Shy Owl’s Soap Box

For many a witch is someone who worships satan but for most of us, that is absolutely not the case. Satanism is, at its core, a Christian belief. Satan is a derivative of Christianity. Most witches are not Christian, that being said there is a current movement of “Christian Witches”. How I feel about that means nothing, to each his or her own.
Overall a witch is simply someone that realizes that there are many differences in the Higher Powers, that there are many ways to see the same “sky”. Most of us feel that all aspects of God/Goddess are actually different parts of the same being. Like looking into the many facets of a crystal, each side looks different but it is still the same crystal. Many witches are thought of as tree huggers and that is because most of us feel a connection to Mother Earth, realizing that we have only one planet to call home at this time anyway. Every plant and animal that exists here has the same right to exist that humans do. Every organic energy has its own life force and spirit within it. I have wondered about fairies and the such and possible these are the spirit expressions of plant life. Of course, these things we won’t truly know until we get to the other side and see for ourselves. It is impossible to truly know if other organic life forms carry a spirit or soul within themselves. We can say that because they don’t react the same way humans do the answer must be no, but how can anyone really know? Just because we don’t experience it doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Most witches on the earth based path carry a respect of others’ belief and opinions. As on any path, there are always those that are self centered and power oriented. No witch, regardless of path gives a crap about whether or not someone else agrees with them. None of us are interested in apostatizing others. Your path is your path and my path is mine. I will worry about my soul and you worry about yours. That is our mind set.
Harry Potter is a wonderful story, I love all 7 books, but that has nothing to do with magick and witchcraft as it really is. Yes we work with the energies around us, yes our focus is to improve our lives by working with these energies, no we are not interested in teaching your kids behind your back or forcing our path down the throats of everyone else. Corrupt people can be found everywhere, in every walk of life, in every religion.
If we would all simply treat others the way we want to be treated ourselves without judgement, the world would be a much better place to be.

ShyOwl is a Reiki Master,Author, Intuitive Reader, and Artist.  Her readings focus on getting you on the best path for your success. If you are experiencing job difficulties, looking for love, or just want to better plan for tomorrow, readings with ShyOwl are available through her website www.shyowl.net  This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this bio is included.

Meditation is a challenge for many of us on this side of the globe. Our focus is so irratic that it makes it nearly impossible to escape technology long enough to accomplish any work on the inner self. What we need to realize is that meditation and inner focus can be acheived in any setting. It has nothing to do with the outer environment but rely’s completely on the inner environment. That is the point of it, to bring peace and focus to the mind in any situation.
This is a simple meditation that was imparted to me by my very wise Reiki Master (and dear friend). She thinks I don’t listen to her, but she is so wrong on that one.
Meditation can be found in every event. If you are simply brushing your hair in the morning, cause your mind to understand and acknowlede the feelings involved in every brush stroke. How does the brush feel when you first apply it to your crown? How does it feel as you pull it down, pulling out the tangles? How does the release of the brush from your hair feel? Focus on your scalp as this occurs, is there discomfort? Is it comfortable? Does the pressure change as you go along? By noticing every sensation in a situtation that you would otherwise do mechanically, you are acknowledging your inner environment by noticing your outer environment.
This can apply to anything that you do, so if you are bald (and bald is very sexy btw) you are not left out. Consider brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, putting your shoes on etc, every moment in life should count, every moment should set you on a path to bring peace to your inner self. There is no exterior event that can bring you happiness, that is found 100% within.
Love and Light
ShyOwl

ShyOwl is a Reiki Master,Author, Intuitive Reader, and Artist.Her readings focus on getting you on the best path for your success. If you are experiencing job difficulties, looking for love, or just want to better plan for tomorrow, readings with ShyOwl are available through her website www.shyowl.net This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this bio is included.

As most of the country has been hit with some pretty rough weather lately, so seems that many of us have been hit with some pretty tough circumstances. Coping with stress on a grand scale is not easy for any of us but those who survive it and pull through unscathed are those who realize that it will not last forever. No circumstance, good or bad, lasts for ever. It is true that time heals all wounds, well, it is better to say that time fades all wounds. Sometimes they are never healed but they always fade enough to allow us to move forward to a better space.
When faced with difficulty keep in mind that it will pass and that you will survive it. Stay focused on the good things in life, no matter how small they are.
Faith is the pennacle of successful survival. Faith lets you know that you are not forgotten no matter how alone you may feel. Regardless of your path, regardless of the name you choose to call the Creator by, faith is the key to finding comfort in even the most difficult of times.
Faith breeds persistence, it is what allows you to get back up on the horse, to try again and again until you have achieved your goal. Faith is what drives the spirit to move forward in spite of the knowing that every day in this life is one day closer to the next, it is what allows us to keep going. It gives us the comfort of knowing that no matter how small it may be, we all have the power to make a difference in someones life.
Close your eyes and consider one thing that happened today that brought you comfort. Did a friend bring you chocolate? Did you get to see your favorite bird today? Did you get a little hug from a little guy? Consider the things that make life matter, that make it important. How many of those things actually depend on your financial condition. The truest statement of the 70’s even if it was made in sarcasm is that “The best things in life are free” and I will keep those and the birds and the bees can have the material.
ShyOwl
www.shyowl.net
ShyOwl is a Reiki Master,Author, Intuitive Reader, and Artist.Her readings focus on getting you on the best path for your success. If you are experiencing job difficulties, looking for love, or just want to better plan for tomorrow, readings with ShyOwl are available through her website www.shyowl.net This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this bio is included.