Pandora's Pagan Page

Bayou Baby: Crystal Necklaces, Bracelets and Ring for Sale! Magical items.

pandorascouch — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:22:13 -0400

Bayou Baby: Crystal Necklaces, Bracelets and Ring for Sale! Magical items.:

Check her out! She’s my best friend in the whole world. I’ve gotten some stones from her before…. seriously powerful energy!

bayoubebe:

I have two amethyst chip necklaces (One fine, one rough) a Jasper Chip necklace, a Celtic balance pendant on black adjustable cord, a jet piece on black adjustable cord, a tumbled watermelon tourmaline on black adjustable cord, an amethyst and beaded heart necklace, a black hematite bead…

Happy "New Year" :)

pandorascouch — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:48:46 -0400

Merry belated Samhain, my lovelies! My I have been away for a long time. How have you been? Sadly my Halloween was fairly uneventful on the spiritual side of things. How did you spend your holiday?

Here’s some photos of my hide-away altar after I...

pandorascouch — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:09:53 -0400

Here’s some photos of my hide-away altar after I consecrated and dedicated it last night. Most everything here has dual symbolism for me… The pentacle on the wall is an old dream catcher that I wrapped some colored cord through— white for the Spirit and the Mother, red for fire, gold for air and swifting, blue for water and angelic protection, green for earth, then I bound each of the points together with black for protection and balance. There are still feathers for air, and I attached a small bell (also for air) and for bright energies (i.e., happy faeries). The votive candle is simultaneously a representation of fire, an illuminator, and an offering/prayer candle. The seashell is water and goodwill (it was a gift from a dear friend). My three favorite stones represent Earth. The white pillar candle is for the Lord and Lady, and the smaller purple pillar is for my Guardians and spirit animals. The wizard statue a symbol of power and will, and also a place for my primary guardian to rest close to me while I sleep. My stang was made with protection and action in mind (so it is sort of a weapon), so it is there for protection, power, easy access, and a nice place to store it because it’s too big to go anywhere else. The scarf is mostly for decoration, but purple is my favorite color.

In the first photo you see my oil burner (wizard and dragon). It doesn’t stay on my altar. I actually had it up there for convenience while I was dedicating it. Normally that space on top is still my functional nightstand that I now keep very clean and neat so that I don’t trap negative energies.

My Quiet, Bold Move

pandorascouch — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 22:00:15 -0400

Good evening, my lovelies!

Before I can tell you about the quiet, yet bold move that I made yesterday evening, let me fill in those of you who don’t know my particular circumstances. The short story: I’m pagan; my husband and his family are Southern Baptist. They respect me, but I try to keep quiet about my faith out of respect for them.

That being the case, I created a hide-away altar yesterday, at the suggestion of my very best friend and sister-from-another-mister. I’ll post pictures of it later, but I turned a fairly useless bottom shelf on my nightstand into my altar (bold). It’s between the my side of the bed and a wall (and our bed is very tall), so it’s tucked away mostly out of sight, with a nice little hidey-hole that’s big enough for me to pray and do some minor workings (quiet).

I love it, and will be consecrating and dedicating it tonight, which I can also post pictures of.

Just wanted to share my tiny little, personal triumph! :)

Blessed be, my dears!

Merry Meet! May I inquire how you found your path, sister? I think you are a fantastic witch and I can’t wait to see more of your posts!

pandorascouch — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 21:53:48 -0400

Why thank you and hello! I wish I had some inspirational, stunning story that involves spirit guides and visions, but alas, I found my path through years of meditation, thought, and prayer. I learned fairly early on to trust my instincts, and that’s how I practice today: intuition. I write my spells and rituals so that I can recreate them later and to organize my thoughts and focus, but I worry far less about what someone else has told me “the one right way” to go about things and more about what feels right, appropriate, and true for me (and my faithful Guardian) at the moment.

