The Wiccan Woods

The Shopping Goddess Hath Provided

2006-08-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

I just finished my last day at my old job and took my "severance pay" down the street to the neighborhood Pharmacy/Stationary/Liquor/Scrapbooking/Everything store with the vague idea of refreshing my stationary collection, notecards, stickers, and the like, and also picking up a few candles. As I walked in, I was not so much struck as mildly nagged with the thought that I should go to the local thrift store afterwards.

I found all the papery things I desired, as well as four elemental candles and a purple one for meditation, and a couple of bags of incense. The store is getting more and more pagan friendly, though admittedly a bit on the teenagery side--they carry these folders with "Pagan" images of unicorns and buxomy women doing magick in the night...

After that, I walked home, ducked in the door and deposited my wares, and walked straight back out to the thrift store, intending to find a blue dish for the meditations (I thought it was a neat suggestion). The place is notorious for hidden treasure at ridiculously wonderful prices. They are also notorious for strange and not-quite-predictable operating hours. I was therefore much relieved to see that they were open.

And that they were having a half-off sale.

I know.

Though I did buy a blue dish, on further thought I've decided it doesn't feel right and I can work without it. I found many treasures, not all of which I'm sure how I will use yet. Among them was a bag of six brass candlesticks priced at $4 for the bag. Due to the sale, I payed $2. I also found this silver-plated dish I have the vague notion of polishing up to use for an altar mirror or an alternative to a chalice. There was a green-glass dish which I think I'll place on the north side to hold salt in, and also a very pretty tin box I'm going to use to hoard either candles or tea.

Considering I'm somewhat broomcloseted, it's not the best idea that I set this stuff up permanently, lest my mother get really uncomfortable. But I'm glad to have it for when I move out, and I can set it up when I need it and put it away in between. Besides which, I've become quite astute at altar-less magick and ritual. I know I don't need the props. But I like the atmosphere of it--it instills some extra enchantment into the whole shebang.

So after I finish lunch, I'm off to locate whatever polish is lingering about the house to brush up my new treasures. Yea verily.

The Harvest Moon

2006-08-03T00:28:00.000-07:00

It happened again. I was just coming back from my walk. When I set out, the moon was rather large, but of a more common (but no less beautiful) parchment color. But on the way back, less than two blocks from my house, I looked up and as the moon was setting it was once again an earthy brown and another perfect cornucopia. These two Lammas days have been quite lovely.

Lammas/Lughnasadh

2006-08-01T22:08:00.000-07:00

I did manage to have a very small celebration this year. There is a park within walking-distance of my house, but unforunately up a long hill. All the same, I walked up yesterday to scope it out, and found the most amazing oak tree by the back fence of the baseball diamond. I sat for a while reading my "contraband" reading material (my mom doesn't like it, so I just take it out of the house to read. Technically I'm not even supposed to have it), and that was almost a ritual in and of itself.

So today I went back, books and all, and took a very modest lunch with me: two tangerines, two ricecakes, and a PB & J sandwhich on multigrain-sourdough bread. I sat and read for a little bit to recover from my walk, then closed my eyes and cast the circle in my mind. Though it was pretty late in the afternoon and there was virtually no one about my general area, I seem quite adept at doing things I wouldn't want others to watch just as a schoolbus of nuns and children goes by. I'm just not comfortable being stared at in that sense. So I held the whole ritual in my head. I prayed and offered thanks to the God of the Dying Sun (There iiiis, a Goooood, in New Orleans....they CAAAALLLL the DYyyyying SUNN---'Kay, couldn't resist) and the Mother Goddess of the Bountiful Harvest. I sat and meditated with them for a moment, staring at the brown leaves beneath me, before thanking them, the Elements, and releasing the circle. I ate most of my meal and arranged some as an offering to He, She, and They (when you say it like that it sounds like something out of Heavenly Creatures), and poured out some of my water for the oak tree that watched.

