Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:19:20 -0500WeeblyWed, 29 Jun 2011 23:38:25 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/06/eclectic-pagans-witches-chaos-magicians.htmlQ:  Where is the line drawn between eclectic pagans/witches/whatever and chaos magicians?


A:  Chaos magick is not something that I have studied. In fact,I'm mush more comfortable working with Universal Laws. In my humble opinion, Witches are Universal Lawyers, in that we learn, study & practice within those principles that apply to everyone.  

Chaos magick, from what limited understanding I have on the subject, is one that operate aside from or beyond those laws. So yes, an eclectic can learn & practice within chaos magick. But on the whole I think your term 'magicican. is more applicable to those who really get into it. 

Bottom line, every path has some truth in it. Find what you may & incorporate what works for you. But how I know something works for me is by how it feels. The word Chaos itself is not really part of my personal lexicon, so I move toward its opposite 'order.' However, I would never dissuade someone from finding what works for them. I would only follow my own gut & emotional guidance toward or away from any subject that presents itself to me. That is a path worth following & whether you simple dip a toe, become a master of it, or anywhere in between, learning, knowledge & wisdom is the goal, but Love is the ultimate reward in the moment & long term. 

I hope these answers help clarify.
Rev. Mark A. Lyons
]]>Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:39:15 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/06/how-do-you-find-your-way.htmlQ:   How are you sure that you've found your path or tradition when all of them seem so compelling?


A:   Thankfully we live in a time where so many spiritual paths & options are available to us.The most immediate answer I have for you is a personal one. I identify myself as an Eclectic Witch because I really enjoy learning. As a teacher I feel like once I stop learning I am 'dead in the water.' So, I make it a point to keep my passion for learning alive by following my gut toward what feels best for me.  

That said, I have experimented & tried on many different paths & practices. In the end I found my own tailored approach was just fine, not being regulated to any one specific tradition or doctrine. This frees me up to study whatever lights me up spiritually.  

Certainly if a specific tradition speaks to you, or your spirit pulls you deeper, then go for it. But I always suggest you do your research into not only the tradition, but it's leaders, its principles, rules & elevation process. Any path or tradition worth is salt is going to empower you & help you reach your own personal spiritual goals. However, their structure may require you to fulfill certain requirements not particiulalry 'on your 'menu' but if they harm none, so be it.  

For example, when I was under traditional training I was required to learn a specific lineage of folk healing. Though I do not rely on that system now, I do find it helpful in understanding that specific symbolic language. This is good for an eclectic because, again, it expands our range of knowledge & wisdom.

I hope this answer helps clarify.
Rev. Mark A. Lyons
]]>Mon, 27 Jun 2011 01:05:07 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/06/by-the-hair-of-my-lovers-head.htmlQ:  Good evening.  I was told to put a piece of hair on my door frame to make my lover come to me more often.   I would like to say that within minutes of me placing it there he contacted me as said that he was coming over.  I put it on my bedroom and front door. 

Now my question is how long shall I keep it there? ...and if  I don't remove it shall it mean that he will come every night.  I am just getting into spells and I don't want to cause anybody harm as I do believe in karma.   I do however want us to be together for a life time. but at the same time I don't want it to be forced love. 

Please inform me.


A:  OK, here's the deal. If  he ever found out about it, he would be angry.   No one likes being manipulated. "Love has no obligations" though that is not what we are taught growing up. Put the shoe on the other foot. What if he had you under his magickal command?   How would you feel?   Real love means freedom, not entrapment. This is what I have always said that Love Magick is the most dangerous form of the art.   It is a sticky thing to begin with because it trucks in human emotions which are very complex. 

So, really consider how you would feel if it was done to you & what he would do if he found out? 

Good luck with this & I recommend you study as much as you can before trying even simple magick of this kind. It is far easier to study & bless someone than to magickaly trick them. 

