Coming to and Walking the Pagan Path

This is the page where you will find the most information about your hostess. If you are not interested in reading about me or how I came to the Wiccan Path that's fine...you should exit this portion of the site now and go to a portion which does interest you.

For those of you who are opting to stay and read a bit more...Thank You. I do tend to ramble a little bit but there are a few major points I want to discuss. You may click these internal links to go to those topics which interest you or you may cruise the entire page, it's up to you. Along with my reflections and ramblings here you will find rituals and spells peppered throughout. So, I guess, if you want my spells and stuff you'll have to pay the price and listen for a while. Sorry guys. I have always found it rather irresponsible for people to simply toss out spells to each other as though they were nothing at all. I think it's important that spells be shared and traditions carried on, yes of course I do, I also think it is important that those spells and traditions be shared in full. In order to fully understand why one is doing something you must look at more than the directions in the book or on the web page. You must understand the symbolism behind the things your hands are doing and the words your mouth is saying. In an attempt to provide those of you who may be rather new at this with a broader view of information I have chosen to include the Ritual and Spell Work available on this site here. For those of you are more experienced I hope you will find a bit of your earlier selves in some of the anecdotes which follow. Maybe they will even bring a smile to your lips.

The Rede/Threefold Law--my reflections on what the Rede and the Law. What they mean. Simple, Binding, Banishing and Protection Spells.

Coming to The Path-- my reflections on how I came to this Path. Self-Dedication Ritual, Casting the circle Information is included in this portion. Anecdotes on being a "newbie" also.

Staying on The Path--my reflections on how to stay on the path. This part will probably change and evolve over time with my own life experiences. There are no spells or rituals included here as of this posting.

First off, I suppose we should discuss The Rede and the Threefold Law. These are very simple when first looked at but they are very complex. The Wiccan Rede simply states "An it Harm None do What You Will"...seems pretty straight forward, huh? But what is harm? When is it ok to inflict harm on someone else? Should you ALWAYS turn the other cheek? We all know there are times when that is just not a possibility as much as we might like it to be. Though we should always strive and search for it, sometimes there is no peaceful solution to the problem at hand. Personally, I don't think the Gods and Goddesses want us to take too many knocks and lumps in life...we all need to take out share that's for sure, how else are we going to learn?

I think the intention of the Rede is the same as the old Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you'd have done to you". There are times in life when we all need a good kick in the pants! There's nothing wrong in being the barer of that message so long as you are sure that there is no other way to go about solving the problem.

This is where the Threefold Law comes in to balance things out a bit. If we first do our best to adhere to the Rede and then find that we are in a situation where we cannot we must first consider the Threefold Law before taking further action. It simply states that anything you send out is returned to you Times Three. Good energy. Bad energy. Indifferent energy. It all comes back sooner or later. You must ask yourself if the current situation is actually worth risking such punishment. If you feel in your heart and soul that you are Just in your cause then the Gods/Goddesses will probably see it the same way, or at least be a little more lenient with you. If you do not feel Just then refrain from taking further action that would be considered negative.

This applies to all types of situations. Each of us has someone we just can't tolerate in our lives. Someone we can't stand...the boss..the neighbor...the mother in-law...and so on. Just because they're a royal pain in the tukas doesn't mean we get to breaking the Rede and the Law. We all have to deal with people like that, it's part of Life's Lessons and Rites of Passage. Best to leave such people alone and understand that you're not alone, we all have screwballs running around in our lives. It's just one of The Fate's little jokes. (They play a lot of them, get used to them!)It's when it comes to someone who willfully, intentionally and maliciously does you harm that we must stop and look at the full situation we are in. What has caused this? What can be done to fix this? Do I want to salvage the relationship? Never act in the heat of the moment, always take the time to step back and remove yourself from the situation, look at it from an Outsiders point of view and try and understand the entire situation not just the moment at which hurt/harm/pain was inflicted upon you.

