New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
Traditions of folk magic and healing in the Ozark Mountain region are often deceptively simple. Outsiders have often commented upon the "simplistic" or "primitive" nature of Ozark hillfolk, leading to many unwarranted stereotypes over the past two centuries. Nothing could be farther from the truth, however. Outwardly, yes, many of our traditions are hidden behind simple rituals, some of which don't even involve any vocal or somatic components at all. And then there is of course the hillfolk love of repurposing household objects for magic and healing. This tradition was once derived from a sense of necessity, but I personally connect it to the inborn cunning of Ozark healers and magical ...
We are at a place within our recent history that we are having deeper conversations. As we look around on social media, listen to podcasts, and watch various YouTube channels, we may notice deeper content around sensitive topics than we ever have before, including the #MeToo movement, Black Lives Matter, feminism topics, and LGBTQ+ communities. Personally, I am being asked questions about my preferences and lived experience as a member of the First Nation here in North America. These are several examples of these deeper dialogues. We are in exciting times, a time to promote cross-cultural communication and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. With these larger, deeper ...
It is not an easy existence, this human experience. It is not all rainbows and unicorns, or endless delights. Life itself can be and usually is pretty challenging. So, how can we stay positive in a negative world? I've written a book on this very subject, called Positive Pagan: How to Stay Upbeat in an Offbeat World. It's one of my favorite things to talk about, and a never-ending quest for me, to find more ways to get back to a positive frame of mind. As a fellow human, I know that life can be very overwhelming, so I share some very concrete ways in my book about returning to the flow of positivity from a Pagan perspective. No matter what spiritual traditions you follow, the rituals, ...
Archangels are God's most important messengers. Archangel Gabriel, for instance, was sent to tell the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. The word "archangel" means "chief-angel," as the prefix arch means "chief," "principal," or "most important." In the Bible, Michael is the only angel identified as an archangel (Jude 9). He is also called, "one of the chief princes" (Daniel 10:13), denoting his importance. Archangels are important angels who are actively involved in ensuring the wellbeing of every form of life on earth. Each archangel has a specific role to play in this. Archangels protect, guide, and assist humanity in many different ways. Because they're so close ...
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