My Pagan Path and The Crossroads

Empathic–I know how we feel.

2012-03-02T06:12:00.001-07:00

I am an empath. That is to say that I can feel the emotions, feelings, and states of being of those around me.

I haven’t always been an empath. The ability emerged during my early teenage years. It was quite abrupt. One minute I was a normal teenager in my church youth group and the next I was overwhelmed by sadness and hurt and it wasn’t coming from me. I realized that it was coming from another kid in the group who wasn’t even in the same room of the church as I was.

At the time I didn’t know what it was. I didn’t even think about it after the emotions left my mind. The ability then laid dormant for a few years until I arrived for basic training in the US Air Force. I again began to sense things from other people. This time was different then the first time because it was more subdued. I wasn’t overwhelmed by any one person but I could sense many at one time. Being that I was in a place that didn’t really lend itself to learning about what was happening to me I just let it happen and soon I was able to quiet some of the things I was getting but I never completely shut them off. I found that if I did try to shut it down I found I missed it. I also found it difficult to communicate with people if I wasn’t able to sense them as well. Having the ability working all the time helped me get through basic training because I knew what people expected before others.

My ability has never waivered since then. I have even found that I was able to use it to help a local store cut down on loss by catching shop lifters. I know it sounds weird and maybe a bit superhero like but let me explain. I worked as a merchandiser for a magazine distributor and it was my job to stock and clean up the magazine and book displays found in the major grocery stores. In one particular store the racks were in an isle that was a heavily travelled part of the store; so many customers pasted by me. Like I said I have never put up shields to block other people I just have a way to filter it. Every so often I would be working away on my job and someone would walk behind me and I got the distinct feeling that they were going to lift something from the store or going to do something else undesirable while shopping. As soon as I realized what I was feeling I immediately let security know and they would watch the person. I was quite surprised that they never asked how I knew it was going to happen, but I was kind of surprised about how right I was.

Today I still run with shields down. I enjoy being able to sense so many people while I am out and about. The malls are the best. I don’t get headaches or take on the emotions of others unless it is really, really intense and then I have to roll with it or try to block it. Blocking usually doesn’t work. I have found it helpful in driving is a big city like Denver too. I can sense what the other drivers are going to do and I can adjust to it there by avoiding accidents.

My ability has even evolved to encompass being able to feel spirits while on paranormal investigations. Of course it is different then the living but it is from the same core ability.

I know that I would miss this ability if for some reason I was without it. It has become a part of me and me of a part of it. I am not a slave to it and it doesn’t run my life. I treat as any other skill I have. I work with it and keep it active so I don’t lose it.

I know that some people are on a different level and that they are affected differently by being able to sense others emotions. For those I suggest learning some good shielding techniques to quiet the barrage. Don’t try to deny it, shut it off or prevent it form happening.

Blessed Be!

Bloodroot - A plant whose roots 'bleed'.

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Botanical Name: Sanguinaria Candensis

Family: N.O. Papaveraceae

Folkname: Indian Paint, Tetterwort, Red Pucoon, Red Root, Paucon, Coon Root, Snakebite, & Sweet Slumber.

BLOODROOT

Bloodroot is a perennial plant that grows low to the ground. Its habitat ranges from Prairie Provinces of Canada, as far south as Florida and west to Arkansas and Nebraska, in the United States. Bloodroot favors open woods. The plant produces flowers in spring of white with golden stamens. After the bloom fades the leaves grow larger and die down in the fall. The autumn is when the roots of the plant are harvested. The roots are actually rhizomes and when harvested they need to be stored in a dry place to prevent deterioration. The seeds are spread by ants who take the seed pods to their colonies, eat the flesh of the pod, and take the seed to the ‘garbage pile’ where the seeds then germinate.

Historical Uses

The rhizome of the Bloodroot plant exudes a bright red sap when the root is cut or broke. This red sap was used by Native Americans as a dye for clothing and for body paint. The use of the sap for body paint is dangerous because of the damaged the sap can cause if applied directly. It is thought that the sap was mixed with some there ingredient to prevent this from happening.

We DO NOT endorse the use of this herb for internal use as it can be very harmful even fatal if too much is ingested. The following is for historical purposes only and is from Botanical.com.

“Emetic cathartic expectorant and emmenagogue, and of great value in atonic dyspepsia, asthma, bronchitis and croup. (The taste is so nauseating, that it may cause expectorant action.) Of value in pulmonary consumption, nervous irritation and helpful in lowering high pulse, and in heart disease and weakness and palpitation of heart of great use. For ringworm apply the fluid extract. Also good for torpid liver, scrofula, dysentery. It is applied to fungoid growths, ulcers fleshy excrescences, cancerous affections and as an escharotic. Sanguinaria root is chiefly used as an expectorant for chronic bronchitis and as a local application in chronic eczema, specially when secondary to varicose ulcers. In toxic doses, it causes burning in the stomach, intense thirst, vomiting, faintness vertigo, intense prostration with dimness of eyesight.”

Magickal Uses and Correspondences

Bloodroot is a popular herb used in VooDoo as a protective ‘hex-breaker’. Bloodroot is also popular for use in rituals and spell pertaining to relationships and marriage. There are two kinds of Bloodroot used in these cases, the darker ‘King’ root for the male aspect and the lighter ‘Queen’ root for the female aspect. The root would be placed in a red sachet and then placed within the bed of the couple to ensure a healthy marriage.

Bloodroot is also excellent as a protective charm for one’s home. Placing a root within the home, out of reach of pet and children (remember it is poisonous) is said to protect from negative energies and spells. Burning of the root as a powder is said to have the same effect. (use caution when burning a known poisonous herb, burn in a well ventilated area or outside)

Bloodroot can be substituted for actual blood in spells that require such an ingredient. Of course this should only be done if the spell or rituals DOES NOT require the ingestion of whatever the bloodroot was used in. Again, it is a poisonous herb.

Bloodroots are primarily masculine but as stated before the lighter roots can be used in the feminine aspect.

Bloodroot’s planetary relation is to Mars with the elemental relation being Fire. Bloodroot has no specific deity association. Previous experience lends that if you are working with a deity who corresponds to Mars and Fire then the use of Bloodroot in spells and rituals is acceptable.

Of Special Interest

Sanguinarine is a part of the sap from the Bloodroot. This was widely used in toothpaste to help destroy plaque. While this use was approved by the FDA, it has been recently shown that the continued use of the toothpastes with this ingredient caused cancers of the mouth. Sanguinarine is still used by some companies in their formulas.

In the End

Bloodroot is a very interesting plant. It has been around for thousands of years and has made it mark through the use of its red ‘blood’ as a dye and through the use of one of its chemicals as a dental product. Bloodroot is very poisonous and should not be used internally or topically. It should be used for your magick workings as desired.

As always, do your research! Never use an herb before doing your due diligence and know what you are doing.

Now for those who don’t listen.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

A dark house…dreaming

2012-01-16T19:26:00.001-07:00

The house is enormous, dark, and it is in my dreams. I have not only dreamed of this imposing dwelling once but many times. Each time it is the same.

I some how know the house like a friend. I know the quiet rooms, walls covered in their ancient papers, floors of rooms covered in lush carpets, halls illuminated dimly with antique sconces and gas flames. Wood floors polished and clean. Staircases, embellished with wooden banisters travel from floor to floor.

Each night I dream of this house I find myself wandering through the halls, from room to room, and up the endless stairs. Musty odors fill my nostrils as I tread down the dim halls. My foot steps echo through out as I make my way through the house. I travel the same path each time I am in the house. The same halls, rooms and stairs. Each smell and sound the same. I am happy and calm as I travel the path set before me.

Finally I find the large central staircase that winds, tightly up to a single room. Slowly I climb. Windows open to an out of focus world beyond the smoky glass. I reach the threshold of the room and find that I am not able to pass through. No obvious barrier exists but I am held out. I can see what is inside the room. All the items are familiar to me. I remember sitting in the small room and peering out the clear windows on the world outside. I remember learning things in this room and finding things too. Now the room is dark and still, dust covers the small table and chair. Cobwebs, almost as if embodying the cliché, hang from the corners and over the windows. The once clear glass, now clouded with age.

I am confused and sadden. Why am I not able to return to a room that I looked forward to being in? Night after night I return to the room and find it closed to me still, each night the room grew darker and darker.

I haven’t dreamt of traveling through the house in some time but I have the house appearing in my mind’s eye recently, first in vague detail and now in full detail. I sit and wonder during my waking hours if I will be walking through the rooms, halls and staircases or if I will be taking a different journey.

I know now that the room at the top of the house will never be open to me again. I know that the room was a place for me to learn about myself and for me to be found. I stared my path in that room and I will forever remember it even if I am not able to return to it. The house remains open to me and me open to the house.

A dark house…dreaming.

Angelica–An angel of an herb

2012-01-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

Woodland Angelica

Botanical Name: Angelica Archangelica

Family: N.O. Umbbelliferae

Folk names: Root of the Holy Ghost, Archangel Root, Garden Angelica

Cut Angelica

Angelica is a biennial plant. While growing during the first year only leaves appear; during the second year a stem grows up to 6 feet tall. The flowers bloom in July, are small and numerous. They range in color from yellow to green. Angelica favors a damp soil and can be found near rivers and bodies of water. Angelica is native to Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greenland and Iceland where if favors the northern regions. It is cultivated in France. I can also be found in Germany's Harz Mountains and in the Rodna Mountains of Romania.

History and Uses

For detailed information on this interesting herb see here.

Healing with Angelica

It has been reported that Angelica relieves the symptoms from the Colds, Flu, and Bronchitis. It is also known to be used as a digestive aid and a relief for arthritis. For an Infusion: Steep 1 teaspoon of leaves or seeds, powdered, in one cup of water. For a decoction: Use 1 teaspoon of dried root per cup of water. Boil then simmer for 2 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes then drink up to 2 cups a day. It will be BITTER.

Angelica is poisonous if the roots are not dried so be sure to dry the roots completely if it is grown. Angelica should not be given to pregnant women. Internal use of Angelica may cause photo-sensitivity.

The FDA includes Angelica in its list of safe herbs. Be sure to adhere to the previous information. As always consult your doctor before using any herbs and if you develop problems after taking the herb.

Magical Uses and Correspondences

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Deity: Venus

If the plant is grown is it believed to be protective. Because of this it is a good additive for all protective mixtures as well as for exorcisms. Bathe with the roots to remove curses, hexes and spells that have laid against you. To protect your property from evil; sprinkle the root of the Angelica plant around the border.

photos found here and here.

The Pagan Blog Project–Ready to go.

2012-01-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

I have officially joined up with the other blogs in The Pagan Blog Project for 2012 sponsored by Rowan Pendragon at One Witch’s Way.

I have signed up for the newsletter and joined the Facebook page.

Now I just need to start writing. That is going to be the challenge. But this is a new year and a new direction has been set before me in many areas of my life so I am sure I will have things to write about as the weeks go on.

On a side note…congratulations to Rowan and Devin for their move to the Pagan Radio Network with The Modern Witch. I will have to check it out.

Blessed Be!

Questions on Yule–from the Deepest Well

2011-12-20T14:42:00.001-07:00

This post is in response to questions posed by Aine over on The Deepest Well blog.

The questions pertain to Yule and doing a ritual. The Yule rituals I have been in have all be done with my coven, the Coven of the Rising Phoenix.

Do you perform ritual at this time of year?

Yes. Funny thing is that I have always done a ritual at this time of year. Now the ritual may not have been of the Yule variety but what my family and I did every year since I can remember can be considered a “ritual”. Every year we would all load up in a car and travel to the Grandparents houses to celebrate Christmas, eat to capacity and open gifts. It was quite ritualistic.

I still adhere to the family gatherings as work allows but I now have one more ritual to perform; the ritual to celebrate the returning of the sun, the Yule ritual.

Do I use someone else’s script, my own, or do I combine them?

