Love is a Four Letter Word

Having joined the Pagan Blog Project a good way into the year I thought it would be fitting for me to start with Love as my chosen L word.

Please excuse me as the "fluffy bunny" side comes out mixed with the Dark Mama! ;-)

Love is a very valuable tool for any witchling to have in their repertoire.

Love can heal or harm, just like magic can be either.

Love is amazingly powerful!

Love is the strongest of bonds that joins a mother and child long after the cord that connects them has been cut. It is the bond that cements when the crying newborn quiets at the sound of it's mother's voice and suckles at her breast. It can be witnessed almost enviously, when a child stares into it's mother's eyes.

Love is in the passion that flares between lovers. It is felt in the ebb and flow of a passionate embrace. It is known by the guileless laughter and joy that lovers can share in the most carnal moments. It smolders in a knowing smile.

Love is the quiet stillness that swells the heart when Mama Nature blesses us with a glimpse of her beauty. It is seen in a sunrise on a mountain top. It is felt in the clean wild air that gracefully caresses the skin.

Love is the greatest gift when a living being sacrifices it's own life to save another. It is shared in the story of a K-9 who jumps into the path of a bullet meant for it's handler. It's in the sacrifice a mother makes to protect and save her children.

Love is the gentle touch that comforts. Love is in the kiss that heals a scraped knee. Love is the breathless moment of "I do". Love is an old couple walking hand in hand down the street. Love is a grandson gently helping his grandmother into a car.

Love isn't all sunshine and flowers.Love has a dark side as well.

Love can be the teary cry of heartache at a lover's indiscretion. Love can be the angry ex that kills the formal spouse out of jealousy. Love can be the boyfriend that weeps after he beats his girlfriend out of fear and insecurity.

Love can change lives.

Love is strangers running to the scene of an accident to offer comfort and aide. Love is a nurse comforting a dying patient. Love is a community gathering to honor a child beaten to death by his family.

Love is the teacher that takes the extra time to help a student with a learning disorder. Love is the coach that pushes the athlete to improve himself. Love is the mentor that holds a client accountable to improving his or her situation.

Love is looking at the mentally or physically challenged without fear or judgement. Love is becoming a foster parent to a child born with a drug addiction. Love is teaching our children not to judge others by the way they look.

Love is looking at someone who has hurt you and saying I forgive you. Love is listening as your ex rants and raves about everything that is your fault and understanding why they are doing what they. Love is looking at an enemy and really seeing where they are coming from.

Love is looking at yourself in the mirror and accepting yourself as you are. Love is facing your inner deamons and finding the love you have always had for you.

Love is finding Spirit within. Love is seeing Spirit in everything around you.

Love is looking at your life and saying, "Thank you!"

The strongest magic is done from a place of Love. When you love yourself enough to know and accept who you truly are, your magic will be so much stronger.

Love is taking control of and truly living your life.

Love is knowing that Spirit is within us all! Love is what connects us to this world. Love is what connects us to each other.

Love can hurt and Love can heal.

Love can change the world!

See in Love.

Be with Love.

Share the Love.

Namaste

Many Blessings and Much Much Love,
~Faye~

Dancing with Karma

Wishing ill will on another is never a good idea...yet what to do when you know that a person is doing and wishing negativity on you or worse your children. I face that dilemma.

A little...venting...background first:

He's very publicly mentioned that he would like to be the one "driving the karma bus" when it comes to me.

He is very passive-aggressive towards the children. He implies that the things he doesn't do and the legal problems that he is facing are their fault.

When he has his visits (can you tell it's my ex that I'm venting about?) He spoils our children: season passes to Sea World, Six Flags, Kindles, swimming with dolphins, etc. The smaller gifts are played with before our children even see them. Yet he colors his lavish gifts with the threats of him facing jail because he cannot afford his child support?!?! He also makes our children leave their gifts at home because as he constantly tells our kids, "Your mom might sell them".

He has dropped hints that he could disappear with the children to a former friend, but she is so affraid of him that she won't go to the police for me.

He's a psychologically abusive person and a compulsive liar. He's smart enough not to get physically abusive, but he enjoys playing with people's minds. He almost destroyed my personality. I don't want him to do the same to our children.

