Little Witch magazine

For about a year and a half, I have spearheaded the creation of a quarterly on-line magazine called 'Little Witch magazine'. As the next issue comes out on thursday, I'm slightly absent here as I have a lot of work to do.

I make Little Witch with a couple of Pagan and non-Pagan friends and we release it both in Dutch, my native language, as well as in English. This means that every article that is written needs to be edited, translated and prettied up. It's quite a bit of work but I adore doing it.

Somehow, though, the creation of Little Witch always falls at an auspicious time. Usually I'm swamped with school, work or Pagan related things. This is not necessarily a problem but it makes for long days and short nights.

I started Little Witch in September 2010 as a tribute to Brighid. It was a way for me to keep writing and keeping up skills, like InDesign, that I'm good at but have no reason to use beyond some rare events. I used to role play a lot and that forced me to write but as life got busier, I had to let that go. Little Witch brought me closer to Paganism, forced me to do a lot of research and it opened a lot of doorways into the (on-line) Pagan community. It helped me figure out a lot of issues I had with my faith and my place in Paganism. It's not yet as inclusive as I would like it to be but I'm always hoping more guest writers will apply (*hint*, *hint*) and share their expertise.

So this explains my absence a little. I will be back regularly after Little Witch goes up. I will post the magazine here as well, just because it's part of my writing, but you can always visit the website and read up on the older magazines now, if you're curious: www.littlewitchmagazine.com.

• Tuesday, June 19, 2012
  Brighid Little Witch magazine

PBP: Divine intervention

This post is proving hard to write. I wrote about my struggle combining Hellenismos with my patronage to Brighid yesterday. It was the first time I dared to admit, even to myself, that I was yet again heading into a different direction in my Pagan path and that, maybe, this meant leaving some of the old behind. But the old is a dear, dear friend. A motherly figure who was always there for me and who has stood by me come hell and high water. Admitting I might not be able to do the same for Her had--and has--me overcome with guilt and sorrow.

Over the years, I have searched for the perfect Brighid's Cross pendant for my bracelet, on which I keep symbols important to my faith. I found one, in Ireland, a little over three years ago and it hasn't left my arm for more than a few minutes from that point on.

This morning, I lost it.

I recovered the ring it was attached to and managed to put the bracelet back together but even though I have searched, I have not been able to recover the charm. First I panicked. Then I realized I had my answer. Divine intervention. I have been released from service. Because She wants the best for me. Because She loves me. And because She doesn't need me to worship Her on a regular basis to know that She will always have a place in my heart and thoughts.

I will find ways to worship her. I might even buy a new charm for my bracelet if I really can't recover the original one. But She has given me permission to move through the door without guilt. Without tears. But I admit to shedding a few of those regardless. Because it's the end of an era, even though not much will change. Because I now realize that in letting go of my Divine Mother's hand, I might be taking one of my first 'big girl' steps into Paganism, even though I'm 26 and have been practicing for about twelve years.

We are redefining our relationship and like my actual mother who has seen me walk out her door, I leave my Divine Mother too... because a new world is calling and I'm ready to accept its challenges. When I run scared, I have a place to run to and open arms to hold me. But from now on, I'm going to have to try and do it without Her first. It's scary but I'm ready and I'm much more prepared than when I left my biological mother; Brighid has seen to that. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.

• Sunday, June 3, 2012
  Brighid Hellenic Reconstruction Pagan Blog Project

PBP: Brighid

I have held off from heading in a Hellenistic direction for a long time, at least a year, even though I knew even then I would end up going there anyway. Besides the fact that heading in a Reconstruction direction is a very different way of worship and I wasn't sure I was ready for that, there was another huge reason I didn't feel comfortable committing to Hellenismos; Brighid, one of my patron Goddesses.

Taken from: Celtic Lady

I love Brighid with all my heart. She has been with me since I was a little girl and really, really needed someone to hold me. She's been with me through it all and she's never expected much in return. Yet now I move away from Her. I still honor Her but in all fairness, I have never done Her worship justice in the first place.

So now I'm on the threshold of Hellenismos, I have Her hand in one of mine and one hand reaching out to the Hellenic pantheon. And I don't know if I should let go or not. Perhaps I can combine my Hellenistic worship with Her worship. I intend to create a separate shrine to Her when I move to a house with a bit more space to practice. For now all I can offer her is a place on an altar dedicated to the Theoi.... and that seems sort of disrespectful.

So these words are my ode to Brighid, the Goddess whom I honor by publishing Little Witch magazine. The Goddess whom I turn to when I need to be comforted or when I'm really scared. Without Her influence in my life, I probably would have ended up at a very different place. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

• Saturday, June 2, 2012
  Brighid Hellenic Reconstruction Pagan Blog Project