Emru Townsend is a dear friend of staff here at the store. Brother of a former employee and supporter of our activities and events.
In mid-December, Emru was diagnosed with leukemia, and a condition called monosomy 7. Due to the monosomy 7, he has an increased risk of the leukemia coming back, no matter how successful chemotherapy is.
Ethnic minorities are severely underrepresented in the bone marrow registry. Remember, a match can come from anywhere, only a small blood sample is required and time is not on his side.
Improve his odds.
Register today.
For more information, go to http://www.healemru.com/ !
Emru, his family, his freinds, staff at the store and everyone else waiting for a compatible donor thanks you for taking action.
News, events, and other interesting tidbits of the goings-on here at our store.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Spring Cleaning Traditions from Sacrlet's Family
Hi all,
Happy Ostara! I wanted to share with you some things that have been part of my family for generations. They happen around this time of year. Ever since I could remembers, we had certain activities that happened on or close to Ostara, Spring Equinox.
At dawn of the Equinox, our German greatgrandmother used to have the family open all the windows till sunset. My grandmother still does this, as does my mom and I. Did you open your windows? Why do we do it? When I asked, the response from my grandmother was so that we can air out the stuffy winter air and all the dark feelings from winter and freshen up the home with new Spring air.
This is followed by several days of thorough spring cleaning. And that spring cleaning must be done in a very specific way! We start at the front door. Everything gets lifted and moved and scrubbed clean into every nook and cranny "so the winter imps can't hide". We work counter clockwise around the home. Garbage goes out the back door. Never out the front. And never have trash coming in through the front door. At the end of the thorough cleaning, the windows are to be taken out of the frames and also cleaned "so you can see the Spring Maiden in all her glory blooming and that joy can come into your home easily."
This was followed by incense to purify the home. My family was Christian and the priest used to come to the home when my Grandmother was young. Today, we do this ourselves. You can use sage or cedar or lavender or rose, or even a frankincense and myrrh blend. I use an herbal resin blend for Ostara that is made at Le Melange Magique.
After purifying the home, it was crutial to purify yourself as well. Each person in the home took a cleansing bath with salt in the water. I use Women's Spiritual Cleansing Bath Salt from Le Melange Magique. There is a Men's Spiritual Cleansing Bath Salt, too. Both have to be requested from the store's Apothecary. Cleansing the spirit also involves the non-physical. Taking some time to meditate and pray, to cleanse the mind and soul of negativity accumulated over the winter.
So the home has been purified and the body and spirit cleansed. What's next? BLESSING!
By tradition, that means bring positve things into the home. Something new and fresh. Something green and alive. We would sprinkly water that has some sweet blessing oil and floating flowers around the home. Sprinkling into each corner clockwise about the home. Then I brought in fresh flowers and new potted plants. Flowers and greenery bless my home in every room!
We also started to rearrange our home for new things to come this year. What do you want to come into your home? Is your home set up to welcome that energy? Are you starting a school project? Do you need to design a study area for that? What about a new business? Time to renovate the home office. We are doing more coven work in my livingroom and the home library needs changing, so we are renovating the Livingroom. Are you expecting new life? A baby? We are making room for that energy in our home as well, so that mean shifting the second office to the basement and designing a baby room! What seeds of hope are you planting? Don't just talk about it. DO IT! Plant those seeds, grow that garden!
We concluded by making the foyer/stairway welcoming by placing a corner shelf and decorating it for the season. Flowers, scented candles, items for each element, an offering bowl filled with chocolate eggs for each passersby to take as they come or go from our home.
Bright blessings!
To recap:
Purify your home by spring cleaning and burning pruification incense.
Purify your body with cleansing bath salts.
Purify the soul with meditation and prayer.
Bless the home with scented water.
Bring in positive energy by bring something new into your home.
Create the space you need to bring in what you hope for.
Plant a garden, start the seeds inside your home.
Make your space feel welcoming for guest, but also welcoming to you.
It is your home, you should feel like you want to be there.
Lastly, you might want to place protections about your home to reduce the negativity from returning. We will use Protection Oil and trace sigils with it on the door and window frames around our home.
Have a very Happy Spring. Share the joy!
