Witchvox Article

Author: Lady Luna
Posted: October 9th. 2005
Times Viewed: 5,931

For years people have heard the term "To say you are a Witch is one thing, you must live as a Witch." from "Principals of Wiccan Belief" taken from the American Council of Witches in the year 1974, which brings up the question, what exactly does that mean? Should you eat, breath and sleep magick and the beliefs? or should they only be a part of your life? What part of your life would it be? What would you do? What would you say, do or act? How do you know when enough is enough?

I wanted to explore this topic a bit, so I spent a few weeks where magick was my life completely and 100%. It affected my work, my school, my spare time and my dreams! I did magick nightly, I used my abilities to the best I could (for those wondering I am clairvoyant and empathic to name a couple) . Before doing something I would use my clairvoyancy to speak with spirits and see if it was a good idea. Before talking to someone I would use my empathy to see if it was a good idea, or was the person just not in the mood? I would answer multiple questions regarding Paganism and Witchcraft 4 or 5 times a day. I found after just a few days this was extremely exhausting! Use of my abilities creates exhaustion by extra exertion of my energies.. Always having to answer questions, most of the time the same one again and again got frustrating. Having to do magick or a ritual every night and all the time got just as annoying, it became a "Why am I doing this again?" situation.

I personally found spending all my time focused towards magick and the beliefs too trying on me. Yes, I am a Witch, but it is not all that I am, and you start to miss other things in your life.

I then looked at how I have been living my life since I was a little girl, and what I found was not exactly satisfying. I found that I hide and burry my gifts and abilities, that when I can help someone I do, but I keep religion and magick out of my daily life. I do not always thank the gods for the gift they have given me called life. I do not always perform magick when some would think it necessary, and I prefer to research a topic regarding magick or the beliefs only when required...

That is not right, fair to myself, or the gods. Unfortunately my life wasn't always like this. Being hereditary I was raised by my grandparents with a magickal background. I would be doing magick almost weekly, they gave me exercises and topics to work on and learn more about, once my grandmother passed away and my grandfather gave up hope and faith, I got left on my own and started neglecting my abilities and religion.

So, I've tried integrating magick more into my life... I give offerings to the gods and goddess every day when I wake up (if possible) , I help by teaching others about magick and the religion when I can, but not all the time, making sure to give myself some time to relax and "unwind" from a stressful situation. I read up on various topics of the Pagan religion and magick when I find the time. It's not a daily basis, but its not a long period of time between when I do, and I think that suits me just fine!

There are Pagans out there who can eat, breath and sleep Magick and Paganism all the time. That is who they are through and through. Their magick comes before themselves or their family, and I respect them for that because I know I personally could not do that!

One person, Lady M of T.O.G to be exact gave me this wonderful example:
Look at the seasons... It does not remain warm all the time in summer, nor does it remain cold and miserable in summer.... You get breaks from the Heat from rain... and just like the elements, humans such as us require a break from the "norm".

I look back at all that I have written and in a sense I feel I have made it seem like Paganism and Witchcraft becomes more of a nuisance with more time and effort put towards it. I do not wish to make it come across as such... just that for me and my life with work, school, family commitments and other responsibilities I do not have the energy or time to put A LOT of work into it...

People do a ritual every day that they wake up, know it or not... When you wake up in the morning you brush your hair and teeth, put on clothes, have a cup of coffee or a bite to eat, and then head off to work or school.... Doesn't seem difficult when you look at it that way does it?

What would someone say? do? or act like if they are a Witch? Themselves of course!! Always be yourself! Magick and Witchcraft and "being" or "not being" a Witch does not state what you should say, do, act like or dress as... Everyone is their own person, and in that sense should never hide, or try to conceal their true self. If you wish not to talk of The Craft or your path openly, so be it! Pagans are not the only ones to not share everything about themselves.

The questions I asked above do not come with a simple answer, life doesn't either. It all depends on who you are personally and where you are in your life. Just because one person says you need to eat, breath and sleep it, does not make it necessarily true. Nor does someone saying that if magick is not a strong or important part of your life. Find what works best for you. How often would you prefer to do magick? What kind of magick and why? How do you act? You are your own person do not forget that and never conform to what people say you should be!

Footnotes:
The American Council of Witches.
Lady M of T.O.G

Copyright: I hold all copyrights to my work. Please do not redistribute.

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