Category: [witchcraft & wonder]

anything related to witchcraft, magick, spirituality, and philosophy

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder], [writer stuff]

the Bark-footed Tribe, in context

Posted on by Larissa Lee

I had a humorous thought today, on the meaning of actions in and out of context. You see, today was one of my circle’s longer classes. We got together under a shade pavilion, drinking iced mint tea to cool ourselves from the Texas heat. There are fire ant mounds in the yard of our covenstead; as a natural deterrent for the ants, we sprinkled cinnamon over their mounds and our feet. The strong smell sends them hiding underground, saving us a lot of pain and itching.

Now the fun part. Imagine that someone, years from now, were to find our covenstead and records of what we did today, but no descriptions as to why…

This tribe of Texans had a complex social structure. They would gather beneath a large tepee, finding repose in cloth seats of multiple hues. The tribal people would pour themselves a mint-based infusion; we are unsure of the tea’s purpose, as no hallucinogenic properties have been found. What has been most fascinating about the study of this tribe is their use of ground bark from a cinnamon tree. While not native to the Texas region, the cinnamon was a common spice in the American food culture. We postulate that it was associated with the constant heat of Texas. The peoples of this area often applied the powdered bark to their feet and meeting places, leading to the common nickname of the “Bark-footed Tribe”. It is said that the purpose may have been to appease the “fire spirits” that caused the hot temperatures. Other scholars believe the Bark-footed were attempting to show, though symbolism, their tribal connectivity and willingness to “walk through fire” for one another (this fire symbolized, again, just the spiciness of the bark and its essential oils). The site in what was once called Killeen contains the most complete picture of the Bark-footed culture.

Now doesn’t that make you think of the anthropological inferences found in our history books? We often assume a lot into the meanings of what we find in locations where tribes or other cultures once lived and traveled. We see what we want to see. Pagans do this often, as do other groups. We look at a cave painting of a curvy woman or a craving of a pregnant female… and we assume goddess worship. What’s to say that some fool didn’t have a pregnant mate? Maybe he got creatively inspired and wanted an image of her. Or maybe it was a rite of passage image, made by the women of a tribe to commiserate a female’s first pregnancy. Maybe somebody had a fat-girl fetish, in a time when life was far too tough for anyone to really get fat from overeating; perhaps seeing a pregnant girl tickled someone’s fancy, and the carvings and pictures were simply prehistoric porn. Who are we to say what the original people really meant to do? We weren’t there.

It’s fun to speculate, though, isn’t it?

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder]

the Future

Posted on by Larissa Lee

Today (rather, this whole past week or so) has been a close study of my personal issues with planning for the future. See, you can make all sorts of plans for what you want in your future…

…but the only variable you have control over it yourself. All those other people involved, from your closest friends and family to the strangers you meet along the way…

…they all have the potential to ruin even the best-laid plans. It’s a heavy weight sometimes, making plans. I can think of things I’d like to have, or do, or be…

…but they require someone else’s cooperation. I’m not sure of myself most of the time, no matter what front I display to the world. It’s hard to get the gumption to actually make an offer, or to ask for assistance that I can never repay. And the wait for a decision, a yes or no to my request, is excruciating.

Then there’s the handful of times I find myself standing on someone else’s path, on their way from point A to point B. The way is clear to both of us, but for some reason my opinion matters. I become an accidental fork-in-the-road, unwittingly transforming into a reason to do (or not do) something. It’s terrifying, to find yourself in that kind of position…

…to know that, for one small moment, you have more influence on that person’s life than they do. Or at least an equal amount of influence.

I’ve found myself facing a lot of uncomfortable thoughts these days. Keep in mind that “uncomfortable” doesn’t necessarily equate with “bad”…

…they’re simply things I would rather avoid, or plans I can’t imagine working out smoothly. Human nature, and our interconnected lives, prevent anything from occurring in the “most logical” way. Call it cowardice, but I’d much rather live in the moment…

…than speak of my hopes and dreams for the future. In the moment, I can make decisions as though riding though rapids, steering myself around boulders and over rough waters as they come.

For now, I think that’s what I need. Tomorrow will just have to wait and see.

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder]

Color Therapy/Magic

Posted on by Larissa Lee

As part of my first degree studies, I’m supposed to choose a form of magic and study how it works in depth. I’m then supposed to two write spells, one simple and the other complex, based on that system of magic.

I’ve chosen color magic.

