Sunday 25 November 2012

My Great Epiphany by Autumn Moonchilde

This Blog comes from one of our wonderful Students Autumn Moonchilde, as she explains her journey to and along this well worn path and what led her to the Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchery. I know we're going to be seeing more from her and her wonderful journey's.  Pour a cup of Peppermint Tea my lovelies, rest your feet awhile and enjoy the read.

 
My Great Epiphany
By Autumn Moonchilde

When I was a child, people would often ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I suppose my answer probably varied with each person who asked the question, I don't remember, but the one thing I am quite sure of is that I never said "a witch". I grew up believing that witches were ugly old hags, who ate children and practiced evil magic. I wanted no part of it! So, you can imagine my surprise when I woke up one morning at the age of 46 and realized that I was a witch! I call it my great epiphany.

That really is what happened. I woke up one morning and was lying in bed thinking about the direction of my life, trying to avoid getting up, when this thought, this realization hit me like a ton of bricks! I was a witch! My heart began to race, and I told myself I was being overly dramatic, but this very insistent thought kept screaming out in my mind, " YOU ARE A WITCH". Then I began to think back over my life, and all of the things I had done to that point, and realized that I had been on the path to witchcraft my entire life, but never until that very moment did I even realize it. I really was a witch! But how could I be a witch? I knew nothing about being a witch! Don't you have to belong to a coven or have a high priestess do some kind of ritual and officially give you the title of witch or something? I mean, how can you just BE a witch? I was raised Christian, but I didn't consider myself to be a Christian, or anything else, for that matter. I have always been deeply spiritual, but in all honesty, not particularly religious. I knew a girl once who was Wiccan, but I had no idea what that really meant. So, I did the only thing I knew to do......I Googled it!

Being the obsessive-compulsive person that I can sometimes be, I quickly found myself immersed in information about The Craft, Wicca, Paganism, Druidry, and everything else even remotely related to the subject of witchcraft. The more I read, the more I realized I didn't know! The more I read, the more convinced I became that witchcraft really was my true calling. So,now what?

I live in a relatively small town in the Southern United States. It is directly in the middle of what is known as "The Bible Belt". My town is home to one of the largest Evangelical Universities in the US. The people here have certain opinions and ideas of how one should live. Everything revolves around Christianity. My family, my husband's family......all Christian. Being a witch was not going to be easy in this town, and for many reasons that I'm sure fellow witches can relate to, my new revelation had to be kept a secret. Now that I was aware of my newfound path, how in the world would I ever learn how to be a witch without everyone in town finding out and burning me at the stake?

I went to my Facebook account and began looking for "witchy" pages. I quickly realized that there are a lot of witches out there! I spent some time reading different pages and soaking up information like a sponge. I didn't want to belong to a coven, but how was I going to learn about witchcraft? Then I came across a page called The Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchery. What? Witch School? Was it like Hogwarts online or something? I clicked the link and went to the school website and I immediately knew that this was my answer.

I couldn't sign up quickly enough! I began classes almost immediately! I guess I should interject here that although I knew nothing about witchcraft, energy work is a whole different ball game! I am a Reiki Master, and have been doing energy work for about 15 years. I have been doing paranormal work since I was a pre-teen....way before it was cool, I'm an ordained New Age minister, and I even created my own line of Reiki energized natural body products. I was already quite familiar with many of the aspects involved in witchcraft, which has made the learning process much easier for me.

I have especially enjoyed learning about the different deities, as well as exploring herbs and crystals. I am currently learning the proper way to cast a circle and perform a ritual, which is an area in which I have almost no experience! But The Kitchen Witch is always there to answer any questions I may have and to guide me down my path, and that gives me a certain comfort level that I would not have if I had chosen to try to learn on my own. I enjoy and very much need the guidance. I am in the Bear Clan and Tin is my advisor. She and Tansy have been incredibly helpful. Although I have not met either of them, they feel like a kind of family to me, and that is what makes a difference in my eyes. In my every day life, this part of me has to be kept secret, but with The Kitchen Witch, I can be who I am and not be judged, but instead encouraged to explore my passion. I personally need that.

