Pagan Book Shelf - Nicole McAlister Voices on the Path

Voices on the Path-

A Collection of Interviews

Pagan Book Shelf

Nicole McAlister

Email: paganbookshelf@gmail.com
Website: www.paganbookshelf.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaganBookShelf
First can you briefly tell us about yourself? What is your profession? Any special hobbies?Ok, so let me start with my profession, Currently I am a domestic Goddess. For those of you that don't know what that is, let me explain. I clean the house, do the wash, tend the garden, take care of the fish, dogs, cats, spiders, shop for and prepare nearly every meal, care for the children and entertain as well as transport them to where ever they need to be. I became this about six years ago. I've taken an occasional part time job to make ends meet here and there...but otherwise my 'Domestic Goddess' duties are my priority.

Prior to that I'd done retail, apartment management, call center, collection, etc. I've also attended approximately two years of colledge for Journalism, and taken a course on Law enforcement and Criminal Justice. Yes, at one time I fancied I'd be a cop and newspaper reporter.

Some of the things I enjoy doing …. writing obviously , as well as painting and just being creative. Sometimes, and I rarely get to do this as often as I should....I enjoy sitting out on my rocker on my front porch just looking at the sky, the trees, the birds, the plants, and the geese as well as just enjoying the kids playing in the yard.

When did you begin your path? What inspired you to walk this journey? I remember around ten hanging out on the playground talking about Myths with my girlfriends. I remember the first time I was introduced to the Greek Mythology in Language arts, and how liberating it was to realize that there wasn't just one God to fit all. No offence, I've always been a plus size girl and that one size fits all tag is a load of crap.

Around seven I had a neighbor I hung out with, her mother was Thai and I remember her Budha room, which on alternate days served as a wash room. I remember how lovely her shrine was and wanting one myself. I never guessed you could have such things in the privacy of your own home.

As a young girl I remember going to both the Catholic and Protestant churches with my mother and father alternately. I had friends who were Mormon who on occasion would invite me to events. I was not allowed in the temple, but the gardens were so lovely. I loved learning about other peoples belief and was always open and accepting. However I never committed.

Can you tell us a little about your path? How would you describe yourself?I've been called by many labels. Wicca, Witch, and many things in between. However my choice...if you tied me up and threatened me with torture, would have to be Darkling. Some people claim to work in the light, some drawn to the dark. I believe we are all shades of Gray. The Darker spectrum is not a 'evil' place to be. The Dark is a reference to the under/other world, the other side of the veil. It is also a reference to living outside the ordinary and enjoying things other people might find 'different'.

Does the path you've chosen affect your profession? If so, how?
My number one job is Mum. The oldest profession in the world, also a very magickal profession. Who else kisses the boo boo's better. I include my children as much as possible in my lifestyle while encouraging them to experience their own journeys.

Is community important to you, or do you prefer to express your beliefs as a solitary?

Being there to support my community, building a network to help others new on the path, and sharing friendships is extremely important to me when it comes to my beliefs. Which is why I made my facebook page and website. However, my beliefs and practices tend to be very personal.

As a note, as my way of helping those new on the path and sharing with my community, I'm working on a course that will be free called 'Just the Basics'. This course shares very basic information that I wish I'd known in the beginning. It is thirteen weeks with daily exercises. As one works through it works like a personal journal as well. Information about this can be found on my website and facebook page.

Are you associated with any organizations, volunteer work, or groups that support your spiritual beliefs? My facebook page is my link to the Pagan Themed World.

Would you say your path has been an easy or difficult journey? Any advice for someone new to this path?
I'll be honest, it's been both. The difficulty lies in the struggle for acceptance especially by close friends and family. As well, in finding direction in the path, the ongoing search for a mentor is definitely been a uphill journey. On more than one occassional I'd met people I thought could lead me, and they'd end up following. So many of us are searching for a teacher, and at one point I thought I'd found her, and then she disappeared off the face of the earth. In the beginning my self confidence in my beliefs and practices felt lacking and insignificant because of this. Then I awoke to a realization, I was meant to learn intuitively. There was much I was born knowing and I needed just to trust myself. We are our own teachers, and our potentials are limitless. Accepting that I may never find the right mentor, and learning to rely on my gut feelings was an incredible boost along the journey and made things a lot easier.

Finally, what three books would you say most influenced your path?

There are so many choices here, it's hard to narrow down:

Mists of Avalon – A work of fiction reflecting many Pagan beliefs. Reading this I fell in love with this story and book. It also helps to understand that stories are told from perspective, and ones perspective in the story can be different than another. And what is life about....but perspectives.

Finn MacCool by Morgan Llywelyn – Demonstrates how events and actions shape Myth. This is one of my favorites.

A Kitchen Witches Cookbook – This was one of the few 'spell' books I'll refer to. Cooking is the ultimate casting....When I'm referring to this book I feel like I'm the Witch, stirring her cauldron in secret, working the deepest of Magicks.