MWoD: Know Yourself

I know, I know, I still have Part Two of Food, but I am still writing it, so I will post Part Two when I am done with it, promise. Today I thought I'd tackle something not a lot of the books I have read have really tackled when it comes to the Craft. Perhaps one of the most important things you should do is you. To be more precise, to get to know you. I don't mean like write a paper about yourself or anything so dumb or cliche, it is something far more. When I say get to know you, I mean both spiritually and physically.

Most people now a days do not know their bodies very well, and I believe most of that is to blame on the advent of technology and lots of drugs. But it is not hard to get to know your body, it only takes a few minutes each day and anyone with a pen and some paper and a quiet place can do it. First thing, start recording your weight and body temperature every day for about a month. Use these to find what weight and temperature you are at on a normal basis. Not everyone runs at ninety-eight point eight degrees you know, I myself run at around ninety-six. Now, before you get in the shower or bath each day, take off your clothes and close your eyes. For a few moments get a "feel" for your body, it's aches and pains. Touch yourself to find what makes you feel better or worse. Do this for about the same amount of time. Once you've gotten to know your body, listen to it. It will tell you all sorts of wonderful things you did not even realize it could, and this will help further your Craft, because your body will tell you if it is in the right shape for a ritual.

Now, for spiritually. That is much easier to know, albeit still requiring daily attention. The best way to know you is through meditation. When you let go in meditation, you not only connect to God and Goddess better, you connect to your own self better. But meditation is not the same for everyone. Some people flourish with sitting there legs crossed doing nothing. I have ADD, so that does not fly very well with my need to move. My answer is to walk. Every morning I get up before dawn, I stretch, drink some coffee, and I go walk around the lake in my neighborhood. I let my body follow a hypnotic rhythm of my foot's pace and I let go and meditate as I walk. Some people swim while they meditate or cook. The key is to do some repetitive so you don't focus on the movements but on letting go. It works and you will feel much better afterward.

Follow these simple tricks and you'll be an expert of yourself in no time! Blessed be!

9-27-10: It's Monday

It's Monday. Sorry for my absence, recovering from being sick and working doubles all weekend kept me busy. My house is a wrecked piled into 3 rooms because we are having tile put in this week. No kitchen or laundry room, oh joy. Darren got shot at as well due to some road rage, and I had to find out from Rio two days later that it happened. That boy is going to give me gray hairs I swear to God. Vivi and I may be going to the Moonlight Masquerade together as soon as we figure out a good lie to tel her crazy strict parents (Lying is not good, children, but sometimes it needs to be done).

I went to my baby cousin Abby's baptism yesterday. She was so adorable and laughed the entire time, even when they dunked water on her head. It was also awkward for me because Mom's family is raging Catholic. Enough said. We ended up leaving the party early because Mom was having a nervous breakdown from being around her father (I am not quite sure what happened between them, but from what my dad has told me, her father abused her terribly). I personally cannot stand the man, not only did he never play a part in my life or my sister's, he hurts my mother terribly. He tests my ability to be a good person and not curse him the hell out.

I am just emotionally exhausted from it. I have always been sensitive to others, and as I've gotten older and deeper into the Craft, I've come to find my power (or one of them anyway) is more than likely a profound form of empathy. Or I happen to have a mild form of autism, but I like to think it's the first. It also tends to give me a headache the next day, as I currently have right now. So as I nibble on my chocolate chip cookie, I am trying to rid myself of this headache and the emotions that seem to cling to me. I may just have to cleanse myself tomorrow morning when I bathe.

Recovering Slowly

I hope you all had a blessed and wonderful Mabon. I couldn't go out so I simply did a ritual from my bed before the medicines I am on knocked me out. Tonight I will probably leave class early because I am still not feeling great, and my ear's still bothering the crap out of me. At least tomorrow is my day off. I will also finally post a new MWoD tomorrow as well. That's about it for me. I hope you all are doing splendidly!

Sick and Can't Get Any Rest!

