1. Know Yourself- I need to listen to myself more and feel comfortable with doing the things that I feel are correct in my life.
2. Know Your Craft- The craft is me and I am the craft. I am always ready to learn from the lessons that are taught to me no matter how big or small. I follow the ways of the wise.
3. Learn- I hope to learn for the rest of my days and I shall never stop or surely I will be no more. I derive lessons from every aspect of my daily life.
- Know yourself �?I had a similar question in one of my Human Relations Classes in college. It really takes a lot of soul searching to know ones self inside not just our name, where we were born, or even who our parents are. It has to do with who we are inside, what we are about, as suppose to what our religious beliefs are, or even our sexual preference is. I have always been told that to know ones self is to love ones self. I have recently gone through a hard week and have found ut a lot especially about myself. Some good and some not so good but I do know I need to try to stay focused and pay more attention to the Goddess and me. I am important to me but also the Goddess.
- Know your craft �?Well I think this has to do with education find out everything you can about the craft before you decide on whether to take this path or not. Once you make the decision you can find out how to live and work your craft. Like everything else if you know nothing about the craft you should not even try anything you might hurt someone as well as yourself. I feel that what ever path one chooses he or she should find out about it so they can know what they are getting into.
- Learn �?I was told by my Mom while I was growing up you never stop learning and you can never know everything. Life is a learning process when we stop learning we cease to exist. We are always learning that why I like the fact that we have combined the coven with the school. We can learn a lot from each other no matter how much we know. I know he more I learn the about my craft the cloer I feel to the Goddess and to knowing myself.
- Apply knowledge with wisdom �?To me this is very important it has to do with what we have been taught by our elders and combining it with the knowledge that we have and are still acquiring. History has told us that wisdom is greater than power. In my eyes you can’t have one without the other if you have wisdom you will be able to gain much knowledge. Everyday whether I am doing a spell, incantation, blessing, or just honoring thy Goddess I always apply the knowledge and wisdom I have.
- Achieve balance �?This to me is in order to be at peace one has to achieve balance in ones life. Whether you are talking about family, work, relaxation or any other part of your life. Just like if there is a crack in a glass eventually it will break because the crack made the glass weak. In life if there is an imbalance there will be a weak spot which will cause chaos and unhappiness. Balance is necessary for all things even in the wild. In order to be able to achieve goals whether for the coven or my home life I have to achieve a balance between both. I found out the hard way if I am not happy a home I am can’t do my work. I also reflect how I feel to those I love and care about.
- Keep your words in good order �?That’s with anything especially when you are trying to educate someone about ones craft or religion. It also means that if you re doing a spell, incantation, or a ritual if the words are not in the right order things might backfire. No matter what we do when we speak the words should be in the right order. This reminds me of my Public Speaking class we had to do several different types of speeches. Each one was graded on a points system and one was if the words were n the right order. We were told when you are speaking don’t change the word order otherwise they wont understand you.
- Keep your thoughts in order �?I have to stay focused and positive in order to achieve my goals.
- Celebrate life �?It means what it says celebrate no one is on this earth forever we should celebrate life everyday. We can not predict what will happen from day to day life is precious it should not be taken for granted.
- Attune with the cycles of the earth �?I need to make the cycles part of my every day life not only during Esbats and Sabbats but on a regular basis. The Earth should be celebrated every day in some way.
- Breathe and eat correctly �?This is saying take care of your self inside as well as outside. When one feels good inside you feel good outside as well. Also when you take care of your self that reflects who you are. I will take better care of myself inside and out for me, my husband, my friends, and thy goddess.
- Exercise the body �?In a way that should be combined with #10 when your body is healthy inside and out you feel good about your self. I feel a lot better if I exercise whether it is a routine or just taking a walk. Muscles tend to ge stiff if not moving in some way. I have heard doctors mention as we get older we even need to keep the mind exercised read something. I will exercise both my body and my mind every day.
- Meditate �?With this I have found meditation to be a time to relax, a time to get away, and also a time to reflect what I have done. The mind, body, and soul are one and should be healthy to be able to grow. I will make my times of meditation part of my daily routine.
- Honor the Goddess and God �?This is self explanatory whether it is during a ritual or just waking up they should be honored every day. I know I have a long ay to go but I dedicated my life to this craft and the Goddess and God. I thank them every day for all that they have done for me and they have come every time I called upon them.
When I finished these I thought about it and realized every day is different with many goals. I have to apply everything to my life both inside and out I have to stay true to my Goddess and God as well as my family. |
4. Apply Knowledge With Wisdom- I apply my teachings to my daily life and watch how it affects all that surrounds me. Some of these lessons fit into my life simply...like breathing and some take practice to feel comfortable.
5. Achieve Balance- I have been working on my meditation place since this winter and enjoy sitting there in the morning to listen to the Lord and Lady and ground myself. I need to take the time to meditate more.
6. Keep Your Words in Good Order- I have always been taught that it isn't what you say, but how you say it. Now I know that it is both. Words are strong and we must be careful to say what we mean. Basically, think before we speak.
7. Keep Your Thoughts in Good Order- It's good to clear out the negativity in your thoughts to keep your actions and words pure too. I do love the journal suggestion and hope to start one soon.
8. Celebrate Life- I find joy in the smallest thing and it truly makes my heart happy. I sing and dance and do the things that make me content and daily Thank the Lord and Lady for all the blessings they have given me.
9. Attune With the Cycles of the Earth- I need to make myself more attuned and familiar with the Sabbats and Esabats and make them part of my natural calendar.
10. Breathe and Eat Correctly- I have been practicing my breathing and find that when I am excited, if I just breathe deeply and slowly it calms me down greatly. I have also been trying to cook good food for myself and my family. Oh and drink lots of water too.
11. Exercise the Body- If our bodies are sluggish then so is our magick. I can really charge myself with a good dance or brisk walk. I am ready to take on all that is put before me.
12. Meditate- I personally need to meditate more than my morning meditation because I am so emotion filled. It helps me to ground and sort out all my thoughts or just empty them for a bit.
13. Honor the Goddess and God- I do thank the Goddess and God on a daily basis and understand that they both have a place in my life and heart. They are me and I am them.