Focus Pocus ~ Pagan Blog Letter "F"

     Well... I am sooooooo.... way behind on blogging! I have no excuse only ~ADD,HyperD,LazyD,-Poo Poo D, I am sure I have them all. Whenever I commit myself to a project I have to have at least 5 or 6 other ones going at the same time.  I am just so interested in so many different things, and I just want to do it all!  Of course, the ability to stay focused enough to do that is extremely hard.  Sadly, I am the Queen of  distraction.  I can start something in one room and  go to put something away -from that room to another-, and sometimes I go back - sometimes I don't -because now I have started something else, or have become totally distracted by something else, in that other room!  Insane?  Probably.  I do continue to work at it every day by creating visuals to remind and guide me.  I make manageable lists of things to do each day so that I can at least feel like I am completing tasks that need to be done.  And of course apply some attention to that list of things I like and want to do.
    So what does this have to do with my pagan path you ask?  Well plenty- since walking this path has now become a primary FOCUS in my daily ability to be happy and successful at my life!  I really have not found anything that has quieted by shame bound soul and guilt ridden heart like this before.  I have shared the enchanted way that I arrived here through my previous blog, and though I am not quite ready for a press release on the indepth details, I do continue to heal and grow. This is only because I have been granted at least the blessing of knowing what my priorities are if I want to continue to get stronger.  If I do have any focus at all, it is in eating up all the education and knowledge I can to ensure my evolving magickal self.  The rest I am confident will follow.  So until then I am very proud to say that I am superior at circle casting ~as I do walk around and around in circles every day - Well my attention does anyway- lol

Namaste! and
Have a Blessed Bee

E post : Enchant

Enchant: to free from ignorance,... to delight,... to cast a spell over. (Websters 2003, 4th edition)


     I was very intrigued by the first part of this definition as it expresses "to free from ignorance". Wow! Isn't that all so true ! I confess that I was truly and literally enchanted by the intricate, non-coincidental way I was brought to the pagan / witch path. There are several specific events that occurred that eventually gave me that "coming home" feeling ,as it has been described by many, and it all began after a profound enlightenment that resulted in having been in the depths of depression and subsequently reaching a violent turning point. In that dreadful moment I experienced an awakening that my soul had been searching for for a long time. I knew in my heart of hearts that I was finally done, just done. I could no longer live with what I was- inside and out. When I stopped sobbing I began to journal. I wrote constantly. Whenever I felt anything or when I needed to see it, I drew it or I wrote about it. After many months the worst was over... no more power would be given to those people and situations that were killing me. The writings were removed and placed away for a future burning.
    Then the enchantment began. Fresh paper -fresh journal -fresh vision for the process. Slowly I was able to breath deeply and freely. I was able to hear better, see clearer. I wasn't sure what was about to happen, I just knew it would. I only knew to listen and be willing and aware because something was coming- and soon.
Books had always been a powerful reprieve for me and ironically a magical source of answers. I could easily find solitude and safety whether it be the library or a book store and then hence forth in a book. And so, the powers that be chose books as the catalyst to lead me on to the path. I do recall the very first book because it had all the topics to lead me in every direction I was to go in search of knowledge and information for my new life. It was a very small but to the point directional book called Inner Simplicity -100 ways to regain peace and nourish your soul-by Elaine St. James . To give you the jest of it all --the topics included titles like: Latch on to Synchronicity, Ask for Help from the Universe, Cry a lot , Chant, Cast a Ruin, Sleep a lot, Consult a Psychic, Dance, Take time to read, Write like Mad, Create Joy in your Life etc... This new insight to recognize the signs and trust the intuitiveness I always had but was taught not to trust brought forth other reads such as, Psyche's Seed's by Jacquelyn Small, "a how to of the 12 principles of soul-based psychology". This is where I meet Carl Jung and the Jungian depth therapy, archetypal roots, and the application and connections that the author has to his works in relation to her theories. Fantastic read! Then there followed True Magick by Amber K, Awakening Intuition by Mona Lisa Shultz---(intro by another inspiration, Christine Northrup, MD, (you may recall her from my Crone blog) the author of The Wisdom of Menopause.
      Several books, films, tv specials, web sites etc... have followed including many on Wicca, divination, psychic development, and so forth. So many fantastic women writers who have held on to me in spirit and have virtually saved my life through their experience, knowledge, and of course, their enchantment.  I should also thank the "spell that was cast over me" to click on that Pagan Blog Project button -as that action has a brought forth the wisdom of many magickal souls into my life- some who have become friends and inspirations. - enchant---who knew?


