A friend said something the other day that really struck a chord with me.  We were riding the L train in Chicago and I mentioned how much I love the fresh feeling of fall, and how the season always feels like starting a new chapter in my life.  She said that I was probably feeling that way because for the majority of our lives the feelings of fall were associated with starting a new school year.  That certainly made sense to me.  I always loved school growing up and come August I would eagerly look forward to the first day of a new school year.  I loved picking out fresh notebooks and pencils at the office supply store and I definitely enjoyed agonizing over what I would wear on that first day back. 

I was hit with a flash of melancholy as I realized that those feelings were never going to fully return.  They were a memory of childhood and not easily found in adulthood.  As a child, your year is dictated by the school schedule and anticipating those long breaks.  I paid attention to the changing seasons as each one had its own excitement and promise of things to come.  Fall was associated with sadness about the end of summer, but also filled with excitement for the new adventures that would come next.  Winter was all about looking forward to that big break in December, a time of family, presents, and playing outside in the snow.  In spring, you eagerly anticipated the long spring break where you could almost feel the beginnings of warmth and sun start to sweep in.  And finally Summer, a time of freedom and days that seemed to last forever.  

In a way, my life was never more attuned to the wheel of the year than as a child.

Now as an adult my work schedule is almost completely devoid of seasonal change.  Work culture is driven by profit and only grudging tolerates seasonal holidays, and would gladly eradicate them if allowed.  The lens through which work culture lives is one of quarterly earnings, not seasonal rhythm.  

I think one of the things I really enjoy about Paganism is that it forces you to once again recognize the seasons.  It encourages you to appreciate the unique changes as the wheel turns.  Maybe that’s why when I started practicing, it felt in a way like coming home.  It allowed me to feel all those excitements about the changing seasons that I once felt as a child.  

As the leaves change and begin to fall, one of the best ways to reconnect yourself with this season is by going apple picking.  I used to go apple picking with my family every year growing up.  Though as I got older and moved away, it often became “too difficult” or “too far away” to fit in my busy schedule.  This year when I finally made it to an orchard I was able to reconnect with all those amazing autumnal feelings I had as a child.  As we left the city and ventured to the countryside it felt like I was able to momentarily leave my cares behind in the city and venture forth towards fresh air and mental clarity.  

In the orchard I made a conscious effort to notice the colors of the trees, the smell of cider brewing, and the crunch of discarded apples beneath my feet.  Taking time to notice the small details forced me to slow down and left me feeling refreshed and more connected to nature.  

This little momentary escape from my daily city routine helped me remember that the seasons are here for us to enjoy and respect.  And as I walked between the trees, each breath was a lovely memory of what it used to feel like being more connected to the changing seasons.  

I hope this is just the beginning of my reconnection to the seasons and I look forward to the many new seasonal memories and connections I will create.

I don’t usually read manga but I often make an exception for the horror genre.  Some of the best horror comes out of Japan, so I did not hesitate to purchase one such manga titled Uzumaki by Junji Ito.  Junji Ito is a horror manga master and this work could be considered his magnum opus. This manga is a large tome dedicated to a single story of a town plagued by a symbol, giving this book a truly unique premise.  Uzumaki means spiral in Japanese and it is this symbol that becomes the focus and main terror in this work.

I love that Ito chose the spiral to base this work upon.  Not only does the spiral shape have a profound mathematical significance, spirals also hold a prominent place in many pagan beliefs. Artwork with spirals begin to appear as early as 4000 BCE in Europe and in 3200 BCE the Celts covered the prehistoric site of Newgrange in triple spiral imagery.  Beyond Europe, the spiral appears in many other ancient cultures from early pre-columbian art in Mexico to architectural details from the Tang Dynasty in China.  It is truly one of the most familiar and profound early symbols.

In Uzumaki, the spirals begin to appear throughout the town in various ways, among blades of grass, in the swirl of an eye, and floating among the clouds.  The spirals are calm and beautiful at first.  Though as certain individuals begin to become obsessed with the spirals, the horror aspect begins to take shape.  I don’t want to give away spoilers, but safe to say things don’t go well for those that see the spirals in this small seaside town.  As you read, you might even become paranoid and begin noticing spirals in your life.  This manga is such a beautiful trippy narrative to get sucked into.  And as you get sucked in and spiral downward, I hope you enjoy the ride..

