In Paganism, we get to choose our teachers, and our paths.  We learn, from these teachers, hopefully because they give us lessons. Sometimes even though you need to work alone to do the work required for the growth, you’re sometimes in a group when the light shines on the answer to the task given by ones teacher.

Which leads me to a question, when does one move on from one teacher, or lesson to the next?  More importantly, how does the teacher feel when the student leaves?  I ask this more for myself, than for anyone else.  I have started a coven recently.  We have started talking about our curriculum and how and when we’ll take on students.  I am intensely aware of how involved I can become with people I am intimate with.  When the time comes, and the birds leave my covenstead to form their own place, how will I feel?

Will I be sad? Will I be resentful?  Will I rejoice in the stepping out into their own?  I would hope that I would be thrilled.  In fact, I’d like to say that the words, hive and daughter covens never have appealed to me.  Extensions sound much better.  Even Sister seems more palatable to me.  Why?  Hive is cold, daughter because of the saying, “a daughter is a daughter her whole life”, sounds like they have to come back for holidays or all hell will break loose.  Extension is better but still sort of attachment is implied.  Sister implies a love relationship (I’ve never had a real life sister but some of my very good friends make me feel this way) without the necessary obligation to always having to share every second of every intimate moment together.

So, I guess I said all that to say this.  Your spirituality, your choices.  No one can stand up and make you worship, or have a relationship with Deity for you.  You have to do the dirty work.  You have to commit to making yourself better, discarding what doesn’t serve you any longer, and cultivating what does make you a better person.  Stand up put on your adult pants and take responsibility for you.

Sometimes bright, happy, people are contagious.  Sometimes, we’re the life of the party.  And sometimes that’s uncomfortable to others.  Here is where the message comes in from Sunday.  I am being arrogant, if I withhold my gifts, for gab, my ability to make people laugh, and shade my light from people.  Just to make those who haven’t figured out how to raise their own vibrations yet comfortable in my presence.   So, I will no compromise.

No, I will be myself, because myself has been this way for almost a half century.  Now that doesn’t mean I think I have nothing to change, because that is not what I”m saying.  I have been through many lessons, and I will continue to grow.  After all, I want my prayers and my vibration to be strong, and affective.  However, I have been more keenly listening to the voices of my guides, and teachers and to the one whom I pray.  So, sometimes, you may come to me and ask “are you OK tonight?’ and find out I’m fine, just quiet, reserved.  Because Demeter has requested that of me.  Also, on the flip side, when the Spirit moves me (pun completely intended) I will rock, yell and turn the spot light of y soul on, for everyone to see!

Yes, I am a people magnet.  I tend to command attention and draw people to me.  That’s not bad, that’s the Goddess shining through me.   And you wouldn’t ask the Goddess to tone it down, would you?

Peace Out,

Zoe

But is staying put growth?  I don’t think so, at least not for me.  Because when you look at the anatomy of a bridge, it raises high in the center.  Bringing you closer, hopefully to your Gods, the ones to whom you pray, as my teacher so eloquently puts it.  As you cross you raise your vibration, in effect making your prayer more powerful.  And by the way, whatever you decide is, its not wrong, it’s just what’s right for you NOW.  Hopefully, you grow and make the trek to either the other side, or at the very least meeting your next growth cycle in the middle.

So, take deep breaths, sit quietly and meditate at the entry to your bridge.  See what is above, below, and in between.  Open yourself, and raise your vibrations, so the Gods you worship can have the permission to get in and do the work they need to do, perfecting your beautiful soul.  Fear is OK as long as it doesn’t stagnate you.  In most cases it moves people to move mountains.

Peace Out.

Then, that all got me thinking.  About the visual aids I use in my work.  I don’t always lay out an entire altars worth of tools when I’m working.  In fact, I’d go so far to say that some of my most productive workings occurred when I had nothing on the altar at all.  When my emotions are in tune with my intent I can do some really powerful stuff.  In fact (LOL I think I needed  a reminder and that’s what this blog is for) I have had success ridding my neighborhood of people who were shit disturbers.  One family sold their house before the sign was in the yard!

