I gave thanks today

[champagnesupernova]

Today I feel very at-peace.

I'm not sure how you go about giving thanks to the divine but I figured If i did what i felt like i should do, it would make things more personal. After all, i usually keep to myself about religion and such, because i feel like it's only between me and the gods to know. Of course i know it's not bad to share, i just don't feel comfortable as of now sharing it.

So i thought of a place i felt happiest, and at night time I walked to a little body of water down where i live. I brought some tea, an incense, an orange candle, salt, cookies, and a necklace with a ram on the front.

I sat cross-legged on the sand and poured the salt around me. I carved a pentagram into the orange candle. I chose the orange candle, because one of it's meanings is 'strength' and that's part of what Wicca has given me so far.

I lit the orange candle, and then lit an incense from the candle and stuck it in the dirt.

I closed my eyes and began to breathe deeply and meditate, feel the nature around me and smell the air. I wasn't sure what to say at first, and needless to say i was a bit frightened (snapping turtles and alligators could have leaped out at me any moment, really - i live in florida!) but i just sat there and after a while i began to pour my heart out to the gods. I thanked them for giving me strength and peace in my life, and i asked for acceptance and guidance. I was still a bit afraid so i chanted something i found off this site,

"May the arms of Great Mother ever surround me
May the arms of Great Mother ever surround me
I invoke the protection of Mother Divine's embrace
I invoke the protection of Mother Divine's grace
May the arms of Great Mother ever surround me
May the arms of Great Mother ever surround me,"

Almost immediately my fright vanished and i felt very safe and happy to be there. I opened my eyes and offered cookies i made today, and poured the tea into two wine glasses and offered those, as well.

The winds began to blow very hard and I just felt so much positive energy. After a while i gathered some of my things and left my offerings there, and as i walked home it began to sprinkle which made me very happy to say the least (:

I'm not sure if i did things "right" according to the process of giving thanks, but i'm not sure why that would matter. I just did what felt right to me and had the best intentions throughout. Like i said, i wish for Wicca to be very personal, between me and the Gods, and doing things my way seems to be the best option.

I just felt like sharing this because I'm very happy to have Wicca in my life and I feel very, very good right now. Blessed be!

[Greek_Male_Witch]

Thanks for sharing!

[Starwitch]

Yes, you definitely did it right. As you've already realized, there's really no "right" way to be spiritual and connect to Spirit. People make suggestions based on what's worked for them in the past. That's what all spells and rituals are, something that worked for another person or group of people. It doesn't mean you have to do it their way or that you're doing it wrong if you improve upon it by making it your own. I think what you did was perfect. It sounded like a beautiful experience. In fact, it's rituals like yours that I'd love to fill my whole website up with. The technical spells that tell you to do this or that, but they don't give any advice on how to actually connect to Spirit... those aren't anywhere near as good as what you've done.

[wiccawitchgirl]

i know what you mean i live in Florida as well thanks for sharing!