Witchvox Article

Author: Lady Abigail [a WitchVox Sponsor]
Posted: August 21st. 2004
Times Viewed: 5,817

I am a Witch of the Old World. No, I was not born in the Old World nor am I thousands of years old, (thought some may consider me so). Yet, by the blessings of all the powers that be, I was trained and brought up in the knowledge and understanding of the old ways.

During the past week I became, if possible, even more grateful for the instruction I gained of the craft from my Great Grandmother. The wisdom she bestowed upon me made easier the fears and uncertainties seen by many living in Central Florida as Hurricane Charlie moved directly toward us.

I have been fortunate enough to have lived all over the world. In which have experienced and witnessed all manner of weather and storms brought forth by the powers of Mother Nature. In my years, I have witnessed, first hand, tornadoes, blizzards, nor'easters, drought, ice storms, lighting, flood and rain. But in all my life, this storm of wind and rain called "Hurricane Charlie" was an occurrence I will never forget.

My Great Grandmother taught me to trust my intuitions; that first impression or feeling you receive from the powers within all things and yourself. She taught me to watch the signs of nature, to see beyond what others see and trust my own heart, even when others would ridicule.

At times it can be difficult to not allow the questionings of others to bring doubt within yourself. Divination is a difficult idea for some, especially those that think it a game or something fun to do with the deck of tarot cards. Many cannot accept or believe that a foretelling or knowledge can come by way of a simple dream as this foresight did for me.

Oddly enough it began a few months early in May. I was abruptly awakened by visions of a great storm whirling upward and crossing a map of Florida. I could see this enormous tempest of power growing and didn't truly understand all I was foreseeing. My lack of understanding was due to the fact that I have only lived in Florida a short time and had never been part of such a storm. Within this dream I saw an immensity of wind sweeping beneath the tip of Florida and bending back around to cross the middle of my very home.

Within the next few days I explained the dream to my friends and family and that I believed this dream to be a foretelling of a great storm; a Hurricane that was going to hit Florida. Many of them living here either all their lives or for many years, assured me that even if a hurricane hit the state it coming across the middle of Florida was unlikely and if it did so it wouldn't be much more that any other Florida storm. Nonetheless, I insisted that they trust me, and prepare for the possibility

Even once this storm was on its way, I was still assured by many including the weather service on TV, that it was changing course and that it was going to move northward and not cross over us. But because my friends and family know that I would not speak of something of such magnitude without trusting within my very essence it to be so, they took heed of my warnings and prepared.

On Friday August the thirteenth, in the year of our Lady and Lord two thousand and four; Hurricane Charley, a class four hurricane, hit landfall headed for the heart of Florida with wind gust of over 145 miles per hour - my family, friends and home directly within the center of the path of the Hurricane.

Friends and family gathered in the safest places they could and quickly finished preparations for the approaching storm. Everyone worked moving everything from outside to indoors, not leaving anything out that could be propelled by the Winds of Nature.

As myself, my husband and two family members awaited the approaching Hurricane, I prepared a protection spell for everyone I knew and loved. As I encircled my altar with the many candles for each person, home, and family I could see each one safe in their homes and my heart filled with a sense of tranquility. I realized I had to trust that everyone was going to be safe and it would be so.

It was about 9:00 PM when we heard the billowing of the winds and knew the Hurricane was about to hit the area. We were trying to catch every possible moment on the television news when, with a few power surges� we lost power and the became black. We grabbed our flashlights and lanterns and waited to see, or hear what would be next.

Soon the wind was so powerful we could literally see the eight foot sliding glass door breathing in and out. Being worried it would soon exploded we decided to move into our safe room until the storm passed. I don't believe any of us knew what to expect and all that we could hear was the incredible howling of the wind. Once it quieted down a bit we all decided to check on the battery powered radio we had for information before venturing out. We heard, that the eye of the storm was sitting over us at that time, and then again the wind again. This duration seems shorter, and after a time went out to see what we could see in the dark. With flashlights in hand, we all carefully began to survey the damage around the house. Debris was all around us, trees down and broken branches all over the place, fences gone, a home, two doors down, with a tree through the roof�yet�we seemed OK, with only slight damage.

It would not be until the next day when any of us would venture out to see how much destruction was actually all around us; just a few streets from us looked like an absolute war zone. I shall always give thanks to the powers that be, for the foretelling of this storm. As well as for the trust those I love have in understanding what was needed to be prepared and protected.

For days we have been without power and it is extremely hot and humid without air-conditioning here in the state of Florida. I didn't realize how much I personally depend on things such as electricity, telephone, a computer, hot and cold running water� not to mention toilets. All the little modern things we become quickly accustomed to.

But within all things there is balance to be found. From the devastation of a hurricane you find you have excellent friends and see people truly pulling together. What a wonderful thing it is to see so many people, different in many ways, come together as neighbors helping neighbors, getting homes covered from the elements, fixing broken windows, removing downed trees and everyone working together in favor of the massive clean up that is going to take months.

All of a sudden, people that would not speak or would turn away because you were different, the Witch next door were now friendly. It no longer of any importance weather or not I was Pagan or Witch or that they were Christian or not. Only that we were all standing together, helping each other as best we could, united in aftermath of Mother Nature's awesome power �

I also learned old world has its benefits. I keep my Book of Shadows in bound books, not just on the computer. I have all my information available when ever I might need it. In this awakening I have talked to some Witches that have found it difficult getting to their information; spells and so forth, because they kept all their information, everything on a computer. Once you have no power or the computer becomes electrocuted by a storm, you only have what is at hand. Once lost, it is lost forever.

If there is a moral to this odd but narrative story; it is first and foremost trust yourself. If you know for whatever reason that those you love are in danger, don't worry about how you might look, push until they hear what you have to say. Second, we are Witches and should be ready with book, bell and candle for whatever needs may arise. Even without electricity, the power comes from within us all.

But most importantly, Let us all be accepting of one another without the disasters that seem to clear our site to the spirit and heart of those all around us.

May all be blessed and save in Her light.

Lady Abigail

ABOUT...

Lady Abigail

Location: Greenfield, Indiana

Author's Profile: To learn more about Lady Abigail - Click HERE

Bio: Lady Abigail is High Priestess of Ravensgrove Coven, an eclectic coven of solitary witches in the Orlando, Florida area. She was raised in the Craft by her Great Grandmother, a Cajun Witch, who taught her the powers of Earth, Nature and Magick. Lady Abigail has studied and taught in herbs, metaphysics and Magick for over 35 years. Her articles and poetry have been featured in various Pagan publications.

Other Articles: Lady Abigail has posted 69 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

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