Rev. Mark A. Lyons
]]>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:54:51 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/06/candle-magick-and-moon-phases.htmlQ:  Hi, I am new to candle spells/magik and was wondering if  I would need to wait till a certain type of moon to do any candle work.?


A:  OK, there no specific astrological moon sign or phase specific to Candle Magick. However, some do lend themselves to it better than other. Fire signs are a favorite. So when the Moon is in Aries, Leo or Sagittarius you have that elemental power of fire working with you. 

I find the moon phases all appropriate for Candle Magick, but make sure you match the intent with the flow of the Moon. For example, Candle Magick adds power during New, Waxing & Full Moon. But is also helps melt away things during Waning & Dark Moon.

Bottom line, candles do what the Witch wants them too, but they are just tools. It is our will, intention & choices which hold the power of fire within us & they work far better & faster than candles alone.  

I hope this helps.  
Rev. Mark A. Lyons

]]>Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:16:24 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/06/blessed-solstice-everyone-0.html ]]>Thu, 26 May 2011 11:15:23 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/05/qa-is-it-ok-and-can-a-man-practice-witchcraft-wicca-as-a-girl-and-dress-like-one.html Q:  Is it OK and can a man practice witchcraft (Wicca) as a girl and dressed like one ?


A:  Hi "N",   The Craft doesn't have any kind of restrictions in terms of gender, gender identity, Gay, Bi, Straight, Transgender, Cross Dresser, what have you. It is mostly a personal experience of divinity, so you have to take that up with the divine yourself. 

But I think it comes down to the Witches' Rede, "An ye harm none, do what ye will." If someone's choice of clothing or again, 'what have you' causes no harm, then so be it. It's not like there's a Witch Police that's going to pull someone over for what they are wearing in circle. It doesn't work like that. It is about personal individual expression in The Craft, but make sure you harm none, self included, as you go.

  Besides, the Gods know your Spirit more than your form. 

I hope this helps,
Rev. Mark A. Lyons ]]>Wed, 25 May 2011 12:37:21 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/05/qa-is-it-possible-to-physically-transform-into-a-specific-animal.htmlQ:   I've always had this question in my head to ask. Is it possible to physically transform into a specific animal??? But I think it can happen Physically and/or Mentally. I MUST KNOW :)

Blessings )O(
"DF"



A:   Hi "DF",   Shapeshifting & physical transformation are really ancient ideas. I'm not going to claim any kind of special knowledge in this area because my line of study has more to do with inner transformation than outer.  

But that said, who knows what is possible when the mind is focused?  There are shamans who say they can transform physically & those who say it is only done psychically. I'd recommended studying along the lines of those teachers which match your interest.

  But in the end, in my own opinion, shapeshifting physically is not relevant to modern life anymore. I need to get things done in human form in order to take care of my interior world / Spirit. Not that a few hours as an eagle wouldn't be great, but I still have to do my laundry, food shop & work to survive. That is easier with opposable thumbs as opposed to not having any.  

So, transfiguration itself may be a thing of fantasy or not. I don't know, but I do know it isn't a practical consideration of my time or energy as I have things to get done.  

That is probably a very witchy answer, but not what you wanted. I apologize, but it's the truth from where I see it,

  I do hope it helps,
  Rev. Mark A. Lyons ]]>Tue, 24 May 2011 19:08:39 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/05/qa-i-need-a-spell-to-hear-from-lost-friend-what-do-you-suggest-thanks.htmlA:  Hi Spring,  

Spells for communication are in some ways the easiest to cast, but the hardest to manifest the way we wish. I file this all under the element of Air, connecting with thought & the mind. Since Mercury, the planet of communication is also considered the element of Air, there is a natural alignment of energies for Air/Communication spells to happen all the time without our noticing it.  

However, you said the word, 'need' in your message. Need is a very heavy word vibrationally. Want or desire feels much lighter & this is important. Ever notice you can just think of someone, gently wish to hear from them & BAM  they call or message you?  The desire is light & not burdened with any heavy emotion. It is just a gentle wish. That travels faster, as it were, than a 'need' to communicate.  

