Sunday, May 22, 2011

Sea Priestess Training - Week One

This week's focus is on untangling yourself from allover complications.  Over complication is a time and joy thief, designed to rob you of your free- will, your divine thoughts, and giving you permission to struggle.  We have been taught out entire lives the our 'path' is one long horrible struggle.  But this is only true if you choose it to be.  It is a choice you make at an early age.  It's not a bad or good choice, just a choice that needs to be re-examined.  It is for you to decide if this choice continues to serve a purpose for you, if it is useful for your spiritual growth, or not.  You might consider quietly settling into your own presence, you own journey, your own heart, your own experience, your own path, and your own thoughts.  Some of us don't even know our own thoughts.  We feel we need to wait and find out what other people are saying before we speak.  We can not allow ourselves to enter other peoples drama, other peoples  journeys, other peoples stories, other peoples purpose or others thoughts; they only rob us of our own.

"There are people that desire to experience lessons through the veil of need and/or some form of pain.  There are other people that enjoy the veil of drama.  If that is you, then enjoy that choice; know you will experience life and learn many valuable lessons through these veils, but know it is YOU whom selected your learning method.  All methods are equally valuable.  You will deal with people that think they see reality very clearly and will be glad to tell you all that they know, and tell you how they see your reality.  be patient with these sweet souls; after a while they will run out of steam and look up to see the sublime of what is, and begin to experience what is.  They want to impress people with all they know and all they do, in hopes that people will look up to them.  In reality, they are doing it backwards and by approaching people backwards, they are creating the very opposite results they are trying to achieve for themselves.  Someday they will rest, not within their head knowledge, but within their own Being.  They will see they are already fathomless love, they will begin to ask wonderful questions; not about things outside themselves, but inside the soul."*
 
Consider for a moment a person who is a bragger.  They really want people to admire them for all they know and all they have accomplished.  But no one admires them because they have chosen the 'big ego veil' to learn their lessons.  The 'big ego' needs to be validated every waking moment.  The truth is, they are already validated, they just don't see it.  It is up to you to figure out what your 'veil' is.  No one can do the work but you.  If , in the future, you choose to be an "Un-teacher", or one who helps others to remove their veils, remember that you cannot do the work for others, they must do that for themselves.  You will be putting the spotlight on the student, not yourself.    All of your actions will show that you are focused on your student.   Everyone, deep inside, wants to be the best person they can be.  Some personalities are just trying to figure out how to do that.

For now, focus on yourself, what you need to remove from you.  As yourself if you have outgrown your way of thinking, doing, being.  Are you doing anything to make the necessary changes in your life?  What is holding you back?  We think we know what reality is for ourselves, but we do not.  Some of these thoughts/beliefs were placed on us by our parents, some by our teaches, some by our friends, but most by our own hands.  We think we have insight into other peoples lives, but we are only seeing them through our own veils.  We value or devalue others by our own standards, which only causes people to move farther apart from each other, instead of closer together.  We need to focus on our own veils and allow others to focus on theirs in order to bring all people back together in peace and love.

Remember, for every veil you remove, a gift will rise in its place.  "We find it easier to lay down physicality and replace it with Spirit, yet never losing focus on practicality.  For it is important to have one foot in both worlds."*  Exploring beyond our physicality brings us to a place where our focused thoughts become our reality.  We realize that all realities are mutable.  All physical realities are a veil.  There are no limits of reality.  There are no boundaries!  It is the ego centered mind that is constantly 'reminding' us that there is death, there is an end.  Which is, of course, the biggest cosmic lie of all!  Our ego says "We all die".  The Universe says "How can consciousness die?"  It can't, therefore we can't, it is not possible.  Death is only another veil.  We are taught from birth to fear death.  But how can you fear that which is not real?  Yes, our physical bodies will 'die'.  But we are not our bodies.  We are not our flesh, bones, and blood.  It is only a shell used to experience this world with.  We, what makes us US, is our spirit.  Our consciousness.  We are all a part of the Divine Source.  Therefore, we cannot die.  No one can kill us.  Nothing can make us die, because Divine cannot be killed.  We are made of Divine substance, connected to and part of the Divine.  Even our bodies does not truly die, but transforms to another beautiful frequency...it becomes food for the planet.

