Month: January 2010

Celtic Paganism and the Tree of Life

Learn more about Celtic Paganism…

Celtic Paganism
Celtic Paganism and the Tree of Life

One of the great things about Paganism is that aside from the rule of hurting noone and trying to be the best person you can be, there are no hard and fast rules.  What this means is that you can incorporate deities, rituals myths and more from any tradition you like! Most Pagans do worship some gods and goddesses from the Ancient Celts and some Pagans are exclusively Celtic Pagans. Cerridwen or Brigit (Welsh and Irish names respectively) is one of the most popular Celtic Pagan goddesses. The Sabbats of Imbolc, Beltane, Samhain and Lughnasadh are all directly derived from Celtic tradition.

Celtic knotwork diamond for Wealth
Celtic knotwork diamond for Wealth

Much of Pre-Christian Celtic knowledge has been lost, and most of what we have comes to us through myths, poetry and legends, and this really allows even greater freedom for you to interpret and take what you like from them.  I’ve got lots of lovely Silver Celtic Jewellery at the shop as well as some great books on the Celts and Celtic Paganism, and I’ve just created a new squidoo lens all about Celtic Paganism and also about the Tree of Life which is a popular symbol in many Northern Traditions, and I’ve discussed a little of the Norse history behind it.  Please take a look and tell me what you think!

Blessings xx

Celtic Woman at Hastings
Beautiful Celtic Woman at Hastings

Dragons of the World Unite!

Greetingssz! My name iz Calcifer and I am StormJewel’s baby pet dragon. You may have seen me lazing on the fireplace of her shop, or if I am feeling mischevious waiting on a chair so that an unsuspecting visitor may feel my flame on their behind! Jusst kidding! My mistress wouldn’t let me do that even if I could and at the moment I’m still a bit little to breathe fire! Anyway I told mum that there jusst wazn’t enough Dragon Stuff going on here, so she has written an article about my cousins from around the world, plus shows you some pictures from Dragon Tarot cards and my favourite items in her store – the Dragon Figurines. So if you want to learn more about us wonderful dragon creatures – click here . Farewell for now – come visit me soon and bring some chilli firebball sweets, my fave!

thanks to Daniela Kufner for this image
Calcifer

More icy beauty from Jack Frost!

Well I’m looking out of my window and it seems strange that I can see green grass after being so used to the snow!

Yes as those in England will know, we are back to rain rain rain, so its too late for any snowflake pics now!  But the temperature looks as though it will still fall below freezing sometime next week, so there is time to get some beautiful icy pics.

Been looking at some stock photos that show the beauty of Antartica and I would like to share them with you.

You can see more of the authors’ photos here and here

The wonderful beauty of Mother Nature in Snowflakes

The wonderful beauty of Mother Nature

In the UK at the moment we are experiencing more snow than I have seen for years! As you might expect it’s very cold and I’m a summer creature, but it is beautiful too.  I discovered these gorgeous pictures of snow flakes here and there is a link to someone telling you how to photograph your own snowflake, so people in the UK (and anywhere else with snow of course!), nows the time to get snapping!

 

Learn how to make a Wiccan or Pagan altar

Wicca Pagan Altar
Wicca Pagan Altar (Photo credit: dragonoak)

An Altar or Sacred Place is a great way to show your devotion to the god and goddess and any other deities or special times of the year you would like to venerate and celebrate.

You can use it to keep your magickal and ritual items on, and it’s a great place to retreat to for some meditation, or to do a spot of candle magick for instance.

As with so much in the Pagan faith, everything you choose for your altar is up to you but I’m going to give you some suggestions and explain the significances of certain ritual items, and the elemental correspondences.

Many of the things for your altar you can get at home or in nature, or make yourself but if you want to buy certain things you can head over to my shop as you will find everything you need, including coloured candles, athames, chalices, mini cauldrons, bells and much more.

I’ve created a Hub Page that has what you need to know to make this sacred space.

Find out how to make your own Pagan or Wiccan Altar and all the supplies you need here.

Enjoy and Blessed Be!  StormJewel x