June 2012 "Spirits All"

ISSN 2159-9939

To the Heart of Spirit A Dance with Death The Faerie Realm Paranormal Exploration The Call by Ankolie Rose Thumbprint Cookies Book Reviews Fairy Heart Magic

“Spirits All” June 2012 Volume 3 • Issue 6

™•June 2012 • Volume 3

Publisher and editor Eberhardt, Personal Visions

Contributors Ankolie Eberhardt Faelin Wolf jess*ca mae Maeve Gregory Tootie Marie S. J. Drew Sister Nariel Stephanie Rose Bird Zedral Z

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Nina Pak, http://www.ninapak.com Eberhardt

Layout Refraction Design & Creative Services Website

Personal Visions Consulting/Photography

Advertising Eberhardt Our goal at Pagan Edge is to provide readers a high quality, timely magazine with content relevant to modern pagans’ lifestyle and passions.

Our publication is a lifestyle magazine so while we may publish spells, rituals, and some magick how-to; we aim to focus on ways that pagans, wiccans, earth-based-spiritualists, and those of like mind can incorporate their values and beliefs into their everyday living.

Pagan Edge Magazine & paganedge.com exist solely to offer information to our readers. The publisher, editor, and the entire personnel of Pagan Edge, Pagan Edge Magazine, Personal Visions, Refraction Design and paganedge.com cannot be held responsible for misuse of any information provided. The views expressed in the articles and ads are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Pagan Edge Magazine.

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• June 2012 • Volume 3 3

N ow o N l i N e !

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™•June 2012 • Volume 3

contents

On The Cover: Amateur Model Bryna

by Eberhardt

6 Dream Weaving Publisher Speaks

8 Divine Mind To the Heart of Spirit

9 Behind Life’s Curtain A Dance With Death

10 Feature The Faerie Realm

12 Feature Paranormal

12 Craft Corner Chill out Bandanas

Exploration

14 The Call by Ankolie 16 Finding the Edge Faeries and Spirits

18 Food of Gods Honeyed Milk & Rose Thumbprint Cookies

19 PE Book Review The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook 26 Sounds of The Edge Fairy Night Music

Volume 3 • Issue 6 • jUNE 2012 “Spirits All” Pagan Edge™ is published monthly

by Personal Visions admin@paganedge.com

™•

June 2012 • Volume 3 5

Dream Weaving Spirits and Ghosts My first experiences with spirits came when I was still a child. I have always known or recognized the existence of life forms that do not fit into the standard models that science constructed. I don’t for a moment condemn all the extensive work done by science over the last 300 years, it is only natural to focus on those things that can be readily experienced with our five senses. However, there are other beings share this blue globe some of which existed before we did alongside the humans that came before our species did. It is not hard to imagine the spark of human creativity being influenced by what we now call spirits, ghosts, and other kin.

As a child, I experienced the vision and voices of past relatives that if I ever met it was when I was still in diapers. They only came twice into my life,

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publisher speaks

once to let me know I would be “protected” with the other time being after my little brother passed to provide a measure of comfort. Understand that I was not raised at all during my early childhood to any other stories but those from the christian bible and my parents for their own reasons were not even strong advocates of that faith path. So my knowledge was only shaped by experience and the questions I had after.

Later when I was officially a “tween” then a teen my grandmother shared her love for the little people of her native land in the north of the Netherlands. Thus, started my lifelong attachment and affection for gnomes. From her teachings and from my voracious need to know I researched and found some of the other spirits that populate this portion of the USA. Some native, some that like our younger human race, immigrants.

Thank you for joining us in our first exploration of the other intelligent races that cross dimensions to interact with us and if nothing else, leave us forever different.

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June 2012 • Volume 3 7

Making the Divine Mind, Mine

by Sister Nariel, Fiach Dair Contemplative Order of Anam Cara

To the Heart of Spirit As children, most of us were both frightened and fascinated by the ghost stories told by campfire or beneath bed covers, with flashlights serving as sentinels holding back the monsters and things that “go bump in the night”. When time had passed and we had begun to face the loss of loved ones, our curiosity gave way to a quest. We needed to know the nature of what dwelled within us, and might one day, dwell outside of our flesh and blood bodies. Not only did we want to know how it came to be, but why. Why did some spirits seem to leave while others remained? Why did

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the people who longed for one more word or day seem to be waiting forever, while others seemed to easily bridge the gap between their corporeal self and the non-corporeal soul so easily?

