We have two important pagan holidays coming up this fall: the Autumnal Equinox, also known as Mabon; and Samhain, also known as Halloween, or All Hallows Eve. The pagan definitions of these holidays have almost become clique: the autumn equinox celebrates not only a day with equal amounts of darkness and light, but also the final harvest that will see us through the long hard winter months ahead; and Samhain, celebrating not only a night of enhanced spirit activity and ancestral adoration, but also the last of the slaughter of livestock, in order to store our meat for winter. Well, these meanings and their significance were all very well and good back in the day, but in the modern world I'm not going to have to worry about starving to death just because there is a hard winter, and quite frankly, I'd never be able to slaughter anything. So what is the significance of these holidays to the modern pagan? Why do we still celebrate them, and what do they mean to us? I think, for one thing, we have some innate deep-seated unspoken need to have our lives punctuated by milestones; whether personal milestones like weddings, graduations, and births; or societal, communal, and spiritual milestones. There’s a strange reassurance that the universe works in an ordered and predictable manner and time table. And maybe this is comforting to us because so much of life is unexpected, unpredictable, played without a script, and undeniably finite. Long after we are but a memory, there will still be people celebrating these autumnal holidays, punctuating the end of summer, welcoming with open arms the predictable end to the season of light and warmth, retreating into the dark and comforting confines of winter and the still peace that it will bring. Every season, and every seasonal celebration, holds its own kind of magick and adds to our lives in a way that helps us to explore the possibilities, survive the inevitable, and move toward the future.Blessings,
Online Tarot Lessons I’ve developed an online tarot class comprised of three lessons to start you down the road to tarot interpretation. The first class touches on a card a day in a way that literally dismantles how you look at tarot cards, how you view traditional meanings, and the art of intuitive reading. You’ll quickly move on, learning how to put the cards together in a simple spread, discovering the story the tarot tells, as well as learning how to write your own interpretation through the cards. The third lesson will teach you how to broaden your tarot connections and add unexpected insights into a reading. My book, “Tarot: A Witch’s Journey”, is the textbook used for these online tarot classes. You can purchase this book at amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or Labyrinth House Publishing. These tarot classes will be emailed to you in rich text format. Class #1 Lessons 1, 2, & 3 $30.00 click Here
We started our lessons gently with the first class, easing into the tarot and the idea behind divination. But now, get ready to roll up your sleeves and do some serious work. I'm sure you'll enjoy these expanded classes, and along the way you'll learn more about the tarot-- and more about yourself-- than you ever thought possible. The three lessons in this class will help you get aquainted with the court cards in an up-close and very personal manner-- who are they, really? You'll follow a card of your choosing through a guided meditation, and you'll learn to categorize individual cards within the deck, making readings by association fast, easy, and enlightening. Class #2 Lessons 4, 5, & 6 $30.00 click Here
Anglo-Saxon: Haerfest-monap Birthstone: sapphire Flower: morning glory September Moon Magick: Wine Moon Herbs: lilac, mugwort, marjoram, Stones: sapphire, bloodstone, Scents: gardenia, rose, lilac Colors: brown, yellow-green, amber Trees: hazel, larch, bay Deities: Demeter, Ceres, Isis, Elements: Earth/Air
Virgo: ruled by Mercury, receptive/feminine, mutable/earth Libra: ruled by Venus, projective/masculine, cardinal/air
Pagan Holidays Autumn Equinox/Mabon September 21 This day brings equal hours of light and dark, a second celebration of perfect equality. Beyond this day, light will gradually fade as the dark season descends upon the world. At this time of year, the ancient Druids would burn a large human-like wicker figure as part of their celebration. This figure represented the vegetation spirit, and indeed, the heralding of the dark season would bring an end to the growth and flowering of summer.Modern Pagans may celebrate this holiday with many of the foods connected with this time of year in their area. For us this would include pumpkin pie and apple cider. Decorations may include leaves of autumn hues, sunflowers, pumpkins and gourds. Herbs: marigold, myrrh, thistles, sage Altar Flowers/Herbs: asters, mums, pine, ferns, milkweed, honeysuckle Feast Foods: autumn berries, nuts, roast game, root vegetables, cider, wine, bread Animals: stags, goats, blackbirds, canines, owls, birds-of-prey Incense: cedar, myrrh, patchouli, pine, sage, sweet grass, oak moss Rituals/Spells: drying herbs, gathering late harvest, past life work, harvest moon rituals, making willow wands, harmony spells, protection spells for winter
"The Book of Magick", and is copyrighted material. © The Book of Magick, Amythyst Raine 2011 
The Witches' Year
I've created a calendar for 2012 composed entirely of original nature photos taken by me, as well as monthly moon correspondences from my book, "The Gray Witch's Grimoire". You'll be able to view this item, as well as order it at the following link: click Here
Pendulums New Item!
