XI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/GSAexSC9os4/s200/affirm2.jpg" width="200" /></a>The first experience was a class I took called Live your Truth Love your Life. This class was all about finding your authentic self and living your life authentically. In one part of the class we had to identify our 5 biggest fears and then rewrite them as affirmations to put a positive spin on them. For instance, one of my fears is the fear of failure, so my affirmation for this is "I am open to receiving all that is necessary for my success." So when I feel this fear coming on I recite my affirmation. I also use a daily affirmation that encompasses a lot, it is "I am a joyful, fearless, loving soul". These types of affirmations are best when you write them yourself for yourself. You can use affirmations that others have written, but I don't seem to feel the power, and energy from them. Even if I just rewrite one I have found to fit me a little better, the power of it seems to increase! <br />
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In addition to these affirmations, I also have begun saying the Affirmation of Women's Spirituality from the Re-Formed Congregation of the Goddess, International. Once I became a member of this organization I found that reading this daily really uplifted me and gave me a feeling of peace and purpose. I consider the affirmations above as small ways to help myself throughout life, while this one is my formal declaration of my spiritual beliefs. Here is the Affirmation from the <a href="http://www.rcgi.org/members/affirmation.asp">RCG-I</a> website:<br />
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<h2 align="center" class="member">
AFFIRMATION OF WOMEN'S SPIRITUALITY </h2>
<div align="center">
There is one circle of women's energy, and I, (insert your name), am a part of this energy.<br />
It is mine to direct. I wish to direct my energy <br />
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</div>
<h2 class="member">
TO KNOW:</h2>
<ol>
<li>that I can create my own reality and that sending out a positive
expectation will bring a positive result. </li>
<li>that the energy which I send out returns to me. </li>
<li>that there are an infinite number of possibilities for my life. </li>
<li>that every situation is an opportunity to practice and develop my
craft. </li>
<li>that my instincts and intuition can be used to guide me. </li>
<li>that my only power is in the present. </li>
<li>that the Goddess or life force energy is within me. </li>
</ol>
<h2 class="member">
TO WILL:</h2>
<ol>
<li>that I shall try to never use my energy unwisely or limit the free
will of another. </li>
<li>that I shall grow in wisdom, strength, knowledge, and understanding. </li>
<li>that I shall, as much as I am aware, act in honesty to myself and to
others. </li>
<li>that I shall never use my energy for what I know to be evil,
aggressive or manipulative and shall only use my energy for positive ends. </li>
<li>that I shall grow to understand the cyclic, life affirming rhythms of
the earth, and always act with love toward Her and all Her plants and creatures. </li>
<li>that I shall transform all negative in my environment. </li>
</ol>
<h2 class="member">
TO DARE:</h2>
<ol>
<li>to be myself. </li>
<li>to take responsibility for myself and my actions and know that
consciously or unconsciously, I have drawn situations to me. </li>
<li>to be strong and independent even in the midst of struggle. </li>
<li>to accept and understand those whose ethnic or racial background,
social or economic class, appearance, or sexual preference are different from my own. </li>
<li>to stand firm and committed to women and my spiritual beliefs even in
times of isolation, pain, desperation or negativity. </li>
</ol>
AND TO UNDERSTAND WHEN TO SPEAK AND WHEN TO KEEP
SILENCE.<br />
SO MOTE IT BE.</blockquote>
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Saying all of these affirmations as my daily devotionals helps me ground for the day. They help me feel my inner power, my inner Goddess. I feel such a connection to the Divine when I say them aloud and put the energy forward. Affirmations are a part of my daily life. I find that these affirmations are my daily dose of magic. <br />
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Thank you for reading. I welcome all comments!!<br />
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<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-2782333058528904422012-04-15T12:39:00.002-07:002012-04-15T12:57:09.673-07:00AmuletsBlessings all! Because I started with the PBP late I thought I would go back and catch up with the weeks I missed.<br />
So here is my first A post.<br />
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I decided to write about amulets, mostly because I have recently joined the Re-Formed Congregation of the Goddess, International, (RCG,-I),
as well as registering for the Women’s Thealogical Institute (WTI is a spiritual education program through RCGI). </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5GQwCpWWKA/T4sjX0nf2dI/AAAAAAAAAN4/clawtZrB7KY/s1600/amulet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5GQwCpWWKA/T4sjX0nf2dI/AAAAAAAAAN4/clawtZrB7KY/s1600/amulet.jpg" /></a>After joining this group I began wearing my Triple Crescent Amulet constantly. The
triple crescent is the symbol of the Congregation. It represents the three
phases of the Goddess; Maiden, Mother and Crone bonded together in a circle as
a reminder that we are all one. Wearing the triple crescent is a good way to
proclaim your association and it is one of the ways Congregation members recognize
each other. (<a href="http://rcgi.org/">rcgi.org</a>).</div>
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When it comes to amulets I believe their power and associations depend on what each individual puts into them. Life is about perspective. For instance, one person may see the infinity symbol as a sign of love, others may see it as a sign of dualism. Neither is wrong. Amulets can also hold many meanings to one person. To some my triple crescent may be the "biohazard" symbol, to others it may be worn to ward off evil and see it as a protective and lunar charm.</div>
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I wear my amulet all the time. Here is what it represents to me: </div>
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Birth, Life and Death. </div>
