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Save the Sun Merry Meet. June brings Litha, the summer solstice – the day with the most sunlight. This craft will allow you to keep some of it for other times. Gather together glitter, confetti and any similar material – perhaps crushed yellow gemstones – and put it all in a clear jar or in a bowl. Hold it up to the first rays of the morning sun. Keep it in the sunlight for as long as you feel is necessary to absorb its essence, power, life force, joy and warmth. Perhaps even put it out again at noon and sunset. Then, divide your material into tiny bottle or jars…

Witches Soul Work: Healing the World Soul Everyone is very focused on healing themselves, creating positive internal dialogue, loving themselves and their own spiritual advancement but one of the main magickal energies that Witches focus on is healing the earth. Can we really make a difference? How does it work? Exercise: Close your eyes and think of the world today. What comes to mind? Do you think of wars, pollution, holes in the ozone layer, wide spread cancers, poisoned water? Just imagine for one minute a new perspective. Imagine that what we see in our mind we manifest. What if the pollution, wars, etc. are being manifest by us (collectively)…

Spiralled Edges – Looking at Death and Dying A recent report released by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman highlights the tragic number of people who are dying without dignity here in the UK. Specifically mentioned were too many incidences of people not receiving adequate pain relief, poor communication between health teams and families leading to family members not being present at time of death, inadequate out-of-hours services, and people being wrongly denied the right to die at home. One can only hope that the recommendations for improved palliative, end of life care are acted upon and improved. While not mentioned specifically, dying with dignity includes more than just tending…

The Way of the Hedge Witch Rituals and Spells for Hearth and Home By: Arin Murphy-Hiscock Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Provenance Press (April 18, 2009) If you are looking for a book on Hedge-Witchery, this is not for you. However, if you are wanting a concise guide to Cottage/Kitchen Witchcraft you can’t go wrong with this tome that is full of lore, mystery, and magic. To me, Hedge-Craft is for those who wish to “jump the hedge”, traveling to the Witches Sabbat/Sabbath and the Other-worlds. Most Hedge Witches also practice Cottage and Kitchen Witchery. Arin Murphy-Hiscock explains the difference in these types of witchcraft, and on page 3 coins the…

Bardic Song of the Month – June 2015 This month’s Bardic Song is called “If Love Is, Then Love Is”. It is a simple tune that has 4 lines for easier repetition and the melody line is rather easy. And since it is June, the thought of marriage comes to mind… I created this song for a Midsummer Ritual that would be non-judgmental of love in any degree or aspect. At the same time, I was writing it, Pennsylvania passed the Gay Marriage law, where homosexuals are now legally able to marry another person of the same gender. The words offer no judgment call. Where it states ‘color’, it means exactly that;…

Chat with the Fairies Hi my lovelies! Magical June is here, and for all of us Hedgewitches that can only mean one thing…time for a chat with the fairy folk, and you all know how much I love to talk!!! Litha (Midsummer or the Summer Solstice) is one of the most magical times for us on our paths to cross the veil between worlds and have a bit of a natter with the Fae. At this time of balance the veil between our worlds is at its thinnest, enabling us to journey over to celebrate the solstice with the fairies in their realm, it’s so exciting!!! Of course, I do…

The Magic of the Greening of the Earth       As the world awakens from the slumber of a long, harsh Winter; Earths children begin to stir with the wonder-like attitude of a child. The sweet sound of bird-song awakens us from our frost-fogged slumber. The welcoming warmth of the Sun brightens our moods and frees us from the dwellings we have sheltered ourselves in so we can escape the frigid winds of Winter.         One of my favorite activities to do as the Earth warms, is to have my morning coffee on my porch and watch as Nature awakens with the vibrant beauty of Spring.…

Many people start their exploration of the various neopagan beliefs by looking online or reading books. This may well open up our minds to new ideas and outlooks, but I would advise visiting some Mind, Body and Spirit events to get to know people in the various pagan movements One of the things I have come to love most about the Pagan movement, is the sense of community that exists, despite a huge divergence in beliefs and cultures. In the last five years I have met and befriended many amazing and wonderful people. Tina and I have been to many events. Sometimes as participants and sometimes as visitors. The atmosphere…

Kwan Yin, The Goddess of Mercy and Compassion (This column is dedicated to my dear friend, Denise M.) I think that, at least one time or another, we all need a little mercy and compassion in our lives. When times are such that this is what you need, look no further than Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. She is known by many names in many place – Kannon in Japan; Gwan-Eum in Korea, Kuan Im in Thailand; and other similar pronunciations in bordering countries. ****************************** A mind perfected in the four virtues, A gold body filled with wisdom, Fringes of dangling pearls and jade, Scented bracelets set…

Time to head back to the Minor Arcana; let’s talk about the Seven of Wands this month. This card is similar in a lot of ways to the Nine of Wands (which we will discuss next month), but there are major differences as well. Before we begin to compare two cards, we must first get to know each card as an individual; let’s get started. As stated above, the Seven of Wands is a Minor Arcana card, so we know right away that the message offered by this card will most likely be more immediate in nature, or will most likely be connected to more day-to-day issues. We should remember…