Moonsilk

A Witch Elder with Wisdom to Share every Wednesday

[moonsilkwisdom]

Impact versus Intent

A reminder of how powerful words are. Sometimes people throw them around not thinking of how the listeners may take them. Microaggressions often are done with careless words. For some people, words or phrases can be triggers to past trauma. The effect is why the phrase intent does not equal impact is used so often. Regardless of what one means or intends to say, how the words land can be much different.

One way I share how impact and intent differ goes back to my high school days. While taking a racquet ball class, one day I was sitting out of the games for the round, a it was not my turn to play. A stray tennis ball found me outside the court and knocked my glasses off, giving me quite the bruise. Intent wise, there was no harm meant, and the fly away was just an accident. Impact wise, I still needed an ice pack for the bruise resulting from the ball. One had no bearing on the other.

While I was in seminary, the idea that words had layers of meaning was covered repeatedly. There were constant reminders to look at words and all the possible meanings when using them, whether in the pulpit or in one-on-one sessions. How things were intended, are not always how things are heard. Even my clinical supervisor would forget this and say things with one meaning in mind, but I would struggle to hear that version and heard a different meaning. Where one was thinking about a compliment, I heard only a rebuke.

Words are powerful. Use them with care. Remember that intent is important, but not everything.

[moonsilkwisdom]

It only occurred recently why I have a certain Norse God happily in debt to me. Watching Youtube I hear Once more about firth andvthe gifting cycle (https://youtu.be/Jjww0KSkXkI?si=rNN6pY_kXBJMLXOa), I realize it was not a single gift, but a series of actions thst created the debt that I'm not allowed to simply forgive and end the relationship. I swear that when I try, the response is a pat on yhe head, a comment about me being sweet or cute, followed by a simple "no."

The cycle started when I was part of a coven and we held a series of Wicca 101 classes. One student was quite memorable as he started by letting us know he was raised in a Fundamentalist Christian home, in a Fundamentalist Christian community, but never fit there. Over the course of the class he shared about the practices he did as a child, that made it clear he was Pagan to anyone who knew what they were looking at. Near the end of the class , he had an experience he did not expect. He heard the call of God for the first time in his life. God, just happened to be the big guy with the hammer, Thor. In TRUE heathen style he stayed with the coven for the year and a day before joining a local kindred.

That was the first. I did not realize how much blame/credit I would get for granting a different perspective to one who needed it. A few years later, I note that I was scheduled for surgery on a Thursday, only I manage to change a letter and think Thorsday instead. Then I hear a male voice attempting to reassure me that I would be watched over to pay the debt. The debt was clarified as reminder of the above actions.

Later, shopping at a festival, I come across a mjolnir pendent whole trying to find earrings and hear that male voice clearly saying "that one." As it fit in my cash budget, I purchased it, but also resented not having money left for earrings. I should have known better, but followed in obedience to the request over the divine, and added another gift to the debt.

Years after that, I get a tattoo to help represent my spiritual journey. I had wanted on my left shoulder, but that got challenged and I found myself switching shoulders to keep the planned design and the hammer-weilder happy. Around a flaming UU chalice sits a spider on top, a broken cross on the right, a pentagram on the bottom, and mjolnir on the left. Of course my appointment for this tattoo was also on a Thursday, much to the amusement of ghd tattoo artist.

Thor Odinson is protective and I am sure he continues to watch to keep me safe. Only the gifts I give seem to outweigh the safety he feels he can offer. He is not possessive, and has no problem sharing me with the other gods I work with or call as part of my ministry. Honoring his debt is part of who he is.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Happy Samhain

I hope everyone following the Celtic wheel of the year gets time in the coming days to spend time talking with and listening to your ancestors. Remember, the beloved dead you reach out for and celebrate doesn't have to be on your family tree and just because they are on your family tree doesn't make them beloved dead. Take time to share the memories to keep those alive.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Book Review: Basic Witches

So I recently read the wonderful book Basic Witches: How to Summon Success, Banish Drama, and Raise Hell with Your Coven, by Jaya Saxena and Jess Zimmerman. This is part intro to witchcraft and part spell book. Not just any spell book, but one with practical spells like "A Relaxing Netflix Binge" for self-care or "A Spell for Establishing Boundaries." These spells know that half of the power of magick is getting our brains to believe we are worthy of what we want to become. The ingredients are easy to find and these witches explain the why behind the choices, not just the ingredient list. Finally, I loved this book for being simple enough for beginners just starting out, but also interesting enough for old pros to get a few new ideas.

