Waking Persephone

Day 1

I arrived at Waking Persephone late, I was so excited to get there but the traffic was against me the whole way. There were 2 major accidents that put me about 30 min behind. I hate when students arrive at my class really late and I hated it even more that "I" am the student that arrived not just late but rudely late. Regardless the ladies at the front were very kind and encouraged me to sneak in to class late. I was relieved and hoped it was large enough class to sneak into, no such luck.

The Witches Cone of Power with Anaar

It was a small class and as soon as I opened the door I was on the spot. I felt like such a jerk for arriving so late but I was so grateful that Anaar was so welcoming despite my rudeness. Unfortunately I missed the first half of the class, but being well educated in Ritual and Energy Work I was able to jump right in. We raised a cone of power or what I decided was very much like circle casting in a belly dance way! Though we were focusing on an actual raising of energy. We grapevined in a circle around and around using different tones and vocals to raise the cone. We were focusing on bringing Rain, Rain to the parched lands of California. Just relocating from Arizona I was able to really tap into that parched earth energy and focus on bring rain. One thing that was particularly interesting was where the energy was focused, raised and sent. Anaar suggested that we send the energy out with through the genitals, and lymph nodes. Now this was a bit new! While I had raised and sent out energy from my root (yoni) before I had not focused on sending energy out from the lymph nodes. Anaar’s craft background comes from that of the Anderson Feri Tradition. While I am not an initiate, it seems as if many of my friends and people that I really admire are. I am vaguely acquainted with the Tradition and practices and of course I own Victor Andersons book of poems "Thorns of the Blood Rose" So I was very happy to take this class and bring some of these techniques into my own practice.

Sacred Dance with Artemis Mourat

It was such a joy to see Artie again! It has been far too long. I haven’t been to visit her in Baltimore in almost 4 years. As class was starting I found myself longing for the good old days of living in North Carolina and the long drives to Baltimore to see her and take the Turkish Intensive and Sacred Dance classes and even for the days before Japan sitting on Arties studio floor telling her how much I loved this dance and her listening to me with such love and respect. I remembered the time that we went to the Umbanda ritual and how powerful that was for me and how I still follow the advice of the medium that I saw that day. Artie has been, probably without her knowledge the most important teachers in my dance career. She is everything that I wanted to be, a warm loving person welcoming everyone to the dance community but also a powerhouse on the dance floor.

As I walked in I flagged Artie down for a hug, it was wonderful to just give her a hug and wait for class to begin. While I have taken this class before, it has been 5 years and I am a MUCH different person than I was then. I took notes like it was the first time I was in her class. The lecture was wonderful, she spoke of many different types of sacred dance and different cultures and religions groups that practice it.

The workshop was 2 parts the first was the lecture and the second was an actual ritual dance. It was eclectic in nature and incredibly powerful. I have been going through some of the worst emotional issues I have ever had to deal with the past few months. Things in my life have just been more than I can bear. There are many times I have checked out and I have even started working with a therapist to get past it all. However there is something to be said about the power of sacred dance and a group of women who actually want to see you succeed. There was homework for this class and I worked on it during the long drive up to Seattle. I knew I needed this class, and I knew I needed the ritual even more. I even did all my homework before class and prepared a list of things I needed to manifest in my life folded up into a little charm. The things I wanted and needed to banish were easy and those were written on a flash paper and went out of my life in a flash and pop!

The dance ritual began and we stood in a circle and we copied Arties motions as a group and later formed into a spiral dance and then a snake dance. We weaved through the gates of death, I thought that she chosen 2 of the girls based on the fact they were both wearing shirts that were ribcage and skeletons. Later I we found out it was a happy accident. They raised their hands and we went under them and as I went under seeing these white bones standing out against black cloth and dimmed lights it was as if I was descending to the underworld through the gates of death into Persephone’s domain. We spiraled and snaked through the room even more until the music changed. We charged and danced around the central flame sometimes leaping over it, and sometimes cleansing our yoni and root with the heat of the flame. Then we focused on the purge, we purged, we stomped, we screamed, and we grunted. Tears flowed down my cheeks but no sobs. The trials of the past 2 months and the spring were brought to the forefront and I surrendered them to Persephone, I called her name, whispered love and devotion and pleaded for her help and understanding. I charged my flash paper with specific names, thoughts and emotions and danced, blew my breath and later lit the flash paper and for the final time banished this from my life. We danced some more and blessed what we wanted to manifest. We danced more through the songs, raising energy, purging energy and focusing on change. The final song came and we all laid down, the feelings, purge, energy and rush of emotions caught up with me laying there in the dark. The tears fell down my cheeks, and then the sobs began, I had my cardigan close and so I threw it over my face and suffocated my sobs so not to disturb others. However this was slightly silly as there wasn’t very many dry eyes in the room and my sobs were not the loudest. I was so thankful for the sobs from behind me, I don’t know who they were from but I was so thankful that someone else was just as leaky and sobby as I was. We really worked for change in that room and many of us got what we needed. It is my hope that the work I did today will continue to manifest in my life and the lives of those that need it. I know for the first time in a long time my mind is clear, I am feeling like my heart is lighter with less burden and less worry.

After class I grabbed a new shirt and found a shell treasure over at Anaar’s table. There was also a snake necklace and mink bone earrings that I am drooling over and really wish that I could get! I also got to see the lovely Suzanne and spend some time with Deja who I have missed so much since I left Arizona. It was wonderful to see her with her beautiful mermaid hair and lovely energy.

My new shirt and shell!

Day 2 

Day 2 was a shorter day as I ended my class’s right about noon. I took Ritual E'motion with Anaar and Evoke Invoke with Tempest. Both classes were more about deliberate movement than history or spirituality. I really enjoyed these classes!

Ritual E'motion with Anaar 

Anaar spoke of setting the state with visualization to match your performance theme. So if your piece is about spiders visually landscape the stage with webs and then act as if you are moving through them. This was quite profound for me because I tend to fear the stage and feel as if I am often dancing in a giant black box. I really loved this idea and will be using visualization for stage setting in the future. We worked through several exercises in this class focusing on different exits and entrances through different visual landscapes. We then transformed ordinary pocket items, a cup, pen, crumpled paper into magical props and danced with them as well.

Evoke and Invoke with Tempest

Evoke and Invoke with Tempest was also wonderful. It was great to dance next to my friend and also amazing teacher Inanna la Fae in this workshop. Tempest was a delight to study with. Her teaching style and imagery of "wall kittens, sky bunnies, and floor ferrets" will be stuck in my head for years to come and I will always remember to pet my wall kittens when dancing! Tempest defined Evoke as "Working with elementals and similar types of energies" I noted this was like "social spirit work" she defined Invoke as "to pull into yourself, or being ridden" I made notes that this was the same as ritual possession, or hedge riding. We then worked on expressing the elements through our bodies expressing water in our hips, fire with shimmies, air with the heart and earth with the feet. She focused on foot work for quite a while. This was not a new concept to me, but it was a great reminder to pay attention to my feet, the way they are placed and how they feel on the ground. It is strange how something so simple could be profound, but it was and for that I am grateful. 

Waking Persephone was a weekend festival, as it was my first time attending and I was low on funds and energy I only selected 4 classes to take. I missed the community round table, the after party and the show, but overall it was a wonderful experience and next year I will be getting the whole pomegranate! 

Cracking open the Shell

The unknown and accidental Glamour that comes with Priestesshood and how to not make the same mistakes I did.

Peeling back the layers of the rose, we are all the same, but what makes the difference between the seeker and the Priestess? The Priestess has been where the seeker is, not just once but many times. They heard the call, fearlessly jumped off the ledge and then proceeded to fall, stumble, scrape their knees; yet they got up and moved forward. They haven’t reached the destination, because none of us will ever truly reach the end until death, but they have been on the path before. They know how to navigate the land, where the thorns are, where they aren’t, and how to untangle snags. They have been educated in the ways of the craft, clergy, and ritual. In fact while the seeker is out partying, in school, work etc. the Priestess has dedicated her life to learning, taking classes, teaching, and facilitating ritual. They are not arm chair pagans; they do the work every day because they answered their call from within. They are not ascended masters or even gurus; they are trail blazers, guides, and most importantly, have experience that the seeker doesn’t.

Glamour

Enchantment and Glamour are often magical practices where the practitioner would choose to create a masked view of themselves so that people will perceive them in a certain way. This is most often done on purpose so that the person can achieve power or prestige. Enchantment and Glamour magic is its own system, and there is much to be explored but this is not the blog post for that. However I have found, recently, from my own experience as well as that of my Priestess (Lady Greenflame) and a conversation with a trusted friend, that Enchantment and Glamour can be placed on a person from outside sources as well. In this case it is usually unknown; a heavy weight that can’t be described and until you have experienced it, you might not know its happening to you.  It seems to happen when the Priestess is unaware of how other perceive her. Of course it would be crazy to expect the Priestess to know on a deep level what her students and the community see her as. She is only responsible for her actions, thoughts and emotions; she is not responsible for how people perceive her. While many might disagree with me, I will stand firm that what a Priestess puts out into the world she is responsible for but what others perceive about her, what she does and how she serves is not her responsibility. This would require her to invade each and everyone’s mind and find out what they think. Not only is this intrusive, but it is not the job of the Priestess. I personally have a rule: I will not look in at my student’s personal lives, energy, etc. through psychic means, divination or “general stalking”. It is not my responsibility to manage their life, it is theirs to seek me out when they need help. For example, I recently had a student blame me for being a bad priestess because I didn’t know she was being abused. This is a student I had met with “maybe” 3-4 times and was just getting to know. How horrible and how violated she would have felt if I had invaded her privacy and looked, then confronted her about it. I’ve been battered woman, with police reports detailing my body and bruises. I know what it is to be a battered woman and sure as hell won’t poke a student who is actually going through it, and force them to get help, leave or talk to me. This can actually lead to so much more damage and loss of trust. However, if a student comes to me with an issue, tells me about it and asked for help, I will bend over backwards for them. The Priestess is not a life vest, she is a swim teacher…

This type of Glamour and Enchantment is a cruel magic. There is absolutely NO informed consent in this type of magic. Speaking from my experience as a student, I loved my Priestess so much that it became unhealthy, more of a co-dependent obsession. I was so broken and wanted to be whole, to be wise, smart, and have all the elegant graces of a Priestess that my own Priestess exuded. I took my ideal version of what a “Priestess is” and placed it on her. She never consented to this and she never was informed. Rather she was beautifully flawed, in her wholeness, and I warped that by placing expectations and rules on her that she was not aware of. So when the day came that she was not perfect, not acting in accordance with my will, and was going through her own dark night of the soul, she shattered and I looked at the glass on the floor with distain, disappointment, and failure. I should have looked at her and said, “You are beautifully whole, you are beautifully shattered, because one day I will shatter, and I too will be beautiful and whole just as you are. “

Guilty

Say no, early and say it often. Advice recently given to me from Lord Spanish Moss.

