Witch and Sacrifice

[CelticGypsy]

 

I've been dwelling on how much sacrifice a Witch does in the daily commings and goings of a Path life. How much time is geared for working a spell for a benefit of oneself or another. Taking time out of a daily routine or ritual, because of a need or event in another Witch's life calls for a sacrifice. Putting aside without complaint, those things that effect the Witch due to the circumstance.

 

I was hard core selfishly motivated, due to exhaustion when I cast that spell regarding the potato hurled into the Lake.

 

But yet I sacrificed sleep in order to do it, as I wanted a concrete outcome. Paid for that the next day, a couple of days later, my outcome manifested.

 

Witch's sacrifice many things besides just time, we sacrifice our flesh with a lance to garner blood, we sacrifice being outside and harvesting herbs because of frost/torrential rain/ tornado's are comming, we sacrifice the easy road, for the hard Path we are connected to. We are not just in this for a Nature good feeling while being outside, we are in this for the connection to something we've allied to. We don't just pick up leaves to dress up our homes, we pick up leaves to learn something from the benefactor that gave us the leaves. Witchs that have a profession outside of their lives, sacrifice and need to set aside time for thier working and aligning with thier Path/Journey, as well as Witchs in college or higher learning. Witchs who have been dealt a medical blow that they have to address on a daily basis, they sacrifice to achieve a continuing growth on their Path/Journey.

 

Witchs give up a personal something of value for the sake of something of greater importance, I believe.

 

Regards,

Gypsy

Edited September 20, 2013 by CelticGypsy

[Evergreen47]

I whole-heartedly agree, CG! Beautifully said. I know we talk a lot about intent in the craft, but perhaps it's really the sacrifice that solidifies our intent, makes it real, and brings about our will in the working.

 

 

Voted way up!

[ejfinch]

As usual, very eloquently said, CG! I, too, agree with this. There is often a sacrifice of personal relationships, as well. Those in our lives who do not understand, or even vilify, our paths. It's all worth it, though, and I wouldn't change a thing. Interesting topic!

[Guest Sage Stonepath]

Thank you. I agree. I think the 3 most sacrificial things for a Witch: 1. Self. 2. Time. 3. Friends/Family

[Wytchywoman]

CG

 

Thank you for writing such a beautiful piece on a witch and their sacrifice. I've been feeling moody all day, totally drained, and reading that was like reading an inspirational piece. :)

 

Speaking of feeling drained, that is yet another thing we sacrifice, expending quite a bit of energy at times. Sometimes after casting a spell I feel so infested with energy I have a hard time sleeping, and am all hyperactive. Other times, I feel so drained that it takes practically a couple of days to recharge my batteries.

[CelticGypsy]

 

 

Thank you. I agree. I think the 3 most sacrificial things for a Witch: 1. Self. 2. Time. 3. Friends/Family

Good to see you ! Glad to see you are still among us. You are right, in my dwelling on this particular subject, I've thought of how Witchs put aside value of their day to assist or enable another. Albeit, just taking into account by lighting a candle when prompted for another, and actually ministering to that candle, while the rest of the day fills up with every day doings. Putting aside what you ( general not personal ) as a Witch would be rather doing, to enhance your personal Path.

I also believe that a Witch who has scheduled a time, should be healthy selfish and honor themselves with that time FOR that working. A Witchs thought process goes beyond the mental conception of it, in my opinion. The " Oh I'd like to try that, or that's resonates with what I'm thinking too "... well..... carve out some time to put the action behind the thought process. Being healthy selfish for yourself, and tossing that guilt to the side.

Don't be concerned of how you " could of " take note of...... " why you did ".

Sacrifice always has a price. It's what you do with that, and turn it into the investment of yourself to your Path/Journey. If I'm being healthy selfish regarding my Path, that is okay, there are plenty of Witchs who will pick up the request, and channel their energy for another, I don't let guilt keep me from daily intercourse of what I know of myself and how my Path works, and how much effort I personally put into it. My Path is my Teacher and My Teacher has a relationship with this Student.

