Moonchild's Musings

Building a Daily Practice by Dianne Sylvan

2009-02-10T07:30:00.002-06:00

Building a Daily Practice by Dianne Sylvan

(article copped from my friend wyldechild at LJ)

As busy as we are, how do we find time for all the worthwhile pursuits of the spirit? Most of us like the idea of meditating, of doing devotional rituals, of spending time outdoors--but most days I'm doing well if I make it home from work and collapse on the couch without having killed anyone, and there are a thousand things to do in those few hours we are permitted between work and sleep.

I've been heard to say many times that I wished there was such a thing as a Pagan monastery. If I were filthy rich and could do whatever I wanted with my money, I would buy an island somewhere and create a place where people could come to live a devotional life, and others could come on retreat. I love the idea of living far away from the maddening world, away from commercialism and television and American politics and religious nuts (I've always preferred spiritual fruits), where we would grow all our own food and spend the whole day in reverence with rituals at dawn and dusk, prayers for meals, chants and songs...

Perhaps someday a sack of gold will fall out of the sky and not hit me in the head, and I will be able to live out that monastic dream; in the meantime, like most Wiccans, I live and work in the rat-race world of modern Western civilization, and somehow have to eke out a spiritual life amid the commitments and craziness we all face.

As busy as we are, how do we find time for all the worthwhile pursuits of the spirit? Most of us like the idea of meditating, of doing devotional rituals, of spending time outdoors--but most days I'm doing well if I make it home from work and collapse on the couch without having killed anyone, and there are a thousand things to do in those few hours we are permitted between work and sleep. So many things compete for our attention. Twenty minutes of meditation may seem laughable with the kids tearing the house apart and a new episode of Desperate Housewives on at nine.

Still and all, regular contact with the sacred is absolutely vital to our spiritual growth. If we find a way to nurture that connection, life somehow begins to run more smoothly, and those day to day annoyances like jobs and other humans seem less difficult to deal with. We feel better physically and emotionally and the commonplace begins to take on a new importance, a new beauty. As hard as it is to maintain a dailiy practice, it's more than worth it.

You may discover, for example, that sitting down at your altar to meditate every single day simply doesn't happen. Well, what if you tried for three times a week, or even two? On the other days, find something else that fits in with your life--while I believe we should challenge ourselves and learn spiritual discipline, we also have to be realistic. Anything that is too disruptive to your daily routine you are more likely to give up. Look for places in your day that you can pause a moment and ground, or become aware of the changing seasons. Take your coffee break outside and breathe in the fresh air for a moment. Every little bit helps.

My advice, whether you have four hours of free time a day or five minutes, is this: every day, do something that nourishes your spirit. Anything. Try to find one small thing every day, and make it your practice.

As an exercise in finding what works for you, do this: for the next week, every day try to do one thing that you consider spiritual. It doesn't have to be meditation or ritual per se. There are a great many things we do every day that could easily become a spiritual experience. As you navigate your day, think about the ordinary activities you perform and consider how they could be devoted to the sacred.

Simple Ideas for Daily Devotion

One of the most basic and easy things to start out with is eating mindfully. Everyone eats, or at least everyone healthy does. Every day, at at least one meal, try not to rush. Look at the food in front of you and think about where it came from, the plants and animals whose lives went into it, the humans who labored to bring it to you. Think of the energy of the Goddess and God that infuses every bite. As you eat it, feel yourself taking in that energy which then becomes a part of you.

You can do the same thing with drinking, especially water. Water, as one of our four essential Elements, is the life-giving essence of the Mother; as you drink visualize its energy filling you. Give thanks for the gift that Nature has bestowed upon you that will now help you to become healthier.

At night, as you prepare to go to sleep, take a moment to give thanks to the Goddess and God for three positive things you experienced and then three negative ones you learned from. Another idea, a variation on the "God bless Mommy and Daddy and Fido and..." prayers of our childhood is to devote a few minutes each night to blessing the people in your life one by one; visualize their faces, then visualize the light of Deity surrounding them and giving them strength. Be sure and include yourself.

You might be rushed first thing in the morning, but odds are you have at least a few seconds to pause before you get out of bed and ask a quick blessing on the day or recite an affirmation or statement of intention. Though I'm no fan of St. Patrick, I do like a prayer that was attributed to him, which I reworked in a more Wicca-friendly manner:

I rise today
through the strength of Earth
the wisdom of Air
the passion of Fire
the compassion of Water
and the grace of Goddess and God.
May I and all in my heart be blessed.

I'm always amazed at what a difference it makes to begin the day in a reverent way rather than sprinting out the door with coffee in one hand and my underwear on backwards.

Another easy yet marvelously useful idea is to leave reminders of your beliefs scattered around your home and work, where possible. Print out affirmations, quotes, poetry, pictures that speak to you, and stick them to your bathroom mirror, your fridge, in your office (inside a drawer you open frequently is an option if you don't want everyone asking about your Pagan-tude), in your car. Alternately choose one word, like "breathe" and stick it in random spots, and every time you see it, stop and take one deep, grounding breath, perhaps thinking a quick blessing or affirmation as you do so. Buddhist-inspired mindfulness verses work well here, for example: "Breathing in, I breathe in beauty. Breathing out, I breathe out judgment."

