Interview with Maria DeBlassie I loved Maria’s book, Everyday Enchantments. You can find out exactly what I thought of it by reading my review in last month’s PaganPagesOrg. So, imagine my delight when the author agreed to have a chat with me about her writing and the themes within the book, particularly finding the magic in everyday life. Read on to find out more about this fascinating author and her wonderful outlook on life. Mabh Savage: What inspired the book, Everyday Enchantments? Maria DeBlassie: This book was inspired by my journey back to a happy, healthy, whole self. I was at a place in my life where I could finally…

The Road to Runes: The Right Headspace     Reading runes is a form of divination. All forms of divination require an open mind ready to receive messages and interpret symbols. A stressed and worried mindset will lead to false interpretations, or prevent messages coming through at all. Even the strongest connection between diviner and tools can be blocked by a worried mind or troubled soul. Of course, we often look for answers from the runes because we are troubled and worried. So how can we stop these worries affecting our divination? Relax As an anxious person, believe me, I know this is easier said than done. Relaxation becomes even…

Solstice is…   (Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash)   Holly sharp sting, Red blood like Berries, red, white Mistletoe hang Deadly dart and Baldur’s curse Druids’ king seeking potion Now a kissing spot Love instead Shown through gifts Wrapped mysteries Ribbons hiding Hearts’ desires Wrap the day in a bow But presents wait Wait for me:   The mother and priestess Down in the woods At the sacred crossroads Of birch and oak The mysteries of Male and Female And everything in between And beyond.   Here I find the altar That no one knows of But I I lay the offerings Salt Offal Nothing to scar or litter…

Musings on Ordinary Magic and Daily Conjurings     Maria’s book is described as a collection of ‘micro-meditations and celebratory reflections on living life as a wild woman’. How could I not be intrigued? Though far from a true wild woman myself thanks to my urban-slash-suburban setting, I’m always drawn to the idea of being freer, away from the hubbub and city grind. This book holds chapter after chapter of golden, glowing moments from just such a life, and is as compelling as it is calming. Each chapter is short and sweet in the best possible meaning of that phrase. One chapter focuses on the magic of chamomile, from the…

Notes from the Apothecary: Christmas Cactus  Oh no, not the C-Word! That’s right, my fellow Pagans, I said it. Christmas. Love it or loathe it, come December the 25th, possible birthday of Dionysus and Mithras (but unlikely to be the birthday of Jesus) the nation, nay, the world goes Christmas mad and we shake our heads. Don’t they know it’s just another solstice celebration? Or at the very most, an adoption of the festivities of Roman Saturnalia? Well, it might surprise you to know that I love Christmas. Yeah, it’s a touch annoying when people deny the Pagan roots, but I’m a sucker for seeing other people happy. And Christmas…

Wendy Steele: Perception of Reality Wendy Steele, or Wendy Woo, is the author of the ongoing Lilith Trilogy, the Standing Stone books and the Lizzie Martin Witch Lit series. Witch Lit has become a widely used term for magical writing, and there’s even a group on Facebook where aspiring Witch Lit authors share ideas and inspiration. Wendy also sells gorgeous Pixie Coats, perfect for any Pagan camp! Wendy was kind enough to take a break from her busy schedule to have a chat with us about her books and more. Mabh Savage (MS): When did you first start writing and what drew you to it? Wendy Woo (WW): I wrote…

The Road to Runes: What Questions to Ask?   One of the hardest parts of divination is asking the right questions. A question that’s too closed may get an answer that makes no sense if you’re expecting a definitive “yes” or “no”. Most runes have plenty of meanings, and aren’t always obviously negative or positive. Conversely, questions that are too vague or broad leave the answer widely open to interpretation. This can lead you to find an answer that you were hoping for, rather than an accurate one. I covered these “false positives” in last month’s article. So what are the best questions to ask? What questions lead to the…

Notes from the Apothecary: Fenugreek Hailing from Western Asia, Fenugreek is an odd tasting herb with some interesting history. Seeds have been found in archaeological digs dating back to 4000 BC and were even found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Called Greek Hay, Bird’s Foot and Sickly Fruit, the herb is considered to be a bit of a panacea, being a tonic for everything from abscesses to kidney problems.   The Kitchen Garden Fenugreek is an annual herb which means it grows, flowers and seeds all in the same year and does not return the following season. The plants can grow to two feet tall and has little white or…

  Winter cries A broken sob Of rain and throbbing grey To wistful white A sorry sight A tear track trails And smiling fails As frost bites hard Each chew and chomp Enamel stomp Upon a tongue Of furry sludge A grisly grudge A snarling wind And screeching trees Fog whispers please… And begs for entry To the heart The roaring hearth The glowing soul Oh let me in, let me in… Cailleach cries But listen not If you are wise.   Copyright 4th December 2013 *** About the Author: Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist. She is the author of A Modern…

Ceri Norman: Faeries, Stones & Hope     I was really drawn to Ceri Norman’s book on stones and their connection to magical beings, and you can read my review here. Ceri is a prolific writer on a number of fascinating subjects and makes beautiful nature inspired jewellery which she sells on Etsy. Despite being so busy, Ceri was kind enough to give up some of her time to speak to us here at PaganPagesOrg! Here’s what she had to say when I caught up with her this month.   Mabh Savage (MS): When did you first start writing and what drew you to it? Ceri Norman (CN): I honestly…