Well, That Didn't Work!

I wanted to start off by apologizing to my readers for not posting. I've been busy, trying to get my numbers up for Edge of Insanity and working on a blog even Twin & I are doing for our main blogs. I hadn't done an event in years and I had forgotten how much work it was. But the event is June 10-19th to commemorate our Mom's birthday. There will be reviews, giveaways, and of course, pictures/stories/Momisms. So head on over to Edge of Insanity or Ramblings of a Chocoholic Witch (or both!) and follow us so you don't miss a thing!

As far as Weekly Magick goes, I am going to start over with Journaling (reposting it for this week) and go from there. I know it seemed as if I didn't care, but I do. I kept forgetting to post/research everytime I got on, and plus my personal life has been really busy. But with temperatures soaring over 100* lately, there is really nothing to do but stay online or read. So I know I will definitely get things done.

But I do need help. I seem to be forgetting things left and right lately (stress?) and I know it isn't helping those who come here to read what I have to say. So if it seems that I am forgetting to post or forgot an important aspect of a post, let me know! Having my fellow Pagans here will be a major help!

So what do ya say we try this Weekly Magick thing again?

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.

Weekly Magick: Tarot- Spells 2

This one was found on Everything Under The Moon. Use any and all spells responsibly. Remember: It all comes back 3-fold.

To Increase Psychic Visions

Tools
3 tarot cards: The Star, High Priestess, and the Hermit
Candle color of your choice


Say:

"I call upon the Source of All things to send me power.
I call upon the God to send strength to my spell.
I call upon the Goddess to give life to my spell.
I call upon the elemental forces to draw the desire of my spell.
I call upon the astral forces to receive the image of my spell.
So mote it be!"

Hold the cards in your hands. Say:

"I bring forth these symbols for my spell to be cast. Here shall be woven, chance, fortune, and fate, so that my wish be quickly attained!"

Lay out the cards in the following order. Meditate and visualize.

Card 2
Card 1	Card 3

card 1 is The Star for inspiration, guidance, and creativity.
card 2 is The High Priestess for focusing of the mind and intuition.
card 3 is The Hermit for interpreting the knowledge you receive.

Place a candle just above the High Priestess card.

Say:

"I am open and receptive to higher levels of consciousness. Spirits of guidance are here for me and I channel the knowledge they offer. I am open and receptive. My psychic centers are quickened. I open my eyes and ears to all impressions that are coming to me. I spread the veil of being that I may look beyond. I open the windows of 'where' and 'when' and I see beyond."

Hold your hands over the cards.

Say:

"Into these cards I direct the power from within me and the power called upon from the spiritual forces around me. Mark well what I have done here! Bring to me my wish! I place this petition before the God and Goddess. May it be done for the greater good of all! By the power of the God and Goddess and by the forces of the planes...I declare my spell to manifest!"

"I release now the forces of the astral plane. I release all of the elemental forces. I release the God and Goddess. I release the power of the Source of All. Farewell and I bid you thanks!"

Weekly Magick: Tarot

Welcome to the first week of Weekly Magick! As said in a previous post, this week will be about tarot, starting today with what exactly tarot is.

Now, tarot has different meanings for different people. To some, it can be used to predict the future. For others, it can be a means of finding a solution to a certain problem. Or it can even be a way of figuring out what your week will be like. Finding out what it means to you can be tricky, depending on the type of magick you delve in. Please note that I will not post anything dealing with hostile, black, or agressive magick. I am a firm believer in karma and will not put my readers or others in harm's way.

What is the history behind the tarot? It originally started out a deck with 78 cards, used in the mid-15th century Europe to play card games, like the Italian Tarocchini. By the late 18th century, the tarot found its way into the hands of psychics and occultists alike, who used it for fortune-telling.
No one is 100% sure where the word "tarot" came from, but according to Wikipedia, it came from the Italian word tarocchini, but the origin is unclear. One theory relates the name "tarot" to the Taro River in northern Italy, near Parma; the game seems to have originated in northern Italy, in Milan or Bologna. Of course, there are other theories of where it could have come from. There is also the question of whether the word tarot is related to Harut and Marut, who were mentioned in a short account in the Qur'an. But this has yet to be confirmed.

What uses are there for tarot cards? As I have mentioned before, it has a variety of uses, depending on the person. But tarot cards are widely popular for "fortune-telling". Whether you believe in fortune-telling is a moot point. But it is something that is gaining popularity as many people seek to find some sort of truth in religion. I personally use tarot cards as a means of helping finding a solution to a problem. But you can use the tarot cards for fortune-telling, suggestions, meditation, spells, rituals, or even as an altar tool. Find if they fit into your life and use them accordingly.

Can you really predict the future with tarot cards? I've tried on numerous accounts to use them to find out what my week, month, or year will be like. I had even written the card and its meaning down on paper. But I eventually forget to look it up as time goes by and forget what that week/month/year was like. So it doesn't work for me. It could for some, but be real careful if you go to a reader. Many are scam artists. Not all are but there are quite a bit of people who say they can predict the future with tarot cards just to take your money. Find a reputable reader. Many scam artists don't disclose that they're Pagan or will even go as far as saying that they are Christian readers. Many Pagans are readers and can be the best in the business. Do your homework before deciding to get your "fortune read".

