Looking for Pagan or Wiccan gifts for Winter Solstice or Christmas has become easer over the last few years. You no longer have to search for out of the way occult shops. Pagans and Wicca has become more mainstream, and so has the availability of gifts. You can actually go into the mall and find Pagan or Wiccan books, tarot cards, calendars, and other gifts marketed to Pagans and Wiccans.
There are tons of online specialty shops that cater to Pagan and Wicca needs and wants. You can even find quality gifts on web sites that are not seen as being Pagan or Wiccan. It is nice to have the competition online. The availability of Pagan and Wicca products has increased and in some instances quality has gone up and prices have gone down.
So now you have gone from trying to find something, anything to give as a gift to having to figure out what is the best thing to give. Nice change. So how do you know what to get some one now that you have choices? It depends on what the person wants. When it comes to Pagan and Wicca products there are some things people have to buy for themselves. . Not a good idea just to say, “Hey that looks Pagan, I will get that”, because being a Pagan or Wicca is their religion you don’t want to get the wrong thing. It would be like giving a Jewish person a cross or a little jade Buddha. Gift certificates are a good option. It may not be as much fun, but it does let the person find just the right thing for them. This is also the best option if you don’t know the person that well.
Another option is to get the person you are buying for to go to a web store and make a wish list, such as the one on http://www.medievalmagic.ca/. That way people buying gifts for them know what they want and where to get it. This also helps for things like rings, this way not only do you know what they like and you know the size they need. This is some thing you need to talk about with the person. The more you know about what the person wants the easer it is on you. Also if you can get several ideas, i.e. the wish list, then you know what they want and they have no idea of what they are getting.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Western Dragon
There are two types or styles of dragons, the Western and Eastern. Both types are great dragons full of history and magic. I am talking about Western Dragons today.
There are many types or variations of Western Dragons. However most people think of a large lizard type creature with two or four legs, with large wings, jewel like eyes and can breath fire. The skin can be smooth or scaly, one colour or multiple colours. Pretty much once you have the basic form of a Western dragon; any thing goes as far as the way a dragon looks. There are ice dragons, water dragons, fire dragons, wind dragons, and fairy dragons. Most people think of large dragons, but there are stories of small dragons that can sit on your hand, or hid in a flower.
Dragons’ personalities are just as varied as human personalities. They can be good and helpful dragons, wise or knowledgeable dragons we go to for advice, warring dragons, dragons that steal from humans, and ones that eat us. So you can have good or bad dragons, some times both in the same story. In a lot of the early stories dragons would live in a cave with a hoard of gold and jewels. Some one was always attacking them, either to stop them from eating up their animal stock, or people or would be going after the dragons hoard or the dragons’ blood or scales for some magical use. It is kind of understandable why dragons would try to kill these people. It was just defending its home and its life.
In more modern stories and movies the dragon has been portrayed as the antagonizer, the hero, evil, the victim, the helpful sidekick, or companion, or guarding an important gem, jewel or sword so that only the right person can get it. If you can think of a type of character, dragons have been it.
What is important is what western dragons symbolize now. We see them as being strong, long-lived, wise, magical, wealthy, and some times helpful. We have more positive association with dragons now then what people thought around and before the Middle Ages. They saw dragons as magical creatures that would eat your herd animals, and people, destroy homes and towns, some thing to be destroyed.
There are many types or variations of Western Dragons. However most people think of a large lizard type creature with two or four legs, with large wings, jewel like eyes and can breath fire. The skin can be smooth or scaly, one colour or multiple colours. Pretty much once you have the basic form of a Western dragon; any thing goes as far as the way a dragon looks. There are ice dragons, water dragons, fire dragons, wind dragons, and fairy dragons. Most people think of large dragons, but there are stories of small dragons that can sit on your hand, or hid in a flower.
Dragons’ personalities are just as varied as human personalities. They can be good and helpful dragons, wise or knowledgeable dragons we go to for advice, warring dragons, dragons that steal from humans, and ones that eat us. So you can have good or bad dragons, some times both in the same story. In a lot of the early stories dragons would live in a cave with a hoard of gold and jewels. Some one was always attacking them, either to stop them from eating up their animal stock, or people or would be going after the dragons hoard or the dragons’ blood or scales for some magical use. It is kind of understandable why dragons would try to kill these people. It was just defending its home and its life.
In more modern stories and movies the dragon has been portrayed as the antagonizer, the hero, evil, the victim, the helpful sidekick, or companion, or guarding an important gem, jewel or sword so that only the right person can get it. If you can think of a type of character, dragons have been it.
What is important is what western dragons symbolize now. We see them as being strong, long-lived, wise, magical, wealthy, and some times helpful. We have more positive association with dragons now then what people thought around and before the Middle Ages. They saw dragons as magical creatures that would eat your herd animals, and people, destroy homes and towns, some thing to be destroyed.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tarot Reading Rates wake up call
I have been doing Tarot readings for over 15 years and I have kept my rate the same all these years. My husband kept telling me I was way undercharging, as did other readers. For some reason I was still charging what I charged when I started out 15 years ago. It never occurred to me that back then I was only charging that because I was just beginning. That was what the person who brought me into doing readings professionally charged.
I have been asked to do Tarot readings at a Halloween party for 90+ people. It is only for three hours so there is no way I could make a dent in to the 90 people. A lot of people would not get a reading done. Three hours is just not enough time. So I suggested that they add an hour. They suggested that they would like a second reader. So I start calling some of the readers I met at PPD this year to see who was not booked up yet and would they be interested in doing the party and what was their party rate.
This was a big eye opener for me and trust me my rates just went up for my individual readings to reflect my experience and accuracy. Once this party is done, my party rates go up as well. I have been so short changing my skills and experience. I am not making this mistake again. Glad I talked to every one and found out how much other people were charging. I have been doing this for 15 years professionally, its time I charged a professional rate.
I am changing my ads tonight. I bet I was not getting many people because they though I was charging so low because I was only worth that much. This is what I get for finally talking with some other readers, a wake up call. My husband is saying - I have been saying this for years, but you don't listen to me but you will list to a stranger. At least I listened.
