Thanks to the ladies who came out to our Tarot Meet and Greet - it was a joy for us, and I think fun was had by all.
Your faithful webmistress will be spending more time physically in the shop over the course of the next six weeks, something I'm very happy about. I've noticed our customers really are an amazing blend of people: some are spiritual searchers, some have been walking their own path for years, and others just really want to buy some cool lanterns.
I've been on my own path for quite some time now (don't you dare ask how long, it will make me feel old) and consequently I've accumulated some pretty good resources on the web. I'd like to share some of these with you today.
The Cauldron Web Forum - this is an interfaith discussion board with an emphasis on research and debate. It is home to British Traditional Wiccans, eclectic Wiccans, Buddhists, Asatru, Reconstructionists, Druids, Chaos Magicians, witches, Christians, and pagans of all stripes. It is all inclusive, and a wonderful resource for anyone who enjoys intellectual debate. There's a good selection of articles too. For the seeker, I recommend the Pagan Primer, which tells you all about all those different groups I just mentioned!
Witches' Voice - The NeoPagan essay site. A variety of ever-changing personal essays from different viewpoints, from all over the globe. A good place to start networking as well.
Aeclectic - Probably the most comprehensive guide to Tarot on the web.
Pagan Book Reviews - written by pagan author Lupa (author of the amazing Talking About the Elephant among others) this site is one of my personal favourites when it comes to finding new reading material.
Cantrap - A site about magic. Magic not associated with any particular dogma - this is not to be confused with Wicca or any other pagan religion. Highly sarcastic.
I hope these prove as helpful to some of you out there as they have been to me.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Cancellation
Our sincere apologies, but there has been an emergency cancellation of the Tarot Meet-and-Greet on Tuesday night.
Sandie has been called back to Winnipeg in order to look after her ailing father. We will reschedule the Meet-and-Greet for next Tuesday, September 28th, and we apologise profusely for the inconvenience.
Blessings.
Sandie has been called back to Winnipeg in order to look after her ailing father. We will reschedule the Meet-and-Greet for next Tuesday, September 28th, and we apologise profusely for the inconvenience.
Blessings.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Hoodoo? You do! (Do what?
(...remind me of the babe!)
I can't promise that will be the last David Bowie reference ever made on this blog. Moving on!
The Sacred Well is pleased to announce that we are now carrying Dorothy Morrison's Wicked Witch Mojo candles. These candles are both whimsical and effective, with names like Flying Monkey for protection. We plan to expand to include her line of mojo oils as well.
"Mojo?" some of you might be saying. "What in the heck is that?"
Mojo is a term you hear a lot if you learn anything about hoodoo or conjure. (Or if you listen to a lot of blues music, which is no coincidence.) Hoodoo is a form of folk magic that has its origins in the African-American community, particularly in the rural South. Hoodoo combines African-American belief with First Nations botanical lore, as well as some European folk practices. It is a living magical tradition, and one that is incredibly practical.
Unlike some other magical systems, hoodoo relies less on the idea of personal will and more on proper ingredients and procedure. This means that while there are many talented rootworkers in North America, for many concerns a person can do her own work. Furthermore, since hoodoo is a magical system and not a religious one, it can be used by people from all walks of life. (This is not to say hoodoo can be divorced from its roots – indeed it shouldn't be, and anyone with a serious interest in the subject would do well to read up on the topic.) Preloaded candles, like the Motor City Hoodoo or Dorothy Morrison candles stocked at the Sacred Well, have the advantage of being preloaded by someone who understands rootwork, meaning that you don't need to go searching for five finger grass or whatever else you may need; all you have to do is charge the candle and light it.
Your humble webmistress is quite a fan of preloaded candles as it cuts down on costs in the long run; essential oils aren't cheap, and many ingredients are hard to find. Candlemaking is also something I don't always have time to do. Most importantly, I have found the candles extremely effective; non-magical friends who have been given the Motor City Hoodoo candles as gifts also report success with them. In the end it's results that matter to your Mama Fortuna!
Hoodoo is a fascinating topic that can really only be touched upon in a blog post. For those interested in learning more, I would suggest the following titles:
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic - by cat yronwode. This is quite possibly the definitive guide for anyone interested in pursuing rootwork, and an invaluable resource.
