The Goddess Branwen

Branwen is the Welsh "version" of Venus or Aphrodite. She is the Goddess of love and beauty, dying of a broken heart after the death of her brother Bran. She's the Lady of the Lake and seems to correspond with the first chakra.

According to Encyclopedia Mythica, she is one of the three "matriarchs of Britain" (http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/celtic/articles.html). One web site I found (http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/celtic/articles.html) says that while Branwen is usually thought of as the maiden, she has a number of the mother qualities as well.

Birds, particularly starlings and ravens, play an important part of Branwen's story. Heck, her name even means "White Raven!" The full moon in June belongs to Branwen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branwen)!

Finally, I found the following information from Wikipedia very interesting. "At Llanddeusant, Anglesey on the banks of the Alaw can be found the cairn called Bedd Branwen, her supposed grave. Now in ruins, it still has one standing stone. It was dug up in 1800, and again in the 1960s by Frances Lynch, who found several urns with human ashes. It is believed that if the story of Branwen is true then it must have taken place during the Bedd Branwen Period of Bronze Age British history."

Branwen, help me become content in my own universe. Help me to create and give love and friendship. Help me grow and learn to know my inner self.

Christian Witch Course Week #5

This week I finished Scott Cunningham's book. The Book of Shadows was interesting, and I did start my own. I have a 3-inch thick binder that I covered in some Halloween fabric (cats with hats, spiders, and candy corn). I have started to use that.

What I *really* liked was the "Before Time Was" section on page 123. I'll be using that in my own BOS. I also know that I need to be more diligent about adding my own prayers, chants, incantations, and spells to my BOS as I grow in my faith.

On a side note, I heard the BEST description of what I believe. Jesus is who I worship, witchcraft is how I worship. Doesn't that just fit?

Note: This completes module one in the Christian Witch Course.

Which Animal Totem Suits You?

You scored as Fox, You are the Fox. You are quite intelligent and use it to your advantage. You are a diplomatic person and use that to help your friends in times of crisis, not choosing sides. You are also very patient, waiting for what you want. Fox 100% Crow 92% Bear 92% Eagle 83% Wolf 83% Dragon 75% Deer 67% Bull 67% Dog 67% Salmon 67% Ram 67% Snake 50% Stag 50% Horse 25% Which animal totem best suits you? created with QuizFarm.com

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: Whale (Soul's Path) Meaning: Honor your soul's path (from the Power Animals Oracle Deck)

Tarot Card: The Moon Meaning: Dreams, illusions and desires (from the China Tarot)

Today's Rune: Wunjo Meaning: Joy

On the verge of Mayhem

I'm packing. I hate packing.

I'm leaving for the writers conference (Meyhem in the Midlands) in the morning. I also am not a morning person.

All my clothes are already in the car. It's the "extras" that I don't have finished. Which earrings will go with which outfits? How much free time will I have? Should I bring one book to read? Or three? What about knitting? How much yarn should I bring? I think that's the stuff that confuses me more than anything.

I don't want to forget anything, but I don't want to take everything I own, either! Grrr.....

I'm excited and nervous. What if I go and find out that my writing isn't what I think it is? What if I find out that I suck? (Worse than just stinking!) What if....

Wish me luck and I'll try to post from the conference. (The computer is already packed, too!)

My Rhiannon Project

Because Rhiannon is the Goddess of dreams, I opted to create a dream catcher. I got the idea/directions from the CraftyHearthWitches group at yahoogroups. The colors I used are sacred to Rhiannon: Crimson for the pentacle; the hoop is gold; beads are green, gold, white and brown (OK, so there are blue ones, too!); and the feathers are crimson, gold and white. I added the feathers because birds are also sacred to the Goddess. (Sorry, the picture isn't that great!)

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: Eagle (Spirit) Meaning:Trust in your higher self (from the Power Animals Oracle Deck)

Tarot Card: Eight of Wands Meaning: Movement (from the China Tarot)

Today's Rune: Othilia Meaning: Separation (also means fear and emotion)

Becoming Ordained

Yesterday was amazing. I headed west with my dog and we ended up at Devil's Tower, Wyoming. If you've never been there, you are missing something wonderful. Photos or movies (like Close Encounters of the Third Kind) honestly don't do the monument justice. It is a very solemn area and it is easy to see why the Native Americans hold it sacred.

After a lot of walking and admiring the area and taking MANY pictures, we headed back.

Once home, tired and hungry, I read my e-mail to find a note saying, "It is my pleasure to welcome you into the clergy of the Coven of Christ Ministries." WOW! I was so excited!

