Wane Wyrds

It's been very windy here the past couple days in Oklahoma, which has been positive for me though I'm sure a nuisance for many others. I just happen to love a good strong breeze. I just love to stand outside and feel it blowing around me and whipping my hair about. There is something magically about a strong wind blowing in the wild. So I thought I would write this post about Wind, and how it can be utilized in spellwork or other such practices. I encourage all of you, regardless of tradition, to do some research on the mythos of wind or air within your tradition and implement that accordingly. The ideas I present here are just general, and directional meanings, etc. of wind with of course be different depending on your tradition or mythological system. Direction The direction from which the wind is blowing can be an important element in determining what sort of energy it will best transport at a given time. Keep in mind direction refers to the where it is blowing FROM...

My beliefs are evolving. It is something I can't deny any longer. I wonder at myself for believing that they might remain static. Lately I have been questioning everything, both practically and spiritually. I just came to the conclusion that there is a need somewhere in me to move forward. I want to molt, to shed the past and move forward. The longer this year continues the more I realize that change and evolution is exactly what is in store for my life this year. And for the first time I am ready and willing to change. My belief in the Vanir and what they stand for does not change, but I find myself increasingly at odds with the Norse tradition in general. I feel as if I have gone as far with it as I can, and am eager to explore more of the world. I will always be pagan, yet I find myself needing to expand my path in different directions. Even more pressing is the need to question, to challenge, to truly get to the core of my own belief. Maybe it is the dormancy of the land...

The besom, or broom, is perhaps one of the most longstanding iconic symbols of witchcraft in world history. It's possible connections to witchcraft and magic extend from prehistory all the way through the modern revival of witchcraft in all it's forms. There is so much history and speculation behind it's magical meaning that I figured I would share some of them along with some tips for using this potent magical tool. Jumping the Broom : Though it's origins are ultimately lost in history and speculation, the besom has played a role in marriage and handfasting rites throughout the world, by many diverse cultures. Some believe these practices originated in West Africa sometime in prehistory, others believe they are derivative of Romany (Gypsy) rites, and others claim Wales as a possible origination of the connection between marriage and the besom. Some of the earliest mentions of brooms come from Ghana in West Africa, were the broom was seen as a spiritual symbol, a...

I've been down lately. Lots of stuff has happened that sent me into full panic and anxiety mode. My work has suffered, my spirit has suffered. It seems to me like the only thing one can count on is things falling apart sometimes. Atleast that was my mindset lately. Though its not necessarily anything to do with my spiritual path, I have decided to make some changes, particularly to the way I think and how I let that affect my emotional state. I've come to realize that dwelling on negative thoughts has not only damaged my practical life, but my spiritual one as well. I feel more vulnerable to attack negative energies. They seem to be drawn to the doom and gloom of my melancholy moods. And to be honest I'm just sick of being a slave to my emotions, its like a rollercoaster. So I saw a simple idea that I thought I would give a try. I'm sure many have heard of the concept of a positivity journal. Basically the idea is to journal in one place everyday about all the po...

I read alot of comments on this weeks posts and social networks about the Wild Hunt's recent article about people who call themselves "spiritual but not religious" and how they might possibly be allies for those who follow more traditional pagan paths. I've seen a load of opinions both positive and negative about the article. For me personally, I feel kind of ambiguous about the issue itself. I mean honestly I don't feel like I need allies or others who somehow agree with me in a spiritual sense to feel as if my path is a meaningful one. Byrum Art: Ron and Sherry Byrum The thing which struck me most of all about all these discussions was the number of times I saw the word "community" being thrown around. I really loath terms like the pagan community or similar denomers. Maybe its just a personality thing but its something that has been bothering me alot more recently due to some comments I've been reading on various forums and networks which se...

My mother is a gem collector, going on decades. Not as a healer or anything, she has always just loved her jewels. Thanks to her, I could tell you about nearly any gemstone known to man, and probably show you one from her collection. One of the gems I have always found most fascinating is called the ametrine. It is actually two stones in one, amethyst and citrine, blending perfectly together yet retaining the individual colors of each gemstone. Some claim that the stone has been known of since the time of the conquistadors in Central America, yet it has only been readily available in world gem markets since the 1970s. Most of us who work with crystals in a metaphysical sense are well acquainted with the properties of amethyst, particularly its use as a healing stone. It is known to promote both spiritual and physical wellbeing, peace, and psychic awareness. In ancient times, it was even believed to be a cure for drunkeness, though I would not recommend this personally lol....

This morning I read a wonderful article over at  Lairbhan.blogspot  which was a great and thought provoking article on the concept of fulltrui in heathenry. A fulltrui is a god comparable to a patron deity. It is a god the individual feels particularly close to, and perhaps even dedicated to. The ins and outs of this relationship were described quite well by the author, so anyone interested in learning more about the practical nature of a fulltrui relationship should head over and give it a read. It got me thinking about my own relationship to the Vanir gods, individually. As some of you may know I consider myself a Freyja's woman, though I have not formally dedicated myself to her as my fulltrui. It is something I have often considered, but never took the steps to make it a formal relationship. The main reason being my relationship to the god Freyr. It is strange, but on some level I always feel torn between the two. The post also made me think about the types o...