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| Author | Topic: New and confused |
| Ivy Silversky |
posted 2/11/09 8:28 PM
Merry meet :) I would say that I'm new to the craft, although I've felt drawn to it since my early teens (I'm now 21). I tried to learn more when I was younger but my mother who is a strict catholic (and so raised me) went a bit mad and threw out all my books and tarot cards. It is only recently since I came to university that I have been able to study this more and I am sure that I am on the right path for me. My problem is that although books and websites are all well and very informitive, when I run in to problems, I have no one to turn to for advice or guidance. Does anyone else have this problem or have you overcome it? Are there any fellow scots out there? I would really like to join a coven, can anyone advise me on how to reach one? I'm interested in healing with crystals and herbs and divnation using tarot and runes. I should maybe point out that I am on the Wiccan path. Many thanks, and blessed be Ivy |
| Rowan Rosewood |
posted 2/11/09 9:11 PM
Good to meet you Ivy, a warm welcome to you. Joining a forum is a great way to find the advice that you need. I am still searching for my niche, I feel more drawn to Celtic shamanism. It must be hard to follow the path you have chosen having been brought up Catholic. Any religion is alright for some, but you can't force anyone to believe. Did you say you were interested in herbs? I am also interested and just starting to learn. Asherah on this site is a wise herbalist and bursting with knowledge! It is great to hear of another healer in the making. I have some talent in that area, but never really took to crystals, although I think they are fantastic and have my collection. I can offer you my knowledge of trees, I have been studying the native trees of England for a year, connecting with their energies and producing wands. I am now learning of the healing properties of different parts of the trees. All my gathering of knowledge is at the moment inspired by what we know of the Celts. I think I have some connection with Scotland, but sorry, I'm not a Scot. Did you know that 'Ivy' was revered by the Celts as the wood of feminine love and sexuality? They described it as sometimes smothering, but also able to reach out and draw things together. If you look at how Ivy grows it can grow up walls, over ground, up trees pulling all of these different materials into the same family. It can create protective canopies, giving shelter, as well as sometimes blocking out the sun. It is a 'tree' of feminine strength and power. How do you feel about that? |
| Hedge-friend |
posted 2/12/09 4:56 AM
'lo Ivy. Trust me, at 21 you are still young. And IMHO, lucky to have moved beyond the deeply etched grooves of traditional religious dogmas. That's not to denigrate those paths at all, but simply to suggest that "throwing away tarot cards" is hardly the way to engage another person about issues of spirituality. So it often appears with the major religions though, and they react in ways that display intolerance, misunderstanding, or outright hostility. At the risk of sounding like a broken record (do 21-year olds even know about records?), don't fret about getting "answers" to your questions about Wicca. There are lots of those around, most on line. Perhaps a coven is a better path for you - the hedge-witch variety tends to be solitary by nature, and self directed by inclination. I would start looking at new age shops, and otherwise exploring in your immediate area for those of like mind. As you do, beware of practices and people that make you uncomfortable. An ye do no harm, do as ye like! |
| Ivy Silversky |
posted 2/13/09 11:08 PM
thank you rowan and hedge-friend :) i'll start by reassuring you that most 21 year olds are vaguely aware of what came before CDs haha! I chose the name Ivy as I see it as a tree of strength - it can overcome anything the world throws at it - your description rowan did make me smile though :) Growing up in near-countyside (we had a glen very close to us which I loved) I have always felt a connection with nature and was aware of its power - the glen itself could knock me off my feet when I was a lass - it could shout so loud... There is so much about herbalism that is yet unknown and I plan to explore it some more through my career (I'm studying pharmaceutical chemistry) I may take you up on your knowledge of trees - my only wand so far is pewtar but I'd love to make my own. Thank you both for your warm welcome :) Bright blessings, Ivy |
| Rowan Rosewood |
posted 2/14/09 5:44 PM
Glad I made you smile, but that wasn't my description it was the Celts! But looking at trees and taking into account what we know of the Celtic understanding of their energies, I have always thought they were spot on and relate to their interpretations well. The adults I have known that were brought up in a Catholic family and who rebelled, usually said that their decision to stop being a catholic came at around 10 or 11 years old. Was it the same for you? As I see it, the Christian religion is usually male dominated and is only changing now, perhaps because of dwindling church goers. I read in the bible, some laws laid down by St Peter, that women must hide their hair with a hat in church and if they have any questions they must not dare ask out loud but must ask thier husbands at home! I can't believe that people can still follow the bible with stuff written in it like that! I wonder if you have felt that you have had to struggle to claim the respect you felt you deserved because of the attitude of your former religion? Did you choose your name 'Ivy' because you are strong and can survive anything that can be thrown at you? Or because that is what you would like to be like? The Celtic belief is that Strength is taught to us by the Oak, but it also teaches us that something that is strong can also be brittle just like the oak, that often loses its branches in stormy weather. If you are interested in making your own wand and if you don't mind my suggestion, I think it would be good for you to have a look at the Hazel tree. It is the tree of knowledge, the gaining of wisdom, the understanding of why, what and when we study, it teaches us to be relaxed in our aproach to learning, to keep our minds open and to keep a connection with the energy of nature. The Hazel is a tree of learning, teaching, communication and healing. Hope that gives you another smile!) |
