MINDFUL PAGANISM AND THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR: CELEBRATING THE SEASONS WITH INTENTION
by Lady Shay Bygul
FORTUNE TELLERS GO TO HELL
by Michelle PellinSOUL FEEDING; WHAT IS YOUR SOUL FRUIT?
by Lily MayaLetter from the Owner
Wisdom from the Faerie Godsmother: I've Got A Salve For That
Mindful Paganism: Mindful Paganism and the Wheel of the Year: Celebrating the Seasons with Intention
The Witches' Corner: Exploring the Connection between Witches and the Divine Feminine Energy
The Devil's Advocate: Kicking In The Doors Of Perception: My Journey as a Psychonaut and Spiritual Explorer
Pagan Group Listings
Fortune Tellers Go To Hell
Letter From The Editor
Soul Feeding: What Is Your Soul Fruit? Say What?
Magick is a complicated thing, and no results are guaranteed. No medical or income claims are made in this publication. This publication may contain adult language. There is a wide array of views expressed in this publication. Read at your own risk. Perform any spells or rituals at your own risk.
If you open some creepy portal or summon an uncooperative demon, it's not our fault.
Dear
I am thrilled to announce a significant change to our beloved Purrfectly Pagan Magazine's motto. As the owner, I believe that it's important to evolve our mission and vision as we grow and adapt to the needs of the Pagan community we serve.
With that being said, we are changing our motto from "We are here to serve and support the Pagan community" to "We are here to encourage, educate, and empower the Pagan community." This new motto better reflects our commitment to serving as a resource for Pagans seeking to grow, learn, and achieve their full potential.
We believe that encouragement, education, and empowerment are the keys to helping Pagans thrive in their spiritual and personal lives. Our goal is to create a community that is supportive, nurturing, and empowering, where Pagans can come together to learn, grow, and connect with each other.
Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality content that meets the diverse needs of our readers. We will continue to feature articles on a variety of topics, including but not limited to, witchcraft, spellcasting, divination, astrology, Paganism, and much more. Our writers are passionate about their craft and committed to providing you with the most up-to-date and informative content possible.
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P.S. If you are enjoying this magazine, would you consider buying me a coffee? It's just $3, but it would help a lot and be very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/ladyshay
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We are excited about this new chapter in our magazine's journey, and we hope that you will be too. Our commitment to serving and supporting the Pagan community remains steadfast, and we believe that our new motto better reflects our values and vision.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
P.S. If you are enjoying this magazine, would you consider buying me a coffee? It's just $3, but it would help a lot and be very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/ladyshay
The concept of divine feminine energy has been around for centuries and is rooted in many ancient cultures and religions. It represents the feminine aspect of the divine and is often associated with the moon, nature, and the elements. In recent years, the divine feminine energy has experienced a resurgence, especially among those who identify as witches. In this article, we will explore what the divine feminine energy is and how it relates to witchcraft.
The divine feminine energy refers to the powerful, creative, and nurturing energy that is often associated with the feminine. This energy is not limited to women, as it can be embodied by anyone, regardless of gender. It is a force often associated with the Earth, the moon, and the cycles of nature. It is the energy that brings life, growth, and renewal.
Witches are often drawn to the divine feminine energy because it represents a powerful force that can be harnessed for magic and healing. Many witches believe that the divine feminine energy is present in all living things, and that by tapping into it, they can create positive change in their lives and in the world around them.
One of the ways that witches connect with the divine feminine energy is through ritual and ceremony. Many witches use rituals to honor the cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. They may also create altars dedicated to the goddess, which may include images or symbols of the moon, the earth, and the elements. (continued on the next page)
P.S. If you are enjoying this magazine, would you consider buying a "coffee"? It's just $3, but it would help a lot and be very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/ladyshay
Witches also work with divine feminine energy through spells and magic. They may use herbs, crystals, and other natural objects to create spells that harness the power of the earth and the elements. They may also use visualization and meditation techniques to connect with the energy of the divine feminine.
The divine feminine energy is also closely tied to the concept of intuition and the inner self. Many witches believe that by tapping into their intuition and connecting with their inner selves, they can access the power of the divine feminine energy This can lead to greater self-awareness, spiritual growth, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Divine feminine energy is a powerful force that is often associated with witches and their practices. By connecting with this energy, witches are able to harness their intuition, creativity, and empathy to manifest their desires and bring about positive change in the world. Whether you are a witch or not, exploring the divine feminine energy can be a powerful way to connect with your own intuition and creativity and bring more balance and harmony into your life.
P.S. If you are enjoying this magazine, would you consider buying a "coffee"?
It's just $3, but it would help a lot and be very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/ladyshay
In my twenties, I moved out of my family's home. I had been in and out of my family's home a few times. I moved out for college, and back in when I graduated. Then out again a few years later Then back to Mom and Dad's when I went broke or couldn't stand my living situation any longer for one reason or another. For a while it was a revolving door, until I was about 26 years old.
