Tips to Help to Not Have a Bad Day

To every man and brother whose 2 and/or 4 legged, reptile or bird children I am very sorry to not have wished you  blessed and happy Father’s Day!

My whole weekly schedule got thrown off by two things, a very bad allergy day Friday and my husband working Saturday. Since he’s normally off the whole weekend I kept thinking yesterday was Saturday and woke thinking today is Sunday. So I was trying to figure out why he was up getting ready for work until the light bulb went off that it’s Monday.

As I sit here while it is still dark outside and listen to the wonderful bird songs in my backyard and neighborhood I am again in awe of Mother Earth and the beauty she provides all of our 5 regular senses if we would take the time to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste all the things she along with Air, Water, Fire, and Earth provide daily for us.

Today I challenge you to take just 5 minutes out of your busy schedule to really listen to the natural sounds around you, see the beauty in the face of someone you come in contact with or flowers or the grass, or the trees or all of these, to give a person, familiar/pet a 20 second hug this will release feel good endorphins in your brain, to really enjoy the smell of nature or something delicious that is cooking, to take the time to savor the intricate flavors of whatever you eat and drink through out the day instead of just eating or drinking whatever because you need it to live. There is an old saying from the late 1960’s here, “Stop and smell the roses.” This is what I am asking you to do with your 5 physical senses.

Now for the 6th sense which to me is our Spiritual or metaphysical being.  Take some time to meditate concentrating on opening your 3rd eye and reconnection your spirit and body into one being.

I strongly suggest doing the above challenge as often as you can but at least once a week. I can tell you from experience you will become closer to the Great Mother and Father a.k.a. the Goddess and her Consort God a.k.a. the Lord and Lady.

Please share with us how the day goes on the day you decided to take up my challenge.

Sisters and Brothers may your day be filled with wonderess new experiences that you encounter.

Happily Heathen: The Positives and Negatives of Dedicating to a Deity

As my name implies, I am dedicated to the Vanic Goddess Freya and consider myself Her daughter. My spiritual path has always been guided by a desire for a direct, personal relationship with deity (not unlike that of the Christian or Sufi mystics), so my relationship with Freya is as close as, if not closer than, my relationships with my family members and my partner.

However, my relationship with Her is also closer than my relationship with Her brother Freyr, to whom I’m also dedicated. My relationship with Him is much newer and less intense, and fills a different role in my spiritual life. There are a wide range of levels of devotion and types of devotion among devotional polytheists. (I would argue that this kind of relationship, by default, has to be one of our most idiosyncratic of practices.) Just like relationships between humans, relationships between humans and deities–even devotional or dedicated relationships–can vary greatly. Just as you can be involved in a many different friendships for a variety of reasons, so can people be devoted with the Gods in many different ways. The experiences and opinions I share here are really only reflective of me and my relationship with Freya, who has been my primary Goddess.

When I first started working for her, I was full of zeal and love for Her and I couldn’t really figure out why everyone did not want to honor Her and devote themselves to Her. (Laine deLaney of The Lady’s Quill wrote a lovely description of Her here.) ….

To read this rest of this article please click on this link: Happily Heathen: The Positives and Negatives of Dedicating to a Deity

 

Making Your Pentacle Your Own

The pentacle that I wear daily is approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. On the front of it is the Goddess with her arms raised. I apologize for the quality of the picture but I did not want to disturb Cleopatra or Starbabie, my two canine familiars, who are using me as their pillow. You can see part of Cleopatra’s head in the picture.

My pentacle is one thing that I wear close to my Heart Chakra on the cord is also a Unicorn pendant given to me about 15 years ago by my husband, a green Adventurine to help with my back problems, and a heart pendant the containing clear quartz made for me by my dearest sister (the one I went to Germany to visit in 2016).