I choose to combine them. I find that combining a ritual that was written by someone else with piece of my own design it makes the ritual richer. I might add a line to the calling of the quarters, or I might completely redo them but keep the rest. For this year’s ritual I found a great ritual online that expressed exactly what I was looking for in some respects but not in others. So I took what I needed, augmented where I needed and added what I needed and BAM!…Yule Ritual.

Well maybe not so much BAM. As I began to create the ritual, placing the parts and assigning parts to people I found myself with another’s mind. Having never experienced divine intervention I was quite taken aback. A part of the ritual, the working, was going to be making a Yule potpourri whilst chanting and charging the herbs. I was “told” that is not what should be happening and I was given a “nudge” toward what should be done for the working. I will admit that what I did write out and that we did do was quite magickal if I do say so myself.

Do I perform the same ritual every year or change it up?

The Yule rituals have been different each year with this year’s being the first one I have created for the coven as well as the first one my partner and I have hosted in our home.

What associations do you associate with Yule?

For me personally I will always associate this time of year with gathering with family and friends, whether it be for Christmas or Yule. I will always remember waking up on Christmas day, getting all dressed up and going to church services with the family and then heading over to one of the grandparents house for dinner and gifts. The smell of my grandmother’s cooking, my grandfather sitting in his chair in the kitchen, listening to the radio, usually a ball game. He never did watch them on TV. The sight of my other grandparent’s huge tree, decorated and stuffed at the base with wrapped gifts. The anticipation of what was wrapped in the brightly colored and shiny paper under the trees and the joy of ripping said paper apart to get at what was hidden. The screams of delight at toys and the silence toward clothes. The warm and loving smiles from my parents and grandparents no matter how we reacted. Even the hard times, for with out them we are less then we are now. The shyness felt when confronted with relatives that I hadn’t seen since the last time. Sitting in front of the TV, watching Rudolf, Frosty, and Charlie Brown all on the same night. Eating too much candy and still wanting more.

As my grandparents pass beyond the veil traditions are lost and associations change. New traditions emerge and families that were at one time split return together to celebrate as one again. Change in beliefs opens up new associations and new traditions. Celebrating the returning Sun and the promise that in a few months warmth will again venture across the land if only for a time. Gathering with new people whom I now consider another family as I celebrate with them. Turning the Wheel.

Remember your past. Keep hold of the traditions that you have whether they be relevant to your spiritual path or not. They are a part of you, they make you, without them you are diminished. Create new traditions and keep them as well. Celebrate and Honor as you choose to do but remember your families, friends and the Divine in all that is.

Blessed Be!

The Pendle Witches–Returning from the past

2011-12-11T09:19:00.001-07:00

November 14 2011. This was the first day that I heard of the Pendle Witches, specifically Alice Nutter. Alice was charged with witchcraft in 1612 in the Lancaster Witch Trials and was later hanged. The village of Blacko was the site of where Alice was seen at Malkin Tower, also known as Stansfield Tower and Blacko Tower, with what was deemed a witch’s coven.
Now a memorial statue to Alice Nutter has been commissioned to mark the 400th anniversary of the trials. It will be placed in the village of Blacko.
Statue plan to celebrate ‘Pendle Witch’ Alice - Peek Into The Past - Pendle Today
The next day I found more information on the Pendle Witches and the planned statue from the BBC.
Statue of Pendle Witch Alice Nutter to be commissioned
I was very intrigued by this news that after 400 years, what happened to these victims of fear and confusion will now be memorialized. It shows that people are finally realizing how wrong the trials were.
What happened next is kind of eerie if you think about it.
December 8th, 2011. The BBC reports - 'Witch's cottage' unearthed near Pendle Hill, Lancashire.
The story even hopped the pond and was reported by Fox News -
Centuries-Old Witches' Cottage and Mummified Cat Unearthed in Britain
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/12/08/centuries-old-witches-cottage-and-mummified-cat-unearthed-in-britain/#ixzz1gF2LuBFg
You have to admit that it is quite interesting that only a month after the planned memorial was announce that this ‘cottage’ was unearthed. Add the fact that within a wall of the building the mummified remains of a cat were found and it is hard to dismiss the claims that it belonged to one of the witches of Pendle. Admittedly there isn’t any ‘concrete’ evidence that a Pendle Witch resided within the walls of the well preserved building. This hasn’t stifled the talk and the supposition among the locals and witches from around the globe.
Is there some supernatural link between these two events? Are the spirits of Alice Nutter and the 10 other villagers, who were executed for witchcraft, now setting out to uncover more history of their lives? What will be found next?
Next year will be the 400th anniversary of the Lancaster Witch Trials, which were held on the 18th and 19th of August, 1612.
This is an image of the original title page from The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster

The trial not only accused the women of Pendle but also other people, men and woman, from around the area of witchcraft.
It is nice to see that this information is now becoming mainstream and not relegated to the tabloids alongside who had the newest alien baby or the new date for the end of the world.
I am going to keep a watchful eye out for the next installment of the Return of the Pendle Witches.
Blessed Be.

MULLEIN ~ Just what the heck it is.

2011-12-07T12:33:00.001-07:00

Mullein, I am sure many of you have seen this very interesting plant but never gave it a second thought. I was in that arena as well until we started to sell it in our online store, Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace. We were selling pounds of it to people all over the country and even some overseas. That led me to do some research to find out why it was in such high demand. I searched many sites and blogs and such to find that most all the information was the same. I settled on one particular site, Botanical.com and the page on Mullein. So here is what all the fuss is about.

Mullein's Botanical name is Verbascum thapsus. Through history, Mullein has been known by many names. Here they are - White Mullein. Torches. Mullein Dock. Our Lady's Flannel. Velvet Dock. Blanket Herb. Velvet Plant. Woollen. Rag Paper. Candlewick Plant. Wild Ice Leaf. Clown's Lungwort. Bullock's Lungwort. Aaron's Rod. Jupiter's Staff. Jacob's Staff. Peter's Staff. Shepherd's Staff. Shepherd's Clubs. Beggar's Stalk. Golden Rod. Adam's Flannel. Beggar's Blanket. Clot. Cuddy's Lungs. Duffle. Feltwort. Fluffweed. Hare's Beard. Old Man's Flannel. Hag's Taper. It is quite interesting to see how people find names for things. Many of the name are created because of how the plant looks. The leaves are soft, felt-like and spongy so that explains some of them. Other names originated because of the use as a torch.

So where do you find Mullein?

That is quite easy. Pretty much everywhere.

From the Botanical.com - "the Great Mullein, is a widely distributed plant, being found all over Europe and in temperate Asia as far as the Himalayas, and in North America is exceedingly abundant as a naturalized weed in the eastern States. It is met with throughout Britain (except in the extreme north of Scotland) and also in Ireland and the Channel Islands, on hedge-banks, by roadsides and on waste ground, more especially on gravel, sand or chalk. It flowers during July and August."

Pray tell, what does it look like?

Mullein has two growing seasons so it will look different depending on which season it is in. Season one it will be close the ground and have only a rosette of leaves between 6-15 inches long. In the second season the rosette of leaves will have a stem rise from the center. The stem will have alternating leaves similar to the lower rosette. As the stock reaches full height of between 4-5 feet tall a flower spike will emerge and this will house the many yellow flowers of the Mullein plant.

So what can you do with this herb?

The Botanical.com as a wonderful piece on this. I am posting it here for your reference.

The Mullein has very markedly demulcent, emollient and astringent properties, which render it useful in pectoral complaints and bleeding of the lungs and bowels. The whole plant seems to possess slightly sedative and narcotic properties. It is considered of much value in phthisis and other wasting diseases, palliating the cough and staying expectoration, consumptives appearing to benefit greatly by its use, being given in the form of an infusion, 1 OZ. of dried, or the corresponding quantity of fresh leaves being boiled for 10 minutes in a pint of milk, and when strained, given warm, thrice daily, with or without sugar. The taste of the decoction is bland, mucilaginous and cordial, and forms a pleasant emollient and nutritious medicine for allaying a cough, or removing the pain and irritation of hemorrhoids. A plain infusion of 1 OZ. to a pint of boiling water can also be employed, taken in wineglassful doses frequently. The dried leaves are sometimes smoked in an ordinary tobacco pipe to relieve the irritation of the respiratory mucus membranes, and will completely control, it is said, the hacking cough of consumption. They can be employed with equal benefit when made into cigarettes, for asthma and spasmodic coughs in general. Fomentations and poultices of the leaves have been found serviceable in hemorrhoidal complaints. Mullein is said to be of much value in diarrhea, from its combination of demulcent with astringent properties, by this combination strengthening the bowels at the same time. In diarrhea the ordinary infusion is generally given, but when any bleeding of the bowels is present, the decoction prepared with milk is recommended. On the Continent, a sweetened infusion of the flowers strained in order to separate the rough hairs, is considerably used as a domestic remedy in mild catarrhs, colic, etc. A conserve of the flowers has also been employed on the Continent against ringworm, and a distilled water of the flowers was long reputed a cure for burns and erysipelas. An oil produced by macerating Mullein flowers in olive oil in a corked bottle, during prolonged exposure to the sun, or by keeping near the fire for several days, is used as a local application in country districts in Germany for piles and other mucus membrane inflammation, and also for frost bites and bruises. Mullein oil is recommended for earache and discharge from the ear, and for any eczema of the external ear and its canal. Dr. Fernie (Herbal Simples) states that some of the most brilliant results have been obtained in suppurative inflammation of the inner ear by a single application of Mullein oil, and that in acute or chronic cases, two or three drops of this oil should be made to fall in the ear twice or thrice in the day. Mullein oil is a valuable destroyer of disease germs. The fresh flowers, steeped for 21 days in olive oil, are said to make an admirable bactericide. Gerarde tells us that 'Figs do not putrifie at all that are wrapped in the leaves of Mullein.' An alcoholic tincture is prepared by homoeopathic chemists, from the fresh herb with spirits of wine, which has proved beneficial for migraine or sick headache of long standing, with oppression of the ear. From 8 to 10 drops of the tincture are given as a dose, with cold water, repeated frequently.

I have found the plant. Now what do I do?

Well that depends on what you intend to make. If you are going to make the ear oil, you just need to harvest the flowers from the plants. This can be quite a challenge given that the flowers have no stems. It is best to get the flowers that have fully opened and are near the bottom of the spike. These are easier to remove. If you are interested in the Mullein Tea then you will need the leaves of the plant. These can either be obtained by removing them individually from the lower part of the plant (not the ones at the very bottom as they are usually damaged and don't do well). Remembering to only remove some of the leaves and move to the next plant, this is done to ensure the plant survives to produce the seeds needed to self populate. Another method is to remove the whole plant by cutting at the base just above the bottom leaves. I would recommend this only if the area you are harvesting from has a large number of plants. Once you have the entire plant, it can be hung like other herbs to dry and the entire plant processed as needed. More detailed information on the uses can be found at The Botanical.com.

If you aren't inclined to head out and harvest the herbs yourself we have this herb and many others available in our store at Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace.

Next week is Hyssop. (a rush of ohs and ahs fills the room)

Blessed Be!

Let the merging begin

2011-12-07T11:48:00.001-07:00

In an effort to maximize my time and minimize the effort I have decided to merge my three blogs.

I found Windows Live Writer to post to the 3 blogs. This will allow me to send out my postings a lot easier. You probably already saw the test post.

What does that mean for the content of my blogs? It means that the content will be expanded. I am going to repost many of the posts from one blog to another in an effort to share all my knowledge.

Today will be the first day I am going to do this merging with a new/old post.

Stay tuned and Blessed Be.

Testing Writer

2011-12-07T11:40:00.001-07:00

This is a test posting using Windows Live Writer.

Coming back from vacation.

2011-11-29T19:30:00.001-07:00

I am coming back from a vacation for the Thanksgiving holiday with family. I am going through emails, blogs and other stuff and thinking about what I am going to write about first.

Stay Tuned.

Blessed Be.

HELP the Domestic Pagan!!!