[moonsilkwisdom]

You know you are a kitchen witch when your athame and boline look like this. The athame I picked up for the use of spiritual focus. On the other hand, the boline is my favorite kitchen knife for practical cutting of fruits, vegetables, and meat. It just happens to have a silver handle, and be much lighter in color than my athame. I've had both for the many years I've been practicing.

Other ways you might know you're a kitchen witch:

You clean your stove nightly for more than just keeping it neat.

You prefer a gas stove over electric for reasons such as the ability to cook over an open flame.

You learn some of the science of cooking and baking, and still think the results are magical.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Confidence boost spell

Well, my title is not completely accurate. This spell will work more like a banishing. A banishing of a broken record repeating harmful words. I realized that I needed this for myself as one skill that a sibling liked pointing out my struggles was for their benefit, not to help me grow. Telling me how much i could not, when I have had so many since then telling me the opposite.

Honestly, my older sibling kept telling me how my writing was so bad, and was lacking in value. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation I still struggle with, so fair. Only, the content aided with a spell check and studying style guides for better formatting and citations, that has gotten me high grade point averages and praise from readers of my work. Also hindsight helps me see how much jealousy and fragile ego fueled my sibling's words, not my skill or lack there of. So I offer this affirmation to use for what you need to banish and remind yourself of the skills you do have.

I will remove that old voice

that tells me that I can't

or I'm not good enough,

I will no longer listen to that one who wanted me lesser

so they could feel bigger

I will no longer shrink

I will claim my strength

I will claim my ability

I will leave silence in place of those words.

[moonsilkwisdom]

A little rebellion

It is the first of October and seasonal changes are becoming visible. With the shift from warmer to colder weather, another season looms on the horizon, cold and flu sharing times. The political climate and some uneducated, if not willfully ignorant, officials are making suggestions not to get immunizations updated. I will suggest you rebel against them and get any shots you might need updated. Flu and Covid, at least, if no allergies prevent you.

This year I, myself, got four shots, including covid and flu. Honestly, how could one not decide to be given a small potion or few that offer protection from malicious creatures that do cause harm. It is a small magic spell that those who can, should participate in. Especially for the few who would but the potion would cause far more harm from allergies or similar issues than the help it could bring.

Also honestly, to me at least, it is a defiant middle finger to those who talk big, but spread harm with their words while talking out of the wrong end of their digestive system.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Coming out of hiatus

So last year about this time, I moved my household ad got so busy I got out of the habit of writing and updating this blog. My prison ministry has been continuing and doing well even in the face of challenges. I've also been doing a lot of reading and will have some book reviews to share. Also honestly, I recently found out that proving your writing has an audience helps when finding a publisher. I have a manuscript for a niche audience. That and being around other writers, I was much reminded that books are like cats, it is difficult to stop at one. This is regardless if talking about reading, owning, or even writing.

When cleaning out a new space, there is of course the physical wiping down surfaces, sweeping, and mopping. Then there is the different ways to clean out old energies. Sound, especially when made by a bell or chime works. Smoke cleansing is popular, if you don't have allergies or share the space with someone who does. For my new home, I did something different. I blew soap bubbles through the house. This added the pure joy of getting to blow bubbles, the cleansing action of the soap, and the power of my own breath. Magic is as much about what you can dream up as making sure to use the supplies you have access to.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Kitchen magic thoughts

I have noticed this harvest season how much kitchen magic blurs the lines between magic and science. Science, especially chemistry can explain why jellies and jams gel the way they do. It doesn't stop the feeling of accomplishment when they do. There is also the time spent stirring pots that is ancient in practice. Even more so when one can still work over an open flame on a gas stove. The following of old if not ancient recipes from old or new books, and adding of this or that ingredient that just adds to the feel of wonder and magic. For those who can and preserve, may all your jars seal safely this harvest season.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Witchy prison happenings

This month was wonderfully witchy at the prison. My family will be moving soon and a few things happened that had me looking through my Lammas rituals. I found one from two years ago that I really liked and decided to use again with a few modifications and updates. This was partially for simplification and part because I really liked what I wrote.  Turns out, called on the Divine Spiders was perfect for some. A story of a beautiful spider with silver eyes in the window and getting of out the hole (solitary confinement) a few days early followed the call to the divine.

