Plugging in to Deity

I've been thinking a lot this week about how we as humans connect to the gods.  It started at dinner with Jack the other night, when he got me talking about agnostic paganism and how it isn't necessary to believe a deity is a Divine Being in order to work with them.

I know for many agnostic pagans, they can still connect with the gods on a psychological level, as a construct within the psyche.  The Four Queens has several fascinating videos* on her YouTube channel where she talks about how as a pantheist she connects to her gods, who she sees not as discrete Divine Beings, but more as psychological archetypes.

"Moon Witch" by MotleyMitch on Deviant Art:
motleymitch.deviantart.com/art/Moon-Witch-153505544

I think that's a really powerful concept.  I feel like as a hard polytheist who does recognize my gods as discrete Divine Beings, as greater and wiser and "bigger" than me, I can still learn from that concept.  I feel like I can use it to better understand how I connect with them now and strengthen my connection in the future.

See, I've always recognized something of myself in my gods when I meet with them on the astral plane.  I always know when it's truly them, though, by a strong feeling of ...well, divinity (not sure how else to say it!  It's a feeling I don't really have a word for.)  How strongly I see myself in them is depends a lot on things like how open or "plugged in" I am at that moment and how strongly they have decided to (or are able to) come through.

I think that the "me" I recognize in them really is a part of me.  Like, a facet of my psyche or spirit that serves as an internal concept or archetype of that deity, and that piece of me connects with my god, and that combined/connected sort of being is who I perceive.  I suspect that internal archetype also allows the gods to come through better for possession, like something they can more easily fit in to and use to their Will.

I can't know if this way of experiencing deity is permanent, or maybe it's just in place until I am better prepared or able to experience them more fully without the more relatable filter of "me"-ness.

I'm curious how other people experience their gods.  Do you see them as Divine Beings?  Do you feel like you connect to them in a similar way?



*That's 3 separate links - I highly recommend watching all 3 videos when you have time!

Happy Mail from Uncustomary Art

Happy Summer Solstice, friends!  I am spending my Solstice by enjoying a quiet day at home, mostly cleaning and watching Netflix.

I'm also taking time today to spruce up my altars - with all the strong solar energy, it seemed like a good time to refresh things.  My altar cloths are in the washing machine now, and later I'm going to dust all my tools and set up my main altar and my ancestor altar for the second half of the year.

So a few days ago I got a fun "Happy Mail" package in the mail from my fellow blogger Mary over at Uncustomary Art.  The package was so much fun to open.  First of all, can we talk about the amazing glittery tape she used to seal the envelope?  I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE.  (Seriously, where can I buy some? :)

Inside I found all of these wonderful things.  Some of them, like that scrap of gold foil and the heart stickers, are definitely going to be used in my Book of Lore & Craft.  I'm not entirely sure what the dinosaur thing is - some kind of kid's game, I guess? - but the brontosaurus illustration is adorable nonetheless.

The silver foil sticker that says "You are beautiful" is my favorite item in the package.

Inside the package was... another package!  This mystery item was wrapped in some lovely rainbow stripe wrapping paper.

What I found when I opened delighted me - a small mirror, adorned with a sticker that says "You are beautiful."  So fun!  (By the way, it's really hard to take photos of yourself in a tiny mirror!  I couldn't seem to keep the camera from obstructing my face - oh well :)

Thanks again to Mary for sending me this delightful Happy Mail!!  

If you liked seeing all the fun things she sent me, you will probably enjoy reading her blog - I encourage you all to hop on over and give her a follow.  And while you're at it, why not give her page a like on Facebook - she's hoping to get 2,000 followers for her birthday, let's help this birthday wish come true! :)

Review: A Dream of Stone & Shadow by Marjorie M. Liu

I've read a bunch of books this year, and I'm finally getting around to writing reviews for the "witchy" ones I've been reading.

Here's my first review for the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge!  This book involves an evil witch who eats gargoyles.

FYI: Minor spoilers ahead.  Also, this book (and consequently and my review) are NSFW!


A Dream of Stone & Shadow by Marjorie M. Liu
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book started off with a very interesting premise, but it fails spectacularly in execution.

In the story, there are 3 separate lives intertwined:

- Charlie, a gargoyle, who with his 3 brothers is held captive by an evil gargoyle-eating witch.  (Apparently gargoyles in this universe have massively-good regenerative powers.)  Every time he "dies" he can travel about as a ghost until his body regenerates.

- Emma, a young girl held captive by a pair of twisted-as-fuck humans for the purposes of child pornography (thankfully, not described in much detail).  Charlie visits her regularly in ghost form to protect her as best he can.