Tools, talismans, charms, are only powerful, like the line from Practical Magic says, because I believe they hold power.  Let me take for example my evil eye bracelet.  It’s actually a trigger for me.  It helps me remember that anything anyone sends at me I can send back.  It reminds me of that silly rhyme from when were kids.  I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you!  That’s the idea behind my bracelet.

Focus comes hard for some people, me being a prime example.  That is the most important part of any magical working.  The next, in my opinion would be intent.  Making sure I know what I’m doing and what the effect will be is very important.  Sometimes I get exactly what I asked for, but realize later, what I asked for wasn’t really what I wanted!  I have heard that if you’re really angry or really sad that is a bad time for magic.  I say bullshit.  That’s when I’m at my most powerful.  Now let me say that when I’m angry I need to really take a breath.  I used to try to think about the problem for at least 24 hours before doing anything, and then only if I can’t solve it in the mundane world.  My new way of taking care of things magically (and pretty much any other life altering event) has a 3 day rule attached to it.  If  in 3 days I still want to do the work I can.  And that comes with a qualification.  If I’m in direct, eminent  danger, then all bets are off and I can do what needs to be done NOW!

Anyway I said all that to say that you don’t need to spend millions of dollars on tools and props.  I spent a couple of bucks on incense and prayed a lot LOL!  I’ll probably do some tobacco prayers today too, and that should set me straight.  I’m wearing the bracelet to remind me to keep myself connected to Deity, and to shield myself everyday and night.

Peace Out

Zoe

Funny how the Goddess teaches me.   It’s always the right lesson at the right time.  Even when I think, “hey Demeter, where are you?’ There is some comfort in knowing I wasn’t crazy when I went through the trials.  That the loneliness I felt wasn’t all in my head.  But, the one thing about the pain, and loneliness is that it does go away.  Especially, when I pulled  myself up and realized that everything that left my  life was destined to do just that.  It was at the right time for me for it’s departure.  It didn’t serve me.  I appreciate the time I had with the experience, because all things teach me.  Good or bad. In fact the bad for me, seems to stick better than those easy, fun lessons.

I have learned that I am OK.  I don’t have to compromise myself, or my personality because it bothers another individual.  Like an abusive husband who tries to make me doubt my worth, I know he is wrong.   I have benefits, and knowledge and my contributions matter.  I want to qualify here that I can’t go around being mean for the sake of being an asshole.  But, what I can do is speak my opinions good or bad, as long as my heart is pure, and my motives are steeped in love.  Unless I see fit to make a change to myself that is when I’ll change.  I’ll only hold my tongue, because it is my decision.  And a decision that I made because I wanted to, not out of fear of what might happen if I don’t.

Living like that doesn’t serve me.  But neither did just running willy-nilly and hurting people with my words and deeds.  That  didn’t serve me either.  Everything I say and do holds a consequence.  But that is so awesome!  What a way to grow spiritually, at least it feels that way to me.  So, now I know that being myself is a beautiful thing.  I’m fun, I’m outspoken, and sometimes I’m a dumbass.  I don’t do those things to purposely hurt people.  But part of my growth is to do and say those things, that are important to me, with love and compassion for the person I’m speaking to.

Sometimes people don’t receive criticism well.  Sometimes, they like to stay stuck, in the crap they’re in because it’s comfortable.  Sometimes they don’t want to hear what I say because they’re AFRAID.  Really, fear can drive a person to do some really stupid stuff!  Just go read some of my older blogs and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.  However, when you realize that the person you’re talking to is just that, scared.  You can begin to understand them and appreciate whatever they might throw back at you.

Nope, I’m not going to be afraid to be myself around others, especially my friends.  Because if they truly love me, and want me to grow and be my best self, they wouldn’t want me to be any other way.

