Ripples from a Pebble Tossed in the Reiki Pool

I was blessed enough to be able to take my first Reiki class/ attunement last month.

I have been told in that past that I had the potential to be a gifted healer, and that along with many other influences, led me to this path. I’ve tried some different types of healing before, but nothing really clicked for me; nothing felt like it worked. I pretty much just gave up, and concentrated my energies elsewhere. When a friend of mine mentioned this opportunity, I jumped at it. I’ve been researching healing methods for years, and Reiki is one that I’d always been drawn to. The class was great. Yadira talked to us about the history of Reiki, what it is (and what its not), and explained how to do a self-treatment and a treatment for others. Then she attuned us, and we had practice time.

Trusting my intuition has always been a challenge to me. I’m a very analytical person, and I over-analyze and self-censor quite a bit. I’ve always felt like intuition is just guessing, and that my brain was just making things up. I’m not a fan of the over-analyzy part of my personality, but it’s there, and I deal.
I’ve never been very confident in reading (tarot, runes) for other people, as I’m always afraid of being wrong. Something that Yadira mentioned at the class really resonated with me. She mentioned that if you mention something intuitive, and the person doesn’t really agree with it, then it might be something that is working on manifesting, or that will happen in the future. (I’m really paraphrasing, here, as this is what I got from it). I’ve never really had someone say to me that it’s okay if the person doesn’t agree. My role is to be the messenger. It really clicked with me, and I took that concept with me to my coven meeting, where our main topic was to talk about tarot. We discussed the trepidation that most of us felt when trying to read for someone else, and I was able to explain how I felt about it now. It’s like that’s clicked for me, and that’s a very freeing feeling to have.

I went this past weekend to a workshop that she hosted, where we meditated and practiced reiki on one another. I was able to sense the difference between Reiki I and Reiki II practitioners’ energy, and that was interesting and surprising to me. It makes me really look forward to taking the second class and attunement whenthat opportunity is offered. I don’t really take classes very often. My desire to take a class and my financial ability to take a class rarely line up in such a way where taking a class is possible. I just feel so blessed that it’s worked out for me this time. I’m going to try to go to more classes, as learning from Yadira has made me consider some things that might make me a better teacher myself.

November 2010 Update

November is such a weird time for me. I know I haven’t blogged much, but I’ve been busy, and have been having some issues lately. But enough of that. On with the good!




A few weeks ago, I took my first reiki class, and had my first attunement. Those who know me, know that I’m an open minded skeptic, and while I wanted it to be awesome and work, I had this skepticism that I couldn’t shake. I’m always skeptical about EVERYTHING. It’s actually part of what brought me to my spiritual path. Anyway. Back to reiki… The teacher was phenomenal, and the coolest thing of all, is that it works. Doing reiki is something that I am able to physically feel in my hands, which is amazing, and after coming home and practicing, took a lot of my self-doubt away. I did a hands-on treatment for my husband, and I’ve been doing self reiki very often. Now, I’m just trying to figure out the practical logistics of how I would be able to give a treatment without igniting my back problem. It’s a lot of leaning and standing, and that’s something I need to figure out how to do, so I don’t need to drug myself up.


My niece is so big now, and she's more adorable than ever. She looks like a little person- it's amazing how quickly they grow! I'm going to need to plug my BIL's blog for her in my next post, but I have to wrap this up.

I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving, and a short break from work. I need to regroup and figure out what I want from my career, and this might be a good time to do that.

For the LAST time, Wiccans are NOT fluffy.

.... well, perhaps those who call themselves Wiccan- solely because it's fun- are fluffy.*


But anyone who has any concept of the actual religion of Wicca would know better. There is this “Witchier than thou” bullshit that has made its way through the Pagan community, and it sickens me. Guess what? What we do is not more right or more wrong than what your tradition does. There is this strange misconception that Wicca is all about love and light, and harming none. This is incorrect.


