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Wonderfully Wiccan with Derrick Land – February 2025: Slumber of the Earth: The Importance of Silence in Magickal Work
Bright blessings everyone! Wow February has flown by! I feel like I blinked and it’s already the end of the month. Out here in the ATX we got more of a taste of Winter weather than usual, and it was amazing! There were no hard freezes, power outages or anything like that, just some cold (for us) temperatures. We are slowly climbing out of that now with daytime temperatures reaching the 70’s and nighttime temperatures dipping down into the 40’s. For me, it parallels well with Wiccan theology. In my tradition we celebrate the rebirth of the sun/god at Yule, the Winter Solstice. His light and power start to increase…
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SpellCrafting: Cord Cutting With a Candle
There are multiple ways of doing a cord cutting. This one uses two candles and a looped cord. The ritual energetically cuts ties with something – be it a person, a place, a habit, etc. Unlike a binding and some other forms of magick, this will not create a bond with what you cut from your life. If possible, do this work on a dark moon, or when it is waning, for an added boost. Choose a candle to represent yourself and one to represent what you wish to cut loose. White for you and black for the other person or thing are probably the most commonly used, but the…
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WitchCrafting: Shell Rattle
Merry meet! If you are anything like me, you have an ever-growing collection of shells, rocks, feathers, pine cones, dried herbs, wood, and such. I put some of these items together to make a rattle. A pouch storing shells was getting full, and after months of looking, I found a Y-shaped twig. Working with the elements under a full moon in sacred space, I sorted shells, setting aside those with natural holes. Placing them back-to-back, I strung the shells on waxed floss. I wrapped and tied off each end multiple times to secure it and keep the floss taut. Then I added other elements for beauty and energy – feathers…
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Book Review-How To Read & Interpret a Birth Chart: Guideposts for Understanding Natal Astrology by Laurie Farrington
Book Review How To Read & Interpret a Birth Chart: Guideposts for Understanding Natal Astrology By Laurie Farrington Publisher: Weiser Books 263 Page Paperback Release Date: January 8th, 2025 How to Read & Interpret a Birth Chart: Guideposts for Understanding Natal Astrology is a jam-packed tome fit for beginner astrologers looking to finally dissect their (and their friends) birth charts. Farrington writes this from the perspective of a professional astrologer doing readings for others, and includes her tidbits of useful advice on ethical concerns as well as keeping the reading “human” so to speak, remembering that the person getting the reading has lived that potentially difficult life. This is quite frankly…
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When Your Client Wants to Argue- Tarot with Lady Saoirse
When Your Client Wants to Argue By Lady Saoirse For PaganPages,org Bright Blessings, The longer you do divination, the more people you will do readings for. Somewhere along the line, issues are going to pop up- unfortunately. Most people who ask for a reading appreciate your help. They might feel lost, and any insight you provide will be valued and used well. You may get people who come to you again and again, thankful they have found a trusted advisor who helps guide them. These are the people who you look forward to seeing. They are the ones who you do this for. They are the people who you…
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Book Review-Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars: The Invisible Force and Influence of Constellations in the Natal Chart by Bernadette Brady
Book Review Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars: The Invisible Force and Influence of Constellations in the Natal Chart By Bernadette Brady Publisher: Weiser Books 487 Page Paperback Release Date: August 5th, 2024 At a whopping 487 pages, Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars is truly a fascinating tome of Astrological knowledge; to be clear, this is not a book fit for those just beginning their astrology journey, as the topics covered are complex, and the foundations of classical astrology need to be known and understood first. That said, if you’ve been looking to take your Astrology knowledge to the next level, this is the book for you. In ancient times, Astrology consisted more of…
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Book Review-In Focus: Shadow Work: Your Personal Guide by Stephanie Kirby
Book Review In Focus: Shadow Work: Your Personal Guide By Stephanie Kirby Publisher: Wellfleet Press 127 Page Hardcover + Foldout Wall Poster Release Date: July 2nd, 2024 In Focus: Shadow Work is the book I wish I had when I began my deep shadow work during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Alas, I have it now, and plan to utilize many of the new techniques and perspectives I found within the book. When people hear the term “Shadow Work” many of us tend to cringe, as it’s known to bring up many hurts and traumas we’d rather forget. There is, however, a silver lining if we do the work. The author refers to…
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Book Review: Herbal Houseplants, by Susan Betz
Herbal Houseplants by Susan Betz Publisher: Cool Springs Press 176 page paperback Release date: April 27, 2021 Before I picked up this book, my idea of indoor plants was strictly holiday poinsettias and free- standing philodendrons. Anything else belonged out on the deck or inside a greenhouse. Herbal Houseplants showed me what I was missing: Herbs. Botanically, an herb is a plant with a stem that doesn’t become woody. Historically it can be prized for scent, flavor or medicinal purposes. The author thinks of herbs as plants with possibilities. Indoor plants provide benefits. Herbs personalize the people-plant connection. The author wrote this book to showcase the peace and tranquility that can be…
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Book Review-Witches: A Compendium by Judika Illes
Book Review Witches: A Compendium By Judika Illes Publisher: Weiser Books 235 Page E-Book Release Date: October 7th. 2024 Witches: A Compendium is another novice-friendly book on the Craft, this time exploring Witchcraft from all perspectives: from Wicca, Traditional Craft, Voodoo, Vodou and other practices, this book is all-inclusive, covering even different traditions within Wicca and Neo-Pagan Witchcraft. Famous and infamous women, witches and magickal persons are covered, as are magickal tools, animal familiars, crafts, spells and more! At the end of the book, Illes gives a section where you can find out if you, too, are a witch. This book was a refreshing break in my reading, as beginner materials…
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Book Review-A Witch Alone: 13 Moons to Master Natural Magic by Marian Green
Book Review A Witch Alone: 13 Moons to Master Natural Magic By Marian Green Publisher: Weiser Books 202 Page E-Book Release Date: February 3rd, 2025 A Witch Alone: 13 Moons to Master Natural Magic is a contemporary manual on solitary Witchcraft for the beginner. A Witch Alone covers everything a novice witch needs to know; anything from the Sabbats, Lunar Phases, Gods & Goddesses, and more are covered in this tome. Although the author states that this type of witchcraft is “traditional” don’t confuse that for what we call Traditional Witchcraft in America; rather, what’s referred to is a classic version of Wicca, which in the UK, where it started, is what’s…
