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I’ll Wait For You It was the summer of 1994, and Nikolai Nikolaiovich was dying. He knew he was dying, and he was ready to go. He had cancer. That was alright with Nikolai. He was ninety-four years old, and he had outlived all of his family, all of his friends, and most of his relatives. In his long life, he had seen the world change in ways that he did not understand, could not fathom, and did not like. The cancer, in fact, had come as a sort of perverse blessing. He had long before made his peace with whatever powers that be. Now, as he lay in his…

My Heart is a Temple and My Religion is Love “My heart has become capable of every form; it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks, and a temple for idols and the pilgrim’s Ka’ba, and the tablets of the Torah and the book of the Koran. I follow the religion of Love: whatever way Love’s camels take, that is my religion and my faith.” – Ibn Al-Arabi Wow right? That is what I said when I first read this quote recently. I was so inspired by the imagery and message in this Al-Arabi quote! How much more peace and happiness would we have in the…

Wild as a Rose by ÓSusun S. Weed June is the month for brides. And roses are the flowers of love. So I think it fitting to focus on roses this month. Don’t you? Not only are roses beautiful, they are good medicine and fine food. Yes, all roses that haven’t been sprayed with poisons (more about that later) can be eaten, whether cultivated or wild, climbing or bushy, white, pink, yellow, or red. My favorite June breakfast is whole wheat toast with butter or cultured cream cheese and a double layer of fresh rose petals. That sure wakes me up! It’s a nice change, too, from my spring fancy…

The Power of Stillness The northern quarter of the circle is the quarter of Earth, and its inner or elemental power is traditionally called the power to keep silence.  It would be more accurate to call it the power to keep still, because the quarter of Earth includes the material body.   The Watcher of the north is Ghom or Ghob in ceremonial magic, and his elementals are called gnomes or ghobelins (goblins).  In the related tradition of Tuscan witchcraft, the Watcher is named Taga or Tages, the Divine Child of the Etruscans.  Tages sprang from a furrow a farmer was plowing early in Etruscan history, and presented that people with…

History of Litha (MidSummer) Also known as Summer Solstice, Litha, Alban Hefin, Sun Blessing, Gathering Day, Feill-Sheathain, Whit Sunday, Whitsuntide, Vestalia, Thing-tide, St. John’s Day In addition to the four great festivals of the Pagan Celtic year, there are four lesser holidays as well: the two solstices, and the two equinoxes. In folklore, these are referred to as the four ‘quarter-days’ of the year, and modern Witches call them the four ‘Lesser Sabbats’, or the four ‘Low Holidays’. The Summer Solstice is one of them. Litha is usually celebrated on June 21st, but varies somewhat from the 20th to the 23rd, dependant upon the Earth’s rotation around the Sun. According…

A wonderful and safe holiday to you all.  I hope you had good travels around your maypoles!!! In this issue we have: A review of Kami McBride’s The herbal kitchen This month’s herb is the wonderful Dandelion which is in abundance this time of year! Plus all of your favorite columns, advice, correspondences, and recipes. We hope you enjoy this issue!! GlitteryBlessingsandLove

The Kitchen Altar The kitchen in most houses is the centre of the home, a place of power. Having an altar in your kitchen gives you a focal point to connect with, it is a reminder that your kitchen is a sacred and powerful place.  It says that you have an ability to nourish yourself, your family and also connects you to the divine. And I never need an excuse to create a new altar in my house! Each and every altar will be different and will be tailored to your own personality and the space and money you have available.  It doesn’t need to be large, costly or grand. …

Smudging Smudging is the burning of certain herbs to create a cleansing smoke, which is used to purify people, ceremonial and ritual space, and ceremonial tools and objects. There are different ceremonies and rituals that can be done. The burning of herbs or incense is a practice held sacred by many indigenous cultures. It is a ritual for cleansing, purifying and protecting the physical and spiritual bodies. The effect of the smoke is to banish negative energies. Many differing cultures and peoples have their own methods and herbal mixtures for this purpose. Smudging, done correctly, can bring physical, spiritual and emotional balance. The term Smudging originated in the Native American…

when walking in the park i stooped to pick an acorn from the grass and knew that, there, within my hand i held the souls of every oak which ever lived.

Beltane, or May Day, is the time to release your inner Pan. Cut loose! Revel in your innocent gaiety. Take pleasure in the senses. Fertility and the Great Rite are the focus here. The God and Goddess join together, as well as many of our animal brothers and sisters. We can honor this union through foods that resemble the phallus and vulva. Try items such as bread and pretzel sticks, bagels, doughnuts, rigatoni, tortellini, etc. Cookies, breads, and crackers can be shaped into representations as realistic as you deem appropriate, although simple ovals and rectangles will suffice. Nature also provides symbols through bananas, peaches, asparagus, oysters, walnut halves, zucchini, and…