I have worn a pentacle blessed to help protect me from metaphysical as well as physical assault of any kind. But the one felt different after I cleansed and blessed it. So I asked my guides why and then meditated waiting for an answer. I learned that not only did the points on this pentacle represent the five elements, Spirit, Air, Fire, Earth, and Water, they also each represented a deity I work with or works through me. Starting at the top and going clockwise the points represent many different aspects of the Horn God, Mary Magdalene who is one of my guides, Ra my patron god, Kwan Yin/Sirona healing goddesses that with through me to help others, Mother Earth my matron goddess. The goddess on the front is the Great Mother and the horseshoe shape thing she is holding above her head a creative muse that helps me immensely Collopie. By finding out this information truly made this MY pentacle as I seriously doubt anyone else would have the same beings at the same points as I do.

To make your pentacle your own you could do it the way I did or however you are inspired to turn a pendant you bought as a symbol of your spiritual path into a one of a kind personal amulet.

A WITCHES MANIFESTO

Adapted from The Wiccan Bardo by Paul Beyerl)

 

I DEMAND THESE THINGS OF MYSELF AS A WITCH:

 

I must pursue my highest ideals

I must aspire to the highest of ethics

I must demand integrity of myself

I must always keep my word

 

I must cultivate self-discipline

I must LIVE the Hermetic Principle

I must seriously contemplate the ramifications of Reincarnation & Karma

 

I must respect the astral realms

I must approach ritual with reverence and care

I must respect ritual work as an act of love and beauty.

 

I must take sole responsibility for all the events and circumstances in my life, in the knowledge that I have created them all for my own development.

I must strive to cultivate a sense of humour and of humility.

I must avoid all negativity, firstly in my thinking and as a consequence, in my life.

  

I must live in harmony with the Earth Goddess – Gaia.

I must cultivate a global perspective.

I must serve my community, both locally and globally, being of help to all people.

 

I must be willing to defend my religion.

I must provide for the safe future of my ritual tools, should I be taken by death

From Witches of The Craft https://witchesofthecraft.com/a-witches-manifesto/

Crossroads Ritual

Crossroads Ritual by Stregga

Crossroads place of power– it’s a portal -a vortex and a place of energy long-held sacred by humanity.

This is the place where you’ll invoke the powerful goddess  Hecate who presides over the crossroads. Back in in ancient times people left offerings to her to ensure they had a safe passage to all who ventured to her domain.

We will leave to the crossroads at midnight this is the rite  that requires Courage and preparation – it is a rite one must not enter into it lightly..

 

I have taking this crossroads at the railroad right underneath the sign that says crossroads -it’s exhilarating and exciting and the magick is so powerful timing is everything -so let’s get you prepared:

You will need:

 

Cleansing herbs – rosemary, eucalyptus or Hyssop

Olive oil or a condition oil of your choice

Two -Tea Light candles

Clean clothes

A basin to catch your infused water if your using a shower

A container to carry your bathwater  to the crossroads

And enough time in the morning to ensure you step into the crossroads as the dawn is breaking.

 

Morning of the rite.

Rise without speaking to anyone concentrate your power within yourself you don’t want to break the spell by speaking.

bring 2 cups of water to a boil add the herbs to the water cover the pot and let it steep for approximately 10 minutes the longer it steeps the stronger it will become..

 

While the infusion is steeping, anoint    your tea light candles with olive oil or with the condition oil you’ve chosen

Remember the conditioning oil –it is oil that is made to work with a specific spiritual condition. There are several types to use -Once you have anointed your tea lights place them outside your bath or shower so that you will step between them when you exit your bath.

 

When the liquid is ready dispose of the herbs outside (returning them to earth) sprinkle them in your flower pots – if you prefer blow them to the wind with love..

 

Now carry your infused water to the bathroom.

Place your clean clothes next to your bath, so you can put them on once you’re dry.

 

Now wash yourself down -if you’ve used the tub make sure you plug it. If you’re using the shower place a basin large enough for you to stand in -in the bottom of the shower of the shower.

