Most Recent Articles...
The
real Dracula
Discover the real life exploits of Vladislavs Dracula, a very real monster
who gave new meaning to the word Bloodthirsty.
Hoodoo- An American
magical tradition
Interest in African rooted spiritual traditions such as Voodoo, Santeria, and
Palo is growing steadily in the US, but few are aware that Hoodoo, a unique
fusion of American folk practices and African magical traditions, has been a
fixture of American culture for several hundred years. Author Stephanie Rose
Bird shares with us some Hoodoo basics.
Vachetta
Tarot
The beautiful and enchanting Vacchetta Tarot joins out Color your own Tarot
feature. print and color a full deck, including minor arcana.
Secrets
of magic symbols- part two
Explore further the universal symbolic alphabet, with the omnipresent serpent
and the cosmic egg.
Secrets
of magic symbols
Most symbols of western magic, astrology, and alchemy are based on a common
symbolic alphabet. Knowing the secret system behind these symbols can provide
an incredible amount of insight into even the most inscrutable signs and symbols.
Laci
Peterson- Satanic connection?
Recent revelations that Scott Peterson's attorneys are apparently pursuing a
defense that includes rumours of Satanic murder add another layer of surreality
to an increasingly bizarre case.
Questions
and answers about Satanism
Popular beliefs about Satanism are usually negative, believing Satanists to
be either dysfunctional teenagers or sociopaths who sacrifice animals and commit
crimes to rack up points with the Old Nick. The truth is a lot more boring-
but you'll be able to sleep at night.
The
Kabbalistic Tarot
The master key to the Tarot can be found in an ancient mystical system known
as the Kabbalah. Learn the system behind tarot cards and their symbolism.
The
Other Religion
The Yezidi religion is one of the most unusual religions on earth. It has survived
despite its status as an unrecognized
religion under Islamic rule, and through many onslaughts against it's Kurdish
followers.
Through
a glass, Darkly
Mirror gazing, or scrying, is one of the oldest known forms of divination, dating
back to antiquity. Learn the divination used by Nostradamus, Dr. John Dee, even
Joseph Smith! Also, learn a simple method to construct your own scrying mirror.
The
Necronomicon
Its use has propelled the unwitting into violence, insanity, and death. Just
looking inside without proper precautions can render a person insane....right?
Hardly!
Baphomet
At first look, it appears ghastly-a grotesque sphinx like creature, with the
head of a goat, cloven hooves, and the body of a nude woman. It is the Baphomet,
one of the most misunderstood religious symbols of all time. Learn the history
and origin of the mysterious mascot of ritual magick.
Ogham-
the Celtic oracular alphabet
The mysterious Celtic Ogham alphabet dates from the fourth century, and is used
as a divinatory system by modern Druids and neopagans.
Love
Magick
Love spells and charms are a universal phenomenon- looking for magical assistance
in making a love connection- no matter how icky, sticky, or even toxic- is as
old as mankind.
Kalpana
Chawla
Astronaut Kalpana Chawla was a pioneer in more ways than one. The accomplished
mission specialist was the first Indian space traveller. She was also the first
Sikh.
Dictionary
of symbols
Man has used symbols to represent spiritual ideas for thousands of years, often
expressing the same concept in many different ways. In this glossary can be
found dozens of symbols relating to religion, magick, mysticism, and mythology.
Clone
or Con?
A controversial company claiming to have produced the first human clone may
have ties to the Raelians, a controversial religious group. What lead a former
sports journalist to turn to a gospel of extra-terrestrial Gods and human
cloning?
Grimoire-
the magician's handbook
Containing complex instructions for conjuring demons and spirits, the Grimoires
of European magicians were more than just primers in the Dark Arts.
Oh,
Tannenbaum!
The custom of decorating an evergreen with lights and ornaments is ostensibly
Christian, but its roots lie deep in the Pagan past. Discover the fascinating
history of the Christmas tree.
