August Newsletter: The Theme is “Family”

Witchy Cat Graphics & Comments

The theme this month is ‘Family’, & this includes a slideshow of vintage photos of mine, as well as spells for reconciliation & a few other issues.

I’ve posted an anonymous tarot reading for a client, and I may continue to include this practice in future newsletters. if you’re interested in receiving a free reading, you’ll find more information here.

In the witch’s kitchen- Scott Cunningham had listed magickal correspondences for *Fast Food*, I kid you not, and I can assure you it will be very easy for me to put this into practice.

You’ll find the usual sections…herbs, stones, updates from my website & wytchy shops, videos of the psychic/medium Lisa Williams in action, etc.

 

Tea Time with the Witch: Magick in the Air

Cafe-du-Matin-Print-C102639061.jpg tea time 1 picture by witch_of_endore

I have been so busy lately that I meet myself coming and going, no kidding.  🙂 

There’s been a sharp rise in letters and emails coming in from total strangers asking for advice, spells, tarot readings, mentoring, and a million other things.  If I haven’t answered your message, it is nothing personal– really!— I just have more coming in than what I can keep up with.  Letters/emails from family, close friends, tarot clients, or customers take top priority; I’ll get to any other letters the best I can and still, I probably won’t be able to answer every piece of correspondence coming in.

But know that your interest and your enthusiasm are both welcome!  Just because I can’t answer everything that comes to me, it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy hearing from you.

I’ve also been straddling a writing project that I feel compelled to pour my efforts into rather than correspondence, since I’ve given myself a deadline that I’ve missed once so far, this snatches away some of my time and creativity for personal letter writing.  I’m attemtping to put my nose to the grindstone harder right now with our home schooling, as I have witchlings transitioning from junior high this year– and math is a major, major priority.  I also have to get my house ready for company at the end of this month– my coven is coming to celebrate Beltaine.  Remember, on my myspace page I said that I was a ‘hit and miss housekeeper’, well this has really come back to bite me in the rear.  I have so much to do in this respect, trying to get things whipped into shape around here, that just knowing where to start sends me into a tizzy.

Despite all this there are some new things up at The Witch’s Corner, and some updates for tarot readings, and what not…

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Bright Idea
Bottles

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These are elemental bottles, geared to the magick of the element of "Air" and contain the herbs used for Air magicks…These bottles deal with communication, ideas, creativity, the breath of life, poetry, music, the muses, the spark of thought, fairie magic, and the sylphs.

Bright Idea Bottles
click  Here

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New Item!

Oriental Pendents

Abrightorientalpendents.jpg picture by witch_of_endore

The four pendents shown above are unique hand-crafted one-of-a-kind items being offered.  The four you see
here are all that is available.

Red Tara Spell

To these beautiful pendents that hold the flavor of the east, I’ve added a Red Tara Spell…

Red Tara is a Tibetan goddess of love and wealth.  She is also known as "The Mother of Perfected Wisdom", and she takes delight in and is drawn to an open mind and a receptive heart.  Tara represents the virtues of success and achievement. She is a tantric deity who will help you develop certain inner qualities and understand deeply ‘compassion’. 

One reason for Tara’s popularity is the fact that she became known as a Buddhist deity who could be invoked directly by the common people.

And to these beautiful pendents I’ve added the Red Tara Spell, invoking this ancient goddess and summoning her power.  From this spell, you will draw upon ancient wisdom and gather insight you never dreamed possible.

Click  Here

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Tarot Readings

I’m now offering telephone readings.  After purchasing a reading at paypal, you may call the number listed to set up an appointment for your reading.

I’ve had several requests for this type of option at my tarot site for some time, we’ll see how it works for everyone. 

The tarot readings at my site come in a wide range of prices to accomodate everyone, from online readings ranging in prices below $20.00 and up to $80.00, as well as video readings for $50.00.  The telephone readings are my most expensive option at $120.00– this was to insure two things for me…1) that I wouldn’t be swamped with so many reading requests I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demand and 2) to insure that the clients contacting me were serious about receiving a tarot reading and not someone who just wanted a chance to chat with me on the phone.

