In some spiritual traditions, you can only attain such titles of priest or priestess if you were ordained in that tradition. In other words, only a priest/ess can make a priest/ess.

Others may view a more personal choice that touches upon a need to serve the gods/Divine which defines a priest/ess.

Some might argue any teacher of spirituality might earn the label of priest/ess, but I feel it has more to do with intention than anything else.

If you place yourself in the services of the gods, the Divine, the community, or the teachings you follow, where these services are held in higher regard than your own personal wants/wishes, then I can see the title of Priest/ess as being more of a state of intent than an orthodox label handed out by a group.

And it is no easy task to put yourself in service.

That’s why I never label myself as a priestess. I am in service of no one. Whatever information I can give to someone is freely given and freely taken, and if you disagree or agree, that’s perfectly fine too. Most of my beliefs, I see, as my opinions based on my experiences and various sources of learning over the decades of following my spiritual path. Its not the Truth (or a truth for everyone). Its not for everyone to follow.

I feel humbled in knowing how the more you learn, the more you realize there’s even more to learn. You never stop and I’m perfectly happy enjoying the journey.

I don’t want the responsibility of someone else’s spirituality on my conscience. I expect others to take full responsibility of themselves, and cringe when people ask me to teach them. If you want to learn, its best to do it on your own, from many sources. Let your Spirit guide you along the journey.

What are your thoughts? What’s your definition of priest/ess? Have you met anyone who had qualities that defined them as such, and if so, what qualities are necessary?

Post in comments below.

Its funny how when you sit in groups of pagans you get a litany of instructions of how one labels themselves.

Its necessary due to the fact there are so many types of pagans, so many types of Wiccans, and the labels do not often provide a true, concise meaning.

Take the word ‘witch’. Historically, it derives from an Anglo-Saxon word, wicce (pronounced Weecha) meaning ‘to bend or twist’, or ‘conjure’ or ‘to move to and fro’- depending on other origins and meanings.

A witch, traditionally, worked some form of magick such as conjuration, speaking with spirits and/or the dead, or working herbal medicines. It didn’t mean she held any specific spiritual belief, so when Christianity entered the picture, a witch could continue her practices with Christian beliefs. She (or he) might incorporate said beliefs into the practices such as invoking angels or saints.

A Wiccan specifically deals with the spiritual aspects of faith. They use practices as well as faith in their workings, generally believing in a Goddess and a God, or just the Goddess, or even showing an animistic approach. As the religion evolves, so does the label.

A number of Wiccans I know do not believe in or have their own definition of the Wiccan Rede ‘an it harm none, do what thou wilt. Some follow a pantheon while others focus on only Goddess.

Some pagans add addendums to their label, including influences from other spiritual paths to even their titles earned in formal training. They’ll include, for instance, if they were a second degree priestess or something similar.

So how does one get along with a group that is so incredibly diverse in practices and basic belief system? Its simple- they don’t always, and those that do, share a keen sense of respect and sense of self. They are not intimidated by what others believe, so its perfectly fine that someone else believes something completely different.

A general ‘as long as its doesn’t hurt you or others…sure, why not?’ attitude goes a long way in society.  

Personally, I love the fact pagans are so diverse. I love discussing the various belief systems and practices. I think it makes for an interesting, and colorful group of people. I might not always agree with some practices or beliefs, but if it works for them- that’s fine. Just don’t tell me that’s the one-and-true-way.

Religion should be flexible and diverse as the people that follow them. It’s the primal basic need for a relationship with things around us. So if someone believes in the Flying Spaghetti Monster, (yes, there is a church for that) or say they are a member of the Jedi Church, or any number of belief systems- that’s fine by me.

My label?

Wiccan/Tao/Buddhist/Fun pagan. Made of natural essence of fun with 20% practicality. Wash in hot water, with plenty of soap. Dry on low heat.

When I started homeschooling my son four years ago, I encountered a number of other homeschoolers who taught quite a lot about the Bible and their religion into their children’s education. You can imagine my surprise, when I discovered there are pagan homeschoolers who do the same!

My twelve year old son joined me a few rituals, but he doesn’t classify himself as pagan. He says he believes in Jesus (teachings) and Nature, and that’s fine.

I teach the homeschool basics of reading, math, history, science, and so forth. Its when we explore Social Studies where he gets a taste of various religions. For instance, if I’m teaching about Japan, we explore Shinto. If we’re learning about the Vikings, we also learn about the ancient god/desses of the time and the practices.

You learn a lot about a people based on their practices and belief systems. We cover the basic principles, their view on the afterlife, and how it affects the culture.

