What Is Paganism?

A Basic Description of Paganism & Pagan Metaphysics

What is Paganism? What does Pagan mean? How is Pagan Metaphysics different from Witchcraft? With the growing popularity in Paganism, many people who have never heard the word before, or people who don’t know what it is are looking for some basic understanding and knowledge about the beliefs and practices. Many wonder if it’s a religion or something else. Is it evil or bad? What’s real and what’s made up in Hollywood?

Of course anyone could write an entire book on these subjects. Well, actually I have with Pagan Metaphysics 101, the first book in a series to explain these questions in more detail. But for those who are looking for a short general version for their own understanding, I offer the following brief explanation.

The Word ‘Pagan’
Many beginners confuse the translation of the word pagan with its meaning. Pagan translates to “country dweller”, but that’s not the definition of the word. It’s just the translation. In the old days a country dweller was someone who lived off the land and depended on nature to survive. They were typically practitioners of some form of nature or earth based religion. Continue reading →

A Faery Prayer For Divination

Feb28

Before I pull a card, I have a little prayer I like to say asking the GreatSpirits for help. This is important for any Tarot Reader, whither you’re giving someone a reading, or pulling a card for yourself. As you say your prayer, you should visualize yourself in a clear white light, being protected by the Divine force in your life. You want to set a shield of protection and call in your guides, “God/Goddess” or whatever you feel connected to, for their help and assistance to divine the best and highest message possible..

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

.Faeries bright
in Faery light
Help me pull the card that is right
Let me see with all my might
the greatest message of insight

I’m fond of the Fae and I talk to them all the time. I see them as mystical messengers of Nature and wise spirits that are favored by the GreatSpirits (my label for the Divine Universe).

I thought I’d share one of my prayers today, for those who may wish to use it, or who can use it as inspiration to create their own prayer for divination.

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing: Nine of Wands

Feb28

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

Stop and think for a bit and you’ll find the solution. Things are not as dire and they may appear. When you resolve the problem, you’ll be able to laugh about what happened and get on with your week just fine. Sometimes it’s ok not to take things too seriously and smile.

Additional Insight:

Sometimes you simply have to stop and laugh. Even when a problem comes up that needs some serious thought and resolution. When it’s over, others will see the humor and relax too. But their frustration and anger will interfere with finding the solution. So don’t get to upset today and you’ll be the one who is able to see clearly and finds the way around the issue. Try to remind others, it’s not a life or death problem, so there’s no reason to be ‘that’ upset.

Forgiveness Empowers The Self

Feb27

Looking Back & Letting Go

Forgiveness is something you do for yourself, not for others. – Unknown

You cannot change the past, but you can change the way you allow the past to affect your present and your future. ~ Springwolf

Some times to change the present and improve the future, you must forgive the past and release the prisoner that has been held captive within. ~ Springwolf

Forgiveness is a sign of strength and self-love. Hatred is a sign of weakness and fear. ~ Springwolf

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing: The Sun

Feb27

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

Warmth and compassion surround the day for nurturing the inner child and children in your life. Show them you care and love them, even when they make mistakes. Build trust by listening and don’t over react when situations occur. Praise them when they succeed, support them when they struggle, look them in the eye when they talk to you and above all else give them respect as you want to be respected.

Additional Insight:

Stop being so hard on yourself and those around you. Everyone makes mistakes, even you. Take a deep breath, learn from it and try your best to implement a better reaction next time. Listen to your own inner voice and trust your instincts. Show compassion to both yourself and those close to you. Through this approach you will gain their attention and they will listen (even if the “they”, is your own inner child).

What Is A Spiritual Expert – Part IV

Feb26

Divine Holistic Healing

Divine healing, Faith healing, holistic healing, energy healing, alternative healing or a variety of other names all attempt to define the same concept of healing through faith. Divine healing in all it’s forms permeates all spiritual paths of belief. From the days of the caveman to present day, it has been part of our cultural world. There are of course a myriad of methods and approaches to Divine healing, from prayer and laying on of hands to stone therapy and long distant healing. Whether you use Reiki, crystals, massage, light therapy or some other form of healing, the idea is to direct healing energy into someone, or something that needs attention. It’s the belief in utilizing and directing unseen energy to those in need that brings these approaches together under the label ‘faith healing’.

Not all healing modalities are Holistic. By holistic we mean treating or affecting positive change in the whole being, Mind/Body/Spirit. Modern science slowly moved away from treating the whole body and began focusing on the physics of the physical body. This gave us great advances in medicine, but it also left the mind and spirit behind to fend for themselves. Over time, science began to recognize the effects and attitudes of the mind and started to document the impacts on the physical condition of the body. From this, Psychology slowly became part of mainstream science and at least two thirds of the whole being can be treated now. But these mainstream institutions have been slow to acknowledge the impact of the spirit and belief in overall health. Continue reading →

The Faery Prayer of Financial Security

Feb25

Bringing Abundance

Everyone hopes to find abundance in their life. Be it financial, health or something else. One of the biggest requests I receive from people is a prayer or spell for financial abundance. This is one of my favorites. But you can modify the dream line to be what you need or hope for.

