Hey guys, now...I've somehow screwed up my right-shouldar and upper arm as I slept last week, so I'm in a lot of pain (especially when typing), so I'll try and keep this brief.  Anyway, I was wondering if anyone is familiar with Gods and Goddesses especially associated with employment?  I ask because I've squirrelled away some money in order to create a potion and spell to these ends-- I'm simply sick of being unemployed!  But, for the last two years, I simply lost the Will to even continue looking, due to the unyielding rejection I kept recieving (especially when that damned three-tiered interview-process makes it so inconvenient!).  Hel, one large company wouldn't give me a chance due to an instance of miscommunication [the denotation I was taught in college, that signified an "open ended question", was not what she viewed as an "open ended question"; and she could not give me a second chance nor did she bother to explain her connotation at the onset]; another large company I applied to wouldn't give me a chance because I was not "hot" enough-- the guy I would have been replacing, the "face" of the Co. when you walk into the front door, could have been an underware model[!]; while, I have also encountered a sexist stigma that closes many doors to me-- receptionist or desk-type "jobs" are viewed as "women's work", while, for men, unless you have some sort of degree in business or computers, etc. you are relegated to the most harsh and physically demanding jobs.  Jeeze, I couldn't even get Target to hire me to work on the floor!  So, because of my experiences, I had fallen into absolute despair for a long time (almost 2 years, in fact)!  It was this that lead me to think that maybe I have been cosmically black-balled-- after all, I couldn't even get a job when I was applying all across town during and shortly after college (and this was a college-town).  And, that thought constantly eats away at my resolve.  What's worse is when the hiring managers look at you with a blank, careless expression, as if they've never been without a job a day in their lives (dressing as if they make more money per week than most people)!  I've even had my lack of experience with a certain form of software held against me, despite the fact that knowledge in it was not requested in the initial advertisement (nor would it have been hard to learn on the job!)-- they just blind-sided me, that way. (Okay Wade, catch a breath....)

Anyway, some of the thoughts I jotted down this morning were:

• Mysore sandalwood oil [I seem to recall that Ganesha-- to whom this is sacred-- is regarded as a God of the lower class people and their prosperity or employment]
• Bay (Laurel) oil [For "winning" or "out shining" the others, because this it what was used to crown the winners of the ancient Olympic Games]
• pinch of sea salt [our word "salary" comes from a Roman expression for salt; and salt was once extensively used as a foprm of currancy, particularly by the Celts at the Halstatt region]
• Venusian, Mercurial, and Solar influences [the latter for the "All Seing" attribute of the Sun, 'cause I happen to believe that the Gods almost certainly can see what I cannot; hence, They may be able to find a job that I would be entirely unaware of-- as a result, I was seriously thinking about using a yellow candle in the spell].  And, perhaps something small relating the the Earth for pragmatism, oir something also for success.
• Tonka Bean oil [??? Just a random thought, because I hear it's unparalleled in drawing prosperity and wealth...and it's supposed to smell a bit like honey!]
• Bayberry [of course, there's an old addage that, "A bayberry candle burnt down to the socket puts plenty of money in the pocket!"]

Oh, it looks like I almost forgot to interject the statement about what role researching Gods and Goddesses of Employment might play in the Employment Potion I want to make.  Well, I would like to discern what fragrant herbs and oils were (and are) dedicated to Them, and if these same substances can be said to draw wealth and prosperity, good fortune, and particularly employment! ;o)

Y'know, thinking about this topic, I have never seen any Witch devulge a list of what they deem to be, in their experience, the best herbs and EOs for gleaning employment-- and why!  (Hey, "Why?" is my favourite question!) This seems to be an aspect of Magick often over-looked in modern Pagan literature...

Take Care,
Wade MacMorrighan

Hey guys,

Please keep my dog, Abby, in your thoughts tomorrow [Friday]. She has to go to the vet for some hopefully minor surgery.

She has what he said looks like a fatty tissue growth just below her tail, so he stuck a needle into it, twice, to see if he could withdrawl any fluid (he didn't). And, it looked like it was healing over the last two weeks, but then yesterday it started to get worse; and now she's bleedings and sore on her bottom, with another odd looking sore protrusion. SO, her vet (who's VERY kind!) is going to remove it. My poor baby! Those that know me know that I am fiercely devoted to my dog-- she's just like a daughter or sister to me!

[DISCLAIMER: For any CovenSpace.Com officials that are interested, please note that this entry does not violate terms of service-- first of all, it is protected as Free Speach, and secondly, it falls strictly within the peramaters of "free use" in accordance with the US Copyright Office-- it allows messages to be quoted in part, or in whole, for either critique or responce, as I have done, here. Furthermore, being that the messages partially quoted, from the individual in question were publically posted at a YahooGroup Forum, according to my legal council, one has no reasonable right to expect privacy nor confidentiallity.]:

Well, it all began quite innocently enough when I posted a message to a YahooGroup (which shall remain nameless)-- founded by a BNP author-- enquiring to any dealers of authentic Amber-and-Jet beads! That was a mistake-- and a severe infraction-- according to one Pagan respondant! Appointing herself the Occult Police, she proceeded to antagonize me and respond with messages implicate with sarcasm and other petty verbage:

You do realize that is jet and amber necklaces are traditional symbols of rank in many traditions. You wouldn't want others to think you are implying you are something you aren't.

And [Fire Mountain Gems] has a good reputation for being honest about their beads. If they say they are natural they are.

And I doubt that any traditionalist Wiccans are going to give help you rip off their traditions for profit. [sic.]

So, feeling rather hurt by her rather grandoise assumptions-- she never even bothered to ask about my motivation, indeed she seemed to believe the worst in me-- I felt honour-bound to respond:

Ah, but I am not Gardnerian (or BTW at all, for that matter!), so whom or what am I harming? (That was a rhetorical question.) Paleo-Pagans, of both genders, were never shy about globbing on the jewels. Besides, they're not necklaces, but chokers, meant for deeply devout Pagans.

Nor am I trying to, as you put it, "rip off anyone's Traditions'! (Remember the whole "gift" bit?) In fact, we have several Priestess in my area-- albeit a VERY ecclectic Pagan community-- whom it would not harm to give them as gifts or to offer it to anyone that may chance by. It is hardly "for proffet".

Furthermore, I sincerely doubt that I'd imply anything to anyone when, Traditionally-speaking, it is the HPs that wears the necklace of Amber-and-Jet.

Also, it is not always a "symbol of rank," senso stricto [yes, that's real Latin!], but something generally given to any BTW first degree Initiate Priestess.

Hmmm...now that I think about it-- because I was once curious about this, and looked into it-- there are, actually, no BTW or practicing/teaching Gardnerians in my state. [So, I hardly doubt that there are any local Traditionalists that could even be "offended"!]

To which she ofered her final, scathing, responce:

You would be arrogating unto yourself a symbol of a distinction that you have not earned. If you went to a surplus store and bought a military uniform and then attempted to march in a Veterans' Day parade while wearing that uniform it would be offensive in precisely the same sort of way, albeit to different people.

Snipping/Quoting me: "Nor am I trying to, as you put it, 'rip off anyone's Traditions'."

Of course you are. You've made your dislike of and hostility towards Gardnerians and other traditional Wiccan groups blatantly obvious for years, mostly, as near as I can tell, because you resent their unwillingness to share their "secrets" with you. I rather suspect that if amber and jet weren't considered significant in Gardnerian practice, you'd not care a whit about them.

I know... I know... When the Gods were passing out brains, she thought They said "trains," and said, "No thanks, I've already got a ticket!" There is just a lot of thought she simply hasn't put into the issue at hand, which I shall discuss, briefly (Hmmm...I wonder why she hasn't responded yet? Heh heh heh...). Incidentally, the final above responce from this self-appointed Occult Police Officer was deleted by the founder for its open hostility in violating the Founder's warm request, which was in no way unreasojnable: "I will gently remind our posters that I will delete posts if this topic becomes a flame war - we're adults and should be able to discuss this like adults." But, of course, the initial instigator had her backers-- whom I suspect she deliberately went out of her way to invite to the Group just to support her position and give me flack for creating religious jewelry. This, and other messages, include what is known as a logical fallacy; and more specifically, a peripheral [ie. emotional/prejudice-based] argument [cf. my own direct (ie. content-based) argument]. It is classically used to side-step the logically evident argument and to confuse others witnissing it:

So you don't believe that it would be offensive to wear something that you know symbolizes a certain accomplishment without having achieved that accomplishment yourself? By extension then, I take it that you see nothing wrong with someone wearing a military medal for valor which he did not earn, just because he likes the look of it? May I assume that you see nothing wrong with a layman walking through a hospital wearing a physician's white coat, just because he feels like it? It's perfectly acceptable for a Wiccan to don an Anglican priest's black shirt, clerical collar and dark suit, just because he thinks it makes him look distinguished?