Peace out

Zoe

Noble: Impressive, outstanding, excellent and superior.  Wowee!  Those definitions say almost all there is to say about the word Noble.  How do we live our lives?  Are we noble?  If we’re noble when is that?  Is it only in front of others?  Or do we do it all the time?  If it’s in front of others, is it only a select few, and then only to make us look better to those we’re trying to impress with our being noble?  How are we when we’re with those we feel truly comfortable with?  How are we with our students, and people who look up to us, or our children?  Do we behave in a noble fashion?  Not entertaining hurtful, demeaning conversation?  Or do we only do that when people are looking?

Whatever is right.  Check this out: Good, proper, TRUTH.  I guess I could re-write that last paragraph huh?  I won’t do that but I’ll ask you a question.  If you say, or hear someone say something mean or nasty, that doesn’t build up another individual, how does that make you feel?  Hopefully like shit.  However, I want to warn you, if it doesn’t and you feel nothing or worse good when you’re mean,  behaving like that for too long will only desensitize you to the harm you’re doing to others.  No matter what your religion somewhere you can find something like the Golden Rule or the Wiccan Rede.  Harm none, do unto others?  You get my idea?

Pure: Free from harshness and roughness and being in tune.  Personally, I don’t want to come off as harsh or rough.  And frankly, it hurts me when others treat me in that way.  When you have hurt or offended someone, be  considerate of that persons feelings.  Don’t just push it back on them and say you’re sorry that they feel that way.  That’s not being pure, that’s being a jerk.  This reminds me of something someone once said to me.  They believed that the word sorry was over used.  I’d say I agree, with a qualification.  I think the word sorry is over used without sincerity.  So, the next time you decide to make an apology, think about your motives, your sincerity and your purity.

Delightful for beauty, harmony and grace, are all definitions for lovely.  How are we living?  Are we living in grace and harmony with others.  Are the words we speak and the actions we take beautiful?  Do they encourage and build people up?  Do they promote peace and love?  Or are our words designed to control, manipulate and strike fear in others?  And if it’s the latter does that not take tons of your energy?  I can tell you there are people who aren’t my favorites, and I could sit around and dog them, but instead I don’t waste energy on that.  I learned that it only saps me to be cruel, and manipulative.  Besides you really aren’t all that great if someone is so afraid of you, that they’ll do anything you say.  I’m just saying.  I lived with someone like that, and though it saddens me that he is no longer in this realm, I breathe a sigh of relief because he is gone,  when I remember the crap I lived through.  I’m comforted that he can’t hurt me anymore.

Someone who is deserving of highest esteem, someone who is excellent is admirable.  I would imagine someone possessing the qualities of purity, loveliness, and all the other characteristics we’ve already discussed would be someone who is admirable.  My role models right now, are 2 ladies that live their lives with such character, and moral responsibility, with such a connection to their Gods,  that I’m constantly in a state of awe of them.  I wish I could spend more time at the feet of these women, but instead I have to be content to read their blogs, and try to live my life the way they do.  With kindness, compassion and the ability to know when something isn’t healthy for them any longer.  To be able to disentangle themselves from people and issues that are toxic to their being without causing drama and discord in the wake of their transcendence of being.  Yes those are admirable traits to aspire to be, to look for in a person or people who will teach you, who are your friends, or who help you on your path.

Finally whatever is excellent or praise-worthy think on these things.  Superior and laudable.  That’s what that sentence means.  Are we living life in a superior fashion?  Are the people around us, the things those individuals bring to our lives, whatever they’re sharing with us, is that a laudable quality?  Would you stand and give them an ovation if say, you were in a lecture hall and you were listening to the things those closest to you, or you yourself were saying?  Or would you get up and walk out?    These are high standards to live by, and most certainly something not done easily.  However, if you just make one small change in yourself, like not entertaining gossip, you can go along way towards promoting peace.  And if the people around you don’t respect you for your  values, you simply need to move on with love and grace, and with the hope that Creator will move them to desire a  more harmonious life as well.  But your job, my lovely reader, is to do what is right, and pure, what is lovely and noble, for yourself.

