Growing up, I was taught to give thanks to God for the food food I ate. We were told to thank the creator, not the creation, for the gifts we received. That sounded logical, except that Mother Earth was considered a creation of the Divine and not really Divine herself.
I believe with all my heart that the Divine or Universal energy is in ALL things. When we express thanks, it should not matter what aspect of the One we are communicating with. The gratitude is sent forth into the Universe and acknowledged.
Most everyone understands and agrees that when you are trying to draw the things you want into your life, it’s vital that you keep your thoughts and actions positive. Butmany have written expressing concern about how this can be accomplished when you are surrounded by negative energy throughout the day. Some readers even feel cursed, as they try hard to be good, always saying and doing the right thing, but bad things continued to happen to them.
Between financial challenges, relationship problems, health issues and family or friends constantly sharing their problems with us, no one is really immune to negative energy. Whether a situation turns out to be a blessing or a curse may ultimately depend on how you choose to respond.
Virtually every religion or path teaches that God, the Divine or Universal energy exists within us all. The real question is not whether there is such a thing as magic, but how do we work with it and direct it?
When something happens that we have no explanation for, we tend to refer to the event as magical or miraculous. Many feel that if we can explain how something works, there is no real magic to it.
Some even insist there is no such thing as “magic”, because ALL things have an explanation, even if we currently do not understand what it is or how it works. If we simply define it as something with no known explanation, our lives might eventually become void of magic, as technology continued to reveal its secrets. But magic is much more than that.
Seasons arrive at different times around the world and readers often ask what the proper time is to celebrate the event in their part of the world. Think of it this way … the old traditions and rituals were simply intended to help our ancestors stay in tune with nature’s cycles.
A Book of Shadows (BOS) is one of the most important tools a Witch has. Some have been passed down through Covens or from one individual to another, but today most are written by solitary practitioners. It’s basically your magical diary or journal, where you record all your experiences, rituals, spells and lore.
Do you feel confined to the broom closet when it comes to your beliefs? As I began to write this article I started to wonder if this was actually such a bad thing. Yes, if we view the “broom closet” as a hiding place, it can make what we keep there feel wrong or bad, and this is NOT good. But if we think of it as a special place to store away the personal things that are sacred to us, it can be a beneficial thing. This is especially true when others do not understand the true meaning or value of what is kept there.
For those wanting to step out of the broom closet, we have the following suggestions:
For those who are under 18 and/or living with someone that forbids the practice of Wicca or other Pagan paths in their home, please respect their wishes. You can privately study other religions or paths until you turn 18, or until you move into your own place. At this point you will be free to openly follow the path you feel is best for you without causing so much stress to those around you.
