The Sacred Hearth

Bedtime Songs for my Little Pagan

2012-03-02T12:55:00.000-05:00

For some families, bedtime can be a huge struggle and I don't want to be one of them. But as a Pagan family, we're looking for something a little different. We would like bedtime to be a little bit magical, very loving and to incorporate elements of our beliefs. The routine we've settled on consists of a bath followed by a massage and putting on of jammies, followed by a story from daddy and

Entering the Sanctuary

2012-02-25T15:51:00.000-05:00

For me, my home is my temple. It is where all the most important things in my life happen. It's where I raise my children, entertain beloved guests, prepare and eat food, write, read, learn, teach and worship my Gods. It's also where I was married, where my children were conceived (but not born, alas) and where I retreat from excessive heat or cold, from rain, from the general unpleasantness of

Baby, Meet Tawaret

2012-02-18T12:51:00.000-05:00

Hippos seem to be a popular gift for babies these days. My Grandmother gave my son a stuffed hippo for Yule and he adores it. My husband has informed me that we can expect a handmade hippo from my mother-in-law soon, as she makes one for every baby that's born into the family. I didn't think much of that until I ran across Tawaret in Rick Riordan's The Throne of Fire. As a Hellenic Polytheist I

Hello Gaia

2012-02-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

Before you continue, I am going to drop a SPOILER ALERT for Rick Riordan's The Son of Neptune, though if you read The Lost Hero, I don't think I've revealed anything you didn't get from that book. As I was reading The Son of Neptune to my infant son (he's not into pictures yet, so he's just as happy to hear my voice go on about Percy Jackson as the Runaway Bunny) my husband asked me "Wow, is

We All Scream for Imbolc

2012-02-02T10:53:00.000-05:00

Every year Pagans scour the internet and books for ceremonies for the season's Sabbat. For some only an elaborate ceremony will do, but for others, the simpler the better. For me, I prefer ritual to ceremony because ritual is what makes family traditions and that's what we remember. My husband has often commented on his happy memories of making ice cream with his grandmother using an old

Kids and Food

2012-01-31T12:28:00.000-05:00

I recently attended a family gathering that was full of young children including a couple of preschoolers from the same family. Unfortunately, my entire meal (and theirs) was ruined because their parents' spent the whole time micromanaging the kids' eating. This whole scenario culminated in one of the children sitting alone at a table sobbing over an adult-sized plate while everyone else, having

A Few of My Favorite (Baby) Things

2012-01-27T10:05:00.053-05:00

A few weeks into this new mom all over again thing and I think I'm finally getting a handle on it. My first batch of kids are all teenagers now and while I thought I knew exactly what I was doing, turns out I don't know much. Our first night home, about two in the morning, my husband and I looked at each other and said "What are we 20? Did we forget everything?" Now I realize this post is going

On Broomsticks

2012-01-23T16:59:00.001-05:00

With the Chinese New Year coming up I started thinking about traditions. One of these is sweeping out the house with a broom, sweeping all the bad luck out the front door to make way for the good luck. That got me thinking about brooms in general and all of the traditions we have attached to them over the years. There is, of course, the old flying witch on a broomstick and flying ointment

Breastfeeding Revisited

2012-01-14T20:40:00.000-05:00

The last few years there has been somewhat of a local baby boom and I've found myself discussing breastfeeding with other people at great length. I breastfed both of my older children for the first few weeks and supplemented formula after I went back to work and school. I remember it being remarkably easy and, with the exception of a nasty case of mastitis the first time around, relatively

Feathering the Nest

2012-01-05T12:38:00.015-05:00

The last few months of pregnancy can make you crazy. Once your maternity leave starts and boredom sets in and your nesting instincts kick into high gear and you realize you are physically incapable of moving or assembling furniture or painting the nursery by yourself while all the cool kids get to carry on their normal lives as if nothing is happening, you might be ready to climb the walls. I

Fostering Graditude

2011-11-19T09:07:00.002-05:00

Gratitude is defined by the World English Dictionary as a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation, as for gifts or favours Gratitude is a powerful force that can bring many blessings to your life. When you recognize the things in your life as gifts, rather than your due, you are a happier person because you appreciate what you have rather than regret what you don't. The universe rewards a person

Nourishing Baby Naturally

2011-10-01T23:43:00.000-04:00

These days there isn't much on my mind that doesn't involve babies. So I'll be doing a series for new and expectant moms, talking about those things that new moms think about. Feeding Pagan Babies Option One - The Breast Luckily, most moms have the food bit covered thanks to our natural anatomy. Breastfeeding is the choice closest to nature and the one with the most benefits for both mom and

