What’s in a Name?
At our birth our parent or guardian gives us a name, a designation that allows us to be identified and, sometimes, categorized by others. We must use it to communicate with people, businesses, and the government, we need it to get an education, a job, healthcare, have a bank account, etc.. We speak and hear our name so often in our lives that we may not even think about how important it can actually be. Whether it is our given or surname, it can open or close doors for us, conjure feelings of warmth/solidarity or shame/embarrassment, and even play a hand in our (perceived) successes or failures in life. For better or for worse, even though we did not choose it for ourselves, it can hold great power over us, though, how much can be up to us.
If you are of the witchy/pagan persuasion, you may have a second name. This name has spiritual context, and may have been chosen by you or have been divinely inspired. It may be created to reflect your spiritual personality, your type of practice, a significant spiritual event, your guides/totem/other creatures you have an affinity for/with, or anything else that inspires you. If you are into numerology, you may choose a name based on the numbers as well, to have a more favourable magical “fate”. This name is used not only during magical workings, but also can be used in witchy/pagan circles, with your coven mates (should you have them), online, as a business name, or it could be kept totally private. Having a magical name is another way you can add to your practice, and your identity/persona as a witch. It can mentally help you more easily slip into that part of yourself, and shed your “every day” persona you share with the world, which adds to the sacred atmosphere during any spells, rituals, or other magical workings, and creates space for this part of yourself to come forth.
Some witches/pagans, if they use one spiritual name publicly, may have a third name that is chosen or divinely bestowed, that is used only when they do magical workings, and is spoken/written only to themselves, or in communication between them and their patron deity/the universe. Having a totally private spiritual name stems from the belief that names have power, and if the true name of something/someone is known, others can have power over it/them. We see this more in talks about energetic/religious workings like exorcisms, where the exorcist tries to find out the possessing demon/entities name to successfully exorcise it from the person. While this is the most commoner example I know of, it is not the only magical/spiritual reason for it. Some also believe that keeping that magical name secret makes it more difficult for others to do magic against you; particularly if someone is trying to work against your own magical workings or against you as a witch. In theory, it is harder to block a person magically if you are working against “person X”, but they are petitioning or manifesting under “secret name Z”. Rather like using a magical decoy. It also can protect the magical practitioner from prying ears. It is easier to talk more freely about someone using their magical name when talking with others “in the know” when out among people who may not be like minded or understanding. While this type of protection may not be as needed in todays day and age, sometimes discretion is important.
While names can have great significance, and they can play a role in how our lives are shaped, it is important to remember that they do not actually determine who we are. We are more than our names (given or surname), we have free will, and are free to change and evolve as we choose (which also includes our name).
So, do you use a magical name? Did you choose it yourself? What was your inspiration? How do you feel it represents you? Has that name ever changed/evolved with you and your practice? How do you feel about your given name? Have you ever looked up what it means? I would love to hear, if you are willing to share.
 
 

When we think about spell or potion ingredients we typically think about things like plants, oils, crystals, etc.. Personal ingredients like hair, nail clippings, and even blood can be added to some spells to create a bond with the person the spell is for or about (a small reminder about free will and consequences here). However, there is another energetically charged, and very personal, ingredient that we may not give much thought to. Tears.
Scientifically speaking, there are three kinds of tears. Basal Tears (the ones created by the body to moisten the eyes), Reflex tears (created to clean the eyes from outside stimuli like onion juices, smoke, dust, etc..) which typically contain higher levels of antibiotics, and Emotional Tears. These are the ones brought on by strong, emotionally charged situations. These tears are thought to contain more stress hormones like cortisol, and pain reduction elements like endorphins, which help bring the body back in to balance (a state of homeostasis). These tears would be most useful in a magical sense.
Historically, cultures around the world caught and bottled Emotional Tears, generally in times of mourning. Ancient Middle Eastern and Roman societies did this, often adding them to graves as a sign of love and respect. In Egyptian culture, it has been said, the more anguish and tears shed, the more important or valued the deceased was. Legend has it that some mourners in the procession were paid to cry and catch these tears in glasses. The more tears caught and the louder the crying, the more they were paid. In the Victorian Era (19th century), it became custom  to catch ones mournful tears in a small ornate bottle, usually silver with pearl, that had a special cap that allowed the tears to evaporate. Once the tears in the bottle were gone, the mourning period was over.
