May Day

Hello!
Attended Beltane on the Beach at Popham state park yesterday. Was a great day. Had a great circle and 5 may poles. Good to see lots of families and creative expression. It was good to connect with the earth and sea.

I love this pic!

Blessed  Beltane!!!

Hello witchy friends!

Hello there. Long, long long time no write. I will try to keep up with this as my life is getting far more interesting. Lets see, got married. It was a great ceremony, pagan of course! We jumped a broom and did a handfasting. It was perfect for us. Perhaps I will try and post some pictures. We went to Salem for our honeymoon, how fitting!

We have found our local pagan community. Didn't know they existed...the Eastern Maine Pagan Pride Association. Its only 3 years old which explains why we didn't know it existed (we've recently moved back to this area). There are a bunch of events coming up, such as Beltane on the Beach, a Beltane celebration at the local UU church, pot lucks, workshops, and other goodies. I'm so happy we found community. As many of you know it can be hard to find community as a pagan.

Personally my gifts have been flourishing. I'm a psychic medium, and have been developing. I'm seeing auras more frequently, developing my ability to speak and help the dead, and healing. I'm currently a reiki II and hope to be master level by fall. I've been working with colors and reading a great book by Ted Andrews about healing. Animals, particularly birds have been making their presence known to me. I've been working with a hypnotherapist and been doing amazing work on my own healing. I have met amazing people who I consider good friends, and  "soul sisters". Positive things are really manifesting for me and its been wonderful. I am enjoying the ride.

My husband has been studying numerology and its amazing...I recommend the book "The idiots guide to numerology". Very good read. My husband is currently taking classes to start a business. We plan on opening a new age store in the next few years. It will be called "Age of Aquarius" and will offer all the basic tools (incense, stones, candles) as well as books, divination tools, herbs and a healing center. In the healing center reiki, other therapies as well as classes, workshops, groups and community events will take place.

Ok, I think that is it for now, I will try and post in here regularly. Happy Beltane!

Long time

Hello. Long time no write. Many things have happened. I'm in a reflective mood..

Got engaged, and getting married this October. Very excited!
Got a new job, and have moved about an hour north. It is old stomping ground, and very strange to be up here. I went to college here and this is the place I learned and grew in my spirituality. People have moved on so its weird to be back. We are about a 5 min walk from a pagan store and that is really neat. Reestablishing a social life will be nice as well. I have a reiki room in our new place, which is wonderful! I'll be able to keep my table out all the time. I hope to start giving reiki treatments once I am all settled. I think that is it for now. I am feeling reflective, and a bit sad. I miss the past I suppose and all the fun/exciting times I had here and now most people have moved on. The wheel continues to turn....

mmm Mabon

Hello there. Fall is here...officially tomorrow. Happy Mabon to everyone! (pagan name for fall equinox). There is a new tv show on Bio, "Celebrity Nightmares". Its pretty neat...there is a dream decoder who analyzes celebrity's nightmares. Actually a few of them hit home with me. I'd recommend watching it if you are at all interested in dreams. I believe it is on Saturday nights, at 10 or 11. Ok, that's all for now!

Many Blessings

hot hot September!

Happy September everyone! Though, you would think its July up here in Maine. 95 degrees and humid for the last 3 days. NOT fun! Though, hurricane Earl is on his way up and that will bring nice cool air. :) I look forward to a good storm.

So, fall is my favorite season and can't wait to decorate. my friend got me a candle, my favorite scent, pumpkin spice! yum. I feel so alive in the all, perhaps because its comfortable, cool and dry, and the leaves are pretty. I love the smells too. I also feel more connected spiritually as well...as the veil thins. :)

I have been thinking of something lately, thought I'd share here. Ever look at babies, and have them literally look right through you? Some kids..most i'd say, are so intelligent, and connected to the other side its scary! They know exactly whats going on, and as they grow they lose that connection (not all of them). I love to communicate telepathically with them and have them give me a big knowing smile! its great. hehe I cannot wait to have children, and some them my pagan ways (evil laughter) hehe. Of course, I will let them choose what path they'd like but I plan on raising them pagan.

Ok, so I have tendonitis in my right wrist, so I need to stop typing! :-p

blessings to all!