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The maiden, mother and crone. </div>
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The three Celtic realms of earth, sea and sky.</div>
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Compassion, reason, and discipline</div>
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Mind, body, and soul</div>
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Faith, Hope and Love.</div>
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Above, below, and within</div>
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Past, present, and future</div>
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Thank you for reading! I welcome all comments!</div>Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-32923017769353221092012-04-13T06:48:00.002-07:002012-04-15T12:56:12.747-07:00Healing as a LightworkerFirst week of H for the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7">Pagan Blog Project</a> so I will be talking about Healing. I also include Helping in there as I have the same thoughts on both (I'm too lazy this morning and don't feel like typing both words throughout this blog so Healing will mean both). <br />
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I took a wonderful course a few months back called Live your Truth Love your Life, and in that course a question was posed asking "who are you". Simple enough right? Well she followed this up by saying not to label yourself by your associations with others. Damn it! This is exactly how I was always answering this question.... "I'm a wife, mother.." The more I thought about it I realized I had been doing this my whole life.... "I'm Linda's daughter... I'm Cody's sister". So I had to really think about this and figure out who I am.<br />
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No need to tangent off and tell you everything I learned with that, but one of my soul searched answers was that I am a Healer. Now for me this is a proud label to have, however sometimes it can make others squeamish. Part of the problem I have found is that (especially for older folk) saying you are a "Healer" automatically conjures images for them of some 1960's Hippie whoo whoo (<=== total scientific term) cult leader of some sort. The younger crowd always has had some sort of experience with a "healer" who, while working with them, requested everyone be naked, or in some other way completely freaked them out.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
*Tangent ~ being a Witch, Healer, Reiki Master, Massage Therapist all seem to have the same problem for me. There are so many people out there who also label themselves as such but act in such inappropriate or outlandish ways, that I feel I must always explain myself, my thoughts, my ideals, my beliefs to people. I always end up with a lengthy conversation defending the majority of that part of myself.... "No Witches do not sacrifice cats and I do NOT like the smell of burning flesh!" (this was actually how I first came out of the broom closet, when a young girl in a school I was attending was telling everyone she was a witch and loved the smell of burning cats.... I had to come out to defend). ...... "No, neither one of us need to be naked for this healing to work"........ "sorry, as a massage therapist I only work on soft tissue, there are other professions that do what you are requesting" (FYI many times when labeling a massage therapist is a body worker...... a masseuse is a sex worker). ~ End tangent *</div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QIVbhZp3qls/T4gt8K7ZYGI/AAAAAAAAAM8/F9aKARmOwxA/s1600/healer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QIVbhZp3qls/T4gt8K7ZYGI/AAAAAAAAAM8/F9aKARmOwxA/s200/healer.jpg" width="200" /></a>So back to healing. I believe I was born a Healer. I have a sensitivity to others and feel a need to help. This explains why I am a Reiki master, Massage Therapist, working toward a Masters in school counseling, working toward Priestess training, working toward becoming a Pagan Pastoral Counselor. (I'm also apparently a professional student).<br />
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But it took me years to realize that healing is more of an awakening. As a healer, I am not there to work miracles and "fix" (<--- will digress from a tangent but HATE this word when used about people!!). Any healing that takes place is purely the act of the person being healed, I am just there as a conduit or a reminder to the persons body on how to heal itself. Sometimes I work with others to raise even more energy. And sometimes the energy from others is brought into me and I take on the emotions of the other person. This makes me over sensitive and emotional. <br />
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Healing is not just about making the person better in some way, it is about making the person (conscience or not) aware of what needs to be healed and how to do it their selves. I work with the whole of the person.... mind and body working together. Healing is about taping into the ancestral memories, reminding the body on how to be in stasis.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AzZgNXOHE8/T4gt8UkfNpI/AAAAAAAAANE/VSniiUuPL-w/s1600/reiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2AzZgNXOHE8/T4gt8UkfNpI/AAAAAAAAANE/VSniiUuPL-w/s1600/reiki.jpg" /></a>Healing is about energy. And while the energy is powerful it is not without limits. I never dismiss medical care for anyone. I am not a doctor, I do not understand disease, I only understand energy. While I may encourage someone to look at all options, I always stand firm in my scope of practice. And even if I think that energy work is all that is needed (for instance I had two children naturally using nothing but Reiki for pain management and had wonderful births with little pain), I would NEVER tell anyone they should do what I did. I would also not completely dismiss what the doctor was saying. I use critical thinking in my own life, and THAT is what I encourage others to do. And I also remember that in the end it all really up to the Fates. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUuL4HmiYVQ/T4gt8l4ofJI/AAAAAAAAANM/xKNRXi-M9YE/s1600/signiture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUuL4HmiYVQ/T4gt8l4ofJI/AAAAAAAAANM/xKNRXi-M9YE/s200/signiture.jpg" width="164" /></a>I am NOT a miracle worker. I AM a Lightworker.<br />