Of course we always take the peaceful approach first. Be adult. Act like an adult. Try to work out your problem in a calm manner, respecting the other person's point of view and what he/she has to say on the subject. Listen to them and allow them to listen to you. You will want to try this two or three days after the incident so that all parties have had time to reflect on the matter and are less likely to be coming to the table with a head full of steam.

If you are unable to resolve your problem in this manner then you must decide if the relationship is worth saving. If it is then by all means try again. Take what you learned from the first discussion, digest it, understand it, find the strong points and weak points and try again. If the relationship is not worth saving at this time then WALK AWAY. DO NOT give ultimatums. Just walk away from it and don't look back. This is hard in many cases, some of us are constantly c chasing our tails in an attempt to please those around us and we do not let go so easily. But one of Life's greatest lessons is learning to let go peacefully. Much easier said than done...I know..been there done that more times than I care to recount. But I am learning and it is getting easier.

If the other person involved in the situation will not let you walk away, if they are trying to control you or manipulate you then you must take defensive action. Doing a Binding Spell is perfectly acceptable here. BUT you will bind that person against doing harm to YOU and you alone. Do not bind them in any other manner. You are trying to protect yourself here not interfere completely with their free will. You MAY bind them against doing harm to yourself, your family, your home, your property. You MAY NOT bind them against doing harm to anyone else unless you have the third parties express permission. You MAY NOT cast a spell which will bring the person who is harming you...a dreaded disease...death...the loss of their worldly possessions...harm to their family or loved ones (they have nothing to do with this!)

The most basic binding spell is as follows:

A black candle. Mirror. Lotus oil. Picture of the person if possible or something which belongs (ed) them..no, don't steal anything! 13 inches of black yarn..string..twine..thread...what have you. Dragon's Blood and Frankincense incenses.

Sit at your altar or in your Sacred Space and do a few moments of breathing exercises before you actually begin. Center and calm yourself. As with any spell work be sure you are not going to be distracted for the time, take the phone off the hook, no tv, no radios. Once you feel Centered and calm if you like you may light your Central Altar Candle and say a small prayer or chant.

Take your Athame and inscribe the black candle with whatever inscriptions you deem appropriate to the situation. Don't try and make the inscriptions perfect, carving in wax isn't as it looks, just be sure you know what they mean. Now anoint the candle with the Lotus oil. You may do this in any manner you choose working middle to top, or middle to bottom, out to the sides, any thing that feels comfortable to your own hands. Place the candle in the holder and place the holder on top of the mirror. Light the incense.

Take the black yarn and make seven knots in it starting from the top, second knot in the bottom, and back and forth until the 7th knot is in the middle. With each knot concentrate on the person, see them in your mind fully and clearly as you work. If you have the picture or item wrap the yarn around it...if not you will wrap the candle. You will wrap it around 13 times while saying:

"I bind you (Insert name here) from doing harm to myself (if you are protecting other people you will say their names here, same for possessions.)."

When you are done light the candle and allow to burn as much as possible, if you are going to have to wrap the candle then use a light thread to do so, t his will allow the candle to burn most efficiently without setting the surrounding ablaze! Try to allow it to be burn itself completely out. If you have the object then you place it on the mirror leaning up against the candle holder. When the flame is almost extinguished itself you will hold it into the flame allowing it to burn as completely as possible before tossing into the cauldron or other fireproof object. As it burns say "These were the ties that bound you to me. They exist no longer. We are free. Part in Peace."

That's it. You may use a taper candle or votive, it doesn't matter. The last part of the spell is very powerful, I will warn you there. You will actually feel the ties being cut between the two of you and the binding take hold.

You may also do Protection Spells in cases such as this or Banishing Spells. Or al three or any combination thereof depending on the severity of the situation.

