Lady_Qyzida : 1. Have you been documenting the rituals we've done in your Book of Shadows?
Autumn_Heather : Yes I have, although to be honest I don't have this past Full Moon in there yet. (finished)

Lady_Qyzida : 2. How has the learning of the timelessness of magick changed your concept of it?
Autumn_Heather : I've become more aware of everything around me, and the magick of nature and the Divine itself. That celebrating the new moon and full moon reconnects me to something I'd never felt before. I feel more at peace and serene since I started my year and a day than I thought was possible. I admit, knowing I'd been on my path for a long time before taking this step, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel. I was humbled rather quickly. Magick just isn't for trying to get something, its for honoring what came before, and what is to come. (finished)

Lady_Qyzida : 3. How does knowing the magnitude of the Burning times changed your concept of being a witch in the present?
Autumn_Heather : I had always been aware of what the Burning Times meant to us as witches, but taking the study further in depth I realized how brave and courageous these women and men had to be. Not to deny who they were in fear of what might happen, but to boldly step forward knowing the consequences invoked a powerful feeling of pride within me. And brought up my own internal questions. Could I do that? Could I, in the face of adversity, stand by what I believe in no matter who thought what about it. I would like to think that I could, but only because of the examples of our history. Its within our genetic code as Witches I believe, to be strong, and mighty, no matter what. Yes, it changed my concept, it gave me immense pride that I'd never felt before. (finished)

Lady_Qyzida : 4. What do you do to prepare your mind for connecting with the beings of the Otherworld?
Autumn_Heather : Do you mean for a ritual?
Lady_Qyzida : no
Autumn_Heather : Then I'm not completely sure what you mean by the question
Autumn_Heather : divination, meditation?
Lady_Qyzida : when you are communing with the elemebtals, the gods, fairies etc
Autumn_Heather : ok ok
Autumn_Heather : I think I couldn't wrap my mind around the question because I am not sure I do anything specific at all. If I am outside, I feel my energy running through my body, and I ramp it up by doing a simple chant "Brilliant light before me, Brilliant light behind me, Brilliant light beneath me, Brilliant light above me, Brilliant light surrounds me, Brilliant light is within me - with that last statement I can feel the energy of the earth surging through my body, radiating. At this point is what I can hear more of what is around me. The wind whispering, the fire showing me pictures, the Goddess's message a little clearer. As for otherkin, like Faeries, gnomes, brownies etc I have never done anything in particular to talk to them, I always feel they are around and they let me know if there is something I need to hear, or see, or be awakened to. Other times just for clarity and peace I will light incense and just watch it until it all just clicks together (and sometimes I actually hear a click). If it is a ritual I am to be doing, I have a ritual bath with whichever oils seem to call for me at the time, and relax in my sacred space with some incense to clear my mind. At this point I believe I'm more open, and can 'hear' more of what is around me
Autumn_Heather : (finished)

Lady_Qyzida : 5. How has creating a sacred space altered the perception of you in the eyes of those closest to you?
Autumn_Heather : He's amazed that I cleaned off my desk finally My inlaws are surprised that I did things like dusting and straightening up on shelves around our room. Rick knows I am going through a journey here, and when he actually does notice the little things I have been doing, I'm surprised. I think he sees a more confident, and happy person. He knows I am very happy with my space. (and its been attracting all of my animals more than usual since I finished and blessed it.)
Autumn_Heather : (finished)

Lady_Majyk_AHPS : 1. How has this training changed your mundane life?
Autumn_Heather : It has made me take charge of my personal schedule. I am a procratinator at heart, but having deadlines is making me do more things in general. Along with writing essays and taking pictures, I have found myself doing more things than I would normally do. Preparing vegetables for freezing, baking, gardening, cleaning - and not feeling these are things I HAVE to do, but I want to do them. All of a sudden I seem to have time, the days, hours and minutes opened up. My thoughts are never far away from the Goddess and I feel that she guides me through everything. (finished)

Lady_Majyk_AHPS : 2. If a person came to you today and ask what you believe, how would you answer?
Autumn_Heather : I would say that I am a Witch, I believe in the power of Nature, and the God and Goddess. (finished)

As you know, this is a very personal question and when that times comes that a stranger approaches you with this question…it will feel different than me asking you…so be aware of this and do not worry, your answer will be guided.

This is something I know you have no problem in claiming your faith... remember when those people appraoched us after the moon ritual in the park?

but I still couldn't help but notice your shield slapped up at maximum when they did. this is a gut reaction considering the past and the overload of catholicism around here, I would like to see you more confident and commanding without being defensive.

While some may ask out of sincere wanting  because they see a difference in you they are searching for for themselves, some will ask as an opportunity to create doubt in your mind. Stay grounded and centered in your spirit and read the person who is asking before you "cast pearls before swine". If you have any feelings that your response will be met with conflict, it may be better to ask them either what they believe in or why they wish to know. Trust you instincts and know you do not need to defend your faith. Faith is about personal relationships with Diety, not about competion or who is right.

Lady_Majyk_AHPS : 3. Do you feel the difference between the energies of the waning and waxing moon...Explain in detail.
Autumn_Heather : I had to think about that for a moment. I think during the waxing moon I feel more energetic, like all things are possible. During the waning moon, its like doing the housework or laundry. There are things that need to be done, and this is the time to get it finished. During the waxing moon, its more like hopes, desires, aspirations, what I want to see done, what I would like to do. Both energies are vital, and so natural to the balance of it all that I barely even recognize that it happens unless I really sit and think about it. (finished)

Lady_Majyk_AHPS : 4. Name the sabbats that you have celebrated since you started your training and explain them in detail, including among other things, where they are in the wheel and what it is celebrated for.
Autumn_Heather : So far during this training we've celebrated Samhain and Yule on the Wheel of the Year. Samhain is a time when the veil is the thinnest, remembering those who have passed and celebrating their life. It is not a time to be scared of death, but to honor the natural cycle. Which is so different from what we celebrate at Yule, the Winter Solstice. Here we celebrate the birth of the Oak King, the Child of the Light. A reminder that Spring is coming, and it is something to celebrate. It is a time of the longest night, but it leads to more light being let back into our lives. (finished)

Lady_Majyk_AHPS : 5. What is Wicca and Light & Shadows tradition and how would you decribe our coven to a stranger?
Autumn_Heather : Wicca is a religion based around honoring the God and Goddess, and the powers of magick and nature. I don't have anything to compare what Light and Shadows does in the realm of other groups out there. How I would describe it to others is that it feels like home, like a family. A comfortable zone where being yourself, with your belief is honored, respected, and celebrated. Being a part of this makes me feel like I am a part of something much more than the sum of myself. I am but a part of a living breathing entity. We move through time as one, celebrating its markers, supporting when one needs it, and offering a shoulder without being asked. We are there for each other, sometimes even more than a mundane family can be. We do not hide who we are.
Autumn_Heather : (finished)