And so, we have Imbolc!

This is probably the most obscure of the Sabbats, especially for those of us who have spent our lives in temperate climates.  But it is well known to Norse, Celts and others who live in the northern lands.  On the news a few days ago, it was mentioned that the folks at Barrow, Alaska got to see the sun for the first time since November!

It's still winter, but the sun is returning.  And for those who are watching, the first of the most hardy shoots are beginning to stick their heads out of the ground.

A promise was made at Samhain.  Another promise was made at Yule.  Or, you could say that the promise made at Samhain was repeated at Yule.  At Imbolc, we have a sign (or a token of pledge) that the promise is going to be fulfilled - and in fact it is in the process of being fulfilled.

And underlying this is a basic fact about The Divine.  It is a fact which might not sit well with those who speak of "God's will." 

And maybe it tells us something about The Divine (by whatever name or names we address our deities).

And it might even offer a healing for some, along with fulfillment of the promises made at Samhain and Yule.

Blessed Be!

A thought occurred to me during a recent ritual.  One of my favorite magickal tools does not get as much discussion as it might deserve.  I'm talking about music in your own rituals.  I'm not really talking about anything involving a group.  What I'm looking at more is the kind of ritual like I do when it's me and The Divine.

That's also the time when I can, as the saying goes, sing like nobody's listening and dance like nobody's watching. 

In its most simple and basic use, it can be a wall of audio between you and the rest of the world.  It can also aid your focus and vision, and make the thoughtform even more alive and real. 

Of course, there are a few cautions.  One of the most basic, for instance, is that if you are using another language, have some idea of what the words mean.  That does not mean you need to be fluent in the language which you are using.  But it does mean that you should make some effort to insure that someone who knows the language doesn't embarrass you when they announce what you've been chanting.

The music you use can take any number of forms and combinations.  It might include singing, any number of forms of chanting, a musical instrument, or recordings.  The means and method are not as significant as what they achieve.

Some don't use it at all, and some make it a major part of their magick.  And you won't know until and unless you explore and try.

It might add some new dimensions to your magick.

Blessed Be!

Now, we begin to walk forward.

In the last few months, if there has been any kind of recurring theme in my podcasts it would be that of putting any obstacles out of the way. 

So then, you ask, what now?

Now, you begin to move forward toward your spiritual goal.  It's your turn now.

There are stories about others, but this is your turn.  Who is to say that what worked for someone else is going to work equally well for you?  But, we can learn from the stories.

First, of course, we need to separate the spiritually successful from the successfully sanctimonious, at least for purposes of this exercise. 

Some of the successfully spiritual were very simple people.  Not much education, not much money, and in some cases considered to be not terribly smart. 

But others who were successfully spiritual (and spiritually successful) had very powerful intellects and knew how to use it.  So, what would they have in common with the simpler folk?

I offer an illustration which, I believe, brings out the point.

And with that, a journey begins.

Blessed Be!
   

Last week, I spoke of the Principles Of Wiccan Belief.  There are 13 principles in that 1974 statement, and each one could command its own episode on a podcast like this - or even more.

But Number Eleven stands out in my sight, because it deals with a principle so basic.  Yet it is a principle which is so often forgotten: 


As far as I know, every spiritual path known to humankind faces its detractors and debaters.  But does it accomplish anything? 

I recall in college, it seemed that every wanna-be "intellectual" felt the need to debate whether Yeshua Bar-Joseph actually was an historical individual.  Some anti-Jewish and anti-Israel groups are trying to claim that King David never existed.  But I find it really upsetting to see Wiccans and Pagans engaging in such debates, especially when they make such debates with other Wiccans and Pagans. 

I've said before why I consider challenging another person's spiritual path to be spiritually dangerous.  I would also point out to any debaters that if it's not your path, what's it to you anyway?

I try to make as few exceptions to this as possible, and those exceptions have to do with basic morality.  Beyond that, I'll even give The Flying Spaghetti Monster the benefit of the doubt for now.  If it's not my path and it doesn't bother my path, what business is it of mine?

For some folks, certain things are so basic that they don't even require mention.  For some others, it might just be a secret in plain sight.

Blessed Be!

This episode might get me in trouble with some folks.  But that might not be so bad, because a number at least equal to them will be glad that I measured my tent and they see that it is large enough to include them with no big issues.

In 1974, the American Council of Witches adopted a set of 13 points which they declared to be the Principles Of Wiccan Belief.  I was barely aware of Wicca's existence in 1974, and the American Council of Witches has since disbanded.  But their Principles Of Wiccan Belief are an important legacy which has been passed down to us. 

When the Internal Revenue Service or other government body looks at a religious group and tries to decide if it constitutes a "church", one of the documents which they look for is a basic set of distinguishable beliefs.  This is ours.  We do indeed have a debt of gratitude to those who wrote it. 

And going through it, I find answers to some of the questions which seem to plague so many of us - and really bother me.  What, or who, is or is not Wiccan?  "Wiccan" encompasses a broad range of spiritual paths.  And by virtue of these 13 principles, it can be said that it encompasses more than many people are willing to admit.  Some Wiccans will be reluctant to recognize that certain other people are in fact Wiccan.  Then again, some other people will be reluctant to admit that they are Wiccan.

There are basically three kinds of people, as I see it, who are not Wiccan regardless of their claims:
And the point of all of this? 

When we get this point and put it to use, wonderful things can happen!

Blessed Be!