...
PaganSquare
PaganSquare is a community blog space where Pagans can discuss topics relevant to the life and spiritual practice of all Pagans.
Is an electron one, or many?
Is an atom one, or many?
Is a cell one, or many?
Is a body one, or many?
Is a flock one, or many?
Is a coven one, or many?
Is a tribe one, or many?
Is a people one, or many?
Is a land one, or many?
Is a planet one, or many?
Is a solar system one, or many?
Is a galaxy one, or many?
Is what is, one or many?

Last week I looked at the top five blog posts of 2021, a couple of which surprised me. Then I decided I wanted to look back over the seven years (time flies!) that I've been writing this blog and see which posts have been most popular over the long term. In this case, four out of the top five surprised me - and one didn't. At all.
Herewith, the top five Minoan Path posts since I began this blog in 2014, from least popular to most popular. Have you read them all?
...
When I moved to San Francisco, I didn’t know a soul, but I used this tried-and-true trick to fill my life with friends.
On the first Friday after a new moon (Freya’s Day, which is ruled by Venus, is ideal for fun, love, flirtation, gossip, and good times), light amber incense. Anoint yourself with amber oil and dance around, arms flung out and upward. Say aloud:
I call upon you, friend Freya,to fill my life with live and joy. I call upon you,
in the form of people, wise and kind.
This I ask and give thanks for; blessed be.

The full moon is the most powerful time of the month and a critical time to celebrate with friends. This ritual will heighten your spirituality, your friendships, and your connection to the universal powers. As I write this, it is a full moon in Scorpio and I’m looking forward to getting together with my friends for a hullabaloo. We are waiting for the “witching hour,” midnight. There are thirteen of us, a perfect number for a coven, and we will gather in our favorite spot in the woods overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We have thirteen stones that mark each of our spots in our gathering place.
A larger stone sits in the middle, a natural altar upon which we will place a goblet of wine before an image of the goddess. We will all bring candles in sturdy, tempered glass votives to light our way, and we will perform a rite I learned from my elders.

To prepare the way for letting new friends enter your life or to focus your attention on existing friendships, set up an altar where you can concentrate your energy and clarify your intentions. If you already have an altar in place, incorporate some of the following elements to enhance your relationships with others as well with yourself. The more you use your altar, the more powerful your spells will be.
Your altar can be a low table, the top of a shelf, or even a shelf. First, purify the space with the smoke of a lit sage bundle. This is called “smudging” and is an essential part of witchcraft. You can dry wild sage to use or purchase it in any herb store. Once you have smudged the space, cover your friendship altar with a pink-colored scarf or cloth and place pink and white candles in each of the four corners. (Pink is the color of affection and white represents purity.) Place rose quartz and calming fluorite stones around a vase of fresh flowers, often with poppies, daisies, or whatever connotes fun and friendship to you.