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Thank you for spending time with me. I welcome all comments!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-62632142538643741882012-04-08T06:32:00.000-07:002012-04-15T12:55:18.941-07:00Getting GroundedOK, I am totally running late this week. We were out of town all of last week so I'm just now getting to my second G for the Pagan Blog Project. Here it goes. This week, G is for Grounding.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1yBeWXhLIs/T4GS_aHRzhI/AAAAAAAAAMc/YjbYPK19Ix8/s1600/feet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1yBeWXhLIs/T4GS_aHRzhI/AAAAAAAAAMc/YjbYPK19Ix8/s200/feet2.jpg" width="193" /></a>When I think of grounding I think of connecting myself to the earth. Rooting myself in so that I do do not absorb any energy that I do not want, it will flow right through me to the earth. I ground so that I have a deeper connection with the earth. I ground so that I do not take on other peoples emotions, or energy. I first started grounding years ago when I began doing Reiki, and was happy to know how, once I started massage school, as I seemed to pull in peoples emotions rather quickly. I admit I have slacked on this practice in daily life. I do not ground as much as I should. I seem to only do it when doing Reiki, massage or meditation. I feel the need to do it more.<br />
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All of that being said, I think grounding is bigger than just a quick rooting to the earth for the reasons I gave above. I also think what I am about to say next is why I have not been grounding myself as often as I need. You see I feel that all land has energy. If you ever speak to someone who has lived in Hawaii they will tell you that the islands will either love and accept you, or make life miserable for you until you move. I think all land is like this. I feel it here where I live now. The earth here does not accept me. I feel like a visitor here. it does not feel like home, even though we have lived here for more than 6 years.<br />
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As I said earlier, we were gone for a week. We were looking at houses in a new state. I think that time spent in Washington really opened my eyes to the point I am making here. While I have always believed what I am saying about the land, our trip really hit the point home. You see while we were there, it felt like home. We forgot we were not at home. It didn't feel like a vacation or a trip. The land accepted us. I felt grounded..... rooted. The spirits of the land there were inviting and loving. The entire energy was different and wonderful.<br />
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So for me, I believe that grounding is more than just a quick rooting to the earth for meditation or spell work. It is about how we are always rooted to the land. About how we are connected with the earth all the time. If we do not feel the connection or rooted to the land then we are out of balance, our energy is not focused. We must be some where that we feel calm and at peace, this is a type of permanent grounding. Then when we ground for energy work or other things, we will have a more secure grip and our roots will go deeper and be stronger.<br />
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Thank you for reading, I welcome all comments!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-74931658227360449942012-03-30T06:37:00.002-07:002012-04-15T12:54:20.508-07:00GratitudeHappy Friday! It's time for my <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7">Pagan Blog Project</a> post for the week. This is the first G week. So I have decided to write about Gratitude. Gratitude is a very important part of my spiritual practice and daily life.<br />
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There are times when I look at my children and think they feel entitled and spoiled. Of course this is more a reflection of changes I need to make in parenting than in their personality. But it serves as a good reminder that if my children are not expressing gratitude, then am *I* expressing it enough openly in front of them.<br />
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Every morning I say my devotionals. This includes my morning prayer to the Divine, my affirmation of spirituality, my consecration affirmation, a prayer to Goddess, my daily positive affirmations that target my biggest fears, and my gratitude prayer. My gratitude prayer is simple:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I am grateful this day for all that I have<br />
I am blessed with what is mine<br />
I am thankful for my health<br />
my family<br />
my home<br />
I am grateful for all of this abundance in my life.<br />
Blessed Be."</blockquote>
While this prayer is short and general, I also make an attempt to find specific things to be grateful for throughout the day. It's funny before I really dedicated myself to my path, I would think I should only be grateful for big meaningful things. That if I were grateful for something like my sense of taste so that I can enjoy chocolate that was "silly" or "trivial". Or if I were grateful for the nice things I had that I was selfish and materialistic. If I was ever trying to make a list of what I was grateful for it was like pulling teeth. I was somehow searching for the "right" answers. That if I put certain things on my list it wasn't good enough, so my list was always very short. And it looked like something a Pageant contestant would write: "I am grateful for the sun because it is something that everyone can enjoy". I felt that I needed to be grateful for important things and only things that had positive connotations. <br />
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However, since really living my path I realized I had been so totally missing the point of gratitude. The point I had been trying to teach my children, and I had not grasped fully yet. The most important part of gratitude *is* to be grateful for the "silly, trivial" things. I also realized that being grateful for materialistic things did not make me selfish, but made me less so. Learning to be grateful for what you have and seeing gratitude in the littlest things is what it is all about. That is where the happiness lies. So now, my list is too long, but I will list some here: <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I am grateful for:<br />
