Relationship with the God-self
Relationship with the God-self Someone once joked with me, saying that since “thou art God/ dess,” praying is like talking to yourself. (I, of course, answered, “That way I only hear what I really like!”) Seriously, however, in our relationship building process with deity, we cannot overlook the fact that part of this life adventure’s goal is to “know thyself” and become self-responsible. If a spark of deity resides within, self-awareness will, in turn, naturally help external efforts to remain connected with the divine fires. Yes, it sounds like circular reasoning, but it is the rule of as within, so without on a very intimate level.
The first step in this process, in my opinion, is accepting two things: your role as a cocreator in your destiny, and your role as a priest or priestess in your spiritual life. There is a tendency in immature souls to make excuses for bad behavior or blame other people or situations for problems—anything to avoid actual responsibility. This is normal, and certainly easier, but does nothing for us in terms of our quest for enlightenment, let alone empowering ourselves to live ethically.
What (if anything) should we do about wavering, floundering souls, especially if we’re among them? First of all, I favor the idea of cleaning up our own act before we go around telling anyone else how to live (personally, communally, and globally). To do anything less causes us to stumble into that nasty disorder called hypocrisy, which could easily lead to a fall into the guru trap, which we’ll discuss shortly. It is all well and good to be able to recognize positives and negatives. It’s another thing altogether to go around destructively critiquing other peoples’ flaws, especially when you have similar ones.
Step One, then, is some honest personal appraisal. One activity that may help you with this is writing up two lists. On one list, write all the things in your life that you feel the need to improve on. For example, perhaps you have a harsh temper or tend to procrastinate. Those negative traits go on page one. Be brutally honest with yourself! On the other list, write down those things that you’re good at with similar nonreservation. To prioritize, you may want to put an asterisk next to the ones that really strike you as being harmonious with your inner God-self. This isn’t the time to be humble or overly sensitive: know thyself.
Next, prioritize that list. Which of the negatives do you feel are most important to change initially? Be reasonable in your expectations regarding those things you feel you can improve. For example, it’s reasonable to want to improve your employability, but it may require going back to school or taking some other training. Can you find a way to fit that into your current schedule? If so, then it’s reasonable to put it toward the top of your “work-in-progress” list. Next, prioritize the positives. Be happy regarding those things about which you are the most proud. Afterward, start working on item one on the “bad” list conscientiously and diligently. Ideally, you could take proactive strides toward improvement every day. At the same time, start sharing or using item one on the “good” list. This creates a potent symmetry. The “good” gift that you’re applying provides positive energy that can be applied toward self-empowerment to change those things you’re not happy with. Once you start this process, you’ll find it comes more naturally.
Mind you, there will be “off” days. Be as patient with yourself as you’d be with others, if not more. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and no soul was ever born getting it all right all the time, from their birth onward. Step by step, transformation by transformation, use this cooperative balance to make your way through the wilderness. In time, you’ll find that you’re able to help provide constructive criticism and assistance to other seekers wishing to improve on those aptitudes that you’ve been practicing and applying from your positive list. This comes without condemnation or flaunting because you recognize that you’ve been there, done that. Having gone through the process makes us more sensitive to those who are still processing, and therefore better able to help them with loving intent as a foundation.
A Witch’s 10 Commandments: Magickal Guidelines for Everyday Life
Marian Singer
Witches Of The Craft® 
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