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The Modern Merlin’s Corner: The Magick in Music
Photo Credits: Shutterstock photo “Spiritual Music” As I began writing this column entry, I realized that to some, this entry may seem as if I’m bragging, etc., so I wanted to take a moment to explain my reasoning for writing about it at all, which is two-fold: 1. To give thanks, and 2. To Share Wisdom and Magick I’ve learned and gained through these experiences. Before moving any further, I want to thank the Gods and Goddesses, Ancestors, and Spirits for the blessings I’ve received this year. This article is a direct result of those blessings and lots, and lots of hard work on my end to make certain goals…
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Cat Magick Weekly Planner By: Rieka Moonsong
This hardcover book is sturdy and handsome with a silvery elastic to keep it closed and a built in, deep blue, satin ribbon bookmark to indicate where you left off. 18 full-month calendar spreads with no set dates…you you can use it immediately and don’t have wasted space and sheets from past dates. There is plenty of space to write and it it is conveniently sized for carrying in a book bag, briefcase, or purse. The illustrations are a pure delight for any cat lover and the lore and spellwork are well researched and no nonsense. I especially liked the in-depth descriptions of feline energy, elements, planetary companions, and folklore.…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner: What’s in a name? The Power and Magick Behind Names
Names are some of the fundamental words we learn when we’re being taught how to speak any language. Every thing has a name. Every place has a name. Every one has a name. Place names, surnames and first names, middle names, magickal names are just some examples we see everyday, Pagan or not. In magick, both ancient and modern, it’s a pretty well accepted fact that having a spirit (or person’s) name, gives power over them. Examples of this are abundant in the Medieval Grimoire tradition, especially in works like The Goetia and other well-known grimoires. Knowing a deity’s name doesn’t give you power over them, but it does help you connect to their current of energy, and…
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Spiritual First Aid: Defense Against Love Spells
Welcome to the latest edition of Spiritual First Aid! I apologize it’s been so long since my last column. Life has been a little hectic between my personal life, and with my new book being released and the many many side projects I have going on I have neglected the thing that gives me the most joy- writing. Some of these projects, you might know about, such as The Invisible College, the nonprofit I founded to aid the development and infrastructure of the spiritual communities we all hold dear. I also have some other new projects on the horizon that I’m going to keep silent on for the moment as…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner: Lupercalia: The Ancient Pagan Roots of Valentine’s Day
What is Lupercalia? It’s a chilly February day, and snow is coming down in my neck of the woods as I write this. I look out my window, seeing the snow fall and am dreaming of warm summer days returning, and my trip to Southern California late last Summer. But, amidst my daydreams, I see a bit of hope; Imbolc is typically when Neo-Pagans celebrate the returning strength of the Sun, and the coming of Spring. For me, Imbolc is about healing, and reconnecting to your inner child/maiden, regardless of gender identity. Lupercalia, celebrated on February 15th, is more focused on love, in all its forms. In my personal…
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Notes from the Apothecary
Notes from the Apothecary: Snowberry Snowberry, or Symphoricarpos, is the name for 15 or so shrubs that boast gorgeous white berries. The plant is part of the honeysuckle family, and is also known as waxberry or the beautifully evocative name, ghostberry. The inspiration to write about this plant came from my 13-year-old, who sent me this cute WhatsApp message on his way home (pictured). It’s lovely to be the “go-to” person for plant info, and nice to be able to give some fast advice on a potentially toxic plant! The interesting thing about snowberries is that, while they can be toxic, they’re also used medicinally in some…
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MagickalArts
What Are the Magickal Arts? … As magickal practitioners we are all “artists” in our own ways, honing our skills of creating magick, weaving patterns of energy that affect change and calling to the most Divine of our natures as we align with cosmos, greater earth and all of the many Beings that inhabit those realms. And, I like where this trend is taking us in exploring the craft in all of forms…. Samhain brings the opportunity for reconnecting with our deceased Beloveds and acknowledge our place in the cycles of life and death. This issue we honor… Magickal Art of Becoming the Ancestors! Who Are the…
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Notes from The Apothecary
Notes from the Apothecary: Petunias Petunias: Both a beautiful garden flower and a star of the RNA-focused scientific community. Way back in the 1990s, scientists tried to create deep purple petunias by inserting the gene associated with this colour. Instead, the flowers just came out white! Further studies into this led to big discoveries concerning RNA interference and gene silencing, for which scientists Andrew Fire and Craig Mello received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. But it all started with the petunias. Petunia is not a single species, but a genus of flowers that contains around 35 distinct species. They’re all in the Solanaceae family, which also includes…
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Learning Lunar
Moon Magic and Mystery The Waning Gibbous Moon Welcome back to Learning Lunar, our regular column looking at different phases of the moon and how you can work them into your spiritual practice. For this Samhain edition of PaganPagesOrg, we’re looking at a waning phase of the moon for the first time: The Waning Gibbous Moon. What Does Waning Gibbous Mean? A waning moon is one that appears to be getting smaller each night, eventually culminating in a dark moon or new moon. As soon as the moon becomes full, the days beyond this are considered the time of the waning moon. A waning gibbous moon falls between the…
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Weyland’s Whey
For Your Deliberation If you were on trial for being a witch, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Goodbye, My Friend Our feline companion and familiar, Jinx, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge this morning. Old, gaunt and confused, we knew it would be selfish to keep him with us any longer. He was a champion. And he will be missed. Friendship Is Magic, Too by Weyland Smith It had been a while since I’d talked to my compadre Mihos. We’d been in the old coven together and had managed to stay in sporadic contact over the years. It would be fun to talk witchery with him…
