Wane Wyrds

Just because I like this image!  He looks like he's got something brewing as well! I made my first spell bottle the other day, as I have been wanting to create one for awhile and finally have an issue large enough I feel a little magic might be helpful. My old man is flying in from Ireland next Tuesday and I couldn't be happier, or more nervous! As someone prone to panic attacks, this is NO BUENO! So I decided to do a little bottle spell during the Full Moon last week, simply to enable me to stay as calm as possible as well as have a safe trip to the airport, which is a considerable drive from where I live here in the boonies. I didn't want anything too involved, so I relied mostly on finding items for the bottle that served this purpose, and writing an appropriate charm to go along with it. I decided to make the base out of olive oil, so I could easily shake up the bottle whenever I felt I need a dose of calm and serenity. I chose the full moon as it was a Supermo...

It's been a bit of an interesting morning. I woke at about seven thirty from the whimperings of my super pregnant dog who seemed to be in labor. After assessing for a moment in my stupor and comforting her, I decided I better get up and get her birthing crate together. In doing this I went into another room and happened to catch a glimpse of my half asleep, half naked self in a full length mirror. And like most any woman, such a sight at such a time was not heartening to me upon first waking. I have a HUGE date coming up in the next few weeks...I have been struggling with my nervousness and anxiety about this as the day looms closer on the horizon. Upon seeing myself in this state, those hypercritical feelings came rushing back as usual. Not helping matter was the fact that I already felt sick, not a good sign when my mother had called in to work just the day before because of a stomach bug. I got the crate together and proceeded to go about my morning routine, having a smoke ...

Hi everyone. While going through some of my old folders I found this list I saved of some symbols of the Vanir. I wanted to share as I know many Vanatru and witches who work with the Vanir, and such a list is handy to have around for both spellwork and meditation, not to mention crafting! I have absolutely no idea where this list originated, in the folder it was simply the list itself, and I honestly don't remember how or when I saved it. If you know the source, let me know so I can update the post and give credit to the originating source. Symbols and Meanings for the Vanir boar - the primary sacred animal of Frey, Freya, and Nerthus. wain - Frey, Freya, Nerthus, and Holda were all said to have wagons or chariots. ship - Frey and Njord have ships, and Nehelennia is associated with ships also. stag/antler - Frey carries an antler, Ullr is associated with hunting, and Herne is antlered. sunwheel - for the changing of the seasons, and the four primary Vanir (Frey, Freya,...

I have always been fascinated by animal symbolism within myth and culture, so at one point early in my path I decided to do some research about the falcon, an animal perhaps more closely associated with Freyja than any other. This is largely in part to her famous falcon cloak, which she uses as a magical tool to travel the worlds.  The connection made me wonder what one might glean about our Goddess Freyja by examining the common myth and history of a bird present within many cultures, both ancient and modern. All birds, and the falcon especially, are connected with the idea of transcendence. They represent the link between the earth and the sky, which often becomes a metaphor for the mundane world and the spirit realm.  In some cultures this also translates to viewing them as a sort of protective guardian from malevolent spirits. Probably the earliest recorded and well known association with the falcon comes to us from Egypt, in the deity of Horus, the falcon headed god...

That's it. There is no argument against this logic.  Yes this is a pagan blog but I am so mad and I feel I have to purge. I'm sure many of you have been following the approval of Plan B or the morning after pill for over the counter purchase by females 15 and over. When I heard of this approval I was shocked for once, thinking that after years of waiting here was one piece of news I could rejoice in. Until this came out this evening... http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/01/plan-b-justice-department-appeal/2128039/ The U.S. Justice Department has appealed the decision of the judge who ordered that the Plan B pill be made available over the counter. It makes me sick inside. Really Really sick. Not for myself or my daughter. But for the millions of other American women and girls who wont have the opportunity to protect themselves on their own terms from unwanted pregnancy. It's a non issue for us of course. Over the counter or not, at any age, if my...

Image credit to Emily Balivet, check out this original painting available at :  http://www.etsy.com/listing/71895349/beltane-reunion-pagan-god-and-goddess Tonight is Walpurgis Night, and tomorrow is May Day, or Beltane. It's a peculiar energy today, or at least I feel so anyway. Knowing what the coming month or so holds makes it all the more meaningful for me. The end of coursework, beginning of vacation, and visitors from afar are all close on the horizon. It is a summer I have been waiting for. For years honestly. It is nearing 7 and I already have a small fire in the cauldron, it will burn throughout the night. For now it is but a candle, but later I may get a bit more elaborate. I am very tired so we will see. Not sure why but for six months or so I haven't done much for the traditional holy days. A prayer or an offering, a votive or two, maybe a bit of charming or divining. I have lost the desire somewhat for the more elaborate rituals I once held for myself. I...

I have found myself drawn to the Goddess Nerthus very much since the end of winter. There is so much changing both within and without me at this time I've felt very drained and at times confused but the barrage of new energy. In less than two months I will be facing a journey that will force me to confront the darkest fears I have yet faced. Fears about my very self, my worth, my vulnerability emotionally, in nearly every sense I will be tested. But if I overcome that fear, I will have gained one of my greatest dreams in life. Nerthus Talisman Nerthus has seemed very near to me lately, particularly in her darker aspects. I don't mean dark in the sense of evil or negative, but dark in terms of the secrecy, the sacredness, of the cave and the deep deep earth. I feel like a seed buried in the mud, gathering as much energy as I can before my effort begins to push forward into the sunlight. I am reminded that life requires death, and to live I must allow parts of myself to die...