Photo

Snapped after lunch with the girls...

Brutus would have loved this!

How happy would it make you to make another littler life happy today?

Independence Day

There is always a special feeling in the air on Independence Day. It’s hard not to feel patriotic, I think, and reverence toward your country’s history and struggle as a people. The world’s history is filled with struggles, persecuted pagan people know this, and it’s nice to feel a win for the little guys. It just feels…good, and happy.

My Independence Day this year was spent doing the final touches of cleaning and turning over of the keys from my first place. My first apartment of my own. I moved to be close to work, and in a slightly bigger, slightly nicer place. It was time to make that transition.

But wow, was it tough to go. Really, to pack everything and leave it all behind, memories and first successes…sometimes, living a magical life, you have to let go of the old things to make new ones. There is great myth and magick in destruction. In Hawaiian lore, Pele is the Goddess of volcanoes, fire, destruction, creation and transformation. Because while the Hawaiians know that lava burns away everything in its path – it is also what cools and hardens to create the land they live on. (They were early, primitive geologists!)

Let go of what you don’t need. Keep dear what you do, for it comes from the old. In moon magick, the waning moon leads to the dark night of the new moon, to the waxing moon and into the full moon. In life, the tide recedes to swell the ocean so the tide may pull again.

I feel OK with all this, and happy. I let go of something I didn't need anymore, a responsibility that was holding me to my old life and keeping me from moving on. And so we watched fireworks, my boyfriend and I, in the frame of the old trees and moon. You can see the pictures here. And I celebrated my independence!

Finding Fehu: Runic Yoga

This year for the Summer Solstice, I tried something new: Runic Yoga.


The runes seemed so...archaic, and outdated...and how could the possibly be useful? Cattle, wheels, agriculture...I live in a world far from that, I had no idea how they could apply to me.


But from my love of Freya and the myths, I figured I'd give it a shot. And I already do yoga, so...what the heck. If all else failed, I'd at least be more bendy.


I started with Fehu. In the dim light and calmness of night, I prepared for some meditation. I twisted up my arm and leg into the shape of Freya's rune. The small bit of pain, from the stretching, I gave up to her...a little sacrifice for my Craft.


This rune I have read to represent Freya, and cattle. It’s a strong indicator to me that Freya and Fehu both begin with Fs. The cattle element reminds me of Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of love and fertility, who was a cow Goddess. It also reminds me of the primordial cow who gave birth to the Norse people, in their mythology. Cattle are not the mindless, fat/ugly beasts we’ve come to see them as. They are symbols of fertility and feeding the world, with their meat and milk we still consume. The mother cow, with bloated udders and milk for her calf and even more for the people who care for her, is above and beyond just a simple mother figure. They changed hands as dowry, ultimate boons for brides. The cow - Fehu - Freya, are all intertwined.


That's when the electricity in my house started to flicker from the electricity I felt in the air and in my body. My icemaker started popping out ice cubes. I knew it was turned off, and I got up to check it. Twice. But it kept going. It was such a thrill, and a peaceful and calming joy, to be joined.


Night two was a meditation on Isa. This rune I’ve known to represent ice. I’ve read that it represents the frost giantesses (which, I don’t remember) and freezing in position. A sort of peaceful, don’t move before you think mentality. Ice, however, is a creating force, carving the landscape into lakes, like the lakes of my hometown, and fjords. It is always moving, always alive. In having this meditation, a vision came to me, one I'd never seen. It was in perfect color, moving and alive - of a Norwegian waterfall of such height and beauty that I'd never seen it before. I never knew Norway had waterfalls like oasises. The next day I looked it up, sure enough, the land is full of them. One of these I'd been to, I knew it! (There would come a time, I hope, that I will go back.)


And so I've been having awesome experiences with the runes. Sometimes nothing comes. (Mostly when I fall asleep.) Sometimes everything does. One, the divine twins, Contrasting the horse and rider ehwaz, even came into perfect clarity during a sexual experience! I know this is a practice I will keep with me.

Witch at Work

After a couple months at my new job, I have been hired permanently and offered a raise.

Best advice I got? A older girlfriend of mine was such a goddess. I had a great conversation with them to start with, they said they'd call to set up an interview. I left a message or two, but never heard back. She told me to keep calling until they picked up the phone and told me no to my face! Well, ear.

Beltane Ritual

Beltane is a favorite sabbat of mine! A night when the veil between the worlds parts, it is the Halloween of spring…the faeries and spirits come dance to play while the world celebrates its fertility and life.

I believe in the magick of things. Objects can carry with them the spirit of what they were used for and infused with. On the same token, I don’t believe you should take, I believe you use and give back, or ill will follows you. When I found ribbons at work that had been given to us by clients, I knew they would be perfect for my maypole rite.