I’ve enjoyed reading tarot for the public, have made some wonderful friends from it, gained some incredible opportunities because of it, and have hopefully helped people through difficult circumstances or added new insight and food for thought to their daily lives.  Your positive responses and feedback have been greatly appreciated.

For more information, or to purchase a reading
click  Here

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Magickal Correspondences for Daily Influences

 

Correspondences for Daily Influences:

MONDAY:  Planet—Moon; Colors—silver, white, gray; Herbs—moonwort, myrtle, violet, willow, wormwood; Influences—dreams, emotions, clairvoyance, home, family, medicine, cooking, personality, merchandising, theft

TUESDAY:  Planet—Mars; Colors—red, orange; Herbs—basil, dragon’s blood, patchouli; Influences—dynamic energy, matrimony, war, enemies, prison, hunting, surgery, courage, politics, contests

WEDNESDAY:  Planet—Mercury; colors—gray, iridescent, opal, violet, yellow; Herbs—jasmine, lavender; Influences—communication, loss, teaching, reason, divination, skill, debt, fear, self-improvement

THURSDAY:  Planet—Jupiter; Colors—blue, indigo, purple; Herbs—cinnamon, cinquefoil, musk, nutmeg, sage; Influences—health, honor, luck, riches, clothing, money, legal matters, desires

FRIDAY:  Planet—Venus; Colors—aqua, green, pink; Herbs—lime, saffron, sandalwood, thyme; Influences—love, friendship, social activities, strangers, pleasure, art, music, incense and perfumes

SATURDAY:  Planet—Saturn; Colors—black, dark gray, indigo; Herbs—black poppy seeds, mullein, myrrh; Influences—self-discipline, life, building, doctrine, protections, freedom, elderly, destroying diseases, and pests

SUNDAY:  Planet—Sun; Colors—gold, orange, white, yellow; Herbs—frankincense, lemon, St. Johnswort; Influences—individuality, hope, fortune, money, work, power, healing, promotions, strength, spirituality


For years I’ve used the daily correspondences found in Ann Moura’s book "Green Witchcraft".  I’ve found correspondences that may be slightly different in other books and from other practitioners and traditions, but none of them quite had the same ‘feel’ about them as Ann’s did.

Ann Moura’s Garden

 

 

Baubles n’ Spells n’ Magickal Things

 
I’ve been at it again, casting enchantments on some new wytchy bling and trying to pry certain pieces that I’ve fallen in love with out of my hot little hands so that I can actually part with them!

I absolutely love the azurite, and I’m afraid that I’m going to have to find a ring or pendent for myself, as the energy from this stone is wonderful– reminds me very much of lapis.  I broke down and procured a peridot for myself…I couldn’t resist, didn’t have any, and green is my favorite color.  Moonstone– I have several pieces of personal jewelry in moonstone, and I believe this is one of the most powerful stones for women.

Anyway…There are some new pieces up at Enchanted Jewelry, and with it are some new enchantments and some previous spells that have been requested.

Enjoy!

Azurite ring– 18X13 mm–
.925 silver– size 8– filligree design

 Third Eye Spell

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Azurite is a beautiful, deep blue stone, long used in magic to increase psychic powers.  Wear this ring to bed at night to experience prophetic dreams, wear it when doing any divination work, or wear it simply to open that part of your sub-conscious mind that we so often ignore.  Azurite can also be used in scrying, using the stone itself, as well as in healing magicks.  Its energy is receptive (feminine), its planet Venus.  The element associated with azurite is water.

To this exquisitely handcrafted azurite ring, already instilled naturally with so much psychic potential, I’ve cast a Third Eye Spell to enhance and increase your psychic awareness, to stimulate and encourage clairvoyance, clairsentience, and clairaudience.  This magickal piece of enchanted jewelry is perfect to open the mystical third eye of the average person, or to enhance the abilities of psychic tarot readers, mediums, and clairvoyants.

