Musings concerning correspondences   A correspondence is something that is a close similarity, connection or equivalence to something else. Some witches and magickal practitioner will insist that correspondences are vital and must always be considered when spell casting however I tend to disagree. Yes, they can be very helpful with the stimulation of mental focus but in my opinion they are not a necessity. If a witch is successful in manifesting her or his intention without the use of correspondences then why would anyone desire to complicate things?   Since everything holds an energetic signature, I find that correspondences aid in the alignment of a spell’s intention or goal. If…

What Inspires You?   This first post launches my new monthly column entitled The Magickal ARTS. The intent is to forge and strengthen the connections between magickal/spiritual practice and the visual and performing arts. Music, dance, literature, visual art and more are woven throughout both our mundane and magickal pursuits and act to heal, inform, change and enliven us.  Some are overt in their impact and others are transparent; yet profound in the vibration and energy offered. These tools inspire us to reach deeply into the stores of our own creative endeavors. The arts engage us at emotional levels reaching into our soul’s hunger to feel, to gain experience and to ultimately…

Grandma’s Garden As we near spring, I think of my grandma’s garden or I should say gardens. Within the ranch property, grandma’s house sat in the middle of an acre that was her garden. I thought I would share some of the plants that she grew and what we used them for. Red Geraniums grew under the kitchen window, grown from cuttings from my great-grandmother’s plants. The geraniums were meant to guard the house from evil. Geraniums are easy to grow, have pretty flowers and stay green when not in bloom. No one would ever guess they were there to protect the house and its occupants from hexes. Hollyhock stalks…

New Moon in Pisces – 10 degrees Saturday, March 1, 2014 – 2:59 am EST The emotional Moon travels thru Psychic Pisces with extra care and concern. Take criticisms with a grain of salt. Folks do not intend to hurt feelings whether spoken verbally or hinted at. Be mindful of your overindulgence to creativity; sometimes you can find yourself wrapped up in your own creativity and lose track of time. Are you discovering something new about yourself?     Saturn goes Retrograde in Scorpio – 23 degrees Sunday, March 2, 2014- 2:17 am EST Saturn is the last Planet that can be seen with the naked eye. It represents restrictions…

Opportunity called past one day determined to be heard, knocking hard on the door at the rising of the sun. Sabotage hid in ambush, just behind the coat rack waiting patiently for an opening. Hesitation argued heatedly with Anticipation, both overwhelmed by Anxiety, until Determination finally woke up, quite startled by the disarray. Finding Awareness in the shower Enthusiasm dressed for the occasion, accompanied by Initiative they went to meet the persistent knock. Organization was busy rearranging with the help of Attention when Ambition took control of the situation opening the door, inviting Opportunity inside to discuss the next proposal

  Magick for the Elemental Witch by Deanna Anderson paperback 320 pages Publisher: New Gaia Press   Deanna Anderson is an accomplished author who has written several books on subjects that are relevant to the modern pagan. Recently, I had the opportunity to read her book titled Magick for the Elemental Witch.  This book covers a topic that is essential to any magickal practitioner,working with elemental energies.  Every witch learns, with her/his first circle, how to call forth and honor the elements.   In reading this book I was very impressed by the amount of well researched information that the author presented. Not only does she cover traditions within the…

“I Pledge Allegiance.” Maybe. It Depends.   As a public school teacher, I’m pretty used to heavy doses of evaluation by my superiors. Seems like every time I turn around, someone is in the back of my room with a clipboard (more recently, an IPad), weighing me in the balance. My philosophy on teacher evaluations is pretty simple: If I’m doing my job, I pass. If I’m not doing my job, I shouldn’t be there anyway. Invariably, I pass. This most recent eval was no different. I passed. But the evaluator had one stern lecture up her sleeve anyway. She had been in my classroom during home room, and one…

DIY Aromatherapy Earrings It has been ten years since I last wore perfume. Why? Because I realized it was just added toxin, and that many people are allergic to perfumes. I was totally happy with my perfume-free life up until last summer, when I suddenly begun to miss having a scent around me. So I went to the perfume sections in stores, sniffing away many beautiful scents, but still considered them mostly as toxins. I could not overcome the thought. Why add toxin straight on to my skin, when just as well I could live without it? It did not make sense. After all our world today is laden with…

The Storm Moon Spring sowing The name March came from the God Mars, for this month was sacred to him. Mars is much like the other God’s – Ares’s (Greek), Tiu or Tiwaz (Central Europe), Teutates (celts), and Tyr (Norse). Astrological Signs: Pisces, February 19 – March 20, Aries, March 21 – April 20 Birthstones: Aquamarine Nature Spirits: Mer-people, Air and Water beings who are connected with spring rains and storms. Animals: Cougar, hedgehog, boar Birds: Sea crow, sea eagle Trees: Alder, dogwood Flowers: Jonquil, daffodil, violet Herbs: Broom, High John Root, yellow dock, wood betony, Irish moss Scents: Honeysuckel, apple blossom Colors: Pale green, red-violet Stones: Aquamarine, bloodstone God/dess:…

Introduction   Merry Meet. In this first column about witching on a budget, I wanted to explain my belief that you don’t need any thing to practice the Craft except yourself. You don’t need ritual garb. In fact, you don’t need garb at all; it’s not uncommon to practice rites skyclad (“clad only with the sky” or nude). Some old texts insist this is the only way to do ritual, based on the belief that only in this way are you truly free. While this is my preferred method in solitary practice, it has never been appropriate for the public or group rituals I have attended, and it’s not something…