I am guilty of being too kind and for stuffing my feelings back so that I didn’t “hurt a student’s feelings”. I am guilty for making exceptions to the rules, and then exceptions to those exceptions while still holding other students to the original standard. I am guilty for allowing them to walk on me, and violate and abuse my energy anytime they damn well pleased and mostly for hoping for them to grow rather than being truthful to them about their own skill level. I am guilty of accidentally feeding the glamour, for not saying no more often, and for actually providing excuse after excuse for bad behavior, laziness and mostly I’m guilty for wanting to save the “hurt feelings of others” and provide space for everyone. You can’t hold space for everyone, and you really can’t for people who are out of control. Say no often, if you say no to a student and are met with a violent outburst, recommend a good psychologist and walk away from the student; you are not qualified to help those with mental illness, you are required to send them to get help, and then help yourself. I know this now…

The Persona

Naming gives power, and while many of use choose to use our craft names as our regular name, some of us don’t and still others change their names. As a Priestess, we were charged with taking up a mantle, the color and charge may be different for each Priestess, but the mantle is similar. Take the Mantle off often. By not observing this practice, it has gotten me into trouble. I was under the impression that I was the Priestess and that the Priestess was me. That meant no vacation days, or dealing with student in crisis on my vacation, on the weekends, in the middle of XYZ, or my son’s sports games. This leads to burn out and fosters the bad student teacher relationship even more. Take the mantle off often, be you, and allow yourself MUCH “time off” from being a priestess. You are a Priestess, the Priestess is not you…

I have been the student that thought my Priestess was perfect and held her in such high esteem that she was on another planet. I also watched her fall and with it my own self. I then was doomed to make the same mistake because I had no idea what was happening to her or that it could also happen to me. They will put you on a pedestal and each of them may have their own perfect version of you and this must be dissolved immediately. It is not healthy for you to carry the weight of the glamour and it is not healthy for them to be placing such expectations on you because inevitably they will fail. 

The Priestess is flawed, imperfect, deficient, and in many cases not nearly as experienced as we perceive them. Or perhaps she is more experienced than what she is able or willing to project. Sometimes through our own arrogance, ego and self-righteousness we think that we are more experienced than the Priestess. This is often when we begin to put unspoken rules and regulations on her and try to force the priestess to act in our own accordance by bullying, gossip, and slander. Most of the time emphasis is placed on the priestesses deficiencies to cloud the deep troubles of the student’s shadows. “If my priestess is bad, it means that I’m right and therefore I don’t have to look at how nasty my soul is right now.” When this happens to you as a Priestess, there is nothing you can do about it and trust me, this will happen to you if you travel down the road of the Priestess for any significant length of time. You can’t stop it and you can’t change it. You simply have to hold on and do what you can to take care of yourself during those moments.

The Unhealthy Student/Teacher relationship

A priestess is not a dictator, however she MUST have complete Autonomy over her life, coven/circle, and her student’s course work. She is charged with creating space, courses, rituals, mediations, etc to help others navigate through their own lives. She has no time to “check” if her every move, decision, and action is “ok with” or in “accordance with” the student. She is not a life vest, and is not a slave to her students or coverers wishes and desires. Rather she provides what she can from her own experience, teaching, and all the learning she has done to get her to the place of Priestess. It is a very very thorny path; it requires self-esteem, ego, and humility. 

Some will try to force you to create what they want rather than what you are able to give and what you can create. They will then reward you by turning on you and try to destroy you, try to shut you down, stop you from serving your community and gods, because “they” think that they know better; that because you didn’t act in accordance with their will it somehow gives them the impression that it is ok to gossip, tell lies, and to “have meetings about you to inform others of your actions”. I want to note here, that the “will” I am speaking of is the ego driven will, and not the “Will” of the divine heart.  While all of this is uncomfortable, it IS part of the Priestess Path. Yet, you do not need to stay in this place. Your instinct might be to lash back in defense, but remember that regardless of who is right or wrong, they are hurting and their feelings are valid.  Often the best course of action in the best interest of the Priestess is to remove yourself from the situation and to not engage their energy. Their actions and words will be dealt within their own Karmic energy and you do not have to let their words devour you. 

Why is broken bad? When we are ALL so broken? Why do we look at someone, who isn’t acting in accordance with our will and throw them under the bus? Or think that because they are not acting in the way we want that we must destroy them to feel better about ourselves? While the situations between what made me shatter and what made my priestess shatter were completely different and can’t even be compared, the result seems similar. A “glamour” about who and what we really are, met with violent outburst from critics who can’t balance their own live out. When the Persona is removed you are left with a “Naked and Raw view of the Priestess” and if you can’t handle me naked, you don’t deserve me clothed. Not only that, if you think your Priestess should be perfect, act only in accordance with your will and that anything different is to be destroyed, then you are an abuser. Priestess cut this out of your life ASAP, it is a worm in the root of your sacred tree; cut out the worm and the tree grows beautifully. 

The thing is that priestess’ are human beings too, let me say that again, Priestess’ are human fucking beings, and they will make mistakes, they will have flaws, and deficiencies. They will be disappointed in your behavior, they will be angry when then hear you talking crap about them, and other people and they will be insulted when you try to tell them how to do their job. Being spiritual and balanced doesn’t mean perfection; it means for the most part we keep it together and show you how to do the same. Most Priestess’ will have a peer group that you don’t know about, that is not affiliated with your group, that they can seek council when they need help. The student is never to mentor the Priestess, even if they want to. Not acting in accordance with your students will does not give them permission to try to destroy you, and spread gossip and vicious slander. If this happens walk away, walk away from the drama and walk away from the student and refuse to ever teach them again, and for the LOVE OF ALL THE GODDESSES, DON’T SEND THEM TO ANOTHER PRIESTESS. Have respect for yourself and fellow priestess’ and don’t let them try to destroy another one… There is no "gossip goddess" so don’t fucking worship her, don’t play the game, don’t fall victim to the petty nonsense, practice “To Keep Silent” and keep you thoughts and feelings away from this baneful magic…

The Evil Eye

Over the last 6 months, I have recently found myself telling my students over and over, "It sounds like you need an evil eye talisman." I have said this so much that

I have started to see my Roses (aka students of various mediums) regurgitating the same information back to others, implementing it into their own work, and actively shielding against it! “Well”, I said to myself, “If you keep saying this so much, perhaps it is you that needs the talisman.” So I set to work making some!

 If you have ever visited my home and paid close attention, you will see various sizes shapes and placements of different evil eye talisman, including a dinner plate sized one that faces the front door. With the recent move to Portland, we have put much of our stuff in storage while we find our forever home. With the exception of the dinner plate evil eye and one other small glass eye, they are all packed away. Recently I have begun to wear a wonderful glass eye ring that was bought in the Istanbul Grand Bazaar years ago by a wonderful and very talented dance student of mine from Japan and so I thought it was time to write about protecting yourself from the evil eye with different types of talismans, including designs made with henna on the skin, and reversing the effects via two older spells from England.

In the end, we will discuss how to use water to help cleanse your body of these negative energies, but first a little history and cultural information!

The curse of the evil eye is a cross cultural belief that has a deep and culturally diverse background that ranges from protection and incorporation in henna designs to reversing the effects of the curse. Now, let’s explore protecting yourself from the evil eye with a talisman, reversing the effects via a spell recorded by Charles Godfrey Leland and lastly how to make water to help cleanse your body of these energies, but first a little history and cultural information! The evil eye curse, or a malevolent stare, which does produce curse energy can easily be reversed and protected against using a talisman or other methods. It is believed in, used, and actively protected against in countries such as Brazil, Spain, Portugal, India, Italy, Greece, Morocco, Africa, The UK, Turkey, and most of the Arabic speaking countries. It is present in Folk beliefs of the Berbers, Witchcraft, Islam and Judaism, and is even mentioned in Greek, Roman and Biblical texts. The Evil Eye, simply put, is a jealous or evil gaze from someone who is envious. This belief is so wide that it is hard to ignore! In fact, there is quite a bit of weight to the belief. The Evil Eye is a curse; it is often unconsciously projected from a jealous person to the victim who is typically the one they are jealous of. It is the same exact thing as the “stink eye”.

We’ve all done it and we all have even had it done to us! It is when this “stink eye” is projected onto the recipient over and over that a curse takes hold. It is important to note that most often, when people feel they are truly cursed (rather than just unbalanced paranoia) it comes from the evil eye. There are those rare times when an actual Witch sends a malevolent curse to another practitioner or person; however those seem to be the exception and not the rule.

These take much more to undo than the evil eye curse.

However, the evil eye or a malevolent stare, which does produce curse energy, can easily be reversed and protected against.

