Copper Moon E-zine

Gwinevere's Samhain Ritual 2008

Samhain is The Witches' New Year. It marks the end of the current cycle (Wheel of the Year) while simultaneously starting off anew. Pronounced sow-in to rhyme with "cow" this holiday has its roots from Celtic traditions. Enjoy this solitary ritual on October 31st to mark this bewitching Sabbat. 

Suggested Incense:

Sandalwood, Myrrh, Copal, Patchouly, Sage, Cinnamon

Suggested Altar Decorations (real or faux):

apples, pumpkins, gourds, autumn leaves, corn husks, nuts, acorns, pomegranates. Pictures, cut-outs or symbols of ghosts, cats, bones, crows etc. Photographs of loved ones who have past. Various methods of divination are also appropriate.

You Will Need:

piece of paper, black pen

apple seeds, incense

(optional) black candle

(optional) fire-proof cauldron 

Decorate your altar as you wish (see suggestions). Place the paper, pen and apple seeds within reach. Light your incense, create sacred space. Invoke Goddess and God as well as the elements.

 

Say, 

"Welcome Goddess and God, 

on this Samhain night,

the third and final harvest. 

This time marks the death of old ways and energy

and sparks beginning and birth of new paths."

The Witch's Shield by Christopher Penczak

Reviewed by Abel R. Gomez

Christopher Penczak's `The Witch's Shield' is a marvelous and practical guide to protection magic. A rather short book, at least compared to his other works, it is packed with a myriad of protection techniques that range everywhere from meditation and spells to potions, charms, and ceremonies. Penczak also guides readers to work with personal power and connect to their gods, totem spirits, angels, and guides for added magical support.

Like Penczak's other works, `Witch's Shield' is highly accessible and useful. Combining practices from across Occult traditions including Witchcraft, Ceremonial Magic, and Shamanism, Penczak creates a definitive guide to protection magic that covers such diverse topics as psychic attacks, protection shields, hauntings, and psychic wellbeing. His unique approach to protection magic is rooted in the Elements of Life--Earth (grounding), Water (compassion), Air (understanding), Fire (power), and Spirit (purpose).

If you've never read about protection magic, after reading `The Witch's Shield', you won't need to. The text is so comprehensive and so complete that you will refer to it for many years to come. It gives the reader down-to-earth techniques on daily protection and advice on dealing with more bizarre situations, should the situation arise. The rituals, meditations, visualizations and spells present all the tools needed to become a magical black belt. Highly recommended!

Rating: 5 out of 5 magick wands!

Sexuality and Pagan Teens, for the Uninitiated*

by Malachite

 

Sex. A hot topic for a lot of teens, pagan or not. Should I or shouldn't I? Should I wait? If I do, what am I waiting for? What form of birth control should I use? When is the right time to start? What if I get pregnant? A lot of questions with as many different answers and there are people who ask them.

In a perfect world, we would have the guidance of a mature, responsible individual who knew all the answers. They would keep us from feeling awkward, and be ok with the seemingly dumb questions we may have. Our parents would be supportive of not only our decisions, but we would have no peer pressure and we would find that one person who made us feel comfortable and loved.

Altars on a Budget

by Jadecoyote

Not all of us are fortunate enough to have large, permanent altars in our homes. Some of us aren't all the way out of the closet, and others live in places where they have to get creative with how they represent the elements or where. So what can we do in light of these limitations?

Location, Location, Location
Not every altar has to be a small table situated in the corner of one's room or study. Window sills, shelves of cabinets or closets,even small sections of your desk or dresser can suffice. Such everyday places are perfect reminders to take a moment and meditate, or offer a silent prayer of devotion to your deities—so long as you don't let them fade into the background. Rearrange them every now and again, or move them to another section of your room to keep them fresh in your mind and heart.