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Book Review The Witchcraft Handbook: Unleash Your Magical Powers to Create the Life You Want By Midia Star This is a beginner’s book, someone who has some experience may use the spells in this book just as a jumping off point to create some new spells. At the very beginning of the book, the first thing the author writes is “Witchcraft is the practical side of the Wiccan religion.” I have to say that I disagree with that statement because not all witches are Wiccan. I had a hard time on telling what demographic the writer was going after with this book. There are spells for home, sex, work, and…

art by Katherine Bell McClure “I’ve been considering the phrase ‘all my relations’ for some time now. It’s hugely important. It’s our saving grace in the end. It points to the truth that we are all related, that we are all connected, that we all belong to each other. The most important word is ‘all.’ Not just those who look like me, sing like me, dance like me, speak like me, pray like me or behave like me. ALL my relations. That means every person, just as it means every rock, mineral, blade of grass, and creature. We live because everything else does. If we were to choose collectively to…

Magic for Material Merry meet. When my body weight was fluctuating, I found myself buying most all my ritual wear at thrift stores and consignment shops. One way I used to make some of the velvet pieces more special to me was to emboss them with magickal symbols. While many different types of velvet work, those with the most nap give the most striking results. Some velour fabrics work as well. Rubber stamps are very easy to use. Cork and the large, thin erasers are two other materials you can use. You might experiment with others. Place the front side of the fabric face down on the shape you wish…

“The Bad Witch’s Guide to The Older People” “Or You get Better or You Get Bitter” There are some people who never seem to get old. Their bodies might age, but something in their eyes and heart has remained or even grown. Then there are people who seem to crave death. Sometimes it is depression. Often untreated, under supported and dealing with the loss of a great deal. I have been the supporter of an older relative dealing exactly with this. Without support and indeed medication these folks become something dark and unpleasant. As The Veil grows thin for a person you start to see what might be beyond for…

Crystal ball are used for divination (scrying) and spirit summoning. It is a well respected technique of divination and is used through the use of reflective surfaces and taking advantage of the bioplasmic energy (psychic power) in inanimate objects like crystals as it comes from the cosmos itself. If you can tune into that force the crystal ball will be very beneficial. They should usually be made from clear quartz and can be large or small. Smoky quartz is beneficial if you mainly want to use it for summoning spirits. Manmade crystals are spiritually dead, so use those only for decoration. Natural crystals are what you want. Some people think…

Book Review & Interview Practical Magic A Beginner’s Guide to Crystals, Horoscopes, Psychics & Spells I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the beautiful book “Practical Magic”, written by Nikki Van De Car and illustrated by Katie Vernon. This book was published by Running Press Philadelphia, in 2017. It’s a beginner’s guide to all things magical. It’s 152 pages long and is a hard back book. There is an optional kit that accompanies this book, that comes with a mini-book, 2 crystal tumbles, temporary tattoos, and a fold out natal chart. Both the book and kit are available through many retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Nobles. The…

Notes from the Apothecary: Star Anise Star anise is a beautiful, fragrant spice from China and Vietnam often used in cooking and medicine. The Latin name is illicium verum. The fruits are green and resemble star-shaped flowers when first picked. When they are dried, the fruits harden and turn a dark, reddish brown and the star shape becomes more prominent. The ‘arms’ of the star pop open to revel smooth, shiny brown seeds. The whole fruit is used as a seasoning for many different types of cuisine, most notably in the Chinese five spice mix which is widely used in Oriental cooking. The star shape makes this fruit immediately intriguing…

Naked Nutrition More and more folks are embracing a plant-based lifestyle, many of whom are pagans as being plant-based fits in with “do no harm”. Plant based is best for our animal companions and it is best for us. This new occasional column will review offerings within the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. First up, is “Naked Nutrition“, who recently reached out to PaganPagesOrg. After a few back and forth emails, I was sent a couple of samples. The first, and largest, is NAKED CHOC PB. I received a 5 lb. tub. I’m grateful that I make smoothies so often! This is really tasty vegan protein powder. I tend to buy vanilla protein…

Book Review Chakra Animals Discover Your Connection to Wisdom of the Natural World by Angelica Stuart Chakra Animals by Angelica Stuart provides an opportunity to weave the fundamentals of Chakra work and the wisdom of the animals into a new journey of exploration. Each of these subjects stands on its own with volumes of text and information, so the ability to use as resource an easily readable book that leaves room for an open interpretation based on your prior knowledge is a wonderful addition. The book begins with a brief overview of each of the seven traditional Chakras. The standard associations are given for each including, color-element and sense. The…

The longest day Was wild Was fun With number one My precious son Who charms And smiles And plays And whiles Away the day That stretches Until the very fabric Of dusk is Thin Like ancient parchment On which is scribed The secrets of The universe Then waking post solstice: Rain and gloom and Fog and doom and Mundane madness Mot, plug faulty, Purse empty Child grumpy Bed lumpy; weak cup of tea… A headache grows And blows the beauty Out of mind But stay, and pray; What is that stray Beam of beauty Falling through my curtain? Lugh’s promise: Balor’s gaze. A vow of brighter days. I smile, and…