the air for the life it gives, for breeze that cools me on a hot day<br />
my lungs to breathe the air<br />
The rain for the flowers it waters, the smell it gives the world, and the ability to dance it it<br />
the earth for sustaining life, for its beauty and peace<br />
fire for making room for new life, for cooking my food, and warming me when I am cold<br />
for my sight so that I may see all of the colors and beauty of the world<br />
for my hearing so that I may hear laughter and singing<br />
for my taste so I may taste all of the amazing flavors<br />
for my touch so that I may give and receive hugs from my children<br />
for my sense of smell so that I may stop and smell the flowers, and candles and rain<br />
for my speech for giving me a voice and the ability to express myself <br />
for my heart for being able to give and receive love so openly, and for sustaining my life by keeping the blood flowing<br />
for my tears for giving me a way to express emotions<br />
for high heels <br />
for my pain for teaching me how to be stronger<br />
for my disappointments for teaching me how to let go<br />
for my sadness for giving me the ability to empathize with others, and to understand human emotions.<br />
for living in a time and place where I am able to write this blog<br />
for toilet paper<br />
that I found love<br />
that my disease is in remission<br />
for birds singing out my window<br />
for my ancestors <br />
for Goddess and God.... their love for me and mine for them <br />
for ..... everything</blockquote>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m-p3_mFtM1w/T3W1x9k5ELI/AAAAAAAAAL8/3vqn5S5Fupk/s1600/grateful1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m-p3_mFtM1w/T3W1x9k5ELI/AAAAAAAAAL8/3vqn5S5Fupk/s1600/grateful1.jpg" /></a>You see I am grateful for everything now. I have no regrets in my life. Don't get me wrong, I have made some epically bad decisions in my life and would not encourage others to make the same ones. However, those choices made me who I am. They guided me on my journey to get here. And I love who I am and where I am at. I am grateful for all of those poor decisions. I am grateful that I have learned how to truly be grateful.<br />
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What are you grateful for?<br />
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I welcome all comments!Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-12742665256598571472012-03-22T18:27:00.000-07:002012-03-22T18:32:13.979-07:00F is for FamilyWell......here we are again..... This is the second week for the letter F on the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7">Pagan Blog Project</a>. For a while now I had planned this week to be about the Folk Self, while I don't remember where I first heard the term, I really enjoy the idea of ancestral memory and that you already know the answers you just need to remember. However, as with most things in life that we try to plan out, things often take a turn. So this week I hear Goddess telling me to speak about family.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8CiiqqLCL0/T2vN9NyA-SI/AAAAAAAAALc/52lM7QM5NcI/s1600/mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8CiiqqLCL0/T2vN9NyA-SI/AAAAAAAAALc/52lM7QM5NcI/s200/mom.jpg" width="200" /></a>I will give a brief family history to better understand the ramblings of this blog. I suppose let me start with this days events. Early this morning my lovely mother-in-law journeyed to Summerland after a lengthy battle with cancer. Also this morning my Grandmother had hip surgery after passing out yesterday. These events have brought family to the forefront of my thoughts. Watching my MIL battle with cancer, especially over the past week, brought back many memories for me. You see when I was little I was very close to my mother (and even have some suspicion that she had, shall we say, Pagan tendencies). When my best friend disappeared (parents up and moved with little warning and no forwarding info) my mom became my best friend. However, 1 week after my 14th birthday (on Aug 23 <--- this date will be pertinent later) my mother suddenly, without warning, died. This shook my world to the core. Life went on, all be it in a duller light for me. Later on in life the other person whom I was closest with, my Grandfather, passed away. Again, I tried to pull it together and go on. I lost a few more family members over the next few years. But I was shook up again when my first husband had a heart attack and died in front of me and our 2 children (ages 4, and 2). A few more family members passed, then 6 years ago, my father passed from cancer. All in all I have now lost 13 close family/friends. At times I feel as if I am destined to be without those I loved. <br />
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I mentioned the date my mother passed earlier as August 23, other events also occurred on August 23rd. My father had his first heart attack, and my grandmother was hit by a car while riding a bike. And this past year my 7 month old daughter was born on August 23rd. I found this to be a special ray of sunshine that I needed for that day.<br />
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So, all of this depressing talk explains why I feel a need to talk about family today. I find that I feel as if I am constantly searching for a family that is still on this Earth. While I have a few family members left I am not close with them. There are people in my life that I have found and feel a deep family connection with. That best friend that disappeared over 20 years ago...... I found her on Facebook about 3 years ago. And we still have a tight connection....... in fact I found out that she is also Pagan! I also feel very spiritually connected to my husband and children (kinda obvious on those ones right? lol) <br />
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Now to bring this around to my Witchyness. While everything I have done on my path has been alone for the most part (my hubby is now starting to participate). I never considered myself a solitary. While I have no one around in my practice, I still feel my ancestors with me ...so I have family. I feel the interconnectedness of the world...... so I have family. I have some wonderful "sister" and "brother" Pagans I have met online.... so I have family.<br />
