Eyes of Beholder
Pagan & Crystal Blog
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Saturday, March 21, 2026
Friday, March 20, 2026
Spring Equinox aka Ostara 2026
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Saturday March 14th 26th Pi Day
Sunday, September 21, 2025
No more Witch Wars. Be Kind to Everybody.
Thursday, September 4, 2025
25 top-selling books on Wicca, BTW (British Traditional Wicca), and Gardnerian Witchcraft specifically, printed in the last 25 years,
Compiling a list of the 25 top-selling books on Wicca, BTW (British Traditional Wicca), and Gardnerian Witchcraft specifically, printed in the last 25 years, is not feasible. Bestseller lists for these niche categories are not widely published or tracked in the same way as mainstream fiction or non-fiction. Additionally, many of the foundational texts for these traditions were published well before the last 25 years.
However, I can provide a list of highly influential and popular books related to Wicca, Witchcraft, and related subjects that have been in print and widely read over the past few decades. Many of these are considered essential reading for practitioners. It is important to note that a significant number of these were published prior to 2000, but their influence and continued sales make them prominent in the last 25 years. The publisher for each book is provided where available.
Here is a list of influential and popular books in this area:
- Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. Published by Llewellyn Publications. This is one of the most widely read and influential books for beginners.
- Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. Published by Llewellyn Publications.
- The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess by Starhawk. Published by HarperOne.
- Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland. Published by Llewellyn Publications.
- A Witch's Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook by Janet Farrar and Stewart Farrar. Published by Phoenix Publishing. This book is a key text for those interested in British Traditional Wicca.
- Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America by Margot Adler. Published by Beacon Press. This is a crucial historical and sociological text on the Pagan movement.
- The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton. Published by Oxford University Press. A highly respected academic history of modern witchcraft.
- The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More by Arin Murphy-Hiscock. Published by Adams Media.
- The Witch's Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit by Arin Murphy-Hiscock. Published by Adams Media.
- The Modern Witchcraft Book of Spells: Your Complete Guide to Crafting and Casting Spells by Skye Alexander. Published by Adams Media.
- Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within by Juliet Diaz. Published by Hay House.
- Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham. Published by Llewellyn Publications.
- The Gardnerian Book of Shadows by Gerald Gardner. While not a conventionally published book, various versions and analyses of this foundational text have been published by different entities and are essential for those studying Gardnerian Wicca.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of 25 titles, but it does include many of the most significant and widely read books within the specified genres over the last several decades.
Friday, August 22, 2025
My social vibe end of 2025.
Monday, August 11, 2025
Esbat date end of 2025 beginning of 2026.
- August 9: Full Sturgeon Moon
- September 7: Full Corn Moon
- October 6: Full Harvest Moon
- November 5: Full Beaver Moon
- December 4: Full Cold Moon
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Blessing for Lughnasadh
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
August 9th, 2025 space Sturgeon Moon and what to expect.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Full moon blessings/ poem For the Buck Moon?
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Crystal grids and how to use them
Prayer to Epona
O Epona, goddess swift and bright,
Rider of dawn and guardian of night,
Mistress of steeds, with flowing mane—
Hear now my heart, in whispered refrain.
I call you not from temple or stone,
But from the ache of love alone.
My soldier walks where danger lies,
Beneath strange moons and foreign skies.
Shield him, goddess, with your grace,
Stand at his side in every place.
Let not blade nor shadow near,
Be his courage, still his fear.
Where wheels turn and hooves have flown,
Your sacred path has long been known.
Lead him safe through storm and flame,
Return him strong, and still the same.
Let his limbs be iron, his mind be fire,
His will held fast in heart’s desire.
Yet gentle dreams beneath his brow—
Grant him peace, if not just now.
And if he rides where I cannot see,
Let your spirit ride with he.
In every breath, in every mile,
Wrap him in your watchful smile.
O Epona, guide of noble might,
Grant him your armor, lend him your light.
Till he comes home through dust and time,
Forever his, as he is mine.
Friday, May 23, 2025
in 2025 I think tattoos are more like totem poles.
In today’s society, particularly in America in 2025, tattoos have evolved into deeply personal and cultural expressions, serving a role not unlike the symbolic totem poles carved by Indigenous tribes such as the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian of the Pacific Northwest. Just as totem poles were not merely decorative but deeply symbolic, carrying spiritual and ancestral meanings, modern tattoos often serve as visual narratives of an individual's identity, heritage, beliefs, and personal journey.
Totem poles traditionally stood as monuments that told stories of familial lineage, clan mythology, or historical events. Each figure carved into a pole—whether an eagle, bear, wolf, or raven—held unique symbolism and represented particular traits, deities, or ancestors. These poles acted as both historical records and spiritual signposts, often created for ceremonial purposes such as honoring a deceased chief, marking a special event, or celebrating a clan’s legacy. No two totem poles were exactly the same, just as no two tattoos are identical in meaning to their wearers.
In the same way, tattoos today are often more than just art—they are storytelling tools etched into the skin. A tattoo of a lion might represent courage; a rose could signify lost love or beauty; coordinates might mark a significant location; a quote might serve as a life motto or tribute. As with totem poles, each symbol in a tattoo carries layered meaning, often understandable only to the person who wears it, and sometimes to their close circle, forming a personal mythology.
In American culture, especially among younger generations, tattoos have shifted from being seen as rebellious or taboo to being celebrated as authentic self-expression. They create a visible timeline of experiences, values, and personal evolution, much like how totem poles recorded the life and spirit of a community. Both practices honor memory, identity, and symbolism in physical form, and both are rooted in the human desire to externalize the internal.
Therefore, tattoos in modern America can be viewed as our generation’s version of totem poles—living, breathing totems that carry our stories, protect our values, and connect us to something larger, whether that be family, experience, belief, or culture. Tattoos, like totem poles, serve as public declarations of who we are and where we come from.
Traditionally not wise to wear emeralds and pearls together.
Emeralds and pearls are sometimesconsidered incompatible in Vedic astrology and certain traditional beliefs, particularly in Indian culture. Here's why:
1. Planetary Conflict (Vedic Astrology)
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Emerald is associated with Mercury (Budh).
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Pearl is associated with the Moon (Chandra).
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Mercury and Moon are considered enemies in Vedic astrology. Wearing gemstones that represent enemy planets is believed to cause mental unrest, confusion, or imbalance rather than harmony.
2. Energy Clash
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Emeralds are said to enhance intellect, communication, and logic (Mercury traits).
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Pearls are believed to promote emotional balance, calmness, and nurturing (Moon traits).
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Combining them may cause a conflict between emotion and logic, leading to internal disharmony.
3. Astrological Recommendations
If an astrologer advises someone to wear both, it's usually based on a specific chart analysis where both Mercury and Moon are benefic and not harming each other. In general, it's best to wear such stones only after consulting a qualified astrologer.
Friday, May 9, 2025
Celtic Summer Solstice Blessing
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Celtic Summer Solstice Blessing Blessed be this day of the Sun's high flame, When light lingers long and the earth is ripe. ...
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In today’s society, particularly in America in 2025, tattoos have evolved into deeply personal and cultural expressions, serving a role not ...
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August 2025 Full Moon in Aquarius: The Sturgeon Moon's Magic and Meaning for Each Zodiac Please be sure to stop by my Etsy shop! ...