The Ladies Danced: by Allen Jeter

The Ladies Danced







The Maiden and The Crone,

Danced side by side.

No judge would take the contest,

Nope, no one would decide.





The Maiden begged the dame, "Will you concede?",

The Crone danced on and on, dancing on every seed.

The Maiden became cross and she planted more and more,

Thier dancing was a dance, that no one would ignore.





The earth turned white, once more to behold,

The Crone stood firm, once again there was bitter cold.

The Maid stared gently at her old and aged foe,

And with a sly smile, she stepped to dancing on the tip of her toe.





She danced all night weaving this and raising that,

The cold and the warmth doing battle upon the mat.

Finally winded, the Crone did shout "I concede!",

And with that the Maiden planted her very last seed.





Both fell winded upon the old dance floor,

Both hugged each others neck and giggled, before hearing the score.

The score said proudly that the Crone had done her best,

But the Maiden with all her dancing, had won the dance contest.





The Crone said tired and winded, "I'm gong to bed!",

The Maiden stood tall and smiled and crooked her little head.

"Spring has arrived!" She announced to one and to all,

The crowd cheered wildly, heeding the Maidens call.





Moral of the Story: Dont underestimate the Crone, she may be old but there is alot of spunk left in the old gal yet...





By: Allen Jeter 03/21/2010 5:35 am Spring Equinox





(it snowed here, on Spring Equinox, until the ground was covered in snow. The green and white in a mix is truley beautiful and the gift was to great not to acknowledge the battle between these two fine ladies... ;OP)

Truley a Major Problem With Some Authors

Recently, I read Jason Millers book, "Protection: Reversal Magick A Witches Defense Manual". I had some questions and decided they were big enough to write the author at: inominandum@gmail.com Jason did respond but his attitude towards me and the question at hand was far from scholarly or teacher like. I was simply trying to bring to his attention that the information in his book was incorrect. Has it not always been a custom for a teacher to learn from their students? I know I do.

The question is with the "Protection Mirror", amulet, "charm" on page 101. The symbols come with no explaination of their meaning. For me, all symbols have meaning, therefore I was eager to learn. This was important because the "Protection Mirror" project came with a charge to the Goddess Heckate. I was eager to know what I would be taking to her feet. So I asked: "What are the symbols located on the diagram on page 101. Jasons response was: "The sigils on the mirror are old alchemical symbols for the planets. I forget exactly which text they are from." Forgot? Well, thats just great, that an author cannot remember what they wrote. Humm.

So I did extensive research and determined that in fact the symbols were Alchemical but not symbols that represented any planets. I e-mailed Jason again, but recieved no response.

Monday, I called the publishing house of "New Page Books" and spoke to the editor Gina Talucci. While she followed me page for page and agreed that there was no note for this diagram she concluded by saying: "...its regrettable but, there will be no notice given to anyone about the diagram on page 101 nor an explaination as to what it is or means, until all the books currently in stock are sold, and a new revised issue is published..." This is unforgiveable for a professional publisher to say and certainly I would fire mine if they ever did.

I sent another e-mail to Jason informing him, I spoke to his editor about this. Of course his response was post haste. His attitude worstened to the point of being insulting. He said:

"...You seem to treat this as some kind of an emergency. It is not. Furthermore there is no issue. The symbols are symbols of the metals and the planets. If you knew how to read alchemical texts you would know that the two are alchemicaly inseparable." (as if everyone who would read his book would instantly know this)

"I regret that you are upset to "the core of your being" at my not listing the unpublished manuscript that I got these from, but no - it is not my highest priority to ring up the British Museum and get the exact manuscript number. My book is meant to be used by people in need of protection, not as a fully annotated academic work. I am sorry to disappoint you..."