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I started today wondering why there is so much loss around me. Why my
husband has to endure this pain I know all to well. Why my children have
lost yet another Grandparent. Wishing I had an elder, or mentor, or someone I could go to, learn from, support me. I think of all the questions I would ask those who have gone to Summerland if I could. I think of all the people who take family for granted and do not appreciate the time they have. I have also thought about birthdays lately. We have lost site of why we celebrate birthdays. It has become so mundane..... cake.... card..... present. But we NEED to celebrate life. Celebrate Family. So when it is someones birthday celebrate that they are still here..... .tell them that you are happy they were born!!<br />
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Family is important in my faith. I crave it. I may even come off as needy to some when I haven't spoken to them in a while. But, I know what loss is. I know what it is like to feel alone and without family.<br />
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So I end today realizing that I am not as alone as I feel sometimes. That I am not cursed to live alone. That Divine has reason for me experiencing all that I have. That I need to find and expand my spiritual family. And that when Goddess speaks to me, I seem to ramble on and on, and find a few tangents along the way.<br />
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On a side note........ I also discovered something about myself through all of this. I find that I seem to have 2 speeds when it comes to emotions, especially regarding death. I either feel very deeply and find it difficult to function, or I turn all emotion off so I feel little to nothing. This brings up questions in my mind if I may possibly be an empath and have not learned how to handle that. Hmmmmmm...... something to explore a little I think.<br />
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I am Happy and Grateful YOU were born! Thanks for reading! <br />
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<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-67944457277338780522012-03-16T08:44:00.001-07:002012-03-16T08:51:15.599-07:00F is for F*ck (oh, and Hell, Damn, and Sh*t too)<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>OK, so before we really get started here, let me post a warning. Yes I WILL be using a LOT of profanity in this post. If you are offended by common swear words, please stop reading this now. </i></b></div>
</blockquote>
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This week for the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/?page_id=7">Pagan Blog Project </a>my F word is THE F word. And not just fuck, but Hell, damn, shit, piss, all swear words and forms thereof. You may be wondering what this has to do with paganism, in my view it is a fucking lot.<br />
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As a Witch I choose to LIVE my path. Live the most authentic life I can. I took an amazing course recently on living your authentic life, within that course the instructor mentioned that in order to live an authentic life you should communicate clearly and without profanity. <span class="st">The philosophy of not using profanity can be found in most religions, as well as society in general. And while I choose to live an authentic life dedicated to the Divine, I do not believe that my using swear words changes shit. And, in fact, I have little care of my children using such words. Let me explain. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span><br />
<span class="st">First of all I will admit I am a thirty-five year old mother of 3 who swears more than a convoy of truckers. However, I do control myself around other peoples children, (and my Grandma ;~P) as my goal in life not to offend those around me, and I am aware that others do not share my views. I do, however, think that the feelings around these words need to change. </span><br />
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<span class="st">Most profane words have been deemed so throughout history by the Christian church. Even the definition of the word <a href="http://www.enotes.com/topic/Profanity">profane </a></span>(Latin: "in front of",
"outside the temple") referred to items not belonging to the church. <span class="st">I am NOT Christian so why the fuck would I follow their declaration of what is or is not OK to say. In fact, if you look into the history of swear words many things that were the "fuck" of there day we would now consider silly. The worst in Shakespearean times were "<a href="http://socyberty.com/education/evolution-of-profanity-how-swear-words-came-to-be/">Zounds</a>" (short for Gods Wounds, referring to the crucifixion) and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Gadzooks which meant God's hooks. </span><span class="st">Now these words can be found in comic books. The shit list of words that the church has is so long that most people do not realize how much they are actually swearing. I found this <a href="http://www.preservedwords.com/cussing-pv.htm">list</a>:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-luqYp_dfdJc/T2NcABdeOrI/AAAAAAAAAK4/kOvZXlU-jZU/s1600/gadzooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-luqYp_dfdJc/T2NcABdeOrI/AAAAAAAAAK4/kOvZXlU-jZU/s1600/gadzooks.jpg" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Begorrah = By God </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Bejabbers = By Jesus </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Bleeding heck = Bloody Hell </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Blimey = Blind me </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Blinking heck = Bloody Hell </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Bloody = By Our Lady </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>By George = By God </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>By golly = By God's body </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>By gosh = By God </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>By gum = By God </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>By Jove = By God </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Cheese n' Rice = Jesus Christ
</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Chrissakes = For Christ's
