Welcome Samhain

Jessica Galbreth Ghosts Death Salem Pumpkins Summerland Kellianna Witches Sugar Skulls

“Welcome to Samhain” October 2010 Volume 1• Issue 10 ™• October 2010 • Volume I

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contents 6 Keeping the Edge It Is All In How You See It

8 Blessed Be Adventures Halloween In Salem 10 Urban Shaman Ghost Encounters 12 Eclectic Cooking Sugar Skulls On the Cover “Cerridwen” Enchanted Art of Jessica Galbreth

14 Elders Corner Death 16 Art & Soul Jessica Galbreth 18 Our Lady’s Counsel Advice 20 Handecraft Pumpkin Carving 22 Fabulous Familiars Summerland Bound 24 PE Book Review 29 Wheel of Happenings 26 Note This! Kellianna VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 10 • OCTOBER 2010 “WELCOME TO SAMHAIN” PAGAN EDGE™ IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY

BY PERSONAL VISIONS ADMIN@PAGANEDGE.COM ™• October 2010 • Volume I

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It Is All In How You I started this article no less than six times, and each time I scrapped the article because the words I wanted to say were simply not translating well on to paper. This was not due to a shortage of ideas, rather it was due to an over abundance – after all it is the Samhain article, and I am shameless to admit that it is my favorite time of year. Also, this article represents the tenth article that I have written for Pagan Edge, and before I go into the nitty gritty of this month’s topic, I want to take a moment and say – thank you! Thanks to jess*ca, my editor, and thanks to all the readers of this column, who keep the people at the publisher’s desk inviting me to contribute each month.

I very much appreciate the break from my mundane life that writing these articles provides each month!

Samhain is considered by many to be the most uniquely witchy holiday of the year. There are many images that are associated with the holiday: the jacko-lantern, the ghost, and the stereotypical witch — the woman, with her green skin, broom, and black conical hat. She resembles the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz, or perhaps Shakespeare’s hags in Macbeth. Some consider the image of this witch to be offensive — but I personally find it empowering. I have two reasons for feeling the way I do.

First, I am a student of history and I did the research into the origin of the caricature (Schroeder, Fred 5000 Years of Popular Culture: Popular Culture before Printing, 1980.)

Second, I believe that the widespread use of the image solidifies society’s belief in the power and mystery of the witch – by looking at this effigy, even those oddly rational people who do not believe in magick are confronted with the possibility of the reality of magick, even if it is only through childhood recollection.

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You might be asking yourself why it matters if society believes in witches. After all, my own beliefs do not depend on the beliefs of the neighbors or the beliefs of the guy down the street who passes out the religious pamphlets instead of candy, my beliefs are selfsupporting, and my validation comes from an internal rather than an external source. This may be true – but your eyes are already open to the possibilities. By putting the image – even if it is a negative one – into the stream of popular consciousness, you are creating an awareness and tangible connection to the act of witchcraft — which is reinforced in the collective unconscious of the society. (The idea of a collective unconscious was coined by Carl Jung, it is essentially the theory that there exists a “system of a collective, universal, and impersonal nature which is identical in all individuals. This collective unconscious does not develop individually but is inherited.” Jung, Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, 1996, 43) It has been proven on a small scale that the collective unconscious of a group of people can be manipulated based on their experience and exposure to particular stimuli. (Owen,

Keeping the Edge

by Mya Om

See It Iris Conjuring Up Phillip: an Adventure in Pyschokinesis 1976) To me this means that any focus on the act and art of witchcraft – even if it is silly, is based on centuries of fear, or appears disparaging — reinforces the power and energy of any act of witchcraft, because it creates an unconscious predisposition in the collective unconscious towards the belief in the power of the craft. As Jung explained, all members of the society have access to and contribute to the collective unconscious, and this collective is passed down to future generations.

This means that any image or representation in the popular culture brings with it access to this collective storehouse of energy, experience, and memory.

I ask you to consider for a moment the images of witchcraft and magick you find most powerful. Ask yourself, where do these images come from and why do they affect you so much? It is likely that the image has some social underpinning which triggers the effect that it has. Incorporating these images into magickal workings can be very useful because they provide a mental shortcut into the ritual head space you must attain during the ritual. Another side effect of using these types of images is that by using them you are accessing the collective unconscious and transforming it with your own experience. As each individual transformation of the stereotype occurs, it is added into the collective and thus over time an image once caricature like and disparaging becomes a symbol of power, triumph, and connectedness. It is all in how you choose to see it.

Envisioning Spiritual and Climate Wise Living mypersonalvisions.net ™• October 2010 • Volume I

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Salem

Blessed Be Adventures presents

in

HALLOWEEN

Salem, Massachusetts: Autumn is in the air; the venerable and ancient town awaits exploration. This is a town unlike any other in America, full of old world charm with all the conveniences a modern traveler has come to expect. For nearly four centuries, Salem has been home to colonists, seafarers, and other openminded adventurous people.

Situated on a small harbor 17 miles north of Boston, Salem boasts of activities day and night, all the year ‘round. A visitor could take in the sights unique to the town, such as the storied House of the Seven Gables or the Pioneer Village. Salem has many, many little shops and restaurants offering distraction and respite, and offers restoratives to the creative spirited among us.

But many towns across the country offer what they tout as “one-of-a-kind” attractions, many of the claims not quite living up to the hype. This can leave the traveler with a sense of disappointment. Why Salem stands out, and why so many people flock to Salem this time of year is the way they celebrate Halloween.