There is a long folk history of using spit to help reverse the effects of an ill placed glare or compliment on a child, however the most common evil eye talisman are usually a blue glass eye, seen below, is often used to protect against this evil glare. The classic evil eye motif that most of us are familiar with uses 4 layers of blue and white to create the bull’s eye design. Other designs include the hamsa or Hand of Fatima containing an eye or eye motif and five fingers, sea horses and the very popular Peacock eye or the eye of a peacock’s feather. The hamsa is both a protection amulet and a symbol of God. It can be traced back all the way to Mesopotamia, but is used by Arabic and Berber cultures to protect against the evil eye. Specifically it is a right or a symmetrical five fingered hand that is created with the eye motif in the center to help protect from, reverse, or ward off the malevolent glare of others. In addition, raising the right hand with the fingers slightly apart can help to break or stop the curse. Today it is sold on jewelry, wall hangings and in henna art as both protection and luck bringing.

I have been working with evil eyes since I first started learning belly dance in the very early 2000s. One of the most important things about learning something new is to show its culture proper respect. To do this, I immersed myself in the Middle Eastern Dance culture. After art school my interest in henna began to grow and I began to study different aspects of henna culture and again a very important thing about being a henna artist is knowing the right design to place on the right client. What is culturally acceptable in India may not be in the Middle East and the designs will be much different than those in Morocco and the Sudan. In Morocco and Turkey, the use of a realistic eye is often incorporated into henna, jewelry and other artistic designs, but in other countries these types of symbols are forbidden. In Morocco women use henna and/or tattoo around their ears, nose, eyes, and mouth to protect from the evil eye or a malevolent spirit. In addition, Moroccan Henna art specifically uses the eye, or eye like designs featured below, in their henna designs to ward off the evil eye. However the evil eye is not exclusive to the Eastern cultures, Europe and the UK have a long history of magic and folklore surrounding the evil eye curse.

In Europe, we see that water plays a large factor in helping to both protect and reverse the effects of the evil eye. In England, a sea horse is often used as a protection against the evil eye.

“Seahorses; those strange and beautiful creatures, Otherworldly in their movements, would, in their appearance, be at home amongst the wonderful and bizarre entries in a medieval magical bestiary. They seem to have been employed in many parts of the world as charms and amulets against the evil- eye. Dried specimens might be carried, or hung within the home, sometimes with the incorporation of tiny glass beads. Which have their own tradition of use in the averting of evil. The image of the seahorse, made from glass might also be employed in this manner, as would images of fishes, also in glass or mother of pearl.” (Gary .84)

In Scotland “silvered water” was often used by a Faery doctor to cure the curse of the evil eye. “Silvered water was water into which silver coins had dropped; and it was prepared in a special way.” (McArthur. 119) The water was taken from a liminal place and the silver dropped in the water. After which the one afflicted with the curse would drink 3 sips of the water and then the faery doctor would sprinkle the rest around the person while reciting incantations, perhaps like the one below, thus the person was healed of the evil eyes curse. If you choose to perform a similar spell you may choose to add a bit of your own spit as both a means of curing the curse and as a taglock. Another such way to cure the curse of the evil eye is outlined by Charles Godfrey Leland below.

An eye covered thee,

A mouth spoke thee,

A heart envied thee,

A mind desired thee

(McNeill. 165)

To reverse the effects of the evil eye curse Leland recorded a spell in his work

Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling. In this work he suggests that one

go to a sacred water source, river or stream. They collect the water with the current rather than against it. Then they combine in a pot or cauldron over a flame, 7 cloves of garlic, 7 coals and 7 hands full of meal. The 7 seas can be represented here with the repetition of the number 7. The pot is then heated and stirred with a three forked twig while the incantation below is recited. This connects us directly to the trident and Neptune, though there is no mention of any trident connected to this spell. The three pronged twig, much like the stang, is a representation of witchcraft and specifically sea witchcraft. So what next? Sarah Lawless suggest simmering the mixture down and adding it to a cloth which is sew in into a talisman

here.

However, you can simmer the mixture down and bottle what is left in a jar with sacred or holy water, be sure to seal it tight and place it close to where you spend most of your time. You may choose to use a blue jar or even paint one with an evil eye. Or you can add a small portion of the liquid mixture into a seahorse bottle like below. If this is too complicated, and you prefer to simply work with water, you can make an evil Eye reversing water by adding special items to prepare and charge your water with the effects of evil eye reversal.

"Evil eyes look on thee,

May they here extinguished be

And then seven ravens

Pluck out the evil eyes

Evil eyes (now) look on thee.

May they soon extinguished be!

Much dust in the eyes,

Thence may they become blind,

Evil eyes now look on thee;

May they soon extinguished be!

May they burn, may they burn

In the fire of God!"

I have modified the above incantation for use by the Sea or Water Witch it goes as follows…

Evil eyes look on thee/me*

May they here dissolved be

And then seven ravens

Pluck out the evil eyes

Evil eyes (now) look on thee.

May they soon dissolved be!

Much salt and sand in the eyes,

Thence may they become blind,

Evil eyes now look on thee;

May they soon extinguished be!

May they drown, may they drown

In the depth of Neptune’s grave…

*Use “thee” when working for a friend or loved one and “me” when working for yourself.

 Working with water is also a good way to cleanse yourself from the evil eye. You can gather water from your sacred source and place it in a bottle (like the seahorse one below) and employ it to protect you against the evil eye. You can create an evil eye cleansing water with sacred water made of silver and set out under the full moon. Then add a clean glass evil eye to the water and let it soak in the energies, or even place a photo of the evil eye like the blue bulls eye in the picture above underneath the glass bowl. Be sure to spell or charge your water with the intent of cleansing and protecting from the evil eye, and employ your symbols through sympathetic magic to do the same. If you would like to make your own talisman you can follow the tutorial

here

and work in a similar fashion as I have outlined here.

You can buy glass evil eye beads online and they do very well if they are charged properly, but there is no reason to break the bank or even wait for a paycheck and shipping because you can start your own collection now by making your own.

I happen to also believe that the more you put into something the stronger it is, so if you buy one be sure to charge it well. I am a big fan of natural fibers, but I also am a dancer, so I love just a tiny bit of metallic fibers as well! I chose to use the fibers to “trap” the energy. I selected the traditional blue and white bulls eye pattern, and 3 sticks rather than 2 sticks when creating the “gods eye” I chose three because of the 3 colors used, and to align myself with the magical number 9 which is a theme that runs in Avalonian lore and the 9 maidens, 9 waves, 9 priestess etc. After I finished making these, I took them to the Pacific Ocean and performed a ritual to cleanse, consecrate and bring life it to these protective talismans. It is important to note that really anything that resembles an eye can be employed in the same fashion; snail shells, cowrie shells and other eye like stones will have similar results.

To dispose of them you can burn flammable talisman, bury glass or other talisman that cannot be disposed of in fire or cast them into the ocean. Please note to only send shells, stones and other natural talisman back into the ocean. Do not pollute our land or ocean! 

Belief in the evil eye, while not a worldwide belief does spans multiple cultures and countries. Each country has its own belief system that is similar but different surrounding this curse. From the traditional bull’s eye and mystical Hamsa to spit, water and a few coals, many Witches and folk healers have been working with this curse, successfully breaking it and restoring ones energy back to normal. Much of the lore about the evil eye is about actively protecting yourself before it takes hold. Don’t wait till you think you have received this malevolent glare, grab your tools and start crafting! Choose your method based on what resonates with you and don’t forget to charge your talisman with intent!

Click

here

to visit the etsy shop and buy one of your own blessed in the waters of the Pacific Ocean!

Sources:

• http://www.livescience.com/40633-evil-eye.html

• Whist Waters- Gemma Gary

• Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling- Charles Godfrey Leland

• Faery Healing the lore and the legacy- Margie McArthur

• The Silver Bough – F. Marian McNeill

Pearl Magic

Behold we arise with the dawn of time from the grey and misty sea,
And with the dusk we sink in the western ocean
And the lives of a man are strung like pearls on the thread of his spirit;
And never in all his journey goes he alone,
For that which is solitary is barren.
~Dion Fortune~

Pearls are some of the most beautiful creations on this planet. While they are incredibly beautiful they are actually formed from one tiny imperfection and the mollusks ability to heal itself. This process produces one of the most sought after gems. Pearls come in just about every color, shape and size and have been prized in many cultures across the world in antiquity. They are the birth stone for those born in June and are also associated with the astrological sign Cancer. Those born under this sign are often called moon children. For the Water or Sea Witch, the pearl can be used in many ways from an offering to a talisman. 

Pearls come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. Their usual colors range from cream to black but they can occur in almost every shade and color. Pearls are not limited to forming inside oysters. They can actually be made from any mollusk including the most amazing, highly prized and beautiful Conch Pearl! Pearls have been cultivated by man since the late 1800s and possibly even before. They have been highly prized as a symbol of wisdom and royalty since antiquity with the Romans and Egyptians prizing pearls above all other gems. In addition, the first use of pearl material was used as far back as 4200 B.C.E. Pearls are split into several different categories which include freshwater, and the very popular Akoya cultured pearls. While we are used to seeing the prized Akoya pearls as well as fresh water pearls, every type of mollusk can produce a pearl. In fact abalone, conch, and the bailer shell all produce beautiful and prized pearls. To learn more about the many different varieties of pearls click here.

 

Pearls are actually formed from flaws. When a tiny parasite, piece of sand or other foreign object is introduced to the oysters shell the oyster begins to secrete a smooth hard substance called nacre. This nacre begins to form a layer around this foreign object in a defensive manner. Soon layer upon layer is secreted and the pearl is formed. One of the most beautiful and prized jewels around the world is formed from a tiny foreign object in the mollusk. To learn more about how pearls are formed click here here

 

“Oysters open completely when the moon is full; and when the crab sees one it throws a piece of stone or seaweed into it and the oyster cannot close again so that it serves the crab for meat. Such is the fate of him who opens his mouth too much and thereby puts himself at the mercy of the listener.”

