The Wolf: A Powerful Spirit Ally

                                          

  

Few animals on Earth evoke more emotion or fear than the wolf.  We have been told tales of their savagery and ruthless killing, how they would steal children from the village, and would stalk any man that wandered too far from the safety of the campfire. 

 

However, in many cultures, the wolf is revered, thought to bring powerful medicine to healers, and is a wonderful ally to those that call upon its sacred energy as a spirit totem.  Animal spirits/ totems can come to us in many ways.  Wolf spirit may appear to you in a dream, as a medicine animal, or as a totem animal.  

 

Witches and Shamans alike have called upon the power of the wolf for centuries.  The wolf is a universal symbol of personal power, freedom, and autonomy. In Romanian lore, the Wolf is the only creature who can see demons no matter how hard they try to conceal themselves. Interestingly enough, wolves have also been observed to have a highly developed “sixth sense”. This natural 6^th sense is known for helping one to heighten their own intuition when they are connected to the Wolf Spirit.  

If Wolf comes to you in a dream, this is more than likely a reminder to you to use your natural abilities and to trust your instincts.  As a highly social animal, Wolf spirit may also be reminding you that you are not alone.  You may need to turn to a specific person such as a partner or parent if you are experiencing difficulty and need support or guidance. The Wolf may also appear when you feel lost, for his howl will help you find your tribe of kindred souls.  A howling Wolf in a dream is a call for action or maybe even a cry for help.  Listen to this powerful spirit.

 

If your physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual being is in need of healing, Wolf spirit may come to you as the Medicine Wolf.  Native Americans look to Wolf medicine as an aid in healing illness and diseases.  When the Wolf spirit reveals itself as a medicine animal, it offers healing through various wolf characteristics and qualities.  These can include healing through empowerment, restorative energies, and guide in spiritual development. Because the Wolf is an incredibly social animal, the Wolf Spirit can help you reduce your social anxiety and become more confident.  Call upon the Wolf and let its song heal you from the inside out.

 

Wolf guides us in the darkness of the underworld on a path to the light of the wisdom of the ages.  Wolf is known for being a teacher and wisdom bringer. The Wolf is an incredible power totem and if this spirit has made itself known to you in this way, it will be your dominant spirit guide throughout your life.  Wolf is resilient and its prowess is legendary.  With Wolf’s determination and stamina, it can teach you how to tap into your highest potential as you rise to meet and conquer the challenges before you.  It will teach you to not live in fear but instead, to be open to change and transformation. 

I have been blessed with Tala, my Wolf power totem.  This is a totem Spirit that I have reincarnated with for many lifetimes. She first came to me in this lifetime when I was a scared little girl.  I somehow knew instinctively that I could trust her and that she was not there to harm me. Maybe at that tender age, I recognized her energy and knew she was there to help protect me. I have relied on her energy in times of need. Maybe this is also the reason that I have loved wolves for as long as I can remember.  I feel that not only have I been blessed with a Wolf totem but also that the Spirit of the Wolf is alive within my own soul.

  

During tumultuous times and situations that challenge you and test your mettle, the Wolf spirit will be there to lend you strength, to help and to guide you.  The Wolf spirit animal carries many messages.  When you pay attention to the many details and nuances of the Wolf spirit, you can decipher the meaning of its message.

 

Celebrating Beltane

Beltane, also known as May Day is celebrated May 1st, which is about halfway between Ostara (Spring Equinox) and Litha, (Summer Solstice). Festivities typically begin the evening before, on the last night of April. It's a time to welcome the abundance of the fertile earth. There are many different ways you can celebrate Beltane, but the focus is nearly always on fertility. It's the time when Mother Earth opens up to the fertility god, and their union brings about healthy livestock, strong crops, and new life all around.

 "Beltane is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and is associated with important events in Irish mythology. Also known as Cétshamhain ("first of summer"), it marked the beginning of summer and it was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle

would walk around or between bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí (the fae). Doors, windows, byres and livestock would be decorated with white or yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush: typically a thorn bush or branch decorated with flowers, ribbons, bright shells and rushlights. Holy wells were also visited, while

 Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness."  from Wikipedia  

Today, we still honor the tradition of the Beltane fire.  Fire festivals are held throughout much of the UK and Ireland to celebrate as well as in the United States.  Dancing, singing, feasting, jumping the fire, and drumming are all festival activities. May Poles are erected to symbolize the phallus of the fertility god and prayers are sent for abundance and prosperity as dancers weave the ribbons around in joyful merriment.

You will see maidens wearing flower crowns and others with their wrists and ankles adorned in colorful blooms.  Cooking over the open flame is common and encouraged, especially roasted meats. Mead flows
freely and handfasting ceremonies and "jumping the broom" rituals are prevalent. 

