The Emergence of Ability

Since beginning to walk as a witch, it has amazed me how much my creative and expressive side has come to the fore. Nor do I think I’m alone in this; many friends and fellow-followers have shown me exquisite examples of beautiful arts and crafts that they have produced, sometimes surprising even themselves with their level of invention. I think this is one of the blessings of the Goddess.

In a current project with friends - about which, more anon, Goddess willing! - the fountains of invention, the ideas, the capableness, the articulacy, the enthusiasm and the teamwork are already outstanding. The confluence of ideas is seeming to make us more than the sum of our parts, if you see what I mean. It feels to me as if the individual skills and the abilities we bring to the table are being amplified and sharpened simply by our interaction. Another huge blessing.

This is such a force for good. And these are skills for life; they can be transferred into our mundane existence and used to the good of all, as well as the good of us ourselves.

I love my new-found interest in making and creation; when I see something that I have made, and it looks beautiful, I want to give it away to someone I love who will treasure it. In a way, I’m distilling drops of the new spirit I feel into things that can be held and carried. Spreading the wealth!

Disengage brain…

The perfect displacement activity. Beading. New hobby. Can’t get enough of it - on a strictly civilian basis. I don’t think I’ll ever get up to Shades of Midnight level!

I am enjoying it so much - so thank you, ladies of CL!

Crafty… in the Right Way - Update

My check about the Pagan blogsphere this morning brings up a nice little coda to the above discussion, which I got into last week.

New British legislation will now require those charging for esoteric services such as spiritual healing, mediumship, charms, and so forth to provide disclaimers for their work if they receive payment. They will also have the burden of proof laid upon them if they are legally challenged and accused of fraud - if, for example, their spells don’t ‘work’.

There’s clearly two issues here; people are worried that their livelihoods might be taken away from them, and see it as yet another manifestation of the Nanny State (as the ruling has actually come across from the EU), but in my heart it looks like the Universe might be trying to tell these people something.

The other question is one of religion - we don’t ask the Christians to prove that Christ will save their souls, even though they go to Church and pay the company of the Church of England reasonable sums per year for upkeep on the buildings and so forth. We don’t ask Catholics to prove that wine and bread really do turn into flesh and blood during the Communion. So where’s the line? Many pagans believe their talents in this regard to be as a result of their spiritual faith - and so how does one regulate the results?

I expect there to be a healthy and lively debate on this; good. Perhaps it will serve to further the understanding of Paganism in general, and witchcraft in particular, with the masses. Perhaps that’s overly optimistic, but it’s sunny outside and I’m feeling upbeat!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here we go - sane and reasoned commentary on this matter from Matthew Parris. I agree.

 

Wonderful Gift

During my visit to Somerset, S gave me possibly the best present any witch can give another… a cloak. Navy blue fleece, trimmed in black, with a deep hood. It reminds me of the dark night’s sky, and to that end I’m planning some embellishment!

It’s at least 6 inches too long, so I’m going to take it up, and embroider a clasp panel to go onto the neck. Instead of a catch, it has a solid panel of material,  which goes round your neck. Perfect for a 4″ x 6″ embroidery panel. And then, the back!!

I have no idea what should go here… except it will be silver, and that it’s waay beyond my capabilities as a seamstress to do the work. Planning and, I hope, Divine Inspiration to follow! Mercian, here we come!

Crafty… in the right way

I was thinking about the folk I know on this path; all of them have developed or are exploring handcrafts or talents, small and large. Dear Fox has opened Shades of Midnight, her new online shop, and her beautiful wares sing out her care and her good thoughts for those that buy them. I look at beweaver’s amazing and intricate embroideries and applique work, and marvel at the intricacy and the attention required to produce it. Witchypoo’s hand dyed and spun wools are made into gorgeous and useful knitted items. Glen and Willow Goldentree and their wonderful work in wood. PiedPiper can turn her hand to most anything; crochet, embroidery, knitting and painting.

The making of these items serve multiple purposes for the maker; it’s art, and abstractly beneficial as creative expression, it’s a form of therapy and of positive use of creative ideas that might otherwise go to waste; it’s a form of worship for the Goddess, using Her gifts for her further glory, and finally it’s a means of making a little money. That item was purposefully last; I don’t think any of these people seek to make money only from these things; it’s a tangential benefit at most.

Cruising about the net I have come across many sites where people seek to make money directly from the Craft. For example, the sale of spells and so forth. Have a read of this person’s site and look at some of her wares for sale. Apparently, love, a better figure and so on are just a haunted ring away.

 I really dislike this. It seems to me to be completely at odds with our spiritual aims. It’s like selling Holy Water. In the Middle Ages priests would be charged with the crime of Simony - illegally selling Masses. What is this except for peddling the divine, brokering the link in order to make a quick buck? There’s no difference at all between this and selling your services as a witch.

I’m seeking actively to develop my skills in the creative sphere… I’m no great shakes but I can turn out a nice prayer string and take a good photo. Perhaps, if I hit on a real talent or unique product, I could think of selling them. But I’d never offer what few skills I have as a witch in return for money. It’s a dirty bargain, and even if I got paid, I have a feeling I’d come off worst in the deal.

I’d like to know how those that do sell spells and so on feel about what they do. How do they justify it? If you can buy spells and charms on Ebay, then you know that the market must be there! And what about those that buy? One site I found had hundreds of satisfied customers. Am I alone in finding this ever so slightly bizarre? Perhaps these people are the modern cunning men and women, providing magical help in return for considerations in cash or in kind. Whatever, I still don’t like it.