What we're discussing here is an issue of personal integrity. It has nothing to do with your likes, your dislikes, or any esthetic considerations. Presenting one's self to the world wearing some insignia that symbolizes a given accomplishment when one knows that one is not entitled to wear that insignia is, as I see it, not only fundamentally dishonest, but it also displays an absolute and total lack of respect for whatever institution has adopted that particular insignia. You may believe that that sort of behavior is appropriate. My Gods demand a great deal more of me than that.

Apparently wearing it as a sign of the devotion I tender to my own Gods never dawned upon these antagonistic people.  Then a blessed advicate-- a friend from the same Group-- stepped forward and said the following: "I would gather too that someone who truly had the knowledge and wisdom and experience and spiritual authority to truly have the title of High Priestess would recognize that she would have no need to get verklempt over someone else's taste in jewelry or fashion."

So you say there's no cause for veterans to get mad at a poseur wearing a uniform and decorations he's not entitled to? The cases, are, after all, pretty nearly parallel. And if you DO see a difference, what is it?

So now I was being rudely labled "a poseur"?!  Thankfully the Founder got involved and called such arguments rightly what they are-- Straw Doll-Arguments:

Quoting the Initial Instigator's Accomplice: "So you don't believe that it would be offensive to wear something that you know symbolizes a certain accomplishment without having achieved that accomplishment yourself?"

Well in order to be purposefully offensive I'd need to know that a specifically formulated necklace consisiting of X number of amber beads and X number of jet beads configured in X manner is the EXACT necklace used to designate rank in certain wiccan groups. Since as far as I know, there is no such detail out there available, you neatly are saying NO ONE can wear a mix of amber and jet as a necklace for fear that it would insult some one. That's like saying I can't wear an equidistant cross because I'm not a Christian!

Quoting the above, said, "Accomplice," again: "May I assume that you see nothing wrong with a layman walking through a hospital wearing a physician's white coat, just because he feels like it?"

These examples are straw men, effectively as everyone knows what a physician's coat looks like, and a military metal (both of which, by the way, get worn on Halloween and no one quibbles). Nonetheless, intention is also a reality here. Am I wearing a necklace because I like it, or because it will make people think I'm something I'm not. My answer is the former. Now if a friend were to come to me and ask that I NOT wear something and give me a good reason, I'd consider that request based on our relationship, not based on the item.

And, still some more quoting: "Presenting one's self to the world wearing some insignia that symbolizes a given accomplishment when one knows that one is not entitled to wear that insignia is, as I see it, not only fundamentally dishonest, but it also displays an absolute and total lack of respect for whatever institution has adopted that particular insignia. You may believe that that sort of behavior is appropriate. My Gods demand a great deal more of me than that."

Ok, again - please give me the exact configuration of said necklace so I do not buy one like it. Without that information we're dancing in the dark and this conversation is rather circular.

NO matter what, however, without a specific designation that's uniform randomly asking every neo pagan to NEVER wear an amber and jet necklace is simply not feasible or logical. Perhaps those stones have personal meaning that has nothing to do with the faith... perhaps it's just beautiful work that's appreciated. However those of us who have earned the role for which that particular combination of stones says something also know in the HEART and SOUL about that calling and the calling has nothing to do with what we wear - it's who we are.

BRAVO!  Although, I doubt that the initial instigators took into account my own personal preference for the use of these stones-- aside from the fact that they are Traditional-- is that they form a "complete electric circuit of energy", and amber-and-jet respectively represent the sacred dichotomy of my Gods: Life-in-death and Death-in-Life.  But, I digress...  In an erlier statement the founder said-- to try and calm the tension I'm sure, because she could sense boiling at the surface regarding the allegations from the Initial Instigator that I am attempting to rip off Traditionalists' traditions:

I sincerely doubt Wade is doing anything of the kind. To get our knickers in a twist over someone making a choker or necklace just because it has amber and jet is a little over the top. That would be like saying I'm the only one who can wear a wooden spoon as a wand. These days I'm glad for anyone willing to actually try to make something different rather than all the knock off stuff out there.

However, I felt that I should point out some issues that were never brought up (sarcastically: Gee, I wonder why!). Indeed, the Initial instigator never did make her presence known in this discussion-- I wonder what she's saying about me to her buddies, behind my back? But, like many'a Fundamentalist, she seems to have a strong distaste for simple logic:

I was reminded of an encounter last night, that I believe to be rather relavent to any opposition to any Pagans-- save for Trad. X, Y, or Z-- wearing Amber-and-Jet neck ornamentation. A very good friend of mine once told me of an encounter he had with a beautiful Traditionalist he knows. Anyway, according to her-- and this is just hear-say-- the Amber-and-Jet necklace is supposed to be strung on silk cord. Now, there is some a very practical reaason for this (especially if one is Skyclad!) as both amber and jet, when rubbed by a protein-based fiber will produce a static-electric charge! Indeed, it seems as though, from the sound of things, that this has become an orthopraxy for some Traditionalists.

Well, as for myself, I use sterling silver beading wire in both my secular and religious jewelry that I have created in the past. And, because of the meaning that silver holds for me, I would also use it in this instance, as well.

Indeed, FWIW, and Traditionally-speaking, there really is no Amber-Jet alternative listed for a male [Gardnerian/Alexandrian] Witch. Any Amber-and-Jet neck ornamentation is the strict reserve of the High Priestess, so...I honestly, and sincerely, do not-- and cannot, within reason-- concieve of anyone confusing me as a Traditionalists for that reason; let alone that I might be implying that I'm something I'm not. Also, traveling down this same avenue, the only "alternative" for male Traditionalists that's listed is to wear a pendant-- the Pentacle was always implied, as I seem to recall from the Farrar's literature. However, that brings up a very interesting question, that I believe should be asked, in all honesty: Should male Witches forego pendants for fear of implying that they're Gardnerians or Alexandrians, by default; or being accused of alledging they're Traditionalists (whether intentional or not)? That's a very interesting question, if you ask me. Remember, I desire to make an Amber-and-Jet choker, not the Traditional necklace! But, if someone knows about the Traditional coupling of Amber-and-0Jet and asks me about it, I would be more than honest with them! The Initial Instigator seems to believe that I want to wear it to pretend I am someone-- or something-- I'm not! Why does she insist on thinking the worst of people?

Furthermore, a quick survey of many jewlers working with Amber, today, will show that much of their work constitutes necklaces of alternating amber and jet beads. It would be a misnomer to assume that everyone wearing their mechandice if a trained Priestess, I am certain.

And, it's also worth bearing in mind that the "Tradition" of an amber-and-jet necklace was either ripped off from someone else, or simply "invented"!

One mustn't forget, however, that it's one's character which dictates so-called positions of "rank" or "esteem". For example: I have witnessed a great many "Traditionally trained Gardnerian High-whomevers" that, because of their character, may have undergone a "Ritual Initiation," but not an "Authentic Initiation"-- I have recently discovered that Religious Historian Mircea Eliade also seems to differentiate the two. Despite pretenses to the contrary on the part of a great many modern Pagans-- whom are not even Traditionally trained, themselves; they're just the Occult Police-- tend to view that there can be only one denotation for what an "Initiation" can, and cannot, be: To them it will only constitute an elevation or rank by way of a Traditional rote ritual from some book. Little meaning can be gleaned from such an experience, IMHO. However, an Authentic Initiation-- and I know many BTWs that would agree with this denotation-- can only come from within; it is not something that can be conveyed upon anyone else by some "Higher Up", it is a transformational experience wherein the candidate is forever changed! This is why, to the consternation of many'a "Traditionalist," "Spontanious Initiations" are absolutely possible through the Gods; this may manifest itself through either a spiritual crisis, or theaphany, etc...

She also seems to forget that there are a scant few very popular Pagan stores which sell Amber-and-Jet necklaces and jewelry for Priestesses; so, why single me out for making them as gifts or for my own Traditional religious use? The coupling of Amber-and-Jet is also an amplifier of Magick, because it creates a "circuit of energy," if you will due to its ability to build of a static-electric charge.