Peace Out,

Zoe

So, what I am going to be doing is just that.  Communing with my Gods, forging a better relationship with them.  Then do what I’m called to do.  Whatever that is.  Right now I’m called to pick myself up from the ground, and re-vamp my personal space, and to make Pagan Pride Day a successful event. This also encompasses my new Coven.   I’m little by little (baby steps even in my personal life) getting more organized and tidier.  With tidy including what I put into my body/temple.

I gave some thought to my home and why I had such a tough time keeping it clean.  Those revelations are very painful and I will share them only with those I’m comfortable and close to.  However, recognizing them helped me realize what was holding me back.  Especially given that the same exact phrase, regarding my problem with it,  came out of 2 different peoples mouths this week.  So, since that part of my life is literally dead,  I’m going to leave that shit in the cemetery where it belongs.  BTW, it’s not anything to do with my mother.

The next area I want to change is my body/temple.  I have always like the idea of sliding into home plate with a batter and torn body.  However, as I progress in this incarnation, I’m not too happy with how that actually feels.  Another significant light bulb that went on this week was, I eat even when I’m stuffed to the gills.  I realized that when I was talking to a couple of people who had gastric bypass surgery.  They said they just couldn’t eat more than a fraction of what they used to cuz they were just plain full.  Well, I’m plain full most of the time and I’m here to tell you I eat for the sheer pleasure of the food.  Not for the nourishment of my body.  What that bought me though, is diabetes at age 47.

Fixing those things I think will help me on MY path.  Then my light will shine brighter, clearer.  I will be more able to hear what the Gods want me to do.  The rest will come.  Come in it’s own time, on it’s own terms.  My job is me.  No one else.  The community I strive to build starts with me.

Peace Out

Zoe

Famous Virgos: Lance Armstrong, Elvis Costello, Gloria Estaffan, and Salma Hayek

Virgin isn’t exactly the best way to describe the sign. They do enjoy their single life but when coupled with the right person, can make a go of a successful marriage. They are also very devoted to their families. Quiet in nature Virgo’s are easy to spot in a crowd. They’re the ones text msging or surfing the net on their phones, or just taking in the crowd. Often detail oriented and attractive Virgo’s are always methodical and studious. Neat and organized, the one with the exact change are other characteristics of the Virgin. You generally won’t find them at office parties, but taking that time to do their work in the solitude of that office. Virgo’s are typically uncomfortable in crowds. Virgos are too busy to daydream and too tired at night for making wishes.

Natural worriers Virgos are easy to spot because they always look like they’re solving problems are thinking about important issues. And they probably are. Even when they look happy you can sense that behind the happiness there is an issue being worked out. Their eyes are usually clear and beautiful, and though their other ruling planets can change this wiry and thin in stature. Back to their eyes they glow with an inherent wisdom. Even when fraught with worry their expressions display a clear and calm demeanor.

Mostly attractive with smaller features, Virgos have small noses and features. Always charming and graceful. However, vanity in a Virgo does show itself occasionally. Watch them when they don’t think you are and you’ll see them fussing over themselves in mirrors! They’re meticulous dressers, but also conservative in their appearance.

Again depending on their other birth planets and signs, Virgos aren’t very tall people. That doesn’t mean they aren’t strong. In fact they’re small stature is deceitful in the ways of their strength. (Remember the ant!) They can handle hard, physical work more than anyone else and they can do it longer. As long as they don’t go nuts in the process! Even though calm and strong they have that inner voice that reminds them of their worries. Those worries tend to give them digestive problems and stomach issues and emotional balance. Always biting off more than they can chew, the Virgo will work themselves into a tiz to try and accomplish and fulfil the obligations they have signed on for. If they can accomplish the fine balance of work obligations (or any obligations for that matter) they are generally peaceful people.