Diapering Earth Momma Style

2011-09-21T23:45:00.000-04:00

As I'm currently expecting my third child and have been working as a nanny for the past several months, there isn't much on my mind that doesn't have to do with babies. So, for lack of inspiration about anything else, I am doing a getting-ready-for-baby series for all the new and expectant parents in the Pagan community. I have always been amazed at the infant's ability to eat, sleep and poop at

The Code of Hospitality

2011-09-04T14:55:00.001-04:00

The code of hospitality is an ancient code common to just about every ancient culture and moral code.What it states basically is that anyone who comes to your home, invited or uninvited, should be treated with the utmost respect, provided food, comfort and basically be treated like family and once the guests immediate needs are met, the guest then had the right to ask for a favor to help him on

A Feast of Sacrifice

2011-08-04T15:59:00.000-04:00

The Feast of Sacrifice celebrates the sacrifice that other living things- plant and animal- make so that we may live. An effigy is made out of materials on hand and stuffed with good things to eat. It is then "sacrificed" and the food is taken from it and made part of a ritual feast. There are two versions of this ritual. In one version the "victim" is destroyed by fire, and in the other the "

Activity Books for Pagan Children

2011-07-04T14:57:00.000-04:00

Here is a collection of activity books for your Pagan child. These books are generally for kids from pre-school to early elementary. These books may help you introduce spiritual concepts to your child or they might just be fun. Of course, they might be completely inappropriate to your path. Be sure to read them through before handing them over to your little one. My First Little Workbook of

Books for Nature-loving Kids

2011-05-04T15:00:00.001-04:00

These books are a special collection. Some are story books and some are activity books and some are a combination of the two. All of them are designed to inspire your child to go out and explore nature. They aren't all Pagan books, though some are, but they are all very suitable for Pagan children. Walking the World in Wonder by Ellen Evert Hopman is an excellent way to introduce Pagan children

Celebrating the Spring Equinox

2011-03-18T23:47:00.001-04:00

News from the Hearth I am not sure why but tax season always seems to catch me off guard. It seems no matter how much we prepare ahead of time we never seem to get it right so this time of year I am working my butt off to make extra money to meet that tax shortfall and, inevitably, my immune system collapses and I end up sick and missing work. What was it I said a few issues ago about getting

Storybooks for Pagan Children

2011-01-04T15:04:00.002-05:00

Here is a collection of story books for small Pagan children. Not all of these stories are expressly Pagan, but they do carry Pagan themes or express Pagan family values. ABC Book of Shadows by Itty Bitty Witch Works is another book geared toward Wiccan kids specifically. It introduces the usual Wiccan ritual tools and even the elements in a fun, rhythmic, alphabet poem. The art is also quite

Full Moon, Eclipse, Solstice... Oh My

2010-12-19T23:50:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, December 21st is to be an eventful twenty-four hours, astrologically speaking. It all begins shortly after midnight EST with the commencement of a full lunar eclipse. Unlike the last few, this lunar eclipse will, cloud-cover permitting, be entirely visible from all of North America and Central America. The eclipse will peak with the moment of the Full Cold Moon in Gemini at 3:14am so

Tis the Season to go Shopping

2010-12-17T23:53:00.001-05:00

Ah Christmas, the holiday that takes over shopping for three months straight every year. Everywhere I turn there's music, sparkly things, red and green. Baby clothes, underwear, suddenly there are toys in the produce section. And lo what is that I where Halloween City used to be? Is it a Christmas store? What's in it for me? So much. This is the time of year when things are offered for sale

Tips for a Green Yuletide

2010-12-10T23:55:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but personally, it pains me to see the giant garbage bag full of wrapping paper, tissue paper and boxes that gets hauled out of the room at the end of most Yuletide parties. Here are some ideas for reducing the garbage and making your Yuletide even more meaningful in the process. Books Instead of Greeting Cards Greeting cards tend to get thrown away or stuck in a box and

So Many Babies

2010-12-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

All of a sudden it seems like everyone is having babies and I'm called upon to attand more showers than I've ever experienced. I've even got a new neice on the way, which is particularly exciting since my kids, now teenagers, were the only grandkids up till now. I may be more excited about being an auntie than I was about being a mother. But its also sort of awkward because it's been about 10