Here, it can be said that the celebration was refined 8

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for this hemisphere, if not invented, and Blessed Be Adventures is your guide to this year’s Samhain in Salem. From Thursday, October 28th, to Sunday the 31st, Blessed Be Adventures will be gathering together a select few celebrants and ushering them around the town, to museums and events, culminating in a dusk Samhain ceremony, where the lives of those that have gone before are celebrated, and words of blessing uttered in hope of tolerance; for the delusion of evil witchcraft has rendered the name of the town notable for the hysteria of 1692.

One cannot think of Salem without both witches and witch trials coming to mind. Even if one does not consider their own spirit connected to those of the accused, the legacy of the horror of those days cannot be forgotten. The memorial to the victims is quite moving, with their very words carved in stone, accessible today although they went unheard during the trials.

If you come to Salem, bring your comfortable shoes.

Salem is a great city for walking, and there will be lots of it. The cultural and historic patchwork of the town

is like no other. Along with museums about witches, Salem offers other historic museums and attractions.

There is the New England Pirate Museum which may not be suitable for kids, and an amusement park called Salem Willows, which is for kids of all ages. Salem’s most haunted hotel, The Hawthorne, attracts scores of paranormal investigators each year, and many“normals” among us will enjoy the Salem Wax Museum.

If the thought of visiting a wax museum doesn’t inspire you to the Halloween spirit, then how about a visit to one of the old cemeteries in Salem? Or maybe you could step into one of the seasonal haunted houses, the kind with eerie music where they jump out and scare you, another American tradition dating back beyond living memory. Blessed Be Adventures has all these planned, and more, with lots of free time to see a few things on your own or with the new friends you’ve made. A few spaces remain for the Salem for Samhain 2010 trip. Visit blessedbeadventures.com for details.

Check out the other trips scheduled for the coming seasons: Yule in the Desert (where they host a viewing of the eclipse on the winter solstice), and Solstice at Stonehenge (summer 2011) where they honor not

only the world’s most famous henge, but some of the lesser known ancient monuments as well.

Blessed Be Adventures was founded by two sisters who love to travel. Mary Altman, the president of Blessed Be Adventures, has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Central Florida and an MBA in International Business from Rollins College Crummer School of Management. Mary is the practical sister. She is in charge of the business end of Blessed Be Adventures. She plans the trips and is the head tour guide. Rebecca (Rebee) Altman, Wiccan spiritual consultant, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Edgewood College. She is a High Priestess of a small coven in Madison, Wisconsin. She is also involved with the Society for Creative Anachronism. Rebee is the spiritual sister. She advises Blessed Be Adventures on technical aspects of Pagan and Wiccan traditions and organizes and performs ceremonies for the adventures.

She also has 3 years experience as a wedding planner.

Rebee’s spiritual leanings are more eclectic and she works with several pantheons.

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Ghostly Encounters

Life is a cycle: we are born, we grow, and eventually we die. However it would not be a complete circle if that were simply where it ended. Instead, every culture of the world, from our ancestors into our modern day religions, focuses on something beyond the final leap of death. Call it “afterlife,” “summerland,” “the other side,” or anything else you want; there seems to always be something more.

In October the veil is thin. As a result it seems reports of activity and ghostly encounters are all too common for this time of the year. It doesn’t take Hollywood, television, or stories to show us there is more than this physical world around us. All you need to do is pay attention and tune in. Open your mind up enough to allow the possibilities to exist and you might see more than you thought was there.

to notice distractions. Make sure if you are planning a ghost investigation try to plan it for evening and twilight. You still might catch activity in the day, but your chances are slimmer.

3. Respect – Having lived in a haunted home most of my life, I’ve been on both sides of a haunted house. As the investigator, you need to remember you may be in someone else’s home and dealing with someone else’s experience. You need to be aware of emotions involved on all sides and make certain to give the homeowners just as much respect as you would any ghostly entities. Most people have a very hard time dealing with a haunting they live with day-in and day-out. Even if your visit comes up with nothing make sure you are understanding to people who live in the area on a daily basis.

In the spirit of the season, let’s talk about tips and tricks to Ghost Hunting.

This also applies to ghostly spirits as well. If you are in a haunted place and you are trying to provoke or aggravate a spirit to show itself, you may end up with more than what you bargained for. Remember, some paranormal researchers say having a really negative or closed-minded person in a haunted house can actually cause the activity to cease until they leave. Like living people, ghosts will be just as much likely to avoid someone negative as you would be.

1. No Trespassing - When you are investigating a property make sure permission is granted or the property you are on is not privately owned. Sometimes hunting in graveyards can be fun and exciting – but it also could get you in a bit of trouble. Remember most graveyards restrict access at night, and quite often law enforcement is called out to check on anyone wandering through the area at night; especially if they are carrying cameras and lights. Unless you want to investigate the inside of a police car – be careful where you are hunting.

4. Evidence – This is a big one. Never go into a ghostly investigation without the proper equipment to document the investigation with. Cameras and audio recorders tend to be the best things to remember.

Try to stay away from disposable cameras as often problems with the lens or film makes for misleading photos. Make sure to take photos both with and without flash to really get the full view of an area. And also make sure if there are any cigarette smokers in your group, they smoke outside or away from the area being photographed.

2. Timing is key – Most paranormal activity tends to happen at night. It is the time when people are more relaxed and in the mindset to actually catch glimpses of things moving. It’s also dark and people are less likely

5. EVP etiquette – Electronic voice phenomenon is a very interesting tool for spirit documentation. Make sure if you are holding an EVP session that each and every member of the group you are with knows you

I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a few ghost hunts of my own. I’ve developed techniques for running a proper investigation and how to go about seeking out proof, experiences, and answers to the questions of what ghosts really are.

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the Urban Shaman

by Michelle “Crowskin” Bond

Searching for Spirits will be recording. Speak clearly and give enough of a pause for answers after questions.

