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| Name: | Cheeney |
Age: | Fifteen months old |
| Gender: | Male | Breed: | Chihuahua, Dachshund mix |
| Home: | Florida Panhandle, USA | ||
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I thought maybe I wanted a dog after my son moved away leaving me and the two cats alone in the house, and someone came knocking on the door in the middle of the night scaring me out of my sleep. I arranged for a week off work and thought it would be the perfect time to get a dog… if I got a dog. A week before that, I visited the animal shelter where I walked one small perfect dog. I thought I should look at other dogs just to be fair and picked out a beautiful little long-legged dog that paid me no attention. The shelter lady said she wanted me to see this one other dog. She brought him in, soon he was in my lap and that’s how I got a dog a week before I planned to. He is what we call a Chiweenie (chihuahua dachshund mix).
Cheeney cuddles all the time. He pushes up against me when we sit on the sofa or he puts his head on my leg. If I’m in a chair with no room for him, he stays by my feet. He gets along well with the cats as you can see. He began by chasing my girl cat but she quickly learned that she could take refuge behind a chair then jump out at him and chase him back. Cheeney is smaller than either of the cats. Cheeney and his mom were given up by people who felt they didn’t have time for them. The mom, a purebred dog, was taken by a no kill shelter. Both dogs were eaten up by fleas when they came in and Cheeney lost a lot of hair. It grew back coarse and grey so he has a sort of white stripe down his back. When I got him a lot of hair was still missing on his tail and I thought he was chewing it off but it all came back nicely. Before putting him up for adoption, the shelter vet performed some necessary minor surgery on him. He had been at the shelter almost two months when I found him. Cheeney is not perfect. He’s not quite housebroken. He doesn’t think his paws should get wet and he has to be coaxed outside during or after a rain… unless he hears the neighbors’ dog barking, then wet grass means nothing. But he doesn’t chew up things he shouldn’t; he tries to please; he plays fetch by chasing a toy and bring it back to the sofa for me; he barks when he thinks there’s a good reason. I wouldn’t have waited so long to get a dog if I’d known what great companions they can be. Paws-Shelter.com is where I got Cheeney. I’ve had him about three months. The other dogs I looked at have since been adopted, too.   |
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Month: November 2011
According to Feng Shui – Five Gifts You Should Never Give
Five Gifts You Should Never Give
Giving and receiving gifts is a wonderful exchange that shows we care. One would think that any gift that is given from the heart is good. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. An inauspicious gift is bad news no matter how noble your intentions are. Taken in a Feng Shui perspective, some things are worse compared to others. Here are the top 5 gifts you should never give to anyone.
1. Never Give Sharp Objects
Gifts of sharp objects are actually more popular than one would expect because most people don’t see them as such. Examples of sharp objects that are unsuitable as gifts include the following: blade, chainsaw, dagger, hunting knife, letter opener, penknife, scissors, Swiss Army knife, sword, etc (see anything familiar here).
There are a couple of reasons that make sharp items objectionable. Giving sharp objects as a gift will literally sever the friendship. As sharp objects are a natural source of malicious “killing breath” or Shar Chi, such gifts will result in you unintentionally sending bad luck to your friend.
2. Never Give Timepieces
In the West, timepieces are, in fact, quite well-liked as gifts. These include: alarm clock, wall clock, pocket watch, wristwatch, etc.
Timepieces measure the passage of time and this indirectly suggests a limited lifespan, which is very inauspicious. In Chinese (Cantonese), to give a clock or soong joong sounds exactly like the Chinese term for attending a funeral, which is naturally very taboo.
3. Never Give Red Roses
Did you know that you should never give red roses? Long stemmed red roses with sharp thorns are terrible as gifts. The longer the stem and the sharper the thorns … the more the relationship will suffer. If you send your lover a bouquet of red roses – romantic and all – it will be the beginning of the end of the relationship.
It is better for you to give cream or pink roses. Feng Shui-wise, yellow roses work even better to help enhance that loving feeling. Remember to have the thorns removed before you deliver them to your lover.
Never send red and white roses to a loved one who is in hospital. These are so inauspicious that in hospitals all over UK, there is the tradition with regards to floral gifts from well-wishers. If bunches of red and white roses or any variety of flowers arrive for anybody, they throw the flowers away immediately and make sure none of them reach the patients. A gift comprising a bunch of red and white blooms are considered to be a DEATH WISH.
4. Never Give Shoes
In Chinese (Cantonese), the word for shoes, ‘hai’, sounds very much like a sigh. This is very inauspicious as it suggests much unhappiness. A gift of shoes to your friend would be akin to sending bad luck his/her way.
5. Never Give Handkerchiefs
Gifts of handkerchiefs are also traditionally frowned upon. This is because a handkerchief is used to wipe away sweat and tears, which suggests a lot of sadness and frustration. Giving handkerchiefs as gifts suggest that you anticipate him/her to be doing much crying in the future. This generates such an inauspicious chi.