 

Many early Beltane practices were designed to appease the fae and prevent them from stealing dairy products. For example, three black coals were placed under a butter churn to ensure the fairies did not steal one's butter.  May poles were hung or erected in or near the barns to ensure the cattle's milk was not stolen. Flowers were also used to decorate the horns of cattle, which was believed to bring good fortune. Food was left or milk poured at the doorstep or places associated with the aos sí, such as 'fairy trees', as an offering. People made the sign of the cross with milk for good luck on Beltane. To protect farm produce and encourage fertility, farmers would lead a procession around the boundaries of their farm. They would "carry with them seeds of grain, implements of husbandry, the first well water, and the herb vervain (or rowan as a substitute). The procession generally stopped at the four cardinal points of the compass, beginning in the east, and rituals were performed in each of the four directions".- Wikipedia 

Keeping our good relations with the fae is another lasting Beltane tradition. Food and milk offerings are left for them.  Honey is a favorite. Some create fairy gardens or altars in their home where offerings can be

given. These offerings might also include shiny objects such as jewelry or stones. Colorful ribbons are tied into "fairy trees".  

If there isn't a Beltane celebration happening near you, don't fret.  There are plenty of ways that you can celebrate the Sabbat in your home or backyard. 

1. Have your own Beltane fire.  If you have a fire pit in your backyard, then fire it up (if there are no fire bans or restrictions, of course).  Dance around the fire and sing songs of Mother Earth.  If you do not have a fire pit, you can use your fireplace inside just as easily.  No fireplace?  Create one in a cauldron or fireproof dish.  Add sand to the bottom and then a clear alcohol (Everclear works best as it burns clean). Light and let the alcohol burn itself out.  *Please never leave a fire or flame unattended.*

2. Cook over an open flame and FEAST!  Fire up the grill and roast meats and spring veggies. Add some wine or mead for the adults. 

3. Make and wear a flower crown.  Daisies and dandelions are common flowers to use but if there is something else that calls to you, then go with that.

4. Fae offerings.  Leave offerings of milk and honey outside for the fair folk. Create a fairy garden in your yard.

5. Make your own May Pole.  This doesn't have to be large. You can simply submerge a stick in a flower pot of dirt, tie on some ribbons and decorate the top with flowers.  Dance around the May Pole and send your prayers for abundance and prosperity.

6. Create a Beltane altar.  This can be indoors or outside. Decorate with spring flowers, god and goddess symbols/ statues, symbols of fertility such as antlers, sticks, cauldron, acorns or seeds, eggs, and rabbits. Use gold and red candles to represent the Beltane fire. Fairy figurines can also be included. 

7. Get outside! Simply getting outside and enjoying the warmer days is a way to celebrate Beltane.  go for a nature walk/ hike. Take in the trees that are leafing out. Listen to the birds sing and watch for other wildlife in the area. Enjoy a picnic. Do some gardening or plant colorful blooms in flower pots.  

8. Jump the broom.  If you want to recommit to your spouse or partner, then jump the broom.  This was viewed as a marriage ceremony, especially to those that had little or no money for a wedding. It can symbolize sweeping away the past, or any thing that needs to go, and jumping into the new- a clean future together. 

Whether you plan to attend a grand Beltane Fire Festival or have a simple day and ritual at home, may you be blessed with abundance and prosperity in the coming months. 

Blessed Be!

Planning Your Witchy Garden

 

Spring has sprung and for many of us, that means it's time to plan the garden! What do we witches consider to be essential, must-haves in the garden?

Alternative and holistic medicines are more commonplace today than they were just 5 years ago. People are (re)turning to plants and herbs for remedies. The truth is, these remedies are just the ones that were forgotten in favor of chemical laden, prescription medications.  As witches, we not only use these plants and herbs for healing, we are using them in our spell work and rituals. 

So what are these must-have healing and magickal plants? 

* Sage- Common garden sage is a must have in your witchy garden. It is just as effective at removing heavy energies and purification as white sage is. You can also plant white sage if you feel called to do so.  Cleansing is not the only thing this powerful herb does.  It is known for promoting wisdom and bringing good luck.  Because of its natural aroma, sage is also highly effective at keeping pests out of your garden. Medicinally, Sage contains over 160 distinct polyphenols, which are plant-based chemical compounds that act as antioxidants in your body. Sage is linked to impressive health benefits, such as a lower risk of cancer and improved brain function and memory.

*Rosemary- Another common kitchen herb, rosemary packs a powerful punch when it comes to cleansing and protection. Because rosemary is associated with loyalty, it is often used in love magicks and worn during handfasting ceremonies. Rosemary is for remembrance so it is often used or burned during Samhain rituals to honor the ancestors and it can also help facilitate past life recall. This versatile herb can also help to promote healthy hair. Recent studies are showing that it can actually help with hair growth by improving circulation and stimulating nerve growth in the scalp better than some of the prescriptions for alopecia. Rosemary's aroma is also a powerful tool against stress and anxiety. If that weren't enough, there are three immune boosting components found in Rosemary- anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, and anti-carcinogens.

