New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
The first book printed in English, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, appeared on this date in 1476. It was printed and sold by William Caxton, a merchant who brought the first printing press to England. Books printed on real paper seem to be disappearing today. Devices seem handier. Nevertheless, if our civilization is to survive, we need real books and libraries. Cast your circle and state your intention to protect books and libraries. Appeal to the goddesses and gods of wisdom: O Great and Wise ...
In one of the subplots of The Merchant of Venice, Jessica (Shylock's daughter) elopes with Lorenzo. It's true love. In act 5, they are sitting together and gazing up at the sky. Lorenzo's speech is one of Shakespeare's most evocative:How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!Here will we sit and let the sounds of musicCreep in our ears: soft stillness and the nightBecome the touches of sweet harmony.Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heavenIs thick inlaid with patines of bright gold: ...
Where are you? Oh, there you are. Under the bed. A drab, insignificant human being, depressed, stupid, and afraid. Your life is yucky. Say the Sacred Magic Word (the title of this spell). Again. One more time. There you are! You're out! You're a magnificent technicolor superhero or superhera. As wise as Apollo or Athena. As powerful as Thor or Brunhilda. As compassionate as Osiris or Isis. You're ready to do good in the world. You can do more than battle against hostile aliens from outer ...
Back when I was creating and leading rituals all over Southern California, I soon discovered it was best to take my sacred tools with me instead of borrowing or making do. I made myself a Porta-Witch, which is what I called the picnic basket with my altar supplies in it. You can make one, too. First, buy a lidded picnic basket. Clean it carefully and bless it as you bless your tools. Now start filling your basket: A compass (You need to know where the directions are.) Your symbols of the ...