The Wiccan Rede is indeed: An’ it harm none, do as ye will. However, the word “rede” means advice. Not law, advice. We are advised to do what we will, while it harms none. Most Wiccans believe in some sort aspect of the Law of Return, or the Threefold Law. This means that what we put out, will come back to us- summed up it means personal responsibility. Can I do something that might affect someone in a negative way and still be Wiccan? This is a question that does come up from time to time. The idea of what I put out coming back to me is what keeps me in check, regardless of the Rede.


Many people think that Wiccans shy away from protective magick that sends negative energy back to the sender. I am Wiccan, but I am also a Witch. I will protect and defend myself, my family and my coven sisters. Period. If I need to be the hand of the Gods and return what another person puts out, so be it. Does this happen often? No. Will I take responsibility for whatever backblow occurs? Absolutely. Will I still honor both the God and Goddess, celebrate the Sabbats and the moon, circle within the Wiccan ritual structure, use traditional Wiccan tools, and honor polarity, both light and dark? Of course. This can be a little different if one is part of a coven, as then we have hive mind and other issues at stake, of course- that’s where perfect love and trust come in (but that’s another blog post).

Generally, I think that Wiccans are associated with love, light, etc. because one of the goals that many of us have is personal growth and achieving a successful life balance. So, maybe Wiccans are more perky than your average Pagan? That doesn’t mean that they aren’t doing shadow work to get to know themselves better. And if they are- it’s none of your business. Our relationships with our gods aren’t your business either.


If you are a non-Wiccan witch and get offended and upset when people automatically assume you are Wiccan, examine that. Why do you feel this way? Wicca is the most widely known tradition of Paganism. Use it as a teachable moment, not a moment to clutch your pentacle (in lieu of pearls, of course), and gasp- “I’m not one of them!” Explain the difference, don’t propagate more misconceptions of Wicca. While Wicca is more structured than many other Pagan traditions, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for flexibility and self-discovery. This is just done with a healthy respect of polarity and balance. This isn’t fluffy- Wicca is more deeply faceted than you might ever think.

*In this post, I may generalize, but keep in mind, my generalization as Wicca and Wiccans, includes only those who are traditional-style Wiccans

Felt Critter!

It’s been awhile since I posted a personal blog. Whenever I feel like blogging about something, it ends up as a tweet or a status update, since I’m so rarely near a computer, lately.

This weekend, I went to Michaels and spent most of the money I had made on my jewelry. I bought candle and soapmaking goodies (candle making is spendy). I also decided to attempt to make a cute felt creature. It ended up looking like a zombie kitty, so I’m calling it a voodoo kitty. These are for things I plan to sell at Pagan Pride Day. The candles will be the most difficult, as I want to match all kinds of intent with scent and color, so I really need to plan those out accordingly. I bought an oil scent kit that I can use with both soaps and candles (along with my EOs, and my other scents I already have), and so I’m looking forward to planning it out and then doing it. I might spend my labor day laboring over candle making.

I’m hard at work on my felt critters. The photo is of my prototype, though I’m going to either blanket or whipstitch the top of the head with contrasting thread, rather than machine sew it- I think it will give it a cuter look. It was very difficult for me to try to move the material as I sewed the edges up. I’m used to sewing in a straight line (that’s all I can do), but for this, I had a lot of stopping and starting and moving and turning- it was very challenging. I also need to work on some jewelry, but that’s easier to do in a group setting, and in front of the TV. As Pagan Pride Day is in September this year, I need to get my crafty ass in gear.

Hitchhiking Ghosts?

So... this week, I've been feeling kind of under the weather. I don't know why, really. I'm not sick, everything else is fine, but I've been feeling really tired, and like, zapped of energy. I've been just wanting to lay down and watch TV, which is very unusual for me. I mean, sure, I lurve TV, but I'm always doing something else while I watch it- researching, crafting, etc. It's just very strange. Mercury isn't in retrograde, or anything, and everything seems to be A-OK astrologically.

However, I've come to a realization this evening. I'm wondering if, while investigating Founders Park uptown last weekend, if I didn't pick myself up a little traveler. It's not something I've ever dealt with before, so I really dont' know anything about what happens.