New Moon in Sagittarius

2010-12-01T23:58:00.001-05:00

The moon will be in Sagittarius from Saturday, December 4th at 12:59pm EST to Monday, December 6th at 4:46pm. The new moon begins the first lunar day on Sunday, December 5th at 12:36pm EST. This weekend I invite you to try my Get Noticed at Work Spell. It's the perfect time for it. If you are a student, this is also a great time to get to work sending out those college applications or just work

2010 Zodiac Gift Guide

2010-11-27T00:03:00.000-05:00

Getting ready to do some Cyber Monday Yule shopping, but you're stumped on what to get family and friends? Here's a guide to help you pick the perfect gift based on their astrological sign. Aries Aries love presents. They're like little kids. You don't even have to wrap them, though it's fun to do so. You certainly don't have to worry about it being neat or pretty. Aries love to go out and do

Discrimination in Vancouver? Maybe...

2010-11-26T00:08:00.000-05:00

In another edition of WTF my fellow Pagans, a British Columbia man is accusing the Vancouver Police Board of discriminating against him based on his religion and sexual orientation in denying him a chauffeur's license back in 2006. The courts have finally gotten around to dealing with this situation. It seems Canada is just as slow as the US when it comes to finally shorting stuff out. According

Winter Warm Ups

2010-11-25T00:02:00.000-05:00

With the snow flying already, it's time to break out the hot beverages. I've been enjoying the taste of mulled cider since before Samhain but it becomes even more enjoyable as the weather grows colder. I've decided this year to share the joy by adding mulling spices to my gifts. To do this, first take a look at my mulled apple cider recipe at Kitchen Witch Corner. Find or make a cloth bag,

Demeter and Dionysus: Thanks for Everything!

2010-11-14T00:10:00.000-05:00

Brian Hayden, an Archaologist at Simon Fraser University in Canada is studying beer. He believes that beer had alot to do with the rise of civilization. And not just beer, but fermented beverages of all kinds, including wine (which is how I dragged Dionysus into this). You see, in order to make fermented beverages, one must have an excess of a crop. You can't be fermenting stuff when you don't

Tucking in for the Winter

2010-11-13T16:25:00.002-05:00

I received a notice the other day letting me know that the last compost pick up in my neighborhood will be the first week of December. That reminded me that it's time to start moving on getting my garden ready for winter, unless I want to hang onto my yard waste till spring. What's that got to do with house & home Witchery, Earth spirituality & etc? Lots. If you're like me, your garden is a

A Spot of Bother

2010-11-01T00:06:00.001-04:00

Recently I read a great book called A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon. It's not the usual sort of book for me. It's sort of a family drama with a bit of romance and some British humor. Nothing supernatural, nothing historic, nothing mysterious, fantastic or even exciting and it's certainly not educational. I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by the same author several years ago

Druid Organization Recognized in Britain

2010-10-14T00:11:00.000-04:00

This week, the English Charity Commission officially recognized a Druid organization as a religious charity allowing The Druid Network to enjoy tax exempt status (as Druid and many other Pagan organizations do here in the US already.) The full text of the commission's decision may be read here. The Druid Network first began working toward its goal of official recognition of their organization as

A Formal Group Ritual Outline

2010-09-04T16:07:00.000-04:00

Preparations: Each person should be prepared for the ritual ahead of time. They should be wearing clean clothes and have bathed that day. If a person has had sex or come in contact with anyone who is sick or dying, or who has recently been born or given birth (and has not bathed since) then that person should bathe again before ritual. Everyone should wash their hands immediately prior to ritual

Stone Soup!

2010-08-01T16:02:00.000-04:00

This is more of an interactive storytelling thing that is a fun way to produce the communal meal at any gathering, especially while camping at a festival. It gets the kids involved and teaches a valuable lesson. Materials: A large cauldron or dutch oven placed over the fire and filled with water A fist sized stone, well washed A cutting board and knife Each participant should bring something

Partial Lunar Eclipse This Saturday

2010-06-24T00:13:00.000-04:00

This Saturday, June 26th the Capricorn moon will undergo a partial eclipse beginning at 4:55am EST and ending 10:22am EST. This eclipse will be visible in the Pacific and parts of Australia, but those of us in the United States would be lucky to catch a glimpse as the moon goes down (get more details at http://www.astrologycom.com/partialeclipseJun26.pdf) . However, you can still make use of the

Witchcraft on Bones

2010-05-10T00:14:00.001-04:00

When I was an Anthropology major in college I wanted to be a Forensic Anthropologist, just like Bones! This show has been recommended to me for years, but I haven't got a TV. Recently I started checking out various TV shows on Hulu and I have discovered such wonders as Lost, Dead Like Me, and... when I found out May 6th's episode of Bones was all about Witchcraft I thought I'd check that out too.