Your daily practice doesn't have to mean blocking out an hour to intone mantras or light candles; it can be anything, no matter how minute-seeming, that brings you back to an awareness of the sacred. The more you do it, the easier it gets; start simple and keep it simple, and you'll find you don't have to be a Pagan monk to enjoy a deepening, ongoing relationship with Deity.

http://diannesylvan.typepad.com/dancing_down_the_moon/2006/09/testing_testing.html

Rambling

2007-05-11T06:44:00.000-05:00

Just a little rambling to bring this journal to life. A lot has been going on most recently, with my father-in-law ill and going through some of the same things my mother-in-law did two years ago. He's had a rough six weeks, and hopefully he will regain strength and get off the respirator. He's starting to breathe on his own so that is a good sigh, but he is still so terribly weak, his pressures are so low, and he has lost so much weight. He wasn't a big man to start with, but this is not surprising considering he has not been well for so long now. Still I am optimistic.

As for other parts of life, well, just plugging along there and trying to keep my head and heart above the sinking line. We're doing okay but not great, financially.

Best part of recent news is we just celebrated (very loose term here) our 20th wedding anniversary! I got my wedding ring repaired and am finally able to wear it after 18 months or so of waiting until I could do it. So, I got tired of waiting and just did it. It looks beautiful, just like new, and the settings are all stronger, so this was a good thing!

Well, that's all for now.....

Snow Day!

2006-12-04T07:15:00.000-06:00

Well, we got hit with that snowstorm, December 1st and we got snowed in!!! Karl is out now shoveling, has been shoveling for 4 hours and just at 3/4 of our driveway and the front walk. The snowplows have not made it to our cross street yet, nor have I heard them on the the other secondary roads. We are on a tertiary road. I think they are probably still plowing the highways. It appears that here at our house we got around 12 inches of snow. At least what I can see from where Karl is shoveling and the edge is. Amazing!!!!! It fell beginning late last night, between 10 and 11 just lightly snowing, and then stopped around 10:30 or so this morning.

It is beautiful. I love that I got the call from my boss saying to stay home, since I'm out of town...at least to wait and see, and when I checked in at noon, she agreed there was no point trying to go in today.

The sun is shining (in and out) this afternoon, and it looks lovely on the snow! But it is only about 18 degrees out there, less with wind-chill!

Anyway, what a nice end to the week! Though I am supposed to work at the eye clinic tomorrow--that is, if we can get out... ; )

Happy Winter, Everyone!

UPDATE:

Well, at 10:30 last night (Friday December 1) we finally called the Road Commissioner to find out when our road would be plowed. He was still out plowing in another nearby town. Said he'd been out plowing since 3:30 yesterday morning, poor guy. We asked him to try to do our road before 7 this morning so I can get into work, since I missed yesterday, and this would amount to extra income. He came right over, must have been on his way home, and plowed our street by 11 last night. phew.

Well, we noticed the house getting colder but took it in stride, with the space heater and quilts, soup, tea, we'd been okay. We turned up the thermostat to warm the house up before bed, and never did hear it come on. Well, we thought the pilot light must be out. Karl worked on it a bit, kept lighting the pilot, but wouldn't stay lit. It now appears that our thermalcoupling is probably "burnt out" again--this happened 2 years ago, too. Great, frigid cold and no heat.

So, between the thermostat/heater and the problem with my car, I guess I know where my Christmas money from our families is going!

Can you believe it? When it rains, it pours. Or, is that when it snows, it showers! lol

Have a good day and weekend, I couldn't get in to work Saturday, as Karl had to dig out where the plow pushed 4 feet of snow at the end of the driveway. Then when he did try to drive to town, it took 2 hours for a 30 minute trip, and was very slippy-slidey, and dangerous. Now, the plow broke down when he showed up Sunday to plow and so we've only been plowed once... figures....but I must work today (Monday December 4) so we have to try it!

hugs, Berta

Visit with my Sister, April 2006!

2006-04-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

Well, I had a wonderful visit with my sister last weekend! I'm so sad to see her go. We spent a lot of time just BEING together, chatting, laughing, talking. We shopped. Boy, did we shop!

She surprised me with a new printer for an early birthday gift on Thursday. Then, Friday morning my computer crashed and died! We had not even installed or done anything to it except unplug it the night before when the storms started. Well, we tried to install a new hard drive, but THAT was not the (main) problem. Appears it is probably the Motherboard and/or the Power Supply. UGH. We took the new drive back, and my wonderful sister bought me a new computer! I am still in shock, amazement, and very, very grateful for a sweet and generous sister! My sister and I are very much alike, and she insisted on doing this because she knows how much I need my computer, it is my lifeline! I love my sister! I LOVE my sister! : D

My old hard drive is in the shop to see if they can recover data, and I believe they have done it. I'll be picking it up later today, after work. Otherwise, it would mean I lost all my Addresses, my Calendar, and worst of all, my Herbal Grimoire! ack!

One day, then, we will get the old computer in the shop and see if we can repair it. Then get a new drive. I still have a lot of data--almost all my data--on my Zip Disks, and that drive is in the old computer. If we are able to repair it cheaply enough, then we have a 2nd computer for Karl to play on, and perhaps even learn how to surf, etc.

Anyway, that is the news for now. Until I get the disks and confirm that they managed to save my Address book, I have no way to contact anybody. If you need to reach me, or would like to send my your address, please feel free. My address is the same.

Hugs and blessings to you all!

Berta

Blodeuwedd & Emergence

2006-04-02T08:06:00.000-05:00

another of my posts to the Iseum that I want to remember....

