Session Start: Thu May 02 12:14:18 1996
* Logging #pathweaving to: [#pathweaving.log]
* Elexa slaps Yemanja with a 
little teeny fish <o->< blip!
> sorri elexa *hide*
<Elexa> And I'm not at all sure 
I can.
<Elexa> Oh...silly me. I just 
started chattering and 
didn't tell you about myself 
and my tradition.
<Elexa> Those of you who visit 
#witchcraft know me as 
Elexa.  Others know me as 
Ellen Cannon Reed.
<Elexa> I've been in the Craft 
about 21 years, all of that 
in the same tradition.
<Elexa> My tradition is Western 
Isian.  We are a Wicca 
tradition that works with 
the Egyptian deities.  
<Elexa> Our main focus is on 
spiritual growth and service 
to the Gods.
<Elexa> By the way, I use the 
term "Gods" in the truest 
original sense of the word, 
meaning a plural of deity.  
It includes both genders as 
the word originally did.
<Elexa> For us, Wicca is an 
initiatory path, a Mystery 
religion, and our students 
are working toward spiritual 
growth (as we all are, of 
course)
<Elexa> Now, what is a personal 
relationships with the Gods?
<Elexa> Think about the relation
ships you have with others--y
our friends, family, sweethea
rts, etc.
<Elexa> I would bet that some 
of you have people in your 
lives that you know the .... 
feel of so well that you 
know when they've entered a 
room, even if you don't see 
or hear them.
<Elexa> That's the kind of 
thing I'm talking about.
<Elexa> Now, I'm also a 'splitte
r.'
<Elexa> I do not see all the 
Gods and Goddesses as separat
e facets of one God and one 
Goddess.
<Elexa> I see them as separate 
and unique individuals.
<Elexa> That view is the result 
of working with the Gods as 
much as I have.
<Elexa> Not having this kind of 
relationship is like trying 
to read a piece of sheet 
music and know what the 
symphony sounds like.
<Elexa> Not having this relation
ship is like hearing muffled 
voices from the other room 
and not being quite able to 
understand what is said.
<Elexa> It's the difference 
between a photograph and 
standing before the actual 
person.
<Elexa> When you work toward a 
personal relationship, you 
gain something almost indescr
ibable.
<Elexa> The Gods become real, 
knowable, almost touchable.
<Elexa> When you have this 
personal relationship, you 
can FEEL that They love you.
<Elexa> You can throw yourself 
on Her bosom and weep if you 
like, or hide in His strong 
arms.
<Elexa> This is more than just 
being able to recite the 
tales from mythology about 
the deities.
<Elexa> It is more than knowing 
how the ancients worshipped 
them.
<Elexa> It is more than recreati
ng ancient rituals.
<Elexa> All of those things are 
good, but they don't give 
you the personal relationship
 of which I speak.
<Elexa> While on occasion it 
does happen spontaneously, 
you usually have to work for 
it.
<Elexa> You have to reach out.
<Elexa> There are many ways in 
which you can do this...each 
depending on you, wht you 
like to do, what works well 
for you.
<Elexa> And you can approach 
the same deities many ways.
<Elexa> I'd start with an altar 
or shrine, with a symbol or 
picture or statue of the 
deity you have chosen to 
learn about.
<Elexa> It needn't be fancy, 
but it should be tended with 
care.
<Elexa> Certainly go ahead and 
learn all you can about the 
myths, and about how the 
ancients worshipped this 
deity.
<Elexa> But that is only the 
beginning.
<Elexa> When you have learned 
what you can, reach out in 
other ways.
<Elexa> I have written songs 
for some of the Egyptian 
deities, and often, after 
the song was written, I felt 
a more personal relationship 
with that God or Goddess.
<Elexa> To tell the truth, 
though, I don't know if I 
was able to write the song 
because I had achieved that 
relationship....
<Elexa> Or got the relationship 
through writing the song!
<Elexa> Someone with artistic 
talent could attempt to 
paint a picture of the 
deity.
<Elexa> The very act of trying 
to create a suitable picture 
would be a reaching out.
<Elexa> Each of you can find 
your own way.  One of my 
favorites, and one of the 
most effective, we call a 
'contact' ritual.
<Elexa> You cast a simple 
circle, have a picture or 
something to represent that 
specific God or Goddess 
visible.
<Elexa> Aloud or in your heart, 
call upon that deity to come 
teach you what He or She 
would have you know.
<Elexa> Then sing out the name, 
any notes, any rhythm, over 
and over, until you feel a 
presence.  When you do, stop 
the chanting, and, in your 
mind, ask the deity what he 
or she wants you to know.
