ebondragon

We're getting our first snow of the year tonight. Nothing major, just about 3-6 inches depending on where you life. I'm betting on only about 3 here in Salem. Should look pretty, though with all of the Solstice decorations up in the yard. As long as it doesn't turn to rain I should be able to get some nice pictures of the year. Who knows... maybe this year I'll get the chance to make another snow dragon. Even with all the snow we had last year it was too dry to stick well enough to make snow critters of any kind. So here's hoping this year for snow that isn't too wet or too dry, but just right. If the snow spirits are kind, Frosty the Snow Dragon may live again!

Just passing along a great website for handmade jewelry. Phoenix Fire Designs Whether you are looking for earrings, bracelets, necklaces or even whimsical fantasy "horns" the designs presented are lovely, original, and very affordable. And just in time for the holidays the artist is having a sale on her wonderful "Tree of Life" pendents.



So if you are looking for something unique to put on your holiday gift wish list, or looking for something unique to give to someone special, check it out!

If you are a Pagan living in the U.S. you have probably at least heard of Circle Sanctuary or their quarterly periodical Circle Magazine. Even if you are a Pagan who does not live in the U.S. there is probably a better than even chance you have heard of Circle Sanctuary. What you may not be aware of is what they call Operation Circle Care which is part of their Pagan ministries work. Through OCC those of us at home can donate Pagan related items to be sent to our fellow Pagans serving in the military overseas. Suggested items to donate include various spiritual medallions (pentacles, sun or moon symbols, Thor's hammers, etc) Pagan themed music, magazines and other periodicals, small deity statues, books (even used books if they are in good shape... no nudity!), small wands, oils, etc. You can also make monetary donations to help cover packing materials and shipping costs. Right now, in addition to the normal "day to day" kinds of donations, OCC is also accepting gift items for Yuletide Care Packages.

So if you are Pagan and would like to do something to help support your fellow Pagans serving in the armed forces in a more direct way check out Operation Circle Care and see if you have something you may be able to donate. And if you know a Pagan military member who you think would like to receive a Pagan Care Package, be sure to check out how you can help get them signed up!

And if you choose to donate money to help support Circle Sanctuary and their efforts to provide moral and spiritual support to military Pagans and their families, those donations are tax deductible!

If you like paranormal romance, check out the website for my friend Cheri Scotch  Her first three books follow the history of a rowdy, close-knit clan of werewolves or loups-garou and is centered around New Orleans.  The Voodoo Moon trilogy is to be released early next year in a single anthology.  Also scheduled for release in 2010 is her latest book, Blood of the Saints,  follows the tale of Calli, a warrior for God and member of the Lazarus Knights as she strives to unravel a mystery that could lead to the end of humanity if the Knights should fail.  And tangled throughout the book is the fallen Morning Star himself, Lucifer, with his own dark agenda.

If you are a fan of such authors as Anne Rice, Laural K. Hamilton, and Charlaine Harris, you have to check out Cheri's books!

Officials have confirmed that 12 people have been killed and 31 injured at Fort Hood, Texas in what is being reported as 2 different shooting events.  One gunman was killed and two others have been taken into custody.  Little information is available as to the motive behind the shooting, but my thoughts and prayers go out to those injured and the families of those killed. 

One of the most  horrific aspects of this is that all three suspects are, in fact, soldiers. who attacked, wounded and killed their brothers and sisters in uniform.  And may all the worst curses of the gods befall anyone crass enough to try and blame this on the election of President Obama or turn it into some political football to be callously tossed around in some effort to criticize the current administration or to even place some sort of blame on the preceding one.

Those responsible bear the full brunt of blame and recriminations and may they burn in the most appropriate hell available.

Fort Hood was one of the first US military instillations to give full and equal support of Pagans for the open and equal practice of their faith on base 10 years ago.  It was this generosity and support for Wicca specifically and Paganism in general that sparked attacks against the leadership of the base and the army by various senators including Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., and Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga. and by President George W. Bush all claiming that Wiccans and Pagans did not have the right to the very Constitutional freedom of religion that they were fighting and dying to protect.  But the base commanders stood firm in their support of those Pagans serving in uniform and stationed at Fort Hood.

