Saturday, May 30, 2015
Wet Weather
The weather this year has been somewhat odd. Seems there is a flash-flood warning every other day in this neck of the Texas woods. Parts of this state are already heavily under water such as Austin and Houston. The next town over even had flooding issues. I can't say I ever remember a year like this before. Even as I type, rain is pelting down upon my roof and lulling my little one into a deeper sleep. In the morning, however, there will be more downed branches and plants in the garden getting root rot. I pray this rain wains and the sun makes it's way out. It might just be time to call the coven to gather for a ritual to repel these storms. The land just can't take it.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Hawk Messages
"The Hawk represents a messenger in the Native American culture. It often shows up in our life when we need to pay attention to the subtle messages found around us, and from those we come into contact with. As with all messages recieved, it is important to recognize the messages underlying truth."
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Essential Oils
A coven mate of mine recently began selling Young Living brand essential oils. Now, I've always enjoyed oils for their magickal properties and for their aromatherapy qualities when on the oil warmer that sits upon my altar, but I had paid them little attention for healing. Partly due to heavy prices of the 100% pure undiluted oils needed when using topically for healing. However, my coven mate decided to give me a sample of a custom blend designed for edema which I suffer with from an old car wreck injury. I couldn't believe just how amazing this method worked for me. For the first time in several months, I laid down bed for the night with a pain free knee.
....and now I am addicted to the healing benefits of essential oils. I've since purchased a few Young Living oils and also pulled out my oils purchased from the local health food store. I'm building up a personalized medicine cabinet of healing oils and removing the nasty chemical mainstream medicines.
There are many other uses for these oils too. One I plan to try out this summer is a essential oil flea collar for my feline friends. I hope it works as it sounds like a much more mild method of flea removal, which would be a great change as the last attempt at flea drops went horribly wrong and ended up with a trip to the vet. Other uses are in homemade cleaning products and bug repellent. Crossing my fingers on the bug repellent as the mosquitoes in my area have made this hedge witch afraid of the outdoors. If only there was a spell to banish these little devils.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Getting Ready for a Wiccaning
I'm very excited to announce that I have a beautiful baby boy back on December 30, 2014!
I know, I know....I should have posted sooner about this wonderful news, but with that life changing event, I haven't exactly had time to fiddle around with my blog. There was so much that had to be done in preparation to his arrival and then there was a lot of adjusting once he came home in my arms.
One thing that I've been lacking time to getting around to is his Wiccaning ceremony. Blessing a baby is very important after all! I finally asked a fellow Wiccan, whom is a High Priestess from another area, to perform the ceremony. She has agreed to the task and will be meeting with me next week or so to go over the where, when and the rite itself.
I'm so excited about it!
I've performed a Wiccaning in the past, but its fun to work with new people and to actually be the one having it done for instead of the one doing it. Its a whole new experience and a great one to be on the opposite side of the table for.
Well, I guess the only thing left for me to post is a picture of my handsome little hereditary witch...
I know, I know....I should have posted sooner about this wonderful news, but with that life changing event, I haven't exactly had time to fiddle around with my blog. There was so much that had to be done in preparation to his arrival and then there was a lot of adjusting once he came home in my arms.
One thing that I've been lacking time to getting around to is his Wiccaning ceremony. Blessing a baby is very important after all! I finally asked a fellow Wiccan, whom is a High Priestess from another area, to perform the ceremony. She has agreed to the task and will be meeting with me next week or so to go over the where, when and the rite itself.
I'm so excited about it!
I've performed a Wiccaning in the past, but its fun to work with new people and to actually be the one having it done for instead of the one doing it. Its a whole new experience and a great one to be on the opposite side of the table for.
Well, I guess the only thing left for me to post is a picture of my handsome little hereditary witch...
