Celebrity Pagans/Wiccans

Lately I have been thinking alot about celebrity Pagans. There are many celebrities in the spotlight who are open about their spirituality but I couldn't think of any off hand that were 'out of the broom closet'. There were some I suspected and some that I believed to be Pagan/Wiccan friendly. So I went and did a little searching. I am sad to say I didn't find much that would tell me one way or the other. Here is a list of some celebrities who's names popped up more than once:
~ Sully Erna from Godsmack ( from what I read is open about it) , Patrick Stewart, Fairuza Balk, Deborah Harry, Brigitte Nielsen, Cybil Sheppard, Stevie Nicks, Yoko Ono, Vanessa Carlton, Heather Graham, Olympia Dukakis, William Butler Yeats, Rachel Hunter, Goldie Hawn, Vigo Mortensen, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Avril Lavigne, George Lucas, Alice Walker, Robin Tunney, Chrissie Hynde, Fred Durst, Virginia Woolf, Roseanne Barr,Somerset Maugham. I came across more names, some I knew some I didn't. I am wondering if any of these people actually identify themselves as one of the many forms of Paganism(well besides the 1st one). I wish there was someone in the limelight who acknowledged that they were on this path. I think it would be wonderful for children who grew up on this path, and for teens who are just exploring the path, to feel more comfortable around their peers and more comfortable within themselves knowing that they aren't alone. I know I feel alone at times and its hard for me as an adult. But thankfully Paganism and Wicca is becoming more familiar to people and the stigmas that once were common are starting to go away. I work with the general public and I proudly were my pentacle to work everyday. It's good sized and its in plain view. I have been asked if I am Jewish and if I were a Satanist. I have always answered it with a smile if not a chuckle. I am never offended by those questions because I see it as a opportunity to educate. I don't go into detail because I don't have the time but I always respond to the questions I get. I like the fact that those people can say that they have met someone who is on this path and that I wasn't scary, I don't ride a broom to work (although I would if I could) and that I'm just like everyone else... well in the general sense of the word :) I just wish there were celebrities who could also help demystify Paganism and Wicca and all the other paths out there. I wish it were more of a household word and less of a catch phrase. To be honest, even thought it's a huge deal to me, I wish it wasn't a big deal to the rest of the world...if that makes sense.

Ok well I have yet to find a spell that makes my dishes do themselves so I'm outta here. If you lovely people know of anyone that wasn't on the list or has anything to add please do so. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks :)

The Super Moon

I happen to be super excited about the 'Super Moon'. I have read and heard that some astrologers think it will bring disasters. One astrologer has said that "huge storms, earthquakes, volcanoes and other natural disasters can be expected to wreak havoc on Earth." Now from what I have read I understand the science of their opinion even if I think its overly cryptic. Remember Y2K? Oh wait, no one does. There was a ton of hoopla about that and nothing happened. When it comes to the moon and all that it does that effects the earth I might have a easier time finding something to worry about. One scientist was quoted as saying "When you have a low tide, there's less water, so the pressure on the seafloor is smaller. That pressure is clamping the fault together, so when it's not there, it makes it easier for the fault to slip." Yup I can see how that would be a issue. But Im not sure that the Super Moon is going to do much and become a catastrophic event. I think its Y2K all over again. I happen to be super excited about the Super Moon. It's going to be full and Im hoping we arent cloudy here so I can atleast say I got to view it. AND not to mention that its happening on the 19th, the night before Ostara. I mean I thought it was bad ass that last year we had a lunar eclipse during Winter Solstice. I look forward to the Moons close visit and hope that none of the things scientists are worried about come to pass. I highly doubt that it will. Anyone have any thoughts or feelings on the Super Moon?

Your Ostara traditions

For some reason Ostara seems to be the only sabbat that I treat like 'that other holiday' I used to celebrate. Only now I call it Ostara and not easter. I never celebrated the religious aspect of easter so I didn't really have much to change. Except for the change within myself where I have a different view on that day and a much greater respect for it. Well that and the fact that now I make bread in the shape of genitalia. It is lip smackin delicious if I do say so myself. Slathered in some homemade honey butter and Im one happy camper.I also go natural when I dye my eggs now.Onion peels,beets and spinach work great.I will try some others this year and see how they work as well.
So basically the only thing thats different for me between Ostara and easter is the way I do those things and the intent in which I do them. Well that and the ritual I do but since Im solitary its short and sweet most often.
I am wondering what others do to praise the day and how their family celebrates it.My children are older and not much fun anymore :( Plus they do not share the same spiritual views that I do really, but they don't look at easter as a religious holiday either. So they are pretty much game for anything, as long as a chocolate bunny is involved at some point. But I want a way to pull my family together and make it a special day for us all.
I would love to hear from others on their family celebrations and traditions for Ostara.
Any input would be great.Thanks!

