A Deeper Shade of Green?

ISSN 2159-9939

The Three “R’s”, plus Reconciling How Does Your Garden Grow?

Eco-friendly Pagan Recycling Native Plants & Landscaping Culinary Herb Garden The Divine Mind Urban Witch Dziewanna Geomancy

“A Deeper Shade of Green?”

April 2011 Volume 2 • Issue 4 ™• April 2011 • Volume 2

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™• April 2011 • Volume 2

Publisher

Executive Editor

Contributors

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Layout Website Advertising

Eberhardt, Personal Visions jess*ca mae Tootie Marie Dawn Sherwood Faelin Wolf Mya Om Michelle Crowskin Bond LJ Rose Ankolie Donovan Amina Racozy S. J. Drew Sister Nariel Nina Pak, www.ninapak.com Refraction Design & Creative Services Personal Visions Eberhardt, Wendy Beth

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.

Product descriptions, recipes & any how-to information: While we, and our affiliates, attempt to provide accurate information in the magazine and on the site, we do not warrant that the content on this site will be accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. It is your sole responsibility for the use of the content of this Magazine or web site. For additional details please see www.paganedge.com

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 3

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™• April 2011 • Volume 2

contents

6 Dream Weaving Threefold Ecology

8 Keeping the Edge On Conservation,

Self & Earth

Pagan Edge welcomes Sister Nariel to our staff as author of Making the Divine Mind, Mine

9 Dziewanna Goddess of Spring

10 Divine Mind The R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Restore... Reconcile

12 PE Book Review Rare: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species Geomancy for Beginners

14 Plant Vibes Going Native

16 Elders Corner Organic Gardening

17 Life’s Wit Quite Contrary

18 Urban Shaman Eco-friendly Tips for

Pagan Recycling

20 News from the Edge Meet Our Staff

Volume 2 • Issue 4 • April 2011 “a deeper shade of green?”

Pagan Edge™ is published monthly

by Personal Visions admin@paganedge.com

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 5

Dream Weaving Threefold Ecology Just about the time you are reading this the first days of spring have passed and for the northern hemisphere green starts to take over the other earth tones. In balance, the southern hemisphere has passed into autumn and life turns to thoughts of rest. Each season is one of transition, in both the states of life that surround us, and the states that our spirits enter.

publisher speaks

This month’s issue celebrates what we all can do to make our lives, homes, and communities sustainable. Make each act that you do a sacred promise to the future. Let all our individual hands contribute to making sure that all life is given the chance to renew and continue.

Blessed Be, Eberhardt

Having just done a photography session for this month’s cover, I am drawn to the idea of recycling our spiritual states and renewing feelings and thoughts lying dormant over many prior seasons.

This time of year we should take the time to look over all the experiences we have had, and with luck, find some we would like to bring back into our lives. Renewal, whether it be like the spring’s explosion of green or its dimming autumn slumber, is something so many of us miss. I personally believe age is a state of consciousness taking on greater and greater weight because we keep our experiences piled up inside instead of looking at them and creating something new. Letting old experiences, burdens, and even joys go help us reinvent ourselves and allow for new things to happen.

No matter what age you find yourself facing it is who you are now. Cherish yourself, both good and bad and strive to see how all the bits of you make for a unique individual that can and does change the world with every act.

On The Cover: model: Clara photography & effects:EWVanderBerg fashion & set design: Eberhardt & jess*ca 6

™• April 2011 • Volume 2

Lotions Potions &Notions Connecting Alternative-Faith Writers and Readers

Educate Inspire Promote

If you’re serious about

spellwork...

or not

http://paganwriters.com/

Fairy Realm • Magical Chakra • Dragon Energy

Join our Fan Page on Facebook PaganWriters on Twitter

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homegrown, wildcrafted, certified organic herbs

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™• April 2011 • Volume 2 7

Original Photography by Nina Pak

Keeping the Edge

by Mya Om

Dream It New If I could reach with an arm of thought, I would If I could see with closed eyes, it would be different.

If I could change a thing, by dreaming it, I would.

I would do it for the dying seas, and the crying twisted trees, I would reach across a great distance, to snatch away all that remains dirty, blood spilled, tear stained... and heal the open maw wounds of this decaying earth.

I would mold it like clay into some new Genesis of Being.

I would do it for you.

I would dream it new.

-Nina Pak

I close my eyes and I think of earth. I breathe and my breath takes me closer to earth. I hear the drum that is my heart beat and it walks me downward... thump, thump, down, down...