*Calendula- This sunshiny flower is an important herb to include in your garden. The positive and cheerful energy makes a wonderful mood boosting tea/ tincture. Its association with the sun makes calendula a powerhouse when it comes to bringing good luck. Prophetic dreams and messages are also brought by the flowers- just tuck them into a sachet under your pillow. Calendula is revered for its healing properties for skin conditions. Petals can be incorporated into oils and salves for healing wounds, rashes, burns, acne and dry skin. Using tinctures taken internally, calendula is known for being an anti-fungal, antibacterial, helping to stimulate the lymphatic system, to stimulate the menses, and as a digestive anti-inflammatory.

*Mugwort- Artemisia Vulgaris honors the Greek goddess, Artemis. Like its namesake, the plant is associated with the moon, cycles, women’s health, and childbirth. Mugwort can be used to help with menstruation and menopause. However, one of the well known and common uses for mugwort is for its capability to bring one into a deep meditative state and to help facilitate prophetic dreams and psychic experiences. Sister herb, Motherwort is also revered for relieving aches and pains associated with headaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle sprains. Motherwort is another ally during menopause, helping to ease hot flashes and hormone induce irritability. Motherwort can be used in spell work to promote inner trust and self-confidence. It can also be used in fertility spells/ magick.

*Basil- This common and highly aromatic herb is known for its ability to bring luck and abundance and prosperity so it is often included in money spells. Associated with Mars and the fire element, basil should be used for spell work or rituals to bring about strength, courage, and protection. This herb is often included in love and happiness spells. In the garden, basil will help to repel pests. Medicinally, this herb is antimicrobial as well as an anti-inflammatory and can be used to help treat illness. It can also relieve stress and anxiety and help one with mental clarity.  Holy Basil is close relative and makes a tasty herbal tea (Tulsi). It too has antimicrobial properties and can be effective when treating colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis. Holy Basil has an uplifting energy bringing you lightness and warmth. This herb is also known for being an adaptogen and helps to protect the body from the negative effects of stress. 

*Echinacea- This plant is more well known for its immune boosting capabilities. Roots, seeds, and the fresh or dried flowers can be used to make a tasty herbal tea.  Magickal uses include power, success and the ability to strengthen spells.

*Bee Balm (Bergamot)- This beautiful plant is one of the best at attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Its aromatic scent and enticing flavor makes a wonderful tea and can help one unwind and de-stress. One can use dried flowers in a sachet to bring restful sleep

and possibly interesting dreams. Keep dried flowers/ leaves in your wallet or purse to attract money. It can also be sprinkled (dried) or planted outside the home to draw abundance and prosperity. Due to its high thymol content, bee balm has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anesthetic properties. It can be used in mouthwashes, foot baths, and douches to relieve odor and/ or itching. It can also be infused into a wash for minor cuts and scrapes.

*Mint- This herb is yet another powerful ally for prosperity magick. Because it is associated with the planet Mercury and the element of air, mint can be used in spells to help facilitate good communication, whether it is with a person, spirit guide or deity.  Mint is wonderful at providing mental clarity either in a spell or taking internally such as in a tea. This herb is known to help alleviate upset or unsettled stomachs, relieve tension headaches and support sinus health and aid in decongestion. 

*Lavender- This magickal herb is known and regarded for its ability to aid in relaxation and promote restful sleep.  Use in a tea or in spell work to help with dream recall. Lavender is also known to help bring happiness into a space. Hang or plant near your front door to ensure that negative energies stay away and only happiness, love and joy may enter. Lavender has also been used in love/ fidelity spells. Lavender can be used to treat headaches, nervous disorders, and exhaustion. Additionally, lavender oil can be used to treat skin conditions such as fugal infections, minor cuts and scrapes, eczema, and acne. 

Other plants and herbs to consider are yarrow, feverfew, chamomile, stinging nettle, vervain, meadowsweet, hyssop, St. John's wort, comfrey, sunflowers, jasmine, dandelions, and roses. 

For anyone considering planting an herb garden or working with them in the future, I recommend purchasing herbal, plant, and flower dictionaries.  One of my favorites is Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham. One can also find a wealth of knowledge online.

If you cannot plant a full herb garden, consider plants that might do well in container gardens or windowsill boxes. You can't go wrong by having these amazing plants easily at your disposal. Get creative and Happy Gardening!

**Please note, one should always seek medical attention when necessary and ask their doctor before starting an alternative or holistic herbal regimen.**

How Adventure Saved Me: Domesticated Wreck to Wild Woman Rising

My soul was suffering.  Suicidal thoughts plagued me daily.  It took an enormous effort just to get through each day.  The same monotonous life, day in and day out.  Get up, get the kids ready, take them to school, go to work, boring fucking office job that I hated but still had to be grateful for because it helped to pay the bills, pick up the kids after work, make dinner, get the kids ready for bed, go to bed myself only to get up and do it all over again the next day.  Mixed in there, of course, are the other usual things like cleaning and doing laundry (so much fucking laundry).  There were gymnastics classes, soccer, basketball and 

baseball games.  Those did offer some rays of sunshine into what I considered an otherwise drab existence. Don't get me wrong, I love my children dearly and they are the ONLY reason I kept going but I remember feeling like I was missing something.  There was some puzzle piece that needed to be fit into place.

