Page 2, "The Activist Witch" Walking the Pentacle in Daily Life Your connection to the four elements and Spirit (which is one way to name the points on the pentacle) is another starting place for activism. You can consider each of the five points of the pentacle in turn, and decide on one or more actions you can take to honor each of the points in real life. In this way, you bring your spirituality into everyday life, and activism into your spirituality. The decisions you make on how to honor the pentacle should have meaning and depth for you; that way you will feel joyful doing them, instead of it turning into one more daily chore. Here are a few suggestions to get you starterd (these are the elemental correspondences that I use; use your own when creating your own personal elemental practice): North (Earth): When you go for a walk, bring one of those plastic grocery bags that always seem to be multiplying in your kitchen, and pick up trash. Reduce the waste you put into landfills by recycling, buying products with the least amount of packaging, and if you can, composting. Did you know that even urbanites can compost? You could try "vermiculture", which is an odorless means of composting using a certain kind of earthworm in a bin. For more information, read "Worms Eat My Garbage!" by Mary Applehof. She even has instructions for making an attractive seating bench which cleverly doubles as your compost bin. Feed the compost to your houseplants, give it to friends, or bring it to the park! East (Air): Two directions you could go here. Make the air cleaner in your home by declaring it a no smoking zone. If you smoke, you might decide to honor Air by quitting smoking altogether. Get an air filter for your bedroom, it will help you feel better. Look for ways you are polluting the air in any way and create solutions. If you live in a city, carpool, especially on high smog days. Conversely, you can make yourself more conscious of Air by bringing your attention to it. Burn pleasant incense to honor Air. If it's safe, open your windows and let Air revive and refresh your living space. When the wind kisses your skin, tell yourself it's the kiss of the Goddess. Find out about air quality and what companies are polluting it in your area here:www.scorecard.org South (Fire): Conserve electricity and gasoline by turning off lights and carpooling. Buy energy efficient appliances. Winterize your living space with strip insulation on windows and doors. Install ceiling fans and lower your air conditioning bill by 5 -20% (using the power of Air!). Dedicate youself as a "Fire Safety Witch"...get a fire extinguisher for your home, never leave burning candles unattended, or volunteer at the next Gathering to stay with the bonfire until it is safely out, or to extinguish it thoroughly using water and stirring the coals until they are out. Install a smoke detector and honor the power of Fire. West (Water): Conserve water, especially in areas where there is a deficit.Showers take less water than baths. Use a water conserving showerhead and toilet. The new pressurized air toilets flush just as well as the old huge tank kind! How about drinking more water and less sodas? Good for your body; 98% of your body is water. Find out if their is an activist group in your area targeting water pollution and conservation issues, and go help them. Find out where your drinking water comes from, and whether or not it's healthy. Many state governments have a recommended limit on the amount of fish it's safe to eat out of their waterways, due to pollution of water by heavy metals, PCBs, which are byproducts of various industries. Find out about your state from your Department of Natural Resources. Another good source of information is Physicians for Social Responsibility, www.psr.org Spirit: This includes all of your witchy activities like altar building, ritual and the like. You might also enjoy creating your own ideas for honoring Goddess and God. What does being a witch mean to you? What is the core of your reason for walking this path? For me, it's feeling connected to, and a part of, all creation. Not as an idea in my mind, but a feeling that is bone deep. I share this feeling by leading Dances of Universal Peace, which are a form of moving meditation that transcends talking and can give you a direct experience with the Divine. Find dance meetings near you at www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org One of my teachers has dedicated herself as a Priestess in the Temple of Order, Beauty and Comfort, and has created a home of true hopitality, tranquility and fun.Another mentors forming pagan communities with his skills as a coach, providing encouragement for the group to find its own power. My partner uses his music to honor, talk about, and communicate with the Goddesses and Gods. What talent, skill or focus can you contribute to the world? Everyone has one. |