There is more to this story, but I'll stop here.

Back to the dilemma:

Do I have the right to magickally bind and/or banish home from our lives?

I don't wish him harm...I just wish him distant.

Would it be detrimental to my children? Do I keep my tears of worry to myself every time they get upset and confused at what he tells them or they catch on to one of his lies?

I've noticed the hints of karma on my part when I have gotten pissed off enough to wish him harm.

I know that I'm not the only Mom (some Dads go through this too) that has to deal with a dead-beat parent.

It's the psychological games that he plays with my children's minds that gets my dander up!

I would be protecting my children, but it would also give me peace of mind.

Would their be bad karma if I do a binding/banishing? Or would there be bad karma if I don't?

What would you do if it was your children?

I'll ask the Lady to point me in the right direction.

Blessings and Love,
~Faye~

Life Is Too Short

There was a truck vs car wreck at my work yesterday. I did not witness the actual accident itself, but I did see the emergency crews do what they do best, keeping order and saving lives.

I watched the watchers. I watched what could have been a tragedy unfold and just how quickly it became a spectator sport. The people that filled up my parking lot to gawk at the accident, take pictures and sometimes get in the way. I wanted to scream at the watchers to either help or get lost.

The ones that touched my heart were the men that ran to help as soon as the accident happened. (It is a very small town and there are plenty of guys that are trained as volunteer firemen and paramedics.) One young was really shook up when he came into the store, after the emergency crews showed up, to wash the blood off his shaking hands.. He couldn't have been more than 20, a former volunteer fireman that was in town visiting his girlfriend.

Both drivers lived and there were no passengers in either vehicle. I simple mistake of running a red light on a 40 mph highway that could have been worse.

I realised that I felt helpless. I wanted to run out and help. How? I don't know. There were plenty of people who knew what to do out there at the scene. I didn't want to be a nuisance so I kept my distance.

The rest of my shift was a blur.

Life is short. So very, very short.

It can end or altar drastically in an instant.

I am NOT where I want to be at this moment in my life. That is a fact.

I have found several "reasons" why I am only making baby steps to get to where I want to be. Those are excuses!

Some of the reasons are legitimate, but too many of them are from my ego, myself and my fears getting in the way.

One legitimate one is my financial situation. It sucks! (As my daughter would say.) Yet, I know that it will improve and I will HAVE TO start taking larger strides in the direction that I want to travel.

There is a plan forming in my head. It starts at Yule. I should have my internet back up by then (it will be going off in a few days of this posting) and I will be sharing my experiences with you. I will try very hard to do this daily. It's something that I haphazardly started on Summer Solstice and I have to confess I haven't been as ardent as I should have been.

Mama Moon and Me

Transforming ones life is no easy task, but time is short...Life is short...too short!

From now till Yule I will be studying my minuscule witchy library and coming up with tasks for me to do to better myself and my life.

There is way too much of life that I have yet to live.

Changes will occur. (I am not comfortable with change!)

The road will fork from time to time.

But I have faith!

After all...Life Is Too Short... for me to let it pass me by.

I owe it my children...

...I owe it to myself!

Life is too short...

Time To Live!


Blessings and Love

~Faye~

"I am where I am because of the choices I made"

It's such a simple sentence in structure, yet the meaning that it conveys is massive. It's a quote that I return to time and time again. I usually conjure it up when my life gets tough.

I am where I am because of the choices I have made.

Such simple truth. I wrote that years ago when my divorce was at it's worst and I almost lost my children the first time.

Things are tough again. My son has to ask his wrestling teammates if any of them have some old wrestling shoes so that he can participate. There won't be a month's salary for me because the state has decided to garnish 100% of my "disposable" income. We won't have Internet or cell phones in a couple of weeks. We barely have food in the house. Hubby's next check will have to cover rent with not much left over.

I could go on and on with the woes, but it gets so depressing. I realise that I have allowed all this to happen, in fact, I asked for it!

I am where I am because of the choices I made.

I can do a few things to alleviate some of the stress. We'll be visiting the local food pantry in the morning and while we have phones and Internet, I will apply for food assistance from the state. (Yes, I am actually admitting to this!)

