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| Esther Remmington Art |
This holy day on February 2 (Northern Hemisphere) is called by many names: Imbolc (Wiccan) Oilmec, Candlemas (Catholic), La Fheile Brighid (Celtic/Druidic), Brighid's Day, etc... this date marks the exact center between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. For many Pagans, it is more important than Beltane. It is a fire festival, and honors Brighid and/or Calleiach Bheara.
When the Romans attempted to conquer Ireland, the goddess Brighid was so loved, that they could not make the people stop worshiping her in favor of the Christian god. So, they created a myth to incorporate her into their worship, and called her Saint Bridget- Jesus's alleged nursemaid. Candlemas, in Eastern Orthodox and Catholic traditions is the day that Jesus was presented as a baby in the temple. In Western Catholicism, it is the day that refers to the practice whereby a priest blesses beeswax candles for use throughout the year, some of which are distributed to the faithful for use in the home.
Since The Sunday Stew is Pagan in nature, I have avoided the use of the term "Candlemas", although many Pagans do use it today. A rose by any other name...
On a personal note, I return to college for the first time in many decades this coming week, so I'll most likely be scarce on social media. However, the Stew will be out as usual. For those who are interested in contributing to The Sunday Stew, please feel free to reach out to me via email or the contact form at the top of this blog. Please be sure to read the Special Announcement at the end of The Stew as well!
And with that, it's on to The Stew...
In the News
MP stuns KU children on witchcraft2 teenagers in custody for alleged witchcraft
Fijian police claim teenagers stole skull for witchcraft
Farmington Commemorates State's Last Witch Hanging 350 Years Ago
Dundee dancers to bring witchcraft trial to life
Sparkle and Shine with Sosanna
I also have a tendency to get lost in a story. I’ll start long elaborate explanation and then at the end, I've forgotten why I was telling the bloody story in the first place. So today for the Stew I've decided to tell you about my trip to Raleigh on MLK day.
Hubby and I had appointments at the eye doctor on Monday so we did that first. I wanted to get a new prescription so that I could order glasses from this new site I found via a friend called Zenni Optical. Really great priced glasses and they have a little app that lets you upload a picture so you can try on the glasses. LOVE IT.
We finished the appointment and drove out to Raleigh to … wait why did we go again? OH we went there to sell my ring. (I really had to stop and think why we went) Anyway, we went there to sell this ring I bought off my sister when I first moved here from California. Originally I really liked the way the ring sparked and shined in the sunlight. It was beautiful. Then I read a story about blood diamonds, also called conflict diamonds. I don’t know if this diamond is one, but I tossed in my jewelry box and never wore it again.
So I go into Diamond’s Direct at Crabtree Valley Mall and wait to speak with the manager who would help me. I've had the ring up for sale for a few months now and not even a nibble. I asked a couple other jewelers about it and they both said wholesale it’s worth 1200.00. That means retail about 3000.00. I figured maybe if I could get 800.00 I’d be good. So as I’m waiting I’m looking around the room at all these people in there. This place was slammed. You wouldn't think there was a recession on the way these folks were trying to buy some diamonds.
I looked in a few of the cases and many of the rings were at the low end, 4000.00. The manager came in and told me he’d weigh the diamond and if it was a ½ carat he’d give me 400.00 for it. (BLINK) So I said,"OK, weigh it". While he’s away I watch a lady get a mirror off the counter and literally hold the diamond up to her face to see how it looks. She puts her arm in various “natural” positions around her torso and checks out her reflection. To my right a group of girls about 20 years of age with their Michael Kors handbags and Chanel Sunglasses chit chat about how a real lady should get her nails done and what the newest addition to her massive diamond earring collection will be.
The manager returns and weighs the diamond; it’s less than a ½ carat. He only buys ½ carats and above. He tells me quickly, "Because I already offered it to you, I’ll give you 400.00 for it." I said, "You know it’s worth more than that". He said,"450.00- final offer". I said,"OK". He tells me to step back out into the showroom and he’ll write me a check.