Remedy For Your Predicament
What do you do if you have a really fantastic gift? Something that you know your friend will be truly ecstatic about? Well I have some good news for you. The Chinese have a simple remedy for sharp metal gifts that belong to the first category.
Ask for a coin or some change (make sure it is metal) before you present your gift to the recipient. This simple exchange symbolizes a “purchase”, instead of a “gift”. Since your friend symbolically “paid” for the item, it is no longer considered a “gift”. This uncomplicated remedy works only for sharp metal items.
Feng Shui Tip of the Day for November 29th
Feng Shui Tip of the Day
“Place a red packet filled with real money deep inside your rice urn.”
Your Daily Number for November 29th: 2
Sensitivity and a feeling of self-consciousness pervade the day. Stress levels may be high due to deadlines and commitments; if possible, take some time off to relax and focus on your personal life, as romance is highly favorable.
Fast Facts
About the Number 2
Theme: Adaptable, Tactful, Gentle, Cautious
Astro Association: Moon
Tarot Association: High PriestessToday’s I Ching Hexagram for November 29th is 9: Small Influences
9: Small Influences
General Meaning: A gentle wind gathers the clouds, but still, no rain. Softer influences predominate as the power of subtle forces grows. This is a time for smooth and friendly persuasion.
In the ebb and flow of events, there are always ‘low tides’ — times when sweeping action is impossible or inappropriate, but when small matters can be attended to profitably, leading to bigger and better things later on. When the tide is rolling in, by all means, ride the wave; but when it is receding like it is now, focus on little things.
When the times are such that you cannot do much to affect large matters, persuasion and subtle influence can prepare the way for strength in the future. Use your intuition to chart your long-term course, but avoid bold actions for the moment, for they are unlikely to work. This is an excellent time to refine existing abilities or develop new talents.
Be wary of others’ intentions if they hold the upper hand in a situation. Examine their sources of power, so as to discover subtle influences you may be able to exert upon them.
Today’s Runes for November 29th is Ger
Today’s Runes
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Stone Runes are most commonly used for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control. Ger is one of the runes that touches on the cycles of the year, in this case the fall harvest. These cycles are eternal, which is represented in the rune by the fact that it is unchanged by reversal. Ger can represent pregnancy or other forms of fruitfulness, and is especially indicative of the cycles of providence and karma – that which has been sown is now being reaped. This rune can also represent the cycles of wealth, for crops were frequently a sign of wealth. |
Today’s Tarot Card for November 29th is The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man
This Tarot Deck: Old English
General Meaning: Traditionally, the card known as the Hanged Man usually indicates a lack of ability to help oneself through independent action. This energy is arrested and awaiting judgment. With this card, there is no avenue for the will to regain control until the situation has passed.
This represents a good time to be philosophical, to study and meditate upon the position you find yourself in, and form resolutions for the moment you become free again. Only those who possess wisdom, patience and optimism will be able to see through limitations, including possible humiliation, to grasp the inspiring lesson one can gain from such an experience
Your Horoscope Guardian Trees
Your Horoscope Guardian Trees
- Annie B. Bond
The grounded grace and benign presence of trees have both awed and comforted humans since our earliest beginnings. In both Native American and Celtic tradition, every season has its tree-spirits. In astrology, too, each sun-sign has special trees standing guard over it, sharing their healing energy.
Find out which trees hold a magical healing key for your sun-sign here:
Aries, March 21-April 19: Holly, thorn, chestnut
Taurus, April 20-May 21: Almond, apple, walnut, ash, sycamore, cherry, myrtle
Gemini, May 22-June 20: Elder, filbert
Cancer, June 21-July 22: Willow, sycamore
Leo, July 23- Aug 22: Palm, laurel, pine, oak
Virgo, Aug 23-Sept 22: Hazel, elder
Libra, Sept 23-Oct 22: Almond, walnut, plum, myrtle, apple
Scorpio, Oct 23-Nov 21: Holly, blackthorn
Sagittarius, Nov 22-Dec 21: Mulberry, chestnut
Capricorn, Dec 22-Jan 19: Pine, cypress, yew, spruce, holly
Aquarius, Jan 20-Feb 18: Pine
Pisces, Feb 19-March 20: Willow, elm, linden
Daily Horoscopes for November 29th
We gain a new sense of clarity today as we compare innovative possibilities about the future to plans we previously set aside. The Moon’s shift into intellectual Aquarius at 2:01 am EST motivates us to explore a variety of solutions to our current problems while her sextile to the Sun helps us to stay on track. Nevertheless, a visionary Sun-Jupiter biquintile prevents us from playing it safe and encourages us to reach beyond our normal limits.