sake </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Christmas = Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Cor blimey = God blind me </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Crikey = Christ</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Criminy = Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Cripes = Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Crivvens = Christ defend us </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Dad gum = God d--n </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Dagnammit = Damnation, God
d--n it </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Dagnabbit = Damnation, God
d--n it </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Dang = Damn </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Dangnabbit = Damnation, God
d--n it </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Dangnation = Damnation </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Darn = Damn </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Darnation = Damnation </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Doggone = God d--n or Dog on
it </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Drat = God rot it</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Egad = A God</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>For crying out loud = For
Christ's sake</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Gadzooks = God's hooks
(referring to the nails in Jesus on the cross)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Gat Dangit = God d--n it </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>G.D. (pronounced "jee dee") =
God d--n </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Gee = Jesus or Jerusalem </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Gee whizz = Jesus </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Gee willikers = Jesus or
Jerusalem </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Gorblimey = God blind me </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Good grief = Good God </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Goodness gracious = Good God </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Gosh = God </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Gosh darned = God d--ned </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Heck = Hell </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jason Crisp = Jesus Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jebus = Jesus </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jeepers Creepers = Jesus
Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jeez = Jesus </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jeezy Creezy = Jesus Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jehoshaphat = Jesus </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jesus wept = Jesus Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jiminy Christmas = Jesus
Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jiminy Cricket = Jesus Christ
</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Judas Priest = Jesus Christ </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Jumping Jehoshaphat = Jumping
Jesus </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>My goodness = My God</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Sacré bleu = "sacred
blue" = Sang de Dieu ("God's blood") </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Sam Hill = Hell </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Suffering succotash =
Suffering Saviour </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Tarnation = Damnation </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Yumping Yiminy = Jumping Jesus</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i>Zounds or 'Swounds = God's
wounds</i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Shinola, " "Shoot, " "Shucks, "
"Sugar, " etc., all refer to the modern and vulgar barnyard reference
to dung. "Freaking, " "Frickin, " "Fudging, " "Feck, " "Fig, " and
other "F-words" obviously refer to the highly obscene and insulting
"F-word" </span></blockquote>
So it appears we are all fucking swearing all the time anyway, might as well say fuck it and use the good words right? <br />
<br />
<span class="st">Most swear words were religious in nature until the Victorian era when bodily fluids and functions made the list. Enter fuck, shit and piss. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span><br />
<span class="st">Now as you can see from the words above, a lot of the words have fought their way into mainstream speech already. I do not think it is far off when the rest are heard on network T.V.. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span><br />
<span class="st"> In my beliefs words Do have power. Everything has energy. But a lot of times society gives negative energy to words unnecessarily, which causes more problems than it solves. If I hurt myself, the energy of the word "ouch" does not make me feel any better, however, saying fuck or shit or damn does seem to help the pain. So I use them. I think giving these words the negative power makes kids want to use them more. Now as I said earlier, I do not have a problem with my kids swearing. I do however, at this point, not allow them to use the words around adults (including myself), this is to teach them to control what they say, so as to not get in trouble in school or later work. But people need to be honest and know that most kids are using these words anyway, my kids just know that I know. And they know that if they get hurt and yell fuck, I'm not going to ride their ass about it. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKm6PWu6nvo/T2NcAXvs3VI/AAAAAAAAALA/mdcWOFfOd0g/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKm6PWu6nvo/T2NcAXvs3VI/AAAAAAAAALA/mdcWOFfOd0g/s1600/kids.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="st"><br /></span><br />
<span class="st">Society has not caught up to my way of thinking so I do control myself around others. I try not to say things like For Christs sake, Jesus Christ!, etc, around people who I know will be offended by that. Just because it is not my religious views does not give me the right to offend others. I would like others to respect my beliefs so I do the same for them. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span><br />
