So glad to have found you!

[Faery-Wings]

Hi! I am new here, obviously and I just want to introduce myself and ask a few questions.
I am a recovering Catholic who is now finding the path I should have been on years ago. And what a great feeling that is ! I have had problems accepting Catholicism since I was in first grade. I had been treading lightly on a Pagan Path for many years but am finally ready to do some serious hiking. ;)

Please forgive me if my terminology is off but I feel that I am leaning towards Wicca, as a solitary eclectic. My beliefs and experiences with the world lead to Wicca, and the solitary eclectic is just my personality and the way I tend to do things. One of many reasons I didn't fit in with the Church!

I have been reading just about everything online that I can. And there are some good sites and some not so good. I was just wondering what all of your favorite sites are? I also just finished Curott's Book of Shadows, which was very interesting, but left me wondering how typical was her journey into the Wiccan faith compared to others'? I started to read Triumph of the Moon, but that was hard getting into while I was watching my 2 yo and 4 yo kids run amok. I'll have to somehow find some quiet time (yeah, right *G*) to read that one. What other books to you recommend for someone who is starting out? I have been trying to get my hands on Cunninghams Solitary book, but I think someone has lifted it from the local library and as a SAHM, funds are <tight>. I'll find it when I am ready for it though.

What else should I be doing? I try to mediatate as much as possible, again not easy to do with the kids. I am also an aromatherapist and have been trying to coninue studying that, plus I want to learn tarot. I bought a deck before Kid #1 was born five years ago and they have just sat on my bookshelf since then. I am feeling like I want to do and read everything and learn everything all at once (again, part of my somewhat wacky personality) but know that one thing at a time is better.

Wow, this got long, I am usually not so "talkitive" with new people. So if you got this far, thanks so much and I appreciate any help or direction you can give me. This board seems great, I have been lurlking for a while and I hope I can contribute some positive energy to it.

[adrian]

Welcome and walk in light. The only advice i can give you is study and practice, have fun doing it while you find out about your true "self" and your connection with this reality. Children 2 and 4, how do you keep up?
but then at that age their not too hard to please.
good luck and Em Hotep(In Peace).

[Amora]

and welcome!! I have a four year old and know how hectic life can be with toddlers. I have tauht my daugther already though that meditation is very important to me and I need my quiet time. I don't always do it as often as I would like to but I do it often enough to keep a little piece of mind and stay connected with the divine. I am by far not an expert but I can tell you what helped me when I first got started. I read books mostly. A lot of the websites I came across printed only one persons views, right or wrong. I found my favorite book was Green Witchcraft because it gave me a few different view points and suggested to find your own and not accept her word as the only truth.

I'm glad you found your way!! I wish you love and light along your journey..we'll all be here with you!!

Blessed be.

[rantnraven]

And bright blessings. I'm sure, as you have been lurking about, you have a good feel for the boards here. We are a fun and loving group that sticks together and shares all - regardless of our paths.

Please have a seat on the porch in one of our big comfy couch chair thingies. BlueCat will be around with refreshments shortly.

As for Tarot, if I can be of any help, I will try. Dagda and Silver can help put too in the Tarot forum.

Again, welcome.

RnR

[SahuaDjet]

Nice to meet you! I remember starting out trying to find sites that are good and not so good eheh. They are out there *wink*. Sometimes I go to a site and just go stright to the links page (seems to be what people do to my site also *grin*)

Good Luck,
Sahu Djet

[Mariposa De La Luna]

Merry meet and welcome! :sunny:

I just bought this book: WiccaCraft for Families by Margie McArthur. It is really very good even if you don't have kids. S. Cunningham's Solitary book is so good I checked it out at the library and then bought it this weekend cuz i couldn't do without it! Its just $10 BTW.
I have given up trying to meditate because I have a 10 mo old that I have barely got to sleep, some of the night, on his own starting around 10pm! Yuck! I'm lucky if I get to sleep after him. I hope to start again when he gets more used to it

[Faery-Wings]

Your kind words have made my day.
I appreciate your book suggestions. More trips to the library! My kids will love me.

SAHM and Amora, how do you find the time to meditate and do rituals? Do you tell your husbands or SO "You're in charge, I need an hour alone?" And do your SO's practice too? Sorry if I am being nosy, but I have such trouble finding that time of day or night that no one needs me.

And I have to say, this group seems so close and happy. I was lurking and posting on another bd, and all the did was fight over who was the better Pagan, Old, Religion or Neo. You all seem very accepting here, and I really like that!

Thanks again for the welcome, these comfy chair thingies are great! :cool:

[Amora]

Actually I'm a single mother so I do all of the taming of my child myself!!! But my method is simple...I turn on a Rugrats video and tell my daughter that this is my time to meditate. We have discussed before what it is, not that she understands fully I'm sure. But I go into my room, close my door and put my headphones with meditation music on. My daughter fortunately has excellent manners and she knows that if she knocks on my door and I don't answer that means I have my headphones on and am meditating so she will not enter unless it's an emergency. I'm also extremely lucky to have a four year old that I can trust as much as her. She doesn't get into things when left alone in a room for 20 minutes or so and can answer the phone and take messages as well as anyone else...

I'm just blessed with the help of a four year old. I don't need much else!!