I had read in "Clan of the Goddess" by C.C. Brondwin that we need to take those moments of pure bliss and relive them and cherish them. According to her, those are the moments that bring us closer to the Goddess. Those are the moments that we, as spiritual people, need to cling to in order to become all that we're meant to be.

Reading that e-mail, the one that said I am now a High Priestess in Coven of Christ Ministries, was one of those moments of bliss for me. It's something I've wanted and considered for many years (maybe not in COCM, since I didn't know such a wonderful group existed) and now that's a dream that has been fulfilled -- a moment of bliss to be relived and cherished. I'm thankful that I achieved this milestone and hope to be worthy of the honor.

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: Open your heart to love Meaning: Forgive others (from the Ascended Masters Oracle Deck)

Tarot Card: Nine of Chalices Meaning: Love, attention, trust, fondness (from the China Tarot)

Today's Rune: Laguz Meaning: psychic abilities (also means fear and emotion)

Christian Witch Course Week #4

This week's assignment was to read section two of "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham. This section discussed the practice of magic. I found some of the basic points so similar to Christianity!

• Invocation. Isn't that the same as asking God?


• Thanking the Gods. Aren't Christians taught as children to give thanks?


• Breathing and Meditation. I've always found I needed to be quiet and focused to pray.

Does any of this change my mind or my path? No. I feel called to continue learning this Earth-based Religion as an extension of my own faith. All Gods and Goddesses are part of the whole — the God I grew up believing in. I believe they're like the "junior executives" of His Universe. How would this book change that belief?

My Morrigan Project

I made Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans in honor of Morrigan. Wars have been fought over chocolate and coffee, fitting of her status as a Goddess of War. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac, appropriate for love. And what is more magical than taking one or two things and completely transforming them (such as melting the chocolate)?

I'm using the following recipe:

* 1/3 cup roasted coffee beans
* 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler until liquid and smooth. Drop in a handful of beans, and stir them around. Scoop them out with a spoon, and set them out on waxed paper. Keep them separate. Continue until all the beans are covered. They will harden overnight, or if you are in a hurry, you can freeze them for about half an hour. Once hard, they won't stick together and can be stored in any air-tight container.

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: Focus upon your strengths Meaning: The more you bless and appreciate your strengths, the stronger they will grow (from the Ascended Masters Oracle Deck)

Tarot Card: King of Wands Meaning: Sincere passion & success (from the Spirit of Flowers Tarot)

Today's Rune: Tiewaz Meaning: Warrior

The Goddess Rhiannon

After reading the information on Rhiannon, I really felt sorry for the Goddess. She spent years thinking she had killed her child!

What really resonated with me was that Rhiannon is the Goddess of writing, poetry, communication, creativity, fertility, art, ghosts, leadership, manifestation, movement and rest (http://findagoddess.com/). She also gives guidance to those who ask (http://www.goddess.com.au) and refuses to help those who won’t help themselves. As an aspiring author, I know I need to call on Rhiannon more often for my own struggles.

It’s also possible that Rhiannon is the “Lady of the Lake” from King Arthur’s legends (http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess_rhiannon.htm).

The story of Rhiannon reminds me of the healing power of humor, tears, and forgiveness. I will call on her for that, as well.

Goddess Rhiannon, I deserve the change in my life that you are there to provide.
Show me the path you can see so much better than I.
I feel the tears that you cried.
Please help me change my life to reach goals I hold high.
This is my wish, so mote it be.

Statement of Faith

I was raised Christian, although we didn’t attend church often — mostly just Christmas and Easter. As a teen, I realized I was missing something. I started attending church on my own, even walking to the church that was only a few blocks from my house. Eventually, though, I moved away, went to college and decided that sleeping in was more fun than going to church.

Eventually, I joined the military, got married, had a child, and got divorced. I wanted my daughter to have that spiritual family I felt I missed growing up. Once again I looked for a church.

Skip ahead a few years. We moved. I got remarried. We again looked for a church home. We ended up at a Pentecostal church that didn’t quite fit us, but it was close to our house. This church preached a very strict interpretation of the Bible. I was taught there that some of the gifts I’d embraced growing up — a talent for the Tarot; the ability to see, hear and sense spirits; an interest in things other than the Bible — were evil. Finally, I became dissatisfied with the “fire and brimstone” sermons. A disagreement with one of the staff pastors there led us to re-evaluate our situation.