Also remember that not every noise or static is a voice talking to you.

Try not to stretch the boundaries of imagination too hard when listening over tapes you’ve made.

If it’s there, you will hear it.

6. Don’t lose your head – It’s an adrenaline rush when something responds or you finally capture sight of a ghost while on a hunt.

One of the biggest mistakes made during these times is for the investigator to get overly excited, freaked out, or scared. You are seeking evidence so when you get some, don’t jump to conclusions.

Stay calm, document it, and look over the evidence later.

Finally, remember to enjoy yourself and have patience. Not every hunt will be exciting and full of evidence.

Sometimes you will find nothing at all. Remember as long as you are open enough to look – there is always the possibility of finding something more. If it was always easy and guaranteed every hunt would lead to answers, then the scientific community would beat you there. Sometimes the search itself brings the answers you are looking for.

All life is a cycle, and just like learning, it never ends.

While the veil is thinner amazing things become possible. Here is hoping this year your search finds some magick and mystery of its own.

the Ghost Hunter

by Anne N’Toko

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how to

Makeor ake F

Sugar S kulls

Day of the Dead is traditionally a Mexican observance, but some of the traditions and themes are making their way to other corners of the world.

Sugar skulls are one of the motifs that appeals to many outside Mexican culture. What’s not to like about them? Shaped out of mainly sugar and decorated in bright and fanciful ways, they remind us to celebrate our ancestors, our own mortality, and the great cycle of life and death that we all will take part in.

Sugar skulls are surprisingly easy to make. Molds for shaping them are available and instructions abound on the internet. Like many activities, the best way to learn is to dig in and try it out. The following recipe is widely available while the instructions are 12

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what worked for me.

Basic Sugar Skull recipe 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon meringue powder 1 teaspoon water Mix with hands until all the ingredients are consistent and hold fingerprints.

It should be like damp beach sand. If needed, water can be added a drop at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

How to Mold Sugar Skulls • Cut cardboard into 2 inch squares.

• Firmly pack the sugar mixture into one skull, filling it over the top.

• Scrape off the excess with a flat edge.

• Place a cardboard square over the skull, flip the mold and cardboard

Eclectic Cooking

by Maeve Gregory

Sugar S kul s

The Recipe

1 cup granulate d sugar 1 teaspoon mer ingue powder 1 teaspoon wat er

Mix with hand s un fingerprints. It sh til all the ingredients are con sistent and ho ould be like dam ld p beach sand. If be added a dro needed, water ca p at a time unti l the desired co n nsistency is reac hed.

over, and tap the mold to help release the skull.

• Place the cardboard on a cookie sheet.

• Make more!

• Allow to dry completely before decorating. The smaller skulls pictured took about 8 hours.

Tips: • Use firm cardboard. A corrugated cardboard with out any bends or folds can be used as a platform to hold the sugar skull while decorating it.

• Use a bit of icing to adhere the skull to the cardboard. This will give a larger area to hold onto.

• Make sure that any icing you use to decorate the skulls will harden and

dry. You can make your own royal icing and color it or you can buy small tubes at many grocery or hobby stores. Beware of icing that does not advertise that it will harden as some will remain sticky and make handling the final product tacky and difficult.

• The sugar skulls can be placed in an insect and pet free environment to dry.

• Have paper towels or washcloths nearby while decorating. Icing resists containment!

• Toothpicks are handy for shaping the icing.

• It takes some time to decorate each skull. We made it a small community effort and had a lot of fun doing it. I highly recommend

this as activity for a group.

If you don’t want to invest in sugar skull molds but would like to include this motif in your celebrations, consider decorating cupcakes with this motif. I will freely admit, and this won’t come as a surprise if you look at the photos, that I am not a master cake decorator. If you aren’t either, don’t let this stop you. With just a few dots and lines, you can transform a frosted cupcake into the base for your skull design and decorations. I used white frosting, but a darker frosting with white outlines would be fun too.

Decorate with colored sugars, icing, and bits of candy etc. as the spirit moves you.

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DEATH It seems whenever one hears the word death, one usually expresses a negative reaction through facial and body movement or language. As Pagans many of us know and understand on one level death is followed by rebirth; however, on another level many people still seem to have the knee-jerk response and cringe when hearing the word… DEATH. Go ahead and say it. What is your gut reaction when you say the word out loud? How do you respond?

Many of us have heard the phrase “as above so below,” or comparisons of opposites such as left/right, yin/yang. How can we allow ourselves to hear death/birth without the negative reaction? If there is death, is there not rebirth?

When I was five years old, I was hospitalized for a tonsillectomy due to severely infected tonsils. Later I was told my heart had stopped and needed to be revived. As a child I could never understand why people were so afraid of death. Was there some connection to my experience as a child and the way I felt about death?

During my childhood when reading the myths, it was crone Goddesses and the Goddesses associated with death who interested and excited me the most… Freyja, Kali, The Morrighan, Hecate, Persephone and Demeter, to name a few. At the time I did not understand what these Goddesses represented but they were the ones I wanted to see in the books and myths. They were the Goddesses who I felt a connection with when I saw or heard their names. When I realized it was the crone Goddess Cerridwen who had always been by my side and had chosen me as her own, a Goddess of wisdom, mystery, initiation,

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and death/rebirth, I was thrilled! How appropriate for the oldest daughter who had shouldered a huge amount of responsibility during her childhood, a child who had passed over to the Summerland and come back.

When I am doing a tarot reading for myself and the death card has been drawn, I am thrilled! What could be more joyful, more appreciated, or even more exciting than for a situation or issue to finally end? To me, the death card is like a decluttering card with a mental hammer whacking me along side the head telling me it is time to move on to other things.