Faeries Bright, In Faery Light..
Grant our wishes on this night.
Send your magik in a loving beam,
That we may win the jack-pot dream.
Bring us financial security on this eve,
so we can finally feel relieved.
Help us dance in joyous glee,
as we give our thanks to finally be free!

And in our joy we give our thanks,
to home and hearth and the faery ranks!
So It Is and So It Is Done.

* This is for my son.

Candle Magik Basics:
This prayer can be recited over a candle to invoke a little Candle Magik and help with your manifestation of energy.

A quick example that works well for financial issues:

Since I’m here in the U.S. I would choose a green candle for financial matters as it represents American currency. You can use the color that best represents your view financial currency in your country.
Using a special ritual knife, draw on the side of the candle. I carve a $ -sign, if the candle is large enough I write a phrase or need.
Include your personal sigil (a magikal symbol for you).
When it comes time to light the candle, say the prayer and see yourself holding what you need in your hands as if you already have it.
Visualize yourself using the financial means to do what you need it for, whither it’s paying a bill, buying a new car; paying for a class or getting a business license to start your own company. See yourself putting the money to good use.
Hold that image for however long you wish concentrate. Make it at least a 5 minute meditation moment, or a full hour to delve deep into how this money will help you. The more you visualize the positive actions of your request; the more energy you will put forward to bringing into reality.

Good Luck!

Additional Reading:

The Faery Prayer For Your Lottery Abundance

Today’s Tarot Meditation Drawing: The Devil – Inverted

Feb24

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

Look at things from a different angle, they’re not as bad as you think they are. Others maybe trying to grasp at straws from out of the flames. But you have risen above the fray and are in a position of healing. Don’t judge your day by the complaints and hardships of others. They are still continuing the same old patterns and refuse to change their ways. You have learned many lessons, accept the healing needed from those old negative patterns and are walking toward a positive future! Come on, give yourself come credit already!

Additional Insight:

It’s easy to get pulled into the energy of others and warp your own view of your path. But don’t let those who are always complaining, always looking for a reason to be down and always finding reasons to be angry control your day. If you can’t segregate yourself from these negative people, then focus on setting some good energy shields to bounce their negativity off your environment and back into theirs where it belongs. Close your ears to their voices and walk away when their anger boils over and tries to impact you!

Try to remember that you are the one who has worked hard to change. You have put in the effort, the time and learned the hard lessons in order to break the old patterns and change. You have the strength, courage and energy to face a brighter day. You’ve already done it…so seriously stop being so blasted hard on yourself!

Pagans & Politics

Feb23

How Do Pagans Approach Social & Political Issues?

Here in the U.S., the silly season of Presidential elections has spurred a lot of interest from the Pagan community. The Separation of Church and State is even more important than ever before here in America and Pagans are trying to make their voices heard.

Paganism/Witchcraft/Pagan Metaphysics is one of the fastest growing religions in America today. As well as around the world. Many people are becoming disillusioned with the unethical actions, politics and overpowering control that fundamentalist religions are expressing and pushing in our world today. And many are looking for peaceful alternatives. “Membership in Wiccan, Deity, Druid and Pagan sects has been skyrocketing — up from an unregistered blip in 1990 to more than 350,000 as of 2001” according to an article in the Washington Post.

As the level of strict religious views rises in our political discourse, I have received a huge amount of eMail from researchers, pagan activists and those looking to understand our path, asking for information that outlines the opinions of Pagans from a faith/belief perspective on today’s many issues. While I cannot speak for the opinions of all Pagans, I can discuss the basic principles outlined in the teachings of Pagan Metaphysical theology.

The following is a general description of how our Metaphysical Theology views some of today’s hot topics.
It is important to note that Pagan Metaphysics strives for peace and harmony within the Divine Universe and within the individual being. Through mutual respect and acceptance we can discover and acquire peace for all and create a world that is harmonious for everyone. But this approach does not take away the choices of individuals to direct their own lives with free will and the acceptance of the consequences of those choices. Continue reading →

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

Feb23

Mystic Faery Tarot by Linda Ravenscroft

It’s ok to peer out through the weeds and see what’s going on. Your supporters have cleared the way for you to be noticed and protected. You’ll find a little hug waiting for you as you emerge. Smile, relax and accept the victory. As small as it might be, it was an important one that will bring great influence later on.

Additional Insight:

When you act like an adult and follow the chain of command, you show respect for those who are most important in your life/career. Flying off the handle, allowing emotions to cloud your judgement only makes things worse and shows others that you’re not ready for the responsibilities ahead. When you can play the game with a positive approach and fight for your own self-worth with reason and proof, you’ll gain support, respect and compassion from those that are worth while to have in your corner.

"Believe In Yourself, Even When No One Else Does."
~ Harvey McKay ~
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“Take a chance on faith. Not religion, but faith.
Not hope, but faith.
I don’t believe in hope. Hope is a beggar.
Hope walks through the fire and Faith leaps over it.”
~ Jim Carrey ☆ 2014
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“I describe myself as a simple Buddhist monk. No more, no less. And I am one of the seven billion human being. Basically we are the same… your emotion, my emotion, your mind, my mind.., same physical. So I always look [at it] that way. We are the same.”
~ Dalai Lama 2012 ~
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"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
~ Bruce Lee 1971