There are any number of guesses — ranging from the overwrought state of the newly bereaved, to the funereal practices of the era. There are those who say a clean and easy death makes passage sure, while a traumatic or violent death makes passage impossible, capturing the soul and attaching it to objects, places and people. At the

heart of the matter however, is the ultimate question — what is the nature of Spirit?

Most world cultures hold the opinion that man is more than just his flesh and blood; humanity is part flesh and part Spirit. Many also believe that this Spirit lives many lives, reincarnating repeatedly in the flesh of man or animal.

Numerous sources attempt to define and encapsulate the essence of what Spirit is yet the humble (and most inclusive) manner may rest with the humble word: animation.

BehInd LIFe’S CurtaIn

A DanCe WIth Death

By Stephanie Rose Bird

Ithe word death seems to burn

n many quarters of the globe,

the lips, particularly here in the West. To utter death we move our lips in such a way that bitter feelings, gruesome thoughts and the pain of finality are wrenched from the depths of the soul. This dance with death begins clumsily yet with practice it can become increasingly more graceful. Those of us involved with Hoodoo deal with various realms, including the “other-side” on a daily basis. A gift of Hoodoo is that within its domain lies a plethora of jobs, tricks, rituals and incantations inspired by the wisdom of indigenous and rural people. We have a special kinship with the animistic beliefs of traditional Africa, referred to by some as African Traditional Religion or ATR’s. Africans in the Americas have not only held onto some of the tenets of various ATR’s, but we have also learned from neighboring societies that we have lived near or within including Native American practices, especially the bands from the Southeastern United States like the Cherokee of North Carolina, the Seminole of Florida, the Creek and Chickasaw. We have also added elements of esoteric wisdom of JudeoChristianity, some of the folklore

and paganism of European immigrants, particularly those from Ireland, Germany and Hungary since we have shared urban neighborhoods.

Bits and pieces of Asian culture we encountered through trade; even a smidgen of Islam, after all much of Africa was shaped by Moslems, well before we were enslaved in the Americas.

The type of eclecticism inherent to Hoodoo is one of its more attractive features. People of various cultures and faiths have felt at home with the collection of practices called Hoodoo since it is inclusive. Clearly there are numerous commonalities with the earth-based spirituality found in Wicca, Witchcraft, Santeria, Lucumi, Candomble and Vodou, Ifa and numerous other paths.

There are differences as well; one of the most important is that Hoodoo is a multicultural collection of folkloric beliefs, not a religion.

Hoodoo lacks the specific set of rules found in the Wiccan Rede. Still, there are lessons to be learned by all, from the ways Hoodoo addresses spirit.

We know the undesired separation and absence caused by death often brings sadness.

Malicious spirits that lurk about, what we call ‘hants’ who are

conjured or appear to threaten us is a most unwelcomed occurrence. Just as we celebrate, plan and seek out creative assistance during birthing and weddings, so too should we organize and empower ourselves for the certainty of death. Addressing death, preparing for it and anticipating it may seem dark, yet it is clear that from the moment we are born we also begin to die.

Those who linger in limbo between life and death, or deemed terminally ill require spiritual assistance.

Our ancestors constantly thirst for acknowledgement and inclusion, after all, without them, we would not exist. Funerals bring families and old friends together. There is darkness; blackness physically manifested by our clothing and flow of tears yet there is also the light, laughter, joy and wonder of reflecting on life, memories and the ultimate mystery called death. Following are some of the ways Hoodoo acknowledges the spiritual realm that may be useful as you maneuver the dark passage.

Altars-These can be simple or as elaborate as desired. Altars are a collection of objects with Continued on Page 25 ™•

June 2012 • Volume 3 9

The Faerie Realm Experienced Through Your Senses by jess*ca mae

Photos © Pagan Edge 2012

A Time and A Space Out of Place Have you ever passed through or into a space a time which felt different than that from which you just left? This is often the type of environment we wish to create for ourselves and covens when casting a circle and practicing magick. But sometimes, it happens when we least expect it. Perhaps a spot in a hiking trail became suddenly misty? Perhaps you felt eyes watching you as you traversed a wooded path? Perhaps you sensed the face of a cliff cast more upon you than its shadow?

