New Stock, Books and a Special Event

Fire in the Hearth One-Day Conference
Pagan Thought in Modern Times

July 11 from 10 am to 5 pm - Fire in the Hearth
Hosted by Red Maple Grove (ADF Ottawa)
Conference at the Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave. in Ontario
Admission is only $15

TICKETS AVAILABLE @ MELANGE MAGIQUE/MAGICAL BLEND

Guest of Honour: Isaac Bonewits
Arch Druid Emeritus and Founder of Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship
Author of REAL MAGIC (1989)
Neopagan Rites (2007)
Essential Guide to Druidism(2006)

See below for Books by Isaac Bonewits also available in store!

TEAS TEAS TEAS
Tea is wonderful even in the summer. Consider making them into ICED teas!
We received new teas, delicious and tempting new flavours!

• Chocolate (black tea)
  
• Balinese Rainbow Jasmine (green tea with hints of other flowers and fruit)
• Vanilla Cinnamon (black tea)
• Berry on the Run (rooibos packed full of many real berries)

RARE EXQUISITE AMBER RESIN
We have often been asked about amber resin and tried for YEARS to obtain some for our clients. Now we have it!! Only $10 each!
GOLDEN AMBER IS NOW IN STORE!


BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS
We received a bunch of books about DRUIDIC practice, as well as books by Isaac Bonewits in preparation for the coming conference in July where he will be the guest of honour! Some of the books are NEW and must be checked out!

• The Mysteries of Druidry
• Druid Power
• Druid Magic Handbook
• In the Grove of the Druids (out of print - one left in stock)
  
• Druidry Handbook
• Druidcraft Tarot
• Druid Animal Oracle
• Druid Plant Oracle

Some new Druid book arrivals include:

Way of the Druids by Graeme K Talboys
ISBN: 1905047231 $37.95
A thorough explanation of Celtic history and beliefs is followed by an analysis of their view and its modern relevance. After all, it's the religion we all used to follow in the West. Massively comprehensive but very accessible, all students of religion and serious seekers will find this definitive guide to what Druid means and how to be one today.

The Druids by Ronald Hutton
ISBN: 9781847252104 $25.95
A comprehensive insight into Druids in Britain since 1500, with hundreds of sources never used before. The first major overview of the subject for over 30 years.Ronald Hutton's latest book is the first comprehensive study of what people have thought about the ancient Druids and why. Written in a entertaining and accessible style it is essential reading for everyone interested in exploring our mysterious past.Most books written on the Druids hitherto have been by archaeologists specializing in the Iron Age, who have occupied a great deal of space trying to find things to say about the 'original' ancient priesthood. Most have then devoted a final section of their books to people who have called themselves Druids since 1700 - until recently with contemptuous dismissal. Hutton's contention is that the sources for the ancient Druids are so few and unreliable that almost nothing certain can be said about them. Instead he reverses the traditional balance of interest to look at the many ways in which Druids have been imagined in Britain since 1500 and what this tells us about modern and early modern society.In the process he achieves many new insights into the development of British national identities, established and 'alternative' religions, literary culture, fraternal organisation and protest movements. He also suggests new ways in which the discipline of archaeology can be perceived - which will delight some practitioners and enrage others.

Among the Isaac Bonewits books we already carry:

• Real Magic
• Neopagan Rites
• The Pagan Man

Bonewits's Essential Guide to Druidism by Isaac Bonewits
ISBN: 0806527102 $19,95
A book about Druids unlike any other, Bonewits’s Essential Guide to Druidism not only goes far behind the usual Celtic and Classical references by discussing the evolution and migration of the Proto-Indo-European peoples, from whom the Celts arose, but also discusses the beliefs and ritual practices of both the British and American streams of modern Druidry, as well as providing warnings about deceptive Druid organizations and authors. This is a book that belongs in the library of every modern Druid, regardless of their particular path or style of Druidism.

Short Day Warning

Everyone wants to celebrate the Canadian Holidays! We have two in Quebec just coming up and we would like to inform you that on those days we will have reduced open hours.

June 24th : St-Jean Baptiste
OPEN 10:00am to 3:00pm

July 1st : Canada Day
OPEN 10:00am to 3:00

Thank you all for your patience and understanding. Have a blessed and wonderful set of holiday days!

New in the Store

We received many new books with more on the way! Check out the new books HERE: NEW STUFF instore. Also new in are these titles:

Garden Witch's Herbal: Green Magick, Herbalism & Spirituality
Every Witch needs a little corner of the world to tend. Deepen your connection to the earth and watch your magickal skills blossom. Ellen Dugan presents a variety of ways to honor and work with the plant kingdom in this charming hands-on guide to green magick and spirituality. Designed to enhance any tradition or style of the Craft, this handy herbal reference provides the physical description, folklore, magickal qualities, and spellwork correspondences for a wealth of flowers, trees, and herbs, and features forty-seven botanical drawings. Conjuring a Garden with Heart - Green Witchery in the City Wildflowers and Witchery - Magick of the Hedgerows The Magick and Folklore of Trees - Gothic Herbs and Forbidden PlantsHerbs and Plants of the Sabbats - Herbs of the Stars - Magickal Herbalism

Living Temple Of Witchcraft, Volume Two - The Journey Of The God
In the sixth installment of the award-winning Temple of Witchcraft series, popular author Christopher Penczak explores the quest of the God. In this volume, the twelve signs of the zodiac represent the God's symbolic journey through the sky. Each archetypal astrological force offers readers unique insight into the mysteries and the role of a high priest or high priestess. This manual of practical exercise, witchcraft theology, and ministerial advice also explores witchcraft and the modern world, discussing how contemporary issues can be approached from the perspective of witchcraft spirituality. A magickal education through the zodiac signs - Learning tools for pagan ministersEarth stewardship and working with ley lines - Ancestor workTrance work through dance and plant substances - Mediumship within witchcraft Communing with your own personal twelvefold pantheon. The lessons in this advanced magickal book culminate in a powerful self-initiation ritual that combines the lessons of the Goddess's descent and the God's journey, to bring awareness, understanding, and personal power.

