The Bible Says...

I was looking up a passage in one of my old Bibles the other day. It's a teen study bible, so it has added content for teens. In the back of the Bible there is an index of subjects (such as family, parents, money, sin, etc.) and page numbers where you can find them. Well I happened to turn to the page that had Magic on it. So out of curiosity I looked at the two page numbers that were listed to see what this Bible had to say.

The first one had nothing to do with magic (it was just a reference to someone using God's name as a "magic" word). But the second page made me laugh, but it also made me kind of mad. It's a section called "The Bible Says" and this one was on magic. Here is what is says...

"Today's magicians pull rabbits out of hats and do other tricks to make people or even elephants seem to disappear. Real magic involves the use of charms, spells or rituals to influence people or events. Much magic in Bible times was an attempt to control demons and other supernatural beings. To some extent, all occult practices involve the use of real magic. People often turn to magic because they want more control over what happens to them. They're afraid, and they don't trust God's control over the events of their lives. When many people in Ephesus became Christians, they realized the evil in real magic. They burned their books of magic (Acts 19:18-20). People who know that God loves them don't have to be afraid of the future. God is in control, and he will take care of them always."

It amazes me that people actually believe this. It's no wonder that Christians have such a skewed view of Paganism. So let's point out the places where this passage went wrong (at least in regard to my own beliefs, I know this won't apply to everyone but it's how I feel and what I think).
1. If you are going to reference "real" magic...spell it correctly. Magic is pulling rabbits out of hats. Magick is what is real.
2. Pagans who practice magick don't believe in demons.
3. Magick isn't about control, it's about spirituality and a connection to the Divine.
4. Pagans trust God's control and the Goddess' control. But the future isn't set in stone, we can still plead our case.
5. Magick in and of itself isn't evil.
6. Paganism is not about being afraid of the future.

I don't know who came up with this crap, but it's ridiculous! In my opinion of course...

Reflections Upon a Sunday

Yesterday was another Sunday spent going to church with my parents. This week our regular pastor was out (his son had gotten married the day before) and so the guy taking his place led a rather interesting sermon. He played a clip from "Penn Says," a video blog by Penn (of Penn & Teller). Penn is a devout Atheist and is known for speaking his mind. The clip we watch was mild compared to most others. He talked about a man that approached him after a show and had nothing but good things to say. Penn says that the man seemed genuine and he gave Penn a Gideon Bible with an inscription to him in the front. Penn accepted it even though he knew that he believed nothing of what the Bible said. But what struck me is what he had to say about the whole situation.

He repeated said that this was a "really good guy." He appreciated that this man felt strongly enough about his own beliefs that he needed to share them. Penn says that if you know for certain that what the Bible says is true, then how much do you have to hate someone to not tell them. Like if you knew without a shadow of a doubt that someone you knew was going to be hit by a bus tomorrow, how much would you have to hate them to not warn them.

He has a good point. It doesn't change my views or beliefs, just as I'm sure it didn't change his, but it was just some good food for thought. I think that people could take that lesson and apply to all areas of life. If you know of something or someone that is causing another harm, how much do you have to hate them not to do anything? I think that's a call, not to Christians, but to people everywhere to do what's right and help those around them that are suffering, or hurting, or in want. How much do you have to hate the man who thirsts, to not give him a drink? How much do you have to hate the woman who is starving, to not give her something to eat? How much do you have to hate the child who is beaten, to not tell someone who can help?

No, this sermon won't turn me back to Christianity, but it will turn me back toward humanity. Back toward serving and helping others. So perhaps my attending church isn't a total loss, there are still important lessons that I can learn to apply in my own life. Lessons that will guide me down the path of my own making toward the Divine and the truth.

Receiving Signs?

I don't quite know where to start with this because I'm not sure I understand it. I've always felt like I know that certain things are going to happen before they happen. It's usually more of a general feeling that something bad is going to happen rather than knowing an exact event. But lately I believe that I'm receiving signs of deaths that are about to occur.

Last November I was down in my basement going through some old boxes of stuff from when I was a kid. I came across an old photo from a pool party my parents had. The photo was of a friend of ours jumping off the diving board. Literally the next day I got the phone call that that same person died of an overdose.

What really has me kind of spooked is that yesterday I was down in my basement again, looking for something in the boxes and I found an old Michael Jackson tape. And of course he died today. I've learned enough in my years of studies to know that there are no coincidences.

It's happened other times as well when something (a picture, something in a store, a story, etc.) will suddenly make me think of someone. Then I'll later learn that they died or something bad happened to them (an accident or something like that).