I am sorry to say there won't be any MWoD posting for the next day or two. Not only is Mabon tomorrow, I am currently sick. I am allergic to pretty much anything in the plant kingdom that the allergy doctor can test for (the irony is not lost on me), and come this time of year my allergies make my life. This year they have caused drainage to pool in my ear canals, giving me one helluva ear infection. For those of you blessed enough to not have had one since you were a kid, thank God and Goddess. When you're an adult and you get one, they are a very, very painful experience. Even worse, my mom won't stop calling me from downstairs to ask me stupid questions about her Facebook status! Jesus (>.> it's a habit to use his name, comes with being in the South, we all do it no matter what religion you are) woman I am trying to lay down and let my numbing ear drops work and you are yacking my ear off about your dumb status... Such is life. I will keep you all posted on my condition... If I can ever get left alone to make it better...

Disgust

The gas pipes at work aren't working so we can't make food. That means I got sent home early ladies and gents. Don't worry, I am working on tonight's MWoD post, but before that, I wanted to share a little rant with you about Christine O'Donnell.

Who is this woman? If you watch any form of news, you would know she was the Tea Party candidate who won the Delaware GOP Primary and has been pretty much taking over the media. Today I was reading Perez Hilton's celeb blog when I came across a clip from the Bill Maher Show. In it was a much younger Christine saying how she was a witch because she "had dabbled in witchcraft, but never joined a coven". She also described how on a date with a guy she went with him to a Satanic ritual and then had a picnic.

... Yes, at first I was speechless. Then I screamed at the monitor "BULLSHIT THAT DOES NOT MAKE YOU A WITCH!". It makes me sick that she would connect the Craft to Satanism. The Craft is about balance, respect for life, nature. Satanism... That is just plain freaky shit. They are not the same and should never be thought of that way. All Ms. O'Donnell was doing in that clip was perpetuating stereotypes about witches that can only harm us. It disgusts me that she even did that. My readers, I ask you to express your dislike as well by making sure everyone you know hears about it and making sure they know that the Craft and whatever the hell Ms. O'Donnell experienced are NOT the same. Ms. O'Donnell, you are not a witch, you never were because if you had been, you would have known these things.

Nuuuu I Don't Want To

I don't want to go to work today! I loathe weekend shifts. I currently work at a salad bar at my city's biggest college you see. I know for a fact only about 10% of the student population even leaves on campus, and as a result, it is dead on the weekends. That means for the nest five hours I get to do pretty much nothing. I am so serious. I had a weekend shift last week and I made a total of 3 salads for five hours. The most interesting thing I can do is eat cookies with my manager seeing and text with my manager seeing. Bah I say, bah!
On a lighter note, I did get to go to the spiritual supply store the yesterday. I got my candles and some incense. I am all set for Mabon, and even Samhain if I do not manage to get back there before then. Kitten is definitely in heat by the way. At least she is nice and quiet about it. Risa is back home and has the Internet again, so we can play Jade Dynasty together again, finally. Also, I have great news. Mom is one step closer to being okay with my being a witch! She actually loaned me the money to get my candles yesterday, though she still seems to think I believe in Christianity, but am exploring a different means of worship. I will not be correcting her anytime sooner either. If that makes her happy and my life more peaceful, so be it. I will be doing my MWoD segment after my shift today, so look forward to part 2!

MWoD: Food Pt. 1- Meat or Veggies?

I know it sounds a bit odd to combine food and the Craft, but it's really not. Scott Cunningham actually wrote an entire book on it. Certain foods can increase or decrease certain energies in your body just like herbs and colors can in spells. It's actually a fascinating subject, and that's why my next couple of Magical Wisdom of the Day segments will be talking about food and it's role in Craft.

The first topic to be conquered is a rather simple one: meat. What I mean to say is whether or not to eat it. Some people believe that because of the Path it is wrong to eat meat or animal products, so they are either vegan or vegetarian. Vegetarians will still eat animal products like say eggs or milk but a vegan won't touch anything that came from an animal. I have chosen to define that because let's face it, they can be down right confusing.