So, it's in the casting of the spell itself. If we do indeed 'need' to communicate, then be prepared for a slower or more symbolically altered form of communication in the spell's return. For example, you may have a dream about them, even though you want to actually talk to them. 

So, to honor your request for a spell, I'd keep it simple:  

Power of air, hear my plea, open communication between ____ & me. For the highest good & harming none, as I will it so let it be done. 

Chant it, sing it, write it out, whatever feels good. But keep it light. Lighter moves faster.  

I hope this helps,
Rev. Mark A. Lyons ]]>Mon, 23 May 2011 19:03:51 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/05/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit1.html Q:  Hello.   I just wanted to thank you for the videos you have posted.

I had my eyes opened around 18 months ago and without even doing anything, my life was changed. I experienced a number of things and on the recommendation of a friend, I read The Celestine Prophesy and realized that I had experienced much of what was outlined there, without even doing anything. Another friend suggested that I perhaps have a natural permanent connection to source, but since that time, I've found myself working harder and harder to maintain things in my life that came so easily before. As all this is relatively new to me, I have no idea what to do next or where to go, what I should be looking for...

I have very little support here. The only people locally that I can ask for advice, who know anything about this, I find my instincts warning me not to trust them.

I know this isn't exactly a lot of information to go on, but if you have any advice at all... it would be welcome.

Thank you for reading this.
BB.



A:  OK, let's start with the truth that the spiritual life is a journey & one that involves constant change in the outer world. This means that what once was easy can become difficult & vice verse. The point of it all is to heal, learn & grow as you go. 

I understand not having support from people around you. I started my path very young, in my teens actually & no one was around or willing to help me figure it out as I went. But I found prayer & meditation was the best route for me. In essence, prayer is speaking to the divine & meditation is making time to sit quietly & listen to the divine. You may not get answers right then & there, but it does show willingness to listen, which is very important. 

I also suggest reading everything that you can get your hands on that inspires you. In the end, our own best teachers are within us. I know that is cliche as hell, but it is nonetheless the absolute truth. Life is the classroom, but the Divine within is the Teacher. Just do your best & remember, this is not a race, but a journey. Enjoy what you can & mourn losses in a healthy was as things fall away.  

But above all, follow your passion & your truth. That is surely the way that all masters become masters.  

I do hope this helps. 
Rev. Mark A. Lyons



Follow-up: Thank you for your response and sorry its taken me so long to get back to you.

Since posting the original message, my life has taken on a completely new lease of life. Instead of me looking for support with various things, many MANY others have come to me. But although I don't claim to have any answers, I'm learning as much as others and I'm showing some how to start their journeys for themselves. Its not right to accept someone else's point of view. This is how most religions start. But by finding your own way, you know it to be the truth for YOU.

I'm in awe of the universe and its ability to provide just what we need when we need it the most. Its a beautiful world.

Love and blessings. x ]]>Sun, 22 May 2011 16:30:24 -0500http://www.askawitch.com/1/post/2011/05/qa-is-there-a-way-to-bring-back-an-exlover.htmlQ: Is there a way to bring back an ex-lover?

A:Hi "I",   Bringing back a lover through magick has never worked for me. Lord knows I did the spells when I was younger & they never brought me what I wanted. They did however bring me what I needed.  

I find that relationships are a journey. Wherever you leave off with one partner you pick up with the next. This may not seem true in form, but we will certainly continue with our own life lessons regardless of which partner we are with.

So I suggest healing & moving on.   So, in short, sure, I bet you can find dozens of spells to bring back a lover online. But having done them, admittedly, I was in my teens when I did this, I wouldn't bother with them again. Instead I'd work some magick & healing toward my own life, getting my own act together, then opening up to meet someone new that will help me learn my own lessons in Love. 

Hope that helps & Good Luck!  
Rev. Mark A. Lyons ]]>