Wane Wyrds

Quartz, usually the clear variety, is one of the most well known and often incorporated magical gems in modern paganism. It was used extensively throughout history as well. Most of the time, we think of quartz and envision the clear variety, though in reality most of the well known semi precious gems, such as amethyst,   tiger's eye, carnelian, citrine, etc. are all different varieties of quartz crystal. For clarity and brevity, this post is about Clear quartz in particular. Make sure your crystal ball really is crystal! Clear quartz has been called the universal power stone throughout the ages, due to it's ability to hold and transmit a wide variety of spiritual and magical energies. It is found all over the world, and this also makes it affordable, which is a plus for practitioners as well. One of the best things about working with clear quartz is that it can be charged for a particular purpose, and once this purpose is done it can be cleansed and recharged again. This ...

My Own Altar with Offerings One of the first questions people ask when they begin working with a particular God or Goddess is how to offer to them. Virtually ever forum I have been in, someone at one time or another has asked this question, "What offerings are good for (insert God/Goddess name)." Inevitably what follows are list of foods, drinks, crystals, incense types, etc. that are either mythologically inspired or have been found to be personally relevant to the particular divinity through upg. I myself have answered this question just as many times as another, with a list of materials and matter I found to have been well received. This in itself to me is not a problem, if we are able, I cannot see any reason we should not invest in the Gods which help and guide us through our journey of life. However, sometimes I think that our focus on the material aspect of offering is skewed by our lifestyle in the first world. We hear the word offering or gift, and our mind sw...

In my work with Freyja, I have spoken with, studied, and been exposed to many groups and individuals who follow modern day heathen paths, such as Asatru, Vanatru, Northern Traditions, etc. Like any spiritual path or religion, there is a wide variety of folk, and a diversity of viewpoints. In my experience, the large majority are wonderfully intelligent, eloquent, and open-minded. What irritates me the most about modern day heathenism is that there is a small minority of those involved who seem to have a very negative viewpoint about any type of activity or practice or even thought process that is not in line with there own simpleminded views. Yesterday I was reading a group discussion in which a heathen individual dedicated to Thor asserted that the idea of "seigr" or victory, was the be all and end all of traditional heathen virtues...I did not respond to this discussion for obvious reasons, but I did take interest in this individuals particular view of what it means to be...