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PWN #101: Soap Box Frenzy

Due to some work conflicts for RevKess, this week’s edition of PWN was delayed by a day. Everyone at PMPChannel apologizes for the inconvenience this may have caused anyone. Zaracon was unavailable for this week’s edition.

RevKess feels he may have gone a little Rachel Maddow in the show, but he was on a roll. Sometimes being wore out from work loosens the tongue. He sure was up on his soap box a lot during the show!

Links

the Music

  1. Paradiso & Rasamayi – Harmonic Ascension – Attuning to Oneness
  2. Omnia – I Don’t Speak Human – Musick and Poetree 
  3. Dragon Ritual Drummers – Tuatha de Danann – Passage
  4. Heather Dale – Odin’s Other Eye – The Gabriel Hounds
  5. Lon Milo DuQuette – Roman Rider – I’m Baba Lon
  6. Featherscale – Gypsy Heart – Gypsy Heart
  7. Mama Gina – Summer of the Fae – Goddess Kiss’d
  8. Lis Addison – Crown in the Sky – Crown in the Sky

News and Links that didn’t air….

There was a lot of ground to cover with #101 this week. Many things may have been missed or just didn’t make the cut for the live broadcast. Below you will find links and short info snippets on some of those topics and issues that just didn’t make it into the show. Not because they aren’t important, but because RevKess sometimes goes on tangents or looses steam before he can cover everything.

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Musica Pagani #6

Sunday 7 July 2013, the sixth edition of the rebooted Musica Pagani on the Pagan-Musings Podcast Channel. An extra long edition of the show this time around. RevKess had to do tracking for Murphy’s Magic Mess on KZUM, which means longer tracks to make it easier to track. So, still in the mood for long pieces of music, that is where he began for MP.

Introducing some new artists to PMPC and new music from some other artists, is what happens the beginning of every month. July being no exception. Fiona Joy Hawkins has a new release called 600 Years in a Moment and Craig Urquhart sent out his latest, First Light, for sharing on the show. Blackmore’s Night also has a new CD out this summer called Dancer and the Moon. New artists to the collection include Meg Bowles, Sensitive Chaos and Mama Gina. Rounding out the show are some old favorites, Tuatha Dea, Frenchy and the Punk and some lighter music from Michael Brant DeMaria.

As it is a new month, RevKess has picked a new opening and closing piece. Opening the show for the month of July will be Jenna Greene’s “Rise Up Singin'” from her Crossroads CD. Finishing off the show will be “The Blessing” from Tuatha Dea’s The Tribe. (Read RevKess’s review of The Tribe over at RevKess Reviews.)

The Music

  1. Jenna Greene – Rise Up Singin’ – Crossroads
  2. Meg Bowles – Venus Rising – The Shimmering Land
  3. Meg Bowles – Beneath Radiant Stars – The Shimmering Land
  4. Meg Bowles – Undulant Sea – The Shimmering Land
  5. Sensitive Chaos – Contemplation of One’s Place in the World – Amerisynthecana
  6. Sensitive Chaos – (Put Out) The House of Fire – Amerisynthecana
  7. Sensitive Chaos – Amerisynthecana (extended edit) – Amerisynthecana
  8. Fiona Joy Hawkins – Ancient Albatros – 600 Years in a Moment
  9. Fiona Joy Hawkins – Captured Freedom – 600 Years in a Moment 
  10. Fiona Joy Hawkins – Earthbound – 600 Years in a Moment
  11. Craig Urquhart – First Light – First Light
  12. Craig Urquhart – The Wanderer – First Light
  13. Craig Urquhart – Contentment – First Light
  14. Blackmore’s Night – Dancer and the Moon – Dancer and the Moon
  15. Blackmore’s Night – Troika – Dancer and the Moon
  16. Blackmore’s Night – The Moon is Shining (Somewhere Over the Sea) – Dancer and the Moon 
  17. Tuatha Dea – Khawuleza (featuring Spiral Rhythm) – The Tribe
  18. Tuatha Dea – The Hunt (Corners) – Kith & Kin
  19. Tuatha Dea – Granny’s Bedtime Tonic – Tuatha Dea 
  20. Mama Gina – Persephone – Goddess Kiss’d
  21. Mama Gina – Summer of the Fae – Goddess Kiss’d
  22. Mama Gina – Song of Atonement – Goddess Kiss’d
  23. Frenchy and the Punk – Hey Hey Cabaret – Hey Hey Cabaret 
  24. Frenchy and the Punk – Tie You Up – Hey Hey Cabaret
  25. Frenchy and the Punk – Oh Gypsy (as the Gypsy Nomads) – At The Carnival Eclectique
  26. Michael Brant DeMaria – Grandfather – Siyotanka 
  27. Michael Brant DeMaria – Mysterious Stranger – The Maiden of Stonehenge
  28. Michael Brant DeMaria – Moonlit Sea – Ocean
  29. Tuatha Dea – The Blessing – The Tribe

