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!

  • Reviews

    Book Review-Seeding Consciousness: Plant Medicine, Ancestral Wisdom and Psychedelic Initiation by Tricia Eastman

    Book Review Seeding Consciousness: Plant Medicine, Ancestral Wisdom and Psychedelic Initiation By Tricia Eastman Publisher: Bear & Company 316 Page E-Book Release Date: November 12th, 2024 Seeding Consciousness: Plant Medicine, Ancestral Wisdom and Psychedelic Initiation by Tricia Eastman is the book I wish I had when I started my journey with Psychedelics and Cannabis for expanding consciousness, mysticism and other spiritual pursuits. Not only is Seeding Consciousness a manual of sorts, to reach initiatory experiences with the help of psychedelics such as psilocybin and other psychedelics, but these methods can also be applied to more subtle initiatory plants, such as cannabis, for those looking to start slowly with these experiences. Eastman draws upon a wealth…

  • Editorials,  Monthly Columns,  Paranormal, Folklore & Mythology

    News and Notes From the Editor-March 2025: St. Patrick: Examining Myth, Fact and History

    Hello friends, after taking a short hiatus from the more creative end of my writing, I decided what better day to start up again, than today, St. Patrick’s Day? Many Pagans, and rightfully so, are at the very least weary of St. Patrick; legend has it he rid Ireland of the snakes. The truth of course, is different; there are, and haven’t been snakes in Ireland since the last Ice Age, so where did the analogy come from? Many Pagans speculate that the snakes refer to Pagans and Druids, but the truth is, that is the propaganda from the Catholic church, wherein they made Patrick the face of conversion in Ireland. While…

  • Astrology,  Divination Articles,  Monthly Columns

    The Modern Merlin’s Blood Moon Eclipse in Virgo Survival Guide

    Hello friends, I know I’ve been absent in terms of writing articles, but that is going to be changing soon; we all have to go on an inward journey, and work through life and its’ various hurdles. I’m back and ready to write all kinds of magical things, starting with this, right here, right now. That said, let’s get into the Blood Moon Eclipse in Virgo, and what it means from an Astrological, and Magickal standpoint. Blood Moons and Eclipses in Astrology, Mythology and History Throughout history, the sight of a blood red moon has brought with it fears of anger from the Gods, worries of war, famine, or death.…

  • Reviews

    Deck Review-Bonefire Tarot by Gabi Angus-West

    Deck Review Bonefire Tarot By Gabi Angus-West Publisher: Schiffer Press 78 Card Tarot Deck, 187 Page Guidebook, in a sturdy box Release Date: November 28th, 2016 Bonefire Tarot has been out for a while now, originally released in late 2016, with a 2nd edition being released in 2023. I’ve seen this deck on bookstore and metaphysical shop shelves time and again throughout the years, but never picked it up. Not because I didn’t like the artwork (which is beautiful), but because it never really “called” to me before. After years of curiosity about this deck, I finally have my hands on one!     Bonefire Tarot features artwork based on classical tattoo…

  • Reviews

    Book Review-Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days: Easy Spells and Rituals for When You’re Stressed Out, Wiped Out, Or Just Have No More Spoons To Give by Andrea Samayoa

    Book Review Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days: Easy Spells and Rituals for When You’re Stressed Out, Wiped Out, Or Just Have No More Spoons To Give By Andrea Samayoa Publisher: Fair Winds Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group 160 Page Full-Color Paperback Release Date: October 15th, 2024 Lazy Witchcraft for Crazy, Sh*tty Days truly is a book that lives up to its’ title; if you feel drained, with little to no energy for a complex ritual, but still could use the magickal boost, this book is for you. Beautifully illustrated in full-color, high-quality paper, this book inspires tranquility, calm and hope through its’ choice of colors (which match each…

  • Reviews

    Book Review-Appalachian Folklore Unveiled: Mysterious Happenings of Folk Spirits and Mystic Shades from the Ancient Foothills by Darkness Prevails, with Carman Carrion

    Book Review Appalachian Folklore Unveiled: Mysterious Happenings of Folk Spirits and Mystic Shades From the Ancient Foothills By Darkness Prevails, with Carman Carrion Publisher: Wellfleet Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group 207 Page Hardcover Release Date: October 8th, 2024 Appalachian Folklore Unveiled is a fascinating dive into the mythos, folklore and magical views of the Appalachian mountain region. When most think of Appalachia, we think of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee; little did I know that the Appalachian mountain range goes clear up the East Coast of the United States! This is truly a wonderful book to read for those interested in folklore, superstition and folk magic. The illustrations…

  • Reviews

    Book Review-The Little Book of Moon Magic by Francis Nightingale

    Book Review The Little Book of Moon Magic By Francis Nightingale Publisher: Red Wheel 127 Page Hardcover Release Date: October 7th, 2024 The Little Book of Moon Magic is a cute, beautifully designed and illustrated hardback book on the Moon, its formation, phases, and how to work magic with all of that information! In short, this is a primer for beginners looking to work with the moon in their magic more. Covering multiple cultures, mythologies and traditions, anyone and everyone is sure to find gems of wisdom within its pages. Herbal teas, spells, meditations and other thoughtful exercises to use in correlation with certain moon phases are given as well, for…

  • Reviews

    Book Review-Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling: Divining with Tarot, Palmistry, Tea Leaves & More by Paulina Stevens & Jezmina Von Thiele

    Book Review Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling: Divining with Tarot, Palmistry, Tea Leaves & More  By Paulina Sevens & Jezmina Von Thiele Publisher: Weiser Books 202 Page E-Book Release Date: October 7th, 2024 Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling is a an authentic, down to earth look at Romani traditions, culture, and divination styles. Cultural issues like the oppression of the Romani people (often referred to as gypsy, a derogatory and racist term), and other interesting tidbits of Romani culture are included, as well as appropriate ways to honor those traditions if you yourself don’t hail from that lineage. Ancestral wisdom graces the pages of this book from one of the author’s…

  • Reviews

    Book Review-The Astrology of Nations: Casting and Interpreting Charts for Nations, Politics and Economies by John Michael Greer

    Book Review The Astrology of Nations: Casting and Interpreting Charts for Nations, Politics and Economies By John Michael Greer Publisher: Red Feather Mind Body Spirit 192 Page Hardcover Release Date: January 28th, 2025 After taking a short break for self-care and rest, I’m back and have a few reviews and at least one column to get out for you to peruse. So here goes… This one took me a little longer to read, but it did not disappoint! I’ve been longing to find a concise book on this subject that lays out what you need to know so you can start casting and interpreting charts for matters concerning world events,…

  • Reviews

    Book Review-How To Read & Interpret a Birth Chart: Guideposts for Understanding Natal Astrology by Laurie Farrington

    Book Review How To Read & Interpret a Birth Chart: Guideposts for Understanding Natal Astrology By Laurie Farrington Publisher: Weiser Books 263 Page Paperback Release Date: January 8th, 2025 How to Read & Interpret a Birth Chart: Guideposts for Understanding Natal Astrology is a jam-packed tome fit for beginner astrologers looking to finally dissect their (and their friends) birth charts. Farrington writes this from the perspective of a professional astrologer doing readings for others, and includes her tidbits of useful advice on ethical concerns as well as keeping the reading “human” so to speak, remembering that the person getting the reading has lived that potentially difficult life. This is quite frankly…