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The Modern Merlin’s Corner-September 2024: As the leaves fall…
Photo Credits: Original Design, created on Canva by The Modern Merlin I’ve decided to do something different for my monthly column entry this month, inspired by watching the changing of the seasons outside my window and all around me. I’m lucky enough to live in a fairly tree-covered area, even in a somewhat more urban environment. Come with me on this journey, and be enchanted as we follow the seasons. Happy October Eve! As The Leaves Change, So Do We “The leaves are falling all around. Time I was on my way” -Ramble On, Led Zeppelin One of my favorite songs by Led Zeppelin, quoted above, is a liminal song in…
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Weyland’s Whey, September 2024 Column: the Difference Between Halloween and Samhain, Part One
For Your Deliberation I’m no scholar, and I tend to see things in simple ways. To me, Samhain is religious while Halloween is secular. The latter was derived from the former, and both observe and even celebrate death in their own ways. Sure, there’s LOTS more to it than that, but in the interests of brevity I’ll go with Einstein’s statement on comprehension and simple explanations. (With, in my case of course, an emphasis on “simple.”) MAGAZINE Reviews Sparkle and I are both ardent readers, and we love magazines! Here are three I highly recommend, all Halloween themed with recipes, crafts, eats and treats and other seasonal delights. Woman’s Day. …
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Weyland’s Whey Mabon 2024 Column
Mabon Sometimes considered a minor sabbat (as opposed to major ones Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain), celebrations can vary widely between Wiccan Trads. Inspirations have been drawn from the American Thanksgiving and the German Oktoberfest, among others. Mabon can be observed in various ways, but the focus is usually on themes of balance, or the second harvest angle. I’m big on lists, so I’ll tout a gratitude inventory. Scribble down whatever you’re thankful for. Your health, your family, your home. Tack that list up on the wall where you can eyeball it every day. And feel free to add to it often! Sources: Learn Religions, the busy pagan, and Wikipedia.…
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Weyland’s Whey, August 30 2024 Column, Tiny Familiars
Weyland’s Whey, August 30th, 2024 Good Morning, Good Morning I like writing my column in bed. It violates just about every feng shui rule I can think of, but this way I can spread out my notes and New York Times and listen to music while I work. My fierce little doxie and familiar Delinquent joins me, pressing her furry little buttski against my hip while she keeps a close eye on the open bedroom door, ready to defend me from any invaders who might try to barge in. On my other side, our rescue Yorkie (and five pound familiar) Morsel slumbers in his own little bed, one ear standing straight up…
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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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Weyland’s Whey, August 17th 2024, “Sounds Like Salem”, Conclusion
Weyland’s Whey, August 17th 2024, “Sounds Like Salem”, Conclusion For Your Deliberation It takes a village to help an idiot! And here are some of the townies who make me look good twice a month! Mihos. I’ve mentioned him a lot in this column. And with good reason. He’s my Renaissance man. And he’ll be penning his own column in PaganPages real soon! (Watch for Crystal Clear!) Hershey. My go-to guy for all things Spanish. He’s fluent, I’ve got the working vocabulary of a grade schooler. Maybe a preschooler… Crystal. Hershey’s partner and lady love. One of the quickest and smartest people I know. I seek out her advice quite often. The Brain. This guy’s…
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Weyland’s Whey Lughnasadh 2024 Column
Lughnasadh It’s pronounced LEW-NAS-AH. One of the eight Pagan Sabbats, the focus is typically on an early harvest aspect and/or celebrations of the Celtic god Lugh. During the Middle Ages it included large gatherings for ceremonies, athletic contests, horse racing and feasting, among other activities. More recently, Lughnasadh observances were typically held atop hills and mountains. The tradition of climbing hills and mountains has survived in some areas, reinterpreted as Christian pilgrimages. (I’m thinking Sound of Music in robes, but that can’t be right.) Since the late twentieth century, Celtic neopagans (us, kinda) have celebrated Lughnasadh–or observances based on it–as religious holidays. Hey, any excuse for a party! (Sources: Wikipedia, learnreligions.com)…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner: Trance States using Entheogens and Sacred Plant Medicine
Article Cover Photo Credits: Pinterest search for “psychedelic witchy art” My reason for writing on this subject is because my column entry last month mentioned using trance state to connect with local spirits of place, the Land, etc., and so, I decided after checking with the publisher, that I would share my knowledge in this area, and give you my tried and true method of using Entheogenic plants to reach a trance and visionary state and maintain it. This is my preferred method of contacting the Otherside, doing journeying, and the like, but which entheogenic plant I use varies by day, purpose, how I’m feeling, etc. I will not give…
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Good God!: Kalfu
Kalfu (also Kalfou or Carrefour) is the Haitian Vodou God of Intersections. His name literally means “the crossroads,” which is the point where four roads emerge or two paths cross. It is also the point where magic manifests, where choices are made, and fates are forged. He is thought of as “the devil at the crossroads.” a terrifying god, a red demonic beast equated with Saten. One of their most powerful gods, Kalfu allows or denies spirits to cross into the real world “with an understanding into the nature of chaos and creation, good and misfortune, and injustices,” according to Wikipedia. Although other spirits know him, he often remains a…
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Weyland’s Whey July 13th “Sounds Like Salem” Part Two Column
Weyland’s Whey July 13th “Sounds Like Salem” Part Two Column “Tact is after all a kind of mind reading.” –Sarah Orne Jewett Sounds Like Salem, Part Two: Here There Be Pirates” Salem is most famous for witches, real and imagined, past and present, sure. But there were pirates here too. Lots of ’em. And plenty roamed the North Shore during the Golden Age of Pirates (1650s to the 1730s). Guys like Black Sam Bellamy, who captured over fifty ships in the course of his career, including famous slave ship Whydah Galla. Black Sam was one of the youngest and richest pirates ever, nicknamed the “Prince of Pirates”. He and his crew perished…
