The Modern Merlin
The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for 15 years, worshipping and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place. He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism and Ceremonial Magick, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and he has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!
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Book Review-A Shamanic Herbal: Plant Teachers and Animal Medicines by Matthew Wood
Photo Credits: Stock photo of A Shamanic Herbal, courtesy of publisher A Shamanic Herbal: Plant Teachers and Animal Medicines by Matthew Wood is a 408 page paperback book published by Healing Arts Press, a division of Inner Traditions Publishing. A Shamanic Herbal lays the groundwork for the herbal and animal medicines within from the get-go, starting with theory, philosophy, cosmological views, and the like, before moving on to the Plant and Animal medicines. The Plant and Animal medicine sections themselves are extensive, detailed and well written, drawing on the author’s expertise in herbalism and shamanism. Various plants are attributed to a number of different animals, and shamanic wisdom from multiple shamanic traditions around the…
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Book Review-Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetland Habitats, Their Myths, Magic, and Meaning by Mab Jones
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetlands, Their Myths, Magic and Meaning, courtesy of publisher Bog Witch: A Semi-Mystical Immersion Into Wild Wetland Habitats, Their Myths, Magic, and Meaning by Mab Jones is an 82 page book published by Moon Books, of which I received an E-Book copy. Bog Witch begins with the author’s personal experiences growing up in modern western culture, and its well-known approach to nature as a resource, and in the case of many wetland areas, an eyesore and something to be removed or beautified. Jones then goes into their personal exploration of wetland areas where they live, and then immerses you into the wisdom,…
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Book Review-Enchanted Tales: Magical Fairy Tales from Around the World, written by Laura Sampson, illustrated by Quang and Lien
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of Enchanted Tales, courtesy of publisher Enchanted Tales: Magical Fairy Tales from Around the World written by Laura Sampson, and illustrated by Quang and Lien, is a 95 page book, published by Running Press Kids Publishing, of which I received an e-book copy. This is a beautifully illustrated kids’ book, filled with fairy tales, folklore and myths from various regions of the world. If you’ve been looking for a diverse book of kids’ fairy tales, either for them to read themselves, or be read to, this book is worth consideration, especially. for those looking to keep our lore, collectively, as humans, alive and well in the next generations.…
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Book Review-The Witch’s Workshop: A Guide to Crafting Your Own Magical Tools by Melissa Jayne Madara
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of The Witch’s Workshop, courtesy of Publisher The Witch’s Workshop: A Guide to Crafting Your Own Magical Tools by Melissa Jayne Madara is a 231 page book published by Watkins Publishing, a division of Watkins Media Group, of which I received an e-book copy. This book, to start off with, is beautiful, with full color pages, photos and vintage style plant illustrations gracing the pages. As far as the material within the book goes, the recipes are tried and true, having used the same or similar recipes myself in the past. Madara gives recipes for incense, oils, powders, candles, dyes, inks, how to craft ritual paper, ritual chalk, and making…
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Book Review- Shamanic Teachings of the Condor: Encounters with the Mystical Traditions of the Andes by Martha Winona Travers, Ph.D.
Photo Credits: Stock Photo from Publisher, Shamanic Teachings of the Condor Shamanic Teachings of the Condor: Encounters with the Mystical Traditions of the Andes by Martha Winona Travers, Ph.D., is a 170 page book, published by Bear & Co., an imprint of Inner Traditions Publishing. Shamanic Teachings of the Condor is not an outsider attempt at assimilating an indigenous people’s beautiful, and ancient, beliefs, but rather, an open-hearted account of decades’ experiences with what the Andean kichwa people refer to as an iachak, or medicine person/shaman. The wise one who taught, and developed a positive relationship with Travers, was Taita Alberto. Throughout the pages, you can feel, and I will make use of that word a lot in…
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Book Review-2025 Lunar & Seasonal Diary: Northern Hemisphere by Stacey DeMarco
Photo Credits: Stock photo, 2025 Lunar & Seasonal Diary: Northern Hemisphere 2025 Lunar & Seasonal Diary: Northern Hemisphere by Stacey DeMarco is a spiral bound, beautifully illustrated and designed yearly planner and diary for beginner and advanced witches alike. The diary begins with the basics of witchcraft, spellcasting, lunar phases, signs, as well as crystals for lunar phases, lunar deities, and even more. After that, DeMarco encourages each owner of the diary to respond to certain prompts given, and at the beginning of each month, there is information regarding the Sabbat of the month, a deity of the month, as well as seasonal themes and magick. The months themselves are broken down…
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Book Review- Developing Your Supernatural Awareness: Connecting with an Interactive Universe by Fredrick Woodard
Photo Credits: Cover of Developing Your Supernatural Awareness from Publisher Developing Your Supernatural Awareness: Connecting with an Interactive Universe by Fredrick Woodard is a 200 page book, of which I received an E-Book Copy, published by 6th Books, an imprint of John Hunt Publishing. Developing Your Supernatural Awareness is a validating book for those who have had encounters that run contrary to what the science of logic and reason tells us is possible. Written from a Psychological point of view, as Mr. Woodard is a practicing Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist and also has had his own Supernatural Experiences, he weaves accounts from clients, research, and thoughtful exercises and journal questions at the end of each chapter. The…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner: The Magick in Music
Photo Credits: Shutterstock photo “Spiritual Music” As I began writing this column entry, I realized that to some, this entry may seem as if I’m bragging, etc., so I wanted to take a moment to explain my reasoning for writing about it at all, which is two-fold: 1. To give thanks, and 2. To Share Wisdom and Magick I’ve learned and gained through these experiences. Before moving any further, I want to thank the Gods and Goddesses, Ancestors, and Spirits for the blessings I’ve received this year. This article is a direct result of those blessings and lots, and lots of hard work on my end to make certain goals…
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Book Review-2025 Witch’s Diary: Northern Hemisphere by Flavia Kate Peters and Barbara Meiklejohn-Free
Photo Credits: Stock Photo of 2025 Witch’s Diary: Northern Hemisphere 2025 Witch’s Diary: Northern Hemisphere is a beautifully illustrated and designed planner for those looking to walk in harmony with nature, the Craft and honor the Old Ones of the Craft. Published by Rockpool publishing, the 2025 Witch’s Diary features lunar correspondences, color correspondences, tree magicks, and so much more. Broken down into weekly sections, some days have historical facts about the Craft, founders of Wicca and major figures in Witchcraft’s history. Solemn facts, such as Witch burnings and executions are also noted throughout. Seasonal holidays, the Sabbats and little spells, rituals and the like grace the pages of the 2025 Witch’s Diary. This is…
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Deck Review-The Jolanda Witch Tarot: The Healing Art of Magic by Rosie Björkman & Hans Arnold
Cover Photo Credits: Stock photo of The Jolanda Witch Tarot from publisher The Jolanda Witch Tarot: The Healing Art of Magic by Rosie Björkman & Hans Arnold is a traditional 78 card Tarot Deck, in a sturdy box with a magnetic enclosure, and a 400 page guidebook published by Findhorn Press, an imprint of Inner Traditions Publishing. This kit was originally printed in Sweden in 1997, and has now come to the US via Inner Traditions and Findhorn Press. This Tarot Kit is the real deal, packed with beautiful illustrations, meaningful symbols and artwork for each card, in-depth explanations for each card, including correspondences with Gods and Goddesses, Zodiac Signs and Planets, as…
