Totem Animal Dragonfly

Dragonfly



Dragonfly Keywords:

Curiosity
Imagination
Harmony
Speed,
Peace
Strength
Good luck
Prosperity


Element: Water/Air

As an animal of sight, dragonflies can see issues from angles that might not be as obvious to the casual observer. Always observant, always curious, the dragonfly symbolizes looking for a deeper meaning, while not letting go off the childlike sense of wonder of the world around us. Their beauty, gracefulness and transparency reminds us to see the beauty of all, but to also know that beauty has to shine from the inside to be really deep - cautions us to observe the intentions of others closely, examine what lies behind.
As an animal of two dimensions/elements dragonflies are shape shifters, and therefore can move in what seems to be unrelated fields, while feeling at home with both. Balancing those two worlds is the key - may it be home and a successful business, work and pleasure, or our spiritual and mundane site. A person with a dragonfly totem can not stay in one of these realms alone to feel comfortable, they have to be able to move freely between both to be at their best.

Dragonflies are acrobats of the air. They can stand still, then move quickly, swift and precise when needed. The dragonfly cautions you not to stand still too long, follow your intuition and then move forward with fierce determination.
This little animal can assist you in making decisions if you let it in. Carry your totem with you, or call upon it when you feel stuck, and it will bring you the thought, or idea needed to move forward. But you have to be ready to move when asked!
As an animal of water - the seen - and air - the unseen,  it is a messenger animal. If you need to get in contact with someone, here or in the other world, you can relay your message upon the wings of a dragonfly.
Its corresponding number is 2



Dragonfly in mythology:

Dragonflies have been part of Japanese, Chinese and Native American mythology, as well as in Europe.
Swedish considered these animals an holy animal symbolizing the Goddess Freya.
In Japan dragonflies symbolize  success, victory, happiness, strength  courage and victory in battle. The Emperor of Japan was said to be once bitten by a horsefly, that was later eaten by a dragonfly. To honor the animal, that Emperor named Japan “Akitsushima” or “the Isles of the Dragonfly”.
On the other hand, in Italy it was believed that Satan sent dragonflies up from hell to cause mischief in the world.

According to Navaho Indian legend, dragonflies are a symbol of water purity.

Shrine of Hecate Weekly Updates - Earth Day, Prayer Requests And More

Blessed Saturn Day!

Time for Shrine Updates and Annoucements:

Earth Day is approaching fast. Our Shrine will be holding a prayer vigil for Mother Earth at 9 pm Monday EST to comemorate this event.
You can join us in spirit by lighting a candle and reciting a prayer/devotion of your choice, or the prayer that we will be posting on Earth Day.

Also, we will be posting vegan/vegetarian recipes throughout the day, as the consuming of less meat, or no meat is an effective way of lessening the negative impact we have upon our Earth Mother. So go beyond Meat-less Mondays and dedicate a second day to meat-free, animal-free eating.

Healing and Prayer requests can be left at the Shrine Page, as well as at our Candle Shrine at http://nshrine.com/shrine/Shrine_of_Hecate_Healing. You can also send me a message directly at homeschoolwitch@yahoo.com

Book reviews: If there is a particular Pagan/Wiccan book you would like us to review, leave us a note. With the vast array of books out there on the subject of our craft, finding a new gem is always a delight. Drop me a line at the Shrine page!

I want to welcome all of our new followers on twitter and on facebook! Thank you for taking the time to journey with us! If you have any questions regarding the Pagan/Wiccan path, do not be shy and ask away! No Love Spell questions please!
As a certified Life Coach and an Ordained Minister, I love to assist you, but will caution you that I will tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear.

Wishing you the brightest week possible!

Blessed Be and Hail Hecate!

Your Shrine Keeper - Claudia

To Know - Not Just Book-Knowledge

To Know - Not Just Book-Knowledge 

At first glance "to know" is easy to define. Knowledge is essential to the practice of Wicca. Learning from books and teachers, mentors, elders, asking questions is necessary in order to compently cast a spell, create a ritual, hold a rite. Still there is much more then just book knowledge that is important on the path of being a Witch. Knowing is also trusting oneself. Knowing to trust ones instincts, listening to the nudge to grab one ingredient not necessarily planned, or heading warnings and guidances in dreams and divination that might go beyond what a book would interpret the situation like.

 

To know oneself is also a large part of this pillar. When are we reacting out of instinct or out of our past programming is often only to desipher when one knows their shadow side. Working with and through fear creates a different knowing, that also includes the realisation that you can rely on your own strength to get through situations calmly, rather then act without contemplation, may it be mundane or magickal. 

Witch, know thyself, know thy craft, and know thy relationship with the divine. To really know takes time, as does book learning, and can not be rushed, but is a road every Wiccan has to travel. 

Hail Hecate! 

To Will - Have You Made A Decision?

Contemplating the Witches Pyramid - To Will

Have you made a decision?