So obviously I'm being given signs, but what am I supposed to do with them? And how do I know what are signs and what's just random thoughts? Anyone have any experiences, advice, or thoughts about this? If so, please comment or send me a message. I'm just not sure what to make of it. It's such an eerie feeling.

Blessed Litha

Yesterday was Litha, the summer solstice. To celebrate the holiday I held a ritual to re-dedicate myself to the study of the craft and to the Divine. It was a wonderful rite and I had a couple interesting experiences. At the end of the rite I did some divination work with my crystal ball (first time I've used it) and the flame of a candle. I say for a while and let images come to me. I saw a few faces pass by, but one image that stayed for quite a while was my dog (that we just had to put down a couple weeks ago), so that was pretty special. Then, when I was finished I reached over to pick my glasses up off the floor next to me and noticed a large spider. It seemed like it was just sitting there watching me work, because before I even moved to get up it left. It was so strange, but so cool at the same time (I suppose it's a good thing that I'm not afraid of spiders!).

As I thought about the spider, I realized that spiders have emerged as a common theme lately. They keep coming to me in odd situations. First I was at school and as I was leaving the classroom there was a spider that crawled across the floor and a couple girls shrieked and one kept yelling at the other to step on it. I told them to let it go, that it wasn't hurting anyone. Afterward I felt really good about what I did for the spider (which was strange to me). Then I was at the zoo and was walking into an exhibit when someone behind me stopped me because there was a big spider on my shirt and they brushed it off. Then the one last night. I think I need to explore what my guides are trying to tell me.

Update on the "talk"

Well, they just left and it did go better than I thought. They did think that because I had a book like that that it meant I was practicing witchcraft. Which of course it's not, the fact that I do is completely beside the point. Anyway, I pretty much reassured them that I didn't believe anything in that book was real.

They did turn it into a question of my beliefs. They asked if I believed in God, and I said yes (but left out that I also believe in Goddess as well). Then they asked me flat out if I'm a Christian...that was a little difficult to work around. I told them that I'm not one to blindly follow a path that someone else says that I should. That I'm searching for the truth and that no one can know with absolute certainty what the truth is until they find out in death. I brought up other religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism...) and that they all believe theirs is the correct path and that maybe we are all wrong, but we can't know that. Even my dad said that if we lived in another part of the world that we may have practiced another religion.

So I think they have accepted that I'm searching for the right path. It's obvious that they aren't ready to know that I've found it in Paganism. So I'll remain in the "broom closet" a while longer. Right now I'm fine with them thinking that this is some kind of hobby or interest rather than my actual beliefs. I'm just glad to have this conversation over with. And as for the book, they have left it up to me whether I keep it or send it back (although I know they want me to send it back). I told them it's no different than collecting Star Wars memorabilia, so I think I'll keep it (but keep it hidden so they don't have to see it again).

So annoyed! What do I do...?

Ok, so I'm a HUGE fan of the show Charmed and have been since it first aired. I own all 8 seasons on DVD and know just about all there is to know about the show. So I was looking around online and found a replica of the show's Book of Shadows and I bought it. Well it came in the mail on Friday and I was down at my parent's house and the mailman brought it there (instead of my house for some unknown reason). Anyway, I opened it and looked at it a little bit before we left on our trip down to Indianapolis for the weekend.

We got back from the trip today and I asked my mom to bring my book up to me when she brought my luggage. Well she brought my bags, but "forgot" the book. She said she was going to go home to get it and brink it back (we live right next door to each other). Well, I waited and waited and she never came back.

So I called her and asked her if she was coming up and she gives me the whole "we need to talk" line. She and my dad looked at the book and think it's "pretty scary". OMG, it's a prop from a TV show!!!! So now tomorrow they want to sit down and talk about this book. What am I supposed to say to them? For crying out loud, I'm 25 years old and it's a FICTIONAL book! They want to see a book about witchcraft, I'll show them my real BOS, geez! This is such bull and it's not worth my time.

I'm exhausted tonight, but I know I'm not going to able to sleep and tomorrow I'll be all stressed out because I know this "talk" is going to turn into a huge screaming fight. Why can't they mind their own **** business?! They have no problem with me reading Twilight. What's the difference? Apparently books about vampires aren't as scary as books about witches. Whatever... And they wonder why I feel like I have to hide things from them. It's because they do stupid crap like this to piss me off!

I've told them it's a prop from a TV show and apparently that's not enough for them. I was thinking about having the show on when they came up to show them. But what I don't get, is that THEY bought me most of the seasons from the show on DVD. My mom has seen bits and pieces of the show when I've watched it at their house. So obviously something else is bothering them. This is just ridiculous!

