Enchanted - April 2019 by Witchology Magazine

Wild Goddess Magick

Witchology Magazine History of the PENTACLE

Enchanted Magick

Navigating the Path of the

MOZINAH

The Symbol of Elemental Earth

GREEN WITCH

Exclusive with Monica Crosson and how to enter her book giveaway

THE SEER

“Everything I breathe is my craft”

ATTUNE TO THE ELEMENT OF

EARTH

Grounding improves and helps

maintains physical, mental and emotional health as well as

assisting in the maintenance of the flow of energy while reducing the stress upon the practitioner.

Wild Goddess Magick

Witchology Magazine EDITORIAL Ambrosia Hawthorn, Editor Maya LeMaitre, Copy Editor

WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Holly Charles, Deborah Mesdag, Stefanina Baker, K. Freeling, Miss Wondersmith, Monica Crosson, Mike Sexton, Nikki Walters

ART & PHOTOS Cover: Mozinah, by photographer Neil Smith Illustrations: Ambrosia Hawthorn stock.adobe.com All other photos are from free stock sources or from contributors.

SALES & SUBMISSIONS admin@wildgoddessmagick.com www.wildgoddessmagick.com/magazine/advertising

SOCIAL www.wildgoddessmagick.com www.instagram.com/witchologymag www.twitter.com/wgmagick www.facebook.com/witchologymag Copyright ÂŠ 2019 by Wild Goddess Magick. All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Magazine is intended for ages 18 and up. We are a proud participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. All our content is reviewed and vetted in the process. The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of Witchology Magazine or Wild Goddess Magick. Wild Goddess Magick assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

From The Editor These words herein are from me to you, each picture, thought, and quote we imbue. This issue reflects the knowledge I have to share, use each spell, ritual, and work with care. Welcome to a publication filled with equal parts wonder and magick! This is our 11th issue of Witchology Magazine and I’m excited to share a little bit about what’s inside! Within these pages, you’ll find what’s new in the witchy community, must-haves for this earth themed month, magickal herb gardening, grounding techniques, Tarot fun, history, folklore, a ritual, a meditation, interviews with wonderful witches, working with deities, correspondences, delicious recipes, and a witchy directory! We have eight guest writers this month which I’m sure you’ll enjoy! This Magazine is for all the witches and Wiccans out there. Please note, we cannot guarantee a spell or ritual but don’t give up on the magick within you. Blessed be witches,

Ambrosia Hawthorn

Our Writers & Contributors Ambrosia Hawthorn Editor & Content Creator Ambrosia is a writer, card slinger, and an eclectic witch. She found her practice at a young age and still balances being a witch and being discreet. She also has a witchcraft blog. Her goal is to provide modern content to every kind of witch! www.wildgoddessmagick.com @witchologymag @witchologymag @wgmagick admin@wildgoddessmagick.com

Holly Charles Tarot Spread Creator Holly is a modern day mystic, a holistic and Ayurvedic therapist, an eclectic witch, medium, and spiritual development specialist. She helps people on a spiritual path to find balance and restore harmony in order to become the truest and brightest version of themselves. www.hollysholistichealing.co.uk @holistic_holly @hollysholistichealing @holisticholly holistichollymoderndaymystic@gmail.com

Monica Crosson Show us the Way Writer Monica Crosson is a contributing writer for Llewellyn Worldwide and Faerie Magazine, weaving magick in beautiful Pacific Northwest Washington. She is the author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Magickal Family: Pagan Living in Harmony with Nature.â&#x20AC;? Published by Llewellyn Worldwide. www.monicacrosson.com @monicacrosson @themagickalfamily @monicacrosson1 tangle-wood@hotmail.com

Miss Wondersmith Candy Cap Moss Truffles Recipe Contributor Spreading wonder through writing about everyday magic to enhance our connections to ourselves, our community, and the glorious natural world of the Pacific Northwest. www.thewondersmith.com @misswondersmith @thewondersmith patreon: thewondersmith misswondersmith@gmail.com

Deborah Mesdag Curried Roasted Root Vegetables Recipe Contributor Deborah is a kitchen witch, chef, and food blogger with a passion for sharing delicious gluten-free and vegan recipes for all occasions- from simple everyday fare to elaborate holiday feasts. www.vegankitchenmagick.com @vegankitchenmagick @vegankitchenmagick @vkitchenmagick vegankitchenmagick@gmail.com

Stefanina Baker Waking Up The Garden Writer Stefanina is a psychic, Tarot reader, and eclectic witch based out of Wilmington, Delaware. She has been a practicing witch since she received her first Tarot deck at 13. She practices folk magick, enjoys performing fire rituals, and mixing potions and elixirs. www.readingsandrituals.com @readingsandrituals @readingsandrituals readingsandrituals@gmail.com

Nikki Walters Calling on Plant Familiars Writer Nikki is a green witch, herbalist, and astrologer dedicated to reenchanting people with plants and planets. She offers holistic services and wildcrafted products at her online magick and medicine shop. http://www.greenwitchgardens.com/ @greenwitchgardens @greenwitchgardens333 greenwitchgardens@live.com

Mike Sexton How I Meditate to Connect with Deity Writer Mike is an eclectic solitary Wiccan practitioner with strong knowledge in kitchen and hedge witchery as well as crystals and many other areas. Mike has been practicing for many years and is also an author of On Your Wiccan Way: Learning to Build Your Wiccan Path www.mikesextonstudio.com/bitomagick.html @mike.sexton.547 @mwsstudio mwsexton77@gmail.com @artistmikes

Karla Freeling Honoring the Spring Maiden Writer Karla is a devout Pagan witch and a working mother in the military. Her passion is to create one of a kind florals and crystals that pay homage to the Gods. www.wiccanology.etsy.com wiccanology@yahoo.com

@wiccanology

Grounding after all Magical Work to avoid overload of personal energy levels: touch the Earth/floor with palms of the hands after magical work and feel the excess energy drain out, leaving a balance of personal energy, augmented only by that amount of Earth necessary for healthy functioning of the body. ~Ann Moura. Grimoire for the Green Witch: A Complete Book of Shadows.

APRIL

11 What’s New in the Witchy Community 12 April Magickal Workings 13 Dates to Remember 14 April Must-Haves 30 Interview with Mozinah the Seer 41 Interview with Monica Crosson 56 Witchy Shops Directory

ARTICLES & LORE

15 Starting a Magickal Herb Garden 22 Waking Up The Garden From a Long Winter’s Nap 23 Navigating the Path of the Green Witch 27 History of the Pentacle 28 Calling on Plant Familiars 33 Honoring the Spring Maiden 36 How I Meditate to Connect With Deity 43 Show us the Way 46 Famous Witch: Margot Alder

50 27

34 40 45 47 48

16 17 20

26 38

50 53 10

CORRESPONDENCES Goddess Persephone Herb: Basil Crystal: Smoky Quartz Celtic Tree Lore: Alder The Wind Moon

MAGICK LEARNING

Grounding 101 Getting to Know Your Intuition Through the Tarot Spread to Deepen your Connection to Mother Earth

Working with Nature Spirits Earth Meditation

FEASTING

Candy Cap Moss Truffles Curried Roasted Root Vegetables

What’s New in the

Witchy Community

Want to know what’s happening in the Pagan community? Well, we’ve searched high and low to bring you the latest products, books, and more.