There were long stretches of time during my adult life that I didn't have insurance because I was too poor to afford it. At 26, when I left home for my second to last time, was one of those times and I got sick. I was living with a few roommates in this cute little two family house in CT. I had no insurance, and 4 jobs.
It was a cold day in December I was working at a garden center that sold Christmas trees. I worked the night shift at UPS loading trucks. I taught martial arts and assisted a friend with her party planning business on the weekends. I was operating on lots of caffeine, 2 hours of sleep a night, sugar, and bad decisions. I should not have been operating heavy machinery.
I was on my way home from one of my jobs when I remembered that I was supposed to pick something up from my roommate at her job. I had literally just driven by her work and tried to make a U turn and BAM. I accidentally put the wrong blinker on and the person behind me thought I was making a right hand turn so she attempted to go around me on the other side. Technically she hit me, but it was definitely my fault. I was exhausted and should not have been behind the wheel.
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My car was totaled... My little dark green Toyota Corolla was gone. But I was OK, save for some bumps, bruises, and extreme exhaustion. Even with all of this mess, all I could think about was how I was going to get to work I had my night shift at UPS to do and martial arts to do. And now my two hours to sleep was gone.
I called out of all of my jobs for the next few days and slept. I got some much needed sleep but I was still very bruised from the accident. My boss at the garden center lent me one of his landscaping trucks until I was able to afford a new car. I cut back my hours at all of my jobs and started taking care of me.
When I went back to work at the dojo, teaching martial arts, my instructor saw all the bruises on my arms and face from the accident and said, "I have a salve for that!"
I thought to myself, 'a what with a what?' Instead I respectfully replied, "I'm sorry Sir, I'm not sure what you mean."
My instructor replied, "You know. A salve. Well technically it's a balm. But it's stuff that will heal up the bruises."
With that he ran into the back room. I could hear him rummaging through his things and a moment later he came out with a little square tin in his hands that said, "Tiger Balm," on it. I thought it was either some "ancient Chinese secret," or my instructor was losing his mind. I had played sports my entire live and never heard of it. Surely someone who played sports would know of some magical balm that heals bruises.
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I rubbed some of the balm on my bruises and thought, "OK, the worst that's going to happen is that I'll smell like BenGay and cat pee for a night. But if this works, I will dedicate some time to learning how to make it on my own."
Well, I never quite figured out the Tiger Balm recipe but the morning after I put Tiger Balm on for the first time, my bruises were gone and my sore muscles felt better. So, I dedicated time to learn about herbal medicines and have made everything from salves to homemade cough syrups. It's been nearly 20 years since that fateful day and I'm still learning new things about plant medicines.
I use my homemade oils, salves, and medicines in my religious and magick practice
I love and respect other people and their oils and will often use store bought things too, but there's nothing like using your own homemade things.
Owner of Holly Be Healing, a business dedicated to energetic and spiritual healing. While the business, Holly Be Healing, is only a few years old, Holly’s dedication to helping people has been a lifelong mission and her talent for intuitively knowing what people are feeling and how to help them heal is as skill that Holly has honed over the years Holly taught Shaolin Chuan Fa for 10 years and Yang Style Tai Chi for 5 years. While doing and teaching the martial arts she discovered her love of energy work and started focusing a lot on meditation. She became a certified Chakra Meditation Specialist and certified health coach in order to help people clear their chakras and heal physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Holly has been reading Oracle Cards, and tarot for 26 years privately and just recently added it to the services that she provides through Holly Be Healing. Holly Be healing offers Chakra Meditation sessions, Moving Meditation sessions, and Oracle Reading sessions to clients of all types. Holly has read for all types of people, schoolteachers, massage therapists, stay at home moms, jewelry designers, and even radio stars. She has lead meditation sessions with black belts, teachers, local artists, IT specialists, world renowned artists, and countless others.
Holly is also the co-creator of a unique and fun podcast, "Psychics and Swears," where she and her cohost enjoy doing 5-minute fun readings and interviewing our favorite intuitives. Holly and her partner John Shäden are also the creators of the amazing fragrance, "Moon Owl Moon Water."
To learn more, please reach out to Holly: 475-329-8997
Hollybhealthy@gmail.com
by Lady Shay Bygul
The Wheel of the Year is a fundamental concept in pagan spirituality, representing the cyclical nature of life and the changing seasons. It is a time-honored tradition that celebrates the natural world and the cycles of birth, growth, death, and renewal Mindful paganism brings intention and awareness to our connection with the Wheel of the Year, allowing us to celebrate each season with reverence and purpose.
The Wheel of the Year is typically divided into eight festivals, known as Sabbats These festivals mark the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days of the year. Each Sabbat represents a unique aspect of the natural world and offers opportunities for reflection, celebration, and spiritual connection.