The whole thing was quite relaxing, but not quite as grounding and spiritually cleansing as it should have been. I think I should have written out a chant beforehand--it was a little too casual. But I plan to go back for Mabon, and of course in between, since I'm really curious to get to know that tree. Yes, for Mabon I shall do something quite special.

What did you guys do?

EDIT: Just got back from my walk--the Moon hung low in the sky. It's waxing, just below a Half Moon, yet it was rather gigantic, and an orangey brown color. I swear it looked just like a cornucopia. When I got a clear view of it coming back past the country club, I said another couple of prayers to the Mother Goddess and the Dying God. It felt quite magickal. By the time I got to my front porch, the Moon had set.

Article--Solitary Eclectics≠Fluffy

2006-06-05T23:16:00.000-07:00

One of the pagan LiveJournal communities I belong to (Non-Fluffy Pagans) recently held a discussion to define the term "Fluffy Bunny." I found the results of this discussion very comforting. The first questions the instigator of this thread asked were:

Does "eclectic" automatically = "fluffy"?
Does mixing pantheons necessarily mean a pagan is fluffy?
Are all solitary pagans fluffy (not solitary Wiccan specifically, just solitary pagans in general)?

You can see why these would light a flutter in my stomach. I admit to being a bit timid in specifically Non-Fluffy forums as I've read my own writing and found myself bordering on what could easily be considered Fluff-Central. I've also been in a few unfortunate forums in which a definite clique of Wiser and Cooler Than Thou Shalt Ever Be people has formed, and anything a newcomer of any sort says is greeted with more snarky comments than you could shake a long pointed stick at. I read ahead anyway; I figured it would be nice to know if I was just being paranoid or not.

I was greatly relieved; the answers were so much more supportive than I had feared they would be. The answer to the first question was a resounding and hearty "No." Eclectic should and often does mean that you are simply not lucky enough to have a prefabricated path which fits your beliefs or lifestyle. As long as it is done with wisdom and reason, Eclecticism is more than acceptable.

To the second question, the majority answered the same way I myself may have were I not too lazy and still too shy to post; there is no problem with the practice of mixing pantheons itself, but only in the blind and reckless mashing together of Gods and Goddesses without serious study and communion to serve the purpose of achieving the correct result in a spell. Agreed all around on my part.

The third question was also answered very amicably; you do not need a coven to be a Pagan, or even a Wiccan. Provided that you remain honest about what your beliefs are and do not call them what they are not (i.e., NOT subscribing to the "I can do whatever I want and still call it Wicca" philosophy), and provided that your reasons for remaining alone are honest and not for shock value ("No one understands me! *wail*"), there is nothing fluffy in the practice of a solitary.

There were about three more questions; I'm too tired and lazy to dissect the answers of all of them. The main gist of it, at least what I really want to drive at is this last question:

What is YOUR definition of the word "fluffy"?

It completely defied every previous experience I have had of self-proclaimed Non-Fluffy Pagans; I will again say that I'm accustomed to the type of downright spiteful elitist brats (in OTHER forums, mind you, on websites which will remain nameless) who call anyone new or naïve a hopeless fluffy bunny. What was said boils down to this: Thinking that SilverRavenWolff is the best author ever or that The Craft is a fully accurate depiction of the religion, or that the Gods and Goddesses are all love and light does not automatically make you Fluffy. It is the willful decision never to believe anything else even after evidence to the contrary has been presented. In short, the definition of Fluffy Bunnyism is Willful Ignorance.

I think my favorite quote from this whole discussion was this from Joe at Tantric_Pixie:

Everyone starts as a novice. No one comes into the world fully clad in armor and stuffed with knowledge, except Athena of course!

I wish I could take credit for that. Athena has been my favorite Greek Goddess since I was six.

Ok. I'm quite spent now. I don't know what this entry was meant to accomplish, only that it was a very positive and uplifting experience for me after a long and tedious day. Night, everybody.

Random Quote

2006-06-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

A quote from Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance" which amuses me far too much.

"If you bind a rapist, you may find yourself prevented from committing rape, but if that interferes with your daily activites you have no business practicing Witchcraft anyway."