So what does meat have to do with the Craft? Some people won't eat meat unless they know the animal died in a humane way out of respect for life. Some say that eating meat can actually decrease your magic and psychic powers. Cunningham once explained he went vegan for a little while, but his Sight (as in magic sight ladies and gents) got so sharp he saw something that utterly terrified him to the point until he passed he never went vegan again.

So, where do I weigh in on this argument? I am personally a vegetarian for the most part, but I am so because I am too broke to afford organic meat. To those who would gasp in horror, I have a must more practical look upon my food. I believe we should be thankful, and as long as we thank the animal for it's sacrifice and God and Goddess for the blessing of the food, as long as we are being healthy and happy, who cares? Being omnivore, vegetarian, or vegan is a personal choice, and I say make your own not only from a religious standpoint, but health and taste as well.

Wahhhhhh?

I am so sorry about not posting yesterday. I was not feeling good at all so I pretty much slept the entire day. I am feeling a little bit better now, other than I am stuck wearing my sports bra because the only other one I can find smells like cat pee... Woo, surprises!Mt ATM card still hasn't come so now I get to call my bank and find out where the hell it is. I am not putting money into an account I cannot even get into. Ohhh, I also have a new necklace! It's a dragon curled around a pentagram, and once I have painted in clear nail polish so I won't break out it'll be so cool! That's a trick to keep my sensitive skin from break out from contact to nickle. I am indulging in my fan girl side today with some music videos containing my favorite fan fic couples. I know, I am a nerdy witch! I am so proud of my nerdiness and witchiness, too!

Love Life Sucks!

It is almost midnight and I am up not because I do not want to sleep but becasue my dear friend Rio is texting me, which just reminds me of my terrible situation with my love life. I met Rio when I first started college. He's 25, and honestly he freaking rocks. His personality, his sense of humor, his loyalty, and his crazy adventures slowly and steadily made me fall in love with him. I am shy when it comes to love, and it took me a year or so to gather the courage to tell him how I felt. Around the time I was about to do so, he let me in on his big secret: he is gay. That's right, the man who is pretty much a taller, black version of me, who I can always trust and rely on, is gay. As my good friend Risa likes to say, fuck my life.

Oh, my love life gets better. As I was recovering from that blow to my heart, I started realizing feelings for another good friend of mine, Darren. Darren is... odd to say the least. He is some where between a ninja, a genius, and an epic nerd. I have known Darren since middle school when he was just a strange kleptomaniac who liked to draw cows everywhere. Most of my drinking experiences have been with him around, usually at his parents' house because they go out of town for work for months at a time. But, he's also the most reliable guy I have ever met. I got so wasted one time he actually helped me to his truck, drove me to his house, and tucked me into a guest bed so I could sleep it off. I don't remember any of this, but the next morning I was in his guest bed saying hi to his parents, wondering how the hell I had gotten there. He was apparently worried about me and didn't want me to just randomly pass out somewhere (Also, for the record, I can still count on both my hands how many times I have gotten drunk in my life, so I am by no means an alcoholic. I simply go big when I decide to drink). There are two problems that would impede a relationship with him. First would be he just broke up with Vivi. Darren and Vivi going out was out of left field, but he made her happy, so I didn't mind. Second problem would be why he broke up with Vivi: he could not handle the fact she was Pagan. Yes, I am dead serious. I asked actually asked him why he broke up with her and that was the main reason.

So, now you get a glimpse into my love life. I am currently stuck between my gay soul mate and the guy who cannot tolerate my religion. Way to go me, way to go.

Magical Wisdom of the Day: Starting Out, Take Two!

So, you have done your homework on Paganism and decided it's for you. Did you really think you could just start popping up and saying "I'm a witch, bitch!" and presto, you are one? (By the way, I have said that to a friend before while drunk.) Sorry to burst your bubble, but it does not work like that. What happens next entirely depends on whether you will be primarily a solitary or coven practitioner.

