Pagan living magazine february 2016 issue version

Pagan Living Striving to provide you with the tools you need to live a domestic, practical and witchy life ….

Magazine

SPRING 2016 We Examine: Amun-Ra Dziewanna and Why We Still Need “In the Beginning”

THIS ISSUE Amber K teaches us “Who Are The Gods”

Vol 6 Issue I $12.99

Cover Photo: Dreamstime.com Pagan Living Magazine is published four (4) times a year by WitchWriters.com Farmington, NM 87499. 505.419.6494.

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Four (4) issue subscriptions delivered by postal mail: in the U.S.: $40, Canada $55, Overseas $80. Four (4) issue digital PDF subscriptions delivered by download: $40. t is time to shake off the cold days of winter and be on the lookout for Spring! With that theme, we bring you our second print issue and we are so glad to have you on this journey with us.

With this new issue, we are very happy to welcome Amber K to our growing list of regular writers. Amber K is a third degree priestess of the Wiccan faith. Her books on magick and the Craft have been widely circulated in the United States and Europe, and for nearly 25 years she has traveled across the U.S. teaching the Craft. She is a founder of Our Lady of the Woods and the Ladywood Tradition of Wicca. She is currently, the Executive Director of Ardantane in Northern New Mexico.

Rev. Christopher Allaun, Artist Alyssa Boyland, StarWolf, and a host of others return to this issue to bring their messages of happiness and health for springtime. We spend time coming to know the God Amun and Goddess Dziewana, and we address the question of how to bring others into a very personal life-event ritual. We discover why creation stories are important to all of us. And, Erin Watson helps us to find plants to bring spring indoors.

This issue, we address the Myth of the Poor Pagan and show you some beginning steps to take to begin placing yourself on a solid Financial Pathway, and of course- we find a recipe for some great tea you can brew up while looking for a local Pagan group to meet with.

The Seasons wait for no one, so let’s get this train rolling and I will look for you on the other side.

Owner, Art and Design, Social Medias: Johnny D. Adams Editor and Advertising Sales: Amy L. Adams IT: Jonathan Adams All Contents remains the Copyright of the author/artist 2016 WitchWriters.com.

Online: www.paganlivingmagazine.com On Social Media: facebook.com/paganlivingmagazine

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Pagan Living Magazine

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6 Getting that Garden In

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Horoscopes

14 Body, Mind, Spirit 17 It Begins with a Cup of Tea 20 Monthly Moon and Holidays 23 Learning a New God - Amun

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26 Learning a New Goddess Dzieqawa 28 6 Magickal Plants 31 The Myth of the Poor Pagan 34 Why We Still Need In The Beginning

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38 Who are the Gods 40 Speaking with the Ancestors 43 Making Time for the Spirits 46 Questions Asked and Answered 50 Pagan Financial Beginnings 53 Creating with Intent

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56 Meet Thy Fellow Pagan

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/paganlifemagazine

Getting That Garden In

By Johnny D. Adams

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here is no doubt about it – spring time is coming. The seed catalogs are clogging the mail and e-mail boxes, taunting me with big ideas of abundant gardens, full to the brim with vegetableswaiting to be eaten right off the vine. One of the biggest joys in life comes from sitting beside the garden bed with a bucket of water, picking, rinsing, and eating my meal directly from the garden.

But alas, the garden of my dreams is always much bigger and prettier in my mind than it is in reality.

Isn’t it always that way?

On the one hand, you want a garden capable of providing you with all the fruits and vegetables you can desire, but the reality of spending hours working the soil, laying out the water system, and tending to it, quickly makes a short trip to the store seem much easier. So what starts out as a garden for the years, quickly becomes a small little patch- mixed with half dying plants and so many tomatoes and squash that

your neighbors and co-works run away screaming every time they see you carrying another bag in your hand.

So what is the solution? Is there a solution or are we all stuck eating Summer Succotash, wishing for blackberries, melons, and (my nemesis) strawberries to grow? The truth is, I think we all have plants which seem to thrive around us and others which elude our attempts to cultivate and produce even the smallest crop of goodness. And, it always seems that one plant you would love the most to grow is the hardest to grow.

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Learning a New God: Amun

Johnny D. Adams

pire. Into this environment, we examine the birth, rise, and reign of the Egyptian deity, Amun.

Amun, first came to being during the Old Kingdom, together with his spouse, Amaunet. Amun rose to become the primary deity of Thebes in the 11th dynasty, eventually replacing Monthu, the falcon headed-god of warfare, the sun, and valor.

While being the patron of Thebes, Amun’s spouse was transformed into the Goddess Mut. Later in Thebes, Amun was transmuted into a God/Father figure while his wife, Mut, was changed into a Goddess/ Mother image, when the two gave birth to the Moon God, Khonsu. As time passed, this God/Goddess/Son triad of Thebes transformed againbecoming the divine family or “Theban Triad”.

