I would like to tell you about my books. Awakening the Dragon is currently available in paperback. Dragon Domain is a paperback and a Kindle. Nict for Ure Selves (Not for Ourselves) and Out of the Shadows and Into the Light are Kindles.
Out of the Shadows and Into the Lighthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif A Book of Shadows for the modern day world, Out of the Shadows and Into the Light reveals the truth and gives accurate information about Pagans and Wiccans. In addition, there are original ritual and spells that are beneficial to the beginner to the experienced practitioner, including: prosperity, love, protection, healing and many others. http://www.youtubhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife.com/watch?v=jUGUR4VWO-M
Awakening the Dragon Awakening the Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (978-0-9798406-0-9) is a story of magic, suspense and karmic justice combine in a tale of horror. Rachael moves to Coyote Springs to find a home and open her bookstore. Instead, she becomes the catalyst in exposing a murder and the target of a violent cult. She is forced to awaken her dragon spirit prematurely to save herself and all she loves. Will she be able to control the power of the dragon as it rises giving her the power to save all she loves or will the flames from within destroy her? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fy7KEOE3AQ
Dragon Domain Filled with magic, suspense and romance, Dragon Domain exphttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giflores the dark side of the soul as the residents of Coyotehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Springs are forced to face their dark passions and deepest fears. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvK7RjM9QRQ
Nict For Ure Selfe (Not For Ourselves) Alyssa attends a local Pagan festival, only become the target of the local deputy's bigotry and hatred. Unable to understand way she was singled out, she performs a ritual asking Bridget for her help. Instead of gaining wisdom, her spirit is transported back to a time before the Celtic Goddesses and Gods gave way to the Christos and when clan traditions could mean life or death. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jk8S7AVw5E
Earth Day Festival Saturday, April 17, 2010 10 am - 6 pm Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve near Barneveld, Wisconsin
Celebrate Nature and the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day with environmental workshops & activities, including tree-planting, raptor birds encounters, Earth Day ritual, restorative prairie burn, Nature walks, and more.
Presenters include: * Vickie Jordan, raptor educator from Dodgeville, Wisconsin * Karl Schroeder, horticulturalist teaching about Tamaracks & guiding tree planting at the new Tamarack grove at Brigid's Spring * Florence Edwards-Miller, environmentalist talking on Bluebird preservation * Reed Cockrell, naturalist & prairie restoration coordinator, Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve * Selena Fox, founder & executive director of Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve and director of Circle Sanctuary's green cemetery, Circle Cemetery.
Free & open to the public.
Although pre-registration is not required, it is appreciated -- RSVPing will help us with planning. Email: events@circlesanctuary.org or call (608) 924-2216
A Book of Shadows for the modern day world, Out of the Shadows and Into the Light reveals the truth and gives accurate information about Pagans and Wiccans. In addition, there are original ritual and spells that are beneficial to the beginner to the experienced practitioner, including: prosperity, love, protection, healing and many others. It is available as an Amazon Kindle; however, the full color and graphic version is only available through by emailing the author at Tirgana@yahoo.com The cost is 7.00 through paypal.
Follow your heart, awaken the dragon., November 3, 2008 By Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews Reviewed by Danelle Drake for Reader Views (10/08)
Rachel lives her life by what leads her. She landed in Coyote Springs by asking the Goddess where she wanted her to go, then threw the dart. It is there in Coyote Springs where she will open her "New Spirituality" store, Dragon's Den. Being drawn to a small cottage on the outskirts of town she crosses paths with Kevin Mitchellson. Kevin is the owner of the home in which his grandmother was killed.
Being like many small towns, Coyote Springs is a place where everyone knows of, or about, everyone there. In this town there is great turmoil between the House of Christ church and those who choose to follow otherwise. "Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy" focuses on this turmoil and resolution prior to the opening of Dragon's Den....I eagerly await "Book Two" to continue the story.