Rumi Tarot Kit
Wander through the garden of divine love Tread the sacred path of the Sufi and behold the spiritual reality of divine beauty with every step. A beloved saint, teacher, and poet of the Sufi tradition, Rumi celebrated love and its ability to set the soul to flight. Let yourself be transported by Rumi's sublime poetry and the enchantingly exotic imagery of this tarot kit--and seek your own spiritual bliss. This mystical tarot deck beautifully combines Nigel Jackson's original artwork with the inspirational writings of Rumi, depicting the soul's journey toward ultimate truth. The Rumi Tarot Kit includes: Mesmerizing artwork, based on the Rider-Waite tradition, that captures the mystery and opulence of the Orient. Suggested tarot card layouts, spreads, and an in-depth historical background of the Sufi tradition. Clear instructions for using this tarot deck for divination, meditation, visualization, and chanting

Goddess Guide - Exploring the Attributes and Correspondences of the Divine Feminine
Which goddess will help me invite love into my life? Is there an Indian goddess who presides over wealth? Does Kuan Yin represent compassion or truth? For anyone who's ever wondered which form of the Divine Feminine to invoke for a particular ritual, blessing, prayer, or meditation, The Goddess Guide is a goddess-send! As the first and only book of its kind on the market today, this invaluable at-a-glance cross-reference offers instant info on more than 400 goddesses from diverse cultures around the world--simply look up the keyword that best matches your intention. The goddesses are organized according to their names, attributes, colors, elements, sabbats, light and dark feminine aspects (maidens, mothers, and crones), and geographical regions. Get to know all aspects of the goddesses who bring about healing, heightened passion, success, weight loss, and much more. This reference book deserves a spot on every serious practitioner's bookshelf.

Travels Through Middle Earth - The Path of a Saxon Pagan
The Saxon Pagan holds a spiritual worldview that largely inspired Tolkien's vision of Middle Earth. In this fascinating book, author and scholar Alaric Albertsson presents a complete introduction to Anglo-Saxon cosmology, deities, spirits, linguistics, and rituals. Although there is a growing interest today in reconstructed Pagan religions, very little information is available for those who wish to explore these paths, especially that of the Anglo-Saxon. Travels Through Middle Earth offers practical information about the Saxon-Pagan path, including many ways to incorporate Saxon rituals into contemporary spiritual life. Readers will discover how to set up a weofod, the Saxon altar, to connect with the Gods. They'll learn about the husel, a basic ritual for honoring personal ancestors, the Gods, and dwarves and elves. Also covered in this handbook: the concept of wyrd and how it shapes one's destiny, the holy tides and how to celebrate them, and even instructions for making mead!

More new items in store include the restocked Incense boxes without side designs yet with their secret compartments! We also received sage smudges!

Rare new items that arrives include:

• Home-made parchment and paper @ $2.50 per sheet
• Fresh and pure burnable amber resin @ $10.00 per package
• I-Ching coins @ $1.95 per set of 3 coins
• Bindrune talsimans @ $3.99 each (Good Luck, Preserve a Love Relationship, Prosperity, Protection)
• Beautiful soapstone treasure boxes @ $6.95 each (for stones or other trinkets, various shades and various engraved designs on the lids

Don't forget that this weekend is MANY things! Celebrate! Honor and share! Meditate! For more information refer to this POST.

Summer Solstice
Father's Day
Dark Moon

One-Day Conference in Ottawa: Guest - Isaac Bonewits

Fire in the Hearth
Pagan Thought in Modern Times

A One Day Conference
Saturday, July 11, 2009, 10 am to 5 pm
At the Bronson Centre,
211 Bronson Ave.,
Ottawa, Ontario

Guest of Honour:
Isaac Bonewits

Arch Druid Emeritus and Founder of Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship
Author of REAL MAGIC (1989)
Neopagan Rites (2007)
Essential Guide to Druidism(2006)

Special Guests

* Dr. Brendan Myers
o Author of
+ The Other Side of Virtue (2008)
+ A Pagan Testament (2008)
+ Mysteries of Druidry (2006)

* Linda Demissy
o past Preceptor, ADF Seers
o Senior Druid Silver Fox Grove
o Linda's book of Pagan Chants

* Dr. Shelley Rabinovitch
o Prof Magic and Occult Phenomena Course, University of Ottawa
o Co-Author of
+ Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft & NeoPaganism (2004)
+ An' Ye Harm None: Magical Morality & Modern Ethics (2004)

Admission is only $15
Available at Pagan Brunches, and other Ottawa Local Pagan events from
Red Maple Grove Members (more information on purchasing tickets coming soon!)

More info: http://www.redmaplegrove.org

Drumming Workshop

Cité Zen Urban Drumming - Drumming Workshop

The Magical Blend in collaboration with Cité Zen Urban Drumming are please to announce their debut drum circle workshop! This is an open class, no previous musical experience required. Just bring your enthusiasm!! Basic tam tam drumming techniques will be demonstrated with emphasis on group playing. This is a non traditional, high energy, maximum fun percussion activity! The theme is "Access to music for ALL!" We provide a beautiful djembe for you if required, or you may of course bring any of your own drums.

(Drum reservations required 48 hours in advance @ Melange Magique)
For more information please do not hesitate to contact James Olmsted at 514-826-1607, or write james.olmsted@videotron.ca

Sunday, June the 14th, 1-3pm $30

REGISTER ASAP (latest by Friday June 12th)

Sunday Sabbat Sale & Summer Solstice News

Start celebrating the Summer Solstice with us on Sunday June 14th! Excellent time for picking up Sabbat supplies, as well as Father's Day gifts!

Sunday June 14th all day
(12noon - 5pm)
Sunday Sabbat Sale
Everything in store is 10% off !!

Summer Solstice Public Ritual will be hosted by the MPRC on Saturday June 20th, 1-5pm, at Angrignon Park in Ville LaSalle. Bring feast food to share, your own feast gear (plate, cup, utensils), drums and rattles, picnic blanket and /or chairs and other fun park stuff!

The Summer Solstice proper lands on Sunday June 21st, which is also Father's Day, and the eve of the Dark Moon.

Summer Solstice
Coined Litha by Tolkien, this is the European Midsummer celebration of the Longest Day of the year. Farmers drove cattle between two bonfires to purify them and bless them, making this a day to celebrate and bless all pets and animals in our families. Weddings happen around this time of year in honor of the bond forged at May Day. The goddess and the land begin to grow pregnant with possibility and the promice of a good harvest. Milk and honey are poured into the gardens for the faeries and to add nourishment and sweetness to the land and crops.
For more information about the Summer Solstice: http://www.twpt.com/midsummer.htm

Father's Day
"The idea for an official Father’s Day celebration came to a married daughter, seated in a church in Spokane, Washington, attentive to a Sunday sermon on Mother’s Day in 1910-two years after the first Mother’s Day observance in West Virginia.

The daughter was Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd. During the sermon, which extolled maternal sacrifices made for children, Mrs. Dodd realized that in her own family it had been her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran, who had sacrificed-raising herself and five sons alone, following the early death of his wife in childbirth. For Mrs. Dodd, the hardships her father had endured on their eastern Washington farm called to mind the unsung feats of fathers everywhere." --- for the rest of the article : http://www.ideafinder.com/guest/calendar/fathersday.htm

Dark Moon
"The dark moon is that three day period from the last sliver of moon light to the first maidenly sliver of moon light, the moon hides her face from us during this part of the cycle. I use this period of the month specifically for examining my dark self, my shadow side. Some witches consider this a time of rest from spells and I usually do no spell work at this time, but as you probably know, introspection is not a restful experience. Let the crone lead you in studying your dark side and in understanding that this side of you is necessary in order to have a balance in your life. "
Taken from (and thus for more moon Lore): http://www.empathys.co.uk/43.html

Midsummer Magick

To celebrate the warm weather, we have received new items in store! Celebrate Litha with a Green Man Wall Plaque adorning your ritual space, and keep your midsummer divination tools in a decorative ritual box. Summer is also an excellent time to align and cleanse personal energy. Align your chakras with our Chakra Gemstone Necklace, and purify your energy using our Chakra Oil Kit and a Black Soapstone Om Oil Burner. Come see these items and much more in store now!

