Charged by the Goddess - Re-imagining story telling as a spell of resistance and resilience

Rituals We Don’t Want, Rituals We Need: Saying Goodbye

January 17, 2019 By Irisanya Moon

The ritual happened today, between rain drops and storms. Since the ground was so wet, it took no time at all to dig a hole about two feet long and one foot wide. And deep enough to hold a precious being. Death and Ritual and Story and Journeys My mind has been filled with stories about what I should do, how I should do it. Why is my witch brain so confused when I’ve done this before. I’ve looked death… Read more

Once Upon a Witch: Returning to Avalon, Singing to the Tor

January 11, 2019 By Irisanya Moon

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I remember the first time I knew myself to be a Witch. I was sitting with a group of women, a ‘study group,’ as the flyer in the New Age shop described. And one woman led us on a guided meditation. To meet Her. I didn’t know who ‘Her’ was and I didn’t know if there even was a Her that would show up. All I knew was that I was sitting in that basement for a reason. I’d said… Read more

The Magick of Rest: Following the Moon’s Advice

January 5, 2019 By Irisanya Moon

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I am writing within the time of the dark moon and into the new moon. I am up early and see only the dark expanse of the sky, shadowy and streaked with clouds across stars. It is about to rain again, as it has done so on and off all night. My mind is quieter and reflective, and my heart is stretching into the space of possibility. What happens now? What comes next? I turn to the moon. Breaking the… Read more

How Witchcraft Saves Me/You/Us: Resourcing, Resilience, and Resistance

January 4, 2019 By Irisanya Moon

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Sometimes I think about how I might feel if I didn’t have Witchcraft in my life at this particular time. I wonder about how it would feel to be in a world of power struggles and wars and isms. I wonder if I would tune out or sink into the background noise of injustice or accept everything as truth. Or would I fight for a new government? Would I be able to see something better that’s worth fighting for? While… Read more

Witchy Resolution & Resolve, or How I Will Support my Magickal Practice in the New Year

December 24, 2018 By Irisanya Moon

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I’m not necessarily a resolution sort of person. And yet, every year, I make some. Every year. But if this year’s messages and encounters have taught me anything, it’s that I can do more to support my magick. And since accountability is a thing, I’m going to be bold and name what I’m doing here. Here goes. Resolution: To Know, To Will, To Dare, to Keep Silent I’ve already talked about my energetic approach to the new calendar year, but… Read more

Inviting in the New: Another Witch’s New Year Plans

December 23, 2018 By Irisanya Moon

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I like the new year. I like new things, new spaces, and new shifts in my own awareness and action. The invitations to do something different, to make something better, and to expand who I am in my heart — and in the world. At Samhain, I am grateful for the end of the turn of the wheel. I look over the months to see what has happened since the previous year, what has grown and died. I look at… Read more

Solstice Morning: Sitting at the Ocean with the Moon and the Mourning

December 19, 2018 By Irisanya Moon

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Solstice morning, I will go to the ocean. I will go to the place of water, sky, and land — the place of connection and the place where my shadow tips into light. I will go the place where the moon will shine down on me, even if She is behind clouds. I will go to the place of cold and waves. To the place of dreaming and becoming awake again. I will breathe in the morning and release the… Read more

Review: Queen of the Moon Oracle by Stacey Demarco

December 16, 2018 By Irisanya Moon

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I am guided by the moon. The shadows, the brightness, the way She is clouded and way She hides. And while I look to the sky for Her wisdom, So, when I got a chance to review* the Queen of the Moon Oracle by Stacey Demarco, I was more than a little eager. Moon Wisdom, in All of Her Phases When you open up the deck and start to flip through it, what strikes you (or at least struck me)… Read more

Trimming the Yule Tree: Memories and Spells Held in Branches

December 15, 2018 By Irisanya Moon

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It usually happens the first week of December — the Yule tree. We clear away all of the altars and dust that accumulates in the North corner of the living room and make room for the tree. And the magick of Yule. We pull out an old cast iron tree stand that we found at a thrift store. We take down the box of decorations from the top shelf of the garage. And my partner and I steel ourselves for… Read more

From Hecate’s Mouth to My Ears: Foundations, Crossroads, and Decisions

December 14, 2018 By Irisanya Moon

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Hecate walked over to me. Covered in a thick black cloak, hooded. Her eyes were shadowy, her skin was paler than I expected. “I don’t know what you think you need to do right now, but I have something to tell you.” A priestess was aspecting Hecate. I was drumming. I stopped to listen. “You need to build a foundation.” I did. I do. I nodded. Crossroads. Build a Foundation to Support Self and Others “Your vulnerability is… Read more