Book Review: A Deed Without A Name

Book found here.

A Deed Without A Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft by Lee Morgan is one of the best books on witchcraft that I have read in a long time. I could not put this book down and finished it within hours. This wonderful gem of a book is not about Wicca, it is about old world witchcraft. What some may call Sabbatical Witchcraft or Traditional Witchcraft. This is the witchcraft that Isobel Gowdie of witchcraft lore practiced.

Chapters like Marked as Other and Riding the Beast take you through the history of European witchcraft. Using excerpts from the witch trials Lee Morgan dissects the material to give her/his interpretation.

Scattered about the pages of this tome are exercises and example of ways to find your demon lover, ways to take witch flight, and how to discover your fetch beast. The sections on Calling to the Devil and A Rite of Necromancy are both very intriguing. One of my favorite chapters is The Bestiary. Many of the beasts listed are from the un-Seelie court.  The Appendix using planetary correspondences is very useful. I was very pleased to see the lists of "beasts" to use for each day of the week.

If you are looking for a book on Traditional Witchcraft that is not Wicca related, then this is the book  for you. It is for those who seek the "darker" side of the craft. I will be reading A Deed Without A Name many times.


Additional links

Moon Books

Lee Morgan


Happy Reading... Viv

News and a Poem

I have some wonderful news to share. I will be contributing an essay to an upcoming book on the Goddesses of the world. I have finished my essay and sent it to the publisher. I am so very excited about this. The goddess I wrote about is the Queen of Elphame. The working title for the book is Naming the Goddess by Moon Books Publishing to be published some time next year. I feel very honored to be included in this.

Here is a poem I wrote in honor of the Dark Queen/Queen of Elphame


Underworld Journey

Bound with ivy
Covered in moss
The Cave of the Ancients
Guards all that is Lost

The path winds downward
A labyrinth of  Death
The Dark Queen awaits
For those who are sent

On the Quest for Redemption
Through Rivers of Blood
They reach for Salvation
The Ones that we Love

The Thorns of White Roses
The Petals of Red
Entwined through eternity
Visions of Dread

The Queen of the Witches
Of Faery and Moon
Ask all who serve Her
For one little Boon

To speak the Truth
The tongue cannot lie
The Poets true Gift
Is never to Die

From the Underworld Queen
All seek true Freedom
To escape from the bonds
Of Personal Demons

The Dark Halls of Death
Hold all Life's Secrets
Unravel the Mystery
Let go of Regrets

That keep us from Destiny
The Paths that we Choose
Our Fate awaits
Those who will not Lose

Their way through the Labyrinth
Of Time and of Death
Freedom comes to us
As we draw our last Breath

Our Souls flow upwards
Through the Spirit of Life
The Cave of the Ancients
Guards all that is Right

Our new Life begins
As the Phoenix takes Flight
The Bards of Tomorrow
Inspirations Ignite

*Vivienne Moss*

Book Review: Kitchen Witchcraft

Book found here.

Kitchen Witchcraft by Rachel Patterson is a hands on guide to the magical side of witchcraft around the home. Full of ideas and recipes to spice up your home life, this easy to follow book is a gem and a must have for any kitchen or cottage witch. Rachel uses ingredients that you will sure to have in your kitchen cabinet.

In the book, there are chapters on the seasons and elements that will help you connect with the ever changing cycles of life. There are crafts and spells for just about everything. I especially love the Hot Foot Powder recipe. I have everything needed for it right at my fingertips.

There are no invocations or ritual magic in Kitchen Witchcraft. It is non-religious and full of practical magic. The spells and recipes are easy to adjust and Rachel gives plenty of correspondences from herbs, to colors and candle magic. Me being the odd number loving person that I am, will have to adjust a few of the spells calling for an even number of ingredients. I'm sure that will not be a problem.

I have a feeling I will be referring to Kitchen Witchcraft quite often. A big thumbs up to Rachel Patterson on this one!

Additional links

www.kitchenwitchhearth.com

www.kitchenwitchuk.blogspot.co.uk

Moon Books

Happy reading... Viv

Book Review: Journey to the Dark Goddess

find book here

"The Ways of the Underworld are perfect"

In Journey to the Dark Goddess by Jane Mererdith, we are taken on an Underworld journey through the myth of the descent of Inanna to the Underworld kingdom of Her sister, Ereshkigal. Persephone and Psyche make an appearance as well. Aimed at women, Jane Meredith has woven the tales of the descents to work on our self-healing through  contact with the Dark Goddess.

