Paganism Roots

I know now that I was always a pagan. The things that I thought were just childish behaviors I see now had a leaning towards nature, spiritually, and quantum physics. Little did I know that paganism goes much, much, MUCH deeper into my identity. Paganism is in my DNA.

I love Yule. There is something about the darkest night that gives me permission to touch parts of myself that I normally wouldn’t, like internal feelings and judgments and psychic patterns. This year I decided to research paganism. I was curious about the pagans of New England as I always felt a strong connection to the witches of Connecticut as that is where my body was birthed.

I knew my roots were there, I just didn’t realize how far back they went. Maybe this was common knowledge to others but I just found out myself that paganism began in Italy.

There is actually a town called Pagani in Campania, which non-ironically I am quite sure I drove past while traveling down the A3 in 2012 when I visited the motherland.

I am pumped!! So here’s the deal. The land that on which Pagani currently resides switched hands and rulership several times during the rise of the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages around the 9th century a small group of people called the Saracens occupied the land.

Let’s hold up for a second. Saracens is a very old word dating back to the early 5th century. It was a name that Christian writers would use to label Arabs, or those who descended from Abraham’s older son Ishmael. There are some stories as to how and why people started associating with the title Saracens, but the TLDR version is that there were Christians and then there were Saracens: the ati-Christians. Hi, how are ya?

So when the city of Pagani — then Nuceria Paganorum — was founded by the family who’s name was literally Pagan, one might imagine that their surname was a lineage of pagans or Saracens.

So although I can’t in this moment prove that my DNA connects me to the Pagan family, I do know that my ancestors come from a similar area. Intuitively I feel that paganism was just a few generations back before Catholicism and Christianity converted my family to the dark side, but who knows.

Italian pride runs deep. As much as I don’t like over identifying with any one title or nation, the truth remains: I am 75% Italian and my ancestors connect me to the timeless comfort of paganism.

Anyone anywhere at any time can choose to be at peace with who they are, where they are, how they are. On this darkest night I remember the brightest light of all: a soul on fire.✨

Four Element Clearing

When I feel the need to reset I like to remember the four main elements as a way to check in with myself and find my center. This technique can be used by anyone at any time. Especially powerful times are during bleeding or a life shift.

Take four days and focus each day on the elements: one at a time. This practice uses the traditional four as the elements, feel free to incorporate other elements if you wish. Day one the focus is on fire, day two air, day three water, ending on day four with a focus on earth. Another option is to do one of each at any time for a quick balancing.

On each day begin in prayer focusing on the element of the day. Let everything you do drip with love. Choose which practices from the days element you wish you use.

Fire

  • Cook over fire
  • Light candle
  • Burn sage
  • Smoke herbs
  • Burn written intentions

Air

  • Self Reiki
  • Rapé ceremony
  • Draw with charcoal
  • Pranayama
  • Dance

Water

  • Bathe
  • Meditate with shell
  • Make fresh juice
  • Pray at natural waters
  • Collect rainwater and anoint chakras

Earth

  • Meditate with crystals
  • Mud/clay/chocolate face mask
  • Hug a tree
  • Lay on the ground
  • Plant seeds
  • Cut hair

What you sow you will reap. The power of your intentions will be supported by this ritual, so be sure to have strong intentions, a flowing heart, and meditative mind as you move through your practice.

Comment below if you have any other suggestions for elemental clearing.

Magic for the Self

Magic and manifestation have been increasing in popularity, and I have people asking me about how to use their gifts to help themselves and others. When realizing we all have power to create and manipulate reality, I think it’s important to begin with the self.

Burn a candle for self forgiveness.

Write down and let go of beliefs around shame.

Release inner judgments.

Reprogram negative thinking with affirmations.

Have compassion towards your process.

Remind your heart that it is safe to be open and flowing with love.

Use herbs and natural medicine to cleanse and revive the body.

Manifest a decalcified pineal gland.

Release trauma and generational pain by observing your karma.

Use meditation to clear your energetic field.

When you find yourself feeling empowered and abundant then sharing these gifts with others comes naturally.

Spiritual Consent

This past weekend I visited a spiritual gathering, a church of sorts. I attended as an observer, knowing that it would trigger a defensive response in me from a life of being raised in a religious cult.

There were many things said and done of which I disagreed with, one being very particular. A gentleman stood in front of the group and shared a story of going to a healer and having the healer pray for his friend through him. This man shared that he knew his friend had his issues with prayer and so he tentatively shared with him after the fact that he had channeled prayer on his behalf.

Praying for someone calls for consent. Now I can’t judge anyone for not knowing about spiritual consent, this is something that must be learned. For many people including myself we were taught that we should pray for everyone. I now know that this is not true. Prayer is powerful, and should be used within the limits of non-interference.

Non-interference is a spiritual law of sorts which speaks to respecting the boundaries of others. By holding space for others to live their lives without trying to control or manipulate how they live we are creating harmony. Everyone deserves to live from a place of free will, and it is each of our jobs to trust that they will experience everything in perfect timing. To read more about what non-interference read this post by DailyOM.

When sending spiritual energy towards others — such as prayer, energy healing or psychic reading — it is important to have their explicit consent. Do not send them energy, even if it is coming from a place of love, without asking them and having them give you a clear yes. If the person is unable to give verbal consent such as being in a coma or being a baby, then clear your energy of personal agendas and ask spirit for consent. If your ego is attached to the outcome, it would be best to abstain from praying for anyone other than yourself.

It is important to understand the equal exchange of giving and receiving: give and receive in balance. Having consent in your giving allows the receiver to send back to you their gratitude, free from shame. When the receiver is given opportunity to show gratitude to the giver, the giver is fed. This completes the cycle of giving and receiving and all are benefited.

Many thanks to my friend and teacher Pierre Dubois for passing on much of this knowledge to me.