I go to the front of the store where an older gentleman is showing a very young couple engagement rings. He explains to the prospective groom that the little tag saying 55 doesn’t mean 55.00. That it means 5500.00. He said, "You really should spend about $7500.00 on an engagement ring". I watched the groom shift uncomfortably and the bride sit doe eyed and nodding in affirmation. The salesman followed up his pitch with a final, “And what’s she really worth to you?”
At this point the manager returned with my check and I scurried out of the den of what I call excess, greed and selfishness. I spent the next 3 hours trying to wash the negativity out of my system from being around all energy. I tucked my little check in my purse to add to our savings fund for hubby’s lawn tractor. I learned something very important that day. All that sparkles may not necessarily shine, Oh look there’s a chicken!
Namaste and Blessed Be
Sosanna
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Good Morning, and welcome to the Imbolc edition of the Pagan Lore! I'd just like to take a minute to wish everyone a blessed day and a wonderful celebration of this Sabbat and the season!
Sunday, January 27th:
On this date, the annual Day of Ishtar ceremony takes place to honor the ancient Assyrian/Babylonian Goddess of love, fertility, and battle. Ishtar is identified with the ancient Phoenician Goddess called Astarte.
Monday, January 28th:
In the Shetland Islands, a centuries-old fire festival known as Up-Helly-Aa is held each year on the last Tuesday of January (which normally falls around this date). The festival, which marks the end of the traditional Yuletide and pays tribute to the old gods and goddesses of the ancient Viking religion, climaxes with the torching of a replica of a Viking ship. The day ends with a traditional prayer to drive away evil entities from village homes.
Tuesday, January 29th:
On this day in the year 1688, famous mystic, scientists, and spiritualist-medium Emanuel Swedenburg was born in Sweden. His works had a major influence upon the secret societies of the eighteenth century, and a religion based on his mystical theological philosophy was founded in his name by his followers. In the country of Vietnam, a mythical and centuries-old Parade of the Unicorns takes place each year on this date (approximately). According to mythology, the ancient Pagan Goddesses Irene and Pax were born on this day.
Wednesday, January 30th:
In ancient Rome, an agricultural festival called the Feriae Sementiva (Feast of Spring) was celebrated annually on this date with sacrifices to Ceres (the Goddess of agriculture) and Tellus Mater (the Goddess of the Earth and fertility), as well as other lesser gods and Goddesses associated with agriculture. On this date in the year 1940, Z. Budapest (the founder and leader of the main branch of feminist Dianic Wicca) was born in Budapest. Among her many accomplishments, she founded the Susan B. Anthony coven (named after the famous suffragist), hosted a radio show in San Francisco, directed the Women's Spirituality Forum in Oakland, and led a successful public hexing against a mass murderer.
Thursday, January 31st:
Each year on or around this date, a sacred festival is held in the Katmandu Valley of Nepal in honor of the Goddess Sarasvati, an ancient Indian deity who presides over all forms of education. As temples dedicated to her, offerings of food, flowers, and incense are made by faithful Hindus and students who seek her help on their school exams. In the courtyard of the Hanuman Dhoka, an ancient palace where the king is accompanied on this day by Nepalese officials, the annual rites of Spring begin with a traditional gun salute, followed by veneration ceremonies which are performed by the royal priest. In the Hawaiian Islands, a joyous flower-filled festival in honor of an ancient Goddess associated with the narcissus flower is celebrated each year on this day; while in China, an annual festival honoring Kuan Yin takes place.
Friday, February 1st:
This is Candlemas Eve. Brigit, the Celtic Earth-Mother and Goddess of fire, wisdom, poetry, and sacred wells, is honored on this day. In Ireland, offering of yellow flowers are made to the Goddess at sacred wells dedicated to her. In ancient Greece, the three-day Lesser Eleusinian Mysteries began each year on this day in honor of the Goddesses Ceres, Demeter, Persephone, and Proserpine.
