Now we are going to have a little fun with some recipes. Most of the ones we will discuss  were discovered or created by Scott Cunningham in his book titled Incense, Oils & Brews. I have always found this book to be a priceless tool when trying to figure out what to blend with what and by how much technically. Though I always go by what my intuition tells me, Mr. Cunningham gives me an excellent base to start off with. Many of his scents or recipes for scents have worked really well for just about every person I have ever spoken with about it. They say this book is…

An Abundance of Greens I didn’t lose it all with Bernie Madoff, but, like many others, I watched my material wealth shrink this past year. Am I worthless because I’m worth less? Of course not. I’m worthwhile, no matter what I’m worth financially. Having less money doesn’t have to mean having less joy or less abundance. I didn’t lose my job – since I am self-employed, I know I won’t be laid off – but work has slowed down, giving me time to appreciate the many ways abundance pops up in my life. An abundance of things is not fulfilling or satisfying. Having many things can be a burden. It takes…

Merry Meet and Blessed May to you all… As I have in the past I will be writing about something that others may not be… I will be writing today about the darker side of the Goddess. I have been researching her many faces and have become fascinated with the little understood Hecate and Kali. When you look at them they may seem vastly different from one another but in reality they are very similar. Both are feared as dark and mysterious Goddess with many fearsome attributes. But in reality they are nothing like recent history has portrayed them as. Hecate… Greek goddess of the three paths, guardian of the…

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An’ it harm none, Do what ye will. What exactly does the Wiccan Rede advise with those words? Let’s look first at the definition of harm. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as; physical or mental damage. I would not hasten to add spiritual damage to that definition as well. Okay. Got it. What about the word – none? The same dictionary goes on to define that as; not any, not one, nobody, not any such thing or person, no part, nothing. Huh. Now really, if you think about it, that’s a pretty broad spectrum. But what is the ‘it’ in the Rede’s phrasing? What…

Spiritual Work and Paranormal Investigations (Part 3 of 3) Everyone dreams.  Humans and other animals require sleep, and yes, they all dream.  Our mental and physical health is dependant on how we sleep and how we dream.  A common belief is that gods speak to us through dreams.  For example, according to Islamic belief, Muhammad talked to the angel Gabriel several times through his dreams.  As a result dreams are very important to followers of Islam and a person’s dreams are highly respected and private between the individual and the divine.  Some cultures believe we are nothing more than someone else’s dream.  Some shamanic cultures even say that what we…

Basic herbs We all need to have some basic herbs in our pantries. Not for magickal uses only. But for flavoring our foods as well… I have chosen the following herbs that I feel are Basics that I MUST have in my kitchen, and I will give the food and the magickal info on them, as I know it and can research it. This may be incomplete as some do not have traditional correspondences. You will also remember that you will use this as YOU see fit.. not as I do or someone else does. If what I have written here does not suit you, feel right, or sounds crazy.…

Also known as: May Day, Bealtaine, Beltane, Bhealtainn, Bealtinne, Festival of Tana (Strega), Giamonios, Rudemass, and Walburga (Teutonic), Cetsamhain (opposite Samhain),Fairy Day ,Sacred Thorn Day, Rood Day, Roodmas (the Christian term for Rood Day, Old Beltane, Beltain, Baltane, Walpurgis Night, Floriala (Roman feast of flowers from April 29 to May 1), Walpurgisnacht (Germanic-feast of St. Walpurga), Thrimilce (Anglo-saxon), Bloumaand (Old Dutch) Date: May 1 Animals: Swallow, dove, swan, Cats, lynx, leopard Deities: Flower Goddesses, Divine Couples, Deities of the Hunt, Aphrodite, artemis, Bast, Diana, Faunus, Flora, Maia, Pan, the Horned God, Venus, and all Gods and Goddesses who preside over fertility.Tools: broom, May Pole, cauldronStones/Gems: emerald, malachite, amber, orange carnelian,…

Isn’t this time of year amazing? The Earth awakens and brings forth its colorful beauty. The birds fill the air with their cheerful songs. People get the urge to go outdoors and fire up the grills. As we step outside and take a breath of fresh air, our minds actively respond to everything our senses take in. Spring is a time of rebirth for the Earth in so many ways. Conversations begin to consist of births and weddings more than any other time. However, I find that I often think of death at the beginning of this particular season. Funny thing is, I am sure I am not alone. Death…

Diana’s May Day Holy Water The Roman goddess Diana (the Greek Artemis) was called “The Dewy One” by the ancient Romans because they considered dew to be sacred to her.  They believed that the dew was left by the Moon (a symbol of Diana) during the night.  Practitioners of Strega (Italian Witchcraft) would collect dew from various sacred plants to then use in Holy Water. The phrase “Holy Water” has an obvious Judeo-Christian feel to it, so if you are not comfortable with this verbiage, the phrase “Blessing Water” may resonate better with you.  Either way, Holy Water has many uses including evoking the Water Element during a Ritual Circle,…

From hillside to hillside Light touching light She will awake Hear the drums On Beltane night Ribbons dancing Becoming entwined Swirling and turning Under and over Slowly weaving Like the flower and the vine On the horizon Fires of the nine Heather so did burn Sing to the Dawn Light to purify One with the Divine