I am relaxed, I am in trance. As my mind and body merge, I become a creature of purest light and energy, and in this state the vision begins to form: In my mind’s eye I see a windswept desert of red sand, hot sun, and cool breeze. I see a creek of icy water flowing and glimmering like crystal with each kiss of the sun’s rays. I see the clearest blue skies with vision extending for miles in any direction. I see earth and sky hugging like the closest of lovers; each piece of one flowing into the other to form an inescapable union. I see a Conservation continued on page 22

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™• April 2011 • Volume 2

ziewanna D

Goddess of Spring

by Eberhardt

This is the second in a four part series looking at some of the ways we can bring ourselves in tune with gods and goddesses playing significant roles in the way we live our daily lives. Of course we can do this with any deity speaking to us but we have chosen four revered for their places in the home and family life.

In January, we looked closer at Janus, god of gateways; this month we look at a spring goddess: Dziewanna.

Spring, for many that means April: youth, renewal, innocence, and new beginnings.

For others it means allergies, nerves over someone new, or crazy acts of fun to let off some winter steam. Finally, to some it means working the cool soil; making sure it is free and fertile for seeds kept in hope of a warm day.

After the cold of a long winter, almost anything can seem possible as colors emerge from the landscape, appearing as if freshly washed from some cosmic linen cabinet. From all of this mental and sensory input we somehow draw out hope and can call Dziewanna to help us manifest it. Even though no images attributed to her survive, we can imagine a maiden in the first blush of independence. Garbed as a

Huntress, Warrior, or perhaps in a maiden’s finest and freshly made frock; it is up to us to meditate and invite her again into our rituals. It is regretful that very little has been published about this goddess because it is likely her stories are still spoken ones.

Having little survived of this goddess’s tale is one of the reasons she should appeal to us in the now. As we find and focus on our favorite (or at least most compelling) aspect of spring we can establish our own dialog with Dziewanna and let that be our guide. Making a record of your own ways to honor her by asking for the blessing of your garden, success with a new love, or life, or the simple joy of playing with a cherished pet can tap again into her mysteries.

Dziewanna continued on page 23

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 9

Making the Divine Mind, Mine

by Sister Nariel, Contemplative Order of Anam Cara

The R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Restore...

Reconcile Long before the E-generation, public schools, libraries and religious houses, humanity realized its fondest and most worthwhile lessons in oral lore.

Lessons many times fostered and illustrated by the Land, Sea, and Sky. Within sacred stone circles, beside holy wells and beneath towering trees, our early family gathered to hear the tales of joy and sorrow, hero and villain, God and Goddess.

These stories and songs were the glory of humanity as they contemplated the worlds both within and without.

It can be challenging to connect with our ancestors and their ways from within the 10

™• April 2011 • Volume 2

21st century experience. In an age of instant messaging, microwaveable food and pushbutton global commerce, we may feel far removed from their world and wisdom. Does this perceived distance mean that we cannot relate to their experience or find resonance between historical myth and modern day life? Not at all, in fact, we can still respect and relate to them if we are but willing to adopt the necessary qualities, and restore ourselves to a more natural state of wonderment and awe. This perspective is fostered by contemplation of the Divine and the Realms of the Gods.

This wisdom is a gift of grace

that cannot be bought or sold.

It is only in contemplation we find what we long for so desperately.

Throughout history and across world cultures, the Contemplatives have existed.

From the Buddha sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, to the Whirling Dervish, to the solitary monks in the deserts and sisters in the Abbeys, contemplation of the Divine as it interacts with humanity has been the foundation of contemporary spiritual disciplines. While we may learn to recycle our 21st century refuse, it is something entirely different to reconcile our

21st century bodies, minds, and spirits to a worldview of the ancient and the Divinity of antiquity. How better to connect with the Divine than to relate with that which it created?

The Realm of the Heavens Fashioned of the deepest blue and sprinkled about with the silvery stars is the Realm of the Heavens. It was here, in the space between the silence of a sigh and the explosion of harmony, that the Earth took form. In the dance between God and Goddess, Sun and Moon, Land and Ocean-life of male and female in the animal and the human world came to be. Yet even as our ancestors looked into that sea of infinite blue above them, they knew that they were not alone. The gods reigned supreme and together with their ladies shined brightly as they danced through the Heavens, journeying through the houses.

