Witchvox - New Articles This Week
Faeries [Amber Carez]
Wed, 08/25/2010 - 9:08pmMy Faerie Vortex has a new fountain! The artists who crafted the landing spaces between the splashing waters are Beth and Zeeb Feywood ( http://www.feywood.net) . I had a stock fountain purchased from one of the major home stores but it was not created for the display of living art and I desired a space where the jsh and agrave;may could play.I used the term jsh and agrave;may (pronounced zhamay) because that is closest to what we know
Isaac Bonewits (1949 - 2010) : A Tribute [Peg Aloi]
Sat, 08/21/2010 - 9:57amThe pagan community has lost one of its brightest lights this day, when Philip Emmons Isaac Bonewits passed over to the Summerlands. Isaac fought a brave battle against cancer for the last few months: so brave and optimistic that it's hard to believe he finally lost that battle. Remember when you were just discovering that a pagan movement existed? When you first realized there were people out there who felt as you did, thought what you thought, shared your views on nature and the univer
Review: Sirius Rising [Don Waterhawk]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmWell we did it! Daniella and I made the 1500 mile, 2 and frac12; day journey to Sherman, New York, to Brushwood Folklore Center where we had been invited as guests for the Sirius Rising 2010 pagan festival. As we turned on Bailey Hill Road, Daniella started to get butterflies in her stomach. We both were anxious, as this was the first time in 5 years that we had attended this festival. (My arm injury prevented me from driving any distance. But surgery fixed my arm enough to do the drive with Dani
An Interview with Teresa, Frank and Darlene from Brushwood [Daniella Waterhawk]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmHaving been to many festivals around the country for quite some time, there is an element of knowing what a great festival site is. When going through the memories of all these locations, Brushwood Folklore Center located in Sherman, NY comes in at number one. A rustic, secluded and clothing optional campground on 180 acres that is mostly woods. And has an amazing history on its birth and growth of over twenty years.In the late 1960s a man and woman named Frank and Darlene Barney were a
Pennsylvania Dutch Braucherei [Rob Chapman]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmPow-wow/Braucherei is a folk healing system that is a blend of shamanism, faith healing and PA Dutch folk magics. It is important to know that Pow-wow is not a religion, it is a magical system, and can therefore be practiced by anyone who has a belief in a higher power, or God, despite personal religious association.The word Pow-wow is believed to come from the Native American term powwow although the two words have different meanings. For our usage, the term Pow-wow is both the title of
Herb Use in Urban Witchcraft [Elevander]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmHerbs play an integral role in Witchcraft and Wicca, whether it is in incense, natural healing, spellcraft or in ritual food, and they can literally be found all around us. But what about in the city? Practitioners living in the city may be forgiven for feeling out of touch with the harvesting and use of herbs, particularly if they do not have a garden or green space of their own. This is understandable, but as I myself have discovered; where there is a will there is a way! So I have developed m
A Curse May Truly Be Your Gift [Lady Wolfwind]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmIt is a glorious morning. I turn my face eastward to feel the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze on my face. I love this time of day. It is when the Goddess speaks the loudest to me. She helps prepare me for my day. I take a closer look at the mist that surrounds me. I can see each individual water droplet that make up the fog and the tiny rainbows created within each tiny sphere. I know that others only see the mist. The stillness is not silent. I hear the squirrels high in the trees scamper
Raising a Pagan Child Pt. 1 -- Making the Decision [Patrick McCleary]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmWe as parents have a great responsibility. We have at least one other person who is reliant almost solely, in some cases, upon us, our child (ren) . And not only for food and housing but for spiritual guidance as well. In other words, we are tasked with leading a part of the next generation forward through faith. I look around see that there is a slow growing movement afoot, one that is moving towards a wider acceptance of raising children in Paganism. Yet I still wanted to share the story of ho
I Love The Craft, Charmed, and Practical Magic Wait, Im A Fluffy Bunny? [Celeste]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmI doubt there is one person in the school I go to that doesnt know that Im a Paganor, as the part of the student body that dont like me call me, witch bitch. This just past school year, my junior year, I made an attempt to clear up rumors by being interviewed by the school newspaper about my spirituality. I explained it (excluding words such as witchcraft, spell, magic, and Wicca of course) and hoped that it would make people see me in a new light. Unfortunately, because the aspiring journ
How To Tell Your Parents That You Are Wiccan [wiccagirl123]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmTelling your parents that you are Wiccan can be tough. How will they react? Here we will talk about a few ways -- and some tips on how -- to tell your parents that you are Wiccan.Pick a time thats not to late. The last thing we want is daddy yelling insults and running up to bed followed by mum begging him not to. Find a place that is nice and warm. Make sure everything is normal. dont do it if the heating is off or there is a power cut because then your parents will be uptight and mor
