Happy Thanksgiving and New Year's Projects

Greetings and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all. I'm currently on travel with my husband, Todd, visiting his family for the holiday. We've done much of the traditional celebrations, and even getting a little much needed rest along with piece and quiet. Throughout the day I've contemplated on what I'm thankful and grateful for and have made a conscious effort to keep any and all negative thoughts from entering my mind.

Over the next several weeks, I will be working on projects that I plan to launch in January including my special event contracting and consulting business, Spellbinding Events by Sage; launching my aromatherapy business website, Goddess Goods by Sage; working towards my ministry ordination; continued work on my book project, After the Spell is Cast; completing my current level of study with Sisters of the Burning Branch, and studying for my fund raising certification. All this on top of my full time work, continued home improvements and interior decorating, and getting ready and celebrating the holidays.

I'm currently working on how I will celebrate Yule this year and will post the details here when complete.

Until then...

Living the Magickal Life,

Sage NightStar

Loving More Than One

Although I've learned over the last few years that we have the ability to love more than one person at a time and that each of us may have many sole mates on different levels, what I've recently discovered is that although you can love several people simultaneously, it is difficult to juggle each relationship, give each person equal and deserving respect, while meeting their individual needs. In addition, when one relationship is not going well, the other relationships may suffer. This can put extreme pressure on all concerned. Is it worth it? Is there more value and fulfillment by loving and getting different things from different people or putting your energy into one person and taking that relationship to infinite levels of intimacy where you can meet each other needs? I wonder...

Living the magickal life,

Sage NightStar

Changing Changes

It has been a while since I posted my last blog. The past few months have been a time of reconsidering past decisions--one being to leave the Sisters of the Burning Branch for a short time while I pursued other goals, such as becoming a minister. I have returned to the Sisters of the Burning Branch because I found that I missed my sisters and all gifts they brought to my life. I also realized that with the right discipline, I can also work towards my ordination and other goals.

My health has been a bit of a struggle recently and changing doctors has been a move in the right direction to get proper diagnosis instead of just treating symptoms. My battle with cancer certainly left its mark, but thankfully I remain in remission.

My professional work has been a bit of a challenge simply because there are no common goals between local government and priviate entities with regards to the work I do. I have no control over this, and have deferred to a higher authority. Still, it is a good job with many benefits, including security.

I continue to write and managed to get published more frequently these days in the Wiccan and Pagan Community. This is where my heart is and I continue to build my life around the Craft.

Until next time...

Living the Magickal Life,

Sage NightStar

Changes and Decisions

8/4/07

Greetings to all. It has been some time since my last blog for many reasons.

I've been doing a great deal of soul searching and talking with my partner and my "life coach", and I've made the decision to discontinue my studies with Sisters of the Burning Branch Circle. Instead I'm going to focus on a program to become Wiccan Clergy and to pursue my professional writing.

This decision was not an easy one, but I had to make some choices in order to maintain my health and keep my sanity. I just cannot do all the projects that I desire, and needed to be true to myself and fulfill my passion to serve the Wiccan Community.

I'm sad but happy with my choice and now can move forward without "killing" myself to get things done, feeling guilty, or seeking validation and credentials that I really already possess.

Living the magickal life,

Sage NightStar

Beltane/Derby/Changes and Choices

5/4/07

Greetings to all. Happy Beltane week! And good luck to all contenders in today's Run for the Roses, the 133 annual Kentucky Derby.

As an event manager, the ideal dream job would be to manage the Kentucky Derby and the 2-week event leading up to it, Derby Days.

Many witches would consider horse racing cruelty to animals, but let me assure you these animals were born to run and compete and they get better care than most humans I know.

As many of you are aware, I've been dealing with some fairly intense medical issues over the past several months. I've been diagnosed with potential seizure disorder symptoms that the doctors are working to reverse. I'm much better these days, and continue to catch up on all projects that got put on hold.

Many thanks to all who attend my Living the Magickal Life workshop at Spirit Quest. It was a relaxing weekend, and I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with others. My objective when conducting workshops is to ask questions and engage all participants in the conversation instead of just talking at people as I've experienced as a workshop participant.

I've been giving some thought lately to updating and revising my life mission and objectives related to my service in the Wiccan world. There is so much that I want to do and offer, it is difficult to fit it all in and to choose the strategies. I haven't made any decisions yet, but will post them here.

My dreams have been quite vivid and active lately. I know that some of them are related to "unfinished" business in my life and how my life would have been different if I had made other choices. I believe these images remind me of how fortunate I am to have made the choices I did.

