Pendulums

As promised, I am adding a how to on using pendulums. I wrote this a little over a year ago for a facebook group but its still a good solid article. Enjoy!

My own Pendulum

Overview of Using a Pendulum

A Pendulum is a tool with many purposes. It can be used for predicting events, cleansing a body or item of negative energies, finding lost objects or water or spirits, diagnosing or healing health issues, along with many other uses! But I'll get to that later.

If you are interested in using a pendulum you should first choose your pendulum. Do you want a store bought pendulum? If so there are literally tons of choices for you. Crystal, wood, metal, shaped or not shaped, ones with compartments for holding items related to your work, ones with chains or string or leather, ones with beads or stones on the chain, etc. Maybe you want your pendulum to be a little more personal? If you have the skills and tools to make one that looks like it was store bought, then go ahead! However, making a pendulum does not have to be so in depth. You can simply put a washer on a piece of string and voila! I have used my pentacle necklace as a pendulum quite a few times. Use what feels right to you.

Once you have your pendulum you should cleanse it of any unwanted energies. There are quite a few ways to do this. Submerging it in saltwater or passing it through smoke a few times is a simple way of cleansing. Even visualizing the negative or unwanted energies leaving it can work. Or if you prefer, you can look up a ritual online or in a book to cleanse your pendulum.

After cleansing your pendulum, you will want to charge it. This means putting some of your energy into it or giving it the energy you want it to have. A few ways to do this are leaving it out under the sun or moon, or burying it. Visualizing your own energy flowing into it also works just as well.

Now that your pendulum is cleansed and charged, we can begin using it! Depending on what you intend on using it for will depend on where you go from here. A basic use, and the one i will cover, has to do with answering questions. When you ask your pendulum questions it responds by moving, either in a circle, back and forth or side to side. By asking your pendulum questions you can come to a decision that you were unsure of, find out the sex of a baby, or find a lost object. Use your imagination and you can come up with all sorts of things.

First, you must find out how your pendulum answers questions. Hold your pendulum chain between your fingers comfortably and let the weighted end dangle a few inches below your hand. Stop any movement of it and then say "Show me yes". Try to keep the answers simple. Your pendulum should begin to sway or spin. Make sure it gets a good movement going before assuming that is the answer! It may start swaying back and forth but that may just be its start to a spin.

If it does not move, try relaxing a little and then ask again. Don't be upset if you aren't getting any movement or are having troubles with it. It takes patience and practice! Just relax, take a few breathes, clear your mind then try again. When you do get your answer, then you can continue with "show me no" then "show me unsure" (or no answer). Whatever you do, do NOT move your hand in an attempt to "get it going". That only interferes.

Once you have all your movements for answers, you may begin asking questions! Try to keep the questions simple and clear. For example: "Is the baby a boy?" If you ask "Is the baby a boy or a girl" your pendulum may become confused. That is unless you asked it to show you boy and girl earlier instead of yes and no.

Remember that it takes patience and a clear mind. I highly doubt anyone can master the pendulum on their first session, and even those who have used it for many years may still run into obstacles. If you begin to get frustrated, take a break. Or, if you are very emotional, calm down and maybe meditate before attempting to use your pendulum. Our emotions can play into the answers of the pendulum, causing unsure answers as well.

This concludes my little lesson on pendulums. Hope it helps :)

~Lynx

Divination

Different forms of divination have been used by humans for centuries. Whether it be scrying, tarot, numerology or reading animal entrails, divination has served as a window not just into the future, but into ourselves.
I'm going to give a rough overview about a few different ones, though there are probably thousands more. If you have been contemplating using divination this may help.

1) Tarot- Tarot is a deck of 78 cards, consisting of the major and minor arcana usually. This method requires shuffling the cards while asking a question or asking for guidance. The major arcana is 22 cards while the minor is divided into four suits, each suit consisting of 1-10 and 4 face cards (kind of like the royals in a playing card deck). This is the traditional tarot deck. You can find a huge variety of decks out there that have different suits, different major arcana cards, and sometimes a completely different card layout all together. Learning tarot takes time, patience, and a great memory. Try reading up on it or having a reading done for you before you decide its what you want to do.

2) Pendulums- Using a pendulum is a common and easy method for divination. You can even find answer boards for when you use a pendulum. The basic concept is, a string or chain with a weighted end, that moves in certain ways as an answer to a question. This can be in the form of a crystal on a chain, or a wedding ring tied to a piece of yarn. This is actually one of my favorite forms and i will add another post that goes into more detail later on.

3) Scrying- This is really a broader term that covers staring into fire, a crystal ball, water, etc. Basically you stare into something until a vision comes to you. Meditating and practice help. Some people use drugs to "help" induce visions but I personally think that is more of a hindrance. To each his own though.

4) Palmistry- Like the name suggests, it has to do with reading a persons palm. This is done by interpreting the lines in ones hand by their strength, length, and curves. I have had my palm read, and must say it is quite interesting.

5) Numerology- By replacing the letters in the alphabet with numbers, and then interpreting names and dates, one can learn a lot about themselves. This is also a common method used for choosing a craft name, as many believe the numbers should match.

6) Tea Leaves- Though I have never tried this method, it seems useful and simple enough. After you drink your tea, look at the "gunk" left at the bottom of your cup. The shape you find there is then interpreted.

7) Horoscopes- Yes, those things we find ourselves reading every day. The stars are extremely useful when it comes to predicting the future. Having a detailed horoscope reading done for you (one that gets into time of birth, place, and star and planetary alignment) can give you tremendous insight into characteristics about yourself you may not notice. You may find that you were born at a time where creative juices were really flowing, so you experiment and find you can play an instrument.

These are just a few techniques. Obviously nothing is 100% and I'm no expert so I may have left out key information. I apologize to you experts who I are probably laughing at me right now. This is just for a general overview and should in no way be your deciding factor to which form you should use. Do research, experiment, do what feels comfortable. If you have always felt connected to fire, perhaps reading smoke or flames is for you. Or if you are a math wiz, numerology may be what fits. Explore whats out there and learn what you can. Good luck to you!

~Lynx

Top 25 Faith Blogs

Circle of Moms is holding a contest for the top 25 faith blogs, those top 25 will then be in a newsletter that gets sent to TONS of people. I follow a blog called Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom, and right now she happens to be in first place. Unfortunately, this has many others in an uproar. Why you ask? Because they think pagan faiths are not FAITH. Our beliefs are the "wrong faith" therefore it can not be a faith at all and should not be allowed in the competition.
As you may have guessed, most of this is being said by those of christian faith. Which is truly sad as I have met so many wonderful, loving, accepting and down right amazing christians. Its simply awful that christian blogs are being made to look like they are all run by holier-than-thou women of the past. These women seem to forget they are the voice of a community, and what they write can be seen as the voice of many.
The point of me mentioning this is that many people seem to think paganism is a "minority" and that we can be kicked around by the bigger religions. Not so! Since all of this came to light, CPSM has sky-rocketed in votes to the number one spot, while many of the blogs now holding a spot in the top 25 are pagan as well as other "minority" religions such judaism and muslim. Our community has shown a tidal wave of support and commitment. We want to show that minority religions are faith too, and that just because a religion says they are the one true religion, does not make it so and does not silence the others.
Let me be clear in saying this isn't to bash christianity and if you have a problem with christians, don't voice it here. There really are many more good christians out there than crazy ones. Also, not all of the christian blogs are bashing the other religions. The blog in the number 2 spot is not only a very interesting and well thought out blog, but it also has stayed out of the bashing, relying instead on her blog to get her votes. Which obviously it has!
I hope that anyone reading this will go take a look at these blogs and vote for the ones deserving of a top spot. You don't have to sign up for anything, just click the thumb next to the blog to give it your vote. You can vote every 24 hours and you can vote for multiple blogs in a day.
~Lynx

The Poor Witch's Guide

This little guide will probably be spaced out into a few blogs. I have searched for something like this, and surprisingly came up empty handed. All too often I hear people complain how expensive a necessary tool is or how they can't find a metaphysical store anywhere near them and shopping online can be quite risky. Basically, if you have no money, or no metaphysical store near you, this is the guide you want to read!

Photo by Lynx

1) First off, and in my opinion, you don't really need tools to help you in your magickal workings. Lighting a dozen candles, burning some sage, and writing your spell in dragon's blood after you cast your circle with a crystal bedazzled wand is no more effective than sitting indian style and simply meditating and focusing your energy. Tools are just that: tools, used to direct energy, focus it, enhance it, capture it. If you find that using tools is more your style, then read on, I haven't forgotten about you!

2) "There is no metaphysical store around me!" Well, sad to say they are few and far between. But hope is not lost!
a) Do you have a dollar store near you? Walk right on in there and they are sure to have candles, incense, burners, candle holders, chalices, and you may even find a good journal to use as a BOS. Not only are they there, but the are at a good price!
b) Do you have a health/natural food store near you? Congrats, you just found your source of herbs, teas, and all natural items. These stores usually have a section devoted to herbs and spices. (another great places to find those is at your, GASP, grocery store!) Once In a while you may find one that carries natural clothing, soaps, oils, and lotions. It may be a bit more pricey, but now you at least know here you can go to find them.
c) Do you have a bookstore or library near you? Bookstore almost always have a metaphysical/occult/new age section. It may not be very big in some areas of the country, but the are there. Also, if you can't find a book you want on their shelves and don't want to order online, ask one of the cashiers to order it for you! it comes directly to their store, they let you know when its in, and it saves you the risk of ordering online and your information being stolen or it getting lost in the mail. Also, check your library. This tends to be one of the last places people look. They think "Oh I live in the bible belt, I wont find anything in the library!" Think again. We pagans need to stick together, and that sometimes means donating our old books to a library so other pagans may learn from them. Just please, remember to return your books you check out, others need their info too!
d) While I personally don't like to do much online shopping, it is still an option. There are thousands of stores out there selling that pentacle necklace you have had your eye on, or that cat shaped candle you've needed for a while, or that gorgeous ritual robe you decided you would die without. Just be careful when shopping online. Not only can your bank account information be stolen, but you could end up with the wrong item, not getting your item, the wrong size, or something you find "isn't as pretty as the picture". That aside, it can be convenient when you know you can trust the store you are buying from. The only store I use online is the magickal cat. I don't have a single complaint about them.

3) So, you're flat broke? Not to worry! Most pagan religions are nature based, and wouldn't you know it? the tools can be found in NATURE. That stick you just saw lying on the ground? a new wand! The beautiful rocks you found setting on the river bank? you may have just found a gem worth keeping. The tree stump in your yard? an outdoor altar! The stream in the woods? cleansing water. Nature has so much to offer us, we just have to look around and find it.

4) Sometimes to get a little, you gotta spend a little. Money is tight, and no one wants to spend theirs. Understandable. But sometimes, spending that bit of cash to start an herb garden, or buying a quality tool rather than a cheap ten dollar one that has already broken on you once, can make all the difference over time. This is where budgeting your money comes in, and deciding just how much you are willing and able to spend in the long run.

5) Discounts and Holidays. Shopping around holidays, such as Christmas, can be a nightmare. But there's a reason those crazy old ladies wake up at 4 in the morning to get the last singing reindeer mug at walmart. You can't beat the price. Especially AFTER the holidays when stores have to get rid of all their leftovers to make room for the next holidays crap. You can find just about anything for 50-90% off. Halloween is a great time to buy candles, ritual robes (yes, its a costume, but it serves the same purpose), and all sorts of other witchy goodies. Christmas you can get gold and silver candles at great prices. Just check out your local stores right after holidays and you're sure to find that special something for that special price.

That's all for now. I will be making more posts like these later on, and I'll go into more detail also, such as substitutions for things and duel purpose items. As well as tools you think you need, but you already have in your home!