2011-11-16T12:26:00.001-07:00

This is a call out to help Serenity Raven over at The Domestic Pagan with a problem she had with her URL.

The new link to the page now http://www.thedomesticpagan.net/. If you have links to her please verifiy they have the .net at the end, not the .com as it is not valid anymore.

Thank you for your time.

Night of Hecate - Celebrate the Dark Goddess

2011-11-16T11:57:00.001-07:00

I want to thank Aine over at The Deepest Well for reminding me that tonight is infact the Night of Hecate. It is the prefect time for me to honor the most wonderul goddess Hecate.

I have found the great ritual over on Hecate's Cauldron to do tonight after sunset. I need to figure out what kind of dinner to fix tonight. My partner doesn't like fish so that is out. I think a simple meal will be just fine and I will make some special items to take to a crossroads and leave in offering.

Blessed Be!!!

Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace - My Store

2011-11-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

Okay. It is time for a shameless plug.

Aside from posting to this blog I also post to a second blog here.

Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace is my online store that I run with my partner and a friend.

We started out on eBay in 2009 and continue to have great success with it and expanded to a web presence off of eBay in 2010.

I am very proud of our stores, both eBay and the stand-alone one. So I am going to plug the stand-alone one today.

We carry over 3000 items in the store. We carry a wide variety of herbs like Angelica Root, Mugwort, Devil's Shoestring, Bloodroot, Mandrake and Horehound just to name a few.
We also have over 500 jewelry items for sale, including Pentagrams, Talismans, and even crystals. If you need some items to put on your altar we also carry a wide selection of athames, chalices, cauldrons, and candles.

Aside from the traditional items you expect to find we also carry trinket boxes, herb cupboards, and chests to put your smaller items in to keep them safe. See them here.

Need a journal to start your very one Book of Shadows, Dream Journal or private diary? We have a large selection of blank journal books. All are bound in leather with pages made of recycled bio-mass to protect the vanishing forests. They come in diffent styles and sizes. The popularity of these journals causes them to sell out fast so our inventory is contantly changing so checking out the store often is recommended to see what has returned to available status. To see what journals we have click here. Along with the leather bound journals you will find hard bound, spiral bound, lined and unlined journals.

Statues, statues, and more statues.
Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Hindu. Just some of the pantheons we have statues of. Whether you are looking for the Mighy Thor or the beautiful and powerful Isis they are in the store awaiting you.

I hope you stop on by and check out our store. We will be happy to have you.

Blessed Be!!!

The Witch's Circle - Spells - A discussion

2011-11-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

This post is in response to The Witch's Circle discussion on the blog The Deepest Well. Fly on over and check out the original posting and read what others have said too.

Spells.

Everyone knows of spells cast by witches and wizards from reading J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series. Admittedly I have my favorites that I wish I could really do. Confundus being one. With the return of witches to prime time TV on CW's The Secret Circle, the witch's spell is back in the spotlight. A place it hasn't been in since three sisters, who just happened to be witches, Charmed their way in to people's living rooms each week.

Movies have had a share of spellcasting witches as well. Practical Magic had its reluctant Sally Owens and her siren sister Jillian; as well as the aunts, Jet and Francis who would be happy to cast a spell for a fee. The Craft saw spellcasting in the darkest of forms from Nancy (Fairuza Balk), Bonnie (Neve Campbell), and Rochelle (Rachelle True). Three seemingly ordinary women, soon realized the art of spellcasting when they bring Daryl Van Horne into their lives in The Witches of Eastwick. Men also get with the casting in the tale of five male witches in The Covenant. Even Disney, yes Disney has been replete with spellcasting. Let us not forget the wonderful Substitutiary Locomotion spell used by the magnificent Miss Price, played by Angela Lansbury.

So spells are pretty common place in today's world, albeit the spiced up Hollywood version; but in some cases those spells the actors are casting have been in some part influenced by true crafting of real spells by real witches.

In The Craft, Fairuza helped the movie makers with certain aspects to ensure they did things right. The new TV show The Secret Circle, the producer Kevin Williamson stated that they are constantly doing research in to the craft to ensure accuracy. Does this mean that if you see a spell done by an actor on a television program or an actor in a movie that you can do the same spell to the same conclusion. I wouldn't think so unless there is something I have been missing since I started practicing the craft.

A spell is more then just a bunch of fancy words the might happen to rhyme. The wonderfully written spell to hear thoughts from Charmed isn't going to let you do just that.

As flame lights shadow
And truth ends fear
Open locked thoughts
To mind's willing ear.
May the smoke from
this candle into everywhere creep.
Bring innermost voices to my mind in speech.

A spell is something that is done by a person with intent and awareness to create change. Yes, the words can rhyme and yes, they can be in verse. But that isn't a requirement. The words don't even really have to make perfect sense to anyone as in the spell from Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Substitutiary is not actually a word but it get the point across nicely. Spells also use energies provided by the caster to do what they are intended to do. Without the needed 'fuel' a spell will more then likely fizzle before doing what it is intended. I again reference the spell from above. Watch the video. Miss Price tries the spell once but nothing happens. The shoes just sit there. It isn't until they add music and dancing does the spell take effect and with some quite extraordinary results. That is the addition of energies.

Are spells important? Well...yes. I am with Aine on this one. What is a witch without spells? What is witchcraft without the occasional casting? The two go hand in hand.

Which way is Witch. Is there a correct way to do a spell? If you pose this question to a room full of witches you will get a room full of usually different answers. In my opinion there are as many right ways to do a spell as there are wrong ways. The best judge of this is you. If you are casting a spell and something just 'feels' wrong then it probably is. Trust in ones self and ones senses is one the most valuable asset a witch can have. Do some more research on the spell, on the intent and on what is required. Did you miss something in your preparation? There are many people that will tell you that 'this is the only way to do this spell' and for them that may be correct but not all witches are created equal. Thank the gods. Of course it is completely alright to create a spell from scratch.

Rules. To cast or not to cast? I am going to defer to what Aine so wonderfully wrote in her blog.

As for the rules. Well, we have all heard some of the various versions of the Wiccan Rede. I feel that harming none is impossible. We are all touched by everything everyone does - as we are all connected. Inaction can harm as much as action. This is not to suggest that there are no rules, but every instance must be considered on it's own. It's always wise to think about your Work before you begin and to examine your motives and decide on the most ethical way you can achieve your goals. Sometimes this means doing nothing. Sometimes this means being very involved. An ethical witch knows what to do and what to stay away from, and the inbetween ways you can do your Work without disturbing things unnecessarily or unjustly. Sometimes it's a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils. Nothing magical should be done in haste or extreme emotion. Magical Work should be done after much thought and soul searching. These are my only rules in regards to spell casting and I feel by following these rules, a witch will not do anything he/she regrets.

I found a wonderful book on the art of crafting and casting spells. Power Spellcraft for Life by Arin Murphy-Hiscock is filled with great information on all aspects of spells.

As with all part of being a witch, read, and by all mean ask questions.

Thanks to Aine for these wonderful topics of which I have had so much fun writing about.

Comments are always welcomed so please leave one if you are so moved do so.

Blessed Be!!!

The Pagan New Year - Starting over

2011-11-04T09:38:00.000-06:00

Samhain has passed and like all other years we have talked with our ancestors and released what we have gathered over the year into the flames of the Samhain fire.

Now it is November and a new month and new turning of the Wheel.

Most of the world celebrates the new year on the calendar day of Janurary 1st. But as pagans we see the new year as starting on November 1st. I will admit that this concept took some time to grasp. So now it celebrate two 'new' years. One for my personal spirituality and one with the rest of the world. Can't miss out on all the parties and watching amateur hour.

New Year's Resolutions. Never been really big on them. Yea I used to make the occasional one about no junk food, quitting smoking (back when I smoked), all the usual stuff. Did I ever stick to them...nope. I think I actually quit smoking over about a week's time in July many years ago. So yea, don't do resolutions. I do however make plans for what I want to do in the upcoming time. These plans can change of course based on any number of events that happen over the year but at least I have them down.

As far as my spirituality goes with the new year; I had a very interesting discussion with Hecate over Samhain. With out going into too much detail, because it was between her and I, I need to focus on what I want and how I want it. There is no right or wrong when it comes to your own path. So that is what I am going to focus on this year. Walk the path of my choosing, the way I want to walk it. If I want to skip down it, fine. If I want to stroll along and stop every so often to take in the scenery, that is fine too. I will not be swayed by others who think I should 'walk this way' down MY path. IF something blocks my path then I will remove it in my own way. When a crossroads appears in MY path I will decide which path to take.

I will also be more cognizant of the gifts given me by the gods. Too often we trundle through our day and don't realize all that we are given. No matter how small.

Just this morning as I was beginning this post I looked out the large window next to the desk and a murder of crows passed by on their way to whatever a murder of crows does and saw more then a murder of crows. I saw the goddess and I felt blessed.

This upcoming year I will pay more attention to these things as I believe everyone should. The old gods haven't left, they just need to be remembered and honored and seen.

This new year we need to walk OUR paths, because it is OUR path.

The Witch's Circle ~ My Commitment to the Path

2011-10-28T08:45:00.000-06:00

This post is in response to The Witch's Circle discussion on the blog The Deepest Well. Fly on over and check out the orginial posting and read what others have said too.

I was raised Lutheran, which is one of the many branches of the Christian faith. I believe I was baptised, I was a bit too young to remember that. Growing up, I attended a Christian school until the 7th grade. I dutifully went to church every Sunday with the family although from what I remember of those days I spent most of the time eating cereal that my grandmother brought in little bags or drawing on the attendance cards. I also went to Sunday School whilst my parents attended Bible Study. At this point I was commited to following the Lutheran faith, or as much as a child can be As I got older I started to pay attention to what was going on and the messages that were being delivered. Now Lutheran isn't as apocalyptic as some of the other Christian branches, but there is still the whole, "follow God or go to Hell" mantra. What finally led me to "leave the Church" was moving away with my mother, going to a small public country school, and not attending church every Sunday. I was able to take a breath and focus on being a teenager and becoming an adult.

I came to the worlds of paganism while trolling the section of book at my local Border's that is usually way in the back, the Metaphysical Section. Cue the ethereal music. I had looked at the book in these sections before but always under the radar when my family wasn't looking or I was alone. But that day was different. I made a point of going there, of taking my time and finding a book to buy. I found the "Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard" by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, or it found me, I am not clear on that part. I bought it that day and began reading as soon as I got home. The more I read the more I realized that this is what I was missing all those long Sundays while sitting in the huge church on hard wood pews. I immediately made the 'commitment' to follow Oberon's teachings and set out to gather what I needed.

With my path clear, or so I thought, I set up an altar. I read more and learned more. The more I read, the more the Ah-Ha moments came around. Things resonated with me. But there was, and still is this little bit of what was that sits at the back of the room and pokes me with a stick. I ignored it and continued on with my reading. I eventually joined the online school attached to the book and began studies there. While it was fun it ended up not being the right thing and the first fork appeared on the path.

A rather lengthy and thought provoking discussion with a soon to be dear friend prompted me to rethink my commitment to my path and where I was going. Yes, part of it was whether I was truly following the correct path. I had my doubts, I will admit that. The thing in the back with the stick again. I didn't know what the the 'thing' was at first then I realized it was a part of my past. My past as a Christian was still there and it wasn't going to be silent. Of course I chose to ignore it and move on with what I wanted to do. I began to read more books on paganism and found that the path I choose is of my own creation. I get to choose where I go and how. Yep another ah-ha moment. I was 'solitary' for quite a while but felt that I was missing something. I soon realized what that was...a coven. I came to the coven I am with now through a friend. Of course they took me in with open arms. I finally felt...well, right. I progressed through the teaching of my Year and A Day and dedicated myself to the path, the craft, the coven, and the goddess. But guess what, I again felt the poking of the stick in my back.