Let's also discuss Blodeuwedd, as we come into emergence...or whichever
Goddess you are personally working with as Maiden. This is the time of
the Maiden. What does that mean for us? For the most part, our
personal maiden times are...ahem...gone by. I know mine sure has! Yet
the Maiden still resides in me. What does she mean to you? What does
the idea of Emergence mean? If we are to flower like the buds on the
trees, what does that mean to you in your life?

As Beltane nears, think about how you'd like to bring these themes into
being in your life, your surroundings. I can't wait to hang all the
flowers garlands that I have prepared...the house practically screams
Beltane by May 1st. Have you ever tied ribbons in the trees for
Beltane? Another fun and beautiful way to keep it.

I think my posts earlier today on my Live Journal and Yahoo!360 were pretty appropriate to Blodeuwedd, spring, and Emergence. I basically said that I am seeing and feeling Spring everywhere. In the new energy that is present, the new life that is emerging, the buds that are soon to spring forth, the leaves that are peeking through, the bunnies bouncing and foraging, and in the way I feel. I am feeling more energetic, especially today after the way I felt the past week--which may have been tied to my unusually heavy period--but I feel like it is time to get moving and get things going. Walk, move, do.

For me, Spring/Emergence is a time of new things coming forth, breaking free of old things, and trying new things. Birth, ideas, beginnings--all these things are what I feel within and without at Springtime.

Blodeuwedd, to me, represents the clean slate upon which we may write. She is a fresh flower, an innocent, a Goddess of freshness, simple pleasures. Yet, at the same time she has a strength of character, and a determination to move forward. She is not stagnant, will not sit still and wait for what is to come, but must be moving, flowing, budding into what will be.

Beltane? I have not made definite plans yet, but I would like to be able to meet with the area Pagan group I met with last summer. Of course, I would also do my own celebration. I have already put the spring flowers, or actually did not take them down...at least one vase. I want to get more garlands to put on my hearthplace and lamp pole, to bring the energy inside. I want to clean really well, too--but that I will be doing this weekend and next, because my sweet sister Marta is coming on April 12-16. ;)

as for the energy around me now..... I felt so energized, and feel so close to the Goddess right now, especially being able to read all the wonderful posts here, that I went in and put on several special pieces of jewelry--my amber & jet Goddess necklace & bracelet, pentacle earrings, and my Mother Goddess ring, and a spiral ring that I also think is a Reiki symbol. I don't often wear jewelry at home except for ritual, but I felt like it today, and boy, oh boy, does it make me feel pretty, young, and happy!!!!! just a little thing like that!

Path descriptions

2006-04-01T08:43:00.000-06:00

another post I made to the Iseum...

You know, M, I do use the word "Celtic" when I describe my path to someone. Only because it gives a description of where my heart is. To me, it does not mean I am traditionalist, nor tied only to the past, but it does tell someone that I follow the Celtic pantheon versus, say, the Egyptian. Why do I do this? I suppose it is a little way of giving of myself to someone, without having to go into a great deal of information. You know how I love a long story, and if you get me going, well, watchout. lol

However, to me, Celtic means all that I am in my spirit, a connection to my past, and an encompassing of my present. I suppose that I don't have to do this, and sometimes I wonder when I'm typing it out "Celtic Goddess Hearth Witch" why I have to say it at all. But, I do, and I think this little description I created pretty much says it all--I am a daughter of the Goddess, I am a hearth witch in every sense, and I follow Celtic ways. To me this includes my searching for Avalon, for Bride's well, for the cauldron of Cerridwen, for the birds and forests of Rhiannon, for the rivers and green hills of Danu, for the stars in Arianrhod's wheel, and the spiral of life that is Branwen's wheel. So, I guess that is why I do describe myself as Celtic, and it brings to me a sense of continuity,

Yet, I understand what you mean when you say you realize you needn't do it any longer, also. I think for each of us, we do what feels right at the time, what is meaningful. This is what matters--to do what feels right in your heart, and your spirit.

Sacred Symbolism

2006-04-01T08:40:00.000-06:00

from a conversation on the Iseum...

For me, I have always held trees, spirals, stars, moon and water as sacred. I think my own imagery is mixed up within this. Whether it be a spiral encompassing and hugging all that I am, all that makes up my ancestry, my present, my future....ever expanding and growing, flexing with the pulse of life--or whether it be the Sea, with the tides flowing to-and-fro, washing over me, encompassing me, and cleansing me, uniting me with the ancestral lands overseas, and with the moon through the tidal influences--or perhaps the tree that I have always held so dear, sending her feet into the Earth to ground me, to bring the life force up and into me, so that my body, my mind, my being is nourished and refreshed, tying me to the Earth, but to the Waters of life, to the Air that breezes through my leafy-hair to cleanse my mind and help me see beyond, to touch the sky and the stars, the Moon, and the universe that goes on unseen.

2006-03-11T08:03:00.000-06:00

I've been reading and completed Jhenah Telyndru's "Avalon Within" and am part of a study group for Avalonianism. I've studied bits and pieces about Avalon over the years, and of course have always been drawn to Arthurian mythos, but this group is one where we are actually DOING as well as learning.

I have yet to complete even the basic journey or Imram to Avalon, but I hope to break through whatever blockages I have and begin. Yet, all good things come with time and persistence.

