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Lesson 2: Elder Futhark Runic Symbols Explained Cont. Well we have made it through to yet another lesson and let me just say you are all doing exceptionally well. Now let’s get down to business. In lesson two we will be continuing were we left off. In the Elder Futhark rune there are three standard divisions of Runes. These divisions are seen in the Aetts of Frey, Hagal and Tyr. Frey’s Aetts these eight runes belong to the god Frey (Fertility God) and his runes are associated with the creation of the world, its gods and inhabitants. The runes in this Aett are effective in getting things started; moreover, for…

The Evil That Men Do Author’s Note: Due to the Public Image and celebrity status of the person in question, the name of the “American” has been withheld at his request. The man was gaunt, almost skelital. His height, well over six feet, made his appearance even more severe. He was balding, with a drooping moustash and a scraggly beard clinging beneath his lower lip and to the base of his chin. He was dressed like a “bombzh”, a homeless man in an old army greatcoat, military trousers and worn jackboots. A visored cap rested on the bench next to him has he sat calmly and fed the pigeons in…

Magic:  Systematic Scientific Explanations In my last column I divided magic up into different categories according to how you might explain it worked.  Systematic explanations appealed to some sort of system independent from the worker, or deity.  Individualistic explanations appealed to the individual, while theistic ones appealed, to, you guessed it, deity.  Magical system mix and match frequently between these various explanations, for example a magical working directed toward individual enlightenment that appeals to deity.  Despite this mixing up of things, I think these are useful categories for discussion. In the last column I also noted that systematic explanations could be divided into three sub-categories: scientific, middle ground, and just…

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…

The Artist

An Exploration of Deities and Their Animals As a pagan, I recognize the intrinsic connection that we have with our animal brethren as our ancestors did. Even in our folklore throughout the centuries deities and mystical leaders have changed shape from human to animal and back again.  Is this a literal transformation or just a reference to our close connection to the animal world? Oftentimes we feel a bond with one particular animal, again this is reflected in our deities such as Athena whose totem was the owl, Rhiannon whose animal figure was a horse, or Bastet the cat Goddess often depicted with a septum piercing and kittens wandering around…

The Magic of Herbs There has always been a natural association between the Craft and herbal work.  Before the advent of modern medicine, it was typically the village wisewoman or midwife whom people consulted when they were in need of cures for their ailments.  Witches learned the properties of the plants growing in their environments and put them to good use.  Brews and potions were used to extract the essence of each herb for consumption, while poultices could be created to apply to wounds or rashes.  Many modern Wiccans and witches draw on this tradition in their own practice, as a more earth-centered alternative to pharmaceuticals. Of course as a…

Go down into the cave of darkness discover the seedbeds of life seasons of otherness Mundus Archetypus, the surging sea of energies. As flowering plants turn in prayer toward the sun receive the gift of life.  Reflect on this: How at the summit of creation’s mythic mountain grows the center-most mystic tree. Pathways spiral and always there is the mothering abyss of mystery. Consciousness is but a twig or sometimes branch… But don’t forget the underEarth of roots: the tangled nest. Pilgrim, as you ascend stop for contemplation now and then. Dreamlike in the shadows breathe the ancient potencies of night. Feeling flows in heartbeats. Confess if you are green…

Peatbog Records For all of you have never heard Peatbog Faeries they are the very nature of musical polyglot and that incongruent philosophical collection makes Peatbog Faeries faultless. And in this their new, first live album it is evident that once again with their undeviating approach they have integrated their deeply seeded Scottish roots with a constantly evolving mix of Celtic, Rock and blues genres, with the enchanting array of pipes and whistles, fiddles, brass, guitars and drums only add to the intoxicatingly beautiful sound that once again reaches the depths of my being, filling my soul with a plethora of enchanted instrumental magnificence. So if you only purchase one…

Midsummer is considered a fire festival, but it is also a water festival as well. Rivers, lakes, wells and springs were considered holy and pilgrimages were made on this holy day to make offerings, solicit cures and work magick. The magick people would work would either refer to nourishing the crops (Russia), granting fertility to childless women (Scotland) or ask for healing (England). In exchange for these, offerings of pins, flowers and coins were made to the Guardian Spirit or the Water Nymphs. This guardian was not always seen in human form; instead they would sometimes appear as a frog, mermaid, a winged serpent or a fly. In any form,…