This month,
our readers asked...
What type of incense is most appropriate for meditation, especially when meditating to drive away stress?
–Black Spyder, Danbury, CT
There are some traditional recipes for just this very thing, but it is usually good to just go with what feels right. I have often found that Airs has a delightful cone fragrance called Russian Amber that helps me to unwind. There is also the old classic Nag Champa that most occult supply houses have.
Since our olfactory senses vary, sample some incense and see how it appeals to you. Florals work well for some while others may avoid them for more heady scents like Frankincense and Myrrh.
This might sound like a strange question, but is there an advantage to practicing magic “skyclad”?
–Maurisa, Fair Oaks, CA
Skyclad is a topic that has generated a lot of discussion in Pagan circles for many years, and will most likely continue to be a debate of contention. Some practitioners feel that skyclad allows the energy to work without interference, while others feel that clothing or robes do not hamper their circle work.
If you tend to be a bit modest about having yourself surrounded by naked people, then it defeats the purpose of any magikal workings simply because you are not in tune and more focused on your nudity. In this case, a robe at the very least would probably make you more comfortable.
Some traditions, such as Gardenarian utilize skyclad workings. I have yet to meet anyone from that tradition who does otherwise. There are, of course many more traditions that favor robes.
The idea is to be comfortable with the group you are working with, whether it is skyclad or robed. If it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it.
I have read that timing spellwork with phases of the moon is important. Can you please tell me which types of spells correspond with what moon phase? Is it true that you should never practice a love spell during a waning moon?
–Nina, Jackson, NJ
Spells are cast according to what you want to accomplish. The hard and fast rule is to do spell work to reduce something it would be done during the waning moon and to increase something you would do it during the waxing moon.
Love spells are not encouraged because it does have a certain element of manipulation tied to it. This will in effect bring on that old nasty karmic law of three, bringing back three fold of what you send out.
For example, say you do a love spell during the waxing moon. Now you manage to get the object of your affections into your life, but six months to a year later you realize what a jerk you ended up landing in your life. You may find that you are stuck with a lovesick puppy that you can't get out of your life. I have heard of many folks who in fact did love spells only to have regretted it. In one case, it worked too well and the young lady realized that they were mismatched. In essence, the guy wouldn’t take no for an answer and started stalking her.
If you do a “love spell” that would make YOU increasingly more desirable, then that shouldn't be a problem. To do any spell, including a healing, without the other person’s permission, sets up many headaches that you don’t want to have to deal with. Any type of spell work that involves another person requires the permission of the person to avoid negative karmic backlash.
Why do many goths feel drawn towards Wicca and pagan religion?
–Thomas, Baton Rouge, LA
I think initially it is the air of dark mystery coupled with some of the Hollywood misrepresentation that draws the attention. The real irony is that folks who study and practice the craft realize that it isn’t the preconceived all powerful, broom flying notion that much of Hollywood would have us believe.
By and large, lots of goths tend to be peaceful vegetarians who are in tune to the cycles of life and death. This resonates strongly in craft work because there is a season and a reason for everything, and much of the work is tied to the life and death cycles of Mother Earth.
The big dichotomy though is that many Wiccan/Pagans are not goth. In only recent years have the two actually started having any dialogue at all since they both felt misrepresented and were in split camps. These days, both groups are meshing a bit more harmoniously. There is a distinction between Pagan and Wiccan though. A Pagan includes Wiccan, but also includes Buddhists, Hindu’s, and many of the Afro-Cuban sects, such as Santeria and Macumba.
Many people are drawn to the Craft because there is a larger margin of acceptance of all people from all backgrounds and lifestyles. Many folks who “convert” found no solace in the organized religions which condemned them for just about everything but breathing.
In our technologically advanced world, many have lost a sense of soul, including the one’s who claim to be devout in their religion but quick to judge everyone according to their limited Biblical standards.
The Craft has one real rule, “And it harm none, do what thou will.” That is pretty heavy because it means no harm to yourself or anyone or anything you come in contact with. It makes US responsible for our actions and puts us in tune with the changing cycles of the living mother, Earth and Goddess.
Some folks enter craft work thinking it is about power “over” another, as in control of another in a manipulative way, when nothing could be further from the truth. The strength behind the growing tide of Wicca is the changing role of women as leaders in our society. We are once again evolving towards a more matrifocal society, so more nurturance and sustenance is needed that has been sorely lacking for the last six thousand years.
Goth is associated with the night, which is also the domain of the Goddess, hence the esbats which are performed during the moon phases and rarely during broad daylight.
This month, I’d also like to share a funny tidbit that came from a friend through e-mail, entitled “You know your coven is getting old when...”
You know your coven is getting old when...
The ritual feast is pureed.
Last Beltaine, the coven decided it would be nice to go out to dinner to celebrate.
The last time you tried to do a spiral dance, your oxygen feeds got tangled.
Viagra is kept in the coven supplies.
The maiden of the coven is a grandmother.
The ritual room is outfitted with defibrillators.
The coveners drive their RV’s to Scottsdale, AZ for Mabon.
When you are at a festival, you go to bed at sunset.
It takes the whole coven to move the cauldron.
The High Priest still has a vendetta going against Richard Nixon.
You find yourself using your pendulum over the stock pages in the newspaper.
You tell an initiate that in your day you had to slog through 5 feet of snow uphill both ways when you did a Yule ritual.
You drop your teeth in the ritual cup.
At Samhain, you see more of your coveners in the Wild Hunt than you do in circle.
You put your athame in the chalice during ritual, but you can’t remember why.
You hold an all-night blow-out drum frenzy and none of your neighbors noticed.
You use Glen Miller records for trance music.
All of your ritual robes are tie-died.
Your coven has a 401(k) retirement plan.
A nitro pill vial replaces the crystal on your pendant.
Questions, comments? Recipes, remedies?
Share them with me!
