Bast/Bastet  (Graphic: ancientegyptonline.com) The Egyptian Goddess Bast or Bastet was originally a Lion-Headed Goddess, who gradually changed into the Cat-Headed Goddess we are more familiar with. Even though Her outward appearance changed, Her temperament did not. She was still as fierce as a lion, while having the playfulness, grace, and dignity of a cat, sometimes affectionate, sometimes not, depending upon Her mood. Those of us who have a cat for a companion can certainly attest to that! (Graphic: Wikipedia) Bast was thought to be the daughter of Ra, and as such, was called the “Eye of Ra”. It is said that She rode with her father in his chariot, pulling…

  Book Review: Love Magic: Over 250 Spells and Potions for Getting It, Keeping It, and Making It Last     by Lilith Dorsey Published by Weiser Books, 2016 Paperback; $12.15 at Amazon “This connection between magic and eroticism is an obvious one. They both encompass absolutely every sense. We lose and find ourselves in magic and love, if we are lucky.” So begins the introduction to this 275-page book, which seems especially appropriate for Beltane. The first chapter presents spells for self-love and happiness. “These are the root of your magical success,” she wrote in the introduction. That is followed by chapters on romantic, marriage, fertility, universal love and…

The Eight Limbs of Yoga This month we move on to the most recognizable of the Eight Limbs. The third limb is asana, which is Sanskirt for “abiding”, meaning the physical postures within yoga. Even if you have never taken a yoga class, you are most likely aware of some of the yoga postures. (Graphic: food.ntv.com) The benefits of asana are balance, strength and flexibility. Flexibility is a necessity as we age; the more flexible we are, the better we will move and the younger we will feel. In asana, the body is challenged. With the physical challenge, your body grows stronger and the mind, through control and focus, becomes…

A Great Little Book About Numerology One of my first articles for Pagan Pages was a little essay about numerology. I wrote it on my fifty-third birthday, since I generally check my “numbers” for the coming year on my birthday. (I also do it on New Year’s Day, but that’s a more generalized reading). This year is a 7 year for me – which to a Tarot person like me says the Chariot – which says to me that I’ll be on the move, in one way or another – either a physical move to another place or some kind of esoteric move that rocks my world. Or maybe both!…

Author Leah Guy: The Modern Sage     I was recently sent a copy of a book called The Fearless Path, and was immediately drawn to the ideas within the pages. The book addresses very real and modern concerns about healing in practical ways, but instead of telling us, as so many other sources do, to let go of our pain and past, it leads us down the more rewarding path of putting ourselves back together. Leah was kind enough to answer a few questions about the book and herself for Pagan Pages. Mabh Savage: Thanks for talking to us Leah. To start us off, can you describe yourself in…

Quartz Crystal   (Image courtesy: Shijewels https://www.etsy.com/shop/shijewels)   Sometimes known in ancient times as “frozen water from heaven”, clear quartz is one of the most versatile stones in the mineral realm. It’s often used for amplifying, balancing, clearing and cleansing but this crystal will also energize, activate and transmit. Quartz crystals are not always clear, some are opaque, some have hints of color because of an additional mineral, no matter the clarity it does not minimize or maximize this stones abilities. Quartz crystals can be used for any healing or spiritual purpose and can be programmed for any specific task you wish to use it for. It will take your energy…

(Nightmare Bag) To Stop Nightmares Merry meet. Several people I encountered were experiencing nightmares and looking for relief. I began making charm bags (that I also call spell bags or mojo bags) and was told they worked, so I am sharing it with you. Choose a piece of fabric or a purchased bag – of a natural material if possible – in deep purple, dark blue or black, but any one you’re drawn to will be good. Based on my research, I came up with the list of ingredients below that have magical properties to alleviate nightmares. Read it over and select those you’d like to use. You can combine…

Notes from the Apothecary: Plantain     No, not the banana type fruit; I’m talking about the weed that we all walk past every day, that has a surprising wealth of health benefits. My friend calls it a ‘Magic Bandage’, and indeed, a cut or a graze can be safely wrapped in a clean, bruised leaf which soothes and heals at no expense. There are several types of plantain, and for the most part I’m referring to the broadleaf plantain, but I will also mention the ribwort, which has long, slender leaves. There are other variants too, so do look up which are native to your own area. The Kitchen…

(The Tower Tarot Card from the artist Ciro Marchetti http://www.ciromarchetti.com/)** This month, we will stay with the Major Arcana, and talk about The Hierophant, one of the three Major Arcana cards that refer to traits of the Sacred Masculine. Before we begin breaking down The Hierophant, let’s remind ourselves of some terms. There are 22 Major Arcana cards in a Tarot deck, with numbers from 0 to 21; the Majors usually deal with broader and more far-reaching life experience issues, archetypes that are easy for us to identify with and connect with at some point in our lives. An archetype (pronounced “ark eh type”) is a generic, idealized model of a…

Splendid Poison: The Power of Words Celtic Triad: Three occasions for one to speak falsehood without excuse: to save the life of one who is innocent, to keep the peace among neighbours, and to preserve the Wise and their crafts.   (A stone near Killala, County Mayo, with Ogham writing upon it. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)   Celtic tales only come to us courtesy of the scholar of the middle ages, who were proud of their manuscripts and the ability to write and illuminate these beautiful, treasured documents. Writing, in the middle ages, was a coveted skill; not something to be taken for granted, as many of us do…