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My Imbolc traditions   You can find the traditional meaning and celebrations around Imbolc everywhere. In books, on websites, in this e-magazine, etc. So I won’t go there. Instead I’ll share some personal Imbolc celebrations.   Traditionally Imbolc is linked to Brighid. I’ve worked with her on several occasions but the last few years another goddess took over the lead so to speak. I’ve told you earlier (in another column) about Skadi and how she came into my life. She has a strong connection with winter and snow. The colour of Imbolc is white and it’s celebrated right in the middle of the two coldest months of winter around here.…

Bright Blessings! Imbolc in upon us. One of my favorite Sabbats. It originated in Pre Christian times when there was milk because lambs had babies and it was time for a feast!!!!!!!!!!! And believe it or not, in that hard frozen ground…first signs of Spring appear. A few birds return, buds appear on the trees, and for many of us, cabin fever creates an eagerness for warm weather.  Seed companies in modern times anticipate this, and send out their catalogues, and stores begin stocking up on gardening supplies. If you are like me, you buy everything you can! As a matter of fact, a seed catalogue came in the mail…

This month’s Bardic Song is called “Imbolc Song”. It is a simple tune that institues poetic license in that it doesn’t always rhyme. When I initially created this song back in 2002, I never put words to it. It was created as part of a Witchy Lesson I had with a previous Coven. I was rummaging thru those old Lessons looking for something else and this song popped out of nowhere. I entered it into the computer and my Muse tapped my shoulder and gave me the words to coincide with this month’s Sabbat – Imbolc. I hope you enjoy the lovely melody line and the picturesque words and phrases…

How I Came to Teach I never expected to become a teacher in the witchcraft/pagan community. I was really quite happy working with my family and helping a few close friends. However, my god family had other plans (as they so often do). In 1992, I was a buyer and clerk at Infinity. A lovely metaphysical shop housed in an old Victorian; complete with three resident ghosts. People would drop in after work, just to soak up the atmosphere before going home. It was a wondrous and magical place. Infinity had Readers, massage therapists, offered Spiritual counseling, soul retrieval and past life work. We sponsored author workshops & book signing…

Get Swept Away Merry meet! Besoms – along with black pointy hats and cauldrons – are the three symbols most associated with witches. That was part of the reason my coven decided to have some fun with them. One full moon we adorned black hats. On another, we decorated brooms. The idea was to personalize it while incorporating all our energies. We each began with a standard broom, a crystal, and ribbons and beads for the directions, the God and Goddess. We then exchanged offerings. I gave everyone shells and a skeleton key. Each woman chose how to incorporate the items into her broom, so no two were alike, yet…

Magical names are unique to you. They represent you within your capacity to spending time within the Astral. When you are in Circle, it’s important to use a Magical Name, especially if you’ve been dedicated with a Magical Name; otherwise, Deity won’t recognize you. Magical Names can come to you easily or with a degree of difficulty. Regardless, how you obtain your Magical Name, it is always suggested to keep it the same or augment it with additional names over time and as you progress in your Craft.   My Magical Name is Lord Fairy Bottom Educifer. It has a queer connation to it, although it wasn’t meant to be.…

Part Two: Following the Moon   While reverencing the Sun and the Earth, polytheistic witches identify the Moon as the special Goddess of witchcraft, a view borne out by that classic of the modern Craft, Aradia, Gospel of the Witches, recorded by Charles G. Leland and published in 1890.  Additionally, the witch Goddess (called the Lady and regarded by Wiccans as the personification of all Goddesses combined) has three visible aspects, corresponding to the waxing, full and waning phases of the Moon, known also as the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone.  She also has a hidden fourth phase, the Dark of the Moon, which corresponds to her monthly renewal…

Mudra   I love mudra.  It is a simple, yet fulfilling, peaceful part of meditation.  Mudra is simply yoga for your hands.  It is a Sanskrit word, meaning “seal”.   The ancient yogis found that each part of the hand and how it moves correspond to certain other parts of the body or the mind.  It can also relate to your emotions, feelings and your behaviors.   There have always been hand languages and hand gestures in many of the cultures around the world.  Look at paintings of Buddha, Jesus, many saints and religious icons; notice the hand gestures, palm open facing forward or fingers touching.  These are mudras.  Hand…

The weeks leading up to Imbolc are perhaps some of my most favourite in the year. While the Northern Hemisphere may still be in the grips of winter, everywhere you look there are signs that the Earth is beginning to stir and awaken from sleep. Imbolc is a time of new beginnings, new life, and new birth. And it begins with the Earth itself. The first week after Yule the earth continues to be shrouded in long nights. Where I live, the sun begins to set before 4pm in winter, and doesn’t fully rise again until close to 8am. Gradually though, from mid- January I begin to notice that the…

The Dark Side of the Light   “As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.” (Carl Jung)   Jung and The Shadow   At some point along a spiritual path we must also encounter what is often called the “shadow self”.  This is an important milestone towards forward movement, and it is at that juncture that we have come upon the divergent path that offers choice of either embrace or retreat. So, what exactly is this shadow self?   According to Carl Jung, there are within the human experience and consciousness several archetypes that define the human…