Magic is in the air!

Elysia GalloNo matter where you are, October always seems magical. Maybe it's because of Samhain, the Celtic New Year; maybe it's the changing of the seasons; maybe it's the knowledge that November and slightly darker times are just around the corner. There is just an undeniable sparkle to the air in October. My heart still beats a little faster just thinking about trick-or-treating - and I still love dressing up. For all of you who always loved Halloween, and then loved it even more when you found out October 31st was a respected, powerful Wiccan holiday, you'll know what I mean.

I find November 1st can be just as magical, as the veil between the worlds is still thin. In fact, some countries celebrate November 1st as Day of the Dead, or All Souls' Day/All Saints' Day (although in many Catholic countries, this actually means paying respect to your dead, not necessarily to the saints). If you can find a moment to do so on November 1st or 2nd, visit the graves of some of the people you love. Clean and tend to their graves in the afternoon; bring garden equipment if necessary. Leave them a wreath and once dark, light some votive candles that won't blow out in the wind; you can even leave something you think they'd like, such as their favorite pastry or a mini bottle of champagne. If you can't get out to the cemetery, light a candle for each family member who has passed; some folk traditions hold that the souls of the deceased are allowed to come home for a visit on this day, so set an extra plate.


Elysia Gallo, Acquisitions Editor - Witchcraft, Paganism, Magic

Magic at Work

Have you heard about our hot new October release? Hot pink, to be precise! In Witch in the Boardroom: Proven Business Magic, author Stacey Demarco shows you how to fuse personal power into your career path - even for those of us who don't exactly have a career path yet! Whether you're looking for your purpose in life, a higher pay check, new clients, or protection against nasty politics, Demarco comes through with fabulous ideas, rituals, and lots of how-to's even for those who have never written a Book of Shadows. As a bigwig of the corporate machine in Australia, she keeps it real by connecting with her spiritual self and helping countless others do the same by teaching them to tap into their own magical energies. The book is filled with amazing case studies - more proof of just what a good spell (plus the best intentions, focus, and lots of hard work) can do. Wiccans can be successful in business and make some money without giving up their ideals, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise!


An excerpt from the article Waiting for Halloween
by Honey Black

It's the cool, smoky month of October and I'm in love. I'm counting down each day until my favorite night of the year: All Hallows Eve. Since I can remember I've loved Halloween. Now, I know you've heard that before, but I am absolutely crazy over it. To prove it, my goal is to coax every reader of this article do something to celebrate.

The feeling usually begins simmering for me in late August when there's one or two crisp, cool days mixed in amongst the usual heat. That's when I crank up one of my classical-music-mixed-with-creepy-sounds CDs and start planning what to wear Halloween night. The anticipation is fuelled by the sound of fallen leaves crunching wonderfully underfoot. Magazines bring out their Halloween issues, boasting decadent cakes, cookies, and cupcakes decorated with spiders, pumpkins, skeletons and little, pointed-hat-witches. Then comes the delight of heading to the mall and suddenly seeing racks of costumes, masks, candles, lights, and makeup neat and tidy before people have started rummaging through them.

READ MORE!


Witchy Events

The Well Worn Path authors
Raven Grimassi
and Stephanie Taylor
will give readings, workshops, and discussions at several locations this fall.
Click here for a full schedule!

Magick of Reiki
author:
Christopher Penczak
A Day of Readings at
Misty Meadows
October 22, 10 am
Lee, NH
603-659-7211

Sexy Witch
author:
LaSara Firefox
Sexy Witch Costume Contest and Reading
Valencia Street Books
October 26, 7 pm
San Francisco, CA
415-552-7200

Autumn Equinox
author:
Ellen Dugan
Booksigning at
Main Street Books
October 29, 1 pm
St. Charles, MO
636-949-0105



Otherworldly voices and whispers in the wind. Dancing light in the sky. Floorboards that creak...when no one is walking. There's no definitive word for the unexplained, but we know it when we see it. Do you have a
story to tell?

Click here to read the rules, see the great prizes, and to submit your tale to our Spooky Stories writing contest!

Want to read the fantastically spooky real stories we've posted so far? Check out our newest Spooky Stories here!


For more Pagan, Wiccan, and book-related events, check our
Events Schedule.

An excerpt from Wicca: A Year and a Day by Timothy Roderick

Samhain Incense and Oil

Witches make their own magical incense and essential oil blends that spiritually align with the energies of each sabbat. Witches make these special magical blends to use during their sabbat celebrations in consecration of the participants and as an offering to the Old Ones, the gods of the Craft. Burn the Samhain incense that you'll make today at your Hallows ritual, or at any time that you want to evoke the energies and insights of Samhain.
Samhain Incense

What You'll Need:
  • 1 part dried powered acorns or white oak bark
  • 1 part cedar (bark chips or powdered bark)
  • 2 parts powdered sandalwood
  • 5 drops sage essential oil
  • 3 drops patchouli
  • 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin
  • A medium-sized mixing bowl
Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add vegetable glycerin and mix until it has the consistency of coarse cornmeal. Add the drops of essential oil. Mix thoroughly. Allow the mix to settle and dry for at least three to six hours before burning on hot coals.

Samhain Incense and Oil

Again, the magical oil of Samhain evokes the energies and influences of this spiritual tide. When you are finished making the oil, use it to anoint yourself today. Then note any changes you may sense in your consciousness or physical energy levels. What you'll need:
  • 1/8 cup vegetable glycerin (or grape-seed oil)
  • 5 drops sage essential oil
  • 5 drops patchouli
  • Pinch of dried mullein
  • Pinch of dried wormwood (leaf)
Find a one-ounce bottle and fill it half way with vegetable glycerin. Add plain water until the bottle is three-quarters full. Add the drops of sage and patchouli essential oils. Now add the dried mullein and wormwood to the bottle. Shake it up before you use it to assure a proper blend.



Cool links

The Witches' Voice
(Likely the best and most useful site for witches and pagans around)

MatriFocus
(An online "cross-quarterly for the goddess woman" with articles, reviews, fiction, and more)

Related Wiccan & Pagan articles from The Llewellyn Journal

Military Pagan Network
(No, it's not the Pagan version of the Salvation Army - it's a way to support our brave Pagan troops!)

Definitions of Wiccan & Pagan terms from the Llewellyn Encyclopedia

Mystical Wonders
(A lively discussion group that explores everything from astrology to zero point energy work)

Great books on sale!
Now through October 31


Incense
Carl Neal
ISBN: 0-7387-0336-2
Price: $15.95 $12.76

House of Spirits and Whispers
Annie Wilder
ISBN: 0-7387-0777-5
Price: $12.95 $9.07

The Witch's Coven
Edain McCoy
ISBN: 0-7387-0388-5
Price: $12.95 $10.36

Summoning Spirits
Konstantinos
ISBN: 1-56718-381-6
Price: $14.95 $11.96


Llewellyn Worldwide

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