Christine McConnell is a baker and artist who brings expertly realized visions of occult oddities to life.  I found out about her on Reddit a few months ago in reference to one of her beautiful pin up recreations.  I was linked to her Instagram channel and was hooked immediately by her many beautiful artworks.  As an artist, she spans many mediums: photography, costume design, sculpture, and food art creations.  What makes her work relevant to us lovers of the arcane is the twinge of darkness, sometimes subtle, sometimes not so much, that inspires her work.  

Take, for example, one of her pin-up self-portraits where she appears as a black widow spider.  The image is beautifully unsettling.  I appreciate how she turns the idea of a pin-up (an artistic rendering for male pleasure) into something dangerous and uncanny for the viewer.  A beautiful danger like the Sirens of Greek lore.

References to famous horror movies run throughout her pieces.  This includes a pin-up take on the twins from The Shining as well as odes to 50's style cheesy alien films.  Her edible sculptures also celebrate famous horror figures, such as Frankenstein and the “baby” monster from Alien.

Last, but not certainly not least, I must reference what I consider to be one of the best “Haunted Houses” I’ve seen.  For this piece, Christine decorated her parent’s lovely home into a monstrous creature for Halloween.

I recommend checking out her instagram to view all her amazing works.  Let me know in the comments below what you think and if you have any artists that you are currently obsessing over.

The morning commute to work can be a dreadful thing.  Living in the city I take the L train from the north all the way to downtown.  It takes about an hour of screeching tracks and shuffling passengers.  For me, I like to retreat into my own world by listening to podcasts.  There’s something that’s incredibly intimate and meaningful about listening to person’s voice as the narrate a story.  Below is a list of some of my favorites.

Lore

Stories explaining the history of various folklore traditions.

Best listened to with a glass of wine in hand watching the rain storm against your window.

The Black Tapes

A serialized docudrama that investigates proof of the paranormal. It’s up to you if you choose to believe the story or not.

Lovers of the X-files and Ghost Hunters will enjoy this one.

Welcome to the Nightvale

A Lovecraftian fiction story that envelops you in a mysterious desert town filled with oddities and conspiracies.

Best for those that love a little dose of crazy mixed in with their magical realism.

Down at the Crossroads

Chris Orapello is a pagan podcaster that discusses various Pagan and Witchy topics. He also interviews other prominent Pagans and features various Pagan music.

Excellent for those wanting an educational look into various Pagan traditions and thoughts.

New World Witchery

Witches Cory and Laine go over what traditional North American Witchcraft means to them and how to incorporate magic and spellwork in your daily life.

Great for beginner and experienced practitioners alike.

Mysterious Universe 

This riotous Australian duo will have you laughing in no time as they go through the latest mysterious happenings and conspiracies with a healthy dose of skepticism.

If you love hearing about UFO phenomenon, ghosts, hauntings, and cryptozoology than this is for you.

On this evening, like all evenings before it, the lights of Chicago shown with an aura of great promise. The kind of confident capability only a great American metropolis could have. While the recession was still felt throughout the midwest, the city of broad shoulders stood tall and resilient against the dilapidation. Chicago appeared as a bold hammer of progress standing upright against the crumbling facades of infrastructure that plagued the nearby cities of Detroit and Columbus. The infection of foreclosure and poverty rose all around, yet the Chicago skyline stood strong and eternal.  

My city acted as as a beehive of forward motion.  It breathed and exhaled as the commuters came and went.  As the people moved up and down the avenues, the streets, and the alleys.  The current view of the skyscrapers was foreboding, yet I understood that I would somehow be forever connected to this great hive of life.  I was miles away but I could still feel the frenetic energy emanating from the city center.

