My lodgemate, L, was kind enough to introduce us to “The Book of Astrological Games” in Libros de los Juegos (The Book of Games), commissioned by Alfonso X of Castile, Galicia and León and completed in his scriptorium in Toledo in 1283.

The following is my draft of modern rules for the Astrological Checkers game included in the text.  Suggestions, ( Read more... )

Divining by stones--also called lithomancy or sortilege--is an ancient form of divination. We will cover basic principles of divination, and show how to apply those principles with a simple bag of stones.  This class will include opportunities for us to perform mini-readings for each other. Ian Phanes has been reading stones for over fifteen years.

• ( Read more... )

• written as a comment in nonwiccanwitch

While it is highly important to pay attention to fear, one essential aspect of the Craft is being willing to face and work through unproductive fears. Three of the most common are: fear of the unknown; fear of change; and fear of "doing it wrong". I have seen way too many pagans whose only experience comes from books hold ( Read more... )

A recent post in nonwiccanwitch asked ( Read more... )

• written as a comment to a post about streamlining altar space in justtamilia's blog.

While I have a ritual room, my shrines to individual Powers are all outside that room.  The ritual room contains: 1) my main altar (ContraryWise Craft); and 2) my shrine to the Three Kindreds (the land spirits, the ancestors and orisa, and the gods), where I do much of my ( Read more... )

• The following was written in response to a post in wiccan

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When developing a spell, the first and most essential step is clearly identifying the intent.  Once the intent is defined, everything else should emerge from and return to that intent.

Also, when working with a correspondences model*, the materials and symbols need to correspond to something above ( Read more... )

Thinking about Drew Jacob's essay, ""Temple Without a Song", I find myself wondering...

I'm not wondering--as others seem to be--whether or not it's possible to recreate the ancient druid class in modern times.

Rather, I find myself wondering whether or not there's any need for a recreated druid class in modern society.  Specifically, I wonder ( Read more... )

Registration closed 16 Feb. 2012.

Modern Pagan Witchcraft is a dynamic balance of worship and magic.  This course is an intermediate-level course for those who are already practicing the Craft but wish to improve their skills in ritual, magic, meditation, and the like.  The class will meet monthly for two hours.  Students are expected to practice ( Read more... )

How do I see Hecate, Queen of Witches, and Lady of the Dark Moon?

She is three-formed, with six arms, bearing the following:

• Torch: showing the way (in right hand)
• Mirror: showing the self (in left hand)

• Key: opening the gate (in right hand)
• Scourge: driving the reluctant on (in left hand)

• Sword: cutting unnecessary ties (in right hand)

Current chart http://alabe.com/cgi-bin/chart/astrobot.cgi?PARAM=YVR&INPUT5=Urbana,IL

Charts (with useful options) http://www.astro.com/cgi/genchart.cgi

• Chart drawing style: Astrodienst
• House System: whole signs
• Reduce/increase orbs:  150
• checkboxes:
  • landscape, if possible