Words of Aradia: Concerning the Elements

These words are taken from Italian Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi:

There is a vaporous, subtle and invisible quality to each of these things which are called the physical elements. The ancients have told us that all of creation was brought into being when Spirit drew the four elements unto itself. These elements are called Earth, Air, Fire and Water. And they are controlled by Spirit.

Each of these elements possess an etheric double. It is this essence which gives vitality or fertility to the physical object.

Just as the physical realms or matter contain their own forms of life, so too do the etheric realms. These entities have been personified as the many spirits and creatures of myth and legend. It is their activity which creates and maintains the vital essence within all matter.

The etheric powers of the elements also give potency to spells and works of Magick. It is within their realms that the Magickal powers ebb and flow. Thus are the spirits of the elements summoned to assist us.

A candle burning to light the way

Today a friend, and someone born to be Strega, experienced the greatest of all initiations. To honor her I gathered all the Owls that I had in my house together in one place. Owls were special to her. I cast a circle and read the rite of passage. And cried and smiled remembering her. So did 2 other Strega in straight line up the Mississippi River toward Canada, where our friend was born. Whether we were trying to or not, we coordinated the timing of the rite.

I didn't have all the woods (Juniper, Sandalwood, Cedar) but I did have all the woods necessary in incense form so I burned the 3 incense types. I also had pennyroyal in the garden and used fresh cut from my backyard on the shrine and the smell was intense.

After casting the circle, I moved over to the small shrine and read the rite out loud, and cried. I was moved to actually say something out loud about Lore even though it was only me in the room.

I then moved back to the circle altar and did a TAROT spread, which included the Sun, The Wheel of Fortune & The World and the Ace of Wands & Swords.

I added some Strega Oil/Extract to the Spirit Bowl and refilled it with Everclear and watched the Spirit Flame for awhile. When it got to the point where it should just wick out, the flames began jumping and crackling. This was of course the Strega Oil burning. But it felt like Lore saying goodbye. She liked her magics. It took almost as long for these remnants to burn out as it had the for the whole bowl of Spirit Flame. And when the flame was gone it truly felt like closure.


"We gather now in honor of our Sister who has crossed over and begun the sacred journey to the Realms of Luna. We wish you well on your journey, and send with you the emanations of our love, and our friendship. We know that the sorrow that we feel is of our own making. There has been no loss among us, for we shall meet each other again in a future life to come. And we shall remember, and know each other, and love again. We shall speak your name and remember you at Shadowfest. If it be that we shall see you, or speak with you, then let it be of your own desire. For it is not our wish that our desires should bind you to this life.

May the Great Lord and Lady receive you into their care, and may they comfort you and prepare you to be born anew.

May the realms of Luna give you all that you desire, and may you find peace and pleasure, and reunion with those who have gone before. Farewell dear sister, farewell dear friend. Blessed be."

Hot House Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire

I love reading. I've been living on the books I already have in my house, and I'm not starving, but I wanted something new, different and fun. So with a few minutes to spare between work and a meeting at my daughter's school I went to the locally owned and operated bookstore just a few blocks away from the school.

I can always count on this bookstore to have something interesting. I talked myself into going specifically to buy a book based on blog posts written by a native New Orleanian PostKatrina; a book by Mark Folse called "Carry Me Home". I found it and then I wandered around looking for something fun to read. A bright fuchsia book with blue and yellow flowers on it caught my eye: Hot House Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire.


It was exactly what I thought it would be fun, a mini vacation and a quick weekend read; but embedded in the fun were bits of wisdom that were drawn from nature. Given that one of the key teachings we get from Aradia's words is that Nature is the Great Teacher, it is wonderful to find a fun book that uses Nature to teach deeper life lessons. The plant "lore" embedded in the book provides an interesting example of how any of us can draw lessons from Natures. The lessons the main character learns aren't always straight forward or even logical. What is interesting in this is that the book shows that sometimes we have to let go of what we have been taught is logical and just listen and go with the flow. Remember I'm trained as a scientist so I know how silly this will sound to some. Sometimes the best way to learn is from our mistakes and scientists don't really understand human intuition . So I recommend that you read the book, let it wash over you, go with the flow, but keep a look out for lessons from the Great Teacher, Nature.