Recently, after long contemplation of what I actually want out of life, I have decided. I have made the decision to take the energy that I need, to make time for what I want to do, to shift awareness toward what will be - not what is possible, but what WILL be, because I DECIDED.
One of the pillars of our faith is to will - that does not mean to focus on what could happen, might happen or is possible to happen, if everything has its right place and is in its right time.
To will is to decide and then to make it so.  No excuses, no wimping out. It is a clear cut declaration of how the future will be, and the resolution to do whatever it takes to make it so. One of the strongest weapons we as Witches have is that willpower. It changes things, it opens doorways, better yet it creates doors where there were none before.
The other tools of our journey - to know, to dare, and to be silent, are only as effective as our resolution to WILL whatever we set in front of us as a goal.

Hail Hecate!

P.S. This blog entry is a part of of the series on the Witches Pyramid. You can find the first part - To Be Silent here: http://hecates-corner.blogspot.com/2013/03/contemplating-witches-pyramid-to-be.html

The Crossing Over - Some Thoughts

As some people have moved onto the next realm in my husbands and my family, I have been welcoming them to the circle of my ancestors, despite the fact that I was not close and was not found of them as they were living in our plane of existence.
I am reminding myself, that in their new state of being, the boarders of non-understanding, and of non-compassion no longer exist. Neither does judgement, guilt, fear and other restrictions that they have put upon themselves and others. Therefore, freely a spiritual being in their purest form they no longer are their actions, and no longer view my actions as contrary to theirs.
In that pure love, I wish to not only let go off past, but embrace them as a potential teacher and guide. Surely there will be times where I will be reminded of their actions, and the hurt it may have caused, but I separate their higher self from the self that experienced the physical.
Ancestors with their combined wisdom of all of their lifetimes have teachings to offer, if we are willing to listen to them, no matter if we embraced them during their life with us, or not. Honoring Ancestors has become an increasingly important part of my spiritual path as a Pagan/Wiccan Witch, and I am looking forward to a positive exchange, as I have had with those who passed before them.

May the Goddess Hecate ease the passing of those whom are moving forth, and may she comfort those whom are grieving their transition.

Hail Hecate!

P.S. If you are in need of healing prayer due to the loss of a loved one, or would like us here at the Shrine to hold a memorial service in their honor, please contact us here or on our facebook page. We are also honored to included you or your passed family member/friend in our morning devotion.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shrine-Of-Hecate/162063783870576

For The New Witches

For The New Witches and Those Who Would Like To Be


Welcome! So you are interested in Witchcraft? Good for you! Allow me to give you some pointers.

Witchcraft, the study of magick is a large subject and a diverse one. In order for you to not feel too overwhelmed, consider the different parts that make up this Craft, and begin learning about one or two of these subjects. Please keep in mind that this is a practice of experience, and unlike Book Religions there are many different ways to do something. Find yourself a teacher (you can drop me a line if you are interested) or read a variety of books from different authors to get a great overview on each part of the craft.

Here are some subjects that are involved in the practice of Witchcraft (this is by far not a complete one, but one to get a new person started)


Herbology
Healing
Crystal Work
Working with Deities (the spiritual side of the craft)
Ritual
Sabbats (Holidays)
Working with Spirit Guides
Psychic Work/Intuitive Guidance
Divination
Spells

and more.


I put spells on the end of the list for a reason. While this is the subject that is mostly asked about by the new person, it is the one that should be considered not as the first thing to jump in - we are not only about spells, we are a spiritual practice in most cases of many flavors - there are Witches associated with many religious paths, whom connect with their deity as a part of their magickal practice. There are also Witches with no religious affiliation at all. Limiting this practice to spells would be like limiting the practice of Christianity to the practice of prayer.

Most people, when seeking the path of this Craft think of Wicca. Any teaching I share is from that perspective and that worldview. So for you Seekers, you are welcome to ask questions, you can reach me here via the comment section, via my  Shrine of Hecate page on Facebook or email me at homeschoolwitch@gmail.com .
Please keep in mind that Wicca, Witchcraft and any magickal path are a subject that takes long term study. Even if we will  only share a part of the journey together - may this be of longer or shorter time - dedication and openness to learning is an requirement for a deeper student/teacher relationship.


Hail Hecate!

Contemplating the Witches Pyramid - To Be Silent

To be silent is, in my opinion, a far deeper concept then just concerning oneself with not sharing the personal details of the practice of our Craft. Meditation, true listening to others, our inner/higher self and the divine, as well as being more aware of our use of words in day to day connection are also embraced in this pillar. This concept cautions us to look inward, take a more distant stance and pause.

On its surface this concept seems a harder pillar to keep then the others, as our need to share ourselves and/or find validation is expressed through communication. But we are told to hold back, even when we want to share. We are told to sit still in a world that is bustling with activity, noise and all types of distractions. There is always something that could come in the way of practicing this specific corner of the pyramid.

In the practice of this, we do find ourselves gaining discipline. This discipline, needed to bring our crafting to its best, serves us well in all the aspects of being a Witch.
Therefore while many begin with the side of the pyramid that pertains to knowledge, I suggest to begin in silence. It is in this silence that knowledge can be gained that go beyond books and has to be felt, and experienced. In this silence, ones own connection to the divine can find a way to communicate with you in the way that fits you best. Remembering that the communication experienced with the Energy of the Universe and the Gods are yours and yours alone, also should be left within this silence, to be shared only with you and the spirits, with the rare exceptions of your mentor/teacher.

Hail Hecate!