The Need for Validation

Validation seems to be one of the biggest issues in the community. When one is uncomfortable in one’s own skin and in one’s own path, then a person tends to try to define themselves in relation to those surrounding them and in defining in such a manner, they tend to look at things and other people as better or lesser than themselves.

The need for validation comes from lack of faith and fear. New people don’t want to be viewed as vulnerable to someone else who might have “powers”. To new people, it’s almost having to choose to walk amongst wolves. You don’t know what it REALLY going to happen and whether you will meet postive or negative people or energies. Many new people are self-defensive in the face of the unknown.

Then you have those who trained in some method, but they do not have deep faith in their beliefs. Perhaps, another path will have more. Perhaps, this path or tradition is made up. Perhaps, I am just playing sci-fi in a circle. And because self-doubt creeps in from lack of faith, then most people go back to that point of trying to define themselves and their beliefs in relation to those around them again.

Traditions and paths are tools that we use. They are not definitions of us. Sometimes we forget that, eh? There may 10, 100, 1,000 or a million witches, pagans, paths, traditions out there. But regardless of how many, there is only one witch like me. Is that egotistical? No. It’s confidence and faith. It doesn’t mean that I am better or less than another, just simply that I am what I am without basing my belief on whether someone else acknowledges that or not. It’s nice sometimes, but not a requirement for faith. There’s a difference between the two. Somtimes we just forget that.

Invocation – Shpongle

History in relation to the Current Pagan and Wiccan Communities

Back in the day, if you could find and be accepted in a coven (any coven) was difficult and hard just to locate them much less try to be accepted for studies. At that time, the majority of groups were Gardnerian based or hived or Welsh traditional or Dianic (female mysteries only). Asatru was not out there so much and had a long fight to separate itself from “nazism” as the Nazi’s took a “portion” of a misconceived interpretation and incorporated it into their regime. In fact, they still continue to battle with this misconception.

Paganism is the religion and Wicca was/is the priesthood. Those in the priesthood (both male and female) were called witches. As the religion and priesthood has expanded into the public consciousness, other priesthoods have emerged as well. Pagans (those who worship, but are not in the priesthood) began assuming the names of witch as well.

The movement of paganism and Wicca into the public consciousness has expanded at such a rate that the need for elders to train has far surpassed the number of those actively seeking to learn. With the sudden expansion, there has been a change in attitude and approaches. One thing has been the attitude towards elders. Due to lack of training and knowledge, the belief that elders and “old people” are not so useful has been carried forward from the “mundane majority world” into the community. Because of this, we have a further reduction in Elders in those that just don’t want to deal with the BS anymore.

Because of the lack of Elders versus the vast number of seekers these days, you now have a majority of people in paganism without formal training in the priesthood. But because they feel the need for a priesthood, they are trying to step in without formal training and are attempting to gain knowledge from books and burning their fingers on the oven. There are simply not enough elders, so they are trying to fill the need on their own and doing the best they can. Not all their beliefs are on track, but they are trying the best they can.

To be honest, I was a reclusive elder for a long time because I was turned off by the community. There used to be pointless witch wars that distracted from our purposes and then dealing with the whackos and resistance from the “moral majority” meant that some of us were supposed to remain in the closet. If you came out, you often got a brick through your window as well.

But the Goddess has called me out and I see that others are coming out as well. So this may be the beginning of the return of the Elders.

Defining our Service — Pathwork and Specialties in the Craft

Pursuing deeper Craft mysteries is similar in some ways to the educational system in the mundane world. First, we learn the basics and have firm rules and structure to follow. Then later we gain a firm liberal arts education. Then we begin to pursue our Path or Specialty.

Most people in the Craft and deeper levels of paganism who pass from the realms of worship into the realms of service, will feel a calling to one or more paths and will specialize in at least one while having a secondary path to cover “vacancies” in time of need or to be able to teach in-depth to students until they can assume the vacant position in our groups and communities. As time passes, some practitioners will possess adept knowledge in multiple areas.

These Paths intermingle and comingle within individuals and within the communities. Just a few of the paths in our covens/groups/communities are listed below. If you are in or are entering the realm of service, take a moment and see if you can feel which path or paths are calling you.