―Leonardo da Vinci

Pearls are intimately connected to the moon in that not only do they resemble the moon in shape, luster and color but their feeding cycle is also effected by the moon and tidal cycles. As such, pearls have long been associated with the moon and therefore can be associated with Selene, Luna and any other goddess who embodies the full moon. They were also found in Aphrodite’s temple and were considered sacred to her. The pearl has long been associated with moon magic and can be used as a representation of the moon, can be made into pearl essences and you can charge them with specific intent. You can give them as offerings to spirits, goddesses and the sea. They can be use in moon or wisdom magic and any magic associated with Cancer, the moon or crabs. I often give a pearl as an offering during my birthday as I am born in June. Finally the pearl can be used in transformation magic through sympathetic association to the prized gem created from a tiny flaw.

Pearls are versatile and can range in color, shape, size and even value. Some pearls such as fresh water pearls are very common and others like the pink conch pearl are extremely pricy and rare. Pearls can be used in many ways and for many reasons. They are most commonly associated with wisdom. You may have heard the quote "Pearls of Wisdom" before. They come in just about every color and so they can be selected for your magical purpose through color association. They can be found on strings or even still inside the oyster at popular sea side destinations. They are ritually opened in a small welcoming ceremony when the new owner taps them 3 times and yells “ALOHA!” to welcome it into the world. These are incredibly prized magically and can become a powerful tool for the water witch. They can be worn as jewelry and charged with protection, much like the intricate layers of the pearl. They can be used in moon magic and are sacred to Aphrodite and can be used in love magic as well. The pearl, like the moon presents endless possibilities!

Horseshoe Crab Magic

Horseshoe Crabs are some of the most amazing sea creatures we water witches have to work with. While they resemble a crustacean and are called crabs, they are actually part of the Chelicerata classification which is a subphylum of the Arthropoda family and are very close to arachnids. Their name "Chelicerata" means claw horn. They have segmented and jointed bodies and do have small pincher claws that are used to feed rather than defend.
The Horseshoe crab is ancient; it is one of the most ancient living fossils on record. They are estimated to be at least 450 million years old. (That is before the dinosaurs!) They are truly animal ancestors and an ancestral race that dates to before history! They are probably the oldest living species on earth. They were widely used by First Nation tribes along the east coast of the United States. Their spiny tails were used as spears, their head shells used as a water vessel or scoop and they ate the flesh of the crab for sustenance. However they are not limited to the eastern coast of the United States. They can also be found in the Gulf of Mexico and South East Asia. In Japan, folklorists believe that when warriors die in battle they are reincarnated into Horseshoe crabs, their head shape being similar to a helmet worn by Japanese samurai.

Horseshoe crabs have pretty bad eye sight, though their optic cones are larger than humans and any other animal. They technically have 10 eyes to help them see at different stages of life. They are located in various parts of the body including the tail, head and by the mouth just to name a few. For this reason they can be used to aid in second sight, seeing in the darkness, and divination.
Horseshoe crabs do not have the clotting agent hemoglobin in their blood. Instead they have hemocyanin which contains copper and because of this they have blue blood. Humans have harvested the blood of this animal for medical purposes and research. Because of their blue blood, those of you that might work with the Chakra system may find value in working with this animal and the throat and 3rd eye chakras. The added blue color of the crabs blood also aligns with the magical purposes of divination and second sight.
The Horsehoe crab lays about 60,000 to 120,000 eggs. Many of these are eaten by birds and other prey before they are hatched. Again this brings us back to magic surrounding survival, beating the odds and even luck. It is an interesting fact that the Horseshoe crab resembles a horseshoe which is used traditionally in luck spells and charms. Likewise, the Horseshoe crab’s head can be used in this same way.
Their tails can be used as wands (I often use them for this reason) they can be used to direct energy, cast circles, or even "pierce" an enemy. While they are not necessarily aggressive animals and they do not sting, stepping on a raised tail will surely hurt! They are closely related to scorpions and therefore can be used in lesser spells of banishment. (If you need a good banishing ally try the shark!)
Horseshoe crabs eat just about anything and everything they can get their claws on from algae to worms and from clams to marine animals. They also molt and many of the skeletons found on the beach are actually molts, though often you will find a whole body. If you come across a still living Horseshoe crab who is stranded on shore, make sure to quickly bring it back to the water. Then perhaps, evaluate your own life and see if you are indeed "stuck" in any old pattern that may no longer be good for you. Make sure to "carry yourself” back to the water’s edge to free yourself from the sandy bonds of the land. 
Their magic is all about survival, adaptation and evolution. They connect us to the ancient world that was untouched by humans, they speak of ancient waters and earth. They teach us how to wear armor as well as how to shield properly. They are excellent allies for survival and shielding. They align with the color blue of the 3rd eye chakra, the ocean, and second sight. They can teach us how to camouflage ourselves, and how to adapt. Their tails can be used to direct energy, create sigils in the sand as a passive form of protection.

Horseshoe Crab spell for Luck and Longevity
You will need:

• Horseshoe crab shell or photo
• Sacred space cleansed and clean
• A green candle
• Sea weed or a Luck/Longevity herb (Sea Lavender is a good choice here since it is an everlasting)

1) Start your spell by clearing your space, ground and center. Then cast a circle if you use one.

2) Place your Horseshoe crab in the center of your working space

3) Place your candle directly in front of the Crab

4) Carve your intent or sigils into the green candle and place it on the altar

5) Sprinkle your sea weed or herb in a circle around both the candle and crab

6) Light your candle and chant the words below till you are satisfied (7 times is a good amount and aligns with the seven seas) 

7)When you are finished, focus your intent and blow over the crab with your breath giving the spell life

8) If you need added luck or for a longer period of time, use a larger green candle that can be burned over several days and make sure to repeat this process every morning/evening till the candle is completely burned down. 

9) When the spell work is complete dispose of your old wax and gather up the sea weed and/or herb and bring it to the ocean and scatter it in the water. It is really important that ONLY the plant be scattered into the ocean. Putting the wax in the ocean is not helpful and very bad for our environment.

Horseshoe crab so old and wise

Turn my life away from demise

Bless me with Luck, Love, and Life

and protect me from demise and strife.

With the Blessings of the Seven Seas

This is my will So mote it be! 

Sacred Wells and Springs

The Chalice Well

 

Our Oceans are precious to us, but for hundreds even thousands of years humans have regarded fresh water springs and wells as sacred. With a long history of magic, spells, healing and cursing the UK has some amazing sacred springs. Each month this column will introduce you to one with a little history, folklore, and magic! Since it is spring I decided to start with the Chalice well. The Chalice well has so much history both Christian and Pagan. It is located in the small village of Glastonbury which is located in the South West of the UK. It is called the Chalice well due to the mythology of the Holy Grail being hidden in its depths. Though it has never been found the Chalice well has become a place of healing and of feminine transformation. The waters which originate a few miles away bubble up in this sacred spot. The waters flow red, rich with iron deposits and speak of the womb, the goddess, and birth. No wonder the sign of the Vesica Pisces has been placed on the well cover. A Sacred symbol, which is associated with the Flower of Life and other Sacred Geometric formations. Strangely the Chalice well flows just feet from the White Well at Glastonbury which we will discuss in future newsletters. Today Glastonbury is very much like Salem and Sedona with many shops catering to the new age and pagan folk and many kindred spirits roaming the streets....

Montezuma's Well

Montezuma's Well is Arizona's Sacred Spring. While we have other springs that are used for recreation this particular one has a long history of being sacred, and a place of magic and mysticism. The name Montezuma's well is a misnomer as the Aztec King Montezuma has never been associated with this sacred place. Montezuma's well is a natural limestone sinkhole that pumps around 15,000,000 gallons of water a day. It is believed that this place has been used by indigenous cultures as far back as 600 C.E. However it is possible that this sacred springs has been used for 10,000 years. While there is still much mystery surrounding the well, it is believed to be a place of spirituality. During the 1895 expedition and exploration of this sacred land, it was noted that the pit house or small cliff dwelling at the top of the well was a place of rest, spirituality and possibly a resting place for a shaman or a place to deposit offerings to the gods and the spring. We know that indigenous cultures from the UK to South America have always had much respect and spirituality surrounding sacred springs. It would not be too much of a leap to think that the indigenous cultures of the America's and the UK had a similar understanding and reverence for our sacred waters. Today it is tended and cared for by our National Forest, and those that are called to protect our sacred waters...

Click here to learn more about Montezuma's Well

Bath: The Roman Temple of Sulis 

Sulis is a Brithonic Goddess that presides over Bath, where she has a temple first built by the Romans. Though inactive for several hundred years during the Victorian era the hot springs was resurrected and many would still visit. Aristocrats from both the Roman and Victorian area would frequent this sacred space. Today tourists flock to see the ruins and her temple is alive and well with many patrons visiting and the Government caring for the ruins. While it is now a museum the energy that surrounds it keeps her alive and well.  While Sulis is a water goddess, and healer she is also the keeper of  curses. 

Sulis was also called Sulis Minerva by the Romans, while they are the ones credited with the wonderful architecture of her temple, she was originally worshiped by the Celts and other locals of the land. The etymology of her name is still argued about today. Some believe it means clear sight, while other think that it is associated with the sun. Still others think it means gap, and she is often referred to as the Goddess of the Gap. This is interesting as she isn't really an underworld deity but isn't really an above world deity either. She is the goddess of the gap, the place between, she is both here and there, in and out etc. Hundreds of votive offerings and over 100 curse tablets are found in her temple ruins. She is a goddess of indulgence, chocolate, flowers, luscious waters, and votive offerings. This liminal goddess was once loved and feared for being both a Goddess of healing and cursing. Today she is honored by just a few Priestess who are dedicated to working with her, keeping the waters clean, and sacred springs.