Jacob Dorian Bennett
1 Day Old
&
4 Months Old
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Traditional vs. Modern
I'm very much a traditional witch. The path of a hedge witch is a traditional one after all. However, times are always changing and with it new modern versions of the paths of witchcraft. Even Wicca is really modern in comparison to old school witchcraft from hundreds of years ago. By spirituality beliefs, I am Wiccan....therefore, I understand how modern is good as well.
But are there times when one is better than the other? In my opinion, yes. When one is learning I believe they should study all the traditional pieces first to build their basis from, as not all that is modern information is reliable. Today, there is so much fiction mixed in that it can make it hard to see the true world of metaphysics and magick. This is especially true for the younger generations who don't have access to creditable sources due to funds, being a minor, or lack of guidance from an experienced elder.
I can remember being a newbie myself all those 15 years ago. I was new to divination, spell craft, the astral realms, and etc. It was overwhelming. Once I thought I had one thing figured out, I then thought I knew it all. Of course, I quickly learned I wasn't as smart as I thought. Experience and knowledge really are everything....and I lacked on all of that. After a short bit, I learned to admit my ignorance. After all, I lacked good sources. The internet back in those days had very little information and books had to be approved by my mother before purchase.
Today the internet has many new sources, but sadly little are creditable. It is much easier to find more modern fluff than anything traditional unless you actually know what to be searching for. This makes it so much harder for anyone to get a good grip of what is realistic in practices such as astral traveling, shape shifting, familiar/fetch work, energy work/healing, elements....the list goes on. Almost everything I see being posted on forums by the younger generations is filled with fictional stories and role play game information (D&D, Whitewolf, etc). Therefore, when it comes to studying, I'd say traditional is best.
Now, once one has learned all the traditional information....do they have to practice that way? No, of course not! I don't myself, but it is the foundation to everything, including all the modern versions of practices, beliefs and theories. Nothing today doesn't stem from the ways of old. They are traditional for a reason: They known to work or be true. Hundreds of years of knowledge can't be all incorrect even for modern times, can it? Okay, sure sacrificing a goat might not bring rain....but the idea behind it is still valid as offerings of some kind do seem to have an effect. The same is even applied to mythical beings like the elementals, fae folk or even dragons. To work with them, one must know their history to truly know the creatures. Fairies aren't all like Tinker Bell, that is for sure, and it would be unfortunate to make that mistake as it could become a dangerous situation quite quickly.
When it comes to spirituality, not just magickal practices, I really enjoy the modern (non-fluffy) changes. Like simple quarter callings vs full on summoning of the watchtowers....nice change and easier to cast circle. Setting up an altar as you desire instead of using all the older set up standards of what goes where...much better as it creates a better spiritual connection for me. Being able to use my smart phone to do black mirror scrying on the go? Looks much less strange to have. Having a drumming cd to journey versus actually having someone drum next to me? I love my drumming mp3's and my bionary beats app. Using a deck of cards to tell animal totems instead of complicated meditation/astral methods makes things much easier there too.
Where do I cross the lines for modern?
When it starts to go beyond common sense or within the realms of the possible. Now, I know that general witchcraft and energy workings seem like they should go beyond science, but it simply isn't true. We just don't know all the rules yet to our universe but I do know that a lot of quantum physics beliefs and theories do seem to explain a lot of what we call magick. Even shape shifting is possible under quantum physics and is taught as so by modern shamans but according to it you still can't say...grow wings to be like an angel due to the lack of the extra atoms you would need to make that feasible. Or the popular term of Otherkin being used for those claiming to have souls of mythical beings or animals. While I do believe one lives many lives with reincarnation, a soul is a blank slate.....it doesn't have any one true form that if carries from one life to the next. This is where I say traditional teachings need to be shown back into light. Even if they choose to ignore it....it still must be understood before making a final judgement. Otherwise one's sources could all be based on fantasy novels and role play games without ever knowing it. Fluffies no longer know they are fluffy due to corrupted information claiming to be "modern" techniques and legit information online.