A simple protection spell is to simply draw pentacles around everything you wish to protect. If you want to protect everything in your home t hen you would walk, inside or outside depending on how comfortable you are with doing magick outside, from corner to opposite diagonal corner with either your sword, athame, or wand pointed behind you and your other hand raised high. Picture yourself drawing down all the protective energies of the Universe into the raised hand then being channeled down the arm, across the chest, down the opposite shoulder, down the arm, out through the sword or other object as you drawn a large pentacle. Picture who or what it is that you protecting the area from in your mind clearly and how you wish it to be protected. Again you may not wish bodily or emotional harm to come to the person if they do touch, you are trying to build up energy strong enough that it will prevent it from being touched in the first place. Do not forget to enclose it.

A simple banishing spell is almost exactly like the Binding spell above, but when you do the wrapping you will say "I Banish you, (insert persons name) from my life. You are no longer welcome here. Part in Peace." If you are wrapping the candle hold it in your hands and connect with its energy. When you are ready cut the ties with athame and light the candle. As you cut each one say "These are the ties that bound you to me. I release you now. We are free."

This type of banishing spell is most powerful when all parties are in attendance and agree to undergo the process. If all parties are willing then the steps are a little different. A Sacred Circle is cast and both parties open a door way to enter...one from the east and one from the west. They stand and face each other. The person at east begins by taking a length of black rope or cord and binding the other persons hands loosely together. As they do so they repeat "These are the ties that bind you to me." The other person repeats the process. When both are ready the person at west takes the Athame and cuts the binds while saying "These were the ties that bound you to me. They are no longer. We are free. Part in Peace." The person at east now does the same. They share a drink from the ritual cup, turn their backs to each other and exit the Sacred Circle without looking back. They should now leave the area completely without again looking at each other.

That type of spell should only be conducted when both parties have strong ties to each other and each is desiring them to be broken, it is not to be done lightly. The participants may cease the spell at any time if they feel that they do not wish to permanently cut ties with the other party after all. This spell is very very powerful, it will bring about tears and strong emotions in both parties. Be prepared.

OK, so now we've looked at a few simple spells that we can use to resolve certain "negative" situations in our lives. If none of these spells works for you or you feel that your life or your person is in jeopardy from the other party call the police. Do not hesitate to report any type of criminal behavior to the authorities. Do not take matters into your own hands, do not beat up the other person or escalate matters. Do all that you can to halt the situation where it is and to reverse it.

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COMING TO THE PATH

This was not easy for me and it certainly wasn't easy for my mother! She was a good Catholic woman...she hardly ever went to church but she lived her religion and believed in it strongly. In that respect my mother was the best Catholic I've ever met. I was raised in the Roman Catholic faith...(partly Baptist when I was younger, dad was Baptist, mom was Catholic. In order to get married in the Catholic church without my dad converting the priest made them promise that whatever children they had would be raised Catholic. Dad said "ok but only until they're 13.' Thanks dad!)...and went through all the sacraments up to and including Confirmation. By the time I did first penance (that's Confession) I already knew full well that I wasn't buying what they were selling but no one would let me out of the deal. I vowed never to do that to my children and so far I haven't.

I left the Catholic church permanently right after the Confirmation ceremony. I felt I had fulfilled the obligation my parents had made on my behalf and I no longer had anything which held me to that faith. I never found any comfort in it. I never found I could believe in it. I never found any respect within it. I never found any love within it.

I had always been the Odd Kid. The one who actually believed in Ghosts, Goblins, Faeries, Werewolves, Immortals and all of that stuff. I was always certain that things such as those and more exited within this world. Every one else thought I was nuts and I had no idea that was any thing even approaching a religion which would not only allow me to believe in such things but actually encourage it! Wow! What a concept!

Anyway, from the time I was fourteen until I was about 23 or so I walked around totally convinced that there was no such thing as a "God" in any damn form. I was a staunch Atheist and nothing was going to make me change my mind. I hotly debated the subject with my parents who could never get through to me on this matter. My mother tried her best, she certainly did, but nothing worked. It was a long time before I could bring myself to take anything approaching the Occult seriously. Even though I didn't buy into the Catholic teachings, they've sure done a great number on my head. I'm still working on it. I guess I will always be a Recovering Catholic. They have so many rules that don't make any sense....weird.