To celebrate the Wheel of the Year with intention, we must first understand the meaning of each Sabbat and its associated energies. The four cross-quarter Sabbats, also known as the fire festivals, are Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh. These festivals mark the transition from one season to another and represent the cycles of death and rebirth.
The four quarter Sabbats, also known as the solar festivals, are Yule, Ostara, Litha, and Mabon. These festivals mark the solstices and equinoxes and represent the cycles of light and dark, life and death Each Sabbat has its own unique symbolism, mythology, and practices.
To celebrate the Wheel of the Year mindfully, we can engage in a variety of practices and rituals. Meditation, journaling, and introspection can help us connect with the energies of each season and reflect on our own cycles of growth and transformation. We can also engage in seasonal activities such as gardening, hiking, and nature walks to deepen our connection to the natural world. .
by Lady Shay Bygul
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Rituals are an important part of celebrating the Wheel of the Year with intention. Rituals can be simple or elaborate and can involve elements such as candles, incense, herbs, and crystals. By creating sacred space and invoking the energies of each season, we can connect with the divine and honor the cycles of nature.
Another important aspect of celebrating the Wheel of the Year mindfully is community. Paganism is a communal tradition, and celebrating the Sabbats with others can be a powerful way to deepen our connection to the divine and the wider spiritual community. Attending public rituals, participating in online communities, and organizing private gatherings can help us connect with others who share our spiritual path.
Celebrating the Wheel of the Year with intention is a powerful way to deepen our connection to the natural world and the divine. Mindful paganism brings awareness and purpose to our celebration of the seasons, allowing us to honor the cycles of birth, growth, death, and renewal. By engaging in practices such as meditation, ritual, and community, we can deepen our spiritual connection and live in harmony with the cycles of nature.
Lady Shay is a Unitarian Universalist Pagan and an eclectic witch. She feels her purpose is to serve the Pagan community.
Shay is the owner and Editor-InChief of Purrfectly Pagan Magazine. She started the magazine in January of 2022 to help her fellow Pagans.
Shay is a Mindful Paganism coach and practitioner. Mindful Paganism is the practice of connecting Mind, Body, & Spirit in order to relieve stress, find our purpose, and rediscover Joy.
Shay can be reached via email at ladyshay@mindfulpaganism.com
Funky Stuff in Worcester, MA
We visited Funky Stuff in Worcester, MA, and loved the vibe! Beautiful stuff, friendly staff - we'll definitely be back.
We also visited Dragon's Leyr in Leominster, MA. Such cool stuff! And the staff was awesome. Can't wait to go back!
There are foods that nurture our bodies. There are goods that nurture our minds
What is it out there to nurture our soul?
How often do we go for that?
Eating healthy is great.
Expanding our perception is beautiful.
But when our soul cries there's nothing in this world that can heal replace the very longing
A woman once said to me:
'Keep your fire burning and you'll move the earth accordingly '
That was beautiful. And at that moment I understood it was expanding. But the moment I actually started to LIVE it I was beyond awe! Still am
And that is where everything lies. In our pure Soul Desires.
There's a reason we get these promptings
There's a reason something resonates with us. There's a reason why our energetic fields change. Act upon it We are completely safe to do so
Our Soul will never ask for anything that would harm us. It would not ask for anything we are not ready for.
I wish to remind you to tune into your Soul's promptings.
If you are not sure how to do that, here's what you can practice;
Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed fo while (let's say about half an hour). Try finding a pla where you feel free. A place that is clean. The one y enjoy sitting at, whether it's a room in your home o somewhere outside. Keep your phone, tablet & lapto away. Only bring in a journal & pen. That's all you'll n Light a candle or scent stick if you feel like it, to supp the energy. You may even smudge the place before y come in.
These are all 'side' supporters. What you're about to d the actual work.
Sit in a comfortable position. Wear clothes that feel li on your body.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Slowly exhale Do it again. Inhale. Fill your lower stomach with air, your lungs, then your upper chest. Exhale. Do it again. Bring your attention to your breathing. Start noticing the world inside you. Not just your mind (there will be many thoughts running wild- just let them be, they'll calm down) but the world inside your whole body. Feel it as a whole.
When you feel relaxed energy enough (you'll know it when it happens!) start asking yourself these questions;
What do I wish for?
What do I wish for right now? This very moment?
How do I feel?
What do I need?
Ask questions one by one and let the answers come to you. They ARE inside of you. They've always been there. Now, you are just allowing them to come up and lead you.
Keep breathing and keep doing this for as long as you feel like.
Write in your journal all your breakthroughs and 'downloads'.
