Gateway Goddess: Taurus Season – A Celebration of the Sacred Body

May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
web_taurus

It's May. It's Taurus season. The season for celebrating the element of Earth in its fullest expression. A season that puts us in touch with that part of our souls that sticks closest to our skin and delights in the physical. In the Reclaiming tradition, it's called Younger Self. I learned to call it Sticky One. It's the part of us that loves berries for their sweetness and for their juice. T'hat loves dark chocolate for its gloss and snap and slow melt on the tongue. That delights … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Columns, Gateway Goddess, Religion Tagged With: , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment

The Busy Witch: Making Magic Together

April 30, 2013 By 2 Comments
making magic together

Patheos recently asked contributors to discuss defining moments in their faith and path, and I’m eager to share one of mine. For ten years, I was mostly content to “practice” as a solitary.  I say “practice” because for most of that time, despite calling myself a Witch and feeling a connection to Goddess, I did very little in the way of spells or rituals.  I insisted on keeping a nice, archetypal, academic distance from the deities, and I was constantly haunted by Stockard … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Columns, Religion, The Busy Witch Tagged With: , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Making Light: Thar-jellybean

April 23, 2013 By 2 Comments
2yy1axf

I have spring fever something bad this year. This is my first spring with the new house and the new baby, and I can't stay inside. I'm planting all the things in the garden. There's a raised garden in the shadier side yard for lettuce, broccoli, and other edible shoots and roots and sun-loving plants in containers for now. I can't not plant things in the ground, and living in an apartment is hugely stifling when you want to get your hands in the dirt on a regular basis. It's getting close to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Columns, Culture, Family & Household Practice, Making Light, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

How Sexual Was Your Beltane?

May 6, 2012 By 22 Comments
392px-Wiccan_spouses

Many of us in Pagandom participate in several groups/circles/covens etc. My preference has always been to be a part of a small, intimate group (sometimes a full-fledged "coven," sometimes not) along with a larger, more open circle. The small group becomes my place for serious work and instruction, and hopefully lives up to the idea of "perfect love and perfect trust." The larger group satisfies my social urges, and allows me to be a part of my greater community. There are unique aspects to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Religion Tagged With: , , , , , , 22 Comments

Naturalistic Traditions: All Things May

April 30, 2012 By 4 Comments
beltanewomanfire

What can a naturalist celebrate in May? This post is part of Naturalistic Traditions, a column exploring naturalism in Pagan ways.  This column will cover seasonal celebrations, historical and contemporary movements, and ritual practices. Natural cycles May 4th is a Cross-quarter.  That is, it is the midpoint between the previous equinox and the upcoming solstice.  As such, it is one of eight stations in our planet’s annual journey around the sun. For those in the Northern … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Columns, Naturalistic Traditions, Nature Tagged With: , , , , , , 4 Comments