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Daily Rituals Our daily habits determine how successful we are in life and who we become. What we put into our minds determines our outlook on life. To help me grow and be positive there are some things I try to do every day. Those are: Be grateful – when you first wake up in the morning, think of some things that you are grateful for such as your family, friends, job (it may not be the one you want but many people don’t have one), your health, your favourite food or treat, etc. If you have difficulty with this, start with small things and you will be surprised how…

History of Litha (MidSummer) Also known as Summer Solstice, Litha, Alban Hefin, Sun Blessing, Gathering Day, Feill-Sheathain, Whit Sunday, Whitsuntide, Vestalia, Thing-tide, St. John’s Day In addition to the four great festivals of the Pagan Celtic year, there are four lesser holidays as well: the two solstices, and the two equinoxes. In folklore, these are referred to as the four ‘quarter-days’ of the year, and modern Witches call them the four ‘Lesser Sabbats’, or the four ‘Low Holidays’. The Summer Solstice is one of them. Litha is usually celebrated on June 21st, but varies somewhat from the 20th to the 23rd, dependant upon the Earth’s rotation around the Sun. According…

It’s getting to be “Pagan Pride Day” season, at least where I live. My state has three PPDs, one in the north, one in the central, and one in the south.  Have you ever been to a PPD? They are interesting, to say the least.         The haiku artist Nick Virgilio once wrote: “Easter morning/the sermon is taking the shape/of her neighbor’s hat.” Doesn’t take a literary lion to figure that out. People go to religious gatherings to check out other peoples’ attire. PPD slides neatly into this fold. Now, I’m not being critical. It’s great to be able to have a gathering where you can wear…

Bag-in-a-bag This invention of mine has made my life much easier and handier. (I love everything easy and handy, does that make me lazy…?) A handbag that contains another handbag. For years I have searched for the perfect handbag. Tried all shapes, sizes and combinations, and never been fully satisfied. Until now. With my new Scandinavian styled, clean and sleek, faux leather mates: Literally a bag-in-a-bag. The point is simple: when on the move, heading to town to run errands, first I only need to carry “one” handbag. The smaller inside the bigger one.     In the big one I place stuff I need to have with me, but…

Exorcism Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Ex-or-cism Pronunciation: \-si-zem\ Function: noun Date: 14th century 1: the act or practice of exorcising 2: a spell or formula used in exorcising Twenty years ago, I participated with a group of women in 2 exorcisms. This was nothing like what you see in the movies. No head spinning, levitating, contorting body parts; no spewing of foul language or pea soup like substance. There was just this persistent, stubborn entity (in both cases) that had taken up residence within the subject. In total there were 10 of us. Some of the women acted as guardians, holding the integrity of the circle. Others of us protected the…

My First Pagan Pages AnniversaryLike most Pagans, I journal quite a bit.  My private journal is a transcription of my thoughts, my dreams, and the lessons I want to remember, written to myself as the sole audience in a form and media that works for me.  Writing for an audience, like something of a public journal, is different.  Although I had an idea of what it would be like to have a column – I’ve had a public blog for several years – there were aspects I didn’t expect.When I first started this column I knew it would help me grow in my practice and it truly has.  My intention…

Move with the Flow- The art of Dance (Part 1) My first magickal experience occurred as a dancer performing at the age of 10 or so.  I did not at the time realize I was setting up the gateway and intent for magick to move through me.  My only intent was to connect so fully and deeply that I would become the persona of the role I was portraying and lose my human nature in the process. The desire was to transcend human form and become something more.  The intent was powerful enough and the music and rhythm acted as the keys that opened the gates to the other realms…

“Here Comes the Sun” Merry Meet. June brings us in the Northern Hemisphere the summer solstice, also known as Litha and midsummer. It’s one of the four solar festivals. It’s the day with the most time between sunrise and sunset – even if it is just seconds different from the day or two before and after. For thousands of years, this is the time people have honored the Sun God with bonfires, feasts, torchlight parades, games and other celebrations.  One tradition to rise early and greet the sunrise. Another common tradition is to light a candle and keep it going the entire day, especially if it’s cloudy or raining. While…

We have yet to talk about Court Cards, and the time has come. This month, we will talk about the Queen of Pentacles, but first a bit of ground work regarding the Tarot “royalty.” A Tarot deck has 78 cards. There are 22 Major Arcana cards, with numbers from 0 to 21; the Majors usually deal with broader and more far-reaching life experience issues, archetypes that are easy for us to identify with and connect with at some point in our lives. There are 56 Minor Arcana cards that are customarily grouped into four categories or suits that represent the four elements (sometimes called “Pips” or “Pip Cards”), with numbers…

The sixth month of the Gregorian Calender, June is the first month of summer. June derives it’s name from the Roman Goddess Juno. Her Greek counterpart is Hera. The traditional birthstone amulets of June are alexandrite, moonstone, and pearl; and the rose is the month’s traditional flower. June is shared by the astrological signs of Gemini the Twins and Cancer the Crab, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Juno, and all gods and goddesses who preside over love, passion, and beauty. During the month of June, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to the Summer Solstice, one of the four Lesser Sabbats celebrated each year…