These are the soul promptings that happen within us constantly. We just run through our lives dismissing them. We run, we don't LIVE our desires, there are there for reason.
you
Lily discovered her desire for writing at an early age. She asked her granny to buy her a notebook and waiting for no teacher, she start waving words on paper, with passion and in awe.
In her 20's she gathered some pieces of her work and publish them, becoming an author of the 'Ruthless Silence' poetry book.
She then continues to feed her soul through various art forms. Today, as a founder of the Black Rabbit Tea brand, she runs a successful soul-led business and mentors others on their way to building this dream for themselves.
The other day, a fellow witch friend of mine was leaving a shop she was reading tarot all day, minding her own business, when a complete stranger shouted in her direction in broad daylight that “Fortune tellers all go to Hell!” When incidents like this happen, and yes, they still do even in this day and age, it always leaves me wondering about people in general.
I am a holistic psychotherapist by day. Logically, I know that this individual projected their fears onto my innocent friend. Fears probably rooted in their childhood about fictional stories related to demons, Satan and, of course, hell. I also know that this individual was probably having a really bad day, (and probably a bad week/month/year, maybe even decade) and wanted to make my friend, a total stranger, feel bad, in order to make themselves feel more in control (also known as bullying). I also know that witches are ridiculously misunderstood, and are targets of hostility and folly. If I know all of this, then why does this person’s actions bother me so much?
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WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE PELLIN
Humans need to have the ability to judge their world around them, in order to make sense of it. For example, in order for a child to know the difference between a banana and an apple, they need to first evaluate the differences with their five senses. Judgment also comes in handy when selecting the right partner for you, picking out a special gift for someone, or knowing that you should put your seatbelt on in the car. Judgment in itself isn’t “bad”. It’s when it's used to hurt others that I have an issue with it.
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As I am writing this article, I am realizing that I too am judging this individual. Perhaps they got a terrible reading once, and are now against all “fortune tellers”. Perhaps their parents were fundamentalist Christians who conditioned this person to act in this manner. Or perhaps they are just plain scared of the unknown, secondary to trauma. As a member of the human race, it's difficult not to judge anything, or anyone. However, it's not difficult to be open and affirming to all races, creeds, genders, cultures, sexual orientations, or spiritual beliefs. Choosing the kinder route is the more difficult one, but always the one worth it in the end. In my opinion, living well is always the best revenge.
Michelle began her spiritual journey when she was a child after a family trip at age 6 to Salem, MA. After being introduced to the world of the occult, Michelle became obsessed with witches and ghosts, using tarot and ouija to communicate with the spirit world, performing magic for friends and family, reading endless books about the witch trials and ghost encounters, watching endless hours of “Bewitched” and “Charmed”, and even writing her high school senior thesis on poltergeists. Halloween did not go by without Michelle dressing up as a witch, except for the year she was Casper the friendly ghost!
When Michelle entered college, got married, had a full-time job, had children, did foster care and had multiple pets (and somehow kept her sanity in check through it all), things came to a halt for over 30 years. During this time, Michelle continued to use her gifts of clairsentience and claircognizance without realizing it, as she was often labeled “too sensitive”, and was told “you seem to have someone looking out for you”. In 2014, Michelle gained her professional mental health counseling license, and in 2018, she was led by spirit to a holistic healing center in Durham CT called “The Red Barn in Durham”, where she left her full time social work job to have her own holistic private practice. This led Michelle to have a spiritual “breakdown” of her ego, also known as a spiritual awakening!
Michelle’s world was turned upside down, as she was raised Roman Catholic, as she was taught that they were the one “true” religion. Michelle began to question everything, obsessively research, and challenge herself to let go of the guilt, shame and limiting beliefs that attaches itself to anyone who follows this religious path. Michelle felt terrified and exhilarated all at the same time while she was pulling away from a belief system layered in fear, and at times, thought she might be going crazy…
Michelle then joined a spiritual support group, which helped her connect with others who were going through the same process, and also helped her connect to a community of like minded individuals. Relief was on its way, as Michelle learned that others were having the same experiences as her! Michelle’s first mentors were Stephanie Rosally-Kaplan, Reiki Master/teacher/psychic medium, and Jennifer Gaylord, psychic medium, the leaders of the support group. Stephanie and Jennifer helped Michelle connect with her gifts, her ancestry, and her healing abilities. Within a few months, Michelle became a Reiki Master, and was able to use this ability to help others heal on a physical and emotional level.
In 2019, Michelle then met Paul Rice, psychic ghost worker (NOT hunter-Michelle does not believe in hunting people, or animals for that matter!), who would be her next mentor. Paul was teaching a class on how to tap into your psychic abilities in order to help ghosts move onto the light. Paul believed that there were many reasons why souls didn’t move on, and it was up to us to guide them, facilitate healing, and move them on to their version of heaven. Michelle developed her gifts, and realized that she could add clairvoyance to her spiritual resume! Paul was also teaching Michelle how to psychically protect herself, which is absolutely necessary for this type of work (although Michelle believes that humans are MUCH more scary than ghosts!). In 2021, Paul gave the group a formal name entitled “SHONE-spirit healers of New England” in order to continue his legacy (on FB and IG). When Paul retires and moves out of the country in 2023, Michelle will co lead the group, as her passion for rescue mediumship has soared.