This decided our next step and I found myself getting to call out White Supremacy in a circle that was not exclusively white. This was not intentionally planned. I am never sure who will show up any given month but it was part of my description of magical ethics and occurred when I had a few women of color. To me it was magical to be able to describe why my circles are safe places and how I intend to keep them that way. Many stories were shared in the circle as the space worked at its best. I lead, but not dominate the lessons. I speak, but give space for others to talk. I offer answers, but allow others to do so as well. And then I go back to being a kitchen witch in the harvest se

[moonsilkwisdom]

A little on ethics of magic

I want to cover some basic ethics to magic. First, magic can be used to heal and harm, relieve or create problems. Spells can be intended for good or ill.  Please do not say black magic to refer to intentionally harmful spells, like curses and white magic for healing spells. This type of language reinforces white supremacy, and the harm it does. White supremacy holds racism, sexism and classism as good and right, when it is all harmful to all but a few.

            In addition to intent, there is the focus of the spell. It is considered more ethical to center the spell on yourself than others. Placing spells on others is a blurry, grey space, if their permission is not sought and granted first. This is because what we think is best may not be what the other person wants or needs.

            Finally, all magic has a price. In the story of Rumpelstiltskin, the miller’s daughter pays the little man for his services. Some modern practitioners refer to this price as Karma or the rule of three. Before doing a spell, decide what price you are willing to pay, what consequences you are willing to face. Sometimes the price feels like nothing, other times, the price too steep or expensive for the gains.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Some practical thought and experiences on Polytheism

Polytheism is simply the belief in a multitude of Gods. In practice, this tends to look like developing a relationship with a few while acknowledging the existence of for more. The few one devotes time, energy, and other resources towards are often referred to as patrons.

Finding patron deities can be a struggle. Or maybe you are just looking for some gods to call for a ritual. Pantheons can be crossed. Celts and Norse get along fine. Egyptian and Hellenic/Roman have shared mythologies. The challenge is in who you are specifically calling. Working with gods of the underworld is the easiest. Most of them are quite chill about working with each other and taking messages back to the dead. One ritual I got Epona, Hel, Hades, Ereshkigal, and Anubis to all play nice for a public ritual. Aphrodite is a jealous b!tch and can be hard to find others to work with her. Freyja is very similar, but do not call them together they viciously hate each other. I also heard a story of an unpleasant ritual where someone thought it was a good (nope!) idea to call the Morrigan and Tyr into the same space. Chaos and order did not mix well even if the Celts and Norse do. On the other hand, Dionysus and Loki should only be called together if you do not mind both of them getting stupid drunk together.

              Even mixing within pantheons can be a challenge. My patron Cerridwen gets along with Brigid like a mother and her teenage daughter. The question tends to be, so what is that like today. I won’t call on Hekate with her, not because they don’t mix, but the exact opposite. I know if I ask Cerridwen and Hekate for help on something, they will come up with a list of tasks for me to do and expect me to follow through to reach my aims.  One of them doing that is enough in my opinion.

              There are no hard and fast rules for mixing divine beings. Ask them first or you can have the energy of your gathering turn uncomfortable at best if not violent and nasty for calling the wrong combination. Do your research and feel free to ask them how they feel. They have been willing to let me know when I ask as I put rituals together.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Happy Lammas/Lughnassad

 We are quickly approaching the harvest season. Lammas/Lughnasad approaches at the beginning of the next month. This marks the first harvest of hay, grain, and vine. Wheat, barley, oats are usually harvest around this time. Hay is cut, dried, then baled. There becomes a time of abundance as gardens overflow with produce, trees grow heavy with fruit, and work increases trying to bring it all in to prepare for winter’s scarcity. For some the harvest season means learning what they planted, and coming to terms with the results of what they started. Sometimes it is thinking about the weeds that were allowed to grow and take over or the unhealthy thoughts not stopped.  

[moonsilkwisdom]

Importance of holding space

This month the inmates I encountered in my ministry reminded me of an important lesson I learned in seminary, the importance of holding space. Holding space or making space goes along with the idea of being present. It can be most easily seen when dealing with another person’s grief. Instead of offering trite, overused phrases, one merely sits near ready to listen but not needing to fill the silence.  Emotions are acknowledged and allowed to exist. Being able to be present and allow others to work through emotions or thought processes does take practice and I personally had to learn how to resist the urge to help fix whatever issue the person has. As underrated as it is sometimes, listening is a skill that needs to be developed.