Bonus Material

(Not included in the podcast.)

  • Robert Gass- Ancient Mother 
  • Walter Thompson III – Cloned Hearts in Love (#2) 
  • Walter Thompson III – When All is Bare 
  • An interview segment with Frenchy and the Punk from AnachroCon 2013, featuring the title track from their Elephant Uproar.  Soon to be added to the PMPC music line up.
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Musica Pagani Celebrates Independence

RevKess would like to say happy 4th of July to all the listeners in the United States and all of those who appreciate the freedoms and independence that they have or want to have. Every year on the 4th of July, millions of people celebrate the freedom and independence that they have in the United States. Even with the inequities that barrage US citizens on a regular basis, people in the US have much more freedom than most other places around the globe. It is due to the long battle that the US people have waged for centuries that they can celebrate on this day, and any other day of the year. Religious freedom, sexual equality (a work in progress), workers’ rights, voters’ rights, property and inheritance rights, all those things that many in the US take for granted. They are all reasons to celebrate.

Though Musica Pagani is a music program, as the name suggests, RevKess wanted to share that Crystal Blanton is a new staff writer for the Wild Hunt. Her first article for TWH was published for the 4th of July and it pertains to the celebration in the United States as well as the major disappointment that many have with the Supreme Court of the United States after their decision to over turn Section 4 of the Voters Rights Act on June 25, 2013 – one day before their major decision regarding Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. In the article she quotes such figures of the Pagan community as T Thorn Coyle, Peter Dybing, Yeshe Rabbit and Erick DuPreee.

This 4th of July, Musica Pagani celebrates freedom, diversity and independence with music and song.

The Music

  1. Celia – Lady Liberty 
  2. Fiona Joy Hawkins – Freedom – Live at the Q
  3. Stephen DeRuby – Freedom – Awakening
  4. Celia – Red Alabaster & Blue – Red Alabaster & Blue 
  5. Gaia Consort – Cry Freedom – Secret Voices
  6. Big Bad Gina – Freedom Connection – Lake of Dreams 
  7. Lis Addison – My Big Community – Grace of the Green Leaf
  8. Ian Corrigan – A Charm for Religious Liberty 
  9. Celia – Build the Wall – Military Religious Freedom Foundation 
  10. Celia – Symbol Song 
  11. Heather Dale – Brother Stand Beside Me – The Green Knight 
  12. Tron Syversen – Freedom Song – Piano Poems 
  13. Emerald Rose – Hills of America – Bending Tradition 
A special thank you to the editors and collectors of sound effects over at www.freefx.co.uk for some of the sounds you heard on this special edition of Musica Pagani.
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Home of the Ancestors – Interview with Eric Hill – Hellenic Polytheism

In this episode of HotA, Julian sat down with Eric Hill to discuss the basics of Hellenismos (Greek polytheism) and the philosophy behind the practice.  Eric discussed the importance of both having ritual and philosophy in balance as well as the analogy of the Tripod of Hellenic polytheism.

Some Resources

Baring the Aegis – http://baringtheaegis.blogspot.com/

THIASOS PHOIBOS on FB: – https://www.facebook.com/groups/111597138867254/?fref=ts

A Beginner’s Guide to Hellenismos by Timothy Jay Alexander

Question for this episode

The proposed question for this episode is: If one feels no connection whatsoever to blood ancestors, how does one go about creating a relationship? Please post your responses on the Home of the Ancestors Facebook page  or email them to paganmusings@gmail.com. You can of course post your responses and comments directly to this blog by clicking “comments” below.

