Mama Donna Henes February, 2010

Are you cyclically confused? In a ceremonial quandary? Completely clueless? Wonder no more.

*Ask Your Mama™

The What, When, Where, Why, How, and Who of

Spirituality  & Ceremony

by

©Mama Donna Henes, Urban Shaman

A Question of Path Finding

Dear Mama Donna,

I want to be able to walk my own path, but I don’t know where I am going.  I am wandering around without a map and that scares me. I feel like I am lost in space. How do I know my place in the universe?

Drifting in New Jersey

Dear Drifting,

As we begin to pay attention to the inner process of our spiritual journey, we start to notice certain special, uncanny, lucky surprises that seem to keep popping up in our path. Soon we begin to recognize that these personally relevant recurrences are omens, and it behooves us to take very careful note of them. They are the guideposts of our soul. They help to show us the way to go and keep us on our correct and rightful track. Like divine affirmations, these privately meaningful signs and signals serve to assure us that we are in the right place at the right time. I like to think of them as road markers along the miracle trail.

Some people find money wherever they go. They can’t help it. They rake it in. When he was about eleven years old, my foster son fell head first down a flight of subway stairs, scaring me (and probably himself, though he’d choke on that fearful truth rather than admit it) half to death. But supple kid that he was, he simply stood up and brushed himself off, completely unhurt and unfazed. And lo and behold, there, beneath his butt, was a $20 bill that we both swore was not there before. A small payment for his pain, perhaps, which he could hardly wait to spend.

Most people recognize these coins and bills as the small miracles that they are. They pick them up and count them as lucky. Annie Dillard, in her wonderful book, An American Childhood, describes a different tact. She spies these fallen coins, notes them, congratulates herself on her great good fortune for having encountered them, then leaves them where they lay for others to find along their way and delight in as did she. Of course, some people could walk with their heads down, eyes perpetually scanning, waving around a metal detector, and never find a single penny.

Other people find feathers or shells or sea glass or rainbows or certain number combinations everywhere around them. Each of these items represents something particular to the people who see them. In the case of coins, for instance, they might check if they are heads or tails. Or they may figure out the numerology of the denomination and thus determine its significance and whether or not it seems to be auspicious.

My friend, Dominique, finds heart-shaped stones. To her, they symbolize the mission of the “heartist” which is her life’s chosen work. Each rock she encounters is like a small pat on the back. Her collection is huge. Whenever I come across one, I know that our paths have crossed that day and I pick it up, pack it up, and post it to her. My dear Kay finds doll arms. Doll arms! They remind her of the little metal Mexican arm charms called milagros (miracles) that she loves. And when I occasionally find one I either send it to her priority mail, or put it on my altar so that I can think of her for a while.

My own life is littered with signs and portents. Not only do I find feathers, but bird dreams, bird wings, bird skeletons, dead birds, injured birds, and even a live bird that came home with me from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and lived with me for nine years. Birds are widely thought to be angel messengers from heaven. And so I knew that some fond, dead soul had sent me a sign on that propitious day and I am happy.

In addition, I notice Y-shaped twigs scattered everywhere. I think of these as Tree Goddess crotches that I collect to decorate and make into amulets. I also find knots of all sorts, which are symbols of connection straight from my long-ago vision of Spider Woman and the knowledge of universal interconnectivity that She imparted to me. Of late, I have been collecting discarded rubber bands, which seem to stand for keeping it all together! Or staying flexible, whichever applies. And of course I pick up all these unlikely objects, as unsanitary as that may seem.

Once in a while I don’t bend down to gather something up. I am too lazy perhaps, or distracted, or in a rush. But when this happens, I always, always force myself to return to the site, even if it’s blocks away. Because when we ignore or disregard our omens, we eventually lose the ability to recognize them. And this causes our internal instinctual compass to malfunction, leaving us on the long and winding road without any breadcrumbs to follow.

Practice searching out your own omens. If you keep looking for directions, connections, synchronicities, messages, miracles, you will certainly find them everywhere. After all, what is the difference between a seeker and a seer?

