A Vow of Prosperity

I've seen complaints rolling around the internet lately: How come, as Witches, we aren't all rich, healthy, famous, thin and gorgeous?

The short answer: These things are temporary states in a multiverse which is always in flux.

The longer answer? Because there are challenges and temptations each of us must deal with. Because we are part of the world and not everyone else in it makes decisions with that in mind.


I was recently thinking about my husband's aunt, the nun, and our last trip to see her. She, and all of her fellow nuns, have made a vow of poverty. They depend entirely on the church to provide for their needs. The facility where she lives is nicer than what most people have. I've been told and read different reasons for this vow: Jesus had no money so the point is to be like him; Money and property decisions distract from spiritual life, so let the church make the money decisions. (So much for the spiritual life of the decision maker, huh?).
As I've said in previous blogs, I admire, and relate to, her commitment to her deity/deities and to her vows.

So why not make a vow of Prosperity? Of Health? A vow, moreso than a petition or spell, is about taking matters into your own hands. It's being active rather than passive. Yes, candle magic is passive. You put together the ingredients, you "charge" it with your "energy" but really what you're doing is making an offering and hoping it is accepted. A vow to accomplish something in the name of your Patrons is a much more involved matter. It is on you to arrange the details to make it happen. Yes, you can still work your work to nudge the universe in your direction, but if I vow to make curtains for my mother's window as a gift, I'm not going to ask her to buy the material and take the measurements for me. 

"Prayer indeed is good, but while calling on the Gods a man should himself lend a hand."

- Hippocrates

What did our Ancestors do? They didn't have the same challenges we face today. There wasn't the same emphasis on fame and beauty and wealth. Sure, these things are nice (maybe except for the fame part lol), but it was more basic: You honor your Gods and Ancestors and the Land and the Sea and Sky. The work done was practical: Glamour to improve your looks/find a good mate, health for the family, a good harvest, protection from the elements, and so on.

Are there vows you have made in haste? Are there vows you have kept/are keeping? Are there vows you would like to get out of? There are ways to do that as well, but that is for another time. Is there a vow you plan to make? Something you have been contemplating?

You made me promises, promises...

When you make a vow to your Patrons that you're going to fast on the Full Moon, you will fast on the full moon, even when you forget what day it is and eat something quick. Well, at least that's true for me. I have been sick all day. I have an awful fever, nothing is digesting and I can't even look at food. Oops. Guess I need to send myself an e-mail reminder about the full moon date. I can't type much, so I'm going to C&P something from http://www.religioromana.net/onsacrifices.htm They have wonderful information on their site and try to replicate Religio Romana as closely as possible. I admire their research.

The six times sacrifices are made
There are six types of sacrifices that may be made in the Religio Romana.
1) First is to honor the gods and to commemorate certain events such as the dedication of a temple.
2) To propitiate the gods when some disaster has occurred or other event whereby the gods demand a sacrifice.
3) Similarly, if divination, dreams or visions reveal a requirement that a sacrifice needs to be made.
4) By far though, most sacrifices made by individuals are performed in thanks, after a contract was met by the gods. A vow (nuncupatio) is first made that a sacrifice will be offered, or that an altar will be erected, or a temple built or renovated, or some other action that will be taken to fulfill the vow, on condition that the god perform some request.  If the request is fulfilled, the deity having accepted the vow, then one is obliged to fulfill the vow (ex voto); failure to do so would make that person sacer.  Sometimes,
5) in expectation that prayers will be answered, a sacrifice is made, but there is no obligation on the part of the deity. Most often these types of sacrifices would be dedicated pro salute in hopes of being healed of some illness.
6) Lastly there are those sacrifices made, not to honor the gods or to fulfill a vow, but made instead as part of a purification rite.