Happy Ostara! I wanted to share with you some things that have been part of my family for generations. They happen around this time of year. Ever since I could remembers, we had certain activities that happened on or close to Ostara, Spring Equinox.
At dawn of the Equinox, our German greatgrandmother used to have the family open all the windows till sunset. My grandmother still does this, as does my mom and I. Did you open your windows? Why do we do it? When I asked, the response from my grandmother was so that we can air out the stuffy winter air and all the dark feelings from winter and freshen up the home with new Spring air.
This is followed by several days of thorough spring cleaning. And that spring cleaning must be done in a very specific way! We start at the front door. Everything gets lifted and moved and scrubbed clean into every nook and cranny "so the winter imps can't hide". We work counter clockwise around the home. Garbage goes out the back door. Never out the front. And never have trash coming in through the front door. At the end of the thorough cleaning, the windows are to be taken out of the frames and also cleaned "so you can see the Spring Maiden in all her glory blooming and that joy can come into your home easily."
This was followed by incense to purify the home. My family was Christian and the priest used to come to the home when my Grandmother was young. Today, we do this ourselves. You can use sage or cedar or lavender or rose, or even a frankincense and myrrh blend. I use an herbal resin blend for Ostara that is made at Le Melange Magique.
After purifying the home, it was crutial to purify yourself as well. Each person in the home took a cleansing bath with salt in the water. I use Women's Spiritual Cleansing Bath Salt from Le Melange Magique. There is a Men's Spiritual Cleansing Bath Salt, too. Both have to be requested from the store's Apothecary. Cleansing the spirit also involves the non-physical. Taking some time to meditate and pray, to cleanse the mind and soul of negativity accumulated over the winter.
So the home has been purified and the body and spirit cleansed. What's next? BLESSING!
By tradition, that means bring positve things into the home. Something new and fresh. Something green and alive. We would sprinkly water that has some sweet blessing oil and floating flowers around the home. Sprinkling into each corner clockwise about the home. Then I brought in fresh flowers and new potted plants. Flowers and greenery bless my home in every room!
We also started to rearrange our home for new things to come this year. What do you want to come into your home? Is your home set up to welcome that energy? Are you starting a school project? Do you need to design a study area for that? What about a new business? Time to renovate the home office. We are doing more coven work in my livingroom and the home library needs changing, so we are renovating the Livingroom. Are you expecting new life? A baby? We are making room for that energy in our home as well, so that mean shifting the second office to the basement and designing a baby room! What seeds of hope are you planting? Don't just talk about it. DO IT! Plant those seeds, grow that garden!
We concluded by making the foyer/stairway welcoming by placing a corner shelf and decorating it for the season. Flowers, scented candles, items for each element, an offering bowl filled with chocolate eggs for each passersby to take as they come or go from our home.
Bright blessings!
To recap:
Purify your home by spring cleaning and burning pruification incense.
Purify your body with cleansing bath salts.
Purify the soul with meditation and prayer.
Bless the home with scented water.
Bring in positive energy by bring something new into your home.
Create the space you need to bring in what you hope for.
Plant a garden, start the seeds inside your home.
Make your space feel welcoming for guest, but also welcoming to you.
It is your home, you should feel like you want to be there.
Lastly, you might want to place protections about your home to reduce the negativity from returning. We will use Protection Oil and trace sigils with it on the door and window frames around our home.
Have a very Happy Spring. Share the joy!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Merry Ostara!
Looking for last minute Ostara supplies? Have no fear, Melange Magique will be open both today (Friday the 21st) and Easter Monday (Monday the 24th).
CUPS (the Concordia University Pagan Society) will also be hosting a public FREE Ostara ritual above Melange Magique. It will begin at 6:30pm and end approximatly at 10:00 pm.
And for those of you who order online, please bear in mind that shipping will be slightly slower then usually due to the fact that the postal service is not in operation today or Easter Monday. We thank you for your patience and understanding, and wish all of you a Merry Ostara, and all the best for this new spring season!
CUPS (the Concordia University Pagan Society) will also be hosting a public FREE Ostara ritual above Melange Magique. It will begin at 6:30pm and end approximatly at 10:00 pm.