On our last show I proposed the the Question: “Briefly, how do you honor your Ancestors?” Here are some of the responses:

Phil from Pagan Musing Podcast Channel Wrote:

I have a wall-altar to my ancestors. I gaze upon it daily and meditate about their influences on my life. I also spend some quiet time with myself and my ancestors when things are getting out of my control. Asking them what it is I should do to get a handle on things again.

Ash Ashtore from Facebook writes:

Due to the fact that I work in retail and my time is pretty erratic right now I really don’t have a daily practice in place right now. Most of my practice revolves around the group high days I participate in. Song brings me closer to the devine than anything else and honors my ancestors in a major way because I was surrounded by song and words during my childhood. My mom’s apple pie and Chocholate eggs both make appearance in what I bring to the potlucks after ritual. These actions bring memories with them that I can then share and cherish even when the people who showed them to me are long gone. In the future I would love to bring some of these aspects into my daily life. SImple things like a daily prayer or meditation might be a good way to start a daily practice. Honoring the ancestors might also be a simple twist of this simple start, I could sing the prayer before I meditate, for example. I’m just beginning so simple is best.

Crystal from Facebook writes:

Using practices,Teaching my kids the ways of my people an Keeping their ways alive an install respect for the earth an all that is on it

Music

  1. Issac Bonewits – We Won’t Shave Any Longer
  2. Acoustic Ocean –Under the Starlit Sky – Chimes of the Spirit

Bonus Feature

The lyrics to “We Won’t Shave Any Longer”, just for fun:

We have trusted no man’s razors, we have nicked and cut ourselves.

We’ve been stung by all the aftershaves upon the drugstore shelves.
And our patience and endurance from late puberty till now
Have given us the strength to make this vow:

We won’t shave any longer, our beards are stronger than before.
We won’t shave any longer, our beards are stronger!

We have shaved away our stubble and have scraped away our skin.
We have cut and hacked and sliced and diced and raised an awful din.
And on every weekday morning we’d be bloody nervous wrecks
Sticking wads of toilet paper to our necks!

Now the ladies too have suffered in their armpits and their legs,
Just to wear those pantyhose that come in little plastic eggs.
But we think it’s time to tell them that we Pagan men don’t care
If they throw away their Zipwax and their Nair!

Through the ages many faces have arisen and have gone.
And the male ones all looked better with a beard and mustache on!
So the time has come to throw our styptic pencils on the floor,
And refuse to wreck our faces anymore!

[2 choruses]

Words by Jeff Kalmar & Isaac Bonewits, �1990, 2001 c.e.
Music by Gwyddion Penderwen (“We Won’t Wait Any Longer”)

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Musica Pagani wants you (to tell us who you want to hear)

MPBTRadbannerRevKess would like to know who you want to hear on Musica Pagani. He’s not just talking about the music. Who do you want to hear an interview with? Respond to this poll and give him some ideas of who to do an interview with in an upcoming edition of MP. Vote on the already listed musicians or add your own suggestions.

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PWN #100

The 100th edition of the Pagan Weekly News aired late this week. RevKess has been working odd hours, more so than usual, at his bills-paying-job and was completely wiped at 9am CT Tuesday the 2nd of July. Zaracon was off celebrating the birth his new grandson and unavailable to contribute to this landmark edition. The birth of a new child is truly  more important than sharing in the general news of the Pagan community. Family is one of those things that can and often does out weigh the needs of the many. Congratulations to Z, his daughter, his new grandson and indeed to the whole family!

This past week brings us a lot of news from the political and governmental realms as well as equality issues from around the world and lots of news and events from the Pagan community. We will start as we did with the archived edition of PWN and move into some of the stories that RevKess did not find time for in the broadcast.