Saturday, February 2nd:
On this day, the Candlemas Sabbat is celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world. Candlemas (which is also known as Imbolc, Oimelc, and Lady Day) is a fire festival that celebrates the coming of Spring. New beginnings and spiritual growth are represented by the "sweeping out of the old," symbolized by the sweeping of the circle with a besom (a Witch's broom). This is traditionally done by the High Priestess of the coven, who wears a brilliant crown of thirteen candles on top of her head. In ancient Europe, the Candlemas Sabbat was celebrated with a torch-light procession to purify and fertilize the fields before the seed-planting season, and to honor and give thanks to the various deities and spirits associated with agriculture.
And there you have it! Wishing everyone a wonderful day -- see you next week with a new edition of Pagan Lore!
Karen
My Imbolc for 2013
By: Sam Curtin
Imbolc has always had a special place in my heart mainly since I am called to Brighid. It usually is a day that I celebrate alone, meditating or writing under the direction of Brighid. I also usually, in the tradition of the Celts, leave an article of clothing out at night for her to bless on Imbolc Eve. It is a day of the celebration of the coming spring and for me the harnessing of my creative juices that tend to go into hibernation over the winter months.
This year is different though. As many of you know I am getting married next year. There is so much that needs to be done, but one of the things that is first on the list is to get my dress. So by happy accident on Imbolc all my bridesmaids will be up not only for the Bridal Expo that day but also to go dress shopping with me. This is so fitting since in Wiccan traditions, Imbolc sometimes was seen as a "women’s festival" with specific rites only for female members of a coven.
My Imbolc will be filled with my favorite woman (including my amazing mother) celebrating the coming of my wedding which will be in the spring of next year. I’m hoping that I can channel the guidance of Brighid into picking the perfect wedding dress for me and the perfect bridesmaid’s dresses for my bridesmaids. It is my hope that next year on Imbolc Eve I will have Brighid bless my dress, so that my wedding will be filled with the joy of spring!
Imbolc- by Jen Rue
There is a blizzard of large, fluffy snowflakes falling outside my window as I write this. The fierce cold seems to have broken, but the warmer weather has brought precipitation, and not the warm rains I was hoping for. Spring is far enough off to leave me wanting. I'm begging for green grass. Or even, to just see the earth again. To witness the gardens in the back yard, the hills and meadows without a vast blanket of snow and ice covering everything.
Imbolc is not a favorite observance of some Pagans, simply because the "earth waking up" theme doesn't fit with the reality of early February weather in many places. At first glance, it doesn't seem like there is anything coming back to life at this time of year. And yet...
I live in a semi-rural area in a small, bustling town surrounded by orchards, vineyards and farms. The rancher at the south end of town has moved his cattle from his fields into his large barns because it's calving time. The goatherd, who's funny white goats bleat happily at me as I walk beside the river, is keeping his goats close to the barn too. They won't give birth for a few weeks yet, but they are very pregnant and their udders look uncomfortably full.
The cherry tree in my back yard has developed an abundance of buds. Although they aren't even close to opening yet, they seem to grow fatter every time I look at them. Over at the local ice cream shop, a Magnolia bush lovingly planted by the owners has sprouted fuzzy catkins. I stop and run their softness through my fingers and remind myself that these small signs are hints of wonderful things to come.
While the smaller ponds remain frozen, the lakes are shaking off their ice. The swans that over-winter here, are forever dunking their long necks under the frigid water to eat whatever they can find at the bottom of the lake. They will leave soon in their pairs, to go lay their eggs and raise their young wherever it is they summer. We won't see them again until November.
While I still rise in the dark each morning, the days are longer now. Grey still, we don't get many sunny days this time of year in the valley, but the twilight that would come on at 4pm in December, now comes at 5 o'clock, and soon will arrive even later.
