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| Resolution The god Janus faces into the deep past Memories dear, memories fading fast Both times of joy, and times of despair But regrets often come, lost love affair Isolation creeping in, cold wind blows Hail hurts the heart, then deadly snows Begin to fall, so heavy with depression This is a Winter climate, an impression Of all the resolutions failed, hopes lost come to grief, as if fixed, star-crossed Fate was drawn in the neavens above The cold stars, space so empty of love Janus has a cold and rigid gaze behind A mask of time that looks not king But now Janus turns his face around And calls here upon now to confound To make a firm resolution once again To have faith anew, and sing amen To forgive th past, seek absolution The New Year calls for resolution. |
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| People look east, the time is here Freeing all our hearts from fear Make your hearts glad as you are able Trip the hearth, and se the table, People look East this happy morn For the Sun today is reborn. |
| Happily may you walk. May it be beautiful before you. May it be beautiful behind you May it be beautiful below you May it be beautiful above you May it be beautiful all around you. In beauty it is finished. Navajo prayer |
| The Empty House: A Ghost Story I can still remember that night in the empty house. I was asleep, then suddenly started in the darkness. Every sound had a strange and sinister quality, There was a creak of timbers, adjusting to the change in the air, the cold wind howling past outside the window, and the odd rattle of the window pane, Every so often, the wind would gust, and the bare, finger link, branches of the nearby elm trees would scratch softly against the glass. Then I though I heard, almost below the level of hearing, a soft, muffled, whisper; a voice, speaking faintly, so quietly that the words were all but inaudible, but sounded like a human voice, trying to talk. I could not tell where it came from, it seemed all around, sometimes from far away in the dark recess of a distant wall, and trick of hearing in the silence? We are here, it seemed to say, we are here and we are waiting, waiting, waiting. We are here. There seemed the sound of footsteps , softly, as of slippered feet, moving across the carpet; then at the bottom of the bed, a weight, first sudden, at the foot, then moving slowly up, on top of me, nearer and nearer to my face. I was now awake in terror, alive to all sensationss- the scraping brancehes like fingers, scratching on the window pane, the muffled whispered voices far and near, and the soft weight slowly moving up the bed. A while and shadowy shape took form in my daxed, blinking eyes, peering into the gloom, and hoping against hope that I would see nothing, Then it became more distinct, more solid, and I saw that it was only a cat, a large white long haired cat, come to keep me company, and comfort me throughout this night of horrors. Now the horrors receded from my sight, I was not alone, because I had the company of a warm and friendly cat to share the night, I was so relieved, so happy at this sight. I reached out to pat the lovely animal, But my hand touched only empty air, it reaching only a cold mist lik wraith, that moved to embrace me in it's icy grip. Then everything vanished into a whirlpool of darkness, and I knew no more. When I awoke, the sun was shining, and the room was full of the colours of the day. The ordeal was over. Had I imagined what I saw? The ghostly cat upon the bed, the whispered voices, the trees rattleing against the window pane. It all seemed so far away, now I looked out of the bed, to see the leafless brances of those elms. But Dutch Elm diseased had long left it's mark; only th bere stumps remained to mark their spot. Not a single branch remained. |
| This is a hoot!!!!! 1. Bright-Eyed Novic You just read this cool book about a religion where there's a Goddess and a God, and they meet outside in nature, instead of some scary old building. They think sex is good not evil, and you want to know where to sign up. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Mispronounces god/dess names, has to think a moment about which is deosil and which is widdershins, Has a shiny new athame (rhymes with "A-frame".) 2. Grand Old Wo/Man Actually remembers Woodstock (the first one.) Will tell you about the time they dropped acid with Kerry Wendell Thornley- or maybe it was Robert Anton Wilson. Anyway, it was somebody with three names. Or was it three people with one name? DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Luxuriant gray locks, listens very intently, regularly holds court giving dish about people you've only read about. 