Links

  • The Pagan community reacts to the SCOTUS decisions, an article edited by Jason Pitzl-Waters on the Wild Hunt.
  • A follow-up from June 27th on the Wild Hunt, further reactions. This article contains a segment of an email that RevKess sent to Jason Pitzl-Waters with his first thoughts and reactions to the rulings.
  • Amy Howe’s “in plain English” brief on the DOMA decision from SCOTUS.
  • T Thorn Coyle’s article on her blog from March in which she speaks about her stance on marriage equality.
  • A brief article on Doreen Valiente and how she stood in the face of resistance.
  • Phyllis Currot, Vice Chair for the Parliament for World Religions posted this to her Facebook stream on 2 july 2013: “THANK YOU – from the bottom of my heart – o everyone who helped save the Parliament by donating, by getting the word out, by sending your thoughts and prayers!! Last week we all signed the Settlement Agreement in the Barcelona case and today the Judge signed the order dismissing it. Finally, our lawyers said that we could publicly make a formal announcement that the Barcelona debt has been paid and the battle is over!
    Collectively, and from all over the world, the Wiccan/Pagan community donated over $26,000 to pay off the debt that could have bankrupted the Parliament – that’s 10% of the total debt and an incredible, strong demonstration of our community’s appreciation for CPWR and our ability to give when we are needed.! We consistently led the way in fundraising, inspiring other faith communities to organize and donate. Wiccans, Pagans, shamanic practitioners, members of every tradition around from Italy, Brazil, Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Mexico and all over South America, Canada and of course the US made generous contributions.
    I’m so proud to be a member of this amazing community and to serve as Vice Chair of the Parliament. So many more opportunities await us as we take our rightful place on the global stage of world religions. Blessings to you all and endless gratitude.”

    • Read the statement from the CPWR here.
  • The Argus has an article about Doreen Valiente.
  • Over on the blog HecateDemeter you can read on perspective on why it is not a good idea to fall into the “denial” mode when discussing your Pagan path with others. “As long as you’re denying that you worship Satan (a Christian demi-god in whom Pagans don’t even believe; Satanism is a branch of Christianity), or eat babies, or cut the eyes out of newts for your potions, you, like LBJ’s opponent, are losing.”
    • Peter Dybing has a similar post on his Pagan in Paradise blog. “The time has come for our community to engage an alternative approach to these conversations. Answering the “devil” question should be viewed as a catastrophic way forward.  Alternative responses include, “Let me explain what the Wiccans I know believe” or even better “ Let me tell you a little about what Wiccans do”.  We must as a religious community cease to respond to the outlandish if we are to be viewed as a credible religious movement by wider society.  Such responses just feed the idea that Wiccans are the “other” and not engaged in a theology that has depth and meaning.”
  • Professor Ronald Hutton takes some of his epertise on various topics to the small screen with a new 12 part series on British television.
  • Some news of the weird from Nottinghamshire in England.
  • Harvey Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk,  speaks up on marriage equality and other LGBT issues during the San Francisco Pride events.
  • The National Geogrpahic website has an article about the recently discovered moons of Pluto and their new official names, William Shatner was disappointed with the final decision.
  • The United Church of Christ (UCC) votes to divest itself of holdings in fossil fuels, make them the first Christian denomination in the US to take a stand on such ecological matters.
  • Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) full survivor benefits for LGBT partners and families.

Music

  1. Celia (as the Trestlefoot Faerie) – I’m Not Homophobic – Naughty in Pink
  2. Leigh Anne Hussey – Harper David – Homebrew
  3. Paradiso – Truth of Nothingness – Shaman’s Trance
  4. Lorelei Greenwood – Gaullimaufry
  5. Wendy Rule – Out of the Dry Summer – Guided by Venus 
  6. Elaine Silver – Don’t You Know – Faerie Goddess
  7. Heartbeat – Creation
  8. Tuatha Dea – Hypocritical Mass – The Tribe (featuring Murphey’s Midnight Rounders)

Stories we didn’t have time for….

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Musica Pagani #5

It is the 5th Sunday in a month, which means RevKess gets to play around a little more with the music for Musica Pagani. Instead of a combo of New Age and Pagan music, it is all vocals or lively instrumentals this time around. This edition is more a review of RevKess’s favorites on the channel. Music from groups like Murphey’s Midnight Rounders, Telergy and Omnia with some fun from Blackmore’s Night as a teaser for their new album (which parts will be aired in July) and Frenchy and the Punk (adding their Elephant Stomp in July).

The show was mapped out before the disappointing need to reschedule Tuatha Dea’s interview, so there are three tracks from them and some of their Tribe (Spiral Rhythm and Celia). RevKess is working on adding Spiral Rhythm to the approved play list so the listeners can enjoy more of their wonderful tunage as well.

Later this week is the 4th of July celebration on the Pagan-Musings Podcast Channel. This year we are going to do it on Musica Pagani with lots of music about freedom, diversity and independence. Be sure to tune in this Thursday (4 July 2013) at 7pm CT for a musical celebration!

