Book of Shadows

Desired Home (Door II) XVIII

2012-01-31T01:01:00.000-08:00

via Coll:Set

Baroque entrance - city unknown (unless you know, then let me know!)

Outfit of the Week XXV

2012-01-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

I think I am in love....

via Sun in Scorpio

Desired Home XVII

2012-01-28T05:23:00.000-08:00

via Don't Blame It On Me, Blame It On My Wild Heart

Desired Home XVI

2012-01-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

via Sun in Scorpio

A few stories not dated in the mirror book - Story II: Guan Yu, the Saint of Force

2012-01-27T19:31:00.000-08:00

THE MEDITATION (early June 2011)
It was around this period that I was reading the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying and seemed to then engage with Buddhist deities through trance meditation, such as the previous entry on the White Tara from February last year and also with Quan Yin, which I haven't written about as yet.

The meditation began on top of a cloudy mountain, so cloudy that I had to float down through the air cross-legged in order to move into the realm. I floated above a rocky pathway, down past a Chinese man carrying two pitchers of water across his back and around to the precipice of the mountain leading to many sets of stairs. From the top of the stairs you had an incredible view of the bay below where three waterfalls came into the crescent-shaped bay and fell gracefully from a great height into the ocean. I continued to float down to the bay as a Chinese soldier with long hair in a ponytail crouched on the sand facing out to the horizon as though he was paying homage. He wasn't wearing a helmet nor was he wearing anything around his torso at all, as though as a warrior he had removed them for he knew we would not fight and also to relax in his own worship as he meditated on the beach. He had sharp lines for eyebrows, acne scars on his lower cheeks and had very beautiful long eyes. He wore the lower half of his warrior suit along with his boots.

"Who are you?" I asked, bowing to him.
"Guan Yu," he replied.
I hadn't heard of this diety before and wasn't sure what to expect from him, but from what I could tell his intentions were pure. He crouched down again, extending one hand out so that large red playing cards formed a walkway above the ocean, which he invited me to walk over. I walked over the pathway which lead to a large whirlpool in the ocean which danced above in circles on one of the cards for a time, then I jumped into it. I danced within the whirlpool and looking up I could see many moons racing above my head as though time was speeding up intensely, hundreds of years passing by. Then the walls of the whirlpool caved in and I surrendered to its dance, being spun around, accepting a death for a new beginning. After some time the whirlpool formed again and I came above the surface to see a modern Chinese city where the bay used to be without the hills and its waterfalls.

SYMBOLISM
Three waterfalls: Guan Yu's was a prominent general of the Shu Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms Period, thus the three waterfalls may have symbolised each kingdom coming in to one point. It may also be symbolic of the three phenomenon truths from the Tientai school which was founded after a disciple met Guan Yin a:

Dependent reality: A phenomenon is produced by various causes, its essence is devoid of any permanent existence.

Phenomenal existence: This existence is temporary, and has its limitation.

Middle: This truth of the middle is equated with true suchness, and it can not be found elsewhere than in phenomena. According to this truth, Dependent reality and Phenomenal existence are one.

And the only way to obtain the full awareness of the above truths is the Three views (or three insights):

Emptiness: Phenomena posses no independent reality and they can not exist without other factors, therefore nothing is eternal.

Unreality: Although a phenomenon has the apparent existence of phenomena and can be perceived by the senses, because its nature of emptiness, this phenomenon is temporary and unreal.

Middle Way: Since a phenomenon is blended of emptiness and unreality, it is incorrect to view the truth in any of the above two poles. The proper action is to view a phenomenon and its parts as a whole, all phenomena are merged and contain one another.

Red Playing Cards: "A well known story of Guan Yu is how he got a poisoned arrowed to the arm and had to get surgery. Guan Yu calmly played a game of solitaire while receiving the needed treatment on his arm (1)."

A VERY SHORT HISTORY OF GUAN YU, CHINESE SOLDIER, 160 to 219AD
Called upon in China to protect social order, Guan Yu was deified as a saint for policemen and I adore one of his many titles "General who rocks the bandits"! I saw Guan Yu at about the age of 23, which apparently was the age when he ran away from his home town having slain a man who was harassing a woman. After this age he became a great warrior. Read more about the life of Guan Yu here.

According to the Buddhist account, in 592, Guan Yu manifested himself one night before the Tripitaka Master Zhiyi, founder of the Tientai school of Buddhism, with a retinue of spiritual beings. Zhiyi was then in deep meditation on Yuquan Hill when he was distracted by Guan Yu's presence. After receiving Buddhist teachings from the master, Guan Yu acquired the Five Precepts. Henceforth he became the guardian of temples and the Dharma. Legends also claim that Guan Yu assisted Zhiyi in the construction of the Yuquan Temple, which still stands today. (2)

Dharma: that which upholds, supports or maintains the regulatory order of the universe means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. As well as referring to Law in the universal or abstract sense dharma designates those behaviours considered necessary for the maintenance of the natural order of things

The five precepts: to abstain from harming living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication.

WHAT DID I TAKE FROM THIS?
Well, having only just looked up what the five precepts are, I believe the journey taught me to take better care of myself: by not submitting myself to sexual misconduct by putting myself into dangerous and precarious sexual situations as I have in the past, to not harm others in any way - including in thought, to not steal even the smallest thing - even food, to never lie and be transparent in how I express myself and to not get intoxicated - and thankfully I don't drink! I have met with him in meditations since with he and I practising sword fighting which I believe suggests the discipline and clarity of mind required for and a result of the five precepts. Now that I have finally looked up the five precepts I intend to stick with them - and have been very good with those ever since having met this diety anyway, so I certainly hope that was his influence!

Sources:
(1) The Young Polytheistic
(2) And other information on Tientai

Back in the room... Entering my Saturn return

2012-01-27T18:17:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a very long time indeed! It feels as though so many things have been happening with my craft of late - it really has changed my life for the better: crafting, weaving my way through the world whilst making it better for myself and others. I think that in a lot of ways, having this form of spirituality has really helped me to grow up by putting my values, love, health and sense of honor first. I give more and also seem to get more than I need out of life. I've been away for so long now having gone through a breakup after a three year relationship, sorting out the house, travelling for a month and then finally settling back down in olde Melbourne Town which hasn't come without great trials of course.

These trials have made me realise how important it is to work on my chakras, finding and recognising the blockages which have been making my relationships and expression so stifled. I found a wonderful book 'The Essential Guide to Chakras' by Swami Saradananda which looks twee but very practically walks you through the function of each chakra, which signs indicate whether you're experiencing excessive or deficient energy in each chakra and even yoga poses for each chakra. It also encourages you to create a diary to assess each chakra to work on a variety of areas in your life. I highly recommend it, it's an easy book to digest.

This self assessment is also an important part of my life as I enter my Saturn return - life is throwing challenges at me and I need to cleanse myself, heal and start a lot of things from scratch to gauge what I really need in life as a person. I've realise the importance of being your own role model and now live by a wonderful latin saying 'Casis tutissima virtus' - "virtue is the safest helmet" which allows me to take great responsibility for my actions. It's now all about doing the honorable thing.

Now time for more stories....

)O( Elspeth.

Apothecary of the Week VII

2011-10-29T01:26:00.001-07:00

via FuckYeahAltars

A few stories not dated in the mirror book - Story I

2011-10-29T01:15:00.000-07:00

The astral accordion - not just heard by me

Aug/Sept 2011

A very cute yet bizarre story from work.: At my work I sit in a hallway. Just to my right is a meeting room and behind that wall was one of our employees Heather - so as she was talking from two walls away, naturally I couldn't hear the conversation taking place as I worked at my desk. Two walls away, Heather was talking about a new acquisition of hers: a second hand piano accordion. As she talked she gestured playing a chord on this accordion with her hands (i.e: with no actual piano accordion in her hands) and a loud, beautiful piano accordion sound blared from directly behind her head - not only did the sound come from behind her head but also behind my head - two rooms away. I heard this majestic, beautiful sound from behind me where Heather would often stand and chat to make a coffee but nothing was there - at exactly the same time she heard this sound, I also heard this sound behind my head in another room....

Style and Sustainability

2011-10-29T01:07:00.000-07:00

Read more on how to reduce your carbon footprint from the clothes that you wear...

If fashion's eco-warriors had their way, we'd all be wearing our environmentally aware hearts on our organic-fibre, ethically made sleeves. But in between hankering for the latest fad and worrying about its ugly carbon footprint, the conscientious consumer wonders why going green costs the earth...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/style-and-sustainability-20111028-1mnks.html#ixzz1c9jjtvgF

Desired Home XV

2011-09-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

via Cardboard Antlers

My final letter to the coven I used to attend (sent this time last year)

2011-09-04T02:17:00.000-07:00

It's quite funny to look back on my past in this way. A part of the reason I am posting this is because it was

(a) Deleted from the forum shortly after and hardly anyone got to read it, including many people I'd spent a great deal of loving and spiritual time with;

(b) Those who did not get to read it were told that it was nasty - when it's anything but;

(c) To show those who are still within that coven my true intentions from that time as I seem to have this odd reputation with them; and

(d) In my own way I'd rather like this to be permanently available on the internet so that others can read this and understand what it's like to be a constrained coven experience.

The background to this forum post

The high priestess had, on many occasions, made me feel as though I knew what I was doing throughout my time with her and a callout had been made to coven members for apprentice high priestesses whereby I didn't require any experience to be one. Having had many years of magickal practice behind me, I thought I'd be a very suitable candidate. Sadly, I had bought into this hierarchical system and yearned for so much more from the coven and saw this as a great opportunity to fill that gap... But I think that that gap would have still existed no matter what. I had spent some time trying to unite members by suggesting events and rites which would harmonise the coven but those suggestions weren't really taken on. I had also seen this hierarchy become tighter and tighter, with one girl assisting the 'inner circle' to organise events to be told that she was 'lucky to be this close to the inner circle' - egos started to form. The energy of the coven was no longer particularly friendly. Apparently, as I wasn't permitted to become an apprentice high priestess I could take the first degree course - when I was in my personal second degree already and knew exactly how to set up my own ritual space and write a ritual already - which is mostly what the course consisted of. This course went (from memory) for about 6-8 weeks and cost about $120..... Yep, it costed money to 'cover the expense of materials.' Something which this Irish witch I had posted earlier this year is dead against, as am I.

I was certainly glad to have left when I did. People who are there now are being told that they are not 'allowed' to practice magick with anyone outside of the coven and are being discouraged from performing traditional Wicca. Some of those who have left have been terribly harassed by the "high" priestess to the point where it's becoming ridiculous - and I'd have to say that without having stated her name on here whatsoever I am very happy to share this information freely and to the public. I've become sick and tired of seeing people within that coven being treated badly and actually feeling surprised that it's happening to them.

The forum post

It seems contradictory to say that we didn’t need to have any experience, yet now I’ve been asked to go through the first degree course. I realise I had agreed to do the first degree course and why you’re trying to assimilate what you’ve learnt about running a coven into that. I just feel that if I “didn’t need experience” to become an apprentice high priestess that I would at least be recognised as having had great life experience from my teaching, lecturing and (on & off) 12 years of experience as a Wiccan. I thought I would be taught as an apprentice rather than via a first degree course, if you know what I mean. It’s hard for me to reconcile that in my solitary practice I’m now at the 2nd degree and I think I’ve realised that I want to concentrate on just that, because it’s a lot of hard work.

Perhaps I came here for the wrong reasons. I had been yearning to learn from others, teach others, grow, and have a more intimate experience and I’ve wanted that since the minute I walked into the coven, and that energy has not changed.

I’m not doing this to have a go at anyone, it’s just that I have to comply to a system which I don’t naturally work with and therefore I shouldn’t hang around and contribute an ounce of negativity which works against the family feel of this coven which could throw it out of balance. My negativity could hence be felt by others and if anyone wants to view that as my ego, I don’t mind. Some things just don’t work for some people.

I had put up ‘ideas’ on the website to bring our coven closer socially and spiritually because I felt that we were fragmented, and to be frank: we have been kept that way. They were, also, just ideas too, and were in mind for the betterment of the coven and not necessarily for me to perform. I have always been passionate about making sure that everyone feels equal – I’m wildly passionate about that in fact, and have been all of my life. Whilst I understand that you can’t just let some stranger immediately into the ‘inner circle’ I come back to my first point: if I didn’t need a great deal of experience to become an apprentice high priestess then why am I being asked to do the first degree course?

If we are to be teaching one another, why can we not allow for a format which encourages that, or am I getting the wrong end of the stick? Perhaps my expectations are wildly unrealistic and idyllic to the point of ridiculous. That ideal seems to be what I want, and perhaps that is best achieved as a solitary witch or within a very small coven.

You're all beautiful, marvellous and remarkable people, but I think it's important to emphasise that I don't want to ruin the energy of the group with my negativity and thus am obliged to step back for the sake of others more so than myself as to not ruin the enjoyment, love and light that this coven provides for others. I would be a coward if I were to just walk away from the coven without saying a word. I think, too, that this coven suffers because no-one feels that they can be open and honest about the structure and the system which is handed down to them. By keeping our mouths shut we’re spreading a very strange, restrained energy that I believe works against the magickal energy that the coven is trying to achieve. I don’t particularly enjoy writing this, but I’m an honest person and I respect honest people.

Love and light. In perfect love and perfect trust. May your paths be fecund, bountiful and radiant with the power of the Goddess. Keep on being creative and powerful darlings.

)O( Elspeth.

Remember to be grateful

2011-09-04T01:36:00.000-07:00

Being conscious of what you ought to be grateful for without attachment
I realise that for some people this post won't apply to them - life can be hard and we all go through periods of our lives we'd rather forget. I feel that for every good piece of fortune that is thrown my way or I have manifested through the Craft ought to have a moment dedicated to its arrival. That may mean thanking the diety called upon to manifest the support or needs that I had at the time or just being grateful for coincidences which turn your life around. I feel that I really ought to gather my sisters soon and have a rite especially dedicated to this. I think that I feel more like this the more that I meditate - my mind is clearer and sharper and I tend to be more grateful about the positive things that happen in my life. It's too easy to look at the downside of life and accumulate a list of 'if only' statements from one day to the next.

As you will know, I am very fond of Buddhist thought and have learnt a great deal about their concept of attachment. My attachment to 'if only' thoughts and my attachment to 'I should feel grateful for' thoughts should in no way define who I am, I just feel as though some more conscious thought towards what we ought to be grateful for will provide a better balance for a calm mind & way of being.

Contributing in hard times - more on ethical living and how I'm changing my lifestyle
A very sharp change of subject here, but I am wanting to air these concerns all the same. At the same time as making sure I am aware of what I ought to be grateful for, I do feel that I have more work to contribute to Gaia by trying to live the most ethical life that a meat eater can possibly live in this day and age. There is so much information out there to take in! With every step I am coming closer to living a more biocentric lifestyle rather than one which is anthropocentric. I have put some extra cash forward to buy some cloth pads from Wise Woman Pads which I've tried and tested, and they wash incredibly well. They don't make your menstrual flow smell either, it just smells like blood. They're also the most reasonably priced ones on the market and come in the best patterns. Whilst the economy is also suffering a major blow - yet again - it's a great time to set aside money especially to support local businesses if you can manage. The smaller, locally owned organic stores who are more likely to sell ethical, wholesome and natural products ought to be sustained during this time if only for the cosmetics that they sell if you are to buy everything else from the supermarket. That way we are supporting locally owned businesses and will be helping to keep our local community members employed, selling products which are often hard to find otherwise. As you know I'm a non-materialistic witch and have been cutting down on buying new candles, props or any oils which are not ethically sourced. Instead of buying a variety of coloured candles I'm buying Australian made plain beeswax candles which have a beautiful natural smell and feel to them. If I buy furniture in the near future I aim to buy second hand furniture to avoid cutting down more trees, and have considered buying more second hand clothing to cut down on carbon emissions created from the manufacturing of new clothes - the more second hand, the better in many ways! Fewer new trees will get cut down and less energy is put towards the product.

Show your gratitude to your deity by thanking them for their support & give Gaia as much of your support as you can for everything that she has ever given you.

Really do check out Wise Woman Pads - Judith does an amazing job.

Blessed Be,
)O( E.

Desired Home XIV

2011-08-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Reblogged from Drawing Down the Moon

The Ethical Consumer Guide (Global)

2011-08-13T00:28:00.000-07:00

"Keep pure your highest ideals, strive ever toward them." - Charge of the Goddess

Since having started working in environmental conservation, I feel much more inspired to take on more ethical challenges to make sure that I take care of Gaia and honor the concept of the Gaia Hypothesis.

General Groceries/ Supermarket Shopping: For an all-round guide go to the Ethical Consumer Guide which you can view online - it really is wonderful for all kinds of consumerism as to whether each product is ethically sound environmentally, in regards to animal cruelty, fair trade and how they treat their workers.
Animal cruelty - a concise list of information: The above is more helpful because it talks about ethical consumerism in general, and if for some reason you are more passionate about/want to know more about which products test on animals go to PETA's Caring Consumer website.
Aromatherapy products - as mentioned in this previous article, it's incredible what goes on when you're not paying close attention! I'm letting quite a few of my aromatherapy oils and resins run out because they are unethical to have in my home. For more info, go to Crop Watch and I will post updates on here for new information/discoveries.

Great companies to purchase from:

Sanitary products - Wise Woman Pads (Victoria, Australia) and Moon Pads (Tasmania, Australia) - The wonderful makers of cloth sanitary pads to help save the environment. So long as you wash your moon pads well by soaking them overnight in a bucket then putting them in a laundry bag to wash, they will last up to five years. Also, if you buy yourself a rubber menstrual cup to replace tampons you'll save even more money over the years from buying additional packets of tampons which absorb moisture away from your body and can cause toxic shock syndrome. Put your soaking water back onto the garden so that the garden can benefit from your blood.
Skin and Hair Care - Sukin (Australia) -Skin and Hair Care with no animal testing, a carbon neutral product range and recyclable packaging. They smell beautiful and provide products that really last.

August 13 - the day of Aradia, Diana and Hecate - the maiden, mother and crone

2011-08-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

Aah the 13th of August and on the full moon at that! It was said that Aradia, in the form of a physical woman on earth was born on the 13th of August, the day of Diana in the year 1313 who then roamed the earth teaching Witchcraft, aptly named 'La Bella Pellegrina' or 'The Beautiful Pilgrim.' A great deal more detail on Aradia can be read in my previous post here. You can also read a brief description about Hecate here.

In the northern hemisphere, Hecate is honored by leaving an offering at the crossroad - the roads between life and death which she represents. Take a plate you won't mind 'losing' to the crossroads with goods such as honey (lavendar honey is the best), eggs and garlic out once darkness has fallen - say your invocation to the Goddess of Witchcraft and leave the plate there and do not go back for it - in fact, once you turn around and journey back home, don't look back to that crossroad. In the home, burn patchouli incense, a black candle and performing divination at midnight. Hecate observes all activity & assists at night, so perform all of the above at night time.

Seeing as it's a full moon you may feel inspired upon drawing down the moon to repeat the charge of the goddess in its original form from Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches by Charles Leland below (before it was changed by Doreen Valiente and Aleister Crowley before her) to honor both Aradia and Diana:

Aradia:
When I have departed from this world
Whenever ye have need of anything
Once in the month, and when the moon is full
Ye shall assemble in some desert place,
Or in a forest all together join
To adore the potent spirit of your Queen,
My mother, great Diana. She who fain
Would learn all sorcery yet has not won
Its deepest secrets, them my mother will
Teach her, in truth all things yet unknown.
And ye shall all be freed from slavery,
And so ye shall be free in everything;
And as a sign that ye are truly free,
Ye shall be naked in your rites, both men
And women also: this shall last until
The last of your oppressors shall be dead;
And ye shall make the game of Benevento,
Extinguishing the lights, and after that
Shall hold your supper thus

... I am still alive...

2011-08-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

I have no idea when people are looking at this blog, I think the most attention it has received has been from the article on Baphomet - so I do wonder about why people come here! I've had many new and interesting discoveries with my practice that I would like to share with you soon. I seem to be forging my own particular path and can't wait to supply the blog with more book reviews, notes on herbology and looking into the science of poltergeists.

Blessed Be,

)O( E.

Cropwatch.org

2011-07-02T22:54:00.000-07:00

For more independent research on buying ethical aromatherapy products please go to
www.cropwatch.org

Cropwatch...

Is an Independent Watchdog for Natural Aromatic Products used in the aroma (: fragrance/cosmetics, flavour, aromatherapy), traditional herbal medicine & phytochemical industries. Many of these natural commodities are under threat via their over-exploitation in the wild (see articles inCropwatch Files section), or their continued use & availability faces uncertainty via the imposition of restrictive & over-precautionary legislation.
Cropwatch's independent stance & expressed opinions can counter-balance information about natural aromatic products obtained from commercial sources, trade magazines & (even) learned journals. The reports & policies of governmental/non-governmental bodies & authorities can often show bias towards corporate concerns, against the wider public interest.
Information provided to Cropwatch is derived from a number of sources e.g. from academics, researchers, aroma industry employees, health industry professionals, ethnobotanists, ethnic peoples and others, all of whom have primary concerns for natural products & the environment.

Endangered species of plants and their essential oils & resins to boycott - Rosewood, Sandalwood and Frankincense

2011-07-02T22:41:00.000-07:00

Yet again I provide another update for the New Age industry to pay serious attention to, and I sadly look at these oils in my collection and feel a sense of sadness over my materialism - another reason not to worry about buying products to affirm your faith.

ROSEWOOD - An endangered species with a violent & corrupt industry history
Apparently rosewood has been an endangered species for decades now, and some articles I've read on the internet state that due to the demand from aromatherapists, this product is still being supplied. Dalbergia nigra or Brazilian Rosewood, is listed as an endangered species which has a strong, sweet and long lasting smell.

The following information is from a website which begins to talk about the blind demand for Rosewood oil and the roots of its corrupt industry in Brazil:

In mid December 2003 the body of a 27 year old Greenpeace activist was found floating in the Amazon. Emily Craddock was investigating the activities of the illegal loggers operating throughout the Amazon basin. It is believed that she may have fallen overboard. However, as it is believed that loggers had threatened this expedition, investigations are ongoing. It is known that Brazilian campaigners against illegal logging have been threatened with their lives. My respects to Emily and her family, a sad loss to the world at such a young age.

I would just ask those who insist on selling and using rosewood oil to consider this: What you have done is indirectly contribute to the death of the young lady mentioned above. All the excuses the trade come up with about "we only use the sawdust" "we only use the leaves" "we are only tiny users compared to other trades" etc. are hogwash to cover them continuing to trade in endangered species and helping support criminals.

SANDALWOOD AND FRANKINCENSE

Rather than copy and paste the information about the over-harvesting of these plants, I'll direct you straight to the source:
Aromatherapy School

Please: if you find any articles like this to alert other members of the Wiccan and New Age community, please respond with a link in my comments so that I can do further research. I'll continue to dig through to see whether there are any more products we ought to look out for.

Love, light & responsibility,
)O( Elspeth.

Rosewood information sources:
Scientific Rosewood names from Wikipedia
Article on Greenpeace activist from Aroma Medical

Occult Shop of the Week II - The New Oracle (AUS/NZ)

2011-07-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

If you really need to be materialistic (oh, go on!) then this website has a wonderful range and great prices.

I one day would love to have a wooden book of shadows and their wooden book stand... One day...

Go to the website here.

Healing is a psychological journey, not a physiological cure-all - a great video about the money maker called Theta healing

2011-07-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

So I'm not really typical as a Wiccan when it comes to these sorts of things. Sometimes I find there are grey areas, and then there are moments like these where I see things as being much more black and white.

My position on any form of healing is that, whilst it can physically make the endorphins run wild, it is best reserved for psychological work rather than physiological. Even then, when you feel that unwell by the activity of your mind and you can't bear it any longer, see a psychologist: that is what they are for. New Age healing, which I have experienced myself, is wonderful for the psychology and can be incredibly uplifting and invigorating, and if you receive images or feelings from it, you still have to be proactive about what you have discovered. I am saddened to see people attempting to use it to physically heal people with their hands or their minds, particularly when they are terminally ill. It is sad to see that the potential for healing is abused by people who:

Charge a lot of money for it
Are so convinced that their healing works that they may disregard crucial symptoms of a serious illness (not that they're trained to really detect them)
Have no actual scientific qualifications of any kind yet charge more than a doctor and probably as much as a psychologist.
Make claims that HIV can be reversed when it's impossible, which is completely revolting and misguiding and again, draws in people to believe that if they spend their money with these people that they will be healed

This kind of thing racks my brain, like healers who claim that their practice will alter your DNA... which as we all know is impossible. At this particular event that I went to, it was proposed to me that I would be so fortunate as to have my DNA altered - but what for was not clear. It was thrown out there just to make the event seem incredible when all we were ultimately doing was allowing ourselves a group psychological healing - is that not enough? Is it not joyous enough to share that moment with others at the end of a working week by letting go together, singing together and just having a nice time?

Meditation, however, can help to prevent a range of things happening to your body by reducing stress and the chemicals your body then produces which can affect your mind, heart and general wellbeing. It reduces your risk of heart disease by half if you meditate two times a day for twenty minutes and there is certainly no harm in connecting with your truth. Go here to read my article on how to achieve a sincere balance from your practice, which is really common sense for any lay person (well, except for the more religious parts anyway!).

It is interesting to see how people cross the line within spirituality like this, like those who practice cold reading if you remember the post I put up about that featuring the fantastic episode of Bullshit by Penn and Teller. Don't you think it is interesting how when that line is crossed, there is a lot of money to be found on the other side?

)O(
E

video via Derren Brown Blog

Desired Home XIII - Snail House by Javier Senosiain (Mexico)

2011-06-27T04:07:00.000-07:00

The master plan

The finished home

The interior

The lounge

Image 1 & 2 (plan) via Architecture View

Image 3 from Fashion Fandangle

Image 4 from Interior House Design

Wonderful documentary on the life of an Irish witch

2011-06-27T02:40:00.000-07:00

This is such a marvellously honest interview from such a good woman whom I believe is a great role model for other Wiccans. Particularly when she says:

'One of the rules about witchcraft is you do not prosthetise your craft. You must never say "I want you to be a witch, I think you would be a great witch." They need to say "This is something I've been exploring and I would like you to tell me more about it."'

Another cardinal rule of hers is to not charge others to learn the craft. It is wonderful to hear that someone truly believes in this. I get tired of seeing pagans charging 'to cover the cost of the materials' when you don't even need the materials - magick comes from the heart.

I also admire her ability to enjoy worship outside of Wicca and her clear respect for other faiths.

To her I send my love and I hope you learn a lot from her,
)O( E

Desired Home (Door) XII

2011-06-20T05:18:00.000-07:00

via Coll:Set

Witchy Outfit of the Week XXIV

2011-06-20T05:02:00.000-07:00

by Free People Clothing

via Here's the Deal

Marianne Faithfull the Witch

2011-06-20T04:18:00.000-07:00

Aah so this is the blogging I do now that I've finally finished putting my exhibition up. I found it incredibly hard to find out whether Marianne is still a practicing witch, having only just found out from an article 'Rock's Sympathy for the Devil' in New Dawn Magazine (July - August 2010).

In it, it mentions that on the set of Lucifer Rising in Egypt she 'managed to fall off a mountain. She somersaulted and landed on her feet without sustaining any injury. This convinced her that her magic was stronger than (Kenneth) Anger's.' The article also mentions her studying the Craft with Anita Pallenberg for hours on end reading The White Goddess and studying the ancient Celtic tree alphabet. Both Faithfull and Mick Jagger were to feature in Lucifer Rising together but he got cold feet and was replaced.

It's not his best film, I managed to drift away with it for a while. There is very little in this film which I would consider 'evil' whatsoever and Lucifer - whether intended as the light bringer and husband of Diana or as the Christian version is unclear, which I find frustrating.

I'm not sure what to make of how she talks about herself in her video. The imagery in her music video was taken directly from Haxan Witchcraft Through The Ages (1922).

You can now view my entire exhibition The Sacred and Profane online

2011-06-19T04:17:00.000-07:00

The exhibition is up until (and including) the 29th of June at Hogan Gallery, 310 Smith Street, Collingwood. See the whole exhibition online here.

Images from top to bottom:
Aset (Isis) - oil on canvas
Chaos - Mixed media on paper
Double Matterhorn - Oil on canvas
The Great Rite - mixed media on paper

The Eclectic Triad of eclipses is now underway - the 2nd falling on the night of my exhibition

2011-06-01T00:53:00.000-07:00

Between 1st June and 1st July 2011 there are three eclipses, the mid-year ‘Eclipse Triad:’ 1 June, 15 June and 1 July. Plus an extremely powerful Solstice on 21 June.

Please do take the time if you wish, even if your are dubious about such stated increases in energies during these days, to spend some time alone in contemplation, or in meditation with others, or carry out a spiritual practice. Inner contemplation, as opposed to outer, since the inner is the doorway to the outer, and to All else, and to the expansion of the domain of Love and Light, rather than t’other way round. And the expansion of the direct understanding of Oneness.

Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking on SBS1 tomorrow night (8.30pm)

2011-05-30T05:48:00.000-07:00

Time Travel - The promise of time travel has long been one of the world's favourite scientific 'what-ifs?'. With the aid of stunning CGI, Stephen Hawking explores all the possibilities, warping the very fabric of time and space as he goes. From killing your grandfather to riding a black hole, we learn the pitfalls and the prospects for a technology that could quite literally, change everything we have ever known. (From the UK) (Documentary Series) (Part 2 of 4) G CC

I believe you can still watch the episode several days after it has aired here

Come to my exhibition on June 15 in Melbourne

2011-05-30T05:38:00.000-07:00

I'm being followed by a Moonshadow...

2011-05-29T01:09:00.001-07:00

Witchy Outfit of the Week XXIII

2011-05-24T04:06:00.000-07:00

Another masterpiece by Alexander McQueen

via Coll:Set

Desired Home XI

2011-05-23T03:41:00.000-07:00

via Cosmic Eye in the Heart of the Sun

Witchy Outfit of the Week XXII

2011-05-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

Sisters of the Black Moon are having another amazing sale tonight. Keep an eye on their products here.

To add to Bird of the Week II - The Hummingbird & How they Feed (new discovery)

2011-05-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

New high-speed videos of hummingbirds overturn nearly two centuries of conventional wisdom on how they drink.
Researchers previously thought tube-like channels in their tongues sucked up fluid by capillary action. But the new analysis shows that their tongues actually trap nectar by curling around it.
Via Derren Brown Blog
Original Source: Wired

Recent thoughts & things I believe that Wiccans ought to consider

2011-05-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

A lot of people might not like this particular post, but I am constantly questioning Wicca. Whilst there are parts of Wicca which I love, I think I have become particularly jaded of late from having experienced a variety of circles where it only takes one character to mess with everyone else's heads in what usually turns out to be a petty power game. I do have close sisters whom I cherish and love, and I wouldn't take any of it back.

Within every religion I've found that there are several kinds of people: the empowered who actually want to create positive change rather than being obsessed with power over others; the cowards who stand behind their religion to excuse their messed up games and bizarre actions and of course the pathetic power-hungry people who are compensating for the hole in their heart, never satisfied with healthy empowerment alone - they are greedy for more, more and more power and love to play with your sense of self worth. Then often when you have problems with one another you can either choose to talk about them partly in Wiccan/New Age terms or like normal people - and the conversations are rarely 'normal' and as mentioned before, some people love to stand behind their faith & twist their intentions. It's a difficult game.

You might have previously read my post about why a hierarchy doesn't work & why you ought to avoid it at all costs. If you do choose to enter a circle, I'd highly recommend that you read up on the Buddhist concept of attachment so that you are able to retain a sense of reality & realistic distance from any situations which arise. I'd highly recommend that - if you can all manage to be organised enough - that you have a mediation process set up in advance for when things start to fall apart.

Issues I believe that other Wiccans ought to consider:

Materialism, altruism and true spirituality: Other religions are setting up charities such as The Salvation Army & The Red Cross - are you donating to a cause or (if you have no money) actively making a difference within society? Being spiritual ought to always inherently involve some altruism outside of its own faith. Put back to the earth, clean up your streets and get involved in your community. I get sick of seeing neophytes feeling like they can't practice magick and hence be a spiritual person because they need to buy 'stuff' for their altar - props which are beautiful (and I can't talk, I own so many!) but you can do without. Do you think that the gods will punish you for not buying the $50 bottle of liquor to put on your altar as an offering? Isn't your love and dedication enough? This is something I fail to understand - it's beautiful when someone gives an offering, but it's hard when you judge others because they can't afford it or just don't really see that it's that necessary. I like to offer incense, fruit & prayers if I can (depending on who it is) but would I get hit by lightning & have the Threefold Law beat me down with an iron hammer if I didn't do that? I don't think so. Clearly not everyone would agree with me on that. It's more important to make a contribution to society than it is to make sure that you can somehow obtain a rare ornament/talisman within two weeks of an upcoming ritual then feel like a failure for not having obtained it. I have started to meet gods and goddesses during deep meditations, see whether I can work with them (upon asking their name), work with them and then have another ritual especially to thank them.
Honesty gains respect: Reassess your values regularly and be honest about them - so many people hide behind their faith & its dogma. What do you truly believe and what would you like the world to be like? They are often two separate things. What can you do as a Wiccan to obtain the world that you desire? Remember that light & darkness, negativity & positivity and the rest make up for the natural balance of life - so would you really change all that much? Just as Thelemites attempt to find their True Will by being completely and unabashedly honest about who they are - who are you outside of your faith? Would you have more respect for a bluntly spoken Thelemite or the Wiccan who insists that everything is beautiful and amazing 100% of the time? There needs to be a balance of who you are along with your beliefs or you have lost yourself.

I hope that wasn't too painful for anyone - it was almost like me venting some things which get on my nerves!

)O( Elspeth

Please help to fund Artnerd

2011-04-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

I have been a fan of Suzanne Gerber's Wurzeltod for many years now. So much inspiration has come from the website to fuel my art, particularly during my undergrad in fine art - without which, my aesthetic and same bad taste would never be the same. Suzanne is now venturing to open a gallery in London with the memberships contributing to the setup of the space - with maaaany benefits to be had.

Follow the link and scroll down to see what is in it for you. Wurzeltod was set up to advocate unusual fine art which often slipped through the cracks because the artists weren't friends with the 'right people' or the highbrow art scene didn't support them - even though they were brilliant. Wurzeltod also has a forum based on alternative culture, art, design, fashion and aesthetics which has been inspirational for artists across the globe. ArtNerd is Suzanne's official gallery whereby you can purchase artwork - and she has always advocated to make art affordable so it's a win win in so many ways. You don't have to have a membership, you can just donate.

It's going to be an amazing venture, so get involved.

)O( Elspeth

Bird of the Week II - The Hummingbird

2011-04-22T00:45:00.000-07:00

Living in the Americas, including the Caribbean, the hummingbird was worshipped by the Aztecs and were used as fetishes to represent vigour (sexual and in battle) for their speed which may also have something to do with the fact that for their size they live for quite some time due to their strong metabolism (3-5 years).

Dan Pancamo Photography - via Wikipedia

Top moving image via Psychoticrecreation

Desired Home XI

2011-04-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

via Black Lung

Achieving a sincere balance by combining methods

2011-04-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

Lately I am really dedicating myself to Scott Cunningham's thirteen methods to push myself in my craft and to achieve general balance for my overall wellbeing which is working out really well. The Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path is also mentioned in my post where it is compared to the Threefold Law which I believe helps to strengthen the Threefold Law and our understanding of it - especially if you are only just beginning to learn the craft which you can read here.

This entry is really a regurgitation of previous entries and I like to emphasise them to see whether the reader is also keeping on track and also to push myself further. I've joined the gym again and meditate every morning for half an hour which is proving to be wonderful before I go to work for a clear mind. I have found a job working for a environmental conservation society to achieve the 'Right Livelihood' as mentioned in the Buddhist Eightfold Path and also am dedicating myself to right mindfulness and concentration. I feel that the Wiccan version need to emphasise more in regards to kindness towards others, yourself and your planet. Naturally by Celebrating Life, Honoring the Goddess and God & Keeping Your Words in Good Order you could achieve this somewhere amongst it but I feel that it needs to be explicitly outlined. I feel that Achieving Balance could also hint towards treating people equally and advocating equality amongst society rather than just your own personal balance.

Concentrating on Mindfulness has been great, as noted in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying when you eat you eat & when you sleep you sleep - without any distracting thoughts which could carry you away from the now so that you can experience the enjoyment of being completely present in whatever it is you are doing.

I am now also finding ways to assimilate my artistic practice into my craft to challenge reoccurring nightmares and retain my mindfulness. Some works as like charged talismans and others are more like antidotes or spells to things which I want challenged in my life.

I feel that all of this is really helping to relieve a lot of anger, frustration and stress in my life by walking a much more careful and considerate path so that my energy is purely kind & gentle rather than creating energy which can be negatively absorbed by others. I do feel a lovely sense of wellness, balance and happiness thanks to this dedication which I know I can keep up.

Blessed Be,
)O( E

SCOTT CUNNINGHAM'S THIRTEEN GOALS OF A WITCH

1. Know yourself

2. Know your craft

3. Learn

4. Apply knowledge with wisdom

5. Achieve balance

6. Keep your words in good order

7. Keep your thoughts in good order

8. Celebrate life

9. Attune with the cycles of the earth

10. Breathe and eat correctly

11. Exercise the body

12. Meditate

13. Honor the Goddess and God

THE BUDDHIST NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH

1. Right View. The right way to think about life is to see the world through the eyes of the Buddha--with wisdom and compassion.
2. Right Thought. We are what we think. Clear and kind thoughts build good, strong characters.
3. Right Speech. By speaking kind and helpful words, we are respected and trusted by everyone.
4. Right Conduct. No matter what we say, others know us from the way we behave. Before we criticize others, we should first see what we do ourselves.
5. Right Livelihood. This means choosing a job that does not hurt others. The Buddha said, "Do not earn your living by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhappy."
6. Right Effort. A worthwhile life means doing our best at all times and having good will toward others. This also means not wasting effort on things that harm ourselves and others.
7. Right Mindfulness. This means being aware of our thoughts, words, and deeds.
8. Right Concentration. Focus on one thought or object at a time. By doing this, we can be quiet and attain true peace of mind.

The Pentagram by Aleister Crowley

2011-04-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

In the Years of the Primal Course, in the dawn of terrestrial birth,
Man mastered the mammoth and horse, and Man was the Lord of the Earth.

He made him an hollow skin from the heart of an holy tree,
He compassed the earth therien, and Man was the Lord of the Sea.

He controlled the vigour of steam, he harnessed the lightning for hire;
He drove the celestial team, and man was the Lord of the Fire.

Deep-mouthed from their thrones deep-seated, the choirs of the æeons declare
The last of the demons defeated, for Man is the Lord of the Air.

Arise, O Man, in thy strength! the kingdom is thine to inherit,
Till the high gods witness at length that Man is the Lord of his spirit.

Attempt to find the oldest witch image #1

2011-04-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

I am fascinated to know what is the oldest image of witchcraft ever found in history - especially in a sincerely figurative form rather than cave drawings of stick people raising their hands to the sky... or something!

What I'm really trying to capture are images of witches when the term 'witch' came into existence, rather than images of the goddess Inanna or Isis, but actual witches who roamed the earth.

This seems to be one of the oldest images that I have found thus far, and I won't stop searching in order to find one that is truly ancient. The oldest general witch-related thing I could find was a 12,000 year old shaman's grave in northern Israel - which doesn't count as a picture just as the oldest 'wise woman' documented which you can read about here.

I am interested to see how witches are depicted over time and most importantly: how that started and did it change? Were images of witchcraft only created to justify the witch burnings by showing people the actions they would undertake by doing bad and naughty things? Was it all fiction or were any of them real people, were any of them real stories?

I simply adore these images, they are the eldest that I have found so far. I have no idea why the women in the image below are beating the devil - if it is meant to be the devil.

© The Trustees of the British Museum
Print made by Agostino Veneziano
After Raphael (suggested by Bartsch)
Date
1510-1536
Schools /Styles: Italian
Description: Two naked men drag the carcass of a monstrous creature, a witch rides above and two other naked men bring up the rear
Engraving

© The Trustees of the British Museum
Print made by Daniel Hopfer
Date: 1505-1536
Schools /Styles: German
Description: Three haggard-looking old women, possibly witches, beating the devil to the ground, devilish creatures in the sky, landscape background; another impression; large section at lower right made up.
Etching

Both images sourced from Varnamarafevanfel

Rosemary for the mind

2011-04-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

For concentration, focus, sleep, youth, love, protection, banishing, purification and mental powers.

Origins in witchcraft: Rosemary was associated with love, friendship, and remembrance in Medieval times hence being used for memory. It was used in weddings as a symbol of love, and was tossed into graves to signify that the deceased would be remembered. Try burning it as an incense for these purposes. Burning also is believed to help with healing, especially if burned with Juniper.
Used in witchcraft today for: Study, memory at work, for youthful vigour, used to attract Fairies, love, lust, cleansing & exorcism. Blend two drops of neroli (to calm nerves) and 1 of rosemary oil (for concentration) before an examination & anoint yourself around the temples, throat and wherever with whatever you have left!
Growth: Perennial
Naturally grows in: France, Spain, Portugal, Tunisia
Planet: Sun - masculine
Day of the week: Sunday or Saturday to banish
Therapeutic Properties: Analgesic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, astringent, carminative, digestive, diuretic, hepatic, hypertensor, rebefacient, stimulant, tonic

Image source: Mermaid's Garden
Info source: Medieval info from Mystical Blaze

Pluto in retrograde - 9 April to 16 September

2011-04-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

It's time to wake up and shake up. A few of my friends on Facebook have suddenly had to change their entire lives since all but yesterday. Whatever you consider holds your values, ideals and sense of identity together could be shaken up. It's a time for moving forward and challenging the parts of yourself which need a desperate Spring (Autumn down here!) clean. Have you got any hangups that you need to address? Do you think you could benefit from doing a cord cutting once the waning moon comes around? Start to plan this and leave it open and flexible so that you can become stronger and ready for any challenges that come ahead.

The truth will set you free, no matter how hard it can be to face. I have personally taken on the challenge to meditate every morning for 20 minutes to half an hour and my world is sincerely changed. In this time, depending on the goals and prayers of each individual day. Every day, each meditation presents a challenge for me to overcome the ego and find ways to clear my mind from bad thought (possibly about others) which are putting up barriers in my life. What do you really believe and why have you made yourself stop at that point to believe it?