Children learn their ethics and beliefs from their parents whether the parents teach them or not. I see nothing wrong with this for it gives children a basic network of belief systems to work with. Its when they start questioning those beliefs and wanting to do things on their own that its important to guide them along that path.

We are a mixed family. My husband is Lutheran. I’m pagan. Our son will just as likely visit a Unitarian church with me as he will go through the God and Family course through the Boy Scouts. He will pick up what he needs along the way.

What are your thoughts? Should kids be taught the faith of their parents? Should they be on their own? What experience have you had in your own spiritual background to what you believe today?

Pagan Parenting

Beara’s Children for Pagan Homeschoolers

The Pagan Household’s page of homeschooling

There are a number of different types of groups you encounter in pagan communities.

Covens are the most orthodox of them all, sharing secrecy and traditions. You generally must start your own, or hive off the coven that trained you, or you are invited to join

Study groups offer members a group to learn together the spiritual path. Someone, generally , leads the group while some study groups might swap members to share in the responsibilities. Its informal, and members can come and go as they like.

Open Rituals offer solitaries and other pagans to join in ritual for a purpose. This can be for a moon ritual, magick ritual, or sabbat. Sometimes you find these open circles in pagan shops, Unitarian Churches that host CUUPs groups, or you can find open ritual at places festivals are held. Check witchvox.com for open rituals in your area.

If you hope to form a group, here are some tips to consider;

As leader and organizer, you should compile a clear list of objectives and expectations for members. Stick to them. You will find some members might not like this or that, but they can form their own group if they don’t like it.

Groups, of any kind, also go through an evolution throughout its existence. At one point, generally before the first year is through, the group starts to fray at the edges by members re-evaluating their needs. At this point, take steps to bond members through activities and re-assessments of the objectives of the group.

Listen to member’s concerns. Members need to feel a certain level of safety, to be able to voice their concerns to you as the leader. Try to do something about their concerns, or ask for their suggestion. You don’t have to take that suggestion but it offers them some input.

Remove disruptive members. Should you encounter members who gossip, slander, or create issues among the group, they need to be removed. Its tough to do this if you happen to like that member, but trust me, if you hope to have your group survive, you need to show you will protect the group as a whole.

Leaders of groups should cultivate these qualities;

• Listening skills, so members know you’re available to listen to their ideas and their needs.
• Assertiveness (not aggression). To be able to confront others if need be, but also praise and applaud members for good deeds.
• Decision making, and making those tough decisions when necessary.
• Willingness to learn from the members, and allow members to share their knowledge and experience as well.
• See oneself as a teacher, organizer, and guide, not an authoritarian.

Visit the web site-

craftaholicsanonymous.net to see their tutorial on how to use a baby food container as a match container, with a sandpaper lid to strike the match. Take note that this is also waterproof for outdoor rituals!

You could use other containers, replacing the lid with sandpaper. This would allow for larger containers to include incense and even candles.

But here are a few tips:

-Outline your ritual and include the focus of the celebration. Imbolc, for instance, celebrates the first stirrings of springs, as the lambs begin to lactate. Seeds are often blessed with intentions for the coming crops.

-Compile a list of things you’ll need. I know a number of times where I started a ritual, but forgot some key element such as incense or a candle intended for something specific. List what you’ll need, including food and supplies, and make sure you have them!

For your BoS assignment, create a ritual outline for either the upcoming full moon or Imbolg celebration. Add the following sections to your page- supplies, history, focus, chant/prayers/invocation, and food.

Outline;

Cleansing- What methods will you use to cleanse the space? Some pagans use a besom (broom) to clear the area both physically and spiritually. You might also use incense, or a meditation. The use of bells or even song can clear an area as well. You can also add what methods you’ll use to cleanse yourself. Some people use a special bath or soap to wash, while others might use ‘smudging’.

-Opening circle- Light working candle and invoke quarters/directions. Jot down in this section how you do this.

-Invocation to God/dess, or gods. Describe how you intend on doing this.

-Main working of the ritual. This can include magick, meditation, dance, drumming, singing, and even crafting. This is the meaning of the ritual, the purpose and focus of the ritual.

-Closing. This is often done backwards to the method of starting the ritual. For instance, some people go counterclockwise if they cast the circle clockwise. Others might ring a bell, saying a prayer to give thanks for the gods/spirits/energies that joined in the ritual.

-Cakes and ale serves a basic purpose of helping you ‘ground’ your spirit after ritual. I also use this to give a moment of gratitude to the Goddess and the energies shared with me.

What other things would you add to a ritual outline?

You might giggle at the thought of a pagan being skeptical, but its entirely doable in this modern age. Its even possible for all spiritual paths.