A teammate has offered my son his old wrestling shoes, if he can find them. I won't ask my son to give up wrestling because it has given him some motivation to continue to improve his grades and himself. As soon as we can afford to, we will be buying him some shoes for wrestling that will fit him.

No paychecks for a month...it could be worse I could have no job and no paychecks, besides this will pay off the state tax commission and it will be one less bill to worry about afterwards.

Yes, things are very dismal right now, but I haven't given up hope nor lost faith. I have no one else to blame for the way that things have gotten. I take full responsibility for the hardships that we are going through, because I wasn't as responsible as I should have been.

I am where I am because of the choices I made.

That being said about the present, what about the future?

I am where I am because of the choices I made.

The choices that I make now will effect the path my life will take. I refuse to wallow in self pity, but I acknowledge the mistakes that I have made and will work to make appropriate decisions at the crucial time.

I am where I am because of the choices I made.

It is a simple fact,  not an excuse to give up. It states that I am responsible for my life and my actions. It is no one else's fault but my own, if my life isn't what or where I want it to be. It is a recognition of a divergence of what/where I would prefer my life to be and what/where it actually is at this present moment. It is a reference that my life could, can, and will change if when I choose to change the present course that I am on.

I am where I am because of the choices I made.

Blessings and Love

~Faye~

Make Choices, Not Excuses

I haven't blogged in several days and I haven't posted any new videos on YouTube in a couple of weeks.  It's very easy to make valid sounding excuses for not doing either, but it really comes down to choice.

I made the choice not to do either.

Life is about choices, not excuses.

You have to choose to do.

There are times that I feel inadequate when I read other blogs or watch other videos, but I chose to start doing a blog (and vlogging) to overcome my shyness and those feelings of inadequacy. I do enjoy putting my thoughts out into the world, because it gives me a chance to learn who I am and to express that succinctly.

Everyone comes across those moments when they can either do or back down. Most of the time backing down comes from fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of inadequacies. Fear of being seen/heard.

I know, understand and embrace that I fear. I also realise that I need to overcome those fears. It isn't an easy road to "choose to do", but it is one that I have to travel to be true to myself.

Like my hubby likes to say, "Excuses are like assholes. Everybody has at least one." :-)

Excuses are just a chicken shit way of avoiding something that makes us uncomfortable. The problem is that in order to experience life you have to put yourself in some uncomfortable situations. If you aren't willing to get out of your comfort zone than you will never know what you may accomplish.

The worst that can happen with my blogs is that no one will read them. So what. At least I am making an effort to put my words out there and if nothing else it's a good way for me to practice my spelling, punctuation and grammar. :-) (I am pretty bad at all three!)

The one thing that I have noticed about choosing to start a blog and doing videos, is that it does boost my self confidence and sets a good example for my kiddos.They know that I am choosing to put myself in an uncomfortable situation. It shows them that it's ok to get out of your comfort zone.

I choose to face my fears.

I choose to express who I am.

I choose to put myself out there.

I choose to do.

There are still several things that I want to do. I can't at the moment. I won't make excuses for not doing them. I have made the choice to postpone doing them. I have also made the choice that as soon as I can, they will happen. 

Is there something that you want to do? Something that you keep making excuses not to? face your fears and admit, even if only to yourself, why you haven't done them and make the choice to find a way to accomplish what you would like to do.

"Stop making excuses and just do it"--Nike T-shirt

A Lesson Learned!

I was organizing my few witchy supplies yesterday when I came across a small bag that I had forgotten about. Of course it would be at the very back of a high shelf. A simple little plastic bag with a reddish-brownish powder in it. It was simply labeled "banishing" in marker on the bag.

I opened it up and it still smells so good! I could almost see the spell that I cast and I remember that the powder worked very, very, very well! I hunted through my BOS, but I couldn't find the recipe nor the spell!

It was maybe four years ago that I made it. It still smells great and it is still "alive". Being as old as it possibly is, I was very surprised to feel the energies that were still coming off the powder, and it is really bugging me that I can't remember what is in it!