<Elexa> You're not going to get 
a voice from heaven, you'll 
get answers in your head.
<Elexa> You can ask questions--w
e've asked what symbols do 
they like, what stones 
should we use to represent 
them, etc.
<Elexa> We've asked "How shallwe
 call you?"  "What can we do 
in your honor" and so forth.
<Elexa> Do this more than once 
... make notes.
<Elexa> I think you will find 
that once you have felt this 
presence, you will have a 
very different feeling 
toward that deity than you 
had before.
<Elexa> You'll have a relationsh
ip, or the beginnings of 
one...a personal relationship
.
<Elexa> And that, my friends, 
is a glorious thing.
* Elexa waves hands in the air.
* Elexa waggles fingers.
<Brmhilda> ok
<Brmhilda> yaya thanks 
<Brmhilda> are there any questio
ns
<Elexa> Okay, I'm ready for 
questions.
<Brmhilda> or comments?
* Rayn has a easy one
<Elexa> Oh, dear.  I've put you 
all to sleep!
<Gavvin> I think so, give me a 
moment tho
<Brmhilda> that was wonderful 
what if someone has trouble 
staying focused are there 
other things you could 
suggest?
<Rayn> first off, elexa your a 
great teacher..... where do 
you obtain all theses pics 
to use in the calling
<BadAmish> I find plowing the 
field behind my team keeps 
me focused
<Elexa> Ok.
<Loralei> i agree...developing 
a personal relationship with 
various gods/goddesses is 
DEEPly rewarding.....but no 
matter what i do, i still 
feel closer to one than to 
others....somethimes i 
wonder if the God feels left 
out because of my close ties 
with Artemis
<Brmhilda> ok elexa is a bit 
lagged
<Elexa> Thank you, Rayn.  I 
find them various places.  
Depends on who you are 
looking for.
(Leaving)
<Elexa> Let me switch servers.  
I'll brb
<Xina> me is definitelylagged
<Rayn> I am having a hard time 
finding a goddess statues I 
bond with let alone more 
than one...could you use one 
statue and place in your 
mind a diff god/ess
<Rayn> oh thats great I ran teh 
teacher away <g>
<Brmhilda> *sigh*
<Brmhilda> she will brb
<Rayn> {{{{{{{{{{ Battle}}}}}}}}
}}}}
<Gavvin> shame on you Rayn! :)
<BattleAx> Evening... MM
<Loralei> battleax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* Rayn says what the bloody 
hell next....what i sya
<erato> achhoooo]
<BattleAx> RAYN!!!
<Elexa> You'll need something 
to make a difference, Rayn.  
Otherwise there's no purpose 
in using a statue.  What 
deities are you looking for?
<Brmhilda> ok now elexa is back 
lets stay on topic
<Elexa> I don't think this 
server is much better.
<erato> :)
<Gavvin> yes it is
<Brmhilda> well lets just 
muddle thru and see
<Rayn> not sure elexa...I am 
joining a alexandrain coven, 
where do you suggest to 
start?
<Elexa> By the way, I don't 
remember who said it, but I 
can see where plowing would 
be a great focus.
<oolong-> I think that there 
are many different ways to 
become "close" to a God. I 
often simply think of the 
dieties that I feel close 
to. I don't know how I 
initiallly came to their 
attention, but I try to keep 
the link open.
<Elexa> That would depend on 
what dieties your coven 
works with, Rayn.
<Elexa> Oolong, that's certainly
 a start.  But I still 
recommend reaching toward 
that relationship.
<Elexa> If only to show your 
willingness to learn.
<Maya> JBL Statues has some 
great ones, as does CAW 
(both have net sites, too)
<Elexa> That's true, Maya. They 
both have a wide variety.
<Brmhilda> maya i want those 
later :)
<Maya> brm: nod
<Elexa> Some deities can be 
found in your plaster shops, 
too.
<Rayn> well I was told as long 
as I stay in the same ummm I 
need the word...I have to 
keep the god and goddess of 
like trad I guess
<Elexa> Greco-Roman and Egyptian
 are really the easiest at 
those places.
<Xina> Are there any other 
statue producers  out there 
other than Artisans Guild 
who do decent Egyptian 
ones...not looking for 
guilded and gaudy
<Loralei> i already have a 
great relationship with the 
GOddess, but it is the God i 
am having a hard time with...
i usually just contact the 
God when i look for maters 
of justice...
<Maya> rayn: pantheon?
<MoonScrye> Rayn:why the need 
of a phisical representaition
 of the God/desses
<Elexa> Anyone else?