The Vagabond Wild Tarot 2nd Edition

A Woman’s Book of Shadows: Witchcraft: A Celebration By Elisabeth Brooke The irresistible, definitive guide to the magical practices of contemporary women. Beginning with a brief history of witchcraft, it explores the huge range of beliefs, festivals, skills and lore. Gathering together for the very first time all the disciplines of European witchcraft and giving rituals and spells for use in our lives, A Woman’s Book of Shadows, first published in 1993, is a remarkable compendium of magical lore, psychic skills and women’s mysteries. Released on April 15, 2019 on Amazon.

By Tiffany Sosa   The Vagabond Wild Tarot is a 78-card deck and guidebook created to resonate with travelers, wanderers, and mystics on their journeys. It's a tool for self-discovery, obtaining harmony with the universe and getting lifeaffirming answers. Each card has the Rider Waite and Thoth symbolism for both readers. The cards have whimsical, feminine illustrations of the traditional symbolism on cosmic backgrounds. Released on April 30, 2019 at Boho & Indie Wild.

Protection Magick: Spells for Defense By Cassandra Eason Protect yourself, your friends, and your family with these 366 spells to keep you safe from harm. In just a single day, there are a million opportunities for negative energies to infiltrate your consciousness—so keep this essential collection handy to protect yourself and your loved ones. Renowned author Cassandra Eason collects 366 spells that ensure strong emotional and magical boundaries; she covers every possible situation, from the inadvertent absorption of a fellow commuter’s sadness to an outright psychic attack by an enemy. Protect yourself from social media bullying and workplace ill will; your possessions from theft and natural disaster; your pets from illness and harm; and much more! Released on April 2, 2019 on Amazon. 11

APRIL MAGICKAL WORKINGS The month of April focuses on nature based magick, green witchcraft, and the element of Earth. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the

perfect time to decorate your altar with items found

outside, planning your magickal here garden, building

your crystal/rock collections, honoring the elementals of Earth like gnomes, faeries, and other beings, and

practicing your grounding exercises. Grounding is a way to reinforce your connection to the Earth. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very easy in our world today to lose that connection.

During this month, we honor those who have a strong appreciation of the natural world and the magick around us.

APRIL 2019 SUN

MON

TUES 1

WED 2

THU 3

FRI 4

April Fools Day

SAT 5

New Moon in Taurus

1st Quarter Moon in Cancer Return of Persephone, in Rome

14 Celtic Tree Alder Ends

Celtic Tree Willow Birthday of author Begins Margot Adler

Easter

23 Wiccan pentacleÂ is officially added to the list of VAapproved emblems for gravestones, 2007

19 Wind Moon in Libra

20 Earth Day

Last Quarter Moon in Aquarius

Pentacle Car Mirror Charm $13.92  MoonahTheFox

Green Woman Witch Potion Bottle $96.00  LorisLaboratory

APRIL Must-Haves

Witches Runes $16.41  RosadonnaArt

Our favorites!

The Green Witch sticker sheet $2.94  CraftingWitchShop Elfin Slave Bracelet $42.50  GildedInGypsy

Use code: WITCHOLOGY for 10% off any order 25.00 or more at GildedInGypsy 14

Starting a magickal Herb garden

The act of planting, growing new life from seed, is a ritual magickal in itself. Gardening helps us to attune to the ebb and flow of the earth’s energy and the plant cycle is tied to so many earth-based belief systems. The plants you grow will be much more powerful for your magickal practice than any you buy. To begin your garden, the first thing to do when deciding to create a magickal herb garden is to do a little planning. What you grow will depend on the climate where you live. What are your intentions with your herb garden? What herbs do often use the most? How much space do you have to dedicate to your herb garden? If you’re new to gardening, start small and plan to grow a handful of your favorite kitchen herbs in window-boxes or fabric containers. Once you’ve had success with container gardening, you may wish to plant a garden dedicated to culinary herbs, the moon cycles, the elements, beings like bees or birds, deities, culinary vegetables, or flower beds. You’ll find that the majority of herbs are straightforward to grow if they have a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Most herbs can be grown from seed or transplants purchased at a local garden center. If you’re strapped for space, think about using flower pots or hanging baskets.

Herbs ideas for a windowsill garden: basil chamomile chives cilantro lavender lemon balm marjoram mint oregano parsley rosemary sage thyme yarrow

Make your magickal herb garden a place where you want to sit and be your own place to reflect, do rituals, spells, or meditation. 15

GROUNDING 101 Learning to focus and concentrate on your practice is an important skill a new or even an experienced witch needs to develop and hone. All magick requires energy. This is where your meditations, centering and grounding techniques, and spellwork stems from. If you don’t ground yourself before and after performing magick, your energies will not flow the way they should. Any excess energy can make you feel frazzled, unfocused, or even haunted. Grounding before magickal workings help you focus and improve your magick by reducing distractions. While grounding after your magickal workings help return practitioners to their normal state. When you ground yourself, you align the energy centers of the body and sending any excess energy obtained from the world around you back into the earth.

Grounding also is a way to reinforce your connection to the earth and anchor your psyche back in the physical world. New witches often skip over or forget the grounding step until the energy they keep inside starts to attract unwanted astral, or otherworldly, beings or makes them feel even a little crazy. As a beginner, it may be a good idea to get your hands on some grounding stones or crystals to help you in this process. Stones like hematite, calcite, kunzite, moonstone, obsidian, and sodalite are great options because of their grounding properties. An easy way to carry a stone is to fasten a necklace, bracelet, or to carry a stone in your pocket. Remember to cleanse and charge your crystals or stones for a particular use. They may be holding old energy. Let’s take a look at how to ground. To begin, you’ll

want to get as close to the ground as possible. This can be done by standing barefoot or sitting with your palms touching the floor. This connection makes things a little easier and smoother in the beginning. Now visualize all the excess energy leaving your body while also focusing on your breathing. On every exhale, release a little bit more energy, feeling it return to the ground. Eventually, you will be able to ground yourself with visualization alone if you don’t feel like touching the ground. Frequent visualizations and meditations are also great ways to become more grounded throughout your practice. McCoy, Edain. If You Want to be a Witch: A Practical Introduction to the Craft. http://www.witchipedia.com/ def:grounding http://healing.about.com/od/ grounding/tp/grounding.htm Ann Moura. Grimoire for the Green Witch: A Complete Book of Shadows.

Getting to Know Your Intuition Through the Tarot By Boho & Indie Wild As humans, we are intuitive beings. When we start to accept this truth, we open ourselves up to all of the potentials that our intuition can bring to our daily lives. For all those with a desire to reconnect with their intuitive nature, it is important to remember that every person’s intuition has always been there; it has been guiding us throughout our lives, helping us make decisions even when we are not aware its presence. This is why it is only a matter of relearning how to notice. We must be reminded of how to channel our intuition when we need its ancient wisdom to support us on our journeys. Doing this enables us to experience intuitive, conscious living. But how can you get to know your intuition when you don’t know where to start? Well, although there are many ways to do this, the Tarot can be tremendously useful in bringing out your intuitive powers.

Expressed in detail below are the ways in which the three stages of a Tarot reading can help you recognize and strengthen your intuition. Settling into a Tarot Reading Beginning a Tarot reading requires the use of your intuition. When setting up a Tarot reading, one of the most important things to do is center your focus and open yourself up to what you will learn. Having honest intentions for the reading is essential for the magick of the Tarot to work. This means you must learn to trust the Tarot completely. And this trust is cultivated by your intuition. It is telling you to listen to your inner voice and prepare to accept the Tarot’s guidance. Notice the energy that is present and get a feel for how your intuition urges you to communicate with the Tarot. You should feel completely ready and focused before you start drawing cards.