So I transferred the powder into a small glass jar and labeled it "My Banishing Powder". I don't want to get rid of it, besides I was meant to find this! (Makes me wonder what is about to happen or what is going on that I cannot "see"?)

I have cleaned out my BOS since and I am wondering if I possibly threw the recipe away, if I simply didn't write it down or if it's in my "to go through" box. It is really, really bugging me.

I learned a lesson...Keep Records!

No matter how much of a hurry you may be in...Keep Notes!

Any time you do a spell or ritual, especially if you do one off the top of your head...Make Notes!

Record what you are doing in some form or another. Be "old fashioned" by writing notes or use technology to record yourself on video or even just an audio recording. Which ever method you use, be sure to explain (with as much detail as possible) what you are using, saying, doing and why.

Keep your magickal records as neat and orderly as possible. Be sure to place them in a secure place and that they are clearly labeled. Even if all you have is a pile of ragged notes in a shoebox, try to arrange them in some order and label them.

Keep notes, records, videos, recordings and keep them organized!

Well I am off to organize my "to go through" box!

Blessings and Love

~Faye~

Esbat Nov. 2011: A Simple Explanation

November's Full Moon--Snow Moon.

According to the The Meaning of Our Moon post in the Magickal Winds Articles blog, November's Full Moon is for "Plan for a ritual to work on ridding yourself of negative thoughts and vibrations."

Very fitting for what I have planned today! But first a simple explanation of what I will be doing.

First the mundane--Cleaning house! My rituals and spell workings seem to go a lot smoother and have better results if my house is cleaned up. After all "Chaos breeds chaos"! So I will bring some order to my home first. If time is an issue, a quick cleaning of the "work space" will suffice. I like to have music going that will stay on during the whole process.

Active meditation--When I clean house is when I meditate. I have a difficult time sitting quietly for extended periods of time and getting my mind to let go, yet when I clean (especially when I wash dishes by hand) my mind very easily slips into that meditative mode. But, I will be meditating with a purpose before a spell/ritual. I will focus my mind on my goal and allow myself to be guided on what items are needed and what should be done for my planned spell/ritual, this also helps to get me into the correct mindset.

Next the cleansing--Being a Full Moon, I want to tap into the energies that Mama Moon is graciously willing to bless us with. I will be clearing and cleansing my whole house first. How to cleanse is varied. I explained one of the ways that I do cleansings in a video on YouTube. Find  that works for you. Once again, if there isn't enough time a quick cleansing will work.

Gathering and preparing--Gathering all the materials needed and preparing the space to be used is crucial part. When you take the time to prepare the space where you will be working and to prepare everything that you will use, it gives you a chance to double check and make sure that everything you will need is at hand, nothing is forgotten and any last minute ideas can be added in as well. Don't forget to prepare a small snack for after!

Double check--And triple check too! Please take the time to do this step! Stopping in the middle of a spell or ritual to go and grab the whatever you forgot can interrupt the flow of energies and prevent the spell/ritual from reaching it's full potential. Workings can and will go badly if your concentration is interrupted!

Cleansing and preparing self--If time allows take a shower or bath with the purpose of cleaning and cleansing yourself of negative energies. For a quick cleansing: ground and center yourself, feel any negativity leaving you and going down into the Earth to be transformed into loving energy, ground and center again. Dressing up (or down) is an option. I usually just wear my everyday clothes since that is what is comfortable to me, but I do make sure that I am presentable and that my hair and teeth are brushed.

Making magick--Whether to do a full blown scripted ritual, complete with workings or to do a simple ceremony or even just a spell or two? The answer is up to you and depends on how much time you have available and how you're feeling. No matter the platform you choose to work in, the important thing to remember is that you relax and enjoy the moment. Mistakes are ok and laughter is permitted. Enjoy this blissful moment of communing with Diety.

Afterwards--Relax and breathe! Take a few moments to clean up, put away, dispose of anything, take offerings outside. Then sit and relax with a light snack of carbs and a glass of water to help ground and recharge you, and take notes on the spell/ritual. Do an activity is soothing to the mind (ex: take a walk, read a book, have a glass of wine, watch a comedy, etc), something that will gently bring you back to the everyday world.