Mirrors [Lee Prosser]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:40pmI have been asked over the years about the topic of mirrors in Witchcraft and Wiccan. My advice is simple. Avoid using any mirrors in your magickal invocations that require sending, casting, or soliciting a spell. If you meditate, pray, or cast a spell in a regular physical setting with an altar, do so without the presence of mirrors. No mirror should be in that space that looks into the altar area. Why? Because mirrors can turn the spell back on you or others present in a negative sense, depend
Spell Crafting: Installment I [Serendipity]
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:46pmThe thoughts and ideas expressed in this article are simply my opinions. I firmly believe in myself and my magic and the correctness of it for me. So of course I state these thoughts and ideas as facts, because for me they are. But, that doesnt mean that I believe everyone else must accept them as such.In this article you may take, with my blessings, what you find that works for you and use it. That which has no value for you simply leave and know that I totally respect each ind
43rd Annual Gathering of the Tribes [Bronwen Forbes]
Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:55pmThe moment I arrived at a small private camping area near Steamboat Rock, Iowa early afternoon on July 15, my trusty sidekick, Bridey the Amazing Grunting Beagle woke from the nap she started in Kansas City, stretched, and put her paws on the front passenger car window as if to say Were home, mom!And home we were indeed. I love small festivals and the deep sense of family that is created over the course of the event; large gatherings feel like a Pagan town small ones (under 75 peopl
Spirituality: A Personal View [Rhys Chisnall]
Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:55pmIt seems that spirituality means different things to different people and perhaps as spirituality is a very individual and subjective experience this is only right and proper. However as the word is often used in different contexts I believe that it is a phenomena that is worthy of some thought, so for those of you that may be interested here is my take on this difficult subject. If you care to look at the Oxford English Dictionary you will find that it says that spirituality is 1. Rel
Simple Magick [Morgana Shades]
Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:55pmThe first thing I have to say is that I am not a traditional 'pagan' as the term is used today. I celebrate the Sabbaths and Esbats along with the moon cycles, yet I cast no spells. I respect nature and do not wish to interfere with it, or the gods. I believe in the gods more than most things and my faith in them has helped me through hard times. I have cried into the bosom of the Shining One and been comforted more times than I can count. Yet, in my journey, I have often wondered as to
Compost and Natural Fertilizers: Practical Offerings to the Land [Ailyn]
Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:55pmIt seems like more and more, I see Pagans obsessing over their offerings to a ridiculous level. Not that I dont think an offering or sacrifice should be undertaken willy-nilly, but to only offer that exclusive, high end wine to the exception of all else seems silly. I feel that offerings should be heartfelt and personal not something to worry and fret over, something you enjoy doing because its good and you can.Recently, I was on a Pagan forum (alas, my main source of Pagan fellowship
What If It Was All About Love? [Lady Wolfwind]
Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:55pmI view my life in two parts. The first part of my life is when I lived and thought like everyone else. There was always piece of me that wanted to walk away from the world, from the rat race. My main concern, back then, was what would other people think of me? I know that most people would like to walk away and not worry about the day-to-day grind, but what have they done to really get away from it? I used to worry about money, a house, a car, paying the bills and eating. Not to mention all of t
The Economy and Pagan Living: A Time of Trial and Renewal [MorningOwl]
Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:55pmAs a Pagan who has felt the crisis of the economy hit home, I give a greater thanks for all the small things that I had not given thought to before. As I watch a national poverty and unemployment line go from bad to worse, I am more thankful to have a roof over my head. There is no choice for many but to stretch their already savvy shopping habits. Many feel the pinch in the world. In this essay I will share my personal experience, perceptions, and creative resolutions in dealing with the sinkin
People Are Part of Nature Too [Chi]
Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:55pmPaganism is earth based, especially Neo-Paganism. I realize that in this day and age, its easy to say that Pagan spirituality is based on the self, or higher non-physical forces, and is removed from nature. I personally believe this to be false. This is why: The definition of Paganism has changed, will continue to change, and be the source of many debates. Originally, as Im sure many of you know, it meant a country dweller someone whose life and faith patterned after nature usually
Healing Flowers [danielle.gorbet]
Wed, 08/11/2010 - 5:55pmFlowers come in an astonishing array of colors, scents and forms-botanists estimate there are more than 240, 000 types of flowering plants in the world. Although we primarily appreciate flowers for their uplifting effects on the spirit and psyche, many flowers also contain a wealth of healing compounds with measurable effects on the body and mind.The pigments that provide flowers with their bright colors, the molecules that give them their unique scents, and even the compounds that help
