Mariah Riggins has been married since 2003. I graduated college December 2011, w/ Bachelor's in Psychology & Criminal Justice, minor in Philosophy. I have 2 VERY spoiled dogs. I'm blessed to be the High Priestess of the Court of Eternal Stars, a small intimate coven in the Memphis area.
“I have to plan a party for my daughters 4th grade class…”
“I have a headache, can’t even think straight…”
And on and on…
These are the excuses we give to ourselves when the topic of daily prayer, meditation, or ANY form of daily regular devotion comes up. We have to seem as if there was some monumental (see trivial) reason we neglected our relationship building between us and whatever God (s)/Goddess (es) we follow. In the book The Circle Within by Dianne Sylvan, she states the question this raises: “…whether a life too busy for our deepest beliefs is really much of a life at all” (pg 10). She goes on to point out the perks in faiths most pagans/Wiccans scoff at: Christians, Muslims, Jewish, Buddhist even, and more, have the rest of us beat when it comes to daily devotion.
We need to work on becoming full-fledged 3D Witches, doing acts of Daily Due Diligence to our own specific faith/path. If your faith was on the big screen for all to see, what would the audience think? More importantly, if the movie of your faith was reviewed, what would you think of yourself? Most, not all, but most pagans ascribe to the idea we are accountable for our own actions, yet we let ourselves slide (very conveniently) when it comes to being well and really devoted.
We know cars do not run well without regular oil changes and maintenance, we know computers need tweaking from time to time to keep them current and running smoothly, and we know for our own personal health, check-ups and dentists visits can do us wonders. So why are we so resistant as pagans to the work needed to become the best version of a witch, or follower of the Old Ways, we can?
In the instant gratification, constant rationalization society we have made, there is ALWAYS a reason we can make or give- but then aren’t we being as shallow and unfulfilled as we accuse our fellow fundamentalist faithful of being? Isn’t celebrating only the 8 holidays of the Wheel of the Year and the Full Moon rituals no better than the “Holiday Christian” or the “Confessional Catholic”? I have found many pagans, sadly myself included, all to happy too only give the lip-service required, all the while not giving deeply and regularly to the crafting, following, and follow through of their particular path.
And the reasons can seem very sound at the time. Never one to not hold myself accountable: I was in my last semester of college this winter. I worked hard all semester, but honestly, could have spared more time for myself, my coven, and the dear friend I’m ‘training’ in our ways. I had the excuse of homework, papers to do; I needed time to myself, my husband, to my pets….and on and on. The biggest shame came on the day of graduation. Recently having ‘found’ ties to Saturn, the Roman God of Time and Rome’s Golden Age, whose holy day was the 17th of December, (the day of my graduation)-the day came, and I didn’t even light one candle or say one small thank you to Him.
Ouch.
Yes, I apologized, but the point remains…I was guilty of making the same mistake we belittle in others. Of course I meant well, and yes, graduation from college is a BIG deal; all the more reason to invite my Gods and Goddess to celebrate it with me. If we only call on Them in the times of need, stress or selfish wants…yuck. I do not need to spell out how wrong that is. Faith should be a 24/7 state of being, not a matter of convenience or token effort.
So how to fit that in with all the hundreds of other things we have to do in a day? EASY. “Wait”, you say, “if it was so easy, why didn’t you do it over your last semester?” Well, good point. I have an answer. I didn’t realize it till I got out of my own way, and really thought about what I wanted out the upcoming year. So, here is my new found point of view, may you find something in it to relate to, and carry into your next year, and hopefully a better relationship with your deity/deities.
Here is a string of questions (just go with me here):
1) Do you brush your teeth at least once a day?
2) Do you shower once a day?
3) Do you eat one a day?
4) Do you drive somewhere once a day?
5) Do you have a pet? Do you pet it at least a few minutes a day?
6) Do you have a spouse/significant other/child? Do you kiss them good night?
7) Do you have one place you can stand/sit/ be at outside in privacy (somewhat private works, you won’t be naked, it’s ok!)
Answer any of these yes, and pick that. Now there is your one daily act. I’ll tell you mine, you just do yours. EVERYDAY, when I brush my teeth, I will “talk”, pray, think, somehow, someway, communicate with my Gods and Goddesses.
Yep. That’s it. Nothing swanky, no robes, no candles, no circle needed. Just chat, tell them where I’m at, muse if you will…Something where they can get to know me better, and me to know them and myself a bit more. No thinking about what to cook for dinner, what to say to my husband about the day, nothing else. Keep my thoughts and concentration on THEM for all of 5 minutes.
So I’ll start with that and go from there. I’ve been trying to say thanks for my food more often, to show respect for the chain of life and effort it takes to get to me and the energy it gives (And yes, we can do it too, not just Christians!). I already take candle light showers when I can, my (honestly) best thinking time I really get. I also do quite a bit of praying while I drive, but hey, I live in Memphis. I pet my gorgeous dog Maple every night before bed, and cuddle with her. All of these are tiny acts of devotion, for the Deities want us to love ourselves and our pets and family.
Yet there is so much more I can do, with VERY little effort or time required. And even if it takes me a few more minutes a day, I agree with another point of Sylvan’s, “…the truth is, there is no such thing as a spiritual life without sacrifice” (pg 12). The Universe and all its infinite wonders and gifts come for free; the lessons and strength we wean from it, however, is usually hard fought and hard won. The hardest prize to win, though, is usually the best worth gaining. In this circumstance, it is a deep, meaningful, and REAL connection to your path, deity, and a better faith.
So go brush your teeth, and pray. Blessed Be.
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