Candles Have Arrived!

Coventry Creations has arrived! A wide selection of candles scented with essential oils and coloured for various magical purposes, everyone's favourite aromatherapy candles are back in stock. Choose from a selection of Blessed Herbal Candles, Blessing Kits, Motor City Hoodoo Magic, Goddess Invocation, and much more!



*We do caution to never leave a lit candle unattended for your own safety*

Upcoming June Workshops

We have a lot of new classes to pique your curiosity this coming month. Here is our list of offerings for June:

Wed June 3: Creating Sacred Space 7-9pm (Scarlet) $30

Thurs June 4: Psych Development 1 7-9pm (Catherine) $30

Thurs June 4: Reincarnation/After-Life... or "Whatever comes next" 6:45-8:45pm (MPRC) FREE

Thurs June 4: Free Introduction to Kundalini Yoga & Meditation 7-8pm (Gururas Kaur) FREE

Sat June 6: Psych Development 1 12-2pm (Catherine) $30

Sat June 6 Psych Development II 3-5pm (Catherine) $30

Wed June 10: Introduction to Spellcrafting 7-9pm (Scarlet) $30

Thurs June 11: Psych Development II 7-9pm (Catherine) $30

Thurs June 11: I Have a Rock...Now What? 6-8pm (Sam) $30

Sat June 13: Tarot I "Deck & Major Arcana"- 1-3pm (Scarlet) $30

Wed June 17: Covens vs. Solitaries 7-9pm (Scarlet) $30

Thurs June 18: Psychic Protection 7-9pm (Catherine) $30

Thurs June 18: Living With Faeries 6-8pm (Sam)$30

Sat June 20: Mediumship 12-2pm (Catherine) $30

Sat June 20: Psych Development III 3-5pm (Catherine) $30

Sat June 20: Tarot I "The 4 Suits" 1-3pm (Scarlet) $30

Thurs June 25: Chakra Cleansing 7-9pm (Catherine) $30

Sat June 27: Lightarian Empowerment Ray 10:30am-5:30pm (Gururas Kaur) $100/1hr session (by appointment only)

Time to clean house?

Often around this time of year we get a lot of questions as to how to clean a home of the old negative energies that have built up over the winter (or were left there by previous tenants!). Here are a few ideas to help you wipe the slate clean:

Sage Smudging is a very traditional way of clearing out old energies (both in places and in people). We have a good variety of sage bundles in stock right now that you might find very useful for this. We have sweetgrass braids, too!

Some folk prefer to use Room Sprays or Vinegars to change the energies of a room and to add some special touches that are good for protection, love, drawing in business or keeping out unwanted spirits.

Last but not least, we also offer up a House Blessing kit, with all kinds of spell components in it to bless, protect and cleanse your home to make it feel like your sacred place again.

New For Spring, Just in Time for Mother's Day

The trees have woken up, the city is turning new leaf green and spring is most definitely in the air!

We have a bunch of new items, as well as artisan-made crafts in, and some of it is just perfect for mother's day gift ideas:

• We have beautiful hand sewn bags and altar cloths made by our own Sam
  
• New stone bracelets and necklaces made by our own Robyn
• Voodoo Baby keychains
• New stones!! (Amazonite, Aragonite, Calcite Geodes, Garnet, Abalone shell Nacre and more)
• Semi-precious stone pyramids
• Goddess Figurines
• Badger Balm luxury products
• Badger Relaxation Kits
• Custom Blended Teas
• New Stone pendants from Crystal Earth
• And lots more!
  

With Gratitude

A very special thanks to all the wonderful people who made this past weekend's Fair such a resounding success: Thank you to all our friends, volunteers, guest speakers, authors, vendors and the pagan communities of Montreal, Ottawa and beyond for all that you did, the energy you brought and the wonderful time had by all. Your time with us is deeply appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Beltane Fair this weekend!

Join us this weekend: It's time for the Beltane Fair at long last!

The store will be open from 10am to 6pm on both days for this amazing event, featuring guest speakers, authors, artisans and more.

...And as an added bonus, we've extended our Sabbat Sale in store, too: that's right, everything in store is 10%off their regularly marked prices!

See you there!

Get your books signed at the Beltane Fair!

With the Beltane Fair only a few days away, we've stocked up on books by all the authors coming in to visit with us. You can come and get your books signed by the authors over the weekend, and while quantities last, you can even order a signed copy of a book online, too!

Judika Illes: Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells, The Encyclopedia of Spirits, Element Compendium Of 1000 Spells, The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Pure Magic, and Magic When You Need It.



Arin Murphy-Hiscock: 'Power Spellcraft for Life', 'Solitary Wicca for Life', 'The Way of the Green Witch', 'The Way of the Hedge Witch'.


Brendan Myers: Mysteries of Druidry, “The Other Side of Virtue” and “A Pagan Testament”.


Sian Reid: 'An' Ye Harm None: Magical Morality and Modern Ethics'.



Greg Stroll: 'In the Heart of Fear One Forgets One's Self'.

Unfortunately, Rob St. Martin's books will only be available in store on the day of the fair and not to order online, but he will be selling copies of Truthseekers 1 and 2, as well as his popular Squirrelman books, too.

Herbs, herbs, herbs!

Herbs in the Altar Space
Last fall a few folk gathered the herbs from their gardens and let them in our altar space to dry. They are well dried out now, and anyone is welcome to come and snip off some of those herbs for their uses. The available herbs are: oregano, lavender, wormwood, thyme, lemon balm, chamomile and rue. Special thanks to all those who brought these in!!

NEW Herbs in our Store!
We have just received in a large shipment of new herbs, and have gotten things in stock that we haven't had in a while (like Asafoetida, Balm of Gilead, and Cinquefoil) and some new herbs that we're very excited about: Pussy Willow, Cramp Bark, Horny Goats Weed, Life Everlasting, Dragon Bones, Chaste Tree Berries, Horse Chestnut Bark, Fireweed Leaf, Lotus Petals, ...and MORE!

Happy Easter!

Just a quick word to remind everyone that even though it is Easter weekend, we are OPEN all weekend long (and Monday too!). Drop in and say hello if you're in the area!