After the rebellion of Thebes, the city acquired national im-

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hen trying to gain an understanding of the Egyptian Gods and Goddess, one first has to understand some basic difference in the format of the Egyptian pantheon verse those that follow a European format.

Unlike the Greek, Roman and Norse Gods, in the Egyptian pantheon the Gods and Goddess’ arose from natural forces and phenomena. Humans worshiped and

strived to appease their Gods and Goddess’ through direct offerings and rituals designed to represent their powers. Additionally, where as in Greek, Roman and Norse traditions where the placement of a God or Goddess in the hierarchy were established early on and remained relatively firm throughout their reign (i.e. Oden was and always will be the All Farther), in Egypt, Gods and Goddess’ continued to morph, change influence, and be combined as time passed and, as different cites rose to prominence throughout the em-

WHO ARE THE GODS

By Amber K, Priestess of Wicca

Simply calling them “divine personages” or “spirit beings” rather begs the question. There are so many theories.

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he gods and goddesses of our ancestors are the greatest spiritual resource that Pagans have. And yet, many Pagans content themselves with only the broad, generic faces of deity, when we have thousands of potential allies in the form of individual goddess- and god-aspects.

Goddess. God. Moon Goddess.

Horned God. Maiden. Mother.

Crone. Father-god. Mother-goddess. The Lady. The Lord. All may inspire feelings in us, but

they are vague and the images almost faceless. Are you content to think of your family as generic “Mother,” “Father,” Sister,” or “Brother” with no memory of their faces, no recognition of their unique personalities, no understanding of their formative impact on your identity, no knowledge of their life stories, and no recollection of your shared history? I hope not. Shall we do less for our gods?

Looming in the background is the old question, “Are the gods real, and if so, what exactly are they?”

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Some say they are imaginary beings created by primitive peoples as a way of coping with the unknown. Others will grant that origin, but believe that even if they began as imaginary, they have taken on life and personality because of the psychic energy poured into them by worshipers over generations.

More cynical folks may say that they are imaginary beings that were created and fostered by greedy priestly classes as a way of gaining power over others. Monotheistic believers might label them as idols and false beings worshiped by the ignorant in place of the one true creator.

Very probably, many of them were extraordinary human beings who were exalted and deified by their cultures after their deaths: clan leaders and shamans, skilled healers and mighty warriors, pharaohs and emperors.

3. Making offerings

What is an offering? It is something that you offer up to honor, or in some cases pay, if they have helped you with your magickal work, gods and spirits. It does not have to be expensive, nor do you have to kill animals or offer up your firstborn. Most entities have a particular drink or food that they like. If you work within a particular tradition – I work with the Norse deities predominantly, for example – there are usually plenty of books out there that will provide you with the necessary information, or at least enough information to get you started. As far as the Norse deities go, mead is always a good standby, or ale, or beer. I have found that Thor loves Guinness Stout, and Frigga, the Queen of Asgard, has a fondness for Riesling. How have I figured it out? Trial and error. Some people can communicate easily through verbal or mental imagery, and I’m lucky to be one of those folks. Other people communicate with entities more by sense and feeling. Trust your feelings, Luke! If you offer beer to a god or spirit and you get the feeling of “Blech!” somewhere in the back of your mind (or stomach), don’t offer beer.

Fairy spirits almost always like organic whipping cream, especially if it is mixed with a little honey. Most tree spirits seem to enjoy honey water (water that has been boiled and then has honey added; let it cool before pouring it out). If, like me, you are vegan and/or concerned about the environmental impact of the dairy industry, then soy creamer mixed with honey is generally acceptable.

If an entity you are working with asks for offerings that are difficult or impossible or too expensive to get, explain that such a thing is not feasible, and

ask if they would be satisfied with something else. (e.g., “No, I don’t have any goat’s blood, and I’m vegan to boot, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable offering that up.

Yes, I know that’s how you were honored ages ago, but we really don’t do that anymore. I do, however, have this lovely Merlot. Would you like to try that?”)

Written and spoken devotions may be, if it feels appropriate, rooted in history and lore. If you work with deities from the ancient Mediterranean world, for example, there are many recorded hymns and devotional literature that you can use as a starting point. However, words spoken from the heart are almost always welcome, and these may be as simple or complex as you would like to make them.

Whatever you choose, make sure that your heart is in it. Gods and spirits, like people, can sense when you are halfheartedly talking to them.

Last thoughts: As with human people, be discerning. Do you like everyone you meet? Do you want them in your home? No. It is the same with gods and spirits. Just because someone or something has shown up for a visit, doesn’t mean you have to invite them in or work with them. If you have a bad feeling about them, trust your instincts, and thank them for the offer, but then ask them to leave.