The Interpretation of the Cards Interpreting a Tarot reading accurately also relies upon your intuition. Once the cards are drawn and you begin your interpretation, the intuitive wheels in your mind start turning. During this time, it is your job to read what the cards want you to know. And to do this, you need to create enough space for your intuition to take the lead. Tarot cards themselves don’t have the answers. Your intuition does. Remember this as you interpret the Tarot reading and come to conclusions about what you’re meant to learn. When relating the meanings of each card to your own life, what are the first thoughts that pop into your head? When comparing two possible interpretations, which one causes a stronger feeling within? The natural process that comes about for you when interpreting a reading will lead you to your intuition time and time again.

The Empress from The Vagabond Wild Tarot 2nd Edition by Boho & Indie Wild 18

The Vagabond Wild Tarot

Working with the Lessons Arguably the most important stage of a Tarot reading is the period of time that follows. After a Tarot reading is complete, its effects are far from over. This is the time for the wisdom that was brought up by the cards to be reflected upon and utilized. And your intuition is what will guide you through this. Whether the reading provided you with positive reassurance that you are on the right path, or it told you that there’s an action you need to take, or it reminded you of a situation that

requires more of your attention, it is now your job to apply what you learned into your daily life. In the moments and days that follow a particular Tarot reading, notice when you are reminded of its impact at seemingly random times. Know that this is your intuition, once again, telling you to ask yourself if you are being intentional about using the Tarot’s guidance in a conscious manner. Your intuition is what will keep you aware of the Tarot’s impact long after the reading has come to an end.

You are being called to continue listening. As your intuitive journey unfolds, remember to trust yourself and utilize what you have available to you. The Tarot can offer you undying support in getting to know your intuition, in exchange for your acceptance.

Getting to Know Your Intuition Through the Tarot

Tarot/Oracle Spread to Deepen your Connection to Mother Earth and the Nature Spirits By Holly Charles

Connecting to Mother Earth and the elemental spirits can have an extremely beneficial impact on our lives and our magical practices.

Here is a spread that will not only help you to deepen this connection, but also take your craft and your life to a whole new level. As always pick as many cards as you like at each placement to help you find clarity and understanding. For help developing your Tarot and Oracle card practice, connect with me on social media. I have an online Tarot and Oracle school coming soon.

1) Obstacles I have faced that have distanced/ separated me from my connection to mother Earth. 2) How to overcome these obstacles. 3, 4, and 5) How will establishing this connection impact my life emotionally, physically & spiritually.

7 8

6) How will it benefit my craft? 7) How will connecting to Nature Elementals impact me?

Spirits /

8) What will help me deepen and strengthen these connections? 9) What does Gaia want me to know?

10) How can I help assist her? 20

Grounding is a way to reinforce your connection to the Earth. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very easy in our world today to lose that connection.

aking Up The Garden From a Long Winter’s Nap By Stefanina Baker

After the hoary frosts of winter have subsided, it is time to welcome the glowing sun and prepare for the planting season ahead. Every year, just after spring equinox, right before the ground really begins to warm in the Mid-Atlantic; I take time to awaken the Earth in my garden. I do this so any *fertilizers I

apply have time to mellow, as not to burn seeds or plants that will be sewn in the garden in the coming weeks. It also allows for any volunteer plants (plants that come up from previous years without seeding) to pop up, so they can be transplanted or tended. *Coﬀee grounds, manure, and other high acid materials can chemically “burn” seeds and vegetation resulting in dead plants. You’ll need:

Garden rake Optional fertilizer of your choice 4 rose quartz stones, or Clear quartz

(boosts productivity of plants) Bowl of water as an oﬀering for any elementals or spirits you choose to call in

To begin, clear away any old plants, and cover crops. They may be added to compost, or dispose of them responsibility. Use a garden rake to loosen the soil that has just been exposed. As this is done, say, “wake up earth, wake up garden” out loud or silently.

Now is the time to add fertilizers. I stick with compost, coﬀee grounds, and if I’m lucky, manure from a local farmer! - Again- many fertilizers both natural and man-made need time to mellow before adding plants. Make sure you do your research and know what you are using.

After optionally fertilizing, place crystals in the four corners of the garden. Call any elementals, spirits or saints you like to work with and ask for their help. Leave a bowl of water (and honey if you like) as an oﬀering to the spirits who help tend the garden in the coming months. If a garden statue of any kind calls to you, heed it! Let your garden guardian

stand watch all season long. Or, make one of your own for a fun spring craft.

Navigating the Path of the

GREEN WITCH

The path of the green witch is the path of the naturalist, the herbalist, the wise woman, and the healer. Those who choose to follow this path often use the natural elements in their practice and focus on their connection with the natural world around them and attuning to the energies of the earth. Often, they are solitaries- witches who choose to work alone. There’s also a connection to both witchcraft and shamanism as it pertains to nature-based spirituality. Some may also choose to follow the nature-based religion, Wicca or they may choose to be without the religion aspect. The choice is up to the practitioner. Green witchcraft isn’t a formal tradition like the Gardnerian, Dianic, or other traditions. It’s an allencompassing practice that focuses on the energy of nature. You don’t get formally initiated into green witchcraft like you would for the other traditions. As a green witch, you would focus on healing, harmony, and balance in your practice. Some excellent references for a green witch are A Modern Herbal by Mrs. Grieve, An Encyclopedia of Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham, and The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock.

Working With Nature Spirits Working with nature spirits means that you are working with spirits and elementals of the earth. Included under this umbrella are elves, faeries, and dwarfs. Most of what we know of the realm of the nature spirits come from stories, fables, poetry, and music. Through these tales, we can get a glimpse of the magick held sacred to the Earth. To invite this magick into our lives is to encourage, whimsy, wonder, and enchantment. Just a look at history, we see magickal beings in every culture. Often, the clairvoyants, mystics, and seers have the most substantial connection to the other realms and this magick. One of the best ways to connect with nature spirits is through meditation in nature, offerings, and connecting with the earth by visiting more.

You know when a nature spirit is close when outside in nature, you hear an unexplained whispering of leaves, sudden chills, or an unexplainable loss of time. If you venture outdoors, the best time to try and make connections with nature spirits are at dawn, dusk, noon, midnight, and during the equinoxes and solstices. This is because each of these times is between two times. It’s referred to as the “in between.” Nature spirits can be found wherever there is nature. They are often thought of as mischievous. When you were younger did you ever hear the phrase, “the faeries are playing tricks?” This is may or may not have been the case in missing items, but there is some fact to it. Nature spirits have strong energies and magick the point of causing altered states of consciousness within us.