In many ways, I think I have already addressed some of my own inner issues, or at the least identified them, but I know I have a long, long way to go to become the best me that I can be. Within the Avalonian path, we learn to overcome our shadow-selves, using the knowledge and insight we gain to become the best vessel for the Goddess that we can be. A very personal journey to Avalon, indeed. One that will continue as long as I do.

I have always felt close to the Goddess, always felt that connection and unity with Her. I know that I am Her daughter, and that She is within me. This study, journey, growth is to strengthen and reinforce that.

As we go along we will be reading other books, discussing our feelings, experiences, intuitions. I think it is a wonderful group, and I am glad to be a part of it.

and you ask, what about your dedication to Brigid? I am still and will always be a daughter of Brigid. I believe she is with me on this journey. Although the Avalonian path works with the Welsh pantheon, I believe that Brigid is there, as well, and not only in her guise of St. Bridget. Whatever her name, She IS, still.

Dedicaton to Brigid

2006-02-04T08:12:00.000-06:00

I dedicated myself to Brigid last night, 1/31/06!! I think it went really well, and I know Brigid was with me. I invited the Elementals to guard my circle, then called upon the three realms in the Celtic fashion--Land, Sea, Sky, and lit candles for them and for the fire of inspiration. I invited Brigid and three other Goddesses (Danu, Boann, Cerridwen) as witnesses to my rite. I raised energy by chanting the names of all four Goddesses together (Danu-Brigid-Boann-Cerridwen) as I spun and spiraled, and that was wonderful, I could feel the energy in the air and in myself! Then, I performed my dedication to Brigid, and it felt so right, so wonderful, so meaningful. I felt tears well up, but they did not overflow. I followed it up with a meditation journey to meet Brigid at her forge, beginning with fire-gazing into the flame. It was a nice journey, but not a deep meditation. Still, it was relaxing and heartwarming and I enjoyed it. Next was the "tea and cakes" portion of my rite, and I blessed the food and offerings, and shared it with the Goddesses. At the end of the night, I put out the Goddess’ portion of my offerings (bread and dairy-butter, cream cheese, ricotta cheese!) out for the traveling host or the fae or the critters (whichever), and I looked this morning and they did eat it. I love that! It means to me that Brigid, and the fae, were near. I closed my rite with gratitude to the Goddesses and the Elementals. Overall, I think it was a wonderful evening, and I really enjoyed the rite. A little bit of structure but still enough freedom for me to improvise as felt right!

Earlier last night, before my rite, I said a “farewell” at the back door to the Samhain quarter of the year, and this morning a greeting to the Imbolc quarter at the front door! I had placed my cloth out for Brigid’s blessing last night, and brought it in this morning. Now it is blessed for working with and healing over the year—it is my “Brigid’s Mantle”.

I let my inspiration candle burn all the way out, but the realm candles for the land, sea, and sky and my own flame did not burn completely out. Since they are ‘realm” or “personal” I don’t think it will matter and I can use them again tonight or soon.

Also tonight, Imbolc night, I light my Brigid’s Flame for the first time in conjunction with our cill "BridsCall". I'm excited and love the verse we have chosen to say together. Then I will be on rotation and my first solo lighting will be on Saturday. But tonight the entire group will be lighting them for Imbolc. I’ll do it from Sunset – until I go to bed. After all, the flame still burns in my heart, too.

I’m really excited and feel good that I did this. It just feels right. It is like an acknowledgment of what I am and have been all along. I know I’ve dedicated before (to the Mother Goddess) and that dedication is still valid and true. But this is the first time to a Matron Goddess with whom I have a real soul connection. I once made vows to Hecate, but not a full dedication. Again, tonight's rites will not impinge upon those older that I have done, but instead will add to me and strengthen my bond with Goddess and Spirit.

I am very pleased and happy that I made my dedication, and I know that it is right for me. I may share my dedication vows later, but for now, this is a good description of the night.

Blessings to all, and Blessed Imbolc!

Imbolc Dedication

2006-01-26T21:33:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share some exciting news with you. This Imbolc, which is fast-approaching, I will be dedicating myself to Brigid. In the past, I have dedicated to the Great Mother Goddess and have also given my pledge to Hecate, not to mention re-dedication to the Goddess. Though I've followed and worked with other Goddesses, the face which has always been closest to me is Brigid. This will be the first time that I pledge specifically to Her. I will be pledging myself to Her service, and reaffirming my committment to my path. What I hope to gain is a stronger connection (though I admit I feel it is a strong connection already) with the Goddess. I have yet to sit and write out a meaningful dedication, but will do that this weekend, as well as set my altar and the rite.

Since early in my path, the hearth has always been a central focus and theme, though for a few years I had gotten away from that, unintentionally. I feel that by dedicating to Brigid now, I will be uniting all the parts of my path into a cohesive and connected whole. I believe that my natural magick (herbalism, stone work, ocean magick, fey magick, etc.) are all part of my cottagey-hearthy home. Now they will be unified even more.

Now, of course this does not mean I will forsake any associations with other Goddesses when the need or connection arises, but to me it shows that I am making a formal pledge, formal acknowledgment of my respect and also giving my gratitude to Brigid for the gifts I have and will receive. I hope to receive the creative inspiration I so often need, as well as the energy of the flame, the guidance with my healing work, and the strength of Brigid's firey spirit.

Anyway, I am looking forward to this, and am very excited to have finally decided to take this step. I have not set my meal plans in place for that night. It is a weekday and I will have to work both on Imbolc-eve and Imbolc-day. I think I'll ask my hubby to make a potato soup and we can have a salad. Something simple, with dairy, greens, and bread. Sounds good, huh?

