Ostara

Ostara came and went in the blink of an eye! As happens, life has been busy with all its ups and downs and I'm finally finding some time to get to some of the things that have been on my to-do list. Like post Ostara pictures!.

Here are some pictures of my Ostara altar for this year. I left up most of what I had for Imbolc and added a few items like the eggs I had dyed last year. I changed out the crystals adding some pretty ones that I thought represented Ostara.

If you follow my blog you'll know that last year Mary spoke to me saying she wanted to be on my Imbolc altar and so she is here and will stay on the altar through the end of May. As May is the month of Mary, I'll change the altar to reflect this special month.

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Ostara!

Goddess Prayer Beads

I've long been fascinated with prayer beads, but not being Catholic, I didn't give much thought about incorporating them into my practice. And then I came across some lovely Goddess prayer beads and I became fascinated by them. The more research I did, the more I realized that I could, in fact, use them in my daily prayer as a Wiccan.

I chose to have my beads represent the Maiden (white), Mother (red) and Crone (black), although at times I do incorporate the Lord's Prayer to add balance and acknowledge the God (which I normally view as Lugh, the Sun God).

This first set I purchased from the lovely lady at Infinitely Spiritual. She makes the most divine rosaries of all kinds and when I contacted her to make a custom set for me, she didn't hesitate. She made my rosary and shipped it to me within a week. I highly recommend her.

My other set of rosary beads was purchased from My Rosary Beads. It has a prayer ball at the end of it into which I can slip a short prayer or request. 'My Rosary Beads' is a terrific site where you can find more information on rosary beads and they ship very quickly as well.

I love both sets and use one or the other depending on my mood and what my intention is for the day. I begin my prayer by holding the goddess charm (or prayer ball) and saying:

"I call upon the goddess of perfect love,
who purifies the seas in which worlds are born.
Behold her image, crowned with the deepest glory of the sunset,
silver, and crystal, robed in the deepest black.
I call upon the goddess who sets the stars in motion
upon the endless mirror of night; Maiden, Mother, Crone."

The Goddess Rosary

The prayer below can be said while fingering the big beads on the Rosary. You can alternate and say the regular Lord's prayer every other time for balance if you wish. Use the Glory Be (shown further below) for the wire/string before the large beads, and then finger the large bead and say:

Our Lady who is the Essence of the Earth,
We have called you by many names.*
Return now unto Your people,
Speak Your will, and it shall be done,
As Above, so Below.
Please give us each moment our life, light and love.
If we have let you down,
Please forgive us and cleanse us,
According to our own willingness to forgive others.
Lead us away from Lures,
And deliver us from Evil,
For You are Goddess, Queen of the Universe.
Yours is the Power, the Grace, the Wisdom, and the Beauty,
Age unto Ages,
Ah-Main.

*Here you have the option of inserting a mini-litany of your favorite Goddess names, such as: Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Cybele, Arianrhod, Isis, Diana, Tara, Brigit, Demeter, Freya, Gaia, Quan-Yin . . .

The Glory Be

Glory Be to the Father, to the Mother,
And to the Sacred Son,
And to the Lady Holy Spirit,
They are the Four-in-One.

As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be,
World without end,
Age to Ages,
Ah-Main.

Here is another way to pray the Goddess Rosary.

Goddess Bless!

Response to a 'Dear Teresa' Letter

Yesterday was a very difficult day for me. I received a letter from a friend, who, because of my new beliefs, decided that she couldn't be my friend anymore. I'm hurt. I'm disappointed. And at one point I even questioned what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. At the same time, I understand her concerns and her fears. And I understand that I have to let her go because despite the loss, I also realized that I have to follow my own heart and I have to feed my soul in a way that honors me, the Goddess and the God.

I'm more at peace; more in alignment; more fulfilled; more loving; and more understanding of the world and the people in it ~ although admittedly, it is a huge learning curve and there are moments when I think it might be easier to fall back on my old Christian beliefs. But it would be just that, easy.

I'm more conscious of treating the Earth in a respectful manner and have upped my efforts at recycling, even so much as picking up trash on my daily dog walks. I have a hard time killing spiders in my home and where I can I gather them up and whoosh them out the back door. And I don't run the water when I brush my teeth.

I didn't come to Paganism overnight. It's been a long, long process that, if I look back over my life, I believe started when I was a child. I never fit in. I always did the opposite of what other people did or wanted me to do. I was always empathetic to the point of crying over other people's spilled milk. I've also been able to intuit events in my life and I'm very intuitive about people. I've always been in touch with nature and more than anything else, want to be out in the garden or walking in a beautiful conservancy with trees surrounding me.

The real changes started about a year and a half ago. I bought some Pagan and Wiccan books, began reading and after a few months the old fears caught up with me and I put it all away. I delved back into Christianity with a vengeance. I went back to church, joined the choir and even joined a Christian weight loss group. But it never felt right. I was living a lie and I felt like a fake.