This past April while I was preparing the herb garden for spring and summer, I knew the day would come when I would be preparing the herb garden for its rest. Last week when we had a slight temperature drop, I decided it was time to start preparing my herb garden for winter. Yes… winter. For those of us who live in the north, we should start preparing for winter, especially our gardens. We can now transplant and cut back the plants that have given us so much during the growing season. And if you look around, you can see the leaves changing from their normal green to other shades of green. Some leaves are even starting to drop off the trees and bushes, many of the wildflowers have dropped their petals and are now dry. The goldenrod and a few other wildflowers can yet be seen, but they too will follow the death/rebirth cycle. However, in April, I will again prepare the herb garden for spring and summer and see the wildflowers blooming in the fields behind my house.

How exciting to see the death/rebirth cycle!

As Pagans, our lives revolve around cycles. I rely heavily on the cycle of the moon when making products for my home-based business. Much of our spellwork and rituals are based on the cycle of the moon and the Sabbats.

Our Sabbats are viewed not on a linear basis such as the calendars most people use, but on a cyclical basis, one

From the Elders Corner

by Lucille M Rose

Sabbat following the other. Samhain is the ending Sabbat and also the beginning Sabbat. It is the last harvest, the time for rest, reflection and to remember those who have passed over to the other side.

Three years ago, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away in 2008. At Samhain I lit a candle for my mother-in-law. Next to my bed in the “to be read” pile, which is about three feet high, was The Tibetan Book of the Dead. If we look at the opportunities we are given by our Deities, we can grow, look at an issue from a different perspective, or perhaps even gain a little understanding or wisdom. I understood it was time for me to read the book. This book now sits on the bookshelf

reserved for favored and valued tomes.

Last year right before Samhain, my Godmother/Aunt passed away. At Samhain I lit a candle for my Aunt. In December of last year, one of my cousins, who was only in her forties passed away. This Samhain I will light a candle for my cousin. Three wonderful women, whom I have loved, have passed over to the other side, and I am on this side lighting candles for them.

So for me, I am going to remember that when something dies the energy is still there, the energy has been transformed.

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The Enchanted Art of

Jessica Galbreth The Morrigan

Whether you are surfing the web, supporting a Pagan Pride Day event, or wandering the lanes of a renaissance fest, the illustrated characters created

by Jessica Galbreth are sure to catch your eye. As a matter of fact, “catch” is exactly what they do. Once the characters get your attention it is not likely you will be looking away for some time. Beyond the challenging gaze of her divas, one discovers layers of symbolism related to nature, mythology, and the wheel of the year. Entwine these elements with modern gothic flair and one cannot help but be “enchanted.”

It is no wonder new age and metaphysical shops are carrying her work and fans are always waiting to see what she will come up with next. As she is constantly creating new pieces for our eyes and imaginations to feast upon, Galbreth and her creative team are also creating new ways for her art to be enjoyed. If your available wall space or pocket book does not allow you to go all out and buy your favorite piece in 24”x36” canvas print, it’s likely that same piece is featured as a notecard, figurine, coffee cup, or even a cross-stitch pattern. Her full line of products are available on her website www.enchanted-art.com where you can also find photos of her at festivals and news updates.

Epona’s Fury

Born and raised in Ohio, Galbreth has always possessed “A life long, burning desire to paint my heart out.“ While she did study art formally during her college years, she considers herself largely self-taught. “I had been using watercolors for years, but found them very difficult. I couldn’t achieve the detail and lighting effects I wanted. My newer style is a mixed media technique of acrylic paint and colored pencil. It was an experiment gone awry, that resulted in a look I was finally really happy with. I gave up watercolors completely and only use this mixed media technique now.”

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Galbreth appropriately defines her style as “mythic fantasy.” She has been studying her subject matter as long as she has been refining her painting. “I’ve

“...my art is not related to my spirituality, and rather is rooted in my love of mythology and all things fantasy.” honestly been drawing this type of subject matter since I was a little girl, and I just never gave up trying to get it ‘out there.’.. It was something that was sparked by visits to a local new age shop as a child. It gave me this buzz of excitement that hasn’t left me yet.”

Art & Soul

featured artist by jess*ca mae

Brighid

But do not let her testimony fool you, Galbreth is not Pagan or Wiccan — she is, however, a huge fan of mythology. “For me, my art is not related to my spirituality, and rather is rooted in my love of mythology and all things fantasy.” Considering herself a “very open minded and spiritual person,” her respect for nature and the animal kingdom is reflected in her art.

Also reflected is the time, energy, and thought invested in each piece. “I’ve been researching mythology quite a bit more lately. This has helped me in capturing the right look and symbolism when I paint a goddess or deity.” Such research is painted into backdrops, as tattoos or jewelry on her figures, and often displayed as animal companions. She hopes her art allows viewers “a healthy escape from our mundane world into a fantasical realm.”

Valkyrie

Galbreth turned her passion for art into a business about eleven years ago. It seems her dream of getting her work “out there” has definitely come true. Her pieces have been carried by The Pyramid Catalog, Hot Topic, and are distributed world-wide. Galbreth’s oracle deck collaboration with Barbara Moore, The Enchanted Oracle won the Coalition of Visionary Retailers award for best divination kit of 2009. Besides publishing a book featuring her art pieces, she has also published Jessica Galbreth’s Artist Manual which is geared towards helping budding artists make a living from their art; who better to learn from?

Where will her art and business take her in the future?

“I’m at a point now where I’m happy with the work I’m putting out. I only hope to continue to improve on that. I also hope to gather enough new work to publish a second solo art book soon.” She can be sure her fans around the world will be looking forward to it.

