There are 146 of these maxims. This is only number 30. I feel like I’m running out of things to say about virtues! What is nobility of character? I think it is character possessing many of the virtues outlined in the Maxims. When I think of nobility I immediately think of a person of upper class bearing and stature, someone trying to be regal. But outside of a feudal context, I see someone with grace, strength of presence, good manners,... Read more
I read a lot. All day long I’m reading, whether it’s blogs, Facebook, actual paper books, on my nook, to the kids….. I tend to be rather obsessive with my subject matter, too. Niki’s books The upper left corner is Peter Grey’s Apocalyptic Witchcraft, which I recently finished and reviewed here. The upper right is Elizabeth U. Harding’s Kali: The Black Goddess of Dakshineswar. I’m glad I read this, even though it had several chapters that I skipped because I... Read more
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned just how bad I am resting. I have a tendency to take on challenges and roll with whatever needs my attention, not realizing when I’m too full up until I’m past the tipping point. That doesn’t work very well, as by that point I’ve gone beyond the need for and my ability to rest and I’m in triage mode. I end up flailing and breaking down, usually in a most inconvenient manner for my partner.... Read more
I am a tremendous fan of Scarlet Imprint, publisher of fine magical books. Their books contain more than occult information, more than poetry, though they are certainly full of both; they are bound spells. I have read several of Scarlet Imprint’s works. I don’t always agree with the authors in their fervor or specifics, but I usually agree with the general themes. I almost always find myself thinking about their ideas long after I’ve finished a book. I’m still chewing over... Read more
Today’s Delphic Maxim is be kind to friends. Are some people not kind to those whom they call friends? Some people tend not to be kind in general, but who would be friends with someone who isn’t kind to them? I feel like this maxim is a bit of a no-brainer. Be kind to the people in your life, those chosen and those there by circumstance, but especially be kind to your friends. This is a good reminder, though. In... Read more
If you’re not familiar with Drew Jacob, let me introduce you. He’s the Rogue Priest and a professional adventurer. His blog was one of the inspirations for mine. He’s planning on walking to and through South America from Minnesota. He’s already made it to New Orleans, where’s he been wintering. It hasn’t been some idle winter for him. He’s been working as a magician, studying Vodou, and is now creating Magic to the People, a pay-as-you-can community magic shop! I... Read more
I like that the word practice is in this Maxim. The word ‘practice’ is a reminder that there is no perfection, and Justice is a Platonic concept – something that seems like an Absolute but in reality has many nuances. So we aim for what is just in our actions and intentions. Unfortunately, the concept of justice seems to be one that is confused and muddied. Justice is equated with what the courts decide, and sadly, courts are often not... Read more
One of the things I didn’t get into in my last post on being a householder and homemaker was how amazing a spiritual journey pregnancy and childbirth are. I wrote my last post from where I’m standing currently: parent to a nearly 5 yr old and a freshly 2 yr old. Yet, I learned so much from growing, birthing, and sustaining a new life.* I found my naturally heady and airy self more grounded and physically present in my body... Read more
In my last post I talked about the possibility that if reincarnation was a real thing then my previous lives most likely included several rounds of being a monk and/or a nun. Those past lives would explain my fascination with, inexplicable love for, and extreme weariness with Christianity; my intense longing for the contemplative life and for a spiritual tradition; my obsession with books and learning; my inner conflict with discipline; and my vehement chaffing at rules and orders of... Read more
Reincarnation is a standard concept in Hinduism and pretty common in the wider Pagan world, but I have long been agnostic about it. As a kid it didn’t make much sense to me, but then, neither did the ideas of heaven and hell. The afterlife was a giant unknown – no one ever came back to tell us what really happens, so why let the hope or fear of an afterlife encourage us in the here-and-now? Any devotion to a... Read more
A Witch's Ashram
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