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WitchCrafting: Pinecone Fire Starters
Merry meet! This time of year pinecones are fairly easy to find, and Yule is celebrated with bonfires and Yule logs. Combine the two by making fire starters from pinecones. It’s an easy, quick craft. Begin by collecting pinecones. They must be completely dry. If they are damp from being on the ground, you can put them on a parchment-lined sheet pan and leave them in a 150-degree oven for an hour, or until any sap has melted and the cones open fully. If you are doing many, you’ll want to melt wax – preferable bees wax because it burns the cleanest – in a metal or ceramic bowl…
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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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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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Weyland’s Whey, Grey Strega Interview, Part Two. November 30th, 2024
Last Father’s Day, my girlfriend Sparkle arranged Tarot card readings for us. I was very impressed with her choice of oracle–Cyn is great! But don’t take my word for it–see for yourself! The Frequency of Divinity, Part Two 8: Are you pagan or wiccan? I identify myself as a mystic. I find value in all religious pathways, and seek understanding in the threads that connect to the universal truths all religious pathways tap into. 9: Do you agree that the future branches off into diverse possibilities and pathways? And how can you determine which one is most likely? I believe all of us are on a unique lifepath: the path is predetermined as…
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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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Weyland’s Whey, November 17th 2024, Crystal Clear Preview
Crystal Clear by Mihos Hematite I’ve found hematite useful for grounding out negative energy and encouraging calmness. It’s so effective that it works even if I forgot I’m carrying a stone in my pocket or wearing the pendant. I find it much more effective than any “worry stone” or object that I must actively manipulate. I give it credence as a talisman when traveling: I’ve not suffered motion sickness for many years. Bio Mihos is a frequent contributor to the Weyland’s Whey column. He now also writes his own article, Crystal Clear, for Pagan Pages.
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Weyland’s Whey, Grey Strega Interview, Part One, November 14th, 2024
Last Father’s Day, my girlfriend Sparkle arranged Tarot card readings for us. I was very impressed with her choice of oracle–Cyn is great! But don’t take my word for it–see for yourself! The Frequency of Divinity, Part One 1. Wey: You utilize a unique (at least unique to me) Tarot spread for readings. Is it your own design? Grey Strega (Cyn): The spread I use most frequently for life path readings is an expansion of the standard Celtic Cross spread. However, the spread itself acts as a base in my readings: each reading tends to develop into a custom spread that evolves through intuition, connection with the querent, and channel 2: Are…
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Good God!: Cernunnos
Meet the Gods: Cernunnos Merry meet. Cernunnos is one of the Ancient Ones, as old as the earth. A nature and fertility god, he is said to have been born of the All Mother Anu, working his magic in the wildwood as the first humans on earth came to be. He was part of evolution, seen “as a shape-shifting, shamanic god of the Hunt” in prehistoric times, according to the article, “Cernunnos – Ancient Celtic God” by J. M. Reinbold. His image was painted on cave walls and carved into cliffs. People dressed in skins, bones and feathers danced to communicate with him. They still do a dance in his…
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Weyland’s Whey, Samhain 2024 Column
For Your Deliberation Samhain is my favorite Sabbat! I observe it (in my own ways) from the day after Mabon until the morning of All Hallows. Enjoy! VOTE That! That!! Dude Looks Like a Cyborg!!! These days when I step out the door, I have a glucose sensor glued to my arm, a Fitbit on my wrist and a cell phone with more gadgets in it than Batman’s utility belt! Better living through electronics! Granny One Dylan came home. As he started up the stairs to his apartment, he noticed a new Halloween decoration his landlady had put out near the foot of the stairs: an old crone doll in…
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Weyland’s Whey, October 19th 2024 Column: The Difference Between Halloween and Samain, Part Two, Conclusion
For Your Deliberation To me, Samhain focuses on a different type and aspect of death than does Halloween. It’s more familial than scary. Samhain is for moving on into what’s next instead of hanging around here on this side of the veil making trouble. Of course, there are exceptions…. Waiting for the Dark The houses in our neighborhood share a big leafy backyard which is crisscrossed by a warren of short bridges and long pathways. Lots of trees, almost woodsy, it hosts a murder of crows, a dray or two of squirrels and an alarming number of very bold skunks. We have lights back there, but after twilight it can…