I’ve always been intrigued by the ideas of therapy treatments based on non-medicated, unorthodox methods. For example, in college I was introduced to the idea of using music in therapy. Someone individuals reach very well to treatments including certain chords, notes, or even lyrics. I believe music is a useful tool, as I know I personally heal faster if I listen to some of my favorite songs.

Along the same lines, I thought that color therapy would be interesting. I imagined that it would be like the astrologically-chosen colors listed on birth charts, and such. Simply, you put on color A for desire A, color B for effect B, and so on. But as I’m just sticking my toes into the colored waters, I find myself immersed in scientific studies of the effects of reflected light (colors) on the atomic and subatomic levels, the changes to cell chemistry resulting in a changed organism. I’m extremely fascinated with the scientific connections, as they meld with (instead of disagreeing with) the magical aspects.

I believe I’ve made a good choice. While I may not *see* in colors, I dream in them. I use them, feel them, and am surrounded by them. Now I’ll learn how to use that to my advantage.

Posted in [book reviews], [witchy reviews]

Magic is about manipulation?

Posted on by Larissa Lee

“Magic, at its core, is about manipulation and directly attempting to make something happen. Whether it’s to heal or hurt, bind or repel, create or destroy, magic is a process by which the manipulation of either the spiritual or mundane world occurs.” – page 60 “Hellenismos Today” by Timothy Jay Alexander.

He goes on to say that Pagans show great hubris in believing they control or hold power over anything, and that everything happens as part of the Gods’ will.

I have to start off saying that I enjoyed (and devoured) his book, and I’ve started reading “Beginner’s Guide to Hellenismos” as well. But that said, I have to point out a few flaws in Mr. Alexander’s arguments (and writing…)

First, I can’t stand when someone repeats the same argument point over and over. On several occasions (as in mentioning the hubris of Pagans), he makes a point only to repeat it word-for-word on the next page. Having someone help edit his work may have avoided that issue. He also makes an unfortunate habit of claiming no disdain for a group (Pagans, Christians, etc.) only to turn around and bash said group for the next two pages. He comes off as the type of person who, in a face-to-face conversation, would make me walk away to avoid bumping into the brick wall of his “authority” over and over… and over… and over…

But the quote above had me thinking… how would I defend myself from such a claim? Can I? I spent my lunch break (and laundry time after work) examining my personal beliefs and practices, and I have a rebuttal.

As a Pagan, I do practice magic, though rarely. I find that prayers come first, because often I’m not in need of something specific (“I need money to get that operation.”) so much as something for my general well-being (“Please help me make tomorrow a better day.”) But I do practice magic, hubris-free.

Mr. Alexander says that a Hellenismos will write down a prayer, read it aloud to their deity, burn it, and then burn some incense or other offering in honor of that deity. In doing such a devotion, they please that deity and often it will in turn grant their desire (if reasonable… and yes, I know using “it” to talk about deities might feel weird… but it’s unisex!).

My personal belief is as such: When I cast a spell, I pull together my personal energies and those of elements around me and send them out with my desire. Often, my spells include a prayer to a deity; as I’ve always been most attracted to the Greek pantheon, it’s usually a Greek god or goddess. I also light incense, or a candle, as a focus and as a carrier to send my energies out to do their task.

But in my personal beliefs, we all send energies toward “the Universe” (capital U) with the understanding that It will determine what’s best for the good of all and grant us success or failure as necessary. The Universe may even let something bad we’ve cast fall back on us, as a lesson. But when the Universe is capitalized, it is like the Ultimate Divine Source. We cast our energies out to the Source with our intentions, when the Source sends back the results (success, failure, karmic ripples, etc.).

And when you or I use a specific deity’s name in our spells and prayers, we are essentially asking that particular deity to take notice. (In this, I agree with Mr. Alexander that Pagans as a whole often fail the gods in using them for a spell because they fall into a useful archetype.)

So, all in all, I guess I’m saying that my spells may be more empowered than a Hellenismos prayer, and I may be more focused than theirs. But I believe the Gods (whichever you believe in, all as One or as individuals) determine our magical “power”. They would not let us overpower Them; They are Gods. Duh. It’s not hubris to think that I’m an empowered worshiper, free to make moves with the essences around me and in me, to try and achieve what I desire. My gods will stop me or teach me a very painful lesson (or both) if I overstep. And I acknowledge that. If anything, I am empowered by my gods.