"We should try backpacking," my then-husband says out of the blue one day.  Me with a puzzled look on my face, "Huh? What are you talking about?"  "Backpacking.  I heard some people talking about it," he says.  "You get a big backpack and have all of the gear, food, etc. that you need to survive for a few days and you head out into the wilderness.  What do you think?"  I'm sitting there, mulling this idea over and wondering if it's possible.  The thought of surviving out of a backpack wasn't the issue.  I was in love with the idea the moment he explained it.  The issue... we lived in Texas.  Not a ton of "wilderness" readily available, at least not what I considered to be wilderness.  "Sure, I'm in.  But where would we go?" I ask.  So the planning began.   

A few trips to the local sporting goods store ended up with a mountain of gear and supplies.  Backpacks, a cook set, fuel canisters, and a backpacking stove, sleeping bags and pads, tent, nifty dehydrated meals, the list goes on.  We were so uneducated it was funny.  We brought an axe.  AN AXE.  That thing weighed a ton!  Now we just needed a destination.  I wanted to keep it simple and close for the first time out.  It would be just the two of us to see how it went.  I planned a canoe float trip that was only a few hours from home but seemingly in the middle of nowhere.  Perfect!  This also made it much easier for us to be able to

have our packs in the canoe instead of having to try to carry all of the unnecessary (and HEAVY!) things we had acquired.  The company we enlisted would haul us and the canoe upstream to a put-in point.  We would then float down the 26 miles over the next couple of days to the company's property which was our ending point.  We could camp anywhere we wanted along the river as long as there wasn't a "Private Property" sign.

I had been car and RV camping as a child and always loved it but I couldn't imagine what this "roughing it" experience would do for me as an adult.  Upon setting out into the wilderness, I remember being thoroughly giddy.  This is a feeling that I hadn't had in a very long time.  I felt like I could breathe for the first time in ages.  We canoed, we fished, set up camp along the river, made a campfire, ate dehydrated meals, stargazed and fell asleep to the coyote's song.  I was a little sore the next morning from having paddled the canoe the day before but that didn't matter.  For the first time that I could remember since being a child, my soul felt alive.  This.  This was the missing puzzle piece.  The wilderness, being one with nature, the adventure.

After returning home I felt rejuvenated.  This was exactly what I had needed so I did what any (somewhat) sane person would do.  I started planning the next adventure.  Obviously, we needed to get our shit together as far as our gear was concerned.  We couldn't afford new gear right then after already having spent a small fortune on the "wrong" stuff.  I started researching backpacking and gear, subscribed to several outdoors magazines like Backpacker and Outside so that when it came time to make new 

purchases I would be well educated.  I researched places to go, "must do trails" and figured out how long it would take to get there since a lot of them were out-of-state.  "If we take turns driving overnight then we'll get to the trailhead around 4 am and can sleep for a couple of hours in the car before hitting the trail," was a common thought when it came to destinations.  Crazy, I know but you do what you must for the sake of the adventure.

New Mexico, just outside of Ruidoso, was the next adventure.  This was a true backpacking trip.  There was something so exhilarating about having everything I needed to survive for the next 3 days stuffed into a pack and carrying it on my back.  The packs were still heavy as fuck but I didn't mind.  I was young and could handle whatever it took to be able to be out there.  My first time backpacking, doing it at elevation, having come from basically sea level, 16 miles over 3 days and I rocked it!  I was officially addicted.  THIS is my happy place.

The planning and going, the time put in researching and then being able to carry out that plan, that is what saved me.  The adventure fed my soul and gave me back something that I was desperately needing but it was the planning that kept me going day to day.  I had a trip planned every summer to an outdoor destination, spring break, and every 3-day weekend was mapped out to include a backpacking adventure.  When I was feeling down, I would research destinations.  It didn't matter that I already had stuff planned.  The thought of a new place, a new adventure helped me to make it through some very dark times.  I would remember the feelings while on the trail.  I'd look through the photos and I'd think about the sounds, the smells, and how my pack felt, the comforting weight of it.  "If I can just make it to the next trip, I'll be fine," became my mantra.   

I know first hand what suicide can do to a family.  I made a promise to my children to never put them through that so that is the reason I held on when I wanted nothing more than to give up.  I guess one would argue that it was my kids that saved me.  While that is not untrue, I was simply going through the motions of what needed to be done.  I was existing without living.  Adventure is what saved me from the dark abyss, the prison that had trapped my soul.  Yes, I still struggled but now I had something to look forward to. The coals of a long-dormant fire had been stoked and it now burned within me and has yet to be extinguished.  I am not saying that backpacking is for everyone because it isn't.  However, there is a healing quality within nature.  Adventure gives us back something we lose in the transition from childhood to adulthood.  I know it saved me from a place that I couldn't have dug myself out of otherwise. 

I honestly believe that it is time for us to rewild ourselves in order to save ourselves. 