Dependable and sincere. But have great acting capabilities. Virgos will feign illness to get out of doing something they don’t want to do. And their ability to act helps them accomplish that task. Sometimes their acting abilities are so good they convince themselves they’re sick!! Though they tend to have a cool eye, and head because of their ruling planet Mercury, that those moments of sickness, for themselves anyway, tend to be short lived. Very neat and clean, looking like they’ve just emerged from a bath (because they did) is also a characteristic of a Virgo. In fact they bathe more than any other person you’ll meet! They have their own ideas about people, health and life. Even with those they fall in love with. They have little patience for laziness in themselves and in others. And tend to be realistic about people and life. Their love life never clouds their judgement about people or things.

They have a quick wit, if you’re quick enough to notice it. Remember they’re governed by Mercury!! When they’re overly worried about keeping their minds sharp, they may be less fastidious about their dress and appearance. That can also translate to their physical surroundings. However, there comes a time when that becomes too much and the Virgo will swing to the other side and clean and organize everything around them. When they become bothered by other people’s rudeness, potty mouths or stupidity, watch out! Virgos have no problem telling you how it is and scolding you as well! But generally they are kind and great people to be around.

Great caregivers many nurses are born under this sign. Efficient, capable and sympathetic. If you look in the Virgo’s medicine cabinet you’ll find a treatment for any (and I mean any) ailment you might have. So, when you’re out and have a tummy ache go find your Virgo friend. They have the Tums in their bag! And on top of that everything they have, THEY KNOW exactly what it does and for how long it works!! They’re naturally attracted to chemistry! Also brand loyal to lot’s of products,such as lotions, you’ll find those in their cabinets as well. Gods forbid they loose their luggage in a town without a store stocked with their favorite brands and medicines!! They tend to love warehouse clubs where they can stock up on their necessities. They form life long habits that don’t break easily. Even down to organization. How they keep their drawers at home is how they keep them on vacation. If the dressers in the hotel don’t resemble the ones they have at home, you might see the Virgo standing with his underwear in his hands for hours trying to figure out what to do with them! It may even cause his vacation to not be relaxing cuz he’ll loose sleep over the item being in the wrong place!! This obsession goes further to his wants and needs at the restaurant table. Lightly done bacon better be lightly done, don’t bring bacon jerky to the table!! And no ice means, NONE! And if you’re the waitress not following these commands, your tip will reflect the error!

Virgos love to pick apart your statements. So much so you might want to pop them upside the head! But when you need an adversary, the Virgo is your man/woman. Virgos love to serve! If you find yourself overwhelmed with a mundane task, the Virgo is the one who will come to your rescue. Never afraid of hard work or an undaunting task. In fact he/she might even take over and start delegating TO you! And always organizing he might just start doing that as well. Even before he’s asked to. Not trying to be rude, it’s just in a Virgos nature to make it better, more efficient. When at parties and it’s time to clean up it’s the Virgo you see happily helping the hostess out! (Won’t see a Sag doing that!) He’s also the one at the party that notices the carefully placed picture over the hole in the wall!

Just like a Libra who denies their traits, so does the Virgo. Seeing everyone else has faults is easy, but seeming to seeing their own might look difficult thing for a Virgo to do. Though that is not really the case. Not only does he see them, he sees them very detailed. In fact that’s why he can’t stand you telling him about them. When you tell them that they’re a worry wort, they’ll say, “who me? I’m not like that at all!”

Virgo’s are constantly moving. They can’t sit still for very long. Usually visibly restless, pacing or changing chairs. And project some sort of urgency like he’s got some other appointment that he’s late for, all the while their face giving off a mask of serenity. Looking calm might seem like a good thing, but it sure plays hell on the Virgos stomach! That’s why they always have some Tums with them.

Virgo’s don’t like beggars and generally won’t give handouts to just anyone. He is always generous to his friends that are in trouble. Generally miserly, he will never leave a legitimate need he can meet undone. Especially if they like are love you. However, waste bugs the living crap out of Virgos so you’ll never see them throwing their money away. They work so hard that living frugal is the name of the game. They have no problem telling people when they, in the Virgos humble opinion spend too much on unnecessary things, and on people who are lazy and won’t work. The reason? Virgos work very hard for everything they have.