When is the last time that we stopped our incessant motion to pause, tottering on a line between silence and harmony with awe in our eyes? Are we not small in the vastness of the Universe? In contemplating our smallness we do not lessen our stature as man or woman. In fact, we may even elevate our existence when we can breathe in how small we truly are and yet feel secure, as a child held in compassionate closeness in the arms of the Mother.

as humans on the Land. It is called Gaia, Mother Earth and the Cradle of Humanity. As our agrarian ancestors knew, the Land was food for both man and beast and thus required diligent and devoted respect for its processes. The Bible shares: “To everything there is a time and a season.” This wisdom could only come from the ancestors who toiled and tilled the soil in the effort to provide sustenance for the family and the community. The Land was to be kindly cultivated and after having yielded its bounty, our ancestors gifted to the Land the milk and the honey of life. The crops were taken in, protected and at last the time of fallow, in which the birds and beasts of the Land would claim what was to be their share; concluding this circle of life.

The Realm of Sea From the velvet blue firmament above, we fall into the Realm of Sea. Modern science has postulated it is from the Sea all life would take shape and form.

Not unlike the world around us, we are born into this world from the womb waters of our own mothers. “As above, so below.” This hermetic axiom sheds light upon the wonder of the womb wherein two distinct energies combine to create life. The nature of Water is that of emotion. From the turbulent waves of passion to gentle and calm meanderings, it is never completely still.

Thus our love must be, if it is to remain, to fashion and sustain life.

Is our love, constant and unyielding even in the face of adversity? Or, do we balk and run at the first sign of waves on the surface? Do we honor our love and the love given to us by others or do we casually make use of it and then walk away, foolishly expecting that when water meets water it does not blend? To contemplate the wave, is to stand amazed at the wonders of the womb.

When was the last time we dug our fingers deep into the fragrantly rich soil and experienced the slow pulse of the heartbeat of Mother Earth?

Did we take a moment to savor the freshly baked bread, recognizing and honoring the process of its cultivation, processing and offering to our families? Without the Land, we would not exist. To honor its times and seasons is a profound act of worship linking us backwards in time to our elders and ancestors as well as leading us forward as families in the future.

The Realm of Land Having trusted enough to experience our smallness, we may now begin to sense the strength of our footfall

The R’s continued on page 24

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 11

The Pagan Edge

Book Review Rare:

Portraits of America’s Endangered Species

by Joel Sartore, 2010, ISBN: 9781426205750

I really enjoy art and photography books. That’s why Sartore’s book Rare initially caught my eye.

Then I read the subtitle and thought, “Wow! A book of photos of endangered species? Cool!” It wasn’t until I got the book home and started to read the foreward that I really began to love and appreciate this book.

Sartore is concerned about the number of endangered species that exist in the United States alone. He wants to make all of us more aware of the animals, plants, insects, and birds that may soon cease to exist on Earth. He thinks that by taking photos of them, it may arouse our interest and action. He says “Maybe people don’t care about a rare bug, but seeing a cute little mouse, or a charismatic icon like a polar bear, may move them. By photographing the most endangered of our plants and animals, I can make the most dramatic plea to get folks to stop and take a look at the pieces and parts that we’re throwing away” (from the Foreward). He traveled to zoos, nature preserves, wild places, and industrialized places to photograph the species found in this book.

In order to photograph some of the animals, he often had to get permission from those trying to protect them. He made quite a journey to bring these photos to us, so that we would care and do 12

™• April 2011 • Volume 2

something.

The book is split into sections depending on the numbers left of each species: over 10,000 individuals; between 10,000 and 1,000 individuals; less than 1,000 individuals; unknown numbers of individuals; and populations that are increasing.

With each photo, he includes the number known to be alive as well as a little about the species, its habitat, and why it is endangered. He also occasionally offers his comments on how he was able to do the photo shoot.

The photos are breathtaking. And heartbreaking.

I think it is amazing to be able to see, often in very fine detail, the saving of creatures we hear about on the news or in email pleas. I certainly felt the urge and desire to go out and do something after I finished the book. And I cried more than a few tears while reading. Truly, this is an amazing book and I highly recommend the read—and the action we all can take after finishing it!

Geomancy for Beginners:

Simple Techniques for Earth Divination

by Richard Webster, 2011, ISBN: 9780738723167

Llewellyn Publications has been very kind to us and has sent us many books to review!

by Faelin Wolf Geomancy for Beginners is the first book Pagan Edge is reviewing, courtesy of Llewellyn.

I knew nothing about geomancy when I picked up this book. Sure, I had heard of it and knew it was some form of divination, but I wasn’t sure how it worked or what was involved. I think Webster does a great job of outlining the history of geomancy, where it originated and who used and wrote about the art. He explains nicely what it is (using the earth to divine the future by inscribing dots on the ground or something similar to create symbols) and how it works. He goes through each symbol and describes what it means as well as showing the reader how to construct a chart in the most common method used, the shield. He follows this by incorporating astrology into the mix to make the readings more accurate. He also includes four chapters that describe different methods and interpretations used by various individuals and groups throughout history.