Happy trails to you,

Mama Donna

*Send your questions about seasons, cycles, celebrations, ceremonies and spirit to Mama Donna at: CityShaman@aol.com

Tags: Advice

• Articles

Meghan KaLeen Darrah Widdison October, 2009

To Hone In On Tradition

Hello my dear friends and wonderful readers. I trust that the Goddess has blessed you

with a bountiful harvest in your life this past Mabon. Fervent wishes that your celebrations were

merry, joyful, and full of love and family.

This month is a special time of year for the witch, druid, or any pagan. It is the month of

Samhain, the second time of year when the veil between the mundane world and the world of

mysteries is lifted, and those who have traveled forth and those who continue on the earthbound

path can bless eachother with their presence. A time of dark mysteries. A time of the mother

crone and her  consort.

Many a tradition lay upon the month of Samhain. Nearly all of mankind is familiar with

the treat giving and costume dressing that falls upon this celebration eve, but not as many dig into

deeper tradition. Most of Samhain is viewed as a time to frolick about carelessly, a time of pure

play. Certainly nothing wrong with that of course. However, I would like to introduce those of you

who are not familiar with the “other” traditions to a new outlook, a fresher vision on the subject.

For those of you readers who are aware and are in practice, please feel free to help pass along

our knowledge, for we learn from one another.

Samhain, also known as Halloween, or Summers End to others, is a time that has been

rich in celtic traditions. In the deep country, the folk who raised herds of cattle and crops would

prepare for winter, as Samhain was symbolic of the bringing of the first day of winter. Firewood

was redied, hay was bricked, and herds were moved from the grazed over hillsides to the safety

of the shelter near the homes. This was a time when families began to come together after a

long summer of fun and frivolity.

In the early days of Ireland, people would gather in celebration during Samhain, as this

day marked the principle calender feast for them. throughout many homes, hearth fires were

put out, and people would wait for the druids to come and light the new fires, symbolising the

beginnings of the new year. This time of year also represented a time of offerings, of thanks

and even personal sacrifices, given in hopes of a new beginning. A time of hope for many.

Samhain fires throughout the celtic region blazed each Samhain for many years.

There were reports from travelers who spotted the beautiful and festive bonfires all the way from

the 1860s to the first world war. The townspeople would burn these festive fires in a circle of

magic, and after, they would sprinkle the ashes over thier crops to protect them from the

harsh and bitter winter months.

Samhain was, and still remains to this day, a time of mysteries and divination. Since

the veil between the worlds is lifted, it is believed that the “gifted” are more in tune with the

world, and all of its many visitors. It was believed that a child born on Samhain would be

gifted with “the second sight”, or more commonly known as clairvoyance.

The feast of Samhain, which was and still is a time honored tradition for many,

is representative of food offerings for those who have passed on before us. Some households

would set an extra plate of food at the dinner table and eat in silence in reverence to the

deceased, and others would set up alters outside for which to leave offerings upon. Apples,

which are in abundant harvest during the season of Samhain, were often buried under ground

as offerings to the traveling dead.

Other names for this celebrated time of year are Third Harvest, Samana, Day of the

Dead, Hallowmas, Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest, and Samhuinn. Throughout many newer tradtions,

this time of year is referred to as the Witches New Year.

The sybolism, herbs, foods, colors, and stones of Samhain are many, but I would like

to list some of them here to help you integrate these as part of your celebrations if you so

wish.

Samhain symbolises the third harvest of the year, a time of great mysteries, and time of

death and rebirth. Gourds, apples, cats, jack-o-lanterns and besoms are a few of the many

symbols of this time of year. Mugwort, Allspice, Mandrake, Deadly Nightshade or Belladonna,

Oak and sage are among many of the herbs and plants integrated into this time. People set

much of their feasts on turnips, apples, gourds, nuts, mulled wimes, beef, pork, and poultry.

Many people wear black, white, orange, silver or gold garment in commemoration of Samhain,

and stones of black such as obsidian are set forth as symbols of the Third harvest.

As we can see, this next month follows rich in tradition, and a time of blessings.