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
You can see exciting possibilities when only yesterday everything seemed more problematic. However, you haven’t been suddenly struck with answers to all of your questions. Rather, it’s your perspective that’s changed and you’re more willing now to let the ambiguity resolve naturally. It’s healthy to imagine the desired outcome to a situation, but you don’t need to force resolution to the issue prematurely.
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)
Although you want to make plans for what’s ahead, you might not be eager now to peer too far into your future. You may believe that you’re close to achieving an important milestone on your way to success, even if you still have a way to go. Still, there’s no use wasting energy by concentrating on a current obstacle. Instead, get busy and revise your schedule with a new timetable that charts your path to your destination.
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)
You might get an uncharacteristic urge to withdraw socially today, but your friends will likely seek you out to join them, anyway. Don’t bother giving them your reasons for passing up an invitation; instead, just say yes. You’ll be glad that you changed your mind and decided to come out of hiding. It’s better to enjoy yourself with others if given the chance because you can always find time to be alone later.
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)
You may be uncomfortable with what’s happening in a relationship, yet you now have an opportunity to push beyond your fears. Although you tend to hold on to what’s familiar because it fosters security, it’s time to take an emotional risk. Don’t play it safe; do what you can to align your actions with your needs. You may be pleasantly surprised if you take the initiative today to stretch past your old limitations and try something new.
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
An eccentric person could arrive on the scene now with the non-conformist Aquarius Moon’s visit to your 7th House of Others. An exciting invitation may not be what you expected, but you could be tempted to turn down the offer because of time constraints. Luckily, today isn’t likely to unfold according to your plans, so it’s a good idea to set aside your agenda and have some fun. Your flexibility might just be rewarded with lasting happy memories.
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
You have a number of unusual tasks on your list of things to do today and may be looking forward to getting started. However, you aren’t sure how everything will go until you actually begin, so don’t waste time trying to fill in the details. Your best strategy is to let go of your need to micromanage and just make it up along the way. You already have the skills necessary for success, so just apply them as needed.
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
You are easily coaxed into setting aside your long-term responsibilities for a while if you think that you’ll be able to experience a bit of pleasure today. The Moon is visiting your 5th House of Play now, so take time to express yourself in the present moment. Don’t worry if you need to return later to complete unfinished business. Let yourself be as creative as possible, even if it’s not about making money. Don’t hold back; do something for the sheer fun of it.
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
It requires a lot of effort to talk you into going anywhere today because the Moon in your 4th House of Security reminds you how much you would prefer to stay at home. You want to watch the world go by quietly because your inner experience is much more important now than scattering your energy socially. Don’t worry if you don’t live up to someone else’s expectations; you get to decide what brings true spiritual value into your life, even if it doesn’t involve anyone else.
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
The Moon’s harmonious connection with the Sun in your optimistic sign today lifts your spirit above the mundane events of your daily life. Your current need for independence is so strong that you might not be willing to justify your desires to anyone else. Of course, you can discuss anything you want, but no one has the authority to tell you what to think. Just taking a moment to remind yourself that you’re in charge of your inner world is enough to make you happy now.
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
You may want to make a decision about how to budget your money today, but you’re being pulled in several directions. It’s possible that you have a few things you would like to do, but not enough cash to go around. For example, you could decide to buy something special for yourself, only to see a beautiful gift for someone else. Even if social obligations make your choices more difficult, remember to be nice to yourself. If your heart’s not happy, you won’t have anything to give to those you love.
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
The Moon’s return to your eclectic sign gives you permission to express your feelings, even if they’re not what others expect. But it’s not necessary to hide your true needs just because others may be uncomfortable with them. However, you don’t have the right to spew your opinions without doing so in a kind manner. Being considerate of those you love may change your words, but it really doesn’t have to alter your truth.
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
This is a magical day if you remember that you can create a positive atmosphere wherever you go by virtue of your attitude. Your spiritual orientation is capable of turning the most boring chore into a sacred act of gratitude. But what others perceive now isn’t what’s important. Honor the richness of your imagination and aspire to experience beauty, even if it cannot be put into words.
Daily Cosmic Calendar for Tuesday, November 29th
Daily Cosmic Calendar
During the last two days of November, the universe appears to be backing you up to an extraordinary degree. The tempestuous days of last week may seem like an old memory and the upcoming challenges that will strike during the first four days of December are still waiting in the wings. Between today and tomorrow, today receives the greater potential glory. Aquarius Moon is highlighting the need to focus more attention on group projects, team sports, community participation, and global causes close to your heart and mind. Pallas is a big and positive influence as the Sun in Sagittarius forms a supportive, 60-degree rapport with this wisdom-magnifying asteroid in Aquarius (9:40AM PST) while the Moon merges its energy-field with Pallas at Noon PST. Add on a highly constructive, 60-degree alliance of the Moon and Sun (12:10PM PST), and there are several hours when you can demonstrate your problem-solving skills with a flourish. Pallas super-strong can also give you a boost with strategy-sessions, research, and enhancing the power of your immune system. Try your luck at playing chess, backgammon or a favorite card game. Keep a notebook nearby your bed overnight to record Technicolor dreams and nocturnal soul-wanderings as the Moon parallels Neptune (10:34PM PST). The Moon linking up with Neptune can also stimulate your urge to improvise on a favorite musical instrument, experiment with a video camera or imagine new dance routines.
the daily humorscopes for tuesday, november 29th
the daily humorscope
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
A hive of naked mole rats will move in with you today. You will find that they are relatively tidy creatures, but that it’s a trifle difficult to explain their presence to your friends.
