X marks the spot

Week 48 - the letter "X" again

Another free week and I'm just tired and done and 12 sorts of unmotivated.  I'm going to share more pictures that reflect my beliefs and help to further define "Shanda-ism".

Animism

Buddhist influence

Druid influence

Belief, morals, ethics

 Simplicity

Grey Witch

Pantheism

X is a kiss

Week 47 - the letter "X"

I'm late at posting but it is a free week since our letter is "X".  Because of posting late, feeling exceptionally tired and having a brain that is somehow still functioning at this point, I'm playing off the Witch post from last week and sharing some pics that capture my thoughts about being a witch.

P.S. Fun title, huh?

 What for more eXciting stuff to come!

Witch

Week 46 - the letter "W" again

I am a witch. Yep, you heard it correctly. 

I.

AM.

A.

WITCH.

But what does that mean?  Let's check a few dictionaries.

Dictionary.com has the following as the first entry for witch as a noun:

a person, now especially a woman, who professes or is supposed to practice magic or sorcery; a sorceress. 

Merriam-Webster has a similar first entry:

a woman who is thought to have magic powers

The ever-popular Urban Dictionary is the one that matches my definition the most:

One who practices witchcraft (not necessarily connected with Wicca).
It is also used to describe those who follow the Wiccan religion, and, in some instances, those who practice any type of magick (Goetic, Herbal, Enochian, etc).  

Why that one?  To me, a witch is someone who practices witchcraft (I define witchcraft as magick/spellwork).  It is not gender-specific.  The clarification is also made that not all witches are Wiccan and that is a huge point to include.  A witch doesn't have to be Pagan or believe in any religion whatsoever.  You can be a Catholic witch or an Atheist witch.  Another part of my definition is anyone who elects to describe themselves as being a witch should embrace the label with pride.

Because there are different definitions of witch and a generally negative vision of what and/or who a witch is and is not, people sometimes shy away from anything with the word in the title.  This can be books, websites, social networking sites, groups/organizations/covens.  Anything.  And it is because of this generalization and misunderstanding that some Pagans miss out on some amazing opportunities and connections. 

Media and the entertainment industry feed into stereotypes.

The Halloween version - green face, wart on the nose, old and ugly - is such a vivid image that often pops into the mind when you hear "witch". 

Cartoon witch by calslayton

Or maybe the Disney version that is often unattractive and usually evil. 

Neither are all that appealing. 

There's also the sexy witch that is a popular costume for adults. 

Movies and TV have helped and hurt with the stereotype.  The sisters of  "Charmed" looked like everyone else, even though their powers were amazing.  Seriously, I would love to have Piper's powers.  Hermione Granger of the "Harry Potter" world is portrayed as typical, smart, dedicated, and a high-achiever.  Umm, nothing wrong or scary there.  Saying, "Alohormora" and giving my wand a swish and flick has never unlocked my front door for me. 

How do you define the word?  Ask a close friend how they define it.  I would guess the responses are different if elaborated in any way.  They might be very different or just slightly. 

Take some time to dig into the word and how it makes you feel.  Do you cringe?  Roll your eyes?  Picture the stereotypical version?  Try to remove those versions from you mind and assumptions.  A witch is a person and no two people are ever truly the same.  The word is an identifying factor, a label much like friend, co-worker, minister, teacher, father.  And it is unique to each person who elects to use it to describe themselves.  

I am a witch.  I do not identify as a Wiccan but have studied it in the past and it is an aspect of my spirituality.  I do magick/spells from time to time.  I am a religious Pagan and I focus more on the spiritual aspects than the magickal aspects.  Would I say I have magical powers?  Not in a way that mundane folks would say.  I am sensitive and have a way with children and animals.  I wouldn't call them powers or abilities.  But I am a witch.  And I am proud to be one.

Wand

Week 45 - the letter "W"

Much like the need to purchase a tarot deck, I knew I needed to acquire various tools of the trade.  My first priority was to get a wand.  Cliche, right? 

I began searching.  I didn't know where to buy a wand and it was better to make your own tools.  Each and every time I was outside, I would search for a piece of wood, a branch, a twig, whatever made me feel like I had found something suitable.  Eventually I did when I was on a camping trip with my closest friends. 

The stick was discovered near our campsite and it just seemed right.  Before long, I had removed all the bark and just looked at it.  I have no clue what type of wood it was.  I don't know if it was purposely removed from the tree or fell with no intervention from man.  I just knew it felt right to me and it was found during a very memorable time with some of my best friends.

