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Magical Favors for Your Handfasting Guests
It’s become traditional to give each of your guests a small wedding favor. Typically, these are small trinkets with either the date of the event or the couples’ names on them. However, if you’re having a Pagan handfasting, rather than a traditional wedding ceremony, why not come up with an idea that celebrates your spiritual path, as well as announcing your commitment to the community? In some traditions, it’s become popular to have a besom wedding. Decorate small brooms with ribbons, flowers and a bundle of fresh herbs. You can usually pick up little brooms at the craft store, or you can make your own. Make a magical charm for…
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The Cat Ate My Tarot Card and Other Weird Things
A reader says, “I found a deck of Tarot cards that I had forgotten about, and one of the cards looks really weird. It’s got a tear across one edge and it feels strange. Maybe my cat got hold of it and nommed on it. Maybe my toddler did, because he’s three and eats everything. Okay, honestly I really don’t know what happened to it. Can I use it?” You win the Internet today, because I don’t think I’ve ever gotten an email before with the Tarot equivalent of “the cat (or the baby) ate my homework,” and yet here we are. There’s a first time for everything. However, it’s…
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The Hobby Horse Tradition
Beltane is in just another six weeks, and one of my favorite traditions of this time of year is that of the Hobby Horse–or, if you’re in Cornwall, England, the ‘obby ‘oss. In England, the hobby horse tradition goes back to the island’s early Pagan roots, as the hobby horse welcomes in the fertility season. Although the specific origins of the hobby horse rituals aren’t known for sure, imagine, if you will, early farmers going out to do their spring planting in the fields. Now, picture the phallic symbolism of the Maypole, around which all the villagers will be dancing on Beltane. Sticks and poles are about as phallic as…
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What the Heck is an Aura, Anyway?
In many metaphysical practices, you’ll hear people talk about auras. But what exactly is an aura, and what is its significance? Depending on whom you ask, there can be a variety of interpretations and definitions, but in general, an aura is considered to be a luminous energy field that surrounds all living beings. Many people believe that they can see colors in someone’s aura, as well as the aura’s strength. Although the existence of auras hasn’t been scientifically proven, some people claim that the use of special cameras allows us to take photos of a person’s aura. You may encounter these occasionally at metaphysical fairs, where vendors will offer to…
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The Myths and Magic of Violets
According to Maud Grieve’s Modern Herbal, there are over two hundred species of flower in the violet family. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation when it comes to magical workings. We’ll just take a look at violets in general, without going into details about specific members of the family. In Roman myth, the first violet sprung from the spilled blood of the god Attis, who killed himself for Cybele, the mother goddess. In other legends, Jupiter changed his lover, Io, into a heifer to protect him from the jealous rages of Juno–and violets sprouted up in the field so Io would have something to eat. It is believed…
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9 Plants With Really Weird Names That I Love
Shakespeare’s play Macbeth opens with three witches stirring a cauldron, into which they throw all sorts of vile-sounding things such as eye of newt, toe of frog, and tongue of dog, just to name a few. Where, exactly, does one obtain eye of newt? Well, it as luck would have it, Shakespeare was pretty knowledgeable about the folk magic of his era, and included in his Scottish play a number of ingredients that he called by their folkloric names rather than their botanical ones. There are actually hundreds of plants and flowers that are called by folkloric names that often make them sound much stranger than they really are. Let’s…
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It’s the Matronalia, Be Nice to Your Mom
In ancient Rome, the holiday of Matronalia was celebrated each year at the beginning of March. This annual “festival of women” was held in honor of Juno Luciana, a goddess who watched over married women and those in childbirth. She was in charge of newborn infants, and a woman in labor might make offerings to her so that she would have a safe delivery of a healthy child. Gifts were exchanged, and everyone treated the ladies exceptionally well on this day–it was a bit like a women’s version of Saturnalia. The down side? Women were still expected to cook for their slaves, who got the day off. Later on, Matronalia…
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Diet and Your Chakras
In many metaphysical belief systems, the body’s seven chakras are the source of all energy. Many people believe that if one or more of our chakras is blocked or out of balance, it can have an effect us on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. There are a number of ways to get your chakras back into alignment–meditation and Reiki, for instance–but some people believe that the foods we eat can help us keep our chakras where they need to be. If you’ve been feeling off-kilter lately, consider modifying your diet in a way that will be beneficial to your chakras. Please keep in mind that a balanced diet is…
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You’re Pagan, Your House is For Sale, What the Heck Do You Do?
A reader writes, “I’ve been trying to sell my house but I’m having some trouble. My realtor is trying to get me to “hide all that witch stuff,” but I don’t think I should have to, because I’m proud to be Wiccan and I don’t hide it. I feel like my realtor is being disrespectful of my beliefs.” No, your realtor is being a professional who is trying to sell your home for you. If that house sits on the market, unsold, your realtor isn’t making any money. Your realtor’s job is to market and sell your home, not coddle you. This is not about Pagan pride, your beliefs, or…
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The Basics of Shamanism
For many Pagans who follow a religious or magical system rooted in the natural world, shamanism often has some appeal. Let’s look at the different types of shamanism, the symbolism found in such systems, and how we can apply an ancient practice to modern Pagan spirituality. The word shaman itself is a multi-faceted one. While many people hear the word shaman and immediately think of Native American medicine men, things are actually more complex than that. “Shaman” is an umbrella term used by anthropologists to describe a vast collection of practices and beliefs, many of which have to do with divination, spirit communication, and magic. In most indigenous cultures, including…
