Life of the Imperfect Pagan: Going to the "Dark Side"

[WitchesForTheWin]

I agree with you completely!

[LaStregaGrigria]

"Theres a skull on the effing book...Bitch!" lmfao, I love you.

[LaStregaGrigria]

More: It is also important to remember that dark isn't evil, I love that you mention that and that those authors talk about that a lot, also that living and the dead, how we walk the paths of both, is really important. Witches, traditionally are shamans who connect with the plant and the spirits. Also, if you want a great book to read and your down for "true-to-the-roots" paganism, dark and light, the book "Old world Witchcraft: Ancient ways for modern days" by Raven Grimassi is a great book:)

[LaStregaGrigria]

I love those of us who aren't afraid to explore all sides of the craft, dark and light, realizing that magick and the craft in general are dual sided. It figures that Wiccans want to make a deal out of it, their all fluffy bunny. Raven Digitalis is amazing, I own all three of his books and they are so informational and beautiful. Blessed Be:)

[davisfontanes]

I love your smile and teeth and how just GORGEOUS you are and so informed

[Hecatedevotee2009]

The Shadow Magick Compendium is an awesome book. Really dedicate yourself to work with it as he suggests. Great Book. I love that book by Jade Sol Luna as well

[IsaoftheMoon]

This was a very enlightening video. I have an unfounded fear of Hekate so I have been interested in learning more about her so I can understand what she is about. Not just her but I want to understand the darker side so I can shed this fear cuz I not only hold a fear of Hekate but also other dark gods and goddesses like Set. I am definitely getting that Hekate book when I get a chance.

It is great that you found a counselor that you can connect with. I think that is very beneficial.

[LightWillRemain]

lol everybody wears skulls nowadays. it's the style especially for men...i used to have a jacket with skulls on it. they look cool.

[patchouligrl]

Your counselor definitely must be on a similar path! How exciting! I imagine that the everyday person would think you'd lost your mind when you mention Goddess. Sounds like something that was meant to happen and that it could be a positive experience. Good luck!!! Blessed Be ~*~

[wingy1983]

Stereotypes are so horrible. When people hear "Dark" or "Shadow" automatically think of "evil". It is not. I try to call it "nocturnal" work or "Jungian" work, because Carl Jung talks a lot about "shadow" work. It tends to get more acceptance. People are uneducated and of course they are also afraid of the unknown. We (as witches) can either educate them or leave them to there "fluff bunny" ways :D

[wingy1983]

I have that book....and I LOVE IT. I am actually doing a year and a day involving this book. You have to have an equal balance of "day" and "night" in your path.

[SolitaryWitchTracks]

I certainly agree with you with walking in the land of the living and the land of the dead and the sort of balance between 'light' and 'dark'. Life is about balance, you certainly inspired me to buy those books sometimes soon!

[smaugbr]

Hi! Nice video! Why don't you ask your therapist directly about her being or not pagan? Just a clear question, expecting a simple answer. Let's see what happens! :-) About the wrist tatoo, I think you shouldn't remove it if you like it so much. People think the Cancer sign is a "69"? Who cares? If you tattoed a pentagram wouldn't they think it would be something "devilish"? People always "think" too much. The "proof" you have it is not a "69" (not that you need any) is the Libra sign besides it.

[LittleBotanicals]

Nice to see someone making a video on the darker side! ;) I might check those books out. :)

[ItzKubwaKush420]

you should look up spiritee nemma i believe her name is on youtube. shes a voodoo priestist. she great!

[WillowGoblinQueen]

Hey i was curious. When i looked up Jade Sol Luna's book Hecate online, it says that its vol 2. so i was wondering. Should i read the first one first? Or go ahead and read that one and then refer back to the first one when i am done?



[fotogrl1]

thanks for doing the review on the book re Hecate; I've been wanting to check it out. Also, i'd never heard of Digitalis either. Have you considered maybe instead of having the tattoo removed (on your neck) maybe have it tattooed over? I know alot of people who have done that and been really happy with the results. Crook of your arm tattoo = with the veins are right there so you may not be able to get it done there. thats usually where they would IV you in an emergency.

[SariaSchala]

My only encounter with the dead so far has been with the spirit of my old kitty (whenever I think of her she appears to me and meows a hello and she purrs and she's still watching me), which I don't consider to be "dark", more of a lasting tie of love to my kitty.

[viletteify]

Youie, I want that book! LOL )O(

[NovelSunrise]

Skulls do not equal evil. Skulls are a natural part of the human body. I still have a hard time understanding why people associate skulls with evil. Yes, they become visible when someone has died and is decaying, but death is not evil. Death is a natural part of the cycle of life. I think the dark part of spirituality is just as important as the light side. Awesome video! And good for you for continuing with counseling. I am still keeping you in my prayers. Blessings! --River

[fotogrl1]

@NovelSunrise i think for most people, death makes them uncomfortable, very uncomfortable. so it's easier for them to deal with the idea of it if it's villified.