 

Hardly the responsible writer I imagined. Hardly the response from a teacher I would had expected. I did re-read the introduction of Jason Millers book and found no indication that one had to be a learned or scholarly Witch to have been able to read all in his book. Further, I found it very irresponsible to write a spell, and one written with a charge to a Goddess, and not explain every aspect of the spell, including the symbols, in a footnote or chart. When I took to task to speak to others about this, my path was made clear. To expose someone who is flippant and a bit non-caring about his work, and non-caring about those that will practice from it.

 

I will no longer buy his books nor books from the publishing house of "New Page Books". When I speak to people (and I do quite often) I will refer to this as a irresponsible and un-researched work. I supopse anyone in America can publish a book for the fee of $5000.00 with just about any publishing house they choose. Sad, that the only reason would be to attain wealth and not to educate the public in a responsible way. Very poor job Jason, very poor.

Recently...

Recently...I have been involved in a great deal of study. Books of all sorts have been pouring in from all over and I hasten to read and learn all I can.

On top of that, recent rituals have provided a clearing out of malicious forces in and around our lives. This has been rectified by re-enforcing protection spells in/on our home and the cleansing of our minds, bodies and souls of malicious forces that are either sent to cause chaos or simply sent to re-enforce the malilcious intent of others.  

There are many cleansing rituals for your home and body as well as meditation rituals to cleanse the minds eye. Some rituals include actually reaching out to the Deamons that are sent to place harm or ill will in your path, you can sometimes appease them and send them back to whence they came. When all else fails a complete irradication of the thing or person can be accomplished quite easily. This in some ways creates a problem for some in which they cannot confront the person or entity that causes so much havoc. Then, turning to a trained professional, is your next best bet. You can say, in a manner of speaking, its like cleaning house in the Spring...just gettting rid of the clutter.

Providing a Helping Hand

Periodically, a witch or a trusted person will be asked for advice or help in a issue that another cannot seem to conclude or dispell. If the person is a learned person and well trusted, then certainly you can help if you so desire to do so. On Monday night I was asked to do just that, let me fill you in.

Monday night was a quiet one and I was watching what ever I watch on TV and had just finished my evening meal. A knock came to the door and it was a fellow Wiccan that lives close to my home. He was rather in a harassed state and I asked him to enter with a "open mind and heart" and he did so.

He proceeded to tell me that his latest endeavor with his relationship had failed and he was being attacked by his own dieties and minions of his dieties. I asked him to explain further. He related to me that he had pressed his common law wife to open their relationship to polyamory and in doing so, she had chosen another man and he had sinced moved into the home. His request was for me to spell this person into leaving his home so he could go back to the relationship he had before with his wife. He said his dieites were attacking him and he had no clarity in the matter. I told him to still himself and that I would visit his home in the morning and make any suggestions I felt necessary to make.

I spent the next hours raising my own peronal shields and taking a cleansing bath as to not take anything into the environment with me that may cloud my judgement. I went over to his home and was recieved at the door well but what I found behind that door was a simple mess to say the least. The home was full of clutter and trash. Dishes had not been done in weeks and trash was more than spilling from every surface that would stand still. There was a small boy of 4 sitting on the floor in the living room, coloring himself with a green majic marker. I was also introduced to my friends "new girlfriend" whom he had in the interum, moved into the home as well. Again, my friend seemed to think some dark majic was at work and he hastened to ask me to provide a counter spell of the same calilbur to dispell it. After about a 30 minute visit to the home, I asked him to visit me again in a few hours at mine and I would provide counsel if he so desired. 

I went home and yet again took another cleansing bath to rid myself of anything I might had encountered or picked up. I then spent about 30 minutes in meditation reviewing everything in my mind that I had encountered during my visit and in previous conversations with him. My friend visited a bit later and this is what I had told him.

First and formost, I would NOT provide a spell or a charm to chase away what he had so willingly opened due to his own lustful needs or desires. Second, if his dieites were in fact mad or attacking him, then he did something to them or himself in the interum that displeased them greatly and alters should be erected to calm or appease said dieties. Third and formost, he must clean his home, not only with a bucket and a soapy sponge but with floor washes and cleansing inscences that would also rid him of negativity in his home. He also needed to encourage everyone in the home to take a cleansing bath and/or participate in a cleansing ritual. Fourth and formost, he must remain responsible for his actions and requests due to the fact he had not fully thought matters through in the first place. 