Fallll and Jesus

Hello world. Fall is on its way...though a bit early this year. Typically in Maine, leaves start changing late September, early October. Usually most of the leaves have fallen by Samhain, nice to crunch in during trick-or-treating! But, this year the leaves are already starting to change, and its August. Very odd...I attribute it to the hot weather and lack of rain. Hopefully the trees aren't bare in a month! The foliage is one of my favorite things about fall.

So, my mundane life has been pretty crazy. Stuff going on at work and so on, so once again my spiritual life has gone on the back burner. Its always a struggle, at least for me...getting caught up in mundane things such as work and money...when all what really matters is love, family and happiness. I'm working on it. I am really enjoying the turning of the wheel...I'm ready for fall. Stores are already putting out Halloween decorations. We've been invited to a Halloween party, which will be fun. I want to start decorating our apartment, but I will force myself to wait until September! haha. I wish I had more harvest-y decorations, like a fall wreath. Mmmm and fall scented candles..my favorite is pumpkin spice. It will be fun, since this will be our first time in our own place for the holidays...except for an apartment we had in 2007 but we were in college so it was different.

I've been feeling connected again the last few days with God. Its great. Also, been communicating/thinking about Jesus lately. He's a great guy. Some of you are probably like "WHAT?! Shes a pagan! No Jesus!" But, I have an interesting view/relationship with him. I've always felt "different" and haven't agreed with much of Christian teachings. However, I believe Jesus existed, and was a great prophet. He's amazing, just as Buddha and Moses were amazing. I had a dream years ago about Jesus, and that I touched just one of his hairs from his head, and I was filled with a wonderful feeling. A similar feeling to what I feel when I feel God or Goddess's love. It was amazing, and we were communicating, without speaking, how he loves me, and knows that my life's path involves being pagan and he's fine with that. I truly believe there are numerous paths to God, and God doesn't care which one you take. Christianity is really easy for some people to swallow, others not. I believe Jesus gets this, and doesn't care...as long as you love, and treat people with dignity and respect. That's what its all about, not sins and repentance and saints...demons...its about love. That's what Jesus preached. So, now that I've gone on and on about Jesus...

I should get back to work. I love having multiple spiritual guides in my life. I feel very connected to the other side. I'm satisfied with my relationship with Jesus, and every other being I talk to. It feels absolutely wonderful.

I'm interested in what others think about Jesus...and their personal relationship with him. Anyone have a similar relationship to mine? Remeber, this is a place for discussion not lecturing. I am on my path, and no one will be able to convert me, so please don't try. I'm just generally interested if people have simular feelings.

Life Long Learning

Hello out there. Been reading a lot lately, and on my bookshelf currently is "Beyond the Indigo Children: The New Children and the coming of the Fifth World" by P.M.H Atwater and "History of Witchcraft and Demonology" by Montaque Summers. I'm about half way through with Beyond the Indigo, and I like it so far. She talks a lot about 2012, and the new generation "the millenials" which is my generation, 1982-2001. Very cool stuff, and goes along with a lot of beliefs I have about the new world and how things will change. I love being privy to the other planes of existence...to have a clue as to what is going on on the "other side'. I have felt a great level of anticipation, ever since watching the ball drop on new years eve 2007. Its was like this energy shift. Each year it gets stronger. I also know my children will be a major part of this shift (as all will be, the new generation). I'm so glad I am alive during this time in our history...people have been talking about it for thousands of years. We are all very lucky.

High-Frequency

Hello out there. I've been rather in-tune lately. It feels like my brain has stepped up a notch and is working over time. I feel when I am looking at people, I'm really looking at them. Its been interesting. Also been having lots of dreams, some of them scary but they are more vivid than before. Also, I've been on the same 'frequency' as a lot of people, thinking the same thoughts before they say it has happened multiple times a week this past week. Its cool, and strange. I'm just in tune I suppose. Its nice. I like being in tune with that side of my life all the time.

I want to take Reiki I this summer, just need to save the money and pick a date, since my friend is a reiki master. I'm excited to start healing. I think I'll be good at it. Also pagan pride day is coming up in about a month I believe.

That's about it for now. Many blessings!

More pagany goodies

Hello again.
Loving the pagan life. Its been more on the "front burner" the last few weeks, and feels great.

