Books & More Things

So, I went to see my good friend, Cliff who was at Little Mysteries this past Saturday doing a booksigning for his latest book, An Ogham Wood. This is a story that is going to be told in a trilogy with this being part one. It is a mythical fantasy full of beautiful imagery, dialogue, etc. I just started reading it, so I haven't gotten very far into it, but I love what I am reading so far. It was great seeing Cliff, as the last time he was up, he was busy doing his mundane work in the city & I didn't get a chance to see him. One other time was brief, as he was recording a radio show & his lovely wife, Lady Daphne and myself had a visit, full of girl-talk. Just seeing Cliff & hearing stories of the Hollow made me miss it even more & I am in the process of figuring out what weekend to go for a visit (Yes, it will be very soon).

At his book signing, I got to meet more faces from Facebook that are on my friends list. Krista and her bff, Krissy came along with Krista's 2 children. They made the hour long trip from the Valley to come up to get their copies signed & to bring Cliff a huge bag of Jerusalem artichoke roots for his garden. They were so nice & funny. After the book signing, we all headed down to the Old Triangle ( a local Irish pub) for some lunch. I had my Little Man with me, as well. The conversation over food was great. I learned about a series of books that I must check out, The Dresden Files, as if I don't have enough books on my plate to read and got to share a few laughs with friends. It was a great day, in spite of the piss-poor rain.

Also, while I was at Little mysteries, I managed to pick up a few more treasures, some new patchouli incense, Circle Magazine, the 2011 Llewellyn's Magical Alamanac (which I thought I already had, but didn't) and Fairy Tale Rituals. There were a few other books I wanted but they will have to wait til I have read all the other books. I am also reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman...all I have to say is the I love, love, love this book!! If you haven't read it, do so before it becomes an HBO series next year.

Anyway, that is all for now. I have some reading to do.

~Rowan
)O(

Eye Strain & Urine

Now, who knew that it would take so long to catch up on reading my fav blogs and the new ones I've been recommended to read?? Whew! My poor eyeballs are tired these past few weeks of reading. Between reading & listening to my fav podcasts, this witchy is still wanting more!!

Been busy too with my work, being a mom and crafting new oil blends. I think my 2 favs are Van Van and Crown of Success. I've also been doing some major housecleaning with floorwashes I made. Who knew urine would be such a great ingredient to use in placing a barrier around my place for protection? I know, that probably made a few of you a little squeamish, but it's free, does the job you want it to & it will never run out. I use it on the outside of my place, diluted with a little water, around the windows & doors. Inside, my place smells good with the essential oils I use in the floorwashes. Each month I use a different oil, like this month was Calendula.

One of my fav podcasts is taking a hiatus for the summer. I'm so going to miss Velma Nightshade this summer. Hopefully she'll still get together with Fire Lyte to do their "Inciting A BrewHaHa" podcast. If you haven't heard it yet, I highly recommend it. But not to worry, Velma started up a blog called, "Witches BrewHaHa-The Blog" to keep her loyal listeners happy while she gets down to things in her mundane life. I'm still wondering whatever happened to the Pagan Hooligans. They haven't put out a podcast since Feb. They were a newbie couple to the craft & they were a refreshing, funny, new view to this crazy path we're on called Paganism. It was great listening to them explore new things, Jasmine's Tarot card draw, Isaac's use of the word, "Excellent". Go check them out, too to see what I'm talking about. They're not just for newbies to the craft, even experienced witches enjoy their fresh outlook on things.

Anyway, I know this is a short posting, but I am getting ready to head off to work. I need to use my glamour on clients to make them look good when they come in to get their hair done. As always, have a Blessed day.

~Rowan
)O(

Blog-Fading & Other Things

I am so sorry to you all for blog-fading these past few months. Actually, I have been doing a lot of reading & I found a new interest on my Pagan journey: Hoodoo & conjure. I've been reading a lot of blogs, forums & books on this fascinating topic. It's hard to find anything around here in my city where I can find the right herbs, but I did manage to find a little out of the way botanica which supplies things that I need. I've been making mojo hands, blended oils, honey jars, spell boxes, etc. I know a lot of Pagans out there wouldn't dare dream of doing this type of spell work, calling it dark, but it is a form of North American Diasporic folk magic, with influences from Native, African & European traditions. Yes, there are hexes & curses involved as well as love spells, things your everyday Wiccan would disapprove of. This is something not for the faint of heart. The spell working is really not so different from conventional BTW (British Trad. Witchcraft), but it very important to "feed" your mojo hands, or leave gifts at the crossroads for the spirits who aid you in your working.

In other things, I'm still listening to various Pagan podcasts. Some of the Podkin had been pod-fading (Hooligans) and some are keeping up to date on topics (Inciting A Riot). If you haven't listened to the wonderful podcasts that are out there, I highly recommend that you do, there is a wealth of information out there. Some are funny, informative, intelligent & some will make you grab a pitchfork. Most podcasts last for about a 1/2 hr to 2hrs, depending on the topic. I have 3 which I just love & anticipate the next episode: Inciting A Riot, Pagan Hooligans & New World Witchery. Even the podkin got together this past October for a Pagan Podcast Supermoot in Chicago. It was such a successful event that they are doing a 2nd one this Sept in Salem, MA. It was quite enjoyable to hear each podcast relate their stories of their experiences. Maybe this witch may take a little trip this Sept to go meet the ppl she's been listening to for the last few months & feels she knows them personally. We shall see how the bank account will hold out for me by then.