Let me define that for you real quick. Solitary witches are those without a coven and do their rituals alone for the most part (yours truly is one) and coven practitioners actually go through the process with a group. Most may wonder due to stereotypes how, and more importantly why would you practice alone? For one thing, I find it very convenient. I can do a ritual whenever I want and if I want to do it naked, no one has to see my out of shape self. Another good reason is sadly, secrecy. Witches are just too afraid or too caught up in tradition to come out and with open arms tell people to join them (we also are not an evangelistic faith, meaning we don't openly recruit and try to turn people to us). I do not blame them, it is fear that keeps me in the closet after all. But because of that covens are actually kind of hard to find, and it is considered very rude just to ask to join one.So, some of us opt to be lone wolves so to speak.

But I am getting off the topic, we are talking about what you do next after all. So, you must decide if you will be solitary or coven. Once you've done that, no, you are still not a witch yet. Before you can even think about calling yourself a witch, you have to study more. To be more precise, most witches, solitary and coven agree you must study for at least a year and a day before you can be initiated. I myself did not finish my official year and a day of studying until this year even though I have been unofficially Pagan since I was 19, but you know, I wanted to do things right. If you are being sponsored by a coven, an elder will tutor you and guide you along the path. For us solitary witches, it can be a bit trickier.

Believe it or not, there is a great book out there to help you lone wolves out. Timothy Roderick wrote Wicca: A Year and a Day as a guide for solitary witches. It is something between a workbook and a textbook and it sets out a lesson for each day of your year and a day, gives you lists of supplies you need for each month and is very easy to read and stick with. Yes, I honestly used it, and I even let a friend borrow it for her own studies. You should also take into account what time you decide to start this year and a day. Traditionally you don't start it between Samhain (Oct. 31) and Feb. 2 because it is a time when magical, like the earth, is not growing a lot according to Roderick, but it's only tradition, not a rule. Once you have finished your year and a day, you can have an initiation. That is basically the Pagan baptism, where you swear yourself to the God and Goddess and the tenants of our faith (and to listen to your Priest and Priestess if you are in a coven). And then, my friends, then you are officially a witch.

But do not stop studying just because you are officially a witch. Never stop studying. The world is always changing, and so are we. There are always new wonders to discover in the Craft as long as we are willing to look for them.

September 16, 2010: Two Followers and a Bad Day

I know, I know. I am a God and Goddess awful girl for once again skipping class, but you know what? I would stab someone today if I went. Don't believe the stereotype of all witches being peaceful and nonviolent. I have anger, and sometimes dream of stabbing people I dislike. I am not perfect, and rather than be a hateful wench (ha, totally didn't curse) to my friends in class, I am gorging myself on chocolate chip cookies at Barnes & Noble. So, what spawned this reaction you may ask? A very, very bad day at work. Of the eight girls (I have no male co-workers oddly enough) who are supposed to show up for morning crew, four did. Four girls to do prep work, cleaning, and manning the two lines (salads and sandwiches) as well as whatever our boss feels like making us do. To say it was hectic would be like saying Glen Beck is a kind of angry guy (I don't like him, he's a fear monger, so bah humbug to him!). Thank the God and Goddess for chocolate, it is already making me feel better.
As I sit here and collect my thoughts and find my happy place I have also picked up a few books to take notes on, including the 2010 Magical Almanac because I honestly have no idea when I will get to see my copy, so I am copying the little notes of the day from it. Don't worry, I already bought the 2011 copy which stay sin my purse with my day planner and wallet always. I am also thinking of getting a tarot deck. I am aware that most witches have one, but until recently I was not comfortable with them due to a few bad experiences as a child, but that was then, and as the Path has taught me on more than one occasion, not everything is what it seems. If you my lovely readers have any advice for me on tarot books, please do tell me.
I am hoping to get down to my local spiritual supply store (they hate being called Occult, they serve all religions from Santeria to Hindu to Pagans the owner told me with pride one day) to get a nice incense and candles for Mabon. Since I won't get paid until after Mabon, I will be dipping into my minuscule savings going towards a new laptop for it, but that's okay. I now have two followers by the way, WitchyMama is now joining Jennifer, yay! And Jennifer, I love my theme, too, even if the date doesn't work.
P.S.- I just realized I have been copying the 2010 Almanac for no reason because I have the Witches' Datebook from Llewellyn (courtesy of Mummy for my birthday last year) and it has all the same stuff in it, minus incense. I feel like a retard (no offense to the mentally handicapped as I am myself one).

