Drawing Down the Moon: Personal Reflections

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When most of us think about Modern Wiccan Ritual, we tend to think of calling quarters, casting a circle, and inviting deity into the circle. Those are all magickal things in their own right, but to me the most incredible part of ritual is Drawing Down the Moon. How many other faiths let you talk to deity? There’s something incredibly powerful about the idea of being in a room with the Divine, and not just feeling the presence of the divine, but being able to literally talk and interact with the gods.

Samhain’s End

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Samhain ended for me sometime near 3:30 am early Sunday Morning on November 4 when I finally drifted off into a fitful few hours of sleep. In past years the Halloween season meant one ritual, trick or treaters, and a giant party. This year the time of All Hallow’s resulted in three rituals, a handful [...]

Halloween Traditions

Let's all sing "Auld Lang Syne" this Samhain!

So where exactly did most of our Halloween customs come from? Is Halloween truly an ancient pagan festival or something else entirely. The history of Halloween is full of starts and stops, and contains both Christian and Pagan elements. Learn more about many people’s favorite holiday!

Writing Samhain

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I’m in charge of a large Samhain ritual for a local Pagan group out here on the West Coast. With four official practices before the ritual (and two walk throughs the day of) it’s an undertaking that will consume a lot of my free time. That’s not a complaint, I knew that going into this, [...]

Reflections on the Autumn Equinox

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I love Autumn, it’s my favorite season, but it’s far too early to reflect on falling leaves, pumpkin patches, and mulled cider. Late September also lacks the riot of color that often occurs in mid-October, but it posses a dignity and beauty all its own in its golden wheat fields and ocean blue skies. The [...]

Precious Pagan Moments

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My faith is a constant presence in my life. It guides my beliefs and values and dictates my social calendar. It influences what I read, and it’s obviously on my mind when I sit down to write on this blog. When I look around my house there are reminders of my Paganism everywhere, from the [...]

My Gods Are Strong

“And ye shall go out and proclaimeth my name on all that you see and do, and ye shall write it in every document for I am Pan, the god of all.” From the book of Arcadia 2:9 I’ve always felt that the gods and I were pretty secure in our relationship(s). Despite what’s at [...]

In Defense of Llewellyn

Many people think that Llewellyn only publishes “bad” Pagan 101 type books, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, Llewellyn publishes really good, even important, work. Their job is not to please you or I, their job is to stay in business and make money. What’s amazing about Llewellyn is that they sometimes manage to make money and please me at the same time.

My Essential Pagan Reading

Ever wondered what books are “essential Pagan reading?” Prepare to disagree as I pick my top 5 and 10 others. Think you can do better? Leave your list in the comments section.

Gateways to Paganism: Paul Huson’s “Mastering Witchcraft”

Certain books, musicians, and movies have led many to the Pagan Path. Paul Huson’s “Mastering WItchcraft” is one of those books. Perhaps the first widely available work to list all the ingredients that go into a “Modern Witch” ritual, Huson’s book was revolutionary. Still in print forty years after its initial publication, “Mastering Witchcraft” remains an important, if controversial, gateway to Paganism.