Kansas City Witches Meetup Presents
Elements: Air
Winter Solstice 2018
The Center Spiral
Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions expressed in any article in this publication are expressly those of the author and the author only. They do not necessarily represent the thoughts and opinions of The Center Spiral Magazine and Staff.
Letter from the Editor The Center Spiral STaff From the STars Turn of the Wheel Full Moons New Organizer of KCPPD Hekaterine Nox Luna's Lair wit Luna Motherowl Deity Cafe The Four Winds Breath of Life Laurie Sherman Songs of the Season with Mike Nichols Genesis of an Elements Chant Kitty Degler Musecraft Zac Laman Pencraft Hannah Doss Parlaiment of World Religions Sam Shryock In the Cards The Lovers Starman Tarot Review Crystal Corner Topaz Gifts of Gaia Mint The Power of Air Catherine Boudreau Out of the Cauldron Turkey Veggie Chili Essential Oil Mixes Her Name Was Lola... Balder Bloodaxe Contemplative Crone from the Urban Crone Air Annie Razz Community Voices How do you connect with Air? Bookshelf Resources Next Issue Elements: Water contributors Thank you
Table of Contents
Cover Image: Emily Gabbert
Image Credit: JS Groves
Letter from the Editor
Air is the element we tend to notice the least. It is ubiquitous, even when we can avoid most other elements through modern life. It is the mix of gases we must breathe to live, the breeze that blows through our hair and the jet stream in the upper layers of the atmosphere that moves weather through our world. When we do notice air, it is as the chill winter wind that makes us close our coats tighter, the warm spring breeze that lifts our spirits by its very presence, the heavy, saturated, still air of summer, and, most destructively, as a tornado, which we all have learned to watch for around here. But to take it to a more symbolic level, Air represents our thoughts. It stands for our intellect, our ability to learn, and our daydreams and imagination. Working with air, we can keep our minds open enough to consider all kinds of new information, to learn new things every day and then let those ideas fly and form into our own new ideas. And then, we get to communication. Sound is a vibration of air. We speak through our vocal cords modulating the air we expel from our lungs. We speak to communicate our thoughts, ideas, feelings, or just to keep ourselves company sometimes. Speech is a very early form of communication for us. This very quickly plays into music as well, and you will see Mike mention later in this issue. Working with the element of Air will bring in new ways to educate ourselves and others. To let minds open to new ideas and learn new things. It will help us connect with each other in various new ways and inspire each other to think outside the box, to use our imagination, our intellect, and our voices (both literal and symbolic) to better communicate. I hope in the pages ahead, you will find new ways to fly, to educate, inspire and connect.
Emily Gabbert Editor
Marietta Williams is one of the founding staff members of The Center Spiral, a role which she will be stepping down from. We would like to thank her for the time, writing, editing, graphics, and advice she has contributed to this publication. We wish you the best in all your future endeavors. For being a part of our team, The Center Spiral would like to say Thank you Marietta!
The Center Spiral Staff
Emily Gabbert has been a practicing witch and a follower of a Pagan path for nearly 20 years. She led a group for alternative religions at MU, and was tapped into a society recognizing women leaders for her efforts. She joined the Kansas City Pagan Community in 2013, and has been a co-organizer for the Kansas City Witches Meetup since 2016, receiving the KCPPD Community Service Award in 2017. She is a baker by trade with an interest in all kinds of arts and crafts, and sometimes she writes.
Laurie Sherman (Urban Crone) has over 30 years of experience in Tarot and divination, Urban Witchcraft, Multicultural Folk Magic and Eclectic Paganism. Recipient of the 2014 KCPPD Community Service Award, she has been a teacher and organizer for the Pagan community for a number of years, including her work with the KC Metaphysical Fair, Kansas City Pagan Pride Day, and has been the Organizer of the Kansas City Witches Meetup since 2012. Laurie Sherman is also a mixed medium and pyrographic artist, as well as a writer.
Emaleth Summer has been a practicing witch for more than 25 years. She is also a professional writer and editor with 11 years of experience in her field. Emaleth has several works in progress as well as a blog about witchcraft and eclectic paganism.
Mike Nichols is the author of The Witches' Sabbats and www.WitchesSabbats.com, both award-winning resources on Pagan holidays. Mike has been a featured speaker on National Public Radio, and local TV and radio programs. He taught classes in Witchcraft for twenty years continuously, beginning in 1970, and owned Kansas City's first occult bookstore, The Magick Lantern. A founding member of the Coven of New Gwynedd, Nichols was the first Wiccan representative on the Kansas City Interfaith Council.
Audrey Hazzard has been practicing some form of witchcraft for over 20 years, and leading public and private rituals in the Kansas City area for the last 10. She's a tarot reader with a fondness for chaos magick, trance work, potions, farmer's markets, feminism, and vintage cookbooks. She blogs intermittently and travels whenever she can.
Luna Motherowl is a Christo-Pagan Witch, leads a local circle here in the Kansas City area, and is a Reiki Master Teacher in Seichim and Usui. She owns and operates Higher Vibrations Metaphysical Studio where she teaches, counsels, and give readings. She thrives on learning and experiencing all the magic this life has to offer, from cruising on her motorcycle while balancing her chakras to climbing the Qabala from Malkuth to Kether.