I have been asked to do Tarot readings at a Halloween party for 90+ people. It is only for three hours so there is no way I could make a dent in to the 90 people. A lot of people would not get a reading done. Three hours is just not enough time. So I suggested that they add an hour. They suggested that they would like a second reader. So I start calling some of the readers I met at PPD this year to see who was not booked up yet and would they be interested in doing the party and what was their party rate.
This was a big eye opener for me and trust me my rates just went up for my individual readings to reflect my experience and accuracy. Once this party is done, my party rates go up as well. I have been so short changing my skills and experience. I am not making this mistake again. Glad I talked to every one and found out how much other people were charging. I have been doing this for 15 years professionally, its time I charged a professional rate.
I am changing my ads tonight. I bet I was not getting many people because they though I was charging so low because I was only worth that much. This is what I get for finally talking with some other readers, a wake up call. My husband is saying - I have been saying this for years, but you don't listen to me but you will list to a stranger. At least I listened.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving and a turkey Pizza recipe
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving.
May every one find some thing to be thankful for in their lives!
I am thankful that:
We are in a new home, are healthy and together, with room to actually have guests over.
Our cupboards are full even though our bank account is not.
We survived a long weekend with two big meals, and hyper kids because we had guests over.
The butcher at the grocery story was willing to cut up a turkey so we could buy one of the breasts. That way we could afford to have turkey this year – even though the one breast was $14.00.
The turkey was not over cooked, nor was it dry. It was perfect for the first time.
So what to do with all that left over turkey? Well we came up with a recipe a few years ago for turkey pizza.
You get a shell (or make one)
Use ranch dressing (or tomato sauce if you like) on the shell
Add the leftovers onto the shell then cover with cheese.
I like it with turkey, stuffing and a bit of cranberry sauce, not every one likes it with cranberry sauce though. We some times add whatever vegetables we had left over, though not potatoes.
Most times it ends up ranch dressing, turkey, stuffing and cheese.
We love it so much we would take some of the turkey and stuffing and freeze it so we could make the pizza other times.
May every one find some thing to be thankful for in their lives!
I am thankful that:
We are in a new home, are healthy and together, with room to actually have guests over.
Our cupboards are full even though our bank account is not.
We survived a long weekend with two big meals, and hyper kids because we had guests over.
The butcher at the grocery story was willing to cut up a turkey so we could buy one of the breasts. That way we could afford to have turkey this year – even though the one breast was $14.00.
The turkey was not over cooked, nor was it dry. It was perfect for the first time.
So what to do with all that left over turkey? Well we came up with a recipe a few years ago for turkey pizza.
You get a shell (or make one)
Use ranch dressing (or tomato sauce if you like) on the shell
Add the leftovers onto the shell then cover with cheese.
I like it with turkey, stuffing and a bit of cranberry sauce, not every one likes it with cranberry sauce though. We some times add whatever vegetables we had left over, though not potatoes.
Most times it ends up ranch dressing, turkey, stuffing and cheese.
We love it so much we would take some of the turkey and stuffing and freeze it so we could make the pizza other times.
Monday, October 1, 2007
The Magic Cauldron October 2007
The Magic Cauldron
Newsletter of http://www.medievalmagic.ca/
October Newsletter
What is new with Medieval Magic.
All right everyone here it is.
Our “Halloween Spooktacular - All Hollows Eve Celebration”
Look for some great sales and fabulous new items over the next month for Halloween. Costumes, Ornaments, and anything scary we can come up with.
It is time to fright for the scariest ideas of the season. I have some suede left from the festivals and will be making some new items for our costume section. Along with some heavier leather for some scary new accents. We will also be bringing in some items for accessories to go with them. So keep an eye on our Garb and Costume section.
We do have a few custom orders for the holidays, but still have room for a few more.
As our goal is to bring our Customers the highest quality and variety we would be happy to hear from our readers about any items they would like to have available. Please click Here to let us know.
Featured Products
Smoky Black Glass Skull Earrings Smoky Black Glass Skull Earrings. Hypoallergenic earring hooks. Earrings hang 4 cm’s. Skulls are 1.5 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm. Please see our necklaces if you are interested in a matched set, as I have also used this skull for necklaces.
Red Leather Pentagram / Pentacle Necklace
Handcrafted Large Red Waxed Leather Pentagram / Pentacle Necklace. The pendant is drawn, cut burned, painted and waxed by hand. The pendant is 5.5 cm x 5.5 cm x .4 cm. The cord is 19 inches or 48 cm.Like a Christian cross, the pentagram tends to be the religious symbol of the Pagan religions. It encompasses elemental beliefs and is one of the strongest protective amulets ever "designed". The Pentagram dates back thousands of years to pre-Babylonian Sumer, roughly about 3500 BC. Many religions have once used this symbol; the Jewish people saw it as a symbol of the Five Books of Moses, and Christians once used it as a protective amulet. According to Heather Child's Christian Symbols, Ancient and Modern, the pentagram is a symbol of the five senses. Also, when the letters S, A, L, V, and S are inscribed in the points, the pentagram is a symbol of health. It has been called such things as the Druid's Foot and the Witches' Star. The Druzee, descendents of exiles from Fatimid Dynasty-ruled Egypt also keep a five-colour pentagram as their symbol. The pentagram appears on the shield of Sir Gawain in the 14th Century poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In the poem the five lines of the star are given multiple meanings: they represent the five senses, five fingers, the five wounds of Christ, the five joys that Mary had of Jesus (the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the Assumption), and the five virtues of knighthood which Gawain hopes to embody: frankness, fellowship, purity, courtesy and compassion. It would seem as though the Pentacle is gaining a new meaning in Modern-day Paganism, in that it is seen as a unifying symbol of the Pagan community. In modern day Witch Craft, the Pentacle tends to be used more than the pentagram. Each point of the Pentagram traditionally represents one of the five metaphysical elements of the ancients. The pentagram represents Spirit ruling over the four elements. The Pentacle is simply a pentagram with a circle around it. This symbolizes eternity, totality, and unity. It emphasizes the interconnectivity of all of the elements. The direct and indirect relation of one element to the other. Spirit (At the topmost point) - Represents the All and the Divine Air (East): Intellect, Imagination, Knowledge, Mental Powers, Vision, Psychic Powers, Wisdom (Upper left hand corner) - Represents Intelligence and the Arts Earth (North): Money, Prosperity, Fertility, Healing, Employment, The Body, Foundation, Strength (Lower left hand corner) - Represents Stability and Physical Endurance Fire (South): Will, Vitality, Passion, Lust, Courage, Strength, Exorcism, Protection, Health (Lower right hand corner) - Represents Courage and Daring Water (West): Emotion, Intuition, Compassion, Sleep, Meditation, Purification, Prophetic
Principles Of Wicca - Vivianne Crowley
Wicca is the religion of Witchcraft or Wisecraft. It is based on the spirituality of our ancestors - a worship of Goddess, God and the natural universe - in a form meaningful to women and men today. Wicca is a magical path witch empowers us to grow, change and heal. It is a harmony with the universe, others and ourselves.This introductory guide explains:Witchcraft ancient and modernthe Divine as Goddess and Godveneration of Naturemagic and spellcraftcreating ritualwhere to find out more.