I will also become a flamekeeper for Brigid, as part of a cill with others. This means that on a given day of a cycle I will have the honor of lighting Brigid's flame and keeping it going in her name! This is very special to me, and I am very grateful to be a part of this special rite.

I hope all of you have a blessed Imbolc! May inspiration shine upon you all!

Brigid Calls

2006-01-01T11:59:00.000-06:00

Lately I have been feeling very withdrawn, as usual for me during the late autumn and winter months. I've been reading--for fun but for inspiration and renewal as well.

I have been hearing Brigid's call again, and being drawn back into her fold. I think I have never really left her, in my heart, but have been exploring others over the years as well.

Yet, my hearthfire and my home workings bring me back full circle into the warmth of Brigid's fire, into her circle.

A dear friend has begun a group to honor Brid, and I have joined. I hope to learn to be a flamekeeper for her--in an official capacity. I think this will strengthen and rejuvenate my link to Her.

Inspiration is what I have been wanting of late, and I know that Brigid will spark that flame.

So, Lady, I am grateful for your welcome home, and I gladly accept your offerings of warmth, comfort, healing.

Hail Brigid!

Hearthkeeping

2005-11-13T06:53:00.000-06:00

What I love about being a hearthkeeper is the feel of it, the warmth, the security, the comforts I can bring together within my home, within my heart. I love the groundedness I feel when I practice my hearthkeeping. A sense of rightness. A feeling that I am following the footsteps of my mother, my grandmothers, my ancestresses back through time. Bringing all the goodness and well-being I can, doing something so normal yet so spiritual. I love a good chat with my sisters and my friends at my kitchen table. I miss that, being so far from them all now. I am grateful for my sisters I have met online, that has been the closest to a kitchen table that I've had, at home, for a long time now. Just the sharing, caring, support, fun and inspiration we share around the table, gathered in the heart of my home. Memories that bring the warmth and goodness to my heart whenever I think of them.

A quote a friend shared with me, from Laura Esquivel's book "At the Hearth":

"I spent my first years of life beside the hearth in my mother's and grandmother's kitchens, seeing how these wise women, upon entering those sacred places, became priestesses, great alchemists who dealt with water,
air, fire, and earth---the four basic elements that comprise the entire universe. And the most surprising thing is that they did it in the most humble manner, as if they weren't doing anything, as if they weren't transforming the world with the purifying power of fire, as if they didn't know that the foods they prepared and the rest of us ate remained in our bodies for many hours, chemically altering our organisms, nourishing our souls and our spirits and giving us an identity, a language, a legacy."
-------Laura Esquivel, "At The Hearth"

Now, to fulfill my duties, and get some hearthkeeping done.... ; )

Autumn Memories

2005-10-09T08:38:00.000-05:00

It is definitely Autumn now, with the cooler days, and even cooler nights. The colors are beautiful, popping out against the bright blue sky. The warm sun shines down on you when you are out in the open. It is cool in the shadows, and dark under the tree cover, even in daylight. Yesterday, while planting trees and bulbs at the dam, I noticed the bright sunlight sparkling off the water of the lake. The wind was blowing the water into gentle waves. The water looked like it was alight with sparkling fairies. Just lovely! We had a great day, and a nice meal afterward. It was good to do something outdoors, in the sunshine, while helping our community and the Earth, too.

Dark versus Light

2005-09-04T08:24:00.000-05:00

This was a question posed on a group I belong to, because of some deities being called "dark" and others being called "light". I'm posting my response here, as well as to that group...

Question: What features/gifts/abilities do you feel are dark and what are light?

I think that dark and light are two sides of a coin, but sometimes they meet in the middle and become grey, depending on the situation. In otherwords, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Someone or something may be made up of dark and light aspects, and not be wholly listed to one side.

For me, darkness can be that which is hidden, as in mystery. Darkness can be that which is considered negative or undesirable. Darkness can be a cloak of protection. It depends upon the context of the subject you are referring to.

Consequently, lightness can be that which is open, above-board, unhidden, in plain-sight. It may also be something desirable, positive, uninhibited. Lightness can also obscure, wash-out, cause something to glare so harshly as to block or prevent clear vision.

We usually refer to dark and light as "good and bad" but that is subjective and often carries connotations aluded to by other definitions.

As for dark magick versus light magick, you will find interpretations and definitions abound and sometimes misconstrued to suit the purpose of the author of those statements.

I have worked dark magick in the sense that I have worked on hidden, inner mysteries. Dark magick may mean working with decreasing, negative, banishing, binding actions. It may simply refer to workings done during the dark-of-the-moon.

In our society we often confuse darkness with evil, though this may not be the case at all. It is the "popular" opinion spread through people's beliefs in other dogma. The need to associate darkness with evil to gain validity for their own views and beliefs.

In regards to light magick, we think of this as magick done to achieve desirable goals, usually good and acceptable. We equate light with goodness because it is the opposite of darkness and evil. Why? Because we are trained from early on that what is done in the light is done openly without fear, whereas what is done in the darkness is shameful and undesirable.

So, we assign such characteristics to things, beings, subjects. We talk about dark and light deities because of their associations, their energies, their attributes. Dark in that they wield or support skills and events that our society equates with the undesirable--death, destruction, war. Light deities because they are associated with peace, love, guidance.