Dec. 22nd – Full ( Long Night, Oak, Snow) Moon in Gemini. Time for workings in love, peace & devotion. Dec. 31st – NEW YEARS EVE! Have a great night and be safe! Jan. 1st – HAPPY NEW YEAR! Jan. 5th – Solar Eclipse & New Moon Jan. 20th – Sun enters Aquarius. Happy Birthday! Jan. 21st – Martin Luther King, Jr day, Lunar Eclipse, Full (Cold, Ice, Winter) Moon. Time to work on beginnings, healing & strength. Feb. 2nd –Blessings on Imbolc / Candlemas / Groundhog Day Feb. 4th – New Moon Feb. 5th – Lunar New Year Feb. 14th – Happy Valentine's Day Feb. 18th – Sun enters Pisces. Happy Birthday! Feb. 19th – Full (Quickening, Wild, Wolf) Moon. Time for working with purification & empowerment. March 5th – Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) March 6th – Ash Wednesday, New Moon March 10th – Daylight Savings March 17th – Happy St. Patrick’s Day March 20th – Blessed Ostara/Spring Equinox!, Int’l Astrology Day, Sun enters Aries. Happy Birthday!, Full (Storm, Chaste, Raven, Seed, Windy) Moon. Retrogrades Uranus - January 1st - 6th Mercury – March 5th - 28th
by Luna Motherowl
From the Stars
Turn of the Wheel
Winter is upon us, the nights have grown long, and the Yuletide celebrations are past. Now is the time of year to think about the future, lay plans, and plant the seeds of intent for the next year to come. New moons are a good time to lay down such intentions, so that as the moon waxes you can bring your goals to you. Yet full moons definitely still have their place during these months. Taking into account the time of year, the astrological sign of the moon, and the various types of magick, use this guide to plan your full moon rites as the light begins to return and the new year begins in earnest. “Under the full moon she had never felt crazy. She only felt connected.” – C. Churchill January 21: Frost Moon The January full moon is also called the Cold Moon or Wolf Moon. This time of year is about making goals and plans for the coming months. It’s about sowing the seeds of intent and making New Year’s resolutions. This is also a good time for setting boundaries, inner reflection and self-care goals, and leaving behind the things that no longer serve you. The January moon is also a prime time for spells of protection. This month’s full moon is in Leo, making it even more appropriate for spells oriented on achieving goals and fulfilling your dreams. Spells to reinforce the intent you declared at the New Year are highly appropriate at this time. In addition, the full moon in January will be the first lunar eclipse of the year. A lunar eclipse is a highly magickal time, lending power to the spells you perform during the eclipse. The approximate time of the eclipse in the Kansas City area will begin at 8:37 pm, peak at 11:12 pm, and end at 1:48 am on the 22nd. Correspondences: Colors - Black, white, silver Herbs - Nuts, seeds, basil, marjoram Stones - Hematite, quartz, snowflake obsidian Element - Air February 19: Snow Moon February’s full moon is also sometimes called the Hunger Moon, the Rowan Moon, Ice Moon, and Quickening Moon. Quickening is a good description for this moon. In January you will have planted the seeds of intent. Now, in February, it is time to put those plans laid into motion with small changes. Now is a good time to start taking the initial steps toward the goals you made around the New Year. Magickal workings that put into motion the steps necessary to achieve your ultimate intent are very appropriate. This full moon is also in Leo, so continue working on laying the groundwork for achieving your goals. Correspondences: Colors - Purple, blue Herbs - Hyssop, sage, myrrh Stones - Rose quartz, amethyst, jasper Element - Fire March 21: Storm Moon The March full moon is also called the Seed Moon, the Sap Moon, the Crust Moon, the Worm Moon, the Ash Moon, and the Moon of Winds. Now is the time to plant the seeds of change in earnest. With the Spring Equinox just barely passed, March’s full moon is a prime time to begin personal growth. This is also a good time to start the seeds of financial growth and balance. March full moon is in Virgo. This is an especially good time for employment spells. This moon is a good time to build firm foundations. You might work magick for gaining a new job, starting a new career, or trying to earn that hard-won promotion. Correspondences: Colors - Green, yellow, lavender Herbs - Thyme, high john, betony Stones - Bloodstone, aquamarine Element - Water
Image Credit: Emily Gabbert
by Emaleth Summer
Full Moons
Image Credit: KCPPD FB Page
by Hekaterine Nox
New Organizer of KCPPD
Since 2012, Sam Shryock has led Kansas City Pagan Pride Day to become a successful annual Autumn event featuring over 30 artisan vendors, numerous entertainers, and a day of ritual, exploration, and camaraderie of like minds. In Sam’s tenure, he has been instrumental in choosing worthy charities to support through the Food Drive and the Charity Raffle tables. Approximately 3,000 pounds of food have been donated to Harvesters Kansas City and nearly $7500 has been raised in 6 years at the Charity Raffle. Estimated attendance over the last 6 years, is close to 500. As his last act of service to KCPPD, Sam provided oversight of the brick inlayed at the National World War I Memorial in honor of our Pagan service members. The brick was installed on Sept 11 this year and is engraved “Hail to the Warriors! To those who served defending all that they love and hold sacred”. Under new supervision, Vickie “Leyi Rosh” Knueppel, now assumes the mantle of Coordinator. “I am very excited to take a larger role with KCPPD. I look forward to watching KCPPD continue to grow.” Vickie spent 6 years as Charity Raffle Coordinator and was recipient of the KCPPD Community Service Award 2018.Kansas City Pagan Pride Day 2019 will be held Sunday, September 9th, and more details will be coming forthwith. Please look up KCPPD on Facebook!
Luna's Lair
Lunas Lair I am trying to work on mediation and I am finding it difficult to focus. Do you have any ideas or techniques that would help? Shannon
Hi Shannon! If you are finding it hard to focus and stay focused you should always try to be somewhere quiet where you won't be bothered. Especially when you are just starting out. Sitting with your back straight allows your Chakras (energy points) to line up in order to vibrate as they should. You can do this sitting in a chair or on the floor or ground. Try using a mantra. Mantras can not only raise your vibrations and settle the mind, they will help you to focus. You would be focusing on the words you are speaking. Pay attention to the tones, sounds, and vibrations of the mantra. You will soon find yourself in a beautiful place. A mantra can be anything you choose for whatever purpose you are needing. Here is a mantra I use to just clear and get in a good place. “In this sacred space, My mind is clear, My heart is open, My soul is blessed.” I hope this helps, Shannon! Blessings, Luna
with Luna Motherowl
Know that there are no simple, unimportant questions, and none too off the wall. I can say that my answers will be honest to my truths, loving from my heart, and straightforward from my personality. I will reply to all email questions, and will choose a few questions & answers for publishing in each edition. Send all questions to asklunaslair@gmail.com.
Deity Cafe
The personification of the winds typically comes as the four cardinal directions. North, East, South, and West. Each directional wind is named for the direction it originates from, not blows towards. If you start digging into it, you will see some other directions, or cultures that do not use all four, but we are limiting our focus to four for this article. O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? - Percy Bysshe Shelley All kinds of cultures have personified the Four Winds. Some cultures will have references to one or two particular directions, with no mention of the others. Many of them have given names, some have not. They have names in Egyptian mythology, as well as many Native American spiritual systems in both North and South America. While not all cultures have personified the Four Directional winds, most culture have personified and deified Wind in one or multiple forms. Today, however, we are going to focus on the Greeks. The wind gods of the Greeks are the Anemoi. They are minor gods and are depicted as either winged men or horses, images reflecting either flight or speed. These four seasonal winds were distinct from the more destructive winds, called “Anemoi Thuelli”, which were kept locked away on the island of Aeolus until they were needed. In fact, these personified winds even had feminine counterparts, the Harpies. Boreas Greek God of the North Wind and winter. He could often be depicted with purple wings, and ice on his hair and beard. Another common depiction was as a head with puffed out cheeks, blowing the wind. His wife was Oreithya (“Mountain Gale”), and their children include the Boreades, winged heroes, and the Goddess of snow, Khione. Boreas was said to have carried Leto to safety while she bore Zeus’s children, and then there is the fable of Boreas and Helios. They made a bet as to who could make a man strip his clothing sooner, and Helios won. For more information and myths on Boreas, start here. Zephyros Greek God of the West Wind and spring. He was often depicted as a handsome, winged youth, sometimes carrying a basket of unripe fruit. He had both Iris (of rainbows) and Chloris (greenery) attributed to him as wives. With Chloris he fathered Karpos (fruit), and was also said to be the father of Achilles’ horse. In one of his stories, he and Apollon were rivals for the love of Hykinthos. Zephyros saw them playing a game in a field one day and in a fit of jealousy, blew the disc off course with a gust of wind, causing it to hit Hykinthos in the head and kill him. Apollon, in his grief, turned Hykinthos into a flower, they hyacinth. For more information and myth on Zephyros, start here. Notus Greek God of the South Wind. He was thought to dwell in Ethiopia, and personified the hot winds over the Mediterranean, bringing storms of late summer and autumn in southern Europe. He was feared as a destroyer of crops because of these desiccating winds and storms. There was little to find on Notus, but to start finding more information, look here. Apeliotes Greek God of the East Wind. He is often depicted clean shaven, wearing boots, and carrying fruit and grain in a cloak. This wind was thought to bring a refreshing rain, beneficial to farmers. There is very little information on him as he is a minor God, and often conflated with Euros, of the southeast wind. While we focused on the Greek winds here, there are personifications of winds everywhere you look. Keep a keen eye out for references in stories, myths, and fairy tales if you want to pursue more information and a further relationship with the four winds.