While Webster provides an excellent history and easy to understand descriptions of the process with many examples of what he is describing, I still found this process confusing. Perhaps if Webster had stuck just with geomancy and not included the astrological part, at least for beginners, this would have been an easier process to learn and understand. Also, the meanings of the symbols, planets, houses, and signs are spread throughout the book and are not easily accessible in one place, which makes trying to decipher the symbols and have a coherent final prediction difficult.

I think this book would be a useful introduction, but to actually do the geomancy divination, it might be best to use it in conjunction with other books.

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 13

Native plants don’t need to be coddled, coaxed or coerced the way “foreigners” often do. But they are not just easier on the gardener; they are easier on and restorative to Gaia.

GOIN

Native plants conserve water, assist in rebuilding of depleted soils, and greatly reduce the contamination of soil and groundwater by fertilizers and pesticides. They are also a crucial part of local eco-systems — providing food and shelter for native critters.

Native plants conserve water because flora native to a garden’s location is suited to having its water needs met by the typical rainfall for said location. Just as with non-natives, extra watering attention will be needed when first planting your selections, especially for drier planting sites.

Since you are bringing in plants 14

™• April 2011 • Volume 2

already matured, to some degree, they haven’t had the benefit of syncing with their environment from seedling stage – especially since the nursery that grew your new plant would have had to water regularly due to the constraints of growing in a pot.

So, do be prepared to possibly supply them with supplemental water over their first full year in your landscape.

Native plants truly matched to their site, and settled in, will be much more resistant to disease and insect pests than non-native for several reasons. Because they are “from the area” they will likely have a genetic familiarity and

defenses when it comes to the neighborhood pests. Because they are able to grow strong and healthy in their native habitats, in a way most non-natives would not, they are also better able to “tough it out” when assaulted. You shouldn’t have to treat them with pesticides, thus eliminating groundwater and soil contamination as well as avoiding the creation of weak, chemical dependant plants, and pesticide resistant super bugs. Also natural predators pf the pests of your native plants are likely in the vicinity to assist with their control.

These natural predators of the

Plant Vibes

by Dawn Sherwood

NGNATIVE ©2008, Tootie Marie Imagery

pests are part of the larger circle of native birds, bugs and mammals that many Pagans would delight in seeing in their backyard. The fruits and flowers of your native plants, as well as the shelter they can offer, will also serve to make your garden more attractive to a healthy balance of creatures.

To best reap the benefits of going native, be sure to truly match plant selections to the soil type, typical moisture levels, and light levels of the specific locations where you will be growing them. Choosing a shrub native to your general region will likely not be successful if it

is more accurately native to the damp, loamy forests of your area and you only have a dry, sandy shade garden to plant it in. Be open to also planting named varieties directly descended from native species, rather than strictly sticking to just the straight species. This will greatly broaden your potential palette of “native” beauties.

even native plant sales and onsite consultations. Local universities are often great sources of native plant information with native plant libraries and databases frequently updated. And, of course, typing “native plants” along with the name of your state, province, etc, into the internet will bring up even more resource options.

Researching which plants are native to and best suited for your various planting locations has become much easier in the past 20 years. Local conservation or natural resource organizations generally have on-staff experts as well as educational materials and

With less fuss needed, native plants are obviously easier to care for — bringing some desirable balance to the gardener’s life. They also assist with Mother Nature’s balance, which deems them doubly worthy for the Pagan garden.

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 15

From the Elders Corner

Organic Gardening

by Lucille M Rose

author’s family in her herb garden

Years ago we purchased two acres of property in a rural area.

Over the years, we have planted several blue spruce, a maple, globe arborvitae, junipers, and several different types of flowers. We even transplanted a branch from my grandmother’s mulberry bush in Pennsylvania and it is now taller than the telephone pole. It yields between ten to twenty gallons of mulberries each season and I have to literally fight the birds for some small portion. Our house is on remaining acreage along with

a large portion of undisturbed land containing wild plants such as yarrow, mullein, St. John’s wort, horsemint, goldenrod, ragweed (oh yippee), spotted knapweed,

wild grasses, and an orchard.

Many years ago my husband and one of his brothers decided they needed to do something with some of the property that (in their opinion) was “just sitting there doing nothing”.

They decided an orchard would be a good idea.

So they purchased apple seedlings and planted them.