Renouncing my past religion never really crossed my mind until now. Am I ready to do that? Will I loose something of myself by doing so? How will I feel once I do it? Will I feel lighter, more at peace, more focused? How do I do it? Will it help remove the constant nagging of the thing with the stick? These questions need to be answered I believe.

I have had some blocks on my path before. I believed them to be one specific thing but maybe they have been my past religious commitment rising up.

So I am going to think about this, I am going to meditate, and I am going pose questions to my coven, my friends in the craft and my deities.

I am committed to my Pagan Path and The Crossroads that I may come upon, but I need to make it the only commitment where my faith is concerned.

The Thinning Veil - This is Samhain

2011-10-24T13:18:00.000-06:00

The thinning veil. Now is the time when whispers of those who have passed before us can be heard on the cool winds.The leaves are turning with bright yellow, oranges and reds filling the trees. The harvest is ending as the last crops are picked from the fields.
Pumpkins begin to decorate the homes, their carved faces glowing from candle and light. The Jack-O-Lantern stands guard.
This is SAMHAIN!!! This is HALLOWEEN!!!

Now is the time to honor those who have passed before us. We seek to speak to them once again, to ask questions, and to seek knowledge. We do so with reverence and awe since we know this will only happen this night, the thinning of the veil.

Take up staff and cast a circle vast. Welcome the spirits of element and guide, the Lord and Lady, beckon to our side. Enjoy the night and seek you knowledge, let loose that has kept you and cleanse your way. To the fire give all that is spent and cleanse your way. In crystal, mirror and water gaze, seeking knowledge through the ethereal haze. Dine with them who have eaten not. Bid you farewell to those who were called. Elements, guides, Lord and Lady to their halls. Close your circle and yet be sure that what you have gained is hallowed and pure.

Blessed Be!!!

My Ghost Stories

2011-10-20T08:54:00.000-06:00

Over at Blissful Moon, Lady Rose has shared her first ghostly encounter. She also asked the question of her readers if they believe in ghosts and if they have seen or communicated with one or more. Rather than filling a comment box with my stories I decided to make it a blog post, which is appropriate given the time of year.

My first ghost encounter was in the early 1990’s. I was living in an old Victorian house in Northwest Denver. It had been converted to apartments with two units in the basement, two units on the first level, and two on the upper level. The attic was closed off when I lived there. I lived in one of the basement units with my partner. The second unit in the basement was rented by a single guy named Justin. The units were separated by a thick Cinderblock wall. This was important for the first encounter with the spirit of the house. One night we were awaken by a knocking. The sound seemed to be coming from the brick wall but the knocking was more like on wood. It persisted for some time before we both asked it to stop and it did. The second encounter was solely my partner’s.

We shared the bathroom in the basement with Justin, so we had to leave our unit to use it. One night Shayne opened the door and saw an apparition of an older man standing at the base of the stairs leading up to the main floor. He said the man was transparent and that instead of walking up the stairs he walked into them. We began to inquire about who it could have been and found that the father of the building owner had fallen down the stairs and died when he hit his head on the sewer access pipe at the bottom. We never had any other encounters after that.

I belong to a paranormal investigation group now so my encounters with the paranormal are a pretty common event.

While investigating a house in southern Colorado I experienced what it was like to have an entity physically touch me. While upstairs in the house I felt a chill go up my arm. A second investigator took a picture at the same time and it shows a ‘mist’ on my arm exactly where I reported the chill.

During an investigation of a historical office building in Northern Colorado I experienced a woman whispering in my ear while in the basement. I only heard the whisper not the words. None of the other investigators with me heard it and none of the equipment registered it. Other things happened during that investigation but they were more environmental, less personal.

Colorado is famous for some very active haunted places; most notable is the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.

I have visited this place a couple of times and each time I had experiences. The first time was during a wedding reception. After about 20 minutes in the hotel I began to feel ill. I thought it might have been something I had eaten earlier in the day so I didn’t say anything, but as the night progressed the feeling got worse and unusual. I truly thought I was getting the flu. We excused ourselves from the reception and left the hotel. As soon as we left the grounds of the hotel all the feelings of ill had vanished. We didn’t return that night.

Me second visit to the hotel was solely to investigate the hotel, unofficially of course. During this visit we walked around the lobby and attached rooms, the lower levels and the ballrooms. The upper floors where a lot of activity is reported are off limits to all but paid guests. We did experience some things while walking around but not on the order of apparitions.

Personally I do believe in the existence of ghosts. I have seen too much not to believe.

Charge of the Goddess - Do you really know it?

2011-10-11T08:25:00.003-06:00

The Charge of the Goddess has been around for some time. The one that we are most familiar with was penned by Doreen Valiente the High Priestess of Gerald Gardner in the 1950's. It is believed that the final work by Gardner and Valiente was derived from various sources. Among these is the book by Charles Godfrey Leyland, Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches.

Normally during ritual the Charge of the Goddess is read by the High Priest and the High Priestess. But during the last ritual I attended, our High Priestess was absent so I read the charge. Now I have read the Charge before but never in a ritual atmosphere. I will say it was different.

Reading it gave me pause and made me think. Do I really know it? How many read it and don't think about it? They are just going through the motions.

I am going to post the Charge of the Goddess. Full version by Doreen, not the version by Starhawk. Read it and then really read it. Think about it. It is the pure Charge with all the old English so it might be hard to read at first but if you truly read it will flow easily.

Charge of the Goddess
by Doreen Valiente
Now listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride, and by many other names. At her altars, the youth of Lacedaemon in Sparta made due sacrifice.
Whenever ye have need of anything, once in a month and better it be when the moon is full, then shall ye assemble in some secret place, and adore the spirit of me, I who am Queen of all Witches.
There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets; to these will I teach all things that are as yet unknown.
And ye shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that ye be truly free, you shall be naked in your rites; and yea shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise. For mine is the ecstasy of spirit, and mine also is joy on earth; for my law is love unto all beings.
Keep pure your highest ideals; strive ever toward them, let nothing stop you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth, and mine is the cup of wine of life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Vessel of Immortality.
I am the gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man.Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before.
Nor do I demand sacrifice; for behold, I am the mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the earth.
Hear the words of the Star Goddess, the dust of Whose feet are the hosts of heaven, Whose body encircles the universe.
I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters and the desire of the heart of man.I call upon thy soul to arise and come unto me. For I am the soul of Nature, who gives life to the Universe.
From me all things proceed and unto me all things must return; and before my face, beloved of gods and of men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded, in the rapture of the infinite.Let my worship be within the heart that rejoices for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.

Therefore, let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
And thou who thinketh to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not, unless thou knoweth the mystery; for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

Read it out loud as well as to yourself. Feel the power as the words are spoken allowed. Read it during your daily devotion as a way to honor the divine. Copy it into your book of shadows. Keep it and know it.

Get Off Your Broom: Week 1 Check In

2011-10-11T06:49:00.000-06:00

Yea I am behind. I have been this way for about a week. Go figure. I failed awesomely last week on my eating habits and exercise plans.

Chips, Soda, and other things that I shouldn't be eating dominated last week. Things at home prevented me from getting my walk in.

I don't have a scale right now so I still don't have a number to post. Really need to fix this. So what is my direction this week? Honestly I don't know.

I know the mini challenges revolve around emotional eating. I don't do that. I eat when I am bored. If there is a bag of Lays chips in the house they are gone in 60. I hate when I do it too. I work from home right now so I sit a lot and it is really easy for me to just have something sitting right next to my chair while I work. That stops today. Any chips in the house will only be used for lunches and I will only grab a few out to accompany the sandwich. I am also going to see if I can find the Special K food plan recipes again. I found them before but they have disappeared again. I might have to sign up with the site again to get them.

So after a bumpy start lets see what happens this week.

photo found here.

Get Off Your Broom Challenge - Catching Up!!!

2011-10-03T15:40:00.001-06:00

So this is supposed to be Day 3 of the fitness challenge and of course I am behind. I have a plan in mind but I need to write it out so that I can at least be held accountable. So I am going to go back in time. Hold on....here we go...

September 30th. I read the list of mini-challenges and freaked a little. I have never taken a picture of myself for a fitness thing before. I thought about the whole smart phone bathroom photo. That seems like the best option right now. I will get the done and add it. So what is my plan on how I am going to loose the weight I want and gain the look I want. Walking is definitely going to be on the agenda. Just around the block at first to build up and then further and even heading the paths near where I live and walk among the trees. I don't know how much of the gym type working out I can get to because I don't have equipment nor a membership somewhere.

Eating is going to be the hard part. Not the actual process but the substance. I do enjoy my sodas. I have left it once before and I can do it again. I will just be a little bitchy for a couple days whilst the caffeine leaves my system. I have a good meal plan already to go. I swiped it from the Special K diet program. They have a wonderful system and when I was on it over the summer for about a month I actually lost almost 12 pounds! Why did I stop? If I knew that I wouldn't be here, now would I. No I have no idea why I stopped it. So it is eating at least every 3 hours even if it is a small granola bar or a hand full of crackers. Lots of water. The whole 8 glasses thing. Sometimes plain water sends my body reeling so I add the Crystal Light powders to give me a nice flavor. I will not be giving up the meat though, that is one thing I refuse to do. I will not be eating as much of the cow but I will be having some. I will post some recipes as soon as I find the ones I got from the S-K plan.

So what are my measurements? AAAAHHHH! The HORROR! Okay breathe.

Chest : 42in
Waist : 43in
Hips : 44in

Yea that is just wrong. I don't have a working scale right now. I need to head to Wal-Mart and get a new simple one. My last weight was 220+ lbs. My ideal weight should be about 180-190 lbs for my height.
Now the picture.

So there it is.

Fast forward to October 3rd. I have started on the water. I am going to go for a nice walk tonight. Those might get interesting since the weather is supposed to be cooling off. Going to see what I can rustle up for dinner that follows my plan.

Of course I am also going to seek guidance from my spiritual side as well. I will meditate on all aspects of this challenge and seek help when I am feeling overwhelmed and the desire to quit. I also ask for any encouragement from others as I will also give it where I can.

Oh...and is it me or am I the only guy doing this. hmmmm.

And So It Begins.

Day 1: What is your witchy background?

2011-09-27T08:57:00.000-06:00

2004

This is when it all began, at least as far as my active studying is concerned. I was visiting a big box bookstore in a local mall and I was perusing the new age section. I always found myself drawn to that section of any bookstore and library. I saw all the common books by Cunningham, Starhawk, and Buckland but the one that drew my attention was the Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart. It took me a couple visits to finally get the nerve up to buy the book but that is what fanned the flames of the already burning fire inside me.

I read the book completely and decided to enroll in the online school. The experience I had while working with the school was great. I learned a lot and made some good friends but as time went on I began to realize that I was missing something. I left the online study and set out to find what I was missing.

2005

I found it!

After a couple months of reading articles and stories on the internet I found that the path I was on with the Grey School of Wizardry was only a transition path which leads me to my current path as a Pagan, Witch, and Wiccan. I began to do more research on what it meant to be a Pagan, a Witch and Wiccan. At first I was overwhelmed.

“What book do I get?” “Which author is right and which is wrong?” “Which book is right for me?” These are all questions that I had while I began to explore my path.

I finally realized that what I did was up to me and all the books I read were just for information and advice and that I needed to take them as such. By this time I had accumulated a few books and had managed to gather some nice items for a basic altar. I began to do some small rituals for the moons and even a couple Sabbats. I also began to assemble a Book of Shadows, although it was very elementary and didn’t survive much past its creation.

I was still learning and for some time I followed the Egyptian pantheon, doing rituals to Isis and Osiris for different things. I continued down this path for some time before a fork appeared and I had to make a choice on how I would continue my spirituality. The new path leads away from the pantheon I was working with and my solitary practice. The new path led to me finding a local coven. I also found that I was being drawn to a goddess that I had no information about, and a god that I was familiar with but I had never approached.

Hecate was speaking to me, actually calling and well…shouting. I didn’t realize it until someone in coven had mentioned something about her. After that I sought Hecate in meditation and found her waiting patiently for me. I have honored her ever since. The god I honor is Cernunnos, the Lord Hunter.

