We are entering a time of light and color as the weather becomes warmer and summer is close at hand. In honor of this burgeoning warmth, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the basics of candle magick, employing the use of color for magickal workings and the metaphors of flame and fire, Light and Season… Enjoy.. Candle Magick 101   Candle Magick makes use of the properties and energies of a candle, color, etc. to direct the focus of energy towards a desired outcome. It is for this reason that candles are used in High Magick and Ritual workings. They become the physical representation of…

Deepening the Work Last evening, I was reading T. Thorn Coyle‘s book Kissing the Limitless, and as always when I read her writings I begin to think more deeply about my own practice. More specifically, thinking of my response to the posed questions of: “What has set me on this Path? Why am I choosing to do this work?” Neither, of these questions has easy answers and the very nature of their query is one that should change and evolve in accord with the practice we are called to at any given time. But, there is also a certain clarity of purpose that reveals itself through answering the call to…

The art of Seeding Magick moves strongly through the month of February as Brighid weaves her magick of healing, creativity and preparation for the new life of Spring in just a few more weeks. Each year at this time, I spend some time thinking about what I wish to plant as the seeds of new beginnings and endeavors in the coming year that will become my beautiful garden of creative effort. And, so towards those ends I offer a 2-part magickal pathworking to stimulate the senses and flow of crafting a sanctuary and growing place for your intention. Enjoy… The Secret Garden Part One This meditation can be used to…

What Is It You Are Joining? Last month, I wrote about the considerations given before deciding to become part of a magickal group. My own journey since April of this past year has been in forming a new coven and providing the place of community for those seeking a spiritual home that encompasses more than that of solitary practice. To that end a new coven was birthed at the Winter Solstice and a new family of seekers was welcomed. This month I would like to provide the perspective of the person(s) who are providing the home and space of learning that may become the place of consideration and deciding factor…

To Join (or Not to Join) A Magickal Group This is an article I wrote many years ago and I’ve decided to share it in this month’s column. As the community and spiritual paths of pagan practice become increasingly more available, so too are the opportunities to become intimately a part of that expanding community. What that participation looks like and how in depth are multi-faceted. It is particularly timely for me since I have been in process of Hiving and forming a new coven within our Tradition, The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel. And, so in this spirit I pose the question that should be explored before committing to…

SAMHAIN- November 7.2015   Although last month may have seemed more fitting for this article, October 31st is not accurate date of Samhain if celebrated from the perspective of the astronomical occurrences that in ancient days marked the Great Wheel of the Year. The astrological date always in November, usually somewhere between the 5-8th. This year, it will occur on November 7th. So, with these intentions in mind, I share with you the mystery of Samhain’s parting of the Veils…..   The Hounds nip at my heels Pushing me precariously forwards As I move through the dark Veil of Samhain Night.   I breathe deeply feeling the Pain of sharp…

The Hermit’s Light: Carrying the Balance into the Dark Ahead The Great Wheel turned once again and just a few weeks ago we found ourselves at the place of the Autumnal Equinox. Each Sabbat flows in process of energy, one to the other. What and how we choose to celebrate and honor these turnings of the Great Wheel has both subtle and overt impact on how we navigate the days and months following. It is with this intention that I offer this writing and reflection on a Sabbat of balance and the gift of exploration of the Light within the dark spaces of quiet and surrender. The Equinoxes astronomically mark…

Ready, Set, Go! September is synonymous with learning, moving and embarking on new adventures. Not only are we harvesting the rewards of our work earlier in the year, but forging new paths in hopes that these will hold the new plantings later on. For me, this mindset is a constant companion and keeping the creativity flowing is always the goal. I want “everything”! To do, to know, to learn, to be adept at everything! Some might call this a type “A” personality, but it goes much further than this. It is not a need to keep busy, but rather a hunger to take it all in. This has always been…

The Eloquence of Calliope This month I offer a look at one of my favorite muses, Calliope. Enjoy! The Muse, Calliope is the oldest of the Muses and according to the Theogony of Hesiod was foremost of the muses. Holding this preeminence, suggested her creative gifts were many with specific association with music and song and is often depicted playing the harp in early art work. In many mythological tales, Calliope is the mother of the Bard and player of the lyre, Orpheus. Calliope’s gifts of eloquence and music moved through her child Orpheus, considered to be the greatest musician and poet of Greek mythology having the ability to stir…

Our Sacred Vessel We often hear the adage that “we are Spiritual Beings having a Physical experience”. Spiritual, implying non-corporeal and rarified energy and physical being that state of manifest densest layer of existence. The mysteries of the Sacred Vessel are those things crafted and etched in the time of our own making. The intricate weaving and painting that defines this vessel as our own; unique and rare in all of its states of being. This vessel has moved through time and seen the rise and fall of our basest and highest nature. It has changed its alchemical form and weathered the extremes of expansion and contraction, remaining pliable and…