In 2020, the pandemic hit, and doing things online suddenly exploded. Many famous mediums who were inaccessible suddenly were available at the request of a Zoom link. During this time, Michelle connected with mediums all over the world, and started doing practice circles and gallery readings that challenged her abilities (and scared her to death!). Michelle’s next mentor would be Kay Reynolds, an Arthur Findley college trained medium who was previously an elementary school teacher, and can work with others in a gentle and encouraging way (which is what Michelle needed!). Kay taught Michelle to develop her gifts even further, and the gift of clairaudience began to develop. Michelle continues to challenge herself, and will be working with more talented mediums in order to gain professionalism, and to learn how to perform trance mediumship.
In 2021, Michelle decided that the witchcraft had been put on a shelf for much too long! Michelle then began her year and a day training with Stacy Salpietro-Babb, an animist village witch who showed Michelle how to forage, craft spells, create sigils, perform tarot readings, read astrology, create self care items, perform rituals, tap into familiars, honor deities, and more! Most importantly though, Stacy showed Michelle how to be proud of who she was, and how to stand in her own truth. Michelle had finally come full circle!
Today, Michelle spends most of her days running her fully remote holistic telehealth practice from her home, encouraging people to be their true authentic selves. Michelle also runs ghost field trips that are open to the public, attends her mediumship and year and a day training classes, performs tarot and mediumship readings in private and at events, and spends time with her family, friends and her cat Loki. Michelle has her own blog entitled “Ghost and Spiritual Musings” on Facebook, where she shares her extraordinary experiences within the ghost and mediumship world. Michelle has also written for various publishings, such as CWPN (CT wiccan and pagan network), and writes ritual and spellwork for her groups.
Pioneer Valley Witches & Pagans - Western Massachusetts
Pioneer Valley Witches and Pagans group is for Pagans and Witches in the Pioneer Valley, Western Mass, and nearby areas to get together, chat, network, and socialize.
We have Meetups every two weeks. I'm trying to plan some more interesting outings and activities, set stay tuned! You can find us at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pioneerwitchesandpagans/?ref=share
and for those not on Facebook: https://meetingplace.io/PVW
Fitchburg Pagan Group in Fitchburg, MA
Merry Meet! This group is for Pagans of all types (wiccan, neopagan, Celtic, etc.) in or near Fitchburg, MA, to meet and socialize.
It's also a welcoming place for those who are curious about paganism. We have online gatherings for those who are not local.
Join here: https://www.meetup.com/fitchburg-pagan-meetup-group
List your Pagan group here for free!
Contact Shay for info:
https://www.purrfectlypagan.com/contact.html
WARNING: ADULT LANGUAGE
by John Shaden
“Lifelivedintheabsenceofthepsychedelicexperiencethatprimordialshamanismisbasedonislife trivialized,lifedenied&lifespentenslavedtotheego.”-TerenceMcKenna
“Ithinkit’sobviousthatpsychedelicsaredemonizedandillegalizedbyoursocietybecausesomewhereinour societyarecontrollingmindsthatrealizethatthesesubstanceshavethepotential,havethepowertounpickthe controllinghierarchy”-GrahamHancock
“PsychedelicsareillegalnotbecausealovingGovernmentisconcernedthatyoumayjumpoutofathirdstory window.Theyareillegalbecausetheydissolveopinionstructuresandculturallylaiddownmodelsofbehavior andinformationprocessing.Theyopenyouuptothepossibilitythateverythingyouknowiswrong.”-Terence McKenna
“Dogsf*ckedthePope……Nofaultofmine!!!”-HunterS.Thompson,Fear&LoathinginLasVegas
by John Shaden
It's 1:16 am, Sunday under a blood red moon that numbs the heart with power and serenity. I am feeling extraordinarily overwhelmed. ‘But I'm tough’, I thought, attempting to pull the ever-escaping fragments of my ego back to me…. Like collecting the shattered remains of a full body mirror in outer Space… weightless, gravity is but a rumor now.
‘Yeah, I’ve gone down heavier paths than this… This shouldn't be sh*t’..... I wasn't convincing, especially to myself. I had consumed some absolutely delicious candied sriracha bacon infused with Cannabis. The problem with edibles is that they can sometimes be delicious, and a delicious edible is NOT how you cure the munchies…. No, it cures another craving: Ego Assassination and resurrection. I. f-ed. Up.