I have always been upfront about my faith online and in every aspect of IRL.

pandorascouch — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 02:08:26 -0400

Good for you! Thanks for sharing, and that you for joining us! :)

Magickal Tools – The Broom

pandorascouch — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:10:09 -0400

I have three new colleagues moving in to share my office at the University next week. While the room is much too large for one person (I’m simultaneously claustrophobic and weirded out by the hugeness of the space), four is going to be a bit of an adjustment. Because it was so neglected before I moved in there last summer and this is the first time I’ve really moved the heavy pieces of furniture, my focus has been on cleaning, which led me to this topic: the broom.

For witches, the broom isn’t just another means of keeping our homes spotless (I deal with stress by cleaning – it’s quite sickening how much of a neat freak I have become!) it’s a tool. Harry Potter and Halloween witches aside, the broom is a tool for getting rid of the physical dust and dirt and debris that turns our socks gray and makes us sneeze; it’s a tool for cleansing away the negative energy that gets stuck in dirty spaces.

Try this: next time you clean the house or your room, think of your broom (or mop or vacuum) like you might think of your wand or athame. As you sweep away the dust, visualize that you are also sweeping away negativity, sadness, gloom, fear, and all those sneaky little buggers that like to creep up and spoil a perfectly good mood. Make sure you have plenty of light when you clean, especially natural light if you can. I clean thoroughly every Saturday morning, and it looks like Candlemas: every single light is on and all the blinds are open, and I burn a candle behind myself in each room.

Try blessing your broom (or mop or vacuum) with a few sprinkles of ritual water or squeezes from a fresh lemon, a dash of salt (sea salt, if you prefer that natural power), and some basil (ground, fresh, or burn if you have some rolled in a smudge stick). Like cleansing any object, envision your broom being surrounded by a bright white, cleaning light. Great for brand new brooms or old ones that you have cleaned well.

P.S. When you move, don’t take your broom with you. Throw it away and buy a new one for your new home. New home = fresh start. Don’t take your dust with you. J

Does it not anger your gods that none of them are special enough to be your one and only? A sort of polygamy of worship, if you would, wouldn’t please mine so I always wonder. Does devotion not factor into the power of magic you are given?

pandorascouch — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:55:36 -0400

You asked me this so long ago. I’m very sorry it’s taken me such a long time to answer your question; I’ve been terribly busy.

I can’t speak for all pagans, naturally, because there are virtually as many roads to travel as their are pagans to walk them. I can tell you that quite the opposite tends to be the case for me. My power comes from the divine nature within my own soul and my ability to access it, but directly from a member of the any of the pantheons with which I might commune. My faith is not tightly bound in tradition or ancient texts, so for me the various names I may call upon or invoke are not separate deities, but different personalities of the same “one.” It’s a beautiful thing when you feel the presence of Nike and Athena together in your circle, for instance.

The only time that I have been unsuccessful in this is when I call on archangels. I tried once, without thinking, and my spells fizzled out before I could even cast it. To be frank, Michael does not like sharing the spotlight (totally my fault, but we’ve made amends)

Does that answer your question?

I Am Still Here!

pandorascouch — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:04:49 -0400

Good evening, my lovelies!

I have been out of town, working, catching up, doing a million things with only two hands and I have MISSED you all so much!

I’m in the process of brainstorming more topics for the future because I do not want to disappear. Let’s kick start my cognitive drizzle with a question, shall we?

I just refer to myself as a solitary, eclectic Pagan. Do y’all identify with a particular path or label, pagan/wiccan or otherwise? If so, what do you “call” yourself?

Photo

pandorascouch — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 23:20:22 -0400

phatazzshrinking: Remember! When things are hard and you’re...

pandorascouch — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 22:22:25 -0400

phatazzshrinking:

Remember! When things are hard and you’re feeling like giving up, just promise yourself that you are going to wake up, reenergized, refreshed and transformed into the new you. Each day is a chance to spread your wings and take flight and embrace the changes. You are your own and unique version of a butterfly.

I took this picture at the wings of fancy butterfly conservatory near my home.

From my bestest friend in the whole wide world. Happy thoughts for you today!

Well I can add myself to out and proud :) actually, if you have the time/inclination, you might consider making a post or series of posts about some of the different paths that all fall under the category Pagan. I'm not suggesting an exhaustive list, but many people, including myself, are quite curious about all the different variations. Anyways, just a thought. You are wonderful to follow and I look forward to your posts! Blog on <3

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 12:12:31 -0400

That brings us up to 7 out and proud.