The
Emerald Tablet
The Emerald tablet is the cornerstone of the Hermetic movement. It’s origin
is shrouded in mystery, yet is has been an inspiration for alchemists and magicians
for hundreds of years.
More: Hermetic Tradition - Learn more about the art of Hermes
Sri
Guru Nanak Dev ji
Five centuries ago, during a time of great strife between Hindu and Muslim believers,
a young prophet brought forth the message, "There is neither Hindu nor
Muslim."
The
I Ching
The I Ching, or Book of Changes, has influenced Eastern philosophy for millenia.
Learn how to consult this ancient oracle with nothing more than a few pennies
and a pencil and paper.
Dr.
John Dee, the original Wizard
Who was John Dee? A brilliant magician, mathematician, scientist, and secret
agent- the original Renaissance man. Without him, there would be no Harry Potter,
no Gandalf, no wizard bearing a crystal ball- and no agent 007.
The
Seven African powers
In the Yoruban tradition that is parent to the Lukumi and Palo faiths, the Orishas
are emissaries of God, ruling the forces of nature and the fortunes of mankind.
The Seven African powers are the primary deities of this tradition.
The
Tree of Life
The Tree of life is a universal motif, found in every ancient culture- a symbol
of the uniting of heaven and earth, spiritual nourishment, and even enlightenment.
Remembering
the Dead
A look at the different ways a variety of faiths remember and honor the dead,
from the Mexican Day of the Dead, to the Chinese Feast of the Hungry Ghosts.
Halloween
History Hysteria
Some conservative Christian tract writers believe Halloween has sinister origins.
Explore common myths and realities about the religious origins of Halloween.
The
Pentagram
The pentagram is almost as old as mankind, an an important symbol in many religions.
Learn the history, meaning, and importance of the Pentagram throughout history.
Vodoun,
the real Voodoo
Vodoun, the traditional religion of Haiti, is one of the most misunderstood
religions of all time. Learn more about this ancient ancestral tradition.
The
Way and its power- the story of the Tao te Ching
When the wise man Laotze was halted on his travels by a customs official who
demanded he declare his items of value, Laotze replied that he had only one
thing of value- his wisdom. The official pondered this and decided that as payment,
Laotze should write down his wisdom. The result was the Tao te Ching.
Color
your own Tarot cards
Own a deck that's unlike any other- by creating it yourself! This feature includes
cards you can print out, and simple instructions so you can create your own
unique Tarot cards.
Runes-
The Alphabet of Odin
Discover the ancient oracular alphabet of the Norse, the meanings of the Runic
characters, and learn how to do a basic divination with Runes.
Hollywood
goes Gnostic
Has Hollywood gone Gnostic? Are there secret theological messages in modern
films? Explore Cinema's strange new direction.
A
Defense of Discordianism
Tired of cranky old religions and arrogant thunder Gods who take the fun out
of everything? Discordian Fayanora's description of life as a Discordian.
A
Defense of Discordianism-Part Two
All is Chaos- Part two of Fayanora's paean to the Goddess of Discord. Even more
babble and confusing prose.
Separation
of Church and State?
A collection of quotes from founding fathers and US presidents supporting
church and state separation, including a list of bogus quotes to watch out for.
The
Mysterious Dying God.
What does Christianity have in common with ancient Pagan religions? Much more
than you might think.
Book Reviews
This month, I compare two books on Santeria/Lukumi, and review Hidden
Wisdom, a Guide to Western Esoteric teachings, from the former editors of
Gnosis magazine.
New
Religions in the twentieth century...
The differences between cults and sects, and the politics behind the way
we define religion.
Defining
Paganism?
Is a group of American Neopagans practicing elitism in order to gain greater
mainstream legitimacy? Discussing the Pagan unity campaign and the surrounding
controversy.
The
Pagan origins of the Easter bunny
Not an ordinary rabbit! Learn the true origin of the furry Easter icon.
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