You will find yourself in a huge handbasket, before the end of the day, and it will be getting much warmer than you like.
Good day to bring home a bag or two of live bugs.
Everyone you know will wear unmatched socks, today. Actually, it’s stranger than you think — they’ll all members of a pagan cult, and this is Sock Swap Day.
You will discover a sure-fire method of fooling all the people, all the time. It will have something to do with Cottage Cheese.
You will overhear a whispered conversation, regarding how cute it is the way someone wiggles their tushy when they walk. You will have an uncomfortable feeling that they may be referring to you. This may make you a trifle self-conscious.
Good time to be logical and willing to admit error. This will amaze and confuse everyone, and some of them will be so flustered that they’ll try it themselves. Just don’t keep it up for too long – you might get “stuck” like that, and go through the rest of your life like some kind of freak!
You’ve heard that when economists use the word “nice”, they’re actually saying that something is homoscedastic and nonautoregressive. Today you will find out what they mean when they say something is “like, totally kewl”.
This week will find you explaining gender roles to the clueless. For example, men MUST continue to channel surf on the TV, no matter how interesting the show is that they stumble onto. Women must watch what shows up on the channel they’re watching, no matter how boring it is. It’s just how these things are done. Women commit and regret it. Men don’t commit and regret it. It’s in our genes. Some kind of adenine/guanine/trampoline chemical thingy.
Tiddly wink day. Make it count.
Good day to doodle.
Your perfume or cologne has too much patchoulli. Only an idiot wears patchoulli. Or a witch. Hmm. Er, never mind. Wear whatever you like. I’m sure it’s quite nice.
Tuesday, November 29th is a good day for…….
November 29th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors
General Guidelines for Casting Spells
General Guidelines for Casting Spells
1. Set aside a room for your magical work. Decorate it with things that
put you in a magical mood. Remember to use things that stimulate all
five of your physical senses. Some obvious things would be the use of
appropriate colors for sight, incense for scent, music for hearing,
wines for taste, and textures for feel.
2. If you do not have a room you can set aside exclusively for your
magical work, then choose a room that can be locked while you do your
work. This will allow you to work undisturbed. In any case, you
should clean your work area periodically with a purifying
powder/floorwash to keep away negative vibrations.
3. Set up an altar to be used as your worktable. It’s size and shape
should be those that appeal to you. Placing candles and other items
that assist you to concentrate on the work at hand is a good
practice. Some people like to cover their altar with a white cloth
and place fresh cut flowers on it every day.
4. Always use the best candles, oils, and incenses that you can afford,
or make your own, for scrimping on materials has a negative effect on
the subconscious. Don’t forget that the subconscious is very good at
making do with raw materials that it can shape to its own use.
5. Never cast a spell until you have a clear and concise picture of what
it is you wish to accomplish. This ties in with the saying “Be
careful what you wish for, you just might get it.”
6. Always ground out any extra energy you raise for the spell, and bind
the spell so that it expires within the pre-determined amount of
time. Once you have cast the spell, do not discuss it with any one
until after it has worked. Most spells peter out because the person
who cast it boasts about it to so many people, that the spell is
robbed of power before it has a chance to work. The ancient bond
placed on the magician was to dare, to know and to keep silent.
7. Above all, at all times, remember the Rede: “An ye harm none, do what
you will.” You do not know all the effects of your spell, therefore,
use magick sparingly, if at all.
Let it snow, let it snow! Happy, Snowy Tuesday to you, dear friends!
The witch is now in! Sorry I am running late but I woke up this morning to about a foot of snow. It was very unexpected and very beautiful. The weather forecast called for snow, sleet and all that good stuff all around us. But we were suppose to get nothing. Needless to say, our weather people don’t know the weather no more than my fish does. Anyway, I had to get out in it for a bit. I took Kiki out on the porch and that was hilarious. She took about four steps, sniffed and ran back to me. Jumping up and down for me to pick her up, she isn’t much of a snow dog. I could take Mocha (my hybrid wolf dog) outside in the snow and we would play and play. She loved the snow and I enjoyed having her out there with me. Next, after I picked up Kiki I opened the door and there stood nosey Stinker. I put Kiki down and picked up some snow and dumped it on his head. He jumped like he had been shot. Razzy was back in the kitchen. She saw what had happened to Stinker so she didn’t bother moving. After I came in she came over to the snow to sniff it and see what that funny, white stuff was. But I have been walking in the snow, kicking it around and just breathing in the clean crisp air. It is a beautiful site. Another wonder of Mother Nature bestowing her beauty on us.
Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars
Tuesday is named after the God Tiw, this day is perfect for works relating to justice, strength and physical well-being. Other correspondences for Tuesday are:
Ruling Planet: Mars
Rituals: Overcoming enmity, developing courage and protection.
Element: Fire
Colour: Red
Number: 5
The Way We Were vs The Way We Are
The Way We Were vs The Way We Are
Author: Ryan Hatcher
If we are to look back to the inception of modern paganism and the people who were the force behind it and were to observe how they practiced, worshipped and worked magic and compared it to how we practice, worship and work magic in modern times, while there is guaranteed to be a great deal of difference, the basic, core values should have remained the same.
I was in Norwich yesterday, a city with a strong pagan undercurrent of its own, for a brief look around the shops to pass some time while my partner enjoyed a 2-hour birthday massage, because of which my wallet had experienced a mass weight loss. So window-shopping it was. On my journey around the city I ventured into a Waterstones bookshop to have a look at their MBS section and had a skim through some of the material. Now, 90% of these books were paganism 101, which is fair enough for a standard mainstream bookshop, but reading through some of these 101 books — some of them recently published — it got me to reflecting: what is taught and considered western paganism now is much different than what it would have been considered to be 60-70 years ago.
What do I mean by this? Well, much of my personal pagan practice is inspired by these ‘old school’ methods with a touch of the modern for flavor (I’m talking about Doreen Valiente and Kevin Cochrane for the older styles, particularly Valiente; the Farrars (Stewart and Janet) represent an in-between period. Kate West and Christopher Penczack add the modern flare.) as I feel their values and ideas resonate with me. Now, keeping Valiente and Cochrane’s ideals in mind (again, more Valiente than Cochrane) , compare them to a lot of Penczack’s work and the work of similar contemporary styles and you’ll see what I’m trying to get at.
The styles and traditions of Valiente and Cochrane (hereon called the ‘older styles’) focus more on the earth-based worship side of paganism: seeing their Gods as personified manifestations of the forces of Life, Love, Death and Rebirth as well as the forces of nature in all it’s guises (be this as the four elements or simply as the grass in your lawn) . I also feel that animism in a subtler form was still there, if only felt and respected rather than overtly expressed.
The crafting of magic seems to have been simpler, as was the training (which doesn’t mean it was by any means easier than today; I’m inclined to say it was harder) . Metaphysical ideas such as energy centres, auras and layers of existence appear to have been acknowledged but were not the priority. The same for ‘the mysteries’ of the craft such as hypnosis, astral projection/trance journeying and psychism in all its forms. The works of the older styles show that they were an important part of their practice along with magic, but they were not the primary focus. I feel they were considered tools and techniques that developed along with the witch as he or she progressed down the spiritual path and was able to understand themselves and their developing abilities better and learn to control, focus and use them.
In contrast, the works of Penczack and his contemporaries (hereon called the ‘newer styles’) seem to focus more on the metaphysical ideas of paganism (energy centres, auras and layers of existence) , ‘the mysteries’ of the craft and magic as being of primary importance and therefore many chapters are devoted to these concepts. Now, I’m not saying this is strictly a bad thing; it may well suit many a new student to paganism, but when it comes to the core values about the spiritual and worship side of paganism, we start to enter the world of ‘love, light and blessed be’.
The realm of the FB, and those big furry ears seem to be cropping up more frequently in pagan literature. The spirituality of the newer styles appears to see the Old Gods as playmates: happy, fun, smiley and They do anything their precious ‘hidden children’ ask for. And unfortunately kids, you just have to look at the global history of paganism and myths of the world to now that is definitely not true. The honouring of nature and the earth extends as far as litter picking and recycling, which are very, very good ideas, and more is being suggested such as planting new trees, getting involved with wildlife protection trusts etc. Unfortunately, I feel many of the witches of the older styles, though some did get involved in these things, chose not to, possibly considering ritual devotion to be sufficient.
Ritual then is the moot point of both the old and new styles. As we are all aware, spiritual practice is a subjective thing, especially when it comes to ritual. Both new and old styles of witchcraft and paganism have placed varying levels of focus on ritual, and all have varying styles and methods in ritual that meets with their needs and the ideals of their respective traditions. However (there had to be a however) , and this goes for both old and new styles of paganism, whatever happened to just going out there and communing with nature face-to-face? No pomp and ceremony, no matter how elaborate or simple, just getting out there and being in the presence of the forces that we as pagans honour and worship.