Thanks so much for the love! That’s a good idea for a blog series. It’ll give me something new to research, since I just consider myself eclectic.

Spell: Mental Clarity

pandorascouch — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 12:08:53 -0400

I actually designed this as a type of healing spell for my husband, whose ADD is becoming problematic with his career.

Deities:

Lord and Lady
Athena (wisdom)
Mnemosyne (memory, mother of the Greek muses)
Quarters

Materials:

Representation for the four quarters
Pillar candle for Lord and Lady
Votive candle for Athena
Olive oil (about a teaspoon or so) and a shallow dish (big enough to set the votive in)
A candle for Mnemosyne (I used a blue taper)
Peppermint oil
Athame (or tool of your choice - I chose my athame for the “sharpness” aspect)
Blue cord or string (about 12 inches - wisdom)
White cord or string (about 12 inches - clarity)
An unfired bullet (best for it to be fairly large so it is easier to handle, but don’t go crazy - shotgun shells have a lot of plastic and are imprecise. Rifle rounds might be good if you have any.)
Dried sage (I just used a few leaves, but a smudge bundle works too - does not need to burn long)
Thin wire
Wire cutters and needle-nosed pliers (or just the pliers if they have a wire cutter as well - many do)

Work:

Cleanse and consecrate your space and materials (here is how I do it)
Cast your circle, beginning in the east (I walked mine thrice)
Beginning in the east (air = wisdom), call the quarters (I walked the circle with my elements)
Invoke Lord and Lady (light their candle)
Dress Athena’s candle with a few drops of olive oil. Pour a little olive oil into your shallow dish and set the candle directly into the oil.
Invoke Athena - light her candle.
Dress Mnemosyne’s candle in peppermint oil for focus and clarity (WARNING: peppermint oil can be irritating to the skin, avoid directly touching it - I used a dropper)
Invoke Mnemosyne - light her candle.
Clearly and concisely state your purpose (flowery language is not necessary; I said something to the effect of, “I do this work for my husband who is in need of greater mental focus, clarity, and memory, and an increased ability to access his wisdom.”)
Ask your Helpers to bless and empower the bullet.
Snip a length of wire about 8-12 inches long. Hold the wire at roughly the middle and wrap it in the groove just at the base of the bullet casing (the flat end, where the firing pin hits) and twist it to secure it. Pull tight. Wrap the wire down the bullet in a crisscross pattern (like you’re lacing up ballet shoes or lace-up sandals). Pull tight when you get to the rounded end, twist once, and go back up the same way. There should be a small loop where you first twisted the wire - feed one end through, and twist them together all the way, snipping off whatever is uneven. Loop that twisted stem you just made back down to the flat end of the bullet and twist it (may need pliers) so now you have a loop you can put the string through.
Slide both strings through the loop you just made, tying a knot around the wire loop in the middle of the strings. Tie the ends together at the top and trim the ends.
Carefully light your safe from any of your candles and let the talisman hang in the smoke like a pendulum. You should still be visualizing your intentions through all of this.
When the sage burns out (or your arms get tired), set the sage aside in a safe container so you don’t burn the place down. Lay the talisman on your altar and ask again for blessings.
Thank and release Helpers in the reverse order in which you called them (i.e., Mnemosyne, Athena, Lord and Lady, Earth, Water, Fire, Air).
Open your circle with your chosen tool, and put the energy you collect into the bullet.
The talisman should go wherever you feel it will do you the most good - like a study or work area.

Alternatively, if a bullet is just not feasible (not everyone is a gun-nut like me) you could use a sharp stone/crystal or small pocket knife. The item should work for you and make you think of precision and sharpness.

Photos from a spell I just completed. Yes, that’s a bullet...

pandorascouch — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 11:30:29 -0400

Photos from a spell I just completed. Yes, that’s a bullet (.40 caliber Winchester if you were wondering, lol). I made it into a talisman for my husband who is struggling with ADD and needs some sharpness of focus. I’ll post the spell next so that the bullet makes a little more sense. :)

Broom Closet Update

pandorascouch — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 09:17:45 -0400

Good morning, lovelies! It’s a rainy Sunday morning here (not complaining - we need it). I’ve been really busy this week so I haven’t been able to do much of anything fun, much less write to you beautiful people. I have some fun planned for later today though. I tend to work better magick in the rain.