I realize she was going for the humor, but I'm tired and giggly. I prefer to think she completely unintentionally said...it...I don't need a vocabulary. I swear.

Random Ranting

2006-06-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

Now it is June, and come hell or highwater, I will celebrate Litha. I will go out and do something crazy and hold a ritual in the middle of the park (or at the very least my best friend's awesome backyard). I will find a festival with other Pagans and meet people. I will hold a complete dress ritual.

You see, I am semi-broomcloseted around my family. My parents are aware of my spirituality, but they wish me to remain discreet about it in the house. As such, my altar consists of candles and incense, and my sabbats are generally low-key devotions (except Samhain). But this time, dag nab it, there shall be full out possibly-skyclad Solitary Eclectic Wiccan action. *shakes fist mightily*

Ok. I feel much better. Return to your daily lives.

The Wiccan Yogi

2006-05-31T08:44:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, I have recently renewed my interest in the practice of yoga, not only as a means to physical fitness, but more importantly to improve my focus and meditational skills. It has worked. I have now begun returning to that beautiful grounded feeling wherever I am, and my magick has improved because of it. I have not held a full ritual since I began (which was three weeks ago: I'm a BAD witch), but my spontaneous visualizations have held much more effect. This is also likely due to the elevated sense of well-being one gets when exercising regularly; "insurmountable" issues don't seem so bad. I'm taking to it so well that I have begun to see the unrolling of my yoga mat almost as a declaration of sacred space.

So I would just like to take this moment to affirm that, as a Witch, if not as a Pagan, it is one of your duties to take care of yourself. "He who can not hex can not heal," but the doctor who walks with a limp can't make housecalls.

--Blythe Autumn

I Have Returned.

2006-05-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

I've been in yet another of my ruts. Ok, not really. Just lazy.

But two things have happened as of late which have rejuvenated my spiritual work. I've been relatively broom closeted ever since I began this path five years ago, and have thus been very wary of bringing solid matter (as in books) into my house. My mother is aware of my religion, just less than pleased with it. So in this last month, I sucked up my courage. I found a suitable hiding place within (ironically) my closet. I went for the classic of Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance," and borrowed "A Witch's Magical Handbook" by the Frosts. We all know about Starhawk's lapses in history, but her exercises so far rock. I will have an opinion on the Frost book after I finish Starhawk.

The other occurence which gave me a metaphysical kick in the ass was a recent...family crisis. Knowing the person at the center of it, it is best that I not give details; suffice it to say, I've been doing a lot more healing visualizations, prayer and grounding than I have been, which is beginning to bring me back to the energy and excitement with which I began this journey.

I don't know what this blog is destined to become. It may be a bit more personal and less educational from now on, I'm not sure. So hold tight, kids.

Muses--Terpsichore: "delight of dancing"

2006-02-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

I apologize for this entry's lateness; I've been having some internet issues.

Terpsichore is the muse of dance and dramatic chorus, often depicted seated with a lyre. She is also sometimes said to be the mother of the infamous Sirens by Achelous.

Muses--Polyhymnia: "many songs"

2006-02-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

The muse of sacred hymn and eloquence. She is considered as a pensive being, depicted with a finger to her mouth, dressed in a long cloak and veil. She is known to bring everlasting fame to writers, and has also been considered the muse of geometry, mime, meditation, and agriculture.

Muses--Melpomene: "to sing"

2006-02-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Though known for her joyous singing, she was the muse of tragedy. She is often depicted with a tragic mask and holding a knife or club in the other hand, sometimes also wearing cothurnus, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors. It is important to remember that she is not a sad muse, but rather a beacon of light out of the darkness; she teaches us how to endure our trials and learn from them.

Muses--Erato: "lovely"

2006-02-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

The muse of lyric poetry and hymns, represented with a lyre. Also mothered Azan with Arcas.