Have you ever felt disoriented while in nature? Lost? Or perhaps you were overwhelmed with new or strange feelings? These most likely were the work of nature sprites getting up to a little mischief. Their magick includes varying types of glamour, invisibility, shapeshifting, providing good or bad luck, craftsmanship, musical abilities, control over the weather, secrets of knowledge, and ability to alter states of the mind. Nature spirits love offerings and the respect of them and nature. They appreciate gifts, nature altars, including, stones, flowers, shells, and leaves. The next time you’re in nature, why don’t you show your craftsmanship by crafting a nature-based offering to the dwellers protecting the area. Andrews, Ted. Enchantment of the Faerie Realm: Communicate with Nature Spirits & Elementals. Pogacnik, Marko. Nature Spirits & Elemental Beings: Working with the Intelligence in Nature

History of the PENTACLE: The Symbol of Elemental Earth

The pentacle is a symbol of elemental earth, shown as a five-pointed star within a circle or drawn upon a disk as a tool. The pentacle is one of the defining symbols of modern paganism. From books to chalices, candlesticks to tattoos they appear pretty much everywhere, but most commonly they look like items of jewelry. The first step to understanding the history of the pentacle is to have a look at the differences between a pentacle and pentagram. The pentagram is a drawing, inscription, or hand motion of a fivepointed star, usually within a circle, with the points representing the four elements and the spirit, generally with air and water on the left and right arms, earth and fire on the left and right legs, spirit at the top and the practitioner at the center. The pentacle is a symbol of elemental earth; but may also be any object, amulet, jewelry, or other types of adornment or charm constructed with a pentagramfive-pointed star in a circle. The pentacle is a geometric shape and by itself, can be a star though can take on spiritual meaning depending on your path and the context in which it is used. Sometimes other symbols are included with the pentacle, such as those for the Horned God, the Triple Goddess, or planetary sigils.

As with many Pagan facets, you are free to decide what it means to you or the particular branch of Wicca/Paganism you follow. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s often seen to represent the elements, altars, sacred circles, the divine feminine, new age spirituality, satanism (usually pointing downwards), and divine power. In the not so far off past, it would not have been a good idea to wear your pentagram outside of your shirt; ridicule, verbal abuse or physical attack were all genuine dangers. So, if you choose to wear or use a pentacle, you should decide what it represents to you. Pentacles and pentagrams are both often used as protective symbols in magick. Typically, a pentacle is traced in the air during rituals, and in some traditions, it is used as a designation of degree. It is also considered a symbol of protection and is used in warding in some Pagan traditions. A pentacle has magical properties associated with the element of Earth, but it contains aspects of all the other elements as well. Wigington, Patti. Magical Pagan and Wiccan Symbols. https://www.thoughtco.com/pagan-and-wiccansymbols-4123036 Aradia, Sable. Seekers and Guides: The Purpose of Your Altar Pentacle. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/ betweentheshadows/2015/07/seekers-and-guides-thepurpose-of-your-altar-pentacle/ Ann Moura. Grimoire for the Green Witch: A Complete Book of Shadows (Kindle Location 493). Kindle Edition.

Calling on Plant Familiars By Nikki Walters As a novice green witch and herbalism student, one of the first activities my teacher had us do was walk around the school’s herb garden and “listen” to the plants. She told us to tune into our subtle bodies and feel for one herb that had a message for us. And so I kicked off my sandals and slowly walked barefoot around the dandelioncovered ground, pausing in front of each plant to touch its leaves, smell its fragrance, feel its vibration, and taste its leaf/ fruit/flower. It was amazing what I “heard” from merely slowing down to connect with the essence of each plant. But there was one plant that grabbed me - literally. As I walked past some overgrown vines, eyeing a large African Blue Basil that was buzzing with bees, something caught a chunk of my hair, short stopping my trance-like reverie. I turned to see who was so insistent on my attention and stared into the sunny, yellow faces and heartshaped leaves of BlackEyed Susan. I knew 28

immediately she had a message for me. I stood facing her, grounding down through the soil, reaching out to her roots just beneath my soles. I inhaled the oxygen that Black-Eyed Susan exuded, while she breathed in the carbon dioxide I exhaled. I cleared my mind, opened my heart, and asked for her message. Almost immediately, I felt a tightness in my solar plexus and became overwhelmed with anger that triggered a mental image of my parents. I became acutely aware of the anger I had as a child from always feeling like an alien in a rank-and-file family that never quite understood or accepted my individuality. Black-Eyed Susan wanted me to know that it was time to release that anger as it was holding me back from being in alignment with my own belief systems and values that would help me walk my soul path. And BlackEyed Susan was going to help me find the courage to do that transformational work.

An hour after beginning that exercise, we were back in the classroom and I couldn’t stop contemplating the symbiosis that just occurred between human and plant. It was a day that changed my life, and even now, I have a hard time just walking down the sidewalk without wanting to stop and reach out to each wild weed and foreign cultivar to hear its message. As I’ve matured and my green witchery evolved into a lifestyle, the plants continue to be my greatest teachers. The wisdom these earth elders hold is available to all who are willing to slow down and listen. I wholly believe that we all have plant familiars who come in and out of our lives at the times we need them most. They might drop a seed pod on your head as you walk past, or captivate you with a beautiful flower, or cause a craving for its fruit, or make a surprise pop up in your yard.

These seemingly mundane occurrences are the subtle ways your plant familiars reach out to you. Of course, communication is a two-way street between all Gaia’s creatures, and you can call out to the plant kingdom to ask your plant spirits to show themselves to you. Here are three ways you can call on your plant familiars: Take A Forest Walk I’ve found one of the best places to communicate with plant spirits is in their native habitat. I’m also partial to working with plants native to your bioregion as it deepens the connection to the land where plants and people have co-lived and coevolved for many years. Look for state or national forests or parks, natural areas around your town, wildlife refuges, or even a botanical garden. If you’re so inclined, take off your shoes and get your earthing on! Planting your soles in soil deepens your terra connection, increasing your sensitivity to the call of your plant spirit. Allow your intuition to lead as you slowly walk around,

introducing yourself to the green world surrounding you. Trust your innate knowing when you feel called to a particular plant. Sit with the plant and meditate, breathe, open your energy channels, and “listen” to the wisdom your sage new friend wants to give you. (Be careful about touching or tasting unfamiliar plants. Having an appropriate field guide is always a good idea, so you can know how to interact with a plant you don’t know properly.) Invite Your Plant Familiar into Your Life Open your energy channels and ask your plant familiar to make itself known. And then start paying attention. You might have a vision during meditation, or your plant familiar might show itself in the dream world. You might randomly receive a packet of seeds from your neighbor or become keenly aware of a specific plant already growing in your yard. Stay open to the wide world of ways that your plant can appear to you. Use a Botanical-Based Tarot or Oracle Deck

Calling on Plant Familiars

As an herbalist and wildcrafter with an extensive inventory of fresh and dried herbs and flower essences, I often consult my herbal tarot deck to help guide me toward medicine that can help restore an imbalance that I am or a client is experiencing. I love this method because it helps me tap into the spiritual side of our holistic health. There is a wide array of plant-based tarot and oracle decks for you to explore. One of the newest being an oracle deck designed by Maia Toll that accompanies her new book The Herbiary, which is a beautifully illustrated herbal that offers plantbased spiritual guidance and rituals. Finally, when your plant familiars show up for you, do the same in return. Make offerings to your plant spirits: leave a strand of your hair on their leaves, place crystals on their soil, feed them with your monthly lunar effluence. Nurture your relationship to your plant familiars, and hold gratitude in your heart for the teachings of these spirit guides.