Blessed Be *Liz

B and D posts: Birds and Dreams

Did I get your  attention?
Good! I thought since I haven't blogged in weeks and weeks that I need to come in strong and creative on the catch up.  So..anyway, the idiom,which for most, is  pretty much common knowledge as is it's meaning: to do 2 things by one  action--to get two results with just one effort.  According to Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms : "There was a similar expression in Latin 2,000 years ago, and "kill two birds with one stone"  became popular in English many centuries later. It comes from hunting birds by throwing stones at them or shooting stones at them with a slingshot.  If you actually killed two birds with just one stone, a practically impossible feat , you'd be carrying out two tasks with just a single effort."  this is the origin-or so they say...really? Sure  sounds like a couple of hunters bragging around the campfire to me-yeah guy hunters. Most of us girls just hate it when you guys kill birds. Actually I hate it when anyone kills birds.  Ok- not a veggie--- Im a fried chicken - turkey feast kinda girl, but "if you aint gonna eat it, ya shouldnt be killin it!!!"  Well enough about that, just a bit of useful knowledge.  Back to the topic(s) at hand the letters B and D.
      I have very frequent, very 'all senses on' dreams.  Trouble is, I have a lot of trouble holding on to most of them long enough to record and learn what I need to from them. There are a few of my dreams that I have had for a better part of my life and I am assuming that I must be needing to find some discovery maybe even closure on the issues that they hold.  I also have many dreams with some of the same environments but different circumstances and people.  Then of course are the premonition dreams or information /warning ones.  These usually connect for me within a short period of time.  Then there are the visionary '# numbers' and out of no-where event episodes that I have while fully awake. I know this may be a sign of high intuitiveness but as I have not learned how to develop my abilities yet I  am still in that --"Oh its just coincidence" stage.   Anyhoo, I started to research dreams and Im looking for materials to help me interpret them. I haven't had much luck yet but I do have a pen and notebook by my bed and I am planning to try some meditation. One of the books I came across was at my local public library called Zolar's Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Dreams.  For each topic is a list of several scenarios that the topic may possibly show itself to the dreamer, followed by its intent.  For an example I chose birds- as they are thought of as 'messengers' in many cultures. I see them as omens for many things and hope to learn more about them through some Native American folklore I am researching. The bird topic in Zolar's covers a large page and a half!  So, I will share with you a few entries that I found to be interesting. 


Birds:


bluebird, a: the spirit is in limbo trying to decide which life to live next.


buzzard, flying above: an unusual scandal will make you vulnerable to loss.
               flying away: decayed attitudes have been cleared: the solution is within your reach


flying: your soul will be saved by a wave of prosperity.


migrating: visit your childhood home, pay homage, then be free of material ties.


singing, hearing : great joy is in store for you as you are pardoned for past offenses.


wild: will be oppressed by people with obscure demands.


and finally ...


killing a, for sport: DISASTER


...hence "killing two birds with one stone".  - such is my response to the letters B and D.


If anyone has some guidance for my dream 'Processing' dilemma it would be much welcome and appreciated.


 Merry Part until we Merry Meet again!


resources:
Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms
copyright 1996 Scholastic Inc.


Zolar's Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Dreams
copyright 1963 by Zolar
copyright 2004 Blind Poet Creative Services, Inc.

C post: Cledons---Those words you hear that just had to be meant for you.

Cledons:  Words or phrases seemingly heard at random or out of context that are spoken by a stranger, a passerby, or some other form of communication medium, that unlike regular conversation occur at a precise time and delivers a message of profound personal meaning to the listener.[Paraphrase-P.Curott pp.65] Wow, I bet thats never happened to you or me! Right---  I read that it is one of the most ancient forms of divine guidence. A Cledon "is by its very nature spontanious" [sentence segment- P.Curott pp.66 ]so not only can it happen anytime and anywhere but also by any means either auditory or visual. Being very aware of these events in my own life and then of course reading that these occurences are not just a fluke, I find the need to become more attentive to my surroundings and environments. In todays world there is so much more to pay attention to in order to receive all these possible messages or "guidences".  Electronically, it includes radio which provides talk shows and music, cell phones that can do just about anything , tv/cable -satelite, internet with streaming /YouTube, email, texts,instant messaging,blogs, and FaceBook etc.. etc. Then there are the visuals,"outside- in the world", signs on billboards, benches,buses, buildings, and bumper stickers on cars, [ Wow! Lots of  B's] and of course people talking. So really, if we are at all willing to recieve divine instruction there is no reason why we wont be able to get it.  All we need to do is look, and listen!As for me, I have decided that honing my own attention skills will provide me with more opportunites to receive as many of these divine messages or "guidences" as possible and therefore improve my journey.