And it worked for me.  I never liked using an athame to cast a circle or to direct energy.  My wand felt right for that.  In fact, it was one of my most-used magickal items. 

One day I had the opportunity to lead a ritual for a new group of people.  I brought my tools, including my wand.  My precious, well-used, and appreciated wand.  And a few people snickered at it.  And some made comments.

"That's your wand?"
"Ummm...it's certainly rustic."
"Where are the crystals?  Why didn't you rub some oils into it or wrap it with wire?"
"It's so plain and just looks like a stick!"

It hurt.  This was my wand.  An extension of myself.  Something I'd found, created, used, and loved for nearly 10 years at that point. 

Looking around, I noticed a variety of wands.  Many had a crystal or other stone on the end, several were wrapped in wire, and a few had been oiled up to shine.  There were colorful wands, wands made of nothing but crystals, elaborate wands.  Some had feathers and some were made of bone.  There were those inscribed with symbols and names.

My wand had none of that.  It was plain, mostly straight and nothing remarkable or interesting.  It was a stick.  But it was still mine.

I still have my first wand and it is treasured. 

I've never used it in public again. 

I inherited a wand from a friend.  No wires, crystals, or inscription.  It's a stick that has been oiled and is shiny.  There's some bendy spots to give it a bit of personality.  It suits me and should I need a wand for public ritual, I will use it.

Most of my practice nowadays is done without tools or a lot of fanfare and bling.  But, should a need a wand for my private workings, I know which one will fit perfectly into my hand and work as a true extension of myself.

Honestly, I don't care if your tools are elaborate or plain, crafted by hand or purchased from a store.  You should use what works for you.  You should feel comfortable using your wand and it should be an extension of yourself and your energy.  Tools have their place in ritual and in magick. 

Don't let anyone tell you what your tools should be or what they should look like.  If it works for you, that is all that you need to know and feel.  Embrace the sticks or the chipped coffee mugs.  Love the pentacle altar tile you made with sharpies and glitter.  Be you and let your practice reflect that. 

Verbatim

Week 44 - the letter "V" again

The blog suggestions for the week didn't inspire me.  I thought about aspects of my spirituality that I could write about and I struggled.  I looked through lists of words - the strange and unique, pagan, spiritual, and more.  When I hit on the word "verbatim" I cringed and my mind started churning. 

verbatim [ver-bey-tim] 

adverb
1. in exactly the same words; word for word

adjective
2. corresponding word for word to the original source or text
3. skilled at recording or noting down speeches, proceedings, etc.

First, I need to admit my own guilt:  I used to take spells and rituals directly from other sources and use them exactly as written.  You too?  Whew! 

When I first started on the Pagan path, I had no clue what I was doing.  I didn't know what was right, what
was wrong, what was stupid.  I was winging it and too afraid to completely follow my instincts and go with what felt right to me.  Instead, I used the words of Scott Cunningham and Raven Grimassi and numerous other Pagan authors.  

And that worked for me for quite some time even though it never felt quite right and I wasn't feeling what I imagined I would and should.

Slowly, I started studying.  And from my studies, I became more confident in myself.  Those words that I used to use verbatim gave me a strong foundation and a sense of confidence.  I started to practice and wing it, all the while following my head and heart.  I began to craft my own path.

And I began to feel those things that I had imagined I would and should.

It was amazing!

I don't have issues with people who use spells or rituals directly from others and use them in their practice.  There are some chants and prayers that I still use that are not my own and they completely move me and make me feel the magick.  But I have found that there is something very powerful in using your own words, your own structure, your own ideas.  Your soul is reflected in your creation and that, in itself, is a very powerful and personal form of magick.  And it is one that is difficult to experience when the work is not your own creation.

There are many sources out there.  You can use what you find exactly as it was written.  You can copy and paste lines and paragraphs to create something new.  You can use existing materials and sub in different words and phrases.  Any time you put your own twist on something, it gains personal power.

There is nothing wrong with using materials from other people.  But there is such an immense power in making something your own.  Don't be afraid to try.  Start small and build up to something completely your own.  It is worth it and will help your practice grow deeper and become more personal and spiritual.

I still turn to others at times.  I may copy and paste bits and pieces and/or sub in different words or phrases.  And I am perfectly fine with doing so.  But nothing truly compares to performing a ritual that was crafted by my own hand.  It's an important part of my practice to be as connected to, and invested in, my workings and all aspects of my spirituality.