Hmmm...I sometimes wonder why such individuals as the Initial Instigator seem absolutely unable to behave in anything reminiscent of a civil manner-- they simply are unable to respond any other way! I've seen this attitude numerous times: Another message board Mod. (at ABout.Com) once asked that there be no flaming, or out-and-out disrespect, or petty jibes, etc. And, none of this was at all unreasonable! However, she noticed that a lot of alledgedly "wise" people left in droves! Well, the converse is also true: Such instigating individuals also bring with them an oppresive atmosphere that keeps the less brutal members silent, and "in their place"!

But, I was put in the place of having to defend myself against clearly baseless charges, when the Initial Instigator above accused me thus: "Of course you are [ripping off the Traditions of another for proffit]. You've made your dislike of and hostility towards Gardnerians and other traditional Wiccan groups blatantly obvious for years, mostly, as near as I can tell, because you resent their unwillingness to share their 'secrets' with you."

No, that's never been the case-- and I would sincerely rather that you ask me if something is "true" of me, before assuming it is so and taking license to spread it around the 'Net, please. All it takes is a quick, and warmly written, as well as inquisitive, E-Mail!

Although, what I do tend to "dislike," if you will, are those that generally refuse to question what they're taught, or the purpose for it. Someone who's willing to question what they're taught earns far more browny points with me, than one tnat spouts off such apparently flawed Dogmatic rhetoric as, "Only a Witch can make a Witch" (as an extreme example). Indeed, the woman that said this, recently, actually meant to impose it upon everyone that wore the word "Witch" proudly.

Quoting her again: "I rather suspect that if amber and jet weren't considered significant in Gardnerian practice, you'd not care a whit about them."

Well, actually, it wasn't! It initially came to me through the writings of Janet & Stewart Farrar-- two definative, as they consider themselves, non-Gadnerians; or Alexandrians, for that matter. However, so far as you are aware of, my friend, I have long since learned of the rich Magickal history of these stones; and as an avid student of Neolithic/Paleolithic religion find a sense of Pride in coupling these two stones. They may also have a practical Magickal basis as an empowering device for the Witch that wears such a necklace-- like a "battery," if you will. Indeed, the chances are fairly good that, given the Gods' own ood time, I likely would have been Divinely Inspired to forge my own ("Inspiration," FWIW, is considered to be a form of Aspecting by some Traditionalists; it would, in such an instance, be an "Epiphany," which is the same as a "theaphany").

Again, because the issue of "profit" came up, rather than allowing her to pessimistically lead everyone to believe I am a money-grubber, I was forced to defend myself, against her accusations, thusly:

FWIW: Another matter has been weighing heavy on my heart, also; a concern that had been voiced, was re: alledgedly "ripping off" another's Traditions "for profit". So, I would like to interject my own thoughts, feelings, and practices concerning the topic of "profit": as an artist, because I have a "day job," and as a very conscious person concerning the harships that face our brothers and sisters, I have never made any "profit" for any of my work, and wouldn't begin, now-- especially when sacred/religious jewelry, or other such products, are concerned. The only money which I set aside is to pay for the products and supplies-- to "break even". After that: every penny I make from my work is donated to a variety of charities with which I closely work. There's a local animal shelter with which I routinely donate both time, and money, by playing with the animals, there (it's a volunteer position that I greatly enjoy, being an animal lover). Some other cherrities I donate to, often, are local hospices; HIV/AIDS and breast cancer research; other medical research, such as Meniere's Diseas, which I happen to have; and even environmental concerns, such as local and national wildlife preservation. But, no-- to usage any fears-- I have never made a profit from any artistic endevours-- sacred or secular. This is what I believe my Gods demand of me... It's something I've believed all my life: I've always told myself, even when I was young, that if I had enough money I would donate it to worthy causes to help people...

But, to offer a counter-balance to the discussion, I felt I should mention the following encounter I had with a British High Priest whom I know well:

For what it's worth, a very good friend of mine-- a British High Priestess with whom I am currentlky co-authoring two books-- has no problems with me making a sacred amber-and-jet choker, and she knows me very well. In fact, she was initially initiated into a Traditional Gardnerian Coven where she recieved her first degree, while she later left that Coven to recieve training from a High Priestess that was trained in the origional New Forest Coven that Initiated Gerald Gardner! Again, for what it's worth, this once Gardnerian, British Traditional High Priestess of many years was not offended in the least by my desire for such religious ornamentation! But, of course, I've never been fond of the Occult Police...

Indeed, when I'd initially been inspired with the idea to create a choker-- not a necklace-- I asked her what she thought about this, and she was pleased as punch! She thought it was a beautiful idea! Furthermore, I have always thought there was a lack of rather Traditionalist items for sale-- and I'm picky! It took me seemingly forever to find a Traditional black handled/hilted Athame that I even liked! But, I'm very happy with what I found... I just wish I saw them more often in occult stores for sale, and in catalogues, etc.!

Yeah, I sometimes get my knickers in a twist when I see ritual blades labled as Athames when they don't *at least* have black handles! But...it's nothing that I complain very vocally about-- just so long as the people purchasing them know what the destinguishing factor is between an Athame, senso stricto, and what they may be purchasing.

Incidentally, I personally don't believe it to be all that wise, for what it's worth, to immediately assume that anyone choosing to wear an Amber-and-Jet necklace (which would symbolize my deep-- and I *do* mean "deep"-- personal devotion to the Gods whom I serve) is "pretending to be someone they're not," of that they're even a Witch.

That's all...

I simply find it hard to believe that all of this common sense-- wrought by nothing other than pure Egomaniachal assumption-- couldn't have dawned on this poor woman! Although, somehow, I think she may be gloating amongst herself and her cohorts in her ivory tower...giving herself an undeserved pat on the back. Ugh... May the Gods preserve The Craft from those such as she!!!

Wade MacMorrighan

Care to add your two pence as to how you see Him, via a comment?

I have decided to devovte-- no, dedicate-- this Blog entry to our beloved Horned Lord, whose Name is Holy. Recently, He has come to be dominated by our Mother-Goddess as Her mere consort, when, initially, He was Her equal, as the High Priestess is called "first amongst equals" [though it seems a contradiction in terms lest one's Ego remain in constant, and clear, check]. And, yet...given the corpus of modern Pagan literature, there is comparably little devoted to none other than the Goddess. Statuary, it would seem, is rife with this similar bias. Indeed, I have yet to find a statue of the God which is fitting to my sense of asthetics. Though, many have come close, but drastically miss the mark*. However, if I were to design such a statue [I would love to commission Dryad Designs to carve such a statue on my hehalf, to compliment my Lady] He should appear, thus:

* Those few images may be found, here: The Priapic Horned God and Cernunnos (This idol might have "sold me" as a second-best, but...that boxy portion he's sitting on really turned me off)!

• He'd be ripped, and buff! Hey, I'm Gay, and have certain proclivities regarding the male form, akin to that of Classical Greece. That means, of course, amazing pecs (although, there's something about the Priapic Horned God's chest in the above hyperlink that I simply don't like), great biceps and shouldars, as well as a tight, high, and muscular bubble-butt that rounds out the hip-area from a tight waste, tapering upwards to a strong upper-body.
• There should also be something to be determined later, when the sacred inspiration [or imbis forosnai] comes upon me, relating Him, also, as the Dread Lord of Death, as appears to be the origional concept in Traditional Wica [note the singular "C"].
• He'd have a set of Stag antlers, each possibly of seven tines [or points] to represent the King Stag.
• I envision Him with a goatee, rather than the "traditional beard". First, because they're quite fetching on most men. And, secondly, it is commonly believed that earlier cultures could not have had groomed facial hair! However, this has proven to be demonsatrably false. The Celts, for instance, were a deeply festidious substratum of tribes! The archaeological record attests to the fact that they took great pride in their appearance, having had combs and mirrors, and other such personal grooming devices, such as shears and a form of "primitive" razor. This, more than likely, extended to men's facial hair as well, rather than the "wild", tattered, massive beards we so often envision due to popular media [and indeed, this idea is far too often promulgated amongst modern Paganism]. Hey, the beard may have been rebeliously "stylish" back during the 60s, but no longer... However, this is not to say that I do not-- nor never have-- found beards undesirable. Quite the contrry, beards can-- and have!-- "done it for me"! Indeed, they can be quite erotic!
• He'd proudly display various personally designed tribal tattoos across His torso, and body; perhaps spirals of rebirth [i.e., His dying/rising Aspect].  Also, wreathed around each bicep could be witnessed-akin to the tribal/barbed wire motif so popular today-- an ivy tattoo with a tribal motif, and spiraling vines. Devotees of Dionysus were tattooed with ivy motivs throughout Greece.
• Some very "shamanic" accoutrements would adorn His holy visage, such as a necklace of wolves teeth, ear rings [nipple rings? Prince Albert piercing?], an anklet, perhaps a torque, or other jewelry, as well as a staff or stang, and even a "charm bag" hung about His neck, etc.
• No "goatfoot" God for me, thank you! Cloven hooves would recall Pan, rather than the Horned God of the Celtic-type, I believe. (However, upon retrospection, I may have to ammend this.)
• I am certainly no prude, nor are many of the Traditional Witches from Gardner's renaisance. However, modern Pagans seem very close minded, sexually, and where the human body is concerned. My image of the Horned God would definately, like most Horned Gods, be ithyphallic [even Patricia Crowther, Gardnerian HPs, called Him such in one of Her chants, when she sang, "Ithym phallus Thou do bear!"], and a hung Cock; albeit, proportionately-so. But, an uncircumcised phallus, at that! Now, I cannot speak for all modern Pagans, but I should think that they should be opposed to this so-called "common" proceedure [i.e., circumsision]-- it should surely be deemed as offensive to the Gods.
• Perhaps "shamanic", or "warrior" crow-feathers tied into his bair with one "tribal" braid of locks, to also link Him with The Morrighan?
• At the "base" of the Idol-for His feet, or His "hooves" have got to be standing on something...it ought to be more like ground or a piece of Earth-should be enscribed, in Theban, His name: Kernunnos.

