Solitary: A Self-Directed Spiritual Life

Let's talk. Come sit with me under a tree or by a lake while we chat about being alone in our practice and our beliefs. Solitary practitioners choose this path for many reasons and have a unique perspective. As a solitary witch, I want to share how I keep true to my beliefs and practices whether I'm working on my own, in a small group or attending a large group gathering. Author of Moon Affirmations, meditations based on the phase of the moon.

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Eileen Troemel

Eileen Troemel

As a solitary, I consider myself a pagan witch who is seeking. Residing in rural Wisconsin, by day I work as a clerical worker and at night I spend my spare time writing. Writing is my way of expressing my feelings about my world and life. Raised on a farm, I have a love for nature and am inspired by the beauty and power I find there. I've been married for 33 years and have three adult daughters. Some of my other interests include cooking, genealogy, reading and crocheting.  
Equal and Opposite Reaction

Newton's third law says something to the affect of for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  This has been bouncing around in my head for weeks now as I'm trying to figure out how this applies to karma or the good vs evil beliefs.  

Here are the questions I keep asking which I'm not sure I have any answers for or that anyone would have answers for.

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Curse of the Black Thumb

Spring has sprung and people are starting to talk about their gardens.  Mother Earth has banned me from her garden.  She has issued a restraining order which the plant police definitely enforce at every opportunity forbidding me to touch plants.  I grew up on a farm so you would think I should be able to grow things.  But literally every house plant I have ever tried to grow has died.  I even killed some lucky bamboo.  There goes my karma.  If my life depended on it, I could not tell the difference between sage or oregano.  I love plants.  They bring me peace.  Flowers make me smile every time I look at them.  But grow them?  Nope – strictly forbidden.

What is a plant killer like me doing to have plants in or around my house?  My salvation for having plants in the house is my husband who has a very green thumb – usually.  Of course if a plant dies then I get the blame.  While you don’t have to marry someone with a green thumb, my first suggestion is cultivate a relationship with someone who will help you with your plants.  In addition to my husband, I have two sisters who are very good at growing things both indoors and outdoors.  When I have questions about plants or need suggestions, I go to these experts first.

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Seeking Inner Calm

In my day job, I've been struggling with a few issues.  The stress has been higher than normal making me fall into old bad habits.  I'd love to say I recognized this immediately and countered it but of course I didn't.  I got in a rut.

As I recognized (finally) what I was doing and the rut I'd been spinning my wheels in, I returned to techniques I knew worked.  Stress is bad for my gout.  It makes it flare up and cause me a great deal of pain.  

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Balance of Energy

The days are getting longer.  Even if the weather is still winter, I can start to see the energy of spring building as we step forward day by day.  My day job is at a university so the new semester has started and the insanity in my day job is stressful and chaotic.  This reminds me of the energy spring brings.

Spring season is all about new beginnings, fresh starts, and moving forward.  In my way of doing things, I’ve considered over winter what is important, what I need to work on.  I may have (very likely have) made a to do list of what I need to do for my goals – what the next steps will be.  

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An It Harm None

An it harm none, do what ye will

This is the Wiccan Rede.  According to Marian Green in "A Witch Alone," an is Old English meaning In order that; will means you soul's own true will; and none means no one and nothing.

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Winter Reflections

The dark of the year.  We light it up with holiday decorations and strings of lights.  How do we light up our dark corners and determine our next steps?  If you’re in the northern hemisphere, you may be dealing with cold, snow, and inclement weather.  Mother Nature pushes indoors, pushes us to slow down, to cuddle within the protection of our shelter. 

Despite all the grumbling, winter is beautiful.  Yes, it’s cold and difficult to get through the snowy weather but if you stop and take a moment to look ever the untouched snow in the fields or the trees covered with snow (well okay and where I am right now there is none of this) there is beauty and lessons in the season.

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The Eyes Have It

What do you see when you look into your own eyes?  Do you take the time to stare into a mirror at your own eyes, your own face?  If the eyes are the mirror of the soul, what do your eyes say about you?

My life is busy without a doubt.  I rush off in the morning to work.  Rush through my day helping faculty, students, staff, student workers, and the public.  I'm at the center of a maelstrom of activity.  I come home to cram in an hour or so of quality time with my husband.  After he goes to bed, I might manage to take a breath and think about ME or the state of my soul.  

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