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GaelSong
Labyrinth Lore I’ve built quite few labyrinths and used to walk one every day, for years. This is the season for labyrinths and mazes, so I’ll share my thoughts on the two major types that have been found in history. First is the Minoan, 7-circuit one. This was built as a place for initiates to meet their darkest fears, and it is said there was a Minotaur in the center. But I am guessing it was shaman in disguise, helping move his tribe through their initiations, instead. These ancient mazes were not easy places, though, for many who entered did not come out alive. The seven-circuit labyrinth was used in…
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Inside the Heart of Darkness
As we move into the darkest time of the year, the human mind takes an inevitable turn towards more negative thoughts and emotions. One of the biggest myths of today’s society is depression. An entire society is forced to ignore their own needs and desires and trade them in for soul crushing indentured servitude; our very thoughts imprisoned by various belief systems. A legal system that imprisons a human being for doing with their own bodies what they will. A society of brainwashed sheep trained to trample any hint of free thinking. All of life has become a prison, where every man, woman and child is reduced to a mere…
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She Who is All – Goddesses and the Divine Female
CERNUNA (Image Credit – Deviant Art by Kendigo) I had a special request to do a column on the Horned Goddess Cernuna. As it turned out, there is not much available on Her. As per usual, She seems to have been superseded by the Horned God Cernunnos, who is represented by his torque, holding a snake and surrounded by animals. It would/could be assumed that all representations are of Cernunnos, however a small bust of a Horned Goddess was found in Kent, UK. Two others have also been found; one rests in the British Museum of London and the other at the Musee de Clermont-Ferrard in France.…
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As Above So Below (How the Stars Became Our Hearts)
The Roots of the Earth: Acknowledging Our Divine Heritage The moons of the previous month no doubt have you reeling in some way. Moons have always been the way the universe speaks directly to us. Even humans with no spiritual background whatsoever feel like a full moon does something to them. The reason for this is, it’s absolutely true. Spirit or no spirit, the moon exerts its gravitational force on every atom in your body, which of course subsequently effect brain chemistry. Though this can be explained scientifically, it doesn’t mean the universe isn’t awake, and communicating to you consciously. This is to say, regardless of you spiritual background,…
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Samhain Gifts from the Ancestors: Healing Inter-generational and Historic Trauma
“It is liberating to consider that when we heal an ancestral pattern, we are not only freeing future generations, but healing backwards through time, liberating all those souls who were left unresolved, unforgiven, and misunderstood.” -Toko-pa Turner from “Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home” As Samhain approaches and the veils between our world and the spirit world grow thinner, I’ve been sensing my ancestors surrounding me. I am more deeply recognizing the incredible gift of life I was given through them. Because they lived and survived the times they were born into, I am here. What resilience I have inherited! I’ve also been reflecting on the tremendous responsibility I…
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Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living
I’m excited to announce that my new book about environmentally kind paganism is just about finished, and I hope to have a publication date soon! This is an absolutely exclusive peek at the brand new book, never before seen, so I hope you enjoy it! Earth The smell of the spring Is a wondrous thing Air simply alive With bacteria sporing That warm rainy smell That’s the time you can tell That the wheel has now turned; On the flip side we dwell. Day outlives night The warm golden light Gives way to the stars And the nocturnal sight Of the moon and the owl And the fox…
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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….. Choosing Your Virtual Platform When choosing a virtual platform, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before jumping right in. The answers will allow you to pinpoint more accurately the platform (s) that may serve you best and be the best financial investment. What type of event…
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Celebrating the Old Ways in New Times Second Edition
Celebrating the Old Ways in New Times for December 2020 Bright Blessings! We have had an unusually warm November this year, and I have taken full advantage of it to sit and visit outdoors as much as possible with people who I know I am not going to see again until March or April. Covid-19 has hit us hard this month. I am in Franklin County, Ohio, and our county hit purple warning level of public emergency in regards to the levels of Covid19. For the first time, shops and even our Metro Parks are enforcing mask use, and we are back on a curfew again. Next, they may shut…
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GoodGod!
Meet the Gods: Zeus (Statue of Zeus at Olympia From Ancient History Encyclopedia www.ancient.eu) Zeus is the Greek king of all the other gods and of man. He rules the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, and justice. In addition to the weather, Zeus is associated with wisdom and destiny. Universally he was referred to as Father. His home was Mount Olympus. The son of Cronus and Rhea, he married his sister and wife Hera. His legitimate children are Ares, Hebe, and Haphaestus. His numerous affairs resulted in many children including Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Hermes, Heracles and Helen of Troy. A promiscuous god, he could also take the shape…
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My Ogham Journey to the Beach
This journeying experience was from a lesson in Lora O’Brien’s Ogham Journeys class at the Irish Pagan School. I can’t recommend their courses highly enough, and have found some genuine authentic connections to various important aspects of my Irish Celtic spirituality through both their free and paid courses. The space behind my eyelids was red, not black. I expected a darkness, black and soft like velvet, but instead I was in a swirling maelstrom of blood-red chaos. This space had been easy to access but I bounced around alarmingly rather than floating easily; my movements were frenetic and uncontrollable as I first tried to get to grips with this…