Voudou Practitioners Claim Christians are Monopolizing Haiti Aid

2010-02-02T00:15:00.000-05:00

According to the UK Telegraph, Max Beauvoir, a Voodoo leader in Haiti claims that the evangelical Christians in Haiti have taken over the aid effort and are excluding Voodoo peoples. But there ARE Voudou organizations on the ground. If you want to make sure that your donation goes to the Voodoo people in Haiti, consider sending it to Voudou Aid, the charity arm of the Roots Without End Society .

A Cross Burning Rite

2010-01-28T15:47:00.000-05:00

Although I am a Neo-Hellenic Pagan, I still perform this rite every Imbolc because it holds a special place in my heart. It was featured at the first Pagan Sabbat I ever attended, one hosted by Celtic Druids. It is just so meaningful and I really do love it. For me it isn't so much about Brigid with whom I do not connect as the concept "we all have our cross to bear". Here is your opportunity to

Pagans in the News and Media

2010-01-12T00:17:00.000-05:00

A New Jersey evangelical Fed Ex driver left a Chick Tract with the wrong witch in New Jersey according to an article in the Mount Olive Chronicle. Trish Reynolds, a Pagan author (of such books as The Demons of Drey (Seeker's Quest) and A Question of Balance ) looked out her window one day to see a Fed Ex Driver do a double take at her "Goddess Bless America" and pentagram bumper sticker, return

Adopt a Black Cat this Halloween

2009-10-25T00:18:00.000-04:00

It's common knowledge that animal adoption agencies change their adoption policies for black cats near Halloween due to fears that they will be sacrificed or tortured in Halloween pranks. The most disturbing rumor I've heard about it is the idea that some folks will get a black cat to go with a costume and return it later on. That's twisted. As far as sacrifice goes though, it makes no sense. I

In a World Gone Mad...

2009-10-11T00:24:00.000-04:00

This has been a week of shocking news. First, NASA shot a rocket at the moon in search of water. Why a rover wouldn't have been a better choice for this mission, I can't say. And by all that is holy, why does it matter, really in the big picture if there is water on the moon? Unless of course we're planning for the day when we have no water left on Earth? Or does it have more to do with the idea

Sweat Lodge Safety

2009-10-11T00:21:00.000-04:00

Many Pagan spiritual retreats feature sweat lodges. Indeed they seem to have become quite fashionable in the past few years outside of Pagan circles as well. With the recent sweat lodge tragedy at the Spiritual Warrior self help retreat in Arizona, it may be prudent to take a look at sweat lodges and safety issues associated with them. (We can talk about paying $10,000 for a spiritual retreat in

Thinking About Health Care (what choice do I have?)

2009-10-05T00:25:00.000-04:00

I admit it, I'm bitter. I've been working the same soul sucking dead end job for the past five years and before that it was the same job, different place. Why? Because it's safe. I work in an office with lots of other moms like me. I don't do it for the money or job satisfaction. I have a second job to buy groceries and without my husband's income I could barely put a dent in our bills. I

Books for Pagan Youth

2009-10-04T15:13:00.000-04:00

There is no better way to encourage kids creativity and help them excel in school than by encouraging reading. You can do this by reading to them as small children, then having them read to you, letting them catch you reading by yourself, and by providing them with plenty of exciting and stimulating books to read. Remember too that reading together isn't just an activity enjoyed by little

Daily Devotion to Hestia

2009-09-16T15:41:00.000-04:00

This ritual is meant to be performed each day before one prepares the evening meal. First clean off the counter, put away dishes, sweep the floor, clear off the dining table- make the kitchen into a worthy temple of Hestia. Then wash your hands and face, put back your hair, put on a clean apron and prepare to begin. Place a candle in the center of the stove (i.e. the hearth) alternatively,

Review: This Witch for Hire by Kim Harrison

2009-09-14T00:27:00.000-04:00

I spent last week in bed with the flu; an annoying situation made tolerable by my latest book club delivery. It was a hardcover 2fer, This Witch for Hire (Dead Witch Walking - The Good, the Bad, and the Undead) which is the first two books in the Hollows series by Kim Harrison. These stories take place in modern day Ohio, in a parallel world where humans and supernatural people live side by