One day I was just walking around the local mall with a friend. We happened into a Barnes and Noble and started looking at the books, I wanted to buy the latest Stephen King novels and she was looking for something else. I picked up Stephen (I always do! Never let that slip through my fingers!!!) And walked around the store. We met up in the back. She was looking at a book on Astrology and I started looking around at the books on the shelves. One jumped out at me: "The Complete Book of Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland. I thought "Witches? You have got to be kidding me! There's no such thing as witches." I felt this little pull and picked up the book. There on the pages in front of me unfolded a world I had always hoped for...dreamed about even...most importantly...a world where I felt I actually belonged. I took it home and began my journey. It was still a year or more before I could look in a mirror and say "I want to be a witch." and mean it. A long time before I could put aside the Catholic stuff long enough to use my own mind and listen to my own heart without anyone else's voice telling me what to do. When I could finally do that I began to study seriously. I picked up every book I could get my hands on. When the computer came into the house I began looking for information online. I devoured everything I could find and wanted more.

Unfortunately there wasn't any one in my area who would take me under their wing and kind of show me the ropes. I wandered and learned alone. I was a solitary practioner for years. There was and still is a local shop called Mystical Horizons here in Mystic, CT...great little shop if you're in the area...I don't make friends easily and even after all these years I still can't tell you the names of the people who run the shop even though I've been there a thousand times by now. I was too shy to ask them for help or advice. If you're in that position right now...don't be shy. If there's someone around who can guide you or help you or someone whose just starting out who you can learn with...go for it! The Path is better when you have company.

If you have someone you can turn to then when the Uncertainties begin to creep in...and boy do they...at least there is someone you can look at and say: "Hey, is this right?" We all need a little confirmation that we are doing the correct thing when we begin to walk the Path. Most of us are so accustomed to having little thing run for us, especially within a religion, that we are at a loss when given the true freedom to do as we chose.

My first spells were disastrous! Truly horrible stuff. I had no idea of just how to channel the energy or even how to give myself the true power to really BELIEVE that the energy was there at all. I still have problems with the belief thing now and then, I don't know if that's a throwback from my Catholic days or if it's just the baggage of my life intruding on Spiritual Side. What I'm getting at here, is one of the most important things to understand before you start is that you have to believe that what you're doing will work. Really believe it! In your heart, mind, body and soul. If you don't, it's no good. Don't waste your energy trying. Go back and study some more. Meditate more and look into some Dream Working or Path Working exercises. You must be able to believe that energy exists before you can begin to attempt to harness it.

I think some of us jump in and start trying things without really thinking about what we're doing or why we're doing it. Understanding the symbolism behind the Sabbats and Esbats is key in harnessing the energy once we believe in it. It is not enough to know that you're doing what it says to do in the book...you must understand why you are doing it and the purpose behind it. It is important to be able to feel that and understand it in order to take the now harnessed energy and direct it. With the purpose found and stated you must now visualize the outcome or the direction in which the harnessed and directed energy will be released in, it's no good to build up the energy and harness it if you can't hit your target. Once released you must keep focused on the target, see it fully and understand it completely, be totally focused upon it while you release all of the energy you possibly can into it. Fill it completely until it is overflowing. When the cup is filled you must now return to Earth and Ground, actually lay yourself down upon the Earth and allow it to absorb the excess energies and bring you peace.

It took a long, long, long time before I was able to really understand and go through all of the steps in order beginning to end successfully. You are developing and sharpening an Art and a Skill, this takes time. Do not be discouraged if things aren't clicking and working right away. Just because it says so in the book does not make it so. Only you make it so.