Cerridwen ™• October 2010 • Volume I

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Our Lady’s Counsel Advice from Lady Fae’s Wisdom Circle

Dear Niqui T, Dear Lady Fae, I am not a practitioner but I consider myself to be fairly well read with regards to the craft and I believe I may have been the recipient of a rather nasty curse.

If anything can go awry in my world it has done so of late and being a firm believer in external forces that may be at work I am quite fearful of not only my safety but that of my wee daughter. I am certainly not experienced enough to know exactly what has transpired but my intuition tells me I am in trouble and I need help to lift this please. I have scoured pentacles on all windows in chalk and surrounded the house in salt, using a simple chant, but my everyday life and psyche is being bombarded with really distressing events.

If you can offer advice, avenues, or any help at all I would really appreciate it as the imbalance has gone too far for me to attempt anything on my own.

Please help.

Warmest regards Niqui T, Auckland NZ

Here at Pagan Edge we don’t normally get too many “practical” questions because we are focusing more on the day-to-day or cultural aspects of Paganism.

However, we do have a few people to give a poke on what you can potentially do to help clear up your life’s imbalance. First, the salt and a reinforcing chant was a good step. Second, we have a few additional steps to recommend for a full house cleansing and consecration: Step 1 - Space Cleansing Choose the room that has the strongest negative feel to it. Light a white (make sure it’s secured safely so you can walk about). In a large fire proof bowl combine the following: • 1 tablespoon powdered garlic, • 1 tablespoon peppermint, • 1 tablespoon ground clove, • 1 tablespoon dried/powdered thistle, • handful or two of sweetgrass, sage or dried oak leaves Light the blend carefully so that it smolders (just smoking). It should be giving off an aromatic and not a harsh smoke. Leave your candle lit and carry the bowl into each room and repeat the following: In the name of the Eternal Lady and Lord I bid thee part.

I consecrate and clear this space.

Let nothing but joy linger here.

Need some counsel from Lady Fae’s Wisdom Circle? email your questions to advice@paganedge.com 18

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Salt Scrub Recipe The salt for your scrub doesn’t have to be fancy. For a basic salt scrub, you can use simple table salt! For a more luxurious feel, choose a finely textured sea salt, which you can find at the grocery store.

The basic recipe for a salt scrub is easy.

* One part salt * One part oil * A few drops of scent (Choose a scent that is soothing to you, like lavender or rose.)

For a firmer, less runny scrub, try two parts salt to one part oil, and then add oil to reach the consistency you want. Don’t be surprised if the salt and oil separate. Just stir them back together before you use the scrub.

When you have done each room, return to the room in which you began, set the bowl beside the candle, and wait for the remaining mixture to burn out. This is a good time to visualize your home and your life being free of distress. When the blend has turned to ash take it outside and sprinkle it over the grass/flower bed/etc, thereby returning it to the earth.

Step 2 - Personal Cleansing This ritual will work both in the shower or the bath depending on what you have. If your daughter is wee as you say, then you can possibly include her at the same time.

• First prepare a salt scrub (recipe on this page) and set it where it can be reached.

• If you’re comfortable with them while you bathe, light candles about the room.

• If you have a favorite scented oil or incense please warm or light it.

• Play soothing music — take care to pick what makes you feel good. Remember to be careful with electrical items in the bathroom!

• Adjust the water temperature to what you like best.

The point of all of this is to surround yourself by the elements: fire from the candles, water from the shower, air by the incense/oil burner/steam, and earth by the sacred scrub. Take a few deep breaths to help clear your mind and consider the elements as you step in.

Enjoy the experience of relaxing under warm water, then step away from the water (or turn it off if you’re

in a small cubical) and rub yourself all over with the scrub. The next part will depend on whether you mind getting your hair wet. If you don’t mind then you can give yourself a thorough soaking, letting the water cascade over your head and face. As you do this visualize all negativity being washed away with the remnants of the scrub; perhaps see it as a muddy black/brown being rinsed down the drain. If you don’t want to get your hair wet just stay with washing your face and body. As you rid yourself of the negativity see it being replaced by golden light (or any other color you care to visualize) and continue to do this until you feel ready to leave.

As you step from the water and dry off you can finish the ritual and help keep your mind clear by using a simple blessing for yourself such as the one below.

Feel free to change it to better suit your feelings as this cleansing is about you.

“Blessed be my feet, that have carried me well.

Blessed be my knees, that shall kneel on the sacred ground.

Blessed be my womb, without which we would not be.

Blessed be my breasts, formed in beauty.

Blessed be my lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names.

Blessed by my spirit, that shall soar free and strong.”

To find more local resources within your home city and country try the following links: http://www.spiritualdirectory.co.nz/ http://mysticplanet.com/NEWZEALA.HTM#Auckland or for a store that may be able to give you more local leads: http://tinyurl.com/2g2o828

™• October 2010 • Volume I

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Pumpkinarving C

Pumpkin carving is by far my favorite activity of the season.

Even when I was little and before I became pagan, there was always something spiritual about it for me. Now that I know the meaning of the holiday, I look at a carved lit pumpkin as a welcome sign and guiding light for loved ones that have passed on.

Supplies: • Pumpkin • Design • Marker • Knife • Large metal spoon • Texturing tools – a commercial packaged kit or a small nail and linoleum block cutting tools • Pumpkin preserving spray or a little petroleum jelly with a fews drop of tea tree oil.

• Candle or LED/battery operated light

Pick Your Pumpkin The first step to your very own lit spiritual welcome sign is to find a pumpkin. I prefer to go to a pickyour-own pumpkin patch. I have been known to spend over an hour roaming the pumpkin patch looking for the right one that speaks to me and has all the right carving qualifications such as size, a good flat design surface, and no bruises.

