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Water for Life   Water is one of the five elements and sacred in so many ways. It brings life, promotes healing and purification. Water is important for most living things, without it humans would perish. We rely on water for our bodies in various ways such as regulating pH, digestion, transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells, removing waste, lubricating joints, electrolyte balance, temperature regulation and much more. Not only do we ingest it, we also use it for cooking, washing, cleaning, recreation and growing food.     About 70% of the earth’s surface is water and that amount stays relatively the same each year as the water gets recycled.…

The Need Fire of Imbolc/Brighid’s Fire In ancient Ireland, all hearth fires would be extinguished and laid with fresh logs on Imbolc. A community fire would be built and presided over by the community leaders, most often Chieftains of the tribe. The fire represents the purification from the winter energy and a blessing from Brighid. A young girl would be chosen to light a torch from the fire. In a procession, she would then go house to house with her torch. She would be welcomed in and praised as the embodiment of Brighid. The girl would then light the hearth fire and offer a blessing to the household. On Imbolc…

Paganism   Definitions of paganism are difficult because most Pagans do not operate within a centralised religious body or follow a standard set of rules.  However there are similarities between the various Pagan and Neopagan traditions, including reverence for the Earth and nature.  Many Neopagans share common beliefs with indigenous traditions including pantheism, polytheism, and animism.   Below are examples of some of the largest groups within the Pagan and Neopagan movement.  However given Paganism’s eclectic nature, these are purely generalizations and there are many variations and interpretations!   Wicca Wicca is the largest of the Neopagan religious groups, thought to be started in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner in…

Brighid of the Augery                 Imbolc is coming and many Wiccans honour the Goddess Brighid on this Sacred Day. Brighid is a central figure in the Celtic mythos and one of the world’s most beloved Goddesses. She crosses cultures and faiths from Christianity to Paganism. In Catholicism she is still prayed to as St. Brigit of Kildare (b.451-d.523), although she was one of the “Saints” removed from the Catholic calendar in the 1960s. In the 8th century Cormac mac Cuilennain, the king-bishop of Munster in Ireland compiled the first linguistic dictionary on any non-classical languages of Europe on Irish words. This is part of his entry on Brighid.(1) Brighid—a poetess,…

Imbolc and New Beginnings Following the Sabbats is one of my favorite parts of being Pagan.   I like marking the change of the seasons.  I like the different ways we welcome the changes, whether simply updating the colors around our house or just focusing on something different in our lives. As cold as this winter has been, I’m really looking forward to Imbolc. While nothing beats the picturesque views of snow falling outside while a fire roars in the fireplace, my home is in Texas.  I like warmer temperatures.   Like may not be the right word – I need the warmth.  For me Imbolc is the first sign that warmer…

Are you cyclically confused? In a ceremonial quandary? Completely clueless? Wonder no more.                                   *Ask Your Mama™                          Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Spirituality and Didn’t Know Who to Ask™ by ©Mama Donna Henes, Urban Shaman     A Question of a New Year Clean Sweep     Dear Mama Donna,   This has been the year from hell. I feel used, abused, and grimy. My entire life has gotten out of control. In my depression I have even let my normally orderly house go. My family is disgusted. What symbolic act can I do at New Year that would help to make me feel like I…

  We wish everyone a blessed and healthy year! We hope you enjoy our newest issue of PaganPages

Julie, Spirit Heart, Dollman: A Modern Shaman Julie Dollman, also known as Spirit Heart, is a graduate of the Four Winds Society, which trains others in the skills of Shamanism and Energy Healing. She is also the founder of one of the first ever high street Shamanic clinics, and the author of the book Living Shamanism, which sets about demystifying the role of the modern Shaman. Julie gave up some of her time to answer a few questions for me. Mabh: What inspired the transition from Crime Analyst to Shamanic healer? Julie: Initially, it was the work with The Four Winds Society… I became reconnected wholeheartedly to Great Spirit and…

Bringing the Witch to Work This month I want to share how I bring my spirituality to work and maybe inspire some of you to do the same. It all begins before I even leave the house in the morning. I’m up at 5:30 and by 6:00 I’m at my altar setting the intention for my day at work. I do this as part of my morning devotions.  I think about what I need to have happen in my day, like having clear communications with my coworkers, receiving pertinent information quickly, having clients be receptive to my collection calls, or other such work related intentions. I visually see myself going…

Growing in the Green Craft Lately I have been feeling the restless need to formally expand my herbal knowledge. After much consideration, I applied to an advanced herbal study program beginning early next year. Along with my acceptance into this program came the realization that I would not be able to competently juggle working a full-time job, keeping up with my herbal course work and contributing to Pagan Pages, so I have decided to take a hiatus from The Mugwort Chronicles for 2014. I thought what better topic for this last column than a discussion about available educational resources for the aspiring herbalist. Today the abundance of books, websites, blogs,…