"Awakening the Dragon" is quite intriguing and will have you also waiting to see what happens next. With few editing errors that do not distract, this story is raw energy. "Theresa Chaze and her writing are based on her philosophy that all people live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs." This is such a profound philosophy that would greatly benefit many. I often ask myself, "How does one know if what they personally believe is correct?" Life would be much less negative if everyone just accepted what the other believe to be correct for them and our own belief is correct for us, there is no wrong. In "Awakening the Dragon: Book One" you find yourself compelled to root for the characters and look at your own actions toward others.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining..., October 11, 2008 By Debra Gaynor "Debra Gaynor" (Hawesville, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy Theresa Chaze Valkyrie Publishing, 2008 Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 10/08 4 Star Very entertaining... Rachel felt as though the cottage was calling to her. It was lonely. The church people wanted to burn it down, because a witch once lived in it. They now target Rachel for her beliefs and practices. When she attempts to open a new book story she becomes the mark of bigotry. This is not the type of book I normally read. Once I began, I could not put it down. There is a strength and yet innocence in Rachel. From the beginning, I sensed she had a secret. I wanted to see romance between Kevin and Rachel. Kevin is a wounded character. While this book is a fantasy and very entertaining, it also has an agenda, to teach the dangers of bigotry, close mindedness, and lack of love for people that are different. Unfortunately, this book needs proofreading. There are a lot of grammatical mistakes. Awakening The Dragon would make an excellent movie. Fans of fantasy will enjoy Awakening The Dragon.
Good story needs some polishing, October 10, 2008 By bc in the year of the dragon "fiction lover" (California) - See all my reviews I thoroughly enjoyed the character development and the plot movement but found it very difficult to follow at times. The construction needs to be smoothed out and each instance of dialogue needs to be clearly attributable to a character. At times I had difficulty following the story as I couldn't discern who the speaker was. Overall I found this an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? YesNo
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5.0 out of 5 stars Magic, suspense and Karmic Justice Combine in a tale of Horror, October 10, 2007 By Theresa Chaze "Please visit my site at www.th... (Michigan) - See all my reviews
By Wixa (Acworth, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
When I started reading this book I didn't realized how quickly I would be caught up in the lives of the characters. I found myself feeling how the characters felt. Their anger and their joys. I laughed at how perfectly Theresa Chaze described the cats personalities. It is so obvious that she has furry children. I finished the book in two days and was disappointed when I realized I had reached the end of the book! I want more. Thank you for writing this book.
By Catherine J. St Amour "Kate St.Amour" (United States) - See all my reviews
Magic, Mystery, and Murder. The three M's! Ms. Chaze shows colorful, visual language that will even keep the romance novel buff obsessed in finishing this novel in one read! The pacing is excellent the main character strong and likeable, and the hint of romance to come in the final installments of the trilogy. I must say I'm already addicted to Ms. Chaze's writing style! A guaranteed page turner! Bring on the rest of the trilogy!
By Cate Cavanagh (USA) - See all my reviews
Ms. Chaze sustains what is now a proven trademark of excellency in plot and story development. This taut final book will continue to hold readers within the grasp of danger as the finely realized characters fight to sustain themselves against the evil that would destroy them. A must read book by breakout author Theresa Chaze who continues to weave suspenseful storylines while developing authentic characters. No fluff here! As an author in the genre I attest to the truth in Ms. Chaze's writing as she writes of Witches, evil and spells! If you want truth in fiction, Ms. Chaze is a must read! Fans of the genre will not be disappointed and will experience hours of being drawn into the reality of Witchcraft as never before depicted.
Kudos, Ms. Chaze! Fine work!