Peace, love, and light.  Blessed be.

*If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, please seek help.  You are not alone! *
   

  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

            Call 1-800-273-8255

Rabbit Animal Guide

Rabbit, the iconic symbol of the spring season.  

Rabbits live on every continent except Antarctica, thus appearing in the mythologies and folklore of different cultures around the world. "The Ojibwe and other Algonquin tribes associate the rabbit with their god, Nanabozho. He is a creator deity who named all of the world’s plants and animals. For the Aztecs, the rabbit symbolized fertility, drinking, and parties. The Aztecs told stories about the Centzon Totochtin, which consisted of 400 rabbit gods. Evidence of the ancient Egyptians celebrating springtime in ways that are similar to how many of us celebrate Easter today date back to at least 2300 BC.  The Egyptians depicted hares, eggs, the sunrise, and the resurrection of their god Osiris in the Book of the Dead, other hieroglyphs, and artwork. The Celts also associated rabbits with fairies, believing the two communicated when they were underground. The Celts also believed certain people could shape shift into rabbits, thus they had taboos about killing them.  In some Buddhist stories, Buddha is said to have been a hare in an earlier incarnation." *from UniGuide: Stories and Guides for Nature Lovers and Spiritual Seekers by Kristen M. Stanton 

Rabbits symbolize fertility, sensitivity, gentleness, haste, new beginnings, the moon, prosperity, and good luck. 

Many of us have heard the term "breeding like rabbits".  This is because rabbits reach sexual maturity at a very young age, sometimes as early as 2-3 months old and females can have several litters a year.  If you and your partner need a little extra help with fertility, call on Rabbit to assist you with the magick.  Rabbit can also help with other types of "fertility" such as manifestation or garden witch work to help with soil fertility.  Because of this, Rabbit is also associated with prosperity. 

Rabbits are highly sensitive creatures.  Their large ears help them perceive noises that we cannot along with their large, round eyes that take in everything.  If Rabbit has hopped into your life, they could be telling you that there is an issue you need to be more sensitive about.  If Rabbit is your life animal guide, then you are more than likely a highly sensitive person.

With their quiet, gentle nature, Rabbit reminds us to treat ourselves gently. Stay clear of behaviors that affect you negatively.  They also remind us that others are walking their own soul journey and that we should be kind, empathetic and compassionate.

Is Rabbit dashing through your dreams?  This could be telling you that there is an issue or circumstance that needs to be handled with haste or on the flip side, you might be acting in haste and should take caution.

A woman's cycle follows the moon, a 28-day cycle just as the moon circles the earth in 28 days.  Because women's menstruation is a sign of her fertility, it isn't a far stretch to see how the Rabbit (a symbol of fertility) became associated with the moon as well.  Rabbit would be a powerful ally to call upon during the new or waxing moon for intentions and manifestation magick. 

Are you looking to start over? A new home, a new career, a new relationship or getting out of one and on your own, or possibly your spiritual path?  As a symbol of spring which is all about renewal and new beginnings, call on Rabbit to help assist you with the transition. 

While Rabbit may seem like a small and shy creature, we should not take their magick for granted.  Rabbit's energy will work side by side with you for fertility, luck and prosperity, and new beginnings. 

Shamanism: Myth and Fact

The beating of drums as chants are sung and danced out around the fire echoes through the night. Maidens and warriors alike join in the celebration of the hunt. The blind crone shakes her rattle in time with the pounding of the feet that surround her as she offers up her thanks to Mother Earth and Father Sky. The howl of the wolf in the distance is an answering tune, hauntingly beautiful. These may be some of the images that are conjured when the word “Shaman” comes up.

Shamanism has long been associated with the Native American people however, many indigenous cultures have a shamanic healer amongst their tribe. "The word shaman originates from the Tungus tribe in Siberia. Anthropologists coined this term and have used it to refer to the spiritual and ceremonial leaders among indigenous cultures worldwide. The word shamanism can be used to describe the ancient spiritual practices of these indigenous cultures. Clearly, the countless similarities between various ancient traditions played a role in the continual generalization of the word." -from Dance of the Deer Foundation. The Shaman or "Medicine Man or Woman" is typically revered and holds a high place with the elders of the tribe. Shamanism is shrouded in mysticism so let’s look at the myths and facts related to this practice and learn what it is to feel the Call of the Shaman.  

Myth: Shamanism is akin to witchcraft and Paganism.

Fact: Shamanism is a healing tradition that holds no religious ties to specific deities and no spells are performed.  Shamans do work closely with Spirit and spiritual energies such as animal spirit medicine. Shamans direct these spirits or spiritual energies into the physical world, for healing or other purposes.  

Myth: Shamans use drugs like peyote to have their visions.

Fact: “Shamanism is a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with what they believe to be a spirit world and channel these transcendental energies into this world.” from Wikipedia. Most journey work is done through simple meditation techniques and not the use of mind-altering substances. Shamans are people that have the natural ability to “walk between worlds”.

Myth: Only indigenous people can be shamans.