This angered him somewhat and he kept going back to what SHE did and said and would not focus on what HE did in the first place. I informed him that there are three points of light living in the home, the children, and that obsession or even possession was interfereing with them being productive and the brilliant light's that they are. He kept wanting to go back to HER problems and would not visit his or even admit he was wrong in doing things the way he did them. I kept stressing that to gain his dieties respect back and to open up the home would help him in regaining his clarity and give him the open mind he needed to have successful conversations and possibly come to a conclusion about his relationship and the future path it would take. I also informed him that the NEW MAN in his wifes life, was given openly to her and that it's by no fault of of the NEW MAN at being there and in this situation.

Ultimatley my friend left stating that he felt betrayed and was upset that he could not do something in a negative way to another. I told him he could but not with my assistance. This is one case I am greatful to my Gods for giving me the knowledge and the courage to recognize and see the true problem and providing a starting point to begin the correction process for my friend. Personally, this was a great milestone in our friendship and I was able to view a side of him that I wish I had never seen but was grateful I had. The ultimate consolation for myself however, is knowing I took the higher road and was able to provide valid advice to be used and practiced. 

So what would you had done? 

Judging Ones Actions

Here is a moral dispute over practice. While I am currently studying with my life partner of 18 years we have come to a stalemate in regards to practice.

I stepped out for a bit yesterday and a topic that had just been read about was in full practice when I returned. I was immediatley infuriated because the study of the ritual being preformed was not fully explored nor realized before the practice was taken up. In my fury the alter was destroyed and the ritual brought to a complete end and rather quickly. Was I wrong in doing so? My conscious dictated that I was not.

This has caused a huge debate between us and I cannot stress my point enough. When ones heart feels one is educated enough to conduct any ritual and said ritual, spell or charm has been reseached to the point of true understanding, then by all means I condone its use. If the person in question had not researched fully the end result or implications of a venture than I have the responsibility of correcting any action(s) taken to the best of my ability.

My judgement in the matter is simple. If you are a dedicated faction inside the realm of your chosen faith and feel within your consious and heart that you are able to conclude without malice the spell, charm or ritual you feel compelled to use then by all means, please do so. IF, out of malice you tend to cause harm in a way that will permanetley cause a great deal of harm not just to yourself and others but the world at large then I have to say with all the fiber of my being to cease and desist.

Knowing oneself is the key here. Knowing and accepting your limitations will always serve you well indeed. I do not deny that my life partner felt a need and I understand the motives in doing the ritual in question. I cannot stress enough that the education level was not fully there in regards to achieving its ultimate goal.

I would hope that others that follow the path will not hesitiate to learn as much as they can before attempting something that could have ramifications for many and not just the ones it is intended for.

While in the Kitchen

While in the kitchen and exploring new and exciting ways to prepare herbs, one can also explore the possibilities of herbs and spices that one does not normally cook with or use. I myself (until recently) have used pre-ground and prepared items located in most grocery store spice isles. Cooking with the actual ingredient and taking the time to do so, brings a pleasure to the dinner table your family and loved ones will be certain to enjoy. Today it was Orange-Ginger Chicken and I can tell you it was most fair. If anyone would like my recipe (which I modified to fit our tastes better) please fell free to ask. There are more spells and charms to be layed at your loved ones feet with a well prepared and thought out meal. Cooking is not only a art but the craft itself.

Snow Day

February 12, 2010

We had 12.5 inches of snow in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and even more snow in some outlaying areas. We stayed home today and dedicated the day to reading and discussion. I hope that everyone is safe.

What a wonderful gift to be given the snow and reminder that the heart of Winter Beings still beat strong. It almost seems at times that nature intended to blanket all that was impure and restore its life force as it leaves.