Special Promotions
We have placed all children’s costumes at 50% off. And for the rest of the month keep an eye on our “Sales” category for any others prices that may “drop” dead.
Monthly Coupon
Because we will be doing sales over the next three months for the holidays. We will not be issuing coupons
Contest Winner
Aug.-Sept. Contest - We would like to Congratulate RENEE for winning our Aug.-Sept. Contest. The contest prize was a $10 Certificate to our site.
Our current contest for a $10.00 gift certificate will run from Oct. 1st till October 31st, 2007.You must find this picture to enter. Just tell us the day and what the sku # is.
Festivals
Festival Season is over.
Articles
Pentacle, Pentagram – Anonymous Submission
Like a Christian cross, the pentagram tends to be the religious symbol of the Pagan religions. It encompasses elemental beliefs and is one of the strongest protective amulets ever "designed". The Pentagram dates back thousands of years to pre-Babylonian Sumer, roughly about 3500 BC. Many religions have once used this symbol; the Jewish people saw it as a symbol of the Five Books of Moses, and Christians once used it as a protective amulet. According to Heather Child's Christian Symbols, Ancient and Modern, the pentagram is a symbol of the five senses. Also, when the letters S, A, L, V, and S are inscribed in the points, the pentagram is a symbol of health. It has been called such things as the Druid's Foot and the Witches' Star. The Druzee, descendents of exiles from Fatimid Dynasty-ruled Egypt also keep a five-colored pentagram as their symbol.
The pentagram appears on the shield of Sir Gawain in the 14th Century poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In the poem the five lines of the star are given multiple meanings: they represent the five senses, five fingers, the five wounds of Christ, the five joys that Mary had of Jesus (the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the Assumption), and the five virtues of knighthood which Gawain hopes to embody: frankness, fellowship, purity, courtesy and compassion. It would seem as though the Pentacle is gaining a new meaning in Modern-day Paganism, in that it is seen as a unifying symbol of the Pagan community. In modern day Witch Craft, the Pentacle tends to be used more than the pentagram.
Each point of the Pentagram traditionally represents one of the five metaphysical elements of the ancients. The pentagram represents Spirit ruling over the four elements. The Pentacle is simply a pentagram with a circle around it. This symbolizes eternity, totality, and unity. It emphasizes the interconnectivity of all of the elements. The direct and indirect relation of one element to the other.
Spirit (At the topmost point) - Represents the All and the Divine
Air (East): Intellect, Imagination, Knowledge, Mental Powers, Vision, Psychic Powers, Wisdom (Upper left hand corner) - Represents Intelligence and the Arts
Earth (North): Money, Prosperity, Fertility, Healing, Employment, The Body, Foundation, Strength (Lower left hand corner) - Represents Stability and Physical Endurance
Fire (South): Will, Vitality, Passion, Lust, Courage, Strength, Exorcism, Protection, Health (Lower right hand corner) - Represents Courage and Daring
Water (West): Emotion, Intuition, Compassion, Sleep, Meditation, Purification, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Love, Friendships, Fidelity (Upper right hand corner) - Represents Emotions and Intuition.
The Circle (Around the Star) - Represents the God-Goddess it refracts and reflects all Light, bringing to the wearer Intelligence, Universal Wisdom, and Protection.
If you would like to submit an article, question or Business Ad for the newsletter, we welcome your submission. Please see the Newsletter section on our site for submission deadlines and conditions.
Owners
Medieval Magic
You have received this Newsletter by subscribing at http://www.medievalmagic.ca/
If you have received this in error please contact us at info@medievalmagic.ca
Newsletter of http://www.medievalmagic.ca/
October Newsletter
What is new with Medieval Magic.
All right everyone here it is.
Our “Halloween Spooktacular - All Hollows Eve Celebration”
Look for some great sales and fabulous new items over the next month for Halloween. Costumes, Ornaments, and anything scary we can come up with.
It is time to fright for the scariest ideas of the season. I have some suede left from the festivals and will be making some new items for our costume section. Along with some heavier leather for some scary new accents. We will also be bringing in some items for accessories to go with them. So keep an eye on our Garb and Costume section.
We do have a few custom orders for the holidays, but still have room for a few more.
As our goal is to bring our Customers the highest quality and variety we would be happy to hear from our readers about any items they would like to have available. Please click Here to let us know.
Featured Products
Smoky Black Glass Skull Earrings Smoky Black Glass Skull Earrings. Hypoallergenic earring hooks. Earrings hang 4 cm’s. Skulls are 1.5 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm. Please see our necklaces if you are interested in a matched set, as I have also used this skull for necklaces.