Not all pagans believe the same things, while others argue many points to their beliefs validity or sense of truth.

This post is not arguing with your belief in something, but I think its important that everyone practice a level of skepticism with everything.

Skepticism is not disbelief, as much as questioning the beliefs and facts of something. And I want to emphasize the importance of questioning.

Pagan religion is not about accepting things as gospel, without question, to follow blindly. Its welcoming to the idea that you’re welcome to ask questions, to even challenge the belief.

If I told you that Goddess exists, I don’t expect you to believe me. I would expect you to question that belief, if only for yourself. Do I believe in Goddess? That depends-

I do not believe Goddess as a sentient being outside of myself. I see Her as my Higher Self connected to the world around me, to the flow of life, death and rebirth, to the cycles of the seasons, and to touch upon the dark mystery of the psyche; to help me understand myself as much as the world and of the people around me and my place in it.

Now would you believe me if I told you there was a Goddess now?

What if I told you I believe in fairies?

That’s another topic. I actually don’t, but I’m open to that belief being challenged and even changing if the experiences lead me in that direction. I don’t think, however, I’ll ever believe in Tinkerbell type beings- not even the tooth fairy.

Even the belief in magick varies from person to person. For myself, I define magick as the psychological process used to perform a ritual/rite with words and will to make changes inside to make changes outside. I also believe there’s a part of magick not easily defined or understood, and that, like many acts we perform, doesn’t always work.

 What beliefs do you adhere to that are based on faith or fact? Have they changed over the years? What experiences caused those changes?

Book of Shadows Assignment: Journal on your thoughts of the Divine and what you feel is the ‘truth’ behind Goddess, Gods, or Other. How do you come to this conclusion? What influences help shape your beliefs?

I inwardly cringe whenever I meet pagans who claims they are a ‘natural witch’. It implies that others are not. Generally these self-proclaimed natural witches also come from a Christian background, which leads me to wonder what they mean by ‘natural’.

From what I could find the subject, ‘natural’ witch often refers to someone with some talent in psychic or supernatural gift. This could be anything from premonition to speaking to spirit guides.

To me, any religious practice is a choice- period. You are not born a witch, even if your parents were, because that implies you have no choice in the matter.

Psychic gifts, on the other hand, do not mean you are a witch either, because you find Christians who also claim to some gift, and they would never label themselves as a witch.

And if this is natural, why do so many witches who have ‘gifts’ complain about how tough it is to have them? If its natural, it should feel natural as another skill or trait you have, one would think.

By the definitions I continue to find on this subject, I would be a ‘natural’ witch.

-Natural affinity with nature.

-Good with animals

-Some ‘gifts’

-Felt as though I was realizing being a witch rather than choosing (although I still stand on being able to pick and choose your path as a mindful choice).

I would never claim to be a ‘natural witch’ because an of these qualities can be found in a person of any faith. These ‘gifts’ are not witchcraft, but something more universal.

If anyone has more information on this, please leave comments.

If you watch many episodes of The Dog Whisperer, you’ know he often brings up ‘energy’ and its impact on your pet.

My own dog is a mix between an Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd, which makes for a high-energy, very smart dog. Pepper also loves to run and bark, tends to nip at times, and shows mostly the breed of a cattle dog.

So watching the many episodes of The Dog Whisperer, I took stock of my own energy of myself. I tend to be a big high-energy at times, almost hyper. I often find myself tense, and not really having any reason to be tense, I just am.

So I decided to start being mindful of my own energy around my dog, and learned to relax more.  I take a deep breath and release that energy, and within moments, I noticed a change in my dog. She relaxes as well, and even listens better.

This also got me thinking on how my energy affects other people and even my home. One friend described my house as ‘hugging’, where she felt the house envelopes her in this blanket of love. Other guests also describe how my home has this wonderful vibration to it.

What are your thoughts- What sort of energy do you give off? Does this permeate your home and family?

BOS Assignment- Write a journal on the topic of your own energy and how you feel it affects others around you. Add thoughts on how other energies affect you and your mood. Consider how to make changes and types of changes to your energy flow- do you need more calm, or do you need more energy?

In my quest to find things motivational for my goals this year, I happened across the idea of a ‘vision board’ Basically it consists of a page in your journal or Book of Shadows, or you can create a huge wall mural, that includes all the pictures, quotes, graphics, blurbs, and anything else that illustrates and encourages your goals.

Think of this as a creativity collage, showing off what you want to become for yourself.

How to make a vision board by Christine Kane

What is a vision board? by makeavisionboard.com

Create a virtual vision board! This site lets you create one online.

You could make an impressive mural in your room or office to always be there to encourage you towards your goals