Warriors/Guardians
** Pages (training, maintenance)
** Knights (Guardians)
** Kings (Leader)
** Elder Knights (Warrior/Guardian Guide and Master)

Seers
** Empaths (Receivers)
** Diviners (Interpreters of omens and divination tools)
** Seers (Direct spiritual contact)
** Dream Workers (Dreams)

Healers
** Physical Healer
** Sexual Healer
** Spiritual Healer
** Emotional Healer

Craftsmen
** Smiths (toolmaker, gold smith, iron smith, silver smith, etc.)
** Artists (Painter, leatherworker, seamstress, etc.)
** Scribes (historians, writers, recorders, librarians, etc.)
** Bards (musicians, storytellers, messengers, etc.)

Woodsmen
** Hunters / Trackers
** Gardeners / Farmers
** Husbandry (raises and tends animals, herders)
** Architect (designer, builder, construction)

The Path of Healers in the Craft

Back in the day, there were no “Reiki” lessons or crystal healing classes available like there is now. Occasionally, if you were lucky to be in a somewhat metropolitan area that had a “counterculture” hub, then there might be a few yoga classes or a few reclaiming herbalism classes.

What we basically had was “spiritual healing”. Sort of like being thrown into a pool of water and not knowing how to swim and hoping that you didn’t drown yourself or someone else while you were figuring it out. If you were fortunate, as I was, then you had an experienced “swimmer” near by to explain the basic techniques. When there was a healing to be done, you did it. You took a few minutes to put yourself in a proper place (spiritually, mentally, and physically) to do it and then you just did it.

I have to chuckle a little sometimes (and yes, this shows my age) when I do a healing and someone asks if I do reiki and I simply reply, “Nah, I just do it.” The looks on the faces are quite funny sometimes.

Honestly, being a healer of physical ails, it is not my forte. I suppose you could say that I am a spirit healer and I wander between worlds and point people back to their path if they get a little misplaced in the forest. Whether they chose to return or follow their path or not is entirely up to them. Sort of like a gas station in the desert. You still have to travel through the desert, but you can get revived and get your bearings. Healers and spirit workers have a bit in common. Just different purposes.

I have noticed a trend, though. It seems that I run into quite a few people that indicate that they are healers of physical ails, which I think is marvelous. We need as many healers (in whatever method they decide is best for them) in our pagan communities. However, I have also noted another trend. Healers who won’t heal.

The usual excuse is that they are not in a good place for it. Sometimes I can agree with that, but if you are on the path of the Healer, then you are supposed to heal. When I see a proclaimed healer not healing day after day after day and time after time, it is disturbing. If that is a person’s path, then it is important to remember that others are RELYING on you and your ability. Warriors need healing. Spirit workers need healing. The job of the healer in our community is to support and keep others in a place where they can do their job.

If you have a counselor who is incapacitated with a migraine, how can they perform their service if they can’t get past the pain? How can a warrior defend or others feel that they are protected by the warrior if the warrior can barely move? All our paths are intermingled and we are supposed to support each other in our Service to Her. When one person decides to refuse to function (in whole or part) on their Path, then (1) a gaping hole in Service begins, or (2) someone else has to leave their Path to fill the gap temporarily, or (3) someone has to pull double duty and do their path and yours.

I find that more and more, I have to jump from spirit work into healing, and this usually happens when someone says they are a healer and then they say they won’t heal. I can see the spirit pain that is keeping someone from their path and, in my path, I feel often compelled to pull double duty so to speak, so that the person I am supposed to assist is in a position to be assisted.

However, when I do this, I unfortunately realize that I am spending time and energy doing someone else’s job and depleting my own time and energy which should be spent on doing my own job. Does this really help the whole circle? What about the people that get “bumped” because I don’t have time? Someone always has to pay the price in the Circle when someone refuses to do their Service.

Similar to assisting at festivals or gatherings — if you are going to volunteer and put yourself out there as being able to do something, then do it. Everyone will understand a temporary excuse, but repeated excuses? If you aren’t a strong healer, but you have the calling to that Path, then train and PERFECT YOUR ART and, in the meantime, volunteer or serve in another path in which your strength lies or in which you have competency.