[LaDaya]

So far your terminology is just fine. Whatever works for you and I won't complain. Anyway, I've also read Curott's book and I loved it. How it relates to others I don't know. I wasn't able to find a group for several months after I started getting interested and studying paganism. There have been some similarities in my life and in her book but I would have to say I don't do very well on meditating even though I should. Some sites and books I've found helpful for beginners:

www.wicca.com
www.witchsvox.com
http://www2.witchesweb.com/home.html
http://www.witchespantry.com/index.php
www.paganpath.com
www.amysticalgrove.com
http://www.angelfire.com/on/wicca/MainPage.html

Books:
Wicca by Scott Cunningham
The Solitary Witch by Scott Cunningham
To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf
To Stir A Magick Cauldron by Silver Ravenwolf
(Disclaimer: I don't like most of Ravenwolf's later work but most of her older stuff I find easy to read and somewhat informative. I don't think you should take everything she says to heart but she is easy to get into and makes things more understandable than say the Farrars)
Also try Buckland's big blue book and if you want heavier reading try The Witch's Bible by The Farrars, Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler, The Witch's Circle (I forgot who the author is) and there are some more but I don't have my books with me so I don't remember their names.

[Mariposa De La Luna]

Originally posted by chryssi1

SAHM and Amora, how do you find the time to meditate and do rituals? Do you tell your husbands or SO "You're in charge, I need an hour alone?" And do your SO's practice too? Sorry if I am being nosy, but I have such trouble finding that time of day or night that no one needs me.


Well, my family were lucky enough to find a group with kids that have open circle so we go there when we can. My husband marvels at how many pagan men there are that love babies. You don't see that in the normal world and if you did you would watch very closely! I used to have a tendancy to do a simple circle in the middle of the night, I'd get a strong urge after feeding my son. I told my husband if I'm not in the room and the door is closed, not to come looking for me and if you're thirsty wait till I get back. This was fine till recently I'm so sleepy some mornings I wonder how the baby got to my bed. So circle and meditation have been put on the backburner till I can feel more rested but just for a little while.

As for needing the hour alone, you should try to find it whether you are meditating or not. It does so much inthe way of refreshing and reenergizing you that it helps you tackle the other things better and puts you in a better mood. Every mom needs some alone time and don't worry about the kids they'll come back in one piece.

[Lilu]

Originally posted by Amora
My daughter fortunately has excellent manners and she knows that if she knocks on my door and I don't answer that means I have my headphones on and am meditating so she will not enter unless it's an emergency.

Wow! How wonderful! My husband and I hope to be able to teach our children (when we have them) how important respect like that is so that we can have time alone like that. You're doing something right Amora, keep up the great work!!! :)

And I'd like to welcome chryssi too. I don't have children yet so I can't say what I will do - though I would hope that if my children weren't able to sit alone for a while, then ask the SO or hubby to look after them for even half an hour. Is your husband/SO also a pracitioner of the craft, or at least accepting? I'm sure if you explain the situation to him he'd be willing to help. If not, you can maybe make a deal with him - "You take them for an hour so I can just rest and get some time out. And then I'll take them for an hour and you get your timeout" hehehe You don't need to have a reason for timeout - everyone needs a break now and then! Even if you have that a couple of times a week you can do a ritual or meditation once a week and read the other time!

Remember, you don't have to do a full out ritual or elaborate meditation either - simply taking 10 mins before bed to sit and do some deep breathing exercises and positive visualisation is a step in the right direction!

Bright Blessings and Welcome!
Lilu

[Kaylara]

Merry Meet!

Kaylara

[moonmagick4]

Merry Meet Chryssi1 !!!It is great having you with us!!Sit back,relax,and enjoy!!!

[silvermoon]

Merry Meet

Welcome to our growing online family. I hope you find us helpful.

Blessed Be

silvermoon

[reanna]

:) pleased to meet you

[Silver Venus]

Really great to have you here with us!! :D
You sound as though your a very busy bee!!! Your doing everything right!! Its all about practice and with the new moon coming up i'd say ~ what better time to wish for and celebrate a new start and journey into life and nature!
:sunny:

[Amora]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lilu
[B]

Wow! How wonderful! My husband and I hope to be able to teach our children (when we have them) how important respect like that is so that we can have time alone like that. You're doing something right Amora, keep up the great work!!! :)

Thanks for the encouragement! That is very nice of you!! It's nice to know all this work seems to be doing good...but catch up with me when she's 14, that's when it's gonna count!!!

[sherry]

WELCOME whew you are a busy little one aren't you !!
Like others I dont have chilren (but always wanted them) If you interested in Tarot the posts here are wonderful. I have been trying to get my hands on the same deck they are using, mine are Goddess, and fairey wicca cards but they do compare to some of them I try not to look at mine while studying with the site so I will be better when I finally get them and I print the pictures and write under them everything i learn about each card maybe this tip can work for you!!

Again Welcome hope you enjoy all you learn and learn about all you enjoy!!

[freya]

welcome!
i am relatively new as well, and have found this to be a "happy place" for me. a wonderful mixture of beautiful, colorful people, knowledge, advise, suggestions, support, humor and emotion. this is a pleasant place where anyone is welcomed warmly. i think that you too will like it here!
blessed be!

[Faery-Wings]

Originally posted by Amora
Actually I'm a single mother so I do all of the taming of my child myself!!! ...

I'm just blessed with the help of a four year old. I don't need much else!!

Sorry for assuming there was a SO in your life. As soon as I submitted my post I thought better of it. At any rate, it sounds like you are doing and *awesome* job! Your daughter sounds like a very mature and helpful girl. You are blessed. My son is like her, my daughter (2 1/2) is *not* LOL!! I would like to teach my son to meditate when he is a bit older. He tends to be very imaginitive, sensitive and in tune with nature and of course I would like to encourage that. Have you ever done that with your daughter?

My daughter still takes a 2 hour nap and I could easily tell my son to take care of her if she wakes up. That might be my best time to meditate or whatever. Thanks for that suggestion.

:sunny: