[	Tags	|	witchy	]
[	Mood	|	sad	]

A great Pagan online resource is closing down in a weeks time, after four years of service.  The owner Edain sites financial (the site was funded by donations) and personal reasons (the amount of time it takes to upkeep) for the closure.  So before the pages disappear all together I suggest you spent an hour or two browsing sections that take your fancy. (The previous blog article was sourced on a readers' articles page).  My favourite bits however were always the news stories and indeed I took the inspiration from there to include such interesting news stories in our own Magickal Moments daily newsletters.


view Edain's site here
http://www.thepaganactivist.com/


then view our
magickal moments news archives
 

[	Tags	|	witchy	]
[	Mood	|	productive	]

Making Ritual Real


A lot of pagans and witches, especially those new to their path can become frustrated when they feel that the rituals they are preforming are  simply not "real" or have any deep meaning or feeling to them. We all want that special spiritual experience. But how can we set ourselves up for the mysteries?
 
Here's a few tips:
 
Decorate your altar, shrine and ritual space with items that relate (in your mind) to the ritual purpose. Use colors, scent, images, and tools to their best effect. If you are doing a very masculine working, do not put pink flowers on your altar. Put images and items that have a masculine feel and meaning to you. If you are doing a hearth and home related ritual, put a dollhouse in the room, cut out images of fireplaces from a magazine and tack them on the wall.

Do not bother with placing items that will not be used or useful during the ritual, only use what is going to be really helpful. If there is a print on the wall that does not relate to your ritual, take it down, or hang a piece of fabric over it. Cut out the distractions as much as possible.

Do not worry about the proper correspondences as written in a book; think about what gives you the right impressions, thoughts and feelings. It is all about your mind connecting your surroundings with the ritual purpose.
 
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Do not allow yourself to become distracted by silly little things, like almost tripping, almost spilling, slipping up a few words, and the clock ticking in the next room. Do not worry about making a fool of yourself, if your makeup is getting smeared, if your
deodorant is holding up. These are all distractions. They do not matter.
 
Don’t rush! Slow down and take your time. Rushing through a ritual will not give it that deep meaning; you will gain nothing from it. If your rituals are too long, cut the fat. Trim it down to only what is really important, so that you can spend the proper amount of time focusing on
that.
 
Move! Dance, clap, stomp, sway, and wave your arms around. Just standing there shuffling your feet does not help to build energy, it also does not help you to feel the ritual. It may seem a tad silly, but if you are finding a lack of emotion, a lack of meaning in your ritual, try doing an interpretive dance, act out your ritual. Tap your foot in time to the words you are speaking.

Do your own personal sign language. If you are saying something about the moon, draw a circle or crescent in the air with your hand or ritual tool. If you are trying to connect with the feminine divine, touch your breasts (if you are a woman), draw the shape of a woman in the air, hold you arms as if stroking a pregnant belly or as if you are holding a baby. When contacting a god, touch your crouch (if you are a man), or draw a hammer, a phallus or horns or oak leaf in the air in front of you.

Stand up straight, lie down, sit up, lean to one side and then the other, hop on one foot, and use those hand signs and body postures found in Paganism 101 books.
 
Say it like you mean it. One of my best teachers was into drama and acting. She used to shout at us during ritual “Emote dammit! Say it like you mean it!” don’t just read off of some page in a monotone, say it with feeling, drama, and meaning.

When you are inviting entities into your ritual, speak with welcome in your voice, say it as if you were inviting a friend in to your home.  Do not rush through a prayer, chant or poem as quickly as possible. Take the time to carefully speak each line, with feeling. Repeat if necessary. Pretend you are an actor on a stage where your audience is hard of hearing and far away. Emote and project. Speak from the heart and use your belly voice, as acting and singing instructors would say.

Singing and chanting rather than speaking can also help you to inject emotion into your words. So try it, even if you do not have a great voice.
 
Use your imagination. That’s what visualizing is all about. Using your imagination will help you to connect with your creative side, the right side of your brain, the part of you that does not worry about logic, but that relies on feelings and intuition.
 
Practice, practice, practice. Do not give up if things just don’t feel like they are working the first time. Try it again; try everything at least three times before moving on to something else. The first couple of times you perform a new ritual, you will feel rather awkward, that’s perfectly natural. You cannot truly find that spiritual connection until you have become somewhat comfortable with what you are doing. Do not expect results right away, the very first time. This rarely happens for people.

Also it can be a good idea to practice at home, alone a couple of times before you go and join in a group ritual.
 
Feel it, really feel it. Don’t just go through the motions. If you feel that you are, stop! Take a few deep breaths and remind yourself what you are doing and why. Find your motivation. Say it out loud, think it, picture it in your mind, and really feel it. Draw it, paint it, and write poetry about it.

Do whatever you need to do before a ritual to make sure the purpose of the ritual is fresh in your mind and filling your heart. At each step along they way during a ritual, stop for a second and reaffirm what you are doing and why.

Keep the ritual purpose in the forefront of your mind and heart. A good ritual, a really truly good ritual should bring you to the brink of tears, happy or sad. People have often made fun of me for getting choked up or actually crying during ritual. They don’t get it, not at all.  If you really want results, you need to bring your heart fully into it. If you want a ritual to have meaning, you must give it meaning. You must really feel it, you must put that feeling into it.  

Laugh, cry, shout, sing, dance, smile, and do it like you mean it! If you do not mean it, you shouldn’t be doing it. If you do not mean it deep in your mind, heart and soul, you will never have that special spiritual experience you seek.
 
Good luck!
 
by  Juniper of Walking the Hedge 2009
(feel free to share, just add this disclaimer)


 

[	Tags	|	gothic	]
[	Mood	|	contemplative	]

Everyone mourns differently. Some will keep a loved one’s ashes in an urn. Some will use a loved one’s ashes to make a diamond. Some will even turn a loved one’s ashes into an artificial coral reef.

 Thanks to design student Anna Schwamborn, some will now have the option to wear a loved one’s ashes as jewelry.

Not your typical accessory, Schwamborn’s “Mourning Objects” allows a person to wear the hair and cremated ashes of the deceased in different forms of necklaces and bracelets, Deezen reports.

Schwaborn, who is currently studying at Central St. Martins in London and previously worked with Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, combines real human hair and cremated ashes mixed with black bone china to create wearable memorials.

“The objects are supposed to be worn close to the body of the mourner symbolizing a lasting physical connection between two individuals even after death,” Schwamborn told Deezen.

 While the prices of these unique trinkets have not yet been specified, Schwamborn has announced that her “Mourning Objects” come in several different designs, including a necklace, a watch chain tear catcher and a rosary.

source

 

[	Tags	|	general	]
[	Mood	|	amused	]

10. You'll save $$ on their Halloween costumes.
9. You can always find them in the snow.
8. Holding a black cat is very slimming.
7. Black cats will match any decor.
6. A lint brush isn't required for a black-tie affair.
5. When you love a black cat, luck is on your side.
4. Black cats are like onyx, a beautiful gem.
3. Hey, they don't care what color you are!
2. Love knows no color.

And the number one reason to adopt a black cat...

1. They are the least likely to be adopted.

[	Tags	|	general	]
[	Mood	|	excited	]

Sunday 21st June 3 - 9pm

Celebrate the return of the light from the darkest night at CERES Winter Solstice.

Brighten up your winter’s night and discover the beauty of darkness and light with shadow puppetry - a traditional Yule ritual - fire sculpture, poetry and a stellar musical line up.
Renowned shadow puppeteers “Stories from the Ground” have created a special solstice piece; The Longest Shadow.
The audience will create a spiral dance, at the precise moment of the solstice, mimicking the movement of the sun and the completion of the cycle of the seasons as part of the Yule (wheel) ritual.

“In many cultures fire is thought of as the little brother to the sun, and on the darkest night we honor fire and light.  Let your creative sparks fly and join in the celebration, whilst you warm up with delicious organic food, mulled wine and merriment at CERES Café.”
Deborah Hatton Event Producer

Yule Celebration Program:

· From 3pm – activities including wreath making for kids

· Solstice ritual and spiral dance – led by Seline (Celebrant & Ritualist)

· Lighting of Fires and fire sculpture behind the Café marquee

· Jayden Lillyist – Indigenous singer songwriter

· Stories from the Ground – “The Longest Shadow”

· Broni – acoustic pop artist

· Poetry by Jill Sutton – Melbourne writer

· Rosie Burgess Trio – "Burgess gave off more energy than an illegally sparked firecracker. Her band was awesome, the violin was go-faster red, and the polka she finished on was enough to make the artists preceding her eat humble pie" - Donne Restom, Drum Media, Sydney, June 2008.

· Mladen will play the Ud – a traditional Arabic lute

· DJ

$15 full $10 members /concession $ 5 kids
$20 passionate - $5 of ticket price is donated to CERES Environment Fund
Tickets at the gate - CERES Community Environment Park crn Roberts and Stewart Streets Brunswick East, Victoria 

Melways Reference: Map 30 B7

Look out for the Uncle Festers Stall and stop by to say hello to Margaret and Hayden!

[	Tags	|	general	]
[	Mood	|	sad	]

FAREWELL, AND BLESSED BE
A passing prayer


You waited for birth
and you were born
You found your springtime
and grew tall
You walked the summer of fulfillment
You neared the gateway in your fall
and now you are taken by the hand
through the gateway that is death
upon a further path
a further gathering
of the spirit's breath

Be easy on your journey
good is with you
Here is strength to help you on your journey
Feel love in your journey
my love is in you
I send my love with you through the gate
You are released from the fetters of this time
released and free, to make your journey
You have my happiness, in your release
Look forward, forward
and step out apon, your new bright path
I bless your every footstep
In an through the power of our Lady
who is life perpetual and who leads
hand in hand with the christian god you believed in
you onwards and way from us, our time

God and Goddess be with you
as will I

Fare Well

[	Tags	|	gothic	]
[	Mood	|	Jealous	]

How cool would this be? Sounds like the UK Whitby Goth weekends are getting bigger and better each time:

Hayden's brother is an ex mechanic and as Hayden and I are totally unmechanical we leave it to David to buy our cars for us (usually cheapies we run down and replace a few years later).  One time he came across an old caddy  hearse and asked Hayden was he interested, Hayden said no because he thought I would not want it.  They both couldn't believe I would love it, but by the time they worked that out, the car was sold.

[	Tags	|	witchy	]
[	Mood	|	inspired	]

The following article is from a Denver USA  Newspaper article this week talking about the move to a new location of "The Witches Brew Coffee House"  - it just sounds like such an ideal centre of activity for the local pagan community

 (shame my shop is so tiny, and Woodend so far from the city) :
 

The Witches Brew coffee house . . . .  offers many benefits to the metro Denver pagan community.  . .   a spacious two-story building that houses the coffee shop, as well as vendor booths and rooms that are perfect for ritual or class use. 

Earlier today, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I stopped by to check out the new place and I found it to be bustling with activity.  The Witches Sewing Circle was there, sitting at a table and working on their projects.  Somebody was getting an astrology reading and a LARP group was meeting.  A number of other patrons were there, sampling beverages and grouped in the cozy little seating areas scattered throughout the establishment.  Because of the layout of the space and the strategic grouping of comfortable couches and chairs, it is possible for the space to be full without compromising the privacy of any of the groups or individuals present.

A number of events of interest to the community take place at the Witches Brew each month.  There is a monthly drumming circle that meets the first Saturday of each month at 8 pm.  An open Full Moon ritual is offered each month.  A wide variety of readers and healing practitioners offer services here.  Other events, such as workshops, concerts and classes take place here as well.  The Gypsy Nomads will be playing here on May 30 and the cost for that event is $6 per ticket.  . . .

In addition to delicious beverages and community events, the new Witches Brew space is also home to a number of local pagan vendors who have booths here.  Thou Art offers toys and play clothes.  From the Cauldron has a wide selection of candles, soaps and travel altar boxes.  For wildlife and fantasty art, there is the Lion Woman Designs booth.  Phunky Goddess has handmade jewelry, bags and clothes available.  Maillestrom Custom Jewelry offers original chain mail jewelry.  The Blue Rayne Mysticals booth has incense, oils and herbs.  A Sow's Ear provides a unique selection of original jewelry and accessories.  Stellaluna Alchemy offers natural products for the body and soul.  . . . .
 

Source

[	Tags	|	gothic	]
[	Mood	|	curious	]

The Living Dead Doll series 17 are now on their way and will be available next week.  This is the "Urban Legend" series featuring the Hitchhiker, Girl with spider bite on face, Bloody Mary, Escaped Lunatic with a Hook hand and the unwitting Organ transplant donor.  The good news is that the anticipated price rise was much smaller than expected - so that the whole set can be yours for $260 (with free postage within Australia). Note - those of you who preordered a set but have not yet arranged payment should do so now.

See our website for more information on this series, and the earlier series 13-16.

The Living Dead Doll series 18 to be released later in the year will see Halloween return, bringing with it the scariest Trick Or Treaters ever seen!

Names and details have not been finalized but the assortment will contain: a ghoul, a vampire girl, a jester, a witch, and a skeleton.

We will also be getting some "American Gothic" twin coffin dolls.  At this stage I am assuming they'll be a  new remade version of the 2005 set (much like we just had the 2009 remake of the Jason Voorhees one) - but don't yet have any further details.

[	Tags	|	witchy	]
[	Mood	|	amused	]

* MM = Merry Meet*

Round shape for wheel of the year, cycle of seasons*

Skins are different colors, but the inside is the same chocolate, because we are all related.*

Associations with the colors:
Red = South,
Green = West,
Dark Brown = North,
Yellow = East,
Orange = For the Solar God,
Light Brown = For the Earth Mother (Copper Woman)

 M = 13th letter of alphabet, and there are 13 witches in a coven

* Rotate the M & M: 3 = Triple Goddess, three phases of moon W = Witchcraft, Wiccan E = Enlightenment, Enchantment of chocolate*

"Melt in your mouth, not in your hand"--God/dess's love must be experienced directly to appreciate. Also, God/dess will take care of you.*

Sweetness to remind us of how sweet the love of the God and Goddess is!
 

[	Tags	|	general	]
[	Mood	|	sad	]

According to todays Papers :

 

Andy Hallett, a singer who gained fame portraying a green-skinned demon on the cult US TV series Angel, has died of congestive heart disease aged 33.

Hallett was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after having problems breathing and died there on Sunday, his agent said.

It follows a five-year battle with the heart condition.

The star appeared on more than 70 episodes of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff between 2000 and 2004.

Born and raised in Osterville, Massachusetts, Hallett moved to LA when he was 23 and worked as a messenger at a talent agency.

He went on to become an assistant to the wife of Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon - who had Hallett audition for the part of Lorne on Angel after seeing him perform karaoke.

Hallett proved himself a fan favourite on the show as the show tune loving, red-horned demon who could read a person's aura when they sang, revealing their problems and futures.

The series, which starred Bones actor David Boreanaz as the brooding vampire Angel, ran for five seasons before it was cancelled in 2004.

Hallett was diagnosed with his heart condition at the end of the show and had been in and out of hospitals for the past five years.

He decided to concentrate on his own music, stepping away from acting, agent Pat Brady said.

Hallett, an only child, is survived by his father Dave Hallett and mother Lori Hallett.

A private funeral service will be held for family and close friends in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this weekend.

[	Tags	|	gothic	]
[	Mood	|	Black	]

 "What's more undead than goth fashions? Vampire fashion."

Is Blood is the New Black?

Last winter the popular Trendhunter website listed the goth resurgence as one of the top 10 fashion moments of 2008, after L.A. fashion house Rodarte went to the dark side in February of that year and brands like Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent and Dior did black lip gloss. Not that the look had gone too far underground, witness the goth weddings they profiled in 2007 (see pictures here).

The sensibility's still emphatically undead. Aside from goth, goth and more goth at L.A. Fashion Week, things seem to be trending toward, how they put it -- vampire-specific style.The website Trend Hunter shows what's at stake with this video.

[	Tags	|	general	]
[	Mood	|	contemplative	]

These movies were recommended to me by another shop keeper in town, and I in turn are recommending them to you.  The word "zeitgeist" according to wikipedia, describes the intellectual, cultural, ethical and political climate, ambiance and morals of an era.

Now I love a good conspiracy theory and a lot of what is contained here I've heard before - but maybe not as succinctly or placed in such a "big picture".  I also found the conclusions and the concepts of the "Venus Project" very thought provoking.

The two movies cover religion, politics, 9/11, big business, money and technology - and last for around 2 hours each.

The Annual Meeting day for the Zeitgeist Movement Worldwide is March 15th of each year. In 2008, there were over 1800 events in 70 countries.
 

You can see the two movies here:

Look for the Zeitgeist : Ammended Final Edition first;

then the addendum

http://video.google.com.au/videosearch?hl=en&q=zeitgeist&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#

 

[	Tags	|	witchy	]
[	Mood	|	impressed	]

The Name Akuaba comes from the Akan legend of a woman named Akua who desperately wanted to conceive a baby.  She consulted a Voodoo priest who instructed her to make a carving of a small wooden child and to carry the surrogate child on her back as it if were real. She was laughed at and teased by fellow villagers, who began to call the wooden figure Akuaba, or "Akua's Child".  Eventually though, Akua conceived a child and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  Soon thereafter other women also began making and carrying Akuaba to overcome barrenness.

Because Akan society is matrilineal. Akuaba is always female, as the women prefer daughters who will perpetuate the family line.

After influencing pregnancy, akuaba are often returned to shrines as offerings to the spirits who assisted wtih fertility.  A collection of figures becomes an advertisement for the spirits' ability to help women conceive.  Families also keep akuaba as memorials to each child they are blessed with. The figures become family heirlooms and are appreciated not only for their spiritual associations but also because they are beautiful images that call to mind a loved one.
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

This story was submitted by Tina, our Voodoo enthusiast.  Tina has been writing a weekly column on Voodoo in our Magickal Moments newsletter and has also created/sourced a range of Voodoo charms and talismans that are now available through Uncle Festers.

To explore Tina's Voodoo products

To review the Magickal Moments newsletters