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

A Wickedly Bewitching Friday the 13th

image found here

Along with 3, 5, and 9, the number 13 is one of my favorite numbers. Notice they are all odd numbers. My thermostat is always set on an odd number. It drives me crazy if I accidently set it on an even number. I know other people who love even numbers but loath odd numbers. I'm sure there are some who couldn't care less about numbers. Everyone has their quirks.

There are many people who fear the number 13, most especially when Friday the 13th rolls around. Not me! Today is like a holiday for me. I look forward to the Friday the 13th like a child does for their Birthday or Christmas.  To me, this day is a lucky one. It is a day to celebrate the odd and macabre. The quirky and the wicked.

There are many reasons that Friday the 13th is considered unlucky. Most have to do with the Bible and the Last Supper. I have also heard that it is connected to the Knights Templar. I think it has been ingrained in Western culture like black cats, ladders and broken mirrors. The more it is taught the more it is believed. Hollywood and their films don't help either. Whatever  the reason, fear of the number 13 is very real to some people. I understand and respect that. I am absolutely terrified of spiders, so I know where they are coming from.


Do you celebrate Friday the 13th as a fun and peculiar holiday? Or are you one who fears and shuns this unluckiest of days to some? What odd things do you fear or dislike?


Have a Wickedly Bewitching Friday the 13th, Viv

Cover Reveal For Elle J Rossi's Alabaster Nights & Giveaway

 

Elle J Rossi is a very talented up and coming author of Paranormal Romance. Today we are celebrating her cover reveal for her soon to be released addition to the world of Josie Hawk.

A Vampire with a soul. A Huntress with a knife. In Nashville, Blood equals Power. Will one taste of Josie Hawk cost Keller everything?

Coming December 2013



Discover the world of Josie Hawk in Crimson Beat, a novella within the A Celtic Tapestry  anthology.

Click here for book.

In celebration of the cover reveal, Elle is offering a free e-book of A Celtic Tapestry to one lucky reader. This anthology is full of enchanting stories. A must read and an excellent addition to your library. All you have to do to win this e-book is to leave a comment on this post. To make it interesting and fun, we would love if you would leave your favorite quote from a vampire book or movie. Better yet, write a short poem or a description of your dream vampire. One winner will be picked at random.

Have fun and good luck to all.

With Vampire Blessings, Viv

Embracing the Unexpected

I started out the day wanting to catch up with everyone in Blogland . I have fallen a bit behind due to seasonal allergies and my daughter having strep throat. It never fails that as soon as school starts she becomes sick with some kind of virus going around. Now that the weather is cooler, and my allergies under control, I am back in blogging mode.

The reason it is now half way through the day and I am just now getting around to blogging is because of my boyfriend. Kelvin is a railroader and he just got in this morning. He called me wanting to know if I wanted to go to Okie Pinokie for a walk. Seeing as how our time together is precious  due to our work schedules, I jumped at the chance to go.

Okie Pinokie is a local wooded area with many trails. It lies next to a river and was once Native American ground. (It still is in my opinion.) Legend has it that the land is haunted. There are a few web sites dedicated to it. I have been going there for many years, including at night. Not once have I felt threatened or scared. For me it is a place to go hiking. Walking the many trails is great exercise and the scenery is enchanting.

I love how the sun filters through the trees in these two pictures.

The fog hovering over the river in the first photo was better seen in person. The crane in the bottom photo was unexpected. I turned around to say something to Kelvin and I spotted him. He took off after I took his picture. Thanks for posing for me Mr. Crane.

The two of us taking turns sitting in a make-shift corral for the trail riders and enjoying an after walk drink. Which is why we need to take these walks.






I am very happy that my day took an unexpected turn. I might be behind in what I wanted to accomplish today, but boy did I have fun. Thanks babe, for getting me out of the house.

Now that I have dinner started (green beans, potatoes and sausage, my daughters favorite) and my blog post written, I will be sure to visit your blogs throughout the rest of the day.


May you day be filled with unexpected blessings, Viv