In the shower or bath set your container you will use to carry your bathwater to the crossroads….

Lite the tea lights -step into the shower the bath. Call into  your mind  what you seek to release -if you have prayers of release now is a good time to say them -call upon the goddess or the gods -to help you release that which no longer serves you -and as you recite  your prayers–pour  the infused water over your head allowing it to run down and over your body –feel your troubles being washed away -once you have poured the water all over yourself brush yourself downward with your hands–gather some of the bathwater into your container drain the remaining water from your bath and take the container of water with you as you step back out of the Bath walking between the two tea lights.. Allow yourself to air dry and then put on your clean clothes. Now it’s time for you to go on your little journey to the crossroads find a sign that will say crossroads -go to the railroad tracks- you will find a sign that says crossroads.  When you enter the crossroads with your bathwater stand with your back to the East -gather your intentions and power- speak your words of release and cast your bathwater over your left shoulder -do not look back over your shoulder -you’ll be tempted- but don’t do it!! Not looking over your shoulder is an act of faith -you must have faith that your prayers have been heard!! Looking back over your shoulder negates all the work you’ve done.  Now take a different route home from which you’ve come -this new route is the new route in life that you’ll be taking –there’s no need to backtrack drive home and be blessed–remember to feel the power and anytime you need to perform this powerful rite do this again -be creative and do what you need to follow the light- it’s a new year of the Samhain this is also a good time to do this ritual..

You may call on the goddess Hecate and she will assist you..

 

Prayer to Hecate:

 

Three faced Hecate come to me beloved mistress –graciously hear my sacred spells- image of the night, youthful one, Dawn-born light bringer to mortals who rides upon fierce eyed bulls.. Oh queen, you who drive your chariot on equal course with Helios, you dance with the triple forms of the triple Graces as you revel with the stars. You are justice and the thread of fates

Clotho Lachesis Atropos

 

Hecate, goddess of the darkest night send my troubles all to flight- burn them in thy sacred fires and replacing them with my hearts desires

 

 

At the gate of Dawn I stand –Hecate On either hand, guard me with your magic power- guide me through the crossroads hour- from the beauty of the night to the glory of the light

 

Or at the gate of dusk I stand. Hecate on either hand- guard me with your magic power guide me to the crossroads hour from the glory of the light to the beauty of the night

© 09142016 Stregga

Seems A Lot of Us Are In a Funk Right Now

As you know I have been on my spiritual path for decades and have experienced many highs and lows throughout it. I too am in a witchy low right now but have gotten help others to help me start to slowly come out of it. The two things I am finding that are helping a lot is to accept where I am and turn inward for answers as to why. The other is an affirmation given to me by High Priestess Stregga which is, “I will allow myself to be healed and to heal.” I go out with my two fur baby familiars twice a day, morning and late afternoon, facing Ra (Egyptian Sun God) I put my hands above my head and repeat the affirmation three times out loud and then take three deep breaths inhaling all the way to my root chakra as I am doing this I picture positive healing energy coming in as I exhale I ask that all the negative energy be forced out of my body through my feet into Mother Earth to be recycled into positive energy for her to use. I repeat this cycle of saying the affirmation and breathing two more times. I then open my eyes and just stand quietly until I feel the urge to move. I know part of my problem is the changing of the seasons but this shall pass.

Give this a try it might help you as it is helping me, I hope. I maybe taking Wednesday through Friday of this week off to unplug from my computer and cell phone to be able to do more meditating outside before the weather where I live turns to cold for it and just turn inwards looking for my spiritual spark that is overshadowed by other things in my life right now. I want the spark to turn back into the fantastic fire it usually is.  I also plan to do a rededication to my Craft and The Old Ways on the full Moon. If you are having a struggle with your path just now you may want to consider to doing the same.