So, more about the Ouija.
So, I got the urge to use it, and we probably hadn't used it in at least a year and a half. I made sure we did it "right" this time, and lit candles and used crystals for protection. Stated our intent, and gave the board energy. A few spirits came through. First we talked with a man named Biff, who claimed to have died in 2006 at age 57. He also claimed to live in our building. He stated he had a message, "Help JF" and repeated this numerous times. Not sure what it means and he didn't elaborate. Then we spoke with a spirit who appeared to be African. He stated he had been my mother's father in a previous life, and her name was Taka. It was interesting. Then, a 4 year old boy came through. His name was Abraham, and he lived on a farm near by. It was sad, as he said he was scared of hell because his family "fell from god." who could make that up? really haha. He also said "I dug a hole" not sure what that was. He also asked if we were dead. So, we helped him a bit by reassuring him he was safe and not going to hell.

Last spirit to come through for the night was an 87 year old woman from Delaware. She claimed to be my future daughter! I have had similar experiences with the Ouija, as well as psychic experiences with my future children so it wasn't too big a surprise. She kept calling Toby "Dad" it was cute. She also said she was my daughter in a previous life. I had learned about this previous life in a past Ouija session with a spirit who claimed to be my mother from that life. It was in the 1920's, my name was Naomi and Toby's nick name was "Little Nickle". We were married, but he died around 1924 or 26 and it really affected me. This makes sense because when we started dating, I was terrified he'd leave me.

Anyway, the woman's name was Dede and she said she would be born in 2019, and be our 5th child. This was a surprise, because all readings I'd had previously said 3 or 4 children. So, we were both shocked. She said she and the 4th child (a boy) would be adopted. Which does make sense to me, because I'm adopted and work in the social work field. It was really interesting. I think the most interesting part was when she said "read the wiccan rede. I liked it" haha! that was neat and unexpected. She also gave an address...9 Toby Rd. Well, she said "Address 9 Dad" and we asked a few more clarifying questions and she said it was 9 Toby Rd. In Waterville. We later found out this doesn't exist, but there is one in a few neighboring towns.

So it was a really cool experience and I've started keeping a log of who we talk too.

Also, I went to the library and got out a photo-instructional book on Reiki, which I like, and John Edward's "Crossing Over"

I really enjoy learning and developing my skills. Thats all for now!

Blessings!

Ouiji

Hello out there.

I've been getting the itch to use the Ouija for a while. Before talking about our last adventure, here is some of my history of the Ouija:

When I was around 10 or so, my Mom got us a Ouija board and her, myself and my younger sister played. All I remember was that it was very slow, and we made contact with my cousin who had passed over. It was emotional, and that's all I really remember. I rediscovered the Ouija when I was around 14-16 and playing with it with my friends, like all teens do. Of course there was fair share of people moving it and so forth. One time my friend claimed she was channeling a girl but...once again I think that was imagination gone wild. There were a few experiences of cold drafts, and candles that burned really high...but other than that, nothing ever happened.

When I went to college and began experiencing the paranormal to a much higher degree, we started playing with it in our paranormal investigation club. At first, it was slow going. We'd have 2 or 3 people touching it, and one taking notes. We then tried "giving the board energy" and formed an energy ball around it. THEN things started happening! The Ouija board became a staple at each meeting as we explored the paranormal.

If I had to guess, we've spoken with at least 100 spirits. During my late college years (2007-2008) we spent a lot of time working with the Ouija. However, we hadn't used proper precautions. All we did basically before we began was giving the board energy, and asking "anyone there?" this led to interacting with a lot of interesting spirits. Many would just joke with us, and annoy us. For instance, one spirit said "Day of the dead soon" when we asked if they meant Halloween, it replied "no, Zombies." We had a good laugh at this one..but it would get annoying to get all of this joking type of information when we wanted helpful information. Another spirit told us to "Kill Bush" and that there was going to be an explosion over the summer of 07 in Maine, which of course never happened.

For the most part, we came in contact with people who were lonely and just wanted to talk. Most knew they were dead, and were lost in a sea of darkness. Others wanted help, others were happily with their loved ones and just wanted to play with the board. Some where children, the youngest I believe was 3 or 4. Up to old professors, farmers and so forth. We've even had different nationalities come through...but especially African for some reason. Most of the time we were just chatting with normal people.

Sometimes, something more interesting would come through. Once, a guy "Bob" was writing an article about our club and came to observe a meeting. A man came through on the Ouija, stating information we didn't understand. We asked who we was trying to communicate with, and the plancet went right off the board in the direction of this guy. The spirit identified himself as this Bob's father. Confused, we asked the Bob for more info. Bob informed us that his father had passed away a few months ago. The spirit then delivered a message, something about an object being in a drawer he wanted Bob to have. Bob never came back to another meeting, so we are unsure if he found the object. This was a very interesting meeting, and we most certainly had never met Bob, or knew anything about him.