You’d be surprised how often this works.

As with people, as a general rule, firm politeness, respect, and establishing clear boundaries works wonders. Building relationships with gods and spirits, as with people, can be challenging, and there is always a sort of negotiation that goes on through the process as you get to know one another, but, again, as with people, such relationships can also be very rewarding as well. Honest communication and reciprocity, as with all relationships, are key.

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The Maiden

Questions Answered Question: So in a few weeks I will have been a Wiccan for a year and a day, and I’m really excited about it. I want to hold a circle with a couple friends, but the problem is I don’t have any Wiccan friends! I’d love to gather some people, I’m just not sure how to do so without them thinking Wicca is a bad religion or making them feel as if they’d be defying their own religion. Any suggestions? “Autumn” 9 Pagan Living Magazine | Spring 2016

I just completed my year and a day, so I know kind of how you feel, the only difference is, I am a member of my local CUPPS group. I had a place to go and celebrate with others. I did invite some of my friends to the event, but because it was part of the CUPPS group, I didn’t have to worry so much about what they thought.

In the end, a lot of them promised to come but only two of them did, and those were the ones who kind of knew what I had been studying and looking forward to anyway.

As for as how my being Wiccan or how my belief system makes other people think or feel, I really have no control over it. All I can worry about is how I think, feel or react to things. So, if it makes them uncomfortable, or they feel like they are defying their religion, then I think they don’t have to show up. The same thing goes for me, if I don’t like what they are doing or how they make me feel, then this little pluck doesn’t go where she doesn’t have too.

The Mother

For me, this question is a little more complicated to answer.

I’m a mother of two very young children (2 and 4yr), and we live in a small town, so finding anyone that is Pagan or Wiccan is a struggle.

As of right now, I do everything on my own. When I was a teenager, though, I would always let my friends know that I’m Wiccan, from there I let them decide what they wanted to do with that knowledge.

Yes, a lot of them would try to convert me to their religion, but I had a few who would actually ask me about my beliefs or sometimes even ask for help. I would get requests for a tarot reading or I had one friend that asked for a protection spell, which she actually wanted to participate in casting. Therefore, by putting myself out there and letting my friends know, I was able to be honest with everyone and I had a few friends that seem to care. My suggestion, would be to be honest with your friends. Explain that you are Wiccan, that you’re not trying to shove your beliefs on them but you would like for them to join you for casting a circle, explain that it would be like a little get together.

The Crone

My first thoughts are that if your friends are truly your friends, then they will be supportive of you and would gladly share in marking this auspicious occasion. However, I wouldn’t just spring this information on them at the last moment.

If you do so, it will end up being awkward for everyone. I think the best way to handle this situation is by having a conversation about your journey over the last year and that you’re looking forward to marking the occasion with those you are close with. Judging by their reactions, you can either invite them or not. Celebrating this time is very powerful and very personal; you can hold a circle on your own and invite your ancestors, guardians, spirit animals, and/or the Lord & Lady to honor this achievement. So consider marking this occasion privately and then doing something else with your friends for a different time. If your friends aren’t supportive of your views, don’t be disappointed, wish them well and begin your search; find like-minded people you can interact with. In this day and age, there are many supportive organizations that can aid in your journey; you are not alone, life is too short to expend energy on those that aren’t supportive of your endeavors. Brightest of Blessings on your journey!

The Page

Thank you for your question. While it is your choice to do what you think is best for you, I have to say for me personally, I wouldn’t want my friends around at this event because they are not part of that part of my life.

They don’t ask me to attend their church and I don’t ask them to attend mine. If they have questions, I answer them the best I can, but I don’t know even after a year and day or even five years and five days, I would feel comfortable giving them answers to questions they should be answering for themselves. I am more than willing to point them in a direction of a book or person, but I am just not ready to share that part of my life with them as they have not been on the journey with me. It is kind of like that saying, “If I was in jail and needed bail money, there are friends I can call for help. But a true friend, is more likely sitting right beside me in jail’. So, it is only those that are in that ‘right beside me’ group that I would consider inviting to this very special time in my life.

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Get Out and Meet Thy Fellow Pagan ARIZONA

Earth Spirit Center for Healing: located at 25251 S. Power Rd., Queen Creek 85142 (S.E. corner of Power and Riggs) offers a store, classes healing and a community service every Sunday at 11am at the local library. 480-6395275. www.earthspiritcenter.org Grove of the Rising Phoenix: 1st and 3rd Thursday; general meeting open to the public at 8 pm. 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. 623-282-4770. www.risingphoenix-adf.org E.P.I.C. Merry Meet!: 1st Friday, 7 pm; at Denny’s Restaurant located at 2717 W. Bell Rd., Phoenix. 602-299-6323. www.epicmagic.org East Valley Pagan and Witches Meetup: 2nd Wednesday, 7 pm; at Denny’s Restaurant located at 1210 E. Main St., Mesa. http://sacredspiralpaganchurchofarizona.org Phoenix Witches & Pagans Meet Up: 2nd Thursday, 6 pm. 5202 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. https://www.facebook. com/groups/Phoenixwitchesandpagans Ravenz Wisdom Gathering: 2nd Friday, 7 pm at Mimi’s Cafe 21001 N. Tatum Blvd Suite 3, Phoenix.