Today I am happily a member of a great coven and the path before me may be steep and winding at times but it is my path that I chose to follow, bumps and all.

Back From The Void

2011-09-22T15:08:00.000-06:00

It has been quite awhile since I last posted. There have been some crazy things going on in my personal life that took precedent over anything else and now that my personal life has evened out I can now get back to blogging and other things associated with it.

I am going to go back to Pagan Blog Prompts and post my thought on those items. I have also found a list called, 44 days of Witchery, and I will be posting on those items as well. The posts may be short and they may be long. It all depends on what I have to say.

I am also going to be posting other items. I think I had mentioned it before but my posts will not only be pagan orientated. It should be interesting. So, I hope that my readers stick around and I hope I get some new ones.

Success and My Radiant Soul

2011-07-12T14:53:00.000-06:00

One of my new favorite blogs is One Witch’s Way by Rowan Pendragon; you can check out her blog here.

In one of her latest posts she announces that she will be offering up insights on how to ‘shine up your soul’. She calls this – Your Radiant Soul. Today is the first of the official posting of this new and wonderful idea.

The topic is Success and Your Radiant Soul. Along with talking about her personal insights on it, Rowan also poses questions pertaining to the topic for her readers to discuss, offer their own insights and advice. So that is what I am going to do in this post.

So…Here…We…Go!

Success. Like most people I too see success in terms of the monetary value not the personal joy. I think that is because personally I have never been exposed to anything else. I was raised during a time where a person was judged by what they had not who they were. Today I think that is even truer now than when I was growing up. We didn’t have computers, iPhones, iPads, DVR’s and Blu-Ray players. We were lucky to have a VCR that didn’t break.

I am slowly seeing things different. I guess you could call me self-employed. I am part owner and manage two online storefronts that serve the Pagan community. I get up each morning and after starting a pot of coffee I begin to think about what needs to happen today. I can safely say that what I do brings me joy and with that joy comes some bit of success, because I know I am serving my community and their needs. I certainly don’t do what I do because of money.

If I had to make a change and actually find a paying career I would find it difficult to let go of my private time I have from working as I do. I am alone most of the day so I don’t get interrupted when I am working on inventory or the financials.

The final question that Rowan poses about success is a big one. What would make me feel successful in my heart?

More freedom to explore my spirituality. That would be a good start.

I feel I am successful. I am healthy, I have a wonderful family, I have great friends, a nice house, companion felines who love me and I them. I have a wonderful man who I love dearly. I am walking down my spiritual path, bumps and all.

So I am successful in some places and not so much in others but then again I think that is how most people are.

A New Direction For Me

2011-07-11T15:44:00.000-06:00

Lately I have been at odds with what to post on my blog.

Reading other wonderful posts have given me some wonderful idea. I won't be using the nasty copy/paste option that some people like to use. I will however be referencing their posts and if I quote them they will get due credit.

I am also going to expand on what I talk about in my blog. While the blog will still mainly be about my path as a Pagan and a Witch I am going to post other stuff. This will include things I like, things I hate, and things I do.

Stay tuned. I have many projects so this will take time.

Blessings,
Michael

Summer Solstice - Media in error

2011-06-21T11:28:00.001-06:00

Today is the Summer Solstice.

Celebrations abound all over the world. Stonehenge is particularly busy today.

So I decided to check around the web and see what new articles were around about the solstice celebrations and goings on. There were a few on just a simple search. But I was surprised when I read these ‘news’ stories.

Here is what is a few of the articles said.

“Prior to the arrival of Christianity to northern Europe, cultures celebrated the arrival of the June solstice because it was seen as one of the few times of the year when magic was at its most powerful.

These days, the June solstice is celebrated as the start of summer, although at tourist destinations such as Massachusetts’s Cape Cod, Memorial Day often marks the start of the "summer season" for tourism.

But lest we think of the June solstice only in terms of suntan oil or maypole dances marking "midsummer" solstice celebrations in the Northern Hemisphere, it's also an opportunity to pause and remember those who are sacrificing their summer so that others may learn about climate, or Mars, or the cosmos as a whole – never mind penguins, fossils, and krill.” – Pete Spotts, Christian Science Monitor

“As per some Pagan beliefs, this point of the year marks the marriage of God and Goddess and a celebration of growth and life.” – IBTimes Staff Reporter, International Business Times

“The Swedish celebration is called Midsommar. Like European pagans have done for centuries, this celebration can include singing and dancing around objects such as a flower-studded maypole or a large bonfire. “ – MyFox Houston

Okay…so…yea…wait…Maypole?
Maypole? Really? The marriage of the God and Goddess? Really? *shakes head and walks away.
The problem with the Fox quote is that they have said that all European Pagans celebrate the way the Swedish people do. This is far from the truth.

Since when did the Summer Solstice move to Beltane?

As you can see I chose articles that clearly show exactly how much people don’t know what the Summer Solstice means. I would have thought they would have done some research or something.

Of course I am going to send messages to the editors of these stories and inform them of the mistake and point them in the correct direction.

I also see this as evidence that there is a need for education on what people of pagan faiths believe and celebrate and why. I also encourage everyone to watch when Pagan events are reported on to see if they are accurately portrayed. This will help with continuing education.

This is my activism post. I don't do these often, it takes something to really annoy me for me to post under activism.

Have a Blessed Summer Solstice!!! Blessed Be!!!

What was it all about?

2011-06-08T21:34:00.002-06:00

The contest is over. The winner is chosen.

I sit here reading over posts on blogs and on the Facebook pages of some of the blog owners and I start to get this eerie feeling deep in my core. I will explain this in a second.

First let me over congratulations to Mrs. B the author of Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom for her being voted the top faith blog in the Circle of Moms website.

I would also like to offer my congratulations to Woman Living Well, I Take Joy, A Pagan Mom Blog, A Holy Experience, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Witch Mom: Parenting by the Light of the Moon, Tales of a Kitchen Witch, Hearth-n-home, who round out the top ten. Well done to the remaining 15 blogs who also made the top 25 blogs; may this serve to further respect and knowledge between people and their beliefs.

Now for that eerie feeling.

It mostly came from reading the Facebook postings I found on some of the Facebook pages of the blog owners. I am going to try to explain my thoughts as easy as I can.

The voting was for the top 25 Faith Blog by Mothers. The voting should have been done based on how well the blog author reflected her faith in her blog postings, or as the website says; “Faith is all around us, and it comes in many different forms. This group of exceptional moms nurtures both their families and their faiths to create homes filled with love.” I think that was lost on everyone as the fervor grew over the fact that Pagan faith blogs were being allowed in the list.

I draw this conclusion based on the postings on Like a Warm Cup of Coffee’s Facebook Page. I counted 20 posting asking for votes for the blog owner’s blog and other Christian blogs. On Woman Living Well Facebook page there were a few similar posts. I found similar posts on some of the Pagan pages but those were very selective and done by the blog’s owner. On Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom her Facebook page is filled with news postings and links to other interesting information with only a slight mention of the voting. Is this what the 'contest' was designed for? I can not answer that questions and I leave it for you to find your answer.

So I sit here and I think…why did I vote? I voted because I believe that Mrs. B and Angela both represent their faith within the postings on their blogs in some fashion. I am also guilty of blindly voting for other Pagan blogs because of the fervor and I wonder how many other ‘readers’ have done the same thing on both sides of the faith debate. Not voting because they have read the blogs but because they were told to or asked to do so.

I read a few of the Christian blogs and honestly found it very tiring to read because of all the references to scripture and the incessant quoting of said scriptures from the Bible. It is not very impressive, to me at least, to continue to quote and reference a book over and over and over again. Where is the original thought?

I do hope this will open people’s hearts and minds to other faiths, beliefs, and religions. We are a world of many. Our country is a country of many and that many have the freedom to believe as we want without prosecution from any one group or person.

Blessed Be!

A roadblock on the path

2011-06-02T09:05:00.001-06:00

I have recently come to realize that I have a huge roadblock sitting right smack dab in the middle of my spiritual path. This epiphany came to me as I talked to my High Priest about how I was progressing toward restarting my initiation process.

Let me give a bit of back story.

I came to paganism relatively late in my life. I wasn't raised with it. I can't quite remember when I began exploring this path. I do know that it was first in a book then an online school and finally with the coven I currently belong to. I progressed nicely and soon dedicated with the coven. The next step was to initiate. I thought I was ready, I was not.

Image found here.

During one of my infrequent meditations I was visited by my patron Goddess Hecate and my patron God Herne. It was explained to me that I was not ready to undertake such an important task as initiation and that I needed to do much more before I was. I was quite taken aback by such a overt communication but I was also grateful that my patrons came to me. After the meditation I immediately drafted a letter to my High Priest and High Priestess requesting the my initiation be put on hiatus.

So now I come to the roadblock. I don't do for me. I am always doing for others. I get up around 5:00am and immediately start doing for others. I clean the kitchen, loading the washer and wiping down the counters. I get my partner up and off to work. I get on this computer and start checking mail and start working on our two stores. I also fit laundry in there somewhere too. I also seem to be picking up after our roommate. Oh and lest us not forget the yard work that needs to be done now that spring is here and summer just weeks away. So I don't do for me.

Why? I am worried that if I don't do all these other things that they won't get done, or done right. I am afraid to let got for even a short time. I feel guilty if I take time for myself. I would love to be able to just go into my ritual room, cast circle, and sit in the quiet and meditate. So why don't I just do it? I am doing it now.

I have expressed my feeling to my partner and we have agreed that I just need to take the time I need and not worry about what needs to be done. Easier said then done.

So I am here looking at this massive roadblock and wondering how I am to remove it or go around it. I think I should remove it so that I don't encounter it again further down the path.

I ask my patrons for guidance and patience as I find my way again.

Blessed Be!

Way to go Mrs. B.

2011-05-27T17:44:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to post my joy at finding that on Circle of Moms , Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom Blog is now in the top spot on the Top 25 Faith Blogs by Moms.

There has been a quite a bit of flack coming from some of the other contenders about a Pagan blog being in a 'faith' based contest. That was when Mrs B's blog was just in second place and now that she is in the top spot I can only guess that the complaining is at full speed. One blog was even removed from the contest because of the hatefulness of a post made about Pagan blogs being in contention.

I am going to quickly post what the definition of 'faith' is.

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Definition of FAITH

1 a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions
2 a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust
3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

Take special note of #2 and #3. While the definition does mention the Christian God, it doesn't leave it there. It expounds upon it and to include other religions even if it doesn't name them.

So I celebrate Mrs. B's advancement and I am sure the votes will keep coming in and she will remain at the top.

BLESSED BE!!!

Who I Am!

2011-05-25T19:47:00.000-06:00

Each day I wake up confident in who I am, my spirituality, the choices I have made.

I am grateful for all that I have in my life; my health, my passions, my gifts, my partner, my family, my friends, my spirituality.
I am a simple person in my feelings yet complex in expressing them.
I see the beauty in the world everyday even if there is so much ugliness.

My gifts give me insight to other people and I am blessed to have such insights; it allows me to be a better person because I know someone has the same insight about me.

I...am...I am...I AM...me.

Blessed Be.

Technorati

2011-05-20T15:48:00.000-06:00

My blog will now be showing on Technorati in an effort to get more readers. EVZCSXXFG2G8

Wish me luck.

Are you in or out of the Broom Closet?

2011-04-07T16:33:00.000-06:00

Do others (beyond the computer screen) know what you believe and practice? Or is this something, for whatever reason, which you need to keep hidden? Feel free to elaborate, if you like, about why you are still in, or what it was like 'coming out of the closet' to your closest family and friends.

I decided to do another blog entry this afternoon. The muses just have me going.

I am “out” to some of my family and all of my friends.

