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GoodGod!
Meet the Gods: Belenus Belenus is one of the most ancient, beloved and widely worshiped Celtic deities. It is believed that the Latin name evolved from Bel or Belen, a Celtic word interpreted as “brilliant,” “shining,” or “luminous.” Orally, little is known about Belenus. The most archaeological remains dedicated to him were found in France, thought to be the center of his worship, but artifacts and references to him have been found in Northern Italy, Southern Gaul, the Alps, Austria, Rome, Scotland, Spain, and Britain. His shrines were often dedicated to healing and included therapeutic springs. “Votive offerings found at his shrine at Sainte-Sabine include terra-cotta horses and…
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Notes from the Apothecary
Notes from the Apothecary: Spring Flowers Special As the world warms at a variety of different speeds in the Northern Hemisphere, different areas see a range of different flowers popping into bloom. That’s especially true now we’re past the Spring Equinox, and moving quickly towards Bealtaine. This month, we’re looking at some of the common spring flowers you might see in gardens, woodlands, or hedgerows around your local area. If you see one of your favourites, or want to share a flower with us that we’ve not included, come tell us on Facebook or Twitter! Tulip Tulips are such a recognisable spring flower and available in so…
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She Who is All – The Goddess and The Divine Female
Tawaret/Tauret (Photo Credit: www.commons.wikimedia.org) Tawaret is the ancient Egyptian Goddess of fertility and childbirth, a protector of women and children and the Goddess of the annual Nile flooding, which brings with it, its’ fertile soil, which brings life to the Land. She is a Goddess of female sexuality. Originally seen as evil and associated with the Northern sky (Nebetakhet), which was cold, dark and dangerous, She was known as the Mistress of the Horizon. Over time, She became to be seen as nurturing and protective, with a ferocious streak when it came to protecting women and children. She is also a Mother Goddess, who was associated with Hathor, as can…
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Celebrating the Old Ways in New Times
Celebrating the Old Ways in New Times for April 2021 Bright Blessings, I write this a little more than a week before the Spring Equinox, and I have exciting news. For the first time since falling ill a little over 6 years ago- I have found a sustainable job and reliable income. Not Full Time- but this is something I can do for as long as the job is available to me and even if I were to become extremely ill once again. The empowerment of accomplishing something I feared I never would gave me the courage to DO something for myself. I bought myself a necklace as a congratulatory…
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As Above So Below (How the Stars Became Our Hearts)
Christianity: The Doctrine “Jesus Christ knew he was God. So wake up and find out eventually who you really are. In our culture, of course, they’ll say you’re crazy and you’re blasphemous, and they’ll either put you in jail or in a nut house (which is pretty much the same thing). However if you wake up in India and tell your friends and relations, ‘My goodness, I’ve just discovered that I’m God,’ they’ll laugh and say, ‘Oh, congratulations, at last you found out.” Alan Watts. There is much to be said on the pagan perspective of Christianity. There are many varying opinions within the followers of each…
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Book Excerpt – The Magic of Nature: Meditations & Spells to Find Your Inner Voice – Earth Meditations by Jessica Marie Baumgartner
We’re just a month away from my first release with Llewellyn Worldwide! I am so humbled and happy to share what I’ve learned with everyone. The hope is that anyone can test these simple meditations out and breathe a little easier. I’m a fire sign by nature, but connecting with our planet starts directly with earth, so I’ve offered up that first little bit of love. Please practice with caution. My Climbing Tree Meditation is for those who are avid climbers, but the rest require very little physicality. All the sunshine, Jess Chapter 1: Meditations to Connect with Nature Earth Meditations Trees, meadows, and caves hold more magic than anyone can…
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The Benefits of Forest Bathing & 8 Simple Tips
Forest bathing (or shinrin-yoku) has been practiced in Japan for over 800 years to help improve physical and mental health. The country now has several designated shinrin-yoku forests and doctors even prescribe it to their patients. Simply put, forest bathing is a blend of exercise and meditation where you intentionally set out to immerse yourself in a forest environment. It will come as no surprise to readers of this magazine that communing with nature has physical and mental health benefits. What is, perhaps, surprising is that science has finally got round to studying the practice and describing the benefits. What several studies have found is that being in nature has…
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Peeking in the Shadows: Crafting a Book of Shadows and Light
This month concludes our focus on Devotion and the Great Work.… Nuances of The Great Work-Part Two “When a human reaches up to his/her Higher Mind and learns to access the vibrational gifts from that realm (of his/her own higher consciousness), she or he will be filled with inspiration and courage. And this type of inspiration and courage could change the world through actions that are then taken by that individual.”… anonymous … The Essential Elements of Devotion If we take a look at devotion through the lens of the Alchemical Elements, we can see the cycle that occurs in the process. These three (3) Alchemical Elements form…
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ZOOM IN!
Tips and Techniques for Effective Zoom Events COVID-19 and new protocols for safety has resulted in canceled festivals, rituals and workshops leaving many within our community feeling isolated and yearning for interactions with others. Fortunately, we live in a technologically booming age and since creativity is a staple of pagans, these two together can form a winning partnership….. Specific Events: Virtual Ritual Part One This month we’ll explore some of the considerations when planning for a virtual ritual. As we know, the virtual experience provides a level of barrier to being in the presence of others, sensing the energy up close and being able to coordinate the…
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Divine Introspections: Meditation Journeys through Healing and Spirituality
Your Personal Perpetual Flame Feeding Your Fire Through Spiritual Design (Brigid handmade art by Helen Mask of MaskIllustration on Etsy.) As Brigid moves across the lands, thawing our fields, awakening nature, and guiding the sun back to its highest point in the sky, through her Eternal Flame we find a continuance of renewal, rebirthing, and a wealth of new beginnings and opportunities moving into the Spring. Another great Spiritual Connectivity that we find at this time is a heightened ability to see clearly, not just physically but Spiritually on a much larger scale. Your goals are forming, you’re surrounding yourself with new people that bring you to a…