Reds and pinks are colors of fertility and Aphrodite, along with green, a Venus color representing life and wealth. My handheld maypole with these ribbons was perfect for my goal of fortune at work and my career. Each wind around the pole had the same effect as my Webweaver Spell did. Each little binding blended the two beautiful magick styles of color magick and knot magick. Infuse yourself into it – sing and even dance to yourself while you do this. Raise the cone of power with the faeries!
One Beltane, try making your own career maypole…I know I will again next year!

Finding Freyja: Interview with a Norse Practitioner

This is an interview I held over a couple occasions with a man who has been a devotee of Freyja for many, many years. Many of the things he said are terribly interesting and useful. Since he is a warrior, I will call him Viking.

Background

Viking: I'm a Norse Pagan. I'm of German and Swiss ethnic background, so it just kinda made sense for me. I'm not as much into it as I used to be, but Ive done a considerably amount of training, such as building the energy ball and boosting my senses and whatnot.

A friend turned me onto it back when I was in high school when I was in a really dark place and it helped me to deal with stuff. I had a pretty crappy childhood, so I had some problems with anger and with dealing with how unfair and cruel life can be sometimes and Paganism helped me to deal and to understand about life. I went to Sunday school and confirmation when I was a kid and the stuff they were teaching really never answered my questions about why things are the way they are. In Paganism I found those answers and an understanding of life.

Julie: That is so fantastic...I started studying Norse paganism recently since I too am from a heavy Germanic background. But I'm kind of eclectic too. When I started studying it seemed there was only Wicca...you know...so that's part of it for me but at the same time not it at all. The draw for me about pagan spirituality was the goddess aspects. Finally a religion where I wasn't inferior! I've been looking for someone to interview to represent the Norse believers.

Viking: I studied Wicca at first too. Then I realized there was much more to it than that and that Wicca was merely the pop culture version of it. Anyone who says that Wicca is the world's oldest religion is full of BS. Wicca was invented in the '50s, although it does incorporate many of the old world Pagan practices. I understand what you mean about finding a religion where you didn't feel inferior. A lot of men feel somewhat threatened by how much Wicca/Paganism empowers women. (smiles)

Julie: Exactly...it was figuring out what the real old world paganism practices were that was fun for me. I still like figuring out what is authentic, and why, and how it all happened. Too simplified to light a candle for "the god" and a candle for "the goddess" and call it a day.

Viking: I agree. I quickly learned to look deeper and find the hidden meaning. What really appealed to me about Paganism is that it was never as simple as praying to some all-powerful being and having my sins wiped away. Paganism pushed me to look inside myself for the answers and to make me strive to be a better person.

Questions
Julie: OK, for starters...What does your background come from....reading mythology or the Eddas or anything else?

Viking: Mostly reading the mythology and whatnot.

Julie: What does your practice comprise of...do you practice rituals?

Viking: Mostly meditation and prayer.

Julie: Do you have a god/ess/gods you focus on more than the others? One that you're drawn to?

Viking: Freya. I’ve always been big into martial arts, so I was really drawn to her because when warriors were killed on the battlefield she would comfort them and help them in their journey to Valhalla.

Julie: And select the best warriors first, for her own.

Viking: True. I actually pray to her quite often. For protection for myself and those I care about and guidance.

Julie: Would you say there are little omens, or any way you feel her with you?

Viking: Yeah, I'd describe it as a motherly presence.

Julie: That's interesting. Many say she's a beautiful, sexy, spunky goddess.

Viking: (Laughs)...I'd agree with that. But its not as if I'm attracted to her in that way.

Julie: Well, no...that would be a bit twisted. By a bit, of course...a lot.

Viking: She has been there for me in the darkest times of my life. And while she offers me guidance, I still have free will and Ive had a few, "told ya so" moments with her.

Julie: Can you explain either one of those more?

Viking: Sure. In the dealings with some of my ex-girlfriends, afterwards she walked me though it and explained to me why things happened how they did and showed me the lesson that I was meant to learn from it. Its a moment of clarity where I see things as they are. From all points of view and with no ego. Sometimes its been pretty brutal but its also been what I needed.

Julie: Would you say it's an advantage then to have a goddess' perspective in your life as a man?

Viking: I think so. It shows me a woman's point of view and shows me things from more of a feminine perspective. Men and women see things very differently and I think that has made me view things differently.

Julie: You explained a bit, but...can you say again how you started on this spiritual path, and what attracts you to it?

Viking: A friend showed me some of the basic stuff (building the energy ball) and I began studying it from there. I found a much greater understand of the world and my place in it. Instead of man being higher than the rest of the world, Paganism taught that we are merely part of it. Interconnected and dependent on every other living thing. Despite all of our technology, we are still merely part of the ecosystem. I also really connected with the concept of the rule of 3. I find that to me true, that the things you do will eventually be visited back upon you.