GETTING TO KNOW mozinah the seer Mozinah the Seer is a 4th generation intuitive card reader and crystal advisor, practicing witch, workshop hostess, self-published author, endorsed model, and was a writer for Witchology Magazine in 2018 for seven of our issues! Now she's back as the cover of our April issue and I can't wait to share her story with you. Welcome back Mozinah! It was such a pleasure working with you last year! To begin, what do you want the witchy community to know about you?  Thank you! It was a real pleasure to be one of the first writers for Witchology, it has been even more beautiful to see it grow and expand so quickly too. I’ve been pretty busy since leaving here, I’ve just finished writing my first book, I have a gorgeous perfume collaboration with Screaming Mandrake Perfumes, and I’ve been busy getting my stall ready for the year ahead too. I think it's important for people to know this has always been my way of life, back when it was considered “weird, uncool, and taboo” to be a witch so publicly. I started going to psychic fairs with my mum when I around 5 or 6, and I remember being so intrigued by these people who could “see” things so clearly, and with such conviction. When I was around 9 or 10, I began to work with my first set of cards which I still use today, and started reading up about crystals. Aged 16 I set up a small online business offering readings having spent the previous year learning my witches tarot. Aged 18 I was working on live television here in the UK giving readings to the nation, and its been this way ever since. I’ve never stopped learning though, and I think it's important for people to remember with this line of work you never do. Why did you create your witchy business? I’ve had many jobs over the years, and relentlessly tried to deviate away from the whole spiritual thing so many times! I can't even begin to tell you how many times I’ve packed my cards away and tried to lead a “normal” life. 30

Over the years, my chronic conditions (endometriosis and painful bladder syndrome) have grown considerably worse, so I have been left with no option but to go it alone and with the one thing I know best. I feel as though my whole life has been leading up to these last 12 months; in particular, especially now I’ve got my spiritual stall on the market and began hosting workshops too. I’ve met some fascinating people in my life and gained the respect of very revered mystics and readers because of how seriously I take my work. It's so humbling to know the people I look up to see me as an inspiration now. What is your inspiration for your craft? Life. The earth. The stars. My ancestry. My curiosity. Everything I breathe is my craft- the elements, history, and witches who paved the way. I take inspiration from all kinds of places, for example, my altar has a multitude of stained glass window photos and religious imagery, but I am not religious. I find peace and inspiration from the images themselves, and they make me feel emotions I never knew I had. I love nothing more

How can your book/services help witches connect with their craft? It's straightforward to follow and a basic guide to witchcraft as the title states. It's also an introduction to what I have been learning over the years. My book is just over 70 pages, so it's not too much information so you won't feel bombarded. I felt compelled to write this as not only is it my dream to be an author, but I think the tips and techniques are helpful and simple for a beginner to try without becoming too overwhelmed. Interestingly, my workshop which corresponds to the book attracted both beginner and advanced witches, and everyone there learned something from it. If you want to read how I have worked since a child, and developed along the way as well as trying some of my methods or spells, then its definitely worth a read.

than being around nature and greenery, listening to the birds sing and hearing the sounds of a gentle breeze whispering in the trees above. Our planet is a stunning place, situated amongst billions and billions of other planets, suns, moons, and galaxies. All too often we forget that. If we only we took more time to look at what we have rather than what we don’t. We are so rich as a species. Is there anything else you'd like to tell our witchy community about? Yes! I am proud to say I recently self-published my first book An Introduction to Magick. It sold out within 48 hours, so I have to take pre-orders for the 2nd edition already which is fantastic. I also collaborated with an excellent company in Devon, UK called Screaming Mandrake. It’s ran by a lovely witch called Clara and she hand makes all of her perfume oils. Together we designed a Mozinah set featuring my spirit animal and traditional birthstone as two of the perfume names, and all of my favourite smells. Check her out if you want to read more about her business and our collaboration. I’m also writing my 2nd book, which I’m taking pre-orders for, and its full of original fairy tales and magickal poetry! 32

Where to find Mozinah the Seer: www.mozinahtheseer.bigcartel.com

My Book Perfumes IG: @mozinahtheseer FB: @mozinahtheseer

Honoring the Spring Maiden By Karla M. Freeling As we progress through the perpetual circumference of the Wheel of the Year, spring returns, and we take time to honor Persephone as she returns to the plane of the living -- the awakening of the earth. As one of my favorite Greek goddesses, I have devised ways to honor her; as both the Spring Maiden and Queen of the Underworld. However, for this article, we will focus on her role as a maiden and two ways you could honor her in April. There are many ways to pay homage to the spring maiden. This year, I decided to create individual floral vials and crystal arrangements to display on my desk at work. I use these arrangements to meditate, set intentions, pray, and as offerings. They are easily constructed using any clear jar with a tight lid. All you need are preserved flowers, crystals, and mineral oil (the oil can be found at most grocery stores or pharmacies). My recommended flowers are angelica, bunny tail grass, gerbera daisies, hydrangea, yarrow, lavender, wild indigo, and thistle, but

honestly, anything that speaks to you will suffice. I usually try to use colors that complement the season, or I use select flowers with a specific purpose in mind. I prefer to diversify the use of crystals in my work. In my arrangement honoring the Queen of the Underworld, I used garnet; however, I felt it necessary to use a different combination to honor the Spring Maiden - moonstone, amethyst, lepidolite, and smoky quartz are some of my favorites. Keep in mind that these arrangements are your way to honor her and ask for her guidance, and you can use any crystal to achieve your desired result and set your unique intention. Once I have selected my materials, I display them in the jar and add the mineral oil then seal the lid. Sometimes I prepare an incantation or a spell and recite it while I'm assembling the arrangement, and other times I relax and enjoy the process. I also enjoy honoring goddesses by creating custom scents using essential oils that help me

channel them throughout the day. I call this process Unguentum Incantatus, meaning "Perfume Enchantments." A few essential oils stand out to me when I envision Persephone as the Spring Maiden, such as bergamot, geranium, eucalyptus, and cypress, to name a few. Creating your own magickal scent can help you channel the intended goddess and remind you of the intentions you set - throughout the day. Here is a recipe I love to use to help uplift my spirits and become one with the new season: Combine equal parts melissa, jasmine, and lemon essential oils. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to use it on your skin, dilute it in a carrier oil of your choice. A good dilution ratio is 1oz carrier oil to 5 drops essential oil. Remember, friends- the most important thing is to be yourselves- be magickal. -Karla

Goddess Persephone Persephone, also called Kore (her maiden aspect) is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She is known as the goddess of the underworld, spring, and rebirth. She became the queen of the underworld after Hades abducted her. One of her roles was helping to escort the souls of the dead. It was her beauty that inspired Hades to tempt her with a pomegranate, a symbol of eternal marriage. Because she ate the fruit, Persephone spends winter with Hades as his wife and returns to the earth in spring.

Her exit from the underworld heralds the beginning of Spring as she helps her mother to bring

life and bounty back to the land. She also symbolizes the maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess. To work with the goddess Persephone, call on her

for divination, protection, and purification. Honor her at her return of spring or as darkness grows around the equinoxes.

Persephone reminds us that we can adapt and

conquer any situation you're faced with. Other ways to honor her are to invite her through

meditation or to add her symbols on your altar. Symbols: Candles, corn, pomegranates.

How I Meditate to Connect with Deity By Mike Sexton I've been asked many times how one can get to know their deity better and I tell them, one thing they need is a lot of patience because to us, a day, a week or even a month is a long time but to deities, this is a drop in the proverbial bucket of time. When I first began connecting with my main goddess, Nantosuelta, she came to me several times. I saw her in my home at times as well as appearing to me during meditations and dreams. Then there were times where she wouldn't make an appearance in any way to me for several weeks or even a few months. This silence doesn't mean that the deity isn't working with you anymore; it just means that they're busy just as we sometimes get overwhelmingly busy with life. One excellent way to get to know your deity a bit better is through meditation. In meditation, our brain is working similarly to how it works when we're sleeping, and that's why it's easier for deities and other spirits to reach us.

