Witchy Stuff

Woke up this morning with a chest cold, most likely courtesy of my original coven-sister, with whom I teach and hang out as well. Sigh. There’s just no limit to her generosity.

Met with our new group yesterday, and initiated a round of feedback on the healing ritual that had been done last meeting. “We made our high priestess cry!” was the first triumphant comment. And yes, they did. They were good tears that welled up and flowed right at the beginning of the rit, as they pulled off a good solid circle and excellent quarter invocations. It was just so strange to hear it done by other voices. It was like a gift. And speaking of gifts, HRH was presented with a pack of variously-coloured stars to affix to lessons and assignments, as one of his common sayings as he teaches is, “Very good – you get another gold star!” It was a riot.

Happy 25th to Elim a month late; we hope you enjoyed your “quarter”-century ritual last night!

More witchy stuff:

Witches’ Weekly question February 29, 2004: Incense

What incense flavor do you use the most?

You are making me to choose? La!

Honestly, it’s probably a tie between my home-made kyphi resin mix, amber cones, and the Shoyeido Diamond sticks.

What incense type do you use the most? (cone, resin, stick, etc)

Stick, for convenience. I only use cones in the bedroom because the censer is tidier (and less likely to be scattered by cats). I use powder and resin on my altar, and sticks everywhere else. If the questions was which form I prefer, it’s resin, hands down. It’s a much purer scent, and the energy is spectacular. The only downside is the charcoal, even though I snap my tablets in half.

What do you use incense for the most?

To release a certain energy into my space. It also relaxes me, which is a nice bonus. There’s often incense going on my altar while I work and research at home, which serves the double duty of honouring deity and energising the space.

Yet another ritual tonight, a very special one. (Okay, they’re all special, but this one is special today, all right?)

I’m off to rub eucalytus oil on my chest and drink yet more juice. I foresee an afternoon of bed rest, wrapped in a blanket.

Warning: Academic At Work

I woke up at five AM and finally decided to get out of bed at six. This happens every once in a while, and I usually end up getting some serious reading and note-taking done. Lately it’s been to my benefit, because I’ve been blazing through a pile of academic Celtic Iron Age archeological and historical texts.

It took me a week or so, but I managed to find my thesis groove again. Yes: almost four years to the day after I submitted my thesis, I realised I had another academic book to write. I have a nameless customer from the bookstore to thank for this one. She came in and asked for a book on the Celtic goddess Brigid, and I had to tell her that there wasn’t one.

Then I went home and was hit with a clue-by-four. I’ve been a priestess of Brid for seven years. I’ve been a teacher for almost five of those years. I’ve been a writer for most of my life. Why haven’t I understood that this book was missing and needed to be written?

So for the past month I’ve been jotting down rough subject outlines, researching heavily, running out of sticky tabs, draining highlighter pens, making pages of notes, and trying to track down little-known and out-of-print books. I’d forgotten how much I love doing this.

I’m fairly certain that my increase in energy is also due to the leap in temperature, however temporary it may be. There’s more light, as well, which always helps. I cannot deny, however, that at heart I’m an academic, and the idea of curling up with a pile of books, pens, paper, and a cup of tea thrills me beyond the level to which it ought to thrill me.

I’m just a witchy academic geek. So sue me.

Relief

Finally, a review from someone who has actually seen Mad Mad House.

Yes, I’m relieved. If the word “hokey” is used and the show compared to Abbot & Costello, then I can relax and laugh. My fears have apparently not been realised. Sure, they’re making fun of alternate lifestyles, but the show has evidently been produced with an Addams Family sort of humour.

I’ll see for myself when I settle down to watch the tape.

Coincidence?

Everyone seen the first Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban trailer? Yes?

The Wanted poster with a maniacal Sirius Black is pretty disturbing (ergo cool). I downloaded a still of it the other day for my desktop, and when I enlarged it I discovered something very interesting:

Yep. Those are Elder Futhark runes at the beginning of his serial number. Specifically Pertho (which means secrecy, hidden ancestral knowledge, and the mystery of fate), followed by Algiz (associated with protection and sanctuary).

I love my life. Possessing the knowledge that I do means that I can make the coolest connections.

News About Real Art

NAGANO TO LEAD MONTREAL SYMPHONY — Kent Nagano will succeed Charles Dutoit at the orchestra

American conductor Kent Nagano has been named the next music director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

The announcement of Nagano’s appointment ends a nearly two-year search that began with the controversial resignation of his successor, Charles Dutoit. Nagano made a splash with the orchestra during guest appearances last season.

Nagano will step down from his post at Berlin’s Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester, where he has become a popular part of the city’s musical establishment. He is also music director of the Los Angeles Opera and will take over from Zubin Mehta as music director of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich in 2006.

The OSM has been without a conductor for a couple of years now, and Nagano won’t be taking over until 2006. For the National Post article, click here.