Checklist
And so, it was the day before Solstice and all through the house, not a creature was stirring. Except for the cat, he was crying to be let in before the ice rain hit. Time to check in, lovelies! Things that I have done for Yuletide thus far:
The obligatory staff Xmas party, which involved pizza and virtual golf.
I have watched the sunset every night for the last week or more (helps that I work outdoors in the evenings)
Attended a couple of holiday parties.
Drank beer and whiskey.
Made and drank mulled wine.
Went on a walk in the woods at night with my room mate.
Attended the Yule ritual for my ritual group/coven/hedge, which was awesome and cozy and full of wonderful stories.
Ate half a sugar cookie (I am cutting down on sugar, especially the refined kind)
Worked a little on the prayer shawl, I am out of wool.
Bought the ingredients for homemade Irish cream.
The ancestors got a cigarette at the start of the holidays.
Introducing new & replacement pieces to the casting collection.
Bought the ingredients for “fixings” or “trimmings” (gravy, stuffing, you know)
Bought or made gifts.
Found a really neat lantern… Continue reading
Defence Against the Dark Arts (When You are Locked Out of the Circle)
A young woman contacted me a while back asking for knowledge. Not some Craft secret or anything. What she wanted to know was why. WHY?
You see, she had spent the year or two (or more) being harassed by what we shall call a (demon) nasty asshole spirit. She hadn’t done anything in particular to attract such a beastie. She’s not sure when it found her, but she thinks it started with nightmares that kept her up at night and by the end of it, she was a mess. Depression, lack of sleep, couldn’t really eat. The joy of life being sucked out of her, strange obsessions and compulsions. The constant feeling of being watched.
It wasn’t a mental illness, it wasn’t a physical illness and she wasn’t playing games or looking for attention.
She searched high and low for help and found none. She lives in a large-ish city in the USA, a city with a thriving Pagan community. Yet, there was no help for her there. She went to bookshops and asked for help. She went to Meet & Greet Coffee Cauldron type events and found no help. She went to the local teaching coven… Continue reading
To Answer Some Questions
What are you up to?
Getting ready for Yuletide; I found tree ornaments that look like fly amanita mushrooms! Writing, working, unpacking, playing Skyrim.
Is the podcast going to keep going?
Yes. Bren put up an episode recently and we hope to get back into the swing of things with the new year.
I am interested in casting objects and divination as spirit communication. Can you recommend some books?
I recommend that you look for books on the divination and spirit communication systems that appeal to you.
My main sources of inspiration were the FUTHARK and the Ogham. There are people who cast personal sets. I come across them from time to time, usually online. Not always though. I lead a workshop on it for Fest one year and a lady showed up with her casting cloth based on Hoodoo concepts.
I’m really rusty in some areas, tarot seems so long ago. I moved on from tarot (because it just wasn’t a good fit) in my early twenties, so about 7 or 8 years ago? I am amazed at what I have forgotten. It’s weird. Or not, since I never really clicked with it. It’s… Continue reading
Recommended Reading
I don’t comment on other people’s blog very much. Because I’m lazy. However, every now and then I will put together a post of links to articles I find … well I just like them or find them interesting. So here’s a link to the article and maybe a little comment by me below it.
Juniper from Bewitching Names
I am unlike many others in that I am fine with other people having the same name as me. I really don’t have to be that original. I actually had another person in the Pagan community (out here, in Ontario) tell me that I should stop using Juniper because she has used it online and as a stage name before and people might be confused. I didn’t respond.
Adventures in Depression by Ali Brosh
Get well soon Champion of the Internet!
Under the Ancient Oaks: Hoofprints in the Wildwood
Yay! A book review!
Let’s Talk About Necromancy by Sarah Lawless
Sarah always defines things much clearer than I could. Probably because I put very little thought into defining things clearly.
New World Witchery Podcast 36 – Dealing with Spirits
Corry and Laine offering some good introductory tips… Continue reading
To Fly By Night
Hoofprints in the Wildwood
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