PaganPages.org

The Tower   (The Tower Tarot Card from the artist Ciro Marchetti http://www.ciromarchetti.com/)**   This month, we will return to the Major Arcana, and talk about The Tower. Now, I know that many are afraid of this card, but don’t panic. You will find that The Tower is not quite as bad as it seems. . . I promise! Since it’s been a while since we talked about a Major Arcana card, let’s begin by defining and describing some terms. There are 22 Major Arcana cards in a Tarot deck, with numbers from 0 to 21; the Majors usually deal with broader and more far-reaching life experience issues, archetypes that are…

Spiralled Edges – Real Pagans     Occasionally, I see a resurgence of the perpetual “What is a ‘Real Pagan?’” argument. Usually connected to something that has been reported in the news, or a round of gossip or bitchcrafting. Nothing new under the sun, these same arguments made the rounds years ago without the aid of social media. Invariably, any argument or discussion that being with “Real Pagans or True Pagans…..” finished with a list that manages to include everything the person does and excludes everything the person doesn’t. And for every single “Real Pagans don’t do X” I have seen I can point out a Pagan somewhere who does…

The Eight Limbs of Yoga The eight limbs of Yoga are based upon the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which is the foundation of modern yoga. (Photo Credit: anandayogadunedin.com) The are as follows: 1. YAMA – Universal Morality 2. NIYAMA – Personal Observances 3. ASANAS – Body Postures 4. PRANAYAMA – Breathwork/Control of Prana 5. PRATYAHARA – Control of the Senses 6. DHARANA – Concentration & Inner Awareness 7. Dhyana – Devotion/Meditation on the Divine 8. SAMADHI – Union with the Divine As the author of the Yoga Sutras, and much about Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of medicine), Patanjali’s life is a mystery. His name, broken down means – Patan…

The Kitchen Witch: Spaghetti and Meat Balls The big holiday in March is Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17 and while some pagans refuse to celebrate it, I almost always cook up a pile of corned beef and cabbage, with carrots and potatoes and onions, and maybe turnips and parsnips as well. Or perhaps a big bowl of Irish stew, made with either lamb or beef, and some Irish Soda Bread for dipping. I may revere the Goddess in all Her forms but I do love to cook and any excuse works for me. A lesser-known holiday is Saint Joseph’s Day on March 19. Again, not a Pagan holiday but still…

Witch Balls Merry meet. A blog by Silver RavenWolf for making witch balls for conjuring inspired me to try something similar as a project at a recent pagan gathering. The balls are made from herbs, essential oils and wax. They are meant to be thrown into a ceremonial fire, placed on an altar or in other spaces, added to mojo bags, or crumbled and scattered around an area. They are not to be eaten. The herbs and oils chosen will determine if the balls are for protection, cleansing, love, healing, abundance, banishing or some other intention. Although I made mine with wax, they can also be made using mud, clay,…

The Love of Chocolate      Dark and delicious, almost everyone loves chocolate. This little bean is not only tasty but also quite magickal. It has a long history of use throughout several countries and cultures. Chocolate is made from the seeds of the cacao tree, discovered over 3,000 years ago in the rain forests of Central America. Originally it was used as an alcoholic beverage. Prized by Ancient Mayan societies, Chocolate from the very beginning was an integral part of rites and rituals. The Mayans has uncovered a way to cultivate the beans. Next they dried, roasted and ground them into a paste. This was then combined with chili…

                      Welcome   __________________________________________________________   We have a great Issue for you this month, featuring great articles, reviews, & interviews like…       An Interview with Melusine Draco: Author, Teacher and Witch with our own Mabh Savage.     Interview  with Supporters of the Water Protectors.  How their visit to Standing Rock changed them.       Guest Author Lilith Dorsey Shares her Spell “The Love of Chocolate” ….delicious!!       Book Review of Pagan Portals: Brigid by Morgan Daimler    and so much more…!!!   __________________________________________________________   Join us on Facebook  & Twitter!!

Imbolc 2017 for Celebrating the Old Ways in New Times Bright Blessings, Here in Central Ohio, we have enjoyed temperatures in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s in late January this year. We are lulled into a false sense that Spring is here due to the warmth. Winter isn’t over yet. Or is it? Our ancestors would say this time of year IS the beginning of Spring, regardless of temperature. First signs are everywhere from groups of returning birds, to animals awakening from hibernation, and buds on the trees. For me, it means time to start planning the garden again. I dug out my seed stash, sorted what I do not want,…

Traditional Witchcraft for the Seashore by Melusine Draco Published by Moon Books, 2012     Yes, this book has been out a few years, but this series had sort of passed me by and I’m now trying to catch up on them. There are six Traditional Witchcraft volumes by Melusine Draco, all looking at slightly different aspects of the craft. The seashore volume stood out to me because, well, I love the sea, always have, and also the cover is awesome. Yeah, I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it, but if I see a moody sky with sea crashing against rocks, I get excited. I cannot help myself.…

Notes from the Apothecary: Snowdrop       Imbolc is upon us, and I am now seeking snowdrops with every step. Snowdrops symbolise the first stirrings of spring very strongly to me, ever since I placed a closed flower on my altar and within minutes of my ritual it had fully opened; a tiny, star like wonder. Although they grow all over Britain and the US now, they weren’t classed as a ‘wild’ plant until the 18th century, as they were only introduced from Southern Europe in the 16th century. They have some delightful alternative names: February fair maids, Eve’s star, white bells, dew drops and even death’s flower, presumably…