Long time no blog! (WWW: Coven)

I fail... I know, I know...

Well... I'm no longer in a small town!

AND I'm trying out being a Vegetarian! Yeah... imagine that... a twig eating Wiccan... hah! (How original, right?)

I guess a ton has happened since the last post...

For one, I am now living almost 4hrs away from my home town in a much larger city with tons and tons and tons of people I don't know. I went from knowing absolutely everybody (or atleast someone that they knew) to knowing just my roommate and the new friends I am [attempting] to make at my new job.

So far I really, truly like it here. I just miss a couple of people from back home but I'm surviving. I can't wait until I get my first paycheck so I can really experience this town. I moved here with roughly $200 in my pocket and not a penny more. So... lets just say I'm just affording gas right now [barely] but it will be okay.... my job seems very promising and I love it there. The Goddess has given me the strength to journey on... yet again. :)

Umm... what else? What else?

My love life is still a train wreck... a very slow moving train wreck Matrix-style... Not that I'm complaining. I rather like my calm, boring (yet still exciting) love life right now. I'm still talking with THEE ex... yes... the big major one... *sigh* She's got me still, I guess... There are just some people that will never be removed from your life... even if you don't communicate with them anymore. Well, now we're communicating. I even bought a webcam... so yah... we do geeky aim convos with visuals now. (No kinky shit, you nasty minded tards!)

andandand...

It's a word day! So erm... here is your word. :)

Coven (Covan)

A Coven is an assembly of witches/wiccans that get together to form a circle, do some magic or even just get together; have coffee and talk about their children... A coven is no smaller than 3. In most traditional Covens are no larger than 13.

Wiki says:
"The word was originally a late medieval Scots word (circa 1500) meaning a gathering of any kind, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. It derives from the Latin root word convenire meaning to come together or to gather, which also gave rise to the English word convene. The first recorded use of it being applied to witches comes much later, from 1662 in the witch-trial of Isobel Gowdie, which describes a coven of 13 members."

Also:

"The number of persons involved may vary. Although thirteen has been suggested as the optimum number (probably in deference to Murray's theories), any number above and including three can be a coven. Two would usually be referred to as a working couple (in any combination of sexes.) Within the community, many believe that a coven larger than thirteen is unwieldy, citing unwieldy group dynamics and an unfair burden on the leadership. When a coven has grown too large to be manageable, it may split, or "hive". In Wicca this may also occur when a newly made High Priest or High Priestess, also called 3rd Degree ordination, leaves to start their own coven. Wiccan covens are generally jointly led by a High Priestess and a High Priest, though some are led by only one or the other. In more recent forms of neopagan witchcraft, covens are sometimes run as democracies with a rotating leadership."

With all that said: I am not in a Coven, nor do I really desire to be in one. It's all personal preference, really. Also, some Covens charge you [money] to be apart of their group. Small fees are requested... some are understandable [circle items, group items, maybe helping with food and drink that is served, etc] and others are just ridiculous [being charged to be taught something from the craft just seems very Christian and greedy to me] and I will not be a part of it.

But please, don't take my bias against group practice as your own unless you've tried both. I can honestly say I have not tried to be in a group based practice... My lack of desire is a big reason but I'm not all people. I know some people who are in a coven and love every second of it and it fits their spiritual life style flawlessly. Maybe someday I will find a group of like minded people and we will call some circles together, I'm not completely against the idea... so please, don't let me make your mind up for you.

Blessed Be,
SallyD

(You can also thank Alicia for giving me the motivation to blog again.) :D

Wiccan Word of the Week (WWW: Circle)

There are so many ways to "Call a Circle" and there are many variations of a Circle that are practiced in Wicca. I will only be speaking of different circles found in Wicca, Calling a circle is an entirely different blog. :)

You've got a circle around a Star which it the Pentagram that I have discussed previously. A circle around a Pentagram means it's a closed pentagram and the elements within it is being controlled in some ways. (Since Wiccan's use their practice as some form of "control" in their lives, it only makes sense that their symbol reflects humanity in control)

The image of a Snake eating his own tail is an old Chinese proverb within its self. It shows Life and Death, very much like the circle of life but more disturbing, I think. Snake is alive, snake starts eating himself, snake begins where he ends. A lot of Wiccans believe not in an afterlife, but in reincarnation. (Reincarnation is when your soul is transformed or transplanted into a new being and a new life, trying to accomplish what your soul needs to do to ultimately purify its self and in time, be welcomed to "The Great Meadow")


When a Wiccan casts a circle, it isn't just a circle but a Sphere of Protection for the one in the middle (or surrounding) it. The circle is meant to protect everyone involved and dispel any negativity within the Circle. In Hocus Pocus you saw the older brother put a circle of salt around his younger sister to ward off evil spirits. Salt is often used in spells that are "heavy" on magic or if the caster feels they need an extra bit of protection, although Candles are reflected in the same way, as a ward against anything that might want to "Piggyback" the spell.

