One thing that witchcraft doesn't seem to have is a lot of focus on the power to endure. Nope, we're all about the power to change, shift or bend. But accept, surrender, endure? Not so much. I think that is part of it's appeal. I never felt the Church's emphasis on obedience and submission to God’s will was terribly inspiring. But I wonder that is an oversight in witchcraft. (Not that I want to go very far the other way, but the Serenity Prayer is ridiculously right on, if you ask me.)
I've mentioned that I've kicked off a working around resistance (which I've never defined) and part of that work has been a daily prayer that I've been saying.
By earth, air, fire, water and spirit, I pray:
Today, may I be open to my spirit allies and my own deep knowing
Today, may I see with clarity and listen with compassion
Today, may I speak with honesty and act with honor
Today, may I do my work with joy, vigor and discipline. May I bring passion to the least of my tasks.
By earth, air, fire, water and spirit, so mote it be.
It’s been really useful. Right now, that one line "may I bring passion to the least of my tasks" has been very potent for me. Too often I spend life force avoiding certain things that I don’t like to do or, frankly, that I don't do well. And that just has to stop. I very much seek to bring joy and passion, vigor and discipline to all things that I do. Can I do that with things that I don't like? I hope so.
One magic I may dabble in (for the near future) is the magic of acceptance and finding joy where I am at, instead of resisting the life in front of me. And by doing so, perhaps my relationship to these things will change.
for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.Around this time I was dealing with a lot of unhappiness and regret. I started doing some really basic magic - prayer, meditation and setting lights to help me through a difficult time in my life. As part of this, I saw a therapist around specific unhappiness I had in regards to career. The therapist didn't last long, although I think she was helpful in the end.
See, in my little corner of the magical world, magic is often discussed and looked at in terms of relationships. And part of the magic I decided to do was to change my relationship with my job. I didn't summon spirits or have big long astral journeys. I did a lot of cleansing. I look around at what I liked about my job and did more of it. I faced up and got on top of those things I disliked. It changed my life.
It did not change my job. Or where I live. Or who I live with. I didn't lose or gain friends in exciting or crazy ways. My internal life is much different however. I feel less anxiety. I'm generally happier. I have found my sense of humor again, something that was sorely missing there for a couple of years. My life feels completely different, even though it looks nearly identical as it did in 2008. I am amazed at how that prayer I wrote made such a huge difference. My bringing passion to things rather that treating passion like an elusive unicorn to chase, I found a lot more satisfaction in my work.
I had my first day of work back after week and half off. When I got back in, I was relaxed, glad to be back and engaged in catching up and getting back into the swing of things. An old pattern of my mine was to dread work. It seems to have moved on, at least sometimes. It was a real gift and change worth noting. I still have my ups and downs certainly. Neither my life nor myself is perfect in anyway. But life is really good.
If you made it this far, I hope that whatever magic you're working leads to wisdom, peace and satisfaction with all things in your life.