Hmmmm...can anyone else think of what would make a lovely Honed God statue? I'm open to suggestions! 

Herbs Associated with the Horned God:

• Alexanders [Smyrnium olusatrum]: Use to commune with the Masculine Principle of the Godhead. May also be use as part of the Ritual Feast at Coamhain. Its medieval Latin name is Petroselinum alexandrium, which translates as "parsley of Alexandria." Alexander-- who founded many city-states by this name-- is portrayed on much ancient currency "crowned" with the Horns of Osiris. This is a testiment that He was already being widely worshipped, and a cult had already sprung up around Him. Hey, if he ever actually looked like Colin Farrel, can ya' blam 'em? I might have gotten down on my knees, too!
• Belladonna [Atropa belladonna]: The wine of the Maenads-worshippers of Dionysus in ancient Greece-may have contained Atropa belladonna or Datura stramonium [datura] to induce trance states and euphoria. However, Atropa belladonna is highly toxic, and may become easily fatal. One of Atropa belladonna's common names-- Dwale-- is thought to come from the Norse term duale which means "deep sleep"and may refer to to trance states. Other folk-names for this herb include: Devil's Berries, Devil's Cherries and Devil's Herb.
• Calamus [Acorus calamus]: A reed-- which, oddly enough, produces an Essential Oil-- that is sacred to Pan; His infamous "pan-pipes" were culled from this plant, making the first "wood-wind" instrument.  (The modern flute evolves from this early instrument.)  Moreover, this plant also bears homoerotic significance through Greek Mythology, for it was named for a young male, Calamus ["reed"] who challenged his attractive lover, Carpus ["fruit"] to a swimming competition.  While Carpus unfortunately drowned and was transmutated into an unnamed fruit-bearing tree; Calamus was struck with an inconsolable grief, so his body whithered until he became the calamus reed-- he had died, wasting away from a broken heart!  Use this reed, or its EO to honour Pan, the Greek God of the Wild and of male sexuality and the Phallus.  This reed was also cut and used as an early form of ink-pen or stylus with which to write message, as well as pressed into paper known as papyrus (in this egard, Calamus is also oft rendered as "Sweet Flag").  Hence, given its musical origins, and practical parchment uses, etc. it may be deemed as a substance suitible to the Element of Air.  Use it in spells to Invoke ancestral spirits of loved ones; or in spells to send messages, to remind someone of a debt or promise, and to garner someone's attention (whether it be a friend or loved one, etc.).
• Cedarwood Essential Oil [Cedrus spp.]: The Celtic tribes were "head hunters," and upon vanquishing a worthy adversary they would sever the head of their opponent and embalm it in cedarwood oil as a trophy; some scholars [Dr. Anne Ross] link the Cult of the Head to that of the Celtic Horned God, whom is often depicted similar to a great deal of Bronze Age Head-Cult iconography. However, there are three species commonly sold as "Cedar Oil"-two of these three are from the species of Juniper tree; while the other is distilled from the cedrus species. So, shop around carefully!
• Deer's Tongue [Liatris odoratissima]: Also called Vanilla Leaf, or Wild Vanilla; indeed, the Deer's Tongue tincture bears an unmistakible vanilla-like scent. Frequently used in Horned God formulae.
• Fig [Ficus carica]: Dionysus-at the death of his friend, Prosymnus-carved a phallus from fig wood to anally penetrate Himself, in order to keep a promise to Prosymnus [that the God would sleep with him] upon being shown the location of His Mother.
• Horny Goat Weed [Epimedium sagittatum]: I've only recentrly obtained an ounce of this herbe for experimentation in a Horned God formula. True to His nature this herbe is a known aphrodisiac!
• Musk Ambrette [Hibiscus abelmoschus]: A costly Essential Oil, which has come to replace the commercial use of authentic Musk Oil in men's fragrences [i.e., cologne], is distilled from the seeds of Hibiscus abelmoschus. In fact, the seeds bear the unmistakible scent of musk. Authentic Musk Oil-obtained from the sex glands of the musk deer-may still be aquired through specialty sources, such as hunting supply shops. Also called Musk Mallow, Vegitable Musk and Semen Abelmoschi. The E.O.-if you can afford it-and seeds may be used in an incense or anointing oil. The seed grows from an evergren shrub and are native to India. A less-expensive fragrence may be used by making a tincture.
• Stag Horn Moss [Lycopodium clavatum L.]: A plant ally associated with the Familiar, Deer. Due to its growth pattern, the moss resembles antlers.
• Yarrow [Achillea millefolium]: Many Witches view this as an herb sacred to the Horned One and the Masculine Principle. This probably stems from a passage in Mrs. M. Grieve's A Modern Herbal [pressumibly during the Medieval epoch], "It was one of the herbs dedicated to the Evil One, in earlier days, being sometimes known as Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Bad Man's Plaything, and was used for divination in spells" [p. 864]. As a sacred herbe of the Summer Solstice men may wear a chaplet-or garland-of yarrow at Coamhain.

This merely constitues a brief listing; others are certainly welcome!

Some Sites of Interest:

• Banyas: Cult Centre of the God, Pan
• Celtic London: Evidence for the Worship of the Horned God
• Dragon's Hoard magazine: "The Great God Pan"
• Electronic Journal of Mithraic Studies
• The Great God Pan
• Cult of Dionysos
• IO Evohe! Dionysos
• Potency and Sin: Ireland and the Phallic Continuum
• Mithraism: The Legacy of the Roman Empire's Final Pagan State-Religion
• Mithraism and Precession: The Tauroctony and the Celestial Equator
• MITHRAISM: FREEMASONRY AND THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES
• Mithraism in History & Archaeology
• Temple of Mithras
• Native American Petroglyphs
• Shrine of the Horned Gods
• Thelema's Temple of Pan
• The Cult of Bacchus: U. of Penn. Museum-- Applied Science Centre for Archaeology
• The Roots of Jehovah [YHWH]
• The Bull-Cult of Yahweh
• Yahweh as a Bull-God and His Consort, Asherah

THE CHARGE OF THE GOD

Listen to the words of the Old Horned One, who is ever young. I am He who opens the doors of Life and Death, the Gates of the Dawn and the Gates of the Night. I am Kernunnos and Silvanus and Pan, and the music of My pipes is the air of the green woods and upon the summer hills.

My voice is the wind of midnight, and beneath the stars it speaks words of magick in ancient tongues forgotten and unknown.

I inspire panic fear and passionate desire. Even though I show the face of a skull, there would be no manifestation of life without Me. Life must spiral ever upwards, it cannot stand still. We cannot know light without darkness, nor darkness without light. So fear Me not, in whatever aspect you see Me; the strength and power of maleness or the bringer of peace in death. I am Lucifer the Light-bearer, and Amoun the Hidden One, who bore the spiral horns of the ram in Khem. I am the goat-footed god in the sunlit groves of Thessaly, and I am the presence which was felt in the darkness of sacred caves, and by the standing stone upon the heath.

