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Notes from the Apothecary
Notes from the Apothecary: Primrose Primroses are a hardy, perennial plant which means they’re tough and come back year after year. They’re also absolutely gorgeous and often around in winter, lending some welcome colour to gardens, windowsills, or containers. Originally a woodland plant, primroses or Primula vulgaris will grow just about anywhere as long as there’s drainage so the roots don’t get waterlogged. Finding primroses in the wild can be a sign that you’re on ancient woodland. However, some “wild” blooms can be escapees from folks’ gardens! Either way, even in November and December, their blooms make a gorgeous, colourful addition to the winter landscape. The Kitchen…
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Of Medicine ‘n’ Magick
Deep Autumn I love this time of year. The wheel turns in my hemisphere, and the dark of night claims sway in its dance with daylight. It’s a wondrous sharing. As I anticipate the arrival of winter, the enveloping darkness is comforting Medicine to me. The older I get, the more meaningful this deep autumn Medicine becomes. It’s hard for many, I know. It’s hard, even for me with my solitary ways and absolute love for the long nights, short days, and cooling temps. And this year such seasonal challenges are compounded for many – if not most – with the increased isolation offered by COVID-19. Nonetheless, with or without…
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DVD Review – Mythic Journeys Directed & Written by Steven Boe and Whitney Boe
DVD Review Mythic Journeys Directed & Written by Steven Boe and Whitney Boe Stars Mark Hamill, Tim Curry, Lance Henriksen Imaginal Cells FilmWorks 1h 33min “Mythic Journeys” is an odd movie: half documentary, half claymation mythical narrative, this film explores all sorts of mythical narratives, and the role of mythology in modern media and society. It explores these themes by contemplating the hero’s journey in many different cultural traditions and speaking to many different mythologists, paying homage to Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung along the way. It feels a bit like two different movies, as it goes back and forth between documentary material that includes interviews with Deepak…
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Witch & Popcorn
Room on the Broom Bright Blessings, film lovers! If you are like me- you love a good cartoon. Well, this was just too cute to resist. Room on the Broom is a short cartoon film based on the children’s book with the same title, written by Julia Donaldson. It was originally released by BBC One in 2012, then again in 2013. Voiced by some of Britain’s most famous stars, including Gillian Anderson, Timothy Spall, and David Walliams, the film is inspiring, heartwarming, and fun. More than this, it teaches a lesson to all people, not just magical practitioners should heed. Here is a trailer to watch: The story…
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The Gifts of the Solstice to Connect with the Animal Allies
(Image: Robert Kaufman) Seeking our Animal Allies We are filled with great anticipation for welcoming the Light of the Solstice, the promise of increasingly warmer days and the promise of Spring’s grace. Solstice is also a wonderful time of opportunity to connect to those energies and beings that stand with shining eyes in the darkened forest, seas and air. These gentle and fierce creatures are ready to support our work in all of our endeavors. I would like to share with you a pathworking written a few years ago and one that I have had requested many times. Join me on a journey through the gates of the elemental…
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Book Review – Priestess of the Morrigan: Prayers, Rituals & Devotional Work to the Great Queen by Stephanie Woodfield
Book Review Priestess of the Morrigan Prayers, Rituals & Devotional Work to the Great Queen by Stephanie Woodfield Llewellyn Publications 336 Pages From the Publisher: …. Become a priestess of the Morrigan and build a personalized devotional practice with this profound book on deepening your connection to her. Through stories, prayers, and rituals for groups and solitaries, Priestess of the Morrigan shows you how to serve the Great Queen and enhance your spiritual journey. Explore the true nature of the Morrigan, discover what it means to channel her voice, and learn about her role in prophecies and curse work. Create your own unique tradition with this book’s ritual-building advice and…
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Book Review – Llewellyn’s Little Book of Yule by Jason Mankey
Book Review Llewellyn’s Little Book of Yule by Jason Mankey Llewellyn Publications 240 Pages Jason Mankey has been obsessed with the magical season of Yuletide since he was a young boy. In a small, easy-to-read book, he presents winter’s festive holidays – including Hanukkah, the winter solstice, Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve and Twelfth Night – all which he celebrates, all of which he loves. He admits in the introduction that he has been told it looks like “Christmas threw up all over” his house, but that he wouldn’t have it any other way. Although Yule is often used as a synonym for Christmas, they are different.…
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Storm Moon
(Image via Unsplash) Full moons in November or December are sometimes known as Storm Moons. Here’s my poetic take on that, and how it can feel when times are tough. Storm Moon Storm moon coming Beating at the door Tempers are a raising Mood drop through the floor Hard times over Starvation ain’t the kill Hearts running hungry Stagnant water standing still Voices louder No one asking why Anger comes from the gut Emptiness from the sky Flowers drowning Crimping o’er with frost Tiny reminders Of just what you have lost Trees still bare Under February air But they need no help to get there To the green…
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Book Review – Shamanic Alchemy: The Great Work of Inner Transformation by James Endredy
Book Review Shamanic Alchemy The Great Work of Inner Transformation by James Endredy Bear & Co. 277 pages Shamanic Alchemy: The Great Work of Inner Transformation, tracks the parallels between the “Great Work” of classical alchemy and the shamanism’s work of aligning the inner and outer worlds through the process of initiation and transformation. Endredy’s introduction to the book sets out his thesis: “both alchemy and shamanism are practical gnostic systems of enlightenment…The predominant reason for practicing gnostic systems…is that direct experience is highly effective in relieving suffering, ignorance and fear of death. The direct experience of practicing shamanic alchemy has the power to invoke peace of mind, a healthy…
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Book Review – Cosmic Flow: A Creative Guide to Harnessing the Rhythm of the Moon by Nikki Strange
Book Review Cosmic Flow A Creative Guide to Harnessing the Rhythm of the Moon by Nikki Strange Leaping Hare Press 176 Pages Cosmic Flow: A Creative Guide to Harnessing the Rhythm of the Moon by Nikki Strange is a journey through the eight (8) phases of the Moon’s cycles. The book is separated into these as eight sections and provides the reader with bite-size pieces of information. The journey begins with recommendations about how to make use of the book and the basics of the Sun and Moon’s energies. A nice little chart is offered that outlines the astrological signs and how these express themselves as your Sun…