When to Heal and Not to Heal? There will be a certain amount of people whom you can’t or shouldn’t heal. Sometimes, you can try as hard as you can and it won’t take because of this. But if you are spending more time avoiding healing than healing and you are a Healer, then this is not a proper excuse. Something is wrong and you need to look for the answer. It may be confidence. It may be a training issue. But you won’t be able to fix it, if you don’t look for the problem.

If you just did a healing and are still shaking off any residual or recharging, then heal yourself first. Tell the person asking for help. They understand and they will wait, give them herbal directions, or send them to another healer. But, please don’t leave they standing there suffering. Keep in mind, it is very difficult from some people (such as warriors) to even ask for assistance in the first place. Last thing they really need is to be “blown off”. A good proportion of warriors won’t ask a second time.

Remember, words have power. It is a pitfall to claim to be something when you are not or do not feel that you are. When this is done, then you have already set yourself up to be ineffective and unproductive, not to mention having distracted yourself from your true Path and abilities.

Brightest of Blessings upon the Healers and those who find the strength to serve on their Paths.

Mead Muse

Study Guide for the Mabinogion

Study Guide for the Mabinogion

This is a study guide I gave out as well.

Here is some help when first studying the Mabinogion. These apply the majority of the time, but not always, so do not limit yourselves to these, but use them as study aids.

1. Break stories into subsections.

For example, Taliesin and Cerridwen’s Cauldron. Focus on the part up to where he is found in the weir. And then study that in subsections. For example, his shapeshifting and turning into animals.

2. Best “clue” in analyzing the Mabinogion overall is to pay attention to the numbers. For example, four of anything usually represents the essence of elements, directions, and/or watchtowers. Also, animals often represent either underworld messengers or
elements in Welsh mythology.

3. Rewrite the story in a short fashion so that you can follow main players.

4. Patience ~ There are layers within layers within layers or teachings in the Mabinogion. I have studied it for almost 30 years and I still find new connections. It is a tool you keep using over and over again.

5. The Druids and Avalons trained in sets of natural cycles. Look for cycles when you are reading.

a. If there is an elder king and a younger man – Look for Fisher King solar stories and a Solar cycle relationship.

b. If there are two men/boys, look for Oak/Holly King and the light/dark twins relationships.

c. If there are two men/boys of somewhat equal standing and one female, look for solar cycle relationships.

d. If there are three women or three or anything, consider that you are looking at lunar cycle teachings.

e. If there are twelve and one or a total of thirteen, then you are probably looking at the Druid Lunar Tree Calendar.

6. When studying with anyone, LISTEN/READ CAREFULLY THE INSTRUCTIONS! Break your assumption patterns!

~ Mead Muse a/k/a Elder Wytch, October 25, 2008

Seekers, Titles, and Such

While helping out another Elder while he was on vacation, this discussion came up regarding titles, etc., and I thought I would share my response.

When you are a Seeker, you are learning to move beyond the knowledge
you already have.

However, remember, you are also learning a system and a philosophy which is a tool to help you travel further on your path.

When we teach a principle of the Craft, you may accept it or not. You may be ready to understand a teaching or it may lay dormant like a seed until a later date. Treat those seeds with respect. They are our religion and our beliefs.

While I am visiting, I will be happy to discuss controversy, but only in a respectful manner without flaming or I will cease answering any questions that person may have. We encourage thoughtful contemplation and discussion; however, aggressive posturing is not acceptable. Instead you may choose to ignore anything I say and discuss it with your assigned teacher.

No elder/teacher in the CRAFT is UNCONDITIONALLY OBLIGATED to teach anyone else. It is not like the Christian Church where everyone is expected to stay. It is not like school where you can aggressively posture with teachers and you go to the Principal’s office and then you get to return to class and we continue to teach you. I will spend my time where it can make the most impact.

