Celebrating Beltane or known by another name...May Day!!?

With Social Networking, I've been reminded lately how many days until Beltane.  When I was younger, I did celebrate Beltane and wasn't even aware of the importance as a Witchy event.  Mom had me craft pretty May Day baskets filled with candies and flowers for my friends.  We would then sneak up to their doors - leave the baskets, knock and run away in hurry.  The baskets were to be a surprise and you were to never know what friend gifted the basket.

As a Solitary, I rarely celebrate Beltane - I tend to not get too excited about the cross quarter holidays.  Sure it's one of the eight (Sabbats) holidays on the Wheel of the Year, but being a cross quarter holiday - not that exciting for me.  Until lately...with it slapping me in the face every time I'm on Facebook - I started to think "why not?'  Now I have a week to get ready or think about getting ready - since I'm a low maintenance Witch - can't overdo or I won't do.

First you must know that Beltane (and from another lifetime I always tend to spell it Beltaine)  is a fertility festival.  Think...first of Spring - Nature mating - a ton of sex and flirting going on in nature at the moment.  The flowers and plants are starting to bud and come alive.  It is also the mid-point between the Vernal Equinox and Summer Solsice.  Celebrated starting the Eve of May 1st and thru the day.  Actually, I read on a friend's blog that: "It is most often celebrated on May 1st as May Day, but more accurately, we arrive at this cross-quarter holiday when the Sun reaches 15 degrees of Taurus, which occurs May 4/5."

Those that do - they are setting up Maypoles and preparing to dance under the pole intermingling the beautiful and colorful satin ribbons.  They are also preparing the need fire to dance around and celebrate the changing of the seasons.  Some Witches celebrate by bringing food and beverage to the festivities - too much work I say.  Also as a Solitary this would probably be one of the festivals I would attend a social gathering and maybe not so much celebrate solo - though you can.  Following Nature's cue, it's more fun to have sex with someone else than doing the horizontal bop solo.

You can also bring in the ashes from the need fire into your home for protection - so that's a good thing.

Sharing the correspondence for you and just as much as for me...

Incense:  Lilac, Frankincense

Decorations:  Maypole, Flowers, Ribbons

Colors:  Green, Rainbow Pastels

So...if you're like me and don't want to over-do and stay in the Spirit - get a bouquet of flowers for the dining table (and altar) - put out a few pretty pastel candles - light the incense - put on some good music - go outside and dance with Fae among the flirtations of Spring!

Enjoy the season of Beltane and in my part of the country...warmer weather and flirt 'til your heart is content!

The Witch and The Full Moon

Out for a midnight stroll, you come across a woman standing alone in the night staring up at the beautiful orb in the heavens.  You've stumbled upon a Witch and from where you stand, you can feel her power. 

Lately, there has been much turmoil on Earth.  In the breeze, you hear the cries of those that have been in the midst and at that precise moment you see the Witch throw back her head and her arms rise to greet the heavens.

The Witch then bends and places her hand on the Earth.  From where you stand you sense the healing.  You notice the tears on her beautiful cheeks.  And, you feel the ground move gently as if in response to the Witch’s healing. “Did the Earth just sigh?”

After a time, the Witch stands.  Her arms reaching upward towards the skies…her lips move in a whisper calling her Ancestors and all the Ancient Ones.  There is no wind, yet you see the tall pines respond with a wave.

Your feet urge you to join her – you desire to hold the hand of the Witch.

You slowly move forward.  Surprisingly, her eyes meet yours and you see the power.  You had no idea the Witch knew of your presence.  Her hand reaches out to yours, in welcome.  You hold her hand and the heat there surprises you.  You move to stand beside the Witch.  You take a deep breath and look up amidst the tall pines and greet the Full Moon – beautiful, bold and bright in all Her splendor.

As the Witch does, you also raise your arms to the heavens; Feeling the tingle of the Moon Goddess’ energy trickle down through your fingers.

The Witch joins her hands with fingers pointing up. 

She calls the protection of a Sacred Circle.

You see the fire circle open.  You actually feel the heat from the flames.

As the fire closes in to protect, the Witch points her toe and just barely with the tip of her toes touches the ground.  You feel the wave of energy move under you.  The circle is sealed.

You sense others and look around to see the faces of the Ancient ones standing just at the edge of the circle.  Something brushes your leg.  You look down to see a beautiful black panther stroll by.  There’s no fear for you know she’s there to protect the circle and all who join in its sacred space.

You hear a voice, but know that no one has spoken.  The Goddess whispers her message.  "Gaia needs healing.  There must be peace among those on Earth. There has been too much pain and my heart cries." In your heart, you know this to be true because Spring has arrived with rainy, cold days.  In places, snow falls with a fury.  Rivers overflow.  Earthquakes alter lives. Tyrants show their fear and take lives that belong to the Goddess. The flowers want to bloom, but can’t…just yet.

You hold the Witch’s hand and the magick continues.  You both sing and dance with the trees.

All for the healing of Gaia and her children.

