Friday, November 30, 2007

Interview With Wiccan Author, Theresa Chaze!

Theresa Chaze is a Wiccan writer is a prolific writer whose first book of the Dragon Clan Trilogy, Awakening The Dragon, is now available. I am really fortunate to have gotten this interview with her and to share her insights with you!

1. You have put forth such imagery and power in AWAKENING THE DRAGON I am interested in your personal background and experience with Dragon magic.

I belong to the Air clan and am associated with the fire clan. Most of my knowledge about dragon magic came back when my soul's memories awakened. I fudged a little for the plot line by stating that dragons of different clans don't associated. What is true is that not all dragons are wise and balanced. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Some of the dragon rituals I use are listed in my ebook of Shadows, Out of the Shadows and Into The Light, including how to contact the Mother of all Dragons.

To be part of a Dragon clan means that you have made the decision over several life times to follow the path of Truth and Justice. Both words are capitalize to symbolize the big picture. In life there are a lot of little truths, but when it comes to the soul truth, there isn't discretionary wiggle room.

2. Do you consider yourself a Witch or Wicca?
I consider myself to be a spiritual being currently assigned to earth in human form. But by the time you have gotten half way through the statement, the other person's eyes have glazed over.(Unclear-who is the other person/) Wicca is closest to what I believe so I call myself such. I am a fully dedicated Wiccan Priestess and Ordained Minister, along with a Tarot Reader and Reiki Master.

3. I know you were raised in a traditional religion. Do you remember the point at which you began to ponder exploring a different belief system.
My family genetics made me a natural intuitive and empath. I have always been able to sense things that others couldn't I started to break away from the Catholic church when I was very young because what they preached didn't match what I experienced in life. All spiritual paths deserve respect; however, there is no one size fits all. Each religion has a piece of the big "Truth". For one to claim to be all knowing and all powerful is to be disrespectful to the spirituality of that path and all the others.

4. Can you tell us more about your spiritual journey?
On both sides of my parentage, there were abilities. My grandmother was not only able to sense the dead, but frequently see them. She also had a way of knowing with out knowing how she knew, which helped her know when to play the lottery. Although, she never won big, she won frequently. It's too bad she didn't pass that on to me along with the ingrown toe nails. Unfortunately, her Christian heritage kept her from understanding and training her gift. When she saw the other side, it frequently frightened her. Her sister, Edith had a natural intuitiveness about people. She could read them like no other, but she also didn't understand her talent. Instead, she used alcohol to suppress her impressions. There were family rumors about their mother, but the children were never included in the late night discussion. My grandmother would say, "little pictures have big ears." Sometimes I would pretend to be asleep so that I could listen. unfortunately, it didn't take too long for me to stop pretending and I missed out on a lot. My mother knew how to communicate with animals and instinctively knew what she needed to do to heal them. We had two puppies that contracted parvo that the vet had given up on. She brought them home and proved him wrong. She had a knack of seeing into other's lives. Once she described to a woman her entire house down to the color of the walls in her bedroom; the woman's reaction prevented her from ever doing it again. Even through they were Christian, they were able to teach me how to see and hear in other ways From my mother's side of the family, I was blessed with intuition and empathy. From my mother, I am able to connect with animals. However, it wasn't until my grandmother died that her ability to perceive the dead was passed on to me. From my mother I gained a natural healing ability. My father's side of the family is more complicated. We weren't close. However, his one aunt could not only sense the dead but communicate with them as well.

When I was about five, I told my grandmother's neighbor, that I saw fairies in her garden. She took me into her kitchen and poured water into an old bowl and put candlestick in the center. She lit the candle and had me watch the flame as she talked to me. Decades later I remembered in a dream how she shut down that part of my natural gifts. When I was ready, not only did the memory come back but the ability as well. Kate was a very spiritual woman, who went to church every morning at 6 am. Her faith was an active part in her life, yet she still knew how to reach the earth spirits. Although her age kept her from doing much work, her gardens were always lush and her grapevine remained fertile. Her home was old and run down. She was one of the last people in town to install indoor plumbing. The only source of heat for the large two story home was a wood stove in the kitchen, yet it was always warm. Her house was unique. It was two story, but the upper level could be reached both from the inside and out. The wooden stairs led to a porch and then the entrance. She had boarded it up, keeping whatever was in on the inside and keeping the rest of us out. When she died, so did her gardens and the house seem to collapse into itself.

Many more teachers have found their way into my life. Bobby taught me to channel not only the Deities, but to reach into other realms. Mary, a woman from college, helped me reopen the door Kate closed. Beverly attuned me to Reiki healing. Anne followed it with Shambala. I've studied Physics to understand the way energy works. Tarot helped me focus my intuition.

6. You have rescued cats. What insight can you share on cat medicine?
The best way to understand cats is to love them and be open. Cats are wonderful teachers and healers. But you need the courage to love them for who they are, not who you want them to be.