The Music

  1. Blackmore’s Night – Sake of the Song – Autumn Sky
  2. Murphey’s Midnight Rounders – Ridha Vit – I Am the Goddess
  3. Murphey’s Midnight Rounders – Sky Father – I Am the Goddess
  4. Murphey’s Midnight Rounders – One Voice Cries (song for Patrick) – I Am the Goddess
  5. Tuatha Dea – Akasha – The Tribe (featuring Spiral Rhythm)
  6. Tuatha Dea – Granny’s Bedtime Tonic – Tuatha Dea 
  7. Tuatha Dea – Mishiamagu – The Tribe (featuring Celia)
  8. Blackmore’s Night – The Clock Ticks On – Shadow of the Moon
  9. Blackmore’s Night – Play Minstrel Play – Shadow of the Moon 
  10. Blackmore’s Night – No Second Chance – Shadow of the Moon
  11. Telergy – Rumors – The Legend of Goody Cole
  12. Telergy – Accusations – The Legend of Goody Cole
  13. Telergy – Ghost – The Legend of Goody Cole
  14. Featherscale – House of the Rising Sun – Gypsy Heart
  15. Featherscale – Gypsy Heart – Gypsy Heart
  16. Featherscale – Castle Perilous – Gypsy Heart
  17. Elvendrums – Dream time – Gateway to Faerie
  18. Elvendrums – Forest Squid – The Dragon
  19. Elvendrums – Night Journey – Drumstruck
  20. Omnia – Jabberwocky – Wolf Love 
  21. Omnia – Toys in the Attic – Wolf Love
  22. Omnia – I Don’t Speak Human – Musick 
  23. Frenchy and the Punk – L’Horizon – At the Carnival Eclectique (as Gypsy Nomads)
  24. Frenchy and the Punk – Ogre Dance (vocal mix) – Thread & Stone (as Gypsy Nomads)
  25. Frenchy and the Punk – Vaudeville Voodoo – Happy Madness 
  26. Didges Christ SuperDrum – Finding Our Way Back OM – Alien Technology 
  27. Didges Christ SuperDrum – Head Down – Alien Technology
  28. Didges Christ SuperDrum – Stardust+Energy=Me – Alien Technology 
  29. Didges Christ SuperDrum – Witch Doctor – Alien Technology
  30. Murphey’s Midnight Rounders – As You Depart – I Am the Goddess
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Murphy’s Magic Mess pays Musical Tribute to Freedom & Independence

Right up at the top of the hour, the Mama Dragon and her minions took over the boards from the Glorious Gospel. Kate and Murf put together a wonderful set of military and patriotic music to celebrate the freedoms that we as Americans have fought so long and hard for.

This time Phil typed up the play list and *K8 got to hang out at the boards. Some information is missing as *K8 doesn’t always provide full track info. Phil did what he could to find the missing information, but it was not enough. If you have correct track information, please leave it in comments below so the posting can be corrected.

  1. USMC-Military – Reveille – Bugle Calls
  2. USMC-Military – Reveille – Bugle Calls
  3. Jimi Hendrix – the Star Spangled Banner – Live at Woodstock 
  4. Irving Berlin – Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning – This Is The Army (movie soundtrack) 
  5. Joanne Shenandoah – One Real American –
  6. Three Weird Sisters – Rite of Passage – Rite the First Time
  7. Saeidina – Warrior, Father, Sage – From Within
  8. Murphey’s Midnight Rounders – Maiden Warrior Mother Crone – Swede Hollow
  9. Bryan Bowers – Battle Hymn of the Republic – live performance 
  10. Brave Combo – America the Beautiful –
  11. Anne Lister – Spreading Rings – Spreading Rings
  12. David Davidson – Farmer’s Hands –
  13. Alabama – 40 Hour Work Week –
  14. Emerald Rose – Hills of America – Bending Tradition
  15. Dragon Ritual Drummers – Pagan Soldier – Passage
  16. US Army Ceremonial Band – The Army Goes Rolling Along –
  17. USAF Heritage of America Band – Off We go (Into the Wild Blue Yonder) –
  18. United States Marine Corps – Halls of Montezuma –
  19. Navy Band – Anchors Aweigh –
  20. Blackmore’s Night – March the Heroes Home – 
  21. Damh the Bard – Green Fields of France –
  22. North Sea Gas – Hawks and Eagles Fly Like Doves – Glenncoe Masacre
  23. Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler – The Ballad of the Green Berets –
  24. (audio clip from TV show M*A*S*H) – Incoming Wounded
  25. Johnny Mandel – Suicide is Painless (Theme from M*A*S*H) 
  26. Anne Lister – A Call To Arms – Waiting for the Heroes
  27. The Andrew Sisters – Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – Buck Privates (movie soundtrack) 
  28. T Thorn Coyle & Sharon Knight – Force of Nature – Songs for the Strengthening Sun
  29. Johnny Horton – The Battle of New Orleans – Johnny Horton’s Greatest Hits 
  30. Chorus of Life – Star Spangled Pagan – Gaia’s Voice
  31. Spiral Rhythm – My Country Freedom – Roll of Thunder
  32. Gaia Consort – Cry Freedom – Secret Voices
  33. Brave Combo – Precious Freedom – Holidays
  34. ArmyStudyGuide.com – Taps – 
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PMP: The Basics of Spellcraft