I say, if you’re in a situation where celebrating a sabbat or an esbat with formal ritual isn’t an option, but you are within distance of a beautiful woodland, then screw it! Go for a walk in the woodland, sit under a tree and meditate! Commune with the spirits of the natural world around you and feel the power of the Old Gods, the powers of life, love, death and rebirth and pour your heart out in gratitude for all you have and for all that it means to be alive.
Wrapping it up: to me, the older styles and the newer styles and those of the styles in-between all have their good points and their bad points. The older styles are more grounded, simple and earthly. The newer styles are more flighty, ‘new-age’, hippy-esque and spiritual (in the modern concept of the word) . I’m sure you can see we have a Yin-Yang situation. And like the Yin and Yang, symbols of the older and newer styles do have parts of the other within them, but what we need to achieve is a balance between the two.
Paganism is a living and growing spiritual path and naturally changes with time, but it shouldn’t lose its heart. If we can bring together old and new, Yin and Yang, then we might be able to evolve paganism further, making it stronger, more refined and give us a definitive direction for us to aim for.
I hope that this essay will encourage pagans, both old hands and new, to review their beliefs, practices and crafts… to look back at the old, and freely explore the new and therein decide what is the best way forward in their spiritual path.
Footnotes:
Witchcraft for Tomorrow – Doreen Valiente
Witchcraft a Tradition Renewed – Evan John Jones with Doreen Valiente
The Witches’ Bible – Janet and Stuart Farrar
The Real Witches’ Handbook – Kate West
Gay Witchcraft – Christopher Penczack
Instant Magick – Christopher Penczack
The Path of an American Traditionalist
The Path of an American Traditionalist
Author: Heather Douglas
I write a blog on blogspot.com called “Path of an American Traditionalist”. I decided to call my blog this for one reason. It all starts with Scott Cunningham and “Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner”, which was the first Wicca book I was ever introduced to at the age of fourteen. As common as this sounds my mother saw an A and E special on “witches and Wicca” and became instantly enamored with the idea. She went out and purchased none other than a Scott Cunningham book. As I have previously written in another article this would ultimately lead me down the magical path I am still on today. I consider myself very much a follower of Scott Cunningham.
Scott Cunningham has been a very important, influential and inspirational part of not only my craft, but my spiritual self, as well. A man gone too soon, he never had time to fully develop the exact recipe to create a true American Wicca tradition of witchcraft, but he was well down the path before his passing. What most of us witches heavily rely on today all stems from belief systems of other cultures that are not uniquely American. Most tradition of magic that are popularly practiced today have roots in Europe, Asia, as well as various other countries, but only the branch of paganism that could claim some ownership are the Native Americans.
What most witches don’t understand or appreciate (in my opinion) about Scott Cunningham was the message that took the forefront in all of his books. Wicca does not require a system of clergy, standards, rules or authority. The authority comes only from the Goddess and God. Even most of the Native American traditions had an informal hierarchy. Scott’s message has always been a break from, well, tradition!
Having said that, his books are richly steeped in a “tradition” created solely on his own experience with spell work. That is not to say that he does not solely rely on the work of people like Gardner, Crowley and Leek, but what he does is take his personal interpretations of their work and applies the knowledge to further his own. Furthermore the knowledge he applies to his “encyclopedia” type books are well researched, well-written and informative for any witch! In 2009 “Scott Cunningham’s Book of Shadows”, was published by Llewellyn. For obvious reasons, because of his passing in 1993, a new Scott Cunningham book had not been in circulation for a very long time.
It is mentioned in the forward of the book that Scott’s intentions were to create a system of witchcraft/magic that was uniquely American and without constraint. Scott was taking the knowledge, experience and wisdom he had gained from the many years he spent practicing magic and applying the craft to create a non-uniform system of magical practice that’s roots would be American. The author of the forward states that he is uncomfortable with the world “traditionalist”, applied to the work and legacy of Scott Cunningham. He says this because he believes Scott Cunningham was anything but a Traditionalist. I believe the author misunderstands the word and its usage.
While the word “tradition” does normally conjure up thoughts of rules and guide lines within a community, I believe what Scott was trying to convey was a sense of “Tradition” that would be become the basis for a new way of practicing Wicca without the constraints of the “old ways”. His Tradition would be that of religious freedom inside of paganism and Wicca. By using this word he was not trying to start a new religion, but rather build upon and create something that was uniquely American and create something that was American in taste and flair. He was pulling together a system of practicing a sort of “free-base” magical system that relied on coming up with your own spells, chants, recipes, etc…by applying knowledge taken from other authors, witches and most importantly your own spell work. His “Tradition” would be one heavily influenced by the idea of religious freedom in Wicca, which is the basis for America itself. Which could be interpreted as a play on Aleister Crowley’s infamous quote “Do what thou Wilt shall be the whole of the Law”.