7. Can you tell us about your new publishing company, Valkyrie Publishing?
It is embarrassing to admit that even through I did the research and talked to other writers, I was taken advantage of not once but twice by unethical publishers. Not only was I doing all the promotional and marketing, but also what books I did sell I wasn't paid royalties for. Which is why I has created Valkyrie Publishing. I provide the technical support for authors who decide they want to publish their own work, which includes typesetting and the creating custom book covers. The author maintains all rights and profits from the work. Valkyrie Publishing only provides the technical services needed to make the work printer ready. If you would like to learn more about what I can do for your work go to her site at www.theresachaze.com or go to Amazon to look at her novel, Awakening the Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy.

8. What advice do you have for anyone searching for a new spiritual calling and for those experiencing challenging times?

Don't get stuck in the labels. A good person is a good person, no matter what label they or anyone else places on them. To quote a John Meloncamp song--It's what you do not what you say. If you aren't part of the future than get out of the way. We are living in very challenging times. In many some people are running far ahead of the pack when it comes to spiritual growth, while others are stuck in the dogma. This is true of all spiritual paths. So many people--even Wiccans and Pagans take themselves, their believes and their "dogma" so seriously that they miss out on many blessings and the small miracles in life. Each and everyone of us can create a miracle every day. We don't have to part the Red Sea. Sometimes a kind word and a smile is all that is necessary. If more of us had the courage to open our hearts, minds and souls, we could find more common ground. Oprah once said that there are only two emotions--love and fear. I go a step further. If you come from fear, you will never have love. If you come from love, you will always have it in your life.

Awakening The Dragon: Filled with magic, suspense and romance, the residents of Coyote Springs will entice and frighten you as they face challenges that come from within and without. Awakening the Dragon--Book one of Dragon Clan Trilogy. You may also purchase this book through amazon.com. For publishing tips, resources and paying gigs go to http://theresachaze.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Candle Magic

You see it in the movies all the time - whenever there is a plot involving Witches (good or evil) no movie is complete without the usual scene where candles are part of the ritual. But candle majick is not just for witches anymore, it's very old and very real to those that practice any form of majick. I spell "magic" differently because "magic" to me is the smoke and mirror parlor tricks entertainers employ. Actually, majick spiritualists and Pagans tap into the forces of the Universe and use items readily available such as kitchen spices and yes, candles. Candles go back to ancient times and even now many churches offer them for prayer and petition.

What makes candle majick so powerful? Firstly let's look at the element of fire. Fire because of its swift power adds speed to what we are praying for. It is heat and therefore if used properly can send ripples of subatomic energy into the Universe which will return to us some measure of what we have asked for. I know of few people that do not feel different when they light a candle whether they are using it for atmosphere or prayer. That is because fire is also the element of change. It can, through a candle, quickly bring about desired change if we know how to work with candle majick. There are candles in the shape of men and women. Although we may connote a dark Voo Doo purpose it is important to realize that Voo Doo is not necessarily bad and that such effigies can be used to heal people who are in ill health mentally or physically if you are a Witch or other Pagan. I have used such effigies to help people suffering from illness or that are recovering from surgery. By using a candle you are really employing fire to quickly cause a change in circumstances whether it's personal objectives or to help others.

When using candle majick it is necessary to "clean" the candle of all negativity it may have absorbed in manufacturing and handling - because we do not want negative energies to merge with our prayers and therefore possibly taint the outcome. To help you along here are simple ways to clean a candle. You can anoint (dab) the candle with olive oil. You can also rub salt on the candle. You can also take tap water and consecrate it to whoever you believe in and rub the candle down with this blessed water. As you dab or rub the candle you merely have to focus on ridding the candle of whatever negative energies it may have. You might also want to use candles that have colors associated with what you want; green for money issues, white for Divine assistance, blue for peace of mind and deep purple for healing. By knowing how to use candle majick you can more effectively receive what you are asking for. When doing any kind of majick it is important to understand that the Universe may not have the timetable you do - but just know the Universe will give what you ask in time.

Light a candle for yourself once in a while. Since candles change the ambiance around us light a candle if for no other reason than to absorb the healing warmth it can offer. Light a candle and experience change.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Side Stepping

By Cate Cavanagh

It happens to all of us. We are walking along and poof! Out of no where is an unpleasant excrement on our shoe! The truth of the matter is we simply did not notice it in our immediate surroundings. We do anything we can to rid ourselves (and our shoes) of this unpleasantness until it is gone. We get annoyed with ourselves for not seeing this in our path. But, what gunk do we willingly carry around with us every day? Are we carrying around a guilt that no one realizes? Are we weighing ourselves down with feelings of unworthiness?

