There is a part of the trad Craft that no one talks about, that no one shares with you beforehand.  Those who came before me knew it well and shared it not. Those of us who now walk its winding and rutted roads know of what I speak.  I tell this in hushed tones. Let the wise hear. It is that sense of loneliness that pervades our workings-that solitary nature that can influence our whole existence to be that of an overly eccentric recluse, denying ourselves communal interaction and superficial social mores; the purpose being having more personal time to focus our will, time and energy towards more mystical pursuits.…

Making Your Beltane I’m going to do something a little different for this month. Because Beltane is so close to a lot of us, it’s all about releasing that creative fire! Which is why I’m not going to be doing a set ritual this article, instead I’m going to give you, my readers, all the tools necessary, to create, preform, and celebrate this lovely Sabbat. A lot of the lore around this time of the year involves sex, Beltane being one of my personal favorite Sabbats what you would find around this time of the year normally includes, bright colors, bonfires, balefires, maypoles couples jumping the Beltane fire, and fire…

Ogma Ogma, Also known as Oghma, Ogmios or Ogmious is an Irish and Scottish deity. His nicknames are Grianainech, which means “Sun-faced” and Cermair, which means “ Honey-mouthed”. He is depicted as very wise and athletic and is the god of music, spells, arts, eloquence, trees, wisdom and speech. Chains of gold and amber lead from his tongue to the ears of his followers, and some depict that the chains are also connected to his own ears as well. He is one of the “three gods of skill” along with Lugh and Dagda. And he played a special role in several major mythological battles. He was a warrior of Tara…

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, cauldron Stones/Gems: emerald, malachite, amber,…

What’s next? I pose this question, “What’s next?”, as the title of this post, mainly because that’s the only thing on my mind these days. I have lived this life for almost 41 years now, and I’ve learned a lot, much more than I could have ever imagined, but my life has taken on an “up in the air” sort of status these days, where I never really know what’s going to happen from one day to the next. This is where I think the lesson is this time. All my life I have gone along planning for what I thought was ahead, expecting, waiting, knowing for sure I knew…

Mirrors “Mirror, mirror on the wall who’s the fairest of them all?”-Evil Queen from Snow White. Mirrors are one of the most intriguing inventions if you will, of mankind. Why? Mirrors are so intriguing because they allow us to see ourselves as a reflection. What is a mirror exactly? In ancient times a mirror was a still pool of water, either chanced upon in a calm lake or a puddle after the rain, or deliberately collected and used as such. Polished pieces of obsidian (a naturally occuring  volcanic glass) were also used. In some instances a piece of wood was sanded down and polished to a reflective surface. Other things…

Need A Lift? Imagine this; you are driving down the road on a foggy or rainy night when you come to the entrance of a bridge that crosses a river.  Near the entrance you see a woman on the side of the road who is obviously in distress.  You pull over and offer your assistance which she gratefully accepts.  The woman gets into your car and tells you she is attempting to get to her mother’s house and gives you an address.  While you drive over the bridge you engage in a nice conversation with her until you notice she has become very silent.  Soon you realize you are over…

“Is Peche Island Cursed?” Last month I brought to light some interesting legends surrounding Detroit’s famous Belle Isle, but just off shore, a little more than a mile east, lies the small untapped wilderness known as Peche Island. According to descendants of the French family, who once settled the island for nearly 100 years, Peche Island remains untouched even while existing in the middle of urban sprawl for one very good reason: it’s cursed. The Native inhabitants tell a legend of how Peche Island was formed. The spirit of the Sand Mountains, along the eastern coastline of Lake Michigan, had a beautiful daughter whom he feared would be abducted. To…

May Day Cakes & Honeyed Milk Beltane is a wonderful time of year to bring out this old Pagan recipe. Traditionally these taste treats were made for the Beltane celebration but are also wonderful for any pagan celebration or get together. May Day Cakes 1 cup butter 3 3/4 cups sifted flour 1 cup granulated raw sugar 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon ginger 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon dried marigold blossoms 2 fresh eggs 2 teaspoons cider vinegar 4 -6 tablespoons milk Powdered sugar, to sprinkle on top Prep Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut the butter into the flour with…

May Day at 11 degrees Taurus – May 1, 2012 12:00 am Traditionally, there is the Celtic festival of Beltaine. It marks the end of the wintering months. Frost is pretty much behind us. The time of year was marked with springtime celebrations by many religions and cultures. May Queens are crowned with Chaplets of flowers, Maypoles are erected and woven with colorful ribbons and bonfires are lit. Carnivals, Fairs and Festivals are celebrated with parades, dancing and singing. This holiday is not limited to Europe or its related American descendants, Hawai’i also celebrates this day as Lei Day since 1927. Older traditional names, like Beltane, Walpurgis Nacht and others,…