It's time for Mr. Intensity's retrograde cycle. This year Pluto retrogrades from April 9 to September 16 and will go over the road he's already traveled from 8 degrees back to 5 degrees in Capricorn. Do you have natal planets/house angles between those degrees? If yes, then Pluto has been hanging around agitating that part of your chart/life. Just when he moves past the degree of your natal planet/house angle, he switches gears and heads for it again. But it's not personal. It's his job. And it's each of our jobs to endure with whatever transformative change he is helping us make. The more we resist, consciously or not, the more difficult his transit on our charts/in our lives will be...

For more go to Astrogrrrl's page for how this will affect you over the majority of the year.

Lillith

2011-04-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

by John Collier, 1892

Witchy Outfit XXII

2011-04-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

via Sisters of the Black Moon

New Moon in Aries (Mars) Reflection

2011-04-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

As a witch, I am aware that I am going through many changes, alterations and maturing into the path. My abilities are stronger than what they once were and the responsibility that walks hand-in-hand with it is becoming more apparent over time. I'm more able to take a step back and inspect my beliefs from an outer perspective to the point where I feel like I can provide stable advice to others and be a more receptive learner. I'm more fond of wearing black and have started to balance with my dark goddess energy who knows when to keep silent. I certainly feel that I have been very inward and could do with taking this new moon energy in order to flip that around a bit.

I really feel that I have benefitted from reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and was about 150 pages in when my boyfriend accidentally left it on the plane on the way to Tasmania. Once I've read that I can give you all a full review, but it would take a while! I'd still highly recommend it even though I'm only part way through.

The new moon is a time of reflection - looking back on the last moon phase and looking forward to the rising, waxing moon energy, setting your own personal goals towards the full moon. I feel like I can be more honest and relaxed with people and possibly with myself.

I have been so inwardly silent that I haven't even written here for quite some time! Not to mention that I have also been very busy.

I really felt Mars entering Aries on the 1st of April all but two days ago as I am more driven, clear-thinking and charged for all of the challenges lying ahead with this Arien energy! It is a time to take charge & proclaim in the new moon what kind of elements of your character need strengthening from the Mars energy that is coming to the fore. You need to understand your motivations in order to strengthen your character, so inspect those motivations in order to move forward to strengthen yourself as the moon's energy waxes.

"Mars enters Aries on April 1 at 9:51 p.m. PDT (April 2 at 12:51 a.m. EDT) and will stay through May 11th. While in Aries, Mars will align with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America Pacific time zone; allow +/-2 days for life span of influence):

§ April 3 ~ Mars conjunct Uranus. Nothing is as it seems. Openness to unconventional solutions, even to the most common problems. Pushing for one's desires. Aggressiveness. Unpredictable behavior. Be extra careful when traveling, even short distances. Also today, the New Moon in Aries with both Sun and Moon oppose Saturn-rx.

§ April 11 ~ Mars square Pluto. Power struggles. Everyone wants to be the boss/everyone seems bossy. No one seems to want to listen or reason or discuss. Tempers fly. No one wants to budge. Standstill. Agreeing to disagree. Elsewhere in the sky, Mercury-rx conjunct Jupiter and conversations/ideas can easily be blown out of proportion.

§ April 18 & 19 ~ Mars oppose Saturn-rx and Mercury-rx conjunct Mars. A chance to get things accomplished. Commitment and hard work are required, though. Simply starting something without a good plan will most likely fail when obstacles present themselves. Think first before acting.

§ April 30 to May 1 ~ Mars conjunct Jupiter. A little braver to try out something new. More optimistic of succeeding or arriving at desired results. Believing in the dream coming true. Making a go of things. Elsewhere in the sky, Venus oppose Saturn-rx."

Information via Astrogrrl - thanks Honor!

Merry Mabon

2011-03-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

Mabon, a time of reflection. It's such a time of reflection in the underworld I've ended up being too introverted - staying inside rather than going out to a potential three social occasions on the one day which I wish I could do but cannot. Tonight will be the biggest full moon in twenty years, so I can't wait to see it in the sky. Doreen Valiente said herself that in the March and September equinoxes we can expect 'psychic stress' which I definitely felt last night and today. I had a beautiful mabon ritual with pine cones, acorns, a potato (!), an orange and brown candle and the following for a really soft and fresh incense ground up in the mortar and pestle:

- Frankincense
- Sandalwood chips
- Neroli oil (2 drops)
- Cypress oil (3 drops)
- Sandalwood oil (2 drops)

I wish I could go out with friends but lack the social energy and my body aches. It's a weird time of year. Melbourne is so much more bearable in this time of year, so whilst some people are complaining that they had no summer I'm very glad to see in the autumn.

Write down two lists: one of the year's achievements - spiritually or otherwise on yellow paper and another on red paper listing your spiritual goals until next Mabon. Acknowledge the crone and lift the red card to her to reveal any future images of your spiritual journey.

For more detail on the sabbat, go here for the full story of the god Mabon.

Autumn is a perfect time for this tune - and what a strange film it looks like! The singer looks a lot like James Franco.

Witchy Outfit XXI

2011-02-26T04:39:00.000-08:00

Aah feathers, how I love thee.

via Cosmic Dust

A new bow to my arrow... Or a new arrow to my bow?

2011-02-26T01:40:00.000-08:00

Developments of late have been incredibly interesting. I know that I ought to meditate every day but still only seem to manage it three times a week and do a visualisation about once a month, as Mondays for some reason are not as free as they used to be, partly because my boyfriend often has that night off.

The visualisations have been great challenges as a form of high magick, making me challenge parts of my psychology that need addressing - much like if I were being hypnotised and had to go through different 'doors' in my mind to adjust my thinking where necessary for a better magickal and mundane life. It's there that I meet Gods and Goddesses to guide me there and then, however my meditations have been working out to be very interesting for those to help me within my day-to-day life.

Without calling out to them, I know that in the near future that I will want to carry out a spell in order to move ahead in some way in my life. Meeting the White Tara is a wonderful example of this, and I had a wonderful meeting with Queen Mab the other day which was also completely unexpected, in order for me to have a Goddess to work with for cord cutting (see post below for details on that).

Meeting Queen Mab or Maeve was really interesting. I knew that the Archangel Michael was not really the one I wanted to work with as I see Angel worship as being more of a Christian concept so I wanted to choose someone else. But, as it would seem, I needn't open a book these days in order to find the right leader to guide me as it's now a regular to-do for them to offer their help, which really is much better I think. Then you are receiving the energy which will work best for you - the calm white tara for protection and to move through the ocean of suffering, and strong and beautiful Maeve with her sword for when you need to boldly - yet gently cut cords.

It was interesting: on the day that I wanted to do the ritual (on a Tuesday for war, psychic protection etc) I went to the usual meditation temple, into the sculptued foot of Hermes Trimegistus. Normally I will look out to the beach and turn around to the giant sculpted foot, then entering past a skeleton of Hermes Trimegistus who gives me 'The Emerald Tablet' in the form of a green book where I walk through to an inner temple to meditate.

However, no-one seemed to be in the normal hall and a new hallway had created itself to the right hand side which had mint green walls & black and white tiles, which I thought was odd. I went to the medieval looking door and went to open it but was too hesitant so Hermes Trimegistus opened it for me (was there as a living green version sitting on some stairs that went upstairs - now I'm wondering what's upstairs!). Anyway, for a while before approaching this door I could hear a preternatural talking, which consisted of loud notes sung long and loud, just single notes.

The door opened to a long wooden medieval table setting with lots of little green men on it who were still doing that weird talking and eating, which reverberated up the high dark wooden walls to the stained glass windows above. They looked like Yoda but with smaller ears, bigger eyes and only wore pants - little green men! A woman in medieval garb rose from the table and I bowed, not sure who it was. "Your majesty" I said, which I never say in visualisation or meditation. I bumbled a bit, and the rest was a bit of a fuzz as far as conversation went. I basically agreed that we would work together for the cord cutting and had all faith in her in her pride, zeal and strength. She wore incredible, dark makeup - almost like a goth. She wore the medieval horn-like headdress and exuded a voluptuous power. She then returned to the table to continue eating as I left thanking her again and again and the green men piped up again.

I remember looking at Queen Mab or Maeve with a friend a few weeks ago as we summoned her for a full moon ritual.

In relation to the black and white tiles described above, I had a read of a ritual in 'Advanced Witchcraft' by Edain McCoy in her 'Advanced Warding and Psychic Defense' chapter, with a ritual called 'The Checkered Box' where the practitioner encloses themselves in black and white tiles. I thought I'd cut the cord then just close myself up for additional insurance. I might publish my version of the Cord Cutting ritual, though I think it will only really be the same as the article I posted earlier.

After all of this, my mother sent me my March horoscope by Jonathan Cainer and I just about fell over (I'm a Taurean by the way):

Is that a little fairy, sitting on your shoulder? Or is it a guardian
angel, hovering over your head? Maybe it's a wish-granting leprechaun,
an ancient Tibetan or a spirit guide from the medicine wheel. I can't
be sure which form your cosmic protection is due to take but it's
clear that, in March, something is going to be looking after you. You
are being offered support, succour and sustenance, some of which may
take a decidedly unambiguous physical form. I'm not promising
miracles. There may be ups as well as downs. But the ups will be real.
They will last much longer and prove far more important than the
downs!

So given meeting Queen Mab - Queen of the Faeries and a Tibetan Goddess recently this is all sounding too interesting.

)O( Elspeth.

Spell for after a break up/ Long term friendship

2011-02-25T19:58:00.000-08:00

I recently wrote this for a friend of mine and thought that I would share it with everyone.

In summary:

Waning Moon & leading up to the new moon you will need to do a Cord Cutting. If you have any painful diary entries that were generated purely for cathartic reasons, gather them now and write down the positives from this relationship which has just ended and consider how this person has changed you for the better
Here is a great Cord Cutting Ritual.
New Moon: a time for introspection, deciding how you will move forward and gathering helpful and healthy concepts to build your strength
Waxing Moon: A Self Love Spell every Friday night
Full Moon: organise well in advance to have a night of celebration for your achievement with friends

Begins on the New Moon – Leading up to the New Moon, allow this time to do your Cord Cutting Ritual on a Tuesday in order to clear your head for this ritual. If you don’t do this, you will end up not having the head space for it and your heart will still have the cord which connects the two of you and will sap you of energy. What you need now is to clear your head and remind yourself of all of your wonderful qualities.

Leading up to the Cord Cutting allow yourself to get out any more frustration, anger, sorrow – anything which is necessary to get out of your system. I find that the best way to get this out of my system is to take it out on my house – clean the place up, pay bills, get rid of that crap you’ve been meaning to send to the Salvation Army for ages as a way of psychologically clearing and preparing for your Self Love Spell. When I feel like I’m really in a knot I do exercise, and literally ‘pace’ by going on a huge walk or something else cardiovascular so that I grunt out the bad energy and end up with endorphins going ‘Weee!’ afterwards. Avoid feeling anger directly towards the ex lover as whatever you send out you get back times three. A friend of a friend was thinking bad thoughts about her recent ex all day, and he texted her saying ‘Been thinking about you a lot today, and I’ve seen a lot of dead butterflies around – what does that mean?’ Not only was she torturing him by making him think of her, she was also destroying life with her thoughts. This is why cord cutting is so important: your longing and pain can, like a butterfly effect, become a monster of its own.

ON THE NEW MOON

The new moon is both an introspective time and a time of rebirth, embryonic growth and new beginnings. Falling on a Saturday, this day of the week represents rebirth, (psychological) agriculture and harvest, protection, expelling negative energy of the week just gone and to meditate on reincarnation in the womb of the Great Mother. This is a great time to either have an introspective & meditative day on your own amongst nature or to spend with family or friends talking about how you intend to move forward, what you’re looking forward to leaving behind which you could draw strength from. Be brutally honest with yourself and try as best as you can to remove yourself in order to get an outer perspective. Throw your emotions aside and look exactly at where you are right now. This is a good day to gather acorns or oak leaves, which represent both new beginnings, strength and resilience. Consider having a picnic with friends to gather these items. Keep about 6 acorns and put them in your wallet, pocket, around the home and sneak one under your pillow for any restless nights or anything else you can find to represent strength and resilience. If neither of the above are available to you, garlic cloves are great too.

Plan what you will do on the full moon to celebrate your achievement.

WHAT TO GATHER NOW:

A dozen red roses

Some lavender flowers (the real thing)

5 oranges

A packet of poppy seeds (from the supermarket, only about $1.60)

FRIDAY NIGHT SELF LOVE SPELL LEADING UP TO THE FULL MOON

** Leading up to the first Friday start exercising, getting out and doing unusual things and maybe being amongst nature a bit more.

** Leading up to the second Friday consciously meditate more often

From the new moon to the full moon you’re gathering energy and strength and most importantly – self love. This is a time to really concentrate on a healthy outlook and to focus on the qualities which make you so wonderful, which you are! Every Friday night do a simple self love spell by taking a bath and putting:

- rose petals for self love AND devotion to a healthy state of mind

- lavender flowers for peace, harmony & protection (self preservation)

- orange slices for positivity and happiness

**I’d strongly advise not to put essential oils into the bath because some give you thrush! If you want to grab yourself some lavender oil to wear during the day do so, but water it down with almond or safflower oil first as it can’t directly touch the skin. The only time you put it directly onto the skin is for minor burns and pimples, much like tea tree oil. Watered down lavender oil can also be used as a natural insect repellent.

If you want, also create a drink of water with rose petals, lavender and orange slices so that you’re cleansed in and out. You can eat the rose petals and orange slices.

When you’re in the bath, use the poppy seeds to give yourself a full body scrub (don’t press too hard!) it’s an amazing exfoliant, and in a psychological sense, helps you to scrub away any doubts, misgivings or sadness from the week leading up to this night. Relax yourself completely and envision your heart chakra (just where the heart is) lighting up as a soft, healthy leafy green. As you breath in and out, feel your breathing spinning the heart chakra like a wheel and let its glowing energy fill your body. Allow yourself a good ten minutes or so to really enjoy this, and only concentrate on the spinning and sensation without any interfering thoughts. Once you’re used to this, use this mantra:

I am my thoughts, my thoughts make the world.

I am lovely, beautiful and can still share love.

I am love.

Once you’re done, give your body a moisturise, tuck yourself into bed and write down any thoughts. Only write down thoughts that move you ahead and make you appreciate the person that you are and what makes you a good person.

Treasuring yourself isn’t egoic, you can’t love others unless you love yourself. You are connecting with the whole universe and the more you send out the more you get back times three. Self love spells are wonderful, and as I’ve noted before – do not do love spells to attract another lover! The idea of a self love spell is to remind yourself of your best qualities to bring love and healthy energy to those around you, hence the threefold effect will benefit others and not just yourself.

Please join my artists page on Facebook

2011-02-13T16:54:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone!

It is with great excitement that I have started making my own artist's page on Facebook where I will have regular updates of my work.

Click on the link here to view my work.

)O( Elspeth.

Witchy outfit of the week XX

2011-02-08T21:09:00.000-08:00

via Blacklung

Desired Home X

2011-02-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

via Sun in Scorpio

Meeting the White Tara

2011-02-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I had a wonderful meditative experience. This is particularly interesting after having spent some time reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying of late. As per usual, when I meet a new character in these meditations I usually haven't a clue who they are. Normally my meditations lead me to a temple of Hermes Trimegistus - a large stone, sandalled foot broken at the ankle to what would have been a massive statue of Hermes Trimegistus facing out to the ocean. This time though, I remained facing out to the ocean with my back to the temple and the waves started to behave strangely, curling in an unusual way. The sun was directly in front of me on the horizon like the morning sun and the moon was directly above my head. From the horizon I could start to see the waters parting and slowly, a beautiful woman with long wavy white hair, a Nepalese face covered in white clay in an all-white costume came towards me very calmly, serenely. I patiently waited for her and she embraced me in a beautiful hug, where she then proceeded to put me on like a piece of clothing by slipping her hand through my back like a puppet with the rest of her body following until we were merged as the one being. I felt the coolness of water throughout me, a white glow and wonderful feeling of peace. Who was this Goddess? I then looked her up...

Sometimes called Mother of the Buddhas, White Tara is meant to have so much compassion for humankind that she exudes more love than a mother for her child. Tibetan Buddhists refer to her as the Mother of Liberation as the word Tara itself is derived from the root 'tri' (to cross), hence the implied meaning:' the one who enables living beings to cross the Ocean of Existence and Suffering'. She protects her followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment, particularly to overcome obstacles which may inhibit the practice of religion.

Many myths surround her, but always as an incredibly pious character whether those stories had her derive from an actual person or purely in the form of deity. One myth tells of the White Tara being born from the tear of Avalokiteschvara, also known as Chenzering, who the Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of. One day Avalokiteshvara looked upon the world with such compassion that he began to cry over the suffering of mankind in its imbalance. Tears from each eye created the White Tara and Green Tara respectively. Another similar myth states that Avalokiteshvara cried an entire lake where a fully opened lotus formed and the White Tara emerged like Venus from her shell, as did Green Tara’s lotus, but not completely open. White Tara was born into the world to relieve suffering and provide longevity to her followers for the long journey through the Ocean of Suffering.

Green Tara, with her half-open lotus, represents the night, and White Tara, with her lotus in full bloom, symbolizes the day. Green Tara embodies virtuous activity while White Tara displays serenity and grace. Together, the Green and White Taras symbolize the unending compassion of the goddess who labors day and night to relieve suffering. (1)

Some believe that the Green and White Taras represented ancient royalty:

In seventh-century

Tibet

, Tara was believed to be incarnated in every pious woman. She especially came to be associated with two historical wives of the first Buddhist king of

Tibet

, Srong-brtsan-sgam-po (d. 649). His wife from imperial

China

was said to be an incarnation of White Tara, while the king's Nepalese wife was an incarnation of Green Tara. It may be that the desire to regard both these pious women as incarnations of Tara led to the concept of the goddess's green and white forms.

She is pictured as being endowed with seven eyes (on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and her forehead) to symbolize the watchfulness of the compassionate mind.

White Tara mantra

(text in Tibetan Uchen)

Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Mama Ayuḥ Punya Jñānā Puṣtiṃ Kuru Svāhā

Pronounced

“Omm Taraye, Tuttaraye Tooraye

Mahmah Aryoob Punya-Gnyana Pooshtim Kuru Swa-ha”

My interpretation of this chant:

Praise to Tara, Hail! May I be blessed with wisdom, happiness & long life. May my experiences teach the importance of living ethically and with wisdom. May the merit my actions of compassion and devotion be felt by others, in their hearts and amongst all of nature itself. May we all feel the wealth of these efforts. For those who live with such compassion and merit will always live in Kuru - make it so! I will take into me the serenity and grace of White Tara in her love, compassion and piety. Blessed Be.

Om = It represents the energy at the Ajna chakra , the third eye energy center (chakra), where the feminine and masculine currents become joined and consciousness becomes Unitary .. into the Whole Unity of existence. You will have noticed that all Mantras begin with Om .This is because Om is the supreme sound
from which creation was born. It is the Cosmic vibration. Om is the sound that reveals all other wordsand their different meanings. Om also has a luminous nature and reveals things. Hence we must first contact the power of Om for
other mantras to work and for their specific meanings to be known. We must first contact Om to know the Guru or Divine guiding power within us.
Therefore “Om Tāre Tuttāre Ture” = Praise to Tara, Hail!

Mama = mine. You or you would like your friend to have long life, merit, wisdom and happiness.

Ayuh is long life (as in Ayurvedic medicine).

Punya = the merit that comes from living life ethically, and this merit is said to help one to live long and happily.

Jnana = wisdom.

Punya and Jnana are known as the Two Accumulations. In order to become enlightened we need to accumulate merit (that is, to develop positive qualities through living ethically and meditating) but we also need to develop wisdom through deep reflection. Wisdom cannot arise without a basis of merit, but merit alone is not enough for us to become enlightened, meaning that becoming a nicer person isn’t enough — we have also to look deeply into ourselves and the world around us and to see the impermanent and insubstantial nature of all things.

Pushtim = wealth, abundance, or increase.

Kuru is a mythical land to the north of the Himalayas, which was said to be a land of long life and happiness (it may have been the original northern home of the aryans). Perhaps the association with the mythical realm of Kuru doesn’t hurt when doing the mantra. But (and with due thanks to Arpad Joo’s comment below) it’s also a verb form meaning “do it!” or “make it so!” (second person singular active imperative or the root k.r if that’s of any interest to you) which is what it means here. The “make it so!” refers back to an increase in wisdom, merit, and long life (for the practitioner). We’re imploring White Tara for these things so that we can gain enlightenment and help all sentient beings.

svaha = an exclamation meaning “hail” or “may blessings be upon” and is a common ending to Buddhist mantras. So after making the rather bold request of White Tara above, we end with an equally emphatic salutation.

Sources:

http://www.whitetara.com

http://www.wildmind.org/mantras/figures/whitetara

http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/deities/tara.htm

Direct quote from

http://community.livejournal.com/goddess_files/2468.html

Text from:

http://www.visiblemantra.org/white-tara.html

Image from:

White Tara Sadhana

Comparing the Wiccan Threefold Law to the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path

2011-01-31T02:45:00.000-08:00

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him". - Buddha

The Wiccan threefold law states that ‘Whatever you send out, you get back times three’ which looks awfully similar to the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path. I have been Wiccan on and off for twelve years and my most recent stint of nearly two years now without a break has made me realise how my thoughts make the world, so my thoughts are also involved in the Threefold Law and are thus destructive to myself also.

I have always felt that Wiccans can take a lot from Buddhism, so I have put our perspective next to that of the Buddhist Eightfold Path in order to put our school of thought next to theirs to show you how similar and important they are.

1. Right View. The right way to think about life is to see the world through the eyes of the Buddha--with wisdom and compassion.
From the Wiccan perspective: We ought to be ambassadors for our faith as walking representations of our deity, showing the most virtuous qualities of those particular Godddesses and/or God. Can you imagine your patron Goddess or God walking around swearing, gossiping or thinking destructive thoughts against a brother or sister?

2. Right Thought. We are what we think. Clear and kind thoughts build good, strong characters.
You are what you eat and you certainly are what you think! By becoming consumed by negative ‘mind chatter’ we allow ourselves to be open to the criticisms of others, to take everything literally rather than having the outer perspective that we ought to. This way of thinking is beautifully brought to life in The Power of Now by Eckhardt Tolle. As a strong character you will be a wonderful example for others and will be able to live each day at a time rather than feeling regret and nostalgia for your past and putting all of your hopes into your future. Give out kind thoughts to others and yourself – love yourself.

3. Right Speech. By speaking kind and helpful words, we are respected and trusted by everyone.
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. By becoming a glowing example of love, compassion, patience and understanding we are teaching others that it is possible to retain this state. Make your statements helpful, rather than ‘holier than thou’ without judgment or prejudice. This will create Perfect Love and Perfect Trust around you, insist on being this way without ill thought.

4. Right Conduct. No matter what we say, others know us from the way we behave. Before we criticize others, we should first see what we do ourselves.
People judge us by our actions, not by our words. We can sound as holier than thou and spiritual as we like when we speak, but if we turn around and do something nasty or feel as though we are ‘above’ anyone else, how can we not expect the Threefold Law to come into effect? Challenge those thoughts that come into your mind when you’re thinking vain, jealous, competitive, egoic, self destructive thoughts – stand back from them and consider where they have come from. Still let them come through, but over time, you will first be able to lessen the affect of those thoughts on your body and mind and eventually be able to remove them from your world by being in control of them.

5. Right Livelihood. This means choosing a job that does not hurt others. The Buddha said, "Do not earn your living by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhappy."
So many Wiccans, unless they are working in the field of New Age retail stores or therapies are helping people, their planet & wider communities. Let’s also make this path important in our lives whether we are still working in an office job yet helping others in another way.

6. Right Effort. A worthwhile life means doing our best at all times and having good will toward others. This also means not wasting effort on things that harm ourselves and others.
I have personally given up drinking partly for this reason: if I am not taking care of my body, how can I expect to progress well spiritually? Be honest and gentle in your path.

7. Right Mindfulness. This means being aware of our thoughts, words, and deeds.
We really ought to think of our Threefold law as fulfilling these three things on a constant basis before wondering about where the repercussions come from.

8. Right Concentration. Focus on one thought or object at a time. By doing this, we can be quiet and attain true peace of mind.
As mentioned, this way of thinking or ‘mindfulness’ is beautifully explained in The Power of Now. It means that we are staying in the Now with our mind, free of the mind chatter that brings us down.

Incredible exhibition you must see

2011-01-22T15:52:00.000-08:00

COPRO NASON GALLERY PRESENTS

'CONJOINED IN 3D'

This amazing exhibition is not to be missed - online or otherwise. I found it thanks to my friend Jon Beinart's contribution to the show, which you can see here. View the whole exhibition here. The preview of the exhibition is in progress at the moment, so not all of the works are there as yet.

Baba Yaga

by T.S Kuebler

Silicone & Mixed media

5'2"

Herbal remedies face licence rule in Europe

2011-01-18T01:29:00.000-08:00

I actually think that this is very fair. The only herbal products that will remain are scientifically proven to be safe, and even then, I managed to buy St John's Wort tablets several years ago without a prescription only to find out much later that it interferes with the contraceptive pill. No such note was to be found on the bottle itself. For years we used ginseng to help our memory, but recent scientific findings reveal that it does nothing at all for the memory - so how did it get on the counter in the first place? At the end of all of this 'the label still will not be able to tell customers if they can be shown to work' which at least is eradicating harmful quantities which are not measured properly.

“Hundreds of traditional and imported remedies on the shelves of health food shops and herbalists are set to be banned under new licensing rules. The EU directive aims to protect users from any damaging side-effects that can arise from taking unsuitable medicines. Only high quality, long-established and scientifically safe herbal medicines will be sold over the counter. Some traders who sell products imported from outside the EU say their business will be hit. Herbal medicines – with names such as Cascara Bark and Horny Goat Weed – have become popular. But from the first of May an EU directive will be enforced, under which all such products must be licensed, following fears that some products could cause harm."

Desired Home IX

2011-01-16T16:18:00.000-08:00

via Cosmic Dust

Latest beinArt interview with Matt R Martin now online

2011-01-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

I talk to Melbourne artist Matt R Martin about the beginnings of his painting career with already so much promise as an artist.

Above: Unspoken - Oil on canvas.

View this interview here

Previous beinArt interviews:

beinArt interview with Mikel Glass

beinArt Interview with Heidi Taillefer

beinArt Interview With Greg Craola Simkins

beinArt Interview With Erik Heyninck

When I'm rich, Octopi shall grace my home

2011-01-15T18:23:00.000-08:00

Bronze Octopus table by Isaac Krauss

via The Steampunk Home

Wallpaper available from Anthrolpoligie.com

via Everything Octopus

via NotCot

Apothecary of the Week VI

2011-01-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

From Tools of the Trade (by Kevin Best)

via Blacklung

Airlines take the reigns to make their own biofuel

2011-01-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

Relatively un-witchy I know. Seeing as my 30 Days of Paganism left me bereft of things to write about in regards to environmentalism I thought that I needed to add more to the blog for more discussion and hopefully more household tips in the long term for everyone to contribute less waste and carbon emissions. So here's a better start!

This is a really exciting article. Rather than waiting for competing fuel companies to create the biofuel, our airway companies are seeking to make their own fuel rather than waiting for the oil companies to buy out special models of aircraft or the competing fuel companies. It could also see a great deal of food scraps, green waste (clippings & grass cuttings) and packaging so that the majority of waste created in the home can go towards biofuel.

As fossil fuel dries up and will eventually no longer be available, it excites me that these companies are taking it into their own hands to start making biofuel rather than waiting for anyone else to do it. It is, however, going to cost a fortune to only fuel 2% of British Airways' aircrafts:

'Solena formed a joint venture with British Airways in February to build a £200 million ($305 million) plant in London by 2014 to turn up to 500,000 tonnes of waste a year into 73 million litres of jet fuel. This would be enough to fuel about 2 per cent of BA's aircraft based at London's Heathrow Airport.'

My mind is drifting off into an idealistic world where we can scoop up the waste currently floating in the ocean and thrown into areas of the earth to reuse purely for fuel. 'Clean Up Australia Day's could be run on a weekly or monthly basis in order to collect enough waste to contribute towards the production of biofuel... All of which costs money in one way or another. Too idyllic for words! What if the airlines paid people to collect rubbish - my head is about to explode.

Read the article here.

Desired Home IX

2011-01-14T14:39:00.000-08:00

All of that serious talk and news articles is going to seriously make me dive for some more aesthetics and drink some Russian Caravan tea, the tea to offer to Baba Yaga. I'll have to astrally transport myself to this place seeing as I don't have a job and can't exactly go on a yoga retreat for a weekend anywhere anytime soon. Ahh for Saturday, the time to reflect on the week and banish the past, put it behind you & learn your lessons. Time to meditate on being reborn into the womb of the Great Mother and to dye over my greys (yup, I'm 26 and the greys say HELLO!). I think it's high time for my well overdue yearly tarot reading whilst I'm in this place in my mind...

via Cradle to the Grave from

The Sisters of the Black Moon

Big News: Changes to the Zodiac (Part I) - don't change your astrological tattoos

2011-01-14T13:50:00.000-08:00

This news over the past 24 hours has been shaking the world, but it needn't do. The reason why I'm calling this Part I is because I want to see what my Astrologer Jonathan Cainer has to say about this before I go any further. The fact that he hasn't posted anything on his main page as yet is very interesting. Certainly what I have found proves it to be false.

According to this article below, 'The astronomers from the Minnesota Planetarium Society found that because of the moon's gravitational pull on Earth, the alignment of the stars was pushed by about a month.' That would mean that the following signs have now changed to the list below.

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.
Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.
Pisces: March 11-April 18.
Aries: April 18-May 13.
Taurus: May 13-June 21.
Gemini: June 21-July 20.
Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.
Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.
Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17. (Yep, this one is new — read all about the Ophiuchus way of life here)Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.

This confused me at first because I thought 'If before this change I was born at a certain time and that at that time I was a Taurean, surely it means that only people born from now onwards within these time slots can be regarded as these star signs?' But some people believe that the signs were out of alignment the whole time.

If this is all true, are the astrologers sweating? Apparently they are receiving a lot of phone calls from people freaking out, particularly when it comes to their compatible signs for their love life. If this is true, this would mean that my sun, rising and moon signs would be completely different. I would go from being a Taurean whose favourite colour is green & is in love with luscious smells, food and aesthetics to a fiery Arian! Does that not feel right for a reason?

CNN says that we have nothing to worry about:

'"This story is born periodically as if someone has discovered some truth. It's not news," said Jeff Jawer, an astrologer with Tarot.com, told CNN's This Just In news blog.

Astrology experts say the shift in zodiac signs does not apply to most Westerners, who follow the tropical zodiac, which is fixed to the seasons. In contrast, the Star Tribune article referred to the sidereal zodiac, which is fixed to constellations and is followed more in the East.'

Having read around, it seems that the astronomer who made this news was making a casual remark about a thirteenth star sign, which all astronomers are aware of and has been left out deliberately because only twelve signs will follow with the seasons. Some might argue 'Perhaps it follows the 13 moons of the year' but I say: let the astrologers do their work - they would know better than what we would! Certainly don't go changing your astrological tattoo for a viral uproar. It certainly hasn't featured in the main newspapers as yet, and it probably won't because it's false.

Sources:
Read the article supporting the new astrology here

Read the full CNN article here

Christian Science article which says 'It's not new news at all' here

Basil

2011-01-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

For luck, prosperity, solid relationships & clarity

Origins for witchcraft: Voodoo with their Goddess Ezili Freda Dahomey and India's Lakshmi.
Growth: Annual - best grown in warm weather, keep inside during the winter.
How it is used today: Brings wealth to those who carry it in their pockets. Also used for spells to make sure that your mate is remaining true - but remember: do not work anything against someone's will. I personally would not do this, but some recommend that you sprinkle basil powder over your lover as they sleep to make sure that they remain faithful. The put the oil in a burner for clarity, particularly where the mind is floating when you need to concentrate.
Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, digestive, emmengogue, febrifuge, nervine, tonic

Image from the Growing Basil Blog

Recording of the Lunar Eclipse from December 23, 2010

2011-01-12T16:37:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.

Extrasensory perception paper published in respected journal

2011-01-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

An academic paper arguing that people may be able to see into the future is to be published by a respected journal, prompting anger among some American scientists.

The Telegraph - 6th of January, 2011

The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology plans to print "Feeling The Future", by Professor Daryl Bem later this year, which presents what he claims is strong evidence for extrasensory perception (ESP).

Prof Bem, of Cornell University, New York, said the results of nine experiments he had carried out on students over the past decade suggested humans could accurately predict random events.

His peer-reviewed work was described as "pure craziness" and "an embarrassment for the entire field" by scientists who allege it has serious flaws and that ESP is a myth.

In one test, 100 students were presented with a computer screen showing two curtains. They were told an image, which could be erotic, lay behind one curtain and they should guess which.

Prof Bem found students predicted correctly 53 per cent of the time when the picture was erotic, while regular images only elicited a 50 per cent success rate, in line with average chance.

Read the rest at The Telegraph

Romanian Witches to cast anti-government spell

2011-01-12T16:16:00.000-08:00

Nobody likes a curse or a hex - particularly when what they're doing is bad for the image of Witches, Wiccans and any Pagan. Without wanting to be too critical - and it's hard not to be - it's interesting to see a very raw, localised practice here. I can't support the use of excrement and in particular dead dogs. Please, if this is the first time you've read about Witchcraft in the press - it does not represent the majority of practitioners.

The Guardian - 6th of January, 2011

Double, double toil and trouble: witches in Romania are planning to cast a spell on the country's rulers because of laws that will force them to pay tax for the first time.

Cat excrement and dead dogs, rather than eye of newt and toe of frog, will go into their cauldron – but they are hoping to put a Macbeth-style hex on the country's president, Traian Basescu, and his government after the imposition of a tax regime aimed at tackling the recession.

Witches will gather on Romania's southern plains and the banks of the Danube to protest against the laws and cast spells on the politicians who implemented them.

A dozen witches will hurl the poisonous mandrake plant into the river "so evil will befall them", a witch named Alisia said.

The threatened curse is not being taken lightly in a country with a long tradition of superstition. Basescu and his aides have been known to wear purple on certain days in an attempt to ward off evil.

The new law is part of the government's drive to collect more revenue and crack down on tax evasion. It will force the likes of witches, astrologers and fortune tellers to register their professions and become liable for 16% tax in line with other self-employed Romanians.

The Queen witch Bratara Buzea said she would lead a chorus in casting a spell using a concoction of cat excrement and a dead dog. "They want to take the country out of this crisis using us? They should get us out of the crisis because they brought us into it," she said.

From The Guardian

The Element Encyclopedia of 1000 Spells by Judika Illes

2011-01-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

For: Intermediate learners

Why intermediate and not beginner?: The book does not have the standard disclaimer like so many others with the usual chapter of ‘No, we don’t worship the devil’ and only a very brief warning on not to hex thanks to the Threefold Law and the vow to Harm None. This book makes a very small attempt on page 11 to make any such warnings and actually includes hexes within it as well as the use of ‘Devil Oil’ which I’m assuming is an old recipe. There’s even a spell to get someone in your workplace to quit their job, which clearly goes against the Threefold Law. As you know, I warn anyone and everyone NOT to do a love spell and this book is full of them! Read my entry against hexes and love spells here.

This book would be very confusing for a beginner, and I would suggest that those in their second degree ought to read this, so that they have their experience behind them to discern between kind and (honestly) immoral spells. It is suitable for those in their second degree wanting to expand their knowledge once you have the bones of writing a ritual, you can then refer to this book within the subject area you’re looking to resolve/cure/banish etc.

Why is it worth getting?: This certainly is an interesting book. With 1000 spells, the book isn’t large, but heavy! It is a mish-mash of short, basic spells intertwined with more complex ones, all of which are easy to do. Illes introduces us to all kinds of old-fashioned sounding spells, and sometimes it’s hard to tell whether she has just made some up or whether some of these are really tried and true from ancient Europe. Despite my concerns about the hexes etc above, she does have some gorgeous short spells such as ‘Broken Heart Bath,’ ‘Easy Speedy (baby) Delivery,’ and even spells to reverse spells that you’ve cast and hex breaking – which I’ve never seen anywhere before.

Her introduction is marvellous as it takes you through a general history of Witchcraft, what magic is and the various cultural interpretations from past to present to give you an all-round concept of what magick means around the world & how it is put into context from the perspective of the Wiccan and the outsider.

There are remnances of old-fashioned Witchcraft, including old cures such as the following:

Iron Dental Health Spell

The following is a German recommendation to soothe a toothache. Heat a horseshoe or other piece of iron until extremely hot. Pour oil into the heated iron. The rising fumes will allegedly ease the pain. If it is safe to do so (there is no need to exchange toothache for a painful scald), bend over the fumes, exposing the tender spot.

All-in-all it is a marvellous book to have which you will spend years rifling through and discovering things in. Certainly, I wouldn’t have it as my one and only spell book. If you’re a beginner, start with these books before going anywhere else.

Judika has also written:

Encyclopedia of Spirits

The Dream Dictionary from A to Z

The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols

The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Societies

The Element Encyclopedia of Ghosts & Hauntings

The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures

The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays

Image from Amazon.com

Witchy Outfit XIX

2011-01-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

via Sun in Scorpio

Lavender - the all-round oil

2011-01-11T22:45:00.000-08:00

For: protection, peace, love, sleep

Origins for witchcraft: Italian witchcraft - for protection, featured in a standard Meditteranean herb garden
Growth: perennial
Properties: analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-septic, anti-viral, cytophalic, decongestant, deoderant, emmenagogue, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, tonic
Cosmetic uses: Very similar to tea tree oil as it also fosters the regeneration of new skin cells and soothes inflamed and sun-damaged skin. Can be used as an insect repellant, and as with all oils, make sure to have a base such as almond, jojoba or sunflower oil to carry the scent. Used to clear a congested nose by adding it to hot water to steam. Also great for when you've run out of tea tree oil for minor burns and blemishes - add to blemishes with a cotton bud directly to the spot. Also good for minor headaches: add some oil to a little base and rub it around your temples.

Image source: How Stuff Works

Mary Wigman's Witch Dance

2011-01-11T18:31:00.001-08:00

Some corrections made to my article on Baphomet

2011-01-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

Just to make sure that I have all of this right, I had the following wrong!

Read the article here.

I had said within that article that the Knights Templar weren't religious people, but of course they were - darn inaccurate web sources!
I had also mentioned that Wiccans do not worship Baphomet - however, some do. Baphomet was originally a peaceful symbol of peace and balance, and he is called upon by some Wiccans for this purpose as the hermaphroditic symbol of perfection.

Just really wanted to clear that up, particularly as it's the most read article on this blog!

)O( E.

Australian Wiccan Conference 2011

2011-01-02T23:49:00.000-08:00

Keep an eye on their website below for more information as it comes in and sign up for e-mails. Set in my glorious home state for the Spring Equinox!

All Wiccans, Pagans, Witches and pagan-type people are invited! Registrations will open 1st March 2011. Hosted by a team of passionate local people who are active in our national community, it is set to be an awesome weekend of festivities celebrating the turning of the tides at the Spring Equinox. Guest speakers, famous Pagan musicians and loads of workshops showcasing the fantastic wisdom, knowledge and experience of our locals, in a setting of Tasmania's gorgeous bushland, it is bound to be a weekend of magick and wonder.

Registrations open: 1 March 2011
When: Friday 16th, Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th September 2011

Where: East Coast, Tasmania
Cost: TBA
Contact Email: awc2011@gmail.com
Contact Phone: 0408 486 809
Web: http://www.2011awc.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Australian-Wiccan-Conference-2011/144223625619214

30 Days of Paganism [Day 10: Environmentalism]

2011-01-02T23:42:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, this is an area of my lifestyle which has received little attention. Partly because we have moved house so much that I still have to wait for our new bills to get started with '1 Million Women' - a project which is aiming to gather 1 million Australian women to reduce their carbon emissions by 1 tonne to lift 1 million tonnes worth of carbon footprint from the earth's atmosphere.

Then I can really get onto it! Excuses, excuses, I know! To make a sincere contribution I will be posting more on environmental issues rather than making one weak attempt in this one piece of writing. I'm hoping to find arguments to balance out the issue of vegetarianism and environmentalism + whether it's truly practical as well as farming suitable products within your country.

More soon - promise!

Witchy Outfits XVIII

2011-01-02T23:27:00.000-08:00

Finally, a balance between the genders.

More glorious masterpieces by Yinka Shonibare whose work featured in this previous post

via Steampunk Fashion

30 Days of Paganism [Day 9: Beliefs - Dance]

2010-12-29T02:44:00.000-08:00

Dance is a relatively new feat for me as a Pagan. Up until late December this year I took bellydance classes learning how to dance in the traditional Egyptian style - wonderful for my particular pantheon. It was a wonderful way of helping to balance my chakras. I found that good old fashioned cardio was great for reducing my stress levels and helping to promote my general wellbeing, but bellydance was moving me around every chakra beautifully, especially from the root, sexual, solar plexus to the heart chakra. Towards the end I was particularly connecting with the chakras in my hands and (bare) feet as a solid posture made sure that my chakras were aligned and strong.

Several girls from my former coven and a few who had left that coven have taken up dancing together as sisters, where we will soon start experimenting with choreography together as an all Pagan troupe. It's certainly a very interesting exploration as there are varying forms of bellydance. I hadn't danced since I was eight and nine years old when I took on contemporary dance, and initially I was finding it hard. Thankfully one of the girls recorded our teacher dancing so that I could memorise our routine and I've found it much easier since! There is still so much to learn - and more painting to do alongside it, otherwise I would do more than just one teacher's lessons.

I'm very much in love with Sadie's style below and with Rachel Brice (view previous vid here) - hopefully I will combine these styles in some fashion to use my strength like Brice and cute choreography like Sadie.

Witchy Outfit of the Week XVII continued - the dress to match the hat

2010-12-29T02:15:00.000-08:00

Evangeline feather dress by Whistles

via The Telegraph

Witchy Outfit of the Week XVII

2010-12-26T18:12:00.000-08:00

Anyone know of the designer?

Cup of tea with that hat?

via blog4stylefashion

Going home - 13 days on the island

2010-12-26T17:58:00.000-08:00

Tasmania, the grand Van Diemen's Land where a certain pride of place and beauty resides. Every year I come here for Christmas and New Year celebrations, soaking up the clearer air and softer water which compared to Old Melbourne Town is so much more pure and soothing. Every time I come here there is a recharge of energy, as some Wiccans might describe a different 'frequency' to Launceston as there is to Melbourne. There is a great temptation to move back here, but then we've just signed a new lease for a beautiful flat we're about to have a house clearing for. The majesty of Tasmania is shining at the moment in her full glory with the recent rains with growth of all kinds everywhere: so many ferns, Tasmanian violets and plants of every variety - Australian and European amongst colonial homes.

You walk into stores with Tasmanian produce like natural soaps, huon pine products that make the room smell divine, cheeses, honey and candles from the local lavendar farms. Every time I come here I seem to have interesting and prophetic dreams and wonderful magickal energies around nature itself which surrounds you as people grace their backyards with pride, established trees lining the streets.

In a township of only 80,000, the place is small enough to regularly bump into others and most places only take ten minutes to drive to. Being a cheap and eurocentric place to live though, you see a lot of conservative types and very bad taste when it comes to fashion, so it's not all amazing here. Whilst it's wonderful to be a part of a small and friendly creative community, the numbers aren't great and the pagan community is very small. It's a marvellous place for pagans to live, but more so if you're a solitary practitioner who keeps to themselves.

The love of design, particularly in local architecture is apparent wherever you go, with very little built since 1950. As one of the first cities to be established in Australia, coming across something like the house below is not unusual:

This house is currently for sale here

I doubt very much that I will ever move back here, but its magick cannot be denied. I hope to take more pictures or at least show you some pictures at some point of this wonderful part of the world.

Blessed Be,
)O( E

30 Days of Paganism [Day 8: Beliefs - Holidays]

2010-12-20T01:43:00.000-08:00

When they issued the list and added 'Holidays' I assume that they mean the Sabbats. Every Sabbat, or Wiccan holy day is a part of our Wheel of the Year, and depending on which hemisphere you live in, it will come at different times. We're about to come up to Litha in the southern hemisphere and Yule in the northern hemisphere.

There are Sabbats - the main celebrations below - and Esbats which are usually full moons and new moons, though some covens only focus on the full moon. The Sabbat provides a time of reflection, to gather your strength and see how you can strengthen your character from each celebration to the next as the seasons change.

For more information on the Sabbats, go to Spheres of Light for your 2011 southern hemisphere exact dates and times.

Southern Hemisphere Wheel of the Year

Northern Hemisphere Wheel of the Year

via The Book of Shadows blog

Bird of the Week I

2010-12-19T03:43:00.000-08:00

An Australian beauty - the crested pigeon. This punk pigeon even wears eyeliner 0_0

Photo by Charlie Moores
for 10,000 birds

This Tuesday - get ready. It's a full moon, lunar eclipse and Litha (southern hemisphere)/Yule (northern hemisphere)

2010-12-19T02:59:00.000-08:00

Never has such a big time been coming up in the astrological calendar that I can remember. This is the big one! Some people are even saying that this is bigger and more influential than the 12/12/12 date that so many people rave about - which I'm not into myself.

This particular combination of a full moon and lunar eclipse on the solstice has not happened since 1703!

Have a look here to see when the eclipse will pass by you.

Desired Home VIII

2010-12-15T06:55:00.001-08:00

Dance Magick Dance!

2010-12-09T00:27:00.000-08:00

A community taught not to be superstitious

2010-12-06T22:29:00.000-08:00

This is very interesting. I take my 'healing' with a grain of salt. I don't go to a healing session for a sinus infection - I go to the doctor! What healing I do get done is for psychological benefit, and it's rare that I part with money to receive it, spending $10-$25 at a time for such thing. If I choose to pay money for someone else to heal me it's more for the learning experience & to see whether something like Reiki really has a different effect to Pranic healing or the Egyptian Emotional Clearing Technique. It's all relative.

It's hard to see people paying money for this sort of thing when they live in a third world country and I'm glad that there are people actively educating these communities in such a way.

Enjoy, it's quite funny in parts!

Desired Homes VII

2010-12-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

via Little Lovables

Witchy Outfit of the Week XVI

2010-12-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

Who said that sequins weren't for the circle?

via Bohemian Punk

30 Days of Paganism [Day 7: Beliefs - The Power of Prayer]

2010-12-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

Prayer would have to be one of the purest forms of magick as it asks directly of the 'listener.' So far we've looked at spellcraft and wishcraft, and prayers come into their own category. I have found that regular prayer connects and grounds me to the world and what I am grateful for. It helps me to look at all aspects of my life during the week and also shortly before I go to bed, wishing well on those who have taught me an important lesson during my waking hours.

The following are prayers for each day of the week, which helps to build both your knowledge and rhythym. I'm not sure where these have come from, so apologies for no references. I wrote them down when I was about 16/17. Don't feel that you need to have every tea, crystal and candle - it's rarely possible to have all of them available to you at once!

SUNDAY

Sunday is for: Success, ambition, fortune, money, career, sport, healing, hope, friends and outdoor fun!
Incense: Frankincense
Colour candle: Yellow
Stone: Tiger's Eye
Tea: Chamomile
Flower: Marigolds
Meditate on: The divine light and the true nature of nobility and power.
During the day, make magickal charms for friends and plant seeds. Pursue pleasures and fun in the wilderness.

Invocation: Hail to you who are called Ra, who sails across the sky in your golden boat and thus brings us the day. Also called Horus: Child of Light, Baal of the Solar Wheel, Apollo and Helios - blessings be unto you. I dedicate this day to the faerie realms, the forest wild and all wilderness areas and wild things. O Lord and Lady, bless me with vitality, optimism, health and happiness.

MONDAY

Monday is for: Psychic powers, merchandise, dreams, clairvoyance, home, childbirth, feminine qualities and theft
Incense: Jasmine
Colour candle: White
Stone: Moonstone
Tea: Mugwort - for clairvoyance. Put some amongst your tarot deck.
Flower: White rose or daisy
Meditate on: The Fairie realms and the Holy Maiden of the Wilderness. Contemplate the ramifications of fecundity of body, mind, spirit, your private life and the untold powers of your imagination.
Gather herbs and talismanic stones; practise astral travel, divinations, love spells, fertility spells and construct psychic shields. Also a great night for a visualisation.

Invocation: Hail to you, Diana of the Hunt, Selene of the Moon and Hecate: Patroness of our Wiccan Way. You who are the all-goddess Isis, blessings be unto you! I dedicate this day to the watery realms of the oceans, lakes, lagoons, pools, streams, springs and rivers as well as to dew, rain, mist and snow. O Lord and Lady, bless me with fertility and desire, make me receptive and empathetic to my environment.

TUESDAY
Tuesday is for: war, men, sexual energy, courage and matrimony
Incense: Dragons Blood resin - anoint yourself with pine oil
Colour candle: Red
Stone: Garnet and ruby stones
Tea: Sarsparilla (very hard to find!)
Flower: Carnations and geraniums
Meditate on: Obstacles you need to overcome to strengthen your character. Seek to udnerstand your motivations. During the day, perform psychic surgery and legal aid rituals.

Invocation: Hail to you Ares and Mar, implacable Lord of war and vitality - also called Hu and Tiw - blessings be unto you. I dedicate this day to the fields and plateaus and all grazing animals. O Lord and lady, bless me with fruitfullness, endurance and courage. Help me to drive home my aims.

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday is for: Communication, education, travel, mental agility, writing, acting, debt, fear and loss
Incense: Sandalwood
Colour candle: Orange
Stone: Citrine/Opal
Tea: Lavendar
Flower: Lavendar
Meditate on: aspirations and goals, open your mind to inner planes. During the day think about your plans. After this, indulge yourself by consecrating magickal tools and perform tarot divinations.

Invocation: Hail to you who are Hermes: winged messenger, Pan the goat-footed god of the forest, Thoth the scribe and Odin the all-seeing - blessing be unto you. I dedicate this day to the lord of the morning star, and to the process of assimilation of the raw elements as it is manifested on Earth in marshes, swamps and jungles. May the elements be balanced. O Lord and Lady, bless my intellect. Help me to be adaptable, flexible, articulate and well-balanced. Teach me the great mysteries of the Universe and enable me to speak of my acquired knowledge to others.

THURSDAY

Thursday is for: Expansion, wealth, political power, law, business, insurance matters, honor, clothing and desire.
Incense: Cedarwood
Colour candle: Light blue
Stone: Amethyst/Jade
Tea: Peppermint
Flower: Lilacs
Meditate on: Your career and job-related ambitions as well as the importance of friendship in your life in balance with your vocation. During the day, light fires to improve health and aid promotions in career. Study the ecosystems in your area.

Invocation: Hail to you, all father Zeus, Amon: Lord of the sky, Kronos, ruler of the elder gods and Thor - blessings be unto you. I walk among you in dagcliffs and weather formations. O Lord and Lady, strengthen my sense of self-reliance. Make me patient and steady and grant me the will to endure until I attain my goals

FRIDAY
Friday is for: love, beauty, the arts, music, the environment, friendshop and strangers
Incense: Rose
Colour candle: Green
Stone: Rose quartz
Tea: Lemon
Flower: Rose petals
Meditate on: Partnerships, harmony and the true meaning and responsibility of love.
During the day indulge in lovemaking and dancing. Make love talismans. Perform spells to heal the kidneys. Consecrate rose quartz stones. **Do not conduct love spells - you have been warned. Only conduct self love spells and talismans to develop a more loving self.

Invocation: Hail to you Aphrodite: Queen of Nature, Freya, Astarte and Morwyn: goddesses of fertility, and Venus: supreme goddess of love, blessings be unto you. I dedicate this day to the flowers and fruits of the land. O Lord and Lady, bring me pleasure and passion. O Empress of the evening star, make me merciful and sympathetic towards others and help me to express my creativity.

SATURDAY
Saturday is for: karma, prosperity, inheritance, agriculture, life building, doctrine and protection
Incense: Myrrh
Colour candle: Black
Stone: Sodalite
Tea: Solomon's Seal tea
Flower: Dried flowers and gladioli
Meditate on: Reincarnation and the womb of the Great Mother Gaia. Seek to attain self control and knowledge. During the day, practice deep meditation, psychometry and perfume rituals to do with the material plane.

Invocation: Hail to you Gaia, Great Mother of us all. Rhea, Binah, Ge: Queen of the Universe - blessings be unto you. I dedicate this day to the stars, to the tundra, the moors and alpine peaks on this Earth. O Lord and Lady, help me to find inner peace and a sense of totality.

BEDTIME BLESSING
by Silver Ravenwolf
In the stillness of the night,
While the world around me sleeps,
May the angels smile upon me,
and the Lady bring me peace.
Blessings upon ---.
I know that you will care for them,
And bring them what they need.
Install in me great harmony,
In thought and word and deed.

Beautiful Film by 'The Drone Cabinet of Dr Trance'

2010-12-03T18:01:00.000-08:00

MATER SUSPIRIA VISION The Drone Cabinet of Doctor Trance (2010) from Mater Suspiria Vision on Vimeo.

via Witch Mountain

30 Days of Paganism [Day 6: Beliefs - Magick and Spellcraft]

2010-12-03T17:37:00.000-08:00

THE NATURE OF SPELLCRAFT

Be careful what you wish for. As you have been previously warned of in the article Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair - a warning not to hex nor conjure love spells, you must be careful of what you wish and cast on in this life. I'm even incredibly careful about the wishes I make in my head, for even in the most simple psychological sense, you can turn those wishes into your reality by subconsciously working towards them whether they're for your greater good or not. What you want could affect the lives of others, and that is why, when I cast spells, that I make sure that my workings not only benefit myself but others. That is literally taking the threefold law into my own hands, and I would encourage any other magickal worker to do so. For example, if I were to cast a spell to heal myself or a self love spell to add more self love, worth and respect to my life - that would be affecting others by making myself an example for a healthy, balanced and gracious attitude. A happy person forgets that they can make such a difference to someone else's day by projecting their good feeling onto others, possibly complimenting others more as a give and take relationship starts, even on the most basic level.

Magick is powerful, potent and not to be toyed with. Your magick is a contribution to the world, not just a vain raising of energies for your own good. You cannot work against someone's will or harm anyone.

INTUITIVE VS. DEVISED

My magick, now in my 2nd degree, is a mixture of both intuitive and devised magick. The difference? Intuituve magick is when you have a great deal of energy within you for magick and you plain and simply - with some knowledge of the moon cycle already in the back of your mind - cast circle and just go for it. That is when you often progress as a practitioner. Devised magick is carefully written down in your book of shadows, where you have more time to write down a blessing, what tools you will use, what star sign the moon is in etc. in order to send off your spell into the ether in a poetic and calculated manner.

HOW IT ALL WORKS

Wicca is seen as a 'Mystery Religion' in that you cannot know how it works just by picking up one book from a teacher - it has to be practiced, implemented and experienced. It opens itself up to you over time as you regularly meditate, work low magick (spells to 'get what you want' or push towards a finite outcome) and high magick (which brings you closer to your deity and what they can teach you to become a more balanced practitioner). Magick is often read about in books, and you can spend hours upon hours reading, but unless you actually get to it and practice, you will never get anywhere. I had spent a great deal of time in my late teens worrying about the fact that I didn't have every single essential oil, candle, resin and tool available to me. Essentially these tools are here to help you reach an induced state, but tools are actually very unnecessary. It is great to have an altar, but it need not be expensive nor should you really need one at all. After time, you can practice magick anywhere - it's just nice to have the formalities of the 'right' incense or candle to push you along. Magick is in the heart and pumps through your veins.

GETTING OUT AMONGST NATURE

I am very much an urban witch and feel that I need my time out amongst nature in order to balance myself. What is the point of worshipping nature unless you get out there and get amongst it?! I have bought myself a tent and other bits and pieces to camp, bushwalk and protect myself in the sun. It is amongst nature that I can really feel at peace and work with nature's gentle energy. It is hard to plan outings with friends to camp out, and it's still on the cards!

MIXING DISCIPLINES - ART, BODY, MIND & SOUL

BODY

After some time, you realise that magick starts to spread into other aspects of your life. I've now taken up bellydancing and have left the gym to take up exercise that works with dance, which celebrates life. I've taken up a range of things to keep myself occupied - which clearly, I couldn't all fit into one week: zumba, kundalini yoga, yoga, pilates, power walking and tribal bellydance. Being fit is really important to keep your energies balanced, and I find that the two forms of yoga fit in beautifully with my meditation which helps to balance my mind.

ART

The above is not particularly expressive, so I also have my artwork as well as playing music on occasion to celebrate life. My artwork takes two routes: automatic painting & drawing as well as depictions of the images I see during trance.