Fact: Being a shaman is a calling. It is an awakening to the other orders of reality and an opening up to the visionary realms that form the essence of Shamanic vision. If a Caucasian American female feels The Call to learn and practice the shamanic path, then so be it. This is a contract between the soul and Spirit. 

Myth:  The tribe chooses the shaman.

Fact: In some cultures, the shaman is chosen through lineage. In other cultures, it is through specific external signs and proclamations of what those signs mean. Shamanistic cultures are incredibly diverse and there is no single way a shaman is identified. Shamans are also awakening outside of the indigenous tribes and showing up in modern-day suburbia. They are seeking out teachers and mentors to help them answer The Call and walk the Medicine Wheel. 

Myth: Shamans shouldn’t charge a fee.

Fact: Shamans are performing a service to another, so exchanging money, goods, or a trade of services is entirely acceptable.

Myth: Modern shamanism is a career choice.

Fact: Shamanism, “as expressed through a universal archetypal soul expression”, is not a career choice; it is a calling from Spirit. Shamans are defined by specific experiences and through specific signs. These signs can be culturally defined or through personal investigation, but they are essential for defining a shaman as a specific type of healer who works in specific ways.  

Through the ages, the practice of Shamanism has remained vital.  Shamans not only work to heal individuals but also the community and the land.  Do you feel The Call of the Shaman?

Common Misconceptions about Wicca, Witches, and Witchcraft

Heretic, Satan-worshiper, seductress… these are the words that have historically been used to describe someone that was considered a witch. With many people becoming increasingly frustrated with organized religion, some of them are turning to Wicca or other forms of Paganism. Despite what people have believed in the past, being Wiccan or a witch is becoming “a more acceptable practice.” This is because as a collective, Wiccans and other Pagans are finally dispelling the previous misconceptions.

Satan- Worshipper:  Wiccans and witches do not believe in the Christian’s Satan. While there are

groups of people that do have ties to what is considered Satan, they are not, and never have been Wiccan or witches. It is believed that this misconception may have come from the fact that the majority of witches do acknowledge the Horned God. One of his many forms is the Celtic deity, Cernunnos, the God of nature and fertility. 

White and Black Magick:  “Magick” is simply the act of directing energy into a specific outcome or desire. It isn’t good or bad, it’s neutral. The intent behind the spell is what is important. Most witches follow the “Law of Three”, meaning if you should seek to harm someone then it will come back to you threefold. Also, even a well-intended spell can backfire if the result of it is not meant to be.

Dancing Naked Under the Full Moon:  Yes, witches do acknowledge the phases of the moon. While the new and full moon are both filled with powerful energy for ritual or spell-work, the

majority of modern witches do not practice naked or “skyclad”. This misconception comes from the ancients when more Pagans were practicing nude because they felt clothing disrupted the energy flow. Most witches today wear simple robes during spell or ritual work.

All Witches are Female:  There is a beautiful and also violent history for women and witchcraft. Many women have used witchcraft to tap into their own power and potential to survive the once very male-dominated society however, magick is genderless and there are many practicing male witches. Gerald Gardner is the founder of modern witchcraft as we know it, Gardnerian Wicca.

Familial Witch Lineage: You do not need to come from a long line of witches to be a witch. The energy of magick does not care about your family lineage. Witchcraft is a path you are drawn to and choose for yourself.

Religion: Wicca is a nature-based religion.  The thought that one must be Wiccan to practice witchcraft is simply untrue.  There is a newer concept of "Christian Witches". These witches hold on to their Christian roots and God but also practice magick.  It is also untrue that someone that is Wiccan always practices witchcraft.  One can be Wiccan, honor Pagan deities, and the Sabbats without ever casting a circle or spell. It is also a misconception that Wiccans have a "Dark Bible".  Wiccans and witches have no bible.  They may have a Book of Shadows which is simply a collection of their rituals, spells, journal work, and other such entries. 

Animal Sacrifice: The Wiccan Rede states "And ye harm none, do what ye will," and since Wicca is a nature-based religion, it is encouraged to respect all living things.  Witches typically follow this rule as well and thus would not practice the slaughter of animals for ritualistic purposes. Offerings may be made to chosen deities but are typically bread, fruit, wine, or flowers. Many witches include things such as bones or feathers on their altar but these would be items "gifted" by nature.

Joining a Coven and Training are a Must: There is a popular theory that all witches belong to a coven and must have years of extensive training before calling themself a true witch and practicing magick.  There aren't any exact numbers on the ratio of coven witches to those that are solitary but one does not need to join a coven to be a witch.  While some covens require learning their particular practice, it is not necessary to have any type of "Witch 101" course to practice magick.  It is, however, always advised to read and learn.  Know the basics of circle casting, get to know the deities that are being honored, and be familiar with the Wheel of the Year.  Plus, learning is fun, especially if this is one's true path.

As the misconceptions surrounding witchcraft continue to fall, you just might find yourself or that you have a friend stepping out of the broom closet.

