The Passing of Time

It is so hard to believe it has been 18 months since we lost David. It feels like yesterday, we were talking and laughing, yet it also feels like it was another lifetime ago. So many things have happened in these past eighteen months yet not a day goes by that he is not in my thoughts or I come across a reminder of our short life together. We believe in past lives, multiple lives. I often wonder who we were in our past lives and who will be in the future ones. I wonder how long it will take for us to find each other in the next life. In this one it took me 41 years. We had such a short time together, yet we knew each other better than most people ever get a chance to know one another. I learned so much from our time together.

We started this blog together, as we started our journey into paganism. We had both been touched by it and drawn to it throughout our lives, but it was not until we found each other that we felt comfortable pursuing our path. We started this after we had received our priest and priestess status in Wicca. Something that is supposed to take a year and a day, but is a journey that last much longer. The coven, we originally belonged to is no more, at least not in that form. It dissolved and began anew in a new light. I learned and continue to learn so much from my sisters. None shared my blood, but they are my family and will continue to be in this and the future lives I live.

For those who read this and are new to their path, maybe new to Wicca or to another form of paganism, I share what I have learned these many months since I was introduced to my former coven and since the death of my beloved. Like any type of group, our coven changed over time, with members no longer being a apart of our rituals or with some coming and going, personalities clashing, repelling each other and then coming back together. What we shared as a coven was a beautiful yet sometimes hurtful thing. Each of us has gone our own way at this point, but the important thing, the thing I cherish, is that I have a bond with those magical ladies, that no matter what happens in life or how far away we travel, in distance or in ideology, we are connected by a thread.

David and my dream for this blog was to share what we learned. I gave up that, when he passed. It was too hard to do this on my own. The words would not come. Hell, I couldn't even read any more. For those that know me, that was hard. I had been known to read three to four novels a week. I had over 2000 books and they began to gather dust. I tried, many times to read, but I could never focus on more than a few pages. As much as I wanted to get lost in the words of others, I just remained lost. Then one day not long ago, a very dear friend, Anna L Walls sent me a box of her books and I was able to read one. Maybe it's because she writes from a different place than most of the books I read. Maybe because she is just that gifted (which I believe is the truth behind it).  Maybe because her characters are able to touch parts of me that I allowed to go dormant. Sadly, many books, authors, who I used to love, can no longer keep my focus.

Writing has also become harder, but I'm not giving up. I am determined to take Ember through her journey and I thank the many fans who have patiently waited for me to continue her story. I have learned that sometimes, I have to post short passages, because her story will start and then go dark in my head. Maybe that is because she is also on a journey and her story is teaching me more abut my own. This blog also is going to be a journey. What started as our journey to help other novices, will now be my journey and hopefully it will still help the novice practitioners but also those who are just looking for something that rings true for them as well. I can't promise it will always be exciting or posted on a regular basis, but it will true and life as experienced by one someone eccentric yet simple woman trying to figure it all out.

Blessed Be
Willow Drake

Wicca in the Kitchen

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen by Scott Cunningham is an excellent resource for those new to the pagan path, as well as, those who have been on their journey for decades. One of the things I love most about Cunningham’s books is that he leaves no stones unturned or in this case, no herbs un-ground. You do not even have to be pagan to enjoy the insights and knowledge he imparts. 

What do we all have to do? Eat. For some eating is just a mindless necessity to be engaged in at set times. For those of us in tune with nature and the energies of the world, and those that understand all action produces an effect or consequence, Cunningham has put together a tome that teaches the properties of various herbs, vegetables, fruits, meats, and other staples and so much more. He says on page 12, “Magic doesn’t produce miracles; it produces needed changes.” These are wise words we should all learn to go through our everyday activities remembering, because magic is all around us and constantly changing our lives.

Virtually any item in your pantry can be used for personal transformation. Food contains magical energies you can harness for positive results. Whether you want to boost psychic awareness, bring love in your life, improve health, bring more money into your life, Wicca in the Kitchen, provides you with the steps and the wisdom to achieve these goals and many more.  This encyclopedia offers magical menus and many of Cunningham’s favorite recipes.

Another thing I love about Cunningham’s writing is that he gives examples of everyday people and how they would enhance their lives with simply understanding what energies they are bringing forth when preparing meals.  As he says on page 20, “Food is a manifestation of divine energies that’s vital to our survival. Approaching food from this frame of mind makes it easier to utilize it as a tool of self-transformation.”

One thing is certain you will never look at food the same way after reading this book. You will probably also have the urge, to  write down all the things you wish to change in your life and then go forage for all the items needed to stock your pantry,  in case the moment to affect those changes arises. Be always mindful; however, that food magic should never be used to affect others without their permission.

Finally, do not feel like you have to be a gourmet chef to benefit from this book, like so many other cooking aides seem to be written for. Like those of us following the path, this book is very down to earth. It is also open-minded in that Cunningham understands not everyone has the same access to fresh ingredients all the time. He even covers the magical uses of junk and processed foods. Yes, even they have their place. And for those who can’t resist the occasional trip to Micky D’s you’ll be happy to know that  ordering that fish sandwich can enhance your psychic awareness (maybe not the best thing in a fast food chain), that those French fries  can offer grounding and protection, and that strawberry shake may just bring some love into your life.

A must read and a great addition to any library!!

(I originally wrote this post for the Fellowship of the Crow.)