It marks the beginning of a new season, a time for many a preparation, and even a time

to honor those who have come before us, those who have taken some small part in the

shaping of who we have become.

I wish you the most wonderful blessings on this time of year, and i hope that

you enjoy not only the festivities of the season, but that you also remember the tradition

that lies deep beneath. Not only will this make Samhain more fullfilling, but it will also give

you a whole new, fresh set of eyes to view a new beginning of the year with. For if we see the

world with a fresh set of eyes, we see fresh possibility, which can lead ot a great many

abundances and advances in our lives.

Until next we meet …….

Brightest and most fervent blessings

If you are looking for advice on pagan matters write to Naiyeetu at Naiyeetu@email.com

Tags: Advice, hellp, morals

• Advice

Meghan KaLeen Darrah Widdison September, 2009

The Goddess Within

Hello my blessed friends, and greetings at the beautiful end of another summer, and the

beginning of a bright and beautiful fall. I trust that the goddess has bestowed many a blessing on

you and yours.

During the summer, we are surrounded by festivities and celebrations, such as Beltane

and Lughnasadh. We celerate birthdays, sleepovers, and we spend time migrating back to mother

nature to enjoy her beauty . There are times, however that we are faced  with challenges in our

lives, not just during the summer, but at any time. Sometimes we feel that

we are not strong enough to cope, that our hearts and souls are breaking. Other times we are

overwhelmed by the responsibilities in our lives. I have had such a summer, and now , after the

bridge has been crossed over, i would like to bond with you, my readers, on a level that we all

have in common. The love of our mother goddess.

Recently my husband and I were faced with quite a few problems in our life. Finances

were high, communication was low, and our affection went down to nothing. We decided that it had

come time for a trial seperation. We both needed time to return to ourselves, and to find that part

of our relationship that had become lost in the responsibilities of every day life. I took a

sabbatacle, both of my children and I. We returned to the country, to heal and to refocus. My

husband stayed behind so that he could take care of the financial duties back home.

Perhaps now you are wondering what all of this has to do with the ethics and morals

of paganism. After all, that is what my column is about. But more than that, I want to connect

with you, my readers, and to personalize with you on my experiences. Continueing on.

After leaving the city, I found solice in the quiet calm of the country. The birds singing

in the early morning, the sun shining through the leaves on the trees, the cows grazing in the

nearby field. The air smelled so fresh, my lungs seemed overcome with an urgency to take it

all in. I was able to think, to uncongest my mind. I spent a great amount of time outside, with

nature and all that she holds precious and true. I had grudgingly acknowledged my wrongs,

had spent much time thinking about what to do right, and also much time wondering to myself

where the goddess was in my time of need. I felt alone, dried up, and lost, a lone ship out to sea.

One night, while laying outside under the stars, I asked the mother goddess to aid me.

I knew that the decisions I was facing were not only going to affect me, and I needed guidence to

make clear and wise decisions to benefit the whole. I layed there, night after night, waiting for some

signal, some sign, that she had heard me.

I fell asleep one clear, warm night. The mosquitos were not biting, and the stars seemed to

be happy, twinkling brighter than before. My senses were more alert. The sign that I had been

Waiting for had finally come. As I lay there, undisturbed, an owl flew quietly above me, and as it did

it looked down upon me, and I heard a quiet voice in my head say to me “Follow your heart.” The

next day that same owl flew ahead, and looked down upon me again. This time there was no voice,

but the owl had flown so close that were I to have reached up, I would have touched him. He lingered

there, knowingly, and then went on his way. My spirit animal, my helper, had come to visit me, and

suddenly I filled with a knowledge that somewhere in me I had the strength to make those decisions

I needed to make. The mother goddess had heard me.

The next few months followed with several hurdles to get over. I had found a friend in my

brother in law, which drew speculation. I had no money which made times more stressful. My

sister in law and I were at odds, and that hurt. But through it all, I began to feel whole because I

knew that the mother goddess had heard me, she had listened, as she always does.

