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Lughnasadh, Lammas, does it matter?
As this is my first year back as a practicing witch in many years, I wanted to re-learn the Pagan origins and celebrations of Lammas aka Lughnasadh. I keep seeing both names, but ignorant as to why some call it Lammas and some call it Lughnasadh. I was surprised to discover these two names were not always the same festival, however, got combined in the Wiccan community. This doesn’t surprise me given that old European pagan practices were mostly lost to time, due to the absence of written language, records, and the destruction of cultural heritage by the Roman Empire. Therefore, it makes sense that the bits and pieces we’ve…
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What Do You Need Tarot with Lady Saoirse
What Do You Need Tarot with Lady Saoirse By Lady Saoirse Bright Blessings, By now, you will have gotten acquainted with your Tarot and Oracle cards, got comfortable with reading from them, and after a while, you will be called upon to read for others. Trust me, if it hasn’t happened yet, it will. It will take you some time to gain confidence when you read for people. It can be nerve wracking to be watched, especially if you aren’t used to it. You may worry that they think you are wrong, and worry you gave the wrong advice. Note- don’t give other people advice until you are sure…
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Weyland’s Whey, Lughnasadh 2025 Column
Blessed Lughnasadh! Also known as Lammas or Lughnasa. It’s a Gaelic festival that marks the start of the harvest season. Named after the god Lugh. In medieval times, huge gatherings included ceremonies, horse racing, athletic contests (think Tailteann Games. Look it up, I had to) and matchmaking. In more recent times. Lughnasadh celebrations include baking bread, feasting and community events. Some areas recognize the festival as a time for trial marriages, signifying new beginnings and partnerships. Am I the only one wondering about trial divorces as well? Might be popular… MUSIC Review Music for Lughnasadh–Lammas Songs (Celtic Festival). Miquel Berkemeir. Celtic/Pagan music. Violin. Impressive. Ranges from upbeat to haunting. Check…
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Weyland’s Whey July 2025 New Moon Column
New Moon Ahead The New Sturgeon Moon will be on Thursday, July 24th. It’s not named for doctors! (Sturgeon, not Surgeon, Pilgrim!) Seems like a slew of them are caught in the American Great Lakes this time of year. (www.fullmoonology.com) Be Advised Mercury is in Leo retrograde until August 10th (or 11th, depending upon authority cited). Do: think before you speak. Don’t: expect perfection. (Your Tango) TV Review Wednesday. Season 2. Part 1: August 6th. Part 2: September 3rd. Netflix. “Do not worry about energy or draining one’s soul. Souls are self-maintaining. Nobody ever gave too much love.” –Mihos No More Tears Ozzy Osbourne, only weeks after a sold-out farewell show with Black…
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Cody’s Column: Inner and Outer Balance Magick
The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you’ve lost it. – Anonymous We learn to walk by scooching, crawling, toddling, and then finally by upright walking. I’ve seen this in my own children with lots of falling in between each stage. We are, however, born to balance along with many of the other creatures and plants of this world. Balance is what connects us on a primordial level. Many of our senses give us a view of reality by balancing light and dark, cold and hot, pressure, pain, pleasure, tastes, smells, and sounds. We use this sense network to create a blueprint for our brain to interact with.…
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Following Threads of Life in Chaos: The Tao for the Modern Occultist and Pagan
Whew! I haven’t written a creative piece in quite some time; life really hit me with a curveball, and I had to a take an unexpected leave of absence from pretty much everything here, spare the occasional book review. I’m happy to say that while the things that caused my absence aren’t completely resolved, I am at a point where things have slowed down enough for me to write this piece, which I’ve been wanting to write for a little while now. My spiritual seeking started in high school. Until late in my sophomore year, so about 2010, I found that science, like I previously thought, couldn’t account for everything…
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A World Re-Enchanted July 2025
The month of July focuses on the concept of gardens not just as a physical space which produces flowers, food, medicine and other things, but also as a spiritual astral place where you can find rest, rejuvenation and planting seeds to grow the reality we wish to live in. As a purely physical place the garden offers a connection to nature that allows us to be able to make outside engagement and to grow an appreciation for the flora and fauna around it. There are physical benefits health wise improves strength, flexibility, and overall physical health. Also, as studies have shown being in a green space can lower blood pressure,…
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Book Review-This is Chaos: Embracing the Future of Chaos Magic: 13 Essays on Chaos MAgic for Modern Practitioners compiled and edited by Peter J. Carroll
Book Review This is Chaos: Embracing the Future of Chaos Magic: 13 Essays on Chaos Magic for Modern Practitioners Compiled and Edited by Peter J. Carroll Publisher: Weiser Books 274 Page Paperback Release Date: June 2nd, 2025 This is Chaos is a must-have for the modern Magus or Wizard, Occultist or Witch, Sorcerer and Warlock, or whatever you want to identify as. It presents not only Chaos Magick at its’ roots, and even provides a brief history given directly from one of its most influential figures himself-Peter J. Carroll, but also goes into the current of Chaos Magic-both past, and present, and even has ideas for where the current of chaos…
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Weyland’s Whey July 2025 Buck Moon Column
Buck Moon Named after male deer, because their antlers hit full growth around this time. The moon entered Capricorn on the 9th. Libras are one of the signs that’ll fulfill their destiny in this full moon, striving hard to realize their dreams and helping their family members grow. (I’m thinking shoe lifts, but that can’t be right.) Superlative goals, Pilgrims! Good luck! (Parade, msn.com, forbes.com.) For Your Deliberation Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera died Sunday July 13th while showcasing the notorious Annabelle doll, which is known for The Conjuring movie franchise. He was 54. The Adams County Chief Deputy Coroner says the doll was not present and Mr. Rivera was found alone.…
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Wonderfully Wiccan with Derrick Land – July 2025: The Witch’s Grimoire and the Importance of Magickal Record Keeping
With Midsummer behind us now, we are heading into the second half of the year, literally and energetically. While the first half of the year is associated with increase and activity, the second half of the year is a time of decrease and gradual inactivity. The peak of Summer is over, and August will be here before you know it, which for many people marks a return to school. Summer vacations are ending during this month with some finding themselves balancing their checkbooks hoping they didn’t overindulge! If we look at the Wheel of the Year, we see this decline reflected as well. The next few Sabbats, after all, are…