Buy this book! I found myself smiling when I finished the last page of Awakening The Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy (formally Dragon's New Home), by Theresa Chaze. I've read a pretty good number of books in my life, but none have given me quite the mix of emotions that this books has. Let me explain. The Dragon Page reviews science fiction and fantasy from large publishing houses, small houses, and self-published authors. With few exceptions, a wide gulf separates the large houses' books from the others in terms of the quality of prose. Even when large publishers send me books I don't like, from a purely technical standpoint those books tend to be far better written than the small press stuff. Even the small press books that I like. Now, Dragon's New Home isn't a well-crafted book. But the book has something that most small press books don't even have a sliver of. Potential. Dragon's New Home feels like a diamond in the rough. I think that given a few hundred thousand more words, Ms. Chaze will become one damn fine author. She's just not quite there yet with this book. The Gist: Kevin Mitchellson's mother murdered his grandmother. His guilt for letting her get away with the crime is eating him alive, but he will not break his word to his father to protect her secret. So, one night, under the influence of potable spirits, he beckons spirits of another sort to take the problem out of his hands, and expose his mother in a way that cannot be denied. And damn if they didn't hear him. Rachael Franklin, a Wiccan Priestess, has just won the lottery, and has an inclination to set up a New Age bookstore called Dragon's Den (great name.) She calls on the Goddess to send her to a new home where she can make a difference. She throws a dart at a map and eventually finds herself on the front step of Kevin's grandmother's abandoned house with the local agent from Century 21. So, in one corner, wearing the red trunks, we have Rachael and her three cats: Merlin, Tara, and Ralph. In the other corner, wearing the blue, is Lady Katheryn, the murder, and the House of Christ, the local Christian cult that thinks that whole "live and let live" thing is for sissies. And the bell rings. The Good: Is it right to point out the good points of a novel by pointing out the mistakes the author could have made, but didn't? Forgive me if it's not kosher, but as I write this I can't stop making comparisons in my head between this book and other small press books I have reviewed. For instance, most first time, small press authors try to tell big stories, and tell them too small (all life on earth my be destroyed by a world wide phenomenon. Let's tell the story of one family driving across country.) Ms. Chaze's story, on the other hand, has a simple, relatable plot, and doesn't skimp on the ensemble needed to tell the story. Most genre books in general are plot based. This story is character driven, which I have firmly come to believe is the better route to take. Every plot-advancing decision Rachael Franklin makes comes from who she is as a person, not from what decision needs to be made to advance the plot in a certain direction. This gives the book a believability that many sci-fi and fantasy stories lack. And, finally, it doesn't hurt that the reader might be learning something new. Not being knowledgeable about Wicca myself, I enjoyed reading a book told from the perspective of a philosophy I'm not accustomed to. The Bad: The book suffers mostly from what most first time authors suffer from - amateur writing syndrome. The dialogue has no real spark. It's too on the nose. The story has no irony. In what could have been a very scary and engrossing story, there was only occasional suspense, and not very strong suspense at that. Not only that, but the author tends to write too much about things that are obviously important to her, but are not important to the story. At all. Not even a little. It is not hard to see that Ms. Chaze loves animals, but why do why have to plod through pages and pages of Rachael feeding the cats, sleeping with the cats, potty training the dog, etc? Dragon's New Home is the first book of a trilogy. I have the sneaky suspicion that once the series is done, it will be apparent that instead of three short novels, the book could have been one moderately-long novel, if the writing were more focused on the story and less sidetracked by animals, visions, astral projection trips that don't really go anywhere, and the like.
By "gemstonedeva" (the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
Theresa Chaze has written the first part of a magickal tale. I could hardly put the book down once I had picked it up and am looking forward to the sequel to this intriguing tale of magick
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Words the members of the House of Christ live by, and killed by.
Rachel Franklin knew from the first moment she laid eyes on it that the cottage was hers. She felt its pull, could sense the magic within its walls. She was home. However, the members of the House of Christ church had different ideas. The cottage was evil, the home of a witch, and all good Christians know that witches are evil beings, consorts of the Devil; their houses are evil and should be destroyed. But, the cottage's owner, Kevin Mitchellson would not allow that. He forbids any member of the church to set foot on the property left to him by his grandmother, Sarah, and the conflict rages, as Wicca and Christians team up, prepared to do battle with the bigotry and ignorance of the House of Christ fanatics. Therese Chaze draws her readers in from the first page and refuses to release them until the last word of this fantastic tale of witches, magic, love and betrayal. Set in the village of Coyote Springs, Dragon Domain is a book of lessons; lessons on love, forgiveness, and above all truth to oneself.