Another time, a friend came to observe. Once again we have no clue who will show up, and it so happens that this girl's father, who had died about 2 years previous, came through. It was very emotional, and unexpected. I think the girl was thankful for the experience, but it definitely wasn't our intentions to bring her father forward.

On numerous occasions during our Ouiji session, the spirits would leave saying they had to go because "he" was coming. When "he" would come, a very cold spot would be felt to my right. The spirits told us he was death. Death kept the worlds separate, and he did not like the dead talking to the living. It was very odd, and we did not really think it was death..but it certainly did seem to impact the spirits around it.

Once, a very clear message came through. The spirit said he was asleep, and he had taken drugs. He then told us it was a suicide attempt, and he did not want to die anymore, and was scared. Of course, this terrified us and we asked for more information. This spirit gave us a name, a residence hall and room number. As we are about to rush off to find out if this is real, I remember that I had run into a really angry/mean spirit in that particular residence hall. I decided it would be best if I didn't go, as this spirit had attacked me before and I didn't want to go to its territory. So, a few members of the team went..and the name on the door did not match the name we were given. It was a very interesting experience, and I feel it shows the power of the Ouija and how it can be used as a manipulation tool by spirits (or whoever else).

I learned through this experience to ALWAYS protect myself, state my purpose "only spirits coming from a place of love are allowed to speak" and so forth. Since I've started doing that, no negative/manipulative spirits have come through.

Ok, now that I've posted all that...I need a break haha. I'll write out last night's experiences at another date.

be careful out there!

Livin' the Pagan Life

Hello cyber world. No updates in a long time! Nothing big happened, mundane life just got in the way. New job going well. Still enjoy where we are living. The wheel has turned once again and we are enjoying summer like weather here in Maine. I'm lucky enough to have a lot of birds near my complex, and lovely trees. We also have a deck which I love to sit on and write. My spirituality has again taken a back seat, as often it can, when "real world" worries come in to play. I don't like putting that part of me on pause and I am working on incorporating it all together.

I love knowledge. Its been a year since I graduated from grad school and I'm getting the itch to learn again. So, I got some books on tarot, therapeutic touch and natural healing. I've really enjoyed them! I definitely want to keep reading, and even better they came from the library so I didn't have to spend any money. My skills for tarot are developing, as are my reiki/therapeutic touch. I'm not trained in reiki, yet. Basically right now its a money issue. Hopefully this summer I can get reiki I.

My boyfriend and I are working on developing our dream...owning a pagan shop/community center where classes are offered, groups, workshops and of course reiki, readings and the store. We are really excited, and a recent tarot card reading I had signified that this was "what I was meant to do". I've always wanted to be a child therapist, and right now I'm doing family therapy. The tarot reader said I'd do child therapy, but I'd think it wasn't what I thought it would be, and we'd start the business. Also, my boyfriend got into college to study business. He already has a degree in theater, but has had a horrible time finding a job. (He'd love to do theater, but realizes he can't make a living that way). So, he's going to learn the ins and outs of owning/running a business. I am very proud of him. A while ago, he got a reading from one of our pagan friends, who said he'd have his own shop when he's 30. He's almost 27 now, so it makes perfect sense. I'm really excited.

I've also been paying attention to a yahoo group I joined years ago, Central Maine Pagans. They are now hosting a coffee talk in Augusta that I want to check out. There will also be a central Maine pagan pride day in October which will be neat.

Ok fellow path seekers, off to earn a living!
Many blessings!

Movin' on

Hello readers. I write to you from my work office, at my new job. So, we have moved to a new place. Left behind our small group of pagan friends (and our new coven) and this stinks. We don't know anyone here, and there are no new age stores (to our knowledge). However, we have been very positive and know that this is the right move for us. I have been saying for years I have felt drawn to this area and that we would one day end up here.

I do however miss the friendship and understanding of our group. We will try to attend channeling group once a month (currently its twice a month on Saturdays) since going to all of them would be draining travel wise (and gas $$ wise). We are about 2 hours from where our groups meet. We will also try to attend sabatts/esbatts if they fall on weekends. I was really excited about the coven, and I know we will continue to work with them.

