Pagan Blog Project - X Marks The Spot

X Marks The Spot - or - Finding a starting point to re-connect with the Gods

So I have been thinking a lot lately about magickal systems, mainly because of my novel series, which as a large part of its story line, relies on a magickal and ethical system, that needed my attention, but also because of my own spirituality.

I have felt disconnected through the busyness of writing, educating my children, and my husbands business, that I have not had much time to connect spiritually with the Gods, and practice magick. Now I am itching, longing and craving to get back into this rhythm of connecting with the energy of what is. I hear the calling of the Goddess, and I am answering.

The question was what magickal system to focus upon in my own practice? With magickal system I am not speaking of the spiritual flavors that range from Wicca, to Druidism, to any of the other wonderful ways to be a Pagan, but the down to the bone way of creating change, working with and using power, and through that connect with the energy that makes the Universe and Source in all of its aspects and Gods.

 I am speaking of Elemental Magick, Kitchen Witchery, Mental Magick (which to me includes working with Law of Attraction), and such. All of them are fascinating, and a part of my personality is that I want to do it all, and now. That will only lead to a confused mess, and not much tangible result, I am fully aware of that.
So I guess time to go down the list, time to pick something, anything to get started, to stick with it, explore it to its fullest, and see where the Gods lead me to be.

Making a decision and sticking with it, is the beginning of productiveness.

The funny thing seems that I tend to answer my own questions, when I am writing, which it looks like, is the time when I get out of the way, let the Gods speak. My version of meditation, therapy, and spiritual worship wrapped all in one.

I asked, and the Universe answered.

I shall begin with Elemental Magick, and share some of my journey with you.

Goddess Blessings!

Pagan Blog Project - W is for Woman Warrior Chant

This week (albeit late) I am choosing to share with you a chant I have written a little while ago. Enjoy!

Woman Warrior Chant

I am a Warrior, true and free

 I am a Woman as strong as can be

I am a Daughter, standing proud

I am a Mother, singing out loud

  I am all Woman, Goddess hear me

   I am all Woman, we all shall be free! 

© Claudia Blanton 2013

May all women have a chance to explore their true potential, and may their strength raise us all to a higher level.

So mote it be!

Goddess blessings to you all!

Claudia

Pagan Blog Project - V is for Vinata

V is for Vinata (Hindu Goddess)

The Goddess Vinata in her aspect of the Goddess of the Underworld is an interesting Goddess to explore as a Priestess of the Goddess Hecate. She is associated with eggs, as according to legend she had given birth to two eggs, one bringing forth a son named Aruna, and was born without legs, and another son Garuda, whom saved his mother from the serpents of the Underworld.
She is considered the Mother of the Birds, with her son Garuda being considered the King of the Birds.

I personally wish there was more information on this elusive Goddess. There is no evidence on actual worship of her as I could find. While I did not find any images of her, while there are many statues of her son Garuda.

Pagan Blog Project - U is for Understanding and Unakite

I thought I would use the opportunity of this weeks letter to learn something, to understand another aspect of my craft, and in that quest I was drawn to crystals. One of the best books, at least in my opinion one can have for identifying crystals is Judy Hall's The Encyclopedia of Crystals. That is where I came across Unakite, a crystal I have only seen in passing before today. Here is what I found out about it.

Unakite

A stone of vision, Unakite balances emotions with spirituality and opens the third eye, providing grounding after meditation or metaphysical work. This stone facitilitates rebirthing, bringing to light and integrating insights from the past about the cause of the blockages, and gently releasing conditions that inhibit spiritual and psychological growth. It is also helpful in past-life healing for going back to the source of a problem and refraiming it, clearing a need for vengence if required. Whether it arises in the far or near past, Unakite reaches the root cause of emotional disease at whatever level it occurs, bringing it to surgace for transformation

From "The Encyclopedia of Crystals" by Judy Hall

Besides the fact that I find this stone very beautiful, it is also associated with Scorpio, and as this is my sign, I understand very well while I was drawn to it. Looks like in my next quest to hung for  crystal, I will have to add an example of this stone to my collection.