I am the onrushing power of Life, and the bearer of Life; but without Love I can create nothing that endures. Therefor I need the Goddess as She needs Me, and in the Great Sacred Marriage, the Cosmic Ecstasy, we both are One.

So worship My wildness, know Me and rejoice in Me, brothers and sisters of the Art Magickal, witches and wizards, pagans and heathens. For I bring you power and liberation, and freedom of the spirit which is true and eternal, and which none can deny you for ever.

Nota Bene: In the 3rd. stanza there is to be no comma between the words "fear" and "panic". This was how Doreen meant to write it. In 1998 [it was written in 1997, just before her death, and shortly after her husband and final magic-partner Ron "Cookie" died] she commented that the reasoning was thus: This line expresses the experience of blind panicked fear, as compared to a state of mere anxiety.

Take Care...

Often, acrossed the Internet, I see individuals asking for a book to turn towards in their earnest desire to learn more about The Craft. However, there is a great stumbling block in the form of the massive amount of witchcrap, and rubbish, that is already flooding book shelves at your local chain-stores. Ah...can you imagine a bunch of Witches skulking through the aisles of their local bookstores-- incognito-- slapping stickers on the covers of the most disreputible books as a Pagan public service anouncement? Wouldn't that be divine? Absolutely! LOL... Of course, said "sticker" would also have to recommend a variety of authors in place of the books it, at the same time, condemns. But, I digress... Here is my list of highly suggested reading material, directly from my personal Library.  I would recommend that the Neophyte (ie. beginner) read the first seven books listed, in the order given, for a solid Introduction worth their money, time, and effort:

GENERAL INTRODUCTION & TRADITIONAL WITCHCRAFT

• The Spiral Dance [20th. Annyversary Ed.] -- Starhawk [A "Classic", and personal favourite, that has stood the test of time! One will learn things in this book that are generally not discussed in countless other texts on the topic of modern Witchcraft. One would do well to make this text their first read on the subject despite so much witchcrap that's out there.]
• The Power Of The Witch: A Witch's Guide to Her Craft -- Laurie Cabot [One of my more highly recommended titles to the novice through to the advanced student, for various reasons often overlooked, or altogether neglected. The two chapters titled: "The Science of Witchcraft" and "Alpha" are worth the cost of this book alone! Yes, like the previous text, it is also a "How-To" book-- but it teaches Witchcraft from another angle altoegther... This book came to me during a "Dark Night of the Soul" when, because of so much blatant "witchcrap", I was sincerely doubting The Craft, needing a far more analytical style of teaching, which this text greatfully provided to nourish my mind! Although, while her history of the Salem trials are well thought of, it is her Mediavel witchcraft-history which is not very good, historically, through no intentional fault of her own-- she was merely using the sources that other Witches were during the 1980s.]
• The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle -- Deborah Lipp [This is one of those books, that makes so much damned good sense, that I wish it had been available years ago! It details many of the whys, rather than the how-tos of casting a ritual Circle. One of the best books I've read in a long while! I hope to see more such as this published in recent years to come! BUY THIS BOOK!!!]
• The Witches' Way -- Janet & Stewart Farrar [Inner Court material, thanks to Gardnerian HPs, Doreen Valiente, the "Mother" of modern Witchcraft. This is real "Wicca, or Traditional Witchcraft, at its finest!  My copy is care-worn from years of fond use!]
• Mastering Witchcraft -- Paul Huson [A dearly undervalued classic from the 70s!]
• Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft -- Dr. Raymond Buckland [A Gardnerian HP; Buckland was sent to the US upon Gardner's request as a missionary for "the Old Religion" (i.e., Wica). He's the "Father" of American Wicca and Witchcraft.]
• Drawing Down the Moon -- Margot Adler [A study of modern Pagan religions. I recommend the two prior books in succession to this text only due to the fact that it's a rather "dry" read in comparison. Remember, there are vastly more Pagan religions than mere "Wicca". Indeed, Witchcraft, as a religion, is not the right Path for everyone, nor should it be! One would also do well to study the various Tradition Profiles at the Witches Voice: Paths & Traditions. Find the Path that is right for you!]
• Witchcraft Today -- Gerald Gardner [The material by the man who essentially started it all. Published 50 years after thge fact by Citidel press. We should write them to thank them for making it more widely available to a new generation, and audience! Ditto for Samuel/Weiser, below!]
• The Meaning of Witchcraft -- Gerald Gardner
• Gardnerian CD [A selection of chants and interviews from Gerald Gardner, the reviled Monique Wilson, and Patricia Crowther and her Sheffield Coven. It contains a great deal of early information regarding the evolution of modern Pagan Witchcraft asa religion.]
• High Priestess: The Life & Times of Patricia Crowther -- Patricia Crowther [Contains more "Traditional" teachings, though I do not adhere to most protocols hailing from Traditional Wica, as some sort of foolish mandate (i.e., unquestioned/unquestionable Dogmatic orthopraxy). Yet, I do greatly draw upon it, regardless. It should be noted that because I do no not adhere, blindly, to every nuance, does not make me-- in the least-- anti-Traditional. In fact, I do have my own Tradition, and Traditional practices, etc. They are merely mandatory for me, and my religion and Gods. Indeed, I must say, that I find it more than a little insulting when some Gardnerians rather emphatically expound about "my religion" as if their view of Gardnerianism is of an entirely differentiated religion from every other branch of modern Paganism, sharing no similarities. Indeed, they seem to believe that it should be ridiculous to equate Gardnerianism with any other Pagan Path. Sounds like an argument designed for Ockham's Razor, if you ask me! Fortunately, just as many Gardnerians would not, I hazard, be so staunch in their poersonal subjectivity. She believes that she is Old Gerald's "spiritual heir".]
• The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism -- Shelley Rabinovitch and James Lewis [A very well research text by various Pagan scholars (i.e. Pagans that happen to have advanced degrees). It also includes the little known propper companion piece to The Charge of The Goddess, by Doreen Valiente, The Charge of The God.]
• Spells & How They Work -- Janet & Stewart Farrar
• Witchcraft for Tomorrow -- Doreen Valiente [I adore all of her texts, and personally consider them to be obligatory! Here is a Link to her Obituary and Remembrance Book. And, here is an Interview with her from Fire Heart magazine.]
• An ABC of Witchcraft Past & Present -- Doreen Valiente
• A Grimoire of Shadows -- Ed Fitch [Outer Court material]
• Magical Rites from the Crystal Well -- Ed Fitch [Outer Court material.]
• A Book of Pagan Rituals -- [ed.] Herman Slater [Outer Court material.]
• Pagan Rituals III -- [ed.] Herman Slater [Outer Court material. My only true quibble are a few of the "Laws," which, without proper explication may easily become abused due to the over-riding Ego of the HP/s in question. The Ego truly holds no place within the Priesthood of modern Paganism. Ultimately, it is a religion through which one serves the Gods, and mankind! To quote Daffy Duck, when out of balance (which, judging from many of the Pagans on-line that I've encountered [though thankfully not all by a long shot], is often), the Ego says, "Me, me, me!!! Mine, mine, mine!!!"]
• Rites of Shadow -- E. A. St. George [Outer-- and alledgedly Inner-- Court material.]
• Crafting the Art of Magic -- Aiden Kelley [Again, more Inner Court material. It's a textual analyses of the Gardnerian BOS which, according to Gardnerian HP Charles Clark, Gerald gave the owner of Llewellyn Pub. permission to publish the Gardnerian BOS. This book is to be re-published, shortly-- and if Aidan is reading this, I'd love a freebie, being a truly penniless Pagan-- under the title of Inventing Witchcraft, by Thoth Pub. in the UK.! It will make use of far more recent research, and will also include the material which was omitted by the publisher during its initial publication. This book represents one of the first historographies on modern Paganism, thus, it should also be under the WICCAN/PAGAN HISTORY section. Be that as it may, as highly as a recommend this text due to the extracts of Gardnerian material, it should be tempered with this Critical Review of the text!]
• Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner -- Scott Cunningham
• Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner -- Scott Cunningham [I would recommend reading these two books by Scott only after the others listed above, becauser most people simply don't know what to do with the information he prevents, and this has been known to cause an out-break of Fluffy Bunnyism!]
• Book of Shadows -- Phyllis Currot
• Witch Crafting -- Phyllis Currot
• Hedge Witch: A Guide to Solitary Witchcraft -- Rae Beth [A fabulous book for the Solitary Witch based upon the British Pagan Tradition.]
• Wicca for One: The Path of Solitary Witchcraft -- Dr. Raymond Buckland [An ex-Gardnerian HP-- who brought Wicca, as an emmissary, to the U.S.-- has vied for solitary Witrchcraft for some time. Indeed, Old Gerald may have poublically done so, had he loved well into the 70s or 80s, being that one of his remarkls to Doreen Valiente was, "This religion has too many chiefs and not enough Indians!"]
• The New Pagans -- Hans Holzer [Contains some Inner Court material. About the Inner Court material: Any alledged Gardnerian who claims that Inner Court material has not been published through, for example, the writings of the Farrars, etc. is being less than honest.]
• The Anatomy of Witchcraft -- Peter Haining [I love 60s/70s Occult non-fiction!]
• Witches: The Investigation of an Ancient Religion Involving the Worship of Diana-- The Witch-Cult-- Laying as Much Stress on the Consorts of The Goddess as on The Lady Herself -- T. C. Lethbridge
• The Way of Four -- Deborah Lipp
• Natural Magic -- Doreen Valiente
• Charge of the Goddess: Mother of Modern Witchcraft -- Doreen Valiente [Her post-humously published poetry, as well as letters and reflections upon her life, on behalf of friends. Includes photos of many of her artifacts. A truly brilliant book that, according to Janet Farrar, has the capacity to merely expand upon the Gardnerian "Book Of Shadows".]
• Witchcraft: A Tradition Renewed -- Even John Jones, with Doreen Valiente
• Wiccan Wisdomkeepers -- [ed.] Sally Griffyn [Listed only because it contains the full text of the final lecture Doreen Valiente gave shortly before her passing, at an event sponsored by the Pagan Federation; the full-version-- greatly expanded from the version published here-- may be found here: "Doreen Valiente: A Witch Speaks".]
• What Witches Do -- Stewart Farrar
• The Life & Times of a Modern Witch -- Janet & Stewart Farrar
• Circles, Groves, & Sanctuaries -- Dan & Pauline Campanelli [A lovely look, and explaination, of modern Pagan altars!]
• The Witch-Cult in Western Europe -- Dr. Margaret Murrey [Controversial amongst scholars, but the single book which gave modern Paganism so much! Generally unduely criticized, however, much of what she lifts from trial records-- though not all-- is head-on! It is Prof. Cohn, and one other, that sought to discretid her based upon blatant erronious academic protocol that, because it was so "reductionist", scholars unquestioningly swallowed every word of it without being bothered to check out all ot the facts to see if they lined up-- they don't! Hutton was one of these later scholars that refusesd to check what Cohn et al. had to say. Despite these facts to the contrary, Hutton has publically refused to acknowledge these earlier errors of his which makes him look more, and more, unreputible as a reliable resource! I simplty believe that Hutton is capible of far better! But, he is misleading modern Pagans, especially when he masks his opinion a though it were fact. The Cauldron published an article about this exact issue by the name of "The Great Debate"-- if you have any problems loading the scanned rebuttle by Hutton, simply right-click on each respective image and click on "show picture"!]
• Hearth Witch -- Anna Franklin
• The Pagan Path: The Wiccan Way of Life -- Janet & Stewart Farrar, with Gavin Bone
• Witches: True Encounters with Wicca, Wizards, Covens, Cults, and Magick -- Hans Holzer, Ph.D. M
• Magic, Witchcraft and the Otherwrld: An Anthropology -- Prof. Susan Greenwood
• Persuasions of the Witches' Craft: Ritual Magic in Contemporary England -- Tanya Luhrmann [In many ways thisn text is far superior to Ronald Hutton's The Triumph of the Moon, cf. his chapter, "Finding A God". Prof. Luhrmann gains access-- ie. Initiation-- to the oldest "Wiccan" Coven on Earth-- Gardner's former "Brickettwood Coven" which is now known as the "North London Coven".]
• Spellcaster: Seven Ways to Effective Magic -- Elen Hawke and Martin White [eds.] [Seven articles by some amazing Elders concerning the Art of Magick-- Martin Duffy, Anna Franklin, Poppy Palin, Morgana SidheRaven, and Leah Whitehorse.]