Most of my friends are Pagan. In fact one friend in particular is responsible for introducing me to the craft by taking me to the local spiritual retreat 4 years ago. I am out to my mom who thinks it is really cool and doesn’t care as long as I am true to myself. I don’t know if my father completely knows, if he does he doesn’t say anything about it, neither does my step mom. I know they respect my decisions I make in my life. My grandparents are the same way. I don’t think it is really important at this stage of their lives to worry about my spiritual path as long I am happy they are happy.

I don’t keep my beliefs ‘hidden’, how do you hide an herb garden contained in a 5 foot diameter pentagram of white stone. I proudly wear a pentagram, outside my shirt thank you. If I could get away with it I would put bumper stickers on the car but my partner would kill me. I do stop short of wearing my cloak out when it is cold though. While it is a nice green cloak, they just haven’t come back in style yet.

So I guess you could say that I am ‘out of the broom closet’ even though I have never actually been in to begin with. Now the other closet is whole ‘nother Oprah. That is a topic for a later date.

Blessed Be!

What makes you a Pagan?

2011-04-07T09:43:00.001-06:00

And don't just say "Because I'm not Christian".... I would like to see you fully explore how your beliefs fit with those typical of other Pagans. What is it about you and your life that made you associate with the label of "Pagan"?

I was raised Lutheran. I attended church every Sunday with my family. I also remember attending Sunday school and I even went through Confirmation. Through all this I never really felt the connection to the Christian faith. I have read the bible, not cover to cover but how many actually have? The whole doctrine seemed a bunch of bull, to me at least. Now that was many years ago; I don’t doubt that there is an undeniable energy in the Christian faith. I have experienced it first hand by sitting with my family again at the church I grew up with, but I still am not Christian. Oops, I said it didn’t I?

Why do I call myself Pagan? I have thought about this before but I have never written about it. I think that I was destined to follow this path. That would explain my aversion to Christianity. I always liked the thought of magick even before I knew what it was. I flirted with an eastern religion while I was in high school but never kept with it. I think because I didn’t completely understand it and no one was around to explain it. I know that if I had found the trail head of my current path back then I would have been traveling it a lot longer than I have been.

I didn’t think of myself as Pagan at first. When I started down my path a few years ago I was working with Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and his online school, The Grey School. I labeled myself as a wizard. I worked on my studies and surrounded myself with all the trappings of what I thought it meant to be a wizard. I didn’t realize that some of these items were also associated with being Pagan. I bought the candles, athame, chalice, and other stuff. A conversation with a person at a spiritual retreat had me questioning exactly what path I was on and what it meant to me. After that retreat and experiencing the rituals there and talking to other people I realized that the label I had chosen, wizard, was not correct and that Pagan was more appropriate.

I began to explore what it is to be Pagan. I related to many of the aspects. I believed in the existence in multiple gods. I believed that we are all connected to nature and that we should respect it and honor it. I believe in the power of the Moon on us and her aspects.

After my first retreat and the revelations that came from it, I returned to the retreat and became involved in guiding young men through the coming of age ritual offered. This allowed me to explore my beliefs even further and realize that while I enjoyed being solitary for a time I needed something more and sought out a local coven. While working with the people in the coven I found my patron deities. Lady Hecate made herself known to me and I continue to honor her. Lord Cernunnos/Herne has made himself known to me but I believe he has always been with me in some sense since I have always loved all out of doors activities. I also have an affinity for herbs and their uses. I have sewn two robes, one white and one black. I have acquired a couple staffs, one given me by the forest the other found me at a local flea market. I have setup my sacred space and consecrated it with ritual. I try to live my life as a Pagan. I even take the title of Witch now and practice the craft of the witch. I celebrate the Sabbats and the Esbats. I welcome the Faeries in to my house and leave them gifts.

I am Pagan, I am Witch, and I am happy.

Blessed Be!

Pagan Prompts

2011-04-06T20:35:00.000-06:00

I have found a wonderful new blog that gives a prompt to write a blog on and they are centered around paganism. I know this will help with my writer block and allow me to begin posting again.

No new post tonight. To late for me to think past this little note.

Blessed Be.

Away for a bit.

2011-02-09T18:43:00.002-07:00

I will return to posting as soon as my computer returns from service.

Do I want to live forever?

2011-02-01T19:12:00.001-07:00

I have fallen behind a bit on the topics for the Post-A-Day challenge so I am going to do some catching up by posting on topic #29.

Do I want to live forever.

When I was a child I desperately wanted to live forever. I think most kids did. It was one of those fantasy things.

Today my thoughts have changed quite a bit. I now believe that once I pass beyond the veil in death that I will eventually come back to live again through reincarnation. This, in a way, is living forever. One of the biggest draw back from actually living forever is that everyone you care about will pass beyond and leave you. Yea you will make new friends and lovers but they too will pass beyond and leave you to move in an endless cycle. Oh sure it would be interesting to experience the advances, turmoil, wars, times of peace, and other things, I don't believe that would make the endless cycle of loss easier.

Today we are infatuated with the concept of eternal life in the form of vampires in such movies as the Twilight Saga and TV shows like True Blood and Vampire Diaries. Yes they live 'forever' but they must also suffer with living forever.

For me I look forward to seeing The Summerland, to enjoy a rest before returning and living again. That being said I expect to live well into my 90's. Gods willing.

Blessed Be.

Michael

Funniest People in the World - PostADay Topic

2011-01-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

Today's topic on the PostADay challenge is to name 3 of the funniest people in the world.

For me it is quite easy for me to list who I think are the funniest people.

My number one is Mr. Robin Williams. Ever since I saw him in Mork and Mindy I have thought of him as the funniest person on the planet. He is so wonderful in how he can turn any interview into a stand up routine that can have the host unsure where to go next. Every time I see that he is going to be on late night shows like the Late Show with David Letterman I make it a point to watch so I can see what he is going to do because I know it is going to be a riot.

My number two would have to be Jeff Dunham and his 'friends'. The first time I saw his show on DVD I laughed so hard at Walter that my sides hurt for two days. He is a master at what he does and there are time when Jeff fades into the background and all you see is the puppet. What is really funny is when he make fun of himself with one of the characters. Walter is the best at this.

My number three is a person I have enjoyed since I was little. Bill Cosby. My dad used to listen to records of him so much that I used to have his routines memorized. Now I have the albums. He is old style humor. Not vulgar or adult. He is family humor. "Ding...NOAH!" (if you don't get it listen to his shows)

Endless laughter to you.

Michael

What's going on today.....

2011-01-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

Absolutely nothing. No not really but it feels like it. I was finally able to take out the stitching on the bottom of my cloak. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I had to use small scissors that at the end were very uncomfortable. I took to the iron board and pressed out the seams and it looks really nice again. I'm not going to hem it up again. It just won't look right.

I am washing my ritual clothes too and other laundry that needs to be done today. My black robe is washed, just need to dry it and hang it up so it doesn't get wrinkled. I need to finish my white robe before Imbolc. I have all the pieces cut out and a couple sewed together. I need to set up my meditation table in the bedroom. I have the items just need to set it up.

I am working on a post for Imbolc. I should have it ready for next week. I am also going to post some recipes and a house cleaning ritual to do to celebrate the Sabbat.

I am still working on the Daily Post "Post A Day 2011 Challenge." Problem is that the topics are...what is the word....boring?....no not that....just not easy to write about. Yea that is it. I am going to go back to posting stuff on herbs and other things like before to help. I will still check the topic of the day and see if anything looks interesting and write about it.

So on to my next task for the day....laters

January 19th, 2011 Day of the Full Moon

2011-01-19T05:00:00.004-07:00

Blessed Day!

Today is January 19th, 2011. A Wednesday.

Moonset is at 6:58am. Moonrise is at 5:16pm Full Moon is at 2:22pm

The moon will move from Cancer to V/C at 2:22pm and move into Leo at 3:14pm.

First topic in PostADay2011 Redux

2011-01-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

Since I am coming into this late I have decided to take a past topic since I don't have anything for the one for today. The topic is:

List three countries you’d like to visit, and why you want to go.

First is England. Now I have been there already, twice infact. I want to go back. I like London but I would like to see other places too.

Second would be Greece. I want to see the ancient places. I want to experience the ancient places. I want to walk in the paths of the ancient Greece peoples. I would love to see the temples to the Gods and feel their influence.

Third is definately Egypt. Specifically Alexandria and the pyramid complexes. For all the same reasons mentions for Greece.

Neat thing is that I have booked a cruise to the last two for 2012.

Blessings,
Cainwyne

A Question of Hope

2011-01-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

What gives you hope? And what, if anything, makes you question hope?

This can be a difficult question to answer because I have never really thought about what gives me hope. I mean yea...I constantly say, "I hope this and I hope that...", but what do I really truly in my heart give me hope.

One thing that gave me hope was the election of President Obama, no really it did. I guess on some level I still have hope that he will do as he promised. Something that questions my hope in the President is his constant bending to the Republicans in the Congress. It does give me hope that there as been strides in government.

I have hope that I can reach my target weight now that I have already lost more then I hoped I would, see there's the word again.

It gives me hope that our financial status is improving when we can sit down and make a plan to pay our bills off completely and at the same time start planning ahead for future things.

I have hope that I will be continuing my spiritual journey and learn more and experience more.

Like I said this is a difficult topic for me to write on. But hey, without making the attempt you will never know if you can do it. I have done it and I feel great.

NEXT!

I’m Posting every day in 2011!

2011-01-17T17:39:00.001-07:00

I’ve decided I want to blog more. Rather than just thinking about doing it, I’m starting right now. I will be posting on this blog once a day / once a week for all of 2011.

I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring, awesome and wonderful. Therefore I’m promising to make use of The DailyPost, and the community of other bloggers with similiar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.

If you already read my blog, I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.

Religious Freedom Day

2011-01-16T17:15:00.002-07:00

Today the President of the United States made a proclamation stating that today is to be marked as Religious Freedom Day.

The proclamation follows.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release January 14, 2011 Presidential Proclamation--Religious Freedom Day

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY, 2011

-------

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

Our Nation was founded on a shared commitment to the values of justice, freedom, and equality. On Religious Freedom Day, we commemorate Virginia's 1786 Statute for Religious Freedom, in which Thomas Jefferson wrote that "all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion." The fundamental principle of religious freedom -- guarded by our Founders and enshrined in our Constitution's First Amendment -- continues to protect rich faiths flourishing within our borders.

The writ of the Founding Fathers has upheld the ability of Americans to worship and practice religion as they choose, including the right to believe in no religion at all. However, these liberties are not self-sustaining, and require a stalwart commitment by each generation to preserve and apply them. Throughout our Nation's history, our founding ideal of religious freedom has served as an example to the world. Though our Nation has sometimes fallen short of the weighty task of ensuring freedom of religious expression and practice, we have remained a Nation in which people of different faiths coexist with mutual respect and equality under the law. America's unshakable commitment to religious freedom binds us together as a people, and the strength of our values underpins a country that is tolerant, just, and strong.

My Administration continues to defend the cause of religious freedom in the United States and around the world. At home, we vigorously protect the civil rights of Americans, regardless of their religious beliefs. Across the globe, we also seek to uphold this human right and to foster tolerance and peace with those whose beliefs differ from our own. We bear witness to those who are persecuted or attacked because of their faith. We condemn the attacks made in recent months against Christians in Iraq and Egypt, along with attacks against people of all backgrounds and beliefs. The United States stands with those who advocate for free religious expression and works to protect the rights of all people to follow their conscience, free from persecution and discrimination.

On Religious Freedom Day, let us reflect on the principle of religious freedom that has guided our Nation forward, and recommit to upholding this universal human right both at home and around the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2011, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation of our Nation's liberty, and to show us how we can protect it for future generations here and around the world.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

Some will say, "What is the point of this, there is already freedom of religion." Yes there is as stated in the United States Constitution's First Amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This amendment was shaped by the clause drafted by Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia General Assembly in 1786. The following is an excerpt from the original statute;

Be it enacted by General Assembly that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of Religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities. And though we well know that this Assembly elected by the people for the ordinary purposes of Legislation only, have no power to restrain the acts of succeeding Assemblies constituted with powers equal to our own, and that therefore to declare this act irrevocable would be of no effect in law; yet we are free to declare, and do declare that the rights hereby asserted, are of the natural rights of mankind, and that if any act shall be hereafter passed to repeal the present or to narrow its operation, such act will be an infringement of natural right.