I have every intention of making it VERY clear to them that this book has absolutely nothing to do with my religious beliefs. If I believed in everything that's in that show I would deserve professional help. That's crazy. I know the difference between fantasy and reality. I think that they don't believe that I do. And that's their issue and not mine.

I'm sure I'm stressing over all this and it's not going to be as bad as I think it will. And I certainly hope that's the case. I've been in such a horrible mood all day and I hate it! It's so draining to go around this pissed off about something. I'll be glad when this is over. Worse case scenario, I'm prepared to find a new place to live, a job, and keeping them out of my life until they can get over themselves. They don't own me and they can't force their beliefs on me. And I don't need their permission to own a book (no matter what book it is)!

I'll post an update after they leave!

~Lyra

I received my new tools!

My new tools arrived today! I'm so excited and I can't wait to use them. I also got my new ritual robe as well. Everything is so perfect. Here are some pictures of what I got...

Inanna's Star Necklace

Wand

Chalice

Crystal Ball and Stand

Snuffer

Athame

Mini Taper Candles and Holders


Broom

My Robe

I'm a Minister!

I didn't think this was actually legally possible, but I just became an ordained minister! I am now a reverend through the Universal Life Church. Apparently anyone can do it, so I thought sure, why not! It's kinda cool. I guess now if my family finds out about my being pagan, at least I can say that I'm a minister! lol

Here's the link to the site if anyone else wants to do it! ULC

New Ritual Tools

I am so excited. I came into a little bit of money (a refund from overpaying for my surgery), so I decided it was time to buy some things that I've been needing (and wanting). Here's what I got:

An Inanna's Star pendant (I got mine with an amethyst stone)-
An athame with a Triquetra knot on the blade -
A small besom -
A chalice with a Triquetra knot (Can you tell I'm a Charmed fan? lol) -
A wand -
And, yes this is rather stereotypical and I normally don't go for that kind of thing, but I've REALLY wanted one...
A crystal ball -
And a wooden stand -


I got a few other things as well, candles, candle holders, incense, and a snuffer.

And finally, the biggest and best thing that I got is this ritual robe! I've wanted one for so long and I've tried to make my own, but that didn't go well. lol


I'll post pictures of everything when I get it.

-Lyra

Put Together My BOS

I'm so excited and proud of myself! I finally finished putting together my BOS. I may have inadvertently killed a forest in the process, but I love having it done. I've had all my research and information on my computer and I've been slowly printing it all off and organizing it. I ended up having to use two large binders for it all. The first book has all of the factual information (deities, wiccan definitions, etc.) and the second book has all of the practical information (rituals, spells, etc.).

Here are a few pictures:





-Lyra

Do you believe in soul mates?

I am on cloud 9 right now and I'm just so excited that I had to tell someone or else I won't be able to get to sleep! It's a bit of a long story, but I'll try to give you the short version...oh who am I kidding.

Ok, the background to the story is that there was a boy that I went to school with as a kid that I always really liked. We first met in kindergarten, but he had to move away (he was taken away from his parents and put in foster care, but his parents kept trying to take him back so they had to move around a lot). He came back to town in the 3rd grade and then again in the 7th. I can't really explain the connection that we had other than to say that we have to be soul mates, or kindred spirits, or whatever you want to call it. It's like we knew everything about each other and every time he would leave and come back it was like he was only gone a day instead of several years.

So the last time I saw him was in the 7th grade. I always thought he'd come back one day, but he never did. I don't think there has been a day in the last 12 years that I haven't thought about him. I would swear that I was crazy for thinking about him so much. It was so irrational to have such strong feelings for someone I didn't really even know.

Well a couple of years ago I found him on Myspace! I had tried searching for him several times, but hadn't found anything until then. So I sent him a message to see if it was really him. And it was! I was so excited. We started talking online and on the phone. I was so happy that I had found him and that he was ok (I've always worried about him). Unfortunately for me he was married.

We lost contact for a couple of months and when he finally wrote to me again he told me that he was getting divorced. Terrible for him, but really good news for me. But then we kinda lost contact again. I was pregnant for Addy at the time and hadn't been able to tell him about it.

Well last week out of the blue I got a message on Myspace from him with his new phone number and he asked me to call him. So I did, but he was at work and couldn't talk, but he was going to call me back. I didn't hear from him and I debated all weekend over whether or not to call him back. So tonight I finally did. He didn't answer, but he called me back.