AzuriteRing2.jpg picture by witch_of_endore

Azurite Ring

Third Eye Spell

fairie.gif star image by Aquanuan

Dragonclaw Faceted Peridot ring–  .925 silver–
size 8–

 Spell of Prosperity

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Peridot was used by the ancients as a protective amulet to guard against the evil eye.  It was worn or carried for general healing purposes, and was reputed to promote healing of insect bites and to help in liver ailments.  If worn to bed it also promotes sleep and calms the nervous system.  Ancient Romans wore peridot to relieve depression.

Peridot’s energy is receptive (feminine), its planet Venus, and its element Earth. 

This beautiful green stone is also used to attract wealth and prosperity, and that’s the enchantment that I’ve cast upon this piece– that it may bring money and necessary funds to the wearer, that your purse never runs empty and your plate always be full.

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Peridot Ring

Spell of Prosperity

fairie.gif star image by Aquanuan

moonstone earrings– .925 silver– post design, very dainty– 3/4"

Wedjat Eye Enchantment

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These charming earrings are very dainty, the kind of earrings you can put in and wear comfortably without having to remove them for long periods of time.

To these earrings I’ve added a Wejat Eye Enchantment…The Wedjat Eye is the healed eye of the Egyptian god Horus, said in ancient mythologies to represent the powers of the moon.  It has long been used in spells as a protective charm, and this image was used in the spell cast upon these earrings to invoke the protective powers of Horus.  In this spell the power was raised to protect against evil from others, be that evil envy, wishing ill, or other ill feeling. 

 Moonstone is a blue, white, or pink feldspar and has long been connected to the moon, the Goddess,  and magick. Moonstone’s energy is receptive; it’s planet the Moon.  It corresponds to the element of Water, and particularly to the deities– Diana, Selene, Isis, and all lunar goddesses.

 

 Moonstone Earrings

Wedjat Eye Enchantment

fairie.gif star image by Aquanuan

Enchanted Jewelry

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/enchantedjewelry.htm

Hex-breaker Curse Removal Spell & Happy Hearth Spell

From The Witch’s Corner:

Enchanted Jewelry

amber earrings– silver– stud design–
3/4" length

Hex-breaker Curse Removal Spell

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These amber stones are so brilliant and golden, called ‘Butter Cream Amber’, that it was actually difficult for me to get a clear photo of them.  They shine bright, like the sun, which is the planet amber is associated with.  Amber’s energy is projective (male), its elements are Fire and Akasha (Spirit).  The Deity connected to this stone is The Great Mother.  Amber is often referred to as ‘The Witch’s Stone’, and you will see it used widely in combination with jet.  It’s magick energy is often used in spells for luck, healing, strength, protection, beauty, and love.

Amber is often worn as protection against negative magick and is used to dispell negative energy.  It’s worn by witches and shamans to strengthen their spells, worn by women to enhance their beauty and natural sexuality, and has long been used to combat infertility, to attractthe right mate, and to battle impotency.

To these beautiful amber earrings I have added a spell to break hexes or curses cast your way– either purposefully by the magickally crafted, or unwittingly by those who may be jealous, petty, have ulterior motives, or are just plain mean-spirited.

With the help of this spell and these earrings, you will now be able to bounce any negative energy sent your way back to the sender and seal it there. 

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 Amber Earrings

Hex-breaker Curse Removal Spell

$50.00

To purchase these earrings, or to view other available items, follow this link:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/enchantedjewelry.htm

 fairie.gif star image by Aquanuan

moonstone earrings– .925 silver– french hook, drop design

Happy Hearth Spell

MoonstoneEarrings1.jpg picture by witch_of_endore

The wonderful feeling of warmth, contentment, and security that you feel seated around the kitchen table with your family, or gathered in the backyard for a summer’s barbecue can be enhanced and maintained with the help of a Happy Hearth Spell.  This spell acts as a protective barrier against negative energy and influences that may cause friction and upheaval in your home.  It binds the positive energy of the occupants to create a stronger alliance and loyalty.

To these elegant moonstone earrings, I have cast a Happy Hearth Spell.  The essence of the Goddess and the female energy of the homemaker and hearth keeper have been instilled within this enchanted piece of jewelry.  This is a spell/blessing that can be passed down from mother to daughter, for generations to come.