3. Tree Hugging Nature Sprite Most prized possession: one of Judi Barry's old tree spikes. Simultaneously believes in universal love for humanity and returning the planet to a pristine, uncorrupted state. Apt to remove clothes and fondle the shrubbery at a moment's notice. Can discuss compost in great detail. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: No meat, no fragrance, no leather, no plastic, no smoke, no drugs, no eco-exploitive products, no animal tested cosmetics, no TV, no car, but very tolerant. 4 Anal Retentive Ceremonial Book collection actually holds up the ceiling in places. Is studying Greek, Latin and Hebrew all at once. Does "workings" instead of "rituals". The twenty volumes of their magical diaries are all in Enochian. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Won't go anywhere without a book. Is constantly aware of which direction is east. Dressed according to planetary conditions, or whatever was on sale at Wal-Mart. 5. Womyncentric Gynocrat A man's shadow crossed her altar once and she spent three weeks purifying it. She'll have no wands in her chalice, thank you very much. No boys allowed in her full-moon club. Can hold forth for hours on the magical properties of menstrual blood. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Tiny axes or curved knives, just right for amutating a penis, are a favored symblo and often hand conveniently from her body parts. When a man approaches she rolls her eyes and stops talking. 6a. Sexy Pagan Nymph Oh, they're so nice! All that warm, round, sex-positive flesh--and you can actually carry on a conversation with them between orgasms....pant...drool... DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Cute. Horny. Displays prominent cleavage. Will recite love poetry to you under a full moon. Likes to do it outdoors. Often destitute. All too few of them. 6b Pagan Satyr Similar to above, in the male version. Capable of multiple orgasms, with conversations in between. Yummy..... DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Cute. Horny. Displays prominetnt codpiece. 7. Corporate Closet Witch "Hey, boss--I'd like to take February 2nd as a personal day..." Has an entire chapter of their Book Of Shadows concerned with spells for purifying the workplace. Doesn't mind working on Christmas, especially if there's overtime involved. Quit being overtly Pagan at work since being canned by that born-again boss, but still refuses to say "Merry Christmas." DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Can assume a properly smiley work persona at the drop of a hat. Constantly glances around the room anxiously looking for co-workers and their spies, Non-distinctive style of dress, no conspicouse tattoos. 8. Childe Ov Kaos Can name seventeen industrial goth bands without pausing to think. Knows what a Prince Albert is. Personally feels that if no panicky headlines appear the day after you do a ritual, you screwed up. Painted to their jacket, engraved in their flesh and /or boldly displayed as jewelry is an emblem which resembles a combination fo corporate logo and arcane symbol. If you don't know what it means, they'll think you'er a dweeb. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Easy to picture as an alternative musician or bike messenger, difficult to visualize as a school teacher or research assistant, impossible to imagine as a TV new anchor or bank officer. Always wears black leather. Even when sleeping 9 Pagan Celebrity At conventions, stays on the hotel floor that requires a special key for elevator access. Lurks around knots of conversation eavesdropping in order to see if their name is being mentioned. Arrives in helicopter especially for rituals. Starts every sentence with "I". If you ask them how it's going, they hand you a press release. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Always has plenty of books to autograph and will personally sell them to you at a slight discount from cover price. Never seen unaccompanied by beefy amazonian bodyguards and doe-eyed hangers-on. Seems vaguely afraid of anyone they don't already know. 10 Scary Devil Worshipper Would never be caught dead skyclad. Rarely smiles, except in a snide, knowing why which insinuates you are an ignorant peasant worthy of conquest. Secretly enjoys Rush Limbaugh and read "The Bell Curve" with smug satisfaction. Fascinated with Nazis. Probably has never hurt a fly, but they want you to think they're capable of vast destruction. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Lots of black and red. Men like goatees, women favor heavy black eyeliner. At least one inverted pentagram somewhere on their person. If you see several of them getting tanked in a bar, ir would be wise to stay far away. 11. Crowley-In-A-Past-Life Every magical gathering has at least one of these, along with several variants along the lines of Gerald Gardner, Tituba, Morgan LeFey, or somebody who was Atlantean royalty. Many of them were abducted by aliens recently, and have disturbing dreams rich with arcane symbolism that they will tell you all about, in great detail. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Look for the intense gleam in the eyes, the backpack rattling with variouse psychiatric medications, and the garments that were clearly designed and tailored on another planet. 12 Ravin' Pagan Young and psychedelic. Can dance non-stop all night. Refuses to do boring Eurocentric rituals and prefers deities from sunny climes with lots of interesting local plants. Can say "Ayahuasca" ten times real fast and deliver long quotes from Terrence McKenna. DISTINGUISHINIG SIGNS: Dresses in color combinations that hurt the eyes unless you've taken ecstasy. Bloodshot eyes, blissful smiile, never goes anywhere without ritual drum. 13 Fairie Queen Is he a she? Are they a couple, or are those two a couple or are all four of them a quadruple? If getting answers to these questions could disturb you, best stay away. If, on the other hand, these kind of questions seem overly judgmental, you might have a real good time... DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: When you look at this person, does every sex act you've ever experienced in your life seem hopelessly vanilla? If so, congratulations--you've found a Fairie!! 14. High Episcopagan Do their rituals have a script, a choreographer, a stage manager, an orchestra with chorus and last at least three hours? It's a High Episcopagan! They can memorize pages and pages of Olde Englishe, have more ritual garbs than most people have socks, and consider their main pagan influences to be Gerald Gardner, Joseph Campbell and George Lucas. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Book Of Shadows exceeds five volumes. Knows every note of "Carmina Burana". Don't ask them about that 18th century seed pearl trim on their ritual hat unless you've got an hour to spare. 15. Fundamentapagan If it's in a book, it must be true. If it's in an old book, it must really be true. It it's in an old book that was handed down from an oral tradition of people who couldn't read, then it must really be way true. Gnashes their teeth if anyone shows up at a circle wearing a watch, glasses, or other machanical assistance. Believes that anyone who lives in a city, eats meat or has a regular job dare not call themselves a pagan DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Has hissy fits when somebody brings up the old "Crowley ghosted Gardner's books" argument. Goes around correcting everyone's gaelic/old norse/latin/babylonian. 16. Dances With Bunnyrabbits. Uses animal symbolism to express nearly all opinions and feelings. Charter member of PETA. Thinks meat eaters should be publicly executed. Has many, many, many pets. Has a spirit animal. Personally owns 27 models, pictures, and other depictions of their spirit animal. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Not counting the pagan his/herself, how many animals can you see when looking at them? If the count surpasses five (including critters found on tattoos, jewelry, garments and undies), you've found a worshipper of beasties. 17 Priest/ess of Political Correctness Analyzes everything they read or hear for sexist-racist-hohphobic-imperialist-Eurocentric content without paying attention to what is actually being said. Believes in personal liberty--everyone has the right to be overbearing, dogmatic and holier-then-thou, not just the Xtian Right. Incredibly boring yet annoyingly self-righteous all at the same time. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Beady hyper-alert little eyes are constantly in motion, waiting for someone to do or say something bad. Has loud and attention attracting hissy fits when confronted with everyday things such as advertising or corporate franchises. Rudimentary sense of humor is rarely activated. 18. Our Lady Of Intense Suffering Is constantly persecuted. You're probably persecuting her right now, you just don't realize it. Become a Pagan because she decided it was that most persecuted religion of all. Can't enjoy anything because it would be selfish to have any fun when so many are suffering. DISTINGUISHING SINGS: Tales of woe. Even less of a sense of humor then #17. Bristles when anyhone says the words "maschist" or "whining". 19. I Am Not Spock (at the momnet) Knows at least three filks about Cthulhu and at least forty Star Trek jokes. Has found a clever way to create simple furniture from stacks of science fiction paperbacks. Can name ninety different kinds of space ship. Belongs to a "techno-coven" of internet users that have never met each other in person. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Two fisted drinking style. Probably still lives with parents. Many cryptic buttons, badges, patches and other insignia. Too smart for their own good. 20. Het-Case Insist that they aren't hoophobic; they just believe that Paganism is about a gooddess and a god and they do it ans what could be more obviouse then that? It just doen't "work right" if you try any other way! Are secretly afraid that gays and /or lesbians are dyinjg to jump their tender hetro bones. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Living spaces abound with depictions of satyrs with enormous genitals and huge-breasted, doe-eyed goddesses. Long manicured nails and wreaths of flowers (on females only--men have big, bushy beards instead.) 21 Norse Code Heroic and vikingly, these pegans often get into trouble with festival organizers and park reangers due to their fondness for running around with a huge battle-ax in one hand and a full mead horn in the other. They throw the best parties, but if you're a wimp, you're expressly not invited. DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Look for the large, foreboding, biker-like persons wearing runes, with many pounds of amber dangling from their necks. 22. Pentacles, Inc. Pagans have desposable income too, right? So how come they aren't buying my hand forged Venus or Willendorf necklaces--they come in siver and gold, and each one has a genuine cubic zirconium bellybutton. Would you like a reading? Will that be Visa or MasterCard? DISTINGUISHING SIGNS: Has business cards featuring little embossed pentagrams. You never seen so much Egyptian god/dess jewlry on a human being in your whole life. |
| True Black Magick True Magick, like everything in the living universe, is neither black or white or grey, but netural. It therefore does not possess intelligence in itself, but becomes intelligent, black, white or grey, depending on how it was done and used, and by whome it is used. But no matter how it is used and by whome, it always remains, in it's basic form, neutral with opposing and balancing poles. If you picture an ordinary magnet rod with a negative end and a positive end, you can visualize that the positive and it "White Magick" and the negative end is "Black Magick", and in addition you can see that both ends of the magick rod are part of the same rod - there can not be one without the other, "White Magick" can not exist without it's balancing opposite "Black Magick". This is the basic essential essence of ancient Egyptian Ma'at....the balance and correctness of the world and the universe. Whichever Magical Path one takes is of course free will and a persaonl choice. The "White Magick Path" is usually the on ethat affirms the pleasures of life throught it's hopes, joys and happiness. The "Black Magick Path" is usually the one that affirms the pains of life throught it's selfishness, retaliation, anger, sorrows and unhappiness. Neither one is wrong....they are merely two different poles of the magnet rod. You should remember, if you choose the "Left Hand Path" of "Black Magick", that you must be careful to retain control, not only of attrated outside forces, but also of the inside forces of your own mind and psyche. Some people who have chosen the Left Hand Path have unwittingly gone insane or committed suicide, not having been able to retain control of self or other nagative outside forces. Just as there are two basic types of people living on this earh in this life: Good people and bad people, so are there good spirits and bad spirits, good elementals and bad elementals, and what the Xtians call "Angels" and "Demons". The people living in this world that you associate with, the spirits you have discourse with in the spirit world, and the elementals in their world which you employ in your personal Magick.....all these are your own personal free will choice. Like surrealism, "Black Magick" tried to break the domination of retional philosophy and logic. "Black Magick" is based on the belief in a higher reality of certain forms of association through different magickal systems, faith in the power of dream and trance images, and in the stream of words uncensored by the intellect. There is a fable about a king who gathered all his wise men together and commanded them to bring him all the wisdom of the world in five hundred books. He then told them to go away and condense that information into one hundred books. When they had done that, he wanted the wisdom reduced into one book and finally one word. That word was "survive". The Aeon of Horus is of the nature of a child. To preceive this, we must conceive of the nature of a child without the veil of sentimentality - beyond good and evil, perfectly gentle, perfectly ruthless, containing all possibilities within the limits of heredity, and highly susceptible to training and environment. But the nature of Horus is also the nature of force - blind, terrible, unlimited force. The whole and sole object of all true Black Magick is to become free from every kind of limitation. The whole activity