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Metaphors Our lessons have been geared toward putting our thoughts into a poetry form. Most of the writing has been straight forward about the topic. This month will be more of a challenge; I would like for us to explore metaphors. Quick review: ~Similies are comparisons of unlike concepts using like/as. I was as hungry as a lion. ~Metaphors are comparisons of unlike concepts without using like/as. I was a lion ripping through the kitchen hunting for something to eat. Similes are ultimately easier than metaphors because the comparison is more direct; you are able to clearly state the two things you are comparing, and why you are comparing them,…

Environmental Factors of Ghost Hunting: The Moon We left off last month discussing some of the mainstream scientific and environmental factors that contribute to paranormal research and ghost hunting. I touched on many of those topics as best I could and ended with a mention of how the Moon affects investigations. We’ve got a whole new month and column to stretch out our minds and comfortably talk about this important aspect of our otherworldly stroll. The Moon has played an important role in spiritual and psychological matters for as long as there’s been recorded history; many modern terms, such as lunacy, derive from the effects that the Moon is claimed…

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 Being Ready Dear Mama Donna, Now this may get complicated! I have been wanting “a relationship” (no specific person in mind) for some time, and recently got to where (legally) it could happen — but now I’m terrified! Anytime someone (any male) starts to get even friendly I pull back. I get snappish and sarcastic. I RUN away (literally and figuratively and emotionally.) Can you tell whether it is that: 1)…

Basic Facts A Year and a Day It’s an expression heard frequently among Pagans. A year and a day is a period of time often seen in many Pagan Religions. The most common usage is in reference to Handfasting.  Pagan Handfasting’s are not necessarily for life, as are Christian marriages.  It’s acceptable for a man and woman to ‘marry’ for a year and a day, before making a lifelong commitment. After the time has passed, they are free to go their separate ways should the relationship not work out. In the past it was used as a time to see if the coupe was fertile together… No so much of a concern in modern times.…

Protection is something that I take seriously, you never know when someone will unleash their hefty bag of cosmic crap in your direction, so like a good pagan boy/girl scout, “Be Prepared.”  I have charged some object’s with the intent of a constant watchful guardian type of protection, specifically I love to use gargoyles or griffins.  I have been fortunate enough to find some very cool gargoyle’s at Dollar Tree, especially around Samhain, so I bring them home and use this to empower them for their important work: I charge these sentries made of stone Stand in silent guard over hearth and home Project from them protective light That is…

Shaman Idealisms                      Chapter 1                                How do I How do I become a shaman? How do I learn shamanism? Have you lost your mind? People often come to me and ask the one question that drives me nuts. “How do I become a Shaman? Become, Become.. perhaps you can “become” anything you set your mind to, perhaps you can become any one you want. You don’t really “Become” a Shaman. You can learn shamanism, you can be taught what a shaman is, how they live, how they believe, and other aspects of the shaman but, you don’t become…

Relaxing Sugar Scrub For this recipe you will need 20oz of granulated white sugar, 4oz oil (olive, mineral, etc…), and the essential (can substitute scented) oils of lavender, chamomile, and rose. Take half the sugar and half the carrier oil and mix, once mixed add 8 drops each of the lavender, chamomile, and rose oils and mix again.  Then take the remaining half of the sugar and carrier oils and mix them with the already mixed portion and add an additional 8 drops each of the flower scents and mix another time. At this point, smell the mixture and add more scent if desired. Once complete use in the tub…

The Romans first named this month Quintillis, but later renamed it Julius after Julius Ceasar. July, the seventh month of the current Gregorian calendar and the second month of Summer’s rule, derives its name from Julius (Julius Caesar). July is shared by the astrological signs of Cancer the Crab and Leo the Lion, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Apt (or Apet), Athena, Sothis, Spider Woman, and Rosea. The traditional birthstone amulet of July is the ruby; and the larkspur and the water lily are the month’s traditional flowers. The Greek Olympian was held In July, lasting about a week. July Astrological Signs: Cancer, Leo. Nature Spirits: Hobgoblins…

Sorceress with long blond hair, Deep in thought so solitaire. Greenish eyes hunt through each line, Within each word there is a sign. The table’s filled with ancient verse, And each line she does rehearse. She sees patterns in her mind, Weaving them to her design. She dons a gown of white and gold, Silver rounds her waist, three-fold. Lengths of velvet hug the floor, She slowly walks to the door. A quiet breeze gently blows, Scents of magnolias fill her nose. She moves across the soft sandstone, She’s in control, and all alone. An ancient altar lies nearby, Goes by the name of “witches Eye”. She grounds herself and…

Mindfulness in Motion Now that summer is in full swing, I’d like to suggest a very different approach to meditation: physical activity. This is a great time of year for people to get outside, even for a few minutes, and combining meditation with moving around can be fun and easy. Please be cautious and adapt any of these ideas to your personal health and circumstances. The kind of activity that I have in mind doesn’t have to be a big sweaty ordeal; in fact, it doesn’t have to feel like a lot of exertion at all. If you have to constantly push yourself, and as a result you’re feeling uncomfortable…