This speaks volumes the during the 1700's our founding fathers valued a persons right to believe whatever they chose to believe and that it should not be infringed upon by anyone or any established government. So why do some may not follow this simple statute? Could it be lack of education? Most certainly. I will admit that I was unaware of such a statute while I was schooled. Another reason could be that they just to want to know. They would rather be blind and dumb to the history of the United States and its laws. The revolution was because of the religious oppression of the Church of England and yet today there are religious leaders who would see those who don't believe as they do oppressed.
Today is Religious Freedom Day. Respect the beliefs of others, whether they be family, friend, or stranger.

What the frack happened?

2011-01-05T11:12:00.001-07:00

My last entry was on September 6, 2010...what the frack happened to make me stop entries. I have no idea. I haven't had anything more the do then I did before. I still work from home. I still fill any order for the store in the morning and do other things in the afternoon if they need it. Oh wait I know....I got fracking lazy....AGAIN!!

I have failed to keep this blog going as well as the other blog I do for Grove of The Ancients. I have failed. Now I need to get it back up and running on a regular basis. I really need to post something everyday even if it is just dribble. Dribble can be good and it can lead to some meaningful discussions eventually. So now I need to get some content lined up. I would like to not talk about politics if possible because that can lead to nastiness.

So, if there is anyone reading this, be patient I will get it going again. I promise.

Herb Day ~ Hyssop ~ To Purify and Cleanse

2010-09-06T07:00:00.002-06:00

Hyssop, to purify and cleanse.
For this herb I am going to start with some history and background. I am going to be pulling from various sources.

The botanical name for Hyssop is Hyssopus officinalis.

Folk Names: Hyssop Herb, Isopo, Ysopo, Yssop

What does it look like?

Hyssop is an evergreen plant, this means it will be around all year long. I have found that in my area that is best to cut it back before the snows so that it is easy to maintain when spring comes and the plant begins to grow in earnest. The plant grows in a bush configuration reaching about 2 feet tall and about 3 feet across at the most. The stems are woody and have thin leaves all along it. The tops eventually get long spikes of blue-purple flowers which will attract a multitude of bees. The plant can be spread by seeds, cuttings, or splitting.

So what can you do with it? I am going to quote from a very interesting tome, Culpeper' Complete Herbal.

The herb is Jupiter's, and the sign Cancer. It strengthens all the parts of the body under Cancer and Jupiter; which what they may be, is found amply described in my astrological judgement of diseases. Dioscorides saith, that Hyssop boiled with Rue and Honey, and drank, helps those that are troubled with coughs, shortness of breath, wheezing and rheumatic distillation upon the lungs; taken also with oxymel, it purges gross humours by stool; and with Honey, kills worms in the belly; and with fresh and new figs bruised, helps to loosen the belly, and more forcibly if the root of Flower-de-luce and cresses be added thereto. It amends and cherishes the native colour of the body, spoiled by the yellow jaundice; and being taken with figs and nitre, helps the dropsy and spleen; being boiled with wine, it is good to wash inflammations, and takes away the black and blue spots and marks that come by strokes, bruises, or falls being applied with warm water. It is an excellent medicine for the quinsy, or swellings in the throat, to wash and gargle it, being boiled with figs; it helps the toothache, being boiled in vinegar and gargled therewith. The hot vapours of the decoction taken by a funnel in at the ears, eases the inflammations and singing noise of them. Being bruised, and salt, honey, an cummin seed put to it, helps those that are stung by serpents. The oil thereof (the head being anointed) kills lice, and takes away itching of the head. It helps those that have the falling sickness, which way soever it be applied. It helps to expectorate tough phlegm, and is effectual in all cold griefs or diseases of the chests or lungs, being taken either in syrup or licking medicine. The green herb bruised and a little sugar but thereto, doth quickly heal any cut or green wounds, being thereunto applied.

From the book, The Healing Herbs.

Herpes. Hyssop inhibits the growth of herpes simplex virus, which causes genital herpes and cold sores. Try the infusion in a compress if you have this chronic, recurring, infection.

Cough. Hyssop oil contains several soothing camphorlike constituents and one expectorant chemical (marrubiin), which loosens phlegm so it can be coughed up more easily. Scientific sources agree it's a "reasonably effective" treatment for the cough and respiratory irritation of colds and flu.

Okay, I know what it is used for. How do I use it? Again this information is from The Healing Herb.

To make a compress, use 1 ounce of dried herb per pint of boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes and cool. Soak a clean cloth in the infusion and apply to cold sores and genital herpes as needed. For an infusion, use 2 teaspoons of herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day to treat cough. Hyssop has a strong, camphorlike smell and tastes bitter. Add sugar, honey, or lemon, or mix it with an herbal beverage blend to improve flavor. If you prefer a tincture, use 1 teaspoon up to three times a day. Hyssop should not be given to children under the age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.

The Botanical.com has a wonderful tea recipe.

'Infuse a quarter of an ounce of dried hyssop flowers in a pint of boiling water for ten minutes; sweeten with honey, and take a wineglassful three times a day, for debility of the chest. It is also considered a powerful vermifuge.' (Old Cookery Book.)

Magickal References.
Gender is of Masculine
Planet is of Jupiter
Element is of Fire
Powers are of Purification and Protection
Uses:
It can be added to bath sachets, infused and sprinkled on objects or persons to cleanse them. Sprigs of Hyssop can be hung in the home to purge it of evil and negative energies.

Spells. Hyssop (as an herb) may be used in as an ingredient or substitute for magick spells and formulas related to Jupiter matters (growth, legal matters, luck, meditation, money, prosperity, settling legal matters, and spirituality).

Rituals and Ceremonies -- Cleansing a space.

2010-08-31T12:52:00.000-06:00

In most Pagan traditions it is very important to purify or cleanse a space prior to beginning any sort of ritual. Although there are a different ways of doing this, how you do it will depend on the tradition you follow as well as what you feel comfortable with.

Usually, when ritually purifying an area, most do it deosil and spiraling inwards to the center. There are times when moving in a widdershins direction is appropriate, most notably for Banishing Ritual.

These methods are some examples of common ways to cleanse a space for ritual.

Smudging

Smudging uses smoke, which will carry negative energy away from the area. Traditionally White Sage is used, however, other dried herbs can be added, such as Cilantro, Cedar, Lavender and Mugwort. The herbs are bound with string into a bundle, which is commonly referred to as a “stick”.

When lighting the bundle, try to make it flame for a moment if possible, then blow the flame out. This will leave you with a smoldering, smoking herb bundle. Once you have achieved the smoldering bundle stage it is time to smudge the house.

Now you don’t take the bundle and rub it on the walls and other things in the room, which would make a mess and probably ruin a few things and maybe even start a nice fire. What you do is this. Hold the smoldering bundle in one hand or in a heatproof object, like a shell. With either a fan or your free hand you waft the smoke to the edges of the room, making sure to get it into the corners.

When you have finished smudging you can either snuff out the smoldering end of the bundle by setting it into some sand or by crushing the end. An alternative method is to douse it under a bit of water, making sure to let it dry completely before attempting to use it again.

Sweeping
By long tradition, the broom is associated with cleaning and purification. The broom can be either a special one used solely for ritual cleansing or even your household broom. Use a broom or besom going around the edges of the space, with your intent being to sweep negativity away as you go. Here's a good idea. Start and finish near a door--that way, negative energy is swept outside, rather quite literally.

Asperging
Asperging is the sprinkling with a liquid in order to effect spiritual and magical cleansing. Most people will associate Asperging with the Catholic Church, however the practice is also widely used by pagans for cleansing prior to rituals.

It can be accomplished in many ways. The simplest of these is to have a premixed liquid of your choice and bundle of fresh herbs that you can dip into the water. Then you take the herbs, dip them in the liquid and with a quick flick you throw the liquid off the herb and into area or onto the object to be cleansed. You don’t want or need to have a lot of liquid being thrown though. Just small droplets are perfect. Herbs that are prefect to use are Sage, Lavender, Vervain, Hyssop, Pine, Rue and Rosemary.

Another option that can be used quite effectively to cleanse a space is the use of incense. This can be either in cone form, stick, or powder and charcoal. The incense should be for working with cleaning, purification and even protection if you want to add that bit into the cleansing.

During your cleansing and purification of your space you can also include a little chant to augment the process. There are many to be found on the Internet as well as in books. You might even have one in mind already, in that case write it down so you will remember it for the next time you want to cleanse a room.

In addition to the above, I also ensure that the space is physically cleaned as well. I try to use a non-toxic homemade cleanser to do this. How you physically clean is of course up to you.

I would be remiss if I didn’t do a shameless plug for our online store where we carry many items that are perfect for what I have just talked about. Stop by Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace today and order cleansing supplies.

Blessed Be!

Herb Day ~ MULLEIN ~ Just what the heck it is.

2010-08-30T17:09:00.000-06:00

Mullein, I am sure many of you have seen this very interesting plant but never gave it a second thought. I was in that arena as well until we started to sell it in our online store, Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace. We were selling pounds of it to people all over the country and even some overseas. That led me to do some research to find out why it was in such high demand.

I seached many sites and blogs and such to find that most all the information was the same. I settled on one particular site, Botanical.com and the page on Mullein. So here is what all the fuss is about.

Mullein's Botanical name is Verbascum thapsus.

Through history, Mullein has been known by many names. Here they are - White Mullein. Torches. Mullein Dock. Our Lady's Flannel. Velvet Dock. Blanket Herb. Velvet Plant. Woollen. Rag Paper. Candlewick Plant. Wild Ice Leaf. Clown's Lungwort. Bullock's Lungwort. Aaron's Rod. Jupiter's Staff. Jacob's Staff. Peter's Staff. Shepherd's Staff. Shepherd's Clubs. Beggar's Stalk. Golden Rod. Adam's Flannel. Beggar's Blanket. Clot. Cuddy's Lungs. Duffle. Feltwort. Fluffweed. Hare's Beard. Old Man's Flannel. Hag's Taper. It is quite interesting to see how people find names for things. Many of the name are created because of how the plant looks. The leaves are soft, felt-like and spongy so that explains some of them. Other names originated because of the use as a torch.

So where do you find Mullein? That is quite easy. Pretty much everywhere.

From the Botanical.com - "the Great Mullein, is a widely distributed plant, being found all over Europe and in temperate Asia as far as the Himalayas, and in North America is exceedingly abundant as a naturalized weed in the eastern States. It is met with throughout Britain (except in the extreme north of Scotland) and also in Ireland and the Channel Islands, on hedge-banks, by roadsides and on waste ground, more especially on gravel, sand or chalk. It flowers during July and August."

Now this bit says that in North American it is a 'naturalized weed'. While this is how most agencies view this wonder plant, it is far from a 'weed'. Here in Colorado, it is found in pastures, open-space, along roads, along rivers and lakes, and even in some yards. If you are looking for Mullein in your area just head to local undeveloped field or open-space, it just might be there.

Pray tell, what does it look like?
Mullein has two growing seasons so it will look different depending on which season it is in. Season one it will be close the ground and have only a rosette of leaves between 6-15 inches long. In the second season the rosette of leaves will have a stem rise from the center. The stem will have alternating leaves similar to the lower rosette. As the stock reaches full height of between 4-5 feet tall a flower spike will emerge and this will house the many yellow flowers of the Mullein plant.

So what can you do with this herb? The Botanical.com as a wonderful piece on this. I am posting it here for your reference.

The Mullein has very markedly demulcent, emollient and astringent properties, which render it useful in pectoral complaints and bleeding of the lungs and bowels. The whole plant seems to possess slightly sedative and narcotic properties.