How do you know though if it's really the deity that's coming to you during meditation or just your imagination? I get this question often and as a very

scientifically minded person, I can tell you that I've asked myself that many times. When I first began meditating and Nantosuelta, Brighid or Lugh came to me or sometimes even another deity or being, I constantly questioned myself and asked myself if it was for real, or just my mind playing with me because that's the kind of connection I longed for with deity. One great way to know it's for real is if the voice you're hearing, provided the deity is speaking, of course, is in another voice and not your own. That what you're seeing and hearing is what you're allowing to come to you. As an example, say you're doing a guided meditation. Suddenly you hear a voice speaking to you; you can usually tell if the voice is your own inner voice or someone else's. If it's a deity though, you won't hear your own voice in your head, the voice will be different. There have been times I've tried guiding myself during meditation so that I can expand my abilities. Then all of a sudden I'm whisked away to a completely different scene and one of my deities appears or, as has happened sparingly, two or all three will appear to me simultaneously. This is

something that's entirely not of my design. Or I will be meditating, and suddenly I can sense Brighid or Nantosuelta near me, sometimes even laying a hand on me and letting me know everything's ok, they're with me, and they won't abandon me. There have also been a few meditation sessions where I was privileged to see Nantosuelta showing me a scene from when I was a baby or small child. By doing a daily meditation, even for 3-5 minutes, you begin to open yourself up, you begin to send that energy out into the universe that yes you're ready to connect with the deity you're meant to work with. Sometimes that might be a deity that you hadn't even thought of or wanted to work with, but I suggest that you stay open to all possibilities. It's ok to be afraid sometimes, it's ok to be nervous or to doubt, but you will connect with the right deity when the time is right. Meditation is such a great way to get there. Take a few minutes daily to try meditation, try to set aside the same time each day and let that become part of your "me" time. The benefits will be so much greater than anything you could dream of.

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Earth Meditation Try this simple meditation to help you attune to the element of Earth.

To prepare for this meditation, find a place where you can sit quietly, undisturbed, on a day when the sun is shining. Ideally, it should be in a place where you can connect with everything that Earth represents. Begin by closing your eyes and relaxing your body. Focus only on your breathing, slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do this for at least ten long breaths. Now imagine your body standing up and walking through a forest barefoot. Use all of your senses to attune to Earth. Can you feel the cold grass below your feet? What about the scents around you. Stop and listen to the rustling of the leaves, the dancing of the wind through the trees, and the chirping of nearby birds. Do you hear the hum of nature yet? Let yourself embrace all that earth has to offer. Pause here until you are ready to move on. After walking through the forest, you come to a clearing where the sun is shining. Focus on the warmth of the sun on your face. Imagine that warm golden light engulfing your body. Healing all worries, and pushing all stress away. Embrace the healing energy of the sun and all it has to offer before turning around and walking back to the forest where you came. Feel yourself feeling lighter as you walk. Reach out and touch the bark and the twigs of nearby trees and listen as the wind dances and whispers to you. Allow all of nature to imprint nature to your core. So you may take natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healing energy with you. In the distance you see the same glowing door you first ventured through. Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to say goodbye. Before entering through the door, you stop and turn around thanking the earth for its healing energy. Once through the door, you sit or lay back into the position you left from. Focusing on your breathing ten more times, feel yourself coming back to your body. One limb at a time. Once fully back to your original state, slowly open your eyes and allow yourself to feel the lingering presence of earth as you carry on with your day.

Basil

Other names: St. Joseph’s Wort, Alahaca, American Dittany, Sweet Basil, Witches Herb, Njilika, Balanoi, and Felsien. Plant family: Lamiaceae (mints) Basil is most well known for its strong aroma and distinct flavor. Basil is also known as Witches Herb. The name comes from the Greek word “basilikon” which means king. It was considered to be a royal herb, creating a smell that was fit for the home of a king.

Ocimum basilicum

Magickal properties: Purification, love, protection, astral projection, prosperity.

Magickal workings: Burn basil to exorcise negativity from the home. To do a really thorough

cleansing and protection of yourself and your home, also sprinkle a little basil in each corner of each room in the house and add to your bathwater. Use basil in spells to attract love and in preparation for astral projection or to bring luck in physical journeys. Scent profile: Green, spicy, and sweet. Actions: Alterative, analgesic, anticatarrhal, antiemetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, galactagogue, and a nervine. Correspondences: Mars, Fire.

GETTING TO KNOW Monica Crosson Monica has been a writer for Witchology Magazine since September 2018 and I'm excited to share more about her and her practice with you all! Tell us a little about you and your craft. I consider myself a green witch who long ago introduced herself to the spirits of the land- I weave my magick through natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifts and by living simply and deliberately in harmony with nature, feel enlivened by the wisdom of our earth mother daily. I work both as a solitary practitioner, as well as with a coven. When and why did you create your book? The Magickal Family: Pagan Living in Harmony with Nature was published by Llewellyn Worldwide in 2017. I wrote this book because when I was raising my children, there werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a lot of resources out there for Pagan families. I not only wanted to share some of the ways that I incorporated our spiritual beliefs into our everyday lives, but I also wanted to share ways in which we can enrich our lives, and the lives of our children, by being better stewards to our Mother Earth. This book is about delighting in the gifts of the Goddess and reminding ourselves that as the Wheel of the Year turns slowly but surely, to remember to celebrate the little things. I have a section on rites of passage and a very large section on celebrating the sabbats with family in mind.

barefoot or climb a favorite treea reminder that the Goddess is alive and magick truly is afoot. What inspired you to create your book? All in all, I am a storyteller at heart. I wanted to share the stories of my familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magickal life in the Pacific Northwest and in turn, inspire others to break free from their workaday world and stay true to their magickal selves. I also wanted remind practitioners to keep their hands close to the soil and remember our agricultural past- If not by growing their own little garden, then by supporting those local farmers who do. I incorporated garden plans and plant lists, recipes and folklore. I added a section on gardening by the moon along with plenty of witchy crafts, spells, rituals, blessings and goddess associations.

Who is it aimed at? It is aimed for Pagan families who want to get closer to nature and celebrate the god and goddess. But it has a lot of information that is useful for anyone starting on a Pagan path or who is interested in living closer to the land.

In this book I also touch on teaching our children (or reminding ourselves) to appreciate their own beautiful souls, so in turn, they may learn to appreciate the differences of others. This book is truly for anyone who is interested in living a simpler life- and reminding every single one of us that you are never to old to run 41

What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your practice? In the next couple of years, I am hoping to set up some weekend witchy getaways (along with my coven mates) on my property along the Sauk River that will be include some fun classes including using herbs in magick, making besoms, the art of tarot, along with some beautiful rituals on the river’s edge. In the meantime, I am writing books, my latest book, Wild Magical Soul: Untame Your Spirit and Connect to Nature’s Wisdom, will be available in book stores in February of 2020. What are your go-to sources of inspiration and knowledge? There are a lot of books out there that offer some great adviceread whatever you can get your hands on for inspiration. But I have to say my favorite go-to books are Scott Cunningham’s, Incense Oils and Brews, Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, and Crystal Gem and Metal Magic. But I gain my most knowledge just being outside and making those personal connections with the elements- through meditation, getting to know the spirits of the land and by exercising my intuition.

Where can our readers find you? I can be found through my website at www.monicacrosson.com Instagram @monicacrosson and on Facebook: Monica Crosson

A note from Monica: Anyone who follows me on Instagram or Facebook throughout the month of April, I will put them in a drawing for a free copy of The Magickal Family!