Visit Sulis the Goddess of the hot springs at bath with this virtual tour

 Tonopah and El Dorado Hot Springs

 El Dorado Hot Springs which means "Hot water under the bush" is a Hot Spring in Tonopah Arizona. These hot waters bubble up from the subterranean hot springs that lie under the hot desert sands. The waters are thick with a soothing mix of natural minerals. Ducks, Peafowl and wild birds roam the desert oasis, which is full of life. Don't let the hot desert fool you, there is much life, wild and tamed that roam these grounds and call them home.   I have visited this wonderful place before and you can read about it and see some other photos here.

Sacred Springs and Sulis

It was time to return to the hot mineral waters of Tonopah. El Dorado Hot Springs which means "Hot water under the bush" is a Hot Spring in Tonopah Arizona. These hot waters bubble up from the subterranean hot springs that lie under the hot desert sands. The waters are thick with a soothing mix of natural minerals. Ducks, Peafowl and wild birds roam the desert oasis, which is full of life. Don't let the hot desert fool you, there is much life, wild and tamed that roam these grounds and call them home. 

 I have visited this wonderful place before and you can read about it and see some other photos here. This time though, it was time to relax, rejuvenate and to bring offerings to Sulis. Sulis has been watching over my hot baths for years. In fact she even was able to somehow secure the entire space for herself, because I never intended it to be a shrine just to her, but it just happened. Sulis is a Brithonic Goddess that presides over Bath, where she has a temple first built by the Romans. Though inactive for several hundred years during the Victorian era the hot springs was resurrected and many would still visit. Aristocrats from both the Roman and Victorian area would frequent this sacred space. Today tourists flock to see the ruins and her temple is alive and well with many patrons visiting and the Government caring for the ruins. While it is now a museum the energy that surrounds it keeps her alive and well.  While Sulis is a water goddess, and healer she is also the keeper of  curses. 

Sulis

Sulis was also called Sulis Minerva by the Romans, while they are the ones credited with the wonderful architecture of her temple, she was originally worshiped by the Celts and other locals of the land. The etymology of her name is still argued about today. Some believe it means clear sight, while other think that it is associated with the sun. Still others think it means gap, and she is often referred to as the Goddess of the Gap. This is interesting as she isn't really an underworld deity but isn't really an above world deity either. She is the goddess of the gap, the place between, she is both here and there, in and out etc. Hundreds of votive offerings and over 100 curse tablets are found in her temple ruins. She is a goddess of indulgence, chocolate, flowers, luscious waters, and votive offerings. This liminal goddess was once loved and feared for being both a Goddess of healing and cursing. Today she is honored by just a few Priestess who are dedicated to working with her, keeping the waters clean, and sacred springs.

Visit Sulis the Goddess of the hot springs at bath with this virtual tour.

Priestess of Avalon

One of the most common things I hear is "What is a Priestess of Avalon?" To really understand what a Priestess of Avalon is, we must first explore what being a priestess is and what or where Avalon is. In addition to this, there are many that believe that Priestess is a title that is earned, while others say it is a path of service they were called to, and still others say it is devotion to a particular deity through devotion and temple tending. While many traditions do offer "Priestess" or "High Priestess" as a title, level of achievement, and rank, for the sake of this blog we will be discussing the word Priestess as a calling, a path, and a life of devotion to your cause and community.

Many people have argued over what a Priestess is, and I have come to the conclusion that it is something we will never agree on, and so in my mind I have split these many meanings into two main categories. Priestess as rank and Priestess as a Path. Now it is very possible to be both of these or just one, and there is no "right way" Traditions have established Priestess as a rank and achievement since the 1950's and this should be acknowledged and respected. However, Priestess as a path should also be respected and is equally as important. While many covens and traditions teach one how to be a Priestess, not all do and not all people who are called to lead are able to have the training that a coven or tradition can provide available to them. Even more importantly some have been trained in the basics, but through circumstances which can include everything from jealousy to personal tragedy they have lost their mentor and are flying by the seat of their pants. So as you can see we have established there are many different forms, levels, ranks and circumstances that create priestesses, no need to argue about that right?

So what is a Priestess of Avalon? Well let’s look at those who have chosen or through appointment of a human, coven, or deity, the path of the Priestess. This path is full of thorns, struggles, and often times we are left thinking "What the hell am I doing" I have often found myself in the place, and IMO believe this is a normal thing. Though we often doubt ourselves, we have been led to this life and have survived the initial stages and struggles which has landed us in the place of "Priestess". But those that have made it here through the initiation understand that the journey would have left us cold and empty at the beginning if it were not for the wisdom of the spirits which led us here. Being a priestess is a path of sacrifice (but not martyrdom), it is one of constant fact and ego checking, one of constant devotion, of caring for the self, and seeing beyond the norm into the world of the spirit and into a place of leadership. Many of those called to this path do not consider themselves leaders, but it is a path of leadership through service; service to our students, our clients, our gods, our families, and to our self. It is one that is creative, empathic, compassionate, and constantly challenging every aspect of our being.

Many people have heard of the "Shamanic death and rebirth" which can often be compared to, or is itself, an initiation. Often times Priestesses are made through these struggles, and are born again on the other side. It could be anything from a tragic accident, to near death experiences, or childhood trauma or abuse that has led you through the underworld and out on the other side. While this is not a requirement, Priestess training has its own ups and downs, and its own journey through the underworld into the initiation of a Priestess. Those who have been through this type of death know that there is no such things as "black and white" "Good and Evil" but have passed through the gates of death and in many times their own personal hell. Those that are strong enough to come out on the other side are the perfect candidates for priestess work. They are able to see beyond the norm, empathize with tragedy but also enjoy happiness. While trauma itself does not make a good priestess, the cycle of death and rebirth and the struggles that are needed to overcome the death and enter into the rebirth stage do. Often times those that are called to this work without such traumas are often led through an initiation type death where their shadow struggles to find balance with the conscious self. Like a potter who takes wet clay, formless and lumpy, and through constant reshaping, kneading, carving, and building the clay is transformed and reborn into a work of art, and so, the priestess is also shaped through the death and rebirth cycle, like the clay being molded, shaped, carved away, and changed.

The path of the Priestess is often a lonely path filled with constant flow of people through your life. It is very hard to mentor your own friends and do priestess work for them, often resulting in a loss of friendship, it is very hard to give both friend and priestess advice without repercussions. The path is lonely, and hard, but for some reason we are driven to this work, perhaps out of need for wanting more, and to serve, or perhaps wanting to heal our own wounds and through such healing finding our own power than can then guide others on a similar journey. The path of a priestess takes you both through the mundane and upperworlds but also to the depths of your soul, shadow, and the underworld.

While I could continue writing on what a Priestess is, I think that you have a good basic understanding of what many priestesses are made of. While this is not true for everyone and there are always exceptions to the rule, for the most part I have found these things to be very universal. So what is Avalon? Avalon is a place of healing, some say it is the other world, some say it is the faery world while others think of it as the underworld, where King Arthur was laid to rest. It is often called the Isle of Apples, where great healing takes place. Avalon is both light and dark, it is both life and death, it is both magic and mundane. It is the center of the world tree, and the leaves and the roots, it is a place to be accessed through the mind and has brought great healing to those that seek her shores. In Glastonbury we see the duality of life and death mirrored in the White and Red Wells, we see the colors of Avalon, red and white like the apple and black like the seed. It is a place of constant cycles, death rebirth and life.

The Priestess of Avalon understands from her own struggles, and witnessing those around her, that she is not perfect, that she can bring both great healing and destruction, she knows she is capable of great healing, and forgiveness as well as love, and transformation. In her work she finds balance, between the light and dark, and when she finds herself leaning too far to one direction she seeks balance. She rides the hedge, listening to the words of her guides, gods, and spirits. She is devotee to her path and those that she serves, and most of all she has been to the underworld, she has looked death and life’s challenges in the face and survived, and is often because of these things that she is able to guide others through their own "Dark night of the soul" or their journey through their own personal hell. She does not force healing, but is there when healing is needed. She knows that there is so much power in speech, and just as much in keeping silent. She holds her tongue (when she can) and tries to only speak wisdom, she also knows she is human and fallible and so seeks healing constantly for herself. She knows that true power comes from finding the wisdom that comes within balance and constantly seeks this to better herself for those that she serves.

Sea Charm for Protection

Last month I was out of town much of the month. Part of my travel was to San Francisco for a lovely well needed vacation. The second part was to attend my 2nd year at Pantheacon. It was a fantastic time, and I will be blogging about some of the things I learned very soon. However this blog is all about a Sea Charm for protection.
I was very excited to attend Pantheacon this year, a good friend was planning on going and I was looking forward to seeing her. She mentioned that she sensed something was "off" and her intuition was telling her to be cautious. Well it would have been foolish to ignore such a warning! I still wanted to go and have a great time however I was very cautious. With my energy very scattered and preoccupied with vacation fun I thought I better be careful and add some extra protection oomph. I am on my second read through of Whisht Waters and had remembered Gemma Gary had mentioned that sea horses are traditionally used for protection against the evil eye. I immediately knew what to do, I saw a charm in my mind...

I keep stock piles of shells, bugs, salts, strings, bones, beads and other things used for magic. I selected a small oyster shell to keep me hidden and safe, black salt for protection, the traditionally used sea horse, and finally 9 pieces of garnet which is also traditionally used for protection when traveling. I bound them tightly and sealed them with breath, incantations, and knot work. I am back from my trip and I have to say it worked brilliantly! If you want to make your own follow the directions below...

You will need...