At the Full Moon – a Witch will honor the Goddess, dance in her light only in sacred space.

She is the ancient of the ancients, older than time.

Harkened by our spirits in words of mystical rhyme.

She shall never summons us by punishment or wrath,

For only her love shall be found on this path.

~ Lady Abigail

What Is Personal Power?

Power is a general word that suggests the ability to control or influence what is done, felt, etc.

So...

What is Your power?

Being a Witch is realizing your power.

We work the meditations, we work the spells, we work rituals, we work at walking the talk, work healings, we work at being kind to our Self, we work at being a good person.

The subject is difficult to write about.  It's much easier to write about being power-less. It seems it's always easier writing on the negative than the positive.

There was a Dove ad shared on Facebook today on how women see themselves.  Asking to describe themselves to a sketch artist; all described themselves less flattering than how someone else saw them.  Naturally, we can be our worst critiques.  Why is it that it takes an ad to make us realize how beautiful we are?  Not just on the outside, but inside - where we live.

So is beauty power?  You bet.  It means living with confidence.  It means standing tall.  Shoulders straight.  Head held high. You know your truth.  You admit your failures, but better - you acknowledge your successes.

What is Your power?

Always remember...you are beautiful.  Say it every time you catch a glance of your reflection and walk with a lighter step.  Smile like you know a secret no one else knows.  Why should an advertising ad remind you of your beauty?  I say, it shouldn't.

Remain true to your Self.
Be the best that you can be.
Continue working your magick.

Pentagram, Pentacle, Oh My!

There is so much controversy that follows this simple star...at times you will see it surrounded by a circle.  People gasp, believing it to be evil - not so.  Many believe that it is a satanic doohickey.  People that wear one, draw one, believe in one...are nasty, nasty people.  In movies, every time one is shown...all action stops - the crescendo peaks...giving drama to the negative.

Not so. No way.

A pentagram is a star.  A pentacle is a star surrounded by a circle.

This subject has crossed my path quite often in the last week - more than three times in a matter of days.  As a Witch, that's when I notice that the Universe is sending a message.  Witches love things that happens in three's.  There's something there for me to understand, to see, to pay attention to.  I've encountered the message in others' blogs, books I've been reading for research and even material I've printed out years ago - keep falling in my lap...saying PAY ATTENTION!  I've learned to acknowledge these signs or messages. They are Universal messages, messages from the Divine, signs from the Creator or Creatrix personally sent to you, a message from your Spirit guide(s), or maybe family members that have transitioned into Spirit. 

So...someone, somewhere, must need this information. Could even be me. hmmmm.

As a Witch, I respect the pentagram/pentacle as a sign of power. What is also very cool is that it corresponds with the elements of water, air, fire, earth and spirit.  Join me as I take you on a journey of mystery.  The journey of the Craft or the journey of your Self.  I introduce you to the Witches Pyramid or the Witches Key.  Isn't it beautiful?!!

This key is meant for casting spells, but I know in my heart that it is a key to learning of the Self and not just for casting spells.  As in any journey of finding Self, there is a belief; this journey has five beliefs.  

In tracing the star, we start at the very top - travel down to the left to the first point.  Here our journey begins with the "Knowing".  What do we know of the Craft, what do we know of our Self and what do we know of the spells we cast that will change our lives.  

As a Witch, here is where we practice what we've learned of the Craft or the spells crafted.  I mentioned in an earlier blog that magick is not to be taken lightly - working with energy takes knowledge and to obtain that knowledge you must educate yourself.  

In every action there is a re-action and we do not want a negative reaction to what we toss out in the Universe. This is also where we learn of our Self - what kind of a person do we want to be? How well do we know our Selves?  As in the Craft, learning about our Selves...the education is unending.  In our careers, we continue our education to be the best in our field - our common sense demands that we continue to better our Selves - to maintain and grow our power. We want to be better parents, we strive to be better physicians, to be better friends, lovers, companions. We learn what tools to use, we learn the elements,  there is a vast of information at our fingertips to strengthen our knowledge.  Even in the Golden Years, we continue to learn - trust me, it never gets easy.

In continuing our journey through the star , our next stop is at "Will".  How strong is our will?  What do we "will" to happen?  Now that you've focused on the knowing - which you've gained through education - where will your "will" take you?  Do you trust enough in what you've learned?  Our visit at this point in the journey, is to seek inside so that we can advance to the next point in the star.

To "Dare".  This is where the journey gets interesting.  Do we have the courage to put forth our knowing and our will?  Can we 'dare' to be positive - to remove all negativity from our path so that only great can happen from what we strive or spell to do.  Do we dare to be imaginative? Do we dare remove from our lives those that do not offer us what we need to be at our full potential?  How brave are we? Do we continue to insult our Selves by staying stuck in a rut that does us no justice? Or, do we "dare" and move on?

The next peak in the star we've journeyed to is to be "Silent". Peaceful. You can hear Nature in silence.  You can hear your heart's desires in silence.  When working a spell, it is between you and the Universe, your ancestors, nature, Spirit.  So it only makes sense that when you work on your Self that what you learn you do it in silence.  