Dinner with our Guest Speakers

At long last we have finalized arrangements for the dinner with our guest speakers! After a day of FREE workshops and lectures and excellent shopping at our artisans' crafts fair, you can join us for dinner from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at Hurleys' Irish pub (1225 Crescent Avenue - in the upstairs back section). Only a 10 minute walk from the store, Hurleys' has long since been a favorite spot for our staff and friends.

I am told that we will be offered a special menu just for us, and that there will be both vegetarian and meat-lover friendly choices. There is plenty of room for everyone, and as an added bonus, once dinner is over, there will be a live band playing at 9pm, too.

See you there!

Events for April 2009

STORE CLOSED FOR INVENTORY WEDNESDAY APRIL 1st

PAGAN DISCUSSION NIGHT (MPRC)
First Thursday of every month, the MPRC hosts a discussion on various themes. Watch for each new theme! This month's theme: Topic for Pagan Discussion Night: Powers of Divination
Thursday April 2nd, 6:30-8:30 pm FREE

REIKI LEVEL ONE (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 using the American Reiki Mastery Association's style of initiations. Ample time will be given for practice as well.
Sunday April 5th, 11 am - 5 pm, $150

FULL MOON Thursday April 9th

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT LEVEL 1 (Catharine)
Discover the many ways we receive our psychic gifts. Intuition, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Channeling 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 April 9th 7-9 pm $30

WARRIORS OF THE CRAFT: PART I - Deities and Heroes (Scarlet)
There are warriors in every culture, a class of fighters and guardians to stand against the dark. Every religion has its gods and heroes from myth and legend to mundane reality. Archangel Michael, Thor, Morrigan, Hercules, Cuhulain, Wolf, Diana, Templars, Samurai, Jedi, Soldiers, Officers of the Law, Wiccan Warders... you.
This is an overview of the myths and legends we draw upon to inform of about the role of the warrior. What are their stories? Who are they? Is there an archetype we can relate to?
Friday April 10th, 7-9pm, $30

VISUALIZING THE CHAKRAS SERIES: ROOT CHAKRA (Catharine)
The root chakra is the base of our sense of belonging, safety - surviving or thriving. Using a guided meditation practice you will be able to re-balance this chakra and feel reassured.
Saturday April 11th, 12-2pm $30

ANIMAL LORE (Scarlet)
Animals influence our lives and our environment, from the pets we have in our homes, the the local wildlife, to the advertising we are inundated with. Animals have meanings and energies we can draw upon and symbolism we can refer to in order to understand how they are used and what they mean when we even see them in our dreams. This class will explore the symbolic meaning of over 20 animals. It will help you understand the animals in your life and how to connect with them. ** prerequisite to the class on Totems and to the class on Shapeshifting**
Saturday April 11th, 1-3pm, $30

CHAKRA CLEANSING WORKSHOP (Catharine)
Intro to energetic cleansing of the chakras. Guided meditation to cleanse.
Saturday April 11, 3-5pm $30

INTRODUCTION TO STONE HEALING (Robyn)
Sunday April 12th, 1-3pm, $30

I HAVE A ROCK... NOW WHAT? (Sam)
Wondering whether to use a rough stone or a tumbled stone? Maybe you want to know how to cleanse different stones. Having trouble remembering which one does what? Discuss the answers to these questions and learn how to incorporate stone-work in your life.
Thursday April 16th, 6-8 pm, $30

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT LEVEL 2 (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 April 16th 7-9 pm $30

Annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil show of the Club de Mineralogie de Montreal
DATES April 18-20
TIME 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

EARTH DAY April 22nd

TREE RITE FOR EARTH DAY (Scarlet)
Adopt a tree, bless a tree, plant a tree for Earth Day! Scarlet will host this workshop/ritual for selecting a tree, understanding its magical energies, tapping into its spirit to awaken it and blessing it. Take home a little tree and plant it in your yard or other natural setting.
Wednesday April 22nd, 7-9pm, $30

PAST LIVES (Catharine)
Discussion of theory of past lives, karma, remembering them, relationships from past lives and meditation/regression.
Thursday April 23rd, 7-9pm $30

WARRIORS OF THE CRAFT: PART II - Warriors & Warders (Scarlet)
There are warriors in every culture, a class of fighters and guardians to stand against the dark. Every religion has its gods and heroes from myth and legend to mundane reality. Archangel Michael, Thor, Morrigan, Hercules, Cuhulain, Wolf, Diana, Templars, Samurai, Jedi, Soldiers, Officers of the Law, Wiccan Warders... you.
Heroic knights and guardians have walked among us throughout history and even today. We will explore the warrior class in society and its various manifestation from the contemporary film representation of the Jedi, to knights of chivalry, to the honor-bound samurai. Then we will look at today's warriors: soldiers, firefighters, EMT's, police officers, and our very own warders of the public rituals.
Friday April 24th, 7-9pm, $30

BELTANE FAIR
April 25th & 26th 10am - 6pm both days
** Seminars, Author & Artisans **
Schedule is now online

BELTANE RITUAL & FEST
Ritual, May Pole dancing, Celtic music, tarot readings, feast & more. This is a CHILDREN FRIENDLY event! All are welcome! Hosted by Wiccan Sacred Circle and Avalon Centre.
*Please bring a wide ribbon 3 meters long and a $5 donation*
1510 Chemin Herron in Dorval (Hall across from the Avalon Centre and the park)
Sunday April 26th from 6pm to 11pm

COVENS vs SOLITARIES (Scarlet)
Wednesday April 29th, 7-9pm $30

ENERGETIC SELF-HEALING (Catharine & Nicholas)
Discussion of energetic healing, how it works, techniques and healing session.
Thursday April 30th, 7-9pm $30

More About Our Beltane Authors and Guest Lecturers

Asherah and Apollonius are High Priestess and High Priest of the Isis Hathor Coven. They have extensively studied and practiced not only Traditional Wicca, but also Hermetic Magick as well.

Sarah Comrie has been telling stories in the Montreal community for the past five years. She has a background in theatre, performing around the world from 1996 to 2003 with a small repertory company.

Meri Fowler is a practicing Wiccan who belongs to a Celtic Shamanic Coven in Montreal. She has been Wiccan for 18 years and runs the Wiccan Sacred Circle Network and the Young Pagan's Circle.

Melanie Halpert: After years of trying to find solutions for personal health challenges within the medical system to no avail, Melanie turned to alternative medicine. Now, with almost ten years of experience in the field of natural health, she has finally found her niche practicing BodyTalk and continues to unravel the threads of her own healing while facilitating treatments for others.

Helmut: Blacksmith by trade for 39 years, Helmut has been making ritual tools and studying metal magic for over 25 years.

John David Hickey has been telling tales in schools and festivals across Canada for over 13 years. In 2005, he published collection of tales in a book/CD called You Don't Know Jack.

Judika Illes fell in love with the magical arts when she was a little girl and has been studying and practicing them ever since. She is the author the ' Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells', 'The Encyclopedia of Spirits', 'Element Compendium Of 1000 Spells', 'The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft', 'Pure Magic', and ' Magic When You Need It'.