I've recently added pendulums to the list of merchendise that you can find at my website, The Witch's Corner For more information on pendulums and how to use them; to view the pendulums that are available; or to purchase one for dowsing or for your own magickal use click Here You'll find a video on this page:
Nebraska Autumn The following slideshow is made up entirely *This slideshow was edited on
Credits Some of the information above may have "The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells" by Judika Illes All images found on these newsletters that are not personally Lady Amythyst's have been obtained at photobucket. If you have claim to any image found here & do not want it used, or you want credit for it, email Lady Amythyst, with verification of ownership, and the image will promptly be removed or credit given. All personal photos & logos on this site belong (All Rights Reserved)  |
Pagan Highlights This section is going to include news, videos, links, books, and work by pagan authors, artists, activists, and other unique individuals:
A Blog by Lunaea Weatherstone "Musings on spirituality, creativity, serendipity, More from Lunaea:
"Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health
What would your private parts say if they could speak? The pelvic floor, bladder, prostate, cervix, clitoris, uterus, ovaries, and lots of other pelvic parts have their say in Susun Weed’s new book Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health the Wise Woman Way. Susun Weed, the voice of the Wise Woman Tradition, has spent the last twenty-five years listening to what’s between our legs. Her new book gives voices to all those parts, describes them in health, and offers alternative, complementary, integrative, homeopathic, and allopathic remedies for their distresses. Whether your “down there” gives you pleasure or pain, Ms. Weed’s simple, successful, strategies optimize health. “Filled with beauty, truth, wisdom and healing.” Christiane Northrup, MD, author Get the answers to your most intimate questions right now. Do you have it? What can you do? •Orgasms *Dry Vagina
• Homeopathic remedies • Nourishing herbal infusions
Oracle Deck
This is a new oracle deck created by the artist, Her artwork is both beautiful and enchanting, and I personally can't wait to get my hands on this deck! Below is more info, blurbs, & a link to: The Voice of the Trees is a wonderfully re-imagined presentation of Celtic Ogham divination and lore that is more accessible and easier to learn than ever before. Drawing upon the ancient legends of the Celts and tree lore, magical artist Mickie Mueller set forth to bring the Ogham teaching into a format for modern practitioners to use in intuitive card readings, meditation and ritual. Listen to the Voice of the Trees, they have much to teach you.
Witches Rising
Interfaith Marriage: A Christian & a Witch When pagans speak of 'interfaith' marriages, it goes much deeper than variations of mainstream faiths. In fact, it's a whole new ballgame. To Tanila Price's story you can also add the fact that it's multi-racial and multi-cultural, as she is white and American while her husband, Jacques, is black and Haitian. Find out how this couple integrates their faiths and manages the give and take that make up a marriage. (This two-page interview is brought to you by Patheos.)
Click Here
Making Magick 'Round the Kitchen Table
As I sit here, right now, let's put a spell together on a whim and a fancy, by the seat of our pants. So often I've noticed, especially with people new to witchcraft, that we tend to rely on spells being laid out before us, all black and white, neatly listed, pre-packaged, and ready to go-- kind of like fast food. We shouldn't be afraid to slap together a spell of our own making, our own unique creation. Not only will it 'feel' good when you cast it, it will carry so much of your magickal energy and power of intention that it's bound to cause a tremor through the universe. Workplace Mojo 1) Intention...Let's concentrate today on the workplace and the problems that we find there. These 'problems' almost always tend to have two arms, two legs, and a great hole in their face called A Mouth. 2) Candle Color...If it's The Mouth that's causing problems, let's go with a yellow candle-- for the element of Air and communication. If we just want this 'problem' to go away, as in banishing to other-worlds, or in this case other departments, let's go with my favorite candle color-- black. 3) "Dressing" the Candle...We're going to do several things. First: carve the name of your problem on this candle, and then sit quietly and hold it in your hands for few minutes, visualizing this individual, seeing in your mind what you want to happen, where you want this person to go, how you want the negative energy dispersed. Put a bit of oil on your fingertips, either a magickal oil made for specific intentions, or a little olive oil from your kitchen cupboard, and smooth this oil over the candle. Crush up or grind some herbs that are related to the energies that we're dealing with and the intentions that we're raising. If you're using a yellow candle to shut a big mouth, you'll find that slippery elm and cloves work great for this, and I've discovered that dieffenbachia will also stop the flow of word vomit just as effectively. As you grind or crush these herbs, you should chant a little chant and get yourself all worked up over this issue. After all, if you've come to the point of casting magick spells to defend yourself against an individual, you've got a right to be pissed-- so get pissed, and imbue these herbs and this candle with all that emotion and intentions. Pour the prepared herbs in a nice line the length of your candle or in a pile on the table. Lay your oiled candle on its side, and roll it in the herbs so that they adhere to the candle. 4) Igniting the magick...Okay, you can set this candle up now and light it. And while it's burning, write down the name of the big fat old problem on a small slip of paper. Set this paper on fire by the flame of your spell candle and drop it in a bowl, allowing it to burn to ash. While you're doing this, chant your little chant, get mad, stamp your feet, spit in the bowl, and just throw a good old hissy fit. It will make you feel better, and it will direct the negative energy caused by this individual to come right back at them, full force. It's kind of like slapping them in the face, but you won't leave a mark. 5) Cleaning up...Once the candle is burned out, gather up the left-over wax, the ashes, and anything else from the makings of this spell and go bury it somewhere-- but not on your own property. Note: If it's the black candle you used and banishing was your intention, these would be among my favored herbs for this deed: cloves; banishing powder-- if you've got it; anything 'hot'-- like cayenne pepper, black pepper; anything stinging-- like nettles; anything sharp-- like thorns, which you can stick right into the sides of your candle. It would be nice if we didn't have to waste our time and energy on this type of person and this kind of magick, but the real world dictates otherwise. We can at least be thankful that there are measures we can take to defend ourselves and to make life bearable. If you're the victim of bad workplace behavior, go for it-- more power to you! If you are the perpetrator of bad work place behavior...beware.
Blessed Be,
From the Witch's Kitchen
2 cups sifted flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons sugar ¼ cup shortening ½ cup milk 1 slightly beaten egg Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in shortening Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in shortening. Cut out the dough with an inverted glass, cutting the biscuits into round shapes. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. ********** The milk and eggs are symbolic of feminine Goddess power, whose energy will be amplified upon a Full Moon night. The sugar is drawing, the salt is grounding, and the wheat equates with fertility. This is the perfect food to serve during a Full Moon esbat, along with a glass of red wine, symbolic of the feminine cycle.
*Note: The material above is an excerpt from my book,
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