THEALOGY & THEOLOGY

[Nota Bene: Many of these texts are not to be accepted as infallible scholarship]

• The Witches' Goddess -- Janet & Stewart Farrar [Obligatory reading, as it the next title!]
• The Witches' God -- Janet & Stewart Farrar
  The God of the Witches -- Dr. Margaret Murray [Again, controversial amongst scholars, even if those scholars are far too pedantic at times! This was probably the text which gave Witchcraft the Traditional Horned God, the Lord of Beasts, etc.]
• The Goatfoot God -- Dion Fortune [Dion Fortune -- aka. Violet Furth's-- Fiction also has had a great impact on the modern Pagan renaissance.]
• The Sea Priestess -- Dion Fortune [The Wiccan addendum, "All Gods are one God, all Goddesses are one Goddess, and there is but one Initiator," stems from this text, as well as modern Paganisms sense of duotheism.]
• Devoted to You: Honoring Deity in Wiccan Practice -- Judy Harrow [A lovely programme for study by a Gardnerian HPs and one meathod of how she teaches. She founded, and runs, Proteus Coven, a liberal Gardnerian Coven.]
• When God Was A Woman -- Merlin Stone [Unfortunately, Art Historian Merlin Stone is often maligned amongst modern Pagans, though I have always loved her literature. Please read this article, In Defense of Merlin Stone.]
• The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religions of the Earth -- Monica Sjoo [d. 2005]
• The Once and Future Goddess -- Elinor Gadon [Currently writing The Wounded Minotaur: Reclaiming the Mythology of the Male.]
• The Hebrew Goddess -- Raphael Patai
• The Rebirth of the Goddess -- Carol P. Christ
• In A Chariot Drawn By Lions: The Search for Female in Deity -- Asphodel P. Long [d. 2005] One of my favourite books on the forgotten Feminibne Principle of the Sacred!
• The Concept of the Goddess -- [ed.] Miranda Green
• The Ancient British Goddess -- Kathy Jones
• The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe: Myth and Cult Images -- Marija Gimbutas
• Civilizations of the Goddess -- Marija Gimbutas
• The Language of the Goddess -- Marija Gimbutas
• The Living Goddesses -- Marija Gimbutas, ed. & supplemented by Miriam Robbins Dexter, Ph.D.
• The Great Mother: Analysis of the Archetype -- Erich Neumann [One of the texts cited by Gerald Gardner, as I recall. Often used as a personal resource for modern Pagan Witches.]
• The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future -- Raine Eisler
• Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood -- Merlin Stone
• In the Wake of the Goddess: Women, Culture, and the Biblical Transformation of Pagan Myth -- Tikva Frymer-Kensky, Ph.D.
• Whence the Goddess: A Sourcebook -- Miriam Robbins Dexter, Ph.D. [Definately a sourcebook of academia and various source material! Gey yourself a copy of this text!!!]
• Habitations of the Great Goddess -- Christine Biaggi & Marija Gimbutas
• The Double Goddess -- Vicki Noble [Concerns itself with the Neolithic conjoined Goddess images. Although, according to the most pedantic of scholars, as well as far too many modern Pagans claiming "research" they tend to balk at the assertion that these images may very be Goddesses, for no other reason then, they say, "we can't know!" So...in a defeatest manner, they claim that we shouldn't even bother interprating them. Oh, b.s.!]
• The White Goddess: A Historical Grammer of Poetic Myth -- Robert Graves [Unfortunately, Robert Graves bears far too much of the brunt of consternation than what he deserves. After all, he submitted this ms. to various respected scholars in the fields with which it concerned itself. But, they could not be bothered to so much as respond.]
• Graves and the Goddess: Essays on Robert Graves "The White Goddess" -- [ed.] Ian Firla and Grevel Lindop
• God Against the Gods: The History of the War Between Monotheism and Polytheism -- Jonathan Kirsch
• The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image -- Anne Baring and Jules Cashford
• The Lady of the Beasts: The Goddess and her Sacred Animals -- Buffie Johnson
• The Goddess: Power, Sexuality, and the Feminine Divine -- Shahrukh Husain
• The Myth of Matriarchy: Why An Invented Past Won't Give Women A Future -- Cynthia Eller [I DO NOT recommend this book as a work of objective research, in ANY WAY! In fact, I CANNOT in good consciousness-- as an independant scholar-- recommend it at all! It is replite with inaccuracies and subjective biases. However, its only redeaming value is that it explains what proper academic meathodlology-- or protocall-- is, albeit she does not adhere to them even once! ...very hypocritical! Yet, surprising as this may be, the vast majority of modern Pagans, claiming "rigour" seem to merely look past, and ignore, these severe problems. An amazing, academic, critic of this may be found at the following website by Harvard educated independant scholar, Max Dashu: Knocking Down Straw Dolls: A Critique of Cynthia Eller's "The Myth ofMatriarchy". Also, there is this Review by Asphodel P. Long [d. 2005]. To be brutally blunt about it, Cynthia Eller's a nut-case and simply had one ONE idea about what she was talking about, regardless of the modern Pagans that flock to her as though in citing her they think they will be taken seriously! Honestly, in so doing, they merely look foolish and show that they simply have not understood what academia is, nor how to digest it.]
• The Quest for the Green Man -- John Matthews
• The Moon: Myth and Image -- Jules Cashford
• The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity -- Jeffrey Burton Russell