Regards,
Gypsy



  Edited September 20, 2013 by CelticGypsy

[ruby]

Voted that up too! Being a witch is definitely a hard path that takes dedication and sacrifice. Nice, CG! Have a good one!

[Gramayr]

Voted that up too! Being a witch is definitely a hard path that takes dedication and sacrifice. Nice, CG! Have a good one!

+1 to that.

 

It can take it out of you in so many ways but also gives it back in so many more.

It can leave you feeling drained and tired but its a good feeling, satisfying, satisfying in the respect that it gives you a positive mental attitude towards your goal.

It can also be hard when you 'do what is necessary, not what you desire' as a similar quote by a peer (iirc) said 'I did what I had to do, I didn't say I had to enjoy it'.

[EarthyMe]

Love this post. A perpective written so elegantly.

[LadyShalott]

Beautifully written and expressed...

[The Exile]

.

 

Very well said Celtic Gypsy !

 

.

[Panis_Ramey]

Witch's sacrifice many things besides just time, we sacrifice our flesh with a lance to garner blood, we sacrifice being outside and harvesting herbs because of frost/torrential rain/ tornado's are comming, we sacrifice the easy road, for the hard Path we are connected to. We are not just in this for a Nature good feeling while being outside, we are in this for the connection to something we've allied to. We don't just pick up leaves to dress up our homes, we pick up leaves to learn something from the benefactor that gave us the leaves. Witchs that have a profession outside of their lives, sacrifice and need to set aside time for thier working and aligning with thier Path/Journey, as well as Witchs in college or higher learning. Witchs who have been dealt a medical blow that they have to address on a daily basis, they sacrifice to achieve a continuing growth on their Path/Journey.

 

Witchs give up a personal something of value for the sake of something of greater importance, I believe.

 

Regards,

Gypsy

 

there is that old saying everything has a price, reading this has defiantly put that in perspective for me . I think you just answered a philosophical question I asked myself recently.

[Athena]

That's lovely and since I finnaly found the +1 button I used it lol.

[Cam]

I've been dwelling on how much sacrifice a Witch does in the daily commings and goings of a Path life. How much time is geared for working a spell for a benefit of oneself or another. Taking time out of a daily routine or ritual, because of a need or event in another Witch's life calls for a sacrifice. Putting aside without complaint, those things that effect the Witch due to the circumstance.

 

I was hard core selfishly motivated, due to exhaustion when I cast that spell regarding the potato hurled into the Lake.

 

But yet I sacrificed sleep in order to do it, as I wanted a concrete outcome. Paid for that the next day, a couple of days later, my outcome manifested.

 

Witch's sacrifice many things besides just time, we sacrifice our flesh with a lance to garner blood, we sacrifice being outside and harvesting herbs because of frost/torrential rain/ tornado's are comming, we sacrifice the easy road, for the hard Path we are connected to. We are not just in this for a Nature good feeling while being outside, we are in this for the connection to something we've allied to. We don't just pick up leaves to dress up our homes, we pick up leaves to learn something from the benefactor that gave us the leaves. Witchs that have a profession outside of their lives, sacrifice and need to set aside time for thier working and aligning with thier Path/Journey, as well as Witchs in college or higher learning. Witchs who have been dealt a medical blow that they have to address on a daily basis, they sacrifice to achieve a continuing growth on their Path/Journey.

 

Witchs give up a personal something of value for the sake of something of greater importance, I believe.

 

Regards,

Gypsy

 

Great post Gypsy!

[Crystal]

This post really resonates with my Gypsy. Thank you for writing it so well.