I have taken this journey before, but on far harder, or as Terence McKenna would call ‘Heroic’ doses, of psychedelics. I've done Shroomies, a ten strip of LSD, a few toots of Ketamine…. But this, tonight, was just good ol’ fashioned pot. So what's going on here?
Why am I seeing myself and the room around me going fuzzy and then dissolving into noodles and reforming every time i close my eyes. The little voice of consciousness inside my skull is hurling grenades of obscenities at me, berating, soul crushing abuses at me. There is no escaping this. I have finally f-ed myself to the point of insanity. For bacon…. I did it all for bacon.
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by John Shaden
(continued)
Goodbye yellow brick road Hello, funny farm About an hour & 20 minutes before (around midnight), I was watching ‘Better Call Saul’ with my better half, Holly. I was already lit by an infused nerds rope a friend gave me that night I had bought the infused porky delights that very night, ‘300 mg’ .. yikes!!! ‘Better be careful’, I said to myself. I never listen. So, I ate a strip, 100 mg. Mmmmm, the bacon melts on my tongues like a magical eucharist of Devilish Piggy origins. The show got intense. I was completely unaware that I was eating the entire contents of this bag until my sriracha coated fingers come back empty of all but sticky, spicy-sweet sauce. Uh-oh.
Fast forward to where we first came in, and I am in a pickle. I am not just high from weed, but I am dead center of a psychedelic trip I was NOT prepared for and did not want . 'Ok,' I say to myself. ’Try and sleep it off. You’ll be fine in a few hours.’ Closing my eyes is a nightmare. This agent has come to flay my soul and f its corpse. I must deal with it head on. Man the f up, johnny boy, and take your beating Some things must be endured I woke up Holly at 4:30 am, my face streaked by involuntary tears.
”Baby…. BAYBAY!!!!!! Am I a good person?” I am defeated.
“Uhhh, yes, yeah You are a good person Go back to sleep"
“I F*cked up baby…. I ate pork and now I'm doomed” i said, laying flat on my back, accepting the guillotine about to drop on my spirits neck.
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by John Shaden
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Holly is less than amused. “ I told you, didn't I?” Holly will never miss an opportunity to tell me she told me so.
Why? Why must you state solid facts while I suffer? Must you be a slumbering sadist? No, I earned this one…. She's right, go figure.
“I love you”....
“I love you too, now go to sleep, we got a big day this morning’.
She is, once again, right We have an early gig I slink off back to my internal torture chamber Little does she know what an impossibility sleep is for me right now. I’ll let her snooze while I sing the blues.
I awoke after finally crashing 40 minutes earlier. I am exhausted, but I feel wonderful. I needed to have that exorcism of negative ego infestation I just didnt expect it from pot bacon
I have used psychedelics for over 15 years now, at first out of curiosity, then to ‘find myself’, and now they are a part of my spiritual practice. I'm far from the only one who's had these experiences, and ‘plant medicine’ like cannabis, psilocybin, Peyote, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, better known as LSD, MDMA (ecstasy) and last but definitely not least, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (D M T ) Shamans worldwide have been using these remarkable plants and substances for as long as mankind has existed.
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by John Shaden
(continued)
The chemical compound know as DMT is without a doubt the heavyweight champion when it comes to psychedelics, whether consumed in a pharmaceutical grade white powder via smoking (which is VERY intense but only lasts about 10-15 minutes) or in a traditional brew known as Ayahuasca (comes on much slower, but can last hours). What's truly astounding is that this compound is found in thousands of plants and animals, including humans.
It's found in our lungs, liver, and Pineal glands. There are many cultures, including ancient Sumerian, Amazonian, Greek, Egyptian etc. that hold the Pineal gland inside our brains as a sacred part of the body, usually in artworks in the form of a pinecone(since that's the size and appearance of this gland).
Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) are in my spiritual current considered sacred. They are, what I would refer to as ‘a bridge to the beyond’. I consume these incredible little carriers of wisdom and I pray, sing, and meditate. Whatever these agents of hidden knowledge are doing, they push the pins of the spiritual lock on the gate that separates this world from the majesty of the other side. The tumbler turns and I am communing with what can only be referred to as ‘the Divine’.
Every culture has a name for this divine energy. I call mine Lucifer. And like all great Teachers, he helps me not only find the answers but has shown me how to properly ask the questions I wish to ask. (continued on the next page)
by John Shaden
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I have written spells, hexes and concoctions within these esoteric realms of beauty and anti-cosmic carnage. I only regret that you can not see what I have seen. Even the best writers have tried and paled in comparison. I have communed with this energy before without the aid of these sacred plants, but they are kind of like a cheat code for a video game. F standing in line outside the club. 'Lift that velvet rope, Bub, Papa's got an ego to kill.'