We found a new church, one that embraced our family. The sermons focused on the love of Christ and reminded us of His love. It became a pleasure for each of us to attend the services! What a difference!!

Since that time — roughly three years ago — I have decided to embrace what I’ve come to believe are gifts from God and not something evil. I’ve come to realize that there is one God, but so many different paths to get there. The gifts I’ve been given are to be used to help others in any way I can. I’ve begun taking a Christian Witch course and also have been studying Celtic and Norse Goddesses to learn about my heritage (I’m about one-eight Irish) and how I can combine the Old Ways with what we now think of as Christianity. I want to show others how they can know the love of God and still follow their paths and dreams.

I believe Jesus was God’s son. I’m not sure Jesus was God’s only son. I look at Heaven as a boardroom. God is at the head, the CEO. On one side is the Holy Sprit and the other is the Christ. The rest of the table is filled with the other Gods and Goddesses and angels and saints who are ready and willing to help us along our own paths.

I am hoping to become ordained through Coven of Christ Ministries because I believe that I can follow the path set before me. I firmly believe that the Universe is calling me to help those who are in the position I was. I’m a good listener and I minored in both sociology and psychology in college. I’m able to assist people with their problems and find the answers they seek. (I can’t always do this in my own life, though!) Being ordained and associating with COCM is something that is “brought to my attention” often — through things people say or thoughts I have on my own. These are the signs I believe I’m supposed to be seeing.

In addition to assisting people face-to-face, I am a web designer and author. I know that I can use my gifts in both of these occupations, as well as in my personal life.

I see me closing my web design business in the next 10 years, and focusing on my writing, as well as creating crafts to sell on the Internet — soaps, candles, jewelry, clothing, each of them blessed and produced with love.

My family is my first priority. My faith is my second. I hope to continue to find love, peace and joy in both for years to come.

Christian Witch Course Week #3

This week's assignment was to read the preface, introduction and section #1 of "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham.

For the most part I enjoyed the assignment. I agreed with most of the information and found it to be enlightening. I especially found the section on the various tools to be informative. There are some aspects I will probably never use (dance, for example) but I still enjoyed learning about it.

I'm still very drawn to the idea of using the "Old Ways" and the celebrations of those ways. This is a path I really feel called to.

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: Open your heart to love Meaning: In addition to the obvious meaning, it can also mean to forgive those who have hurt you and to remember to love yourself (from the Ascended Masters Oracle Deck)

Tarot Card: Five of Swords Meaning: Challenging situations may arise (from the Animals Divine Tarot)

Today's Rune: Isa Meaning: blockage, stopping a process, reflection

The Goddess Morrigan

It occurs to me that Morrigan is a passionate Goddess. War, death, prophecy, magic, and love are all in her realm. Celtic Magic by D.J. Conway also lists her as the Goddess of dark magic and revenge. Findagoddess.com also lists shamanism and protection as her areas of expertise. Her symbol is a hag poppet and her totem is a raven.

There is a line at the Magical Circle School site that really sums Morrigan up well. "Her personality is associated with the sometimes frightening aspects of female energy." Morrigan is the original strong woman. She is what we think of a a powerful Goddess, but also a powerful person. She can stand up for herself and takes the time to do what needs to be done. Interestingly enough, she has spanned many cultures and times with her various names and association to the King Arthur legends.

I'm drawn to Morrigan's strength. I like her "take no crap" attitude. I plan to call on her for protection when I need it, using the following chant.

Protection from harm is what I ask,
Morrigan, please accept this as your task.

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: Drink More Water Meaning: Sorry, that's pretty clear, don't ya think? (from the Ascended Masters Oracle Deck)

Tarot Card: Death Meaning: Change; spiritual growth means pain; be aware of fear of change (from the Gilded Tarot)

Today's Rune: Wunjo Meaning: Joy

I decided to add runes to the list since I have two sets of those. One is a beautiful white quartz with purple markings. The other set was made especially for me by my sister.)

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: St.. Paulus Meaning: Contraditions and inner enlightenment (from the Voices of the Saints (OK, so not "technically an oracle deck, I don't think of this one as a regular tarot deck, either!))

Tarot Card: Lord of Swords Meaning: Stubborn and purposeful (from the Shakespearian Tarot)

My Inner Goddess

According to http://www.goddess.com.au/home.htm#goddesssign I have an inner birth Goddess: Pele! Too bad I don't know anything about her. My work Goddess is Freja. (Could she be the same as Freya? If so, I'll get to study her in the Celtic and Norse Goddess course! I'm going to guess she is....) I'll have to do more studying to learn about these Goddesses and, by extension, myself. Good thing I believe that the only time you should STOP studying is...well, never. There's too much to learn!