Remember though, the Virgo is as hard on himself as he is on you! He can’t help seeing the problems, and flaws because he was born to do so. Being on time is super important to a Virgo, just as much as not being wasteful. (No Pagan standard time here) Remember being late is a WASTE of time! Sometimes seen as selfish for their ability to say no, but they’re actually selfless. They would rather serve than be served. He’ll help you when he can and tell you he has to stop when that time comes as well. He doesn’t want his flaws and errors publicly pointed out. So on those rare occasions when the Virgo makes a mistake, point it out with kindness and tact.

Susceptible to lung ailments, though Virgos are generally healthy people. They are aware of their bodies and generally eat well and exercise. Though they can worry themselves into thinking, and actually developing stomach issues or digestive ailments. Taking pains to get over the chest cold is very important because that is the weakest area of their bodies (depending on their birth chart). They complain a lot about stomach and foot pains. Headaches and indigestion are also another common complaint of the Virgo. They may have problems in the hips, arms and shoulders. Have gout issues, and arthritis and rheumatic trouble. At times they may have liver issues. Many of them are vegetarians and if they’re not eating right, know exactly how they should be eating, and probably how you should be eating as well. They also know the proper way all the right foods should be cooked! Washing hands before a meal is a must, and sometimes, although rare, they take it further. Like wearing gloves when handling raw meats.

Lovers of small helpless things, cats, and birds are a favorite of the Virgo. Truth and being on time, the economic state of affairs, prudence and the ability to be discreet are all very important to the Virgo. They are very selective people. Their hates? Gushy sentiment, dirt, vulgarity, sloppiness, and idleness. Always in this world, Virgos never have their head in the clouds. Once mastering life’s details he can shape his destiny with more certainty than any other sign. Jade and platinum bring the Virgo luck. Generally their favorite colors are, gray, beige, navy blue, and all shades of green and stark white.

The blackness of the night calls me. Silver spirals surround me. I’m engulfed in the sound of night as the Goddess whispers in the wind. Scents of Her Jasmine perfume embrace me and the light of Her twinkling star-eyes watch me. I am never alone. ~Zoe RhodesYeaup every once in a while I can be deep.  Not too often, though LOL wouldn’t want to kill my spunk.  Pagan Pride day is coming up.  And for many reasons, some very good, some seem kind of an excuse for other reasons, we’re having trouble getting people to volunteer for this event.

It kind of hurts my heart.  Whatever the reason is.  Because I’m trying to understand those reasons.  I want to help heal broken hearts and other areas that are making it difficult for people to roll their sleeves up and make this event special.  I know the Goddess can move an angry heart to love, I also know she can move a stubborn heart to tenderness.  Further I  know, from experience that you have to pliable in all those situations.

This Pagan Pride theme is going to be Harvesting Trust.  I’m leading the ritual.  And the only thing I’m going to tell you is to bring a bandanna or a  blindfold of some kind.  And prepare to learn something about yourself.  I’m also going to give a talk on community and the things that we throw up as blocks in the road to inhibit that community.  Let’s put down our colors and labels and show the world Pasco County has grown and is moving forward.

There is still time for you to get involved in the planning of Pagan Pride Day.   The next 2 meetings will be held at Dryads Grove on September 13 and October 4 at 7:30 PM.  It be a great time for you to check out the Grove if you’ve never been there before.  And if you aren’t particularly happy with the way we’ve been running the show, please we beg of you…come tell us what the hell we’re doing wrong along with your suggestions for fixing it!  We’re open, we know we’ve screwed up before!!  Help us make it a great event!

I don’t think I have much more to say about that.  I do want to say to you, my gentle readers, I love you!  I appreciate you, and I wish peace and blessings in your life…

Peace out

Zoe