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!
13. Honor the Goddess and the God - Have you ever thought about what you believe? Who do you pray to? Do you pray or invoke a Goddess or God? Which one(s)? Do they have certain attributes that they are known for? Do they have certain holidays in their honor? Are there rites or ceremonies that are specific to them? How do you honor them now? I have read everything I can find about the Goddess that I believe takes care of me. I'm more of a Celtic witch so I pray and honor Brigid, and her counterpart Bres. I honor them equally since I believe to do is to have balance.
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.
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.
If you'd like to discuss these goals leave me a note. I love a great discussion and enjoy getting another person's perspective on things.
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