There is much to celebrate for me. As a gardener and wild-crafter, I know that this time of year is important for the health of some of the plants and trees. Our apple orchards in this area require a period of dormancy (some species of apple actually prefer a colder winter,) in order to provide a hearty harvest. The snow melt provides much needed moisture and nutrients for the valley hills that tend to get very dry in the summer months, and provides us with a good watershed. I only need to move a bit of snow to see the green shoots of grass waiting, or spot a warmer, uncovered corner by the house to see the chickweed joyfully popping up.
The long sleep is slowly lifting. You only need to look closely to see it.
Imbolc blessings!
Jen ~ Rue & Hyssop
Author Sally Dubats has posted a lovely Imbolc blog article entitled Initiation, Rebirth and Light.
Brighid's Day Crafts
Brighid's Day Recipes
Butter making with the kids for Imbolc by
When my children were little, I loved to make butter with them on Imbolc. It was a fun energetic project for a cold winter morning and ridiculously easy to do. All you need is:
- some heavy cream
- small plastic food containers with tight fitting lids
- marbles
- duct tape
-music
- energetic children
-ice cold water (optional)
The first thing I did was to make sure the marbles I was going to be using were clean. I liked putting them in a bowl and then pouring boiling hot water over them for a nice soak ahead of time. If you are cleaning them that way, be sure to allow the marbles to cool before you use them.
Take one smallish plastic food container (one labeled for snack size will do just fine) per child and fill it around 1/3 to ½ way full of heavy cream. Next add 2 or 3 of your marbles into the container. Put the lid on and just to make sure no accidental spills happen, duct tape around the edges of the container. For a little extra fun, you can pick up patterned duct tape at a craft shop. I’ve seen some with a neat fire print on them which would be great for Imbolc. Hand each kid a container, crank up something that gets your child moving and get them to shake the heck out of that container as they dance around. This song was a favorite to churn butter by at our house:
In about 20 to 30 minutes of dancing you’ll have butter on the bottom of your container and buttermilk floating on the top. Remove the lid and pour off the buttermilk (save it for making pancakes or biscuits if you’d like). If you want your butter to last, you are going to want to wash it. Add the ice water to the container and using a big spoon press the butter to consolidate it in one spot. Pour off the ice water and then repeat the process (making sure your water is nice and cold each time) until the water runs clear.
Your butter is now ready to use. Enjoy the rest of your Imbolc morning having a mid-morning buttered snack with your wee ones!
Moisson en Croute submitted by David Watson
PASTRY
2 cups All Purpose Flour
1/8 tsp. Salt
1 1/4 cup All-Vegetable Short-ening (non-hydrogenated, pre-ferred)
1/2 cup Plain (unflavored) Soy, Almond, or Coconut Milk Yo-gurt
2 Tbsp. Water
Sift together the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl.
Cut in shortening using a pastry blender or a fork and blend until mixture resembles a coarse meal.
Thoroughly mix together yogurt and water, then stir into flour mixture. Continue stirring until a firm dough is formed.
Turn out dough onto a floured surface and roll into a rectangle about 18" x 9".
Fold into thirds and then into thirds again and wrap in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour (overnight is preferred).
FILLING
2 cups (tightly packed) Baby Spinach Leaves
2-3 Fresh Garlic Cloves
1/4 cup Yellow Onion, finely minced
1 1/2 cups Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 14 oz. package Tofu, well drained
1/4 tsp. Saffron Threads
1 Tbsp. Fresh Dill Weed, minced
1 medium Red Bell Pepper
1 medium Sweet Potato
1/8 tsp. Ground Cloves
1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Salt
Wash and peel the sweet potato and cut into 2-inch segments.
In a 3-quart pan, add potato and 2 quarts of water. Bring to a boil.
Boil on medium-high heat for 15 minutes, or until a fork pierces the potato pieces easily.
While potatoes are boiling, wash and de-stem 2 cups (tightly packed) baby spinach leaves.
