The Magical Act of Curation

May 22, 2023 By Ash

Librarians are master curators when it comes to archives and both large and small collections of documents. Every library, whether it’s personal or private, has been curated by someone or multiple someones over generations. Academic libraries curate their materials based on the disciplines their programs cover, while public libraries curate materials based on the interests of their communities. And like larger libraries, our personal libraries are a reflection of our needs and interests over a period of years. Most pagans... Read more

(No) Rest for the Wicca’d

February 28, 2023 By Ash

What do we usually think of when we think of “work”? Maybe we think of productivity, a specific place (like an office), or exercise (working out). In all of those cases, we must labor, and for some of us, laboring is a struggle. What’s laborious for one person may be a breeze for another, which is why the “Work” I perform in my practice of Wicca may look nothing like anyone else’s. Regardless of what work looks like to you,... Read more

Keep the Candle Burning

December 12, 2022 By Ash

The holidays are a particularly challenging time of year for many folks. Reports and rates of loneliness, substance abuse, and suicide all increase this time of year. Many pagans talk about the Dark Half of the Year as a time for introspection, and I’ve anecdotally found this to be true for myself. I’m less active this time of year and spend much more time reading, indoors, and socializing much less. It’s a fabulous time to have an existential or spiritual... Read more

Live and Let Die: Prepping for Samhain

October 25, 2022 By Ash

I think it’s pretty safe to say that most witches and pagans love Samhain the most, except for Jason Mankey — his favorite might be Yule! I’m like any other average witch, though, and I adore Samhain. The costumes, decorations, Fall scents and colors, spooky movies and television episodes…what’s not to love? It’s the most BOO-tiful time of year! Samhain is the time of year we tend to talk about death the most. It’s also an excellent opportunity to set... Read more

Tending to Tradition: Part 2

August 9, 2022 By Ash

This is the second part of a two part series, titled “Tending to Tradition.” You can read Part 1 here. Today I’m continuing on with my garden metaphor to talk about how we can choose to evolve our traditions, and ourselves, with the times. Weeds or Flowers I used to think that dandelions were weeds that distracted away from the beauty of a manicured lawn. I now view them as gorgeous flowers with incredible medicinal properties. Dandelions are also a... Read more

Tending to Tradition: Part 1

July 25, 2022 By Ash

Tilling the Soil Let’s pretend that every person involved in a religious or spiritual tradition is a gardener. Some of us grow vegetables, herbs, or exotic flowers, and others tend fruit trees. Some of us prefer organic farming and others use pesticides. A number of us might say “Meh” to gardening and head on over to animal agriculture instead. No matter what type of gardening we prefer, we all must till the soil in which our precious plants will grow.... Read more

Book Review: The Altar Within

May 23, 2022 By Ash

TLDR; (Too Long, Didn’t Read): Altar Within really is a radical guide to liberating your divine self! It leaves out the toxic positivity trash and encourages actual self-reflection and hard work to accomplishing real change within ourselves. Do yourself a favor, witch — pick this book up and do a deep dive into a new reality for yourself. LbDR; (Long, but Did Read) Today I’m reviewing The Altar Within: A Radical Devotional Guide to Liberate the Divine Self by Juliet Diaz,... Read more

Insane in the Brain: Balance & Beltane

April 29, 2022 By Ash

Scroll to the end for some chants I made up for Beltane! This weekend I’ll be celebrating Beltane with my coven and there’s been a lot of preparation going into it. For starters, our coven is broken down into Outer and Inner Courts, which means we plan for two separate Beltane rituals. Outer Courts are typically comprised of non-initiated students (though initiates of the coven are welcome to attend from our group) and Inner Courts are solely for initiates. FYI:... Read more

This Might Be Blue Much

April 22, 2022 By Ash

I’ve practiced Wiccan witchcraft for nearly 20 years and 8 years of that has been Gardnerian Wicca. Gardnerian Wicca is very different from the Wicca most often portrayed in books and on television. It’s more ecstatic than one might initially think and there are a lot of candles. Candles burn on the altar, in the quarters, and for other various purposes. My Temple Room is often sweltering after Gardnerian ritual because of all the flames and energy raised. Gardnerian Wicca... Read more

Books of Shadow Work

February 25, 2022 By Ash

This post is dedicated to Seamus from West Hollywood. You’re welcome, WeHo. Shadow Work. Big. Bold. Beautiful. Until it’s not. But it’s a shiny phrase in today’s magical community. Why are so many of us obsessed with “Shadow Work”? What is it? What does it look like in practice? That answer varies from practitioner to practitioner. My own simple definition is that Shadow Work entails intentional, mindful attention and commitment to working through some serious shit. What kind of serious shit,... Read more