<span class="st">Now all this being said there ARE words that are not allowed to be said by ANYONE in my family. These words are anything that attacks a person or group of people. Or a phrase that can be insulting to people. For instance this is a short list of what is not allowed:</span><br />
<span class="st">N*gger (or any negative word referring to race)</span><br />
<span class="st">R*tard (or any negative word referring to mental or physical disability)</span><br />
<span class="st">Gay (when used as a derogatory statement such as "thats so gay")</span><br />
<span class="st">Hate (you are not allowed to hate a person, hate is a powerful thing that can harm, therefore you can dislike a person or hate the behavior, but not the person). </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span><br />
<span class="st">I think you get the idea of what is not allowed. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCRmuC0eT1s/T2Nb_riZJ3I/AAAAAAAAAKw/vbTpwL1r_sU/s1600/cockpunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCRmuC0eT1s/T2Nb_riZJ3I/AAAAAAAAAKw/vbTpwL1r_sU/s1600/cockpunch.jpg" /></a><span class="st">So I swear..... a fucking lot. That does not mean I am ignorant, low class, less spiritual, or a bad person. It means I have decided to use the power of words in a positive way. I took the negative out of it. I honor myself, my family and the Divine everyday, and sometimes I do it using fuck, shit, damn, piss, and asshole. And in a few decades who knows, there may be a comic book where the superhero is able to give a good cock-punch to the bad guy.......Zounds!......... Holy Shit Balls Batman!!</span><br />
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<span class="st"><br /></span>Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-43067313810834467312012-03-09T11:13:00.000-08:002012-03-09T11:15:38.523-08:00E is for Environment (and apparently Emotional as I am today =P)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>OK, first let me acknowledge the name change to the blog. I have been doing so much soul searching and inner work that I no longer felt the old title fit my goals. So I switched to the name I had for my massage business, as it has always resonated with me. So..... Good bye to the Witch's Bitch and Greetings to MysticCreek. Now on to the blog for this week. </i></span></div>
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This is week 2 for E on the <a href="http://paganblogproject.com/">Pagan Blog Project</a>, and it seems to be hitting me pretty hard today for a number of reasons. I had been planning to write about Environment for most of the week and today I realized how much I need to talk about this. So this blog today will go in a more personal direction than initially planned. I plan to let it flow out as it wants to. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja7XraI5VKY/T1pUQh88khI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/0PC7EOHvkck/s1600/eco_friendly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja7XraI5VKY/T1pUQh88khI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/0PC7EOHvkck/s200/eco_friendly.jpg" width="200" /></a>Now, I"m not just talking about environment such as the earth, sky, and taking care of that and such. Although that is a very large part of being Pagan there is more to environment than just being Eco-freindly. I want to look at environment on a smaller scale, closer to home. Environment can encompass many things, and all of them can affect us. From the things around us, to the company we really need to pay attention to the energy of the environment we are in. So I am going to spend this week talking about how I have changed and plan to continue to change my environment so that I can live more authentically and at peace. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKF95EMclPo/T1pUPUvB1pI/AAAAAAAAAJo/j0oc8ZGMvK8/s1600/clean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKF95EMclPo/T1pUPUvB1pI/AAAAAAAAAJo/j0oc8ZGMvK8/s200/clean.jpg" width="149" /></a>As I look around my house I see little things that make me smile and bring me joy; items from my parents home, my wedding photos, my altar, and my vision board etc. If I had things around me that I did not like instead my entire mood would change. Think about a time when you have gone to someones home and you felt uncomfortable, you were afraid to touch anything. The energy of the items around us can change our moods. People can do the same thing.<br />
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I have been working so hard to be more positive and live authentically and spiritually in service to Goddess. I have noticed a number of things as a result.<br />
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1) I was spending time with people who are generally more negative than positive. More often gossiping and complaining than not.<br />
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2) I would get caught up in this cycle with them. Partly feeling that if they were so sad and miserable than I should be that to so as not to upset them more. What the hell is that?!? Seriously, I deserve to be happy and I should have to hide that so that others can complain and be miserable. I choose to be happy and if others choose to spend their days complaining and gossiping that does not mean I have to join them. Now I admit it is more difficult to stop this behavior than you would think. If your relationship with someone has revolved around you being a soft shoulder and joining in the gossiping game, it is quite awkward when you choose not to join in and now you have to find actual real things to talk about.<br />
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3) I have crabs!!...... OK wait, not those kind of crabs! I heard an analogy recently about the crab mentality. (the following is from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crab_mentality">Wikipedia</a>, which I don't normally use as a source, but will make an exception for this item)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Crab mentality</b>, sometimes referred to as <b>crabs in the bucket</b>,
describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't
have it, neither can you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Individually, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless "king of the hill" competition (or sabotage)
which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise.
