Looking to get back into it again...

futuresizeeight

A few years ago, when I first found myself on this path, I was so excited about it. I maintained and used my altar every day, celebrated each holiday and full moon, and was constantly reading books about witchcraft and magick.

I don't know what's happened recently, but I've sort of let it fall by the wayside. Not making excuses, but life was pretty chaotic for a while, and the places I was living weren't exactly Pagan friendly.

I've been feeling a strong calling to get back "into" it though, and finally set up an altar space in the new place we moved into this past January. My boyfriend and I live under our own roof now, in a small cottage instead of an apartment, and we're also in a rural area, so I think that helps as well - to be surrounded by nature, peace and quiet. I'm excited to begin studying and practicing rituals again.

Has anyone else had lapses where they haven't practiced as much? Is that something that happens to most people?

ckatastrophy

I'm in that lapse mode right now. I don't have space to set up an altar & I am working so much that I have very little time to do much of anything. :frown: I miss practicing & studying. The Goddess has given me many blessings recently & I believe she understands that I will be more actively practicing again soon. Since I have little time & space atm I light a single candle & pray to her often.

HildeDanmark

Yep, happens all the time to me. Part of it is that day to day life can be so hectic. I usually only remember to thank the gods when things are going well or cry out in a moment of need for some support.

JessiC1984

I'm starting to come back out of a lapse now as well. I've felt SO spiritually starved for quite a while, but I can feel it getting better again.

Sera890

I think it happens to everyone at some point. Life gets crazy, other things take priority. Usually when it happens to me, I try to remember to do something, even something small, just to keep my spiritual side healthy.

AlysonBug

I never have a lapse in my spirituality. Though my altar room gets neglected from time to time (altars stay up I just don't spend too much time with them). I spend more time on certain studies than others, then I I miss those other studies so I go back to them. Same with my books. My coven has a full moon ritual each month and we do a ritual for every sabbat though. I think it may be different when you are surrounded by a pagan family.

I don't lapse in a sense that I go periods of times without connecting or giving thanks or doing ritual. But I do have long pauses with certain areas of my spirituality from time to time.

histora

I don't lapse in praying and communing, but I do occasionally lapse in full ritual and the hearth blessings.

I've had the nagging feeling of needing to rearrange my altar and renew my dedication vows to my Patron and Matron, so I am trying to figure out the best way to incorporate it into my crazy life again.

The other piece to my puzzle is how to involve my kids in my rituals, because I can't really hold one without them.

futuresizeeight

Since my original post I've gone into full-blown witchy mode again. I'm much happier this way, when I do small daily rituals and a lot of reading/studying. My new altar is set up, although it's going to be changing again soon because I ordered some more supplies. I think it's natural to let life get in the way sometimes, but I'm going to try not to let it happen from now on.

futuresizeeight

I never have a lapse in my spirituality. Though my altar room gets neglected from time to time (altars stay up I just don't spend too much time with them). I spend more time on certain studies than others, then I I miss those other studies so I go back to them. Same with my books. My coven has a full moon ritual each month and we do a ritual for every sabbat though. I think it may be different when you are surrounded by a pagan family.

I don't lapse in a sense that I go periods of times without connecting or giving thanks or doing ritual. But I do have long pauses with certain areas of my spirituality from time to time.

Wow, you have an altar room? That's great! Wish I had the space for something like that.

I am and have always been solitary, aside from practicing with my boyfriend sometimes. Maybe at some point I'll look into finding a coven. I guess it would help when it comes to being sure to set aside time for sabbats and esbats.

histora

I never have a lapse in my spirituality. Though my altar room gets neglected from time to time (altars stay up I just don't spend too much time with them). I spend more time on certain studies than others, then I I miss those other studies so I go back to them. Same with my books. My coven has a full moon ritual each month and we do a ritual for every sabbat though. I think it may be different when you are surrounded by a pagan family.

I don't lapse in a sense that I go periods of times without connecting or giving thanks or doing ritual. But I do have long pauses with certain areas of my spirituality from time to time.

Wow, you have an altar room? That's great! Wish I had the space for something like that.