My alter has gone cold :(

I have neglected my alter. I have been so busy, I can't tell you the last time I have taken time to just sit in front of it. I haven't used it...not a candle lit on it and my chalice has gone dry. The daily use for my chalice is to represent the element water and so I usually have spring water in it. The whole thing is just dusty. I have been avoiding it because I know it's going to take alot to get some life back into it (so to speak) and to be quite honest I feel guilty about it so I just avoid it. I don't even look at it at this point. I feel like it is looking back at me with sad puppy eyes.
I miss my alter. I miss connecting with it and using it. In 'man talk' its kinda like having a awesome classic car in the garage that you can't drive.
So my dilemma is how do I get it recharged? I know that just a dusting isn't going to do it. Anyone have any tips on what I can do to get things back on track? I have the feeling its going to take alot of work which I am more than willing to do. I just don't know where to start or to be honest what to do to get it back after it has been loved and then sadly neglected.
Any and all suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated.

Your most valuable book?

So since I am solitary and have no one to really share their experiences with me I thought I would post this asking all of you lovely people :) What book in your collection, or that you have read, that you have got the most from? What one really spoke to you and which one had the most impact on you? I am going to expand my library and would like opinions on some good reading material.And help would be great and thanks in advance!

Witch Bottles

I am looking into making a witch bottle and I am reading up on it anyplace I can. So here I am asking if anyone has made one and if so what did you use and how did you put it together? Where did you place it after ? I live in a apt so my options are a bit limited.
Any help would be great!

Happy Mabon!!! How do you celebrate?

Reading LJ's post this morning got me thinking.
What do you do for Mabon? What traditions do you have? What rituals do you perform? Do you have any Mabon recipes that you would like to share? Do you have any links about Mabon that you would like to pass along? Along with the spirit of Mabon I am in much need of gathering info and feasting on it lol Since I have no set traditions or rituals I would love to hear all of yours, maybe even adopt one or two ;) Help a newbie out people! LOL

I used the bottles....and I got more!!

I walked down to my local shit shop yesterday ( I call it that because it has all sorts of shit, no disrespect meant) and I bought out all the bottles they had on hand. So I have added 26 more of those little bottles to my collection!! I also found a hideously beautiful bowl that I will use for offerings and I picked up a small silver spoon that I will probably use for my loose incense. I got such an amazing deal on it all that I was giddy all day :) Plus I saw a gazillion squirrels on my walk. It took me twice as long to get home because I had to stop and talk to them all lol
Ok back to the bottles.I had a previous post here about them and I was looking for ideas for their use. I sincerely want to thank you all for giving me ideas! I haven't had time to get to all of them but I will.

I have a very very small alter that is not even set up yet, its just got stuff tossed on it :( But to be honest it doesn't feel like I should set it up yet. I don't feel ready for whatever reason. So I have been going with my gut and not done it. Anyway the lack of space on there got me thinking of how I could represent the elements and then I got a idea :) I made element bottles.Here they are.

The earth one is dirt I got from under my fav squirrel tree outside.The air one has 3 feathers shed from my mothers bird.The fire one has 3 match sticks and the water one is moon water that I got during July's full moon.
I'm still looking for ideas since I have alot of bottles to use here, so keep the ideas coming.
Also there will be giveaway very soon ;) Keep a eye out!!

Tonights full moon : Harvest moon

September brings us the Harvest Moon, sometimes referred to as the Wine Moon or the Singing Moon. This is the time of year when the last of the crops are being gathered from the fields and stored for the winter. There's a chill in the air, and the earth is slowly beginning its move towards dormancy as the sun pulls away from us.

Correspondences:

• Colors: Browns and greens, earth tones
• Gemstones: Citrine, chrysolite, peridot, bloodstone
• Trees: Bay, larch, hawthorn
• Gods: Demeter, Brighid, Freyja, Vesta
• Herbs: Wheat, valerian, witch hazel, skullcap
• Element: Earth

This is a month of hearth and home. Spend some time preparing your environment for the upcoming chilly months. If you don't already have one, set up a hearth or kitchen alter for those times when you're cooking, baking and canning. Use this time to clear out clutter -- both physical and emotional -- before you have to spend the long winter days inside.

Also Known As: Wine Moon, Singing Moon

Is anyone planning on doing anything special tonight?

I have been out of it the past few days and I didnt have time to write up a post about this months full moon.I found this info here.I might come back and post something else later.

Recommended reading?