The traffic rushed on and I stood apart, digging my feet into the sandy shore of the lake.  I turned away from the city lights to face the great empty blue of the waves.  And as I walked along the edge of Lake Michigan, grey waves frothed and crashed against the stone walkway in welcome.  For here by the lake, I was momentarily disconnected from it all.  Staring out into the great big grey expanse, I was given a chance to feel the movement of the water within and relax into the wind as it spun around me.   

For me, Lake Michigan has always offered a respite from the harsh masculine lines of the architecture.  A soft song of waves calming the roar of the L train.

I stood for several minutes by the lake watching the waves chaotically ungulate and crash against the shoreline.  Off in the distance the outline of the city skyscrapers blurred dark against the monochromatic horizon, a reminder that I must soon return back to my hive.  Yet now, here in this place I am a leaf floating on the wind, smiling towards the Goddess.  A reminder that even us city witches are forever connected to her beauty.

The robin's egg blue paint and neon orange sign sticks out like a sore thumb on the street; the shock of color a premonition of what's to come. As you enter the shoebox-sized curio store called, Wooly Mammoth you are greeted with a menagerie of extreme oddities. Like the animal it's named after, the store is from another time and place. It's the taxidermy that raises your attention first: a large boa curled up on the floor,, a two-headed calf staring at you with four large black eyes. Smaller rodents and mammals hang from the walls in a contortion of postures that seem uncomfortably anthropomorphic, and at times, morbidly hilarious.

A deeper delve into the store will reveal a large variety of the strange and unusual. Old surgical equipment will have you thanking the gods that you grew up after anesthetic was invented. Bones are scattered about: there are full skeletons sure, but also collections of animal skulls laid on plush velvet, femurs laid between a crocodile's jaw, and a small jar of teeth from Civil War soldiers.

As you watch a shrunken head named Lenny slowly spinning in its glass case, you might pause to question why we collect such unusual and often unsettling objects. A little research will tell you that the cabinet of curiosities goes back centuries, all the way to Renaissance Europe where items that could not e categorized were placed together and displayed.

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The primary purpose of these collections was to inspire wonder at our world. Such collections were seen as a tribute to the unknowable, grotesque, and sidelined artifacts seldom seen but often quietly spoken of. These items were put in a collective space as a form of "memory theater". The owner of the collection was able to feel as though they owned a cross section of the natural (or perhaps unnatural) world--a curator of the curious and mystical, having the power to inflict a spectrum of reactions from spectators.

Historically, these wonder-cabinets were used as a social device to establish and present one's rank in society. Interestingly, those who collect and own curiosities today often view their collection as a proud departure from the norms of society--a testament to the power unusual artifacts still have on those who view them.

Contemporary collections range from academic studies of the natural world, to displays of trompe l'oeil interpretations of such nature. The Museum of Jurassic Technology is one such institution where the collections reveal unreal oddities that masquerade as true natural objects within a museum setting: an amazing clash of museum etiquette meeting magical realism.

The House on the Rock, located in Spring Green, Wisconsin, takes a different approach with a series of rooms and buildings showcasing the eclectically mesmerizing collections of Alex Jordan. One could call Jordan's collection a hoarder's dream. But, truly, the collections are diverse, massive, and awe-inspiring. As one moves through the house from room to room, one might feel themselves descending ever so slightly into a pleasant surreal state.

I find our continued interest in such collections inspiring. While I might not tend to purchase anything from Wolly Mammoth or similar stores anytime soon, I'm glad these stores and collections exist in our modern world. Sure, it certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea, and might cause some to cringe in disgust. But, I personally find the homogeneity and commercialization of suburbia and its endless chain stores much more disturbing.

The air was still this morning.  It was hot already and the morning dew was steaming into the air.  I sat outside for a while and watched people walk their dogs while I sipped my Earl Grey tea.  I love the leisurely pace of Sunday mornings.  It's such a respite from the rest of my busy week.  I thought for a while on what I should write about today and thought it might be enjoyable to post a spell I've used a few times.  I do prosperity spells fairly often and I found that this one tends to bring good results.  If you end up trying it, let me know how it works for you in the comments. 