If we want to change what we are receiving in this life, we must change how we perceive life.  Begin to see others as they truly are,  Divine.  Yes, love others as you love yourself, love yourself as the Divine creature that you are.  We are all part of the same whole.  "Allow all veils to die, not us.  Allow all hurt to die, not us.  Allow all fear to die, not us.  Allow all resentment to die, not us.  Allow all hate to die, not us.  Allow the veils to fall away, not us.  Allow the water to become clear."*  If we want to change things around us, we must first change the way we perceive things by ridding ourselves of all our veils.  Fear will dissolve into nothing.  Fear will lose its control.  Live this life as if you were immortal, because, in a sense, you are.  Remove all of your fear, all of your veils, all outside influences, all of your excuses.  Realize that you have complete control over your life.  When you do, you become a force of nature.

Ask yourself  what restrictions you place on yourself.  Who are you blaming? (Blame is an excuse dressed up in a blame costume)  Do you allow your past to make your present decisions for you?  Do you allow your fears to decide for you?  There are no excuses that can stop us...NONE!  Even if you think you have nothing, this is still not a valid excuse.  You have everything you need to achieve your goals.  You are connected to everything, do not let this scare you.  Take accountability and find your own answers.  Remove the physical veil that is making you forget what you learned in past lives.  Let go of the fear 'security blanket'!  We all know that we are working on a much larger plan than we can possibly fathom.  We get glimpses of how big we truly are.  All of our aspects of our developments are Divinity's development through us.  We are Her hands, we are Her eyes, we are Her voice, and we are Her movement.  She expands through us as we expand through Her.

If you feel that you have 'too many' veils, look at each one and decide if it is truly a veil.  Approach the problem from the solution end.  Focus only on the solution, not on the problem.  If you think you don't know what you want, consider this....Have you ever asked yourself what you want?  Do not use your children as an excuse.  Know that you have the highest calling when you are caring for children.  Your children want you to attain your goals.  They are smarter than we think.  :)  Do not think that you have to have a full grasp of the veil concept.  After all, you drive your car without knowing every tiny thing about it, don't you?  If you think that you are completely content with your life, then enjoy!  Are you wondering what was so important about the death topic?  It is one of the great Universal fears shared by most people.  If we look death square in the face, we will see it for what it isn't.  It loses its fear grip on us and allowing us to remove that veil.  If you can remove that fear veil, then you can remove the others as well.  And last, if you want to know how a loving Deity can allow war.....My Deity didn't.

Teachers Mutterings (great little points here that I wanted to share)
~Remove distortions
~Remove filters you think are protecting you, they are not
~You have all control within your life
~You have everything you need to live the life you have chosen
~Most experiences are seen as external events, they are not; instead external events, projections of our life lessons, and our perceptions onto 'reality' we create, internally.
~Create your life on purpose
~Fear, ego and other illusions make it seem there are many 'things' out there, that is un-true
~There is no loss, in reality only change, from life to life, breathing and not breathing, and breathing again
~It is a colossal waste of time to fear


*direct quotes from lesson




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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Daily Draw Postponed....

So I started a new class at WitchSchool.com called Becoming A Sea Priestess/Priest.  Yeah, I know it sounds a little fru fru.  But once I got past the title of the course, I came to realize that it is all about reclaiming yourself., breaking through all the crap that builds up over a lifetime of being told "That's not real", "You can't do that", getting past all of the self imposed limitations, and getting back to YOU.  We all have gifts from the gods.  This class helps to reclaim those gifts and bring them out of the shadows and back into the light.
Unfortunately the course requires you to put aside all outside tools "that take up your time and power".  What that means is no more tarot until I'm done with the course.  However, I will continue to post about my journey through "Hogworts". *giggle*  There will still be essays, pictures, and other such random musings just like always.
On that note, I will leave you with one last reading, this time a little different.  This one will be a 3 card spread.  I picked up a tip the other day so I'm going to try it out.  Not looking at the book, I'm simply going to write what I see on the cards.  Then I'll see how that applies to my day/life.  Then I'll give the "actual" definition just to compare.  Feel free to grab your cards and see if you 'see' what I 'see'. :) This should be fun!