That's the simplest way to explain what I do. It can get as elaborate or simple as you want it to be, just keep in mind how much time you have and how you feel.

 Time is ticking away, so I will go and practice what I just "preached"!

Have a wonderful Esbat, however you celebrate it!

Blessings and Love

~Faye~

Life Quizes and Change

Universe has been giving me some serious "clues" that a Change was coming. I wasn't aware at first about what was coming, but I could feel the energies of Change growing around me.

When Change is about to take place, my energies falter, my shields weaken and I become more susceptible to the energies and emotions around me. It's almost as if my Inner-Self is preparing for the bombardment of energy shifts that are coming. Like a track runner at the starting line, tensing up and preparing for when the starting gun goes off.

It isn't a depression, but pretty darn close. When depression hits, I just want to hide from the world. Disappear from all my responsibilities and an urge to do nothing. This is what I call The Calm, the calm before the storm. You know it's coming, you can see and feel it, but a calmness is between you and The Storm of Change. Everything seems to slow down, as you make preperations for the onslaught coming your way.

I usually get a lot of "hints" from Universe about Changes. My biggest problem is that I haven't relearned to trust my Intuition. But Universe is prepared for that and it isn't always nice about it.

If the "hints" that Universe is sending you aren't quite making sense, then Universe will throw "tests" at you. These "tests" are more like "pop quizzes" (Remember those!). No preparation, no warning, just a BAM! and life smacks you a good one...or two...or more.

These Life Quizzes are not meant for you to feel like "life's not fair" or "why does this always happen to me". They are thrown at you to show you just how much you have grown in your spirituality. How "strong" you have become. It is Universe's way of pushing you to your limits so that you will see that you can get out of your comfort zone.

Life Quizzes test your faith (it happens no matter what religion you follow), the sincerity in the Path that you have chosen to walk through life.

To use myself as an example: I am a follower of Goddess and God and I will live a complacent life and know that they will give me all I need to live.

That is not how it works! You do not sit idly by and wait for anything you need and or want to fall into your lap by the grace of Universe.

Every day I have to show them that not only am I their follower, but I am their child. I do not blindly follow their "leadership", but work with them to provide what I need to live. I have to work at bringing    insert desire or need here   into my life.

Every day I have to express that Lady and Lord are a part of Me and I AM a part of Them. I have to love and respect My Self as I Am, as much as I love and respect Them!

In Buddhist philosophy--life is about suffering, enlightenment is about the ending of suffering.

Life Quizzes can and will cause suffering to some degree. It may be a mild annoyance or it could be a heartache of some kind. Just realise that it is not about Universe being cruel, it IS about Universe showing you your strengths.

It IS about YOU ARE what YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE! It isn't to test your faith in your Diety, but to test your faith in YOU!

So when Universe throws down a Life Quiz, know that you will pass and embrace the Change that follows!

I WILL!

Blessings and Love

~Faye~

Forgiving Myself

Trying to find a balance with the 10 Zen Precepts, the 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief, and some of my own personal truths is turning out to be easier than I thought it could be, as there are many similarities between them. All of the Precepts feel true to me by one degree or another, but they should not be taken at face value. There is a depth to those simple sentences that when studied, meditated on and absorbed that is very profound.

I will be delving into only one of the Precepts in this post, since it was the one that hit me the hardest when I had listened to the Infinite Smile podcast. The 9th Precept--Do not harbor anger.

At first listening to the podcast, it made so much sense that harboring anger towards others is detrimental towards spiritual growth.

There are several individuals that I still hold anger towards even though years have gone by on some incidents.  I started realising that I had to start letting those resentments go. My mind started whirling different thoughts on ways that I could work on those issues, both magickally and mundane. It was just so many ideas hitting me all at once, until one thought stopped me in my tracks and brought tears to my eyes...

...the world stopped...

For only a few seconds, but my life flashed before me...

...and one thought stood uppermost in my mind...

...How can I forgive other people...When I haven't forgiven...myself?

Now mind you I was at work at the time, and for a good 5 minutes not one customer came through the doors and the phones did not ring in that time either, thank the Mother.

It was such an epiphany! On of those that will change my life, if I let it.

