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What’s In A Name? And What Does It Mean?

Nov4

Wolfwitch by Springwolf 2012How Pagans Define Their Religion

Do we call it Pagan, neo-Pagan, Witchcraft, Wicca or some other label? Is ‘Witchcraft” the religion or is it something else? If we look at the origins of the word and how it was originally used, then yes, Witchcraft is a religion. But it’s important to look at the origins as well as the meaning of the words as they were initially used to begin this discussion. But it’s also important to look at how these words have evolved throughout time and what they have become to mean.

Words like people evolve in their meaning and in their use. When a religion such as modern paganism has evolved so much through the centuries, does it really make sense to hold onto old labels like “Witchcraft”? Some say no. Others say that was never the name for our religion to begin with. It was heaped onto believes by the early Christian Church and demeans our beliefs and practices.

So how do modern practitioners of paganism define the name for their religion? For that we have to start at the beginning and discuss the meaning, origin and evolution of some of the words and labels that are used within our religion. This maybe tedious stuff, but it’s important to know where you came from in order to understand where you’re going. Continue reading →

The History Of Samhain And Evolution of Halloween

Oct29
Photograph by Mukul Soman

Photograph by Mukul Soman
National Geographic

Samhain – The Celtic New Year
Whether you use the Gaelic pronunciation “Sow-en”, “Sow-ween”, “Sah-ween” or the Americanized version “Sam-hain” (yes that is an acceptable pronunciation), it’s still the biggest holiday on the Pagan Calendar.

It’s the start of the Celtic New Year and honors the year that has passed. It is the time when the veil of forgetfulness is lifted between the physical world and the spiritual world. Where the dead are honored and communication with spirit can take place more than any other time of the year.

For pagans it’s a time of celebration, but it’s also a time of reverence and deep spiritual reflection for the past and the future year to come.

An article by the Library of Congress states: Pagans divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle. Continue reading →

Teaching Your Children

Oct19
Teachable Moments

Teachable Moments

Starting Out On A Spiritual Path

In today’s world of spiritual variety, people of all faiths are looking to share their beliefs and practices with their children. Even if their beliefs are Pagan Metaphysics.

As with any practice, there are levels of participation based on age. Children often go through a period of learning the basics before they participate in the central practices of the Church or Temple or Circle. This is true with children in the pagan metaphysical realm as well.

In most traditions, children are not permitted to practice magik until they reach puberty. That means being present during a circle, but not participating in the ritual of the circle. It’s not because of an age thing, it’s an energy thing.

Until all the chakras are fully functional and ready to begin work, they can be adversely affected by rituals that deal with energy manipulation (magik).  Think about what the physical body is going through during not only their early years of physical development, but the emotional development as well. Especially during puberty, kids are going through a wide array of changes. Both boys and girls fight and deal with hormones, physical changes and emotional pressures each and every day. Adding magik and energy rituals on top of that can be over whelming. Even parents who think their children are wise beyond their years have to face the reality that they are still children who are growing physically. Don’t push them! Allow them to be kids and grow up gradually as nature intended. Continue reading →

Shamanistic Numerology

Oct18

The Shamanistic Approach To Numbers

Earlier this year I wrote a brief overview article on the Bare Minimum Basics of Numerology. From that article several people asked for more information on the method I’m most familiar with and the meaning behind the numbers from that perspective; Shamanistic Numerology.  I don’t want to re-write the information in that original article, so you might want to start there and then finish reading about the approach I have been taught and use from time to time.

I do want to restate that I am not a Numerologist, nor have I spent a great deal of time utilizing this method of insight and wisdom. There are many forms of Shamanism around the world and this is only one method in that venue. So do more research and if you like some of the approaches here, merge them with things you like in other methods and create your own version of personal Numerology. Stick with what rings true to you and follow your own instincts. Continue reading →

Family Caregiving For The Elderly Or Sick

Oct12
Divine Holistic Healing

Compassion and Healing

Living With Chronic Complainers

Getting old or being sick isn’t easy. Living with those who are feeling the aches and pains of age and illness isn’t easy either. They often seem angry all the time, never have a nice thing to say about anything or anyone and their negativity can easily bring down the entire house in an instant. You want to be compassionate, you want to be there for your family when they’re in need. But even the best of people can only take so much before they go crazy themselves.

From the perspective of the older or ill relative, they already feel as though they’ve become a burden to you. If it’s a parent you’re taking care of, remind them that they took care of you when you were young and now it’s your turn to take care of them. Tell them that the U.S. is the only country that doesn’t treat it’s elderly with the utmost respect and dignity. In most other countries, the elderly are revered and honored. In many countries of Asia, it’s an honor to be selected as the one who is responsible for caring for their elderly parents. Continue reading →

It’s 10.11.12 – Does It Mean Anything?

Oct11

Today Is October 11, 2012 (10.11.12)

If you believe in numerology of course it means something. But which numerological method do you follow?