~Lynx

Tea for the sick

Being sick is certainly no fun, and if you're like me, you hate taking meds and try other alternatives.

If you are nauseated, sore, have a sore throat and the sniffles this tea should help. All you need is peppermint, and honey. If you want to use peppermint leaves thats fine, or if you want to go to your local grocery store and buy the peppermint tea bags that works just as well. Do what works for you. I'm assuming everyone knows how to make tea, but if not Boil some water, then pour it over the peppermint into a cup. let it sit for about three minutes then take out the peppermint leaves or tea bag. now pour in honey to sweeten it up a bit.
Any time im feeling under the weather this is my go to tea, its simple and effective. I also like to take a lavender bath to relax my muscles and help me get to sleep. Just put a bit of lavender oil or some of the plant in the water while you bathe and relax.
Hope this helps someone. A good friend of mine is sick right now so this post will probably come in handy for him lol
~Lynx

school

finally, after years of putting it off, I am going back to school. I'm extremely excited as massage therapy is something I have wanted to do since before I even found paganism. Of course, its going to be quite a change. For all of my little ones lives I have been a stay at home mom. It was definitely time though. Vincent is almost four, and Ember is two. They aren't my little babies anymore (why must they grow up?!) and im finding that the older they get, the more free time I have. So, I can sit around on my bum all day, or I can go to school and follow my dreams. Obviously you know which one wins lol.
This post isn't very witchy I know, but this is a big step for me that I wanted to share, also, I will be going to school full time so I may not be able to post every day like I have wanted too. I will try to keep making time, and of course I can still do mobile posts, they may not be very long but they get the point through.

On another note, We checked out that pagan store. It took us forever to find it. They had apparently moved and one of the google pages gave us the old address. so then we had to find the new one and got lost on the way to it too. I think we drove in circles for a good half hour. But it was SO worth it. The next millenium has EVERYTHING. My wife and I could have stayed in there for hours. I ended up getting a few pieces of amber and a piece of blue tigers eye (I had red and gold so I needed blue too lol) and A book called the medicine cards. It was a used book and brand new it comes with cards. But I can make cards. My aunt had the set and would do readings for me. Its actually how I got my name! So I'm very happy to be able to have my own book. Well, thats all for now, I have a few things to take care of for school. Blessings everyone.
~Lynx

The Living Rede

In my last post I ended with a quote from The Living Rede, and then I wondered how many actually have heard of it. Its like The Wiccan Rede, except its not, and i'm not wiccan. The Living Rede was written by Brian Gallagher, and speaks to me more than any thing else ive seen like it. And so, i have adopted it as my Rede, it is in all of my books and now i share it with you.
Of course, I'm not going to post the actual words here, Instead I shall link you to his page where you can read it as well as learn what all the stanzas mean.
The Living Rede

I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

~Lynx

Its a good day!

Well my wife has been away for a month for her job, and now she is back. thank gods! I was beginning to go a little crazy lol. Also, I now have a laptop with which to make my posts. im sure i'll probably do mobile posts still as its quick and convenient, but when i want to get into detail or run my mouth a lot ill use the computer.

Today we plan on going to check out a pagan shop in town called the next millennium. They have been around for years and from the pictures i saw on their website they have nearly everything a witch could ask for! I'll let you all know how it goes. Until then i will probably make another spell posting before the day is done. Also, before i forget (this is what i was talking about in my introduction post, i ramble) I will also be posting a how-to for one of my hemp necklaces.

I shall leave you with a quote from the living rede,
"The cards hold no magic, the runes have no secret
That's not found within you- if only you'll seek it."