XI - Justice          IX Cups      IV Rods
Not putting up pics, simply to save room.
I see a woman balancing her spiritual and mundane lives . Achieving this gives her great satisfaction in all aspects of her life; spiritual,
physical and emotional.  I see great joy and well being. 

What this says to me is that I am on the right path.  This road that I have chosen to take, that has chosen me, is the path that will lead to balance, happiness and love.  If I'm right, YAY!


Book Says: 
(1st card) Setting a confused life to order successfully.
(2nd card) Contentment with friends and accomplishments.
(3rd card) Established home, success is well deserved.

Guess I wasn't too far off after all.   :) 




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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Morals vs Ethics in the Pagan Life

Time flies when you're feeling icky.  I've been under the weather for the last week or so and have not been posting like I should.  I do apologize for this.  However, I did venture out last night to my first ever Pagan gathering.  It is my understanding that there was supposed to be a ritual but unfortunately it was postponed.  Instead, we had a little miniature class on Ethics vs Morals.  Very interesting stuff.

You see morals are nothing more that a person conforming to standards of what is right or just in behavior, meaning what others believes to be right or wrong.  Ethics, on the other hand, is a set of principles of right conduct.  You see the difference?  Here's an example:  Sally, a wife, asks John, her husband, for some personal time in the bedroom.  John doesn't feel like performing at the moment because he is involved in an online game of poker and doesn't want to walk away from his online friends.  Sally's friend from Temple comes over to do some studying.  John tells Sally's friend, "Hey, my wife has needs that I don't feel like fulfilling at the moment.  Would you go in there and take care of her for me?"  Now here's the question:  Is it ethical for Sally's friend to do what John asks?  Yes, it is ethical.  He was asked to do it.  Is it moral?  Probably not.  But in the realm of Paganism, we don't deal so much in morals we deal in ethics.  Unfortunately, so many of us come from Judeo-Christian homes and therefore Morals have been drilled into our heads.  So when presented with a situation like the one above, we immediately think "Oh no.  That's wrong.  I can't do that.  It wouldn't be right", because we're thinking morally not ethically. As far as John is concerned, you'd be doing him a favor.

Now I'm not saying this is something that happens every day.  It is simply an example that was presented last night that stuck in my brain.  The point here is to always be mindful of your ethics in any situation.  Do not hold yourself to the morals of others.  To do so will inhibit your magickal workings as well as your daily life. 




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Sunday, May 8, 2011

Daily Draw for Sunday, May 8, 2011 - Mother's Day :-)

Today's card is:
Interpretation:  Deserved rewards.  Triumph.  Eternal life.  Peace and joy in a new home.

What a wonderful card to draw today!  Rewards....Triumph....Eternal life....Peace and joy.  Oh I can hardly wait for this one.  I'm wondering if this is a sign that the decisions I've made recently concerning my relationship and my future.  Or maybe this card is simply telling me that the things I have suffered recently are about to end and a new, happier life awaits me.  Either way, I am content knowing that the end is near and that things will begin to look up.





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Saturday, May 7, 2011

Daily Draw for Saturday, May 7, 2011

Today's card is:
Interpretation: Fearless and confident young man who is career-minded and a conqueror.  He will stop at nothing and sacrifice anything to get what he wants.

Not entirely sure this card makes any sense today.  I haven't met any new people, mostly because I don't get out much, and I don't know anyone that fits this description.  I don't really see myself this way either, plus I'm a girl and this card refers to a guy.  I suppose that part doesn't matter but still.  So, if I don't know this person now, it stands to reason that I should be on the look out for him in the near future.  Always nice to know what to look for.






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You Call Me a Witch Like It's a Bad Thing..

I'm feeling very poetic today.

You call me witch like it's a bad thing
And this I don't really understandI
I pray for fertile crops
And the ending of wars
And for love in the heart of all men.

You call me witch like its a bad thing
But we're not so different, you and I
We both love our planet
And our families and friends
And even the strangers that pass by.