Answering a Question

2006-02-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

In a previous post someone commented asking what the Hellenic Muses had to do with Wicca. I point to the sub-header at the top of the site:

"A daily devotional site, providing bits and bobs of miscellaneous Wiccan, Pagan, and Witchy info every day."

This site is run by a proud Eclectic. While I fully admit that the Greek Muses have little to do with traditional Wicca, I also point to the fact that Wicca itself is a religion based upon the borrowing of philosophies and concepts of New Age thought and ancient paganism. Some of the stuff I write about here may seem tangential, but to me at least, it's rather pertinent.

On a slightly different subject, I would like to ask that my readers run a spell check before posting a comment. Thank you.

Muses--Clio:"recount"/"make famous"

2006-02-02T19:02:00.000-08:00

Clio (also sometimes spelled Kleio) is the muse of heroic poetry and history. She was the mother of Hyacinth with the King of Macedonia, Pierus. She is also sometimes called "the Proclaimer" and depicted with a set of tablets or a scroll of parchment.

Muses--Euterpe:"rejoicing well"/"delight"

2006-02-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

"The Giver of Pleasure" and the muse of music, she was in late Classical times also called the muse of lyric poetry, and usually depicted holding a flute. She was also the mother of Rhesus, having been impregnated by the river Strymon. Rhesus was later killed by Diomedes at Troy.

Muses--Calliope:"beautiful voiced"

2006-01-31T00:33:00.000-08:00

Muse of epic poetry, she bore two sons with Apollo, named Orpheus and Linus. She was also the oldest and wisest muse, which probably accounts for her position as the judge over the dispute between Persephone and Aphrodite over Adonis (she solved the issue by allowing each to have equal time with him). She is always portrayed holding a writing tablet or a scroll of parchment, and sometimes wearing a gold crown

Muses--The First Generation

2006-01-30T11:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I mentioned that there were altogether twelve Muses, three of them from a lesser known first generation born of Uranus and Gaia. I was unfortunately unable to dig up much information on them besides their names and basic properties, but nevertheless, I will present you with the first generation, if in somewhat less than their entirety.

Aoide: The muse of Song.

Melete: The muse of practice and meditation, her name literally translates to "practice" or "exercise."

Mneme: I think this one is pretty easily guessed: the muse of Memory.

So for an activity today, if you are drawn to any of these muses, take some time out to meditate. Call upon one of them and introduce yourself. It is generally believed that the muse is the one who chooses when to show herself and initiate a relationship, so it's very likely you shall not see her. But it never hurts to leave a calling card with the maid, right?

Muses--The Greek Muses

2006-01-29T11:59:00.000-08:00

"I lost my muse," has long been synonymous with writer's block or stage-fright. It means that inspiration has left us. We can also attribute the term "muse" to someone whose beauty or amiable qualities inspires us to do our best at whatever it is we do. And I'm sure we all know that the term is derived from nine demi-goddesses of Greek mythology.

Most people are familiar the the more popular Nine Muses born of the Titaness Mnemosyne (personification of memory) and Zeus, born from nine consecutive nights of laying together. Some sources also speculate that they were the daughters of Harmonia. But! According to mythological evidence, there was a lesser known first generation of muses, born of Urania and Gaia. The two-generational theory probably stems from a discrepancy in regional mythology, as most inconsistencies do.

So I will use the next ten days or so to summarize all twelve muses. I do not have all the information on all of them, but hopefully I can provide enough to get both of us started.

Random Quote

2006-01-21T15:53:00.000-08:00

"The greatest mystery is not that we have been flung at random between the profusion of matter and of the stars, but that within this prison we can draw from ourselves images powerful enough to deny our nothingness."
- Andre Malraux

Letting the World In

2006-01-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

You're sitting in your room. The windows and doors are shut, the air conditioner is humming softly, you're plugged into your headphones perusing through the wide web of the internet with a rabid disinterest. You're not exactly depressed; instead you feel a sort of void of emotion, aware of nothing besides the voices which are no longer singing and seem instead to be shrieking unintelligible nonsense and the glaring screen before you.