"Blessed Be"




Desktop Plagiarism Checker


Work Cited: {actual and only
work used in this blog
highlighted if paraphrased,
sentence segments / words,
or direct quotes}


1) Witch Crafting
by-Phyllis Curott
copyright 2001
Phyliss Curott
Published; Broadway Books
a division of
Random House

A post: Avebury Stones

 Well now that I am totally inspired by all the talented writers on PBP I better get to work on my posts and get caught up! 
       Today's catch up brought to you by the letter A and the Avebury Stones Circles.Located about 80miles west of London there is a very large prehistoric complex that includes Europes tallest prehistoric monument, sacred to the Earth Goddess, one of the world's largest man-made mounds, and the Avebury stone circles.[paraphrase-C.Eason pp.133] Very little is known about the first peoples of this area but like many stone circles the Avebury may have served as a great astrological calender of sorts or may have been a prime location for star gazing. What historians do know is that it was a place to hold festivals and ceremonies honoring the Earth Mother and fertility. According to information compiled in The complete Guide to Psychic Development by Cassandra Eason pp.133, in the early times-"The solstices and equinoxes would have been celebrated with great fire fest- ivals and circle dances to rouse the earth energies. Sacrifices of animals or even people may have been made to ensure that the earth stayed fertile.  By Celtic times, May Eve, and Halloween marked the beginning of summer and winter.and so were celebrated with great fertility festivals to encourage the land and the tribes to be fruitful."- 
    It is believed that the energies in stones themselves seem  to be manifesting in many ways. It seems that small luminous figures and strange lights have been seen dancing around the circles  especially around the times of the pagan festivals. In addition the surrounding area has been known for crop circles for many decades.[paraphrase- C.EEason pp.133]  Sounds like a great place for anyone capable of experiencing energies.   So this is my blog for A----not sure if I will be able to do doubles on each letter but I will surely try.


BB


Research materials cited:
The Complete Guide to  Psychic Development
Cassandra Eason
copyright 1993-2003
Cassandra Eason
The Crossing Press
A Division of Ten Speed Press

My First Blog -blog which includes a reply to the letter C for the PBP.

Merry meet!  Well, I think I have a start on this new adventure in my life called--blogging.  Wow! what a place to get out there and HOWL! So many things to learn, new friends in  to be made, so many experiences to be had!  Okay ,okay, I suppose my excitement of this new toy to conversation may seem a little over the top but I envy those of you who are daily tech-eez and have grown with all the new gadgets either by way of interest and curiosity, or the basic demands of employment. Where have I been?  Oh just hanging out practicing isolation, self-loathing, and simply missing out on living. No really, its not for lack of wanting to be happy and fulfilled, I do, its that I have an inherent curse of clinical depression that as of late, 6-8 mths! or so, has been most severe. Anyway, after finally coming out the other end and reaching yet another turning point in my life, I also had to come to the realization that I have now entered the much awaited years of the  Crone. Yes, its true, I got me a case of the menopause! It had not occurred to me that this time in my life would have any positive moments of inspiration such as a new spiritual path and involvement in the PBP, but here I am. So anyway, during my research to come to terms and find some sanity with my "transition*condition", I discovered a women of true "guided" knowledge and wisdom. Her name is Christiane Northrup, M.D.  She is the author of  The Wisdom of Menopause , a book about creating physical and emotional health during "the change". Ive many times pondered about this time of change and how I would fare, and Ive always feared it. The images I always had of the Crone did not comfort me. Christiane N addresses various health issues and physiological processes but more importantly how this "transition" affects us in mind and spirit. She shares with the reader the many truths and awakenings that await us if we are only willing to know them. So,much like my desire to learn of a Magick that will empower my  life with a sense of inner dedication and peace, I am now willing see and know the Crone as she is meant to be known.  In truth she is the transformation of all that we have experienced all that we have learned. Oh what power and wisdom the future will hold with a new pair of eyes to see it with and the inspiration of the wise old Crone to guide me. 


Only an interpetation of how
I understand the authors information
was used


Work Cited:
The Wisdom of Menapause
Creating Physical and Emotional Health
During the Change
Christiane Northrup MD
original Copyright 2001
revised 2006
Christiane Northtrup MD
and Mona Lisa Shultz
Bantom Dell
Division of Random House
Blessed Be