What is included in a deck? As it has been mentioned before, there are 78 cards in a tarot deck. There are 22 Major Arcana without suits: The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The World, and The Fool. The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards, divided into four suits of 14 cards each; ten numbered cards and four court cards. The court cards are the King, Queen, Knight and Page/Jack, in each of the four tarot suits. The traditional Italian tarot suits are swords, batons/wands, coins and cups; in modern tarot decks, however, the batons suit is often called wands, rods or staves, while the coins suit is often called pentacles or disks.

Picking the Right Deck

If you look at any Pagan shop online, you will see that they offer TONS of tarot decks. It can be a bit confusing. If you're new to tarot, then your best bet would be to get Tarot Kit for Beginners by Janet Berres. When I first started out, that is what I got. It explained everything to me in terms that I could understand. It even has the cards meanings and spreads for beginners. It comes with the deck, book, box, and even a tarot bag to hold the cards.

If you aren't new to tarot but want update your deck with a new one, do your research. Not all decks offer the same meaning or purpose. Some themes (meanings, etc) include dragons, vampires, Merlin, or even 2012 (the whole "end of the world" date). Don't get a deck just because you think it looks cool. It can harbor a new meaning for every card, making you research every card to find its meaning. Unless you are looking for new meanings, find one that suits your current ideas.

You can find tarot cards EVERYWHERE, even on Amazon. Buy from reputable dealers that know what they are doing. If it is a new deck with different cards, make sure to get a booklet for that deck. It'll cut down on searching through the Internet, hoping to find what you need.
You can even ask friends for help. Many Pagans and professional readers will suggest decks/books to help you on your quest. 9 times out of 10, they will recommend the deck they have. That's isn't a bad thing! In fact, if you do happen to purchase the same thing, they can help you get comfortable with the tarot.

Learning the tarot can be scary but thrilling at the same time. As long as you find out how you will use it, you will find that it can be quite an experience!

"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.

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?

Beltane gift or not?

Beltane is coming up for us Pagans on May 1st. It i incorporates traditions from the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, but it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as May pole dancing). Beltane has long been celebrated with feasts and rituals. The name means fire of Bel; Belinos being one name for the Sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate. As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood prevails. In old Celtic traditions it was a time of unabashed sexuality and promiscuity where marriages of a year and a day could be undertaken but it is rarely observed in that manner in modern times. 

I have noticed that people have been asking around the Internet if you give someone a gift on Beltane like you do for Ostara. This could be a touchy subject for some. Not all Pagans celebrate Beltane, even though it is one of the major 8 sabbats. If fact, not all Pagans celebrate any of the sabbats. It depends on the person. You don't want to offend a them, especially if their views are grossly different than yours.

If you are 100% sure, then sure, give them a gift if you feel the need. But on Beltane, a gift isn't necessary. If you want to include them in your celebrations, ask them to join in your ritual. One thing I do warn is make sure that you are close to them as a Beltane ritual can be pretty intimate. If you're not close to them but still want them to be part of your Beltane, make a donation to their favorite charity. This way you are not making them uncomfortable in any way and you are helping the world.

If they don't mind receiving a gift but don't know what to get them, do a search for Beltane gifts and find the one that fits them most, not one you "think" they'll like.

AzureGreen

I live in an area that does not allow metaphysical shops because of the high Christian following. Mind you, I have no problem with that because I don't put that I'm Pagan out into the public and have many Christian friends. But shopping for my items makes it difficult because of the fact there aren't any shops around.

But a couple of years ago, I found this store online and have been using them ever since! AzureGreen seems to be my one-stop shopping for anything I need! They have everything from jewelry to candles to even "specialty" ritual items! But they don't carry just one style of a specific item. In fact, they have thousands! If you request a catalog, you will see that it can be over 100 pages long! I don't know if they still do this, but when you order through their catalog, you get your choice of a free bumper sticker! You get to choose 2 styles, and they will mail your 1st choice (or 2nd if the 1st isn't available) absolutely free!

AzureGreen started in 1985 as a small metaphysical shop in Massachusetts, but  has evolved to a mail-order and internet-based business based in the basement of its owners and since evolved into one of the largest distributor of magickal, spiritual, and occult products!

You can order through their catalog or online. They even accept PayPal, where many occult shops only accept major credit cards.

You can check out their blog at All Paths to the Divine or find them on Facebook!

Being Pagan in Today's World

Most of the time, I have no problem saying that I am Pagan. Well, online, that is. It seems as if most people  online are accepting of different religions because they don't have to face them in real life. But out in the real world at a public place, I have to keep my true religion a secret. It's not easy. And yes, it is really uncomfortable.

Being Pagan in the year 2011 has more stigma attached to it than before. With everything happening in the world, more people want to try to convert non-Christians because they believe it will change the world. I personally believe that religion has nothing to do with it. Humans have become more volatile than in recent years. But yet, we blame religion.

Being Pagan in the year 2011 makes it harder to purchase things online or even at a New Age store without people leering at you, mocking you. You can wear all black or pentacles without people thinking you worship the devil. Family members have no idea about your true identity because it would be splitting hairs to "come out of the broom closet". Mine is somewhat locked from my relatives.

I personally believe that all who think Paganism is devil-worshiping need to do more research. They will find that we do not believe in the Devil, Hell, or even the Christian God.That's the case with a lot of other religions. They have different beliefs. If we all learned a little about each other, religion won't even be a problem. Only clashes of personality. After that, the world might be a better place.