- Aggie, a psychic woman working for a supernatural-esque detective agency (Dirk & Steel), who can interact with Charlie better than most because of her clairvoyance.

So Charlie and Aggie work together to free the young girl. That part was okay to read. The concepts about what gargoyles are, how Aggie uses her psychic powers to fight crime, etc. were also just creative enough to be interesting.

The witch was also pretty creepy.  I mean, through sheer magick she's holding four powerful gargoyles prisoner just so she can slice and dice them over and over, so she and her witch friends can eat them.  She turned Charlie's 3 brothers to stone because they wouldn't let her carve them up. Ew.

What was awful was the truly juvenile understanding of things like love and sex, and trust. First, these two fall in love at first sight, and it's implied that they're soulmates - even though he's in ghost form and won't show her his true form, they have an instant bond and she TOTALLY trusts and instantly loves him.  Riiight....  And then I nearly died of laughter when Charlie started having ghostly sex with Aggie in public, almost against her will (it didn't seem to be non-consensual, but he sure pressured her into it), first in her seat on a plane and then in the airport, and yet nobody suspecting because she could totally control her reactions. All of that right after they had first met and spent like 15 minutes in each others' presence. Riiiiiiight...

The writing style itself leaves something to be desired. It's also got a very unrefined, almost juvenile tone. Honestly, I'm not sure if the book is considered YA, but it might as well be the way it's written.

Read it for laughs, but certainly don't read it for its literary value!


This review and others can also be found on my Goodreads profile: View all my reviews

Review: Stolen Season by S.J. Tucker

A few weeks ago S.J. Tucker released her long-awaited album, Stolen Season. When she asked in her newsletter for bloggers to review her album, I of course jumped at the chance! I just adore her music so much - how could I resist?

I've been listening the heck out of this album ever since it arrived a couple of weeks ago, especially at work.  To sum up my feelings: j'adore!

Let's start with the artwork.  I mean, how gorgeous is this cover art? 

Source: sjtucker.com

The rest of the art in the insert is equally gorgeous, especially the Black Swan image, swoon.  (And in case you haven't seen it, the full version of the gorgeous drawing on the far right was used as the cover art for the unmastered release of the album.  According to Bandcamp, the artist, Chaz Kemp, also did the cover art for her Witchy Ways mix.)

Stolen Season is a bit of a departure from s00j's previous albums. It's got a bluesey, jazzy vibe that I am totally in love with. She uses a downright sultry voice for some songs, like "Believe in Lullabies."  One thing I noticed is the use of a bass guitar in several songs, including "Black Swan Blues," which I don't remember from her previous work (or if she used it, it's certainly not as prominent.) It sounds utterly gorgeous alongside her voice, though.

I like when artists take a risk and try something different, because we get to see them grow as artists as they find out more of what they're capable of and what drive their creativity.  It doesn't always work, but when it does?  Oh yes.  And s00j's risk with Stolen Season really pays off.

I think my favorite song from this album is "Girl Into Devil (I Belong to Me)."  The words and the song's progression speak so much about pulling yourself through hell and finding your own power, something I can really relate to.

The title track, "Stolen Season," is another song that really gets me right in the feels. It speaks so much of sad but inevitable endings. (Reminds me a little of "Neptune," in fact). The cello in that song (performed by Betsy Tinney) in particular is oh so gorgeous. And as a Jimi Hendrix fan I have to appreciate how she ends with, "There must be some kinda way outta here..." in a sad, breathy tone.

Though s00j may have incorporated a new sound into the ablum, Stolen Season still has that essential s00j-ness of brilliant storytelling, musical artistry, and a giving us a glimpse of her true heart that I love so much.

Take a listen to the album below and hear for yourself how beautiful this album is.  And then go buy yourself a copy so s00j can keep making such wonderful music, and because you (yes, YOU) deserve to have such beautiful music in your life!




Disclaimer: I received a copy of Stolen Season in exchange for a fair review.  All art and music from the album as shared are (c) S.J. Tucker.  All opinions are my own.

Chapel of Love

Last week, Jack and I finally tied the knot!!  SQUEE!


We kept it simple and private, and it was totally perfect for us.  On Thursday, we drove to Annapolis, all dressed up, marriage license and rings in hand, and said our vows in front of the Anne Arundel County clerk.  It was just us, the super-sweet clerk (whose name we totally forgot to ask in our excitement), and our awesome photographer Tanya Kang.

As a side note, I was super pleased that Tanya was able to photograph our day.  Not only have she and I been good friends (and sometimes roommates) since college, and not only has she known Jack since he and I started dating back in 2007 - she is really talented as a photographer :)

Saying my vows was totally surreal - like, how is this finally happening?  Is this even real?  It didn't really sink in until the next night that it really happened. 

