Paganism & crisis

[cydira]

I don't know about too many of you folks, but I came to be a witch because of a crisis I personally experienced. The craft has helped me heal in many different ways, perhaps the most important of which is in the fact that I have learned how to respect myself again. I've made reference a few times, now I'll be more blunt because I've seen that y'all are beyond supportive. You folks are wonderfully welcoming and helpful. It's great. Anyways, I was in an abusive relationship for 2 years with a moron that I will refuse to mention due to legal issues and such. The relationship ended after he had raped me and then threatend to kill me if I left him.

Thank the Goddess that he hasn't found me and he hasn't made good on his threat to torture and kill my loved ones. I still have nightmares of that, and it is almost eight years after I left him. <shudders> But, I thought that it would be wise to start a thread doing two things. First, stating how paganism has helped us through a crisis and to offer support and validation to each other for our experiences.

In my part, the first thing that shocked me into realizing that the craft was right for me was a vision I had after I was raped. I wrote an essay for Witchvox in January of this year. I think they have it archived, it would be listed under the adult pagans section, if I remember correctly. But I'm rambling again. To make a long story short, I had a vision of the God and in that vision I was told that I was going to be ok and that I had done nothing wrong. Perhaps it was a mercy that I miscarried the child I was carrying, I was only a month into the pregnancy, but I couldn't see raising a child with that abusive monster in the picture. I think it would have been a shotgun wedding if the pregnancy lasted longer. <sighs> But that is the past. Today, I am in a loving realtionship and I have this wonderful community of like minded souls to support me.

Thank you all for being here for me. I know that I am new to this community, but I feel as though you have always been here for me.

[Fawn]

Aw Hon; am glad you survived and became stronger.

[SahuaDjet]

MM,
I am happy to see your doing ok. I have had my share of problems (eating disorder, low self esteem, ect...) and paganism has helped me to love (the eath, life, myself, and other people). I no longer feel the hate I felt before. I had a change of view by seeing nature as divine and myself as part of that.

Sahu Djet

[Earth Walker]

I'm glad to hear that you are doing fine, and that you
have a terrific relationship. :heartthro


If you want the best seat in the house, you will have
to move the cat. :eek:

[cydira]

SahauaDjet, I am glad to hear that you're doing well. I also had a problem with the same things. It's great to see that paganism is something that is healthy for us all. :) And I know that there's more of you folks out here that have a story to tell. We're all family here, so don't worry about how we're going to react. ;)

Fawn, thanks for you're care. :) It's great to see that folks are as supportive here as I thought they would be. Hey, if you want to toss your 2 cents in, go ahead. We'd all love to hear it. Who knows, you may have an idea or an experience that could help some one else out here. Not all crisises are as dramatic as what led me to the craft. Some times it's just something kinda "normal" like being insanely stressed out and finding that paganism made you feel like life is not completely up in the air. :)

That was the second thing I learned from becoming a witch. Life is not *completely* insane. :D Just most of the time... right folks?

Blessings and love to you all :)

[bluecat]

It's very good that you are doing well. :cool:

I know that Paganism helps me find a peace that nothing else ever has. It's nice when you can find that peace and even nicer when what you believe helps see you through a crisis, no matter what the crisis. I know it helps me deal with my present health problems.

The people on this board are a very good and supportive bunch of folks.

Have a nice cool glass of lemonade. :cool: Feel the warm love of your fellow humans, like a ray of sunshine. :cool:

Blue :cool:

[Hestia]

MM :)

I'm saddened by the pain you had to endure but even happier that you pulled through and are doing well. Thank you for sharing your story. Paganism has always given me a source of strenght and a sense of being part of a much bigger picture.

BB :)
Hestia

[*ULA*]

you were able to pull through and find yourself again. I can't begin to imagine the torment and fear....

When I was quite young, I was in a very strange- wrong relationship.. after this guy broke up with me.. I thought about the relationship for practically years.. I just couldn't let it all go- was it my fault? did i deserve it? thoughts of this man rampaged my head constantly.. i would see him around town and get physically sick...
i lost what little self-worth i had before.

then i met another man - the most wonderful, beautiful, loving man in the world :) - and healed a bit. but i feel that wicca was what finally helped me LET GO. instead of anger, i found acceptance, and self love.. another big thing for me was it helped me stop smoking... because for once i had respect for my body- my vessel- and found life too miraculous to cut it any shorter!!! :)

thank you for sharing, you're a beautiful soul. :)



*ULA*
i wish you all a magickal night!!