Someone to Lean On

2009-08-31T00:30:00.000-04:00

I have been a Pagan for my entire adult life. I could mimic hundreds of others and say "I was always Pagan, I just didn't know there was a name for it." but that would be a flat out lie. I was a devout Lutheran once. In fact, if my parents hadn't converted to Presbyterian when I was a teenager, I might still be a devout Lutheran. Don't get me wrong, I have never liked their God. Jesus was okay,

Witch Wanted

2009-08-31T00:28:00.000-04:00

Young and gothy? Got some witchy skills? Well there's a guy on Craigslist that has a job for you. For $20 an hour you could be hired by some guy who posted this amusing bit of something: Looking for talented Witches ages 18 - 25 who like to work in dark, goth type scenarios. It is helpful to be comfortable with the metal music atmosphere. This will be for work in fortune telling, healing, and

Some Confusion in the News

2009-08-20T00:31:00.000-04:00

Harvest season is Pagan Pride Season. I think it's possible that our Detroit Pagan Pride Day (August 8th) was the first and despite the fact that it was cold and raining pretty much the whole day, I think a good time was had by all. Unless you're local and have therefore already had your Pagan Pride Day, it's safe to say there's a Pagan Pride Day coming to a metro area near you. Visit the Pagan

Another Quick Look at Current Events

2009-07-22T00:33:00.000-04:00

If you're a fan of The Wicker Man, you'll be excited to know that there's a sequel in the works, starring Sir Christopher Lee (as it should) called Cowboys for Christ it's based on a book by the same title by Robin Hardy. If you think earth works and giant images in sides of mountains are only remnants of the ancient past, check out the proposed Green Goddess of the North to be installed by a

A Quick Look at Current Events

2009-07-06T00:34:00.000-04:00

Here's a look at some news of interest to the Pagan community at large: As with just about any Pagan holiday, the summer solstice seems to be an invitation for the media to take note that Pagans exist. This year, Pagans in Russia got some attention as did a few in Texas. And of course, we cannot forget Stonehenge As a Neo-Hellenic Polytheist, I am always fascinated with news coming out of

Abortion, Fertility and Kids... Oh my...

2009-06-12T00:38:00.000-04:00

Abortion has been in the news due to the murder of Dr Tiller in Kansas by an anti-abortion activist and this has got me thinking about ... abortion and about kids. The truth is, anti-abortionists aren't thinking about what's best for kids and most abortion rights supporters actually really like kids. It's so complicated but the media wants to paint it all in black and white. You can't do that.

Witchcraft and Weirdness with Heather Graham

2009-06-11T00:41:00.000-04:00

So people are pointing out how stupid this girl is and how weird she is being... but in her I hear echos of my own teenage experiments and I'm thinking, "oh she's just discovering witchcraft and she's excited" and we didn't make fools of ourselves because we weren't in the public eye. That being said... Isn't she a little old for that? The giddiness I mean. And doesn't she have handlers to tell

Pagan Values: What Are They Exactly?

2009-06-02T00:43:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I got together with a few other Kitchen Witches to do what we do. Cook and eat and gossip. The gossip eventually rolled around to the unfolding festival season and we each expressed our own feelings of hesitation about it. One of my friends was in the middle of a sexual harassment issue that had her completely strung out. "I have to babysit this guy" She said exasperated. "He

Are We Ready for More Leadership

2009-05-27T00:44:00.001-04:00

This summer members of the Pagan community who serve in, or want to serve in leadership positions are invited to the Pagan Leadership Skills Conference in Richmond, VA, July 23rd through the 26th. Circle Sanctuary is also offering a Pagan Leadership Institute during Pagan Spirit Gathering this year (June 14-21 near Salem, MO). The call is there. Leaders step forward! We need you. We want you. Are

Pagan Community News Update

2009-05-22T00:46:00.000-04:00

Much Ado About the Lawn As a Greek Orthodox church prepared to plant a community garden earlier this month they were "shocked" to discover their 1-acre plot had been vandalized. A pentagram had been cut into the lawn with a lawn mower. As far as vandalism goes, pretty harmless but

Another News Update

2009-05-08T00:45:00.001-04:00

Arthur Pendragon (Not the roundtable guy, the British Druid guy) has been sitting in at Stonehenge for the last 10 months protesting, among other things, the removal of remains buried there but now he's been ordered to pack up and leave. He says hell no, he won't go. He's a Pagan archaologist's nightmare but you have to admire his gumption. In Mexico Santa Muerte has been getting a lot of hassle