After the ceremony, Jack, Tanya, and I traipsed about downtown Annapolis taking photographs.  It was rather chilly, so near the end of our photo session we stopped in to Starbucks for lattes and hot chocolate.  We posed for some casual photos, but mostly we had a nice relaxing break and finally had a chance to catch up with each others' lives.  (We should be getting the photos back from Tanya some time next month - I'm so excited to see them and share them with our loved ones!)

That night, Jack and I celebrated with dinner at Thai at Silver Spring, where we had our first date and where we still often go to for dinner.  It was a sweet, romantic night, but more importantly, after such a surreal afternoon - it felt like us.  Best wedding night a girl could ask for.

After knowing each other for more than 7 years and being together for most of that time, I am so thrilled to be married to the person who has always been in my heart through thick and thin, and who knows me better than anyone else.

And who's just as weird as me :)

Weirdos 4 life!

Some fantastic new music to delight your ears

First off, I logged on to Blogger this evening and saw that my blog now has over 20,000 page views!  Whuuut.  I still remember when 1,000 page views felt like a massive achievement.

So lately I've been coming across all sorts of fantastic new music - some witchy, some not - and I wanted to share the musical love.  So for your listening pleasure, here's a few of my favorites:

Sharron Kraus has a new album coming out soon called Friends and Enemies; Lovers and Strangers.  This album is based on the Mabinogion, and the song posted as a preview, "Blodeuwedd," is simply gorgeous.  Her voice reminds me a little of 70s folks singers like Joni Mitchell.  As a child of Rhiannon, I am super excited about this project (and so is Rhiannon)!



Ibeyi just released their debut, self-titled album, and from what I've heard so far, oh man, it is SO GOOD.  Some of their songs like "Oya" invoke the Orishas.



Chantilly released a new song called "Lovely" on her Tumblr.  It's got such a fun, jaunty disco beat.




And finally, take a listen to "Worker Bee" by Philadelphia blues-rock artist - and my old grade school classmate - Jason Ager.  That tuba!!  I went to school with some seriously talented people, ya'll.  (If you like the song you can download it for free from Philly Free Song Friday - click the down arrow button on the widget below).




What do you think of these songs?  Have any other new music (witchy or otherwise) that you'd recommend?  Let me know in the comments!

Asking the Wrong Questions?

In case you missed it circulating around social media earlier this week, Jason Thomas Pitzl wrote an excellent manifesto for the modern Neopagan community called Witchcraft Today - Witchcraft Tomorrow.  He wrote it for PantheaCon and then shared it on his website afterwards.  This work is truly glorious and resonates with Power.  I highly recommend all Witches read it!

As I read it, and in the days since, things in my head have started to click into place.  For years now - ever since I was forced to leave my former coven, and possibly even since before then - I've felt lost and stuck and unsure of my spiritual path, of my place in the world as a Witch and what I'm "meant" to do.  I've kept asking, "What is my true path?" but finding no real answers.

And I've been hiding in my uncertainty.

I think I've been asking the wrong questions.  And I've been seeking the wrong answers.

I need to find the right questions.  I'm going to start with questions like "How can I best serve my gods?" and "How can I best feed my spirit?"  And also, "What should I actually do with my magick?"  I will ask these questions of my gods and guardians, and of myself, and perhaps to others. I wonder what answers I will find - and what other questions, too.

2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Here's a fun blogging idea for neopagans - the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge!

I think I can read about 4 or 5 witchy books this year, so I'm going to sign up and shoot for for the Initiate level.  This will be great motivation for helping me achieve my goal to read 30 books this year.  I'm hoping I also feel inspired to write reviews on my blog of the books I read!  And of course, any reviews I write will also go up on my Goodreads profile.

Here's the information about the challenge from the challenge host, Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf:

Challenge Levels:

Initiate: Read 1 – 5 Witchy Books
Maiden: Read 6 – 10 Witchy Books
Mother: Read 11 – 15 Witchy Books
Crone: Read 16 – 20 Witchy Books

Challenge Rules:

• This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2015. I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post (below), reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)
• Grab the reading challenge button (code & button below) and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.
• Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or includes major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
• When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge, not just a link to your blog.
• You can move up levels, but no moving down.
• Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2015, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
• Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

Prize:
Witchy book of choice up to $10 from The Book Depository!

Participants who have officially signed up by linking up a sign-up post declaring their level will be given one entry for every review they link up. The more reviews you write and link up, the more entries in the contest! Link up your reviews on that month’s Review Link Up Post. Winner will be chosen on Jan 11th 2015 to give everyone a chance to link up their end of year reviews. All Review Link Up Posts can be accessed from my menu bar under my header!