In the grand traditions of Anne McCaffrey and Marion Zimmer Bradley, Therese Chaze captures the imagination as well as the heart of her readers. Dragon Domain is an open door to a world of wonder, and from the first page to the last, you will be hard pressed to put it down.
Linda Rucker
Dragon "drama" for Coyote Springs, November 19, 2008 By Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews Reviewed by Danelle Drake for Reader Views (11/08)
"Awakening the Dragon: Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy" was a very intriguing book and had me eagerly anticipating "Dragon Domain: Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy." As I became familiar once again with the interesting characters in the series I was once again drawn into their lives and was gripped with anticipation in their trials.
Coyote Springs is a town torn. Reverend Marshall and the House of Christ church have helped to turn this quite little town upside down. The forces collide, leaving the town in turmoil and hatred for each other. As the story of Coyote Springs continues we learn more about life on the farm that Celeste, Cheyenne and Jane call home. Dominic (the same Dominic that gave you a not-so-good "vibe" in "Awakening the Dragon") becomes more and more controlling of Celeste and brings out the worst in her. He awakens the evil dragon within her and many dark events follow. They find that their hatred destroys, but not in the manner they thought.
Much darker than the first installment of the "Dragon Clan Trilogy," you will again find yourself engulfed in the writing of Theresa Chaze with "Dragon Domain: Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy." Being described as a woman that plays with dragons, especially the dragons of the mind, she takes this book beyond the realm and runs with it. I truly enjoyed this book just as much as the first book; please overlook the very few editing hiccups, and just enjoy a good gripping read. When you read the final paragraph, you will probably wonder as I, what will happen next? Will book Three follow Cheyenne, Rachel and the gang into lighter times or will Coyote Springs continue down the path of darkness? Like the author's bio reads in the closing of this book: "Her work is based on her philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs." Here's hoping Coyote Springs can resolve their issues of hate and live in peace.....or would that be a fairy-tale.
4.0 out of 5 stars Fans of the Dragon Clan Trilogy..., October 16, 2008 By Debra Gaynor "Debra Gaynor" (Hawesville, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy Theresa Chaze Valkyrie Publishing, 2008 ISBN: 9780979840616 Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 10/08 4 Stars Fans of the Dragon Clan Trilogy... The lead character in Dragon Domain is Cheyenne. Her past comes back to haunt her. Dominic speaks of love; he turns her against those that care for her. This is the second book in the Dragon Clan Trilogy. In the first book, Awakening the Dragon, the focus was on struggle between Reverend Marshall, his church, and Rachel. Rachel is a minor player this time. The struggle is between forces of evil and the Dragon. I enjoyed the first book, but found Dragon Domain lacking the same attraction. This book is much darker. Fans of horror will enjoy this book. The interrelationships between the characters make this book. The characters are strong and well developed.
Written by a Wiccan Priestess and Ordained Minister, Out of the Shadows and Into the Light is a modern day Book of Shadows. The rituals are not based on one tradition, but are written to be inclusive. In addition, it gives a brief explanation of what Wiccans and to some extent Paganism believes.
There are chapters on the basics:
Building an alter Holy water Sabbaths
The general topics include rituals of:
Protection Justice Love Prosperity Dragon Healing
Within these chapters, there are rituals to invoke the Harpies, break karmic ties, and healing issues with prosperity. There are also essays on praying for peace, raising your Kundalini, working with the elementals and being more aware of what you are manifesting.
Unlike many Book of Shadows, Out of the Shadow and Into the Light has information that will be valuable no matter how much experience the person has. It opens the door for you to walk through to find you best and highest self.