T. Scarlet Jory is a 3rd Degree Wiccan High Priestess in the Black Forest tradition and coordinator of Crescent Moon School. She has devoted her university studies in anthropology and religion to further the academic studies of Wicca and to augment her own personal growth.

Valerie Laville has a background in Biology and Ecology, and completed these studies in Canada and South Africa. She is currently studying to become an osteopath. She has had strong interests for the world of the occult and its mysteries throughout her life.

Arin Murphy-Hiscock is a Montreal author and editor whose books include 'Power Spellcraft for Life', 'Solitary Wicca for Life', 'The Way of the Green Witch', and the forthcoming 'The Way of the Hedge Witch' (April 2009). She is currently editing an anthology of personal stories about coming out as Pagan titled 'Out of the Broom Closet' (September 2009).

Brendan Myers is the author of several well-respected philosophical books, including ' Mysteries of Druidry', 'The Other Side of Virtue' and 'A Pagan Testament'. He earned his Ph.D in philosophy from the National University of Ireland, and currently lectures at the University of Guelph.

Sian Reid holds a PhD in Sociology. She is the editor of 'Between the Worlds: Readings in Contemporary Paganism', and the co-author (as Meredith Macdonald) of 'An' Ye Harm None: Magical Morality and Modern Ethics'.

Greg Stroll is a 27 year old author from Montreal who only found his calling when schizophrenia helped him write his first book, 'In the Heart of Fear One Forgets One's Self' . He volunteers with Ami Quebec, giving talks about mental illness in front of school classes, as the need arises. He also dabbles in poetry and digital artwork.

Karyn Torrie is currently enrolled in the third level at Crescent Moon School. Learning a bit more each day, but knows enough to realize that we really only skim the surface of knowledge and understanding. By no means an expert, she tries to find truth in the simplest of places and things, and always tries to have a positive and sunny disposition, which rarely includes being too serious.

Beltane Fair Information is now available!

We've been teasing with rumors for weeks now, about our upcoming Beltane Fair. Now the speakers' schedule is available at last! Click here to download it as a pdf document. (To download this document, you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat, available as a free download here).

The Mélange Magique Beltane Fair will be held over the weekend of April 25th and 26th, from 10am to 6pm on both days. There will be FREE workshops and discussions all day long (see the schedule for details) as well as an artisans' crafts fair, storytelling, 6 authors signing books and a 10% sale off everything in store (as if the rest were not incentive enough!!).

Our honored guests and authors include Helmut (of Helmut's Forge), Judika Illes, Arin Murphy-Hiscock, Brendan Myers, Sian Ried (aka Meredith Macdonald), Rob St. Martin and Greg Stroll, along with local guest speakers Asherah and Apollonius, Meri Fowler, Melanie Halpert, T. Scarlet Jory, Valerie Laville, and Karyn Torrie. Whats more is that we have two wonderful storytellers at the open and close of our fair, Sarah Comrie and John David Hickey (aka Hobbes).

We are very excited to be hosting what looks to be the event of the season, and truly hope that you will come and join us!

New Finds in Our Store!

BOOKS OF INTEREST

CRYSTALS
By Jennie Harding ISBN: 1600610412 $21.94
This is an incredible find! It is a FULL COLOUR book so you can have a clear visual aid for stone identification. Also, the stones are organized through the book according to colour. Harding includes all the physical geographical and healing properties of each stone, as well as its "personal" uses which are her version of magical uses that are true on! Add this book to your collection along with the Crystal Bible and Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic.

CUNNINGHAM'S HAWAIIAN MAGIC & SPIRITUALITY
By Scott Cunningham ISBN: 9780738715469 $19.95
Finally back in print! This is one of the early books written by Cunningham and among the very few of this cultural form of magic. He explores the history of the people, their deities and their ancestors. He teaches us about their spirituality, their taboos and their rites and rituals through the various aspects of magic and sorcery found in Hawaii.

VOICES OF THE EARTH: THE PATH OF GREEN SPIRITUALITY
By Clea Danaan ISBN: 9780738714653 $18.50
Awaken your psychic powers, talk to nature, and hear her reply. Take 'green living' to a new level and cultivate a deep and intuitive relationship with the land. This rewarding connection with nature offers healing, renewal, knowledge of your life purpose, and a spiritual oasis in a chaotic world. Nature intuitive Clea Danaan gives lessons in building psychic awareness and communicating with plants, trees, and nature spirits. Each chapter features meditations, journal exercises, and art projects to help you open psychically to the earth and deepen your spiritual practice. From gardening to herb work to water conservation, this book explores the many ways to apply and incorporate nature's wisdom into daily life. Danaan's personal anecdotes also illuminate how green spirituality can be translated into a fulfilling, holistic lifestyle that supports the earth and your Spirit.


OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

RESIN BURNER
Ever hoped to NOT need charcoal for burning your resins? Well we have the solution! This works just like an oil burner. It uses a tea light. There is a mesh grill on top where you place the resin and the tea light heat burns it cleanly! Washing the steel mesh is EASY, just wash under hot water. We have these in a couple sizes. Small for $15.95 and Large for $30.95.

EVIL EYE TALISMANS
For so long we have had trouble meeting the needs of our client seeking the traditional Evil Eye talismans to counter jealousy and evil eye curses. We have found a new distributor and have blue "eye" talismans. Single large eye talisman for $5.95 and three smaller eyes string together for $7.95.

SELENITE MASSAGE STONES
Selenite is powerful enough to clear negative energies and help reprogram other crystals. It never needs recharging! It can help in expanding awareness and contacting angel and spirit guides. Rubbing the stone helps you enter the world of dreams, intuition and a meditative state. Selenite is excellent for the Third Eye chakra and Crown chakra, increase your intuition and healing potential.


OILS OILS OILS
We have connected with some NEW oils companies! Please understand that some of our traditional oils have changed consistency and/or shade, a few have changed scent, for which we apologize.

Along with these small changes, we have a VERY LIMITED but so EXCITING selection of NEW oils in a great display. Come discover them for yourself and provide us with some feedback on which you find are amazing. We will try to have them again if you love them!

Judika Illes' Message about "Brick and Mortar" Pagan Shops

Author Judika Illes (Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells, Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Pure Magic, Magic When You Need It, Encyclopedia of Spirits) made a beautifully heartwarming post on her journal recently. With her permission, I have posted it here to share:

Brick-and-mortar stores (meaning real, physical stores with doors and walls where you can visit and interact with real flesh-and-blood, knowledgeable employees) that cater to the metaphysical/magical/witch community are an endangered species. This has been true for years but even more so now under the present economy.

People ask me where I learned what I know. My metaphysical education started very early because I was lucky enough to live in the vicinity of the old Samuel Weiser bookstore, one of the first and at that time only bookstores dedicated to metaphysics. Then as a teenager and young adult, I was privileged to live near a variety of witch stores (the late, lamented Magickal Childe among them) and many botanicas.