In such a place and time, do you hurry your step or pause and observe? In this ancient world, there are mysteries worth discovering, boundaries asking to be challenged, and yet there are some secrets best kept... well... secret.

A number of causes can create this other-worldy phenomenon: maybe you just watched a documentary on Big Foot, a quick shift in weather suddenly rushed in, or a midday snack just didn’t 10

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settle right. Or maybe the effect is created by something a little more serious: an intersection of ley lines, leftover ruins or burial grounds from those who lived there previously, or a close by gateway between dimensions. One can also experience this sensation in locations where and when the veil between this world and another is thin and easily crossed. A good example is between this world and the Summerland (afterlife).

Another possibility is between this world and the Faerie Realm.

Sensing the Fae The Fae can be fun and enchanting but also wily and dangerous. They are a magickal creature and need to be treated with respect and care.

Whenever working magickally, be sure take the necessary steps to protect yourself according to your traditions. Some common steps may be to cast a circle, call on your spirit guides, or wear an amulet of protection; whatever means you need to create a safe, sacred, and secure environment.

When wishing to witness faeries,

people often try too hard to actually see them. It is a trained gift, often passed down through generations. There are some tips to help you train yourself to at least sensing them, if not actually seeing them.

When you sense you may be in a location where faeries are likely to be witnessed, find a comfortable spot to settle. Protect yourself as mentioned previously, take a good look around at your surroundings, and close your eyes. Feel yourself melt into your environment, sense the energy of the tree you lean against or the ground you sit upon, let their energies mingle with your own.

Breathe deep and listen. Don’t strain to hear anything unusual or extra-ordinary. Just listen closely and you may hear noises you did not hear before: a shake of leaves with no wind present or a drip of water with no source present. You may be hearing of The Fae. Stay calm and continue to listen, absorb the sounds into your being, letting

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June 2012 • Volume 3 11

A PaganEdge PaganEdge

Paranormal Exploration

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (TALA), Located in Weston, West Virginia, is the central feature of this small town. Reportedly the largest “hand cut stone masonry building in North America”.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum formerly the Weston State Hospital, was returned to its original when privately purchased by the Jordan family in August of 2007. Restoration on the facility has been underway since, a process which is ongoing until it is fully rebuilt to preserve the historical landmark.

Rich in the history of preCivil War, Civil War, early psychiatric treatment procedures, and events t h e r e a f t e r, it is one of the greatest treasures to be found in region.

The asylum’s o r i g i n a l construction started in 1858 and continued for 23 until its completion in1881.

Designed by well-known American architect Richard Andrews, who followed the 12

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Part 1

by Natasha Francis-Rider “Kirtkbride plan“, which consists of long wings “arranged in a staggered formation”, ensuring each of the connecting structures would receive an ample amount of sunlight and fresh air for therapeutic benefits, according to the TALA website, and is 242,000 sq. foot as of today. Kirkbride developed a theory in mid18th century that creating an environment that was “curative” would help to assimilate those considered “insane or mentally ill”. The treatments used, however, were initially barbaric by current standards and were not meant to cure the patients, merely keep them from the community’s sight, subdued behind thick walls of the facility. Over the asylum’s history you could be admitted for almost any reason including such examples as being lazy, depressed, oversexed, promiscuous, pregnant out of wedlock, alcoholism, allergies, violent behaviors (ranging from nervous agitation to physically

The hospital was initially designed to house 250 people, when opened for use in 1864.

Its capacity peaked in the 1950’s housing 2,400 patients in extremely crowded and poor conditions. violent tendencies), and many other reasons ordinary daily behavior even today.

TALA was its own community, with the patients making their clothing, growing their food on what was originally 666 acres of land, although today it only totals 300 acres. Inmates and staff had and raised children within the hospital. These children would live among the patients as well as the staff who were also forced to live on site. With close quarters for all, the stifling feeling of being weighed down must have been present around the clock.

