Thursday, October 30, 2008

Ancestral Altar for Samhain 2008

Samhain is a time of remembering our ancestors and honoring them. This is the public altar here in the store with candles and incense. The tea lights represent one of the many ancestors honored at a recent Public Ritual. It is our pleasure to host the continued burning of the lights on behalf of BFC's Northern Cougars.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Mélange in the Media this Month

This fall Mélange's staff has been in the media a fair bit. From documentaries about Ouija boards, to coverage in Concordia's Link(issue forthcoming) and even the Montreal Gazette just this past weekend.

Don't forget to visit us on Hallowe'en day! The staff will be all dressed up, (more media coverage is bound to happen), and its also a nice chance to say a few words to your ancestors at our public altar.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sneak Peak! Upcoming November Workshops

Pagan Public Discussion (MPRC)
This is an open public discussion hosted by the MPRC (Montreal Pagan Resource Centre). Come share your views and opinions on various challenging topics. This month's topic: "Paganism; Religion or Movement? The word religion has been getting some bad press in our recent times. Many people I've encountered wish to dissociate themselves from being seen as religious. Movies such as Religulous show that fundamentalists take the meaning of religion to a whole new level. Paganism holding such diversity in what and how we worship or connect to our spirituality, do we consider it a religion or a movement?"
Thursday November 6th 6:30-9 pm FREE
*Public pagan Discussion nights are held on the first Thursday of every month*

Psychic Development I (Catharine)
Discover the many ways we receive our psychic gifts. Intuition, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Channelling etc. Practical exercises to help identify your particular gift. Discussion and questions answered. There will be a guided meditation and message circle where everyone will get psychic messages from Catharine ! Thursday November 6th 7-9 pm $30

Late Harvest Magical Canning/Freezing/Jamming (Scatlet)
In tune with the seasons, Scarlet will be guiding people through her annual harvest day. A must for any Kitchen Witch or aspiring Kitchen Witch! Come learn how to prepare and preserve various seasonal fruits and vegetables for the winter. Everyone will work together like a true harvesting community and take home some of the harvest for their own kitchens! Dress to be chopping and having a ton of fun in our ritual space.
Saturday November 8th, 2-5pm $40

An Introduction to Crystal Healing (Robyn)
There are many ways one can explore alternative healing these days, but one of the more popular and easily accessible ways is the laying on of stones on the body to re-align energies, combat maladies and increase the body's natural harmony. Join us in this introductory workshop to learn more about this peaceful mode of healing. Sunday, November 9th 1-3pm $30

Psychic Development II (Catharine)
Take the next step in your development by exploring multiple ways of receiving messages and visions. We will do more in depth work with meditation, energy work and practice readings on each other. Guided meditation and message circle follows, where everyone will get psychic messages from Catharine!
Thursday, November 13th 7-9pm ($30)

Introduction to Energy Work (Scarlet)
Centering and grounding are the foundations of any energy or magical work. In this course, you will learn how to center and ground, how to manipulate your own field of energy, how to sense energy, how to charge and drain the energy in objects, and the basics of circle casting. Please dress comfortably and bring a cushion to sit on if possible. Thursday, November 13th 7-9pm ($30)

Protection Magic (Scarlet)
Often in our lives we feel 'attacked' by someone else's presence, that they are stealing away our energy just by being around, or that perhaps our run of ill-luck has been caused by someone giving us the evil eye. In this workshop you will learn several methods of psychic self-defense, as well as how to protect yourself from hexes, curses and jinxes.
Thursday, November 20th 7-9pm $30

Reiki Introduction Lecture (Robyn)
The word 'Reiki' comes from the Japanese Rei meaning 'universal' and Ki meaning 'life energy'. This energy can also easily be recognized as Prana, Mana, Chi or Ruach. Come to this free introductory lecture to learn more about this beautiful method of healing and relaxation, and to ask any questions that you may have about Reiki and how it works.
Friday November 21st 7-8 pm FREE

Reiki I (Robyn)
Join us in this two day long course to learn all you need to know to become a First Degree Reiki Practitioner. Topics covered will include: the history and origins of Reiki, the ethics of being a Reiki practitioner, what the hand positions are in a full Reiki session, how to treat others as well as yourself, and formal initiation to the Usui Shiki Ryoho style of Reiki. Time will be given for practice as well.
Saturday November 22nd & Sunday November 23rd 10-5 pm $150