Drain and add spinach into steamer basket.
Add 1 cup of water into 2-quart saucepan and bring to boil.
Lower steamer basket into saucepan and cover.
Steam spinach for 3-5 minutes until tender and remove basket. Allow to cool.
Mince spinach or put through food processor until finely minced.
Peel and mince or press 2 large or 3 small clove(s) of garlic.
Peel and slice 2 large slices from a medium yellow onion and finely mince.
Add 1 Tbsp. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil into a pan and sauté garlic and onion until garlic begins to brown, about 1 minute.
Drain water from saucepan and add 1 cup of soy milk and 1/2 tsp. salt. Bring to boil.
Stir in garlic and onion. Continue boiling over medium heat, stirring fre-quently, until sauce thickens and reduces to about 1/4 cup. Add spinach and stir thoroughly. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Drain water from potatoes and add 1/2 cup. soy milk and 1/8 tsp. ground cloves.
Mash thoroughly or put through food processor until smooth and creamy.
Press and drain 14 oz. firm or extra-firm tofu using plenty of paper towel-ing.
Wash and mince 1 Tbsp. dill weed.
In a mixing bowl, add tofu, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. saffron threads (rubbed well between fingers until it crumbles), dill weed and 2 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Mash tofu with a fork, mixing all ingredients until thoroughly blended and the consistency of scrambled eggs.
Wash and de-seed 1 medium red bell pepper and slice into 1/4" rings.
Preheat oven to 375°F
Remove pastry dough from refrigerator, unwrap and roll out again on floured surface into large rectangle.
Lay dough into lightly-greased 13" x 9" baking dish, allowing for plenty of overlap.
Spread potatoes evenly across pastry dough.
Next, layer tofu evenly over potatoes.
Add pepper rings over tofu.
Spoon spinach evenly over top.
Pull in edges of dough to center.
Press gently to seal all edges and brush top with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Bake on middle oven rack for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and allow to cool, then place in refrigerator until chilled (at least 1 hour).
Slice along width in 1-inch slices. Remove individual pieces and cut again in half.
Serve as an appetizer, a side dish for roasts, for breakfasts as a main course with fresh fruit, etc.
VARIATIONS: Substitute butternut squash for sweet potatoes, mix fresh whole-kernel corn into tofu mixture, add 1 tsp. ground cumin in place of dill and add minced green chiles or sliced jalapeños with the red bell pepper rings.
Bride's Brunch*
submitted by Vickie Lesperance
2 [9-inch] pie shells
3 tbs. green onions/chives, finely chopped
1/2 pound Canadian style bacon/ thin sliced ham
1/2 tsp. salt
8 eggs
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tbs. milk
Line a quiche dish with 1 pie shell. Arrange 1/2 of bacon or ham in bottom of shell. Break 7 eggs into the dish. Pierce the egg yolks with a fork, but do not mix the egg yolks with the egg whites. Add the green onions/chives, salt, and pepper. Arrange the remaining bacon or ham on top. Cover with remaining pie shell. Mix the remaining egg with the milk and lightly brush the top crust with the mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve hot or cold. Makes 6 servings.
Returning Sun Spice Bread*
Submitted by Vickie Lesperance
1 1/4 cup flour
1/8 cup poppyseeds
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup raisins, plain or golden
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter/margarine
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
3/4 cup Karo golden corn syrup
1/2 cup light brown sugar
4 tbs. milk
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp. mixed spices**
**Equal parts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Sift the flour, soda, and baking powder into a non-metal bowl. Add the mixed spice and ginger. Next add the brown sugar and raisins. Mix. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and the syrup over a low heat, then pour liquid into the well in the middle of the flour mixture. Add the beaten egg and the milk, and mix very well. Pour into a well-greased 2-lb loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes. This bread can be made the night before as it improves with age. Makes 8-10 servings.
*These recipes can also be found here.