I am and have always been solitary, aside from practicing with my boyfriend sometimes. Maybe at some point I'll look into finding a coven. I guess it would help when it comes to being sure to set aside time for sabbats and esbats.

I'm a solitary as well. I'm the only registered ADF'er in my state, and while I do have Wiccan roots, most of the Wiccans in my area are more Cuningham Wiccans, which is not what I identify with. So, solitary from both necessity and familiarity.

When I start to suffer from spiritual malaise, I remind myself that taking time to commune and honor my religion as one more way of being healthy. Spiritual health is just as important, if not more, than physical health, for me.

Glad to see that you have found your way back to your path. Have a great day!

futuresizeeight

When I start to suffer from spiritual malaise, I remind myself that taking time to commune and honor my religion as one more way of being healthy. Spiritual health is just as important, if not more, than physical health, for me.
Glad to see that you have found your way back to your path. Have a great day!

Thanks! And yeah, I couldn't have put it better myself. I feel that through being spiritual I am more able to improve my physical health, and vice versa. It also contributes a lot to how I'm feeling mentally, and creatively. I feel like a more balanced person because it's all interconnected.

I'd probably be considered a "Cunningham Wiccan" in ways but I LOLed at that phrasing anyway. I know exactly what you mean. Spirituality is such a personal thing, and I don't know what the odds are that I could meet up with a group of people in my area and have our beliefs and practices completely mesh.

smaugish

I've been lapse for a while, in that I don't actively perform any rituals or owt. But that's never been the core of my faith. I always pray, and I love taking my dogs for walks in the woods because I always feel closer to the gods then. I cry out when I need help, and I thank them when life is great.

It's harder being a solitary practitioner in a tradition that is ALL about folk and family.

AlysonBug

I never have a lapse in my spirituality. Though my altar room gets neglected from time to time (altars stay up I just don't spend too much time with them). I spend more time on certain studies than others, then I I miss those other studies so I go back to them. Same with my books. My coven has a full moon ritual each month and we do a ritual for every sabbat though. I think it may be different when you are surrounded by a pagan family.

I don't lapse in a sense that I go periods of times without connecting or giving thanks or doing ritual. But I do have long pauses with certain areas of my spirituality from time to time.

Wow, you have an altar room? That's great! Wish I had the space for something like that.

I am and have always been solitary, aside from practicing with my boyfriend sometimes. Maybe at some point I'll look into finding a coven. I guess it would help when it comes to being sure to set aside time for sabbats and esbats.

I have an altar room , I didn't always but I do now and honestly now I don't know what I would do if I didn't have one. Its great because I can close the door and instantly step into my own scared space. Its like another dimension its wonderful. In there I have like 5 different altars, one main one and fourish smaller ones. All my books, herbs, and tools are in there as well. If I didn't have the extra room I would have to find my own nook somewhere in the house. Honestly though if I had any sort of nature around me I would be out there looking for my scared space. Its nice to have an altar room but it would be amazing if I could walk out my back door into a natural space. When you have a coven you push each other to do things, like each esbat and sabbat. Its wonderful.

AlysonBug

Its also great to have a good online group to turn to. When I started out I was solitary, I turned to the internet a lot until I found my sisters and local pagan community. We are secretly everywhere, remember that, you are not alone not in the least. It seems every week I meet someone new who is interested in paganism. If you branch out and/or step out of the broom closet you will meet people. A lot of people. People in your own family or friends you have known a long time even. There may not be an established coven in your area but there is local witches and pagans for sure. You start by finding some on WItch Vox for your local area or if your state has a pagan directory online. Michigan does, its called Michigan Pagan Directory lol. You can usually find a group or page on facebook for your state too. From there you can find people in your area.

I don't know why I wrote this reply I just felt like I needed to lol. When I was solitary I felt very alone, I needed like minded people. Not everyone does but if you do the internet has great pagan websites.

HildeDanmark

I've been lapse for a while, in that I don't actively perform any rituals or owt. But that's never been the core of my faith. I always pray, and I love taking my dogs for walks in the woods because I always feel closer to the gods then. I cry out when I need help, and I thank them when life is great.

It's harder being a solitary practitioner in a tradition that is ALL about folk and family.

Well if you are ever in Denmark hit us up. There is a sizable community there of Asatru folk.