It won't be easy, because many of the mental and emotional scars run very deep. I have to forgive myself for things that I have done and things that were done to me. I have to face my inner daemons even more deeply than I ever have. I have faced my Darkness Within but I had never forgiven Her/Myself. I have accepted and acknowledged Her/Myself, but I had never told her those three simple words..."I am sorry".

I have wondered many times why these last couple of years I have felt like I was going nowhere spiritually. My magickal and mundane life has been at a standstill and it was driving me nuts!

Now I know.

Now once again, during the first full moon after the Witch's New Year, I will call on my Darkness Within. It will be a daunting task. I will have to open my heart, mind and soul to all the deepest pains that I have experienced and face the pains that I have caused others.

I won't lie...I am scared...so very, very scared!

I find myself saying the very first witch prayer that I wrote and the words have more meaning to me now as I ready myself for the journey that I am about to take...

Lady grant me strength, grant me wisdom, grant me power.

Lord grant me love, grant me prosperity, grant me protection.

Blessings and Love

~Faye~

10 Zen Precepts

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts at work the other day and it really made me think. The podcast is Infinite Smile. It is a Buddhist podcast that I enjoy and it has taught me so much about the Path that I am following.

In the latest episode, Michael McAlister talks about "Do No Harm" as a theme in the Zen Precepts and how we can use it change our lives and the awakening within. He stays very real on how these 10 Precepts can be used as guides in the mundane situations of our lives.He uses an extremely personal event to illustrate on the uses of these guides.

 

The 10 Zen Precepts are:

1. Do not kill.
2. Do not steal.
3. Do not abuse or misuse sexuality.
4. Do not lie.
5. Do not abuse intoxicants
6. Do not put others down.
7. Do not praise self at the expense of others.
8. Do not let greed control you.
9. Do not harbor anger.
10. Do not diminishing the Higher Self. 

They are all very profound ways of looking and living life. You do not have to blindly follow them as they are guides, precepts not commandments. You need to be very open on how these precepts fit into your life in a very realistic way.

I am trying to fit them into my life and I will explain how I view each of these precepts and how I try to fit them into my mundane and magickal life. There are occasions where the precepts can be argued as to how deep to follow them, but you need to be fully aware, fully conscious of why you are walking into the "grey areas" of the precepts.

If you choose to not follow these precepts to the letter, the actions that you take should come from a place that is devoid of Anger, Hatred, Greed, and Delusion.

Read over the precepts how would you incorporate them and how would you argue how deeply to follow them?

13 Principles of Wiccan Belief

Posting in honor of the reconvening of the "American Council of Witches"! For more information read The Wild Hunt Article!

The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief:

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.

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 seek 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.

("Council of American Witches" Chairman Carl Llewellyn Weschcke

Over 70 members from many of the paths and traditions prevalent in 1973 convened in Minneapolis that autumn forming the "Council of American Witches" and nominating Weschcke as chairman. By April of 1974 the council had come up with loosely accepted list of general principles that Weschcke used as a basis for writing "The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief".

The council disbanded shortly after.

Due to Weschcke's efforts, these principles were incorporated into the "Chaplains Handbook" for use in the U.S. Army.)

It Rained Last Night.

The puddle below my back steps.

Sweetly pattering across the roof. Pleasantly plunking into puddles outside the backdoor, left open to catch the smell of Mother's rain cleansing the Earth.

The gently, forceful, relaxing sound of a storm seemed to over shadow the usual sounds of my queendom at night. My hubby snoring gently on the sofa besides me, the t.v. usual incessant blabbering, the shushing of the washing machine, the dryer plinking along (found a nickle in it later!)...all were as nothing to Mother's gentle tears.

As usual I had remained awake while the barely controlled chaos in the house had quieted to snores, whimpers, and whispers of dreams. I love the night, especially when it rains.

My mind is at it's keenest as the quietness of the Witching Hour approaches and it drives my hubby crazy!

My thoughts bouncing from one idea, concept, plan to another, like the raindrops that were plunking onto the barbecuer.

I thought of the book that's been dancing along the peripheries of my mind and realised that it had a friend. I thought of the season and what it corresponded to and how fitting it was that we should have rainfall now. I thought of my life and came to the conclusion that I had to put Autumn's correspondences into play.