This does not mean, however, that we cannot be taught nor guided by the dark deities. In fact, many dark Goddesses are great teachers--we learn to face our fears, challenges, wander down the dark path of the unknown, and thereby gain strength, knowledge, understanding.

The light deities teach love and healing, but this does not mean it is an easy lesson. In fact, many times we travel a hard road to realize we are loved, that we are healed, that pain is the way toward pleasure.

These are just some thoughts off the top of my head, but I think you get what I mean. Perhaps it is something I should delve into further.

I know my thoughts are not complete and only touch on some of the ideas and things I have suggested, but it is a start--and I'm sure it is longer than you expected. I do love a long story! Think I'll add this to my blog and perhaps return to it again at a later date.

The Goddess and me...

2005-09-03T08:58:00.000-05:00

A question was posed on my hearthway group:

Sisters, what about you? Have the Gods and Goddesses you revered and
worked with changed over time, as you traveled your path journey?
How did you deal with that? Are they still a part of your life and
practice? How? (For instance, I still light Brighid's flame as her
flamekeeper, and I always will. Hers and Modron's and Cerridwen's
images still grace my main altar. Frigga and Freya are on my tool
altar.) Please share.

For me, I began with the Great Goddess, the Mother Goddess, and she is with me still. I saw her in Isis, in Brigid, in Diana. Different forms, but always herself... I have never "abandoned" her, and never "felt" that she thought so, even in my despairing days. I perhaps have never worked with her in the way you have, as an ordained priestess, yet I am a priestess in my own right--dedicated to Her. I talk with her still. I found Her in nature, as Gaia, as the gentle fairy woman of the Earth, and again in Hecate, the strength, the guidance, the teachings of wisdom. I see her gentleness in Danu, her inspiration in Brigid, her mystery in Cerridwen. I feel her compassion in Kuan Yin, her love in Green Tara. Now I find her again as Brigid, and then spreading outward in a new direction, I see her at home in Frigga...

Yet, all the while she has been with me, she listens to me, she fills me with hope, strength, love, compassion. She teaches me to listen to myself, to face my own challenges, to be brave in the face of the unknown.

Though my experience with the Goddess is varied, it is still true to my own self, because she is within. She is part of me, my blood, my spirit. Whether we distinguish between the Celtic ancestry, the Germanic ancestry, the Italian ancestry...the Goddess is still there in one guise or another. I feel that she accepts however I see her as needed for that time. For the lesson I can learn from her in whichever face she puts forward to me.

So for me, though I know not where I shall go from here, I feel that learning all the different ways, however deep or however shallow, I shall be learning from Her what I need to learn, to grow, gain wisdom, learn my lessons, and learn to share those gifts with others.

She is she, and I am me, but together we are limitless...

Prosperity Workings

2005-08-20T14:24:00.000-05:00

I have been doing some prosperity workings over the last week-and-a-half, and wanted to record them here. I really feel that my actions helped to maintain a positive atmosphere within our home, and help to allay the depression that might otherwise set in. You see, my husband was laid off of his job unexpectedly. He has been so positive about this being the opportunity he has been asking for and I do hope he finds something both more satisfying and compensable at a decent wage.

Here is the spell I wrote, and the incense and charms I created for my workings. I hope that you find them useful, should you try them, too.

Here is the charm spell I wrote....

By the light of the Waxing Moon
May abundance and prosperity fill this room.
Aided by herbs and coins and stones,
let this spell empower our hearth and home.
Great Goddess please grant our simple request,
as we strive to bring about its success.

and then after several repetitions while I made incense, or crafted the amulet, and when I was done, I closed the spell with this verse:

I end this charm, respectfully,
as I do will, SO MOTE IT BE!
BLESSED BE!

A simple charm from a simple hearth-witch.

Incense:

The incense I made was of the following herbs
(equal parts or as near as possible):

Basil, Whole Cloves (ground), Lemon Balm, Sage, St. John's Wort (powdered), Nutmeg, Poppy Seeds, Lemon Verbena. As I ground them (under the waxing moon on a Thursday night) I chanted "abundance, prosperity".

Amulet Charm:

I cut a circular piece of green cloth (mine had sunflowers on it, too) and snipped holes all around the edge to string a ribbon through (I had a purple ribbon). I put a mixture of herbs (Basil, Cinnamon stick, Sage) and also some Coins, some Quartz and Malachite stones, and annointed it all with Basil Oil. I made the charm during the Meditation part of my ritual on Sunday. I am carrying it with me in my purse. Not only will it bring me prosperity, but it smells wonderful, and so does my purse!

Blessing for the Hearthkeepers

2005-08-07T11:27:00.000-05:00

Blessing for Hearth-Keepers
by Caitlin Matthews

Brighid of the Mantle, encompass us,
Lady of the Lambs, protect us,
Keeper of the Hearth, kindle us.
Beneath your mantle, gather us,
And restore us to memory.

Mother of our mothers,
Foremothers strong,
Guide our hands in yours,
Remind us how
To kindle the hearth,
To keep it bright,
To preserve the flame.
Your hands upon ours,
Our hands within yours,
To kindle the light,
Both day and night.

The Mantle of Brighid about us,
The Memory of Brighid within us,
The Protection of Brighid keeping us
From harm, from ignorance, from heartlessness,
This day and night,
From dawn till dark,
From dark till dawn.