For more great Imbolc recipes from Scotland, Wales and Ireland, please visit The Celtic Well.
This Week in Astrology
Sun in Aquarius until February 18
Mercury in Aquarius until February 5
Venus in Capricorn until February 25
Jan 30th: Jupiter Direct 6:37 AM
Feb 1st: Mars enters Pisces 8:54 PM
Feb 1st: Venus enters Aquarius 9:47 PM
VoC Moon Calendars
January
| Monday, Jan 28 | 12:51 pm | Tuesday, Jan 29 | 12:03 am | Virgo |
| Wednesday, Jan 30 | 8:10 pm | Thursday, Jan 31 | 7:01 am | Libra |
February
| Saturday, Feb 2 | 1:46 am | Saturday, Feb 2 | 12:17 pm | Scorpio |
Weekly Tarot: The Lovers
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| The Vanessa Tarot |
Weekly Totem: Swan
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| Onebigphoto.com |
The Swan is one of the most powerful and ancient of totems. It is found in nearly every indigenous culture’s totemic line-up.In Celtic mythology the Goddess Brighid is also associated with swans, so it is only fitting that Swan would show up to celebrate her day.
Swan’s message is about realizing your own true beauty and recognizing your power from within. A Swan totem heralds a time of altered states of awareness and the development of intuitive abilities. Swan people have the ability to see the future, and have a great aptitude for ‘going with the flow’. They can adapt to changes in their lives with grace and dignity.
Those with Swan Totem are extremely intuitive and have strong psychic abilities. They know who is calling when the phone rings.
Swans in Nature
Swans feed in the water and on land. They are almost entirely herbivorous, although they may eat small amounts of aquatic animals. Swans normally mate for life. The male swan is the only bird in nature known to have a penis. The male is extremely attentive to and protective over his family. Some swans have a wingspan of nearly 10 feet. Their wings are extremely strong (they could beat a man to death, easily). Swans can fly as fast as 60 mph. The Mute Swan is actually the most vocal of all species. They have 8 different sounds in their repertoire. Swans mate for life and are very loyal to one another.
They are not known to be aggressive toward humans, and actually can remember the face of those who have been kind to them in the past.
Swan teaches the mysteries of song, story and poetry, as these are what awaken the child, the beauty and power within us. The swan totem teaches us change and transformation, and gives us the ability to handle such changes with grace and dignity. A white swans entering your dreams is symbolic of the need to cleanse and purify yourself and your life, while a black swan would indicate deep mysteries longing to be set free to express themselves - perhaps as the Goddess Brighid would have us do in poetry or music, for it is the mysteries of song and poetry that touch the child and the beauty within.
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2012 was a big year. It was a year that ushered in a lot of weird and interesting energy. As Yoda would say many of us could “feel a great disturbance in the force.” That disturbance gave way to change and we moved into what many believe to be a new age, an age of enlightenment; the Age of Aquarius was coming.
By the end of 2012 and into the early part of 2013 more and more people were coming up publicly talking about their personal shifts they were making with this energy. As the “flow with it” kind of girl that I am, I had been flowing with this energy and the changes in my own life since about July of last year. The first big change came when I decided to leave all the Modern Witch projects (the podcast, website, magazine, etc). I then stopped blogging about Pagan news and slowly started spending less time blogging about Witchcraft and more time on myself and my own path as well as helping my clients working through these changes and shifts going on so their lives would could be healed and shifted into the flow. As we moved into 2013 I had my own big realization. It was time for me to shift too.
Recently I've written two blog posts about my personal shift in direction. Professionally I've decided to become more focused on integrative work where magick, intuitive readings, healing, and coaching would all be able to work in hand in hand to help as many people as possible. Despite the perspective of some, I've never considered myself to be a “professional witch”. I don’t do magick for money and I don’t consider teaching a class here and there on magickal techniques or writing and blogging about magick to be the definition of a “professional witch”. I also don’t consider myself to be a “professional witch” because I do readings or mediumship; at best that would make me a “professional psychic” if I felt the need to put a label on it.