Don’t forget the stem: I like to find one with an interesting stem.

Farmers’ markets are also a good source for pumpkin purchase.

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™• October 2010 • Volume I

Choose a Design Once the right pumpkin has been selected, a design can be chosen.

I pick the pumpkin before I choose the design because it’s easier for me to find or make a design to fit the pumpkin. If you are not comfortable making your own design, there are many resources on and off line. To make your own design, start with an inspiration image. Don’t worry if the image has a lot of details: it can be simplified by outlining the main parts of the image. There are several methods to creating your own design, such as using a computer graphics program, old fashioned tracing paper, or a hybrid of the two. In all three methods, make sure to leave enough connection to the outside of the image so your design does not cave in. If you plan to use a basic knife-cutting method for carving, keep your design very simple. Detailed designs can be used if multi-depth cutting is used to create texture. Design ideas include making a skull or fairy from a picture of a friend or loved one, using a rune in your design for added meaning, and/or using your favorite mythical artwork as inspiration.

Gut Your Pumpkin This is probably my favorite part because it’s messy. Start by cutting a hole around the stem with a sharp knife. Clean the inside off of the top using the knife or a metal spoon and set aside. Next use the metal spoon to gut the pumpkin. If you enjoy

Handecraft

a how-to by Wendy Beth roasted pumpkin seeds be sure to save the seeds! While removing the guts take care to scrape the walls thinner in the design area. This will make carving easier.

Let the creativity flow!

Transfer your chosen design to your pumpkin by holding your design to the pumpkin and poking holes along the design lines with either the poking tool that comes with the commercial design kits or a small nail. Use a marker to connect the dots so that you don’t get confused while cutting. An orange marker that is a little darker that your pumpkin works best. Next cut out any open areas with a sharp knife. If you plan to texture your pumpkin, that would be next. Commercially packaged tools can be used but I find that they break easily. For a better set of tools, check the fine arts or stamping section at your local craft or hobby shop for linoleum block cutting tools. This tool set will have a handle with cutting bits typically including a round nosed gouge tip good for clearing large areas and an angle fine line tip perfect for small line work. Usually the tool kit comes with instructions helpful with cutting technique. As these tools are not designed for this use, be sure to carefully clean and dry the tool and tips when finished. After you have completed your design, use a pumpkin preservation sealer or make your own: tea tree oil in a spray or mixed in little petroleum jelly and rubbed on the cut edges.

Light them up!

If you are using a more closed design and a real candle, you might want to cut a hole on the backside for

ventilation. I use a star-shaped cookie cutter to make my ventilation hole.

Though I love using real candles, using LED/battery operated candles are safer and helps your pumpkin to last longer.

Have a spooky season and send photos of your creations!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds courtesy of Michelle Bond A frugal and nutritious snack from jack-o-lantern innards. Can be eaten whole or the shells can be cracked to extract the inner nutty kernel. pumpkins seeds (about 1.5 cups) melted butter or olive oil (about 2 teaspoons) seasonings (to taste) Remove seeds from the pumpkin pulp. There is no need to rinse them or remove all the pulp and strings--it will add flavor. Coat the seeds with melted butter or olive oil and seasonings of your choice. Salt is traditional, but black pepper, curry powder, italian seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, or any other flavor that takes your fancy will do. Bake in a 300 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until golden, stirring once. The seeds can be tossed with additional seasoning after baking if necessary.

™• October 2010 • Volume I

Summerland Bound “Death ends a life, not a Faithful, wild heart in from the fire lights edge.

Your protection, love, and friendship given to us as your ancestors did.

Return now to run with all the spirits of your kin, wolf, jackel, fox.

Run with the wild hunt run again home.

Bast, Sekhmet, we give you back your child.

Noble, regal, honorable cat.

Watch over her, and guide her on her way to the spirit world.

May she be blessed in your name, and hunt ever after beside you.

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™• October 2010 • Volume I

Pets are companions sharing the status of both friend and family for many of us. In fact, our pets are exposed to our true selves as we share more of our lives with them than many humans. After all, when you’re deeply troubled and you don’t wish to share the moment with anyone, your pet is still allowed in. They allow themselves into many places with potential to cause a scandal if they were a human friend. They watch us shower, shave and... take care of all kinds of personal matters. It is no wonder at such levels of intimacy we become more deeply attached than we can sometimes understand. So when one of our companions passes it can come as a profound and even life-changing event.

One of the tenants most Pagans share is actively taking part in shaping our world: bringing the best experiences to ourselves and everyone around us. As a group we are not overly fond of sitting around on the sidelines and waiting for an afterlife reward.

Whether it is a dog, cat, bird, or any of the other beings we bring into our lives, one takes notice of how freely they move, thrive, and enjoy every moment they can. For our animal

friends it is the now which is much more central to life than worries about the future or the past. Of course they dream and they remember, but they still live fully and love it.

If you have ever experienced the death of a pet it can leave you feeling empty for many reasons, perhaps the most important reason is lack of understanding ways to mourn. The child in us understands and hopes our departed loved one will find the same thing we expect to find: comfort and renewal. It is time for us to practice our own death when a pet dies as she is and will continue to be part of us. With every death we give a part of ourselves to the one passed and we in return get to keep part of her. Acknowledging and cherishing this ongoing relationship not only honors our friend but also enriches our life.

Entering the grieving process should be a transformative experience and not a dark dead end. Remember your friend’s active role has changed: to honor that choose rituals to help you shape a path forward and to release your pet’s essence to the universe.