 

Living somewhat "off the grid" (we have do electricity!- so off grid is not a completely accurate term) I am constantly busy. There is rarely a moment that I have nothing to do. (I'm sure we all feel this way, but there are times I selfishly remember my younger years, before family, where I could just be, or read or write...or just think and ponder) I rarely have the alone time to spell cast in ways I might envision, and often work it into the mundane. I get drained very easily and quickly this way, but I'm lucky to have a family that understands I probably shouldn't be interrupted when I am hiking in our forest, or moon gazing. It's my re-charge time. You've made me realize that rarely is my craft self serving. (A few times, but rarely). And that's okay, it's who I am, but definitely important to occasionally do for the witch as well. :thumbsup:

 

(Rarely self serving is an oxymoron... obviously I am happier if my family is well, I am happier when our crops have done well...ect....but you know what I mean.)

 

In a way, your post has helped me move through the occasional, "Can I just have a moment when there isn't something pressing to do?" self pity party, to seeing it as sort of a ....payment isn't quite the right word.....perhaps, a required exchange? (Which might sound negative, but actually speaks to me in a good way.)

[Roanna]

This post really resonates with me from personal experience. At the time of writing my first novel I became ....for want of a better word.......completely obsessive. I was sleeping four hours a day and I just let everything else in my life ebb away. I nearly lost my marriage and my job and my health took quite a bashing. But what I was completely unprepared for were the effects of failing to put the effort into my magical and spiritual health. I had been (and am now) accustomed to regular grounding, meditation, siphoning off my negativity, taking time to myself, constructing protective shields. I had taken excellent care of my spiritual health and developed several regular rituals and routines that work well for me. But when I failed to make the sacrifice, to take the time I needed for my craft I became quite ill and very depressed.

 

Luckily that part of my life is over now. When I eventually finished the novel I picked up all my practices again and slowly returned to being somewhat of a well balanced witch. But it was a real wake up call for me. It made me understand that I cannot pick and choose when I practise my craft, I cannot just push it aside for a flavour of the month whim and expect there to be no consequences from doing so. It really brought home to me how much I get back from the carefully constructed practices I follow on my path as a witch and how much I rely on them to maintain my own strength and "functionality" in the real world.

 

(I learned my lesson btw. No matter what erotic shenanigans my hero is up to in book two, I take the time to firmly put him down and dedicate my time to my craft. My book is a fantasy, my health isn't.)

[emily]

This is a awesome read ,some very good points

[Wexler]

Americans value hard work. We see self-sacrifice as being a vehicle which leads to self-improvement. When someone can prove that they have worked hard, they are given respect.  And when you work hard you necessarily sacrifice something; willpower, energy, time, and even relationships or health.

 

I find it very interesting that some people who live in this culture are willing to buy in to spiritualities that promise huge rewards with no risk and little to no personal sacrifice. For example, historically Christianity has demanded huge amounts of self-sacrifice - humbly devoting your mortal life to God under strict rules - in order to receive the reward of Heaven and eternal life. Today, some Christian denominations preach that God wants to give you everything (wealth, success, power), and all you have to give him in return is prayer and faith, and perhaps nominal donations to the church.

 

In any other area of life, if we were offered a deal that was too good to be true, most sensible Americans would recognize it as being a scam. But because people don't believe that mysticism follows the rules of our universe, they believe they can receive amazing metaphysical gifts for little or no investment.

 

When I started trying to turn myself in to a proper Witch, one thing I really struggled with was making my path a part of my everyday life. I saw Witchcraft as being in one universe and my life as being in another. It was hard for me to make progress because my path was unrelated to my 'real' world. As I began to tie Witchcraft in to my everyday life, I became more and more realistic about it. Instead of seeing Witchcraft as a mythical power that didn't follow the rules of reality, I began to see it as a fundamental tool that follows the laws of our universe. Instead of thinking Witchcraft was a substitute for hard work (hey, I had a lot of misconceptions to work through...) I saw it as being a skill that required hard work to master. Because I changed my belief that the magical world is separate from real life, I realized the reality that self-sacrifice is necessary to progress on my personal Path, just as self-sacrifice is necessary to advance in any aspect of life.