Elders and teachers are entitled and have earned their ranks. If they choose to use them or not is their decision, not a student’s. We should feel comfortable and have every right to say that we have a high IQ, we have studied for 30 years, etc. If you have not studied as long, it is inappropriate to assume that you deserve the same status or respect as someone who has.

Who becomes offended if a specialized doctor who has operated for over 30 years says, “I am a doctor and I am a specialist and I have to be pretty smart to have gotten this far.” Think about it?

New seekers are the first to say, “That elder has to earn MY respect.” Well, surprise, you have to earn deeper respect from me, too. It is a misconception of this time that Seekers or any student has the right to put their limitations on elders FIRST and then MAYBE the student will offer any respect. RESPECT TO ANYONE (elder or student) SHOULD BE GIVEN UNTIL THERE IS GOOD REASON NOT TO DO SO. It is plain out good manners.

If you have an issue or something inflames you, the answer is not to make personal attacks or to become aggressive. If it affects you so deeply, your JOB in any CRAFT TRADITION is to ask yourself why and to see if you have issues such as with authority figures that are going to hinder your progress. If you do not agree with an elder, then take what is useful and leave the rest.

What is upsetting you so deeply about receiving information YOU ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING? In my experience, I find it usually indicates an unresolved issue that needs to be tended that may or may not have anything to do with the teachings at hand.

It is by CAREFUL CONTEMPLATION of our OWN ACTIONS, that we learn why we do things and who were, who we are, and who we are becoming.

~ Mead Muse a/k/a Elder Wytch, October 2008

Ramblings on an Elder Wytch

What I particularly find annoying is others trying to force their perception of who and what I am on me and trying to make me conform to their perception to “prove” worthiness. I don’t ask or expect anyone to accept, follow or agree with everything I say. In fact, it’s creepy when someone does that.

Honestly, I already know who and what I am and where I am going. If someone else doesn’t know for themselves, I think better time would be spent on finding those answers for themselves rather than getting off track by focusing on every little thing a teacher/elder does. I don’t live my life by trying to qualify my worthiness. That is just another pitfall and trap that teachers and elders often get stuck in by others trying to pull them off their path. Not always, but sometimes you will find that others are attempting to strive ahead, not by working on themselves, but by “lowering the bar” to a level of mediocrity so that they won’t have so far to travel. This does not serve any of us in the long run.

The Path is not about memorizing every little thing and it’s not about conforming to every little thought. Any worthwhile Path (in my opinion) should be about expanding your capacity for thought, logic, spiritual connection, and expansion of your inner self. If we wanted to be mainstream and sheep, then there are much easier places for that instead of trying to mainstream and conform what is meant to be maverick and different and off the beaten track.

A good teacher or elder is a guide to paths of expansion and not every teacher is for everyone. I have a motto, “You can find enlightenment in a pile of shit IF you truly are seeking enlightenment.” If someone is not for you, walk away. If you truly are seeking enlightenment, the guides (mortal and spiritual) you are supposed to have will come to you. Not saying all teachers are wonderful or properly motivated, mind you, but just want to point out that sometimes it is the perception of the Seeker that causes the problem. I have had some crappy elders and teachers in my time, but I have learned something from each and everyone of them especially the crappy ones.

YOUR journey on the Path is YOUR journey, not mine. You are responsible for it. You alone.

Sometimes, finding out what you want and who you are involves a journey of finding out what you don’t want and who you don’t want to become, eh?

Elders and teachers should never be considered the ultimate defining sources of anything and the misplaced perception that they should be is a great stumbling block to a lot of seekers. They get lost in looking for ANSWERS rather than PATHS to finding their own answers.

That’s one of the really wonderful parts about most traditions. After you are done with your studies, you are more than welcome (and often encouraged) to go out, start your own group, and do it your way. You can finally eat dessert before dinner if you want to. But you might just find out that others are trying to convince you that it is inappropriate for you to do that! LOL!

Solitary or Coven?

Solitary or Coven?

Those that are in the Craft and follow the path have to the follow the path that they are guided on. Since there has been such a large burst in the “Wiccan & Neo Pagan” movement in the last ten years or so, it has definitely outgrown and surpassed the number of available, qualified (I don’t mean necessarily coven-trained), and spiritually motivated elders to teach more than a small handful of these great numbers of seekers.