•  A clam that fits nicely together and will hold your sea horse
• A dried sea horse, these can be found at many beaches such as Sanibel Island and some online stores (you can also substitute this with an evil eye or a drawing of a sea horse depending on your intent, if you are purchasing it, please find a beach comber on Etsy, someone who can verify they found the seahorse and do NOT buy them from places like craft stores or online stores. Vintage seahorses are also a good option)
• Black cotton or wool string (I am a stickler for the natural fibers)
• A few pinches of black salt
• 9 pieces of garnet

Once you have gathered all your ingredients, create your sacred space in your usual fashion. Add the ingredients into your shell and close it tightly. Bind the string around the clam shell until you are satisfied, I tied 9 knots into mine to match the number of garnet beads inside. However if you use a specific number you can substitute that as well. Once it is bound focus your intent and breathe your intent into the charm by blowing over it softly (or fiercely if needed) Tuck it away or carry it with you!

Avalon Water Spell

Avalon is the Isle of Apples, the Mystical place of intense healing and rebirth...

So this spell is just a little rhyme that I use to help me part the Mists and journey to Avalon to heal...

I anoint my brow with the red waters of the Chalice well
I anoint my hands and feet with the white lime/calcium saturated waters of the White well

Then I whisper...

Waters of Avalon draw me near
To the place that I hold dear
by skull and stone
and Blood and bone
I part the mists
and Journey into the unknown...

Avalon Rose Water

I have been silent for a while, I have been so busy with Henna, and Dance that I havent had time to sit and write out a blog. I seam to be out of the crazy rush of the spring now, so I have a few moments to blog. Though I havent had the time to really write, I have been busy crafting magic. One thing that I have been useing quite a bit in my personal rituals, and spell work is Rose water. 

Rose water is very easy to make. The rose water that I have been using though, is specific to Avalon. Red and White are the colors of Avalon, representing everything from the 2 sacred wells in Glastonbury, the apple, and red and white Dragons (Wales and the UK) These colors represent polarity, light and dark, death and life, up and down, etc. Since it is spring time and my Roses are in beautiful bloom I decided to harvest the Rose petals I needed straight from the garden.

I selected the Most beautiful red and white roses I could find. I gently separated their petals from the stem and rinsed them off. I then heated up some water and poured it over the rose petals. Covered and let sit for 24 hours. The next day I had wonderful Avalon Rose water! I have been using it for all sorts of things from cleansing, baths, and offerings. There is nothing like drops of rose water forming steam as it hits a red hot coal sending its essence into the other world.  

 *** If you want to keep the rose water you make unfortunately it doesn't last in its natural state. You can add a bit of  vodka to the mix and it will keep!

Goddess Prayer

A student of mine asked me to write her a daily devotional. Though the devotional is very specific (and I may end up posting it) I have written a daily prayer to go along with it. While I was writing it I noticed that it would be used by anyone in their daily practice and with any Goddess(or God for that matter)

Goddess_____
Give me wisdom to see,
Those things that are baneful and harmful to me.
Grant me the strength to graciously accept,
The things that benefit my soul and make me adept.

Grand me knowledge, wisdom and sight,
So I will know the difference between the dark and light.

I ask that each day I be beautiful, patient and smart,
So that I can weave well my spells in this art.
Each day grant me compassion, kindness, and an open heart,
So with the rise of each sun I put forth a good start.

This is my devotion this is my plee,
and in return, I honor thee.

Let your practice speak for itself

One thing I have learned over the years as a healer, diviner, and Priestess is that the Goddess will bring the right people to your door step. When money is needed she brings the right client etc. When I feel like my practice or services are failing or not reaching enough people she provides opportunities for me to meet new people, and tell them who I am and what I do. Don't get me wrong I am not sitting at home just waiting for people to show up to my classes, sessions etc. I work on beautiful marketing material, networking, continuing my education and keeping my own practice strong.

Lately I have noticed a bit of a disturbing trend with other people who have similar practices as I do. The only way I can describe it is "student/client begging" Yes! you heard me right. I said begging, and by begging I really mean begging. Even if the phrases are worded friendly and inviting, it is still just begging. I am seeing people advertise in every social network, on every thread, on other peoples and other practitioners pages and groups. This is incredibly rude. In fact it is such a turn off that I loose respect for said people, and am turned off by all their posts.

So there is a fine line between a gracious host, good marketing and the dreaded beggar. Lets look at the break down. As a Priestess, healer, diviner etc. You do need to have material out there on the web, and in print. People aren't going to know where to look or how to find you if you don't have it out there. So you set up a fan page, and events, and you invite people, you post some nice marketing material on your own page, and maybe even tag some people you know that have specifically expressed interest. This is called good marketing, and is not annoying. You then work in ritual, meditation and prayer asking your Deity of choice to "Bring the right and good people to you" and "to bring prosperity to your business". I personally hate to call what I do a business, but for simplicity lets call it that. You then hold yourself out to the community as a pillar of goodness, and show those around you your good energy, success with clients, and actions of good will. Sometimes the best thing for your practice is to go and do something for free. There will come a time that you wont be able to do these things, because of the volume of clients/students you will have. So while you have down time, get out and read tarot for a fundraising event. Promote the community, and promote other practitioners. They in turn will do the same for you. A good word from a stranger is far more lucrative than a bunch of self promoting nonsense. The most successful people I have met, I discovered by accident, or through someone telling me how wonderful a class, ritual or session was. They never shoved their information in my face, but welcomed me with open arms. As I watched their interactions with others I could see what type of person they were, and how successful they were. This is what made me come back for more, authenticity!

So that is all the good and positive ways to behave, what are the negative ways? Well here is when IMO it begins to cross the line. When you start to promote on groups that you didn't create, that are not promoting anyone else material. When you being to hijack threads with advertisements of your classes, bombard conversations with your self promoting jargon. If you find yourself repeating the same or similar phrases over and over and over and over and over again. This is your sign to STOP and realize that what you are doing is 1) Not getting in to the heads of the people you are bombarding. You need to think why and 2) If you are advertising that much and those people are not showing up, maybe it is because they are so annoyed, and turned off by your pushy attitude. What does this really accomplish? Do you really think the Goddess wants you to be pushing yourself on to other people? Interrupting conversations to push your agenda? If the Universe wanted those people in your class I promise you they will be there. You are not a shark waiting for its prey, waiting, lurking ready to pounce on the first person that shows a sign of weakness. NO, NO you are NOT. Healers, priestess, facilitators of change are NOT predators. Period end of story.

So how do I get the word out about my practice or business? 1) I use social media to promote my classes, products etc. I am not worried who wont see them, I am only interested in the ones that do, because they are the seekers and it is THEM that I am here for. 2) I work on myself daily, the more I work on me, the better I can help others. 3) I trust that I will be there for the right people at the right time. This is not about me, this is about THEM. 4) I volunteer, I don't think I volunteer as much as I would like to. I write articles and submit them I never get paid. This is how, what I do reaches the masses and helps them. Remember its about THEM not you! If my words on a paper or computer screen start a positive reaction in someone, today or next year, I have done my work. I read tarot from time to time, for free, and I'll even give a healing session away for free now and then. 5) I arm myself with business cards. I place them on my table. Those that are interested in me, and what I do take them. 6) Above all, I do not spam people. If they are in need of what I do or are interested they will find me. 7) It is all about balance, so don't keep yourself a secret either. When I am new somewhere I tell everyone exactly who I am and what I do. It is short and simple. I have found that those people that are interested hear, and they come running to you. If you feel drawn to a particular person, this could be the Goddess giving you a nudge. Send them private personal message, give them your info and let them decide. Put your website up, hang a flier. Maybe ask the client you gave that free session, to hand out your cards in return for your work.

Remember success takes, time. Your success as a practitioner of any path is based on how others perceive you, from your work, your private life, online, etc. Begging for clients or students makes you seam desperate, pushy, and leaves one wondering why. Why does she have so much time to troll the nets looking for someone to push her product on? Why is she not already busy with clients and students? Lastly why does she have such a strong desire to push her practice on others?

Is it about money? As a healer, priestess, facilitator of change it better not be! YES you need to be compensated for your time, but this is a path of service. Not of "gaining money" Sorry to burst the bubble of anyone who might think that this is a romantic path filled with glory and wealth. Sorry it isn't. There is no money to be had here, but there are riches. The riches are helping the world be a better place, helping someone grow, change, heal. Helping someone go through any number of these changes is one of the most rewarding experiences ever, and NO price tag can ever be put on it.

And with that I will leave you with this quote......

Your work is not to drag the world kicking and screaming into a new awareness. Your job is to simply do your work..sacredly, secretly, and silently.. and those with eyes to see and ears to hear will respond 

~Rumi~

Aphrodite

I usually tell people that Gaia brought me to this path, and this is true she did raise my awareness, walk with me and open the doors to Magic! It wasn't until recently that I realized that I have been a Goddess worshiper my entire life, especially during high school. You see when I was in high school I was still going to the church my parents told me to. I was rebellious, but there were certain things I just couldn't get out of, church was one of them. I hated every moment of it, and I never understood why. Now 15 years later I look back on life and memories that I didn't think I had began to reveal themselves. For years (as an adult) I had been ashamed of this incredibly vain, over sexed 15 year old bombshell I used to be. "I shouldn't be so aggressive, and think that I am so beautiful" these things lead to destruction. I wanted to fit into the "church" but I never understood why I clashed so hard with the church. I understand now, that it was the presence of Aphrodite in my life. A strong, beautiful Goddess who promoted everything that went against the church. I tried to find balance between these and I eventually threw everything out the window including Aphrodite, but now 15 years later I look back and yearn for her again.

Aphrodite was the first Goddess that whispered in my ear. Well the first one I remember, at least. I was about 15, 16, and 17 and she was such a huge presence in my life. I became obsessed with her and the female form. At the time I loved men, women were beautiful as well, but MEN were the object of my wants and desires. It is true that teens have a strong sex drive, but mine was stronger and fiercer than a 16 year old boy. I thought about sex every other second. I was a burning ball of fire! For English class one year we had to do one of those reports where we dress up like the person we are writing the report about. I chose Aphrodite. I wrapped up in a large sheet, and golden wig, and armed myself with Golden apples, and headed to class to tell her story.

