Learning how to become more spiritual

[steph_ani_jay_ne]

Hello, I am really interested in learning how to become more spiritual and how to be more in touch with myself in all aspects, I want to learn yoga, learn about herbs and plants and how to meditate better and wake up with more joy for life than waking up and feeling confused about my existence. My mother was very magical and spiritual, when I was very young I remember her sat on her bed with a blanket covering her in silence and she always told me about the fairies that lived in the garden and she wrote books about the watersong, she read taro cards and always knew who was coming to knock on the door before they did! What she did, rubbed off on me and now I secretly love things of fairies and magic. But I have never really explored any spirituality as an adult and I think it makes me a bit ill sometimes because of it, I think a lot of people get ill from not allowing themselves to be more aware, just like me.

What I would love to know is, does anyone know of a good starting point, any books? basic things to know, who are the goddesses? How to create an alter? I would really appreciate some ideas as I don't really know anyone to talk to about it.

What I do know from instinct though is that you can create your own spiritual and magical space that is individual and sacred to you but I know there are lots of knowledge and practices that exist that I'm unaware of.

thanks for reading,

peace and joy x

[treewicca]

welcome! i feel my words are a little jumbled today, but wanted to share anyway.

a few years ago now when i felt i needed more spirituality in my life, i felt like it seems you describe you are feeling, and i put it out there one new year and amongst other things i found this forum. and i found what i needed, i feel. i know now there is a community, disjointed as it might be, of people who's base, core values reflect mine. like many, i had been put off spirituality, first by the anglican church i was forced to attend for my first 12 years, and then by new age's soppy version of alternative spirituality. i felt parts of certain religions meant well, but even buddhism to me doesn't quite ring true in some aspects. then i learnt more about the age old religion which these days is called the wisewoman way, and this is what rings true for me. deep respect for Earth, our part in her, our interaction with Her.

it has helped to read certain books ...Susun Weed's writings, especially her comparison of wisewoman, heroic and scientific thought...... When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone validated for me what i already 'knew', and anchored wisewoman roots firmly in pre-history and made more sense of the state of things since. The Red Tent, Vicki Noble's work, there are too many to list .. i think there is a book list on the forum somewhere that lists many too

But mainly it is having my feet and hands in the soil. making medicine from weeds. appreciating water. building community. these are my spirituality in real terms.

so glad to see you here! sounds like your instincts are guiding you well.

[winter11]

Hello!
I to have created a altar and I put a silk scarf down, chakra candles and stones. You can put statues and anything that helps you meditate. It is your own space and its sacred

[forestmother]

I think the first book I ever read that touched me deeply on these subjects is The Spiral Dance by Starhawk.

[Lady Alinor]

It's real hard to say how I got where I am today.
I was raised LDS, but at 8 yrs. old and preparing for Baptism I KNEW I didn't believe what I was having to learn, it took until I was 12 to start rebelling, at 16 I was married off to a man MUCH older than myself and at 18 I LEFT the church. After that I wanted or thought I wanted/needed to believe in the Christian belief system, I studied and tried to force myself to believe, it just wouldn't come. Then I had a breakthrough, my brother took his own life and I discovered what I should have seen a long time before....I am not, I was not, I have never been ...Christian. Such a weight lifted off my soul, the darkness went away.
I got on the Net and started my search and found what Treewicca is talking about, I found Me as Goddess, Me as Maiden, Mother and soon to be Crone, I found Earth Mother (more like SHE found me)...and SHE saved my life.
Besides the Net, I read all of Scott Cunningham's books, and Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon" series (Fiction). I read just about anything I could find about Irish Celtic myths and legends, Norse Saga's, Gods and Goddesses of the Greeks and Romans, Hindu Gods and Goddesses, Native American legends, etc.

I hope that we can help and support you through your journey of Self Discovery.

[Ilume]

Since in your post you mention wanting to incorporate yoga and meditation into your life , maybe you could search out a good yoga class/ teacher or meditation group in your area?

[forestmother]

Beautifully said, Lady Alinor. I have much in common with you. So much of what is my "spiritual" life now is what I have found by looking and feeling deep inside of me. Not a set of beliefs or what anyone is telling me to do, but trusting my intuition and what I know to be real and right.
And, I am about half way through The Mists of Avalon for the first time right now. It is just might be the best book ever!

[Lady Alinor]

Thank You Forestmother...Sometimes the 'spiritual journey' takes years to travel, and the path may disappear or seem to disappear, but if we take/find the right tools we'll never get totally lost.