Plus, one of our friends from this circle of people just had a stroke, and its hard that we are not with our other friends for support. She is fine, but it is scary and she is currently in rehab. She was only 50, so this was very unexpected.

When we moved into our apartment, we cleansed it and burn candles frequently to keep the energy positive. We keep the apartment clean (unlike previous residences) as it really does keep the energy fresh and positive. I have set up an alter, which is nice since I haven't had one for a while. We had some form of a spirit in our closet. I didn't notice at first, it was more of a "if there was a spirit in this house, it would be the closet!) But the first night we slept there, I realized there WAS a spirit in the closet! He didn't come out, but he was looking at me- and I don't like that to much. He wasn't mean, or trying to hurt me. The next day, I cleansed the closet, and told him he needed to move on, and only loving energy was here now. I tried to show him the way to the light. He seemed interested in what I was saying, and gave it thought. I do not believe he has fully crossed over, but his presence has lessened and I am no longer afraid to leave the door open. I don't feel like he is staring at me. I think he feels safe with us, and spends more of his time now on the other side. As for more information on him...all I know is he is a man, around 35 or so, and I think he died from hanging...when I first went to investigate, I got suicide by hanging and was nervous he had done it in our closet (but, there isn't anything to hang on). So, I think he died close by, possibly by suicide and some how was attracted to this apartment. I feel a sad/sorrow feeling, and that he was a loving, but sad man in life.

So, that's where I am now. Life is pretty good...in transition. I hope to keep up my practice of witch craft because it does make me feel more balanced. Sadly, I needed to take off some of my pagan bumper stickers, since I will be visiting families and do not want them to feel intimidated of me or make false judgements. A few years ago, I wouldn't have cared but I've grown up, and am not stupid! I can be "pagan and proud" without my car saying so. Though I do plan to get more "accepted" ones like Love & Peace and so on.

Lastly, me and my boyfriend have been reading about feng-shui , (sp?)and its very interesting. We are trying to feng-shui our apartment. Very neat stuff.

Love and light to you all!

Happy Solstace/Merry Christmas

Hello winter! A few days ago, the coven I belong to celebrated the solstice, with a lovely ritual. We also worked with a divination board. It isn't really a Ouija board, but similar. I was given some good advice by the guides, as was my boyfriend. So, we had a great yule and my family is enjoying Christmas (though in my family it isn't about jesus, just family and love). Many of the Christmas traditions come from the pagans solstice celebrations, so its no stretch at all.

I am moving in 5 days, which is exciting. I will be cleansing my apartment with sage to clear out any left behind energies. I will also cleanse all of my crystals, as they really need it! I want to have a nice positive space that we are comfortable. I am a little nervous about moving, since I don't know anyone in the area, but excited to have a place of our own, and starting my career. I do not know of any pagan shops in the area, which stinks, but I'm sure we'll manage. I'm sure there are some pagans around as well, since it is a liberal area and their are numerous colleges near by. So, exciting time for me.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, and 2010 is going to be a wonderful year!

Here comes winter

Hello. Its getting cold here in maine, and we have snow. That will be nice for a white Christmas/yule! So, I have joined a coven (group of witches who perform magick together). I am very excited. I've never been in a real coven, though I have done group work before. I have also worked with most of its members for over a year now in the channeling group I attend, so they are also friends. We are starting at the beginning, though most of us have been studying/practicing for years. Its a nice refresher, and fun discussion-starter. We celebrated the esbat (full moon) this month, the oak moon, and that was fun. There is some great energy going on between the members, and it was very powerful. This past week, we read and discussed the 13 goals a witch, the wiccan rede, and the goals of the coven. Great refreshers and I recommend reading them if you have not the rede and 13 goals that is). We then paired up and did some aura work, which was very neat. I am pretty good as being able to sense auras, and sometimes see them so it was exciting to practice. Next week we will be doing crystal energy work which I am looking forward to since I have only dabbled in crystal magick.

We will also be have a yule celebration which will be awesome. I love celebrating my faith with like minded individuals. Plus, my mother would like to have a yule ritual, which is wonderful. I wouldn't define my mom as a pagan, or a witch..but she definitely has some new age beliefs.

So, my spiritual life is going wonderfully and I am enjoying the frequency in which I practice/study. It makes me much more balanced when I have my spirituality in check.

I also got a job as a family therapist, and will soon be moving about 2 hours north of where I currently live. I am excited for this new opportunity, and of course nervous as it is my first professional job. But more excited! :)

Hope your life is full of love and light~~~ blessed be!

