Podcast Episode #5: Magical Thinking

Oya by © Aris Dervis 2003

I had a conversation with a friend recently about magical thinking. She is a Buddhist who believes that through chanting, one's desires can become manifest. Yet, she does not believe that there is anything magical about chanting, and relegated belief in magic to those whose mental fortitude may be lacking. Likewise, many friends of other religions agree with this sentiment when it comes to prayer--there is simply nothing magical about it. Magic, chant, prayer, even law of attraction--they are all the same in my mind, so is it just matter of semantics? Attitudes? Perception? Culture?


Magical thinking is very prevalent in our society, yet so is the reluctance to claim it for what it really is: the input of intent behind a certain desired outcome. Why the disdain? Is it fear of being perceived by others in a negative light? Is it the comfort in knowing that we are somehow more 'evolved' than our earthly neighbors who still live in grass huts and whose daily lives are infused with the magical? Or that we are more 'together' than those who believe in such "hocus-pocus", as my dear friend refers to it?


In this latest podcast episode I share my thoughts on magical thinking. Nothing deep, just a light-hearted rant of sorts. Also included: The music of Babatunde Olatunji, an iPhone application review of Liber Umbrarum et Lux (Book of Shadows and Light), a review of the film Paranormal Activity, and some notes on a recently cast money spell. 

Click here for Podcast Episode #5: Magical Thinking

Podcast Resources:

Do You Believe in Magic? - New York Times online article

Oya - Babatunde Olatunji - You Tube music video 

Paranormal Activity - Official movie page

Ariel's "Building a Thoughtform" lesson - From Ariel's A Witch's Primer

Coconut Lottery Spell - From Dr. Snake's blog

Liber Umbrarum et Lux (Book of Shadows and Light) - FREE iPhone app from Planet Stephanie

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween!

Image of Jack Skellington from layoutsparks.com

Greetings and Happy New Year, witches!


It's that time of year again, my personal favorite--Halloween. Unfortunately, the Haunted Hallway will not be open this year due to redecorating, as we are still in the process of redoing our foyer. It is going slower than usual and is in various stages of disarray. In the past we decked out the front yard, porch, vestibule and entire foyer in wonderful creepiness complete with smoke machines, scary music and sound effects, colored lights, strobe lights, cobwebs--the whole shebang. It was the closest thing to a halloween haunted house in the area we live in, here in a neighborhood that isn't into halloween compared to others. The trick-or-treaters that did come to our house were allowed to come in and walk to the end of the hallway were we had the Magic Candy Cauldron set up at the bottom of the staircase. Last year we decided that those without proper costumes or masks (more often the case than not) would get an extra treat--the "wolfman" would jump out of the foyer closet and scare them silly!

We'll still dress up and pass out candy this year, and then afterward, go over to the huge Halloween block parties in Hyde Park, the president's former Chicago neighborhood. Each year a stretch of 4 streets are closed off, and every mansion on the block is lavishly decorated. One year, an entire facade of one house was a very elaborate pirate ship. One of my favorites of all time was one porch that was set up to look like the interior of an alien spaceship. There was a rubber human mannequin on a steel table, with four life-size and realistic-looking aliens doing very, um, colorful "experiments" on their human subject. I cannot wait to see what they do next!

Comments--You don't say!

Literally. It was recently brought to my attention that the comments setting was disabled here at the WitchMix blog. I am pleased to announce that comments are now enabled. Much thanks to Ki'a Dragon of the Pagan Chaos Magic podcast for mentioning that, and I give thanks to him again for all the podcast tips and suggestions.

And now....Comment away, I would love to hear from you.

Podcast Episode #4 - Reincarnation

Jung's Mandala, courtesy of www.jungneworleans.org.

Finally got episode #4 of the WitchMix podcast up and running. In this episode, I talk about the concept of reincarnation and what it personally means to me. I have had experiences in which I feel were actual glimpses into previous lifetimes, but I can't say that they were 100%. I would just like to believe that they were until there is proof otherwise. Also included in this podcast are iPhone app reviews for both HerbMagic and CrystalMagic, a review of the television show Eastwick, and my (finally!) review of the book Jambalaya.

**EXTRA**

Tune in to this episode for details on how to win a free card reading from me :)

Resources for this episode:

The Reincarnation FAQ

Music video of Deja Vu (I've Been Here Before) - Teena Marie

Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss, M.D.

The Theory of Celestial Influence by Rodney Collin

The Legacy of Rodney Collin (Fourth Way)

Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals by Luisah Teish

Cleversea.com

Life Force Arts Center

Earth Spiritualists of Chicago

Click for Episode #4

Internet Woes & the Flu

Greetings!

I recorded my podcast of WitchMix Episode #4 - Reincarnation, but am having internet issues that are making the upload next to impossible. I hope to have these issues remedied soon.

The flu got ahold of me this weekend bringing all plans to a grinding halt, which included getting out this weekend to check out Wendy Rule and SJ Tucker :( I am sooooo upset about missing those two performances! Both were performing here in Chicago at the Life Force Arts Center.

I would like to announce that I have a giveaway for the month of October--a free Cartouche card reading! Details are available in the Episode 4 podcast, so do check back for it.

WitchMix Podcast #3: Peace, Gratitude & More on Ancestral Altars

Click for Episode #3

This is the third episode of the WitchMix podcast, recorded on International Peace Day. The focus of this episode is on finding peace within in order to have it without, and how to obtain a more peaceful state by way of gratitude. A review of an iPhone/iPod Touch application, Gratitude Journal, is included, as well as songs that tie in the concepts of self peace, world peace and gratitude.

Resources:

Oseanna of the Get Witchified podcast’s webclass info at http://www.pumpkincottageconjure.themoonlitsea.net
Brook, the iPod Witch at: http://ipodwitch.webs.com
Luisah Teish at http://www.luisahteish.com
Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror (music video from YouTube)
John Lennon - Give Peace a Chance (music video from YouTube)

LoveEarth.net - Peace Organizations

*NOTE: I misspoke. The concert video I refer to is MJ Live From Bucharest, not Budapest (Guess Z. was on my mind).

Episode #2a - Mysterious Sound

I have mentioned in both podcasts to date that I believe I have a house ghost or some sort of energy in my home that has been trying to get my attention. Well! I was listening to the playback of episode 2, and at 15:03, heard a mysterious sound in the background. To me it sounds like a male voice. I didn’t have a television nor a radio playing during the time I recorded that particular segment, and I was alone in the house. The dogs were in the backyard, and all three cats were downstairs and quiet. I did have the window open, but the sound seems to be in the same room as I was, albeit at somewhat of a distance. To me it sounds like it’s asking a question. My husband says it could possibly be my stomach growling (huh?) 0_0 Please check it out for yourselves, let me know what you think. I would love your feedback!

Click for Episode #2a