Red Leather Pentagram / Pentacle Necklace
Handcrafted Large Red Waxed Leather Pentagram / Pentacle Necklace. The pendant is drawn, cut burned, painted and waxed by hand. The pendant is 5.5 cm x 5.5 cm x .4 cm. The cord is 19 inches or 48 cm.Like a Christian cross, the pentagram tends to be the religious symbol of the Pagan religions. It encompasses elemental beliefs and is one of the strongest protective amulets ever "designed". The Pentagram dates back thousands of years to pre-Babylonian Sumer, roughly about 3500 BC. Many religions have once used this symbol; the Jewish people saw it as a symbol of the Five Books of Moses, and Christians once used it as a protective amulet. According to Heather Child's Christian Symbols, Ancient and Modern, the pentagram is a symbol of the five senses. Also, when the letters S, A, L, V, and S are inscribed in the points, the pentagram is a symbol of health. It has been called such things as the Druid's Foot and the Witches' Star. The Druzee, descendents of exiles from Fatimid Dynasty-ruled Egypt also keep a five-colour pentagram as their symbol. The pentagram appears on the shield of Sir Gawain in the 14th Century poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In the poem the five lines of the star are given multiple meanings: they represent the five senses, five fingers, the five wounds of Christ, the five joys that Mary had of Jesus (the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the Assumption), and the five virtues of knighthood which Gawain hopes to embody: frankness, fellowship, purity, courtesy and compassion. It would seem as though the Pentacle is gaining a new meaning in Modern-day Paganism, in that it is seen as a unifying symbol of the Pagan community. In modern day Witch Craft, the Pentacle tends to be used more than the pentagram. Each point of the Pentagram traditionally represents one of the five metaphysical elements of the ancients. The pentagram represents Spirit ruling over the four elements. The Pentacle is simply a pentagram with a circle around it. This symbolizes eternity, totality, and unity. It emphasizes the interconnectivity of all of the elements. The direct and indirect relation of one element to the other. Spirit (At the topmost point) - Represents the All and the Divine Air (East): Intellect, Imagination, Knowledge, Mental Powers, Vision, Psychic Powers, Wisdom (Upper left hand corner) - Represents Intelligence and the Arts Earth (North): Money, Prosperity, Fertility, Healing, Employment, The Body, Foundation, Strength (Lower left hand corner) - Represents Stability and Physical Endurance Fire (South): Will, Vitality, Passion, Lust, Courage, Strength, Exorcism, Protection, Health (Lower right hand corner) - Represents Courage and Daring Water (West): Emotion, Intuition, Compassion, Sleep, Meditation, Purification, Prophetic
Principles Of Wicca - Vivianne Crowley
Wicca is the religion of Witchcraft or Wisecraft. It is based on the spirituality of our ancestors - a worship of Goddess, God and the natural universe - in a form meaningful to women and men today. Wicca is a magical path witch empowers us to grow, change and heal. It is a harmony with the universe, others and ourselves.This introductory guide explains:Witchcraft ancient and modernthe Divine as Goddess and Godveneration of Naturemagic and spellcraftcreating ritualwhere to find out more.
Special Promotions
We have placed all children’s costumes at 50% off. And for the rest of the month keep an eye on our “Sales” category for any others prices that may “drop” dead.
Monthly Coupon
Because we will be doing sales over the next three months for the holidays. We will not be issuing coupons
Contest Winner
Aug.-Sept. Contest - We would like to Congratulate RENEE for winning our Aug.-Sept. Contest. The contest prize was a $10 Certificate to our site.
Our current contest for a $10.00 gift certificate will run from Oct. 1st till October 31st, 2007.You must find this picture to enter. Just tell us the day and what the sku # is.
Festivals
Festival Season is over.
Articles
Pentacle, Pentagram – Anonymous Submission
Like a Christian cross, the pentagram tends to be the religious symbol of the Pagan religions. It encompasses elemental beliefs and is one of the strongest protective amulets ever "designed". The Pentagram dates back thousands of years to pre-Babylonian Sumer, roughly about 3500 BC. Many religions have once used this symbol; the Jewish people saw it as a symbol of the Five Books of Moses, and Christians once used it as a protective amulet. According to Heather Child's Christian Symbols, Ancient and Modern, the pentagram is a symbol of the five senses. Also, when the letters S, A, L, V, and S are inscribed in the points, the pentagram is a symbol of health. It has been called such things as the Druid's Foot and the Witches' Star. The Druzee, descendents of exiles from Fatimid Dynasty-ruled Egypt also keep a five-colored pentagram as their symbol.
The pentagram appears on the shield of Sir Gawain in the 14th Century poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. In the poem the five lines of the star are given multiple meanings: they represent the five senses, five fingers, the five wounds of Christ, the five joys that Mary had of Jesus (the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the Assumption), and the five virtues of knighthood which Gawain hopes to embody: frankness, fellowship, purity, courtesy and compassion. It would seem as though the Pentacle is gaining a new meaning in Modern-day Paganism, in that it is seen as a unifying symbol of the Pagan community. In modern day Witch Craft, the Pentacle tends to be used more than the pentagram.
Each point of the Pentagram traditionally represents one of the five metaphysical elements of the ancients. The pentagram represents Spirit ruling over the four elements. The Pentacle is simply a pentagram with a circle around it. This symbolizes eternity, totality, and unity. It emphasizes the interconnectivity of all of the elements. The direct and indirect relation of one element to the other.
Spirit (At the topmost point) - Represents the All and the Divine
Air (East): Intellect, Imagination, Knowledge, Mental Powers, Vision, Psychic Powers, Wisdom (Upper left hand corner) - Represents Intelligence and the Arts
Earth (North): Money, Prosperity, Fertility, Healing, Employment, The Body, Foundation, Strength (Lower left hand corner) - Represents Stability and Physical Endurance
Fire (South): Will, Vitality, Passion, Lust, Courage, Strength, Exorcism, Protection, Health (Lower right hand corner) - Represents Courage and Daring
Water (West): Emotion, Intuition, Compassion, Sleep, Meditation, Purification, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Love, Friendships, Fidelity (Upper right hand corner) - Represents Emotions and Intuition.
