Full Moon Rise       Merry meet. An eclectic group of women in my area have been getting together for as many full moons as possible these past two year. One of our favorite traditions grew out of our coven – to gather at a small public beach that does not close at sunset. We bring blankets, camp chairs and food, and set up where we see the sun set behind the cottages and then watch the moon rise in the east over the water.       We do it as often as possible when the full moon falls on a weekend during warm weather. The most recent…

Sun Philter     Merry meet. In reading “The herbal Alchemist’s Handbook” by Karen Harrison (that is reviewed in this issue), I came across directions for a philter – an infusion of herbs that is charged with intentions and the energies of the moon or the sun. With the Summer Solstice approaching, I chose to create one with the energy of the sun.     In her book, she says to gather calendula, Saint John’s Wort, chamomile and juniper berries, and at sunrise, put a teaspoon of each in a chalice, cauldron or bowl that can hold 16 ounces. As they are added, she directs you to focus on the…

“The herbal Alchemist’s Handbook: A Grimoire of Philtres, Elixirs, Oils, Incense, and Formulas for Ritual Use”     by Karen Harrison Published by Weiser Books Published: 2011 Pages: 236 This book is everything it claims on the cover – and that’s a lot for one book to deliver. Karen Harrison has been involved in the magickal and psychic life since early childhood. She earned a master of herbology. As a magickal practitioner and a master herbalist, she combines her knowledge of both, giving the medicinal and the astrological properties of herbs. It’s a combination that makes sense when you remember that both astrology and herbology are arts that have been…

Meet the Gods: Sun gods Merry meet. Cultures since the beginning of time have worshiped the sun. The importance of these solar deities appear to be of more importance the closer to the equator you get.     For instance, in Egypt, which extends south into the Tropic of Caccer, Ra the sun god was powerful. He was the creator of everything as well as king of all the gods. Ancient Egyptians honored Ra with solar temples open to the sky. He appears as a man with the head of a ram, and sometimes with the head of a beetle, above which is the sun disk he carries across the…

Book Review: “Practical Spellcraft: A First Course in Magic” by Leanna Greenaway     Published by Hampton Roads Publishing Company Published, 2017; Copyright, 2003 Available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions Most of us, if I had to guess, began to make our way on this path with the help of books. Leanna Greenaway offers a comprehensive introduction. Her book takes readers from the early steps – relating Wiccan beliefs, the sabats and setting up an altar – through more than a dozen important topics including the significance of botanicals, the meaning of animals, and correspondences. The second half of the book provides 50 spells on a wide variety of topics…

Interview with Evernia Fay: The life & Craft of this Connecticut Witch are One Moss, dirt, lichen, bones, crystals, bark and a cicada all find their way into one-of-a-kind living botanical pendants made by Evernia Fay. Each contains its own spirit and energies. “Quest,” composed of mountain fork moss and Queen Anne’s lace with an amethyst point, is a talisman that brings balance, according to Fay’s website, by integrating “the wisdom and magick of the dreamtime into your life. She connects what you learn into your waking time.” Broken fork moss with a triple scepter quartz makes up “Birth” – “a manifestation miracle” with power flowing through her crystal heart. “Starman” – a…

Attracting the Fae     Merry meet. The summer solstice – along with Beltane and Samhain – are traditional times to honor the fae, fae folk, faeries, or simply, fey. They are magical creatures with powers given them by nature. They are guardians of botanicals, water sources and other natural elements. Others live in a magical underground kingdom. Fey exist in all cultures, from the little people to elves, and from gnomes to leprechauns. They appear in art, music, folklore and movies. Fey have magic, and magic in and of itself is not good or bad, it’s all about how it’s used. For some reason, many Americans think of faeries…

Hunt for Witches No More: WitchEmojis by Pam Grossman Witches now have their own charmed emoji to use with iMessenger, thanks to Pam Grossman, a Brooklyn-based writer and curator who focuses on witches, magic and esoteric art. “I created WitchEmoji because I couldn’t find any great witchy, magical emoji to use in my texts,” she states on the witchemoji.com website, adding, “Necessity (or obsessive desire in this case) is the mother of invention.” Working with an emoji designer who created the icons based on her designs and direction, she then built the app herself. Costing $1.99, it launched early April 2017. The iMessage sticker pack is compatible with iPhones and…

  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…

(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…