I'm working on a lot of things right now....

Some of which is related.

I'm in the process of creating a Wicca 1010 Recommended Reading List on squidoo, and slowly adding sections by author. The list when complete will probably be a small library full of books, and will have links and information about the authors mentioned. If you come across this, have a look, and met me know if anything I should add immediately pops to mind.

http://www.squidoo.com/wicca-101-recomended-reading-list

The page is hosted on Squidoo, another interesting web publishing format. I'm creating a number of other pages there, too, and there is the possibility that over time it might generate a little money. I'm trying to get to a point where I'm making a living with my writing, however that page and the following one are part of another ongoing project. I've spoken about my friend and elder Jerik Daenarson in this blog before, and am working with some friends on some writing projects in his honor. We're actively trying to raise some money to take care of some things for him, and preserve and share his writing. Granted, I don't expect the page views on it will generate a lot in terms of funds for our project, I think it's a good idea because it may raise awareness about it in the Pagan community at large. Please check this page out for more information:

http://www.squidoo.com/jerik-daenarson-pagan-elder-from-new-orleans

Diary of an Ordinary Witch: My Art Work

 

 ( above: Treasure Box by Helen Pattskyn, available on Cafe Press)

     I had the pleasure of sitting in the kitchen of this lovely Pagan author, Helen Pattskyn, as she was working on some of the original art in this series and for a unique mystical tarot deck. Check out her vibrant use of colors, which I think add a lot of passion and emotional current to expressing these archtypical scenes of mythology and fantasy. Have a look at Helen Barbara Pattskyn's Blog here:

Diary of an Ordinary Witch: My Art Work

Also be sure to check out her cafe press merchandise- the keepsake boxes with her artwork would make a lovely place to keep Tarot cards or ritual supplies, and the coffee mugs would make delightful gifts. I can't wait for mine to come!

Helen's Cafe Press Treasure Boxes, Mugs, Bags and more... :D

Deepest Thanks to Lady Lark and Lord Peter

With some friends, I am trying to put some of my Elder Jerik's Pagan teachings and history into a sharable format. I was recently sent an interview he did with an old student of his, around the time we first became friends. Some of this will be shared in the near future, but it is a very long interview with some sensitive information included, and I want to make sure I have proper permissions from the kind folks who have shared it.

It's like having a final class with a mentor you loved deeply, and I have no words of gratitude which could possibly express how happy I am that this interview exists and has been passed on.

With their permission, some of this will be shared here and on Jerik's memorial site shortly. It is my intention to be respectful of the great kindness they have shown by forwarding this to friends who were asked to be the caretakers of his writing.

Thank You to those who are helping to make this possible, with all my heart.

Nicolette/ Sylviana/ Lady Jasmine

Interesting Conversation....Food for Thought

I stumbled across an interesting conversation in a blog on Paganism and Wicca that you can find on about.com. A person wrote in, because they may have to testify in court against a friend who they know committed a burglary. They were concerned that their testimony could harm their friend.

Clearly, the person in question who committed the crime initiated the cycle of harm with their actions- and the other responses basically said 'roast the bastard!'.

I decided to respond with a different approach, which I bet will be unpopular. This person seeking advice is concerned about their friend, and a conflict of loyalty and citizenship. My response considers several different approaches to this situation and the reasoning behind them, and leaves it to the questioner to decide what their best course of action is.

If you're curious about my thoughts, which may involve a little playing the Devil's advocate, follow the link below. I guess I just didn't think it was so black and white. I hope I never have to make the same kind of decision, but I don't know that I would stand against someone I felt Love and Loyalty towards, particularly if I felt motivated to get them help. I'd be conflicted, too.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/b/2010/06/21/the-wiccan-rede-and-court-testimony.htm#commentform

What would you do?

The History of Summer Solistice

I posted a short relevant article on the History of Summer Solistice here, and thought it might be interesting to share further :

http://www.olo3.com/Forums/DisplayComments.php?file=Holiday/The_History_of_Summer_Solistice

"Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius - book review

When I think of meditation books, I don't think of books about how to meditate, but of books that make me meditate upon the thoughts therin. There are many styles of meditation, and I think that when it comes down to it it becomes a very personal experience. I encourage people to study different styles and approaches to find that which seems most valid and useful for them on a personal level. One book I have always enjoied is called "Meditations", and was written by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius a very long time ago. It has survived into modern literature as an excellent example of the rich spiritual philosophies shared through early writing.

The book as available now contains twelve smaller books or chapters, each which show how Marcus wrote personal essays to help him delve into his own thoughts. The excercize itself shows how journaling and writing may be useful to the spiritual and philosophical development of a person. It seems that he wrote the essays with the focus of his own growth and personal guidance, although he may have also looked to a future where his ideas would be shared. I often use the work to inspire myself, and have found the stoic thoughts to be a source of calm and careful thought on how to live an ethical and balanced life.

When I use this book, I most frequently turn to a random page and see what thoughts it has for me today. Whatever I turn to seems to give me insight. This is a kind of divinitory meditation known as biblomancy. The technique is named for the bible, although it can be done with any book one finds inspiring. I do this in a very informal way, simply by relaxing and thinking briefly about my issues and questions, and opening to a random page. I read what is there and them spend a long time sitting quietly and thinking about the subject and how it applies to my own life.

In general, Aurelus is known as the father of stoic philosophy, and his ideas encourage one to not allow negative emotions to have too much sway in life.He felt that dwelling in too much emotion was a common negative indulgence among people, which can lead to additional grief and problems. He felt that harm was often caused more by a person's reaction to events than the events themselves, and counciled balanced and ethical living. I would definately reccomend it to others as a source of inspiration on using clear and rational thinking as a form of meditation and a basis for living.


( This essay was orginally posted by me on http://www.learning-modern-meditation.com/index.html )