The Four Winds
by Emily Gabbert
Zephyros by Carey Liv Moore
We light the candles. We cast the circles. We talk to our Gods. We work a little Witchcraft. We close it all down, and do it again the next day. And the next. And, so on. Lather, rinse, repeat. Candles, circles, Craft, Gods. We can get to a point where we are going through the motions in our spiritual practices, day in and day out, on autopilot. Some people may try to label this as “losing faith” but, really, you’re probably just plain bored. It does happen. When you have been following a spiritual path for a long time, it is incredibly easy to fall into a rut. Same space. Same stuff. Same Gods. We expect results with the same, monotonous effort all the time, but how much productive energy do you really think comes from stagnant practices? Maybe, it is time to breathe new life into your old practices. One: Changing the tangibles. When was the last time you revamped the area you hold your daily devotionals in? Is that seriously the same tapestry you have used since the 90’s? Why do you keep using those candle holders when you think they are ugly as all get out? Spirituality is not a cage or prison, but an individual right and choice. It is yours to change, or even walk away from, as your needs grow and change. Just like some people get new haircuts and buy a new wardrobe when they are going through a personal slump, changing out the tangibles you use for your spiritual practices can give you a new boost of energy and excitement. Even swapping things out seasonally can change your perspective on your practices and pull you out of your slump. Two: Changing the scenery. Take your spiritual practices on the road. Pack up a few items, or even create a travelling altar box (Pinterest is packed with ideas), and go out into the wild with your spiritual practices. Find local parks, lakes, campgrounds, etc (locally, Camp Gaea and Hollis Retreat Center are gold) that have little areas off the trails you can work in. Breathing in the fresh air even while casting the same circle you always cast can have an extraordinary effect. Three: Change up your practices. I have been practicing Witchcraft and Paganism for over 30 years now. That is a really, really long time. When I think about how many circles and spells I have cast over the years, the numbers are pretty staggering. If I locked myself into the same routine for every single one, I would probably have fenestrated myself years ago. While I do have a few go-to practices I do when I get in a bit of a rush, I make an effort to look at new ways to do everything from honoring my Gods and Ancestors to how I call the elements. I duck into open rituals when I can to see how others do it. I talk to close friends about their practices, bounce new ideas off them from time to time. I read books, articles and poke around the internet. I put the effort forth to keep myself educated in regards to my own spiritual path to keep myself interested in it. Four: Change your mind. There are people who like the idea of being Pagan. There are people who love the idea of being a Witch. Maybe, it looks cool. Maybe, their friends, significant other or family are Pagan. Maybe, they are putting forth the effort but not really getting anything out of it. Maybe, Paganism isn't for them. I've seen this as both a teacher and community leader. People have all different reasons for starting their Spiritual journey. But, life constantly changes. We grow and change as people, and the Spirituality we started with may no longer fit who we have become. Spirituality is not a cage or prison, but an individual right and choice. It is yours to change, or even walk away from, as your needs grow and change. If something no longer feeds your soul, you can't force it, and you do a great disservice to yourself if you try. It's ok to walk away. It's ok to scrap your whole path and start over. There is no punishment for growing and changing. It's part of the human experience. Do what feeds your soul. Change is part of life. So, it is not a great shock that change is a natural part of Spirituality. As we grow and change as people, what nourishes our soul changes and grows. By allowing our Spirituality to change and grow as we do, we not only stave off the ennui of stagnation, but we truly honor ourselves and our Spirituality. Finding ways to do this is all part of walking a spiritual path, including knowing when that path no longer feeds your soul, and it is time for a new journey. Spiritual boredom happens to everyone from time to time, but making changes and being mindful of your practices can be helpful in relieving your boredom and continuing to honor your spiritual path.
by Laurie Sherman
Breath of Life
Continued
Songs of the Season
by Mike Nichols
Full Elements: Air Playlist
If you really want to understand about Air, ask someone who is a Libra, the Cardinal Air sign of the Zodiac. Perhaps not everyone was as obsessed with the element as I was, but suffice it to say it was always a major focus in my life. When I was but a toddler, my mother could barely pry the soap-bubble wand from my chubby little fist without causing a tantrum. In the fall, I'd be catching autumn leaves as the wind tore and tumbled them from the trees, believing that for each one I caught, a wish would be granted in the coming year. Every house or apartment I've ever inhabited sported its requisite wind chimes. (I'd have had Aeolian harps if I'd had the room.) And OMG, the kites! From the simple diamond kites of my youth (on 1000+ feet of 100-lb line controlled by my dad's deep-sea fishing reel, until they were a mere speck against the blue sky!), to the more elaborate designs of my mature(?) years: 40-foot dragon kites that dominated the local kite rallies; and my personal favorite, a dragonfly shaped kite with an eight-foot double-wing span, huge insect eyes, and green and yellow striped body! And if the wind became too stiff for kites, I could always hope it increased to storm-force, so I could go "chasing", instead! Living in the most tornado-prone area in the world, I have managed to see three twisters in my life! But my obsession with Air hit the zenith in the early 1980s when I learned to pilot my own hot-air balloon. Floating over the houses, utterly soundlessly (except for the ten seconds every minute when you fire the burner), is the nearest you will ever come to astral projection while still inside your body. It is an experience like no other, and if you've never been up in a balloon, I can't recommend it highly enough! (Take some champagne along for your maiden flight. It's traditional.) Until then, I will just have to keep you aloft with the following airborne playlist. Music is , after all, one of the greatest gifts of Air, since it hosts the sound waves that so delight our eardrums! Once again, our most profound thanks to all those who contributed to this edition's audio section, inspired (inspire -- from Latin "inspirare", 'breathe into') by Air. May it be the wind beneath your wings! (Yep, it's there.)
Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life, bringing peace, abolishing strife. - Khalil Gibran
It was a hot, dry summer, particularly in the Missouri Ozarks. The land at Diana’s Grove, a pagan spiritual retreat center south of Salem, Missouri, cried out for rain. I wanted to do something. I knew there was a possibility of scattered thundershowers somewhere in the weather forecast during the weeklong event I was attending. So I began to sing some words rolling around in my head while envisioning the winds bringing moisture laden air from the Gulf of Mexico into southern Missouri, the moisture condensing into clouds, and then further into rain. I sang: Rain, rain, gently falling Rain, rain, all around Rain, rain, keep on falling, Nurturing the thirsty ground. I sang for a long time, calling the rain. Whenever I had a spare moment I sang. We had rain within two days, and after that the drought was broken. The Fire verse came from another time in the Missouri Ozarks. This time my husband, young daughter and I were camping at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park. We were on our second or third day of rain. We’d already traveled to the Missouri Mines Museum and toured Bonne Terre Mine and it was still raining. I think it was the remnants of a hurricane, and we needed it to stop. So we sang to the Sun. The next day dawned clear. That song, with some polishing, became this Sun, high above, bring your light, bring your love. Sun, shining bright, warm the Earth and bring flow’rs of delight. By this time, I knew I had the makings of a chant to welcome and balance all the Elements. The Air verse came next. It’s my favorite to sing: Air blowing, moving, flowing, always in motion, never still. Carrying messages, carrying changes, carrying seeds to land where they will. The verse for Earth came last: Earth, moist and fertile, Earth, ancient and strong. Earth, hold us so closely, Anchor our song. When Voices of Gaia, Gaia Community’s choir, sings this, we start by singing through each verse separately, starting with Water, then Earth, Air, and Fire. Then we start again and add in the parts on top of each other, one by one, starting with Water (Rain), then adding Earth, then Air, and finally Fire (Sun). Because this song started as a Rain chant, we are always a little uneasy singing it, because it tends to bring rain. The Water portion has also been used successfully to bring snow, using these revised words: Snow, snow, gently falling, Snow, snow, all around. Snow, snow, keep on falling, Covering the thirsty ground. I taught it to an entire Montessori school one December at a community gathering and we had the snowiest winter in years. Be warned! Kitty Degler is the co-founder of Gaia Community, a now 20-year-old Earth-based pagan Unitarian Universalist congregation meeting every Sunday at 4 pm at 4327 Troost, KCMO. She serves on its ritual teams, writes chants and songs whenever she can’t find an appropriate one for the ritual of the day, and directs Voices of Gaia, Gaia Community’s choir. She completed her Priestess training through the Diana’s Grove Mystery School in 1999 and follows an eclectic Wiccan path.
Genesis of an Elements Chant
by Kitty Degler
How did you get started in your work? I started painting when I was a kid. My dad and grandparents are artists, so it was something that my family always loved and encouraged. Where do you pull inspiration from? I pull a lot of inspiration from nature and growing up in Arkansas. I’ve always been fascinated with animals. Also some street art and fine art painters as well. What mediums do you work in and why? I mostly work with acrylics when I’m doing studio work. I like to work fast and acrylics dry faster than oil. Acrylics have come a long way, especially the higher end stuff. When I’m doing murals, I use spray paint. It makes it easy to cover large areas quickly. What advice do you have for aspiring artists? Work work work. Don't stop. Where do we go to find more of your work? Around the crossroads in Kansas City, or follow @compost_pile_ on Instagram.
Musecraft
with Zac Laman
Air Tiny particles traveling a great distance only to bounce off of one another. Necessity fills the room. This gift we have inherited brings life. The winds of change brings deep breaths. Cutting through our anxiety and insecurities, fresh and crisp it carries us through the day. Without you, I could not survive. Intricately entwined with an invisible force, I feel you flowing through me. Humanity's downfall, rising and falling with sharp swirls and blue backdrops. Quality dissipating into a thing of the past.
with Hannah Doss
Lit Words that once burned with passion now struggle to maintain even the smallest of flames. Twisted and worn their only use now is to keep you warm at night. Not my words of course. Those hang in the air above me, impossible to escape from. Blocking out any sunlight that might try to drop by. The words of another... The lackluster of a damp fire. The smoke in my eyes. Yes, that is why there are tears in my eyes. The smoke... It revealed only mirrors. And little good they've all done. Those words. I sit alone cold in the dark being haunted by a tale that was told not so long ago and the winter's icy touch.
Pencraft
Short Poem #69 The thunder loudly proclaimed what the deepest part of my soul couldn't express. The lightning danced around the room showing your brightness. The cold winds only seemed to draw us closer. My anchor My umbrella My warm dry spot to rest my weather beaten body. You are the gentle raindrops splashing on the patio and the tropical storm of change wrecking my heart.
Basketcase Ripped from the Earth Stripped bare Bound together by someone else's hands Woven tightly around yourself you become indestructible. Strong enough to endure despite the daily wear. Falsely fragile in appearance you contain underestimated strength. A sound handle to keep a grip on the great weight that is inside. Shapely forms curving upward covered in colorful design. The manifestation of enduring Vision. Intertwined with every aspect of life whether full or empty you abide in the promise of function. Carrying all cultures from a Primitive ethos to enlightenment. A tall sturdy reed amongst many. Whose virtues imprison my desire
Hannah Doss spends her sleepless nights writing short stories and poetry. Bios, on the other hand, are the root cause of those sleepless nights. She is honored to share some of her thoughts with you. www.hannahdoss.com
Image Credit: Parliament of World Religion
by Sam Shryock
The Parliament of World’s Religions (PoWR) was held in Toronto Canada November 1-7, 2018. The theme this year was “The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation and Change”. This was my second Parliament, with the first being three years earlier in Salt Lake City. The Parliament meets every 3-4 years at various locations around the world such as Cape Town, South Africa, (1999), Barcelona, Spain (2004), and Melbourne, Australian (2009). I decided to again take advantage of the opportunity of going to another PoWR so close to home. Attended by 10,000 delegates from 80 countries and 200 religions, PoWR attempts to create an environment where they can discuss important world issues and establish common ethical goals that reach across religious lines. The audience, by their presence there, had already established themselves as concerned and open to other religious viewpoints. This created a very accepting, curious, and relatively high-energy environment that often erupted in song, dance, and random emotional actions. An important part of every plenary and most workshops was an acknowledgement of the first peoples of the land we were standing on. The indigenous peoples of Canada comprising the First Nations, Inuit and Métis, had a large presence; as well as other indigenous peoples from areas such as the Hawaii, the Amazon, Afghanistan, Africa, Australia, and Eastern Europe. There were plenty of interfaith organizations from around the world that worked within the religious framework to address many of the social issues being discussed. These included representatives from various United Nations groups, interfaith seminaries, and private groups. Joining them were non-religious groups that worked outside or despite these religious frameworks to address these same concerns. Though representatives of the major religions were present, the fringe groups and individuals from both outside and within these religions seemed to have a larger presence. There were women representing non-traditional roles such as Catholic priests, rabbis, and even a Buddhist priest. Gurus representing various eastern traditions were plentiful. The “nones” and Atheists were represented. This was also the first Parliament to explicitly include LGBTQ2I+ content and lounge. There were plenty of Pagans about. I talked with and saw many of the Pagan aristocracy. Leaders or representatives of large Pagan organizations such as the Covenant of the Goddess, Aquarian Tabernacle, Correllians, Circle Sanctuary, The Troth, and the EarthSpirit Community were present alongside many Pagan authors, lecturers, bloggers, etc. Pagans were even part of the leadership ranks of the Parliament itself. Fifteen spiritual traditions had multiple sessions at the Parliament -- the Pagan tradition was among them having 16 sessions. As a fringe religion, with less than 300 self-defined Pagans present, I felt our