To see this level of violence encated by soldiers against soldiers at Fort Hood is heartbreaking.  May all the gods hold those hurt and the familiys of those killed in their hearts to ease their sorrow as much as possible.  May those killed take their places beside the gods in honor and glory.

Well, Halloween is over and all the decorations put away for another year.  And while there are still school groups coming to town hitting the more historical location (like the House of the Seven Gables) things are much quieter.  Traffic is back to normal and we locals can once again get into our favorite restaurants!    But for all of the headaches and the inconveniences It's also a lot of fun.  The only black spot for us was after we got back home about 9:30pm with a couple of friends there was some idiot who parked their Saab in front of our driveway completely blocking the car.  But a quick phone call to the cops, and a $300 parking ticket... with the promise to come back and tow the car if it wasn't gone by within the hour... and that problem was taken care of.  My husband was just about to call the police back and ask to have the car towed when the owners finally showed up and discovered their "present" from the City of Salem.  Guess that'll teach them to be inconsiderate morons and think they can ignore parking restrictions!

I have some pictures taken of the crowds on Saturday night.  When I get some time I'll see about posting them.  For now I'm just taking in the quiet evening, listening to the cats play and trying to muster the enthusiasm to get up early and rake all the leaves that have blanketed my back yard.... And to start making plans for Thanksgiving later this month!

Take care everyone!

'Twas the Evening of Samhain,
By Cathor Steincamp


'Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place
were Pagans preparing the ritual space.

The candles were set in the corners with care,
in hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.

We all had our robes on (as is habitual)
and had just settled down and were starting our ritual
when out on the porch there arose such a chorus
that we went to the door, and waiting there for us
were children in costumes of various kinds
with visions of chocolate bright in their minds.

In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot,
but we had purchased candy (we'd purchased a LOT),
And so, as they flocked from all over the street,
they all got some chocolate or something else sweet.

We didn't think twice of delaying our rite,
Kids just don't have this much fun every night.
For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick
of giving a choice: a treat or a trick.

As is proper, the parents were there for the games,
Watching the children and calling their names.
"On Vader, On Leia,
On Dexter and DeeDee,
On Xena, on Buffy,
Casper and Tweety!
To the block of apartments
on the neighboring road;
You'll get so much candy,
you'll have to be TOWED!"

The volume of children eventually dropped,
and as it grew darker, it finally stopped.
but as we prepared to return to our rite,
One child more stepped out of the night.

She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen.
Her hair was deep red, and her robe, forest green
with a simple gold cord tying off at the waist.
She'd a staff in her hand and a smile on her face.
No make-up, nor mask, or accompanying kitsch,
so we asked who she was; she replied "I'm a witch.
And no, I don't fly through the sky on my broom;
I only use that thing for cleaning my room.
My magical powers aren't really that neat,
but I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat."

We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones,
A candle, a crystal, a few other stones,
And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van).
She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan)
and laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed,"
and started to leave, but she first turned and said
"I'm sorry for further delaying your rite.
Blessed Samhain to all, and a magical night."


Happy Samhain to those who celebrate it! 
And to everyone else, have a happy and safe Halloween!

If you read "The Wild Hunt"  you will have learned that "Witch School International" is moving to Salem, MA.  Now as you may expect this announcement, which made the front page of the local paper today, is already sparking controversy and smart-assed comments from those who view witchcraft and Paganism as jokes.  And I have to be honest... considering some of the whack-jobs we have running around this town  who try to "out witch" everyone else, the years of viscious infighting among various group, and the ever popular summer witch-wars where our local media whores jockey for final position just before the news networks arrive in October... some of the more flamboyant members of the Salem Pagan community have given people somewhat justifiable reasons for skepticism and scorn. 

But there was one comment someone made in particular that really chapped my ass:  "the real Craft is not taught for money"

Oh, please!  Get off your high horse.  Legitimate COVENS or intimate spiritual groups do not teach their "craft" to new initiates for money.  Witch School International is NOT a coven or an intimate spiritual group.  Big difference.  Nor do they pretend to be. 

Witch School International is a business set up to teach the basics to those looking to learn in a generic environment, not a coven.  It's no different than Laurie Cabot charging money for people to take her Witchcraft classes, or the Frost's "Church and School of Wicca" charging for their courses, or any other organization that charges money for teaching its version of "the real Craft."  Hell, not even Harvard Divinity teaches its "craft"  for free!

