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Time to touch on the suit of Pentacles, and where better to start than the Six of Pentacles, the card of resources?  In the Tarot Minor Arcana, the Six cards are kind of unique, in part because of the properties of the number 6, and in part because of the properties of the Sephira corresponding to the Tarot Sixes on the Tree of Life.  Before we talk about the Six of Pentacles in particular, let’s talk a bit about these two properties in general.   The number Six offers the concept of forward momentum achieved through victory over the obstacles presented by Four (security that tends to become stagnation) and…

Ready or Not: Claiming the Title of Witch   I’m pretty rash about most things. I get an idea and I’m gone. Even if that idea might only last for a little while, while I have it, it’s my world. So it’s a little surprising that I’m taking my time with paganism. I dip my toes in, then I step back. I read lots of books, and then I take a break from books. This works for me because paganism isn’t going anywhere. It’s a constant for me to dance around as I learn more about myself and my place within it and within the world. Sometimes the dance is…

Dried beans of many colors are rattling about in zipped, plastic bags. The brown pods of the broccoli rabe are still attached to the stalks waiting for me to harvest them.  The thin, papery husks protect the red orach seed. Poppy pods are like hollow bones rattling on the table. Standing dead fennel yielded a large harvest of seed, as did the calendula. The harvest has been good. Appeasing the inhabitants of the underworld has been in focus this past month.   To ensure the health of the next harvest, I have been plying them with gifts of grain and meal, gemstones, herbs and wine in the hopes they will protect…

Living With the Seasons   Fall has started. There are plenty of articles about how people celebrate the change of seasons, but I want to say a little about living according to the seasons.   Ancient people had little choice but change their lifestyles to fit the seasons. But we can spend all the time inside with plenty of light, so shortening days don’t have to affect us.   But the world around us goes through all kinds of changes. We’re all familiar with animals preparing for winter, storing food and fat, some hibernating. And just as the animal spirits have their lessons to teach us, their medicine, so do…

Holey stones   Years ago, in my early days of walking the pagan path, I heard about holey stones for the first time. I thought they were called ‘holy stones’ until I heard the explanation: stones with one or more naturally formed through-and-through hole(s) in it. I was instantly intrigued by the idea, although I didn’t know anything yet of the meaning and uses.   I started looking everywhere. I love stones and have always collected them. Crystals, but definitely common stones too. Even as a child I already drove my parents nuts by taking home lots of stones. So I was used to look for stones, but I had…

  I have been in love with Wafa Sultan for several years now, ever since I watched a video of her speaking out against Sharia law and the repression of Muslim women. She is my original warrior woman. She inspires me and gives me the little push I need every once in a while, to stop whining and get on with life. Ms Sultan was born in Syria in 1958. She studied at university to become a doctor and later, with her husband and children, emigrated from her homeland to the U.S. When I sat down to research this warrior woman, I discovered there is not a great deal of…

Love Revolution   I have been a fan of Madonna’s since the release of her first album back in 1983. I resonate with many of the traits and characteristics that I perceive her to possess: confidence, motivation, intelligence and a keen business sense. I also find it endearing that though she may be surrounded by fame and fortune she still has many insecurities and fears that can be found in her music. I was aware that she was working on a project and couldn’t wait to find out what it was.   On the morning of October 9th I was thrilled to find that Madonna’s secretproject was available for viewing.…

Japanese Ghost Lore        Japanese culture is rich in tradition and lore.  There are many known ghost stories that are passed down from generation to generation.  Some of these stories may have been created to ensure proper curfew or to teach respect but there is always the question, how many of these tales are rooted in truth?      The Japanese Shinto believe that after death a human becomes a spirit with two sides, one good and one evil.  These spirits are believed to be everywhere, water, trees, mountains, and wind.  Buddhists believe the way a person behaves while living would determine how they will spend the afterlife.  They would…

The Hearth Growing up, the hearth played an important role in our lives. When we couldn’t work under the big oak or wander the hills, we gathered around the hearth for lessons and magic. We told stories and fire gazed. Where my grandma’s place was the Homestead, where major workings were performed and our family place of power was, our individual homes were called Heathsteads. The hearth has always been a gathering place for families and friends; be it the hearths of our ancestors or our modern day kitchens. The hearth is warm and welcoming. It is where food is prepared & preserved for the winter months and where brews…

November’s Cornucopia   According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a cornucopia is a goat horn overflowing with fruit and grain as a symbol of abundance: an inexhaustible source.   I automatically think of baskets woven as “horns of plenty” on tables and store displays as the American Thanksgiving holiday approaches.  I have to admit that as a pagan I love the idea of a goat horn being the symbol: a symbol that Gaia provides abundantly and unceasingly.  We know that in our heads and sometimes struggle to remember that in our hearts as the reality of day to day living unfolds.   Our affirmation is   I am part of Gaia’s…