So basically, the idea of a circle is what goes around comes around. What lives, also dies. What dies can also live again. He who suffers can once again feel happiness. And all of that fun stuff.

There are Circles everywhere in life. When I think of a circle I think of a full moon, the highest peak of magical thinking... or the craziest time for the general public.... the highest tides and the brightest nights. I'm kind of obsessed with circles, you could say. I see them everywhere and a heed them when it's needed.

When you think of a circle, what do you see?

Blessed Be,
SallyD

Wiccan Word of the Week (WWW: Pentagram *pointing up*)

The Pentagram, which is usually famous for being an evil sign of Satan is actually quite passive and beautiful. For the purpose of this blog I will only write of the elements in reference to the pentagram, not as in calling a circle for they differ a great deal and it would just be too confusing trying to link them both equally and some of conflicts greatly. there will also be different answers for each element because there will always be different approaches to everything. Wiccans dwell in that gray area. Wiccans go with what feels right, not what is written in a book somewhere. Intuition is the only true guidance; everything else is purely a suggestion.

I will also break these down later on and link everything in this post so you can navigate through my blog via this post.

(For those that aren't aware: Wiccanism has nothing to do with Satan and we actually don't believe in Satan at all. No heaven or hell, so no one to dwell there either.)

Today I am going to speak of the Wiccan/Pagan Pentagram pointing North or upward. (The Pentagram pointing South or downward holds a different meaning entirely that most Wiccans don't recognize in their practice) The pentagram is also a symbol for humanity and to some point means self-improvement. Historically, a drawing of a person often is superimposed on the pentagram. (Like this)

Point: The top point, North, is the Spirit or deity.

Color: White/Purple

Alter Item: Chalice/Statue (as above)

Point: Going to the Right or East, the second point of the pentagram is the element Water.

Color: Blue
Alter Item: Chalice, bowl of water, Chalice full of water, a goldfish in a bag of water (I believe that was in the movie The Craft? lol)
Herbs: Elder Bark, Foxglove

Point: Keeping to the right, or South East the third point of the pentagram is the element Fire.

Color: Red
Alter Item: Dagger(Sword or Athame), a candle
Herbs: Hawthorne Shoots

Point: Now on the left side, or South West the forth point of the pentagram is the element Earth.

Color: Green, Brown or Black

Alter Item: Pentacle it's self, bowl of salt or soil, stones or gems.
Herbs:



Point: The East and the fifth point of the pentagram is the element Air.

Color: Yellow

Alter Item: Wand

Herbs: Eyebright, Dandelion

Yoga Kicked My Ass

Wow... I haven't done yoga in... *counts on fingers* Almost four years? Wow, I'm old! I did "Yoga Lite" today... and let me tell you... I'm SOOO glad it wasn't any harder than it was today, because I probably wouldn't have been able to hang. At all. But I'm so glad I went. I really, truely needed to get my ass in gear. I guess you can thank my mother for forcing me into getting another year signed in at the gym. Because I really, really didn't want to spend that $40 a month.... I'd rather spend it on bills or you know... shiny pretty things.

Sunday was pretty good, I guess. Woke up to my Lovey and we ate BLTs and watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding before she had to scurry off to work. I went home and debated on going to the gym and watched some YouTube videos. I decided to go about an hour til my yoga class to do some "light bicycling while reading" At a mindless pace, reading some pages in a book I'm reading... that kind of thing. But noooooo, Santigold came on my ipod and it was like I had a fire inside of me and I peddled until my thighs burned and my ankles ached. I gripped the handle bars like I was peddling for my life and the lady next to me made a "humpf" face and continued her slow peddle. I couldn't even finish the song like that but suddenly all the muscles in my legs felt alive from a deep coma. My thighs kept pushing for more but my feet just couldn't keep up.... nor could my lungs. I heaved, I tried to slow down... eventually I did. I could tell other people were looking at me but I simply didn't care. I think I might have read two pages the entire twenty minutes I was on the bike. Twenty minutes... not bad... I usually do an hour on the bike. I shoot for 10 miles or 45mins. Sometimes I get both... but I'm sure I will have to work up to that. Today I think I got maybe 8 miles because I'm so out of shape.