Using rituals and creative exercises, she asks us to self-explore the dark moments of our lives. I especially like the mandala and the Gazing Into The Mirror exercises. Some of the rituals can take hours to complete, which can seem a little daunting for some. I love how Jane has added stories of her own descents to the underworld and the ascents back to the "real" world. 

My favorite part of the book, besides the awesome cover, is the down to earth style she uses. The rituals are easy to follow and the exercise, doable. I love the part four of the book, Coming Up From The Underworld. The section on Initiation by the Dark Goddess is by far my favorite. Snow White and the Evil Queen (step mother) are covered here along with a few other fairytales.

 I feel the book could have used a lighter tone in places. It has a very serious and heavy feel to it.  Laughter, to me, is the best medicine when coming back from a descent into the Underworld and I love when a book makes me laugh out loud. I catch myself looking around to see if anyone is looking. Aside from the serious tone, I was very pleased with Journey to the Dark Goddess. I can't wait to do some of the rituals on the  next dark moon.

 I  recommend this book for those who would like to seek the Dark Goddess in Her Underworld Kingdom. This is a wonderful book for self-healing and venturing within to find yourself. Journey to the Dark Goddess can be easy to adapt to any spiritual path.


Additional links for the book.

Moon Books

Jane Meredith


Happy Reading...

Viv

My Seasonal Altar

With each turn of the wheel through the seasons, I like to give my Avalonian Altar a make-over. I take things away and add new ones. Most baubles in my home have special and sacred meaning to them. My matron goddess is Morgan le Fae. She always has a special place on my altar. To me, Morgan le Fae is he ultimate sorceress and healer. She is Mama Death, Queen of the Dark Fae, and Witch Mother.

At the moment, I am writing a book  on Her and the way I honor and work magick with her. It is my hope to have it self-published my Samhain of next year. My wish is to show how I work with Morgan le Fae throughout the year.

Do you change your altar through the seasons? Do you have a deity or deities that are center stage on your altar? If you were to write a book, what, or who would it be about.

Have a blessed weekend, Viv

New Books to Review

 

 

I have recently received three books from Moon Books to be reviewed. First up will be Journey To The Dark Goddess by Jane Meredith. I am already more than half way through, so I will be reviewing this soon. Next will be Kitchen Witchcraft : Crafts of a Kitchen Witch by Rachel Patterson, then, A Deed Without A Name: Unearthing the Legacy of Traditional Witchcraft by Lee Morgan.

I am  looking forward to reading  and reviewing these three books and more in the future. I have many Pagan and Witchcraft related books in my personal library. If you are wanting a review of a certain book, I can see if I have that particular one to review for you.

What book are you currently reading? Are there any you are waiting to get your hands on?

Have a Magickal Day, Viv

A Delightfully Delicious Day at the Apple Orchard

It's that time of year again. Apple orchards, pumpkin patches and parties!!! I love when the season turns to Fall. The crispness of the air and the smell of apple cider and pumpkin spice. They all get me in the mood to be outdoors and enjoy time with loved ones.

Just last weekend I had a wonderful time with my family. My girls and I, along with my sister and her husband and son, met at the local apple orchard. We browsed around the gift shop, played with the animals and rode a wagon for a tour of the orchard. The children were able to pick a few apples and we all learned what it takes to run an apple orchard. It's a lot of work and I was in awe of how many different types of apples there are. After the wagon ride the kids went back to play with the animals and the adults went to the orchard's restaurant to do a little apple wine and hard cider taste testing. I ended up buying the Jalapeño Hard Cider. It definitely had some bite to it!

Though we were only there for a couple hours, it felt good to get out of the house and spend an afternoon with my fun loving family. I forgot my camera but thankfully my sisters is never without hers. Following are some photos of my two daughters and my nephew. My youngest is only in a few, she's a little camera shy.

 

 

 

 

 

Some how, my sister and brother in-law escaped having their picture taken. I'll have to remedy that nest time. Perhaps when we go to the pumpkin patch. Of course, I'll remember to bring my camera.


Blessings to all, Viv