Shout Out Time

This is a shout out post to my very first follower: Jennifer!! Wooooo! I hope to keep you at least mildly amused from now on, as I know your blogs have kept me intrigued. Don't be surprised if I start mentioning her blogs a bit, and please readers check her out.

Magical Wisdom for the Day: Where To Start

I feel since I am writing a Pagan blog I should also including some awesome wisdom for all you out there, so here is the first edition of my daily wisdom. Today I thought I'd share a little advice on starting out. So, you are a little curious about Paganism or Wicca or Druidism (for simplicity and laziness in typing, I will refer to the three together as Paganism) but you have no idea where to start. My first advice is DO NOT use the Internet to search. Not only is it very questionable, you usually end up in either porn sites or really, really creepy sites that could not be farther from what Paganism really is. The best way to start your journey is to read. Yes, read. Go to a local bookstore (I recommend Barnes & Noble or Borders, in my town they tend to have the best selections) and actually read a few books. I would go so far as to purchase a couple. For beginners the two must haves for anyone even curious on Paganism would be Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner and Silver Ravenwolf's To Ride a Silver Broomstick. They are geared to those new to the Craft and those simply curious about what it truly is, easy to understand, and rather cheap. I bought both my copies second hand at deep discounts. If you cannot find a copy at the store, just order it online, FedEx delivers everywhere now a days. Another good book to read would be Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland. It is more expensive than the other two (Cunningham is $15 and Ravenwolf is at $16) but it is very, very in depth, however, if you dislike nudity be cautious, there is some in there. If you like what you have read and decide it feels right for you then you can start on your journey of study which you should complete before calling yourself a witch, but I will go into that tomorrow.The best piece of advice I can give you is if the book gives you bad vibes, then listen to your guy. When I began my study I was fortunate enough to have Mummy (my surrogate mother and confidante) looking out for me and double checking the books I was picking to make sure nothing strayed into the darker arts, but not everyone has a Mummy of their own. If you are truly a newbie with no idea what's going on, stick with books published by Llewellyn just to be on the safe side as I find them to be the most reliable and least questionable of the Pagan publishers out there. Remember, be careful and do not begin looking into this as a way to get back at parents or to do cool magic. Do it because you need to find something and maybe that something is the God and Goddess. Blessed be my brothers and sisters, blessed be.

September 15- BoS and Happy Surpise

It was another mundane day at work, customers rushing to cover salads in heart attack inducing amounts of ranch and Caesar dressing while I try to accommodate them without giving a lecture on how terrible those are for you. It is tough being in the Customer Service industry, almost makes you feel like a whore, just standing there to sell things I know are not good for my patrons. I did have one interesting thing happen today though. I met a fellow witch on the DL. I was the only one on the line and was tossing her salad (insert dirty joke here) when I noticed a three pointed protection rune on her necklace. I very quietly inquired into it and soon discovered a fellow sister. I whispered a merry meet and blessed be and she whispered back she would return tomorrow for another salad. It always makes me feel better when I meet a fellow witch, less lonely would probably be the best way to put it. Vivi will be going out of town this week so I won't be able to enjoy her company for Mabon as I had been hoping. So where am I right now? In the local bookstore, pirating their free Internet while I do research for my Book of Shadows. I should also probably practice my runic writing skills, as much like my English writing skills, I have the penmanship of a serial killer. Important Thoughts Journal at my side, I will now traverse the Wicca and Pagan section for good things in books I currently do not have the money to buy but hopefully will soon.

