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Book Review – Practical Astrology for Witches and Pagans: Using the Planets and the Stars for Effective Spellwork, Rituals and Magickal Work by Ivo Dominguez Jr
Book Review Practical Astrology for Witches and Pagans: Using the Planets and the Stars for Effective Spellwork, Rituals and Magickal Work by Ivo Dominguez Jr 216 pages For all you workers of magick who have avoided digging into astrology because it is so darn complicated, hesitate no longer! Ivo Dominguez, Jr. has created a very practical, basic and down-to-earth reference book that I, a practicing astrologer, find chock full of useful information. I am also a beginning user of magick and have started weaving astrology into that practice. This book has really opened my eyes to all the ways to work with the energy of the heavens outside of the…
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Oracle Deck Review – Odin and the Nine Realms Oracle Cards by Sonja Grace
Oracle Deck Review – Odin and the Nine Realms Oracle Cards by Sonja Grace A 54-card set This deck and accompanying 144 page guidebook comprise this visually striking divination tool containing images and channeled information from Sonja Grace’s spirit travels with the Norse gods. She describes her spirit travels to the Nine Realms of Norse cosmology and her meetings with the gods in the guidebook’s prologue, then she brings the gods and the Norse world to life in the cards with her simple yet iconic, bold and gorgeous art work. Grace created the cards from her memory of how the gods and realms appeared to her. She is of Norwegian…
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Book Review – The Book of Blessings and Rituals: Magical Invocations for Healing, Setting Energy, and Creating Sacred Space by Athena Perrakis, Ph.D.
Book Review The Book of Blessings and Rituals: Magical Invocations for Healing, Setting Energy, and Creating Sacred Space by Athena Perrakis, Ph.D. 144 pages This lovely hardback is small but packs a punch, it is colorful, well made, and I loved it!! It’s separated not only by month, but is color coded for a quick flip through. This book is packed with a various assortment of spells, rituals, blessings and prayers. It includes 25 fantastic projects, averaging at 2 a month, that are easy to follow and understand. The introduction is down to Earth, and helpful as well as spiritually neutral allowing the reader to insert their beliefs…
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Book Review – Pagan Portals: Gods and Goddesses of Wales – A Practical Introduction to Welsh Deities and Their Stories by Halo Quin
Book Review Pagan Portals: Gods and Goddesses of Wales – A Practical Introduction to Welsh Deities and Their Stories by Halo Quin I think most of us are aware of Moon Books, and their series entitled “Pagan Portals”. Our journeys start somewhere and Pagan Portals is the perfect starting point. They have numerous books on various Pagan topics. If you are not aware of them, this may be a good place to start; if you have read any of them, you might like to continue with this one. This book is exactly what it purports to be, “a practical introduction to Welsh deities and their stories”. I have a basic…
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Peeking in the Shadows; Crafting a Book of Shadows and Light
Welcome to Peeking in the Shadows. This monthly column will give you everything you need to create or to add to an existing Book of Shadows and Light – aka. BOS. This month is a quick-look at what a BOS is and what it may contain. We’ll go through in more depth these and other components in future months. But for now…. A Book is Not (Always) Just Another Book As you continue on the pagan path you will want to create a Book of Shadow and Light. This is essentially a journal or guide that holds special Quarter Calls, rituals, information and results of herbs used, incense recipes, spell work,…
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GoodGod!
Meet the Gods: Oghma Merry meet. Oghma, also spelled Ogma and Ogmios, is the Irish god of poetry and eloquence. He is also a famed warrior whose magical sword, Oma, would recount all his heroic deeds when removed from its sheath. According to legend, he created Ogham, a runic alphabet that bears his name and in which Irish Gaelic was reportedly first written. Wikipedia states, “He often appears as a triad with Lugh and the Dagda, (The Dagda is his brother and Lugh is his half-brother), who are sometimes collectively known as the trí dée dána or three gods of skill.” Oghma was said to look like an older version…
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August Native Moon: Excerpt from the Forthcoming Book ‘Cosmic Crystals: Rituals and Meditations for Connecting with Lunar Energy’ by Ashley Leavy
August Native Moon From ‘Cosmic Crystals: Rituals and Meditations for Connecting with Lunar Energy’ by Ashley LeavyAvailable August 20 from Fair Winds Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group The thirteen Native Moons in Cosmic Crystals are by far the most difficult to describe. With so many different Native tribes, cultural traditions, and important stories, finding common threads is not always easy. In most instances, the main moon name given is the most commonly used name among the Algonquin tribes, and the listed alternative names come from other well-known tribal peoples from North America, Central America, and South America. As you read about the Native Moons, put yourself in the…
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Wreathing the Wheel
A Miracle Tomato, First Harvest, and Kitchen Witchcraft This is my miracle tomato. I’ve been trying to grow tomatoes for years, but after repeated failures, I gave up on the idea, and figured I’d just have to remain happy with store-bought. Which is why this is my miracle tomato: I did not plant or buy this tomato; I have no idea where this tomato came from. This planter was supposed to have nothing in it but dirt, but a month or two ago, it started pushing up this little mystery sprout. It didn’t look like any of the weeds I tend to eradicate from my garden, so I decided to…
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The Future is Goddess: An Excerpt from Seven Ages of the Goddess
The Future is GoddessAn Excerpt from Seven Ages of the Goddess Isis Astarte Diana Hekate Demeter Kali Inanna! So goes the chant around so many fires at so many gatherings of witches, wiccans and pagans. Each name a chapter in the history-book of goddess worship, and each name still worshiped and revered today. Some believe that these goddesses are all one goddess. Some believe they are all aspects of the sacred feminine that is embodied within all goddess worship. Some believe they are all individual beings, each worthy of their own offerings, sacrifices and reverence. Whatever the practitioner’s relationship with these goddesses, the fact is that these goddesses have survived…
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WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches
Witch Balls Merry meet. One of the botanicals I collect every year are the seed pods from the sweet gum tree, known as witch balls, witch burrs and gum ball. The tree has a unique star shaped leaf. Its sweet resin and inner bark that has been used medicinally for treating ailments such as coughs, inflammation, skin problems and diarrhea. It’s also used in perfume. Its spiny seed pods are typically an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, changing from green in late summer to brown in the fall before dropping to the ground. Their structure is credited with adding the strength of sacred geometry to charms…