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The Kitchen Witch – Salmon-Topped Dinner Salad
Salmon-Topped Dinner Salad This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite things to eat lately. I love salads anyway – I eat a salad every day, whether it’s a salad for my lunch or a small salad to accompany a larger meal or maybe a fruit salad for a dessert or just a snack! And I maintain that there is no right way to make a salad – the only correct way is the way that is going to make you enjoy eating it. You and whomever you invite to share in this culinary joy. You start with a piece of salmon. I buy the big pack of…
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Book Review-A Confluence of Witches: A Modern Witches Anthology, compiled & edited by Casey Zabala
Book Review A Confluence of Witches: A Modern Witches Anthology Compiled & Edited by Casey Zabala Publisher: Weiser Books 208 page paperback Release Date: October 14th, 2024 A Confluence of Witches is a compilation of different articles compiled into a single volume, all dealing with Witchcraft, its roots, and its modern applications and practice. Many of these authors are known movers and shakers of the modern witchcraft world, making this a valuable addition to many a modern witch’s library. From pieces on lunar lore and how to work with the lunar phases, to money magic, to de-colonizing witchcraft, A Confluence of Witches will reignite a flame in any witch that feels as…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner-November/December 2024: The Sorcerer’s Guide to Winter Magick
In my neck of the woods, the early part of the winter weather season has come upon us, reminding us to slow down, and cherish time with family & friends. Many people don’t like winter, and personally, I am among them; I much prefer the warmer climate of Southern California, but alas, I am, for the time being, as they say, “stuck in Ohio”. Paganism’s interwoven beliefs and traditions concerning the colder months of the year are well documented and today many modern Pagans still imbibe those traditions, hearkening back to a time before the Church and the more organized religion we see today. Aside from the spiritual lessons and…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner: Samhain 2024 Special Edition
Welcome to a day filled with frights, ghosts, spirits and spooky vibes. This is Halloween. This is Samhain. A sacred day of honoring our dead, our ancestors, and helping the dead with unfinished business move on. This is a time to celebrate the cycle of life, death and rebirth. It’s a time to cast witcheries; protective and baneful; beneficent and malevolent alike. Let your inner Witch out, because it’s our season! The Dead Roam Among Us As I write this, an eerie, cool, yet warm, wind blows, making leaves fall all around. It’s the breath of the spirits coming to visit us, whether with good intent or ill. This Samhain…
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Book Review-The Moon Apothecary: Rituals and Recipes for the Lunar Phases by Lorriane Anderson
Book Review The Moon Apothecary: Rituals and Recipes for the Lunar Phases By Lorriane Anderson Publisher: Rockpool Publishing 265 Hardcover with Full Color Pages & Illustrations Release Date: October 1st, 2024 The Moon Apothecary is an absolutely beautiful, full color hardcover that will exceed the expectations of any Green Witch, or any Witch in general, really. It’s a complete grimoire of self care based on the lunar phases, giving crystal, herb and essential oil correspondences, self-care rituals and recipes for tinctures, salves, lotions, teas and so much more. If you want to get yourself more in tune with the Moon and her phases, and also take steps towards self care (in a witchy…
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Book Review-Owl Magick: Explore Our Fascinating Connections with These Birds Through Folklore and Magickal Traditions by Rieka Moonsong
Book Review Owl Magick: Explore Our Fascinating Connections with These Birds Through Folklore and Magickal Traditions By Rieka Moonsong Publisher: Rock Point 159 Page Hardcover Release Date: September 10th, 2024 Do you love owls? I love owls! They symbolize wisdom, intuition, the mind/intellect, and the mysticism of the night. They’re the 2nd most commonly known witch’s familiar after the cat. Do you want to learn more about owls, their magick, deities associated with them, and the like? Look no further, as Owl Magick delivers all of this and more! Packed with spells, rituals, invocations and meditations, Owl Magick will teach you about owls-their anatomy, abilities, and their magickal capabilities. While we can’t (or usually…
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Book Review-Song of the Dark Man: Father of Witches, Lord of the Crossroads by Darragh Mason
Book Review Song of the Dark Man: Father of Witches, Lord of the Crossroads By Darragh Mason Publisher: Destiny Books 187 page paperback Release Date: August 6th, 2024 Song of the Dark Man: Father of Witches, Lord of the Crossroads is a book that wasn’t on my radar, but was more than enthused to select for review. As I’ve covered in my monthly column for October 2024, which can be found here, The Dark Man of Witchcraft is a figure not unfamiliar to me, having been a Luciferian, Setian and Satanist in previous years before finding my true path in Paganism, Witchcraft and the Crooked Path. The Dark Man defies all…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner-October 2024: The Occult Truths of Baphomet and The Dark Man of Witchcraft
Before I begin this column entry, I would like to emphasize my appreciation for a book I’m working on for review, Song of the Dark Man: Father of Witches, Lord of the Crossroads by Darragh Mason. It has inspired me to get in touch with certain aspects of myself again, and allowed some powerful inner alchemy to be done. The Dark Man has been a presence in my craft from the onset, and I feel it’s time I add my contribution to the topic, especially as many works on the subject are being published by many well-known and respected publishing houses. Please keep an eye out for my review of Song of the Dark…
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Book Review-The Silver Branch and the Otherworld: Forest Magic with Plant and Fungi Allies by Seán Pádraig O’Donoghue
Book Review The Silver Branch and the Otherworld: Forest Magic with Plant and Fungi Allies By Seán Pádraig O’Donoghue Publisher: Bear & Company 265 page paperback Release Date: July 16th, 2024 The Silver Branch and the Otherworld: Forest Magic with Plant and Fungi Allies is a book filled with the wisdom of O’Donoghue’s Irish Celtic ancestry, weaving the use of entheogens like Mushrooms and Cannabis into a cohesive, animistic practice infused with witchcraft. The Silver Branch and the Otherworld starts off by covering basic theory and philosophy of O’Donoghue’s practices, even giving Wheel of the Year Rituals for the 4 Sabbats of Beltaine, Lughnassád, Samhain and Imbolc. O’Donoghue then moves the reader into…
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The Modern Merlin’s Corner-September 2024: As the leaves fall…
Photo Credits: Original Design, created on Canva by The Modern Merlin I’ve decided to do something different for my monthly column entry this month, inspired by watching the changing of the seasons outside my window and all around me. I’m lucky enough to live in a fairly tree-covered area, even in a somewhat more urban environment. Come with me on this journey, and be enchanted as we follow the seasons. Happy October Eve! As The Leaves Change, So Do We “The leaves are falling all around. Time I was on my way” -Ramble On, Led Zeppelin One of my favorite songs by Led Zeppelin, quoted above, is a liminal song in…
