If it wasn't for Swing Choir back in high school, I don't know if I would have finished. We had the usual cliches in school.. Preps, jocks, brains, stoners, nerds, and the rebel without a clue kids. Me, I was the eclectic loner who floated in with pretty much all of the groups... but the preppys and jocks. I was the Rocker chick, I had my teased out hair, leather, spandex, cut up jeans, and customized rock concert shirts with my favorite pair(s) of boots.. (depending on the outfit and desired look of course :-) ) It was rare that beyond a superficial appearance any of the groups really mixed together. I've never been one to tolerate when someone looks down there noses at another human being.. so I just never wanted to be there. But, I had choir and cosmetology my senior year which meant I only had a half day at HS and then I left to go to beauty school for the afternoon.
And getting back to Swing Choir, I made sure I had as many choir classes as I could take. I loved my choir teacher, Laurie. She was young, pretty, funny, and inspiring to be around. Laurie and our accompanist, Shirley, who played the piano, were a great team. I knew I wanted to be in her choir classes from the time I saw her at the end of first trimester in seventh grade.. and her choir class gave a performance for the Junior High. I was HOOKED!! I was in at least one choir class all the rest of Junior High and Senior High schools. I still to this day compare others to them when I watch any kind of musical performance.. They were my first impression, they taught me what I knew.
Every year we would go on a "Swing Choir Tour" for a week and travel to other schools and perform. Twice to Oregon (coastal and central) and one year (to the peninsula side) of the Puget Sound. Before we would go we would rehearse all the songs we would do for the program. Some were new songs, some were old songs from the beginning of the year. Every year it always amazed us that when we went to rehearse the older songs, how much we had adapted and changed them along the way.
I find that interesting now, because of all the talk of eclectic pagans that went on (and still may be going on) a couple of weeks ago. I still stand on my previous post and being a Solitary Witch, but it also got me to think about going over the books that got me into being the witch that I am today. And I had noticed something, and I was inspired in more ways than one....
Much like it was back in the day of high school swing choir and brushing up on the older tunes we sang, I knew the songs, but had morphed them into a slightly different, but same version. I have done that with my understanding of witchcraft and why there were parts I had morphed into my own comfort. I have been going back to the beginning, back to Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot.. back to the science of magick. Back to refreshing how the song was originally played.. And I will continue to re-read all of the books that have helped me on my path, so I can be true and fresh again.
Thank you, White Light and Blessings to All! <3
Monday, September 23, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
So here I was....
Ready to break out of my private little shell and then some thoughts, ideas, and emotions broke out in the YouTube-verse. Not that it was bad or anything. I happened to totally agree with it.
But, as I have gotten older and life has had it's way with me I seem to have let the introverted side of me take a little more control than what I have liked, so I thought when I woke up yesterday I would seriously consider being more active with communications and maybe...just maybe ignoring my insecurities.. and .. wait for it.. ..
making video responses! Gasp.. I said it! But then something changed...
You see I have been studying information about Wicca, Witchcraft and Paganism for thirty years. I started with Laurie Cabot, her first book Power of the Witch was my first witchcraft book. Then, I began reading Scott Cunningham books because he "spoke" to me about being a solitary practitioner. Let's face it, I grew up in a small town and they can be rather redneck about things, and not too many options. Then, I began reading Ellen Dugan, and then a few other over the past couple of years. Not that I am recommending you follow my path or take it as a suggestion to follow these authors, but these are who I have followed for the past three decades. Information I have gathered over the years has stayed pretty much the same all this time. This has what has rung true to me all this time, and I am a strong believer in "take what you want and leave the rest behind" philosophy that Sylvia Browne helped me put into words.
I don't do well with the whole indoctrination and dogma of organized religions. Maybe, it is because of my research and studying of the Inquisition, and the Malleus Maleficarum or just not liking the idea women are not recognized, or just feared and punished for the natural power and magick they possess. Or the male of the species wants power over and possessions of others. I don't know. I do know that no one would ever confuse me for a Traditionalist. And truly not that there is anything wrong with a person choosing that path, it just doesn't float my boat. Just like my son and all of the other brave souls out there that choose to go into the military, you have my greatest Blessing and support... but I could never allow myself to become indoctrinated and join myself. Free will is to important to me to give up. I am very appreciative of people who do chose to follow a more structured path, it is just not something for me, but I do learn from them as well as anybody else.
But I am a Witch. I consider myself to be a pagan witch. I do not believe in a specific Goddess or God, other than Mother Nature and Father Sky. I do believe in the energies of a female and male power and universal overall of positive or negative. I am a Witch because I believe that as human beings began to evolve and have ideas and developing cultures, and healers... we were taught person to person. Yes, as times grew and progressed ceremonies and traditions were born and created, I get that. But in the beginning it was a passing on of information that could mean life or death between persons. So just because I do not follow a certain set of guidelines or dogma, or ritual ceremonies, I am no less of a Witch. I put this out there because twice in the past month I have seen where a couple of Traditionalists I follow in different places on the web, have pointed out how hard they work at doing and learning what they know and have done through their tradition and that being a Solitary doesn't really mean as much because they have not jumped through the hoops of someone's set ceremony and ritual. (Yes, I am paraphrasing so as too not make this too long.) And either I was just having an emotional/hormonal day, or this truly broke my heart. (The first time was a blow to me, and has been on my mind ever since, and then second time "did me in.") Because as you will see at the bottom of this post is a link to a Huffington Post story about a baby elephant that cried for five hours after it's mother rejected him. I cried too. I felt rejected. I was hurt. But I understood. Even though this broke my heart, I understand. And sometimes mountains get made out of mole hills.