The first year the deer came and chewed most of the seedlings to the ground. My husband and his brother purchased more seedlings — more “mature trees” this time.

They hung soap from the tiny branches.

That fall the mice ate the soap.

They purchased and set fencing around the perimeter of the orchard which kept out the deer but not the rabbits. They purchased plastic sheathing and wrapped it around the base of the seedlings to deter the rabbits. The plastic sheathing weathered well for a couple months then became brittle and broke into small pieces.

Then came the war against pests, fungus and whatever else was attacking the trees.

My husband purchased insecticides, pesticides, fungicides and whatever “cide” was suggested in order to maintain and help an orchard grow. He purchased a small tank with wheels for the various solutions and a sprayer in which to apply the solution.

I watched him from the front window as he poured solution Organic continued on page 26

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Life’s Wit

by S.J. Drew

C e t i o y u r n tra Q Maria looked at her garden with disappointment. “Maria, where are you?” called a female voice.

“Around replied.

back,

Jen,”

she

Her friend came through the gate. “What’s wrong?”

“This garden,” Maria said, exasperated. “I thought I did everything right this year. I got real terra cotta pots. I got the right kind of soil. I added fertilizer. I even built this chicken-wire cage to keep those crazy squirrels out. All the zucchinis have blossom rot, the eggplants keep withering when they get about two inches long, I’ve only gotten a few tomatoes and the plants look like they’re ready to curl

up and die right now, a mouse or something got in the cage and ate my basil anyway, and the oregano died. How in the world does oregano die?”

of trying to grow something, well, you got that, didn’t you?”

Jen laughed. “I’m sorry, I know it’s not funny. I know you put a lot of work into this garden.”

“But did process?”

“A whole summer’s worth,” she said dryly. you

enjoy

the

“I suppose so. I wouldn’t have kept trying if I didn’t like it. Or maybe I’m just stubborn.”

“I did. I watered the plants every day. It was nice to have a reason to get out of the house.

I even talked to the plants. I was trying to encourage them.”

Maria sighed. “I guess it didn’t work. Maybe it wasn’t worth all that effort.”

“Maybe, but I think the garden was worth the effort. Any veggies you get are just a bonus, right?”

“How?”

Maria smiled. “Alright. Here, I think I see a ripe bonus tomato.

You want half?”

“If you wanted the experience

“Sure.”

“Maybe you just need to look at it a different way.”

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 17

Illustration by Ankolie 18

™• April 2011 • Volume 2

Pagan Recycling

the Urban Shaman

by Michelle “Crowskin” Bond

Eco-friendly Tips for With the amount of packaging, containers, and refuse in our modern world, we all need to be creative and conscious in choosing what to throw away. Even a minimum of ecofriendly choices can make an impact in the long run...

Mother Earth can use all the help She can get.

Here are a few simple magickinclined tips and suggestions to lessen your carbon footprint and breathe new life into the old.

Decorating the Witch’s Kitchen A witch’s kitchen is in reference to a special area where any herbal spell components or various ritual items are kept.

Kind of like a spice rack of spell ingredients.

We all manage to collect items from here-and-there for use in ritual and spellwork.

Sometimes we store these items in a witch’s kitchen in ornate matching bottles

and pretty glass containers.

However, even simple bottles and plastic containers can be fancied up and find a place on your shelf, making you just as proud as your store-bought finds.

of course, it is one less thing to throw away.

Unique Altar Cloths Times change, and sometimes clothing you once loved years ago becomes outdated and out-grown. When potential contributions don’t fill up a donation bag or the clothing is far too worn to be of any use, it usually slips into the trash.

A quick tip for making old plain jars, medicine bottles, or pop bottles more appealing is to decorate them with old vintage looking tags. Just like the memorable “drink me” tags in Alice in Wonderland, a few moments with scrap paper making decorative labels adds new eccentric life into the ordinary.

Instead of tossing any fabric out, consider it still has one more use left in it.

Make it into a new altar cloth.

With a few cuts, and a few extra stitches, you can come up with unique quilted designs from even just scraps of material or clothing. With what you don’t use in the altar cloth itself, you can build little bags for cards, runes, or ritual bundles.

Also, never be afraid to give an old jar or box a creative face lift. Paints, hot glue, a bit of time, and a little work can make the old and drab into something unique and remarkable.

Don’t be afraid of experimenting.

Remember, vintage is definitely in style.