And for those of you who order online, please bear in mind that shipping will be slightly slower then usually due to the fact that the postal service is not in operation today or Easter Monday. We thank you for your patience and understanding, and wish all of you a Merry Ostara, and all the best for this new spring season!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Workshops & Events for March/April
METHODS OF MEDITATION (Robyn)
Have you ever wanted to meditate, but are not certain which technique will work best for you? Meditation is a means by which people work toward a sense of balance, stress relief and inner harmony. Join us for an afternoon of relaxation and together we will explore several different meditation styles and theories to help you find the way that feels most right for you.
*There will be some practical exercises, so please wear loose and comfortable clothing and bring a floor mat or cushion .*
Sunday, March 16th, 1-3 pm, $30
EXPLORING THE THROAT CHAKRA WORKSHOP (Scarlet)
Chakras are energy pools within us. Throughout our lives we draw energy from these pools and accumulate experiences which may block the flow of the energy. We continue with the Throat Chakra dealing with communication, expression, responsibility, truth & lies, faith, your true nature and the lies we tell ourselves. In this workshop, you will discover the various correspondences associated with this chakra that will help you explore it, cleanse it and balance it. We will end the session with an exploratory meditation.
Monday, March 17th, 7-9pm, $30
PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT Level I (Catharine)
Being able to tell the difference between intuition, prediction, clairvoyance, predictive dreams, deja vu, gut feelings etc. is essential to developing your abilities. We will discuss the various ways psychic abilities manifest and do hands on exercises to test your present level. At the end we will have a message circle where each participant will receive messages from Spirit with Catharine.
Saturday March 22nd, 1 - 3 pm $30.00
INTRODUCTION TO THE TAROT (Robyn)
ThSometimes it takes more then a tiny little pamphlet to know how to read your cards. In this basic level course we will be discussing the archetypal meanings of the trump cards as well as the general functions of the minor arcana.
*Please bring your own tarot deck to study with.*
Saturday, March 22nd, 1-3 pm, $30
SPELLCRAFTING 101 (Robyn)
At last! A course to cover the basics of how to know what goes into making a spell! Correspondences, suggestions, basics and more! Everything you need to know to make your own spells.
Sunday, March 23rd, 1-3pm, $30.
SPIRIT MESSAGE CIRCLE (Catharine)
This is a weekly group that is open to everyone. You may come as often as you wish. Each week, Catharine will talk about a theme, give a mini lesson on issues relevant to our lives, on the seasons, on symbols and on life cycles. A guided meditation is given to provide protection and relief from stress. At the end, everyone will receive a short psychic message!
Thursday, March 27th, 7-9pm $20.
EXPLORING THE THIRD EYE CHAKRA WORKSHOP (Scarlet)
Chakras are energy pools within us. Throughout our lives we draw energy from these pools and accumulate experiences which may block the flow of the energy. We continue with the Third Eye Chakra dealing with inspiration, intellect, awareness, psychic abilities, and the illusion of separation. In this workshop, you will discover the various correspondences associated with this chakra that will help you explore it, cleanse it and balance it. We will end the session with an exploratory meditation.
Monday March 31st, 7-9p.m. $30.00!
SNEAK PEAK FOR APRIL
Pagan Mentor's Gathering
Meet with leaders and mentors from the community and get involved in advanced discussions about community craft.
Tuesday, April 8th at 7pm
Across the street from the store at La Croissanterie
Asian Radicals (Wei)
Learn Chinese words that you can use in your rituals for invokations.
Thursday, April 10th 6-8pm
$30
Tarot for Intermediates (Scarlet)
Tarot is a complex system of divination. This workshop assumes that you have a deck and are familiar with the basic meanings of your cards. We will take the next step in understanding the tarot. You will learn the meanings of card combinations, explore various types of tarot spreads, and how to create your own spreads!
Friday, April 11th, 7-9pm, $30.
SECRET STORE EVENT!!!
Saturday, April 12th all day
News TBA
Crown Chakra (Scarlet)
Monday, April 14th 7-9pm
$30
Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil show of the Club de Mineralogie de Montreal
DATES: April 18-20:Friday 3 pm – 10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 7 pm, Sunday 10am – 5 pm
LOCATION: Center Pierre-Charbonneau 3000 Viau St. (Viau Metro), Montreal, Quebec.
CONTACT: 514-955-3758 or 514-332-9028 for more details.