Traditionally, Samhain is the ending of the Pagan and Wiccan year. The final harvests have been brought in and the finally preparations for winter have been made. Animals are slaughtered and their meat preserved. It is the day when the veils between the realms are the thinnest. Whether dead loved ones or earth spirits, this time of year communication with them is the easiest. It is the time for honoring your ancestors and making amends with those who have crossed over. Many Wiccans and Pagans believe it is the most important day of the year as it is not only a time of honoring our ancestors, but is an accounting of our actions.
With the veils between realms thinned, the dead and earth spirits are able to walk freely among the living. Ritually spirits are invited to attend festivals in their honor. Banquets are prepared with the choices meats and vegetables being set aside for those who have crossed over. Frequently these meals are silent as each participant remembers their loved one and looks for signs of their presence. The food on the spirits’ plates remains uneaten. Instead, after the dinner the ritual continues as the food is offered up outside and left behind. Deities, earth spirits and elementals are also petitioned for protection and for boons. Calls are more easily heard and answered during this time.
Spiritually, what we have sent out comes back for good or ill. Just as the harvest has been collected, so does the karmic debt come due. The thinning curtain only makes the Deities of Justice more active and powerful. Whether it is said as "What goes around, comes around" or "So share ye sow, so shall ye reap", what we have created shall manifest as a blessing or a challenge.
Many of the Halloween traditions come from the fear of spirits. The masks were designed to disguise identities and to scare away evil spirits. Treat or treating represents the offerings left out to honor the ancestors and tithes to the deities. Christians created All Saints Day on November 1 as a way to counter act the popularity of the Samhain festival.
Karmic Balancing
You will need:
one white candle
Light the candle and say:
“In the shelter of this candle of white I call to my guardians to help me make things right. In this waking dream of mine may I find myself in another place and time. Back to the start where this challenge rose may my souls secrets unfold. Let the challenges of the past be revealed to me at last. I seek the reasons why my plans for the future continue to die. What debts do I owe or what harm I did sew? Whether partial or full payment to balance the scales I seek to pay without sad tales. I only ask that lessons come with light as I offer grace to those who didn’t do me right. If I need to pay full measure may the lessons be kept on a light and love tether. Asking only to make things right so I may follow the path of light. May the lessons be clear so that I may understand the tears. Walking through the healing fire let me find the strength not to tire. Grace and peace is what I seek so that I may find the kindest release. Thank you for you blessing and love as I continue to reach for the wisdom from above.”
Meditate on the candle for as long as you need to. The candle can be relit at times when the lessons become to challenging or frightening so you may reground and reconnect you to your guides.
Out of the Shadows and Into the Light contains more information about Wiccan and Paganism, as well as unique rituals and spells. It is an ebook which is available both at the www.theresachaze.com and through the Amazon Kindle Program.
In the media the image of a witch has been changed from the green, warted hag to that of a beautiful woman who has amazing powers. From The Charmed Ones to Buffy to Practical Magic, witches have become strong, beautiful women who use their gifts to help others. Although this is a positive movement, it is a great exaggeration of what the modern witch truly is. Whether a person identifies themselves as Wiccan, Witch or Pagan, their religion is based on traditions that reach back to a time when humans toiled the soil and hunted for food. Their survival depended on the kindness of the elements, the fertility of the soil, and the luck of the hunting. Through family traditions and experimentation, they learned how to use natural means to heal and to protect the family. It was this knowledge that made them targets of people who feared their “power”. Generally they are a positive, loving force in the universe, who only wish to live in peace and leave the earth a little better place. However there also remains the misconception of who or what they worship. Devils or Satan are a not part of their religion, nor are they an anti-force to other religions. Only by respecting all paths can we honor ourselves, each other and the Divine life force, no matter by what name it is called.