Updates

Hello.
Have renewed my spirit as of late. I've finally healed from a few injuries, have a job starting soon and am getting into the spirit of the holidays. My friend has started a learning group that will eventually develop into a coven (a group of witches working/celebrating together) which is really exciting. I've done a few group rituals, back at college with my pagan group. However never consitently and not in a coven. So, I am very excited about this. My spiritually makes me very, very happy and its hard work to remeber to take care of the spiritual part of myself. We can get caught up in the day ti day hussle and bussle, and forget the true purpose of being on this earth...to learn and love.

So, thats been really nice. I'm really excited to see how the group evolves. We are starting at basics, since a few of the members are new comers to magic. Its nice though to review and answer questions. I love living a pagan life!!! There is so much to learn, and so much to teach...

Past lives

Hey. Life has been busy for me, even though not much is happening (try figuring that one out).

Tonight I am going to a past life regression at the local adult ed. Should be interesting. I have done self guided meditations about past lives, and have discovered some of mine but have not had a formal one done by another person. My mother and boyfriend are also coming, so its going to be really fun.

I know that I lived during sometime in Ireland/England between 1200-1490. I wasn't a princess, but some daughter of a duke or something like that. We lived in a castle on the ocean and I had a sister and a little brother. I was around 12 years old, my sister 10. I was sick, I believe with TB or some other lung disease. I died surrounded by my family. I discovered this life in a meditation.

I also know that I lived sometime in the pioneer period (1800's) in the US. Not totally sure about many details of that life, though I know I was a female, grew up somewhere near the midwest, and saw many indian/settler battles as a child.

I know I lived in france in the 1600's, and was raised by a woman who was not my mother. I believe Iwas in paris. This woman was very cruel to me, but I led a realitively happy life. I know I had two sons, who were with me when I had a heart attack at an old age and went off to get the doctor but I had passed by the time they returned. This was also discovered in meditation.

I believe I had a life during either the civil war, or WWI. I was a male soldier, and probably died in battle. I was a bit older, probably in my late 30's-40's. All I saw from this life was my picture in my uniform.

I lived in the 20's in a city. I was in a relationship with my current boyfriend, and he died in war (not sure what war, or where..but he left and never came back, and I still have issues from that life regarding abandonment.) My name was Naomi. I discovered all this through a ouiji board reading.

I have been told by a psychic that I lived in egypt and helped design the pyrimids. I was male.

I also believe I was alive during the inquisition and did some not-so-nice things to people, including torture (saw this is meditation) and have already paid my karmic debt for that life.

There are many more, but these are the ones I know most about. So who knows what I will see tonight.
I look forward to it!

Welcome fall

Hey there. So, the last month has been an interesting one for me. About a month and a half ago, I injured my back which took about 2 weeks to heal. Then, I caught quite a horrible chest cold, that turned into a head cold that is now just a stuffy nose and some sinus pain (3 weeks later). Then a week ago, I was coughing and felt what I thought was my rib, move. This was extremely painful, and we rushed off to the ER. After X-rays, two different pain meds and a trip to my doctor, I found out it was a rib that had become stuck. It is not moving a little bit (my doc is an osteopath and can do manipulation) but still aches.

So, its been quite an ending to my summer! However, I have kept my spirits up as I am recovering and am looking forward to the fall. The weather has already began to change and has put me in the mood for samhain (halloween) and leaf peeping. It is my favorite time of year! Not only do I enjoy the decorations, colors, smells and fun of the season, but also the spirituality of the turning of the wheel and the significance samhain/Halloween represents. Just today as my boyfriend and I were shopping our check out person asked where my boyfriend got his pentacle necklace. We probably bump into like-minded people (that speak up and say hi anyway) about once every 2 or 3 months. We really enjoy the surprise of finding others like us and feel connected to the world when we discover "another one of us!". Living a spiritual path that is different from the mainstream can be difficult in this way. There is a certain secrecy and wariness among practitioners. There are most likely close to a million pagans in this country, we are all just to scared to admit it. The fear of the unknown and misunderstood leads us to hide our faith, as opposed to use this opportunity to teach others.