Goddess Blessings!

In Anticipation Of Samhain

Samhain

Witches dancing slow

'round ritual fires in sync

with Mother Nature

© Claudia H. Blanton 2013 

Just like every year, I am really looking forward to Samhain. In anticipation of what will be, recipes will have to be tried, lists made, decorations applied. The kids are just as exited, trying to figure out what all of the crazy things their Mother Witch will come up with this time. 

In the midst of all this anticipation, I usually revisit the associations for this holiday season. What herbs do I need? Did I forget to get something? Is there a new twist I can put on an old ritual with some changes? 

So that we can all revisit that information together, I am posting the basic list here:

Colors: 
Orange, black, and the colors of twillight, dark reds and yellow (but not the bright kind), as well as deep and dark greens

Herbs and Woods:
Heather, clove, copal, myrrh and gum mastic, wormwood, mugwort, rosemary, hazel, apple wood

Gemstones:
all black gemstones, obsidian, onyx

Foods:
apples, nuts, apple cider vinegar, mulled wine, pumpkin, hazelnuts, ale, and herbal teas


Currently we are working on a new adaptation to a favorite chocolate-hazelnut cake for Samhain. Hazelnuts are hard to come by here in Florida, at least until we get closer to the Winter Holidays. So we are using Walnuts instead. If it comes out as good as it currently smells I will post the recipe.


Goddess Blessings!

Ancestor Altars

Well it is getting closer and closer to Samhain, and we are in the midst of preparations and decorations (we actually decorated a part of the front porch by flashlight last night - the lightbulb went out on us, we were determined!)

Which also included the cleansing, arranging and decorating of our Ancestor Altar. Now I have an Ancestor Altar set up most of the year, but I usually do not decorate it. Around Samhain, I will add something from the season, which this year meant a little Samhain Tree (it's a black tree looking thing) with little pumpkins hanging from it. It still has plenty of space to make offerings, which we will place on it on the coming Full Moon and on Samhain itself.

A Simple Version - Beautful

Ancestor Altars are not only a part of Wiccan Traditions, but also a part of Hoodoo as an example. In Hoodoo, this type of altar is also left up all year round, and is a place for petitions. I find the practice of "adopting" and ancestor specially charming.

This place of honor is usually not used for ritual, and you can include anything that was special to the Ancestor you are celebrating. Also this is not limited
to those whom are recently deceased. For example my Grandfather passed a week after my 12th birthday, and has a special place in my heart and on that altar.

A more elaborate version of an Ancestor altar from http://mentalmohair.blogspot.com/2012_10_01_archive.html

Do you have an Ancestor Altar? What do you have on it?


Goddess Blessings!

Blogs, Blogs, And More Blogs

I think "Blogger" does not like me this morning. I am sure it isn't personal, but apparently linking my blogs, updating the hops and rolls and weekly postings is too much for the darn thing.
Well, no matter in what mood this little hosting site is, it is time for some serious updates!

I have been working like a mad little Witch (okay not so little, but mad as a Hatter) on my writing blog, and finally got it to the way I want it. That means, I have more time for this little gem. Yay!
No matter how much I try to write just about writing or general stuff (like love, loss and killing people - hey I write Dark Fantasy, so there will be dead bodies), I am itching to write about my Witchy life. Which is why I am here today.

There are so many really cool blogs, blog directories and blog rolls out there that are not Pagan related, but I finally came across one that is! Again, Yay! (I told you I am crazy!).
So there is not only going to be a weekly schedule of postings on my writing blog, but also here. That is a lot of writing - 'cause did I tell you I am also writing a pretty bad #@! dark fantasy novel series? No? Well, now I told you.

Alright, time to get this blog posting party, schedule thingy moving. And I will see you on the other side, with lots more links and banners, and pictures, and other crazy, witchy stuff.

Goddess Blessings!