Weekly Round Up

From May 13th - 21st

From: Witchy Woman

New Beginnings

Vaccinate

New Blog

New Moon

From: Witch Kitchen

Witch Kitchen

Lemon-Rosemary Grilled Chicken

From: The Sault Star

Hello herbs... Bye-bye to being botanical bimbo

From: Kitchen Witch

Lotions and Potions

From: About.com Paganism/Wicca

Kitchen Witchery - What is a Kitchen Witch?

Reader Mail: Do I Have Special Powers?

Life Rituals: Create a Birthday Altar

CO Day of Prayer Ruled Unconstitutional

From: Spiral Goddess

Pagan Kids' Grove

Shopping

Magicalomaha-Your Source for mystical treasures

Wiccan Supplies, Witchcraft Supplies, Wiccan Store - SacredMists.com

13 Moons, Supplies for Wiccan, Pagan, Witch and Shaman

The Magickal Cat Online Store - Shop for Pagan, Wiccan, Witchcraft Jewelry & Ritual Supplies

Allegheny Candles and New Age Supply

From: Margaret Cho

Swim

From: Pagan Culture

A charm Bracelet from AlmaMia Cienfuegos to You

Witchy Stereotypes

Sexy, Dark & Bloody Fiction --

Pagan Culture's 3rd Blogoversary Party

Happy Blogoversary to Pagan Culture! 3 years is pretty impressive, so I'm joining the party and adding my own post. I love the theme she's picked, stereotypes of witches in fiction. I've got a list of grievances on that particular subject longer than this blog will probably allow but I'm gonna give it a shot. I thought about writing a short story but finally settled on a little bit of rant, because really that's what it would end up turning into anyways, and that's what I'm good at.

• "Warlocks are male witches" One of my biggest pet peeves whether it be in a book, t.v. show, or movie is when they call a male witch a warlock. I don't know why but it really, really gets under my skin. I've always heard the definition of warlock to be traitor or oath breaker and it's quite possible I'm wrong but I really don't see why male and female witches need different titles. At least in Harry Potter they're called wizards.. that's something.
• "Witches worship, sell their souls to, and are in league with.. Satan" A cliche, but one that is still widely used. The show Supernatural is especially guilty of this one. I get the feeling that either the writers or producers are Christian, and it really pains me that they keep perpetuating this myth because I really like the show.
• "Halloween is when witches worship the God of the dead named Sam Hain" This one is so painfully stupid that it makes my blood boil. Supernatural is guilty of this one too, but they aren't the only ones.
• "All witches only worship only a Goddess and are nothing more than hippie, feminist, man haters" To me anyone who honestly believes this is just willfully ignorant. I don't like labeling myself a feminist. I'm an equalist. Of course I think women are amazing, powerful, and full of potential, but so aren't men. No gender has the monopoly on being awesome. Just because witches believe women are as good as men doesn't mean we think they're better or that we hate men.
• "You are only a witch if you've been initiated by one, or born into a family of witches" This myth is perpetuated by fiction, witches, and non witches alike. It frustrates me that there is this misconception among some that unless you're initiated by another Witch, your not really a Witch. I'm a Witch because I respect the old ways, I honor nature, I feel the change of the seasons and the waxing and waning of the moon in my blood, I respect others rights to feel and believe in whatever way brings them peace, and because I accept the divine feminine and masculine in all of us. Not because someone told me I was.
• "Good witches wear white and bad witches wear black" Wouldn't it be so easy if we could tell who was good or bad based on the color of their clothing. While this is a milder stereotype it's still fairly annoying. Similar to this one is..
• Good witches only align them selves with light, life, day time and good and bad witches only align themselves with dark, death, night time and evil" A little convoluted I know, but this is pretty common. They seem to think there's no gray area. Most witches I know accept balance, you know, light and dark. We bathe in the sun and moonlight. The only good or evil that truly exists is in the intention, not what we wear, own, or associate with.
• "All witches are psychic or have magical powers" Not all witches even believe in psychics, just like not all people that believe in psychics are witches. It's an interest, and just because they're are a lot of witches who are more open to metaphysical interests doesn't mean they all possess special abilities or are experts on them.

This is just a sampling of the stuff that really gets under my skin, I could go on for days but then I wouldn't get anything else done. What are some stereotypes that piss you off? We all love a good rant!

Book 4: Ancestors of Avalon

I'm putting a slight hold on reading The Magician's Guild so I can read my latest library book. A book that I'm very excited to read. Ancestors of Avalon by Diana L. Paxson, and Marion Zimmer Bradley.

~ The full sweep of the rich history of Avalon -- from the fall of Atlantis to the founding of a new temple on the mist-shrouded isle of Britain -- is finally revealed in this magnificent tale. The priests and priestesses of Atlantis have known for many years that the Sea Kingdoms were doomed. But now the final destruction has arrived they find themselves less prepared than they thought for what lies ahead. Micail and Tiriki, prince and princess of the last island to fall, as well as priest and priestess, are seperated during the final escape. Micail and his cousin, Prince Tjalan, successfully arrive at their planned destination, a trading post in the Hesperides (the British Isles) where Tjalan loses no time in taking charge. He dreams of continuing the traditions of Atlantis and founding a glorious new empire -- whether the local tribes like it or not. Micail and the other priests dedicate themselves to fulfilling an ancient prophesy that they will build a great temple in this new land -- and set about finding a way to shift the huge blocks of granite that will become Stonehenge. Micail's beloved wife Tiriki also arrives in the Hesperides, but, down off-course by a storm, her ship lands on the wrong shore. She and the elderly priest Chedan lead their small group in forming a new community in harmony with the local population at the sacred Tor (Glastonbury). Once the two groups become aware of each other, conflict will become inevitable. A deeply moving and utterly convincing tale of faith in the face of adversity, filled with memorable characters and haunting landscapes. ~  

I read Mysts of Avalon and literally fell in love with the book. I know I'll fall in love with this book too and I can't wait to finish it!!

