For all of my friends in the Southern California area: This Sunday, December 5, from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., I'll be giving a workshop at the new occult shop in town: The Green Man 5712 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91601 Call 818-985-2010  http://thegreenmanstore.com/ The subject: AMULETS AND TALISMANS Talismans and amulets are powerful magickal tools that can be used as part of any style of magick. In this class you'll discover the key elements that can make your talismans and amulets magickal successes and help you achieve any goal. Many of these topics are omitted from other classes and you're going to find that even if you never make a talisman or amulet, the techniques

In Modern Magick I introduced the idea that modern ceremonial magicians should become more in tune with the elements, seasons, and energies of the planets. (Here's a pre-announcement: Denning & Phillips' classic book, Planetary Magick—originally published over 20 years ago, it went out of print and used copies are now selling for up to $75—will be reprinted early next year. It includes my introduction from the first edition.) Pagans have long known this, honoring in their rites both the equinoxes and solstices. On December 21, 2010, we’ll experience the shortest day (and longest night) of the year, the winter solstice. Also known as Yule, it is a time when Pagans perform rituals

It seems like wars today change little except names. They still cause massive death and destruction, most often to people who wanted nothing to do with such wars. One set of leaders is ousted and another put in power. They often turn out not much better or even worse than those who came before them. This was not always the case. The Western world was dramatically changed by WWI and much of the entire world was changed by WWII. After the attack on Pearl Harbor at the end of 1941, there were only a few minor attacks on 48 U.S. states during WWII. As a result, the knowledge of what war is like for Americans tends to be quite different than for people of Europe. For the past century, to the

As a blogger, one of my responsibilities is to read other blogs and see what others are communicating. If you've been reading various blogs, you might note that one recent point of contention is the type of person known as a "fluffy bunny." Ah, the fluffy bunny. Anyone who has been involved with magick, Paganism, or occultism for more than a brief time tends to dismiss the infamous fluffy bunny. Unfortunately, it has become a catch phrase for just about anything someone wants to denounce. In looking over some of these blogs, here are a few of the various definitions of the expression that have been posted: They are new to the study of an occult field Their ideas are based on