The Circle (Around the Star) - Represents the God-Goddess it refracts and reflects all Light, bringing to the wearer Intelligence, Universal Wisdom, and Protection.
If you would like to submit an article, question or Business Ad for the newsletter, we welcome your submission. Please see the Newsletter section on our site for submission deadlines and conditions.
Owners
Medieval Magic
You have received this Newsletter by subscribing at http://www.medievalmagic.ca/
If you have received this in error please contact us at info@medievalmagic.ca
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Monsters are everywhere, some hidden in plain sight.
I was part of the SCA for years, however I have not been going to events for about four years. Now I am glad. I found out a few weeks ago a story about some one I knew. This story was confirmed last weekend. So what could this story be?
Well when James moved down here one of the household showed great interest in him, as he was a fighter. He joined the household, the Marines (known as the squids). I had known most of these people for years. Bruce was part of the group. I had known him for about 5 years. When we went to Pensic and camped with them we had some issues. Bruce and James did not get along and this caused us to pull away from the household, but James was still part of it. We came home from Pensic with a very common souvenir, I was pregnant. Once we had our son we found we just could not manage merchanting at events and a baby, so we decided to stop doing events for a bit. Our son is now 4 and we started looking at the SCA again. It turns out that it was a good thing we had stopped going.
It turns out that Bruce is a pedophile. He was preying on children in the SCA and had been doing it for years and years. Kids I knew! The children of people I had known for years. He was charged and is now in jail. My response when I found out was shock, not that he did it, but that he was still living. I knew some of the people hurt by this and the people around them. I have no idea how Bruce made it out alive.
I know that people think I am over protective of my kids, maybe even paranoid some times. Now I don’t think I am. I am glad that I have never let any one take care of my children outside of daycare/pre-school. Why, because this monster was in my home, with my baby. I used to spend time in their home every week and see them at fight practice. His wife offered to baby sit! I cannot think of how I would be feeling now if I had let her baby sit. I think about how I knew this man for years and never much though any thing about him, he was just one of the fighters and an ok guy, friendly but not my type. James disliked him and that is a big reason for why we had stopped hanging around that particular group of people.
There was nothing about this man to put up flags. He was for the most part known as a friendly helpful guy with a bit of a temper but over all a good guy. I never saw him act inappropriately with any one, let alone a child. There was nothing to let any one know who he really was, or what he really was. How can you tell? The reality is that you cannot tell who is the predator, the pedophile, the child molester. How many people do you come in contact every day? Can you tell if some one is a pedophile? I cannot, but I do know that they are out there. I am going to stay over protective of my kids. A pedophile can be behind any face, even one you know.
Well when James moved down here one of the household showed great interest in him, as he was a fighter. He joined the household, the Marines (known as the squids). I had known most of these people for years. Bruce was part of the group. I had known him for about 5 years. When we went to Pensic and camped with them we had some issues. Bruce and James did not get along and this caused us to pull away from the household, but James was still part of it. We came home from Pensic with a very common souvenir, I was pregnant. Once we had our son we found we just could not manage merchanting at events and a baby, so we decided to stop doing events for a bit. Our son is now 4 and we started looking at the SCA again. It turns out that it was a good thing we had stopped going.
It turns out that Bruce is a pedophile. He was preying on children in the SCA and had been doing it for years and years. Kids I knew! The children of people I had known for years. He was charged and is now in jail. My response when I found out was shock, not that he did it, but that he was still living. I knew some of the people hurt by this and the people around them. I have no idea how Bruce made it out alive.
I know that people think I am over protective of my kids, maybe even paranoid some times. Now I don’t think I am. I am glad that I have never let any one take care of my children outside of daycare/pre-school. Why, because this monster was in my home, with my baby. I used to spend time in their home every week and see them at fight practice. His wife offered to baby sit! I cannot think of how I would be feeling now if I had let her baby sit. I think about how I knew this man for years and never much though any thing about him, he was just one of the fighters and an ok guy, friendly but not my type. James disliked him and that is a big reason for why we had stopped hanging around that particular group of people.
There was nothing about this man to put up flags. He was for the most part known as a friendly helpful guy with a bit of a temper but over all a good guy. I never saw him act inappropriately with any one, let alone a child. There was nothing to let any one know who he really was, or what he really was. How can you tell? The reality is that you cannot tell who is the predator, the pedophile, the child molester. How many people do you come in contact every day? Can you tell if some one is a pedophile? I cannot, but I do know that they are out there. I am going to stay over protective of my kids. A pedophile can be behind any face, even one you know.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Hamilton Pagan Pride Day 2007 was an excellent event
The Pagan Harvest Festival 2007 at Gage Park Hamilton, Ontario seems to have gone very well. It looked like a good time was had by all. Even though the day started off very cold and windy, it did warm up enough in the afternoon so we could unbundle and enjoy the day. I love the new layout used for the vendors, bring us all closer together and in the same area was a great idea. From what I could see there was a very nice mix of vendors with lots of unusual and unique product. I could only see so much as I was playing with my kids, as we “looked” at all the vendors. So I did miss out on a lot of the vendors, but I did like what I saw.
From what people were saying the workshops were well done, informative and small enough to still have a lot of individual attention. I never did make it to the kid’s area but I did see kids with their mosaics. The live entertainment was a nice mix of music and dance.
The entertainment was
Heather Dale www.heatherdale.com
Cold Barn Morris Dancers no web site was given
Castalia www.castaliamusic.ca
Jenn Ryan www.myspace.com/jennryanmusic
Tahira Badre and her Desert Gypsies www.tinkerwoman.com
RiverSong no web site was given
They also had an announcement for Hamilton Pagan Pride Day 2008. The featured guest speaker will be Laurie Cabot, also known as the “Official Witch of Salem”. She is an ordained High Priestess descended from Celtic ancestry. Having practiced Witchcraft for over forty years, she founded the Cabot Traditions of the Science of Witchcraft and the Witches’ League for Public Awareness, an anti-defamation organization aimed at correcting the many misconceptions about Witchcraft. She is the author of Power of the Witch, Love Magic, Celebrate the Earth, and The Witch in Every Woman. Sound like she would be an interesting addition to next years HPPD.