Most people today, do not grow their own food or hunt in the forest, instead they work jobs and forage in supermarkets. This doesn’t change the essential nature of their goals, which is to provide for their families and themselves. By working in harmony with the natural energy, which surrounds them, they can bring balance, peace and prosperity into their lives. This doesn’t mean their lives will be without challenges, but it does mean that with faith in themselves and the Divine they can weather the challenges to reach their best and highest goals. Through spells and rituals, they create what they need without harming anyone including themselves. By using the elements air, fire, water and earth they create barriers to protect their homes. They use things like sage, incense, holy water, and sea salt to purify and cleanse. They used illusion to hide both themselves and their homes when others wish them harm. The basic key is to take responsibility for their actions and for what they cause to happen. Whether you call it the Wiccan creed “Do what ye will, but harm none” or “what goes around or comes around“; they believe their actions have consequences. Therefore they do not wish harm on others, for they know the same harm will be done to them. Only exception is in self-defense and even then they are limited to equal force for equal protection. To go beyond is to open themselves to the justice and balancing of the universe.
When situations or needs are beyond their reach they ask for help. Some believe that there is only one Goddess or God, while others believe in a pantheon of deities who have specific talents and roles. Every culture has deities who they reach out to. Their names change but there is a great deal of similarity between cultures. Some believe that no matter what name they are called, there are only a single Goddess and God, which have different names for each aspects. There are many sun gods. Ra is Egyptian. Zeus is Greek. Freyr is Norse. Lugh is from the Celtic culture. Liza is known in West Africa. Whereas not all of the gods are connected to the sun, most goddesses have links to the moon. Selene, Athena, Isis, Oya, and Arianrhod are only a few examples of moon goddesses. Although they are all connected with the moon they also have their specific roles. To add to the diversity, there are those who call themselves Christian Witches. They follow the wisdom of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, yet they still work in harmony with the planetary energy. They do not see a conflict between the belief systems, but see one reinforcing the other.
Through generations of experimentation, they have learned how to heal with plants, healing touches and with other resources the planet provides. Through trial and error they learned which plants heal and which ones do harm. This knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation, each one adding a little more to the total information base. They also have discovered that some gemstones influence the over all physical and emotional health. By placing them in specific combinations on different parts of the body, they can strengthen the immune system and help release emotional or physical traumas. Many of those on the spiritual path have learned new alternative healing methods like Reiki and Shen. These are healing methods, which help the person direct the universal energy to not only cleanse but restore balance on the physical and spiritual levels. In addition, by taping into the planetary electrical system, which is typically called ley lines, they are able to increase their access to higher energy levels and older wisdom. It is where these lines cross that powerful wisdom and medicine can be found. Places like Stonehenge and Sedona are two of the more powerful and well known access points. At these cross roads, it is easier to reach to other dimensions or to reach out to other places on this planet.
Wiccans also respect other religions. We do not alter their rituals or prayers as an anti-religion. Although there are covens, who as part of their initiation require the Lord’s Prayer to be said backwards, it is not part of the Wiccan/Pagan faith. It just means that some groups have splintered away from the Christian path as a protest to the domination. The Pagan religion especially existed long before Jesus Christ walked the earth. They do not worship the devil. There are no devils in their religion; it is totally a Christian concept. This does not mean that they do not acknowledge there are negative forces in the universe. There are. Their job is to challenge and to help with spiritual growth. Without them, a person could not learn from previous mistakes. If a person has a history of stealing watermelons, but was placed in a situation where they did not have access to watermelons, how could they learn not to steal watermelons? Being challenged by past mistakes is how a person spiritually grows and becomes stronger. Free will is the highest law in the universe. No deity in any religion may interfere with the individual’s free choice. Evil things happen in this world because someone chose to make them happen. This is the basis of one of the major conflicts between Christians and Earth based religions. Many Christians try to force their beliefs and doctrines on none believers. By doing so, they upsurpe the “non believers‘” free will, thereby their actions are in direct conflict with the Free Will law. Their God will not break it, yet they feel it is their right and duty to force their beliefs on others which puts them in direct volition of the first commandment.