By the time you are finished, your handyman-special container will look just as good as a purchased one. And

Recycling continued on page 25

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 19

News from the Edge Eberhardt publisher

jess*ca mae

executive editor

eclectic environmentalist pagan & teacher • assuring our publication’s livelihood admin@paganedge.com

graphic artist & spiritualist • assuring our publication’s high quality and aesthetic possibility chief-editor@paganedge.com

Faelin Wolf

Dawn Sherwood

Book Review

counseling psychology PhD student

ankolie

illustrator illustrator & artist inspired by natural and fantasy worlds

Nina Pak

photographer photographer & artist inspired by “Magia Naturalis”

Plant Vibes

landscape artist & horticultural consultant

Michelle Crowskin Bond, Urban Shaman writer & artist community organizer

Lucille M. Rose

From the Elders Corner minister • teacher • priestess creating all natural products

meet our staff

S.J. Drew

Life’s Wit

writer of fiction, fantasy, & poetry • constantly curious & amazed at the world

Mya Om

Keeping the Edge Law student • published author shares magick use in everyday life

Donovan

cartoonist

longtime cartoonist bringing humor into our lives

Sister Nariel

Making the Divine Mind Mine published author in service to the Mother Goddess

We also thank Tootie Marie, Maeve Gregory, Wendy Beth, and Amina Racozy for their ongoing support and consultation We Want to Hear It: good, bad, or edgy... Give Us Feedback! email letters@paganedge.com 20

™• April 2011 • Volume 2

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 21

Conservation continued from page 8

...even the most insignifact act of changing my behavior also changes the world... wholeness of self, of body and soul. I see a mother cradling her newborn child, her arms wide and expansive, her visage loving. I see wisps of magick and energy flowing to surround her, coalescing into shape and substance. They draw my energyself closer and closer still. Until I am enveloped.

Until I am consumed. Until myself is no longer self, but is the earth. Until I am the wind, the desert, the sand, the sun, and the water. Until I, in union, am the mother and the child. I am the entwined lovers creating a new whole.

As I become other and yet more myself than I have ever been, I realize all things are interconnected, all things are one. I am one and I am all. What affects one, affects the collective. With this realization, the vision is complete. I understand and I return, aware, enlightened and at peace.

There is a vast difference between the earth in my meditation and the earth that I see with my naked eye.

In my vision, I see no soda cans rattling in the breeze, no power lines in the distance distorting my vision of blue sky. I see no plastic bags drifting dervish-like along the edges of the rocks, catching on little outcroppings of stone. I see no paper products lying corpse-like and grey in pools of rainwater, reminding me of little dead trees. I see no fumes of cars rising mist-like in the dewy morning to mix with the oxygen heading for my lungs. I see no highways winding serpent-like and cutting through, around, and over earth. I see no weeping Mother Earth, her eyes bloody and bruised from chemical waters and fumes. I see no crippled 22

™• April 2011 • Volume 2

Mother Earth, her body broken by mines and roads that tear through her like a knife through meat. I see no viscera of molten metal escaping from pressure points, puss-like and steaming, ill with the remnants of industry and war.

There is a feeling and a sense of perfection in the meditative vision that I cannot reconcile with the day-to-day sight of cities, highways, landfills and garbage. The clear water I see in my vision does not translate well to the chlorinated city water coming from my tap. The polluted chemical and smog-filled air that I breathe in with each inhalation does not translate into the crisp and clear air I ache for in my spirit.

I am an Urban Witch. I live in a city. I drive on highways.

I make use of power lines and their coal-based electricity. I drink soda and bottled water. I buy plastic and paper products. I use aerosol cans, refrigerators, and air condit i o n e r s. I f I stop to think a b o u t i t (which I nor mal l y d o n’t ) , I can see how I’m in t h e wo r s t k ind of abusive relationship: with me, myself, and I being both the abuser and the abused. As I consider this, I realize perhaps my contribution to the conversation of sustainable living is to realize even the most insignifact act of changing my behavior also changes the world on more than a superficial level. It changes the dynamic of my relationship with myself. It is to know that in an interconnected world what harms one, harms all. What harms all harms one. What destroys the earth also destroys the self.

Dziewanna continued from page 9

Profile Name – Dziewanna Culture – Slavic /Eastern Europe Worship/Ritual – No surviving examples.

Associations – Spring, April, forest, agriculture, weather, maiden Related Deities – Unknown Known as a Maiden Goddess of the forest.

Dziewanna is a bringer of spring, closely tied to successful farming.

She is at once forever innocent and the free spirit of the world.

Dogs and wolves are her companions on wild runs.

We do have a hint of what one of her favorite flowers may be because the mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is named Dziewanna in current Polish.

The plant has a long history of use as a medicine, and is an effective treatment for asthma and respiratory disorders.