of Black Magick tends to make an individual completely independent of any limitation. Conventional religions, with their colorful mythologies and theoligies analyzed in terms of the underlying philosophical principles, represent simply the preimitive longing of humans to feel at once with the Universal harmoney they preceive about them. "White Magic", as advocated by preimitive Pagan and modern institutional religions, offers devotees the illusion of re-inclusion in the Universal scheme of things through variouse ritualistic devotions, theology, legends and superstitions. The "Black Magician", on the other hand, rejects both the desirability of union with the Universe and any self-deceptive antics designed to create such an illusion. He or She has considered the existence of the individual psyche - teh "core you" of your conscious intelligence - and has taken satisfaction from it's existence as something unlike anything else in the Universe. The "Black Magician" desires this psyche to live, to exerience, and to continue. He or She does not wish to die - or to lose his consciousness and identity in a larger, Universal consciousness, assuming that such exists. He or She simply and merely wants to be. A spiritual being freed by "Black Magick" prectices as an individual who could operate totally independently of his body whether he had one or didn't have one. He or She is now him or herself, an dnot dependent on th universe around him or her. The Priests of Isis Moon Temple |
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| Rekindled Flam The candle is lit, upon our birth With each child born onthe earth Light dawns, a light to all nations Morning has broken, celebrations As birds sing in chorus praising The brightening sun now raising The start of a journey into day Onto the stage of world's play. Rituals of birth, cleansing water Naming rites to goddess adorerCircumcision also leaves a mark Ceremonies now of light and dark LIght shines again, entry to clan Or symbolic of the divine plan Candles burning, eyes that see All that promises come to be. But later, harsh time winds blow The flame dies in blinding snow A slow deth from land of Thule Where the Ice Queen came to rule Frozen splinters deaden the heart Here is where all hopes depart Only living in the here and now The barren tundras alone allow. Yet within a spark can be again The voice can say a new amen The hidden eye open to behold There is warmth, not all is cold Rekindled flame can burn anew Show visions to seek out, pursue Light will shine out once more Lantern held at opening door. |
| A Few Quick Protection Blessings" Suspend over the door a fresh spring of dill, tired with a blue cord (or Red if you prefer), to prevent those who mean you harm from entering, Cross Tow needles, and stick into or tie onto a corner of your doormat, to prevent evil from entering. Grind Dragon's Blood herb into a powder and sprinkle it on door and window sills, to protect your house from harm Wiches Bottles Powder some more Dragon's Blood Herb with a small quantity of sugar and salt, and place in a small corked or screw-lidded bottle. Shake and seal with red wax, then place it where it won't be found (or at least not easily seen). This will ensure harmony and peace within th house. Place three new needles, three new pins, and three new nails in a glass jar. Fill with salt and shake vigorously nine times. Seal with white wax and place in kitchen cupboard where is will not be seen. This protects your food from contamination. Gather rosemary, along with several needles and pins, into a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or cork. When full, pour in red wine and shake. Seal with black or red wax, and place in an inconspicuous place in the apartment. If you own your own your own house, bury this at the furthest most corner of your property. The book also adds this: As you're filling the jar, say these words..... "Pins, needles, rosemary, wine, in this witche's bottle of mine; Guard against harm and enmity; This is my will, so mote it be!" Blessed pennies During full or new moon, take a munber of pennies and bless them. A full moon or lightning storm will help "charge" the items if you can set them where the light will fall on the overnight. If there is a good aspect with Venus during your ritual, this will enhance their strength as well, Call upon your tutelaries to guard them and warn or to advise them of dangers. Scatter the pennies around your property. When one turns up again, just drop it into a jar or other container for cleansing and a blessing renewal next full moon. Witche's Broom: Make a miniature broom (as small as three inches as long or as big as a whisk broom). Bless and charge it to cleanse folks of bad vibes as they pass under it. Then hand these over every door especially those leading into or out of your dweling. |