Day 13: What are some witchy books that influenced you?

I, like many of you (probably), started out with Scott Cunningham and Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book. Wicca, however, is not for me. It is not the path I follow. I follow my eclectic path and consider myself to be a kitchen witch. Kitchen witch books that influenced me include:

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen
Cooking by Moonlight by Karri Ann Allrich
Cooking by the Seasons by Karri Ann Allrich
Witch in the Kitchen by Cait Johnson

I would also like to add Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and The Magical Household to that list. I like books that show me how to make things for my home, whether it be food or a candle or hex sign.

Day 12: Picture of Air Element

Day 11: Oils

I don't have much to say on this topic. I don't think they're all that necessary, and they're often quite expensive. If I use any oil at all, it's olive oil, possibly infused with an herb or spice such as rosemary or cloves.

Day 10: My Sun Sign

I'm getting a little bit behind, so here are some make-up posts. I knew I would get behind, so it's all good.




I am a Leo. My birthday is August 4. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are the fire signs of the Zodiac.

Leos are said to be:

Confident (occasionally)
Ambitious (not really)
Generous (usually)
Loyal (very)
Encouraging (usually)
Pretentious (sometimes)
Melodramatic (me?)
Domineering (no)
Stubborn (occasionally)
Vain (once in a while)

I was born about 5 1/2 weeks early. I should've been a Virgo. I identify with the element of Earth as well as Fire, and that's probably why. I'm a mellow lioness most of the time. Just don't get on my bad side! ;)

Day 9: Favorite Mythical Creature

The Gryphon/Griffin/Griffon is a lion-bodied, eagle-headed beast. The lion is considered the king of beasts, while the eagle is considered the king of birds. This creature is a representation of divine energy. Griffins were known to guard great treasure, and one of their talons could be used as a drinking cup. This cup would change colors if poison were added, and it was considered to be a very valuable prize indeed.

Oh, it's also my family name. :)

Day 8: Photo of a Magical Place Outdoors

I've never been to this exact spot in my home state, but so much of the state is like this. I'm proud to be from West Virginia. This picture makes me draw in my breath every time I look at it. I can feel the magic in this place.

Day 7: Air Element

Air is the element of the east. Its colors are yellow and white. The energies associated with this element are communication and powers of the mind. It represents the soul. Since Air also carries away troubles and removes blockage, I associate this element with Ganesh. In the Tarot deck, Air is represented by the suit of Swords. In the Zodiac, Air is the element of Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini.

According to “The Urban Primitive”, using the telephone lines is one way to contact and communicate with the element of Air. Pick up your phone (a land line if you still have one!), press *, sing three notes, and then state what you want. (I used to use it when I wanted someone particular to call me.)

Day 6: A Favorite God

I'm sure you all expected me to pick a god such as Ganesh or Shiva, didn't you? believe me, they were close to the top of the list. The winner, however, is...




It’s Pan! Goat-legged, lustful, reed-playing Pan. Pan, who plays a pinnacle role in “Jitterbug Perfume”. God of fertility, he whose season is spring, god of the wild and of the flocks. Hail, Pan! Great Pan is NOT dead!

Day 4: Water

Day 4 asks participants to post a picture of the water element. I am posting a picture of Papeete, Tahiti because it's a place I long to see. The water there is beautiful.

Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are the water signs of the zodiac. In the Tarot, water is usually represented by cups. It is associated with emotion and passion. Related to the West, it is used for cleansing and purification. It is feminine, connected to the aspects of the Goddess.

I have always been a little bit afraid of the physical element. As for the emotion side, I think I'm pretty in tune with my emotions and other people's. Sometimes I'm a little too in tune.

Day 3: Witchy Tools: Athame

An athame is a ritual dagger used by Wiccans. I’m not Wiccan. I have a teensy little black knife with a mermaid handle that I put in my altar-to-go box. It’s at my parents’ house, however.

Since I am a kitchen witch, I consider my favorite wooden spoon to be like a wand, and my favorite kitchen knife to be like an athame. My main tools are my hands, and my stove represents fire.

Dang, what a short post! Well, I'll be back with a recipe. How does that sound? Good? Good.

Day 2: A Myth

The goddess Parvati created a boy from the dirty from her body and gave him the job of guarding her bathroom while she bathed. When her husband, Lord Shiva, came home, he was astonished to find a stranger denying him entrance to his wife’s room. Shiva, in a fit of rage, cut off the boy’s head.

Parvati was broken-hearted. To soothe her, Shiva sent his squad out to bring back the head of any sleeping creature that was facing north. They returned with the head of an elephant. The head was attached to the boy’s body, and Shiva brought him back to life.

Ganesh was named leader (pati) of the squad (gana), hence the name Ganapati.
This is one of the stories that explains how Ganesh got his elephant head. He is the remover of obstacles and we should be prayed to before undertaking any venture.

Day 1: What's Your Witchy Background?

I’m almost embarrassed to share this, but it started as an excuse to call a guy I liked. I asked him if he had any books on the occult. I ended up with a couple of books on Wicca. They were by Scott Cunningham and y’all probably know exactly which ones I’m talking about.

I read the books and the information just clicked with me. Cunningham’s style appealed to me. I returned the books to their owner and didn’t really do anything else until college. It was there that I met my Sister, Maz. She was Wiccan, beautiful, mysterious, and cool. I replaced those books and reread bits and pieces to see if I had finally found what I had wanted.

(Before I met Maz, I was what I called “between religions”. I had read “Skinny Legs and All” for the umpteenth time, and the section that discussed religion as being an imperfect response to the Divine really resonated with me. )

(Writing things in parentheses makes me feel like Stephen King. Cool.)

It was what I wanted, so I did a self-dedication on Samhain, 1998.

44 Days of Witchery

44 Days of Witchery

Here's the list, snagged from The Pagan Blog Directory and A Pagan Mother's Life:

What’s your witchy background?

A myth or story from folklore.

Witchy tools: athame.

Picture of nature (water element).

A favourite Goddess.

A favourite God.

Air element.

A photo of a magical place outdoors.

A favourite mythological animal.

Your sun sign.

Witchy tools: oils.

Picture of nature (air element).

What are some of the witchy books that influenced you?

A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.

Thoughts on the afterlife?

Favourite witchy website(s).

Picture of nature (fire element).

Have you had any paranormal experiences?

Fire element.

A picture of a tarot or oracle card, and its meaning.

A favourite scent.

Current moon phase.

A favourite candle.

Your moon sign.

How do your close ones feel about your witchy path? Do they know? Why or why not?

A witchy podcast.

Picture of nature (earth element).

A picture of a witchy I-Want-It-Now!

Water element.

Witchy tools: wand.

A favourite pagan/witchy movie.

A pagan/witchy artwork.

Faerie of your choice.

Rune of your choice.

Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.

Flower of your choice, and its magical properties.

A famous pagan/witch!
Witchy tools: cauldron.

Something that inspires you.

Your altar, if you have one!

A spell you’ve done.

A favourite nature spirit.

A magical recipe.

Witch’s choice!