[AmberFox84]

Merry Meet,

Everyone is entitled to their opinion,..... but nature has a dark and light side. I agree with you 100% Michelle. So much so that as I am going witchy shopping in Glastonbury tomorrow I just made a list of books and put your 3 at the top to look out for. For the rest I think you are looking better already, even a bit of weightloss is showing in the face. Just keep at it and you'll be fine. Happy reading, Love and Light,Dark and shadow lol ;), AmberFox

[rhondam1970]

Welcome to the Dark Side...we have cookies. :D

[KokoroSpice]

I've definitely got to expand my library. I need to do more research, and you can only trust the internet so much. ^_^ I wish that I had someone to talk to, personally, about my spirituality. I kind of live in the Bible Belt, so that makes it difficult to talk about it without people jumping to conclusions.

[momcalzmesheri]

I've read Shadow Magick Compendium by Raven Digitalis. It was great.

Another great book is Mysteries of the Dark Moon by Demetra George and I chronicled my journal through that book on my blog.

[pashanata1]

Oh thats so great that you have found a counselor that will support all aspect of your life. That poor baby, the one crying. Send that poor child some loveing energy. It needs it. Parents too.

[jonathonmars]

I had a pagan counselor, too. She actually taught me a visualization technique that is basically grounding and centering.

[aLorekat]

Have you read: "Green Witchcraft 2 Balancing Light & Shadow" by Ann Moura?

If you have, I would love to hear your opinion on the book.

[stars11234]

I'd love to have your counselor!

[rainewater85]

Love you, Michelle. xoxo

Bones are beautiful and a powerful connection to that creature's medicine. Sadly, that mystery reviewer's fear and aversion makes her weak.

[Neopagan2007]

Christian Day is awesome and you will like his book. You might want to try a white noise machine to drown out the neighbors' screaming.

[JeremyPagan94]

Shadow Magick looks like a great book, my goddess too is a dark goddess. Wouldn't it be awesome if Cheistopher Penczak published a book on dark/shadow Witchcraft?

[maryhyphenkay]

You crack me up... XD

A thought for your tattoo design... you could make it into a spiral with a really pretty script typeface.

[missmaggiemay19]

My sister got the capricorn symbol on her arm and it looks like 76...darn those astrological signs, they can be so eluding.

[smelybelygurl]

Ouch! you would have to tattoo on your vein!

[missmaggiemay19]

"The world isn't full rainbows and Scott Cunningham" LMAOOOO Amen sista!

[smelybelygurl]

Dark give birth to light. The forest burns so it can thrive. Destruction is vital for creation.

[TefnutHeka]

You are very lucky, it's so important to be able to be open when you are talking to someone. I had one like that as well. How did you find her ? I am looking for a new person to chat to.

Did you ever get the peacock tattoo ?

[normajean010626]

yes a good tattooer can do a great cover-up: if it s done correctly you won t see the old tattoo anymore....I ll get this book too

[Aluraalure]

Great video! I live in Mass and have been to the Hex shop in Salem...great store and close to the Samantha "Bewitched" statue which I love! But I agree the dark side is not bad and should always be explored not feared.

[SummerStitchinWitch]

I just added those 3 books to my cart on amazon so hopefully I'll be buying those soon. I also read that review that you refer to and I laughed as I read it as well. :P Oh, and Christian Day once threw a phone at me in Salem. Accidentally, of course. But it's my one claim to fame and I think it's an amusing story. :P

[ArleneF81]

You are so right I am interested in the dark side as well. About the tattoos. Why not just have them covered up? That's what I am working on with some of mine. You might dish out more to have them removed then covered and it's a long drwn out process. Just a thought for you. Will b checking out those books though. Thanks :)

[StellarWitch]

Hahaha rainbows and Scott Cunningham! Love it. These books sound awesome!

[vassha1]

I saw that review on facebook too. I believe as you do that the woman that she is inexperience and needs to learn before she speaks. i plan on getting the books myself. love your videos.

[InvokingTheBalance]

I am of the opinion that darkness is needed JUST as much as light. And thank you for the recommendation on the jade sol luna book, chick! I was just looking at that book the other day and wondered if I should snatch it up. :)

[TheVioletKat]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Shadow Magick Compendium by Raven Digitalis!!!! I really hope you read it and enjoy. It really helped me to develop and understand my practice in its totality. It is very seriously researched, "a page-turner" and has practical lessons and exercises that are in depth to the same degree as Christopher Penczak's work (in my humble opinion).

Your Hecate book sounds awesome, btw. :D

[alicepink417]

does it hurt to get a tatto on your wrist?

[WillowGoblinQueen]

Im gunna do it o3o

[ballerinaboy1]

LOL I LOVE YOU "get this book and this book and this one"

[ballerinaboy1]

Couldnt agree more Michelle

[JdubHimself011]

I love your videos! Do you do readings by chance?

[AngeloNasios]

U should have the tattoo written in ancient Greek. That be sick

[amandapearl2books]

yay books!!!!!!

[lillybell1991777]

The way you talk so passionately about these books makes me want to go buy them lol plus I love Hecate.

[wages1972]

Sounds like things are really moving in a positive direction for you. That is awesome. I was just wondering how things were going for you today. Many blessings to you on your continuing journey.

[Mirkwood90]

So many beautiful parts of your personality came out in this video