I went through humiliation, pain, and chaos. I came out better, stronger, and wiser. Our

mother goddess helped me to see the lessons of my errors, to show me that the glass is really

more than half full. There is pain in this world, but it is held in precious balance with happiness.

We need but to find that balance.

I often times find people of all races and religions asking themselves how their divine exists.

Trying to rationalize to themselves how something or someone that you cannot see can make such

a large impact on your life. We as humans strive to understand what we can see, and we strive to

explain what we cannot. But I ask you this, my dear readers, should we rationalize our mother

goddesses love for us?

When a parent loves their child, they do not rationalize, they feel. When a friend loves a

friend, they are willing to overlook their mistakes, and love them the same. Even young children

share love, without rationalizing. Love is irrational, and that is the beauty of it. The wild freedom

of our mother goddess to love us unconditionally, and forgivingly.

I believe that our divine, whether it be the mother goddess, or whichever divine that your

soul connects to, is found within our humility, our humanity. When we struggle, we find our

strength. When we hurt, we find our compassion. When we love and lose, we learn. The mother

goddess is not only around us, but she is within us as well. She is within that part of us that

needs time, alone, dedicated, sincere. It doesnt take much, just a few precious moments

each day to acknowledge her, and to give her thanks for all that she does within our lives.

I have a challenge for you, my friends. This next month, I want us all, myself included,

to not only spend more one on one time with the mother goddess, but to help shine a light for

those who are lost in the dark. We as a human race get so caught up in what needs to be, that we

often forget about what the heart needs to. Tell those you love how much they mean to you, hold

that persons hand as you walk. Help the elderly woman to her car from the grocery store. This month,

i want you, my readers, to help share the compassion and love to people, close and far. If our mother

goddess can improve our lives by being there and loving us unconditionally, then perhaps we can

make a difference in someone elses lives whith the love that she has bestowed upon us.

Until we next meet,

Brightest and most fervent blessings.

If you are looking for advice on pagan matters write to Naiyeetu at Naiyeetu@email.com

Tags: Advice, goddess, help

• Advice

Meghan KaLeen Darrah Widdison June, 2009

Greetings

The world has opened yet another door for communication amongst the pagan community. I was given the opportunity to write this column by the gracious team at paganpages.org. They have given me the freedom for my own column on the ethics of paganism, something of which i am passionate about. My name is meghan, and i am most pleased to make your aquaintance. You may also refer to me as Naiyeetu.

I first began this column wondering two things. The first was how in the world I would come up with a name for this column. I chose the title New Moon Ethics – Musings on the Morals of Paganism because I feel that the new moon is a great symbolic sign for many a pagan. It represents not only the mother Goddess, but also cleansing, intuition, mystery, and the link between the different cycles of life. The new moon in particular represents new beginnings and learning. I felt this to be quite appropriate given that not only is this column a new beginning and learning experience for me, it is also a time when we can begin learning from eachother.

The second concern I had about this column was how to approach the subject of morality without telling people what they should or should not do. I would much prefer for us to share our experiences as a bonded community. I am of the full belief that the core essence of moralistic behavior is not that it is found in one truth, but lies within the combination of many common truths. Therfor, I invite you in to share your knowledge with us, to ask questions on whatever topic you are concerned, and state your ideas or ideals.

This article, my first, I felt should be an article introducing myself and what I wish to accomplish. I feel that it is only fair to you, my dear reader, if you know where I am coming from with my thoughts so that we can connect on the same level when communicating. I feel that while communicating is vital, so is understanding.

My husband and I live a life of separate beliefs. He walks the Christian path while I am very content following our mother Goddess. This has posed for many interesting questions. There was one question that my husband asked me the other night that struck my interest. He looked at me while I was reading and simply stated, “Why do pagans believe what they believe?”. At first, I was not sure what to say. After several long moments of thought, I came to the conclusion that the only person I could answer for was myself. My answer was just as simple and to the point.”Because I know the mother Goddess to be real to me.”. I would like to ask you the same question. Why do you, kindred pagan, follow the path which you choose and what difference has this made in your life? I think that once we discover why people walk the paths they choose, then we can discover more about our ethical values. After all, ethical value differs with each persons belief system.

