Articles — pagan
Just a Witch Shop: How I Made Humility the Cornerstone of My Business
Posted by Michelle Gruben on
It’s a wise person who can say, “I don’t know”—or better yet, “Let’s look that up.” But in the world of Witchcraft, there’s a lot that’s unknown (or unknowable) and not so many reliable ways to look things up. As a result, our community too often falls back on easy answers, bad science, flashy titles, clichés, and cults of personality. How do you work as a professional Witch without preying on the vulnerable or credulous? This is something I’ve grappled with since the first day I decided to start an occult business. The struggle is real—the tension between the weird...
Create an Ancestor Altar for Samhain: 7 Easy Ways to Celebrate Your Honored Dead
Posted by Michelle Gruben on
You may already have an altar to your deities, but what about the human spirits that have made you who you are? An ancestor altar is a sacred space that honors your deceased loved ones and can be used for prayer, offerings, and spells. Creating an altar is a beautiful way to remember your ancestors and to show them how much you appreciate their presence in your life. YOU can make an ancestor altar! Yes, you--even if you happen to be spirit-deaf, very busy, or hate your family. If you're not sure how to get started, here are seven easy steps for...
The Craft of the Old Ones: Six excellent witchcraft books from the 80s and 90s
Posted by Michelle Gruben on
The decade is new and uncertain, the planet is melting, there are way more witchcraft books coming out every day than I can keep up with…dammit! Time to crouch down by a dusty bookshelf and get nostalgic for the books that shaped us when we were baby Witches. Google is great for looking up a moon phase or herbal recipe—but for the dedicated Witch, there’s nothing like the printed word to guide your studies. We’ve combed through our library for classic beginner’s books that have stood the test of time. Each one of these titles has passed the quarter-century mark...
Honoring Pagan elders: Five simple ways to show your love
Posted by Michelle Gruben on
It’s no secret that we live in a youth-oriented society. There’s the Maiden, and the Mother, and…who’s that old biddy over there? As Pagans, we tend talk a lot about respecting the elder folks among us. But our actions often fall short. For the health of our communities, and out of kindness to those who have served before us, we all should work toward understanding and appreciating our Pagan elders. What is an elder? In some groups, it is a formal title earned after some years of doing clergy work or rising within a degree system. Occasionally it is used...
The witch's home bar: 6 occult-inspired bottles to charm your guests
Posted by Michelle Gruben on
Everyone knows that witches throw the best parties…but what do you pour when witches gather? No dry-ice Halloween cocktails or gummy snakes or blood-red punch on this list. We’re interested in the real top-shelf mojo: Bottles with a witchy heritage, the patronage of a Pagan deity, or mind-bending botanicals. Whether you’re stocking your bar for an evening Sabbat, or you’re a full-time witchy imbiber, here’s six witch-approved bottles to sample at your leisure. (No, I don’t recommend trying them all in one evening...or all in one drink.) Taste these libations on their own, or get creative with magickal mixed beverages....