The ego is like Kenny from South Park, it dies a gruesome death, yet will be back next episode, awaiting death again. Most trouble in life stems from the human ego, and it needs to be kept in line, otherwise, just like weeds, it will run riot and choke out everything in your garden. That's where the Harvey Winesteins of the world originate. Pollutants combined with pollutants to mutate, cross pollinate and then abuse, r@pe and destroy anything of true beauty in this world By the time those weeds are taken care of, the damage is done So, with a little help from my friends, I have been an efficient gardener. Sometimes flailing wildly through the night, other times terrified, sometimes laughing my ass off. But I come through this shamanic ritual as a revitalized, and enthusiastic practitioner.
Psychedelics are having quite the renaissance, and that's wonderful. I truly believe that these alms do far more good than any harm to the user and to the world as a whole. I know that federally these substances are still foolishly illegal. I pray that someday that will change. Its no secret that my stance is one of personal liberty and responsibility, a place where the government has little or no true say as far as I am concerned.
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by John Shaden
This is MY religious expression. And I reserve the right to do to my body and my mind whatever I see fit. It is a crime against the human race that these slime who can barely do their own fucking jobs should have the conceit to think they hold sway over my sovereign person? Yeah, get bent!!!!
A word of WARNING to all you would be Psychonauts: enter this temple and sacred space within yourself with RESPECT. The Guardians of that wondrous place have ZERO TOLERANCE for the arrogant and make no mistake, THEY WILL SPANK YOU if you need it. You have been warned.
John Schaden was born on a leap year in 1988. He is a musician, black magickian, and a chaos gnostic satanist John has had a keen interest in the occult and left hand path since as early as he can remember. He was born and raise Catholic, John found himself spiritually crippled and in his late teens decided to look into the darkness for answers and he found them. Through ritual magick and in communion with the divine, John has been able to sharpen his skills as a psychic and practitioner of the black work.
John founded an occult order known as the, “Order of the Oblivion,” in which he and his fraternal brother work with other occult organizations in forwarding their goals of gnosis, strength, and apotheosis in 2018. Along with his spiritual path, John has been the front man for the black metal band, “CARNIVOROUS STORM,” since 2018.
John has been a writer since he was a young boy, taking inspiration from authors such as Hunter S Thompson, E A Koetting, Michael W Ford, Charles Bukowski, and Sun Tzu. He has been published on many online forums and websites along with publishing his own work on Brilliantbias.com and various other websites over the course of the last 15 years.
Holly Broderick and John Shaden have teamed up to create an amazing psychic duo, in 2022. They call themselves, “Psychics and Swears,” and have helped numerous people with all kinds of issues They have assisted several families get closure in 4 different cases of murder. They work very hard to be sure that their clients know that they are cared for, treat them with dignity and are important to their work all the while using cheeky language and humor.
Last month we asked our readers to send us questions about Paganism or related topics that they would like answers to. We have some amazing readers that came up with amazing questions. I have been studying magick, plants, and herbal medicine on my own for a long time so most of these come from my own memory Some of them took a little bit of research but I sure did have fun reading up on ruins and IBS and now you get to read about it all too. So let's dig in:
There are all sorts of medicinal plants that you can grow right in your home on a windowsill. All sorts of herbs are both medicinal and used in magickal practices. Parsley, thyme, oregano, peppermint, lavender, and chives are some of my my favorites for a windowsill. All of these are potent healers. Some can be used for salves to heal skin abrasions. Others are good antivirals. Some help with bellyaches. Others are calming. The best part is that they are all really easy to care for and easy to find. They're all used in magick for attracting what you need or healing spells If you have a sunny spot, that's a bit bigger than a windowsill you can grow sage... and that's used for all the things. Just be careful if you have animals, because not all plants (even medicinal ones) are good for animals.
Living in New England we have many types of medicinal plants that are used in both magick and for traditional medicines There are too many local medicinal magickal plants to list here with recipes, so I'll just list a few. As far as recipes go, I'll give you some ideas but I'll save actual recipes for another article, as I could write a whole cookbook with these.
Believe it or not, one of the magical medicinal plants around here is common nettles! That's right! That horrid itch provoking plant is actually used in traditional medicines and in magick. Please, only pick it with gloves on and cook it before consuming it! It's said to relieve pain from arthritis and help with lactation. It can be made into a tea, and is used in all sorts of foods, including certain cheeses, and Greek dishes. (Continued on the next page)
Feverfew has been traditionally used to help reduce headaches, muscle aches and as an antiinflammatory. but it is not recommended for pregnant women because the side effects can be dangerous to the baby. It is used in magick for both healing and harming. Be careful how much you use when making teas etc yourself, as it can cause gastrointestinal issues.
Yarrow, Echinacea, and St. John's Wart are all amazing healing plants. Echinacea is great for boosting your immune system. Yarrow, traditionally was used for for everything from earaches, to eyewash. Yarrow is great for skin abrasions, sore throats, and pest control! If you're feeling low have some St. John's Wart. All of these are great in teas. Use yarrow in salves too. All of these are used in various forms of magick as well, including, but not limited to, manifestation spells, clearing spells, and healing spells.