I decided that I would move to the Elliptical because I refuse to get on a treadmill. They kill my ankles and I feel like everything bounces.... in a very bad way. Well, I get up there. I put all my shit up there and I mount the machine. I tell myself, "Slow pace. This is first day at the gym in years. Slooow pace, Beth. I mean it." After my firm lecture... I lean back and work my thighs until they scream. I manage half a mile before I feel like I'm about to collapse. I dismount and head over to a yoga ball and do crunches and used 5lb weights for some added resistance against my arms. I did stretches, side crunches and a few other variations that had some chick using the same mirror appalled. She kept looking at me like I was punching her kitten. I started to feel uncomfortable because of the audience and I gathered my things and went to the locker room to drop off my stuff before yoga. I refilled my water bottle and waited outside the exercise room until the the yoga people started to arrive. They eventually did and I felt pumped and motivated, but achy and debating about going home instead of partaking of this yoga I've been babbling on and on about all friggin' week. Well, I get in there, use a gym's yoga mat [which is disgusting, I will be purchasing my own because my other one has paint on it and has been officially lost in the last big move] and start doing some yoga stretches to prepare.

Again, I say OUCH! I could tell from the prestrech that I fail. I struggle through the next hour and a half doing warrior pose and reverse warrior and even downward facing dog burned through the back of my legs.

All and all, I got to the gym at 4:20ish and got home a few minutes shy of 7:30. Not bad for my first day if I must say so myself. I'm going to take a shower, warm up some eggrolls and make a small bowl of ice cream... then I'm going to watch some Cake Challenge on Food Network before I promptly pass the fuck out.

Sunday was a good day. Monday will suck at 4am, but I'm sure if I keep this up it won't be so terrible.

O yeah! My new curtains!!!Notice that Sally is making an appearance. :) This also sort of shows my new curtain rod! I love my curtains, they have a fancy print on them. (As shown below)


Yay, that's it for today!

Blessed Be,
SallyD

Video of the Week (Is Wicca Right for you?)

I love this video. It helped me alot, so hopefully it can do the same for you.

++++

Yay, friday! I'm so glad it's friday. So glad.

This week has flown by though... I didn't make it to ONE of my yoga classes. :( Nope... not one.

Today I will get some free time though, so maybe I should atleast brave the gym. But when I think of going to the gym I think of how icky it is and I can't wear my glasses in there because they are lame, so that means I just see blurry shapes and stuff. (I can see up close, but if you are more than two feet away from me I just see colors and shapes) Not being able to see makes me uncomfortable... needless to say. (But I'm saving up for contacts and selling stuff on Ebay and Etsy to help raise money! Check out the link section over there ------>)

So bleh. I don't know. But a N - A - P is definantly in order today. I woke up feeling like DEATH. When I wake up and instantly have the "I'm definantly going to puke" feeling... I know I def didn't get enough sleep. My gf and I were putting up my new curtain rod, (That she bought me, and it was more like she was putting it up and I was watching Jersey Shore... THAT SHOW IS ADDICTING!) Which took forever... we were drilling holes in my wall at 9:30 at night... go us! lol I'm sure my neighbors hate me now.

I've been having crazy dreams lately. I did a little research this morning, I guess Wormwood is a dream agent. It can bring you premonition dreams. I hope my dreams don't come true. Whew, they weird me out just thinking about them. I think some of that strange juju that Wormwood can do to you is still bouncing around in there from when I inhaled it too much the other day.

Now that my room is clean and I have a curtain rod up... maybe I should get curtains? Yes... I should get curtains today. I already picked some out at Lowes. I'm excited. They're blue and have fancy patterns on them. I will post pictures when I get them... and I haven't forgotten about yesterdays blog, I will add pictures accordingly as well. :)


Blessed Be,
SallyD

Cleaning My Room (Smudging, Herb Warnings)

The good Karma bunny must have visited me yesterday after I made my first post.