Magically speaking, tears shed in emotional times would not only be physically linked to the person who shed them, but also greatly charged with emotion. While we generally think of tears as a release for great sadness or grief, we can also shed them during times of anger/frustration, and great joy/happiness. What emotional release was happening at the time would greatly affect how you would use the tears in magic, but all could be used in some way (and should be stored separately and labeled if you are going to use them). Tears of sadness could be used in spells to help one let go of things, shadow work spells/rituals, or spells/potions regarding grief. Tears of joy/happiness could be used in spells for things like manifestation, self-love, or transformation. Tears of anger may be used in spells for binding, or protection. Tears could also be used as an offering (as part of self), if that is something your patron deity accepts.
Tears, like other bodily fluids, may  not be your typical “go to” for magical work. That said, they can add a deeply personal element to any spell, potion, or ritual. Tears, especially, can add a boost to your magical working due to their high emotional charge, which, as we know, is a key element in charging with intent. Your investment in what you are trying to create on all levels (physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual), is critical to the implementation execution of your work.
Personally, I love the Victorian Era idea of the tear bottle. While I don’t believe you can set a time limit on grief, it seems like a beautiful way to acknowledge your grief, if not a bit romanticized. Much like how we often carry the ashes of a loved one in a small capsule or charm to remember them by. What do you think?
So, have you ever used tears in your magical workings? Would you, or do you refrain from using any bodily fluids in your practice? Have you ever considered their magical potential before?  

Passing it Down
I have been noticing a rise in conscious parenting. A model of parenting that focuses on the parent being self aware, and modeling the desired behaviour to their children rather than just telling them how to act. This model requires the parent to know how to regulate their own emotions, do shadow work, utilize problem solving skills, and display their own personal growth. It both requires and teaches accountability. While this is not an easy path, it provides children with the skills and coping mechanisms to navigate and adapt to an ever changing world in a positive way.
Influencing the beliefs and behaviours of the next generation relies a lot on our own attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. They see everything, and, like little myna birds, they emulate us. So, even if we don’t practice a particular religion, follow a strict spiritual path, or even talk about such things, our personal beliefs and conduct  has great influence. How we communicate, our vocabulary, our actions, how we present ourselves, and even our possessions and home décor provide subtle influences on our children. Same for our choices in music, reading material, and TV/movie/social media choices.
If you are a spiritual person and a parent, you may or may not choose to raise your children in a way that includes your spiritual beliefs. However, if you do, I feel that this model of parenting translates well to a witchy/spiritual path, and could be integrated into a spiritual parenting modality (parenting that focuses on nurturing/nourishing the soul/their character and fostering a relationship with the Divine – whatever that means to you). If you travel this path, you likely understand its duality. The importance of both light and shadow, and how either can be a catalyst for growth. The conscious parenting model is based in self awareness, which includes being aware of our own flaws and personal demons. How we perceive these aspects of self, if we face them, and whether or not we are willing to be open and honest about them can impact how our children do the same.  Both of these parenting modalities remove focus from behaviour management of the child.
I have talked in previous posts about the importance of positive talk in manifestation and spell work, as well as the impact of how we phrase things can have on our own minds and perspectives, but that energy is also passed to our children, both in the moment and  in the long term. Which means, that which we reject, talk negatively about, or dislike about other people and things can have an equally weighted impact on them. While we hope to foster the kind of relationships with our children that would allow them to feel comfortable telling us anything, they don’t always tell us everything. The older and more independent they get, the more they are influenced by sources other than us (social groups, media, etc..), and the less we may know about their personal thoughts and beliefs. As they grow, so too do their personalities, and  there may be parts of them they never show us. If we speak negatively or judge others for things we disagree with or don’t understand, we may be unknowingly passing that negativity or those judgements onto or over our own children.
