Yesterday I received an email from a reader in Eastern Europe who wanted to know if he had to use Hebrew when doing the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. Couldn't he use his native tongue? Actually, this is a question I receive all the time. Some people want to use a language other than Hebrew (or Greek or Latin or Egyptian). Some people don't want to use the God names of ancient Judaism, of Greek or Roman Paganism, or of the early Egyptian pantheon. Can they change it to something else? The answer, I'm afraid, is  a definite "maybe." Before I say why I think you can do this, I'd like to give some arguments why you shouldn't. Take Me Away I regret that I don't remember the

Many years ago (pre-internet popularity), a young woman started the Wiccan/Pagan Press Alliance (WPPA). The goal was to establish communications between writers and publishers of books, magazines, and newsletters so that people could share ideas, successes, and challenges. I encouraged that woman to write a book, and she eventually did so. Her name: Silver RavenWolf. Many of those newsletters and magazines are gone, now, replaced by new websites that allow for more and faster communication. But there hasn't been a real replacement for the WPPA. However, I think the Pagan Writers Community may be providing just such a service to the community. It says on the site that …the Pagan

Everyone, whether they know it or not, has certain phrases or mottoes upon which they base their behavior. If you watch the TV show NCIS, it might be: "Never apologize. It's a sign of weakness." If you're like frontiersman and congressman Davy Crockett, you might favor his motto: "Be always sure you're right. Then go ahead." One of my personal mottoes is: Death doesn't begin when you stop breathing. It begins when you stop learning. I don't know if I heard it somewhere or it came from my higher self, but I do believe it's true. I spent many years learning, practicing, studying and teaching before I wrote Modern Magick. However, my life didn't stop then. For the past two decades I have

[NOTE: I'll have another post today about "Book X," as promised.] Patrick McCollum is someone you should know. He was first initiated as a Witch in 1966. He was first ordained as a minister of the Craft in 1971. He is the author of the book, Courting the Lady. I've met Patrick several times at Pagan events. He's not tall or heavily muscled. He's not a loud talker trying to monopolize the conversation. He seems like a gentle and kindly soul, ready to discuss his beloved faith or listen to you share your ideas. He seems like a meek and mild minister. But don't let his appearance fool you. Underneath that "meek and mild" exterior is a seemingly tireless and indefatigable warrior