Suddenly after I hit the "Publish Post" button I had a huge urge to clean my room and put my herbs in the jars I had purchased for them.

Well, actually... it started because I wanted to smudge my room because it's been freaking me out lately. If I'm sleeping by myself, I do the blanket up to my nose and shifty eyes thing you see in cartoons all the time. So, smudging would solve that. It'd at least give me peace at mind.

What is smudging you ask?

Smudging is when you take dried herbs that have been tied neatly together, you light the end of it and blow out the flame like incense. The smoke that comes from the "Smudge Stick" is an aromatic and potent way to get rid of those nasty evils that may be lurking in your home. I will be using White Sage for it is for protection and traditionally it is used when purifying a home.

Alot of people smudge before they move any of their belongings in a new home. Which I had planned on... but since I was working two jobs and have a relationship.... that didn't happen. I was lucky I found an afternoon to shove all my stuff in the house and run off back to work. I literally had to stay at a friends house because I lacked the time to even put my bed together until I got a full day off and had to plan for it.

So, I've been moved into my new apartment for almost 5 months and still have yet to smudge anywhere. The house felt empty when I walked in, but then again I was also so excited to be out of my current living situation and into this shiny new apartment, a blooded ghost probably could have walked up to me and spat in my face and I would've pushed him out of the way to live there.

But anyway, If one is to smudge a dwelling, said dwelling needs to be cleaned (or atleast put in order) because chaos breeds evil. Or, you could think of it as... Your house being in all sorts of array... could you sit there and calmly read a book? (Okay, so maybe you could, but I couldn't. I could barely sleep in my room because of how messy it was) In other words, it's harder to focus when there is clutter about. And, if you are wanting to push out anything bad, you would need to be able to see every inch of free space available.

After cleaning areas you wish to smudge, there are many ways you can do purify your home. The more "ritual" way is to light a bunch of candles or tea lights around the house. One in the central location of the house, and then at each North, South, East, West locations. If you have two levels (like me) you would want to put candles out on each floor like that, or use the central candle where your family gathers the most. (As that would be the "central" area for the family.... the one place everyone gathers on neutral ground.) But have two levels of the NSEW locations. Then, get a large bowl of water that had salt water dissolved in it. Walk around with your smudge stick making sure the smoke of the stick reaching each corner of the house. With water you would sprinkle it in each area while proclaiming the house being yours now and all other entities need to go away now, kthnx. (Okay, so maybe not in those words)

Or, you could take out the candles and water and just smudge for a quick purifying or less powerful negative energy. If it's something more serious (A ghost, a person/visitor that carrys heavy negative weight) you may want to do the complete ritual. There is no need to call a circle or anything like that.

What you could say while sprinkling the water is something like this:
Negative Energy, leave this place.
Negative Energy, you aren't welcome here.
This house is mine. Not yours.
(Repeat 3 times)

It only actually took me about 20mins to hang up all of my coats in my chair and throw away random trash and such... but then I got side tracked by putting my herbs into containers from the plastic bags they were in originally. (So I didn't get the chance to smudge yet)


I have an herb called Wormwood. Some of you might recognize the name, others may not. For those that don't: Wormwood is the herb that is used to make Absinth. Absinth is the liqour that makes you hallucinate and you can quite literally OD on it. Wormwood can also be manipulated into a poison and can make you paralyzed if you use it too often for too long even in the right form.... O and it could kill you.

So, Wormwood is tough shit. (Basically)

I got my hands on some a couple weeks ago. After I had searched everywhere and it's SOOOO expensive, I found somewhere that had it under $12 an ounce and pounced on it. I haven't done anything with it yet though, but I do have plans (in the non-poison form). Well, as I was pouring it into the jar from the bag a big puff of dried Wormwood powder got pushed into my oxygen. It was a slow reaction. I inhaled more than I should've. First, my eyes felt all wobbly. Then, I started choking. Wormwood tastes TERRIBLE, btw. Really, super bitter and reminded me of slugs. (I use to eat bugs as a kid, what?) I instantly stood up and stumbled. Drinking the rest of my drink my throat started to feel better but my eyes were all glossy and I felt really loopy. I felt drunk for the next hour and a half from just inhaling some in powder form. Yeesh. I'm excited to use this stuff for real!!

Moral of the story: Be careful with your herbs.

Blessed Be,
SallyD