I genuinely love learning about the old ways. I'm excited each time I check my email and see something new from The Kitchen Witch. It is truly a pleasure for me to do my homework. Since I knew very little about witchcraft, I opted to start with The Forest of Beginnings. If you are more than a novice, you can start with The Forest of Mystery. Either way, it's your choice. I am currently about halfway through The Forest of Beginnings and I have never felt more alive in my life! The decision to join The Kitchen Witch School was absolutely the right choice for me. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about witchcraft. I am looking forward to what the future holds for me, and very thankful to the school and its leadership team for their wisdom and guidance.

Everyone's path is different. Maybe you want to be a solitary witch like me, or maybe you want to join a coven. You may not even be sure how you want to proceed yet, and that's okay. If I could suggest anything to you at all, it would be to follow your heart and trust your intuition. I'm so thankful that mine led me to The Kitchen Witch! You never know what you can become until you try! And who knows? You may be the next Minerva McGonagall or Albus Dumbledore! Either way, hang on and enjoy the ride! I have a feeling it's going to be amazing!

Friday 23 November 2012

Starcat's Corner: Essays on Pagan Living


Starcat's Corner: Essays on Pagan Living, is about walking a reverence-filled spiritual path in the midst of a hectic modern society. Rather than rehashing the basics of Paganism, Shields shares wisdom rooted in her own experience. She answers the often-overlooked question, "How do you live your earth-based spirituality, day in and day out, particularly in a culture that doesn't share your values?" Shields offers insights to those who wish to enhance their personal spirituality, foster loving relationships, and live in harmony with the natural world.

A beautiful book bringing together a collection of essays that takes you through Starcat’s personal journey living the life of a pagan.

A huge amount of insight and information separated into the Sabbats covering all sorts of subjects that any pagan might deal with on a day to day basis.

Thoroughly enjoyable, thought provoking and informative read for anyone new to paganism and also for those more experienced. 

More details can be found on the Moon Books  website.

Starcat has a blog www.starcatscorner.com

Available for pre-order from:

Published 25th January 2013

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Weegie Tarot



Weegie Tarot - Life of a foolish man by Colette Brown

WOW! what a wonderful book, if you already read the tarot, are learning to read it or even if you have no interest in tarot at all I encourage you to read this book, it will make you laugh out loud, nod in agreement, smile at the human race and cry...it will definitely make you cry.

Colette Brown has taken the story of the major arcana and given it new life, new meaning and new understanding - follow 'the fool' on his journey but not the fool as we have known him but the fool as a Glaswegian (Weegie) on his path through his own trials and tribulations, each step echoing the next card in the tarot.

An inspired idea brought to life beautifully.

The official blurb:

Imagine if the Fool of the tarot had been reincarnated in 1960s Glasgow? Imagine his journey as he met the Tarot's archetypes in his life of poverty and sectarianism? His love for his caring foster mum (The Empress), his lessons in life from the maverick car mechanic (The Magician) and the fortune teller (The High Priestess) would all enrich our understanding of the tarot by making it more real and familiar. Eddie Reilly is the foolish man, a Weegie (Glaswegian) on his life journey in an area of poverty, violence, unemployment and great character. He is interviewed by a history student for her degree dissertation and tells his story with much warmth and humor. Whether you read his story as a Tarot book or a social commentary of our times, he will stay with you! Laugh with him; cry with him.


Tansy/Rachel
x

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Winter Solstice Ritual


Open Ritual to celebrate

YULE - THE WINTER SOLSTICE

Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Horndean, PO8 0QE, Hampshire.

Saturday 29th December 2012

2.00pm start


Come and join us to celebrate, everyone is welcome, even if you haven't attended a ritual before come along and see what it is all about.

The Country Park has ample car park space (although they do charge £2 but that covers you for the whole day so you could go for a walk through the forest afterwards).

It also has a very nice cafe and toilet facilities.

Our ritual will be held in the BOTTOM FIELD event area of the country park. Park in the first car park by the visitor centre, walk through the centre and out past the cafe, keep walking past the pond, we aren't the first field you get to we are the next one (it sounds like a long walk but it isn't!). The Visitor Centre reception can also help with directions. Or you can park in the second Meadow field car park.

