Famously Haunted Part 1 Hollywood Being a native of Southern California, it was only natural for me to combine my fascination with the paranormal and my love of old Hollywood.  There are so many ghost stories that tinsel town has to offer.  Perhaps it is because Hollywood has always been a place filled with passion and desire; such strong emotions are bound to leave a lingering impression.  First I would like to start with an interesting story that strangely combines two Hollywood tragedies that took place 37 years apart from each other. The blond bombshell actress Jean Harlow became famous for her lead role in the Howard Hughes film Hell’s…

With a husband, 3 kids and a business to run I sometimes struggle to find the time to connect with life on a spiritual level. As a solitary witch I have to rely on myself to make time to celebrate the Sabbats and Esbats – it’s not like going to church every Sunday (whether you want to or not!). Often my celebrations don’t register anywhere near on the grand scale. But, you know, that’s ok. I think sometimes we get caught up in the ‘more is more’ way of thinking even when it comes to our Pagan holidays. Usually to honour the Sabbats I perform a candle ritual and make…

The Signs of Easter It’s Easter time, and Easter Bunnies and Easter eggs are everywhere!  At school and at home, children dye and paint eggs, hardboiled by mothers or teachers, in preparation for the great feast of Easter. Some prepare “nests,” or baskets, filled with artificial or real grass, in which to place the colored eggs.  This custom harks back to a time when people actually believed that rabbits laid eggs, since their burrows were in the ground where ground-dwelling birds like plovers, really did lay eggs. The night before Easter, fond parents hide chocolate or hardboiled eggs, allegedly hidden by the Easter bunny, round the house or garden. Children…

Playmate All children, or almost all of them, go through a stage in which they invent imaginary playmates. Russian children are no different from any others in that respect. Viktor and Katya Boikia’s little girl, Vika was no different. When Vika was about five years old, she was constantly talking to her parents about her friend “Natasha”. Of course, her parents didn’t pay much attention to her. They thought that it was funny, and sort of amusing… except for one thing… “Natasha” was always hungry… Vika was always going to the kitchen and raiding the refrigerator, cookie jar, or bread bin for food… “for Natasha”. Now, Vika, unfortunately, takes after…

“Under the full moon life is all adventure.” -Sigurd Olson, The Singing Wilderness Full Moon: APR 28  5:18 am Full moons occur from fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the new moon. Full moons are prime time for rituals for prophecy, protection, divination. Any workings that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healing for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, full moons aide work for love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money, divination, and dreams. It is said that full moon magic is like a white candle — all purpose. Full moon magic can be conjured during the 3 days prior to the rise of the full…

For this month’s article, I wanted to discuss being a pagan parent. Being a parent in general can be such an extraordinary experience. I think we parents can agree that there are plenty of rewards and heartaches. As parents, we have so many choices to make about what type of parents we want to be. One of these decisions may involve how we will approach the spirituality topic with our children. This decision can vary among different belief systems and paganism is certainly not excluded. For my children, so far in their young lives, they have been exposed to a lot more than I ever was. I feel they have…

Falling stars Leave splinters in the hollow Of your heart Nakedness standing trees I fill this cup With hastiness and greed When all this ends Do we pretend? Or is it a sign When all things divide We’re left here torn Shattered, tethered Better or for worse An island or a curse I feel the ocean Wash over me Leave me here to bleed I won’t say a thing For in the darkness Is it not your sin? The garden divine Leaves, thorns and vines Hallow ground and halo The Great Serpent Rainbow Yes, I’ll remain here Where I can breathe Where the wind and the trees Sing in harmony…

A Harm Free Spring Spring has always been the time of year represented by themes of fertility, renewal, and hope. For Pagans it is the time of year when the Goddess is symbolically pregnant with God. We celebrate the Sabbats of Ostara and Beltane. These Sabbats are centered around the natural season and have the same themes of fertility, renewal, and hope. Ostara and Beltane altars are decorated with flowers, eggs, rabbits, baby chickens and other symbols of spring and fertility. The Christian and secular based versions of Easter share these same symbols of spring. After all, Ostara is the original spring holiday before it was Christianized and became known…

Our Energy Centers, the Chakras Merry Meet and welcome!  I am so glad to have each of you as readers to this column and as promised we are going to discuss the chakras in this edition.  I must admit that after a great deal of thought after writing the first portion of this (Grounding and Centering) that I found myself debating about whether or not I should have included this portion in that posting.  Ultimately, I am not sure if I left people confused or not, but I didn’t get any e-mails either so that may mean that things are alright!  If you are a reader I would love to…

The Emperor (4) “No one can give you authority. But if you act like you have it, others will believe you do.”  ~Karin Ireland Image Description: The Rider-Waite deck portrays a crowned ruler seated on a raised throne decorated with ram heads; his robes also bear the same ram insignia. Beneath the flowing fabric hints of protective armor can be seen. In his right hand he holds a globe and in his left hand a scepter.  Behind his throne barren mountains stretch forth in the distance. Symbols: Scepter: Sovereignty Ram’s Heads (Zodiac sign for Aries): Ambition and career prospects Globe: Rulership Solid Platform: Foundation, solidity Armor: Readiness, preparation Beard: Masculinity,…