Over the past week, I'm constantly feeling bumped into, or I feel like I'm in a small wavy earthquake. A few nights ago, when all was silent in the house, I heard a voice in an empty room- a male voice that wasn't my husband or father-in-law. I just figured that somehow, a window was open and acoustically, the sound got in the room somehow, even though it was really late at night. I just stopped where I was, and, whilst I know exactly where the sound seemed to come from in the room, I just waited to hear more. Nothing. Nada. So, I wrote it off.

This evening, during my personal full moon circle, I felt anxious. Now, I lead circle in groups, so nervousness would be silly, as I'm very used to it. And afterwards I realized it's because I didn't feel alone. I felt like something was in the room with me. Not like "the Goddess walks with me" kinda something, either. And at one point that feeling just completely lifted, like it was never there. Very strange stuff.

So, I guess I'll do a little research and see if this sort of stuff fits the "attachment" ghosty profile, or if I might just have vertigo with a side dish of crazy. Either way, it's a new experience. :) Well, not the crazy side dish- that, I'm used to.

Founders Park (07-16-10)

I went to Founders Park Friday evening with Yvonne and Jen from GSLA. It was a whole lot of fun, though it seemed a bit of a slow night. We were dealing with a lot of background noise, from sirens to fiestas. Founders Park is a little eerie, but definitely feels like a park. Shadows are generated everywhere, due to the unique position of the park; there many streets that lead up to the park, so headlights light up the whole park. It would probably be easier on a week night, rather than a Friday night.

I felt drawn to a specific place, and again saw something in my minds eye, but failed to get any response, even on my recorder. However, I was able to find one possible EVP on my recorder. You'll hear me talk, a dog bark, and then a whispered word/name. Be patient, it may take a few moments to load.




To me, it sounds like someone saying Hannah.

Comparative Religion: LDS Church

I'm working on a comparitive religion project, and I'm using this forum for my notes as I research. :)

The LDS Church/ Mormons


Church Structure/Organization

Church is led by 15 apostles, the senior apostle is the president of the church- he chooses two others as his counselors. Together, they form the First Presidency- the highest governing body of the church. The other 12 form the “Quorum of the Twelve.” Leaders called “Seventies” assist the 12 apostles and serve throughout the world. This structure is thought to have come about from the New Testament. A Bishop leads a congregation, and his “parish” is called a ward. Several wards form a stake, and the stake president is the leader of that group of wards. Most members of the church are asked to help out in specific capacities, called “callings.”



Holy Book or Writing

• Bible
• Book of Mormon
• Revelations to Joseph Smith and subsequent presidents of the LDS Church
• Pearl of Great Price- writings of Moses and Abraham, as well as writings by Joseph Smith



Main Ethics/Rules
No alcohol, tobacco, tea or coffee
10 Commandments



Holidays
Easter/ Christmas
Pioneer Day on 7/24- celebrates the day when Mormons first entered Salt Lake Valley in 1847
Minor holidays may include 4/6- founding of the church, and 5/15- John the Baptists appearance to Joseph Smith



Main Mythology / History
Joseph Smith was born in Vermont in 1805. Fifteen years later, he sees Jesus Christ and God the Father near his home in New York. In 1827, he obtains a set of gold plates from an angel named Moroni, from which he’d translate the Book of Mormon. These are finally completed and witnessed in June of 1829, the year that Joseph Smith is conferred the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist. A year later, the first edition of the Book of Mormon is published. During 1830, the LDS church is organized and six years later the first temple is dedicated in Ohio. As part of the mission of the church is to spread their beliefs, members are encouraged to go abroad. Brigham Young- a missionary- reaches the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. In 2006, church membership reached 12 million.



Key Points
- believe themselves to be a restoration of the original church of the apostles as it was in 1st Century.
- believe in the Holy Trinity
- believe that God still speaks to people, and calls his apostles
- believe in a “plan of salvation”



Interesting Points
Prior to the 80s, they’d emphasized their differences, in the 80’s started to focus on the similarities between LDS and the Christian church
Joseph Smith was murdered in prison after being arrested on false charges