Articles — beginner

What to bring to a Pagan festival: Your other packing list

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

What to bring to a Pagan festival: Your other packing list

From late Spring to Fall, Pagan camping season is in full swing. It's a time to meet up with old friends, share music and ritual, and enjoy some time with Nature. If you're like us, annual campouts with kindred souls may just be the highlight of the year! Any gathering is better when you're well-prepared. Once you've made your list of basic camping gear (bedding, sunscreen, etc.), here's a few more ideas to make your trip a memorable one: Food or drink to share.  Nothing breaks the ice like breaking bread! The ancient ritual of sharing with strangers is dear...

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Magickal timing: Choosing the right day of the week for your spell

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Magickal timing: Choosing the right day of the week for your spell

Planetary magick is a complex system which blends astrology, ancient cosmology, and celestial intelligences in an attempt to bring the most effective results. In this article, we'll discuss the planetary rulers of the seven days of the week, and the best day to perform different types of magick. Planetary magic can seem cumbersome, especially to Witches more accustomed to elemental (Earth) magic.  But you don't have to spend hours drafting talismans or poring over charts to add some planetary flavor to your spellwork. Using a very simple overview of magickal timing, you can make sure your working is aligned with...

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Candle colors and their meanings

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Candle colors and their meanings

Candle magick and color magick are two simple, powerful forms of magic used by beginners and experts alike.  (We once published a list of color meanings in a product description, and it quickly became the most viewed page on the website.)  Each color carries a different energy frequency. In spellwork, the energy of colors is used to generate a specific response in the magick worker, and to attract certain energies through the principle of sympathetic magick.  If you've ever wondered which colors mean what, here's a primer to get you started.  Feel free to supplement this information with color meanings...

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Tarot vs. Oracle decks: What's the difference?

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Tarot vs. Oracle decks:  What's the difference?

Lots of people approach our Tarot display with this question:  I'm trying to choose my first deck, but I see there are Tarot and oracle decks.  What's the difference, and which one should I get? The sheer number of options for your first deck can be mind-boggling, but understanding their similarities and difference will help you make an informed decision.  Read this short article, and you'll be an expert in no time! The Name Technically, an oracle (meaning "that which speaks") can refer to any item used for divination.  So Tarot decks are actually a type of oracle--as are runes,...

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How to use charcoal tablets for incense

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

How to use charcoal tablets for incense

Interested in burning resin incenses like Frankincense and Myrrh?  The first thing you'll need is a roll of charcoal tablets. Most stick and cone incense is charcoal-based, meaning the fragrance ingredients are pre-mixed with charcoal to allow them to burn evenly.  Using charcoal separately allows you to burn incense that wouldn't ignite well on their own, like pure tree resins and herbs.  With charcoal, you can avoid unwanted additives and make custom blends to suit your ritual needs and preferences. Charcoal comes in rolls or boxes of tablets, and is available for a few dollars any place that sells resin...

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