What's All the Fuss About Twilight

2009-02-27T00:48:00.000-05:00

"It's a fat book" My son said defensively when discovered reading Twilight, "So it sucks. I like fat books

Goodbye First Church of Wicca

2009-01-19T00:49:00.000-05:00

The First Church of Wicca got media attention when it was featured on The Learning Channel's "My Unique Family" in an episode entitled "The Witches Next Door". At the time I remember wondering why a Wiccan

Blessings for an Historic Inauguration

2009-01-07T00:54:00.000-05:00

1569, from Fr. inauguration "installation, consecration," from L. inaugurationem (nom. inauguratio) "consecration, installment under good omens," from inaugurare "take omens from the flight of birds, consecrate or install when such omens are favorable," from in- "on, in" + augurare "to act as an augur, predict" (see augur). (From jury has been selected for a case that made Pagans and Witches everywhere cringe. Larry Harris of Souix City, Iowa was arrested last year after the deaths of his two young step-daughters and torching of his home

Roses Love Garlic - A Book Review

2008-12-12T00:56:00.000-05:00

I bought this book because I was looking for resources on companion planting to help me decide what plants to use to create guilds. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. While this book does contain information about companion planting, it's only a very small section in a much larger text that is organized into sections of related gardening terms followed by alphabetical listings encyclopedia

Gaia's Garden a Book Review

2008-12-12T00:55:00.000-05:00

Gaia's Garden presents ideas for creating a garden space that looks, feels and behaves as if it happened naturally, instead of being planned and groomed by civilized folk. This doesn't mean it looks unkempt, but that each plant within a garden group exists in a relationship with others in a mini ecosystem. This type of planting produces healthier plants and greater yeilds while preserving or

Yule Entertaining

2008-12-05T00:58:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again, when a combination of seasonal days off, inhospitable weather and the prospect of presents calls on us to welcome people into our home- and feed them. Maybe you've got the Yule entertaining bug this year, or maybe it's "your turn", or maybe you're kind of feeling like a freeloader eating everyone else's free food and thought you'd try your hand at it. Or maybe

Midwinter Musings

2008-12-04T00:59:00.000-05:00

I've been pretty grumpy lately, frustrated with the fact that I miss the Sun's whole show since it rises as I walk into work and sets before I walk out the door. A few days ago, however, it snowed. Oh I griped and I moaned as I made my way to work behind the salt truck and tried to park in the freshly plowed lot among cars that were obviously parked before the lines were visible. But at the end

Battle of the Beauty Queen

2008-12-01T08:51:00.000-05:00

Here is the article I'm about to expound upon http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/297985 And now I begin. So, basically, here's what happened. Ms. Canada Plus is a Wiccan (cool, huh, I thought so) and the Ms Toronto Tourism pageant invited her to be a judge. But when she submitted her bio, presumably for their marketing materials, she mentioned tarot cards under "hobbies" and they withdrew

A Devotional Ritual Outline

2008-07-18T15:29:00.000-04:00

This ritual outline is designed for private practice but it can easily be adapted for family or group practice. It is specifically for honoring the Gods on their feast days or Sabbat days, but can be adapted for any special occasion. Although I generally keep my magic and my worship separate, you can put perform spell work in the middle of this rite if you wish. You may wish to dedicate

Celebrate the Self!

2008-05-01T15:22:00.001-04:00

Note that this ritual is described as a solo ritual but it can easily be adapted for groups. Simply sit in a circle and share your affirmations together. Timing Any time is a good time to celebrate how wonderful we are, but the enthousiasm and joy of Sagittarius and the bright energy of the full moon make the full moon in Sagittarius a particularly appropriate time for this ritual. This is also

Rite of Awakening

2008-02-01T15:43:00.000-05:00

The month of February is a festival in and of itself. The first day is February Eve. Alternatively, it can be celebrated on the first new moon in February or the first weekend in February for convenience sake. This celebration corresponds to the festival of Imbolc. Ancients celebrated the Lesser Eleusinian mysteries at the end of February, when Persephone returned. Now, we are anticipating her

How do You Spell Murder

2008-01-28T08:53:00.000-05:00

I've been pondering commenting on this for some time because it's really quite mindboggling. I've had some serious family issues to deal with lately and haven't had the time for mindboggling other peoples issues. But it deserves comment because most of the comments I hear about it from others are about as mindboggling as the event itself. What event? Well, you probably already heard about the

