Weekly Magick: Journaling

Believe it or not, keep a journal is important for any Wiccan for many, many different reasons! Now, this journal is different from your Book of Shadows. This journal is for personal thoughts, ideas, and just general feelings. In fact, I have several different journals (or folders) for different areas of my life. I have my general journal, with things like how my day went, what I am feeling, what is going on, and things like that. Then I have a health journal for keeping my health problems in check. I have a financial journal to keep my feelings about how things are financially together. I have lots of little ones, like creativity, etc.But I also have records for spells, rituals, and even herbal remedies. During this week, we'll discover how important these journals are.

I don't know about you, but I journaled in middle and high school. In fact, I had an English class where we were required to keep journals on certain topics. It was part of a "Creative Writing" stint, but the classroom enjoyed it so much, the teacher decided to keep doing it. And if we had a spectacular weekend, we were able to "Sound Off" instead of writing about whatever was on the board. I "sounded off" more than I wrote a page or two full of fiction. In high school, we were required to write about Business topics in my Intro to Business class, but because I wasn't interested in business at the time, I decided to write about things that happened that impacted business. I was beginning to learn who I was at the time, and realized that I loved writing more than anything.

Keeping a journal while you walk the path of Wicca is important for that very reason. It helps you develop your closeness with your decisions during your lifetime. You learn a lot about yourself. You also learn a lot about your beliefs.

Not only do you learn, you get a sense of release. If you are angry and afraid you will say something nasty to the person, tell them in your journal. I know I've been so mad that I just wanted to yell at that person. But instead, I wrote it down. I made angry-looking drawings in the margins. I used big letters. I used black pens. I automatically felt a little better.

I am not a psychologist by any means. I am just going by what I have done and what happened. If you feel you have a problem that can't be solved by putting pen to paper or any other form of non-professional remedy, then it might be time to pick up the phone.

*Enter Witty Title Here*

First off, I want to apologize for not posting much. It's been terribly hot the past few days and I feel like it has fried my brain. I try to think of something that would interest my readers, or something that would be beneficial, but I can't come up with anything. I even contemplated reviewing a book (that I read in March) but I figured everyone else had read it and might find it boring.

I have found it difficult to think off things that would keep people coming back to TITW and want to read what I have to say. I realized that they enjoy controversial posts like "Talk to a Pagan" but I want to keep this blog political-free as much as I possibly can. I don't want to flamed or insulted or attacked. Been there, done that, no thank you! I have spent the past few days thinking of what to post, and even considered posting weekly quotes to make people smile. With websites like ThinkExist, I think it would be redundant because they can just go there instead of looking at my little blog.

What I might start doing is offering weekly posts for magick like tarot, spells, rituals, spell-writing, and things like that. There are millions of Wiccans out there looking for spells and other tools like that to add to their BOS. At first, I ditched the idea because I didn't want people stealing what I hold sacred, but then I realized that it can't physically or even magickally (I know, not a word) hurt me because it's just text on a blog no one cares about.

So starting sometime soon, I will start posting spells, correspondences, tarot, numerology... blah blah blah. What kind of things would YOU like to see?

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"Out of the Broom Closet"

For those that don't know what it means, "coming out of the broom closet" is a Pagan's way of saying that they no longer want to hide their religion.

Personally, for me, I am halfway in and halfway out. Only one relative knows that I am Pagan, while the rest have no idea. My Mom and Twin are also Pagan, but they don't count. My father, on the other hand, has no clue. He is Christian (or so he says) and while he doesn't even know what Paganism is, I don't want him to push me aside because I don't agree with him on religion.

Coming out of the broom closet can be a scary moment for any Pagan. If you take a look at Paganism's history, you'll see what happens when people find out about "witches". People were burned at the stake, stoned, hung, and who knows what else. It is a delicate subject for anyone, especially for those who aren't educated on it. I have heard of families kicking out members simply because of it.

It is also a personal choice. Not all Pagans are in the broom closet and not all Pagans are out of the broom closet. There are a lot of factors that keep them in or out of the broom closet. In fact, there is a book called Out of the Broom Closet, which I haven't read, but most likely will one of these days. Once I do, I will tell you what I think.

I just wish this world was more accepting of ALL religions (instead of trying to bash each other) because otherwise, some Pagans wouldn't be afraid. I applaud those who have the confidence to step out and say "I'm Pagan and I don't care if you're angry about it". I wish it was like that all over.

Talk to a Pagan

I am writing my own guide on how to talk to us, which is in response to the one that Matt Stone (see previous post) wrote.

DON'T assume we're hard to talk to. If you saw us on the street, you wouldn't even know that we weren't Christian. You would just assume we're a normal, everyday person doing errands. We're not aliens. We're not elves from Ireland. We put one one pants leg at a time.

DO have respect before handing out any religious flyer or going into a theological discussion without asking first. You wouldn't like it if we came up to you, trying to shove pamphlets into your hands, or bashing your religion. We don't care for it either. But if asked nicely, we will most likely want to talk religion with you! We both might learn a few things.

DON'T assume that every Pagan is the same. We all follow a different path and practice in different ways. If you are curious, ask. If you want to know more about their path, 9 times out of 10 someone will gladly let you know.

DO remember that Pagans are not devil-worshipers. Don't say that we will "burn in Hell" because it is VERY offensive. Paganism is a nature-based religion and doing research will show  you that we do not believe in the Christian "devil", therefore we don't believe in "Hell". But we won't fault you the first time. We understand that some people don't know about it. How do you think we found out that Paganism existed?

DON'T be afraid to be our friend. We love friends of every religion, and will come to rescue should you need us.

And last but certainly but not least...

DON'T let others persuade you on who to talk to and how to talk to them. Be your own person. You have your own views and ideals, and no one can take that away from you.

See? Pagans aren't bad at all!

How to Talk to Pagans

A couple of days ago, a man by the name of Matt Stone posted on his blog, a "guideline" if you will, of how to talk to Pagans. I kid you not.

While I am sure he was trying to write it with the best of intentions, he failed. He even starts the post with "I am often amazed when Evangelicals find it so amazing that I converse so readily and easily with Pagans.". Seriously? What are we, aliens or another life force that sends non-Pagans shooting for cover? There is no difference between you and me. We eat. We sleep. We use the bathroom. The only difference would be our religion.

As the article goes on, he makes it sound condescending for us Pagans. You might as well change the title to "How to Talk to Kindergartners". It makes us out to be rudimentary at best, when in reality, some Pagans can quote the Christian Bible more than some Christians. Now, I am not insulting anyone. I am one of those that can't quote the Christian Bible, but don't get me wrong, I do know quite a bit of Christian history. I did work in a church after all.

Which brings me to another area. You could also change the title to "How to Convert a Pagan". If you want to talk religion with me, that's fine. Ask first because I may not be up to it. But just don't go around, telling me how Christianity has changed your life and how much better your life is because of it. It's insulting and insinuating that my life isn't great because I'm Pagan.

Pagans aren't weird little purple people running around. We're normal, like you. We go to the store. We have pets. We even pay bills. So unless you plan on approaching us like a human, don't bother.

Maybe I should come up with a way to talk to Pagans. What's better than written BY A PAGAN?