Practical Pagan
Blog of Shadows
2/14/24
Witch podcst
12/20/23
How the Pope stole Christmas
Inspired by past blogs the ULC has written about pagan traditions being co-opted by Christian missionaries, ULC Minister Cindy Armstrong submitted the following guest sermon as a commentary on the history of the Christmas season. All ULC Ministers are invited to contribute their own sermons for consideration/publication. To submit a sermon, please email it to sermons@ulc.org.
12/12/23
Yule Songs
Silent Night
Lady Moon Shines Softly
(O Little Town of Bethlehem)
Good Rest, Ye Merry Gentle Folk
12/8/23
Book of Shadows
I just want to put a note here about your book of shadows. Which in some peoples opinions should be the first thing you do when beginning you're pagan journey. Honestly, it wasn't my first thing, it didn't come until after I'd read several books and talked to a whole coven of people about it. Basically I was doing research about whether I wanted to take my spiritual journey into paganism. Turns out it suited me much better than any of the mainstream religions did.
Anyway, your book of shadows, it can be anything you have really. I first used a loose leaf notebook and that was perfect as I was able to arrange my pages the way I wanted them. I still use that book all the time but mostly for spells, rituals, chants and things like that.
I have a few other books I use one is leather bound and holds all my research notes, things about my chosen deities. Things about Sabbats and the Wheel of the Year. It does have some spells, and rituals, chants and recipes that I wanted to keep. But this is also my journal. Where I jot down things that are personal to me in my pagan journey.
I have another that I use as well, I call it my Kitchen Witchery book. I keep recipes that I use here. Things like how to make dry shampoo, or how to make some potpourri. It's full of a variety of recipes I have found useful.
So what I'm saying is your BOS is your own. Make it from whatever you want, or have on hand. No need to spend lots of money on an ornate book. I do strongly suggest using the loose leaf method at first, it's so helpful.
13 Goals of a Witch ~ What They Mean To Me
For my family I was the black sheep misfit, who could never get anything in her life to work to her advantage, and I played that part to a tee. For friends I was the knowledgeable advice giver who could help them get through some pretty tough times. For myself and my partner I was yet a different person.
I finally starting looking at each of my selves individually and merging them into one self that I could really like and enjoy, and that is knowing yourself.
2. Know your Craft - This one can be just as complicated as the first one, and you may find yourself doing a lot of reading and learning for this goal. I can tell you it is all worth it. I am a practicing Witch for 21 years, and I am proud to say I know a bit about each pagan tradition. I don't know enough to give you histories on them or to name them and tell you what they believe, but I do know enough to distinguish one from the other and to know which one I prefer over the others. I am by no means an expert on anything pagan or wiccan, but I can give you my opinion on the subjects, what you do with my opinion is up to you.
3. Learn - Pretty much goes with both one and two above. To know yourself and your Craft you have to learn about both of them. Learn something new everyday, anything, just one thing but learn it, you don't have to become an expert at it, just learn what it is, how it works, why it is, just learn something.
4. Apply knowledge with wisdom - This is my first favorite. With doing #3 you gain knowledge, with knowledge comes wisdom, with wisdom comes enlightenment. This goal simply means use the knowledge you have gained from learning wisely.
5. Achieve Balance - In my opinion this is where you balance material and spiritual life. To do this you should first recognize what you can control and what you can't. Choose to control those things so that you don't feel overwhelmed. Accept the things you cannot change and find a way to work through them. Meditation can be a big help here.
6. Keep your thoughts in good order - Don't think bad thoughts, or negative thoughts. This is crucial to your well being really. With mental health being so important this goal can be vital to some. Whenever you find yourself thinking bad things, or negative things change your situation as quickly as you can. Do things like meditate, find a hobby you enjoy and engage in it. Distract yourself with something that makes you happy.
7. Keep your words in good order - Don't speak ill of people, especially people you don't know. You have no idea what they are going through, and I'd not wish their troubles on anyone as it may be a terrible situation. You may be going through some things that are tough or uncomfortable, change what you can, and work on what you can't. But speaking ill of people who are having troubles is not fair to them or you.
8. Celebrate Life - Celebrate being alive, celebrate being able to live, love, laugh. Dance! Have you ever seen an unhappy person dancing? I haven't and I suspect it's because unhappy people don't dance. Make the most every opportunity and share you joy with others.
9. Attune with the cycles of the Earth - This can be done in a few different ways. Communing with nature, or meditating outside and feeling the nature around you. These things should be done once a season I think. Learn how you feel each time you go out into nature. What fascinates you? What do you find beautiful about nature? Make notes in your journal or BOS of these observations, as a reminder of your attunement.
10. Breathe and eat correctly - Breath correctly, I bet you're wondering about this one. Well it's simple, its taking a breath and counting to 10 when you're anxious, or distressed. It's taking a deep breath to calm your excitement. Eating correctly can be tricky since heathly eating means different things to each person. But I firmly believe that you should eat what you like in moderation of course if it's twinkies lol. But eat what makes you happy. Good food should make you want to do a jig, and go on do the jig lol you'll be happy you did.
11. Exercise the body - Everyone needs exercise, to stay healthy, to keep you're muscles from becoming stiff and making it hard to move around. This can seem difficult in a busy life, but there are small ways to get your exercise in daily. Things like doing leg lifts while sitting for long periods. Or doing toe lifts if standing for long periods. These things work different muscles, I'm not and expert if you want more info and ways to get in small exercises in during your day. Another benefit to exercise is you really do feel better. You have more energy throughout your day and it can give you a happy disposition.
12. Meditate - I've been told by several people that this is difficult for them because they can't seem to quiet their mind long enough to meditate. I have a post here somewhere about meditation techniques if you're interested. But my basic advice is to start by sitting in a quiet place, put on some soothing music if you like. Light some scented candles, and sit so that you're comfortable. On the floor, in an overstuffed chair or couch. It doesn't really matter. Next find an object that has piqued your interest. A figurine, a picture, or a spot on the wall. Anything will do. Now that you are comfortable start by examining the object you chose closely, notice it's beauty, it's flaws, contours, shadows it makes, etc. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Well done, you've just meditated! Keep doing this for a few minutes longer every couple of weeks. When you've reached your preferred meditation time just stick to that time limit. Set a timer, if you want. It's possible you will eventually stop needing an object to focus on and can just sit and quiet your mind without any help. It's also possible that you will continue to need the objects to meditate, this is just fine. It's all about you, don't let anyone tell you that you HAVE to do it a certain way. It's your meditation, do it how you like. Just a note, I like to use tarot cards, and runes as my objects to focus on. Happy meditating!
These are printed in Scott Cunningham's book "Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner" when I first read this years ago I wrote them in my BOS and had intended on working on these throughout my initiate phase so that I would be a good practicing Witch. I didn't actually get to these until years later which was actually as it should have been because I was more mature and able to take each goal and really put some thought into it.
9/7/14
Hagall
Yew symbolizes death and rebirth in Celtic tradition. The branches of this unusual tree grow into the ground and, when the central trunk dies, the tree lives on as the branches grow into new trees. Celtic leaders were buried under yews, perhaps to symbolize their eventual rebirth in the next life.
8/30/14
Home made dry shampoo
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder - unsweetened - optional for dark hair only
- a paper funnel
- a container to store it in
- measuring spoons
- Shake a small amount of dry shampoo out into your hand about 1/2 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon
- Rub your hands together to coat them in the mixture
- Pat the areas of your that you want to shampoo - mostly the scalp area
- Rub your fingers around on your scalp and through your hair massaging the shampoo in
- Brush out any excess, and bend over and shake your hair out if needed