Extracts made from the plant’s flowers are a very effective treatment for ear infections.

One species (Great Mullein) is used as an herbal remedy for sore throat, cough, and lung diseases. Because the mullein is commonly found as a biennial, one can picture it as a sign of good when it comes back in the second year with a tall stalk of bright flowers producing pods with many small seeds, almost pomegranate-like in their profusion. If you already have mullein your yard, keep some of the seed pods. Ask in the

next spring for Dziewanna’s blessings before you plant them in a prominent spot in your landscape.

When we ask to bring a goddess like Dziewanna into our lives, it may be helpful to first take on the aspect of a traveler and understand as much as you can of this new and wondrous goddess. What does she have in common with your favorite goddess? What is new? What do these things bring in way of change and personal understanding? Then reverse your role and become the welcome host/hostess to your divine guest and lay out a welcome the way you would to an old friend. After all, respect and goodwill are excellent ways of establishing and firming up a new bond.

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 23

The R’s continued from page 11

The Realm of Sky In the 20th century we witnessed mar velous achievements in flight. Up until that time, the Realm of Sky belonged solely to the winged things. Even Leonardo DaVinci dreamed of taking to the skies, creating some of the first sketches of wings for men.

What was the fascination of humanity with soaring into the sky? Perhaps the very nature of Air gives clue to the question.

The Realm of Sky, home of the element Air and ruled over by the sylphs, is likewise the realm of dreams, thoughts, ambitions and inspirations. How many of us remember staring up at the clouds and finding shapes and pictures that could captivate us for hours? With each new

Such questions and answers are what set us upon a path of reconciliation with our natural world and with our interior world. As we seek out the connections of the above and the below, the within and without, we find that we are not as disconnected as we might have at one time believed.

Sincere contemplation allows 22 24

™™•• April April 2011 2011•• Volume Volume 22

gust of wind, a new picture or pattern formed. There was simply no end to what we could create. This is the nature of Air, the Realm of Sky. Air is also the carrier of our words, both positive and negative and as such, our manner of speaking should be tempered to avoid the proliferation of negativity.

When was the last time we dared to dream? When did we sing a song or recite poetry as did the Bards of old? How have our words helped or harmed others in the world around us?

What gifts could we make to the Realm of Sky to neutralize the negativity that may be in motion by our words or the words of others?

us to free ourselves, thereby allowing our minds to be molded and shaped by the Divine. As we connect more intimately with the Divine we find that the walls we have built within ourselves cannot stand against the tremendous outpouring of love coming from dedicated contemplation.

Recycling continued from page 19 Recycling continued from page 19

Reused Wax Reused Wax Although it is considered a Although it to is considered “faux pas” reuse rituala “faux pas” to reuse ritual candles for other magick candlespurposes, for other magick purposes, there’s nothing against using there’s against the bitsnothing and pieces of oldusing wax the bits and pieces of old wax to make household candles for to make household candles for decoration.

Most craft stores decoration.

Most craft candle stores carry fairly inexpensive carry fairly inexpensive candle wick. Every little act helps, and wick.

Every act helps, and you will be little surprised just how you will be surprised just how much odds and ends of wax much ends savings of wax will addodds up toand in candle will add up to in candle savings later on. later on.

If you have an oil burner or tart If you havethis an oil burner oreven tart warmer, becomes warmer, this becomes even easier. Remnants of wax from a easier. ofjust waxlike from scentedRemnants candle act thea scented candle act just like the scented wax tarts you buy in scented buy of in stores. If wax you tarts have you a bunch stores.

If you have a bunch of unscented wax, you can create unscented wax, you can create your own scent to use in the your own scent to use in the same manner with a pinch of same manner with a pinch of dried berries, scented tea, or dried berries, oils. scented tea, or even essential even essential oils.

Giving Back to the Earth Giving the Earth Often, Back whentousing food as a Often, when using food ritual offering, we have noas reala ritual offering, wewith have nofood real idea what to do the idea what to do with the food after ritual is done. It may seem after is but done.

It is may like aritual waste this theseem best like a waste but this is the best time to give something back time giveBurying something back to theto earth. compostto the earth.

Burying compostfriendly food honors our own friendly food as honors ourgiving own Mother Earth well as Mother Earth as well as giving the soil and insects delicious the soil and insects delicious nutrients to continue the cycle nutrients to continue cycle of life. A beautiful act the of giving of life.can A beautiful act of about. giving you feel good you can feel good about.

Another option is to leave Another is atofavorite leave the plate option of food in the plate of food in a favorite outdoor location, away from outdoor location, homes and traffic. away This isfrom an homes and traffic.

