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Choices on the Path These next few months, I would like to share some articles I wrote several years ago about following the path of a Witch. These were part of an online course entitled: A Year and A Day on the Wiccan Path and covered all of the basics. I am diving in with a subject that was posted near the end of the course, but is often one of the first questions I am asked about community and where “I belong”… Solitary vs. Coven Life Choosing to remain a solitary practitioner or joining a coven is a very personal matter. Both offer benefits and detriments. Even if you…

Meet the Gods: Mabon Merry meet. The fall equinox sabbat takes its name from the Welsh god Mabon. He was called “Mabon, son of Modron,” which means “Great Son, Son of the Great Mother.” The great mother, his mother, was the earth. According to Arwynn MacFeylynnd, who wrote “A Guide to the Sabbat’s Symbolism” found on WitchesOfTheCraft.com, “In the myth of Mabon, the god disappears, taken from his mother, Modron, when only three nights old. Mabon is freed with the help of the wisdom and memory of the most ancient living animals – the blackbird, stag, owl, eagle and salmon. “All along, Mabon has been quite happy, dwelling in Modron’s…

Laura Perry: Re-enchanting the World I recently read The Bed by Laura Perry and was pretty much blown away. It was a genuine page turner and you can read my review here. Laura is the author of various books including Ariadne’s Thread, an exploration of Minoan spirituality and Ancient Spellcraft, exploring ancient magics from all over the world. As well as authoritative books on ancient and modern spirituality, Laura writes compelling fiction with a magical twist. She was kind enough to return to PaganPagesOrg for another interview about her latest literary exploits. Mabh Savage: Thanks for talking to us again Laura! First of all, what gave you the idea for…

Book Review “The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick: Your Guide to Crafting Charms, Rituals & Spells from the Natural World” by Judy Ann Nock Published by Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Copyright June 2018 Pages: 240 “This book is not intended to be another Wicca 101 book; rather think of it more along the lines of Witchcraft 3.0,” Wiccan High Priestess Judy Ann Nock wrote in her introduction. Each of Its eleven chapters delves into a realm of nature magick including seed, air, sun and fire, the moon, Gaia, time and the cosmos. The Realm of Water covers Wells of Emotion, Rivers and Oceans. Its 15…

_______________________________________________________________ Cover art: Lughnasadh‘s Pentacle – Harvest Magic – Lugh’s Protection handcrafted by YabYum from the shop PaganOdana on Etsy. About the artist: My Name is Yabyum Rowanroot. My wish is to bring you positives & magical vibes through my creations & my artwork. That’s why I give each of my creations healing energy that inspires, guides, supports & uplifts the owner. I’m so grateful to be able to help Mother Nature & the Divine by awakening the little flame of light in your heart through what I create. Each element is handcrafted according to its sacred, magic or healing role. I Offer everyone a high quality product. I use…

Part 1 (Photo by Tj Holowaychuk on Unsplash) Chapter 1 1. A Visit to the Hægtessa I remember when little Dawn had a fever and had trouble sleeping, I went with Mother across the harvested fields to visit the Hægtessa. The green wall of the Hedge, tiny in the distance, grew and threw open its arms as we approached. On all sides it stretched, shutting out the Forest, except where the river ran by, downhill on the right, where the fishing lodge straddled the bank. I knew that far to the left, the hunters’ tunnel passed under the hedge. Beyond the Hedge I could see the tops of many trees,…

Meet the Gods: Dionysos Merry meet. This month we get to know Dionysos, the Olympian god of the grape harvest, wine and wine making as well as the god of ritual madness, wild frenzy, festivity and pleasure. He is also called Bacchus. He was usually accompanied by Satyrs (lustful, drunken woodland deities who were part human and part horse or goat) and Mainades (frenzied female devotees). The thyrsos (a staff topped with a pinecone), a crown of ivy, fruiting grapevines, a drinking cup and a panther are all associated with him. Frequently represented in ancient art, he was first shown as a mature, bearded adult wearing an ivy wreath and…

Lughnasadh The scythe is laid to rest Now hands beat on chest As all gather to prove They are the best The pride, the joy, the champion The hero, the one, the winner In each and every new contest. Each struggle is met with smiles Tug of war, rock tossing, wrestling Fleet footed races through ditches and bogs Peaty feet slipping and caked in History. We fly kites, and hunt treasure 20 questions, buzzing with pleasure Simple joys, still competing But no conflict. Competition Without war. Just, as we think, Lugh’s mother Tailtiu Would have wanted. After all, that’s who he made Lughnasadh for. *** About the Author: Mabh Savage is…

It is almost impossible to meet every beauty standard. It is almost impossible for the beauty, diet and medical industries to “approve” of your body, skin, hair and eyes. In a world that deliberately shifts the “should’s” and shames that attacks and blames, loving yourself is an act of rebellion. What is reviled in one country is celebrated in another. From skinny shaming to fat-hating what stays the same is the entitlement of male-gaze, the disgust and ownership of the female form. The idea that women are objects for public consumption is at the root of both modesty and pornography. My mum was a fat hater and a fat-shamer. So…

The Bad Witch’s Guide to Lughnasadh Lammas and Lughnasadh get a bit of a bad rap. The biggest issue is the dating. When the shift from old to Gregorian calendars happened in 1782 the year lost 11 days. So we have two dates 31 of July and August 12. The next thing was that instead of celebrating on the day, the church bumped the celebrations to the nearest Sundays or saints’ days. So what is this celebrating? Who is Lugh? What is a loaf mass anyway? This is the beginning of harvest. From wild foraging, to gardens and fields full of golden wheat and barley all was about to gathered…