Witch’s Brew: 2nd Friday, 6:30pm-8:30pm. 1800 S. Milton Rd., Unit 24, Flagstaff. http://www.facebook.com/NeoPaganAllianceNAU Tucson Area Wiccan/Pagan Network (TAWN): 2nd Sunday (except the 3rd Sunday in May, in deference to Mother’s Day); begins at 11am at La Madera Park. http://tawn.org West Phoenix Meetup: 3rd Tuesday, 7pm; at Denny’s 2630 W. Northern, Phoenix (Northern and 23rd Ave) Hops and Barley Meet Up: 4th Thursday; at Sleepy dog Brewery located at 1920 E University Dr., Suite 104, Tempe. https://www.facebook.com/groups/416797671695832 Path of the Craft Book Group: 4th Sunday; 3-5 pm. 6428 S McClintock Drive, Tempe. http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/pathofthecraft Sacred Spiral Pagan Church: Full Moon Circle, monthly on the full moon, 7:30 pm; at Falcon Field Park, Mesa. http://sacredspiralpaganchurchofarizona.org Circle of the Spiral Serpents: Located in Mesa. Open Circles, teaching available. Practices an eclectic style of Paganism that serves as a melting pot of the beauty and mysticism surrounding magick from various cultures and traditions around the world. www.facebook.com/CircleoftheSpiralSerpents Desert Henge Coven: Located in Tucson. Open Circles, legal clergy, & teaching available with weekly classes. http://www.Desert-Henge.webs.com EarthLove- Druids of the Light: Located in Sedona. Open Circles, legal clergy, & teaching available. Community ritual on the nine festivals. We honor the Earth with seasonal rituals and a remembrance of the spirits and allies of Nature, as well as the Ancestors of the land and of ourselves. We unite with the Lady of the Land, and we offer reverence and shared meals to all of the gods and goddesses, the beings with whom we relate in deep and profound ways, as we live our lives. We are here to support each person’s practice, whether public or private, and will do so by a variety of means, including reading groups, email lists, public rituals, accessibility, and classes. 602-722-2562. www.earthlove.org Fantasia Crystals: Ongoing classes & events. 5108 N. 7th St., Phoenix. 602-265-4065. www.fantasiacrystals.com Institute for the Shamanic Arts (ISA) Located in Tucson. ISA is a branch of Earth Web Media, a religious nonprofit with the purpose of offering people opportunities to experience Shamanic Animism. www.shamanworld.com Tree of Life Society: Located in Maricopa. Open Circles & teaching available. We are small group newly forming to create an atmosphere for like-minded individuals to share in spiritual experiences and friendships. www.facebook. com/BabblingCauldronCommunity

CALIFORNIA

The Goddess Temple of Orange County: Located in Irvine. Open to the public for visiting every Friday and Saturday. http://www.goddesstempleoc.org Sky Dancer Sangha: Located in Oakland. Yeshe Tsogyal practice every Saturday. http://www.skydancersangha. com/our-practice-1 Coffee Meetup: Located in Anderson. Pagan/Heathen social facilitation group. Weekends of each month. http:// www.meetup.com/Pantheon-Pagan-Temple Sky Dancer Sangha: White Conch Shell & Skull Cup every Sunday, ONLINE. http://www.skydancersangha.com/ our-practice-1 Goddess Spiritual Sunday Services for Women: Located in Irvine. Every Sunday. http://goddesstempleoc.org Spiral Earth Explorations-Palomar UU Fellowship: 1st Wednesday, 7-9 pm. 1600 Buena Vista Dr., Vista, CA 92081. 760-941-4319. Email: spiralearthexplorations@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Spiral-Earth-Explorations/205744116121370 Pagan Meetup in Ventura: 1st Thursday, 7-8:30 pm. Everyone welcome, kids included. www.facebook.com/ groups/283127431386 Blue Lotus Reiki Share: 1st Saturday. Located at 1437 North Broadway, Walnut Creek. 925-933-2342. http://themysticdream.com/pages/classes Mill Creek Witches Circle: 1st & 3rd Sunday. Located at 1331 E. Noble Ave., Visalia. 559-732-8537. www.thecrys11 P a g a n L i v i n g M a g a z i n e | S p r i n g 2 0 1 6

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