views did have a disproportionately large profile at the Parliament. I heard the story about one elderly Afghani woman who stared down a powerful feudal lord who wanted to marry a 12 year old girl When Karen and I arrived in Toronto by plane, we decided to forego the easy ride to the AirBnB in an Uber for a train and bus ride. After our extended ride due to missing our stop, we learned why Toronto was named by the United Nations and the “most diverse” city in the world! We traveled through one diverse neighborhood after another but met lots of very nice people. We finally arrived at our beautiful AirBnB rental which we shared with six Pagans. The following evening on Samhain we participated in a "Witches' Walk" from a local metaphysical shop called Wonderworks. This walk culminated at labyrinth in the middle of the city where a ritual was held by officiants from various local and world-wide traditions and locations throughout the world. It was a beautiful ritual and a great way for Pagans to meet each other. Trying to plan on which sessions to attend at the Parliament was overwhelming as each hour had over a dozen wonderful topics. The main sessions, called plenaries, featured the major dignitaries while the smaller sessions consisted of 1000 formal programs, workshops, films, meditations, performances, art shows, rituals, and dialogues to choose from across six major tracks focusing on Women, Climate, Peace, Indigenous Peoples, Next Generation and Justice. An abundance of additional displays and information booths were scattered throughout the convention center and exhibit area. These started as early as 7am to as late as 11pm at night. I attended all the plenaries which presented tough topics through music, dance, powerful stories and experiences, and hard-hitting facts, During these sessions I found myself excited and ecstatic one minute, and then letting a few tears escape the next. They opened my awareness of the wonderful work being performed by so many, and how much more needed to be done. For example, I heard the story about one elderly Afghani woman who stared down a powerful feudal lord who wanted to marry a 12 year old girl, an age way too young. Another about indigenous children being forcibly taken from their parents and sent to state run schools so that the “Indian could be beat out of them.” On the other hand we heard wonderful stories about people reaching across religious lines to help each other in times of need. We were also encouraged that positive change was possible but were reminded that time is running out on many important issues such as global warming. Among the dozens of wonderful sessions I attended, I enjoyed the discussion about the challenges the indigenous peoples people have in reclaiming their culture, their dignity, their sacred and ancestral lands. I attended a panel that included Carrah Quiqley, who is from Kansas City, about Oasis, an organization that provides a safe place for freethinkers to learn, celebrate life, find social support, and give back to the community. I attended another panel of Pagans from each Canadian province who discussed their unique issues. Another session shared interfaith initiatives being led by young adults. I was fortunate to be part of a session where we conducted a Correllian Lustration of the Ancestors ritual. Another popular activity was the Langar, where the Sikh’s served a free vegetarian lunch regardless of faith, religion or background, a practice observed at their Golden Temple in the city of Amritsar, India where 100,000 people are fed per day for free. The Sikh’s also provided a turban tying booth where you could get your own turban. With so many activities, each attendee was guaranteed to take something unique away from this event. Unfortunately I did not feel that the attendees were a true reflection of society as a whole, or even a significant enough population to make a difference. But it did make me appreciate those that were fighting the hard fight, and it did instill within me a desire to do more.
Parliament of World Religions
Sam Shryock practices Wiccan Spirituality and is a 3rd Degree High Priest within the Correllian-Nativist Tradition. He is the host of the KCWMU Kansas Coffee Coven, and previous local coordinator for Kansas City Pagan Pride Day. You can contact him at sunflowertemple@gmail.com
The Lovers
Number: 6 Sign: Gemini Kabbalistic Path: Zain
On the Fool's Journey, the Lovers card brings our hero to a new realm. The crowned, enthroned authority figures of the earlier cards are gone, and can no longer give instructions. Instead, we meet figures on a more human scale, who must sort things out as best they can. This card is often read as the beginning of a new relationship. That's one possibility, but The Lovers have more to show us. Also called The Children of the Voice, The Lovers represent choice, beginnings, and duality. They remind us that decisions have consequences, and that sometimes the choice that is easiest or most appealing in the short run does not lead to the best outcome. They also show us the beginnings of psychological or alchemical integration, a unity that can arise if we commit to the work of pursuing it. In the Rider Waite Smith deck, the Lovers are depicted as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Raphael beaming behind them as they stand between the two fruit trees. In this version of the card, the figures represent the relationship between parts of the self: Adam, the everyday consciousness, looks to Eve, the unconscious and symbolic mind, while Eve looks to the angel, the higher self. They are divided, but beginning to understand the path to unity. The Lovers have a choice: will they eat the fruit from the serpent's tree and become morally responsible for themselves, or will they follow the instructions they've been given, and stay childlike in Eden? Which voice will they follow? In the Marseilles tarot, beginnings and choices are also central to the card. Here, a man stands between two women: a pretty young maiden and an older woman of regal disposition. Cupid hovers above, ready to loose his arrow. Which lover will the man pursue when the arrow strikes? Making a good decision requires discernment, which we find in the Hebrew letter associated with this card. Zain is the sword, the sharpness of thought that cuts away distraction, or defines and defends boundaries. The sword also divides into pieces, giving rise to the Lovers' state of separation, and motivating the journey towards unity. The Lovers card is an invitation to take up that sword, acknowledge where we are divided, and accept the responsibility of our choices as we go forward.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Kimberly Reynolds-Gier has been a practitioner of scholarly eclectic paganism for over two decades. They tell stories, work magic, and teach ritual arts at Gaia Community.
Element: Air Planet: Venus
by Kimberly R.
In the Cards
This deck of Tarot cards definitely blew my mind. I bought it because I collect tarot cards and I am a HUGE David Bowie fan. (Honestly, I sobbed elephant tears when he passed.) And this deck is so visually stunning and a very appropriate tribute to the Man himself. Contained in a large box, bearing the iconical pink lightning bolt from Bowie’s signature Ziggy Stardust days, I found an in-depth 192-page guide and the deck, 3” by 5.5” large. Featuring the minor arcana cards as Wiccan-centric suits – Cups, Wands, Swords and Pentacles; the Major Arcana takes a few liberties with the long-held “Fool’s Journey”. For instance – the Fool is called the Sacred Clown and the Hermit is renamed the Alien. But you know what, in the grand mythos of David Bowie’s interests, it just works. I’ll admit, this deck is not for the average “by the book” reader, it could intimidate the most advanced tarot masters. I highly recommend reading the guide cover to cover, several times if you need to. But even with re-reading the guide, this comprehensive book will stand up to years of use. The face of the cards are glossy and slick, (the back slightly more matte), but I imagine with repeated use, they will fold a little too easily because the card stock is not very heavy. The forward of the guide is an interesting history of the creation of the Starman Tarot, and in the back of the guide, two Starman specific tarot layouts are presented. Ðavide de Angelis created this deck with many elements of sacred geometry, alchemy, and hints of many world religions. If you are a traditional tarot deck reader, then this deck may counter what is considered normal for other decks. I felt it could have been better suited for an oracle deck than a tried and true tarot deck. Too many of the images clashed the meanings. At the time I purchased this deck, our local Aquarius Bookstore was selling it faster than they could get it restocked. I purchased it for full price at $36.95. After looking online, (and I do prefer to support local brick & mortar stores), Amazon has a “Starman Tarot Kit – Limited Edition” for just over $90, but does not detail what is included. There is also a satin tarot deck bag featuring the Starman Card for $14.95, that I may purchase in the future, because, its DAVID BOWIE. If you are a Bowie fan, or look for more esoteric readings of the tarot, this deck is a must-buy. If you’re wanting a new, colorful tarot deck, this could work, but just be cautious because the traditional meanings are a bit obscured.