The movie is great too! Love the Isle, it's buildings and all the herbs hanging from the rafters.

[steph_ani_jay_ne]

Thank you so much for your replies, it makes me feel joyful to know that there is so much possibility just from reading your experiences,
i've noticed good ways for me which have been in touch with nature more and encouraging nourishment through and through
which is so rewarding,

I have made an alter where I have been practicing meditation and yoga, all amulets and stones which are sacred
to me go there too

I am gardening whenever I can which is so fulfilling.

Since the beginning of the year I have noticed that I feel the change of the seasons more strongly then ever before too,
which makes me feel a change inside is beginning to take place.

To be honest its the pressures from the world around us that causes me to question everything so much too, so many I
love want to be rich or have approval from each other and expect it from me too, if im not complying with the money
crazed way of being there is something wrong with me! I know there is not really, I just want to know that I can trust myself enough to
know that it is OK to just...be

But your words have helped me in my start of my long journey already, just to know that others find mother nature and their instincts are good for them too.

x x Thank you x x

Peace and joy x

[Sashamarts]

now I secretly love things of fairies and magic

my only advice is - whatever you do, don't do it in secret! proclaim who you are! shout it out to the trees and the sky and to whoever will listen! i've gotten in the BAD habbit the last few years of keeping ME entirely inside myself- not good. so even if you're not sure what to say, start letting it out anyway, you may find the answer has been with you forever

[Movlin]

It's real hard to say how I got where I am today.
I was raised LDS, but at 8 yrs. old and preparing for Baptism I KNEW I didn't believe what I was having to learn, it took until I was 12 to start rebelling, at 16 I was married off to a man MUCH older than myself and at 18 I LEFT the church. After that I wanted or thought I wanted/needed to believe in the Christian belief system, I studied and tried to force myself to believe, it just wouldn't come.

i, too, was born and raised in "the church". at the age of 12 (also) i looked my mother in the eyes and told her "no". i refused to go anymore. walking into the church made me physically ill and sacrament was the worst. she fought me for a while but i refused to give in. i would rather sit in the woods next to the spring and talk to the trees and water - even at that age. she has since left the lds church as well. it is hard to break fully from christianity, everything in our society is christian based. wether it be for or against, it all revolves around christianity. i have gotten to a place that lets me see the bigger picture - before christianity. the old gods and the earth and the elements....that's where i live.

....I am not, I was not, I have never been ...Christian.

i feel this way too.

blessings
mo

[steph_ani_jay_ne]

my only advice is - whatever you do, don't do it in secret! proclaim who you are! shout it out to the trees and the sky and to whoever will listen! i've gotten in the BAD habbit the last few years of keeping ME entirely inside myself- not good. so even if you're not sure what to say, start letting it out anyway, you may find the answer has been with you forever

Today, with this advice in my mind I went to a shop (very earth friendly place) where it sold lots of daring (daring for me) things that I would of thought of having but was always too scared to actually wear them, but secretly liked them, the sorts of things like very bright dresses, big beaded earrings, pendants, moonstones, feathers...etc, I had some spare money and bought a new outfit that made me feel excited and I'm going to wear it with joy and dance in them as much as want!

I feel like I am crossing a barrier and is making me feel more free!

Thank you so much for the encouraging advice, little bit by little bit I feel progress and feel more capable for self love and that definitely helps others around me too

Peace and joy x

[Sashamarts]

YAY!! i'm so excited for you!! enjoy the journey!

[sundaygirl34]

Hi

I have been feeling this way too recently. I want to be calm peaceful and enjoy everything and understand everything in life. I feel like I have never truely known myself. I have been enjoying yoga, crystals and reiki although I am finding it a bit difficult as i have 4 kids , two of which are babies!! Sometimes it's impossible having the time.
Good luck on your journey xxx

[Lady Alinor]

There are many ways to find time for the 'Spiritual'.
It can as simple as using a special soap in the shower! I have some very special Sandalwood soap that I use when I want to connect to the 'spirit'. I use it for cleansing on the Solstices, Equinox and the other 'Holy' days....Beltane for instance, I share the Sandalwood soap with my husband (I soap him up and he in turn soaps me up...WooHoo!)
Decorating the home for the Holy Days is a great way to involve the children (even the wee ones).
Listening to music while in the shower or while cleaning the house. I like Celtic music, Native American flute and drumming.
"Fairie Celts, A Woman's Voice" is a wonderful CD, it has several female artists.

Little things add up to make a whole spiritual life.