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Unraveling the conundrum of human/non-human relations begins with a simple question: how big is our family? If non-humans are existentially equal to humans, then we must treat them with respect; if they are as different from humans in kind, as, for example, a human is different from a chair, then our moral obligations to them are slight. I believe that most contemporary Neo-Pagans would concur with Ted Andrews when he writes, “When we learn to speak with the animals …the animals are no longer our subordinates. They become our teachers, our friends, and our companions.”

In this issue we wrestle with the messy, tangled, and even intractable questions of genuine relationship: honest ambiguity (“when are shamanistic techniques universal, and when are they forms of cultural exploitation?”), subtle definitions (“what is the difference between animal spirits and totems”), and surprise revelations (“what, you are my totem?”).

Join us as we meet far-ranging urban shaman and otherkin Lupa; explore the still-evolving Witchcraft of Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone; trip through the ever-shifting shoals of the urban Witch’s playground, New York City, and probe more deeply into how totems choose us (instead of the other way around.) We also feature musings on the benefits of relationships with companion animals, the mysteries of polarity, avoiding the perils of dualism, how to make your own witchy jewelry, promoting a healthy magical mindset, and even how to prepare for the disposal of your magical “stuff” after you die.

Plus two short stories, a triplet of poems, and a true-life tale of post-mortem animal magic. It’s a rich, even heady, curry of ideas, people, questions (and sometimes, but not always, answers). I hope it stimulates your thinking about these thorny, but fascinating ideas. Ninety-six illustrated pages.

Join us on a fantastical tour of the world of Faerie with this, the premiere issue of our new magazine "Witches and Pagans." We begin with Phil Brucato's interview of fae songstress and minstrel S.J. Tucker, followed by a T. Thorn Coyle's visit with Celtic loremaster R. J. Stewart.

Then it's on to a comprehensive overview of the many worlds of Faerie in Maria Nutick's "Do You Believe in Faeries?" complete with an in-depth look at Faerie traditions, festivals, musicians and artists. If that wasn't fae enough, we offer Mara Freeman's profile of 19th century Irish Fae mystic Ella Young, Patricia Snodgras writing on the lore of the Cherokee Fae, Tess Whitehurts with magical spells for working with the Fae, Sharynne MacLeod NicMhacha on Celtic Faerie lore, R. J. Stewart reports on the Fairy and Human Relations Congress, Ashleen O'Gaea writes on fairies and children, and wordsmith Craig Conley (Magic Words, A Dictionary) on the Abracadabra of Faery.

Outside of our theme focus, we have Wandering Witch Natalie Zaman's take on the world of the Renaissance and Medieval Faire, Tess Dawson on the Pagan (Canaanite) roots of monotheism, short fiction by C. S. MacCath, and columns on astro-magick, lore of the forest, Judy Harrow on the importance of disciplined attention, Galina Krasskova on celibacy as a Pagan path and Kenaz Filan on finding the gods in your hometown. Plus Good Witch/Bad Witch, a double-handful of reviews and, of course, a vigorous readers debate in the "Give & Take" letters column.

Newly re-designed and relaunched, this issue is 96 pages of myth, magick and lore that you won't want to miss.

Get off to a great start for the new year with our winter issue! Pagan superstar Candice Night of Blackmore Night leads off this issue with an exclusive four-page interview, followed by a round-table discussion of arcane mysteries by three of the most respected contemporary magicians: Donald Michael Kraig, Lon Milo Duquette, and Phil Hine. Or maybe you'd prefer to start your new year with a bang — in that case, jump right over to our sure-to-be controversial article on Pagan firepower "Witches with Weapons: the Case for Firearms in Pagan Spirituality" by Galina Krasskova and Wintersong Tashlin. Or, all “Twilight” references aside, perhaps you feel you've been losing energy for no reason — Michelle Belanger will show you how to identify (and defeat) psychic vampires in "Protect Your Neck in Five Easy Steps." Getting cabin fever or simply want to visit the witchiest town in America? Wandering Witch Natalie Zamen takes us on a journey in "Wandering Witch Goes to Salem." Plus short fiction from Phil Brucato, more on Paganism and role-playing games, six steps to magical hygiene, Good Witch/Bad Witch and much, much more.

 

80 pages, released January 2009

 

 

Our first color issue! Michael Night Sky's interview with singer, harpist, composer and producer Regan High Priestess starts off this issue, while Lupa and Taylor Ellwood add (more than) a bit of spice with their article on "Esoteric Ecstacy: An Introduction to Kink Magic." Back down to earth, we have two articles for those with wanderlust this summer season; Natalie Zaman's profile of the magical home of Arthurian Legend "Wandering Witch Goes to Glastonbury" and a comprehensive guide to Pagan festival-going "Festival Season" containing both a spotlight on Circle Sanctuary's Pagan Spirit Gathering and a list of 26 Pagan friendly events for Summer and Early Fall. Plus a super-powers meets Paganism excerpt from Christopher Knowles' book "Our Gods Wear Spandex", Phil Brucato's continued column on RPGs and Paganism; articles on erotic piercings, and, of course, Good Witch/Bad Witch and Astrospell's guide to best spellcasting dates for the summer.

80 pages, released June 2008

Interview with Raven Digitalis, author of "Goth Craft" and "Shadow Magick Compendium". Plus an interview with Scott Helland and the Traveling Band of Gypsy Nomads; "Yourself: the Only Authority You'll Ever Need"; "Everyone's a Psychic -- Yes, Even You"; Lupa on why magic isn't safe -- but we do it anyway, and Shanti Fader on making yourself your Own Fairy Godmother. Plus "Lapdancing for the Goddess" and columns on altar tools with sexual symbolism, the magic of place, magical persectives on role-playing games, and a spotlight on the Pagan band Dragon Ritual Drummers.

80 pages, release January 2008