Ghoulfriend! Ha! Pun!

Still September 14


No longer at the library, I have been saved from terrible chairs by Vivi! Vivi is an old girlfriend I've known since middle school (Sixth grade to be precise), and much like me is a witch in the broom closet. Vivi is probably the only person I can truly discuss Craft with on a regular basis due to the fact we are friends and she does live about four minutes up the road from me. So, I can now enjoy a nice chair and conversation for the next couple of hours. In return, she is currently devouring my 2011 Herbal Almanac (we are both also huge bookworms). So nice to have WIBC (Witches In the Broom Closet) to chill with.

Still at the Library

 Yep, still September 14

So, since I am in the library, I thought I'd go see the Pagan section. Guess how many books I found. 5. And I'm not including the ones that obviously were misplaced into the section. I am mildly insulted at how few books on paganism there are, but pleased that they carried Buckland at least. Good old Uncle Bucky, now I can write the runic alphabet I am still memorizing into my Important Notes Journal for use in my Book of Shadows. I'd rather write it in runic than plain old English, not only will most people have no clue what it means, it's kind of fun, like when you were a kid and did secret messages to friends. Too bad I can't put fluent in Runic on my resume one day, ne?

Libraries are nice...

 September, 14, 2010



 So I have decided to start this blog while in the library skipping class and hiding from my mom (skipping because I don't feel well, hiding because I don't want Mom to bitch at me). Beside me are my Oh Important Thoughts Journal, Llewellyn's 2011 Herbal Almanac, and Llewellyn's 2011 Magical Almanac. My dumb ass can't get to my 2010 one because it's my house that I can't get to because someone else is living in it (loooong story short, in my parents' house while I was unemployed, now I have a job and their friend is staying in my house). It's mildly annoying because I wanted to know tonight's moon sign as I will be star gazing tonight. Last night I found the perfect spot, not too far from the house so easy on the gas but secluded enough I won't be disturbed to do some Craft. I am not allowed to practice in my parents' home because a) Dad doesn't know my religion and b) Mom who does asked me not to. I swear, if I was Jewish this wouldn't be a problem I could worship there all I wanted. Hypocrisy from my loved ones, always making my life more difficult. It's so terrible to have to hide and hide and hide. I am not ashamed of myself or my religion, don't get me wrong, I'm pagan and I'm proud to be. However, I also am a follower of the tenant "Do whatever you will, but harm none". To reveal myself to my parents and extended family would hurt them and me greatly, so I stay quiet. It hurts me to stay quiet, too, but I love my family, and if the sole fault they have is pot smoking and the inability to accept my religion, so be it. Soon, I'll be back in my house, worshiping as I will.

... I just have to figure out how and where to do it in the mean time....

Blog Templates and Rules

More on September 14

Like the template? I do, too, except one problem. That "undefined" thing is supposed to be the date. While I do admit to being talented in certain areas, XML is not one of them. I am not quite sure how to fix it myself but hey... It still looks nifty. Until I can fix it or get it fixed, I will just write the date at the top.

Anyway, this post is more of a explanation of how I'd like this to go, since that might be helpful. This is a completely interactive blog. If you comment to me, I will respond to it. More importantly, I want you to comment. I made this so I wouldn't feel as if I am the only one going through this, to get in touch with others out there. Yes, I will even acknowledge hate comments that come, because no one should be ignored. I go by my Pagan name Lavender here. I will not tell you my real name, nor my exact location. Names of my family and friends and everything else will be changed. Why the run around? As I've stated, I haven't told my family yet about my religion, and I'd rather they not find out via my blog. Of course, when and if I ever do tell my family, I will happily give you such details.

Oh, by the way, I can have a foul mouth and finger, but I will do my best to not type so many curse words on here. Comes with the profession I'm in sadly.