Articles — 2015

A wand is a basic tool that can make your magic more fun and effective.  Sure, it won't levitate your enemies like Harry Potter's, or illuminate the entire room like Gandalf's.  But it can help you to visualize and send energy more precisely--a strong advantage in spellwork, healing, and many other magickal pursuits. This article addresses some common beginner's questions about choosing a wand.  Your wand may be purchased, handmade by you, or adapted from some other, non-magickal item.  No matter where your wand comes from, here's some options to consider: Material The material of the wand is probably the...

Putting together a special, purpose-built altar is a great way to connect with an individual face of the Divine. You can make an altar for your patron God or Goddess, or another deity who you're interested in learning more about. Altars can be as grand or as humble as you want them to be. You can take them down after a few days, or keep them up indefinitely. All you need is a few supplies and a bit of inspiration. 1. Choose a space. The type of altar you construct is going to depend on the space available to you. ...

It's easy to get Pagan news online these days, but some of us still love to curl up with a dead-tree copy of a favorite periodical.  Here's a short guide for readers (and writers) looking for the best magazines on Earth-based spirituality, Paganism, and witchcraft.  Much has been said about the death of traditional publishing, and indeed, many well-loved titles have folded in recent years.   However, there are still a number of excellent Pagan magazines in print.  All the titles on this list are currently published, (i.e., they produced an issue for the Spring or Summer of 2015). Some...

Magickal oils have a long, long history. Long ago, oils were a precious source of food and fuel, and the finest were reserved for sacred applications. Oils were offered to the Gods and used to anoint the newly born and dying. Mages scoured the globe for rare flowers, spices, and resins to create special oils for magic, some of which are still in use today. The popularity of oils in contemporary witchcraft is due to the legacy of medieval magic, the influence of New Orleans-style Voodoo, and the works of the late, great green witch Scott Cunningham—among other sources. The...

Bright and cheery Citrine is a member of the Quartz family. Citrine comes in shades of honey, amber, and deep gold--sometimes with tiny rainbows inside.  It's one of the best stones for attracting positivity, dispelling stale energy, and lifting the mood.  History Some say that Citrine is mentioned in the Bible, but the "golden stone" in Genesis was probably Topaz.  The Romans likely acquired Citrine in trade with the East.  Their jewelers were among the first to regard it as as a precious stone.  Medieval Celts prized Citrine as a health-bringing amulet, and it was thought to ward off poison...