Spring is the time of rebirth, when the earth begins returning to life with an abundance of babies, blooming flowers, and a sudden burst of decorative eggs. The theme of rebirth and renewal is found everywhere we look and it’s that energy I want to invoke this March. However, before we can even begin that journey, I feel it’s important to take a moment to pause and get reconnected as it’s within that reconnection that you’ll find inspiration, a sense of groundedness, and a desire to press forward.
Many people find themselves feeling disconnected and even within what some have dubbed a “spiritual funk” during the cold winter months since there’s little sunlight and its difficult to make the trek outside. We begin seeing our spiritual lives as being entirely separate from our mundane lives instead of something that actually permeates everything that we are and everything we do. We are spiritual beings at all times and its through our spirit that we always contain that beautiful and sacred connection to our Creators, however one views that. For me, it’s that deep rooted connection that will forever teether me to the Great Mother and Father who I’ve known for lifetimes, even if my human ego mind never did. They’ve always been with me and that connection will remain until I cross into the Summerland and even after then.
We get so limited by our ego’s perspectives, so clouded over by the focus on the physical plane, that we can very easily lose sight of it. In those times, I believe our spirit is still connected but we just aren’t tuned in. It’s about having a conscious and intentional presence and union with the Divine. We want to be reminded that we aren’t alone, that we aren’t walking this journey by ourselves which can be challenging in our flawed ego perspective.
I found that this was perhaps my biggest struggle when I came home to Paganism that while we have all of nature, as we have our altars and sacred spaces, it can be easy to fall into those slumps and even more of a challenge to rise out of them. I have looked at some of my friends who had such a faith within their religious beliefs, who devotedly read their holy books and found solace and comfort in the words, wishing I could have a sliver of that unshakable faith. That unmoving faith that remains steadfast, even when life goes to hell. Mind you, it’s only when I’m in the deepest grasps of a spiritual slump and I even find myself growing envious over other Pagans and Witches who seem to always have it together.
That’s the key word by the way—seems. No one is perfect and it’s important to keep in mind that social media is a cesspool of comparison where we strive for their highest points to be our lowest. We want to do just as much as they are but strive for even more—ambitious, no?
We end up seeking that sense of rapport and communion when really we need to pause and turn within. Before we can seek the Divine externally, it helps to connect with the Divinity that is present within all of us already. Why? I personally believe it helps remind us of that inseparableness, that deep rooted connection that formed long before this lifetime, and reminds us why we even can approach and seek out the Divine. We are part of Them as They are a part of Us.
I actually have a blog post that talks about this a bit more in detail, called “And if you wish to know me” which is a line from Dorreen Valiente’s Charge of the Goddess which you can find here.
In my hopes of not wanting to hark on a point, spiritual beings never actually lose connection to their Source. We just forget about the connection.
If we want to spin this positively, spiritual slumps allow us the opportunity to gain new inspiration, to breathe new life into our paths and practices, and seek out new concepts and experiences. We are forced out of our comfort zone, if you will, because the old way of doing things isn’t producing results.
An issue I have found I have a tendency towards is a sense of lack which leads to self-doubt. As someone who struggled between choosing either of two religious paths, who found solace, peace, and empowerment within both, it was times of disconnect from one that I would run into the arms of the other as it gave me that breath of fresh air. It wasn’t until I fully recognized the other religion was not for me that I stopped and really began reflecting on what my beliefs were, what felt like home, and even where was their lack?
It can be such a beautiful period of introspection and meditation but for the most part, we’re too swept up in the judgement, embarrassment, comparison, and lackluster that we aren’t open to that objective view.
And when I say “lack” I don’t mean of spiritual connection as it’s always there. Instead I mean that conscious and mindful connection. For me, lack meant a lack of time, of commitment, and of confidence. I believed that I just didn’t have time throughout my day to schedule in my spiritual practice, hence the lack of commitment since I wasn’t given it it’s proper due. I wasn’t making it a priority and yet our spiritual connection ought to be of our highest priorities. If I'd actually allowed myself to delve deep and not remain on the most superficial level of questioning, I would've realized that my self-doubt stemmed from my lack of priorities.
This period of questioning can be uncomfortable for many people, especially, if like me, you believed that being home meant you’d never feel that disconnect ever again. That you’d never have any issues again but even in physical homes, everything isn’t always honky-dory. There’s always issues that will arise so why would a spiritual practice be any different? The crucial advice I could offer is to not judge the questioning, not be ashamed of the lack of practice, as it happens.
When I was converting, I told my Rabbi that I was questioning my belief in God, and if I believed there was a God at all, to which she replied, “To be a good Jew is to always question.”
That struck me as I'd always assumed blind faith (or more appropriately, total faith) was mandatory! When I got home and began my conversion reading, I was guided to the story of Yaakov (Jacob) who wrestled with the angel of God and thereby earned the name Yisrael (Israel) which was then given to the people of Israel. Essentially it means “wrestled God” or “prevailed with God”.
Either way, it struck me that sometimes it’s only through that internal struggle (which yes, his was supposedly a very physical struggle) that we grow and evolve.* If we never questioned anything, if we continued doing only what we started out doing, we would never make any progress.
