Saying it’s tough right now may be the understatement of the year. Every day I am reminded of stories my grandparents told of the Great Depression. It’s rough out there. Everyone I know is struggling in some way. My friend, Cara Schulz, and I were discussing how dismal the economy is the other night. We were expressing our worry and feelings of helplessness. What brought it up was Cara’s post on G+ that has garnered a lot of attention. Here... Read more
I don’t write about spells or magic very often. Rarely, truth be told. I do practice these things though. Every day it’s likely I have candles, incense or both burning. I light, I murmur incantations, I salute and I invoke. I think that my words, my intent and energy will be carried by the smoke on the wind. That wind will go places I never can, from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to the thin drafts under doorways. It... Read more
The response to my last post on autism and Asperger’s really overwhelmed me. I didn’t expect to get such a positive response. I was literally bracing myself for the worst. The post seemed to touch a lot of people, particularly women who believe they may be on the spectrum. Just being able to make one person feel less alone made that post worth publishing. I’ve been thinking about the connection between autism and spirituality. The first and most obvious connection... Read more
My solitary experiment for the month of December has evolved in unexpected ways. It began as a way for me to focus on personal issues I was dealing with: the realization I have Asperger’s syndrome, some changes I was making in my professional life, and the need to take stock of my life and get my bearings again. One of the unexpected outcomes of my quiet month was the realization that the people I circle with have a calling that... Read more
Imbolc is coming. It’s a day that always makes me think of candles, and truthfully I’m beginning to prefer the name Candlemas for the holiday. Solstice may have been the kindling of hope, but it’s Imbolc that puts the fire in your belly, preparing you for the arduous and verdant growing season. Here the overcast skies broke enough for the sun to shine through briefly. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it would take for our own light... Read more
Months ago I told a friend I was thinking about writing a post on the tendency to preach a type of “sinfulness” or “lostness” in Paganism. Promoting the idea that we are little lost lambs waiting to be brought to the light. The idea that we are just not enough: not magical enough, not aware enough, not holy enough and not subservient enough. Other ideas took precedence. Likely some piece of news caught my attention and I didn’t write that... Read more
I’m a Southern girl. I will fry anything. Chicken, pork chops, okra, squash, and even pickles. It’s true that Southern cooking tends to be a bit heavy on the butter and deep fat frying, but honestly, every Southern cook I know whips up healthier meals than Paula Deen. So after pushing sugar and butter for years, Deen has come out as a diabetic after being paid to push diabetes medication. It’s kind of like encouraging someone to cut off their... Read more
NOTICE: This post has been found in violation of H.R. 3261, S.O.P.A. and has been removed. I’d really like to write about HBO’s Big Love, the final season of which is now out on dvd. But we’re facing a world where my ability to write about such things becomes more perilous. My linking to something relating to intellectual property could harm Patheos under this law, and so Youtube music playlists, like the one I posted yesterday, would become a thing... Read more
I know it’s early, but I needed some good music. Enjoy 13 songs for the season! Also known as Candlemas and Lady’s Day, this may be the most feminine of the Sabbats. So here’s to the Lady! 13. Lisa Thiel – Imbolc 12. Damh the Bard – Lady of the Silver Wheel 11. The Pretenders – Hymn to Her 10. John Denver – Annie’s Song 9. Emerald Rose – Urania Sings 8. Billy Joel – She’s Always A Woman To... Read more
This is a post that I swore I would never write. I thought it would hurt my ability to earn a living. But then I realized that if you Google my name you find I’m a Witch who is pro-GLBTQI, supportive of polyamory, and a whole host of other views that limit your opportunities in the conservative South. So why not write this? I won’t garner any more negativity for this post than for any other difficult post I’ve written.... Read more
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