New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
On this date in La Paz, Bolivia, begins the monthlong celebration of Alasitas. The main figure honored during this event is Ekeko, a god of abundance. Ekeko is depicted as a man carrying money and household items related to abundance. If presented with wheat, he provides a good harvest. If he is presented with money, the household will prosper. Miniature items are sold at the festival. These items are exchanged as gifts to bring specific types of abundance. It is believed that if you are ...
We’ve always needed music. The music of Orpheus charmed all living things and even stones. When guilds were formed in the Middle Ages, St. Cecilia (who had magically caused an organ to burst into song) was adopted by musicians as their patron saint. Bring harmony and joy—music— into your life more often. What music do you love? Find your favorite song on YouTube. Sing along! Can you attend a concert tonight? Sing and dance all day long today. Cast your circle with song and ...
As light wanes and darkness grows, invoke the Dark Madonna to guide your journey. Every culture has a personification of the dark mother, representing the seasonal descent into darkness and the symbolic journey into our psyche and shadow material. Call on Nyx, the Greek goddess of the night, or Hecate, goddess of the crossroads, witchcraft, and the moon. Invoke either Persephone or her mother, Demeter, to join you as you journey down, examining loss, abandonment, separation, and pain. O Dark ...
Centuries ago, August afternoons were filled with the soft swooshing sound of the scythe blade as farmers swung it to harvest fields of grain. This spell is inspired by that long-lost tradition. It will help you cut out what you don't need in your life and keep what you do need. You'll need some 3-by-5-inch index cards, a pen, and a pair of scissors. Begin by writing down on the cards anything you might want to be rid of—one thought on each card. It could be a habit, a relationship, or ...
