I "found" Paganism about 10 years ago. I have never been "initiated" by a group or coven. I do not feel it is necessary. I self-initiated shortly after i found myself proclaiming to be a Witch. I did have a teacher for a while. She had been a Witch for over 30 years. She also did not feel the need to be initiated by a coven. She held no degree. BUT, she was the smartest and most experienced WITCH I have ever had the pleasure to know. I considered her to be the High-Priestess and Teacher of our little group of students. She always taught us that when you "feel" you are ready to call yourself a WITCH/PAGAN/TRADITION and have no qualms about it, then you ARE! No one can tell you you aren't. You can continue to grow and learn.

I have been working on my Elemental Degree (by myself) for a couple of years now. When I finish, I will "graduate" myself. I have already taught others what I have learned, but continue to learn on my own. I do not believe that anyone can tell me I am not a Pagan/Witch, Eclectic Pagan, for they cannot see in my heart. I had one person over the last 10 years say that I wasn't "spiritual" enough. I hardly knew this person and let the comment slide off my back.

Whether you stir love and peace into your meals, make incense, dance naked under the stars, or belong to a coven or grove, talk to trees, do candle  magic in your bedroom, or use the cooking herbs in your cupboard for spells too, if you believe in your heart you are a Witch, then you are.

 Now there are some who just have read a book, but haven't yet started practicing, who I would consider Student Witches, but who are we to tell them, even, whether they can call themselves Witches or not. There are all type of people, all types of opinions on this subject, but the only one that matters IS THE FEELING IN YOUR HEART!!

Well, I turned the big "55" today. My daughter-in-law and her two friends got my a beautiful lily and made cupcakes for me with purple frosting.

Man, where has my life gone. Seems like only yesterday I was a young party girl, then a wife and mother, now an old crone.

Hopefully, through all of my interesting life experiences,  I can help someone else through some tough times.

All in all, it's been a pretty interesting life with many ins and outs, ups and downs, and many very interesting life experiences. Hopefully, the rest of this incarnation will hold more surprises, new friends, and adventures.