The analogy in human behavior is that of a group that will attempt to
"pull down" (negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy, conspiracy or competitive feelings.</blockquote>
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So as I climb up to happier more peaceful place I have people around me trying to pull me back down. For instance we have chosen to move from this town (more on this in a bit) and there are those around us that keep saying things like "don't go", "what will I do without you here" "why would you leave us". These are all people who never come over, never visit and usually call when they need something from us. This move is the best thing for our family so of course we are gonna do it. But there are many who feel that if they can't get out of the place they are in then everyone should stay and be miserable with them.<br />
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4) places have energy that either loves you or hates you! I first heard of this while in Hawaii on my honeymoon. The locals would talk about how the islands either love and embrace you making it a wonderful place to live, or hates and rejects you making it miserable for you until you move back to the mainland. This is how I feel where we are now. The energy of the area does not mix with mine. I NEED to leave this place to feel more at peace. I can feel the energy sucking joy from me. There is such a weight on me when I am here. We were close to leaving. Had everything in order, but a mistake was made yesterday and I got the call today that it wont happen now.This is not to say that it wont ever happen, but where we were about 4 months away from moving, now we are probably a year away now. This is sooo disheartening as this affects a lot of plans I had for myself and my family. It is almost as if this area is a crab itself, enjoying keeping me here to watch me suffer. While I am doing my best to try to find positives in the situation and how I can make the best of it, the environment is suffocating. As we have been trying to move from this place for about 4 years now, I find it more and more difficult to keep positive. <br />
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The energy in this environment is heavy and dark, I want so much to be where it is light and free. Environment is so much more than just trees and rocks. It affects more than just the space around us. It encompasses people, places and things. and all of those can affect us in every aspect in our lives. Keeping a positive, clean, happy environment is more than just recycling trash. If we want a good inner environment, then we must maintain a good outer environment. So I will wait and see what the Divine has in store for me here, but as soon as I can get to a better environment I will..... I must. This lost opportunity makes me feel like a little girl who has lost her balloon....... while I know there will be another one.... I am still sad to see this one float out of my grasp so easily. <br />
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I want (and planned for) my blogs to be more positive and inspirational. however, I think this allows for a good representation of how much environment can affect us. Just as we affect the environment we live in ..... so does it affect us.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "MS Mincho";">✬✬✬</span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">☮☯✽❀</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">♥</span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">❤❥❣</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">❧♡</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">۵</span><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 200%;">☣</span><span style="font-size: 26pt; line-height: 200%;">☼ </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">۵</span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">♡❧❣❥❤</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">♥</span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">☮☯✽❀</span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho";">✬✬✬</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
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<br />Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915517047571067862.post-84286716891869452862012-03-05T08:51:00.000-08:002012-03-05T08:51:59.933-08:00To Whom It May Concern,To Whom it May Concern,<br />
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Yes, I am a Witch........ Yes, I express my love of my faith on
Facebook.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBgacmxeUeI/T1TraDiw2iI/AAAAAAAAAIY/kiPASv7X5Yo/s1600/fantasy87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBgacmxeUeI/T1TraDiw2iI/AAAAAAAAAIY/kiPASv7X5Yo/s200/fantasy87.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">**I claim no rights to this artwork. </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText"></span></span><br />
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I do this just as many of my friends do with their scripture, psalms
and inspirations. I love to see that people love their faith. I love to see
that they are expressing their loving beliefs. I make no disparaging remarks or
question their faith in anyway. Sometimes I may even “like” their post if the
meaning resonates with me. I wonder then, why is it when I do it that I get
questions, comments and remarks about my faith. I am questioned about my
beliefs. This even happens on posts that are either not Pagan in content, but
may be from a Pagan source, or comments that are “faith neutral” which could be
applied to any path. I receive “come to Jesus” messages in my inbox. I do not
send “come to the Goddess messages”. Please
understand that while your God and Jesus bring you love, joy and happiness, MY
Goddess and God bring me the same, so I do not need to find YOUR God. We are
all on a path of love, goodness and light. The fact that we believe different
things does not negate the other people’s beliefs.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">**I claim no rights to this artwork. </span></span></td></tr>
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My children are also fine.
They are being raised to find their own path. I will teach them my beliefs, as
well as all other paths that I can. I allow them to learn about all faiths,
attend any church they choose and follow their hearts. I believe that faith is
personal and comes from within. I believe that our “folk self” (that part of us
that contains our ancestral memories) contains all the knowledge and wisdom we
need and only needs to be accessed and awakened. Therefore, “pushing” my beliefs on my children
or anyone else is counterproductive to their development. My only requirement
for my children is that they respect ALL others beliefs. Keep in mind that I
feel that ANY faith that endorses harm to self, others or any living creature is
not OK, and not really a faith, but more of a cult. No faith should encourage
harm. </div>
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My life and outlook of it has improved dramatically since I
have begun to express my positive inspirations, speak openly and often about my
path, and really started living the faith not just talking the talk. I have
also come to the conclusion that my path will lead me to getting a Masters in
Divinity Degree from a Pagan Seminary, as well as becoming a Priestess to the
Goddess. So I will continue to be outspoken. I will encourage others to do the
same with their faith. If you do not like what I say, then I ask that instead
of being negative about my faith simply do not follow my posts. </div>
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In Perfect Love ...... and Perfect Trust</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Blessings, </span></div>
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<br /></div>Cayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05395493990286486710noreply@blogger.com1