MIND

I keep my eye on religious debate, crossing from the opinions of atheists such as Derren Brown & Richard Dawkins, the issues with New Age faiths & fraudulent behaviour, faith healing for psychological use, hypnotism - you name it! If a witch's aim is to constantly learn, then it's important for them to be open-minded & consider how science merges with our beliefs. How much of what we do is based on intention & why is it that we are able to develop this sense of transcendence? Those questions should not be left out of our faith in the 21st century.

FINISHING NOTE

Just as I'd left you with Scott Cunningham's 'regular practices' in Day 1, I'd like to give you the list that Edain McCoy provides in her book 'Advanced Witchcraft':

"An advanced witch:

Picks his battles with care
Knows when to keep silent
Knows when to speak up
Lives out of the broom closet, but doesn't fly her faith in the face of others
Appreciates group work and its power
Appreciates solitude and its power
Has the courage of his convictions
Is confident of her skills, but not arrogant
Is confident of his skills, but knnows there is always more to learn
Knows she is a capable teacher, and that she must always be a willing student
Lives by the rede of 'harm none'
Observes the sabbats, esbats, and any other festivals of his chosen tradition and uses them for spiritual growth as well as for fellowshop and to honor his deities
Serves her community
Sees the divinity in all life and respects all life for the divine spark that dewlls within, even when that being's thoughts and actions are not easily respectable
Builds bridges and not walls
Asks rather than demands
Questions more than he anwers

There is still a lot for me to master in that list!

Blessed Be,

)O(

Beautiful article on Automatic Drawing from 1916

2010-12-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

Out of the flesh of our mothers come dreams and memories of the Gods. Of other kind than the normal inducement of interest and increasing skill, there exists a continual pressure upon the artist of which he is sometimes partially conscious but rarely entirely aware. he learns early or late in his career that power of literal reproduction (such as that of the photographic apparatus) is not more than slightly useful to him. He is compelled to find out from his artist predecessors the existence, in representation of real form, of supersessions of immediate accuracies; he discovers within himself a selective conscience and he is satisfied, normally, in large measure by the extensive field afforded by this broadened and simplified consciousness. Yet beyond this is a region and that a much greater one, for exploration. The objective understanding, as we see, has to be attacked by the artist and a subconscious method, for correction of conscious visual accuracy, must be used. No amount of visual skill and consciousness of error will produce a good drawing. A recent book on drawing by a well-known painter is a case in point; there the examples of masters of draughtsmanship may be compared with the painter-author's own, side by side, and the futility of mere skill and interest examined. Therefore to proceed further, it is neccesary to dispose of the "subject" in art also (that is to say the subject in the illustrative or complex sense). Thus to clear the mind of inessentials permits through a clear and transparent medium, without prepossessions of any kind, the most definite and simple forms and ideas to attain expression.

Aradia - the mysterious 'Messiah of the Witches' and daughter of Diana

2010-11-27T03:54:00.000-08:00

Aradia - the Messiah of the Witches
Born: As a Goddess: daughter of Diana in pre-Christian times & as the ‘second coming’: the niece of a witch
13 August 1313 (Diana’s day of worship)
Found in: Dianic witchcraft, Italian/Strega witchcraft, Gardnerian, the writings of Janet and Stewart Farrar
Setting: The town of Volterra ,Tuscany, Italy
People who write about her: Charles Leland, Raven Grimassi
Stone: Moonstone
Number: 13
Offerings: Strega liquore, walnuts, rue and tools of witchcraft and divination
Famous for: The Gospel of the Witches, from which The Charge of the Goddess derives from as well as many other rituals which feature in Wicca

Top:
Aradia ‘The Beautiful Pilgrim’
(artist unknown)

Bottom:
Herodias the biblical figure & Jewish princess of the Herodian dynasty
by Paul Delaroche
I first came across Aradia in Janet and Stewart Farrar’s AWitches Bible whose coven worshipped Aradia and Cernunnos. For some bizarre reason I’d never heard of her and decided to do some more research using this to find out whether there is some truth to the ‘mythological’ woman whom so few talk about. When searching through baby names and their definitions, many websites insist that Aradia is Greek for ‘Goddess of Witches’, with some believing that her name is derivative of Herodias or Erodiade, the latter being the Mediaeval Italian pronunciation of the name Herodias. Herodias, however, is a biblical character and does not replicate any characteristics of Aradia apart from the possibility that the name Aradia derives from Herodias. It is very strange that the two images above appear to almost resemble the same person – with such particular features.

Aradia was brought to our attention in recent history by Charles Leland who published Aradia: Gospel of the Witches in 1899. This text is meant to detail a true picture of Tuscan Witchcraft from this ‘messiah of the Witches.’ Many dispute the antiquity of Leland’s knowledge of Aradia, however his research also crosses over to other closely related topics in his other publications Etruscan Roman Remains, Legends of Florence and The Gypsies and Gypsy Sorcery (1) which would make him an expert on the area. Aradia has become the source of great inspiration for the Pagan Renaissance as one of the only true witches to be named openly in her era thanks to this scholar and folklorist writer. The Gospel of the Witches doesn’t give anything away about the personality of Aradia, and only implies to worship her and for her followers to work against their oppressors and to free themselves from slavery – in quite literal terms. Leland says that women of her day were often poor workers in a low wage who ultimately wanted to be freed from slavery. The Gospel also asks of their followers to work against Christianity and it isn’t clear whether the Inquisitors ever knew this, and it certainly didn’t stop them from slaughtering witches regardless.

Diana
Tis true indeed that thou a spirit art,
But thou wert born to become again
A mortal; thou must go to earth below
To be a teacher unto women and men
Who fain would study withcraft in thy school…
- Gospel of the Witches
The writer Raven Grimassi states that Aradia was a worshipped Goddess and also walked the earth as a person called Aradia di Toscano, who adopted the Goddess’ name and taught Witchcraft. In Goddess form it is told that Diana sent Aradia to Earth to teach others the magickal arts as taught by Diana. The living Aradia is rumoured to have been born in 1313 in Tuscany in the town of Volterra, forming the grounds of Italian Witchcraft which in approximately 150 years’ time would fall into the hands of the Inquisition which famously imprisoned and killed heretics for ‘the public good’(2). In 1508, ‘Italian Inquisitor Bernando Rategno noted that a rapid expansion of witchcraft had occurred one hundred and fifty years earlier, corresponding in time with Aradia’s second coming’ (3). The living Aradia was said to have been burnt at the stake having made sure that her manuscript, the Gospel was both written in detail and kept away from the Inquisitors. It is from The Gospel of the Witches that we derive a great deal of our rites: mooncakes, the feast after the ritual, consecrating salt and being skyclad during ritual.

Nicknamed ‘The Beautiful Pilgrim’, Aradia "travelled far and wide, teaching and preaching the religion of old times, the religion of Diana, the Queen of the Fairies and of the Moon, the goddess of the poor and the oppressed. And the fame of her wisdom and beauty went forth over all the land, and people worshipped her, calling her La Bella Pellegrina (the beautiful pilgrim)(4).”

Leland’s text tells the story of Diana and her brother/lover Lucifer who bore Aradia. Indeed, this is where the Roman Catholics found their source of ‘devil worship’ in The Craft, but Lucifer was not always a Biblical figure. Lucifer is Latin for “Light Bringer” as the ‘Sun’ to balance with Diana of the Moon – the archetypal dark and light, yin and yang, with Lucifer formed from Diana herself. Diana is said to have changed herself into Lucifer’s cat and seduced Lucifer to produce Aradia. The Christians also replaced Diana of Ephesus: ‘Ephesus became a place of Mary, Mother of God’ (5) as Christian groups often quashed Pagan sites quite literally by either building over what were Pagan sites of worship or rewriting over the top of Pagan stories. The bible states that Lucifer was an angel in heaven and had been banished from Paradise for being too vain which could be seen as a way of Christian society criticising Pagans for their “vanity” or in truth for the love of their bodies in comparison to the Christians’ conservative approach to the body as a vessel of ‘sin’.

Doreen Valiente took the following verse from this text as well as Aleister Crowley’s version – which was much darker. This became The Charge of the Goddess with this original version urging you to continue until the ‘last of your oppressors shall be dead’ which we could relate in a metaphorical sense to The Ordeal we face in our first degree initiation.

Aradia:
When I have departed from this world
Whenever ye have need of anything
Once in the month, and when the moon is full
Ye shall assemble in some desert place,
Or in a forest all together join
To adore the potent spirit of your Queen,
My mother, great Diana. She who fain
Would learn all sorcery yet has not won
Its deepest secrets, them my mother will
Teach her, in truth all things yet unknown.
And ye shall all be freed from slavery,
And so ye shall be free in everything;
And as a sign that ye are truly free,
Ye shall be naked in your rites, both men
And women also: this shall last until
The last of your oppressors shall be dead;
And ye shall make the game of Benevento,
Extinguishing the lights, and after that
Shall hold your supper thus

Sources:

Text sources:
(1) http://www.controvers...
(2) http://en.wikipedia.o...
(3) Judika Illes, ‘Encyclopedia of Spirits’ Aradia
(4) Grimassi, Raven: http://www.stregheria...
(5) http://www.covenofthe...
(6) Leland, Charles, 1899 ‘Aradia: Gospel of the Witches’

Image Sources:
Aradia
http://www.stregheria...
Herodias
http://en.wikipedia.o...

Desired Home VI

2010-11-27T03:43:00.000-08:00

I tried to trace who designed this and where it is and I couldn't find anything, and I'm scared that the tree trunks will grow more and sssquash this house like a big hand and turn it into match sticks!

via Sun in Scorpio

Witchy Outfit of the Week XV

2010-11-27T03:34:00.000-08:00

The rules? There are no rules.

Image via Wurzeltod

30 Days of Paganism [Day 5: Beliefs - Sacred Sexuality]

2010-11-27T03:24:00.000-08:00

SEXUALITY IN A STRANGE 21st CENTURY
I had been deliberately putting off this Day for for ooh, about a month now! Before you know it, I'm behind in a lot of writing. My torturously long hours at work are now over and I finally have time to write some more and a whole month to very carefully about Sacred Sexuality.

How we perceive ourselves as sexual beings can change and alter slightly with ebbs and flows just like in any other area of our lives. How I view my sexuality could depend on how I feel that day and my looking in the mirror on different days I'm viewing someone constantly evolving, changing, maturing and learning.

I just switched the television on to an old 1940s film where the woman runs into the arms of her lover, head tilted back in awe, covered in makeup and hair set into place almost in a pose of submission as he holds her wrists. How women are portrayed in the media as the seductee, is very different today and different again amongst various cultures. Separate societies are constantly changing and evolving to work around values, depending on where you live and also - just as importantly - the way we view our sexuality is affected by the media. How are we supposed to feel about our bodies?

The way we think is often affected by where we live and when, for example: during the 1800s, women would react to bad news by fainting whereby they would have to have smelling salts put underneath their nose to 'wake up' from their state of shock. Women then carried out learnt behaviour taught to them by society in the age of 'hysteria' which in the 1900s turned into 'schitzoid' behaviour (I'm not using my words there) which had women reacting to actions in a very different way. Anorexia in one side of the world is created for very different reasons - for example, in the Western world, women are usually anorexic because they are abhorred by their bodies and don't ever feel that they will ever be thin enough. However, in parts of Eastern Asia, the majority of women who become anorexic do so because they're simply unhappy - and rather than being thin all over have distended stomachs, much like the images we see of children starving in Africa. This has changed again thanks (or no thanks) to their access to Western media which now sees young women in Asian countries taking up eating disorders in order to actually be thin, rather than out of self-destructive sadness.

Thus, the Western view of sexuality changes and warps: what is the ideal figure for a woman, how does she approach a man and how do we choose to seduce each other and appreciate our sexuality and form? This afternoon I watched Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! from 1965 which features a triad of wild car-racing women, ready to take on the world with their huge hips, tiny waists and buxom pointed bras. Only five years later, the rail thin hippy look is in.

I've read several articles of late on how some men have a skewed view on what to expect from women in bed which has been badly affected by watching a lot of porn. The porn industry does not allow for the healthy, loving and rewarding experience of sharing sexuality which is instead a place of extreme fantasy, depicting an unrealistic appetite for carnal experiences which could be very out of the ordinary.

This is why I found this post so hard to write - sexuality is so changeable and interpreted by many in so many different ways.

A PAGAN'S VIEW OF SEX AND SEXUALITY

We are born into the world skyclad (i.e: naked, or clad only by the sky) as nature intended and are most beautiful in our natural form. Wiccans in particular are encouraged not only to perform magick amongst nature as much as possible but to also honor their diety skyclad if and when they can, particularly for Beltane. You are beautiful without makeup, without clothes, with all but the form you were meant to be. Pagans do not view themselves as being separate from the rest of the animal kingdom - we are one with every part of nature and recognise ourselves as being perfect as we are. We treat our bodies well and listen to them carefully to make for the strongest energy force to contribute our positivity to the world.

Pagans respect their bodies in their natural state, and approach sex and sexuality in much the same way. Our creativity also comes into play, thinking of how partners in arrays of pantheons would interact with one another, which is then filtered through our own personal aesthetics and particular Pagan belief system. Pagans that I have met are much more at ease when they unexpectedly put on a few kilograms, and thanks to that attitude, they can easily find healthy and constructive ways of remedying it if they want to and if it's necessary. One Wiccan woman that I know is close to her 40s and, having been slim her whole life, takes the approach that the Goddess is voluptuous and beautiful - so comparitively it's much easier for her to cope with.

My self image is very different to the average Western woman. I have found that over the years I avoid women's magazines unless it's a Pagan publication or about women's health. In general, I have become less materialistic and when I do buy something, the colour or shape resonate somehow back into my Wiccan belief system and thus have more value and meaning. Jewellery becomes more symbolic with images of bumblebees, cats, frogs, faeries or simply for their colour or the crystal that features in them.

The Great Rite is performed at the end of a ritual, which is a metaphorical performance of the sex act, putting the athame or wand into the chalice which represents the phallus uniting with the womb. This rite concludes the ritual to honor the balance of gender roles in the form of our chosen Goddess and God, and to generally honor the balance of life itself. Woman and man are equal, and their energies as Mother Earth and Father Sky make for the balance of the Universe.

I almost feel like apologising for making this post more about self image than sacred sexuality, so perhaps this will be Part I....

)O( E

*My apologies for not putting sources into this article, I had an amazing article many months back on how mental disorders change and are intepreted across periods of time and cultures around the world. I just couldn't find it so that I could add quotes to this post!