Wicca, The Fashion Statement

Hello!

For what seemed like forever, the only pagan I knew was my self. Which was fine, I didn't mind it. But that all changed a month or so ago.

My friend and I share one class, and that class is gym. We always change in the showers because it is pitch black and nobody goes back there. I was texting when my friend walked in. She had a pentacle drawn on her hand with a teal blue marker. I immiediately told her the difference between the right side up pentacle and the up side down one. She just said whatever an we went to gym.

A week later, my friend walked into gym with a pentacle necklace. Now, keep in mind, at this point in time no one knew I had been practicing, in fact, everyone saw me as the good little church girl. I didn't say anything, but inside I was quite upset. She was wearing my religion like a piece of jewelery. I stewed about that necklace for the rest of the day.

The next day, I started talking to her about how most of my class was Mormon. As we started to talk about religion, she tugged her necklace. I asked her why and she went silent. I asked her again and she said she was "kind of into witchcraft and didn't want me to be all upset". I smiled and said "Wicca."

My friend is definitely new to paganism, but it is nice to have someone to talk to. The part that bothered me, is she had only been researching it for over two months. Isn't that a bit early? I have been practicing for three years and I don't wear a pentacle. I guess I just don't like the idea of my religion to be not much more than a fashion statement. How do you feel about this?

I would like to note also, that I am not Wiccan, more of an eclectic pagan.

Blessed Be,
Auna

Stop Writing On Yourself!

Hello!

I have a "nugget of wisdom" totally unrelated to paganism for you today. Is it just me or is the word "nugget" sounding extremely odd?

I was in my math class last week and my teacher was ranting about some boring math expression. Just so you all know, when I get bored I doodle and most of the time, it is on my hands. So, I was sitting at my desk and drawing random things on the inside of my hand. I looked at my hand and thought about how some pens stay on your hands for longer than others. I thought about how some pen marks wash off really easy while some pen marks require large bouts of scrubbing and dish soap. Now, you are probably asking yourself why I bring this all up. Well, what if we look at pen marks as the things that are bothering you. Some may be written in a washable Crayola marker, while some may be written in a fat, permanent pen. Now look at your life. What written on you? Is it washable or permanent? What is the best way to get rid of the pen? Keep in mind, even the most permanent Sharpie eventually wash away.

So, to tie in the whole pagan aspect, I want you to try something. The next time you feel really stressed, take a washable marker and write what is stressing you somewhere on your body, then hop into the shower. Imagine the water to be a purifying, white light. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Now, take some soap and wash off the writing. Imagine that the water is not only rinsing away the writing, but also the stress too. This seems to work quite well for me, so I hope it will for you. If you don't like drawing on yourself, just trace the words with your finger. And make sure your pen is washes off very easily.

Blessed Be,
Auna