Hoodoo - Conjuration - Witchcraft - Rootwork - Harry Middleton Hyatt. This is unfortunately out of print, but if you can find a copy hang onto it!
Voodoo and Hoodoo: The Craft as Revealed by Traditional Practioners – by Jim Haskins. This one can be found on Amazon used fairly cheaply, but it costs a fair bit to buy new. Your webmistress is trying to secure used copies for the store.
The Magical Power of the Saints: Evocation and Candle Rituals and Charms, Spells and Formulas – by Rev. Ray T. Malbrough. These books are easy to read and manage to cover a fair range of topics, albeit concisely. Saints focuses on the use of Catholic imagery, and so may be well suited to those with a Christian background. (This might be more properly classified as a Santeria-derived system rather than strict hoodoo, with a fair dash of Western Ceremonial influence if the involved planetary hour charts are any indication.) Spells and Formulas focuses more on oils, washes, and gris-gris bags.
Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs – by Stephanie Rose Bird. This is the only book on the list your humble webmistress hasn't personally read; it appears to be an introductory guide geared more to those of a Wiccan persuasion.
I can't promise that will be the last David Bowie reference ever made on this blog. Moving on!
The Sacred Well is pleased to announce that we are now carrying Dorothy Morrison's Wicked Witch Mojo candles. These candles are both whimsical and effective, with names like Flying Monkey for protection. We plan to expand to include her line of mojo oils as well.
"Mojo?" some of you might be saying. "What in the heck is that?"
Mojo is a term you hear a lot if you learn anything about hoodoo or conjure. (Or if you listen to a lot of blues music, which is no coincidence.) Hoodoo is a form of folk magic that has its origins in the African-American community, particularly in the rural South. Hoodoo combines African-American belief with First Nations botanical lore, as well as some European folk practices. It is a living magical tradition, and one that is incredibly practical.
Unlike some other magical systems, hoodoo relies less on the idea of personal will and more on proper ingredients and procedure. This means that while there are many talented rootworkers in North America, for many concerns a person can do her own work. Furthermore, since hoodoo is a magical system and not a religious one, it can be used by people from all walks of life. (This is not to say hoodoo can be divorced from its roots – indeed it shouldn't be, and anyone with a serious interest in the subject would do well to read up on the topic.) Preloaded candles, like the Motor City Hoodoo or Dorothy Morrison candles stocked at the Sacred Well, have the advantage of being preloaded by someone who understands rootwork, meaning that you don't need to go searching for five finger grass or whatever else you may need; all you have to do is charge the candle and light it.
Your humble webmistress is quite a fan of preloaded candles as it cuts down on costs in the long run; essential oils aren't cheap, and many ingredients are hard to find. Candlemaking is also something I don't always have time to do. Most importantly, I have found the candles extremely effective; non-magical friends who have been given the Motor City Hoodoo candles as gifts also report success with them. In the end it's results that matter to your Mama Fortuna!
Hoodoo is a fascinating topic that can really only be touched upon in a blog post. For those interested in learning more, I would suggest the following titles:
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic - by cat yronwode. This is quite possibly the definitive guide for anyone interested in pursuing rootwork, and an invaluable resource.
Hoodoo - Conjuration - Witchcraft - Rootwork - Harry Middleton Hyatt. This is unfortunately out of print, but if you can find a copy hang onto it!
Voodoo and Hoodoo: The Craft as Revealed by Traditional Practioners – by Jim Haskins. This one can be found on Amazon used fairly cheaply, but it costs a fair bit to buy new. Your webmistress is trying to secure used copies for the store.
The Magical Power of the Saints: Evocation and Candle Rituals and Charms, Spells and Formulas – by Rev. Ray T. Malbrough. These books are easy to read and manage to cover a fair range of topics, albeit concisely. Saints focuses on the use of Catholic imagery, and so may be well suited to those with a Christian background. (This might be more properly classified as a Santeria-derived system rather than strict hoodoo, with a fair dash of Western Ceremonial influence if the involved planetary hour charts are any indication.) Spells and Formulas focuses more on oils, washes, and gris-gris bags.
Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo and Conjuring with Herbs – by Stephanie Rose Bird. This is the only book on the list your humble webmistress hasn't personally read; it appears to be an introductory guide geared more to those of a Wiccan persuasion.
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