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The name is derived from Novem, the Latin word for nine, as November was the ninth month in Rome’s oldest calendar. THE SNOW MOON The ninth month in the old roman calandar. In Celtic traditions it is the beginning of the new year, considered a month of beginnings and endings. Astrological Signs: Scorpio, Sagittarius. Nature Spirits: Banshees and other beings who carry messages between worlds. Herbs: Ginger, hops, wormwood, hussop, patchouli, mugwort, nutmeg, star anise. Colors: Black, white, purple. Flowers: White lily, dahlia, chrysanthemum. Scents Rosemary, dragons blood, lilac, pine, wisteria. Stones: Topaz, obsidian, onyx, Apache tear. Trees: Pine, cypress, yew, elder. Animals: Bat, wolf, sow, dog, snake. Birds: Owls,…

Falling in Love with Autumn   We are well into autumn and many of us will be preparing for the winter months soon. I find this time of year festive and pretty with the leaves changing colours. With the cooler temperatures I find I stay indoors more often than I am outside. To help embrace the change in season and get outside, here are some ideas:   Go for a hike and bring your camera to capture all the beautiful colours.   Go apple picking and bake something yummy like apple pie or apple coffee cake muffins!     Clean up the garden or yard outside. Put away outdoor furniture,…

Welcome to the Land of Woo-Woo or Packing Prayers into your Painting   I have always had the hardest time explaining my process and my work to people who see my work in the secular gallery in which I exhibit. There is so much spiritual and magical context packed into each piece that starting from square one can overwhelm folks who have just a passing curiosity at the opening reception.   Sometimes I ask them if they want the short version or the”woo-woo” version.   The short version is easy: My work is an integral part of my spiritual practice. Each piece is a tangible product of my working with…

Witches in Media   Witches are popular characters in books, movies and TV shows.  They have been portrayed in a variety of ways, from the wicked cackling old hag, to the young and sassy neophyte first discovering her powers.  A boom in witch-themed TV and movies in the 90s, such as The Craft and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, spawned the term ‘Generation Hex’, describing the new generation of youth exposed to esoteric and occult-themed media.  This continued with the Harry Potter series, which became immensely popular and had a huge cultural impact.   The fact that most of the ‘witches’ portrayed in media have very little in common with real-life…

Singing to the Trees The Three Sisters Photo by Louise Harmon Throughout my study of plant medicine I frequently encounter herbalists who describe their ability to receive healing knowledge communicated directly from the plants themselves. As much as I respect intuitive knowledge, I will admit that I was always a bit cynical about such claims. Sure, I have had those moments when I’ve passed by one of my house plants, did an about-face because on some level I felt it was telling me it needed watering-and yes, those feelings were always accurate. Plants are undeniably living creatures, but having the ability to talk to humans…really? Last year at the Portland…

Connecting With Departed Loved Ones The easiest way for our loved ones on the other side to get messages to us is in our dreams.  We can train our minds to be more receptive to their communications with practice, and this meditation, or a variation of it, is an excellent tool for such training.  Try doing this one before sleeping several nights in a row, and make sure you record your dreams!  I am calling the Light Being in this meditation an angel. If you prefer to think of it as your totem or spirit guide, simply substitute your term of preference. If you record this meditation to listen to…

Branwen, White Raven Goddess of Sorrows I’m writing this article at Samhain, the time of the year when the veil between the worlds is thinner and Witches remember and honour their beloved dead. How do Witches understand grief and sorrow? One way is by using the story of Branwen as a blueprint for guided meditation. I offer this story and these ideas to you to help you understand and learn from the sorrows in your life. Once upon a time Branwen, White Raven, sister of the giant Bran the Blessed King of Britain was given to Matholwch the King of Ireland in marriage to make peace between the two nations.…

Samhain – Day of the Dead Friday, November 1, 2013 – 7:42 am EDT – sun rise Sun in Scorpio at 9 degrees Samhain (Allhallowmas/Hallowmas) Names – Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve, Hallowe’en, Allhallowmas/Hallowmas, All Saints’ Eve, Last/Blood Harvest, Ancestor Night, Festival/Feast of the Dead, Last Harvest Festival, Nos Galan Gaeaf (Welsh) Date: Nov 1st (sometimes celebrated on the eve – Oct 31st) Astro Correspondence: 15 degrees Scorpio Color: secondary colors of greens, oranges, purples and blacks Food: ground tubers and vegetables, gourds and pumpkins, pork, wine, tree fruits, cakes, ale, mead, red foods, nuts, herbal teas, cider, chicken, scones/cakes/pies, mushrooms, fish, Common Info: All Hallows Eve (Hallowe’en – note the…

Samhain fashion: hat and neck warmer It is the beginning of winter and freezing days are upon us. To fight the cold I used my favorite winter material, fleece fabric, to make a neck warmer and a hat to match. Black is the main color in my Samhain palette, as it is in nature. Nature and the eight Sabbats are an unlimited source of inspiration for me. Fleece is awesome! It is cheap, easy to work with, soft, and oh, so warm. Both, the hat and neck warmer, are made of fleece. White accentuates the black well by adding bold contrast. I made the hat using a regular “fisherman´s hat”…

  “Who Left the Gate Open? The Idiots Got Out Again.” For all the many topics and issues within the realm of parapsychology there is one phenomenon that- pardon the pun- continues to haunt the field. A phenomenon that is predator rather than prey; and despite the most valiant efforts by some, a phenomenon that can be easily kept from causing mayhem – if it weren’t for someone constantly leaving the gate open and letting it out. I am talking about professionalism. What should come as common sense and a given is apparently seen by some as a hindrance; a roadblock to their fame and fortune. Moreover, unlike many topics…