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.