Balancing Your Spiritual Energy

                                           

For all of us witches, energy workers, empaths, and other highly sensitive people out there, if your spiritual energy becomes unbalanced, you will begin to feel it. These imbalances can eventually manifest into very real physical symptoms.  If you are getting sick often, continually have an upset stomach, struggle with anxiety and/or depression, or suffer from adrenal fatigue, these issues, and many more can be linked to manifestations of energetic imbalances.  As my High Priestess would say, "Is this a physical manifestation of an energetic problem?" 

Your energy centers, or chakras, need loving care, just like the rest of you. There is a

multitude of ways to balance each one individually but for today, let’s focus on the whole. Tried and true, these simple workings can make a big difference for your overall spiritual and energetic health.

* Breathwork: The simple act of sitting still and focusing on your breath can do wonders when it comes to realigning your spiritual energy. When you concentrate on the breath, it gets you out of your head, bringing attention to the feeling of the body. It also helps to release tension and pent up emotions. When we can release, it naturally brings us back to our center.  There are many downloadable sessions out there or printouts that will walk you through the different exercises. 

* Meditation: Take the breathwork a step further and sink into a meditation.  A deep meditation is highly restorative as it brings you to your true self. Let all of those thoughts and troubles slip away for just a while.  You simply exist as pure awareness in those moments and this allows the energy centers to purge and heal themselves. Meditation can also be used to unblock specific chakras as well as ground our overall energy.

* Yoga: Like breath work, yoga is a concentration on the breath but taken even further as it is applied to movement, stretching, and holding poses. It too gets you out of your head and into your body. The unique combination of poses and breath work can unblock your energy centers, releasing the vital life force, or prana and thus helping to realign your spiritual energy. You can attend a class or practice within your own home.  There are apps and streaming available for various forms of yoga as well as those sequences that focus on the chakras. 

* Nature walks: Walking within nature fosters mindfulness of the earth beneath your feet, the air that you breathe, and the natural sounds around you. When you are focused on the trail in front of you, the sounds and smells of Mother Earth, and even animal friend encounters, it gets you out of your head.  Studies have shown that a connection with nature is one way to reduce stress, and other harmful emotions, as well as ground your energy.  This helps to keep you mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy while also realigning your spiritual energy. 

Music: Music, tones, and chanting can be utilized to balance the chakras.  Each one responds to a specific sound-healing frequency known as solfeggio frequencies. These frequencies make up an ancient 6-tone scaled used in sacred music and chanting. Music or sounds that generate these vibrations help balance and assist with the flow of energy and bring you back into balance. You can listen to these tones or chanting but I have found that when I follow along and chant myself, it brings about greater changes within my energy field. Tibetan singing bowls are another tool that creates a frequency to unblock the energies of the chakras.

Being aware of and taking your energetic health into your own hands is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  These simple yet very effective methods will help you ensure your spiritual energy stays balanced.  Take care!

Wild Child Lost

                                                              The Wild Child

When you're the girl that is always barefoot, can be found tromping through the creek during the summer, and more than likely running around with a reptile or insect of some sort, you quickly earn the titles "wild child" and "tomboy".  I was always "that" girl.  The one that her grandmother had to explain to the reason why she could no longer run around outside without a shirt on during the hot days just before starting Kindergarten.  The one that excitedly brought in toads, grass snakes, and a variety of insects to show the adults.  The one that would lie down on the back patio at night during the summer when the tarantulas were out so that I might get lucky and one would crawl on me.

I was never one that was content to be inside.  If the weather was permitting, and truthfully, lots of times when the adults said it wasn't, you would find me outside.  The Texas heat never seemed to bother me as a child nor did the cold or the rain.  It was almost like I was completely impervious to the weather.  Being outside was going home as opposed to the indoors that just felt stifling.  If I wasn't outside, I wasn't happy.  There are times that I remember simply sitting in the dirt and just "being".  I would listen to all of nature's sounds and see how many I could identify.  I was a true wild child.  Bare feet caked with mud, dirt under my fingernails, and my hair a tangled mess.  Yep.  That was me.

I lived every day for those simple childhood pleasures, the ones we took for granted back then.  Remember what if feels like to squish mud between your toes or the feeling of the sun on your face as you lie in the cool grass?   What about sitting under a big shade tree looking at picture books, reading them as you got older, or even climbing that tree?  How about being out all day playing and then begging to stay out just a little longer for dusk so that you could see the fireflies?  Making mud pies, digging up earthworms, and playing with rolly pollies,  that was where my little heart was happy and my soul was calm.  It was an aching, desperate need that I never could get enough of.