I’m not sure what Scott would have continued, finished or accomplished if he was still here today, but I know it would have been amazing! From all of the research, reading and studying I have done on him, I am confident in saying that he was NOT comfortable with a lot of the “traditions” of witchcraft that preach uniformity in the sense that you have to have this particular book, this candle or this oil, in order to properly perform magic. Even though he revered and respected his pagan friends that choose to go the coven route, Scott himself never felt comfortable in any formal setting of ritual work. In a book by David Harrington entitled “Whispers of the Moon: The Life and Work of Scott Cunningham”, it is often stated that Scott joined several covens and formal magical paths, but always ended up going back to being a solitary practitioner. Scott said to his friends that he always felt more at home being a solitary witch. He was a rebel of sorts in that he took Wicca out of the living room and back to where it belongs, in nature.
My blog is a tiny corner of the world where I can express myself, my craft and my ideas that have all been heavily influenced by Scott Cunningham’s life and work. If Scott Cunningham did create a tradition, even by accident, I am following it by being a living product of his message. You don’t have to have fancy ritual items, or a high-priestess degree to worship the Goddess and perform magic. You don’t have to know and memorize every tiny aspect of the Wiccan religion to be a follower of the Goddess. As Scott believed and always wrote, all you need to contact the divine is an open heart, an open mind and the will that lies within.
Group or Solitary: Which Is Best For You?
Group or Solitary: Which Is Best For You?
Author: Bronwen Forbes
One of the biggest and most important decisions you will make as a newcomer to the Pagan path is whether to join an existing group of like-minded practitioners or go it on your own as a solitary. Of course, there will be other big decisions to make later but they are all dependent upon what you choose to do now.
In the interest of full disclosure, I will confess that I am a big advocate of finding others who a) are further along the path than you and learning all you can from them and b) are folks your gut seems to trust (more on this in a future article, I promise) . Why? Let me give you an example.
At one time my group’s holiday rituals were open to any Pagans in the area who chose to attend (if they told us they were coming in advance) . Since our group was the only one and the first one in the area for some time, we attracted a lot of people who hadn’t ever been in ritual with other Pagans, even though they’d been solitaries for years.
A solitary came to one of our rituals, speaking to anyone who would listen about her “astral fiancé.” Apparently she’d met a man on the astral plane – but never in real life – and they planned to marry just as soon as she moved to Ireland and figured out which one of several million Irishmen he was. To further hinder her search, she didn’t know what his name was. At some point in the ritual they apparently got “married” (it was Beltane, after all!) because by the end of the evening she was referring to her “astral husband.” As an occasional writer of fiction, I wish I could make up stuff this good!
Does the idea of an anonymous “astral fiancé” sound a little farfetched? It sure did to us – especially when she quit her job, moved to Ireland, and (no surprise) never found him. Last we heard she was back in the States, flat broke, and living out of her car. If this woman had had some basic non-book training and/or regular contact with a group at the beginning of her Pagan studies, she’d have known better than to delude herself to the point of homelessness.
I’m not saying that every solitary Pagan is going to end up doing something profoundly stupid, spiritually-speaking, and end up living in a car, but just as you turn to a more experienced roadster when you’re learning how to drive that car, it makes just as much sense to find someone – preferably several someones – when you’re learning the Pagan basics. The book you study in order to pass the written driver’s test is good for learning the rules of the road, but you’re not going to get your license without a lot of supervised, hands-on experience. So it is with Paganism.
On the other hand, there are times and places and personalities that are better suited for solitary work. Perhaps you live too far away from the nearest group to make regular travel for rituals and classes impossible. Or maybe the local coven or grove sets off your “icky alarm” and you’d prefer to never be in their presence again, thank you very much. Or maybe your work life is too hectic and home life is too full of the needs of small children to be able to make a commitment to a group’s calendar.
Or maybe, just maybe, you are more suited to a spiritual life of quiet, private observance and contemplation and will, in fact, go farther on your Pagan path if you travel alone. I’ve met some fine people in my life for whom this is the case; I admire their personal dedication even though I can’t emulate it.
If it’s just my husband, my child and I in the house on a holiday or full moon, we’re not likely to have a formal ritual – much like my widowed mother-in-law who will cook up a storm if a few of her children or grandchildren are expected for dinner but “just can’t be bothered” to cook if she’s just feeding herself.
So how do you know if you’re more suited for a group or a solitary practice? Ask yourself the following questions. Your answers should tell you what decision you need to make to better your chances of a satisfying spiritual future.
Is there a group nearby that I like and trust? If the answers are “yes” (Yes there is a group, yes it is nearby, yes I like them, and yes I trust them) , and they have space for you, by all means petition to join. However, if there is even one “no” (There’s a group nearby but I don’t like them and wouldn’t trust them to teach me how to walk my dog, much less take an active role in my spiritual development) , you’re much better off on your own.
Do I have the personal discipline to actively practice on my own? I freely admit that I do not. I need to commit to a group and the group calendar to actively, integrally observe even the basic holidays and moon phases. And that’s okay – I’m not the only one!