| Asherah |
posted 2/16/09 0:01 AM
Hello and merry meet dear Ivy. I'm so pleased that you discovered this lovely website as I have made some wonderful and lasting friendships with both Rowan and Hedge-friend. They are very wise and caring people and knowing them has enhanced my life and spirituality tremendously. Rowan is THE tree person and Hedge-friend is THE stone and crystal person. You have great resources. If I can be of any help in your quest to learn the nature of herbs, please don't hesitate to ask. I am knowledgeable but can only touch the surface on the depths of healing that herbs can offer. The greatest thing about plant medicine is that ALL the constituents within a plant are utilized thereby avoiding many dangerous side-effects that occur when pharmaceutical companies isolate just one or two constiuents within the plants. It is the balance of properties within the plants that keeps us healthy and safe. Start tearing them apart and they can wreak havoc on our bodies. I can recommend some wonderful books if you're interested. I started out as a Wiccan, joined many covens, and, although I am now solitary, I still carry many of the wiccan ways with me. It's a terrific way to explore your new spirituality. You may find, however, as the years go by, that you are changing, moving away from it, finding your own path. Embrace that! Earth spirituality is all about YOUR connection with the goddess/gods/nature/energies (call them whatever feels most comfortable to you). Also, I have been part of both good and bad covens. Good covens are when everyone feels equal and shares their knowledge openly and honestly. Bad covens are where some within the coven try to control others by talking about "secrets" and saying such things as "you're not ready to know this or that." Beware of those who try to control others in such a way. There are NO SECRETS! You are ready to know as much as you want to know and any and all of your questions should be answered honestly and lovingly. I hope you know we're all here to do just that. |
| Nyxie |
posted 4/4/09 3:05 PM
Merry Meet Ivy!!! I am around your age (23) and also "new" to hedgewitchery, though like you my leanings, practical and spiritual, have always been toward the natural and magical world. My mother is also catholic (my dad protestant) and I went through the awkward talks and troubles as a kid. Are you an only child? I am the oldest of four. I found that now that I am older, and especially after living away at college, they are much more relaxed, and we are all more open to eachother. Not that I flaunt the differences in our beliefs, but I don't hide my interests. Instead I highlight and enjoy the things we have in common. My mom loves to laugh and shop, and my dad loves to garden and walk through the woods. Though we don't share the same core beliefs, I appreciate the things we do share... And so do they because with 3 children in college, they realize that I can move out whenever I want!!! Haha. Anyway, I would love to share and converse with you about your ways of doing things ~ With the integration of yoga & holistic healing into my life, a lot of new doors have opened! Also I'm just about to plant my first herb garden! Lots of excitement... looking forward to talking with you... Blessed be sister. |
| Ivy Silversky |
posted 4/15/09 2:53 PM
Apologies for prolonged abscence! Rowan, what your friends told you would be about right, I was 10 years old when I realised Catholicism was not the way forward for me. Hazel does sound like it has the most suitable properties for me at the moment - I will look into that thank you :) Asherah - I never thought about taking the various plant components apart having negative effects on the body - it sounds like it could be worth looking into. I would really appreciate any reccommendations you have for books :) Merry Meet Nyxie :) its good to meet others that are just starting out also. I see where you're coming from but my mum and her family are very strict catholics and just wont hear of anything else - I'm also the oldest of 4, but they have difficulty accepting that I'm a big girl now lol. I've come to the desicion that what they dont know wont hurt them - and thats a very difficult thing to accept. My dad on the other hand encourages me but I see him much less often than my mother. I plan to dissappear for a week or so in May to reconnect if you will - it may help me sort a few things out, or at least recharge my batteries. How is your herb garden coming along? What have you decided to plant? Ivy xx |
| Nyxie |
posted 4/17/09 3:13 PM
Hello Ivy, I'm glad to hear that you are finding your own way of balancing family & beliefs. And I wish you peace and joy and bliss and all things good as you begin your retreat! Due to frosty weather, my tender little plants are still indoors, with but intermittent outdoor jaunts to commune with the celestioal bodies. However my patch is tilled and ready, and I think it's time to plant. I have jasmine, sage, lavender, thyme, chamomile, butterfly bush, moonflowers and strawberries. A couple others..I got a little carried away and my room is like a jungle right now :) |
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