For anyone interested in modern Greek religious reconstruction, Timothy Jay Alexander’s books are a good place to leap from. His book for beginner’s is better than “Hellenismos Today”, as the first is like a rough draft version of the second (as though he published one, felt it was lacking in information, and went back for a second edition). And you’ve been warned, you prideful Pagans, that you’re full of hubris and need to be more respectful. /glare/

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder]

Handfasting, the Pagan Wedding Ritual

Posted on by Larissa Lee

The circle is in a big, beautiful grass yard. There are simple, beautiful flowers on the quarter tables and altar. There are flowers around the circle, here and there, marking the boundaries. The circle is cast in the way of the tradition, and each celebrant is allowed in similarly to line the circle with family and friends. Someone is sent to bring the couple to the circle. They are each asked if they come of their own free will. As everyone’s in the circle, the priestess blesses everyone and the circle.

“In the many names of the God of Love
Whose love began the universe,
Whose touch sparked all beginnings,
I bless this circle and all within it.
In the many names of the Goddess of Love,
Whose love holds all things together,
Whose body encircles eternity,
I bless this circle and all within it.
In the many names of all who have ever loved
Whose stories are stars in the night sky,
Whose paths light our lives,
I bless this circle and all within it.
May only love enter,
And only love depart.”

The priestess gives a speech on love and relationships. She takes up their rings and carries them around the guests, asking each person to add their own energies and blessings for the couple (aloud or silently). She returns to the altar and holds out the Groom’s ring to him, saying: “Groom, I have no right to bind you to Bride, only you may do so. If it is your wish, say so now and place your ring in her hand.”

The groom says “It is my wish.” He picks up his ring and hands it to the bride. She places it on his finger as she says:

“I claim you as my life mate.
I belong to you.
I offer my life for you.
I give to you my protection, my allegiance, my heart, my soul, and my body.
I take into my keeping the same that is yours.
Your life, happiness, and welfare will be cherished and placed above my own for all time.
You are my life mate, bound to me and always in my care.”

The priestess turns to the bride and says: “Bride, I have no right to bind you to Groom, only you may do so. If it is your wish, say so now and place your ring in his hand.”

She says “It is my wish” and places her ring in his hand. He slids it onto her finger as he says:

“I claim you as my life mate.
I belong to you.
I offer my life for you.
I give to you my protection, my allegiance, my heart, my soul, and my body.
I take into my keeping the same that is yours.
Your life, happiness, and welfare will be cherished and placed above my own for all time.
You are my life mate, bound to me and always in my care.”

The priestess says:

“All things turn in circles.
The Earth spins in a circle and turns around the sun, and the sun turns around the galaxy.
Time turns in circles of birth and death and rebirth yet again, and the planets do also spin in this way.
And, like all things, marriages move in cycles as well.
Sometimes the fires will burn brightly, and sometimes they will die down to coals and then spring up again in bright flames.
Sometimes love is warm as the spring, and sometimes it becomes winter cold with trouble and disruption.
By taking on the symbol of the circle, you make a promise to remember always that all things come around;
to keep faith in spring while enduring winter, to never lose hope that the ashes will flame again, and that your love will be renewed.”

The priestess turns to the circle of family and friends and presents the couple as handfast! YAY!

“Behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.” – Charge of the Goddess (Doreen Valiente)
“Love is the law, love under will.” – Liber OZ (Aleister Crowley)
“Love is the law, Love is the bond.” – Seax Wica (Raymond Buckland)
“Love is the decision to give all that you can honestly give without begrudging it, whenever you are asked.” – When, Why…If (Robin Wood)
“Love is.” – the Universe

The above ritual is what I’ve put together for my own handfasting. It holds elements from various rituals in books and online, as well as vows based on the Carpathians on Christine Feehan’s series of books. Handfastings are an interesting thing. A handfasting can be permanent (forever and ever, and so on) or temporary (a year and a day is a popular timeline). They can be spiritual or legal, depending on whether or not a marriage certificate is issued by clergy. They are as varied in method as there are stars in the sky, because no two people’s relationship is the same as another.

I saw my first handfasting as a participant, actually in charge of calling the element of Water (well, it was raining a LOT that day, so I was more thanking Water and asking it to watch instead of joining in… LOL). The couple had a more traditional element, ribbons tying their hands together as the “fasting” of their “hands”… thus, “handfasting”. Each ribbon represented something, good or bad, that they would face. They each accepted both the positive and negative, promising not to use the bad as a burden or weapon against the other. It was sweet.

I’ve considered many ideas for my own handfasting. A costumed theme, where everyone dresses as something mythical, would be neat. (JD’s brother is having a Halloween wedding, so that idea’s taken.) I thought about a twist on the various ribbons in the above example; instead of just the priestess putting them on the couple, each participant in the circle could have a ribbon that represents something good and bad. As the couple goes around, each person adds a ribbon to the fasting.