The earliest treatments for patients were “cutting edge” in their time since the “active” treatment for insanity was in its early stages of development.

Electroshock therapy and lobotomies were performed in the asylum, almost on a Continued on Page 17

Craft Corner Chill out

Bandana Water absorbing crystals can be found in the gardening section of grocery and hardware stores and some craft stores. They are made from polymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to their own mass. Adding a small pocket and filling it with polymers, allows the bandana to cool more effectively and longer than just fabric alone. A little goes a long way, so once you have made all the Chill Out Bandanas you want, the rest can be added to potting soil to keep house plants moist between waterings.

Like the Cowboys who used to wet and wear their bandanas around their necks. The water evaporated and cooled them, and the fabric protected their necks from the sun. We are complete fans at Pagen Edge of bringing old tech back when can enhance the pagan lifestyle. Since many a ritual or long summer night ghost or fae hunting we all can get a bit a tad sweaty. With the invention of water absorbing crystals, we can do the same thing with a bandana with to enhance the old school cooling

Note, the water absorbing crystals are generally non-toxic, but if consumed in the dry state, they absorb liquids in the body and can cause problems, so keep them out of the reach of kids and animals.

Supplies:

Bandana approximately 20 inches square (or similarly sized square of cotton fabric) • • • • • •

Water absorbing crystals Measuring spoons Measuring tape Thread (same color as bandana) Fabric pencil (or pins) Sewing machine (highly recommended!)

potential. That can be handy when working or playing outside in warm weather or even inside when you don’t have air conditioning.

Continued on 16

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June 2012 • Volume 3 13

Finding The Edge Faires and Spirits

REM-Pod-Vibe theghosthunterstore.com/ shop/rem-pod-vibe/ $15.95

Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker www.amazon.com $117.00 16

™••June June 2012 • Volume 3

Flower Fairy - Garden Rose Fairy www.etsy.com $ 48.00

Celestial Hare Pendant

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$65.00

Continued from Page 12 daily basis. Other “treatments” included ice baths, physical isolation, to name a few that were supposedly to curative for the patient’s ailments.

The hospital housed a variety

of inmates from m The hospital was initially designed to house 250 people, when opened for use in 1864. Its capacity peaked in the 1950’s housing 2,400 patients in extremely crowded and poor conditions. embers of the local community to patients from all over the world including the criminally insane and well known murderers like Charles Manson. Violent patient on patient murders, rapes and other horrific crimes committed within the TALA community, which can be felt as a violent imprint in the buildings energy today. The thousands of documented deaths that occurred within the hospital give strength to its oppressive aura.

Part 2

Night of Spirit

My Partner and I decided to explore and experience TALA first hand in the name of PaganEdge Magazine love for “alternative” lifestyle fulfillment. As noted in the travellet at our website TALA has many events during a year and overnight “Ghost Walks” are but one of their options.

We chose TALA for our first PE experience because it has been featured in popular media. As pagans we wanted our own experience of what is said to be “well known”.

The Jordan family and their mostly volunteer staff of spirit guides were welcoming as we introduced ourselves. They all get the PE stamp of approval for being a pagan friendly establishment.

As my partner and I entered the Asylum for our first midnight to dawn stay you could definitely feel a brush with the paranormal start to draw us in.

TALA is for the most part still without running electricity or water and any sidestep off of the main first floor visitor’s area brings you into abrupt contact with darkness. We were part of a large initial group of people gathered for the night in the main hall. The staff then introduced themselves and we were divided up into smaller groups with different guides for different sections of the asylum.

Our smaller group toured each section the guide giving a brief history at each. This was followed by a free period to explore and gather evidence, Continued on Page 23

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June 2012 • Volume 3 17

Food of

By Zedral Z

Midsummer is here! Glad Midsummer to you all! June is also the time for fairies of all sorts (think “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” here). Since this issue is about ghosts, spirits, and fey magick, and fairies are part of the spirit world, I thought it would be fun to put some edible offerings together for the wee folk.

I must admit I do not know much about the fae folk, so a bit of research was in order before I could write this article.

I know that fairies are often depicted as small, humanlooking beings, usually with wings and sometimes pointed ears.