Now here's the exciting part. He wants me to visit him so we can spend some time together! He told me that he always like me in school and was upset when he had to leave and couldn't see me again. He tried looking for me and wanted to get my phone number, but couldn't find me. The sense of relief that came over me was unreal. Finally I know that I'm not crazy and that I'm not the only one that has held on to these feelings for so long! I always wondered if it was all in my head or if he could possibly feel the way about me that I do about him. Now I know the answer and it's all good news!

He's going to call me again in the morning and I can't wait to hear his voice. I believe in love at first sight, but this is just ridiculous! Is it possible to meet someone at the age of 5, instantly love them, then hold on to those feelings for 20 years before getting the chance to do anything about it? It sounds like a Lifetime movie! I swear I would would marry him tomorrow if he asked me to.

Ok, sorry for that long, yet happy, rant. I was hoping it would help bring me down a bit, but it didn't. I'm still too excited! Oh well, if I have to lose sleep over something I'm glad it's something like this! And if you made it all the way through this, thanks for taking the time to read it.

It makes me laugh...

I went to church with my parents on Sunday for the first time in several weeks (I had been luck enough to miss the last couple of weeks from being sick and having surgery), and tried not to laugh out loud during the service. The sermon was on the Antichrist. As soon as I saw it on the program I knew that this was going to be good. Of course now I can't remember half the things that were said, but I'll come back to this once the sermon is posted on the church website so I can go back and listen to it again. But at one point the way the pastor was describing the Antichrist made it sound like Christ was the Antichrist...if that makes any sense. lol He was saying that the Antichrist will come out of obscurity and rise to leadership through charisma and not military power. And that people will pledge themselves to him and surrender their power. Hmmm...now didn't Christ come out of nowhere. He was born in a manger in a small town to a carpenter. He wasn't the son of any great leader and he wasn't famous. But somehow people were drawn to him. He didn't use force to get people to follow him. What was that line? Oh yeah, something to the effect of "take up your cross and follow me" or "follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Seriously? And then Christianity becomes the largest religion in the world. I don't know about you, but Christ and the Antichrist sound a lot alike to me.

I guess in the end I'm just glad that I don't believe in Satan or the Antichrist. I will say that I don't deny that Jesus was a real person and did some amazing things for people. Sure he was a healer, but I have trouble with a lot that the Bible claims happened. I mean, have you ever noted the dates in which the books were written. They are decades after Jesus' time and yet many claim to contain direct quotes from him. I don't know about you, but I can't even hardly remember a general summary about what my professors say in class, let alone be able to give direct quotes. But that's just my opinion. Maybe people had better memories back then. But unless they had a tape recording or a written transcript (which I'm fairly certain they didn't), then I have a hard time finding the information credible.

Ok, that's enough of a rant for now. I just found it all a little amusing. I don't see the point of all the doom and gloom talk. Sure the economy is down, but it's not the Great Depression yet. I'm sure they thought it was the end times back then too. But we're all still here, so obviously it wasn't. People need to be a little more optimistic. I think if more people followed a more earth-based belief system, then they wouldn't be brought down by what some people claim may happen now or a thousand years from now. What if all the doom and gloom in the Bible is just a way to give people false hope that someone is going to come along and save them.

Blessings Needed

I could use any blessings, thoughts, prayers, positive energy, well wishes, etc. that you can send my way. I was hospitalized for 5 days and must now undergo surgery to have my gallbladder removed. It should be a simple operation, but it's my first. So I'm a little nervous about it.

Thanks and blessings to all.

Lyra

More Creativity

I created a new image for myself in photoshop today. I blended a picture of myself (or pretty much just my eye) with a picture of a hawk. And then I did a bunch of enhancements and fun stuff. So here it is...I absolutely love it!

Personal Symbol

I've been feeling artistic lately and I've just felt the need to draw something as expression of myself. So I drew my own personal symbol. It is two hands that form a heart with a hawk in the center. Each hand is also an abstract hawk. And of course my name written across the top. It took me a while to get the symmetry of the hands just right. I drew it out on paper first, then I took a picture of it with my digital camera. I uploaded the picture into photoshop and traced over the picture.

So here is the original photograph of my drawing...
And here is the final product...

Unusual Animal Sightings

Lately I have noticed an increasing amount of unusual animal sightings. I've been researching each animal after I see it, but I'm not really sure how to interpret the signs.