Pets live with us in the reality we

Fabulous Familiars

by Eberhardt

Euthanasia – many of our

pets live much longer and better than they would have in the wild. Nature makes sure that the strong bodied survive; human society exists in part to make sure strong connections survive.

What this means for us is that we may have to help our pets pass on because they are living within our homes and our rules.

relationship” ~ Robert Benchley help shape for them, so looking to and following similar rituals as we would for a human seems only fair.

The two most common death rituals in western society are burial and/or cremation. Home burial is a popular choice. If you have sufficient property for it, it is economical and enables you to design your own funeral ceremony.

However, city regulations usually prohibit pet burials, and this is not a good choice for renters or people who move frequently.

To many, a pet cemetery provides a sense of dignity, security, and permanence. If you choose burial, marking the spot with a simple natural altar or stone upon which a candle or incense can be burned is green and keeps your friend’s resting place peaceful.

Cremation is an option allowing you to handle your pet’s remains in a variety of ways: bury them (even in the city), scatter them in a favorite location, place them in a columbarium, or even keep them with you in a decorative urn (of which a wide variety is available).

To complete the cycle of your pet’s life you can choose a simple prayer,

small ritual, or as grand a sendoff as you like. Consider where you are now in your tradition or path. What makes the most sense to you? What can you handle right now? What will do you the most good? Keep in mind that rituals of death are opening gateways for the deceased and the living to follow. Any ritual should say goodbye in a way to reflect both your pet’s personality and your experiences together. You will continue forward and make new friends: telling stories and reliving memories. The funeral ritual is the starting point for this new phase of life.

Establishing a small ancestor altar in your home is a great way to give a positive to your family without grief.

A few favorite pictures, toys, and other items from your pet make ideal memorials and can help with calming emotional memories.

Pets are more than companions. They are links to our childhoods, to our own ancestors, and to the wild places we have come from. As the New Year approaches, do not forget to give thanks and energy to those who have lived in the light of your smiles.

Is euthanasia wrong?

No it’s not wrong. It is a responsibility that we accept when we choose to care for a pet during their lives.

Should I be present? Yes, being present is the last comforting act you can directly share. You must also realize that it is something you’re doing to yourself.

Avoiding it will create guilt and prolong the grieving process.

Where should it be done?

It has been common in the past to have to take your pet into a veterinarian office but this is stressful to both you and your pet. Don’t be afraid to ask for a home visit and if refused to look around for a vet who will. Of course prior planning will help make sure this is easier when it is time.

What should I expect?

Your pet’s personality and energy will be reflected in their passing. It may be quiet or with deep breaths, movement or stillness, all is important to acknowledge and take in.

™• October 2010 • Volume I

21

The Pagan Edge

Book Review

October and Samhain bring death to mind for me.

I offer something a little different for your October reading—the personification of Death. I’ve always been fascinated by books that cast Death as a person and here are three of my favorites.

On a Pale Horse

by Piers Anthony, 1986 ISBN: 0345338588 What if Death, the Fates, Mother Nature, Father Time, War, God, and Satan were really just office held by people?

This is the premise behind the Incarnations of Immortality series.

On a Pale Horse is the first and deals with the office of Death. Zane accidently shoots Death and must then take on the role. He must learn how to take the lives of others quickly and compassionately. While learning the ropes, he becomes involved in Satan’s plotting. Satan tries to get him to take the life of the woman he loves.

This was the first book I read that dealt with the personification of Death. This is, by far, my favorite book

by Piers Anthony. The series itself offers an interesting and thought-provoking perspective. Despite being an older book, it is definitely worth the read.

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™• October 2010 • Volume I

Death’s Daughter

by Amber Benson, 2009 ISBN: 0441016944 Calliope Reaper-Jones would really like to be a normal human being with a normal life full of dating, shopping, and a job. She manages to have that life and to forget her former life and family through a memory charm. That is, until her father is kidnapped. Her father, of course, is Death, and she must return to run the company, Death, Inc., or her family will lose their immortality. The book focuses on her quest to become CEO through the completion of three nearly impossible tasks while competing against the Devil’s Protégé. She also really wants to try to find and save her father, but must not get sidetracked from her tasks. Perhaps the ending is not a surprise, but this is a good start to a new series.

Amber Benson played Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The book has a bit of a Buffy feel to it and may not be liked by everyone. A bit of adventure, a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, a bit of humor, and a bit of mythology make this a fun and quick read. The second book in the series, Cat’s Claw came out earlier this year.

by Faelin Wolf

Embrace the Grim Reaper

by Judy Clemens, 2010 ISBN: 1590587200 Since the death of her husband and child in a car accident, Casey has a new traveling companion: the Grim Reaper.

She travels somewhat aimlessly, trying to cope with her grief and frequently asking Death to take her too. Yet, it is not her time and Death instead guides her to Clymer, Ohio. Clymer is a sad little town, struggling as its major job source, a local factory is laying off many employees. Casey becomes drawn into the lives of a few people she meets and begins to investigate the recent death of a young woman. Her death is not a simple suicide and the implications rock the town.

The mystery in the book had me guessing until the end. What I also enjoyed were the tidbits of Casey’s past that were revealed throughout the book. Clemens portrays Death as somewhat quirky, mysterious (of course!), and just a little bit compassionate. The next book in the series, The Grim Reaper’s Dance, came out in August. Hopefully, in the next book, we’ll learn a bit more about Casey’s relationship with Death.