Starman Tarot Review
Image Credit: Amazon
OVERALL: 3 out of 5 wands CARD STOCK QUALITY: Poor CARD SIZE: Good BOOKLET QUALITY: Good COLLECTIBILITY: Excellent READER LEVEL: Advanced WHERE TO FIND IT: Aquarius or online retailers
Image Credit: Starman Tarot Website
Hekaterine Nox, known as “Black Kat”, is a Lushede tradition-initiated Witch with wordsmithing tendencies. Having found the Craft at 18 though a Southern California based Celtic Reconstructionist “church”, she travelled the path of the solitary for many years thereafter. Influenced by Athena and the Morrighan, she is a crafter of fabric and weaver of words with teaching tendencies.
“There's a starman waiting in the sky, He'd like to come and meet us, But he thinks he'd blow our minds” - David Bowie
Fortune
Once called the “Imperial Topaz” in the 19th Century, origins of the name vary. Some scholars trace the name’s origin back to Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, where the word topas or tapaz means “fire”, or it comes from the word topazos, from an island in the Red Sea where ancient peoples found “unique gems”. Topaz is an aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide crystal found in high pressure quartz veins or pegmatites (coarsely crystalline granite or other igneous rock with crystals). Topaz is not used for any other purpose than as a decorative gemstone. It comes in various tones and saturations of yellow, gold, orange, red, blue, green, purple and brown. On a metaphysical level, Topaz is used for communication, good health, good fortune, love and attraction. It is usually associated with the element of Air and the zodiac signs of Leo, Scorpio and Sagittarius. Topaz can promote openness and honesty, release tension, aid in problem solving, and assist in expressing ideas. Specifically, the variation on colors have more specific attributes - Blue Topaz aids with clear communication, truth, wisdom, and with bringing the mind, body, and spirit into union. Most, if not all, of the Blue Topaz used in jewelry is clear or lighted colored Topaz that has been irradiated, then heat-treated to produce the trademarked Sky Blue, London Blue, Swiss Blue, etc. Chakras - Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra White Topaz removes stagnant energy, clarifies intentions, and allows you to discover inner knowledge and hone psychic gifts. Chakras – Crown Chakra Golden Topaz provides a conduit for conscious attunement to the highest forces in the universe, good for creativity and guiding intentions, plus helps with nobility of spirit, status, and personal will. Chakras - Base, Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras While enhancements, especially heat treatments, have been around since the earliest civilizations, they do not take away from the extraordinary beauty of nature’s crystals. Some Topaz, especially varieties that have been irradiated, may be heat and light sensitive, and may fade over time with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Health
Attraction
crystal Corner
Communication
Topaz
Image Credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com
Luck
by JFlynn
Image Credit: Kham Tran
Healing
Gifts of Gaia
Mentha (Latin) or minthe (Greek), commonly known as mint, is part of the Lamiaceae family. The leaves, evenly mirrored, are typically green and serrated. Mint has nearly as many purposes as it does subspecies! It can be used to add flare to meals, cure ailments, deter pesky insects, and even freshen up a room! Mint is an incredibly hardy plant. It can be grown in nearly any climate, year-round. It also grows incredibly quick and has been seen as an invasive species in many areas. If proper care is not taken when cultivating mint, it can easily overtake other plants. To control mint, plant it away from other plants, above ground, or in deep bottomless containers. Some species are sterile and, therefore, require a healthy plant cutting to continue propagation. The uses for mint are vast. In the culinary world, it can be used in a variety of dishes and beverages. Steeping the raw plant can make a fine tea, while extracted mint can be used to flavor various products: liqueur, candies, sauces, jellies, syrups, and ice creams. It has also been used to flavor mouthwash, toothpaste, gum, and other fresheners. In aromatherapy, mint has shown to calm stomach aches and chest pains. It can alleviate nausea and headaches, too. There is anecdotal evidence linking weight-loss and increased energy to the scent of peppermint. As an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides, mint has the ability to ward off and kill pests like mosquitoes, wasps, hornets, ants, and roaches. Despite having many functions, consumers should still utilize caution when applying mint. Mint can cause allergic reactions in some people ranging in symptoms from a mild rash to as severe as anaphylaxis. Users of peppermint essential oil should also take heed and note the oil’s propensity towards photosensitivity. Magickally, mint can bring about fortune, luck, healing, and strength. It is good at curing headaches, menstrual cramps, and head-colds, rather than utilizing conventional painkillers. Historically, mint came from the Greek nymph named Minthe. She was favored by Hades, so Persephone transformed her into a plant in a fit of jealousy.
Strength
Mint
JFlynn is a novelist, artist, lover of nature, and mother to a beautiful blue-eyed boy. As a social service servant, she gives youth who have gotten into legal trouble much needed skills to become successful. She also teaches ESL to Chinese students part-time and volunteers for Kansas City Pet Project.
by Catherine Boudreau
When I found out that the theme of this issue was going to be air, I thought to myself, how can I write about this? I usually write a story regarding my Fire Witch character, Rebecca. I just couldn't think of a way to do that this time, and as the deadline came and passed, I figured that I wouldn't be able to contribute this time around. Then I got an idea. Air is a very powerful force of nature. I've had some experience with this on a first-hand basis. For those of you who don't know me, I lived in South Florida, in the Florida Keys, for 26 years. During that time I went through three Category 5 Hurricanes. I also went through several other hurricanes of lesser extent and some tropical storms, as well. Don't let the name “tropical storm” fool you; they can be just as damaging, sometimes even more so, as a hurricane. My first Hurricane experience was Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The town of Homestead looked like somebody had actually dropped a bomb on it. The devastation was just unbelievable, and I remember one of the people with me when we went back to the area to check my property started crying and asked to leave. Watching people sift through the wreckage of what used to be their homes is something that truly humbled me, made me feel how absolutely small I am in the grand scheme of things. In 2005, I made my first trip to Missouri with my then girlfriend, now wife. We made an impromptu decision to make the drive up in August. She had sold her car she had in storage, and we needed to come up and get it out of the storage unit so that the buyer could pick it up. The day we were scheduled to leave was the day Tropical Storm Katrina hit the Florida Keys. After it passed, we decided to get in the car and make the drive anyway. As we were heading up the peninsula, it doubled back and crossed over us as Hurricane Katrina. Because we were driving and really not paying attention to the news and figuring that everything would be OK, we did not realize that as we drove through Mississippi, Category 5 Hurricane Katrina was battering the area, and we drove through it. This is not an experience I recommend to anybody. This is the most unbelievably stressful and nerve-racking experience I have ever been through. We got the outskirts of Hurricane Rita in September, and in October, Wilma went through. But, the damage from Wilma was more water related than air. At least in my area. I also experienced a tornado that went through the keys in the late 90s. I don't remember exactly when and it didn't affect me directly, but I do remember people I know telling me that they had lost their homes to it. I remember the night it went through it sounded like the proverbial freight train that they tell you it sounds like, but it was about a mile to the north of where I was in Key Largo. "In reality, you don't ever change the hurricane. You just learn how to stay out of its path." -Jodi Picoult Any of you who have lived here in the Midwest for any amount of time have probably experienced, or know someone who's experienced, a tornado. I remember having the alarms go off and experiencing my first tornado warning last summer (2018). We hadn't done our research and we didn't know what to do. Luckily for us, any tornadoes that were in the area were to the north of us and we remained safe. So as you can see from my words here, air can be a very powerful and destructive force. But, air also can be a very lovely thing. That nice breeze on a warm summer day. I used to love to stand with my feet buried in the sand when I was up to my knees in the ocean at Sea Oats Beach, in the Florida Keys, with the wind blowing through my hair. It was a very calming and refreshing experience. Very cleansing. And then, of course, there are sound waves. Sound waves travel through the air. That vibration of tones that resonate through the air that causes sound. It allows us to hear things (the wind blowing through the trees?). Like music, for example. One of my favorite artists once said something along the lines of "the concept that music, as a series of vibrations, resonates within the body to create emotion." How true is that? Who hasn't been affected emotionally by music at sometime in their lives? I know that whenever I get overwhelmed by life, either too angry or emotionally upset, I turn on my favorite music to help me get to my happy place.