Moonstone is a blue, white, or pink feldspar and has long been connected to the moon, the Goddess, and magick. Moonstone’s energy is receptive; it’s planet the Moon.  It corresponds to the element of Water, and particularly to the deities– Diana, Selene, Isis, and all lunar goddesses. 

MoonstoneEarrings2.jpg picture by witch_of_endore

 Moonstone Earrings

Happy Hearth Spell

$50.00

To purchase these earrings, or to view other available items, follow this link:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/enchantedjewelry.htm

 

My Anniversary Gift, Rita & Marvin, and Naughty Witches

The January Newsletter is out at The Witch’s Corner
 
…and it’s a beautiful newsletter, if I do say so myself.

The theme for January is Avalon and peacocks.

There are a dozen new personal photos in the Photo Gallery — find out why I’m a such naughty witch, and how manly the produce we grow here in Nebraska can be.  Meet "Rita & Marvin", two new additions to our house– with a combination of 16 legs, and see the spectacular anniversary present from hubby.
 
You’ll also find the usual topics:  Tarot Tips, Magickal Herbs– this month we’ll look at herbs to induce prophetic dreams, and Spells of the Month– naturally we’ll have to put these herbs to use.

There is a youtube link to a ‘stop animation’ film produced by Isabella…it’s a hoot, believe me.

Enjoy!

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/monthlynewsletters.htm

Welcome to My Wytchy Realm

The following is an overview of my website:

The Witch’s Corner

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Follow the url to enter this magickal realm:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com

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The Triple Goddess

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The Maiden

The maiden is overflowing with all of the possibilities of the future. Within her are the seeds of what will be. She is the fresh dawn of a new day. She is strength and tenacity and power. She is unbridled enthusiasm and wonder and hope.

The Mother

The mother is ripe fruit hanging pregnant from the vine. She is the foundation, the nurturer, the protectress. She is fortified with strength and placid with the calmness of a sunny day. She is who we turn to for stability and reassurance.

The Crone

It is the crone we seek in the darkening twilight. We find comfort in her quiet presence and yet we are challenged by her intuitive knowledge and aware of the darkshadows she casts…forcing us to seek the light and answers.

© Amythyst Raine 2007

Reconnect with the Goddess:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/thegoddess.htm

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Divination

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Divination brings to mind the stereotype of the gypsy woman ensconced in her tent, peering intently into her crystal ball—and that may very well be an accurate picture somewhere in the world. I grew up in my grandmother’s house, surrounded by books on astrology, numerology, handwriting analysis, dream interpretation, etc. The world of divination is a natural one for me.

But divination in this modern time of neo-paganism has come a long way baby.

Tarot cards of all kinds abound and fill the shelves at not only new-age and metaphysical shops, but also at the mainstream bookstores such as Borders, Barnes & Noble, Hastings, etc.

Crystals, crystal balls, runes, quija boards are as popular now as they were in times past—more so, perhaps. I like to think of this day and age as the “New Renaissance” for the occult world.

© Amythyst Raine 2007

At the url below you will find information on all forms of divination with links to pertinent sites, tales of my own personal psychic experiences, interviews with Allison Dubois and Patricia Arquette—the actress who plays Allison in the television show “Medium”, and more:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/divination.htm

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Spells & Potions

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This is the “meat” of witchcraft, the most fascinating (and sometimes fear inducing) aspect of The Craft for many people. To most of the mundane world the idea that anyone would have the power and the ability to create change using occult means is awe inspiring and often intimidating. The Christian influence in our culture and on our society has taken such natural power away from the multitudes, deeming it “evil”, “sinful”, and even dangerous.

To those of us practiced and gifted in the use of “the black arts”, it carries none of those negative labels. It is awe inspiring, but in an uplifting and promising way. It empowers those who cultivate its secrets and those who learn to use it wisely. It opens doors of dimensions undreamed of; it embraces the forces of nature in all her glory; it wreaks of a time before recorded history…it calls to those of us with the spirit of the Olde Ones, those of us who wish to practice the Olde Religion, those of us who wish to return to these ancient times and reclaim that which is our birthright.

