Magical Shop ~ Rev. Vanessa: Author, Pagan Spiritualist Teacher, Psychopomp ("Rescue Medium"), Intuitive Healer, Spirit Oracle
Have you ever heard of Urglaawe? Urglaawe is a Heathen tradition in America that has developed from Pennsylvania Dutch folklore, mythology, folk healing and magical practices (“Braucherei” – folk magic for healing & protection & “Hexerie” – witchcraft). I recently discovered this homegrown form of Heathenry stemming from Germanic PA Dutch descendants. Their ancestors came…
Happy Cailleach Day (Feb. 2nd)! Above is a drawing I did of Cailleach a couple years ago. Cailleach is the Irish and Scottish goddess of winter and weather who sometimes ventures out on Imbolc to gather wood. If the day is sunny and pleasant, Cailleach will collect firewood and extend winter in order to use…
A long time ago when I was only 12, I had a beautiful dream of being in an ancient forest where there was a small cottage. I was invited inside and discovered that the cottage was connected to my ancestors. A female ancestor dressed in Victorian era clothes asked me to sit down. She opened…
I have a positive view of snakes. Snake energy is often thought of as “life force” energy, and in certain cultures, the spirit of the land. Medusa, the snake haired Goddess, has been a long-time spirit ally of mine. Over the years, she has taught me how to incorporate “snake” energy into my clearing and…
As we approach the next turning of the wheel on May 1st, I wanted to write an article about Beltane’s thin veil. When spring arrived, I had a conversation with a few magical practitioners who told me that they could already feel the veil getting thinner. I was surprised because for me it was growing…
The witch and her familiar are iconic. Just think of the witch’s black cat or a raven on a witch’s shoulder that is so ingrained in our popular image of the witch. This image is so deeply instilled in our collective understanding of witches because it goes straight to the heart of what makes a…
Halloween, or Samhain, is a time of year when the veil between our world and the spirit world is very thin. It is the perfect time to reach out to our loved ones in spirit and honor our ancestors. After all, but for them, we would not be here – at least in our present…
For those who follow the Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is approaching! Imbolc is the half-way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is celebrated on February 1 or 2nd. Historically, this Celtic festival marked the approach of spring in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. The name “Imbolc” means “in…
This is my second post on the upcoming Lammas holiday. My first post was on creating Purposeful Poppets for a New Moon Lammas (or nearly new moon!). Doing a craft for Lammas is a great way of honoring Lugh, the Craftsman God of the Celts, and Gaia who has been creating her harvest for…
Spirit Spindle & Root 