On a professional level I've always considered myself to be more of a lightworker, a term that I know the majority of the Pagan community despises and considers very “woo-woo”. But that more accurately describes what I really do professionally and what I truly enjoy doing. Working with people to heal and change their lives is what I enjoy doing, especially when it’s with people who really want to put in the energy and effort to create change and not just have someone wave the proverbial magic wand and make their lives better. On a personal level, while I will always be a magickal practitioner and therefore a Witch, I found that I was spiritually being called to embrace more of the Buddhist teachings I've studied for the last five years along with more aspects of the New Thought and metaphysical/new age traditions. This lead me to wondering, “Am I still Rowan Pendragon?”
That brought me to making a big decision and a big change that I official made this past week. I felt there was one last change I needed to make in embracing my authentic self and stepping out into the world, especially professionally. I have decided that it’s time for me to let go of the name “Rowan Pendragon” and move forward using my actual name, Jess Carlson. It was really the last change that I needed to make to move forward, and so far the love, support, and acceptance from my followers and fan base has been amazing.
You can now find my website and blog at JessCarlson.com along with the links to my new Facebook page and other updated social media. I’m excited for the changes and the future and I look forward to sharing this next chapter with all of you. Infinite Love and Gratitude to you all!
A Special Announcement
Instead of the usual "Shameless Plug", I'm giving this space to our dear friend- The Artist Formerly Known as Rowan Pendragon ;) Take it away, Jess!
By the end of 2012 and into the early part of 2013 more and more people were coming up publicly talking about their personal shifts they were making with this energy. As the “flow with it” kind of girl that I am, I had been flowing with this energy and the changes in my own life since about July of last year. The first big change came when I decided to leave all the Modern Witch projects (the podcast, website, magazine, etc). I then stopped blogging about Pagan news and slowly started spending less time blogging about Witchcraft and more time on myself and my own path as well as helping my clients working through these changes and shifts going on so their lives would could be healed and shifted into the flow. As we moved into 2013 I had my own big realization. It was time for me to shift too.
Recently I've written two blog posts about my personal shift in direction. Professionally I've decided to become more focused on integrative work where magick, intuitive readings, healing, and coaching would all be able to work in hand in hand to help as many people as possible. Despite the perspective of some, I've never considered myself to be a “professional witch”. I don’t do magick for money and I don’t consider teaching a class here and there on magickal techniques or writing and blogging about magick to be the definition of a “professional witch”. I also don’t consider myself to be a “professional witch” because I do readings or mediumship; at best that would make me a “professional psychic” if I felt the need to put a label on it.
On a professional level I've always considered myself to be more of a lightworker, a term that I know the majority of the Pagan community despises and considers very “woo-woo”. But that more accurately describes what I really do professionally and what I truly enjoy doing. Working with people to heal and change their lives is what I enjoy doing, especially when it’s with people who really want to put in the energy and effort to create change and not just have someone wave the proverbial magic wand and make their lives better. On a personal level, while I will always be a magickal practitioner and therefore a Witch, I found that I was spiritually being called to embrace more of the Buddhist teachings I've studied for the last five years along with more aspects of the New Thought and metaphysical/new age traditions. This lead me to wondering, “Am I still Rowan Pendragon?”
That brought me to making a big decision and a big change that I official made this past week. I felt there was one last change I needed to make in embracing my authentic self and stepping out into the world, especially professionally. I have decided that it’s time for me to let go of the name “Rowan Pendragon” and move forward using my actual name, Jess Carlson. It was really the last change that I needed to make to move forward, and so far the love, support, and acceptance from my followers and fan base has been amazing.
You can now find my website and blog at JessCarlson.com along with the links to my new Facebook page and other updated social media. I’m excited for the changes and the future and I look forward to sharing this next chapter with all of you. Infinite Love and Gratitude to you all!