Feeling Philosophical

2008-01-26T08:55:00.000-05:00

Lately, I am feeling rather philosophical. It could be that I, having run out of reading material, picked up one of my partner's philosophy books from college and have been reading that in the bathtub. I didn't take philosophy in college. I had a really hard time with it, because so much of philosophy is based on the monotheistic viewpoint. I am reading, for instance, about all these arguments

An Historical Funny

2008-01-18T08:57:00.000-05:00

"And what, then, is to be thought of those witches who in this way sometimes collect male organs in great numbers, as many as twenty or thirty members together, and put them in a bird's nest, or shut them up in a box, where they move themselves like living members, and eat oats and corn, as has been seen by many as is a matter of common report? It is to be said that it is all done by devil's work

Circular Libation Ritual

2008-01-17T15:26:00.001-05:00

This ritual is meant to be part of a larger ritual and may be done at the opening of ceremonies. It was created in an effort to make a public ritual more "eclectic-friendly" but it was somewhat of a failure, it just confused people. However, we liked it, so we kept it. We don't use it often, but it's nice when we do. When the ceremony includes a feast, this should be done at the start of the

The War on Christmas and Discrimination

2007-12-21T08:59:00.000-05:00

So last night I caught NBC's War on Christmas update. I dunno. I don't have a TV, but I was in a waiting room and it was on. I can't remember what station it was. Anyway. I was a little perturbed because they were talking about Green Bay, Wisconsin and they did not mention once the pentacle issue there. (I can't find the clip on their website, though I found it last night and wrote them a letter

On Ron Paul

2007-12-16T09:01:00.000-05:00

Never in my life have I seen a candidate so enthousiastically endorsed by the Pagan community. I had originally thought it was just local. At Pagan events "Ron Paul, Ron Paul", I go to visit my Pagan friends and "Ron Paul, Ron Paul." But lo, it's all over the internet too. Here are some examples: An Open Letter to the Pagan Community and at the Pagan Temple Blog, and RitualMagick's Pagans for

Happy Hanukkah

2007-12-04T09:04:00.000-05:00

I would like to take a moment to wish all of my Jewish friends (like my brother-in-law and my buddy of the bees- he knows who he is!) a blessed Hanukkah. This day honors a very important period in both Jewish and Pagan history and we Pagans would do well to remember it. You see, about 2200 years ago, Jerusalem was ruled over by Greece. Greece was a Pagan country at the time, of course, and they

I Just Don't Fit

2007-11-12T09:06:00.000-05:00

Once again, I am moved to rant about Pagans in general. It's sad. Last night I said to my lover, "I don't think I want to call myself Pagan anymore." Why? Because I hate associating myself with people I find morally and ethically rehensable. I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I'm judging, but it's not about judging! It's about being extremely uncomfortable. Can I help my discomfort in the presence of

Marshall University Recognizes Pagan Holidays

2007-11-05T09:13:00.000-05:00

This is odd to me, actually. I mean it's good, but it's odd. Now, I'm a Pagan and I work at a University. (everyone here knows I'm Pagan) and I went to school at this same University. And I transferred from a two-year college before that. And I never went to class or worked on a Pagan holiday. Well, maybe that's not exactly true. Quite often I would, but we had observances planned for the weekend

Saving Sherwood Forest

2007-11-05T09:12:00.000-05:00

I think it's sad that Sherwood forest of legend has shrunk to a mere fraction of its old size. Down from 100,000 acres to 450. Wow. But, I'm not surprised. It seems these things are inevitable. Lucky for Sherwood forest, 15 organizations in England are banding together to save it and its ancient oak trees. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071104/ap_on_re_eu/shrinking_sherwood It's good news for

Witch School Under Fire (Again)

2007-10-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/chi-witchesoct28,0,2136716.story So Witch School has moved again and once again, people don't like them where they landed. I think they need to stop moving and pick a spot. People will get used to them eventually. Well, this town wants them out, big surprise "Among the tactics that several locals have taken against the school

The Herald and the Psychopomp

2007-10-26T23:39:00.000-04:00

So I was thinking about my Gods today. I noticed a pattern. Most people have a few Gods they really identify with. Some only one. Others just worship all sorts of Gods. Now, I'm not discriminatory. I will honor all the Gods in their time. But I have a few that I am particularly close to. First, is Eos. Goddess of Dawn and new beginnings, Herald of Helios. She is my teacher, my guide, my