There is no doubt that negative concepts about ourselves probably came about as the result of programming from the time we were children but does that mean we should allow ourselves to bring these into our every waking moment? Do you have trouble sleeping? If you do you are probably in brain overload which means things keep racing in your mind. You cannot stop thinking about them or feeling overwhelmed. In short you are walking on a mental path with "stuff" you are walking into all the time. Going back to cleaning our shoes and cursing at ourselves for stepping into unplesantness, a little cursing at carrying around unpleasant personsal baggage might be called for. You see when we get angry oftentimes we are willing to do something about it like cleaning off that soiled shoe.

Imagine you are that shoe. Imagine cleaning it off. Imagine not stepping into our personal gunk to begin with. Sometimes awareness can begin to change our circumstance. For example, won't we become more aware of our surroundings and not step into pooh again? Why shouldn't we also become aware enough to not fall for the mental and emotional pitfalls that we may come across? Sometimes if we want to change that which is around us and in us we have to begin by making changes within ourselves first. Shrug off anything you cannot solve in any moment. If you have to, imagine you are holding an eraser over a piece of paper. In your mind write what is bothering you on that piece of paper and then erase it! Each time you do this you are heightening your self awareness and saying I choose not to carry this internal pooh on my soul.

Sometimes we need help in learning how to better to avoid our pitfalls. There is nothing wrong with seeking help when we trap ourselves day in and day out by not seeing the "Pooh". Sometimes we need help learning how to side step the unpleasantness we carry all the time such as psychotherapy can help you. Whatever it takes to help you avoid your personal pitfalls will be worth the effort.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

A Pocket Full of Miracles

A Pocket Full of Miracles
By Cate Cavanagh

Are you in a dark place? Are you feeling like a victim to your circumstances? Are you emotionally fumbling? Do you feel your life has nothing miraculous in it? Everyone goes through rough times and everyone has times where they feel abandoned spiritually, losing hope through times of lacking faith. None of us are alone when it comes to experiencing the despair of darkness. Finding hope and faith can be difficult at these times but not impossible to obtain or regain.

I have found counting blessings not at night (as the song goes) but in the morning helps me frame my mental attitude for the day. Another is my mantra "I am blessed." You see over time you will feel blessed. Wish someone a blessed day and you will get a smile. Blessings are easy to give so why not give youself as many as you can? Before we can see our blessings however, we may have to do some math.

There are 186,000 seconds in a day. This means on a given day if we have food on the table, no matter how meager, we have 186,000 blessings or miracles. Now if you add having a roof over your head your miracles for that day have now doubled to 372,000 miracles. It is all a matter of perspective. If you have active children add 186,000 miracles to each one. Is at least one parent alive? If so add another 186,000 miracles to your day. If you recovering from illness you are fortunate to be around to do so. True there may be really serious problems you are facing but if you are not consumed today by them, you have just found more moments of miracles.

The power to undergo our hardships gracefully is a matter of perspective and having faith and spirituality basically in tact. The next time you feel overwhelmed by your situation stop and do the math.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Welcome To My World

Welcome to my world of magic! My world is a place that is blessed with the winds, water, earth and fire to help me in my everyday path of walking with my Goddess, Hecate. To those of you that are Pagan you understand my world. For others this may not make sense but I assure you that those that walk the path trust their goddess as much as any other person might trust their god.

To walk the Pagan/Witch path is to accept accountability and responsibility for what we sow as a result of our own actions. You see somewhere along the line we chose an action that spiraled into our future for good or not. This path is a tough one at times because we must hold harmless those that we might like to blame. Whatever our youth was we can choose to be the best person we can be and show compassion to all living things, human and animal alike.

Surprised that my post on my magical world deals with responsibility? Real magic cannot change reality with a wand. Real magic can change reality with a wish, a hope and a dream that we are prepared to labor for. Wishes do come true, dreams feel closer and days feel magical when you walk the Pagan path because you become connected to everything around you. You are part of the circle, or Wheel, of life and as important as anything else in this circle.

Magic is feeling the power of a breeze and knowing that sometimes your
goddess is whispering in your ear. Magic is the exhilaration of a bond fire dancing in the darkness of night. Magic is the cleansing of body and soul through water and it is the comfort of Mother Earth when standing barefoot upon the grass.

My magical world has faeries, spirits and Poseidon himself as my spirit father.
My magical world believes in miracles and because I have believed in them I have seen them. My magical world is my security blanket and as comforting as a feather bed.

Welcome to my magical world. As you allow me to share my thoughts with you I wish you blessings! Blessed Be!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Introduction

Greetings all!

Magic is alive and well although not like you would find at Hogwarts, it is a living breathing reality for those of us that walk its path. Magic is everywhere and we can gather it into ourselves to help us be better stewards of the earth as well as help us through our every day lives. But magic is much more than waving a wand! Magic creates change as one masters the discipline only true and real magic demands.

I am an eclectic Witch so living magic is something I know very well. The best magic is subtle yet so powerful it can transform us at any given moment. Magic empowers the mind so the focus of my writings has always been on learning how to create the life you want or how to be happier through magic and the mental discipline magic entails.

So, stop by now and then. You will want to know more about magic and change...I know you will!