A sacred well, bearing the water of the Earth, flowing to share the mysteries of the soul...
To Believe In
- from Mare Lise
I'm not someone who considers herself a Pagan... But I find
that I hold many of the beliefs that several of my Pagan friends hold. I'm not
really one to express my religious beliefs, but I figure that I might write down
my experiences so that I may begin to understand what these things are- how they
relate to me and to others. At this one point a while back, my best friend and I were walking through a park near her house, coming home from some errand her mother sent us on. We were crunching through the slush of early spring, and my friend stopped me when we neared the end of it. She started to walk towards one of the low fences surrounding the small park, being careful not to make much noise. I wasn't sure how quite to react, but I followed her, treading as quiet as I was able to on the melting ice. In a yard, just past the small fence, stood a herd of five or six deer. If I remember correctly, there was two or three females, a male and two little ones- they still had their spots. My friend and I stood near the little fence, and just watched them as they ate away at the new greenery about the yard, only gazing at us suspiciously for a moment before continuing on. I felt so at peace at that moment- everything in the world seemed to be going perfectly. I was in the pressence of my very best friend -someone who I love more then life itself- and it felt as though the earth itself had personified itself into the forms of the deer, calming the worries I had been holding inside myself through out the whole winter. One of the little ones got a little curious about us strange creatures, and started to come closer. My friend held out her hand, and the fawn sniffed at it. It wasn't afraid, then it pranced back to its mother, happy as could be. That was almost a year ago, and I think it was the first time that I actually realized that there was something out there more then just us humans. Something so wonderful and calming, something that those deer held onto so perfectly, that it was beyond at least my mind to comprehend.
I'm not sure what this could mean for others, but for me.. it gave me something
to believe in.
Moon Time
- from Fand Le Fay
I have taken to nurturing myself during my menstruation period. I've decided to honour it as the beautiful flow of the tides that it is with days of comfort and solitude. On the first day of my cycle, I begin the day with a smudging of a personal incense. Flore's "Temple Garden" or "Lotus" is a wonderful incense to use, but anything that brings you peace and joy would do. I dance either naked or in a flowing dress to Cree Summer's song "Miss Moon" and I slowly move to the rhythms of the Earth, cradling my body and sending gentle thoughts and prayers to my body, mind and spirit. Afterwards I shower and dress in the most comfortable clothes I can find and I make a cup of rosehip and hibiscus or eldeflower tea and proceed to spend the day being kind and compassionate to myself. I watch movies that feed my spirit like "Anne of Green Gables", "Pride and Predjudice", "The Mists of Avalon" etc.
I take time to create, whether it be sew, crochet, cross-stitch, write, make a collage, bead and I just enjoy every moment, every cramp, every emotion and thought that comes with this beautiful time. I have found that by doing this, I am more alive and a part of my own true self and at one with my centre.
Woven Dreams
- from Kelly
My brothers and I were raised by our Father in the Craft. They taught me music from an early age, and formed a band about 4 years ago, when I was 6. My dad taught me to play keyboards, and I joined my brothers in their band. One day, when we were practicing, my brother told me that I should try and sing. So I took the mic, my brothers started playing a folk/rock beat, and something took control of me. I began to sing a story my dad had told me many times of why the Moon changes from one phase to another. The song seemed to last for hours.
Our band is known as Woven Dreams, and all our songs are Pagan/Wiccan orientated. We play many events and gatherings. I have been told that when we play, the air comes alive with the charge of Magick.
The Owl and the Shooting Star
- from Titania
I just started practicing Wicca a few months ago. As a solitary practitioner, I performed my first ceremony on Samhain. As I invoked the Goddess, I heard the screech of an owl. Looking up into the sky, I saw a shooting star. This was very special to me, since I had never experienced one before that night. That event made the rest of the night, and the rest of my life, seem especially worthwhile.
Samhain Light
- from Ramyss
This year, I attended my first Ritual, Samhain. I am a novice to Wicca, and so was filled with many emotions like excitement, nervousness, glee, and so forth. In the wee hours of the Samhain morning, I was walking home from work. As I always do, my eyes searched the sky for my "Goddess star" (whichever star appears to draw my eyes the strongest. It isn't always the same one). It had been storming quite heavily the past few days, and most of the clouds were still in the sky. As I looked around, I was disappointed that I couldn't see the moon or any stars. It was then that all of a sudden an intense, white light streaked from right to left in the sky, much faster than a falling star. My breath caught in my chest, and my legs nearly gave out from under me. As I slowly resumed my walk, tears sprung to my eyes. I realized then, I had been given a gift. That night, I went to ritual. As we danced and chanted, my eyes occasionally strayed to look up through the glass ceiling at the stars. I felt for the first time in a very long while, completly at peace with myself. The feeling has yet to leave me. I know now, that I am on the right path.