Insanity in Salem

2007-10-11T23:36:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time when I had a baby girl in my belly, I visited Salem and I thought- It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live here. Now I say Thank Goodness I don't live in Salem!! Here's why http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_284120135 And that's only the latest of the media circus that their witch wars down there have become. What is wrong with those people? :crazy:

The Real Witches Craft

2007-10-10T23:35:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading The Real Witches Craft by Kate West. I tell you, I did not have high hopes for this book. I thought "Real Witches" eh, what an arrogant title. Probably a bunch of Wicca-fluff. And yes, there is fluff. She tells you to research Gods and Goddesses and to look for triple Goddesses in various Pantheons. I hate that. HUGE pet peeve. She also encourages rewriting myths with a

Wiccan Wins the Lottery

2007-09-12T23:32:00.001-04:00

So I'm a little late in commenting on this, but last week a Wiccan man won the lottery. There's been alot of speculation about his persecution in the forums and talk about religion all over. I say Pah. He won the lottery, and he happens to be Wiccan. I am just glad the money will finally go to something worthwhile. He's going to invest it in his local Pagan community center/shop. Good job.

Sanity Reigns in Washington (for now)

2007-08-30T23:28:00.000-04:00

Thank goodness. My world can now fall back into an understandable state where Presidents care about their constituents feelings, or at the very least, how their public perceives them. Although I did not see this particular development anywhere in the public media, it came across on the Circle Sanctuary (http://www.circlesanctuary.org) news group. President George Bush personally called Roberta

Adding Insult to Injury in Nevada

2007-08-30T11:30:00.001-04:00

I am a simple girl. I gain joy from simple things. I am also annoyed by simple things. And as open minded as I claim to be, I sometimes have a very difficult time comprehending when people do things that are completely outside the scope of my experience. For example. My boyfriend hates cucumbers and melons. What? Okay, cucumbers I can imagine, but it's a stretch, especially when it's grandma's

More Crazy Pagans in the News

2007-08-17T23:27:00.000-04:00

Now, my boyfriend has told me that I shouldn't rant about Pagans on a website for Pagans and I say, why not? Should we not take a good cleansing look at ourselves once in awhile. Besides, when I see a loon, I'm going to call it a loon. I am not going to prance around issues because the people involved happen to claim to be in the same religious family as I claim to be in. If you're crazy, I'm

The Long (Wo)man at Wilmington

2007-07-09T23:25:00.000-04:00

The Long Man is yet another of those sacred sites reviered by modern-day Pagans, especially Druids, which may or may not have any ancient spiritual significance. There are many such sites. The most famous, of course, being Stone Henge. Whether or not these have ancient significance is really pointless to argue- though it is difficult for one to imagine why they would exist if they didn't- because

Pagan Perverts

2007-06-11T23:24:00.000-04:00

The need for unity in the Pagan community never hits home so much as when you hear about young people being drawn into dangerous situations by the "lure" of Pagan religions. If every community had a Pagan temple, youth groups and youth outreach programs, I believe we would see a great reduction in victimization of young seekers. The problem, I think, is that Pagan religions are made out to be

The Soldier and the Pentacle

2007-04-25T23:14:00.000-04:00

Now is a time of great rejoicing in the Pagan community, as the VA has finally added the Pentacle, the symbol of the Wiccan faith to their list of approved symbols for veterans' memorials and headstones. Here is a lovely article with a tearjerking picture to go with it from Nevada, the home state of the late Sgt Patrick Stewart and his brave wife Roberta. Here is a briefer article out of

Happy Feet

2007-04-04T23:11:00.002-04:00

So Happy Feet (Full Screen Edition) was recently released on DVD and I pre-ordered it, so it came right away. I hadn't seen it in theatres, but my sister had and she recommended it. The funny thing about Happy Feet is that it's really not that entertaining and it doesn't make alot of sense. And yet, we love it. It's strange. Robin Williams is fantastic in it. He plays a number of characters.

The War on Easter

2007-03-12T23:08:00.003-04:00

Yes, you knew it would come. In what may seem like a step forward for political correctness, several retail locations and cities are renaming (or rather, re-renaming) their floppy-eared crowd-pleaser the Spring Bunny or the Big Bunny or the March Hare or whatever in order to appeal to a broader audience and avoid offending people. Of course, they have offended people. As a Pagan, I am not at