Bex's Hexes

Need I say more...

4:33 PM | Posted by Hoi Sum | Edit Post

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What does a witch look like? And other tough questions...

1:07 PM | Posted by Hoi Sum | Edit Post

What does and witch look like? Who is a witch, a Pagan, or a Wiccan?

I have had some personal frustrations lately with some of the negative behavior that goes on in the Wiccan/Pagan community. I want to write today about issues we need to discuss in the Wiccan/Pagan community. Issues we need to be honest about. Issues we need to work on as individuals and as a community. It is difficult to be bluntly honest though without offending or hurting someone…so I thought I would write about the issues I want to discuss in a sort of personal reflection quiz. Ask yourself the questions below-I have. What are your honest answers? What are areas the Pagan community really needs to work on? On side note I use the word witch generically in this post-I mean Pagan and Wiccan as well.

Personal Reflection “Quiz”

General Questions:

Who is a witch?

What does a witch look like?

Who can be a witch?

Is there a correlation between how someone looks and who they are?

Are witches overweight?

Are witches “skinny” and in shape?

Do witches smoke?

Are witches generally uneducated?

Are witches college graduates?

Are witches nerds?

Do witches own metaphysical shops?

Do witches work in corporate businesses?

Are witches poor?

Are witches wealthy?

Do witches do drugs?

Are witches sexually promiscuous?

Personal Questions:

Have you ever been judged by someone who doesn’t really know you?

Have you ever judged someone you didn’t really know?

Have you ever been judged based on your appearance alone (weight, clothes etc.)?

Have you ever judged someone based on their appearance?

Have you ever judged someone based on their job, education, or income?

Have you ever been judged by someone because of your job, education or income?

Did you become a witch for real, genuine, and spiritual reasons?

Do you want to get a reaction out of people by being a witch?

Do you like being a rebel and on the “outside”?

Do you belong to a coven or pagan group?

Does your group embrace diversity (real diversity)?

Does your group loving welcome new members into your group?

Is your group tolerant? Even of Christians?

Is your group filled with love, tolerance, friendliness, and peace?

Can your group be judgmental, mean, unfriendly, exclusive, and intolerant at times?

Conclusion:

I hope you all can see where I am going with these questions? They obviously do not all have answers. Why? Because Pagans, Wiccans, and Witches are just real people. There is no rule book on who can or can’t be a witch or what a pagan has to look like! It really bothers me that there are so many Pagans, Wiccans, and Witches who are intolerant, judgmental, and just plain mean. Seriously some of them are scary! I left Christianity because I was tired of the judging and intolerance. I was tired of the exclusiveness and the hateful attitudes. If we are being honest though the Pagan community is also guilty of being like this! I have had some of my worst and most hurtful experiences from Pagans, not Christians. I usually feel the most judged for how I look and what I am wearing when I go into a Metaphysical shop or pagan meetup! Don’t claim to be an open, tolerant, and loving person or religion if you aren’t! Don’t exclude people because of their appearance, income, or education! I hope all Pagans can work on being truly loving people. People who are warm and welcoming! People who embodied the Divine with their actions and attitudes!

Blessed Be,

Bex

2 comments

4:13 PM | Posted by Hoi Sum | Edit Post

2 comments

Yoga and Magick

9:48 AM | Posted by Hoi Sum | Edit Post

I have recently taken up yoga again and must admit I am loving it! I have headed back to the gym and am attempting to get back in shape. I think it is important to be healthy and to take care of our physical bodies, in addition to our emotional and spiritual "bodies". Our bodies are sacred, and we are not honoring the Divine in us when we fill our bodies with junk! Not only is yoga good for your health, it is also good for you spiritually. I think yoga is a great practice to take up for Wiccans and Pagans. Yoga teaches you good posture, great breathing techniques, focus, patience, and how to move energy through your body. All of these principles are used when working with magick, meditation, and ritual. Yoga will teach you to open your body up, which in turn, allows more air and energy to move through your body. I encourage everyone to try learning yoga and to apply it to their craft practice! I think you will be surprised by the results!

Blessings,

Bex

Additional Yoga Information:

There are many different types of yoga, and you will want to make sure you learn the type that fits your body type and personality type. For example when I first started yoga I did power yoga (it was what was being offered) and I did not like it. I couldn't figure out why I was not getting the relaxing/meditation feel of yoga from the class...instead all I got was extremely sore! I have since learned to take the yoga classes that are focused more on breathing, flexibility, and meditation. I am not trying to lose weight or gain tons of muscles, so I do not need to be taking a power yoga class-where we are doing tons of plank push-ups-LOL! Below is a guide to finding a yoga class based on personality and of course you should do an internet search for more information as well.