<BattleAx> How about more 
simplistic figures?
<Rayn> yes maya thank you
<Elexa> Lorelei, he is much 
more than that!  He is 
Father, and Uncle, and 
Teacher, and playful brother,
 my friend, and my dearest 
love.
<Elexa> Pick a specific aspect, 
and work with that one.  
That will make your start 
for you.
<oolong-> The last time I tried 
to get close to Isis, an old 
priest appeared and told me 
that I should leave and not 
come back without the proper 
sacrifices. 
<erato> i dont think its so 
much a need.......but some 
work well with physical 
tangible images.....to 
develop more visiual ones....
....
<Elexa> Moonscrye, it helps for 
a focus.
<Elexa> The mind likes images 
to work with.
<Rayn> would ppl like Nimue be 
called a goddess and therefor
 allowing me to seek out 
dieties from the medieval 
period?
<Maya> I find that some ritual 
actions help keep my in 
touch with my relationship 
with my Gods:  For Aphrodite,
 for example, I wear earrings
 (not something I used to 
do)
<Elexa> Oolong, in 21 years 
I've never had anything like 
that happen.  She was there 
for me the first time I 
talked to her, and has been 
ever since.
<Loralei> elexa: nod....i know 
allthe aspects the God 
is.....just not connecting 
as readily...
<Elexa> Very good idea, Maya.
<Elexa> That's why I said to 
pick a specific aspect, 
Loralei.  YOu'll find it 
easier.
<Nightngle> g'night....thanks 
sharing your insights, elexa 
:)
<oolong-> Elexa, you don't have 
to believe me. It happened 
to me, that's all.
<Brmhilda> loralei i di a 
ritual which greatly helped 
my connection with the god
<Elexa> If you only connect 
with the deities that are 
easy, you will miss a great 
deal.
<Loralei> nod elexa i will
<erato> loralei  you should 
call on him before you sleep 
to come to you   perhaps 
meditate on a god image 
beforehand..?
<Elexa> Didn't say I didn't 
believe you, Oolong.
<Loralei> i know this..thanks 
for all the suggestions
<Maya> Lor: I didn't have a 
great connection with the 
God, till I got my third 
degree... it was as though I 
had phases of things that I 
needed to work through, 
first
<Loralei> erato, if i did that, 
id see pan <g>
<Rayn> elexa did you catch my 
question on the medieval 
period?
<erato> and whats wrong with 
that  he is the god i most 
work with...
<Elexa> That's a perfectly good 
deity, Lor!
<Brmhilda> loralei what helped 
me is i had to visualize 
becoming the god and feeling 
his love for the goddess
<Elexa> Yes, Rayn, and I'm not 
sure how to answer it.
<Loralei> interesting, brm!! i 
like, i like!!!
*** Xina has quit IRC (Magick 
takes what She deserves.....a 
lesser heart would lose its 
nerve.)
<Brmhilda> where you asking if 
nimue was a goddess?
<erato> being of the greel 
pantheon myself       i work 
with Pan and Demeter Lora..
<Maya> Now, I ask questions of 
either the God, or the 
Goddess, (or both) depending 
on what kind of answer I'm 
looking for...
<erato> er greek   :)
<Rayn> erato the cards we 
bought...the characters on 
them, are they considered 
dieties?
<Rayn> yes brm
<Loralei> ]erato: i work with 
artemis and apollo, but he 
always takes the back seat 
to his sister
<Brmhilda> rayn yes nimue is a 
maiden aspect
<Elexa> I'm not sure what you 
mean by goddesses of the 
medieval period.
<Brmhilda> she beacme the lady 
of the lake
<BEM50> Bright Bless Elexa 
thankyou for the class:)
<Rayn> elexa please excuse my 
ignorance I am a little new 
to this
<Maya> rayn: check out "Ladies 
of the Lake" by Caitlin 
Matthews
<erato> some of them rayn,......
not the mortal ones  unless 
they transcend to godhood....
..in the myth...
<Rayn> thank you maya
<Elexa> That's all right, Rayn. 
 I'm just trying to understan
d the question so I can give 
the best answer I can.
* Brmhilda loves her gods she 
hugs them and squuezes them 
and never lets them go
<Maya> brm: lol (do you call 
the "George" ? <grin>)
<Elexa> and calls them George?
<Brmhilda> yessssssssssssh!
<Rayn> maya lady in the lakes 
will give me a place to 
start 
<Brmhilda> it is my belife that 
all characters of mytholgy 
are gods
<Maya> Rayn: it is about the 9 
(I think) attributes of the 
Goddess in the Arthurian 
tales
<Maya> brb
<Brmhilda> and even some who 
aren't
<Brmhilda> like the staue of 
liberty
<Elexa> Maya, great minds....!