Id like to share with you an excerpt from the book Return of the Great Goddess by Burleigh Muten. It is a piece written by Tsultrim Allione from the piece “Sky Dancer”.

“The return of the Goddess is not focused on transcendence, but on the embodiment of the sacred, in life and relationships. The unification of the body, sexuality and emotions with the spirit, the return from striving to being….

Tsultrim Allione
from “Sky Dancer”

I chose this particular passage because I felt that this signified someones powerful connection to the mother Goddess and how it directly effects their life. This will be my first challenge for you, my fellow pagan. I want you to think about how what you believe directly effects your life and behavior. Then I want you to get back to me and share your stories, experiences, questions or even just simple musings that you may have had on the topic. You can send these to me directly at naiyeetu@email.com. This will help for our column next month. I am of high hopes that we can become friends and form a bonded community through our words and thoughts. My next column will be much more in depth with your help, and I will strive to answer any question you may have to the best of my knowledge. Everyone is welcome as a kindred spirit.

Until we meet again, may the Goddess bless you with beauty and joy in your life.

Fervent blessings

Naiyeetu

Tags: Advice, ethics

• Advice

Witch1979 November, 2008

A Green Religion

One of the main aspects that drew me to learning about Wicca is that is an earth-based spiritual practice.  Honor and respect for our planet is now more important than ever as we hurtle ever faster towards a worldwide environmental crisis.  Though of course it is not impossible to both care for the environment and follow a traditional Western religion or other path, earth-based practices differ in that they shift the focus of what constitutes the sacred.  Wicca does not view the earth as a mere residence or a set of resources.  To many she is the very Goddess herself: Gaia.  Her green limbs extend upward to mingle with the light of the God as sun.  Together their forces combine to produce and support all forms of life as we know them.  Within the kingdoms of life are the plants and animals.  As Starhawk details beautifully in her book The Earth Path, “the green things give off oxygen, which the breathers use in burning food. Gaia [begins] to breathe, passing her breath back and forth from red to green….”  In the interdependent dance of our planet Wiccans see the revealing of the divine.

This alignment of the sacred with nature has a number of repercussions for our place in the world.  When you see the environment as sacred it becomes impossible to rationalize earth-destructive behaviors.  The question changes from “why should I recycle?” to “why wouldn’t I recycle?”  It also relieves the feeling of alienation that comes from seeing the world around us as a collection of inanimate objects.  We suddenly realize that the earth speaks to us constantly if we have the ears to listen.  We do not have to be separate; our very bodies cry to us that we are as much a part of nature as the trees and the birds.  The illusion that we are somehow separate or above our physical being is part of the teachings of mainstream Western religion and Platonic philosophy.  Wicca instead embraces the idea that mind, body and soul are united, and as such our spiritual self is no higher than our physical self.  Physicality is celebrated and sex held as sacred.  It ends the war between our rational minds and our sometimes irrational bodies that can refuse to conform to our wills.  Following the lessons of the elements health is achieved through balance, without stigma for allowing our natural needs their place.

Tied into this sacredness of the earth is a core idea that distinguishes Wicca from many other paths: immanence.  Many of us grew up with the idea that God is a being above common existence and separate from it.  This is the definition of a transcendent deity.  At first this makes sense since we usually distinguish between things we hold sacred versus the common everyday.  Yet immanence does not conflict with what is sacred, it implies that what is here and present in the physical world is the sacred.  This is radically different from more traditional conceptions of what God may be.  This re-thinking of the world around us allows us to care about and show reverence towards our planet and all forms of life.  We are never alone; rather we are a part of a world much larger than ourselves, where we play out our lives and affect all of those around us as cells in a greater organism.  Earth-centered paths allow us to embrace what makes us part of this world, and hold that world up as something worthy of our devotion.