How to find the right type of yoga based on your personality...

Free Spirit

You like eclectic experiences, a little different each time.

Vinyasa

Gym Rat

You want your yoga class fast and sweaty, like a great workout.

Bikram/Hot

Power Yoga

Vinyasa

Gymnast

You bend like a pretzel.

Ashtanga

Forrest

Injured

You have an injury or condition that requires special attention.

Iyengar

Mellow

You want to do some stretching, take it slow.

Hatha

Integral

Kripalu

Sivananda

Meticulous

The more precise the instruction, the better.

Anusara

Iyengar

Self-motivated

Just teach me the moves and show me to the mat.

Ashtanga

Singer

Chanting is your thing.

Jivamukti

Kundalini

Spiritual Seeker

You like to move, but also hear uplifting teachings and get in touch with your spiritual side.

Anusara

Forrest

Jivamukti

Kundalini

Traditionalist

If it wasn't founded an Indian guru, you want no part.

Ashtanga

Iyengar

Integral

Kripalu

Kundalini

Sivananda

Type A

You like to know what to expect and exactly how long it will take.

Ashtanga

Bikram

Retrieved November 17, 2009 from http://yoga.about.com/od/typesofyoga/a/whatsyourtype.htm

2 comments

Birthday Weekend

9:54 AM | Posted by Hoi Sum | Edit Post

Merry Monday Friends!

Ah another week is here and I am officially 26 now...I had a good birthday weekend. I should take a moment to say Happy Birthday to my twin Bro Lee as well. He did not have a fun birthday since he is training for Afghanistan :-( I went to Prescott for the weekend to visit with family. My grandpa was in town for California, so it was nice to see him. I went to Jerome yesterday with my family and had a birthday dinner on Saturday with my in-laws and BFF Doug. Overall it was a nice weekend. A little too cold, but still fun. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Blessings,

Bex

6 comments

Happy Veterans Day!

2:29 PM | Posted by Hoi Sum | Edit Post

Thank you Veterans for all of your sacrifices! Thank you bro, Papa Bill, Papa Joel, Papa Fred, and Papa Bruce for serving in the military! Stay safe bro-we miss you!

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Boycott of Bath and Body Works

9:40 AM | Posted by Hoi Sum | Edit Post

Merry Meet and Happy Monday Friends!

I came across this article today (http://www.examiner.com/x-18484-Sacramento-Pagan-Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m10d26-A-boycott-against-Bath-and-Body-Works) and thought I would share it. The Pagan community is calling for a boycott of the Bath and Body Works store and products. Apparently one of their employees was fired for taking approved vacation time to celebrate Samhain and was told by her new manager that she would have to get a new job in her "new year", because her manager would be, "damned if she has a devil worshipper on their team." Outrageous! Thank goodness the store is being sued! I already do not go into the store because of my allergies-walking in there is enough to send me to the ER, but I am glad to support the boycott in any way I can. Their products have a lot of harsh chemicals and toxins as well. It is always better to use natural and organic products when possible. There are many great Pagan stores on ebay and etsy that sell homemade natural body products.

Enjoy your day!

Blessings,

Hoi Sum

3 comments

About Me...

Merry Meet Friends!

My name is Rebecca, but many of my friends and family call me Bex. I also go by Hoi Sum (my Chinese name). I am not Chinese (as evident by the picture), but my hubby is. I am happily married and have 2 adorable dogs-Nacho Libre and Mayday Parker. No kids yet. I am Wiccan and a witch. I belong to the Healing Waters Family coven and my own family coven (with my husband) is Ga Ting of Devorant and Balance. Ga Ting means family in Cantonese and Devorant means Passion in French. I am a Scorpio and my husband is a Libra. I am an active member of Family Wiccan Tradition International (FWTI)-see their links below in Resources. I am also a vegetarian. I love to read, collect comics, ride motorcycles, MMA (mixed martial arts), blogging, and learning about Paganism and Wicca. Please see the bottom of this blog for my personal photos, and a military "Care Package" opportunity.
I hope you enjoy my blog!

Blessed Be,

Bex
Hoi Sum

Military Care Packages

Hi Friends!

As you know many of our loved ones are currently serving in the military both at home and overseas. My brother Lee will be going to Afghanistan this November (2009) to serve in the war for a year. It is a very difficult and often lonely life in the military. Our soldiers love to receive letters and gifts from home. If you are interested in sending a "care package" to my brother and his unit please email me at gfg1983@hotmail.com and I will send you the mailing address. Please remember to keep all of our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers!
Thank you for your support!

Hoi Sum