They are magical creatures who live in the woods or borrows.

In Ireland, they can be found in Tir na nog.

I know that it’s wise to keep

them happy because they can be quite mischievous.

Then I started to think about how I would make a fairy happy. Why, with food, of course!

It’s not uncommon to leave offerings of food to the fairies, especially if they seem to be causing more trouble than usual. But what do fairies eat?

First of all, they probably don’t physically ingest the food as mortals do.

They feed off of the essence of the food.

It’s the same as when you leave food for your ancestors at Samhain.

Fairies seem to be rather fond of sweet

ilk

M ed

y e n

o H

Gods

lk i m

n e l o o m h a y w s one cinn p u h c n things, • 4 cup poo especially • ¼ teas honey.

Honeyed milk was on a lot of •¼ lists.

I associate roses with summer and with fairies, so rose thumbprint cookies

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seemed a perfect pairing with the milk. Milk and cookies fit for Titania herself.

You could also make the milk and cookies for your Midsummer table.

Honeyed Milk and Rose Thumbprint Cookies

Place the milk and honey in a sauce pan and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until honey dissolves. Add the cinnamon and remove from heat. Do not

Continued on Page 22

The PaganEdge

Book Review

by Faelin Wolf

Paranormal

Many of the worst-case scenarios in the book are based in popular culture: movies, books, and TV shows. For example, “How to Survive a Love Triangle with a Werewolf and a Vampire” seems to reference the Twilight saga; “How to Train Your Flying Monkeys” must refer to The Wizard of Oz; and “How to Tell If You’re in the Twilight Zone” directly relates to The Twilight Zone. The survival suggestions are funny, for the most part. However, there are some grains of truth, for those of us who are paranormally or supernaturally inclined. For example, “How to Conduct a Séance” and “How to Project Yourself on the Astral Plane” seem to be pretty accurate, but parts of some, like “How to Cast a Spell” are positively cringe worthy. Who comes up with some of this stuff?

I have always found the Worst-Case Scenario books very interesting and funny. If you’ve never picked one up, check them out! Some of the suggestions are very practical, while some are purely amusing. I stumbled across the Paranormal one in the bookstore and knew I had to read it!

Essentially, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Paranormal is worth the read, even if it’s just for laughs. Although, I am making note of those zombie apocalypse survival strategies and I’ll use the techniques to help me choose my next familiar! Keeping our theme in mind, you might want to check out the worst-case scenarios that deal with ghosts—you never know when they might come in handy!

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook:

by David Borgenicht & Ben. H. Winters, 2011, ISBN: 978-0811879644

Book Review continued on page 27

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June 2012 • Volume 3 19

Continued from 11 Prep the bandana. Wash the bandana to make it colorfast and to keep the color from running when you first use it. Iron it and fold it diagonally with the wrong sides together as you would to tie it around your neck.

This gives you the guidelines for the 4.5 x 2 inch pocket for the crystals. Sew it closed long 2 sides of the pocket leaving one end open.

Add the crystals. Use between ¼ and ½ teaspoon of the water absorbing crystals to the pocket.

Take care not to add more than ½ teaspoon. If you use more, the seams will be stretched when the polymer swells up with water, and the fabric will tend to feel slightly slimy on the outside when it’s wet.

Finish the pocket. Sew up the remaining side, trim any loose thread ends and brush off the fabric pencil marks. That’s it!

Make a pocket for the crystals.

Find the midway point on the long edge by folding the corners together and marking it with the fabric pencil or pin. Unfold and measure 2.25 inches on either side of the first point and mark the fabric. Measure 2 inches in from the fold at each of the 2 side marks.

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To use the Chill Out Bandana. Soak the bandana in plenty of water ½ hour before using it. Tie it around your neck, stay cool, and chill out.

Note: Never freeze! the polymer will break down, do not store it wet, hand wash mild detergent and plenty of rinse water.

J

Continued from Page 10

them flow with the energies of your surroundings.