Image Credit: Catherine Boudreau
The Power of Air
Witchy Tip:: Since this is a relatively healthy version of a dish for a cold day, add little magic for health, comfort, and that “home” feeling by chanting or singing while you cook. You can also stir simple sigils and symbols into the mix.
Directions 1. In a large pot, brown meat and onion together. Drain grease. 2. Add beans (no need to drain). 3. Stir in seasoning, chopped pepper and tomato, and tomato sauce/juice. 4. Stir ketchup and water in. 5. Bring contents to a boil and reduce to simmer. 6. Coat a pan or skillet with 1 Tbsp coconut oil (or oil of your choice), a dash of salt, and pepper to taste. 7. Add zucchini to the pan/skillet and lightly brown. -This can be a nice garnish, added directly to the chili, or in lieu of noodles for “chili-mac”.
Turkey Veggie Chili
Image Credit: Pixnio
Ingredients 1-3 lbs ground turkey 1 chopped onion 1 can chili beans 1 can pork n’ beans 1 chopped green pepper (opt) 1 chopped tomato (opt) 1 zucchini, cut to preference (opt) 4 cups tomato sauce or juice ½ cup water McCorkmick seasoning OR the following: 1Tbsp chili 1 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder 1 tsp salt ¼ tsp ground red pepper (or cayenne) ¼ tsp pepper 1 cup ketchup
Out of the Cauldron
Image Credit: Public Domain Pictures
Essential Oil Mixes
Add these mixes to household cleaning products, humidifiers, diffusers, or beauty products like shampoo, conditioner, or lotions (skin test first!). You can also use them to scent bath bombs, soaks, scrubs, and other homemade products. Witchy Tip: Have a chant or spell you recite whenever you use the product or catch a whiff from your diffuser.
Winter Wonderland 2 drops Lemongrass 3 drops Peppermint 3 drops Lavender In two cups of water, combine all ingredients. Add to your diffuser or humidifier for an invigorating and cheery taste of winter! Enjoy!
Spring Cleaning Bonus Recipe! 2 drops Lemongrass 2 drops Lavender 1 drop Rosemary As the winter season fades, this is a great recipe to transition to as you prepare for spring!
"Anyone who claims a cat cannot give a dirty look, has either never kept a cat, or is singularly unobservant." - Maurice Burton
Her name was Lola...
by Balder Bloodaxe
My name is Lola. The One named me that because of that song from Damn Yankees, “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets.” He also sings to me from the old Kinks song, and sometimes Barry Manilow. He doesn’t know many of the right words, but he sings the songs with gusto and I can hear the love in his voice, so the words themselves don’t matter much. Besides, I get whatever I want, so … I’m told “Lola” means “strong woman” in Spanish. Now, I don’t speak Spanish, and while I’m female, I wouldn’t go calling myself a “woman,” but I’m definitely strong. I’m strong in that patient, flexible, persistent, don’t-give-up kind of way. Not in the Arnold Schwarzenegger kind of way. I mean, I’m only 13 pounds! But I’m strong for my size! I can jump 4 times my height, and run fast and I can climb trees. And I have a great deal of resolve. Which is often put to the test when I’m out on patrol. Or just trying to get out of The One’s living place to GO on patrol. But mostly resolve is important when dealing with the Shadows and Spirits. Especially now that the days are getting short and the air is getting cold. You see, these Wights, as they are collectively known, are quite cold-blooded. Well, they don’t have blood, but that’s a commonly used term amongst the Others. It might be more accurate to say that their spirit is cold. So when the air is cold, too, it makes them difficult to see. But you have to persevere, and be single-minded. It’s much easier in the Warm Time. They stand out black against the grey darkness. But this time of year you can’t tell for sure if what you saw is actually a Wight moving or just a branch blowing in the wind. I really have to be focused and pay attention to the little things, or they’ll get past me. And that wouldn’t do. I’m sworn to protect The One. So I’m compelled to make offerings to Njord, god of the sea and wind. And also to Kari, who walks as the wind. There is a small patch of Lemongrass in The One’s garden, and I tear some of that out and chew on it while making my special noises. I then travel East to bring the chewed grass to the Tree of Ugla, which means Owl. Strix is the old bird who lives in that tree. Strix has golden-yellow colored eyes – like two Topaz staring back at me from the darkness. That’s a bit unnerving, frankly! He IS a wise old bird, if a bit of a know-it-all. He sits up high in his tree and looks down on us all. Don’t get me wrong – he’s very smart, and he sees things that others cannot. And the stories he tells bring clarity to my quest, so I don’t think ill of him. But he can be long-winded. So I put the chewed grass at the base of his tree and wait for Strix to speak. This is often a very slow process. I know Strix sees me, and knows what I want. But, I don’t have to tell you about birds! They don’t seem to operate on the same level as the rest of us. But that’s a story for another time. Eventually, Strix gives me the high sign, and then I know that Njord and Kari have heard my plea and have accepted my offering, and so then it’s ok to go back to The One’s living place and get after those Wights. And when I return, it’s as if the air itself has changed. It’s still cold, and the wind still blows, but the COLORS are different! I can see the Wights as clearly as if they were the lights on a Yule tree! And they seem to see me better as well, because when I arrive they just scatter! There’s no trying to lay low and pretend that they don’t see me seeing them. They just take one look at me and then hit the road. Well, most of them, at least. There’s always one or two who think they can put one past me. They usually wait until The One has called for me to come in, and as I’m making my way across the grass and up the stoop, they try to sneak closer. But just as I’m about to step into the Living Place, I stop dead and whip my head around! And I catch them every time! It’s so funny! It’s as if they can’t remember from one time to the next, because it’s always the same! They’ve never gotten past me – and they never will! I’m sworn to protect The One. And I do. With help from Kari and Njord and others, I fulfill my mission. And I sleep a lot. But that’s a story for another day.
