New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
In 1872, Victorian poet Christina Rossetti felt inspired to write "A Christmas Carol," a long poem that describes the world's terrible winter before the birth of Jesus. Read the first verse aloud to get the feeling:In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,In the bleak midwinter, long ago. But while our winter may be cold, it is not bleak! We know the planet is naturally spinning into its season of ...
This is the perfect time to honor the Eleusinian Mysteries, which were celebrated at this time of year in ancient Greece. These initiatory rites were dedicated to the goddesses Demeter and Persephone. If you feel the call of self-initiation, here is a simple spell that can help you on your path. You will need a piece of paper, a pen, an envelope, and six pomegranate seeds (or juice if you cannot get the fruit). Ground yourself by closing your eyes and taking several deep breaths. Focus on your ...
Need to get rid of something in a hurry? This spell will do just that, and all it requires is a pin and a bar of chocolate. Start by using a pin to write what you want to get rid of on the chocolate bar. This could be a bad habit or a friendship that has reached its end. You don't have to be super detailed, but write enough to make your intention clear. When you are done writing, take your chocolate and set it outside in the sun away from your home if possible. Set the bar in a place where it ...
May 31 is Web Designer Day, and as someone who has designed websites, I know it's a lot of hard work that few people understand or appreciate. At the same time, I can't help but muse about who the original web designers were—spiders and the deities associated with them, like Grandmother Spider and Arachne. While some may think Hermes is a good patron deity for the internet, both of these ladies bring some powerful magic to the table. In Navajo mythology, Spider Woman guides and protects ...