Our facebook event page

Queen Elizabeth Country Park website

If you would like to join us on the day, it would help if you could let us know just so that we have some idea of numbers, thank you.


Hosted by the Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchery

Monday 5 November 2012

Bear Witch Project ...... Samhain Ritual 2012

Well, I bet you lovely people had thought I'd forgotten y'all ... I've been M.I.A .... but I'm back now (mainly because Raven says it's too early to hibernate!!!)

So, what has this bear been doing ............ well, eating cakes.............. what's that ... ohhh what have I been doing on my Path ....

Well, on Saturday I have the pleasure of being centre circle for the lovely KWSNW Samhain Ritual.  Tansy, Sun and Raven did a wonderful job of writing the ritual and the weather couldn't have been better ....






The ladies (and gents) called the quarters and raised energy ..... and the three Witches are really good at drumming - just not very good at stopping ...in time......together ..... but for a first time....awesome!

Then they Ladies re-enacted a scene from the 'Scottish Play that Shall Not Be Named' - something to do with bad luck and broken legs ......  Raven explained it - but I am a bear of very little brain - and there was Cake ............

Not just any cake..............but cake with honey in it ............. Sgt Bun the Baker must have known I'd be there .....

On a serious note, we honoured the Ancestors and we sent energy to your loved ones near and far






Tansy, Sun and Raven would like me to thank all those that came and gave their energy and we hope to see you all again really soon!

And next week BWP followers - we are off to see 100 monkeys about cake..................

love

Arthur and the KW leadership team x x x




Friday 2 November 2012

Living Shamanism


Living Shamanism – unveiling the mystery by Julie Dollman

I loved this book...

The official blurb:

De-mystify modern shamanism as we undertake an alchemical healing and transformational journey of sacred self discovery.

Julie Dollman shares her own experiences as she embarks on a difficult, challenging and wondrous journey into the world of shamanism, emerging with some amazing and simple tools, a sense of belonging and most importantly, a wondrous connection to the natural world that we all live in. Living Shamanism will appeal to those who are looking for an alternate way to tackle day-to-day issues they are experiencing and to those that are seriously considering a life-style change.


and my review:

Julie Dollman totally speaks my language, I loved this book.

Whether you are interested in shamanism, becoming a shaman or not this book is captivating. Julie uses her own experiences and insights to unveil what shamanism is and does. Not only that but she also makes you think about your own life and how you could start the healing process for yourself.

This book gives a huge amount of insight into the practices of a shaman but also into how we live life today as a society and how we can better our living situation and in fact our inner being.

A must have book.


Julie's website is http://www.aynishamanichealing.eu/

and her book will be published in January 2013 (available via Amazon) by Moon Books

Tansy/Rachel
x

Through the Silent Caldera


Through the Silent Caldera by Karen L Fleming

Now I am not a huge poetry reader (unless you count A A Milne and Roald Dahl LOL) but I was sent a copy of Through the Silent Caldera to have a read through.

The poems in this book are very deep and very moving, they follow the life of Ms Fleming and each one reflects a part of her story, her inner thoughts and her soul.  The poems included cover pretty much every emotion and a whole host of life events drawing the reader in to experience every aspect.

"Darkness that plagued my nights
Of solitude and ominous dreams
I now behold thence
These frivolous horrors
Of my love forfeited
Beyond the ocean's acrid breeze"

(from The Fairest Rose by Karen L Fleming"

Available from Amazon

Tansy/Rachel
x

Thursday 1 November 2012

Paganalia

One of the questions we are asked most is "where do we buy ritual wear?" and now...we have an answer for you...

Paganalia

Run by two of the loveliest people in the entire world, Rita and Dennis hand make all their items and everything they use is ethically sourced.

They have ready made cloaks or will make one specifically for you to order.

They also make:

Robes
Fairy and Druid bears (too cute)
Wands
Knives
Athames
Jewellery
Walking sticks
Ritual soap (SLS free)
Mirrors/Scrying mirrors
Hunting horns

All items are beautiful crafted with love and care.

Photos and more details can be found on http://dorsetgrove.co.uk/Paganalia.htm