<Rayn> Oh maya it sounds just 
what I am looking for.....
<Elexa> Shall I do something 
I've done over on #witchcraft
 as sort of an example?
* Rayn looks at brm...did you 
tell her to assign me another 
book?
<Brmhilda> *cackle* 
<Brmhilda> now i have to go buy 
it
<Brmhilda> yes please elexa
<Rayn> hey blue littel late lov
<mystowl> mmm all
<Brmhilda> mm mystolw
<Elexa> Okay.  Can everyone be 
still for a while?
<Rayn> mm mystyblue
<Brmhilda> sure
<Rayn> yes elexa
<Maya> rayn: "Ladies of the 
Lake" by Caitlin and John 
Matthews  isbn 1855380455   
$17.00
* Rayn whispers to elexa "you 
know tyour a good teacher 
when I stay for the whole 
class"
<Elexa> Okay, now, if you can 
see the night sky from where 
you are, all the better, but 
if you can't, just imagine 
it stretched above you.
<Elexa> A midnight dark sky, 
with stars like diamonds 
stretched across it.
<Elexa> Imagine that you see, 
stretched across the sky, a 
Goddess of the night, with 
her feet to the East, and 
her hands to the west.
<Elexa> The stars are jewels on 
her body.
<Elexa> The Milky Way is milk 
from her breasts.
<Elexa> And--oh!  She is lovely.
<Elexa> She has seen all that 
has happened.  
<Elexa> Has given birth to 
children.
<Elexa> Seen them grow.
<Elexa> Seen one son kill 
another.
<Elexa> Seen a daughter seek 
the body of her murdered 
husband.
<Elexa> Seen great magics.
<Elexa> She has known this 
pain, and survived it.
<Elexa> And still she loves....a
nd she loves....you
<Elexa> You can feel that love, 
as you gaze up at her.
<Elexa> You can feel nightsoft 
wings enfolding you, gently, 
protecting.
<Elexa> Others see only sky
<Elexa> When they raise their 
eyes above, raise their 
eyes.
<Elexa> Mother Nut, they are 
blind,
<Elexa> For they see not with 
their hearts but their 
minds.
<Elexa> I can see high above
<Elexa> How you cover all the 
world with your love.
<Elexa> I can see, with my 
heart,
<Elexa> Thou art beautiful to 
see, O Thou art.
<Elexa> ....
<Elexa> ....
<Elexa> ...
<Elexa> This is Nut, Mother of 
the Gods, 
<Elexa> Mother
<Elexa> Grandmother
<Elexa> A cool hand touching a 
fevered forehead.
<Elexa> ....
<Elexa> I hope you might come 
to love Her as I do.
<Elexa> And blow her a kiss 
when you are under the night 
sky.
<Elexa> ....
<Elexa> ...
<Elexa> ..
<Elexa> .
<Elexa> That's all.
<Brmhilda> oh that was absolutly
 lovey elexa Thank you!
<Rayn> wow powerful
<Loralei> wow!
<erato> :)
<Loralei> you got one for the 
god? <;)>
<Shank> beautiful
<erato> ditto
<erato> :)
<Brmhilda> hehe great minds 
loral
<Loralei> <g>
<Brmhilda> laggged :(
<Brmhilda> i think i will start 
a new net
<Brmhilda> call it occult.net 
:)
<Brmhilda> hello???
<Loralei> hello?
<Loralei> is it over?
<Loralei> or is ent split 
starting?
<Maya> brm: I'm here :)
<Rayn> hello back
<Loralei> mp....too lagged
* Loralei waves
<Brmhilda> hmm did she trance 
out?
<Brmhilda> elexa lovey you 
there?
<Maya> net split starting
<Brmhilda> guees not
<Rayn> brmy?
<Brmhilda> damn
<Brmhilda> another lovey night 
on the net
<oolong-> all gone
<Brmhilda> well....
<Brmhilda> i guess it it :(
* Brmhilda plays with maya
<oolong-> Loralei: I'm still 
here
* Maya plays with Brmhilda :)
<Brmhilda> well we can continue 
less formal discussion of 
this on #wicca if you want
<Maya> with only a 62 second 
lag between us, brm!
<Brmhilda> hehehehe
<erato> im here but broom cant 
see me...
<Brmhilda> shit!
<erato> good thing wer in same 
room :)
<Maya> brm: I'm not into that, 
thank you (lol)
<Maya> erato: lol
Session Close: Thu May 02 13:11:05 1996