Breathe deep and inhale through your nose. Smell the environment around you and note its distinct aromas: damp, sweet, musty. Enjoy the inhalation and soon your nose will pick up smells you did not notice before. Each type of faerie smells different, if you catch an earthy scent, flowers, or even food, you may be catching the scent of The Fae. Continue to breathe deep, stay calm, and let the aromas surrounding you mingle with the sounds you hear, and the your own energy.

Breathe deep, part your lips slightly, and now inhale through your mouth. Taste the air. If there is any wind, feel it enter your nose and mouth through deep breathing. Once again, continue this practice until you notice elements on your tounge you did not sense before. Perhaps the wind changed direction, sweet air became salty, bitterness replaced dryness. This could be evidence of the presence of The Fae. If you

experience changes in sound, smell, and taste... it is likely you are indeed witnessing their activities.

But stay calm. Sudden movement or drastic change in energy flow can easily frighten or taunt them.

Continue to keep your eyes closed, continue deep breathing, continue to absorb your surroundings through your senses.

surroundings changed since you cracked open your eyes. Then open your eyes the rest of the way, making no sudden movements.

Use all your senses to feel your surroundings.

Now prepare yourself to take leave.

Let the energies you absorbed flow back to their sources. Leave a token of gratitude and speak kind words of thanks aloud as you leave.

Do not remove your protection until you are sure you are alone and you feel safe doing so.

Keeping in mind the protective measures you have taken before starting this magickal practice, let your surroundings absorb you. Let your energies continue to mingle and flow with those around you: the earth, the air, the sounds, tastes, and smells. If and when you feel ready, open your eyelids just a crack, the very smallest opening possible, peek ever so subtle through your lashes. You may see blurs of light or shadow scatter into your peripheral; you may see blurs hovering in front of you, like water drops on leaves; you may see nothing at all. Take your time to observe what you do or don’t see. You may have glimpsed a fleeing faerie, or perhaps their is one observing you! Note if your

The Other Sense: Common Sense Finding a time and a space out of place as well as sensing The Fae is not a hard science. Our most used tool in such practice is usually our own “sixth sense” often triggered by an eery feeling or goose flesh.

While such experiences allure us with hints of magick and unique possibility, when one is faced with the reality of such an experience, it can be downright scary. It is always best to follow your instinct.

Be curious but cautious if you feel safe doing so. If not, get the Hades out of there!

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June 2012 • Volume 3

Continued from Page 18 boil or scald, or a skin will form.

Allow the milk to cool for about 5 minutes. Serve in small cups.

Rose Thumbprint Cookies

Rose jam can be found in Middle Eastern shops or online. You could substitute cherry or strawberry, if necessary. 1 cup butter, room temperature (use margarine if lactose intolerant) • ½ cup packed light brown sugar • 2 eggs • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • ½ teaspoon salt • 2 cups flour (all-purpose) • 1 cup rose jam Preheat the oven to 350.

Separate the eggs, reserving the white.

Cream butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes, Beat in egg yolks, Stir in vanilla.

Sift in flour and salt. Mix into a stiff dough.

Scoop out tablespoons of dough and roll into balls.

Place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 4-5 minutes.

Remove cookies from oven. Dent cookies with your thumb (or the end of a wooden spoon if you don’t want to burn yourself!).

Add ¼ - ½ teaspoon of jam to each indentation. Bake 8 more 22

™•June 2012 • Volume 3

minutes.

Cool on a wire rack.

What else would I serve for a Midsummer feast?

After all, the milk and cookies need to be accompanied by something a bit more substantial. For a post-ritual feast, this year I’m thinking about the following menu: • • •

Grilled salmon with dill sauce Spinach salad with blackberries Couscous with pine nuts

Look for recipes on my blog

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Continued From Page 17 without additional prompting or presence of the staff. My partner was impressed by this as he was expecting to have a someone talking when he wanted be on his own to focus and explore together.

When staying overnight it is best

EVP sessions, and flashlight sessions, showed a very active and close spirit community. The experience is very intense and not one that I would recommend for everyone, especially the faint of heart or phobic. I as a paranormal investigator feel shaken to this day, 7 months after I spent the two consecutive

to be well equipped if you are hoping to get the most out of the experience. Interactions with spirits and souls can happen on many levels, from audible sound patterns to two voices we experienced, K2 conversations, and flashlight conversations.