Books of shadows

Confessions of a pagan soccer mom recently did a post showing off her various BOSs. I like the idea and so here mine are.
The white one is my basic everything book. Moon phases, numerology, correspondence charts, etc. Some hand written, some printed out and pasted in. Some people think its less personal than hand writing everything, but i say its still more personal than storing your bos online ;)
The green one is being filled with herb uses, recipes, and pressed flowers lol. Great when someone is sick or if i want a good cup of tea.
The black one on the right is just a small journal that will have things for my children to use. Simple spells, basic info, it even has a nice little dedication to them on the first page. Nothing fancy, this book is just for getting them started when they are older.
finally we have the big black one on the left with the sparkly blue pentacle. I have named it my goddess grimoire and intend to put my rituals and spells i have worked, a journal, and any group work i may do in the future. Why do i call it my goddess grimoire? well it is basically still a book of shadows but when i write a journal entry, rather than saying "dear diary" i address a goddess. i decorated the front and am not quite done with it. i plan to put some meaningful words above the pentacle. though i have not found those words yet. or perhaps i'll put some symbols? It will come to me eventually.
perhaps in another entry i may give a peek into them but for now this will have to do!

Strength spell

Chant 3x, or as much as you feel you should:
''strength of day, strength of night, grant me strength beyond my sight.''
i found this a long time ago, and sadly dont know its creator. But it has gotten me through many hard times.
There will probably be many more posts such as this to come so enjoy!
Also, if anyone has a topic or spell they would like me to post about, let me know in the comment section. You dont have to be a member to comment.

Gods and Kids

The other day it started raining and my son, vincent, frantically said ''mommy our chalk drawings!'' the first thing that came to mind to say was
''its ok honey, the gods just wanted to give you a clean slate so we could draw more pictures''
but i stopped. I thought to myself, should i say this? Then i wondered, why did i have to think about it? Im not ashamed of my religion, im not spoon feeding them my beliefs, im being honest and open and educating them about all beliefs.
Now i think perhaps it was still that knee-jerk reaction im sure many pagans have when it comes to talking about their beliefs. We tend to be cautious. But i want my children to know what i believe. If they have any questions, i want them to know they can come to me and get an answer and not a sermon or an avoided topic.
I said it. We went outside and drew with chalk again yesterday. The world didn't end, my son didn't question existence, we had fun. And the next time it rains, mommy will be better prepared ;)

Hemp jewelry

I love making jewelry with hemp, it gives me something to do with my hands and looks beautiful. The top necklace in the picture is the product of a kit i got at walmart. Its what got me hooked on hemp! The second necklace is one i made for my wife, its a fish bone design, adjustable choker in black and white. She loves pandas lol. The next two are my newest creations. I saw something like them on etsy and decided to blindly try for the same design. After many attempts this is what i got. The one on the left is adjustable! So i can change out the stones, a big plus for me since i have a big stone collection. The one on the right is unfinished. And the bottom one, a simple spiral knot design that holds my pentacle pendant on it. I never take it off, except to shower, and for this picture lol! It has two spike beads for accent, and fits like a loose choker. I may post a tutorial for some of these in the future. Maybe sooner if someone reads this and asks.

A quick introduction.

Well, to start, you can call me lynx. It is my chosen name, and my animal guide. Im married to Isabell, my soulmate. Together we have two children, ages 4 (almost) and 2. I'll probably post a lot about these people. I like to do work with the gay community, equal rights and spreading the love, all that awsomeness. I also try to participate in the pagan community, though I tend to be much more solitary. As i grow older I find that while its great to be out of the broom closet, some may not agree with all that you do, and in such cases, its best to just smile and nod rather than allow others to nit pick your beliefs. After all, the gods know my intentions and thats all that matters.

I also should mention i tend to stray off topic sometimes and be quite random. My brain enjoys running on full speed with every thought yelling "pick me!" thats quite a lot for one poor little hamster to handle. So just bare with me, I assure you you will get a laugh and a point in each post. unless of course the post has no point, but this one does! 

I will post links to interesting articles and things i may find, sometimes i will post about parenting issues, or just hilarious stuff my kiddos do. I'll also be posting spells, recipes, and other things i find of use to a witch. Hopefully someone out there will enjoy reading this blog as much as I will enjoy writing it.

blessings to you!

-Lynx