Correspondence

Week 5 - the letter "C" is for Correspondence

Correspondence is another thing that falls into an annoying category within the Pagan community.  At least, annoying to me. 

We've established that there is a ton of information out there from all sorts of sources.  Some info supports other info wile others contradict it.  If you are new to the craft, you could be overwhelmed if you start looking up correspondence for a love spell should you reference different sources.  Which is right?  Which is wrong?  Are any of the answers correct?

I do have correspondence info that I've pulled from different sources and I also have this amazing book, but I also rely on my personal instincts and previous experiences. 

Someone, at some point in time, somewhere, decided that the color red was associated with love and passion.  I'm sure they had their reasons but those may not be the same as mine.  I do related the color red to love and passion but also to blood, courage, and pain.  Correspondence info only works if you believe in it because no matter what anyone has said, you can only do so much magick if you aren't personally invested in the tools and items you are using.

I'm not saying you should totally disregard the generally accepted information out there but make sure that it jives with you.  Question it.  Experiment.  Let your gut give you guidance.  And also know that your selection may change over time or even with each use.

It is part of the process that we grow and change. 

The exception is if you are following a specific tradition.  If that is the case, most traditions have their own correspondence information for the Sabbats, colors, moon phases, elements, etc.   It would be recommended that you abide by your tradition's rules and information.  If something doesn't seem right to you, explore the reasons why you feel this way and then speak to someone - preferably your teacher or mentor - to determine if this can be remedied or if you are to follow that tradition to the letter.

Books

Week 4 - the letter "B" is for Books

(I'm falling behind but this is an attempt to catch up.  Not sure if I will but I am going to keep moving forward.)

Books.  I love them.  I love reading them, purchasing them, smelling them, hoarding them.  But, my Pagan library is somewhat sparse. 

It seems strange since I am such a bibliophile (modern version) but I can explain.  My Pagan books are for learning and increasing my personal knowledge of what I view as my "Shanda-ism".  My Pagan books are for reference and practicality.  Some are very near and dear to my heart, having acquired a sentimental value but most are just tools, much like candles, wands, stones, etc. 

Most are marked up with notes written in the margins.  Many have highlighted passages and pages that have been bent at the corners for a bookmark.  Some are worn and on the verge of falling apart while others are pristine. 

There is so much information out there - published books, websites, online groups, people in real life, stores - that it can be overwhelming.  And the contradiction is crazy. 

My personal belief system is uniquely my own and comes from many different areas.  It is something that I have been working on and building for the past 25+ years.  But early on, it was hard to wade through the information to determine what clicked with me.

One author would have a certain way to perform a Yule celebration while another would have a completely different, if not opposite, description on how he honored the Sabbat.  It was confusing and I was terrified of messing up.  I explored and experimented until something clicked.  Over the years, I've changed and adapted but my books - my go-to books - remain the same. 

I've also found that, unless highly recommended by very trusted and respected sources, I cannot purchase books online.  I need to look through the books to see if the info inside resonates with me and isn't something I have in at least 3 other books and recorded in my Book of Shadows.  The book must serve a purpose.

Because it has also been a while since I was a newbie, I am beyond the basics.  I need to hone my practice in my own way and is focused on trial and error more than anything.  I still love learning new things but I'm becoming more and more set in my ways. 

Books are wonderful and I will carry on a love affair with them for the rest of my days.  But they are meant to be used and enjoyed.  Otherwise, they are just useless chunks of paper, with words splashed upon the pages, and bound together.