The whole reason I thought to post this is threefold. [1] I just went through my inbox, and that’s where the ritual at the top was saved. [2] I’m not ready to share anything Greek-related, but I wanted to post something. [3] I’ve been thinking about handfastings and such, because JD and I will have been together three years as of October 10th (10/10/10). I thought that might be an interesting day for marriage, even if it were just a justice of the peace thing (with a handfasting later).

 

Update: In 2015, I got married to my wonderful wife in my high priestess’ backyard. She used this ritual, with some tweaks and an additional call to Hera (wife’s request) to bless the union. 

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder], [writer stuff]

Writer’s ramblings

Posted on by Larissa Lee

“If you look around and think the world is missing something, it is probably the gift you were supposed to be bringing.” — Julie Cuccia Watts

I was browsing some random quotes and found this one. It caught my eye, with the way life’s moving along right now. I honestly try to fit this kind of philosophy into my day-to-day life, as often as I can remember to. If I feel like everyone around me is angry and we need more joy, I try to find something positive to share. If I feel like more drivers should be courteous, I let a few people get in front of me throughout my day.

Believing in karma helps, too. I believe we get what we give, so it only makes sense to take some time to do for others while I can… because sometime in the future, when everything’s being hellish for me, someone will hopefully do the same for me. Reflecting back to my previous blog, you get a certain reputation. It’s not just honor, or loyalty, but simple kindness and generosity. You get to be seen in a positive light by simply being that thing you felt was necessary.

I’m in a mood. I’d like to wash my hands of a large portion of my little local world, but I realize that I’m part of the thing that was missing, the hole that was created and caused a mess when someone finally fell in. I have the guilt, the bad karma, the dishonor (if you will) of having played a part in someone losing their career and their livelihood. I am no innocent little lamb; my words had life, my actions had meaning. It’s a hard lesson to learn, that one’s words and actions (big and small) can be life-changing for others, as well as oneself. I’ve been in a similar situation before, which has taught me some caution. But that doesn’t absolve me of my wrong-doings.

At the same time, I can also claim some of my honor back in my attempts to undo my own damages. It’s one thing (and an easy one thing, I might add) to do a bad thing and apologize or feel bad later. It’s a whole different thing to claim responsibility in your heart and then do what you can to repair the misdeeds you’ve done. Responsibility for one’s actions versus regret. One’s useful, the other useless.

I want to be the change I wish to see, the joy I want to experience, the peace I want to live in.

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder]

Living with honor: Asatru

Posted on by Larissa Lee

My name is not my own,
I borrow it from my ancestors,
I must return it unstained.
My honor is not my own,
I borrow it from my descendants,
I must give it to them unbroken.
My blood is not my own,
but a gift that I carry,
to generations yet unborn.

I’ve borrowed this quote from an Asatru Alliance Facebook post, and I find it wonderfully inspiring. It reminds me that we need to live with honor, grateful for the gifts we have.

I’ve been looking at Asatru as part of a comparative theology study with my coven. While Pagan, they are very distinct in their practices and views. I love the idea that we are responsible totally for passing the torch without blowing it out, so to speak.

It’s hard to live with honor these days. With instant access to forums like Facebook and Myspace, it’s far to easy to let one’s fingers speak before one’s mind filters the words. For example, what could’ve been a quickly-ended tiff at work on day, thanks to a Facebook wall post, may become a week-long fight between multiple people.

My name is, in my opinion, pretty “unstained”. I don’t have a bad reputation, nor have I ever. My honor is important to me, though I’ve often called it other things. For example, it’s more important to me that I keep my word than appease a friend by giving a promise I can’t keep, just to make them feel better. And I strongly feel that everything I do in this life will reflect how I raise my children, and what they see as right and wrong.

My ethics were built by the fibers of my mother’s life and my father’s presence. My mother didn’t teach right and wrong, nor did she use any face-forward methodology for teaching us children ethical behavior. Yet we learned… to “do unto others”, to pass on good fortune, to show compassion and patience (especially when we feel resistant, since that’s often when they’re most needed). And my father was in and out with the military so much, but he showed us strength. Not in defending our country, or any of that hyper-patriotic nonsense. But in the way he worked his job, enjoyable or not, and provided for us. He made a home, and he wasn’t a terrifying (“wait til your father gets home”) or tyrannical (“you’ll do it because I said so”) presence. Instead, he was Dad. Father figure 1a.

