The arrival of October is very important for many, and it has a special meaning for Pagans and Witches in general. Even the uninitiated get excited about haunted houses, horror movies, theme parties, and trick or treating. Historically, however, Samhain has been a date that symbolizes the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, popularly called the Witches’ New Year in social networks and in some books. It is a date to leave the past behind and avoid repeating mistakes – something a priest in La Guaira state, Venezuela, did not do.
Legend has it that a long time ago there was a shameless priest who lived in the state of La Guaira, near what is now Caruao and Chuspa. The interesting thing about the story is that it tells that this priest used to bathe in a lake in female company, something that went against his religious vows.
A weathered statue’s hand holding a rose [Stux, Pixabay]
His punishment would soon come in the form of death. One day like any other, while the priest bathed without worries, he ended up drowning in the same lake and no one could help him. It is said that his ghost still appears in the lake, the Well of the Priest, reliving his death endlessly, asking for help and lamenting his mistakes.
Everyone makes mistakes throughout their lives. However, as my mother taught me, “it is human to make mistakes, but it is wisdom to correct them.” I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been wrong, every time I had to lower my head, swallow my pride, and admit that I don’t know everything or that I had made things worse. But I try to learn from every experience.
At the same time, I know that my word has power, that what I represent has power. Contrary to a double-standard priest who broke his word, I always try to keep my promises and make amends for my mistakes. I know that when I need it, help will come and, whenever I can, I give back in the best way.
My mother met an amazing woman, a psychic and therapist who used dowsing rods to help countless people in Maracaibo. She was one of my first teachers and a guide and help at all times, a person who was always there when we needed her.
A few days ago, I received the news that she was in very poor health, and had to be hospitalized because her organs were collapsing. She was always a person of few resources who was in charge of her family without a second hesitation. Although I was unable to provide financial assistance, I told her son that I would gladly return the affection and love his mother had always given us. However, we expected different news than what we received this week.
After contracting the coronavirus, falling into a coma, and waking up within hours, we all hoped that she would recover without problems and return to her home. However, it was another house to which she had to return.
Being Reiki therapists, or Witches, or both, as in my case, makes us often feel that we can do everything we set out to do, that nothing is impossible, that it is just a matter of finding the right method. It happened to me years ago, when I was learning to heal with pop music in the air, and it happened to me this week, when I tried to apply what I have learned in this time to help my first teacher.
Just a day before, when I was talking to my mother about the subject, she told me that instead of asking for what we want, we should always ask for what is best and most convenient. “I’m sure that the best thing is not that she dies in a hospital without being able to see her family,” I replied, but it is very likely that this was precisely the case for her.
A skull in shadows [Kabe32, Pixabay]
Far from believing that distance therapy and prayers for an amazing woman like that teacher made her go away, I do know that she could have done things a little differently. My maternal grandfather (rest in peace) always said that one would reach the end that one was destined to reach from the day of his birth no matter what, but that the path is up to each one of us. I don’t think I have enough power to alter a destiny that might have already been determined, and I have reason to believe that my teacher could have done things differently as well.
What’s done is done. There is no way to rewrite the past, remake what is destroyed, or bring back those who have left. Days ago, I was remembering the memory of my father (rest in peace) and how complicated my relationship with him has always been. However, I know that I wouldn’t change anything because what I learned is part of who I am today. The same goes for this teacher.
Many times we want to go back in time, redo our actions, change everything hoping for a better result, but no matter how tempting the idea may be, I always tell myself no, that it is better to move on and not try to save something that is already lost. It is better to learn from mistakes so as not to die in the waters of our own stubbornness.
I always remember those who have left, my maternal grandfather who takes care of us from wherever he is, my father who protects us whenever he can, and now this teacher, who was a guardian and guide on many occasions. For me, the ancestors and the deceased in general are the most indicated for matters of earthly life because they have already walked this path, they have already been here, they already know what to be human is like. They are our closest and most familiar guardians, whether related by blood or not.
Years will go by; I will keep making mistakes. I will keep losing special people to me and remembering their lives. But I am also looking to be someone better than that guy they left behind. There are those who leave flowers on their graves but, for me, there is no better gift for the deceased than to tell their stories, apply their teachings and honor their memory.
The Wild Hunt always welcomes guest submissions. Please send pitches to eric@wildhunt.org.
The views and opinions expressed by our diverse panel of columnists and guest writers represent the many diverging perspectives held within the global Pagan, Heathen, and polytheist communities, but do not necessarily reflect the views of The Wild Hunt Inc. or its management.
The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content.
To join a conversation on this post:
Visit our The Wild Hunt subreddit! Point your favorite browser to https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/, then click “JOIN”. Make sure to click the bell, too, to be notified of new articles posted to our subreddit.