Into the Liminal abyss special guest Dr. Jeff meldrum

https://youtu.be/pQlbvcJTMHw

Keeping goodness in your heart.

There is still good left in this world. I have seen it. There is also bad, I have seen that too.  To many times in life people are told to mind thier own business and ignore others. Show a blind eye towards the wrong doings of others.
I still believe that there is good in Human beings. I have seen it, first hand.
The young man who walks an older women to her car to make sure she is safe.
The adult who wraps her arms around a child that is not hers to shield them and protect them.
The officer who stops traffic and helps a mother duck and her ducklings cross a road.
A biker who pulls over and helps change a flat tire or assist with a broken down car.
A working dad who buys lunch for a homeless mom and her child.
A lone women handing out wellness care packages to the homeless and forgotten
The store clerk who helps a grandmother in a wheelchair struggling to shop.
This is good in this world still, so I ask that tomorrow and from now on that we all act in the favor of good.
  Say a kind words, smile and look into the eyes of other people, help as you feel able to.  Keep goodness alive.
Stand up for others and defend those who are defenseless.  Stand together as a walk of Humanity and shine forth the inner good that is in each of us.
Good lives in all, straight, gay, white, black, pagan, Baptist,  Jewish, thin, obese, short tall. It does not matter. Be a Human and raise above hate and fear. Fill yourself with love and hope.

The pains of wanting to stay neutral

Years ago, dressed in shades of peach,orange,apricot. I attended and participated in an opening ritual held by Daemon Wilburn, or auntie Dame as I lovingly call her. At that ritual we all came together as a force to build and lay the ground work for creating a stronger pagan community. Afterwards I sat at auntie dames feet and listened to her talk for hours. So caught up in her awesomeness and a feeling of pride that I had helped accomplish something epic.

But now

In the local pagan scene there seems to be a movement going where groups are coming together under new names to clash with other groups while smiling at each other with barred teeth. I now consider myself an outsider to many of these groups but what I see them doing to the community as a whole is creating tensions, drama and discord. Every few months there seems to be a new group popping up and trying to stake thier claim on a community that is not owned by anyone.
Instead of the warm and welcoming atmosphere I experienced years ago, where people new to the pagan community were welcomed and made to feel welcomed. Now there is a feeling of who are you and what can you do for us.
Each group trying to build a bigger army of followers and overshadowing each other's events.
Where does this pagans arms race end? When can we all get back to respecting each other and caring about everyone. Not just one person's or groups agenda.

 I want sit at auntie dames feet again and hear of the great things our community will accomplish.

Deal with post event crud.

For the love of all things Dark, Sparkling and bitey column by Shetan Noir

Dealing with Pagan Con crud and Post Con blues.

Pagan gatherings and conventions are unlike any other situations you may encounters in life. While many people go to conventions, meetings and social outings in normal every day life, Few would cast a spell at the local ComicCon or Farmers market. But this seems to be a constant issue at Pagan events because only pagans cast out spells and rituals at gatherings and leave these in place after they leave.

While many people deal with Con Crud and Post con blues after leaving Conventions. Pagan Conventions offer up a different kind of Con crud. At a regular Convention you deal with the colds or flu you were exsposed to and caught, hang overs and loss of conection with like minded people. All normal things to expect from a Convention.

But at Pagan conventions the PCC or Pagan Con Crud is much more and becoming an issue at these events. Think about it. As you walk in and out of class rooms, down halls or into hotel rooms. How many spells are you walking through? How many Rituals known and unknown take place? How many people are walking around throwing out curses, instead of blessings. Think of how much magical Residue collects on you and effects you over the course of a events time. This can take a devastating toll on people's health and may take you days or week to recover from.

People cast their spells and either forget to take them down or leave them up as a way to sabatage the event, the location or certain people attending. Why is this acceptable? Why do some people feel it is fine to cast a spell on the location? Or Cast spells at certain people, No matter what the reasoning for casting spells at these events it should stop, unless it is to help the event or people attending.

For years it has been my routine that after I came home from a Pagan event that I would use peppermint to strip all the magical ick off. Including P.C.C. After recently attending Convocation in Michigan I notice that for the first time in 8 yrs. Peppermint and a day of rest was not going to be enough.

So what does one do when dealing with P.C.C.? Here are some suggestions That I have found helpful.

To remove Magical Ick(the spell residue that you come in contact with)

A hot soaking bath that includes Peppermint, Hyssop and Laverder. Soak for as long as you can and make sure to submerge into the water at least once.

Drinking Peppermint tea also helps to remove the bad magic residue.

To deal with the a cold

Elderberry extract is a miricle in a bottle.

Chicken Noodle soup, Wonton soup, Miso Soup, Hot broth soups work wonders.

1 tsp. Honey mixed with 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon

Flu

Ginger teas

4 Thieves oil

Clove essential oil

Lemon essential oil

Cinnamon essential oil

Eucalyptus essential oil

Rosemary essential oil

Add a few drops of each to a container of epsion salt and let sit for 10 mins then add to a hot bath and soak.

Post Con blues

Make plans to see friends anc conven members more often.

Take local classes that are of interest to you

Teach classes about what you already know

Go museums or botaninal gardens

Enjoy a movie or t.v. show

The best thing you can do to help yourself with P.C.C. or Post Con Blues is to learn to sheild yourself. There is a saying that you can not pour from an empthy cup. Meaning you need to take care of yourself before you can be of help to anyone else. It would be nice to know that more people were practing sheilding and sending out blessings instead of casting spells and harming others.

The importance of knowing what not to say - the Sorcerous Word

Hello Magickal Peeps!!!