Since I am a solitary and new to my path I have been trying to read everything I can get my hands on.The library is my BFF.There are a few books that I have read and put down almost as soon as I picked it up.And then there are a few that I LOVE and keep renewing from the library ( Im going to have to give in and just buy them).But does anyone have any books that they can recommend? Any book that spoke to you the minute you cracked the cover? I would greatly appreciate the input.Here are a few books I have already read, and maybe re-read :

• Paganism : an introduction to earth-centered religions - Joyce Higginbotham
• The complete idiots guide to Paganism - Carl McColeman
• Paganism : A beginners guide - Teresa Morrey
• The craft: A witch's book of shadows - Dorothy Morrison
• Grimoire for the green witch - Aoumiel
• Natural witchery - Ellen Dougan
• Solitary witch: The ultimate book of shadows - Silver Ravenwolf
• Crafting wiccan traditions :creating a foundation for your spiritual beliefs - Raven Grimassi
• Wicca : A guide to the solitary practitioner - Scott Cunningham

I have read many other books but these are a few to give you the idea.Do you have any opinions on any of these? And PLEASE share with me any books that you have found helpful in your own life.I know all paths are different but I think there is much to be learned by ALL spiritual paths.Besides I think you need to know what you believe as much as what you dont.If that makes any sense :) Thanks in advance for the input!
Love & Light

July Full Moon - Blessing Moon

July's Full Moon falls on Tuesday, July 7th and is known several names - Blessing Moon, Thunder Moon and Meadow Moon, just to name a few.

The July 2009 Full Moon distinguishes itself from other 2009 Full Moons, because it’s the smallest, farthest full moon of the year.

Farthest and closest full moons recur in regular cycles. The closest full moon comes 7 lunar months – full moons – after the farthest full moon. And the farthest full moon comes 7 lunar months – full moons – after the closest full moon.

For the next 7 lunar months, the full moon will come progressively closer to Earth. Seven full moons after tomorrow’s July full moon, the closest full moon of the cycle will fall on January 30, 2010. On that date, the full moon will be closer than 222,000 miles. Then 7 full moons after the January 30, 2010 full moon, it’ll be the farthest full moon again on August 24, 2010!

Correspondences:

* Colors: Green, silver, blue-gray
* Gemstones: Moonstone, white agate, opals or pearls
* Trees: Ash and oak
* Gods: Juno, Venus, Cerridwen, Athena, Nephthys, Lugh
* Herbs: Mugwort, hyssop, lemon balm
* Element: Water

This is a great time to do divination and dreamwork. Find a way to incorporate the watery energy of the Blessing Moon into your spell crafting and ritual.

This article was written and used with permission by Witchy Mama.Check her blog out, it's AMAZING!

My personal path to Paganism

I have just recently started to consider myself a pagan.I have had the same basic views throughout my whole life, I just didn't put a title to it.I have gone through phases in my life where I strongly searched out meaning and answers to my own spiritual questions, but they never really went anywhere.My family never discussed religion, ever.We never went to church.My mother is either agnostic or atheist, depending on the day you ask.She just doesn't care one way or the other.So I was all alone seeking out my own spiritual path.Around the age of 22 I read the entire bible, both the King James version and the N.I.V.It took me about a year and I must admit some of the King James version I just didn't get. I skipped over much of The Chronicles since it read like the phone book to me, and I would never remember 1/100 of the names there.But I understood the bulk of the bible, it just didn't mean anything to me.The stories were nice ( sometimes ) and I got what they were getting at.And I will even admit for a short time I thought I could get personal meaning out of it.I just had alot of spiritual energy at the time and no real outlet for it, so I applied it there.That lasted almost 2 yrs.I was pretty happy at the time so I understand the 'jesus high' people get off of Christianity a little bit.But to me it was blind irrational joy.I didnt have to worry about anything because I had god.If I did something wrong it was ok if no one else forgave me, because god did.Looking back I realize that I never believed any of it, I just went with it because I thought I was supposed to.It just didnt add up to me, but I wanted to believe in something.Anything.Even if I didnt feel it.I never went to church much and have gone maybe a handful or two of times .So even back then I was solitary in my spiritual beliefs.But as far back as I can remember I have always been drawn to and done things that would be considered paganistic. Even as young as 11 or 12.I remember wanting to stop someone from 'being mean' to me,or something along those lines, and so I drew a picture of them and folded it up a certain number of times , wrapped it with string, put it in a bowl of water and then I said something that Im sure included 'hocus pocus' and watched as the marker bled out of the picture and into the water.I threw the water outside but I don't remember what I did with the picture.I have always read alot, so I'm sure I must have gotten the notion to do that from my own childish understanding of some book I read.I read alot of stuff back then that was NOT on the children's list.I got my set of tarot cards when I was still a young teen and I also did my own astrological chart around the same age.But soon I became a young mother so everything got forgotten that didn't include being a mommy.Then I had another child and I didn't put much, if any, thought to my spirituality.However over the last year or two I have been slowly creeping up to the path I am on now.I am being patient this time around but I am still soaking up as much info as I can.I still spend alot of time at the library and since I live in a very small town I have to order books from other libraries.I get some odd looks from the librarians which amuses me.For this being such a small town I have 4 churches within walking distance of me, so I'm sure you can imagine the mind set of most folks around here. I have kept to myself alot since I have moved to this town.So I'm pretty much a solitary pagan, but I would love to find other like minded people to talk to and learn from.I know I will meet others when and if I'm supposed to.I'm just happy that I found my own path and I'm enjoying the view along the way.

Litha-The Summer Solstice ☼

This Sunday, the 21st ,it will be Litha.Also known as Summer Solstice,Midsummer Night, Midsummer Night's Eve, Gathering Day and on.It is the longest day of the year and also has the shortest night.It is a time to celebrate the beginning of summer, when the sun is at its most powerful position in the sky.The earth is flourishing beneath it and crops are being nurtured by its warm glow.They are starting to show promise of a full harvest.It is also believed that this is the time when fearies are in a most playful mood ( Even Shakespeare celebrated this in " A midsummer night's dream").It's been said that if you soak thyme in olive oil and then lightly anoint you eyelids with it you will be able to see the faerie folk at night!! So however you plan to celebrate the day please take the time to get outside, appreciate the sun and the green world around you.I plan on waking up before the sun that day to greet her and thank her.Im not really sure what else I will do since quite honestly I did not even know what Litha was just 6 months ago lol I am a single ( and sole) parent so Father's Day is not celebrated in my house.This will make a nice edition to what we celebrate already.I hope you all enjoy Litha and don't forget to say hello to the sun !!☼

Strong Sun Moon - June 7th

On June 7th the Strong Sun Moon, also known as ' The lovers moon', will shine.It signifies the time where the sun has made its bold appearance and is shining down on the earth.Flowers are in bloom,crops are starting to show promise and people are seeing the fruits of their early spring labor.With the sun so strong the days are getting longer and longer.( I put my daughter to bed last night at 9:15pm and there was still a bit of light left in the sky) With the days getting longer this is the perfect time for connecting with others as well as nature.More daylight hours mean you have more time to spend on your relationships and gardens.This is a time to bond, nurture and cultivate your connections with others as well as the natural world around you.Enjoy what you have, take this time to make improvements on all the good things planted in your life.This is a time for us to bloom!

Pagan and Wiccan Rituals

The modern usage of the word Paganism is an umbrella term that can include everything from Asatru (worship of Norse gods) to Hellenic (worship of Greek gods) traditions. The word pagan usually refers to a person who has a polytheistic religion; that is, a religion that includes more than one god or goddess. In older times, the word pagan was used to mean a godless person who was only interested in sensual pursuits, which, frankly, doesn't sound like much of an insult to me! The word also had the connotation of unsophisticated, or country dweller, much like our modern words hick or redneck.

I think of modern pagans as being polytheistic, frequently nature based magical practitioners who are not bound by the Wiccan Rede and practice a religion that is not Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. Each group of gods and goddesses has different rules, after all.

Wicca, by contrast, is a new religion, originating only fifty or sixty years ago. It is partly based on what earlier generations may have practiced, but many Wiccan traditions step away from history entirely.

Wiccans generally celebrate Sabbats and Esbats, holidays based on seasonal changes. These celebrations as a whole are commonly referred to as the Wheel of the Year. Other terms that differentiate Wicca from Paganism are the Rede and the Rule of Three. The most important part of the Rede is the oft-quoted an it harm none, do what thou wilt, while the Rule of Three is a karmic law that states that all actions of the witch will reflect on him or her with three fold consequences, whether positive or negative.

While Wicca can be included under the umbrella of paganism, there are often differences in the rituals each subset practices. One of the major differences between Wicca and pagans is that a certain group within Paganism devotes much time and energy to reconstruction. This is the study of how ancestral peoples practiced those religions that have survived in one form or another into the modern age, with the goal of keeping modern practice as true to original traditions as possible. Therefore, Hellenic, Celtic, Khemtic and other traditions based on location can have very different rituals from Wiccan, or indeed other pagans.

Just keep in mind that wherever you go to practice, the rituals will vary greatly (sometimes by enormous degrees). It's important to embrace only the practices that you feel comfortable with in any pagan ritual. Because there are so many different forms of practice, you really need to understand what you are getting into before embarking on a journey in any new group of practicing people. It's not surprising that the retention rates of most new people to a group or coven is extremely low. I know that it took me a long time to find people I was comfortable with.

I want to thank Willow at The Sacred Oak News Letter for writing this great article and allowing me share it with you.

I loved this article when I read it and I have read it a few times since.My own path is being built one stone at a time.Although the Pagan path rings more true to me than the Wiccan path I am letting the stones fall where they may.I look forward to learning each step of the way.