Others in our group experienced being touched or grabbed.

My partner talked of having felt strange itchy and warm humid sensations, even though it was snowing outside. I feel the evidence we gathered by camera, a K2 meter, conducting

nights in TALA. As we left town that night on the way to sleep through the day I felt the spirits still within the asylum, all the souls that have passed, and their

still thriving “community” fade into the dark of early November.

We both agree it was an amazing experience that we would definitely do again.

EXPERIENCES WILL VARY, but you will enjoy any of the events TALA has to offer, and all proceeds go toward the restoration of the asylum and hosting these events. Check TALA’s website for more information and their calendar of

events at http://www.transalleghenylunaticasylum.com .

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June 2012 • Volume 3 23

Book Review continued from page 19

w

What’s a Ghoul to Do?

By Victoria Laurie, 2007, ISBN: 978-0451220905

If you remember way back to my first year of book reviews, you’ll recall I reviewed the first book in Victoria Laurie’s psychic private investigator series. Now, I offer another Victoria Laurie series. The main character is a ghost hunter who has a true affinity with ghosts.

M.J. owns her own ghost hunting business with her partner Gilley. They are hired by attractive and rich Dr. Sable to investigate his grandfather’s death. However, while they are at his lodge, M.J. discovers more ghosts and more mysteries than they were prepared for.

This is a good, quick read with many interesting aspects—a little about ghost hunting, a little about having the ability to connect with ghosts, a little mystery, and of course, a little romance.

If you enjoyed Laurie’s other series, definitely check this one out! If you’re looking for a little ghostly distraction…this is worth your while.

Happy reading!

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Continued from Page 9

magickal work, healing or rituals.

Lodestones and magnetic sand have a great deal of drawing power as do specific herbs like Orris Root powder called Queen Elizabeth Root, pure Rose oil called Attar of Roses, Lemon Grass, Patchouli, Vetiver and Lucky Hand root.

personal, magickal or spiritual significance set up to conjure, remember, invoke or draw energy.

Hoodoo remembrance altars contain photographs, symbolic charged stones or crystals, graveyard dirt, candles, incense, candy, fruit, flowers and sweet Crossroads-The crossroads are a water. sacred place where not only two Binding-Ephemerae from the roads intersect but also the world graveyard is used for binding of humans and spirits. Oaths and tying down the spirits or to are taken at the crossroads , and employ their energy. One of the magickal work is performed there. most popular binding tools is Invocations are made to crossroad coffin nails. Last touched objects orisha, gods and goddesses as are considered potent and are well, like Eshu Elegba since that is typically buried with the deceased his natural space. It is interesting or placed near the burial site. to note further that the crossroads People who use spirits to negative represent the four corners of the ends are also sometimes bound. I universe and the nexus of energy have heard of photographs being from the four directions.

buried, placed in the freezer, or sent out to sea as a banishment Libations-pouring liquid with special significance on the earth, and containment rite. at the gravesite or on altar objects Clearing-Chants, incantations, is a way of paying homage to the Liquids herbs like rosemary, sage, dragon’s ancestors and spirits. blood, juniper, mugwort, and include spirits such as bay rum, cedar; salts or resins such as gin, beer and vodka. Old fashioned myrrh, frankincense; are burned colognes like Florida Water and ceremoniously to clear the home Kananga Water (which is a specific of hants and other troublesome treatment for mourning and grief ). commonly called spirits or negative vibrations. Hydrosols, floral waters or sweet water, like Special powders like gopher’s dust, uncrossing and stay away lavender, rose, or orange blossom powder also play an important water; honey, saltwater or tears can also be used. role in clearing work.

Conjuring-In the day when smudging has become popular it can be quickly forgotten that not all entities are undesired. Hoodoos strive for balance and do not just smudge to clear but also engage in drawing spirits. Conjuring is a practice widely employed in hoodoo to attract or draw energy, entities and various spirits to aid

Rituals-include incense burning, mineral and herbal floor washes, planting of specific types of trees and other symbolic plants, spiritual baths containing herbs and sometimes minerals, metal and stones; communal gatherings for soul food, songs and personal reflection.