© Amythyst Raine 2007

Follow the url to my online Book of Shadows:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/spellspotions.htm

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/spellspotions2.htm

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Herbs

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This is the magickal medicine cabinet of the witch, and especially the Green Witch. Those who practice the olde ways have known since time immemorial of the powers contained in the molecules of “the green”. Herbs have been used since ancient times—and still are used today—for their medicinal and healing powers. But the Witch knows that these gentle and lovely plants contain other powers as well…magickal powers to be used and tapped into for spells and potions and rituals and cleansing.

© Amythyst Raine

Follow the url for a list of herbs and their magickal uses:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/magickalherbs.htm

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The Elements

(Earth, Air, Fire, Water)

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FOR ME: Water is the mist of yesterday and today and tomorrow all wrapped up into one magical moment. Water is dreams and visions and questing endlessly to know the unknown. It is divination– searching for answers and listening to the universe for its response. It is the mystical and the elusive…it slips through your fingers leaving you wet and cold and shivering, knowing that you have been touched by the Divine.

FOR ME: Air is the soft breeze on your face that makes you feel touched and not touched. It is thought brought alive and moved through space and time by the Divine. Air is the part of your mind that is clear and sharp and focused and ever changing, never still and never content, but always swept up within another breeze and moved along on the current of time.

FOR ME: Earth is all the treasures buried deep within the soul. It is the material things you long for and were told you shouldn’t have. It is the security of that which is solid and immovable, and it is “manifestation” into the real world of touch and taste and smell and sight.

FOR ME: Fire is that physical passion so burning that it can consume. It is enthusiasm so powerful that it is what drives you to succeed. Fire is that fiery will that doesn’t allow you to give up in the face of adversity. It is what draws lovers together across insurmountable odds and provokes the passion that fights endlessly for justice.

Earth, Air, Fire, and Water…the four elements from which we can draw power to create magick.

© Amythyst Raine 2006

Follow the url for more information on The Elements, including an extensive list of correspondences and a Quarter Call:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/theelements.htm

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Wheel of the Year

(Pagan Holidays)

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The Christian “holidays” all have Pagan roots. This is a fact that was constantly brought up to me years ago by a lady who was my friend and a Jehovah’s Witness. It was her oft repeated reason to me why she didn’t celebrate any of the modern Christianized holidays now.

I am surprised by the number of people who do not know this, and even more surprised at how many refuse to believe it. It just goes to show how completely saturating cultural training can be.

I find the history of our Pagan holidays fascinating and joyful and uplifting. I and my family embrace and celebrate them.

© Amythyst Raine 2007

Follow the url for more information on the Pagan roots of our modern holidays, pagan lore, and rituals for celebration.

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/wheeloftheyear.htm

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Chakras

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The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or disk and signifies one of seven basic energy centers in the body. Each of these centers correlates to major nerve ganglia branching forth from the spinal column. In addition the chakras also correlate to levels of consciousness, archetypal elements, developmental stages of life, colors, sounds, body functions, and much, much more.

This definition of chakras is taken from:

http://www.sacredcenters.com/chakras.html

Follow the url for more information on the chakras, extensive correspondences related to the seven chakras, and a link to Ambika Wauters website, “The Institute of Life Energy Medicine”:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/chakras.htm

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Rituals

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Rituals put a stamp on the passage of time and the progression of our life stages, from a Wiccaning (baby naming) to a death and remembrance ritual, and all those celebrations and milestones in-between. Rituals validate our existence in some implausible elusive way. They bring family and friends together, open doors to the future, and create memories for generations to come.