Image Credit: Balder Bloodaxe
Understanding Spirituality
Contemplative Crone
As a Pagan, you should have nothing to do with Jesus Christ. As a Christian, you should not practice Witchcraft. You can't be a Witch if you are this. You can't be a Pagan if you also believe in that. You must. You can't. You should. There are always people out there who will tell you how to believe, or that their path is better than yours, and give a laundry list of reasons why. There are always those who try to fit your brand of Spirituality into a tidy box so they can feel comfortable about what you have going on. And, in doing so, they are demonstrating their lack of understanding with regard to what Spirituality belief is all about. Spiritual belief is one of the most fundamentally personal, unique things an individual has. At its core is an x-factor, a person's experiential relationship with Divine energies, and how they relate to Universal energies as a whole. Someone can explain their religious and spiritual beliefs to you, or you can read a book outlining someone's beliefs and practices, and you will really only get a good, general understanding of what their belief system may be. You will, however, never truly “grok” how an individual feels/experiences/relates to their God(s)(ss), or even how they truly see themselves in the Cosmic scheme of the Universe. This understanding becomes more significant when you look at paths such as Paganism and Witchcraft, which lack hardcore, centralized doctrine or dogma. In paths like these, personal experiences play a huge role in shaping an individual's spiritual path. My experiences are my own, as are yours. So, my spiritual path is different than yours. This also means that my spiritual path is mine. I control what my spiritual path looks like, feels like. My own practices and experiences shape my path. And, if I am strong enough in my spiritual beliefs and practices, minor, extraneous, outside influences have little effect on it. I take in only what enhances my spirituality, and leave the rest at the door. When we come to understand how our Spirituality is shaped by our own practices, experiences and beliefs, we can embrace the power of it being up to us how our Spirituality is going to look and feel. This power shields us from the negative, outside influences of others, allowing us to pursue those things in life which only speak to our soul. With this power also comes the understanding that whatever transpires with our Spirituality is our own responsibility. For better or worse, what is ours is ours. Our path. Our Gods. Our relationship with the Universe. It's all up to you… The Urban Crone
Image Credit: McKayla
Air
Annie Razz has been writing since she could first hold a wand, uhm, er, I mean a crayon. Her first love has always been magic which she expresses through creative ventures. She is the author of Fantastical Tales for the Heroine's Quest, has been published in a number of national venues-both poetry and short stories. She also loves creating crocheted accessories and was a regular participant in Holly, Holly, Holly Craft Fair for years. She has also worked as a psychotherapist in the KCKS for 30 years. She has been practicing as a solitary witch for years and has just recently dedicated to a local coven. Currently she lives in an almost century old house across from a forest with her cairn terrier, Jack, and cat, Max.
by Annie Razz
Wishes & poems, Spells & prayers, All these things are made of Air. Smoke & whispers, truth & lies, Bats & gnats & all that fly, Stench & perfumes & other scents, Wisdom & foolishness & other intellects. Letters & emails, messages and texts, Blessings, protections & curses that hex, Magic carpets, pterodactyls, lightning bugs, Flamingoes, dodos, pelicans & doves, Leaves that tremble in the autumn breeze. Airborne viruses that make us sneeze, Knives & swords that snicker snack, & scary shadows clothed in black. Facial expressions and body gestures, Dogma & rules that cause unrest to fester. Memories, movies, plays & games, Innuendo, metaphors, & similes the same. Radioactivity, dark matter, quanta and sound, The sobs of immigrant children from their families unbound. Kites & balloons, faints & swoons, Gasps of surprise with loss too soon. Spirits & ghosts, dreams & hopes, Tobacco, weed & other things we smoke. Divination, premonition, visualization & all skills of the mind, Karma & clocks, tarot & time, Law & justice & all things abstract. Does all we imagine become a fact? In Air we fall, in Air we rise, In every breath from birth to death, Air is the element that quickens life.
Deep breathing, watching birds, looking skyward and imagining flight - Nikki Macg
I breathe deep and sing from the hallowed place in my being where spirit resides. With each breath and every song, I offer my whole self in prayer for the blessing and healing of Earth, Sea, and Sky, and every being living in their embrace. - Tamilia R.
When its windy and rustling the leaves. Sitting in a tree and just feeling the wind is by far, probably my favorite way to connect to air. - McKayla Emily Rae
Watching the wind move leaves, grasses, branches. Burning incense and letting the smoke swirl around me. Breathing in the light fresh air and exhaling the stale heavy energy. - Julie Lindsey
It might seem obvious, but conscious breathing is a great way to connect with air. Air is all around us all the time, but we may not be thinking about it. Taking a moment for a few good breaths can help me think more clearly and connect with air energy! - Audrey Hazzard
How do you connect with Air?
Let loose, meditate. Empty yourself. - Isaiah Evidon Starr
Community Voices
Reading is an air activity, and really helps me connect to both the intellectual and creative side of air. I also like to meditate in a place where I can hear wind chimes. - Sean Manning
Breathing - Michy Badwulf Roush
Theoi Greek Mythology
Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham
Starman Tarot Website
Bookshelf
Tarot Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles
PoWR Website
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants by Susan Gregg
Next in our series on the elements will be Water in the Spring Equinox issue. We are looking for your articles, artwork, pictures, and input for this topic. Absolutely anything regarding Water. What does the element mean to you? How do you work with it? How do you connect with it? What do you associate with Water and why? Do you connect to water through other elements? Do you connect to other elements through water? Send all of your submissions to
Because the elements are basic building blocks of witchcraft, there are a million ways you can go and we would love to see all levels, perspectives, and ideas of the Water element whether standard practice or completely off the wall. We will also publish any big community announcements and upcoming events. Also remember, we cover from the Spring Equinox to the Summer Solstice with this issue, and anything seasonal is always welcome! Deadline for this issue is
March 8, 2019
Elements: Water
thecenterspiral@gmail.com
Spring Equinox 2019
Contributors
The Center Spiral Staff would like to give a huge Thank You to all of our contributors. We are thrilled to feature the hard work, expertise, creatvitiy, and knowledge of our community. The Center Spiral would not be what it is without your contributions. Thank you for helping us educate, inspire, and connect.
The Center Spiral Staff Laurie Sherman Luna Motherowl Emaleth Summer Mike Nichols Audrey Hazzard Emily Gabbert
JFlynn Sam Shryock Hekaterine Nox Hannah Doss Zac Laman Balder Bloodaxe Kitty Degler Kimberly R. Catherine Boudreau Annie Razz McKayla JS Groves Carey Liv Moore
We appreciate the support of all of those contributing articles, images, creative works, time, editing, advertising, sharing, and moral support while we put together our magazine. We could not do it without you. - The Center Spiral Staff -
An extra special Thank You to The Center Spiral staff. This would not have happened without the help of all of you. You are all an amazing inspiration, team of support, and integral in making this become a reality and continue to grow. Thank you. -Emily Gabbert
Thank you!!
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