I believe that both spiritual and conscious parenting (or a combination of both) are parenting models that foster accountability, compassion, acceptance, and understanding, among other good traits. While neither are new parenting techniques, I think we are seeing more parents using them, which says good things to me about the amount of healing and growth we are doing as a collective. While I don’t have a time machine to confirm this, I think (or would like to believe anyway) that it is more of a return to a much older approach to raising a new generation. I, for one, would like to see less of the “Do as I say, not as I do” approach that has been so prevalent in the past.
I would like to add here that, as a parent, I know it can be hard. We are only human, and we all make mistakes. We do our best with the information and skills that we have, and we hope for the best. We too were influenced by the generations before us. There is no judgement here. Just information, opinion, and (hopefully) inspiration.
If you have children, did you raise them as a conscious or spiritual parent? If you plan to be a parent in the future, would you? Do you feel you were raised this way, or would have liked to be? I would love to know.
 

Are you a creative soul? Maybe you are an artist, a writer, a dancer, a podcaster/content creator, a painter, or any number of other creative endeavours. Do you thrive in creation mode, but suffer the highs and lows of the rollercoaster that is inspiration? This weeks post is brought to you by my severe lack of such divine insight. Sometimes, inspiration can hit when you least expect (or can accommodate) it, and other times, no matter how much time and effort you put into your creative work, the inspiration just doesn’t hit right. Usually, I find inspiration in the books I read, videos I watch, or conversations I have with people. This can have mixed results, depending on the week. At times, a lack of inspiration can feel like a curse. You can’t predict when it comes and goes, or what will be your muse in the moment. So what do you do when it seems to abandon you, usually in the moment you need it the most?
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for inspiration loss. It is definitely not something that can be forced. There are times when taking a break and doing something else entirely can provide a helpful reset to get those creative juices flowing. I have found it helpful to put my subconscious to the task, and give my conscious mind a little break on the matter. Other times we may need to try and find it wherever we can; pictures, videos, books, or other people. Maybe we just need to put it out there, asking our guides/the Universe for some help. Whatever we try, patience and a little forgiveness for self is required.
A lack of inspiration can happen for a variety of reasons; many that are out of our control. However, things like stress (whether that is from personal issues, strict deadlines, or something else) , a lack of proper sleep, a lack of self-care, hunger, and outside distractions (work, other people, your phone, day to day life, kids, etc..) can play a big part. Some of these can be fairly easily remedied, while others not so much, especially when they are things beyond our control. While we may not be able to dingle out just one thing that is blocking those creative juices from flowing, we can try and tackle the things that might be the culprit. It never hurts to tick some things off our to-do list while we wait. Lightening the mental load can make room for new ideas.
Something else that might block your creative flow is the energy around you. If it is stagnant or muddy, it could interfere with your inspirational efforts. If you feel this is the case, clearing the energy in your space and surrounding you through cleaning (tidying there space or having a relaxing shower/bath), smudging, or breaking up the energy with sound all can have positive results. Sometimes the more negative energies can accumulate and cling to us, or stay in our spaces, especially ones we tend to spend a lot of time in.  I have made a few previous posts about energy clearing that can provide more detailed ideas, if you would like to go check those out.
Activities that bring you peace and clarity, like mediation, yoga, or even a just a nice cup of tea, can help clear the mind of whatever may be cluttering it. Ultimately, any self-care activity, especially if done with mindfulness, can be beneficial, even if it doesn’t bring inspiration in the moment.
One last thing that comes to mind about inspiration, is cycles. While inspiration itself can come and go in cycles (which may be an interesting thing to track in your journal, if you keep one), other cycles can affect you as well. One of those cycles is the seasons. If you are in tune with the cycles of the seasons, you might be more active in spring and summer, while creative pursuits may dwindle in the fall and winter (or vice versa). The cycles of the moon can also affect your creative cycles, if you are sensitive to them. Our own personal body cycles can also have an affect.
Inspiration can be a fickle thing. It can bring us a flood of ideas, send them in little trickles, or disappear all together for a time. In the end, we creative types depend on it to keep those creative juices flowing and our artistic contributions growing. After all, where would humanity be without art? So what do you use your inspiration for? What inspires you to begin with? What do you think is one thing that hinders your creativity the most? How do you recover from a lack of inspiration? Have you, or would you track the cycles in your life to find the possible patterns?