© Amythyst Raine 2007

Follow the url and you will find rituals for all of life’s passages and links to sites where you can purchase ritual items and clothing:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/rituals.htm

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Ghosts/Ghost Hunting

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Growing up in my grandmother’s house prepared me for the paranormal occurrences that I would experience in this, my own house. My grandmother’s house was very active and anyone with an ounce of sensitivity to such things was always very aware of it…the feeling of being “watched” when no one else was near you, the hair suddenly standing up on the back of your neck and the sensation that “someone” was standing behind you, unintelligible whisperings in the dark of the night, a blanket being pulled from you by something you couldn’t see, lights going off and on with no explanation—and stove burners doing the same unnerving thing, objects occasionally moving, etc.

Growing up with these occurrences, I thought it was natural—wasn’t everyone’s house like this?

Apparently not, I was to learn as I became older. That enlightenment helped me to appreciate, study, and cope with paranormal activities on a very basic level. It also taught me to conquer any fear.

But witchcraft taught me how to tame these ethereal spirits, how to control them instead of allowing them to control me. Witchcraft taught me it was possible to have dominion over the spirit world.

© Amythyst Raine 2007

Follow the url and enter the paranormal world of ghosts and ghost hunting. You will find a slideshow on ghosts created by me, a list of haunted cemeteries, information on poltergiests, the Bell Witch, TAPS, the “Hauntings Website”; and a section called “Our House”, which reviews our own paranoral occurances that my family and I have experienced.

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/ghostsghosthunting.htm

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My Path

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I am a solitary eclectic witch. My path consists of hoodoo, Wicca, and green witchcraft. I am neither a “white” nor a “black” witch; I prefer to see myself in shades of gray— nothing else on this earth is completely clear cut, the practice of The Craft isn’t either.

I am a hereditary witch, taking after the traditions of my mother, my sister, and cousins. I am now watching my own daughters grow in this path. I was raised by my grandmother, a woman steeped in the study of the occult, yet probably not realizing the title many in this world would have attributed to her.

I am a legally ordained member of the clergy, yet I avoid the usual titles which smack too closely of Christianity for my taste. I prefer the simple, yet deeply meaningful title of “Lady”.

© Amythyst Raine

Follow the url to learn more about my path, with links to sites on hoodoo, wicca, and green witchcraft. You will also find a “code of ethics”, “rules of conduct”, my explanation of the “kitchen witch”, and my feelings on “Hexing and Cursing”:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/mypath.htm

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Photogallery

I’ve opened a window on this page, a window into my private world.  I have tried to post images on here that I haven’t posted anywhere else, they are exclusive.  I haven’t decided yet whether to continue the Photogallery or relegate it to an archive, but my camera is always ready, and life somehow or other always has something interesting to show me. 

© Amythyst Raine 2007

Follow the url and you will find a slide show, as well as personal photos of my home, gardens, family, & ’stuff’.

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/photogallery.htm

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Monthly Newsletters

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/monthlynewsletters.htm

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/newsletterarchives1.htm

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Follow my raven to the Magick Forest where you can view/sign the guestbook, subscribe to the site, and find links to unimaginable places and incredible people.

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/themagicforestllinks.htm

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It’s About Time I Cleaned It Up…

The Elements page at my website, that is.  I haven’t touched that page in ages, and although the basic material is what I want, there were images from photobucket that had been moved or deleted, the text needed to be cleaned up, and it needed some new music.

Photobucket– Much to my son’s satisfaction I’ve stopped saving to my own computer every single image I run across that I want to keep.  I was a computer space hog here at home– and there are so many of us using this computer.  But one of the drawbacks to using an image straight off a public folder at photobucket is that you have no control over the image being moved or deleted.

The music– I found some pieces by Deuter that I haven’t used before.  I love this music– I’ve got to have my daughter check iTunes for me; I want their CDs.  My favorite song of the three I chose for the musicbox is, "Journey Into Light", it’s haunting.

There’s something about the Elements– I get goosebumps everytime I read the invocations.

If you want to check out this refurbished freshened page, follow the link below:

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/theelements.htm


Elements Pictures, Images and Photos

Female Only Assemblage

 
Note…This blog was originally posted at one of my MySpace profiles: 

The Goddess Grove

http://www.myspace.com/the_goddess_grove

(an online circle/sanctuary for women)

I had finally come to grips with a lot of preconceived notions about religion, God, the Goddess, and where I, and my female side, fit into the big picture.  I’ve been exploring Dianic Wicca and do believe that I may have finally found my nitch.  This short blog was the result of one of those ‘ah-ha’ moments…

 



 
How do you feel about this?…Invoking only the Goddess for rituals, holding female only circles, considering the Gods’ main claim to fame as being consort to the Goddess? 