Circle of Trees
- from Liza
Ever since I can remember I've performed "rites" in my backyard, in the circle naturally formed by the fruit trees my parents grew. In the center of this circle was an old stump, which was my "altar". I was always very in-tune with the seasons I would always perform a kind of "welcome" for every season by going around the yard and putting bits and pieces of earth, leaves, grass, berries, and any other natural things I could find in a little plastic bowl, mixing them together, chanting some silliness about the season to come, then burying the concoction at the base of the stump. I would talk to the Moon and the Sun, asking for wisdom or guidance, I would stop and watch breathless at a sunset or moonrise. I would climb to the top of my large old oak and sing to the moon. I even called the moon "Lady" and the sun "Lord" without ever really knowing why. I never knew until high school that much of what I did was considered Pagan or "Wiccan". I had never even heard the word, since my parents were not religious people at all. From then on, I read everything I could get my hands on, feeling like I had come home to my childhood and come in touch again with that little girl who stood singing in the circle of trees. I'm still learning however even though I'm at home with this religion, there is always so much more to learn.
Wind
- from Alora Rose
Even though I practice Druidry, I also practice in a Coven, which had just formed. We had recieved a wind spell. It was such a hot day and we were outside in a field. We cast a circle and prayed to the Goddess and God, then we recited the spell, and a cool gentle breeze came through. I knew then that I had people I could trust in the group. When there was another person in the circle, it didn't work, but the 4 of us got together again and it worked everytime.
Mending
- from Serphine
I was going through a rough time in my life. My mother and I were at ends about my religion and my father wasn't talking to me. To make things worse I hadn't talked to my brother in months and was worried about him. Calming myself I meditated and all of a sudden the words "He's here" just tumbled out of my mouth. Anxiously, I ran to my door and watched as my brother walked up to my door.We hugged for what seemed like an eternity. Ever since that night we have been talking every other day and constantly supporting each other. I knew then that the Goddess had felt my distress and sent me what my heart needed to mend.
Being Natural
- from Faery Wolf Moon
I have been a witch for as long as I can remember and I am so glad to find that there are others. I had always thought there was something wrong with me be cause I could do things others couldn't do and see things others couldn't see, but now I know that my children and I are blessed to be "Natural Witches" I can remember as far back as my crib and the things I could accomplish. All of my four daughters and five sons are witches and are proud to be so. Some of us are still afraid to "come out of the closet" but we are going to get there. We are just starting to weave a web and are excited to find others like ourselves.
Healing Hands
- from Star
I had just spent a weekend at my first Pagan festival, it was a women only gathering and a celebration of the Goddess. Something within me changed during that festival and I knew that Wicca was to play a large role in my life. I was driving home a few hours after the gathering had finished, the last leg of a long journey. That was when my life changed forever. I hit a semi-trailer head on. When I woke up I couldn't move anything, only my finger. I lay there in the darkness so frightened, and then the women began to appear. They pulled over on the side of the road and called me an ambulance they held me and talked to me until it arrived. It was a woman officer that pulled me out of the crumpled car with so much care. During the following hours it was the Goddess that came to my plea for help. In all the pain she was what I drew my strength from. She was symbolized in the women that helped me. Later I was told by my surgeon that I had a broken neck, that 90% of people with my injury die. That those who survive the injury are often paralysed. She told me that I had been paralysed momentarily after the accident and that if the women hadn't have found me when they did and talked me out of the shock then I would have been permanently paralysed. To heal my injury I have to wear what they call a halo. It 's a metal contraption drilled into my skull with screws and joined to my body with a vest. Having the halo put on me was the most emotionally painfull experience that I had ever had. But from the lessons I have learnt I wouldn't take the experience back for a moment. During my time in the hospital I had several dreams about the witches that had been at the gathering, they had formed a circle and were sending me healing. I later received a phonecall from one of them telling me that they had done exactly as I had dreamed. I know now that magick works and I know that I have the Goddess to thank for my wonderful life. How could I possibly live now without worshipping her and the gift of life.