Knowing what I know now, this was Ritual theater! My very first ritual, in front of a classroom of people, speaking as the Goddess. (looking back its mind blowing) I had absolutely NO idea that she would be such an influence in my life. That she was most likely responsible for the increased vanity and sexual drive. I had worshiped her, and she had rewarded me with what she gives best, sex and beauty. When I arrived in college all I wanted to draw and paint was beautiful nude women. I was told not to do this, what I drew wasn't art, to draw something else etc. I didn't listen and my grades suffered. I even started to screen print the three graces in traditional witchcraft colors Red, Black and White.

Here I am now as an adult, and finding her presence in my life again. It is different this time. I understand what I am doing, and respect her as a Goddess who is alive and present in my life. There is less destruction in this line of thinking. Sex has become sacred, beauty is sacred. Aphrodite IS Sacred! I find myself building a temple for her, for her in her amazing beauty, to honor her as the Sacred feminine. I am filled with gratitude for her presence, and patience. Now with acceptance, understanding and wisdom our journey continues.....

Garden Water Blessing

In the evening before the day of your garden blessing, prepare sacred water in a sacred vessel. Gather lavender, basil, rosemary, sage and white rose petals and head to your garden.

Place...

• Sage in the North
• Lavender in the East
• Basil in the South 
• Rosemary In the West (Also known as Rose of the sea)
• Rose petals in the center. 

Carry your sacred vessel containing your water to the North. Place the bowl on the ground, pick up the Sage and crush it in your hands while sprinkling it into the water. Say Sage Deva I ask that you assist in the blessing of this garden. Carry the bowl to the East and do the same for Lavender then continue for the other herbs in their directions. Come to the center and do the same with the White Rose petals. Leave the sacred vessel in the center of the garden over night. At sunrise (or when you get up) the next morning. Go back to the garden and pick up the sacred vessel containing the herbal water and head to the north of the garden. Say...

Sage in the North I ask you bless this garden with prosperity and bounty. Sprinkle some water in the North and continue sprinkling as you walk to the East and say...

Lavender in the East I ask you bless this garden with knowledge and understanding, sprinkle more water in the east and continue while walking to the south and say...

Basil in the South I ask you bless this garden with spark and passion. Sprinkle more water in the south and continue while walking to the west and say...

Rosemary in the West I ask you bless this garden with creativity and love. Sprinkle more water in the west and continue while walking to the north.

When you have done full circle go to the center and sprinkle the rest of the water in the center and say...

With the power of the White Rose 

I bless this garden with purity and love. 

With the power of the moon above

and the ground below

I plant these seeds so they may grow

With wisdom prosperity and love

For all her creatures serpent, spider, rabbit and dove...

Where the light is the brightest the Shadow runs wild

Years ago when I first became aware of the path I was on, I did what many pagans do. They find they are on this path and then begin to explore, looking to labels to define them. When one comes from the Christian church they are very hesitant on this path. They find Paganism, Wicca and OH MY! Witchcraft. Immediately years of brain washing and conditioning comes into play. I even remember once that I told a friend I was very much NOT a Witch but in fact was Wiccan. My how the years change you, and how the craft reveals itself in time.

I was solitary for a while like most, then found a circle, then was solitary, then tried to form a coven, gave up and joined one. This was the turning point. Of course at the time I didn't know. All I knew is I wanted to learn, but I was righteous and would NEVER deal in the dark. Years later, how the black and white has faded into just shades of grey. It is nievity and conditioning of the church that sets one up for this black and white thinking. If its not light, then it MUST be bad.

I tell those that want to study with me that we really embrace both sides, the yin and the yang. This is a simple way to explain that we embrace both the dark and light. In reality it is much more complicated than that. In fact true balance is not in the extreme of one or the other, or even the extremes of both together. It is a path of "grey" I call this the crooked path. It is not the right handed path (only light) or the Left (only dark) in fact it is a path that weaves back and forth assessing every situation, every need, every ritual and bringing in the aspects of what we/I need at the time.

Before I go further I want to say that I am in no way trying to tell someone how to walk their path. Only trying to give my personal opinion, and one that I share with many others on this path. I have this opinion because I have seen the destruction of pure light and pure dark. I have seen someone who wants to desperaly change cling so hard to the light, that end up miserable and unable to go to the dark places of the soul to find true healing. 

For many that start on this path, they find  Light workers and think "Light workers seam to have it right" They have found a path that doesn't embrace the dark, it rejects all things bad, dark, negative, baneful and the like. Unfortunately this is so one sided. I remember thinking this and I soon found out how wrong I was. They say that where the light is the lightest the shadow is the darkest. I think where the light is the lightest the shadow runs wild. It is darker, is it concentrated, it is so opposite. If for one moment you were to turn the light off you would be consumed with darkness. This has to be the most tiring path ever!

Then one finds Wicca and thinks "This is great! I can work in the dark and be Witchy, but not work with dark things, and I can never harm anyone! This is great, it is good, this is the right path". After a while though I began to find that Wicca (in general) was no different than the church. So many rules, of what you shouldn't do, how to do them, how to act, and how to behave. Just like the church it has produced a bunch of judgmental practitioners that have no problem throwing the Rede at you all the while "Shaming you" for eating meat, binding someone or stepping on an ant. I was once Wiccan, I find that I no longer fit the mold and now simply go by "Witch" (This is not true for every Wiccan, this is a general sweeping statement don't send me hate mail) 

Those that follow a Baneful path, follow a path that is so dark that there is absolutely NO room for light. This is where fear, anger and hate fester, feed and devour ones soul. This has got go be the most painful path. Everyone is familiar with Newtons cradle. It is the device where balls are hung and one is lifted and let go to strike movement in the others. Unfortunately when one person follows one of the above extream paths they risk the ball being raised, and let go so hard and fast that it causes an equal and opposite reaction. It is a collision course for massive disruption and possibly destruction.

This is why I follow a Crooked or grey path. Sometimes I like to work the light, I love to heal, and work with beautiful colors, energies and things of high vibrations. I also love to work in the dark. I love to necromance, and speak with the spirits. I love to hold death in my hands, and create change through deep and dark shadow work. If one is too afraid to travel through the dark depths of the soul one will never truly be able to reach and face the Shadow.

You might be wondering now, well where does cursing come in, do you curse? Well the answer is not so simple. Lets ask instead, Will I curse? The word "Do" implies that I am actively cursing someone. I am currently not actively cursing anyone. I can promise you though, if you mess with my child, family, or coven mates. You will get a nasty curse. It has to be a really good reason, and I tend to send the "Curse of the fluffy bunnies" before it has to get nasty. The dark hates nothing more than being invaded with glitter and annoying cartoon like light, and it makes me laugh. I consider this a VERY dark grey section. Sometimes it is worth the consequences to protect the ones you love, and YES I will if I have to. For the most part I like to find other ways, Binding, and confusion spells are always a great alternative. If this does occur I tend to naturally and now consciously move into a place that is lighter. I grab some crystals and perform healing rites for myself.

If you look at water in her many forms, she is the bringer and sustainer of life, but with ONE swift movement she can tear a town apart or claim a child's life. She has no mercy, but at the same time she gives so freely, and with so much, she allows us to feed from her, and bath in her, but doesn't hesitate to claim a life in an instant........ So like the water I try to find  balance, and walk in shades of grey. Sometimes I am in the dark and sometimes in in the light, I prefer to be in both at once.

 

The importance of keeping a journal

Here is a really good example of why to keep a Journal. I was talking with a friend this morning. While I was talking I recalled a dream I had had several years ago. One that had plagued me for years, I never knew the meaning, or understood it. Here we were talking and I had that "ah ha" moment! I searched for an hour through 4 different journals, and finally found it. What I had written was exactly what I had remembered. The interesting part was that the dates I had written in for the dream were July 6-12 2009. The dream consisted of several elements and a Woman (The Goddess) handing me a shell. Several months ago I started to think of shells, I got a bit obsessed with them, then waters on the east coast. I booked us a vacation on the Chesapeake Bay this July. The dates are July 5-12 2013 (interesting correlation). So here I am in AZ focusing on water, and shells I had the urge to book this very expensive vacation, on the water. I don't know what it will bring, but I now know how important it will be to my path. A prediction of a future milestone....... Even if you don't journal everyday, journal when you can, date them, and keep them. It took 4 years, but now I have a huge piece to a puzzle for my own spiritual path.............

What is a Priestess?

I am a Priestess. This is something that I earned, something that I have literally put blood, sweat, and many tears into. If you are wondering if my training required these things the answer is no. My training demanded academic and spiritual work. The training from the Goddess demands blood, sweat, tears, time, and complete surrender.

It was when I had started to teach my students in the craft that the reality of what a Priestess really was came to me. It wasn't a light bulb moment, but a series of light bulbs, that got me thinking. The first thought was "not everyone is a Priestess" No, not everyone has the time, or will to become a Priestess. Many do want to learn, but not serve in the way a Priestess does. This led me to make a change in my own curriculum. Traditionally it is a 1 year and 1 day program for a student to become a Witch and Preistess in many Tradidtional Wicca covens/traditions. I have seen students who genuinely want to learn, drop out because the work was too much, too hard. This creates discouragement for the student and teacher. So I decided to make it easier. Get my students the information they need, without setting them up for failure.

This brought me to the next thought, this work is too easy for a Priestess in training. The work of a Priestess is filled with constant self examination, constant checking, and constant training. As soon as you have figured it out, there is something new, for you to learn, understand, or face. It is almost like walking a balance beam. Always on the verge of falling too far in one direction. It is about finding balance in the self, and then turning around and helping others do the same.

As you have seen in previous blogs, you have read that I know and fully understand my purpose. I am here to be a Priestess. At first you might think that this is a glamorous thing. No, it is not. There is nothing glamorous about it, other than the title. A Priestess in training must first find self balance. This can be a hard and daunting task. Added to that are rigorous academics so that the Priestess understands the laws of human nature, magic, the natural world, and the spirit world.

