Thursday, June 12, 2014 0 comments
I am easily side tracked and distracted. Life throws me curve balls, which you think I would have learned to catch by now, and things that matter to me get put to the wayside. I try to make sure everyone around me is okay, and don't focus on myself. Lately, I have been keeping a pen and paper journal and just writing. About my path, my life, what it means to be Witch.

There is a lot that goes into being a Witch. I bet most people don't consider it, but it's actually harder than when I was a Christian. I don't have a book to go to to tell me how to live my life and path, to tell me right from wrong. At first, when I first began this journey, that was so daunting. The level of accountability is unreal! You know, I really enjoyed reading my Bible and studying those words and gleaning their wisdom- seriously, I was HUGE into Bible study. Truth is, I'm HUGE into Study on a general level. I love to read about everything- world religions and philosophies are a favorite. I like to know what others think and how they view the world, I like to have first hand information about what people believe, not just what people in other religions and areas "think" they believe. So, what's a Witch to do? A book loving Witch- well she writes her own!

A Book of Shadows is a sacred text, sacred to the Witch who writes it, who breathes life into by creating it. Each page is a testament to her/his journey, something they have learned along the way, a part of that knowledge that they want to keep with them. As I learn and observe my Book of Shadows grows, it grows with me. The Bible never did that, it was already there and it was up to me to grow to it, live up to it- my Book of Shadows- that's something different. My Book of Shadows is for the most part handwritten- the exception to that rule is Ritual- those are long and I type them out and put them in. I have considered re-doing how my ritual section is but haven't actually changed it.

I made my Book of Shadows out of a post bound scrapbook. I wrapped it in crushed velvet, attached a silk Maple Leaf and Silver Painted Wooden Owl to the cover. And I use gold parchment paper for it. It is beautiful to look at and a joy to add to. There isn't as much in it as I would like, often times adding to it is one of those things that gets put to the wayside, but it is becoming quite the reference book. I must admit that it is rather exciting to be able to go to my own Book of Shadows for information instead of looking it up on-line. I am growing, so my book is growing. Although, I may be growing faster than my Book.

Have you ever thought about what it is that makes your Path a journey? What it is that makes you a witch? What if you couldn't cast spells, would you still be a witch? What are the things you do, say, or think that make you a Witch?

I've been thinking about this, and I think of the ways my life has changed since embracing Wicca and claiming it for myself. For me I am a Witch because......

* I try to see the good in people, even when it is hard to see, I strive to always see the Divine within them
* I try to not let my own hurts and pains color the ways I can be of service to those around me.
* Yin Yoga- oh dearest Raush, I can never thank you enough for introducing me to this practice and the focus on my breath, the way it can quiet the noise of the world, melt away the stress of the day, and fuel me with the strength to face another challenge
* Time at my altar- Ray Boltz would probably have a fit, but he has this song called That's What this Altar is For, and it was a favorite of mine when I was younger, but I still draw comfort from the concept- my altar is where I cast away my burdens and surrender them to something Higher and Greater than myself- prayer is not something exclusively for Christians.
* Meditation- A daily practice,spending time every day dwelling on how I want my life to be, sometimes seeing the pathways to make it so, breaking down barriers and eliminating fear, very often crosses over with Altar time.
* A love of nature and trees, the beautiful Willow in my back yard (perk to the new house!)- although this love doesn't translate into skill, I cannot grow herbs, I am adept at killing flowers- I am not a Green Witch folks- I acknowledge and accept that, however much I continue to try and work on it.

Ok, I have rambled on long enough- until next time- whenever that is!

Wynter Willow
 
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