In February of this year I made the decision to listen to my heart and to follow it wherever it led me. It led me to Paganism and Wicca in particular. I make no apologies and offer no excuses. This is who I am. This is where I stand.

To those of you who claim to be 'afraid' for me, that I've gone to the dark side, let me try to rest your fears. I am not a Satanist (in fact I don't believe in the devil or 'Satan'). I do not do black magic or voo doo or hoo doo. I am not a necromonger (which means I don't worship the dead). I do not sacrifice goats or any other living creature. I have not joined a cult ~ I am a solitary practitioner drawing elements from all religions, all faiths and from the world around me. I don't live in the dark.

What I do believe are the 13 principles of Wicca:

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters (Sabbats and Esbats).
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with nature in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called ‘supernatural’, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity – as masculine and feminine – and that this same Creative Power lies in all people and functions through the interaction of the masculine and the feminine. We value neither above the other knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sex as pleasure as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energy used in magical practice and religious worship.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness, the Inner Planes, etc. – and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7. We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it – a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft – the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself ‘Witch’ does not make a Witch – but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and without harm to others and in harmony with nature.
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be ‘the only way’ and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
12. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as ‘Satan’ or ‘the Devil’ as defined by Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Wicca is a natural religion, grounded in concern for the earth. Some Wiccans believe that all living things (including stars, planets, humans, animals, plants, rocks) have a spirit of some type. Many Wiccan rituals deal with bringing harmony and healing to nature. The vast majority of Wiccans share a great concern for the environment.

Wiccans celebrate the sexual polarity of nature. For example, the fertilizing rain is one manifestation of the male principle; the nurturing earth symbolizes the female. Females are respected as equal (and sometimes at a slightly higher rank) to males.

Sexuality is valued and regarded as a gift of the Goddess and God, to be engaged in with joy and responsibility, and without manipulation or coercion. Wiccans generally accept the findings of human sexuality researchers that there are three normal, natural, and unchosen sexual orientations: heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality.

Wiccans have a wide range of beliefs about life after death, but this is what I believe ~ that the soul goes to Summerland after death. Here, we are met with others who have gone before, review and integrate our previous lives on earth, and are eventually reincarnated into the body of a newborn. I believe that after many such cycles ~ perhaps some as female and others as male; some lives with a high standard of living and others in poverty; some in positions of power and others suffering oppression ~ that the individual accumulates sufficient experience to go on to another level of existence about which we know nothing.

I believe in the Three-fold Law (a.k.a. the Law of Return) The law states that:
"All good that a person does to another returns three fold in this life; harm is also returned three fold". This belief strongly motivates each Wiccan to avoid attempting to dominate, manipulate, control, or harm another person.

I believe in The Wiccan Rede ~ the prime Wiccan ethical teaching:
"An' it harm none, do what thou will", which means to say: "As long as it doesn't harm anyone, including yourself and future generations, do whatever you want to." This has been criticized for being too permissive. However, the Rede is actually quite demanding because it requires a Wiccan to carefully evaluate all of the effects that each of their decisions have on themselves, other people, future generations, the environment, etc.

So there it is, and there's plenty more where that came from. Do your research. Don't judge on what you believe from Hollywood or religious radicals. Think for yourself and most of all don't live in fear. When you learn, when you understand, when you've walked in the other person's shoes, when you've asked the questions ~ then we can all do what we were sent here to do . . . LOVE each other, RESPECT each other and to live in harmony with the Earth and all her creatures.

Excerpt from 'Wiccan Beliefs and Practices' by Gary Cantrell

"I elected to reveal my practice of witchcraft publicly simply because I personally feel that the time for intentionally hiding ourselves has come to an end. We are practitioners of a kind, gentle, and peace-loving religion. We are not the bloodthirsty or depraved, orgiastic fanatics all too often portrayed by the entertainment and news media. The general public has been misled about witchcraft for over a thousand years, and now with our numbers reaching an all-time high, possibly in excess of one million people worldwide, we need to stand up and set that record straight.

We are out there by the hundreds upon hundreds of thousands. We are in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities. We are law enforcement officers, engineers, builders, doctors, and farmers. We are a legally recognized religion under the protection of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and our isolation from the rest of the religious community should and must come to an end. With the phenomenal growth of witchcraft since the 1970s and with the free and easy interchange of information afforded to us by things like the Internet, that time will come to pass and it will happen soon. It may be happening now."

So to that friend . . . I wish you Love and Light on your journey through life on whichever path you choose to follow.

Dispelling Misconceptions . . .

Knowledge is like the morning sun shining through a window and bringing in light where once there was darkness. Once you know something you will carry that knowledge with you throughout your life. Knowledge is something that money can't buy, but it gives you unlimited potential and empowers you.

