​In Greek mythology there were 9 goddesses, known as the muses, that provided inspiration for literature, science, and the arts. They are said to be the source for the knowledge passed through stories, writing, poetry, dance, and songs, and were worshipped on Mount Helicon. Though it is also said that originally there were only 3 which represented song, practice, and memory, or the three chords of the lyre, depending on where they were worshipped.
While we still refer to someone or something that has sparked our creativity and passion to create as our muse, we don’t really worship or pray to the muses as goddesses like the ancient Greeks did. That said, we still seek out inspiration from sources outside ourselves all the time. Usually in the things that bring us joy, like books, music, art, and even other people. Anything we can perceive with our senses can impel (or compel) us to create, to learn, or simply become passionate about something. It could be a visual thing like an object/picture seen repeatedly, a phrase or song we keep hearing, or something more subtle like a smell or a tactile stimulus that reminds us/makes us think of something. Likewise, anything we do, say, or create can inspire someone else.
Some of what I write about in my blogs is inspired by the books I read, some by good conversation with like minded people, and some topics just pop into my head sort of randomly. Perhaps that is one of the muses whispering to me, maybe it is my intuition/higher self/guides telling me someone needs to read this today, or maybe it is my subconscious trying to get something off its mind. I could not say for certain either way, but I do know that I have been inspired to write these words for you today. The same goes for my books.
Motivation, while not the same as inspiration, can come from the same sort of stimuli. Reading other people’s books often motivates me to continue to write my own, and the music I listen to can motivate me to keep going when I am feeling down or stuck. The difference between them can be thought of as inspiration being  influenced mentally/emotionally for the purpose to create, while motivation is a stimulation designed to cause action towards a particular goal. Both are needed to bring our creative projects to life.
So I guess the questions for today are: Have you ever felt you were inspired by a muse to create something? Have you ever felt someone you know is/was your muse? Has anyone ever called you their muse or told you that you inspired them to create? Do you pray or call out to the muses (or any other deity) when you need inspiration, but seem to be lacking?

​If you are a witch, chances are good you have cast a circle before. There are, of course, different ways to accomplish this. Some are very formal, involving tools, specific words, and even symbols. Some are much more relaxed, using nothing more than one's own body and voice. However you are most comfortable casting when solitary is up to you. When you are casting with a coven, casting can become either a group effort where all, or some, participate, or only one or two members cast regularly. Individual covens must decide what works best for them.
This also goes for when to cast a circle. Whether you are part of a coven or not, a circle can be cast for many reasons. Some people choose to cast one every time they do any kind of magic at all, while some choose only to cast when they feel it is necessary, or maybe they only cast during sacred holidays. Personally, I fall into the middle. I really don’t cast a circle very often, but there is no right or wrong when it comes to this. Not every thing requires a circle, but some people feel more comfortable within one when doing magical work, and some need it be in the right frame of mind to do magic. The point here is that you should never let anyone make you feel bad or “less than” for how you practice, or don’t practice, your craft.
So why do we cast circles? When you cast a circle you are not only creating sacred space, but it is also believed you create a space between worlds. A big reason for casting then is protection and providing a safe space. Not only are we protecting ourselves from possible negative outside forces/interference, but we are also containing and protecting our magical workings while they are in progress. When you are casting the circle, it is common to clear/cleanse the space first. Casting the circle then keeps that space cleansed and ready for whatever work you are doing, like an energetic bubble. As this bubble contains the energy raised during your spell work/ritual, that energy builds inside until it is released all at once, which can raise the potency/efficacy of the spell, especially if one raises a come of power within the circle. This is not always the case. I know some wonderful witches who do amazing work without ever casting a circle.
Have you ever cast a circle before? Are you very ritualized when casting, using tools, memorized invocations, and sigils, or are you more casual; just you and your energy? Do you cast the same every time, or do you cast differently depending on the work you are doing? Inquiring minds would like to know. 

​Today we are going to touch on a bit of Egyptian lore. Something I have always been interested in/attracted to. Obviously, this will be, by no means, comprehensive. Just a simple guide to this popular symbol.
The eye is depicted a lot in Egyptian art and jewelry. Symbolically, it is connected to the gods, and are aspects of power. The Wedjat-Eyes represent the sun (Right - Ra/Re) and moon (Left - Horus). Though, this was not always so, and these associations were not made until much later in Egyptian history. Wedjat refers to the familiar eye symbol used that combines the falcon facial markings that represent Horus with a human eye. The myths surrounding the eyes often have common themes, have feminine aspects (like Hathor, Sekhmet, and Bastet), and describe acts of power, creation, and destruction. Common themes include the loss of an eye, and the eye acting independently (usually in a feminine aspect) to facilitate anything from vengeance to healing.
 
Following the sun/moon Ra/Horus theme, common correspondences are:
 
Ra (Sun God) – Right Eye: the sun, power, violence, destruction, and protection.
Animal aspects include the Cobra (often depicted with the solar disc), and the lioness.
 
Horus (Sky God) – Left Eye: the moon, protection, well-being/healing, offerings (both ritual and funerary).
 
Both of these symbols are used for protection, depending on your needs. Amulets, and jewelry can be bought and worn, or they can be made. Tattoos have also become popular. There is so much more you can learn about the myth and symbolism of the wedjat eyes. I encourage you to google it, or better yet, pick up a book!
Are you, like me, attracted to ancient Egyptian lore/culture? Do you feel a connection to them? Would you use the eye of Ra or the Eye of Horus in your magical practice? 

​If you pick up any self-help, witchcraft, or spiritual practice book these days, one of the first things they will suggest to you is to keep a record of the work you do. Usually this is in the form of journaling, which can be done as a written record or a voice recording. Regardless of what you journal about, or how you do it, records can be important. There are many reasons to keep a journal. Some examples would be:

1. Monitoring your progress for a task or project
2. Keeping track of what does or does not work for you during spell work
3. Remembering dreams so you can analyze them later or see if there are repeating themes/dreams
4. Monitoring your thoughts/feelings during different moon phases and/or seasons
5. Recording your sabbat/esbat celebrations
6. Keeping track of your divinatory insights during readings
7. Noting signs you see so you can interpret them or see patterns as the emerge
8. Remembering things you would like to try when the timing is right for you

Really, you are only limited by your own needs and imagination.  You can journal about anything you want. There are plenty of beautiful journals out there to write down your every thought for almost every budget; or you can make your own if you are crafty.
In my youth I used to keep personal journals (which I still have in storage). Now I mostly keep track of tarot and other divinatory readings that I feel are important, and recipes for oils/balms/tinctures/etc.. that I use. With all the other writing that I do, journaling everything else seems a bit much. If I kept a journal for every psychology and spiritual book I read I would have hundreds of them laying around by now.
That said, not everyone likes to write, or to keep a written record of their practices, let alone their thoughts and feelings. Journaling can seem more like a chore than a helpful tool if you don’t like to write. Sometimes we just jot down a few notes in a notebook or make a sticky note so we don’t forget, and that is perfectly OK. Personally, I have notebooks all over my house that I use to keep track of things I need/want to remember later. I wish I could say I was more organized than that about it, and I guess it is kind of an organized chaos, but that is just how it works for me. Whatever works for you is what you should do.
So the question is, are you a stickler for writing everything down? Do you like keeping a written record at all, or do you prefer to write down only the essentials? What is your writing/record keeping style?