I Have NEVER Lost my Faith Through this Rough Time on My Life’s Journey

While it is usually Christians and other mainstream religions we hear them say in rough times to “Never lose your faith” or “God will never give you more than you can handle.” This is also true for pagans except to change the wording a little to something like”Your Gods and/or Goddesses will never give you anything in your life that you can not handle without their help.”

As many of you know I have had many negative things happen in my life starting the Beginning of last August with my mom going into a coma and crossing to the Summerlands and me trying to cope with it. I also found out a dear friend of mine has breast cancer and an infection that could have possibly killed he. My oldest daughter has been diagnosed with a temporal malformation which in the right set of circumstances could kill her. Also, my husband was laid off work this past Monday. Last but not least the small restaurant I work at, business has slowed way down because of the time of year it is. so I am not working as many hours.

To be honest, with you dear ones all these things happening had put me into a deep depression but never once have I turned away from my spirit guides, gods and goddesses. I may have blocked their words of wisdom and comfort out to wallow in my own self-pity but I still believed deep within my spirit they are there to help me through this.

After reading a new book, Coloring the Soul With Hope: Poetry to help heal depression, loss and anger written and published by my dearest spirit sister I came away with a different outlook on some of what has been going on in my life. She was concerned that someone had hexed or cursed me for some reason. Through talking with her, I discovered I was cursing myself with my depression thus bring about more negative things in my life and in those of my loved ones.

Remember it is not our Gods and/or Goddesses that give up on us it is we that give up on them and thus give up hope of things getting better. So with this in mind, I am taking a spiritual/mental/physical health day. To accomplish this, I plan on napping or resting as much as I can, doing a couple of intense meditations and a ritual to help turn the negatives in my life into positives. I will ask the divine Triple Goddess and my spirit guides for guidance, Mother Earth to help re-ground and center, RA for his warmth and energy to motivate me into living this lifetime to its fullest,  Archangel Gabriel to wrap me in his wings of comfort and love and Archangel Micheal to protect me with his sword and shield while I find my way back to me. I also plan to re-dedicate myself to the Pagan path I have chosen, give all my Chakras and home a good cleansing with White Sage and Sweet Grass,  Goddesses and God I chose as patron deities and The Craft. I might not get this all done today but I will before the week is out. I feel it is important to set realistic goals for one’s self so I Will break my goals down to be accomplished throughout this week.

The book that has inspired me to get off the pity pot can br found to buy by clicking on this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BC58OA4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_

Full Wicce Rede

Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones:

Bide the Wiccan laws ye must- in perfect love an’ perfect trust.

Live an’let live- fairly take an’fairly give.

To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spirly give.

Cast the Circle thrice about to keep the evil sake in rhyme.

Soft of eye an’ light of touch – speak little, listen much.

Deosil go by the waxing Moon – sing an’ dance the Wiccan rune.

Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, an’ the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane,

When the Lady’s Moon is new, kiss the hand to her times two.

When the Moon rides at her peak then your heart’s desire seek.

Heed the Northwind”d might gale – lock the door and drop the sail.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.

When winds blows from the East, except the new and set the feast.

When the West wind blows o’er the thee, departed spirits restless be.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go – burn them quick an’ burn them slow.

Elder be the LAdy’s tree – burn it not or cursed ye”ll be.

When the Wheel begins to turn – let the Beltane fires burn.

When the Wheel has turned a Yule, light a Log an’ let Pan rule.

Heed ye flower, bush an’ tree – by the Lady blessed be.

Where rippling waters go – cast a stone an’ truth ye’ll know.

When ye have need, hearken not to other’s greed.

With the fool no season spend, or be counted as a friend.

Merry meet an’ Merry part- bright the cheeks an’ warm the heart.

Mind the Threefold law ye should – three times bad and three times good.

When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.

True in love ever be unless thy lover’s false to thee.

Eight words the Wicce Rede fulfill-

an’ harm it none, do what ye will.

These are the guidelines of our Craft and faith that most Witches that walk in the Light follow. Some of the spelling may seem off to today’s standards, but they are old English.