Words of Aradia: Concerning Luna

Luna is the purest of all the Moon Worlds. It is where the Soul is taken to rest and be renewed. It is a place of eternal youth. Here there is union with the Gods and with those Streghe who have gone before.

The portal to Luna is in the West, beyone the sunset and beyond the Ocean. Luna is a place of beautiful forests and meadows. A place of clear streams, rivers and lakes. Nature spirits inhabit these places as to all the beautiful creatures of ancient myth and legend. In Luna it is always Summer.

Each Soul experiences Luna in the manner which is most suited to its life experiences. This is as it should be.

In ancient times, it was said that the shape of the Moon grew as it received the Souls from the Physical World, and that it depleted as they were reborn. Yet if you could see between the Worlds, you would see that the Moon is Luna.

From the Physical Work, and by the physical senses, you can never see or know the World of Luna

Nature Boy

This is a haunting tune that never fails to take me off to mystical places. The song reminds me of the God's cycle through the Wheel of the Year and seems esspecially appropriate at this season. It also reminds us that Love is the Great Attainment.


Lyrics source

There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy
And sad of eye
But very wise
Was he

And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things, fools and kings
This he said to me
"The greatest thing
You'll ever learn
Is just to love
And be loved
In return"

(instrumental interlude)

"The greatest thing
You'll ever learn
Is just to love
And be loved
In return"

The song has a unique history and author.

And because I'm a New Orleans girl, here's a shameless plug for another New Orleanian who put Nature Boy on her 2008 CD

Hello Stranger

New Orleans, where bothering strangers is allowed: a Monday monologue
Posted by Jarvis DeBerry, Editorial writer, The Times-Picayune September 06, 2009 11:58PM.

Last month, as my wife was inside the Office of Motor Vehicles becoming an official Louisianian, I was outside fixing the brake light.

I had fixed it before -- so I thought -- but soon it was again being pointed out to me that the light was out. It was also pointed out that - given the nature of my columns - I should try to avoid a traffic stop.

The biggest frustration with fixing a brake light is the inherent inability to see if the job is done. Kelly was inside in a long line. She couldn't help. Some folks were sitting idly outside the building, but who wanted to bother them?

Oh, wait. I'm in New Orleans. Bothering is allowed.

I could be wrong, but the woman I yelled at through the open window looked like she was just waiting to be asked to do something. She hopped up joyfully. She asked me to take my foot off the brake and put it back on. "Do it again," she said, so she could be sure it was the light from the bulb and not the light from the sun causing it to glow.

I thanked her and she went back to sitting, perhaps waiting for the next stranger's request.

I went inside with the newspaper, and as I flipped through it, I thought about how few boundaries there are this city. I'd demonstrated it by bothering that woman for a brake light inspection.

I felt a hard tap on my shoulder. I turned to see a woman I'd never seen. She pointed at the A-section I still held in my hand. She said, "You done with that part?"


In New Orleans it has always been our habit to actively participate in the web of life. The article above is only one example. I think it is part of what makes this place unique and special. Nola

Words of Aradia: Concerning the Act of Rebirth

After the death experience has been completed, then the Soul is made ready to be born again.

When a couple is engaged in sexual union, a whirlpool of energy (a vortex) is created above them. This energy attracts Souls who are awaiting rebirth, from the plane which is harmonious to the energy of the union (the vortex is a composite aura of the couple.)

Once attracted, the Soul will be drawn into the female womb and will enter into a new physical life (all conditions be procreant).

Before being born again, the Soul will obtain knowledge of the life to come. Then is the plan realized.

1st Day of September

We can't usually start thinking about a break in the summer heat until WAY after the equinox. But we've had a rare treat.

"The arrival of September is usually more of a psychological change than a meteorological one in South Louisiana.

But today, the calendar and the weather find themselves in unexpected harmony. It's not exactly sweater weather, but the break in the heat and humidity are enough to make fall seem within reach.

The arrival of a second front in the waning days of summer is golden. And we deserve a cooler-than-expected end of summer after the abnormally scorching, dry weather in June.

Summer has just worn out its welcome by September. School is in session, football teams are playing and everyone is ready for a change -- for weather that actually fits what we're doing. The fact that these weeks are the most active of hurricane season is all the more reason to be impatient for autumn.

We're more than ready to trade mosquitoes for love bugs and afternoon deluges for clear skies and crisp temperatures.

We're glad you're here, September. Why don't you stick around a while?"

Please?