Sacrifices - for Real SACRIFICE ~ This is a subject that has always had a negative connotation. For people not repulsed by the very word - it can be a very powerful magickal method. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT HUMAN SACRIFICE - KILLING OF HUMANS!!! ~ I am talking about sacrifices that people make in their lives that can be very powerful magically. Just as Christians make sacrifices during Lent ("giving something up") many pagans also know the power of this practice. Here's an example: ~ One of the priests in T.O.D. was in desparate search of employment. IN CIRCLE, as a SACRIFICE to the Divine to show the extent of his dedication to the drawing magick that we were helping him work as a group - he cut off his braid - over a foot long. (of course he went to a barber after circle to have his hair properly cut, but the braid was cut off as a sacrifice in circle) This to him was a MAJOR loss and sacrifice as he had never had to cut his hair for a job - but this time he was cutting it before looking any further. ~ There are many sacrifices that you can make of things in your daily life as personal denial-offerings to the Divine that can strengthen your magic too. When these sacrifices are made or announced in circle - the spiritual implications are endless - and the benefits are just as endless. ~ Even in mundane life - we make sacrifices everyday without thinking of them as such. My own father is a "heart-patient" - he has made the sacrifice of totally revamping his lifestyle since his first heart attack 18 years ago - he made this sacrifice for one reason - to stay alive. ~ Many pagans will not openly discuss sacrifice because of the negative and Hollywood connotations that this term has developed in regard to us; however, I feel it is necessary to make a point out of how many sacrifices EVERYONE makes - mundane, spiritual, for relationships, etc. on a DAILY basis. Once all sacrifices are acknowledged as such, maybe we will be able to get past the stigma of alleged acts by some peoples' ancestors. ~ As a magickal challenge - try to see what you're really in need of and think of some relevant sacrifice that you could make or anounce in circle in the presence of your Gods. Remember, it's not a sacrifice if you won't miss it. My own sister who happens to be Catholic was thinking of things to give up for Lent this year and thought of the standard Chocolate, but then realized as she is breast-feeding she can't have it anyway - so she had to think of something that she wasn't already limited from. ~ If you do decide to make "official" magickal sacrifices, keep a journal to see which ones really were true sacrifices and which ones are "better off without" types. Usually the biggest personal sacrifices HELP to bring the biggest results. The priest who cut off his hair got a job paying $9+ per hour working as a district manager for the local newspaper. In a town where the average apartment is about $300 per month - that's pretty dang good without having completed his college degree yet! ~ Now of course - don't forget to take any mundane measures you can to help your situation. As a priest I know once said - if God wants you to win the lottery, don't worry - you will, but YOU have to buy a ticket first! Blessed Be & 93.