However, if you can – or would even prefer to – make a personal commitment to make small observances to the Gods at this time every day (or week, or holiday) and know you’ll keep that commitment, then I say good for you! You have at least some of what it takes to be a solitary.
Am I willing to ask for help or a reality check from time to time? I don’t think it ever occurred to our above-mentioned Beltane guest to ask anyone online or in person if she was deluding herself or if her astral experiences were real. When my husband was first starting to study Paganism, he made a point of seeking out community elders and experienced practitioners at local Pagan festivals and asking them questions. Even though these good folk weren’t his formal teachers, they were more than happy to answer him.
If you join a group, your High Priest or High Priestess will provide help and reality checks – that’s their job. If you choose to go solitary, you should consider attending a nearby gathering, Pagan Pride Day, or workshop at a Pagan store once in a while just to touch base with the rest of the community. I’d hate for you to drop everything and move to Ireland if it’s all in your head.
Ultimately, only you can choose whether to join a group or strike out on your own at the beginning of your Pagan life. Only you know your geographical, work, family, and personal circumstances that will all factor into the decision.
Whichever way you choose, I wish you all the best. In some ways, we are all alone – the Path is different for each person who walks it; in other ways we are all part of this wonderful, awe-inspiring, sprawling Pagan community.
Spell – A- Day – Wisdom of our Ancestors
Spell – A- Day – Wisdom of our Ancestors
You can find guidance to deal with difficult situations by
accessing the wisdom of our ancestors. To do so, write out your perception of the situation on a piece of paper.
accessing the wisdom of our ancestors. To do so, write out your perception of the situation on a piece of paper.
Light white, black, and red candles, and cut an apple crosswise to reveal the five-pointed star created by the seeds.
State these or similar words:
I send my voice across the veil
To my ancestors who know me well.
Guidance needed,
Wisdom bequest;
Answers given to aid my quest.
Quiet your mind, and receive guidance. It may arrive immediately or over several days. Thank your ancestors,
To my ancestors who know me well.
Guidance needed,
Wisdom bequest;
Answers given to aid my quest.
Quiet your mind, and receive guidance. It may arrive immediately or over several days. Thank your ancestors,
and offer the apple to them.
By: Karen Follett
Crone’s Corner – WILDCRAFTING
Crone’s Corner – WILDCRAFTING
November brings on thoughts of mushroom hunting, gathering walnuts and digging medicinal roots. In my wandering
along the creek and surrounding areas, I have located two walnut trees. The nuts are easy to gather but it
will take some time to clean off the black outer casing. I soak the nuts for a short time and then begin scrubbing with a stiff
brush. You don’t want to soak walnuts for a long time as water will absorb through the shells and possibly spoil the meat inside.
I dry them thoroughly in a mesh bag (such as onions come in) by the woodstove. Walnuts are a good source of protein and
shelling them can be a great family pastime.
will take some time to clean off the black outer casing. I soak the nuts for a short time and then begin scrubbing with a stiff
brush. You don’t want to soak walnuts for a long time as water will absorb through the shells and possibly spoil the meat inside.
I dry them thoroughly in a mesh bag (such as onions come in) by the woodstove. Walnuts are a good source of protein and
shelling them can be a great family pastime.
Digging up medicinal roots such as Echinacea and Oregon Grape is best done in the fall after the plants are dormant. Echinacea
is grown in the garden. The root systems are somewhat fine though they can be rather large in older plants. It’s best to
harvest plants that are 3 years old as they have reached their maximum potency. Clean the dirt off thoroughly then layer loosely
on paper in an open box to dry or you can chop them into small pieces, put in a jar, and cover with 100 proof Vodka to make your
own tincture. Keep covered and shake daily for 2-3 weeks. Then strain and save for use.
Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub that grows very prolifically and is quite common. It’s coarse red and green leaves are very
similar to Holly and I have used them in Christmas greenery displays. Oregon Grape’s medicinal qualities are much the same
as Goldenseal and can be substituted as such. Wild Goldenseal is becoming increasingly hard to find and becoming an endangered species so using Oregon Grape instead can help to let the species repopulate.
Oregon Grape’s roots are very woody. I suggest you use it right away. Long ago I harvested some, dried it and stored it away.
They became rock hard pieces of wood. Use Oregon Grape the same as you would Goldenseal, for infections, as a blood purifier,
liver conditions, and skin diseases.
Both Echinacea and Oregon Grape can be grown and harvested as cash crops.
By Tony Frohnauer
www.nfbotanicals.com (c)2002Daily Aromatherapy Tip – A Sprinkling Of Passion
Daily Aromatherapy Tip – A Sprinkling Of Passion
Sprinkle in a bowl of warm water,and rinse over freshly-shampooed hair, Ylang ylang, 3 drops Jasmine, 2 drops.
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Brought to you by AromaThyme.com
Witches Of The Craft® 
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