A Spiritually Enlightening Online Magazine. May's Theme: "Being Present"
Volume 7 Issue 4 ISSN# 1708-3265

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Illuminations Aleesha Stephenson About the Cover Klaus Bohn The Last Time Alegria Imperial Chalice Glass Dj Brown Presents Phil Kotofskie Being Present When Not Present David Reber Being Present is a Gift Rev. Cheryl Jewett Where the Wild Things Are David Suzuki PhD Creating Change Lisa Smith Let's Talk Tarot Marcia McCord Pet-sense Jean Hofve DVM Life in the Raw Nicola Watt Lifetalks Dawn Baumann Brunke Walk Your Talk Aleesha Stephenson Wiccan Voices Crystal Blanton, HPs Meditate a Moment Featuring: Aleesha Stephenson Cards & Curios Tarot Deck Reviews: with Dan Pelletier Archived Reviews All of T.S.M.'s Reviews

Wiccan Voices Today is Here, Tomorrow is Somewhere Else with Crystal Blanton How does someone stay in the present moment when the world around them is full of uncertainty and fear? This is a human issue that follows us around as we struggle to find the balance between being in the moment and planning for the future or trying to figure out the past. Life conditions people to look at the past to shape the future, but what about the current moment? What about the opportunities we have right now that will open or close the doors to come? Fear is such a motivator and can dictate how each of us will allow life to happen before us. Having fears around failure, success, hurt, pain, health or commitment are some of the myriad of things which contribute to the complexity of staying in the present and not drifting away from it. Fear is notoriously a factor in spiritual matters, and it can also work as a deterrent from being in the present moment. Being present requires a certain amount of accountability and being responsible for what is going on that you have control over. That can be scary in and of itself. Instead of worrying about the future or the past, what about focusing some of that energy into releasing the fears that prevent us from enjoying our choices today?? Witches are powerful, but how powerful are we if we are unable to concentrate our workings on things which are happening in the current moment? I cannot effect change with the snap of a finger (although I have been working on that) because all things are connected. Compare it to sewing a new dress. You have to use the pattern, cut out the material and then start somewhere until it all comes together. You cannot make a functional dress by punching a hole in the middle of the material instead of setting the pattern and cutting it out. All things are a process, and therefore being present helps us get to the next step. If you want to have a baby, then you have to start being intimate with your partner now. If you want to buy a new home, work in the present on saving money or getting a job. If you want to lose weight to become healthier, work in the moment by eating healthier and going to the gym. If you want a degree, you have to go to college. These are all examples of how the present is the most powerful place to be in order to effect change. You cannot change the world today unless you find your place in it. Tips on being present: Work towards letting go of your fear. Affirmations, ritual workings, prayer, therapy, journaling or meditation are all ways of chipping away at the old fear block. Acknowledge yourself. Without you there is no future moment, so it is important to acknowledge who you are, how you feel, what you want and what you need at any given moment. And don't forget to acknowledge how important you are. Listen to your inner voice, not your head. The voice in your head can tell you all kinds of things that take you away from the present moment. Question what it says by listening to your inner voice, the one that is connected to your body and how it feels. Building a connection of trust with yourself allows you to listen to your body and not the chatter in your head all the time. Your body is always in the present moment, even when your head is in tomorrow. Let go of things which no longer serve you. Pain is a part of life. We all feel pain, and if we don't let go of the things that have caused them, then it develops into a stronger sense of fear. Fear is debilitating. Do whatever work you need to do to deal with your past hurts, and do not let them linger or fester into something that cripples your ability to live for today. Be grateful. When you are grateful for what you have, you are paying attention to the present moment. Give to those less fortunate. When you see someone who wishes they could have what you have, it is hard to deny your blessings in the present moment. It is not about what you had, will have or wanted to have; it is more about being able to see what you do have right now and sharing your abundance with others. Be OK with not knowing the answers. You don't have to know what is going to happen all the time. You have to live righteously today regardless of tomorrow. If we all knew what was coming our way it would make less sense to work for it. What you don't know is not your business yet, but what you do know is in the present. Above all things, when you light your candles and do your rituals remember that you have the power to make all things possible but if you are not present you may be asking for the wrong things. Our energy makes things happen. What are you making happen today? 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. Blanton is a High Priestess and ordained minister with Family Wiccan Traditions International (FWTI) and Dance of the Spirit Moon Tradition, is on the Executive Board of Directors for FWTI, Elder with Covenant of the Goddess 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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