 

In real life, we recognize that things acquired cheaply have little value. I think that if someone accepts Witchcraft is a part of our world and not an escapism fantasy, they also have to accept that it has little value until the price is paid. You cannot get something from nothing.

[RoseRed]

As I began to tie Witchcraft in to my everyday life, I became more and more realistic about it. Instead of seeing Witchcraft as a mythical power that didn't follow the rules of reality, I began to see it as a fundamental tool that follows the laws of our universe. Instead of thinking Witchcraft was a substitute for hard work (hey, I had a lot of misconceptions to work through...) I saw it as being a skill that required hard work to master. Because I changed my belief that the magical world is separate from real life, I realized the reality that self-sacrifice is necessary to progress on my personal Path, just as self-sacrifice is necessary to advance in any aspect of life.

 

 

 

This is beautiful.

[Wexler]

I think this topic may be timely for some.

 

I think it is useful to see current hardships as a sacrifice willingly given instead of something you are forced to undergo.

 

I like CelticGypsy's original point -

 

 

Witchs give up a personal something of value for the sake of something of greater importance, I believe.

 

I find that focusing on the bigger picture is also helpful, to understand that these things probably have a purpose, even one we may not be able to understand.

[Horne]

Great topic! Nothing in life is really for free, as I see it, and you just can't expect to take anything without giving back, or having given in advance. Any relationship, any engagement in a certain cause, any working towards a desired outcome needs input, dedication, and maintenance, whether it's in the form of material things, actions or time. 

[travsha]

Doesnt feel like sacrifice to me - as I always receive more blessings then the work I put in.  There is a balance.  I have also built my practice in a direction that fits with my joys, passions, and lifestyle: I like gathering herbs, even in the cold weather, and I like the style of ritual I do.  I never feel more peaceful and content then when I do some hearty ritual.  

 

There is some sacrifice for sure though.  Sometimes I have to fast for a while - always worth it, but not always easy.  Some medicines I work with can also be rough on the body, and sometimes you have to confront some crazy fears to move ahead on your path....  But it all comes together in great ways in the end.  I couldnt imagine a different life.

[Izzie]

Bump. Excellent topic; it's been on my mind lately. I sacrifice time and other mundane things for spell work, research, and spiritual health. Sometimes it takes a lot out of me, but it's worth it.

[Belwenda]

But is it enough? That's the question! And sometimes the sacrifice isn't evident initially..it comes later.... :crystal-gazing:

[TobaccoFlower]

To me, the idea of a "sacrifice" is more of a "trade." Certainly, you give something up in witchcraft, in many forms: time, effort, blood, bone, sanity (ha) - but this is in order to trade for something else - gain, strengths, truth, sight.... While the resulting thing which we receive may seem like it is more valuable than what we gave up, perhaps it is not - perhaps it is of equal value to whatever is taking that sacrifice. For example, giving energy to an outside force in return for an answer to something - perhaps the energy given is not as needed by us, but is needed in order to keep something else in balance from what we take?

 

I think the idea of sacrifice is not only necessary but often times, cordial. Much of witchcraft is the relationships we keep - with each other, with the dead, with the land, with the energy which surrounds us. I believe it is necessary to keep on good standing with those forces and beings, and sacrifice is part of the deal.

 

However, I have been putting a lot of thought into sacrifice as a sort of "fuel" as well. For example, if I do a working and make an offering/give a gift, and it is not enough, I find that often times something is taken from me to make the portion of the working which I give more equal to the thing which I will receive. I recently wondered in this scenario, is my puny offering considered "rude" since more had to be taken from me, or is it part of the payment to keep things in balance and thus acts almost like a force of physics (what goes up must come down, so if you shoot to the stars expect to have to use enough fuel to actually reach the stars)? Hmm...