I spent a lot of time in those stores (sometimes just standing there, looking stupid) and people-- other customers as well as proprietors-- were very kind to me and very patient. I learned quickly that if I stayed in such a store long enough, someone would eventually teach me something. And I was a teenager with a very limited budget. People spoke to me from a sense of community and sharing, not because they were aggressively trying to sell me something. That's something I try to pass forward in my books, especially as I know that so many of us live where no such stores are easily available. I learned my basic skills from other people but in the 21st century, many learn only from books because that personal, human touch is now very rare and hard to find.

If I was a teenager now, would I grow up to author my books? Honestly, I don't know. Those early mentors provided me with a sense of safety and direction. Those old stores were the equivalent of universities. Then as now, most metaphysical stores are owned and staffed by knowledgeable adepts: people who are committed to the traditions they represent among their wares. It's not just a money-making venture: operating a brick-and-mortar witch store means total, public commitment and dedication to the preservation of our community.

Readers e-mail me searching for craft materials but also for human contact: they seek interaction with kindred spirits. When I first began receiving these e-mails, I answered each one individually and at lenght but this became very time-consuming and I began to post links on my website(http://judikailles.com/market.html scroll all the way down), so that people could easily find conveniently located stores. Links are arranged by state and by country.

Brick-and-mortar metaphysical stores are the hearthfires of the greater metaphysical/magical community. They are the public front-line. They provide intangible gifts as well as items for sale: a sense of community and welcome for adepts and new witches alike. Rents tend to be ridiculously high. Stores must purchase stock without any guarantee that customers will buy. When you're thinking about where to spend YOUR money, think about using it to support our community because that is exactly what these stores do. I am old enough to remember when no mainstream bookstore (big chain or otherwise) would carry magical books such as those I write. Once upon a time, occult tools often HAD to be mail-ordered. Unfortunately, with the disappearance of so many magical retailers, we seem to be returning to those days.

I'm grateful for on-line sellers, too. (And many brick-and-mortar stores also offer on-line shopping, the 21st century equivalent of mail-order. Check their websites.) They make a broad selection of products more easily available to more of us. For those still lingering in the broom-closet, on-line sellers provide privacy and discretion. (No need to worry that inquisitive eyes will see you venturing into a witch store.) But even though many offer forums and do provide a measure of community, by their very virtual nature, they cannot provide what a brick-and-mortar store can. I'm sorry for rambling on like this but I feel so strongly about this issue. It KILLED me when my Element Encyclopedias became unavailable to independent retailers and I'm so glad 5000 Spells will once again be accessible to all stores, not just one big chain.

So anyway, to get to the point, I am so honored to belong to the magical community and I'm trying to do my bit to support it. If you are a brick-and-mortar store catering to the metaphysical shopper in any capacity (books, herbs, candles, crystals) or if you know of such a store, please feel free to e-mail me with a link and I will do my best to add it to my website as quickly as possible.
Two conditions:
* It must be an actual store (walls, shelves, door, etc.) that people can visit
* I must receive the request for the link from someone who actually works in the store (owner, manager or so forth). I need to have their permission before adding the link.

So go support your community: SHOP!

Come and meet Judika Illes, along with other authors like Arin Murphy-Hiscock, Brendan Myers, Meredith Macdonald, Greg Stroll and Rob St. Martin at our upcoming Beltane Fair, April 25th and 26th from 10am to 6pm both days. They will all be giving free lectures all fair long, as will many other wonderful speakers from our pagan community. Join us to enjoy discussions, workshops, an artisans' crafts fair, refreshments and 10% off everything in store all weekend long!

Just Starting Out?

Decided that you want to follow a Pagan way of life and want to have all that you need for your practice? Here is a selection of the basics. Click on the links to see what The Magical Blend has to offer!!

For the Altar:
EARTH- Earthen Dish and natural salt (like sea salt)
AIR- Incense burner and incense of your choice (sandalwood is a common spiritual scent)
FIRE- Red candle and a candle holder
WATER- Chalice or glass bowl filled with water
SPIRIT- Quartz crystal point
Altar Paten (also called the pentacle disk)
Athame or Wand (for directing energy and representing the masculine on the altar)
Boline (for cutting herbs and representing the feminine on the altar)
Cauldron (cast iron for burning items safely within)
Book of Shadows
Bell

For the Deities & Totems:
Offering bowl (like an onyx bowl)
Statuary
Object that represent them
Artwork

For YOU:
Divination Tool (like tarot cards, runes, scrying mirror, or crystal ball)
Meditation Tea or Ritual Tea
Spiritual Cleansing Bath Salt
Robes

For the Spellcrafting Cabinet:
Parchment paper
Magical inks & Quills
Selection of herbs
Selection of oils (starter kit and sabbat kit)
Selection of incenses
Colored candles
Gem Stones
Charcoal
Morter & Pestle

March Workshops

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE SESSION (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 February 26th @ 7-9 pm $30

FREE REIKI LECTURE (Robyn)
The word 'Reiki' comes from the Japanese Rei meaning 'universal' and Ki meaning 'life energy'. This energy is also known of in other cultures, and can as easily be recognized as Prana, Mana, Chi or Ruach. This universal life energy animates all life, and flows through all of us, all of the time. 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, February 27th @ 7-8 pm FREE

REIKI LEVEL ONE (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 using the American Reiki Mastery Association's style of initiations. Ample time will be given for practice as well.
Saturday AND Sunday, February 28th & March 1st @ 11 am - 5 pm, $150

INTRODUCTION TO CHAKRAS (Scarlet)
From root to crown, discover how to tap into your chakras through sounds, colors, stones, and tea. This introduction will also include a simple cleansing meditation for the chakras. Tap into your energy, learn about yourself, get your energy working for you!
Tuesday March 3rd, 7-9 pm $30

PAGAN DISCUSSION NIGHT (MPRC)
This month's theme is Science vs Magic! Where is the line drawn? Is there a line? What about Quantum Theory? First Thursday of every month, the MPRC hosts a discussion on various themes. Watch for each new theme!
Thursday March 5th, 6:30-8:30 pm FREE

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT LEVEL 1 (Catharine)
Discover the many ways we receive our psychic gifts. Intuition, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Channeling 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 March 5th, 7-9 pm $30

FULL MOON TUESDAY MARCH 10th

MONEY MAGIC (Scarlet)
Wishing for a financial windfall? Praying to trip over the end of the rainbow and spot the pot of gold? Drowning in debt and bills? Time to tap into the energies of the universe to help you make ends meet and even develop a cushion to fall back upon. This workshop will help you put together the spells to increase your luck, wealth, and prosperity. Please bring a $2 coin to include in your personal money spell.
Tuesday March 10th, 7-9 pm $30