For instance, you need a job...badly.  You do what you're supposed to do...look through the want ads, network and low and behold - you have an interview!  Do your little happy dance.

So with or without a spell - you've worked hard to bring Self to this interview.  You're where you want to be and you're happy. You have hope.

I know that when you work a spell (or not) and you share this fun tidbit with someone else - you've just invited their energy to mix with your desire.  Oh no!  Little did you know that buried in their heart is a jealousy for what you have in your life.  It doesn't matter that you have no income and you're in despair.  And now you've just shared with them how desperately you want (need!) this job - you've shared your enthusiasm - your desire.  Your spell just went poof. Even if you didn't cast a spell.  No job.  Why? Because you weren't silent in what you truly desired and your confidant's jealous energy was stronger than yours.

But what if you want to share your desire with someone that you know only wants the best for you?  I will tell you right now...no two people have the same energy in what is desired.  I casted a spell for a position wanting a specific salary - shared this with my husband and he thought that I was asking for too much.  I knew then I'd made a mistake by sharing my desire and knew I had some quick work to do on the spell. We are all different.  Even if we think among the same lines - the energy put forth will not truly be yours alone.  I was offered the position at more than even I was asking. (happy dance)

You pray...this prayer is between you and God.  When I create a spell...the power starts at the beginning of this star and travels through to creation.  The knowing on how to work what I want, the will to accept what I must do, dare to bring my desires to fruition and in silence I share my desires only with whom is going to manifest this desire.

If this journey was a pentagram, our journey and belief system would end here, but to come full circle we must face and acknowledge Spirit.  Love.  God.  Goddess.  They are all within us.  We are encompassed in this circle and Spirit holds us in his/her love.  In this circle, we are who we are and we truly know and love our Self.

There will be doubts - we will skin our knees - there will be hurts and tears - there will be mistakes.  But, we are always in the center of the pentacle surrounded by love and this circle reminds us when the worst happens - we have the key to find the strength to believe in Self, believe in our power.  

Enchantments

In my life, there have been things that I've wanted to come to pass; so yes, I've performed a few spells - even as you may have.  Making a wish while blowing out your birthday candles - yes, you've just said a spell.  Did you ever pay attention to see if that wish came true?  Also, remember how you weren't to tell anyone your wish or it wouldn't come true?

Walking alone in my magick I've had to rely on written material from those who also walk the crooked path. In this world of technology answers are just a click away.  It's also unfortunate that my mother no longer remembers.  She always had these quirky little spells that we often thought were old wives tales.

The first thing most want to know is how long it takes a spell to come to fruition. This is what I've learned:

• A spell performed at the Full Moon will take one month to materialize.
• A Witch should never count on one casting for the spell to come to being - the spell must be done for three, five, seven or nine days.
• 21 days - never found the reason for this one.

Following is what "the act of doing" has taught me:

• The triumph of your spell depends on the strength of your intention, wording and the respect of silence you offer to the magick.
• I've needed a spell to come to realization within a matter of hours - and it did.  I did what needed to be done, forgot about it and it came true.  Even though I know that it will come true, this always, always is astounding.  Other spells have taken days, months, and yes, even years to come into being.

There was a time that I believed that I had to be in sacred space to perform a spell.  Now a days, I rarely cast circles for spells.  Sometimes, time is of the essence and all I can do is throw the request out into the Universe. 

At times, I put on some music, I properly anoint a candle, ground myself, quieted the mind, and from my heart...asked the Lady for my request.  I then sit quietly with my candle.  I start to feel the power growing in my heart chakra - it pulses - steady - stronger. When the power is at its peak, I psychically shift the energy to the candle.

If time is not important, but the outcome is, I do throw a circle, invite those that must be with me and follow full ritual in working the spell.  The ritual could be done with the Full Moon, New Moon, or the planets may be aligned perfectly for what is needed.  This is so much fun - feeling the energy that you've created with the help of those that you've invited into your circle.  Seeing things with your own eyes that you never ever thought possible.  You may even hear a whisper or two.

At other times, exhausted by the stress that I encountered during the day, I prepare myself for a Spiritual cleansing bath or shower.  As I prepare a muslin bag with the proper herbs to use during my bath I chant a spell.  It might go something like this...

"Goddess, bless these herbs,

Magick forged by my own hands;

I am always safe from harm, 

The Goddess holds me in her arms."

~Me

Or maybe one day you're picking flowers and herbs for future uses in spells, healings...

"Under the moon, through shadow and light,

these blooms I chose by touch, by sight. 

Spells to weave, to ease and free. 

As I will, So mote it be."

~ Nora Roberts

As many wishes there are to wish upon - there are as many ways of casting spells.  My lessons have taught me that the following are very important: 

1. Self confidence
2. Imagination
3. Visualizing the transition from the now to the future
4. Desire for the change
5. Preparation
6. Mood
7. Get out of your own way
8. Silence - tell no one of your work

It's simple.

Above all...asking for the proper delivery time!