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!
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
Book Review-Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars: The Invisible Force and Influence of Constellations in the Natal Chart by Bernadette Brady
Book Review Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars: The Invisible Force and Influence of Constellations in the Natal Chart By Bernadette Brady Publisher: Weiser Books 487 Page Paperback Release Date: August 5th, 2024 At a whopping 487 pages, Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars is truly a fascinating tome of Astrological knowledge; to be clear, this is not a book fit for those just beginning their astrology journey, as the topics covered are complex, and the foundations of classical astrology need to be known and understood first. That said, if you’ve been looking to take your Astrology knowledge to the next level, this is the book for you. In ancient times, Astrology consisted more of…
-
Book Review-In Focus: Shadow Work: Your Personal Guide by Stephanie Kirby
Book Review In Focus: Shadow Work: Your Personal Guide By Stephanie Kirby Publisher: Wellfleet Press 127 Page Hardcover + Foldout Wall Poster Release Date: July 2nd, 2024 In Focus: Shadow Work is the book I wish I had when I began my deep shadow work during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Alas, I have it now, and plan to utilize many of the new techniques and perspectives I found within the book. When people hear the term “Shadow Work” many of us tend to cringe, as it’s known to bring up many hurts and traumas we’d rather forget. There is, however, a silver lining if we do the work. The author refers to…
-
Book Review-Witches: A Compendium by Judika Illes
Book Review Witches: A Compendium By Judika Illes Publisher: Weiser Books 235 Page E-Book Release Date: October 7th. 2024 Witches: A Compendium is another novice-friendly book on the Craft, this time exploring Witchcraft from all perspectives: from Wicca, Traditional Craft, Voodoo, Vodou and other practices, this book is all-inclusive, covering even different traditions within Wicca and Neo-Pagan Witchcraft. Famous and infamous women, witches and magickal persons are covered, as are magickal tools, animal familiars, crafts, spells and more! At the end of the book, Illes gives a section where you can find out if you, too, are a witch. This book was a refreshing break in my reading, as beginner materials…
-
Book Review-A Witch Alone: 13 Moons to Master Natural Magic by Marian Green
Book Review A Witch Alone: 13 Moons to Master Natural Magic By Marian Green Publisher: Weiser Books 202 Page E-Book Release Date: February 3rd, 2025 A Witch Alone: 13 Moons to Master Natural Magic is a contemporary manual on solitary Witchcraft for the beginner. A Witch Alone covers everything a novice witch needs to know; anything from the Sabbats, Lunar Phases, Gods & Goddesses, and more are covered in this tome. Although the author states that this type of witchcraft is “traditional” don’t confuse that for what we call Traditional Witchcraft in America; rather, what’s referred to is a classic version of Wicca, which in the UK, where it started, is what’s…
-
Entheogens for the New Gen-February 2025: Terpene Magick!
Hello friends! I hope everyone is having an easier time in terms of success-Jupiter went direct yesterday. That aside, I have a special topic in store this month. Before we get into the meat and bones, I think I should explain first what exactly terpenes are, what they do, and how they work, on physical, mental and spiritual levels. Without getting too scientific about it, terpenes are what give different cannabis strains their unique flavor, their unique heritage as it’s called in the cannabis business, to then breed new strains. Terpenes work on all levels of existence, and I’m about to give away a huge cannabis witch secret: this is why cannabis is revered world-round…
