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Posted by on in Paths Blogs
The Moon Path Part One

The moon is perhaps the most magical draw to the path of Witchcraft. By its silvery light, the world is changed, is made mysterious and beautiful with darkness around its edges. The moon is utterly enchanting, as we watch it move through its phases, from dark to full and back to dark again. Within the cycle of the moon, we can see the cycle of our lives.

Yet, like all things on this planet, the moon does not operate independently. Its light is a reflection of the sun, and it is held in place by the earth’s gravitational pull. The moon pulls as well, causing the high and low tides, and swelling the world’s seas and oceans with its magnetic draw. So too are we pulled by the energy of the moon, from high to low, from dark to light, dancing in its energy.

Witches have always been associated with the moon. They were said to gather under the light of the full moon for their Sabbaths, or honour moon goddesses with devotional rites. The play of darkness and light with the moon’s energy appeals to many a Witch, who honours both the light and the dark in her or his life. There are many deities associated with the moon, and many cycles from various cultures around the world follow a lunar-based schedule, whether it is for planting or reaping crops, or creating a calendar that honours each of the 13 moons in a year’s cycle.

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Living in the Way, Part 4: The Personal Way

 

The Personal Way

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Posted by on in Paths Blogs
What is Hedge Witchcraft?

So what is hedge witchcraft? Hedge witchcraft is often seen today as a solitary pursuit, crafting one’s life in a magical way that reflects the talents and abilities of the practitioner. The term hedge witch was coined by the author Rae Beth in her book, Hedge Witch: A Guide to Solitary Witchcraft (1992). She took the term “hedge” from “hedge priest”, one who preached from the hedgerow, and who had no physical place for a congregation. A renegade, a solitary, a priest who didn’t follow the rules. This still appeals to many today, myself included.

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  • Joanna van der Hoeven
    Joanna van der Hoeven says #
    You're most welcome
  • Lynn Hixson
    Lynn Hixson says #
    I really enjoyed this article. Thank you!
The Hedge: Walking Between the Worlds

The Hedge - Boundaries and Walking Between the Worlds

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Posted by on in Paths Blogs
What is Witchcraft?

What is Witchcraft?

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  • Joanna van der Hoeven
    Joanna van der Hoeven says #
    Yes indeed, and the internet and a growing collective "conscious" mind, could very be the result
  • Anthony Gresham
    Anthony Gresham says #
    Back in the 1980's I read an article on witchcraft in either Natural History or the Journal of Popular Culture in which the author
The Summer Solstice: Lore and Tradition
This is the second time in the year when the sun appears to "stand still" on its journey across the horizon upon rising and setting. Here, the sun rises at its furthest north-easterly point, and sets in its most north-westerly. It reaches its highest nadir in the sky, and here in the UK that means that the days are exceptionally long, and we may not even see full darkness before the light of dawn begins to permeate the skies. This phenomenon of the sun rising and setting in the same place lasts for three days, just as at the winter solstice. The Summer Solstice is known as Alban Hefin (Welsh) meaning "the light of summer", Medios-saminos (Old Celtic) and Meitheamh (Irish), both meaning "midsummer". Welsh tradition places the summer solstice as one of "three spirit-nights" or tair ysbrydnos, times when the veils between the world were thin, the others being Calan Mai and Calan Gaeaf(Beltane and Samhain). This is the longest day, before we begin our descent back into the darkness of the coming winter. It is considered the peak of the power of light, yet a reminder that everything changes.

Our Neolithic ancestors built monuments to track the sunrise and sunset of the winter solstice, and equally each monument would also work in reverse six months later for the summer solstice. Many monuments, such as the Callanish stone circle, also include the equinoxes, and so act as a giant calendar, marking out the time and the season. Four rows or avenues of ancient processional stones meet in the circle at a central stone, much like a Celtic cross. Stonehenge's processional way from the River Avon was marked by the sun's path during the solstices, and the Ring of Brodgar on Orkey is also aligned to the solstices and equinoxes.

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Posted by on in Culture Blogs
Not Pagan Enough

After exchanging a number of emails with an editor (not going to say the company), the woman stopped responding.  She said she was going to contact me after a certain date and didn't.  Now this was for paid work so I was hoping to be able to write for them.  It's always iffy when you nudge people via email - especially publishers because it is almost always we will let you know.  Gently I nudged.  The response I got was you aren't pagan enough for our readers.  

My first reaction was to be offended.  I'm Pagan enough for me.  I live my life according to my beliefs, doesn't that make me Pagan enough?  I've written for them in the past some well researched writing.  Now when you're talking writing.  No is a perfectly acceptable answer.  I've heard it often.  If I printed all my rejection letters, I could probably wall paper my whole house with them.  I expect rejection.  

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Recent Comments - Show all comments
  • Eileen Troemel
    Eileen Troemel says #
    To all who read and offered words of encouragement, thank you! The support and caring shown lifts me up and reminds me there are
  • Thesseli
    Thesseli says #
    "Not pagan enough"? What does that even mean? I hope you can find another publishing company.
  • Eileen Troemel
    Eileen Troemel says #
    Because I'm trying to build my income from writing, I was looking for a paying market. There aren't a lot out there. I'll keep w
  • Virginia Carper
    Virginia Carper says #
    What is meant by "Pagan Enough?" I am a Roman Polytheist, so I guess I would be outside the Neo-pagan community. But I never under
  • Carl Neal
    Carl Neal says #
    I would say a Roman Polytheist is about as Pagan as someone can possibly be!

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