I look forward to next year.
From what people were saying the workshops were well done, informative and small enough to still have a lot of individual attention. I never did make it to the kid’s area but I did see kids with their mosaics. The live entertainment was a nice mix of music and dance.
The entertainment was
Heather Dale www.heatherdale.com
Cold Barn Morris Dancers no web site was given
Castalia www.castaliamusic.ca
Jenn Ryan www.myspace.com/jennryanmusic
Tahira Badre and her Desert Gypsies www.tinkerwoman.com
RiverSong no web site was given
They also had an announcement for Hamilton Pagan Pride Day 2008. The featured guest speaker will be Laurie Cabot, also known as the “Official Witch of Salem”. She is an ordained High Priestess descended from Celtic ancestry. Having practiced Witchcraft for over forty years, she founded the Cabot Traditions of the Science of Witchcraft and the Witches’ League for Public Awareness, an anti-defamation organization aimed at correcting the many misconceptions about Witchcraft. She is the author of Power of the Witch, Love Magic, Celebrate the Earth, and The Witch in Every Woman. Sound like she would be an interesting addition to next years HPPD.
I look forward to next year.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
all about smudging by Cherokee_warrior
Some one sent me a great blog on smudging today, this blog was done by Cherokee_warrior. I just want every one to know that I did not do the work on the blog and that Cherokee_warrior on myspace should get 100% of the credit for such a great job. I am only reprinting it because I think it is great and very informative. Here is the link to the original blog http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=115340380&blogID=308141778
The Smudging CeremonyOur Native elders have taught us that before a person can be healed or heal another, one must be cleansed of any bad feelings, negative thoughts, bad spirits or negative energy - cleansed both physically and spiritually. This helps the healing to come through in a clear way, without being distorted or sidetracked by negative "stuff" in either the healer or the client. The elders say that all ceremonies, tribal or private, must be entered into with a good heart so that we can pray, sing, and walk in a sacred manner, and be helped by the spirits to enter the sacred realm.
Native people throughout the world use herbs to accomplish this. One common ceremony is to burn certain herbs, take the smoke in one's hands and rub or brush it over the body. Today this is commonly called "smudging." In Western North America the three plants most frequently used in smudging are sage, cedar, and sweetgrass.
Sage--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are many varieties of sage, and most have been used in smudging. The botanical name for "true" sage is Salvia (e.g. Salvia officinalis, Garden Sage, or Salvia apiana, White Sage). It is interesting to note that Salvia comes from the Latin root salvare, which means "to heal." There are also varieties of sage which are of a species separate from Salvin Artemusia. Included here are sagebrush (e.g. Artemisia californica) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). We have seen both Salvia and Artemisia sub-species used in smudging.
Sage is burned in smudging ceremonies to drive out bad spirits, feelings, or influences, and also to keep bad spirits from entering the area where a ceremony takes place. In Plains nations, the floor of the sweat lodge is frequently covered with sage, and participants rub the leaves on their bodies while in the sweat. Sage is also commonly spread on the ground in a lodge or on an altar where the pipe touches the earth. Some nations wrap their pipes in sage when they are placed in pipe-bundles, as sage purifies objects wrapped in it. Sage wreaths are also placed around the head and wrists of Sundancers.
Cedar--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is some potential confusion here about the terms used to name plants, mainly because in some areas, junipers are known as "cedar" - as in the case of Desert White Cedar (Juniperus monosperina). This doesn't mean that J. monosperina wasn't used as a cleansing herb, though; in the Eastern U.S., its relative, Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginia), was used ceremonially. However, in the smudging ceremonies we have seen or conducted ourselves, Western Red Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and California Cedar Incense (Libocedrus descurrens) were used ... not varieties of juniper.
Cedar is burned while praying either aloud or silently. The prayers rise on the cedar smoke and are carried to the Creator. Cedar is also spread along with sage on the floor of the sweat lodges of some tribes. Cedar branches are brushed in the air to cleanse a home during the House Blessing Ceremony of many Northwest Indian nations. In the Pacific Northwest, the people burn cedar for purification in much the same way as sage - it drives out negative energy; but it also brings in good influences. The spirit of cedar is considered very ancient and wise by Pacific Northwest tribes, and old, downed cedar trees are honored with offerings and prayers.
Sweetgrass--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the most sacred plants for the Plains Indians, sweetgrass is a tall wild grass with a reddish bas and perfume-like, musty odor. It grows mainly on the eastern side of the Rockies in Montana and adjacent Alberta, Canada. It also shows up in some small areas of Wyoming and South Dakota. Its botanical name is Hierochloe odorata. Some common names for it are Seneca grass, holy grass and vanilla grass. We have been told that a variety of vanilla grass grows in North Central California. But, how similar it is to the Plains variety we don't know.
On the Plains, sweetgrass is usually braided together in bunches as a person's hair is braided, although friends have said they have seen it simply bunched and wrapped in cloth. Either way, it is usually burned by shaving little bits over hot coals or lighting the end and waving it around, letting the smoke spread through the air. This latter method is how we were taught to burn sweetgrass in the sweat lodge - allowing the purifying smoke to get to all parts of the lodge.
We were taught that it was good to burn sweetgrass after the sage or cedar had driven out the bad influences. Sweetgrass brings in the good spirits and the good influences. As with cedar, burning sweetgrass while praying sends prayers up to the Creator in the smoke. High Hollow Horn says in the The Sacred Pipe "This smoke from the sweetgrass will rise up to you, and will spread throughout the universe. Its fragrance will be known by the wingeds, the four-leggeds, and the two leggeds, for we understand that we are all relatives; may all our brothers be tame and not fear us!" Sweetgrass is also put in pipe bundles and medicine bundles along with sage to purify and protect sacred objects.
Sweetgrass is very rare today, its territory severely cut by development, cattle-grazing, and wheat fields - and tradition Indians in the northern Plains are trying to protect the last remaining fields. The best way for most folks to get sweetgrass is to buy it at Native American retail outlets. This gives support to Indians who can help the fields from being depleted.
