• Reviews

    Book Review: The Little Book of Wicca. A Beginner’s Guide to Witchcraft (2024) by Kirsten Riddle

    Book Review: The Little Book of Wicca. A Beginner’s Guide to Witchcraft (2024) by Kirsten Riddle Note: This book was originally published in 2014 as The Beginners Guide to Wicca.  This new edition was published May 14th , 2024.  “Kirsten Riddle writes a column on magic for Chat: It’s Fate, and writes regularly for Spirit and Destiny and Kindred Spirit. She is also a columnist for Take a Break: Fate and Fortune as Alison Davies. Kirsten’s books for CICO include Discovering Signs and Symbols and Trickster Magic. She lives in Nottingham, UK.” (Amazon)  For those just beginning to delve into Wicca, Kirsten Riddle’s Little Book of Wicca A Beginner’s Guide…

  • Monthly Columns

    Vlady and Vampires – How Did We Get Here? Vampire Origins of Slavic and Eastern European Folklore

    If a picture says 1000 words, then I have those words for you, plus a little extra. Plus, it’s been a *bloody* long time since I’ve been able to post anything because I’m busy with school.   But, for your pleasure, here’s what I think of when I see a modern depiction of a vampire strewn about everywhere during October, the month of Halloween & (sometimes –depending on exactly what day you celebrate-) Dziady.  Let’s DIG in Like Grave Robbers  Slavic folklore plays a foundational role in shaping modern depictions of vampires. In these traditions, vampires were called “upir,” or “upyri”  and were feared as undead beings that rose from…

  • Reviews

    Book Review: Ancestral Slavic Magic by Natasha Helvin

    Book Cover for Ancestral Slavic Magic by Natasha Helvin

    Natasha Helvin’s newest book, “Ancestral Slavic Magic: Transcend Family Patterns and Empower Ancestral Connections”, was released in July 2024 – and I am certain that I’m not the only one who was long awaiting its arrival. by: Kimberly Anne Special thank you to everyone at paganpages.org, the author Natasha Helvin, and the publishing company DestinyBooks & Inner Traditions <3  Pages: 288 Book Size: 6 x 9 ISBN-13: 9781644119570 Imprint: Destiny Books On Sale Date: July 9, 2024 Format: Paperback Book Illustrations: 30 b&w illustrations   In Eastern Europe, many traditions and rituals touch on interactions with family and ancestors, and Helvin gives insight into these cultural traditions. The book primarily focuses on connecting to our lost loved…

  • Monthly Columns

    Motanka – Slavic Power Dolls That Make Dreams Come True

    by: Kimberly Anne – Teachings of the Mythic Past  Before the modern era of technology, the internet, and instant responses, life went much slower and flowed with the rhythm of the seasons and stages of life. Wise and wild women of the past endured many trials in their lives and believed that they could alter their fate by following customs and conducting rituals that were passed on through generations. Customs and traditions are unique ways that groups of people timelessly connect with one another. In Slavic culture, part of women’s traditions include the creation of dolls and the superstitions and magic that are attached to them.  In Eastern Europe, particularly…

  • Reviews

    Book Review: The Occult Sylvia Plath – The Hidden Spiritual Life of the Visionary Poet by Julia Gordon-Bramer

    Book Cover for The Occult Sylvia Plath by Julia Gordon Bramer

    By: Kimberly Anne Thank you to paganpages.org, Julia Gordon-Bramer (for this wonderful book) and to the publisher Destinybooks.com! And of course, the always beloved – Sylvia Plath. By delving into Sylvia Plath’s obscure interests and how they shaped her work, Julia Gordon-Bramer‘s “The Occult Sylvia Plath – The Hidden Spiritual Life of the Visionary Poet” uncovers previously unknown facets of the poet’s life. Gordon-Bramer explores Plath’s interest in astrology, tarot, and other mystical traditions, looking at how these ideas show up in her writing. The author looks into how Plath’s fascination with the occult influenced her perspective on life and enhanced the profundity of her creative compositions. It presents Plath…

  • Reviews

    Book Review: Shadow Work for the Soul, Seeing Beauty in the Dark by Mary Mueller Shutan

    Book Cover for "Shadow Work for the Soul - Seeing Beauty in the Dark" by Mary Mueller Shutan

    By: Kimberly Anne  Thank you to Paganpages.org, the author Mary Mueller Shutan, and the publisher Findhorn Press!  The book “Shadow Work for the Soul; Seeing Beauty in the Dark” by Mary Mueller Shutan explores the idea of shadow work as a method for healing and personal development. Greater self-awareness and wholeness can be achieved by facing and integrating our shadow aspects, which are the hidden or suppressed portions of ourselves. This is the central theme of the book. To assist readers on this difficult but ultimately gratifying path, Shutan draws on insights and practical practices from the fields of psychology, spirituality, and energy healing. If one wants to heal more…

  • Reviews

    Book Review: Norse Mysticism – An Exploration of Viking Traditions and Magical Practices by Disa Forvitin

    Book Cover for Norse Mysticism by Disa Forvitin

    Book Review: Norse Mysticism – An Exploration of Viking Traditions and Magical Practices by Disa Forvitin  By: Kimberly Anne I never thought a little book would bring me so much joy! I’m lying. I live for books. I just really like this one. This book was released earlier this year and thanks to PaganPages.org, the publisher, Wellfleet Press, and author of the book; I got my hands on a copy. The light lavender color of the cover instantly attracted me as did the title. They say not to judge a book by the cover, but with this one, I simply couldn’t help it. Disa Forvitin, the author, has created an…

  • Monthly Columns

    Summer Solstice & the Magical Fern Flower of Kupala Night

    by Teachings of the Mythic Past Kupala’s Night or Kupalnocka is a Slavic celebration of the Summer Solstice. This celebration is similar to other Summer Solstice celebrations like Midsommar in Scandinavian countries or Litha of the Celts, or one of my favorites, Sanziene (Fairy Festival) in Romania. There is no coincidence that these charming festivals all take place during the week of the Summer Solstice. Many rituals are associated with this Solstice celebration and include natural elements such as fire and water. The significance of fire and water to the Slavic people corresponds directly to their connection with the Earth and also to Solar deities, water spirits, and many more…

  • Interviews

    Interview – Patricia Robin Woodruff, Author of “Roots of Slavic Magic Book 1: Deities and Their Worship”

    An Exclusive Interview with Patricia Robin Woodruff  With the release of a new book and years of research, I figured it was time to sit down and get some answers from one of the most knowledgeable women I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing: Patricia Robin Woodruff. Her newest book was released this year in March and she is not stopping there. She’s currently working on a very large series with multiple volumes, each one with its own unique place on the shelf of any library. But for those who are not yet familiar with the author or her work and multitude of ideas, I decided it was time to…

  • Monthly Columns

    Teachings of the Mythic Past: A Bit About Bees in Slavic Magic and Culture

    Bees, wax and honey have a long history that has been cultivated into traditions, calendars and family customs for Slavic nations. Honey’s primary and ceremonial function is to act as a go-between for humans and our ancestors, bridging the gap between this world and the next as we go through the various life stages. Honey has served in ritual settings, including its role as a protective agent and a symbol of fertility. It has been used for greetings, erotic gestures, and magical symbolism.  The Symbol of Honey  Honey is a symbol of sweetness and gentleness, an offering to deceased ancestors and deities, and a powerful healing and cleansing tool. If…