Julie: Three times over...absolutely. I've had my ass kicked by that one

Viking: (Laughs)...I think we all have. It makes you stop and think though. And I think that’s the point of the rule. It makes you evaluate how you are living your life and the choices you make.

Julie: Do you feel more connected to the environment because of your spirituality, or the other way around...you're spiritual because you're connected to the environment?

Viking: Both. Its kind of hard to explain, I guess. The rule makes me see things from a different point of view. But I do have a metaphysical connection to the world around me. Sometimes I know things are going to happen before they happen. Its weird. I see things without having a picture in my mind, hear things without sound and feel things that I’ve never touched with my hands. It’s like I’m there, but I’m not...It’s weird and its kind of annoying sometimes.

Julie: A regular thing or now and then?

Viking: I guess you could say its kind of like woman's intuition. It comes and goes.

Julie: Having both, yes, I suppose they're very similar sometimes! Do you have dreams? Feelings? Talent at reading people?

Viking: All of the above. For me, the key is the eyes. I can look into someone's else and its like I instantly know a lot about them. Not so much details about their life, but personality characteristics. In the case of people that are a little shady, their eyes look dead. In the case of people who lead good, decent lives; their eyes have a light.

Julie: have you found practical uses for this...business deals or whatever?

Viking: Yeah, its definitely a good guide for whom I want to associate with.

Julie: Well that's very useful then. (smiles)

Viking: Sometimes its a curse too. I sometimes wish I could be ignorant of all this stuff like everyone else and just have fun even when someone isnt exactly the best person. But this knowledge and the feelings associated with it make me not want to associate with people. Or I should say, with SOME people.

Julie: What would you say to someone interested in learning how to relate to those gods, getting to know them? What would you say if they asked you to teach them?

Viking: I would say just read about them, pray to them and try to welcome them into your heart. I got started merely asking Freya for guidance. It's really no different than how other people describe welcoming any other religion into their life.

Julie: I like that...I think some are scared by something so big, that seems inaccessible.

Viking: It is scary. Dealing with magick can be dangerous, especially when you first start out because you can sometimes open a door and you don't know whats going to come out. Not all of the spirits out there are good. After a while, you develop a certain level of control and you can be OK, but you gotta be careful at first. Even now, I dont mess with certain things: ouji boards, seyonaces, haunted places and graveyards at night. When I first got started on this path, I thought I was a bad---, so I used to go to haunted places all the time and I've seen some pretty f----- up s--- that I dont want to mess with again. We have LOTS of haunted places when lots of messed up things happened. That's what I mean about opening a door and not knowing what is going to come through or who you are talking to.

Julie: You know when you're talking to Freya though, right? You need to trust your instinct...listen to your heart?

Viking: The difference is the things she tells me. I've talked to bad spirits too and there is a difference. The bad ones always tried to lead me down a path that I don't wanna go and tried to pressure me into it. Tried to make me do bad things. And the scratches were parallel and at least 6" long, so I don't know how would do that to myself. About 4 years ago I attended a Pagan fest and met a priestess who told me that I was inhabited by 3 demons, she removed them from me and it hasn't happened since. So, at least for now, I guess I'm good.

Julie: High magick for you from now on, I hope.

Viking: Oh, yeah. I'm not big into the herbs and all that. I'm more into drawing energy to my chakras and whatnot. I use it for healing.

Julie: So you're familiar with Chakras...other eastern styles?

Viking: Yes. In addition to Paganism, Ive studied a lot of Eastern teaching of the Zen and the Buddhists. But I'm a Pagan, that's what I relate to the most. I would describe it as a great city, with many roads that lead to the same destination.

We are accountable for all our deeds, be them good or bad and someone is keeping score. When we die, I think we have to answer for the wrongs we did. Sort of like what the ancient Egyptians believe, in that when you died your heart was weighed by Anubis and if it wasn't enough, he eats you.

Julie: Freya and the Valkyries judged the honorable warriors, not those wearing her amulet or begging her to change her mind. I think that will be great for my interview.

Viking: Yes. It's nice to share with someone who has similar beliefs. Blessed be.

Rock Star

One thing I have long enjoyed using in my magical practice is stones.

While you can find many sources on the internet and in books about different types of stones and their various uses, using stones is as much about intuition and the essence of each individual stone as anything else.

Here’s a simple ritual I performed for a dance job I wanted and was right for.

I selected a rounded, pink rose quartz to represent myself. Round stones are female, and Rose Quartz is the stone of my patron Goddess, Aphrodite.

I selected a cube-like, blue Lapis Lazuli to represent the man in charge. Squarish stones are male. I also selected a few cube-like pieces of green Aventurine to represent the few other men involved.


I placed these together in a handmade satchel and tied with twine. I lit a stick of Jasmine incense and meditated on the stones in the palm of my hand, visualizing my intent. Then I placed them under my mattress and slept on them for three weeks or so, before getting the job.