Smudging--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To do a smudging ceremony, burn the clippings of these herbs (dried), rub your hands in the smoke, and then gather the smoke and bring it into your body, or - rub it onto yourself; especially onto any area you feel needs spiritual healing. Keep praying all the while that the unseen powers of the plant will cleanse your spirit. Sometimes, one person will smudge another, or a group of people, using hands - or more often a feather - to lightly brush the smoke over the other person(s). We were taught to look for dark spots in a person's spirit-body. As one California Indian woman told us, she "sees" a person's spirit-body glowing around them, and where there are "dark or foggy parts," she brushes the smoke into these "holes in their spirit-body." This helps to heal the spirit and to "close up" these holes.
Recently we did a "light" house cleansing for a friend. We use the term "light", for this is a relatively simple ceremony as opposed to some that are more lengthy and complicated. Our friend had some serious emotional and relationship problems, and he felt they had left a heavy and dark atmosphere. First, we prayed together to the Creator and to the spirits for help. We then, burned sage, purified ourselves, and took the sage to all the corners, closets, and rooms of the house. We pushed the smoke with our hands to cleanse every bit of space - lingering over dark or cold spots that "felt" uncomfortable.
We used sage first in order to drive out the bad influences. Then we purified ourselves with cedar and, then repeated the cleansing process throughout the house with that. Then sweetgrass was used in the same manner to bring in good influences. All the time we prayed for help in this cleansing. Finally, we took a candle over the whole house and pushed its light into every corner. The People of the Pacific Northwest Coast taught this "lighting-up" of a house to us. We've been doing this type of house cleansing for ten years, and it never fails to "clear the air."
One more note about smudging. It is very popular among many novices to use abalone shells in smudging. There are many Native elders who are pleased to see so many new folds smudging themselves, but - some are concerned that abalone shells are being used when burning the herbs. On the Pacific Northwest Coast, for example, some holy men have said that abalone shells represent Grandmother Ocean, and that they should be used in ceremonies with water, not burning.
We know enough Native elders in the Northwest, the Plains, and California who don't use abalone shells - but instead clay or stone bowls - that we don't personally feel comfortable using a shell.
In any case, smudging is a ceremony that must be done with care. We are entering into a relationship with the unseen powers of these plants, and with the spirits of the ceremony. As with all good relationships, there has to be respect and honor if the relationship is to work.
-cherokee_warrior
The Smudging CeremonyOur Native elders have taught us that before a person can be healed or heal another, one must be cleansed of any bad feelings, negative thoughts, bad spirits or negative energy - cleansed both physically and spiritually. This helps the healing to come through in a clear way, without being distorted or sidetracked by negative "stuff" in either the healer or the client. The elders say that all ceremonies, tribal or private, must be entered into with a good heart so that we can pray, sing, and walk in a sacred manner, and be helped by the spirits to enter the sacred realm.
Native people throughout the world use herbs to accomplish this. One common ceremony is to burn certain herbs, take the smoke in one's hands and rub or brush it over the body. Today this is commonly called "smudging." In Western North America the three plants most frequently used in smudging are sage, cedar, and sweetgrass.
Sage--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are many varieties of sage, and most have been used in smudging. The botanical name for "true" sage is Salvia (e.g. Salvia officinalis, Garden Sage, or Salvia apiana, White Sage). It is interesting to note that Salvia comes from the Latin root salvare, which means "to heal." There are also varieties of sage which are of a species separate from Salvin Artemusia. Included here are sagebrush (e.g. Artemisia californica) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). We have seen both Salvia and Artemisia sub-species used in smudging.
Sage is burned in smudging ceremonies to drive out bad spirits, feelings, or influences, and also to keep bad spirits from entering the area where a ceremony takes place. In Plains nations, the floor of the sweat lodge is frequently covered with sage, and participants rub the leaves on their bodies while in the sweat. Sage is also commonly spread on the ground in a lodge or on an altar where the pipe touches the earth. Some nations wrap their pipes in sage when they are placed in pipe-bundles, as sage purifies objects wrapped in it. Sage wreaths are also placed around the head and wrists of Sundancers.
Cedar--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is some potential confusion here about the terms used to name plants, mainly because in some areas, junipers are known as "cedar" - as in the case of Desert White Cedar (Juniperus monosperina). This doesn't mean that J. monosperina wasn't used as a cleansing herb, though; in the Eastern U.S., its relative, Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginia), was used ceremonially. However, in the smudging ceremonies we have seen or conducted ourselves, Western Red Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and California Cedar Incense (Libocedrus descurrens) were used ... not varieties of juniper.
Cedar is burned while praying either aloud or silently. The prayers rise on the cedar smoke and are carried to the Creator. Cedar is also spread along with sage on the floor of the sweat lodges of some tribes. Cedar branches are brushed in the air to cleanse a home during the House Blessing Ceremony of many Northwest Indian nations. In the Pacific Northwest, the people burn cedar for purification in much the same way as sage - it drives out negative energy; but it also brings in good influences. The spirit of cedar is considered very ancient and wise by Pacific Northwest tribes, and old, downed cedar trees are honored with offerings and prayers.
Sweetgrass--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the most sacred plants for the Plains Indians, sweetgrass is a tall wild grass with a reddish bas and perfume-like, musty odor. It grows mainly on the eastern side of the Rockies in Montana and adjacent Alberta, Canada. It also shows up in some small areas of Wyoming and South Dakota. Its botanical name is Hierochloe odorata. Some common names for it are Seneca grass, holy grass and vanilla grass. We have been told that a variety of vanilla grass grows in North Central California. But, how similar it is to the Plains variety we don't know.
On the Plains, sweetgrass is usually braided together in bunches as a person's hair is braided, although friends have said they have seen it simply bunched and wrapped in cloth. Either way, it is usually burned by shaving little bits over hot coals or lighting the end and waving it around, letting the smoke spread through the air. This latter method is how we were taught to burn sweetgrass in the sweat lodge - allowing the purifying smoke to get to all parts of the lodge.
