Pagan Blog Project - A is for Alignment

Alignment in the spiritual sense for me is to align with what serves me on a spiritual level. That truth might be not one that fits all, or even many, but my personal alignment is a priority for me.
This calendar year it has become a motto for me - do whatever it takes to align myself with what I want to attract, and disengage from what does not. This disengagement is not a struggle as it had been over the last few years. It is an acknowledgement and an allowing of letting go of what no longer serves me, and a turning toward my personal truth. It is letting go of Shadow work and past, and moving toward light, now and the future. It is feeling good in this moment, appreciating the joys of a great cup of coffee, hugs from my children and walks with the dogs. It is letting go off waiting, and instead of opening my eyes to the beauty that is right in front of me.
Alignment is the rose colored glasses look at the world.

Alignment is my new state of reality.

Hekate Deipnon - The Last Dark Moon Of The Year

The energy of this years calendar New Year's Eve falls upon a holy day of our great Goddess Hecate - Hekate Deipnon - The Dark Moon. It is up to us to make use of this energy wisely, cleansing not only our space, our area of worship but also spiritually cleanse ourselves to prepare for the new year.

Looking back at the past year, allowing all that which no longer serve us to stay behind, and allowing the Goddess to take it from us, is a great opportunity. The reality of what we created, makes space for the new possibilities and promise of a new opportunity. As we give thanks and make offerings we can rest in the peace that this opportunity is given to us every day.

How to celebrate Hekate Deipnon:

Cleansing of ritual space and tools
Make offerings of gratitude, and physical offerings such as garlic, dark chocolate, eggs - preferably at a crossroad.
Give special attention to your dogs - purchase them special treats, a new collar or take them for a specially long walk.
Make a list of things and behavior  that you want to let go off - then burn it, and emotionally release it as it burns, feeling the burden they represented to lift out of your life.

Hail Hecate!

Book Of Shadows

The Book of Shadows is essentially your record, your very own definition of what your Craft means to you. That is its foremost purpose.
While it can contain the information that a tradition, coven or group you belong to, it should more then anything reflect your personal connection to the practice of the Craft.

It is easy to fall into the trap of copying all of the information out there about the Craft. Not only is that impossible because of its volume, but it is also a hollow description, because it lacks personal connection.

Witchcraft is personal in every way. It is constantly moving, evolving, changing and expanding. With each practitioner the flavor or practice changes, sometimes slightly, sometimes more.

There are basics and truths that are universal, and yes such should be included, but even these will only bring fruit for the Witch that creates the Book of Shadows, if they feel right, if a connection is made.

I speak from a standpoint of non-Wiccan, therefore my definition of Witch and the practice of Witchcraft will be different then the one from a practicing Wiccan Witch. Therefore our record will be different, heck you might not call this book a Books of Shadows at all but a Grimoire.

The personal nature of the Book is also reflected that it is often secret. Some who consider it a magickal journal, or contain information that their community deems as for the Initiate, will not allow others to view their Book of Shadows. Others think of this more loosely - openly share parts, or even create a less personal family Book of Shadows that only contains general information, while keeping the journal and private type of spell work away from outsiders.

Enjoy the fluidity of the creation of this Book. You can go as elaborate or as plain as you wish, keeping in mind which symbols and structure speaks best to your Higher Self and belief structure. Have fun with its creation and cherish the personal connection of this aspect of our Craft.

Hail Hecate!

Pagan Blog Project - Z is for Zeus

God Zeus is the ultimate father figure.
Maybe that is one of the reasons I have such a hard time relating to this male Deity, and others whom are a fatherly type, such as him.
I did not grow up with the best male role-models (that is an understatement, but this is not a discussion for this time or place), and my short but bitter experience with the Christian version of deity, left me with a not so nice aftertaste, that pushed me in the arms of the Goddess and a more formless version of Universal Energy.
Maybe one day I will be able to disconnect from those experiences with the male aspect of spirituality, and embrace this Deity.
I know he is waiting, but he is patient. That I can feel, and the acknowledgment of his patience is all the relationship I can offer at this time.

Ramblings About Goddess Spirituality

Goddess Focused Religion - or at least a religion in which the woman is valued and honored - has a strong appeal, not only personally, but for many other women, as it gives and honors our power, the power of the marginalized. It is no accident that many whom proclaim to be Witches are women, not to discount my dear Brothers of the Craft - but I will honor you another time. In this post I want to explore the female focused power, the strength and wisdom that is honored within the religious paths of Goddess worship in her many forms and the female Witch, the carrier of wisdom that many feared, revered, tried to silence, and rises now once more.

We, as citizens of the Universe, need more of these women, those whom are aware of their power that goes beyond of being pushed in roles that do not suit us. We need, the Earth needs our caring AND our fierceness, our kindness AND our power.

Our voices have to rise again, as meek and weakness' does not serve the expansion of all of us. As we reach our power through exploration of the mysteries of Goddess worship and Witchcraft (which is not always the same, even for female Witches, let me be clear of that), we are serving by not bowing, even to our own chosen deity. We are her Priestess, not her maid, an calling that is not for the weak hearted. As our voices rise, our children, both female and male will benefit from our strength. They will benefit from non-conformity, from our personal diversity and our power. Our voices, as well as our bodies will move from the hidden and used, to a treasure of wisdom and pleasure to benifit our Brothers as well. Just like the increase of wealth for all brings more wealth, the increase of power to us women, Witches or not, will serve all that partake in the Universe.

We need to claim that power back. We need to hear her calling. And we need to allow those of our Brothers whom extend their hand to us partake in our dance.

Flow - Your Choice In All Matters

Instead of struggling from  and against a situation or aspect - offer an opening to a solution and/or expansion - remember that the Universe of whom you are a part of is infinite, and you have access to it's infinity. So struggling, fighting against, resisting,  closes that gap of communication and expansion. You are a creature of Magick after all, as a Witch you acknowledge that Magick, within and without. It is up to you to allow it to flow or to turn it off. This is your choice in all matters.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2013

(The origin of this picture is unknown to me. If you are the copyright owner, please let me know so I can either take it down or give you proper credit, thank you)

Magick 101 - Choosing The Right Type of Magick - Does Technique Matter?

 It depends.

The master variable on how and what magickal technique matters is you. It is entirely up to you, to your belief system, your ability to unhinge disbelief in the process, what methods of focus you prefer, and what speaks the loudest to your unconscious.

So how do you decipher which magickal method or technique is the best for you?

First of all, it depends on the subject matter.

If the subject of your focus is something you have an easy time  influencing, the method is a lot less important. On the other hand, the more you hold onto a disbelief (or an opposing set of believes) that works against the outcome, your comfort level and focus ability with the used technique, becomes essential.

Remember that your intent, your focus, and the ability to be in tune with the Universal Energy is the primary ingredient for your spell, and the most essential one, so the tools of the technique has to enhance and direct this intent.

If you resonate with the energies of crystals, by all means use that. If you need the focus of the written word, then use that technique instead. Whatever you can use to get the clearest intent, the clearest state of mind, that is precisely the one to work with.

In order to find that technique, you have to practice.
Keep a journal and/or record of every spell you have done, noting every detail of what you used, and what you did, including the outcome. This record will give you a clear sense of what works for you.
 At the same time, if you feel the impulse to use something completely different, even though your recording indicated that you have been using one technique with great result, do that. The Universe in its wisdom is trying to share with you another way, which essentially can either assist you in your growth, or open a new, more powerful way of connecting with the energies of the Universe.


Hail Hecate!