There is nothing wrong with teaching "the real Craft" for a reasonable fee.  There is nothing wrong with charging money for services rendered. Profit is NOT a dirty word.  Renting or buying space, preparing and printing lesson material, buying supplies, paying teachers, paying for insurance, utilities, to run a website, etc. all cost money.  Unless, of course, you and everyone else turning your collective noses up at the Craft being "taught for money" is willing to donate your own money to those who manage this enterprise to cover their expenses so they can incorporate as a non-profit and teach the Craft for free.

Many bright blessings to  zyleeth & flamingwars on their birthdays!  May the coming year bring you all the good things you deserve!

Just thought I would share some pictures of our yard decorated for Halloween.  This year we have expanded to include a small plot on the other side of the driveway:


The Graveyard Full Shot by *jkarrah on deviantART

Rising up from the earth a tattered skeleton emerges from behind the graves. In the back, the ghosts of drowned pirates and a wandering mummy wish passers-by a Happy Halloween!

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The Graveyard by *jkarrah on deviantART

A close up of the graveyard

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The Boneyard by *jkarrah on deviantART

A large, demented rat looks gleefully at his collection of bones while leaning against a pumpkin... Or is he looking to add the unsuspecting gopher who just popped up to his creepy collection?

Art gifts organized by nezdragon  for flamingwars This wall sculpture is 5.5 inches tall, is 4 inches wide.  It is made completely with polymer clay and painted with metallic acrylic paints.  This sculpture was done as a gift for an online friend "Flaming Wars"  To get an idea of scale, click here

FW, contact me privately at jkarrah@yahoo.com to let me know where to send it!

Since we just pasted Mabon, the Autumn Equinox and the second Harvest Festival on the Pagan calendar, I thought it might be interesting to talk about a way to harvest and preserve magical energy associated with the solar seasons and the lunar cycles.  Many people who are new to magic... and even a lot of people who have been practicing for years... get all hung up on timing, on being able to tap the energies of the proper season, or the proper moon phase.  They may need to do a given spell NOW, but don't feel that really can and be successful because it "requires" full moon energy, or the energy of a particular Sabbat or whatever.  Well, there is an easy way to collect, or harvest, these energies and keep them around for any time you need them:  Magically charged water.

We just as a brief but heavy rain storm and I went outside to set up a glass jar to collect some actual "harvest water:" rain water charged with the fruitful harvest energies of Autumn and the vibrant, waxing energies of the fast approaching Full Harvest Moon.  This potent energy can be preserved in the form of ice cubes and stored in the freezer indefinitely (just make sure to put them in a sealed bowl or freezer bag, properly labeled!), and any time you wish to add a little of that special harvest energy to your magic, just thaw out a couple of cubes the day before and add the water to your spellcasting.  You can do the same if with snow that falls closest to Yule/Winter Solstice.  Collect it, compact it into tight little snowballs and pop them in the freezer.  If you live some where that's too warm for snow, collect any rain water that may fall.

You can do this at any time of year to capture the energy of the season, or moon phase if you happen to be lucky enough for it to rain or snow at the appropraite time.  Rain water falling from the heavens is very magically potent.  Rain is renewing, refreshing, and invigorating.  And rain that falls close to the solstices and equinoxes, and at the full and new moons is especially powerful.  So why not take advantage of this resource?  (Just don't collect the rain water from your downspout as it will pick up any and all contaminants that are lying around on your roof.)

Don't have any rain or snow predicted to coincide with the magical day in question?  No problem...

Fill a glass jar with water and set it outside or in a window that receives direct sunlight and/or moonlight.  The light streaming into the water through the window will charge the water with corresponding energy, allowing you to harvest the energy of the season or moon phase.  Then freeze the water into ice cubes and store for future need.  While not quite as potent as rain water, creating this kind of charge water has the advantage of being completely safe to use in magical teas and in cooking, where as rain water may not be exactly potable, especially if you live in dense urban environment.  To harvest the maximum amount of energy for a solar holiday/season (meaning one of the 8 Sabbats) set you jar of water out in the sunlight every day for the week preceding the Sabbat, and put it into the refrigerator after sunset.