So here’s an updated list of where you all stand in regards to the broom closet:

Out online only (and/or to a very select few in person): 7

Really out but quiet (like me): 5 plus me

Out and loud and proud: 6

Thank you for your input, everyone! I am going to save my answer allowance for later in case I think of anything else. Ask me if you have something to add and I’ll publish it later!

Blessed be! :-)

Broom Closet: Where You Stand

pandorascouch — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 09:48:07 -0400

Yesterday I asked if you were out of the broom closet or not. No one has sent me an anon answer yet, so so far it seems that all of you are at least out on the internet…

Everywhere but online, 2 of you are in.

Out but quiet: me and one other.

Way out and PROUD: 5. (I am slowly—carefully—working towards this).

Anyone else? Are you out of the broom closet? Do you have any intention of ever coming out, or coming out proud and freely if you’re not yet?

Broom Closet - Are You In or Out?

pandorascouch — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:33:32 -0400

Okay, my lovelies. Here’s a big one. Are you in or out of the broom closet, or maybe a little of both?

I’m out but I’m quiet, particularly around my in-laws. They are Southern Baptist (like my husband) and since we live with them right now while we get back on our feet financially, I try to keep it hush-hush out of respect for them. They know I’m Pagan (but I don’t think they really know what that means), and I work in the house, but always behind closed doors (if for nothing else that to minimize distractions). I’m not going to get into my past traumas (high school kids are cruel, we’ll just leave it at that), but this is me now. I’m out but I don’t flaunt it. I don’t really see a reason to.

What about you? Are you in, out, or kinda both? If you want to share but are concerned about your anonymity, please feel free to send me an anon-ask! Try to keep the horror stories to a minimum please, as that may be another discussion for another day.

Your Favorite Fictional Witches

pandorascouch — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:32:29 -0400

This weekend’s discussion was about favorite fictional witches. It was totally not planned to coincide with my plans to take my grandma to the library today. That poor thing has read every book in the house (including The Dresden Files, which totally shocked me. She’s more of a Danielle Steel and Nicholas Sparks kind of lady… should I be concerned that she’s also getting into Stephen King and Jim Butcher?)

So I told you lovelies that my favorite fictional “witch” of all time was Harry Dresden (by Jim Butcher), and my favorite witch movie was Practical Magic. Here’s what you told me you liked:

Elphaba from the Wizard of Oz
the Owens Clan
another vote for Harry and Practical Magic
Another vote for Elphaba and the aunts from Practical Magic

Who else to you love?

Your Input: Coffee Vs. Tea

pandorascouch — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:26:51 -0400

So the other day I was feeling a bit under the weather, yet exhausted in the morning and couldn’t decide whether I should have coffee or tea. Coffee eventually won out by virtue of giving me a faster energy buzz than tea. But I asked your your input, and here’s the advice I got:

coffee now then tea before bed (I like this, best of both worlds!)
Coffee with cinnamon instead of sugar (smart idea! I’ll try that next time!)
tea tea tea tea tea (I think she means tea, lol)
Green or black tea followed by lemon water (Hmm, I get extra detox that way.)
Jasmine tea (never tried it before, but it sounds good)
And at least one of you is thinking about my diet… an apple. (Also a good idea. Turned out to be my lunch, actually.)

Thanks for the input! It’s one bag of plain black tea and one bag of lemon-infused black tea this morning, steeped briefly so it isn’t overpowering. Went well with my cranberry and almond oatmeal. :)

Thanks for the advice, my lovelies!

Did you know that eating an apple in the morning can provide you with as much energy as a cup of coffee? Go natural and have an apple. =)

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 09:55:55 -0400

I did know this actually! Thanks for reminding me! :)

And just like a caffeine addict my first thought was… coffee is natural… it grows on trees…. haha! ;)