The most basic way to begin is by Casting the Circle. Once you have gone through the steps above and believe you can accomplish them beginning to end without problem now is the time to cast your first Circle. There are varying theories on Circle Casting and you will find much information about it out there. I find that there are two basic ways to do the actual casting. The first forms an actual protective barrier around you and your group. The second forms a Circle which is carried forever outward with you or the group being the epi-center. To cast the first type of Circle you must be able to mark the circle out on the ground or floor of the area you are working in. You may do this by dragging the sword behind you...marking it out with crystals and rocks....marking it out a ring of salt...any other various ways. The important thing is that there is a physical circle in which you will be working. It will be a sacred place of protection as well as an area in which to contain the energy you are raising.

The second type is cast over the heads of the members or the group. It is not a physical circle and as such does not only surround you and or your group of people...it encompasses Everything. The energy you raise within it is not necessarily contained in the direct area you are working in but is constantly ebbing and flowing throughout.

Either way the steps are the same.

Believe the power is there.

Feel it within yourself and outside.

Harness it.

Aim and Direct it.

Let it go.

Ground

In the case of casting the circle you harness the energy with the raised hand, direct it down the arm, across the shoulder, down the opposite arm, and out through the blade of the sword. You may concentrate on giving the circle a color if you wish and if that will help you harness an direct the energy more efficiently. Don't be surprised if the color you see as you cast is not the color you intended, that takes a bit of practice and depending upon your own personal state of mental/physical/spiritual health the energies around you will vary each time you cast.

I made lots of online buddies and began my own website about eight years ago. I had loads of fun on AOL gabbing and talking with people, getting to know them and learning. Never stop learning. In Life you should always strive to learn something every day and to teach someone something every day. This prevents your brain from turning to mush. Shortly after opening the website and beginning to give out advice on Wicca and being a Magickal Herbalist (I knew a lot about that by this time. I had already discovered that being a Magickal Herbalist was a strong calling in my life.) I realized I had never been properly initiated as a Witch. I looked for help in t hat area.

I discovered there are two things which are actually the same thing. One group of people would tell me I had to be Initiated and another would tell me I had to be Dedicated. I finally realized that one is Initiated into a Coven and one Dedicates oneself to The Path. Well, there was no Coven around. I felt that it was only proper that one would Dedicate Oneself to the Path before joining a Coven anyway. I mean, in the end, only you can turn yourself into whatever it is you desire to be. Another person cannot make you into a Witch..ta da...with a flick of the magic wand...only you can bring the Witch in you to the surface, nurture it, care for it, allow it grow, and become. Only you can say "Yes, I want to do this." Later, if you wish to join a Coven, Circle or Group of some kind then it is proper to go through their own induction or Initiation ceremony. Be sure you know exactly what this ceremony is going to consist of before agreeing to it to avoid any future hassles. If there is anything you are personally uncomfortable with then tell the High Priestess or whoever is running the Group, if a compromise cannot be made then maybe that particular Group is not for you.

My own Dedication Ceremony was a little lengthy but I will put an abbreviated version of it here. I did it Skyclad...I try and do all my Solitary Work Skyclad that's my personal choice you of course do not have to. I honestly feel that it is best to at least do your Dedication Skyclad...other things may be done fully clothed or in a Ritual Robe.

Candles are placed at all the Quarters. A White Central Altar Candle. One Gold taper candle for the God. One Silver taper candle for the Goddess. One taper candle any color of your choice...this candle represents you. Inscribe it with your Athame in any manner you see fit to do so. Other candles may adorn the Altar and surrounding area but try and see to it that they are smaller than these. Any flowers of your choosing are appropriate here for use in the space. Basil is used in the Ritual Cup (a tonic of Basil should have been being taken daily for fortification purposes over the last week or so prior to the ceremony). You will need White Sage to smudge the area prior to the Circle being cast...Dragon's Blood and Frankincense to burn during the ceremony itself.