WICCAN/PAGAN HISTORY:

• The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft -- Ronald Hutton [I will not go as in depthly into his problematic texts as I'd like, but will generally mention two to three of his greatest errors: He proports abhorrant methodology, and does so as fact, in all of his texts! He only ventures onto the Continent-propper as it seems to suit his thesis, otherwise he ignores it. He draws hard conclusions using a very limited knowledge-base. He's also, generally, hypocritical. For example, he will state that one author was wrong for dismissing any criticism directed at her, which is why she is not to be trusted. However, Hutton has also shown an inability to listen to the criticism of others for his works. There's also the British bias, as if they are more rigorous than we, and they seem to look down their noses at American scholars. There is also his alegations-blanket statement that lack of evidence is proof of absense! In summation, I would generally call Hutton a wanna'be: i.e., a jack of all trades, and master of none. However, it wories me how so many modern Pagans are so keen on thoughtlesly excusing the inaccuricies of Hutton's lit. Indeed, almost universally, I see modern Pagans that question Hutton's lit. to be "uninformed," and writing all criticism off as such! Oh, and did I m,ention that there was an academic Canadian journal which devoted an entire issue to poor meathodology in the research of modern Witchcraft? Ronald Hutton was one of their "targets"-- indeed, his books are heaped full of poor meathodology, as far as I understand the topic. According to historian Nigel Pennick, in this title alonbe, Hutton had made dozens of mistakes. Generally-speaking, this text is not considered to be out-dated by Hutton's own wrods. I highly recommend this public article origionally published in my favourite Pagan magazine, The Cauldron, and titled "The Great Debate"-- if you have any problems loading the scanned rebuttle by Hutton, simply right-click on each respective image and click on "show picture"!]
• The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Aisles: Their Nature and Legacy -- Ronald Hutton [Read the following review, written by Harvard educated scholar, Max Dashu, which I consider to be obligatory: Max Dashu Critique as well as Asphodel P. Long's Review. Astonishing, Hutton's seeming disdane towards theories is emarkable, given hat he makes numerous myths of his own creation! He also mis-charcterizes the antecedants of modern Pagan thealogy regarding the Dark/Bright-Goddess, claiming that it stems from Zoroastrianism, which is incorrect. One needs only a brief over view of the complexity of Goddesses to come to this realization! Although, I can see it now: I'm bound to be pilloried as a "Fluff Bunny-Murrayite" for being somewhat critical of Hutton and his criterion. Oy vey... Also, it bears mentioning that I ave heard Hutton claim he would rather this book go out of print! And, in a responce to Long's review, he admitted that he didn't know enough about the topic in question before he started writing about it and putting his conclusions forth. Moreover, despite Hutton's earlier fiercely held reductionist ideology, we can know and successfully decipher Neolithic cave art and the beliefs which is evident in their burial mounds, etc. For more information on this, I cannot refer the reader, more strongly enough, to the books written by David Lerwis-Williams (the world's formost expert on cave art!): The Mind in the Cave and Inside the Neolithic Mind. It ius also worth noting that two raher "insidious" reductionists, Ronald Hutton and Peter Ucko, are now supporters of Lewis-Williams!]
• The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain -- Ronald Hutton [Again, it's chock full or short-sighted research, qv. THE SABBATS.]
• The Rise and Fall of Merry England: The Ritual Year 1400-1700 -- Ronald Hutton
• Witches, Druids & King Arthur -- Ronald Hutton [He quetions a very few of his origional theories from his earlier works, but not nearly enough for my liking, given his many inaccuracies!]
• A History of Witchcraft: Heretics, Sorcerers & Pagans -- JB Russell & Brooks Alexander [Rev. edn., 2007]
• A History of Pagan Europe -- Prudence Jones and Nigel Pennick
• European Paganism: The Realities of Cult from Antiquity to the Middle Ages -- Ken Dowden
• Wiccan Roots -- Philip Hesselton [Like Hutton, another Gardnerian and scholar, who found some pretty good evidence for the exostence of the New Forest Coven into which Old Gerald was Initiated.]
• Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration -- Philip Hesselton
• Aradia, of the Gosepl of the Witches [New Tr.] -- Charles leland, Stewart Farrar, Mario Pazzaglini, et al.
• Etruscan Roman Remains -- Charles Leland
• The Golden Bough: The Roots of Religion and Folklore -- Sir James Frazer
• Witchcraft Out of the Shadows: A Complete History -- Leo Ruickbie [Not exactly "Complete"; but, of course, it didn't make use of Hesselton's recent research, only Hutton's, when modern Pagan Witchcraft was broached. Somewhgat out-dated in its own right, but still a good book!]
• Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion: An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural [Sixth Ed.] -- Arthur C. Lehmann, Jasmes Myers & Pamela A. Moro [McGraw Hill, a textbook]. A collection of fabulous academic essays for "Anthropology of Religion," including "Pagan Studies".
• The Malleus Maleficarum -- Rev. Montague Summers [tr. and ed.]
• Witches, Werewolves, and Fairies: Shapeshifters and Astral Doubles in the Middle Ages -- Claude Lecouteux [A highly respected Prof. at the Sorbonne, Paris, France (an academic institution beyond compare!). Apparently British scholars are lagging behind academics from other geographical regions throughout Europe by refusing to acknowledge the untenible school of thought they have maintained by advancing their cherished reductionist or minimalist standards! The tides of academe are turning! Most scholars now agree-- though I fear Ronald Hutton has poisoned the well in the minds of many'a modern Pagan-- that there is, indeed, a genuine folkloric or shamanic antecedant at the heart of the descriptions of belief of medieval witches. Most Pagans have remained in the dark about this new evidence-- though, even were one to explain it to them, they would remain inately skeptical, by default.]
• Christianity: The Origins of a Pagan Religion -- Prof. Phillippe Walter [Another French medievalist that would tend to counter Ronald Hutton in his reductionist model in, for example, The Stations of the Sun, by claiming that the inherent "mythologies" surrounding the various Feast Days of the Christian calendar are not, in fact, Christian [ie, originated independantly], but stem from a process of paleo-pagan "genesis". Unlike Hutton, in his search for paleo-paganism, he does not view those Christian Medieval mythologies that "possess no biblical justification" as inconsequential, but of great value in discernment; whereas Hutton rather short-sightedly dates these practices only from their first modern writings, regardless of their pre-Christian antecedents. You see, when Hutton is allowed to adopt his reductionist model of methodology-- or "school of thought"-- he is allowed (and almost demanded) to dismiss such inconsistancies, and refrain from asking some very important questions subject to the historical issue at hand's disimilrities! It is abhorrant methodology, is what it is-- wrought by one that is afraid of upsetting their academic peers and getting a less than "peachy" reputation. When this is allowed to be the decinign factor in what can be demonstrated via historical methodological protocal, than we cease to have a means by which to apprehend the "truth" about what may really have been going on, under the guise of so-called "academic rigour". I'd love to see Hutton grow some backbone!]
• Witchcraft Medicine: Healing Arts, Shamanic Practices, and Forbidden Plants -- Claudia Muller-Ebeling, Christian Ratsch, and Wolf-Dieter Storl, PhD. [qv, Witches, Werewolves, and Fairies concerning the current shift in academic thought as it is applied to the percepts of medieval witches.]
• Persuasions of the Witch's Craft: Ritual Magic in Contemporary England -- Tanya Luhrmann [Published by Harvard University Press, qv. TRADITIONAL WITCHCRAFT.]
• The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft & Demonology -- Rossell Hope Robbins [A rather "Classic" reference text on medieval witchcraft.]
• Cassell's Dictionary of Witchcraft -- David Pickering
• Never Again the Burning Times: Paganism Revived -- Loretta Orion [I bought this lovely, thoughtful, and at times very Traditionalist (thankfully!) book from the Half Priced Bookstore. It was, apparently, a former textbook from a local University. I approve of the sombre Death/Mourning Rites engendered within it's pages on behalf of the Horned God and the Tradition that began this resurrgance od modern Pagan Witchcraft!]
• Raising Hell: A Concise History of the Black Arts--and Those Who Dared to Practice Them -- Robert Masello