I try my best to be open about my path, and enlighten those who do not know anything about paganism. I really enjoy teaching others, and feel this is my mission in this life. Just a few months ago we were in Salem, and ran into a woman asking one of the museum workers about real witches, and what they did. The employee did not know much, only what her museum had on display (which was an accurate, yet brief description of Wicca). So, we joined the conversation and answered many questions for both the employee and curious woman. It was wonderful and both were grateful for our information. Its moments like those that make all the worry about harassment and being misunderstood (which happens frequently to pagans who are out of the broom closet) worth it.

Alright, I'm off to heat my back and relax. Enjoy the ever turning wheel as we make our way into fall!

Blessed be

Pagan Pride Day, and the end of summer

Hello all. Maine Pagan Pride Day was awesome, as always. This (I believe) was my fourth year attending. It was a little smaller this year, with less workshops but it was still fun and had that awesome open-minded, completely free atmosphere. Its amazing to be surrounded by people with similar beliefs, and to not be worried about odd stares and misunderstandings.

The day usually starts off the same...we (my boyfriend and I) get there and check out all the vendors. Theres usually 10-15 different vendors selling various goodies such as jewelry, candles, incense, home made crafts and other pagan essentials. We go to each booth two or three times before we start going to workshops. This year, we went to "Kitchen Witchery" and learned about cooking with positive energy, and how much our mood affects our food. It was really interesting and I think I'd make a good kitchen witch if I got over my dislike of cleaning, especially dishes. We also learned what different foods/spices are used for and how to make your kitchen a spiritual space. It was really neat and I liked it more than I thought I would. After the workshop, we participated in the harvest ritual. In early august is a holiday called Lammas, and it celebrates the first harvest. So, the ritual at pagan pride day usually is celebratory, in celebrating the summer, and the first harvest. We sing, dance and have a grand' old time. Its usually pretty eclectic, sometimes they call quarters (feel free to ask if you have no clue what I'm talking about) and other times (like this year) it is more open and we did not cast a circle or called quarters, but we did raise energy. So, it all depends but in general pagans are VERY eclectic and no two are the same, so it can be hard to have a ritual where everyone is comfortable. However, they did a great job.

So, pagan pride day went well, renewed my love of my faith and I need to get out in nature more and start feeling the love of god/goddess more frequently. It is to easy to let mundane tasks take over my thoughts and forget to nurture my spiritual self (very important!)

That's all for now. I am looking forward to the fall, crisp air, pumpkins, and of course samhain! (Halloween)

blessed be!

Pagan Pride Day

Hello. Life has been busy lately! I am searching for jobs for the fall. I sometimes struggle with being swept up with this physical life, and forget my spiritual one. Its something I need to work on.

In a few weeks, is Maine Pagan Pride Day, and I love this event. I've been there the last three or four years. Its like a faire/celebration of like minded individuals, and they also offer classes during the day. Its a wonderful atmosphere, and you can completely be yourself without fear of prosecution or ignorance. For more information just type maine pagan pride day into google and the website will pop up.

Thats all for now, blessed be!

Heal your life

Hi everyone, happy fourth of July. Maine is finally getting some sunshine, its been a long time! I wanted to post about a class I have started attending, called "Heal Your Life" which is based on the book with the same title. Currently, we are working on a workbook called "Your life is waiting play book" which has a lot of activities and mediation's focusing around discovering your divinity, and getting rid of negative thoughts. Its very cognitive-behavioral for those of you in the social work/psychology fields. I like it a lot, and is thought provoking. We work on healing yourself through your thoughts, as well as our relationship with god(s). Its really awesome and I recommend checking the books out. I've had problems in the past with negative thinking, which just leads to more negative thinking which affects your body and environment. This makes a lot of sense to me, and whatever you think, you attract. My friend, who runs the class gave an example of her fear of fire. Every night she obsessed about fire, worried her house would go up in flames and she wouldn't be able to escape. Well, it happened. One night her house burned to the ground. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Whatever you think, you attract! I also had a friend in high school who was scared of the devil. Now, she was studying wicca with me at the time but was struggling with the wiccan belief that there is no satan. She was so scared that he was going to "get her" that she had horrible nightmares about him. I pretty much think thats what the "devil" is. Just people worrying about him being real, creates him in their own mind. Its very interesting to think about. I however, do not believe in the devil since he is a Christian concept and before Christianity, there was no devil. A pagan god (the horned one) was taken and turned into the devil to try and scare people into converting (this is actual fact).

Anyway, before I go on a rant about the devil, I think thats enough for now. Hope everyone has a nice fourth!