Many people think there is only one pattern of number analysis. In actuality there are several. Mathematics is the only language shared by all humans regardless of culture, religion, or gender. Many of the ancient cultures: Babylon, China, Egypt, India,and Japan were using forms of numerology long before the Greeks and Romans. Over the centuries each culture has created its own method of analyzing numbers. While there are many of these, several methods have risen to the top so to speak, as the most common methods or practices. These are: Chaldean, Chinese, Indian Vedic, Kabbalah, Pythagorean (also called Western) and Shamanistic (which can vary from Germanic, Celtic, Indo-European or the Americas).

Numerology is the study of the divine or mystical relationship between a count or measurement and life. It has many systems, traditions and beliefs. To learn more about read The Bare Minimum Basics of Numerology and begin your own research. Continue reading →

Religious Awareness In America

Sep27

Patriotic Wolf - Artist UnknownThe Importance of Secular Government

Secular:
of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.

There’s a lot of talk in the U.S. today about the founding fathers establishing our constitution based on Christian values and therefore America is a Christian Nation. Unfortunately this propaganda by religious zealots is false and not only breeds intolerance, it misrepresents the intent of the founding fathers or attempts to re-write American History.

I believe it’s important for all people to speak up and correct these misconceptions if our nation or any nation is to remain free. Many have given the ultimate price to ensure those freedoms and if their sacrifice is to remain meaningful, everyone must ensure the attempt to change history does not succeed.

Through some research I happened upon the following article that can explain the historical position of many of the founding fathers and their predecessors. Thanks to the author for allowing me to reprint their ever so well written article here. For more reading, check the resources provided by Mr. Walker at the end of this article.

A few definitions to help up front:

  • Deism:
    belief in the existence of a God on the evidence of reason and nature only, with rejection of supernatural revelation ( distinguished from theism).
  • Atheism:
    the doctrine or belief that there is no God, disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

Little-Known U.S. Document Signed by President Adams Proclaims
America’s Government Is Secular
by Jim Walker
earlyamerica.com

Some people today assert that the United States government came from Christian foundations. They argue that our political system represents a Christian ideal form of government and that Jefferson, Madison, et al, had simply expressed Christian values while framing the Constitution. If this proved true, then we should have a wealth of evidence to support it, yet just the opposite proves the case. Continue reading →

The History of Mabon – The Feast of Avalon

Sep21

The Apple Feast

Celebrating The Fall Equinox
By Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D.  🐾

Mabon (May-bawn) is also known as the Feast of Avalon, the Festival of the Wine and the Festival of the Apple Harvest. Celebrated on the Fall Equinox.

To the Celts, Avalon is the mysterious place for the land of the dead and literally means the “land of apples”. Thus this is a holiday for celebrating the bounty of the harvest and the desire for the living to be reunited with their deceased loved ones. But the holiday is also named for the Welsh God Mabon.

Mabon translates to the “great son”, but some say it’s the “great sun” and relates to the waning reign of the Sun in the sky as summer fades and the season changes to beacon the darkness of fall and winter.

From mythology, Mabon the person was the son of Modred who was kidnapped at the age of 3 and later rescued by King Arthur. His life represents the innocence of youth, the strength of survival and the growing wisdom of the elderly. Continue reading →

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing: Four of Cups – Inverted

Sep21
Four of Cups Inverted

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

Shake out the creativity and inspiration from beneath the surface and you’ll find a solution to the communication problems. No one is listening. It’s hard to hear what each other is saying when you’re being stubborn and have your ears closed. You can spend the day/weekend in silence, or act like adults and talk it out.

Additional Insight:

You might hear what’s being “yelled”, but you’re not listening to what’s being said. And neither are they. Yelling only makes things worse and causes people to say things they don’t mean in order to hurt each other. It’s a pointless use of energy.

Stop yelling and start listening. You’re the one who keeps saying you want to work on things and change them for the better. Yet you’re still facing each issue with the same chip on your shoulder. Knock it off; you’re not perfect and yet you’re expecting others to be infallible.

If you’re going to claim to walk a spiritual path and be a spiritual person then you must live up to your talk. Other wise you’re only spinning your wheels and fooling yourself. So shut up, sit down, and listen to what’s being said. There is fear and anxiety behind the words being spoken and you have the ability to help ease those emotions. Both in them and in yourself!

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© 2012 Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D. Springwolf Reflections / Springs Haven, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Fluid Plans Can Bring Unexpected Successes

Sep14

Successful Changes

Change Happens, Sometimes For The Better

It’s been an amazingly busy week on all fronts in my life. It seems when you make a little change that releases a negative anchor so many things are freed and begin to move forward. Even things that have nothing to do with the anchor in the first place.

The flow of energy in and around our lives can touch and connect to so many other things we never expect. We talk about it, we may even know it. But sometimes we don’t really acknowledge it until it happens on a personal level and we sit back and say “Wow”.

Continue reading →