Morbid Outlook - The Return of Witch Hazel

Dear Witch Hazel,
It was great to discover your column. I’ve been very interested in Wicca for the last couple years. I know a few people in the magic community from annually attending Beltane here in New Mexico, but I haven’t really had a strong connection with anyone to start doing rituals and holidays together. I do like practicing alone but would like more support in learning since I’m a beginner. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you, Melissa

Dear Witch Hazel,
I have problems with concentration and I’m easily distracted. Even in examinations and study periods I can’t concentrate on the task at hand. I have tried various deep breathing and grounding techniques but none seem to help me. Is there any herbal solution, especially herbal teas, that would increase my concentration?

Rather than the herbal route here, try limiting all forms of sugar, caffeine and nicotine from your daily intake. Any or all of those can interfere with the quiet center needed for mind focus. You can also try obtaining some meditation tapes. It takes a lot of practice, but with daily working, it will become second nature before long.

Dear Witch Hazel,
I’ve been raised a Christian my whole life and I’m having serious doubts about this religion. It doesn’t seem to appeal to me or my beliefs anymore. My boyfriend’s Wiccan and his beliefs, or what he’s told me, seem to coincide with my own. I don’t want it to seem like I’m ditching what I’ve been taught for my boyfriend’s beliefs. That isn’t it at all. I’ve been looking into Wiccan for a long time and I’m considering it. But, I’m wondering what happens to the fact that I’ve had many of the Christian sacraments already: Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Reconciliation. If I were to become Wiccan, would these interefere, for lack of a better word, in any way? If I were to stop taking the host at Mass, I would feel like I’m betraying what I’ve been taught. If I were to become Wiccan, would taking the host be against Wiccan beliefs? I’ve been questioning my faith for a long time. I need someone to help me figure this out.
Sincerely yours, Jenn

Jenn, sweetie, you must do what you feel in your heart is the right thing to do. Never remold yourself to be approved by a partner. If you want to remain Christian and he is comfortable staying Wiccan without a problem then so be it. If he is pushing you to believe his way, then that is considered a form of manipulation and power over and not something Wiccans adhere to. Above all else, follow your inner bell first and foremost for everything you choose to do.

Dear Witch Hazel,
I know very little about paganism, but am very intrigued by what I have read. Since the pagans believe that the god and goddess is in all living things, what about the unliving? What about wraiths and the undead? Is there such a thing, and how do pagans/wiccans deal with this concept?

There are various forms of energy in the living and non-living. This also coincides with many Buddhist beliefs as well as many laws of physics from an atomic level. The majority of Wiccans understand that there are negative energies in the realm of spirit just as there are good energies. The essential thing is to remain grounded and centered so that such energies are not given a power over the practitioner. As far as the energy from the dead, the Wiccan high holy day is Samhain, a.k.a. Halloween, where the spirit world is at its thinnest and we can communicate with our departed loved ones. It isn’t so strange once you become accustomed to looking at the world with a bit more of an introspective eye.

Thanks for reading. I’m happy to hear that Morbid Outlook readers really enjoy this column. Feel free to drop me a line with your comments, suggestions and questions. Due to the high volume of letters I receive, I can not always personally answer everyone. If I do not answer your question, please do not take offense, your question may have already been answered in a past issue – check the library for past columns and happy reading!