WEBSITE: http://www.salonminerauxmtl.com/
Advanced Tarot I (Scarlet)
Reading with intuition, designing your own tarot spreads.
Monday April 21st 7-9pm
$30
EARTH DAY April 22nd
Norwex Event
In honor of Earth Day, come out to learn about new cleaning products that are exceptionally environmentally friendly. Ever think that you could use two cloths and some water and need NOTHING else to clean your home? As Pagan, we honor nature and should be taking our stewardship of the earth more seriously. Here is an opportunity to use sothing with no waste or toxins! The speaker is a Pagn from Ottawa. Helpt support Pagans and the environment.
Saturday, April 26th
Beltain Sabbat Sale
10% off everything
Sunday, April 27th all day
Public Beltain Ritual
Lead by Black Forest's Northern Cougars Clan and Coven
Formal Euro-Celtic Traditional Wiccan Ritual
Please wear robes if possible (and be aware you will be jumping a small bonfire)
Please bring Beltain related feast to share and your feast gear (a cup is needed within the ritual)
Sunday, April 27 at 1pm
Advanced Tarot II (Scarlet)
Learning timing in the tarot and using the cards for meditation.
Monday, April 28th 7-9pm
$30
Have you ever wanted to meditate, but are not certain which technique will work best for you? Meditation is a means by which people work toward a sense of balance, stress relief and inner harmony. Join us for an afternoon of relaxation and together we will explore several different meditation styles and theories to help you find the way that feels most right for you.
*There will be some practical exercises, so please wear loose and comfortable clothing and bring a floor mat or cushion .*
Sunday, March 16th, 1-3 pm, $30
EXPLORING THE THROAT CHAKRA WORKSHOP (Scarlet)
Chakras are energy pools within us. Throughout our lives we draw energy from these pools and accumulate experiences which may block the flow of the energy. We continue with the Throat Chakra dealing with communication, expression, responsibility, truth & lies, faith, your true nature and the lies we tell ourselves. In this workshop, you will discover the various correspondences associated with this chakra that will help you explore it, cleanse it and balance it. We will end the session with an exploratory meditation.
Monday, March 17th, 7-9pm, $30
PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT Level I (Catharine)
Being able to tell the difference between intuition, prediction, clairvoyance, predictive dreams, deja vu, gut feelings etc. is essential to developing your abilities. We will discuss the various ways psychic abilities manifest and do hands on exercises to test your present level. At the end we will have a message circle where each participant will receive messages from Spirit with Catharine.
Saturday March 22nd, 1 - 3 pm $30.00
INTRODUCTION TO THE TAROT (Robyn)
ThSometimes it takes more then a tiny little pamphlet to know how to read your cards. In this basic level course we will be discussing the archetypal meanings of the trump cards as well as the general functions of the minor arcana.
*Please bring your own tarot deck to study with.*
Saturday, March 22nd, 1-3 pm, $30
SPELLCRAFTING 101 (Robyn)
At last! A course to cover the basics of how to know what goes into making a spell! Correspondences, suggestions, basics and more! Everything you need to know to make your own spells.
Sunday, March 23rd, 1-3pm, $30.
SPIRIT MESSAGE CIRCLE (Catharine)
This is a weekly group that is open to everyone. You may come as often as you wish. Each week, Catharine will talk about a theme, give a mini lesson on issues relevant to our lives, on the seasons, on symbols and on life cycles. A guided meditation is given to provide protection and relief from stress. At the end, everyone will receive a short psychic message!
Thursday, March 27th, 7-9pm $20.
EXPLORING THE THIRD EYE CHAKRA WORKSHOP (Scarlet)
Chakras are energy pools within us. Throughout our lives we draw energy from these pools and accumulate experiences which may block the flow of the energy. We continue with the Third Eye Chakra dealing with inspiration, intellect, awareness, psychic abilities, and the illusion of separation. In this workshop, you will discover the various correspondences associated with this chakra that will help you explore it, cleanse it and balance it. We will end the session with an exploratory meditation.
Monday March 31st, 7-9p.m. $30.00!
SNEAK PEAK FOR APRIL
Pagan Mentor's Gathering
Meet with leaders and mentors from the community and get involved in advanced discussions about community craft.