Journal for the Month of October:

When I sat down to write an article on nature the first thing that struck me was the realization that I hardly ever get outside.  I mean yes I go outside to get into my car to drive to work in the morning.  I’m outside on the walk in to the building.  I reverse that at the end of the day, and you know what?  I am sad to say that is pretty much it!  I have a nice view of local trees from my office window, but stale recycled air is no competition for a fresh breeze.  I realized I hardly even open my car windows when I’m driving.  It’s like living in a strange, artificial world with glimpses of a beautiful, green natural landscape on the other side.

So in keeping with the theme of the environment, I took the opportunity to go on a guided nature walk at a local park.  It was a lot of fun and I highly recommend tours by Wild Man Steve Brill (for those in the North East U.S.).  He teaches basic foraging skills and knowledge of local plants and their uses.  Being outside for a lengthy period of time for the first time in years I was ecstatic.  I was also pooped by the end of it.  Yet I would do it again in a heartbeat, and I relish the time I spent re-learning to enjoy being in nature.  Eating raspberries fresh off the stem, and finding that wood sorrel tastes like lemonade…  Not to mention learning to distinguish one green plant from another, or enjoying lunch in a field under a clear blue sky…  Such simple pleasures really, but ones that if we only took the time we could enjoy freely.

Caring about the planet and the environment is an important first step, but it is also important to re-engage with the natural world many of us left behind in childhood.  To truly value and fight for something it helps to know it in more than an intellectual way.  This month taught me to remember to get myself back outside when I can, and connect with the God and Goddess in the natural world.

Until next month, blessed be! )O(

Tags: Advice, intro, learning, New

• Articles

Administrator July, 2006

Dear Sage,

Like most people these days, I’ve been thru quite a bit in my life. I am 30 yrs old and have recently discovered my pagan path. However, I’ve also come from a very sheltered background and a small minded town on top of it. I have no clue as to how to structure my way in my new found beliefs. Trying to study from the Internet is very overwhelming. Do you have any advice for a basic beginning and where to go from there?

-Solitary Beginner

Merry Meet Solitary Beginner,

Sage, HPS to the Goddess

Do you have a shadow of a question which needs answering?

Advice

• Ask Your Mama

Tags: Advice

• Articles

Administrator April, 2006

Dear Sage:

Hi. I am an initiate in the lukumi and brillumba congo religions. Latley I have had a curiosity in wicca. Not sure if it’s b/c im so hooked on the TNT show “Charmed”. My question is, “How relevant is Wicca the practice to that show?” Mind me that i know that’s a tv show and thus some things are overly not true. But could you please maybe give more of what is wicca really about. Or perhaps you can direct me to a website. Thank you much for your kindness.

-jes jes

Merry Meet jes jes,

Different people are attracted to Wicca for different reasons. I see Charmed and other shows like it as a double edged sword. Some parts are true/realistic, and others are Hollywood flash. However, for every three who want “a quickie spell”, there is one who is genuinely interested in learning more. A lot of people, especially the younger ones who have been turned on to the idea of magic through these recent movies and television shows may begin their study of Wicca unaware of the components of Spirituality and Enlightenment. Those who find Wicca during a search for a religion which feels right or who are looking for a name to put on their sense of spirituality, or have a vague sense that, “something is missing in their lives”, may be uninterested in the magic component of Wicca. In the end, it doesn’t matter if it was the coolness of the glamour spell in Charmed or a need to find spiritual fulfillment that began you asking questions, it’s what you do with the knowledge you receive. Remember that while on your quest to do all your learning and portraying in perfect love and perfect trust.

Unlike the Lukumi and Brillumba Congo religions, the Wiccan religion does not sacrifice animals, both women and men may become Priest and Priestess as well as High Priest High Priestess. Although Wicca is primarily followed by women there are more and more men following the path and they are receiving the same as their female counterparts. There are stages within Wicca that each must obtain before the Ordination of High Priest/Priestess but that rite is opened to all.