We all have our own reasons for why we follow the path that we follow. We all have our own beliefs, deities, and philosophies... or lack there of even. But, as long as we put forth a honest effort to know your craft and not give out flippant information with no knowledge base... do what floats your boat, and understand not all will agree with you. Not everyone will appreciate what you do, or your knowledge. But they will always appreciate your honesty. I will not be changing who I am or the path I am on, unless it is for my betterment. I am a Solitary Witch.
Thank you, and White Light and Blessings to All! <3
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/13/baby-elephant-cries_n_3920685.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
But, as I have gotten older and life has had it's way with me I seem to have let the introverted side of me take a little more control than what I have liked, so I thought when I woke up yesterday I would seriously consider being more active with communications and maybe...just maybe ignoring my insecurities.. and .. wait for it.. ..
making video responses! Gasp.. I said it! But then something changed...
You see I have been studying information about Wicca, Witchcraft and Paganism for thirty years. I started with Laurie Cabot, her first book Power of the Witch was my first witchcraft book. Then, I began reading Scott Cunningham books because he "spoke" to me about being a solitary practitioner. Let's face it, I grew up in a small town and they can be rather redneck about things, and not too many options. Then, I began reading Ellen Dugan, and then a few other over the past couple of years. Not that I am recommending you follow my path or take it as a suggestion to follow these authors, but these are who I have followed for the past three decades. Information I have gathered over the years has stayed pretty much the same all this time. This has what has rung true to me all this time, and I am a strong believer in "take what you want and leave the rest behind" philosophy that Sylvia Browne helped me put into words.
I don't do well with the whole indoctrination and dogma of organized religions. Maybe, it is because of my research and studying of the Inquisition, and the Malleus Maleficarum or just not liking the idea women are not recognized, or just feared and punished for the natural power and magick they possess. Or the male of the species wants power over and possessions of others. I don't know. I do know that no one would ever confuse me for a Traditionalist. And truly not that there is anything wrong with a person choosing that path, it just doesn't float my boat. Just like my son and all of the other brave souls out there that choose to go into the military, you have my greatest Blessing and support... but I could never allow myself to become indoctrinated and join myself. Free will is to important to me to give up. I am very appreciative of people who do chose to follow a more structured path, it is just not something for me, but I do learn from them as well as anybody else.
But I am a Witch. I consider myself to be a pagan witch. I do not believe in a specific Goddess or God, other than Mother Nature and Father Sky. I do believe in the energies of a female and male power and universal overall of positive or negative. I am a Witch because I believe that as human beings began to evolve and have ideas and developing cultures, and healers... we were taught person to person. Yes, as times grew and progressed ceremonies and traditions were born and created, I get that. But in the beginning it was a passing on of information that could mean life or death between persons. So just because I do not follow a certain set of guidelines or dogma, or ritual ceremonies, I am no less of a Witch. I put this out there because twice in the past month I have seen where a couple of Traditionalists I follow in different places on the web, have pointed out how hard they work at doing and learning what they know and have done through their tradition and that being a Solitary doesn't really mean as much because they have not jumped through the hoops of someone's set ceremony and ritual. (Yes, I am paraphrasing so as too not make this too long.) And either I was just having an emotional/hormonal day, or this truly broke my heart. (The first time was a blow to me, and has been on my mind ever since, and then second time "did me in.") Because as you will see at the bottom of this post is a link to a Huffington Post story about a baby elephant that cried for five hours after it's mother rejected him. I cried too. I felt rejected. I was hurt. But I understood. Even though this broke my heart, I understand. And sometimes mountains get made out of mole hills.
We all have our own reasons for why we follow the path that we follow. We all have our own beliefs, deities, and philosophies... or lack there of even. But, as long as we put forth a honest effort to know your craft and not give out flippant information with no knowledge base... do what floats your boat, and understand not all will agree with you. Not everyone will appreciate what you do, or your knowledge. But they will always appreciate your honesty. I will not be changing who I am or the path I am on, unless it is for my betterment. I am a Solitary Witch.
Thank you, and White Light and Blessings to All! <3
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/13/baby-elephant-cries_n_3920685.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
Monday, September 9, 2013
Update, Updates, Updates...
I just thought I would pop in and pass on some info for my other page, PatchworkPentacles.com
Being new at this building a business thing I am making the usual mistakes, and realized that site was just to cluttered and scattered.. kinda like my gemini self at times.. haha
So I am working on streamlining the site and will have it up and running again... 'faster, better, stronger... I have the technology!' Nanana nnanana nanaa (Although I always picture the Million Dollar Woman for this flashback :P )
But you can find me at these other locations:
1) I am on Etsy! PatchworkPentacles
2) Facebook: Patchwork Pentacles
3) I have an Amazon Store where I have some great recommendations for authors that I have at least 90% of the books myself: Patchwork Pentacles
I am still working on the music section, but as you can see I already put my favorite band in there! Gotta love My Boys!! Have the tattoo to prove it too.. haha
So please stop by and browse around, spread the word... more products are on the way and PatchworkPentacles.com will be updated by the end of business day tomorrow!
Being new at this building a business thing I am making the usual mistakes, and realized that site was just to cluttered and scattered.. kinda like my gemini self at times.. haha
So I am working on streamlining the site and will have it up and running again... 'faster, better, stronger... I have the technology!' Nanana nnanana nanaa (Although I always picture the Million Dollar Woman for this flashback :P )
But you can find me at these other locations:
1) I am on Etsy! PatchworkPentacles
2) Facebook: Patchwork Pentacles
3) I have an Amazon Store where I have some great recommendations for authors that I have at least 90% of the books myself: Patchwork Pentacles
I am still working on the music section, but as you can see I already put my favorite band in there! Gotta love My Boys!! Have the tattoo to prove it too.. haha
So please stop by and browse around, spread the word... more products are on the way and PatchworkPentacles.com will be updated by the end of business day tomorrow!
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