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25

Wheel of Happenings

Events Calendar

OCTOBER 2010

1st, Lughnasadh Warrior Games Sonoran Sunrise Grove,Tucson, Arizona 1st – 3rd WitchStock 16 Celtic Groves Buffalo,Texas 2nd, Pagan Pride Day St John’s County Temple of the Mystical Ancient Circle Hasting, Florida, USA 2nd, Northern Virginia Pagan Pride Day Your local community, Manassas, Virginia, USA 2nd, Mt. Pleasant Pagan Pride Day Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA 7th, Memphis Pagan Pride Day Memphis, Tennessee

14th, Chicago Pagan Pride 2010 Greater Chicagoland Pagan Pride Committee Oak Park, Illinois 15th - 17th, Witch’s Costume Ball & Samhain Fest GreenSong Grove, St Petersburg, Florida, USA

16th, Michigan Witches Ball 2010 The Committee for a better ball Centerline, Michigan, USA 16th, Pagan Unity Day 2010 C.A.S.T. North Charleston, South Carolina, USA 23rd - 24th Spirit Fayre Fayre Lady, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA 23rd, Louisville Witches Ball 2010 Kentuckiana Pagan Community Fellowship Louisville, Kentucky, USA

9th, Atlanta Pagan Pride Day Dogwood Local Council, Decatur, Georgia, USA

30th - 31st, Official New York Witch Festival Samhain, workshops & Bonnie Marchione of Crescent MoonGoddess, Smithtown, New York, USA

9th, Central Maine Pagan Pride Day SamhainDell (registered local Pagan church) Lewiston, Maine, USA

30th - 31st: HUGE Holistic Expo Psychic Fair Halloween Weekend, Your Spiritness Company Valparaiso, Indiana, USA

9th, Nature Spirituality Alliance Day Mercer County 4H Camp, West Virginia, USA

NOVEMBER, 2010

9th, Phoenix Pagan Pride Day Valley of the Sun Pagan Projects, Inc. Phoenix, Arizona, USA

4th - 7th, Florida Pagan Gathering Samhain 2010 Temple of Earth Gathering Inc. ATC Altoona, Florida, USA

9th, Pagan Pride Picnic in the Park Circle of the Sacred Earth, Roanoke, Virginia, USA

5th - 7th, Biloxi - Mobile Bay Pagan Pride Day Biloxi Pagan Pride Project Biloxi, Mississippi - Alabama, USA

9th, 8th Annual Savannah Pagan Pride Day Ellen Dugan Savannah Pagan Pride Savannah, Georgia, USA

19th - 21st, Womans Retreat Bowdon, Georgia, USA

If your festival is not listed here, please email us at admin@paganedge.com to have your listing added.

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™• October 2010 • Volume I

Every Day SpiritSong:

Kellianna

It always seems to be a challenge in selecting a Pagan musician or musical group to write about. There are many to choose from; but I can only write about one each month. This difficulty was definitely plaguing me when it came time to prepare for this month’s article.

October seems to be a great month for reflection as Samhain approaches; thus, I felt that my goal was to find the perfect voice to aid in said reflection. After listening to many different voices, I began fearing that my efforts were in vain. Undoubtedly, every Pagan artist holds something special within them that allows them to express their love for the Lord and Lady as they do. They never leave their audiences displeased or spiritually hungry; but it’s hard to aid in terms of reflection. To aid someone in looking back on their life would require knowing them to some degree certainly.

Therefore, this issue’s artist needed to encase wisdom.

So, I am proud to share with you all, singer, songwriter, and chantress: Kellianna.

Now, I will be honest. I cannot tell you where this gracious being has come from or who she was in her past life; but I can tell you about her present being. Kellianna hails from Wendell, Massachusetts; she has visited England and Ireland to share her music. She has also helped others share their very own inner song through SpiritSong.

SpiritSong is the art of finding your authentic voice and using it to enter into the spirit. Outside of being a certified teacher for SpiritSong, Kellianna helps others enter into the spirit using ritual chants as well.

Kellianna put out her first album in 2004. Since then, she’s been like a rolling stone – gathering strength and force; as well as leaving her mark in the world of Pagan music. She has performed at the Goddess Conference (England), Women of Wisdom Conference (Seattle, WA), The Everyday Goddess Conference (WI), Enchanted

Music Review

Note This!

by V.L.

Mountain Goddess Conference (NY), Pagan Spirit Gathering (OH), Jack in the Green Festival (England), and the Samhain Processional (Ireland). In 2010 alone, Kellianna has performed more than forty venues; and this count isn’t including the widely advertised shows.

She even performed with Wendy Rule (featured in our July ‘10 issue) almost a month ago in Massachusetts; and it was quite fitting.

Like Wendy Rule, Kellianna’s skills in lyrical writing are noteworthy. Her subjects range from spiritual to ancestral to matrimonial. The way she writes is like a weaving of truth that everyone experiences on a daily basis. Kellianna’s lyrics create an understanding between her and her audience. Her voice only deepens this connection. The way in which she sings allows her voice to ease into the listener and fill them with joy or sorrow. She interprets emotion in such a way that it nearly feels raw and pure. It is due to this ability that her music has such unique character. Her songs are quite succinct most of the time; but they never feel empty. Without a doubt, this gift is the reason why she was able to put out four successful albums: Lady Moon (2004) I Walk with the Goddess (2007) Voices of the Goddess, Vol. I (2009) Elemental (2010) Kellianna has many more shows coming up where she will perform songs from her latest album.

You can keep track of Kellianna’s tourdates at her Facebook and MySpace page. Information about Kellianna can also be found at www.kellianna.com. If you’re interested in having some of her tracks on hand for your Samhain, they can be found at iTunes. Some artists who are similar to Kellianna would be Chalice & Blade, Alchemy VII, Sharon Knight, and S4crificed.

Kellianna is an amazing artist and a great contributor to the Pagan community. I do hope that she adds energy to your rituals this month. Blessed Be. ™• October 2010 • Volume I

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™• October 2010 • Volume I