 To collect the energy of the full moon is a little trickier. You want to put the jar of water out where the moonlight can reach it at night, but pull it out of the window before sunlight touches it because the energy of the sunlight will "erase" the lunar energy and overwrite it.  So you'll have to make sure to set your alarm clock and put you jar of lunar water in the fridge before sunrise!  Magically, speaking you have 3 days to harvest full moon energy:  the day before, the day of, and the day immediately following the astronomical full moon.   It's up to you how many times you want to get up before dawn, but if you can harvest lunar energy for all three days, so much the better!

After harvesting and freezing the energies of sun and moon, any time you need or want to work magic for some purpose or to help along a desired goal you can utilize the magic and power from any season and any moon phase at any time!  And if you happen to be lucky enough for a Sabbat to fall on any one of the 3 days of the full moon just think of the magical harvest you could reap!  You can use it to anoint spell components, to consecrate and charge ritual tools, use it for the element of water that you mix the salt into when casting a circle, just place it on your altar or magical work space and let the energy permeate the area, put it in your bath water for a Ritual Cleansing Bath, anoint your chakras to help energize them, anoint your third eye for meditation, sprinkle on your bed sheets to assist with prophetic dreaming, put it in a bucket of water and use it to help cleanse and purify your house... the uses for this kind of charged water is limited only by your imagination!

Now go clean out some jars, make room in the freezer, and go harvest yourself some magic!

Well, so much for getting any additional sculptures even started much less done for a week or so.  I was digging through a drawer in the office looking for something and completely forgot about the matte cutter I had stored in there... until I sliced through the top of the  middle finger  on my right hand with the attached razor blade.



It's not enough to require more than a good bandage, but it stings like crazy.  And having a bandage on the top of you finger makes it kind of difficult to smooth clay.  Then there's the fact that with polymer clay you use rubbing alcohol the smoothing process to help like you would use water with regular clay... that ain't gonna happen!

So, I'll just give it a week or so to fully heal over and I'll be good as new.  And in the mean time I'll be getting our Halloween decorations set up out in the yard, so expect pictures to follow!  And in case you are wondering, yes, I have move the matte cutter to more secure storage... something I should have done in the first place!

Another of my mini dragon bell chimes. The bell is a glazed green ceramic and the dragon is polymer clay painted with metallic ruby and sapphire acrylics for the wings and body, black metallic acrylic for the horns. The dragon is 11" long, 10.5" wide and 4" tall.

As with the copper and silver bell chime, this one will go up for sale here in town until after Halloween at which time if it hasn't sold it will be offered for purchase on the website.

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Just playing around with my latest mini dragon and Photoshop and liked the way it came out.  May see about adding this shot to my 2010 calendar...

Just finished a new mini dragon.  This one is a "sort of" commission.  Basically a fellow artist on devientArt asked if I could make a dragon wind chime weight for her.  She has an old set of chimes that needed to be restrung and asked if I could make a dragon similar to that I did for my dragon bell chimes.  I have sent her the picture and now all she needs to do is decide if this will work for her.

So this flying mini dragon is suitable for use as a wind chime weight or just hang it on it's own in a window or from a hook.  Painted metallic lavender with mottled lavender and white wings, the dragon is suspended on a copper rod.  The dragon measures 12" long, 4" high, and 12.5" wide.  Additional pictures available on the website



If she likes it and decides to purchase it, this will be the first mini dragon commission I have taken, but hopefully won't be the last.  After the Halloween tourist push is over I am going to formally open up commissions for these little dragons.  I plan on offering them for $45 + shipping.  I'm going to check into those new "flat rate" boxes the Post Office is advertising to determine shipping costs.  And being that these are much smaller, if the post office has a similar flat rate shipping option I may offer them for overseas sales as well.  It'll depend on how much the shipping is.

And if she decides this little dragon isn't what she had in mind, I have an extra bell chime that needs a dragon wind catcher.  And in that event, it'll first go up for sale here in town until after Nov 1st, then if it doesn't sell it'll go up on the website.  Keep checking back for updates!

Once that most sacred of days be upon us!  It be the 19th day of September in the year 2009 and that be the day of celebration ye old International Talk Like a Pirate Day!  So break out the barrels o/ rum and dip yer tankards deep!  Put on yer fancy eye patch and polish up that thar peg leg and get ready to dance a good ol' pirate's jig around the mast!

Let yer inner Pirate shine!