That bothers me more than anything for I have seen so many with real potential give up from lack of results due to all this "modern" twists. Those who fight for these topics of misinformation and keep it going, have never cracked open a true book on metaphysics or witchcraft....some even insisting traditional is old and outdated in order to defend their fantasy beliefs. However, the traditional gave way to those beliefs. Traditional practices are what lay behind your modern techniques and even were used in research of popular role play game systems. Traditional information is only becoming dead because some refuse to go beyond being ignorant and commit themselves to actual study.
....so yes, I'm a traditional lover. But that doesn't make it better than modern. Things always change with time. Some people would prefer not to work with graveyard dirt, having a wand exactly the length of their elbow to their fingertips, having all the traditional tools, going skyclad or in a robe, be able to read theban script, using crazy herb mixtures to induce shape shifting....etc. I can't blame them. But common sense is key and in this world of magic and myth....tradition is still important. It might always be used....but we can't let it die out from that which is modern.
But are there times when one is better than the other? In my opinion, yes. When one is learning I believe they should study all the traditional pieces first to build their basis from, as not all that is modern information is reliable. Today, there is so much fiction mixed in that it can make it hard to see the true world of metaphysics and magick. This is especially true for the younger generations who don't have access to creditable sources due to funds, being a minor, or lack of guidance from an experienced elder.
I can remember being a newbie myself all those 15 years ago. I was new to divination, spell craft, the astral realms, and etc. It was overwhelming. Once I thought I had one thing figured out, I then thought I knew it all. Of course, I quickly learned I wasn't as smart as I thought. Experience and knowledge really are everything....and I lacked on all of that. After a short bit, I learned to admit my ignorance. After all, I lacked good sources. The internet back in those days had very little information and books had to be approved by my mother before purchase.
Today the internet has many new sources, but sadly little are creditable. It is much easier to find more modern fluff than anything traditional unless you actually know what to be searching for. This makes it so much harder for anyone to get a good grip of what is realistic in practices such as astral traveling, shape shifting, familiar/fetch work, energy work/healing, elements....the list goes on. Almost everything I see being posted on forums by the younger generations is filled with fictional stories and role play game information (D&D, Whitewolf, etc). Therefore, when it comes to studying, I'd say traditional is best.
Now, once one has learned all the traditional information....do they have to practice that way? No, of course not! I don't myself, but it is the foundation to everything, including all the modern versions of practices, beliefs and theories. Nothing today doesn't stem from the ways of old. They are traditional for a reason: They known to work or be true. Hundreds of years of knowledge can't be all incorrect even for modern times, can it? Okay, sure sacrificing a goat might not bring rain....but the idea behind it is still valid as offerings of some kind do seem to have an effect. The same is even applied to mythical beings like the elementals, fae folk or even dragons. To work with them, one must know their history to truly know the creatures. Fairies aren't all like Tinker Bell, that is for sure, and it would be unfortunate to make that mistake as it could become a dangerous situation quite quickly.
When it comes to spirituality, not just magickal practices, I really enjoy the modern (non-fluffy) changes. Like simple quarter callings vs full on summoning of the watchtowers....nice change and easier to cast circle. Setting up an altar as you desire instead of using all the older set up standards of what goes where...much better as it creates a better spiritual connection for me. Being able to use my smart phone to do black mirror scrying on the go? Looks much less strange to have. Having a drumming cd to journey versus actually having someone drum next to me? I love my drumming mp3's and my bionary beats app. Using a deck of cards to tell animal totems instead of complicated meditation/astral methods makes things much easier there too.
Where do I cross the lines for modern?