Personally, in 51 years of living– through the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, Christian Fundamentalism and the four husbands who drug me through all this, kicking and screaming I might add, I’ve been infused with enough male energy to last me several lifetimes.  I’m still trying to figure out why men think it is thier duty to direct every aspect of a woman’s life, including her spirituality!…And, by the way, it doesn’t work.
 
For myself, me personally– I’m ready and enthusiastic to embrace female Divinity, to take my place with the “Womyn” of the world, to reclaim power that was taken from women with the creation of the Eve/apple myth.  To quote Z Budapest– “Eve should have eaten a bushel of apples!– It was her tree!"
 
I know this will bristle some of the male population, but I’ve never kicked about ‘male only domains’– like gentlemen’s clubs and other good ole’ boys’ assemblage places; so I figure they don’t have the option of protesting when we womyn go off on our own little jaunts to the wild places to gather and drum and dance and let loose with our spiritual expression.


And that’s ’bout ’nuff said– for the moment!

 


Rebuttal: Or why it’s okay to celebrate Halloween

I ran across this blog yesterday from a Lady who is a little paranoid when it comes to witches, halloween, and pagan practices.  Okay, so she’s not just a little paranoid, I’d label her psycho on the subject.  I wasn’t taking her too seriously until it got so ridiculous that I felt I had to say *Something*.  I had meant to leave a brief comment in the comment box and let it go at that, but my relatively brief rebuttal turned out to be too long for the comment box…so I’m posting it here, along with a link to this woman’s article.  And I should warn you that if you go to this link, you’ll be leaving the world of reality behind.  This woman hates and fears that which she doesn’t understand, or that which is different from her own beliefs…and just for the record, at my house we don’t hex or curse the candy that we hand out at Halloween to the kiddos, though she might be onto something here. 🙂

My answer to this woman…and I kept it brief. I figured anyone who thinks like this must have the attention span of a mud fence post, and I was going to have to talk fast to
make a point before she slipped off into her own lala land:

Rebuttal Comment: topic- Halloween

My goodness woman. Do you realize how many people you have offended in your clumsy attempt to justify your contempt for a sacred pagan holiday? As the local village witch, I can tell you that, for one thing, we don’t worship Satan- we don’t even believe in him. He is an invention of christian mythology, and you can keep him, thank you. I suspect the main purpose of his inception was to frighten people and thus give those in charge some leverage and control over the population. Second, and this is so off the wall it’s difficult to address without laughing or shuddering– ritual slaughter of animals, babies, etc. Many witches I know are actually animal rights activists and vegans. If you want to witness ritual animal slaughter, you’ll have to go to your nearest slaughterhouse- and then venture on over to McDonalds or some other fast food place where you can ingest the poor critter and add to your cholesterol level. Good grief. As far as witches harming babies, you’ve watched too many ‘made for tv’ movies. I’m the mother of seven biological children, and nope, I haven’t eaten neary a one yet– though I’ve had to ground a few now and then.

Spells? Hexes? Curses?…A spell is no more than a prayer with props. The spell I might cast for a particular intention is no different than the prayer requests you make to your god. Don’t tell me that there has never been a christian who hasn’t prayed for the downfall of a foe– that would translate into a ‘hex’ or ‘curse’.

Halloween– or ‘Samhain’…is a time to reconnect with the spirit of your ancestors, a time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest and communication is easier with the spirit world, an excellent time to practice divination, and the end of the harvest season– the beginning of the dark months and the season of winter. The pagan, my dear, seems to have a reverence for Mother Earth, her turning seasons, her creatures, and her spirit that you and yours lack. Watch us closely…and learn.

Bright Blessings,

The Not-So-Wicked-Witch of the Midwest