                                          The Disconnect From Nature

In my short 42 years, I have been witness to a huge disconnect from nature in society.   This is beginning with childhood and progressing from there. My need to be outside, immersed in nature has never diminished.  If anything, it has only gotten stronger over the years, however, I had to "grow up" and "act my age".  I remember hitting 6th grade and being shocked that there wasn't a "recess" time.  You spent all day inside the school (which eventually lead to anxiety for me but that's a topic for Part 2 of this post).  This is how it was from 6th grade until the day I graduated high school.  You didn't get any time to just simply sit outside and be.  If you played sports then there was, of course, time out of doors if that sport required it but the volleyball girls were content to run laps around the gym (thankfully I played tennis).  Any real, quality time that you got to be outside was to be done on your own time, weekends, and such.  Not many people I knew wanted that though.  Girls wanted to go to the mall and the boys were usually where the girls were.  I had obligations to attend to outside of school... homework, boyfriend, girlfriends, work, and chores at home.  Even with all of that, I still tried to find little ways to get in some time outside.  When the weather was nice, I would sit at a small table that I got at a second-hand store for the back patio to do homework.  I offered to mow the lawn for my parents just so I could have that precious hour in the sunshine.   Needless to say, my time with nature grew less and less the older I got.

The really scary thing is, most people don't realize that this is happening or if they do, they simply accept it as part of life, the "growing up process".  I keep asking myself how and why we let this happen.  Maybe we would like to forget where it is we came from.  While we are "so much more civilized" today, we are doing more harm to ourselves than good.  As we "grew up" we began to disengage from the natural world. We were once a people that spent the majority of our time outside in nature, being one with it, appreciating it, and letting it help us to provide for ourselves and our families.  How did it become a luxury to have enough leisure time to be able to play outside, hiking, camping or simply sitting and reading under that tree?  Maybe you plan a family vacation once a year to some outdoorsy type location but that does not give us the time outside that we need, that our bodies and souls crave on a level that we once understood but have somehow forgotten or choose to ignore.  Our need to feel evolved and civilized fuels this disconnect from nature, setting us back more than we realize.  We called the Native Americans savages because of the way they lived but in reality, they are the ones that still had it right.

Another huge contributing factor in the Nature Disconnect is our need to have more.  We want bigger homes, fancier cars and just more stuff in general.  Why does anyone NEED a closet that is as big as my childhood bedroom filled with clothing that they will probably never wear, shoes, purses, and other accessories?  The simple fact is that they don't, but feel like they do.  This means that someone is putting in more hours at the office to help pay for all of that.  More time at the office means less leisure time and in turn, less nature time.  I hear people say, "I would hike if I had more free time."  Meanwhile, I'm looking at their designer suit, $65,000 car and their 5,500 square foot house thinking, "Maybe if you weren't chained to your office to pay for all of your "needs", you would have more free time."  This is where that "luxury time" comes in.  What are people doing in the precious little time that they have away from work?  The "American Dream" has become the "American Greed".  I do want to make one thing clear here though, I in no way look down on those people that have large houses or drive fancy cars.  I am simply saying that you cannot state that you wish to have more time to be in nature and choose to remain chained to your desk.  We make time for the things that are truly important to us.

Our obsession with electronics and social media is yet another topic to acknowledge when discussing our disconnect from nature.  We somehow feel the need or urge to be connected all of the time.  The "connected" has become misplaced.  I make jokes about people having their cell phones surgically implanted if possible.  We can always be reached by phone, email, messenger apps, texts, ect.  We spend our weekends binge-watching the hottest shows on Netflix and our children can't go one day without the television or their tablets.  Yes, I had Saturday morning cartoons but I would watch my two favorites and then be outside for the rest of the day.  Yes, I watch television a couple of nights a week but the other nights, I spend time with my dog at the park or sitting outside reading.  I spend my weekends hiking, biking, and/or skiing.  Children, in general, spent way more time outside playing, getting dirty, riding bicycles, and just being children.  Now children are spending their time on the computer or attached to their gaming system.  We are using devices like IPads and our smartphones to keep our children happy while at the grocery store and then at home so that Mom or Dad can get work emails typed out on a Saturday afternoon when they should be engaging the kids in something outside instead.  While it is true that no one ever had to tell me to go

outside and play, the parents of today need to do a better job of encouraging their children to do just that.  I know this is a lot to ask considering the fact that those adults themselves are less engaged with nature. For many young adults and even those a bit older, nature has become nothing more than a hashtag, the perfect Instagram photo, or likes on Facebook.

                            The Need for Repairing the Nature Disconnect

While I understand that my need to be outside may be greater than that of the general population, I cannot be the only person that has suffered from the disconnect from nature.  Every one of us needs contact with nature in some way to be healthy and whole.  I cannot be the only person that is taking note of what is happening to us because of this.  Studies show a rise in depression and anxiety throughout society in general.  There is now scientific evidence that proves time in nature helps to heal.  It lowers anxiety, blood pressure, and helps with depressive episodes.  Providing help with these issues is just the beginning of what nature offers in the way of healing our minds, bodies, and souls.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Disconnect from Nature where I will be discussing the problems associated with the disconnect and how to help heal it and yourself.

Peace, Love, and Light.  Blessed Be.

 

** Please note that while I may discuss nature's ability to heal, I am not a licensed doctor or therapist.  Please seek professional medical help if you are experiencing depression or severe anxiety. **