I had one student ask me if it wasn’t my spiritual duty to take in and train every person that asked. I had to explain that it was better for me to properly train 5 others to elder status so that they could teach others. Than to have 90 people get a sip or a glimpse.

I am often inspired by the akashic records (psychic library) and by my spiritual guides these days. I was on the younger side of my groups and most of my elders are on sabbatical or have passed to the Summerland. (Actually, it’s funny that a few of my old friends still consider me a pup after all this time, as well.)

So, can someone be self-taught? Yes, but it is extremely difficult. Every person in the Craft has some type of natural talent. A natural strong and fully functioning talent of empath and spirit work is rare. I find it takes about three years to fully train a spirit worker. You also have to master the ability to access the akashic records to obtain information and direction. This is most often done in dreamwork so it takes a natural ability to be a dream worker as well.

That is where a coven provides the ability to move faster on the Path than study alone. (Note I did not say the only way). But you have a group of bonded, like-minded people that share their strengths and abilities with each other. My goal has never been to hive off covens as much as possible to get buckles, but to inspire covens to become long-term family members that are available to assist each other in training and in having a check-balance for life’s issues and to assist its members from getting lost on sidetracks or getting stuck in “whirlpools” on the path. The sidetracks and whirlpools serve a purpose to protect the untrained and those who are not ready from progressing further. They are tricky but they can be manuvered.

But you don’t get that overnight or by “poof” I am in a coven. It takes everyone moving in a direction for the betterment of everyone.

Covens should be fertile ground for each member to thrive in and grow. If a coven is based on dominance or arrogance or ego-based directives or even sexually-based directives, then you would probably do better studying alone and pray for the higher beings to bring you into the path of a true elder for training.

Can the Path be travelled by book learning alone? No. You cannot confidently and competently fly an airplane after having only read a book. It takes training whether by being trained by an elder or by a strong relationship with your spirit guides. You have to get your feet wet. You might get bitten and you might soar through exercises and experiments, but knowledge alone is not what we are seeking and is only one side of the training triangle of Knowledge, Experience, and Faith.

Thoughtforms, Auras, and Familiars

Auras are the energy you generate within yourself. Mostly, your life energies will be on the inner level of the aura and the expansive or outer area of your aura will be your current energy level. The color of your aura is often dictated by your current status such as spirituality, emotional status, or health status.

Sometimes auras can have multiple colors “sparking” as well if some of these are at odds with each other. For example, red for pain, blue for good spirituality, and yellow for an optimistic outlook. Multiple colors are usually only seen by really well trained people. Most people that see auras see a general overall color, which often reflects either an overall impression or the most dominate condition. For example, if someone is highly spiritual but has the flu, you may see a slightly darker color of light blue that they normally have.

Thought Forms are actual sort of “temporary” beings you create by the use of your energy and/or channeled energy. They are usually for a specific purpose and, when done properly, for a limited amount of time. Such as to find someone, report back as to how they are, and then dissipate. I find that the construction and deconstruction of thought forms is probably the most often attempted and poorly done.

I would recommend that no one but more advanced seekers actively try to make these, but if you are determined to anyway, then PLEASE PUT A LIFETIME LIMIT ON YOUR THOUGHT FORM, so that it dissipates properly. If you “forget” about it and you do not have this clause, and if you use them over a long period of time, they can attempt to become sentient and it is a painful process for what was not by nature intended to be sentient. It is almost like throwing a lap dog out into the street, they want to live, but when they are incapable of surviving on their own, they can become a nuisance and occasionally dangerous to others.

Familiars can be of three types:

1. Occasionally a well-developed thoughtform. Not a best first choice, unless you are looking for a short term involvement.

2. Most common are a spirit of some type such as a totem, an actual animal that has passed away.

3. The third type is a currently living animal which you train to astrally travel for you. In the older days, some living familiars were designated for protection and they would turn seriously ill or passed away taking the hit for the witch. Consider it sort of like a guard dog protecting you, but if you want a companion dog and not a working dog, be careful about instilling their purposes and duties.