A Spiritually Enlightening Online Magazine. March's Theme: "Impermanence"
Volume 6 Issue 3 ISSN# 1708-3265

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Illuminations Aleesha Stephenson About the Cover Laura Brennan Rice The End is Near - Maybe Tira Brandon Evans Friendly Impermanence Phil Kotofskie The Stone House Alegria Imperial Flying Free In the Music Dj Brown What Could Your Future Look Like? Jackie Lapin Tips to Handle Stress Mona Khalaf Change Happens Rev. Cheryl Jewett Pet-sense Jean Hofve DVM Breathe Wisdom Jacqueline Kramer Lifetalks Dawn Baumann Brunke Walk Your Talk Aleesha Stephenson Wiccan Voices Crystal Blanton, HPs Life in the Raw Melissa Gilbert Being Mindful Janet Alston Jackson Meditate a Moment Featuring: Aleesha Stephenson Bellicon Rebounders QiBounding Try It On Everything The Revolution Starts Within DVD Glass Drinking Straws WGlassWorks Lexen Healthy Juicer Wheatgrass Juicer Lexen Products Ocean Mirabai Ceiba

Life is ever changing. We are constantly working to find the ground beneath our feet to stand on and stabilize with. There can be this impression that if we are spiritual, life will be less chaotic and will maintain more stability. In reality life is designed to be forever changing, and this is one of the ways we continue our growth in the battle for spiritual development.

Being Wiccan puts us in a position of deep understanding around the concept of cycles and the natural process of death and rebirth. This concept does not stop at the physical birth, death, and rebirth of the body, but it extends to all things in the universe. Since all things have a form of birth, death, and rebirth, the process of constant change is inevitable.

Change happens from the moment of conception beyond our burial. Some of the greatest inventions start from a single spark which ignites a revolution of change everywhere. From this point on, nothing is the same as it was because of this change.

If one invention can change the direction of life, how does anyone know how to live with such constant movement? Doesn't change mean that nothing stays the same? In essence it does, and our spirituality can open doors in life which become the tools we cling to for our survival. Many times it can feel like spirituality is the only thing we have that isn't so easily changed.

The concept of constant change is referred to as Impermanence in the Buddhist faith. It is the thought that nothing remains the same and the attachments we create are in jest. In essence it is important to note all the things in life you feel attached to are designed to change. It is common for us to use things to define who we are or what we are to become, but no thing can properly represent the totality of any person. In following the concept of Impermanence, we know these things used to create identity are only things at best and should be released. The idea that people have to release their self-created identity can be quite scary. The idea of who we are will change and this can be more frightening, but knowing we cannot control change is the best incentive to release the idea that we can prevent the natural evolution of the things in our lives.

Acceptance can be one of the most important concepts in living a life within a world where Impermanence is the key. There is no technique or system of actions which can eliminate the cycles of life or change, but the acceptance of here and now can help to remove some of that fear. Living with a spiritual belief gives us the ability to accept the plan of our Higher Power, knowing it may make zero sense in that moment. The will of the God and Goddess does not always coincide with my idea of perfection, but the "perfect love and perfect trust" I have, allow me to release my ego and live in today. It is my ego who thinks I have the best idea of what I need in my life. If I can accept that I am not in control of the plan, then I can take a different perspective on the things in my life which change without my consent.

Living in the past or future, or dealing with fallen ideals can be the breeding ground for sadness, upset, hurt, anger, resentment, and depression. Acceptance can be the tool to free ourselves from this pattern of disruption.

When we step into the sacred circle of ritual and call the powers of the elements and the Gods to assist in our endeavors, we are celebrating the knowledge that nothing is set in stone and the ability to change is all around us. Ritual is a tool which allows us to manifest quantifiable and measurable results in our push for this change. In order to be effective with our magical abilities, we have to not only see in our mind's eye the opportunity we are creating, but also the knowledge of where we are starting from. Acceptance allows us to see the truths in the present so we can move towards desired change.

Since change is a part of life, make change work for you. Accept the power in your ability to influence change for yourself, family, community, and world. If nothing is truly fixed then life becomes malleable in its impermeant state of flux. This is what we rely on as Pagans, Witches, and Wiccans.

Like riding a surfboard, the enjoyment that runs alongside the fear of the ocean gives us the adrenaline to ride the waves. Knowing the state of the surf gives us the knowledge to evaluate where we want to jump in. If the waves are too large, then they can border the line of excitement and danger; one slip in the wrong direction could amount to grave error.

As Yemaya sits among the moon and watches over the sea, She gives us a forever-changing view of the world from the eyes of a mother. As with the universe, the ocean, our lives, jobs, friends, cars, houses, government, feelings, and bodies, we are a part of the evolution of life. We all change, we all grow, and we all have the opportunity to shed our old selves and be reborn again.

You have a choice to allow change to scare you into the frozen position of fear or you can release your chains. In The Charge of the Goddess by Doreen Valiente, the Goddess states "For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire." This is Her reminder that beyond all things, She stands with you and will when all things have fallen away. For all the things that might be in your life that you feel you need to hold onto, She is all you really need.

Crystal Blanton is a trained and experienced Registered Addictions Specialist in the field of drug and alcohol counseling, which enhances her understanding of spiritual balance and how behaviour and perceptions affect our everyday lives. Crystal is a High Priestess and ordained minister with Family Wiccan Traditions International (FWTI) and Dance of the Spirit Moon Tradition. She is on the Executive Board of Directors for FWTI and is a student mentor. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and children and tries to read as much as possible.

You can contact Crystal Blanton via email or visit her website at www.crystalblanton.com or www.touchofamethyst.com.

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