It started a year or so ago when I was laying out on my parent's roof looking up at the stars. As I was meditating I asked the Goddess to guide my path and give me clarity. A few moments later a bat appeared and began flying around above me. Then maybe a month or so later I made a similar request and the next morning, as I walked out into my parent's garage, I noticed a bat hanging from a cable above the door. We keep the garage door down and all of the doors closed at night, so I have no idea how the bat even got in there! (I was able to capture it in a net and walked him to the woods about a mile from the house and let him go.)

I've also noticed red-tailed hawks around me constantly. About a month or two ago I was driving home from class and was just going in to pick something up before going to pick my daughter up from daycare. As I pulled into the driveway a hawk flew above me and landed on a nearby tree. When I came out of the house it was still there and as soon as I got in my car and started backing out of my driveway it left. In the last couple of weeks it seems like they are everywhere. There are two that constantly circle over my school campus (in the middle of a fairly large city which I find rather unusual) and also two that circle over my daughter's daycare.

My most recent encounter was yesterday. I was driving on my way to school and a large bird, unlike anything I had ever seen before, darted across the oncoming lanes and stopped in the grassy median just as I passed by. Then as soon as I was past it, it ran back across the road in the direction it had come from. Then not five seconds later I saw two more of the same bird flying towards my car and passed overhead. I'm still not completely sure what kind of bird they were because I have never in my life seen anything like it, but I've researched online and I *think* they were cranes. The night before I saw the cranes (or whatever they were) was the New Moon in Aries and I did meditate and ask the Goddess to help me embrace my spirituality and become more in tune with myself and to help me develop my psychic awareness and abilities. So I'm thinking that may have something to do with it.

I think it's obvious that I'm being sent a message, but I just can't figure out what it might be.

Brightest Blessings!
Lyra

New Moon in Aries

Tonight is the new moon in Aries. It is a time of spiritual awakening and new beginnings. I've been trying to put together a ritual to perform tonight, but I'm having trouble coming up with ideas. I definitely have areas I want to work on...relationships (or rather the lack thereof), awakening my senses, and developing my spiritual abilities. I'm just not sure how to go about it. But that's how it is with me. I can never plan in advance because I never know what I need to do until it's time to do it. I suppose that can make it more powerful (instead of doing something just for the sake of doing something), but it can be really irritating.

Perhaps I need to go meditate and let the ideas come to me, instead of sitting here on the computer searching aimlessly. >sigh< I'll definitely post tomorrow with what I came up with (if anything). So, until then may your day be filled with blessings!

Lyra

Merry Meet!

I suppose it's ironic that I started this blog on a Sunday, my least favorite day of the week. Like any average family we go to church on Sunday. My parents are big Christians and are narrow minded enough to think that anyone who isn't Christian is going to hell. I guess it's a good thing that I don't believe in that kind of thing. Maybe one of these days I'll tell them I'm pagan, but until then I'll suffer through.

I guess for my first post I should tell you a little more about myself. I'm 25 years old and finishing up college. I have a little girl who is currently 8 1/2 months old. I'm a single mom, which definitely has it's challenges...including the fact that we live next door to my parents. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the home that we have, but I just feel that I have absolutely zero privacy. I can't go anywhere without them needing to know where I'm going and when I'll be back. Plus they just waltz right into my house if they need something even if I'm not even there! Which means that I can't even maintain a permanent altar.

I feel as though my spiritual practices suffer because I can't be completely open. I have to hide so much of who I am because I can't afford to lose everything that I have. I don't know, maybe I'm making too much out of it and not giving my parents enough credit. I'm just afraid that they won't be able to accept me for who I am. You would think that if they could accept me having a child out of wedlock, then they would easily be able to accept that I'm pagan. But I'm not so sure. I'm sure they would have to have seen it coming. My interest in the occult began when I was only 11 or 12 years old.

I was always interest in Norway and Norwegian customs (which is a whole different story, in short I'm adopted and unsure of my heritage, but I've always felt a connection with Scandinavia). I learned everything I could on the subject and I came across runes. For those who are unfamiliar with runes, they are an ancient form of writing and often used in divination and ritual work. Anyway, by the time I was 12 I was fluent in runescript (I even taught my friends and we wrote our notes to each other using rune so that no one else would be able to read them). In my early teenage years I came across as set of rune stones made from hematite. I've been divining from them ever since!

I've also always been close to nature. I grew up on a large farm with over 300 acres of land. I spent most of my childhood outdoors. I could spend hours just sitting under a tree or by a stream or lake. What really calls to me though, is the moon and the stars. I love to sit outside at night and stare up at the sky. So I guess following an earth-based religion just makes sense to me.

Well, that's all for now. I'll post more later and go into more detail on different things. Have a blessed week!

Lyra