I can only hope that my life, when measured by the afterlife I believe in, comes up to being worth the time I spend on this plane. I want to touch people’s lives in a positive way, to inspire as a Muse would, and to create joy and laughter in my wake.

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder], [writer stuff]

Greek research

Posted on by Larissa Lee

It’s that time of year again, when the CMA festival is on it’s way. The Council of Magickal Arts is a non-profit religious organization, and they have two huge festivals each year to celebrate the Pagan wheel of the year (Beltaine and Samhain). I’m looking forward to the visit, again, because it’s a vacation from the mundane world and its stresses. On top of that, I’ve convinced a friend to come along, so we’ll have a rockin’ awesome time.

It’s been a tough year. I was keeping a blog on Myspace, but I’ve deleted mine and gotten a Facebook instead. Work has been up and down, just as most things in life. The muses haven’t whispered to me much, but then again, I may not have been listening very well. Stress and frustration had actually caught up to me so badly this past month that I’m on hiatus from my coven studies. I found myself acting completely horrid (i.e. bitchy, not witchy) and needed to take time to fix that.

My recent research has been into Greek mythology and worship. I found this amazing book called “Mysteries of Demeter”, found here. While I’m not a reconstructionist, I find myself inspired by the book and it’s in-depth look at ancient pagan practices. Recently, I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a workbook on Greek (modern) paganism. There are workbooks for runes, tarot cards, goddesses, and self-discovery in the New Age section of our store, but you don’t find any books on Greek mythology and practice. There are books on Celtic paganism (because, let’s face it… Wicca started in Europe and was based more on the Celtic practices than anything else). The book above was in a local pagan store, Gaia’s Garden in Copperas Cove, TX. I’d like to see more books on modern pagan practices using the ancient Greek gods; if the Celtic gods are so popular, why can’t the Greeks be so too? I mean, we learn about the Greek gods in grade school, long before we hear about the Celtic gods (if at all, as far as school goes).

There’s an upside to this inspiration. To write such a book, I have to do research and experiment with some practices and minor rituals. I will have to take time to focus on them. I’ve always loved the idea, but I’ve never had any reason beyond a personal interest to look at any pantheon. Now, though, I feel like the muses are kicking me in the rear, trying to get me to write it out. And during this hiatus, I have a focus to keep myself from getting lazy. I’ve been so tired and stressed from work (our store just moved, and there’s lots of drama to go with that) that I just haven’t been able to get the energy to clean my house, let alone worship anyone for anything.

I’m going to try and blog here more than once a year… being a writer, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Next time I’ll share a few of the ideas (and possibly some test-it-out results) that I’ve gotten together for Demeter, Dionysus, and Gaia (just to name the first few I’ve brainstormed). Blessings!!

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder]

CMA Samhain (one week left!)

Posted on by Larissa Lee

It’s time to get excited! YAY!

CMA Samhain will be here in a week. Next Wednesday I’ll be heading down with other early-arrivers to help with the overall setup. We’ll be arranging the vendor’s booths, getting the various stations prepared, and doing any last-minute clearing that needs to be done (we’ve had some stormy weather lately).

Unfortunately, I won’t be having a booth to sell my books. The cost of getting the books, even with my author’s discount, was more than I could handle. I will, however, have order forms for anyone wanting an autographed copy.

And my workshop is officially on Friday, October 16th at 2:30-3:30pm in Brighid’s Crossing. I’m hoping to see a dozen or so people there, but we’ll see.

My profile on Myspace is now open to the public (as opposed to its once locked-down status), so feel free to check it out. Many of my blogs are open to the public and semi-spiritual in nature, and I even have my awesome order form in my pictures.

May the stars sparkle in your night skies!

Posted in [witchcraft & wonder]

CMA Samhain 2009

Posted on by Larissa Lee

CMA Samhain 2009

I will be at CMA Samhain this year for several wonderful firsts!

  • My first Pagan festival!
  • My first ever workshop!
  • My first self-promoted book sale!

CMA is a Pagan festival where hundreds of people get together for an extended weekend of fun. There are various vendors, workshops, and rituals to attend.

And I will be involved in it all! I will be vending my book “Dark-Hearted” at the festival, which will be a wonderful experience. I will be leading a workshop on the use of poetry in learning about our shadow selves. And my coven will be leading the Friday night ritual.

The excitement just keeps building! The festival is here in Texas, and I highly recommend it to everyone. A chance to get close to a large community of friendly, interesting people is just too good to pass up.

I look forward to seeing and/or hearing from many of you in the months to come! Bright blessings to you!!