As many of you know, I have been a practicing Wiccan for some 40 years. During that time I ran a large teaching coven as High Priestess for 12 years. I am even now the High Priestess of an initiatory Wiccan Tradition. I am happy to share with others what I know and have learned over the years. So I am starting this thread so that people can ask me anything they wish about Wicca. Please don't hesitate to ask, no question is a foolish one.
What resources would you recommend for someone who wishes to research Wicca and practice Wiccan practices?
for instance books, sites, and people who make content on it.
Also, what would you recommend for a beginner to start with? For instance basic exercises that someone could do to ground themself and get used to the feel of energy?
Re: Ask A High Priestess By: sweetfemme / Beginner
Post # 5 Jun 12, 2022
Hi there! I have a couple of questions I am interested to know what your thoughts are.
1. How do you cope with losing a coven mate? IRL it can be hard when you have a very close spiritual connection to someone and then lose them. It can be for any reason like moving away, a falling out, or changing paths. Out of all the people who simply changed paths or covens, did you remain friends otherwise?
2. Any advice on how to better center your religion around your life? Like in the Christian world, no one goes 'oh that's right today is Christmas I totally forgot it just creeps up on you like that!'. I find myself forgetting the sabbats, and having to conceal my craft in the corner. I want to be more expressive and to make a bigger deal out of what I do. Any advice or thoughts?
Re: Ask A High Priestess By: Lark Moderator / Adept
Post # 6 Jun 21, 2022
1. How do you cope with losing a coven mate? IRL it can be hard when you have a very close spiritual connection to someone and then lose them. It can be for any reason like moving away, a falling out, or changing paths. Out of all the people who simply changed paths or covens, did you remain friends otherwise?
There is really no one answer to this question. To use my own coven as an example... When we moved away and closed the doors on the coven I had led for 12 years there are some people with whom I have remained close friends over all the years since then. Others sought different paths and gradually we lost touch with each other. It's really not much different than what happens in mundane life. People change. People move away. You change and move on. It is a sad thing, but it is simply a part of life.
2. Any advice on how to better center your religion around your life? Like in the Christian world, no one goes 'oh that's right today is Christmas I totally forgot it just creeps up on you like that!'. I find myself forgetting the Sabbats, and having to conceal my craft in the corner. I want to be more expressive and to make a bigger deal out of what I do. Any advice or thoughts?
This can be difficult when you are a solitary practitioner as it is easy to forget the Esbats and Sabbats. But there are ways to help you remember and to create a regular practice around these dates.
One such way might be to create a special calendar on which you mark the dates of the Sabbats and Esbats. Make the calendar into a sort of ritual by decorating it with images of the seasons or whatever seems appropriate to you. Then hang it in a place you pass by every day. As you are creating your calendar make a promise to try to mark each Sabbat and Esbat with something special. You will find overtime that you get into the rhythm with the Wheel of the Year and things stop sneaking up on you.
Marking the Esbats and Sabbats does not have to be a "big" thing. Even the smallest of rituals serves to build your practice. An Esbat could include lighting some incense and thanking the Lord and Lady for the good things in your life. Or it could be going outside and letting the light of the full moon wash over you. It is the intent that is important, not the size or complexity of the ritual.
Sabbats can also include smaller rituals that fit into your life. Some examples might be getting up early to greet the rising sun on the Solstices. Or preparing a meal to mark the season with traditional foods. This might include milk dishes at Imbolc, or foods made with grains at Lughnassad. Samhain is a great opportunity to pay homage to your ancestors by creating a memorial altar with pictures of family and friends who have crossed over.
If you have to stay mostly in the closet at home and at work, there are ways to bring your beliefs into those spaces as well. As an example, when I was working my cubicle at the office had a lot of green plants with a small figure of Kwan Yin in amongst them. It isn't necessary that you make your beliefs open to others. They are your beliefs and there is nothing wrong with keeping them private. But you can get creative about how to include them in your every day activities.
Some other things I do... When I am cooking a meal I am also putting some magical energy into it for health and well-being for all who eat the food. When I fold the laundry I am working protection energy into the clothing that my family will wear. When I clean the house I am also cleansing negativity and renewing energy in my wards.
Remember, our ancestors didn't just celebrate the Esbats and Sabbats. They didn't separate mundane from magical. The spiritual was in everything they did. Next time look at your everyday tasks and ask yourself "What can I do to make this magical/spiritual?"