THE SABBATS:

• Celebrate The Earth -- Laurie Cabot
• Eight Sabbats for Witches -- Janet & Stewart Farrar
• The Witches' Sabbats -- Mike Nichols [Because it's a GeoCities site, it has a limited data stream, so if you get a "busy" signal, please try back later!]
• Halloween and Other Feastivals of Death and Life -- [ed.] Jack Santino
• Christianity: The Origins of a Pagan Religion -- Phillippe Walter [qv, listing under WICAN/PAGAN HISTORY.]
• Cattle Lords & Clansmen: The Social Structure of Early Ireland [Second Ed.] -- Nerys Patterson [Supplies a great deal of information that is apparently lacking from Hutton's own study of the "Ritual Year" from the British Isles. Hutton shows his own innate, and unforgivible bias, within his The Stations of the Sun: he has the nerve to dismiss and classify scholars from other fields, other than Historians, as unenlightened rubes, such as archaeologists! For example: Hutton dismisses an earlier scholar's thesis re: Samhain being "New Years" because All Saints' Day was the "most eerie" and "dreaded of all seasons" without offering the slightest shread of evidence for his allegations. Hutton seems seriously hell-bent about looking for any excuse-- regardless of how illogical-- not to accept information with which he does not agree. How other scholars have not criticized his texts is anyone's guess, when they are littered with errors and severe methodological failings!!! I argue that much of Hutton's so-called "evidence" is also "flimsy"! Time to go back to school, professor. And, before anyone starts to severely insult me by calling me a "history revisionist" check out the facts of the issue before defaming me as "some little know nothing Pagan who doesn't have the educational standing as the 'distingquished porofssor Hutton'!" PLEASE!]
• Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years -- Phyllis Siefker ['Nuff said!]
• The Stations of the Sun: The Ritual Year in England -- Ronald Hutton [qv. Cattle Lords & Clansmen, below.]
• Lammas -- Anna Franklin & Paul Mason
• Midsummer -- Anna Franklin
• Candlemas -- Amber K. and Azrael Arynn K.
• Wheel of the Year -- Dan & Pauline Campanelli
• The Ancient Ways -- Dan & Pauline Campanelli
• The Winter Solstice -- John Matthews
• The Summer Solstice -- John Matthews
• A Dictionary of English Folklore [Oxford University Press] -- Jacqueline Simpson and Steve Roud [This one's ben on my shelf for a while, and have only recently thought to add it.]

INCENSE, ANOINTING OILS, HERBES & CRYSTALS:

• Herb Craft: A Guide to the Shamanic and Ritual use of Herbs -- Anna Franklin & Susan Lavender [If you purchase only ONE text on herbal magick-- make it this one!]
• A Salem Witch's Herbal Magic -- Laurie Cabot [Teaches the Art of Psychic Herbalism.]
• The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews -- Scott Cunningham
• Whispers of the Moon: The Life & Work of Scott Cunningham -- deTraci Regula & David Herrington
• Magical Incenses & Oils -- Anna Franklin
• Incense: Crafting & Use of Magickal Scents -- Carl F. Niel
• Wylundt's Book of Incense
• Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magick -- Scott Cunningham
• Nicholas Culpeper's Herbal & Physician -- Nicholas Culpeper [Another text with which Gerald Gardner was intimately aquainted! A classic text in the field of herbology!]
• A Modern Herbal, Vol. I & Vol. II -- Mrs. M. Grieve
• The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology & Its Applications -- Christian Ratsch
• Medical Herbalism -- David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG
• The Herb Book -- Dr. John Lust, N.D.
• The Illustrated Encyclopediua of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Essential Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism -- Julia Lawless
• The Magical & Ritual use of Perfumes -- Richard Alan Miller and Iona Miller
• The Magical & Ritual use of Herbs -- Richard Alan Miller
• The Magical & Ritual use of Aphrodisiacs -- Richard Alan Miller
• Magickal Formulary Spellbook: Book I -- Herman Slater
• Magickal Formulary Spellbook: Book II -- Herman Slater [A companion]
• Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy -- Clark Heinrich
• Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers -- Richard Evans Schultes, Albert Hofmann & Christian Ratsch
• The Secret Life of Plants: A fascinating account of the physical, emotional, and spiritual relations between plants and man -- Peter Tompkins [A classic!]
• Soma: The Divine Hallucinogen -- David L. Spess
• Marijuana Medicine: A World Tour of the Healing and Visionary Powers of Cannabis -- Christian Ratsch
• The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World's Most Extraordinary Plant -- Rowan Robinson
• Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas -- Claudia Muller-Ebeling, Christian Ratsch, and Surendra Bahadur Shahi
• Witchcraft Medicine: Healing Arts, Shamanic Practices, and Forbidden Plants -- Claudia Muller-Ebeling, Christian Ratsch, and Wolf-Dieter Storl, PhD.
• Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanacatl--A Sourcebook on the Psilocybin Mushroom -- Ralph Metzner [ed.]
• How Do Witches Fly--A Practical Approach to Nocturnal Flights -- Dr. Alexander Kuklin [It's a fascinating book all about Medieval flying ointments! Highly recommended, as many of the above books, for research purposes only!]
• A Brief History of Drugs--From the Stone Age to the Stones Age -- Antonio Escohotado
• The Herbal Handbook: A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism -- David Hoffmann
• The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism -- Simon Y. Mills, M.A. M.N.I.M.H.
• Green Pharmacy: The History and Evolution of Western Herbal Medicine -- Barbara Griggs
• The Book of the Toad -- Robert M. Degraaff
• Back To Eden [Updated & Expanded] -- Jethro Kloss
• The Cassell Dictionary of Folklore -- David Pickering

ADVANCED WICCAN/PAGAN STUDIES:

• The Heart of Wicca -- Ellen Cannon Reed [d. ?]
• Deepening Witchcraft -- Grey Cat
• Spiritual Mentoring: A Pagan Guide -- Judy Harrow
• The Veil's Edge -- Willow Polson
• Advancing the Witches' Craft -- Lord Foxglove
• Progressive Witchcraft: Spirituality, Mysteries & Training -- Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone
• Twelve Wild Swans -- Starhawk [The sequal to The Spiral Dance]
• Evolutionary Witchcraft -- T. Thorn Coyle
• Adept Circle Magick: A Guide for the Advanced Wiccan Practitioner -- Kirk White

THE CHAKRA SYSTEM:

• Wheels of Light: A User's Guide to the Chakra System -- Anodea Judith, Ph.D.

RITUAL MAGICK:

• The Key of Solomon (Clavicula Salomonis) -- S. Liddell MacGregor Mathers, translated and edited from manuscripts at the British Museum
• The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King (Clavicula Salomonis Regis) -- Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers
• The Mystical Qabalah -- Dion Fortune
• The Middle Pillar -- Israel Regardie
• The Garden of Pomegranates -- Israel Regardie
• The Tree of Life -- Israel Regardie
• 777 and Other Qabalistic Writings of Alesister Crowley -- A.C.
• Psychic Self-Defense -- Dion Fortune
• Applied Magick -- Dion Fortune
• Applied Occultism -- Dion Fortune
• Magick: Liber ABBA-- Book 4 -- Aleister Crowley
• The Book of the Law -- Aleister Crowley
• The Golden Dawn -- Israel Regardie
• Three Books of Occult Philosophy -- Henry Agrippa
• Ritual Magick of the Golden Dawn -- [ed.] Francis King
• Lady Rhea's Enchanted Candle Spells: How to Carve, Glitter, & breathe Life into your Enchanted Candle [First Ed., Completely Revised Version of, "The Enchanted Candle" also by Lady Rhea] -- Lady Rhea <