A Sign
- from Gwenevieve
I am not quite sure if this is a sign from the Goddess and God but I felt a great feeling when it happened. I was walking in a field about 2 days before the full moon. I said a prayer to the Goddess and God that I wrote myself telling my love for them. I asked for a sign to tell me that they heard me but then I just had faith that they heard me. I was walking home when a black cat ran across the road and stopped in the middle of the road and looked at me. It then ran across the road and sat down. A white cat then appeared behind a bush and they both ran across the road again. I now believe it was the God and Goddess.
My Way
- from Kerri
Three years ago I was very lonely and misunderstood. I didn't fit in and I was lost. One day a person really hurt me. We were sitting on cement and I passed my anger (by mistake) through the floor to them. That was my first experience with Wicca. A little while later I performed my first ritual and I asked the Mother to send me someone special, to guide them to me. A year later I met a boy who I felt an instant connection to. Now I'm no longer alone and my love for the Mother is stronger than ever. Blessed Be!
Her Blessings
- from Nemeton
There is no one poetic experience that brought me to the Goddess, only that I was a strange child, I saw fairies and felt a deep connection to all nature and a passion to protect it. My paternal Grandmother had the Sight, used herbs and always had cats. She gave me a book when I was 16 that changed my life. It was The The Complete Art of Witchcraft by Sybil Leek. I do not recommend this book to beginners, but I knew in my heart that this was to be my lifes path. The face of the Moon spoke to me and I felt one with Her, and that has not changed in almost 30 years. I continue to grow thanks to Her blessings.
Deeper into the Unknown
- from Martha
Saushau (my faithful dog) and I were walking in the woods behind my house, usually only one path but heavy rains had made it three. We continued on as we usually do and then turned to go back home. We reached the point where the trail divided into three and we couldn't decide which one to take. We tried the left one which led us around to where we started. We took the other path still soaked with the rain from the night before, still it led us back to the same spot! I was very aggravated with Saushau for not leading me home, and yet somehow suspected that she was not the one to guide me. Instead of taking the last path, something told me to walk even deeper into the woods. As we walked, comfort over took fear because I knew that Goddess Diana was looking over me and directing me toward home. We continued on for several hours and then there was the clearing. An open field, I walked upon that field and could see home. Saushau and I walked for two and a half hours and were only minutes from home! I then knew that to find an answer to a problem sometimes one must go with the unfamiliar and trust what they say they put their faith in. Goddess Diana told me to go deeper into the unknown and I did; thus finding my way back home.
Hope and Strength
- from Lilac
Some night during the gray and cold days of this fall I went outside to get some rest from doing my homework. I felt some kind of sadness inside of me and asked the Mother of the night if there really was a purpose for me. When I took a deep breath I peered in the sky and saw this long lasting, beautiful shooting star in the middle of a pitch black sky. I was impressed and suddenly felt joy rising up inside of me. It was the feeling of butterflies that you get if you are in love. I tend to feel these butterflies out in nature quite often. That's why I just blessed the Old Ones and went back inside.
Not Alone
- from Zandra
I am very new to Wicca and have only studied it for a year. I came upon it when a girl I met had a paper from some website on Wicca. I noticed it sitting on her desk and asked her if I could see it. She smiled and said sure. At the bottom it had a web address. I went on my computer and typed it in and was surprised to see the similarities between what it said and how I felt, I felt a surge of pure energy. I began to study the religion and decided to perform my first ritual on Litha. I had read often that I shouldn't be nervous, but I couldn't help it. What if I messed up? What if I insulted the Goddess? What if She didn't come? How would I know She had? As I formed the circle, I began trembling.I invoked the Goddess, my voice shaking as I finished the invocation, I felt two slender hands placed firmly but gently upon my shoulders as if to say it was all okay. Just then the shaking stopped and right then I knew that She was there,I knew I had not insulted her or messed up in any way and even more comforting,I knew that I was on the right path for myself. Up until that point I had felt like Pochahontas, not knowing which path to choose. But now I am sure of my path. I realized that just because I am new doesn't mean I'm alone.