SPIRIT GUIDES (Catharine)
We each have multiple spirit guides around us. Some are our deceased loved ones, some are from other dimensions, some are angels and some are animals. Take a meditative journey with Catharine to identify your spirit guides!
Thursday March 12th 7-9 pm $30

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT LEVEL 1 (Catharine)
Discover the many ways we receive our psychic gifts. Intuition, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Channeling 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!
Saturday March 14th 12-2 pm $30

VISUALIZING THE CHAKRAS SERIES: ROOT CHAKRA (Catharine)
The root chakra is the base of our sense of belonging, safety - surviving or thriving. Using a guided meditation practice you will be able to re-balance this chakra and feel reassured.
Vizualisation for Chakras March 14th 3-5 pm $30

SUNDAY 10% SABBAT SALE: MARCH 15th

HERB LORE (Scarlet)
Herbs can be used in teas, in baths, in cooking, for incense, as medicine, and for magic! Come discover the magic of over 20 different kinds of herbs.
Sunday March 15th, 1-3 pm $30

I HAVE A ROCK... NOW WHAT? (Sam)
Wondering whether to use a rough stone or a tumbled stone? Maybe you want to know how to cleanse different stones. Having trouble remembering which one does what? Discuss the answers to these questions and learn how to incorporate stone-work in your life.
Thursday March 19th, 6-8 pm, $30

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT LEVEL 2 (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 March 19th 7-9 pm $30

OSTARA: SPRING EQUINOX
Friday March 20th

RHYME, RHYTHM AND RITUAL (Carl)
From the moment humanity has been speaking, we’ve been making poetry, using it in spells and incantations. Building on the idea of ritual as sacred theater, where poetry can be used at its most effective, you’ll learn both about the techniques of poetry (meter, verse, form) and how to write your own spiritual poetry.
Saturday March 21st @ 3-5 pm $30

MAGIC OF OILS (Scarlet)
Ever wanted to know how to make your own oils? What oils can blend with what? Why do some oils burn and other not? In this workshop, you will learn how to prepare your own massage oil through the "Cold Oil" method. You will also learn how to read recipes and create your own for magical purposes. This class has supplies that are provided for you: Jar, base oil, three herbs, two 5ml vials, and a dropper.
Tuesday March 24th, 7-9 pm $45

DARK MOON
THURSDAY MARCH 26th

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE SESSION (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 March 26th 7-9 pm $30

FREE REIKI LECTURE (Robyn)
The word 'Reiki' comes from the Japanese Rei meaning 'universal' and Ki meaning 'life energy'. This energy is also known of in other cultures, and can as easily be recognized as Prana, Mana, Chi or Ruach. This universal life energy animates all life, and flows through all of us, all of the time. 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 March 27th, 7-8 pm FREE

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT LEVEL 1 (Catharine)
Discover the many ways we receive our psychic gifts. Intuition, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Channeling 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!
Saturday March 28 12-2 pm $30

MEDIUMSHIP (Catharine)
Exploring what mediumship is and what it is not. We will attempt to contact those who have crossed over so you may bring a photo or an object of the person or pet if you wish. There will be a guided meditation, discussion and messages from spirit with Catharine.
Saturday March 28th 3-5 pm $30

REIKI LEVEL ONE (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 using the American Reiki Mastery Association's style of initiations. Ample time will be given for practice as well.
Saturday AND Sunday March 28th & March 29th, 11 am - 5 pm, $150

JOURNEY THROUGH THE ELEMENTS (Scarlet and Francois) *BILINGUAL*
Discover Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit as we explore the elements through our senses. We will journey from North, East, South, West and to the Center of the Witches' Circle to meet the elements and learn their secrets. Tools and energies will reveal themselves!
Découvrez la Terre, l'Air, le Feu, l'Eau et l'Esprit alors que nous explorons les éléments via nos sens. Nous voyagerons au Nord, à l'Est, au Sud, à l'Ouest jusqu'au Centre du Cercle des Sorcières pour rencontrer les éléments et apprendre leurs secrets. Outils et énergies se dévoileront!
Sunday March 29th @ 1-5pm $40

Seeing green?

Little by little, we're starting to feel the early stages of spring fever. Whether its turning down the thermostats, airing out the house with an open window on the less cold days, or doing a little early spring cleaning, I think its safe to say that we're all starting to feel the urge to move into more warmth and light (though some of us never lose that urge!).

Here are a few ways you can welcome the spirit of spring back a little early:

• Sprinkle some seven herb floor sweep through the house and do a thorough cleansing to wash out the dusty, low energies of the ebbing winter. As an addition, you can also burn a sage smudge to clear out any lingering energies you want to be rid of as well.
  
• Check out one of our Ultimate House Blessing Kits, to make a 'new start' energetically in your home, as well as you cleanse, protect and sanctify it as your personal sacred space.
• Freshen up your altar space with some lively flowers from your local florist.
• Drink some refreshing mint tea! (We have a particularly lovely mint tea in that I'm a big fan of, if you couldn't guess)
  
• start planning your spring equinox rituals with a few ideas from our sabbat shoppe, or why not read up a little about the holiday itself? A couple of good books are Edain McCoy's Ostara, and Ashleen O'Gaea's Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Samhain to Ostara .
  
• Start keeping a new journal, like the Green Wiccan Year.
  
• You've cleaned house? How about giving yourself a good soak? I recommend a good herbal bath with some rosemary and sage (don't forget to bind them or put them in a tea bag or cheesecloth, or you'll have herbs all over the place!). Or if you like, come into the store and ask one of our staff to make you a personal bath blend.
  
• Start planning an herb garden for your kitchen. If you sprout it early, it wil be ready to put outside once the snow is gone in a couple months!
  

Love Altar

Here at the store we host a public altar corner. This month it is set up for Valentine's Day. There are heart shaped chocolates, red candles, incense for love and affection and a book of love!

Book of Love
This little book is for everyone. Come in and write your memories of love. Tell the divine your concerns. Make a wish and add it to the book. Write a love poem. List the wonderful things your beloved does for you. Anything at all.

We at the store add to the energy of this wonderful book, by lighting the candles and burning the incense to pass your words to the divine. May all your wishes and dreams of love come true.


How Do I Love Thee?
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

New and Upcoming for February 10-17

There are many exciting things to consider this week. The sun peaked out over the weekend so brightly to remind us that Spring is just around the corner. Can you feel the spring fever yet? I can! I will start this post with some upcoming events, follow it with some of the new books that just arrived, and close it off with a SECRET!