Come to the Altar in any jewelry (but no other clothing) that you wish to have Charged and Consecrated to you and your own personal Magickal Workings. Take them one by one from yourself and place them on the Altar. Smudge the Altar and the surrounding area with the White Sage starting at East. Smudge yourself head to toe including the soles of your feet and the tips of your fingers. Raise your sword or your Athame and cast your Circle..for this purpose it is best to Cast a Full Circle by actually drawing the Circle on the floor or the Earth rather than Casting Outward.

Call Guardians and Watchtowers starting at East. Do this in any manner you see fit..use any words you wish to. Basically mine goes "I call to the Guardians and Watchtowers of the East. Come Lend your strength to my rite!" Then light the candle. It's simple and easy to remember. Other people will invoke the appropriate element or deity at the space..pick and choose as you see fit.

After all Quarters are called return to the Altar and light the incense. Now light the White Candle...here you will ask all the Gods and Goddesses to come and witness your rite..again use any words you see fit to use. From the White Candle light the God (Gold) Candle. As you light it you will now call to the God of your choice and ask for His presence, His blessing, His Strength...whatever it is you are wishing from Him. This God will be the Primary God you will work with throughout your Magickal life. As you Dedicate yourself to the Path you are now also Dedicating yourself to the God and Goddess of your choice. You are aligning yourself with them. This does not mean all other Gods and Goddesses are excluded from your future Magickal Workings at all, they will all have a place eventually but these two will be the ones you feel closest to. You will now light the Goddess (Silver) Candle in the same manner. Ask for Her Wisdom, Guidance, Love, Light..whatever you are wishing for from Her.

Meditate for a moment then step back from the Altar. This is where your state your Purpose. You have now brought in the energy and presence of the Gods and Watchtowers...now you have to tell them why. State who you are, this is your Magickal Name, that you have come of your own free will and anything else you wish to say about yourself. State why you have called them here...that you are wishing to Dedicate yourself to the Path to the Gods and Goddesses and to two of them in particular. Ask them for their blessings.

Stand directly in front of the Altar and take the oil from it. You will now anoint yourself. You may use any words you choose but you must follow the order:

Anoint each individual part of the body with the oil as you go.

"Blessed be my feet, they have brought me to the Path
Blessed be my knees which will kneel at the Sacred Altar
Blessed be my womb, from where all life springs
Blessed be my breasts, formed by the Gods to be nurturing and warm
Blessed be my lips which will utter the Sacred Names." (Males will replace ‘womb' with ‘loins')

Finish anointing yourself at the Third Eye, draw a pentacle there.

Now take the incense and move the smoke all around your body, sprinkle the Sacred Salt across yourself as well. The smoke and the salt are purifying you...allow yourself to fully inhale of the smoke and relax and enjoy its fragrance.

When you are ready take the unlit candle from the altar, anoint it with the oil and then hold it into the flame of the Center Altar candle. You may say anything you wish to say here...ask for blessings..ask for guidance...tell the Gods you are now committing yourself to a new life and a new path, thank them for the gift of Rebirth.

When you are done you may now dress and put your jewelry back on if you wish. You may stay in the Circle for as long or as short a time as you like. When you feel ready dismiss the Quarters and thank them for coming.

Congratulations! You've now Dedicated yourself to the Path.

At this point I was what the books like to term "A First Degree Witch/Initiate"....call it whatever you wish to. But you're still a novice, as was I. Your Path is now concrete and laid out before you. The things you will learn on the way will be different for each one of you as will the people you meet. Take time to enjoy the Journey, once you've reached the Destination, the ride's over.