Wicca is a belief system based on pre-Christian, native European spirituality, which sees people as part of nature, not above it. In all areas of the world, there were indigenous religions before the spread of Christianity. Wicca is based partly on this spirituality. As with other nature-based groups, Wiccans seek to work with the natural energies which surround us to heal, help and to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. The first group of what we now know as “Wiccans” was put together in England by Gerald B. Gardner in 1949. Wiccans live by the Wiccan Rede, “An it Harm None, Do What You Will”. This requires Wiccans to always be looking ahead at the possible consequences of their actions so that no act or word, whether with magical intent, or in every day life, causes harm to another. Wiccans also believe in the “Law of Threefold Return”. This tells us that whatever we do comes back to us, perhaps not literally three times over, but we will experience the consequences of our actions. If we do someone a good turn, it is more likely that we, ourselves, will be treated kindly in the future. If we harm someone, whether deliberately or through negligence we can expect to receive harm ourselves.

What do I mean by “Spirituality” when we speak of it in Wicca? Wiccan Spirituality is balanced and nature-based. By that I mean that we believe that deity consists of both male and female energy, and that energy is found in the world around us, not apart from it. Wiccans do not necessarily “worship” their gods, but look to them as friends and teachers. A lot of people new to Wicca but unfamiliar with the various pagan gods will already have a “relationship” with, “Mother Nature” or some nameless energy they have felt present in their lives. Some Wiccans see each god and goddess as very real, separate and distinct beings. Others see the various gods and goddesses as aspects of one, big, blended god/goddess energy, or even as aspects of their own personalities. No one is told in Wicca how they must view the gods. Those who are actually searching for enlightenment and come to Wicca for that purpose are probably fewest in number, but those who study and practice Wicca for any amount of time will find the magical and spiritual components greatly enhanced if they put any effort into the enlightenment component.

While Wicca is one of the fastest growing religions in the United States it is still the subject of much misunderstanding. Much of the confusion, and even fear, revolves around the definitions of the words, “Witch” and “Pagan”. These are two labels which many Wiccans happily attach to themselves, but they are also two words which we call, “Red Flag” words, because they are easily misunderstood. When a Wiccan declares, “I am a witch”, what they mean is, “I love nature, I believe in the healing power of herbs, I like to do spells to effective positive change, I recognize deity as both male and female.” What a listener is liable to think is, “Here is a person who worships Satan, is filled with hate and evil, who goes around putting harmful spells on people, and we are clearly told in the Bible not to, ‘suffer a witch to live’”. The truth is a “witch” is anyone who works with energy and magic and chooses to call themselves a witch. Magic and energy can be used for good or bad. Witches who use magic to harm have no right to call themselves Wiccan. When a Wiccan (or anyone) declares, “I am a pagan”, what they mean is, “I acknowledge the old gods and goddesses that have been worshiped for thousands of years, and I work in harmony with nature, not against it. The student of Wicca may go no deeper than learning to use the tools and be perfectly happy. Others attracted by the magic are pleasantly surprised to learn there is much more to Wicca than that.

Suggested reading

Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, By Scott Cunningham

The Spiral Dance, by Skyhawk

Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, by Margot Adler

Brightest Blessings,

Sage, HPS to the Goddess

Do you have a shadow of a question which needs answering?

Advice

***

HPS Sage bio:

Hello Readers,

Let me introduce myself. My name is Sage, I am a 52 years old witch who has been practicing since I was born. I was fortunate to be born with a Cherokee Grandmother who still practiced and made sure that I was taught so that I could carry on the family heritage. I was also not so lucky to be born to a mother who was a Christian and made sure that her children were raised in the Presbyterian beliefs. It is not easy to have questions or fears and have no one to turn to, especially family. When my grandmother passed on I had no one for some time. I read books, but let’s face facts in the 70′s and 80′s there were items you didn’t talk about and there were not many sources to help one find the answers.

I have over the years become older and wiser and a lot more experienced than in the good old days. I take all that I have learned over the years and now teach classes in Wicca, meditation, and also assist in start-up companies. I am a High Priestess of the Global Goddess organization. This is an organization of Goddess women helping women worldwide. I also serve on their Ordination and Leadership committees. I am also a Reverend of the universal Life Church.

Please feel free to send me your questions, be them magickal or personal, and I will do my best to answer them and if I cannot, I will research them and see if I can’t find the answers for you.

Brightest Blessing,

Sage

Tags: Advice, questions

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