Finding a Local Coven

The title of this blog post is misleading. I am not going to write a how-to. Rather, I'm going to weigh in on what I've noticed, that there is a great need and call for teachers and covens in this country.

How do I know this?

Pagan Facebook pages.

On a daily basis, people are posting that they are looking for a teacher. And hey, I completely get it. I have been following the pagan, and oftentimes Wiccan, path for the past 25 years as mainly a solitary. It can feel like there is only so much you can learn from books.

You do the ceremony suggested, maybe tweak it a little and you do it when the full moon comes around, or the new moon. Or the sabbat. 

But you are alone and it can be very isolating and it can be very hard to find answers to simple questions such as "is this right?". The answer is usually, does it feel right? But I really do get the desire for a teacher. The main point for that is that when you go out and really start to meet other pagans and witches the book learning isn't seen as learning. 

Have you noticed that?

Sure, you know how to call a circle, you know about what altar tools are related to what elements. You have had success in making charms and other spells, but you did it all alone so the question remains. "is this right?" and unless you have training from an established coven your experience doesn't seem to count much.

Gosh that question haunts, "is this right?".

But the answer remains true.

Does it feel right?

If your spells are successful, if you feel connected to the goddess/god, if your studies are continuing and you are using what you learn.. What is the point of questioning yourself because it is working for you?

But the point remains, even for me, that at some point it would be nice to have some type of community grounded learning, and this can be hard to find. 

The common response to a request for a teacher has been, the teacher will come when you are ready. Who doesn't hate this comment? I know I do. I'm impatient. I want it now haha. But feeling sure about yourself doesn't just come from outside recognition, but from opening up that connection to the divine that is inside you and grounding yourself in what you know and what you have accomplished. 

As they say when writing a resume, you know more than you list. Recognize your accomplishments. 

Be Well!

Talia Ravenspath

My Friday Ceremony And Children

Friday was the full moon and I wanted to call the four corners of the earth, raise my circle, put intention into the air.. And my children wanted to be in the circle too haha.

My daughters are 6 and 10 and when I finished getting all set up I told them "In or out of the circle, but once I set the circle you are staying put if you're in." And they both were happy as clams to stay in my little circle I made. 

I called the guardians and made the circle, and they giggled throughout it. Part of it was because they have never been there with me when I did a circle and besides blessing my new hagstones, necklaces and recharging everything on my altar from a hagstone to my selenite globe, I didn't have a huge ceremony planned. And I usually don't.

The first thing I noticed is that they were distracting, because they were giggling. I stuttered a little on calling the corners and they giggled. Instead of getting mad, I let the joyful energy they were filled with rise into the circle I was creating and become a part of the ceremony. I smiled and laughed too. 

That is one of the things about life. You can get mad at what is happening, because it isn't exactly what you expected, or you can accept it as it is and just go with it. This kind of go with the flow (that can take practice, BELIEVE ME) is one of those things that can prevent flair ups of anxiety. Seriously. :)

Blessed Be and have a wonderful week!
Talia Ravenspath