I have about 2 hours each month in the prison chapel to lead ritual and offer any lessons I can prepare in advance.  This month despite my careful preparation, I only managed to fill part of the time scheduled for us. The rest of the remaining time got spent in conversations. The circle got warned of a recent hack that could be affecting them and their families. Someone asked a question and actively picked my brain for a project they were working on. Somehow, I don’t think the questions would have been asked if the time was more structured with lessons. One made sure to know how much the work I put in to what I bring is appreciated. After I got home, I also realized the she did not want me feeling guilty for lacking enough material to fill the time. She, I believe, also enjoyed the unstructured time for the open questions and open conversations. I find that I am unwilling to feel guilt for lack of productivity as the space I did not fill with pre-planned work, was filled with useful conversations, questions, and opportunity. I held space that was safe for learning and questions. That made it just as powerful if not more so than anything I had planned.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Late planting, a quick guided meditation

This is more a quick spell than a meditation

As always, find a comfortable position to relax into. First, think about what do you need in your life? What would you like to harvest in the coming months?

            Imagine a garden with space to plant something new. It can be soil turned up in a garden bed or a set of pots ready for planting. Place the seeds of those first steps in the soil. Add some water to help them grow. Then stand back and know some of what you need will be entering your life.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Elemental Tree Meditation

Before starting the meditation, I would like you to think about a goal or spell you would like to focus on. This meditation is great for raising and focusing energy, before grounding it again. 

Find a comfortable position with your feet on the floor. Take a deep breath in. Release it slowly. Focus on your breathing for a moment, letting yourself find calm and relaxation.

 Picture yourself as a tree in a large meadow, the type of tree doesn’t matter. Your arms and fingers are many branches full of leaves stretched upward. Your body is the trunk standing firm (Pause for a breath) Your legs, feet and toes are roots that are tucked gently but deeply into the soft, firm ground here.(Pause for a moment to let the image form)

It is a bright sunny day here.  Feel the sunlight on your leaves, branches and trunk. Enjoy the warmth it has to give. (Pause for a breath.) Feel the warmth fill your leaves. Gently pull some of that warmth into your center and hold it there gently. (Pause for the image to form)

 The wind is blowing over the meadow and through your branches. You can feel the wind in your leaves and branches, pulling them gently this way and that. (Pause to help feel the wind.) Gently tug back on the wind.  Tug a portion of it into your center to swirl around within yourself. (Pause to let this image form)

Now we are going to dig down with our roots. Feel the earth, dark and rich. Feel its solid presence and strength.  Seek out its life giving force. (Pause to let image form) Now gently tug part of that energy up through your roots and let it mingle with body. (Pause to let this image form)

Dig your roots deeper into the soil. Down a little way is an underground stream. Feel it wash over and around your roots. Feel the gentle strength it has and the slow changes it can bring. (Pause to let this image form) Now pull a part of that gentle flow through your roots to mingle with the blood beating through you. (Pause to let this image form)

** Take a moment to focus the energy into a spell prepared before starting the mediation**

Now let the water flow from your roots. Let it flow back uninterrupted on its course through the earth. (Pause for a breath) Remove it from you and let it flow separately away. (Pause to let this image form)

Pull your roots out of the earth to merely rest upon it. Let the soil be undisturbed and rest as it wishes. Let the energy drawn from the earth return from which it came. Let it replace the roots you are pulling out. Don’t worry about guiding, only letting go. Relax your tired roots; they are no longer need to hold the earth. (Pause to let this image form)

Let the wind flow out of your branches on its way uninterrupted, unhindered. Release it from within. It is no longer needed there. (Pause to let this image form) You can start to pull your branches in now. (Pause for a breath)

Let your leaves fall away and let go of the sunlight they have been collecting. Let the warmth rest on the outside, and let it flow outward from within. (Pause to let this image form) Let go of all the energy gathered, let it return as it will. (Pause for a breath)

Now let go of your tree form, branches are no longer needed, let them simply be arms and fingers. (Pause for a breath) Your roots can now merely be toes, feet and legs. (Pause to let this image form) Lay still for a moment more and just breathe until you are ready to move again.

[moonsilkwisdom]

Small rant about interfaith spaces

One problem that I have found in interfaith spaces is how often one needs to remind those who gather that polytheism and atheism exist alongside monotheism. Many interfaith spaces barely step outside of Abrahamic faiths as a start. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all started in similar cultures, in similar geographical locations, and claim some form of descendance from one man. Atheism seems easier for these groups to understand as it just takes out the divine, shifting one to none. Polytheism, though, is something that just doesn’t compute often in these spaces. Trying to explain the belief in numerous divine beings, and developing a relationship with only a few gets to be a repetitive challenge. With monotheism being a dominant viewpoint, the discussions tend to center around how the “one” divine being is viewed and interacted with. I would like to see interfaith spaces more open to viewpoints outside majority.