Just wanted to stop by, after a looooong vacation, and talk about something important.  The Sorcerous Word and how it is not to be used lightly.  Or, it's not just how you say it, it is what you say.

You see, it is very important to understand that there is no Universal Translator to the world of the divine.  Often times, when doing magick,it is not uncommon for the new comer to be interested in shortcutting the spell craft and going straight to execution of a badly worded working.

It is also not unheard of for well seasoned magickians go become.L.A.Z.Y. 

• Letting
• All
• Zeal
• Yap

No one wants to listen to someone orate in badly worded language, or broken English when they are at a seminar, or when someone is making a request of them.  It borders on the painful.  Also, no one wants to hear meandering flowery language arts that have no point be poured into their ears when they have been sent for to do a job.

Same thing applies to your workings.  Please, keep it short, sweet, simple, and precise.  When you speak to entities, even yourself, you are creating a program of actions and consequences with magic.  And magic takes the route of least resistance.  If it has no clear destination, it wanders and goes off track.  If it has conflicting instructions, it fizzles or goes haywire.

And for the love of all things in Creation, make contracts clear and precise.  AND NEVER PROMISE WHAT YOU CANNOT DO.   AND NEVER ASK FOR WHAT YOU CANNOT HANDLE.

Shut up, sometimes, and listen to what you are writing out in your head, or on paper, with an objective ear.  If you were the magick itself, would you know what you are asking?  If not, then redo it.  Proper wording, it helps.

Parsley, Sage, Marijuana, and Thyme - why herbal identification training is sorely needed

As my mother proudly listed each one as best she remembered, the person started acting strangely.  Picking up a bundle, she pointedly asked if this bunch was marijuana.  You know, cannibis.  At this, one can imagine the look of incredulity that passed across my mother's face.  The acquaintance became quite insistent that it would be this, as the daughter is strange anyway.

After a moment of weighty silence, she was asked quite directly what would make her think that any daughter would gift her mother with a bundle of "weed" when she was clearly bringing over herbs.  Reevaluation of the mental faculties of this person took place on the spot.  The eternal mantra of the unpleasantly surprised came forward, "What is wrong with you?", and she was courteously encourage to consider her stay a tad bit overlong.

The fact that the writer is "strange" was code word for "witch" in these circles.  But seriously, when does that make one the local Cheech and Chong dream delivery franchisee?  The fact is, there are so many people who never take the time to look at what herbs, or other foods, look like before they are processed lead to this messiness.  Seriously, sage is not cannibis.

And if she is mistaking it for something she has had before, it is time to reconsider her sources.  Though to be frank, she does not seem the type to be featuring a bong display on her tatted lace doily collection.  While it is encouraging that she attempted field identification with limited training, it is most unfortunate that that was the first intuitive leap she would make.

Gentle readers, this writer encourages you to take to the highways, the hills, the byways, the streets, and the recreation centers to share your knowledge of actual herbs.  Please spread the word that just because it is on a stem, and has flowers and greenery that is not grass or hostas, does not mean it is a drug.  Shaking of the heads, indeed, were shared over this phone call.  Please don't let it happen to your friends and loved ones.  Only you can inspire a potential wildcrafter my fellow Detroit peeps, only you.

Happy First Anniversary, Pagan Pathways Temple

Happy Anniversary wishes are in order.  It is almost a year since Pagan Pathways Temple opened its brick and mortar doors to the Pagans in Southeast Michigan.  And what a year it has been.

Community town hall meetings, classes, workshops, and Wiccan services have all been held in its walls.  Weddings, a community thanksgiving, and a community center aspect that has hosted children's activities has made this home to many.  When there is no where else to find answers for the new seeker, this wonderful board and its leader, Rev. Nashan, have opened their arms and hearts to all who would come in peace and sincerity.

And now, wow, a full year has gone by since the opening.  The smiling face, beaming with pride and happiness, that was Nashan's is still easily brought to mind.  It was a celebration for all as they opening ritual raised a joyful noise with the music of "Happy" lifting all spirits in joining with their accomplishment.  

But as this writer always says, "The work is only done, by those who do the work".  And while they have been working their bodies and minds well beyond the limits of reasonable expectation, there are still many who have not heard of their existence, nor their message of inclusive Paganism.  They hold space for us, and for that, we give them honor.

So without any further delay, it is with great awe that the words of the good Reverend Nashan are shared here from his announcement regarding the anniversary celebration on September 11, 2016.  A good day to make a good memory and associate with the building of something good and right.  A good day to come out and contribute to the continued existence of this place. 

"Greetings all!

Well the official countdown has begun. 11 days until we begin our celebration of one complete year of service to the community that we Love. I would first like to thank the Pagan Pathways Temple Board for all of your hard work this year and your hard work in putting together this 2 day event. You guys inspire me! smile emoticon Love you.

I would also like to thank our dedicated staff of volunteers who (often times without being asked) take the time out of their schedules to work our events, clean the temple, act as temple keepers, and just get everything we need to get done, done. You guys Rock so hard!

Now we have a number of things coming up, but None as big as our Anniversary celebration. We have 2 days of fun and fellowship in store for you all and we sincerely hope you come and celebrate with us both days.

The schedule of events will be posted here on FB and on our website shortly so check back here soon.

Our goal is no less than 200 people each day showing up to hang out with us. We want to spread the word far and wide that the Temple is open and here to stay! So bring a friend. Bring that certain someone who has meant to get down to the temple, but just hasn't had that chance.

Join us as we change the world!

Blessed Be

Nashan"