Fiber Magick, by Opal Luna

channel on the subject. I have had the pleasure of vending at conventions and festivals and seeing my workshops draw a nice crowd.

I was introduced to the Pagan community through CUUPS almost a decade ago. CUUPS stands for the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans.

Moonpath CUUPS is a group that meets every Thursday night in Ft. Lauderdale to discuss a myriad of topics. I was immediately drawn to sympathetic magick, in which like brings forth like. When crocheting, I work with yarn and fabric, both natural and synthetic. I can choose from materials in a rainbow of colors in order to set my intention in my work. When you are crafting, there are numerous places where you can add intention through magickal correspondences. I could see quite clearly how my crochet could be used not only in the creation of tools but in actual spellcasting. Through the years, I have taught many classes within the CUUPS group. I have had the honor to lead rituals, sit on the leadership board of the group, and be ordained as a minister and elder in the community through Moonpath Circle.

Working with one’s hands is ingrained in the human spirit, and it is what so many of us are missing. You can become hypnotized watching the string become a thing. There is a sense of accomplishment there that you cannot get from anything else. When you get in the groove, there is a calm that envelops you. A crafter will be able to understand the spirituality that I am presenting here. A piece of your heart and soul is put into an item when you truly enjoy making it, even more so when you are making it for someone else. It is quite possible that your crafting journey all started with you trying to make a gift. A handmade gift from a child is pure magick.

Once upon a time, handmade was the norm. The blanket that you swaddle your newborn babe in was probably the same one you—and quite possibly, your mother before you—found comfort in as a child. Items were passed down from generation to generation, lovingly patched or mended where needed, gathering the spirit of past loved ones. Countless lullabies and snuggles were captured.

Hopes and dreams and, yes, a few worries came along with these items as they were passed down. It all added up to unconditional love.

Today, we live in a disposable world. Items are discarded at the first sign of character. And most often when we do receive something “handmade,” it hasn’t been made by a loving friend or family member, but a member of a human assembly line in a factory on the other side of the world along with thousands just like it. Where is the magick in that?

I know a man who writes computer code who says he puts his personality into his work. He understood my concept even though he was not creating anything tangible. This tells me it all starts in the head as a thought. When the •2• Introduction