It's habits like these which make me seem to fall slowly but inevitably into a pit of only secular concerns, neglecting my spiritual life to the point where I seem toforget it completely unless someone should think to ask me what faith I follow. Does this sound like you at all?

We sometimes get to a point where we dive neither into ourselves or into the world, but rather into a deep abyss between the worlds which we never know existed until we climb back out. At this point you have left the world. You have disappeared from your own world and the world of others. At this point the only way to escape your prison is to lok for the world. Pay attention to yourself. Pay attention to others. Possibly the best advice I can give you is to have a conversation with a tree. They are the best listeners and the most likely to know exactly the thing to say.

Autumn's Rants--Prayer

2005-12-30T17:33:00.000-08:00

A witch has many practices at her empowered fingertips: first, we exhaust physical options. Then we meditate. Then we divine. Then we cast spells. Finally when all else fails, we pray.

Why did this come last upon my list? It seems that most Wiccans encourage a view of the gods as aloof, elite, powerful beings who can not be bothered and should under no circumstances be contacted directly with any of our petty concerns.

What happened to the loving Mother? The laughing Maiden? The wise Crone? True, we should not overdo anything, it is not as if we should pray before crossing the street. But when we are feeling vulnerable, truly scared for our own safety or that of others, sad, or needy, who better to ask for help than those omnipotent beings? Don't worry about bugging them: if they don't want to listen, they won't. True, they either can not or will not solve all of your problems, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Throughout the ages, we have looked to the gods for comfort, and we receive it whether our prayers are directly answered or not.

So don't be afraid to pray, people. It can't hurt.

Random Quote

2005-11-29T20:38:00.000-08:00

"If we have learned one thing from the history of invention and discovery, it is that, in the long run - and often in the short one - the most daring prophecies seem laughably conservative."

Arthur C. Clarke

Happy Thanksgiving!

2005-11-24T12:06:00.000-08:00

As a somewhat left-wing pagan, I could sit here and spew tired arguments of the genocide of millions of Native Americans, including their cultural and religious subjugation, and so on, and so on. But I won't. I choose instead to focus on the positive of this holiday.

Now, the Wiccan Thanksgiving, Mabon, is already past. But to a Wiccan, it seems that one always has something to be thankful for, even if it can not immediately be seen. So every extra opportunity for giving thanks is always welcome and should be employed.

...The opportunity for massive amounts of turkey is always incredibly welcome, too.

So today, think about all the things in your life right now that you are thankful for. This is not feel guilty for taking things for granted in the past, but to feel happy for what you have that you may not have had before.

Also, if you are involved in any meal preparation in your community, do some basic meal magick: as you are cooking, particularly anything that involves stirring (in which case, try to go clockwise the whole time), visualize good feeling, health, and happiness, and feel it flowing out of your hands into the food as pure white light, to be conveyed to whoever consumes the meal.

Blessed Be, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Random Quote

2005-11-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

"Prayer indeed is good, but while calling on the gods a man himself should lend a hand." --Hippocrates

Daily Life--Rain

2005-11-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

It is incomprehensible to me that anyone could not enjoy rain. The soothing patter it makes as it descends amongst freshly fallen November leaves, the aroma of damp soil which pervades the air for days after, and the pleasant prickling it arouses on ones upturned face are all things which I could not imagine being without for any long period of time.

Then there are the pleasures secondary to the rain itself: for instance, sitting inside and reading a book, drinking a hot beverage, and petting a drowsy dog (or cat) is the description of the Summerlands themselves, in my humble opinion.

And yet, I have come across an oddity I thought never to encounter in this lifetime: someone who does not like rain. Not only do they not like rain, but they were raised in Southern California, and still manage to prefer the stifling summer heat. This, among many of said person's behaviors, leads me to believe they were a cat in their most recent past lifetime. But I digress.

Which natural phenomena, be it weather, or land formations, or even a specific flower, makes you feel best? Does it make you feel powerful? Protected? Jubilant? A pleasant mixture of various emotions?