You call me a witch like its a bad thing
But still I try with all of my might
To think not but of good things
Of you and and you friends
And to bless you with love and with light.





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Maiden, Mother, Crone - A Poem

Maiden, Mother, Crone

Artemis, Maiden of Beauty
Shine your moonlight
On me when I'm young.

Hera, Mother of All
Smile on me
When your song is sung.

Hecate, Oldest and Wisest
Take my hand
When life is done





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As Above, So below

I wrote a paper for my 1st Degree studies at WSI on the concept of 'As Above, So Below' and thought I'd share it with you. 


As Above, So Below
Keaira Shadow Wolf

The principle "as above, so below" was first taught by Hermes Trismagistus in ancient Egypt.  His teachings led to the renowned magickal traditions we know today as Hermetic Theosphy, or Hermetics. Hermes explained the idea that all things we think and feel, as well as all minor objects and events in the universe are mirrored in the larger universe as a whole.  The idea is also portrayed by the phrase of "the macrosm" (the entire universe) is equal to the microsm (each of the tiny universes in existence).

It is said that every being in creation is like a mirror image reflecting the divine qualities of the Goddess and God .  As each cell in a person's body contains all the genetic code necessary to make an entire person, so does a person contain all the information within herself that is present in the deepest and most secret corners of the universe.

The two halves of the above/below (macrosm/microsm) complex, though seemingly different, are really just twins in disguise.  This principle is especially useful to people who perform any type of divination as well as Natural Magick.  By using certain herbs, oils, or gems, he is able to manipulate a small universe (his desires) and force the whole universe (physical reality) to reflect it.  For example, a witch might use Cinnamon as an amulet to draw money to himself.  By using an herb with the natural energy attuned to drawing money, he has set up his small universe in accordance with his desires.







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Friday, May 6, 2011

Daily Draw for Friday, May 6, 2011

Today's card is:
Interpretation:  Inspiration, insight and understanding. Mental and physical health. A new life and openness to new ideas and concepts. Guidance from above is found within. Eternal life.

So, I know I've missed the passed couple of days.  So sorry.  Life happens. 
I like this card.  Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, I love the meaning of it too.  It has been a very productive day for meI spent it getting caught up on my studies at WSI and got a little work done on my BOS.  And I recently began interacting with other people from my 'Church' online and have had the opportunity to help others who are new to the Pagan path.  Quite fulfilling actually.  You don't realize just how much you've truly learned until someone new asks you a question.  I like helping people.  Just found that out about myself.  :-)




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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Daily Draw for Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Today's card is:




Interpretation: Fate, chance and destiny.  Cause and effect.  Karma. The future depends upon that which has been done before.  The laws of nature and probability.  The continuation of an ongoing pattern.

Well ain't that a kick in the head.  Woke up this morning, got the kids up for school and while I was making myself a cup of coffee...in walks my husband.  Says he just quit his job.  He then proceeds to sit in his chair and play video games, which he has not stopped doing all day.  Usually, when a person quits one job it's because they already have another.  And if they don't, they go look for one.  Guess that means it's up to me to take care of my family's finances again.  Not a problem.  I was getting bored sitting at home.  I'm thinking that it might be time to change this pattern though.  





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Monday, May 2, 2011

Daily Draw for Monday, May 2, 2011

Today's card is:




Interpretation:  Established home and financial life.  Success is well deserved.

Today was a good day.  Husband was in a good mood.  Kids didn't misbehave too terribly much.  Bills are paid.  That's always a good thing.  I don't really have anything else to say about this card/day.  Just ready for bed and hope tomorrow is as good.   






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Sunday, May 1, 2011

Daily Draw for Sunday, May 1, 2011

Today's card is:




Interpretation: Determination to see a very demanding project through to the finish.  Oppression caused by too much pressure and strain.

Well I don't know that my project today was 'demanding'.  The witchlets and I  made a mini May Pole out of clay and ribbons.  Not demanding, but time consuming.  As for the oppression, well we had to do it quietly and almost secretly since my husband was home and he doesn't like me doing 'witchy things' when he's home.  That's pretty darn stressful.  But we got the project finished and we are all very happy with it.  :-)

Happy Beltane Everyone!!!
 






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