Song of the Goddess

2005-08-06T06:17:00.000-05:00

Song of the Goddess
By Scott Cunningham

I am the Great Mother, worshipped by all creation and existent prior
to their consciousness.
I am the primal female force, boundless and eternal.

I am the chaste Goddess of the Moon, the Lady of all magic.
The winds and moving leaves sing my name.
I wear the crescent Moon upon my brow and my feet rest among the
starry heavens.
I am mysteries yet unsolved, a path newly set upon.
I am a field untouched by the plow.
Rejoice in me and know the fullness of youth.

I am the blessed Mother, the gracious Lady of the harvest.
I am clothed in the deep, cool wonder of the Earth and the gold of
the fields heavy with grain.
By me the tides of the Earth are ruled; all things come to fruition
according to my season.
I am refuge and healing.
I am the life giving Mother, wondrously fertile.

I am the Crone, tender of the unbroken cycle of death and rebirth.
I am the wheel, the shadow of the Moon.
I rule the tides of the oceans and of women and men.
I give release and renewal to weary souls.

I am the Goddess of the Moon, the Earth, the Seas.
My names are many, yet know that by all names I am the same.
I pour forth insight, peace, wisdom and understanding.
I am the eternal Maiden, Mother of all, and Crone of reckoning,
and I send you blessings of limitless love.

Dreams...

2005-08-02T19:13:00.000-05:00

A friend shared this exercise from a book she owns, and I thought I'd like to do the exercises here. Thanks, Sheuba!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt

Journal exercise: If you were living your dream life, how would it be different? What do you see yourself doing?

In my dream-life, I would be an accomplished artisan in several areas of textile arts. Besides the beading and quilting that I love, I would really like to learn and become proficient in several different fiber and earthy arts. I have always wanted to loom weave, spin, embroider, and also hand-quilt. I would love to learn the art of the potter's wheel, and work with the clay to create. I would love to learn the art of silversmithing, and create jewelry and other items.

I would love to live in a cottage and have a wonderful herb garden, veggie garden, and be proficient as an herbalist/healer. This cottage would have a huge walk-in sized hearth, wooden floors, lots of cabinetry, workspace, and cozy nooks for sitting and reading. A pantry, too, of course! Don't forget the storage for fabric and herbs, and beads, and books......and everything! ; )

I would love to live in a community where we all worked together and shared a communal hearth and spiritual life.

I know that i have doubts about my own abilities in many of these areas, and perhaps if my life situation were different I would not be fearful to try some of these things. I know that I should be more diligent in my garden, for example. However, I really hate weeding, and don't spend time doing it as much as I should. I have fears of not being good enough in some of the arts I have mentioned, and know that in many ways I am a perfectionist, my own worst critic. Yet, I would love to try.

I think that part of my dream includes being financially independent, and I would be lying if I didn't admit that. Having the finances needed to support my family and allowing me to pursue the activities I've mentioned.

I think I have always wanted to be a little woman in the country cottage who spent time with her arts. I am not sure this is something I would really ever be able to do, but I can always dream!

Well, that is it for now.......

Lughnassadh

2005-07-13T07:07:00.000-05:00

Full Moon Harvest

By

BertaMoonchild
© June, 2004

It was a time of heat and bright skies, when the air was so heavy with moisture that you could see it shimmering. If you breathed in too deeply, you might drown! At least, that’s how it felt to you, then. Marching down the rows picking weeds, hoeing the earth. Planting the crop, ensuring its success. It was hard work, but you kept on going knowing you were doing an important job, knowing what would come after, the way you would feel--so happy, so tired, and so giddy when you were done. It was important, because it would ensure the crop for the coming harvest.

You remember the cool mornings and how eagerly you went forth each day, working in this field or that plot, until coming home was the only thing you could think of at day’s end. Coming home to your family’s dwelling, where you would be welcomed, cared for, and honored for the good, hard work you had done. It was worth the effort, to have a good meal and laughter with the family, to enjoy being and not moving.

Those days seemed interminable, each day running into the next. But it was the way of life for you. This is what you knew. You remember how you could see your skin darkening in the sun, you could feel the muscles strengthening in your legs and arms. You knew you were lean and firm as the earth, yet supple and yielding if need be.

Yet, the time has come when that daily toil lessened, and became another. This new activity will still take you daily into the fields, but rather than nurturing growth, your efforts will be of a different sort. Now, you know you will gather and glean the product of your earlier labor. The first of many such events, you know at the end of this, the first harvest, you will enjoy a celebration with family, with friends.

What is most special for you is that you are pulling the first of the crop tonight, a representative harvest beneath the full moon with the blessing of the Goddess. You have evoked the Great Mother, inviting her to share in this special event, paying her respect and giving her thanks for the life that is the grain, the life that is so abundant around you. Beneath the full moon, you can pour your heart out to Her, honoring Her as you have longed to do since your work began. Dancing to Her in the fields, rejoicing in Her gift of life.

Now you feel fulfilled, you see the fruit of your labors, you feel the abundance around you, and you can taste and draw in the nourishment that is the gift you have been given, here, under the harvest moon.

Dark Moon Experience

2005-07-05T21:45:00.000-05:00

Tonight I held an informal ritual in honor of the Dark Moon, and the Goddesses Hecate and Cerridwen. In my usual fashion, I did some deep breathing and relaxation exercises, and grounded myself. Listening to music by Loreena McKennitt and Laura Powers, I did a reading from my tarot. The first, a new layout, basically confirmed that I am a creative person who has experienced self-doubt, difficult times, yet still hold onto my dreams and that I have a well-grounded support system, and familial love.

