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The Calling: The Magick of Experience This morning I felt the need to be outside at lunch. This had nothing to do with the beautiful sunny weather. Instead, it was a deep yearning to hear and feel what I sensed needed my time and attention. I work in an office, sitting at the computer for most of my workday. Although we have a window that looks out to a tree-lined neighborhood there is nothing natural about this environment. So, at lunch I walked to my favorite space that is nestled within a bustling suburban community. As I sat quietly on the porch of the historic colonial home that was once farmland.…

Religious Tolerance Religions and politics are very much in the spotlights today. Of course they have always been but now more than ever. Especially actions taken in the name of a religion dominate the news: IS and the terrorism in the name of Islam, the Arab-Israeli conflict and so many other conflict and wars all around the world. What we see in the news is only a tip of the iceberg… I watch it, try to follow and be informed about what’s happening everywhere. Some people are so fed up with it they stopped watching the news and reading the papers. That’s a choice too, but not mine. Because it…

The I-Ching Way back in 1985, I found a small paperback at a used book sale – perhaps I spent a whole quarter on it. It was I-Ching: The Book of Change, translated and edited by John Blofeld and I remember being really excited to get this book. This was before I even had a Tarot deck or knew much about numerology or anything, really. It was one of the first books of its kind I ever owned. It was originally published in Britain in 1965 and it was very scholarly in tone and attitude. In 1985, I wasn’t scholarly in any sense of the word, and I skipped over…

Bread for Cakes Merry Meet   Every Easter, my Catholic Sicilian grandmother made a special bread. It was a bit sweet, braided and had colored eggs in it. Last year, when planning cakes and ale for Ostara, it occurred to me to use this bread – after all, Easter does draw on may Spring Equinox celebrations. I was able to special order a braided ring, complete with eggs, from an Italian bakery, even though Easter was still weeks away. (See photo.) This year, I plan to make my own. I feel it honors my ancestors and keeps a tradition alive, albeit modified. Gram’s recipe died with her, but I think…

Sharing the Wealth A confession: I have never done voluntary work. Also I am not a fan of donating money for charity. Especially in the past three years, while I´ve been a stay-at-home-mom (with virtually no paycheck). On the other hand I try to spread positivity and help those people I know, or meet, if any way I can. I have also donated hair for those in need, and my old clothes and household ware for charity. Once before Christmas at my work, they collected toys and books to be given as presents to poor families´ children. “How sweet and thoughtful!” I figured. Until I read the note further… They…

Spiralled Edges – Between Life and Death Lately, I’ve been watching our fish swimming in their aquarium a lot. We have platies, which are live-bearers, and apparently they are rather prolific reproducers. So, in the past few weeks we have had a lot of babies being born. There is all sorts of advice to be found on the benefits of removing the fry, or leaving them in the tank to fend for themselves. I opted to leave them in the main tank, making sure that they have plenty of hiding places. While some may survive, I know that the majority of babies will at some point be eaten by the…

Breaking The Mother Goose Code: How A Fairy-Tale Character Fooled the World for 300 Years     When asked to review this book I jumped at the chance. Having read Jeri Studebaker’s Switching to Goddess, I had a feeling I would love this book on the myth of Mother Goose. I was not disappointed. Half way through Chapter One I promptly ordered myself a copy of this gem of a book. I devoured this fascinating read in a matter of days and am thrilled to have this in my esoteric library. Breaking The Mother Goose Code is the Da Vinci Code of nursery rhymes and fairy-tales. Jeri Studebaker takes us…

Confidence is a habit that can be developed by acting as if you already had the confidence you desire to have. – Brian Tracy Those that know me know that I do not normally approve of acting concerning any emotions, and that I teach everyone to just be real and be themselves. Self-Confidence, however, is among the few that I feel really needs to begin from acting like you have it. For me, it’s all about putting myself out there and to me and others, I just exude self-confidence (even when I have zilch that day) and then I begin to feel it deep inside and not just on the…

Flower Child Merry Meet! Spring is synonymous with flowers. I always like to have them on my altar, especially when I do a ritual. Those I associate with Ostara are snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and showy happy faced pansies. Because spring is associated with the direction of East, I am somewhat partial to the yellow forsythia because it just about sings, “Spring has sprung.” Flowers and budgets can go together. Look around outside for what nature might be gifting to you. Are there dandelions? Bloodroot? Violets? A pussy willow bush from which you can cut a few branches and force the blooms? You might consider investing in bulbs that bloom annually.…

Notes from the Apothecary: Rosemary Rosemary; anthos; dew of the sea. This fragrant, woody evergreen has been cultivated by humans for millennia. Its uses range from pest control to flavouring fine foods, with a gamut of others in between. Simply brushing past Rosemary causes the most amazing smell to present itself; like a spirit arriving unseen, it makes your senses tingle. Rosemary is a powerful herb yet readily available, and can be grown in a pot on most windowsills. For those that simply have no way to grow, most supermarkets/grocery stores stock the dried product. In the Kitchen Rosemary is often paired off with lamb and not much else. That…