I vaguely remember a lesson from an English class back in high school (many, many, many, many moons ago), where we were taught that rain in stories is a cleansing, a rebirth, a coming clean of the action and/or character...very befitting for me last night...a cleansing, a rebirth, a coming clean...

I knew I loved the rain for a reason!

So I awoke bright and refreshed, so like the world outside my front door is. So full of sunshine and potential...

I'll grab my pointed hat and broom and ride this magickal currant full of wondrous ideas...don't worry I'll bring you along if you'd like!

Blessings and Love to All!

~Faye~

Depression, I want a Divorce

Depression has been a constant companion in my life. A comfortable old friend that has constantly encouraged me to rest at Her side. She has been an almost life-long companion. Our relationship has been a comfortable one, but not a productive one.


I need to end this relationship.
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The problem with my relationship with my friend is that I give Her all of my time and attention when She is around at the exclusion of my family, my friends and even myself. In a good relationship, both parties should grow, not one whither and one thrive.

She encourages me to sit quietly and silently at Her side. To just relax and let the World pass me by. She encourages me to silently accept Her and to not let anyone know that She is there.

Quiet moments are good for the heart and mind. Rest and relaxation are essential for the health and well-being of the body and mind, but too much of either is not a good thing.

Breaking away from this relationship will not be easy. She will not go away quietly. She will kick and scream. She will dig Her claws into my mind and say all those phrases that have always held sway with me...but I will be the strong one this time...I WILL be the dominant one...I WILL win, for I know without my weakness, time and attention She will lose strength, whither and cease to have a hold on me.

I know that She will never go away. She will lurk in the shadows and bid her time hoping that I will give in to Her seductive call.


I am grateful for those things She has taught me. To sit quietly and reflect on my life, but I will no longer neglect the other aspects of my life for Her.

I will let Her go. Divorce myself from Her!

It will be a sad farewell for me, I can admit. I will be losing a part of myself.

The space that she occupied will be filled with something more positive. I cannot leave that space empty, like I have done in the past, for She will try to weasel Her way back in. (It is a mistake that I have done in the past!)

Do not be afraid to truly see Your Self!

That Space will be filled with a new relationship. I will insert a new friendship. It will be an uncomfortable one...at first, but like any relationship worth having, it will blossom!

I will seek a relationship with My Self. That Self that I wish/want/desire to be.

Having a relationship with Self can be very awkward. I know this Self, but I have never sought out Her attention. She is strong, vibrant. She is love and wisdom. She is gentleness, yet with conviction. She has courage. She is Mother and Goddess. She is lover and friend.

She is My Self...She is Me!

Blessings and Love, Faye

On a Personal Note...

I wanted to take the time to tell everyone that I have a wonderful husband.

He has been supportive of every endevor that I have chosen to take on.

He has been an inspiration to me and our children. He has been a great dad, even though the kiddos drive him nuts! He was willing to take on a ready-made family that is barely controled chaos!

Our marriage may not be the perfect marriage, but it is perfect to us!

Now that I have embarassed the man...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEY!!!

:-p

With lots of Love, Faye

Feelings of Uggghhhh and the Mind!!!

I'm sick today...

No, I am not...

Yes, I am....

Uggghhhh....

I DO NOT have the TIME to be sick!

Harvest Moon

I hope everyone had a wonderful Harvest Moon celebration. I know I did. :-)

It was very simple and very moving. It was just the moon and me! No candles...no fire...no incense...no tools...nothing but me and the Moon.

It was a very refreshing experience. How many of you can let go of all the complexity of a ritual and just do one with nothing else but yourself?

Celebrate Life, Not Death

A child's first experience with death is usually with a family pet. No matter how large or small the creature the pain that a child will feel is immeasurable. It is a very hard transition for a child to go through, but it is a natural cycle of life.



Just recently my daughter's pet rat, Mamma, got ill. My daughter(age 13) was very heartbroken at the idea of Mamma passing away. Mamma will not be the first pet that my daughter will have experienced death with, but none the less there is still considerable heartache for my daughter.

So we talked.