COMING EVENTS THIS WEEK:

SOUL MATES (Catharine)
Soul mates, twin flames, split apart, karmic partners, soul partners—all are names used for this profound bond we feel instantly with another. Come explore all the variations, share your experiences and receive psychic messages about your soul mates with Catharine.
Thursday February 12th @ 7-9pm $30

I HAVE A ROCK...NOW WHAT? (Sam)
Wondering whether to use a rough stone or a tumbled stone? Maybe you want to know how to cleanse different stones. Having trouble remembering which one does what? Discuss the answers to these questions and learn how to incorporate stone-work in your life.
Thursday February 12th @ 7-9pm $30

VALENTINE'S DAY
This is a special day to celebrate the one you love.
Do something special. Buy them a flower (even guys like flowers you know).
Write them a love letter (best friends can get love letters from you too).
Sit with hot cocoa or your favorite tea, cuddling on the sofa.
And if you are alone... know that you are never really alone.
Light a red candle and share your time with the divine.
Romantic dinners and intimate moments are the recipe for the day.
Saturday February 14th

HANDMAIDEN AND ROBIN IN TRADITIONAL WICCA (Scarlet)
Apprentice, assistant, student, maiden or youth: they served an important role in medieval times and throughout the evolution of Traditional Wicca. Usually only a female role but more and more we see a young man in the role, which is the Robin (or Fetch) of the Craft. We will explore history, mystery, knowledge and modern perspectives
Sunday February 15th @ 2-4pm $15


NEW ARRIVALS AT THE STORE:

The Pursuit of Happiness
By David Pond ISBN: 0738714038 $18.95
Many people today need guidance in finding fulfillment in our often-disconnected world. Human beings are complex, but the secret to experiencing happiness is simple—you need only to look within. David Pond, author of the bestselling Chakras for Beginners, offers an easy-to-follow system for manifesting true happiness in your life. Pond describes all seven dimensions from which we experience life—physical identity, emotions, willpower, heart center, thought patterns and intuition, imagination, and spirituality—and gives practical methods for developing and integrating all levels. Focus your attention, seek clarity with meditation and breathing, ground your energy, fine-tune your emotional intelligence, cultivate stronger relationships—and much more. Transcending religion and accessible to everyone, this seven-step program shows you how to overcome everyday challenges, achieve a healthy balance, be a better partner and friend, and create a richer and fuller life.

Metatron
By Rose Vanden Eyden ISBN: 0738713430 $15.95
With Metatron in your corner, you're only a petition away from a better life. Rose Vanden Eynden may be the first to devote an entire book to this powerful celestial being—revealing his unique place in the angelic realm and demonstrating how to connect with this wise and compassionate archangel. Metatron's close proximity to the Creator and connection to humanity make him the ideal angelic ally. Representing balance and unity, this angelic force can help in all areas of personal development. You'll also discover how to contact the Angel of the Presence through meditation, dreamwork, ritual, and inspirational writing. There are specific ceremonies for building a closer relationship with the Creator, healing on a global scale, balancing masculine and feminine energies, material/spiritual pursuits, and karmic issues. Also featured is an insightful Q and A with Metatron, channeled by the author to answer compelling questions on life, death, faith, and spirit.

Hands-On Chaos Magic
By Andrieh Vitimus ISBN: 0738715085 $32.50
This irreverent guide to chaos magic emphasizes experimentation and finding out what works best for you. Andrieh Vitimus presents a revolutionary hands-on course of study for the average Jane or Joe. Vitimus banishes the severe tone of other esoteric orders, offering an accessible and practical approach that makes it easier to perform successful chaos magic that is uniquely your own.

Living Temple of Witchcraft: Volume One: Descent of the Goddess
By Christopher Penczak ISBN: 0738714259 $25.50
In the fifth installment of the award-winning Temple of Witchcraft series, popular author Christopher Penczak explores the Descent of the Goddess. In the myth of Inanna, the Goddess journeys through seven gates to attain entrance to the Underworld and learn its secrets. In the book, the reader will embark on a parallel journey through each of the seven chakras, symbolically evolving from survival to a state of divinity. Each lesson has meditations based on the Underworld journey teachings, as well as an advanced discussion of some facet of magick or witchcraft often overlooked by intermediate books. This guide is for solitaries, eclectics, and non-traditional Witches hungry to go further, delve deeper, and experience the mysteries.

Veritable Key of Solomon
By Stephen Skinner & David Rankine ISBN: 0738714534 $74.95
Completely new and richly detailed, this is perhaps the most comprehensive version of The Key of Solomon ever published. Based on one of the best-known grimoires of the Western world, The Veritable Key of Solomon presents all aspects of this revered magical system in one impressive source. Based on the original Key of Solomon manuscript, this brand new text features never-before-published material and added detail. Over 160 illustrations beautifully complement the elements of this complete and workable system of high magic, from a broad range of talismans and techniques to magical implements and procedures. Also featured is a commentary by two of the best-known scholar magicians alive—Stephen Skinner and David Rankine—who offer a full survey of all extant manuscripts of this famous grimoire and an exploration of how they interrelate.

Several new Tarot and Oracles also arrived:
- Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn
- Dark Grimoire Tarot
- Yoga Tarot
- Jessica Galbreth: Enchanted Oracle
- Mystic Dreamer Tarot


THE STORE'S SECRET:

Our secret! We had such a successful Yule Fair last December that we will be hosting another ... a Beltain Fair! There will be store sales, local artisans and workshops as before... AND... about 5 (FIVE) authors in attendance!

Beltain Fair Dates: Saturday & Sunday April 25th & 26th, 10am - 6pm

If you want to be a vendor, contact SCARLET.

If you want to be a speaker, contact ROBYN.

We will keep you posted of further developments as they... develop.
*GRIN*
We are so very excited!!!

Is it in the stars?

People have begun to ask me a lot about astrology lately, especially with celestial events like Mercury in retrograde (though it has returned direct as of February 1st), the upcoming lunar eclipse on the full moon of February 9th, the uncommon phenomena of Venus entering retrograde from March 6th to April 17th and Saturn remaining in retrograde all the way to May 16th.

Allow me to begin by saying that I am no expert myself. What I know is largely from observation and reading. So, as I see it:

• Firstly, with Mercury fresh out of retrograde, we should all be finding it easier to communicate with one another again, and should find that answers, emails and computers all seem to be acting more 'normally' as compared to the past month.
• The upcoming lunar eclipse during a full moon can be seen in a few different ways, as a 'reset' or renewal of energies, as a time to reflect on the changes that have come into our lives, or else to re-evaluate recent decisions. Given that this eclipse is in feisty Leo, it would be a good time to examine our sense of self, as well as our expressions of self-love. It will most strongly effect the cardinal signs of Leo, Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius, and will be one very emotional night.
  
• Next, with regards to Venus, I would say to slow down and not make any major decisions until that particular retrograde passes. It will be a time of emotional upheavals as we are forced to re-evaluate relationships and feelings.
• Lastly, until Saturn is out of retrograde, don't begin new projects - just re-evaluate those you have already begun and refine your goals.

Another item of interest is that we have (as of January 26th) entered the Chinese year of the Earth Ox. Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, Barack Obama is also born under the auspices of the Ox, too, and came into power just about then. Isn't that neat?!