Aura & Chakra Cleansing (Scarlet)
This course will teach you several techniques of aura cleansing, as well as how to cleanse your chakras. It involves alternative healing, energy work, and guided meditation. These are skills you will be able to use on yourself and others. Please dress comfortably and bring a cushion to sit on if possible.
Thursday, November 27th, 7-9pm ($30)

Psychic Practice (Catharine)
This is a workshop for anyone who has taken level one Psychic Development and wants more practice in channelling. We will be doing meditation, energy work, and many practice readings with photos and of eachother. If there is enough interest we can set up a more regular group ! If you have not taken level one and feel you are ready to just practice, please speak to Catharine for permission to join the class.
Thursday November 27th 7-9pm $30

EARLY DECEMBER:
Pagan Public Discussion (MPRC)

This is an open public discussion hosted by the MPRC (Montreal Pagan Resource Centre). Come share your views and opinions on various challenging topics. This month's topic: "Living everyday with the Gods and Nature Spirits: How we keep the daily magic alive in our current times."
Thursday December 4th 6:30-9 pm FREE
*Public pagan Discussion nights are held on the first Thursday of every month*

Yule Fair
Saturday and Sunday, December 6th and 7th, 10-5,
FREE ADMISSION!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Sunday Sabbat Sale - Samhain!

This coming Sunday, October 26th is our special Sunday Sabbat Sale for Samhain!

Everything in store is -10%

See you there and Blessed Samhain to all!

Monday, October 20, 2008

New in Store

BOOKS:

CELTIC SYMBOLS by Sabine Heinz
ISBN: 1402746245 $14.95
Another beautiful book in this series for symbols. Discover the history and meaning behind knotwork designs, carvings, and other Celtic symbols.

THE COVEN LEADER'S HANDBOOK by Sean Belachta
ISBN: 1411635515 $28.95
Sometimes there are wonderful finds through private publications that arrive. They are rare treasures. This one is no different! It consists of 13 lessons in Gardnerian and Alexandrain Wicca. The first chapter reviews the history and philosophy of these two traditions. Chapter two discusses the role of clergy. The third chapter reviews craft working in circle with tools and activities. This is followed by a lesson on the eight Sabbats. Chapters five through seven explore the divine and mythology. Initiation is the next topic of discussion. Chapters nine and ten review divination and magic, followed closely by healing, meditation and visualization. The final chapter examines how to make contact with others. A good basic book for new coven leaders and those considering starting a coven in a related tradition. Please note that this is not a replacement for initiation into these traditions. That requires being initiated by someone who can pass on the links of lineage.

PRODUCTS:

AYURVEDIC ELEMENTAL INCENSE $4.95
Cone incense from Triloka
- Pitta-Fire
- Vatta - Air
- Kapha - Water

AYURVEDIC CHAKRA INCENSE $4.95
Packages of incense sticks specially blended for each of the 7 chakras.

MEDITAION ALTAR TRAY $8.95
Lovely white gypsum tray containing holders for 4 tea lights and a central section for stones to hold incense. A beautiful addition to the altar or meditation space.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Public Samhain Ritual

Hosted by Black Forest’s Northern Cougars

Date: Sunday October 26th
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Upstairs of Le Melange Magique (1928 St-Catherine West, Montreal)
Information: 514-938-1458

This will be a traditional coven ritual in honor of our ancestors. Samhain marks the end of the summer and the end of the Celtic year. We let go of the past, say our goodbyes, ask for final assistance, and prepare to step into a new year. During this ritual you will send a message, sign, symbol, and prayer, whatever you wish, to others who have passed through the veil.

Please bring something to write with (a pen or pencil), as well as feast food to share (something seasonal if you can, even better if it is home made) and your own feast gear (we are stewards of the earth; please bring your own cup/plate/bowl/utensils to help keep the environment clean).

Dress up! Dress in your ritual best! Dress to honor your ancestors.

Lastly, there will be an ancestral shrine for those who wish a quiet moment or want to light a candle for their loved ones now gone. Northern Cougars will guard these candles and see that they are burned through before Samhain.

Blessed be!