I've been doing a lot of reading and studying since deciding to follow my new path, and as I've been making my way through books and the internet I'm finding that my mind and heart are connecting. Just last night as I was studying, I was thinking that maybe I'm spreading myself too thin. I'm a student in the Sisters of the Goddess Tree (Level 1), I'm writing a book, and I've enrolled in Reiki and EMF classes starting in January. Not to mention my roles as wife, caregiver to our three dogs and three parrots, housekeeper, gardener, grocery shopper, daughter, sister and friend. And then the thought hit me . . . I'm not spreading myself too thin - I'm EXPANDING! My heart and mind are expanding out into the universe and as my husband says, I've become a sponge.

So with knowledge comes a responsibility to share with others what one has learned or experienced. And so from time to time I'll share with you what I've learned and how I've experienced what I'm learning. Bear with me . . . it's going to be a bumpy ride at times!

One of the things I wanted to share with you are the differences between a pentacle and a pentagram because I've discovered that there is no need to fear such a basic and powerful symbol. Now, these symbols have been feared because of their association with Satanic worship, but if you know what you're looking at there is no need to fear it. And that's another thing knowledge does for you, it erases fear of the unknown.

In Paganism or Wicca, the five points on the pentacle/pentagram relate to the Spirit and the elements of the earth (northeast), the air (southeast), water (southwest) and fire (northwest).

When casting a circle (a sacred space for ritual or spell casting), one would call on these elements for protection against outsiders (negativity).

Now here is the difference between a Pagan/Wiccan pentacle or pentagram and a Satanic pentacle or pentagram. The Pagan/Wiccan symbol is pointed with one star up (Spirit). Although, in some traditions the symbol is inverted to identify a second or third degree priestess, Pagans and Wiccans alike are turning away from this tradition because of its negative connotations with Satanism.

This is the same symbol but inverted with two stars pointing up indicating that it is a Satanic pentacle or pentagram. It's unfortunate that they choose this symbol as their own as it causes confusion amongst the masses and causes Pagans and Wiccans to be cast in with this lot. Which, if you know Wicca, isn't the case at all as we don't believe in Satan who is a Christian demon.

Now the difference between a pentacle and a pentagram is open to debate. Some people believe they are the same while others believe that a pentacle is the five pointed star with a circle around it representing the Goddess and God. A pentagram is just the star itself as is often seen on Pagan/Wiccan jewelry.

I hope this has helped dispel some of the fear surrounding this sacred symbol. In any case, now you know . . .

Lammas . . .

Today is Lammas, or Lughnasadh, the Sabbat where many Wiccans and Pagans choose to celebrate the beginnings of the harvest. This Sabbat is about the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth; the grain god dies, but will be reborn again in the spring. Lammas begins at sunset on July 31st and ends at sunset on August 2nd, although traditionally it is celebrated on August 1st.

Summer is nearing it's end and soon the leaves will begin to change. However, the sun is still bright and the days hot. You can celebrate Lammas by creating an altar using a combination of summer and fall colors; the yellows and oranges and reds of the sun can also represent the turning leaves to come. Add some browns and greens to celebrate the fertility of the earth and the crops being harvested. Cover your altar with cloths that symbolize the changing of the season from summer to harvest time, and use candles in deep, rich colors - reds, burgundies, or other autumn shades are perfect this time of year.

You can also include symbols of the harvest fields on your altar. Sickles and scythes are appropriate, as are baskets. Sheafs of grain, fresh picked fruits and vegetables, a jar of honey, or loaves of bread are perfect for the Lammastide altar. Corn dollies are also a wonderful addition to the alter as are grapes and wine, ears of corn, iron - such as tools or weaponry or armor, fall flowers, such as cornflowers or poppies, straw braids and onion garlands.

A Lammas Ritual
Written by Joanna at Sea Gypsy Magickals

My Gratitude and Blessings upon this day
The Seasons change upon this Spiral Path
Honoring the Bounty of the coming Harvest

At this harvest time
Blessed be Mother Earth
Blessed Be Father Sun
Blessed be this circle of life, death & rebirth

Here I stand, A child of this Earth before you now
Teach & Guide me with your gentle wisdom of light and dark
For there can not be one without the other
Blessed Be the Corn Mother
Blessed be the Grain God
Blessed be the Harvest and bounty of my life.

I honor and respect all living beings, creatures, plants & winged ones
Of this Earth
You and I are One upon this path-as it is, as it always shall be
Blessed be the Mother Ocean
Blessed be the Father Sky
Fire be Flame, The Well be Water
The Mounds be Earth, the Wind be Air
Blessed Be the Harvest
Every seed, every grain is a record of ancient times
May the Ancients Bless me this Lughnassadh
And So It Is.