Gems in the Rough

I was reading an article today by Wendy Ellison where she said, “What if we wore labels like that? We are like fabric, cut from the same cloth, God’s children, created in His image. And yet we are different, part of His grand design. We all have traits that make us unique—complete with physical attributes that we might perceive as flaws. Upon closer examination, perhaps it is those distinctive qualities that make us who we are.” And it made me wonder, is this really true?

Things I need to Buy

• Candles: Blue and Green Votives to match the Red and Yellow ones I have now
• White and Black Tapers; the black will be difficult to find outside of Halloween
• Candle Holders I like for the tapers
• Wand Supplies, once I know what kind I want to make
• Charcoal Briquettes for incense
• Incense burner for home made incense
• a rasp or wood file
• Mortar and Pestle
• Copper-bladed Athame

I’m sure this list could go on and on, but those are priorities.

My Name

Pagans often choose new names when they choose to dedicate themselves to the Craft. There are a variety of reasons for this but the most important one is that it’s a new path, a whole new way of living – and as such, deserves it’s own identification. Rikka on Witchvox says, “A magickal name can help define you in your new life, it can affect what others think of you and you can use this to your advantage.” Most importantly, what she doesn’t say, is that affects what you think of yourself.

My birth name conjures images of