Binding

Week 3 - the letter "B" is for Binding

Outside of wishing on stars, eyelashes, 11:11 and when blowing out the candles on my birthday cake, my first magickal workings were very simple and basic.  Most were taken from books and I didn't customize them at all.  There wasn't much "me" in them and I wasn't always sure if they were working at all.

And then necessity took hold and action was needed. 

A good friend (H)  who I was mentoring to a certain extent, met up with a mutual acquaintance (J) and they started a relationship. At first, everything was peachy.  And then it turned...weird.  H changed a great deal and in ways that were not at all in her character.  J did everything he could to keep her away from us and all to himself. 

It wasn't completely ironic that H's resident assistant said, "it's like she under a spell or something."

I knew J was a skilled witch and he had impressed me with his abilities and knowledge.  He was truly a force to be reckoned with and I was both intimidated and afraid.  Through experience, I'd also learned that he was delusional and his knowledge was contained to a few select subjects.

When J and H didn't return from a weekend, we didn't worry until mid-week hit and no one had heard from either of them.  H's mom had even phoned with her concern about the whereabouts of her daughter.  The college administration was alerted and the police were called.  H was still legally a minor and J was not.  H finally reached out to her roommate and they were on their way to New York City.  H was out of it and making very little sense.  There was no doubt that something was wrong.

Mama Bear mode kicked in and I knew I needed to do something. 

I did a binding spell on J to stop him for doing any further harm towards H, to release the hold he had on her, and to get H back home.  I'd never done a binding and made it up as I went.  I was careful but forceful with my words and intent.  I don't remember exactly what I said or what I did but there were knots cast into the cord of a necklace he'd left behind and my emotions had reached a point of angry tears.

Less than an hour later, we got the call that H and J had been in a car accident.  Neither were severely injured but the car was a total loss and could no longer be driven.  They were being brought home.

Was it me and my spell?  I don't know but I do believe I had a part in getting H home.

Bindings, much like any magickal working, can be positive or negative (white or black, pick your contrasting terms), depending on your intention.  Essentially, a binding is a spell or magickal working that stops someone metaphysically, preventing them from completing some action.  You most often hear it used to keep a person from harming either themselves or another being.   Binding is a form of manipulative magick where the will of another person is affected by the person working the spell.  Because of this, those who follow the Rede and certain traditions would not choose to do such workings. 

In the end, bindings are just another spell and tool to use as necessary.  They should be used with caution and understanding of potential consequences.  But all actions - magickal or not - should get the same consideration. 

Assumptions

Week 2 - the letter "A" is for Assumptions

Since I recognized that my belief system was pagan-based, I've encountered a lot of assumptions from both pagans and non-pagans.  These assumptions run in a million and a half different directions with most being incorrect.  It's frustrating and annoying.

But I do have a question.  How does someone assuming something about me make ME an ass?  Is it because of that person's misinformation that I look less than favorable?  How does that work?  I totally understand how making an assumption can make the assuming person an ass because, by definition according to dictionary.com, assuming is "to take for granted or without proof."

Assumptions can lead to a positive curiosity and a great learning opportunity.  But if your exploration of the assumption is one-sided or inaccurate, you really aren't all that more educated on the topic than you where when you made your assumptions.  

People make assumptions all the time.  It's something that most everyone does.  What matters is if you take your assumptions and claim they are fact and discount anyone who says otherwise.  This is where the danger comes from.

Work on digging into your assumptions.  Ask questions and get clarifications.  Check multiple different sources.  Test it out to see if it feels "right."  Don't assume that just because I'm a Pagan and you are a Pagan that we have the same views on magick, energy, divinity, etc.   If you want to know more about what kind of Pagan I am, ask.  I'll give you as much information as I am able and clarify to the best of my ability.

Announcement

Week 1 - the letter "A" is for Announcement

The Pagan Blog Project founder has decided to move on to other projects so I was feeling a little sad. I really enjoyed the past year and digging deeper into my belief system and sharing my thoughts.  Luckily, I have some amazing and diverse groups in my life and one of those groups decided to give it a shot.  Awesome.

But, I'm running behind because of issues in my personal life. It's - in my opinion - cheating some but I'm calling this my week one post. 

I'm filling the role of prompter for my lovelies and will gladly share them with anyone who is interested.  Just let me know.  In addition to prompting, I'm also the one to encourage everyone to get their post...er, posted.  This is a shame-free event where you aren't tied to any rules, you are not obligated to post on the specified date, you don't even have to write about something Pagan or Witchy.  It's become a group of friends sharing info and thoughts with each other and we encourage everyone along the way.

The group is a private/closed group but since the prompts come from the original Pagan Blog Project and from information I've found, I can share them with others.  I just won't be adding you to the group.  

So stay tuned.  More to come.