Maiden to Crone

I discovered this song and corresponding music video a couple years ago and I was recently thinking about it again. 

I'm a big fan of Southern Gothic and bluesy types of music.  The below song "Bottom of the River" is by a group called Delta Rae located in North Carolina.

NPR described the connotations of their music as creating a "modern folklore" and indeed the band claims they draw inspiration from a myriad of old folk tales, graveyards, and mythology.  Still, they manage to sprinkle in aspects of modern life to give a fresh perspective.

This video for "Bottom of the River" echoes visions of a witch trail as a beauty is chained and marched down a dark road by an angry mob.  I find the ascetic of the video to be mysteriously beautiful and invocative of  a dark history. 

I would love to hear your opinions below.











Blessed Be,
Scarlet

I wanted to make a book review for those who are just starting out learning about Wicca and Witchcraft.  Wicca by Scott Cunningham is an excellent beginners overview and I would recommend it to everyone.  You can view my full review below:

I've been hearing a lot about the Morrigan on various Pagan and Wiccan websites.  This Celtic battle goddess has become recently popularized in part from the efforts of Morpheus Ravenna.

Morpheus is an initiate of the Feri Tradition and dedicated herself fully to the Morrigan after have several profound personal experiences with the goddess.  She currently lives in the Bay area working as both a tattoo artist and as a High Priestess.

She runs a magnificent blog called Banshee Arts and she has just published a book about the Morigan.  You can find out more information about her book titled The Book of the Great Queen here.  Her book uses a historical and archaeological lens to give readers an in-depth understanding about this elusive and often misunderstood goddess.  While I have not read this book as of yet, it is on my to-read list and I hope to do a book review of it in the future,

Morpheus herself is a bit of a legend in her area, known for her commitment and unwavering faith in the goddess.  Her fruitless desire to spread knowledge and live a life worthy of the Morrigan is truly inspiring.  I hope that I might meet her someday.

I initially heard of Morpheus though a book titled Witches of America by Alex Mar.  Witches of America is a sort of anthropological study where the author attempts to find a spiritual connection by studying and befriending witches of various traditions here in America.  Alex Mar feels a strong connection to Morpheus in her book but manages to paint both her and other witches she meets in a rather negative light.  I made a rather scathing review of Alex Mar's book on youtube.

Regardless, what I initially read in Witches of America encouraged me to read further about Morpheus and The Morrigan.  What I've found so far in my study is a contingent of witches who, like Morpheus, have had powerful moments where the Morrigan has called on them to be part of her spiritual army.  You can view some video responses where witches discuss their connection with the Morrigan here, here, and here.

I look forward to learning more about this Goddess.  I recently saw a poster for a meetup of the Chicago Fellowship of the Morrigan.  I'll be going to the meeting this week and I'm looking forward to continuing my study.

Blessed Be,
Scarlet

Power of the circle,
Round, eternal, wheel of light.
Symbol of the ancient,
Made anew with each step.
As above, so below.
May we glow with it's eternal light.

Here's a few beautiful Witchy jewelry items I found on the internet today.

Where do you go to connect with nature?  I'm lucky in that I live close to Lake Michigan so I tend to do a daily walk along the lake path.

As I walk toward the lake I pass endless buildings of brick until I reach the greenery of the Lakeshore path.  My mind calms and settles with each step away from the concrete chaos and towards the serene shades of sky and green.

Upon reaching the edge of the shore, the city skyscrapers become visible in the distance as they blur dark against the monochromatic horizon. They stand as charcoal sentinels balanced at the edge of the endless water.  Even in winter, Lake Michigan offers a respite from the harsh masculinity of Chicago's architecture.  A feminine note pushing against the industrial.  I savoir my walks as I listen to the soft sound of waves as they calm the roar of the nearby trains.  I watch with serenity as the grey winter waves froth and foam as they pirouette towards the stone walkway.

Walking in nature and feeling the breeze against your face has a beautiful meditative quality.  And with each step I am reminded of our connection to the God and Goddess.  Where do you go to feel connected to nature?

Do you set New Years resolutions?  Personally, I usually forgo this custom as it inevitably leads to failure as I tend to forget my resolutions around February.  Still, I do love making lists so I scoured the internet looking for various Pagan and Wiccan resolutions to try.  Of course, many pagans see the New Year as beginning after Samhain.  Though, I see no harm in coming up with some goals at this time of the year as well.

Hi everyone!

I found this tag video questions on YouYube the other day and decided to make a video of my own responses.

I encourage everyone in the witch community to share their own video responses or comment below.









Here's a list of the questions:

1.) What type of witch are you?
2.) Can you show us your pentacle pendant or other sacred symbol of jewelry you wear?
3.) Have you ever considered joining or creating a coven or circle?
4.) How do you feel about online covens and circles?
5.) When and how did you first find out about witchcraft/wicca?
6.) When did you 1st realize you were a witch? What made you realize that?
7.) How old were you when you 1st started practicing?
8.) What was the 1st spell you ever casted? Did it work?
9.) Have you ever had a spell fail or backfire?
10.) Where do you feel your power comes from?
11.)Which element do you feel connected to the most?
12.) What is the 1st Witchy Thing you ever bought yourself?
13.) What is the name of your favorite Tarot Deck?
14.) What are some of your favorite: herbs, incense, and crystals?
15.) How do you feel about witches depicted in books, movies, and TV shows?
16.) Can you recommend some books, websites, and other resources to us on witchcraft/wicca?
17.) Do you ever doubt your craft?
18.) Have you ever experienced "Spiritual Burnout?" Any advice on that?
19.) What made you want to share your life as a witch on social media?
20.) Tell us something you know now that you wish you knew when you began walking your path.
21.) Can you share a simple craft with us?
22.) Any tips/ words of wisdom for newbies?
23.) Shout Out Some Witchy Channels...
24.) Name some magickal places you wish to visit.