To confirm my reading, I did a 3-card spread next, that basically confirmed that I have been a free-spirit for the most part, innocent or naive, and that I have had indecision/paralysis from too many choices and insecurities, but that I will charge "full steam ahead". A good summary of me, I think--I was thinking of my creativity and my path when I shuffled the cards.

Afterwards, I pulled out my Goddess Oracle deck, and shuffled them, asking the Goddess to show me what I needed to do to be whole within myself. The card I drew was Coatlique, the Aztec Mother Goddess of Life and Death, and Grief. I was amazed, yet not really, that the cards would so accurately define what it is I needed to do.

The deck workbook suggests a drumming ritual to release the grief that I held within. Since I do not yet own a drum (another thing on my wishlist) I grabbed the nearest thing to hand--a lid off one of those metal popcorn tins. I placed it on the ground, and after some deep breaths, I meditatied upon the card and the tears began to flow. I talked to my mother-in-law, and I grieved for her loss. I really felt it from the depths of my being, and I cried and moaned, and apologized to her, all the while drumming on the makeshift drum. It was very cleansing, very much a release of feelings that I had held within and did not admit to.

As I came out of the grieving the music was playing a song about dancing in the heavens among the stars, and I saw my mother-in-law dancing and walking and laughing. I told her I love her, and that I will miss her. I found myself smiling and talking to her as I visualized her with the Creators, the Goddess and the God.

This was something that I want to remember because it was so cleansing, and i felt so much better having expressed feelings that I had held within. I had grieved, but not this deeply, and this definitely is what the Goddess wanted me to realize, and to do tonight.

After I was done with the rituals, I walked out under the dark moon and gave my altar offerings to the Goddess' other creatures, and gave libation of Her water to the garden. I turned circles, slowly, and thanked the Godesses for showing me the way.

Truly a remarkable evening, under the dark moon.

I noticed that my black candle burned down with the wax making figures at the "9 o'clock" hour---that is the time that my release came! very interesting!

7/5/05 dark moon.

Time

2005-07-03T09:07:00.000-05:00

It flows past us at a rate we barely notice, until something brings us up short to recognize it has come and gone...we think we have forever, when we are young, and we cannot imagine an ending in the future. Yet, here I sit, thinking I am still young and have so much time before me, but realizing all the while that it is being eaten up in ticks and tocks and chunks of activity. Things I must do to live the life I desire, yet that I wish I did not have to do so that I could do the things I would rather be doing. Or nothing at all.

Time--that unseen entity, everpresent.

Time--that friend, that foe.

Time--to spend, to lose, to waste, to miss.

Time--to love, to enjoy, to play, to rejoice.

Time to BE.

What thing more consumes our mind and our lives, yet we barely feel it?

I say, I want to look upon it as a friend I miss when it has passed, and not dread its coming. I want to look forward to that "when", that time, when I can spend it all doing what I choose to do and do so with joy in my soul, and in my heart.

a Time to SMILE, to LOVE, to LIVE.

and now, it is time to end this rambling and go enjoy some FREE time.....

farewell friends, see you soon--in TIME!

In Honor of Marilyn

2005-06-14T16:14:00.000-05:00

In Loving Memory: Marilyn 1934-2005

Be this soul on Thine arm, O Christ, Thou King of the City of Heaven. Amen. Since Thou, O Christ, it was who bought'st this soul, Be its peace on Thine own keeping. Amen. And may the strong Michael, high king of the angels, Be preparing the path before this soul, O God. Amen. Oh! the strong Michael in peace with thee, soul, And preparing for thee the way to the kingdom of the Son of God. Amen.
(from Carmina Gadelica)

May your spirit soar free, Mom, knowing our love goes with you on your journey. Your love and faith have surely given you beautiful wings upon which to fly. You left a legacy of seven fine sons, thirteen granchildren, full of hope and promise for a bright future. A wonderful gift to the world. You will always be in our hearts and in every smile and greeting we share. Be at peace.

2005-06-05T17:40:00.000-05:00

Daisy, Daisy, give me an answer do....

Today went differently...

2005-06-05T17:27:00.000-05:00

...than I had planned. I was online chatting and reading email, then went outside for awhile. I took my camera to take photos of my garden to share. That was all fine and wonderful. The rain was wonderful, too.

This afternoon I was on here again, and thought I would just quickly upload my photos...well it seems that my photo program must be having a problem. Or, and this just came to me, perhaps the disk is full. Well, in any case, I spent the entire afternoon trying different ways to save and share my photos. Even to the point of having to re-photograph some of the flora because it was deleted.

After much frustration, I decided to try uploading to my online album DIRECTLY from my camera. Lo! and Behold! IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!

So, dear friends, please peruse the link below and see what this hearthkeeper's garden looks like. The herbs all voluntarily returned this year (I expected the mint to), but I hope to plant more...if it works out.

Many of my flowers are not yet in bloom, and some have already finished blooming. Our veggie garden is young but doing really well considering it is only June 5th. We planted early this year. Last year we planted late--3rd week of June. We did not want to make that mistake again! lol

So, please visit my album and enjoy your stroll. If you have any problems, please let me know!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=409283565203&page=1&sort_order=0

I didn't get any beading done today, but think I am ready for a much needed break. Time to return to the hearth and prepare a meal....and enjoy the company of my husband.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Hugs, Moonchild