Dandelions are my favorite of the medicinal, magickal plants that grow wild around here. Most people believe these prolific flowers are pests but really, they are AMAZING! They're great in salads, teas, wine, boiled, in salves and used for several different things. The stems help rebuild enamel on your teeth. They are jam packed with vitamins and are great for immune boosting. You can make salves with dandelion leaves and flowers to help your skin look and feeling incredible. In magick they're used for a number of different things including healing spells, manifestation spells, and mediumship.
I hope this helps you start on your journey into all things magickal and gives you a little glimpse into the beautiful wonderful world of medicinal plants. It's amazing what kind of things you can find in your own back yard!
Please let us know what you would like to know. If you would like to ask us a question just email us at: ladyshay@purrfectlypagan.com or Hollybhealthy@gmail.com
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M. C., wonders, "If you have IBS will tinctures be better on the stomach and can it be as powerful as ingesting in other ways? I used to take a number of plant medicines and would have IBS symptoms. Then I stopped taking them suddenly and noticed after a couple weeks that my stomach issues had become much better so I haven't gone back."
This question is a bit tricky to answer for a few reasons. According to the National Institute Of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, "Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a group of symptoms that occur together, including repeated pain in your abdomen and changes in your bowel movements, which may be diarrhea, constipation, or both. With IBS, you have these symptoms without any visible signs of damage or disease in your digestive tract."
The cause or causes of IBS are still up for debate which makes a cure and treatment difficult. The latest studies suggest that IBS can be the result of needing more fiber, out of balance gut flora, and anxiety, but a definitive cause has yet to be determined. Since all of the possible causes are so different, the treatment needs to be very individualized, at least for now.
So, a tincture may work very well for one person and horribly for the next. In general, if made right, tinctures can be incredibly effective but only if the ingredients are right for the person taking it. For instance, if you take a peppermint tincture but your IBS is caused by an imbalance in your gut flora, it may make you feel worse rather than better. But if muscle cramping around your bowels or anxiety is the main cause of your IBS then a peppermint oil tincture might help.
I wish that there was a more clear cut answer to this question but I hope that this helped.
The number one thing you can do is trust yourself Whenever you have a gut instinct about something, go with it. Don't question it. The gut starts off quiet and slowly gets louder. Listen for the quiet voice inside you. Record your dreams somehow... write them, talk to text, voice recording, videotape yourself talking about it. Test yourself. When the phone rings try and guess who it is before you look at your phone.
Jack Segreto, "How do I use runes? I can’t figure those things out for the life of me."
According to Rachel Newcombe on the Holisticshop.co.uk site, "The word ‘rune’ simply means mystery, whisper or secret and it’s a form of divination or oracle reading system that’s used to help gain insight into situations or questions. Runes can be made of various materials, but are most commonly made of stone, and feature a symbol from the runic alphabet on them."
The best thing you can do is start with a simple set that has instructions. Get quiet. Put your mind at peace through grounding or meditation. Then spread your small white cloth. Ask the question you want to know the answer to and gently toss your runes on the cloth and sit with them for a moment
Take a moment and realize that the runes there to help you understand what it is that your subconscious needs you to know. Give yourself plenty of time and plenty of chances to get good at it You'll get there Just keep the faith
Please let us know what you would like to know.
If you would like to ask us a question just email us at: ladyshay@purrfectlypagan.com or Hollybhealthy@gmail.com
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https://www.instagram.com/purrfectlypagan/
I would love to impart some incredible wisdom and give sage words of advice. But, at this moment, the only advice I have for you is to cherish every moment you have with your loved ones As I sit here, after working for nearly two weeks straight, without a break, with the exception of illness, I'm looking back on my weeks and realizing that the most amazing moments were spent with people I love, not slaving away
Keep in mind, I love the work that I do. I love writing, editing, doing oracle card readings, healings, events, working with people that have special needs, crocheting pieces to sell and doing all of the things that are a part of my vocations. That said, I need to practice what I preach. I need to set some balance in my life That is just what I plan on doing
This month is all about meditation, grounding, swimming, spending time with my loved ones and still finding time to do all that I do for work. I've been witness to friends losing their loved ones, one of my loved ones struggling with cancer, another one bringing a sweet life into this world Add to that working two events, writing, and doing several oracle card readings, and that was just my weekend. So I will do what I tell my clients to do and be easy with myself. I hope that you also find time to be easy with yourself. So, mote it be, and many blessings.
---Holly Broderick The Faerie GodsmotherP.S. If you are enjoying this magazine, would you consider buying me a coffee? It's just $3, but it would help a lot and be very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/ladyshay