I wanted to really drive this point of questioning because for me that ended up being the biggest issue—one I didn’t recognize for the longest time and refused to do. There was doubt in my mind because if this was home, why did I feel this lack? Why did I find it so difficult to get up and do any sort of ritual? To no longer feel that deep rooted reverence towards nature and the Mother? I no longer felt the Mother’s warm embrace or the strength of the Father. My individual deities seemed to have retreated back to their homelands, leaving me stranded and isolated. Surely I wasn’t a good or proper witch to have felt this way, right?
It’s okay. It happens!
That’s why I wanted to share with you some methods and activities I have found that rekindle that spark of connection and allow me to rejoice in the communion between Spirit and I. To partake once again in that glorious dance of creation and bond with my Gods.
Tomorrow I will share a meditation with you to help reground and open you back up to that connection. I was going to do it today but quite honestly, this recording became a lot longer than I’d originally planned!
These activities are very simple as I’m not a complicated person and find that sometimes the more complex a ritual, the more likely we’re to get swept up in doing everything “right” and following all of the steps instead of being present.
Ways I Use To Rise Out Of A Spiritual Funk
Spend time in nature, if at all possible
If weather is permitting, something as simple as a five minute walk can not only \
improve our mood but allow us to begin reconnecting to nature. While walking, allow
your senses to explore. Get grounded and be present.
Listening to Birdsong
I don’t know what it is exactly but there is something uplifting and beautiful about
birdsong so if I just close my eyes and listen, I can transport myself through
meditation to a sunny warm place and connect that way. Plus it's very evocative of
springtime.
My favorite video can be found here.
Meditation
As I mentioned above, you do not have to physically get outside to connect with nature
and meditation is a great way to transport yourself outside into your preferred
environment
Read
Either pick up a new book on a concept that interests you or even revisit old favorites as
you never know what you might notice that you missed before! Likewise, sometimes
this will remind you of that spark, of that excitement, and instill it back into you.
Watch Youtube Videos
I have found great inspiration in YouTube videos when I felt so disconnected but if you
find yourself prone to comparing your path to theirs, perhaps this won’t be the best step
for you.
Sit in a dark room with a single lit candle
There’s something magickal and mystical about candles and nothing seems to
showcase that more than a single white lit candle. You can even make this into a
spell by charging the candle to help re-spark that excitement and desire for your path.
Burn some incense
Scent is such a beautiful way to invoke inspiration and renewal. You may even decide
to cleanse yourself and your house with incense, using either Sage, Palo Santo,
Rosemary, Frankincense, Lemongrass, Etc..
Deconstruct your altar and reconstruct it
Sometimes that funk is because you need to shift things around, that you’ve become
too comfortable, which is why completely taking apart your altar, cleaning it, and
resetting it can be of great help! Our altars can easily become cluttered which causes
the energy to become dense and heavy which can actually amplify our feelings that we
are undergoing.
I would suggest that while putting tools back, focus on what they are meant to
represent and tune into the energy of the element they're associated with.
Journal
This is good for if you find yourself questioning and the most important part to
remember is not to judge yourself. Remember my Four Requirements of Rebirth?
Inspiration, Courage, Compassion, and Forgiveness?
Watch some Witchy Movies
I know this is going to sound absolutely absurd to many people but there’s a reason we
were drawn to those movies growing up and even into our adulthood. Why we're drawn
to the archetype of the witch. While the magick in those movies isn’t real, that mindset
and reminder that we hold the power over our lives is huge! It's that limitless potential
so no, I'm not being superficial. ;) Plus its fun!
Call upon the Goddess or God for Guidance
Talk to your Deities and ask for advice. For many people who left Organized Religion, by
that I mean the Abrahamic Faiths, prayer can be uncomfortable and surrounded by
negative connotations. And I'm not discrediting their experiences. I simply believe that
prayer can be our most underutilized tool. Speaking from the heart, without pretenses or
concerns of doing anything "wrong" like we may find in ritual, can allow us to reach the
Gods when other actions don't. Plus, it's easy and can be done anywhere--mentally and
physically.
Listen to some meditational/dance music that resonates with you.
If you follow an Egyptian pantheon, put on some Egyptian music. If you’re more Celtic
in your practice, choose something Celtic. So on and so forth. Music has a magick all
its own. So, turn it on and allow it to resonate and resound within your entire being,
within every cell. Dance if you want.
Incorporating aspects of your old path
If you’re like me and find yourself in that questioning stage and keep returning to
things from your old religious practices, why not find ways to incorporate them into
your present practice? While there are certain beliefs and concepts that make
Paganism, Witchcraft, and Wicca what it is, I do feel that it’s also a very individual
practice which means if it works for you, then it doesn’t matter what others say.
For example, I loved making my own Challah and wearing headscarves (even though I
wasn’t married). My Rabbi told me that anyone can make Challah and headscarves
are found throughout history in different religions. So, for sabbats I will bake Challah
and try to make it in shapes that correspond with the holy day. During rituals, I’ll wear
headscarves. Sometimes when I’m doing Tarot Readings, I’ll wear them too as they
help me stay centered and stop focusing so much on the external world. It’s hard to
explain but it allows me to ground in my body and stay focused.
These are definitely probably not tips you’ll see others talking about, and some of them are, but that’s because I don’t want to repeat the same suggestions that others give as you can readily get that information from them. Instead these are ways that I have found remind me of my magick, of my connection to Spirit and the Gods, and helps me tap back into that communion with them.
Brightest of Blessings,
Britany | The Heart-Centered Hexe
*My interpretation of a Biblical Story*
Podcast Episode
You can catch the podcast episode of this blog post here.
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