Book 3: Honor Bound

For my third book I've found what I hope will have a slightly more adult flavor than the last book. I've chosen Honor Bound by C.J. Archer, Book 1 in the Witchblade Chronicles. A supernatural romance novel set in Elizabethan England.

Isabel's quiet life as an assistant to one of London's famous apothecaries hides a deadly secret A secret that could see her put on trial for witchcraft if the authorities uncover the truth. But when the authority figure who shows up at her shop is Sir Nicholas Merritt, she's at risk of losing more than her life. She could lose her heart and soul, and the man she loves.

Royal spy Sir Nicholas Merritt can't believe his luck when he stumbles upon Isabel during an investigation. He's been searching for her for 7 long years and now he has her again, in his bed and in his life. Except she's resisting all the way. Worse still, she's somehow tangled up with a plot to assassinate the queen. To hold onto her this time, she must find out why she left him while hiding a secret of his own that could tear them apart forever.

Note: Each of the Witchblade Chronicles books is a complete novel with different characters. They do not need to be read in order.

I'm really looking forward to reading this book. I love period novels, and I love novels set in foreign countries, especially in Europe. Also I'm never one to look down on a well written romance novel.

Book 2: The Trouble with Spells

Continuing on the Witchy Reading Challenge I'm starting book 2, The Trouble with Spells by Lacey Weatherford.

 

Portia Mullins had always lived the life of a normal teenager, up until her sixteenth birthday. She is then informed by her grandma that she is actually a witch who is a descendant of a long line of witches and warlocks. After overcoming her disbelief she finds that being a member of the coven comes with one great perk in the form of the school's handsome bad boy, Vance Mangum. Vance and Portia have an immediate connection as a budding romance begins, only to be threatened by turbulent skies on the horizon as Vance's checkered past rears it's ugly head to haunt them. Portia is forced to use her untried powers in defense of everything she loves in a desperate attempt to hold onto the one thing that really matters in her life.

 

I'm not usually into Young Adult Romance novels but I LOVED the Twilight series so I figured I'd see how this one is. I mean really, how can a book with hot guys and magick be bad, right?

Bewitching the Werewolf Review

Last night I finished my first book for the Witchy Reading Challenge. What a sexy book, or rather short story, and not shy sex either, in your face sex.

I liked the main character Megan Stephens. She's funny and quick witted. Her client, Zachary Conner, seems like a man any woman would want to spend a little time getting to know. Both him and the animal inside.

It was a little rushed ever for a short story however but on the whole a very fun read, also it included a excerpt from her book Love is Darkness so that was nice to have.

All in all I'd say I give it a 4 out of 5 rating.

Book 1: Bewitching the Werewolf

Today starts Day one of Magaly's Witchy Reading challenge and I'm putting reading Bag of Bones on hold so I can start Bewitching the Werewolf a short story by Caroline Hanson.

When witch for hire, Megan Stephens, is assigned to help the local werewolf pack leader find a mate, she thinks the job will be easy. Get in, get him up and get gone. But when she meets Zack Connor, she realizes her future might have a lot more dog jokes in it than she ever imagined.

I found this book for free on my Kindle but it seems to have received fairly high reviews so we'll see. As soon as I finish I'll be sure to post my personal review. If you've read it and you love it or hate it let us know what you think.

Check out the Witchy Reading Challenge page or head on over to Magaly's Pagan Culture blog for more info.

Day after Holidays

Well both Yule and Christmas have passed and I still feel sick. I hate having colds but well.. who doesn't. Yule sadly passed without an event. I spent most of the day baking with my mother which was nice. Since we're living with my parents and I have to keep my spiritual practice under wraps I don't really get to celebrate. I watched some videos on YouTube about yule and thought about the lengthening of days for a little bit, but that was about it.

Christmas was a much bigger deal, I'm okay with that though. I usually see Yule as the spiritual celebration of the turn of the wheel and "Christmas" as the secular, partying, gifting, family get-together celebration (kind of like Saturnalia). I got a new Jewelry Box (which I wanted), some candy, a reed diffuser (cinnamon and nutmeg, yum!), a ceramic travel mug with a quote from Mother Teresa on it, "Peace Begins With A Smile" so very true, a travel nail kit (always useful) and an angel key chain. I'm not really into angels, but it's pretty and it's the thought that counts. We had a fabulous brunch and spent the day relaxing. All in all it was a pretty good day. I ended up falling asleep for a two hour nap, but mostly because I'm sick.

So how about everyone else. Who celebrates just Yule, just Christmas, or both? What did you do to celebrate?

On a small side note January 13th is getting closer! Has everyone checked out the Witchy Reading Challenge Tab? If you haven't check it out, and check out Pagan Culture for a button.

2012 Reading Challenge

Check out the new tab. Magaly of Pagan Culture has started a fantastic reading challenge and as I love to read I plan on participating. Check her blog, grab a button and join. As she says, Reading is SEXY!