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STAYING ON THE PATH

As with anything in life finding something you like and then sticking to it are some times two different things. Any type of Spirituality should not need to have "time made" for it, it should be a natural incorporation into your every day life. This does not mean that we should cast spells at work but rather that we strive to actually live what we preach to others. I found this a little difficult at first, it was hard to actually incorporate this path into every day life. There are so many elements and facets to it I didn't even know where to start. Once I realized...yet again...that I had been given this wonderful gift of Freedom I knew what to do. I did not have to abide by what it said in any book, I was free to meditate wherever I was for a moment or two and no one around me knew what I was doing or even really paying attention. I was free to cook meals for my family and do it magickally by concentrating upon them and the meal I was making for them, how good it was going to be, how much they were going to like it. Thereby I was Charging the evening meal. I don't have to go to church to worship, I have an Altar right in my living room. It sits proudly and beautifully over the mantle of my fireplace. People think it's pretty, they have no idea what it's for and mostly they never even ask. Well, that was in the early days...I am very open about who I am now. Everyone knows what the Altar represents now.

If you don't try to push yourself incredibly hard and allow yourself the time to let go of the past restrictions some of you were brought up with, you will find this Path is truly Blessed.

Telling everyone around you is something which is completely up to you. Tell those you feel comfortable with, refrain from telling those you do not. Once you become more comfortable on the Path yourself you will find yourself talking openly about it with anyone and everyone who will listen. It took several years from me to go from Good Little Catholic Girl to an Out of the Broom Closet Wiccan but I did it. My Coven was interviewed by the local newspaper last Samhain and our picture appeared on the front page of that edition. Two days later I had a quarter page editorial in the same paper where I fully came out to the entire town and surrounding area to tell them...help educate them a little...about Samhain, Wicca, Witches and Paganism in general. It's not for everyone, you don't have to do it all. Just be true to yourself and your own feelings on the subject. A year after all of that I now sit here and type as the High Priestess of the Circle of the Blessed Cauldron...that's my Coven. This is a newly elected position for me and I hope I do all right with it, Gods know I'm going to try my best. When I look back now on my life and the path I see how far I've come...I've gone from Student to Teacher to Guide, sometimes I can't believe it, can't believe it's the same me. But it is. And it's good.

This path has been my solace through many a trial and tribulation. Indeed, it is the sole reason this ENTIRE site exists. Today is Nov. 7, 2004 on Oct. 27th, my Daughter of the Gods series was housed at a different URL where it was happily plugging along being enjoyed by many people. Now, I have this little rule about my novels, they're to be read ONLINE. That's a no-no, I guess. To ensure this, I did go to some extremes to protect my work including adding a log-in page near the end of both novels, the reader had to e-mail me for access. I made sure, through my stats, they didn't steal it from the site and granted them access. Sounds fair, right? Someone got pissy over that and posted a rather nasty thing about me on some rant'n'rave site. I found the post, got pissy myself and fired back on my site. Now, in hindsight that wasn't the best thing to do and I do regret it! But, this caused over 3000 hits to be driven to the old site in around 36 hours, waaaay over "traffic control" at geocities. I got HATE mail and I do mean HATEFUL E-mails, from people I don't know, will never know and don't care to know. My site was closed down and I retreated into myself for a period of time. Your hostess suffers from Agoraphobia, Panic Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome so this didn't do me any favors. Ares, is my patron God and we have a very special relationship, one that I would not trade for all the gold in the world. I knew He would not put me through this Trial by Internet Fire without a reason. Hence, when you come into my site, you are treated to the quote by Jon Stewart which says "They will find what is unique about you and they will destroy you for it." That's exactly the way I felt....all this hoopla, hull-a-ba-loo and snipping over the fact that I didn't allow for copy & save of the novels I created and put online. Geez, man! It's not like anyone was going to DIE over it!

Anyway, in the end, that rather nasty incident is what spured this site. I had wanted to get my own domain and purchase my own space FOR YEARS and this pushed me into it. I have now been able to combine four sites which were previously run separately into this big eclectic mish-mash of...well....my life. I like it. I'm still moving in and getting comfortable here. But I think I'll stay awhile.

My best advice to you is be true to yourself, know yourself and know that you are part of the Divine. You are a Magickal being.

May your days be long upon the Earth and your nights Pleasant!

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