It is possible for all religions to live together peaceful as long as differences are respected and the similarities are rejoiced. No matter which language is used, all religions believe that it is wrong to lie, cheat, steal and deliberately harm others. No exceptions. If others do not follow your spiritual path, bless them then live your life in peace and love, and move on. Do not try to covert or harass them. It is not your job or your right to force anyone to follow your beliefs. Christians who threaten or do violence against another is in direct violation of the third, sixth, eight and ninth commandments. By doing violence against others you misuse the Lord’s vision of peace and love. Jesus found a comfy spot and allowed people to come to him; he did not break into their homes, threaten to take their children and get them fired from their jobs. He spoke and his wisdom attracted people. Wiccan and Pagans do not try to convert. They do not stand on street corners nor do they come knocking on front doors. They simply live their lives, work their jobs, raise their children, and do their best to be good people. If more people followed this example and their own doctrine there would be less conflict
Mabon--The Second Harvest Festival By Theresa Chaze
Mabon or Autumn Equinox is one of the eight solar holidays and is celebrated on approximately September 21. Also called Harvest Home, Feast of Ingathering, and Harvest Gift, it is not an official ancient festival in name or date. Mabon is one of the newer holidays and is considered the second harvest festival, which celebrates the bringing of the fruits, nuts and berries that would grow wild. Although the spirit of the holiday is agricultural related, spiritually it is also the harvesting of the sweeter rewards and receiving of unearned blessings. As the Divine has provide the wild harvest, so does she/he/it bestow miracles on those whose words and deeds have been blessings in others lives. It is a time when unexpected gifts are given to the loved ones in your life and the receiving of unpetitioned blessings from the Divine.
With the day and night having equal power, so are the feminine and masculine energies evenly balanced. Both female and male deities are honored equally. Although the Sabbath is named for Mabon, the Welsh God who symbolized the male fertilizing principle, Persephone is also honored as she makes her return visit to the underworld, signally the upcoming close to the yearly harvest. On this day, rituals of thanksgiving for blessings already received and prayers for protection during the up coming winter months are performed. As the cycle of the year continues so hours of daylight shrink as will the influence of the masculine energy until Yule or Winter Solstice when the Sun God is again reborn.
Affirmations are more than just new age mumbo jumbo. They are declarations or assertions of truth that a person wishes to create. They can be either positive or negative depending on how a person focuses their attention. Affirmations are the repetitive focusing of the mind, will and spiritual energy on a specific outcome.
However, not all affirmations are formal or conscious. Sometimes the most powerful are the ones that are created when a person is daydreaming. Repetition is what energized the statements and clarifies the desire in the person’s mind. Whatever a person repeatedly thinks, feels or fantasizes about becomes a personal affirmation.
Frequently used for healing or manifestation, affirmations focus the person's energy on the results they would like to achieve. The simpler and more direct the statement is, the more effective it will be. A popular one for prosperity is "Money comes to me quickly, easily and frequently." It is short, sweet and to the point. By focusing on what you want instead of what you are trying to eliminate, you open the door for financial prosperity to enter your life. Many people put their energy in the form of worry into their bills; they don’t realize they are asking for more of the same. The universe is more than willing to provide anything we ask for, we just have to know how to ask. In the case of illness, instead of asking for the disease to disappear, you should put your energy into being healthy and strong. As an example: “In every way and every day, I become healthier and stronger.”
However, negative thoughts and feelings can just as easily diminish the positive outcome if the person chooses to put energy into their fears and doubts. By focusing on a negative outcome, you can delay or even prevent yourself from receiving the blessing you are asking for. It takes practice and control to be able to release past negative behaviors and open the doors to the miracles life has to offer.
There are times when everyone encounters negative or unproductive situations that leave traces on our auras. It can lead to illness or depression. By cleansing you aura, you release or banish negative energy and others’ energy sucking attachments. This ritual can be done as often as necessary.