We were taught that it was good to burn sweetgrass after the sage or cedar had driven out the bad influences. Sweetgrass brings in the good spirits and the good influences. As with cedar, burning sweetgrass while praying sends prayers up to the Creator in the smoke. High Hollow Horn says in the The Sacred Pipe "This smoke from the sweetgrass will rise up to you, and will spread throughout the universe. Its fragrance will be known by the wingeds, the four-leggeds, and the two leggeds, for we understand that we are all relatives; may all our brothers be tame and not fear us!" Sweetgrass is also put in pipe bundles and medicine bundles along with sage to purify and protect sacred objects.
Sweetgrass is very rare today, its territory severely cut by development, cattle-grazing, and wheat fields - and tradition Indians in the northern Plains are trying to protect the last remaining fields. The best way for most folks to get sweetgrass is to buy it at Native American retail outlets. This gives support to Indians who can help the fields from being depleted.
Smudging--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To do a smudging ceremony, burn the clippings of these herbs (dried), rub your hands in the smoke, and then gather the smoke and bring it into your body, or - rub it onto yourself; especially onto any area you feel needs spiritual healing. Keep praying all the while that the unseen powers of the plant will cleanse your spirit. Sometimes, one person will smudge another, or a group of people, using hands - or more often a feather - to lightly brush the smoke over the other person(s). We were taught to look for dark spots in a person's spirit-body. As one California Indian woman told us, she "sees" a person's spirit-body glowing around them, and where there are "dark or foggy parts," she brushes the smoke into these "holes in their spirit-body." This helps to heal the spirit and to "close up" these holes.
Recently we did a "light" house cleansing for a friend. We use the term "light", for this is a relatively simple ceremony as opposed to some that are more lengthy and complicated. Our friend had some serious emotional and relationship problems, and he felt they had left a heavy and dark atmosphere. First, we prayed together to the Creator and to the spirits for help. We then, burned sage, purified ourselves, and took the sage to all the corners, closets, and rooms of the house. We pushed the smoke with our hands to cleanse every bit of space - lingering over dark or cold spots that "felt" uncomfortable.
We used sage first in order to drive out the bad influences. Then we purified ourselves with cedar and, then repeated the cleansing process throughout the house with that. Then sweetgrass was used in the same manner to bring in good influences. All the time we prayed for help in this cleansing. Finally, we took a candle over the whole house and pushed its light into every corner. The People of the Pacific Northwest Coast taught this "lighting-up" of a house to us. We've been doing this type of house cleansing for ten years, and it never fails to "clear the air."
One more note about smudging. It is very popular among many novices to use abalone shells in smudging. There are many Native elders who are pleased to see so many new folds smudging themselves, but - some are concerned that abalone shells are being used when burning the herbs. On the Pacific Northwest Coast, for example, some holy men have said that abalone shells represent Grandmother Ocean, and that they should be used in ceremonies with water, not burning.
We know enough Native elders in the Northwest, the Plains, and California who don't use abalone shells - but instead clay or stone bowls - that we don't personally feel comfortable using a shell.
In any case, smudging is a ceremony that must be done with care. We are entering into a relationship with the unseen powers of these plants, and with the spirits of the ceremony. As with all good relationships, there has to be respect and honor if the relationship is to work.
-cherokee_warrior
Thursday, September 6, 2007
It never hurts to ask for advice, even from some one like Sir. Richard Branson
Last week James found an interview with Sir. Richard Branson where he said that if you had a business and wanted some advice to send an email. There was a link so you could send an email. It took James to www.virgin.com, and there was an email address for general and press questions in the “contact us”, “your questions” section, point #3. So James emailed them telling them that we were a small business and that we did not want any thing from them but would very much appreciate it if Sir. Richard Branson would give us some advice on how to improve our business.
Within 7 days we received an email back. One of the Virgin staff actually took the time to look at our website www.medievalmagic.ca and let us know that they liked it and felt that Mr. Branson might be interested as well. And seeing as all we wanted was some advice they will forward the email to him. Wow. Even if he is too busy to respond it is nice to know that some one in his office took the time to look. They actually followed through with his offer for advice; it was not a hollow gesture. Sir. Branson and Virgin are now my hero’s even if we never hear from them again.
I have to say that I would be incredibly grateful if he did find the time, even 10 minutes out of his busy schedule to take a look at our site and email us some advice. As it is it means a great deal to me that they took the time to read the email, respond to it and actually look at our site. They must get millions of emails. This is my way of saying thank you.
Within 7 days we received an email back. One of the Virgin staff actually took the time to look at our website www.medievalmagic.ca and let us know that they liked it and felt that Mr. Branson might be interested as well. And seeing as all we wanted was some advice they will forward the email to him. Wow. Even if he is too busy to respond it is nice to know that some one in his office took the time to look. They actually followed through with his offer for advice; it was not a hollow gesture. Sir. Branson and Virgin are now my hero’s even if we never hear from them again.
I have to say that I would be incredibly grateful if he did find the time, even 10 minutes out of his busy schedule to take a look at our site and email us some advice. As it is it means a great deal to me that they took the time to read the email, respond to it and actually look at our site. They must get millions of emails. This is my way of saying thank you.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Dragon Tarot Card of the Day – King of Cups
KING OF CUPS An emotionally mature man, capable of giving and receiving love.
What I see in this card is a loner, who likes to be on his own a lot, independent but at the same time can still be part of a group. Tends to be a leader not a follower. Likes night, works best at night. Tends to carry other peoples emotions on his back, in other words sensitive and empathetic but at the same times tends to take responsibility or feel responsible for other peoples emotions. They put their emotions to the side to protect others and can be misunderstood and lonely. He has been hurt emotionally by some one who just does not understand him, and that he has such strong emotions - Not the stereotypical male image people have about men and their emotions. Because he is a bit of a loner and a leader, very independent he is often perceived as not having the emotional depth, so people miss it our disregard it. They only see the tip of the ice burg and don’t investigate further.
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