Pagan Dreams (My Journey to the End of The Rainbow

I will be 28 years old on Samain (Oct. 31). When I looked back on my life, I think it as turned out totally different than expected and planned. Please don't get me wrong. I am well pleased with how my life as turned out to this point. It's just that unexpected is not really strong enough of a word to describe it.

I titled this blog pagan dreams because Wicca and paganism as changed my life and, yes, all of my dreams as well. I grew up as Catholic in a strict religious family. To them any beliefs other than their own was unacceptable. Still, I was curious about other faiths.

I read about Wicca early in my teenage years but it was hard it really understand it. I have always been the type of person who learns better hands on than from a book. Wicca was no different. I was intrigued, however, and wanted to learn more.

I went to University in the United States. It was one of the best experiences of my life and ended up changing my life. I attended Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. I loved every minute of it! I was a social sciences major. There was a guest lecturer who came to campus my junior year. Her name is Anna Caldwell and she is an religious studies expert and also happens to be a Wiccan High Priestess. She is an American lady who just happened to be living in Christchurch, New Zealand (where I am from) at the time. She owned a small Wicca shop and was teaching and mentoring in Wicca.

We talked alot and became very good friends. When I graduated from University and returned to Christchurch, she gave me a job in her shop. I learned everything that I know from her. Anna has really became like a second mother to me.

Two years ago, Anna decided to retire and return to America to be with her family. Before she left she gave me an incredible gift. She gave me her Wicca Shop. Just gave it to me. I was taken aback. No one had ever done anything like that for me and I certainly did not expect it. But Anna insisted that it be mine.

I have to tell you, this shop is what has defined what my life has become. I have met so many incredible people and made such wonderful friends because it. Wicca, and the people who I have met because of my shop, have empowered me to do things that I would never have dreamed of doing when I was younger. Because of them I felt strong enough to ave children as a single mother. I bought a house and a car. Those are major decisions that I would not have been able to make before.

At the same time, it as empowered me to learn more about the environment and to fight to keep nature safe and pure. It has taught me equality and peace as well.

Wicca certainly isn't for everyone, just as other religions are not for everybody. That is what I think is so wonderful about faith in general. It doesn't matter what you believe. The fact that a person has something to believe in is very empowering. I have many friends that are atheists and that is fine for them. But I can't imagine my life without the power that I feel during my rituals and the power that I feel from nature.