Ingredients: 

• A dollar bill (any denomination is fine, though I found that using larger bills tend to bring more money)

• A pencil

• A green candle

• A dash of cinnamon in a small bowl with water

• A bay leaf

• Incense (I would recommend using an incense associated with prosperity, though any kind will work.)

• Optional - A stone or necklace made out of a stone associated with prosperity. For this one I used an old Jade necklace that was passed down to me by my grandmother.

Timing: 

• The best time to do this spell is on Sunday during a Waxing moon as money will flow towards you as the moon becomes full.

Directions:

• First find yourself a calm and quiet place where you will not be disturbed. You may begin your spell by casting a circle. I personally don't feel the need to cast a circle for smaller spells though many witches do feel better casting a circle before any kind of magical work.

• Take the dollar bill and write this sigil $$$¢¢¢$$$ on all four corners of the bill. Also sign your name on top of the Secretary of Treasury signature.

• Take the bay leaf and place the tip in the cinnamon water and swirl it three times clockwise. Then touch the wet tip of the bay leaf on each of the sigils on the four corners of the dollar bill.

• Wave the dollar bill three times clockwise above the incense and chant the following three times:

Money, money, come to me

In abundance, three times three

For each dollar I spend, may three return to me

Money, money, three times three

• Do the same above the green candle. Wave the dollar bill clockwise three times above the flame and chant the words three times.

• The last part of the spell is to go out and spend that dollar bill and watch as money starts coming to you in unpredicted ways.

I finally took the plunge and purchased The Wild Unknown Tarot deck.  I have been seeing this deck everywhere on Pinterest, Instagram, and various blogs.  I’ve even seen photos of people that have gotten tattoos of the deck’s artwork. 

The artwork in this deck is in a few words rustic, minimalist, and profoundly beautiful.  The images seem to avoid many of the new-agey clichés that can often be found in tarot decks.  I find that this more minimalist and flat aesthetic has allowed this deck to appeal to a much wider audience.  It feels as if the creator of this deck, Kim Krans, designed it not for the Witchy or tarot community, but for a much wider audience. 

As a side note, recently I’ve been seeing more and more Pagan and Wiccan things being produced specifically designed for a more general audience.  Just the other day I saw the book “Wiccapedia” available at my local Urban Outfitters.  One must wonder if Paganism becoming more mainstream and acceptable, or goddess-forbid, if is it venturing into the dreaded “hipster” zone?  Regardless, the mainstream fascination and love for this deck is certainly justified. 

The artwork consists of mostly back and white ink illustrations punctuated by carefully thought-out splashes of color.  The quality of this desk is also superior as the cards are printed on thick durable cardstock.

In general, the artwork consists mostly of animals and geometric shapes.  One of my favorite aspects of this deck is that the court cards of the four suits also have specific animal correspondence (Snakes for wands, swans for Cups, owls for Swords, and deer for Pentacles).  Some of the animal symbolism showcased can be found in other decks, while other symbolism is unique to its creator.  This desk also does not shy away from darkness and several of the cards are certainly a bit spooky and morbid.  After all, the deck is called The Wild Unknown, and the idea of a wild unknown can certainly draw certain scary connotations.  For me personally, the artwork really resonated with me and made me excited about learning tarot and exploring this field further.  I would definitely recommend this deck for both tarot beginners and experts.

As I walk toward the lake I pass endless buildings of brick until I reach the greenery of the Lakeshore path.  My mind calms and settles with each step away from the concrete chaos and towards the serene shades of sky and green.

Upon reaching the edge of the shore, the city skyscrapers become visible in the distance as they blur dark against the monochromatic horizon. They stand as charcoal sentinels balanced at the edge of the endless water.  Even in winter, Lake Michigan offers a respite from the harsh masculinity of Chicago's architecture.  A feminine note pushing against the industrial.  I savoir my walks as I listen to the soft sound of waves as they calm the roar of the nearby trains.  I watch with serenity as the grey winter waves froth and foam as they pirouette towards the stone walkway.

Walking in nature and feeling the breeze against your face has a beautiful meditative quality.  And with each step I am reminded of our connection to the Earth.