Monday, October 06, 2008

Traditional Dumb Supper (Hosted by Le Melange Magique)

Every culture has its own rites and rituals to honor and worship their ancestors. In Celtic Tradition there is what we call the Dumb Supper. It is a meal shared by any family or group of people held in complete silence with a place setting for the dead. The managers of Le Malange Magique would like to host this powerfully moving event with the public. This will be a catered meal. All you need bring is a picture or object of an ancestor that you wish to remember, honor, and invite to dinner. A traditional ancestral shrine will be erected and a place set at the table for our guests from beyond the veil. At the beginning of the meal, Robyn will guide everyone to introduce their "guest" and say a sentence or two about why they bring this person or pet to dinner this night. Then Scarlet will lead a short prayer or chant. The meal will be served and we will eat in silence contemplating our affections and respect for our ancestors. At the end of the meal, offerings will be made, blessing given, and all will part with love.

Saturday November 1st 6:30pm
Tickets are $15 and must be prepaid by October 20th *space is limited*

For more information about the Dumb Supper,
see: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswa&c=holidays&id=12151

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Walking our Talk: Stepping Towards Thanks Giving - Fostering an Attitude of Gratitude

October has arrived. The sky turns grey and the wind is chill. The leaves on the tree turn shades of red and gold. School is in full swing and we move toward the stressful mid-term time of the season. In this changing and turning of the wheel, I remind people to WALK THEIR TALK. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Live by your own beliefs.

Walk your path every day, not just on the holidays. There are so many ways to incorporate spirituality into our everyday mundane lives from the simple lighting of a candle while we drink our morning coffee before work, to listening to inspiring music while we travel or do homework, to sitting and meditating on our break time.

You can also walk your talk by encouraging your co-workers to go green and be environmental in the workplace, to celebrate the cultural diversity by marking the sacred days of each of your co-workers with something so small as a tiny note on their desk, to honoring the people you respect with a sincere and heartfelt thank you. Random acts of kindness go along way to lifting the mood and helping everyone walk their spiritual talk.

Participate in new spiritual experiences and tend the garden of your soul. How about taking one of the following workshops? Or... foster an attitude of gratitude. More on that a little further down (after the suggested workshops).

Pagan Public Discussion (MPRC)
This is an open public discussion hosted by the MPRC (Montreal Pagan Resource Centre). Come share your views and opinions on various challenging topics.
Thursday October 9th 7-9 pm FREE
*will be held on the first Thursday of every month after this*

Psychic Development I (Catharine)
Discover the many ways we receive our psychic gifts. Intuition, Clairvoyance, Predictive Dreams, Mediumship, Channelling. Practical exercises to help identify your particular gift. Discussion and questions answered. There will be a guided meditation and message circle where everyone will get psychic messages from Catharine !
Thurs. Oct. 9th 7-9 pm $30

Reiki Introduction Lecture (Robyn)
The word 'Reiki' comes from the Japanese Rei meaning 'universal' and Ki meaning 'life energy'. This energy can also easily be recognized as Prana, Mana, Chi or Ruach. Come to this free introductory lecture to learn more about this beautiful method of healing and relaxation, and to ask any questions that you may have about Reiki and how it works.
Fri. October 10th 7-8 pm FREE

Reiki I (Robyn)
Join us in this two day long course to learn all you need to know to become a First Degree Reiki Practitioner. Topics covered will include: the history and origins of Reiki, the ethics of being a Reiki practitioner, what the hand positions are in a full Reiki session, how to treat others as well as yourself, and formal initiation to the Usui Shiki Ryoho style of Reiki. Time will be given for practice as well.
Sat. October 11th & Sunday October 12th 10-5 pm $150

Fostering an Attitude of Gratitude
This is so simple it is often overlooked. Be thankful for the people in your life, for the things you already have, for being YOU!
  • Say "thank you" to someone every day.
  • Appreciate the life you have. Take a moment to look around you and love what you see.
  • Keep a journal of gratitude: every day, write 3 things in it that you are grateful for
Thank you for reading our BLOG of Shadows! I hope you have enjoyed it thus far. We of The magical Blend / Le Melange Magique have enjoyed offering it to you and giving you a peak into who we are and the great minds that make this all possible.

Thanks to the staff who contribute in both writing and their ideas over the shoulders of those of us writing:
Robyn
Yann
Erika
Debra
Sam
Catharine
Maery
Scarlet
Tequilla, the cat

Blessed Be!