Heirloom Holiday Cutout Cookies I have been studying and practicing the skills associated with the Pagan and Wiccan religions for over thirty years now. My Book of Shadows, once a small spiral notebook, has grown to three large notebook binders, organized by subject and carefully maintained. Much of my information was copied from library books but nowadays I am more likely to print directly from the internet. I am a fairly eclectic witch – I live with the seasons and work to develop my divinatory skills – as a solitary, my rituals are very quiet and quite Zen-like in their simplicity. I am also unapologetically Dianic and see no reason…

    Lesser Sabbat – Winter Solstice, circa Dec 21 Other Names: Jul (“wheel”, Old Norse), Saturnalia(Rome ~December 17 & 18), Yuletide(Teutonic), Midwinter, Fionn’s Day, Christmas (Christian~December 25), Xmas, Festival of Sol, Solar/Secular/Pagan New Year Animals/Mythical beings: yule goat (nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, Sacred White Buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos monsters(greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, squirrels, wren/robin Gemstones: cat’s eye, ruby, diamond, garnet, bloodstone Incense/Oils: bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron Colors: gold, silver, red, green, white Tools,Symbols, & Decorations: bayberry candles, evergreens, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia,mistletoe, lights, gifts, Yule log, Yule tree. spinning wheels, wreaths, bells, mother & child images Goddesses: Great Mother,…

Dreaming Goddess – Dream So many mixed messages, half-truths, untruths, misstatements, lies. How do you know what to believe? These are scary times. And sometimes it can be hard to know where to turn. Who to believe. Who to not believe. Enemies become allies, allies become enemies. All in the blink of an eye. Moves played out again and again. And you feel helpless in it all. Dream the world as you want it to be. Set your intentions on making your part of the world just that tiny bit better than it has been. Dream a dream of peace and cooperation, love and tolerance, and acceptance. Dream a world…

Uranus still Retro in Aries – 16 degrees Tuesday, December 1, 2015 – 12:01 am EDT Goes Direct on Friday, December 25, 2015 – 4:12 pm EST Uranus is that Planet that hates to be confined. It is known as the “break out” Planet for that reason. When retrograde, Uranus can be responsible, more traditional and relaxed, but it feels bound by the obstacles surrounding it. As Uranus goes retrograde in Aries, there is a feeling of enthusiasm and courage to take responsibility. It is not a time to worry about what others think about you. Do your own thing at your own pace and life will be grand.  …

It’s All About the Lavender   Here are some beauty recipes whose main ingredient is lavender.   Lavender and Rosemary Soap   Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) each have a mild yet stimulating effect on skin. Both are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and beneficial for treating wounds, blemishes, boils, dermatitis, fever blisters, and more. Begin this soap by making and infusion of fresh lavender flowers and rosemary leaves. To make an infusion, pour one cup of steaming hot water over three tablespoons of dried or fresh lavender flowers and rosemary leaves (proportioned as you like) and steep for ten minutes. 3 cups glycerin soap base 1/4 cup lavender flowers/rosemary leaves infusion 1 1/2 tsp. lavender oil…

Peace Practice Merry meet! This year, I find myself wanting to create peace more strongly than I have in a long time. It seems to be a theme in my life, or perhaps the title of this chapter of the journey. As the whole world seemingly gears up for a frenzy of holiday shopping, decorating and partying – all during a time of uncertainty and unrest – I long to snuggle under a blanket of still snow and listen to music that lulls me into calm, feeling safe and staying grounded until Imbolc brings its energy shift and the stirring of new life. Without knowing it, I was searching for…

Dream Magick and Healing at Yule   My thoughts on Yule are comforting, family together and sharing what we have, eating together and exchanging gifts. The Winter Solstice is a powerful doorway into magick and we can connect to this energy through dreams. Here’s an idea for a gift of dream healing. Make a home-made card for your dearest friend and offer her a dream healing as a gift for Yule. In the days leading up to the Solstice dress a green candle in Yuletide scents such cinnamon, cloves, orange and pine. You can also put a few drops on the card so when she opens it the smell of…

Tending the Flame   Brigit—Lady of Light Your Fire burns bright in the hearts of many. Brighid—Exalted One Most High do I sing Your Name. Brigantia—Sovereign One Through You, I honor the Sacredness of the Land. Brigandu—Bright Faery Queen The Realms of Enchantment are Yours, my Queen. Breedia—She Who Heals I embrace Your Powers of Healing, may I become One with You. Brigit—Brighid—Brigantia—Brigandu—Breedia I give thanks for the Blessings You bestow upon my Life… ~Vivienne Moss~ I have written of Brighed, or as I call Her, Brigandu, before. She is both Goddess and Saint, and is worshipped by both Pagans and Christians. Brigandu is a wonderful Goddess for the Cottage…

To Know: A Guide to Women’s Magic and Spirituality, by Jade I know this is a column about divination but sometimes I feel the need to write about books. Like many of us, I learned about paganism, wicca, witchcraft and many other occult subjects through books. Most of the books I read were from the public library and I took copious notes, which became my Book of Shadows. But when I had the money, I bought the books I longed to own or ones that were recommended to me. One that was recommended to me by the owner of the shop in which I bought it, was To Know: A…

To Join (or Not to Join) A Magickal Group This is an article I wrote many years ago and I’ve decided to share it in this month’s column. As the community and spiritual paths of pagan practice become increasingly more available, so too are the opportunities to become intimately a part of that expanding community. What that participation looks like and how in depth are multi-faceted. It is particularly timely for me since I have been in process of Hiving and forming a new coven within our Tradition, The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel. And, so in this spirit I pose the question that should be explored before committing to…