Ready to participate with me?  
Sign up on the 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Sign-up Post, and then link up your January 2015 book reviews here.

Goals for 2015

Gosh, I can't believe we're more than 2 weeks into 2015 already!  Each year I usually set myself some goals (okay, they're really resolutions but we all know resolutions get broken!)  I've spent some time mulling over where I want to take myself this year and what goals to set to get there.  So without further ado...

 1. Blog more often                                                                                                                                                  
I undertook a lot of effort to rename, rebrand, and refresh my blog... and then didn't do much with it.  More blogging this year! 

2. Make more food from scratch                                                                                                                          
I've been trying to make more foods from scratch over the last year or so, in part to challenge myself in the kitchen and in part to eat more nutritious, whole foods and fewer additives and preservatives.  I already make soups from scratch, and I recently learned how to make hummus.  (For the hummus I've been working from this recipe - so much deliciousness!)

Now I want to expand my horizons and make more foods from scratch.  Definitely bread, since we go through a couple loaves a month.  I'd also like to try my hand at applesauce and pesto.  Do you guys have any other ideas on foods to make homemade - maybe something you'd like to see me blog about making?


3. Read at least 30 books                                                                                                                                        
Last year I set a goal for myself of reading 30 books.  I didn't meet it, but that's okay.  I really enjoyed setting aside more time on the weekends and evenings to just read.  I want to encourage myself to keep doing that, so I'm setting myself the same goal for this year.  I'm once again participating in the Goodreads Reading Challenge as I have in previous years - which is an easy way for keeping track of what I read and seeing how "on track" I am for meeting my goal as the year progresses.

4. Stretch and do yoga more often                                                                                                                       
I may have mentioned in here in the past that I have fibromyalgia.  For me, stretching and gentle yoga are by far the best types of exercise for managing my symptoms.  But I've been very lax in getting my movement on and I can feel the consequences of worsened pain, stiffness, and weakness the last few years.  So even if it's just 5 minutes a night or 1 good session a week, I need to do more.

5. Work on my Book of Lore & Craft                                                                                                                     
I bought a new Book of Lore & Craft (what most people call their Book of Shadows) early last year, and after it sat unused for many months I finally cleansed, blessed, and dedicated it at Samhain.  Right now it just has the dedication written in it, but I intend to add much more to it this year.

6. Get married!                                                                                                                                                          
Jack and I have been engaged since Yule 2013.  It's going to happen this year!  We're going to have a private courthouse ceremony soon, once we get our plans finalized.  I'll be sure to share photos and such in here once we finally tie the knot :)

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Since it's the holiday season, I wanted to share one of my favorite holiday recipes: cranberry sauce!  In our family, this is more traditional for Thanksgiving, but this is easily a Yule-season dish too.  And honestly, this is so delicious, I could eat it year-round!  Om nom nom.

I perfected this recipe in 2011, and have brought it to my family's Thanksgiving dinner every year since.  Please note this cranberry sauce uses about half the sugar of most recipes, so it is tart - add more (or less) sugar and/or apples to adjust the sweetness.  

This recipe is super easy, and much healthier than BPA-laden canned sauce.  And, you know, not creepily shaped like a can.  Also, you can easily double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe.  I usually bring a double batch for our 30- to 50-person family Thanksgiving dinner (yes, you read that right.  My extended family is huge!)

Ingredients:

1 bag of fresh cranberries

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 apple, peeled and chopped finely

1/4 - 1/2 tsp cloves (you can use ground cloves, but go light)

1-2 tsp. cinnamon, or to taste

1-2 tsp. ginger, or to taste

1/2 tsp. fresh orange zest or valencia orange peel from the spice aisle, or to taste

Instructions:

~ In a pot, bring the water and orange juice to boil, then stir to dissolve the sugar in the water.

~ Turn heat to medium-high, and add the cranberries.  Let them simmer until they start popping (about 10 minutes).

~ Turn the heat down to medium-low.  Add the apple, cinnamon, ginger, and orange zest.

~ Put the cloves in a tea strainer or tie them up in a cheese cloth, and immerse in the sauce.

~ Let this all simmer for about 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are falling apart.

~ Mash the cranberries and apples with a fork or potato masher to desired consistency.

~ Move the pot off the heat and let it cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving or moving to a container for transport.  Make sure to remove the bag of cloves before serving.  I find it's best served at about room temperature or slightly warm, especially if serving over turkey. 

Enjoy!!  I like to eat mine on turkey at Thanksgiving, but it's also good on crackers and fresh bread.