A Priestess's job is to help others, to preside over sacred ceremonies, rituals and rites. Her job is to be a steward of the land, a right hand to the Goddess. A shining upstanding example of a Woman, a leader, and servant to the Goddess. To achieve this she must be in balance. Balance is hard, to far to the right and you become righteous, too far to the left and you loose your mind. It requires daily self work. There is no time for low self-esteem (though YES we are human and do suffer from this, but there is simply no time for it) No time to wallow in self pity, no our work requires that we walk with confidence. To become a good Priestess you must be physically well, in shape and healthy. This doesn't mean that there is no room for weakness, sickness, or injury. It means that, in order for our work to continue we must maintain a healthy body, mind and spirit.

Beyond making sure our mundane lives are in order, we must be able to flow with the cycles of the moon, the wheel of the year, the seasons of the Goddess. We must learn flexibility without sacrifice. Now is the time of the Goddess, Now is the time for the Priestess to come and lead us home to the mother. Those that have been called, dont just hear the call, there is something that vibrates through their very being, pulls them towards the path, something that says THIS is more important that "I". I am the vessel that does the Goddesses work. There is no time for self pity, drama, and bickering. No, the Priestess must rise above it. How can the Priestess serve the Goddess, the community, and her students/family if she is wraped up in petty worries, drama, and other things that do not serve our spirit?

Beautiful is the woman who hears the call and chooses to follow, Brave is the woman who kneels befor the Goddess ready to accept the mantle of the Priestess. Strong is the woman who chooses the Path of the Priestess despite the weight the position brings. Smart is the woman who understands that this is not a path of status, but of servitude. Now is the time of the Priestess.

There is not much information on Priestess of old, as much had been destroyed, and demonised by the church. With the rise of Neo-Paganism, Roman and Greek resurgence and Celtic reconstructionism, as well as influence from other cultures, we can look back at their work, what they did, how they dressed, how they served. We can begin to make educated guesses, as to how they conducted themselfs. We can see that these women were of GREAT strength, great power, and great love, but that they did not abuse these things.

Today a good Priestess is one who loves with all her heart, takes no crap, is educated in the ways of the world, knowledge herbs, and esoteric subjects. She is a healer, a spirtual leader, keeper of the flame. She has the ability to lead and serve at the same time. She flows with her cycle, the cycle of the moon, and seasons. She understands the elements and has a deep relationship with them. She can cradle a baby, but yet move a mountian. She is self aware, and aware of what is going on around her. Many are psychic or diviners. They can access the "otherside" with ease, and walks with one foot in each world. She is the maker of magic, and life, but yet she understand death, rebirth, and the deep dark crevices of the shadow. She understands how to work with the darker energies, but walks in the light. She can bind, but wont curse (unless there is no other choice). She is the creatrix and the destroyer. She holds "her" world in the palm of her hand and can nurture it, but knows one wrong move and it can be destroyed. She learned to think for herself, but not put herself first. She can manuipulate energy, and chooses to use it for good. She can heal herself, and others. She trusts in herself, her decisions, and actions because she has surrendered to the Goddess and understands her actions are a reflection of the Goddess. She is trustworthy, and truthful, she has integrity, balance and dedication to the path. Ultimately she must be wise, years of self work, and consulting the Goddess is the only key to finding deep wisdom. She must find time to spend in prayer, ritual, and meditation with the Goddess, but also create opportunities for others. She is the Holy Grail. The vessel of the Goddess, the key to life. 

Many women take the title, but are not living this way. Many live this way but do not take the title. Not every one is cut out of the Priestess cloth, think hard and long before you accept this path. It is not an easy road, but the work we do is so wonderful, and so powerfully trans-formative that the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears are worth every hard moment. Especially when you see someone you have helped, go forth into the world, with balance and beauty. We make a difference, we make an impact, but you wont find us picketing, you wont find us screaming about a cause, no because the work we do is one person at a time. A small ripple in the pond, that may, one day change the world.

Glastonbury Blue Bowl

Recently in my practice I have been feeling like there was something missing. Something sacred that during ritual I just needed to have on my altar, dip my fingers into etc. Well after several times of feeling this way, I meditated and found that I needed to work with a sacred bowl. Not a cauldron, which is very important to me as well, but a bowl. Something to told sacred waters. I started to look around. I wanted it to be blue and hand made. About the time I found the bowl (Below) I found out (via internet research) about something called the Glastonbury Blue Bowl. There wasn't much information on this so while I was talking to my mentor Mara Freeman, I asked her to tell me about it. I had never heard about the blue bowl before, but it is no surprise that my soul was craving it. After being at the Chalice well, and standing right next to the building that housed the bowl, (but not being able to enter) I must have picked up on the energy. Perhaps it is more simple than that, the more I align myself with the energies of Avalon, the more the little things come into my life.

In 1908 a French man named Wellesley Tudor Pole became convinced that he needed to move to Glastonbury. Along the way he became convinced that he would find a sacred object there, and would need three maidens to help him. In 1906 an object was uncovered at Bride's mound. It was in fact a blue bowl. Unfortunately it was not the artifact that they had expected. After carbonating and other research they found that the bowl was placed there in 1988 by an English Doctor named Goodchild. He had spent much time in Italy treating tuberculosis years before. He purchased the bowl there and brought it back to the UK with him. After a profound dream where he was told that Jesus had actually carried the bowl, he became convinced that he was in possession of the Holy Grail. He brought the bowl into an antiquities dealer who could neither confirm or deny where it had come from, but suggested that it was very ancient. Since the shop owner who Goodchild had originally bought it from told him that it came from inside of a wall on an old site. He became even more convinced that it was the Holy Grail, and placed the bowl in Bride's mound where he thought it belonged. Though we now know it was not the Holy Grail and that most of the information was incorrect. It now carries the energy of Bride's mound, and Chalice Well (where it now resides inside locked away).

I personally think that the grail if it does exists is NOT a blue bowl, but I do think we can work with the grail and other healing and water energies through working with a sacred vessel. I personally love my chalice but it holds wine, a very important part of ritual. I needed and wanted something more. The energy of the "concept" of a sacred bowl has now been spreading through my own practice, and with out telling my students it is creeping into theirs. I now have one that has come to me with similar information, urging her to start to work with water, by holding it in a bowl. Amazing isn't it? How egregore can be passed from teacher to student and vice versa with out intention. That is why those of us that are called to the Priestess path (or Priest) have to consider everything we do before we do it. (More of that later in another blog) I am happy that this bowl has come to me, and that my students want to work with water more. Maybe it is the sacredness of the water, or the vessel itself. I am not sure, but time will unravel this little mystery.

 

Magical thinking vs Mundane

I often know things, see things, feel things that defy logic. If you have any type of psychic ability that has been awakened, whether that is being an Empath or a full on Seer then you understand what I am talking about. We are often met with opposition in various forms. Being laughed at, trying to be discredited, or just shrugged off as crazy. I personally get hurt a little when things like this happen. I wish that people would take me seriously, my accuracy rate is VERY high. I usually compensate by saying things like "I'm the crazy sister"or "oh I'm wrong never mind" I often times even hear things like "she is the crazy aunt" etc. It is a very frustrating process, mostly because 98% of the time "I" well I should say "We" are right.

Each person is different and can feel or see different things, so many times it clashes, even with other Psychics who aren't wrong either. (Defies logic doesn't it?). We oftentimes find ourselves removing our heart from a friendship, or removing ourselves from a situation, because we know how it will end, we can feel the doom. We would rather be the "bad guy" than the "hurt guy" Its because we already have so many scars from past experiences. I am OK with this, and I find that women with similar abilities come to me looking for guidance. This is part of my "wounded healer" path. (Chiron)  I have mostly healed, I say mostly because it still smarts when people we love discredit us based purely on locic. So this blog is partly for my empathic students, and partly for what I am about to write below.

What makes us, as Magical Beings, Witches, Witches in training, Priestess, and Priestess in training different that our mundane brothers and sisters? It is out ability to think, feel, and know outside the box. The ability to know with confidence that we are correct, based on clear knowing, or clear feeling. Without this we would just be mundane people waving our hands around to Gods and Goddesses we don't really believe in. This natural ability to, (and for the non-natural magical beings) the willingness to think, feel, and know outside of logic, and outside of the box. If you have faith in your Gods, and Goddess, in the Ancestor spirits, and Faery beings, why do we give our psychics, and empaths so little credit? These gifts DO come from our Deity, Ancestors, and Faery. They were awakened at some point, so that we could serve the community, and so that we have the ability to know how things will end, so that we may shift the out come, and help others as well. We work with the sprit world, we believe in the unseen, but not in the ability to believe in our Psychics and Empaths and their messages. Now let me take a moment here and say, that I am not saying to have blind faith that is silly. There was something, that MOMENT that made us believe in our deity and guides, it is always good to question, but give your Psychic Spiritual guides some credit, they wouldnt claim they had these gifts if they didnt have an accuracy rate that made them believe in themselves. For the new Empaths, and Psychics BELIEVE in yourself. Dont get caught up in the mundane, dare to believe in yourself with confidence.

So I leave you with this last message. As a Magical practitioner, you believe in the unseen forces of magic, as A Wiccan you believe in the unseen forces of your Gods and as a Spirit worker you believe in the unseen forces of your Ancestors and the Faery realm. You already believe in the unseen forces, why discredit the psychics, empaths, and even your own abilities, based purely on logic? Logic really has no place in the spirit and magical world. It has a wonderful place in the mundane world and there it should stay. It has its time and its place, but it is NOT the rule. In magic, and in psychic events there is no rule, there is no logic. Logic is for the unbeliever, those that only believe in what they can see, what they know and what they can prove. Dare to be different, dare to be magical.........