KaliSara and RevKess scrambled at the last minute to decide on a topic for this edition. Originally, Tuatha Dea was going to be joining them for a conversation about their music and other wonderful things. Unfortunately, a scheduling conflict came up. So, KaliSara suggested visiting the basics of spell work.

As most people, at least when they are starting out, focus on love and money… Prosperity was the topic to launch the discussion with. Later in the show they touched  on love magick.

KaliSara describes her method of spell casting as “the constipated grunt.” RevKess is more or less a ceremonialist. He self described in the show as a 50/50 ceremonialist/”constipated grunter”.

One of the most common forms of spell casting is candle magick. Candle magick is the use of candles when doing magick.  That is a basic definition. The process of candle magick can vary from person to person. Essentially, most practitioners of candle magick will use color correspondences, oils and/or herbs, as well as other objects associated with the intention of the spell being worked. Raymond Buckland has two books on candle magick that the listener might find useful. Practical Candle Burning Rituals and Advanced Candle Magick. These are just two of the many books and resources for candle magick.

spell casting in progress - cat plaqueDuring the show, RevKess used the example of using a green candle for casting a prosperity spell. In the outline for such a spell, he suggests that you choose a green candle as it represents money. (Gold, silver, or white can be used if a green candle is not available. Truly, any color candle will work if it feels right to the spell caster.) One would “dress” or anoint the candle with an appropriate oil and roll it in dried herbs that correspond to the intent of the spell. As this example is a prosperity spell, RevKess suggests olive oil and cinnamon. He also suggested placing a circle of shiny new dimes around the candle. Here is one site which lists herbal correspondences for prosperity and wealth.

Knot magick is another method one can use to bring prosperity into their life. KaliSara talked about a basic knot spell that she has used in the past with some measure of success. Take a string, cord, ribbon, or even a length of your own hair. Tie a knot in one end, this knot represents you. At the other end tie a second knot, this knot represents your desired goal. Loop the cord and tie a knot that brings the previous two knots together. This brings you and the object of your desire together. Burn away the remaining cord as if you were burning away that which keeps you from your goal.

A simple knot spell chant or rhyme that RevKess has known for over 20 years:

By this knot of one
The spell has begun.
By this knot of two
It comes true.
By this knot of three
It must be.
By this knot of four
It’s empowered more.
By this knot of five
The power thrives.
By this knot of six
This spell I fix.
By this knot of seven
‘Tis manna from heaven.
By this knot of eight
It is my fate.
By this knot of nine
My desire is mine.

Herb craft and kitchen witchery are very powerful ways to bring about the manifestation of your desires. Linked above is a site that has some correspondences for herbs useful in prosperity magick. Keeping in mind that not all herbs are edible, kitchen magick or witchery brings the essence of the herbs into your body and as you digest them you incorporate those energies into your being.

Love magick….Well, now. What most people expect when it comes to love magick is that they can cast a spell to bring a specific person into their life for love and sex. KaliSara and RevKess do not condone such magick. Instead, for love magick, they both recommend that any spells cast should be to “bring love into your life.” Sounds cliche, but it is not. One very good way to bring love into your life is to learn to love yourself – all your beauties and all your uglies. It is only when you are comfortable with yourself and love yourself that you can be open and ready to accept the love of another who might be waiting just around the corner or may already be in your life.

