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-Pagan Portals: Circe: Goddess of Sorcery by Irisanya Moon
Book Review Pagan Portals: Circe: Goddess of Sorcery By Irisanya Moon Publisher: Moon Books 112 Page E-Book Release Date: December 1st, 2024 I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; I am a huge fan of the Pagan Portals series by Moon Books. Pagan Portals: Circe: Goddess of Sorcery by Irisanya Moon is no different. I practice Hekatean Witchcraft blended with traditional witchcraft, and Circe is a Goddess/Spirit that I’ve encountered on this path before, but she has always been veiled in mystery, especially as it pertains to her functions in the modern world, in modern witchcraft. This book de-mystifies a Goddess that’s much misunderstood, and maligned throughout history. Pagan Portals: Circe covers Circe’s historical context…
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The Modern Merlin’s Mars Retrograde in Leo Survival Guide
Another planet has entered its retrograde phase, this time, it’s Mars, the planet of energy, action, sexuality and masculinity. Mars is transiting in Leo, but with the retrograde motion, will careen back into Cancer, making for an interesting retrograde transit. We’ll discuss what Mars retrograde typically brings, as well as sign specific things to expect for both Leo and Cancer. After this, we’ll discuss certain aspects this retrograde period will make with other planets, and the effects they may have. Without further ado, let’s begin! Mars Retrograde: What it means Mars retrograde is known to typically bring with it a propensity for short tempers, especially as setbacks are experienced and…
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News and Notes from the Editor-December 2nd-8th, 2024
Hello friends! This is a new column that we’re adding as we make some changes to our site. I want to take this chance to introduce myself, although, you probably all know who I am by now! For those who don’t know who I am, they call me The Modern Merlin, and I have happily accepted an offer to be the Co-Editor of this wonderful E-Magazine! I’ve enjoyed writing with PaganPages.Org so much since I came on board in February of this year. I’ve met some amazing people, and have learned and grown as a person, and as a Pagan and Witch/Sorcerer. I give nothing but thanks to the Gods…
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Book Review-A Confluence of Witches: A Modern Witches Anthology, compiled & edited by Casey Zabala
Book Review A Confluence of Witches: A Modern Witches Anthology Compiled & Edited by Casey Zabala Publisher: Weiser Books 208 page paperback Release Date: October 14th, 2024 A Confluence of Witches is a compilation of different articles compiled into a single volume, all dealing with Witchcraft, its roots, and its modern applications and practice. Many of these authors are known movers and shakers of the modern witchcraft world, making this a valuable addition to many a modern witch’s library. From pieces on lunar lore and how to work with the lunar phases, to money magic, to de-colonizing witchcraft, A Confluence of Witches will reignite a flame in any witch that feels as…
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Book Review-What Happens Next? Answers About the Afterlife by Jade-Sky
Book Review What Happens Next? Answers About the Afterlife By Jade-Sky Publisher: Rockpool Publishing 150 page Hardcover Release Date: October 1st, 2024 What Happens Next? Answers About the Afterlife by Jade-Sky is a non-religious approach to answering those nagging questions about the afterlife, even getting into specifics about death, spirits visiting you, whether hell is real or not, and more. This book came to me at a time of grief in my personal life, as I grieve the slow deterioration of my grandfather-who was more like a father to me-from cancer. While I personally don’t have as many questions about the afterlife, death, and similar topics, being a practicing Necromancer and…
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Book Review-The Complete Language of Trees: A Definitive & Illustrated History by S. Theresa Dietz
Book Review The Complete Language of Trees: A Definitive & Illustrated History By S. Theresa Dietz Publisher: Wellfleet Press 256 page Hardcover Release Date: March 28th, 2023 The Complete Language of Trees: A Definitive & Illustrated History is a beautiful, full color, illustrated encyclopedia of trees from around the world. Each entry gives the tree’s scientific name, folk names, maximum height, symbolic meanings, spiritual and healing powers, as well as any folklore and factoids about each tree. The trees themselves are alphabetized by scientific name rather than their common folk names, but there is an index in the rear of the book that gives the common names of each tree, and lists which…
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Book Review-Temple of the Stars: The Astrological Decans by Martin Goldsmith
Book Review Temple of the Stars: The Astrological Decans By Martin Goldsmith Publisher: Red Feather Mind Body Spirit 255 page E-Book Release Date: November 28th, 2024 Temple of the Stars: The Astrological Decans by Martin Goldsmith was an unexpectedly refreshing read on Astrology. So many books on Astrology seem to focus on repetitive ideas or themes, but this one offers a different focus, and a different way of looking at the signs, and your own birth chart. Astrology has a long history, and multiple cultures have practiced it in their own way, with their own interpretations. Goldsmith discusses the most well-known methods, the Greco-Babylonian, first practiced in Ancient Babylon, then adopted…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner-November/December 2024: The Sorcerer’s Guide to Winter Magick
In my neck of the woods, the early part of the winter weather season has come upon us, reminding us to slow down, and cherish time with family & friends. Many people don’t like winter, and personally, I am among them; I much prefer the warmer climate of Southern California, but alas, I am, for the time being, as they say, “stuck in Ohio”. Paganism’s interwoven beliefs and traditions concerning the colder months of the year are well documented and today many modern Pagans still imbibe those traditions, hearkening back to a time before the Church and the more organized religion we see today. Aside from the spiritual lessons and…
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The Modern Merlin’s Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius Survival Guide
Navigating Difficult Holiday Astro-Vibes, and More Cue the Star Wars Imperial March, as Mercury begins his backward spin in the sign of the archer, Sagittarius. Mercury has an interesting relationship with Sagittarius, as Gemini, one of the two signs Mercury rules, opposes Sagittarius, ruled by expansive Jupiter. We’re going to look at this interesting relationship, and how it all plays out with the usual Mercury Rx mayhem. Given that this transit occurs during the holiday season for many of us, there’s some precautions to take as well to make sure you’re prepared. Without further ado, let’s begin! Mercury and Sagittarius: A relationship built from two sides of the same coin…
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Book Review-The Poison Path Grimoire: Dark Herbalism, Poison Magic, and Baneful Allies by Coby Michael
Book Review The Poison Path Grimoire: Dark Herbalism, Poison Magic, and Baneful Allies By Coby Michael Publisher: Destiny Books 224 page E-Book Release Date; November 5th, 2024 The Poison Path Grimoire: Dark Herbalism, Poison Magic, and Baneful Allies by Coby Michael was a much-anticipated book for me and I very happily chose it for review when my publisher offered it up. For those who don’t know, I am an avid Poison and Psychedelic Witch, and I work with many of these wonderful plant allies in my spiritual practices, whether it’s for necromancy, deathwalking, spells/magick/rituals, or anything else. They truly help me, and many others, connect to the current of…