Faeries of the Wood
- from Luna
It was on March 4, 2000 that I had my first true religious experience. The night before I had finished the Mists of Avalon, which as many of you know is a truly life-changing experience. My sister and I decided to go hiking in the Marin Headlands, and it was there that I asked myself what I saw in Judaism, the religion of my birth. It seemed that the Goddess sang her irresistible song from every tree, every drop of water, every bit of foam. It seemed she spoke to me in that amazing voice of hers, words in a foreign tongue that somehow I understood perfectly. It was then that I found Judaism to be not for me and for the Craft of the Wise to be my true path... I can't describe it, I was as if faeries of the wood carried me above the ground to somewhere beyond human reckoning.
White Owl
- from Tita
My sister died when she was 19 yrs old and I was only 18. She was the light in my life. I was always in a bad mood, never really cared to socialize. She used to tell me I was special and extremely blessed. She said I had a power within me to help those around me. I never really believed her. That night, after her funeral, I looked up into the night sky and saw a white owl fly above me. It perched in the tree that I was standing by. I looked up, and then asked it why she had left me. Suddenly, I felt a warm gust of wind and a sensation overcame me, as if I were being hugged. I knew it was her. Telling me, as she had always done before, she was with me, and I felt so blessed. Every now and again, when things are rough, I see that white owl. I believe her now. For the last 8 years I used my blessings to share and heal others who need my help. It was then that I knew Magick was real.
Soft Comfort
- from Firephoenix
I have been learning of the Craft for a number of years, but have been stongly drawn to it, over the last year. Last night I called my boyfriend to see how he was. We rarely see each other since he works and I am in my final year of school. He told me he had to work and hung up. I felt sad and depressed, and most of all lonely. A few seconds later, I heard soft, earth music, chimes, singing, birds, etc. The first words that popped into my head were "She is here, the Goddess is here, do not feel lonely." I quickly turned to see if my stereo was on, but it was not. I felt happy and comforted. About 30 seconds later, my boyfriend called to say he thought he had to work, since I woke him up with my call. So I had the best of both worlds.
The Shrine
- from William
For a long time I was at a boarding school that repressed us greatly. Wicca was a word that was treated like it was satanism. This was a school of very high stress, it wasn't uncommon to hear about kids there cutting on themselves. Needless to say, it wasn't exactly a great place. But there was one place to get away from everything, and for us wiccans to practice. We called it the shrine. It was built before I came to the school, and it took me a long time to find out about it. Once I did, I went there every day. It was a Magickal place, on top of a mountain that was on campus. We could see almost everything in just about every direction. After a long day of stress, we would go there and would have complete peace. It was the only place on campus that we could get away from everything. We saw all sorts of wildlife there, from moose to ravens. At a school where everything seemed out of place, it was the only place to go to escape, and it was a great relief.
Patience
- from Judith
I have realized that I have ventured away from the path. I have filled my life with anger and self-pity, two things that are definitly not Goddess like or like me. I have been ignoring the calling to return to my simple life of laughter and love from all the elements and quarters, and becoming more and more lost within a maze that was confusing and baffiling. I was just running blindly in the darkness that I created for myself, until today. Upon awakening this morning, I automatically came to this sight and read all the loving and inspirational messages. I now feel a calmness I have not felt for many days if not weeks. I guess I stopped running and started listening again. Thank you Lady for being so patient, I now know where I belong. Blessings.
My Place
- from Anna
Today I took a journey. This journey took me back almost ten years in my life to a place that our ancesters inhabited about 500 years ago. This place means a great deal to me. It is a place where I feel that I have stepped back through time and that I am greeted warmly by both nature and the spirits of long ago. It took quite a bit of time to find. It is off the beaten path. I came home with birrs of all shapes and sizes in my hair and attached to my clothes. Today was a beautiful sunny and cool day. The site is on a raised up grassy knoll. It has a beautiful view of the surrounding fields and a meandering creek below. There are forested groves and gently sloping hills all around. The site was quite windswept so it was difficult to light my candle. I sat in silence for a time and I also said a few prayers in Her and His name. I left an offering of grapes and an apple for the souls who inhabit that place. I told them what has happened to me since the last time I was there. A lot can happen in 10 years. I also made a promise to them that I would return and I would do what I could to help them in preserving their lands. I was there until the sun started to set. I really enjoyed my trip. One day I will camp there for the night so that I can meditate and pray without thinking about the "drive back" home.
Walking The Path 1996 - 2006
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