Living the Magickal Life,
Sage NightStar

A Healing Time

3/27/07

Greetings. It has been a while since my last entry. I've been addressing some medical issues and spending time healing.

I'm happy to announce that I will be conducting a new workshop that I've developed called Living the Magickal Life, Wise Words from a Witch, at Spring Quest 2007, April 20-22, 2007 in Raleigh, NC.

Hope to see many of you there.

More later...

Living the Magical Life,

Sage NightStar

The Dogmatic Approach

1/31

I've been doing a great deal of thinking over the past few days about my believes that every religion has similarities and that we should build on these strengths rather than focus on differences resulting in conflict. This is a very dogmatic attitude and is difficult to debate, which is why taking this approach can be very frustrating to those who choose to focus on religious differences. It neutralizes their attacks.

Imagine how different our world would be if everyone embraced religious diversity, blended spiritual paths, and worshipped together without prejudices. That would be a magickal miracle.

Living the Magickal Life,

Sage NightStar

Religious Freedom

1/31

As I continue to ponder my recent conversation with Christians, one of the basis for their argument against Wicca and other alternative religions was that America was founded on Christian values. Well guess what, we also live in a Country that recognizes religious freedom and choice!

Any religious claim can be debated, but I speak only to my own personal practice and experience. Although there are Christians who present some facts about Wicca, they do so in ways to speak and preach against it. As long as Christians speak out against Wicca, I will continue my mission to educate that being a Witch and Wiccan is not a bad thing.

Okay, I'm done.

Living the Magickal Life,

Sage NightStar

Why I Became a Witch

I had an interesting conversation this evening with two Christians who were conducting a radio broadcast about Wicca and Witchcraft. One of them had written a book on Wicca and was labeled "an expert on Wicca". How can you be an expert on something you have never experienced? I occasionally look for opportunities to engage in conversations with Christians about Wicca to see where the discussion leads, hoping that one day they will simply say, "We don't share your Wiccan beliefs, but we will respect them. And, we will cease speaking out against Wicca". (Keep dreaming Sage.) They asked me why I became a Witch. The truth is I can't remember not being a Witch, despite being raised Southern Baptist. And as a stumbled through my answer, I did some sole searching. The conversation naturally led to debatable issues, which I refused to engage in or was not given a chance to respond to, however, they were harsh and even critized my neutral attitude. It just angered them all the more. I found it amusing.

While following Christianity, I was never spiritually fulfilled or enlightened. I was just preached at and to. I was frustrated by living my life according to others, while I watched them carry out the very behaviors they spoke out against. I learned with much hurt that I could not trust my so-called "Christian" friends and teachers. I questioned how the Bible could be the "Word", as they say, with an infinite number of interpretations that could be sculpted to suit anyone's agenda (and they say there is no one definition for Wicca!). I wanted an environment where women were treated equally. I questioned why a loving God ruled by threats and judgements. I wanted the freedom to experience the Divine Spirit myself, and not believe based on someone else's testimony or the threat of "going to hell". So, I went searching.

Wicca does not coming knocking on your door. You seek it. Wicca is a participatory religion, and you take an active role in creating your life. The Wiccan Rede, "Do What You Will and Bring Harm To None, when followed as Spirit intended, provides the guidance to make wise decisions. True Wiccans are non-judgemental and have proven to be more trustworthy, as least in my experiences, than others outside the circle. My life completely changed for the better and has continued to do so since I became Wiccan. These are just some of the reasons I became and remain a Witch and there isn't anything anyone can say that will ever change my mind. And if there is an eternal hell,I'll take my chances.

I have vowed not to dispute or debate about any religion, including Wicca, because anyone passionate and knowledgeable about their chosen spiritual path can find ample historical information and examples (however extreme, inflated or unbelievable) to support their views and build their case against another religion. It is an unproductive conversation. There is no one right religion. And it is all contingent on one thing, faith! I will, however, share my own knowledge and experiences with Wicca and to identify and build on religious commonalities, such as faith in a higher power and exercising that faith in our own unique ways for the greater good. However, what I have realized is that more main stream religions refuse to acknowledge that all spiritual paths even have commonalities. Aknowledging that we are connected by being humans with the same needs and desires deflates their arguments against Wicca and other alternative paths.

There will always be misunderstandings about Wicca because if you don't practice it you will ever experience what we call ,the Mysteries. They just don't get it and they never will.

Living the Magickal Life,

Sage NightStar