The picture attatched is the statue of Will Rogers outside of the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. Homage to those that came before us and lived in the land when it was still a force of nature to do so.

To Study Is The Key

To study is the key. Every witch should strive on a daily basis to learn or read something new. To try is not to fail. To try is to succeed in many things. Failures are and should be documented as to not review mistakes.

I have never found it more invigorating in my life than to study and understand many aspects of human life. Myself, I have studied over 19 known mainstream religions before I chose my current path. To know others and how they worship is an asset I am eager to add to.

I would had reviewed all my materials at hand and maybe even ask questions before I attempt a new potion, charm or ritual. Even though my shelves are becoming full of a collection of herbs, flowers, bones, stones, waters (in various states) and oils, I strive to add more in the hopes of using them and understanding them just by sight, smell and detail. Certain catagories of medicinal and non-medicinal herbs must be cataloged and placed apart from others because of the toxicity they produce or can cantaminate other herbs.

So you see how study could develop a very important factor in maintaining the potency of many if not all that is gathered and used.

Remember, nothing discribes a witch more than his or her INTENT. Make sure yours is well thought out and you are willing to accept any and all consequences to your actions if done incorrectly.

Books Currently in Use

"Would that they be plucked from tree's, a book will be a forever friend"... Wrynn 2010

Currently there are several books that I am reading and will re-read in an effort to follow through with preperation to dispensing. By no means will I expect everyone that follows to have read every book listed below. However, I do recommend that anyone read as much as possible. What has been written today will follow in the course of the future. If one is prepared in the future it will always seem brighter when one arrives.

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs...by my beloved Scott Cunningham

Hoo-Doo Mysteries...by Ray Malbrough

The Cherokee Herbal...by J. T. Garrett

VooDoo Dolls in Magick and Ritual...by Denise Alvarado

American Indian Healing Arts: Herbs, Rituals and Remedies For Everyday Life...by E. Barrie Kavasch and Karen Baar

Amrican Indian Medicine...by Virgil J. Vogel

Sacred Plant Medicine: The Wisdom in Native American Herbalism...by Stephen Harrod Buhner

The Way of the Sacred Pipe...by Jim Tree (yes, some herbal mixtures are smoked. I know there are people that do not smoke but I have to go there to learn as much as I can.)

Ozark Magic and Folklore...by Vance Randolph

Indian Herbalogy of North America...by Alma R. Hutchens

Healing Secrets of the Native Americans...by Porter Shimer

Charms , Spells and Formulas...by Ray Malbrough

Medicinal Plants...by Hans Fluck

Protection-Reversal Magick: A Witches Defense Manual...by Jason Miller

A Wiccan Formulary and Herbal...by A. J. Drew

This is by means all I have read or intend on reading but I am curently in the process of reading and practicing the above mentioned text. Again, I strongly suggest anyone read a book to further any knowledge in the field they wish to study. A mind truley is a terrible thing to waste.

In A Witches Kitchen

Merry Meet...

My name is Wrynn and I have been practicing Wicca/Witchcraft for over 24 years. While I have a knowledge of many herbs, flowers and trees and have studied many different paths of potion making, I have decided to practice here, on-line and share it with everyone else.

The course will follow many paths. Wicca, Native American Ethnobotany, Stregheria, Hoo-Doo, North American Mountain Medicine and Medicinal Folklore In America and maybe more. This will include, herbalism, storage and preperation of herbs and sharing the information of gathering or procuring herbs in America either from the wild or online or a local herbal shoppe. This line of discussion will also include spell preperation, ritual and mysteries.

All books and written text gathered to work from will be fully disclosed and if possible made available to everyone on-line.

My hopes in this course of action is to have a firm knowledge of preperation for remedies, cures and spellwork as well as ritual. I hope that others will enjoy this line of discussion and will gain knowledge as we go along.

Merry Part...for now... ;OP