Ok, I have a new endorsement on my blog called: Project Pagan Enough. This is a movement started last year by Fire Lyte over at the Inciting A Riot podcast & blog. It is a hugely successful movement to end the constant witch wars that is constant in the Pagan community. I feel, as Fire Lyte does, that too many Pagans in the community are quick to judge their fellow Pagans, by what they wear, the music they listen to, how new they are, etc. Just because you read Scott Cunningham or any of the other 101 books, or if you have Christian friends or that you respect their beliefs doesn't mean you're not Pagan enough. There are far too many witch-wars in the community. I've seen it here withing my city where if you're not wearing thrift store clothes, eat vegan, have funky hairstyles, etc, you get looked upon as not being Pagan enough. I am a 30-something professional woman, single mom who listens to all sorts of music (just not always Pagan tunes, I like mainstream music) and hangs out with various people who aren't Pagans. Does that make me not as Pagan as those who are smelling of patchouli, wearing their pentacle jewelry & robes everytime they are out in public? No, my beliefs are what I carry with me everyday, I don't need to put them on for show, esp in this very conservative city that looks liberal

So, I support PPE and I encourage you, my readers, to look into it & look at yourself to see if you are judging those who you deem as not being Pagan Enough or fluffy, or a dumb newbie. We all do it or have done it, so don't get your broomstick in a knot denying it. I'm as much guilty of it as you are, but I am changing my ways. How can we ask for tolerance when we can't even give it to those who don't fit the "Pagan moniker" or they have a different religious belief than us? Respect is a two-way street, not a one-way lane, you want it, you have to give it as well

Check out http://www.incitingariot.com/p/project-pagan-enough.html for more on Project Pagan Enough.

Podcasts Galore!!

My poor iPod is been being filled up lately. Not with music (although I still have a few playlists that I frequently listen to), but with Pagan, witchy podcasts. I was looking to see what is out there in the land of Pagan podcasts, as I was getting a little bored with the ones I was listening to or they weren't recording anything new in a long while. I came across this really great one that I just adore! It's called New World Witchery and it's all about being a witch in America with the culture & beliefs that we have over here. They do talk a lot about folk magic, Hoodoo & conjure, as the 2 hosts, Cory & Liane, are from Tennessee. They both have backgrounds in BTW but felt that they didn't connect with it, but felt a pull from their own backyard in the Ozarks and southern magic. I'm not from the South, but it does hold a lot of mystery to me and I do find it interesting to learn about. I've even made a few mojo bags this week for personal purposes, complete with red flannel and herbs that I had to order off Lucky Mojo Curio (as they weren't avail around here). So, thus begins my rookie attempts at Rootworking.

Another podcast I've been listening to is called Inciting A Riot. Fire Lyte is hilarious, as well as very informative about current events and how they affect us Pagans. His most recent posting on his blog (of the same name) slams Christian Day and the Salem witches for being media whores in the wake of Charlie Sheen's rants about being a warlock. I saw the news videos and the YouTube video posted of their "ritual" I totally agree with him for labeling them media whores and making non-Pagans think we're a bunch of Goth, vampire wannabes practicing magic.

A list of my podcasts I am listening to is on the right side column under the labels cloud. Check them out, they're really good and very informative.

~Rowan
)O(

Springtime!!!

Well, the snow is melting and the air is starting to get warmer and next weekend the time moves forward an hour. That must mean spring must be around the corner. Now, as much as I love winter with all the snow, I think I'm finally ready to put away the snowboots & heavy coats and bring out the rainboots & lighter coats. When out shopping this weeeknd past, the stores were all full of new spring merchandise, from lawnmowers, to backyard furniture and gardening supplies. I came home and weeded my old planters that were out during the winter and pulling out the old dead plant roots, to get them ready for when I get new plants this spring. I also did the same for my poor neglected indoor planters that used to house my herbs. I am very guilty of letting them go this winter as I was pre-occupied with other things.

So, in honour of the coming season, I changed up my gloomy old blog with a fresh new background. I'm not used to 3 column layouts and I had to adjust some of my widgets to accommodate this change. I searched the land of Google for something that was bright, colorful and pretty. Et Voila!! This is what I found. I like it, I can see little Pagan things in the little window (a hare, eggs, etc)

A Lack of Faith??

Oh Goddess, I miss blogging!! I've been away for far too long and it's not because I didn't want to be (or my internet bill didn't get behind), I have been experiencing a HUGE struggle with my faith this past year. I think I can trace it back to about this time last year when I was depressed about not finding work. I just didn't feel like doing Sabbat rituals or workings. Then I found a job, but at the time didn't realize it was a bad choice for a job. I was working at a hair salon on straight commission, I thought if I did that it would force me to find a clientele. After 9 months working there and not making much money, I left and found a new job. But money was short, bills got left by the wayside as I struggled to get myself caught up. Because of this, my faith took a backseat. I tried to go to public rituals, feasts, but my heart wasn't in it, so I stopped going. I shut myself away from my local Pagan groups and from some Pagans who I really didn't want to associate myself with anymore. The stress of money problems, witch wars, etc, I cut myself off and focused on one thing that actually made me smile throughout all this.

When I woke up this morning, I realized that I needed to make a change in my life, my spiritual life. I'm going to practice my faith my way. Not with what books or fellow Pagans say how I should. I do things a little unconventional, not the norm and I don't add New Age things into my practice. I may not blog as much as I used to (let me get out of my funk first) but I do hope you read it when I do. I also posted today about a meditation I had last week on my Rowan's Deities page.