Music

  1. Spiral Dance – Magick – The Quickening
  2. Wendy Rule – The Circle Song – The Wolf Sky 
  3. Tuatha Dea – The Blessing – The Tribe
  4. Isaac Bonewits – Call the Quarters – Avalon is Rising
  5. Damh the Bard – The Sons and Daughters of Robin Hood – Antlered Crown & Standing Stone
  6. Omnia – Stand Up – Musick 
  7. Heather Dale – Stone Soup – Call the Names
  8. SJ Tucker – In the House of Mama Dragon – Haphazard 
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PWN: SCOTUS Rulings, First Thoughts

PWN banner 1

RevKess shares his first thoughts on the SCOTUS rulings on DOMA Section 3 and California’s Proposition 8. (Our apologies for any format errors, this was originally submitted for publication or quote for another site.)

In a 5-4 decision, SCOTUS has overturned DOMA. This ruling’s immediate effect is that Ms. Windsor does not owe the IRS $300k in estate taxes. Long term effects are many. The Federal government must now recognize the legitimacy of same-sex marriage performed in any state that has legal same-sex marriage, and the District of Columbia. This recognition is for the purposes of taxes, spousal benefits for military personnel and Federal employees, property rights, etc. This does not mean that all states must now legalize same-sex marriage.

In another 5-4 decision, SCOTUS has tossed Prop8 back down to the lower court with instructions to dismiss the case. Sometime by August 1, 2013, hundred, perhaps thousands, of same-sex couples in California will be applying for marriage licenses and making their plans final and legal to be married.
Today marks an affirmation by SCOTUS that the United States is a country of freedoms and equal rights. This despite their ruling Tuesday on Voter Rights and the Federal government’s further attempts to restrict or take away other rights of US citizens. The five Justices that ruled against DOMA will go down in LGBT history as heroes. The five Justices who ruled against Prop8 will also go down in LGBT history as heroes.
As a gay man I am thrilled to hear these rulings. At the time of this writing I have not slogged through all the legalese of both opinions the dissenters, that will come after the initial euphoria has waned a bit. I can only hope that the DOMA decision will reflect well on the efforts of my state to over turn their own version of DOMA. The ban on same-sex marriage in Nebraska was a complete farce. The law was written by a woman with no legal background, the phrasing of the law was son confusing that a literal interpretation can prevent a father and son from owning a business together, let alone two men or two women getting married. After the election day that voted Nebraska’s ban of same-sex marriage into law, many voters were polled and it was learned that over 50% of those who voted for the ban thought they were voting for same-sex marriage. Such is the wonders of legalese and a lack of education. Since then, Nebraskans have been fighting for marriage equality with half-hearted attempts and full-hearted attempts. I do hope that after today those who are fighting for marriage equality in Nebraska will reaffirm their convictions and stick it to the government.
As a Pagan I am thrilled by both rulings. “All acts of love and pleasure” are the rituals of the Gods. I personally feel thatpagan marriage equality the government should have no say in whether legal consenting adults get married, regardless of their sex or sexual identity. Marriage in this context is a religious institution. How politicos view marriage is as a legal contract. If you are going to view marriage as a legal contract, then any two consenting adults should be able to enter into such a contract.
I am a legally ordained and recognized minister in the state of Nebraska, and many other states that recognize my ordination. I have been asked many times to do weddings and handfastings. I’ve not had the joy or the privilege to perform a same-sex ceremony. I have been asked, but things changed in the lives of the couples and the unions did not take place. If I were asked today to go to one of the 12 (soon to be 13) states that have legal same-sex marriage (and the District of Columbia) to perform such a glorious union, I would gladly do so. If I were asked today to do a same-sex handfasting or other such ceremony in any of the 50 states or anywhere else in the world, I would gladly do so.
I am now and always have been of the firm opinion that all adults have the right to love who they want and how they want as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others or place themselves or others at risk of undue harm.
There is still a long uphill battle in the United States for marriage equality. The provision of DOMA that allows states without same-sex marriage to ignore the validity of a same-sex marriage from a state that does still stands. SCOTUS declared Section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional. The rest of DOMA still stands, which means that each state still has the right to define marriage according to its voters or law makers.
For further Pagan responses to the SCOTUS rulings, read the Wild Hunt.