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Hornblend Hornblend is the ambassador or mediator of crystals promoting the manifestation of brotherhood through allowance and acceptance of differences rather than through enforcement of pseudo-like-mindedness.  It tends to promote the expression of personal qualities thereby showing individual uniqueness.  It is a mineral capable of reducing the emotional static of tension and conflict between parties attempting to reach agreement on an issue.  It helps individuals to reach clarity on what they perceive as their vested interests and to accept compromise so that both parties can achieve resolution.  Hornblend contains aspects of grounding and is a highly stable interactor with other minerals and humans.         Iolite (Cordierite) Clear…

Evocation           Evocation has two different meanings today. If you have a ceremonial background than you would believe that Evocation is the summoning of a spirit or deity into a magic triangle that is outside of the ritual circle. The other meaning is that one evokes positive energy from within themselves, and this is typically done within the circle. The Evocation of a spirit is quite complex, so I will touch on the latter meaning first, the ability to evoke the positive energy from within yourself. This you can do by yourself and can be quite empowering. Some people state that the words must be carefully picked and that they…

Playmate   All children, or almost all of them, go through a stage in which they invent imaginary playmates. Russian children are no different from any others in that respect. Viktor and Katya Boikia’s little girl, Vika was no different. When Vika was about five years old, she was constantly talking to her parents about her friend “Natasha”. Of course, her parents didn’t pay much attention to her. They thought that it was funny, and sort of amusing… except for one thing… “Natasha” was always hungry… Vika was always going to the kitchen and raiding the refrigerator, cookie jar, or bread bin for food… “for Natasha”. Now, Vika, unfortunately, takes…

Spring Renewal   After the long winter months, the quiet has finally lifted. Nature has woke and with it a fury of activity. Branches become lush with new leaves, the birds sing for a mate, flowers spring up from the earth and the insects are buzzing. It’s a time for the emergence of animals from hibernation and the birth of new ones. The lengthening days of spring stimulate growth hormones in many animals. In male deer these hormones stimulate the growth of antlers in the spring and early summer. This is the time of year where everything is fresh and new again. Where we can release that which is weighing…

Being a Hereditary A Hereditary tradition does not have to be transferred from parent to child. Often it can skip a generation and be passed from a grandparent or an aunt, uncle or other family member. A Linage tradition is passed directly from parent to child and so forth down the generations. Of course, I am speaking from my family’s understanding within our own tradition. My own line of hereditary witchcraft began with my great, great aunt who was adopted into a hereditary line of witchcraft. Often entrance into a family tradition was through birth, marriage or adoption. My great, great aunt then passed on the tradition to my grandmother…

White Buffalo Calf Woman The Mother of Life The legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman is around 2000 years old.  The reason she is thought of as a Goddess is because her message is central to the spiritual practices of numerous Native American nations, although the Lakota Sioux nation are considered to still be the keepers of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe.  The story of her origin is almost always told as such:  Two warriors were out hunting buffalo when a white buffalo calf suddenly appeared.  As it approached them it changed into a beautiful young woman, which is how she came into her name. One of the young…

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…

Dedicated to the Beautiful and Beloved Goddess, CHRISTINE ATHENA PARKER   OWL MANTRA ~ Gift of Mystery ~   The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. ~ Albert Einstein The distant, drifting call of Owl Mantra gently guides us to and through our dreams, just like mother bear hearing Owl upon awakening from deep hibernation. Since time began, throughout the pages of history, Owl has been recognized and honored by mankind. Not only has Owl garnered respect from scientific communities, but also from ancient and indigenous spiritual cultures. Owl’s greatness lies not only in his distinct physical structure and heightened abilities, but also within the sublime world…

Common name: Star Anise   Folk name: Chinese Anise   Parts used: leaves, oils, bark, seeds   Planet: Jupiter   Element: Air   Zodiac: Pisces, Sagittarius   Gender: Feminine   Goddess/ God: Buddha, Quan Yin   Medicinal uses: The fruits and foliage yield essential oil for medicinally promote appetite and digestion and to relieve chest complaints, rheumatism, and flatulence. Japanese Star Anise (Illicium anisatum) has cardamom-scented, poisonous fruits, used externally in Asian medicine. Its flower lacks scent and the leaves are a poison.   Folklore: The seed and pods are used as a spice in Asian cookery, notably as an ingredient of Chinese five-spice powder. The Japanese Star Anise is…

Invitation to Explore art and Mystery   Cosmic Mother by Angela Raincatcher   “art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist.” –– Rene Magritte   Hidden at the heart of our dealings with the spirits and our devotions to the gods lies Mystery — that ineffable quality that thrills through our blood and subtle bodies, that races and raises the hair on our skin and our blood. The Mystery of the core experience of the divinity of the universe, the riddle and the meaning behind life. The Mystery that is not an answer but is ever more questions — Why? How? What if?   No one can…