The Empress (3) “Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.” ~ William Wordsworth Image Description: The Rider-Waite deck portrays a woman seated on luxurious cushions. Her gown is decorated with pomegranates. A crown of stars rests upon her head, and she holds a scepter in her hand. The landscape around her is lush and fertile; a river flows nearby, while growing wheat ripens at her feet. A heart-shaped seal bearing a female symbol resides next to her seat. Symbols: Scepter: Sovereignty Pomegranates: Fertility Cushions: Appreciation of luxury Female Symbol: Femininity, female sexuality Heart-Shaped Shield: Universal love River: Flow of life Key Words: Mothering, Fruitfulness, Abundance, Senses, Nature Fool’s…

Spiritual Work and Paranormal Investigations With the popularity of ghost hunting shows offered today it is difficult for many to look at ghost hunting as little more than a hobby or fad.  Parapsychology is a science comprised of a complex set of theories and terminology that has been around for 100 years.  I attempt through this column to show both the skeptical and the believable sides of parapsychology and to teach ghost hunting techniques and tips in a manner that most can understand and enjoy while learning about the subject.  Some of these terms and concepts are a bit confusing and hard to swallow but I have faith in the…

Pulling Up Roots: Home Transitions with Pagan Children It is human nature to put down roots.  Our community, our home, they are not just where our hearts are but where our roots can push into the earth and bring us grounding.  As pagans we tend to set down roots or acknowledge them in a concrete way.  A hedgewitch may be intimate with every square foot of woods behind her house, a city dwelling druid may have deep conversation with the oak tree that shades his apartment balcony, and the Wiccan family can make a sacred space in their sunroom where each member can rejuvenate in times of stress.  All of…

Reflections in the Dark It is the Time of Learning.  Each one discovers it alone, without direction, because no one can find this moment for another.  It is when we can see without eyes, understand without thought, and feel the magic in the time between heartbeats.  It is a time of darkness that makes the shadows visible, a time of knowing when everything is one. For a moment that lasts a thousand years we dare not breathe, we must not move.  Our heart races toward the unknown but time stops.  Our eyes close because they are useless here.  Our mind stops because its chatter is an illusion, a sophistry of…

Buzzard The Burying Man In Memory of Dr. John Thomas Bailey (South Louisiana Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1866) We’ve all of us heard o’ the Queen o’ the West In the summer o’ forty-five. And how they desp’ratly clung t’ the boats When she took her final dive. We’ve all of us heard of the boilin’ sun. And the hunger And tharst bearin’ down For twenty-nine days on the rolling sea And prayin’ for to drown. Some says they ate their shipmates So as to stay alive. Ninety-eight souls in two little boats And ended with thirty-five. And we’ve all of us heard o’ Doctor Death And his pickin’ who lived…

Book Review: Circle, Coven and Grove: A Year of Magickal Practice By: Deborah Blake © 2007 Circle, Coven and Grove is nicely written and informative, great for any practitioner, novice to high priest or priestess. Deborah Blake has put together the basics of successful practice and a wheel of the year schedule that is easy to follow for any magickal seeker wishing to follow the old ways. This book is packed full of hints, tips, suggestion and practical etiquette for a happy and pleasant magick experience. No matter your style or path, this book encompasses all. Easy to follow spells, and holiday celebration rituals are especially beautiful. Circle, Coven and…

The Asatru Path There are few paths that are as firmly rooted in their beliefs as the Asatru path.  Even among Pagans they are often misrepresented and misunderstood.  Fortunately, I’ve had some exposure to this path as good friends of mine practice this belief system.  I’d like to share a bit about what I have learned with you. Asatru is the modern recreation of the Old Norse faith which came out of Germanic tribes.  Like the name suggests they strongly adhere to the Norse Pantheon and most will only work with Norse Gods and Goddesses.  Like most Pagan paths there isn’t a definitive text, though the mythology is preserved and…

In my Notes article this month I wrote about spring cleaning, both physical and spiritual.. so in this article I will give you some recipes for eco friendly cleaning supplies… Scouring Powder 1c baking soda 1c sea salt 1/2 c lemongrass 1/2 c lavender flowers 10 drops lemon, lime, or grapefruit essential oil Combine all ingredients in the blender or food processor and pulse until they become a powder. You can choose other herbs that go well together..as well as those that purify. Carpet Freshener 1/2 c cornstarch 1/2 c baking soda 1/4 c lemongrass 1/4 c lemon peel 6 drops grapefruit essential oil Combine all ingredients into the blender…

(Oh-star-ah) – Lesser Sabbat – Spring/Vernal Equinox, March 20-21st – when the Sun enters Ares Other Names: Ostre, Oestre, Eostre, Rites of Spring, Eostra’s Day, Lady Day, First Day of Spring, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Alban Eiler, Bacchanalia, Mean Earraigh, Pasch, Caisg, Pess Date: Spring Equinox (March 20-22 in Northern Hemisphere) or when the Sun is 1 degree Aries. Symbolism: The beginning of spring, new life and rebirth, the God and Goddess in Their youth, balance, fertility Goddesses: all love, virgin, and fertility Goddesses; Anna Perenna (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek), Astarte (Canaanite, Persia, GrecoRoman), Athena (Greek), Cybele (Greco-Roman), Blodeuwedd, Eostre (Saxon Goddess of Fertility), Flidais (Irish), Gaia (Greek), Hera, Ishtar (Assyro-Babylonian),…

The Promise of Spring is Ours to Keep Ostara and the Quickening Moon The light has changed and all but the most stubborn shadows have yielded their hold. Darkness gives way to green. All that was forgotten by the Sun and left to Fall’s descent, now lies transformed, ready to fulfill the promise of Spring. Ostara, the Vernal Equinox, brings us to the moment where the dreams of Imbolc begin to physically manifest. It is the point upon the Wheel where color begins to return in earnest to the world around you. The solemn quiet of Winter gives way to Nature’s chorus, as more and more of Her creatures follow…