The Inner Goddess yahoo group had some interesting information about Blodeuwedd this week. This is what was sent in the e-mail:

Goddess of the week: BLODEUWEDD

SUGGESTED MANTRA: CHARITY
Spring time in England heralds the charity event, Geranium Day – a perfect time to cherish Blodeuwedd.

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ Acts of charity come naturally to me
~ I accept the wisdom that flows as youthful beauty fades
~ I realise the extent of my wisdom as I enter my wise woman years
~ I release my fixation on youthful looks
~ True beauty comes from within
~ There is beauty in everything I see

Related essences: Goddessence KWAN YIN 100% pure essential oil blend
for the heart chakra

Related gemstones: green calcite, amber, jet, black tourmaline, geodes

The Welsh flower goddess, Blodeuwedd (pronounced bluh-DIE-weth), was created from nine kinds of wildflowers – oak, meadowsweet, broom, cockle, bean, nettle, chestnut, primrose, and hawthorn – and given the name, flower-face.

HER MODERN ENERGY

Two magicians created Blodeuwedd as a wife for Welsh hero, Llew Llaw. Her beauty proved to be only skin deep, however, when she betrayed him for the sake of a lover. The magicians discovered her treachery and, showing mercy, transformed her into an owl.

Blodeuwedd’s journey from radiance to her nocturnal existence represents the evolution of beauty – blossoming youth eventually wilts, but with this comes the wisdom of age.

DO THIS

Foster inner beauty by being charitable. You don’t need to give away money to be charitable – you could give a helping hand or a well-timed compliment.

Love and light,
~ Anita ~
www.goddess.com.au

Interesting, isn't it?

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: Porcupine Meaning: Innocence - Free yourself of guilt and shame (from the Power Animal Oracle Cards)

Tarot Card: Six of Wands Meaning: Success and Achievement especially in creative environments (from the Lovers Tarot)

My Blodeuwedd Project

I've started crocheting an owl because of the fact Blodeuwedd becomes that animal. The owl will be a reminder how closely love and betrayal live within us. I'm using a pattern by RoxyCraft and some blue-green yarn leftover from a blanket I made for my daughter's best friend.

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: Lizard Meaning: Pay attention to our Dreams and Visions (from the Power Animal Oracle Cards)

Tarot Card: Rhiannon (XV Challenge) Meaning: Recognize the dark forces and overcome obstacles (from the Animal Divine Tarot)

Intersting that Rhiannon is one of the Goddesses I'll be studying in the Celtic and Norse Goddess Course

The Goddess Blodeuwedd

Blodeuwedd meant more to me than Epona. She was created in love out of flowers. How beautiful is that?

According to findagoddess.com, Blodeuwedd is the maiden, and helps with charity, hope, beauty, and relationships. The part of her story, though, that intregues me is the end. She married Llew Llaw Gyffes and then betrayed him. Had him killed, even! Why? Was it because she didn't have a soul? Because she wasn't human? Or was she protesting the place of women in society as Karen Davis suggests (http://www.pantheon.org/articles/b/blodeuwedd.html)?

In any case, because of her betrayal, Blodeuwedd was transformed into an owl. How fitting! Because of her betrayal (a position all people have the capacity to find themselves in!), she becomes a wise but solitary animal. She becomes a bird of prey.

I think there is a lesson in Blodeuwedd's story. Love and betrayal may be flip sides of the same coin. It isn't as far a leap as we humans wish it were.

I call upon your wisdom, Oh Blodeuwedd. Love and betrayal are so interconnected in ways we may never see. I ask that you show me where I may be flirting with betrayal against the ones I love. Let me learn from your mistakes, Goddess. Let me live in love. This is my wish, so mote it be.

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: "Come out of the closet" Meaning: Make your real feelings and beliefs known — speak the truth in love (from the Ascended Masters Oracle Deck)

Tarot Card: the Moon of Boulders (Knight of Pentcales) Meaning: Laziness to be overcome, necessary commitment (from the Witchy Tarot)

Today's Cards

Oracle Card: "Persistence" Meaning: Stick with your dreams and overcome procrastincation (from the Ascended Masters Oracle Deck)

Tarot Card: the Four of Boulders (Pentcales) Meaning: An important but difficult acquisition (from the Witchy Tarotl)

Simpsons & Harry Potter