When it starts to go beyond common sense or within the realms of the possible. Now, I know that general witchcraft and energy workings seem like they should go beyond science, but it simply isn't true. We just don't know all the rules yet to our universe but I do know that a lot of quantum physics beliefs and theories do seem to explain a lot of what we call magick. Even shape shifting is possible under quantum physics and is taught as so by modern shamans but according to it you still can't say...grow wings to be like an angel due to the lack of the extra atoms you would need to make that feasible. Or the popular term of Otherkin being used for those claiming to have souls of mythical beings or animals. While I do believe one lives many lives with reincarnation, a soul is a blank slate.....it doesn't have any one true form that if carries from one life to the next. This is where I say traditional teachings need to be shown back into light. Even if they choose to ignore it....it still must be understood before making a final judgement. Otherwise one's sources could all be based on fantasy novels and role play games without ever knowing it. Fluffies no longer know they are fluffy due to corrupted information claiming to be "modern" techniques and legit information online.
That bothers me more than anything for I have seen so many with real potential give up from lack of results due to all this "modern" twists. Those who fight for these topics of misinformation and keep it going, have never cracked open a true book on metaphysics or witchcraft....some even insisting traditional is old and outdated in order to defend their fantasy beliefs. However, the traditional gave way to those beliefs. Traditional practices are what lay behind your modern techniques and even were used in research of popular role play game systems. Traditional information is only becoming dead because some refuse to go beyond being ignorant and commit themselves to actual study.
....so yes, I'm a traditional lover. But that doesn't make it better than modern. Things always change with time. Some people would prefer not to work with graveyard dirt, having a wand exactly the length of their elbow to their fingertips, having all the traditional tools, going skyclad or in a robe, be able to read theban script, using crazy herb mixtures to induce shape shifting....etc. I can't blame them. But common sense is key and in this world of magic and myth....tradition is still important. It might always be used....but we can't let it die out from that which is modern.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Never Ending Learning
I truly believe that one can never stop learning and never should stop. I've met many in the metaphysical realms that get to a comfortable place of knowledge, then seem to just refrain from going farther. There is always something farther and new to learn. Even if the learning comes from personal experimentation and deciphering the experience. One reason I personally keep a journal or book of shadows. I enjoy learning and I fear the day I stop that my life will become a bore. Learning is what life is about. It might not always be book knowledge in this manner but life is full of lessons yet to be learned. The only thing that keeps us from moving forward and gaining new insight is closing your mind to new information. I don't believe in sin, but if I had to say something was a sin....then that would be it.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Life Endings and Beginnings
After arriving home from spending time with my family over the holiday of mother's day, I heard some concerning shrieking coming from in my woods. (Did I mention I moved back into the country?) I went to investigate as whatever creature was making this sound was in much distress. After a couple of minutes of searching in the woods, I found crows throwing a fit above me and something flapping about at the base of a tree on the other side of my stream. I crossed it carefully to discover a dying wookpecker. A pileated woodpecker to be exact. He was thrashing about and I realized something was wrong with his neck or spine. He couldn't move his head properly and I knew that wasn't good as no amount of reiki would help up. All I could do was calm him down by talking with him. He died a few minutes later in my hands. I said a small prayer for him and left him be for nature to take it's course with him.
This event got me to wondering about the meaning of the woodpecker. According to Ted Andrews the woodpecker is a symbol of a time of new rhythms and new beginnings. Making it a time for building for the future in the manner that is best for you. I'm not sure how this applies to a witnessing this beautiful bird ending it's life's journey, but it is appropriate for me. How?
Well, it only seems fitting to announce on Mother's Day, that I am expecting a little one myself. Due date has been set for January 1st by my midwife. Oh, how the journey of life is always changing, right?
This event got me to wondering about the meaning of the woodpecker. According to Ted Andrews the woodpecker is a symbol of a time of new rhythms and new beginnings. Making it a time for building for the future in the manner that is best for you. I'm not sure how this applies to a witnessing this beautiful bird ending it's life's journey, but it is appropriate for me. How?
Well, it only seems fitting to announce on Mother's Day, that I am expecting a little one myself. Due date has been set for January 1st by my midwife. Oh, how the journey of life is always changing, right?
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