• Monthly Columns

    ZOOM IN!

    TIPS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE ZOOM EVENTS COVID-19 and new protocols for safety has resulted in cancelled festivals, rituals and workshops leaving many within our community feeling isolated and yearning for interactions with others. Fortunately, we live in a technologically booming age and since creativity is a staple of pagans, these two together can form a winning partnership. The past several months, I’ve used a virtual platform for workshops, Esbats, Sabbats, social activities and more. There is undeniably, a learning curve in finessing the event to make it enjoyable and powerful for the participants. And, unlike an in-person event, there is additional planning required to ensure that the technology component…

  • Monthly Columns

    Celebrating the Old Ways in New Times

    Celebrating the Old Ways in New Times for October 2020 Bright Blessings! After a very hot, muggy end to Summer, cool weather has set in. I have not heard anybody complain about that. By the first week of September, local folks were busy buying pumpkins, mums, cornstalks, and gourds to liven up their yards, patios, porches, and to celebrate the beauty of Fall. Here in central Ohio, not only do we get brilliant foliage, but gorgeous apples! We celebrate with apple and pumpkin goodies! This is the first fall in 44 years I will not be partaking of such delicacies. I’ve had to give up a lot of foods for…

  • Divination Articles

    Tarot Talk

    Comparing the 4 of Cups and the 4 of Wands     Many Tarot cards can seem similar enough to each other that interpreting them when they both show up in a spread can be challenging. One way to achieve a deeper understanding of a card is to compare it to another card. This month we will compare two Minor Arcana cards, the 4 of Cups and the 4 of Wands. We will explore similarities between these two cards, and then we will look at the differences. I will be using card images from the Rider Tarot Deck for this analysis. The basic messages or traditional interpretations of these two…

  • Reviews

    Book Review – The New Witch: Your Guide to Modern Witchcraft, Wicca, Spells, Potions, Magic, and More by Marie D. Jones

    Book Review The New Witch Your Guide to Modern Witchcraft, Wicca, Spells, Potions, Magic, and More by Marie D. Jones Visible Ink Press 256 Pages     Marie D. Jones wrote “The New Witch: Your Guide to Modern Witchcraft, Wicca, Spells, Potions, Magic, and More” to bridge ancient pagan ways and today’s digital world. She offers ideas to bring together the nature-based traditions of the ancestors, and the powers of social media, to embrace the past and honor the future. It’s seemingly odd that a nature-loving tradition blends with the technology dependent world, but the vast amount of information available and the speed, ease, and options to communicate – not…

  • Reviews

    Book Review – Water Magic: Elements of Witchcraft by Lilith Dorsey

    Book Review Water Magic Elements of Witchcraft by Lilith Dorsey Llewellyn 288 Pages     … Water is an element representative of your emotions, your hopes and your true vision. It occupies the space between inspiration and transformation like no other element does. One can use his energy to go with the flow and seek your own level of divine destiny… Water Magic: Elements of Witchcraft by Lilith Dorsey is the first book in a series by Llewellyn publishers dedicated to the alchemical elements. It is separated into Three (3) Parts and begins with the History, Folklore and Myth of alchemical/spiritual water. The remainder of the book flows from the…

  • Reviews

    Book Review – Strix Craft: Ancient Greek Magic for the Modern Witch by Oracle Hekataios

    Book Review Strix Craft Ancient Greek Magic for the Modern Witch by Oracle Hekataios Llewellyn Publications 310 Pages     I am the first to admit that I don’t know much about the different paths of Witchcraft or Wicca. I am eclectic; in that, I do what the Deities ask me to do. But they don’t require that I follow a specific layout in my worship. Strix Craft helped me understand why some people follow particular standards in their worship of the God/dess they work with and worship. In chapter one, the author, Oracle Hekataios, goes into detail about the different magics practiced and taught in Ancient Greece, especially in…

  • Monthly Columns

    Notes from the Apothecary

    Notes from the Apothecary: Relaxation Special There’s no getting away from it: things are pretty stressful right now. The pandemic situation is something we’re potentially stuck with until there’s a vaccine, plus on top of that, there’s a whole lot of unrest in the world. Finding time to relax and unwind has never been more important. That’s why I decided to dedicate this issue of Notes from the Apothecary to plants and herbs that help alleviate daily stresses. Remember, herbal remedies are a form of complementary therapy and should NEVER replace existing medication or treatments. You should always take advice from a medical professional, especially if you are already taking…

  • Monthly Columns

    30 Days of Samhain

    It’s Almost Time!     The final harvest calls, the Ancestors await and the veils between the worlds have thinned offering the gifts of healing, transformation and deeper communion with the cycles of nature. 2020 marks the fourth year of 30-Days of Samhain! This year has been challenging and turbulent and as we approach this sacred time of the year all that we hold dear is reaching out to embrace us in all of its beauty and power. In past years we have explored the mysteries of Samhain using a daily format of postings and suggestions to deepen your awareness of this sacred time of the year. This year I’ll…

  • Reviews

    Book Review – The Complete Grimoire: Magickal Practices and Spells for Awakening Your Inner Witch by Lidia Pradas

    Book Review The Complete Grimoire Magickal Practices and Spells for Awakening Your Inner Witch by Lidia Pradas Fair Winds Press 176 Pages     Excerpt From the Publisher: …Welcome to my grimoire! You are about to begin an exciting journey of ancient knowledge and self-discovery. In this book, I share with you everything you need to know about the pillars of witchcraft, helping you connect with the energy of the universe. Let me guide you through this path of the occult! Everybody has the potential to use witchcraft. In these pages, you will learn how to work with your energy and intention, as well as the energy of the elements…