The Ghosts beneath the Mistletoe The days are increasingly shorter, the air chills to the bone, and nature slumbers beneath a blanket of sparkling snow. This is the time of year when we gather with friends and family to talk, share life’s adventures, and relive the year’s memorable moments. If you’re like many folks, you’re also gathered around a television to enjoy classics like It’s a Wonderful Life and Dickens’ immortal A Christmas Carol. But take a step back and look at these holiday classics through the lens of a seasoned investigator and you’ll begin to see them in an entirely new light. It is, after all, a fairly spooky…

God Of The Mistletoe Mistletoe has been around for many years, giving others an excuse to lock lips under the doorway that it hangs.  It’s interesting to think that an innocent plant of the holidays could cause the death of a noble God. It all started with the Norse God Baldur; son of Frigga, the Goddess of marriage and divination, and Odin ruler of Aguard.  Baldur lived in a place called Breidablik, with his wife Nanna.  Breidablik was believed to have the power to cast away all lies because it was home to the God of truth and light.  Baldur was well liked by everyone, Gods and men both.  He…

The children of the Craft of the Wise Look greatly forward to this day When the time is nigh for this beloved Sabbat We know the light is on it’s way Through this longest night we celebrate Knowing now the light will grow And the joy that every spirit feels Proves that the heart does also know As the sun goes down And the Yule logs burn Our loved ones gathered round And even Earth’s creatures participate As they do not make a sound When the fires cold and the night grows short This sacred time comes to a close And the flames, and joy that come at Yule In…

The Diary of a Drug Fiend by  Aleister Crowley  © 2010 Weiser Books  ISBN:  978-1-57863-494-1 Paperback        384 pages $18.95  (U.S.) Crowley’s first published  novel (1922) explores a world which is familiar to many of today’s society (albeit from a slightly different perspective) – that of an abuser of cocaine and heroin.  Many modern users are not in a position of being able to indulge their every whim,  nor are the drugs as readily available as they were in post- Great War Britain.  They can, certainly, relate to the effects of the drugs – the exhilaration of the cocaine and the obsessive focus of the heroin (and no, I haven’t indulged,…

Power Place My thoughts had been drawn to a question asked previously and without warning off my mind pinged to a few lines of a book by Phyllis Curott, one I had read awhile ago.. The chapter was on finding your own power place. Reading this chapter I felt enthralled by such a place and also slightly envious, for while I had visited places where I felt close to what felt like the very core of the Goddess I had never found that one place, where I just knew the energy in the area and I connected, a place of power – my power place perhaps. It never ceases to…

Dry Spell Stupid dry spells. They happen to the best of us, but that is little comfort when one is sitting with a pout on their face, and deep longing in their heart, waiting for their next trip. I can go for weeks, dare I say months, of astral traveling every single day. Inevitably, I start feeling good about myself and darn near brag about how easy it is for me. “I’ve got a system,” I’ll say. “A system that works for me, without fail,” I’ll say. There is a gleam in my eye, a stroke of confidence in my tone, and a skip in my astral step. And then…

Goddess Of Goodness Bona Dea is a Roman Goddess who’s name actually means “good goddess.”  Her festival was held in December, where people would gather and feast in her honor.  Roman’s also called upon her for help with child birth, and encouraging a fertial womb.  With her avid connecting to abundance and joyful giving, she was commonly worshiped among maids, and underclassmen.  When sickness struck a village or individual, Bona Dea was called upon to grant healthiness.  Snakes were associated with healing, so Bona Dea was often shown in art with snakes around her arms and a cornucopia with coins at her feet. She is the ultimate protector of women,…

divination with playing cards was a common practice throughout Europe and utilized by Romany gypsies, although they did nor originate the idea. I must be truthful to say playing cards are eerily similar to the minor arcana, with lack of the princess, knave, and page. The King represents the Yod, Queen represents the Heh, and Jack represents the Vau; in retrospect, indicates these are these three divine letters that make the IHVH. The princess is not needed due to the fact the queen is the Heh and there are truly only three Kabbalistic elements: Fire, Water, and Air. Most of the time the Kings are mature males or traditionally men…

Yule Meditation – Finding Your Light The sun is reborn on the night of the solstice.  Each day until the Spring Equinox the days will grow longer, and the nights shorter.  Though it’s the middle of winter, each extra moment of sunshine brings us closer to the joyful blooms of Spring. Guided meditation can be a powerful tool for healing, problem-solving, developing your intuition, and exploring your world.  Today’s meditation will help you unite your intuition, mind, and heart as you uncover your own personal seed of light – your hope for the coming year that will bloom for you come Spring. Make yourself comfortable.  Consider asking someone to read…

Be Your Own herbal Expert Part 5 herbal medicine is the medicine of the people. It is simple, safe, effective, and free. Our ancestors used – and our neighbors around the world still use – plant medicines for healing and health maintenance. It’s easy. You can do it too, and you don’t need a degree or any special training. Ancient memories arise in you when you begin to use herbal medicine – memories which keep you safe and fill you with delight. These lessons are designed to nourish and activate your inner herbalist so you can be your own herbal expert. In our first session, we learned how to “listen”…