Tuesday, April 8th at 7pm
Across the street from the store at La Croissanterie
Asian Radicals (Wei)
Learn Chinese words that you can use in your rituals for invokations.
Thursday, April 10th 6-8pm
$30
Tarot for Intermediates (Scarlet)
Tarot is a complex system of divination. This workshop assumes that you have a deck and are familiar with the basic meanings of your cards. We will take the next step in understanding the tarot. You will learn the meanings of card combinations, explore various types of tarot spreads, and how to create your own spreads!
Friday, April 11th, 7-9pm, $30.
SECRET STORE EVENT!!!
Saturday, April 12th all day
News TBA
Crown Chakra (Scarlet)
Monday, April 14th 7-9pm
$30
Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil show of the Club de Mineralogie de Montreal
DATES: April 18-20:Friday 3 pm – 10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 7 pm, Sunday 10am – 5 pm
LOCATION: Center Pierre-Charbonneau 3000 Viau St. (Viau Metro), Montreal, Quebec.
CONTACT: 514-955-3758 or 514-332-9028 for more details.
WEBSITE: http://www.salonminerauxmtl.com/
Advanced Tarot I (Scarlet)
Reading with intuition, designing your own tarot spreads.
Monday April 21st 7-9pm
$30
EARTH DAY April 22nd
Norwex Event
In honor of Earth Day, come out to learn about new cleaning products that are exceptionally environmentally friendly. Ever think that you could use two cloths and some water and need NOTHING else to clean your home? As Pagan, we honor nature and should be taking our stewardship of the earth more seriously. Here is an opportunity to use sothing with no waste or toxins! The speaker is a Pagn from Ottawa. Helpt support Pagans and the environment.
Saturday, April 26th
Beltain Sabbat Sale
10% off everything
Sunday, April 27th all day
Public Beltain Ritual
Lead by Black Forest's Northern Cougars Clan and Coven
Formal Euro-Celtic Traditional Wiccan Ritual
Please wear robes if possible (and be aware you will be jumping a small bonfire)
Please bring Beltain related feast to share and your feast gear (a cup is needed within the ritual)
Sunday, April 27 at 1pm
Advanced Tarot II (Scarlet)
Learning timing in the tarot and using the cards for meditation.
Monday, April 28th 7-9pm
$30
Monday, March 10, 2008
Ostara
Ostara, the Spring Equinox also known as the Vernal Equinox. On this first day of spring, the hours of daylight and night are equal; in balance, with light gaining. This Sabbat celebrates the mating of the young & fertile newly awoken Goddess with the fertile Sun God. Their union will be celebrated at Beltaine, and nine months from now their male child - the future Sun God, will be born anew. The term Ostara comes from the Anglo-Saxon "eastre", signifying the season of spring and beginnings. Some claim the name to be that of a Teutonic Goddess whose name is a variant of Ishtar or Astarte. Associated with this Sabbat are fertility symbols like eggs and rabbits - the World-Egg whence hatches all life, and the Hare who is a lunar animal sacred to several Goddesses
Concepts: fertility, both human and vegetable; new life stirring - fresh greenery, last snows have gone, flowers are again present, seeds have sprouted; first planting takes place; action, new beginnings: a great time to set plans into motion to come into fruition at harvest-time.
Also, in the spirit of planning and making way for the new, don’t forget Melange Magique’s Sunday Sabbat sale! On March 16th enjoy 10% everything in store, all day!
Looking for a public ritual? CUPS (Concordia University Pagan Society) is hosting an Ostara ritual at The Magical Blend on March 21st. The Rite will begin at 6:30 pm, and will end around 10:00 pm. Hope to see you all there!
Concepts: fertility, both human and vegetable; new life stirring - fresh greenery, last snows have gone, flowers are again present, seeds have sprouted; first planting takes place; action, new beginnings: a great time to set plans into motion to come into fruition at harvest-time.
Also, in the spirit of planning and making way for the new, don’t forget Melange Magique’s Sunday Sabbat sale! On March 16th enjoy 10% everything in store, all day!
Looking for a public ritual? CUPS (Concordia University Pagan Society) is hosting an Ostara ritual at The Magical Blend on March 21st. The Rite will begin at 6:30 pm, and will end around 10:00 pm. Hope to see you all there!
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