Show us the Way By Monica Crosson Living in the foothills of the North Cascades, we are very close to the land. Our property borders areas of forest that reach hundreds of miles far into the Canadian border and our roadways follow rivers that still carry upon their rippling backs the voices of the Sauk-Suattle Indians that once used them as their byways. We are neighbors to the deer and black bear and the eagle and salmon- and we do our best to respect the 4 acres we are 'borrowing' from them for a short time. We find solace in the forests, meandering along quiet paths created by our animal brothers and it is under the forest's ancient canopy that we feel the wild energy that pulsates deep within our soulscalling us deeper into the wildwood, to follow the Maiden, in the guise of 'Elen of the Ways.' She is

an Antlered Goddess and Green Lady, guardian of the land, a guide to ancient pathways and activator of the fertile energy of the earth. To find this Goddess one must go to where her voice is best heard- the wildwood. Your local park will do. She will be there peeking between the branches and gently brushing past the trees. Spring is a great time to pack a picnic lunch and take the family to the woods. A way for everyone to shake off the winter doldrums and let Elen's forest energy rekindle your spirit. She is not a goddess to be rushed. Take your time as you explore her domain. Walk the trails and listen for the rustlings of animal life. Check out the early spring growth.

In the Pacific Northwest, the salmonberries and Indian Plum are blooming. The resinous Cottonwood buds have opened, releasing a scent that one cannot take in enough of. The delicate, lily-like trilliums litter the forest floor, and the cotton-candy pinks of the flowering currant are my favorite form of eye-candy. Many parks have guided walks with informational boards set up along the route. If you are with the little ones, take the time to read these and get to know your wild areas. Or better yet, do a little advanced research, so when you take the kids out, you will see what you're showing them. Children who are engaged at an early age to understand and respect their wild lands are better stewards of the environment as adults.

When you have finished your picnic, make sure everyone does their part to clean-up, then take a minute to say thank you to Elen of Ways for showing you a little bit of her realm. Have the kids trace (lightly) the outline of a heart with their finger on the forest floor then say: Thank you Elen, horned goddess of the wild, You are the heartbeat of the forest- and I am your child,

(anything to do with protecting the earth), gardening projects or protection on camping and hiking trips. For parents with college-aged or adult children (empty nesters), she is the Goddess to invoke concerning your next leg of your journey. Be it spiritual, creative or emotional pathways, whatever mysteries you need to unfold, Elen can help guide you on your trek.

I promise to protect forest lands wild and free, I will be your steward- You can count on me! Magically, parents with children can call on Elen of the Ways to fire up your new environmental undertakings. Be it trail, beach or road clean-up

Show us the Way 44

Colors: red, green, and brown Direction: East Time: Dawn and Dusk Symbols: Deer, antlers, apples, leaves, flowers

Smoky Quartz Smoky quartz is the national gem of Scotland where

it is often called cairngorm because it was found in the Cairngorm Mountains.

Magickal properties: Healing, Psychism, Power, It gets its wispy hints of brown from exposure to

natural underground radiation from granite deposits, giving regular quartz an added punch of celestial

vibrations. Smoky quartz absorbs a great deal of negative energy and should be cleansed often.

Magickal workings: Smoky quartz is a mood elevator and is worn as a grounding stone. It overcomes depression and other negative emotions. Because of its powerful cleansing and detoxing effects, smoky quartz is often included in healing magick. An extraordinary

amulet of protection, smoky quartz helps guard the home, vehicles and possessions. Smoky quartz is used to protect against all forms of bad luck and to enhance energy. Correspondences:Energy: Receptive energy, Earth, Saturn, and Scorpio.

FAMOUS WITCH: Margot Adler (1946 - 2014)

“I guess I chose UUism because I need to live in balance. I can do all those wonderful, earth-centered spiritual things: sing under the stars, drum for hours, create moving ceremonies for the changes of seasons or the passage of time in the lives of men and women. But I also need to be a worldly, down-to-earth person in a complicated world--someone who believes oppression is real, that tragedies happen, that chaos happens, that not everything is for a purpose.” - Margot Alder Margot Adler (April 16, 1946 – July 28, 2014) Margot Adler was an influential American author, journalist, lecturer and Wiccan priestess. Margot Susanna Adler was born on 16 April 1946, the only child of a non-religious family in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Her father, Dr. Kurt Alfred Adler, was a psychiatrist and a self-professed atheist, while her mother, Freyda Nacque Adler, was a Jewish agnostic and a radical educator. Her grandfather, Alfred Adler, was the renowned Viennese psychiatrist considered by many to be the father of Individual Psychology. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to New York, where she was raised within the city’s intellectual community. From her early education in Greenwich Village, she developed a fascination with rituals, from traditional Maypole 46

dances to Greek mythology to the rituals she witnessed in the Catholic Church as she began to explore different religions. In the 1970s, she was sent to England to investigate the story of the Druids and that is where she discovered a number of growing pagan and Witchcraft organizations with one was being led by a fellow American, the founder of the first magazine that was purely devoted to writing about witchcraft in America, The Waxing Moon publication. Adler wrote Drawing Down the Moon, a book about Neopaganism. It provided the first comprehensive look at modern nature-based religions in the United States during the time. She published a second book, Heretic's Heart: A Journey Through Spirit and Revolution, in 1997. She was also

a Wiccan priestess, an author and a lecturer, an elder in the Covenant of the Goddess member of the board of advisers of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (UUism). The Covenant of the Goddess, was founded in 1975, and is an organization that helps foster cooperation amongst Wiccans and Witches, aids in legal protection and provides education through outreach. The Covenant of the Goddess is one of the largest and oldest Wiccan religious organizations. The Covenant is incorporated as a non-profit religious organization in California, though it has grown to be an international organization. https://www.auntyflo.com/occult-dictionary/ margot-alder https://www.witchcraftandwitches.com/ witches_adler.html https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/business/ margot-adler-68-journalist-and-priestessdies.html

eltic Tree Lore Alder - Fearn

The Alder Celtic Moon March 18 - April 16

Latin: Alnus glutinosa

The Alder is a large tree that grows up to 65 feet tall. Alder comes from the Old German,

elater which means “reddish.” When cut, the white wood inside turns red. This symbolizes the color of the sun, and represents life. The wood of the alder tree is one of the nine sacred

woods of Wicca. It’s a great wood to use in bonfires. The flames and smoke from the burning wood is often used in divination. The wood is also very durable and was once used to make houses.

Making a charm or amulet out of Alder can help with spiritual journeys and protection. Alder flowers and twigs are known as charms to be used in Faerie magick. Magickal Properties: Courage and protection. Magickal Workings: Spiritual decisions, and divination. Symbolism: Confidence and courage.

ind Moon

April

Also referred to as the Growing Moon, Seed Moon, Hare Moon, Planting Moon, or Pink Moon. The energy this month is about creating and producing. This is a time of conception and fertility and new growth. April is a great month for beginning a magickal herb garden. Correspondences: Colors: Crimson red, bright yellow, vivid blue, and gold. Gemstones: Ruby, garnet, quartz, selenite, and angelite. Trees: Bay, hazel, lilac, pine, and willow. Deities: Kali, Hathor, Herne, Cernunnos, Anahita, Ceres, Ishtar, Venus, and Bast. Herbs: Basil, chives, dandelion, dogwood, dill, dragons blood, fennel, geranium, and thistle. Element: Air. During this Full Moon, work on spells and rituals related to balance, change, emotions, planning, and new beginnings. This month is often filled with a lot of rain so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good time to stock up on rain water for future magick.

APRILâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOON IS THE WIND MOON 49

CANDY CAP MOSS TRUFFLES: MYCELIAL CONNECTIONS AND ANCIENT MOSSES By Miss Wondersmith

CANDY CAP MOSS TRUFFLES: MYCELIAL CONNECTIONS AND ANCIENT MOSSES By Miss Wondersmith The first thing I notice in spring’s earliest arrival is the glowing emerald of the mosses waking up from hibernation. They feel like the perfect representation of the energy right now: a reminder of microcosm and macrocosm, of ancient magic and mysterious discoveries. This time of year, the subtle threads of life can be readily noticed: the threads of time wound through ancient organisms like mosses and ferns, the soft network of mycelium revealed as a fine web on the surface of the earth as the snow melts, the connections we feel with our communities as we come out of the hibernation of winter and start socializing again. Right now, the forest floor is soft and spongy, saturated with the dampness of melted snow and the humus of decaying forest. The death of an old tree gives birth to new life. Mushrooms act as the intermediaries, breaking down the wood and converting it back to the soil so that a new generation of stately trees can emerge. If we zoom out of our presentmoment time-keeping to a geologic timeframe, we can see trees grow, fall, and decay in a matter of moments.

If the life of a tree is one big, slow inhale, the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms surrounding it look like glittering sparks, appearing just barely long enough for the mind's eye to register. And so the cycle continues: just as we breathe in and out, so, too, does the landscape. The mycelium, a living network of fungal life, holds the texture of the soil together while decomposing matter and recycling nutrients, allowing for the breakdown of old life to nourish new. We are not above this natural cycle; we are in it. We view it at a different pace than the trees do. A web of time spins around us, with ancient magic and some of the first organisms connecting to our momentary experience of our place in this landscape. Threads stretch out from us to our loved ones and communities, bringing us back together after a long winter of introspective alone time and internal focus. And below all of this are the miraculous threads of mycelium, connecting all of the living beings in a forest to each other. Mushrooms are full of magic.

One of the most magical mushrooms I have ever tasted are the candy caps (several closely-related members of the Lactarius family) that grow along the West Coast. Fresh, these mushrooms just smell like the familiar deeply woodsy and earthy scent of many other mushrooms, but dried they take on a whole new dimension. They have a maple-like scent strong enough to perfume an entire room from within a sealed plastic bag. Their warm maple sweetness is a welcome addition to many recipes, from custards to cakes to, yes, truffles. And there is something particularly sensual about these particular mushrooms too, as writer Eugenia Bone in her book Mycophilia can attest to: “The candy cap was a revelation to me: redolent with the smell of maple, marvelously silky and spongy in texture, earthy and meaty and sweet. When you eat a candy cap, your skin smells like maple sugar. When you make love after eating a candy cap… well, I leave that to the imagination, but… yes.” 51

CANDY CAP MOSS TRUFFLES

By Miss Wondersmith

So as the days grow longer and your energy levels rise, reach out some threads to your loved ones and reconnect with your communities. Take long wanders in the woods to soak up the sunlight of early spring. And then share some of that deep forest magic with others through these candy cap mushroom moss truffles, a sugar-free treat spiked with whiskey and flavored with the intoxicating flavor and aroma of these mysterious mushrooms. And if you catch a whiff of maple on your friend’s skin a while after you’ve shared these mossy bites, you’ll know it’s just the candy caps working their magic.

INGREDIENTS FOR 12: 1/2 c cocoa powder 1/2 c dates 1/2 c almond meal 1/4 c raisins 1 Tbsp whiskey 2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted pinch sea salt 2 1/2 tsp ground candy cap mushrooms culinary matcha and/or pistachios, to roll in

DIRECTIONS: - In a small bowl, soak the raisins in the whiskey and 1 Tbsp water for an hour or two until soft. - Mix everything but the matcha and/or pistachios in a food processor until smooth. Roll into small bite-sized balls. If you are coating them in pistachios, roll immediately in finely-chopped pistachios. If rolling in matcha, let chill in the fridge for several hours first, then roll. - Serve immediately or keep chilled in the fridge for up to one week.   A note on ingredients: members of the Lactarius family are notably difficult to properly identify; therefore it can be best for a novice forager to purchase Candy Caps rather than forage them. These truffles are still absolutely delicious without the candy cap mushrooms; instead, you can add 1/2 tsp. maple extract and enough almond meal to hold the mixture together enough to roll.  As always, if you've enjoyed my writing and would like to support my goal of sharing wonder with others, please take a look at my Patreon page to learn more about getting involved or showing support!

Curried Roasted Root Vegetables By Deborah Mesdag

Egg salad is a perfect choice for lunch on Ostara, but what if you’re vegan, allergic to eggs, or need to reduce your cholesterol? You can make “egg” salad with tofu that looks, tastes, and feels just like it is made with eggs!

INGREDIENTS: 4 lbs root vegetables 3 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp granulated garlic (or garlic powder) 1/8 tsp black pepper 1 1/2 to 2 tsp curry Powder 1 1/2 to 2 tsp garam masala Chopped cilantro or parsley (optional for garnish)

DIRECTIONS:

- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. - Wash and trim your vegetables. I used a combination of potatoes, rainbow carrots, red onion, yellow onion, sweet potato, turnip, rutabaga, and parsnip. (I removed the outer layer of skin from the onions and peeled the rutabaga, but left the peels on the rest of the vegetables.) - Spray a half-sheet pan (or a large roasting pan) with non-stick spray. This will keep the vegetables from sticking later, so don’t skip this step! Set aside for now. - Cut your prepared vegetables into 3/4” to 1” chunks. Add them to a large mixing bowl. - Whisk the oil and spices together, then add the mixture to the bowl with the vegetables. Toss to coat the vegetables evenly. - Spread the coated vegetables out on your prepared pan. - Roast the vegetables for 25 minutes, then stir them. Return to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are just tender. - Turn your oven to high broil, move the rack up to the top position, and broil the vegetables until they are a deep golden brown. This will only take a few minutes so keep a close watch! - Serve with chopped cilantro (or parsley) as a garnish.

Earth Day is coming up on April 22nd and it’s a great time for grounding with a root vegetable dish! This is one of my favorite ways to prepare them because roasting vegetables until they are starting to caramelize really brings out their delicious flavors. I used a combination of potatoes, rainbow carrots, red onion, yellow onion, sweet potato, turnip, rutabaga, and parsnip, but you can use whatever you like best.

Add the cut vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Whisk the oil and spices together, then add the mixture to the bowl with the vegetables.

Toss to coat the vegetables evenly, then spread the coated vegetables out on your prepared pan. I also added a combination of curry powder and garam masala for some spicy heat that goes really well with the earthiness of the root vegetables. If you aren’t a fan of curry, you can leave these out and add a little extra onion and garlic powders. Turn your oven on to 400 degrees, then spray a half-sheet pan (or a large roasting pan) with nonstick spray. This will keep the vegetables from sticking later, so don’t skip this step! Set the pan aside for now.

Roast the vegetables for 25 minutes, then stir them. Return to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are just tender. Then, turn your oven to high broil, move the rack up to the top position, and broil the vegetables until they are a deep golden brown. This will only take a few minutes so keep a close watch! Serve with chopped cilantro (or parsley) as a garnish and enjoy!

Wash and trim your vegetables. I removed the outer layer of skin from the onions and peeled the rutabaga, but left the peels on the rest of the vegetables. Cut your prepared vegetables into 3/4” to 1” chunks.

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