This is an excellent way to excellent way to

Be creative!

Be creative!

Magick blooms creative ideas Magick bloomsItcreative and thoughts. gives usideas the and thoughts.

It gives us the perfect breeding ground for perfect ground for inspiringbreeding ideas that reach inspiring ideas that When reach outside the ordinary. outside the ordinary.

When you start looking at common you start looking household items inata common different household items in a different light, you start seeing beyond light, you start seeing beyond what they are into what they what they are into what they can be. can be.

Repurposing items normally Repurposing normally tossed aside isitems a simple and tossed aside is a simple efficient way of helping and our efficient way of helping our environment anyone can do. environment anyone can do.

A pagan compost box, reusing A reusing aspagan muchcompost as youbox, can, and as much as you can, and honoring mother earth are all honoring mother earth all simple things you can be are proud simple proud of. I amthings sure you youcan willbefeel far of.

I am sure you will feel far more empowered every time more empowered every time you see... you see...

feed birds and other little feed birds and other little critters during the year. critters during the year.

Also...

Also...

Scrap paper and leftover Scrap paper leftover cardboard workand wonderfully cardboard work wonderfully as small spell-writing paper as small spell-writing and fuel for campfires. paper and fuel for campfires.

an item given a place in an item given a place your home instead of in a your home instead of a place in the local dump. place in the local dump.

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 25

Organic continued from page 18 into the tank, diluted it with water from the hose, and then moved off in the direction of the orchard. He came back about an hour later and then made a huge mistake. He thought he could walk into the house after applying this poisonous solution in the orchard! I told him he could do whatever he wanted in the orchard but he was not exposing me, our son, and the inside of our house to those poisons. He was to take his clothes off in the garage and put them into the washing machine.

Year after year he continued to use the solutions on the apple trees, and year after year the orchard yielded loads of blossoms and not one apple,

but he was enjoying what he was doing.

About seven years ago, I came up with a brilliant idea. I decided

rather than purchase herbs for the products I made; I would plant an herb garden and grow them organically.

I made a list of plants I used and then researched the list to see which ones would grow in my zone. I chose an area on a slight incline, which meant the garden needed to be built using a tiered design. We needed a product that would keep the soil and each level in place. Wood decomposes, railroad ties contain creosote, 26 22 26

™™•• April April 2011 2011•• Volume Volume 22

and plastic breaks down, so the choice was landscaping blocks. They are a natural product and will last for years.

We purchased “good” dirt from a local excavating business, transplanted the few plants we already had on the property, and then began searching for plants on the wish list. When several friends asked what we were doing and we told them about “the project”,

we were blessed with starter plants from their herb gardens.

We have even found plants growing in the garden we have not planted, but I do use in my products, such as stinging nettle, horsetail, mullein, comfrey and tons of violets. The plants receive only rain water or chlorine-free well water when needed.

Shortly after I started the herb garden I purchased a few organic gardening books.

My husband started reading the books and decided to try some of the organic gardening techniques with his orchard.

After awhile he noticed the apple trees seemed healthier.

He purchased a few blueberry bushes, strawberry plants, asparagus plants, currant and blackberry bushes.

The more he read about organic gardening, the more interested he became in the various methods.

One night he said he needed to purchase some hyssop.

I told him we had hyssop growing in the herb garden.

He said he needed pennyroyal.

I told him we also had that in the herb garden. He needed horsetail. I told him we had that too. Why did he need these herbs? He said he could make a tea with these plants to use in the orchard. This was organic farming! He was not required to strip off his clothes and put them into the washing machine when he came in from the orchard.

This was a win-win situation for both of us.

Over the past couple years he has increased the variety of produce in the orchard. He has been using only organic methods on all the plants and fruit trees and the results are amazing. We are pleased with all the produce and we think our friends and neighbors are too. There is a small restaurant that has expressed an interest in our organically grown lettuce for their sandwiches.

You can write your name, if you dare, in the dust that has accumulated on the tank and sprayer sitting in the corner of the pole barn for the past couple years. Perhaps one day we will sell them to someone who has not yet been exposed to organic far m i n g a n d gardening methods.

Your Community • Your Connection

Upcoming Themes & Deadlines May 2011, theme: Air Element Deadline: April 5th, 2011 June 2011, theme: Handfastings & Bindings Deadline: May 5th, 2011 July 2011, theme: Gods & Goddesses Deadline: June 5th, 2011

™• April 2011 • Volume 2 27

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™• April 2011 • Volume 2

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