It is considered of much value in phthisis and other wasting diseases, palliating the cough and staying expectoration, consumptives appearing to benefit greatly by its use, being given in the form of an infusion, 1 OZ. of dried, or the corresponding quantity of fresh leaves being boiled for 10 minutes in a pint of milk, and when strained, given warm, thrice daily, with or without sugar. The taste of the decoction is bland, mucilaginous and cordial, and forms a pleasant emollient and nutritious medicine for allaying a cough, or removing the pain and irritation of haemorrhoids. A plain infusion of 1 OZ. to a pint of boiling water can also be employed, taken in wineglassful doses frequently.

The dried leaves are sometimes smoked in an ordinary tobacco pipe to relieve the irritation of the respiratory mucus membranes, and will completely control, it is said, the hacking cough of consumption. They can be employed with equal benefit when made into cigarettes, for asthma and spasmodic coughs in general.

Fomentations and poultices of the leaves have been found serviceable in haemorrhoidal complaints.

Mullein is said to be of much value in diarrhoea, from its combination of demulcent with astringent properties, by this combination strengthening the bowels at the same time. In diarrhea the ordinary infusion is generally given, but when any bleeding of the bowels is present, the decoction prepared with milk is recommended.

On the Continent, a sweetened infusion of the flowers strained in order to separate the rough hairs, is considerably used as a domestic remedy in mild catarrhs, colic, etc.

A conserve of the flowers has also been employed on the Continent against ringworm, and a distilled water of the flowers was long reputed a cure for burns and erysipelas.

An oil produced by macerating Mullein flowers in olive oil in a corked bottle, during prolonged exposure to the sun, or by keeping near the fire for several days, is used as a local application in country districts in Germany for piles and other mucus membrane inflammation, and also for frost bites and bruises. Mullein oil is recommended for earache and discharge from the ear, and for any eczema of the external ear and its canal. Dr. Fernie (Herbal Simples) states that some of the most brilliant results have been obtained in suppurative inflammation of the inner ear by a single application of Mullein oil, and that in acute or chronic cases, two or three drops of this oil should be made to fall in the ear twice or thrice in the day.

Mullein oil is a valuable destroyer of disease germs. The fresh flowers, steeped for 21 days in olive oil, are said to make an admirable bactericide. Gerarde tells us that 'Figs do not putrifie at all that are wrapped in the leaves of Mullein.'

An alcoholic tincture is prepared by homoeopathic chemists, from the fresh herb with spirits of wine, which has proved beneficial for migraine or sick headache of long standing, with oppression of the ear. From 8 to 10 drops of the tincture are given as a dose, with cold water, repeated frequently.

I have found the plant. Now what do I do?
Well that depends on what you intend to make. If you are going to make the ear oil, you just need to harvest the flowers from the plants. This can be quite a challenge given that the flowers have no stems. It is best to get the flowers that have fully opened and are near the bottom of the spike. These are easier to remove.
If you are interested in the Mullein Tea then you will need the leaves of the plant. These can either be obtained by removing them individually from the lower part of the plant (not the ones at the very bottom as they are usually damaged and don't do well). Remembering to only remove some of the leaves and move to the next plant, this is done to ensure the plant survives to produce the seeds needed to self populate. Another method is to remove the whole plant by cutting at the base just above the bottom leaves. I would recommend this only if the area you are harvesting from has a large number of plants. Once you have the entire plant, it can be hung like other herbs to dry and the entire plant processed as needed.

More detailed information on the uses can be found at The Botanical.com.

If you aren't inclined to head out and harvest the herbs yourself we have this herb and many others available in our store at Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace.

Next week is Hyssop. (a rush of ohs and ahs fills the room)

Blessed Be!

Healthcare ~ Will the Village Healer return?

2010-08-26T07:53:00.000-06:00

A friend and I were having lunch the other day and we had broached a few varying topics during our discussions, but one peaked my interest. The subject was; with the rising costs of health care and the somewhat lack luster attempt at reforming the nations health care policies, how long will it be before we see a return of the shamans, medicine men/women, and village healers.
First let us travel back to the time before we had the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), government run health care, and expensive physicians. It is known that in many settlements in Europe there was a person or persons whom you would visit if you became ill or injured. That person knew all there was to know about the ailments and how to remedy them. They knew which flowers made a person sleep peacefully. They knew which leaves of plants that grew wild in the forests and meadows would clear a cough or sooth an upset stomach. They also knew which of these would cause harm and even death.
So...is there a place for this kind of person now? I think it would be quite interesting to be driving down the street and see a sign for an apothecary run by a shaman or witch. Of course there would be resistance from all different directions. The FDA would surely raise a stick about the fact there wouldn't be any regulation by them. But you know that not everything has to be under the watchful eyes of the government. I bet there would be something from the religious groups opposing the non-traditional aspect of the shops. But honestly what would be the harm.
Of course there will have to be some watchfulness to make sure that whomever is running the shop is doing so ethically and not harming anyone and selling baneful items. That is just sensible responsibility.
I have a huge book that has a bunch of herb listed as well as the healing properties they imbue. I found a treatment for Herpes using a common garden herb, a treatment for coughs by using many different herbs that are found growing wild in many fields and many other ailments.

This is just something to think of. Another way for things to change in a time of change.

Blessed Be.

Day for work, fun and finding my place.

2010-07-07T05:38:00.000-06:00

I have made a decision that I am going to break up my day. I will start with by working on the online store, Grove of the Ancients Pagan Marketplace. I have to finish adding images, ISBN numbers and more descriptions to th books that I have uploaded. Shouldn't take long. After some other things it is going to be time for me to return to World of Warcraft.

I am excited to get my confirmation card for my registration to Dragonfest 2010. Nice that they also included a small check list for things I should pack.

My final quarter for my Year and a Day is coming up. Unfortunately I won't make the first class because of a prior commitment.

I also really need to find a way somehow to set aside a place in this crowded house for me. I had a place at one time but it has since been taken. I just need a quiet place to reflect, meditate and honor the Goddess and God in my life. I too long without it and I am starting to feel disconnected even though I know I am never really disconnected from the divine. So the search begins.

Teens practicing Shamanism.

2010-06-24T15:54:00.000-06:00

I found this and just had to post it. It is so funny.

Do Glass Pipes, Incense Prove Teens Are Practicing Shamanism?

Blessings.

Dark of the Moon

2010-06-11T18:59:00.000-06:00

Today, June 12th is the New Moon or Dark Moon. This is a time for beginning spells that you want to come to fruition on the next Full Moon which is going to be June 26th at 7:30am. This months Dark moon is going to at 7:15am, Moon will be Void of Course at 7:35pm till 9:50pm so avoid any working during that time.

While reading all the blogs I have chosen to follow I found a great poem on Hecate's Blog.

Dark of the moon, new beginnings.
Dark of the moon, plant a seed tonight.
Dark of the moon, what we envision,
Will come to be, in the Full Moon's light.

Truly a wonderful little chant.

May all your workings bear fruit.
Blessed Be
Cainwyne

Online Spell Casters Can Be Bad.

2010-06-01T17:33:00.000-06:00

If you search the internet for 'spells online' you can find millions of returns. 'Love spells' returns over 2 million options. Along with the many 'free' spells you will also find those who take payment to 'cast on your behalf' spells.

Now I have a problem with the people that charge for casting a spell let alone doing it online when you have no direct connection with the individual that the spell is for. I have always felt that charging for doing a spell is wrong.

I also wonder about how these people actually work the spells. I have checked some websites and I am find it quite distressing and even a little silly.
One particular website (name and url withheld), has spells that cover the traditonal spells of love and money but they also have one to break up another couples relationship and a punisher spell. I looked at the specifics of the 'spells' and there is no actual casting done, instead they have a psychic 'use his abilities' to effect the change desired by the spell. So does this still count as a spell? Not to me it doesn't.

What people charge for these spells can be just disgusting. The above mentioned website only charges $39.00 per spell. I found a website that has an 'invisibility cap spell' and they charge $500.00 for the 'formula' to make the cap turn you invisible for real. See like I said just silly.

I wonder what people are thinking when they are going to these 'snake oil salesman' for spell to fix their lives? Love spells can be tricky business because you don't want to infringe on a persons free will. If you want to get a partner then just get out and make yourself available. Money spells not so bad and also require work on the part of the person wanting the spell.

Spells are not a substitue for a person actually doing the work to change their life.

I have found another blog that talks about this very thing.

Common Sense: Ancient Black Magic...For the last time, I think. Check it out. It is very interesting to read the comments too.

Full Moon and the long weekend

2010-05-28T09:21:00.000-06:00

Excited about the full moon. Our covens ritual is this weekend, Saturday. Going to be great I just know it. I can feel something in the air.

Also the long weekend is going to be nice too. Nice weather and maybe a traveling to the mountains and enjoy the wonders of nature.

There is a park up in the foothills outside of Denver that I have been want to check out for some time. This feel like the perfect time.

I am continueing my studies on Hecate. I feel so connected to her it surprises me sometimes.

Brightest Blessings.

My Sacred Place Number 1

2010-05-26T11:18:00.000-06:00

I am blessed to live in a city that has some wonderful places to walk and be with nature will still being in the city itself. One such place is long the Bear Creek. There are the traditional cement walking path that are also used by the bikes. I prefer to walk on what is called the Stonehouse Horse Trail. This trail weaves it way along side the creek, through trees and clearings.

I think I have found a perfect ritual spot too. Problem, it is in a very public spot. Lots of people use the trails here.

The whole area is just full of magic energies. I feel so energized while walking the trails. I was able to find my wand while walking the trails one day.

I think some day I may just say screw it and take some things with me and have a small meditation ritual among the wonders of nature and Gaia

The Beginning.

2010-05-16T07:16:00.000-06:00

This blogging thing is not as easy as I thought it would be. I am reading a book right now on starting a blog. Kind of funny. There is a lot of good information in it even though he uses Wordpress in his examples. I just like Blogger better.
I guess I should tell a little bit about myself.
I will only be using my craft name on my posts. It is Cainwyne Haef Kemelis. I was born over 40 years ago in the great state of Colorado. I was raised in the Lutheran religion but during my teenage years I stopped attending church. Thus began my journey on my path with the gods and goddesses, even though I didn't know it at the time. I spent some time in the military but the fact that I am gay didn't sit well with some and I was asked to leave. I was a bit disappointed in that but I moved on. I returned to Colorado and began to live my new life.
I have loved and lost many times in my life. I have lost lovers to illness and family to time.
My journey along the path revved up in 2006 when I picked up my first book at a Borders Bookstore. It was Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart. I devoured it. It was funny while I was reading it I would think 'that is me'. I soon enrolled in The Grey School of Wizardry. I was having the time of my life. Everything was making sense to me. I began to explore my spirituality and what the path had to offer. While working on my classes and after a talk with a wise witch friend of mine I came to the realization that the moniker of 'wizard' was not who I was. I was pagan, more to the point I was a witch and always have been.
So now I am a witch and proud of it. Right now I am with a coven here in Colorado and I am working on my Year and A day studies. I LOVE it.

I think that is a good bit of stuff. Until my next post.....

Merry We Meet,
Merry We Part,
And Merry We Meet Again.

Brightest Blessings.

2010-04-27T07:52:00.000-06:00

Well this is my first post on my new blog. I have never been one for putting down what I am thinking on paper. That may be why I have such a vivid memory of so many things that have happened in my life. I can remember things as far back to my days in preschool. I never kept a journal or diary. I have tried to keep a journal now and while I do write in it for a few days I end up setting it down and not picking it up again. I wish I had kept it up because I have lost so many thought and ideas recently. So that is part of what this blog will be is my daily musings. It is also going to give a place to share my life on my path with the Goddess and God and the Crossroads that I have encountered along the way. I hope people who read this blog find it interesting and become followers. I will try to keep it interesting. Until the next post....Brightest Blessings.

Cainwyne Haef Kemelis