Signs-paying attention to the signs and signals can help divine future events including death. Typically in Hoodoo careful attention is paid to the way candles burn, movements and sounds of animals especially cats and birds, as well as the symbolism within dreams.

Death, dying, grief and its attending depression and depletion are processes without an easy solution.

Using elements of Hoodoo can help you come to terms with the inevitable. Hoodoo conjuration keeps you in touch with the spirit realm affording opportunities to glimpse and interact with spirits of nature, and the ancestors and the great beyond.

Call for Writers Getting

published

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Pagan Edge is a great way to express yourself and get some pieces for your portfolio. We are currently looking for pagans to write on lifestyle topics: music, humor, art, advice, and more.

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admin@paganedge. com For more information & column descri ptions ™•

June 2012 • Volume 3 25

SoundS oF the Edge R

eleased on the Sequoia Records label, “Magickal Nights” features acoustic piano, flute, chimes, and Harp. This is one of my favorite albums that put me in a Faerie hunting mood. It is available from either http://www. sequoiarecords.com/ or itunes or amazon.com

✪

From Gary StadLer

I

am across this album one night when I was searched for something that fit the “faerie” feel.

I wanted that sense of enchantment and ease of a beautiful voice. As often happens to me, I will be struck with an emotion or sudden inspirational call sends me looking for new music. I consider myself as being lucky that night to have come across Gary Stadler and “Fairy Heart Magic”.

Being over a decade old (Sequoia 2000 release) this album certainly did not have any dated feel to me but rather a timeless quality that presented me with fresh joy.

F

airy Hear Music is a follow-up to both “Fairy of the Woods” and “Fairy NightSongs”, neither of which I have yet to listen too but if the third time is the charm I would guess that both albums will stand admirably on their own in bringing out a similar charm.

G

ary Stadler is an accomplished pianist that has actually been able to keep the innocence of childhood and of dreams fully realized in his music. His ability synthesizer adds airy layers that speak of the gentle flutter of tiny wings. Matched with the Celtic harp of Lisa Lynne and the breathtaking vocals of “Stephannie” complement his music into the kind of mix that will bring calm pleasure to even the most beleaguered of days.

26

™•June 2012 • Volume 3

In the making of my first CD, Fairy of the Woods, I longed for a beautiful female voice to accompany my music...it can be such a delicate instrument; alas, at the time it was simply out of the question. The completion of Fairy of the Woods opened the door to my encounter with the wonderful Singh Kaur. Together, she and I created my second CD, Fairy NightSongs ....but sadly my dreams were once again silenced by her untimely passing. It’s been two years since fairy NightSongs was released. During those years, as I searched to find a “voice” again, a close friend repeatedly hinted that I should meet her younger sister, Stephannie. It happened, and with that meeting the magic instantly gathered and coalesced...

Fairy HeartMagic was born!

With Stephannie’s wonderful vocals, and guest artist Lisa Lynne playing Celtic harp on many of the tracks, Fairy HeartMagic promises to be very different and very wonderful!

“Sequoia Records is dedicated to creating music to enlighten the mind, nourish the soul and celebrate life. For 25 years, Sequoia has consistently created groundbreaking recordings that have defined and transcended Ambient, Worldbeat, Native/Drumming , Trance/Dance, Chill-Out/Lounge , Celtic and Healing/ Meditative music. Wherever the next musical pathway may lead, Sequoia remains committed to connecting people with the Earth, with each other and with the deepest parts of themselves.”

Lead paint poisoning affects over one million children today.

Learning disabilities, hearing loss, speech delays, violent behavior and, in rare cases, seizures and even death: these are just some of the effects lead paint poisoning has on young children. If your home was built before 1978, lead paint on your walls, doors, windows and sills may be dangerous. And it’s not just large paint chips that can cause damage. In fact, three granules of lead dust are enough to poison your child. Let’s make all kids lead-free kids. To learn more about the simple steps you can take to safeguard your family, log on to LEADFREEKIDS.org or call 800-424-LEAD.

Moving is the best medicine. Keeping active and losing weight are just two of the ways that you can fight osteoarthritis pain. In fact, for every pound you lose, that’s four pounds less pressure on each knee.

For information on managing pain, go to fightarthritispain.org.