Wrote a really long winded entry, thank you for those who took the time to read it. Removed it so to condense it some more. (This is a little long too, but not as long as the first).
There isnāt a particular person, but many, and including those that donāt practice magick, still feel helped pave the way very much. Here goes.
First experience really pushed me out of the mundane was when I visited a psychic studio, 14 years ago about. She did a lot of stuff with me that was a first, my first closed eye visual experience was under her direction, we were meditating together. She had me meditate with her and prescribed times of the day for me to do it. First time Iāve ever meditated in such a way. She also gave me my first crystal to carry with me. Before her, I lived a very mundane life. Then she also said she is going to perform a spell on my behalf, she will have to do this in private. I was like ok, at that time this definitely went over my head.
After that, then I started to read some books on the occult, and magic. Including but not limited to, texts attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, books by Eliphas Levi, Raymond Buckland, Manly P Hall, etc. I didnāt practice, but enjoyed more of the philosophical aspect of what magick and the occult provided. One of the books I liked very much and learned a lot from and do recommend is reading the principles laid out in The Kybalion by The Three Initiates.
What I did end up practicing and reading on a lot more on was meditation, hypnosis, human potential, mesmerism, esotericism, body language, works on psychology, and psychiatry, various types of physical therapy, human potential, Theosophy, Transcendentalism, personal development, Religious texts, etc. There is so many good works on the above, canāt go too wrong finding such.
One person that influenced me greatly in the world of esotericism and meditation is Dr. Frederick āRamaā Lenz, a master mediator. He passed away many years ago, but I was very fortunate and am thankful to have been in the company and to meditate with direct students of his. Reading and listening to his works, he dumbed it down a lot where I was able to understand a put into practice, and also he made my path so much more fun.
Even with so many fantastic experiences, as Iām progressing, at the same time honestly still working against myself, very much off. So about a year and half ago I decided to align myself with the phases of the Moon (donāt recall how I decided this) not that I wanted to practice magick, but I needed structure and decided to try this out, the ebb and flow of my life and choices, there is a time to receive and a time to let go. Read a couple of books by Yasmin Boland, and various articles and books on Moon rituals. When I changed over to the Moon, I have had two fantastic dreams that Iād take telling me Iām moving in the right direction. A little time after those dreams, started to incorporate magickal works with the phases , came across a number of websites, articles, resources, and I found Spells8. An excellent source, very well laid out, organized, resourceful, spent sometime on the main page. Then I ventured into the forum, excellent community, the working behind a great excellent website, huge thank you! In the meantime, got a tarot deck Rider-Waite-Smith deck (a big thank you to those who created this deck), then a pendulum (a number of people advised to get a pendulum), crystals, incense, etc. With the tarot and pendulum Iām tapping into a very smarter aware part of myself, leaps and bounds. Wish I did this long ago, would have saved me a lot of fumbling around.
Now this āsmartā part of myself, going back so many years, when I started to meditate and studying body language, realized with my hands, walked around a lot with a clenched fist, so I consciously watched myself to not do that. One day, was strolling through a wooden local park, listening to some music, la de da, and my left hand clenches into a tight fist automatically, I looked down at my fist and talked to it out loud āhey, whatās going on down thereā and released my hand, and right after a person came scrambling out of woods from nowhere, off the path, from my left side, where my fist clenched. I paused, didnāt know what to make of it, but I realized a part of myself is more aware than myself, but I pushed that into that back of my mind, didnāt know where to go with it. But now with the tarot and pendulum, Iām solid on that Iām communicating with that part of myself.
Iām just going along with all of this, Iām liking it a lot so far.
plant questions and so many of you have helped me and answered questions for me or gave me things to think about that I didnāt know about.
Thank you all. This is a very lovely place 
and welcoming to all.
and Infinite Roots 
~Sarall
I was raised in the craft. I feel I am blessed to come from such a lineage and to have known so many willing to pass on their knowledge to an eager student, adding to my eclectic background and practice. And, I am still learning. This coven is such a wealth of knowledge and the willingness to teach others is beautiful! I am thankful to everyone, past and present!
If you want to share your reflection but havenāt done so already, please know that you have one more day left to do so:
This challenge will close TOMORROW 
Itās a supportive community that inspires wisdom, education, and friendship. Thank you to ALL of you who share your deep inner thoughts and suggestions, you just donāt realize who may need to hear your advice.
Adventure.
I love these weekly Challenges! Thank you for doing these! They push me to stop and think about things and dive deeper into my connection with our Goddess. Iāve pondered this Challenge all week and keep coming back to the same answer. My magickal teacher opened my eyes several years ago. Itās Mother Nature herself! I have never had a genuine spiritual connection to anything other than what is almost tangible to me. Nature. The trees 
flowers 
and stars 
, wind 
, sunsets 
and sunrise 
, the consistent change in Nature thatās reliable no matter what is happening in lifeāwatching my yard sprout after a crippling winter. The birds 
and bugs 
busy with building and reconstruction. The most beautiful tree is outside my bathroom window, and each season displays its Magick on this tree. When itās Fall, itās a brilliant red, 
breathtaking. When my brother passed away at a young age in 2020, the dragonflies came and stayed for several days on the green bean vines. We put a dragonfly weathervane atop the house for him. When my furry soulmate passed in September, a dragonfly found me in an antique shop on the third floor as I was searching for a symbol of something that looked like her. (Thatās a whole other magickal story!)
pushing up through the chilled soil and apologizing to the weeds for ripping them up but admiring their tenacity. When cutting back an old Rhodie bush, I uncovered half a dozen snail shells 
, then covered them back up with an āoops, sorry guys.ā When I stop and be still, the birds 
Anyway, between her deep connection to the Divine Feminine and her interest in Native American spirituality, she helped me find my path. Iām very eclectic in my belief system, but when I was around 22,(a million years ago-heh) my mom gave me a book called Medicine Woman (it came out in the eighties and I read it in the early nineties) and it opened my eyes to Shamanism. Mom has been placing this book in my path in a multitude of ways this week (which is pretty badass coming from the spirit world 
) and it has been the perfect reminder that my connection to shamanism is what led me here. Geez, did I say this was going to be short? 
) but will respond to everyone individually as soon as I can!
It does take a lot of courage to look inwards, and then even more strength to put it into words and share it with others. The coven is strong indeed! 
Iām glad youāve been able to make more room for the things you treasure and are continuing on your exciting new path. Wishing you all the best, Iris- thank you for sharing about your magickal learning! 
But despite the challenge, you took it on and emerged victorious. Your ex was a magickal teacher, yes, but he was also simply a step on your way up. You have moved on, onwards and upwards as your magickal journey continues and you reach greater heights! I am so proud of you and am constantly cheering you on- I see all of your encouraging and welcoming posts and I think that you are so strong for choosing to be a beacon of light and warmth for others, despite the darkness that you overcame. Youāve designed a lovely routine for yourself and I hope that your magick continues to bring you the light, joy, and love that you deserve 
May your magickal adventure continue, bringing you lots of love and great joy! 
I love that you reflected on how Mother Nature has helped guide you in your practice, She is a wonderful magickal teacher to have 
Your entry reads like poetry, and I love the gratitude offering you gave- it can hard when we are low on energy, but it sounds like nature is always there to give you a boost