What you will need:
Half a cup of sea salt Half a cup of baking soda A bath tub Your favorite relaxing music Your favorite incense A white candle A black candle Time alone
At a time when you won’t be interrupted for about thirty minutes, cast your circle of protection around the bathroom; you can darken the room if you feel comfortable doing so. Use water as hot as you can tolerate and fill the tub, adding the sea salt and baking soda. Turn on your favorite music and light the incense. Keeping the candles handy in a safe place, step into the tub. Light the black candle, saying:
“I freely release all negativity on all levels to the Spirit of the Earth to be transmuted into a positive influence that will help myself and others grow in knowledge and wisdom.”
Visualize the light of the flame surrounding you, turning the negativity around you to ciders and nullifying its effectiveness. Submerge, allowing the water to cover you. With today’s smaller tubs, you may have to do this in stages. Light the white candle and visualize it transmuting the water to brilliant white light, saying:
“I ask that on all levels my life be filled with light, love, and wisdom so that negativity will be unable to touch me in a lasting way. May I find the patience to see the beauty in others in spite of how they present themselves. Grant me the wisdom to forgive myself and others for challenges that were not met successfully, knowing that they well again be presented. I ask that my life be filled with all that is for my best and highest good.”
Submerge again, after which relax in the tub, allowing the heat and the mood to relax you. Stay in the water until it starts to cool, approximately twenty to thirty minutes. During this time, visualize the remaining ash being washed away and being transmuted into particles of white light. When the water starts to cool, , step out of the tub and say a prayer of gratitude for the healing. Visualize the water going down the drain as white light restoring the earth and replenishing all who it touches. Release your circle.
No matter how careful you may be, there will be times when you simply cannot avoid negative situations or people. By keeping a regular cleansing routine, you will be able to limit the chaos others are able to create in your life. However, it's not always strangers who do the send us the most negativity. Frequently, it is the people we love who are the source of the energy sucking attachments. If you are experiencing a reoccurring energy drain, if might be beneficial to seek a psychic councilor who is experienced with not only sensing energy attachments, but who is capable of helping your resolve the situation in a loving way.
Most Pagan holidays and festivals celebrate the turning of the moon or the harvest cycle. Lughnasadh is the second harvest festival and is celebrated on August 2. Also called Lammas, Lughnasadh is a time the community comes together to celebrate the beginning of the harvest and to share blessings. It is a favored time for handfastings and community gatherings or family reunions. Fairs, with all the carnival amusement rides, 4-H displays, and the selling of homemade goods, are modern day versions of the old Celtic tradition. Old conflicts including wars were temporarily suspended as the community’s attention turned to providing for the family during the winter months. To this day, Wicker Men and Corn Kings are built and sacrificed to appease the Gods and Goddesses of the harvest in order to insure a bountiful fields, good hunting, and a mild winter. It is a day of relaxation and fun before starting the hard work of the rest of the month. On a practical level, the early crops are harvested and preserved for the coming winter. The month of August, fields are checked daily for ripen vegetables that need to be picked at their peak freshness. If harvested too early or too late, the vegetables could not be preserved properly. Whether dried, canned or in modern day, frozen, it is important to process the crop quickly and properly to insure it maintains its nutritional value through out the winter. Spiritually this is the time of what we have set into motion to come home for good or evil. Just as with the planting in the fields, what we have sown earlier in the year, so shall we harvest. Although karma is effective year round, the harvest time is when the justice we have created for ourselves more actively manifests. It is a time of healing old wounds and releasing old worn out life patterns. In offering up them up to the Divine, we open ourselves to new beginnings and healthier ways of living. Again, the Christian church has established a holiday of its own in attempt to lure the Pagans away from the old ways by converting to Christianity. In following of the Pagan tradition, August 2 is the day the fields are ritually blessed. It is also sacred to Saint Catherine.
