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  The Rede of modern witchcraft, sometimes called the “Wiccan Rede,” is deceptively simple.  As usually stated it goes “An it harm none, do as ye will.”  Every witch knows that ‘an’ is an old word for ‘if’.  The Rede places radical freedom at the very center of the witch’s life – and radical responsibility.  Note that it does not tell the witch what to do with his or her life, merely to refrain from harming anyone.  Let’s look at the “no harm” part first.   Obviously, we cannot live without harming other creatures.  Jainists in western India observe ahimsa, or harmlessness, to such an extent that they watch the…

The Gifts of 2012   December is a month for wrapping things up: the gifts we’ve collected for our loved ones as well as the trials and tribulations of our year as it races towards its end. Many of us will open the gifts our loved ones chose for us at the end of this month.  Some of us will even take the time to unwrap the gifts we’ve given ourselves each month through our trials and tribulations. Take three slow, deep breaths, breathing in peace, and breathing out stress. Touch the ground with your hands or the body part of your choice, and imagine all stress, fear, distraction, pain,…

  Just in Time for Cold Weather Coughs: Thyme Over the years Thymus vulgaris (common Thyme) has become one of my most esteemed herbal allies, not only for the lovely aromatic flavor it imparts to my favorite dishes, but for its healing properties, as well. A member of the lamiacae or mint family, Thyme is a valuable addition to the herbalist’s medicinary as we approach the winter months for its soothing effects for many respiratory conditions. Its antispasmodic, expectorant and antimicrobial properties help to quiet coughs accompanying colds and flu. It is carminative and helps to ease digestive upsets.  Thyme’s antibacterial and antimicrobial properties make it a good choice for…

Cernunnos   Cernunnos. The Protector of the Forest. The Master of the Hunt. He is a horned, wild God of the forest. Cernunnos is a Celtic God that has origins that are linked with the horned figures in the Palaeolithic cave paintings that were found in Northern and Central France and Britain. He symbolizes fertility and masculine energy and is often portrayed with a beard and shaggy hair.   He is a celebrated and honoured God but has been misinterpreted by other religions as Satan. He is in fact the God of fertility, life, animals, wealth, vegetation, and is sometimes seen as a God of death that takes time to…

Last Journey to a Star The signal stirred Silvana suddenly into awareness in the dim interior of the ship.  There was the red of the forward sensor, glowing faintly to the right of its portal.  Angus tended it as usual, the throb of the glow bouncing off his angular cheekbones.  Through the port, still far ahead down the endless dark corridor of night, a single point of reddish light shone dimly.  Silvana rolled her facets and looked out the rear port.  There was nothing back there now, maybe the faintest suggestion of light, but no, really nothing.  The rear sensor was dead.   “It went?  When did it go away? …

Mercury enters Sagittarius Monday, December 10, 2012 – 8:26 pm EST The Planet of Communication begins its trek thru optimistic Sagittarius. We speak of great truths and divine wisdoms, but this is when those utterances will make sense. Be versatile with your opinions and have an open mind to expressing thoughts. Healthwise, it is a good time to plan ahead and strategically take control of addictions. New Moon – Sagittarius at 21 degree Thursday, December 13, 2013 – 3:41 am EST As the Moon enters its new phase, begin to encourage others to go with the flow of the Universe. Start a new project on a whim while your imagination…

Is There an ‘All Natural’ Alternative to Antibiotics? There are good reasons to use antibiotic drugs. That said, most physicians and healthcare professionals agree that they are often overused. The overuse of antibiotics has created “superbugs” that are immune to the most common antibiotics. But on a more personal level, antibiotics can wreak havoc on your own immune system and gastrointestinal tract. The good news is that there is an all-natural alternative to antibiotics that I’ve found to be very effective. If your infection is not life threatening, you may wish to try herbs instead of, or in addition to, regular antibiotics. Of the most-often used herbal anti-infectives—calendula, chaparral, echinacea,…

The Great Horned God   The consort of the Goddess and symbol of male energy in the form of the divine, The Horned God reigns. He is the lord of the woodlands, the hunt and animals. He provides for the tribe through the hunt and is honoured or rewarded for his deed by being permitted to copulate with the Goddess through the Great Rite.   The Horned God is the lord of life, death and the underworld. And is the Sun to the Goddess’ Moon. He alternates with the Goddess in ruling over the fertility cycle of birth, death and rebirth. He is born at the winter solstice, unites with…

Lesser Sabbat – Winter Solstice, circa Dec 21 Other Names: Jul (“wheel”, Old Norse), Saturnalia(Rome ~December 17 & 18), Yuletide(Teutonic), Midwinter, Fionn’s Day, Alban huan, Christmas (Christian~December 25), Xmas, Festival of Sol, Solar/Secular/Pagan New Year Animals/Mythical beings: yule goat (nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, Sacred White Buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos monsters(greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, squirrels, wren/robin Gemstones: cat’s eye, ruby, diamond, garnet, bloodstone Incense/Oils: bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron Colors: gold, silver, red, green, white Tools,Symbols, & Decorations: bayberry candles, evergreens, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia,mistletoe, lights, gifts, Yule log, Yule tree. spinning wheels, wreaths, bells, mother & child images Goddesses: Great Mother,…